Binky Gets By...

Trying new things

2011-09-23T12:11:00.001-03:00

I am a firm believer that trying something new is an experience that usually leads to growth. In that spirit I golfed for the first time a week ago today. Most men My age are experienced golfers (while sometimes over-stating their skill level).

As a kid or young adult I had a combination of no interest and little opportunity to try golf. In spite of this, my life has gone on quite well.

I've been aware that golf's absence from my life might become an issue at work. Things came to a head last week. My new department was having it's annual golf tournament. This year's organizer was a colleague who has been an extra big help in my new job (and who I've known for many years). Out of loyalty to him and in the face of uncertain numbers, I agreed to go/didn't have much choice.

Let me be clear- I have never golfed before that has not involved the beautiful AstroTurf, windmills, and clowns of mini golf.

Happily, the afternoon was a lot of fun. Several things lead my first golf game to be fun and not the humiliating debacle that I had foreseen. First, I was with three guys that I knew and who knew that I was a golf virgin. Second, we had a "closest ball to the hole" format. This was merciful. Third, two things happened that made things more fun. On the first hole, I managed to hit the ball in such way that it went straight up, hit me on the top of the head and landed in
my hood. Laughter ensued. There was no where to go but up from there (and I did gradually improve). Second, I found and returned a $50 bill that the group ahead of us had lost, becoming an instant hero.

So, overall it was a fun afternoon and not the train wreck I had pictured. I guess that's growth.

Sent from my iPhone

First Day Down

2011-09-08T20:25:00.003-03:00

Today was a great first day in the new job. Last night, about 15 of my colleagues took me out for drinks and supper at a local watering hole. It was low-key and fun. I may have been ready to move on, but I am just barely ready to say good-bye to a supportive bunch of people that have helped me make it as far as I have so far.

Today was an east start to a different world. I actually know most of my new colleagues already. This seems to be a pleasant but slightly off-putting surprise to my new supervisor. Today literally involved reading a policy manual... It also involved better thing, like a team meeting and getting assigned new clients.

Onward...

The dreams have started

2011-09-03T13:58:00.001-03:00

Thursday night I had a very vivid dream about my change of jobs. Most of the details are gone now, but I was at some kind of large meeting through my work. I think that it was some time of uncertainty and we were together for that reason.

In the dream, I was coming to grips with the idea that I was walking away from voluntarily. I was beside a colleague who has been a confidant for many years. This seemed to be "bringing home" the idea of what I was losing.

In the wide-awake-world, I'm great with this change. But, it's a mistake for me to under-estimate how profound a change this is for me (even if officially it's only for a year).

Details of my new job

2011-09-01T19:25:00.001-03:00

On September 8th, my new job starts. Instead of working (primarily) with youth and children in care as I am now, I'll be working with youth who are involved in the justice system. It's quite a shift, but one I'm eagerly awaiting.

Sent from my iPhone

Reasons why I love my new iPhone

2011-08-30T20:34:00.002-03:00

I no longer have to experience youth with whom I work laughing when I pull out my ancient flip phone,
I've discovered that I can connect to the web portal for my work's e-mail (new and old work site) from my iPhone, making it as useful as any senior manger's Blackberry, and
My sweetie and I can text each other to our hearts' content. Don't laugh, this firmly propels the technological age of our relationship into the late 1990s.

Excuse the last post...

2011-08-30T17:47:00.001-03:00

Now, as I was saying, before my iPhone figured out that it didn't want to finish composing the below post, I have what I've been hoping for. On September 8th, I have a new job. After 15 years with the same department, I'm off to graze in a different pasture for a year.

This is something I've been preparing towards since last December and I am pleased. Very pleased..

Technically, it's only until next July but I fully intend to go for a permanent position (unless I hate it there- which I don't expect to be the case).

The "new" position is actually a maternity leave. It's also a level higher than my current position.

What else can I say, except maybe... :-)

Sent from my iPhone

What I had been hoping for...

2011-08-30T17:23:00.002-03:00

2011-08-03T09:13:00.002-03:00

Its a good week...

I'll post later with some details but I'm having the kind of week where I'm taking responsibility for my own destiny and happiness. The girls are great and we are having a wonderful summer.

B.

But...

2011-07-05T19:05:00.002-03:00

All of that belly-aching aside, things are looking up, I think. Basically I have the choice between staying somewhere I've been for the vast majority of my adult life or getting something else, somewhere else (a task that has not been going well so far).

For someone who values loyalty and commitment, this is a tough one. Scary, too. That said, there have been minor changes in the organization with which I'm pleased. My bottom line is trying to take responsibility for my own happiness and satisfaction. That can't be a bad thing...

2011-06-22T23:11:00.002-03:00

To continue on from my last entry, its been a period of really painful soul searching. I'm not pleased with where my career has taken me over the past fifteen years and its a lot easier to regret decisions I've made or not made than it is to sort the present out.

Looking Back.... But not fondly...

2011-06-22T16:08:00.002-03:00

The last six months have been tough. I think its fair to say that its been the toughest stretch I've ever had at work. Work is not something I feel I can take pride in like I used to do, its more something I need to get through.

That said, things are better and I really hope to get back to a point where I can feel better about my job and and how well I do at it.

More tonight,
B.

2011-01-28T18:03:00.002-04:00

The house is full of nine year-old girls... They are loudly playing games in the basement. Action Girl turns 10 on Monday! I cannot imagine a nicer bunch of girls... That said given the amount of screaming, I believe it may be a long night.

6:15PM They're eating now... The joke of the hour is to say "Do you like pepperoni?" with a Jamaican accent...

chapters.indigo.ca: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter: Seth Grahame-smith: Books

2011-01-16T08:09:00.000-04:00

What I'm reading:

chapters.indigo.ca: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter: Seth Grahame-smith: Books

- A Re-Launch of Sorts -

2011-01-13T12:09:00.002-04:00

Now that we've moved and are getting very settled I should finally have some time to write. We moved on December 28 and 29 and are now fairly settled in our new-to-us, bigger, urban, house.

For the record, its a 2000 sq. ft. spilt level, which at 38 years is actually older but 800 sq. ft. bigger than our previous house. Its been unoccupied for about two years, some of which time the then-owners used to renovate to "flip" it. We are up a bathroom, having only one before and both of the girls' bedrooms are bigger than before. They are both downstairs, we (and the spare bedroom) are upstairs. Instead of an en-suite bathroom, we have a "cheater" with a door from our bedroom that opens to the bathroom which also has a door to the hall.

I'm really proud of how well the four of us (plus the cat) have dealt with the move. It should prove to be a rich source of many more entries in this blog.

B.

A VERY ZOMBIE HOLIDAY (Instructional video)

2010-12-22T20:21:00.000-04:00

When did basic human values become un-Chinese? - The Globe and Mail

2010-12-12T21:04:00.001-04:00

When did basic human values become un-Chinese? - The Globe and Mail

Are gadgets ruining our kids' brains? - The Globe and Mail

2010-12-12T21:04:00.000-04:00

Are gadgets ruining our kids' brains? - The Globe and Mail

A product for our times: caffeinated popcorn - Healthzone.ca

2010-12-07T20:27:00.000-04:00

I may have to get some of this:

A product for our times: caffeinated popcorn - Healthzone.ca

Repost: John Daley, My Great-Great Uncle, R.I.P.

2010-11-10T17:53:00.000-04:00

Private John Daley, Kings County, Prince Edward Island
Born March 23, 1891 Died in combat Nov. 6, 1918, age 27 years.

John Daley was my maternal grandmother's uncle. He was killed five days before the end of the Great War. The army he fought as part of was ending the period known as "Canada's Hundred Days," a period during which it was at the forefront of some of the most decisive, important victories of the war. He's buried along with 881 other Commonwealth soldiers in the Valenciennes (St. Roch) Communal Cemetery in Northern France, close to the Belgian frontier.

He was killed 2-3 days after the Canadian Corps took the area from the German Army, who had held the area from the war's early days. Uncle John' s unit is listed is listed as the Nova Scotia Highlanders (or the 85th Battalion) although they may have been attached to the Manitoba Regiment at the time of his death. Many young men from Eastern Prince Edward Island had gone to Nova Scotia to enlist.

The tragedy in his death itself, in his death at 27, and in his death in the war's last days are obvious. Other suffering caused by his death is not so obvious. In 1917, his brother Abram drowned after falling from a vessel in the Northumberland Strait, leaving his widow and two daughters. They were my grandmother and her older sister (who had been blind from birth). The family's understanding has always been (in my life time) that John would have supported them after the war and they would have been spared the poverty that they had faced. In the end, my grandmother and her sister had full, happy lives. This was despite the poverty they faced as children- poverty they overcame but with some price. Specifically, the costs of school for the blind for my great aunt, meant less money for education and medical (dental) care for my grandmother. The math was that simple. These were not life-threatening deficits, but certainly life-shaping.

Save for the effect of a single shell or bullet in the cold November of 1918, I believe John Daley would have helped as he could.

B.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Link for John Daley:

http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=577383

Canadian Department of Veteran's Affairs Link for John Daley:

http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/remembers/sub.cfm?source=collections/virtualmem/Detail&casualty=577383

Guest Post: The Blobs from Outer Space

2010-11-07T09:30:00.000-04:00

By Action Girl (age 9):

Psychology and Social Work: the venn diagram

2010-11-04T09:18:00.003-03:00

This is a venn diagram I wrote for a recent presentation I made to a group of undergraduate psychology students. The focus of my presentation was on social work as a career option. Any and all feedback is appreciated.

B.

2010-11-03T09:24:00.000-03:00

Super Girl's (age 6.5) Jack O' Lantern 2010

2010-11-03T09:22:00.001-03:00

Action Girl's (age 9.5) Jack O' Lantern 2010

2010-11-03T09:20:00.002-03:00

CBC News - Technology & Science - Habitable planet discovery likely in 2011

2010-09-15T22:12:00.000-03:00

Well now... This is interesting.

CBC News - Technology & Science - Habitable planet discovery likely in 2011

CBC News - Canada - Battle over future of Fokker D.VII divides Knowlton, Que.

2010-09-14T15:06:00.002-03:00

As some of you know, World War I & II aircraft are a real passion for me. The Fokker D. VII mentioned below was the best German fighter of the First World War and a whole generation of allied fighters were needed to counter it. It was the only aircraft mentioned by name in the Versailles Treaty.

Anyway, here's a very interesting story from the CBC about the only D. VII in the world in its orginal condition.

CBC News - Canada - Battle over future of Fokker D.VII divides Knowlton, Que.

B.

Sucess but no time

2010-09-10T09:06:00.003-03:00

The first week of school went well. We are very busy but settling in to a hectic regualr schedule. Work is up for both us and both girls are back at the rink at Can Skate/Figure Skating.

I am at work, and have no time to write now. This is in part because we have a private showing of our house tonight at 5:30 and an open house for our place on Sunday.

B.

BBC News - Zombies take over Baltimore University curriculum

2010-09-07T20:11:00.000-03:00

I may have to head back to school:

BBC News - Zombies take over Baltimore University curriculum

The White Stripes - We're Going To Be Friends

2010-09-06T20:40:00.000-03:00

This is the last night that we have a pre-schooler sleeping in our house. Brave, sweet Super Girl makes her way into Grade One tomorrow.

Here is my all-time favourite "back to school" song. A simple song for a more innocent time.

The Simpsons - Union Strike Song and Classical Gas

2010-09-06T12:42:00.000-03:00

Happy Labour Day 2010
One of my favourite Simpsons moments.
B.

iPod Nano (6th Generation) | Gear Patrol

2010-09-01T21:08:00.000-03:00

Its almost out- and I want one!!
B.

iPod Nano (6th Generation) | Gear Patrol

Moment of Truth?

2010-08-28T08:51:00.002-03:00

Today we have an open house from one to three. A family who liked our house from our last open house have told our agent that they are coming today and that they have been talking to their bank (which hopefully means they are approved for a mortgage).

There have been times when we've both been kind of discouraged lately, so we're putting a lot of hope into this basket.

Humans must move to space in 100 years or face extinction: Hawking | Posted | National Post

2010-08-22T19:51:00.000-03:00

Okay, great-grandchildren to be: start training as soon as you can!

Humans must move to space in 100 years or face extinction: Hawking | Posted | National Post

Eddy Grant - Gimme Hope Joanna (1988)

2010-08-21T20:39:00.001-03:00

I just spent a couple of minutes trying to convince the girls that the tune to a Yop commercial on TV was actually a song about South Africa- a plea for the centre of white power, the city of Johannesburg. It is, I think, a far better song than I remember. Good enough, for me to have mixed feelings about it being used to sell delicious dairy-based drinks. But, I didn't write it.

Set your Way-Back Machines to 1988 and try to remember how outraged so many of us were in 1988 at Apartheid. If only we could summon the same outrage at poverty rooted in racist pasts.

Enjoy!

How to Start a Fire Without Matches | The Art of Manliness

2010-08-20T20:28:00.001-03:00

You never know when something like this will come in handy:

How to Start a Fire Without Matches | The Art of Manliness

Nerf N-Strike Stampede ECS Gun

2010-08-17T08:41:00.002-03:00

If they had toys like this when I was a child, I'm not sure how differently I migh t have grown to be as an adult. Regardless, it is pretty awesome.

Nerf N-Strike Stampede ECS Gun

B.

How to Make a Corn Cob Pipe | The Art of Manliness

2010-08-12T00:23:00.000-03:00

For my father-in-law, because he and ONLY he is cool enough to pull this off.

How to Make a Corn Cob Pipe | The Art of Manliness

Article: "15 Manly Smells"

2010-08-09T11:00:00.002-03:00

The only two things I could think to add to this list are the smells of WD-40 and freshly turned soil (or freshly cut hay).

B.

Link below:

http://artofmanliness.com/2009/06/23/15-manly-smells

Cat Safety Propaganda

2010-08-09T09:39:00.000-03:00

Kids' Movie Magic

2010-08-04T21:21:00.002-03:00

Week two of our vacation is going well. We've repainted the family room downstairs and have had lots of time to relax as well.

Tonight we watched Jurassic Park with the girls. It was the first time they'd watched it and was a very big hit.

Ah, childhood!

B.

'It's Kind of a Funny Story' - Trailer |HD|

2010-07-29T12:38:00.000-03:00

This could be pretty funny:

Its to be released on September 24th 2010.

The New Ride

2010-07-29T10:15:00.001-03:00

As mentioned previously, we have been in need of a new vehicle. A week before our trip I received our insurance cheque (the old Santa Fe was a write-off) and bought a 2005 Santa Fe with 53,000 km on it. Its a FWD with a 2.7 litre V-6. The colour is different and unblike the 2004, it has anti-lock brakes and stability assist.

Our new Santa Fe had a very comfortable ride on our trip and decent mileage.

“Best Road Trip Ever”

2010-07-29T09:39:00.001-03:00

Last night we arrived home after a road trip to Maine. We visited Bar Harbor, Freeport, and Bangor. It was a great trip and went smoothly. Super Girl (age 6) proclaimed it the “best road trip ever.” That can’t be a bad sign.

Bar Harbor:

We had a great time seeing the mountain, Acadia National Park, and the town itself. Unfortunately, our whale watching tour was cancelled due to high seas.

Freeport:

The Land of L.L. Bean. Shopping, shopping, shopping. Plus a few quirky sights:

Back to school clothes and backpacks were the popular choice.

Here she is...

2010-07-29T09:22:00.001-03:00

Cat News!

2010-07-20T01:42:00.000-03:00

I can't believe the cat came back after a week and a half! Apparently she spent the last few days in the neighbours camper trailer.

Open House Today!

2010-07-18T09:19:00.003-03:00

Open house today! Cross your fingers!

Living room has been painted (by me). Surely that's all it could possibly take to tip the balance in our favour.

B.

Stuff that reminds me of Mom: Philips Turntable

2010-07-12T14:23:00.011-03:00

Happily, I have a number of memories of Mom that involve records and music. Neither of us were hardcore fans of any particular music (although I came close in my devotion to U2). But, we both liked a number of different types of music and she was always willing to listen to whatever I suggested and played for her.
Last week, I collected a number of cassettes to which I knew Dad would never lsiten. He recntly bought a turntable with a recordable CD drive on it. We tried copying a one record so far and results have been mixed. I'll write more about the cassettes in a future post.
My dad's biggest objective of the last few months has been to get the basement cleared out of stuff that he will not need and which are not pricless family heirlooms. I help when I'm able and last week I decided to tackle our 1970-ish vintage Philips "portable" turntable. Its an item with which I associate a lot of good memories, including at least one birthday party. Here it is.

And, then there's the other stuff (House & Cat)

2010-07-10T12:30:00.003-03:00

So, these two things in no way compare to yesterday's events, but-

1) The two families that were interested in buying our house are no longer interested (or possibly couldn't get mortgage approval). We're having another open house on Sunday, July 18th.

2) Peggy is missing. She's been "out" since Thursday. The longer she's gone, the less likely it is that she'll be returning to us.

B.

A Trying (but really GREAT) Friday

2010-07-10T09:18:00.002-03:00

Yesterday was eventful. Action Girl (age 9) was finishing at the summer camp she had been at since last Sunday. In a unrelated happening, I took Super Mom's car top have some brake work done. Our plan had been for her to leave home and pick me up and to drive to pick up A-G at her camp.

At about 2:35PM, about a kilometre from our home a car crossed the centre line and struck them close to the driver's side front wheel. They are fine, at least by today.

The local fire department, police, and two ambulances were called. The other driver and Super Girl (age 6) were taken by ambulance to the hospital. Happily, Super Girl was there and gone in about two hours and she and Super Mom are bruised and stiff but otherwise okay.

Our car, the 2004 Santa Fe is pretty heavily damaged. It now has three wheels, which I suspect may turn out to be a problem. All that really matters is that they are fine. That makes it a really successful day.

B.

Terrifying police raid wakens couple at 4 a.m. - thestar.com

2010-06-28T18:47:00.000-03:00

I'm generally pretty supportive of the police. One of the great pluses of the last 14 years as a social worker has been getting to know a number of police officers and working quite closely with them , at times.

Stories like the one below trouble me, though.

Terrifying police raid wakens couple at 4 a.m. - thestar.com

Mistakes happen. Mistakes that almost get people killed are harder to excuse.

Maybe we're actually pretty good at this...

2010-06-28T16:22:00.002-03:00

So, it sounds like there are actually two families who are very interested in our house! Neither has yet made an actual offer, but things are progressing. We had an agent showing one of them our house on Saturday and they told their agent that of the four houses they had seen, our house was their first choice.

Admittedly, all of this could mean nothing, but its hard not to be optimistic. :-)

B.

Last Day of Grade Three

2010-06-25T16:22:00.002-03:00

From our "things that have me feeling OLD" department: in seven minutes time, I'm leaving to pick up our eldest daughter from her last day of Grade Three! Where has the time gone?

B.

It may soon be time to get excited....

2010-06-24T14:05:00.002-03:00

I'm at home today with an under-the-weather Super Girl (age 6). She's recovering nicely.

Our real estate agent just called and she expects an offer within a couple of days! Its important not to assume this is 100%, but I'm beginning to get really optimistic. The house that's our number 1 choice is still available, so things could start to happen soon. The family that's interested in our house is waiting to hear back on mortgage approval.

Fingers crossed,
B.

CBC News - British Columbia - B.C. rebuffs children's watchdog

2010-06-22T11:03:00.000-03:00

If I'm ever published, it will (probably) be for writing an article on kinship foster care. The theme of relatives caring for kids in state care holds far greater promise than other forms of care, with a host of expected and unexpected risks and challenges.
B.

Click on the link below:

CBC News - British Columbia - B.C. rebuffs children's watchdog

Open House Outcome

2010-06-15T10:39:00.001-03:00

This post's title may be a little premature. Our agent said that there were about 10 people through the house and that one family in particular seemed serious ( the dad left and he and the mom returned and spent about 45 minutes). We're optimistic but not getting our hopes up too much.

B.

Pretty Balanced and Very Busy

2010-06-11T10:08:00.001-03:00

The only reason I have time to write this entry this morning is because Super Girl (age 6) is home with a sore tummy. This weekend we have our second open house and we are (I think) still enjoying the challenge of trying to sell our house that now, yen years on, seems so small.

The girls have been even busier than usual. Here’s a quick run-down:

Super Girl (age 6):

Graduates from kindergarten next week.
Had her Grade One Orientation morning (went well).
Has started her sport for the summer: baseball! She liked it so much she made a baseball diamond diorama as soon as she got home from last week’s practice.
Is on the verge of riding her bike with no training wheels (I’ll keep you posted).
Has her first loose tooth.
Is greatly enjoying our read-aloud of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
Danced last week in the provincial dance competition. Her group clogged to “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” as interpreted by Hannah Montana.

Action Girl (age 9):

Is winding down Grade Three.
Has started her SIXTH year of soccer. She missed the second night (last night) because of a bad tummy but should have a great year.
Continues to enjoy a wonderful and complex social life with a number of close friends (including a best friend).
Has “wrapped” Super Mario Brothers on her Nintendo DSi.
Is currently reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire on her own.
Is going to camp for six days in early July with her best friend. Every camper gets to pick an area of speciality. Hers? “Rock Climbing” for the second year in a row.

More soon,

Meet Samuel, Lost’s Man In Black

2010-06-05T16:10:00.001-03:00

Post-Lost Finale Info:

Jacob's brother's name was... Samuel!!!!!

Meet Samuel, <i>Lost</i>’s Man In Black

CBC News - World - Malawi gay couple get 14 years in prison

2010-05-21T09:01:00.000-03:00

I am very angry at the government of Malawi. Please add that body to my &*%$^ list...

I hope that years from now, moves like this are seen for the blatant they so clearly are.

CBC News - World - Malawi gay couple get 14 years in prison

Open House in Two Weeks?

2010-05-16T09:09:00.003-03:00

Our realtor is going to have an open house at our place in two weeks! How exciting- how terrifying!

Actually, I think we should be really ready for it by then.

More later,

Work Mumblings...

2010-05-14T21:18:00.002-03:00

Not a great day at work...

Am thinking a change maybe in order, but the same old question arises. Should I be the happy new fish in a new pond or an old, unhappy fish with aquatic seniority?

This is how it felt...

2010-05-14T19:42:00.000-03:00

The Uncharted Territroy of Mother's Day

2010-05-10T16:56:00.003-03:00

Last night I wrote in an e-mail that Mother's Day this hadn't been awful. With mom gone, it seemed more strange than anything else. Odd, maybe... Out of place and wrong...

I took a couple of baskets of flowers and put them on mom's grave. It was the first time I've been there since her funeral in November. Had it been any later in the year (or any other winter, we might not have been able to have her internment until now (or a few weeks ago). We also have yet to pick out her grave stone. Dad's decided that my sister (who died right after birth in 1972) Mom, and he will all have their names on one headstone. Right now my sister is buried about an hour away- we had decided right after mom dies to have her moved so she could be with mom and dad in the community they've called home for the past 30 years.

B.

My New Ride: Its Here!

2010-05-05T22:20:00.002-03:00

On Monday, I was able to sell my 1998 Corolla and buy my 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe. The last couple of days spent driving it have been a blast. I really, really like it and so do the girls (and my other family and colleagues).

The Great:

The driving position. Its super comfortable, probably the best I’ve ever driven. Its high and visibility is great.
The room. It goes on for miles.
The options, it may not sound like much, but I‘ve wanted to have remote locks and air conditioning for some time. We have both in the other car (a very nice ‘09 Corolla).
The ride: its more comfortable than I expected. Very smooth!

The Things to Get Used to/Change:

Gas mileage. Yep. It takes more gas. Stay tuned as I start to assess the actual mileage. Today I filled it up for the first time and just off the top of my head I think it was $63.50 or about 55 Litres.
It only has winter tires. Mind you they are great (and new) winter tires. I need to get all-season tires on it as soon as possible.
Parking. Its not that hard but I still need some practice.

And, here it is:

2010-04-29T19:37:00.001-03:00

I'm picking it up the first of next week.

New Car!!!!!!!

2010-04-29T19:34:00.002-03:00

Well, its an SUV actually.

Its a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe here's the Kijiji ad:

2004 Hyundai Santa Fe

Date Listed

26-Apr-10

Price

***********

Address

***********

For Sale By

Owner

Make

Hyundai

Model

Santa Fe

Year

2004

Kilometers

36000

Colour

Silver

Transmission

Automatic

Fuel Type

Gasoline

Drivetrain

Front-wheel drive (FWD)

Like new, excellent condition, only 36,000KM and new tires.

Our Clean House 11

2010-04-29T00:45:00.002-03:00

Our Clean House 10

2010-04-29T00:44:00.003-03:00

Our Clean House 9

2010-04-29T00:42:00.001-03:00

Our Clean House 8

2010-04-29T00:19:00.007-03:00

Our Clean House 8
Originally uploaded by Binky's Photos

Our Clean House 7

2010-04-29T00:19:00.005-03:00

Our Clean House 7
Originally uploaded by Binky's Photos

Our Clean House 6

2010-04-29T00:19:00.003-03:00

Our Clean House 6
Originally uploaded by Binky's Photos

Our Clean House 5

2010-04-29T00:19:00.001-03:00

Our Clean House 5
Originally uploaded by Binky's Photos

Our Clean House 4

2010-04-29T00:18:00.003-03:00

Our Clean House 4
Originally uploaded by Binky's Photos

Our Clean House 3

2010-04-29T00:18:00.001-03:00

Our Clean House 3
Originally uploaded by Binky's Photos

Our Clean House 2

2010-04-29T00:17:00.003-03:00

Our Clean House 2
Originally uploaded by Binky's Photos

Our Clean House 1

2010-04-29T00:17:00.001-03:00

Our Clean House 1
Originally uploaded by Binky's Photos

There goes the neighbourhood...?

2010-04-28T14:16:00.004-03:00

At some point on this past Tuesday, our house officially went "on the market." After ten years, we've made the decision to try to move closer to the city and to a larger home. The last month has been a blur of activity and progress towards that goal. We are fairly ready and have received good feedback from our realtor. She thinks the house is quite "sell-able" and that we should get offers soon. We'll see...

Here are the things we've done to get ready to sell (and then buy, but more about that later):

1) Mindset- we are a mean, lean get-this-place-cleaned-up-so-we-can-sell-it team,

2) We've worked together on this. Its nice to have a project (other than making a wonderful life together and producing a raising two human beings).

3) There has been a massive amount of stuff thrown out.

4) There has been a massive amount of stuff put in a self-storage locker (boxes, etc.)

5) I have done some touch-up painting in the bathroom and in the entryway.

6) Our septic tank has been emptied.

7) I pressure-washed the siding and windows.

On a really positive note, there was a family that asked for a private showing even before the sign was up (last Sunday). Nifty!

More later about where we'd like to go...

What my daughter made for me today

2010-04-20T19:31:00.006-03:00

"Pig in a Hat" by Action Girl, Age 9.

Stranded Norwegian PM using iPad to govern | iLounge News

2010-04-20T11:13:00.001-03:00

This is why I urgently need an iPad. How the heck am I ever going to govern Norway without an iPad to help me?

Stranded Norwegian PM using iPad to govern iLounge News

Our life this April

2010-04-17T19:48:00.002-03:00

April has so far been a busy but wonderful month. Last weekend we drove about four hours on Saturday to see my aunt before she moves to Ontario to live. At 93 years-old every visit with her is something very special. She’s my Dad’s older sister and has served as a de facto grandmother for his side of the family. Happily she’s lived the last seven years with her daughter and is going up to live with her son “because if I’m there for seven years, I’ll be 100!”

Last Saturday night held a delicious and meaningful dinner with cousins and their spouses, some whom I hadn’t seen in 15 years. It was great.

The next day (Sunday) we spent the day with Super Mom’s youngest brother, his wife, and their too cute to actually be real daughter- our one and only first cousin! She is the beautiful child who makes me Uncle Binky.

The only down side is that we over-estimated the feasibility of five of us stuffed into my dad’s Saturn Aura sedan. Oh well… Live and learn (easy for me to say- I wasn’t in the back seat!).

2010-04-09T22:44:00.001-03:00

AND PASSED WITH AN ABOVE AVERAGE SCORE. B+

Quiz Created By Auto Insurance

Important News:

2010-04-09T22:38:00.001-03:00

Created by Oatmeal

CBC News - Television - Seth Green to work on new Star Wars comedy

2010-04-06T19:54:00.000-03:00

So... Lucasfilm wants to make an official Star Wars animated comedy.... Let me take each of those confusing words in turn... Yep. George Lucas wants to make a funny, animated Star Wars...

CBC News - Television - Seth Green to work on new Star Wars comedy

ArcelorMittal Orbit Tower to Dominate London 2012 Skyline

2010-04-06T10:25:00.000-03:00

Wow... this is going to be distinctive!

ArcelorMittal Orbit Tower to Dominate London 2012 Skyline

BBC News - Outrage at anti-Semitism comparison by Pope preacher

2010-04-03T12:33:00.002-03:00

This is absolutely outrageous and a good reminder of how likely we are to see any contrition from the Vatican...

B.

BBC News - Outrage at anti-Semitism comparison by Pope preacher

CBC News - Canada - Tories remain favourites in new poll

2010-03-25T09:48:00.001-03:00

Strange days indeed... If the NDP, Greens, and the BQ pooled their support, in theory, it would exceed that of the Liberals OR the Conservatives. Wow.

B.

Link:
CBC News - Canada - Tories remain favourites in new poll

Facing Facts...

2010-03-23T09:41:00.002-03:00

Two quick things:

1) To be perfectly honest, my reservation about buying something "bigger" like a Santa Fe has to do with (A) gas consumption for financial and environmental reasons (about 80%) and (B) not wanting the perception that I wastefully bought "more" vehicle than I needed.

2) Like I wrote earlier, it seems like it makes sense to wait to see how we get along listing our house and what we need to spend to do so before I rush to buy a new vehicle. I just had the inspection done on the old Corolla and the only thing it needed to be inspected until March 2011 was a new strut (about $260). Not bad...

B.

Going Rouge: Sarah Palin - An American Nightmare

2010-03-20T08:10:00.002-03:00

Has anyone read this? Is is worth buying?

Buy Going Rouge : ORBooks

Posted using ShareThis

Is it a Sign????

2010-03-14T23:32:00.002-03:00

Weird... Just as I was starting to get serious about replacing my '98 Corolla, the check-engine light went off for the first time in about two years. Hmmmm...

Yes, I realize it was probably just the bulb burning out, but I can't help but attach some higher significance. :-)

That said, I've been really torn the last few days- every day I don't buy a new (to me) car, is another day without a payment (well, except for the other car we're still paying for...). And, with a new house hopefully in our future...

B.

CBC News - Money - Recalls might 'not totally' fix Toyota problems: president

2010-03-12T16:18:00.000-04:00

Here's some more:

CBC News - Money - Recalls might 'not totally' fix Toyota problems: president

CBC News - Consumer Life - Toyota gas pedal fix fails: U.S. reports

2010-03-12T16:17:00.000-04:00

Okay, this is not good news... Our 2009 Corolla was "fixed" by the local dealership and is clearly our "good" car.

(Read the link below)

B.

CBC News - Consumer Life - Toyota gas pedal fix fails: U.S. reports

From My Mother: Her Typewriter

2010-03-10T21:54:00.003-04:00

Its been three months since my mom passed away. One of the consequences of someone dying unexpectedly is that special possessions aren’t given to loved ones, or even given much thought. Ten years ago when my grandmother (mom’s mom) passed away, she had already put names on the back of many of her favourite things. Seeing her do that or at least knowing she had been assigning her possessions to that family was at the same time upsetting and comforting. When she was gone, we appreciated that much more.

With dad surviving mom, there is no rush to give things away or dispose of what we can’t give away. That said, my dad is intent upon purging the house. He’s not doing it in an unreasonable way- but is a reminder of how deeply her loss must have hit his own sense of mortality.

So, anyway, one of the things of my mom’s that I really wanted to have was her typewriter. Its a manual Brother Portable and my guess is that she bought it at some point between 1965 and 1970.

Here it is (now at our house):

Binky Buys a New Car: Maybe this one instead...

2010-03-10T20:07:00.003-04:00

Here's a 2004 Matrix FWD with 112,000 kms for only $8900... I should test drive this one as well... Any and all feedback welcome!

B.

Binky Buys a New Car: I test drove this at lunch time

2010-03-10T13:54:00.006-04:00

Test driving a SUV was a first for me. It certainly would be a different experience than a compact or sub-compact car. Its ride was surprisingly smooth and its really roomy. Mileage would be another issue, but for something this size it would be decent.

Its a 2004 with 130,000 kms on it. Its also a pretty good deal at $7995.

2010-03-09T11:03:00.001-04:00

Not taken today, but here is our soon-to-be-replaced '98 Corolla.

B.

My '98 Corolla: The End is Nigh?

2010-03-09T10:32:00.010-04:00

A few days after our oldest daughter was born, we bought a more appropriate car than the two sub-compacts we owned at the time, a barely used 1998 Toyota Corolla. After nine years and over 200,000 kms, it doesn't owe us anything and is closer to one end of ts journey than the other. True, it may last until 300,000 kms, but as my very wise other half pointed out recently it would be nice to NOT drive a car until parts were flying off of it (or it needs to be towed out of our driveway).

I have started to try to sort out what our next car purchase. We have a 2009 Corolla with which we’re very pleased (yes, it had a recall though). Its primarily Super Mom’s vehicle.
For me, its pretty clear that our next purchase will primarily be my car and will be used. We don’t want to get into two new car payments at once. I have been thinking that it might be nice to have something with a little more cargo space and utility without breaking the bank.
Option one seems to be a used Toyota Matrix hatchback/wagon.

Option two might be a small-ish SUV like a Hyundai Santa Fe. All-wheel drive would be nice, but in no way is it a priority (as it would come with a mileage penalty for the limited time I would actually use it).

Please post your comments on your thoughts on these two choices. I welcome the input/rebukes.

B.

New Where the Hell is Matt Video

2010-03-06T09:17:00.001-04:00

Wow, I used to do this full-time…

2010-03-03T21:17:00.002-04:00

So, I’m trying to study for a job interview… I can’t believe I used to study full-time. Even to someone whose job involves a lot of assessment and reflection, that seems strange… and a long time ago.

How to Fix an iPod Nano (1st Gen)

2010-03-03T18:57:00.001-04:00

I did it! A few months ago, I bought a used first generation iPod Nano on E-Bay for a a grand total of 10 bucks + about 15 bucks shipping. As advertised, it came with the older model Apple ear buds (which I prefer to the newer ones), a USB cord, a wall charger and a case. Its overall condition was great with no scratches on the screen at all. Unfortunately, the battery would hold a charge for only about two-three hours.

Not wanting to shy away from a challenge, I bought a replacement battery for $5 (including shipping and handling). I borrowed a soldering iron from my dad and proceeded to replace the old worn battery. The pictures tell the story:

Yep, it works and holds a much better charge.

"Tom Brokaw Explains Canada to Americans"

2010-02-23T20:27:00.004-04:00

This clip is generating a lot of buzz. Its far, far better than I'd imagined.