Is it a Sign????

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

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

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

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...

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

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.

B.

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

B.

My '98 Corolla: The End is Nigh?

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

Wow, I used to do this full-time…

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.

B.

How to Fix an iPod Nano (1st Gen)

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.

B.

"Tom Brokaw Explains Canada to Americans"

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

Work Thoughts...

As I close in on 40 (but not too close for a while), I'm starting to take a more serious look at my career. Its not that I'm all that unhappy with my present job, but I think its time to take a clear view of where I want and need to be by this point in my life.

I think I'm at or close to a crossroads of deciding to be a highly skilled specialist, or a leader. I'm not sure I can be both in the long run.

B.

Finally, I saw it...

Its taken forever, but I have finally seen Avatar. It was by far the best animated-Vietnam-meets-cowboys-and-"Indians" movie I've ever seen. :-)

All kidding about convention and genres aside, I really loved it and so did the three other adults with whom I saw it. I realize most of you who are going to have already watched it, so I'll spare you a full review. I will say if you're on the fence about seeing it in the theatre, go! It both warrants and deserves a big screen.

By convention it is a "Vietnam" movie. The main character is a soldier (Marine actually) and his cause in the jungle is far from just. Its a modern Western as well in the mold of Dances with Wolves (that explains the length) in that the First Nation (the big blue Na'vi) are noble and pure.

B.

CBC News - Canada - Canada's last WW I veteran dies

Sadly the last one of 650,000 Canadians to serve in the "war to end all wars" has passed away. John Babcock was 109 years old. I've read that he downplayed his service and his courage because he never faced combat. The fact is that at age 16 he volunteered for combat in World War One at a point where everyone had some idea of the medieval slaughter happening all over the Western Front. That's courage.

Boy hero,
Man of courage,
Bloodless warrior,

Thank you sir for your service.

CBC News - Canada - Canada's last WW I veteran dies

Olympics opening ceremony: Canada will rock you (politely)

Olympics opening ceremony: Canada will rock you (politely)

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What We're Dancing To...

Super Girl (age 6) (A.K.A. she-who-is-not-having-a-birthday) just finished dancing around the living room to this:



I wish I was that cool when I was six...

Nine Years So Far!

Our oldest daughter, Action Girl, turns nine today. I'll save the usual cliches about how much our lives have changed and how wonderful our lives became when she joined us (valid as they all are!) and just say what a wonderful and interesting person she is becoming.

Action Girl is a talented, capable, and curious girl. She has a group of wonderful friends who appear to appreciate her. Recently, she figure-skated to second place finish in her club's competition and will be going net month to the provincial competition.

Most important she is a loving girl, who cares about family and friends, including herself. We really couldn't have hoped for more than that nine years ago today.

B.

Catcher in the Rye Snow Globe (!)

This is too cool not to post:

http://www.argosybookshop.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=193

J.D. Salinger: January 1, 1919 – January 27, 2010

When I was 16 or 17, Cather in the Rye was the greatest book I could imagine anyone ever writing. Salinger inhabited the main character, Holden, in a personal, psychological, and accessible way. Holden's struggles with his own psyche compete with his contempt for the "phoniness" that consumes so many of his fellow teens and virtually every adult in his life. Despite writing in the late 1940's the themes

As Holden returns from the boarding school from which he has just been expelled, his descent to his breakdown is as riveting as the the journeys of the Odyssey or Heart of Darkness.

No, I no longer believe Cather in the Rye is the the greatest thing ever written. Its just as important to me to know that 20 years after I first met Holden, Salinger's story is just as raw and riveting. I spend a great deal of time with youth at their most vulnerable and angriest moments. There's a great deal of truth in that burgundy little book.

A hundred years from now, people will still be wondering about how much of Salinger is in Holden and vice versa. Incidentally, if Holden was even more "real" than he is, he'd be in his mid-seventies by now.

B.