For the first time in the 30 year history of my participation in the Guenther family (Wayne, Colleen, Grant, Candace) there is air conditioning in the family home.
Air Conditioner
Saturday, June 05, 2004
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Friday, June 04, 2004
For those of you curious about the outcome of last night's blog question, 'can I cut my grass in 45 minutes at lunch' the answer is yes. I had some trepidation about pulling this off, but it actually worked out. I think it was a shade over 45 minutes, but I got an early start and managed to wrap it up at 12 to 1:00. I was still late getting back to the office, as I hadn't done any packing yet. But overall, I accomplished a LOT, in a LITTLE time, so I'm satisfied.
And for those of you that didn't care about the blog question . . . tough cheese. That's all I'm adding right now. tee hee hee
Toodles!!!
And for those of you that didn't care about the blog question . . . tough cheese. That's all I'm adding right now. tee hee hee
Toodles!!!
Thursday, June 03, 2004
I was just reading Slashdot and a story on the front page caught my eyes. It was about HP calculators. It brings to my mind a question that will probably only be significant to Greg and I.
When I was in engineering school, the big 'cheating' issue was HP calculators, that could save text. How do they handle PDA's that have full spreadsheeting, and word processing packages?
When I was in engineering school, the big 'cheating' issue was HP calculators, that could save text. How do they handle PDA's that have full spreadsheeting, and word processing packages?
The place we do not name, may finally have exhausted itself. The beast has grappled with me, for more weeks that I care to count. I have wrestled, and fought with this monster, never gaining anything better than a stalemate.
Now, finally, it may be over. Like the sick pet that you agonize with, as it lives the last days of its life, it has finally fallen, to lie prone on its side. The last few, hollow breaths are escaping, before the husk falls silent, and the pain dies.
The place we do not name is like a cherished pet that must die. You know that it will come, eventually, but in the mean time you must live with that soul destroying sorrow of watching something you cared about, stumble and wheeze its way to the denouement.
I never loved that project, like you would your childhood pet. But it was important to me, and I had a cherished feeling about it. When it began I have visions of it being my, point of pride, project. The one I could hold up and say 'I did that'. But it dragged on so long, and would not bend, yield or give me even an inch of victory. I fought it from beginning to end. Now, as it passes into closure, I do feel a twinge at its passing. It was long past time, and I'm glad that the suffering, for everyone, is over.
Be well my friends.
Now, finally, it may be over. Like the sick pet that you agonize with, as it lives the last days of its life, it has finally fallen, to lie prone on its side. The last few, hollow breaths are escaping, before the husk falls silent, and the pain dies.
The place we do not name is like a cherished pet that must die. You know that it will come, eventually, but in the mean time you must live with that soul destroying sorrow of watching something you cared about, stumble and wheeze its way to the denouement.
I never loved that project, like you would your childhood pet. But it was important to me, and I had a cherished feeling about it. When it began I have visions of it being my, point of pride, project. The one I could hold up and say 'I did that'. But it dragged on so long, and would not bend, yield or give me even an inch of victory. I fought it from beginning to end. Now, as it passes into closure, I do feel a twinge at its passing. It was long past time, and I'm glad that the suffering, for everyone, is over.
Be well my friends.
Tuesday, June 01, 2004
I usually like the rain. When its not tied up in some big storm, its almost peaceful. The dim, grey sky, drops of water falling from the heavens. The affirmation of life, as all living things that the rain touches, reach up and embrace the giving water.
Usually I like the rain. However, in recent times I have lost my zest for rain. The reason? My grass. Somewhere between where I was, and here, I ended up with a landing strip sized amount of grass to cut. Its freakin' huge. What complicates this chore even more is, my allergies. If its green, I sneeze. That's the rule. And there's lots of dust in the air when you cut grass. If I do the chore, I've resigned myself to an evening of snorting and blowing. It's fairly unpleasant.
So the lush green-ness of my front yard does not impress me. It actually depresses me. Anyone for an asphalt front lawn?
Toodles.
Usually I like the rain. However, in recent times I have lost my zest for rain. The reason? My grass. Somewhere between where I was, and here, I ended up with a landing strip sized amount of grass to cut. Its freakin' huge. What complicates this chore even more is, my allergies. If its green, I sneeze. That's the rule. And there's lots of dust in the air when you cut grass. If I do the chore, I've resigned myself to an evening of snorting and blowing. It's fairly unpleasant.
So the lush green-ness of my front yard does not impress me. It actually depresses me. Anyone for an asphalt front lawn?
Toodles.
Monday, May 31, 2004
Well, I'm going to New Mexico!
I sometimes wonder if maybe I shouldn't be the boss, and my actual boss shouldn't be the employee. Then again, maybe he indulges me because it is me, and he wants to keep my happy. Nonetheless, I just spent about $15,000 of his money, essentially to appease a couple of my whims.
Whim one is a trip to New Mexico for a membrane cleaning course. I'm fairly happy about this. Everyday I take on more and more responsibility for the safety and good performance of our membrane treatment systems. Any additional knowledge I can acquire just makes me more, and more comfortable in my role. My assistant is working on my flight, hotel and car rental needs for this excursion. About all I have to do is get on the airplane.
The second whim is my desire to build a pilot unit that more accurately reflects the conditions likely to be encountered on full implementation on a large scale system (something in the 100+ gpm range). That'll be a $6000 or $7000 touch. But once we have it, the machine will be incredibly valuable, as a method of acquiring new, high profile projects, and doing proper pilot testing, before implementation of a full system. Yes its a lot of money, but its money well spent.
So I guess, despite it being a lot of money, its all going to a good purpose. Now that I've talked my way around it, maybe Murray does know what he's going with these things. I guess I just need to believe my ideas are good, and not be so concerned with things being foolish, or ill-concieved. Have faith! I guess that's the phrase of the day.
This is G%, sounding off from the rain forest of Saskatchewan.
I sometimes wonder if maybe I shouldn't be the boss, and my actual boss shouldn't be the employee. Then again, maybe he indulges me because it is me, and he wants to keep my happy. Nonetheless, I just spent about $15,000 of his money, essentially to appease a couple of my whims.
Whim one is a trip to New Mexico for a membrane cleaning course. I'm fairly happy about this. Everyday I take on more and more responsibility for the safety and good performance of our membrane treatment systems. Any additional knowledge I can acquire just makes me more, and more comfortable in my role. My assistant is working on my flight, hotel and car rental needs for this excursion. About all I have to do is get on the airplane.
The second whim is my desire to build a pilot unit that more accurately reflects the conditions likely to be encountered on full implementation on a large scale system (something in the 100+ gpm range). That'll be a $6000 or $7000 touch. But once we have it, the machine will be incredibly valuable, as a method of acquiring new, high profile projects, and doing proper pilot testing, before implementation of a full system. Yes its a lot of money, but its money well spent.
So I guess, despite it being a lot of money, its all going to a good purpose. Now that I've talked my way around it, maybe Murray does know what he's going with these things. I guess I just need to believe my ideas are good, and not be so concerned with things being foolish, or ill-concieved. Have faith! I guess that's the phrase of the day.
This is G%, sounding off from the rain forest of Saskatchewan.
Sunday, May 30, 2004
Blog Question of the Day:
(This is a non-rhetorical, serious one. I would like some opinions.)
Should I buy a Porsche?
(Red, 1972 Porsche 914 convertible)
(This is a non-rhetorical, serious one. I would like some opinions.)
Should I buy a Porsche?
(Red, 1972 Porsche 914 convertible)
Okay, someone knew just made 'The List'!!!
I suppose I can't really complain all that much. Its not like I paid for the song. Nonetheless there is still a sensation of indignance, raising itself from the depths of my insides.
I'm listening to this song. The one in question is Usher - Burn. Everything is good and then I hear something, faintly in the background, about half way through the song. Some soothing voice bastard, breathes quietly into the background of the song, "AOL Music, First Listen"
I suppose I can't really fault them for doing it. Downloading music for free on the internet is very hard on their business model, such that it is. Still, I don't think its uncommon for me, or anyone else for that matter, to get annoyed by this stupid ploy. Whether you paid or didn't pay, you don't want your song marred by this stupid corporate branding. Can we please find a fair model between gouge the consumer, and making a reasonable profit?
Just my one thought for the evening.
I suppose I can't really complain all that much. Its not like I paid for the song. Nonetheless there is still a sensation of indignance, raising itself from the depths of my insides.
I'm listening to this song. The one in question is Usher - Burn. Everything is good and then I hear something, faintly in the background, about half way through the song. Some soothing voice bastard, breathes quietly into the background of the song, "AOL Music, First Listen"
I suppose I can't really fault them for doing it. Downloading music for free on the internet is very hard on their business model, such that it is. Still, I don't think its uncommon for me, or anyone else for that matter, to get annoyed by this stupid ploy. Whether you paid or didn't pay, you don't want your song marred by this stupid corporate branding. Can we please find a fair model between gouge the consumer, and making a reasonable profit?
Just my one thought for the evening.