Yesterday was Ally's birthday!

Happy Birthday To You!
Happy Birthday To You!
Happy Birthday Dear Allyyyyyyyyyy!
Happy Birthday To You!

This post will break a few of my rules about blogging (re: personally, I don't like to write daily play by play type posts, I prefer event-based or thought-of-the-day writing) but I promised a few readers that I would post an update of what we got up to today since many potential party goers couldn't hang with us.

Sleeping In

First of all, we slept in. This is unusual around here since we are normally up around 6:30am and are out the door around 7:30am. But, today, it was different - we actually slept in until 9:30am and Serendipity loved every snoring moment of it.

Brunch

Once we were up, showered, and dressed we headed off to brunch at The Edge Cafe. Dave Kelch was in town, so, he came with us to hang and eat some yummy breakfast food.

Vespa Shopping

Ah, then, my plan kicked into gear. We headed over to Granville Island to check out Vespa Vancouver. Allyson has been talking about getting a Vespa for well over a year. She happened to see a Vespa up close (or something) and decided that she may want to get one because they looked cute. She loves the idea of having some kind of vehicle other than a boat-like car and something a bit faster than a bicycle. We hung out there for an hour or so talking to the nice dealership guy and he gave us a really good low-down on what a Vespa is and how it may or may not be something for us.

Scoooooootering!

Once we checked out a few more cycles at the Honda dealership nearby, we drove over to Cycle BC and rented some scooters! This has been something Allyson has wanted to do for a while and she "loved it". I admit, I didn't know what riding a scooter would be like and it was a blast. We zoomed up and down the main strip of Kits and in the back streets to check out how these little engines handled and they did very well. There was a lot of talk about the speed and endurance of these engines and I found they were fine. I can't imagine going any more than 50 or 60 kilometres an hour in the city. We also took a few of the hills in Kits and they didn't really balk at all.

BBQ & Slow Moving Animal Flesh

We then returned the scooters and headed home for a BBQ and some beer with the cool friends who were still in town this weekend. It was fun and we got into listening to The Wall. Not sure why we selected that music but it took me back to 1990 in Berlin.

There you have it. A play by play of the day...fun was had, beer was consumed, and some day soon, a Vespa may be in our future...

Technorati Tags: allyson mcgrane, birthday, vespa, serendipity the pug, scooters

I don't know what to say about this except that I aspire to live life like he did. I'm not there yet, but I hope to find the will to get there sooner than later. To have a chance to reflect and realize what is important and how to fight hard so you don't let go of what it is important. It is the most empowering thing you can do. I struggle like most people to hold on to those memories and desires. Those core beliefs are crucial to your being and it isn't justified, in my mind, to let other things get in the way. Be who you are. Struggle to maintain your freedom and respect yourself and others.


But does life get in the way while you're busy making plans? I think it is hogwash. We let life get in the way...and few recognize that. Even myself.

Technorati Tags: last lecture, randy pausch, dreams, living

Is is that time of year again - System Administrator Appreciation Day! If you have a technology department (you know, those "nerds" down in the basement that don't like talking to you) today is the day to show them you care. I am sure many don't realize just how smart these people have to be in order to do what it is they do. They have to deal with technology hardware, software, and all kinds of network technology to make your clicking of buttons as simple as possible.

Sure, some of them may lack in personality and human communication skills but, really, how many people do they really need to talk to in a day - barely any. Their major conversations happen in air-conditioned rooms with blinking lights and spinning hard drives. Try staring at a server rack for six hours in a row and you'll begin to understand why they get a little crazy.

So, head on down to the basement, shake a few hands, give them some beer, munchies, and McDonald's Happy Meal toys and you'll have happy server techs for the next year. And, as you may or may not know, I used to be one of them.

Technorati Tags: technology, sysadmin, presents, appreciation

I talked about this some time ago but, for some odd reason, it looks like I deleted the post. It happens with a blog from time to time. You look at something and pitch it out not ever believing you'll need it again. Of course, that doesn't cover why I would have thrown out something related to Star Trek. Of Gods and Men popped into my mind the other day and I realized I hadn't seen it. A quick search later and another hour and a bit after that, I was left wanting more. The film takes place twelve years after the Enterprise-B encounters the Nexus (when Kirk is "killed"). It is now the era of the Enterprise-H (don't know why H, but, hey, whatever) and Uhura The film was directed by Tim Russ of Star Trek Voyager (and that one episode in TNG) fame and he also stars in it.Star Trek: Of Gods and Men stars a large number of Star Trek alumni and I just checked it out. I love Nichelle Nichols performance is the best of the entire flick. I will spoil one thing here - she marries a Vulcan! How cool is that?

If you haven't been watching the new re-imagined Battlestar Galactica this trailer won't mean much to you. For those who may care, it looks like the series is coming this fall or possibly in 2009. Caprica is a prequel (everything seems to be about the prequel these days) to the 2003 Battlestar Galactica. From what I have been reading, it takes place 50-75 years before the events of the current Battlestar Galactica television show. The quality looks really good. I hope the guts of the series are able to hold out. Technorati Tags: battlestar galactica, bsg, caprica

Dude, dude, dude - so uncool. Steven, what were you doing, huh? For those who don't know (and you know who you are), it looks like Steven Page of the Barenaked Ladies is the latest celebrity to go down for drug possession. Andy Dick was busted the other day but, really, who cares about Andy Dick anymore - the sympathy train left the station for him a long time ago.

But, Steven Page?! What the hell? I hope Ed and the others get over to his place and smack him around a bit and get that guy some help. From what I have read about his arrest, he isn't doing so well on the personal front.

I wonder if this may be the end of the Barenaked Ladies. The squeaky clean image of that group is gone. No more happy, fun, fun, times. For a group like theirs, wow - could this be the end? I hope not but it would be hard to recover from something like this.

And, guys, blog more. Each of you should have blogged on your BNL Blogs already about this. Screw the sanitized statements on your front page. Get your comments out there. Tell us what is going on with Steven. Enough of this "post once every six months or so" - people are busy, yes, but five minutes. That's all a blog post needs.

Let's remember him in happier (hopefully, non-coked up) days.




Technorati Tags: stephen page, bare naked ladies, andy dick, drugs, arrest, police

I have been secretly waiting for something new to be released about the next Star Trek film. Months have gone by with very little credible information. But, now, we have four posters to stare at until next year.

I don't envy these actors as they do have some huge shoes to fill and I am a savage critic when it comes to Star Trek. The posters in all their glory can be viewed together over here.

Technorati Tags: star trek, posters, star trek movie