I also remember the stairs in our first house, and trying hard to go up them to get to the dog at the top of the stairs.
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
31 Day Challenge - Earliest Childhood Memory
The earliest thing I can remember is a doctor's room, with a blue scale by the window. My mom said I couldn't possibly remember that, since I would have been less than a year old. *shrug*
I also remember the stairs in our first house, and trying hard to go up them to get to the dog at the top of the stairs.
I also remember the stairs in our first house, and trying hard to go up them to get to the dog at the top of the stairs.
Sunday, April 27, 2014
31 Day Challenge #3
Question 3
Meaning of your business name.
I don't own my own business. However the one I work for has it in it's name. We sell Audio Video products.
Meaning of your business name.
I don't own my own business. However the one I work for has it in it's name. We sell Audio Video products.
Just another silly querk.
Mood: Glad to be home
Listening To: Can`t really tell, as it`s playing in the other room, but it`s nice.
Word of the Day: Scramble
So, the week at work has been challenging. During the week it was fairly horrendous sales wise, but the weekend really changed that. Which was fantastic. Aside from being a selling machine, I was also a manual labour machine. I have height and upper body strength, which means...aside from being able to reach the clock (family joke), I can stack things, and manhandle heavy boxes.
But man, am I tired. I refuse to ever admit I'm getting older, but my body doesn't always agree with that sentiment.
And, being the stubborn person I was born to be, I refuse to show weakness, or pain to others. It's a stupid pack mentality I'm sure, left over in my DNA from bygone era where the weakest of the group got left behind. Or that wolfish side of me. I'm not sure which. It's a stupid thing, I know this. Which is why, after a full day of it yesterday, I asked for help. Any who know me, would be shocked, but really, I need to get over my Superman attitude. Aside from the obvious super powers, and not living in a comic book (which would be amazing) I'm nothing like Supes. I'm more of a mix between Green Lantern (alas, no power ring, so no powers) and Batman. I'm definitely a brooder. Now, if only I could acquire the wealth of Bruce Wayne...still, if I was a millionaire, playboy, philanthropist, I think I'd rather be Tony Stark. He's waaay cooler.
Wow, I took a post about pain and turned it into a Superhero post. Now that's random. :)
Listening To: Can`t really tell, as it`s playing in the other room, but it`s nice.
Word of the Day: Scramble
So, the week at work has been challenging. During the week it was fairly horrendous sales wise, but the weekend really changed that. Which was fantastic. Aside from being a selling machine, I was also a manual labour machine. I have height and upper body strength, which means...aside from being able to reach the clock (family joke), I can stack things, and manhandle heavy boxes.
But man, am I tired. I refuse to ever admit I'm getting older, but my body doesn't always agree with that sentiment.
And, being the stubborn person I was born to be, I refuse to show weakness, or pain to others. It's a stupid pack mentality I'm sure, left over in my DNA from bygone era where the weakest of the group got left behind. Or that wolfish side of me. I'm not sure which. It's a stupid thing, I know this. Which is why, after a full day of it yesterday, I asked for help. Any who know me, would be shocked, but really, I need to get over my Superman attitude. Aside from the obvious super powers, and not living in a comic book (which would be amazing) I'm nothing like Supes. I'm more of a mix between Green Lantern (alas, no power ring, so no powers) and Batman. I'm definitely a brooder. Now, if only I could acquire the wealth of Bruce Wayne...still, if I was a millionaire, playboy, philanthropist, I think I'd rather be Tony Stark. He's waaay cooler.
Wow, I took a post about pain and turned it into a Superhero post. Now that's random. :)
Saturday, April 26, 2014
31 Day Challenge - 20 Facts About Me
Fail on doing this properly. It's been a couple of days since my first post in this challenge. Ah well, better late than never, and it's been a week of challenges. So, here's day 2.
1. Hair Colour - Brown with streaks of silver (I refuse to call it grey)
2. Eye Colour - Brown for the most part, unless I'm angry, then they lighten.
3. Job - Sales for an independent audio video specialty retailer.
4. Age - 41
5. Mental Age - 21
6. Birth Town - Chicago Heights, Illinois, USA
Gosh this is harder than it first appeared.
7. Favourite Band - Lacuna Coil
8. Favourite Food - Pizza
9. Last time I laughed - 3 hours ago
10. Last time I cried - Last night
11. Favourite Colour - Green
12. Favourite Superhero - Marvel: Iron Man DC: Green Lantern
13. Favourite Number - 13
14. Grew up in multiple locations across N. America.
15. First job was cleaning computer tapes the summer before I turned 14.
16. Spent 2 summers clearing 20 acres of trees to make room for grazing animals.
17. I can drive both Standard and Automatic transmissions.
18. I used to be scared of clowns but a certain 7 year old cured me of that.
19. I get extremely upset when my routine is thrown off.
20. I can play Trumpet, Saxophone, Piano and Accordian.
1. Hair Colour - Brown with streaks of silver (I refuse to call it grey)
2. Eye Colour - Brown for the most part, unless I'm angry, then they lighten.
3. Job - Sales for an independent audio video specialty retailer.
4. Age - 41
5. Mental Age - 21
6. Birth Town - Chicago Heights, Illinois, USA
Gosh this is harder than it first appeared.
7. Favourite Band - Lacuna Coil
8. Favourite Food - Pizza
9. Last time I laughed - 3 hours ago
10. Last time I cried - Last night
11. Favourite Colour - Green
12. Favourite Superhero - Marvel: Iron Man DC: Green Lantern
13. Favourite Number - 13
14. Grew up in multiple locations across N. America.
15. First job was cleaning computer tapes the summer before I turned 14.
16. Spent 2 summers clearing 20 acres of trees to make room for grazing animals.
17. I can drive both Standard and Automatic transmissions.
18. I used to be scared of clowns but a certain 7 year old cured me of that.
19. I get extremely upset when my routine is thrown off.
20. I can play Trumpet, Saxophone, Piano and Accordian.
Friday, April 25, 2014
The Day of Greatest Change
Mood: Somber
Listening To: Amazing Grace
Word of the Day: There are no words.
26 years ago, my father passed away in our home. I had just woken up for school, starting to mentally prepare to face the day when a crash happened. I sat stunned unable to move, dreading what it was, knowing what it was.
My father had broken his leg a month before, and unbeknownst to us, a blood clot had been slowly working its way up his leg. We had no idea the bruise on his thigh was what was going to kill him. That crash and my mother's wail when she opened the door and found him will always be with me. I still couldn't move.
Disbelief set in first. Disbelief that a man I had grown to despise was dead. He was the hardest man I've ever met. Borderline cruel. Mentally abusive, verbally abusive, and he was dead. The coroner said it was instantaneous, and I believe him. It happened so quickly. There was no way to bring him back, the clot had destroyed his heart.
Then guilt kicked in. Guilt that I had hated him, guilt that I didn't know he was going to die. Guilt that I'd fought back with words and anger so many times.
Then the numbness kicked in. The lack of emotion that descended upon me was...I don't even know how to describe it. I guess it was shock. I had to keep going. Everyone told me I had to be strong, and support my mother, and man up. I couldn't show grief outwardly, it wasn't the male thing to do.
When we were getting ready for the funeral, I remember my Grandfather standing in our En Suite. We were all leaving from my house. He cut himself shaving. A man whose hands had always been steady and sure, wasn't steady and sure. I had to be strong for him too. I was the one who always had to be strong. But no one was there to be strong for me. At 15, I had already taken up the mantle of the one that helped and steadied people. The elders in the family expected me to help care for them. And that was before my dad had died.
My mom's sister. My favourite Aunt came up, and she was the first one to say that it was bullshit that I had to be strong. But I didn't believe her. I faced it all with a stone face and a stone heart. I didn't allow myself to shed a tear for years. My mom was in deep shock for 4 years. Numb as I was, but not able to function as well. I picked up the pieces and kept everything together. Anyone needed anything, it was my job to ensure it was dealt with.
When she got sick a few years later, it fell to me to do all the home care. I dropped out of college, and dealt. For 22 years I dealt, until she passed.
I have love around me, and I wasn't alone in caring for my mom in the last 9 years of her life. I had people around me that cared, and helped, and put things together when I couldn't. When I finally let myself feel again. And they are still around me, and there is more light in my life than I probably deserve.
I still have times when the emotions shut down, or I turn them off. Because that's how I deal with my own stuff. But at least I have those around me that can lure me back out of the darkness. And though I don't say it to them often enough, they mean the world to me.
Listening To: Amazing Grace
Word of the Day: There are no words.
26 years ago, my father passed away in our home. I had just woken up for school, starting to mentally prepare to face the day when a crash happened. I sat stunned unable to move, dreading what it was, knowing what it was.
My father had broken his leg a month before, and unbeknownst to us, a blood clot had been slowly working its way up his leg. We had no idea the bruise on his thigh was what was going to kill him. That crash and my mother's wail when she opened the door and found him will always be with me. I still couldn't move.
Disbelief set in first. Disbelief that a man I had grown to despise was dead. He was the hardest man I've ever met. Borderline cruel. Mentally abusive, verbally abusive, and he was dead. The coroner said it was instantaneous, and I believe him. It happened so quickly. There was no way to bring him back, the clot had destroyed his heart.
Then guilt kicked in. Guilt that I had hated him, guilt that I didn't know he was going to die. Guilt that I'd fought back with words and anger so many times.
Then the numbness kicked in. The lack of emotion that descended upon me was...I don't even know how to describe it. I guess it was shock. I had to keep going. Everyone told me I had to be strong, and support my mother, and man up. I couldn't show grief outwardly, it wasn't the male thing to do.
When we were getting ready for the funeral, I remember my Grandfather standing in our En Suite. We were all leaving from my house. He cut himself shaving. A man whose hands had always been steady and sure, wasn't steady and sure. I had to be strong for him too. I was the one who always had to be strong. But no one was there to be strong for me. At 15, I had already taken up the mantle of the one that helped and steadied people. The elders in the family expected me to help care for them. And that was before my dad had died.
My mom's sister. My favourite Aunt came up, and she was the first one to say that it was bullshit that I had to be strong. But I didn't believe her. I faced it all with a stone face and a stone heart. I didn't allow myself to shed a tear for years. My mom was in deep shock for 4 years. Numb as I was, but not able to function as well. I picked up the pieces and kept everything together. Anyone needed anything, it was my job to ensure it was dealt with.
When she got sick a few years later, it fell to me to do all the home care. I dropped out of college, and dealt. For 22 years I dealt, until she passed.
I have love around me, and I wasn't alone in caring for my mom in the last 9 years of her life. I had people around me that cared, and helped, and put things together when I couldn't. When I finally let myself feel again. And they are still around me, and there is more light in my life than I probably deserve.
I still have times when the emotions shut down, or I turn them off. Because that's how I deal with my own stuff. But at least I have those around me that can lure me back out of the darkness. And though I don't say it to them often enough, they mean the world to me.
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
I said I was going to start this, and forgot about it.
Story of my life, I get an idea, then I forget about it. I had posted a couple of weeks ago about wanting to start a new challenge. Similar in concept as the 30 Days of Gratitude, in so far as it challenges you to post something every single day, and lays down specific grid work for it. Not very random I know, but in randomly changing the rules of randomness, I'm still being random. Did you follow that? Good.
Day number one asks for an introduction. So, here I go.
I have been called many things in my life, not all of them flattering.
But, haven't we all? I find myself coming full circle again, and
entering another stage of evolution, and self re-invention. The core
"me" is still there of course, but priorities have changed over the past 16 or so years, as have my dreams and goals.
I'm not out to rewrite the book of life. I don't profess to know everything, or to be infallible. I am what I am. I have my core family that I'm extremely proud of. I have the best support group anyone could ever hope to have. I have my faith, though to some; my faith would label me a heretic, heathen, misguided fool, but that's OK. The folks that call me that, are usually a bit misguided themselves.
My goal here is to write not just what interests me, or ticks me off in general. It's a running dialogue of life...my life, and my place in the greater universal society. Some things I may say, could potentially offend some. If that's the case, I apologize in advance. Not for my being offensive, but rather for some people's inability to keep an open mind.
I am outspoken, I tend to say what I think, even if I don't always pre-think what I'm going to say.
I'm looking forward to seeing what this blog grows into. Thank you for taking time out of your day, and joining me on my journey through life, be ye casual visitor, or someone who has clicked the follow button.
---
If that looks familiar, it's because it's taken from my About Me page. Is that cheating? No, not really, because maybe someone has neglected clicking on it, and haven't read my introduction yet.
*cackle*
Day number one asks for an introduction. So, here I go.
About Me
I'm not out to rewrite the book of life. I don't profess to know everything, or to be infallible. I am what I am. I have my core family that I'm extremely proud of. I have the best support group anyone could ever hope to have. I have my faith, though to some; my faith would label me a heretic, heathen, misguided fool, but that's OK. The folks that call me that, are usually a bit misguided themselves.
My goal here is to write not just what interests me, or ticks me off in general. It's a running dialogue of life...my life, and my place in the greater universal society. Some things I may say, could potentially offend some. If that's the case, I apologize in advance. Not for my being offensive, but rather for some people's inability to keep an open mind.
I am outspoken, I tend to say what I think, even if I don't always pre-think what I'm going to say.
I'm looking forward to seeing what this blog grows into. Thank you for taking time out of your day, and joining me on my journey through life, be ye casual visitor, or someone who has clicked the follow button.
---
If that looks familiar, it's because it's taken from my About Me page. Is that cheating? No, not really, because maybe someone has neglected clicking on it, and haven't read my introduction yet.
*cackle*
Aparently I am still human.
Mood: Weary
Listening To: Rolling in the Deep - Adele
Word of the Day: Research
So we went pretty hard core on the British Home Children research today.
I discovered, with a bit of relief, that I am still human. LOL I've got this ability, when I'm researching, or if I witness horrible things, I can shut my emotions down. I guess more accurately, I can shut down the non analytical portions of my emotions. Makes me kind of cold and detached, but it helps me sectionalize what I'm assimilating and deal with it "rationally" It's kind of scary actually. It's a habit I got into a long time ago.
Anyways, I'm digressing. So we're working through H's this week...feels like we've been on H's for ever. And we get to this one particular boy, that we're having trouble cracking. I almost wish he had stayed giving us trouble. It's always a horrible thing when you think of them being picked up off the streets in England, or ripped away from their families, and shipped on a 10 day voyage across the Atlantic...or worse, Australia. But I can deal. It was 100 years ago. What we're doing is working on preserving the memories, so that they aren't forgotten, but I'm not physically involved with them.
I get working through his life's journey. He was born in 1891, his parents died, he was sent to Canada to work on a farm in 1899. In 1912 he married, his first son was born in 1813, a child died in infancy in 1814, and his second son to survive was born in 1915, and named after him.
He went to war in 1916 and died a year later. His wife remarries in 1918 which I don't blame her for, she's got 2 small children to care for, and I'm sure her first husband shared some horror stories about what happens when you can't take care of your kids.
It was actually through her remarriage that I discovered the kids. So that was the first can of worms opened up.
In for a penny in for a pound, I start tracking the kids. Child #1, I can't find beyond 1921, but that's the latest Census for Canada to have been released, so I won't find him for another 10 years due to the reg's that bind the Censuses. Child #2 however, I get a hit on in 1943...uh oh...it's a Death Cert.
1943, Death Cert...shit...he died in WW2. Oh, and look, HE's married.
This is when humanity kicked back in. The 2ms it took to realize that this child I had found, of this orphaned, exiled boy, and was named for his father, had also died in a World War...that brought down the icy wall around my emotions.
He enlisted in or about 1943, or was Drafted...I haven't figured out which yet. He was sent first to England, where he obviously met a young lady in Surrey, and they Married. Now, with records being what they are, I don't know if he married her because she was with child, or if they had a whirl wind romance where they fell madly in love. Less than 2 months after marrying this girl, he's in Sicily, and dies.
Ok, time to regroup. Meanwhile, my wonderful taskmistress...uh research leader, sends me a link, and shows me that not only did one child come over in 1899, another followed after in 1903. He had a brother. Of course he had a brother! *forehead smacking commenced* So, I traced the trail of the brother until we got all the details for him. I know Layne does this every day, 8-12 hours a day, and sees things much more horrible than I do on the 2 days a week I'm helping her. But this one family, it just crushed me mentally for a brief moment in time.
And thus, my humanity has been reaffirmed.
*falls over*
Listening To: Rolling in the Deep - Adele
Word of the Day: Research
So we went pretty hard core on the British Home Children research today.
I discovered, with a bit of relief, that I am still human. LOL I've got this ability, when I'm researching, or if I witness horrible things, I can shut my emotions down. I guess more accurately, I can shut down the non analytical portions of my emotions. Makes me kind of cold and detached, but it helps me sectionalize what I'm assimilating and deal with it "rationally" It's kind of scary actually. It's a habit I got into a long time ago.
Anyways, I'm digressing. So we're working through H's this week...feels like we've been on H's for ever. And we get to this one particular boy, that we're having trouble cracking. I almost wish he had stayed giving us trouble. It's always a horrible thing when you think of them being picked up off the streets in England, or ripped away from their families, and shipped on a 10 day voyage across the Atlantic...or worse, Australia. But I can deal. It was 100 years ago. What we're doing is working on preserving the memories, so that they aren't forgotten, but I'm not physically involved with them.
I get working through his life's journey. He was born in 1891, his parents died, he was sent to Canada to work on a farm in 1899. In 1912 he married, his first son was born in 1813, a child died in infancy in 1814, and his second son to survive was born in 1915, and named after him.
He went to war in 1916 and died a year later. His wife remarries in 1918 which I don't blame her for, she's got 2 small children to care for, and I'm sure her first husband shared some horror stories about what happens when you can't take care of your kids.
It was actually through her remarriage that I discovered the kids. So that was the first can of worms opened up.
In for a penny in for a pound, I start tracking the kids. Child #1, I can't find beyond 1921, but that's the latest Census for Canada to have been released, so I won't find him for another 10 years due to the reg's that bind the Censuses. Child #2 however, I get a hit on in 1943...uh oh...it's a Death Cert.
1943, Death Cert...shit...he died in WW2. Oh, and look, HE's married.
This is when humanity kicked back in. The 2ms it took to realize that this child I had found, of this orphaned, exiled boy, and was named for his father, had also died in a World War...that brought down the icy wall around my emotions.
He enlisted in or about 1943, or was Drafted...I haven't figured out which yet. He was sent first to England, where he obviously met a young lady in Surrey, and they Married. Now, with records being what they are, I don't know if he married her because she was with child, or if they had a whirl wind romance where they fell madly in love. Less than 2 months after marrying this girl, he's in Sicily, and dies.
Ok, time to regroup. Meanwhile, my wonderful taskmistress...uh research leader, sends me a link, and shows me that not only did one child come over in 1899, another followed after in 1903. He had a brother. Of course he had a brother! *forehead smacking commenced* So, I traced the trail of the brother until we got all the details for him. I know Layne does this every day, 8-12 hours a day, and sees things much more horrible than I do on the 2 days a week I'm helping her. But this one family, it just crushed me mentally for a brief moment in time.
And thus, my humanity has been reaffirmed.
*falls over*
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Title? Who needs a Title?
Mood: Numb
Listening To: Whining Cats
Word of the Day: Huffelump
I have no idea why Huffelump is the word of the day, other than I'm on muscle relaxers, it's 1 in the morning, and yeah.
Finally had a breakthrough day at work. This week has been horrid. Don't get me wrong, still had plenty to do. New product coming in, training as mentioned in my last post, dodging raindrops, and tonight? We're hiding eggs. Normally, we do this on Ostara, this year? We are so far behind. Between mine and Marcus' schedule and Layne's backlog of research it's just been a huge lack of time.
Currently, I'm sitting down, because of the pain, and the numbness from the muscle relaxers. I'm call it, guarding the Bifrost. Because I'm willing the kids to not wake up, and it made me giggle. Uncle Jake is a viking after all, so by Odin's hairy...toes, or something.
It should be fun for them, and ultimately, that's what all kids need. No matter how hard life is for the adults, kids should be able to be kids. Layne's done up a super fun scavenger hunt for the morning, then the egg hunt, then it's off over the river and through the woods. In other words, dinner at Grandma's tomorrow night.
I really should stop typing, because I'm seriously just rambling.
Happy Spring!!!
Listening To: Whining Cats
Word of the Day: Huffelump
I have no idea why Huffelump is the word of the day, other than I'm on muscle relaxers, it's 1 in the morning, and yeah.
Finally had a breakthrough day at work. This week has been horrid. Don't get me wrong, still had plenty to do. New product coming in, training as mentioned in my last post, dodging raindrops, and tonight? We're hiding eggs. Normally, we do this on Ostara, this year? We are so far behind. Between mine and Marcus' schedule and Layne's backlog of research it's just been a huge lack of time.
Currently, I'm sitting down, because of the pain, and the numbness from the muscle relaxers. I'm call it, guarding the Bifrost. Because I'm willing the kids to not wake up, and it made me giggle. Uncle Jake is a viking after all, so by Odin's hairy...toes, or something.
It should be fun for them, and ultimately, that's what all kids need. No matter how hard life is for the adults, kids should be able to be kids. Layne's done up a super fun scavenger hunt for the morning, then the egg hunt, then it's off over the river and through the woods. In other words, dinner at Grandma's tomorrow night.
I really should stop typing, because I'm seriously just rambling.
Happy Spring!!!
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
I'm geeking out!!!
Mood: Kinda laid back actually.
Listening To: Alan Jackson - Midnight in Montgomery
Word of the Day:Hi-Res
Yeah, I know that's actually two words for the word of the day, but I'm so excited about what I got to audition today, that it called for two words.
Sony is trying to make an aggressive comeback in audio. When I think HiFi, or high quality audio, Sony is usually at the bottom of the list. With so many companies out there like Bryston, Rotel, Arcam etc. that have some of the most respected equipment out there, it's hard to compete. But, with respect, comes a heavy price tag. Audio purists will pay big bucks for big clean sound.
And Sony, while the first thought of brand when someone mentions television, in my opinion has never been a go to brand for audio equipment.
Well, today I was impressed. Which to anyone who knows me is a huge thing for me to admit. I've had a huge dislike for that little 4 letter word for about 11 years, since the launch of the Grand Wega. I'm stubborn and pig headed, and it takes a long time for me to get over things.
When I came back to selling tv's after focusing on audio for 7 years, I was overwhelmed with how far flat panels had progressed. Overwhelmed is an understatement. SmartTV, made me feel really dumb. My unlove affair with Sony came to an end as I started researching, and looking into what made one brand/model stand apart from the rest. I came to respect them as a company again at least from a video standpoint.
Audio? That's a whole different thing. Sony was still stagnant in my opinion, half assing what they were doing. Their receivers were great for first time buyers, getting into their first 2 channel or even 5 channel system, but nothing I would take seriously. And their turntables? They will have to go to great lengths for me to consider EVER bringing one of theirs into my own home. I'll spend the extra couple hundred bucks and purchase a turntable that won't eat through my vinyl.
As I said above, before I went off on a tangent, they impressed me today. Today I was introduced to the HAPZ1ES a 1TB HDD Hi Res music player. What is this you might ask? The most basic way to describe it, is a hard drive for you music collection that is capable of storing and playing back music in high quality form, including FLAC, ALAC, AIFF, WAV, and the HiRes format DSD, a Sony Creation.
So what is Hi Res? I'll let the folks at WhatHiFi explain, as I'm still new to this game.
"...Before we address this, it’s worth pointing out that the definition of high-resolution audio isn’t set in stone. Unlike high-definition video, which has to meet certain criteria to earn the name, there’s no universal standard for high-res audio.
But it tends to refer to audio that has a higher sampling frequency and bit depth than CD, which is 16-bit/44.1kHz. High-resolution audio files usually use a sampling frequency or 96kHz or 192kHz at 24-bit, but you can also have 88.2kHz and 176.4kHz files too.
Sampling frequency means the number of times samples are taken per second when the analogue sound waves are converted into digital. The more bits there are meanwhile, the more accurately the signal can be measured in the first place, so 16-bit to 24-bit can see a noticeable leap in quality."
Still confused? It's ok, it's taking me a bit to get used to it as well.
MP3's are great, they're a convenient way for us to take our music with us either on our phones, tablets, or MP3 Players. But we sacrificed a lot when we started settling for convenience. When a music file is compressed, we lose some of the track information, actually depending on the quality we choose to create the file in, we could loose a lot. A whole range of frequencies in the music get chopped off at both ends. And while this doesn't matter necessarily if all we're doing is listening through headphones, it makes a huge difference when we're listening through a home stereo system.
What impressed me further was the fact that the HAPZ1ES can take an MP3, and rebuild part of the lost wave patterns in a track, opening the music back up, and taking our tin can music, and turning it back into something enjoyable to listen to.
The HAPZ1ES is a great unit, however, on it's own it's not going to do the full job. While it's a great music server and DAC, it doesn't have the ability to drive your speakers. This is where the TAA1ES comes in. This amplifier delivers a nice rich sound. At 80w a side, it was more than capable of driving the CM10's from Bowers and Wilkins we had it hooked up to. I've hear several high end amps hooked up to these speakers, and I gotta tell you, while it wasn't the best I've heard these speakers sound, it was still one hell of an experience. The TAA1ES has a Class A/B amplifier section in it. This was discovered though a bit of extra digging. Sony touts it as a Class A which it will do through the first 15w of power or so, but beyond that it turns into a push pull system, hence my calling them out on it. But don't let the misleading discourage you from auditioning this equipment.
At $4000 CAD, it's well worth the investment if you're into audio, but don't have the full budget that some audiophiles sink into their equipment.
Good on you Sony.
Listening To: Alan Jackson - Midnight in Montgomery
Word of the Day:Hi-Res
Yeah, I know that's actually two words for the word of the day, but I'm so excited about what I got to audition today, that it called for two words.
Sony is trying to make an aggressive comeback in audio. When I think HiFi, or high quality audio, Sony is usually at the bottom of the list. With so many companies out there like Bryston, Rotel, Arcam etc. that have some of the most respected equipment out there, it's hard to compete. But, with respect, comes a heavy price tag. Audio purists will pay big bucks for big clean sound.
And Sony, while the first thought of brand when someone mentions television, in my opinion has never been a go to brand for audio equipment.
Well, today I was impressed. Which to anyone who knows me is a huge thing for me to admit. I've had a huge dislike for that little 4 letter word for about 11 years, since the launch of the Grand Wega. I'm stubborn and pig headed, and it takes a long time for me to get over things.
When I came back to selling tv's after focusing on audio for 7 years, I was overwhelmed with how far flat panels had progressed. Overwhelmed is an understatement. SmartTV, made me feel really dumb. My unlove affair with Sony came to an end as I started researching, and looking into what made one brand/model stand apart from the rest. I came to respect them as a company again at least from a video standpoint.
Audio? That's a whole different thing. Sony was still stagnant in my opinion, half assing what they were doing. Their receivers were great for first time buyers, getting into their first 2 channel or even 5 channel system, but nothing I would take seriously. And their turntables? They will have to go to great lengths for me to consider EVER bringing one of theirs into my own home. I'll spend the extra couple hundred bucks and purchase a turntable that won't eat through my vinyl.
As I said above, before I went off on a tangent, they impressed me today. Today I was introduced to the HAPZ1ES a 1TB HDD Hi Res music player. What is this you might ask? The most basic way to describe it, is a hard drive for you music collection that is capable of storing and playing back music in high quality form, including FLAC, ALAC, AIFF, WAV, and the HiRes format DSD, a Sony Creation. So what is Hi Res? I'll let the folks at WhatHiFi explain, as I'm still new to this game.
"...Before we address this, it’s worth pointing out that the definition of high-resolution audio isn’t set in stone. Unlike high-definition video, which has to meet certain criteria to earn the name, there’s no universal standard for high-res audio.
But it tends to refer to audio that has a higher sampling frequency and bit depth than CD, which is 16-bit/44.1kHz. High-resolution audio files usually use a sampling frequency or 96kHz or 192kHz at 24-bit, but you can also have 88.2kHz and 176.4kHz files too.
Sampling frequency means the number of times samples are taken per second when the analogue sound waves are converted into digital. The more bits there are meanwhile, the more accurately the signal can be measured in the first place, so 16-bit to 24-bit can see a noticeable leap in quality."
Still confused? It's ok, it's taking me a bit to get used to it as well.
MP3's are great, they're a convenient way for us to take our music with us either on our phones, tablets, or MP3 Players. But we sacrificed a lot when we started settling for convenience. When a music file is compressed, we lose some of the track information, actually depending on the quality we choose to create the file in, we could loose a lot. A whole range of frequencies in the music get chopped off at both ends. And while this doesn't matter necessarily if all we're doing is listening through headphones, it makes a huge difference when we're listening through a home stereo system.
What impressed me further was the fact that the HAPZ1ES can take an MP3, and rebuild part of the lost wave patterns in a track, opening the music back up, and taking our tin can music, and turning it back into something enjoyable to listen to.The HAPZ1ES is a great unit, however, on it's own it's not going to do the full job. While it's a great music server and DAC, it doesn't have the ability to drive your speakers. This is where the TAA1ES comes in. This amplifier delivers a nice rich sound. At 80w a side, it was more than capable of driving the CM10's from Bowers and Wilkins we had it hooked up to. I've hear several high end amps hooked up to these speakers, and I gotta tell you, while it wasn't the best I've heard these speakers sound, it was still one hell of an experience. The TAA1ES has a Class A/B amplifier section in it. This was discovered though a bit of extra digging. Sony touts it as a Class A which it will do through the first 15w of power or so, but beyond that it turns into a push pull system, hence my calling them out on it. But don't let the misleading discourage you from auditioning this equipment.
At $4000 CAD, it's well worth the investment if you're into audio, but don't have the full budget that some audiophiles sink into their equipment.
Good on you Sony.
Monday, April 14, 2014
30 Days of Gratitude #30 The Final Installment
Mood: Happy
Listening To: The fan on my laptop.
Word of the Day: Completion
1. The ability to not let a shit day stop the flow of positive mojo.
2. The realization that although life isn't perfect, it's better than many have.
3. Seeing this through to the end.
The End
Listening To: The fan on my laptop.
Word of the Day: Completion
1. The ability to not let a shit day stop the flow of positive mojo.
2. The realization that although life isn't perfect, it's better than many have.
3. Seeing this through to the end.
The End
Sunday, April 13, 2014
30 Days of Gratitude #29
1. Fortitude and Resolve. Fortitude to make it through the day while sick and noone to cover for me, and the resolve to not throw up on people.
2. New albums from a favourite artist. Can't wait to get the new Lacuna Coil album.
3. The last of the snow being gone, until Tuesday if the weather network is correct.
2. New albums from a favourite artist. Can't wait to get the new Lacuna Coil album.
3. The last of the snow being gone, until Tuesday if the weather network is correct.
Random Ramblings
Mood: Glad to be home.
Listening To: Humming artists.
Word of the Day: Quick
You know, if half of the projects I have on the go at work come to fruition this month, it will actually be a good month. I've got 2 1/2 quotes out on custom home theatre designs. Now I just need them to hurry up, and go forward. I'm so impatient.
I've heard a few tracks off the new Lacuna Coil album, and I really want it.
I've got my new list of dream items, drawn up for when I win the lottery. Speakers, TV, Projector, Amps, Pre-amps etc. It's only up to $100k or so. LOL
And, I've brainwashed small lifeforms into loving Shakira as much as I do.
End ramble.
Listening To: Humming artists.
Word of the Day: Quick
You know, if half of the projects I have on the go at work come to fruition this month, it will actually be a good month. I've got 2 1/2 quotes out on custom home theatre designs. Now I just need them to hurry up, and go forward. I'm so impatient.
I've heard a few tracks off the new Lacuna Coil album, and I really want it.
I've got my new list of dream items, drawn up for when I win the lottery. Speakers, TV, Projector, Amps, Pre-amps etc. It's only up to $100k or so. LOL
And, I've brainwashed small lifeforms into loving Shakira as much as I do.
End ramble.
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Friday, April 11, 2014
30 Days of Gratitude #27
1. Learning new things. A lot of new products at work to learn about.2. Making it through today sick as a dog.
3. Technology. For without it, I wouldn't have a job.
Thursday, April 10, 2014
30 Days of Gratitude #26
1. Meat on a bun. Mmmmmm, I love meat in the form of sausage, on a bun.
2. Fresh Brownies. The perfect ending to a day.
3. +14 Today, we have a front lawn, the gardens are visible, hopefully some spring flowers will start to spring up.
2. Fresh Brownies. The perfect ending to a day.
3. +14 Today, we have a front lawn, the gardens are visible, hopefully some spring flowers will start to spring up.
Next Challenge
As the 30 days of Gratitude winds down, my dear friend posted a challenge she's partaking in on pinterest. Therefore I must take up the same gauntlet, because it sounds like fun. I'm putting the image here as a placeholder and as the list of things to discuss. I think this is going to be really fun.
Ramblings
Mood: Rambly
Listening To: Lacuna Coil - End of Time
Word of the Day: Morning
I'm all over the place in my thoughts tonight/this morning. I started thinking I wanted to blog about reading tonight, then it turned into music. Now I'm just a ramblin' man.
When I think about the love of reading that was instilled in me as a small child, it almost makes me weep to have met so many people that don't share that love, and aren't big readers. I have a couple of friends/aquaintances/co-workers who spend most of their time skimming through things like Reddit, and online meme blog things. I'm not as interweb savvy as I could be I suppose, but I don't think of it as a bad thing. I cringe when I think that there is a whole chunk of a generation that has little to no actual social interaction outside of say a workplace. Even schools now are allowing students to bring smartphones, tablets, music players etc, and encouraging them in the classroom. As long as they have a calculator.
I know I'm getting older, I know I'm from a different era. Calculators weren't even allowed in school until you started doing things like Calculus and Algebra...in high school. Cell phones were just starting to make an appearance on the scene, and if you were caught with one on school premises, it was confiscated. Times are changing. And I once vowed I'd never be "that guy" that criticized the changes of subsequent generations. But the more I look around, at times, all I want, is to be "that guy"
I grew up in a very opinionated environment, where everything I and my friends did, were highly criticized and frowned upon. And perhaps that's just the lot in life when you're young and learning who you are. And I'm becoming more and more critical as I age. It's almost like I hit 40 and a button was pressed. Hell who am I kidding? That button was pressed when I hit 36. LOL I guess as we mature and age we begin to worry more about the world we left in our wake, and how the current generation is going to cope. How are they going to deal with the mess that I and those of my generation left behind.?
Let's face it, the 80's was a time of mad excess, the adults around us consumed, destroyed, whored the environment. It's a mess. Then came the "gauze" phase, not to be confused my Goth phase. Where more and more people bitched about influences surrounding young people, and how they had to be sheltered from certain things. Don't get me wrong, I wish I had been sheltered from a lot of the crap I witnessed and had to survive. So it's not a bad thing wanting to protect. But I think in some instances, maybe we went to far. Political Correctness became a joke. Suddenly serious things became trendy, and it's almost like you weren't cool if you didn't have a nut allergy or something.
The world has changed so much in 40 years. As I'm sure everyone facing the the road leading up to 50 has felt for the past couple hundred generations.
I guess maybe this was just a rambling post about getting older and being cranky about it?
All will be understood when I turn 42. I'm sure of it. LOL
How's that for random rambling? I think I posted something about reading in there...but nothing about music at all.
Thanks for reading,
Listening To: Lacuna Coil - End of Time
Word of the Day: Morning
I'm all over the place in my thoughts tonight/this morning. I started thinking I wanted to blog about reading tonight, then it turned into music. Now I'm just a ramblin' man.
When I think about the love of reading that was instilled in me as a small child, it almost makes me weep to have met so many people that don't share that love, and aren't big readers. I have a couple of friends/aquaintances/co-workers who spend most of their time skimming through things like Reddit, and online meme blog things. I'm not as interweb savvy as I could be I suppose, but I don't think of it as a bad thing. I cringe when I think that there is a whole chunk of a generation that has little to no actual social interaction outside of say a workplace. Even schools now are allowing students to bring smartphones, tablets, music players etc, and encouraging them in the classroom. As long as they have a calculator.
I know I'm getting older, I know I'm from a different era. Calculators weren't even allowed in school until you started doing things like Calculus and Algebra...in high school. Cell phones were just starting to make an appearance on the scene, and if you were caught with one on school premises, it was confiscated. Times are changing. And I once vowed I'd never be "that guy" that criticized the changes of subsequent generations. But the more I look around, at times, all I want, is to be "that guy"
I grew up in a very opinionated environment, where everything I and my friends did, were highly criticized and frowned upon. And perhaps that's just the lot in life when you're young and learning who you are. And I'm becoming more and more critical as I age. It's almost like I hit 40 and a button was pressed. Hell who am I kidding? That button was pressed when I hit 36. LOL I guess as we mature and age we begin to worry more about the world we left in our wake, and how the current generation is going to cope. How are they going to deal with the mess that I and those of my generation left behind.?
Let's face it, the 80's was a time of mad excess, the adults around us consumed, destroyed, whored the environment. It's a mess. Then came the "gauze" phase, not to be confused my Goth phase. Where more and more people bitched about influences surrounding young people, and how they had to be sheltered from certain things. Don't get me wrong, I wish I had been sheltered from a lot of the crap I witnessed and had to survive. So it's not a bad thing wanting to protect. But I think in some instances, maybe we went to far. Political Correctness became a joke. Suddenly serious things became trendy, and it's almost like you weren't cool if you didn't have a nut allergy or something.
The world has changed so much in 40 years. As I'm sure everyone facing the the road leading up to 50 has felt for the past couple hundred generations.
I guess maybe this was just a rambling post about getting older and being cranky about it?
All will be understood when I turn 42. I'm sure of it. LOL
How's that for random rambling? I think I posted something about reading in there...but nothing about music at all.
Thanks for reading,
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
30 Days of Gratitude #25
1. Tim Horton's
2. Chocolate, the discovery of which was the most monumental thing in the history of monumental things.
3. Coffee, the second most monumental thing in things of historical monumentalness.
4. Creating new words.
2. Chocolate, the discovery of which was the most monumental thing in the history of monumental things.
3. Coffee, the second most monumental thing in things of historical monumentalness.
4. Creating new words.
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
30 Days of Gratitude #24
1. A great day of photography.
2. Seeing old friends.
3. A brand new hairdid.
2. Seeing old friends.
3. A brand new hairdid.
Monday, April 7, 2014
30 Days of Gratitude #23
1. The first real rain of spring.
2. People that save family photos. My newfound cousin shared a photo of my great great grandfather.
3. Being able to sit outside at work again and eat my lunch.
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Saturday, April 5, 2014
30 Days of Gratitude #21
1. Ducks make me happy.
2. PVR's
3. Finding old emails that have vital information to you genealogy searches. Even though you should never forget they exist in the first place. *facepalm*
2. PVR's
3. Finding old emails that have vital information to you genealogy searches. Even though you should never forget they exist in the first place. *facepalm*
30 Days of Gratitude #20
1. Awesome night out. Went to see Cap 2 with Marcus. Holy Crap was it awesome!
2. Scarlett Johansson.
3. Alarm Clocks that go stupidly loud, Imma need one on the morning. LOL
And on that note, I have to be up in 5 1/2 hours for work. Yay me!
2. Scarlett Johansson.
3. Alarm Clocks that go stupidly loud, Imma need one on the morning. LOL
And on that note, I have to be up in 5 1/2 hours for work. Yay me!
Thursday, April 3, 2014
30 Days of Gratitude #19
1. Things that make me scratch my head in wonder.
2. 1 more sleeps until Capt. America!
3. Thunderstorms (just not yet)
2. 1 more sleeps until Capt. America!
3. Thunderstorms (just not yet)
My Life Path Number
It's kind of scary how accurate this is...
Courtesy of Lotus Tarot
James, Your Personal Life Path Number is 5
Number 5
"What does a Life Path number of 5 mean?"
The key to your personality is freedom. James, you love travel, adventure, variety and meeting new people. You possess the curiosity of a cat and long to experience all of life.
You love to be involved in several things at the same time as long as you are not tied down to any one area. You like change, new things and new horizons. You make friends easily; your personality is upbeat and often inspiring attracting people from all walks of life.
You have a way of words and an uncanny ability to motivate others. You can be in sales, advertising, publicity, promotion, politics or any profession that requires your communication skills and understanding of people. However, you likely lack discipline and order. You can also be impulsive, doing or expressing things you regret later.
Freedom and a need for adventure sometimes is not properly controlled by those born with this Life Path, causing problems with drug abuse, overindulgence in food or sex, or generally abusing the gift of life.
You are sensual and love to taste all of life. Sex, food and other sensory experiences are essential to the enjoyment of your life. You find it difficult to commit to one relationship, but once committed you can be as faithful as an old dog.
You are multi-talented and possess a variety of diverse abilities. However, discipline and focus are the true keys to your success. Without these many of the tasks you begin will remain unfinished and you will fail to realize the true fruits of your abilities. With hard work and perseverance the sky is the limit.
You may have been perceived as a wild child by adults and a source of concern by your family. However, do not be obliged to hurry your choice of career. You are often a late-bloomer and need to experience life before you can truly know and commit to your heart's desire.
James, your challenge is to learn the true meaning of freedom. Change is constant in your world requiring adaptability and courage. Try to maintain an exercise program, keep your body in shape and limber. The flexibility and durability of your body will promote security and confidence within you.
You yearn for freedom and self-employment attracts you powerfully. Your challenge is to settle into one area to cultivate your ability sufficiently to earn a living and attain success. Once you find your niche the motivation and inspiration you supply others will bring you much in return, you will find your friends and colleagues supporting and promoting you on the road to success.
Courtesy of Lotus Tarot
James, Your Personal Life Path Number is 5
Number 5
"What does a Life Path number of 5 mean?"
The key to your personality is freedom. James, you love travel, adventure, variety and meeting new people. You possess the curiosity of a cat and long to experience all of life.
You love to be involved in several things at the same time as long as you are not tied down to any one area. You like change, new things and new horizons. You make friends easily; your personality is upbeat and often inspiring attracting people from all walks of life.
You have a way of words and an uncanny ability to motivate others. You can be in sales, advertising, publicity, promotion, politics or any profession that requires your communication skills and understanding of people. However, you likely lack discipline and order. You can also be impulsive, doing or expressing things you regret later.
Freedom and a need for adventure sometimes is not properly controlled by those born with this Life Path, causing problems with drug abuse, overindulgence in food or sex, or generally abusing the gift of life.
You are sensual and love to taste all of life. Sex, food and other sensory experiences are essential to the enjoyment of your life. You find it difficult to commit to one relationship, but once committed you can be as faithful as an old dog.
You are multi-talented and possess a variety of diverse abilities. However, discipline and focus are the true keys to your success. Without these many of the tasks you begin will remain unfinished and you will fail to realize the true fruits of your abilities. With hard work and perseverance the sky is the limit.
You may have been perceived as a wild child by adults and a source of concern by your family. However, do not be obliged to hurry your choice of career. You are often a late-bloomer and need to experience life before you can truly know and commit to your heart's desire.
James, your challenge is to learn the true meaning of freedom. Change is constant in your world requiring adaptability and courage. Try to maintain an exercise program, keep your body in shape and limber. The flexibility and durability of your body will promote security and confidence within you.
You yearn for freedom and self-employment attracts you powerfully. Your challenge is to settle into one area to cultivate your ability sufficiently to earn a living and attain success. Once you find your niche the motivation and inspiration you supply others will bring you much in return, you will find your friends and colleagues supporting and promoting you on the road to success.
Because I have to be a follower sometimes...
Layne posted this list of questions on her blog, so of course I had to answer them. What? It looked like fun, it has nothing to do with OCD and numbers and feeling cool. Stop Judging Me!!!
120 Questions.
1: Who did you last say "I love you" to?
My Aunt Pam
2: Do you regret it?
If you mean it enough to say it, how can you regret it?
3: Have you ever been depressed?
Constantly, but always trying to work through it. I hide it alot, which isn't healthy, but it's how I'm wired. The 30 days of Gratitude thing comes up when I'm feeling most down, so I can pick myself back up.
4: Do you like dinosaurs?
I could spell paleontologist before I could spell mom. I'm not the fanatic I once was, but when I was little, I couldn't get enough of them. My dad took me to the American Museum of Natural History when I was very young on one of our trips to New York.
5: Are you insecure?
I try not to be, but when I get yelled at in a certain way it makes me cringe. It's a leftover from my father, and I should be over it at my age. I have body issues too, and abandonment issues. Yeah, I guess I could be called insecure, even if it's not an everyday thing.
6: What is your relationship status?
Single
7: How do you want to die?
Wow, you know, I've visualized my own death several times, dreamt it, but never been asked about it like I have a choice. I'd like to go out in some spectacular manner, like a car driving off a cliff in the Rockies(had that dream a few years ago) Or even more spectacular, surrounded by loved ones, very quick so neither they or I suffer, but surrounded by love.
8: What did you last eat?
Toast and Peanut Butter, with a side of marble cheese.
9: Have you played any sports?
Baseball and Basketball
10: Do you have an attitude?
What the fuck are you implying? Step off questionnaire!
11: Do you like someone?
As in like like? Or like? What a vague question. I have a very tight social group.
12: What is your real name?
I wanted to be an ass and write Lady Gaga, I have no idea why, just did. Jake is my real name, in a roundabout way.
13: Have you ever read a book?
Why limit yourself to just one? I've been reading since I was 2. How else do you think I learned to spell paleontologist?
14: Do you hate anyone at the moment?
99% of the human race? I guess that's a very cheeky answer. Hate is a very strong emotion, and shouldn't be taken lightly. In order for someone to get that kind of emotional response from me, they need to have hurt/threatened people I love. So yes. But I'm working through my anger issues.
15: Do you miss someone?
Living and Dead there are several people I miss. Some of the people on the list of missed persons surprise me, like my dad.
16: Twirl or cut your spaghetti?
Twirl it into a big ball, then devour it.
17: Do you tan a lot? over the summer?
I used to, which is surprising considering my Scottish/N. European heritage. It takes a lot of effort for me to tan now.
18: Have any pets?
The smart ass answer? 3 cats, 2 dogs, 4 small humans, and 2 not so small humans, but that would just get me slapped, so I won't give that answer.
There is a cat in the house that everyone insists is mine. I'll give you a hint, it's the one with a piss poor attitude.
19: How exactly are you feeling?
Exactly feeling? I have an ache in my left shoulder and left ankle. My right knee is throbbing, and so is the right side of my head. I go from extreme happiness to wanting to ball my eyes out in the blink of an eye, and I haven't had nearly enough coffee today. I've been answering these questions for 25 minutes, and I'm only up to #19.
20: Ever eaten food in a car while someone or yourself is driving:
You mean some people don't?
21: Good driver?
I had good teachers.
22: Are you scared of spiders?
I have a 10 year old take care of spiders that get in the house, what do you think?
23: Would you go back in time if you were given the chance?
Depends on the purpose. I always thought it would be really fun to have a time machine...ok, who am I kidding I want a TARDIS.
24: Do you regret anything from your past?
This is a hard question to answer. It's like asking do I regret breathing? Our past is what has made us who we are, good and bad. Are there some things I've done that I'm not proud of? Yeah, but would I change them if I could? I don't know. There probably are some things yes, but what would that mean as far as the new future you create from that change?
25: What are your plans for this weekend?
The same thing I do every weekend Pinky, try to take over the... er... I'm working.
26: Do you want to have kid?
Every so often something in my brain clicks in and says, you're doing all this genealogy for your ancesters, who's going to do yours? Then I get worried that I'll be forgotten, like so many of the people I've come across in my research. However, I'm not hardwired for children. There are a total of 4 that I can claim I love. And maybe a handful of children I can tolerate outside of family.
27: Do you type fast?
When I need to, and depending on the keyboard.
28: Do you have piercings?
4, all ear. I've thought of others, but I don't even wear my earrings, so why bother?
29: Want anymore?
See above question/answer.
30: Can you spell well?
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, how's that for spelling?
31: Do you miss anyone from your past?
There's alot of people I miss, some in a positive way, some in a they moved out the way too fast.
32: What are you craving right now?
Coffee, copious amounts of coffee.
33: Ever been to a bonfire party?
I love bonfire parties.
34: Ever had a silly band?
No, but I was in the concert and stage bands in school.
35: Have you ever been on a horse?
A few times, the last time didn't end so well.
36: Have you ever broken someones heart?
Yes.
37: Have you ever been cheated on?
Yes.
38: Are you thinking of someone right now?
Harold Kirk, his daughter Marion, his brother Arthur, but only because I'm trying to track their family history.
39: Would you live with someone without marrying them?
Of course, and hasn't the author of this questionnaire ever heard of roommates?
If you mean would I live with a romantic interest before marrying them, the answer is still yes.
40: What should you be doing?
Working on a quote for work.
41: Whats irritating you right now?
My knee.
42: Have you ever liked someone so much that it hurts?
Yes I have, and it hurt when the cheating happened.
43: Does somebody love you?
I feel loved yes.
44: What is your favorite color?
Green
45: Have you ever changed clothes in a car?
Yes. I've even done it while driving a standard transmission.
46: Milk chocolate or white chocolate?
White chocolate is the leftovers of the chocolate making process, and has no right to be called chocolate at all.
47: Do you have trust issues?
Yes, realting to the insecurity question from above.
48: Best friends name?
Jenn
49: 2nd best friends name?
Marcus
50: 3rd best friends name?
Little Ann
51: Who was the last person you cried in front of?
In front of? Wynken, cuz cats are people too. :p
52: Do you give out second chances too easily?
I give everyone a second chance, it's when you hit number 3 that we have to reevaluate. Mind you there are some people on 10th chance, but that's only because I love them.
53: Is it easier to forgive or forget?
Forget. Honestly, if you've pissed me off to the point that I'm legitimate angry and have hateful feelings towards you, you cease to exist as someone important enough to forgive.
54: What was your childhood nickname?
It was the 80's nothing nice.
55: Favorite food?
Pie, Pizza, Toast and Peanut Butter.
60: Do you believe everything happens for a reason??
Yes, even if we don't like the reason. I think we make choices in life based on circumstances that lead us down a path. I believe we have control over our fate, but not necessarily our destiny...and I know that that makes no sense, but so what?
61: Did you have dream last night?
I'm sure I did, and I'm sure it was horrible.
62: Have you ever been out of state?
I feel really badly when someone has never had a chance to travel. I grew up travelling, through the states and provinces. I know I wasn't the norm growing up, but I think I was at the tail end of the generations who got this opportunity. Then greed kicked in, the gap between the have's and have not's grew, and who's got the money to travel anymore, let alone the time?
63: Do you play the wii?
On occasion. I'm a sore loser.
64: Are you listening to music right now?
I'm not actually. Which usually when I'm blogging, I am. How bizarre.
65: Do you like chinese food?
As a matter of fact, I do.
66: Who are you texting right now?
My phone isn't even in the same room with me right now.
67: Are you afraid of the dark?
I am the dark. Oooooooooooooo No I'm not afraid of the dark, or the monsters that live in it.
68: Is cheating ever okay?
Cheating on a test, or cheating on a relationship? Either way, they are morally wrong.
69: Are you mean?
I am the nicest person you will ever meet. However, I can also be the meanest person you will ever meet.
70: Can you keep white shoes clean?
Hell no, ain't nobody got time for that.
71: What year has been your best?
What year? I don't know that I've had a whole year that I could call the best. There were a couple of good ones in Edmonton. This one is shaping up to be ok.
72: Do you believe in true love?
I'm jaded, but yes.
73: Favorite weather?
Storms, with lots of thunder and lightning. One of my favourite memories, is standing on a beach, and a huge storm coming in. I had never felt so alive.
74: Do you like the snow?
Not nearly as much as I used to. In fact, I could live in a climate where it never snowed, and be happy to visit it occasionally.
75: Does it snow a lot where you live?
Usually, but it hasn't been around in this quantity for a while.
76: Do you like the outside?
I love the outside. I love walking through forests, hiking along trails, coming upon waterfalls in canyons. Yes, I love me some outside.
77: Do you wanna get married?
Been there, done that, not again.
78: Is it cute when a boy/girl calls you baby?
No.
79: Are you hungry?
No.
80: What makes you happy?
The Kids, Layne and Marcus, Little Ann, Blogging, Watching TV, Helping People, Storms
81: Would you change your name?
I already sort of have.
82: Ever been to Alaska?
No, but I would like to.
83: Ever been to Hawaii?
No, but I would really like to.
84: Do you watch the news?
Only if I'm forced to. Don't get me wrong, it's important to know what's going on in the world, or even locally, but journalism has taken such a turn for the worst over the past 20 years. That and I'm already morose enough.
85: What's your zodiac sign?
I'm a double water eart Virgo Rat so there.
86: Do you like subway?
I like taking the subway, and I like Subway sandwiches.
87: Do you talk like your friends?
Occasionally we even say or think the same thing at the exact same time.
88: Have you ever seen someone you knew and purposely avoided them?
Yes, because I really don't like very many people
89: Do you have a friend of the opposite gender who you can act your complete self around?
Yes, I'm lucky to have two of them.
100: Who was the last person of the opposite gender you talked to?
Bug.
101: Do you feel good?
As good as I can feel I suppose. Wow, what a depressing pessimist I'm being. I don't have a headache anymore. So that counts as a positive.
102: Who was the last person you had a deep conversation with?
Layne
103: Can you count to one million?
Yes, I can, but why would I take the time to do so?
104: Are your finger nails painted at the moment?
I only paint them on special occasions now.
105: Favorite number?
13, 36
106: If you could pick two people your own age or younger to be stuck on a stranded island with, who would it be?
Only 2? See this wouldn't work. I need my best friends, I also need people to act as Sherpa's, and my sidekick would have to be there too. I definitely would never do well in a situation where it was only myself and 2 other people. I guess best case scenario to deal with it? LA and Layne. The 3 of us can accomplish anything if we put our minds to it. And LA is like a girl scout, so if there were trees, she could make a raft.
107: Are you a hunter?
I have the skills to hunt and skin, however, I leave the animals alone, as hunting isn't necessary to my survival.
108: Tall or short?
I can reach the clock!
109: Favorite subject in school?
History, and Geography
110: What 5 people do you trust the most?
Layne, Marcus, Aunt Pam, Layne's parents.
111: Who do you think has amazing hair?
I used to have amazing hair, then it started falling out. Thanks for bringing it up!
112: Parents divorced?
That would be really awkward if they got divorced in the afterlife...
113: What city do you live in?
Barrie.
114: Where were you born?
Chicago Heights.
115: Recliner or couch?
I love recliners. There's just no room in the living room for one.
116: What two people do you miss talking to?
Again, why just two? I miss my mom, and I miss my paternal grandfather
117: Who will you be with this weekend?
Chris, Tony, Shaun and Mandy.
118: City or country?
I really want a house with land in the country, that's near enough to the city that I can visit it.
119: Water or soda?
I'm in a part of the world that calls it Pop.
120: Was this a waste of my time?
I don't think so. It's always good to take some time and reflect.
120 Questions.
1: Who did you last say "I love you" to?
My Aunt Pam
2: Do you regret it?
If you mean it enough to say it, how can you regret it?
3: Have you ever been depressed?
Constantly, but always trying to work through it. I hide it alot, which isn't healthy, but it's how I'm wired. The 30 days of Gratitude thing comes up when I'm feeling most down, so I can pick myself back up.
4: Do you like dinosaurs?
I could spell paleontologist before I could spell mom. I'm not the fanatic I once was, but when I was little, I couldn't get enough of them. My dad took me to the American Museum of Natural History when I was very young on one of our trips to New York.
5: Are you insecure?
I try not to be, but when I get yelled at in a certain way it makes me cringe. It's a leftover from my father, and I should be over it at my age. I have body issues too, and abandonment issues. Yeah, I guess I could be called insecure, even if it's not an everyday thing.
6: What is your relationship status?
Single
7: How do you want to die?
Wow, you know, I've visualized my own death several times, dreamt it, but never been asked about it like I have a choice. I'd like to go out in some spectacular manner, like a car driving off a cliff in the Rockies(had that dream a few years ago) Or even more spectacular, surrounded by loved ones, very quick so neither they or I suffer, but surrounded by love.
8: What did you last eat?
Toast and Peanut Butter, with a side of marble cheese.
9: Have you played any sports?
Baseball and Basketball
10: Do you have an attitude?
What the fuck are you implying? Step off questionnaire!
11: Do you like someone?
As in like like? Or like? What a vague question. I have a very tight social group.
12: What is your real name?
I wanted to be an ass and write Lady Gaga, I have no idea why, just did. Jake is my real name, in a roundabout way.
13: Have you ever read a book?
Why limit yourself to just one? I've been reading since I was 2. How else do you think I learned to spell paleontologist?
14: Do you hate anyone at the moment?
99% of the human race? I guess that's a very cheeky answer. Hate is a very strong emotion, and shouldn't be taken lightly. In order for someone to get that kind of emotional response from me, they need to have hurt/threatened people I love. So yes. But I'm working through my anger issues.
15: Do you miss someone?
Living and Dead there are several people I miss. Some of the people on the list of missed persons surprise me, like my dad.
16: Twirl or cut your spaghetti?
Twirl it into a big ball, then devour it.
17: Do you tan a lot? over the summer?
I used to, which is surprising considering my Scottish/N. European heritage. It takes a lot of effort for me to tan now.
18: Have any pets?
The smart ass answer? 3 cats, 2 dogs, 4 small humans, and 2 not so small humans, but that would just get me slapped, so I won't give that answer.
There is a cat in the house that everyone insists is mine. I'll give you a hint, it's the one with a piss poor attitude.
19: How exactly are you feeling?
Exactly feeling? I have an ache in my left shoulder and left ankle. My right knee is throbbing, and so is the right side of my head. I go from extreme happiness to wanting to ball my eyes out in the blink of an eye, and I haven't had nearly enough coffee today. I've been answering these questions for 25 minutes, and I'm only up to #19.
20: Ever eaten food in a car while someone or yourself is driving:
You mean some people don't?
21: Good driver?
I had good teachers.
22: Are you scared of spiders?
I have a 10 year old take care of spiders that get in the house, what do you think?
23: Would you go back in time if you were given the chance?
Depends on the purpose. I always thought it would be really fun to have a time machine...ok, who am I kidding I want a TARDIS.
24: Do you regret anything from your past?
This is a hard question to answer. It's like asking do I regret breathing? Our past is what has made us who we are, good and bad. Are there some things I've done that I'm not proud of? Yeah, but would I change them if I could? I don't know. There probably are some things yes, but what would that mean as far as the new future you create from that change?
25: What are your plans for this weekend?
The same thing I do every weekend Pinky, try to take over the... er... I'm working.
26: Do you want to have kid?
Every so often something in my brain clicks in and says, you're doing all this genealogy for your ancesters, who's going to do yours? Then I get worried that I'll be forgotten, like so many of the people I've come across in my research. However, I'm not hardwired for children. There are a total of 4 that I can claim I love. And maybe a handful of children I can tolerate outside of family.
27: Do you type fast?
When I need to, and depending on the keyboard.
28: Do you have piercings?
4, all ear. I've thought of others, but I don't even wear my earrings, so why bother?
29: Want anymore?
See above question/answer.
30: Can you spell well?
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, how's that for spelling?
31: Do you miss anyone from your past?
There's alot of people I miss, some in a positive way, some in a they moved out the way too fast.
32: What are you craving right now?
Coffee, copious amounts of coffee.
33: Ever been to a bonfire party?
I love bonfire parties.
34: Ever had a silly band?
No, but I was in the concert and stage bands in school.
35: Have you ever been on a horse?
A few times, the last time didn't end so well.
36: Have you ever broken someones heart?
Yes.
37: Have you ever been cheated on?
Yes.
38: Are you thinking of someone right now?
Harold Kirk, his daughter Marion, his brother Arthur, but only because I'm trying to track their family history.
39: Would you live with someone without marrying them?
Of course, and hasn't the author of this questionnaire ever heard of roommates?
If you mean would I live with a romantic interest before marrying them, the answer is still yes.
40: What should you be doing?
Working on a quote for work.
41: Whats irritating you right now?
My knee.
42: Have you ever liked someone so much that it hurts?
Yes I have, and it hurt when the cheating happened.
43: Does somebody love you?
I feel loved yes.
44: What is your favorite color?
Green
45: Have you ever changed clothes in a car?
Yes. I've even done it while driving a standard transmission.
46: Milk chocolate or white chocolate?
White chocolate is the leftovers of the chocolate making process, and has no right to be called chocolate at all.
47: Do you have trust issues?
Yes, realting to the insecurity question from above.
48: Best friends name?
Jenn
49: 2nd best friends name?
Marcus
50: 3rd best friends name?
Little Ann
51: Who was the last person you cried in front of?
In front of? Wynken, cuz cats are people too. :p
52: Do you give out second chances too easily?
I give everyone a second chance, it's when you hit number 3 that we have to reevaluate. Mind you there are some people on 10th chance, but that's only because I love them.
53: Is it easier to forgive or forget?
Forget. Honestly, if you've pissed me off to the point that I'm legitimate angry and have hateful feelings towards you, you cease to exist as someone important enough to forgive.
54: What was your childhood nickname?
It was the 80's nothing nice.
55: Favorite food?
Pie, Pizza, Toast and Peanut Butter.
60: Do you believe everything happens for a reason??
Yes, even if we don't like the reason. I think we make choices in life based on circumstances that lead us down a path. I believe we have control over our fate, but not necessarily our destiny...and I know that that makes no sense, but so what?
61: Did you have dream last night?
I'm sure I did, and I'm sure it was horrible.
62: Have you ever been out of state?
I feel really badly when someone has never had a chance to travel. I grew up travelling, through the states and provinces. I know I wasn't the norm growing up, but I think I was at the tail end of the generations who got this opportunity. Then greed kicked in, the gap between the have's and have not's grew, and who's got the money to travel anymore, let alone the time?
63: Do you play the wii?
On occasion. I'm a sore loser.
64: Are you listening to music right now?
I'm not actually. Which usually when I'm blogging, I am. How bizarre.
65: Do you like chinese food?
As a matter of fact, I do.
66: Who are you texting right now?
My phone isn't even in the same room with me right now.
67: Are you afraid of the dark?
I am the dark. Oooooooooooooo No I'm not afraid of the dark, or the monsters that live in it.
68: Is cheating ever okay?
Cheating on a test, or cheating on a relationship? Either way, they are morally wrong.
69: Are you mean?
I am the nicest person you will ever meet. However, I can also be the meanest person you will ever meet.
70: Can you keep white shoes clean?
Hell no, ain't nobody got time for that.
71: What year has been your best?
What year? I don't know that I've had a whole year that I could call the best. There were a couple of good ones in Edmonton. This one is shaping up to be ok.
72: Do you believe in true love?
I'm jaded, but yes.
73: Favorite weather?
Storms, with lots of thunder and lightning. One of my favourite memories, is standing on a beach, and a huge storm coming in. I had never felt so alive.
74: Do you like the snow?
Not nearly as much as I used to. In fact, I could live in a climate where it never snowed, and be happy to visit it occasionally.
75: Does it snow a lot where you live?
Usually, but it hasn't been around in this quantity for a while.
76: Do you like the outside?
I love the outside. I love walking through forests, hiking along trails, coming upon waterfalls in canyons. Yes, I love me some outside.
77: Do you wanna get married?
Been there, done that, not again.
78: Is it cute when a boy/girl calls you baby?
No.
79: Are you hungry?
No.
80: What makes you happy?
The Kids, Layne and Marcus, Little Ann, Blogging, Watching TV, Helping People, Storms
81: Would you change your name?
I already sort of have.
82: Ever been to Alaska?
No, but I would like to.
83: Ever been to Hawaii?
No, but I would really like to.
84: Do you watch the news?
Only if I'm forced to. Don't get me wrong, it's important to know what's going on in the world, or even locally, but journalism has taken such a turn for the worst over the past 20 years. That and I'm already morose enough.
85: What's your zodiac sign?
I'm a double water eart Virgo Rat so there.
86: Do you like subway?
I like taking the subway, and I like Subway sandwiches.
87: Do you talk like your friends?
Occasionally we even say or think the same thing at the exact same time.
88: Have you ever seen someone you knew and purposely avoided them?
Yes, because I really don't like very many people
89: Do you have a friend of the opposite gender who you can act your complete self around?
Yes, I'm lucky to have two of them.
100: Who was the last person of the opposite gender you talked to?
Bug.
101: Do you feel good?
As good as I can feel I suppose. Wow, what a depressing pessimist I'm being. I don't have a headache anymore. So that counts as a positive.
102: Who was the last person you had a deep conversation with?
Layne
103: Can you count to one million?
Yes, I can, but why would I take the time to do so?
104: Are your finger nails painted at the moment?
I only paint them on special occasions now.
105: Favorite number?
13, 36
106: If you could pick two people your own age or younger to be stuck on a stranded island with, who would it be?
Only 2? See this wouldn't work. I need my best friends, I also need people to act as Sherpa's, and my sidekick would have to be there too. I definitely would never do well in a situation where it was only myself and 2 other people. I guess best case scenario to deal with it? LA and Layne. The 3 of us can accomplish anything if we put our minds to it. And LA is like a girl scout, so if there were trees, she could make a raft.
107: Are you a hunter?
I have the skills to hunt and skin, however, I leave the animals alone, as hunting isn't necessary to my survival.
108: Tall or short?
I can reach the clock!
109: Favorite subject in school?
History, and Geography
110: What 5 people do you trust the most?
Layne, Marcus, Aunt Pam, Layne's parents.
111: Who do you think has amazing hair?
I used to have amazing hair, then it started falling out. Thanks for bringing it up!
112: Parents divorced?
That would be really awkward if they got divorced in the afterlife...
113: What city do you live in?
Barrie.
114: Where were you born?
Chicago Heights.
115: Recliner or couch?
I love recliners. There's just no room in the living room for one.
116: What two people do you miss talking to?
Again, why just two? I miss my mom, and I miss my paternal grandfather
117: Who will you be with this weekend?
Chris, Tony, Shaun and Mandy.
118: City or country?
I really want a house with land in the country, that's near enough to the city that I can visit it.
119: Water or soda?
I'm in a part of the world that calls it Pop.
120: Was this a waste of my time?
I don't think so. It's always good to take some time and reflect.
From Arles to Ostergotland
Mood: Hungry
Listening To: A purring cat
Word of the Day: Huh?
So, I just took a journey from Arles, France to Motala, Ostergotland, Sweden. How did I do this from the comfort of my chair you may ask? Well, I'll tell you, thank you for asking.
It started with an innocent enough article on the National Geographic website about a boat. Specifically about a river barge from Roman times when Arles was a big fancy important city. It became even more important by building Julius Caesar some boats that he used in his struggles against Pompey. Not to be confused with Pompeii.
From Arles, I travelled through Gallia Narbonesis, and out into Cisalpine Gaul, in the northwest of modern Italy. I started reading about the Visgoths and the Ostrogoths, and the various machinations of their migrations.
I traveled through the east and north of Europe, and came upon a link that lead me to Gotaland in Scandinavia. Vastergotland and Ostergotland are the 2 parts that make up the whole. Located in Ostergotland is Motala, the home of my Great Grandmother.
And thus, we are brought to the end of my journey. This morning's journey anyways, who knows what I may find this afternoon.
Listening To: A purring cat
Word of the Day: Huh?
So, I just took a journey from Arles, France to Motala, Ostergotland, Sweden. How did I do this from the comfort of my chair you may ask? Well, I'll tell you, thank you for asking.
It started with an innocent enough article on the National Geographic website about a boat. Specifically about a river barge from Roman times when Arles was a big fancy important city. It became even more important by building Julius Caesar some boats that he used in his struggles against Pompey. Not to be confused with Pompeii.
From Arles, I travelled through Gallia Narbonesis, and out into Cisalpine Gaul, in the northwest of modern Italy. I started reading about the Visgoths and the Ostrogoths, and the various machinations of their migrations.
I traveled through the east and north of Europe, and came upon a link that lead me to Gotaland in Scandinavia. Vastergotland and Ostergotland are the 2 parts that make up the whole. Located in Ostergotland is Motala, the home of my Great Grandmother.
And thus, we are brought to the end of my journey. This morning's journey anyways, who knows what I may find this afternoon.
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
30 Days of Gratitude #18
Mood: Headachy
Listening To: Guns n Roses: Sweet Child O' Mine
Word of the Day: Migraine
1. The ability to help people achieve their dreams.
2. Water
3. I can almost see grass, the snows are receding more and more.
Listening To: Guns n Roses: Sweet Child O' Mine
Word of the Day: Migraine
1. The ability to help people achieve their dreams.
2. Water
3. I can almost see grass, the snows are receding more and more.
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
30 Days of Gratitude #17
Day 17 and all is well.
1. Talking to new cousins that randomly message you on Ancestry. I'm in the midst of an online communication with a descendant of my Great Grandmother's Sister.
2. Anticipation of how Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. will tie into Capt. America Winter Soldier.
3. Productive days off. I feel like we accomplished a lot today in the search for British Home Children. L's are done.
And that's it for tonight. Enjoy some fainting goats.
I like it!
Mood: Reflective
Listening To: Nothing
I was buzzing around ye olde interweb, and came across a painting, which lead me to another painting, then another, and that painting lead me to it's artist. What caught me wasn't that it looked like a photograph, if I want smooth textures I'll look at cgi. It had depth, patterns, it's hard to explain what drew me to it. Have a look.
It just draws my eye in, and delivers so many different details that it keeps me engaged and occupied.
If you'd like to learn more about the artist and his work, visit his site. Micheal J Lynch Studio.
Listening To: Nothing
I was buzzing around ye olde interweb, and came across a painting, which lead me to another painting, then another, and that painting lead me to it's artist. What caught me wasn't that it looked like a photograph, if I want smooth textures I'll look at cgi. It had depth, patterns, it's hard to explain what drew me to it. Have a look.
It just draws my eye in, and delivers so many different details that it keeps me engaged and occupied.
If you'd like to learn more about the artist and his work, visit his site. Micheal J Lynch Studio.
Sunshine List Surprising?
Mood:Cantankerous
Listening To: Phantogram - Fall in Love
The 2014 Sunshine List was released in Ontario, and so far the most amusing reaction, is shock. Shock that it's being used as a tool to get a raise, shock at who's making what, shock at which jobs are deemed more salary worthy than others.
Realistically, we live in a society that is driven by greed. Now, that's not to say that everyone is greedy that lives within the society. The decision makers are generally highly driven, highly skilled individuals. And quite a few of those individuals are driving by greed. The more they make, the more they desire. It's the society we've allowed to flourish, and as the gap between haves and have nots grows, the more grumbling, shock, and anger we're going to see.
The Sunshine List was set up for transparency, and accountability. It's working so well. ;)
From CBC
Listening To: Phantogram - Fall in Love
The 2014 Sunshine List was released in Ontario, and so far the most amusing reaction, is shock. Shock that it's being used as a tool to get a raise, shock at who's making what, shock at which jobs are deemed more salary worthy than others.
Realistically, we live in a society that is driven by greed. Now, that's not to say that everyone is greedy that lives within the society. The decision makers are generally highly driven, highly skilled individuals. And quite a few of those individuals are driving by greed. The more they make, the more they desire. It's the society we've allowed to flourish, and as the gap between haves and have nots grows, the more grumbling, shock, and anger we're going to see.
The Sunshine List was set up for transparency, and accountability. It's working so well. ;)
From CBC
Paris
I've never really had the desire to visit Paris. If I were ever to go there, only 3 things interest me.
1. The Eiffel Tower
2. The Louvre
3. And this street.
That exact one. I have no idea what street in all of Paris it is, but it's a must see for me. I love this painting, always have. I went to the Art Institute in Chicago for one of my classes in college. My mom, aunt and I made a day of it, it`s one of my fondest memories.
I don`t care about eating a baguette, or taking a cruise on the Seine. Don`t even care if I see Notre Dame in person. If I`m going to Paris, I`m going to find this street.
How`s that for a random out of the blue post?
1. The Eiffel Tower
2. The Louvre
3. And this street.
That exact one. I have no idea what street in all of Paris it is, but it's a must see for me. I love this painting, always have. I went to the Art Institute in Chicago for one of my classes in college. My mom, aunt and I made a day of it, it`s one of my fondest memories.
I don`t care about eating a baguette, or taking a cruise on the Seine. Don`t even care if I see Notre Dame in person. If I`m going to Paris, I`m going to find this street.
How`s that for a random out of the blue post?
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