Sunday Afternoon

Marissa was teaching a class on Sunday so I figured another trip to the Ontario Science Center was a good place to spend a Sunday afternoon. It's really a great place for Aidan to run around, explore and see other children; especially since it's too cold outside to do anything else.

The most interesting thing I saw today was how kids interact when resources are limited. Let me describe it ... There's an exhibit where you connect together tracks to build a "roller coaster". Then you take these rubber balls and run them down the track. The interesting thing is that, there were 20 kids and 6 rubber balls. It doesn't matter how old you are, once the primal instincts kick in it's all for yourself and Aidan was no exception. He'd see a ball, go after it, some kid would grab it and he'd take off to find another, every kid was doing the same thing. Some kids were grabbing balls from each other too. You can imagine how the parents were handling it. At one time Aidan managed to come into possession of 3 balls and protect them for at least 1 minute. I was pretty proud of the little guy :-)

I ended up buying an annual pass because I'm sure we'll be back many more times this year.

Haircut

This is me with my new haircut.

What's new

It's been a while since the last post. I've been busy and didn't have much of a creative mindset. Maybe it was due to the deep freeze but I'm determined to try to increase my blogging.

Last weekend we went on a shopping trip to the Eaton Center. Seems like a blah thing to do but I've not been out for a while so for me it's a big deal. Too bad for me I couldn't find any new clothes but at least Aidan got some new stuff from Gap and Old Navy.

Today Aidan got a very cute haircut which I'll post another time. Later on, we went to the Dr. for his 18 month checkup. He's on track with his weight, height, speech development so that's all good news. The Dr. and intern described him as the perfect patient since he allowed them to use him as a guniea pig. He even gave them a wave when they left the room. I took all the credit for his good behaviour (don't tell Marissa, hehe).

So that's all for now.

Mega Walmart Shopping

A lot has been said about the new Walmat superstore and it's negative effects on Canadian grocers like Dominion, Sobey's and especially Loblaws. We as a family bunded ourselves in warm clothing to brave to -30C temperatures to do our weekend groceries there. I've already been there twice already but it being the size of a football field, it wont be a familiar experience for me until at least the 5th visit. I have not even been to the auto or seasonal section yet.

It's obvious that Walmart did some research on who it's local clientele are, there are some pretty indigenous fruits and vegtables that would surely please the palette of the predominately immigrant population of Scarborough. Bulk okra, choyote and some unrecognizable stuff for example. Some of the meat packaging looks suspect but that may be because I'm used to seeing it packaged in white stryofoam instead of pink.

The clear advantage is that this place is a one stop shopping complex, you can even build a bear and get a hearing aid. The food prices are better (but not by much). There are a different variety of products (sometimes by different suppliers).

However this place won't have everything that are in the isles that Dominon and Loblaws has. It doesn't carry PC products and it doesn't feel like a grocery store.

My conclusion is that it's convenient and I'll be back sometimes. But I recently discovered that shopping at the Chinese grocers are are a better deal. The produce is fresher too. I can cut the grocery bill by 40% by doing so and there alot more interesting stuff there too. BTW there is a TNT opening up where the old Knob Farms used to be on Commisioners Rd. Loblaws used to get $130 a week from us, so I would be worried if I were them.

Big City - No variety

I'm working on replacing some baseboards in my home. I really can't stand the look of the run-of-the mill 3 inch high moulding found in all homes, it's thin and lacks character. I challenge you to find a newly built home, regardless of the price, where the builder hasn't used the same .49 cent/foot cheap mdf baseboard. The same boring stuff is used around windows too. I decided to go with a 5-1/4 high squared pine stock but top it off with a simple base cap. This style of baseboard and cap (or mopboard) was used in older traditional homes and you'd be surprised how such a minor detail can make a difference.

I was dismayed to discover that you can't find base-cap moulding anywhere. I went to the usual big box stores as well as some specialized lumber retailers specializing that in trim. It appears that the two piece baseboard has gone the way of the dodo because it's too time consuming to install and ultimately eats into the bottom line of the builder. Funny enough, you can readily find it in the US but I'm convinced Americans are more architecturally savvy. I mean most of the styles such Misson, Shaker and Federal all originated in the US, I can't think of anything in this regard that's pervasive and Canadian in nature; except for perhaps a beaver cap.

So I've been reduced to having to buy a moulding bit from Lee Valley so I can create my own stock. I don't mind doing that but it's really a pathetic state for the consumer where we're surrounded by ten thousand square feet building supply stores but they all carry the same old crap catering to the lowest common denominator.

New Walkman

When I was about 15 my brother Warren and I headed to the Eaton's downtown to buy me my own Sonly Walkman. I belive it was a WM-9 and cost about $75. I had it through most of highschool or at least until it's size became an embarassement. It only played tapes so it didn't have an AM/FM tuner nor did it have auto-reverse. It used 4AA batteries and had a strap to lug it around like a 'tricorder'. I kept a collection of Maxell and Teac tapes full of 80's music. It was a great little machine.

22 years later I bought myself another Sony Walkman, only this time it doesn't play tapes. What are tapes again? I wonder if all those little Indian owned stores on Yonge street are still selling cases of tapes, but I digress. It's about the size of two AA batteries and weighs next to nothing. I could have made it easy on myself and bought an iPod but I went old shool. Main considerations were FM tuner, durability and fidelity. The Sony NW-S205F is a sports Walkman so it's weather-proof and comes with the arm band etc. Cool extras are that it comes with a pedometer, calorie counter, and stopwatch. It also detects the workout rate so it can change the playlist accordingly. For example change from Air Supply to Kenny Loggins-Top Gun when you're heading downhill at 80mph.

Coupe of issues, it does not allow you to drag and drop Mp3 files to it like most players that's because Sony natively suports ATRAC and not Mp3 so you need to use it's SonicStage software transfer mp3 files. The screen is only 1 line so it's not as pretty or intuitive to use as the iPod. ATRAC tracks however have a much higher sound quality and requires less storage, as a positive side effect the unit can play for 3 hours with only a 3 minute charge.

So 25 years later Sony is no longer the leader in portable music players. The Mini Disc was a commecial flop and heads rolled this year at Sony due to loss of Mp3 player market share to Apple Inc. Still I bought another Walkman and it's still a great little machine.

On Vacation

This week I'm on Vacation! The last time I was on vacation was June 2005 when we went to Nova Scotia. We're not going out of town but we plan to spend some quality time at home and about. I'm actually looking forward to going to the Ontario Science Center for some exploration.

As you may have heard, my brother Warren gave me a R/C airplane for Christmas. This weekend was my second attempt to fly it somewhere else besides into a pole. I was pleasantly surprised to get it to loop and pull up just before nose diving into the earth. I also managed to attract an audience (acually a 7 year old kid with his dad). I'll continue my flying lessons as long as the plane remains air-worthy.

Aidan will be 17 months old tomorrow. I've become the people I used to ask, "Why do you quote your kids age in months?". I do it because I don't want him to grow up.

Most parenting books will tell you by "this age your child should be able to...". They never said that he'll be able to take a DVD out of it's case, insert it into the player (right side up) and cycle through the tv's video modes to get it to play. It's a wonderful thing to watch a child grow.

New Years 2007

Happy New Year!

Despite still recovering from the flu, conjuntivitis and a hacking cough I'm starting the new year with optimism. I'm still working on my resolutions but here they are so far in no particular order:
1. Use up as much change as possible
2. Work smarter = less
3. End clutter
4. Be more creative
5. Get more sleep


It was 10 degrees Celsius this afternoon at the Beaches. We spent time in the playground followed by my sad and embarrassing attempt to fly my radio controlled Air Hog. My first flight was a disaster and thank god no one was aboard because I slammed it into a concrete pole. What are the chances of flying a plane into the only pole in an open field? The controls take some getting used to because usually pulling down on a joystick means climb, but in this case it means dive.

The funniest thing is that there's no snow, anywhere. So everyone is huddled around a small mound beside the skating rink created by a Zamboni. I actually I saw new grass coming out of the ground.

I confirmed to myself today that sharing is learned behaviour. Aidan found a small soccer ball on the ground and started playing with it, another kid came by and tried to grab it from him. Not being sure if it was his, I asked "Aidan" to share and give him the ball. Reluctantly he did, but seconds after Aidan ran after him and tried to pull it away from behind. This same scene always replays itself at any Thomas the Train display, ask any parent.

A perfect New Years Day.

$50 Best Buy Card

Hey I got a $50 Best Buy card during a quaterly meeting at work. That was a little embarrasing but I plan to spend it on Mo, Aidan and Minx because they have been putting up with my long hours and foul moods.

I think Adian would like a new Blue's Clues DVD. Marissa, probably a Charmed CD and Minx a bluetooth headset to talk to the other cats handsfree.

TX Blogging

I'm posting this Blog using my Palm TX PDA.

The interface isn't pretty and I have no idea what this is gonna look like after I publish it. I was hoping to add a photo but I can't find the upload button.

December Playday

Aidan and friends spent time at holiday get together last weekend.

Charlotte, Clover & Brandon, & Aubrey

Zoom Zoom Update

It's almost been a month with the Mazda 3 now. This little car as been a joy to drive and best of all it's very convenient running errands and shuttling the little guy around. Another plus is the great fuel efficiency, I can drive for at least two weeks daily without having to refuel.

Aidan says he likes how he can drop cookie crumbs on the seat and watch daddy vacuum it up.

Bye by plastic table

The weather in Toronto today was terrible. After a record November high of 16C we got cold rain and high winds. And while walking across the parking at work today I almost lost my big arse umbrella to the wind. Anyways I arrived home and gazed into the backyard when I noticed a part of a tree branch miraculously balanced on a plastic table that I had temporarily moved outside. "Pretty neat" I thought given the strong winds. Then after about 5 mintes of admiration, I said "Impossible". Upon closer inspection my suspicions were correct, a branch had broken off an oak tree and speared the table top. The plastic top isn't thin either. I guess that's how people get killed during tornados.

Confucious say "Made in China - keep receipt"

Update to the tile saw I bought from Rona. I believed I was getting a deal by only paying $79 vs. $149 or more. We'll this weekend the fence on the saw broke. You'd expect the motor or something like that to break but not the fence. The locking cam attached to a threaded rod inside the fence no longer grips the threads. In fact there are no threads left so there's no way of locking the fence the to table.

I can't find the reciept anymore to get a replacement, but at least I can fix it with some good old fashion US of A Loctite.

Old School Auction

Today Warner and I went to the "Starburst" video game and vending machine auction. This action specializes in 80's coin-op video games. But before we headed out Aidan wanted Warner to inflate his beach ball for him and as you can see he's very happy about it. Aidan is too young to go to the auction so he hung out with my Dad.

My first time at the auction was an interesting experience. The showroom turned out to be a dusty warehouse off of Keele and Lakeshore. When you first enter you'll see an assortment of video and pinball games all of which are all qay beyond their prime. People milled about the narrow paths prepared with electrical extension cords in hand, sometimes connecting them to consoles in order to test the units.

Part of the aution was held outside in the back parking lot. As I expected, these types of events attract some pretty interesting characters (I didn't see the elusive Ponytail-man).

We didn't expect to buy anything, this was more of a fishing expedition for us. I did witness a Baywatch pinball machine go for $1,500. This was a worthwhile trek, I see it as research trip.

After the auction Aidan and I headed to Swansea Townhall to check out the Holly Jolly Sale where mom was selling cards and jewlery.

My POD day

A POD day, means Personal Off Day. My employer provides a combination of 8 POD and sick days per year and since it's coming close to the end of the year I'm taking advantage of some time off.

I can't say I relaxed though, in fact it was pretty busy.
It started as beautiful sunny and warm fall morning. I took Adian to the doctors for a checkup and immunization and flu shots. While in the waiting room Aidan made friends with a 3 year old Ethiopean boy, he was following him around and also have him a couple of hugs (too cute). Afterwards we strolled to the Tim Horton's thenwalked home but not before being turned away from a playground. In all fairness to the "mean" gatekeepers I didn't know it was a daycare. After watching and episode of Blue Clues it was lunch and time for a nap. I took the opportunity to finish cutting some granite tiles for the kitchen countertop. That was fun! I got to test out a new wet saw, cut through half inch granite like 'Butta'.

Late in the afternoon we hopped into the car and drove to Future shop and the Home Depot. I needed some more tiles and I also wanted some new music. I got my excercise chasing Aidan around the Future Shop as he rearranged the CD section and turned on and off every plasma TV within arms reach.

I made dinner, gave Aidan a bath, read him his favortite stories and tucked him into bed. Nice.

There is a major rain storm coming tonight. I swept up all the leaves in the backyard so that there's a clear drain. The last thing I want is to come home to a flooded basement. I'll end the day with a hot cup of tea and cherry pie.

A poem for Dads

LITTLE EYES UPON YOU

There are little eyes upon you and they're watching night and day.
There are little ears that quickly take in every word you say.
There are little hands all eager to do anything you do;
And a little boy who's dreaming of the day he'll be like you.


You're the little fellow's idol, you're the wisest of the wise.
In his little mind about you no suspicions ever rise.
He believes in you devoutly, holds all you say and do;
He will say and do, in your way when he's grown up just like you.


There's a wide-eyed little fellow who believes you're always right;
and his eyes are always opened, and he watches day and night.
You are setting an example every day in all you do;
For the little boy who's waiting to grow up to be like you.

Author Unknown

Subway Tile

I got my butt into gear this weekend and got the backsplash done. I went with Daltile's subway tile called Rittenhouse Square. I love the traditional classic look, Marissa says she feels like she's in a bathroom. I still need to make a few custom cut pieces and work in the grout but so far I'm very pleased with how it turned out. I'm going to buy a wet tile saw tomorrow (Warren said he's gonna share the cost) so that should make the inside corner cut pieces easy as well as the 3/8" grantite tile top that I'll be doing tomorrow. Believe me, cutting ceramic tile with nippers is a waste of time and money, I already broke 8 pieces (50cents each) trying to fit around the outlet.

The undercabinet lighting is completed as well. Originally I wanted to go with Xenon because the're whiter and not as hot but I can't find them anywhere. So I've got 5 pucks hooked up to a 120watt transformer and an electric low voltage dimmer ($39!!! a dimmer)

Where is my car?

I bought a car two and half weeks ago and have not seen it yet. I think it was a Mazda3 but it's been so long I can't be sure. So where is my car? I think I've been scammed. I'll give it another week, but if it starts to snow I'll be hoofing to work by TTC.

First Halloween Party

Some people are against Halloween and will have no part of it. Generally they say it's because its it's Pagan origins. Personally, I've always liked Halloween and my parents loved passing out treats.

In most communities including ours, it's an opportunity to meet and chat with neighbours. On that evening eveyone is a kid again. And despite the usual evening rush hour traffic to get home it's really a neat thing if you think about it. People are trying to get home early to do all that fun stuff either for their own kids or someone elses'.

On Saturday night we went to Shaindy and Seth's across the street. They always have a big goolish bash. The kids party started at 6pm, adults after 9pm. As you can see Aidan was a pirate this year. Looks pretty cool eh?

He was a little aprehensive at first with all strangers around, probably more so that night because no one looked normal. After some time passed he was running around like he owned the place. He made alot of friends, but two in particular worth special mention. First, Shaindy's brother was dressed as Pooh Bear, Adian really liked him. And second Andrew who is Mike and Penny's son. Andrew didn't let Aidan wander too close to the stairs and he also made sure Aidan had lots to eat and drink. Andew mixed up some Apple juice in a shot glass and fed it to Aidan, so cute.