It's hard to nail down exactly when Vicki and I first met, because it was kind of incidental, at the time. She and I were both working for the bank and ended up on the same development team not long after I started, but we both had a period prior to that during which we were in training together. The two of us, and several other employees, were co-located in a temporary "training area" for a few weeks, as I recall, and it was while situated there that we first made each other's acquaintance. If I had to put money on the actual date, I'd put it around the end of June, but couldn't really get much more precise than that.
However, the day I started work there was June 16, 1986, which is 25 years ago today. Since I know that we met sometime shortly after that, I'm celebrating our "silver anniversary" as of now, just to be on the safe side! What a great quarter century it's been having her in my life (and hopefully vice versa), and who knows? Maybe we'll get another 25 in together before the comet destroys us all!!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Fame Of A Limited Sort!
Last night, while watching the Bruins win the Cup, I did a little analysis of the upcoming DC Comics Relaunch survey that Comic Book Resources published yesterday, and then sent my results along to Rich Johnston, of Bleeding Cool fame. Rich was then kind enough to publish those results! Very bleeding cool!
In the Comments section for that article, people are pointing out that I possibly shouldn't have counted disinterest in a title as a negative (minus value) against it, which has some merit to it. But I tend to think that, in a fan-centric industry like comic books, lack of interest in a big, highly-publicized event is a failure, and thus should count against the overall success of the relaunched series in question.
In the Comments section for that article, people are pointing out that I possibly shouldn't have counted disinterest in a title as a negative (minus value) against it, which has some merit to it. But I tend to think that, in a fan-centric industry like comic books, lack of interest in a big, highly-publicized event is a failure, and thus should count against the overall success of the relaunched series in question.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Boston Bruins: 2011 Stanley Cup Champions!!
Congratulations, Boneman!!! There's nothing in sports sweeter than finally seeing your team win the greatest trophy of all! And now you've experienced it! Enjoy it to the fullest!!!
Tonight's The Night!
It's always particularly exciting when the Stanley Cup Finals go to a Game 7, and that's exactly what's on the docket for this evening: Boston Bruins @ Vancouver Canucks, and one of them will hoist Lord Stanley's trophy before the night is done.
For Boneman, I'm rooting for the B's. But I won't be heartbroken if Canada finally recaptures the silver chalice after an 18 year absence, either. In other words: it's all good! Let's just have a close, exciting game, and may the best team win!
For Boneman, I'm rooting for the B's. But I won't be heartbroken if Canada finally recaptures the silver chalice after an 18 year absence, either. In other words: it's all good! Let's just have a close, exciting game, and may the best team win!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
A Brief Tammy Update (2011)
Tammy and boyfriend Ryan have been in South America for more than 3 weeks now, and we've had a few Skype calls with them. I haven't been posting much about it so far for a variety of reasons, but here's a little bit from her latest e-mail to us:
"We are still alive, just got back to Cuzco after our Inca Trail hike. Sorry didn't get to talk to you guys after Puno, we've been internet-less - so sad. Anywho all is well - the trek was extremely grueling (42km total, mostly uphill - irregular, uneven, narrow, steep stone steps nonetheless) but well worth it. Two of the inca sites in particular were so huge of scale that it can't even come across in photos."
Sounds like they're having a great time!
"We are still alive, just got back to Cuzco after our Inca Trail hike. Sorry didn't get to talk to you guys after Puno, we've been internet-less - so sad. Anywho all is well - the trek was extremely grueling (42km total, mostly uphill - irregular, uneven, narrow, steep stone steps nonetheless) but well worth it. Two of the inca sites in particular were so huge of scale that it can't even come across in photos."
Sounds like they're having a great time!
Monday, June 13, 2011
Walking Goal: Week 1 Report
I'm off to a good start with my goal of walking 500 km this summer. Thanks to Cooper being over for three days last week, I managed to get a whole lot of trips in quite easily and as a result am well ahead of my required pace to hit the target. As of end of day yesterday, I was at:
46.2 km (or just over 9% of the way to my goal)
I don't imagine every week will be as productive as this first one was, but it's still nice to get some wind under my sails early!
46.2 km (or just over 9% of the way to my goal)
I don't imagine every week will be as productive as this first one was, but it's still nice to get some wind under my sails early!
Four-Legged Visitors Return!
What better way to spend a lazy Sunday than hanging out with Cooper & Finley? Julie was 'dragged' out of town for a soccer tournament all day and asked if we'd like to have her babies over while she was gone. Naturally we did, and so it was April all over again for a day (even the weather cooperated, as it was much cooler than normal for mid June!). Julie stayed for dinner when she got back and the three (five) of us enjoyed a lovely evening together, gabbing about Game Over and life in general.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
When EA Battles Activision, Fans Win!
The contest for online gamers' hearts, dollars and time toward the end of this year looks like it's going to be waged within the virtual confines of Battlefield 3 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. The companies that own those two franchises are already busy sniping at each other - with words, not bullets! - and it certainly appears that a major pissing match is brewing between them.
Personally, I hope both games are amazing, as I'd love to have a several month-long stretch over the winter where I have two games that I can't wait to play online each day! I already know my fall will be dominated by Resistance 3 - due out Sep 6th, and almost guaranteed to hold me in thrall for a few months. So if, by the time I'm starting to tire of R3, there are a pair of top-notch First Person Shooters available to take its place, I'll be thrilled. What I've heard and seen of both games has been impressive so far, and they're still almost half a year away. So I can't wait to find out if they live up to the hype!
It definitely looks like the back end of 2011 will be dominated by 3's!
Personally, I hope both games are amazing, as I'd love to have a several month-long stretch over the winter where I have two games that I can't wait to play online each day! I already know my fall will be dominated by Resistance 3 - due out Sep 6th, and almost guaranteed to hold me in thrall for a few months. So if, by the time I'm starting to tire of R3, there are a pair of top-notch First Person Shooters available to take its place, I'll be thrilled. What I've heard and seen of both games has been impressive so far, and they're still almost half a year away. So I can't wait to find out if they live up to the hype!
It definitely looks like the back end of 2011 will be dominated by 3's!
Friday, June 10, 2011
The DC Universe Relaunch At-A-Glance
DC Comics has nicely assembled a gallery of 49 of the 52 first issue covers for the titles that are relaunching in September (missing are three Green Lantern-related series, for some strange reason). They're in alphabetical order, and hovering your mouse over each reveals whatever bits of info the publisher has released so far. Quite a handy little site for comic geeks like me.
My current plan, which certainly may change between now and September, is to buy the first issue of each of the 52 series, although I may possibly omit a few that I'm fairly confident I'll have no interest in (e.g. Voodoo, Grifter, Hawk and Dove). However, any title that doesn't grab me right away probably won't get a subsequent $2.99 out of me in October or beyond. Based on the characters and creative teams involved, I'm inclined to break the 52 titles into the following groups:
No-Brainers / A-List
[Update later that same day: Bleeding Cool has somehow gotten their hands on the September soliciations for DC - 3 days ahead of their release - and they certainly provide some interesting reading!]
[Update Jun 15/11: Comic Book Resources did a survey - which I took part in - asking fans to rate the 52 titles, based on what we know so far. The results are now posted!]
My current plan, which certainly may change between now and September, is to buy the first issue of each of the 52 series, although I may possibly omit a few that I'm fairly confident I'll have no interest in (e.g. Voodoo, Grifter, Hawk and Dove). However, any title that doesn't grab me right away probably won't get a subsequent $2.99 out of me in October or beyond. Based on the characters and creative teams involved, I'm inclined to break the 52 titles into the following groups:
No-Brainers / A-List
- Action Comics
- Aquaman
- Batwoman
- Green Lantern
- Justice League
- Superman
- Batgirl
- Batman
- Savage Hawkman
- Legion Lost
- Legion of Super-Heroes
- The Flash
- Wonder Woman
- Animal Man
- Birds of Prey
- Resurrection Man
- Stormwatch
- Supergirl
- Swamp Thing
- 33 other titles
[Update later that same day: Bleeding Cool has somehow gotten their hands on the September soliciations for DC - 3 days ahead of their release - and they certainly provide some interesting reading!]
[Update Jun 15/11: Comic Book Resources did a survey - which I took part in - asking fans to rate the 52 titles, based on what we know so far. The results are now posted!]
Thursday, June 09, 2011
Guess Who's Back?
I haven't had a chance yet to download the photos I took today, so you'll just have to take my word that good old Cooper's back for a short visit! Julie was kind enough to let him have a "sleepover" at his April home-away-from-home, starting this morning around 10:30 and lasting until she comes to get him after work tomorrow. Cooper and I did 3 walks today, totalling almost 10 km, the first two of which were in the oppressive heat that's finally left us in the last several hours. He and Lucy have been in the same room a couple of times today but mostly she's been staying upstairs.
It's so nice to have Coops here again, even if it's only for a couple days. I see him once or twice a week nowadays (for our walks with Julie) but that's just not the same as having him asleep at the foot of my couch while Vicki and I watch TV. (But no, I'm still not ready to get my own dog just yet!)
It's so nice to have Coops here again, even if it's only for a couple days. I see him once or twice a week nowadays (for our walks with Julie) but that's just not the same as having him asleep at the foot of my couch while Vicki and I watch TV. (But no, I'm still not ready to get my own dog just yet!)
Tuesday, June 07, 2011
A New Goal
I've decided this week that I need some sort of a fitness-related goal for the summer, along the lines of my "bike 100 times to work" project in 2003. I like having a target to work toward, as motivation (or lack thereof) is usually my biggest problem to overcome where regular exercise is concerned.
So I'm planning to walk 500 km by the end of September, starting this week. Julie and I did a short walk yesterday morning (I'm estimating it to be around 5 km) but I didn't have my new pedometer in time to get an accurate gauge of it. Today the device arrived (having ordered it yesterday from Amazon!) and so I logged 5.4 km between 2 neighbourhood walks this afternoon and this evening. In other words, I'm already about 2% of the way to my goal after just 2 days! Which is good, as I only have a little over 100 days before the end of September, and I'm sure some of them won't be suitable for walking.
Anyway, I'll provide occasional updates here, as time goes by. I'm hoping that I crush my target, like I did that first year of biking (120 rides, or 20% over my goal), but we'll see how it goes. Encouragement from the Peanut Gallery is always appreciated!
So I'm planning to walk 500 km by the end of September, starting this week. Julie and I did a short walk yesterday morning (I'm estimating it to be around 5 km) but I didn't have my new pedometer in time to get an accurate gauge of it. Today the device arrived (having ordered it yesterday from Amazon!) and so I logged 5.4 km between 2 neighbourhood walks this afternoon and this evening. In other words, I'm already about 2% of the way to my goal after just 2 days! Which is good, as I only have a little over 100 days before the end of September, and I'm sure some of them won't be suitable for walking.
Anyway, I'll provide occasional updates here, as time goes by. I'm hoping that I crush my target, like I did that first year of biking (120 rides, or 20% over my goal), but we'll see how it goes. Encouragement from the Peanut Gallery is always appreciated!
Sunday, June 05, 2011
Friday, June 03, 2011
The Life Of The Writer
Today, I decided to focus my attention on the opening sentence of my novel, Game Over. I've finished reading 179 Ways to Save a Novel, and it spends several of those 179 ways talking about the first sentence. So I tried to apply what I've learned.
I came up with what I considered to be a good alternative to what was in the first draft, and sent it - via e-mail - to my two muses/editors, Vicki and Julie, both of whom were at work. I should've known what would happen: one liked the new sentence I'd come up with better, while the other preferred the original. Well, that wasn't terribly helpful...
I came up with what I considered to be a good alternative to what was in the first draft, and sent it - via e-mail - to my two muses/editors, Vicki and Julie, both of whom were at work. I should've known what would happen: one liked the new sentence I'd come up with better, while the other preferred the original. Well, that wasn't terribly helpful...
Death To Airplane Recliners!
One of my pet peeves is possibly a great test of a person's altruism. I'd pass the test with flying colours, as I never recline my seat since I know how much it bothers me when the person in front of me does it! My usual response, when their seat hits my already crowded kneecaps, is to bounce my legs frantically as if I'm listening to music. More often than not, they un-recline their seat, at least a little...
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Just What We Needed: Another Reboot!
It seems like it was just 25 years ago that the DC Universe was being rebooted as a result of the 12-part miniseries, Crisis on Infinite Earths. Apparently a quarter century's long enough to warrant yet another do-over, as today we got this news: come September, it's happening again! I have to give DC credit for the ballsiness of their approach, as they're rebooting their entire line (52 titles) and starting every series over at # 1. On the other hand, the fact that two of their most venerable titles, both of which stretch back to the 1930's - Action Comics (birthplace of Superman) and Detective Comics (whence Batman) - were within several years of reaching # 1000 and now, apparently never will, doesn't sit well with me. I'm more than a little skeptical of this bold new direction, but will ponder it (and await further details) before commenting further.
[For the rare soul who's really interested, there's some interesting speculation about this huge news here.]
[For the rare soul who's really interested, there's some interesting speculation about this huge news here.]
Monday, May 30, 2011
A Much Better Swimming Day This Year
One year ago today, as I know thanks to the remote memory that this blog serves as, we were waiting for our new pool liner to be completed so that we could begin filling it, then warming it up, and then eventually (days later) swimming in it.
Today, on the other hand, the water was in place and a balmy 82 F (28 C), which meant that I was easily able to cool off from the summer-like mugginess after a morning walk with Julie and Cooper by just jumping in. Since I'd biked to their place and back (about 4 km each way), I was particularly appreciative of the fact that, unlike this time last year, we were in good shape, pool-wise!
We did have to replace our pool heater this year, but that's another story for another day!
Today, on the other hand, the water was in place and a balmy 82 F (28 C), which meant that I was easily able to cool off from the summer-like mugginess after a morning walk with Julie and Cooper by just jumping in. Since I'd biked to their place and back (about 4 km each way), I was particularly appreciative of the fact that, unlike this time last year, we were in good shape, pool-wise!
We did have to replace our pool heater this year, but that's another story for another day!
Less Than 100 Days To Go!
With a release date of Sep 6th, Resistance 3 is now - finally! - less than 100 days away!
While the single player campaign of Resistance 2 didn't live up to my expectations, the coop and competitive offerings totally made up for it. I ended up playing nearly as many hours of R2 online as I had its predecessor, Resistance: Fall of Man. Hence my excitement that I now have only 99 days (counting today) to make it through before getting my hands on the 3rd installment of this amazing franchise from Insomniac Games.
While the single player campaign of Resistance 2 didn't live up to my expectations, the coop and competitive offerings totally made up for it. I ended up playing nearly as many hours of R2 online as I had its predecessor, Resistance: Fall of Man. Hence my excitement that I now have only 99 days (counting today) to make it through before getting my hands on the 3rd installment of this amazing franchise from Insomniac Games.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
First Day Of Summer 2011?
Officially, summer doesn't start for another three weeks and a bit, but today was the first time this year that it's felt like summer to me: I mowed both lawns, had my first swim in a pool that was finally crystal clear after various opening-related issues over the past couple of weeks, and we had both a nice day today and a weeklong forecast of warm to hot temperatures.
In other words: summer has arrived at last! Or, at least, I hope it has.
In other words: summer has arrived at last! Or, at least, I hope it has.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Boneman's Bruins Are Gonna Play For The Cup!
In a very exciting Game 7 tonight, the Boston Bruins claimed the 2011 Eastern Conference Championship by edging Tampa Bay 1-0! They'll begin what should be an epic Stanley Cup Final against the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday night, marking the first time Boston's been there since 1990, I believe. As for the Canucks...
Well, if my memory serves, it was 1994 the last time Vancouver vied for the Cup, and they came very, very close to winning it that year. I seem to recall a Game 7 then, as well... Fortune smiled on us long-suffering Rangers fans on that historic Tuesday evening, indeed, and we got a Game 7 for the Ages! Maybe Boneman will be equally blessed by the time the dust settles on 2011's big matchup.
Well, if my memory serves, it was 1994 the last time Vancouver vied for the Cup, and they came very, very close to winning it that year. I seem to recall a Game 7 then, as well... Fortune smiled on us long-suffering Rangers fans on that historic Tuesday evening, indeed, and we got a Game 7 for the Ages! Maybe Boneman will be equally blessed by the time the dust settles on 2011's big matchup.
Does My Novel Need Saving?
Today I started reading a book that Julie gave me for my birthday back in March: 179 Ways to Save a Novel by Peter Selgin. She'd skimmed parts of it before buying it for me, and said that she thought I'd find at least some of it helpful. For a combination of reasons - and somewhat to Julie's disgust, I imagine - I didn't start looking at it until I'd finished the first draft of Game Over. For one thing, I didn't want to get distracted by a book on the craft itself while I was in the middle of writing, for fear that the result would be a mishmash of styles. I could've seen reading it before starting Game Over, but that would've required getting it for Christmas, I suppose. I was also a little skeptical about its usefulness to me, as I've taken university-level writing courses and been actively paying attention to what goes into creating fiction for several decades now. Plus I already had several other books on the go.
But today my curiousity got the better of me, and I cracked the book for the first time. It's - as the title suggests - 179 tips on how to create effective and entertaining fiction. I'm about 15% of the way in already, and am enjoying Mr Selgin's approach so far. I wouldn't say I'm having many revelations as of yet, though. It's more a case of reading an item, thinking, "Nope, I didn't fall into that trap" or "Yeah, I definitely had that in mind as I was writing," and feeling at least a little bit validated. Having said that, there have been a couple of places where I recognized something that I could've done better, and am now at least considering whether to fix them or not. So it could end up being time well spent.
Mostly, though, it's just fun seeing some of the examples of really bad writing that the author chose to include to illustrate various points!
But today my curiousity got the better of me, and I cracked the book for the first time. It's - as the title suggests - 179 tips on how to create effective and entertaining fiction. I'm about 15% of the way in already, and am enjoying Mr Selgin's approach so far. I wouldn't say I'm having many revelations as of yet, though. It's more a case of reading an item, thinking, "Nope, I didn't fall into that trap" or "Yeah, I definitely had that in mind as I was writing," and feeling at least a little bit validated. Having said that, there have been a couple of places where I recognized something that I could've done better, and am now at least considering whether to fix them or not. So it could end up being time well spent.
Mostly, though, it's just fun seeing some of the examples of really bad writing that the author chose to include to illustrate various points!
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