Update Part 3

So this update is about my maternal Grandfather. He's visiting for 5 weeks because his wife, my evil step-grandmother, took a vacation to Hong Kong. She can't take care of him (because she doesn't want to bring him to Hong Kong with her), so she sent him to Toronto. By 'sent,' I mean, told us he's coming, and assumed we'd buy him airfare (which we did).

He's cute, like koala bear cute. He does this thing where he looks at you, half surprised, half stunned, smiling slightly. Unfortunately, behind that cute stunned look is the truth that he is honestly stunned. The guy's pretty senile.

One of my Mom's pet peeves with her dad is the fact that he believes he lives in Hong Kong. That'd be cool except that he's been living in Vancouver for the last 20 odd years. Funnily enough, he also knows that he lives in Vancouver. So, how does he rationalize this in his head? Well, it's simple really. Vancouver must be a part of Hong Kong. So, he's constantly asking us what the exchange rate is. Cdn dollars are actually Hong Kong dollars, and he needs to exchange those for Cdn dollars. When we try to explain to him that Vancouver and Toronto are actually both in Canada, and both very far from Hong Kong, he doesn't belive us. Refuses also to believe the atlases of the world, which we show him.

My step-grandmother is one of those loud-mouthed obnoxious middle aged Hong Kong ladies you see at the market all the time. She's a gold-digger. Complete waste of space. It was my Grandfather's birthday last weekend. She didn't even call. Must be having too much fun in HK with my Grandad's money. I'll waste no more space on that topic.

Update Part 2

So, I'm sure most of you know that I did something bad to my MCL. All I can say is that physio really really works. After my 40 minute physio session, there was absolutely no pain in my knee. It was almost as if my injury never happened. I should have gone for physio earlier if I knew how super effective it was.

I've got a lot of my mobility back, some power, but not enough for King's Court just yet. I think physio will turn out to be something that makes me stronger than before my injury. Stronger, not just in a physical sense, but also in balance and coordination.

Another bunch of my mom's orchids are in bloom. More to come.

Barb Leslie Rutherford - Mother and Soul Mate
By her husband

Barb was my personal discovery, a settling force in my life - that endeared her to my father and most certainly calmed the worry of my mother for her eldest son that I’m sure – like all mothers – was on her mind at her passing.

It was a summer eve in 1978 when I met my Barb – 10 girls had swept into the local dance hall in Collingwood.

I was there promoting a sport resort – fresh from the brief, yet “scatteringly” life I led in Europe – in wide tan cords – tucked into my Bally boots – a white shirt and narrow tie with a green wool sweater draped around my shoulders ---

NOT your average dress for Collingwood at the time, I approached the table of girls.

I saw Barb – laughing – one of the group – not the party animal of the pack – but one of those people that have an inner sweetness that friends and strangers gravitate to – she had this Farrah Fawcett hair and beautiful brown eyes – and like all others, I was attracted to her. I asked her to dance – tossed my sweater to one of the girls so I had a reason to go back to Barb’s table.

And from that point on, we’ve been dancing together for 29 years.
One does not look out or within,
One does not look side to side,
Nor forward to back to figure how such a thing of beauty came into my life.

But rather one is urged when seeking a soul mate to look up – for there the stars shine – for there in the heavens if you’re lucky – you’ll gaze upon your own personal shooting star leaving a trail of beauty along her path – my star was Barb.

Regardless of one’s spiritual or religious convictions there are core tenets to human behavior that have been handed to us over the eons of civilization that are common to man.

- Success is more than making money
- Life is hard – not always fair
- Life can be fun
- We live by choice
- Attitude is choice
- Being thankful is a habit
- Good people build their lives on a foundation of respect
- Honesty is the best policy
- Kind words cost little but accomplish much
- It’s okay to fail – but not to wallow
- Life is simple when you know what’s essential,

These tenets are but trail markers, fundamental truisms put on life’s path by Sages, Prophets, and the Son of God to guide each one of us in our efforts to achieve a personal sense of goodness and fulfillment. The path isn’t new but cut deep and rutted by generations before – I learned many of these tenets from my parents – but I learned much from my wife on how to apply them – for her wealth was great and measured by the outpouring of loss by all those who have been touched by her.

For me Barb personified wisdom – a wise and loving counselor to her family – a counselor to me in business and in the business of life together.

She was hardworking, dedicated to her sons and husband – a woman of inexhaustible energy.

She enjoyed happy and humorous circumstances and from her – joy radiated to others.

She found strength in humility and was truly blessed for her ability to touch other people – fried or new acquaintance – rich and poor, and take a true, genuine and abiding interest in their needs.

My shooting star was a wife of noble character – an honor for me to have been her husband, to share her life and to give her children.

How does one fill a vacuum created by the loss of such a genuine person – you do through memories of laughter, to live her tenets and complete common dreams.

To become your own star, so that one day – at God’s choosing – he will see fit to allow me to dance in the heavens with my Barb again.

-Forbes Rutherford
In Memoriam,
Barbara Leslie Rutherford,
January 26, 1955 – March 18, 2007

Belated Update Part 1

I meant to post a lot earlier, but I've been pretty busy at work. A lot's happened recently, but because I know some of you have short short short attention spans, I'll have to spread the news out over a week or so.

So, for those of you who don't know, the Black 2-Door '03 Civic is gone. I smashed it into a pole a few weeks ago, and even though I was able to drive away from that one, the frame got a little bent out of shape. By 'a little,' I mean, the tires were rubbing up against the front panels. Airbags deployed, windshield cracked, Damage to the hood, the two front panels, the bumper, a headlight, the grill, and the frame got a little bent out of shape.

But don't worry. I'm okay. I'm okay in more than that sense too. Shit happens in three's right? I got a parking ticket, I fucked up my knee, and I smashed the car. There - that's three.

So, I drove a Hyundai Elantra around for a few weeks, and my family just bought a new car. By 'my family,' I mean me. Yes, it was quite a financial blow, or rather, it will be when I start paying the new insurance rate. Please allow me to introduce the newest member of the family: Blue 4-Door Honda Civic '06. Took it out for a spin last night, and I'm pretty impressed. It's better than the old one in just about all respects. At first, I was displeased with the digital speedometer and display, but after about 15 minutes, I really started to appreciate it. It's still got that 'new car smell' and feel too, even though it's second-hand.

Anyway, that's about it for now.

Next update: My knee.

iTunes

It's a love-hate relationship. I really like iTunes. I like the layout, the unobstructive user-friendliness, I even like iTunes Store, Free Podcasts and it's intimate relationship to my iPod. Mainly, the library and the interface really appeal to me. I guess it also helps that I can no longer update my Media Player due to that Windows Genuine itch that I can't quite scratch.

Unfortunately, when I play music on iTunes, there's a crackling/skipping in the sound that isn't there when I use Windows Media Player or any other player. So What The HELL? Apparently, some other PC users have the same issues with the latest release of iTunes, and the fixes that work for some of them don't work for me. It's too bad I guess...

As a player, iTunes serves my music needs so much better than Media Player, except that I can't enjoy my music.

*picture removed because it messed with my blog's format*

Create your own visited countries map

As you can see, I'm not as accomplished as Irene. I'll get there though... like when I'm 80 or something.

-d

My new iPod

Thanks Jess.