Archive for December, 2005

31
Dec

Move Update

By Puck 0 Comments
Categories: Personal

Because you demanded it! Or actually, because I’m tired and want some easy sympathy…

The “big move” today went pretty well. We packed the one ton truck up with all the “big stuff” that couldn’t be delivered in the back of our car, as well as a few boxes of other stuff we had packed up and I drove it out to Home 2.0 and feverishly unpacked it so I could get the car back at the rental place before 4:00 (or I’d be paying for an additional day and screw that). We carted the last bit off the truck at about 2:45 and I yelled at everyone to get moving so I could get the truck back ASAP. Mel had to be at work at 3, so she got a ride from my brother-in-law who was heading back that way to home, and I drove the truck back with Mel’s parents following in my car.

I got back to the rental office with three minutes to spare, and when Mel’s mom got out of our car I said “So is Loki with you guys?” They looked at me dumbfounded and said “No! Where is he?” and I told them he must still be in the back yard, all alone.

So instead of spending time getting another carload at the new house I headed straight back to Home 2.0 to save my dog from loneliness. He hates being by himself at the best of times, but outside in the now-dark and light rain in a yard he isn’t used to must’ve made him feel awful. He was certainly really happy to see me when I got back.

Now I’ve been moving around some of the movables to where I think they should be. Specifically, I’ve been working out the TV and sound system location. Our TV is going to have to sit in the fireplace for the moment because any other place would totally screw up the speaker positions for surround sound. If Mel wants to have a fire in it, she’s going to have to let me get that Plasma TV I want so I can hang it on the wall above it!

It’s New Year’s Eve, but I won’t get to enjoy it. I have to head back to Home 1.0 again and grab another load of stuff, and then at midnight pick Mel up from work. Tomorrow we’ll still have more moving and a huge amount of cleaning left to do. Moving isn’t fun.

29
Dec

The move continues

By Puck 2 Comments
Categories: Personal

We’re slowly moving our possessions over to the new house. My computer is here and cable internet has been installed. Our new king sized bed arrived today and I’ve finished putting it together with little problem (which you’ll note is different from “no problem”).

Last night we had dinner with Jess, her fiancee (and old friend of mine) Rob Tarzwell, and two other old friends from high school, Darren Esau and Andy Zeiger. It was great seeing them all and it helped to drive home how much closer to everyone I am now that I’m in Burnaby. Some day I’ll actually visit Toren or Brad Stewart!

Friday there’ll be more moving going on. Mel has to work at 3 so I’ll be dropping her off and continuing loading the car up after that and making trips. If anyone wants to join me they’re welcome to come along, though there’ll be no heavy lifting until Saturday.

Right, Saturday…

I’ll be picking up a 1 ton “cube van” at 8am and bringing it to the Chilliwack house to load up all our big stuff. It should all pretty easily fit into the truck so it should only take one trip. We’re still not sure if we’re bringing our couches as we’ve been offered a super deal from one of the new tenants who works at The Brick. If we leave the old couch/loveseat for them he’ll get us his employee cost for a replacement (new) set. We’re not totally sure we will, even if we find something we like. It’s a bit of money at an already expensive time of the year for us. The deal is great though, so we might just be maxing out the credit card to make it happen.

28
Dec

New Address (Confirmed!)

By Puck 0 Comments
Categories: Personal

We’ll be signing the lease this morning. Here’s our new address:

8046 Lakefield Dr.
Burnaby, BC
Canada V5E 3W8

Here’s the Google Map showing off where it is.

We’re not planning on getting a landline telephone at the moment, so you can continue to reach us at our cellular phone numbers. If you don’t have them, drop me an email and I’ll hand it out.

24
Dec

Burnaby, Ho!

By Puck 1 Comment
Categories: Personal

I didn’t want to jinx it, and honestly, still don’t because it hasn’t been confirmed-confirmed, but Mel & I should be signing a lease for a house in Burnaby on December 28th. As nobody’s living in it now we’ll probably be allowed to move in early so we’ll be bringing up a load of stuff on that day and probably a few more. Mel also has the 29th off, so we’ll be trying to use that day to get stuff moved up to the new place. I’m pretty sure it will involve renting a moving truck.

So this is a call out to people for some help moving. If you’re available on the 29th (or even 28th) to help with the move it’d be much appreciated. Beverages and food are on me, of course.

Again, this is still tentative, but I’d say 95% “go”.

21
Dec

Buy Serenity on DVD Today!

By Puck 0 Comments
Categories: Survey

(I did!)

Your results:
You are Malcolm Reynolds (Captain)

Malcolm Reynolds (Captain)
70%
Zoe Washburne (Second-in-command)
70%
Wash (Ship Pilot)
55%
River (Stowaway)
45%
Jayne Cobb (Mercenary)
40%
Inara Serra (Companion)
35%
Dr. Simon Tam (Ship Medic)
35%
Alliance
35%
Kaylee Frye (Ship Mechanic)
30%
Derrial Book (Shepherd)
30%
A Reaver (Cannibal)
10%
Honest and a defender of the innocent.
You sometimes make mistakes in judgment
but you are generally good and
would protect your crew from harm.

Click here to take the “Which Serenity character are you?” quiz…

20
Dec

What The Internet Is For

By Puck 0 Comments
Categories: Cool

Watch this and learn.

16
Dec

Canadian Free Speech Takes A Hit

By Puck 0 Comments
Categories: Rant

An Albertan racist has been convicted of hate crimes for his postings on the Internet. From what I’ve gathered so far his (crazy) posts have demonized Jews.

Now, for those that don’t know me I’m just going to add in here: I disagree with this asshole strongly. I think he’s nuts — he claims he has authority from aliens for crying out loud.

However, he’s been convicted for something he said and posted on the Internet. As far as I can tell it wasn’t attempting to incite violence against anyone (which wouldn’t/shouldn’t be covered by free speech laws). And yet Canada has convicted him (as of this posting he’s yet to be sentenced).

I find this disheartening, to say the least. Where does the line get drawn? If I make a blog post about the Christians coming to my door and annoying me with their attempts to convert me am I going to get a visit from the police?

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms states:

2. Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms:
a) freedom of conscience and religion;
b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication;
c) freedom of peaceful assembly; and
d) freedom of association.

(emphasis mine)

In this country this guy’s speech, hateful as it is, should be protected! When governments get to decide what people are allowed to say or not say, everyone loses.

Additional: Canadian Hate Laws says that it’s against the law to “advocate genocide” (inciting violence shouldn’t be covered by free speech, just like shouting “fire” in a theatre isn’t) but I think what this guy is convicted of is:

(1) Every one who, by communicating statements in any public place, incites hatred against any identifiable group where such incitement is likely to lead to a breach of the peace is guilty of

So the jury has decided that this guy’s postings are “likely to lead to a breach of the peace”.

I haven’t seen the trial or any of the evidence presented, but I find it hard to believe this guy’s rantings would be likely to lead to anything but mockery.