Whims of a Madman: 2004

Tuesday, Dec 28

So Bryan wants to be entertained does he? Fine. Apparently Skeletor is no longer entertaining. Fine. Who am I to deny Bryan his entertainment? Admittedly this one is not one taken by me, but it matches the quote that I wanted to use.

Are we all entertained now?

"Well I'm not dumb but I can't understand why she walked like a woman and talked like a man..."

- The Kinks, "Lola"

Thursday, Dec 23

I realized that I haven't taken any Christmas pictures. To rectify that, here's my token Christmas shot.

"What do you call people who are afraid of Santa Claus? Claustrophobic."

- Unknown

Saturday, Dec 18

More "puddles".

"You're not thinking fourth dimensionally!"

- Doc, "Back to the Future"

Wednesday, Dec 15

Playing around with the new 50mm.

"Yesterday I was a dog. Today I'm a dog. Tomorrow I'll probably still be a dog. There's so little hope for advancement. "

- Snoopy

Tuesday, Dec 14

BAH!

That's it.

I've had enough.

I'm taking my ball and going home.

"The trick is to know which battles to fight. No victory comes without a price. "

- Unknown

Monday, Dec 13

"Serenity Now!"

- George Costanza, "Seinfeld"

Sunday, Dec 12

Experiments in lighting and portraiture...

"The greatest foes, and whom we must chiefly combat, are within."

- Miguel De Cervantes

Saturday, Dec 11

Ok... so I was bored last night. Didn't feel like going out. Didn't feel like TV. Obviously I wasn't going to have anything to do with brachiopods... What to do?

A pint of eggnog and a couple hundred pictures later...

"Isn't it funny that at Christmas something in you gets lonely for... I don't know what exactly... but it's something that you don't mind so much not having at other times."

- Kate L. Bosher

Wednesday, Dec 1

"In restless dreams I walked alone

narrow streets of cobblestone

'neath the halo of a street lamp..."

- Simon and Garfunkle, "Sound of Silence"

Thursday, Nov 25

Much better. Still could use a bit of work, but I like it much more than yesterday's.

"Victory is mine!"

- Stewie, "Family Guy"

Wednesday, Nov 24

ARGH. There are so many things I would like to fix in this picture, and here's the list.

1. Background is too dark. I'd like it a bit lighter for more contrast.

2. Lighting is uneven. Left side has some ugly highlights, while the right side is a little too dark.

3. Pieces on the left side are not symmetrical with the right side.

4. Uneven balance of space. Too much space up top, not enough on the bottom reflection.

5. Might just be my imagination, but the back row looks a bit soft compared to the front.

6. Too busy. I think if I got rid of the front row it would make a more compelling shot.

Why is it that I don't see these things when I'm shooting?

So what did I try to do/like?

1. I like the "glassy" look of the pieces

2. I like the reflection.... better if I simplified the composition I think...

3. I like the symmetry... while it lasts...

4. I like the sharpness... where it exists. I think this shot looks better tack sharp than blurred

(compared to yesterday's pic where I only wanted the one pawn to stand out)

Ugh... back to the drawing board. :(

"Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I learn..."

- Helen Keller

Tuesday, Nov 23

"How glorious it is - and also how painful - to be an exception."

- Alfred de Musset

Monday, Nov 22

"Every day's a revolution

Pull it together and it comes undone

Just one more candle and a trip around the sun..."

- Jimmy Buffet, "Trip Around the Sun"

Friday, Nov 19

"Will I shake this off pretend it's all OK that there's someone out there who feel just like me..."

- Boxcar Racer, "There Is"

Sunday, Nov 14

Faeces.

Great big faeces.

Great big endangered faeces.

"It is a kind of spiritual snobbery that makes people think that they can be happy without money."

- Albert Camus

Wednesday, Nov 3

Indeed. What is life?

"What is life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night. It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime. It is the little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset."

- Crowfoot

Sunday, Oct 31

Trying out the new lens. I'm actually rather pleased with this one...

"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players... one man in his time plays many parts..."

- Shakespeare, "As You Like It"

Saturday, Oct 30

Rocky Horror was great. I haven't had that much fun in a long long time. I'm still finding rice on me...

"LIPS! LIPS! LIPS! LIPS! LIPS!"

- Roar of the crowd

Thursday, Oct 28

Riddle me these questions three... why is it that other people's pics of last night's lunar eclipse look like this and this and my best shot looks like... well... THAT.

Probably 'cause they're using HUGE lenses that have far more reach than my piddly 200mm. Or they're using extension tubes to boost the reach of their piddly 200mm to 400mm. That and considering it was my first "moon" shoot my experience sucked. It took me about half an hour to fiddle with the settings to get something that wasn't a big white ball.

*sigh* ahh well. I'll get it next time.

"Wow. Craptacular."

Wednesday, Oct 27

Whoah.... deja vu.

"If you never did you should. These things are fun and fun is good."

- Dr. Seuss

Tuesday, Oct 26

"If you never did you should. These things are fun and fun is good."

- Dr. Seuss

Sunday, Oct 24

Happy as a clam... er... snowclam... er... snowman...

"There is neither happiness nor misfortune in this world, there is merely the comparison between one state and another, nothing more."

- Edmond Dantes in Alexandre Dumas' "The Count of Monte Cristo"

Saturday, Oct 23

Some days, I don't think it's all that bad being a dog...

"...Through the eyes of one I know

I see a vision once let go

I had it all..."

- Alter Bridge, "Open Your Eyes"

Thursday, Oct 21

So according to a few quick and dirty tests, I am:

1. mildly to moderately psychotic

2. severely depressed

3. an alcoholic

Also, I should seek immediate professional help. Well... isn't that just great? I think I need a drink...

"There is a fine line between genius and insanity. I have erased this line..."

- Oscar Levant

Monday, Oct 18

I refuse to accept that it's snowing outside. I refuse. I adamantly refute the fact. It must be an alcohol induced hallucination. Or is that an alcohol withdrawal induced hallucination...?

"And I don't understand why I sleep all day...

And it rips my life away but it's a great escape..."

- Blind Melon, "No Rain"

Sunday, Oct 17

To flash or not to flash... that is the question...

"So let your light shine..."

- Santana, "Put Your Lights On"

Saturday, Oct 16

Matthew Good rocked.

It's a great experience when you can feel the sound vibrations pass through your chest. I think I just lost about 20-40% of my hearing, but it'll grow back right?

"I forget which came first, the bad idea or me befallen by it?"

- Matthew Good, "Alert Status Red"

Friday, Oct 15

"...I could have been a signpost..."

- Nick Drake, "One of These Things First"

Wednesday, Oct 13

"Emotionally Bankrupt Narcissist"

Monday, Oct 11

I'm thankful that this week is a short work week. Gobble gobble gobble...

"...Oh thank you magic biped..."

- Random Quote

Sunday, Oct 10

"...Hello, hello..."

- U2, "Vertigo"

Thursday, Oct 7

People are just so nice. It makes me all warm and fuzzy inside...

"...So dude, do you, like, wanna smoke some pot?"

- Random offer

Tuesday, Oct 5

What I'm really thinking...

Monday, Oct 4

"...Never saw the sun shining so bright..."

- Various artists, "Blue Skies"

Sunday, Oct 3

I love my camera. Now I need some lenses. And a tripod. Definitely need a tripod.

"...Oh how I need..."

- Frank Sinatra, "Someone to Watch Over Me"

Saturday, Oct 2

Being sick sucks. Damm the person who invented sickness to the fiery depths of hell. On the other hand, being sick gives me tons of time to sleep and read and eat. Hey... wait a minute... this doesn't sound so bad all of a sudden...

"WOOOOO!!! New toy..."

- Squeal of excitement

Wednesday, Sept 29

Good grief, September's over already. What have I done with my month? I seem to have misplaced it.

Curses.

"To get the girl and make the grade it's all a show it's all a game and I would lose it if I played, but anyway..."

- Good Charlotte, "The Clique"

Monday, Sept 27

"If you gastrulated, your blastopore is your anus."

There. Are you happy now Bryan?

For some odd reason I found the first statement incredibly funny. Like, fall out of my chair funny. Maybe it's a sign. A sign I'm losing what little is left of my fragile little mind.

"What kind of nut is this?"

- Common utterance from many sources

Thursday, Sept 23

"I have heard that there are troubles of more than one kind.

Some come from ahead and some come from behind.

But I've bought a big bat, I'm all ready you see.

Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!"

- Dr. Seuss

Tuesday, Sept 21

"...taste the dreams that numb the mind..."

- Moist, "Silver"

Monday, Sept 20

"...'Cause everybody takes and everybody steals, everybody cries when something feels..."

- Stabilo, "Everybody"

Friday, Sept 17

"...I'm still reaching for the light..."

- Greg Allman, "I'll Be Holding On"

Thursday, Sept 16

"...I don't need to fight to prove I'm right..."

- The Who, "Teenage Wasteland"

Tuesday, Sept 14

"I feel better when I'm numb..."

- Holly Mcnarland, "Numb"

Monday, Sept 13

"...sights to see, and things to behold..."

- Raymond E. Feist

Sunday, Sept 12

"The hurt doesn't show, but the pain still grows..."

- Phil Collins "In the Air Tonight"

Friday, Sept 10

"I'm a ninja!"

- Random uttering

Wednesday, Sept 8

"...I don't know where my soul is... "

- Nelly Furtado, "I'm Like A Bird"

Sunday, August 29

The tribe has indeed spoken. Well... not really... the tribe never really had a vote. But it was fun to play along right?

I would like to thank everyone for their opinions, critiques and suggestions, it was all very much appreciated. THANK YOU!

"The tribe has spoken... "

- That really annoying dude from Survivor

Saturday, August 28

"...I might just lose my mind and never get it back..."

- Blue Man Group, "Persona"

Tuesday, August 24

"...You want the greatest thing...trying to look like you don't try..."

- REM, "Imitation of Life"

Friday, August 20

Here's a shot of "the world's biggest chocolate fountain" I dunno... I didn't think it was all that impressive myself. But eh, to each their own. I think the best part was they had this sign that says "NO SWIMMING OR DIVING" right, cause I might be overpowered by the uncontrollable urge to dive from the stairs into a vat of chocolate that's been there for twenty years and is no bigger than my dog and then start doing the backstroke. Hey... it could happen.

"NO SWIMMING OR DIVING!"

- Warning Sign

Wednesday, August 18

Wow... three updates in one week. I must be bored or something.

"It's just a stupid rock!!"

- Lisa "The Simpsons"

Tuesday, August 17

"If I sing a song, will you sing along, or should I just keep singing right here by myself?"

- Blue Man Group "Sing Along"

Sunday, August 15

"If the World didn't suck, we'd all fall off."

- Anonymous

Thursday, August 13

I have returned. Alaska was interesting... pics are slowly appearing. You can view the pics from the Calgary training and Alaska tournament here.

Pics from my tour around Alaska in general is a work in progress. You'll just have to wait for them. Canada Day pictures are still being worked on. Wait for them too.

"Time, don't let it slip away

raise your drinking glass

here's to yesterday."

- Aerosmith "Circle"

Thursday, July 29

"I wanna be where nothing needs to matter...I'd just like to leave it all behind."

- Great Big Sea "Consequence Free"

Friday, July 16

Because I like to do things the hard way. Because I'm a perfectionist. Because I have FAR too much time on my hot little hands.

"One of these things is not like the other..."

- That oh so cool song from Sesame Street

Thursday, July 15

"Give a toast to the sun, drink with the stars... I wanna be a Cowboy baby!"

- Kid Rock "Cowboy"

Wedmesday, July 14

"There is a fine line between hobby and mental illness."

- Dave Barry

Monday, July 12

Old pics have been archived. Go to the miscellaneous gallery to view them. Working on the Canada Day pics.

"The eye of Sauron is upon us!"

- Some obscure Lord of the Rings quote

Tuesday, July 6

"A friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Thursday, July 1

"... because I AM CANADIAN!"

- Molson Canadian Commercials

Thursday, June 24

"Flowers are silent screams of masculine passion."

- Steve Jones, "Almost Like A Whale"

Sunday, June 20

"Umm... right... so... next time, you think you could refrain from using the shotgun?"

- Inside Joke

Saturday, June 19

"I want to take shelter from the poison rain... "

- U2, "Where the Streets Have No Name"

Thursday, June 17

"Common sense tells us that life - like the Sun - revolves around ourselves. The idea has but one fault: it is wrong."

- Steve Jones, "Almost Like A Whale"

Friday, June 11

Damm. So much for finishing all my work before the weekend. Stupid embryo. Why must you twist and turn so? Why must you be all the colors of the rainbow? Why must you have 78 consecutive sections to plague my life? *sigh* It almost rhymes...

Ahh well. It's FRIDAY!!! It's the day of all weekdays. "Why?" one might ask. Well.. because it heralds the coming of the weekend! Isn't it obvious?

And what a wonderful weekend it shall be.

"I'm on my way from misery to happiness today..."

- Proclaimers, "I'm On My Way"

Thursday, June 10

WOOO!!!! 3 embryos down, 1 to go. Unfortunately it's the most tedious embryo that I was saving for my replacement, but it looks like I get to do it. Joy.

"Confusion never stops...Home, home where I [want] to go..."

- Coldplay, "Clocks"

Tuesday, June 8

Ahhh well. We'll get 'em next year. Good show boys.

On a brighter note, I only have 4 more embryos to finish at work and then I'M DONE WITH THE BLOODY THING!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! Maybe if I put in some overtime I can finish it all this week. Here's hoping. I've been staring at these godforsaken things for so long, I swear the image has burned itself onto my retinas.

On a darker note, I might have to stare at these bloody embryos for another semester if I wind up slotted as the TA for that course. I knew it was too good to be true...

"Carry on my wayward son, there'll be peace when you are done...don't you cry no more..."

- Kansas, "Carry On Wayward Son"

Sunday, June 6

Bwoh. Fine then, we'll do it the hard way. Flames in 7.

"Hello darkness my old friend, I've come to talk to you again..."

- Simon and Garfunkle, "Sound of Silence"

Thursday, June 3

Ask and ye shall receive. It's a beauty out there.

Anyways, I wish I had a better camera. Soon, soon, but not yet. Speaking of cameras and photos, a new photo gallery is up. Go check out my foray into photography here.

"Let's see colors that have never been seen. Let's go places no one else has been."

- U2, "Electrical Storm"

Wednesday, June 2

Wow.

What you can get with a little whining and complaining every now and then. Today was beautiful (for the parts that counted anyways). It got a tad crappy around 2ish, but by and large I'm impressed. I should challenge the weather gods more often. AND to it would seem that I got everything I was complaining about. Good weather, no work, outside time, plus friends. Can't get much better than this.

I call for an encore.

"Life is good."

- Me

Tuesday, June 1

I wish I was outside. AND, when I'm outside, it will be bright and sunny. AND, when I'm outside and it's bright and sunny I will NOT be going to work or any other such comparable drudgery. AND when I'm outside and it's bright and sunny and I'm not going to work of any other such comparable drudgery, throw in a few friends for good measure.

Make it so.

"I [miss] the colours of the world... I'm so far down, away from the sun again..."

- 3 Doors Down "Away From the Sun"

Monday, May 31

It's not fair.

It's just not fair.

Why must it ALWAYS be bright and sunny when I'm A) going to work or 2) at work. And why is it always cloudy, windy, raining and cold when B) I'm getting off work, 3) It's the weekend?

It's just not fair I tell you.

To hell with the weather, I'm going biking anyways.

"Dare to dream Arnold, dare to dream."

- The funky dude from those Kokanee commercials

Saturday, May 29

The Flames in six.

"Life is problems, living is solving them."

- Raymond E. Feist

Thursday, May 27

There are days that are better spent not working. Now if I could only get the weather to co-operate with me...

"Listen as the wind blows from across the great divide..."

- Sarah McLachlan, "Possession"

Monday, May 24

I survived Wolfgang. Thank the Gods that be.

"Ain't it good to be alive, to feel the sun strong against your face..."

- Edwin, "Alive"

Sunday, May 16

Lost: One Weekend

Last seen: Friday night

If found, please contact: 1-800-WEEKEND

Reward offered.

"...'Cause when you're with me here, the sun comes out at night..."

- Tom Cochrane, "Sinking Like a Sunset"

Wednesday, May 5

"Yeah I win now but sometimes I lose... at the end of the day, you just got to say it's all right."

- Great Big Sea, "Ordinary Day"

Monday, April 19

Yes, yes I know. I've been neglecting this site yet again. But hold on, major renovations are coming soon. I've got an itch to perform some major reconstructive surgery, and seeing as my stint in the dissection lab is done, this would appear to be my only (legal) recourse. I think this itch to redesign was sparked by all the virtual embryo stuff I've been doing in the lab. Whatever. As a start I've decided to put the kybosh on the Journal. The only thing that was ever in there was the soda can deal, and I didn't even write that myself.... bye bye. I'm also trying to design some original artsy things that won't get me into trouble with all those pesky copyright laws. When I see Bryan again I'll have to pick his brain on some prelim designs I have.

So there you have it. The promise of a major update. The ultimate in bait and switch.

"Who's that clown in black?"

Tuesday, March 30

How long has it been since I updated here? Next question, Do I really care? Seeing as this site was created in a fit of boredom, (and to see if I could do it, which, it would seem is why I do a lot of things), the answer is "No, I don't really seem to care." Which, of course, should be evident seeing as I haven't updated this page for about three weeks. So there you go. Back to the original question. Nice and circular. Just how I like my arguments.

So what've I been up to during my three week hiatus? Quite a lot actually.

I went to Vancouver and "won" a tournament over there, if you could call it a tournament. I would expect that if you're billing it as an "international" tournament, you would have people from all over the world instead of just Canada and USA (and from what I can tell, only ONE state at that). It wouldn't be that bad if there was some good organization and competition, but most divisions were tiny, and there was next to no organization for the whole thing. Strikes me like advertising for a buffet, but only serving spam. The trip wasn't a total loss though, I got to see Janet, and I got a free bag o' candy from her too! Sweet.

On and onwards. This last weekend was the Victory tournament, my students and I did fairly well there too. Let one division slip away from me, but you can't win them all right? (or can you?)

All in all, I took a good long hard look at all the stuff I'm doing, and pondered why I'm wasting my time (and the fabulous weather outside) doing crap that: A) I don't need to be doing, B) I don't want to be doing, and C) I don't enjoy. I also was wondering why I'm not 1) Doing more of the stuff I enjoy, 2) starting (or doing) stuff that I always wanted to do. Wasn't this year supposed to be my "year of discovery" before heading back to the drudgery of school? So, let's stop wasting my time and get to it.

Speaking of doing more of what I enjoy, below are some pics from my trek through the Vancouver Aquarium, and Stanley Park. More will be posted when I scrounge up enough effort to put them up (or until Bryan ICQs me into submission, Yabbo...)


It's a big freakin' tree...	It's a big freakin fish... also known as a coelocanth. If you don't know what that is, go read Vertebrate Life	It's me and Janet. YAY! We're at Canada Place, and there's not a soul around. Good spot for a double homicide.

"Friendship is like peeing your pants, everyone can see it, but only you can feel it's warmth."

- Annonymous

Monday, March 8

New pictures are up from last weeks visit by Kikumura sensei, Toyoshima sensei, and Mr. Yamaguchi. Go here to see them. Thank you Kikumura and Toyoshima for coming and teaching us all so much! Also thank you Glen and Rob for giving us all this wonderful opportunity. The new Kanto Sho dojo looks great, and I wish you and everyone who trains there all the best!

Monday, February 16

Bryan wants a site update? Fine. Ok. Here it is. Let all now behold the comic humor of Calvin and Hobbes. Let all bow down before it's profoundness. If you look real close and squint, you might even discover the obscure and hidden point of this whole website.

Saturday, February 7

Well, I just got home from celebrating Keith's birthday. I think that a good time was had by all, especially Cathy who seemed to take great joy in ordering the drinks for the evening. And wonder of wonders, Bryan joined in too! It's rare enough that I see Bryan, let alone get him to come out with us. I'll post pictures from the evening as soon as I get a copy of them (that means you need to send me the pics we took Keith!)

Also, good news for all you sushi aficionados out there, Towa has added a fabulous spider roll to their menu. This now officially makes Towa the number one sushi joint in Calgary as far as I'm concerned. Admittedly, It was pretty damn good before the spider roll made it's appearance, but without the spider roll, you force me to go to Sakana or Yoko before hitting Towa to get the "full sushi experience".

A new whim has been added to the whims section as well. You can view my schizophrenic rantings by following this link.

"I just like saying it... Rocky Mountain Bear F***er!"

- Cathy

Thursday, February 5

So it's time once again to update my page. Have you all been waiting with breathless anticipation, constantly clicking your reload buttons? Right, didn't think so either. Nothing much that's really new, same old same old in the stunning saga that is the Life of Ervin™.

I have noticed however that an inordinate number of my friends and family have birthdays on or around this date. At my current count, I have seven people that have a birthday this week (+/- a week). So for all you birthday people out there, this update's for you.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

Bryan *

Stanford

Emily **

Keith

Paul (or Joe if you so prefer)

Janet

Aunt Po

* I know it's not really your birthday, but you didn't let us celebrate when it was, so I grouped you in here. You get a shiny asterisk by your name to boot.

** You get two shiny asterisks, 'cause today happens to be your special day.

So here's another question. With all the February births (+/- a week), does this mean that people are friskier in July? I smell another article for the Journal of Bunk and PseudoScience. Volunteers for experiments anyone?

"Birthdays are good for you. The more you have the longer you live."

- Annonymous

Thursday, January 22

Happy New Year to All!

No, I'm not crazy, and I'm not one of those "party for the whole month new years" people. It's Chinese New Year. The real new year. The new year that matters. Would you like to know why? Because of two simple words. LUCKY MONEY. "What is this lucky money" you ask? Well... it's money... and it's lucky. Duh.

I'm really not that shallow, really. It's just fun to play with people. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Anyways, if you are one of those superstitious people, you may conveniently consult your fortunes in this document. If you're not one of those superstitious people, you may conveniently consult your fortunes in this document. Documents courtesy of Brendan.

"Sun Lien Fai Lok"

"New Year Fast Happy" for all you literates out there...

Friday, January 16

I figure I should get off my duff and update this site. I've been ignoring it ever since the new year started. That's life. I've been busy with other stuff, and thankfully my insomnia seems to be going away. YIPPEEE! So what's new (besides the year)? Not much really. Started a few new things, most notably a TA "job" for the zoology anatomy lab. I had almost forgotten what that place smelled like. I guess I must be a sucker for punishment or something. Ahhh well, the smell won't kill me, it'll just pickle me and preserve my insides for future generations to admire.

In the spirit of this week's anatomy lab, I leave you with a tribute to Amphioxus. No, I didn't come up with it myself. I don't have *that* much time on my hands. I still think it's pretty good though.

It's a Long Way From Amphioxus

- Mark Graham

A fishlike thing appeared among the annelids one day
It hadn't any terrapods or cetae to display
It hadn't any eyes or jaws or ventral nervous chord
But it had a lot of gillslits and it had a notochord.

(chorus)
It's a long way from amphioxus
It's a long way to us.
It's a long way from amphioxus
To the meanest human cuss.
So goodbye to fins and gillslits
Hello lungs and hair,
It's a long, long way from amphioxus
But we all came from there.

Well, it wasn't much to look at and it scarce knew how to swim
Asterius was very sure it hadn't come from him.
The mollusks wouldn't own it and the arthropods got sore
So the poor thing had to burrow in the sand along the shore.

(chorus)

It burrowed in the sand before it grabbed in with its tail
And said gillslits and myotomes are all to no avail.
I've grown some metapleural folds and sport an oral hood
But all these fine new characters don't do me any good.

(chorus)

He soaked a while down in the sand without a bit of pep
Then he stiffened up his notochord and said: "I'll beat 'em yet."
They laugh and show their ignorance, but I don't mind their jeers
Just wait until they see me in a hundred million years.

(chorus)

My notochord will stiffen to a chain of vertebrae
As fins, my metapleural folds will agitate the sea
My tiny dorsal nervous chord will be a mighty brain
And vertebrates will dominate the animal domain.

(chorus)