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The federal government is secretly negotiating an agreement to revamp international copyright laws which could make the information on Canadian iPods, laptop computers or other personal electronic devices illegal and greatly increase the difficulty of travelling with such devices.

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I had a headache when I woke up this morning. One of those wonderful dust allergy induced headaches I seem to get every few weeks. The spring weather also brings out these kind of headaches. I went to bed with all intentions of going to work but when I got up my head was spinning and I felt nauseous. I knew right then that I needed to go back to sleep. I was still feeling sick by 9am, I called in to work to let them know I likely wasn't going to come in.

After sleeping for another hour or two I felt a bit better. It's still been painful all day.

I decided I needed some fresh air. My friend Cindy and I went and took some photos for the Flickr group we are in "This week in photography". It's a podcast/blog/flickr group thats just getting off the ground and I'm loving every minute of it. I'm getting more useful tips and tools every day. You can check out my Flickr page for updates.

I just had a look at my user info the other day and realized that I've been with Livejournal for almost eight years now! April 27th will make it 8.

There has been a lot of change in my life in the last eight years. Looking back on some of my earlier entries I realize how big a change it's been. It's really interesting to see where you've come from. Wondering where I'll go now.. hindsight is everything.

I realize I don't say much around here these days. I also realized that maybe I really should pay more attention to journalling. It can really be a good way to goal set and as I stated earlier see how far you've really come.

Thinking.. thinking.. thinking. Always thinking.

I'm really getting attached to watching The Hour on CBC with George Stroumboulopoulos. I've been watching clips on my Ipod which turned into watching the entire show and now its recording every weeknight on my PVR. I really relate to his take on the world and his vision for our Canada.

I was lucky enough to actually score seats to be in his audience on his last trip to Vancouver on the 5th (also my birthday.. woo! old!). His two guests that night was Lynn Johnston, the famous creator of the comic series "For Better or For Worse" and Nazanin Afshin-Jam who is a former Miss Canada and is fighting to help save minors in Iran from being wrongfully sentenced to death-row.

Anyway I thought it was worth my time to mention that if you aren't from Canada or if you haven't heard of "The Hour" you should check it out. It's a part of Canada's journalism at its finest and George has this ability to engage a younger generation of people interested in current events.

He also links to my favourite canuck girl-geek Amber MacArthur and her blog.

I'm also excited that due to a tiny fortune that I inherited (literally), I went and got a new camera. I went with the Canon Rebel XTI. I'm really excited and Im sure you can expect to see some of my new pictures up soon.

I'm really neglectful of my livejournal and I need to not be. I have lots of things that I want to get out of my head. I wonder why I don't do it.

Next week I am going to Heart & Soul 2007 in Vancouver. Its the Heart of Richmond Aids Society fundraiser. It's basically a dinner and dance with entertainers, most of them are Queens. I'm actually really excited. My sister works for "HORAS" and my mom and I are going to go over together.

I'm meeting up with Veranica after she gets out of work for the day to have dinner and have some girl talk.

I got a new phone a couple days ago its a Sony Ericcson K790. It has a decent 3.2 megapixel camera in it so I can get some decent shots while still carying a phone/camera around.

I was listening to the latest Buzz Outloud podcast from Cnet today and they were talking about the new Zune from microsoft being launched. There was this discussion about how they never do anything really cool to there website when a product launches like apple does. I have to agree with them on that one. The Microsoft website just seems like a huge dark abyss.

I need more time so I can play more World of Warcraft.. so close to 70.

Yeah, this is a random post.

Just came back from watching Die Hard.

I had this bright plan that we'd go and see Harry Potter. The stupid in me forgot that it was actually released tonight not on the prescreening night that I had thought. Huge Huuuuge line up. Die Hard was still a good choice. I'm glad I got to see it. We all get to see Bruce Willis kicking as and of course the Mac guy sidekick. I can't argue with that casting choice.

We ate at Kelsey's. They had crap service.. we didn't tip. I always feel this pang of guilt when I don't tip. But seriously, the service did not warrant any extra then paying for the food we ate. The waitress didn't give us any utensils, they skimped on servings and then there was the whole deal where you get desert. Yeah you're supposed to get a choice, she didn't ask if we wanted any she just put it in front of us. And Jay, who hates chocolate got a giant chocolate covered chocolate mouse with chocolate cookie crust.. ahaha. Um yeah. No.

That is all..

Yeah ok I realize I'm sounding bitchy..meh!

I went and saw Transformers today. I was not dissapointed at all. The CGI and technology used to make the film left me in awe. I remember seeing Spiderman when it came out and how much that movie sucked in comparison. The movie didn't leave me with much to complain about.

I was however slightly annoyed that there wasn't more explaination or more in depth about the past of Transformers but a 2.5/hour+ movie would have made it a little too long. Once again dissapointed by the movie industries attempts to appease the LCD (lowest common demoninator). But anyway, I've already spent too much time complaining about a very minor dent in a otherwise great movie!

Um. Yeah. Hi. Sorry.. don't know where I went there.


I'm still alive. Kicking even!
really uneventful and eventful couple months at the same time.
I've really not been in the mood for blogging. But I've been checking my friends page daily.

I went on a cruise it was great, I'm going to try and get some pictures together to post and then maybe try and be a better blogger.

I guess that's what 7 years of Livejournal does to you!

I feel really gross today. Stayed home from work today and yesterday. I have this migraine headache that I get when the weather changes. When I woke up this morning I felt dizzy and could barely walk in a straight line. I passed out in bed for a couple hours and realized that I wasn't getting ready to leave for work like I should be. I hope this doesn't turn into anything.

I've been working on updating all of those social networking sites that I have memberships for but never use like Facebook. Drop a note if you want me to add you. The coolest one I did find was VIRB. I'm really digging it. It's a lot less viral and malicious than MySpace.

Boredom..

Also if you use Twitter for all your micro blogging needs. I'm there too..


This is what I spent the 17th doing.. My brother returned home from six months at sea and my family and I met him on his return.

Okay, so I'm going to go all over the place with this post, I'm not going to bother editing or sensoring what's coming out of my head. Call it writing therapy.


I hate, HATE the neighbors accross the street.

They made it to the Times Colonist and the Victoria News. All underage drinkers with nothing better to do with there time than to play there obnoxious music and get drunk and then pour out into the streets.

Is there nothing I can do to get these guys to stop? .. I've called the cops so many times. Is there nothing more permanent that can be done?

I love my house but man I wish I lived in a quiet and safer neighborhood.


Work is going well, nothing to complain about other then the same customers with there same problems
but I like the company I work for and there are some great people there.

I wish I had closer friends/friendships, or friends that actually wanted to be around (this is not a message meant for you Amy). Ever since I left my old job, or went to nights at my old job for that matter none of the people seem to have any interest in keeping in touch. Such a shame.



I'm debating if I want to keep my wow subscription when it runs out in April.. I haven't been able to find something that I am really having fun with. I think that it may just be that I don't like the guild I'm in and the lack of anything to do for alt's that aren't level 60+.. bleh.


gee.. I don't post for ages and all I do is sit and complain. Sorry guys! Maybe I'll try and write again when I get out of this funk.

Writing my entry here on the ferry. I decided I would make an impromptu trip to vancouver to see my sister. It's not entirely frivolous as I actually brought my mac book so that we could get some work done. I feel much better after buying my mac book and changing my Windows PC over to Linux. I didn't think I would have much time between now and starting work again to work on some projects together that have been put aside for some time. My sister and I seem to be getting more and more business on a daily basis for Spotted Web and I'm exited that I am getting more in my portfolio.

I've practically forgot what it's like being on the ferry, I haven't come to Vancouver since my last girls road trip. Jay and I had planned to get off of the island before xmas but it fell through. I suppose with me leaving west it sort of worked out for the better anyway. I remember the last time I was a frequent traveller being on the ferry about six years ago going over several weekends a month. I was living in vancouver with Greg.. wow living with Greg, I haven't relived that relationship in my mind for at least three years (yikes).

Richmond is as I remember it to be. Lots of traffic, BAD drivers and these great malls where if your caucasian and speak English only your sort of left to your own translation and customer service if you want to buy anything in those stores.. ahh yes we love you Aberdeen center.. I did make some great purchases as at the Daiso (Japanese $2 store!).

I bought a copy of the World of Warcraft expansion ("Burning Crusade") a couple days ago but I've barely had time to play it. I did get a chance to create a Blood Elf and a Draenei to try the new races.. If you haven't tried the game I suggest you go and buy it right now! Actually I will end this entry right now so you can go do that and I can play before I get too busy. Perhaps another entry on my way home.

I call BS on this one. the Canadian Press is supposedly stating that our people in Government are trying to pass this law that basically would make ripping a CD or even the recording of television illegal in Canada.

I'm sorry but there is no way that something like that would pass. Oddly enough the politicians that are in charge of the legislation Maxime Bernier and Bev Oda are on the list of underperforming politicians.

I'm sure that all the major cable and satellite providers would have something to say about that, think of all the customers who own PVR's (personal video recorders).


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I found out that it's the year of the pig this year, I've always really liked the idea behind Chinese astrology. Here is my sign and if you click the link below there is the wiki all about yours. I love wiki!


The Pig type is usually an honest, straightforward and patient person.He/she is a modest, shy character who prefers to work quietly behindthe scenes. When others despair, he/she is often there to offersupport. This type of person is reserved with those they do not knowtoo well, but as time passes and they gain confidence, those aroundthem may discover a lively and warm-hearted person behind that mask ofaloofness. Despite those born in the year of pig having a wide circleof friends and acquaintances, they have few close friends whounderstand them and share their inner thoughts and feelings. It is easyto put trust in pig type; he/she won't let you down and will never evenattempt to do so. Such people simply want to do everything rightaccording to social norms.


It's very much me.. I'm also under the sign of water. I like the part about having an overabundance of water causing difficulty in choosing something and sticking to it, that is one of my biggest challenges.


"Water is one of the five Chinese elements. It is associated with theplanet Mercury, the north and winter, and the colour black. Water is"black" because in fact it represents flood. It is believed to governthe kidneys. In Chinese Taoistthought, water is representative of intelligence and wisdom; however,an overabundance of the element is said to cause difficulty in choosingsomething and sticking to it. In the conquest cycle, water overcomes fire, and in turn is overcome by earth. In the birth and nurturing cycle, Water spawns wood, and is spawned by metal. The element water plays an important role in Chinese Astrology and feng shui, the Chinese form of geomancy."

[Read more about Chinese Astrology, including your sign]

Things are really going great right now. I am feeling better and better each day this year.

I plan on making 2007 really productive, much more so than 2006. Not to knock it because it's still been the best year of my life to date. I met Jay, we moved in together officially, moved in to this great place and have basically just been getting to know everything about each other. There is no arguing, pressure or feeling guilty about anything that makes me feel like I'm sufficating.

Work is an entirely different story. This year I am extremely proud to say I gave my job at west the boot! I found a new job as a Tech support rep at Shaw just this week and will be starting it on the 29th. This was long, LONG, overdue. I feel like the entire world has lifted from my shoulders and I have this sense of doing better for myself. After the recent crap that was pulled on myself being put on graveyards to face demotion for no good reason other then I was there has made me feel it was the last straw.

I've been working a lot with my sister on what I think I can safely call "our" web design company. we've put together 6 or 7 sites and my portfolio is growing monthly. I will soon be able to piece a relatively nice book together to take around to places.. when I'm ready (so not ready!).

I really feel sad that I'm not giving my blog the attention it's been deserving. There is so much to write, so much cool stuff going on and I just want to capture it on a page and save it forever.

I bought a Moleskine and a set of pencils that I've been dieing to get my hands on for the past few months so that I can get down everything in my head on paper. Everyone has new years resolutions and it's so cliche but I think I'm going to give it a go. 2007 or bust!

here is my list:

1. Be more creative, get it out of your head and share it no matter how dumb you think it is. This includes taking more pictures and making random graphic art like I used to do a few years ago before my creative self died.

2. Get geek organized. What I mean by this is that I am a geek with stuff everywhere and I need to straighten it up and minimize it all. First step is getting a macbook, ipod, getting rid of giant PC of doom (including windows!!) and getting my computer files organized more efficiently.

3. Do better for myself health wise. Stop eating crap. I was doing so well! We're going on a cruise to Alaska thats already booked for May so I better shape up!!

4. Stop being so fucking lazy. Yup, it's pathetic how lethargic I've become. I barely want to move most days. So now I need to stop doing that because its only getting worse.

5. Be a better friend, stop hermitting, find a bigger ciricle.


I think that all in all my job has played a bigger part in all of these things that I've become than I even realize right now. It's going to be hard and exciting all at the same time to watch myself change.

.. 2007 will be a better blogging year. I promise! someone bring this post up if I don't do something with my livejournal that resembles something interesting. I feel like aftre seven years of blogging I should have something good to say not less to say. I found this link, thought it was interesting.

Digg made me do it.

sidenote: stuck at work on new years this year. I think I'm ok with that though..


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officially geeky. I am fully emerged into my livejournal client running Linux (Fedora Core 5). I feel rather accomplished, I managed to get the client installed. It was actually very easy. I have used linux since Red Hat 5.1 or some nonsense. It's definately changed. For the better!.. I'm currently working on getting kernel updates now.

So due to circumstances beyond our friends control we have house guests for the next couple weeks. We also appear to be fostering there two addorable kitty's Guiness and Gina for the next 6 months to a year as well. I'm excited to finally hear the pitter patter of little feet in my home once again. Cindy and Jo were very greatful to stay here. Jay and I just enjoy doing this crazy kind of stuff and helping out our friends.

Work has had even more fun suprises in store for us and I won't get into it here. I just can't sit here and complain about it, it won't get me anywhere. I will just leave it with the statement "I can't wait to get new work!".

I will be posting shortly my review of my new phone in the format of a comparison of my V3 Razr phone. You might find it interesting to read if your of the picky phone user variety.

I got my GST cheque in the mail from my taxes from last year. Woo baby, I love free money. I was only expecting it to be 175 and it was almost double that. Excellent. I have yet to decide where it's going to, but quite possibly some computer upgrades or else saving it towards some bigger purchase.

Since when can Statistics Canada send you to jail for not filling out the census?

I just got this really nice letter in the mail telling me to fill it our or get fined 500$ and possibly prison for no more than three months? wtf.

"What are you in for?"

"Murder"
"Robbery"
"Rape"
"Genocide"

"I didn't fill out my 2006 census?.."


Canadian Government ftw.

...hard gay. There's a whole series. This is seriously seriously odd. Queer even *snicker*

This is primarily a test, but it's also an example of our version of 'home' networking. Its a picture from my new Nokia 6682 camera phone and it posts directly to my journal. Or so I'm hoping. I really like this new phone and as soon as I get a free moment I'll definately post more about it!

Notice the nice blue cable running from upstairs to downstairs.. you should see what its attached to. There is a server sitting down there with no case, just parts all over the floor. funny thing is that it's running.

6:42 PM July 26, 2006