To Ubuntu, Or Not To Ubuntu????

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For years now I have been hearing about Linux, the free open source operating system, that will run on just about any machine. All those machines that are in the landfills could be running Linux, and go to needy homes. After years of being scared by the fact that is free, and you know what they say, you get what you pay for, I took the plunge. Curiosity did get the best of me. I was able to download, Ubuntu and Freespire ,as well as the commercial Linspire (which in reality is just a Windows ripoff). I thought that this experiment should take place on my Toshiba laptop and not my main computer which is a G4 iMac. The laptop didn't have much to lose, and if it crashed and burned, I wouldn't be heartbroken. Both Freespire and Linspire gave me nothing but problems. For some reason I wasn't able to even get past the initial install screen. Everything froze on me. I even tried the grub fix disc, but nothing helped. Before reinstalling Windows again, I thought I should try "Ubuntu". Ubuntu these days seems to be getting most of the press, as it has been penned the most user friendly out of all the Linux Distributions. I have to say that the install came off without a hitch. So far the only problem I have had, is getting my no name USB laser mouse to work. For now, I am using the laptop trackpad. If one thing did come out of it, is that I have finally learned to use my trackpad, instead of relying on the mouse all the time. The trackpad, sucks when it comes to games. I'm sure I will figure it out in due time, but for now, I'm just learning how to imput the unix code. You could probably get away without using code, but I know in the long run it will make life easier. I have to say, they still have a long way go go, before the average user can use Linux. If you expect your windows machine to just do all the maintenance on it's own, the same way you expect your car to do all the oil changes then stay clear of any Linux distros. Perhaps in another 5 to 10 years, Linux might be a true Windows competitor. If you like to trouble-shoot and putter with your computer, then this is the OS for you. For now, my penguin will be a distance cousin that I see periodically.

My Birthday

I was able to get myself all stressed out last Thursday, which was my birthday. May 24th to be exact. My friend Anne said you should do the things you like to do on that day. I always think that you should just do whatever you want to do, but do it alone. What I ended up doing was going for a walk around Commerical Drive and 8th Avenue and taking some pictures. That is my new hobby, taking picture with my Canon camera, and then putting them up at You Tube. Here is the final out come. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Weqar5IP8c]

Where I Live

I finally have my first video completed and posted on "You Tube". I guess, it took me so long because, well, I want perfection. I want it to look like Steven Spielberg directed it, even though first of all I am limited to what kind of equipment I am using. I used my Canon Powershot A530. The video is nothing more than a bunch of pictures I took along Commerical Drive when I first acquired my camera. It does have limited video capabilities, which I have been waiting to put to use. My cat "Smokey" does this crazy thing I've named "Cat Yoga". I have been waiting for her to do it, so I can film her. It looks like we will all have to wait longer, because she isn't being very cooperative. For now enjoy my first entry into the "You Tube" world. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmgKqzTPZYo&rel=1]

Spring…A Time For Change

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Lately, I have been feeling restless and bored, which can lead to the "Black Dog" of darkness if I let it. What to do, what to do, to prevent such an ordeal. I know it might sound easy, but perhaps stepping outside the box, our comfort zone, might be just what we all need once in a while to motivate and invigorate us all. Maybe doing the opposite to what you might do, might begin the process. If you drive, walk, if you walk, learn to drive. Make a list of all the things you do, and beside each one, write the opposite. If it worked for Geoge Kostanzo, it will work for anyone..I hope so anyway.

Hell On The No. 1

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I spent the last 2 days at my Mother's place in Surrey. This afternoon in the pouring rain, I decided to leave on my long journey to the No. 1 highway. Everything seems to be going as planned until I made that infamous left turn off 104th Avenue, onto 152nd Street. All of a sudden, I was stopped dead in my tracks. For some reason everyone decided that today was the day to go shopping, I couldn't imagine whatever else it could be. I thought only crazy people would venture in this weather, and I know, because I was one of them. Slowly and surely, at a snails pace everyone (except me) was merging from all sides trying to get into a single lane, so they could get on the bridge. For some reason today, of all days, the rudeness of drivers overflowed. As I neared the bridge, and began signaling to get into the left lane, no one was letting up, and they weren’t going to let me in. I thought for a moment, that I must be surrounded by Calgarians. That was my experience when I was there; there are no courteous drivers. I looked around and noticed everyone’s license plates and realized that they were all from BC. I finally laid on the horn and someone let me in. You will notice in the picture, where exactly I was in the traffic, almost ended up against the wall of the bridge. I always thought BC drivers had manners, but I guess, all of this is changing, since we are becoming a metropolis. I am hoping that people’s nerves may have been on edge due to the gas prices, and maybe "Miss Manners" will return once the prices drop.

Holiday Blues

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I have been busy moving my Mother once again. This time to Surrey, BC. This year, more so, than any other year, there isn’t any time for Christmas, Winter Solstice, Festivus or, to even feel depressed. I just feel plain spend, to feel much. In turn, many people that I know are feeling the holiday blues. Due to the media, lack of family, friends or funds, whatever it may be. I feel that everyone needs to create his or her own traditions. We sometimes, rely too much on childhood memories or what we see on TV, and let these sources dictate how we should feel. This creates nothing but, major disappointment. Childhood memories are exactly that, recollections, which you can never ever recreate. The media shows us unrealistic images, of how our holidays can be, and this is nothing more than a fantasy, that no one can live up to, not even Martha Stewart, well maybe she can if anyone can. My advice is create new ones. Below are some examples. Try one. Try holding an open house, on Boxing Day; never try to do it on Christmas day, as you will surely be disappointed. When you send or give out your Christmas cards, to friends, family and acquaintances, make sure to include a note at the bottom as when they can attend your open house. You are sure to make some old and new friends Next tip, go to a movie on Christmas Eve, when the theatre is empty, you are sure to get a good seat, you can probably even smuggle in a bottle of bubbly. I had a friend, who always went to a movie with her brother every single Christmas Eve Try volunteering at a shelter, or mission, they always need help on Christmas day. Remember there is always someone worse off then you Hop in the car, or on the bus and gaze at some decorated houses, and be thankful that you don’t have their electric bill If everything else fails, you can always get stone drunk on wild turkey, and you won’t even remember anything that happened on December 25th, 2006

Happy Birthday Freddie!!!

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Just a note, that today which is September 5th, 2006, would have been Freddie Mercury's 60th birthday. Besides, being an innovator, combining classic opera, jazz, with rock, and a founding member of "Queen", he wasn't one of those whining rockstar/celebrities, that you hear about today. He loved every minute that he was on stage, and knew exactly why he was there, to entertain. Happy Birthday Freddie!!!!

De-Cluttering Our Life and Mind

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You don't realize how much junk you accumulate over the years until you move. That is exactly what I did recently. It wasn't a distant move, just down the hall, but there were massive amounts of boxes to move. I had to ask myself, where did all that stuff come from, and did I really need it? No wonder, I am so confused, who wouldn't be with so much distraction around them. Slowly, I am now going through all my closets, and either trying to sell it, or just giving it away to a charity (after all one man's junk is another man's treasure). I want to simplify my life, which could make my mind feel less stressed. We all collect too much stuff, why is that? Probably because we lack other things in our lives, such as connection, family, friends, I know I do. I miss having close friends. Imagine if you stopped collecting and shopping, you might just have time for other things, such as all the hobbies, I think I have. Maybe, I can write a song, or even paint a picture, yes, I have a whole collection of blank canvases, and paint. I will let you know how it goes. Have a great-de-cluttering, I know I will.

Yes….Laughter Is The Best Medicine

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For years, they (whoever "they" are, we're still are not sure who these people are), have been telling us that laughter is the best medicine. This past weekend, I discovered that not only is this true, but that I will be incorporating this into my everyday life. I woke up on Saturday morning to watch Dave Chappelle's, "For What It's Worth", recorded live from The Fillmore in San Fransico. While drinking my morning coffee, I was laughing so hard, that I almost wet my drawers. I think, I even spit out my coffee a couple of times. I noticed that this sort of silliness set my mood for the rest of the day. In fact, I can't remember the last time I felt this good. At first I thought maybe this was just a coincidence, that maybe my mood was due to something else.....maybe I was being possessed, or maybe someone laced my coffee with something. I then tried it the next day, on Sunday, and the results were the same. My advice, for anyone, that is suffering from depression, or even if you are not, try to incorporate comedy and laughter into your life. If you can, go out and buy yourself a DVD player, and buy up a bunch of comedy DVD's. Play them every morning with your coffee, or better yet go to a comedy club.