So I have been keeping myself relatively busy these past few months... Its been a bit of an effort, but it can be done! I am really creating this post as a brief outline, I will have to come back later and bloat each of these into a decent story, but until then.... deal with it!
We had our departmental retreat a few weeks back just north of Toronto in a place called Nottawasaga... It was mostly training, with a few good networking opportunities. There are some photos which I will try and upload.
I was then involved in a Cancer Charity walk, which lasts 12 hours. A team has to have someone walking around a track for the full 12 hours (its a symbolic thing) and we raised money. Was tiring as I had just finished a full days work and then I didnt sleep!! Anyways it felt good to do something like that.
On the charity side, my church small group is in the process of making blankets to help re-habilitate released prisoners... Old jeans are donated to this place and we cut them up and make a quilt. We are not very good at this and have yet to finish one!!
My office had its "golf day" the other day, which was fun. We went to an out of town course, at a resort town called Gimli. I enjoyed beating a few balls, losing a lot of balls and just generally having a good time. I think it is more of a firm sponsored drinking day, coz they were handing out baileys on the bus ride out there!
This weekend, I am probably taking part in my first rugby match, which is bloody scary, coz I am not fit enough, and I am pretty sure I will be one of the smallest players on the pitch. Couple that with the fact that a few of the players do not know the rules well, so they may assume you can just tackle whoever you want like i american football... Oh well, I'm just going to try not to break anything!
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Draining water & hemispheres
At one point this past weekend we had a heated debate as to whether the water drains in different directions depending on which hemisphere you are in.
The Coriolis Effect was sighted at one point as the contributing factor. After doing a little research online (as I was the only one who knew that this was bogus, but was unable to convince everyone at the time) I found that this is actually the case.... for perfectly circular, symmetric containers water will drain in different directions according to the hemisphere. However no-one's bath/sink/toilet has these characteristics. In everyday life the direction that a container will drain is dictated by other factors such as inherent spin in the water or simply design of the container itself.
The whole tourist attraction (in Kenya I think) where they take you to the southern hemisphere and the water spins one way and in the northern it spins the opposite way is nothing more than a cleverly designed scam - the initial spin is induced in different ways according to which "hemisphere" you are in.
I've included links to sites explaining this in much more detail:
Scientific American,Interesting Thing of the Day and Bad Coriolis
The Coriolis Effect was sighted at one point as the contributing factor. After doing a little research online (as I was the only one who knew that this was bogus, but was unable to convince everyone at the time) I found that this is actually the case.... for perfectly circular, symmetric containers water will drain in different directions according to the hemisphere. However no-one's bath/sink/toilet has these characteristics. In everyday life the direction that a container will drain is dictated by other factors such as inherent spin in the water or simply design of the container itself.
The whole tourist attraction (in Kenya I think) where they take you to the southern hemisphere and the water spins one way and in the northern it spins the opposite way is nothing more than a cleverly designed scam - the initial spin is induced in different ways according to which "hemisphere" you are in.
I've included links to sites explaining this in much more detail:
Scientific American,Interesting Thing of the Day and Bad Coriolis
Banff, Skiing & Fun!
Before I start explaining the happenings of the weekend - I have only included a few photos here, I have put a few more up here.
On the Thursday night Casey flew into Winnipeg from London. I had organised to go and watch a Manitoba Moose (Ice hockey) game that night, but I felt really bad cause she was suffering with the time difference, we ended up getting to sleep at like 5am London time!! We both enjoyed it none-the-less though! It was quite funny, coz no sooner had I finished explaining to her that they sometimes get into fist fights in ice hockey did one start up on the ice!
Casey at the ice hockey game
The next day we flew into Calgary from Winnipeg and then took a shuttle out to Banff. By the time we actually got into Banff we ended up just organising skiing for the next day and just having a look around the town. Its a very pretty town, obviously very tourist orientated, but the views in that part of the world are just plain mind-blowing!
View from one of the streets in Banff
On the Saturday we went skiing at Sunshine Mountain (one of the ski mountains in the Banff area). Neither of us had ever been skiing before so we decided to just book lessons and learn it properly! We had a full day's tuition inside the training area, with a magic carpet (a conveyor system to take you to the top of the training hill) and all. Our instructor, Kenji, was very good and decided we were all at the right stage to go down a "green" hill by the end of the day. That was awesome, the feeling is inexplicable until you actually do it! The entire day was completely surreal, fullfilling and tiring! We were both stiff and sore for the next couple of days, but it was completely worth it, and I think we'll both do it again!
Casey and I after skiing (it's bright and we are tired that is why we are squinting)
Jenny, Adam and Henry drove out on the Sunday to spend the day with us. We decided to go and see the sights in the area. The one place we were told we HAD to go and see was Lake Louise, so we went on a road trip out there. The weather got progressively worse as we drove out there, and by the time we got there it was pretty much just a white-out! What we could see what NOTHING like the postcards! It was rather sad as Jen had packed a picnic for us to have out there, but it was not pleasant at all outside, so we ended up just driving back to Banff and having lunch at a restaurant! One of the other things to see in Banff is the Banff Springs Hotel, which looks like a castle and is an impressive sight to see, worth the visit. We spent some time wondering through hotel as there is so much to see!
Me, Henry, Casey, Jen and Adam at Banff Springs Hotel
Those three then went back to Calgary and Casey and I went up to the hot springs on Sulpher Mountain. The hot springs are pretty much standard "Warm Baths"-type, but not as well done. Still very relaxing and theraputic, as we were both still suffering a bit from the skiing on Saturday!
Casey and I headed back into Calgary on Monday, where we spent the afternoon downtown looking around and shopping. Casey bought a few nice things, I am not a big shopper so was quite content to just follow the ladies around! We also went up the Calgary tower to check out the views.
The Calgary Tower
The views from the tower were amazing, you could see the Rockies quite clearly. There is a section of glass floor, just like in the CN Tower. Definitely not where you stand if you are afraid of heights!
Casey and I on the glass floor up the Calgary Tower
The whole crew from Sunday met up again on Monday night for a great dinner at a little restaurant in downtown Calgary. We were by far the loudest table there and were also the last table to leave - we were having a great time!!
Henry, Jen, Adam, Casey and I after dinner on the last night
Casey and I both flew out of Calgary at the same time. Casey was flying back to London through Montreal. It was very tough saying goodbye, as we had the most amazing weekend. We will defintely be meeting up again, however next time will probably be on the other side of the "pond".
On the Thursday night Casey flew into Winnipeg from London. I had organised to go and watch a Manitoba Moose (Ice hockey) game that night, but I felt really bad cause she was suffering with the time difference, we ended up getting to sleep at like 5am London time!! We both enjoyed it none-the-less though! It was quite funny, coz no sooner had I finished explaining to her that they sometimes get into fist fights in ice hockey did one start up on the ice!
Casey at the ice hockey gameThe next day we flew into Calgary from Winnipeg and then took a shuttle out to Banff. By the time we actually got into Banff we ended up just organising skiing for the next day and just having a look around the town. Its a very pretty town, obviously very tourist orientated, but the views in that part of the world are just plain mind-blowing!
View from one of the streets in BanffOn the Saturday we went skiing at Sunshine Mountain (one of the ski mountains in the Banff area). Neither of us had ever been skiing before so we decided to just book lessons and learn it properly! We had a full day's tuition inside the training area, with a magic carpet (a conveyor system to take you to the top of the training hill) and all. Our instructor, Kenji, was very good and decided we were all at the right stage to go down a "green" hill by the end of the day. That was awesome, the feeling is inexplicable until you actually do it! The entire day was completely surreal, fullfilling and tiring! We were both stiff and sore for the next couple of days, but it was completely worth it, and I think we'll both do it again!
Casey and I after skiing (it's bright and we are tired that is why we are squinting)Jenny, Adam and Henry drove out on the Sunday to spend the day with us. We decided to go and see the sights in the area. The one place we were told we HAD to go and see was Lake Louise, so we went on a road trip out there. The weather got progressively worse as we drove out there, and by the time we got there it was pretty much just a white-out! What we could see what NOTHING like the postcards! It was rather sad as Jen had packed a picnic for us to have out there, but it was not pleasant at all outside, so we ended up just driving back to Banff and having lunch at a restaurant! One of the other things to see in Banff is the Banff Springs Hotel, which looks like a castle and is an impressive sight to see, worth the visit. We spent some time wondering through hotel as there is so much to see!
Me, Henry, Casey, Jen and Adam at Banff Springs HotelThose three then went back to Calgary and Casey and I went up to the hot springs on Sulpher Mountain. The hot springs are pretty much standard "Warm Baths"-type, but not as well done. Still very relaxing and theraputic, as we were both still suffering a bit from the skiing on Saturday!
Casey and I headed back into Calgary on Monday, where we spent the afternoon downtown looking around and shopping. Casey bought a few nice things, I am not a big shopper so was quite content to just follow the ladies around! We also went up the Calgary tower to check out the views.
The Calgary TowerThe views from the tower were amazing, you could see the Rockies quite clearly. There is a section of glass floor, just like in the CN Tower. Definitely not where you stand if you are afraid of heights!
Casey and I on the glass floor up the Calgary TowerThe whole crew from Sunday met up again on Monday night for a great dinner at a little restaurant in downtown Calgary. We were by far the loudest table there and were also the last table to leave - we were having a great time!!
Henry, Jen, Adam, Casey and I after dinner on the last nightCasey and I both flew out of Calgary at the same time. Casey was flying back to London through Montreal. It was very tough saying goodbye, as we had the most amazing weekend. We will defintely be meeting up again, however next time will probably be on the other side of the "pond".
Thursday, March 16, 2006
An update - two months in coming - but an update nonetheless!
So I havent updated my blog in months, and no real excuse from my side...
Before I start jst wanted to send a pic which I took from my apartment the other week - I just thought it was a nice composition - this is just before dawn with the moon still visable... The resolution on this is much lower than the original, but you get the idea!
I've had a hectic couple of months with work, as there were a number of tight deadlines, and some of the work we were doing was new for a few people so that jst exasperated the whole situation to a point! I think (touch wood) that everything is going to start slowing down here now, as the major hump has passed... We'll have to see though! I can definitely say that in terms of work these have been the toughest months I have ever gone through, but overall I survived so thats the positive!
On a social front not much has really been happening, I have been going to a church small group/bible study type group every fortnight, which has been good, so have met a few people from there... But as seems to be the case with most people across here they have specific groups of people they meet for specific things, and those don't generally cross over...
One of the guys from the Zimbabwe office (Henry) recently joined the Calgary office, so the partner agreed to fly me over there to assist for a couple of days to help with his onboarding. It was a good time, awesome to see him, and just to hang out for a bit. He's a great guy, and I think he will do well in Canada! Also got to spend a bit of time with Jen and Adam over there, so that was really good too... Here's a pic of Henry out at dinner the night I got there!
Oh it was also my birthday here a few weeks back, but that was kept rather low key, got a number of birthday wishes which was great, and a couple of people bought me little gifts. I also received a parcel from home with a gift and card from the folks, which was awesome, I have that pinned up (the card) in my cubicle...
Looking ahead there are a few things which are coming up which the office has organised or people at the office are holding... I am going to a couple of "wedding socials" here soon - and these are basically parties where they sell tickets to try raise money for a wedding. So that should jst be a good party. Then the office has organised an evening where we are going for dinner and then to watch a hockey game, so that will be nice to chat with people outside of work.
For easter I am going skiing in Banff with Casey, who I met back in Zimbabwe over new year. Neither of us have been skiing so the one day when we were chatting we decided to go! She's flying across on the Thursday night and we are heading up for a few days over easter weekend. I am really looking forward to that coz it should be really good fun, I'll get to spend time with Casey, see Jen and Adam and probably Henry, and I get to try out skiing. Apparently it is really beautiful up there, so I will try take tons of photos and post a couple up here!
Other than that I can't think of much which is really happening, its a Thursday lunchtime and I just thought (after prompting from a couple of people recently) that I should update my blog... As I always say, I'll try and make this more regular (even though I think I have been pretty regular, if not frequent :P)
Hope everyone is well, and email me sometime, its always good to hear from everyone!!
Before I start jst wanted to send a pic which I took from my apartment the other week - I just thought it was a nice composition - this is just before dawn with the moon still visable... The resolution on this is much lower than the original, but you get the idea!
I've had a hectic couple of months with work, as there were a number of tight deadlines, and some of the work we were doing was new for a few people so that jst exasperated the whole situation to a point! I think (touch wood) that everything is going to start slowing down here now, as the major hump has passed... We'll have to see though! I can definitely say that in terms of work these have been the toughest months I have ever gone through, but overall I survived so thats the positive!
On a social front not much has really been happening, I have been going to a church small group/bible study type group every fortnight, which has been good, so have met a few people from there... But as seems to be the case with most people across here they have specific groups of people they meet for specific things, and those don't generally cross over...
One of the guys from the Zimbabwe office (Henry) recently joined the Calgary office, so the partner agreed to fly me over there to assist for a couple of days to help with his onboarding. It was a good time, awesome to see him, and just to hang out for a bit. He's a great guy, and I think he will do well in Canada! Also got to spend a bit of time with Jen and Adam over there, so that was really good too... Here's a pic of Henry out at dinner the night I got there!
Oh it was also my birthday here a few weeks back, but that was kept rather low key, got a number of birthday wishes which was great, and a couple of people bought me little gifts. I also received a parcel from home with a gift and card from the folks, which was awesome, I have that pinned up (the card) in my cubicle...
Looking ahead there are a few things which are coming up which the office has organised or people at the office are holding... I am going to a couple of "wedding socials" here soon - and these are basically parties where they sell tickets to try raise money for a wedding. So that should jst be a good party. Then the office has organised an evening where we are going for dinner and then to watch a hockey game, so that will be nice to chat with people outside of work.
For easter I am going skiing in Banff with Casey, who I met back in Zimbabwe over new year. Neither of us have been skiing so the one day when we were chatting we decided to go! She's flying across on the Thursday night and we are heading up for a few days over easter weekend. I am really looking forward to that coz it should be really good fun, I'll get to spend time with Casey, see Jen and Adam and probably Henry, and I get to try out skiing. Apparently it is really beautiful up there, so I will try take tons of photos and post a couple up here!
Other than that I can't think of much which is really happening, its a Thursday lunchtime and I just thought (after prompting from a couple of people recently) that I should update my blog... As I always say, I'll try and make this more regular (even though I think I have been pretty regular, if not frequent :P)
Hope everyone is well, and email me sometime, its always good to hear from everyone!!
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Friday, January 13, 2006
Back in Canadia
Well, I'm back in Canada and at the end of my first week of work. My time in Zimbabwe was absolutely awesome - I managed to spend time with my family and friends - something which I was sorely missing in Canada.
Went to Victoria Falls and threw myself off the bridge (I was pushed!!) and then went white water rafting with my dad! Some things I'll never forget - and the entire time in Vic Falls is one of those.
Spent a weekend with my friends at Mazvikadei just hanging out and chatting and catching up - good times!
Had the New Years party at my house, while my folks were still in Vic Falls (yes they knew about it and condoned it!), and it was pretty darned good! I actually managed to stay up until about 7 in the morning - at which point I excused myself from everyone and crashed!
The trip back was pretty bad - cramped in cattle class for more hours than I would like to mention, and then, because it is holiday season, managed to miss my connecting flight, and then missed the rescheduled flight as well (neither was actually my fault - planes arriving late and bad planning for check-in) .
Went to Victoria Falls and threw myself off the bridge (I was pushed!!) and then went white water rafting with my dad! Some things I'll never forget - and the entire time in Vic Falls is one of those.
Spent a weekend with my friends at Mazvikadei just hanging out and chatting and catching up - good times!
Had the New Years party at my house, while my folks were still in Vic Falls (yes they knew about it and condoned it!), and it was pretty darned good! I actually managed to stay up until about 7 in the morning - at which point I excused myself from everyone and crashed!
The trip back was pretty bad - cramped in cattle class for more hours than I would like to mention, and then, because it is holiday season, managed to miss my connecting flight, and then missed the rescheduled flight as well (neither was actually my fault - planes arriving late and bad planning for check-in) .
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