Tempus Fugit

Latin (tem-pu̇s-ˈfü-git): Time Flies

Category: Grab Bag

Stuff about stuff

  • Collapse of the BowFlex SelectTech Stand

    This morning I was working out using the BowFlex SelectTech weights, which by the way I’m quite happy with, when the stand collapsed. Well, perhaps collapsed is not quite the right word but as I was gently placing one of the weights back in the stand, both bolts that hold the trays to the top of the stand sheered off!

    Bolt Sheer
    Bolt Sheer
    Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo

    In looking more closely at the design you’d think they would have spec’d stronger bolts. After all each weight is 52 lbs, plus the two trays, plus the forces exerted every time you replace the weights. I’m sure that some people probably drop them in harder that I do. That’s a lot of force for some low quality bolts. For sure I’ll replace the bolts with something of a more substantial quality and strength.

  • Need a laugh?

    Perhaps it’s just me but I just re-discovered Despair, Inc. and the image for the mug broke me up.

    The Pessimist’s Mug

    The Pessimist’s Mug

    In these irrationally exuberant times, it’s getting harder and harder for the self-respecting pessimist to stay unhappy. So pervasive is the hope, so overwhelming the positivity, that without the firmest grip on your sullen perspective, you might actually lose it. Then one day, you wake up looking at the bright side, whistling some inane showtune, and generally annoying everyone around you.

  • I’ve felt this way

    Contents Under Pressure Shirt

  • Tanning with Cooper


    Tanning with Cooper
    Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo

    I’m enjoying the sun down on the dock and all of a sudden Cooper decides to make her self at home, on my chest!

  • TSO is coming to town!

    trans-siberianexpress.com tours.tours

    Nov 03, 2008 Winnipeg MB CA MTS Centre (7:30 PM show)

  • Never

    I never tire of paddling down into the mashes at the bottom of our bay at the lake. It’s always a peaceful experience that never fails to lift my spirits. Just a short paddle to the entrance and it’s like you’ve left the world behind and entered your own secret water garden. Cottages and people fade away and its just you and nature. It’ hard to explain the peacefull sensation of just sitting still on the edge of the rushes and drinking in the sights and sounds of natue.
    Both early morning and late evening are the times I like best. The stillness envelopes you and you start to become more in tune with your surroundings. I notice the smallest splash in the water or a subtle rustling on the shoreline brush. I take the time to see and experience some of the thinks that surround us ever day, but in our hurry we tend to ignore.
    The wildlife can be. quite surprising and enjoyable as well. From bear and deer on the shore to a varity of birds and the occasional trutle or fish that swims up under the kayak. This morning it was 5 eagles and a dozen pellicans, one who was swallowing a small fish for breakfast.
    The paddle in the marsh never fails to inspire, rejuvinate and refresh me. It’s a simple pleasure, one of many at the lake that makes this place so special in my heart. Thanks Mom and Dad – love you.

  • Windy day at the lake


    Kayak Storm
    Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo

    After 30° days all week, it’s the weekend at 12° and very very windy. So what do we do? Hop in the kayak and venture out past the point into the rolling waves. Eric and I made a couple of passes out into the open. It was fun but I was glad that I really didn’t have to go anywhere as it would be a tough paddle.

    Later, Eric goes out on the wind surfer and gets so tired in the high winds that he can’t hold on to the sail. I tow him back from across the bay with the motor boat.

  • On the Water




    Wake Me!

    Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo

    It’s a great day at the lake. Actually, any day at the lake is a great day, but today it’s 26-28, sunny and a light breeze so were spending a couple of hours exploring the lake.

    We head over to second Channel and into Keewatin for some gas an a pit stop. Then its over to Poplar Bay, an area where we have not gone before. Wow, are there a lot of boat out on the lake today, the traffic is quite intense in some of the close quarter areas. We’re noticing more people on docks that any other weekend this summer! The water is finally warm, and everyone is soaking up the sun.

    After Poplar Bay it’s into Kenora via Devil’s Gap to pick up a Starbucks. We’re noticing more SeaDoos that normal, but I’m sure that’s because we were talking about possible getting one next year. A trio pulls up to the Safeway docks with us, and guess where the two young ladies are going while mom waits on the SeaDoo? That’s right, Starbucks! This generation is truly addicted.

    After we collect our beverages it’s a short hop back to the cottage for some swimming and dock time. Good times!

  • The Mt Temple Hike

    We’re safe and sound back at the hotel packing up for the trip back to Winnipeg but the hike yesterday was an adventure of a life time. While I didn’t make it to the summit by choice, it was still an amazing day as I climbed to about 10,000 vertical feet from a start in about 5,000. We experienced a great climb up the trail, some very scary scrambling up some very steep loose rock, a 20′ vertical climb without ropes, touched snow in August, watched a helicopter rescuce, sat out a rain and hail storm at 10,000, belayed down a 40′ vertical face assisted by Brian, a mountain rescue worker, and the group who made the summit were walking around in an electrically charged cloud getting shocked and dumping all their metal gear like ice axes and trekking poles and everybody hiked out for several hours in a very close thunderstorm getting quite soaked. Other that that it was a rather uneventful day.

    It was quite a crazy experience with a lot of exciting memories and lessons learned. More later with photos of the rescue and some great scenic shots of the mountains and our group.

  • Coverage

    Oh yeah, the data coverage in the Banff area by Bell Mobility is non-existant, so the mobile Blackberry twitters and blog update of the trip are just not happening the way I’d anticipated.