Tempus Fugit

Latin (tem-pu̇s-ˈfü-git): Time Flies

Category: Grab Bag

Stuff about stuff

  • Would you like Oil with that?

    So, this is Tempus Fugit, Time Flies in latin. Well today was another lesson in time flying by.

    If you’ve been around for a while and I won’t define how long “a while” is you might remember getting your oil changed for $20 – $30 at a fast food of oil franchise. Well I hadn’t changed the oil in the van for some time and I was starting to feel guilty about it so I went to the local Mr. Lube.

    Now I’m not unaware of their marketing strategies to up sell you on everything they can while your captive in the oil change bay, so I went in with my “no thanks” all ready to go. However, I must have been weak, or was it the nice your lady who was the supervisor of the motley oil change crew with the silver nail polish that swayed my judgment?

    “Good afternoon Mr. Stewart” as I’ve barely rolled down the window. Darn those computers, they’ve run my plate and I’m a marked man. “Wow, your really over due for an oil change, you haven’t had it changed since 2005!”. Well I have been known to get my oil changed at other locations from time to time. “You should really consider an engine flush”. OK, I had gone a little long between changes, but not 2 years. “How much is that?”. “Just $19.95 and it does this that and the other thing and you really should do it”. (Not exact transcription). “OK”. What? Did I say that?

    I’ve been given a newspaper, but I can’t get a chance to look at it with all the questions and turn you lights on, turnsignals, start your engine etc. Then the nice lady inform me that a hose on my PCV valve is loose and they will fix that. Next thing I know I’m looking at the PCV valve and being asked “When did you last change this? It look kind of old. The manufacture suggests every 40,000 km.”. How should I know, that’s a long time ago and I don’t have a photographic memory for all my van repair, of which there have been many, but that”s a different story. “How much is that?” I hear my self saying. “Just $12”. “OK.”. Did I do it again? Now I’m starting to hope I can get out of here for under $100!

    A few minutes later, I pull away from Mr. Lube $109.58 lighter in the wallet, and they want me back in three months. Time flies.

    Technorati Tags: oil, time, Mr Lube, maintenance

  • Recommended videos

    Robert Newman History of Oil, very clever and thought provoking.

    Tony Campolo with Strombo on the Hour – HT to Bill. Wow, there is good programming on CBC TV.

  • Good use of an iMac




    Terrarium- Lizard shelter

    Originally uploaded by Crystal Pistol.

    Perhaps I’d just like one a little newer.

  • Saturday


    Branches
    Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo.

    Today was a lazy day with out too many plans. We slept in a bit, until 8:30am or so. I was up a little earlier and did my Bowflex workout routine while checking emails and listening to The Daily Source Code. The DSC accompanies most of my early morning workouts. Sometimes it’s a little too raunchy for my tastes but Adam is quite informative and generally quite interesting. I know I’ve listened to some music that I normally would never have heard.

    Anyway, after that I took a few pictures of the hoar frost that coated the tree in front of our house. Well, actually it was coating everything in sight, the fence, the neighbor’s tree, the stuff was everywhere. THien it was time for a couple of cups of coffee, some conversation, and a little reading.  After that it was off to do a little birthday shopping. We went off to by Shirley a leather coat and one thing led to another and we ended up buying four leather coats, two for me, and two for Shirley, quite impulsive. Surprisingly, I’ve never owned a leather jacket and now I have two, and one of them is very cool, or is that hot? Perhaps sick? Anyway, I like them.

    We went to see a friend at a local mall and check out a CX-9, wow, what a car. Way more impressive in person that what you see on the TV commercials. But at about $60K it should be pretty nice. Our friend wasn’t there, so after a little window shopping it was off to Starbucks to drop on on another friend. However, the timing was not so good, our friend’s shift didn’t start until later in the day. Back home for a lunch snack and to catch up on posting some photos from a week ago to flickr and blog a couple of things, like this.

    Tonight we’re hanging around the house. I think I’ll go out an pick up a movie and Shirley is busy making pizza. So, a relaxing evening ahead. Great stuff after a busy week.


  • The Million Dollar Man


    Bat Play
    Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo.
    See what happens next.

    Last week at church we had a guest speaker, Ted DiBiase, The Million Dollar Man of WWF fame. I was doing sound in the morning so I heard him speak two times and he has a great message. He was also going to speak at an evening service just for men, and I was not really planning on going but I found out that Eric and Scott where involved in the event. Prior to Mr. DiBiase speaking there were several special events, such as revving up a couple of chain saws to put a little “aroma” in the air, a hot dog eating contest, and some feats of strength such as ripping a phone book in two, and breaking bats and bricks. Mr. DiBiase spoke to the men and there was some great praise and worship singing. Top the evening off with a coffee & ice cream for everyone and some WWF video. It was a great evening and of course I was proud to see Eric and Scott’s involvement, they are two great sons.

  • Winter at the Lake


    Liquid gold
    Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo.

    This weekend we went down to the lake for the weekend. The temperatures were quite nice at about -5C, and when we arrived the cottage was only 0C. Some years we’ve arrived to -20C and it really doesn’t warm up until the next morning.

    Upon arrival we put on our snowshoes and unloaded the supplies. The snowshoes made it easy to walk up the deep snow covering the driveway and deck. After unpacking and getting set up we baked som e pizza and thought we’d watch a little TV. Well, it was still quite cold in the cottage and the TV would not turn on. So, we hooked the laptop into the stereo, put it on the hearth, built a roaring fire, pulled the loveseat right up to the fireplace an watched 4 back to back episodes of House with our pizza. Very nice and cozy!

    The next morning it was bright and sunny and I started chopping a hole in the ice for water. About an hour later I struck pay dirt, well, water anyway. Somehow it seemed a little harder carrying those two 5 gallon pails up the path to the cottage. It’s surprising how little water you really need when you have to work hard for it. The reward was a nice cup of coffee while basking in the warm sun coming in the patio doors.

    After breakfast we snowshoed around the point on the lake. I took some pictures on the shoreline, a neighbors cottage, trees, and the navigation aid at the tip of the point.

  • Breakfast at the Lake


    Yes, I am cute
    Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo.

    This morning we were having a late breakfast brunch when we noticed some activity on the deck outside the dining room window. This little guy was also having some “breakfast”. Last night we BBQ’d steak and I left the tongs out on the BBQ shelf. Well, this very enthusiastic squirrel was cleaning up. Have a look here.

  • Yes & Tempus Fugit

    Who knew? I was browsing the iTunes store and came across The Ultimate Yes – 35th Anniversary collection with this song!

  • New Years Day


    Snow Shadows
    Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo.

    It’s New Years Day 2007 and most folks have dug out from the major snow storm that slowed the city down quite a bit for New Years Eve day. We’ve just been relaxing around the house and talking. It’s quite sunny and fairly warm so I decide that some outdoor activity would be good.

    Up to this point there has been very little snow and it seems like a good opportunity to break out the snowshoes and go for a bit of a hike. I decide on going to a trail along side the Seine River that I frequently mountain bike in the summer. While driving over I find out that lots of streets have not yet been plowed. Ours was done sometime after 2am last night, but over on old St. Boniface, they are still waiting and the road passage is still single lane.

    Someone and their dog has already broken the trail, so I’m just “improving” it with the snowshoes. I’ve got the camera with me and the new iPod. I’d been thinking about getting one for some time, but was really not to excited about the cost of such a “toy”. Yesterday, some very unexpected money came my way, and I decided to splurge. So, while hiking along the trail I’ve been listening to the TEDTALKS podcasts, which are very enjoyable and stopping every once in a while to shoot some photos.

    It was a great outing. Next time I’ll remember the gaiters, as my jeans are soaked up to the knees from the snow flipping up my legs with every step in the deep powder snow.

    Happy New Year to all, I’m looking forward to the best year yet!


  • Snow Angel


    Snow Angel
    Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo.

    As we were walking in St. Vital park, we came across somebody’s handy work in the snow. It’s good to see that there are still some “children” out there that don’t need to be plugged into an iPod, constantly on a cell phone or the latest game console to have fun. Come to think of it, I should have made another one right next to it! 🙂