I can't call myself 'Christian' anymore...

Well, it's escalating beyond my original fears.

Christians in Nigeria are killing Muslims--

Christian mob kills Muslims

We can go on about how these people aren't 'real' Christians, but they believe they are, and they believe they are doing the 'works of the Lord'.

There was a blog entry with lots of thoughtful comments at 'The Left Coaster'--

Abel Has Slain Cain

I understand the difference between an unruly mob calling themselves 'Christian' that are killing people in one country, compared with 'institutionalized' killings by Muslims directed by the religious leaders of Islam, well, almost everywhere by the looks of it, but, bottom line--semantics. People are still being brutally murdered in the name of (insert name of god here).

The Christian mob in Nigeria was made up of people who were supposedly taught the 'Word of God', and the interpretation they received was that it's okay to go behead Muslims or cut off the genitals of Muslims. Of course, it's also okay to stack the corpses in a pile and set them on fire.

I'm ashamed.

I'm outraged.

This atrocious act by these Christians makes me weep. Walking in the light? I don't think so. Here's a response from the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria--

Reaction of the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, The Most Revd Peter Akinola on recent events in Nigeria--

"Having watched with sadness and dismay the recent development in some States in the Northern part of this Country where many Christian Churches and other property have been wantonly destroyed by some Islamic fundamentalists, the Christian Association of Nigeria is compelled to issue the following statements:"

. . .

"May we at this stage remind our Muslim brothers that they do not have the monopoly of violence in this nation. Nigeria belongs to all of us – Christians, Muslims and members of other faiths. No amount of intimidation can Change this time-honoured arrangement in this nation. C.A.N. may no longer be able to contain our restive youths should this ugly trend continue."

So the church is washing their collective hands at trying to keep the 'restive youths' from committing such heinous acts in the future.

Yes, what the Muslims of Nigeria have done to the Christian community is wrong--here's that bit:

"We have for a long time now watched helplessly the killing, maiming and destruction of Christians and their property by Muslim fanatics and fundamentalists at the slightest or no provocation at all. We are not unaware of the fact that these religious extremists have the full backup and support of some influential Muslims who are yet to appreciate the value of peaceful co-existence."

But allowing atrocities to happen in the name of Christ--I'm done.

People say these aren't 'true Christians'. Well, as one person in the comments of TLC stated succinctly--

"and I can no longer ignore the massive damage [Christians] have helped to cause in the name of abortion, stem cell, gay marriage, gay adoption, 10 commandments, school prayer, and, my personal favorite, the "war" on Christmas"

And this one puts it as clear--

"...the most vocal "christians" are the fundamentalist extremists, probably because someone just standing up and saying "god is love" is boring. Blame the media for not covering all angles (again), and allowing the conflation of christianity with violent extremists, not lefty atheists. As a non-believer myself, I'm glad people like Phelps with his "god is hate" message, Pat Robertson and his assassination dreams, and the Shiavo freak show on parade get in the spotlight, because it reinforces the idea that extremists do not make good leaders, and religion doesn't belong in government. I'm sorry that the majority of believers are caught up in the stereotype, but the onus is not on liberal atheists to change the message, but the liberal believers to shun the extremists and marginalize those with a message of hate. "

"The conflation of christianity with violent extremists"--Ann Coulter, Pat Robertson, and, well, my most favourite guy in the world right now, George W. Bush. All have condemned acts of terrorism against Christians and America, but all have condoned acts of terror against, well, basically anyone who isn't American or Christian.

And the other bit--it isn't up to the "liberal athiests to change the message [about how Christians are perceived throughout the world], but the liberal believers"

In case you didn't know, I'm a Christian. I'm also liberal (small 'L').

And if other 'liberal Christians' don't stand up and 'take back' their Christianity from the extremists, then we will all be stereotyped with the 'radical right'.

So, with that in mind, I'm standing up right now to say to the Pat Robertsons, the Geoge Dubyas, the Ann Coulters, the Nigerian mobs--when you say you're doing what you're doing in the name of Christianity, you're idea of Christianity is not 'true Christianity', nor does it include me. Christianity is about love, forgiveness, and being there to edify and care for one another. None of your words or works demonstrates these things in the least bit.

Just thought you should know.

Did I miss something?

Whilst listening to a radio station en route to work this morning, the news person was talking about how "Canada won 24 medals at hte 2006 Winter Olympics, but none in hockey!", as if that's the biggest news of the day.

The bigger news, at least for me, is that if I recall correctly (and someone please correct me if I'm wrong here), didn't the women's hockey team win gold, or did I just dream that?

Let me have a quick look...

Torino 2006 Canada's medal count

Yep--right there--Canadian Women's hockey team gets the gold.

So how about it, everyone? Can we not forget that it's the 21st century and that we should at least remember the women?

As for myself, I say to Becky Kellar, Gillian Ferrari, Gina Kingsbury, Sarah Vaillancourt, Hayley Wickenheiser, Jennifer Botterill, Jayna Hefford, Danielle Goyette, Caroline Oullette, Cheryl Pounder, Gillian Apps, Carla MacLeod, Meghan Agosta, Cassie Campbell, Vicky Sunohara, Kim St-Pierre, Charline LaBonte, Katie Weatherston, Colleen Sostorics and last, but by no means least, Cherie Piper--very nicely done! You did every Canadian proud, not just for the gold, but more importantly for showing the world how classy all of you are.

I, for one, appreciate your efforts!

To anyone who still states that Canada didn't win a medal in hockey or is depressed that the men's team didn't get past the quarter finals, show some class and give the womens hockey team their due.

They deserve it!

Canadian Olympic Style...

I didn't watch much of the winter Olympics this year--a few speed skating competitions and some downhill. I'm not one for professional sports to begin with, so its just due to mild interest when I'm flipping through the channels to stop and watch.

That said, when the papers, the sports casts on the telly, and even some of the radio announcers state, "Canada's hockey team didn't win the gold!", I was shocked!

We didn't win the gold in hockey?

Aren't Canadians the epitome of hockey?

And yet we didn't come home with a medal to prove it??

Waittaminit--I watched the news a few days back--we did win the gold.

Oh but that was the *women's* hockey team, not the mens...

Oh I get it now--when Canada hockey team doesn't win, it's all about the men.

Nice.

A few points--those people who are really depressed and moping this week becaouse the mens hockey team didn't win a medal--shake your head--it's a sport. Get over it.

As well, these players put their heart and souls into their game--credit them for that. I appreciate their efforts and say to them, 'Nicely done!' instead of 'You suck!'

To the people that say, "Well Gretzky shoulda done such 'n such" or "Why was player A playing instead of player B..." Yeah, 'armchair quarterbacking' (or in this case 'armchair coaching' really works--you start coaching in the majors and you may have an opinion that they'll listen to. Until such time, enjoy it for what it is--a sport.

No lives were lost, no political unrest happened. Spectator sports are just that--something to be enjoyed by spectators. The Olympics bring the best athletes (hopefully) each country has to offer and put them in venues to compete with one another. In this day and age, it's done solely for the spectators (and the subsequent revenue received)--if there was no audience, you think there'd be an olympics?

Anyway, if you're into the Olympics, sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. Don't take it beyond that.

And very nicely done to the Canadian Women's hockey team! Class acts all around!

Rubber tracks

I'll see how it goes. The wheeled base works (mostly) well, but I dislike the shaking and shimming when it turns.

Old 'bot with new tracks

It took me about 2 nights to get the original base to where it is now, and ti took me about 10 minutes to build the tracked base. Yep--a little easier. We'll see how it works when it's all together with the scanner mechanism.

Blocks

Here's some unique blocks--I asked Sandy to make some more.

So there you are.

Here's all the pics--rtl20 build

The completed 'bot

Over the past weekend and the last few evenings, I did some heavy-duty building on my robot contest entry for rtlToronto 20-Project Y.

The good news is that all the parts work.

During the course of the build, I heavily modified my bumpers from something large and bulky to something a little more streamlined.

A reduction in size from left to right

The bad news is that there are a few issues.

The first being that the completed robot is pretty heavy. This causes the wheels to 'jump' when the robot turns. It's fun watching the robot shake and shimmie when it turns, but I believe that this will be detrimental for the competition.

The robot platform

The plan is to to heavily modify this platform into something that will turn smoother.

The other issue that needs to be addressed is the scanner gear train. Right now the scanner unit is pretty bulky, so when the scanner is moving, momentum keeps it in motion even when the motor stopped.

So I'm trying to find a way to use the worm gear train instead of the current gear train

Worm gear train to spin scanner platform

On a different note, a snippet of conversation overheard at the last dinner inspired me to build my block hopper in this fashion--

Looking down on the block hopper

Chris mentioned something about putting two plates vertically to contain the blocks. If done correctly, the space between the walls would be just over 2 studs--the blocks won't bind in the hopper and they won't have much room to move around.

Before I make alotta changes, I took a video of what I have now--

Blocks being transferred through transfer opening

The robot is controlled by the LEGO RCX remote--not by programming. That bit will come later when I resolve the turning issues.

So I have 4 major build steps to go
- platform that turns properly
- scanner motor gear train that stops properly
- make scanner/hopper unit lighter
- the shell ('cause I still need to get other people's blocks)

plus the programming...

And 10 days until the competition--No Problem!

See all the glorious pictures in technicolour--rtl20 - Project Y Build Pictures

Look ma! Bumper Sensors!!

In the continuing endeavour to bring you, the viewing audience, the latest and greatest in Design Team Runamok building, here you will see bumpers!

So now the robot'll know where the walls are!

K, you're less than thrilled, but I was pleased to see it actually work.

I needed front bumpers as well as side bumpers so the 'bot can detect an object no matter which way the scanner and driving platform are moving.

I made a little video to show the bumper sensors working. At the end of the video you can see how the robot still likes to drive into the light.

Bumper 'Bot

We're coming along, slowly but surely. With 2 weeks left, I better knuckle down and get it all done!

Our pet possum

In what we consider to be our cutest recurring visitor to our back yard, the possum came back for some food.

Our 'little pet' seems to like the Nyjer seed we use to feed the goldfinches and other birds.

We also hope the opossum appreciates the lettuce, grapes, and other fruits/vegetables we leave out in the garden for it.

The possum is quite shy, and likes to avoid the camera at all costs. As well, any little noise sends it scurrying back down into the ravine.

However, last night we managed to get a few (sorta blurry and dark) pictures of our shy little friend. We turned the flash off on the camera so we wouldn't scare the little thing, so I had to try and hold the camera steady whilst taking the pic.

Worked out sorta well, and we thought we'd share our furry friend with you.

Pictures of our pet possum

Take care Opo!

Yeah, I don't, either.

When 6 girls were locked inside a burning school because the authorities wouldn't let them out due to the girls improper attire, there were no protests from these supposed MoHammed believers.

I was reminded of that when a friend sent me an e-mail the other day listing the number of atrocities committed in the name of MoHammed and the Islamic belief system over the past few years.

It's amazing how one puts these atrocities out of one's mind--I had completely forgotten about 6 girls being burned alive because they weren't dressed according to Islamic law.

Burned alive because of how they dressed.

But now that my memory is jogged, I also remember the deafening silence coming from the peoples of Islam--there were no protests, no burning flags, no overturning cars in the streets and setting fires to the neighbourhoods...

Nothing.

And yet, here we are, with people dead because of satirical political cartoons.

Two dead in Pakistan rioting

"LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) -- Thousands rampaged through two cities Tuesday in Pakistan's worst violence against Prophet Muhammad caricatures, burning buildings housing a hotel, banks and a KFC, vandalizing a Citibank and breaking windows at a Holiday Inn and a Pizza Hut."

"An Associated Press reporter in Lahore saw crowd members who appeared to be orchestrating the attacks, directing protesters -- some of whom were carrying containers of kerosene -- toward particular targets. The demonstrators also set the provincial government assembly building on fire."

Crowd members ... appeared to be orchestrating the attacks, directing the protesters.

This should be huge news--some people are directing and fueling the angry mobs towards specific targets. And, by the looks of things, this is what's been going on since the start of these abominable acts of violence.

I mean, think about it--the cartoons of MoHammed with bomb-for-turban were originally published last September. That's 5 months ago. Yet here we are, now experiencing the wrath of the fundamentalist idiots.

What was going on during the 5 months? Well, I'm not into conspiracies, but it sure looks like some one, or a group of someones, are certainly 'directing' or 'orchestrating' these acts of terror.

Nevertheless, my thing has always been, "who's the bigger idiot--the idiot or the idiot who follows?"

Right now, to me, it doesn't matter if there's a vast 'Radical Muslim' conspiracy. All that does matter is that people are dead because someone didn't like a political cartoon and is now taking their anger out on the rest of civilization.

So I ask Muslims everywhere--

How many people have to die before your anger over a cartoon is gone?

How many homes and businesses have to be burnt down before your MoHammed's lust for vengeance is satiated?

How many of us have to live in fear every time we want to speak our minds?

Tell me, how many?

Then tell me how many girls have to die in fires before you denounce the 'radical muslims'.

Tell me how many women have to be stoned because they were victims of rape before you repeal your violent and archaic laws.

Tell me how many embassies have to be to be blown up before you tell the 'radical muslims' to 'take a hike!'

Tell me how many innocent people have to die when jets are flown into buildings before you walk away from the 'radical muslims'.

Tell me, when will you stand up against your own?

Then, and only then, is when you and I can begin to talk about ending this in peace.

If you don't, you, along with every other muslim that doesn't stand up against these terrorists, are complicit in their acts of terror.

more significance than ever before...

I've managed to muddle through 37 valentines days in my life thus far.

From the public school exchange of cards with the classmates (my valentines folder always had the fewest... *snif* ) to the early 'romances' with the first dating experiences, I've never really cared for the holiday much myself. Whether it was due to the aforementioned lack of valentines cards received by me in school, or the fact that I really wasn't into the whole dating thing until my twenties, I just thought that February 14th was 'just another day'.

Of course, if you've seen the outrageous price on flowers and other related paraphernalia that the florists are charging for this one day--normally I see roses advertised for 19 bucks a dozen--today, $120.00 for the same. No price gouging there. Whoever said that Valentines day was a holiday concocted by florists and card manufacturers--spot on!

But I digress...

So I'm coming to the end of my 38th year on this planet, and this year is the first year that Valentines Day truly means something to me. Not the cards, or the flowers, or any other material thing--those are just 'candy for the masses'.

No, the Valentines Day I'm really relating to for the first time deals with the matter of the heart.

Without trying to get mushy and all that...

My heart was so filled with joy this morning. I woke up, looked to my left, and there she was. Sleeping, as a matter of fact, but looking ever so beautiful.

For those of you that have been, and are in love, you know what I felt this morning--It's like there's nothing I wouldn't do for this person, lying there all peaceful-like.

(Of course, she's not gonna like that I'm talking all schmarmmy and stuff, but deal )

And later, when she woke up, she gave me a kiss before she left for work. When she was gone, I snuggled back into the bed, knowing that there's someone out there in the world who truly loves me.

That's a pretty good gig if you can get it.

Yes I sent the flowers--it's what you're suppose to do on this day of days. Not roses 'cause that's too common (did I mention the price gouging), and besides, she's (thankfully) not into 'em.

And I'll get her some other things that I won't mention here (because she sometimes reads these blog entries (dunno why) and I don't want to spoil the surprise), but in a typical 'Y' chromosome fashion, I'll have to go out at lunch to pick 'em up.

But again, it isn't the material things that makes me look forward to going home every night--it's my time, and my life, with her.

Sandra Jean--you're perfect, babe.

And here's a completely over-the-top-schmarm line (but completely true nevertheless...)

Every day with you is Valentines Day to me

I love you

Starting over

The synchro drive couldn't support the weight of the completed robot, so I fell back onto what I know best--wheeled 'bots.

But I wasn't going to go wheels right off the bat--I was trying out some tracked beast

But the tracks weren't doing it for me.

Here's a quick pic of the gear train that I'm using for the scanner--I was using a worm gear setup before, but I didn't like that, either.

So wheeled it is.

I've uploaded a quick video of the 'bot--it finds the light.

Robot moving after the light

It's a better start for the upcoming competition.

NQC Coding thus far

Sunset

At 5 p.m., Sandy asked if I could take a few pics of the sunset across the valley. I was just a little too late to capture the vibrant colour of the sky, but it was still beautiful.

Then at 5 a.m., something woke us up. I went to investigate but didn't find anything--probably something next door.

Since I was up, I looked out the back window and saw a beautiful scene--the world blanketed in whitw with the full moon hanging low in the west.

This gave me an excuse to haul out the mighty Kodak DC120 Digital Science camera to take a few 16 second exposure pictures.

moonset

See the few pics that I took--A day in winter pictures

Pretty beautiful, if you ask me.

Well...

Muslim cartoon clash hits Halifax

"HALIFAX—A peaceful protest turned tense yesterday when some Muslim students confronted a Halifax professor who drew criticism for posting contentious cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad on his office door."

Well, the professor was asking for it. Though, again to be said, had the professor posted political cartoons dealing with a Christian subject, would there have been a 'tense' protest?

Probably not.

And I think therein lies all the difference. We live in a land that supposedly holds the right of freedom in the highest regard. This 'right of freedom' isn't the right to say what I want unless it upsets someone else. Our rights can't, nor should be, contingent on 'making no waves'.

And in a university environment, where debates and discussions are tantamount to the learning experience, to tell a professor, "Go away!" and "You don't belong here!" and turn a protest into a 'tense situation' because you don't like what he posted on his door is tantamount to, well, not learning.

"Meanwhile, religious groups across Canada, including the Canadian Jewish Congress, have condemned the cartoons, saying they are needlessly provocative. Islamic tradition bars any depiction of the Prophet, favourable or otherwise, and violent protests have erupted throughout the Muslim world."

Yes the cartoons are provocative. Isn't that the inherent nature of political cartoons? Are the cartoons based in fact? Well, look around and see the reaction--I think they were pretty spot-on.

Here's an issue that I'm struggling with--someone published a political cartoon. People have violent protests throughout the world as a result. 'Civil' society denounces the cartoons as 'provocative' and condemns the cartoons.

What have we learned from this? It's what the abusee always learns--"If I don't say this, or I don't do this, I won't get hit" and the abuser not only gets away with it, the abuser is emboldened to abuse more.

We just empowered these radical protesters--we say to the cartoonist, or to the professor who posted the pics on his door--"you were wrong! Don't do that again!", instead of saying to the idiots burning buildings and flags, wreaking havoc on streets and hurting/killing people, "Hey! Stop it! You have the right to state your issue, but you DO NOT have the right to burn buildings and threaten peoples lives!!!"

Civil society must stop being the beaten abusee--we have to stand up and say with one unified voice--"You are no longer going to do or threaten violence against us! This ends here!"

Of course, the other side is this--

"Police are investigating after two mosques in Laval, north of Montreal, were vandalized earlier this week. Rocks were thrown through windows at the Islamic Cultural Centre and the Al-Hissane Islamic Centre."

Yeah, vandalising mosques is an intelligent thing to do--that'll keep the peace. That'll diffuse the situation and lead to healthy discourse to resolve the issues. Well, no, not really.

Look people--discussion is good. Peaceful protest is good. Stating your mind openly and honestly is commendable. However, inciting to riot, vandalism and torching, and threatening and killing is condemnable.

All of us, no matter what we believe or feel or think, have to stop taking the step from commendable to condemnable. The violence and threatening of violence must stop! It doesn't help the situation for either side.

All this being said, I don't think I'm going to talk much more about this topic in the coming weeks, unless something radically changes. This issue is having an adverse reaction on my body and spirit.

So with that, I ask for peace--Be commendable with your words and actions.

I, for one, will be pushing for just that.

Just 'cause

So, we are 232 days from the big event. Wow, 232 days and Dave and I will be a married couple.

Many of the major details and purchases are complete.

I just ordered my dress last Saturday so, that will arrive from New York in 4-6 months.

My matron of honour, Lydia, has her dress. We went shopping a few weekends back and found a perfect floor length chocolate brown gown.

Reverend Reid will conduct the ceremony for us.

The ceremony site and reception hall (all at the same place) are booked.

The menu for dinner and all the lines have been decided on.

It took awhile but we finally have decided on the centerpieces.

I think we know the style of tuxedo that Dave and his best man, John, will wear.

We have our photographer(s) in place.

Our cake is being made by our good friend Allison. We still have to work out the details but I know it will be stunning and yummy!

The invitations have been purchased and I can't wait to get them in the mail later this summer.

We decided to do the music ourselves as space is limited in the hall. We have started to put together the music which will be played throughout the evening (get your requests in now).

We still have to purchase insurance, liquor license, decorations, flowers, thank you gifts, and a few odds and ends.

The honeymoon plans are still up in the air. We won't be going on our official honeymoon until January 2007 (we want to avoid hurricane season) but we will head up north to a resort for a few days the week after the wedding.

Feel free to check out Sandy's and Dave's Wedding Page

Dave and I look forward to sharing our special day with all our family and friends.

Born February 6, 2006

To the loving parents--Andrew and Ilona.

We're all pretty excited for the family.

The whole family

Tiffany, I have no idea if this page'll still be here when you're old enough to read, but welcome to the world. Your parents, Andrew and Ilona, are absolutely phenominal people--caring and loving and patient.

You are one very lucky little girl to be born into their family.

And I know that you've already blessed their lives as well.

Here's to a full, happy life!

Stay off the sidewalks

This little rant is directed at the silver Thunderbird driver that was around me en route home yesterday evening.

To start, I left work around 5:30 p.m. I get to the 403/QEW Niagara junction and I note in my rear view a silver car coming up fast.

I was in the second from right hand lane when I got close to the bridge (for it's an off-ramp right there) and I was thinking that I might try going to go down Eastport to the bridge.

However, the Thunderbird had other ideas--coming up fast on my right, crossing on the now solid white lines after the on-ramp and cut in front of me to zoom up the Skyway bridge.

Well then.

Since this happens (unfortunately) all the time, I dismissed it from my mind.

Well I get over the bridge, and for whatever reason the Thunderbird, in its weaving in and out of lanes, was only a few cars ahead of me. Easy to track--just look for the quick acceleration/brake lights/ziggy zaggy all the time. Anyway, by the time I got to the Woodward exit, Mr T-Bird is 2 cars ahead.

A red light brought us all to a stop--I'm 5th in line, the T-Bird is second in line, and we're all turning left (ain't much to the right except the lake and the on-ramp to the highway).

However, Mr. T-"I have to get home quicker"-Bird decided that waiting for the light to change wasn't for him, so he scoots out of the left turning lane and proceeds to turn right onto Woodward. I was surprised, but eh, it's driving in the big town.

I started thinking why would he want to go right when he was sitting in the left lane for the longest time waiting for the light to change--perhaps he was going to pull a 'U' turn...

So I watched him. Perhaps Mr. "My Time is much more valuable than yours"-Bird didn't realize that Woodward Avenue, at least around this area, has a concrete curb separating the two directions of traffic.

So I watched him drive--exceptionally fast mind you--to the next intersection (down by the bridge that gets you onto the highway). I then watch him cut around in a 'U' turn thru the intersection and race back towards where we were.

Well, by this time the light decided to change and he has to stomp on the brakes.

We proceed with our left turn onto Woodward, and proceed on our merry.

Woodward Ave. is two lanes each way. I again note that Mr. T-"I don't care about traffic rulz"-Bird is weaving in and out of traffic behind me, slowly making headway.

We both ended up at the Barton Street intersection where we were, both again, waiting for the green light and wanting to turn left. The thing is, on Woodward at Barton street there are two left hand turning lanes. And if you're from the area, you know that Barton Street, just past the interesection, is reduced to one lane due to construction. So most of the (what I consider to be) good drivers just stay in the inside turning lane. But Mr. T-"Maybe I need to take some Pepto for my obvious problem"-Bird is in the other left turning lane.

Right out of the bad-driving textbook--even before the light turns green, the T-Bird jumps ahead. Unfortunately, there was a city bus parked on Barton right after the intersection, presumably waiting for the passengers to disembark. Whatever it was, when the light turned green and I proceeded with my left hand turn, the T-Bird was stuck behind the bus while I passed him.

Of course, as with any sad story, it doesn't end here. Nope, in the end, Mr. T-"I made it home quicker than you"-Bird did eventually end up passing and stayed ahead of me on Nash road.

Good for you!

(Jackass)

K, we shouldn't'a' gone...

So with the rash of babies and those expecting in our group of friends, Sandy and I thought it'd be smart for us to head over to the outlet mall just on the other side of the border in Niagara Falls.

With our crazy jam-packed schedule, Tuesday night became the night for this expedition to a foreign land.

So with high hopes, Sandy and I got in the Mighty Sunfire and proceeded towards Yankee-ville.

Well, we got as far as Grimsby, Ontario, when the white stuff decided to start falling. Just flurries, mind you, but those pesky flurries were making the roads a little slick.

Compounded with this was the non-functioning window washer fluid on the drivers side of the window--so visibility got pretty limited pretty fast.

We pull off the highway in Jordans Landing so I could top up the washer fluid. The drivers side sprayer still wasn't working, so I had a closer look. Turns out that the hose wasn't frozen as I had origionally surmized--the hose had become disconnected.

I discoverd this in the dark, and in the snow, and in the cold, btw--so I am a miracle worker (at least, in my mind).

So with the washer fluid hose connected once again, our two heros proceeded on their travels.

We also continued with our hmmm'ing and haw'ing and the 'perhaps we should turn back' conversation all the way to the Garden City Skyway. But we're intrepid travellers extra-ordinaire, and decided that "Winter??? Pah! We laugh at your frozen-crystal-type water-works!!!"

Across the skyway, the weather looked like it was getting better, and we proceeded merrily to the border crossing at Lewiston/Queenston.

The border guards didn't do anything out of the ordinary, besides throwing a question I've never heard asked before--"Who's the owner of the vehicle?" That's a new one. But other than that, he sent us on.

And then the snow, which heretofor was hiding beind an SEP field, decided that now would be a good time to come crashing down upon our travels.

And it was those big huge flakes, too! Y'know, the kind you like walking in because it's all fun and stuff, and you become the "instant snowperson", but not so good when you're driving.

So in a 65 MPH zone, we were doing all of 28, all the way to the outlet mall.

The outlet mall isn't the point of the story so Ill keep that part down to a minimum--we got in, got the baby clothes, and got out. No, we didn't stop and look at KB-Toys (who had a "50 percent off on selected items" sign in their window--coulda been LEGO but we just wanted to get home before the weather got 'really bad'.)

But because of the snowballs falling from the sky, the parking lot had about 6 inches of the white stuff when we were leaving. I did the driving home (Sandy did the driving there).

We got to the I190 and proceeded back to Queenston.

We weren't on the I190 for very long (doing around 29 mph 'cause the roads were really slick--and most other people were doing the same) when we happened on an accident. One of those little 'mini Jeep' things--Tracker or somesuch--had obviously hit the guard rail--the front corner was all busted up. A transport truck with its four-ways flashing was stopped up the road a little bit ahead and I saw the driver getting out of the truck.

I pull over to see if I could render any assistance, and even though I was only doing 29, it took me a little bit to come to a full stop--that's how slippery it was.

So I get out of our vehicle and start walking back to the mini-jeep. The trucker was beside me telling me what happened--"they passed me and then lost control--hit the guard rail and it was all I could do to not plow into them!"

We both got to the vehicle and the driver rolled down the window. She was obviously shaken up. She had a cell phone in her hand and mentioned to us that she already put a call into the police.

I asked her if she was injured, if she hit the steering wheel or if she felt any pain. Not that she knew, she mentioned to us.

The trucker and I talked a bit more with her. I mentioned that I didn't witness the actual accident but if they needed anything to let me know.

I then wished her the best and I went back to our car.

That part's not the funny part. This part is where the funny comes in--

My feet were slipping as I walked along the road and, for whatever reason, I thought it'd be a good time to try those old schoolyard ice slides. I get a little speed going, and I start the slide right when I got beside our car.

And boy did I slide...

I might mention here right now that, through my life for the most part, I'm very good at keeping my balance under almost any condition--it's extremely rare when I actually fall on ice/sleet/snow or whathaveyou. I just thought I'd mention that right here.

So I'm sliding beside our car.

Then I notice that I'm sliding past our car.

That's not so good so I try to stop the slide.

This is the part where I notice that my feet have now become higher than my head--Slip! *Bam*--I'm on my back, in the snow, lying on the road.

But again, me being me, I jump up immediately with my arms above my head with "Yes!! I meant to do that!!" a la Rocky style after his run up the stairs--"The crowd goes wild!!!!"

Sandy was torn between running out of the car when she saw me slip ('cause she thought I was going to get run over by a passing car) and laughing her heinie off when she saw me jump up in supposed victory.

I brush the snow off, get into the car, and we proceeded home (the border crossing was not worthy of comment).

The snow-slick conditions lasted until St. Catharines, then cleared up completely--the roads were snow free all the way to our abode.

Later that night, after a great hour of Gilmore Girls, we're in bed and thats when someone (and I'm not mentioning names here) decided that right then would be a good time to start laughing about it.

And she laughed and laughed and laughed.

I think I felt the bed shaking sometime in the middle of the night from her laughing.

Very tiny

If you look over to the right and scroll down a bit, I've added two personal websites that are hosted at Sparky's and Sandy's Space.

Jeff and Jen VanWinden have their 'brand new' website--VW Junction

ANd then there's Rob's page that's been around for a very long time--Robs LEGO Design

Just letting you know.

Sorry to go on about this

'4 killed' in cartoon bloodshed

I'll try to keep it brief and succinct--

"On Tuesday, in the northern Pakistani city of Peshawar, more than 6,000 people demonstrated, chanting slogans against European nations and demanding justice, police said."

...

""Hang the man who insulted the prophet," some Pakistani protesters shouted."

Justice for your MoHammed?

How about justice for this person--

"Iran to hang teenage girl attacked by rapists
Sat. 07 Jan 2006
Iran Focus: Tehran, Iran, Jan. 07--An Iranian court has sentenced a teenage rape victim to death by hanging after she weepingly confessed that she had unintentionally killed a man who had tried to rape both her and her niece."

Or these people--

"Iran's Islamists terrorise young women with acid
Wed. 04 Jan 2006
Iran Focus: Tehran, Iran, Jan. 04 -- In the latest 'acid attack' by radical Islamists on young women accused of ignoring the country's strict dress regulations, two female university students had acid splashed on their faces in the town of Shahroud, north-eastern Iran."

Where's their justice?

Oh, and if you want to look for people needing justice--

Hangings, stonings, amputations...

Where's their justice? Oh right, they are receiving MoHammed's definition of justice.

Of course, the Americans are always wrong, so you have to start rioting around them as well--

"Four protesters were killed on Monday and 17 others injured in protests near Bagram Airbase, a U.S. base north of Kabul, and separately in the Afghan city of Mihtarlam, according to AP."

A U.S. airbase? Because everyone in the U.S. is European, supposedly, and the Europeans ran the cartoon? Is that Justice?

And here's the next bit in the CNN article that caught my eye--

"Meanwhile, a prominent Iranian newspaper said it was going to hold a competition for cartoons on the Holocaust in response to the publications in the West of the Mohammed caricatures."

Because, as we all know, political cartoons satirizing a prophet and the extermination of 6 milllion people are one in the same (here's a CNN article about that--Iran invites cartoons on Holocaust)

I get it--you're angry that someone made fun of your prophet. Thank Allah you didn't have a Monty Python-like comedy group in your midst--they made fun of God all the time.

People are dead because you have the need for 'justice' over a satirical cartoon. And now, in retaliation against Denmark, not only are you fire-bombing embassies and killing people, you're going after the Jews. Makes perfect sense.

Well, I'll be surprised if there are any violent protests and people dying over your little retaliational cartoons, even if the subject matter is regarding the most deplorable time in human history. Wanna know why? Israel embraces the ideals of free speech. They don't go on a Holy Jihad every time someone makes fun of their God. Israel has gone through everything that the world can throw at them and look--they're still here AND they aren't into the terror and the killing.

But I do caution all of you radical and fundamentalist Muslims who have a problem with this cartoon and are now taking it out on Jews--be careful of your stumbling around in the dark, looking for a fight--you just may wake the dragon.

As a final note, Jews equals Denmark--who knew??? See, you little terr'ists learned me something good today.

But that was inevitable, wasn't it?

Cartoon protests turn deadly

As I stated in this blog entry just yesterday, the political cartoon depicted MoHammed with a bomb-as-turbin, was proved to be quite astute when these 'Muslim protests' started.

And now the people dying has begun.

I weep for the loss of life.

What will it take to satisfy your Muslim need for vengeance over a political cartoon?

Will it take the eradication of the Danish newspaper? The country of Denmark? How about everyone who isn't Muslim throwing themselves on a sword? Will that satisfy your killing lust?

If this is what your idea of MoHammed's beliefs are then your MoHo isn't worth a load of camel dung.

Yes Im insulting you. Someone has to slap you until you come to your senses.

Again, in a world that is trying to at least have the guise of 'why can't we all just get along', you are killing people over drawings in a newspaper.

I, for one, am done. I was willing to be tolerant of these protests because I'm of the opinion that everyone has a right to choose their own path. But by your own actions, you've ended the choice for those you've killed.

And once again, if you didn't catch it the first time, you've ended their lives over a cartoon.

I will use every opportunity and every resource that I have to denounce your false god and false prophet. Your idea of MoHammed really is a guy with a bomb on his head. By your own actions, you've made the point. I get it now--You and all your other 'protestors' are the true evil in the world--you just know how to terrorize and kill.

And I shall not stand idly by and watch it happen.

Adder/Subtractor mock-ups

I was finding that the synchro 'bot chassis, though extremely maneuverable, couldn't support much weight. When you add the shell, the sensor arm (pics coming soon) and the RCX/Battery box, the synchro platform that I had built bogs down and doesn't travel well.

Now you can build stronger synchro 'bot platforms that can handle the weight, but the size required would be outside my building scope.

What will probably end up happening is that I'll revert to 'Skid/Steer', a la bulldozer or excavator.

In the interim, I've never built an adder/subtracter robot. The Adder/Subtracter mechanism is a skid/steer platform with a very unique difference.

Let me explain it this way--if you take your average bulldozer and connect a motor to the left track, and take a motor that's twice as powerful and connect it to the right track, and then turn both motors on, will the bulldozer drive straight? No, because the right side will be going faster then the left side. And that's what happens with LEGO robots that use Motor A on the left and motor B on the right--not all LEGO motors are exactly equal. It really doesnt' matter much because exactness isn't required the majority of the time.

However, due to the unique gearing of an adder/subtracter mechanism, the drive axle for the left and the drive axle for the right side rotate at exactly the same rate, so the robot will drive straight.

I surfed to a few websites that show how to build an adder/subtracter mechanism--

Adder/Subtracter

Leo's Adder/Subtracter

small adder/subtracter transmission

Following the very clear instructions on these web pages, I built two 'mock-ups' of the adder/subtracter mechanisms.

Having never built one before, I was pleasantly surprised about how minimalistic it is. Sure it's not as easy as Motor A to side A and Motor B to side B, but, with minimal gearing, you have a platform that will drive straight.

When I added the RCX to control the mock-up, it was nifty to see that when Motor A is on, the platform drives straight. When I turn on Motor B at the same time, the platform turns, pivoting on one of the tires. So Motor A drives both axles, and Motor B steers. When Motor B is on without Motor A running, the platform spins right around with the pivot point between the two tires. Maybe a little movie to follow.

At this time, I've put the drive/steer platform on hold and am working on the light sensor/block exchanger mechanism. When I get that done, along with the outer shell, I'll know how much weight I'll need to move around. Then I'll build the appropriate driving/steering platform to go along with it.

We'll see what happens.

every time someone made fun of Christ...

well, the world would be a different place.

I've been silent on this issue far longer than I thought I'd be. My reasoning was to keep my blood pressure low. But now buildings are burning and I can remain silent no longer.

Extremism, in any form, is bad.

There. That's all I wanted to say.

I'll add this little thing--

Any Muslim person that calls for the execution of anyone is an infidel.

The political cartoons were satire. Should the newspaper have published them? I don't make decisions for others. Would I have? Well, probably not, but only because it would be my belief that extremists would react negatively.

And look what happened--they did.

In the 21st century, when most people are at least trying to be tolerant of the differences of others, here we have the extremist Muslims who show us that they haven't left the 11th century.

Idiots all.

Yeah, I'm calling you out. You with your face covered, brandishing your guns and burning the flags of Europe--you're the infidel. You really don't have a clue about Allah's teachings. Your 'Allah' and your 'Mohammed' aren't the true God or prophet of God. But really, I should be blaming your parents, and your grandparents, and your ancestors who perpetuated this type of abhorrent behaviour from generation to generation.

No I'm not going to be quiet. For too long, civil society has been quiet--"They'll come around", "They'll see the light". Well, that isn't happening. Now, because of a cartoon depicting MoHammed with a bomb-as-turban, or one that states "Stop Stop! we ran out of virgins", there are embassies burning in the world.

I'm angry! I have many friends who have young children (or are expecting) and I'd like to give these children a world without fear, without terror. When I see them, I'd do anything to keep the monsters from them. And you, the 'Estremist Muslim' with your face covered in scarfs, shooting up the town and threatening the execution of a political cartoonist, are the monsters. You're bullies. You're fear-mongers. And most important, you just proved the point of the cartoonist--you truly are threatening, killing and blowing things up because you don't like the way we do things. You don't like our freedoms, our society, and you want to scare, beat, and kill the rest of the world into submitting to your prophet and god.

Well, I for one will never bow before your idea of Allah.

I for one, will never listen to the teachings of your MoHammed.

For they are false.

I truly believe that the actions of the believers reflect their god. My God had a great example--what you do to the least of them, you do unto me--He was talking about the widows, the orphans, the sick. How we treat our fellow person, especially those who can't help themselves, is how we reflect our God.

And the reflection I'm getting from you is plain to see--You terrorize. You don't care who you scare as long as someone's scared into submission.

And now that it's splashed across the world, all of us can see that as well--your god and prophet aren't worthy of my spit, yet alone my worship.

And I'm standing up, with no mask and no terror, to say to you--you're a jackass. You will find that you can't scare people into following you. It doesn't work that way.

You're a joke, just like your false god. And the more buildings you burn over political cartoons, the bigger joke you will be. People will see through your acts of terror and see what is truly at the heart of your beliefs--nothing. Nothing at all.

"What you do to the least of them you do unto me"

You want a real God? Don't need to look much further than that.

- - -

For another take on this (with the cartoons to boot)--

Sweet Swan of Kennet

Depictions of MoHammed over the centuries

Mohammed Image Archive

Thanks to this LUGNET post for these links--

Re: Danish cartoons outrage some Muslim groups and nations

Where's my fourth season?!?

I live in Canada because I enjoy all the seasons--Spring, Summer, Autumn, and now that elusive one--WINTER!!!

Where is it??? Did it snow once in January? Not in the Greater Hamilton area. What's this rain thing doing in the winter months???

I thought winters in my twentys/early thirtys were bad--this year, Winter is nowhere to be seen!

(Probably painted itself pink and is hiding behind an SEP field somewheres...)

Eh, saying this now, we'll probably get a brutal February--it'll start blizzarding the second I put the snow shovel back into the garage...

I'll be ready, though, what, with the brand new snow tires I put on the truck in November.