Grizby's Journal of Stuff

The colours man! The Colours!

2009-12-08T07:27:16Z

Brought to you by Japanese animation genuousness-ess.

I love the way the short visual narratives meld together. :) It's anime music video awesomeness.

SOTD (Speech of the Day)

2009-12-03T04:49:37Z

New York State senator Diane Savino on the marriage equality bill that was defeated. She makes an amazing argument, but unfortunately it just wasn't enough.

grizby @ 2009-11-20T13:29:00

2009-11-20T21:29:41Z

As some have pointed out, it doesn't take much to get my attention. Slap a bear on a poster and 90% of the time I'd stop to read what it's about. I'm a bit of a sucker that way... Which brings me to my new favorite comic, Molly and the Bear drawn by Bob Scott of Pixar!

I love his artwork style, but wish he would use something other than Comic Sherpa to distribute his comics...

Awaken the Activist within you!

2009-11-19T05:53:34Z

This poster caught my eye when I was grabbin' my morning tea today

Author Andrew Nikiforuk and renowned photographer Ian McAllister team up to discuss the effects of a proposed Enbridge pipeline that would carry oil from Alberta’s Tar Sands to the BC coast. Their photographs and stories highlight the social and environmental costs of Tar Sands development and provide a clear call to action to protect BC’s wild coast. Discussion will follow presentation.

This is a free event hosted at the Norm Theatre in UBC at 12:30pm on Thursday November 26th, and 7:00 on the same day at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts in Burnaby.

Vancouver International Security Conference

2009-11-18T06:43:46Z

This morning I was about to post "I'M GOING TO REBOOT!" (yes, with caps-lock excitement and everything), but one rescheduled project later and BAM! I went from happy to mopey. For anyone interested in security, I hear the Vancouver International Security Conference is a great conference to attend. Registration might be rather steep, so try and convince your boss or what not to pay for you as work related learning experience (But don't let that jerk* slip you any schedule changes in the last minute).

Anyways, time to sulk a little more and watch some youtube

* - I mean that in the most respectful way possible :)

grizby @ 2009-10-17T01:26:00

2009-10-17T08:41:17Z

This made me smile. :D Sometimes it’s not about winning, just having fun and being a kid again.

Nothin much to say lately. All is well, and I found a group that's into epic boardgames :) I finally got to break out Twilight Imperium for the first time in almost two years. Arkham Horror + Expansion game is happening on the 30th of October, and still have room for one more paranormal investigator to battle against the unspeakable horrors of Cthulhu. If anyone's interested, let me know!

:D

2009-10-06T05:23:27Z

What I've Learned

2009-09-25T08:20:30Z

I've neglected to post anything in the last few months. Partially due to laziness and due to the craziness that is life. I decided to cover the events as what I've learned.

1. Most (edit) US doctors have never heard of Kawasaki Disease, luckily however, Doctors at BC Children's hospital recognizes the symptoms immediately.
2. My nephew is deathly afraid of needles.
3. I should double check that all personal data is backed up before formatting.
4. Foundation wall movements can easily crack shitty gray Polybutylene piping and cause the crawlspace to flood.
5. There was a class action lawsuit against the piping company that I missed out on.
6. I had left a bunch of poor Teddy Bears neglected in the crawl space. I now have a good number of them up for adoption.
7. Robotic teddy bears that convulses repeatedly from faulty programming, goes from cute to creepy really quickly.
8. Nitinol damn is hard to control
9. Do not underestimate old Chinese couples playing Badminton at the Racquet's Club, and I have completely forgotten how to do a proper backhand smash.
10. I'm addicted to Henry Weinhard's Vanilla Cream soda.
11. Virgil's Root Beer is too expensive for an addiction, but it's sooo damn good.
12. Loopin' Louie makes a great drinking game.

That is all...

I unfortunately lost the story I wrote up about my first MUD romance in the format :( I was actually kinda proud about that initial draft...

Goodbye CompuServe... Thanks for the great memories

2009-07-05T04:43:46Z

After 30 years of operation, CompuServe shutdown their services last week. Sadly, AOL didn't go down with them...

http://www.basexblog.com/2009/07/03/compuserve-requiem/

My first Internet access was through CompuServe, and I remember playing around with Gopher and then later surfed the net with Netscape and Lycos. CompuServe also introduced me to MUDs (Multi User Dungeons), where I first learned to code in C, and where I had my frist online fantasy relationship and marriage... ;) but that's a story for another time.

Goodbye CompuServe, RIP.

Happy Birthday Canada!

2009-07-01T20:52:39Z

In proper Stong's (local independent grocerty store) Canada Day tradition, I present to you a 12ft tall Coca Cola flag!

I'm not sure how I'll celebrate it this year. There's lotsa festivities going on in Cloverdale, with Bif Naked and 5440 playing live that some of my friends are going to. At the same time tho, I feel like just having some quiet time at home. *Sighs* Miss ya already Sarah...

Obama Destroys Fly with Presidential Kung Fu Skills

2009-06-19T17:51:49Z

And PETA immediately issued a statement condemning the death of the fly.

No, seriously, they did.

I get Job! Possibly...

2009-06-17T21:17:11Z

I will definitely have a job if I can manage to pass the CISSP exam in September... if not, I guess it's back to UBC to finish off those pesky credits, and maybe hope for department funding.

Exams usually don't scare me much, cuz usually for the most part I couldn't care less about those courses. The CISSP exam on the other hand, just thinking about it makes me nervous, and it's barely three months away. I have the utmost respect for this exam and those who are able to pass it. CCNA, apparently, is a walk in the park compared to CISSP in terms of the depth and breadth of the material and complexity of questions, not to mention the exam is also six hours long...

My CISSP book is coming in a few days, I guess I'll take some time to find some more resources and gauge my confidence before I slap down $550 USD wager that I can pass the exam (no, not an actual bet, just the early bird registration fee).

A silver lining to a rather depressing day

2009-06-11T06:54:04Z

Well, I managed to set Emp-Bear on fire again. It seems that the breathable lining that I used to reduce the heat and prevent fires, caught fire. :P I guess I should be thankful that the majority of the circuits came out unscathed.

Anyways, on to happier news, Sarah's commin' through Vancouver fer a couple of days! *dances* Must have her bring me an HTC Android phone from Asia.

Also, I found a 4ft Steiff bear for $150...

I probably shouldn't get the bear... but it's such a rare bear at an awesome price! Just the discounts alone makes my Chinese bartering genes tingle with joy!

I still blame the recession

2009-06-10T21:12:11Z

Well, just found out today that our funding has been cut. Maybe the Yohanan will finally ok me to post about the project...

I guess on the up side, I can finally stop working for peanuts and actually go find a real job now. Soooo, anyone need a Code-Monkey? :)

Anyways, time to finish off the report so I can collect the last of my peanuts.

Gluttonous Day

2009-05-09T09:41:56Z

Ever had one of those days where you eat and eat, but yet still constantly hungry? Ever finished a sizable meal, wash the dishes then feel like you're hungrier than before the meal?

Today was one of those days. I literally went from 11am to 2pm just making and eating food.
From morning till now, I've had 2 bowls of cereal, a bowl of yogurt with a granola bar, 4 eggs (two scrambled, two over easy), 5 pieces of toast, 4 farmer's sausages, left over mashed potatoes, 2 tins of sardines, a tin of tuna, a turkey breast sandwich with a side of baked potato wedges, a bacon cheddar burger (at Cucumber Cafe for dinner), a bowl of instant noodles, 2 bananas, an apple and a pear.

... I seriously have to do something about my eating habits before my metabolism decides to quit on me.

* I'm burning off calories just from all the chewing! :D *

Board Game-ages

2009-04-21T02:14:10Z

I've become quite a board game fanatic in the last few years. I have about 23 games ranging from 'The Game of LIFE' to 'Twilight Imperium' and such card games like Fluxx and Saboteur. For the last 2 1/2 - ish years I've been going pretty regularly to Craving For a Game (all the way in Central City Mall [Surrey]) for their game nights.

Today tho, I brought my copy of Stone Age to the lab for a game or two with the Wargamers and it caught the eye of my project manager. Having only played Monopoly and other such widely released North American games, Stone Age seemed to pique his interest and after some convincing, change his stereotype of "boardgames is fer kiddies". The multitudes of bright coloured pieces and artfully designed game boards matched with an interesting gameplay style was enough to convince him to try a game.

I'll see tonight if I can open the door to Eurogames for my newest victim. This would be the first time I've used Stone Age as an Intro Game, but I have faith that it would be well received.

Anyways, enough of my boredom rant, must get back to studyin'

Here's a plug to my gallery for some random game pics

Industrial Waste - Unfortunately out of print, but an awesome must play game if you can get your hands on it!

Another bear in the family...

2009-04-16T10:47:24Z

Found this poor bear sitting with a lonely look in a Sally Ann the other day. The woman who had been looking in the toy bin before had roughly tossed him aside, and he lain uncomfortably upside down in a bin of old clothes and shoes. So I had to get the bear, not only because of the mistreatment, but also cuz he's an old large retired Tender Teddy from Gund.

Now he's all scrubbed, happy n' clean :)

grizby @ 2009-04-08T12:23:00

2009-04-09T04:16:20Z

OMG. Must. Watch.

... Ugh, reminds me tho, that I have to keep searching for the Book again. It was signed too... hopefully not lost or given to charity by mistake.

Star Wars.... Dallas Style!

2009-04-01T07:42:03Z

:D

That is all.

grizby @ 2009-03-28T22:37:00

2009-03-29T23:12:06Z

I Win! I WIN, I WIN, I WIN! Heeey Mr.Passer-by Crest on Birdman's Helmet! I Won!

I'm channeling X the Eliminator today for some odd reason...

grizby @ 2009-03-02T11:54:00

2009-03-02T20:13:30Z

... why do I look at food blogs when I'm hungry? It only serves to make me hungrier and delay me in actually aquiring nurishment.

Come, join me in droolings over delicious substananceses.

Hrmm... Maybe I'll nom on some sardines for lunch today

Best Ever Sardine Spread
Oil / Spring Water packed Sardines
Diced red onions
Fresh Herbs (like dill and parsely)
a sizable dollop of Dijon Mustard to spice it up
Salt
Pepper
A sprinkle of lemon juice

Mash it all together and eat it atop pretty much anything you want! I personally like it with chard, or romaine lettuce... Cuz you know, I'm all a health nut and what not :P

... Then to Timmy Ho's for a 20 pack-o-bits!

Forgot to add - Saturday January 24 2009: X-men Wolverine Filming

2009-01-30T03:00:02Z

They were filming X-Men Wolvering in UBC over the weekend. I was rather surprised by it, when I found that the path to my class was blockaded by an APC, a tank, two towers and a fence lined with razor wire. Someone really didn't want me to get to class on time that day it seems...

Rush the gates ya salty dogs! We must get to Engrish class and plunder we selves some grammar! Arr.
(I don't know why pirates are pillaging a landlocked military blockade guarding the department of arts building... but it seemed fitting when I wrote this)

Pics of the filming can be found on my friend's page here

Week-and-then-some in Review

2009-01-29T21:48:25Z

Busy Weeks! Where to begin?

Wednesday January 14 2009 - Dan Dennett

Daniel Dennett, an american philosopher, gave a talk at UBC hosted by Terry. Dan and I just managed to get seats after waiting outside for 40 minutes. It was well worth it tho! Was quite an interesting talk centered on evolution, for the celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the publication of the Origin of Species and 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth.

I didn't really learn of anything new that I haven't already read or watched on the Interwebs, but he did explain his take on the "meaning of life" in Q&A. "To find a person who is greater than you, and strive to be better than that person", (I apologise if I mis-quoted I can't seem to find it online, and the recording hasn't been posted yet) it's one that I've supplemented to my own philosophy of "I exist to 'sample' all of gods' creatures"

Thursday January 15 2009 - Dine Out Vancouver: Maurya Indian Cuisine

Great Food! Great Ambience! Horrible Lighting for Photos! And it's close by!
Delicousness meter: *dr00000000ls*

Karawari Prawns
Crisp fried Curry Leaf flavoured and lightly spiced prawns served on a banana leaf

Chicken Chettinad
Marinated Chicken in South Indian Chettinad paste of coconut, curry leaves and poppy seeds. A South Indian Specialty

Mango Kulfi
Indian pistachio and mango flavoured ice cream

Friday January 16 2009 - Dine Out Vancouver: AQUA RIVA

Aqua Riva... what can I say? Food was ok, except for one of the sides on the main dish. The Rice Pilaf cut my gums. It was hard, and almost crunchy. How the hell can anyone screw up rice pilaf??
Delicousness meter: *dr00000ls*

CHICKEN & CHORIZO COUSCOUS SOUP
with black lentils

TORTILLA CRUSTED RUBY TROUT
with avocado & baby tomato salsa, lime yogurt
and star anise rice pilaf

APPLE AND RAISIN BREAD PUDDING
with rum caramel sauce

Saturday January 17 2009 - Dine Out Vancouver: The Cannery Seafood Restaurant

The Cannery was awesome. The restaurant's located dock-side almost in the middle of the Vancouver International Port. The ambience is nice and cozy, but unfortunately their lease is almost up and they may have to relocate...
Delicousness meter: *dr000000000ls*

Corn & Yukon Gold Potato Chowder,
smoked paprika

Grilled Wild BC Salmon Filet,
mushroom fricassee

Lemon & Mango Sorbet,
Chantilly Creme

Monday January 20 2009 - Pasta workshop @ Portobello Restaruant

... unfortunately I was so hungry I already ate a good portion of the appetizer I made before I remembered to get a photo
Delicousness meter: *dr0000000ls*

Hand made pasta with smoked bacon cream sauce. Might not look like much, but the hand made pasta was really good. The dried pasta just doesn't really compare, but took quite a while to make. The sauce? Bacon! You just can't go wrong with bacon!

Wednesday January 22 2009 - Dine Out Vancouver: Seasons in the Park

Delicousness meter: *dr0000000ls*

Lobster Sherry Bisque
goat cheese mousseline, fresh dill

Pan Seared Wild Sockeye Salmon
red currant compote, blood orange butter sauce

Double Belgian Chocolate Cake

Thursday January 23 2009 - Dine Out Vancouver: Blue Water Cafe & Raw Bar

Went with Amy! Just managed to drag her out before she went off to Taiwan for CNY. The Place was awesome, great ambience, great food, and we got an awesome waitress. The Albacore Tuna Tataki was to die for.
Delicousness meter: *dr000000000ls*

Albacore Tuna Tataki
seared albacore with ponzu sauce and honey-mustard

Arctic Char
cooked a la plancha , served with celery, pearl onions and beluga lentils , fennel pollen and vanilla butter

Hazelnut + Almond Meringue
coffee butter cream and chocolate ganache

Monday January 26 2009 - Science Week UBC Keynote Speaker: The Amazing Randi

OMG! I got to meet James Randi! Unfortunately I suffered from a nasty case of fanboy-ism and just babbled some incoherent mumblings as I shook his hand. He was just that Amazing.

Thinkin' Back 2008

2009-01-07T08:30:55Z

Did some thinkin' while doing my grunt coding work in the lab today. I find that I really didn't do much in 2008. The only two events that really stick out in my mind were the sinus surgeries.

Lab work and research went well, but nothing groundbreaking... not that I was expecting anything groundbreaking really ;) I am disappointed that I didn't get any of my personal projects finished this year... well aside from my raid-ed data center, but I had that put off since late 2006.

Bleh, well time to set some priorities:
1. Graduate dammit.
2. Optimize Emp-Bear's Micro-controller instructions and fix the damn servos.
3. Finish 3D Galaga's engine, then do some modeling
4. Try to get job at ThreeWave
5. Procrastinate about getting the food site/blog up
6. Maintain self control when wanting to purchase more computer parts and Teddy bears

Actually... maybe I should move #6 up the list, I've spent waaaay too much on my hobbies. Most people are too nice to point that out to me or drop the subject after I give a half assed reply. My nephews on the other hand, didn't relent so easily. First statement to leave my youngest nephew's lips were "Uncle George, you have too many bears and computers", followed by, "Why do you have so much?". I found myself at a loss to actually give him a descent reason that he'd accept ;)

That isn't too many Bears is it?

Sinus Surgery: Act 2 Scene III

2009-01-05T22:29:45Z

I CAN BREATHE THROUGH BOTH NOSTRILS AGAIN!

... it's been so long...

*dances*
now I'll be washin' out dried blood in my sinuses for a week. Heheh, that's a pretty image isn't it?