Be humble

It has been 5 months since I started using the Rogers Portable Internet system.  During the initial period of use, I was quite optimistic that this was a viable solution.  5 months later, I am still satisfied.  The promotional material indicates that the technology provides for 1.5 megs download speed and 256 K upload.  Over 5 months, I have performed 125 speed tests.  The average download speed has been 1.7 megs and the average upload speed has been 207 K.  The system has been reliable.  Even during extended power outages, the Rogers network maintained service. 

The first two weeks required a few trips to my roof to re-align my antenna, and I suspect with the befit of hindsight that was more pilot error than a system issue.  I am also aware of a few customers living in my general area who are using the inside antenna.  In my case, the inside antenna was inadequate.

I have had two outages.  The first was handled quickly.  A call to Rogers involved a short wait on hold and then I spoke to an English speaking CSR who walked me though a few tests, and then filed a repair ticket.  I was told it could take 24-48 hours.  Within an hour my telephone rang and a recorded message advised that my ticket had been resolved.  It was.

The second outage was a few weeks ago.  The connection went dead and I called Rogers.  Again, a few minutes on hold and then I was speaking to an English speaking CSR.  A few tests and still no connectivity.  Logically, I was requested to reboot my modem by unplugging and plugging back in, bypassing my wireless router and rebooting my computer.  All logical and all had been done before I called.  Still, I knew they had to work through their script.  At this point, the CSR told me he could see my modem (remote diagnostics) and there did not appear to be any problem.  I asked him to wait while I tried something - and then I turned my modem off.  Asked him  to see if he could still see my modem and he advised he could.  At that point I asked to speak to his supervisor. 

Supervisor confirmed that he could see some erratic readings from the tower and would file a trouble ticket.  I would receive a recorded message when resolved.  I did not check the connection for 4 hours, but when I checked all was well.  I never received the recorded message.

If you live in an area that is not served by another ISP, Rogers may be a good solution for you.  Their service map is in error as many happy customers are living in areas that are not indicated on their map.  If you try their service and you have no signal, just take the modem back and you receive a full refund. 

(sniff), “well, ya can’t wear one of those, on a Harley”, Al said, when he saw my shiny new full face motorcycle helmet.  It appears that one must wear an open face helmet when riding a Harley.  (for the record, I did wear an open face helmet when I rode a Harley). 

I just received a pair of pants (why is a single pant known as pair?) designed to give some protection in the event of a motorcycle accident.  Denim, lined with Brazilian leather (do ya suppose Brazilian leather is different?) and CE armour.  All of the additional stuff is intended to protect the import bits after an unplanned come-off.  The pants are cut specifically for motorcycle riding comfort - think of a somewhat crouched position - so the cut is what I would describe as baggy arsed.  Between the leather and the cut, I look like one of those kids that just took a big dump in diaper.  It is not flattering!  I was ready to send the pants back.

Then I thought about Al’s comment.  Protection VS appearance.  (Hell, I am as vain as the next person).  Then again, I never did give a shit what others think and it is to late to change.  I now wear a full face helmet because it is safer.

The guy who was wearing this helmet had an accident. That’s his helmet after he suffered a crash in West Virginia. He came out of it just fine—thanks to his full-face helmet. No facial reconstruction was needed. In fact, because he was wearing full gear, he was able to ride home!

The diagrams below show the impact areas on crash-involved motorcycle helmets. (Source: Dietmar Otte, Hannover Medical University, Dept. of Traffic Accident Research, Germany.) Note that 35% of all crashes showed major impact on the chin-bar area. This means that if you ride with an open-face helmet, you are accepting only 65% of the protection that could be available to your head.

If you ride with a shorty or half helmet, you are accepting only 39% of the protection you could obtain. You are literally throwing away 61% of the protection you would have had had you chosen a full-face helmet.

And, of course, if you ride wearing a “novelty” helmet or no helmet at all then you have none of the protection you could have chosen.

You decide.

Thanks to Jeff Dean for this information - the dean of BMW motorcycle sites.

Stephane Dion’s evangelical push for a carbon tax, will, in my opinion, only serve to fuel the increasing active dump Dion camp.  Being a good and decent man with a logical and well meaning approach does not, a successful leader make.

The prospect of a fun-filled summer of political campaigning based on a carbon tax is a fascinating one. Imagine the scenes at barbecues and other summery events in the Maritimes, all over Quebec and Ontario, and across the West. The price of gasoline is up to $1.30 a litre, propane is up to $1 or more, the coming winter’s heating bills are looking grim. And along comes Mr. Dion, big smile, with a bright greeting: “Hey, good to see you. How much did you pay to fill up that propane tank on the barbecue? $20! Boy, that’s cheap. I’ve been thinking of adding a carbon tax to raise the price. What do you think about that?”

Stimulation provided by Terence Corcoran.

I have decided to sell Oleg, a 2005 Ural Patrol sidecar equipped motorcycle.  A few detail:

• 23,000 KM
• Approximately 40 HP
• Top speed approximately 105 KPH
• Aux fuel tank from Tour Tank installed.
• Herzog gear upgrade has been done
• Richard Maund options - sidecar cover, side curtains, leather mud flaps
• Ural bike fairing and sidecar windshield.
• 2 wheel drive (sidecar wheel can be engaged)
• Reverse gear
• Russian spotlight
• Complete sidecar upholstery kit installed
• Hand shifter included

The current model price is $13,795 +$750 set-up and delivery.  I have over $1,500 invested in options which makes this bike $16,000 to replace (plus tax).

These motorcycles are unique and attract attention wherever I go.  If I don’t change my mind, the first $9,000 takes it. (Canine not included)

Reason for selling - I have another project in mind.

If my TV was to be disconnected today, I very much doubt I would be distressed.  (Herself would be very distressed).  While I enjoy staring mindlessly at the 42 inch plasma screen at the end of the day, It is more of an unwinding tool that I use to relax before sleep.  I will glance at many shows when surfing through the myriad of channels, but few can hold my attention.  There are a few shows on Discovery or History that will actually keep my attention, but they are few and far between.  Live at 5 is usually on while we have supper, and it is my preferred (TV) news source.  (Really, boys, how can you not look forward to seeing Cindy Day read the weather).  Our local bland, boring and buffoonery 6 PM news has lost me, but I will watch the first 5 minutes each night.

....and then I discovered House!  Hugh Laurie is absolutely brilliant.  Having just watched the entire first season, I am looking forward to watching the entire second season.  While the general theme of each show can become somewhat repetitive, the acting is astonishing and the casting of actors is perfect. 

Bones comes second.  Really, Michaela Conlin, how hot is she?

Just a few questions and a few facts. 

Fact: We are told that we have insufficient radiologists to keep up with the demand.

Fact: We are told that radiologists interpret the various diagnostic images and submit a report to our doctors.

Fact: We are told that the Provincial government is actively recruiting more radiologists.

Fact: From one doctor’s lips - “if you are not close to dead, you will wait 3-6 months for an ultra-sound.

Fact: It took over 3 months for me to get an ultra-sound.

Fact: It can take up to 4 months for a non-urgent image to be read by the radiologist. (This from a doctor’s lips)

Fact: Diagnostic images are put on line, immediately, and your doctor can review the image on-line.   If your doctor sees something that is identified as a concern, your image will receive prompt attention.  (This from a doctor’s lips)

Fact: Software developers, software vendors and hardware vendors have been suckling at the plump government teat for years and years.

Fact: The actual medical hardware I.E. MRI, is underutilized - the delay is due to demand on to few radiologists.

Question: (See where I am going, people?)  Digital images, on-line, already being viewed by doctors (at least those that care).  Uh, do you suppose with that type of technology already being used, that we might employ radiologists who do not live in Paradise (gasp) to review on-line images.  Not every jurisdiction is short of radiologists - perhaps they might enjoy the opportunity to make a few bucks helping out their poor cousins in the East?

Question: Are their vested interests that prevent this?

...and now we hear that our Provincial leaders are about to enter into a cozy deal with Aliant to distribute high-speed (as defined by Aliant) Internet access to rural areas of PEI.  Rumours are flying that the very same leaders are on the verge of cutting a deal with Maritime Electric to grant them control for the transport of all wind generated electricity.

One of my friends put it quite nicely. “It’s like going back a decade...but I guess that’s exactly what happens when no one is able to remember why it all failed last time”.

Interesting times!

..and kudos!  What a great idea!

The next person that says poor man’s fertilizer is going to be slapped.

Doing stuff, talking about stuff and reading about stuff.  Most of my friends do stuff.  Most also talk about stuff and read about stuff, but they also are ‘doers’.  At times, some of the stuff that they do has a certain amount of risk.  It is risk that has me thinking about what I do.

I am not one of those guys that lives on adrenaline, or tries to live on the edge.  Hell,  I am a 60 year old insurance rascal (yeeehaaaa).  I have no desire to hurt myself, no desire to hurt anyone else and I live a pretty boring existence. 

However, life without some sort of excitement takes on a black and white appearance whereas a little excitement turns life into colour.  Excitement for me involves a little risk - but risk that I have accessed and am comfortable with.  I think I am objective when consider risk and make objective judgement.  I have always wanted to fly small airplanes and some years back I started taking pilot lessons.  After a few lessons I realized I did not have what it takes to be a pilot and I stopped.  I had the potential of killing myself or someone else - not good.

I still love to fly.  A few years ago there was an ultra-light gypsy pilot in the neighbourhood selling rides.  I watched him for a few weeks and could see he was a damn good pilot.  So I flew with him.  I had every orifice puckered, but oh dear, I still grin at the memory.  A good friend flies a hot air balloon.  I will fly with him any time any place.  A little risk perhaps, but he is someone that I trust and he is as concerned about his own safety as I am concerned about mine.  I ride a motorcycle - sometimes at imprudent speeds - but always with a thought to the potential of hurting someone else, and always with an awareness of what I am doing.

I still want to sky dive, and I may yet.  Most likely not - but I can still think about it.  I do not want to bungee jump.