arm points

Galileo, Sally Headford's new kitten, at a housefilk
on the weekend.


So I've started to think of my arm capability in terms of points, where the term "point" represents a certain amount of time that I'm able to use my arms before they start getting sore. On good days, I have more points. Recently, arm points are being used up before I can get to Blatherings, mainly in preparation for our Vienna trip (extra research and formatting for my Market Watch column, for example) as well as for the Gathering.

Still hoping to update Waiting For Frodo once or twice more before the Return Of The King premieres in a couple of weeks. :-)



A needlepoint that Allison made.




A close-up of the needlepoint.

November/2003 comments: Read | Post | LJ

library poll

Note my sister's artwork!


My sister was asked to do the summer reading program poster for the Toronto Public Library system last year, and they liked her artwork so much they decided to revamp ALL Toronto public library cards for young readers with the picture. This means that from now on anyone 18 years old and younger in the Greater Toronto Area who needs a library card will get one with Ruth's artwork on it. I have such a cool sister.

A survey for you fellow book-lovers out there: when was the last time you were in a library? What is your favorite library and why? Do you have an active library card?

My favorite libraries, in no particular order:

Northern District Library
- large children's literature section, lots of tables
- part of the Toronto public library system

Metro Reference Library
- biggest public library in Toronto

Robarts Library
- University of Toronto library...was a central hangout for me and my university friends.

Goethe Institut library
- free lending library of German language books, videos

D'Youville College Library
- Lots of work space, power outlets and natural light
- cute reference librarian ;-)

I confess to an obsession with libraries. Just seeing the word "Library" in a sign makes my fingers twitch, my breath quicken, even if it's a collection specializing in an obscure academic topic about which I know nothing. Just the IDEA of looking at the shelves and shelves of books fills me with anticipatory joy. Add the words "book sale" and I start frothing at the mouth.

Don't get me wrong ... I love bookstores with a passion as well. But libraries are different. They want you to walk out their front door with armloads of books and magazines and videos without paying a cent. They carry all your old childhood favorites, musty-smelling and dog-eared and loved.

I love taking my laptop and working in a library, finding a secluded cubicle or table, surrounded by books and knowledge. No refrigerator or coffee machine to distract, the inspiration of feverish-looking students poring over their textbooks and notes. Sadly, using ViaVoice in a library is not too practical, so I will have to wait until my arms heal.

THANK YOU to Gary McGath for mailing me two issues of a German educational kids' magazine called GeoLino for reading practice! The magazine looks like fun and I can actually pick out words here and there, more than I expected.

November/2003 comments: Read | Post | LJ

powerbook g4

So I am typing this (or rather dictating this) using my NEW POWERBOOK G4, which I inherited from Jeff after he upgraded to a newer machine. He spent most of yesterday moving stuff over from my old laptop and making sure everything was working. For a brief and somewhat discouraging spell, I thought I was going to have to retrain ViaVoice from scratch, including reprogramming all my macros.

Happily, this isn't going to be necessary. In fact, ViaVoice seems to work much better on my newer machine; it's much quicker and more accurate. Perhaps I'll be able to start work on my novel sooner than I thought. :-)

Jeff has also upgraded many of my applications, including Corel Painter, which has a much nicer interface and lots of extra features. I'm pretty excited about experimenting with it, especially since the Wacom artpad is easier on my arms than a regular mouse. I'll be posting some of my experiments in my Blatherings as I try out various features. Right now my goal is becoming familiar enough with the new interface to be able to resume Waiting For Frodo, which only has another few weeks left in its lifetime!

Last night, Parki and I went to his sister's art show (Kate Parkinson, who posts as "cartoonkate" in Blatherchat sometimes). Excellent show, Kate is way talented. You can see some of her work at http://www.cartoonkate.com/.

November/2003 comments: Read | Post | LJ

mars talk

Many thanks to Norman Cates for his help with the Waiting For Frodo strip above. Last night I attended the meeting of the Royal Astronomical Society with Jeff and Andy (both are members) to hear a lecture by Ivan Semeniuk, who is the astronomy columnist for the Discovery Channel, speaking about the current Mars missions - two Rovers are scheduled to land in early January. Ivan is a fantastic speaker; his enthusiasm is infectious. Although I've always been interested in the idea of space exploration, I think I've grown a bit jaded over the years. I had seen some of the Mars photos in Ivan's slide show before, but last night I was struck by the wonder all over again. Some of these pictures weren't created in a Hollywood special-effects studio, after all; they were actual photos taken in a place 35 MILLION MILES AWAY. How cool is that? Ivan giving his talk at last night's Royal Astronomical Society meeting. November/2003 comments: Read | Post | LJ

flying tips

Restaurant in Richmond Hill.


Exactly two weeks until we leave for Vienna! I'm very hyped. I tend to go a bit overboard whenever we make plans to go traveling anywhere overseas. I figure that if we're spending all that money on airfare and traveling for so long to get there, it's worth the time to do a little extra research. Hey, and maybe learn a bit of a language. :-)

I love how the Internet has made it so much easier for travelers, with possibilities of online flight and hotel reservations, a wealth of research information available in private and corporate Web sites as well as online communities. Not all the information is accurate, of course, which is why I've found it essential to never rely solely on one source; this also applies to my online research for articles.

I'm not a hugely experienced traveler, but I'm also aware that I may have more experience than some, especially after my 6 month stint in Philadelphia, flying home every other weekend. I used to love flying; now, I'm somewhat more jaded. Here are a few tips I've picked up over the years:

- Always called ahead to find out if your flight is on time. This will save you from spending money on a taxi or shuttle only to find that your flight has been cancelled and having to turn around and go home again (yes, this happened to me in Philadelphia).

- Sound-blocking headphones are a godsend on long flights, not only allowing you to properly listen to your music as well as pass the time, but also give your ears a break from the incessant roar of the motor.

- I've found that the temperature on most flights tend to be on the cold side once your plane reaches cruising altitude, so I always take a sweater or other extra layer with me.

- If you're taking a laptop, you can charge up the batteries in the waiting area before the flight. Make sure you're plugged into an active outlet.

- Bring an inflatable neck pillow, moisturizer, earplugs, eye mask, travel slippers or warm socks (and take your shoes off during the flight), a bottle of water.

- If you ask for front row seats for more leg room, remember that you won't have any underseat storage space in front of you.

- Ask for a pillow and blanket at the beginning of the flight and then tuck them under the seat in front of you until you need them; supplies may run out later on.

- On longer flights, take short walks around the plane to stretch your muscles.

- Bring your own snacks so you don't have to rely on flight attendants' schedules.

- If you plan to sleep for most of the flight, get a window seat.

- If you find yourself beside and overly talkative neighbor, put on headphones, even if your Walkman or iPod is not turned on.

- Fill out your customs card at the beginning of the flight so you don't have to worry about it later on.

Any other suggestions? Any frequent/seasoned travelers out there?

November/2003 comments: Read | Post | LJ