Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Merry Christmas!
I hope all of you are having a very safe, very joyous Christmas, with all your family and friends!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
CANADA: A LEFTIST COALITION TAKES SHAPE
(From stratfor.com -- under fair use.)
Summary
Following a parliamentary vote Dec. 8, a minority coalition of leftist parties will likely displace Canada’s Conservative government, which does not feel particularly threatened by the development. Conservatives expect the coalition to dissolve within months and result in another round of elections in which the left will be thoroughly discredited.
Analysis
The leaders of Canada’s opposition parties, the Liberal Party and the New Democratic Party (NDP), signed an agreement Dec. 2 to replace the country’s Conservative Party government with a minority coalition. The plan is actually feasible under Canadian law, so long as the two leftist parties are backed by the fourth party in parliament, Bloc Quebecois (BQ), to hold a majority of the parliament’s seats. Parliament is scheduled to vote on the Liberal-NDP plan Dec. 8.
Under the terms of the deal, the two-party coalition would govern until June 30, 2011, and enjoy the support of BQ on votes of confidence until June 30, 2010. The Liberals would hold 18 Cabinet posts plus the premiership, with the NDP holding the remaining six Cabinet posts.
While representatives of the Conservative government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper do not want to get booted out of power, they also do not feel particularly threatened by the development. The Conservatives just emerged victorious from a re-election campaign seven weeks ago in which they ate away at the seats of both the Liberals and BQ, leaving the Liberals with their worst showing in history. The Conservatives see the leftist parties’ move as a desperate attempt to arrest Canada’s steady shift away from the left side of the ideological spectrum.
For their part, the Liberals hope to use the onset of recession to prove that they can still lead. The NDP, in contrast, is the perpetual third wheel that never quite makes it to the levers of power and is excited just to be in the limelight.
Even if the Dec. 8 vote goes as the Liberals and NDP expect, the Conservatives expect the coalition to dissolve within months at most and result in another round of elections in which the left will be thoroughly discredited. After all, the Liberal-NDP coalition would have to get all but eight of BQ’s 49 seats on every single parliamentary vote in order to rule.
While this confidence might have something to do with the Tories overdosing on party-line Kool-Aid, they do have some good points. Canada hasn’t been ruled by a coalition government in a century (its minority governments tend to rely on defectors from the other parties), and a Liberal-NDP coalition will actually have fewer seats (114) than the Conservatives it is ousting (143). Moreover, Liberal leader Stephane Dion has already resigned as party chief, yet his resignation does not take effect until May -- he plans on acting as prime minister until then. So the formative months of the coalition will witness a leadership struggle within the Liberals.
And the Liberal-NDP coalition will be relying on the firm and unwavering support of BQ -- a separatist political movement -- to hold the national government together, which is pretty close to irony distilled into physical form. BQ has supported the Conservatives at the national level before, but only in exchange for devolution of power to the provinces. Additionally, BQ and the Conservatives do not compete for votes; their core regions of support do not overlap. But the same cannot be said for BQ and the Liberals, which aggressively compete for influence in Quebec.
With the normal instabilities of coalition governments aside -- instabilities that no Canadian p`rty has experience mitigating -- the new government would also face internal party strife and depend on the support of a group that intends to dismantle not just the government, but also the country as a whole.
The timing also favors the Conservatives. The global recession is beginning to bite in Canada, a country that evaded the initial blows because of its strong internal market, balanced budget, American-style banking transparency and low exposure to subprime mortgages. But with the United States, Europe and Japan all going into recession simultaneously, and with Canada’s lucrative oil exports suffering from drastically lower prices, Canada cannot help but be slowed by the global economic headwinds. From the Conservative point of view, if the leftists want to take the reins forcibly at such a time, then they can go for it. The next item on the government’s agenda, no matter who is in charge, will be the budget. Taking over now could well force precisely the sort of bitter budget fight that tends to regularly scuttle coalition governments in Europe.
Copyright 2008 Stratfor.
---
I'm not allowed to get involved into politics while being openly affiliated with the CF, but I'll say that I'm a bit worried that a politician who resigned as leader of a party that obtained 26% of the popular vote will be PM and will tell the GG where to send our troops. (Or, rather, where to pull them back from.) Aren't those who support this travesty the same people who were whining about W. Bush being elected without the majority of the popular vote, even though he had twice as much as they do now?
Summary
Following a parliamentary vote Dec. 8, a minority coalition of leftist parties will likely displace Canada’s Conservative government, which does not feel particularly threatened by the development. Conservatives expect the coalition to dissolve within months and result in another round of elections in which the left will be thoroughly discredited.
Analysis
The leaders of Canada’s opposition parties, the Liberal Party and the New Democratic Party (NDP), signed an agreement Dec. 2 to replace the country’s Conservative Party government with a minority coalition. The plan is actually feasible under Canadian law, so long as the two leftist parties are backed by the fourth party in parliament, Bloc Quebecois (BQ), to hold a majority of the parliament’s seats. Parliament is scheduled to vote on the Liberal-NDP plan Dec. 8.
Under the terms of the deal, the two-party coalition would govern until June 30, 2011, and enjoy the support of BQ on votes of confidence until June 30, 2010. The Liberals would hold 18 Cabinet posts plus the premiership, with the NDP holding the remaining six Cabinet posts.
While representatives of the Conservative government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper do not want to get booted out of power, they also do not feel particularly threatened by the development. The Conservatives just emerged victorious from a re-election campaign seven weeks ago in which they ate away at the seats of both the Liberals and BQ, leaving the Liberals with their worst showing in history. The Conservatives see the leftist parties’ move as a desperate attempt to arrest Canada’s steady shift away from the left side of the ideological spectrum.
For their part, the Liberals hope to use the onset of recession to prove that they can still lead. The NDP, in contrast, is the perpetual third wheel that never quite makes it to the levers of power and is excited just to be in the limelight.
Even if the Dec. 8 vote goes as the Liberals and NDP expect, the Conservatives expect the coalition to dissolve within months at most and result in another round of elections in which the left will be thoroughly discredited. After all, the Liberal-NDP coalition would have to get all but eight of BQ’s 49 seats on every single parliamentary vote in order to rule.
While this confidence might have something to do with the Tories overdosing on party-line Kool-Aid, they do have some good points. Canada hasn’t been ruled by a coalition government in a century (its minority governments tend to rely on defectors from the other parties), and a Liberal-NDP coalition will actually have fewer seats (114) than the Conservatives it is ousting (143). Moreover, Liberal leader Stephane Dion has already resigned as party chief, yet his resignation does not take effect until May -- he plans on acting as prime minister until then. So the formative months of the coalition will witness a leadership struggle within the Liberals.
And the Liberal-NDP coalition will be relying on the firm and unwavering support of BQ -- a separatist political movement -- to hold the national government together, which is pretty close to irony distilled into physical form. BQ has supported the Conservatives at the national level before, but only in exchange for devolution of power to the provinces. Additionally, BQ and the Conservatives do not compete for votes; their core regions of support do not overlap. But the same cannot be said for BQ and the Liberals, which aggressively compete for influence in Quebec.
With the normal instabilities of coalition governments aside -- instabilities that no Canadian p`rty has experience mitigating -- the new government would also face internal party strife and depend on the support of a group that intends to dismantle not just the government, but also the country as a whole.
The timing also favors the Conservatives. The global recession is beginning to bite in Canada, a country that evaded the initial blows because of its strong internal market, balanced budget, American-style banking transparency and low exposure to subprime mortgages. But with the United States, Europe and Japan all going into recession simultaneously, and with Canada’s lucrative oil exports suffering from drastically lower prices, Canada cannot help but be slowed by the global economic headwinds. From the Conservative point of view, if the leftists want to take the reins forcibly at such a time, then they can go for it. The next item on the government’s agenda, no matter who is in charge, will be the budget. Taking over now could well force precisely the sort of bitter budget fight that tends to regularly scuttle coalition governments in Europe.
Copyright 2008 Stratfor.
---
I'm not allowed to get involved into politics while being openly affiliated with the CF, but I'll say that I'm a bit worried that a politician who resigned as leader of a party that obtained 26% of the popular vote will be PM and will tell the GG where to send our troops. (Or, rather, where to pull them back from.) Aren't those who support this travesty the same people who were whining about W. Bush being elected without the majority of the popular vote, even though he had twice as much as they do now?
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Xmas Ball
I haven't had time to write a review of the Xmas ball--it was good overall--and won't be able to get on it until the weekend. Until then, here's a picture.
The Scarlets and the Pretty Dress. Bubbly was nowhere to be found.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Christmas Ball
The RMC Christmas Ball, the social event of the year, is tonight. Sweeeeeeeeeet!
In other news, my life is insanely busy these days and considering how many hours I'm putting in, I'm paid about as much as a Nike worker from Bangladesh.
I should manage to resume blogging regularly once exams start (yes, I know) and definitely next semester, as I have a pretty "chill" bar position. (Section Commander, responsible for about 7 people instead of 70 people's admin...)
I'll try and post some Ball pictures later. Maybe.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Quoi de neuf Docteur ?
15 Novembre....Pffffff ! Le Fêtes vont arriver à grand pas ! Pas croyable....je ne vois plus le temps passer.
C'est drôle comme l'image de la Bloguosphère se modifie : Elle ne part plus pour Régina, Elle est redevenue célibataire, Il est en couple et va même cohabiter ( celle-là 'est bonne, lui qui est plus vieux garçon que j'pouvais être vieille fille :-) , Lui n'a plus le temps de jaser....histoire triste....*soupir* Elle est de retour, Lui est en couple et Lui ne se décide pas à publier.
Bah ! J'dis que la Bloguosphère change....dans l'fond ça va juste faire des histoires différentes à lire ;-)
Pour ma part....avez-vous quelques heures ?? ;-)))
Sérieux, j'sais même plus où j'en étais lors de mon dernier post en Août dernier....Au pire, si je radotes, pardonez-moi ;-))
Je suis toujours l'heureuse adulte significative de deux garçons super ( Attendez que je vous raconte la dernière ;-), j'habite toujours avec mon macho sweet, j'ai ré-activé mon permis d'agent Immobilier, avec deux chums j'ai ouvert un bureau de Courtage, je tiens la comptabilité de 3 entreprises, je développe un secteur d'une autre......en plus d'aller en Outaouais régulièrement pour accompagner mon père pour 2 chirurgies et gérer la situation de ma mère (elle est hospitalisée depuis 3 semaines et nous devrons la «placer» dans les prochains mois....si elle sort de l'hôpital, bien sûr *soupir* ).
Alors voilà les grandes lignes...
Et vous...quoi de neuf de votre côté ?
C'est drôle comme l'image de la Bloguosphère se modifie : Elle ne part plus pour Régina, Elle est redevenue célibataire, Il est en couple et va même cohabiter ( celle-là 'est bonne, lui qui est plus vieux garçon que j'pouvais être vieille fille :-) , Lui n'a plus le temps de jaser....histoire triste....*soupir* Elle est de retour, Lui est en couple et Lui ne se décide pas à publier.
Bah ! J'dis que la Bloguosphère change....dans l'fond ça va juste faire des histoires différentes à lire ;-)
Pour ma part....avez-vous quelques heures ?? ;-)))
Sérieux, j'sais même plus où j'en étais lors de mon dernier post en Août dernier....Au pire, si je radotes, pardonez-moi ;-))
Je suis toujours l'heureuse adulte significative de deux garçons super ( Attendez que je vous raconte la dernière ;-), j'habite toujours avec mon macho sweet, j'ai ré-activé mon permis d'agent Immobilier, avec deux chums j'ai ouvert un bureau de Courtage, je tiens la comptabilité de 3 entreprises, je développe un secteur d'une autre......en plus d'aller en Outaouais régulièrement pour accompagner mon père pour 2 chirurgies et gérer la situation de ma mère (elle est hospitalisée depuis 3 semaines et nous devrons la «placer» dans les prochains mois....si elle sort de l'hôpital, bien sûr *soupir* ).
Alors voilà les grandes lignes...
Et vous...quoi de neuf de votre côté ?
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
CONGRATULATIONS PRESIDENT-ELECT OBAMA
I'm quite happy to have witnessed this historical event, through the magic of live streamed TV online.
And President-Elect Obama even has puppies! PUPPIES!
Friday, October 3, 2008
Obstacle Course 2008
For you ex-cadets (and anyone else) who couldn't be there to see this year's obstacle course, here's a link to my facebook album where I put the 53 best pictures I took of Hunter Flight. (12 Sqn) You don't have to register to see the pictures.
http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2006539&l=1ca6e&id=171900516
It was a good obstacle course. Not as hard as when I was a first year, of course, but still. Tomorrow is the badging ceremony, when first years officially become human again. Well, almost human.
I'll go and hide from Mr. Roberts 3918(!), now. I really can't afford to buy a quintillion beers.
Oh, and if someone can find me I Genest 25318, I'll have him buy you one of my beers. ;)
http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2006539&l=1ca6e&id=171900516
It was a good obstacle course. Not as hard as when I was a first year, of course, but still. Tomorrow is the badging ceremony, when first years officially become human again. Well, almost human.
I'll go and hide from Mr. Roberts 3918(!), now. I really can't afford to buy a quintillion beers.
Oh, and if someone can find me I Genest 25318, I'll have him buy you one of my beers. ;)
Thursday, September 11, 2008
The end is nigh!
Woah.
Like, woah.
With 243DTG, I have now purchased my grad ring. I'll only be getting it some weeks from now, as they need to actually make it, but it's bought. I went for a fairly classic, and fairly large, ring in 10K gold, with the Navy crest on one side and the RMC crest on the other. (I'll post pictures as soon as I get the ring.)
I've been thinking lately about how soon it is that I'll graduate and enter "the real world." I won't be entering the full-blown real world, really, as I have much training to do still, but I'll likely go to sea next summer on a real warship (probably a frigate) and might even go on an exchange with a foreign navy--one of the Venture staff told us the French Navy exchange might be happening again next year (a friend of mine spent three weeks on a French frigate last summer), and there is apparently a long list of possible billets on American warships, from carriers to frigates. They generally don't put "acting subbies" on carriers because we'd (we as in just-commissionned officers, which I'm not yet, but will be by then) be too low on the pecking order, but if I can get on some ship in a battlegroup, that'd be pretty sweet. Of course, the ultimage geekgasm would be to go to sea on the USS Enterprise, but I won't hold my breath on that one. Point is, I'll be out of the academia and the routine, 8-to-4 life of a student-officer.
Still, some of my friends will be headed off to finish their army training and then go to whatever the next "combat" assignment is--they're not very likely to go to Afghanistan, or so I hear. Those in the air force will... uh.. keep drinking coffee in nice little offices. And those of us who are the pointy end of the Navy (MARS officers) will head off to the warm and fuzzy west coast to finish our training, and then get posted to various frigates and destroyers.
I don't know if it's MARS III that did it, or the brutal realization that in less than a year I'll hold the Queen's commission, but I feel much better prepared, and more willing, to endure whatever is thrown at me. It sucks at times, but it's just stuff that needs to be done--no big deal. My position--admin officer--entails lots and lots of paperwork and running around and keeping track of stuff and generally staff work that's aggravating and not very rewarding, and I get to do it on top of all the reading I need to do for class, but I don't really care. Not that I don't care about doing the job right, but I've just fallen into a sort of routine and although it feels like I have a fraction of the free time I had last year, it doesn't bother me all that much. Of course I'd love to sit around and play Guitar Hero all day, but somehow doing staff work and schoolwork--while not nearly as fun--fills my time just as well.
I think it's probably the combination of MARS III's grinding, debilitating descent into "useful" knowledge hell--where you learn tons and tons and tons of material that you need to regurgitate and that you're told you also need to remember for next year--and the fact that I'm told life as a JO is even harder, especially getting quals when you first get on ship. You can't work in the wardroom because of tradition, you don't rate an office, and the cabins are cramped, overflowing with people, and devoid of an acceptable number of computers... and you have to stand watches on top of earning your quals. Fun times ahead!
On the personal side... there really isn't much to say. The Navy (well, RMC) is my life right now. I've barely been off the peninsula so far, except for a shopping blitz the day after I got here, and I don't foresee much more forays into civiliandom.
I have, however, decided that I need to work on a fake british accent for those situations where pretending to be some kind of seafaring noble might come in handy. And maybe to try and charm the pants off some lovely ladies. (I'm in the Navy, what do you expect?!) I also require nicer uniforms, especially the high-collar whites (Top Gun). I would like to work on a fake French (as in the country) accent, but I doubt I can pull that off... I can't possibly sound that bad.
I have also decided that I shall try and use as much navyspeak in day-to-day conversation as possible. "Heads," "bulkheads," and everything else I can think of. Not so much because I'm used to it--I haven't been exposed to the Navy for long enough--but because I'm sick of always hearing armyspeak, especially coming from fellow naval officers.
All in all... it's going to be an interesting 242 days. I will try to post more... I'm in fourth year, the purpose of this blog is about to come to an end.*
To a bloody war or a sickly season...
*I won't fall off the blogosphere, or even switch to a new blog, but the point of this was to talk about RMC.
Edit: I forgot to mention: seeing that we're stuck wearing army combats (the "relish suit") vice naval combats... can we at least get back the boot bands that didn't suck?
Like, woah.
With 243DTG, I have now purchased my grad ring. I'll only be getting it some weeks from now, as they need to actually make it, but it's bought. I went for a fairly classic, and fairly large, ring in 10K gold, with the Navy crest on one side and the RMC crest on the other. (I'll post pictures as soon as I get the ring.)
I've been thinking lately about how soon it is that I'll graduate and enter "the real world." I won't be entering the full-blown real world, really, as I have much training to do still, but I'll likely go to sea next summer on a real warship (probably a frigate) and might even go on an exchange with a foreign navy--one of the Venture staff told us the French Navy exchange might be happening again next year (a friend of mine spent three weeks on a French frigate last summer), and there is apparently a long list of possible billets on American warships, from carriers to frigates. They generally don't put "acting subbies" on carriers because we'd (we as in just-commissionned officers, which I'm not yet, but will be by then) be too low on the pecking order, but if I can get on some ship in a battlegroup, that'd be pretty sweet. Of course, the ultimage geekgasm would be to go to sea on the USS Enterprise, but I won't hold my breath on that one. Point is, I'll be out of the academia and the routine, 8-to-4 life of a student-officer.
Still, some of my friends will be headed off to finish their army training and then go to whatever the next "combat" assignment is--they're not very likely to go to Afghanistan, or so I hear. Those in the air force will... uh.. keep drinking coffee in nice little offices. And those of us who are the pointy end of the Navy (MARS officers) will head off to the warm and fuzzy west coast to finish our training, and then get posted to various frigates and destroyers.
I don't know if it's MARS III that did it, or the brutal realization that in less than a year I'll hold the Queen's commission, but I feel much better prepared, and more willing, to endure whatever is thrown at me. It sucks at times, but it's just stuff that needs to be done--no big deal. My position--admin officer--entails lots and lots of paperwork and running around and keeping track of stuff and generally staff work that's aggravating and not very rewarding, and I get to do it on top of all the reading I need to do for class, but I don't really care. Not that I don't care about doing the job right, but I've just fallen into a sort of routine and although it feels like I have a fraction of the free time I had last year, it doesn't bother me all that much. Of course I'd love to sit around and play Guitar Hero all day, but somehow doing staff work and schoolwork--while not nearly as fun--fills my time just as well.
I think it's probably the combination of MARS III's grinding, debilitating descent into "useful" knowledge hell--where you learn tons and tons and tons of material that you need to regurgitate and that you're told you also need to remember for next year--and the fact that I'm told life as a JO is even harder, especially getting quals when you first get on ship. You can't work in the wardroom because of tradition, you don't rate an office, and the cabins are cramped, overflowing with people, and devoid of an acceptable number of computers... and you have to stand watches on top of earning your quals. Fun times ahead!
On the personal side... there really isn't much to say. The Navy (well, RMC) is my life right now. I've barely been off the peninsula so far, except for a shopping blitz the day after I got here, and I don't foresee much more forays into civiliandom.
I have, however, decided that I need to work on a fake british accent for those situations where pretending to be some kind of seafaring noble might come in handy. And maybe to try and charm the pants off some lovely ladies. (I'm in the Navy, what do you expect?!) I also require nicer uniforms, especially the high-collar whites (Top Gun). I would like to work on a fake French (as in the country) accent, but I doubt I can pull that off... I can't possibly sound that bad.
I have also decided that I shall try and use as much navyspeak in day-to-day conversation as possible. "Heads," "bulkheads," and everything else I can think of. Not so much because I'm used to it--I haven't been exposed to the Navy for long enough--but because I'm sick of always hearing armyspeak, especially coming from fellow naval officers.
All in all... it's going to be an interesting 242 days. I will try to post more... I'm in fourth year, the purpose of this blog is about to come to an end.*
To a bloody war or a sickly season...
*I won't fall off the blogosphere, or even switch to a new blog, but the point of this was to talk about RMC.
Edit: I forgot to mention: seeing that we're stuck wearing army combats (the "relish suit") vice naval combats... can we at least get back the boot bands that didn't suck?
Monday, August 25, 2008
On track by leadmark!
(Yes, not very imaginative, I know.. NABS have killed my inner child.)
So, I have passed MARS III. I actually passed last week, but kept trying to find something good to post before I actually posted anything. Sadly, I can't seem to come up with a good post that would sum up everything.
I also don't have any "new" qualifications. Although I'm now competent in navigation and such, I still can't drive a warship. I'm just qualified to go and do MARS IV next year. Yay me. Still, as much as NETP-O is supposed to "take a regular CF officer and make him into a Naval Officer", I feel much more like a naval officer now than I did after NETP-O. I actually have a job that I'm somewhat competent at, after waiting three years to do anything relevant to my career. Humping a rucksack and pretending to man OPs isn't exactly Navy-like. (Ok, American IAs might have a different opinion, but that doesn't count.)
I'm also pretty happy right now. RMC is going to suck this year (all kinds of stuff coming down that will affect me negatively, on top of having an admin position) but I'm finally seeing some light at the end of that tunnel, I'm fairly certain it's not a train, and after I graduate I'll probably get sent on some OJT on a frigate, which means some sea time, which means money and fun.
One guy from my course who had previous time in mentionned that a we go on in our careers, we'll realize that our friends in high school lead just about the same life as they did back then. While we'll be out doing cool stuff like driving around Vancouver Island (or driving off to Hawaii, Hong Kong, and other exotic locales) they'll be smoking pot, drinking beer, watching crappy TV, and they'll still be working at Best Buy. (Of course, one of my high school football teammates is in my class at RMC, but not that many people from high school seem to be doing anything remarkable.) I don't find it hard to believe; just this summer I've done some pretty cool stuff like driving a warship--even though it's just a patrol craft--in some relatively tight situations, and I have friends who went on RIMPAC and other such short deployments for the summer.
Anyway, real life is coming up pretty quickly. I'm ready for it, but it's a bit weird when you realize that in less than a year you'll have a commission and you'll probably be standing on the bridge of a warship out in the middle of the ocean, fighting off the communist hordes.
Okay, maybe not fighting off the communist hordes.
...recommend maintain...
So, I have passed MARS III. I actually passed last week, but kept trying to find something good to post before I actually posted anything. Sadly, I can't seem to come up with a good post that would sum up everything.
I also don't have any "new" qualifications. Although I'm now competent in navigation and such, I still can't drive a warship. I'm just qualified to go and do MARS IV next year. Yay me. Still, as much as NETP-O is supposed to "take a regular CF officer and make him into a Naval Officer", I feel much more like a naval officer now than I did after NETP-O. I actually have a job that I'm somewhat competent at, after waiting three years to do anything relevant to my career. Humping a rucksack and pretending to man OPs isn't exactly Navy-like. (Ok, American IAs might have a different opinion, but that doesn't count.)
I'm also pretty happy right now. RMC is going to suck this year (all kinds of stuff coming down that will affect me negatively, on top of having an admin position) but I'm finally seeing some light at the end of that tunnel, I'm fairly certain it's not a train, and after I graduate I'll probably get sent on some OJT on a frigate, which means some sea time, which means money and fun.
One guy from my course who had previous time in mentionned that a we go on in our careers, we'll realize that our friends in high school lead just about the same life as they did back then. While we'll be out doing cool stuff like driving around Vancouver Island (or driving off to Hawaii, Hong Kong, and other exotic locales) they'll be smoking pot, drinking beer, watching crappy TV, and they'll still be working at Best Buy. (Of course, one of my high school football teammates is in my class at RMC, but not that many people from high school seem to be doing anything remarkable.) I don't find it hard to believe; just this summer I've done some pretty cool stuff like driving a warship--even though it's just a patrol craft--in some relatively tight situations, and I have friends who went on RIMPAC and other such short deployments for the summer.
Anyway, real life is coming up pretty quickly. I'm ready for it, but it's a bit weird when you realize that in less than a year you'll have a commission and you'll probably be standing on the bridge of a warship out in the middle of the ocean, fighting off the communist hordes.
Okay, maybe not fighting off the communist hordes.
...recommend maintain...
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Histoire d'horreur....
Des histoires comme celle-ci, il y en a des tonnes. Je vais m'éloigner de mon rôle de méchante belle-mère pour faire une parenthèse sur l'achat d'une propriété.
Si ce texte permet, ne serait-ce qu'à une seule personne d'éviter de se retrouver dans la schnoutte, ça vaut la peine de l'écrire ;-).
Lorsque vous décider d'acheter une maison, de grâce soyez conscients qu'il s'agit du plus grand investissement de votre vie. Ceci dit, il est important de vous entourer de gens compétents.
Certaines personnes perçoivent les agent immobiliers comme des vendeurs de chars usagés. Sachez que depuis 1996, la loi sur le courtage immobilier régie de plus en plus sévèrement le métier de courtier et/ou agent immobilier. L'agent immobilier est là pour vous protéger et son assurance «erreur et omission» est une garantie contre les ....ben les erreurs et omissions possibles !
Choisissez votre agent. N'ayez pas peur de flusher un agent qui ne vous inspire pas confiance et/ou avec lequel vous ne vous sentez pas à l'aise.
Prenez garde à un agent qui semble trop pressé à vous faire faire une offre, qui ne répond pas à vos questions, qui semble ménager l'essence et n'est pas ouvert à vous faire voir plus d'une propriété.
Prenez votre agent, ne passez pas d'un agent inscripteur à un autre en pensant sauver sur la commission. Vous ne sauverez rien, car de toute façon, la commission est déjà calculer dans le prix d'inscription. Par-contre en ayant votre propre agent, celui-ci pourra aller négocier pour vous avec l'agent inscripteur et le vendeur. C'est à ce moment que vous aurez une chance de sauver quelques milliers de dollars.
Demander à votre agent de vous référer un inspecteur, un courtier hypothécaire et un notaire. Attendez-vous à se qu'il vous en offre au moins 3 !
Pourquoi ?
Pour que vous puissiez faire votre propre choix en comparant les différents services de chacun ainsi que leur taux. Le code de déontologie des agents exige qu'en aucun cas l'agent influence le choix des ses acheteurs. L'agent peut les guider, mais en aucun cas la décision doit être forcée.
Si un agent fait affaire avec qu'un seul inspecteur par-exemple, il est possible (j'dis pas que c'est nécessairement le cas) que l'agent soit de connivence avec l'inspecteur et que ce dernier ne relève pas toutes les anomalies pour faire passer la vente.
Un agent immobilier professionnel, se fout que la vente passe ou pas, il a à coeur le bien être de ses acheteurs et est conscient de l'investissement monétaire et affectif des futurs propriétaires.
De plus, un agent d'expérience saura, dès la première visite relevé les signes potentiels de problèmes.
( Quand je parle d'expérience, je ne parle pas juste du nombre de transactions que l'agent a effectué, demandez-lui plutôt si il assiste aux inspections avec ses clients. Malheureusement, plusieurs ne le font pas, ils sont donc un peu ignorant en la matière. Je me suis toujours fait un devoir, même si c'est long, plate et pénible parfois, de faire les inspections avec mes acheteurs. D'une part, j'ai appris pas mal de trucs et de l'autre, j'étais plus informée pour aider mes clients dans leurs choix et/ou plus outillée pour demander une baisse de prix, si l'état de la propriété en suggérait une ;-)
Un stylo sur le bas des murs aurait probablement fait allumer un agent sur l'état de la maison de Karla. Du gyps qui s'enfonce qu'avec une légère pression, c'est définitivement pas bon signe. Même chose pour les fenêtres, il est facile de voir si la maison a un taux d'humidité anormal en regardant le contour des fenêtres. Un agent d'expérience regardera attentivement au sous-sol, autour de la fondation, la brique, le toit ect...
C'est normal que l'agent «en manque quelques unes», c'est la job de l'inspecteur de faire une analyse plus méticuleuse. Par-contre à 500-600$ pour une inspection, si vous pouvez éviter ça et passer à une autre propriété (si il y a un grand potentiel de problème majeur), c'est déjà ça de gagner !
Avant de payer 500-600$ pour une inspection, demandez à votre agent d'obtenir une copie du certificat de localisation. Parfois il peut y avoir des problèmes à ce niveau, lesquels vous feraient passer outre cette propriété. Encore une fois, c'est mieux de le savoir avant d'avoir dépensé des centaines de dollars.
Aussi, dès le début de votre démarche, allez chercher une pré-approbation hypothécaire. D'une part pour savoir dans quel budget magasiner et de l'autre pour avoir le temps d,aller chercher le meilleur taux.
Gardez une chose en tête par-contre, lors de la pré-approbation aucune enquête de crédit n'est effectuée. La pré-approbation a pour but d'évaluer votre pourcentage d'endettement et votre capacité de payer. Si votre crédit est pauvre ou si vous avez déjà fait faillite il est important d'en aviser le courtier.....et surtout votre partenaire. J'ai malheureusement vue des couples se séparer à cause de certains squelettes financiers dans le placard !
Alors voilà....c'était mes p'tits conseils dominicaux !
Si vous avez des questions, n'hésitez pas à les poser !
Si ce texte permet, ne serait-ce qu'à une seule personne d'éviter de se retrouver dans la schnoutte, ça vaut la peine de l'écrire ;-).
Lorsque vous décider d'acheter une maison, de grâce soyez conscients qu'il s'agit du plus grand investissement de votre vie. Ceci dit, il est important de vous entourer de gens compétents.
Certaines personnes perçoivent les agent immobiliers comme des vendeurs de chars usagés. Sachez que depuis 1996, la loi sur le courtage immobilier régie de plus en plus sévèrement le métier de courtier et/ou agent immobilier. L'agent immobilier est là pour vous protéger et son assurance «erreur et omission» est une garantie contre les ....ben les erreurs et omissions possibles !
Choisissez votre agent. N'ayez pas peur de flusher un agent qui ne vous inspire pas confiance et/ou avec lequel vous ne vous sentez pas à l'aise.
Prenez garde à un agent qui semble trop pressé à vous faire faire une offre, qui ne répond pas à vos questions, qui semble ménager l'essence et n'est pas ouvert à vous faire voir plus d'une propriété.
Prenez votre agent, ne passez pas d'un agent inscripteur à un autre en pensant sauver sur la commission. Vous ne sauverez rien, car de toute façon, la commission est déjà calculer dans le prix d'inscription. Par-contre en ayant votre propre agent, celui-ci pourra aller négocier pour vous avec l'agent inscripteur et le vendeur. C'est à ce moment que vous aurez une chance de sauver quelques milliers de dollars.
Demander à votre agent de vous référer un inspecteur, un courtier hypothécaire et un notaire. Attendez-vous à se qu'il vous en offre au moins 3 !
Pourquoi ?
Pour que vous puissiez faire votre propre choix en comparant les différents services de chacun ainsi que leur taux. Le code de déontologie des agents exige qu'en aucun cas l'agent influence le choix des ses acheteurs. L'agent peut les guider, mais en aucun cas la décision doit être forcée.
Si un agent fait affaire avec qu'un seul inspecteur par-exemple, il est possible (j'dis pas que c'est nécessairement le cas) que l'agent soit de connivence avec l'inspecteur et que ce dernier ne relève pas toutes les anomalies pour faire passer la vente.
Un agent immobilier professionnel, se fout que la vente passe ou pas, il a à coeur le bien être de ses acheteurs et est conscient de l'investissement monétaire et affectif des futurs propriétaires.
De plus, un agent d'expérience saura, dès la première visite relevé les signes potentiels de problèmes.
( Quand je parle d'expérience, je ne parle pas juste du nombre de transactions que l'agent a effectué, demandez-lui plutôt si il assiste aux inspections avec ses clients. Malheureusement, plusieurs ne le font pas, ils sont donc un peu ignorant en la matière. Je me suis toujours fait un devoir, même si c'est long, plate et pénible parfois, de faire les inspections avec mes acheteurs. D'une part, j'ai appris pas mal de trucs et de l'autre, j'étais plus informée pour aider mes clients dans leurs choix et/ou plus outillée pour demander une baisse de prix, si l'état de la propriété en suggérait une ;-)
Un stylo sur le bas des murs aurait probablement fait allumer un agent sur l'état de la maison de Karla. Du gyps qui s'enfonce qu'avec une légère pression, c'est définitivement pas bon signe. Même chose pour les fenêtres, il est facile de voir si la maison a un taux d'humidité anormal en regardant le contour des fenêtres. Un agent d'expérience regardera attentivement au sous-sol, autour de la fondation, la brique, le toit ect...
C'est normal que l'agent «en manque quelques unes», c'est la job de l'inspecteur de faire une analyse plus méticuleuse. Par-contre à 500-600$ pour une inspection, si vous pouvez éviter ça et passer à une autre propriété (si il y a un grand potentiel de problème majeur), c'est déjà ça de gagner !
Avant de payer 500-600$ pour une inspection, demandez à votre agent d'obtenir une copie du certificat de localisation. Parfois il peut y avoir des problèmes à ce niveau, lesquels vous feraient passer outre cette propriété. Encore une fois, c'est mieux de le savoir avant d'avoir dépensé des centaines de dollars.
Aussi, dès le début de votre démarche, allez chercher une pré-approbation hypothécaire. D'une part pour savoir dans quel budget magasiner et de l'autre pour avoir le temps d,aller chercher le meilleur taux.
Gardez une chose en tête par-contre, lors de la pré-approbation aucune enquête de crédit n'est effectuée. La pré-approbation a pour but d'évaluer votre pourcentage d'endettement et votre capacité de payer. Si votre crédit est pauvre ou si vous avez déjà fait faillite il est important d'en aviser le courtier.....et surtout votre partenaire. J'ai malheureusement vue des couples se séparer à cause de certains squelettes financiers dans le placard !
Alors voilà....c'était mes p'tits conseils dominicaux !
Si vous avez des questions, n'hésitez pas à les poser !
Friday, August 8, 2008
THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING!
CNN breaking news: Russia has invaded Georgia.
In a move reminiscent of 1980s movie Red Dawn, Russia, presumably with Cuban help, has invaded the US State of Georgia.
...
Wait, they invaded the COUNTRY of Georgia? Oh, right.
...
Ok, on a serious note, why do wars always happen in the summer, when I don't have time to watch the news all the time, and can't keep up to the latest developments? It was hard for me to keep up with the Israel-Lebanon war, and this newest war, between Russia and Georgia, will be nearly impossible for me to keep track of.
From what I gather from CNN and the BBC, all hell is breaking lose. Separatists, Georgian troops, Russian troops... there's a fire going on in the ammo bunker!
More later.
In a move reminiscent of 1980s movie Red Dawn, Russia, presumably with Cuban help, has invaded the US State of Georgia.
...
Wait, they invaded the COUNTRY of Georgia? Oh, right.
...
Ok, on a serious note, why do wars always happen in the summer, when I don't have time to watch the news all the time, and can't keep up to the latest developments? It was hard for me to keep up with the Israel-Lebanon war, and this newest war, between Russia and Georgia, will be nearly impossible for me to keep track of.
From what I gather from CNN and the BBC, all hell is breaking lose. Separatists, Georgian troops, Russian troops... there's a fire going on in the ammo bunker!
More later.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Lucy...la suite
( Première partie plus bas ;-)
J’ai été remettre les documents à M. L’Agent inscripteur du 123 des Pigeons en lui récitant mon boniment : ma cliente est la plus belle, fine, pré approbation hypothécaire à l’appui…la cliente parfaite quoi !
( Se que je détestais de l’art de faire dans ma région d’origine est que nous n’avions pas l’option d’aller présenter nous-même (en tant qu’agent collaborateur) les offres aux clients-vendeurs. J’vous raconterai des mozussss de belles présentations où L’agent fit la différence ;-)
Je retourne au bureau question de passer le temps en attendant le coup de fil.
( Mon Courtier m’a chargé un extra de frais de bureau ce mois-là tant que j’ai usé le tapis en faisant les 100 pas ;-))).
Finalement, l’appel entre…..
« Mme Marian ? C’est M. Inscripteur du 123 des Pigeons »
( Arrrrgh…..Get to the point !!!!! Au Diable les salutations…;- )
« Oui, M. Inscripteur »
« Votre offre a été accepté tel quel….Félicitations !!»
( Quoi ? De Kessé…Y me niaise lui là ??? Pas de contre-proposition…Rien ??? Yessssss Sir !!!).
« Très bien M. Inscripteur » dis-je d’un ton faussement calme.
«On se rappelle demain pour l’accusé de réception et la suite, d’accord ? »
«Pas de problème, à demain »
Clic !
Je saute partout dans le bureau. La secrétaire se tord de rire. J’ai dû lâché trois ou quatre «Yes Sir » en moins de 30 secondes.
( J’prends même pas le temps d’aller en griller une….je dois téléphoner à Lucy )
**
( Se qui suit, je l’ai su lors de l’inspection pré-achat qui eu lieu 2 jours plus tard. C’est la mère de Lucy qui me raconta, Lucy ayant dû retourner à Toronto. Ce que moi je dis, personne ne l’entend. ).
Drollin ! Drollin ! ( Ben le son d’un téléphone qui sonne là ;-)
« Bonjour Lucy, c’est Lady !» avec un trémolo dans la voix, je vous jures
« Bonjour, ça va bien ??? » la voix pleine d’inquiétude.
« J’ai une bonne nouvelle, votre offre est acceptée »
« Ho ! »
J’entendit ses larmes coulé….je pleurais autant qu’elle, je crois. Elle était sans mot.
« Lucy, je vous laisse aller partager la nouvelle avec votre famille et vous me téléphonez plus tard pour le reste o.k ? »
« D’accord…..à tantôt ».
Elle n’avait dit que quelques mots. Elle n’était pas encore retourné au salon où ses parents et ses filles regardaient la télé.
En se retournant, elle vit Angel traverser la pièce et celle-ci se dirigea vers la table de cuisine. Elle prit ma carte d’affaire délicatement et elle donna de doux baisers sur ma photo en répétant :
« Merci ! Merci Lady ! » avec un sourire rempli de tendresse.
Lucy n’avait encore rien dit et rien dans notre échange confirmait le résultat . Mais Angel savait.
**
J’écris ses lignes et je suis encore émus. JAMAIS je n’aurais cru possible de toucher un enfant ….non….jamais je n’aurais cru être si touché par une enfant.
Je conserve précieusement la lettre que Lucy a fait parvenir à mon Courtier.
Je conserve surtout ce p’tit bonheur dans un coin bien spécial de mon cœur. Quand je suis triste, je pense à Lucy, sa plus vieille et la petite Angel qui est là sans semblée y être.
J’ai été remettre les documents à M. L’Agent inscripteur du 123 des Pigeons en lui récitant mon boniment : ma cliente est la plus belle, fine, pré approbation hypothécaire à l’appui…la cliente parfaite quoi !
( Se que je détestais de l’art de faire dans ma région d’origine est que nous n’avions pas l’option d’aller présenter nous-même (en tant qu’agent collaborateur) les offres aux clients-vendeurs. J’vous raconterai des mozussss de belles présentations où L’agent fit la différence ;-)
Je retourne au bureau question de passer le temps en attendant le coup de fil.
( Mon Courtier m’a chargé un extra de frais de bureau ce mois-là tant que j’ai usé le tapis en faisant les 100 pas ;-))).
Finalement, l’appel entre…..
« Mme Marian ? C’est M. Inscripteur du 123 des Pigeons »
( Arrrrgh…..Get to the point !!!!! Au Diable les salutations…;- )
« Oui, M. Inscripteur »
« Votre offre a été accepté tel quel….Félicitations !!»
( Quoi ? De Kessé…Y me niaise lui là ??? Pas de contre-proposition…Rien ??? Yessssss Sir !!!).
« Très bien M. Inscripteur » dis-je d’un ton faussement calme.
«On se rappelle demain pour l’accusé de réception et la suite, d’accord ? »
«Pas de problème, à demain »
Clic !
Je saute partout dans le bureau. La secrétaire se tord de rire. J’ai dû lâché trois ou quatre «Yes Sir » en moins de 30 secondes.
( J’prends même pas le temps d’aller en griller une….je dois téléphoner à Lucy )
**
( Se qui suit, je l’ai su lors de l’inspection pré-achat qui eu lieu 2 jours plus tard. C’est la mère de Lucy qui me raconta, Lucy ayant dû retourner à Toronto. Ce que moi je dis, personne ne l’entend. ).
Drollin ! Drollin ! ( Ben le son d’un téléphone qui sonne là ;-)
« Bonjour Lucy, c’est Lady !» avec un trémolo dans la voix, je vous jures
« Bonjour, ça va bien ??? » la voix pleine d’inquiétude.
« J’ai une bonne nouvelle, votre offre est acceptée »
« Ho ! »
J’entendit ses larmes coulé….je pleurais autant qu’elle, je crois. Elle était sans mot.
« Lucy, je vous laisse aller partager la nouvelle avec votre famille et vous me téléphonez plus tard pour le reste o.k ? »
« D’accord…..à tantôt ».
Elle n’avait dit que quelques mots. Elle n’était pas encore retourné au salon où ses parents et ses filles regardaient la télé.
En se retournant, elle vit Angel traverser la pièce et celle-ci se dirigea vers la table de cuisine. Elle prit ma carte d’affaire délicatement et elle donna de doux baisers sur ma photo en répétant :
« Merci ! Merci Lady ! » avec un sourire rempli de tendresse.
Lucy n’avait encore rien dit et rien dans notre échange confirmait le résultat . Mais Angel savait.
**
J’écris ses lignes et je suis encore émus. JAMAIS je n’aurais cru possible de toucher un enfant ….non….jamais je n’aurais cru être si touché par une enfant.
Je conserve précieusement la lettre que Lucy a fait parvenir à mon Courtier.
Je conserve surtout ce p’tit bonheur dans un coin bien spécial de mon cœur. Quand je suis triste, je pense à Lucy, sa plus vieille et la petite Angel qui est là sans semblée y être.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
What did we see? We saw the sea.
I posted the astonishing number of posts I managed to write up during sea phase, according to the date they were written on (but not the time--I set it to midnight). I'll post something later--I've been trying to clear my head and have a little R&R this weekend. Enjoy.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Lucy !
Lucy est une femme de 35-37 qui communiqua avec moi en Mars 2001 via le réseau MLS.CA. J’avais une propriété sur le marché qui semblait corresponde à ses besoins. Je lui envoya la description complète par courriel en lui posant quelques questions sur ses attentes.
Elle m’expliqua qu’elle se séparerait de son conjoint ( ils vivaient à Toronto) prochainement, qu’elle avait eu son transfert et qu’elle devait trouver une propriété dans ma région pour elle et ses deux fillettes.
Déjà que la rupture n’était pas de son initiative, elle me raconta un peu ses états d’âmes via les courriels. Notre correspondance dura près de 3 mois, allant de délais en délais pour son «House shopping trip».
Lorsqu’elle arriva enfin, je n’avais que 5 propriétés qui susceptible de correspondre à ses désirs. Nous avons visité les dites propriétés avec ses deux (adorables) fillettes….Je me souviens très bien de ce mercredi après midi pluvieux d’un été qui tardait à s’installer.
Les deux fillettes étaient agées de 5 et 7 ans. La plus vieille portait le même prénom que moi et la plus jeune se nommait Angel. Je me rendit bien compte qu’Angel était avec nous, mais sans y être. Elle avait le regard «vide», elle ne répondait pas à mes sourires. Elle était tellement mignonne avec ses longs cheveux noirs et ses immenses yeux tout aussi noirs. Je la trouvait pourtant attachante….
Nous avons visités les 5 propriétés proposées, malheureusement aucune d’elles ne pouvaient comblés les besoins de Lucy. Comme Lucy avait beaucoup de questions, tant qu’au secteur, financement, les écoles ect. Nous nous sommes rendus dans une Rôtisserie pas très loin pour prendre un café et discuter.
Ça faisait déjà 3 heures que nous étions ensemble et la complicité ressentie dans nos courriels se transposa dans le réel. Lucy était le genre de femme que j’aurais choisie comme amie. Elle était intelligente et avait le même sens de l’humour que moi. Elle me fit part de ses peurs face au déménagement. Elle me fit surtout part de son inquiétude…elle n’avait que 3 jours pour trouver «la» propriété.
« Ne vous inquiétez pas Lucy, je vais trouver ! » lui dis-je d’un ton décidé et confiant.
( Malheureusement, je SAVAIS que ça serait difficile, voir même impossible. Nous étions au tout début de la bulle immobilière et les «bonnes propriétés» partaient en moins de quelques heures. Mais bon, dans mon livre à moi, IMPOSSIBLE n’existe pas ).
Ses filles étaient charmantes. J’observais Angel du coin de l’œil tout en discutant avec la maman. Un moment donné, Lucy se rendit bien compte de l’interrogation dans mon regard.
« Ne vous en faites pas Lady, si Angel ne vous réponds pas. Elle est autiste »
« Ho ! » dis-je très maladroitement.
Je les ai quitté pour mes autres rendez-vous quelques minutes plus tard. Il était près de 16 heures.
Lorsque je suis rentré vers les 21h30, je me suis tout de suite branché sur ma base de données pour voir les nouveautés. Il y en avait que quelques unes. Une attira mon attention, quoi que de près de $50 000.00 de MOINS que le budget de Lucy, je la trouvais mignonne et très bien rénovée. Le feeling était bon.
Je téléphona donc à Lucy, malgré l’heure tardive et je la somma d’être en face de la propriété le lendemain matin, 9h00 (prétextant un horaire rempli à l’os plutôt que «l’agressivité» du marché) . Je lui cachant mon excitation, lui mentionnant le prix demandé et lui disant que peut-être que ça ne ferait pas l’affaire du tout.
( Je ne voulait pas lui créer de faux espoirs. De plus, le marché étant se qu’il était, j’avais bien peur de rater cette propriété, puisque dans un prix plus accessibles à plus d’acheteurs. Mais bon, fallait tout de même tenter notre chance ).
Mes craintes étaient fondées….en contactant l’agent inscripteur, il me confirma que 5 autres visites avaient lieu le lendemain en matinée. Il était près de 23h30 lorsque je puis finalement aller au lit après avoir retourné tous mes appels et courriels.
Je m’endormis que vers les 4 heures….avec l’image d’Angel en tête.
***
Jeudi matin 9h00
Comme prévue la p’tite famille me rejoins à l’adresse convenue. Il fait un soleil superbe…Ma première pensée : This is gonna be a good day !
Déjà de l’extérieur nous voyons bien que nous sommes en face d’une propriété bien entretenue et impeccable. Le soleil met encore plus en valeur le terrassement…gazon fraîchement tondu, des vivaces à perte de vue et des annuelles de toutes les couleurs.
Lucy sourit.
Nous entrons à l’intérieur et sans vous donner tous les détails, je me souviens de chaque pièce, de chacune de ses petites choses qui font d’une propriété, un foyer !
Lucy était en Amour….et j’ai cru voir Angel sourire.
Lorsque nous sommes retourné vers nos voiture respectives, Lucy me regarda (les yeux brillants) et me dit :
« Lady, c’est ELLE….Quelle est la prochaine étape ? »
« On s’en va à la Rotisserie !» de lui répondre sans être surprise !
9h45
(en route pour la Rotisserie, je sors mon arme….mon cellulaire ;-)
«Bonjour M. L’Agent inscripteur. Je suis Lady Marian d’un quelqu’onque bureau et j’ai visité votre propriété du 123 des Pigeons. Ma cliente semble prête à faire une offre d’achat. Est-ce qu’il y a des choses que je devrais savoir tant qu’aux déclarations du vendeur et de la prise de possession ?»
Il me répond :
« Non, rien de spécial, sauf qu’une autre offre est entrée et je la présente à 15 heures»
( Quoi ???? Merde, ils ont visité à qu’elle heure ???? Grrrrrrrr !!).
10 h 00
( Arrivé à la Rôtisserie )
«Bon, Lucy, j’ai une bonne et une mauvaise nouvelle….Laquelle vous voulez en premier ? »
« La…..j’sais pas Lady ….J’sais vraiment pas ! »
( J’ai cru voir Angel devenir inquiète, je lui souris pour tenter de la réconforter)
« O.k. Lucy, vous voyez pour la date d’occupation, ça semble correct même si c’est rapide. Sauf que…(j’hais ça dire ça au gens) y’a une autre offre qui est entrée et elle sera présenté à 15 heures. Comme le veut notre code d’éthique, toutes les offres doivent être présenté en même temps par l’agent inscripteur »
« Ho ! mais je la veux, qu’est-ce que je fais ?»
Je lui explique donc toutes les possibilités compte tenu des comparables, du marché, des inclusions. En tant qu’Agent, je suis tenue de présenter les fais et en aucun temps je dois dire à un acheteur QUOI faire. Mais comme Lucy est une femme intelligente et sait très bien faire la part des choses, nous écrivons une offre qui tant qu’à moi est susceptible d’être acceptée.
10h15
( mon cellulaire sonne…je reconnais le numéro….Ha ! Merde !)
« Mme Marian ? C’est M. Agent inscripteur du 123 des Pigeons. C’est juste pour informer qu’une deuxième offre vient d’être déposée. Comme convenu, elles seront présentées à 15 heures »
( Ha ben ta…..Grrrrrrr !!)
J’annonce la «nouvelle» à Lucy !
«Qu’est-ce qu’on peut faire Lady ? »
«Espérer ???» dis-je timidement !
11h00
Nous quittons le restaurant et je tente du mieux que je peux d’encourager Lucy. Je sors à peu près toutes mes phrasds spirituelles d’encouragement.
«Je vais vous téléphoner aussi tôt que j’ai des nouvelles. Se qui est dû, arrivera o.k. ? »
Lucy me fait une accolade.
( Angel me regarde droit dans le yeux et me sourit. Elle me sourit )
Je saute dans ma voiture et je pris «la vie». Je suis boulversée. Lucy MÉRITE cette propriété. Toute cette lumière, toutes ces fleurs, toutes ces couleurs. Elles seraient tellement bien toutes les trois dans cette demeure. Après cette douloureuse déception, cette maison serait parfaite pour un recommencement dans la paix, la sérénité et cette lumière !
( à suivre)
Elle m’expliqua qu’elle se séparerait de son conjoint ( ils vivaient à Toronto) prochainement, qu’elle avait eu son transfert et qu’elle devait trouver une propriété dans ma région pour elle et ses deux fillettes.
Déjà que la rupture n’était pas de son initiative, elle me raconta un peu ses états d’âmes via les courriels. Notre correspondance dura près de 3 mois, allant de délais en délais pour son «House shopping trip».
Lorsqu’elle arriva enfin, je n’avais que 5 propriétés qui susceptible de correspondre à ses désirs. Nous avons visité les dites propriétés avec ses deux (adorables) fillettes….Je me souviens très bien de ce mercredi après midi pluvieux d’un été qui tardait à s’installer.
Les deux fillettes étaient agées de 5 et 7 ans. La plus vieille portait le même prénom que moi et la plus jeune se nommait Angel. Je me rendit bien compte qu’Angel était avec nous, mais sans y être. Elle avait le regard «vide», elle ne répondait pas à mes sourires. Elle était tellement mignonne avec ses longs cheveux noirs et ses immenses yeux tout aussi noirs. Je la trouvait pourtant attachante….
Nous avons visités les 5 propriétés proposées, malheureusement aucune d’elles ne pouvaient comblés les besoins de Lucy. Comme Lucy avait beaucoup de questions, tant qu’au secteur, financement, les écoles ect. Nous nous sommes rendus dans une Rôtisserie pas très loin pour prendre un café et discuter.
Ça faisait déjà 3 heures que nous étions ensemble et la complicité ressentie dans nos courriels se transposa dans le réel. Lucy était le genre de femme que j’aurais choisie comme amie. Elle était intelligente et avait le même sens de l’humour que moi. Elle me fit part de ses peurs face au déménagement. Elle me fit surtout part de son inquiétude…elle n’avait que 3 jours pour trouver «la» propriété.
« Ne vous inquiétez pas Lucy, je vais trouver ! » lui dis-je d’un ton décidé et confiant.
( Malheureusement, je SAVAIS que ça serait difficile, voir même impossible. Nous étions au tout début de la bulle immobilière et les «bonnes propriétés» partaient en moins de quelques heures. Mais bon, dans mon livre à moi, IMPOSSIBLE n’existe pas ).
Ses filles étaient charmantes. J’observais Angel du coin de l’œil tout en discutant avec la maman. Un moment donné, Lucy se rendit bien compte de l’interrogation dans mon regard.
« Ne vous en faites pas Lady, si Angel ne vous réponds pas. Elle est autiste »
« Ho ! » dis-je très maladroitement.
Je les ai quitté pour mes autres rendez-vous quelques minutes plus tard. Il était près de 16 heures.
Lorsque je suis rentré vers les 21h30, je me suis tout de suite branché sur ma base de données pour voir les nouveautés. Il y en avait que quelques unes. Une attira mon attention, quoi que de près de $50 000.00 de MOINS que le budget de Lucy, je la trouvais mignonne et très bien rénovée. Le feeling était bon.
Je téléphona donc à Lucy, malgré l’heure tardive et je la somma d’être en face de la propriété le lendemain matin, 9h00 (prétextant un horaire rempli à l’os plutôt que «l’agressivité» du marché) . Je lui cachant mon excitation, lui mentionnant le prix demandé et lui disant que peut-être que ça ne ferait pas l’affaire du tout.
( Je ne voulait pas lui créer de faux espoirs. De plus, le marché étant se qu’il était, j’avais bien peur de rater cette propriété, puisque dans un prix plus accessibles à plus d’acheteurs. Mais bon, fallait tout de même tenter notre chance ).
Mes craintes étaient fondées….en contactant l’agent inscripteur, il me confirma que 5 autres visites avaient lieu le lendemain en matinée. Il était près de 23h30 lorsque je puis finalement aller au lit après avoir retourné tous mes appels et courriels.
Je m’endormis que vers les 4 heures….avec l’image d’Angel en tête.
***
Jeudi matin 9h00
Comme prévue la p’tite famille me rejoins à l’adresse convenue. Il fait un soleil superbe…Ma première pensée : This is gonna be a good day !
Déjà de l’extérieur nous voyons bien que nous sommes en face d’une propriété bien entretenue et impeccable. Le soleil met encore plus en valeur le terrassement…gazon fraîchement tondu, des vivaces à perte de vue et des annuelles de toutes les couleurs.
Lucy sourit.
Nous entrons à l’intérieur et sans vous donner tous les détails, je me souviens de chaque pièce, de chacune de ses petites choses qui font d’une propriété, un foyer !
Lucy était en Amour….et j’ai cru voir Angel sourire.
Lorsque nous sommes retourné vers nos voiture respectives, Lucy me regarda (les yeux brillants) et me dit :
« Lady, c’est ELLE….Quelle est la prochaine étape ? »
« On s’en va à la Rotisserie !» de lui répondre sans être surprise !
9h45
(en route pour la Rotisserie, je sors mon arme….mon cellulaire ;-)
«Bonjour M. L’Agent inscripteur. Je suis Lady Marian d’un quelqu’onque bureau et j’ai visité votre propriété du 123 des Pigeons. Ma cliente semble prête à faire une offre d’achat. Est-ce qu’il y a des choses que je devrais savoir tant qu’aux déclarations du vendeur et de la prise de possession ?»
Il me répond :
« Non, rien de spécial, sauf qu’une autre offre est entrée et je la présente à 15 heures»
( Quoi ???? Merde, ils ont visité à qu’elle heure ???? Grrrrrrrr !!).
10 h 00
( Arrivé à la Rôtisserie )
«Bon, Lucy, j’ai une bonne et une mauvaise nouvelle….Laquelle vous voulez en premier ? »
« La…..j’sais pas Lady ….J’sais vraiment pas ! »
( J’ai cru voir Angel devenir inquiète, je lui souris pour tenter de la réconforter)
« O.k. Lucy, vous voyez pour la date d’occupation, ça semble correct même si c’est rapide. Sauf que…(j’hais ça dire ça au gens) y’a une autre offre qui est entrée et elle sera présenté à 15 heures. Comme le veut notre code d’éthique, toutes les offres doivent être présenté en même temps par l’agent inscripteur »
« Ho ! mais je la veux, qu’est-ce que je fais ?»
Je lui explique donc toutes les possibilités compte tenu des comparables, du marché, des inclusions. En tant qu’Agent, je suis tenue de présenter les fais et en aucun temps je dois dire à un acheteur QUOI faire. Mais comme Lucy est une femme intelligente et sait très bien faire la part des choses, nous écrivons une offre qui tant qu’à moi est susceptible d’être acceptée.
10h15
( mon cellulaire sonne…je reconnais le numéro….Ha ! Merde !)
« Mme Marian ? C’est M. Agent inscripteur du 123 des Pigeons. C’est juste pour informer qu’une deuxième offre vient d’être déposée. Comme convenu, elles seront présentées à 15 heures »
( Ha ben ta…..Grrrrrrr !!)
J’annonce la «nouvelle» à Lucy !
«Qu’est-ce qu’on peut faire Lady ? »
«Espérer ???» dis-je timidement !
11h00
Nous quittons le restaurant et je tente du mieux que je peux d’encourager Lucy. Je sors à peu près toutes mes phrasds spirituelles d’encouragement.
«Je vais vous téléphoner aussi tôt que j’ai des nouvelles. Se qui est dû, arrivera o.k. ? »
Lucy me fait une accolade.
( Angel me regarde droit dans le yeux et me sourit. Elle me sourit )
Je saute dans ma voiture et je pris «la vie». Je suis boulversée. Lucy MÉRITE cette propriété. Toute cette lumière, toutes ces fleurs, toutes ces couleurs. Elles seraient tellement bien toutes les trois dans cette demeure. Après cette douloureuse déception, cette maison serait parfaite pour un recommencement dans la paix, la sérénité et cette lumière !
( à suivre)
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
"I want to see you drive."
Well, it's gotten better, and this is our last night on the boat. Tomorrow night I'll be sleeping in my bed at Venture, using a real flush toilet, and taking a hollywood shower instead of pusser showers. (Pusser showers, to save water, consist of getting wet, turning the water off, lathering up, rinsing off, and toweling off. Conversely, hollywood showers are when you stay in for 20 minutes, just enjoying it.)
I had a bit of crappy navigating this week, but mostly it went well. OOW watches went very well--the biggest problem I had was getting yelled at by the CO because I was using standard helm instead of hard helm on a MOBEX. Today, though, my driving was spot-on--the "man" (a stick with a flag on it) came just where it was supposed to, and I conned it so it just went down our side so we could catch it. FixO went pretty well, though expectations were mounting--I'm pretty much the best FixO onboard (I thought I was tied for best, but the other guy who's about as good as I am at the practical parts said I was better than him), so they expect me to be on the ball all the time.
The past two weeks are turning into one massive blur, really, with a bit of a patch in the middle when we were in Vancouver. It's been fun, though, and I'll miss the boat, especially the Nav team. We have good chemistry and even though I don't get along too well "socially" with one of the members, we're unbeatable as a working pair. We have our teams for next week, and I'm once again in a 4-man team instead of 5-man, but that just means we'll get more practice/attention, or less total time in NABS (huge computer games) which would mean shorter days and more time to spend on planning/relaxing.
I also learned that I'll have to do the FNO course (Fleet Navigating Officer or something such, basically super-advanced stuff such as using sextants and navigating by the howling of wolves or something) even though I won't, hopefully, be a navigator. It appears that all MARS submarine officers have to go through it, which is a bit of a piss-off; I'm good at this nav business, but I don't like it very much. The topic actually came up (again) last night when one of our academic phase instructors was on our boat. He mentioned that he hadn't seen me navigate yet and that he wanted to see it. ("I want to see you drive," as quoted above.) I asked if he'd heard something bad and he said that, no, he just thought there might be something going on here. I told him I wasn't going to be a nav, and he said "oh, there's a list, and you can't get off it." I thought it was funny.
That makes two possible predicted career paths (as predicted by serving officers): staff officer, and navigator. I'm not sure which I'd like best, really, so I'll stick with trying to go onto subs. I mean, pirate rig, sweet-ass dolphins, and the admiration of all the women in the free world? (Okay, maybe not the women...)
Another thing that I've noticed is that I'm taking a very pro-active leadership role during this sea phase. I point out things to the NETP-O guys and help them out and stuff, and from the looks of it they (for the most part) sortof look up to me--they ask me for help and such when they need it. Also, at some point last week, when entering harbour, we secured navigation (which means MARS III students got off the bridge) I decided to stop just sitting around the training room and help out with the lines, even though it's totally not my job. I didn't do all that much, and I wasn't as good as the NETP-O students were (I hadn't handled lines or fenders in a year, literally) but more bodies never hurt, right? They apparently very much appreciated, and went so far as to make a point of letting the Buffer (Chief Boatswain's Mate, the authority on seamanship onboard) know I'd done it and that they liked it. It came in handy, because I forgot about cleaning stations (when everyone cleans the ship) and the Buffer was pretty angry. Another guy forgot about it, and he gets to polish the capstan tomorrow (the capstan is a winch on the focsle, and it's exposed to elements), but because I went and handled lines, I only have to polish the bell, which is stored inside, and the support for the bell, which is outside but not as exposed as the capstan, and it's much smaller... and I got shafted to do the bell last year anyways, and I hadn't done anything bad then, so it's not too bad, really.
Anyways, it's been fun, and part of me wishes it'd go on, but the realist part of me knows that this is driving me nuts--I'm making the geekiest jokes ever and I'm using more and more bridgespeak in day-to-day conversation.
I had a bit of crappy navigating this week, but mostly it went well. OOW watches went very well--the biggest problem I had was getting yelled at by the CO because I was using standard helm instead of hard helm on a MOBEX. Today, though, my driving was spot-on--the "man" (a stick with a flag on it) came just where it was supposed to, and I conned it so it just went down our side so we could catch it. FixO went pretty well, though expectations were mounting--I'm pretty much the best FixO onboard (I thought I was tied for best, but the other guy who's about as good as I am at the practical parts said I was better than him), so they expect me to be on the ball all the time.
The past two weeks are turning into one massive blur, really, with a bit of a patch in the middle when we were in Vancouver. It's been fun, though, and I'll miss the boat, especially the Nav team. We have good chemistry and even though I don't get along too well "socially" with one of the members, we're unbeatable as a working pair. We have our teams for next week, and I'm once again in a 4-man team instead of 5-man, but that just means we'll get more practice/attention, or less total time in NABS (huge computer games) which would mean shorter days and more time to spend on planning/relaxing.
I also learned that I'll have to do the FNO course (Fleet Navigating Officer or something such, basically super-advanced stuff such as using sextants and navigating by the howling of wolves or something) even though I won't, hopefully, be a navigator. It appears that all MARS submarine officers have to go through it, which is a bit of a piss-off; I'm good at this nav business, but I don't like it very much. The topic actually came up (again) last night when one of our academic phase instructors was on our boat. He mentioned that he hadn't seen me navigate yet and that he wanted to see it. ("I want to see you drive," as quoted above.) I asked if he'd heard something bad and he said that, no, he just thought there might be something going on here. I told him I wasn't going to be a nav, and he said "oh, there's a list, and you can't get off it." I thought it was funny.
That makes two possible predicted career paths (as predicted by serving officers): staff officer, and navigator. I'm not sure which I'd like best, really, so I'll stick with trying to go onto subs. I mean, pirate rig, sweet-ass dolphins, and the admiration of all the women in the free world? (Okay, maybe not the women...)
Another thing that I've noticed is that I'm taking a very pro-active leadership role during this sea phase. I point out things to the NETP-O guys and help them out and stuff, and from the looks of it they (for the most part) sortof look up to me--they ask me for help and such when they need it. Also, at some point last week, when entering harbour, we secured navigation (which means MARS III students got off the bridge) I decided to stop just sitting around the training room and help out with the lines, even though it's totally not my job. I didn't do all that much, and I wasn't as good as the NETP-O students were (I hadn't handled lines or fenders in a year, literally) but more bodies never hurt, right? They apparently very much appreciated, and went so far as to make a point of letting the Buffer (Chief Boatswain's Mate, the authority on seamanship onboard) know I'd done it and that they liked it. It came in handy, because I forgot about cleaning stations (when everyone cleans the ship) and the Buffer was pretty angry. Another guy forgot about it, and he gets to polish the capstan tomorrow (the capstan is a winch on the focsle, and it's exposed to elements), but because I went and handled lines, I only have to polish the bell, which is stored inside, and the support for the bell, which is outside but not as exposed as the capstan, and it's much smaller... and I got shafted to do the bell last year anyways, and I hadn't done anything bad then, so it's not too bad, really.
Anyways, it's been fun, and part of me wishes it'd go on, but the realist part of me knows that this is driving me nuts--I'm making the geekiest jokes ever and I'm using more and more bridgespeak in day-to-day conversation.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Standby to copy
Wow.
This is the first time since we sailed that I've had some time to myself--beyond sleeping time, that is, and those hours are rarer than gold. It's been a brutal week, though it's also been strangely good. I'm actually doing my job, and I'm doing fairly well. Of course, there are more kinks to work out, but even the points that are being hammered on in the past two or three days are positive, as they're more "advanced" things that the instructors wouldn't even mention before.
On the positive side, the XO said today that I'm developing a good "seaman's eye" for distances and such--I was spot-on for a ferry's distance and CPA (Closest Point of Approach) this morning, and fairly close for time to CPA, and generally I'm fairly close--and the CO actually said "good job" after my OOW shift this morning... I don't think I've heard him say that all week! I'm getting pretty good as FixO, which was the worst part early this week, and I'm definitely inside the fleet standard 6 minute routine (i.e. having a fix, a DR 12 minutes ahead, and a DR to course alteration/intercept, at the very least, every 6 minutes), slowly working my way to being able to maintain a 3 minute routine. Navigation-wise, I had a fairly good passage yesterday coming into Nanaimo Harbour, though half my plan was destroyed by contact avoidance (we came about a mile off track at one point). The CO actually took my notebook near the end of the passage as I was doing something that annoyed him and he wanted to "punish" me. According to another instructor though, that actually means I was doing really good so they wanted to push me--they wouldn't have actually taken it away if I had been doing poorly.
I've also been helping one of the other trainees onboard, as well as giving pointers to the NETPO students (the course I did last summer). For the most part, I know all I need to know, I just need to get better at synthesizing everything and putting the big picture together. I also need to brush up on mental math, as I still get the occasional brain fart where I can't figure out how far we're going in 6 minutes (speed(kts)=distance(cables)). Still, I have another week at sea, where they'll be pushing us harder, and then a week or two of development in the simulators, before being assessed. I will definitely pass this course, unless something goes royally wrong.
Planning has been a bit hard, as we often have passages where two or three of us have to work on one chart, and for the most part I'm stuck waiting until everyone is done, but luckily we generally wait until everyone is done before we go to bed. I've learned my lesson, though, and from now on I'll attempt to take a nap while the other trainees are planning, and plan for a few hours after they're done--and they can go ashore or sleep while I finish up. It works out to going to bed between 2330 and 0030 every night, and as wakey wakey is at 0630, that works out to not enough sleep. Today I was starting to stutter pretty bad every once in a while, and I'm quite certain half of this won't make very much sense when I re-read it before posting it.
One funny thing about being immersed in bridgework all day, every day, and using terminology at night while planning, is that I'm starting to speak that way during normal conversation. I say "stand by" instead of "hold on" or "wait", "correction" when I make a mistake, "disregard" when I say something wrong, give numbers one by one (one-eight-three-zero instead of eighteen-thirty), and, most importantly, there is a LOT of "I recommend (blah)" going on. Some of it is jokingly because the other trainees pick up on it sometimes, but honestly a good chunk of it is unconscious. I speak more clearly and slowly now, though, which is a good thing.
Speaking of which, my conning (and reports and such in general) are, I think, a lot better than what they used to be. I'm assertive, I still pause a bit too much but generally I plan out what I'm going to say so it generally flows well, I speak loudly, and I've stopped conning by questions--giving conning orders with an inflection that would normally indicate a question, like saying "starboard fiftEEN?" instead of "starboard fifteen!"
As far as the "relationship" between the crew, I get along really well with the buffer (Chief Boatswain's Mate), the instructors, and the NETPO guys, and although there are some temper flare-ups and some rubbing the wrong way with the other MARS III onboard, we generally get along great and even when tempers do flare up, it's temporary and after a few minutes we're back to just working and joking.
I feel much more like an officer on this course, than I did before. We're actually placed in a position of fairly considerable responsibility--we have to actually keep the ship safe, and although we don't legally have charge of the ship, we're treated as though we more or less did. Furthermore, helping out other trainees (especially NETPO trainees) seems like a good way to flex my "leader" muscles, so to speak. Also, unlike RMC "leadership" positions, this is actually responsibility- and action-based, rather than paperwork-based, which makes it more of a "leadership" thing and less of a "manager" thing.
All in all, it's been a good week, full of learnding. The academic phase had a steep learning curve, but this was a learning wall. We had to claw up that wall, and for the most part we're coming up it. I wouldn't go so far as to say we're at the standard expected of us, but we're definitely getting close.
I'm going to relax and do nothing this weekend (except plan on Sunday) and we'll see how next week goes!
This is the first time since we sailed that I've had some time to myself--beyond sleeping time, that is, and those hours are rarer than gold. It's been a brutal week, though it's also been strangely good. I'm actually doing my job, and I'm doing fairly well. Of course, there are more kinks to work out, but even the points that are being hammered on in the past two or three days are positive, as they're more "advanced" things that the instructors wouldn't even mention before.
On the positive side, the XO said today that I'm developing a good "seaman's eye" for distances and such--I was spot-on for a ferry's distance and CPA (Closest Point of Approach) this morning, and fairly close for time to CPA, and generally I'm fairly close--and the CO actually said "good job" after my OOW shift this morning... I don't think I've heard him say that all week! I'm getting pretty good as FixO, which was the worst part early this week, and I'm definitely inside the fleet standard 6 minute routine (i.e. having a fix, a DR 12 minutes ahead, and a DR to course alteration/intercept, at the very least, every 6 minutes), slowly working my way to being able to maintain a 3 minute routine. Navigation-wise, I had a fairly good passage yesterday coming into Nanaimo Harbour, though half my plan was destroyed by contact avoidance (we came about a mile off track at one point). The CO actually took my notebook near the end of the passage as I was doing something that annoyed him and he wanted to "punish" me. According to another instructor though, that actually means I was doing really good so they wanted to push me--they wouldn't have actually taken it away if I had been doing poorly.
I've also been helping one of the other trainees onboard, as well as giving pointers to the NETPO students (the course I did last summer). For the most part, I know all I need to know, I just need to get better at synthesizing everything and putting the big picture together. I also need to brush up on mental math, as I still get the occasional brain fart where I can't figure out how far we're going in 6 minutes (speed(kts)=distance(cables)). Still, I have another week at sea, where they'll be pushing us harder, and then a week or two of development in the simulators, before being assessed. I will definitely pass this course, unless something goes royally wrong.
Planning has been a bit hard, as we often have passages where two or three of us have to work on one chart, and for the most part I'm stuck waiting until everyone is done, but luckily we generally wait until everyone is done before we go to bed. I've learned my lesson, though, and from now on I'll attempt to take a nap while the other trainees are planning, and plan for a few hours after they're done--and they can go ashore or sleep while I finish up. It works out to going to bed between 2330 and 0030 every night, and as wakey wakey is at 0630, that works out to not enough sleep. Today I was starting to stutter pretty bad every once in a while, and I'm quite certain half of this won't make very much sense when I re-read it before posting it.
One funny thing about being immersed in bridgework all day, every day, and using terminology at night while planning, is that I'm starting to speak that way during normal conversation. I say "stand by" instead of "hold on" or "wait", "correction" when I make a mistake, "disregard" when I say something wrong, give numbers one by one (one-eight-three-zero instead of eighteen-thirty), and, most importantly, there is a LOT of "I recommend (blah)" going on. Some of it is jokingly because the other trainees pick up on it sometimes, but honestly a good chunk of it is unconscious. I speak more clearly and slowly now, though, which is a good thing.
Speaking of which, my conning (and reports and such in general) are, I think, a lot better than what they used to be. I'm assertive, I still pause a bit too much but generally I plan out what I'm going to say so it generally flows well, I speak loudly, and I've stopped conning by questions--giving conning orders with an inflection that would normally indicate a question, like saying "starboard fiftEEN?" instead of "starboard fifteen!"
As far as the "relationship" between the crew, I get along really well with the buffer (Chief Boatswain's Mate), the instructors, and the NETPO guys, and although there are some temper flare-ups and some rubbing the wrong way with the other MARS III onboard, we generally get along great and even when tempers do flare up, it's temporary and after a few minutes we're back to just working and joking.
I feel much more like an officer on this course, than I did before. We're actually placed in a position of fairly considerable responsibility--we have to actually keep the ship safe, and although we don't legally have charge of the ship, we're treated as though we more or less did. Furthermore, helping out other trainees (especially NETPO trainees) seems like a good way to flex my "leader" muscles, so to speak. Also, unlike RMC "leadership" positions, this is actually responsibility- and action-based, rather than paperwork-based, which makes it more of a "leadership" thing and less of a "manager" thing.
All in all, it's been a good week, full of learnding. The academic phase had a steep learning curve, but this was a learning wall. We had to claw up that wall, and for the most part we're coming up it. I wouldn't go so far as to say we're at the standard expected of us, but we're definitely getting close.
I'm going to relax and do nothing this weekend (except plan on Sunday) and we'll see how next week goes!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Prix Art Y Pico
A ma grande surprise j'ai reçu de la part de Karla un prix Art Y Pico ( merci encore une fois Bella ! )
Voici l'origine : Le prix "Arte y Pico" nous vient d’Uruguay, créé par Eseya, jeune femme artisan d’art qui fabrique des poupées de lainage et tissus parfois naïves, parfois d’une immense tendresse, mais toujours empreintes de poésie et de cette vie magique, quasi poignante aux portes du sacré, qui anime l’ensemble de l’art populaire sud-américain .
En voici les règles : Quand vous êtes à votre tour "primé(es)", voici les règles à respecter:
1- Vous devez choisir les blogues que vous estimez mériter ce prix pour leur créativité, conception, matériel intéressant et contribution à la communauté de bloggeurs, quelle que soit la langue,
2- Chaque prix doit contenir le lien vers le blogue de son auteur pour être visité par tous,
3- Chaque lauréat doit montrer son prix et remettre le nom et le lien vers le blogue qui lui a donné,
4- Le lauréat doit montrer le lien de l'Art y Pico sur son blogue,
5- Et afficher les règles.
Avant de moi-même «remettre» des prix, je tiens à souligner quelques petites surprises que j'ai eu en parcourant la blogosphère :
Dominic Arpin (que je croyais à la retraite du net depuis un bout) qui fût notre premier à plusieurs est de retour.
Rosie, qui a eu des débuts difficiles dans la Blogosphère est rendu avec un impressionnant trafic sur sa page. Wow ! Félicitations Madame !
Et Optimistic est disparue......snifff !
Ceci dit, la majorité des liens dans mon Blogroll méritent ce prix ( ceux encore là bien sûr.....note to self : faire le ménage de mes liens ! ) mais je vais tenter d'en choisir quelques uns, question de vous faire découvrir des quelques perles ;-)).
Certaines Perles se retrouvent dans la liste de Karla, je ne les renommerai pas une deuxième fois : Ghost, Ian et 1001 Petits Riens.....pour les mêmes raisons qu'elle.
Dans l'ordre et le désordre .....:
Karla : Non pas parce que celle-ci m'a mentionné lors de sa remise de prix, mais plutôt parce que je la trouve rafraîchissante et que depuis le jour un de notre rencontre virtuel sur le site de DOA elle est demeuré la même. Sa fidélité envers les autres et surtout envers elle-même dans cette jungle blogosphérique est un exploit en soi. J'adore sincèrement cette femme.
La marâtre : Enseignante qui vit dans le milieu de nul part me fait carrément rire avec son sarcasme.....parfois elle me tire une larme lorsqu'elle parle de ses élèves....Elle est bitch mais tendre à la fois. Ma shredded wheat à moi !
Le Voyou : Malgré qu'il attire souvent les polémiques, moi je l'aime bien. Peut-être parce qu'il est le vilain petit canard de la Blogosphère ? J'en sais rien, je l'aime pareil, moi !
Et le dernier, le seul à qui je ne dirais pas que je l'ai mentionné (car il en a rien à foutre de toute façon ;-) le p'tit Lagacé : je le lis tous les matins, pour le détester bien souvent, mais je dois rendre à César se qui appartient à César : ses sujets sont variés et il est une des plus cohérents dans ses opinions.
Alors voilà ma p'tite liste......
Bonne journée !
P.S : Je n'ai pas le temps ce matin d'aller faire signe au lauréats de mes prix.....si vous avez le temps de le faire je l'apprécierais grandement.
PPS : Pour les fautes, je devrai repasser ce soir.....je suis déjà en retard ;-))
Voici l'origine : Le prix "Arte y Pico" nous vient d’Uruguay, créé par Eseya, jeune femme artisan d’art qui fabrique des poupées de lainage et tissus parfois naïves, parfois d’une immense tendresse, mais toujours empreintes de poésie et de cette vie magique, quasi poignante aux portes du sacré, qui anime l’ensemble de l’art populaire sud-américain .
En voici les règles : Quand vous êtes à votre tour "primé(es)", voici les règles à respecter:
1- Vous devez choisir les blogues que vous estimez mériter ce prix pour leur créativité, conception, matériel intéressant et contribution à la communauté de bloggeurs, quelle que soit la langue,
2- Chaque prix doit contenir le lien vers le blogue de son auteur pour être visité par tous,
3- Chaque lauréat doit montrer son prix et remettre le nom et le lien vers le blogue qui lui a donné,
4- Le lauréat doit montrer le lien de l'Art y Pico sur son blogue,
5- Et afficher les règles.
Avant de moi-même «remettre» des prix, je tiens à souligner quelques petites surprises que j'ai eu en parcourant la blogosphère :
Dominic Arpin (que je croyais à la retraite du net depuis un bout) qui fût notre premier à plusieurs est de retour.
Rosie, qui a eu des débuts difficiles dans la Blogosphère est rendu avec un impressionnant trafic sur sa page. Wow ! Félicitations Madame !
Et Optimistic est disparue......snifff !
Ceci dit, la majorité des liens dans mon Blogroll méritent ce prix ( ceux encore là bien sûr.....note to self : faire le ménage de mes liens ! ) mais je vais tenter d'en choisir quelques uns, question de vous faire découvrir des quelques perles ;-)).
Certaines Perles se retrouvent dans la liste de Karla, je ne les renommerai pas une deuxième fois : Ghost, Ian et 1001 Petits Riens.....pour les mêmes raisons qu'elle.
Dans l'ordre et le désordre .....:
Karla : Non pas parce que celle-ci m'a mentionné lors de sa remise de prix, mais plutôt parce que je la trouve rafraîchissante et que depuis le jour un de notre rencontre virtuel sur le site de DOA elle est demeuré la même. Sa fidélité envers les autres et surtout envers elle-même dans cette jungle blogosphérique est un exploit en soi. J'adore sincèrement cette femme.
La marâtre : Enseignante qui vit dans le milieu de nul part me fait carrément rire avec son sarcasme.....parfois elle me tire une larme lorsqu'elle parle de ses élèves....Elle est bitch mais tendre à la fois. Ma shredded wheat à moi !
Le Voyou : Malgré qu'il attire souvent les polémiques, moi je l'aime bien. Peut-être parce qu'il est le vilain petit canard de la Blogosphère ? J'en sais rien, je l'aime pareil, moi !
Et le dernier, le seul à qui je ne dirais pas que je l'ai mentionné (car il en a rien à foutre de toute façon ;-) le p'tit Lagacé : je le lis tous les matins, pour le détester bien souvent, mais je dois rendre à César se qui appartient à César : ses sujets sont variés et il est une des plus cohérents dans ses opinions.
Alors voilà ma p'tite liste......
Bonne journée !
P.S : Je n'ai pas le temps ce matin d'aller faire signe au lauréats de mes prix.....si vous avez le temps de le faire je l'apprécierais grandement.
PPS : Pour les fautes, je devrai repasser ce soir.....je suis déjà en retard ;-))
DERNIÈRE HEURE : Baon ! Ça l'air que p'tit rien s'en va.....Sti !
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
It's real, now!
Well, we're getting ready to head to sea for two weeks. We sail Monday, and get back the Friday after, with a weekend stop in Vancouver. It's real, now! Six weeks will come to fruition--sortof--and those countless hours of figuring out a bunch of stuff that didn't quite make sense at the time, studying Rules of the Road, learning how to do passage planning... everything will come together for two weeks. And then we'll go to the sims and start all over again.
I've been assigned to PCT Renard 58, fourth in the Orca class, which was launched a little under a year ago. Part of me hopes she'll have her own idiosyncrasies, different from PCT Orca, which I sailed on last year, but I won't hold my breath. Besides, I'll be much too busy planning and actually sailing around to notice much of that--and I won't be at the helm, as we have "NETPO kids" to do that.
Speaking of NETPO kids, their presence is a relief. There will be five of us MARS III students per Orca (originally there would be six, but three students have failed the academic phase and are being recoursed) planning around 50+Nm of relatively tight navigation per day. We were told it would amount to between 6-8 tracks, 10-12Nm per person, per day, so with one less person it should be up to 8-10, 12-14Nm if not more. The NETPO students (they're, for the most part, about the same age as us MARS III students, but anyone on a "lower" course somehow gets referred to as a "kid"--as in "BOTC kids" (basic training) to "NETPO kids", even though some are in their 30s and all but one student in our division are in their early 20s) will be taking over the same jobs as we had to deal with last year: helmsman, lookouts, cooks, lifebuoy sentry, etc. MARS III students will focus on being OOW, NavO and FixO.
I'm fairly certain I haven't mentionned the roles (as we use them on this course) so just as a refresher:
OOW: Officer Of the Watch. Theoretically has charge (but not command) of the ship. A bit of a gray area on this course, as we're not fully qualified. Gives the conning orders ("drives" the ship), gives recommendations to the Captain regarding COLREGS (Rules of the Road) situations. Also, most of the time, uses the VHF radio to contact the traffic system, or other vessels. Works closely with the..
NavO: Navigation Officer. Referred to as the NavO even though there is only one NavO on a real ship--the rest of the officers doing "navigation" are normally referred to as "navigator." The NavO plans a passage (the aforementioned 10Nm), lays down the tracks, clearing bearings and other important information on the charts, writes down the relevant information in his notebook, and is responsible to the OOW for the navigation of the ship. Both the NavO and the OOW talk to the Captain, as the NavO takes care of staying "on track" and the OOW takes care of "not running over other ships." The NavO also works in conjunction with the...
FixO: Fixing Officer. Stays at the chart table and does a whole bunch of stuff for the NavO. As fixes need to be taken every 6 minutes (at most), the NavO takes bearings off various points and tells the FixO, who then plots the bearings on the chart, compares it with the planned track, computes the EP (Estimated Position) or DR position (Dead Reckoning), figures out how far from the next wheelover the ship is, and tells the NavO all the relevant information. Also figures out the tidal set, if any, and other such information.
Basically, the bridge team (all three of those guys) has to function as a--excuse the corporate babble--synergy. Everyone has to do their job properly, efficiently, and well. If the FixO fails at finding the ship's position, the NavO can't make sure the ship is safe, and the OOW can't safely alter to keep out of the way of other vessels. It is, truly, a symbiotic relationship.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to being out "at sea" again, though it won't be a big booze cruise as it was last year, unfortunately. At least this year we're totally geeking out over MARS III stuff, whereas there was nothing to really geek out about last year on NETPO. When people start making jokes about relative velocity and whatnot, you know it's going to our brain.
I apologize for the utter lack of posting up to now, but there was very little to talk about, and as the weeks went on it turned into one massive blur of information overload. I've absorbed so much knowledge, I feel like someone just plugged me into one of those computers like in the Matrix and uploaded everything into my brain.
I expect to be able to write at least a little blurb every day or so while at sea, though I don't know if I'll have any internet access (beyond my blackberry), so I might end up posting them all at once, once I get back. I might post little "survived the day--moored at (some port)" along the way, but nothing extensive.
I've been assigned to PCT Renard 58, fourth in the Orca class, which was launched a little under a year ago. Part of me hopes she'll have her own idiosyncrasies, different from PCT Orca, which I sailed on last year, but I won't hold my breath. Besides, I'll be much too busy planning and actually sailing around to notice much of that--and I won't be at the helm, as we have "NETPO kids" to do that.
Speaking of NETPO kids, their presence is a relief. There will be five of us MARS III students per Orca (originally there would be six, but three students have failed the academic phase and are being recoursed) planning around 50+Nm of relatively tight navigation per day. We were told it would amount to between 6-8 tracks, 10-12Nm per person, per day, so with one less person it should be up to 8-10, 12-14Nm if not more. The NETPO students (they're, for the most part, about the same age as us MARS III students, but anyone on a "lower" course somehow gets referred to as a "kid"--as in "BOTC kids" (basic training) to "NETPO kids", even though some are in their 30s and all but one student in our division are in their early 20s) will be taking over the same jobs as we had to deal with last year: helmsman, lookouts, cooks, lifebuoy sentry, etc. MARS III students will focus on being OOW, NavO and FixO.
I'm fairly certain I haven't mentionned the roles (as we use them on this course) so just as a refresher:
OOW: Officer Of the Watch. Theoretically has charge (but not command) of the ship. A bit of a gray area on this course, as we're not fully qualified. Gives the conning orders ("drives" the ship), gives recommendations to the Captain regarding COLREGS (Rules of the Road) situations. Also, most of the time, uses the VHF radio to contact the traffic system, or other vessels. Works closely with the..
NavO: Navigation Officer. Referred to as the NavO even though there is only one NavO on a real ship--the rest of the officers doing "navigation" are normally referred to as "navigator." The NavO plans a passage (the aforementioned 10Nm), lays down the tracks, clearing bearings and other important information on the charts, writes down the relevant information in his notebook, and is responsible to the OOW for the navigation of the ship. Both the NavO and the OOW talk to the Captain, as the NavO takes care of staying "on track" and the OOW takes care of "not running over other ships." The NavO also works in conjunction with the...
FixO: Fixing Officer. Stays at the chart table and does a whole bunch of stuff for the NavO. As fixes need to be taken every 6 minutes (at most), the NavO takes bearings off various points and tells the FixO, who then plots the bearings on the chart, compares it with the planned track, computes the EP (Estimated Position) or DR position (Dead Reckoning), figures out how far from the next wheelover the ship is, and tells the NavO all the relevant information. Also figures out the tidal set, if any, and other such information.
Basically, the bridge team (all three of those guys) has to function as a--excuse the corporate babble--synergy. Everyone has to do their job properly, efficiently, and well. If the FixO fails at finding the ship's position, the NavO can't make sure the ship is safe, and the OOW can't safely alter to keep out of the way of other vessels. It is, truly, a symbiotic relationship.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to being out "at sea" again, though it won't be a big booze cruise as it was last year, unfortunately. At least this year we're totally geeking out over MARS III stuff, whereas there was nothing to really geek out about last year on NETPO. When people start making jokes about relative velocity and whatnot, you know it's going to our brain.
I apologize for the utter lack of posting up to now, but there was very little to talk about, and as the weeks went on it turned into one massive blur of information overload. I've absorbed so much knowledge, I feel like someone just plugged me into one of those computers like in the Matrix and uploaded everything into my brain.
I expect to be able to write at least a little blurb every day or so while at sea, though I don't know if I'll have any internet access (beyond my blackberry), so I might end up posting them all at once, once I get back. I might post little "survived the day--moored at (some port)" along the way, but nothing extensive.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Still kicking
Sorry for those who were expecting more from me this summer. After all, one of the main aims of starting this blog was to talk about summer training. Sadly, MARS III is exceedingly time-intensive and I try to get away from sitting at a desk when I have free time.
I'll endeavour to post something this weekend with a little more about what has happened in the past few weeks, but I can't promise anything. It's been one massive blur.
Anyways, here's to MARS III being over!
I'll endeavour to post something this weekend with a little more about what has happened in the past few weeks, but I can't promise anything. It's been one massive blur.
Anyways, here's to MARS III being over!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Let Mortal Kombat Begin!
So, after a rather... eventful day on Saturday, I arrived in Victoria, BC (Home of Canada's Pacific Fleet, the sign proclaimed) and settled into my new suite. Yes, suite. I'm in the new building, that's actually made for officers, and that means I share a small suite with another officer, who's also on my course. We each have a private room with a bed, desk, dresser, sink, and walk-in closet. (Yes, you read that right. A walk-in closet.) There's a private bathroom (well, private compared to what I'm used to) with a shower, and a common room with two sofas and a TV... and CABLE! Sadly I won't get to enjoy it too much, but it's still nice to watch CSI: Boise while doing relvel homework.
The course started off with a bang. We started learning stuff on Monday morning. And we haven't stopped. Every day I come home exhausted from learning everything, and I have to get my uniform ready for the next day, on top of doing homework to really let whatever I've learned sink in. I'm doing fairly well, though, and homework is more something to do than something I struggle with--I just do it slowly to give myself something to do, really.
So far, we've focused mostly on relvel (relative velocity) problems with the maneuvering board (basically a paper representation of a radar screen). Those of you in the Navy (Canada's or otherwise) know what I'm talking about, and those who aren't in the Navy probably haven't got a clue, and it's rather complicated to explain. Let's just say some people struggle with it--not me--and it's tedious work, especially when you're on your 15th "opening on a steady bearing" problem. We've done some more complicated stuff in relvel like wind over deck (just longer, not really harder) and multiple course changes in a row, but it's all basically the same. I'm doing pretty well in mental math, too, surprisingly. I've found things that work for me, and generally it doesn't take me very long to figure out answers. We've mostly only done things like regaining from being off-track and such, though, so it might get harder.
It's a breakneck pace and, as I mentioned, I come home exhausted after a full day of class. Some people are already complaining that it's going too fast. It's true--we usually learn something new, do a few examples as a group, do one or two examples on our own (with the instructors to help us along) and move on to new things. And then the main instructor gives us homework for the night.
I've learned something cool, this week, as well: our sea phase (two weeks on PCTs) will be with the NETP-O people, which means we won't have to be cooks, lookouts, helmsmen, DC roundsmen, and other odd jobs while also being FixO, NavO and OOW, and planning our passages. There's 18 of us on course and they'll likely spread us over 3 of the 4 PCTs--the rest being NETPO-only--which means about 6 MARS III students (2 bridge teams, I guess) and probably 12-14 NETPO students. It should be good. I can't wait to conn a PCT again--that was one of the most exhilarating experiences ever. Of course, it won't be all fun like NETPO was, but considering I'm enjoying the fairly boring and tedious stuff we're working on right now, the sea phase should be enjoyable as well. Now the NABS (simulators) assessed phase might be a little harder, and we'll be working with an MCDV model instead of a PCT, and the MCDV not only has different characteristics but also different conning orders (it's a different propulsion and direction system), which might cause a little bit of trouble.
All in all, I'm really enjoying MARS III, even though it's hard and there really isn't that much to do at night when I'm done homework. Sure, we have some internet capability as we have DWAN in our rooms and issued laptops, but most of the websites I use are blocked (they're not authorized by DND) so I can surf CNN and BBC and such, but that's about it. At least I have e-mail (not through hotmail or RMC mail, though--I have an @forces.gc.ca address now, because I'm a big boy) so I can e-mail my mom to tell her I'm fine. Busy, but fine.
I love my life.
(Of course, in a few weeks I'll have bags under my eyes, will have taken up smoking and will be drinking 1984 cups of coffee a day, and I won't love it anymore.)
Edit: I'll be fiddling with the blogger function that lets me e-mail posts directly to the blog without having to get on the main website. Expect (possibly) short updates between major posts.
The course started off with a bang. We started learning stuff on Monday morning. And we haven't stopped. Every day I come home exhausted from learning everything, and I have to get my uniform ready for the next day, on top of doing homework to really let whatever I've learned sink in. I'm doing fairly well, though, and homework is more something to do than something I struggle with--I just do it slowly to give myself something to do, really.
So far, we've focused mostly on relvel (relative velocity) problems with the maneuvering board (basically a paper representation of a radar screen). Those of you in the Navy (Canada's or otherwise) know what I'm talking about, and those who aren't in the Navy probably haven't got a clue, and it's rather complicated to explain. Let's just say some people struggle with it--not me--and it's tedious work, especially when you're on your 15th "opening on a steady bearing" problem. We've done some more complicated stuff in relvel like wind over deck (just longer, not really harder) and multiple course changes in a row, but it's all basically the same. I'm doing pretty well in mental math, too, surprisingly. I've found things that work for me, and generally it doesn't take me very long to figure out answers. We've mostly only done things like regaining from being off-track and such, though, so it might get harder.
It's a breakneck pace and, as I mentioned, I come home exhausted after a full day of class. Some people are already complaining that it's going too fast. It's true--we usually learn something new, do a few examples as a group, do one or two examples on our own (with the instructors to help us along) and move on to new things. And then the main instructor gives us homework for the night.
I've learned something cool, this week, as well: our sea phase (two weeks on PCTs) will be with the NETP-O people, which means we won't have to be cooks, lookouts, helmsmen, DC roundsmen, and other odd jobs while also being FixO, NavO and OOW, and planning our passages. There's 18 of us on course and they'll likely spread us over 3 of the 4 PCTs--the rest being NETPO-only--which means about 6 MARS III students (2 bridge teams, I guess) and probably 12-14 NETPO students. It should be good. I can't wait to conn a PCT again--that was one of the most exhilarating experiences ever. Of course, it won't be all fun like NETPO was, but considering I'm enjoying the fairly boring and tedious stuff we're working on right now, the sea phase should be enjoyable as well. Now the NABS (simulators) assessed phase might be a little harder, and we'll be working with an MCDV model instead of a PCT, and the MCDV not only has different characteristics but also different conning orders (it's a different propulsion and direction system), which might cause a little bit of trouble.
All in all, I'm really enjoying MARS III, even though it's hard and there really isn't that much to do at night when I'm done homework. Sure, we have some internet capability as we have DWAN in our rooms and issued laptops, but most of the websites I use are blocked (they're not authorized by DND) so I can surf CNN and BBC and such, but that's about it. At least I have e-mail (not through hotmail or RMC mail, though--I have an @forces.gc.ca address now, because I'm a big boy) so I can e-mail my mom to tell her I'm fine. Busy, but fine.
I love my life.
(Of course, in a few weeks I'll have bags under my eyes, will have taken up smoking and will be drinking 1984 cups of coffee a day, and I won't love it anymore.)
Edit: I'll be fiddling with the blogger function that lets me e-mail posts directly to the blog without having to get on the main website. Expect (possibly) short updates between major posts.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Staff jobs, yay!
Well, I am now a staff officer. Sort of.
I've been appointed as Squadron Admin Officer (CSAdO) for 12 Squadron, for next semester. In short, I'll be responsible for all the paperwork that goes into running a squadron. It's not generally considered a glamorous job (obviously!) but it has to be done. I guess that's the price you pay for being competent and fairly efficient.
Ah well, maybe it'll put me on the fast track to NDHQ in Ottawa where I can have a nice, comfy, 8-to-3 job and a house in the 'burbs. Not that I particularly want that--I'd rather be out defeating the evil hordes on a sleek greyhound of death.
We'll see how next year goes!
I've been appointed as Squadron Admin Officer (CSAdO) for 12 Squadron, for next semester. In short, I'll be responsible for all the paperwork that goes into running a squadron. It's not generally considered a glamorous job (obviously!) but it has to be done. I guess that's the price you pay for being competent and fairly efficient.
Ah well, maybe it'll put me on the fast track to NDHQ in Ottawa where I can have a nice, comfy, 8-to-3 job and a house in the 'burbs. Not that I particularly want that--I'd rather be out defeating the evil hordes on a sleek greyhound of death.
We'll see how next year goes!
Sunday, May 4, 2008
The passing of a great man
Padre Jean-Yves Fortin, the Roman Catholic chaplain here at RMC, passed away suddenly last night.
I'm still in shock, as I'm sure the rest of the RMC community is, and I get a bit teary-eyed every time I let my mind stop. Padre Fortin was always jovial, laughing and joking around with us lowly OCdts and NCdts, eating with us often, and always knew how to raise our spirits. Loved by everyone, he will be sorely missed.
For me personally, he was the first chaplain I really knew. Of course, there was a chaplain in St-Jean during basic, but I only met him once. Padre Fortin was around from the time I got here for FYOP up until now, always remembering to ask how my mom was doing, and making sure to prod me so I'd go back home once in a while. Of course, it was almost expected (at least I'm sure some people would expect that) because of his position, but I always thought it was nice that he'd always remember people and would ask relevant questions.
Rest in peace, Padre.
I'm still in shock, as I'm sure the rest of the RMC community is, and I get a bit teary-eyed every time I let my mind stop. Padre Fortin was always jovial, laughing and joking around with us lowly OCdts and NCdts, eating with us often, and always knew how to raise our spirits. Loved by everyone, he will be sorely missed.
For me personally, he was the first chaplain I really knew. Of course, there was a chaplain in St-Jean during basic, but I only met him once. Padre Fortin was around from the time I got here for FYOP up until now, always remembering to ask how my mom was doing, and making sure to prod me so I'd go back home once in a while. Of course, it was almost expected (at least I'm sure some people would expect that) because of his position, but I always thought it was nice that he'd always remember people and would ask relevant questions.
Rest in peace, Padre.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Media irresponsibility strikes again
Just a quick note:
As some of you might be aware, there was some "rioting" in the streets of Montreal after the NHL team beat their rival in the first round of the playoffs, and several police cars were torched, with several more all but destroyed. All of the TV stations around sent teams (some stations had several teams assigned) to cover the events and take images.
The SPVM (Montreal police) has been asking people--through the media--for their images of the rioting so they can identify the culprits and, hopefully, arrest them. Today, the SPVM showed up at the TV stations to ask, without a warrant, to obtain the images of the rioting so they could be used to identify the rioters. The TV stations refused.
So the SPVM showed up with a warrant and took the images "by force."
Why not just release them? A lot of the images were shown--in a loop on some stations--so anyone could have tivo'd live TV. It's broadcast! The only difference is, I assume, that the stations' copies are slightly higher-quality and aren't partially blocked by computer graphics.
Still, it makes no sense that when the cops showed up to ask, not demand, the tapes, the stations refused. It's not like they were guilty of any wrongdoing!
Ah well, everyone knows the media will go as far as possible to hamper and question the lawful activity of the authorities (police, military, etc) without illegality.
As some of you might be aware, there was some "rioting" in the streets of Montreal after the NHL team beat their rival in the first round of the playoffs, and several police cars were torched, with several more all but destroyed. All of the TV stations around sent teams (some stations had several teams assigned) to cover the events and take images.
The SPVM (Montreal police) has been asking people--through the media--for their images of the rioting so they can identify the culprits and, hopefully, arrest them. Today, the SPVM showed up at the TV stations to ask, without a warrant, to obtain the images of the rioting so they could be used to identify the rioters. The TV stations refused.
So the SPVM showed up with a warrant and took the images "by force."
Why not just release them? A lot of the images were shown--in a loop on some stations--so anyone could have tivo'd live TV. It's broadcast! The only difference is, I assume, that the stations' copies are slightly higher-quality and aren't partially blocked by computer graphics.
Still, it makes no sense that when the cops showed up to ask, not demand, the tapes, the stations refused. It's not like they were guilty of any wrongdoing!
Ah well, everyone knows the media will go as far as possible to hamper and question the lawful activity of the authorities (police, military, etc) without illegality.
Petraeus picked to lead Central Command
(Source: CNN.com)
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, has been tapped to become chief of U.S. Central Command, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Wednesday.
Petraeus replaces Adm. William Fallon, who said last month he was resigning. Fallon said widespread, but false, reports that he was at odds with the Bush administration over Iran had made his job impossible.
Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno will take over for Petraeus as commander in Iraq, Gates said.
Petraeus was picked in January 2007 to replace Gen. George Casey as the chief commander in Iraq, and won Senate confirmation that same month. He previously served as head of the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center and as a commander in Iraq and was one of the main writers of an Army manual on counterinsurgency efforts.
When your rack of medals look like a Soviet General's, you know you kick serious bootay.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
The vanquishing of finals.
Well, exams and essays and everything naughty is over with.
I can now take a full week off. I'm headed home in a few hours, staying until Thursday or Friday, and spending next weekend in Toronto attending the fantabulistic Frankie Manning workshop. It should be most awesome. (If you don't know who Frankie Manning is, shame on you! That being said, look him up.)
It'll definitely be good to not only be able to sleep as much as I need to (several weeks of mild-to-severe sleep deprivation have made me... different) but to be home, away from all the craziness that grips RMC this time of year.
Anyway, I have yet to pack all my stuff, so it would probably be a good idea to get off the intertubes, yes?
I'll post some more tonight or tomorrow.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Good attitude a bad thing?
I gotta admit, I had a bit of a bad attitude for a while. Or rather, I didn't keep my mouth shut when I should. Ah well, that's mostly in the past. (Everyone has bad days, sometimes, right?)
What's funny is that during SPT (mandatory training, four days a week) I got in trouble a few weeks ago for being a little too loud about my displeasure. It was a bit of a kick in the butt and I started--that very day--to work harder than before. Moreover, I've been pretty vocal, but in a positive way this time around. I joke around, mostly, but I also encourage people who I get along with--mostly people who run faster than I do normally, and who I start catching up on. ("You're dragging ass! I'm right behind you! What's wrong?!") I also worked hard enough to be very close to puking, on a couple occasions, and even ended up puking once--the first time ever I've pushed myself enough to actually puke.
Anyway, last week, one guy stopped training, came over, and bitched at me for being positive. Apparently, in his mind, you can't be positive, loud, and hard-working at the same time. I guess anyone who's having fun training isn't training hard. It's rather annoying, because there are people who are fairly negative--though not too loud--and who don't try very hard... if they try at all. Some don't even break a sweat on most days.
The funny part is, yesterday, the CWC (Cadet Wing Commander) told me people had noticed I'd turned my attitude around and was working really hard, and they were really pleased with me. Of course, I have a whole lot more work to do, but I'm losing fat fast (enough for my mom to notice and comment on it) and I'm definitely feeling the difference, although I'm still struggling with the 20 meter shuttle run.
Strangely, the thing that was pissing me off the most--the change of schedule whereupon SPT will be at 0530 on Tuesdays and Thursdays--isn't bothering me quite as much. Of course, getting up at 0500 will suck, but what can you do?
I also got my hands on a copy of the Army Fitness Manual (I know, I know, it's Army... but we don't have a Navy Fitness Manual, for obvious reasons), so I'll try and get my own training going on top of what I do at SPT. I'd like to go back to going to the weight room after supper, as I used to do in high school, but cardio and bodyweight stuff is more important right now. I can get HYOOOOOOOOGE again after I get good at running. I could probably have figured out my own training without the AFM, but I'd rather have a good reference to base myself on--I'll just adjust as needed.
One thing that's bothering me--though it's a good thing, I guess--is that while I'm getting leaner, I've more or less stopped losing weight. I'm down to 215-220lbs, from a high of 235 after the holidays, but it feels almost disappointing; I'm much leaner, but I'm not progressing towards my goal of dropping under 200lbs. Losing that extra 20-ish lbs would definitely help raise my score and, most importantly, pass the shuttle run.
I don't know reading week will be--it's a bit hard to run in our barely-plowed streets/sidewalks, and the -15C and under weather (with my luck, it'll get down to -25C plus wind chill) tends to kill my lungs--but at worst we have an eliptical machine, and I can definitely do pushups and situps and such in my mom's living room. Not quite puke-inducing, but better than nothing.
Sorry for not being too interesting, but right now my life is pretty much sucking in terms of excitement. I go to class, train, study, write papers, and go to more classes.
In other news: I've reached 6000 hits. Thanks, dear readers!
What's funny is that during SPT (mandatory training, four days a week) I got in trouble a few weeks ago for being a little too loud about my displeasure. It was a bit of a kick in the butt and I started--that very day--to work harder than before. Moreover, I've been pretty vocal, but in a positive way this time around. I joke around, mostly, but I also encourage people who I get along with--mostly people who run faster than I do normally, and who I start catching up on. ("You're dragging ass! I'm right behind you! What's wrong?!") I also worked hard enough to be very close to puking, on a couple occasions, and even ended up puking once--the first time ever I've pushed myself enough to actually puke.
Anyway, last week, one guy stopped training, came over, and bitched at me for being positive. Apparently, in his mind, you can't be positive, loud, and hard-working at the same time. I guess anyone who's having fun training isn't training hard. It's rather annoying, because there are people who are fairly negative--though not too loud--and who don't try very hard... if they try at all. Some don't even break a sweat on most days.
The funny part is, yesterday, the CWC (Cadet Wing Commander) told me people had noticed I'd turned my attitude around and was working really hard, and they were really pleased with me. Of course, I have a whole lot more work to do, but I'm losing fat fast (enough for my mom to notice and comment on it) and I'm definitely feeling the difference, although I'm still struggling with the 20 meter shuttle run.
Strangely, the thing that was pissing me off the most--the change of schedule whereupon SPT will be at 0530 on Tuesdays and Thursdays--isn't bothering me quite as much. Of course, getting up at 0500 will suck, but what can you do?
I also got my hands on a copy of the Army Fitness Manual (I know, I know, it's Army... but we don't have a Navy Fitness Manual, for obvious reasons), so I'll try and get my own training going on top of what I do at SPT. I'd like to go back to going to the weight room after supper, as I used to do in high school, but cardio and bodyweight stuff is more important right now. I can get HYOOOOOOOOGE again after I get good at running. I could probably have figured out my own training without the AFM, but I'd rather have a good reference to base myself on--I'll just adjust as needed.
One thing that's bothering me--though it's a good thing, I guess--is that while I'm getting leaner, I've more or less stopped losing weight. I'm down to 215-220lbs, from a high of 235 after the holidays, but it feels almost disappointing; I'm much leaner, but I'm not progressing towards my goal of dropping under 200lbs. Losing that extra 20-ish lbs would definitely help raise my score and, most importantly, pass the shuttle run.
I don't know reading week will be--it's a bit hard to run in our barely-plowed streets/sidewalks, and the -15C and under weather (with my luck, it'll get down to -25C plus wind chill) tends to kill my lungs--but at worst we have an eliptical machine, and I can definitely do pushups and situps and such in my mom's living room. Not quite puke-inducing, but better than nothing.
Sorry for not being too interesting, but right now my life is pretty much sucking in terms of excitement. I go to class, train, study, write papers, and go to more classes.
In other news: I've reached 6000 hits. Thanks, dear readers!
Monday, February 4, 2008
LENT - The Musical
All right, so Lent is approaching really, really fast, and although I'm not really that religious, I want to try and give up some stuff... Kinda like 40 days 40 nights, but I really don't get laid often enough for it to be that big a challenge.
So, I decided to give up my two biggest loves in the universe: (beyond my mom; I'm so totally a momma's boy)
Pop (Coca-Cola being the biggest loss)
and
my iPod.
The only exception will be with my iPod: I cannot possibly train with the s**t music they play at the gym--it just kills any motivation I have to push myself--so while at the gym I'll be destroying my eardrums with my iPod. Beyond that, I will not use my iPod when going around, or while at the computer lab, or, generally, anytime I'm not at the gym working out. Just because I know my devious mind will crave some kind of musical entertainment while I'm at the computer lab, I'll also stipulate that unless I'm actively watching a video on YouTube or something such, I won't play music videos in the background--that would be cheating.
I'll also be limiting my facebook usage to the minimum: only responding to messages/wall posts and the like. In short, I'll be using facebook as a messenging service rather than a very potent timewaster service. Still, I don't include it in the list of things I'm giving up on, because I'm not really giving up on it, just limiting it, and that doesn't count.
If you're wondering why I put "The Musical" in the title.. well, first off, you should know me better. Seriously though, I just figure I'll be singing a lot to make up for the iPod loss. Definitely gonna be bringing out all the good songs I know! "Oh, I just can't wait to be kiiiiiiiiiing!"
It's gonna be tough... then again, I do believe that's the idea.
Next year: I'll get myself one of those things the albino in Da Vinci Code wore around his thigh.
Shortly after I originally posted this on facebook, CNN announced my withdrawal from regular facebook usage and reports are coming in of people dancing in the streets of most major cities in the Western hemisphere.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Casse-couilles Part II
Partie I est ici.
Sachez, qu'il s'agit d'une analyse dont l'unique but est de m'amuser.
J'ai été surprise de voir tout ces évènements qui démontre dès le début de cette relation un grand mépris pour l'homme qu'elle prétendait aimer. JAMAIS au cours de cette relation a-t-elle été capable de mettre sa petite personne de côté pour donner un peu de place aux besoins de l'autre.
Au tout début, lorsqu'il a de la peine et qu'il ne sait pas trop comment dealer avec la mort-née de sa petite soeur, il court vers elle pour un peu de réconfort. Celle-ci le repousse (après quelques minutes) prétextant que l'École a besoin d'elle.
O.k., on peut dire que pour l'époque c'est louable d'avoir eu une conscience professionnelle, mais dans les faits, qu'auraient été les vraies conséquences si elle était resté quelques minutes de plus auprès de lui ?
Pas étonnant qu'il a sacré son camp dans l'bois.
Il prend tout de même le temps de lui écrire et lui dire qu'il fait ça pour eux : Ramasser de l'argent pour qu'ils puissent se marier à son retour.
Que fait-elle pendant ce temps ?
Comme elle est fâchée que son animal de compagnie soit parti, comme elle ne croit pas du tout en lui, comme elle est une égoïste hors paire : elle se fiance avec un autre !
Fait qu'elle ne lui a jamais avoué en plus.
Lorsqu'il revient, pour lui, c'est clair que c'est pour la marier. Dans sa tête, se qu'il a écrit dans sa lettre, c'est s'qu'il a fait. Pourquoi aurait-il eu besoin d'écrire des centaines de lettres ?
Encore là, elle n'est pas contente.....
Et c'est comme ça tout le long de leur histoire. TOUT se que le pauvre yiable fait, n'est jamais assez bon pour elle. De plus, même sachant qu'il est un «gars de bois» elle insiste pour qu'il reste auprès d'elle, et pourtant, lorsqu'ils sont à Shawinigan, elle n'hésite pas à le sacrer là toute l'été parce qu'ELLE s'emmerde en ville et ce malgré qu'il lui ai dit qu'il s'ennuyait d'eux à mourir lors de leurs absences.
Lorsqu'ils sont à Shawi, il trouve un bon boulot. Il est le SEUL boss Canadien Français dans cette usine ( oubliez pas qu'on parle ici du début des années 1990 ) Il travaille fort, indeed, mais rapporte tout de même du gros cash à la maison.
Pis kessé qu'elle fait notre Émilie ?
Ben 'a chiale parce qu'il travaille beaucoup, et la pôôôvre petite fleur s'ennuie.
Les p'tits sont presque tous à l'école et elle est éduquée....elle aurait pu se trouver quelque chose à faire....non ? Des courts de rattrapage à la maison, de la couture, écrire un bouqin. Pas les idées qui auraient dûes manquer là !
C'est se qui me dépasse......Comment une auteur peut nous flouer ainsi. C'est fort pareil, nous faire croire que c'est Èmilie l'opprimée dans cette histoire ?
Je n'enlève rien à la série là. Au contraire, c'est un chef d'oeuvre. Les prises de vues, l'intensité des personnages, la musique, l'innovation ( on parle d'une série qui date de 17 ans quand même).
Mais j'me demande, Arlette Cousture est-elle une féministe frustrée qui a profité de sa plume pour transposer ses propres malaises ?
;-)
P.S : Suis-je la seule à avoir remarqué que Berthe est probablement lesbienne et c'est pour ça qu'elle s'en va au cloître ?
Sachez, qu'il s'agit d'une analyse dont l'unique but est de m'amuser.
J'ai été surprise de voir tout ces évènements qui démontre dès le début de cette relation un grand mépris pour l'homme qu'elle prétendait aimer. JAMAIS au cours de cette relation a-t-elle été capable de mettre sa petite personne de côté pour donner un peu de place aux besoins de l'autre.
Au tout début, lorsqu'il a de la peine et qu'il ne sait pas trop comment dealer avec la mort-née de sa petite soeur, il court vers elle pour un peu de réconfort. Celle-ci le repousse (après quelques minutes) prétextant que l'École a besoin d'elle.
O.k., on peut dire que pour l'époque c'est louable d'avoir eu une conscience professionnelle, mais dans les faits, qu'auraient été les vraies conséquences si elle était resté quelques minutes de plus auprès de lui ?
Pas étonnant qu'il a sacré son camp dans l'bois.
Il prend tout de même le temps de lui écrire et lui dire qu'il fait ça pour eux : Ramasser de l'argent pour qu'ils puissent se marier à son retour.
Que fait-elle pendant ce temps ?
Comme elle est fâchée que son animal de compagnie soit parti, comme elle ne croit pas du tout en lui, comme elle est une égoïste hors paire : elle se fiance avec un autre !
Fait qu'elle ne lui a jamais avoué en plus.
Lorsqu'il revient, pour lui, c'est clair que c'est pour la marier. Dans sa tête, se qu'il a écrit dans sa lettre, c'est s'qu'il a fait. Pourquoi aurait-il eu besoin d'écrire des centaines de lettres ?
Encore là, elle n'est pas contente.....
Et c'est comme ça tout le long de leur histoire. TOUT se que le pauvre yiable fait, n'est jamais assez bon pour elle. De plus, même sachant qu'il est un «gars de bois» elle insiste pour qu'il reste auprès d'elle, et pourtant, lorsqu'ils sont à Shawinigan, elle n'hésite pas à le sacrer là toute l'été parce qu'ELLE s'emmerde en ville et ce malgré qu'il lui ai dit qu'il s'ennuyait d'eux à mourir lors de leurs absences.
Lorsqu'ils sont à Shawi, il trouve un bon boulot. Il est le SEUL boss Canadien Français dans cette usine ( oubliez pas qu'on parle ici du début des années 1990 ) Il travaille fort, indeed, mais rapporte tout de même du gros cash à la maison.
Pis kessé qu'elle fait notre Émilie ?
Ben 'a chiale parce qu'il travaille beaucoup, et la pôôôvre petite fleur s'ennuie.
Les p'tits sont presque tous à l'école et elle est éduquée....elle aurait pu se trouver quelque chose à faire....non ? Des courts de rattrapage à la maison, de la couture, écrire un bouqin. Pas les idées qui auraient dûes manquer là !
C'est se qui me dépasse......Comment une auteur peut nous flouer ainsi. C'est fort pareil, nous faire croire que c'est Èmilie l'opprimée dans cette histoire ?
Je n'enlève rien à la série là. Au contraire, c'est un chef d'oeuvre. Les prises de vues, l'intensité des personnages, la musique, l'innovation ( on parle d'une série qui date de 17 ans quand même).
Mais j'me demande, Arlette Cousture est-elle une féministe frustrée qui a profité de sa plume pour transposer ses propres malaises ?
;-)
P.S : Suis-je la seule à avoir remarqué que Berthe est probablement lesbienne et c'est pour ça qu'elle s'en va au cloître ?
Friday, January 18, 2008
On nutrition
Or: Holy crap, junk food doesn't taste good anymore!
Okay, so I wrote something similar a while back. The thing is, the feeling is entirely different this time around. Last time I experienced the whole not-liking-junk-food deal, it was physical, as it just made me feel sick. This time around, I feel fine (although a little sluggish) if I take in a lot of sugar/carbs at once, but not sick. I just don't enjoy it. At all. I wouldn't go so far as to say I'd rather have water than pop, but I'd definitely go for plain milk (I prefer 3.25%, but here they only have 2% and skim...) or some Crystal Light™. Speaking of water, though, I sometimes find myself craving it--and I don't mean being parched. I just randomly feel like drinking water. Sick, I know.
My nutrition has been a bit odd lately; I try to take in mostly good foods, but I tend to let myself go post-workout, and take in some Sprite™ (I crave the bubbles...) or, better, chocolate milk, and even dessert sometimes. What's funny, though, is that even when I go for pizza and fries with a side of Sprite™, I tend to skip dessert.
The thing that's surprising me is that it's not a conscious decision, really. I don't think "oh, this is healthier, I'll eat it," I just don't feel like eating crap, most of the time. Even when I do buy junk food--out of habit, really--I eat it but it just doesn't feel as good as it used to. Heck, I bought some fudge and, although it was very good fudge (at least for the store-bought kind) I only barely finished it. Same with drinking pop; I get a glass or two from the machine in the mess, but I end up taking a sip and leaving the rest.
I'm hoping I won't be jinxing myself with this, and I definitely don't expect to eat perfect all the time. Or even the 90% "my" nutritionist (or, rather, "my" team of nutritionists) recommends. I just want to "eat healthier," even if it means hitting the "perfect" mark only 70% of the time. Besides, I'm still at the point where slight adjustments still end up paying back major dividends. When I get lean enough to see my abs, or my veins (they're popping up on my forearms again) then maybe I'll focus in on chiseling the last of the "bad stuff," but until then, I'll just grab the pickaxe and hammer away.
I would have liked to go for something extreme like the Velocity Diet, but between having to pay for the mess anyway (something like $400 a month) and having to buy supplements (about $500 for a month), and the simple fact I couldn't keep doing everything I'm doing while on that diet, it'll have to wait, if I ever end up doing it at all.
I lost a ton of weight already (an insane amount, that most people would qualify as "unsafe") and I've only been back for a few weeks--and the "success" on the last PPT has only heightened my motivation to keep training hard and eating right. There's nothing quite like getting results to get you to go at it harder.
Also, for the psych majors out there, here's a "little" tidbit you might find interesting. Like a lot of "big" guys (I was up to 245lbs at least, at one point, and thought I was "HYOOOOOOGE") I've always had the problem of being somewhat scared of losing "that"--even though it was misguided and "that" was, instead of the mountain of muscle I envisionned, a mound of blubber with a few muscles hidden underneath. Still, most "big" guys start losing weight and get scared. After all, we've worked so hard to get HYOOOGE, what are we going to do if we end up small?
As was explained by someone (I don't remember who, or in exactly which article, but it was on t-nation), when you start losing weight, you generally get smaller (duh) but you don't really look any better. For big guys, used to being big and strong-looking, looking smaller but still not looking better nekkid is scary. After all, we go from having at least one part of the puzzle, to having the worst of both worlds: we're both weak-looking AND fat!
Eventually, you start seeing results, but it can take a long time. Even when you realize your pants fit better, or that the shirt you wore five years ago and kept around "for when I get lean" actually fits properly again, or whatever, you still think, "yeah, but I still don't look that great nekkid." (Let's face it, most people who train do it to look good nekkid.)
Anyway, the whole point is that somehow I got over that, and although I still get a little scared when I look in the mirror and realize my arms have "shrunk" while my belly still looks more like Buddha's than Brad Pitt's, I know that it's all coming along.
Well, I think that's enough of an update on my mental state and the state of my nutrition. Now, if only the mess offered GOOD, HEALTHY food!
TDV!
Okay, so I wrote something similar a while back. The thing is, the feeling is entirely different this time around. Last time I experienced the whole not-liking-junk-food deal, it was physical, as it just made me feel sick. This time around, I feel fine (although a little sluggish) if I take in a lot of sugar/carbs at once, but not sick. I just don't enjoy it. At all. I wouldn't go so far as to say I'd rather have water than pop, but I'd definitely go for plain milk (I prefer 3.25%, but here they only have 2% and skim...) or some Crystal Light™. Speaking of water, though, I sometimes find myself craving it--and I don't mean being parched. I just randomly feel like drinking water. Sick, I know.
My nutrition has been a bit odd lately; I try to take in mostly good foods, but I tend to let myself go post-workout, and take in some Sprite™ (I crave the bubbles...) or, better, chocolate milk, and even dessert sometimes. What's funny, though, is that even when I go for pizza and fries with a side of Sprite™, I tend to skip dessert.
The thing that's surprising me is that it's not a conscious decision, really. I don't think "oh, this is healthier, I'll eat it," I just don't feel like eating crap, most of the time. Even when I do buy junk food--out of habit, really--I eat it but it just doesn't feel as good as it used to. Heck, I bought some fudge and, although it was very good fudge (at least for the store-bought kind) I only barely finished it. Same with drinking pop; I get a glass or two from the machine in the mess, but I end up taking a sip and leaving the rest.
I'm hoping I won't be jinxing myself with this, and I definitely don't expect to eat perfect all the time. Or even the 90% "my" nutritionist (or, rather, "my" team of nutritionists) recommends. I just want to "eat healthier," even if it means hitting the "perfect" mark only 70% of the time. Besides, I'm still at the point where slight adjustments still end up paying back major dividends. When I get lean enough to see my abs, or my veins (they're popping up on my forearms again) then maybe I'll focus in on chiseling the last of the "bad stuff," but until then, I'll just grab the pickaxe and hammer away.
I would have liked to go for something extreme like the Velocity Diet, but between having to pay for the mess anyway (something like $400 a month) and having to buy supplements (about $500 for a month), and the simple fact I couldn't keep doing everything I'm doing while on that diet, it'll have to wait, if I ever end up doing it at all.
I lost a ton of weight already (an insane amount, that most people would qualify as "unsafe") and I've only been back for a few weeks--and the "success" on the last PPT has only heightened my motivation to keep training hard and eating right. There's nothing quite like getting results to get you to go at it harder.
Also, for the psych majors out there, here's a "little" tidbit you might find interesting. Like a lot of "big" guys (I was up to 245lbs at least, at one point, and thought I was "HYOOOOOOGE") I've always had the problem of being somewhat scared of losing "that"--even though it was misguided and "that" was, instead of the mountain of muscle I envisionned, a mound of blubber with a few muscles hidden underneath. Still, most "big" guys start losing weight and get scared. After all, we've worked so hard to get HYOOOGE, what are we going to do if we end up small?
As was explained by someone (I don't remember who, or in exactly which article, but it was on t-nation), when you start losing weight, you generally get smaller (duh) but you don't really look any better. For big guys, used to being big and strong-looking, looking smaller but still not looking better nekkid is scary. After all, we go from having at least one part of the puzzle, to having the worst of both worlds: we're both weak-looking AND fat!
Eventually, you start seeing results, but it can take a long time. Even when you realize your pants fit better, or that the shirt you wore five years ago and kept around "for when I get lean" actually fits properly again, or whatever, you still think, "yeah, but I still don't look that great nekkid." (Let's face it, most people who train do it to look good nekkid.)
Anyway, the whole point is that somehow I got over that, and although I still get a little scared when I look in the mirror and realize my arms have "shrunk" while my belly still looks more like Buddha's than Brad Pitt's, I know that it's all coming along.
Well, I think that's enough of an update on my mental state and the state of my nutrition. Now, if only the mess offered GOOD, HEALTHY food!
TDV!
Thursday, January 17, 2008
I don't want to be no green beret...
Ok, so this title has very little to do with this post, other than it's the title of a cadence I listen to while running. (What can I say, it keeps my speed AND my motivation up...)
So, we had our winter PPT (Physical Proficiency Test, or something such...) this morning. I didn't pass, but I did a whole lot better than I expected. Especially considering I was slightly hurt--I messed up my calf on Monday, and the nurses messed my arm up when I tried to give blood (I have a HUGE bruise and my arm is pretty stiff)--and haven't been sleeping well all week.
The only event I didn't actually improve on is the 20 meter shuttle run, which has always been my nemesis. I got to level 7 or 7.5 (I wasn't really paying attention...) on that, which is the same as I got back in September. However, I improved pushups (just 35--I was hoping to get to 40), situps (68--I'm hoping to get to 75 next time), the standing long jump (193cm, with the passing score being 195--last semester I got around 180cm), and the agility run (17.9, with the passing score being 17.8--last semester I was above 19 seconds).
All in all, it gets me to 212 points, compared to 174 last semester. That's 38 points, or 22%. Pretty good, I'd say, though about 20 of those points came from the 1sec improvement on the agility run. Also, just getting a pass on the 20MSR will get me almost 20 more points, and both the long jump and the agility run will get me about 5-10 more points each. I intend to improve on the situps and pushups as well, so by next time (not the retest next week, though, sadly) I should pass everything AND pass on points.
It's a bit of a relief, because the new rules, though it's really fuzzy as to their application to those of us already in the middle of third year, state that you must pass a PPT in third and a PPT in fourth year, or show "marked improvement." I haven't passed, and I doubt I can make up 2 full levels on the beep test (20MSR) in six days, but if that's the only thing I have left to pass, coupled with a 20+% improvement, I think that'll be a good start.
Another thing that went fairly well today was that I got to have a short, informal, impromptu conversation with the Commandant. It was short and I was pretty nervous--talking to a General when you're a NCdt tends to do that to people--but it was good to know the top is listening, even if sometimes there's a bit of a communication problem between where I'm at and where he's at. Such is the nature of the beast, I guess, the head doesn't quite know what the hands are doing.
Anyway, I don't think I'll pass the next PPT, but I'm hoping that my improvements on every other area will allow me to focus on improving the run, and maybe even allow me to do stuff that will actually help me run a 20MSR, like sprints and intervals, vice running 5K (25laps) but having to slow down after the first K because I'm not a runner.
Ah well, here's to getting to that elusive 250!
So, we had our winter PPT (Physical Proficiency Test, or something such...) this morning. I didn't pass, but I did a whole lot better than I expected. Especially considering I was slightly hurt--I messed up my calf on Monday, and the nurses messed my arm up when I tried to give blood (I have a HUGE bruise and my arm is pretty stiff)--and haven't been sleeping well all week.
The only event I didn't actually improve on is the 20 meter shuttle run, which has always been my nemesis. I got to level 7 or 7.5 (I wasn't really paying attention...) on that, which is the same as I got back in September. However, I improved pushups (just 35--I was hoping to get to 40), situps (68--I'm hoping to get to 75 next time), the standing long jump (193cm, with the passing score being 195--last semester I got around 180cm), and the agility run (17.9, with the passing score being 17.8--last semester I was above 19 seconds).
All in all, it gets me to 212 points, compared to 174 last semester. That's 38 points, or 22%. Pretty good, I'd say, though about 20 of those points came from the 1sec improvement on the agility run. Also, just getting a pass on the 20MSR will get me almost 20 more points, and both the long jump and the agility run will get me about 5-10 more points each. I intend to improve on the situps and pushups as well, so by next time (not the retest next week, though, sadly) I should pass everything AND pass on points.
It's a bit of a relief, because the new rules, though it's really fuzzy as to their application to those of us already in the middle of third year, state that you must pass a PPT in third and a PPT in fourth year, or show "marked improvement." I haven't passed, and I doubt I can make up 2 full levels on the beep test (20MSR) in six days, but if that's the only thing I have left to pass, coupled with a 20+% improvement, I think that'll be a good start.
Another thing that went fairly well today was that I got to have a short, informal, impromptu conversation with the Commandant. It was short and I was pretty nervous--talking to a General when you're a NCdt tends to do that to people--but it was good to know the top is listening, even if sometimes there's a bit of a communication problem between where I'm at and where he's at. Such is the nature of the beast, I guess, the head doesn't quite know what the hands are doing.
Anyway, I don't think I'll pass the next PPT, but I'm hoping that my improvements on every other area will allow me to focus on improving the run, and maybe even allow me to do stuff that will actually help me run a 20MSR, like sprints and intervals, vice running 5K (25laps) but having to slow down after the first K because I'm not a runner.
Ah well, here's to getting to that elusive 250!
Monday, January 14, 2008
Elle était une casse-couilles !
Telle en est ma conclusion !
J'ai regardé ce week end, le coffret DVD d'une des séries m'ayant le plus marqué.....Fou comment les souvenirs sont sélectifs.
Fou aussi comment notre perception d'une aventure peut changé avec le temps.
Cette série qui eue un succès phénoménale en 1990, m'avait laissé une impression :
Pauvre Émilie !
Ce matin elle m'en laisse une toute autre :
Pauvre Ovila !
Fou comment 17 années et plein de vécu peut nous amener à voir les choses autrement.
C'est certain que j'ai trouvé les fesses de Roy Dupuis toutes aussi belles que lorsque j'avais 20 ans, par-contre les reste de l'histoire m'est apparue bien différente.
C'est certain que l'on parle d'une histoire et de relations interpersonnelles qui datent des débuts 1900, mais il n'en demeure pas moins, qu'il s'agit là de deux êtres qui s'aimaient énormément et dont la peur, la méfiance et le jeu de pouvoir en ont eu raison.
J'ai noté tout plein de passages, sur lesquelles je pourrai élaborer ultérieurement, mais en gros, Émilie Bordeleau me semble une castrante de première.
J'dis pas qu'elle a eu ça facile, mais n'eut été de sa soif de pouvoir et sa manie de vouloir tout contrôler, y'a des saprés chances qu'elle s'en s'aurait sortie autrement et aurait vécu une histoire d'Amour....
Hum ?
J'y pense....c'est même pas une histoire d'Amour c't'affaire là, mais une histoire de passion à une époque où le condom aurait été ben pratique pour ces deux là !
Ovila, en plus de sa passion pour elle, l'aimait vraiment, je crois. Contrairement à se que j'ai pu en penser à 20 ans. Son mal de vivre et son alcoolisme se sont développé au rythme des maladresse qu'il a infligé à sa belle brume....qu'elle s'est jamais gênée pour y remettre en pleine face à la moindre occasion.
(à suivre)
J'ai regardé ce week end, le coffret DVD d'une des séries m'ayant le plus marqué.....Fou comment les souvenirs sont sélectifs.
Fou aussi comment notre perception d'une aventure peut changé avec le temps.
Cette série qui eue un succès phénoménale en 1990, m'avait laissé une impression :
Pauvre Émilie !
Ce matin elle m'en laisse une toute autre :
Pauvre Ovila !
Fou comment 17 années et plein de vécu peut nous amener à voir les choses autrement.
C'est certain que j'ai trouvé les fesses de Roy Dupuis toutes aussi belles que lorsque j'avais 20 ans, par-contre les reste de l'histoire m'est apparue bien différente.
C'est certain que l'on parle d'une histoire et de relations interpersonnelles qui datent des débuts 1900, mais il n'en demeure pas moins, qu'il s'agit là de deux êtres qui s'aimaient énormément et dont la peur, la méfiance et le jeu de pouvoir en ont eu raison.
J'ai noté tout plein de passages, sur lesquelles je pourrai élaborer ultérieurement, mais en gros, Émilie Bordeleau me semble une castrante de première.
J'dis pas qu'elle a eu ça facile, mais n'eut été de sa soif de pouvoir et sa manie de vouloir tout contrôler, y'a des saprés chances qu'elle s'en s'aurait sortie autrement et aurait vécu une histoire d'Amour....
Hum ?
J'y pense....c'est même pas une histoire d'Amour c't'affaire là, mais une histoire de passion à une époque où le condom aurait été ben pratique pour ces deux là !
Ovila, en plus de sa passion pour elle, l'aimait vraiment, je crois. Contrairement à se que j'ai pu en penser à 20 ans. Son mal de vivre et son alcoolisme se sont développé au rythme des maladresse qu'il a infligé à sa belle brume....qu'elle s'est jamais gênée pour y remettre en pleine face à la moindre occasion.
(à suivre)
Monday, January 7, 2008
Enfin 2008.....
Vous avez passé un beau temps de Fêtes ?
Pour ma part, probablement les plus belles Fêtes depuis celles de mon enfance. Noël avec les enfants ( c'était notre année ).
J'en reviens pas encore comment leurs sens de l'humour et de la répartie se développe. Petit Comique «l'avait» déjà, mais voilà que P'tit Guerrier sort de sa coquille et semble réaliser que la vie c'est pas dramatique.....dans vie y faut avoir du fun !
Ça ma fait oublié la tuile qui m'est tombé dessus le 7 décembre dernier. Le show de Radio s'est fait flushé suite à des pressions (les raisons sont encore obscures) externes. Je ne comprends vraiment pas comment le monde de la Radio fonctionne. Le monde de la Radio, c'est un grand mot. Je présumes qte c'est cette organisation particulièrement qui a besoin de leadership. J'ai jamais entendu autant de bullshit en si peu de temps. J'ai jamais vu une direction agir en sauvage de même !
Mais bon, j'pourrais dire à mes p'tits enfants que mémé a fait de la Radio dans son jeune temps ;-)
Bah ! Y'a toujours l'option de vendre le show à d'autres stations.....On verra !
Je suis supposée commencer mon nouvel emploi dans les prochaines semaines...On verra pour ça aussi, puisque le directeur ne m'a toujours pas relancer. Ça se comprend avec les Fêtes, je présumes.
Au moins, j'ai toujours mon contrat à l'extérieure de la Ville. Mais j'pourrai pas l'étirer ben, ben longtemps.
***
Petit Guerrier m'a bien fait rire.
Nous étions en train de poser les décorations de Noël un peu partout dans la maison, lorsqu'il me dit :
« Quand la maison sera à moi, je vais mettre les mêmes décorations, aux mêmes endroits »
Dans sa tête, ça semble clair que cette maison sera à lui plus tard. Il l'achètera de son père, comme Sailor l'a fait il y a maintenant près de ....de....10 ans (je crois).
J'trouve ça cute, que déjà il y a des évidences, même pour un enfant de 10 ans !
***
Bonne Année 2008 à toutes et à tous !
;-)
Pour ma part, probablement les plus belles Fêtes depuis celles de mon enfance. Noël avec les enfants ( c'était notre année ).
J'en reviens pas encore comment leurs sens de l'humour et de la répartie se développe. Petit Comique «l'avait» déjà, mais voilà que P'tit Guerrier sort de sa coquille et semble réaliser que la vie c'est pas dramatique.....dans vie y faut avoir du fun !
Ça ma fait oublié la tuile qui m'est tombé dessus le 7 décembre dernier. Le show de Radio s'est fait flushé suite à des pressions (les raisons sont encore obscures) externes. Je ne comprends vraiment pas comment le monde de la Radio fonctionne. Le monde de la Radio, c'est un grand mot. Je présumes qte c'est cette organisation particulièrement qui a besoin de leadership. J'ai jamais entendu autant de bullshit en si peu de temps. J'ai jamais vu une direction agir en sauvage de même !
Mais bon, j'pourrais dire à mes p'tits enfants que mémé a fait de la Radio dans son jeune temps ;-)
Bah ! Y'a toujours l'option de vendre le show à d'autres stations.....On verra !
Je suis supposée commencer mon nouvel emploi dans les prochaines semaines...On verra pour ça aussi, puisque le directeur ne m'a toujours pas relancer. Ça se comprend avec les Fêtes, je présumes.
Au moins, j'ai toujours mon contrat à l'extérieure de la Ville. Mais j'pourrai pas l'étirer ben, ben longtemps.
***
Petit Guerrier m'a bien fait rire.
Nous étions en train de poser les décorations de Noël un peu partout dans la maison, lorsqu'il me dit :
« Quand la maison sera à moi, je vais mettre les mêmes décorations, aux mêmes endroits »
Dans sa tête, ça semble clair que cette maison sera à lui plus tard. Il l'achètera de son père, comme Sailor l'a fait il y a maintenant près de ....de....10 ans (je crois).
J'trouve ça cute, que déjà il y a des évidences, même pour un enfant de 10 ans !
***
Bonne Année 2008 à toutes et à tous !
;-)
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