It was like Mecca

Tammy, Maxwell, and myself spent a few days in Calgary last week. We did the typical tourist thing, shopping, the Zoo, and the usual sleeping in late at the hotel and eating great food. The one special thing we did was go to the new Bass Pro Shops Outdoor Store. Wow, what a place!

The Bass Pro store has to be the best shopping experience I ever had. I was concerned before going in that Tammy and Maxwell would be bored stiff after a few minutes while I wandered around looking at firearms and stuff. The opposite occurred. Tammy and Maxwell loved the place. The store is simply great. Walking in, I was surprised at just how well decorated and laid out the store is. It's gorgeous. There are examples of great taxidermy everywhere, some of it perched on beautifully created scenes of woods or mountain rocks. The center of the store, in front of the elevator, has a massive aquarium full of huge, healthy looking game fish. A waterfall spills over a pseudo rock face , falling into a stream that holds a figure clad in fishing garb, rod in hand, fighting some unseen fish. Very cool.

The staff were excellent and the store has piles of great merchandise. Tammy was impressed to find the store containing lots of clothing and other items aimed at her (or females in general). The store has everything from guns to stoneware dish sets. There were toys for the kid and a nice place to sit and have a meal too.

The whole time we were there (hours actually) I couldn't help notice how well planned the place is. Every place you look you'll find that someone made an effort to have store areas designed in a way to make them very attractive. The landscaping, woodworking, knickknacks, lighting, and sounds all lend to a very enjoyable stay. Looking down at the floor I could see that someone took the time to add animal tracks to guide shoppers along. The entire store is all about details. It is like they thought of everything. I only wish I had more money, as I could have stayed there most of the day.

Thanks Bass Pro. When we visit Calgary again, we plan on spending even more time at the Outdoor Store.

I am still working on the Titan

I bought the Mazda Titan (mentioned in a previous entry) without any maintenance history. I felt confident though, as the truck seemed well cared for, and research showed that most JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) vehicles are well cared for, due to strict government inspections and regulations.

To be sure, I had the truck's drive train inspected, brakes checked, and exhaust examined. I ended up replacing the exhaust, but was happy to find out that the engine is in great shape. With all those klicks on it (over 90K when I bought it), the engine checked out perfectly. I really just needed a oil system flush, and fresh liquids in the crank, tranny, and differential. I found that in the future I will only need periodic maintenance like oil changes.

This summer I plan on ensuring that all the venting and heating works. I need to get more of the dash out figure out the ducting to be sure that when winter rolls around, I will be blowing hot air real fast, and that no little leaks will allow cool air inside.

I love this truck. The more I drive it the more I love it. This May 24th I will join a bunch of mini-truck drivers on a little get together rally sponsored by Minibrutes. Who knows, maybe I'll meet another Titan owner.

Hostingpuppy Still Sucks.

It's been over a month since I asked that they cancel my account. They haven't even bothered to respond to that support ticket. I can still log in and use the control panel, etc. It makes me wonder if they even bother to update their Linux servers with new security updates.

I can't stress the following enough, "Don't do business with Hostingpuppy.com"

Don't just take my word for it, try emailing them at info@hostingpuppy.com and ask them how long it takes them to respond to support tickets. I doubt they will even respond to emails.

What is it with web hosts? a.k.a. HostingPuppy sucks

Seriously, how hard is it to provide good web service?

I have only changed web hosts 3 or 4 times in the years I have had websites up. I can handle a fair amount of problems before I jump ship, but I have quit a couple hosts due to slow or erratic connections. That has to be the biggest concern for me. I need the pages to load fast. There is not good reason (excuse?) for a slow page load. I am an amateur, and as a result, have simple pages with no database back ends, and just present simple Php or html. This simplicity makes for fast pages, so any slow loads are typically the host.

One other thing I can't stand is bad support. I am not the kind of guy that constantly bothers support, and realize they are busy. I just can't stand hosts that advertise quick response times, but don't keep their word. One example is Hosting Puppy.

HostingPuppy.com's front page brags about, "First class support!" and "1 hour tech support". They used to actually deliver on that, way back before Jon Watson sold the company to someone else. Now, they don't even answer support requests. I created 2 new tickets (first tickets in many months) and they still sit unassigned or unanswered for over 7 days. I accepted past outages, but I can't accept the rude lack of response.

Come on HostingPuppy, I know I didn't pay much for your 2 gig package, but it doesn't mean you should annoy me. Now you've pissed me off and I am already transferring to Downtown Host.

Ignoring customers is simply wrong. Hostingpuppy sucks!

The Perfect Truck

Okay maybe not perfect, but almost perfect for me. If you read my last post, I mentioned how I needed a truck to fulfill multiple roles. I found a vehicle that will:

• Haul practically everything I need for work
• Haul a camper (when we get one)
• Seat at least 4
• Provide a fair size box
• Get decent mileage
• Have a manual transmission (I find autos boring)
• Not new (Brand new is just too expensive)
• Power steering/brakes
• Air conditioning (I'm spoiled)
  

So here's what I came up with...

This little baby is a crew cab designed to seat six, but I think 4 North Americans is more comfortable. It 's a 2.5L diesel with a pile of available torque. It has a box that is slightly larger than most trucks with a quad-cab, and has a payload capacity of 1,500 KG. (This photo makes the box look much smaller than it is.) I also lucked out and got a great heater and AC. One more thing, the tailgate and sides each drop down for super easy cargo access. I am thrilled. Hell, it even has duallies.

Sure it needs a little TLC, but I can manage a few updates and repairs myself. The vehicle has been checked out thoroughly and runs like a top.
Are there any drawbacks to this truck?
Of course I will struggle to find info on this, due to it being imported from Japan. You simply can't go to a Mazda dealer and get things you need, like parts and service (as far as I know). There is service available at the place of purchase and perhaps in a few more locations. As well, Internet research (fancy name for Google) comes up with very little in helping me determine what some of the Japanese symbols mean. I think I like the challenge.

I am tempted to create a webpage and fill it full of anything I can find, in the hopes that it might help other Titan owners.

A bit of an update (Can't think of a good title...)

A quick update to what's going on.

Not much. (That's must read like, "Stop reading here. Not worth it.") Seriously not a whole lot going on. The weather isn't exactly perfect for shooting at the range. When it's minus 29 with the windchill, I don't really want to crawl behind a rifle on a frozen bench. I guess I can prep some cases until things warm up, whenever the hell that is. I did go to the monthly Muzzle Loading Club meeting. That at least made me feel somewhat involved in firearms for at least a couple of hours. I am now a full member (probation is over, yah!) and can't wait to get out there this spring and develope my skills with my new Traditions front loader. Tammy is now strangely interseted in going to. I think she appreciates teh simple beauty of the range facilities, with it's clubhouse, camping/RV area, and other amenities.

Work is going well. I have a lot to learn. I am picking things up as I go along that help a great deal (no, I'm not stealing tools), I am beginning to see that carpentry is huge area, and finishing/cabinetry area I mostly work in is really involved. Spend some time working on a new door without any routing or prep done in advance and you'll see what I mean.

One issue I have with the job is the tools. I'm not crazy enough (or rich enough) to run out and get all the needed tools, which would costs multiple thousands, but I already possess enough tools to make carrying them from job to job or just getting them in and out of my tiny Kia Spectra a pain in the ass. I need better tool boxes, a large job box on wheels, or a bigger vehicle. Hell, I'll take all of the above. Placing tools in multiple, easily carried boxes, and placing those in a large truck toolbox and rolling that large box in and out of a truck would be perfect. I need a truck.

On that note, I have researched trucks and finally decided on a used vehicle. I need to have a decent box size (it has to fit a table saw, job box, tools, etc.), possess a large cab, provide decent efficiency. Getting anything large enough to seat 4, and have at least a six foot box turned out to be very expensive, and this also means that this sort of truck would have a huge, gas sucking engine. So I looked around and actually found a good, large truck that seats 6 (4 very comfortably), has enough box area, and has an efficient engine. What is this magical truck? Sorry, but you'll have to wait for the next update, as I plan on taking photos and describing it in more detail. I'm proud of what I foulnd. Here's a hint. it's foreign.

Work has been rewarding in that it isn't always the same place day after day, after day. I don't return to the University campus for some time, and have already been involved in the completion of a new bank in Prince Albert (just a few days of driving, we don't work out of town much), and installed beautiful cabinets at the Credit Union Center too. I like the variety.

Valentines was okay. I typically hate Valentines day, as I think that I don't need a prescribed day to tell me to treat Tammy special and buy her shit. But... Tammy treated me to a gift so I picked up a little something for her. Tammy got me the Planet Earth set on Blue Ray. Wow, what a jaw dropper. It is simply amazing to watch. It is an awesome production showing the beauty and complexity of Earth, and does it with breath-taking cinematography. I could watch this over and over.

That's all for now.

Winter, and all this fresh powder.

I got lucky and found a few cans of Varget powder at the local gunshop recently. They usually get cleaned out pretty fast so I grabbed four 1 pound cans. It was either that or get some via mail-order, and that is expensive due to hazmat fees and the cost of shipping.

So now I realize that I actually have powder for a change. I am normally too broke to afford anything other than a couple of pounds a year. So here I sit with enough IMR 7828, H 4895 and Varget to get some serious reloading happening. There is a catch...

It's freezing out there. The windchill in the last few days actually freezes exposed flesh in as little as 5 minutes. It also snowed a fair bit and I don't feel like snowshowing my way to the 100 yard targets. I have braved the cold in the past to get in some range time, but this cold snap is too much for me.

Living in Saskatchewan, you'd think I be used to the fact that some activities are just not going to happen from January through February. I wish I was rich enough to have a winter home, maybe somewhere down in Texas or new Mexico (whoever has he friendliest gun laws).

Later.

Okay, so it's not an iPhone...

I grabbed a new phone.

Does the world need another cell phone review?
NO !!

This is just for people who may be a little like me.There are those out there that haven't got great eyesight, and love a bigger, more readable cellular phone screen (Hell the LG Voyager has 2 big screens). Maybe you are like me and hate typing messages or notes on the dinky little numeric keypads most phones offer. Well then, you will probably enjoy the nicely sized QWERTY keyboard on the Voyager too.

Here is an obligitory picture...

I finished Fallout 3

I played the hell out of Fallout 3. It was such a great game, I just couldn't stop playing almost daily. Bethesda designed it so well, that if I didn't want to follow the main quest, I could just wander around the massive world of Washington DC and explore. I did just that. I played every side quest I could, and explored 95% of the massive map.

I won't spoil it for anyone by describing the ending, but will only say that it was awesome. I highly recommend this game as a completely fun RPG. I'm pretty sure this game may be the most enjoyable game I have ever played. I have to admit that I'm sad that it's over

Big update. Big changes!

It has been ages since I have made time to sit down and update little corner of the net. (Seriously though, who is really that busy?)

A lot has happened since my last entry. First and foremost I changed careers. I was getting pretty sick of my old job. I was only there a couple of years, but had taken part in setting up numerous web servers, FTP servers, Samba servers, Terminal Services servers (in the States, all remote control), a mail server, Virtual Server systems, and fielded dozens of hardware, software and network requests from coworkers. Lots to do. The only problem was the fact that I was hired as phone support, and never was under contract for any of the above mentioned. Then my Brainiac of a boss decided to tell me that I basically wasn't working hard enough, and that I was not putting in that extra effort like some of the others. He even compared me to a coworker that did nothing but support, but only hung around after work (not answering phones at all) for 20 to 30 minutes. Ridiculous! That was enough for me.

I guess his ignorant response was a good thing. I had been thinking for quite some time that I needed to do something different with my life anyways. I have mentioned in earlier posts that I was getting way out of shape, and frankly was getting grumpy. So I did a 360. I am now in construction, and I love it. I enjoy being my own boss (again).

I relaxed for a week or so after I said goodbye to the old place and only a few days later got myself involved in a great contract for multiple construction projects. It is mainly finishing work, but often involves other aspects of construction such as framing, sub floors, door and window installs, etc. I am involved in residential, commercial and university. I love the variety.

Even though I have to adapt to physical work and training myself to think along different logical patterns, I have to admit I love the work. I should have switched careers a long time.
I did sprain my left knee about a week into work. I get on trucking. I was tough, as it hurt like hell. I missed many Muay Tai classes due to the injury. When I finally returned to class, I hurt my knee again, due to my over-doing it. When will I learn.

I am still running Computer Help Canada, and now need to register another company for the general contracting I engage in. I need to think of a great company name. Any ideas?