| March 2nd, 2009 |
Life Goes-on |
After spending the last 3-4 weeks working from my parents house, I decided to go into work this week.
I am extremely lucky to have an amazing boss, who was totally understanding and had no problem with me "working from home" while I was going through this family issue.
On several occasions, my boss recommended that I just stay home and not worry about work "Your team will be happy to help.".
But to be honest, I needed something to do, something to keep my mind busy.
At about 2:30PM, shortly after we got back from lunch, I received a phone call from my dad.
My dad informed me that my mom had just passed away.
For the past 4 weeks, I'd been thinking about how I would react to this information.
To my surprise, I didn't break-down crying, I'd done a lot of that over the last little while, rather I was happy for my mom.
To those who have known my mom, or even those who've read her book, you'd know what I mean.
To the rest of you, I'm not the terrible son that you probably think I am right now.
Even though this is the biggest thing I've had to deal with in my life so far, I feel as though everything is going to be fine. |
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| February 19th, 2009 |
Best Friends |
Today my moms best friends of many years is coming to visit my mom, for what he must know is likely the last time.
Lucas and my mom have been friends ever since my mom came to Canada form Germany in the 70's. They met in British Columbia and have stayed close ever since.
Once Lucas heard of my mom's condition, he flew right-out.
He's planning to stay for 5 days, after which time he's going back to his beautiful resort hotel in BC.
I don't know Lucas very well, I've only met him a few times, but I'm looking forward to his arriving. |
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| February 17th, 2009 |
Horrible Phone Call |
My moms surgery, to remove the cancerous growths in her pancrease, was well over a year ago now.
To be honest, I haven't really thought too much about it. She seemed to be doing so well, I thought that all was going to be well.
About a week ago, Feb 10th, I received a phone call from my dad today asking me if I could come home after work.
I was somewhat reluctant, but agreed to do so.
When I got home, my mom was lying in her bed. I thought that she was just resting from a buys day.
My parents then explained to me that my moms condition has gotten worse.
Pancreatic cancer is one of the worst cancers to get as it has a 5% survival rate, now my moms time is nearly up.
At first I was very upset, I didn't want to deal with that info right away.
However, I knew that I had to be strong for my mom's sake.
Even though I'v always known that my mom is a strong person, I never thought she'd take this news as well as she did.
I likely wouldn't have. |
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| January 23rd, 2008 |
Bad/Good News |
I just got a call today informing me that my mom has/had pancreatic cancer, but she already had the surgery and is doing well.
Suffice to say, I was relieve to hear that she is fine, but I was pissed-off when I realized that my parents hadn't told me, or my brother, until after the surgery.
I guess I'll just have to deal with this news. |
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| December 22nd, 2007 |
Vacation Time |
My family and I are going on our 1st carribean vacation this year.
We're leaving tomorrow for 10 days in the sun.
We're taking this trip over Christmas since it's the only time that we're all free.
I've just finished my last exams at University and I'll be starting my job at Emergis in January.
My brother Alex has just finishing his co-op work term a few dsys ago and my dad has his vacation time booked off from work.
I can't wait to get to Cuba and swim in the ocean |
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| August 24th, 2007 |
"Bio Shock" not worth buying |
Bio Shock, the new game from 2K games was released a few days ago.
Graphically it looks phenominal, but that's not all that counts.
I installed the demo and played it for a little while, after which time I realized that this game is not my style of game.
But I got really pissed-off a few days after deleting it from my system.
I noticed that there were some new folders and registry entries.
I looked into it, and these are for DRM protection.
Basically, the big gaming companies are trying to stop people from playing illegal copies of their games and start paying for them.
The number of times that you can install the game is limited.
When you purchase a game, you are buying the right to play it on (1) computer at a time, but it should be up to you as to where you play it.
Not to mention that people like myself, who re-install Windows at-least once a year, would be screwed if we were to buy this game.
Bio Shock, along with other games, installs a Rootkit on you system. (rootkits are used to hide virus' and trojan hores')
These companies must realize how counter-productive their efforts are. By pissing-off your customers, you will loose customers.
Now I'm not a business major, but I know that you need customers, repeat customers no-less, in order to have a successful business.
Not only are the people who want to crack the game gonna do so anyway,
but now other people whom otherwise would have been happy to pay for the game, would also crack it and then distribute it online.
I tried deleting them but had no luck.
1st I tried doing it the old fashioned way (command prompt, Safe Mode, etc), then I tried some apps that claimed to be able to do the job.
Basically, I still have the folders and the main registry key.
I can now tell people who were considering buying this game to do just the opposite.
(if they bootleg, a DRM-free version of, it I would laugh and say right-on)
(I have no problem paying for a good game)
BUT DO NOT BUY "Bio Shock". TAKE THAT TO MEAN WHATEVER YOU WANT.
I hope Crysis doesn't screw us like this. (cross your fingers) |
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| July 26th, 2007 |
Crysis is Coming (September 11th, 2007) |
I'v been building a new PC since February in anticipation for the newest and greatest game so far.
Crysis
My current configuration is:
| CPU |
Intel Core2Duo E6600 (overclocked to 3.37GHz) |
| MOTHERBOARD |
EVGA 680i SLI rev A2 |
| VIDEO CARD |
EVGA 7600GT KO (soon to be 8900 series card) |
| RAM |
OCZ Reaper PC-9200 (1066MHz 5-4-3-4) |
| COOLING |
Corsair Nautilus 500 liquid cooling (CPU)
4 * Antec 3-speed 120mm case fans
Thermaltake Extreme Spirit II Northbridge Chipset Cooler |
| HARD DRIVES |
2 * 150GB WD Raptors (RAID 0)
500GB Seagate 7200.10
320GB Maxtor 7200 RPM |
| OPTICAL DRIVES |
SONY BWU-100A BLU-RAY Burner
Plextor PX-755SA DVD-RW DL
LG DVD-ROM |
| CASE |
Antec p182 |
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| July 8th, 2007 |
Life's Good |
I have been working at a software company, Emergis Inc. for the past 2 summer.
I look forward to working for Emergis full-time once I graduate in the new year. |
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| June 19th, 2007 |
Registered for Classes |
I just registered for my last 3 courses.
I'll graduate by Christmas, then finally have that piece of paper. |
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