North49th

Beautiful Dusk, Shot with the @Palm Pre

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The colours were fantastic and don't quit come out perfectly with the Palm Pre, but very close.

I can't help it, I like shots at dusk! :)

Filed under  //   pictures  

Wow! Dusk, Shot with @Palm Pre

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I took this shot through my Dad's hospital room.  LOVE how the colours came out!

Filed under  //   dad   pictures  

Update on Dad

Things are not too great with Dad right now.  We keep on coming across road blocks and think “once this is looked after...”, but once a road block is taken care of another replaces it.

Late last week Dad was having a hard time with breathing and eating (or rather, drinking).  Anytime he drank something he couldn’t keep it down.  We figured this was possibly because of healing that needed to take place.  It turns out to have been a ridiculous fluid build-up.

On Tuesday (after waiting since Friday, arg!) Dad had a procedure to drain fluid from his abdomen.  The doctor ended up draining 3.5 litres, which is just incredible to me.  No wonder he’s been so uncomfortable!!

Dad felt better right away and we hoped this would mean a bit of a rally on his part. Sadly, Dad is just running out of strength for any kind of bounce back.  This breaks our hearts so much.  Dad is looking weak.  Mom even said she doesn’t think he’ll be able to come home.  Admitting these kinds of things may be therapeutically important but it does nothing to assuage raw feelings.

For his part, Dad has said many times he is ready to go ‘home’ and last night said he just wants to see his saviour.  Finding the words to express my mixed feelings is not easy.  We don’t want to see Dad go.  We don’t want him to suffer.

Just so that you know; Dad is in no pain at all.  He and mom really feel this is God sparing him having to go through that as well and feel that is how God is honouring all the prayers from so many friends, family and acquaintances.  Keep up the prayers for both Dad and Mom.  Mom has had to face a lot in the last couple months and has done so well, but we know she struggles at times, who wouldn’t?

A little bit of extra prayer for Carolyn would be appreciated.  As I’m sure you know, she lost her Dad just months ago and having to relive it all isn’t easy.  She’s feeling just as sad as the rest of us but has the extra burden of emotions and feelings that haven’t had much time to heal.

Filed under  //   dad   family  

My Wife Cracks Me Up!

Among all her other traits, Carolyn is extremely witty.  One small example from an I'm chat:

Me: My throat is sooooore!
Me: Going to get some fisherman's friends.
Carolyn: Awww! Sounds like fun. You're making friends!
Me: Fisher dudes are good people.
Carolyn: a little salty!

It just struck me as funny.  :D


Filed under  //   family  

Reporters That Don't Know Tech...

For the love of God!  If you are a reporter and write about technology PLEASE learn about it!!!  If you don't write about technology but are mentioning it, do your blame homework.

 
I hate to say it, but there are MANY reporters that look down their collective nose at bloggers.  They feel we are unprofessional and perhaps are sometimes correct (I'm a hack).  But reporters are far more sloppy with details that many bloggers.  Here's a nice example:
 
Virgin Mobile Canada has just announced availability of the HTC Legend and the Montreal Gazette was covering Richard Branson's visit to Canada:
 
Branson said he travelled to Montreal to see the Virgin-sponsored team race, and to unveil Virgin's new phone - the HTC Legend, Virgin Canada's first foray into smartphones.
 
 Errr...what?  Virgin Mobile Canada has carried smartphones for some time now including the Blackberry Bold 9700, a couple of Curves and Pearls, not to mention the Apple iPhone!
 
Please, if you haven't a clue about technology at least get someone geeky to show you that new site called "Google" or kindly ask them to look it up for you. Better yet, ask them to write it up for you.  Someone like...your local blogger!

 

Filed under  //   Mobile Tech  

Dad Just Can't Catch A Break

Over the last few weeks, since Dad had his surgery, we've been waiting to see obvious signs of recovery.  The idea was for Dad to have this surgery and be able to come home while he healed up. Well, that hasn't really happened and it's getting frustrating, more so for Dad than anyone else.

Dad has had a problem with a fluid build-up and leakage.  The doctors now want to take a sample of this to find out the source.  It is most likely as a result of surgery but they need to know before they can treat it.  Whatever it is there is some infection associated, which is sapping Dad's strength.  He's been on antibiotics since the surgery but this fluid is still there.

Dad's also been having a hard time keeping food down. At first we thought it was a blockage but after doing a CT scan it looks like it may just be the infection and an inordinate amount of acid.  Doctor's are working on this.

The new obstacle is that Dad's heart isn't doing well.  He's had atrial fibrillation for a long time now, and doctors have been watching it closely but that isn't the problem now.  He has heart disease and may have some blockage.  Arg!  Dad just can't catch a break.

When you combine the infection, the lack of solid food and his heart it's no wonder he's exhausted all the time!  He is so weak it's hard to even hear him speak.  If you know my Dad, you know how shocking a statement that is.

First thing to be done is to find out about this fluid, then see what we can do for the heart.  We really want for Dad to come home, but that isn't happening for a while yet.

Filed under  //   dad   family  

Showing Colour From @Palm Pre Camera

It's a beautiful, sunny day, so I thought I would get all sappy and show some snaps of flowers.  I used my Palm Pre on auto settings.

It's a bit windy so the white flower may be a bit blurry, but you get the idea.

(download)

My Biggest iPhone 4 Letdown

I was really expecting Apple to go virtual with the newest version, the iPhone 4.  This would have allowed you to access your virtual iPhone from any computer.  You no longer need to carry the phone!

Well, maybe they'll announce the iPad 24inch!

Filed under  //   Mobile Tech  

Dad is Looking Better

We have a ways to go yet, but my Dad is more noticeably recovering from his surgery.  Since his surgery almost two weeks ago he has been looking so drained and hasn't had any energy at all.  Dad is normally very outgoing, but this has really knocked him down.

In the last couple days he has had a lot of tubes removed and is not on oxygen anymore, so we know he's getting there.  He'll probably still be in the hospital for a week or two, but we're finally feeling better about how he is progressing.

Honestly, there are just no words to tell you how relieving that is!  It's great to see Dad doing some exercises in bed and I know he is going to be feeling much more uplifted seeing this progress in himself.  Yesterday he had food for the first time in a LONG time and it actually made my eyes well up just to see him going to town on the mashed potatoes (they didn't have a chance!!).

I'll probably update on Dad more this weekend.  Thanks again to everyone for your thoughts and prayers and a HUGE thanks for the Butlers for organizing rides and being such a support for Mom.  Also a huge thanks to all those that are driving my Mom to the hospital in the morning and for all the offers of help!!

Filed under  //   dad   family