What do you do when you are not on this Forum?

Hi, Lai, you must be good at wrestle or Karate from your picture I guess., or like chinese Gongfu very much. Are you oversea chinese? I shall send you a chinese mail to your mailbox , hope your computer can emerge chinese words. yeah, nothing is impossible, we can get what we hope to get if we would work hard.

ha! Karate? Kungfu? I pretend I do...just to scare potential robber out...well yes I did practice some when I was child, actually my dad tought me some fundamental...but you missed the other part of the picture ~ I am a cat lover!

Ya sure, please, write to me. I do read Chinese and so does my computer,sometimes it's dumb though. Well don't worry, most of the time I am dumber...

"...other part of the picture ~ I am a cat lover!..."

Me too. And a few other self-admitted here on CR4.

What is it about cats that does it?

hahaha...glad to know I am not alone...I can tell from your logo picture that you've got the same taste (hand shaking), plus bunch of more cat lovers out there on CR4 (more hand shaking), although just don't get what does cat loving to do with an engineering job

"What is it about cats that does it?" Well, I don't know. I was told by people that women are like cats, or other way around (?), or...anyway...I love women... or cats...

Enjoy

I dig cats and have had them as pets ever since I was a child. My first was a black mongrel cat I named "Spock." Others were Heather (a Burmese/Persian mix), Shelf-Life (a massively fat, lazy, purring blob of adorable uselessness), Velcro, and my all-time hyper-mellow fave (and dearly departed) Binky, The Splendiferous Puss. So, yeah, I like cats. My brother, a total-control freak, can't stand them because they're too independent. His loss.

Cats are cool - I learnt this later in life...when one moved in with me and my house-mate (luckily she was a cat lover). Kit stayed with me for 13 years. When she died last summer I drove 60 miles to bury her in a place of beauty.

I adopted two others when "friends" were going to dump them...Lucky slept in my bed, with her head on the pillow and her "hand" on my cheek. I hadn't slept so well in years! She died of leukaemia 10 months later <sob>. The other one, Princess (please note I didn't name either of these cats!) has come out of her shell now she's the only one left. When she first moved in, she wouldn't come near, be petted or anything...now she demands to be petted and sleeps on the bed. I think she's happy here!

For all you cat lovers - check out today's (1 June 2007) Get Fuzzy strip, Rob's observation is great!

PS: If you're reading this within a month of posting, check out the on-site archive for this strip. If it's later than a month, where have you been?

Ah, Ms. Rosebud, now we know what you do on the job when the boss ain't lookin'. And do you have one o' those sneaky USB foot switches that swaps your windows when someone's coming? Like "Click!" Autocad "Click!" Get Fuzzy "Click!" Autocad. Hehehe.

How about Fat Freddy's Cat.

YOU TOO BRUTUS???, a CAT lover?

('cant believe it: probably best idea is to go somewhere else!)

I'm too busy scampering around for pets. Cats are fairly cool - stealthy . Dogs have their moments though ;

Two dogs are chatting in the park . One says to the other " This human of mine is fun . Every time I give him a stick , he gets so excited and tries to see how far he can throw it . He'll do it for hours . Bless ".

Us squirrels are one of a kind sort of things , Nutkin just had a bad press.

< smirk >

Dogs have their moments though ;

this is cause you never have had a Schnauzer: they do communicate!!!!

When Max is thirsty, he grasps me at my arm and drags me to the kitchen sink, looks at the tap, looks into my eyes, and back to the tap until he gets water

Same happens when he wants to take a leak or is hungry (well, he does the same, but not with the tap!)

How do you know that Max is not trying to train you ! He's simply drinking the water you haven't learned to lap up etc etc. Why should he waste his efforts - he's got to show you how it's done. Give it a try and copy Max - he'll be delighted . As a Neuro person , the test must have professional curiosity value. Just copy Max - If he then cooks you a 3-course meal , you'll know you did well and he is teaching you a new trick.

As a matter of fact, I was trained by Max!

He is a graet surgeon indeed!

nah .I don't believe it. With a suitable pair of glasses Max would pass for a psycho-analyst easy. He has the beard and face structure. Kinda like Freud .

there was a Sigmind in his family... but he didn't want to talk about the issue!

Do you know the jokes about "How many <whatever> does it take to change a light bulb ......." ? Well for Therapists , the gag is that it only takes 1 to change the bulb , but it's really go to want to change. This joke will probably travel sooo badly - people who are baffled will have to google. There is probably a web site devoted ti such humour , but I'm in a hurry. Tell this joke to Max using a bad Austrian accent ,and he will show his amusement by tilting his head to one side or looking at you strangely (This is the doggy equivalent of laughing).Please report back so we can analyse Max further.

Kris, you have a knack for plip-arounds.

I wonk.

liam ruoy kcehc . dna ym etouq diputs !

Cats are the best! And if you rescue another one she will have company.

Jules

I've been waiting for one to turn up...but think I might have to be proactive this time!

our cat is always sleeping by resting its head on pillow like a baby, it makes us to have to prepare a little pillow for it.

I must admit that I fancy cats myself.

Lightly sautéed in a lemon sauce with just a touch of cumin is my favorite but roasted with a mint sauce if pretty good as well.

No not really, I did have a cat once that completely ruled the roost. It was a pure bread Siamese seal point called Sue Ling and it wouldn't take crap from anybody or anything. We also had several dogs that she outlived including a thumping great Doberman that one day decided to put the cat in its place. Several rather deep scratches in the Doberman's nose soon got the message across that messing with Sue Ling was not a good idea.

She was injured one night and when we took her to the vet the vet turned out to be one of the local children that had played with her when she was a kitten. She ended up living for over 18 years and it was a sad day when she finally passed on.

Unfortunately I suffer from severe allergies and they have been getting worse with age. Horses are at the top of the list. I can't even go near somebody that has come in contact wit something like a saddle or bridle let alone get near one myself. Cats are not quiet that bad but I cant have them in the house with me and even the dogs are now limited to poodle and poodle crosses that do not loose their hair.

Forum,

I have been complimented with the label of being a good mechanic in that through the years (almost 50) I have been exposed to many differing opportunities and experiences. Currently, and for the greater part of the last fifteen years, I have been a self employed professional home designer. Mostly though, I miss the days spent previously as a carpenter and machine builder respectively in that order at times, as a rule, self employed. Those days seemed much simpler and less stressful.

Early in life I was introduced to tragedy and became guided by discouragement, cynicism and negativity in "why me". It took a few years, but I discovered something beyond the present condition which became a personal standard. I found strength deep within the core of my being that opened an endless potential of optimism leading to innovation, creativity and motivation; to understand what I don't know and seek to learn from those who do. Awareness of your current circumstance sometimes risks embarrassment to move beyond present conditions. Risk is the key to advancement. Without risk you have no challenge and list about in a state of complacency. Risk, along with common sense will save you from following others over the cliff of status quo and direct you to the encouragement of accomplishment through satisfaction of hard work.

In my spare time, for fun, I contemplate and seek to understand how and why things work. For instance, we exist in a physical realm made up of matter and held together by electrons (simply put…conventional thinking would end there), if so…my existence would never have the ability to ask why? Matter in and of itself is brought to bear on the fact that my question "why" exists in a form higher than that of matter otherwise if only matter exists I, being matter, would never ask why. Therefore, I am a higher form beyond matter itself.

Ok…so the answer to that will take some time and it short circuits the brain waves and causes many to sleep. On the other hand, the five human physical senses are a result of the exchange of electrons….hmmm.

Having read with interest, all entries diverse as they are have shown the propensity of the human spirit to seek relevance. Each person is individualistic and therefore searches for a unique opportunity in the presence of expression in which to achieve recognition for their individualism. The human spirit is fueled by recognition, however this comes with risk as expression is exposed to knowledge and experience of others who seek the same. This risk may be met with compassion or arrogance resulting in either encouragement or disappointment of which encouragement seems to be prevalent in this forum. By far though, I have smiled through the wit of a few who realize that work is not the end all. Humor allows me to break from reality, momentarily to reset my direction.

Some have been drawn off-topic as is the case in all openly free expression. In doing so they too have shown their priorities in where they embrace opinion. I would encourage all to hold fast to seeking truth and set aside judgmental discourse that shows only ignorance and insecurity.

The fact is…I really am just a simple carpenter.

Being a carpenter means you work with wood. Of all materials to work with, wood is the most creative, and the most forgiving in that it can tolerate mistakes best of all working materials.

You seem to have learned a lot from your muse, wood. As have many of us who work with that amazing stuff, and also from being able to get back on your feet after adversity...which leads unavoidably to improvement.

I was discussing people like you with a friend the other day. It seems the difference between people who make the world better despite life's adversities and those who are guided by adversity to make life more difficult for others can be due to the possession of what we call "character", or the willingness to listen to one's better self for guidance.

Now our debate is about whether "character" is germinated by exposure to someone else who inspired those who possess it, or whether they can have found it within by comparing the world around them with its possible betterment.

What's your opinion on this?

Mark

Not mutually exclusive and certainly regenerative.

Can you recall some person or persons who inspired you to develop strong character at some point(s) in your life?

I personally think my (to me) remarkable parents, occasional teachers, the odd inspiring friend, and public figures who are exemplars of walking the walk have contributd snippets of character for me by example.

Mark

Grand Master Pae, from whom I study Tae Kwon Do is such an individual. A couple of teachers and a couple of x-girlfriends. Gandhi, Buddha, my parents. Also as a result of my teaching Tae Kwon Do, my work on the board of a local not for profit business and the way I take care of my friends that I am that for others.

To share my experience:

That day in my life whe I had to make a desition, when my destiny could have ended in the worst of conditions, whe I could have blamed some one else for the happenings and there was no one around to advise me or help me, I stood still for a minute and asked the universal inteligence to tell me what to do...

From two of my best book authors (Chopra and Covey), there came the answer, it´s a desition, so no matter what was happening around me, I chose to get going with my life, maybe to turn the other cheek.

So if we don´t have a master close by to advise us, Books are our best advisers.-

Deepak Chopra, Stephen Covey, Zig Ziglar, Wayne Dyer,... you name them.

You didn't mention one really important influence in that bunch: a guy who sets an example for the rest of us, and goes by the handle of Cuyanausul.

Mark

Cuyanausul

Who the heck is that?! Lusuananyuc's brother?

Nope.

His opposite number. Middle name 'An'.

Govern your bouncing accordingly. Each bounce is being watched and checked for secret codes. We already know that your opposite number is named Nagilooh, loves explosives, and is a wannabe casting director with nefarious plans for nubile young actresses.

Mark.

Yeah? Well those nubile, young actresses have been around the block about a thousand times, so they aren't caught off guard. They know exactly what's expected.

That's show business!!!

Notice how the eyeball on the left seems to be flopping all over the place, while the one on the right bounces up and down to keep time with his bouncing, but they both seem to meet on the bottom after he lands?

Got it, chief!

OK. Keep an eye on that eye. But don't let him catch you watching him.

Got it, chief!

M68,

You have an exquisite sense of things.

Chris

Mark,

Character…

…The evidence of reaction to circumstance…good or bad. Our reaction is proportional to our motivation… why do we do what we do is the question. Understanding ones motivation is the key to identifying the distinctive reaction.

Find the motivation and you will uncover character. What motivates us…money, fame, power, recognition…exterior and temporal forces that feed selfishness and greed. Alternately what motivates us…humility, compassion, mercy…attributes that put others before self. Temporal motivation takes advantage of the moment while altruism (selflessness) reaches beyond time, without restriction or decay.

Can one attribute character (good or bad) to geo and socio-economic stature…there may be some situational influence involved and might let such an understanding be convincing only if one believed we were laboratory rats under the dominion of some social experiment. Even if that were so…you are still left with your reaction to current circumstance and as such you have a choice (good or bad). What are you going to do...that no one has dominion over.

There have been numerous people since childhood and as many circumstances that influenced this opinion. There is, however, One, when I knocked opened the door and invited me in, and to whom I attribute my entire self and without whom I would not be the person I am today.

pa

Like it says on my profile thingy - I make food, art and spaceships. When I'm not doing one of those I'm either playing with my puppy, my boyfriend, or working around my house.

I also blog a great deal. And run a French Bulldog group. And spend time with my fabulous grandkids.

Bhankiii

I really enjoyed following all the links on your blog. Even left a note on the blogsite. re Nothing changing and Canadian election preferences. Thanks for this great view into your life and activities. You can design a website for me any ol' time.

The Orion spaceship seems so basic, military and functional. Even Mir --assembled in space-- seems luxurious by comparison. After all the great TV spaceship shows with their phenomenal designs, why is NASA still designing on such a basic level? Astronauts sailing in her would have to really enjoy constant close association for very long periods of time. What's the incentive in that?

Mark

Luxurious spacecraft are expensive, and we don't have much money (only $16billion!!!). Basically we were told to build a new spacecraft and go to the moon, but without any addition budget. And then the budget we had got cut by $500million this year.

Orion is designed to get to the moon, so really long flights aren't necessary. The Orion capsule is actually twice as big as the Apollo. And the astronauts are all really good friends.

The physics involved in space flight haven't changed since the 60's, so the Orion looks very similar to Apollo.

I live in Red Deer AB, work in Blackfalds. (10 min N) I am currently performing engineering, quality assurance and manufacturing data management for a oil & gas blowout preventer equipment manufactuing and service company. I lived in Edm when I was a kid. We moved to Ottawa in 1967 and I spent almost 40 years in and near Ottawa. working in a wide variety of jobs ranging from architectural drafting, Esso On-The-Run construction, welding, solar collector manufacture, product designer, process designer, HVAC Digital controls design and installation, system graphics, and many others. I am trained in electronics, robotics, digital controls, computers, 3D modeling, Visual Basic programming, Solar Energy, Creative writing, and love to collect books. (4000 in a shed back in ontario) I moved here in Oct 05. I have belonged to a writer's group in the past. I enjoy making computer art, 3d modelling (Solidworks and others) I enjoy anything that engages my brain... I've been married twice, have 3 children (2g 1b) 23, 22, & 19. One is a paramedic, one a Travel agent, and my son is in school for Energy Systems Engineering Technolgy.

You are proof positive that this site is exactly what Masu thinks it is. Thanks.

Mark

Mark,

I'm not sure what you are referring to.. maybe I haven't been around long enough. I hope thats a compliment... but I am interested in what the perception is about the site.

If you mean that this site is a great gathering of interesting, creative problem solving minds, coming together in a unique way, for the first time in history, in such numbers, I would agree. This is a great seed for the future. Innovation almost always spins off of collaboration, and rubbing ideas with other great minds.

If you mean that the web is filled with crackpots, scoundrels, dreamers and weirdos, etc.. I must also agree..lol

Chris

Masu's BLOG IS # 23

Mark

My life is quite predictable:

MO-FRI from 8AM to 5PM at my job doing R&D for surgical disposables at my company. (lots of fun! )

I spend the rest of my time with my family... and MAX, our Giant Schnautzer... or paddling my KAYAK in the Delta of the Parana River.. or riding my bike at the countryside

The only issue here, among so many cat lovers is that Max... does not like pucky cats!

Hey!!! I know that guy! He pulled a knife on me one time at a bar in Tierra del Fuego!!!

He pulled a knife on me one time at a bar in Tierra del Fuego!!!

What else shoud I do???? you peed into my beer!

"The only issue here, among so many cat lovers is that Max... does not like pucky cats!"

-----

For such contingencies my cat, Lefty, carries an equalizer:

I believe the poor sod who crossed him in this particular pic was a bull Mastiff. Hasta la vista, baby!

Wow, what an excellent cat pic. What I want to know is where he got his martial arts training.

Jules

The same way Neo did. Here's Lefty jacked into the Matrix, getting his Kung Fu lessons.

What the hell is that, a lime?! And how did you get the cat to stand still for that?!

Ah, I just realized you can't see the duct tape! And did I mention that he's British? (with appy polly loggies, O my brothers).

What? A bit of the ultra-violent, after the Miloko Milk Bar. Is that old Bolg I see?

I don't know about everybody else, but to me, Lefty looks to be one pissed off pussy cat in that photograph.

That's cos he isn't allowed to use a big rat for knowledge acquisition. Like , he wants to be in this. Groovy baby !

I do like the ergonomic chair...

I could set up a great page on 'interesting chairs' I think. I want Joe 90's chair. I previously offered vermin a psychiatrists couch . You referred to encroaching age somewhere , would you like this one ? I reckon I could find chairs for all if they'd like. They would of course have to accept profiling by the Kris-Kelvination process , and waver any right of complaint. Yours is on trial offer (your application was not explicitly one of desire , but neither did I want a pizza when a dozen leaflets were dumped through my letter box. Not your fault I know , but I have to go mad somewhere). Sparky is being held in reserve , but you're welcome to apply for another.

Perhaps I should set up a web site. "Dial-a-chair". Folk fill out some brief questions , I return a suggested chair picture and live off the advertising proceeds. I could make a fortune ! ( My notion was prompted by a new thread)

I already have the most comfortable, gnarly chair/workstation one could possibly imagine. Joe 90 ain't got nothin' on me:

As you can see, I'm a pretty laid-back kinda guy.

But there is one minor downside: my angle of repose makes it a little tough to gracefully sip a margarita.

It's almost kinky , but I do like. I know it lacks class , but perhaps you could have a drip for the margaritta. A robotic arm to select and deliver assorted party nibbles might be nice too. Also the chair and frame thing don't appear to be fully integrated - perhaps it's a beta version. Very nice though.

Not only that, but the mouse keeps falling into your lap, and your acid-reflux disease goes right off the chart!!!

Also, what's up with that big-ass roll bar?! Are they stackable?!

Every time Charlie (the guy above) nods off, you get a face full of slobber!

I know I'm going to look stooopid , but who is Charlie ? I am feeling slightly ill at the thought of e's acid reflux . eughh.

The guy whose chair system is poised on top of that huge roll bar. The question is who's above Charlie? Considering you could stack three of these in your average office space (height).

Yes , but how do you know his name is Charlie , and who is above charlie ? I don't think you have room to stack 3 such systems , and if you did it would have to be Tom Dick & Harry.

Well, maybe we'd have to breach the plenum, but at least he could smoke up there without setting off the sprinklers. "Exhale down here!!! Thank you! Sniff, sniff!!!"

The guy on top could have a garden in a glass atrium and grow stuff up there. Would you complain if he weed on you though.. On the other hand all your exhaust gas would rise.

It's rather dark in the plenum. Perhaps he could grow mushrooms - or, tap into the corporate net with a wireless bridge and beam our traffic to the company next door! It's been done before.

Do weed-inhalers have special gas exhausted?

I was kind of thinking the guy at the bottom could promise not to break wind if the guy at the top gave him a share of whatever he harvests. Since vermin want it in the dark, it will have to be mushrooms (yum yum ) or perhaps forced rhubarb (ugh). Some kind of hydroponic set-up would be neat though. Any kind of desktop fun really.

Gupi sounds kind of familiar, and a panic button would be handy if there's nothing else to worry about.

It seems like desktop toys, the "now"-name for executive table-gadgets, which is probably put forth, only to demonstrate that managers are there, mainly to somehow manage being cooped in the office for nine hours, with nothing to do all this time.

This just might be the origin of this thing called "time management" wrongly attributed to people with not enough time on their hands.

So these toys are merely managerial tools for the problem called: What will I do here for nine hours? Go to the zoo? I can't, so let me have a miniature of a zoo on my desktop, to help me imagine what would I do, should I could go to the zoo.

Why the zoo in the first place? It has a few hours average for a healthy visit. I a coffee shop you're done in about twenty to forty minutes max, which leaves you with another seven-eight hours to fill. to fill. FILL.

Lord, they should invent a new one called "Time Pump"

Url's ? url's ? Come inside sir . You like. Nice url's , pretty url's. Clean url's . Is good. Plenty cheap. You like sir. No worrying sir. Bosses , he already inside. Special discounts today cos not working day hous and not many customerings coming here.All others gone home. Do something call life.

Are you here to taunt me with some noble suggestions?

Do I look the sort?

Here, have a bite of what I have to go through

It wasn't until I flipped my monitor over that I discovered you hadn't written everything up-side-down. Woof!

Et tu, Brute? You're on the other side, unless you'll find a way to sock-warp the thingie. Isn't America revolving ther other way around? In Hebrew we may write right but read wrong I mean left, I mean you know, the other way round. Brrrp. Friday-night to you too.

Right.

oooh

Yuval has avery hard leif . He does not desrve it.It is canny good fre him te suffer though.Makes him happy.

The git canny chap kris hade te endure many years of hardship listening te northerners.He is git talented though.Reet wierd fowk syah though.

First, why are you back as Squirrel Nutkin?

Second, did you ever read Douglas Adams book "The Meaning Leif?"

I don't know why , but everyone seems to prefer nutkin to my other persona.

Ah divvent knaa why , but everyone seems te prefer nutkin te me other persona.

The spellings vary a bit. I'm doing my little bit to reduce the prevalance of American idiom , culture etc. There is a translator somewhere above.

Did Adams write about Vikings ? I can never understand why people like that daft book/program.

Wanna wag your forked tail? Is that it? All you have to is say, you know. We are here for the service of folks, not their service to us.

"...Casis tutissima virtus..." You know.

Might be kind of funny when the cloven one returns. People may be sorry he ever left.

ani ve-ata neshane et ha-olam

<Disclaimer - I scavange quotes with reckless disregard for checking !>

The meaning of Lief was a dictionary written by Douglas Adams for things that there are currently no word for, but should be. For example, you know when you post a letter in a mail box, then you open the lid once more just to make sure your letter went down? He had a word for that, and many other things. It wasn't his best book, but it was still funny.

The meaning of Lief was a dictionary written by Douglas Adams for things that there are currently no word for, but should be. For example, you know when you post a letter in a mail box, then you open the lid once more just to make sure your letter went down?

Dear Vermin, there is a word for this: OBSESSION!

I still say that vermin mis-spelled this to give a Nordic version with 'Leif'. Most references I see , say it is 'Liff' .

As a doc , you should know that OCD is a more usual description.

I am , amongst other things, simply irritating and pedantic.

O.K.

I am a guest.

Being the genius you are:

Who am I ?

1. A member here, by the name _ _ _

2. An innocent bystander which you recognise from the _ _ _

3. What was it that gave me away?

I did not say that I was a genius. However your keen observation does you credit.

Let me try. Not many are in this micro thread , but that does not prclude an interloper. Americans do not generally surf outside of work hours () , and the few named ones that are hear out of the 41 total people on-line are not likely candidates. Well that does rather narrow it down wouldn't you say ?

1. You are indeed a member.

2. Nobody is innocent , so you are clearly confused.

3. You are undoubtedly sad to surf on a Sunday.

Conclusion :Im hatipshut hayta etz, ata hayita chorshat kakal

Others phrases were tempting , but I would be banned for life.

(פ') לאגור, לצבור לעת הצורך (כסף, מזון וכו')let me be risky

should that be סנאי ?

HEY! You just wrote squirrel in Hebrew! How on earth did you get your hands on a Hebrew font set, let alone write from right to left?

"...Advanced technology is usually indistinguishable from pure magic..."

Trade secret old chap !

"...Im hatipshut hayta etz, ata hayita chorshat kakal..."

Translation: "If stupidity was a tree, you should be the Kakal grove"

(פ') לאגור, לצבור לעת הצורך (כסף, מזון וכו') Translation: "(Verb) to accumulate, to aquire for lean times (Money, Food, etc)

The easiest solution to this conundrum is that 'Kris' is actually 'Yuval', who obviously is in full possesion of esoteric contradirectional fonts. But! this is not a complete, satisfactory answer: We still wonder how 'Yuval' is so fluent in Geordie?

Hebrew my man, Hebrew. I was born a Heb, only later adopted Latin-based characters.

Or maybe 'Yuval' is actually 'Kris'?

No ,no. Your wrong it's worse.

Kruval & Yuris.

Kruvis & Yural, you meant to say (I can only guess).

Yours,

Schmerl J. Papoon

Skropovitch, Upper-Maselonia, Zbarbireem.

Google me bad ! You want my vote or something ?

Who knows.

Yours,

SNAFU

Phew - that's pretty much as I thought.

As a doc , you should know that OCD is a more usual description

Kris, You are right one more time... but I did not want to show off!

That's funny , cos I did ! I am just being extra anoying to all because it's the weekend.. Obsession is fine though on the right woman.

Your source is right!