It turns out my Matrix needed an update to its ECU (engine control unit). I guess this is kind of the motherboard of the automobile. The good news is, it was under warranty so it was free of charge. The bad news is it still cost me $200 for the original tow job to fountain tire, a scan there and for fountain tire to transfer the car to Toyota dealership.
But all in all, I got the update to the bios : ) and we are back in driving business! Here is some ECU Trivia if you care ~
An engine control unit (ECU), also known as power-train control module (PCM), or engine control module (ECM) is a type of electronic control unit that determines the amount of fuel, ignition timing and other parameters an internal combustion engine needs to keep running. It does this by reading values from multidimensional performance maps (so called LUTs), using input values (e.g. engine speed) calculated from signals coming from sensor devices monitoring the engine. Before ECU's, air/fuel mixture, ignition timing, and idle speed were directly controlled by mechanical and pneumatic sensors and actuators.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
I'll Take a Leaf Blower and an Alternator Please
Yesterday I went to Home Depot to buy a Toro Leaf Blower/Suckzor machine to help with the clean up of our yard of leaves. Especially all those that get into the rocks. Well, mission accomplished, got the goods and got in the car to leave, drove about 20 feet and the car died.
I have a 2007 Toyota matrix that has been really awesome to date,but it just croaked. Battery and engine light were on, without any warning. I would try and restart it but the battery would not hold its charge. I am partly in the lane leaving HD so I put on my emergency flashers, call Chad and we get a tow truck on order.
I can't tell you the number of people (mostly Women I might add) that honked at me to get out of the way. Dumb beyotches! If I could move do you not think I would? O..and did you not notice my flashers on while you were giving me the look of death?
Anyway, a nice truck driver stops to make sure I am alright. Those guys are always the nicest people. Finally the tow truck comes and takes me and the car to Fountain Tire in St. Albert. They are closing for the day so I won't know until Monday what the dealyo is. They suspect the Alternator croaked. The Fountain Tire folks are awesome though, such great customer service and they gave me and my leaf blower a ride home.
So, tomorrow me and Mr. Chad will be riding the bus to work, that will be kind of fun : ) I have to check if I still have warranty on my car, if not I hope not to big of a repair.
I can't tell you the number of people (mostly Women I might add) that honked at me to get out of the way. Dumb beyotches! If I could move do you not think I would? O..and did you not notice my flashers on while you were giving me the look of death?
Anyway, a nice truck driver stops to make sure I am alright. Those guys are always the nicest people. Finally the tow truck comes and takes me and the car to Fountain Tire in St. Albert. They are closing for the day so I won't know until Monday what the dealyo is. They suspect the Alternator croaked. The Fountain Tire folks are awesome though, such great customer service and they gave me and my leaf blower a ride home.
So, tomorrow me and Mr. Chad will be riding the bus to work, that will be kind of fun : ) I have to check if I still have warranty on my car, if not I hope not to big of a repair.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Good Day!
Today was a good day. The sun started to shine and Chad got his drivers license today! It feels really good to know that if he needs/wants to he can take the car and go for a visit with his friends, or be backup in an emergency. Also one of our good friends' wife went for some tests today for various lumps that she found. It was a real relief to find out they are not anything serious. Some of the people that I work with have spouses that have serious health issues and it really puts things into perspective about what is important in life.
Also the new Big Bank Theory starts today. Nerds rock!
Also the new Big Bank Theory starts today. Nerds rock!
Indian Summer?
An Indian summer is a meteorological phenomenon that occurs in autumn, in the Northern Hemisphere. It is characterized by a period of sunny, warm weather, after the leaves have turned following an onset of frost, but before the first snowfall.
So today the tides have turned a bit. The sun is fighting its way out and the long term forecast isn't bad at all. In the 20's for the weekend if the weather man is correct. We went for a walk around the neighborhood and it's nice to walk through the fallen leaves as they crunch under your feet. September can be one of my favorite months when the sky is blue and the sun is out.
In order to have a true Indian summer there needs to have been a killing frost. Well, I would say we had that. Lots of our plants and flowers got cooked, even ones under our front porch area which is usually more protected. Well I am not ready for snow balls yet, so bring on the Indian Summer!
In order to have a true Indian summer there needs to have been a killing frost. Well, I would say we had that. Lots of our plants and flowers got cooked, even ones under our front porch area which is usually more protected. Well I am not ready for snow balls yet, so bring on the Indian Summer!
Monday, September 20, 2010
Yarrr!
Yesterday I had my family over for birthday festivities. I got so caught up in the cooking and hostessing, that I totally forgot it was "International Talk Like a Pirate" day!
Here is an excerpt from the site ~
Before we go any further, there's something we need to be clear about. Pirates were and are bad people. Really reprehensible. Even the most casual exploration of the history of pirates (and believe us, casual is an accurate description of our research) leaves you hip deep in blood and barbarity. We recognize this, all right? We aren't for one minute suggesting that real, honest-to-God pirates were in any way, shape or form worth emulating.
What, you're wondering, is the point? We're going to be painfully honest here, perhaps fatally so.
The point is, there is no point. And that's what's fun about Talk Like a Pirate Day specifically, and talking like a pirate in general?
We're talking about the mere image of swaggering pirateness. And while this is a guys' guide, the comely wench will have fun talking like a pirate, too. It's powerful, yet harmless. Perhaps, dare we suggest it, the ultimate aphrodisiac. Try it!
So in the spirit of Pirate Day, here are some Pirate Pick up Lines:
10 . Avast, me proud beauty! Wanna know why my Roger is so Jolly?
9. Have ya ever met a man with a real yardarm?
8. Come on up and see me urchins.
7. Yes, that is a hornpipe in my pocket and I am happy to see you.
6. I'd love to drop anchor in your lagoon.
5. Pardon me, but would ya mind if I fired me cannon through your porthole?
4. How'd you like to scrape the barnacles off of me rudder?
3. Ya know, darlin’, I’m 97 percent chum free.
2. Well blow me down?
And the number one pickup line for use on International Talk Like a Pirate Day is …
1. Prepare to be boarded.
Before we go any further, there's something we need to be clear about. Pirates were and are bad people. Really reprehensible. Even the most casual exploration of the history of pirates (and believe us, casual is an accurate description of our research) leaves you hip deep in blood and barbarity. We recognize this, all right? We aren't for one minute suggesting that real, honest-to-God pirates were in any way, shape or form worth emulating.
What, you're wondering, is the point? We're going to be painfully honest here, perhaps fatally so.
The point is, there is no point. And that's what's fun about Talk Like a Pirate Day specifically, and talking like a pirate in general?
We're talking about the mere image of swaggering pirateness. And while this is a guys' guide, the comely wench will have fun talking like a pirate, too. It's powerful, yet harmless. Perhaps, dare we suggest it, the ultimate aphrodisiac. Try it!
So in the spirit of Pirate Day, here are some Pirate Pick up Lines:
10 . Avast, me proud beauty! Wanna know why my Roger is so Jolly?
9. Have ya ever met a man with a real yardarm?
8. Come on up and see me urchins.
7. Yes, that is a hornpipe in my pocket and I am happy to see you.
6. I'd love to drop anchor in your lagoon.
5. Pardon me, but would ya mind if I fired me cannon through your porthole?
4. How'd you like to scrape the barnacles off of me rudder?
3. Ya know, darlin’, I’m 97 percent chum free.
2. Well blow me down?
And the number one pickup line for use on International Talk Like a Pirate Day is …
1. Prepare to be boarded.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
I am a Dad's Girl
Today I went shopping and got my Dad a gift as his birthday is next week. It reminds me how lucky I am to have a dad like mine. I can honestly say that the world would be a better place if all kids were blessed with a guy like him. I know there are lots of great dads out there, but there are also some damn crappy ones.
So what makes my dad so great? Well, he is kind, patient, manly yet sensitive, positive, encouraging and smart. My dad isn't the "I graduated from University" kind of smart. He had to quit school when he was in grade 7 and look after the farm when his dad died. He is the "I have common sense and know how to use my brain" kind of smart.
Growing up we didn't have a ton of money, my dad was a laborer when we moved from the farm. After all he didn't have the education to get well paid. But he did get on with the Provincial Government and eventually apprenticed as a Sheet Metal man. My dad went to work every day with a smile on his face. He always provided for our family and I can rarely remember him staying home sick.
Every morning he would come downstairs to eat breakfast with us before work. He would often lightly pinch my cheek and tell me "I was so smooth, I must have shaved today". We would always laugh, it never got old. He was always in a good mood, I know it's hard to believe but he was.
My dad is the kind of guy everyone likes. Every time we go to a grocery store or anywhere, there is someone saying..."Hello Bob". It didn't matter what walk of life they came from. My dad always treated everyone equally. He never judged people by what they did or didn't have.
I remember one time telling him about a lady at work (Tina) that had a well to do husband, and she wanted to invite another lady and her husband over for dinner. But Tinas husband who was an Architect didn't want to invite them over because the other ladies husband was a Janitor, and he wouldn't have anything to talk to him about. When I told my dad this story, he said if the Architect was so smart he should be able to talk to anyone!
My dad has always been a good teacher. He never had boys, just my younger sister and I, but he never seemed to care. I was always his right hand man and he taught me how to shingle a roof, make fence, drive a tractor, you name it, he had me do it. He never acted like I couldn't do something because I was a girl. As my mom fretted watching me do manly things, my dad would just tell her to chill out, she is doing just fine.
To this day I can ask my dad for advice/information on just about anything. If you have a leak in your oil line, he will tell you how you can put cardboard down on the ground and rev the engine and see where the "spray pattern" is to find the leak. He is just a wealth of information Not having a lot of money really taught him how to be creative and a do for yourself attitude.
I did not have a lot of things as a kid, but we certainly felt very rich for the life we had. I got to spend a lot of time with my dad helping him with whatever he was doing. He taught me how to be strong and independent but also kind and giving. Never to think you are better than others and be humble and grateful for what you have.
So I can't wait to make a nice meal for my family next weekend and celebrate my Dad's Birthday!
So what makes my dad so great? Well, he is kind, patient, manly yet sensitive, positive, encouraging and smart. My dad isn't the "I graduated from University" kind of smart. He had to quit school when he was in grade 7 and look after the farm when his dad died. He is the "I have common sense and know how to use my brain" kind of smart.
Growing up we didn't have a ton of money, my dad was a laborer when we moved from the farm. After all he didn't have the education to get well paid. But he did get on with the Provincial Government and eventually apprenticed as a Sheet Metal man. My dad went to work every day with a smile on his face. He always provided for our family and I can rarely remember him staying home sick.
Every morning he would come downstairs to eat breakfast with us before work. He would often lightly pinch my cheek and tell me "I was so smooth, I must have shaved today". We would always laugh, it never got old. He was always in a good mood, I know it's hard to believe but he was.
My dad is the kind of guy everyone likes. Every time we go to a grocery store or anywhere, there is someone saying..."Hello Bob". It didn't matter what walk of life they came from. My dad always treated everyone equally. He never judged people by what they did or didn't have.
I remember one time telling him about a lady at work (Tina) that had a well to do husband, and she wanted to invite another lady and her husband over for dinner. But Tinas husband who was an Architect didn't want to invite them over because the other ladies husband was a Janitor, and he wouldn't have anything to talk to him about. When I told my dad this story, he said if the Architect was so smart he should be able to talk to anyone!
My dad has always been a good teacher. He never had boys, just my younger sister and I, but he never seemed to care. I was always his right hand man and he taught me how to shingle a roof, make fence, drive a tractor, you name it, he had me do it. He never acted like I couldn't do something because I was a girl. As my mom fretted watching me do manly things, my dad would just tell her to chill out, she is doing just fine.
To this day I can ask my dad for advice/information on just about anything. If you have a leak in your oil line, he will tell you how you can put cardboard down on the ground and rev the engine and see where the "spray pattern" is to find the leak. He is just a wealth of information Not having a lot of money really taught him how to be creative and a do for yourself attitude.
I did not have a lot of things as a kid, but we certainly felt very rich for the life we had. I got to spend a lot of time with my dad helping him with whatever he was doing. He taught me how to be strong and independent but also kind and giving. Never to think you are better than others and be humble and grateful for what you have.
So I can't wait to make a nice meal for my family next weekend and celebrate my Dad's Birthday!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
There is no I in Team
I have on occasion complained about people who lack common sense and the trials and tribulations of hiring people that don't give a crap about their jobs. Well, recently we had some turn over in our office for various reasons so we were back to the drawing board doing interviews for Developers.
Now being a good Developer takes a lot more than a knowledge of "syntax" or of a specific language. There really is an aptitude that good developers have. They also must have good problem solving skills and COMMON Sense! Now there are some out there that aren't bad developers when the page is blank, but the true test of a Developers moxie and brain power is to give them an application someone else constructed and ask them to resolve an issue. This takes a lot of skill to step through someone elses logic or illogicic.
Well, we just hired three new guys, and I have to say, we totally scored! Not only are they smart and have common sense, they are really nice individuals that are very humble about their excellent skills. They follow process, hell they help develop processes. I make sure to thank them often for their great attitudes and effort. They truly are becoming part of our team and I feel we have a great synergy developing. At the end of the day we are all getting paid pretty good money to come up with solutions for our clients. Our clients deserve to get what they pay for and having people that care about quality is wonderful. My own personal ethics are that if I am going to do a job, I want to do it well and feel satisfied that I have done the best I can. It is so nice to have more team members that are like minded which makes for great collaboration and end results!
What a nice start to the fall season - feel like we are all rowing the boat in the same direction! Yay!
Well, we just hired three new guys, and I have to say, we totally scored! Not only are they smart and have common sense, they are really nice individuals that are very humble about their excellent skills. They follow process, hell they help develop processes. I make sure to thank them often for their great attitudes and effort. They truly are becoming part of our team and I feel we have a great synergy developing. At the end of the day we are all getting paid pretty good money to come up with solutions for our clients. Our clients deserve to get what they pay for and having people that care about quality is wonderful. My own personal ethics are that if I am going to do a job, I want to do it well and feel satisfied that I have done the best I can. It is so nice to have more team members that are like minded which makes for great collaboration and end results!
Monday, September 6, 2010
Nice Long Weekend
It has been a great long weekend. We have seen a few friends and watched some movies. We even watched an Indian flick that had no English, but a LOT of dancing. There were some serious dance moves, and I have realized that Indian men are very comfortable in their sexuality. They must be because the dance moves and flamboyant outfits would make Canadian men cringe. I enjoyed the Bollywood style very much although they can sure drag out a story! We also watched a guy named Black Dynomite show up Shaft in the woo the bitches category. With lines like "hit the streets or the sheets", how can a guy go wrong!?
We also had my BFF and her man over and we chillaxed and then watched the latest Robin Hood with Russell Crowe. I actually liked it more than I thought I would. This year there have been a few movies that have had crappy reviews but I liked them. The Last Airbender was one like this too. Needless to say we even stayed up past midnight a few nights, even (gasp) 2:30 a.m.!
On Sunday we went to Chad's sisters for dinner. Boy was that yummy. Her and her husband collaborated on the dinner and Apple pie dessert and boy were we pleasantly stuffed. Their little girl Hailey is getting bigger every time we see her and she is now walking really well and chatting up a storm. She really understands what you are saying and has some cute responses. His mom and brother were there as well, so we had a great visit.
This morning we went for a nice walk across the river to the downtown area and found Jimmy's open and went in for breakfast. It's really nice out today, the sun is shining and great weather for a walk. I pulled out my bean plant from my back step as it was almost done, and got a nice mum from Holes to give some color into fall. Those mums can stay out until the snowballs fly now, so they are a great way to extend the season.
It was really nice to get an extra day on the weekend!
We also had my BFF and her man over and we chillaxed and then watched the latest Robin Hood with Russell Crowe. I actually liked it more than I thought I would. This year there have been a few movies that have had crappy reviews but I liked them. The Last Airbender was one like this too. Needless to say we even stayed up past midnight a few nights, even (gasp) 2:30 a.m.!
On Sunday we went to Chad's sisters for dinner. Boy was that yummy. Her and her husband collaborated on the dinner and Apple pie dessert and boy were we pleasantly stuffed. Their little girl Hailey is getting bigger every time we see her and she is now walking really well and chatting up a storm. She really understands what you are saying and has some cute responses. His mom and brother were there as well, so we had a great visit.
It was really nice to get an extra day on the weekend!
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Face Freeze!
Tonight I was watching a new show about celebrity chefs, and the chefs were making food for a "Botox" party. I guess this is all the rage amongst the rich and well...rich in Beverly Hills and around the U.S. Women show up at the party and there are people present to give them Botox injections amongst other treatments.
I suspect this is pretty lucrative for the Botox givers as apparently an injected area costs from $350 - $500. The theory behind botox is it blocks the transmission of acetylcholine from the nerves to the muscle. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter which send a message to the muscle telling it to contract or tense up. With the flow of acetylcholine blocked or significantly reduced, the muscle can no longer retract and it relaxes. As a result, the wrinkled areas smooth out and soften. Apparently these injections last about 4 or 5 months. So really you would have to do this pretty regularly to continue the benefits.
You can start to see the results of this in Hollywood, where actresses like Nicole Kidman are starting to look like expressionless wax figures. Throw in a little lip enhancement action and you have yourself a party - or a freaky looking actress!
OK so people are crazy, but what is even more startling is I saw a news report on the use of Botox on Teens under the age of 18. Here is the dealyo:
So NOW the theory is, if you start to block the muscles from every making expressions in your face, then your skin will never wrinkle! Now instead of being a teen and enjoying life and having fun with friends, you have to start shooting Botox into your face to prevent expression and aging?
I keep thinking that women (girls) have come a long way baby, but often I feel as though we are stepping back. Our value still seems to only be tied to how we look and not how we think or our capabilities. Don't get me wrong, I don't blame men for this, I blame us women. We keep up this craziness and now the only role models we see are slutty crazy chicks from Orange County or Jersey Shores. I do know that TV doesn't represent everyone, I get that, however these are the messages being sent out to the masses - to women and young impressionable girls.
So go ahead and smile, get a laugh line or two. Let people see the lines of experience and joy you have earned!
I suspect this is pretty lucrative for the Botox givers as apparently an injected area costs from $350 - $500. The theory behind botox is it blocks the transmission of acetylcholine from the nerves to the muscle. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter which send a message to the muscle telling it to contract or tense up. With the flow of acetylcholine blocked or significantly reduced, the muscle can no longer retract and it relaxes. As a result, the wrinkled areas smooth out and soften. Apparently these injections last about 4 or 5 months. So really you would have to do this pretty regularly to continue the benefits.
OK so people are crazy, but what is even more startling is I saw a news report on the use of Botox on Teens under the age of 18. Here is the dealyo:
The statistics by ASAPS reveal that there is a surge in the number of Botox treatments given to teens in the U.S. Approximately 12,110 Botox injections were administered to patients 18 years old and younger in 2009. That translates into a 47.8 percent rise in teen Botox use from 2008, when a total of 8,194 Botox procedures were performed.
So NOW the theory is, if you start to block the muscles from every making expressions in your face, then your skin will never wrinkle! Now instead of being a teen and enjoying life and having fun with friends, you have to start shooting Botox into your face to prevent expression and aging?
I keep thinking that women (girls) have come a long way baby, but often I feel as though we are stepping back. Our value still seems to only be tied to how we look and not how we think or our capabilities. Don't get me wrong, I don't blame men for this, I blame us women. We keep up this craziness and now the only role models we see are slutty crazy chicks from Orange County or Jersey Shores. I do know that TV doesn't represent everyone, I get that, however these are the messages being sent out to the masses - to women and young impressionable girls.
So go ahead and smile, get a laugh line or two. Let people see the lines of experience and joy you have earned!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
The Wall
I think you can tell I am hitting the wall
I just wrote a post about a big Shweddy ball
The challenge has been for just thirty days
And now I am starting a limerick phase
I have written some posts about music and food
About our two animals, the fuzzy cat brood
I wrote a few rants and stood on my box
I talked about building a trellis that rawks
I looked at our names to see how they rank
Apparently Liam is better than Frank
I wrote about gardening and my very green thumb
I wrote about shrinkage of my ample big bum
I shared some memories of ponchos and songs
My favorite theme music that is still going strong
I read lots of posts and learned quite a lot
About every ones lives and the dreams they all got
I know that last line is not proper or right
but who the hell cares its been a delight
To write out my thoughts and be in the game
And I really hope you all feel the same
Just a few more days, a few more takes
and this new blogger will take a break
to get some fresh ideas to write
But for today I bid you a wonderful night.
Tammy
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)