LightDeprived

http://arduino.lightdeprived.com/LightMeter/

I’ve done up an interesting project.  The above link details the work… Hope you like!

This morning while I was waiting for the train at the station where I park my car, I seen a little mouse.

I was idly watching the surroundings waiting for the train, spying what was left on the tracks and I noticed some quick movement.  I missed it the first time, just caught a glimpse of it’s form.  Alert now I was paying attention and seen the little thing going between the rails and off to one side where on the other side of a fence I imagine she had her nest in the tall grasses.

I watched the little mouse scurry and run down the tracks past me and to a discarded box of french-fries that had also landed between the rails.  At the same time I noticed a woman about ten feet away from me also watching the mouse and she noticed me at the same time.  We shared a smile and returned to watching somewhat voyeuristic, the slice of life of this little animal.

I lost track of where the mouse was and then the train I was waiting for arrived.

What a great start to the day

In western culture, or at least Canadian, Albertan culture… one’s thirtieth birthday is a milestone of note.  It’s called the “Big Three Oh”, of course all the decennial age points are called the “Big Oh*” so is it really that big of a life milestone?  I don’t know.

I admit I have some anxiety over it all.  Part of that is a largish party being thrown on my behalf that appears to be grown beyond what I would have expected.  It will be a little overwhelming I think.  Another part of the anxiety I think is the milestone-ness of it, or lack thereof.  I don’t feel like this is a milestone for me. It feels more like another arbitrary date that is supposed to mean something, but I don’t know quite what.  I don’t think I was paying attention in class.

I was talking to a friend how I had thought that by this age, certain things were to be achieved and that I had the feeling of not quite making it.  She was good enough to point out that in truth I have achieved quite a lot.  Another’s perspective is a good way to… put things back into perspective.  Notwithstanding there are things that I want to have done by now, but for one reason or another or no reason at all I have not.  I have no intention to list those things here.  Let’s say I might redouble my pursuit of such things.

I am looking forward to the impending doom party that is being thrown.  It will be an unprecedented meeting of my friends and my extended family.  I’ve, by choice or by chance always seemed to keep those two circles fairly independent of each other.  This will be two worlds colliding and I’m not sure what the result will be.  Of course it will be fine, well and good and everyone will have a good time and get along swimmingly!  (To the weather-gods, please let the day be warm and pleasant such that the mass of people attending will not be forced to congregate into the small quarters of house.)

I would like to mention to those who are perhaps wondering what gifts to get me… you don’t have to, nor are you expected to gift anything.  Birthday wishes or attendance to the party are more than enough.  Of course there will be some who will insist on gifting something… thanks

* Not to be confused with Big-O. If that comes<snicker> only every ten years, then I’m sorry.  Support meetings are the third Thursday night of the month there is coffee and doughnuts.

I’ve decided that I look good naked.

I’ll just let that sink in.

I really needed a good sleep.  Going to bed early does not allow me a good sleep. Time t0 sleep in does not allow me a good sleep.  Cleaning my house prior to bet time, now that works.  As I wrote before in Cleaning as Catharsis, it relaxes me, calms me and sets my body & mind into the modes needed to allow me for a restful night’s sleep.

I like this. It works better than sleeping pills and has the added benefit of resulting in a cleaner house

PS: No sorry it only seems to work on MY house.  Good try though!

It’s hard not to get excited.
Of course depending on the conversation getting excited is synonymous with getting hard.  And of course you can get excited about getting hard.  Thankfully that isn’t a problem for me yet. Knock on wood. …but not to hard… ok maybe a little  harder. Ya, that’s the ticket…

…

Huh? Oh hi there. Where was I?  Oh forget it.  It’s Friday and I’m on the last stretch of work for the week.  Tonight’s festivities promises food, drink and fun with friends.

Swedish Chef sings “Popcorn” (shrimp!)

I has gained the achievement “Mentor”

That was what my direct report (person who reports to me) at work had to say about me.  Well not quite in those words, but the word mentor was applied to myself in a positive statement.  Apparently I have the ability to teach by giving people enough rope to hang, er… um…  Information! Yes, information to find the answers themselves.

This is the way I like to learn and seem to learn best.  Give me the start of the trail, let me follow the breadcrumbs to the answer.  Correct me when I go WAY off course but small diversions & errors are part of the learning experience.

Either way, to me this is quite a feather in my cap.  A nice addition to an already pretty good day.

If past experience (being last night & this morning) is any indication of future potential, then my ideal role should be that of house-husband.

The last few days I’ve been feeling down and not really into my world or feeling much like doing anything.  Not really a great place to be.  More just turning down the volume, running on empty etc.

Yesterday I decided to buckle down and get some house keeping tasks done that I had been putting off.  Things like vacuuming, laundry, dishes, cleaning the cat box etc.  The resultant change in my mood is amazing to me.

Last night after my tasks for the day were completed, and I sat down with a drink and time to just shut down, I was able to really relax.  This morning I woke up with my alarm for the first time in a long time (I usually wake up before the alarm) and i felt refreshed, ready for the day.

Maybe this is a sign that my place is in the home.  Buck the typical Male Gender Role and be a house husband.  I’ve said before that if/when I have kids, I would really want to be a stay at home dad.  Maybe telecommute if possible but really be home for my family and take care of the homestead.

Something to remember for the future.

You’re sorta stuck where you are
But in your dreams you can buy expensive cars
Or live on Mars
And have it your way

And you hate your boss at your job
Well, in your dreams you can blow his head off
In your dreams
Show no mercy

And all your bad days will end
And all your bad days will end
You have to sleep late when you can
And all your bad days will end

- Bad Days – Flaming Lips

Good news, It’s not a dark place.  Bad news, It’s not a happy place. But it is a place that is for sure.

I’m comfortable here, mostly, which makes this a dangerous place to stay a linger.

When I look at the denizens of this place I get the distinct feeling I’m no longer welcome.

I could send you a postcard, but they don’t sell them in this place. And besides, I have no currency here.