Ivan's Posts Et cetera

Time of the Year ... again

2007-04-05T00:13:00.000-04:00

The exams are just around the corner. Spring is also here which means that it will be golfing season very soon. I am looking forward to hit balls, ride my bike and start my coop position.

I have been late in updating this blog so I will summarize it very quickly for those who are interested in what I have been doing in the last 3 months. During reading week, I took the plane from Ottawa to London to visit Krystel. Once in London, I spent a wonderful week with Krystel and we visited a the wide tourist attractions that London had to offer.

Westminster.

Me and Krystel in the London Eye.

View of the London Eye from St. James Park.

Me in the tube station at Bond Street.

Me in front of the Tower Bridge.

After a few days, we took the plane from London to Prague. This is where we celebrated our 7th year anniversary. Prague is truly a romantic city with architecture, art and culture that is very different to Western Europe. We really enjoyed the two days that we spent in Prague. I could not describe our experience as well as Krystel did in her blog post.

Coming soon... Spain.

Holidays

2007-01-13T21:05:00.000-05:00

The holidays when really fast. I remember the last day of my coop job like it was yesterday. During the holidays, we had a few parties including Christmas, New Years and Krystel's going -away parties. The common element in all those parties was the food and I'm not talking about regular food. We had raclette, turkey, and a 7-8 course meal that were all great.

For Christmas, I received a nice blue iPod from Krystel and ironically I also gave her an iPod. I really like to listen to music on the bus or just around the house.

Krystel with her nice red purse.

Winnie the Pooh reunion on Krystel's bed. Krystel and I both got a small Winnie for Christmas.

Me and Krystel during the holidays. Sharing a cuddling moment before she left.

Krystel and I during dinner.

Krystel has left for England on January 4th. Already more than 10 days and I miss her alot. As her going-away gift she has received a digital camera to capture memories of her time in London and in Europe. She has been posting regular posts on her blog that you can visit at http://krystelcarrier.blogspot.com/. She has been doing a great job to post her messages in French and English and they are well written (compared to me). I have to add that the pictures that she has posted on her blog capture alot of detail. Krystel is a natural photographer.

A sneek preview of the next post: Classes, Trip to London and more.

Halloween

2006-10-29T16:35:00.000-05:00

Not alot has happened since the Bon Echo camping. I went golfing a few times and I am still working weekdays.

Krystel's friend invited us to a halloween party where everyone was costumed. I was a sorcerer... probably the worst costume there. I got some really great ideas that I will use next year.

Here are a few pictures.Krystel the winter fairy!
Krystel's Witch Pumpkin
My very, very scary pumpkin!

Bon Echo - Fall Camping

2006-10-02T19:12:00.000-04:00

Last weekend (Sept. 30- Oct. 1), Krystel, me, Pam and Alex went camping in Bon Echo Provincial Park a little more than 2 hours from Ottawa. The fall colors were amazing. Beside the cold temperature and the bit of rain we still had alot of fun.

A group picture before the big hike.

Krystel's idea to take the underneath of the mushroom.

A very colorful fall picture along the hiking trail.

A very red tree.Bon Echo's famous cliff.

Krystel and I enjoying the warmth of the fire.

A very nice picture that Krystel took with all the colours. We both agreed that this was the best picture of the weekend.

Canadian Rockies

2006-08-23T12:40:00.000-04:00

Here are some pictures of my trip in the Canadian Rockies. Although the trip was short and we did alot of things, it was a real blast. Pour l'histoire complète du voyage de moi et Julien, visiter http://jcortex.blogspot.com/ Julien a raconté notre aventure dans les rocheuses avec une exactitude impécable.

DAY 1 - Banff & Lake Louise

DAY 2 - Icefield Parkway & Athabasca Glacier

DAY 3 - Mount Athabasca & Yoho Lake

DAY 4 - Emerald Lake & Laughing Falls

DAY 5 - Iceline Trail & Lake O'Hara

DAY 6 - Alpine Route & Lake O'Hara

Yet again...

2006-05-10T17:57:00.000-04:00

Yes, school has begun. It really feels weird studying during the summertime. So far, the workload has been very acceptable and with only 4 courses at a time, I feel like I will actually have time to understand some material.

I am really looking forward for the summer vacation in early August. How about you?

" Le Paradis " - Ptarmigan Lake, close to Lake Louise.

Murder Mystery

2006-04-30T23:14:00.000-04:00

Last Saturday, we organized a murder mystery. It was my second time and I would have to say that I performed alot better this time around. Krystel and Pam decided that the theme for the supper would be Hawaiian. So everyone dressed up with hawaiian clothes and we had a few decorations. Only Krystel had suspected Pam of being the murderer.

As for food, Alex and Caley made their first lasagna.Marc and Lindsey also prepared astir-fry.

Amanda made a cheesecake from scratch with was the best that I've ever tasted. (sorry I don't have a picture)

In between the scenes of the game we enjoyed watching the Senators dominate the Lightnings. GO Sens GO!

Almost May ...

2006-04-25T17:19:00.000-04:00

Yesterday and today, coming out of work (RMC) there were millions, probably billions of these flying insects. After much effort I found it; Mayflies. Reading up on Wikipedia "they are an aquatic insects where the larval stage occurs in fresh water." It also says that these flies only live for a day or two. It all make sense now, these flies are "May"flies.

They were everywhere... 3 of them made their way in my shirt. As I made my way across the bridge, there was a light breeze which prevented them from swarming.

Beside that, Steve came to Kingston to checkout the summer position. We then watched the Mtl-Car game on TV and we were cheering for the Habs (for that reason they won). Afterwards, we went to Grizzly's where we played a few pool games with Julien and Jeff.

Pool and Billiards

2006-04-16T12:03:00.000-04:00

After Tuesday's pool competition with some international students, and some of their friends, I've come to realized that every country has their own rules for pool(or billiards). I've got some rules from 4 different countries(including Canada). I've also research the international rules which resembles canadian rules. For one point of comparasion lets compare how the 8th ball needs to be pocketed.1-French Rule

Before touching the 8th ball, the cue ball must touch a cushion.

2- German Rule

The 8th ball has to be pocketed in the opposite pocket then the last full or stripe ball.

3- English Rule and Canadian Rule

The shooter must call the pocket which the 8th ball will be pocketed.

Buzzed at work?

2006-04-03T21:58:00.000-04:00

Getting buzzed at work.. well almost. Today I had to perform the ceremony. Yes, the cleaning ceremony of the samples and get them ready for testing. It involves cleaning them with iso-octane, iso-propanol and acetone and inserting the beakers in an utrasonic cleaner. The entire procedure can take about 1.5 hours.

The fumes from the three chemicals are enough to make you pass out if you take a huge sniff of them. Well maybe not pass out - but surely give you a buzz. But of course I would never be so stupid to buzz myself at work (or any other time).

Here are two more picture of Yoho NP.

A picture taken after the sunset. Emerald Lake in Yoho NP.

HOODOOS! Very cool natural sand/rock formation that is caused by erosion. These peaks are about 15-20 ft high.

I just had to post this picture from National Geographic. The Cameleon is great against the blue/green background.

Spring Forward

2006-04-03T20:43:00.000-04:00

To be honest, I can't wait till this time of year, when its light outside for a longer time. Waiting for this weekend to arrive is like waiting for the longest day of the summer to come.

It also means that summer is right around the corner. Only 19 more days for my coop job - I've been in kingston for 3 months.

Talking about summer, here are more pictures that I took in Banff, Yoho and Jasper National Parks. Can't wait to get back there this summer.I beleive you can see Mt McArthur in Yoho NP where the sun is setting. Nice sunset.

Spirit Island lost in the fog. Jasper National Park.

Mt Stephen's overshadowing the little town of Field BC in Yoho NP.

Lake Oeasa - up from Lake O'Hara.Forest fire devastation in Kootenay NP.

Boiler Room

2006-03-30T18:54:00.000-05:00

I've been rock climbing at the Boiler Room in Kingston twice. Julien, one of my housemate and a good climber himself, is teaching me the basics of climbing. The rating of the walls inside the facility start at 5.2 and go up to 5.12. I've started on walls of difficulty 5.5 and now I am climbing up some 5.7.

Thinking about summer holidays just makes you really lazy. Thinking about summer vacation makes me daydream. I though I might post some of my favorite places since summer is almost here.
Looking at precipitations from Whistler Mountain in Jasper National Park.
Looking at Mt. Wapta going up Mt. Field. Takkakah Falls can be seen in the background.

A lake in Jasper right after sunset.

Lost lake in Northern Ontario. The island in the middle of the lake is where the cottage is.

Surprise!

2006-03-20T21:08:00.000-05:00

La fête surprise pour le 20ieme anniversaire de Krystel était la fin de semaine passée. J'ai organisé ce party avec l'aide de quelques des amies de Krystel. On avait une fontaine en chocolat avec des fruits et un gâteau à la mousse au chocolat. C'était le fun!

Krystel avec le cadeau de Pam et Alex; deux coupes remplies de bonbons

Moi qui bois de la bière verte et Alex qui coute aux guirlandes.

Krystel qui a l'air de la reine!

Krytel et Jocelyne.

Lindsey qui est rouge et Krystel qui a l'air vraiment contente.

Pour la fête de Krystel je lui ai acheté deux billets pour aller voir le spetacle Quidam du Cirque du Soleil. J'ai déjà hâte au mois de mai.

DUSTED II

2006-03-14T18:50:00.000-05:00

Drink an Unsuspecting Small Town Establishment Dry - DUSTED

Last Friday, it was the second Dusted of the year. This time we almost clean the bar. All there was left was Molson Ex (yuk!) and another kind which I can't quite remember. We finished the plastic cups and the orange juice for cocktails. We almost did it. With another few people the bar would have been DRY. Well I feel good since I'm the one who drank the last A. Keiths. Here are a few pictures from that night.

Yeah, I think the locals (AKA rednecks) forgot to read this sign.

Krystel vs Lindsey. They both won. Krystel is left handed and Lindsey is right handed.
Me vs Marc. I knew I had no chances. It was still fun.

Jordan, Marc and Caley, and a couple making out in the background.

Bowling the next night. I had the highest score with 173. I got a turkey for the first time in my life.

Krystel going for a strike.

One flew into the cuckoo's nest...

2006-03-07T21:52:00.000-05:00

Bird Flu: the next pandemic? I've been reading on the subject from various sources and from what I can read this will be a big problem. I don't think I'll start stocking up on Tamiflu but maybe I should.

Accorcding to WHO "The risk of pandemic influenza is serious. With the H5N1 virus now firmly entrenched in large parts of Asia, the risk that more human cases will occur will persist. Each additional human case gives the virus an opportunity to improve its transmissibility in humans, and thus develop into a pandemic strain"

The Tristan Betrayal

2006-03-02T19:46:00.000-05:00

I've just finished reading The Tristan Betrayal from Robert Ludlum. I for one do not usually read much, but this book got me really interested. The story is about an american spy during WWII who must convince the nazi to attack Russia. Towards the end, I certainly could not put it down nor could I go to sleep. Beside all the Russian words that I did not understand, this book deserves a 4/5 rating. Now I've started another Ludlum book called The Prometheus Deception. If it is good I'll post a blog about it.

Damn Snow Plow!

I'm am hard of hearing but the snow plow still managed to wake me up. To clarify: it wasn't only the snow plow, it was the entire snow removal team (trucks, plows and a front end loader). The thing I don't quite understand is why do they have to remove the only 5 cm of snow that's on the ground? Worst yet, why do they have to do it at 5 am in the morning?

24 medals - and many 4th place finish

2006-02-27T18:10:00.000-05:00

Well the olympics are over. And canadians athletes have all done very well. Last week I got an email from Alex and he asked : " In your best opinion, who would you rather be deserted on an island with: An olympic speed skater, or any kind of olympic skiier (any kind)."
Thinking about it, I would definitly have to say skiier.

To change the topic, Windows Vista the new generation of the Microsoft OS ,which is scheduled for released later this year, will have 6 different versions:

Windows Vista Business
Windows Vista Enterprise
Windows Vista Home Basic
Windows Vista Home Premium
Windows Vista Ultimate
Windows Vista Starter

Windows Vista

Olympics and Freezing Rain

2006-02-16T20:37:00.000-05:00

I'm proud to be a Canadian. Today, Canada reached a total of 8 medals at the games.

When I get bored at work I log onto CBC olympics and read about the various sports. I enjoy watching and reading about all the sports but my favorites are cross-country skiing and hockey. I've always been interested by cross-country skiing since I ski myself.

The weather has been horrible today. We got rain/snow and freezing rain. Right now there's about 1.5cm of ice on the ground and more to come. During the last 5 weeks, Kingston has received freezing rain on 3 different occasions. What is wrong with this weather? Yeah, I know it's global warming.. blah blah blah.. but what is really being done by indiviuals?

Picture from Greenpeace

Muskrat

2006-02-13T21:28:00.000-05:00

First on today's blog, I have to point out that the title has been changed since there is snow on the ground. Although there is very little snow, it would be wrong to say "snowless".

Everyday when I walked across the bridge, I see this animal in the water with its very long but narrow tail sticking out of the water. I've finally found the correct name of the animal, it's called a muskrat. I'm quite sure that the little creature wants to be recognized by me and become famous. For this reason, I'll give him a name and take picture of him in the weeks to come. First, I'll have to take a picture to prove that he's really a muskrat. This is an image from Wikipedia.

Beautiful Frozen Canal!

2006-02-12T22:18:00.000-05:00

This weekend was probably the best weekend to go skating on the Rideau Canal; not only was the weather great, it was also Winterlude. Anyhow, I thought I might share a few picture with all my friends that like to read my blog.Me, posing close to Frank Clair Stadium.

Krystel, skating very well this year.
Me, Krystel and Nils (My housemate) where the "Art in the Park" gallery was.

An instant millionaire?

2006-02-08T21:28:00.000-05:00

Ever wonder about the one invention that could make you famous and earn you millions of dollars? Well I have.

Today, while I was reading blogs on bookofjoe.com, I came across the a very ingenous invention for dog owners. It's call the "Go Dog Go" automatic fetch machine. They even have videos on their product in action on their website. It seems to be great, but honestly, it's for lazy people.

My conclusion: It probably works best for a hyperactive dog.

Brownies

2006-02-07T22:30:00.000-05:00

Today, I got a few things sorted out at work which means I'll be a little more busy. Beside work, I made some brownies since I was in the baking mood. They are the chocolate chunk type and they were really good. This gave me the idea that I should cook some cookies/muffins/cake every week and take pictures.

IT'S SNOWING

2006-02-06T18:41:00.000-05:00

Well it was snowing earlier today at 10 am. I was working inside when I decided to go for a walk within the building and saw all the white stuff coming down. It wasn't only snowing but blowing snow all around it was soo pretty. I wish I had a picture... Oh well.

OK, well as promised I will start explaining how to solve a Rubic's Cube. Before attempting world records it's good to know how a Rubic's Cube works. Having a good cube is also a must since a defective cube will cause strain in your hands and fingers. I would also suggest to lube your cube with some type of wax (such as car wax).

Ready to CUBE IT UP?

1 - Creating a 2x2 square

The first step is to create a 2x2 square on one of the surfaces. Each cube will have different combination so with experience will help you decide with face to start with.

2 - Creating a 2x2x3 Cube

I know a 2x2x3 is not a cube. Up to this point no algorithms are needed and the cube should be solved using common logic. TIP: locate the needed pieces on the cube and place them one by one in their correct location.

All further Rubiks solving steps will be posted on easycubing.blogspot.com.

Krystel ma belle

2006-02-02T17:17:00.000-05:00

Je pensais que j'étais pour mettre quelques photos de moi et Krystel.

Un bon matin

2006-02-02T16:58:00.000-05:00

Ce matin j'ai décidé de prendre des photos en route au travail. La marche de ma place au travail prend environ 30 mins.
Voici une photo de la côte en direction du pont.

Voici une photo du traversier qui va sur l'île Wolfe. À la droite on peut voir la station de police.Le "pont des abeilles". Les voitures qui passent sur le pont font un bourdonnement tel que les abeilles.

Une photo du Collège sur le pont.
Une photo de l'arche commémorative.

Soduko and Rubik's Cube

2006-02-01T20:35:00.000-05:00

Well, now it's time that I talk about my 2 favourite past-time. Yes, they are both puzzles.
This is a very hard soduko i got from Soduko Puzzle. Try to solve it and post a comment.

There will be more information about how to solve a rubiks cube in the coming days.

Some pictures at work

2006-02-01T17:53:00.000-05:00

There, that is my workstation. Althought it might look very sophisticated, with 2 computers... in reality, it's just crap. That is also where I get to do my Sodukos during lunch hour.
Oh before I forget, both computer are not connected to the network, not that it would matter much since I'm still waiting for my computer account

This is another view of the lab.

This is a Pin-on-Disk instrument used to determine the friction coefficient between 2 kind of surfaces. I am also in the process of redesigning the sensor mechanism.

My first blog

2006-02-01T17:35:00.000-05:00

This is my first blog. Wow, I had no idea it was this easy to create a blog.

Pour tout les francophones qui vont lire ce Blog, je vais essayer d'écrire des Blogs en français.
I am going to post a few pictures of the house in Kingston and my work space. This is the house where I will be staying till the end of April. My room window is the one on the right.
First party in Kingston with friends of my housemates. It was a fun night.