Today was the first day I came to work without my crutch. I took the bus in, but I plan to walk home.
The first time I rode a bus without the wheelchair (using a crutch) was the Saturday of Chinese New Year back in the spring.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Coming soon: CellThis.net
Check out CellThis.net - Canada's marketplace for cellular contracts for a preview of what's to come. This is a side project I've been working on for the last six months.
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Seattle Lindy Exchange
I spent the long weekend in Seattle for SLE 2007. I had an awesome time. I was in no condition to go last year, so I'm very glad I was able to make it. I spent the entire weekend walking around without using my crutch. I felt much freer without it, and there was always someone around to help when I got to a flight of stairs. At this point, I'm fine walking around without any aid, and my balance is almost there for walking down stairs, but I still need to use something to get up stairs. I've also walked around downtown without the crutch a few times during lunch. It still is good to use the crutch as a visual cue so that people around me can give me a bit of space.
The turnout this year seemed to be lower than previous years, but personally, this was the best one yet. Some of the nighttime highlights included coming across a water fountain foam party during a late night food run, going for a swim in Lake Washington at 1:30am, and coming across a moped gang at a 7-11 on the way to the after hours venue.
The next big event in Seattle will be the Emerald City Blues Festival in November. I also missed that one last year.
The turnout this year seemed to be lower than previous years, but personally, this was the best one yet. Some of the nighttime highlights included coming across a water fountain foam party during a late night food run, going for a swim in Lake Washington at 1:30am, and coming across a moped gang at a 7-11 on the way to the after hours venue.
The next big event in Seattle will be the Emerald City Blues Festival in November. I also missed that one last year.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Gym
I've been focusing on my lower body in the gym for the last few months, primarily on the stairclimber. The improvement has been huge and it really shows each time I traverse a set of stairs. I'm now at a point in which I can walk around safely without a crutch, but still need it for stair climbing. For small sets of reasonably spaced stairs, I can step down them without holding on to something for support. I'm still working on getting up the stairs; that will still take some time.
As my strength has improved, I've been spending more time away from home at night and haven't been going to the gym regularly enough. Last night, I did some upper body exercises, and it was a challenge to lift the same number of plates that I was doing a few months ago on the triceps pulldown and chest press.
As my strength has improved, I've been spending more time away from home at night and haven't been going to the gym regularly enough. Last night, I did some upper body exercises, and it was a challenge to lift the same number of plates that I was doing a few months ago on the triceps pulldown and chest press.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
One year
Monday, July 17, was the day I transferred to GFS last year. It's now been more than a year since my hospital stay.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
This is how rumours start
I overheard a conversation on the elevator yesterday that Microsoft's new development centre will be in Harbour Centre, occupying 3 floors. We'll see if it's true in a few months.
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
An interesting article
Small Companies that Play Big
By: Julie Sloane, Justin Martin and Alessandra Bianchi, FSB Magazine
(FSB Magazine) -- The CEO of a Southern California software company recently contacted FSB to trumpet the success of his new product. It had about 400 users at a dozen small companies and had just received a glowing review in a top industry trade magazine. But he and his co-founder were tiptoeing around a matter that they regarded as so sensitive that they spoke about it only on condition that we not print their names: Except for four developers in India, their company has no employees.
Not even their customers know their secret. Thanks to a $99-a-month phone system and an actress who does voice-overs, a professional recording greets all callers and routes them to the company's sales, tech support, or marketing departments - but nine times out of ten, they'll reach the CEO. The CEO used $150 software to create an online video demonstration that walks potential customers through his product's features, giving his Web site a flashy, moneyed feel. And Web-based software lets customers see the CEO's computer desktop live, so he can personally demo the software without an in-person meeting. The cost: $70 a year. "If customers knew we were so small," says the CEO, "they wouldn't take us seriously."
Read the rest of the article...
By: Julie Sloane, Justin Martin and Alessandra Bianchi, FSB Magazine
(FSB Magazine) -- The CEO of a Southern California software company recently contacted FSB to trumpet the success of his new product. It had about 400 users at a dozen small companies and had just received a glowing review in a top industry trade magazine. But he and his co-founder were tiptoeing around a matter that they regarded as so sensitive that they spoke about it only on condition that we not print their names: Except for four developers in India, their company has no employees.
Not even their customers know their secret. Thanks to a $99-a-month phone system and an actress who does voice-overs, a professional recording greets all callers and routes them to the company's sales, tech support, or marketing departments - but nine times out of ten, they'll reach the CEO. The CEO used $150 software to create an online video demonstration that walks potential customers through his product's features, giving his Web site a flashy, moneyed feel. And Web-based software lets customers see the CEO's computer desktop live, so he can personally demo the software without an in-person meeting. The cost: $70 a year. "If customers knew we were so small," says the CEO, "they wouldn't take us seriously."
Read the rest of the article...
Monday, July 02, 2007
ENTJ (The Executive or The Field Marshal)
I posted this on Facebook but I thought I'd publish it here as well. It's a fitting description. I took the same test two years ago and back then my result was ISTJ. Much has changed over that time.
---
Of the four aspects of strategic analysis and definition, it is marshalling or situational organizing role that reaches the highest development in Fieldmarshals. As this kind of role is practiced some contingency organizing is necessary, so that the second suit of the Fieldmarshal's intellect is devising contingency plans. Structural and functional engineering, though practiced in some degree in the course of organizational operations, tend to be not nearly as well developed and are soon outstripped by the rapidly growing skills in organizing. But it must be said that any kind of strategic exercise tends to bring added strength to engineering as well as organizing skills.
As the organizing capabilities the Fieldmarshal increase so does their desire to let others know about whatever has come of their organizational efforts. So they tend to take up a directive role in their social exchanges. On the other hand they have less and less desire, if they ever had any, to inform others.
Hardly more than two percent of the total population, the Fieldmarshals are bound to lead others, and from an early age they can be observed taking command of groups. In some cases, Fieldmarshals simply find themselves in charge of groups, and are mystified as to how this happened. But the reason is that Fieldmarshals have a strong natural urge to give structure and direction wherever they are -- to harness people in the field and to direct them to achieve distant goals. They resemble Supervisors in their tendency to establish plans for a task, enterprise, or organization, but Fieldmarshals search more for policy and goals than for regulations and procedures.
They cannot not build organizations, and cannot not push to implement their goals. When in charge of an organization, whether in the military, business, education, or government, Fieldmarshals more than any other type desire (and generally have the ability) to visualize where the organization is going, and they seem able to communicate that vision to others. Their organizational and coordinating skills tends to be highly developed, which means that they are likely to be good at systematizing, ordering priorities, generalizing, summarizing, at marshalling evidence, and at demonstrating their ideas. Their ability to organize, however, may be more highly developed than their ability to analyze, and the Fieldmarshal leader may need to turn to an Inventor or Architect to provide this kind of input.
Fieldmarshals will usually rise to positions of responsibility and enjoy being executives. They are tireless in their devotion to their jobs and can easily block out other areas of life for the sake of their work. Superb administrators in any field -- medicine, law, business, education, government, the military -- Fieldmarshals organize their units into smooth-functioning systems, planning in advance, keeping both short-term and long-range objectives well in mind. For the Fieldmarshals, there must always be a goal-directed reason for doing anything, and people's feelings usually are not sufficient reason. They prefer decisions to be based on impersonal data, want to work from well thought-out plans, like to use engineered operations -- and they expect others to follow suit. They are ever intent on reducing bureaucratic red tape, task redundancy, and aimless confusion in the workplace, and they are willing to dismiss employees who cannot get with the program and increase their efficiency. Although Fieldmarshals are tolerant of established procedures, they can and will abandon any procedure when it can be shown to be ineffective in accomplishing its goal. Fieldmarshals root out and reject ineffectiveness and inefficiency, and are impatient with repetition of error.
Source: http://keirsey.com/personality/ntej.html
---
"I don't care to sit by the window on an airplane. If I can't control it, why look?"
ENTJs have a natural tendency to marshall and direct. This may be expressed with the charm and finesse of a world leader or with the insensitivity of a cult leader. The ENTJ requires little encouragement to make a plan. One ENTJ put it this way... "I make these little plans that really don't have any importance to anyone else, and then feel compelled to carry them out." While "compelled" may not describe ENTJs as a group, nevertheless the bent to plan creatively and to make those plans reality is a common theme for NJ types.
ENTJs are often "larger than life" in describing their projects or proposals. This ability may be expressed as salesmanship, story-telling facility or stand-up comedy. In combination with the natural propensity for filibuster, our hero can make it very difficult for the customer to decline.
TRADEMARK: -- "I'm really sorry you have to die." (I realize this is an overstatement. However, most Fs and other gentle souls usually chuckle knowingly at this description.)
ENTJs are decisive. They see what needs to be done, and frequently assign roles to their fellows. Few other types can equal their ability to remain resolute in conflict, sending the valiant (and often leading the charge) into the mouth of hell. When challenged, the ENTJ may by reflex become argumentative. Alternatively (s)he may unleash an icy gaze that serves notice: the ENTJ is not one to be trifled with.
Functional Analysis
Extraverted Thinking
"Unequivocating" expresses the resoluteness of the ENTJ's dominant function. Clarity of convictions endows these Thinkers with a knack for debate, or wanting knack, a penchant for argument. The light and heat generated by Thinking at the helm can be impressive; perhaps even overwhelming. Experience teaches many ENTJs that restraint may often be the better part of valor, lest one find oneself victorious but alone.
Introverted iNtuition
The auxiliary function explores the blueprints of archetypal patterns and equips Thinking with a fresh, dynamic sense of how things work. Improvising on the fly is something many ENTJs do very well. As Thinking's subordinate, insights are of value only insofar as they further the Right, True Cause celebre. [n.b.: ENTJs are capable of living on a higher plane, if you will, and learning to value individuals even above their principles. The above dynamic suggests less individuation.]
Extraverted Sensing
Sensing reaches out to embrace that which physically touches it. ENTJs have an awareness of the real; of that which exists. By stilling the engines of Thinking and iNtuition, this type may experience the Here and Now, and know things not dreamt of nor even postulated in iNtuition's philosophy. Sensing's minor role, however, puts it at risk for distortion or extreme weakness beneath the hustle and bustle of the giants N and T.
Introverted Feeling
Feeling is romantic, as the ethereal as the inner world from whence it doth emerge. When it be awake, feeling evokes great passion that knows not nuance of proportion nor context. Perhaps these lesser functions inspire glorious recreational quests in worlds that never were, or may only ever be in fantasy. When overdone or taken too seriously, Fi turned outward often becomes maudlin or melodramatic. Feeling in this type appears most authentic when implied or expressed covertly in a firm handshake, accepting demeanor, or act of sacrifice thinly covered by excuses of lack of any personal interest in the relinquished item.
Source: http://typelogic.com/entj.html
---
Of the four aspects of strategic analysis and definition, it is marshalling or situational organizing role that reaches the highest development in Fieldmarshals. As this kind of role is practiced some contingency organizing is necessary, so that the second suit of the Fieldmarshal's intellect is devising contingency plans. Structural and functional engineering, though practiced in some degree in the course of organizational operations, tend to be not nearly as well developed and are soon outstripped by the rapidly growing skills in organizing. But it must be said that any kind of strategic exercise tends to bring added strength to engineering as well as organizing skills.
As the organizing capabilities the Fieldmarshal increase so does their desire to let others know about whatever has come of their organizational efforts. So they tend to take up a directive role in their social exchanges. On the other hand they have less and less desire, if they ever had any, to inform others.
Hardly more than two percent of the total population, the Fieldmarshals are bound to lead others, and from an early age they can be observed taking command of groups. In some cases, Fieldmarshals simply find themselves in charge of groups, and are mystified as to how this happened. But the reason is that Fieldmarshals have a strong natural urge to give structure and direction wherever they are -- to harness people in the field and to direct them to achieve distant goals. They resemble Supervisors in their tendency to establish plans for a task, enterprise, or organization, but Fieldmarshals search more for policy and goals than for regulations and procedures.
They cannot not build organizations, and cannot not push to implement their goals. When in charge of an organization, whether in the military, business, education, or government, Fieldmarshals more than any other type desire (and generally have the ability) to visualize where the organization is going, and they seem able to communicate that vision to others. Their organizational and coordinating skills tends to be highly developed, which means that they are likely to be good at systematizing, ordering priorities, generalizing, summarizing, at marshalling evidence, and at demonstrating their ideas. Their ability to organize, however, may be more highly developed than their ability to analyze, and the Fieldmarshal leader may need to turn to an Inventor or Architect to provide this kind of input.
Fieldmarshals will usually rise to positions of responsibility and enjoy being executives. They are tireless in their devotion to their jobs and can easily block out other areas of life for the sake of their work. Superb administrators in any field -- medicine, law, business, education, government, the military -- Fieldmarshals organize their units into smooth-functioning systems, planning in advance, keeping both short-term and long-range objectives well in mind. For the Fieldmarshals, there must always be a goal-directed reason for doing anything, and people's feelings usually are not sufficient reason. They prefer decisions to be based on impersonal data, want to work from well thought-out plans, like to use engineered operations -- and they expect others to follow suit. They are ever intent on reducing bureaucratic red tape, task redundancy, and aimless confusion in the workplace, and they are willing to dismiss employees who cannot get with the program and increase their efficiency. Although Fieldmarshals are tolerant of established procedures, they can and will abandon any procedure when it can be shown to be ineffective in accomplishing its goal. Fieldmarshals root out and reject ineffectiveness and inefficiency, and are impatient with repetition of error.
Source: http://keirsey.com/personality/ntej.html
---
"I don't care to sit by the window on an airplane. If I can't control it, why look?"
ENTJs have a natural tendency to marshall and direct. This may be expressed with the charm and finesse of a world leader or with the insensitivity of a cult leader. The ENTJ requires little encouragement to make a plan. One ENTJ put it this way... "I make these little plans that really don't have any importance to anyone else, and then feel compelled to carry them out." While "compelled" may not describe ENTJs as a group, nevertheless the bent to plan creatively and to make those plans reality is a common theme for NJ types.
ENTJs are often "larger than life" in describing their projects or proposals. This ability may be expressed as salesmanship, story-telling facility or stand-up comedy. In combination with the natural propensity for filibuster, our hero can make it very difficult for the customer to decline.
TRADEMARK: -- "I'm really sorry you have to die." (I realize this is an overstatement. However, most Fs and other gentle souls usually chuckle knowingly at this description.)
ENTJs are decisive. They see what needs to be done, and frequently assign roles to their fellows. Few other types can equal their ability to remain resolute in conflict, sending the valiant (and often leading the charge) into the mouth of hell. When challenged, the ENTJ may by reflex become argumentative. Alternatively (s)he may unleash an icy gaze that serves notice: the ENTJ is not one to be trifled with.
Functional Analysis
Extraverted Thinking
"Unequivocating" expresses the resoluteness of the ENTJ's dominant function. Clarity of convictions endows these Thinkers with a knack for debate, or wanting knack, a penchant for argument. The light and heat generated by Thinking at the helm can be impressive; perhaps even overwhelming. Experience teaches many ENTJs that restraint may often be the better part of valor, lest one find oneself victorious but alone.
Introverted iNtuition
The auxiliary function explores the blueprints of archetypal patterns and equips Thinking with a fresh, dynamic sense of how things work. Improvising on the fly is something many ENTJs do very well. As Thinking's subordinate, insights are of value only insofar as they further the Right, True Cause celebre. [n.b.: ENTJs are capable of living on a higher plane, if you will, and learning to value individuals even above their principles. The above dynamic suggests less individuation.]
Extraverted Sensing
Sensing reaches out to embrace that which physically touches it. ENTJs have an awareness of the real; of that which exists. By stilling the engines of Thinking and iNtuition, this type may experience the Here and Now, and know things not dreamt of nor even postulated in iNtuition's philosophy. Sensing's minor role, however, puts it at risk for distortion or extreme weakness beneath the hustle and bustle of the giants N and T.
Introverted Feeling
Feeling is romantic, as the ethereal as the inner world from whence it doth emerge. When it be awake, feeling evokes great passion that knows not nuance of proportion nor context. Perhaps these lesser functions inspire glorious recreational quests in worlds that never were, or may only ever be in fantasy. When overdone or taken too seriously, Fi turned outward often becomes maudlin or melodramatic. Feeling in this type appears most authentic when implied or expressed covertly in a firm handshake, accepting demeanor, or act of sacrifice thinly covered by excuses of lack of any personal interest in the relinquished item.
Source: http://typelogic.com/entj.html
Thursday, May 24, 2007
I haven't posted in a while
It's been a while since I last posted. I stopped using the wheelchair shortly after my last post, which would have been more than a month ago. It's been sitting in my apartment since. I don't want to put it into my storage locker due to the risk of theft (it does have a high monetary value).
Stair climbing is the next milestone. I'm getting very close to not needing an aid to traverse stairs. On smaller steps, I'm using my crutch more for balance than support, and on larger regular size steps, I'm relying on the crutch and handrails much less. My target is to be able to do stairs by the end of the summer. I've already booked a trip to Las Vegas for the Labour Day weekend, so that would be a nice time to have conquered stair climbing.
The first night of lindy at Showboat was two weeks ago. There is no way I can step up on the stage: I tried, and nearly fell backwards. I can, however, make it up the ramps around the back. Last year, I was only able to show up a few times when it first started, and then I was in the hospital. I'm in much better condition now. There was a point last year when I had to call someone to help me walk there from my car. That was scary. But, it's in the past and right now I'm continuously progressing.
Stair climbing is the next milestone. I'm getting very close to not needing an aid to traverse stairs. On smaller steps, I'm using my crutch more for balance than support, and on larger regular size steps, I'm relying on the crutch and handrails much less. My target is to be able to do stairs by the end of the summer. I've already booked a trip to Las Vegas for the Labour Day weekend, so that would be a nice time to have conquered stair climbing.
The first night of lindy at Showboat was two weeks ago. There is no way I can step up on the stage: I tried, and nearly fell backwards. I can, however, make it up the ramps around the back. Last year, I was only able to show up a few times when it first started, and then I was in the hospital. I'm in much better condition now. There was a point last year when I had to call someone to help me walk there from my car. That was scary. But, it's in the past and right now I'm continuously progressing.
Monday, April 09, 2007
Toe
I saw a podiatrist last Thursday because of an ingrown toenail. I've never had one in my life and I didn't even know what it was until I saw a doctor a few weeks ago. It was getting more and more painful and wasn't healing.
He cut away both sides of the toenail with surgical scissors and bandaged it up, and after some minor initial pain when the anaesthetic wore off, it feels much better now. My pain tolerance is much better now than it was a year ago. It was odd not feeling anything while he sheared away the nail, and seeing the blood when he was done (although there was very little blood). It also felt odd not feeling my big toe when I walked out and for another hour before the anaesthetic wore off.
When I was in the hospital last summer, my feet swelled a lot due the lack of circulation from lying in the hospital bed for so long. It got so bad that I couldn't even put my shoes on. They gave me anti-embolism TED stockings that compress the foot and leg to prevent swelling. The compression is supposedly what caused the ingrown toenail.
I'm glad I had a podiatrist do it, because the doctor I initially saw wanted to remove the entire toenail. That might cause complications, as it could dig into my skin as it grows back and, along with the discomfort, would require repeat visits back to the doctor to fix.
He cut away both sides of the toenail with surgical scissors and bandaged it up, and after some minor initial pain when the anaesthetic wore off, it feels much better now. My pain tolerance is much better now than it was a year ago. It was odd not feeling anything while he sheared away the nail, and seeing the blood when he was done (although there was very little blood). It also felt odd not feeling my big toe when I walked out and for another hour before the anaesthetic wore off.
When I was in the hospital last summer, my feet swelled a lot due the lack of circulation from lying in the hospital bed for so long. It got so bad that I couldn't even put my shoes on. They gave me anti-embolism TED stockings that compress the foot and leg to prevent swelling. The compression is supposedly what caused the ingrown toenail.
I'm glad I had a podiatrist do it, because the doctor I initially saw wanted to remove the entire toenail. That might cause complications, as it could dig into my skin as it grows back and, along with the discomfort, would require repeat visits back to the doctor to fix.
Almost wheelchair-free
Last week I started going to work with my crutch instead of the wheelchair. It's going well, and this morning I was able to get there on public transit while also carrying my laptop. Going to and from work was the only remaining recurring need I had for the wheelchair, so I'm hoping very soon to pack it up and store it away somewhere where I won't see it. I won't get rid of it, just in case of a recurrence or something ever happens to my parents as they grow older. Wheelchairs are not cheap to buy, and my insurance only covers the first one.
I'll probably cancel my HandyDART trips to work and back soon. It's a very expensive service to run, and one of the drivers quoted the average cost to taxpayers per trip being around $30. The 25-year old
electric trolley buses are slowly being replaced with new accessible electric low-floor buses, and the route that connects my office and home has mostly been replaced with the new buses. Apparently there are about 40 of the new buses in service now, although the first pilot bus was numbered 2101, and I saw number 2168 go by on my way home today. Either way, nearly every trolley route goes down the street in front of my home and I'm seeing many more of the new buses.
I'll probably cancel my HandyDART trips to work and back soon. It's a very expensive service to run, and one of the drivers quoted the average cost to taxpayers per trip being around $30. The 25-year old
electric trolley buses are slowly being replaced with new accessible electric low-floor buses, and the route that connects my office and home has mostly been replaced with the new buses. Apparently there are about 40 of the new buses in service now, although the first pilot bus was numbered 2101, and I saw number 2168 go by on my way home today. Either way, nearly every trolley route goes down the street in front of my home and I'm seeing many more of the new buses.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
High school reunion
I joined Facebook about two weeks ago. I was getting invitations so I decided to see what it was about. I have to say that the people who run this site have done an excellent job with their user interface design. It draws people in without really having any purpose or much to offer, other than virtual social validation.
I found a group for my ten year high school reunion. Someone suggested holding it in about five months on the Labour Day weekend. So far, I recognize most of the names in the 30-member group. I've been looking forward to the reunion to see what everyone has done in the last ten years, but now scanning through the names, there really isn't anyone on the list who I feel any desire or inclination to catch up with. I've moved on from high school and most of my friends now are from university or extra-curricular activities. I think I'll wait and see what the price for the night is.
I found a group for my ten year high school reunion. Someone suggested holding it in about five months on the Labour Day weekend. So far, I recognize most of the names in the 30-member group. I've been looking forward to the reunion to see what everyone has done in the last ten years, but now scanning through the names, there really isn't anyone on the list who I feel any desire or inclination to catch up with. I've moved on from high school and most of my friends now are from university or extra-curricular activities. I think I'll wait and see what the price for the night is.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Still improving
I'm still seeing strength gains. A little over a month ago, I bought four big containers of juice weighing roughly 20 lbs and carried it to my car from the store. It was a real challenge to get them to my car, leaning on my crutch on one side and carrying my purchase on the other. Last week, roughly one month later, I bought some more and it was noticeably easier to carry the same weight to my car.
Last Friday, I took the elevator down to the food court in my office tower and walked to Quizno's for lunch with one of my coworkers, without using my crutch. It felt good being able to walk around the office tower.
Yesterday, I did 25 minutes at 45 resistance and an incline of 7 (max 10) on the stairclimber. That's a noticeable improvement from even a few weeks ago. I'm running out of magazines to read.
I just tested my resting heartrate, and it's down to around 70 bpm. The last time I checked was about half a year ago when it was in the mid-eighties. I've also noticed that my waist is getting slimmer. I've had to tighten my belt a notch.
Last Friday, I took the elevator down to the food court in my office tower and walked to Quizno's for lunch with one of my coworkers, without using my crutch. It felt good being able to walk around the office tower.
Yesterday, I did 25 minutes at 45 resistance and an incline of 7 (max 10) on the stairclimber. That's a noticeable improvement from even a few weeks ago. I'm running out of magazines to read.
I just tested my resting heartrate, and it's down to around 70 bpm. The last time I checked was about half a year ago when it was in the mid-eighties. I've also noticed that my waist is getting slimmer. I've had to tighten my belt a notch.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Network
I've always had an idea in my mind how I want my home network to work since I moved into my apartment, but never got around to drawing out a diagram. My goals are to move as much as possible into the closet where there is ample space, keeping the living space as clutter-free as possible, and serve multimedia content to the XBox from a file server in the closet so that the workstation doesn't have to be turned on and making noise. This is it.
Outcome
I received two voicemails from ICBC yesterday. In the first, on my cell phone, the agent said that the other driver had not accepted liability and they were contacting the witness to make a statement.
The second message was left about 30 minutes later on my office voicemail. I listened to it this morning when I got into the office. The agent stated that the witness' statement correlated with my statement and they had assigned 100% liability to the other driver. That was some good news to brighten up my day.
The agent also indicated that I can have the damage estimate performed at certain repair shops, so that I don't need to go into their claim centre. This must be something new. I've never seen them do that before.
The second message was left about 30 minutes later on my office voicemail. I listened to it this morning when I got into the office. The agent stated that the witness' statement correlated with my statement and they had assigned 100% liability to the other driver. That was some good news to brighten up my day.
The agent also indicated that I can have the damage estimate performed at certain repair shops, so that I don't need to go into their claim centre. This must be something new. I've never seen them do that before.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Monday, March 05, 2007
Collision
I got into a collision tonight on my way to my parents' place. Some guy in the opposite direction turned left in front of me as I proceeded through a green light. I was in shock for a good hour and a half. The witness who pulled over saw me physically shaking.
I'm okay now and I'll post more later after I get a chance to sleep on it. The vehicle damage is relatively minor and at first glance seems superficial, but if I had entered the intersection a split-second sooner, the hood of my car would have been under his truck.
I'm okay now and I'll post more later after I get a chance to sleep on it. The vehicle damage is relatively minor and at first glance seems superficial, but if I had entered the intersection a split-second sooner, the hood of my car would have been under his truck.
Stairclimber
I'm now up to 16 minutes at 27 resistance on the stairclimber.
I have another EMG test scheduled with my neurologist at the end of this month. Although the clinical results are awesome and beyond what she was expecting (which anyone who has seen me through this in the last year can attest to), I'm looking forward to seeing the test results too.
I have another EMG test scheduled with my neurologist at the end of this month. Although the clinical results are awesome and beyond what she was expecting (which anyone who has seen me through this in the last year can attest to), I'm looking forward to seeing the test results too.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Goals
I've really started noticing the improvements I've been making in my recovery since December. I have a follow-up scheduled with my physiotherapist in about two weeks, which is three months from the last time I saw her. She's going to be impressed.
There are many things I want to do right now but just can't because of my condition. I thought I'd make a list with some realistic timelines.
There are many things I want to do right now but just can't because of my condition. I thought I'd make a list with some realistic timelines.
- I've already started swimming.
- I should be able to do some bicycling this summer on relatively flat terrain, like the Stanley Park seawall.
- I may be able to start some ice skating at the end of this year.
- Inline skating will probably have to wait until summer 2008.
- I don't think I'll be able to do ice hockey until the winter of 2008/2009.
- Dodgeball and aikido will also have to wait at least another year to early 2008 at the soonest.
Friday, February 16, 2007
Photo Gallery
I started playing with Picasa and discovered how easy it is to use compared to creating Photoshop albums and FTPing them to my web site. I've moved all my photos to Picassa, and I will start posting older photos from the past as time permits.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
One year
Today marks one year since my first symptom of what I've been going through.
I was at SFU, running down the sidewalk to get to the transportation centre to catch the bus back home. My legs gave on me, and I went down on my knees.
I was at SFU, running down the sidewalk to get to the transportation centre to catch the bus back home. My legs gave on me, and I went down on my knees.
Love Songs
In twenty years, night-time infomercials will be advertising Akon's Smack That a love song of the 2000s, along with others such as 50 Cent's Just a Lil Bit and the Pussycat Dolls' Don't Cha.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
45
I'm now up to 11 minutes on the stairclimber, and at a higher resistance than when I was first able to use it back in December. I have no idea what the unit of measure is, but it varies between zero and 100 with a default of 15. My setting is now 25.
Ascending stairs in general has also become much easier, and I can get up less steep stairs without someone helping. At this rate, I think within 3-4 months I may be able to ascend stairs without putting any weight on a crutch, using it just for balance.
Ascending stairs in general has also become much easier, and I can get up less steep stairs without someone helping. At this rate, I think within 3-4 months I may be able to ascend stairs without putting any weight on a crutch, using it just for balance.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
People Watching
I went out for dinner last night with my family to a Mexican restaurant. Near the end of dinner, a couple was seated at the table next to us, in my line of site. They must have just met. I could see by the lines under the guy's eyes that he was older, perhaps in his early thirties. He was freshly shaven, his hair was styled without a hair out of place, and he was wearing a polo shirt that looked like it had just been ironed. It was quite obvious that he put a lot of time and preparation into his appearance. The girl had a Thandie Newton kind of look. For about the first 30 seconds after being seated, they seemed to be having a good conversation, and then it just ended. He started looking out the window; she crossed her legs and faced her body away from him and out toward the side of the table. It looked very awkward. They must both have been thinking, "when's that food going to arrive?"
I left before their food was brought out, but it would have been interesting to see if he grabbed the bill at the end or if he split it with her.
I left before their food was brought out, but it would have been interesting to see if he grabbed the bill at the end or if he split it with her.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Risk
We're heading out to San Francisco this evening. Everyone in our office (except one who isn't going) is on the same flight. That's risky for the company, should something happen on that flight.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Monday, January 01, 2007
Observations
With what's happened to me, I can't always participate in certain activities when I'm out with friends. Usually, that means sitting out and observing the social interactions around me.
I went out two nights ago with a group of friends to an Italian restaurant that offers live music and a dance floor. I will post photos in my gallery shortly. Although I couldn't participate, our group was on the dance floor a lot and they were dancing much better than anyone else in the restaurant. It didn't go unnoticed. One of the women at the table next to ours said, "your girls look gorgeous," on their way out. I also noticed a couple dancing in a corner, and the guy did not look comfortable. The girl was trying to help him out, but he looked nervous and with no confidence in himself. It's frustrating to see people who can do better in life but won't venture outside their comfort zones to do so. Later that night, it occurred to me that any of the guys at our table could have walked up to any girl in that restaurant, invited her to dance, and be greeted with a "yes" and a big smile on her face.
Last night was New Year's Eve, and the final party of the night was at Rob's. I noticed this one guy with a goatee who seemed really out of place at the party. Later that night, I was talking to one of the girls who mentioned that he was creepy. "Creepy" is one of the worst labels to be given by a girl, along with "annoying" and "nice." He just lacked confidence. He would try to dance closely to a girl but never talked to any of them, and never stopped clinging to the drink in his hand. His physical appearance was also lacking (and this is something completely under his control). Putting extra time into looking good leads to feeling good, and reduces the feeling of self-consciousness. His glasses were way too big and out of proportion for his face; contact lenses would have looked better. He needed to trim both his goatee and his hair. His T-shirt and pants were a size too large. He would have been better off wearing a collared button-down shirt like everyone else there. I hope one of his buddies points these things out to him. Perhaps it seems offensive, but feedback like that is good and leads to self-improvement.
There was also a really drunk guy who wouldn't stop staring at Becca and I when we were sitting on the couch chatting. Then he got on his cell phone to invite his buddies to the party, but he was too drunk to figure out where he was and give them directions to the house. I thought that was hilarious. It's really interesting what I see when I sit back and watch people interacting around me.
I went out two nights ago with a group of friends to an Italian restaurant that offers live music and a dance floor. I will post photos in my gallery shortly. Although I couldn't participate, our group was on the dance floor a lot and they were dancing much better than anyone else in the restaurant. It didn't go unnoticed. One of the women at the table next to ours said, "your girls look gorgeous," on their way out. I also noticed a couple dancing in a corner, and the guy did not look comfortable. The girl was trying to help him out, but he looked nervous and with no confidence in himself. It's frustrating to see people who can do better in life but won't venture outside their comfort zones to do so. Later that night, it occurred to me that any of the guys at our table could have walked up to any girl in that restaurant, invited her to dance, and be greeted with a "yes" and a big smile on her face.
Last night was New Year's Eve, and the final party of the night was at Rob's. I noticed this one guy with a goatee who seemed really out of place at the party. Later that night, I was talking to one of the girls who mentioned that he was creepy. "Creepy" is one of the worst labels to be given by a girl, along with "annoying" and "nice." He just lacked confidence. He would try to dance closely to a girl but never talked to any of them, and never stopped clinging to the drink in his hand. His physical appearance was also lacking (and this is something completely under his control). Putting extra time into looking good leads to feeling good, and reduces the feeling of self-consciousness. His glasses were way too big and out of proportion for his face; contact lenses would have looked better. He needed to trim both his goatee and his hair. His T-shirt and pants were a size too large. He would have been better off wearing a collared button-down shirt like everyone else there. I hope one of his buddies points these things out to him. Perhaps it seems offensive, but feedback like that is good and leads to self-improvement.
There was also a really drunk guy who wouldn't stop staring at Becca and I when we were sitting on the couch chatting. Then he got on his cell phone to invite his buddies to the party, but he was too drunk to figure out where he was and give them directions to the house. I thought that was hilarious. It's really interesting what I see when I sit back and watch people interacting around me.
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