I went to the Ministry of Silly Walks yesterday (physiotherapy) and had my first session. It looks like I’m going to be going there for a while. My leg bends about 94 degrees, as compared to 142 on my good leg. That’s a lot of degrees missing. I’m hoping that most of that is because it’s still a little swollen/inflamed.

Anyway, last night, Brian Diesbourg kicked a million dollar field goal at halftime of the Toronto/Hamilton game. It was a pretty exciting moment, especially after he’d missed from 20, 30 and 40. Most times when people hit those million dollar halfcourt shots, it’s pure fluke. In Diesbourg’s case, I’d bet that he could make that kick again consistently (even if only something like 20% of the time) It was pretty cool to watch anyway.

Look for the CFL to introduce a new “sudden death” shootout overtime deciding scheme next year. One fan from each team has to kick field goals until one hits and the other misses. Biggest game of horse (or donkey, or whatever) ever played.

Simpson’s quote of the day: “Nothing can stop me now…except microscopic germs. But we won’t let that happen will we, Smithers?” - Mr. Burns

After posting a link to that snowball maker, I came across this “cool” tool. It’s genius to enable people to make an igloo with whatever kind of snow they have available. To my American readers (who don’t hold dual citizenship…) make a note that this tool was invented by American ingenuity, and could possibly revolutionize the housing market in Canada.

Ok, that was unkind.

Anyway, since I’m posting links, I might as well add in the Cyborg Name Decoder. Kind of cool in a bizarre way. They let you get cafepress goodies with your name/icon on it and everything.

Simpson’s quote of the day: “I noticed your tail light was blinking when you made that left turn.” - Chief Wiggum

It’s funny - I haven’t had any comment spam on here in a very long time, and suddenly over the past week or so, the spambots are back. They’re not indiscriminately hitting all posts or anything (and it’s not like any of their comments ever see the light of day…) but just two posts specifically.

This one I can understand - I mean, I put the phrase poker game right in there. Surely I couldn’t have expected anything less than the spambots descending on it.

This one I don’t understand though. Anyone see any reason why that one’s attracting so much undesired attention? I mean, sure, it’s hard hitting and insightful. Some might even say witty and well written.

Oh, and I’m good looking. And smart. And sexy. Don’t forget those three.

Simpson’s quote of the day: “Attention. All honour students will be rewarded with a trip to an archaeological dig, conversely, all detention students will be punished with a trip to an archaeological dig.” - Principal Skinner

The weekend was pretty good, we didn’t do much exciting. Erin had a meeting Saturday afternoon, so William and I went shopping for a Christmas present for Julia. The toys they have out there are incredible. I remember when a kids spy kit consisted of a notepad and a magnifying glass. Not night vision glasses and laser tripwires.

As we were walking into the store, the city police had a “safe driving” type display set up. They gave William a temporary tattoo, and they gave me a pamphlet titled “Drive safe after 55″ or something (complete with pictures of cottontops smiling) Fortunately the officer told me that she didn’t really think I was 55, it’s just that they only had one kind of pamphlet. No, we weren’t shopping at the Rascal Scooter store.

We got the laptop back from the shop, so Erin and I had a few emails to go through — it wouldn’t surprise me if I accidentally deleted some in the process, so if you sent me some and didn’t get a response, there’s a good chance it never got read.

Oh, and how lazy do you have to be? The next innovation in that line will be something where you press a button and it makes a snowball and throws it for you. Sheesh.

Simpson’s quote of the day: “You rotten liver pot! If I ever get a hold of you, I’ll sink my teeth into your cheek and rip your face off!” - Moe

Our laptop died again (lemon) so we’re a little disconnected at home right now. Monday and Tuesday I was trying to take the laptop in at lunch, hence, no post. Yesterday I was in a meeting over the lunch hour, so no post again.

Anyway.

The other night, William found my Lego Mindstorms set in the basement, and opened it up. He wanted to play with it pretty badly. I told him that he couldn’t play with it until he’s 15. Dunno why 15, I was just being arbitrary. (For all you kids out there, it turns out that sometimes your parents really are just being arbitrary ;)) Anyway, he kept trying to convince me that he’s 15 now. Yesterday he wanted Erin to call me at work so I could tell her that he could play with the lego because he’s 15. He’s quite the little logician.

Julia has been gaining really well, and she’s well above the 5th percentile for weight now. To put it in perspective, she used to be so far off the charts that I hesitate to guess what percentile - 0.1, 0.01 maybe? She’s doing quite well anyway. She’s quite a content little girl most of the time, but when she wants her Mom, she can bellow with the best of them.

The other night, as we were getting ready for bed, Erin was in the other room brushing her teeth or something, and I was holding Julia on my knee while sitting on the side of the bed. William was tearing around the room, running in circles like a nascar driver. Julia was fascinated, watching him go around and around. Her little eyes were following him like a spectator at a tennis match. When he stopped running, she got a little upset, so I suggested to him that he should run some more because Julia liked it. Fortunately he loves his sister (and he loves running in circles) so he obliged. The happy side effect of that is that it tired him out, and he went to sleep easier.

Today is Dave’s last day at work in Rocanville, so he’s probably getting excited about moving in with Mom & Dad for a few days.

Simpson’s quote of the day: “You’re doing a bang-up job, Mitch.” - Bart

This whole sleeping with a splint on is getting a little bit old. I get up in the morning, and my knee is super stiff. Oh well, I guess there’s nothing to do but work on it, and wait for it to get better. I’m hoping that I’m back to normal by Christmas, but that’s completely a made up target.

The weather has been beautiful around here, and looks like it will continue to be beautiful through the weekend, which is nice. Erin’s got some sort of conference tomorrow, so it will be good to be able to take William out into the back yard and let him run himself silly. I’ll have to keep him confined to the back yard though, because I won’t be able to catch him if he takes off on me.

Simpson’s quote of the day: “Er, Milhouse, what’s going on? You said you just needed to use the bathroom, now I find you buying comics.” - Kirk Van Houten

When I watched the opening night hockey action, there were some new broadcast techniques employed during the game - starting with cameras in the dressing room before the games. It’s funny, but I could feel the stomach butterflies that I remember from the first game of the season. The sense of anticipation, the anxiousness to get on the ice and play again. It was quite an interesting sense memory to come out of the blue. I wonder if that’s why hockey is so much more successful in Canada than the US. Nearly everyone here has played hockey at some point in their lives - either in an organized league, or street hockey of some form. I should qualify that, because I’m sure there are a lot of people who haven’t picked up a stick in their lives. Still, the hockey playing population is so much higher here than it is down South…I played baseball as a kid too, but I don’t have the same sorts of emotional attachment to that sport for some reason - that despite the fact that I have been playing slopitch the last couple of years.

Also, congratulations to Katriona on her new job. Here’s hoping that she enjoys it.

Simpson’s quote of the day: “I’m old, all I care about is Matlock!.” - Grandpa Simpson