This site is no longer served from a PC in my living room, nor under the stairs, but rather from Alex Palmer's Platinum Computer Services. Of course, there's still a PC under the stairs. That's where the gallery resides, and it acts as a development box. As always, there are a number of other PC's kicking around, running everything from Debian to XP Tablet. Soon there might even be an OpenBSD box. Now all I need to do is learn how to write real web pages!
Since my brother, Adam happened to be a flight instructor at National Flyers Academy in 2006-2007, I figured it was about time I learned how to fly. Both Adam and my dad are flying nuts, so it's a bit of a family thing. I've now gotten my Private Pilot's License, which means that I can fly small planes just about anywhere. I'm currently still renting Katana's from NFA to do the odd sightseeing and short trips, but I'm hoping to lease block time on a 4 seater aircraft soon. I'd really much rather fly one aircraft that I know really well and continue doing training on that. What training you say? Well good question, there are so many options! For now, I'm going to get my night rating. Next year I might go for Instruments. Eventually I'll do the whole commercial and multi-engine thing, but not anytime soon. I would love to do aerobatics! But I must pace myself. Feel free to contact me anytime about trips or sightseeing. I can't guarantee that I'll be in, but I'll at least consider it.
While traveling a few years ago, I got back into swimming mainly because it was convenient and fun. This has proven to be one of the best things I could do, and has led to a mantra many of my friends I've heard. When it comes to sports and fitness, just find what you like doing and do it! (what can I say, Nike had it right in the 80's). I'm still swimming, though in November 2007 I did a good job of overdoing it and ended up with inflamed bicep tendons on both sides. I'm now trying to get back into it slowly. My running is coming along nicely, though I haven't brought out the bike yet this season. The plan for now is to do what exercise I can without pushing things too hard and then reevaluate for next year. The focus has really shifted to being in shape and recovering from surgery last year above anything else. I'm definitely a fair weather runner and cyclist!
I love skiing, whether downhill or nordic. I started on the slopes when I was a school kid, but only recently discovered nordic skiing in January of 2008. This might have something to do with changes in my life over the past few years that have seen a focus on fitness. I love the combination of a great workout, fantastic sights, and just getting out into the wild in the middle of winter. I have a membership to Kawartha Nordic, and I'll likely be there next year.
I joined the Ski Patrol for the 2003/2004 season at Talisman resort and I had the time of my life. In 2006 I went back, this time to Devil's Elbow and also had a great time and even went to the Ontario Division First Aid Competition. It's proven to be too time intensive for my current schedule, but I would definitely recommend joining for anyone who wouldn't mind learning a little first aid and likes winter sports, hanging out with great people, and overall having a ton of fun.
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I think I've gotten the hang of English and French so far. I'm fairly capable in both, though French definitely takes me a lot longer (hence no translated versions of this site: I have enough trouble keeping the one up to date!). I've been told that once upon a time I could speak Arabic fluently, and that my accent is quite good. Despite several efforts, I have yet to be able to get back into it. While in Korea, I learned a fair bit of the local language, though no where near enough to actually be able to hold a conversation. I tried taking lessons after I got back, but I've simply found that there's no motivation without an audience. Perhaps I've been going about this in the wrong order... audience first, then get the language.