Comments for The Observer's Log

Comment on How to throw a surprise party (and not get caught) by Ashlee

Ashlee — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 03:56:22 +0000

Hi Geoff,
My problem is with coming up with an idea so that my mother in law doesn’t expect we’re planning a suprise party…
Their family always has parties for their milestone birthdays, and so she will get pretty sus if we don’t talk to her about planning a party for her 60th in october. I don’t really like the idea of the ‘diversion party’ planned for the week after.. but I can’t think of any other idea
Any help would be really appreciated
Thanks

Comment on I hate Microsoft Word by Geoff

Geoff — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:59:48 +0000

Hey Mike,

I gave Microsoft breaks. Lots of ‘em. My problem is that you can only give someone a break so many times before they really start to look more like a failure than a success. The way many of us see Microsoft, they’re not succeeding — they’re coasting. Windows 7 is their first major success in a long time, but only after their significant problems with Windows Vista.

Microsoft needs to take input from their users, pay attention to the problems they have, and actually correct the problems. Microsoft Word, in particular, needs an overhaul. It needs to really have a wholesale reorganisation, and functionality rewritten. It’s clear that after a couple of decades of using Word that there are issues that either cannot be fixed, or a complete lack of interest in fixing them.

I’ll but Microsoft a break when they’ve proven to me that it’s worth giving them that break.

Comment on I hate Microsoft Word by Mike

Mike — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:13:29 +0000

Give Microsoft a break! They’re awesome and make great products.

Comment on Going to the Dentist, Getting my first Cavity by Natalie

Natalie — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:49:33 +0000

24 years and 42 days.

Found out I am now the lucky owner of 8! No one ever told me it’s common for new mothers. Woe to me.

Tomorrow is my first 2 hours in the chair.

Comment on How to throw a surprise party (and not get caught) by Geoff

Geoff — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:16:16 +0000

Hey Mandy,

One word: Friends. This is where you call in his friends to be the distraction. Have them take him out for a “guy” afternoon, or whatever is needed to get him out of the picture. A round of golf, for example, is an ideal thing (mostly because of the time involved) to keep him at bay. Then they can bring him to the hangout afterwards for post-event libation.

Comment on How to throw a surprise party (and not get caught) by Mandy

Mandy — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 23:33:40 +0000

I’ve got 3 months until my husbands 40th birthday. So far I have inlisted his mom (which is one of his surprises). How do I keep him out of the neighborhood hangout the day of? That’s where the party is going to be.

Comment on I hate Microsoft Word by Anna

Anna — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 12:53:43 +0000

Thanks , I googled Word 2007 styles fucked and got this. Nice to know everybody else is as fucked

Comment on 12 things I miss about Costa Rica by Dooooooglas

Dooooooglas — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 18:41:44 +0000

Just be careful. Calgary might have a mass immigration from Costa Rica !
#asks self# Why the hell would anyone move from CR to Calgary…….or anywhere else in Norte America ???

Comment on 12 things I miss about Costa Rica by bec

bec — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 02:58:23 +0000

This is so nice to read. Thanks. (As I am wondering what the hell I am doing somedays!)

Comment on It’s Complicated by Lyn

Lyn — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:39:12 +0000

Exactly! – Sis was told that if there were ANY symptoms or remotest thoughts of labour that she was to get herself to the hospital. She has always been one to talk about medical things in a great deal of detail – so we all knew what could have happened. I think I was 8 or 9 before I realized that not everyone discussed medical stuff (especially veterinary) at meal time

Comment on It’s Complicated by Geoff

Geoff — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:43:31 +0000

YOU’RE glad? Boy, you should’ve seen the looks on our faces.

Yeah, this is one of those really-happy-to-know-about-it-but-wish-we-had-known-earlier sort of things. Doesn’t affect Choo Choo’s current health, but does bring us closer to Defcon 1 in terms of need to head the hospital immediately if something’s even remotely questionable.

Comment on 12 things I miss about Costa Rica by Geoff

Geoff — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:33:49 +0000

We might do a trip in June. I’m planning to take a month off work to spend with the family, so maybe a trip to the west coast would be fun. We’ll see…

Comment on 12 things I miss about Costa Rica by Lyn

Lyn — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 18:03:24 +0000

Hmmm – perhaps you should take a trip to Vancouver Island in May or June – that will cover off the greenery part, and the beach that you don’t really miss yet

Comment on It’s Complicated by Lyn

Lyn — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:57:13 +0000

Oh Geoff, I am SOOOO glad they caught this!. My oldest sister (who’s a nurse) had this with baby #3, although with her they caught it quite early – like a 3 or 4 months gestation. But the important thing for you and Alex is that they caught it!

In my sister’s case – baby #3 is now a big, strapping 20 something young man, and my sister is busy working on wedding plans for one of my nieces.

Comment on Dealing with Kell Antigens by It’s Complicated at The Observer's Log

It’s Complicated at The Observer's Log — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 05:34:20 +0000

[...] of “wants”. All of this is because of a “new” finding that almost displaces the anti-K issue as being an [...]

Comment on 14 things I love about Costa Rica by Sparky Sucks

Sparky Sucks — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 20:08:02 +0000

To Sparky here is a response:
1.The Costa Rican educational system is one of the best in Latin America. Literacy rate is above 96%. We have more teachers than policemen.
2. We don’t have the “Live to work” mentality we rather “Work to live”. Remember that when your kids(if you have any) turn out to be criminals or your partner leaves you because you are never around.
3. Nothing to say on Sexist, that is kinda true unfortunately.
4. Typical Costa Rican food is delicious. “American” food is bland, greasy and disgusting. And no, you can’t put Maple on everything!
Finally, I challenge ignorant hick to compare knowledge with a educated Costa Rican and see how you do.

Comment on What makes a Senior Developer by Peregrino

Peregrino — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:12:57 +0000

Thanks Geoff.
Good tips, from a friend.
Pura Vida.

Comment on I Believe by Lyn

Lyn — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 19:54:30 +0000

Well put Geoff!! I never thought that the whole premise of ‘own the podium’ was very realistic (in terms of having the most medals of any country). Even the first week there were several medals and a LOT of personal best performances. There were a LOT of our athletes in the top 10, who previously might have been in the top 20. There were medals and close to the top finishes in sports where Canadian athletes have never been close before (like the 50k cross country yesterday). And then – to end up matching, then beating the total number of gold medals for any country ever – WOW! I am so proud of our athletes, especially the guts (no other term for it) that Joannie displayed!

Comment on I hate Microsoft Word by Caitlin

Caitlin — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 07:34:20 +0000

I’m sorry to be boring and repetitive, but: I also don’t know you, because i typed in “Microsoft 2007 you stupid fuckers” (a version of which i type in every single time i use it) and, like the woman above, i ended up here as well.
I resent, of course, that it is a bad product; i resent that it makes my life and job more difficult; above all i resent that because of the rage that swells within me each time i encounter one of its profoundly unhelpful and irritating new characteristics, i can only assume that my heart is being damaged, just a little bit, by al the toxic hate-chemicals my body releases. There you go: Microsoft Word 2007 is ACTUALLY KILLING ME.

Comment on Dealing with Kell Antigens by Geoff

Geoff — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 16:44:39 +0000

Hey Mike! (Long time, no babble!)

You hit the nail on the head. It’s why we’re glad to talk to actual doctors with actual knowledge and actual experience. It helps sift the kernel from the chaff.