The Pacific in Pictures

Jen passed this on FaceBook last night and thought some of my photographer, and non-photographer, friends of mine would enjoy this.

A history of WWII in the Pacific through photos.   Given photo technology in the 1940's seeing these images shot on a battlefield (and some in colour) is amazing.  It's a wonder some of these moments were captured at all.   I have always wondered how horrifying and how intense it must be to try and capture images on the field of battle.

Anyhow, some of these are very famous photos that you will recognize while others will make you go wow.  But throughout keep the photographers point of view in your head, what they went through to take this pictures;

Captured: The Pacific and Adjacent Theaters in WWII

Got a Virus?

Well I have got the fix for ya!

I've known about this tool for a few years now but I keep forgetting about it, cause I never get viruses, until someone drops a computer off to be fixed.  Like my son, Keaton, with his rather messed up laptop today.   So this is as much of a reminder for me, as it's info for you.

When you get a virus you will do lots of google searches and hit product after product that claims to remove it.  You download and install it and guess what, they want you to activate it before they will remove it.

Well good news, this tool is completely free and works wonders.  It's called ComboFix.   It looks as scary as hell and when your running it your going to be thinking that the world has come it an end.  It will beep at you, make you click yes, reboot (sometimes more then once) but in the I'll almost guarantee your problem will be gone.

Here's what you need to know;

1.  Go to ComboFix.Org
2.  Download it only from the links indicated on the site. (don't download it from anywhere else.  Hackers have been known to put fake versions up with viruses inside.  It's that good) Look for the tiny print to find it, they have lots of advertising for pay products all around it.
3.  Disable your current virus scanner.
4.  Run the program.

This is where it gets scary.  Chances are it will want to install a microsoft tool on your computer.  Let it.  Give it the tools it needs.   It will take time to run, a blue dos screen will come up in the middle of the screen, just let it run.  You'll think it has stopped working, don't abort, just let it run.  It can take upwards of an hour, just let it do it's thing.

The only other option is to wipe the computer and start from scratch, so why not give it a try.   If your in trouble, feel free to drop me an e-mail, will help if I can ;-)

PS - here is a good tutorial that shows all the scary stuff -   Bleeping Computer.

Tune of the Week

Good day everyone!

Feeling rather fall'ish here in Ottawa with very cool mornings and a huge drop in the humidity level.  It's only late Aug there are already trees that have leaves changing colours.  Everything has been about 3 weeks ahead of schedule this year, I hope that fall isn't one of them.  Although fall is a wonderful time of the year for photography.  But fall will be delayed by at least the next week; check out this weather forecast for the coming days;

Makes me want to take another week off!  Evenings are cool, nice for sleeping, but those day temps are going to be a wonderful way to end the winter.

The cat is pretty much out of the bag to all those who read here.  Yes I am spending a lot of time with Jennifer and everyone has been very happy and supportive about it.  We are a good match and everyone seems to recognize that.   We have very similar backgrounds and coming from the same "environment" makes for a lot more understanding about our day to day lives.  For those who are in this business, they will understand what I'm talking about.   Jen and I will be "coming out" over the coming weeks and things will be much more open here on the blog and on facebook.   Where things have been very quiet on purpose.  We are taking everything slow and enjoying ourselves and we will see what all this leads to.  Both of us have had bad experiences and want to ensure that a proper foundation is laid.  If it's meant to be then we have lots of time ;-)     Things happen for a reason, sometimes it takes time to reveal it's reason but eventually it becomes apparent.  Some of the happenings of the past few months continue to strengthen my believe in that philosophy.

I have the kids this weekend for our annual pool party.  Should be fun.  Picking them up from their mothers this afternoon, we're going to have a lovely chicken dinner to celebrate Keaton's upcoming 17th birthday on 1 Sept!   Tomorrow off to Suzie's for the pool party (and check out that weather again) and then back to my place for Saturday night.  Home on Sunday.  Going to be a fun weekend and looking forward to spending some time with both Keaton and Toria at the same time.

That's about it on the news front.  Been back to work so that takes up most of my time and spend my free time with Jen where we can.  Have had this tune stuck in my head most of the week so thought I'd share it with you.  Ya I know it's an old 80's tune but damn it was a good one!  And be sure to check out the remake by Lacuna Coil.  Don't read anything into the lyrics this week, just like the song;

Enjoy the Silence - Depeche Mode (9/11 tribute version - check out where they filmed it)

Depeche Mode

And a wonderful remake by an Italian Metal Band (thanks to Jen for introducing them to me), similar to Within Temptation and they still haven't made many inroads into North America, but they are interesting!

Lacuna Coil - Enjoy the Silence

Words like violence
Break the silence
Come crashing in
Into my little world
Painful to me
Pierce right through me
Can't you understand
Oh my little girl

All I ever wanted
All I ever needed
Is here in my arms
Words are very unnecessary
They can only do harm

Vows are spoken
To be broken
Feelings are intense
Words are trivial
Pleasures remain
So does the pain
Words are meaningless
And forgettable

All I ever wanted
All I ever needed
Is here in my arms
Words are very unnecessary
They can only do harm

Enjoy the silence

New Fishing Buddy

My daughter, Toria, and I went out fishing on Friday for a few hours ;-)   Not much luck, very sunny and warm with lots of weeds but we had a good time.   She managed to briefly hook a small one, no bites for me.  But was there more for the company ;-)

Was a good week off, although it went wayyyyyy to quickly.   Back to work tomorrow but this short week was one to remember ;-)

Critters Along the Way

Completely enjoying my week off!   A good recharging of the physical, mental and emotional batteries.  Hope everyone is having a good week!

Did a paddle between Lower Nicholson's and Burritts locks yesterday.   Lovely time.   A few of the critters along the way;

Badly out of focus, but kinda has a neat art look to it, so might play with it further - HDR maybe?

Neglected

Yes, I know I've been getting lazy in my posts as of late :-)    But rest assured, all is well and everything is going great.   Just really busy at work and off time has been limited.   Had last evening "off" and only caught up on Dr. Who episodes.

Taking next week off so should have the camera out and getting some images and hope to have some new stories to tell.  In the meantime, please stand-by hahaha

Friday Lyrics - Our Solemn Hour

A special thanks to Heather for introducing me to "Within Temptation" last year.  Ever since I have been hooked on their music.  Still new to North America but big in Europe.  Only place to get their material here in Canada seems to be Itunes and the internet.   Just hit youtube and search "within temptation official", lots of amazing music and videos.

Last year they did 1 concert with an orchestra and choir.  The results was "Black Symphony".  An amazing show.

Live concert view - Click HERE

Sanctus Espiritus! redeem us from our solemn hour
Sanctus Espiritus! insanity is all around us

Sanctus Espiritus!
Sanctus Espiritus!
Sanctus Espiritus!

In my darkest hours
I could not foresee
That the tide could turn so fast to this degree
Can't believe my eyes
How can you be so blind?
Is the heart of stone, no empathy inside?

Time keeps on slipping away and we haven't learned
So in the end now what have we gained?

Sanctus Espiritus! redeem us from our solemn hour
Sanctus Espiritus! insanity is all around us
Sanctus Espiritus! is this what we deserve?
Can we break free from chains of never-ending agony?

Are they themselves to blame
The misery, the pain?
Didn't we let go?
Allowed it,let it grow
If we can't restrain
The beast which dwells inside
It will find it`s way somehow, somewhere in time

Will we remember all of the suffering
`Cause if we fail it will be in vain

Sanctus Espiritus, redeem us from our solemn hour
Sanctus Espiritus, insanity is all around us
Sanctus Espiritus, is this what we deserve?
Can we break free from chains of never-ending agony?

Sanctus Espiritus!
Sanctus Espiritus!
Sanctus Espiritus! redeem us from our solemn hour
Sanctus Espiritus! insanity is all around us
Sanctus Espiritus! is this what we deserve?
Can we break free from chains of never-ending agony? (ending agony!)

Sanctus Espiritus! redeem us from our solemn hour (solemn hour!)
Sanctus Espiritus! insanity is all around us (all around us!)
Sanctus Espiritus! is this what we deserve?
Can we break free from chains of never-ending agony?

Interesting Times

The world exposes itself in very strange ways.  I've always said that things happen for a reason and have believed that, but this past few weeks I couldn't wrap my head around the "why" and what is the master plan.  Well, all may have been revealed to me.   Will know in a few more days as things progress and the picture becomes clearer.  I feel like I used to when I'd be developing film and waiting for the true picture to expose itself.  Will it be a masterpiece or will it be crap?

I'm keeping things close to my chest for now but a few of the people on this reading list might be seeing a small surprise in the coming days  ;-)

Later all!


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Kilmarnock Lock - 31 July 2010

Good morning all!    Got out for a paddle yesterday and what a wonderful day for it.  Bright sunshine with white puffy clouds and for the most part completely dead calm.  Temps were only around 24C which made for a very comfortable day.

Kilmarnock is located just west of Merickville and west of Smith Falls.  A little known lock and not one that gains much attention.   Only raises and lowers the water 2 feet so for some it's rather boring.  But the interesting part is that it has a swing bridge right in the middle.  Given that the water only lowers 2 feet, the bridge needs to be moved for almost every boat that goes through.    The bridge is extremely heavy (I wanna say 40 ton, but that just doesn't seem right, so will have to ask the lockmaster next time I'm down) and it's moved completely by hand.   As with the rest of the Rideau there is no power, it's completely run the way it was build in the early 1800's.    So the bridge has a weighted center point, that is obviously off center and 1 or 2 people can give it a twirl and it swings out of the way.  Thus closing the road and letting the boats raise and pass through.   There are a few other locks like this as well, always interesting to watch.

Things not to do in a car ;-)   But I thought it looked cool!

The lock with boats going through.  Notice the bridge rotated out of the way.  When I arrived at the lock the smell of weed was overwhelming!  One of the boats down below had some people having a good time, rather early in the morning - lol.

The lock.  To the left is the lockmasters house and straight ahead is the lock with the bridge set for road traffic.

Lockmasters house

Boats coming thru the lock.

Navigating the Pea Soup!

Reflection day!  Dead calm so the clouds were reflecting nicely.

Water was clear enough to see the fishies!

Damselfly's mating.  Had over 12 "couples" at one point on the kayak.

Note the heart shape when they assume the proper "position" ;-)

Hey!  Get a room you two!

My spirit came a long and we had a rather long chat about things.  I stated my case, we'll see if she listens :-)

I always go where no power boats go!

and go where no man has gone before :-)  Tough paddling in this stuff tho.

I think this is the biggest boat on the system.  She can just fit into the lock when the bow is raised.

On the way back in.  :-(

Note the 2 ladies pushing the bridge.

A final look before ending the day.

No paddling today, going to take the day and get some chores down and watch some races.   But still have tomorrow off and looking to maybe get the canoe out tomorrow for a run.  Looking at the maps and deciding where to go :-)  Hope everyone is enjoying their long weekend!