adopted

Since my last post something happened to change my life forever.  I have adopted a 16 year old boy from Indonesia who had lost his parents and older brother in a car accident in the mountains while on vacation.  All the occupants of the vehicle died when it ended up crashing into a mountain ravine.  One moment your world is fine and then the next its all upside down.  So after the accident, Wahid was looking for someone that would fill the roll as his father.  He found me through a friend on Facebook, so the social media online do serve some useful purposes!

Wahid chats with me daily, as often as 3 or 4 times each day.  A bond his formed and one that is likely to stay for the rest of my lifetime.  I did offer to adopt him legally as my son but I have left that option open not wanting to apply too much pressure considering what he has already been through.  Wahid does want to finished his college education and then come live with me in Canada.  In the meantime, the FB chats and exchanges of emails will have to do.  Those of you that know me on Facebook will know much more about this. 

So,  what have you been doing this summer? 

Meantime, for those living in Canada and the United States, enjoy the long weekend, Labour Day!  I plan to take a hike in West Vancouver tomorrow on trails on the lower part of Hollyburn Mountain, so more photos are coming.  Enjoy what remains of summer, and the long weekend!

- Volker

Tag Me by Andrew Christian

This looks like an interesting form of art, body painting!  Its certainly very colourful.  Perhaps you would agree!
- Volker

Update

Various things have kept me busy over the past week.  I have finally taken care of most of the backlog of emails since my new notebook is working fine and I have been able to access my email accounts.  I also changed a lot of passwords on various accounts but one of those changes involved Blogger and I had forgotten to record the change that applied to it.  That issue has been corrected and now things are more or less back to normal.

In other news, the last day of spring saw mostly clear skies and sun but that changed again yesterday when the clouds rolled back in.  Temperatures are warmer than they have been but I think its going to be one of those years with less than the usual weather.  Such is life!

Have an awesome weekend, guys!
- V

been offline

My old laptop died toward the end of April, so Ive been offline until recently while getting things organized using a new notebook.  That has meant going through over a thousand emails in one account alone.  There are some in others but not anywhere as many.

The new machine has a dual language keyboard (English-French), so I am getting used to that.

Have a great Sunday and Fathers Day!

- Volker

24 hours

I've been offline for just over a week.  There was a power surge in the building where I live, and certainly in my apartment, so this resulted in the apartment lights flickering, the TV set going wonky, a pop in the laptop and the smoke dector sounding briefly.  This all resulted in the battery pack popping (that sound) and the fan being effected plus there may be other componants that have been effected.  Anyways, I do have a replacement laptop on order (same brand and model, just newer).  I am picking up a parcel from the local post office outlet near home whichm hopefully contains both the laptop and the router ordered.  If not, I'll be online once everything is back to normal.  There is a lot of work to be done retrieving files from the old hard drive, so this should keep me busy for some time after I get the new laptop computer.  

Have a look at the video above, and if you haven't seen it (the movie), check it out.   Have an awesome weekend, guys!

~ Volker

living in ecstasy

I saw one of JJ Prods other videos yesterday (hot) but then I saw this one which I think is even better.  Be warned, its a gay-themed video.  I recognize the guy eating the apple from a late night show on YTV (Canada) but can't place him exactly.  Perhaps you may!  Watch the video and keep an eye out for the looks back and forth!  Enjoy!

~ Volker

health news

The last couple of weekends I have been spending my time at home getting as much rest as I can while I sort out some health issues.  Lately my arthritic knee (right) has been acting up and has as the Easter weekend was starting.  It still is.  Usually when it does and there is a storm system moving through, it stops after that system has moved on through.  Not this time.  So, while I get this under control (its rheumatoid arthritis and not age related, that's another one), I have plenty to do at home to keep me occupied.

So there's that and the high blood pressure issue going on but the bp is under control though it has risen slightly with the upper number between 160 and 170.  I plan to return to the naturopath though the MD doesn't like them and has little faith in them.  Its my health and I'll do what I can to bring that under control, with or without the MD's approval.

I hope things are better with you.  Meantime, I am back to work in the morning for a 5 day week.  The last two weeks were 4 day work weeks.  Take care of yourselves, guys!

~ Volker