Thursday, October 30, 2008

Hot dudes for a Thursday evening






We are expecting a weekend of rain, so to keep our spirits up here are a few hot dudes to help. Photos of hot abs and pecs are always nice, and I've included a few pics of those, but so are butts, so I've included one of the latter also. Let me know which one of the photos you like best. Comments are always welcome!
In other news, I noticed that the price of gasoline this morning was at 110.4 cents a litre but it had dropped to 105.4 by evening, where I live at any rate. That should make some people happy I guess but I am looking forward to the introduction of electric cars and eventually phase out the combustion engine entirely. That will take a while, years I would think before that ever happens. What do you think would work to save out environment? Well, with that its off to bed. There is one more work day ahead for me and then a rainy weekend which should be good for getting caught up with work at home (writing letters, working on photos, working on the computer in general and doing cleaning about the apartment). Have a great weekend! - Volker

Monday, October 27, 2008

Gasoline

The cost of buying gasoline in Canada has gone down since the summer when the price was hovering around 150 cents per litre. Just over a week ago I saw prices between 115.9 and 120.9 cents per litre locally (New Westminster, BC) and today I found the price had dropped even further to less than 110 cents per litre. The old Imperial gallon used in Canada before the metric system of measurement was introduced had a gallon equalling 4.54609 litres. If you do the math, the current prices are still around $4.50 per gallon (old Canadian units of measurements equivalent to the Imperial system of measurment). The price sounds insane if you look at it in imperial units, doesn't it? Since Brad is driving across the country, the summer prices of gas must have been murder on the pocket book. Now with the prices lower, its a bit easier.

Now if we could buy cars that were real easy on gas or were electric, that would be great. The current prices of new electric vehicles are a bit pricy yet but this should improve once they are mass produced. I'm looking and following the developments. Well, its time for me to head off to bed. Have a good night all! - Volker

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Being honest and respectful of others

I have been reminded of the importance in being honest with ourselves, with others and carrying through on what we have promissed. We honour our fellows by being honest with them and in return gaining their respect. Of course, by being honest with others we are respecting them as well. What we put out into the world comes back to haunt us if we have mislead others. With the Law of Karma what we put out comes back to us, or in another way, "Do onto others as you would have them do onto you!" Trust once lost is difficult but not impossible to recover. So what I am saying is be careful with your dealing with others, that they are honest and respectful, so that your life is filled with blessings beyond wonder. Otherwise, there is no end of hardship for those that in the end are deceitful and dishonest in their endeavours. It had to be said! - Volker

Another reaction but different

There were great plans for Sunday which included a long walk in the sun taking me to Stanley Park in Vancouver (the photo above shows the autumn colour on a maple tree along West Georgia Street in Vancouver) or up to Burnaby Mountain just to the north of where I live. Well, my body had other ideas! By late morning I was passing blood, mucus and tiny stones with my urine, so it was good that this happened before I left for anywhere. Every five minutes or so I head over to the washroom to do what has to be done (ouch!). After an illness in early 2006 which wasn't resolved until the spring of 2007, the doctors were trying to control "scary" high blood pressure with medications. Once I went to a naturopathic doctor in late March 2007 things started to improve dramatically to where the pressure dropped to 130/80, the best it has been in years. When all this started, the upper number alone was at 260, hence the "scary high" diagnosis by one of the MDs, but as a result of all this I am left with a slight leak in one of the kidneys, the left one. All things considered, all turned out well because I could have had a heart attack or a stroke which would have ended quite differently. And to think a trip to the doctor with bronchitis would have him discover something quite more serious! This cycle was started by little critters called microscopic parasites. They're more or less harmless when the intestinal flora is normal but when the flora is not, look out. It didn't help that we were having a lot of rain during late winter and into the spring in 2006 which caused some issues with the water reservoirs (lakes) from which Vancouver draws its drinking water. I am however thankful for the way things turned out but it is necessary to be careful and proactive.

So, since I had to remain at home, I was busy at the computer between visits to the washroom. I was just puttering along and then made some soup from scatch late in the afternoon, nothing fancy, just a meatless stew with vegetables and broth only. After having three bowls of the stuff, I feel much better. Now I'm having some Jasmin White Tea to wash everything down. There'll be no beer tonight for obvious reasons, not even one!

There are letters to send out but those will have to wait until I'm better which will be tomorrow most likely. This takes 8 to 12 hours to pass (pardon the pun) but I should be well enough to go to work on Monday, knock on wood.

Ah, I had wanted to check out The National Archives (UK) website [ http://ufos.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ ] today as well but that will have to wait till tomorrow as well. There is a lot of interesting material to check out, for me anyway. The three videos just give you a taste of what's out there but the bulk of what I find will be posted on Haliaeetus, the blog I started in early 2007.

I hope you all had a better weekend than I did. Have a great work week for those that do work and for those that are retired (I've got a ways to go yet) have a pleasant week also! More to come later. - Volker

Dr. Richard Boylan discusses the Star races

Charles Hall discusses a Star race called the Tall Whites

Saturday, October 25, 2008

UFO files released by The National Archives (UK) this month

Zach Roerig

So, have you been active in your favourite activity to keep fit this weekend? Looks like Zach is into skateboarding as his favourite activity. What's yours? - Volker

Kellan Lutz




There are so many hot-looking, young guys out there modelling or acting these days, Kellan Lutz is just yet another. Each generation has their own and so does the current one. Google to find out more. Enjoy! - Volker

Chase Crawford

Well, I guess by now many have heard of Chace Crawford and have been following his career as a young American actor. Chase was born July 18, 1985 in Lubbock, Texas (hey Mac, are you following this? He's a fellow Texan!). He appeared in the movie "The Covenant" which I've seen a couple of times on DVD and has also been in the tv drama called "Gossip Girl." Chace looks hot whether dressed scantilly as in the scene from "The Covenant" in the pic above or dressed casually as in the photo below.



I love the photo of him sticking his tongue out. This reminds me of the Maori dance from New Zealand. He's got a nice physique and lovely hands you can see grabbing the football in the pic below.
Chace seems to be going places and its worth watching where his career will take him. What do you think? - Volker

Friday, October 24, 2008

Rearview

On a theme of physical fitness, it is important to keep active so we can enjoy what we do in life that much more and as important as pecs and abs are, so too is focusing on our other muscles such as the glutes and various arm, shoulder and leg muscles to keep a balanced look, in my opinion anyway.
I admire a great looking butt as much as awesome abs and pecs. Other well-developed, toned muscles are a great turn on as well. Just look at the photo below as an example. Everything works together to bring symetry to a hot physique. What do you thinks?
With that said, we are at the end of another work week and the start of a yet another weekend. Have a good one and do what you enjoy best! Walk the seawall, hike through parks, bike the trails for miles or climb a mountain! Do what excites you and keeps you fit! - Volker

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Reaction

For months I was having a bad reaction after having some dried prepared soup for lunch at work. This is the soup to which hot water is added. Well, for the last week I ate sandwiches brought from home instead without reaction but today I tried the soup again which invited the same reaction as before: a series of visits to the washroom! After a very close examination of the ingredients on the packaging, I discovered that both lactose and corn syrup were listed. I am lactose intollerant and am sensitive to corn of any kind. Its a wonder I didn't discover this long ago and saved myself the torture. Well, you know what all this means; no more soup of this kind. I guess for a while it will be sandwiches brought from home or perhaps homemade soup without the nasty side effects. I hope you've had a better time.

Anyway, no pics of hot guys tonight because I plan to go to bed early to recover but perhaps such hot photos are possible on the weekend. Good night and take care! - Volker

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Beauty

Monday, October 20, 2008

Monday

Today was another of those slow days after a night of limited sleep. I guess I should say broken sleep really. For various reasons I couldn't get back to sleep after I was first awakened just before 1 in the morning but I survived the day.

The weather was rainy and overcast, a typical autumn day here along the west coast in British Columbia's lower mainland. It was rain, sometimes heavy, in the morning with some clearing in the afternoon. The weather over the next few days looks more promissing but still very autumn like.

When I got home, sorted my things away and then made supper, I spent some time behind the computer (that's where I still am) reading emails and catching up on some of the blog reading. I also got an email from Robert, the blogger from Delayed and Distracted, who is currently studying in Strasbourg, France. He's made some new friends, improved his French language skills (and who can't avoid that if you're living in the language) and is excited about being in the city and its culture! And who can't be excited about it, I've been in the city three times myself over the years. Wish him luck in his studies and perhaps we'll see some interesting posts from Robert in future when time permits. Oh, you also see, we have our lives outside blogging, otherwise we wouldn't have something interesting to tell you and you'd miss out on all that!

Well, I'm off to bed soon and hope to get more sleep than was the case last night. Here's hoping the sandman hits pay dirt and has me in a deep sleep for a change (you've all heard of the Danish fairytale about the sandman spreading his dream sand haven't you?)! Have a good night!!! - Volker

P.S. - The above photo is a scene of the city of Strasbourg (ponts couverts vus de la terrasse panoramique). I've taken photos from that very terrace, a venue showing the various canals of the Ill River flowing through the old city, such a lovely shot! - The photo is from the Wikipedia Commons.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Soaring over Sapperton

This afternoon at about 2 pm I left home to visit the Lougheed Mall in nearby Coquitlam. Rather than taking the usual bus at the main corner near home I decided to walk to Sapperton station and its a good thing I did. About half way there and just a few blocks away from the Fraser Cemetery I saw a pair of bald eagles soaring above Sapperton (New Westminster). The count for bald eagles seen this year is around 17 and the most I've seen at one time has been five soaring above Burnaby Mountain during our last winter. I did manage to get a few nice photos but this sort of thing reminds me why I should buy a larger telephoto lense. The one I have is up to 200mm but a 500mm would be much better and get some awesome shots. Well, when the funds are available, perhaps this will become a reality but for the time being, what I have will have to do.

I also had a look at the continuing change of autumn colours as the weeks go by and we close in on winter. The red fruit on the hawthorne tree should keep the birds happy during the winter months (see photo above) and below is a scene of a street corner in Sapperton. Note the changing colours.

The last photo shows the scene looking east-northeast from the Fraser Cemetery, also in Sapperton. Note the dull, overcast sky with some low-hanging clouds off in the distance. There was some sun today, so it was generally pleasant weather for a walk. I did take the SkyTrain to Lougheed Mall but as large as it is (and this was my first time to this one), once you've seen one mall, you've seen them all. After my short visit, I returned home for an early supper and then work at the computer. Hope you all had a great weekend! Have a great work week!!! - Volker

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Another slow Saturday

It was a slow start to a Saturday. After showering and having some breakfast I was busy at the computer reading emails and then some of the usual blogs. Then it was time to get dressed and head into town (Vancouver) for a much needed haircut. Because of track maintenance on the section between Columbia and Broadway stations, I chose to take another route to avoid the crowds. I took the SkyTrain from the usual start but in the direction of Brentwood station where I got off. After a pit stop, I continued on by bus to Hastings Street in north Burnaby. From there is was onward taking the 135 bus going to Burrard station. I got off one stop before that for another washroom break before heading to London Drugs to check out cameras, computer accessories, etc. Then it was time for the haircut. It had been months since I had the last one, it was blowing into my eyes, so it was needed. Then it was time to grab a tea and something to nibble from Starbucks (there are so many outlets, they are easy to find) before catching a bus that would take me near Burrard station. From there it was taking the train to Broadway station and then the Millenium Line to Braid station, and then home by bus. It was already dark by the time I got home for supper (leftover chicken and rice soup with vegetables). Now I find myself behind the computer once again and just finished reading emails and some blog posts.

I am still waiting for that call from Brad to advise me that he has arrived. Each time the cell phone rings (and not too many call me) I run to answer only to find out it isn't him. It would be nice to hear from him but I guess he's delayed for good reasons. After all, I was hoping he would decide to drive across the country in order to see the beauty of the landscape and how long it actually takes to cross the country we call Canada. Every Canadian should take the time to see it if the opportunity arises and learn to appreciate the beauty, meet interesting people and stop where ever one's mood takes them. He'll surprise me as well as all visitors to this blog when he does arrive. It will be so interesting to hear his story! I love surprises, don't you?

During the trip into town and back, I saw a few interesting guys, some rather hot looking. Some were on the train and others on the bus. They're the kind that find your eyes immediately moving towards. You won't find any barely dressed such as the guy in the photo above, even at the beach, since we are in the midst of autumn with cooler day time and night time temperatures, but hotties are still out to be seen and appreciated. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and each person has their unique sense of it but I guess by now you know what I appreciate and what turns me on. That will continue after Brad arrives and I'm sure he has his own appreciation for the human form (i.e. men). Will he reveal his perspective of beauty, only time will tell. Meantime, we all wait patiently! Have a great Sunday or for those where that day has come and gone, hope it was a good one! - Volker

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Eye candy for a late Thursday





Here is some eye candy to take your mind off the rainy, wet weather if that's what you're having, and we're having plenty of it for the next day or so. We may see some clearing and some sun Saturday but that remains to be seen. Meantime, enjoy these views! - Volker

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

cameras

As I mentioned in a previous post, I am looking at getting a better webcam than I currently have. The Logitech Quickcam Pro 9000 (see image below) is in my sights and would be a benefit to Brad in the work that he is looking at. This webcam has a Carl-Zeiss lens and autofocus plus can take some rather sharp images. The the other camera I'm looking at is the Flip Ultra for taking videos that can be uploaded to MySpace and Facebook, just two examples. The Flip Ultra is in the centre of the top image.

Anyway, I may purchase one of the two next month or as soon as finances allow. Then there are the studio lights as mentioned in another post a while back. More on all this later. Now I'm off to bed since 5 am comes early enough. Have a great night! - Volker

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Zack and his abs

pecs & abs

window washers at work

Tyler at his best

Monday, October 13, 2008

Tyler Kenyon



Model Tyler Kenyon, a 21 year old from Portland, Oregon looks to be the closest I've seen yet of guys that most closely resemble Brad as far as their physique is concerned. Anyway, just another hot dude I wouldn't turn away. If you would like to see more of Tyler, go to http://www.weloveguys.net where there are plenty of other photos of him. Have a good week! I'm off to bed since I'm up early at around 5 am for the start of another work week. - Volker

Molly the pony - the photos!



Just in case you were wondering, the photos above go with the article posted below. Does this inspire you and give hope? Oh, and notice the smile in the last pic. - Volker

Molly the pony - a story relayed to me by a friend in Pennsylvania, a long time lover of horses!

Subject: FW: Story from NOL

----------------------------------------

I’ve written articles over the years about horses who survived amputation surgery. There was Boitron, the California Thoroughbred stallion who could service mares after amputation surgery. There were Dr. Ric Redden’s dramatic cases of founder survivors who galloped around his paddock on artificial feet with "transplanted frogs". Dr. Chris Colles had the never-say-die Appaloosa in England with the spring-loaded foot. And who can forget that paint yearling in India ? Or the landmine-maimed elephant amputee inThailand ? Longtime Hoofcare and Lameness Journal readers will remember them all.


So when I first heard that a pony had survived amputation surgery at Louisiana State University ’s (LSU) equine hospital, I didn’t run to the keyboard and beg for photos. A few weeks later I did, though.
Meet Molly. She’s a gray speckled pony who was abandoned by her owners when Katrina hit southernLouisiana . She spent weeks on her own before finally being rescued and taken to a farm where abandoned animals were stockpiled. While there, she was attacked by a pit bull terrier, and almost died. Her gnawed right front leg became infected and her vet went to LSU for help. But LSU was overwhelmed, and this pony was a welfare case. You know how that goes.


But after surgeon Rustin Moore met Molly, he changed his mind. He saw how the pony was careful to lie down on different sides so she didn't seem to get sores, and how she allowed people to handle her. She protected her injured leg. She constantly shifted her weight, and didn’t overload her good leg. She was a smart pony with a serious survival ethic.


Moore agreed to remove her leg below the knee and a temporary artificial limb was built. Molly walked out of the clinic and her story really begins there.


“This was the right horse and the right owner," Moore insists. “Molly happened to be a one-in-a-million patient. She’s tough as nails, but sweet, and she was willing to cope with pain. She made it obvious she understood (that) she was in trouble.” The other important factor, according to Moore , is having a truly committed and compliant owner who is dedicated to providing the daily care required over the lifetime of the horse.


Molly’s story turns into a parable for life in post-Katrina Louisiana . The little pony gained weight, her mane felt a comb. A human prosthesis designer built her a leg.


“The prosthetic has given Molly a whole new life,” Allison Barca DVM, Molly's regular vet, reports. “And she asks for it! She will put her little limb out, and come to you and let you know that she wants you to put it on. Sometimes she wants you to take it off too." And sometimes, Molly gets away from Barca. “It can be pretty bad when you can't catch a three-legged horse,” she laughs.


Most important of all, Molly has a job now. Kay, the rescue farm owner, started taking Molly to shelters, hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers. Anywhere she thought that people needed hope. Wherever Molly went, she showed people her pluck. She inspired people. And she had a good time doing it.


“It’s obvious to me that Molly had a bigger role to play in life,” Moore said, “She survived the hurricane, she survived a horrible injury, and now she is giving hope to others.”


“She's not back to normal,” Barca concluded. “She's going to be better. To me, she could be a symbol forNew Orleans itself.”
This week, Molly the Pony, a children’s book about the pony who has already inspired thousands of people around New Orleans , has been published.


It’s not a book about amputation or prosthetics, it’s a book about people and ponies. But the photos you see here are from the book.
Maybe Molly won’t make the vet textbooks, but she might reach more people from the pages of this book for children. If you know a child, a library, a hospital, or maybe a therapeutic riding program that can use a lift, here’s a book that can do that. And you can explain how the leg and hoof work!


HOW TO ORDER: This book is an oversized, square "laminated" (so it wipes clean) hard cover book. Hoofcare Publishing is proud to offer it for sale to you at the price of $15.95 each plus $6 post. A portion of the sales price will go toward Molly's fund. To order, send check or money to Hoofcare Books, 19 Harbor Loop, Gloucester MA 01930 . Telephone orders to ( USA ) 978 281 3222. Fax orders to ( USA ) 978 283 8775. Email orders to books@hoofcare.com. Visa or Mastercard accepted; please supply account number and expiration date. When ordering, please give phone and/or email details.


You will LOVE this book--and Molly!

An autumn walk along False Creek - Part 2

Here is another shot taken on Granville Island. The Granville Island Brewery is found to the left but there's plenty more. There is a yacht club and a fishermen's wharf between the island and the Burrard Bridge as some of the photos below illustrate.





Then Burrard Street has some autumn colour but this colour is at various stages depending upon where you are in the area.



Then here are a couple of photos taken from the Burrard bridge of Granville Island. Hope you enjoy the pics! More photos coming soon. - Volker