100 Most Banned Books 1990-2000

Check out the list of banned books. I was not suprised to see Harry Potter among them, however, several others shocked me throughly.

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson is a fantastic book. A link to a blurb on her website is at: http://www.terabithia.com/books/terabithia.html

Julie and the Wolves, Roll of Thunder - Hear my Cry and a Wrinkle in Time are also personal favourites.

I'm just shaking my head. The world seems to have more people who want to stamp out even the suggestion of magic.

This puts the issue of the middle East war book that is under fire in a new light. I think parents underestimate childrens ability to handle challanging topics. These aren't books that'll give kids nightmares, they're just good books that tackle some of the tougher asspects of growing up.

Jenn

Westwind Subdivision

Greetings,

I'm working away on my Site Planning Group Project, trying to subdivide large areas of Fredericton into people friendly, low road chunks while following Fredericton's Subdivision by-laws regarding lot size and road width and cul-de-sac lengths and turn around radius and consider topography and existing features. Sound confusing? Well it isn't too bad. This is a project that I did earlier in the term. (Note the extensive park area)

I have included a link to a 28 page report on Urban Sprawl from the David Susuki Foundation, for anyone looking for a little light reading (don't worry - lots of pictures). Its pretty comprehensive, but not particularly technical. An interesting read.

So, back to work I go.

Jenn

No R(egg)rets

Here is a picture you would only ever take with a digital camera. Otherwise. . . you'd be wasting film. mmmmm. . . eggs.

really - back to work now

Jenn 

Figures. . .

As soon as I reposted, the first post showed up.

Figures. . .

Doesn't it!%$*$%@!

Jennith

Above is a close up of a red pine bud!

Path of Light (Picasa ate my post)

Greetings. . . if this shows up twice it is because picasa ate the first version as far as I can tell.

The photo is of the West Morland Bridge in all of its glory.

4 days to iron ring

7 days until the last day of classes

9 days before i can stop doing 18 hours of school a day for a little while

22 days until my last exam

42 days until I turn 30 (YIKES!!!) (I admit to cheating and counting the last 30 minutes of Thursday as a day, just so I could type 42 - but hey, who wouldn't)

So back to ye olde parametric curve assignment, so I can hande ite ine.

Jennithe 

Path of Light

Another shot of the West Morland Bridge in all of its glory.

4 days to Iron Ring

9 days until I can take a brief break

22 days until my last exam

42 days until I turn 30 (YIKES!!!) (I counted today just so I could type 42 rather than 41 - all the other ones I started from Friday.

So, now I'm going to go back to my crazy parametric curves assignment. . .

Night. . . Jennith 

White Lightening

Another photo of Fredericton, NB taken yesterday while I was on my walk. Today has been okay, relaxing compared to the last few weeks as I worked on my map and senior project presentation. Gabe and I went Toyota test driving on the way to pick up boxes from the liquor store. I've packed four boxes of books already.

So, we drove the Yaris. Not quite as good as I thought it would be, but not bad - and like the Rav4 it has good canoe anchor points. That said, I like the looks of the Echo much better - not to mention the name. However, it should be noted that the Corolla has impressive gas mileage and slightly more horsepower than the Yaris and is not a whole lot more and there are tonnes of them on the used market, so they may even be cheaper than echos... so there is a thought - job first of course, but you have to have dreams and motivations to get through the last weeks of your 4th university degree. Like as not I'll be driving an 86 sunbird - Erin's Dad had one when we were in school, cool car, not as cool as a grand am, but still cool. It was a good break anyways, and I got to drive something, even if I was a bit disappointed in the handling and pep.

I can't believe that Iron ring is only5 days away. My design group was chatting about it today. . ."I've been looking at my finger differently the last few days." said one member. It was agreed that we were all excited, but not sure what to suspect. Some expressed worries that it wouldn't fit. Myself, I feel stunned that this momentus occasion has snuck up on me quickly and noticing belatedly that there are things about Fredericton I'm going to miss - like being able to walk everywhere and the old train bridge and even the look of the houses and buildings downtown. So, I look around at my half empty bookshelves and soon to be blank walls and quasi furnished rooms (the only big thing left to sell is the couch) and it hits home that I'm leaving, moving and starting over again. I'm excited that Geoff is coming up, it'll be neat to show him around and a life-saver to have him move my awkwards and fragiles back to Ontario. I've reverted to thinking of myself as living in Ontario and kind of lookig forward to going back.

I can't seem to find the exact words to describe my anticipation of Iron Ring. The history behind it is certainly a bit intimidating as is the secrecy surrounding it. In some ways, it like the end of a journey I was meant to take, but the beginning of a lot of changes, now that I stand at the cross roads of opportunity. Day dreaming about cars aside (this being a hobby for the last 14 years), I really don't know what is in store for me. I don't even know if I'll be staying in Ontario as I could soon be sucked into Alberta with the rest of the countries job seekers or I could end up in the North. So, the ring represents the key to a door, which I won't get to peak though the window or see very far through for a while, but holding onto the key will be something. The rest of it will come together in a few weeks.

Fare thee well, and any family wool wishers in Ontario should contact me by Friday to place their order for Saturday morning, otherwise, you are sheep out of luck.

Cheers,

Jennith 

Last sunset view from the West Morland Bridge

Okay really the last, but they were all neat with the kookie clouds and stuff.

JP 

More Fredericton Sunset

 

Fresh Air is Good for the Brain

Its funny how you don't even realize you miss something so much until you go and do it. I did get some neat pictures. This one was taken by the Westmorland Bridge just as the sun was setting.

My walk was mentally refreshing and full of odd twists. While standing on the ramp to the now non-existant Carlton Bridge, I noticed that the yellow stripe was still visible. They must have used some paint back then. THen I met Mary, a young lady who I noticed setting fire to the grass. We ended up having a neat conversation. Cool kid. I ran into Randy and Rhonda randomly at the King's Place as I was cutting through to home. While walking through the grave yard I passed some people involved in some likely sketchy sales, but also got the sense that the dead were restless. I wouldn't give this feeling too much credit, since earlier in the day I'd had the sense for sure that my Tim Horton's cup was a RAV4 winner at least until I rolled up the Rrrrim to not win. I spent 10 minutes talking to a lady who owned a 4 year old Toyota Echo in Impulse Red. She had a lot good to say about it - she even pulls a small trailor with it. Its funny how people love to talk about their cars. I've done the same thing with a few people - all of whom enthusiastically enumerated the excellences of their Echos. I love striking up conversations with random strangers, they often result in crazy and interesting discussions.

I thought of at least a million things that I wanted to post about. . . but I think I'll spare you most of it today - walking is also linked to excessive philosophical musings on topics including idealism, parenting (i.e. you shouldn't let your 12 year wander around Toronto after dark), teaching, cars, canoeing, Doe Lake and Iron Ring (6 days). But I'll spare you for now and return to musing about storm sewer and such.

Good Night,

Jennithie 

Another Neat Web Video - Animusic Pipe Dream

Hey Everyone,

My group paper is in, so now it is just the rest of the detail. I've attached a link to a neat site - its a video. . . which I can't describe without ruining the suprise. Its just a neat idea.

http://www.gkko.com/videos/2533/animusic-pipe-dream

There is the link again.

Anywho, I"m going to take a walk and bring my camera - hopefully I'll have some pictures to post when I get back.

Cheers,

Jennith

NEAT WEBCAM!!!

Hey everyone (mom in particular)

I stumbled accross a link to this site while wandering briefly on Robin Hobb's News Group! Its a supper close up of a wild bald eagle sitting on her nest.

at: http://www.infotecbusinesssystems.com/index.asp?op=company.videoUpdate

Jennith

Final Fundy Foto

Here is the last picture that I'll post of Fundy for tonight. It was taken in Sept. 26th, 2005 - on Gabe and I's 1 year anniversary.

The next (as you scroll down) 5 posts are a series of pictures of Fundy National Park and Alma in different seasons and places. This is a special place for me, as it is the first place I went camping in New Brunswick. I visited Alma several times last summer - as Gabe was working in the Fundy General Store. There was a great 14 km looping hike that I did several times. The trail has some steep (worthy of Algonquin) hills and breath-taking views of the ocean and shoreline. It has a delightfully variety of ecosystems from beaver ponds to rocky red spruce woods to mixed woods to shoreline to bare rock to rocky beaches. . . Well, you get the point, there isn't much you can't see there short of mountains. Caribou plains - an easy trail - is my favourite and therefore of course includes several boardwalks traversing swamps and bogs and marshes and fens. I've neglected to include a picture form there at this point, but I'm sure I'll come accross one in the future.

I hope you've enjoy or will enjoy as you scroll down - this rapid Fundy Tour. For some truely spectactular photos of this area you should check out Brian Townsends website (see the LYNX).
Cheers,

Jennith 

Dickson's Falls in the Summer

Fundy in the summer - August 2005 - Fun Hike - Good Blackberries :D 

Fundy Fungi

I believe this picture was taken in late octobor/early November in Fundy - 2004. 

Alma: November 2004

Here is the view of the town with my back to the ocean.

Frigid Fundy

Taken last winter on the Wildlife Society Snowshoeing Trip, this picture was taken at sunrise from Headquarters campgrounds. The view (for those of you who haven't been there a thousand times) is of the bay in front of the town of Alma, just outside the park. 

My Soul Longs for a Day in the Wild

I've been a prisoner of my bedroom for the last 3 days and a computer lab inmate the proceding 2 or 3 weeks and my soul looks at these pictures longingly - I need to get outside!!!! Of course, my sentence isn't up for at least 2 weeks, so I guess I'll just have keep posting pictures of the wilderness and wait. Depending on the packing-moving situation, Gabe and I might find a day or 2 to go visit Fundy Park. . . I supect this is dreaming.

The last 3 pictures have been from Martin's Head. Despite spending many hours in Fundy this summer, I didn't actually end up taking many pictures - however, it is beautiful. I'll try and find one the next time I post. The fourth picture back was taken on the Mizzy Lake trail in Algonquin Park.

Fireweed, the purple plant in the forground and also the territorial plant of the Yukon, is one of my favorites. I have to admit I don't know the name of the stunning yellow flower, but cotton grass is the star of the Mizzy Lake shot.

Back to work. . .

Jennith 

mmmmm... Caffiene and Boo Urns to Vandels.

Ah - In front of me, besides a mess of rulers, pencils, calculators (I have 6 but only 3 on my desk) is a tall glass of diet cola and half an extra large Tim Horton's coffee. Sorry G - I have to admit that I actually hate Tim Horton's Coffee. I'm sure it tastes great with milk or cream and sugar, but black it tastes like something I'd use to discourage ants from coming into my kitchen. I hear they have expresso now. I've never had expresso, but somehow it doesn't appeal to me.

Other news. . . I found this news group run by Robin Hobb. Its awesome!!! You can get to it from her web site by clicking on the contact button.

As to the vandels. Apparently last night several individuals went on a rampage in Fredericton. It was describe as "no mailbox left standing, garbage everywhere and a fridge in the middle of the road. Now I have to admit that vandalism really irks me. If you want to make it so other people can't use something, at least steal it. Wrecking it doesn't benefit anyone. Not that I'm advocating theft - it too is a form of anti social behaviour, but at least I can see why someone might want to steal something - there's motive. Vandelism on the other hand. . .what do vandels get out of it? A feeling of satisfaction that they've been wreckless (prehaps an ironic term in this context) or destructive? Besides, it automatically gets blamed on university students (especially given the neighbourhood of this incident) and it makes the rest of us look bad. So, boo urns to the vandels, may the police catch them and put something on their record.

Growl,

Jennith 

Mississing Water Found

I've managed to track down all of the water that had escaped from my storm system. It was actually the fancy system with pipes (and 148 nodes) that had the problem, while the pristine environment was doing exactly what it was supposed to. (Sort of like real life, but I wasn't as sure of the assumptions for overland flow, owing to the fact that we didn't use in in our course last semester)

The main problem is that the data I started with has several manholes that were double sampled (i.e. they had 2 ore more entries for the same location.) Although, I managed to clean most of these up, I made some quirky error in Excel, that resulted in some of them being missed. So, some of it was hiding in manholes that have 2 different ID number in the same spot with one connected to the system and the other not. The last and most exasperately piece was a pipe that turned the corner missing a manhole by a fraction too small to see unless you blew up the map to a fairly large scale.

Argh for computers . . . or yeah? And I agree with Colin - Douglas Adams knew about engineering.

Jenn