Response To Light

A couple of days ago, I patched my server. I think there were 273 updates that were completed in all. This turned out to be problematic since lots of things broke - including my website. This was made even harder in that this webserver is hosted on a Linux box and I don’t work on it often enough to keep up with my Linux. Everytime I need to do something it’s almost like I have to relearn it everytime. This is one of those servers that just largely works so it doesn’t really require lots of work and in my day job, I use Windows exclusively. Needless to say, when I patched my server and the website went down, I was mildly stressed.

The primary culprit turned out to be an upgrade to MYSQL 4.1.2. This version changed the way authentication works and broke both my primary website as well as my Photo gallery. Both objects use Mysql to help manage the capabilities of the sites. After two days of digging, I finally managed to get everything up and working. It was at this time I decided to see what other functionality I could add to the site. After banging away at this most of the night (and deep into the morning) you can see some of the results. I added to the ability to do polls; there is a calendar (anything highlighted indicates a day a new entry was entered); you can search my web site for specific content; you can see if other users are on the site; and soon to come the ability to change the theme of site to fit the way you would like to see the site. I also added Google Analytics which helps create reports about who is visiting the site. I must say, I am really digging Wordpress 2.0 which is the engine that drives the site.

If you can think of something else that would make coming here more enjoyable please let me know.

While most of my creativity has gone into woodworking, I still occasionally attempt to be creative in other ways. I have been looking for ways to turn my photographs into paintings and drawing. If you look in the gallery you can see a picture I did called Journey to Banff that exemplifies this. In the past I have used all sorts of methods of turning a photograph into a pencil drawing. Recently I came across a program called ArtMaster Pro by Fo2Pix. It does the best job yet of creating pencil like drawings from pictures.

Below you can see my attempt to use this program.

Lynne - Pencil Drawing

2006 Holiday Letter from the Dorcas/Jepson Clan

I have never written a Christmas or Holiday letter but I thought with so many great things happening, it was definitely a year worth sharing.

The year started with a job change. I left Telus and joined Long View Systems – first as a systems consultant and then as a team lead. I can’t express how professionally rewarding it has been changing companies. The area I am working in is growing at a rate of 80% per year. While there are certainly many challenges involved in that kind of growth, there have been many, many rewards. My job is exactly what I needed.

April continued a trend a major changes and major rewards. Since I have known Lynne, she has talked about going on a family vacation. In April, Lynne, Joel, Brett, Braden and I as well as Steve, Jen and Cole Robertson went to the Dominican Republic. Is there a better day than sitting back by the pool, the sun trying to peak through the shade kissing your skin while having a umbrella drink with friends?!? I don’t think so! Cole and Braden seemed to know every activity to do on the resort by the second day. Brett got to practice his French with a multinational contingent of the opposite sex while Joel could be found late at night dancing (yes I said dancing) in the disco. There was something there for everyone to enjoy and we all managed to find our niche. One word of caution – tequila isn’t everyone’s friend  Try rum instead!

At the same time we were in the Dominican, we also officially took possession our new home (Thanks Janice for picking up the keys). I had wanted to move last year at this time but the bug didn’t catch Lynne until February/March. Once she was on board, the process went very quickly. Selling our old house took a day. Getting financing was easy in that we were already pre-approved. And when we went to look at houses, we found something in two weeks.

We narrowed our search to Chestermere and then Airdrie. While it took some time to get over the house we found (and then lost) in Chestermere, I think Airdrie turned out to be a much better option. It’s much closer to friends and family and we seem to have many more visitors and passer byes. Boxed wine, hot coffee and Brahma Beer are usually present. Stop by for your fair share!

For me the house has been a great learning experience. As Lynne is always reminding me I never considered myself a “handy man”. We redid the kitchen with FIL (Father in Law) giving me a hand with the cork flooring. I have replaced 80% of the light fixtures in the house. And most recently we renovated the family room downstairs with new flooring, a couch and a pool table. Getting the house prepared has been a family and friends affair. While there is still a lot of work left to be done, I think when the house is completed; it is going to be amazing.

One thing to note…..We moved the day we got back from vacation. While we got through it, I wouldn’t really recommend it.

Next up was Joel’s graduation. That was a night I won’t soon forget as I managed to stay up the entire evening (until 6:00AM in fact). Joel looked amazing in his suit as well as all the young adults that were there. The event was certainly a great way to make the bridge into adulthood. And we get to do it all again next year when Brett graduates.

My mother (Carmen Osborne) made a five day appearance for the opening of Stampede. This was another spectacle day. We went to the parade (the longest that I’ve ever been too), went up to the Calgary Tower, walked around the city sampling different bits of food before finally making our way to the Stampede Grounds. Of course we couldn’t leave without seeing the Rodeo, the Chuck Wagon Races and finally the Grandstand Show. It’s not often we get to spend that kind of time together but it’s certainly a day I won’t forget. Thanks Mom!

Camelot Equestrian Training had an interesting show season in that everyone had new horses and almost everyone moved to L&M Stables. The show season was a great success but with another year under their belts, I am excited to see what happens next year.

Another member also joined the Camelot Family – Logan aka Doubletree Exceptional. Logan is a huge 5 gaited horse that I knew as soon as Lynne said she was “just going to the States to take a look”, we were going to have a new horse. While Lynne is always excited to talk about horses, I haven’t seen her this excited in years. Logan has to be the friendliest horse I have ever seen and there is always a twinkle in Lynne’s eye when she talks about one of his “hugs”. I know that Logan is a dream come true for Lynne and I’m excited to see what he does next year at the shows. The Five Gaited Classes should be very interesting next year! Go Lynne!

2006 found Brett heading back to Beiseker for his final year of High School. He’s also been playing lots of basketball being the star of every team he plays for. Having the same girlfriend for the last seven months is also an achievement worth mentioning. Go Brett!!

Braden opted to go to school in Airdrie. He hasn’t had any issues making new friends at his new school. Anyone who knows Braden will attest to his single-mindedness when it comes to activities. Last year it was golf. The year before that it was skating. The end of 2006 finds Braden with a Paintball passion. Go Braden!

And I can’t forget to mention that Joel won a scholarship to attend class at SAIT next year for welding. He is also turning into a very mature young man. I guess no more Yu-gi-oh for you. Go Joel!

This year has been about making our dreams come true and appreciating all of the blessings we have received. I hope the holidays found you in good spirits and better health.

Happy Holidays!

Tim, Lynne, Joel, Brett, & Braden