What is a Quafaie?


Quafaie (pronounced: kwa FAY) are fantasy creatures that exist in the fantasy writing of Hugh Kemeny, and are created by him. They are primarily in Hugh Kemeny’s Black Phoenix short stories...

To learn more, read this post: What is a Quafaie?

Thursday, March 24, 2005

Seante appointment

Reposted on 2012-02-23 from defunct blog 
 
I got this e-mail from my Dad:
Subject: FW: Seante appointment
No, it’s not me!
In case either of you know Claudette Tardiff
D

From: Tardif, Claudette 
Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2005 10:32 AM
To: External Relations - All Depts
Subject: ANNOUNCEMENT
Importance: High

Dear colleagues in External Relations,
I am writing to inform you that at the request of the Prime Minister of Canada, Paul Martin, I have accepted an appointment to the Senate of Canada.
While I'm still absorbing all this entails and am truly excited by the prospect of serving Albertans and Canadians in this way, my only sadness comes in knowing it will mean leaving all of you.
In the short time I've been privileged to serve as Vice President External Relations (Acting), I've come to know you as an incredible team that brings enormous benefit to the University of Alberta.
I don't have all the details yet on when I will be leaving the University of Alberta, but wanted you hear this news from me first.
I wish you all a blessed and restful Easter and look forward to the remaining weeks we will have together.

Claudette
Claudette Tardif, PhD
Acting Vice-President (External Relations)/
Vice-présidente (par intérim) relations externes
University of Alberta

----
My reply:
If it was you would you have accepted?
Nope I don't know Claudette
Eric

----
My Dad's reply that just made me laugh:
I’ve never really though about that question.
D


Out of this world thoughts - Earth to Pluto in 50 minutes

Reposted on 2012-02-23 from defunct blog
 
A few days ago as I was reading up on the Land's End to John O'Groats trip and the records that have been made (eg in 1990 Andy Wilkinson cycled 874mi from Land's End to John O'Groats in one day 21 hours, two minutes and 18 seconds. Pauline Strong holds the woman's cyling record of two days, six hours, 49 minutes and 45 seconds. Steve Gilkes has done it several times on a motorised toiled; another used a supermarket trolley. It's been done in a battery-powered Sinclair C5 in 80 hours and on roller skates in 9.5 days. - from Lonely Planet's Cycling Britain 2001).
It then crossed my mind about how fun it would to be on a motorised sofa - like the one the MechE's attempted to build for sleeping bag drive-in when I was at the University of Alberta (for those who don't know about it - the sofa got as far as having wheels, it was finding a motor and the time to finish it that stalled the project - then graduation).
Okay, so that is not really all out of this world. But one of the cycle training routes I have done is litteraly out of this world. I cycled diameter of the solar system twice in under 3.5 hours (that is a total of 44 km on a 530,000,000 / 1 scale model of the solar system). Below are photos of my interplanetary journey (not in order of visiting, but from Sun to Pluto. To see the photos in order taken, along with others on the Taunton-Bridgwater Canal, see my photo albums).

Tuesday, March 22, 2005

Drya - Story

Reposted on 2012-02-23 from defunct blog 

I have uploaded the first 1500 words of another story to:  http://www.geocities.com/hughkemeny/ 
The story is called Drya and is set in a fantasy world. This is one of my favorite parts (as it has barely changed since I wrote it in a writing class where all the others told me it was the most memerable part).

     She gingerly took the apple out of his gentle hands, bringing it up to her face and smelling the flesh of the apple. Looking at it she whispered "such a beautiful perfect seedling. How does your mother fare?" A tear rolled down her cheek as she spoke. Thoughts of her mother came to her mind. A fine oak she was.
    The apple fell from her hands, hit the table, rolled across it, and landed on the floor with a thud. Her face fell into her hands as tears pouring out of her eyes.

If you would like to read the entire 3555 word story, let me know. The payment to read it is to return some editorial comments.


Repost comments (comments from 2012-02-23 on the reposting of this post):

In the 7 years since first posting this, not only has the original blog disappeared (it was on MSN Spaces), but the link to the website above has also disappeared (geocites closed down). As of 2012-02-23 this story has not been reposted to the web, however there is a possibility it will be in the future to the site: http://hughkemeny.ca

Sunday, March 20, 2005

Last SWAG Hike

Reposted on 2012-02-23 from defunct blog

I went on my last hike with the Somerset Walking and Activities Group (SWAG) today in the beautiful +18 C weather around Winsham & Wayford (Near Chard, Somerset). Such a beautiful walk.
As I was cooking my dinner a couple of my housemates asked if I was out in the sun. They noticed the slight sun burn I have, that I did not notice. Hopefully it will turn into a good base tan before my cycle trip, so I don't cook in the British spring sun.
Unfortunately, I did not bring my camera, so there are no photos of the country side.

Friday, March 18, 2005

My new career???

Reposted on 2012-02-23 from defunct blog

One of the things I have been considering becoming is an author, but of course that is not a career one usually makes millions on over night.
Any way, I created a lame website (a year ago) to post some of my stories.
http://www.geocities.com/hughkemeny/
I have a couple of stories there (well the start of a couple). As I work on more I will be posting them there. I would love to have other people's comments, to help with the editing process.
First one posted is Beyond Earth a science fiction short story

Thursday, March 17, 2005

Sync'ing with Yahoo

Reposted on 2012-02-23 from defunct blog

In part of my prep for this trip I thought I would update my address book and make sure both my Yahoo (main e-mail) and my pda are sync'ed.
So I downloaded the Y! Intellisync to do just that, and well, sure I could sync my pda with Yahoo....
But I could not sync my Palm desktop with my pda!
After frustration at the program and 1 to 4 copies of addresses on my pda and yahoo, and eventually on palm desktop, I sorted it out (you have to delete Y! Intellisync to sync again with palm desktop). Then I had to sort through all the copies to determine which was the most uptodate (I hope I got them all correct!).
One would think that the software would allow a choice from either the pda or palm desktop (does have other options like outlook - but I don't use that).

Tuesday, March 15, 2005

Just call me crazy

Reposted on 2012-02-23 from defunct blog

I am planning to cycle across the UK and climb the highest peaks of England, Scotland, and Wales.
Now I am not just doing this on a whim, unplanned. I found that there is a series of cycle routes from Land's End, Cornwall, England to John O'Groats, Northeast Highlands, Scotland. The one I have looked at so far is from Lonely Planet Cycling Britain, however I have ordered some from the Cyclists' Touring Club that includes one with Youth-Hostel stops (the one I am more likely to follow). Both state that it should take about 15-20 days for the trip, but I don't think I can do it that quick. For some more information on the End to End (Land's End to John O'Groats) look here.
The other thing I am hoping to incorprate into my trip is to climb the 3 peaks. There is a chalange for this every year, but I am in no way capable to do all three in 24 hours on a bicycle. To see the three peaks, check out the BBC's Web Cams. Watch carefully and you may see me on the web cam one day (not likely in my opinion).
My plan to do this trip went through a few phases, like planning to do it in July and end up in Edinburgh in August for the Edinburgh Festival and Fringe. Then I realized that it would be smarter to get it done first - giving me time to relax in Ireland or elsewhere in the UK or Europe before the Fringe. The thought was then to hit all three peaks enroute up to John O'Groats. But Snowdon Mountain, Wales (altitude: 1085m / 3560ft) is a little out of the way.
So my current plan is as follows, and illustrated on the picture:
1.        Start in Land's End, Cornwall soon after Easter (giving me time to finish packing and get my stuff to a relatives' place that I can store it for a little while).
2.        Arrive back in Taunton about 4 days later. At which point I decide if I continue or what other options I have. Also this would be when I hand in my keys and officially move out of Taunton (forever???).
3.        Follow guided route up to Lancaster.
4.        Take a side trip to climb Scafell Pike (978m / 3210ft), England's highest peak.
5.        Stop at Carlise and decide if I follow a guided route or take my own route to get to Fort William.
6.        Fort William and side trip to climb Ben Nevis (1343m / 4409ft), Scotland's highest peak.
7.        Cycle along Loch Ness and see if I can spot Nessie on the way to Inverness
8.        Follow guided route to John O'Groats.
9.        Cycle to Wick, the closest place with a train station.
10.     Train back to Inverness, they apparently run quite frequently and don't need reservations with a bicycle.
11.     Follow guided route backwards to Edinburgh, as trains from Inverness require reservations witha bike.
12.     Train trip to Liverpool, by reservation with my bicycle - possibly giving me some time in Edinburgh.
13.     Cycle to Mt. Snowdon (1085m / 3560ft), Wales highest peak.
14.     Go to hollyhead and take ferry to Ireland
15.     Cylce around Ireland - this is where the plan falls apart as I have no idea if this will be mid May or Mid June that I arrive in Ireland.
16.     Ferry back to Swansea where I would have my next plans set and may have sold my bicycle.
17.     Train to London to get fresh clothes from where my stuff is stored before going on the next adventure.
I am hoping to be back in London sometime mid to Late June, but there are so many factors that could change that.
Now do you think I am crazy?????

Photos lost when blog when defunct.

Monday, March 14, 2005

Bike Computer

Reposted on 2012-02-23 from defunct blog
 
I went to the bike shop today to get gear for a big bike trip I am planning (more on that in a future post, I promise). Of the things I bought was an 8 function bike computer:
1.        Current speed
2.        Clock
3.        Trip distance
4.        Total distance
5.        Trip riding time
6.        Total riding time
7.        Maximum speed
8.        Full text in English and may be specified in 4 other languages: F, I, E, D
Opening the box and looking at the instructions I found them to be fairly easy to understand - at least the instalation - as they are all pictorial. I left my bike at the shop for maintanence, so attaching it to my bike will be done later.
However as I looked at the unit, I noticed it was in German. So I looked back at the instructions for the unit itself. Sure enough the instructions start in German, but continue in what looks like 6 other languages, as seen in the photo:

Photos lost when blog when defunct.

Comments from defunct blog:
 
Compression killed that image. Can you post a bigger one or a picture of just the text?

Published By Majik Sznak (http://www.majiksznak.net) - March 14 7:02 PM

I like how the GB and USA directions are _totally different!_

Published By Majik Sznak (http://www.majiksznak.net) - March 15 4:55 PM

Friday, March 11, 2005

Speed

Reposted on 2012-02-23 from defunct blog

An interesting piece of mail arrived today. But I have to start the story back on 24 November . . . .

It all started on a dark, late night in Oxford. After a long cool night of sound measurements I was driving (with a colleague) back to the motel just outside of Oxford, when <FLASH>! I was caught on one of the many speed cameras along the road.
I checked my speed, and, yes I was going over the 30 miles per hour (approximately 50 kph) speed limit, not Shaju speed though (got up to Shaju speeds on the motorway several months later - getting over 90 miles per hour). No I was going about 35 miles per hour, at 3:30 am!

Well when I got home from Christmas, I had I pleasant letter from the Thames Valley Police saying I was clocked at 36mph at 3:34am. I had to send back personal information.
Sure, okay, did that, also talked a bit about speeding to colleagues. On mentioning the speed I was going and the time of day some could not really believe I was sent the ticket. Oh, and for those not use to the English speed, it would be like going about 60 kph in a 50 kph zone (on a main road too).

Last week I got the letter to send off the £60 payment and a copy of my driver's licence, which I did.
Now when I sent off my information I wrote in two places that I had I Canadian licence and International Driving Permit. I send off photographic proof of this to Thames court offices.

Today I got this letter:
Thank you for your attempt at payment of the above Conditional Offer Fixed Penalty Notice; we regret that we are unable to deal with the alleged offence as a Fixed Penalty because the Driving Licence you have surrendered is not a UK driving licence issued by DVLA Swansea.
Your payment and Driving licence are hereby returned to you.

Comments from defunct blog:

YES! You can do anything you want and they can't ticket you!

Published By Majik Sznak (http://www.majiksznak.net) - March 11 10:54 PM

Wednesday, March 9, 2005

Gorge Walking - Beacon Breacons, Wales

Reposted on 2012-02-23 from defunct blog

Ok this entry is slightly out of date - still getting use to posing on a blog, also been bust trying to pack (but that's for another entry).

On the 3rd of February I expressed interest in joining the white water rafting at the SWAG (Somerset Walking and Activities Group - could be Somerset Hiking and Activities Group, but that acronym might attract the wrong people) committee meeting (of which I am Membership Secretary).

The rafting was to be on the 6th of March. I signed up no problem, but found out that if the water levels were to low we would be doing gorge walking.

Sure enough when we got to Black Mountain Activities (www.blackmountain.co.uk), in Three Cocks, Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales, the water levels were too low to do the rafting.

The gorge walking was fun though. Even though I still have bruises and scratches.

For those that don't know what gorge walking is, this is what the Black Mountain pamphlet says:
Another from the 'wet and wild' collection, an absolute must for the adrenaline junkies!
This is no ordinary walk in the park! Traversing along rock walls, jumping across boulders, climbing cascades, exploring dark holes in the ground (only for the intrepid) and that's just the morning! As the day progresses the adventure continues. With rivers to cross, rope slides are set up and the turn of every corner produces something different, leaping across mud pools and jumping from great heights into deep pools, while viewing the magical beauty of Wales. Sounds good? Its not good...its great!

That summarises it nicely, and up to the 'dark hole' I was the driest of our group of 7 (plus 2 guides), which after walking through mid-shin water my gators and boots were great at keeping the water in! After that was fun climbing inside part of the mountain to come back down head-first through a hole about a meter wide - the main guide splashed mud on my face as I climbed up, but hey it's all fun.

I continued to stay dry, and shocked myself, as I was the only person (excluding the guides) to traverse a rock wall with out falling into waist deep water - surprising myself as I have not done any rock climbing and managed to find the appropriate hand and foot holds (well the guides pointed out a few). My dryness ended when we had to walk under a waterfall, then either traverse a rock wall with virtually no hand holds or walk through the river (I was some what successful in staying reasonably dry). The fun ended with attempting to climb a rock wall from waist high cold water (hardest getting the first foot hold), crawling through another waterfall, and jumping into the river from about 5 meters up. I did not do the jump, only because I was wearing my glasses (which cost ~£300) - so instead I crawled through the waterfall twice (brrrr).

At the end of it all we were all nicely cold (it was the end of a very cold weekend - actually snowed briefly Saturday night), and a quick change in the car park we headed back to Somerset. After I got information to inquire about assisting in some of their activities later in the summer.

Wednesday, March 2, 2005

Book Review - Incompetence by Rob Grant

Reposted on 2012-02-23 from defunct blog

Book Review: Incompetence by Rob Grant
 
"Article 13199 of the Pan-European Constitution: 'No person shall be prejudiced from employment in any capacity, at any level, by reason of age, race, creed or incompitence.'"
 
So starts Rob Grant's (co-creator of Red Dwarf) novel Incompetence.

I definitely found this book laugh out loud. Anyone who knows what is happening in the European Union (or as the book refers to it: US of E - United States of Europe) should consider reading this satire.

The story follows US of E secret service detective Harry Salt, aka Harry Pepper, aka Harry Tequila, aka Cardew Vascular, on his wild goose chase across Europe to find the identity of the man who set up the perfect murders.

On his way Harry loses his rare leather shoes, having to walk most of the story in vegetable hide shoes, with Roman police officer Captain Zuccho, a man with anger management problems, on his tail.

Throughout Harry's journey he encounters every type of incompetent person to slow down his mission to stop the man who could single handily bring down the US of E - if it were not already so precariously unstable.

A couple of quotes I particularly enjoy:

On European winters (Prologue, pg 32):
Snow is more than beautiful. Snow is Nature's Tippex: it covers up mistakes and ugliness. You can put a carpet of snow over Nagasaki, it probably looks like the Ice Queen's castle. Even the stinkiest, most crap-strewn streets of London's grimmest thoroughfares take on a fairy-tale, virgin beauty under the thinnest skein of snow.
            If you can actually get to them.
            Because, in London, of course, we always have the wrong kind of snow. All public transport is rendered instantly static and useless by the merest hint of a flurry of white. Moscow, on the other hand, always seems to get exactly the right kind of snow, somehow, and gets it with humiliating frequency, too. In Moscow snow, poorly built and ancient trains, trams and buses plough on about their business through twenty-foot drifts and swirling blizzards without missing a beat on the timetable. Here, as soon as the first flake falls, train points are frozen, engines seize up and tyres spin ineffectually on roads that instantly become giant ice-dance venues for buses to demonstrate their pirouetting virtuosity. We should try importing some of that good stuff, some of that Moscow snow. Then, maybe, we wouldn't get caught by surprise every God-damned year, when unpredictably, it snows exactly the same kind of surprisingly wrong snow it did last year, and the entire Thames Valley might not be thrown back to the Mesozoic era for the duration of the winter.

On walking (Twenty-Four, pg 180):
            Walking is primitive. Let's face it: walking was invented by monkeys, and even they don't like doing too much of it. They break it up every once in a while by swinging through some trees, to speed things up a little. Walking is a stupid way of getting from A to B, or any other capital letter for that matter. It's slow, it's ponderous, it's dull and it requires an uncommon amount of effort for scant reward.