July 2010


Anthony on , 26 Jul 2010 04:15 am
  • Chillin' out at YVR, waiting for the Canada Line to bring the rest of the family. Travelling w/o car seats is nice … but complicated. #
  • Melting away in Pearson. The more often I come here, the less I like it. Utterly kid unfriendly. And filthy. #
  • .@keeperofmaps *No* kid areas. Pay-wall wifi. At the moment, filthy carpets and washrooms. This is an unpleasant 2hr hold-over #
  • Didn't they recently renovate here? How could you not put ANY kid areas in Canada's busiest airport? #
  • Arrived in Halifax. Kids were pretty wired but I think they're down now. Now … adjustment time. #
  • This is our 21 month old's 4th set of transcontinental flights + Aidan declared "I'm getting tired of airplanes". #
  • Quinlan work when the sun came up, 5:30ish Atlantic, 1:30 Pacific. Fortunately Gwen got him back down – it could have been ugly. #
  • Back from hospital, visiting my mother. Resemblence to my 91 yr old g-mother, who has been afflected w/ Alzheimer's past 10 yrs is striking #
  • And sad #
  • Congrats @Seanfunk @SlvrLambStudios and family: First geocache pub'd + now found by someone else! Your transition to the darkside continues! #
  • Things I hate about travelling x-country w/ an ~2 yr old: the 2 hrs+ of crying and screaming it takes to get him to go to sleep on Day 2 #
  • Officially in go-to-sleep-now-damnit hell #
  • Having only lived in East Coast boreal forests + PNW temperate rainforest the fact so little of Earth is treed boggles http://bit.ly/c7VGRo #
  • Back from spending a good portion of the day at the hospital. She's comfortable, but I think the pain meds have been causing her to zone out #
  • Back from the hospital again, brought the boys this time. They cheered her up, I think, but the drugs make it hard to tell. #cancersucks #
  • RT @polarisdotca: Minister told kids Mars wld be "as big as Moon" Emailed him Mars hoax. Replied "Wasn't rlly Mars. Talking abt God." Huh? #
  • My mother passed this morning, age 60. Instead of flowers, donations to the Ovarian Cancer Society appreciated http://www.ovariancanada.org #
  • Thank you all for your thoughtful words; they mean much to us. I am so touched that my Twitter pals are such a warm and caring bunch. #
  • The funeral for my mother will be 11am Monday the 26th at St. Pat's Church on Brunswick St, Hfx. Visitations at Cruikshank's Sunday 2-4, 6-8 #
  • Been digging through old piles of photos to prepare for the funeral home. Many photos I've never seen before — a mother I never knew. #
  • It's been bittersweet but not so sad. Happy for a life well lived. #
  • I discovered this stunning photo of my mother, taken when she was 17. I'd never seen it before! http://twitpic.com/27pv60 #
  • Friends, do your children (or future children) a favour. Keep dates, names, and context with your photos. "Who's in that pic? I dunno…" #
  • Scanning photos: almost as fun as waiting for code to compile. #KnowingIsHalfTheBattle #WhatsTheOtherHalf #
  • Phil Plait (aka @BadAstronomer ) gets his own Discovery show! http://bit.ly/amDeMY #
  • Absolutely amazing photos of the CF-18 crash as it happened in Alberta http://bit.ly/coPr8f #
  • Yay for kids. Aidan was up at 5 am today, back to bed for a bit, "up" at 6. That's 2am Vancouver time, yo #
  • Return tickets bought — we're back in Vancouver on August 1st #
  • So, uh, iPhone 4 in Canada in 1 week. Any news from any of the carriers about details? #CanadianTelcosHaveTheWorstCustomerServiceEvah #
  • Walkint the formerly sandy now rocky beach at Lawerencetown http://twitpic.com/28daet #
  • Sigh. "Viewing" at the funeral home today. Sounds like 4 hours of hell on earth. #
  • Wow, just caught a Google Maps #epicfail It labelled the Bedford Basin (part of Halifax Harbour) as "Porters Lake". Uh, no. #
  • Back from the funeral home. Ugh. Laundry and bulletins to do before knocking off tonight. #
  • And Gwen's grandmother was taken from the funeral home directly to the hospital. #FunTimes #
  • I think @LeftCoastMama spiked my drink. I have the urge to yell "Arrrr" and "Yo-ho-ho". Maybe that's just the rum talking. Arrr. #
Gwen on , , , , 23 Jul 2010 05:32 pm

Katherine Mary (Forwood) Floyd

 

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Katherine Mary Floyd nee Forwood, 60 of Halifax passed away the 22nd July 2010 at Victoria General Hospital. Born in Halifax in 1949, Kathy was the daughter of Muriel (Zinn) and the late Gerald Forwood.

 

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During her early career Kathy worked for Canadian Customs before she had her son and became a full time stay at home mother. Kathy was very involved in many volunteer roles in both her children’s schools and in the greater community including work as a playground supervisor at both George Bissett and Col.John Stuart Elementary schools. During the early 90’s Kathy helped set up and run a Meals on Wheels program in Cole Harbour. She later became involved in many aspects of the Dartmouth Skating Club including volunteer work for Skate Dartmouth and Skate Canada. Her many roles included hospitality, registration and she could be counted upon to do whatever was needed. Most recently Kathy worked at the Diocesan Bookroom.

 

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Kathy is survived by her loving husband John, son Anthony, daughter Paula, grandchildren Aidan and Quinlan (Floyd,) brother Paul Forwood and cousins Maureen, Patricia and Frank (Zinn.)

 

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Visitation will be held Sunday 25th July 2010 at 2 pm to 4 pm and 6pm to 8pm at Cruikshank’s Funeral Home, 2032 Robie Street, Halifax. The Funeral Service will be held on Monday 26th July 2010 at 11 am, St. Patrick’s, 2267 Brunswick St, Halifax with Father LaPorte officiating. Interment will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Lower Sackville.

 

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In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Ovarian Cancer research at www.ovariancanada.org or a charity of your choice in Kathy’s name.

 

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The family would like to send special thanks to a number of people involved in Kathy’s cancer treatment; the nurses and staff of the ward 11 chemo unit particularly: Ramona, Vivian, Smiley and her doctors Dr. Paula Rittenberg, Dr. Katharina Keiser, and her nurses Kathy Mac, Laverne, Thelma and Jodie. The kind support and sensitive care over the last 5 years has been appreciated more than you know.

***

This was one of the hardest things I have ever had to write. Kathy was a fine mother-in-law, a great mother, loving wife and a doting grandmother.  She could be sarcastic and stubborn but she loved to laugh and have a good time.  I am pretty sure that is why Anthony had such a strict curfew for the longest time.  Even though she was a little worried about her little boy being so serious so early she made me feel welcome in the family . . . eventually.  I know she took distinct pleasure in telling others that “Gwen was such a quiet and polite girl before she became involved in our family.”  Kathy took full credit for making me the sarcastic person you know today, and she wasn’t too far off.

I know that Kathy was very happy when Anthony and I became engaged, but it was nothing like when we told her she was going to be a grandmother.  I know she must have been absolutely thrilled and it was momentous because it was the reason she quit smoking. There was almost nothing she wouldn’t do for her grandsons.

We love her and we will miss her very much.

Anthony on , 19 Jul 2010 04:15 am
  • RT @davidakin: #khadr "How can I ask for justice from a process that doesn't offer it?" #gtmo #
  • Not sure how I made it into work today. Epic headwind and flying debris! #BikeToWorkButBringASail #
  • Argh. Lost my @CBCVancouver Radio 1 stream. Was fine few minutes ago, now getting a "stream unavailable" msg. So much for On The Coast. #
  • I've entered some sort of alternate reality. 7:20am and no one else is up — not even the cats. Something in the air? #
  • aaaand at 7:30am Q is now sitting in his highchair, nomming on breakfast. My dastardly plan worked! #
  • RT @TheBadCop: GW8 Tweet up photo. Sound off if you are in the picture. http://twitpic.com/24zgqi #
  • RT @Alyssa_Milano: My coffee went up my nose. @oldspice guy made a video reply to my tweet!! Watch: http://youtu.be/-oElH6M_5i4 #
  • RT @barenakedladies: BnL are playing in Redmond, WA on Thursday (7/15). RT to win tickets! #
  • OK, the @oldspice campaign sure knows how to rock social media. How they can keep up with the personalized responses amazes me. #
  • RT @Rtousi: Favorite response Yet @oldspice On YouTube, sjuman28 commented: That towel should be shorter. http://youtu.be/fNXyuQoZvEs #
  • RT @kaler: I just realized Isaiah Mustafah [@OldSpice] is the new Strongbad. http://bit.ly/aAFDvD [Yup, nailed it!] #
  • .@LeftCoastMama Is arguing with someone at the door. The fun never ends. #
  • RT @findchico: My review of the "Joy of Geocaching": I just finished a new geocaching book by Paul & Dana Gillin. http://tl.gd/2gc5p5 #
  • RT @PapaStacey: Did you see this new fundraiser idea for BC Children's Hospital Foundation? Put Your Face on the Train; http://bit.ly/9jcVM2 #
  • A plan is forming. Seems like more #geocaching brainwashing … erm, educating … coming up this weekend with @MommyFootprint #
  • RT @awsamuel: Best link anyone has ever sent me. RT @jmsperling: Maybe you (and your inner grammarian) just need an Alot http://ow.ly/2blSG #
  • Ha. "Stop throwing pigeons". Oh the things you learn from books. And the internet. #
  • Thought the @OldSpice videos would get old if they continued a second day. I was wrong: http://youtu.be/GPlg9ez4L1w Pirate pinata! #
  • RT @OldSpice: Reddit made this possible: http://bit.ly/aKPowQ [Currently overloaded, but awesome if you can connect] #
  • RT @SlvrLambStudios: I'm selling my Canon 50mm 1.8 lens, like-new condition, $80 #
  • RT @rww How the Old Spice Videos Are Being Made http://bit.ly/apVJQB [via @PhoeLam and @boomtisca] #
  • RT @buzzbishop: oh yea, my name is rio and i'm going to dance on the sand [Have fun Buzz, go #teamdiabetes ] #
  • Awesome. @Alyssa_Milano backs @OldSpice into a corner + challenges to make a $100k donation to WWF's Gulf relief fund http://bit.ly/bUBIUB #
  • I'd love to know what @AgeOfPersuasion thinks about the @OldSpice campaign #
  • Q woke up shrieking when G put A to bed. Not a fun start to the night. #
  • RT @Eyesno: Vancouver's answer to the Shuffle Demons @ Cambie & Broadway http://twitpic.com/25dpc3 #
  • Damnit, I was in MEC today picking up bike bits and forgot to look at the airhorns. #MilitancyStartsWithASquawk #
  • RT @VancityBuzz Check out Surrey Fusion Festival this wknd! FREE http://ow.ly/2bpwn [Even if you don't live there it's a great family evt!] #
  • RT @bccycle: Bike safety group logs 18 incidents of “dangerous” driving in 2hr http://bit.ly/dtO6N7 #vancouver [VPD response? "Whiners"] #
  • I don't think the @OldSpice campaign would have stayed fresh for another day, but what about @Alyssa_Milano's $100k challenge? #
  • RT @OldSpice: Well friends, like all great things this too must end. http://youtu.be/nFDqvKtPgZo #
  • 18 vehicles going the wrong way on a bike route in Vancouver in 2 hrs. Police response? Stop whining: http://bit.ly/dtO6N7 #
  • For one thing, VPD traffic enforcement is a joke. Secondly, ticketing helmetless bikers while ignoring clearly dangerous driving? Absurd. #
  • #LPC talking about scrapping JSF purchase. #LPC doesn't have good track record w/ scrapping military acq'ns + this would extend that rec #
  • Nevermind that it was under an LPC gov't that Canada got involved w/ JSF in the 1st place. Which was a good decision. Scrapping? Not so much #
  • RT @BoeingCorporate: Here's the 1st #Boeing plane at our first assembly bldg on Seattle's Lake Union. http://twitpic.com/25icaj #
  • RT @monicahamburg: If you're an outdoorsy person, http://www.wanderung.ca/ is a tool to org hiking, cycling, snowshoeing or XC trips in BC #
  • RT @Stv @AnthonyFloyd I'm totally intimidated by excel. But b/c it IS all rainbows & unicorns & i'm neither a leprechaun nor a virgin maiden #
  • A whopping 35% of US-ians believe in evolution, vs 61% of CDNs and 68% of UK-ers. http://bit.ly/bxN8N2 (warning: PDF) #ThinkCritically #
  • RT @chillmonkeys: Photos are up on the site and our Darwin hats are now available at @raspberrykids! http://bit.ly/bn71u0 #
  • Aw, our son Q models a @chillmonkeys hat at @raspberrykids http://bit.ly/djCL6d http://bit.ly/bn71u0 #
  • Worried I had bricked @LeftCoastMama's Kobo due to flaky-cable-disconnect during firmware upgrade, but seems ok. Whew. #NotInTheDoghouse #
  • One thing I know will not happen: We will not perish in a fire while sleeping. Supper's _not_ burnt. Really. #Oversensitive #SmokeDetector #
  • .@manx_cat Yet somehow kid #1 has picked up a west coast/American accent. He says "h-OW-se" I say "h-OH-se" and we're both confused. #
  • The Pixel Train is in the station and now is your chance to get your pic on it! http://bit.ly/aXlDG9 #
  • RT @iPhoneinCanada: iPhone 4 Coming to Canada on July 30th. Official! #
  • Haha. Just got a call from @LeftCoastMama. Dropped A off at day camp and is now going for 2 FTF attempts. Good luck! #geocaching #
  • Google's dropping the Nexus One. So … what's the top-of-the-heap Android phone? And is it available in Canada? #
  • .@LeftCoastMama Scored one of the two FTFs! The missed one is underneath a stage. Currently occupied by performers. Ah well. :p #
  • RT @cogno: This video made my day. Now I want to see the rest of this movie… http://youtu.be/de2vnEkFZM8 [Best Ramones cover today!] #
  • My mother entered the hospital for what will be the last time. #fuckcancer #
  • RT @goliphant: @AnthonyFloyd Dude, so sorry. Sadly, BTDT. Both parents. Hug your kids. #fuckcancer #
  • Thanks all for the support. AFK for a bit, I think. #
  • You guys are great. Thx for the support @lfroese @financialrunner @5and1 @gmarkham @gusgreeper @texameradian @cogno @604homesguy @seanmhair #
  • Thanx @yukongale @the_emilyb @Rtousi @alexishinde @kabutar @ALotofLoves #
  • Chillin out at Trimble Park #
  • Uh, when did the style guides all go to "one space after periods"? And damnit, why didn't anyone tell me? #FeelingOldAgain #
  • RT @_EricLowe: Two men and a woman tried to abduct our friend's baby today at the Granville Island Water Park. Keep an eye on your kids! #
  • RT @Bud_T: @AnthonyFloyd and they've changed *back* to two spaces after the period already w/APA 6th. [Argh! Consistency, please!] #
  • XBox Video Marketplace. A bit pricey, but they sure have it nailed. Just watched Hottub Time Machine. Instant streaming, no artefacts. #
  • Weird. Associated Press makes a geographic mistake in Sammamish State Park shootings, major news outlets don't bother checking. #
  • Only know that Sammamish State Park is _east_ of Seattle (not north @News1130radio ) 'cause we were partying it up there 2 weeks ago. #
  • Ouch. Lost a follower over the litter pun. #PunsDontKillPeoplePeopleKillPeople #
  • With that, I'm outta here. Be awesome to each other. #
  • RT @eracose: Geocaching Weekend Jly 18-19 – For Casheport – Bay Roberts Visitor Information Centre http://tinyurl.com/37bzlv7 #newfoundland #
  • My eldest and @LeftCoastMama have had a falling out over creative differences in the family-crest creation portion of the morning. #
  • Oh my. Aidan seems to have caught his dragon in the middle of urination. His anatomically correct dragon. #FiveYearOldHumour #SendHelp #
  • Need to explain geocaching to muggles? @geojoe found these muggle cards: http://bit.ly/bczd98 #
  • Web design fail: Clicked feedback button got "Subject contains leading/trailing whitespace" error. Well, yes it does. STRIP IT OFF, IDIOT. #
  • Related to previous web design fail: Still haven't received our mythical Vancouver 2010 Commemorative Book. Beginning to feel like a scam. #
  • 2 muggles sitting on a geocache as 7 kids/5 adults descend on them. Gave up pretense of stealth, explained #geocaching as kids swarmed. #
  • RT Seanfunk: Almost home fr a great #geocaching adventure w/ @AnthonyFloyd @LeftCoastMama + @MommyFootprint. A fun time enjoyed by all. :-) #
  • Packing. As fun as the word implies. Later, gators. #
Anthony on , 12 Jul 2010 04:15 am
  • There were a _few_ people from BC at Geowoodstock: http://flic.kr/p/8fVgya #
  • Sigh. Company is threatening me with a BlackBerry. I prefer to keep work at work. #
  • Hey YVR-area Dads: Don't forget about the Tweetup at the Confederation Park trains on Saturday morning: http://bit.ly/9lSdeV #
  • When your business is international, the July 4th holiday makes for a quiet day in the office. #NotComplaining #
  • Can you imagine if Stanley Park were renamed? Tourists would be asking Xwichxway to Xwayxway! #
  • Sigh. Too-good-to-be-true ad for whole-house rental on Craigslist is a scam. Hope it doesn't snare anyone. #
  • Offered without comment: RT @acourtroom: Hey! Almost forgot, it's Touch A Boob Week! http://bit.ly/cdMjz8 #
  • Is it worth reporting Craigslist scams to the VPD? Anyone know if they're even remotely interested? #
  • For what it's worth, no, VPD had no interest in a rental-property Craigslist scam. >shrug< #
  • BBQ'd meat product? Check. Cold hops-based bubbly water product? Check. Ahhhh. #
  • Thanks to @jordanbehan who pointed out the Confederation Park trains don't start until 11 am. Moved the Tweetup time http://bit.ly/dxoUCf ! #
  • Vancouver Dads Tweetup this Saturday, 11am at Confederation Park http://bit.ly/dxoUCf (Note _new_ start time!) #
  • This is what a Craigslist rental scammer's email looks like #diescumdie http://yfrog.com/0rz0xmj #
  • I mean, really? West Africa? Could you be a little more … clever, perhaps? #craigslist #scam #diescumdie #
  • Bed time. Be awesome to each other and avoid the 419 scams. #diescumdie #
  • OK all you keen DBAs: For a data logging application (100000s of data points) per "run", should I have a new table for each run, or … #
  • … throw all the data points into a huge table and grab the needed data using WHEREs? #SQL #NotADBA #
  • RT @IlusElu: Happy 150th birthday, Mahler! [Fortunately he lives on in the body of John Williams] #
  • The breakfast humming symphony, while cute, wears thin after 5 years. #OurKidsHumWhenTheyEat #
  • RT @SlvrLambStudios: Adorable @chillmonkeys hats! My little guy w/ @LeftCoastMama & @alexishinde little guys. http://twitpic.com/239jym #
  • RT @SlvrLambStudios: One more from the @chillmonkeys session. @LeftCoastMama @AnthonyFloyd http://twitpic.com/239r8u #
  • So, over the weekend at Geowoodstock, I managed to "grab" 2 vehicle TBs instead of "discovering" them. Oops. #GrandTheftTB #
  • Dear lone female jogger in Pacific Spirit Park, unable to hear my bell or "On Your LEFT!" b/c of iPod: Yeah. You might want to rethink that. #
  • With choice of an old, white, male, legal scholar for the next G-G is PMSH gearing up for a constitutional/Parliamentary battle? #cdnpoli #
  • Is it just about the numbers? Linden's 16 should be hung in the rafters well before Naslund's 19 #canucks #
  • Wait, nevermind, right. 16 was retired. Forgot. Nothing to see here. Carry on. #
  • YVR-area Dads: Bring your kids + ride the Confederation Park trains w/ us on Sat, 11am (note new time!) http://bit.ly/9lSdeV #
  • Theory: Sense of entitlement = Size of sunglasses * size of tramp stamp. Double if riding low-rider cruiser bike w/o a helmet. #
  • Be careful out there. It seems the Vancouver drivers are in some sort of state of mass insanity. Feel lucky to be at work in one piece. #
  • It's days like this that could push me over into being a militant cyclist. #
  • RT @Tawcan: Ouch! Photogrpaher's worst nightmare. Be careful if you're a wedding photographer. http://bit.ly/9sMluj #
  • Today's coding tunes brought to you by Depeche Mode. Ironically it's the non-silence I'm enjoying. #
  • Waiting for code to compile leads to some very distracting conversations on Twitter… #
  • RT @CityofVancouver: 1st tweep to retweet this will receive a, men's large, "one year one million bikes" t-shirt! #bikevancouver #cycling #
  • RT @KQ_VanCityHall: vote on permanent bike lanes passes unanimously #Vancouver #BurrardBridge #
  • It's Twitter on the radio right now! @CBCStephenQuinn @lalondetcbc @smuttysteff @Zoeyjane @moritherapy Oh my! #
  • Dear Dennis Lee: I know you're this famous kids' writer and all but it's "I wish I _were_ a chocolate bar" not "was". #LikeNailsOnChalkboard #
  • I think kids' literature should be grammatically correct … after all, that's what they're learning from, right? Why learn wrong? #
  • I _finally_ haz iPod (Thanks @CanadaCool and Dove) #
  • Friends are having "3rd Annual Engagement Party" and the theme is "The wedding", attire is wedding attire. Hmmmm… #
  • Haha. As @pzmyers notes Paul's not a *psychic octopus* if anything he'd be a *precognitive octopus*. But of course, instead he's just lucky. #
  • RT @harrietglynn: @AnthonyFloyd Octodamus. #
  • Vancouver area? Dad? Tweetup! Tomorrow, Confederation Park, 11am: http://bit.ly/9lSdeV #
  • RT @engadget: Deluxe Reverse Geocache is reusable, really awesome http://bit.ly/aOUtNf #
  • Vancouver area? Dad? Tweetup! Tomorrow, Confederation Park, 11am http://bit.ly/9lSdeV #
  • Friends over last night, went to bed at 12:30. Thanksless kid woke at 4:30. Do not like. #ZombieApocalypseIsNigh #
  • Last call! Join some Vancouver-area dads at the trains at Confederation Park today, 11am! http://bit.ly/9lSdeV #
  • Great time at Confed Park w/ @jordanbehan @Stv @Seanfunk @polarisdotca + @tjrossignol's DH + kids + @LeftCoastMama & @SlvrLambStudios after! #
  • And then geocaching afterwards w/ the Funks + @polarisdotca, until we got run out of Burnaby Lake by the swarms of mosquitoes. Exhausted. #
  • The antihistamines have knocked @LeftCoastMama right out. There were many mosquitoes at Burnaby Lake this afternoon where we were geocaching #
  • So @WINDmobile uses AWS freq band. How do the phones roam when not in Wind "Home Zones"? Is AWS built-out everywhere? #confused #
  • The bots are out to get me tonight #StalkedByBots #
  • Disappointed that a replicant or blade runner (or dreaming of electric sheep) bot didn't pick up my last tweet #pkd #
  • Things that in adulthood that don't match childhood memories: Pizza Pops. #
  • Antihistamine-induced slumber in its 5th hour for @LeftCoastMama. Don't operate heavy machinery indeed. #
  • Thinking more about BCTV's story about the Valemont rodeo death. Showed fatal goring 3x. Disrespectful. Tacky. Not professional. #
  • It used to be that media wouldn't show auto racing accidents unless driver was ok. Guess sensationalism trumps journalistic integrity #bctv #
  • Hmmm, that half-litre of Pepsi a couple of hours ago isn't looking like such a great idea right now. #WideAwake #
  • When's the World Cup finale on? I figure that's the best time to head to the Superstore… #NotAFan #
  • Back from nearly empty Superstore. At least the #worldcup was good for something. Maybe a bike ride now …. #NotAFan #
  • Why I don't like the #worldcup Cheats, bad officiating, dives, no scoring, BORING. #UnpopularOpinion #
  • So, Tweebs, was Paul just very lucky or was he IN ON THE FIX? #worldcup #yawn #
  • Heading out for a bike ride around the seawall with the family. If you see us (Trail-A-Bike and Baby Seat) say hi! #FalseCreek #Vancouver #
  • "While Genius is starting up, feel free to continue using iTunes". Oh Apple, why do you mock me? #CompletelyBuggeredUp #

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