Shawn McQuaid

I have spent a great deal of time trying to find an “old wysiwyg editor”.  Reason being a client needs an editor that does uses tags that have been depricated from W3 standards; such as b and i(replaced with stong em). I actually saved this post and the tags were changed automatically for me in wordpress… f’n standards…  For whatever reason FLASH has done nothing to allow new standard HTML in dynamic pages pulling from a text file.  Anyway, somehow I came across a site that makes this task actually worthwhile.  Ok, i did a search for “best html editor”, haha!  NOTEPAD, this has been my editor of choice for YEARS!  I’m definitely putting this tag on all of my sites.  Screw the buttons and complex interfaces, everyone should know HTML by now!  Anyway, the task continues.  I may decide to make my own app, but I’m just not at all convinced there isn’t an old HTML editor left with old standards.  I mean I learned HTML from geocities editor so many years ago.  Gitti up!

I haven’t written in awhile.  I’ve finally moved my mcquaids.net over to my new site at shawnmcquaid.com. 

Our family car needed an oil change and new back brake shoes, so Loni, Dominic and I ended up in the tool aile at Canadian Tire.  We bought some tools and some parts, then headed home to hoist the car up.  I got greased up good when the oil filter slipped out of my fingers and dropped oil in my hair and ears.  Following the greasy mess, I proceeded to strip apart the rear drums of the car.  Nearly falling because of the horrible jacks it was held up on, we did manage to get it back together.  My new neighbour Stefan, a friend and previous collegue at clickathon helped out putting it back together.  It was quite a difference to my regular day typing away, and my body is telling me so.  After a shower, the test drive was successful…  Now armed with a new set of tools, I am ready to attack any future mechnical venture.  Who says you can’t fix your car 3 floors down in a parkade in Coal Harbour.   

Last week the teachers went on strike. On Friday, Domanique went to visit family so I was free to work during the day. Tomorrow will mark the first day that I am responsible for looking after Domanique on an actual school day. We will likely have a lot of short conversations after breakfast while I try to set up things to occupy his time. We also enjoy breaks together outside at the park and lunch. This is too bad though. Just when his routine is starting to be solidified, they remove it all together. I was much in favour of a staged strike, and then all hell broke loose when the government decided to impose a law that removed the last negotiating power for the teachers. The strike.

Through my time at BCIT Human Resource program, I was involved in a mock bargaining session that required both sides to negotiate to find a common ground. Following this lengthy process, if both sides were gridlocked, arbitration was imposed. Similar to common law court, either side is required to state their position in a court like setting. Then the arbitrator would make a decision based on the sides argument. This was democratic, and from my experience doing a mock arbitration, normally reached a decision.

I favour the teachers in this strike although I do not enjoy having my son tossed out of school. Unions and labour practices have been in place for many years. Just because we have a union busting style government, should not mean we should except our politicians taking bold moves as to make a law that requires a union member to work even though they are not getting any closer to a deal with their employer. I mean, get a move on… If you can’t get a deal, impose arbitration. At least then, the teachers know they are getting closer to a deal.

I suspect this will be a long strike, with both sides trying to make a point. From where I stand, there is not much middle ground for either party. Good luck to them, and let’s hope they get Domanique back into school soon.

I managed to train myself in CSS styling for the most part. Attempting to further my skills and stick with standards. XHTML and other multi browser standards require a lot of testing and makes a webmasters job that much harder. I have done some research, and for the most part, people are still MS only. As your market becomes more tailored to tech savvy people, the numbers are all over the board. Although I have no mastered these skills, I am far more proficient now. Some resources follow.

Fun with CSS Tables… My head hurts! Working on CSS, this page is essential. CSS Web colors on Wikipedia

The orgin of my son’s name. Interesting.

St. Dominic

Friday I met Ryan C at pub under a backpacker hostel on Granville. Nice place considering. We chatted a bit about our new project “ilovewarcraft”. Personally, I don’t play the game, but after some research, I feel there is definitely potential. Through support, advertising, sales, and other revenue sources, this site could go to profit in a short time. We are meeting again this week to go over more concrete details.

Loni, Domanique and I went swimming on Saturday. I had thoughts of when I was younger playing at the pool and ice rink. A place for social growth and safe evening fun. I decided to try out the diving board like I did before. I management to hit a few good dives, jack-knives, and backflips. Still sore today though…

Yesterday, we went out and bought a couple couches. When we moved in April, I was sad to realize that our great custom made couch from www.gabrielross.com didn’t fit into our apartment because of a crazy hallway layout. So it’s been sitting in Domanique’s room since. So we’re finally trading in our makeshift blanket couch, for a pair of Italian Sofas. They are delivered tomorrow.

Today, Domanique had his second day. I have setup a web blog for him at www.domanique.com. Check it out!

I am back on my blog. I was reading all my old posts, and missing the ability to pull subconscious memories back conscious again. So again it begins.

The start of the school year is like a new beginning. The freshness of fall is invigorating and brings with it growth and dedication. Last night, Loni and I were talking about how we learn through discomfort. Being out of your zone helps you work hard to bring the best out of yourself. Anyone who knows me well knows I have had my share of issues and discomforts. This I believe defines you. I have several traits that come from these experiences. Three that come to mind are: resilience, patience, and kindness.

I tackle most problems the same: school, work, relationship, home, family, finances, etc.. I first think about it, then dissect it, and then piece together what I do and don’t know. The final stage is where you use what you do know to approach what you don’t. Normally this brings you to an answer; not always the right one, but one that required you to pull subconscious intelligence to the conscious mind thought along the way. This is what school is. The ability to cram the knowledge in, then pull it out through a systemic approach when needed.

I dropped Domanique off at his first day of school this morning. He looked uncomfortable in the beginning, but it grew on him. I stayed for the first ½ hour to ensure he took to it ok.

Now let’s look at kindergarten. This is much different than the essays and tests of the later years. It’s about discovery; about social growth. Through play and routine, a small mind is coaxed into a number of decisions and thoughts. I’m sure Domanique will have many stories to tell when I go pick him up this afternoon.

This weekend will consist of the following todos:
• Application for child tax benefit
• Application for temporary interest relief on the big student loan
• Move clickathon and donorsign sites over to our new host
• Work to finalize the requirements document for donorsign membership software
• Work on moving all eBay items back into the gabross store with new template
• Work on and document the next module for the core oscommerce software
• Do a few more sections of my business plan
• Finish the Davinci Code, and start on the parenting book

It was a whirl wind year. I worked 6 different jobs last year, from dealing blackjack at Gateway Casino, to HR at the Airport, to building websites, to working 12 hour days with clickathon and eBay. So now, what has 2005 got in store for me? I suppose more of the same, but my career looks to have started now. So longer duration contracts are likely. Now as a Vice President, I have a unique responsibility and a great opportunity to fine tune my skills, while having an open environment to try new things.

In February, Loni and I will be celebrating our 2nd year together. A great 2 years; an accomplishment for both of us. The key is patience and forgiveness. After moving in togother mid 2004, we have stepped into new stage in our relationship, one filled with far higher highs, and lower lows. The two of us went on many adventures this year, some including West Coast trips, Oakenagon/Peachland camping, a getaway to Mexico, and many family outings. I am looking forward to many more in 2005.

My son is 4 years old and surprises me everytime we are together. He has grown and matured dramatically over 2004. I look foward to hearing about his first day at school in Sept of 2005. Soon he will be a teenager and asking me about girls… :p

I am determined to acheive a few goals this year:

• manage my time to ensure that each minute is well spent
• raise the expectations that others have of me
• see Domanique at least twice a month (and have ordered visits)
• total exercise time 300 hours+ (to be tracked)
• save the party for the weekend
• organize and stay organized, including electronic/home
• volunteer with at least one major non-profit
• join at least two professional groups (one including advisory board bcit)
• get up the mountain at least 4 times this year
• help Loni swim like a fish
• continue to build my relationship with Loni and continue the adventures

I will relook and reassess these goals monthly. That’s all for today.

“Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘holy shit… what a ride!!’”

Following a busy Friday at YVR getting prepped for this weeks 1st and 2nd round interviews, Loni and I busted a move to the ferry. Assured loading has to be one of my favourite ego trip moments. Excuse me, I am special, MOVE IT! We travelled the Georgia Straight while completing several logic problems and wordsearches to kill time. We were lucky enough to be loaded onto the oldest ferry known to man, so our trip was a little longer than usual (2 hours because it has to turn-around to load and unload). So off we went down Highway #4. This windy road is what wanna-be race car drivers would call a challenge. Making tracks of approxiamately 120k around corners marked SLOW helped us shave about an hour off our travel time, arriving in Ukee at about 12:30am. We quickly got settled and crashed.

Morning sunshine beamed in the window at about 8am and I was up. Made some eggs and coffee and started the day off right. We then walked up the road casually and decided to explore the point just off the chalet. Hiking up killer rocks and terain, Loni made me proud. After an hour or so of hiking it was time to hit Tofino to book our trip to Hot Springs Cove. It was shortly after 12 after we gave the man our money so we headed for lunch. We decided on a nice restaurant that is built right on a rocky beach just off long beach called The Pointe. Fancy lunch included snapper and shellfish. We cruised back to the village Ukee residents call home and we stopped to get stuff for Dinner. It was nice so we sparked a small fire and roasted weiners (cheese filled of course) and marshmellows out back of the chalet. *note: do not try prepare a roasting stick with a fillet knife. We drank martini’s and celebrated a great day lounged on the couch.

The next morning called for a round 2 of eggs and coffee to fully prepare us for the day ahead. We got packed up and bought some lunch before boarding the boat; destination Hot Springs. Weather has been great all weekend. Sunny boat trip through Clayqout Sound and up the coastline to the Cove. The boat dropped us at a gov dock just about 20 mins away from the springs. The boardwalk made the trek easy as pie. We stopped about half way for lunch and to observe the landscape. After chowing the chicken and feading some corn-nuts to a bluejay it was time to take a dip. We arrived to be greated by a couple dozen tourists enjoying the water. This water is HOT. I mean REAL HOT. The waterfall that feads the bathing area is hotter than I would take a shower. After dipping for a couple ours we headed back to meat our party. The boatmaster took us along the outside of the coast this time and took a look for some whales. We got to see a few Gray Whales just outside the boat. Very Cool, so close we could smell the stink come spouting out of his blowhole. After a few pictures oooooh’s and ahhh’s we were heading back. We showered and headed out for dinner; the spot, Canadian Princess. This old boat converted restaurant served us a plate of steak and prawns to feed our hungry bellies.

Monday morning, packing, and cleaning was upon us. The process elapsed at about 12pm as we filled up on breakfast at a local family restaurant. The sunny drived proved to be a bit much for me as I slept for the majority of the trip. We stopped to cool down at Coombs for Goats on a Roof and some ice cream. Back we were to move in front of hundreds of cars as we flashed the handy assured pass. Sun was still shining as I reflected on a great time in the beautiful west coast. Another fantastic Weekend.