WrongDomain

More images have been finally uploaded. Also working on many, many more..

Sorry, editing, etc takes long…. About 600 images take around 7 hours.

Niagara Falls and locks sub folders were added to.

Cheers.

Looking at a possible new job.. With an employer willing to work with my injuries- now I just need to “create” a job for me there- as they don’t have anything I can just “walk into”.

I got some ideas, and I have a rather important meeting on Monday.

Wish me luck!

I love spammers.

I get about 30 emails a day from people attempting to spam my posts.

Idiots never do realize I have all comments on “approve before posting”

Idiots.

I really should add something, but I’ve been rather busy with sleeping, physio, trying to have a social life and buying presents for Christmas.

Oh I also have about 900 more photos to upload as well. … maybe I will start on that today.

Well, I’ve had a computer in my vehicles for about 4-6 years now.. Started with a Panasonic Toughbook CF-28. (Special thanks to Y0rk Reg!onal Pol!ce) and now I have a Asus R2H tablet PC in my current car. (one of the PC’s that started the netbook/mini laptop craze, but thats another story)

I have a friend who also installed a computer into his his car, but went a bit of a different route- he used a normal laptop, with a remote screen and input devices. The other thing he did was add some cameras, and write a whole bunch of custom software.
(links: CLICK HERE and CLICK HERE and CLICK HERE )

If anyone can do custom software programming like this (software to record 2 cameras, integration of multiple apps on a easy to use screen, GPS recording and syncing it to the video, etc) Please drop me a email or comment. I already have a GPS program, and some hardware. I am also willing to spend $$ on this project. I am not looking for all the bells and whistles like his setup, but I do like most of his apps. (I do not need/want a LED sign, xm radio, always on internet, voice commands, or phone)

The other reason for this is mainly the camera features- I’m injured and its quite uncomfortable for me to turn around- so having a rear view camera will be a real benefit for me. I’m also interested in recording my trips, and checking realtime details on my car. (fuel, etc) And heck, I already got the computer….. why not add to it a bit?

Thanks

So, I’ve wanted to go camping for quite a while now but with my injury I have some limitations.. Mainly mobility, lifting, and some neurological I do not wish to go into detail about. I’ve been looking at going to Algonquin park again, since I have been there before, and its simply beautiful.

I was accustomed to the tent type of camping, than when I was in the military I was exposed more to the “mostly roughing it”- only a ground sheet and a sleeping bag. If it rained, the ground sheet would be suspended overhead. Now, thats camping- but sadly I cannot do this with my medical limitations. I also have some issues with body temperature regulation, and I need to be in an air conditioned environment in the summer, and I need to keep a close eye on my temperature in the winter as well. (so camping is totally out of the question in the summer sadly, and in the colder months/winter, well, I cannot risk getting overly cold, nor can I sleep on the cold ground)

So me and a few friends have been in discussion since late August about camping again.. and trying to figure out how I can…well, do this without exacerbating my medical conditions or injuring myself even further.

Someone jokingly suggested a Yurt @ Mew Lake- which is located at Algonquin Park. Since I had not overly researched this before, I did not know much more than it was a canvas tent like structure. So, I did some research and was quite impressed with what I found.

Room for 6- beds included, chairs, table, electricity, heater, light, lockable door, raised (insulated) flooring from ground. So basically a elevated shed, with framing and instead of wood walls/roof, it is canvas or some other material.

Best of all: ACCESSIBLE For persons with disabilities.

(more info here) http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/campcan/moreinfo/yurts.html

One thing I was not overly impressed with is the price- $80.00 a night. (for upto 6 persons and one vehicle) I understand why they charge this, (its basically a set up campsite) but I have found some issues with pricing for persons with a disability.

Algonquin Park, and all other Ministry of Natural Resources campgrounds offer a discount for persons with disabilities. They offer 50% off normal rates for all campsites- except discounts do not apply to roofed accommodations.

So basically, I would have to pay full price to use a yurt. I know the MNR has cottage rentals and those I can understand being charged full price. I also know the yurts are in demand, as they are almost always booked months ahead for weekends in the off season. I am unsure how often they are used in the summer season, but I would assume even more.

If the MNR was serious about making camping more accessible for persons with disabilities, they should offer the Yurts- at certain times- for a discounted fee. Maybe off season or weekdays should have the option for disability rates. Personally, I don’t think they should classify a Yurt in the same category as a cottage. Even in literature on the MNR website, it appears they classify a yurt and a cottage in a different catagory- example:

in yurts or in roofed accommodation areas.

Yet, on the price guide it is classified under the “Roofed Accommodation Fees”

I also found some other small issues which should apply to all Yurt rentals. (at least @ Mew Lake) A yurt is the same price year round- yet off season, they offer less amenities. (see below)

from May 1st to [Canadian] Thanksgiving only (supplied at no extra cost) propane barbecue (propane supplied), cooking utensils, cutlery, dishes, glasses, kettle, pots and frying pan, and tea and coffee pots

from Thanksgiving to April 30th, bring with you ALL cooking and dining necessities including a cook stove; a 100-foot extension cord to plug in your vehicle’s block heater during the winter months

So, on peak season, they supply the BBQ, the PROPANE (which is not overly cheap anymore) and all the required dishware/cutlery. Yet off season, its the responsiblity of the camper to provide this- right there I would expect a yurt to have a off peak season rate, as most of their campsites do. (yet they do not offer this)

I spoke with someone at the MNR today on the phone, he informed me they get calls every so often with someone who is disabled who wants to rent a yurt, since it would be more accessible for the person. I was even informed the MNR reviewed the lack of the disability discount on Yurts about 4 months ago.  Yet, they left the policy as is. I don’t think this is right.

I really believe they need to review this policy again, and try to figure out how to offer a yurt at a discounted fee for persons with a disability.  I really would like to get “back to nature” more often,  the MNR offers a discount program for persons with disabilities, yet the one place I could easily manage camping, the MNR does not offer a discounted fee.    If the MNR/ Ontario Parks offered a disability  discount on Yurt rentals, I would be there at least every other month for about a week. Don’t know why, but I just feel better when I am up north, in nature. It takes my mind off my medical issues.

Here is some additional links on this policy, and related policies.

http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/About/2ColumnSubPage/258223.html

http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_01o32_e.htm#BK6

http://www.tourism.gov.on.ca/english/about/accesibility_planning_2008-2009.htm

I just want to go camping… heh.

If anyone has any suggestions on how I could go camping in the colder time of the year, without temperature issues, please use the contact me link, or leave a comment.

Well, someone finally asked me what the “hell” that thing on my leg was… (and others asked online tonight which just reminded me) so here it is:

Its a Medical Thigh Pack

Medical Pack

Opened

Opened and "dumped"

This and its contents keeps me alive when I have some medical issues….

Well, its part three since its the third type of purchase.

First purchase was at Walmart, one bulb for around 9 bucks.

Second purchase was the whole bunch of those 1 watt LED’s from Home Depot

Last week, while @ Costco, I purchased one of their dual packs of LED bulbs. They are quite impressive.

I think they are 3.5 watt output, have a larger than normal “glass dome” and are quite yellow compared to the others I have purchased. Not a bad yellow, more like a old school incandescent bulb yellow glow.

If I did not know it was a LED bulb, I would think it was a normal 60 watt incandescent bulb.

Thinking about buying some more when they come down in price.. I just wish they had made the glass bulb part on these more smaller, they will not fit into smaller fixtures, like outdoor light fixtures, and they are a very tight fit in recessed lighting fixtures.

Well, my medication for my injury is getting on the expensive side- about 600- 1000 a MONTH. No, it is not covered at all by any provider either.

Had to start selling stuff off… Kinda funny I’m selling stuff so I can buy drugs.

I want to go. Not much more than that to say.

Thinking of Algonquin Park, in a Yurt. Although I would go in a tent if I had the proper materials to keep warm..

Hmmm.. I wonder if a electric heated blanket would work below me in the tent (heat does rise ya know..)

I may of just solved my heating issue..