Gus Digital
my digital realm, my digital voice
me
Another Birthday Passes
Mar 5th
Today I’ve turned 41 and what an AWESOME birthday it has been!
Both of my sisters (Maria and Gladys) with my niece Amanda flew in from Toronto to spend this birthday weekend with me! It has been 8 years since all of us siblings have been together for a birthday – 8 years! My sister Maria and my niece have never visited Vancouver before and this was their first real experience of the city. Vancouver you have not disappointed with your beauty and you have captivated them.
We started the day taking my sisters on a tour of Stanley Park, showing the city’s beauty, and then walking along Robson Street which they all heard about during the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. As typical tourists we stopped by many of the landmarks made famous from the Games. Alas I didn’t have my camera with me, but did take some with my sister’s camera. I’ll have to upload them another day.
The evening was spent at one of my favourite restaurants in Vancouver – Poncho’s. As usual, they did not disappoint. They even through in a great dessert and sang to me as it was my birthday!
The only thing missing was having friends share this magical moment with me as well. I know everyone has been busy and other parties where planned, but I hope I’ll be able to see them in the next weeks to help celebrate.
I go to bed with great memories of a wonderful day!
Thanks everyone who sent me messages on Facebook and Twitter; they have meant a lot to me!
The Evolution of a Cold/Flu
Oct 23rd
I’ve been sick since Tuesday morning, even after I have been using hand sanitizers as well as washing my hands frequently (either that 0.01% of the germs made it through or I’m terrible at hygiene).
For me all colds/flu usually start off the exact same way and I’ve broken them down for you below.
Day 1
I wake up with an scratch on my throat. Sometimes I wonder if it just from my snoring the night before, but I quickly learn it is not the case. I then begin to develop the aches and the fever shortly follows. The scratchy throat becomes irritated as the day progress and I don’t have an appetite and even though I know need to keep my fluids up, I usually fall short and try to rest and sleep it off.
Day 2
I usually wake up from bed soaking wet from my sweating all night long. I always think this is a good sign as my fever finally breaks and I’m on the road to recover. By mid afternoon I realize I was totally wrong and my fever has returned. My cough continues to annoy me but I know it’s only a matter of time before it will go away.
Day3
My sore throat is almost all gone, but I start to develop a stuffy nose. As usual I try to fight it off, but after a few hours of the sinus pain and the occasional runny nose, I must take a decongestant. Alas for some reason when I start taking a decongestant, I notice my voice begins to change. One would think it would have been due to the coughing, but I believe it has something to do with the sinus medication and my throat usually begins to get very dry. Now if I’m lucky enough I get a decongestant that doesn’t cause drowsiness, but I don’t I find I’m knocked out very quickly and need to rest.
Day 4
I usually wake up with a cold sweat from the night before. My voice is very limited, if not gone at all. Through out the day my sweats come and go and if I’m still on the decongestants I’m cursing that they are not working at all or I begin to over medicate myself and become very tired and irritable.
Day 5
My symptoms have lesson and I’m usually start to feel better, almost like Day 1, though I still get the occasional sweat outbreak. I begin to weed myself of the medication and suffer through any sinus pain I might have. My voice starts to return and feel I don’t have to yell as much as before.
Day 6
This day brings the first normal feeling day and I’m extremely excited that I’m officially over this damn cold/flu
Today I’m on Day 4. I’m longing for Day 6 to hurry up and get here, but I’m a trooper and sticking it out. Tomorrow is a big day for me and I need to be completely healthy for it.
My 8th Year in Vancouver
Oct 23rd
How could I have forgotten, that 8 years ago yesterday, I stepped out of a plane in Vancouver with just my luggage and computer and set up roots here. I blame the fact that I have been fighting a flu/cold for a week.
At any rate time has flown by so quickly over the past 8 years. I really can’t believe it has been that long that I’ve called Vancouver my “home”. During those 8 years I’ve grown at work, purchased a condo (before the big boom luckily), created some great friendships, adopted Junior, grew professionally, and have began to really make a name for myself in the marketplace. The one constant I’ve had is Russ. Without him I don’t think any of this would have been possible. Russ has truly been my greatest supporter and still challenges me every step of the way.
So what that Vancouver gets a lot of rainy days in the winter (A LOT!!), who cares that Vancouver has been labelled a “no fun city”, I have grown to love Vancouver. I love being close to the water and enjoy the many places yet to be explored.
So what I am going to do to celebrate my 8 years? I’m not sure, but most likely just enjoy a great dinner out and then relax and nurse this flu/cold.
Thanks to all my friends over the past 8 years. You all have truly welcomed me and I look forward to many more years.
Damn You Cold!!!
Sep 1st
I don’t know what it is, but it seems that every time I’m about to go on holiday, or am on holiday I develop a cold. Two years ago to Puerto Vallarta; tonsillitis, last year vacation to Toronto; cold, January’s trip to Buenos Aires; cold.
I’ve been coughing and stuffed up since Saturday. Could this be a way for my body to tell me to just rest? Could it be that my body wants stress so it “creates” this cold? I dunno what it is, but boy it’s no fun.
I’m trying not to let this cold get the best of me. I’m fighting it with everything I got. I’m not letting it stop me from getting outside and enjoying this vacation.I know the end is near for this cold, but it better be soon! You hear me cold – get lost, go find another body to infect. 
Where is that Arrid Extra Dry Gel Gone?
Jul 16th
Alright I admit it, I sweat a lot and with sweat I can definitely have the body order that comes along with it. I’ve very self conscious about that and I always have a hard time finding the perfect deodorant that can take care of both things and make it last for a full day.
Arrid Extra Dry Gel
I’ve found that Arrid Extra Dry is the only product that seems to work, though I don’t like the spray nor do I like the white powdery stick. I was so excited a few years back when they introduced the Arrid Extra Dry Gel and loved the way it went on and protected me for a full day. Recently I haven’t been able to find it anywhere. I’ve looked at several London Drugs as well as Shopper Drugmarts and Pharma Saves, but nothing. I even asked a girl at Shoppers and she said that they probably discontinued it.
Now I’m in a dilemma. What to use. I’ve tried the Adidas Sports clear gel, but I find that after 6 hours I begin to smell. Yeah I know not pretty in the least. I have found Right Guard Clear Gel and that seems to be working well, but I do miss my Arrid.
Arrid, I see you have the product listed on your website so please bring back the Extra Dry Gel back to Shoppers. I so much love your product.
To Ink or Not Ink
Jul 8th
Lately my on and off again urge to get a tattoo is becoming more predominant. That said I have no idea what I would get nor have any idea of where on my body I would get one.
I know this is a decision that can’t be jump into lightly. The tattoo has to reflect who I am and not the mass population in general. I also know that whatever it is or will be will be with me for the rest of my life and I must think long and hard about that.
Could this just be a mid-life crisis happening? Am I wanting to rebel? Am I looking to be more accepted. The answer is I don’t know, but a tattoo is intriguing me more and more these days.
I have some friends that have some, and some might be hidden, others fully visible, the artwork can be amazing.
I have no idea where this will lead or if I will even get one. I wish there was a way to get a “test tattoo” besides the usual “temporary” kind. Hmm maybe even get a hana tattoo to test it out?
So if you were me, what would you get and more important where would you put it?
Hello Big 4-0!
Mar 5th
Today is my 40th Birthday!
Yes I know it is hard to believe, but 40 years ago today I was popped out of my mother’s womb and began my life as a breathing human being!
I myself find it hard that I just turned 40. I don’t feel it in the least. I feel like I’m still in my 30’s and I’m enjoying what life has thrown at me over the years.
There has been some great moments in my life that I do remember.
- I remember my father teaching me to ride a bicycle.
- I remember when I turned 5 years old and eating so much cake that I ended up in the hospital and for many years afterwards I never had any birthday cake, whether they be my own or at friends parties.
- I remember that when I turned 9 years old, was the last time I really the last time my parents gave me a party with friends. I recall inviting some people specifically to that party as I knew they would give some cool gifts, especially Grant who gave me some cool Star Wars toys (selfish I know).
- I recall becoming an Uncle for the very first time with the birth of my niece Amanda. This was followed by the birth of Adrian, Samantha, Justin and Stephen in later years (love you all VERY much)
- I recall the day we got our first dog Kelly in Canada (alas she was lost a few months afterwards) only to get Princess who lived for 12 years with us.
- I recall my first ski lesson in Ontario (hell I haven’t really skied since).
- I recall grade 7 and attending my first after school dance and kissing Betty.
- I recall attending High School in the 80’s and having my wonderful mullet haircut (glad I don’t have any photos to prove that one).
- I recall our move to Woodbridge Ontario from Mississauga Ontario.
- I recall learning to drive standard and then getting my drivers licence.
- I recall attending MacMaster University and attending the awesome Quad-Parties and getting so drunk that I had a hang-over for a week.
- I recall driving home every weekend from Hamilton to Woodbridge with Joanna Romano and playing our mix tape and singing our lungs out
- I recall purchasing my very first car a 1987 Nissan 200 SX
- I recall my Faema Cafe days (you guys made me grow more than you can ever imagine)
- I recall packing up my things from Woodbridge and moving to Vancouver and moving in with Russ
- I recall purchasing my first condo and freaking out that I wouldn’t be able to manage it
- I recall visiting Paris for the very first time
- I recall getting very close to a pod of humpback whales in Puerto Vallarta Mexico
- I recall getting Junior 2 years ago
- I recall travelling through the Rocky Mountains and climbing on a glacier
- I Recall going back to Argentina and seeing my family that I haven’t seen in over 20 years.
- I recall meeting all my good friends in this city.
So what are the plans for today? Not sure. I think Russ will be taking me out to dinner and if anyone else wants to tag along I hope you can. I know we had initially planned to have a party on the weekend, but with lots of my friends attending the Opera for Blogger’s Night (which I wasn’t invited, but its ok, really it is..sniff, sniff), or busy with other plans, or not even in the city, we decided to postpone it. Granted I probably will be celebrating for the full year so you can all make it up to me
Thank you all for making my 40 years so memorable. I hope to create some great new memories in the coming months and years.
UPDATE: Someone sent me this lovely video telling me that Disney is expecting me
Another person sent me this lovely song
In a Slump of Sorts
Mar 3rd
I don’t know what it is these past couple of days, but it feels like I’m falling into a small slump and I’m not sure why. And before you say it, no it is not because of my birthday coming up this week, I’m actually looking forward to it. I’ve been looking forward to it for a few months now and planning on celebrating the whole year.
I guess you can say that this whole economic slowdown is starting to affect me. I’m starting to see some good people loose their jobs and I feel for them. I know others have been looking drastically for employment as well and I should feel great that I still have a job and an income coming in. I’m trying to keep upbeat about the whole thing too as this can’t last forever. Work has been putting on more and more pressures these days to produce and maybe I’m feeling that I’m just not “into” it anymore and need to challenge myself more. Could it be the routine is getting to me?
Am I the only one that is feeling alittle low these days? What are you doing to “snap” out of it.
Maybe when the weekend rolls around I will feel much better, or if that lottery win ever happens Oops see there I just smiled.
Creating a New Branded Logo
Dec 6th
Lately I’ve been thinking of creating a branded logo for my blog. I want to create a logo that reflects who I am and what this blog is about. I’ve Google searched and came across LogoMaker.
Through some simple set-by-step process I created the following logo below. Granted I will probably change this, but I thought it was a good first attempt and reflects what this blog is all about (my digital realm, my digital voice).
Please feel free to leave a comment and tell me what do you think of the logo or if you have any other suggestions of software or other online areas to create logos.
In the Vancouver 24 Hours News Today
Nov 19th
Today in the Vancouver 24 Hours newspaper (thanks to Buzz Bishop), I have a small, but yet exciting, blurb in the Technology section mentioning my blog post about “Getting Elfed“.
As this is my very first time I have been named in a newspaper of any sort (minus the time I was 7 years old and appeared on the cover a Newsweek during a Fort York exercision). I’m prould to have been mentioned and I’m happy to be apart of a great on line community here in Vancouver.
Hopefully this won’t get to my head and cause me to have blogebrity issues, but it is fun and exciting for me.
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