Time 4 Nothing

Changing the tail light / brake light on Toyota Sienna

2010-03-16T10:33:00.010-04:00

Here are some instructions for changing a tail light/brake light on a Toyota Sienna.

Step 1: Remove 2 bolts that fasten the tail light assembly to the body

Step 2: Pull the tail light out sideways from the vehicle to remove.

See the 2 prongs that stick out from the tail light and push into the body of the van in the picture below.

Step 3: Remove the light housing from the tail light assembly by pinching the clip and pulling.

Step 4: Remove the bulb

Push in and twist.

Step 5: Determine bulb type

Printed on the base of the bulb is the type.

In my case I needed a P21/5W.

Alternatively you can look it up at the parts store. I went to Canadian Tire with the bulb in hand and I am glad I did because the parts book listed the wrong type of bulb.

Here it is in its package

Installation is the reverse of removal.

I hope this helps.

Fix Toyota Sienna Mirror - Part 2

2010-03-16T10:13:00.002-04:00

Well almost 2 years to the day and I am replacing another mirror on my van. Luckily I followed my own instructions and it only took me about 15 minutes.

If you find yourself in the same situation then see my previous post for an explanation on how to do it.

Fishing on the Rideau

2009-06-29T08:50:00.000-04:00

Here is a my son catching a bass on the Rideau using his Songe Bob Squarepants rod and a worm.

2008 Ottawa Buskerfest

2008-08-03T17:52:00.018-04:00

Here are a few scenes from the 2008 Ottawa Busker Festival.
The great Raphael fire eater!!!!!

What goes in... (a nail in this case)....

must come out....

Peter Rabbit makes friends with the audience.

Bike Boy on high.

Fixing 04 Sienna Passenger Side Mirror

2008-03-31T10:09:00.012-04:00

A little while ago the passenger side mirror on my 04 Toyota Sienna CE was smashed. I called the dealer to price a new one and was quoted $330.00 + tax and installation (ouch). I decided to find one elsewhere and install it myself. What follows is a series of pictures I hope will help someone else in a similar situation.
First of all I got the details of the mirror from the dealer based on the VIN (there are many variations and using the VIN will obtain the right match). My mirror was power + heated with no auto-dimmer. I called around starting with Canadian Tire who said I should try NAPA Autoparts who then directed me to their supplier CMAX. Their price came to $72!! (incl tax). It took 2 days for them to get it to Ottawa from Toronto.

Here is a picture of my smashed mirror.

Here is a picture of my new mirror out of the box

Let me start with a picture of the final step before unplugging and unbolting the broken mirror. This is were you should end up after following the steps below:

Step 1. Remove Bracket Garnish
From the top, pop out the cover using a flat head screwdriver and pivot it out to remove.

Step 2. Remove Inside Handle Bezel
Pull the door handle open and pop out the bezel (plastic cover)

Step 3. Remove the armrest
A. Open the armrest door and remove the screw inside.

B. Start at the outside end of the armrest and use a flat-head screwdriver pry up the armrest.

Here is a closeup of the clip at the end of the armrest. You have to push it in with the screwdriver to disengage it.

The middle portion of the armrest has a clip that must also be disengaged.

Finally disconnect the electrical connectors.

Here is a close-up of the connector. Push the middle portion of the clip inwards to extract it.

Step 4. Remove the trim board sub-assembly (underneath the armrest)
(3 screws)

Step 5. Remove 2 additional screws that hold on the door panel.
Screw 1 is under the previously remove trim sub-assembly.

Screw 2 is where the door handle is.

Step 6. Remove the door panel clips
There is one screw-type clip at the outer edge of the door.

and 9 pop-type clips around the door.

Step 7. Lift up the door panel to loosen and gain access to the power wires and securing nuts for the mirror. Disconnect the power wires and remove the 3 nuts and the mirror will pull off from the outside of the door.

Installation is the reverse of the removal.

I hope this helps.

Feel the Burn (Tales from a friend)

2007-08-05T18:03:00.000-04:00

And now for another installment of "Tales From a Friend".

Sometime ago (about a year) my friend decided to co-habitat with a women he had met and grown fond of. This decision did not come easy to Wilber as he had to give up a house he rented in Manotick at a ridiculously low price. He had decided to move into her house and give up his bachelor lifestyle (not a big sacrifice). What was going to be a big sacrifice was what he had to do with the "valuables" he had accumulated over the years of singlehood.
His collection included a wide range of items from damaged TV tables to framed photographs of car shows. Wilber is not one to part with anything he would deem valuable but necessity is the mother of invention. By decree (girlfriend, moving buddies, etc...) it was decided that most of the stuff had to go.

He decided to donate the more useful items to the local chapter of the neighbourhood services. This organization is a staple in the community and assists people who are in need. It broke his heart to have to part with these treasures but knowing that his life's work would somehow carry on through someone else eased the anxiety and pain that he felt.

Unfortunately the headline in the following day's Ottawa Citizen newspaper read:

FIRE DESTROYS LOCAL LANDMARK
Arson suspected in Neighbourhood Services fire.

"Do I still get a tax receipt?"

The Canadian War Musem

2007-04-14T09:02:00.000-04:00

I took some time off from the kids last weekend to visit the new Canadian War Museum on the anniversary of the battle of Vimy Ridge. I must say I came away very impressed.

The external view of the building looks like a ship that has flipped upside-down and is interesting but not particularity attractive. The inside however is fantastic. The permanent exhibits are extremely well done and take you through Canada's history of war from early aboriginal warfare right up to the present role in Afghanistan.
At the time of my visit there were 2 special exhibits on:
Afghanistan: A Glimpse of War
and
Canada Under Attack: 1942 - 1944

CUA tells the story of German U boats foray into the Gulf of the St. Lawrence during WWII.

Twenty-three ships were sunk and 375 lives lost in the battles.

Canada also had to deal with German spies on our shores.

Werner von Janowski

Alfred Langbein

These, along with the many other displays, made this exhibit well worth a look.

"Afghanistan: A Glimpse of War" shows Canada's involvement in the war in Afghanistan. The exhibit begins with a display portraying the events of 9/11 and moves on to Canada's role in military and humanitarian efforts.

One display that caught my eye was this sniper rifle below.

Further along in the exhibit was a glass wall where people posted their comments. See the red post-it note on the lower left...

Here is what it said:

I saw this gentleman sitting alone looking quite reflective to me. I had to wonder if he had lost someone over there.

This shot of him was through the broken windshield of a Canadian military vehicle that was destroyed by an IED.

After spending several hours in these 2 exhibits I realized I had very little time left for the permanent exhibits. I did go through them but did not give them the attention they deserve. I will be going back the next chance I get.

5 stars.

The Shopping Cart (tales from a friend)

2007-04-03T08:50:00.000-04:00

I am sure everyone is aware of the Costco chain of stores, formerly known as the Price Club. You know that when you go there you require a giant shopping cart just to pick up a package of Certs. Well the other day my friend, lets call him Wilber, was in there doing some last minute Easter shopping.

In Christian religions Easter is the most important holiday on the Calendar. I always thought that a little strange since without Christmas there would be no Easter. Anyhow Easter Sunday is always a hit with most people because of the chocolate and everyone is usually in a good mood.

Flash back to Wilber walking though the Costco cartless. Suddenly it dawns on him he will need some wheels to haul the giant chocolate bunny out of the store. He looks around and, like the reappearance of the Lord Himself, Wilber sees a free shopping cart sitting in the aisle. He grabs it and begins loading it with his stuff. Suddenly he hears a man speaking in an elevated and aggravated tone:
"Hey, you took my cart!"
Well knowing he was the culprit, in his mind he prepared an apology as he turned around.
"I didn't touch your cart!"
Huh, why would Wilber say such a thing?
"Listen man, give me my cart back or else!"
"YOUR CRAZY!"
"I'LL SHOW YOU CRAZY, GIVE IT TO ME!!!!"
It turns out that the altercation Wilber thought he was facing was actually one he was witnessing. Knowing that he was the cause but not knowing how to intervene Wilber slinked away from the scene as the 2 men rained blows down on one another. As security ran by him to quell the riot Wilber rushed to the cash with his bunny.

HAPPY EASTER (daddy's been incarcerated).

Automatic for the People (tales from a friend, new series)

2007-04-02T08:46:00.000-04:00

I am starting a new series today called "Tales From a Friend" which will tell the story of some humorous events that have occurred to
a friend of mine.

Automatic for the People
A great album from REM? Read on...

You no doubt have seen the proliferation of those automatic faucets in movie theatres and public washrooms around the city. Many people, mostly those with obsessive compulsive disorder or those who work with public health, consider them a godsend, as did my friend until he had a sleepover with his kid at the "playland".

It was put on by the Beavers (very little boy scouts) as an overnight event for kids and parents to celebrate another successful year. Armed with a change of clothes in case the excitement got too intense or if too much water was consumed prior to bed my friend and his son were ready for anything. Anything, that is, except for the superfluousness of modern society.
It was late in the night when the kids finally stopped running around in order to get ready for bed. "Did you wash your hands?" "Did you brush your teeth?" "Did you go pee?" The answer always came back as "YES, YES, YES". During this interrogation it went unnoticed that my friend had thrown his kit bag on the sink next to the one he was using to disinfect his kid. As he proceeded with the finishing touches with his son the boy turned to him and asked him why he was filling up his bag with water. "NOOOOOO!", "CRAP!" "SON OF A *****!"
Next time mom will pack an extra set of sleep clothes for dad and encase them in a ziplock bag.
Not much REM sleep that night.

Web Radio Can Read Your Mind

2007-03-11T18:24:00.000-04:00

After reading an article in the Globe and Mail on Web radio I decided to give Pandora and Last.fm a try. These sites are incredible. Simply indicate your favorite group or song and the site goes through a series of sample cuts to nail down your taste in music. It is a far cry from your basic FM station streaming feed. Great for parties. Check it out for yourself.

Happy New Year

2007-01-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

Canadian Parliament Winter Lights, originally uploaded by lenzspot.

This is a shot of the Canadian Parliament Building.

Reflections

2006-09-10T00:06:00.000-04:00

Reflections?, originally uploaded by lenzspot.

My son and I went to the train museum today in Smiths Falls, Ontario. What a great place to visit. It reminded me of the trains that used to roar past my childhood home in Montreal. I love the feeling I get replaying my early years through my son's eyes.
We got to climb aboard some old train cars and pretend we were conductors. Tickets...tickets please.
Check out the post below for a link to more photos.

Closely Coupled

2006-09-09T23:28:00.000-04:00

Closely Coupled, originally uploaded by lenzspot.

Scenes from my trip to the train station. Click on the photo to visit my photostream.

FPS

2006-09-06T22:37:00.000-04:00

This is a series of test shots that utilizes the continous shooting mode of my camera. The camera focuses automatically on the moving subject. Very nice.

Canada AM

2006-09-06T22:01:00.000-04:00

Canada AM, originally uploaded by lenzspot.

I woke up to this hot air balloon 100 feet over my house. I am not sure but I think someone is trying to tell me something.

Plane Excitement

2006-09-06T21:57:00.000-04:00

Plane Excitement, originally uploaded by lenzspot.

Hear the roar of the jet engines.

Eat for a Buck

2006-08-23T13:40:00.000-04:00

For those people who have yet to try it, here is lunch from my eat for a buck place. Actually this cost $3.47.
1 meat pie (with spice and lemon) and 1 cheese pie.
Alladin (corner Broadview and Carling).
You will love it.

P.S. You don't have to eat it off the passenger seat of my car.

Gugly...

2006-08-23T13:27:00.000-04:00

...is a new word I am adding to the English lexicon .

gug·ly

adj.

1. Having qualities that affront the senses, especially the sense of sight.

2. Hideous

I define it as G(overnment)ugly. Here is an example.
There is no amount of blue sky that can make this architectural design pleasing to the eye.
Gugly is also applicable to people.

Suspended

2006-08-23T11:58:00.000-04:00

Suspended, originally uploaded by lenzspot.

Now that I have my very own DSLR I am putting up photos on flickr. Thanks to zartimus for setting me straight on this. If you would like to see more go to lenzspot's photos.

MS Bike Tour 2006

2006-08-15T00:08:00.000-04:00

This past weekend was my annual (13th) adventure on the MS 150 bike tour from Ottawa to Kemptville and back. I had a great time as usual. What follows is a brief summary of the trip.

Day 1 - Start at Carleton University.

The day began at Carleton with my annual cycling buddy Hilliard (Hill) Goldberg. I asked if he was prepared for this year's journey and he showed me the equipment he was bringing (pictured) for the trip.The interesting thing about Hill is that he doesn't even own a bicycle. Every year he scrambles to borrow a bike from someone he knows, usually a fews days prior to the event. This year was no different. His old landlord agreed to lend him a bike. Oh yeah, the radio in the picture is mine.

We met up with the folks we had cycled with in previous MS Tours, Ilan in blue, Julie and her son Nicolas, and set off.
The morning was perfect.This photo was taken just prior to leaving.Obviously the crane was enjoying the weather also. The first leg of the trip was about a 19km stretch and, for the first time since coming with us, Nicolas decided to try it on his own. He managed to go the whole distance on his own, tough kid.

Upon reaching the 1st pit stop (Cedarview) we were greeted by a kid with a sign that read "toilet", which was fitting since Hill never misses an opportunity to use one.
We then travelled on to our next stop in Richmond. Here again Hill made use of the facilities. Notice the "staff only" sign.
Richmond is where we also met some 1st time riders, France and her daughter Caroline. We found out later at dinner that France used to work right next door to Deli Boys restaurant in Montreal where Hill and myself delivered pizzas many years ago. Cool.

Next stop is Malakoff just west of North Gower. There is some nice scenery on the part of the trip.Next stop was a BBQ lunch at Rideau provincial park.The lunch has much improved over the years (IMHO). The 1st year Hill and I did it there was nothing but humus and natural peanut butter (you know the kind with an inch of oil at the top and no added sugar!).
After lunch Hill, Ilan and I set off for the next stop at Oxford Mills. Julie and Nicolas took the a different route to the Kemptville college (the finish line) and promised to get us 1st seating dinner tickets (coveted by the hungry). Below is the bridge that spans the Rideau on county road 44 where we went our separate ways.
The trip to Oxford Mills again provided some nice sights.

Here is Hill at the dam in Oxford Mills.
Notice the belt. In a sea of spandex Hill always stands out as the only guy on the tour with a belt.
With 1 stop to go I felt like the sheep below, just following whoever was in front of me without asking any questions.
Most annual cyclists such as Hill and myself always speak of the "hill" just before the finish at the Kemptville college. It seems like no matter which direction you enter Kemptville you are always faced with that final test of determination (in our case exhaustion).
Here are the H(h)ills in action.
Finally we are home for the night!
If you have gone on the MS tour before you know that once you are at the college you have many options to choose from for entertainment. Our 1st stop is the corn boil and live music.
This little girl was caught dancing to some Stevie Ray Vaughn.
Nicolas enjoying the band too.
My wife and kids came down from Ottawa and after dinner we played a little soccer and some air hockey. Later that evening we went to the dance where Julie let it be known that pulling her son for 70km was just a warm up for her to let loose on the dance floor. Hill was in his glory as they played the standard Village People "YMCA" tune and various other 1970's hits.
As we moved from evening to night it was time to hit the sack for some needed sleep.
Next year I must remember to bring ear plugs!

Day 2 - Start at Kemptville college.

The day begins with a feast of a breakfast. Bacon, eggs, toast, pancakes, coffee, fruit. We got up at 6:00 AM and headed to the caf. The lineup is pretty small at this time. Ilan tells the story of a guy hurling up a biscuit in his dorm around 3:00 AM (earplugs remember). Excessive drinking at the dance the night before is not a good idea when you have to get back on your bike for the 65km ride home.

Going home our group expanded by 2 as France and Caroline found us at the 1st stop. From left to right are Julie, Hill, Nicolas (in front), Ilan, me, France and Caroline. Caroline had a very sore knee but it didn't stop her from returning by bicycle to Carleton.
The return home was almost the reverse of the trip down. The sign indicating Ottawa was actually near the start of the journey home.
This gentleman defines strength.
The beautiful Rideau.
1st stop
Country scenes
2nd stop
Hill can't stop in Richmond without going to the bakery for a rum ball.
"Why did I eat that rum ball I left in the sun for an hour?"
There was one more quick stop in Barrhaven and then the home stretch to Carleton U.
The wind seemed to pick up during the last segment but we all made it on our own power.
We sat around for a bit then said our goodbye's and headed off in our separate directions. It is funny how a year seems to get shorter the more MS tours I do. Hopefully we can all make it back for another round next year. Maybe Hill will even have his own bike.

Election Day

2006-01-23T08:58:00.000-05:00

I thought this picture was fitting for election day here in Canada.
Right now the city is covered in a beautiful blanket of snow.

Fearless Freep

2006-01-17T19:20:00.000-05:00

Thanks to my 4 year old, I am renewing my love for classic cartoons. Only now I can look up things I previously took for granted.
Case in point is the Bugs Bunny episode "High Diving Hare". In it there is a scene where Sam is yelling at Bugs to "Open the door! Open up that door!". Sam then turns to the audience and says; "You notice I didn't say Richard.". Well he is referring to the 1947 song "OPEN THE DOOR, RICHARD" which was popular at the time.

Oh Hungry? Oh Cheapy

2006-01-17T08:51:00.000-05:00

Here is a quick list of my favorite cheap eat spots:

Alladin (take out)- Corner Carling & Broadview.
Get a cheese or meat pie for under $2. mmmmm

Schaan (Indian take out) - Merivale & Clyde near CJOH.
I usually get one of the "Big Meals". Around $8. Very tasty.

So Good - (Chinese eat in/take out) - Somerset near Bronson.
Wu Se Chicken or Shanghai Style Fried Noodle are 2 of my favorites.

more to come...

Yours 2 Discover

2006-01-16T16:05:00.000-05:00

I decided if other people can put stuff up of no interest to anyone then so can I.
On second thought you might like some of the stuff.
Come back to discover some of my favorite cheap eat locations in Ottawa.