Thought it would be cool to try and cross breed fish
We both caught the same fish
The first catch of the day
Saturday, February 11, 2006
Fishing Pics
Action shot! !
Not sure what it is but I think he was in Finding Nemo
This island is called Goat's island. We think it looks more like a rabbit.
We threw Nemo's friend back and all he did was float. Good one Brenda, way to kill a fish.
Turns out this hat wasn't a lucky hat
Coromandel Peninsula
Brenda & Kristen, friend from Muskoka Woods who were working at Totara Springs when I arrrived. Including Jeremy the four of us headed up to Coromandel to do a spot of fishing.
Gotta do a spot of swimming
Coromandel Peninsula
Coromandel Peninsula
Coromandel Peninsula
Coromandel PeninsulaWe went up to Jeremy's caravan to go fishing but one of the afternoons it was too windy so we went for a drive. Some pic from the drive.
Flying here
SO flying here was super fun… NOT! I guess the problem with booking a flight to New Zealand less than 24 hours before you fly out means you can’t be picky with what seat you get or what stop overs you DON’T get.
My flights were as follows
Belfast – London = 1 hr 10 mins
Stopover = 6 hours
London – Dubai – 6 hrs 45 mins
Stopover = 1 hour
Dubai – Singapore – 7 hrs 30 mins
Stopover = 45 mins
Singapore – Brisbane – 7 hours
Stopover = 50 mins
Brisbane – Auckland – 3 hrs 30 mins
Big props for Jeremy picking me up at the airport. He did fail to remind me that the temperature was going to be 27 degrees. So when i stepped out of the airport still wearing
my -4 degree Belfast clothes. Oh that was a fun car ride. I suppose i could have changed into shorts but it is a bit late thinking of that now.
My flights were as follows
Belfast – London = 1 hr 10 mins
Stopover = 6 hours
London – Dubai – 6 hrs 45 mins
Stopover = 1 hour
Dubai – Singapore – 7 hrs 30 mins
Stopover = 45 mins
Singapore – Brisbane – 7 hours
Stopover = 50 mins
Brisbane – Auckland – 3 hrs 30 mins
Big props for Jeremy picking me up at the airport. He did fail to remind me that the temperature was going to be 27 degrees. So when i stepped out of the airport still wearing
my -4 degree Belfast clothes. Oh that was a fun car ride. I suppose i could have changed into shorts but it is a bit late thinking of that now.
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
One Month in Review
One Month in Review
I have now been in New Zealand for one month and what a month it has been. It was quite the rushed last minute decision to come away and one that I would prefer not to do again. Not being able to settle myself and saying all the goodbyes that I needed to was tough.
But I am here now and this month has definitely had its ups and down. Settling into the camp and meeting new people was tough. With being at Muskoka Woods for the last 7 years I knew the way things were run inside out. But coming here and not fully knowing what I was about to undertake was defiantly hard.
The job that I am doing here is working in a 4 man Ministry Team. There is Jamie, who oversees all of the aspects of the ministry, Rachel, who is in charge of all the follow-up of the guests that come and stay here. She runs bible studies with them where she posts them out, the kids fill them in and send them back to be marked. Quite incredible how many kids sign up for this? Then there is Jeremy who is a kind of AV geek. He is sorts out all the promotional stuff whether it is leaflets, flyers, posters, promo videos and website stuff. Then there is little old me and my job is to do the programming side of the camp. Working to organize, plan and prepare future camps that are coming in. Planning themes, brainstorming ideas, research, and whatever random things that needed done.
I am finding it hard not to compare Totara Springs to Muskoka Woods but I think it is a natural thing to do. There are areas of the Woods that I prefer and there are areas of the Springs that I prefer. One big difference that I see is that in New Zealand people don’t sue. The camp itself can’t be sued for any injury or stupidity. Regulations and the ways things are done are completely different. For the woods you have to have a certificate to climb a ladder higher than say 8 rungs. The other day I was on the top of the roof of the auditorium taking off the plastic roofing to allow some air flow. The auditorium is an arch shaped building that is easily 100 ft up. The other day they needed someone to go down to the high ropes course and belay (not sure of the correct spelling) for someone. They sent me down even though I have no training. All I had to do was take 2 mins to learn how to do it. You learn pretty quickly when someone is climbing up.
Being here has definitely taken some getting used to. Every day I am thinking about the woods and how much it is a part of my life. I can get down very quickly if I think about it too long. The fact that I won’t be able to be there this summer and this will be the first summer in seven years. I miss the community that I had around me and the friends that supported me. The families that loved me and those that were committed to seeing me become my best potential. I don’t feel that I have that here. The age group of folks at the Springs are quite varied. I hang out with Jeremy Bennit the most and he has been incredible. I don’t think I would still be here if it wasn’t for him. I am writing this update in a place called Coromandel. We are at his caravan where we are spending the next couple of days fishing. (I will do another update with pics and stories about my trips). I have never met a more generous, humble and self sacrificing guy. It is incredible.
I will update in the next day or so with Pics for you to have a look at.
Have a great day
I have now been in New Zealand for one month and what a month it has been. It was quite the rushed last minute decision to come away and one that I would prefer not to do again. Not being able to settle myself and saying all the goodbyes that I needed to was tough.
But I am here now and this month has definitely had its ups and down. Settling into the camp and meeting new people was tough. With being at Muskoka Woods for the last 7 years I knew the way things were run inside out. But coming here and not fully knowing what I was about to undertake was defiantly hard.
The job that I am doing here is working in a 4 man Ministry Team. There is Jamie, who oversees all of the aspects of the ministry, Rachel, who is in charge of all the follow-up of the guests that come and stay here. She runs bible studies with them where she posts them out, the kids fill them in and send them back to be marked. Quite incredible how many kids sign up for this? Then there is Jeremy who is a kind of AV geek. He is sorts out all the promotional stuff whether it is leaflets, flyers, posters, promo videos and website stuff. Then there is little old me and my job is to do the programming side of the camp. Working to organize, plan and prepare future camps that are coming in. Planning themes, brainstorming ideas, research, and whatever random things that needed done.
I am finding it hard not to compare Totara Springs to Muskoka Woods but I think it is a natural thing to do. There are areas of the Woods that I prefer and there are areas of the Springs that I prefer. One big difference that I see is that in New Zealand people don’t sue. The camp itself can’t be sued for any injury or stupidity. Regulations and the ways things are done are completely different. For the woods you have to have a certificate to climb a ladder higher than say 8 rungs. The other day I was on the top of the roof of the auditorium taking off the plastic roofing to allow some air flow. The auditorium is an arch shaped building that is easily 100 ft up. The other day they needed someone to go down to the high ropes course and belay (not sure of the correct spelling) for someone. They sent me down even though I have no training. All I had to do was take 2 mins to learn how to do it. You learn pretty quickly when someone is climbing up.
Being here has definitely taken some getting used to. Every day I am thinking about the woods and how much it is a part of my life. I can get down very quickly if I think about it too long. The fact that I won’t be able to be there this summer and this will be the first summer in seven years. I miss the community that I had around me and the friends that supported me. The families that loved me and those that were committed to seeing me become my best potential. I don’t feel that I have that here. The age group of folks at the Springs are quite varied. I hang out with Jeremy Bennit the most and he has been incredible. I don’t think I would still be here if it wasn’t for him. I am writing this update in a place called Coromandel. We are at his caravan where we are spending the next couple of days fishing. (I will do another update with pics and stories about my trips). I have never met a more generous, humble and self sacrificing guy. It is incredible.
I will update in the next day or so with Pics for you to have a look at.
Have a great day
Saturday, December 24, 2005
Sore Ankle
SO recently my ankle has been giving me a little bother and I thought I would explain why.
In the summer of 2000 at Muskoka Woods I was teaching a football (soccer) class and we were having a match to finish off the week. It was a corner to the other team and the ball was crossed in. Being the huge figure that I am or the fact the ball came to me I jumped and headed the ball away. On my return to the ground I also took the weight of the person next to me as he had his arm on my shoulder. Down to the ground I went and ‘snap’ the ankle was gone. This may gross you out but I can vividly remember the sound of the bone breaking. Luckily my good buddy Tim Jebb was also there at the time and off he ran. Not because he was a wimp but rather cause he ran to radio the nurse. Lying there in the heap that I had just formed I was rather calm. I told one kid to run and get my inhaler, one to get me a bottle of water, some to take off their shoes and create a little pile of shoes that I could rest my ankle on and the others I sent to the tuck shop to get rid of them. Eventually the nurse’s cart came and with a little help from Tim and some other folks I was lifted onto the back of the cart.
It was lying in the Health Care centre waiting for the doctor to arrive that it hit me that I had actually broken my leg. When the doctor arrived he insisted on examining me. He grabbed my ankle and boy did it hurt. It was then that I was extremely rude to him. It was then that he injected me with Demerol. He won! I was out of it.
Tim and Mark Wallace were the lucky victims to take me to the hospital. I can’t remember the trip as I was off my face on the drug but talking to them later apparently it was quite the funny journey.
I arrived at the hospital and they refused to see me because I had no way of paying to be examined. Incredible!! Mark had to run out of the hospital and cash his pay check, come back and pay for me to be seen. As if I was in any state to remember to bring my Visa card.
After my operation they decided that they would teach me how to use crutches. Even though I had been using crutches for 4 days before I actually got the operation they took me down to the physio room. I insisted that I didn’t need to be shown, but they insisted that I did, and seeing that they were in charge of my dosage of Morphine I went along with them. They parked my wheel chair and gave me the crutches. I stood up and placed them under my arm. And that my friends is all I can remember because I blacked out because of the pain and the next thing I new I was back lying in my hospital bed. I had fainted and fallen on the floor. Good one hospital staff.
Leaving the hospital was possibly the sorest of my whole experiences. I was in my wheel chair with my leg extended out in front of me. A lady came to wheel me to the car. Not sure whether it is relevant but she was about 75 and I guarantee she doesn’t have her driving licence. And she shouldn’t have been pushing me to the car. As she swung the corner to leave my room she decided to look behind her and see if I had everything. What she didn’t realise was that as she turned she also turned the wheelchair. And you can probably guess that the result of my leg being jammed into the side of the wall brought many tears to my eyes. No matter how many time she apologised on the way down it didn’t make up for it.
A big thank you to Tim Jebb for all his help and special thanks to Mark Wallace for going on every single hospital trip with me, for holding my hand as I fell asleep and for holding my thigh when I woke up . Hold on here. Mark what were you actually doing. Lol. For trying to fit your whole body in one of the nurses small lockers. For putting on the gown with the ass missing at the back so that I wasn’t the only one wearing one, for getting caught being in the locker and wearing the gown by the nurses, for playing with all the instruments when the doctors left the room and most of all for just being you.
With a end result of 12 hospital visits, 1 operation, 1 night in hospital, 3 plaster casts, lots of Morphine and nearly $4000.00 spent this just proves why you need to get medical insurance. And I did. Thank you Endsleigh Insurance.
And that is why my ankle hurts today.
In the summer of 2000 at Muskoka Woods I was teaching a football (soccer) class and we were having a match to finish off the week. It was a corner to the other team and the ball was crossed in. Being the huge figure that I am or the fact the ball came to me I jumped and headed the ball away. On my return to the ground I also took the weight of the person next to me as he had his arm on my shoulder. Down to the ground I went and ‘snap’ the ankle was gone. This may gross you out but I can vividly remember the sound of the bone breaking. Luckily my good buddy Tim Jebb was also there at the time and off he ran. Not because he was a wimp but rather cause he ran to radio the nurse. Lying there in the heap that I had just formed I was rather calm. I told one kid to run and get my inhaler, one to get me a bottle of water, some to take off their shoes and create a little pile of shoes that I could rest my ankle on and the others I sent to the tuck shop to get rid of them. Eventually the nurse’s cart came and with a little help from Tim and some other folks I was lifted onto the back of the cart.
It was lying in the Health Care centre waiting for the doctor to arrive that it hit me that I had actually broken my leg. When the doctor arrived he insisted on examining me. He grabbed my ankle and boy did it hurt. It was then that I was extremely rude to him. It was then that he injected me with Demerol. He won! I was out of it.
Tim and Mark Wallace were the lucky victims to take me to the hospital. I can’t remember the trip as I was off my face on the drug but talking to them later apparently it was quite the funny journey.
I arrived at the hospital and they refused to see me because I had no way of paying to be examined. Incredible!! Mark had to run out of the hospital and cash his pay check, come back and pay for me to be seen. As if I was in any state to remember to bring my Visa card.
After my operation they decided that they would teach me how to use crutches. Even though I had been using crutches for 4 days before I actually got the operation they took me down to the physio room. I insisted that I didn’t need to be shown, but they insisted that I did, and seeing that they were in charge of my dosage of Morphine I went along with them. They parked my wheel chair and gave me the crutches. I stood up and placed them under my arm. And that my friends is all I can remember because I blacked out because of the pain and the next thing I new I was back lying in my hospital bed. I had fainted and fallen on the floor. Good one hospital staff.
Leaving the hospital was possibly the sorest of my whole experiences. I was in my wheel chair with my leg extended out in front of me. A lady came to wheel me to the car. Not sure whether it is relevant but she was about 75 and I guarantee she doesn’t have her driving licence. And she shouldn’t have been pushing me to the car. As she swung the corner to leave my room she decided to look behind her and see if I had everything. What she didn’t realise was that as she turned she also turned the wheelchair. And you can probably guess that the result of my leg being jammed into the side of the wall brought many tears to my eyes. No matter how many time she apologised on the way down it didn’t make up for it.
A big thank you to Tim Jebb for all his help and special thanks to Mark Wallace for going on every single hospital trip with me, for holding my hand as I fell asleep and for holding my thigh when I woke up . Hold on here. Mark what were you actually doing. Lol. For trying to fit your whole body in one of the nurses small lockers. For putting on the gown with the ass missing at the back so that I wasn’t the only one wearing one, for getting caught being in the locker and wearing the gown by the nurses, for playing with all the instruments when the doctors left the room and most of all for just being you.
With a end result of 12 hospital visits, 1 operation, 1 night in hospital, 3 plaster casts, lots of Morphine and nearly $4000.00 spent this just proves why you need to get medical insurance. And I did. Thank you Endsleigh Insurance.
And that is why my ankle hurts today.
Friday, December 16, 2005
Something to think about
---------
If the product says "Do not use if seal is broken", how are you supposed to open it and use it?
----------
If swimming is good for your shape, then why do the whales looklike the way they do?
----------
If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular?
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What do you do when you discover an endangered animal that only eats endangered plants?
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Why do people say "The alarm just went off" when really it just came on?
---------
Do you wake up or open your eyes first?
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If someone's peeing and halfway through they die, would they keep pissing or stop?
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Can you put a gay man in a straight jacket?
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Why do we push harder on the remote control when we knowthe battery is dead?
Monday, December 12, 2005
One thing I HATE ! !
There are not many things that I hate in the world. Tonight I discovered something that I hate.
I had a great bath and shave and everything was going so well. I put on some aftershave to get that stinging effect that makes you feel cleaner. I put on my clothes and headed to my room. Oh I forgot to put on some deodorant. I went back into the bathroom grabbed my spray, stuck it up my t-shirt only to find that I in fact hadn’t lifted my deodorant but I had actually lifted my Shaving Gel. Gross........ It is a new can of Gel so the speed that it comes out is quicker than the speed of light so by the time I realised what was heppening it was too late. I had to carefully take off my new clean t-shirt and clean up the mess. Not Impressed. I was covered.
Once again I prove that I must read the labels.
I had a great bath and shave and everything was going so well. I put on some aftershave to get that stinging effect that makes you feel cleaner. I put on my clothes and headed to my room. Oh I forgot to put on some deodorant. I went back into the bathroom grabbed my spray, stuck it up my t-shirt only to find that I in fact hadn’t lifted my deodorant but I had actually lifted my Shaving Gel. Gross........ It is a new can of Gel so the speed that it comes out is quicker than the speed of light so by the time I realised what was heppening it was too late. I had to carefully take off my new clean t-shirt and clean up the mess. Not Impressed. I was covered.
Once again I prove that I must read the labels.
Worth a look
This is a website of a friend of mine. It is worth taking a look to read his article called Life in Belfast and Northern Ireland.
i have even been so kind as to provide you with a link. www.itsjaymac.blogspot.com
check it out and make sure you come back to pk's site
i have even been so kind as to provide you with a link. www.itsjaymac.blogspot.com
check it out and make sure you come back to pk's site
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
I need a new HERO !
It is a sad day in the life of a person when you have to consider changing who your hero is. For years my hero has been Andy McNabb. For those of you who don’t know about Andy McNabb I will tell you a little about him.
Andy McNab joined the infantry as a boy soldier. In 1984 he was 'badged' as a member of 22 SAS, and was involved in both covert and overt special operations worldwide. The motto of the SAS being Who Dares Wins. During the Gulf War he commanded Bravo Two Zero, a patrol that, in the words of his commanding officer, "will remain in regimental history forever."
He has been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) and the Military Medal (MM), Andy McNab was also the British Army's most highly decorated serving soldier at the time that he left the SAS in February 1993.
He is also a known for being an amazing writer where he has written many books, Bravo Two Zero, Immediate Action are a few. I am not writing this to show you my knowledge of this guy (or that I know how to work Google) but rather what a great guy he is / was.
Yesterday I was reading the paper and I came across an article that has slightly tainted my view of him. He is now coming out with his own brand of clothing, not macho as you would think or hope but he has produced his own line of Ladies Lingere.
SAS legend Andy, 45, says some of the undies will be in camouflage pattern — and added: “This isn’t a joke.”
This is a sad day and it becomes even worse when you find out the name of his brand - Who Bares Wins.
I am thinking about changing my hero from Andy McNabb to Daniel from Karate Kid.
Andy McNab joined the infantry as a boy soldier. In 1984 he was 'badged' as a member of 22 SAS, and was involved in both covert and overt special operations worldwide. The motto of the SAS being Who Dares Wins. During the Gulf War he commanded Bravo Two Zero, a patrol that, in the words of his commanding officer, "will remain in regimental history forever."
He has been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) and the Military Medal (MM), Andy McNab was also the British Army's most highly decorated serving soldier at the time that he left the SAS in February 1993.
He is also a known for being an amazing writer where he has written many books, Bravo Two Zero, Immediate Action are a few. I am not writing this to show you my knowledge of this guy (or that I know how to work Google) but rather what a great guy he is / was.
Yesterday I was reading the paper and I came across an article that has slightly tainted my view of him. He is now coming out with his own brand of clothing, not macho as you would think or hope but he has produced his own line of Ladies Lingere.
SAS legend Andy, 45, says some of the undies will be in camouflage pattern — and added: “This isn’t a joke.”
This is a sad day and it becomes even worse when you find out the name of his brand - Who Bares Wins.
I am thinking about changing my hero from Andy McNabb to Daniel from Karate Kid.
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Worst time to sneeze
Today I came to the conclusion that I know the worst place to sneeze. It is official the worst place to sneeze is when you are working as a monitor in a GCSE exam, the exam taking place in school gym with 70 people being very quiet.
I can think of something worse. Sneezing 3 times in a row. It sucked.
I can think of something worse. Sneezing 3 times in a row. It sucked.
Saturday, November 19, 2005
Kids - You gotta love em
The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The nun made a note, and posted on the apple tray:
"Take only ONE. God is watching."
Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies.
A child had written a note, "Take all you want. God is watching the apples.
* * * * * * * * * *
A little girl was talking to her teacher about whales.
The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because even though it was a very large mammal its throat was very small.
The little girl stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale.
Irritated, the teacher reiterated that a whale could not swallow a human; it was physically impossible.
The little girl said, "When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah".
The teacher asked, " What if Jonah went to hell?"The little girl replied, "Then you ask him".
* * * * * * * * * *
A Kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they were drawing. She would occasionally walk around to see each child's work.
As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was.
The girl replied, "I'm drawing God."
The teacher paused and said, "But no one knows what God looks like."Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing, the girl replied, "They will in a minute."
"Take only ONE. God is watching."
Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies.
A child had written a note, "Take all you want. God is watching the apples.
* * * * * * * * * *
A little girl was talking to her teacher about whales.
The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because even though it was a very large mammal its throat was very small.
The little girl stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale.
Irritated, the teacher reiterated that a whale could not swallow a human; it was physically impossible.
The little girl said, "When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah".
The teacher asked, " What if Jonah went to hell?"The little girl replied, "Then you ask him".
* * * * * * * * * *
A Kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they were drawing. She would occasionally walk around to see each child's work.
As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was.
The girl replied, "I'm drawing God."
The teacher paused and said, "But no one knows what God looks like."Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing, the girl replied, "They will in a minute."
Friday, November 18, 2005
You won't believe me!
You may have noticed that I have been quite brown recently. I have the answer.
No I have not been using a sunbed. No I have not been lying in the sun. No I have not been using fake tan.
I was sitting in the house the other night watching TV and the stupid advertisements came on. I usually hate advertisements but this time it proved to be rather helpful.
On came an advertisement for a body lotion. And then it hit me. I have been using the same lotion. What I wasn't aware of was that it is called Boots Holiday Sun. Yes this lotion includes something that makes you seem like you are just back from holiday. I am not just back from holiday so therefore I should not be looking like I am just back from holiday.
Funny but sad. I thought that I had learnt my lesson until 4 nights later.
I decided that I wanted to wash my face. (Sometimes I do this) I went to the bathroom and filled the sink full of nice warm water. I looked around for some face wash as I didn't want to use regular soap. I looked at the cabinet and found one that said face on it. I grabbed it, opened the lid and put a healthy blob into the palm of my hand. I worked it into a rather great lather and applied it to my face. I then put my hands in the sink got them wet and continued to wash my face.
It was then that I realised that I had not used face wash but in fact i had used face moisturising lotion. The lotion and the water had created an oily paste and was sticking to my face. I struggled to turn on the tap but I struggled to do this as my hands were so slippy. I washed and washed and no matter how much water I used it wouldn't come off my hands. What was I going to do with my face? It was still thick with paste. Water wasn't going to work. I had to grab the towel and wipe it off. It took me quite a while to not only wash my face but to tidy up the bathroom with the oily, thick nasty paste that had seemed to end up everywhere.
The lesson I learnt this week. Fully read the labels on products that you use.
Jonathan Jordan - The Big Day
The wedding
So my brother is finally married. This was one of the main reasons that I came home from Canada (other than the fact that the government was demanding it). It was a great day and lots of fun was had by all.
Being the best man (obviously) I had the honour of looking after the groom, holding the rings and giving a speech to round off the day. I didn’t really have to look after the groom that much as he is a big boy and I trusted that he knew what he was doing.
With regards the ring I did not trust myself to hold them. I have pretty much lost everything that I own at least once. This was not the best day for this to happen. To help me I had the help of Andrew Gibson. He stood next to me and just before the minister asked for them he passed them to me in stealth like motion. Smooth. Nobody knew.
And the speech. Where do I start? We arrived at the reception and I had a few minutes to myself so I decided to get out my speech to have a quick read over it. I opened the page and I stared in disbelief. I hadn’t brought the speech with me. I had with me the behaviour report of the 12 year old boy that I look after in the School I work in. Oh Crap.
To be honest I wasn’t nervous at all. And when it came to the speech I just wung it. Nothing prepared, and to be honest I can’t remember much of what I said (and it wasn’t because of the wine) but it seemed to go down well. There was plenty of laughs and I think I passed the occasion. Being at Muskoka Woods as much as I have means that speaking in front of large groups is not a problem to me.
Below are some pics of the occasion.
So my brother is finally married. This was one of the main reasons that I came home from Canada (other than the fact that the government was demanding it). It was a great day and lots of fun was had by all.
Being the best man (obviously) I had the honour of looking after the groom, holding the rings and giving a speech to round off the day. I didn’t really have to look after the groom that much as he is a big boy and I trusted that he knew what he was doing.
With regards the ring I did not trust myself to hold them. I have pretty much lost everything that I own at least once. This was not the best day for this to happen. To help me I had the help of Andrew Gibson. He stood next to me and just before the minister asked for them he passed them to me in stealth like motion. Smooth. Nobody knew.
And the speech. Where do I start? We arrived at the reception and I had a few minutes to myself so I decided to get out my speech to have a quick read over it. I opened the page and I stared in disbelief. I hadn’t brought the speech with me. I had with me the behaviour report of the 12 year old boy that I look after in the School I work in. Oh Crap.
To be honest I wasn’t nervous at all. And when it came to the speech I just wung it. Nothing prepared, and to be honest I can’t remember much of what I said (and it wasn’t because of the wine) but it seemed to go down well. There was plenty of laughs and I think I passed the occasion. Being at Muskoka Woods as much as I have means that speaking in front of large groups is not a problem to me.
Below are some pics of the occasion.
Monday, October 24, 2005
Truths
Triangular sandwiches taste better than square ones
:::
At the end of every party there is always a girl crying
:::
One of the most awkward things that can happen in a pub is when your pint -to-toilet cycle gets synchronised with a complete stranger
:::
Sharpening a pencil with a knife makes you feel really manly
:::
Nobody ever dares make cup-a-soup in a bowl
:::
Every bloke has at some stage while taking a pee, flushed half way through and then raced against the flush
:::
Its impossible to look cool whilst picking up a Frisbee
:::
Driving through a tunnel makes you feel excited
:::
You can't respect a man who carries a dog
:::
Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
:::
:::
Despite constant warning, you have never met anybody who has had their arm broken by a swan
Saturday, October 22, 2005
Friday, October 21, 2005
I NEED TO CONFESS
Father forgive me because I have sinned..... blah blah.....................
(This blog needs to be read in a hurried, unstable and emotional state)
I need to confess something that has been ripping me apart for many weeks now. If you scroll further down the blog you will see a picture of Niagara Falls. It is a fake.
The day we went to Niagara was late in the evening and it was raining pretty heavily. As we arrived to the falls it was difficult to see anything. We tried to take pictures but because it was so dark it was a non event.
While walking up the main street we went into the Harley Davison store. Hanging on the wall was this huge poster of Niagara Falls. It looked beautiful, too beautiful not to take a picture of. I looked around and no one was watching. I took out my camera, shaking i proceeded to find the perfect angle. The angle that needed to fool everyone. Then it happened 'click' the lies were stored. Then I pretended everyone that I took that actual picture. I am so sorry. I have deceived friends, family, enemies, even a nation. How can I be trusted again.
Please forgive me
(If you look closely at the picture you can see that there is a crease in the poster)
(This blog needs to be read in a hurried, unstable and emotional state)
I need to confess something that has been ripping me apart for many weeks now. If you scroll further down the blog you will see a picture of Niagara Falls. It is a fake.
The day we went to Niagara was late in the evening and it was raining pretty heavily. As we arrived to the falls it was difficult to see anything. We tried to take pictures but because it was so dark it was a non event.
While walking up the main street we went into the Harley Davison store. Hanging on the wall was this huge poster of Niagara Falls. It looked beautiful, too beautiful not to take a picture of. I looked around and no one was watching. I took out my camera, shaking i proceeded to find the perfect angle. The angle that needed to fool everyone. Then it happened 'click' the lies were stored. Then I pretended everyone that I took that actual picture. I am so sorry. I have deceived friends, family, enemies, even a nation. How can I be trusted again.
Please forgive me
(If you look closely at the picture you can see that there is a crease in the poster)
Injured
Right hand, index finger strain and bruising is the diagnosis of my injury. It all began when I arrived home and my sister wanted me to challenge me to a game on the Xbox. This was well and good and I did actually believe that I could beat her. Unfortunately that wasn't to be the case. It was obvious that she has wasted many hours playing a game as I was completely thrashed. Now thinking about it I think the word thrashed is kind. It wasn't even fair.
I pretended that I wasn't frustrated and that I didn't care what the game was like time to move on to a driving game. I could beat her in a driving game. I really did believe that. I acted confident as I selected my car, customised it so it looked as sexy as a car can look and off we went for the countdown. What I didn't know was that as well as Halo (the fighting game) she has wasted many hours on this game. The problem that I came across started when the race begun. It was obvious that her car was modified beyond belief and I wasn't going to be able to compete.
I looked at the calendar and smiled as I said a Yes!! Inside myself.
I said it inside as I didn't want anyone to know. The day was Tuesday, Ruth would be leaving for most of the night and I would be home alone with the Xbox. So I sat for easily 4 hours straight playing the racing game, competing, modifying, winning levels and gaining a large bank account in which I could customise my car.
I couldn't help but smile when Ruth walked in the room later that evening. I was confident that I would kill her in the race. We sat down, took our positions, watched the clock count down and off we went.
She destroyed me in that game. I went to bed pretending that I didn't care, that I wasn’t frustrated and that I enjoyed the fun of competing. BS
Resulting from that pride filled, jealous, unhealthy competitive nature experience was one really sore finger. On the game you have to accelerate with your index finger. Sitting for easily 6 hours that day straining my finger has left it extremely sore.
I think I learnt my lesson that day.............. Get tape and tape down the button.
Right hand, index finger strain and bruising is the diagnosis of my injury.
I have to change my nose picking finger
I pretended that I wasn't frustrated and that I didn't care what the game was like time to move on to a driving game. I could beat her in a driving game. I really did believe that. I acted confident as I selected my car, customised it so it looked as sexy as a car can look and off we went for the countdown. What I didn't know was that as well as Halo (the fighting game) she has wasted many hours on this game. The problem that I came across started when the race begun. It was obvious that her car was modified beyond belief and I wasn't going to be able to compete.
I looked at the calendar and smiled as I said a Yes!! Inside myself.
I said it inside as I didn't want anyone to know. The day was Tuesday, Ruth would be leaving for most of the night and I would be home alone with the Xbox. So I sat for easily 4 hours straight playing the racing game, competing, modifying, winning levels and gaining a large bank account in which I could customise my car.
I couldn't help but smile when Ruth walked in the room later that evening. I was confident that I would kill her in the race. We sat down, took our positions, watched the clock count down and off we went.
She destroyed me in that game. I went to bed pretending that I didn't care, that I wasn’t frustrated and that I enjoyed the fun of competing. BS
Resulting from that pride filled, jealous, unhealthy competitive nature experience was one really sore finger. On the game you have to accelerate with your index finger. Sitting for easily 6 hours that day straining my finger has left it extremely sore.
I think I learnt my lesson that day.............. Get tape and tape down the button.
Right hand, index finger strain and bruising is the diagnosis of my injury.
I have to change my nose picking finger
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Laughing while i Vomit
I haven't thrown up in quite some time but last night was an experience that i don't want to go through again.
Being the jolly good chap that I am I told Chris and Erika that I would take the dog out to the back garden to pee as Erika was tired and Chris didn't feel well. I grab the lead and attach it to Boston's collar and out we go. (lead is needed as you spend 15 mins trying to get him out from below the shed in the dark - not so much fun) Boston runs down the steps and starts to inhale the rest of Kody's dinner (Kody is the other dog - don't worry they only have 2)
He finally finishes and he goes over to the grass to do his number one's, number two's would come later as I would find out.
I was coming out of the Bathroom after brushing my teeth I turned the corner to walk into my room and i was about to step down I noticed Boston in mid motion of taking a crap on the floor. I stopped my forward motion because I could see that were I was headed was right on top of his first little present of the night. I shouted at Boston to follow me as I took him downstairs where there was no carpet. Oh, but by the time he got downstairs he had finished his buisness. Convenient.....
Armed with some spray and a load of cloth I headed up to my room to attack the objects that he had so kindly left for me. I hate doing things like this because when it comes to items that come out of either end I really struggle to keep my stomach together. I had no longer started to clean up than the dry heaving started. Then the dry heaving turned a little more serious and found myself over the loo and I was no longer dry heaving, this was the real deal.
(i realise that this is probably gross, thank you for being patient)
After a few minutes I went back and finished the process with loo roll stuck up both my nostreals and my t-shirt covering my mouth.
Downstairs I headed to turn the lights out only to find Boston barfing in the middle of the living room. Oh crap the 'not dry heaving' started. Back up stair for another few minutes knowing that I still had to clean it up.
This was a pretty gross night. I left Erika a note to tread carefully around the house and let her know about the incidents that happened. But of course Boston was finshed. What joy what animals are.
I went to bed and put a baracade so that the dog wouldn't be able to come up. Ha ha. I am smarter than animals.
Being the jolly good chap that I am I told Chris and Erika that I would take the dog out to the back garden to pee as Erika was tired and Chris didn't feel well. I grab the lead and attach it to Boston's collar and out we go. (lead is needed as you spend 15 mins trying to get him out from below the shed in the dark - not so much fun) Boston runs down the steps and starts to inhale the rest of Kody's dinner (Kody is the other dog - don't worry they only have 2)
He finally finishes and he goes over to the grass to do his number one's, number two's would come later as I would find out.
I was coming out of the Bathroom after brushing my teeth I turned the corner to walk into my room and i was about to step down I noticed Boston in mid motion of taking a crap on the floor. I stopped my forward motion because I could see that were I was headed was right on top of his first little present of the night. I shouted at Boston to follow me as I took him downstairs where there was no carpet. Oh, but by the time he got downstairs he had finished his buisness. Convenient.....
Armed with some spray and a load of cloth I headed up to my room to attack the objects that he had so kindly left for me. I hate doing things like this because when it comes to items that come out of either end I really struggle to keep my stomach together. I had no longer started to clean up than the dry heaving started. Then the dry heaving turned a little more serious and found myself over the loo and I was no longer dry heaving, this was the real deal.
(i realise that this is probably gross, thank you for being patient)
After a few minutes I went back and finished the process with loo roll stuck up both my nostreals and my t-shirt covering my mouth.
Downstairs I headed to turn the lights out only to find Boston barfing in the middle of the living room. Oh crap the 'not dry heaving' started. Back up stair for another few minutes knowing that I still had to clean it up.
This was a pretty gross night. I left Erika a note to tread carefully around the house and let her know about the incidents that happened. But of course Boston was finshed. What joy what animals are.
I went to bed and put a baracade so that the dog wouldn't be able to come up. Ha ha. I am smarter than animals.
Monday, September 19, 2005
Niagara Falls
It was Friday afternoon when we decided that we should head to see Niagara Falls. Matt was heading back to New Zealand and we decided to let him see the famous falls. The weather was crap and the traffic was horrific but we arrived eventually.
We saw the falls, took some pictures and then we went to a Karaoke bar and listened to some people try and sing. If you closed your eyes you could be convinced that someone was being strangled on stage. It was bad.
You will notice from the picture that we are having a beer. Jono went to the toilet so we thought it would be funny to order him one of the small bottles. Oh we are funny. You will see that I am having a Canadian. This would not usually be my choice but I will tell you the selection that I had to choose from. Bud, Bud Light, Coors, Coors Light, Miller, Miller Light, The Small Bottle (still funny) and Canadian.
We saw the falls, took some pictures and then we went to a Karaoke bar and listened to some people try and sing. If you closed your eyes you could be convinced that someone was being strangled on stage. It was bad.
You will notice from the picture that we are having a beer. Jono went to the toilet so we thought it would be funny to order him one of the small bottles. Oh we are funny. You will see that I am having a Canadian. This would not usually be my choice but I will tell you the selection that I had to choose from. Bud, Bud Light, Coors, Coors Light, Miller, Miller Light, The Small Bottle (still funny) and Canadian.
I make no apologies.
Friday, September 16, 2005
More Jack Handy
When you're riding in a time machine way far into the future,
don't stick your elbow out the window, or it'll turn into a fossil.
* * * * *
Most people don't realize that large pieces of coral,
which have been painted brown and attached to the skull
don't stick your elbow out the window, or it'll turn into a fossil.
* * * * *
Most people don't realize that large pieces of coral,
which have been painted brown and attached to the skull
by common wood screws,
can make a child look like a deer.
U2 - Part 1
It has taken me a while to put this blog up because it was an experience that I won’t forget and I wanted to just ponder on it for a while.
Monday night was a night that Chris and myself have been waiting on for many months. We had 2 tickets for the floor at the first of the U2 concerts in Toronto. Part of being on the floor was the possibility of getting into the ellipse. The ellipse is the area in front of the stage that only 300 people get into. It has a catwalk around it. The end of the catwalk is where the main crowd stand for the show.
Doors wouldn’t open until 6.30 but I was there to line up at 12.00. Chris came from work and joined me just after one; I introduced him to the folks that I had been chatting to over the last hour.
We sat down and started to play cards. As we were sitting there someone noticed a car pull up beside where we were sitting. A Yukon with tinted windows. The front window rolled down and we couldn’t believe it but Bono was sitting in the front seat. I think everyone was stunned because no one really moved. Chris and I jumped up and ran over where we were able to get a picture. Chris got to the car and shook hands with him and said ‘thank you’ bono replied ‘don’t lose your spot in line’. He turned to me and I shook his hand he then asked me my name. I said PK. I was about to say more but I was swamped by the crowd and I was pushed out of the way. I didn’t care. I met Bono!
Monday night was a night that Chris and myself have been waiting on for many months. We had 2 tickets for the floor at the first of the U2 concerts in Toronto. Part of being on the floor was the possibility of getting into the ellipse. The ellipse is the area in front of the stage that only 300 people get into. It has a catwalk around it. The end of the catwalk is where the main crowd stand for the show.
Doors wouldn’t open until 6.30 but I was there to line up at 12.00. Chris came from work and joined me just after one; I introduced him to the folks that I had been chatting to over the last hour.
We sat down and started to play cards. As we were sitting there someone noticed a car pull up beside where we were sitting. A Yukon with tinted windows. The front window rolled down and we couldn’t believe it but Bono was sitting in the front seat. I think everyone was stunned because no one really moved. Chris and I jumped up and ran over where we were able to get a picture. Chris got to the car and shook hands with him and said ‘thank you’ bono replied ‘don’t lose your spot in line’. He turned to me and I shook his hand he then asked me my name. I said PK. I was about to say more but I was swamped by the crowd and I was pushed out of the way. I didn’t care. I met Bono!
U2 - Part 2
At 6.30 the doors were opened as planned. We made our way down into the entrance hall where the first security guy checked our tickets. From where we were standing we could hear random screams. Later we found out that the screams were the people winning the draw to get into the ellipse. After we get our tickets scanned we head to a table where you are given a green armband and there is a computer set up.
Everyone goes to the computer to get their ticket scanned a second time. Once scanned the computer either read - Enter main floor or it flashes and says you have made it into the ellipse. They scanned both our tickets and neither of us won. Just past the table the barriers led you to the main floor but I noticed to the right there was a group of people standing looking happier than the rest of us. That was the group of people who had managed to win entry to the ellipse.
I grabbed Chris’s arm and told him to follow me. We went and stood in that very group laughing and cheering. We got up to the table and they didn’t recheck the tickets. They stamped our ticket with a cool 3 leaf clover stamp. Gave us our blue armbands and said congratulations for winning.
I couldn't believe it. Sneaky Sneaky
We made our way down to the arena where we were sectioned off and told to walk down a different path. At the end of the path we entered the ellipse. We had succeeded. We were in.
Inside the ellipse we had so much room. I said to Chris that we should stand at the back area because the catwalk came right behind us and we would literally be 2 feet from the band and that is where we stood.
The whole night was incredible. The set that they played was more than expected. They definitely exceeded my expectations. Pictures and more thoughts will follow in the coming days.
Everyone goes to the computer to get their ticket scanned a second time. Once scanned the computer either read - Enter main floor or it flashes and says you have made it into the ellipse. They scanned both our tickets and neither of us won. Just past the table the barriers led you to the main floor but I noticed to the right there was a group of people standing looking happier than the rest of us. That was the group of people who had managed to win entry to the ellipse.
I grabbed Chris’s arm and told him to follow me. We went and stood in that very group laughing and cheering. We got up to the table and they didn’t recheck the tickets. They stamped our ticket with a cool 3 leaf clover stamp. Gave us our blue armbands and said congratulations for winning.
I couldn't believe it. Sneaky Sneaky
We made our way down to the arena where we were sectioned off and told to walk down a different path. At the end of the path we entered the ellipse. We had succeeded. We were in.
Inside the ellipse we had so much room. I said to Chris that we should stand at the back area because the catwalk came right behind us and we would literally be 2 feet from the band and that is where we stood.
The whole night was incredible. The set that they played was more than expected. They definitely exceeded my expectations. Pictures and more thoughts will follow in the coming days.
Monday, September 12, 2005
2 things
1.
I bought myself a camera today. I like it.
I should have more pictures to put on my blog soon.
2.
I don't think that I will be able to sleep tonight. I am going to see U2 tomorrow evening. Chris and Myslef have backstage tickets, well...... not really backstage tickets but we are going to try and get backstage. We are considering all the options. We are feeling lucky!
Sunday, September 11, 2005
Peeing On Ice
My favourite loo's are the ones where they put ice cubes in the urinals. What great satisfaction it is to see how many ice cubes you can melt before you are done. So relaxing. Bring on the ICE.
Monday, September 05, 2005
Bear Hunting
The day went like this:
10:00 am - Guests Leave
12:30 pm - Lunch
1:30 pm - Work Projects Begin
4:00 pm - Final meeting of the summer
4:30 pm - Goodbye hugs
5:30 pm - Mark, Eva and Eli Wallace; Jono; Jamie and Myself head to Windemere
8:00 pm - Drive back
8:30 pm - Bear hunting (not to kill - just to watch)
This is where I will cut in as the details are necessary.
I decided that I would go bear hunting. Across the highway from camp is where our large bins are. That is where we throw all the trash from camp. There are certain times that are key times to see bears and around this time was one of them. I drove over and parked in the perfect place so that I the whole area covered. There was one of the biggest bears that I had seen this summer and it was making quite the noise with its grunting and sorting through all the garbage.
I don't exactly remember what happened next but what I do know is that I woke up at 12:00 am. Yes I had fallen asleep in the truck. I was cold and busting to go to the loo so I decided that it was time to head back to camp. I turned the key and..... Nothing. I tried again.... Nothing. Oh crap. So there is one little Irish guy, stuck across the highway, busting to go to the toilet with a truck that will not start.
I grabbed my flashlight (torch) as this would give me a sense of security and safety. But of course that didn't work. Great! In the dark I searched around the seats looking for my phone that I knew was in there and finally I found it, but who do I call? I tried Jono but of course his phone was off, I tried Chris Evans oh yea his phone was off as well and I knew there would be no one in the office.
For some reason I tried the lights in the truck and they worked. So there was enough battery to have the lights on but not to start it - smart. Wish I had tried that before I started looking for my phone.
I decided that I had 2 options.
1. There is a large stick in the back of the truck. I could grab it and run back to camp beating the crap out of whatever gets in my way.
2. Sleep in the truck overnight. It was pretty cold but I think that after reading all my SAS books I could stick one night.
Not a lot of options. I sure wasn't getting out of the truck after the noise that the bear was making earlier. He could still be there. Hungry. As I was putting on my extra clothes to sleep overnight I remembered secret option number 3.
Phone Mark Wallace. Successful call, he was awake and keen to come and rescue me. Over he came and drove me back to camp. I was safe, alive, hungry and still needing to pee.
What a night.
10:00 am - Guests Leave
12:30 pm - Lunch
1:30 pm - Work Projects Begin
4:00 pm - Final meeting of the summer
4:30 pm - Goodbye hugs
5:30 pm - Mark, Eva and Eli Wallace; Jono; Jamie and Myself head to Windemere
8:00 pm - Drive back
8:30 pm - Bear hunting (not to kill - just to watch)
This is where I will cut in as the details are necessary.
I decided that I would go bear hunting. Across the highway from camp is where our large bins are. That is where we throw all the trash from camp. There are certain times that are key times to see bears and around this time was one of them. I drove over and parked in the perfect place so that I the whole area covered. There was one of the biggest bears that I had seen this summer and it was making quite the noise with its grunting and sorting through all the garbage.
I don't exactly remember what happened next but what I do know is that I woke up at 12:00 am. Yes I had fallen asleep in the truck. I was cold and busting to go to the loo so I decided that it was time to head back to camp. I turned the key and..... Nothing. I tried again.... Nothing. Oh crap. So there is one little Irish guy, stuck across the highway, busting to go to the toilet with a truck that will not start.
I grabbed my flashlight (torch) as this would give me a sense of security and safety. But of course that didn't work. Great! In the dark I searched around the seats looking for my phone that I knew was in there and finally I found it, but who do I call? I tried Jono but of course his phone was off, I tried Chris Evans oh yea his phone was off as well and I knew there would be no one in the office.
For some reason I tried the lights in the truck and they worked. So there was enough battery to have the lights on but not to start it - smart. Wish I had tried that before I started looking for my phone.
I decided that I had 2 options.
1. There is a large stick in the back of the truck. I could grab it and run back to camp beating the crap out of whatever gets in my way.
2. Sleep in the truck overnight. It was pretty cold but I think that after reading all my SAS books I could stick one night.
Not a lot of options. I sure wasn't getting out of the truck after the noise that the bear was making earlier. He could still be there. Hungry. As I was putting on my extra clothes to sleep overnight I remembered secret option number 3.
Phone Mark Wallace. Successful call, he was awake and keen to come and rescue me. Over he came and drove me back to camp. I was safe, alive, hungry and still needing to pee.
What a night.
Sunday, September 04, 2005
What a week
Classic has finished and right now i am sitting at home recovering from such a crazy week. Lack of sleep, extra stress and missing meals meant that i started to get sick. It started off with a cold and then moved towards my chest. So now i am trying to catch up on the sleep that i lost. I am still coughing but things are looking good.
Sunday, August 28, 2005
Classic: Day One
Classic is now under way. It has been a crazy few weeks but here we are in our last week of camp. Classic is a week for Senior High guests only (14+) they come and experience what could be their final week as a guest here. This week is very different from your normal week. The games, electives, bands, dramas and snacks are incredible. Everyone plays the games together so you can imagine the type of planning that needs to be done for 407 guests running around.
Yesterday was opening day. Things didn’t really go as planned. 20 mins before the guests arrived we had to move indoors as there was a storm coming in. Then …… it hit and it really hit. We had to direct the cars do drop the kids off at the cabins rather than the parking area as it was too bad for people to walk around in. In the midst of this we still had our crazy dancers in their 50’s gear dancing and greeting cars. Please note that when I say 50’s I mean year of 50’s not 50 year old people style.
After the intor we havd everyone pumped to play the game and the rain hit again. It was not going to be possible to play a game in this and being in charge of Classic I have to make the sucky decision to scrap it. Luckily I have had friends visiting me from Alberta. Their band is called Gaetz Ave and they were meant to be in Ottawa on Sunday night for a show. One of the band guys was in a little accident and their van is pretty mashed up. Fortunately they were sitting watching the opening show and with 45 mins notice they were good to play a concert for the guests. I think most people enjoyed them. I did and that is all that matters…. I think….
Today the rain is off. I think that I am going to go and grab a nap. Late nights + early morning = tired PK
www.gaetzave.com
Gaetz Ave are about to go on tour with Thousand Foot Crutch - very nice.
Sorry not a very funny blog. I am tired today.
Yesterday was opening day. Things didn’t really go as planned. 20 mins before the guests arrived we had to move indoors as there was a storm coming in. Then …… it hit and it really hit. We had to direct the cars do drop the kids off at the cabins rather than the parking area as it was too bad for people to walk around in. In the midst of this we still had our crazy dancers in their 50’s gear dancing and greeting cars. Please note that when I say 50’s I mean year of 50’s not 50 year old people style.
After the intor we havd everyone pumped to play the game and the rain hit again. It was not going to be possible to play a game in this and being in charge of Classic I have to make the sucky decision to scrap it. Luckily I have had friends visiting me from Alberta. Their band is called Gaetz Ave and they were meant to be in Ottawa on Sunday night for a show. One of the band guys was in a little accident and their van is pretty mashed up. Fortunately they were sitting watching the opening show and with 45 mins notice they were good to play a concert for the guests. I think most people enjoyed them. I did and that is all that matters…. I think….
Today the rain is off. I think that I am going to go and grab a nap. Late nights + early morning = tired PK
www.gaetzave.com
Gaetz Ave are about to go on tour with Thousand Foot Crutch - very nice.
Sorry not a very funny blog. I am tired today.
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Crash bang, oh where is my apple?
I have always been a pretty good driver. I am safe, confident and most of the time don't suffer from road rage. This summer I had my first accident. I was driving a golf cart up towards the village at camp coming up around the side of one of the buildings I was turning right but for some reason I was looking left. As I turn the corner I turned my vision towards where I was heading only to see another golf cart coming in the opposite direction. The person who was driving this golf cart (no names will be given) was also going pretty fast but his attention was not on where he was driving but what a group of kids were getting up to. The problem was that when I looked to see where I was going it was too late.
Now when I say he was driving a golf cart it was a little more than a golf cart. This vehicle is called a Ranger and it used by the maintenance guys who need a bigger stronger vehicle than your normal golf cart. We did our best to swerve but it just wasn't meant to be. We smashed our golf carts together and sat for a second in disbelief as to what had just happened.
This will seem really incidental but I was eating an apple at the time. And what a great apple it was. We get fresh fruit delivered almost daily but finding a good apple could also be compared to finding a needle in a haystack. On this occasion I was eating that needle. It was perfect with amazing texture and taste. I had only eaten just over a quarter of it until I was involved in the accident. You may be wondering where I am going with this but I lost my apple in the crash. I have no idea where it went. After asking the other person (still remaining nameless) if he was ok and checking to make sure no one saw the crash I looked down and this apple, golden nugget, needle (whatever you want to call it) was no longer in my possession. I jumped off the cart and looked for it. I never did find it.
I never used to believe about spontaneous combustion until that moment. I guess that I should be glad that it was the apple and not myself.
But I really do miss that apple.
By the way I did write-off that golf cart and it did have to be sent back. Oops
Now when I say he was driving a golf cart it was a little more than a golf cart. This vehicle is called a Ranger and it used by the maintenance guys who need a bigger stronger vehicle than your normal golf cart. We did our best to swerve but it just wasn't meant to be. We smashed our golf carts together and sat for a second in disbelief as to what had just happened.
This will seem really incidental but I was eating an apple at the time. And what a great apple it was. We get fresh fruit delivered almost daily but finding a good apple could also be compared to finding a needle in a haystack. On this occasion I was eating that needle. It was perfect with amazing texture and taste. I had only eaten just over a quarter of it until I was involved in the accident. You may be wondering where I am going with this but I lost my apple in the crash. I have no idea where it went. After asking the other person (still remaining nameless) if he was ok and checking to make sure no one saw the crash I looked down and this apple, golden nugget, needle (whatever you want to call it) was no longer in my possession. I jumped off the cart and looked for it. I never did find it.
I never used to believe about spontaneous combustion until that moment. I guess that I should be glad that it was the apple and not myself.
But I really do miss that apple.
By the way I did write-off that golf cart and it did have to be sent back. Oops
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Seagulls - love em or hate em
I neither love birds or hate birds, but for some reason I don't have much luck with them. Let me tell you the history.
Incident One:
When I was younger I was fishing. As I cast my line out a seagull decided that it was hungry and tried to catch my bait. It missed but somehow the line managed to wrap around the seagulls wing. I watched as the bird plummeted into the water. Trying to swim, fly, or not drown I decided to reel it in. I felt slightly embarrassed as everyone started to over to watch. I had to use a net to lift him out of the water as I didn't want my line to break. Setting him down carefully I proceeded to try and unwrap him. The stupid thing kept pecking me and nipping me even though I was trying to help him. I didn't know how to stop it so I ended up flicking him on the head as a punch would be a little extreme. I took the line off his wing, picked him up and threw him back in the water. The stupid bird flew away. I was left with a damaged line, feathers in the net and marks on my hand.
Incident Two:
Walking downtown Toronto with my brother who was visiting me and Chris Schryer we decided that hunger was winning and we would get some street meat. I adore steet meat, infact when I am downtown I make a point of getting it. This time I was so hungry that I could already taste it in my mouth. Getting there I ordered 1 dog (cause that is what you say apparently) and a coke. The guy handed it to me and told me the price was $3.50. I didn't know what to do, both my hands were full and the money was in my pocket. I would have asked Chris to fish it out but that probably wouldn't have looked to good. Behind the vender was union station so I set my food down got my money handed it to him and as I turned I realised that there was about 15 seagulls attacking my food. I generally don't really lose it but on this occasion I did. I think it was the combination of my hunger, love for street meat and past experiences with birds.
I don't know what came over me but I charged for my food and punched a seagull. I didn't think that I had really hit it that hard until I looked over the edge and saw it falling.
That put me in a really bad mood. I refused to get another one and there was that awkward silence as Jonny and Chris didn't know what to say. The knew I was annoyed as they didn't even make a joke for at least 2 hours. (never mess with my food!)
Incident 3:
This was the worst and emotionally scarred me for hours.
I was called up towards the guys cabin where a Senior High guest had thrown a rock at a seagull and managed to hit it. By the time I got there you could tell that it was pretty serious. It's neck was in a really bad position, it had thrown up food, and it was bleeding from under its wing and its mouth. I went to get a box to put it in and it was obvious that the thing was about to die. It couldn't keep its eyes open.
I decided that the good citizen that I am that I would help assist this bird with it's passing on to another life. I got Chris Evans as I needed the emotional support.
I won't go into the details as to how we ended the life of this bird but let me say. That thing put up a fight. We did break its neck but then it kept moving and rolling around. It took several attemps and we ended up doing other things that ensured its death. Being the good man that I am I put it in the box and decided that I would dispose of the body.
On my way to the dump I was stopped by a couple of staff outside the Tuck Shop. We stood there for easily 5 mins chatting about the day. I told them what was in the box and they wanted to see it so I showed it to them. Standing with the box under my arm I can only describe as one of the scariest moments in some time happened. I don't know what the bird did in the box but the thing jumped up and started moving. I screamed and dropped the box, i had to refrain from swearing cause that is how scared I was. I honestly thought that I had shat my pants. Shaking, I picked up the box ran up to the dump threw the box in and closed the lid.
I had to go and have a cup of Tea and a Kitkat chunky to recover. I have never killed an animal before and hope to never do it again.
Incident One:
When I was younger I was fishing. As I cast my line out a seagull decided that it was hungry and tried to catch my bait. It missed but somehow the line managed to wrap around the seagulls wing. I watched as the bird plummeted into the water. Trying to swim, fly, or not drown I decided to reel it in. I felt slightly embarrassed as everyone started to over to watch. I had to use a net to lift him out of the water as I didn't want my line to break. Setting him down carefully I proceeded to try and unwrap him. The stupid thing kept pecking me and nipping me even though I was trying to help him. I didn't know how to stop it so I ended up flicking him on the head as a punch would be a little extreme. I took the line off his wing, picked him up and threw him back in the water. The stupid bird flew away. I was left with a damaged line, feathers in the net and marks on my hand.
Incident Two:
Walking downtown Toronto with my brother who was visiting me and Chris Schryer we decided that hunger was winning and we would get some street meat. I adore steet meat, infact when I am downtown I make a point of getting it. This time I was so hungry that I could already taste it in my mouth. Getting there I ordered 1 dog (cause that is what you say apparently) and a coke. The guy handed it to me and told me the price was $3.50. I didn't know what to do, both my hands were full and the money was in my pocket. I would have asked Chris to fish it out but that probably wouldn't have looked to good. Behind the vender was union station so I set my food down got my money handed it to him and as I turned I realised that there was about 15 seagulls attacking my food. I generally don't really lose it but on this occasion I did. I think it was the combination of my hunger, love for street meat and past experiences with birds.
I don't know what came over me but I charged for my food and punched a seagull. I didn't think that I had really hit it that hard until I looked over the edge and saw it falling.
That put me in a really bad mood. I refused to get another one and there was that awkward silence as Jonny and Chris didn't know what to say. The knew I was annoyed as they didn't even make a joke for at least 2 hours. (never mess with my food!)
Incident 3:
This was the worst and emotionally scarred me for hours.
I was called up towards the guys cabin where a Senior High guest had thrown a rock at a seagull and managed to hit it. By the time I got there you could tell that it was pretty serious. It's neck was in a really bad position, it had thrown up food, and it was bleeding from under its wing and its mouth. I went to get a box to put it in and it was obvious that the thing was about to die. It couldn't keep its eyes open.
I decided that the good citizen that I am that I would help assist this bird with it's passing on to another life. I got Chris Evans as I needed the emotional support.
I won't go into the details as to how we ended the life of this bird but let me say. That thing put up a fight. We did break its neck but then it kept moving and rolling around. It took several attemps and we ended up doing other things that ensured its death. Being the good man that I am I put it in the box and decided that I would dispose of the body.
On my way to the dump I was stopped by a couple of staff outside the Tuck Shop. We stood there for easily 5 mins chatting about the day. I told them what was in the box and they wanted to see it so I showed it to them. Standing with the box under my arm I can only describe as one of the scariest moments in some time happened. I don't know what the bird did in the box but the thing jumped up and started moving. I screamed and dropped the box, i had to refrain from swearing cause that is how scared I was. I honestly thought that I had shat my pants. Shaking, I picked up the box ran up to the dump threw the box in and closed the lid.
I had to go and have a cup of Tea and a Kitkat chunky to recover. I have never killed an animal before and hope to never do it again.
Another Year, another burn
The summer started off in a way that I didn’t plan or want to happen. Exactly the same thing happened this year to the day that happened last year. Yes I burnt my hand again. Except this time it was worse. It wasn’t just one hand but on both. So you can imagine the fun I had trying to keep that from getting bumped.
I was making a cup of tea for myself and James King who comes up each year to teach the staff on first aid. I personally think that he sets me up to get burnt cause it happens each time that he is up. It works out well. He has a real life example of a 2nd degree burn and examples of what you shouldn’t do. (I did the right thing this year actually)
It sounds like hero story but that was not the intention. As I said, I was making tea and I started to carry it back to the table. As I turned around these kids started running in my direction and were running towards me. At the last moment I turned round quickly so as to not pour the tea over them. The result was I poured the tea over both hands. I wanted to drop the tea and scream but sitting right in front of me was a 2 year old child and a grandmother. I gritted my teeth and walked to the nearest table, set down the drinks and ran to the kitchen where I filled up a bucket of water and proceeded to keep my hands submerged for over 30 mins. That night was the worst. I couldn’t believe how much my hands were still burning after 4 hours. I ended up having to sleep on the sofa with my hands dangling into buckets of water. This caused me some concern as I remember that we used to prank people by dipping their fingers in water while they were sleeping so that they wet the bed. I was just setting myself up for a disaster.
Just to let you know that I did not wet the sofa. I did wake up with an estimated 21 seconds to make it to the nearest toilet. My timing was wrong, I did not make it to the toilet, the nearest bush suffered. I think that was a little too much information.
Monday, August 08, 2005
Soooo Sorry
I do apologise for my lack of updates this past month or so. Hopefully my lack of updates will give you an idea of how busy I have been. I keep meaning to but never get around to it. Over the next day or so I will try and update the random events that have happened this summer.
Monday, June 13, 2005
Congratulations Chris & Sarah
Abigayle Christine Holt Evans was born at 1:01 am june 11 2005. She came out 9 lbs. 8 oz.
I called into the hospital today to see them and can i just say that they have an amazingly beautiful baby.
Well done Chris & Sarah
I called into the hospital today to see them and can i just say that they have an amazingly beautiful baby.
Well done Chris & Sarah
Week 2 @ the Woods
It is Sunday night and I am sitting in the Muskoka Woods office in Toronto, I am just finishing up a few last minute details before I pick the J2 section head up at the airport and begin the journey up to camp. It is going to be a late night but I am really excited to spend a few hours chatting to Jen as I have only ever talked with her on the phone.
Week one up at the camp was a little crazy. The weather was incredible, and it seemed that each day was long. But when I look back now the time flew in. We have some amazing staff this summer and I am very excited and anxious to get the summer under way.
I had the opportunity to lead worship most mornings in our staff devotion times and I loved doing it. You might not know but I retired from playing music for over a year. I had lost the desire to play and not once did I pick up my guitar, but now I find myself slowly coming out of retirement. I wish I had the desire to practice more. Maybe that will come with time.
Week two will probably be just as crazy. It seems like there is so much going on that what you need to do will never get done. If only there were a few more hours in the day, and I didn't need my sleep so much.
Nothing strange or new really in my life, no random experiences or funnies to tell. I remember laughing a lot last week, yet I don't remember what I laughed at. I think I need to slow things down a bit.
Week one up at the camp was a little crazy. The weather was incredible, and it seemed that each day was long. But when I look back now the time flew in. We have some amazing staff this summer and I am very excited and anxious to get the summer under way.
I had the opportunity to lead worship most mornings in our staff devotion times and I loved doing it. You might not know but I retired from playing music for over a year. I had lost the desire to play and not once did I pick up my guitar, but now I find myself slowly coming out of retirement. I wish I had the desire to practice more. Maybe that will come with time.
Week two will probably be just as crazy. It seems like there is so much going on that what you need to do will never get done. If only there were a few more hours in the day, and I didn't need my sleep so much.
Nothing strange or new really in my life, no random experiences or funnies to tell. I remember laughing a lot last week, yet I don't remember what I laughed at. I think I need to slow things down a bit.
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Back at the Woods
This time of year has once again arrived. We are back up at the camp getting ready for the guests that are coming in this summer. As a directors team we have been together since the start of May and now the leadership have arrived and it is great getting to know them, catch up from last year and make them do the dumbest things cause at this stage of camp you can get away with it.
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I am very excited for the summer on a personal note. This is somewhere that I feel alive, energised, challenged; where you are given responsibilities that you often feel that you shouldn't get. When you look back at other summers you realise how much you have grown spiritually and matured with the responsibility you are given.
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Our staff for this summer is great and I am excited to see how this summer unfolds.
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
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