Tuesday, December 27, 2005

Boxing Day Specials

Yikes!!  Me along with every other Islander seemed to be sniffing out the specials today at all of the stores boxing day specials.  I maxed out two credit cards in an hour and a half (I will let you guess my limits).  I currently have 3 laptops purchased one my MasterCard.  On the Visa there are number of gadgets along with a digital camera and a camcorder.  I would have to say I am embarrassed.  However, in my own defence, I will be taking back a number of items so my overburdened credit cards won't feel as heavy in my pockets. 

Friday, December 23, 2005


One year ago this was me hitting up the slopes in the Rockies. Memories of Powder, Coldness and Fun.

Thursday, December 22, 2005

The Big Monkey

People seriously, what's up?  I have read a number of good reviews about King Kong so I decided, OK, I'll give it a go.  It is 3 hours and 9 minutes long!!  If it was cut down to about 110 minutes then I would have really enjoyed it.  On the Island there was too much effort in trying to show off the CG (computer generated) effects along with some scenes that were drawn out way too long.  It could have been such a great movie.  Instead it passes as an enjoyable flick and I will leave it at that.

Motor Vehicle Inspection

I find it interesting how different provinces have differing rules on Motor Vehicle Inspection (MVI).  I know for the maritimes vehicles need to be inspected every year for road worthiness.  However in provinces such as Alberta (and several others) the only time a vehicle needs to be inspected is when it is purchased (at least this is what I have been told).  Both systems have their advantages.  In the maritimes it helps to keep the roads a little bit safer as well as keeping everyone on top of their vehicle repairs.  In places such as Alberta it saves the driving public the time, hassle and cost of annual inspections.  What is better... I couldn't say.  What I would prefer... is less hassle, cost and time.

Tuesday, December 20, 2005

Oblivious

Oblivious, Not aware or informed: ignorant, unacquainted, unaware, unconscious, unenlightened, unfamiliar, uninformed, unknowing, unwitting.  I have to say some parents out there must be absolutely OBLIVIOUS.  Here is why I say this.  A couple days ago I was walking through the parking lot of a local supermarket when I caught a strong "aroma".  I turned to look at where this "aroma" was coming from and there was this 12-14 year old kid smoking some dope in the passenger seat of a car.  As I glanced over the second time I saw that he had a younger sister of 8-10 years old in the back seat.  From what I can deduct one of his parents must have left them for a couple minutes to get some milk or something quickly, so he lit up.  What I can not understand is how in the world would the parent not smell the weed the second they got back into the car, unless they already know or they are completely oblivious.

Thursday, December 15, 2005

Recent Comments Again

I have been playing around with Recent Comments again.  This time I have found a better (at least different) way to display them using Blogger.  It's still not perfect but as good as I can do for now.  For instance to view the comment click on the Time.  Also they are not displayed in order of the most recent.  Finally I can't control how many to display.  If anyone finds a good way to manipulate Blogger's template in this manner let me know.

Canadian Humanitarian Trust

I was introduced to this scheme to save huge amounts of tax money by a friend back a few days ago.  When I first heard about it I thought man sounds like a sweet deal (basically too good to be true type of thing).  As I have done a bit of research I have to say my logical feeling of it being too good to be true has been confirmed by the tax laws I have look into (despite people who will dispute otherwise it till they are red in the face).  The scheme is that you give this "non-profit" organization (Canadian Humanitarian Trust) a donation and you get a tax receipt for it.  That part is simple enough. They then buy humanitarian aid drugs for people in Africa at very cheep prices.   This also sounds very good.  The scheme part comes in when they donate these drugs to Africa they re-evaluate the price of the gift to many times more than what was originally paid and you get another tax receipt for this new amount that is many times more than the original monetary gift.  Here is an example.  Give $1,000 to CHT they take their "unspecified" cut then buy some medical drugs.  These drugs are donated to Africa at a stated value of $5,000(or more).  So you get a total of $6,000 worth of donation receipts for the cost of $1,000.  Donations receive a credit of around 50% so you get $3,000 dollars in taxes back.  So overall you come ahead with $2,000 in your pocket. If you give more such as $10,000 receive $30,000 in taxes back, you get the idea.  However in December 2003 the Canadian Government implemented new tax laws to stop people from doing this.   allowable charitable donation amount will be limited to the taxpayer's cost of the property.  I'm no tax lawyer, but this along with a few other laws that I read about concerning knowingly deceiving the taxation system were serious offences.  I am sure some people will most likely get away with this if they do not get audited, but is it worth the risk.  Many people I have read about justified joining this very shady deal because they want to help people in Africa by getting them the much needed drugs (CHT has played this angle very well). I say give your donation to a well known organization that gives all the money toward this cause (so they may buys drugs that are needed, not just that have the greatest markup) and that does not take their own "unspecified cuts" such as CHT does. 

Tuesday, December 13, 2005

12 Hours

In 12 hours I hopefully should be finishing off my last official exam of the term.  Man, I better get studying I should get a couple hours of sleep in there someplace also.

Wednesday, December 07, 2005

Exams

Exams, every students favorite time of the season! Likely...  1 down 5 to go then Christmas break.

Saturday, December 03, 2005

Recent Comment

I have seen blogs with "Recent Comment" modules that I have always enjoyed.  This is one thing that blogger does not have that is quite disappointing.  However I am testing a method of using the Blogs atom.xml feed to try to generate the "Recent Comment" feature. I am hopeful that it will work.

Friday, December 02, 2005

Picture Gallery

I have been playing around and uploading a few picts to a picture gallery that I am testing out.  You can find it here.  If I find this program does what I want it to I will continue to post a few more picts there once in a while.

London

 


A picture of Big Ben that I took one eveing as I was randomly walking around London back a couple of years ago. Posted by Picasa

Thursday, December 01, 2005

Chapters

I, along with most other people, really enjoy going to Chapters and skimming over a few titles.  Especially while enjoying a wonderful hot liquid from Starbucks.  A couple days ago while I was randomly walking around the store looking at some architectural books I suddenly noticed something for the first time this year.  Christmas Music!  My first reaction was that it was not December 1st yet (my unofficial start of the Christmas Season).  However as I gave it a couple minutes (didn't really have a choice, since I was enjoying the book I was looking at), it finally hit me that, yes, the Christmas season has started.

Sunday, November 27, 2005

Creative Ideas

Anyone have a Creative Idea of what I should do for my Christmas Break?  I have had a few things I thought about doing, but non of which have transpired as of yet.

Saturday, November 26, 2005

JK Rowling

For those who don't know who JK Rowling is as of  yet, she is the British author of the often mischievous and occasionally mystical character Harry Potter.  For those who have not heard of Harry Potter, do not fret, it is of little importance, but I will wonder where you have been over the past number of years that you wouldn't have heard of this popular fictional character.  Nevertheless, I was reading about JK Rowling and found out that since '97, when she published her first Harry Potter book, she has personally made well over 1 Billion dollars. There have been over 250 Million copies of the 6 HP books sold already, even at $15 per book (which most likely averages more like $20) the total sales would be worth over 3.75 Billion.  The 4 HP movies have brought in well over 3 Billion in the world wide box office, with HP4 still going very strong.  These, along with strong current book sales, the very likely 3 more HP blockbuster movies, a 7th book in the works and the millions in merchandising.  I will let you do the math, but as you can easily tell Rowling has created an impressive multi-Billion dollar empire.  As mentioned Rowling has planned just one more installment in the book series, but she is planning on taking her time on it.  Over the past 8 years she has gone from being a welfare mother to a Billion dollar lady.  A truly impressive feat.

Tuesday, November 22, 2005

Avoiding or Avoided

I was walking around town yesterday evening when I decided I would only walk in straight lines.  This meant that every time I came to another pedestrian walking they had to move around me.  I have to say most people start to steer clear well in advance, but then there are other people that must expect you to avoid them.  For those people it seemed like an old fashion game of chicken ensued, who will turn first?  I have to say I definitely rubbed a couple shoulders.  It was tough at times to hold in my laughter when other people would not change their course.  They were going straight also and there was nothing (perhaps only a light post) that would stop them.  I am sure if we got psychology involved we could from this simple experiment perceive something about how that person, to some extent, interact with others.  Next time you are walking around lets see if you are always the one avoiding or being avoided.

Monday, November 21, 2005

Tombstone



I did a search for Jonathan Barrett and was looking at images. (basically seeing who my fellow namesakes are out there). This is When I came across a tombstone with my name. It's kind of weird to see your own name on a tombstone.

Friday, November 18, 2005

Google Fight

Have you ever tried Google Fight?  The concept is to type in two separate words and see what one has more web pages associated with that word.  Kind of sounds boring when I think about it, but it can be good for a few moments of entertainment.

The Roof

 


Me and my brothers spend last weekend working on the roof at my parents place. I now have a new respect for people who roof for a living. It can be a tough job. Posted by Picasa

Thursday, November 17, 2005

Google Database

I have been playing around with base.google.com (Google Database) for a few minutes. Honestly I was expecting more. To me it simply seems like it will become a big classified add program. I will admit I still don't now much about it (since it just started yesterday). A few important things about it is that information will be very quickly launched (15 minutes) on Google's search engine compared to possibly weeks for a normal personal page to appear in Google's search. Give it some time I am sure it will become big knowing Google.

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

London

I was randomly searching around for travel ideas on Sunday evening when I came across many flight specials to England.  For $418 (Plus Fees) I could fly to London on the 14th of December and return on the 31st.  I was thinking about it, but being that I have already been to London I doubt I will bother going again.   It is not on the top of my current To Do travel list. 

Monday, November 07, 2005

Once the Snow Flies

 

I am trying to deceid if I want to go back to the Rockies this winter to get some more skiing in. Last year I went during Christmas and got about 10 days in, this year I would be going during Feb break when there is more of the deep white fluffy stuff. I had wanted to ski Whistler during that time, but it doesn't look like that is going to work out as planned.(Pict of me boarding at Whistler this past Spring) Posted by Picasa

Friday, November 04, 2005

Peggy's Cove


I can see why so many people like to visit Peggy's Cove. It is such a beautiful and interesting little place. The rugged coastline with little to no vegetation caused by the harsh salt breeze. It was a cool evening with a stiff breeze from off the ocean the evening that I went out. There were a few people milling around but by no means were there crowds as can be seen in the summer months. It was a perfect evening to get some great shots.

Peggy's Cove

 
 Posted by Picasa

Tuesday, November 01, 2005

Hockey

It feels like hockey for most people has been up and running for about a month.  For me however, Saturday was my first time on the ice for the new season.  Boy did it feel good.  Five on and one spare per side of all out chaos.  I was great to get back on the ice.  I scored 3 goals as well.  Not bad compared to my normal scoring ability and me playing defence most of the game.  I need to get on the ice a lot more if I want to get back to were I would like to be though.  Only time will tell if I am able to find more quality ice time.

A Picture

 


Comments Posted by Picasa

Friday, October 28, 2005

HOME


Right now I live with my brother and sister-in-law in Halifax, Jamin and Sarah. Sarah is in the process of starting her own blog so I showed her my blog and while checking it out she noticed that I didn't have her or Jamin's name anyplace in the blog. Well Sarah here it is, you can no longer say I have not mentioned you or your hubby in my blogging . I dedicate this whole posting to your new blog. If anyone is interested in cheching it out click on SARAH. Here is a pict of Sarah and Jamin in Austraila a couple weeks back.

Come and Gone

Ever think about how people are always saying how quickly time is passing by.  It is especially noticed when someone goes away (travel, work.....) for a month, year, couple years- whatever be the case.  I have observed that for the person who goes away to them they feel like they have been gone longer than that time period.  Verses the people they left and come back to it normally feels like a much shorter period of time that that person has been away.  I'm no psychologist but am guessing it has to do with routine.  If you are in a routine with few things changing around you time will pass by quickly.  You are basically doing things without thinking.  However if everything is always changing (such as when traveling) you have to constantly be alert and aware of your surroundings in order to stay safe and get to where it is you want to go.  What I am getting at is if you do not want time to pass you by, break that routine and do something new (mix it up).  For other people who want time to pass more quickly (which is a shame since we have only so much of it) get into a set routine and strictly follow it.  Time is constantly passing by all of us are we making the most of that time which we have been given.

Monday, October 24, 2005

Domains

If anyone ever wanted a domain name now is the time with Yahoo small business.  The are only 2.99 usd and you can register for up to 5 years.  that's not even 15 bucks for 5 years.  Most places charge about $10 per year.  Now is the time to save that domain you have always wanted.   And yes I got another one.  JonathanBarrett.org

Jon

Wednesday, October 19, 2005

I'm Hosted Now

I have finally taken the plunge and purchased myself some web space.  More like 5GB of web space.  Have been playing around with it a bit but have to wait for the domain to get registered and linked properly.  Hopefully I will be able to do a lot of cool things with this web space. I have simply become tired of free hosting sites with their annoying adds or minimal services.  I have a number of ideas of what I would like to see with this web space, but only time will tell if it will all come together.   www.magoh.org

Tuesday, October 18, 2005

Bodenseehof

I have been thinking about Bodenseehof (a bible school in Germany I attended back in 01/02) recently.  I have been looking around trying to find a good alumni web page.  I really have not found much, especially for my year.  It would be exciting to get some website started for Bodenseehof Alumni with picts, contacts, news, web forums, you get the idea.  Generally a good place to go to find out what some of your old Bode Buddies are doing.

Thursday, October 13, 2005

Memories

I have been recently sorting through the many pictures I have taken over the past number of years.   I always find it amazing how a simple picture can bring back so many fond memories.  Memories of places, smells, voices, feelings and especially people.  It seems that every one of our senses and even our emotions are mingled in our memories.  The blisteringly cold night on the edge of the mountain.  The smell of the salty air breeze slamming against the rugged shore.  The sound of the wolf crying to the bright moon.  You get the idea of the power of pictures in memory.  It can be tough and even bothersome to take the time to get some  great pictures, especially on vacations, but as I slowly mature and experience more of life I find it is always worth every moment.  Remember take lots of pictures and share them with friends there is no excuses now with digital.

Jon

Wednesday, October 12, 2005

Jon Planting

 
 Posted by Picasa
After a long shift the only motivation one has is to pound hard to get done. Well, maybe to make a bit of cash also, but more to be done of the shnarb (tough land).

Monday, October 10, 2005

Treeplanting

 
 Posted by Picasa
Camp 4 crew for Little Smokey Foresty Services during the 2005 treeplanting season.

Jonathan Barrett

Thursday, October 06, 2005

Sailing

I have to admit every time I feel like I have to settle down in one place for a prolonged period of time It makes me even that much more eager to be able to get away to some place new.  Now that I feel I will be in Halifax for some time I am in that place again were I am looking at where and when I will be able to get away again.  I have recently been on a sailing kick.  Thinking of how sweet it would be to pickup a 30' sailboat and sail around the Caribbean for the winter one of these years.  I don't even really know how to sail, but it sounds like an adventure that I would be up for and hopefully would be able to coax some friends to come along.

Monday, September 12, 2005

Dalhousie

Today is my official first day of normal classes here at DAL.  I had a survey camp during the past few days to review a few surveying skills, but am now  getting into my core courses for the term.  It appears that it should be a good term a number of classes that interest me.  I would have to say my schedule is definitely a lot more packed than back while I was at UPEI, basically 8:30 to 5:00 daily.  I have 5 classes and a lab today so I should be off.

Monday, August 29, 2005

Heli Show

After Finishing the Season with a week long Heli show from Grande Prairie, I flew home and am now enjoying the Island's beaches.  It feels great to be done for another season.  In total I got in 91 days of work this summer.  For me that is by far the best season I have ever had.  I know have to get my University stuff together over the next week then start another year of school.

Wednesday, August 17, 2005

Tofino

I would have to say one of my biggest traveling blunders ever happened just this past week when I decided to go to Victoria for a couple days, hike the WCT and surf in Tofino.  Instead because I did not have much time I hiked one day toward the WCT without making it there.  Turned around and went to Tofino.  There was a truck accident on the highway to Tofino causing about a 5 hour delay so buy the Time I got there everything was booked up.  In all I spent about 2 hours on the beach in the cold fog then decided I am going back to Victoria to at least have one enjoyable day.  Which I did.  That is what I get for trying to get too much stuff in with little time and planning.  Now I'm back to work in the morning.

Saturday, August 13, 2005

The End... Not Yet

I thought I was done then my Boss said, "Hey we just got another 180,000 trees we need to plant".  So I may be out here another few more days.  It has it's up side and its down side.  I'm excited for it though. 

Monday, July 11, 2005

Day 60

I have been very busy out here working so I have not had many opportunities to update my blog.  Even if I did most of my stories would have to do with treeplanting which I try not to think about too much on my days off.  I am currently on day 60 of planting should only be another 20 or so days remaining.  Other than one week of straight rain the weather has been wonderful.  I often dream of relaxing on the beaches of PEI on those days I just don't feel like planting.  I have been enjoying my summer greatly though.  I best get back at it.

Thursday, May 26, 2005

Contracts

I have had one shift on my newest contract.  I would have to admit my first day was tough, but things are starting to look up.  only another shift for this spring plant then I am moving on and planting some roads and burns for Ainsworth it normally is a good contract especially when they have some farmers fields to reclaim. 

Saturday, May 21, 2005

Coal Mines

I am finally finished my First contract of the season.  I would say of the 3 years doing this contract this has been my favorite year.  I had 21 days of planting with only two days off during that time.  The wildlife at the mines seems to get better every year also.  This year the Grizzly had two bear cubs and on one day there was a male Grizzly hanging around also.  I thought it was interesting when we were planting trees soaked in blood (to keep the longhorn sheep from eating them) when we had a mother and two cubs in sight in one direction and a male Grizzly just over the hill in the other direction.  Don't know who exactly planned that one.   Well I am now in Grande Prarrie about to go out to my next contract for a couple weeks.  I'm hopeing it will go well but I am having my doubts that it will be a great contract.

Wednesday, May 11, 2005

Tree planting

Another season is under way.  I am almost done of my second shift.  My first shift was 8 days which is a lot of days for getting the body back into planting shape.    The shift I am on right now is looking like it will be 7 days.  It has been good so far.  A few tough days but very good so far overall.  I'm hopeing for another good season.  My body is feeling it but lots of sleep and lots of good food is keeping me going.  It's tough to type with the way my hands feel right now so it's bed time.

Cadomine caving

I was working from a small town called Cadomin for a number of days.  In the town there is only one small motel that I stayed in and a corner store that is only open from 10 till 2.  so that means it's never open when we are around.  This town is cool though because after my first shift (that was 8 days long) my day off was in this small town which is actually a Hamlet and not even a town, I was able to go up to some caves they have in the mountains just outside of the village.  These caves I have been told are the largest limestone caves in Canada.  They are really cool.  There were so many huge caverns and lots of small tunnels.  It was definitely kind of interesting when the bats keep flying right in front of your face.  They definitely make you jump.  It was sweet I hope to be able to go back with more people next time to explore it in even more detail.

Wednesday, April 27, 2005

Whistler

I had a great day of Skiing at Whistler on Monday. It was like 20
degrees at the base and not a drop of snow anyplace but it was
beautiful at the top. T-Shirt weather with lots of snow. I got burnt
to a crisp though and am paying the consequences today. I will have
to go back there again some day when the entire hill is opend, but I
still will most likely spend most of my time in that same area that
was open yesterday. I am in Jasper chilling right not and my time is
up gotta go.

Flying

I would have to say I really don't understand people who love to fly.
For myself If I could bus someplace the same speed as I could fly I
would bus every time. I do admit the first few times flying can be
fun, but for me it gets old quick. Maybe just because I have been
spoiled with being able to fly in helicoptors and stuff for the summer
which is murch more fun than comercial airlines. The main reason I am
going on about flying is that on Saturday with my 3 flights that I was
hopeing would go so smoothly were major hastles. First of all my
connecting flight in Toronto had mechanical problems so we left two
hours late then my connnection in Vancouver to Victoria was way missed
so the next connection available was another 3 hours of waiting in an
airport. fun stuff. It was worth it though had a good day with my
Friend Ryan on Sunday going to his church and playing some tennis.

Wednesday, April 20, 2005

Four Day

Time is quickly depleating for me here on PEI. I have another 4 days till I fly off to Victoria for a few days then back to another season of planting. It is hard to believe this will be my fourth year planting. Well I suppose someone must save the environment. Check out this satellite photo of one of the areas that I planted in. It am guessing that it will amaze most people how much land is chopped. As you can see the more brown the area the more recently it has been timbered.

Saturday, April 16, 2005

No More Hockey

Well another Season of Hockey is now over. It is kindof sad. My future hockey career is uncertain as I do not know were I will be able to play next year. Hmm.. I never thought about that until now. Looking back still though It was a great year of hockey. Lots of wins and few defeats. What else could you ask for.

Monday, April 11, 2005

Exams

Exams this week! Yikes. Gota go study. Lata.

Monday, April 04, 2005

Last Week of Class

This is the Last week of classes for the term this week. I have to admit it has been a very interesting term to say the least. It means I only have another 3 weeks till I am gone for the summer yet again. I still have a lot to do to get ready for that. Well I need to concentrate on school for now.

Saturday, April 02, 2005

Website

I finally posted my website at www.barrett.siteburg.com will soon link one of my other domain names there. It is still definitely a work in progress. My toolbar thing does not really like the add at the top of the page so it is up in the add right now. Some of my links are dead still or they may lead you to some random other place. Still working on getting gallery working (very unsuccessful so far). When I get that up and going it will help the site very much so. But I do have limited space and uploading capability, however I was happy they had PHP and many other features for free at this site. If you are board drop on by. (forgive my spelling on my travelogues they are a work in progress)

Friday, March 25, 2005

Moose's Mighty Beanz

I do not understand one little bit what these little Moose's mighty beanz are all about. They are just a little capsule of plastic with some heavy object inside of it that can move back and forth. I bought a package of 6 the other day at Wal-Mart because they were on for like 50 cents in a clearance bin. I thought that when you dropped them or something they would bounce but they don't. From what I can tell they are more of a collectors item type of thing. Can't really understand it. If anyone knows what it's all about let me know.

Camping

Just last night I finally went to a spot on the Island that me and some of my friends have been talking about ever since we where little tots. It is a little spot out in Emmyvale, PEI that my friend's parents owned while they were farming. It was formerly a small vineyard on a gentle sloping hill toward a little pond. In the pond are a few Islands that when we where young we frequently talked about building these nifty castle forts on. Then we would have battles back and forth between the Islands. The funny memories of old.

Wednesday, March 23, 2005

Charlie McDougall

As the hockey season comes to a close for another year it was great to get out for the annual Charlie McDougall Hockey Tournament in Bedque. We returned as the defending champions and expected nothing less for this year. It was an interesting journey from game one to game five. Starting out with our guns loaded destroying the first team 13-1. We quickly hit a brick wall losing 3-1 the next day which motivated all of us to get the hunger back to win all of our remaining games. The first game of our final day we destroyed a team 8-0 getting us into the crossovers. In the Crossovers we fought a tough battle and came out victorious 3-0. This guaranteed us a place in the Championship game against the team that had already sidetracked us once. We where up for the challenge and had the taste of revenge from the day before. After 50 minutes of play we clinching our place yet again on the Charlie McDougall Trophy winning 5-2.

Monday, March 14, 2005

MEC

When I was in Halifax this past weekend I had the opportunity to go to the Mountain Equipment Co-op. I always enjoy checking out all the gear that is in the store and thinking man this piece of gear or that would make my three months a year I spend in a tent much more enjoyable. Somehow I normally talk myself out of buying most things that are not essential. I normally have a chuckle or two walking around the store watching people buying tents, sleeping bags and every other piece of gear they have no idea about. They buy this extreamly good tent, sleeping bag and every other fancy item in the store and will most likely only use it for a weekend in a campground. Yet someone like myself buys a cheap tent and sleeping bag from Canadian Tire then lots of stuff from the local thrift stores when I live in it for the whole summer in the middle of the wilderness in northern BC or Alberta. I mainly buy cheap gear being that it is only going to last a couple summers (if that) anyway and for others only using it on the odd weekend buying good gear will last them for many years to come. Next time you're in the store or on the trail look around and have a chuckle for yourself.

Tuesday, March 08, 2005

The Nalgene

How has Nalgene become such a huge name in heavy duty water bottles? I have worked in wilderness camping for a couple years and yes they are great for camping. Also they are great at times when I am treeplanting, but really $10 bucks for a one liter water bottle? I do admit Nalgenes are basically indestructible other than their very weak lid to bottle strap. One reason may be that Nalgene, until recently, did not really have very much for competition in the high strength water bottle market. I suppose they must be good seeing that they have sold millions of their little plastic bottles.

Sunday, February 27, 2005

Backgammon

Do I have any Backgammon fans out there? This is one game I have always wondered how to play. It is normally on the back of every chess board and so many other places. Finally this summer it all came together. I met a French man named Martin who had a backgammon board at the treeplanting camp I was working at and he taught me how to play (same situation as learning crib, just different year and a different frenchman). He almost always destroyed me, but I have been getting much better with practice. I really enjoy the game now and know why it is such a classic. It is just too bad more people who are my age do not know how to play.

Monday, February 21, 2005


Relaxing under the warm sun.

Me and the boys down in the Florida Keys last week on our study break in Florida.

Friday, February 11, 2005


Just another day on the beach in Key West, Flordia. The water was warm, the sun was shinning and most importantly I was there (the one thing that may be more important is that I am going to be there agian in a couple days).

The beach at fort Lauderdale was quite a bit busier than the beach in Miami. I'm guessing just because of the time of day. It was packed.

Miami Beach when I was down there in 2003. Hopefully it's just as warm and beautiful out when I go down this time.

Saturday, February 05, 2005

Flordia

I'm heading to Flordia for Study Break. Should be a good time.

Monday, January 31, 2005

The WCT

The WEST COAST TRAIL. I have been looking into doing it just before planting season starts this spring. There are a few difficulties I am running into which are. First the trail is officially closed that time of year (April). Second when the trail is closed there is no official boat system to get you across the two major waterways on the trail. I really don't feel like swimming in 6 degree Celsius water (that's mighty cold). Lastly I currently would be hiking it solo, which may not be too bright of an idea during the offseason. It appears and reads such that it should be a fun time, but if I do it I need to do a lot of planning and background work. Possibly find one more person to do it with me as well.

Friday, January 28, 2005

A New Website

I've been working on a new web page for myself. I feel it's looking good, but I still have a lot of work to do to it then upload it to the net. I'm hopeing to incorperate blogging into it but don't know how that is going to work. May need to get a more extensive provider than blogger. hopefully I will have some of it ready for the near future then slowly add a bit more to it.

Friday, January 21, 2005


A great day for fishing in Northern Quebec close to the end of summer. There was nothing but Northern Pike in this part of the river and even if they are tasteless to eat they are still fun to catch and release.

Saturday, January 15, 2005

Beautiful day

It is a great day outside today! The sun is shining and it's not too cold, just very brisk out there. It would be a great day to go find a chunk of ice and play a game of shinny on it. Winter days such as today are great days.

Saturday, January 08, 2005


I'm home and back to UPEI after a couple weeks away skiing in the Rockies. Here is a picture of me at the top of Fernie. It was a beautiful day with lots of soft fresh powder from the day before. Good memories.