tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87793902024-03-14T11:00:35.407-04:00Yusef's JournalA travel journal....a diary....a place to kick back a bit. Laughter and poignancy are correct here. Rants are, well, for my OTHER blog.STAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06198646624631167489noreply@blogger.comBlogger986125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8779390.post-36011657578180921142014-07-17T17:28:00.001-04:002014-07-17T17:57:06.199-04:00Dark Comedy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgokBb85babk_-v_4fF4hj11a7rMneBR6FaPXTgdPqh8PYqrs8iNxOuLUDx9hYSPv0K1pOsUgtCaVXoroa__6oU1_dZtHc8EvQjyLiFHkJpr4hpk5pXW6MvAaW4CQ0_xS1TUrYMDg/s1600/FEDUN2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgokBb85babk_-v_4fF4hj11a7rMneBR6FaPXTgdPqh8PYqrs8iNxOuLUDx9hYSPv0K1pOsUgtCaVXoroa__6oU1_dZtHc8EvQjyLiFHkJpr4hpk5pXW6MvAaW4CQ0_xS1TUrYMDg/s1600/FEDUN2.jpg" height="316" width="320" /></a></div>
A dark comedy...<br />
<br />
Well, it was a bit of a shock, but after I kicked the bucket, I found myself on the Rainbow Road leading to the after whateva. Rainbow road, not Ferry road? Well, there was the name, right on the sign. Though a nice lady named Sharon gave me a donut and a coffee to go, and would only accept coins. Peculiar I thought, but she showed me the way. Nice little country road, winding in among the trees. Tramped pretty solidly by the thousands who have walked down these leafy vales before. Turns out people think you can take it with you. They all seem to be burdened with baggage (some of the load they carried when they were alive) which Dickenesque self judgement seemed to be pretty universal. Even I could see the nice gravel of the road I trod upon frost up with multi coloured hoar around feet which seemed to still not work right. At least I knew I was on the right bridge! I didn't think the BiFrost Bridge would looke "quite" like this, but then who am I to judge. The rainbow road was littered with suitcases, boxes, weapons (!) and other detritus of lives spent, well, living.<br />
<br />
Like all good things, the long pleasant road came to an end. And there were the judges. Not the ones I would have chosen given the circumstances, but I guess they would do. Farther along, visible from up on the hill here on the left, a harrassed white robed dude trying to deal with a row of computer monitors which seemed to be awfully overkill considering his lineups were NOT terribly excessive. In fact, hardly any at all. The big line up was for team Hell on the on the right. There, almost on the road was the bouncer himself, the "Lord of the Flies", looking just like a 1950's horror movie. Head of a fly, body of a big tough dude covered in tatoos which shifted and moved in a MOST disconcerting way. He didn't look very comfortable, as he was standing out beside the road shivering in what was clearly the bouncer's spot out front of a night club inpired version of hangover Hell. Again, not what I was expecting, but then, at least it was sulphurous and full of demons and lost souls as far as I could see from where I stood in line. Over by the main entrance were the Lord of War, Lord of Famine, Lord of Pestilence, and Lord of (I can never remember) looking bored. "Right", I thought, "Walmart greeters". The Lord of War was tossing bullets at the Lord of Death, trying to get his exposed ribs to ring in tune, while Death kept twisting because "It tickles...quit it". The Lord of Conquest had his nose in a travelogue, and was planning his next trip, but kept coming up with "Hmmm, Afganistan looks nice" and I heard Famine sarcastically remark "Yeah, its always worked for you before! Sure, go for it!" Conquest would look up with a puzzled look, obviously confused and kept muttering things like "terms of victory", and other weasel words to convice himself that he still had relevance in a modern world. Famine convinced him to go back inside and "change into his lawer's clothing". This (I thought) explained much. Dipishits and bullies. About what I expected. <br />
<br />
A bus load of heavy metal fans were arguing with the fly lord about why they should be there, and the fly lord kept calling in his buzzing voice for more skin lined books with the metal heads' life histories to prove they had not been bad enough. Finally the big guy slammed the last of the books shut, leaving a huge cloud of cocaine dust in the air (all that was really left of their lives) and sent them back to their bus. The bus driver blew bubbles at them and mocked them, I could not "quite" get a glimpse of his face but the voice sounded very familiar. As did the bubbles. And then the Lord of the Flies came to see what I was up to. An eager soul elbowed his way past me, dropping the baggage he had been carrying and I took this opportunity to look at what he had flung to the dirt. Turned out it was his street clothes in a cardboard box, his clothes spilling out into the ditch. I picked up the empty box because I had an idea.<br />
The box said LG on the side. So I walked up the harrassed bouncer and he pronounced in his buzzing voice "So now (buzz buzz) who are you and (buzz buzz) where can I find you on my (buzz buzz) list of books? "Oh", I said "I'm just here to install the air conditioning". And I held up my box that said LG on the side. I figured a dude who had the head of fly would not be too bright. And was not disappointed. "Air Conditioning!" (buzz buzz) "This is Hell, we don't DO air conditioning". I replied "Oh come on. I'm not talking about on the dance floor (I could see over his shoulder a place where the lost souls were writhing in what I shall for the moment call a "dance floor". Turns out, I found out later, that it really WAS a dance floor, and the "lost souls" were actually being forced to try out the latest Shakira dance moves. Yup. It was Hell all right) I mean, look at your Lord of War, he's still sweating bullets!" They were too...real bullets! In response to this jibe, War sweated a few into his cupped hands and flung them at me. They went supersonic with fierce crack-crack-cracks as they passed overhead. Flies turned on him in anger and picked out a few of them out of his skin. His tattoos took the opportunity to try to get a bite in on me. I moved back a bit. <br />
"Say, (buzz buzz) has anybody seen Conquest? We are out here doing our dooty and where is Conquest? (buzz buzz) Death pointed out that Conquest was studying Afganistan again and they all in unison said "Yeah, that has always worked for him before!" Conquest had just come out the door in time to hear himself being mocked and hurredly volte faced. None saw the look he gave the rest of them. <br />
"so (buzz buzz) what made you think to try to sell air conditioners in hell?" "Well, I figured there would be a market. Its a job." I set my box down and dragged up one of those ubuquitous cloth slung chairs abandoned by the road and offered it to the big guy. I dodged a snap from the wolf tattoo on his wrist, and dragged up a chair for myself. It promptly collapsed on me...the way they do. Ever hear a fly laugh? Fortunately, there were plenty of the stupid chairs. "Yeah (buzz buzz) I know what you mean about it being just a job. Just like this one. (Buzz buzz). "I could make jokes about how my dogs are tired, but then, I am tired of hearing them. (The tattoo'd wolfs on his feet growled at each other) Well, its getting late in the day so you may as well take off. See if you peddle your (buzz buzz) air conditioners to St. Peter. He is (buzz buzz) just up the road. Its time for Hell to Party! Want to drop by, (buzz buzz) we have been practicing Shakira dance moves! "Nah, got to get to work", I replied. <br />
<br />
Conquest met me on the road, his white horse prancing and nibbling at the fresh foliage along side the road. I sort of felt that he didn't belong with that crowd, but then, upon reflection, where would the one be without the other? "Well, you pulled that off", he said, "with a little help from me justsoyaknow. Not as much as all that though, you picked your time well, that undisciplined crew were tired and had been on duty all day. Did you notice your book was right there on top of the pile? I swiped it, here, you can hang onto it. Sooner or later, it will drag you back down this road though." I took the book, and placed it in a formerly discarded possibles pouch which had been abandoned by some colonial wars soldier who knows how long ago. I liked the fringes. The leather was embossed with hunting scenes which ran around the front and in behind. I was hoping to get away from Hell's influence long enough for the embossing to stop moving. I asked Conquest "So where do I go from here?" "Well you could check in with the opposition. He is just up the road, and for today, He has taken on a form you can understand...the old silliness of St. Peter and the pearly gates. Don't underestimate His intelligence, and think it is equal to the Lord of the Flies...He got you some luck today." "Why would he do that?" "Well, I think He wants you as my assistant." "You work for Him? The first of the four horsemen of the apocalypse? Really!" He chuckled, the sword belts creaking a bit in the setting sun and the Calligae kicking up little dust clouds as we walked. The horse knickered but I noticed that she did not leave any horseshoe prints. "Lets make camp in that clearing up ahead on the left. I will explain it all to you" said the Lord of Conquest, as he kicked together a pile of duff and reached for his flint and steel. "Is that any wine left in that box over there?"<br />
<br />
And so, with that, the adventure began. <br />
STAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06198646624631167489noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8779390.post-87286515683085573262014-07-03T21:54:00.003-04:002014-07-03T21:54:39.542-04:00newsletter and updatesUpdates...<br />
Well, they got me on a medieval cancer drug now. How cool is that! Apparently this is a very expensive synthetic replica of the powder obtained by pounding down dry Yew Tree bark. They would be right to call it inheritance powder...because it is so natural it simply does its work and goes away. I can tell you that this Plaxitol is a definite hit man for sure.<br />
<br />
Cerulian Bill dropped in after planning a trip to Ottawa for, like, forever. I had to miss a day of his fine company to sleep. That was on the previous chemo, which did not seem to work. But he saw plenty of Ottawa, and plenty of the beauty of my beloved Nation's Capitol. I left him and Susan at the war museum, and they were fascinated about how much the history books and hollywood pretty much ignore the contributions we made since...well, the French Indian War I suppose, right up to the modern debacle in Afganistan. (We lost more troops as a percentage than the Americans, but only because of friendly (not ours) fire. And we actually lost a diplomat! Shows we go in where angels fear to tread, and we are here to do a job, not just police a city)<br />
<br />
I walked the walk on cancer. Two kilometers up and down the airport parkway. My swords were right there helping me the whole way! In full armour! I think there are pictures somewhere on face book or some thing... google Armoured Company of the Swords. There may even be pictures on our web site www.armouredswords.ca<br />
<br />
So many great people. <br />
below is a cut and paste of the latest newsletter<br />
<br />
South Tower and Armoured Company of the Sword<br /><br />newsletter 1 July 2014<br /><br />Walk for cancer went really well. <br />Thank you Dominique for<br />ramrodding such a complicated event.<br />Perhaps I can get her to be our squire wrangler. <br />pictures on facebook of the walk. <br /><br /><br />July 11th and 12th...Osgoode Medieval Festival<br />Schedule of events<br />Saturday....<br />http://www.osgoodemedievalfestival.com/schedule_files/2014%20Saturday%20Schedule.pdf<br />Sunday<br />http://www.osgoodemedievalfestival.com/schedule_files/2014%20Sunday%20Schedule.pdf<br /><br />The idea of this schedule was to give <br />visitors from a goodly distance <br />like Kingston a chance to get here <br />without having to get up at Oh dark thirty.<br />(crash space and camping space <br />is available guys! )<br /><br />And NOT conflict with the jousters. <br />Or anything else. <br />Props to Phil L. for creating the finest <br />schedule I have ever seen! <br /><br />Friday is the "knight's pub" upstairs at <br />the arena. A couple of armoured knights get in<br />for free because they will act as greeters, <br />otherwise it is 25 bucks for some <br />great food, and if past performances are <br />any indication, all the beer that <br />people will foist upon our hard <br />working sweaty knights! <br />Who gets to be greeters?<br />Well, sounds like a reason for a fight to me! <br /> <br /><br />The summer tournament will <br />take place at the Osgoode Faire.<br />Devon and Jeff will determine <br />times and dates for the tournament, <br />and post their decision as required.<br />We have the following times available to us.<br />(from the above schedule <br />which is now cast in stone)<br />Saturday. <br />tournament... 9:45 to 10:30<br />meet the knights...10:30 to 10:45 <br />demo-tournament 1:15 to 2:00<br />Meet the knights 2:00 to 2:15<br /><br />Sunday,<br />Demo 9:45 to 10:30 <br />Meet the knights 10:30 to 10:45<br />Demo 4:00 to 4:45<br />Meet the knights 4:45 to 5:00<br /><br /><br /> <br />I will provide a prize. <br /><br />+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ <br /><br />We are still taking orders for the <br />dinner at the Russell House on Saturday, <br />July 12, 2014 planned for 6.30.<br />Check our facebook page, or get ahold <br />of Brenda for any last minute additions<br />tudorlady@gmail.com<br />Its okay if you book and cancel...<br />they just might have trouble filling in <br />last minuite additions unless you order <br />off this set menu. <br />So get onto that soonest guys! <br />Do I have to mention the home made <br />lamb hot-pot, Guinness shepherd's pie,<br />the baked chicken and the ribs <br />each for under ten bucks a plate? <br />Dare you to finish them and not be full.<br />Deserts and gratuities are extra <br />of course. (sticky toffee pudding! Oh my!)<br />Terry reminded me that they are a pub <br />first and a restaurant second, and<br />he is as proud of his 18 beers<br />and ciders on tap <br />as Edna is proud of her meat pies!<br /><br />Me... I am proud of this undiscovered <br />gem of a pub in the heart of the <br />Ottawa Valley. It should no longer <br />be the best kept secret in the Ottawa <br />Valley. <br /><br /> <br />Up coming classes...hot summers are<br />keeping people away from doing classes.<br />Of course we shall keep on, its what we do!<br />The usual sign ups are required at both<br />Algonquin College and Plant Bath.<br />
<br />
(got 'em at Plante as of this morning!)<br />
<br />email me for more info <br />or you can go to the ACS forum site <br />where Jeff has updated all the <br />contact information required. <br /><br /><br />Bill Fedun<br />Armour Maker<br />www.southtower.on.ca<br />www.armouredswords.ca<br />MarshalBill@gmail.com<br /> STAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06198646624631167489noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8779390.post-2027043651761259522014-04-07T23:52:00.001-04:002014-04-07T23:52:07.596-04:00Today suckedYesterday I enjoyed a wonderful fish and chips. Today, it all came back up. Dammit! I remember now that the second Monday after my chemo is a day of nausea and sleeping all day. Well, seems to be repeating itself. I blame it on the whole lemon I ate yesterday. Ate it like an apple. No accounting for cravings! Probably the pulp jammed my up a bit. Or more than a bit!<br />
Did some fighting yesterday. Felt SO much better yesterday than today. <br />
<br />
And its raining. I just watched three feet of snow vanish in two hours. And not before time! OTOH, for those dumb enough to build in a flood plain the river is getting even for all those nice views you got last summer! The Rideau River is two feet over its banks right now. Lots of nice riverview houses have a lot of water in their basements, not to mention the most saturated a septic field can possibly get. They are all moving out. Double price for water front property? Serves you right.<br />
<br />
Just got finished with Dr. Beliveau's book on foods that fight cancer. The holy trinity is Tumeric, (combined with peppers to make curry) Flax seeds fresh ground and Tomato sauce. Wash it down with green tea, and you will never get cancer. Or rather, you already HAVE cancer (everybody has!) and this will keep it from vascularizing or otherwise growing bigger than a pin prick. <br />
Funny thing though....my subconscious mind is smart enough to know what foods are good for me...so I get cravings for garlic and onions...foods which I normally detest. Also lemons and orange juice. Yogurt, hard boiled eggs, salmon and buttermilk. All good. And I throw up in the presence of a cheese burger and fried chicken. I believe that beef will kill ya sooner or later! I wish I could stand bacon and pulled pork, but it ain't gonna happen. Used to love that stuff. The subconscious mind says...Hey dude...the nitrates and smoke will kill ya. <br />
Just thought it was weird that my cravings and Dr. Beliveau's book correlated so well. <br />
<br />
<br />STAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06198646624631167489noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8779390.post-49094069577635779612014-04-06T02:38:00.000-04:002014-04-06T02:38:13.429-04:00updateWell, it took me two hours to navigate back to this blog. Why did they have to make it so hard. I have no interest in going with google 1. I just want a blog to post to. <br />
Seems clicking on "dashboard" takes me to my YouTube account. WTF!<br />
<br />
Oh well. <br />
<br />
I am still alive. Against all odds. The cancer has progressed, so I think all the positive thoughts in the world are not gonna work. Sorry Laura, the author of "the secret". She obviously didn't have a cancer attached to her heart. On the other hand, I have gone to church, and the priest heard my first confession in 34 years. I took the host in a shortie mass after everybody else had left. After 34 years of dissolute lifestyle, my penance was fairly lengthy, and my legs went to sleep. But it was like an old Jimmy Stewart movie...everything was so bright and pleasant. Father Anthony had to help me up...I looked like "Bambi on ice". But it has put ME at peace. Not my dear wife though...who really needs a vacation. Looking after me is getting her more and more stressed out. <br />
So I have been pretty much focusing on myself. I have trained an armourer to take over that legacy business, and have trained a sword handler to take over the fighting side. Another legacy. Other than that, I have been focusing on getting better. Hopefully now, we can get the summer show season off the ground...make some money. <br />
Its nice that people are still coming over to chat with the old man. (Old...hell...I only LOOK old because of the chemo...I am really only 57.) Tomorrow, I shall attempt to do some sword training. I still have things to teach the young Turks. <br />
It has been the winter of winters this year! Not a record snow fall, but nearly! But long. I still have four feet of snow in my back yard. And the septic system has frozen. Bummer. Poor Brenda...she has a house without a sewer. Well...give it a week or two...should fix itself. <br />
If not...well...we may have to move into a hotel for a few weeks until it all thaws. Not gonna dig up septic runs in April! Not in Ottawa! Oh well...it doesn't rain but it pours.<br />
Well, enough of that. Cheers!<br />
<br />
<br />STAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06198646624631167489noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8779390.post-1836357760480244132013-10-13T08:32:00.001-04:002013-10-13T08:32:58.130-04:00Dot ComIn ancient Israel, it came to pass that a trader by the name of Abraham Com<br />
did take unto himself a young wife by the name of Dorothy.<br />
And Dot Com was a comely woman, broad of shoulder and long of leg. Indeed,<br />
she was often called Amazon Dot Com.<br />
And she said unto Abraham, her husband, "Why dost thou travel so far from<br />
town to town with thy goods when thou canst trade without ever leaving thy<br />
tent?"<br />
And Abraham did look at her as though she were several saddle bags short of<br />
a camel load, but simply said, "How, dear?"<br />
And Dot replied, "I will place drums in all the towns and drums in between<br />
to send messages saying what you have for sale, and they will reply telling<br />
you who hath the best price.<br />
The sale can be made on the drums and delivery made by Uriah's Pony Stable<br />
(UPS)."<br />
Abraham thought long and decided he would let Dot have her way with the<br />
drums. And the drums rang out and were an immediate success.<br />
Abraham sold all the goods he had at the top price, without ever having to<br />
move from his tent.<br />
To prevent neighbouring countries from overhearing what the drums were<br />
saying, Dot devised a system that only she and the drummers knew.<br />
It was known as Must Send Drum Over Sound (MSDOS), and she also developed a<br />
language to transmit ideas and pictures - Hebrew To The People (HTTP).<br />
And the young men did take to Dot Com's trading as doth the greedy horsefly<br />
take to camel dung. They were called Nomadic Ecclesiastical Rich Dominican<br />
Sybarites, or NERDS.<br />
And lo, the land was so feverish with joy at the new riches and the<br />
deafening sound of drums that no one noticed that the real riches were going<br />
to that enterprising drum dealer,<br />
Brother William of Gates, who bought off every drum maker in the land.<br />
Indeed he did insist on drums to be made that would work only with Brother<br />
Gates' drumheads and drumsticks.<br />
And Dot did say, "Oh, Abraham, what we have started is being taken over by<br />
others."<br />
And Abraham looked out over the Bay of Ezekiel , or eBay as it came to be<br />
known.<br />
He said, "We need a name that reflects what we are."<br />
And Dot replied, "Young Ambitious Hebrew Owner Operators."<br />
"YAHOO," said Abraham.<br />
And because it was Dot's idea, they named it YAHOO Dot Com.<br />
Abraham's cousin, Joshua, being the young Gregarious Energetic Educated Kid<br />
(GEEK) that he was, soon started using Dot's drums to locate things around<br />
the countryside.<br />
It soon became known as God's Own Official Guide to Locating Everything<br />
(GOOGLE).<br />
That is how it all began. And that's the truth.<br />
STAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06198646624631167489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8779390.post-49650335019339479352013-10-13T08:31:00.002-04:002013-10-13T08:31:21.516-04:00Signs.<br />
SIGNS<br />
<br />
Sign over a Gynaecologist's Office:<br />
"Dr. Jones, at your cervix."<br />
<br />
In a Podiatrist's office:<br />
"Time wounds all heels."<br />
<br />
On a Septic Tank Truck:<br />
Yesterday's Meals on Wheels<br />
<br />
At an Optometrist's Office:<br />
"If you don't see what you're looking for,<br />
you've come to the right place."<br />
<br />
On a Plumber's truck:<br />
"We repair what your husband fixed."<br />
<br />
On another Plumber's truck:<br />
"Don't sleep with a drip. Call your plumber."<br />
<br />
At a Tire Shop in Milwaukee :<br />
"Invite us to your next blowout."<br />
<br />
At a Towing company:<br />
"We don't charge an arm and a leg. We want tows."<br />
<br />
On an Electrician's truck:<br />
"Let us remove your shorts."<br />
<br />
In a Non-smoking Area:<br />
"If we see smoke, we will assume you are on fire and take appropriate<br />
action."<br />
<br />
On a maternity Room door:<br />
"Push. Push. Push."<br />
<br />
At a Car Dealership:<br />
"The best way to get back on your feet - miss a car payment."<br />
<br />
Outside a Muffler Shop:<br />
"No appointment necessary. We hear you coming."<br />
<br />
In a Veterinarian's waiting room:<br />
"Be back in 5 minutes. Sit! Stay!"<br />
<br />
At the Electric Company<br />
"We would be delighted if you send in your payment.<br />
However, if you don't, you will be."<br />
<br />
In a Restaurant window:<br />
"Don't stand there and be hungry;<br />
<br />
<div class="citation quoted1">
come on in and get fed up."<br />
</div>
In the front yard of a Funeral Home: (MY FAVOURITE!!!!!)<br />
"Drive carefully. We'll wait."<br />
<br />
At a Propane Filling Station:<br />
"Thank heaven for little grills."<br />
<br />
And don't forget the sign at a<br />
CHICAGO RADIATOR SHOP:<br />
"Best place in town to take a leak."<br />
<br />
Sign on the back of another Septic Tank Truck:<br />
"Caution - This Truck is full of Political Promises"<br />
STAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06198646624631167489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8779390.post-62882043954026916572013-09-29T07:52:00.002-04:002013-09-29T07:52:56.179-04:00A wedding. It has been an interesting couple of months. <br />
Amanda asked me to officiate at her wedding to Matthew. I should have seen it coming...but I was a little distracted. I promised her that if there was any way I could do it, I would. And I did. It was very interesting. It was a medieval wedding. Matthew dressed in some of his own armour, and came through an arch of swords as he came in. Amanda arrived in a carriage, and was escorted through her arch of swords by her sisters. I'll try to find some pictures to illlustrate this blog entry, so please drop in again in a few days<br />
<br />
This is what I said.....<br />
<br />
Good Afternoon my Lords and Ladies.<br />
Two noble families have gathered here to witness a wedding.<br />
More than that though<br />
They will witness a marriage.<br />
Please be seated.<br />
(pause)<br />
There are several symbols you will see here today.<br />
Some involve swords!<br />
Some involve armour!<br />
(flourish)<br />
Most can understand the beauty of an armour<br />
And see its beauty AS a symbol.<br />
After all, Matthew will invoke his role as the armour of his family.<br />
Both personally with his new wife,<br />
And in his new, larger role as he prepares to armour TWO families<br />
against the winds of fate.<br />
It is good to have strong members of a family.<br />
I think Matthew qualifies.<br />
The hardest part for Matthew's family was to slow him down.<br />
Now Amanda's family will share that... (pause) burden.<br />
(pause)<br />
Why swords though?<br />
Well, a sword is not a very good weapon. <br />
It is too delicate.<br />
They don't work as well as the movies say they work<br />
And we know!<br />
We play with these things every day!<br />
Not like a battle axe, or a war hammer.<br />
Now THERE'S a weapon!<br />
Even Robin Hood carried a better weapon than a sword.<br />
His bow.<br />
But.<br />
(Pause)<br />
He also carried a sword.<br />
He was an Earl and a knight.<br />
and therefore carried that badge of his rank.<br />
Outlaw or not, he was a knight, and believed in,<br />
and followed knightly virtues.<br />
Swords make better symbols than weapons.<br />
Again,<br />
(pause)<br />
We are back to symbols.<br />We all KNOW these symbols.<br />
I am just pointing out why they are here today.<br />
These are the knightly virtues:<br />
(pause between each virtue for effect)<br />
Honour Courtesy Courage Faith Grace Committment<br />
(pause)<br />
Honour. Of COURSE Matthew will honour his new bride<br />
And her family as he has honoured his own.<br />
He has brought honour to everything<br />
I have ever seen him do.<br />
(pause)<br />
Courtesy. Well, this is a credit to his family.<br />
(gesture to family)<br />
(pause) <br />
Courage. It takes a lot of courage to do the right thing.<br />
What ever that "right thing" might be.<br />
(pause)<br />
Faith. Such a small word for such a big virtue<br />
Faith is the sincere belief that things will turn out all right.<br />
(pause)<br />
Amanda's grace and beauty are evident today as they have been<br />
since I first met her. She brings out the best in those around her.<br />
Grace and courage define her.<br />
These qualities are priceless. <br />
(pause)<br />
When we first met Amanda, it was at a Sword Fighting Class.<br />
Matthew had brought her there to show her "what he does".<br />
Everyone who came in later asked "why is it so bright in here?"<br />
"Oh, its Matt! He's beaming!"<br />
We had never seen him so happy<br />
Except possibly for today....<br />
(Audience chuckles and nods knowingly)<br />
(pause)<br />
Amanda's courage to take up a new peer group<br />
and move to a new city CLEARLY demonstrates<br />
the virtue of courage.<br />
And I am more than pleased to consider her to be just as much<br />
a knight as any here.<br />
(pause)<br />
Marriage is the bringing of two families together.<br />
And believe me, you will need them and every ounce of<br />
assistance they care to share with you as you go forth from here.<br />
Especially when there are little Mattys and Mandys running around.<br />
(pause audience chuckles) <br />
The value of family is ALWAYS overlooked at the beginning.<br />
Matthew and Amanda do not need this ceremony to have a happy<br />
and contented life together.<br />
This ceremony is not the marriage.<br />
I am not marrying you.<br />
You are marrying each other<br />
Your families are marrying each other through you. <br />
That is why we are all here today.<br />
Today, we will witness something very special.<br />
Today, Matthew you will give yourself to Amanda to<br />
share your life with her.<br />
Today, Amanda, you will give yourself to Matthew to<br />
share your life with him.<br />
Every day.<br />
(stontorously)<br />
Every Single Day<br />
This is easy when things go right.<br />
It is imperative when things go wrong.<br />
Together you are more than twice as strong as you are apart.<br />
And you will call on your families to make you stronger yet.<br />
That is why we use swords and armour to symbolize<br />
a GOOD marriage.<br />
(audience spontaneously applauded at that point!)<br />
(pause...short pause between each line of the poem which follows.<br />
Paul said<br />
Love is patient. Love is kind.<br />
It is not jealous. Love is not pompous. It is not inflated.<br />
It is not rude. It does not seek its own interest.<br />
It is not quick tempered. It does not brood over injury.<br />
It does not rejoice over wrong doing.<br />
But rejoices with the truth.<br />
It bears all things<br />
It believes all things<br />
It hopes all things<br />
It endures all things.<br />
Love never fails.<br />
(pause)<br />
Matthew and Amanda, now it is your turn<br />
Matthew, here is a copy of your vows,<br />
I am sure you have memorized them, but nervousness<br />
will make the best speech fly away in the wind!<br />
(Amanda had her lines down cold.)<br />
(Amanda chose to say her vows first)<br />
(Matthew said his vows second)<br />
(It is not appropriate for me to publish them here.<br />
Suffice to say, they were delivered clearly and well) <br />
<br />
Now is the traditional time to exchange rings<br />
These are of course, are the symbols of committment to each other<br />
<br />
Pause.<br />
<br />
I call upon Malcolm S. , the father of the Bride to come forth<br />
He wishes to welcome Matthew to his family.<br />
(Malcolm presents a sword to Matthew)<br />
<br />
pause<br />
<br />
The groom wishes to present a token to his bride.<br />
(Matthew presents a fine dagger)<br />
<br />
pause.<br />
The bride wishes to present a token gift to her groom<br />
<br />
(A box which cleverly concealed a war hammer was brought forth)<br />
(I say)<br />
She clearly wants him to have a serious weapon! <br />
Didn't we all agree earlier that you want a good weapon, a war hammer is it!<br />
<br />
(Audience enthusiastically agrees. It is very pretty!) <br />
<br />
Now the part you have all been waiting for.<br />
(loudly)<br />
My Lords and Ladies....I present to you Lord and Lady. G.............<br />
You may kiss the bride.<br />
(crowd goes wild.)<br />
(music starts,)<br />
(I take the dog from Matt's mom)<br />
(we all go through the arch)<br />
<br />
Ceremony is over. I go to de-compress in the bushes with the dogs.<br />
It was a bit rough...the energy level went to below 10%. <br />
Every body else goes on carriage rides. <br />
<br />
The poem I chose lends some tradition to an admittedly off the bubble<br />
ceremony, and many of the family members on both<br />
sides of the aisle beamed as they recognized this poem from their own<br />
weddings! It is a passage from Corinthians. The "Paul is, of course,<br />
St. Paul, and he first said these words in a delightful grotto in Malta.<br />
I will try to get some pictures of this wedding and post them here. <br />
<br />
Later on, during the feast, Matt and I paused, got into our best<br />
Slavic shirts. (mine was a little tight...but then all my clothes<br />
seem to have shrunk in the closet the last couple of years)<br />
and drank a toast to "I represent those who could not be here today"<br />
and I said, "I represent those who have gone on before."<br />
We stood face to face...saluted...crossed swords.<br />
Drank the toast. <br />
Then lowered the swords slowly down,<br />
I actually heard somebody saying<br />
"with the going down of the sun we shall remember them." <br />
That toast choked up more people than I expected it to.<br />
We had some specific people in mind....<br />
Ursula and Tom could not be there...she is fighting her own<br />
battle with the Crab. Through this toast, or course, she was there.<br />
But EVERYBODY has somebody who has gone before<br />
that could not be there that day. <br />
We got to do this salute with the swords that Tom had made.<br />
<br />
Well, there you have it. I officiated at a wedding.<br />
I was more than honoured...I was flattered AND honoured.<br />
And I got to keep the dogs over night! <br />
A perfect end to a perfect day.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
STAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06198646624631167489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8779390.post-66273186123889009532013-08-28T03:05:00.001-04:002013-08-28T03:05:32.721-04:00To all my friends and those who follow this blogOf which there are many.<br />
The following is a little personal. <br />
<br />
Future postings may be even more intermittent than usual. Going into the month of July, I was unable to hold anything down. I merely assumed that a piece of Polish Sausage had got caught sideways in my small intestine, but no such luck. Turns out my guts were being blocked off. <br />
I won't bore (horrify or shock) my readers with how good I look after dieting for a solid month. Suffice to say, I was down to 90 kg. I am up to 93 now that things will stay down, but that might have been the three litres of water they dropped into my arm at the beginning of August. Three litres of water is a lot, but considering how much I was sweating at the Osgoode Medieval Festival, and my usual can do attitude, it is, I suppose, to be expected. <br />
Many XRays, and a cat scan later, they decided that they needed to do a biopsy and golly gee, it was in reach of this new device, the "push endoscope". They removed the drain tube from my nose (an evil device but not as evil as the push endoscope) and proceeded to find, and take a chunk of the problem, and upon microscopic examination, they determined I had a cancer the size of my fist squeezing my gut closed. I call it the dragon. I won't dignify it with a name. Yet. <br />
They decided that operating was not an option since it had infested the lymph nodes draining into my aorta. They would have to take out my aorta as well as the dragon. Sure vein splicing has been around since the Korean War, but an aorta is a high pressure line. Not a usual candidate for replacement. So chemotherapy is the answer. It will likely never get rid of the dragon which is nipping at my belly, but they may be able to bring it down to lizard size. In order to deal with problem one (my lack of caloric and liquid input) they fed and watered me through a "pic" in my arm. Then the push endoscope was used to push a stent past the dragon. A stent is kind of neat, looks a little bit like a tube of chain mail. And because they were kind enough to provide a monitor for me to look at during the two hour procedure, I finally SAW my enemy...looked like a piece of fatty chicken heart, trying to squeeze through the mesh of the stent. <br />
I asked them how long it will take for the dragon to just eat the stent and fill it up. They shrugged and dodged the question. Right, I though, the rest of MY life. <br />
Which leads to the question...how long exactly will THAT be? Well, things are better than they were ten years ago....but The Graph is not encouraging....10% just fade away in six months, same as they would have a decade ago. 80 percent make it to year one. 50 % make it to year two. Ten percent make it to year three. Hey, ten percent odds. I will take that! But a lot can happen in three years! Better proceedures, better chemo. And remember, this is Bill here....I survive where many would not. <br />
The chemo they give you now is not so hard on the system as it was a few years ago. The answer is to treat the symptoms and side effects directly. Gravol is not my dearest friend, but it is right up there! They tell me I won't lose my beard, but I "might" lose my hair. Even that is not the given that it was a few years ago. On the other hand, it was pretty much turning into a Friar Tuck tonsure all by itself, so no loss. <br />
<br />
So, its not as much a fight against the dragon as "survive the fight". I am not even doing the fight, its a top notch oncologist using me as the battlefield. Fine. I'll do my part. Eat lots of anti-oxidants, try not to eat anything which can feed the dragon. A chance to be lazy and get away with it! Give the docs a good battlefield to work with. <br />
I'll try to make future posts a little more upbeat than this one. But its three in the morning, and I can't sleep for worrying about what is coming down the pike. I was asked if I was scared. Well, for some reason (denial?) I am not scared. Just worried about who I have failed to apologize to, who I still owe something to...stuff I might leave undone. Worried about my legacy. My sword arts. My armour making skill sets which have taken me three decades to evolve. THESE things I can make sure don't die if I do. Shoulda done this years ago. Have you SEEN the Ottawa drivers!!!!<br />
<br />
Hey, its going to be a helluva ride. To all my friends who follow this blog, and to all that don't, thank you for being there so many times. I might call in a marker or two in the next few years, but I promise I won't abuse the privilege. Mostly it would be a case of "hey we are going out to a movie, maybe Brenda would like to come too", and give her a respite. She likes to be asked....<br />
<br />
Bill<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />STAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06198646624631167489noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8779390.post-9778648482415295952013-08-16T09:23:00.001-04:002013-08-16T09:23:23.043-04:00Rib Fest 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Jason at the Rib Fest on Sparks Street in Ottawa July 2013. Clearly, by the line ups in the behind him, the place to our right was VERY popular. Click on the picture below, and you will get a darned good idea of why.... Scrumptious, fall off the bone, lighty seared pork ribs. Whats not to love! <br />
<br />
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<br />
You can see by the grins that a good time was had by Matt and Jason. Of course, there were more of us there that day....but it was hot, and the rest of the gang found a nice basement pub with cold beer and a love of customers who bring their own food. <br />
<br />
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But these are my sword fighting buddies...a little heat! Pshaw! STAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06198646624631167489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8779390.post-63949179300052362072013-06-25T07:24:00.001-04:002013-06-25T07:24:52.347-04:00Highway of Heroes (an anniversary) 8 July 2007http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXBPudUqGV8<br />
Amazing Grace.<br />
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<br />
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQ7xrW4qyn8&feature=related<br />
<br />
<br />
The Trews song...<br />
<br />
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<br />
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kucvJfnmaGk<br />
<br />
<span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"><span class="line line-s" id="line_1">The day I shipped out, </span>
<span class="line line-s" id="line_2">They numbered a dozen. </span></span><br />
<span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"><span class="line line-s" id="line_2"> </span>
<span class="line line-s" id="line_3">Upon my return, </span>
<span class="line line-s" id="line_4">Were a hundred or so. </span></span><br />
<span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"><span class="line line-s" id="line_4"> </span>
<span class="line line-s" id="line_5">From the coast and from the prairies, </span>
<span class="line line-s" id="line_6">I bet they keep coming. </span></span><br />
<span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"><span class="line line-s" id="line_6"> </span>
<span class="line line-s" id="line_7">add one more name from Ontario. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"><span class="line line-s" id="line_7"> </span>
<br /><span class="line line-s" id="line_8">Chorus: </span>
<span class="line line-s" id="line_9">Carry me home down The Highway of Heroes. </span>
<span class="line line-s" id="line_10"> </span></span><br />
<span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"><span class="line line-s" id="line_10">People above with their flags flying low. </span>
<span class="line line-s" id="line_11"> </span></span><br />
<span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"><span class="line line-s" id="line_11">Carry me softly, down The Highway of Heroes. </span>
<span class="line line-s" id="line_12"> </span></span><br />
<span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"><span class="line line-s" id="line_12">True Patriot Love, </span>
<span class="line line-s" id="line_13">There was never more. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"><span class="line line-s" id="line_13"> </span>
<br /><span class="line line-s" id="line_14">I served with distinction, </span>
<span class="line line-s" id="line_15">No visions of glory.</span></span><br />
<span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"><span class="line line-s" id="line_15"> </span>
<span class="line line-s" id="line_16">I served without question, </span>
<span class="line line-s" id="line_17">Or personal gain. </span>
<span class="line line-s" id="line_18"> </span></span><br />
<span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"><span class="line line-s" id="line_18">Seek no justification, </span>
<span class="line line-s" id="line_19">Its not part of my story.</span>
<span class="line line-s" id="line_20"> </span></span><br />
<span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"><span class="line line-s" id="line_20">and it offers </span>
<span class="line line-s" id="line_21">No comfort to the ones who remain. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"><span class="line line-s" id="line_21"> </span>
<br /><span class="line line-s" id="line_22">Chorus: </span>
<span class="line line-s" id="line_23">Carry me home down The Highway of Heroes. </span></span><br />
<span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"><span class="line line-s" id="line_23"> </span>
<span class="line line-s" id="line_24"><span style="color: #888888; font-size: 0.75em;">[ From: http://www.metrolyrics.com/highway-of-heroes-lyrics-the-trews.html ]</span></span> </span><br />
<span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"> <span class="line line-s" id="line_25">People above with their flags flying low. </span>
<span class="line line-s" id="line_26"> </span></span><br />
<span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"><span class="line line-s" id="line_26">Carry me softly, down The Highway of Heroes. </span></span><br />
<span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"><span class="line line-s" id="line_26"> </span>
<span class="line line-s" id="line_27">True Patriot Love, </span>
<span class="line line-s" id="line_28">There was never more. </span></span><br />
<span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"><span class="line line-s" id="line_28"> </span>
<br /><span class="line line-s" id="line_29">I took up my vocation, </span>
<span class="line line-s" id="line_30">I was called by my nation.</span></span><br />
<span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"><span class="line line-s" id="line_30"> </span>
<span class="line line-s" id="line_31">Without hesitation, </span>
<span class="line line-s" id="line_32">My answer I gave. </span>
<span class="line line-s" id="line_33"> </span></span><br />
<span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"><span class="line line-s" id="line_33">Now I am not wondering, </span>
<span class="line line-s" id="line_34">the things that I might have been.</span></span><br />
<span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"><span class="line line-s" id="line_34"> </span>
<span class="line line-s" id="line_35">I'm no consolation, </span>
<span class="line line-s" id="line_36">To the forgotten brave. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"><span class="line line-s" id="line_36"> </span>
<br /><span class="line line-s" id="line_37">Chorus: </span>
<span class="line line-s" id="line_38">So Carry me home down The Highway of Heroes. </span></span><br />
<span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"><span class="line line-s" id="line_38"> </span>
<span class="line line-s hover" id="line_39">People above with their flags flying low. </span>
<span class="line line-s hover" id="line_40"> </span></span><br />
<span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"><span class="line line-s hover" id="line_40">Carry me softly, down The Highway of Heroes. </span></span><br />
<span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"><span class="line line-s hover" id="line_40"> </span>
<span class="line line-s hover" id="line_41">True Patriot Love, </span>
<span class="line line-s hover" id="line_42">There was never more.</span></span><br />
<span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"><span class="line line-s hover" id="line_42"> </span>
<br /><span class="line line-s" id="line_43">Chorus: </span>
<span class="line line-s" id="line_44">Carry me home down The Highway of Heroes.</span></span><br />
<span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"><span class="line line-s" id="line_44"> </span>
<span class="line line-s" id="line_45">People I love with their heads held low.</span></span><br />
<span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"><span class="line line-s" id="line_45"> </span>
<span class="line line-s" id="line_46">Carry me softly, down The Highway of Heroes. </span>
<span class="line line-s" id="line_47"> </span></span><br />
<span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"><span class="line line-s" id="line_47">True Patriot Love, </span>
<span class="line line-s" id="line_48">There was never more x 6</span></span><br />
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<br />
Read more: <a href="http://www.metrolyrics.com/highway-of-heroes-lyrics-the-trews.html#ixzz2UYwxYjn2" style="color: #003399;">THE TREWS - HIGHWAY OF HEROES LYRICS</a> </div>
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<div style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
(An anniversary....)</div>
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STAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06198646624631167489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8779390.post-50601365142364355852013-06-25T07:23:00.001-04:002013-06-25T07:23:11.338-04:00Building the Spinosaur<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvBSp-7bBAWa5J65I8EfjWUxpYTQBKmAnaLPgDrSWCfkmmGV-wkhbhp8P1S89N94jy8VEBZzbQIu1IBDP0aCnKAMG-xH3AiPbm2q_Tt5MyuUS0ShSZuoitRsC2ux0uzUzWpMOgA/s1600/0cd79d69-2da7-4a5d-892a-a83a1a456c4a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvBSp-7bBAWa5J65I8EfjWUxpYTQBKmAnaLPgDrSWCfkmmGV-wkhbhp8P1S89N94jy8VEBZzbQIu1IBDP0aCnKAMG-xH3AiPbm2q_Tt5MyuUS0ShSZuoitRsC2ux0uzUzWpMOgA/s320/0cd79d69-2da7-4a5d-892a-a83a1a456c4a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Part one... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpKQttja1R8<br />
<br />
Part two... http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_28398&feature=iv&src_vid=GpKQttja1R8&v=0GyGCegUxJY<br />
<br />
Part three...(How to skin a T-Rex. Now There's a title for you!) https://www.stanwinstonschool.com/blog/jurassic-park-t-rex-skinning-animatronic-dinosaur<br />
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<br />STAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06198646624631167489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8779390.post-87206914942967837402013-06-19T00:36:00.001-04:002013-06-19T00:36:47.385-04:00Canada for Presidenthttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqN_nXee4-I<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Makes sense. We have many of the same problems Americans have....illiterate foreigners going North to steal jobs for instance.<br />
<br />
Is this a parody? Of course....<br />
<br />
Or IS IT?<br />
<br />STAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06198646624631167489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8779390.post-48014454750404809102013-06-05T10:29:00.001-04:002013-06-05T10:29:27.488-04:00Random<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGk6z8zDW68uqOk83oGjJ0EocPRUaNbyKt4aL_ZDlh37ryRq0_Ek76QFSE6GTqi94L-BWmPUBqs3pHJxbnc2Xbw2OYz1qmlivYaMN8kr_QwUhC0kWucquHKrVKkSheY3kDb9nyzg/s1600/Andrea01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGk6z8zDW68uqOk83oGjJ0EocPRUaNbyKt4aL_ZDlh37ryRq0_Ek76QFSE6GTqi94L-BWmPUBqs3pHJxbnc2Xbw2OYz1qmlivYaMN8kr_QwUhC0kWucquHKrVKkSheY3kDb9nyzg/s320/Andrea01.jpg" width="236" /></a></div>
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<br />
One for Judy.... <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmn6cETKXiX61xQleDJT6v2TSyWLWgI2jdeinyUlm8Bz5BZYTcruDIljLRfOFZdq9KWskR-KqX9vA4OBFmDlf8-IE4AUcMs7xxcVGidNrrA0X1jUkqvC-qwSU4kqz2K8zcS-1bYw/s1600/Andrea02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmn6cETKXiX61xQleDJT6v2TSyWLWgI2jdeinyUlm8Bz5BZYTcruDIljLRfOFZdq9KWskR-KqX9vA4OBFmDlf8-IE4AUcMs7xxcVGidNrrA0X1jUkqvC-qwSU4kqz2K8zcS-1bYw/s320/Andrea02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
Yeah....squirrel.... <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUbsYSmd4pnx0mdfwJzIQdKOtXpwsCIFdItoZRt7Vjot7UFqfHki-OIpZJGHg6feN481PcrlR0WiVDl9QmDhT7pZz61QsGCFagR8XgsjJ55eptdnQrbXjbWJ_eeJqOvRfFMkhFxw/s1600/Bike13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUbsYSmd4pnx0mdfwJzIQdKOtXpwsCIFdItoZRt7Vjot7UFqfHki-OIpZJGHg6feN481PcrlR0WiVDl9QmDhT7pZz61QsGCFagR8XgsjJ55eptdnQrbXjbWJ_eeJqOvRfFMkhFxw/s320/Bike13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
There is a girl in the above picture. No really! Oh come on guys...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL3TNV1xG_3st2kB1p2Xf5AtjjomFB2AIpxpmWbHlMc8stAOMnDGrbvMDJXjQUGGafMe1QHfASqUgBHXOHGH2uW3GfniCwOI4mjoLOCnM3aQyQvoHAurx_2ZxP9z0ElkV_yueIvQ/s1600/Change1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL3TNV1xG_3st2kB1p2Xf5AtjjomFB2AIpxpmWbHlMc8stAOMnDGrbvMDJXjQUGGafMe1QHfASqUgBHXOHGH2uW3GfniCwOI4mjoLOCnM3aQyQvoHAurx_2ZxP9z0ElkV_yueIvQ/s320/Change1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
I have always suspected that about the statue of Liberty...She is French after all! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCUQlHc-wYYqp4eIic9k1Zv3nbGe3ciqUyhcLsU-VgT1SgYy7uTYsPo01TR60N6eBF1b8AofKVpbaqVBuHhp0ioc7MPk2pazd4rVQ1xEI2WnC9CcUIfLyXVq6RpWneH9lBHTdEJQ/s1600/brain-games-optical-illusion_38884_600x450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCUQlHc-wYYqp4eIic9k1Zv3nbGe3ciqUyhcLsU-VgT1SgYy7uTYsPo01TR60N6eBF1b8AofKVpbaqVBuHhp0ioc7MPk2pazd4rVQ1xEI2WnC9CcUIfLyXVq6RpWneH9lBHTdEJQ/s320/brain-games-optical-illusion_38884_600x450.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
You know how some optical illusions persist even after you are "on to them"? Well the tile below the horizon is exactly the same colour as the tile above the horizon. EXACTLY. Yet the top tile always looks darker. I had to, like, take it to my photoshop and do some cropping and checking. Yes...the tiles really ARE the same colour top and bottom <br />
<br />STAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06198646624631167489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8779390.post-20206057226334657162013-05-16T09:51:00.000-04:002013-05-16T09:51:03.732-04:00More costumes, post comic con. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHgl_tx49jEf1LBnBLsGZyTx6KMfcHQlp-XrOR0ABOunm5sq5rEo0ehlAoz_xK4LJ1a31acD73mm6uGa6ZsNRB3PqC7owFrMB1NWk18x8ZFFuoL8LtgTRdoKoNvDhOEmG_Si6qmQ/s1600/Costumes33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHgl_tx49jEf1LBnBLsGZyTx6KMfcHQlp-XrOR0ABOunm5sq5rEo0ehlAoz_xK4LJ1a31acD73mm6uGa6ZsNRB3PqC7owFrMB1NWk18x8ZFFuoL8LtgTRdoKoNvDhOEmG_Si6qmQ/s320/Costumes33.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
One ring to rule them all. Okay, TWO rings to rule all men. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYTv3a9YIrUJVY5sNo0KirQAwcn_K9mjZtG6A6MX2qbDoQdsNYecThCJaahtq-1rX4vIqPN2L9V93ryKVSun9j2bHDQW-zpjM4k9AYYAkrnfJcKe7UAV73JRIQR8-QIbjXgbT5g/s1600/Costume20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYTv3a9YIrUJVY5sNo0KirQAwcn_K9mjZtG6A6MX2qbDoQdsNYecThCJaahtq-1rX4vIqPN2L9V93ryKVSun9j2bHDQW-zpjM4k9AYYAkrnfJcKe7UAV73JRIQR8-QIbjXgbT5g/s320/Costume20.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now this is just cute! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjduKcZyqQZGOzGJZOQDF37wPxTC1NJvmxqJOz9cHgkVFCS4cArIG7Hmog2ZCNvt3Nt7_zmAdRYAdvVhaVjS3b9-J8aH_51a5_f-K33CcREhGjRmEkHFhw24HZrmbR0NdVs_TqpHQ/s1600/Costumes34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjduKcZyqQZGOzGJZOQDF37wPxTC1NJvmxqJOz9cHgkVFCS4cArIG7Hmog2ZCNvt3Nt7_zmAdRYAdvVhaVjS3b9-J8aH_51a5_f-K33CcREhGjRmEkHFhw24HZrmbR0NdVs_TqpHQ/s320/Costumes34.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
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<br />
The downside of super heroing. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRVLKQs-rs-Yh847zt-CNLU30-4FT3-05AqXX4_9pnooLnBHyMnOVH3dmubB-TRLKcM58huxiYA7XVBPFfhJ1qSdz2VztlPKnz6lc9vePet-ug_3Y-4pk1LBQzNHtFj5JHAp4pw/s1600/Costumes35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRVLKQs-rs-Yh847zt-CNLU30-4FT3-05AqXX4_9pnooLnBHyMnOVH3dmubB-TRLKcM58huxiYA7XVBPFfhJ1qSdz2VztlPKnz6lc9vePet-ug_3Y-4pk1LBQzNHtFj5JHAp4pw/s320/Costumes35.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
and the upside....<br />
And the dark side.<br />
And the light side.<br />
And below, the barney side....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFpPsstmdBMa3nRb07uy2YSk7DBGsiRw-XU7lBx-GMKBFsogauNN4g0AuKWw8A0Oz_k1N6Jo3mQixQERis6j7w2eaFSJs1yCTG7kC4xrK-3E4DJ7MPXin6MtRx5Pw6WdXMNs4-eA/s1600/Costumes36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFpPsstmdBMa3nRb07uy2YSk7DBGsiRw-XU7lBx-GMKBFsogauNN4g0AuKWw8A0Oz_k1N6Jo3mQixQERis6j7w2eaFSJs1yCTG7kC4xrK-3E4DJ7MPXin6MtRx5Pw6WdXMNs4-eA/s320/Costumes36.jpg" width="242" /></a></div>
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Of course this could NEVER be made in real life. But it would be fun to try. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jatLPCj5RqnEh3kA_0A2ONrmaJQQIHGQmYHfNUR4HyfJ38yRH5yNBkWpunM6dejRbCZkGEilk1HPNWTZ9yNtwNtF4lF2A16R2fes7iJrQ9EPqmpvzy0qzuqyRMADtRFqnyqQ6w/s1600/Costumes37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jatLPCj5RqnEh3kA_0A2ONrmaJQQIHGQmYHfNUR4HyfJ38yRH5yNBkWpunM6dejRbCZkGEilk1HPNWTZ9yNtwNtF4lF2A16R2fes7iJrQ9EPqmpvzy0qzuqyRMADtRFqnyqQ6w/s320/Costumes37.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
Who knew R2D2<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJ_Z-NqC8wHO__VpwUIc-jxSpaF1jRX3Yd0GGZB2cGq380sszg3Gu2a5k-cFjJr-8aBcGQmBpyKItSMu7FHr-wXSzdc0E-zK5OkQ-Lu0ef3_-09WambvCvU5dmoIILOfP-xSahg/s1600/costume22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJ_Z-NqC8wHO__VpwUIc-jxSpaF1jRX3Yd0GGZB2cGq380sszg3Gu2a5k-cFjJr-8aBcGQmBpyKItSMu7FHr-wXSzdc0E-zK5OkQ-Lu0ef3_-09WambvCvU5dmoIILOfP-xSahg/s320/costume22.jpg" width="194" /></a></div>
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Eeeek! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiD4PS0tgm9BcOjbquCUU99JHiQtQ5euJlz5TlioTSl3CBsc1R6HHac3koQlOrAGHHFKTqag8S7GwwyV4VfWAgBl0tymuQP3-M6jH1_xWg0z4LfuTIVLrI-rVxPzTWkIE_dbiNpw/s1600/costurme24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiD4PS0tgm9BcOjbquCUU99JHiQtQ5euJlz5TlioTSl3CBsc1R6HHac3koQlOrAGHHFKTqag8S7GwwyV4VfWAgBl0tymuQP3-M6jH1_xWg0z4LfuTIVLrI-rVxPzTWkIE_dbiNpw/s320/costurme24.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />STAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06198646624631167489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8779390.post-34572354685468068022013-05-06T17:06:00.000-04:002013-05-06T17:06:33.938-04:00Sens versus Habs<div id="watch-description-content">
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(just reading about the game this morning!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8aJajbwMLDgdMYQN2INq0tIXsRPWfTqFGa1lrSk4vjL1pOlfHEcimBY5vS84ugvIWM-lA2W5oxyZ0eP3d6byH5bqdv8zCmZD3YHQ0VBNs0LGfTlQcS8HgQ6zTyfzAG8DckzRfA/s1600/bathroom_roof%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8aJajbwMLDgdMYQN2INq0tIXsRPWfTqFGa1lrSk4vjL1pOlfHEcimBY5vS84ugvIWM-lA2W5oxyZ0eP3d6byH5bqdv8zCmZD3YHQ0VBNs0LGfTlQcS8HgQ6zTyfzAG8DckzRfA/s320/bathroom_roof%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong>I have never EVER seen such a display of macho bullshit. OTOH, the habs got what was coming to them....an eventual 6 to 1 loss. </strong></div>
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<strong><br /></strong></div>
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<br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-qBBvM9AIs</div>
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<strong><span class="watch-video-date" id="eow-date"><br /></span>
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penalty to Jared Cowen 5 minutes for Fighting (maj) Ryan White<br />penalty to Francis Bouillon 5 minutes for Fighting (maj) Zack Smith<br />penalty to Jarred Tinordi 5 minutes for Fighting (maj) Chris Phillips<br />penalty to Matt Kassian 5 minutes for Fighting (maj) Colby Armstrong<br />penalty to Francis Bouillon 10 minutes for Game misconduct<br />penalty to Colby Armstrong 5 minutes for Fighting (maj) Matt Kassian<br />penalty to Ryan White 2 minutes for Slashing Zack Smith(served by Michael Ryder)<br />penalty to Ryan White 5 minutes for Fighting (maj) Jared Cowen<br />penalty to Ryan White 10 minutes for Misconduct (10 min)</div>
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<br />2013 nhl stanley cup playoffs - Montreal Canadien vs Ottawa Senators</div>
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</div>
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So what was this all about. </div>
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Check it out.</div>
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-qBBvM9AIs</div>
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It seems to me that when the Montreal Canadians (the Habs) are losing, they send their second string in to get into a fight with the other teams first string. It would be a winning strategy, IF it ever worked.</div>
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Twits.</div>
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and the Senators are double twits for falling for it.</div>
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STAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06198646624631167489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8779390.post-54494214487342925212013-05-02T21:20:00.000-04:002013-05-02T21:20:06.179-04:00How do I GET this job?Research....is its...<br />
<br />
own reward...<br />
<br />
http://www.targetmap.com/viewer.aspx?reportId=5285<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixgpkqCYw8GI0jZc3fdqlilsxEZY-Z7t2B2RSut00Wy_K3H9m5eRLUutdbQjyyia6LFzr1jViDDF6kIwB4ZqaaWpc_lKTIdJIDZI_PfVDSTXrNGj-qeXpR_HIv8zS_lmtKqLclxg/s1600/TapasParty07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixgpkqCYw8GI0jZc3fdqlilsxEZY-Z7t2B2RSut00Wy_K3H9m5eRLUutdbQjyyia6LFzr1jViDDF6kIwB4ZqaaWpc_lKTIdJIDZI_PfVDSTXrNGj-qeXpR_HIv8zS_lmtKqLclxg/s320/TapasParty07.jpg" width="185" /></a></div>
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And why don't I get invited to this comic con?<br />
<br />STAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06198646624631167489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8779390.post-38194979715733507892013-05-02T02:13:00.000-04:002013-05-02T02:13:07.707-04:00Star TrekTo boldly<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReOw_2f4lpY"> go where no one has gone befor</a>e...<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-WA90u0f0Y">Beam me up hottie.</a>...<br />
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Worf is <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1Y5KsEptTY">NOT a Merry Man</a>...<br />
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As usual, click on them to enlarge, but remember, once you do, you can't get back here.<br />
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STAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06198646624631167489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8779390.post-29899029105843053962013-04-30T10:49:00.002-04:002013-04-30T10:49:37.308-04:00CostumesCostumes. What with Ottawa Comic Con coming up fast, costume makers have been much on my radar. These are a few.... Its just for fun. Enjoy!<br />
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If you click on any of these pictures, you go to a gallery which shows them much larger, but I'll be darned if I can figure out how to get back here from the gallery. So bookmark me now...grin!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAj2mc8fOQ0ljO6BRpe0EmIW3qWJQlGb-YZvIOtDulFufQ1V1ZgYgqx4E8yF3CEIGpbpvt7lvCxEOBMjLhwTgzQKIy8geSpVLUYtspAfPTdKn0c3fghgnvK9HLo01AJ4ZZhsEKw/s1600/bret-greenlantern-p1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAj2mc8fOQ0ljO6BRpe0EmIW3qWJQlGb-YZvIOtDulFufQ1V1ZgYgqx4E8yF3CEIGpbpvt7lvCxEOBMjLhwTgzQKIy8geSpVLUYtspAfPTdKn0c3fghgnvK9HLo01AJ4ZZhsEKw/s320/bret-greenlantern-p1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The green lantern costumes have proved to be particularly libido peaking. <br />
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Live long and prosper. No, look up there. No, up here, eye contact...<br />
Nope. not gonna happen. <br />
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A golden statue.... <br />
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I am trying to decide if this one is naughty or not. Its pac-man...going after a ghosty...oh there it is. Yup...its naughty. <br />
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Now this one is just lovely. I always liked the sixties bat-girl...gray costume, blue cape. Seemed nicer than the black rubber fetish things that came out later. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8szxjwBz9R4amXlIo8M5Bpgxlj_6HrTz8Pm-92CIdFj0vYH5UMsOOmNqesqG-gkhEyM04GzUoeyUTIR8NKJLWnQrGyeRErdPik5H769eH4eOP9pqb9HCCOEIOtold4Xb1ASyhA/s1600/costumes38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8szxjwBz9R4amXlIo8M5Bpgxlj_6HrTz8Pm-92CIdFj0vYH5UMsOOmNqesqG-gkhEyM04GzUoeyUTIR8NKJLWnQrGyeRErdPik5H769eH4eOP9pqb9HCCOEIOtold4Xb1ASyhA/s320/costumes38.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now who could fail to love this lilac sweetheart! <br />
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Then there are these guys! The boxers under the green lantern tights are a nice touch....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9lJMjwTfopwNrqRCLfrgpAN-MELRirIWrFA5QjrLVnjfg4xqhrUau5ohxmnV9U-4NyXYtvWIKoqdgUR0t836bgBqkVWM9QbuOLPQqSQZRfojfBTttHGYyujvsdGJ9w6pOKXyIxg/s1600/costumes40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9lJMjwTfopwNrqRCLfrgpAN-MELRirIWrFA5QjrLVnjfg4xqhrUau5ohxmnV9U-4NyXYtvWIKoqdgUR0t836bgBqkVWM9QbuOLPQqSQZRfojfBTttHGYyujvsdGJ9w6pOKXyIxg/s320/costumes40.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Zoidberg? IzzatU? <br />
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Take me away to Valhalla.... prrrrrrrrr. <br />
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So this is the kitchen in Valhalla? Lets get cookin' then! <br />
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Hmmmm. I don't know what to say! <br />
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Where do you get that costume? Does it come with the stuffing?<br />
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I don't get it. Let me study it a bit more.... <br />
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And now to boldly go where no man has gone before. Yeah right...<br />
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Purple bat girl. <br />
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And always nice to show your team colours!<br />
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<br />STAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06198646624631167489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8779390.post-11461572854872710492013-04-26T14:57:00.003-04:002013-04-26T14:57:43.554-04:00Platform 9 3/4These pictures of of the subway station under Kings Cross railway station. <br />
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This part of it is unused. It must be pretty creepy. <br />
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No doubt when you look closely, you can see platform 9 and three quarters. <br />
<br />The real one of course....grin!<br />
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Just look at those marvelous girders! And brickwork which was installed when Sherlock Holmes was in short pants! <br />
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The arched tunnels were built when Jesse James was robbing trains. <br />
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The Titanic was a distant far off in the future dream. <br />
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And they ran steam trains down here! <br />
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It is a steam punk paradise! <br />
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These are a fascinating glimpse of a part of the world which has been pretty much unseen since 1941. STAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06198646624631167489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8779390.post-32297003665750063262013-04-10T22:01:00.002-04:002013-04-10T22:01:48.950-04:00Dennis. Oh, DennisDennis Locourriere....your voice is as smooth as Irish whiskey, and your lyrics...<br />
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Well....<br />
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You don't have Shel Silverstein to write 'em any more. <br />
So what is this? A chip off old Shel's block!<br />
Well, better than "Sylvia's Mother" and "a boy named Sue"!<br />
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Ask Her.... From Dennis Locourrier's "Post Cool" album<br />
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBnuKhMQGtM<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />STAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06198646624631167489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8779390.post-68862591086180337642013-04-05T12:37:00.001-04:002013-04-05T16:33:11.283-04:00Sleeper cars...Vimeo seems to have some of the finest little shows!<br />
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This one is about a company which makes sleeper cars.<br />
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No, not the railway sleeper cars, these are cars which don't look like what they are.<br />
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http://vimeo.com/36160339#<br />
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And no, they are not like these guys....grin!<br />
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<br />STAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06198646624631167489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8779390.post-8412719900724918622013-04-04T08:46:00.000-04:002013-04-04T08:46:10.962-04:00This is April? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is April. No, it is NOT an April fool's joke. Half a meter of snow here still. <br />
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You can see how it is piled up around the house. <br />
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Above you can see how I had to dig through to get to the shop in the back. <br />
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My lovely tent out back has been flattened by the snow. <br />
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Above you can see the framework which was supporting the yellow tarp over there in back. The snow collapsed it onto my van. It took three to four hours to carefully excavate the van. There was some damage, not a lot...some dents in the roof. <br />
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And the usual shop picture. I take one of these every year at this time. <br />
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Above are the dozens of little squirrel footprints. They are starting to get hungry....they have probably run out of stored food. <br />
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All that snow and ice was on the porch. I am VERY surprised that the porch didn't collapse. That pile of snow is not fluffy stuff...it is pretty much solid ice. Equivalent to a couple of water beds for sure.<br />
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At least the dripping water makes a nice curtain of ice...<br />
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I wish this WAS an April fool's joke. But sadly, no. At the moment, 8:34 AM on April 4th, it is minus 6 degrees C, and it has been below freezing since I took those pictures on the first.<br />
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<span id="goog_286397361"></span><span id="goog_286397362"></span><br />STAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06198646624631167489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8779390.post-86605218901142874392013-03-16T10:00:00.002-04:002013-03-16T10:00:52.584-04:00Jameson's<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dublin is famous for its barley products. Guiness, of course, and Jameson Whiskey. The old whiskey works are no longer in use (good thing, I fear they were very smelly) but the factory buildings have been lovingly maintained and serves as a tasting room and sales venue, mostly for tourists. <br />
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The building is a fairly non-descript brick industrial building. This Dickensian scene could be very bleak except for the little touches. Antiques and such. Not enough to clutter up the place, but enough to ease the eye. The bench outside which was made from an old whiskey cask...the oldest they could find. The casks are re-used, and many really do date from the 18th century! <br />
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Once the barrels were stacked high into wagons, pulled through the streets by horses. Above are horse brasses which decorated their tack. Those in the know will see that the hoofs are the size of dinner plates. No doubt their feed consisted of spent barley from the distillery. Lucky horses.<br />
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Above, if you click on the picture, you will see two antique bicycles which James Joyce would have probable seen whizz past him when he was alive. The one on the left is a "velocopede" and the one on the right is a "hobby horse". Check out the chandelier made from Jameson Whiskey bottles. I think the joy of emptying all those bottles may well be worth the trouble....grin! <br />
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Bill on the bench. In back is a copper distillation pot. This is the smallest, the "third" distillation. From there it is sent directly to barrels. Which barrels? Well it depends upon how long they plan to let it sit. Five year old goes into used American Bourbon barrels, 12 year old goes into used Spanish Maderia barrels, and 25 year old go into used Portugese Port barrels. It is likely then that the barrel which was made into a bench up above originated in Portugal. <br />
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Above is the malting floor. That round cylindrical thing. The bottom half is where a fire is lighted to toast the barley in the top half. The top half has a very hot floor! They put barley on that floor, wet it down, let it start to sprout. Then they light the fire in the bottom half. <br />
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The nice old building with its nice old beams are supported by cast iron columns. When you look over the railing (to my left in the above picture) you can see the original floor with the large circular bases for the several malting cylinders and huge copper mash and distillery pots.<br />
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Was it worth the trip. Heck, it was worth the flight to Ireland! <br />
<br />STAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06198646624631167489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8779390.post-10699299754214380352013-03-07T20:27:00.000-05:002013-03-07T20:28:11.088-05:00Stompin' Tom Connorshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gy3knGGzZr8 The best man in Ottawa is Mufferaw Joe....<br />
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I was darned lucky to have caught two of his concerts.<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gy3knGGzZr8">Sudbury Saturday Night</a>... The song we'll be singin they might be wrong but they'll be ringin' All the light in town are shinin bright and we are all tight, We'll get to work on Monday and tomorrow's only sunday but tonight we'll have a fun day for its Saturday tonight. They'll think no more of INCO on a Sudbury Saturday Night!<br />
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And of course....<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxJvrD80nJ4">the good old hockey song</a>....(with his last letter to his fans)<br />
When the Sens and Leafs were tied going into the third period, the announcers pre-empted the time to play the Hockey Song in its entirety. Hey, this is Stompin Tom! He wouldn't have known what to DO with a minute of silence his entire life. If there was a good way to find out about his passing, I can't think of a better way than at a hockey game. How good is that!<br />
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Who we got to replace 'im now here biy?<br />
eh?<br />
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<br />STAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06198646624631167489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8779390.post-19229538261812220652013-02-22T17:28:00.002-05:002013-02-22T17:28:33.380-05:00RoseRose died today. Ninety two. I have known her for the last 45 years of her life.<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqc6ImwMTLE">Rose loved this song.</a></div>
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It is the way I feel about her. </div>
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I have more than ONE ace from her that I got to keep.</div>
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Rest in peace dear, the pain is all over now.</div>
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<br />STAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06198646624631167489noreply@blogger.com1