Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Our Home and Native Land...
Watch the link below and be disgusted....half the city of Windsor is unemployed and they are living there for free...literally
DIG THIS......
This shit is real...and it is not just Mexico
And yet all of our cost of living is increasing..health care is falling to shit...unemployment is rampant...
Our Agency is looking at a 800 person job loss Nation wide due to "Strategic Deficit Reduction"....Yet we have money for this friggin madness????
Lunatics....
DIG THIS......
This shit is real...and it is not just Mexico
And yet all of our cost of living is increasing..health care is falling to shit...unemployment is rampant...
Our Agency is looking at a 800 person job loss Nation wide due to "Strategic Deficit Reduction"....Yet we have money for this friggin madness????
Lunatics....
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Life...
So here is something neat.
My life and the life of my family growing up was a little shy of 'Leave it to Beaver' and such....
Not everybody can have the Norman Rockwell coziness that is tacitly implied as 'normal' through commercials and greeting cards.
It could be that it doesn't really exist at all and it is just an idea that it is impossible to live up too.
My Wife's family is close.
They have solid ties and great family traditions.
Funny though..Even after all this time I am still looking for the cracks...
Nobody's perfect...I sure as hell am not...but Kims family is close.
Mine never was...in fact most of my youth was a horror show that was barely survived..and that's OK.
It wasn't 'OK' for a while but I have come to realize that the struggles I faced growing up were essential to me developing into who I am today...
..and I am more than alright.
The sum of our experiences and all that.
My wife's naivete is something I really love about her....at times envy...but in the end I wouldn't thank you for it.
Rose coloured glasses are not for me.
I recently had to explain to my daughter the reason that my father is not in our family picture.
A tough one that I knew was coming.
How do you tell your little girl that your father was an absolute horror of a human being??
They were doing family studies at school and she had a little sad spell because she couldn't say anything about her Grandpa on my side.
She is a smart kid and after a little talk I think that she is alright.
It helps that Gerry is perfection when it comes to the Grandfather role ...and the father role for that matter.
He makes me realize just what I missed out on and that is kind of sad but he is now a great friend and more importantly a great example of family dedication and love.
It was harder for my sisters...much harder.
Enough of that..however...through the storm we came and yesterday I was part of a family that welcomed a wee little baby into the world blessed with people that are dedicated to her and full of love for her.
It was a beautiful thing that represents supreme triumph over the worst kind of adversity and I am so proud to be part of it.
I am now a Great Uncle...and my sister is a Grandmother!!!
That sure helps the midlife crisis....tick tock..lol
My life and the life of my family growing up was a little shy of 'Leave it to Beaver' and such....
Not everybody can have the Norman Rockwell coziness that is tacitly implied as 'normal' through commercials and greeting cards.
It could be that it doesn't really exist at all and it is just an idea that it is impossible to live up too.
My Wife's family is close.
They have solid ties and great family traditions.
Funny though..Even after all this time I am still looking for the cracks...
Nobody's perfect...I sure as hell am not...but Kims family is close.
Mine never was...in fact most of my youth was a horror show that was barely survived..and that's OK.
It wasn't 'OK' for a while but I have come to realize that the struggles I faced growing up were essential to me developing into who I am today...
..and I am more than alright.
The sum of our experiences and all that.
My wife's naivete is something I really love about her....at times envy...but in the end I wouldn't thank you for it.
Rose coloured glasses are not for me.
I recently had to explain to my daughter the reason that my father is not in our family picture.
A tough one that I knew was coming.
How do you tell your little girl that your father was an absolute horror of a human being??
They were doing family studies at school and she had a little sad spell because she couldn't say anything about her Grandpa on my side.
She is a smart kid and after a little talk I think that she is alright.
It helps that Gerry is perfection when it comes to the Grandfather role ...and the father role for that matter.
He makes me realize just what I missed out on and that is kind of sad but he is now a great friend and more importantly a great example of family dedication and love.
It was harder for my sisters...much harder.
Enough of that..however...through the storm we came and yesterday I was part of a family that welcomed a wee little baby into the world blessed with people that are dedicated to her and full of love for her.
It was a beautiful thing that represents supreme triumph over the worst kind of adversity and I am so proud to be part of it.
I am now a Great Uncle...and my sister is a Grandmother!!!
That sure helps the midlife crisis....tick tock..lol
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Made In China???
So the guitar search continues...
I just received my T4 and should be able to find the time for taxes in the coming weeks.
Might be a tough sell with the warden but I am leaning towards spoiling myself a bit with a guitar purchase from my tax return money.
It has been one helluva year and I may have discovered a relatively affordable option here...
Eastman Guitars
These guitars appear to be very well made and hand crafted by people in China of all places.
I have searched the internet and it is impossible to find anything negative to say about them...and they look fantastic!!
The antique style finishes they put on their guitars are old school classy and right up my alley taste wise.
There are a number of options for obtaining one.
A store in Rochester NY has a great selection...and even a few used ones kicking about...and I am not above that at all.
Most guitars require a break in period anyway before they start coming into their own sound wise and a few scratches here and there just saves me time!
LOL
There is another store in London ON that carries them but in typical Canadian fashion they are stupid over priced ...as in I could order one off ebay and have it shipped to my door and save about $400.oo...
I might head there next week though just to play something similar and see if they are all they are cracked up to be ...
It would be weird owning a guitar made in China...almost makes me feel guilty in a way...but shit...I am tired of getting hammered with overpriced big name garbage...and it is a viable option moneywise..
If I had tons of dough I might buy a Collings or something similar...but I don't..so this is the way I am leaning...
For Now.
;o)
But spells like this are easily broken ...
I just received my T4 and should be able to find the time for taxes in the coming weeks.
Might be a tough sell with the warden but I am leaning towards spoiling myself a bit with a guitar purchase from my tax return money.
It has been one helluva year and I may have discovered a relatively affordable option here...
Eastman Guitars
These guitars appear to be very well made and hand crafted by people in China of all places.
I have searched the internet and it is impossible to find anything negative to say about them...and they look fantastic!!
The antique style finishes they put on their guitars are old school classy and right up my alley taste wise.
There are a number of options for obtaining one.
A store in Rochester NY has a great selection...and even a few used ones kicking about...and I am not above that at all.
Most guitars require a break in period anyway before they start coming into their own sound wise and a few scratches here and there just saves me time!
LOL
There is another store in London ON that carries them but in typical Canadian fashion they are stupid over priced ...as in I could order one off ebay and have it shipped to my door and save about $400.oo...
I might head there next week though just to play something similar and see if they are all they are cracked up to be ...
It would be weird owning a guitar made in China...almost makes me feel guilty in a way...but shit...I am tired of getting hammered with overpriced big name garbage...and it is a viable option moneywise..
If I had tons of dough I might buy a Collings or something similar...but I don't..so this is the way I am leaning...
For Now.
;o)
But spells like this are easily broken ...
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Winter Blah
So...
Was it a good trip?
Definitely..absolutely...
But the fishing was extremely difficult with a healthy dose of Norland Curse thrown in just in case.
It is hard being me...sometimes it really is.
This is in no way me feeling sorry for myself...
Anyone who really knows me can figure out pretty quick that I do not suffer false modesty and I am my favourite person by far....but shit hits me sometimes...probably my own doing 90% of the time..makes for good comic relief..even for me...
But ...truth be told...the insurmountable centrenpin birds nest on Stuhans boat just about sent me over the edge...literally...I almost jumped in the fucking water and swam for shore...
But I didn't...and Jeff set me up with his rig without hesitation...class....and I was embarrassed.
So ...rewind a bit.
I finally am able to make a few moves with the schedule at work and take part in a 3 day trip to Brian's Michigan Cabin.
I had been dying to take advantage of the above average temps this year and the outstanding fishing opportunities.
Like usual, this time of year puts me in a position where there is no official leave in the bank and any extended time off has little to no flexibility as far as timing...
Its fishing...you roll your dice and I am cool with that.
So par for the course...
Temps plummet, head cold sets in, traffic jam for two hours on the way over, Muskegon River Steelhead get lockjaw and the Manistee fish are not much better, develop a back-lash on my PIN the likes of which have never been seen before on this earth in the midst of a trip that has my nerves so frayed I am thinking about giving up fishing entirely...Sound like fun???
..well it was ...a blast actually.
The thing is... you get used to it ...and I now come to expect it once in a while.
I am fond of saying you wouldn't know a good day if there weren't any bad ones.
Well,..I have had my share of both fishing and the fish owe me nothing.
Bottom line is I am a clumsy fuck... and iced guides high winds and mounting frustration are a bad combination...but roaring down a cool river with two cool guys searching for the greatest fish that swim is a wicked way to spend a day.
I did catch my first fish on a maggot...I am not sure that I am happy about that at all really...Maggots???......Really???
LOL
The curse even found its way into Morin's Cabin ...kind of funny.
It was not without amusement ...watching him out in the minus seven degree weather snaking the septic system through all of the shit trying to fix that thing...
He had this 15 ft long steel rope contraption that he would wiggle around in the plumbing only to pull it out and whip it in the snow to get all the goo off it....
Disturbing image...
Like some sort of bizarre Lion tamer with a shit whip in the snow covered woods of the Manistee National Forest.
Freak.
So good times again...fishing was hard but good like fishing can be...I spent most of the time drunk and ate some really great food.
Pulled in the driveway last night and Avery ran up to greet me!!...Genuine enthusiasm and glad to see me!!!
I threw my arms around her and tossed her above my head ...and felt my back go out.....I have been in agony ever since and heavily medicated...
sigh....NORLAND...I am Norland
Was it a good trip?
Definitely..absolutely...
But the fishing was extremely difficult with a healthy dose of Norland Curse thrown in just in case.
It is hard being me...sometimes it really is.
This is in no way me feeling sorry for myself...
Anyone who really knows me can figure out pretty quick that I do not suffer false modesty and I am my favourite person by far....but shit hits me sometimes...probably my own doing 90% of the time..makes for good comic relief..even for me...
But ...truth be told...the insurmountable centrenpin birds nest on Stuhans boat just about sent me over the edge...literally...I almost jumped in the fucking water and swam for shore...
But I didn't...and Jeff set me up with his rig without hesitation...class....and I was embarrassed.
So ...rewind a bit.
I finally am able to make a few moves with the schedule at work and take part in a 3 day trip to Brian's Michigan Cabin.
I had been dying to take advantage of the above average temps this year and the outstanding fishing opportunities.
Like usual, this time of year puts me in a position where there is no official leave in the bank and any extended time off has little to no flexibility as far as timing...
Its fishing...you roll your dice and I am cool with that.
So par for the course...
Temps plummet, head cold sets in, traffic jam for two hours on the way over, Muskegon River Steelhead get lockjaw and the Manistee fish are not much better, develop a back-lash on my PIN the likes of which have never been seen before on this earth in the midst of a trip that has my nerves so frayed I am thinking about giving up fishing entirely...Sound like fun???
..well it was ...a blast actually.
The thing is... you get used to it ...and I now come to expect it once in a while.
I am fond of saying you wouldn't know a good day if there weren't any bad ones.
Well,..I have had my share of both fishing and the fish owe me nothing.
Bottom line is I am a clumsy fuck... and iced guides high winds and mounting frustration are a bad combination...but roaring down a cool river with two cool guys searching for the greatest fish that swim is a wicked way to spend a day.
I did catch my first fish on a maggot...I am not sure that I am happy about that at all really...Maggots???......Really???
LOL
The curse even found its way into Morin's Cabin ...kind of funny.
It was not without amusement ...watching him out in the minus seven degree weather snaking the septic system through all of the shit trying to fix that thing...
He had this 15 ft long steel rope contraption that he would wiggle around in the plumbing only to pull it out and whip it in the snow to get all the goo off it....
Disturbing image...
Like some sort of bizarre Lion tamer with a shit whip in the snow covered woods of the Manistee National Forest.
Freak.
So good times again...fishing was hard but good like fishing can be...I spent most of the time drunk and ate some really great food.
Pulled in the driveway last night and Avery ran up to greet me!!...Genuine enthusiasm and glad to see me!!!
I threw my arms around her and tossed her above my head ...and felt my back go out.....I have been in agony ever since and heavily medicated...
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