The Push

Well since my last post I have almost worked non stop.

I have decided to really buckle down and earn some dough in order to right the Norland ship.

Sometimes you just have to Man Up and get er done.

The amount of Overtime that is kicking around this year is absolutely obscene and I have taken just about every shift I can.
I was scheduled to work tonight but pulled the plug early on today due to just downright exhaustion.


 I have accepted another four O.T shifts for next week so I thought I'd better just relax and take it easy in preparation for it.

I have never worked this hard and it is making me extremely bitter.

We are still without a contract ( been over two years now ) and we  have taken our employer to court over unfair labour practices.

The hearing is tomorrow.

The outcome should be very interesting...and to be honest represents a real crossroads for me.

This country is fucked...and nobody cares.

Our government is so corrupt and out of control that it really is beyond belief...and I am running out of gas fighting the good fight on behalf of people that don't have the guts to stand up for themselves.

I miss my kids...

Today was a good day.

Owen has been watching master chef and has been inspired by it.
Today he asked me if I would help him make Eggs Benedict.

He did 95% of it by himself with very few suggestions by me. To be honest..I probably would've over cooked the eggs without him insisting they come out.
...They were perfect!!

That kid is something else.












Ella has finally learned how to ride a bike.
It took her forever , and it was really starting to get on her nerves... (and mine )..

For whatever reason, she seemed to have a mental block...almost a phobia about it.

I should've forced the issue a long time ago maybe..but either way...the training wheels are off...and she is so proud!!
I am proud to...I am even proud of myself.


This summer represents a terrible sacrifice for the benefit of these people I am responsible for....but that is my role and I am getting it done.

I am shooting for 30 O.T shifts and should be there about the 1st or 2nd week of Sept.

I missed the moment when Ella finally eschewed the training wheels, conquered her fear and began to ride....

Trying really really hard to forgive myself..

I was working an O.T shift...for an employer that is corrupt, and for a public that doesn't give a shit, at a job that I have really grown to despise...




Norlands Chrome from Brian M on Vimeo.


Fall can't come soon enough.

Michigan....Summertime

Well I received a generous offer from Morin to head over to the cabin for 3 days and I was only too happy to take him up on it.
Work has been a progressive shit show and just pulling into the parking lot in the mornings fills me with revulsion.


I have been trying to maintain some perspective with my vocation but it is becoming increasingly difficult.
I used to be so proud of my job...and I am still very proud of certain aspects of what I do.

Some of my proudest moments have come from accomplishments within my workplace.

...but lately..

Its getting harder and harder to tune out the shit and find the good...and its' to the point where I am honestly considering a move.







Its a good job ...and I am blessed to have it....many would kill for it..
I realize this ...but there is no denying that it is making me miserable..and that is no way to live.

Trips to the woods help ...

We'd planned on taking the Hyde to Tippy Pond.

Morin had received some Panfish 411 about the water above the dam and casting  the flyrods for sunfish with a cooler full of beer was sounding like a really cool way to spend the weekend.

Norland curse?



I don't know if I can be blamed for his one.

Long story short USCBP wouldn't allow Morin to bring his truck to Michigan as planned.

My little rice burner has no hitch on it.

Result?  =  Shorefishing shitrats...no boat.

We tried to tie the canoe onto the car but it wasn't really working out too well and we quickly abandoned that notion as well.

It would be easy to say it ruined the weekend...but it didn't.

Friday we just drove up the West Coast making capricious stops along the way. And ..yes ..I did just use the word 'Capricious'..fire away..

The trip along M22 was highlighted by Sleeping Bear Dunes Park, Leland ( love this place..I'd like to disappear here forever ) , Frankfurt ( awesome basket of fried perch on the patio ) , Glenhaven (?) , and the great Traverse City.

So cool...such a great way to spend the day. I would love to get the family over there.

We are trying to talk Kim into coming over but for whatever reason she is reluctant. I can't understand this but I don't have the energy to force the issue.

I have been in situations before where people accompanying you on trips like this are not of the same level of enthusiasm.
It starts slowing but works its way through the entire time until it pretty much ruins everything , at the very least making you self conscious about your own enjoyment.

Life is too short for that bullshit..so as much as I'd like to share this with the people closest to me...for now at least it's just me and Morin...the dynamic shitrat duo..

Saturday we fished Tippy Pond from shore and caught some fish but mostly just drank beer in a really beautiful place.
Fresh air ..and cold beer.
Sunday morning we fished the Manistee River with the fly gear.

Very cool.


I caught about 15 fish with my little 2 wt.

 One of which was an 8 inch Walleye.
That was different.

Caught them all on a nymph pattern that I'd designed and tied myself ...thank you very much..lol

Not exactly a 'technical river' but still very cool to a hacker like me.


I broke the GLX 3wt on Friday.
:o/

 I took it well.
It was long overdue actually and I half expected it.

Owen was helping me load the car on Thursday and it was a very kind gesture considering he was sad I was leaving and even more sad that he couldn't come.

 I was touched...so much so that I didn't lose my temper when he closed the door on my Loomis fly rod...
It wasn't a hard slam ..and I had a close look it it for cracks.

It looked good at the time but when I tried to load er up on Friday...snap...
Sigh...

All in all one of the better trips for me. Enough to rejuvenate and recharge.
For now..

I work 9 out of the next 11.

Sigh