Now I Know Why I'm Clumsy

I am one of those people that is always bumping into things, having bruises, terrible night vision, hates strong patterns in fabrics, and NEVER sees the hidden picture in one of those blasted 3-D posters.

No, I am not a drunk or meth head, I have strabimus. I found out today that I am part of 2% of the population who has this condition. Don't worry, the doc said I ain't that special. ha

Losing my sight is one of my greatest fears. My paternal grandfather was blind before he died, and seeing how slowly losing his vision prevented him from taking his daily walks was heart-breaking. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

I have been wearing glasses for most of my life. It started when I was three. The doc told my folks if I wore glasses, it would take the 'turns' out of my eyes (I was cross-eyed).

See dorky pic #1 & #2:




Finally, at the end of Grade 9 I saw a specialist in Gander, who informed my folks that wearing glasses did nothing, that I needed surgery. Oh, and I needed to wear a patch over my dominant eye to strengthen my weak (lazy. ha) one. Great times.

From the first day of that summer and the first three months of grade 10 I was a friggin pirate. Social life with girls was non-existent (I'm blaming it on the patch, not of lack of social skills!) and playing sports with a nasty blind side caused a few bumps.

After the doc cut, moved, and stitched BOTH eyes, I was bloodshot for three weeks. Teachers kept asking me, "Are you OK?" Even today, I look like I am tired or drunk/stoned most of the time (no comments, please).

So today, after the doc explained my medical condition, and that I'll have to deal with the clumsiness and lack of depth perception all my life, I asked him, "Why am I decent at passing in hockey and basketball, but I'm a terrible shot?"

Apparently, because my teammates are moving along with me, it is OK when I pass. But because the net/rim is fixed, my brain has problems analyzing as I am moving and shooting. Well, I'm sure the boys will understand that the next time I miss an open net or I shoot an air ball.

Back at bumping into things. Or my Masters!

Summer of Weddings: Post 2

Here are some pictures of the weekend Wood and I were in Halifax to attend Mike's wedding. It was a small service, with about 40 people, held on a patio of a swanky downtown hotel. Wood and I were the Newfoundland representatives. Oh my.

It was only about 30 minutes before 'dead man walking' time. Yet the three of us were drinking beer (raiding the minibar at $6.50 a can!) and shooting sh*t. Something like Wood's wedding, when we went out for takeout (I think it was chicken) less than a hour before Wood said his vows.

Here I am on the phone, with some misses in the bridal party telling me the flowers are ready downstairs- really, who cares?!


The food at the reception was great, but more importantly, there were complimentary beer tickets! Bonus: the servers put the moblie bar right behind our table! So as the night went on, we felt really good.


The next morning, feelling "beer heavy," Wood and I stuffed ourselves.


Oh Canada, we stand on guard with thee...! I think Wood was a bit surprised when this guard did not respond to his comment, "Gee, you must find it really hot."

I....can't...get...it..in!

The Halifax Citadel Fort was a great place to visit.

Another Summer of Weddings: Post 1

So far I have went to two weddings this summer - one in rural Newfoundland and the other in downtown Halifax. Needless to say they were very different, but equally as fun.

Cousin Amy finally (haha) got married to Andrew in a lovely ceremony. Here are a few pictures taken by sis Chantel with her trusty digital camera:


There was a bit of drama during the nupitals as my wife really needed to pee minutes before she was to sing. It was very funny (to me) as we slipped out to the loo and back again. My poor Aunt Phyllis thought she was sick and wondered who was going to sing! Anyway, she did a great job singing.......as always.

Here I am, striking my "pimp pose in da purple shirt" with sisters.

The dance was in Grand Falls, at the Legion. Good food, good service, cold beer, and music by the 'Big D Sounds.' Nan, at 87, was in the thick of things.

And my parents were certainly having a good time....

...and I think I had a TOO good of a time!

Sister's Birthday

Today is my siter's 31st birthday. Only being 3 years younger than me, we fought quite often growing up. But during the past couple of years we have gotten closer, even friends. So here are a few pics of our lives together. Hopefully she'll still speak to me after this!



The ONLY photo EVER with me wearing a Leafs jersey!

Happy Birthday Charlene!

Stupid Newfies

Well, vandals have struck again.

Just came in from taking doggy for a walk. We went around the motor vehicle registration building here in Mount Pearl.

Once again the phrase 'Stupid Newfies' has been spray painted on the building for everyone to see. But unlike last time, where workers waited, and waited for government to clean it up (after it was on the news, shamefully), this morning I saw two workers in the process of covering up the phrase with posters.

There is graffiti as Art, then there is this sh*t. Hopefully the people responsible will be caught, and made to clean up the city as punishment. A fine or probation is too easy for them!

More Newfoundlanders seem to be taking offence to the phrase 'newfie.' With crap like this, I am now one of them.

Fishing with Dad

I was reading Ryan Cleary's latest article in The Independent a couple of days ago, about fishing with his father and sons, and reflecting on his identity as a bayman living in Town.

It is something to which I can relate.

As a kid I went trouting with dad and other family members quite often. With the aluminum boat in the pan (back) of the truck, and mom's jam sandwiches packed away, off we went to one of the many ponds off the access road in Loon Bay.

I remember the stillness of the water, the sounds of the birds echoing across the sky, the taste of warm jam between my teeth, and of course, the flies biting me. Quite often I ended up tucked underneath the hull, waiting for dad to start catching trout. Then I would emerge, ready to bait my hook with a squirmy worm. More often that not, dad ended up baiting it.

As I aged into the teenage years and all the angst that comes with it, I refused to go fishing with my father. Being his only son, I'm sure it disappointed him. He thought he had me back 'within the fold' the summer I agreed to get a salmon license with him. Off we went, with his brother Claude, to fish on the Main River in White Bay. I hooked, fought, and landed my first - and last, salmon and never went back. I still don't know why I didn't go back, and whatever happened to the rest of my 'tags' is still a mystery. :)

When my cousin got married 2 weeks ago, she married a man that loves the outdoors and salmon fishing. A new partner and son for my Uncle Cliff, who is enjoying retirement with a fishing rod in his hand.

I am a bit envious these days, not fishing with MY father-in-law when I visit around the bay, or asking to 'tag along' with my father and uncle as they take their yearly fishing trip to labrador. I live in Mount Pearl now, and ask myself, "Am I more of a townie now, with my books and little house on a cul-de-sac?"

Even though I enjoy the 'comforts' of town, I still liked living in Churchill, Manitoba and can see myself living around the bay again. But only if my wife comes as well.

At least I have my memories of childhood. Thanks for baiting my hook dad.


Thanks for all the great sandwiches mom.

In Halifax

Wood and I made it to Halifax to witness Mike's wedding. The last man standing, so to speak. The shock has not worn off. ha

Small wedding in a la-de-da hotel. $$. Since Friday evening, a LOT of beer has been consumed. Wood just left to fly back to the rock. I am writing this in Timberlea, just outside of Halifax, at my cousin's - the same one that got married LAST weekend.

I have a Keith's in front of me. My head is busting. I have an early flight in the morning.

I was really impressed with Halifax. Downtown core has great architecture. Our adventures included looking for beer for 2 hours Friday night (why can't convenience stores sell it like in NL?) and going to Pier 21, one of the new '7 wonders of Canada.' As a Newfoundlander, we missed that boat (pun intended), but it was great learning about the history of immigration.

Today, after gorging on all-you-can-eat brunch (more $$, so I had 4 plates to Wood's 3. He looked a little green and bloated) we walked up (WAY up...not recommended after stuffing gut on hangover) to Citadel Fort. Excellent place to visit, even if you are not a Social studies teacher. :)

Anyway, it looked like Cape Breton had exploded, for all around people were in kilts, playing bagpipes and drums. Oh, our heads suffered. They were ALL warming up for the big parade, we learned. So we quickly got back to the car to make our escape from downtown to Timberlea. I was shotgun, so we only made a couple of wrong turns.

Pics will come soon.

Dog Days of Summer

It is a time of weddings. Cuz Amy got hitched last weekend (more to come in another posting) and K-12 classmate Mike is getting married in Halifax this Saturday and I am flying up, sans wife. Mmmmm!

The dog loves the Sun. Every ten minutes she runs down to the basement, where I am TRYING to put a dent into my courses, to whine about getting outside. And when I let her outside, she then barks to come back in.

Grrrr.

Anyway, above is a picture of aforementioned mutt doing her latest Spock impression......"Your logic is flawed dog owner, I am in charge now!"

The wind had blown many icebergs into Bonavista Bay South 2 weeks ago. This pic was taken in Tickle Cove as my 2 "girls" looked on.



Finally, another pic of the dog. She is terrible at begging, so we let her have the crumbs. It was quite a show as she licked the bag clean!