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.
Friday, July 13
Thursday, July 12
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.
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.
Sunday, July 8
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.
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.
Wednesday, July 4
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!
Sunday, June 24
Rambles on a Sunday
Well, I worked three days of the last week of school, and I needed every hour to get over the 630 hours needed for EI. Whew! Thank gawd for St. Andrew's Elementary, a nice little school next to MUN. There is an article in The Telegram today, about St. Andrew's. Click here to read.
In Saturday's paper, The Telegram had an article about poor customer service by companies in rural Newfoundland. It really is a two-tiered system sometimes. My wife is from Red Cliff, next to Tickle Cove (beautiful communities) and the satillite service is terrible. But since people don't have access to cable TV and high speed Internet (things I take for granted here in Mt. Pearl), they are at the mercy of others.
Personally, I believe Mr. Kelly (person in the article) should get his system hooked up for free, the the lad who "didn't want to drive all that way" should be fired.
Had a little too much to drink last night at my ball hockey social. I even ended up playing darts and hitting the winning shots. MUST have been the booze. So today I am suffering, and the dog is wanting attention. Is it wrong I have her put outside, to relax in the sun.........and dig holes in the lawn? Nah. Wife is planning to fix up garden tomorrow anyway. :)
In Saturday's paper, The Telegram had an article about poor customer service by companies in rural Newfoundland. It really is a two-tiered system sometimes. My wife is from Red Cliff, next to Tickle Cove (beautiful communities) and the satillite service is terrible. But since people don't have access to cable TV and high speed Internet (things I take for granted here in Mt. Pearl), they are at the mercy of others.
Personally, I believe Mr. Kelly (person in the article) should get his system hooked up for free, the the lad who "didn't want to drive all that way" should be fired.
Had a little too much to drink last night at my ball hockey social. I even ended up playing darts and hitting the winning shots. MUST have been the booze. So today I am suffering, and the dog is wanting attention. Is it wrong I have her put outside, to relax in the sun.........and dig holes in the lawn? Nah. Wife is planning to fix up garden tomorrow anyway. :)
Monday, June 18
Red Cliff
I just spent the weekend out with the inlaws, wife, and dog in Red Cliff. She is out there till Thursday, enjoying her well-deserved holidays (from work, and possibly me).
I always enjoy my time in that small community in Bonavista Bay South. It reminds me of my childhood travels to Barr'd Islands on Fogo Island, the scenery is breathtaking, and the pace of life is much more mellow. Take a look.
This past weekend the weather was great, and icebergs were all about. A simple picture can't give it justice. But I'll post some once wife gets film developed. Trinity gets all the attention on Bonavista peninsula, but slowly people are buying and building cottages in this area. This past weekend there were pics of the iceberg in Open Hall in The Telegram. It is where we got hitched. Beautiful church. It is celebrating its 100 year anniversary in 2008. Here is a pic of the inside.
Ah, shameless promotion.
I always enjoy my time in that small community in Bonavista Bay South. It reminds me of my childhood travels to Barr'd Islands on Fogo Island, the scenery is breathtaking, and the pace of life is much more mellow. Take a look.
This past weekend the weather was great, and icebergs were all about. A simple picture can't give it justice. But I'll post some once wife gets film developed. Trinity gets all the attention on Bonavista peninsula, but slowly people are buying and building cottages in this area. This past weekend there were pics of the iceberg in Open Hall in The Telegram. It is where we got hitched. Beautiful church. It is celebrating its 100 year anniversary in 2008. Here is a pic of the inside.
Ah, shameless promotion.
Wednesday, June 13
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