Rainy Pete's Unbalanced World

2010-05-07T22:00:00.000-04:00

Not that it's any secret that I'm a Canuck, but I love this and need to spread it!

Canada represent yo!

Sudden;y I can't wait for spring.

2010-01-12T00:00:00.000-05:00

Spring around these parts brings construction season and while the traffic on the highways hate the congestion I have a new reason to look forward to its arrival. Maybe I can get my hands on a backhoe and a big ole mud puddle.

Sure beats towing a boat to the lake and all that hassle. Then again maybe I can skip the thaw and just find me a good snowy field and have at it. What do you think.

Lest we Forget

2009-11-11T00:00:00.000-05:00

For all those that serve and have served I thank you. Please take two minutes to honour their sacrifice.

Feeling validated

2009-10-17T00:00:00.003-04:00

One of the great tings about the internet is that there are lots of cool little gems out there. Sure it's kind of like panning for gold on that you've got to sift through loads of muck to to get to the good stuff but that's a risk I'm willing to take. One of my favourite finds lately is this one, and not just because it involves a photographer. I hope you enjoy it.

Engaging photography

2009-05-28T00:00:00.005-04:00

Or is that engagement photography? Anyhow.....

I was lucky enough to get to meet Dave and Nicky last Friday as we wandered around Webster's Falls for some engagement pics. They quickly got used to my style of photography, which can be a little unsettling to watch as I leap over and onto things and into nearby bodies of water, and settled in for some great pics.

Their wedding is rapidly approaching and I'm looking forward to shooting down at Liuna Gardens with them. They're going to have a fun time and are a great couple. See you soon guys!

For all the trekkies in your life

2009-05-13T00:00:00.001-04:00

Apparently all the reviews aren't glowing. Just check this one out!

I don't think that will stop me from giving it a go though.

Anyone got an opinion on it?

Treeing children

2009-05-06T00:00:00.000-04:00

What can be more fun that chasing the kids around the yard? How about chasing them up a tree and then taking their pictures?!

Okay so I'm definitely a camera geek but here you go!

Congratulations and welcome

2009-05-03T00:00:00.001-04:00

Congratulations to Heather and Aaron on their long awaited arrival and a welcome to the beautiful and tiny Miss Evi Ruth Hurd!

To the

She was born at 12:40pm on Saturday, May 2, 2009. She weighed in at 7 pounds, 9.44 ounces and measured 20.5 inches long.

Have fun you two and be sure that Aodin is smiling down and watching you all with joy.

Eggscelent laugh

2009-04-15T12:38:00.000-04:00

How twisted am I that I find this hilarious? Maybe I'm just spending too much time cooped up with the kids.......

How inspiring is this guy?

2009-03-22T00:00:00.000-04:00

Blah

2009-02-02T00:00:00.000-05:00

Is it enough be well paid for what you do, or should you not have to haul yourself out of bed to get to work with all the motivation of a death row inmate walking down the corridor to the chair?

If I have to do this for much longer I fear I'll start to turn into this guy for real!

Fun in the bathroom

2009-01-28T00:00:00.001-05:00

Having an assignment to fire up one's photographic brain is a good thing. Especially when the weather is cold and snowy like it is at the moment. One part of the assignment was to take pictures in a place that you wouldn't ordinarily think of. Forcing yourself to work with what you're handed can cause you to get some good results with a little planning and careful use of camera angles.

As such here's some shots from a bathroom, post bath time.

What can I say, shooting people is fun! Even in a bathroom.

Best.....Condom ad........Ever

2009-01-16T00:00:00.000-05:00

I just found this and had to say that it is probably the second best condom ad ever.

So what is the best you say?

You've got to see this!

Merry Christmas to all!

2008-12-24T00:00:00.000-05:00

Bling for blockheads

2008-12-03T00:00:00.000-05:00

I'm sure I've extolled the virtues of Lego before and if not then shame on me. My favourite toy when I grew up is still residing in my house today. I have a big box o' blocks that I am waiting for the kids to be big enough to play with so I can leave it out. I still build things with it from time to time.

If anyone is looking for gift ideas for the Lego maniacs in their lives I may have found something that will put a huge smile on their face while keeping their favourite blocks close at hand. Behold the Lego ring!

Alas I can't wear silver jewelry, but as soon as I get those winning lottery numbers from my fortune cookie to pay off I'm getting a a goldsmith to knock one of these together for me in a hurry!

You know your child's a ham when.....

2008-11-23T12:00:00.000-05:00

Is it just em or is anyone thinking of Mary Katherine Gallagher when they see this?

A time to remember

2008-11-11T00:00:00.002-05:00

Well look at that. This thing's still here waiting for me!

For anyone who still remembers where to find this I hope you stop in. If you don't then I hope you at least took time to remember those that put their lives on the line so we may enjoy the life we have today. Even those that gave their very lives to stand up for what they believed in. In this day and age it unfortunately seems to be a rare trait in people that they believe so strongly in anything that they would take such a stand. In a day where people treat their lives and their freedom with such reckless abandon it is good to stop and remember those that showed us that sometimes it isn't about ourselves at all. Sometimes we must be apart of a grander plan and stand up to do the right thing no matter how difficult it may seem.

For all of you I say thank you for without your brave actions my branch of the family tree would be bare. With my father being from England it is unlikely that if anyone took a stand that he would have been around to come to Canada. Not to mention that my wife is of German and Dutch descent so she too wouldn't be here. That then removes the existence of my kids from this world as well. Such a soulless act by so many strangers to stand up and fight for good was performed just so I could be here today. Not that they were fighting for me specifically but it really is hard not to think of it that way and understand that if they could put so much on the line, how hard is it for me to remember them for their bravery. I can never forget and try very hard to show my children as they grow up that they too should be grateful for all that fought and all that continue to fight so that we can remain free.

I'm not saying for a second that war is a good thing, and if it all ended tomorrow I would be thrilled. That being said, as long as there are those out there that wish people harm, I'm proud of the people who draw that line in the sand and make it known that some of us are willing to take a stand. That there are things in the world that should not be tolerated. With so much that has been given, please take a moment of your time to remember those that made it possible...............

Remembrance 2008 from Peter Rainford on Vimeo.

Hot Night In The City

2008-11-07T12:00:00.000-05:00

So the firefighters did their annual fashion shot up at Carmen's and once again I was asked to come along and shoot for them. The results were fun and crazy as always. Loads of crazed women and sweaty firefighters all working together to create a wild night in support of a good cause.

See more here

Has it been 7 years already?!

2008-09-11T00:00:00.001-04:00

Heroes - by John Piercy

This is a picture by a good friend of mine who happens to be a firefighter in this city of ours. I can imagine the feelings that he and his co-workers have every year on this anniversary. Sure it's a real risk when you're a fire fighter that you may run into one burning building too many, but the sheer magnitude of loss by the NYC emergency services teams was huge. Not to disregard the other victims but most of them didn't have a choice but be in the crossfire. These brave men and women, on the other hand, grabbed their gear and ran into burning wreckage of the twin towers to rescue whomever they could find only to be caught in crushing collapse of them.

To them, and any and all that serve us in our cities and towns I offer my thanks. It's because of your efforts that we can all sleep at night knowing someone is out there to watch over us and keep us safe.

I've said much of this before here and here so if you're looking for more reading then go ahead.

What I did on my summer vacation

2008-09-02T00:00:00.000-04:00

Okay so it wasn't on my summer vacation, but Labour day was fun!

Thanks to the efforts of Alan Nielsen from the Hamilton Flickr Group I had the opportunity to shoot three lovely models in Burlington Monday. Good fun and lots of opportunities to learn made the day a success. Shawna Bailey, Angie Stea and Melanie Clerk were all good sports and handled the swarm of paparazzi like seasoned veterans. Their wonderful looks were a team effort crafted by Misty Charette, who did the makeup, and Wendy May Moore, who put together the lovely outfits on a very tight deadline. We descended on Burlington with a cacaphony of laughter and chattering of shutters and after a long day in the sun we all packed up and took home the memories of a fun day and a stack of great shots. Mine can be seen below.

HNT #105

2008-08-22T00:00:00.001-04:00

So I seem to have been a little lax in my HNT postings but here is one despite my business.

It's that time of year again when we launch the mayhem, and joy of the Winona Peach Festival.

For years now we have done our best to wrestle with the dust problems that plague an open field in the dry times of summer, but this year we have had a different set of challenges.

With the repeated rainfalls and saturation the park is now quite dust free in many spots.

In fact it has offered up some challenges that we have never had to contend with in the park.

Challenges such as live bait or lures perhaps?

For the record, the fish aren't biting so bring the appetites to the food court and gorge yourself on the wicked chow that is in the park this weekend!

Happy Canada Day!!

2008-07-01T00:00:00.000-04:00

R.I.P. George

2008-06-23T00:00:00.000-04:00

George Carlin
May 12, 1937 - June 22, 2008

For those that haven't head the bad news, we lose yet another legend. George Carlin died yesterday evening of heart failure after checking himself in to the hospital with chest pains. Today the world is a little less funny. I'll miss you George.....it's like losing one of the warriors for common sense.

Turmoil

2008-06-17T00:00:00.001-04:00

Have I mentioned how much I love summer storms. Is it because I can risk my neck by standing there with a metal tripod in front of me, daring the lightning to come for me? Not really, but looking back that's sort of what I did to get this shot!!

This summer has been a roller coaster of storms and hail and tumultuous weather indeed. For a storm junkies like me it's been heavenly. The noise and the light shows each night have been wonderful to watch and now I've got a nice bit of shelter in the backyard and some nice chairs that were a father's day gift to sit in and watch the storms roll through. Sure any storm pictures in my yard wouldn't look as impressive as this, but sometimes it's better to just sit and enjoy the show isn't it?

Lately my life has been like the summer weather with my career looking a bit like a summer storm. Where will it all lead? I don't know, but it's neat to have some options for once. I've learned that when it comes to selling your soul there actually is a price that is too low and I've been selling it at that price for too long now. I'd rather be broke and happy than rich and miserable any day of the week. I've got the broke all worked out so now it's time to get to the happy......

Fun times ahead!

Be kind indeed

2008-05-09T12:18:00.003-04:00

Give that this week (May 4th to May 10th) was "Be Kind To Animals Week" I figured what better way to see things than through the eyes of a pet.

I was listening to the radio one day and heard the most amazing and heartbreaking story issue forth from my car speakers. The station I had on was a talk radio station and the host was one Charles Adler. Those who aren't familiar with Charles' style, he can be quite gruff and very callous and while he can get pretty worked up over stuff he seems to be a bit of hard case. This is not a true representation however as I heard the softer side of Charles that day. This is going back a while as this was in response to a story in the press about a man who dragged a dog behind his car. The resulting tale he told was enough for me.

You can listen to it here or if you're not having any luck getting through it then read it all here.

HNT #104

2008-04-24T00:00:00.001-04:00

Days come and days go but the hassle remains.

Have you ever had one of those days where nothing seems to go right for you?

Sure we all have, but what happens when they start to stack up together?

This is when I turn to whatever I can to make my brain work again.

For me this is often photography.

Being a bit of an odd duck I love dark things. Dark movies, dark music, dark humor so it's only natural that this should tie to my photography too.

I know what you're thinking......"Don't you need light to take pictures?"

The answer is yes, but when it's dark you get to bring your own and have some fun.

The result is light painting and the results can be fun and silly or dark and dramatic

To see a range of what may be accomplished (which is really just a sampling of the myriad of possibilities anyhow) check out these.

Sometimes we need to smile

2008-04-23T00:00:00.003-04:00

Things like this give me hope that the world isn't all the way lost just yet. (p.s. - If you're a dog person, brace yourself). This email was in the stack of emails that usually greets you after neglecting it for a day, recounting a wonderful tale of human kindness.

There is a God in the Post Office

This is one of the kindest things I've ever experienced. I have no way to know who sent it, but there is a beautiful soul working in the dead letter office of the US postal service.

Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month.The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith

was crying and talking about ho w much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could, so she dictated these words:

Dear God,

Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick.

I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her you will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.

Love, Meredith.

We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven.

That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.

Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, 'To Meredith , in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, 'When a Pet Dies.' Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:

Dear Meredith,
Abbey arrived safely in heaven.

Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away.

Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by.

Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you.

I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much.

By the way, I'm easy to find; I am wherever there is love.

Love,
God

HNT #103

2008-04-17T00:00:00.001-04:00

Well here we go again.

Thursdays come and go and the last few came and went right along with out me here.

HNT time is a time to kick back and relax. To take in the sights and the thoughts of the fellow blog folks and revel in the world.

Given the joys of being exhausted, busy, plus dealing with a soul sucking job, a dying car, a leaky basement and other assorted fun, I figured it's time to fight back.

I was eating a KitKat bar and remembered their ad line that said "You deserve a break today".

So today I decided that come lunch time I'm taking a well deserved break at work. Not that the lunch break is long enough to take a really good break so I'm improvising.

Meet my "F&%# it all" lunch!

All in all today should go pretty well after lunch. I'll even drink a toast to the almighty Os as it's his birthday and all this week!

If the beer doesn't work then I guess I'll have to call my doctor and get me some of this.

You Might be a Leprechaun if.......

2008-03-17T00:00:00.002-04:00

You Might be a Leprechaun if.......

You snicker uncontrollably all the way through "Darby O'Gill And The Little People."

Your record collection is stocked only with very short artists, Paula Abdul, Sheena Easton, Prince, Phil Collins.

When you see a rainbow, you get a greedy little look in your eye. (Arrrr, there's me pot o' gold!)

In your cupboard there is nothing but Lucky Charms cereal.

Every time you get your paycheck, you convert it into gold coins and bury it somewhere.

You insist on dancing a jig on your way to work each morning to the embarrassment of all your friends.

You've been under a rock for the past few years.

You just despise fairies. ("Wing Envy" if you ask me!)

You try to pick up women by saying "Ah, lassie, you have dazzling kneecaps, you do."

When you eat good food, you say it is "magically delicious,".

And the number one way you can tell you might be a Leprechaun:

You're three feet tall, Irish, have red hair, cuss, drink and wear green a lot!

Another One Bites The Dust

2008-03-04T00:00:00.000-05:00

Mondays suck in general but when they are launched with news like this they are even worse.

Jeff Healey's music has always amazed me so I was even more stunned when I first saw him play and realized this music was coming from a blind man! Not that blind folks can't jam, just look at Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder right? He was always a source of inspiration to me, and a good reason to watch the very dreadful movie Roadhouse.

Rest In Peace Jeff. I can only imagine what kind of jam band they have up in heaven these days with you added to the ranks.

Today it isn't just just your guitar that weeps.

Go Ahead, Mika My day.......

2008-03-03T00:00:00.002-05:00

This weekend saw me rolling off to a conference. While these things aren't always the most exciting thing there is always something neat to come out of it. For this one it was the trip out and back that made it all wicked. The driver was tossing all sorts of music I'd never heard of my way and while I now curse him for making me go spend money, I also thank him for some new tunes for my ever eclectic catalog!

One artist in particular really grabbed my attention and that was the never-heard-of-by-me Mika. He's been floating around the British scene so I'm sure there are those among you who have heard of him but for those that haven't I offer this kickass video as an idea of why I love his stuff.

It's got buckets of innuendo, humping rabbits and hallucinogenic animation! What more could you want?

Oh and Wondy....he's even knocked heels with Beth Ditto!! Sort or makes me wonder if that was what was behind this one......

The kid's got pipes like Freddy Mercury and some serious retro sounds that have had me tapping my toes for the last day and a half. I'm packing this stuff into my ipod for the travel tunes!!

Grace Kelly is still my favourite so far. Especially because it was written and a giant "get bent" song to the industry.

HNT #102

2008-02-28T00:00:00.000-05:00

Well another Thursday and another HNT.

Thank the heavens for the diversion as this week has not been a good one.

With long hours at work and some busy evenings of late it's wearing me down pretty well.

I feel as though I could sleep for a week.

How do I keep from letting it get to me you may ask?

Well first of all I'm not right in the head and that has kept me from leaping off of tall things.

Second of all I managed to have a reunion of Friday that has made me a happy camper.

There's nothing like seeing a loved one you have been apart from for a while, especially when your separation had been against your will.

The dark days are over and we have been enjoying each other's company again.

It's enough the make me all happy and smiley again, see!

HNT #101

2008-02-21T00:00:00.003-05:00

It's another week of chaos for me.

Yet in the midst of it all it's time for the splendor and majesty of Thursday!

Well I don't know about majesty but it's time for HNT at the very least.

With co-worker vacation and severe under staffing it's been a wacky week at work.

I'm running around like a maniac and luckily have a pretty good threshold for the BS of it all.

Even so I'm getting near the limit, so hopefully today and tomorrow run short of the mess or I may end up in the news soon!!

Maybe if I show up to work looking like this they'll get the idea.

Maybe this weekend I could use some Thrills to liven things up a bit.

I hope your week is going at least a bit more smoothly for you, otherwise I extend my heartfelt sympathies to you!

HNT #100

2008-02-14T00:00:00.001-05:00

As if the pressures of a Thursday aren't enough, what with HNT and all now we've got Valentine's Day too!

Welcome back for the repeat offenders and greetings to any newcomers unfortunate enough to have clicked on this.

As a service to you all I offer some helpful tips to make your Valentine's Day a little more successful. Since no matter what we tend to do as guys we usually get a car or write a poem or something I'll offer you this list of verses that don't tend to work so well.

10. I admire your strength, I admire your spunk
But the thing I like best, is getting you drunk

9. Our love will never become cold and hollow
Unless, one day, you refuse to swallow.

8. I bought this Valentine's card at the store
In hopes that, later, you'd be my whore.

7. This feels so good, it feels so right
I just wish it wasn't $250 a night.

6. You're a woman of style, you're a woman of class
Especially when I'm spanking, your big-round-fat ass.

5. Before I met you, my heart was so famished
But now I'm fulfilled. . . SO MAKE ME A SAMICH!!!

4. Through all the things that came to pass
Our love has grown. . . but so's your ass.

3. You're a honey. . . and you're a cutie
I just wished you had J-Lo's "booty".

2. I don't wanna be sappy or silly or corny
So, right to the point, let's do it, I'm horny!

1. If you think that hickey looks like a blister
You should check out the one that I gave
to your sister!

If you're still spinning your wheels for ideas for a gift then here's an idea of don't you should watch!

So with that out of the way it's on to the show.

The emotion and commerce of the whole day can get to be a bit much sometimes.

With all this talk of flowers and love and romance and the lie is it any wonder that a lad walks around with a heart on?

Happy Valentine's Day to those that bother and to those that don't......eat in tonight 'cause everything but the fast food joints will be booked solid!!!

HNT #99

2008-02-07T00:00:00.000-05:00

Ahhhh Thursdays. With all the winter weather and arduous drives to and from work (plus a snow day or two) it's been a nutty week.

Luckily we have our Thursdays at our disposal to distract us from the trials and tribulations of our working week.

When we were younger we could simply entertain ourselves in whatever way we saw fit.

We'd play games and run around outside and generally do all manner of things that would make our parents' hair grow whiter.

I'm still like a bad kid some days and go against the advice given by my poor mother.

I often say things despite the advice of "If you haven't got anything nice to say then don't say anything at all.".

And my personal favourite of don't play with your food never quite sat right with me.

Especially when you're in a week that contains the ever wonderful Shrove Tuesday!!

HNT #98

2008-01-31T00:00:00.000-05:00

Another Thursday another HNT!

This has been one of those weeks.

With prizes a plenty I've had a few good days.

And the week has been crazy enough that I've felt stressed to the max.

There was even a birthday to celebrate in the middle of it all!

Add sick kids and a sick wife to the equation and I'm looking for the weekend to get some relief.

Vacations aren't on the boards for a while so I'll have to turn to other means.

Maybe I'll hit the bottle instead?

Looking for stress relief techniques that actually work? Try a stopping in to Useless Advice From Useless Men. If you don't find anything helpful there feel free to offer suggestions of your very own as we don't have any ourselves.

Happy Birthday Lego!

2008-01-28T12:00:00.000-05:00

What does it take for me to get off my backside and fire up a post that isn't HNT? How about the 50th anniversary of the best toy in the history of humanity??
That's right, Lego turned 50 today! I loved it as a kid and I love it to this very day. I can't wait until the kids are old enough that I can break out the bricks again. Sure they've go the kid safe stuff, but it just isn't the same.

Over the years it has gone from its humble beginnings when Ole Kirk Christiansen began creating his wooden toys under the name we know today. He drew the name from the Danish phrase leg godt, which means "play well" and by golly I did. The plastic bricks we know and love today were actually based on a 1939 patent from Hilary Harry for the 'Toy Building Blocks' sold under the Kiddicraft name. Christiansen saw the potential and introduced the "Automatic Binding Bricks" in 1949 after obtaining rights to the Kiddicraft design and the rest, as they say, is history.

In their early life the blocks didn't do well and were often returned by retailers who figured plastic toys could never replace wood ones. It wasn't until 1954, when
the son, Godtfred Kirk Christiansen, was the junior managing director for the Lego group that things began to take off. He saw the toy as a system instead of just a toy. As a basis for an entire system of creative play they lacked some locking abilities so the block was refined and the patent that was to create the block we know today was born on January 28, 1958. It would see 5 years of tweaking, but the system was started when that patent was set in motion. Not that any of us have the old ones laying around, but if you find them, they are still compatible with the bricks of today. In comparison to the toy companies of today who ensure incompatibility to generate sales of newer systems that's pretty damn cool!

From themed Lego and and licensed Lego to the computer controlled an robotic stuff of today the system continues to grow and is even popular with other toy companies who make sure their products are compatible with the bricks. The appeal has spanned generations and captures the heart and minds of many from the folks at Wired to Google on down to us mere mortals. Congratulations Lego and may your next 50 years be as awesome.

HNT #97

2008-01-24T00:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome back constant viewers!

Thursday is upon us once again.

A day near the end of the week and, thanks to Os, a day celebrated unto itself as something more than just a stepping stone to Fridays.

Some of us are daring, some of us are shy and some us are just plain strange.

What we post, whether clothed or not reveals a little bit more each week about who we are and what we do.

Through this journey we branch out and try new things.

I have done all manner of strange things myself and this week is no different.

This week I give you me as part of a threesome!

Fellow HNT junkie and author extraordinary Mark Leslie and I got together this past week for some mayhem.

The future will see some video strangeness as a result of us getting together.

Shortly after which a court order is likely to be issued to keep us from releasing such things ever again I fear.

Got some footage you're trying to keep buried? Try a stopping in to Useless Advice From Useless Men. Once people get a load of them they'll think nothing of whatever you post online these days!

HNT #96

2008-01-17T00:00:00.000-05:00

So here we are with another installment of the fun that is HNT.

Some of us post our emotions and some of us post our bodies.

HNT allows us to open our minds and our souls to the world at large.

Tales of our lives and our loves spill onto the internet every Thursday for us all to share in.

We see the trials and tribulations of each other's lives and post our own to be part of something larger too.

Some can be more guarded in what they post and what they say.

Others can be more adventurous in what they choose to post for us all to see.

This week I decided I'd show you an adventurous post including one that I love.

Brace yourself!!

So is anyone else excited about May 22nd?????

Looking to add a little adventure to your life? Try a stopping in to Useless Advice From Useless Men. You want daring, you'll never believe what they come up with to solve your problems!

HNT #95

2008-01-10T00:00:00.000-05:00

The New Year continues to roll along whether we are ready for it or not.

As the days roll past we find ourselves in another week of mayhem and chaos.

Luckily we come upon that most magical of days, Thursdays. That little extra nudge we need after hump day to keep us rolling into the weekend.

This New Year has brought me sadness and a chance to reconnect with an old friend.

Okay so maybe I'm being a little bit melodramatic.

It's not anything uber-tragic like the loss of a family member or a pet, but a photo nut like me it's tragic enough.

My beloved Sony camera packed it in and is currently in camera intensive care.

Yes it's in capable hands and yes I've still got my Fuji as backup, but it just isn't the same.

We're like strangers as it's been so long since we've talked or even done more than shoo some video.

While it's still nice that I can take pictures I do miss my workhorse.

Even the lenses look a lot lonelier without it attached.

Wish it a speedy recovery for me if you could please.

Are you struggling with New Years resolutions? Maybe you want to figure out how to lose the holiday pounds. Try a stopping in to Useless Advice From Useless Men. Our low calorie content will have you begging for more!

HNT #94

2008-01-03T00:00:00.000-05:00

Well it's a New Year, and today is HNT. That would be the first of the year for those that are still recovering from your celebrations.

A time when people make resolutions, which I tend not to do.

A year of possibilities.

A year of change.

For me this is a change in my computer as my old one blew up a while back and I've been hobbling along on my laptop for some time.

I spent a chunk of my savings to rebuild my machine and it is coming along nicely.

A little slower than I'd like in completion but progressing nonetheless.

For those of you who haven't built your own computer before the secret is in the negotiation.

A computer has a mind of its own and a steady and firm approach must be made in order to show it who is boss.

Negotiations are currently underway between my PC and myself to come to an "understanding" of who is in charge.

Are you experiencing computer problems this new year? If not, the why not email a question to Useless Advice From Useless Men. All of you questions will eb handled with the utmost of care by the randomizer and be deal with by our courteous and informed profes.........sorry. I couldn't' do that with a straight face!

HNT #93

2007-12-20T00:00:00.000-05:00

This is it kids!

No more HNT's until Christmas!

The anticipation has me all tied up in knots.

It's almost time for the food and the gifts and the mayhem.

The excitement that goes along with it all is just terrific.

What's better than all the festivities and gifts?

What could possibly be more satisfying than the piles of goodies to nibble on?

Well that would be the chance to reconnect with relatives you often see only once a year!

Today's HNT is supposed to be three wishes so here goes nothing;

For Hella I would like to give the gift of a home service to come and shovel her snow and help her get unpacked and set up so she can more thoroughly enjoy her Christmas and her time with Exile and her boy. I've moved just before Christmas once and it is mayhem!

Second up I wish to give Searabbit a big stick and a gag so she can take on nitwit cabbies at will. Singlehandedly she can improve the service level of cabs everywhere, like some kind of transit using superhero.

Last up is a little trickier. My third wish is that Moosekahl has a wonderful and Merry Christmas despite what will be a tough time. There will be new traditions and a sadness for her Mom who will be smiling down on them all that day. Big hugs and love from all and enjoy yourself. You'll have some down times but you'll have fun too. I'm adding a secondary part to this wish too. I also wish you some molasses cookies for the drive home. May they be thawed at about the 50 mile mark.

To everyone have a very Merry Christmas and remember to stop and take it all in. It's far too easy to let it all zip past and wonder where it all went.

Looking for last minute gift ideas? Don't know what to get that hard to shop for person on your gift list? Stop by Useless Advice From Useless Men for all your shopping needs. Nothing makes shopping more adventurous than bringing a Useless Man along for the ride!

Holiday Christmas Madness

2007-12-17T00:00:00.000-05:00

I wanted to send out some sort of holiday greeting but it is so difficult in today's world to know exactly what to say without offending someone. I met with my attorney today, and on his advice I want to say to all of you:

Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, non-addictive gender neutral, celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasions and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all. I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling, and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2003, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make Canada great (not to imply that Canada is necessarily greater than any other country), and without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith, or sexual preference of the wishee.

By accepting this greeting, you are accepting these terms: This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for her/himself or others, and is void where prohibited by law, and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher. This wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year, or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first, and warranty is limited to replacement of this wish or issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher.

So. . . Best Wishes for the Holiday Season!

(found that on the web.....too cute)

Ahhhh bollocks to that load of rot!

Christmas is just over a week away and aside from the decorations in the stores, you'd never know it. The retailers, businesses and media alike all seem to be terrified of the very word Christmas. The drive to be politically correct and inclusive has made Christmas a villain. Everywhere you look and hear it's Happy Holidays, not Merry Christmas. Well not here folks. It's full steam ahead with the Christmas wishes. If you're out in the malls then do what I do. When a well intentioned clerk wishes you Happy Holidays you thanks them and wish them a Merry Christmas. It's to the point where the radio people are conflicted too. One station in out area has been playing Christmas carols since the beginning of the month 24/7. The irony is that they are playing song after song that mention Christmas but the station keeps referring to themselves as the area's "Holiday Station". What the heck is that all about?? I was impressed yesterday when the weekend DJ on the station we have on in the house played a song that sums it all up for me. If you've had your fill of the "Festive Season" and "Holiday Greeting" and are looking for a good old fashioned MERRY CHRISTMAS, then go ahead and click on the play link below......you won't be disappointed.

Standard Podcast: Play Now | Play in Popup

If you like it that much then it's part of this album, which has a bunch of good stuff on it (yes I like country music, so what?). One of my new favourites. If you get it then check out the Penguin, James Penguin track for an alarming insight into the goings on of Santa. Homeland Security will be wanting to talk to him no doubt.

HNT #92

2007-12-13T00:00:00.000-05:00

Christmas is looming nearer by the day and the HNT's are running low too.

This weekend we went out and got our tree so this week's Christmas Tree HNT theme worked out well for me.

We trudged through the woods with the kids in tow, searching and hunting for the perfect tree.

After a long and involved battle I managed to fell the green demon despite its valiant attempts to resist me.

After lashing it to the van and bringing it home we hauled it indoors and trimmed it down to fit the house.

The funny part is that it looked a little fuller in the field.

Are you having trouble with the real vs fake debate? Stop by Useless Advice From Useless Men. We may even be able to help you out with some tree advice!

Stalking the most festive of prey.

2007-12-10T00:00:00.000-05:00

Last weekend we stood in the rather chilly weather to take in the Santa Claus parade and it was a blast. It was, however, cold enough to freeze hot chocolate into a brown puck. This weekend I upped the ante and had me a Christmas crazy weekend.

I spent the bulk of my Saturday taking pictures of Santa and kids at a Christmas party (woohoo....a paying gig!) and had a blast. It's a little daunting taking almost three hundred pictures of kids with Santa in three hours. You read that right. I basically had less than a minute with each kid as I had to crank through nearly 100/hour. It was a challenge but fun and watching the kids interact with Santa was priceless. I witnessed everything from the wide eyed wonder of the little ones to the feigned disinterest of the older kids, who were quite happy to be there once they got on his knee. Even the criers, which were actually quite few, were all part of the entertaining parade of kids that we got through (you can check out the highlights here. I talked to Santa while I was there and he wasn't quite sure that you'd all been good this year though.

With that out of the way and then a hockey game that night I was exhausted. Sunday we got off to a rather slow start but made sure that it was officially Christmastime around our house. As if the piles of stuff yet to wrap and the overexcited children weren't enough of an indicator for us, we went and did the inevitable hunting of the tree this weekend. Piling the kids and the sister in law in the minivan we hauled ourselves off to a local Christmas tree farm and wandered through the dwindling stocks of trees to be captured. I've never hunted them in pairs before but it went a lot more smoothly than two years ago so I must be getting better at it.

The kids seemed to enjoy it too and now that they are getting bigger I can put them to work as well. Once they marked the kill I set about delivering the lethal blow. My daughter wasn't impressed with dragging three out of the filed but once I told her Santa wouldn't leave gifts under the piano she got to work.

With the green monsters securely tethered to the top of our ride it was time to go for victory munchies on the trip home. The poor unsuspecting tree is standing in our living room awaiting the final insult for it is to be adorned with all manner of lights and glittery things soon enough. So overdone and shiny it will look a bit like a tree-vestite. I shall post it's shame on the internet for all to see once we get done with it.

HNT #91

2007-12-06T00:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome back to another installment of the weekly mayhem that is HNT.

Nekkidness is not so common this time of year in these parts.

It may be because of the weather and our desire that Jack Frost only nip at our nose instead of other bits.

The snow and the cold really tend to discourage the initiation of clothing optional events.

For many it is because of the extra luggage we all begin to haul around this time of year.

Our regularly sleek physiques (I'm really being generous to myself here huh?) begin to loosen up a little bit.

All the parties and the good food and cookies and candies and drinks and the...........(sorry got lost there for a second).........really take their toll on our bodies, not that it slows many of us down.

For me I am a strange creature (big surprise) who likes fruitcake and mince tarts.

My largest weakness however lies in the form of a tantalizing beverage so yellow and magical that it melts my heart just thinking about it.

This Christmas holidays don't forget to get your Nog on!!

Are you looking for the perfect MP3 player? Can't choose from all the options and need some good sound technological type advice? Stop by Useless Advice From Useless Men. We're as entertaining as any podcast without all the arduous listening!

Winners and Wannabes

2007-12-05T00:00:00.000-05:00

This weekend saw me taking in a concert that turned out to be a pleasant surprise. First we rewind a little bit into the past where a TV show called Canadian Idol pits singers against one another for the ultimate prize of a record deal. Personally I usually watch the train wreck that is the auditions and then tune out, but this year we had a guy from our city on who was actually really good. Given that talent isn't usually what dictates a winner on the show I wasn't optimistic about his chances. After spending a lot of time at the bottom of the pile, the viewer ship finally realized that he was talented and he worked his way up to ultimately win the whole deal. Brian Melo was labelled Canadian Idol and support in our twon was so large that the finale was broadcast at Hamilton Place Theater so people could come and cheer in person. It was a crazy night as you can see.

So Saturday they held a concert at Hamilton Place Theater with Brian and some of the contestants from the show. Brian brought Jaydee Bixby, who placed second, and Carly Rae Jepsen, who placed third with him for the show and I was pleasantly surprised at the results. Jaydee never really impressed me on the show but he had a few decent songs that night. He really seems to enjoy himself on stage and the people really like him too. When he's singing the country music that he loves he is really fun, but when he wanders from that he loses me a bit as he tries to twang it up too much. I actually like country music so it isn't the genre that's putting me off, just him trying to make everything fit in that genre.

After he finished up it was time for Carly Rae Jepsen. I wasn't exactly overwhelmed with confidence in her abilities when she started talking as her stage presence was almost non existent. Everything changed the moment she began to sing. Her voice is unbelievable and I really enjoyed her performance. To me she should have been the second place finisher on the show instead of Jaydee but that's the way things go sometimes.

Finally it was time to bring out Brian and he simply showed why he won the show. His act was polished and energetic. He rocked the crowd and hit them a couple of slower tunes as well. Part way through his set he brought out another Idol Tara Oram for a duet, at one point even having his niece on stage too. The show wrapped with everyone on stage for the big finish and all in all I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. Going into a show with low expectations certainly opens the door for a good experience. I loved Brian's stuff and look forward to seeing him the next time he rolls through town. Unless he runs out of steam or idea I think he's got the potential for along career ahead of him. For now I can enjoy his new CD Livin' It and wait for him to return to his hometown for another show.

There's a bunch more pics here.

No escape

2007-12-03T00:00:00.000-05:00

This weekend saw the end of a legacy. A legend in the flesh has finally checkout and gone to that big motorcycle ramp in the sky. Evel Knievel, the unstoppable daredevil has finally been stopped after all. After decades of battling chronic pain from the myriad of injuries he sustained over the years he went on to battle Hep C and a couple of strokes.

As a kid growing up through the 70's and 80's this man was everywhere. After a string of jobs Robert Craig Knievel Jr. decided to start stunt riding to try and make ends meet. He was inspired a show of Joie Chitwood's and decided to give it a go of his own. On January 3rd, 1966 he held his first show after having some difficulty getting things off the ground so to speak. After that show there were many folks clamoring to hire him and his show for their venues. This small beginning grew into the legendary superstar we all know him to be. There were toys and stickers galore as well as shirts and the like. Hell, there was even a really bad movie. The ultimate daredevil of the time was burned into our minds for all time. I remember as a kids that we'd all grab scrap plywood and take turns jumping our bike over stuff until someone took a nasty spill. To this day I refer to any incident of my kids doing something potentially dangerous as being little Evel Knievels.

Wherever he ended up I hope his bones are healed and his pain is gone and he gets to jump over whatever he wants. In this day and age of lawsuits and safety crazed folks we may not see the likes of Evel again, but maybe, just maybe our kids will one day get to see and revel in the spectacle once more.

You'll be missed Robert and I don't envy the next daredevil event that has been left in your legacy. The next death defying feat will be by he lawyer or judge that has to sit down with the ex-wives and divvy up the estate! That poor soul will have to have courage to spare!!

HNT #90

2007-11-22T00:00:00.000-05:00

Well this Thursday it was a slippery and nasty drive in to work with all the ice and such so it seemed only fitting that almighty Os was doing an MP3 player post today.

My iPod is my solace on the drive to and from work, especially on dreary drives like to day.

Let's be honest, the traffic is pointless when the weather's rough because all they keep saying is that the roads are horrible and to get off them as soon as you can. (Some people take this advice literally and veer off into the ditch though).

It's been a while since I got mine and I instantly fell in love with how shiny it was.

Being a bit of a photo geek however, I noticed how strikingly bright the screen was and came up with another idea as well.

Have no fear, I listen to what's on it too. Many a great podcast are available, as well as the ability to play whatever your heart desires during those long drives make it a great passenger on a solo trek.

Where does the compass lead?

2007-11-21T00:00:00.000-05:00

For nearly twelve years now a dark and insidious force has been preying on our children. A book so evil it has been derided with awards and accolades. Yes ladies and gentlemen I give the the pinnacle of evil, an upcoming movie called The Golden Compass. Okay so I'm being more than a little sarcastic here. The movie is actually based upon the first of a series of books by a man by the name of Philip Pullman. The Golden Compass is based on his first book called Northern Lights, which is actually part of a larger trilogy called His Dark Materials.

Apparently the latest news around here is that a local catholic school board has pulled the books off their shelves because Philip has admitted to being an atheist. This leads me to two problems in my mind. The first of which would be that the school board in question is obviously going to have to go through their entire catalog and pull all books written by non catholics who offer opposing thought to the school. This is a dangerous conversation which will be fun to watch unfold in the media. Any and all controversy that is stirred up can only be good news for th author, who will reap the benefits in the form of increased readership and viewing of the movie.

When I started doing a little poking around the internet I saw a great number of people who are picking apart the books and are refusing to allow their kids to read them. Maybe I'm just a bad parent but if you find something like this that you r kids want to read aren't you better off letting them read it? If its subject matter is something you are concerned about then how about reading it with them and talking bout the content with them? Where exactly do the benefits of sheltering your children from the reality of opposing viewpoints kick in? I would rather they read something like this and ask me about it then I tell them not to and they borrow it from a friend and read it anyhow. Then again, maybe some parents knwo their kids won't talk to them about stuff so try to control what they take in. This can only end badly. I feel very bad for those parents that have that weak a connection with their kids. I hope that when my two grow older they can read all manner of strange things and we can talk it over and explore what it means. Oh well.....remember this is coming form a man who is deep like a puddle some days. When The Golden Compass comes out on DVD, make sure you buy a bunch of copies and tape them to the doors of your local churches to see what chaos ensues.

2007-11-19T00:00:00.000-05:00

Amidst the mayhem that was this weekend our church had it's anniversary service like they do every year (go figure - an annual anniversary!). A really neat part of the service is that we were invited to buy flowers to remember those that touched our lives and so the wife and I grabbed as many as we had cash on hand for (which wasn't many unfortunately). We chose to remember some friends and family that we had lost including her mother and grandmother and my grandmother as well. I also grabbed a flower in memory of little Aodin Hurd. Some of you may know the story and for those that don't there is a lovely website set up that has it all there for you to read in far lovelier words that I could likely craft.

For all those we have lost we mourn their passing but we must also remember to celebrate what they gave us. We never go through our lives without being touched by others. Similarly everything we do and are will impact others as well. There are lessons to be learned every day in our lives. Are we strong enough to learn form them or do we simply pretend we are eternal teenagers who already know everything?

Here's to Aodin, for he has taught me that no life so short that it cannot have touched at least another. And even more importantly that every day we get is a gift that we shouldn't really waste.

HNT #89

2007-11-15T00:00:00.000-05:00

It's Thursday again and just like every week, it brings the joy of HNT in its wake.

The joy's running a bit low this week though as it feels as if I have a rabid badger stuffed into each sinus.

This would be slightly more tolerable but for the fact that they don't seem to like one another and are waging some kind of headache inducing war against each other.

No wit or double entendre this week, it might upset the badgers.

Are you facing a health challenge? Maybe you're looking for the best home brewed cold remedy. Stop by Useless Advice From Useless Men. It's good for what ails ya!

Lest We Forget

2007-11-11T11:11:00.000-05:00

Luckily for me, this year the 11th of November landed on a weekend. I made my way to the cenotaph to participate in the remembrance day service. Watching the cadets there you could tell that some were actually getting the gravity of the occasion. Just over 60 years ago many of them would have been sent off to war at their age and told to take up the battle alongside the rest of the troops. They may never remember a war themselves but they will forever be aware of the impact one could have on their lives.

We wear a poppy to show he world that we remember those that have fallen and those that put their lives on the line for us. Some need no poppy to remember what was sacrificed and many actually wish to forget it all instead of reliving the pain and heartache. The wish passes but there are times they would love the bliss of ignorance that we cloak ourselves in most days.

I thank all who put their lives on the line for we the countless other who enjoy the rewards of their work. I appreciate the ultimate sacrifice given by many. So many were unaware of the dangers when they went, but they went anyways because someone had to stand up for what was right.

Thanks to their sacrifices my children and I are fortunate enough to not have to endure the risks and hardships that they encountered. God willing I will never have to know the pain and loss that the veterans and enlisted folks will face and have faced. I may never be able to fully understand what they went through but I will never take it for granted.

Lest we forget

Terry Kelly's touching tribute A Pittance Of Time

A tribute done by Global Edmonton for Remembrance Day.

6,000 words

2007-11-06T00:00:00.000-05:00

2007-11-04T00:00:00.000-04:00

HNT #88

2007-11-01T00:00:00.000-04:00

Thursdays roll around every week and every week we run to our computers to see what HNT brings us.

For the last 52 Thursdays I have been slugging away at a project that I got talked into.

Over the year there have been many changes in my life and the lives of those around me.

The basic thrust of the project is to take a phtoo of yourself every day for 365 days.

Not to be one to back away from a challenge I picked up the gauntlet and ran with it nose in hand, on on nose as the case may be.

As a result today's HNT is the final shot of my 365 Days project on Flickr.

If you're feeling crazy enough feel free to stop by and check out the entire train wreck in my photostream located here

Are you trying to find a way to weasel your away out of a challenge? Maybe you're just stuck for picture ideas. Stop by Useless Advice From Useless Men and we'll de what we can to simplify your life.

It's the most wonderful time of the year

2007-10-31T00:00:00.000-04:00

It's finally here!!! A holiday (well it should be anyhow) for the twisted folks like me who enjoy scary things and the hacking of gourds for our decorative pleasures. A time to walk around in costumes and try to see how high you can get your friends, neighbors and coworkers to jump. Sure all the candy and stuff is nice, but I prefer the fact that the television is dripping with horror movies.

HNT #87

2007-10-25T00:00:00.000-04:00

As the weather turns and the temperatures drop we find fall is upon us, as is another HNT.

Unfortunately I am slacking off and as such have not picked up my pumpkins yet, so no pumpkin guts shot for this week's HNT.

It has been a busy week or two for me and I am run ragged.

HNT is a welcome island in the river of crazy.

A refuge upon which we can cast our attention for a breif break from the mayhem that makes up our daily lives.

I don't know about you, but when I get this crazy I find myself pining for the simple things to give me releif from the stresses.

It's amazing what can provide you yoru much needed comfort in these kind fof situations.

Sometimes it could be as simple as a cup of tea or coffee with a friend.

Sometimes it may be something more involved like a night out on th town.

For me it can often be as simple as a bit of a cuddle with kiss.

Since they aren't available I had to improvise though.

May you find some comfort too over the next few days.

Are you finding it difficult to keep up with the demands of your daily life? Maybe you are lookign for ways to unwind after a hard day's work. Stop by Useless Advice From Useless Men. If we were any more relaxed we'd need medical attention.

Photo madness

2007-10-22T00:00:00.000-04:00

This weekend, and actually the week leading in to it, were insanely busy for me. After working each day I was out in the evenings with a combination of school and electrical work and only the one evening to recuperate. Saturday was an opportunity to take some leisure time the way I like to in the form of photography. The Hamilton Flickr Group was offered access to a barn and it's surrounding property by Dean aka Ontario Wanderer. An offer by Janet, a fellow group member, to pose for us and we had a genuine model shoot going on. Add a few of the neighbor kids and it was a blast. It was like the paparazzi had descended and was a little overwhelming for some involved at times.

The property was a photographic goldmine and included kilometers of trail to wander as well. All in all it was a fantastic day. Thanks to Dean for the property and hospitality as well as to Janet for her posing. For the record, none of us believe that you hadn't modeled before as you are a natural.

You can check out the rest here.

HNT #86

2007-10-18T00:00:00.000-04:00

HNT comes yet again.

Like the mighty Os himself I have been crazy busy, but there's always time for some HNT.

Amongst the mayhem and the chaos of our lives we run every Thursday to our computers for our diversions.

The cavalcade of images that greet us wash away the insanity of the day or week.

Of course it it replaced by its own craziness, but that's all part of the fun isn't it?

So to contribute to the mayhem I throw this week's offering in the heap.

A picture of me pulling my wire!

Are electrical problems interfering with your life? Maybe you have some ghosts in your machine. Stop by Useless Advice From Useless Men. Like your faulty electrical work you may find us shocking too!

Let the games begin!

2007-10-15T00:00:00.000-04:00

This past Friday night saw the return of the Hamilton Bulldogs to the ice here in town. After last year's Wild ride resulting in the Calder Cup Championship it should be a good season. The folks in the front office certainly didn't waste any time on cranking up the excitement for the team. Not only did they secure Brian Melo for the singing of the anthems but they managed to crowd the streets with fans. Over ten thousand people showed up to see the boys take to the ice again. Not only were they waiting to see the game begin but they also got to witness the presentation of the Calder Cup rings to the players as well as witness the hoisting of the championship banners. The energy was insane!

Al in all a great game, but a loss in shootout is never fun. Aside from the excitement of a new seson of hockey we also got one other goodie. The Hamilton Spectator teamed up with the Bulldogs to give the first 9,000 bodies through the doors a replica Calder Cup ring! How cool was that!?

HNT #85

2007-10-11T00:00:00.000-04:00

Thursday blessed Thursday.

It's usually the hottest part of the week.

This past week however has been a little different.

Our usual crisp fall weather had been abducted and replaced by balmy summer heat, humidity and smog warnings.

With the excessive heat brings about a situation that plagues we males in this kind of weather.

We have a tendency to talk about our shafts and grab our bags an awful lot lot more than our wives and girlfriends tend to appreciate appreciate.

So in that same spirit I offer you this week's HNT of me holding my balls.

Pretty hot eh?

Do you have a problem gripping your shaft? Maybe your balls aren't bouncing quite right. Stop by Useless Advice From Useless Men. Our game's probably just as bad as your, but I'll bet we laugh about it more.

Happiness and Heartbreak

2007-10-09T00:00:00.000-04:00

So it's Tuesday and back to reality around here. Our Thanksgiving long weekend is over and the turkey has been reduced to a pile of leftovers. The pies have been eaten and belts are creaking with the strain of containing our expanded bellies. We met with family and friends and shared a laugh and some food (and the dishes....ugh). For me teh happiness was tempered with some sadness too. If you remember October 1st's post about Heather and her pregnancy then here is the update we didn't really want. From Heather's post

Aodin R. Hurd was born at 4:02 am on Sunday, October 7th, 2007. His strong, tiny heart had ceased to beat hours beforehand, just one and a half days before his nineteenth week of gestation. He weighed 9.6 oz and had beautiful, big hands and perfect tiny feet. He was beautiful.
I'm glad that they too were surrounded by family in a time like this. Heather will always have those precious moments she got to spend with Aodin for the rest of her life. My heart and prayers are with Heather, Aaron, and the whole of the Hurd-Horst clan. It's going to a long and difficult road to recovery but with each of them to help carry them through they will make it. Stories like these just strengthen my resolve in trying to get to help out the organization I wrote about before called Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep. As their website states

Right Brassed Off

2007-10-02T00:00:00.000-04:00

Okay so the title is misleading to those Brits out there that make the tragic choice to visit here time and again. I'm not brassed off about anything. Actually I'm worn right out from spending a great deal of time watching internet videos. No not porn but for a band geek like me better!

Thanks to my friend Brad I have discovered a group of brass wielding musicians called the Mnozil Brass and I am in heaven. My only regret is that I am not in Europe so I won't likely be seeing them ever. Rest assured that if I am overseas I will be checking their schedule though!!

For now you can revel as I did in the videos that have eaten my brain!

Hard times and Prayers

2007-10-01T12:00:00.000-04:00

While wasting time at work.....errrrr.......spending my break on the internet I clicked Heather this probably isn't a shock but to those that don't, if you're the praying type please do so. She was excited 18 weeks ago to find out that she was pregnant with a long awaited baby, but very early yesterday things took a dangerous turn. The details of which can be found in this note she posted online. Feel free to stop by and offer her support in what is surely going to be one hell of a rough time either way (let's hope for the best though).

HNT #84

2007-09-27T00:00:00.000-04:00

Yay for Thursdays! It's time for more HNT joy!

All this half nekkidness is something to behold.

After seeing all the nekkid bodies though I realized something.

We are heading into the fall and winter months and what with Thanksgiving and Christmas and all the Halloween candy it's weight gain time.

Not that I'm remarkably hung up on my weight but fitness is important.

Even skinny people can be out of shape right? (Not that I'd know....that's why I'm asking).

Nope......rather than pack on the pounds and go all soft this winter I realized it was time to look at doing some work on my body.

After teh sad realization that there is nothing in my house to make this happen it was time to do some shopping.

After going to the store and tellign teh guy to set me up with all the stuff I need for body work I'm good to go.

The only problem is that now I don't know what to do with it all!

And why does it all have car pictures on the packages?

Looking for tips on your own body? Maybe the appearance isn't what it used to be? Stop by Useless Advice From Useless Men. After a look at us you'll be so confident in your looks you'll go streaking!!

Does he look sick to you?

2007-09-25T00:00:00.000-04:00

Last week (yeah I'm lazy with the whole blogging thing of late) we had a rough go around with Jakob. Poor little guy was leaking from both ends, but he's doing much better. The crap part is that the poor guy was worn right out and sleepy. The best part was I got to take a day off of work to take care of him. That was a way better way to spend a day than working. I need to win the lottery so I can stay at home with the kids all the time I think. How does one pass the time with a sick two year old? Aside from reading a boatload of stories, playing with blocks and washing him off an awful lot I broke out the camera stuff.

He's even photogenic when he's sick......plus he sits still a lot longer too!

Of course, eventually he was done.

HNT #83

2007-09-20T00:00:00.000-04:00

So in the post Talk Like A Pirate haze it is again time for that most magical time of the week HNT!

If it's a pirate you crave then you'll have to go here for your fix.

Instead I take my usual approach and give you another picture from the edge of my mind.

This week was all about the special purchases that make life fun.

The right store and you get to buy a toy that lets you frolic in parts of your mind you don't get to play with some days.

So this week I give you a pic of me with my fingering my bone!

What sport is right for you? Having trouble keeping up with pucks that don't have glowing blue lines aroudn them? Then stop by Useless Advice From Useless Men. We're so athletic we've got athletes foot!

Avast ye scruvy webdogs!

2007-09-19T00:00:00.000-04:00

Ahoy and avast ye scurvy dogs. It's International Talk Like A Pirate Day.

A fine time to swagger about and belt back a mug o' grog whenever the mood strikes. Let all you emails be typed in piratey goodness. If you lack the appropriate keyboard to type them out you can improve any standard email with a simple pass through the English to Pirate translator. It'll even do entire webpages for you! If you need to cobble something together yourself in a hurry then simple focus on the 5 key words to get a firm foothold on talking like a pirate.

ahoy
avast
aye
aye aye
arrrrrrrr

Iff'n ye've got some time t' burn then hauly yer scurvy backside to the official Youtube channel for Cap'n Slappy and the gang responsible for this mayhem. Iff'n yer really lookin' t' one yer skills and swagger about like a true buccaneer then it's a copy o' Pirattitude ye be needin'!

What bad could come of pirates? How about this?

A pirate walks into the bar with a ships wheel attached to the front o' his trousers. The bartender asks, "What the hell is that ships wheel for?" The pirate says, "Yarrrrrr! I don't know, but it's drivin' me nuts!"

Pretty rough but instead I offer an antidote.

A pirate and his parrot, were adrift in a lifeboat following a dramatic escape from a valiant battle. While rummaging through the boat's provisions, the pirate stumbled across an old lamp. Secretly hoping that a Genie would appear, he rubbed the lamp vigorously. To the amazement of the castaways, a Genie came forth. This particular Genie, however, stated that he could only deliver one wish, not the standard three. Without giving any thought to the matter the pirate blurted out, "Yarr! It would be grand if the vast ocean were made out o' rum!" The Genie clapped his hands with a deafening crash, and immediately the entire sea turned into the finest rum ever sampled by mortals. Simultaneously, the Genie vanished. Only the gentle lapping of rum on the hull broke the stillness as the two considered their circumstances.

The parrot looked disgustedly at the pirate and after a tension-filled moment spoke: "Now yee've done it!! Now we're goin t' have to pee in the boat!"

And a little ditty to be sendin' ye on yer way.

Avast matey! Whar be th' Skull & Skupper? I be needin' t' swill a pint or two o' grog.

HNT #82

2007-09-13T00:00:00.000-04:00

Yay for Thursday!

Not only does it signal the imminent arrival of Friday, but it also brings even more joy in the form of HNT!!

The great and mighty Os hath decreed that today be a sporting HNT.

Since I lack the cardio training required to participate in sports I prefer the sidelines.

Let's face it folks, I get winded playing armchair quarterback for goodness sake!

So I decided a shot of me sporting my stick would be sufficient.

Better still it proves that I am in fact number one!

It's over

2007-09-12T00:00:00.000-04:00

Canadian Idol has churned along all summer. The musicians were thinned down to two people and last night it was time for the ultimate winner to be announced. Brian Melo was the winner and a huge congratulations to him. Hamilton Place was crammed to the rafters with fans who sat through the whole finale awaiting the announcement. Was it loud? You bet Was it fun? absolutely. It was fantastic to see all the support from the city and the fans. From politicians and local music legends to the fans themselves everyone was there and cheering and screaming.

Here's an idea of what it looked like.

A time to be thankful

2007-09-11T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today marks 6 years since the incident that rocked the world and I won't go into massive details over it all. I covered off a lot of that in last year's post. Rather today is a day to be thankful for what life has given me. Times like that day 6 years ago force you to immediately focus on the things and people you have. Despite the fact that my family lives nowhere near the whole thing I still pulled out my cell phone to make sure they were okay, as if talking to them could help make the whole thing a little more bearable. During the aftermath I spent a long time going over the whole list of what ifs and did an inventory of all the things that mattered to me. At the same time I tried to figure out the things that were occupying my mind that weren't worth the effort. A time to clean out the mental attic if you will and focus on things that really mattered.

Whiel I am truly thankful for th life I am lucky enough to be living and the peopel in my life I also managed to miss a big thing that I was grateful for but managed to overlook in the selfish self examination. The anniversary of this tragedy is an important time to be thankful for the heroes of the everyday world we live in. Those that put their life on the line as a part of their job to help others overcome tragedy. I am talking fo the emergency services workers. Not just those that selflessly ran into the cloud of hell in New York just a few short years ago, but also the men and women that do it every single day. But for a simple trick of geography it could have been them, like the fire crews in Hamilton that risked their lives to extinguish the horrible fire at Plastimet. I am fortunate enough to know several police, fire and EMS workers and they are all amazing people. Sure you can shrug off their amazing acts of self sacrifice and say it's part of their job, like they do when you bring it up, but nobody forced them to choose that career path. Their selfless nature had them pursue that particular career choice in an effort to make the world a little better. While everyone is remembering the horrible tragedy lets also take a moment to remember every single emergency response person out there who will put their life on the line to help others every day from the small calls to the major disasters. To them, am I won't name them 'cause they'll kick my ass, I say thank you for all you do.

A moment of silence for those that have paid the ultimate price for their dedication if you please............

Can a do-over get a do-over?

2007-09-10T00:00:00.000-04:00

I don't know if it's the recycling craze that is changing the way things are or not but there is a trend to take old stuff and renew it. An example of this isn't really a new thing as it is the infamous movie remake and let's face it....Hollywood has had so little new and interesting that it's no big deal. They remake stuff that worked because they know suckers like em will check them out. This weekend I got to see the remake of Halloween by Rob Zombie. Okay so he didn't refer to it as a remake but rather a "reimagining" and I'm glad he did. Th movie was not too bad as a standalone but as a part of the Halloween series it fits about as well as Halloween 3 did. While John Carpenter's original was a masterful blend of horror, suspense and drama, Zombie's version was more graphic and more in your face. This wasn't my gripe with it though. What bugged me more than anything else is that as a horror movie junkie I loved the fact that Michael Myers was just a homicidal lunatic with no clear reason for doing what he did. Zombie's insertion of a back story sort of gives Michael a reason to be the way he is and that sort of took some of the fun out of him. Yeah I said fun.....I'm weird. Let's just hope that if they ever do the Evil Dead remake that they don't screw it up too badly.

Who knows.....maybe one day in the not too distant future we'll get something fun and original out of the Hollywood movie machine, but I wouldn't hold your breath.

HNT #81

2007-09-06T00:00:00.000-04:00

It's Thursday again and this one is from the far side of the Labour Day holiday for we North Americans.

That means for many a return to the everyday life of school and work.

A time to grab the backpacks and hop on to the buses in an effort to learn what we can to survive in the future.

This time always signaled the end of summer when I was a kid. Sure the calendar claims it isn't fall quite yet, but to a school kid it begins when you set foot in school.

Being a time for cooler weather and the pending changing of the leaves, fall is a time for the romantic.

Fires and warm blankets will encourage cuddling up until the warmer weather again finds its way to us.

So this Thursday I give you a special picture of me cuddling up with a loved one.

Do you have difficulties showing your affection? Are you trying to figure out the best way to show someone you really care? Then stop by Useless Advice From Useless Men. We're like the love doctors for the Jerry Springer set.

Labour Day Wreckage

2007-09-04T00:00:00.000-04:00

The long weekend has come and gone and something far worse than the return to school rears its head today. I don't know what the roads look like when you are out driving, but around here people drive like lunatics and the cost of it is rising. I grab my coffee and my morning paper only to find that the death toll on the roads this weekend is getting nuts. As I'm reading this article in the paper the radio is blaring that there were a total of 24 traffic deaths in three days.

I don't know about you but that's enough to make me happy that I didn't go anywhere this weekend. I was definitely safer at home! I wonder if there's any point in getting the article blown up and pasting it all over my car to try and get the message through to people on the roads that they just need to chill out and take their time when going places. Then again they will probably just either ignore it drive right into the back of me as they are too busy reading to hit the brakes. I suppose if I do that then I should take a comedian's advice and hang a bunch of old tires around the outside of my car like a tugboat.

After hosting a party on Sunday I suddenly wonder if asking a pile of folks over for a barbecue is putting them in peril. Should I feel bad that I am asking them to risk life and limb to get to my house on the roads of death? Surely the food is worth the risk but is visiting the likes of me worth it? Oh well.....for now I shall count my blessings that I don't go out much on vacation and will likely live to a ripe old age because of it. I guess the bright spot in all this is that the auto mechanics, repair shops and morticians are all going to celebration the post labour day festivities with a busy week.

HNT #80

2007-08-30T00:00:00.000-04:00

Yay for Thursdays and HNT!

Sadly with my last little run of chaos it's been the only thing keeping me posting to this woefully neglected blog.

For those of you that think I may have died I have bad news for you.....I'm still here.

In addition to the usual business and mayhem that goes with having a family and a day job last week and weekend had me setting up for the Winona Peach Festival.

After all that time spent setting up and running around the park flinging garbage into dumpsters a fellow gets to feeling lonely.

Some long days had me leaving as the rest of the family getting up and getting home after they had made it into bed so eventually it catches up with you.

There comes a night when you finally get home and things get dirty, and in true photo junkie status, and with HNT in mind, I decided to document it all.

Without further adieu I give you a shot of me getting dirty!

Count yourself lucky. I almost posted a shot of me with my hands stuck in a box!!

Have you got laundry troubles? Tough stains got your whites looking less than their brightest and best. Then stop by Useless Advice From Useless Men. Now with an improved cleaning formula and 30% more uselessness!!

HNT #79

2007-08-16T00:00:00.000-04:00

Ahh Thursdays. Only a day away from the blessed Friday.

Friday being the end of the work week for me it is tough to better than, but since Thursdays bring HNT it's a tough call.

The daily grind is taking it's toll on many and I am not immune to its mentally abrasive nature.

Like any abrasion it causes irritation that leads to discomfort.

The best way to deal with the problem, other than to remove the source of irritation (not an easy task for those of us with kids and a mortgage), is application of a painkiller.

I'm not a big fan of prescription drugs so I've taken to applying alcohol to deal with the problem some days.

The only problem with alcohol is it tends to get things a little crazy sometimes.

First you start drinking a little bit to take care of the problem and find that eventually you need to increase the dosage to achieve the required results.

One thing leads to another and the next thing you know some drunk is waving a prick around.....not pretty.

Don't panic folks....I'm not an alcoholic.....just a weirdo.

Are you having employment troubles? Maybe you are seeking advice on your own treatment program. Stop by Useless Advice From Useless Men. We're not much happier at our jobs but at least you may get addicted to us instead of something harder!!