Easter Dinner

Carrie and I were home alone for our Easter dinner. We made the most of it and had a great dinner together. Our Easter dinner ham from the farmer's market here in Calgary. It was wonderful!

Good dinner.

The Girls at Elbow falls

If I Only Had the Nerve

So, here I am a slut to myself and not true to my word. I talk a big story, but when it comes to action I am so pathetic I make myself sick. I prove this on a regular occasion and that would be fine if I learned something about it, but I haven't and I won't.

I am off to get a cup a coffee with the woman who sits next to me (I really mean that, she sits next to me. You think I would get a cubicle, but I feel like I am back in my high school IT class. We are so close together I can scarcely zone out as I am known to do in jobs I hate). We head through the +15 to the local Timmy Ho's where I have been going (a more Calgarian statement I have not seen) since becoming a Calgarian and data-entry drone. I am searching for things to talk about, and our boring job seems the likely thing.

"I bet she will ask us to stay today," I start. "If she asks me to stay I am going to say no. I need the money, but I hate the work." And here is where I really turn into a douche. I continue, "I know what jobs I hate and just can't stay in them. I know when to get out." You're all talk Joe. Who should come to our desk when we return, but our supervisor. She turns to me and asks if I can stay another week. "Sure," I say without batting an eye. I crumple faster than celophane in a fire.

I figured out my problem. I am just so damned agreeable that I can't take a stand. Some might call that cowardice, but that would be their opinion and they're entitled to it and they're right.

"Yeah, it's sad, believe me missy,When you're born to be a sissy" - If I Only Had the Nerve

The book

Book Review: Cool To Be Kind

I am an undoubtedly biased reviewer of this book, but don't be fooled: you will be a better person having read this book. This is a story of four friends travelling across this country in an attempt to connect the world through kindness. It is a huge idea and was realized in this huge action.

I am blessed to call one of these guys a very good friend of mine. Erik is a passionate guy. I know because he taught me how to surf and I know he feels the same for kindness. He put this passion on the road with his equally passionate friends and made good things happen. However, this isn't just a story about guys doing nice this for people, it is a call to action.

They have put together a book that is fluid to read and full of helpful tips, big and small, to make a difference in your community and in the world. In times like these, it's good to know there are people out there making it happen and spreading the word. Good on you guys!

St. Patrick's Day

Alright... I know I have already posted this picture, but it is St. Patrick's Day, and it is a good picture, and Ronnie is a great guy, and I'm not so bad either. So here you go... Happy St.Patrick's Day everybody. I didn't buy you a card on this hallmark holiday, but I will drink a beer or two in honour of... uhhhh... leprechauns.

June

Ok, ladies... this is my friend June. He is available and I think you should snatch him up. If you would like to contact him he is in the Philipines studying English now, but will be coming to Canada soon (right June?). Email me and I will get you guys together! Don't delay!

I Am. No More

I was never a big fan of Molson Canadian and even less a fan of boardroom nationalism, but I would be lying if I didn't feel the pain of another Canadian mainstay going the way of the doctor, I mean dodo. Yes, it certainly is the end of an era. After the merger of Molson and Coors they have now (smartly) dropped the I am Canadian slogan.

This move leaves many a salivating satirist sighing. Oh, the jokes that could have been made!

Robbie

Robbie keeping it real on the guitar. This is from back in December, but a good pic I think.

Look out Below

Lynn looking over the edge at Elbow falls.

Kyeong Ju

This is another picture of Carrie and me from our friend in Korea. He took some really great pictures as you can see.

Mason Jennings

This guy is the real deal. If you like music, which most of us do, then you should do yourself a favor and check this guy out. He has tonnes of songs to listen to on his site and they are great. He has been around for a while and Robbie gave me the scoop. Thank you Rob! Come on... you know you wanna.

Book Review: A Short History of Nearly Everything

The physicist Leo Szilard once announced to his friend Hans Blethe that he was thinking of keeping a diary: "I don't intend to publish. I am merely going to record the facts for the information of God." "Don't you think God knows the facts?" Blethe asked. "Yes," said Szilard. "He knows the facts, but He does not know this version of the facts." - Hans Christian von Baeyes, Taming the Atom

And with that quote, Bill Bryson takes us on an adventure of time in A Short History of Nearly Everything. Although you may have heard much of what is in this book Bryson weaves such an excellent tale full of eccentric characters and epiphanies that I was never bored and found myself in an ironic situation: rapidly turning pages through what should have been boring material.

The book covers everything that you really should know about the history of the earth, solar system, and universe. He simplifies what needs to be simplified, but not to the point of losing its meaning. He is an intelligent and fresh writer and never talks down to his audience, but is free to admit his inadequacy in certain subjects. Then, surprisingly, he comes up with a way to explain all the abstract away and get to the core of the subject. I was repeatedly enlightened by Bryson's ability to shave off the fat and get right down to the point.

In short, I recommend this book to anyone who has the most remote interest in who we are and where we come from. It answers many confusions that anyone who used a 1968 text book has about where we are in science today and what we understand about our past.

Welcome Home Nicole!

Tina, Kevin and Nicole put a wonderful dinner together in celebration of Nicole's homecoming. Nicole spent a year in Uganda and we are all so proud and happy to have her back. Welcome home Nicole!

Elbow Falls

Here are the falls in all their glory.

Here's the gang at Elbow falls. Spectacular in the Spring... the winter, not so much.

Nick and Lynn at Elbow falls.