Eggs are Hatching!

Molly laid five eggs.

Three are hatched, Max, Pattison, and Austin.

Two are waiting.

McGee continues to bring more food to meed demand...

Video streaming by Ustream

Poley Mountain... Hill...

So, there happen to be a fair number of interesting things to do if you are a student at UNBSJ. Most of these activities are aimed at "International" students, but hey, I am from far enough away that I could be International twice over.

We all recall the trip to the Carnaval in Quebec, and it was not too long ago that I went to the Sugar Bush to see how Maple Syrup was made... grown... whatever. Well, this time, I went skiing. I saw the add thing somewhere, and thought that perhaps I should investigate. I went down to the office where they sort that kind of stuff out, and I found out that the bus to the ski area was free, and that there were Cappuccinos after. Not only that, but getting a lift ticket for the half day, and renting equipment would only cost me $40ish. Coming from the West where lift tickets are up and around $80 without rentals this seemed to be a steal.

And thus, I signed up for the trip to Poley Mountain.

I made it to the bus and ended up seeing a large number of the same people who went to the Maple thing. I was there with one friend from my MBA class, but beyond that I still knew no one. There was a group of exchange students from Paris, who I have mentioned before, and a group of exchange students from France (two totally distinct groups). Then there were the rest of the international students who come to this kind of thing and a few of Saint John's own. On that but the Parisians could ski, and the Saint Johnners, but not really anyone else.

We drove from Saint John to Sussex, and stopped at a sizable hill. I would not have called it Poley Mountain, but rather Poley Hill, but still, it was skiable. There was snow, running lifts, not many people, and, well, I guess that is all I really need to ski. We hopped off the bus and into get rentals. They tried to detain us for lessons, but some of us were not really down with that.

I might mention that the Parisians were already causing trouble on the bus. They were swearing at the bus driver in French, and one of them was acting like a dog, including panting, tongue hanging out, and yelping/crying/barking. Hard to believe we are all in university. Anyways, back to the storyline. The people who were getting lessons were still on the bus, I had squoze through and gotten my lift ticket. I was into the rental shop, and what do I see? Parisians wreaking havoc on the place, and rental staff freaking out. I stood and waited, and was privy to some rather colourful language on the side of the rental staff. It was a good thing that I waited. In very short time I was served and given my standard issue set of foot crushing ski boots. Actually, they did not crush my feet at all and in their time they served me well. I was given skis and poles shortly after and was loosed upon Poley Mountain.

Let me say that this is the first time I have skied in a season and a half... maybe two seasons... I can't recall... and this is definitely the first time that I have skied since my back surgery. I had my skis on and I was going down, but I must say, I was a little rusty. I was taking it easy, to gauge my back, and to work off the rust, and that first run, well, a little shaky, but after that... Golden.

It was decent hill. It has some good runs for speed, and then when I found them, some good runs for light moguls. I only got to run the black and double black a few times before they shut them off. The sun was lowering in the sky and they could not lose any skiers in their little forest. At at time I began to just go for some nice high speed cruising.

Throughout this whole time I enjoyed every time I came across the Parisians. Some of them were very good skiers, but they would be eaten alive in the Rockies. I heard that they were boasting about their skills, well, don't boast too loudly.

When the sun set I was able to sit atop the mountain/hill, and watch it go. It was a beautiful sight, and with the warm weather I was able to watch it sink in comfort.

As it got darker and the lights were the only guides left people started to head in. I didn't. I was able to get clean runs to the bottom with no one in my path. I was able to ski smoothly in a tight and ridiculously fast slalom from top to bottom, again, and again, and again.

It was getting time to go, so I made one last run down to the lodge. I returned my standard issue gear and headed inside. There was a live musician in the bar and I sat to join my comrades. We hopped back on the bus and with limited issues from the Parisians we made it back to UNBSJ.

Chilli.

3 Cappuccinos.

Home.

Sleep...

p.s. I do think I might file a formal complaint against the Parisian students though. I bet their school back home would be very interested to know how they treat the Canadians.

p.p.s. The French students are delightful.

The Birds... and Bear...

So a good friend of mine sent me some links on the Internet to some live webcams. These cameras have been strategically placed to look directly into the nests of birds. It is nearly time for the eggs to hatch, so all of the people will be able to watch this amazing process from their computers. These cameras are much closer than you would be able to get in real life, so you get to see an average day in the life of these birds.

The bird currently taking most of my attention is Molly the Barnowl. Her mate McGee also tends to come around when called to bring her food. Given the camera angle you get to see him come, deliver, and watch her devour, mice, rats, rabbits, etc. Molly is quickly gaining popularity and her five eggs are expected to hatch anytime. I highly recommend you check them out: http://www.ustream.tv/theowlbox

There is also Phobe the hummingbird and her eggs: http://phoebeallens.com/

The Hawks whose names I don't know: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/the-franklin-institute-haw-cam

And Lily the Bear and her Cub: http://www.bear.org/website/lily-a-hope/live-den-cam.html

There are more of these, but these are the ones I have been checking out. So there. Now I have warned you before the hatch so you can still watch when it happens.

Bear Cavalry

So this is not the post I meant to write, but bear with me (no pun intended). This topic came up, and upon looking into it further I found some delightful de-motivational posters to go with it. Be warned, one or two include expletives.

Bear Calvary: Canadians must see this one... (Accurate description don't you think?)

http://aeonepoch.com/upload/bear%20cavalry%202.jpg

Bear Calvary

http://www.motivationpics.com/images/bear_cavalry.jpg

Bears with Guns [Sequel to Bear Cavalry]

http://demotivatorsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Dm-gunsbears.jpg

Penguin Army [Sequel to Bear Cavalry]

http://szenenzauber.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/penguin_army.jpg

Skeleton Army [Sequel to Bear Cavalry and Bears with Guns]

http://1d4chan.org/images/0/06/4l6knza.jpg

Whales on Stilts

http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/6384/ohshinr4.jpg

Jeep Cavalry

http://img337.imageshack.us/i/motivationalposterjeepcba7.jpg/

I guess I will write what I meant to write a little later...

St. Patrick's Day

How many MBA's does it take to plan a St. Patrick's Day get together? Too many.

Actually, I think there was one main planner, and she did the hard part. She got us all together Uptown (downtown for those who don't live in Saint John) and to the Irish Bar+(Bar+ meaning on the Club side of Bar). Now, this is where things fell apart. The idea was to go into the Bar+ and have some drinks and whatever. The issue was that about one third of our group forgot ID. Most of the people in the group come from countries where ID is not really "required" so it just slipped their minds. Well, that happens, and that was not the falling apart... part... The issue was trying to sort out what was happening next.

Some of us wanted food. Some people wanted to go in while they still could, before it got busy and to ditch the IDless. Some people wanted to wait while the IDless became IDfull and then go in. Well, in short, it was a big mess. So, three of us decided that we wanted food, and that we could eat while the IDless went to get their IDs. We called for anyone else who wanted food, but no one came. There were some who seemed overly concerned that we stay in a group, but let's be honest, in a group of 15 it is very hard to satisfy everyone.

So, me and two others went down the street as the IDless went back to Campus. The rest we left in front of the Irish Bar+ thinking that they would go in. We wandered a bit and then found a restaurant that we could get some decent food in. The IDless were going to join us shortly on their way back, and then afterwards the crew would go try to get into the Bar+.

We sat, had some drinks, and right before the IDless arrive the heap of people that we left standing in the street appeared. They were apparently looking for us, as they had decided not to go into the Bar+ without the rest of us. What is with the people and being unable to separate and meet up later. It was like a contagious case of separation anxiety.

The horde rolled into the restaurant, much to the chagrin of the maitre d' and began to find seats. They managed to find seats for them all when the IDless strolled in. They then managed to find seats for them too.

Finally, we sat, ordered, and ate. I will say I had a delightful Fish/Scallops and Chips with Gravy and am well satiated. Then, the hordes wanted to try and return to the Bar+. I would imagine, given that it is one of very few Irish establishments in Uptown (downtown) Saint John and that today is St. Patrick's Day that they would not have much luck. It was busy when we tried to get in the first time, and I have no doubt that it only got worse.

I walked with them to the bus stop, and then they continued on foot to the Bar+. Not my battle. I expect to learn tomorrow whether they managed to get in or not... As for me... time to do a little work...

Those Perfect Moments

The idea is to find moments of happiness. Now most people see these moments come and go frequently so they see a good deal of happiness. Some people see less of those moments, so when you see one you need to grab it. This holds true for the people who see more happiness than less as well. You see the moment, and while you are there you need to truly experience the moment. You focus on the details of the world around you. The smells, the feelings... You focus on the happiness and make sure that you realize every ounce of it. If you concentrate hard enough, you can fall into that moment, and find a more lasting happiness. This is Mindfullness - the true awareness of the moment to bring it to its maximum potential, and to see it for what it is... Perfect.

So, you find a moment of happiness and you grab it... almost to the point of clinging. You hold on and stretch it and believe in it, and then, when it is gone, you realize that you don't have to wait so long for the next one. Not only that, but the waiting doesn't seem so bad.

Eventually, the moments stretch together, and then what was a world full of perfect moments, is now a world filled with perfection.

I was listening to this song, and indeed is has been one of my favourites since the album was released. This song embodies what I have described. It is the stepping into the moment, and realizing, that all you ever wanted has always been right at your fingertips.

Take it away Dido...

Happy Pi Day from the Sugar Shack!!!

For those of you who don't know, today is Pi Day. For those of you who don't know why, it is because March 14 somehow seems to resemble Pi... 3.14159...

Anyways, this week will be Pi Week at the University of Calgary, and it will be sad not to be involved. For those of you who don't know what Pi Week is please click here: here. Actually... if you google my name most of the hits are comprised of Pi Week related activities/shenanigans. Pi Week this year is supposed to be larger than last, and I wish all of the Squad and the Director good luck.

Yes, it is Pi Day, but that is not the only reason that I am writing today. I am also writing because today I visited a Sugar Bush, or Maple Farm. This was only a very small one with 250 taps, where as the largest is somewhere in the middle of New Brunswick with 140,000 taps. This one is owned by a husband and wife duo, or were (or are) teachers. They wanted to create something that would focus on the interpretive side where they could teach people about Maple Syrup. Well... they did.

It was just about the best deal ever. I paid $15 and then showed up at the University at a certain time. That was all I had to do. I boarded the cheese wagon with other students and we were on our way. I was with a friend of mine from the MBA Program (and from the trip to Quebec) and I was informed quite quickly that there were two different factions on the bus. It turned out that most of the people on this little adventure were from France, and that there were the people from Paris, and the people from France. I was on the France side, and the Paris side were... well... what I think most of us would see as the stereotypical french. It is unfortunate because the people I with were all fantastic, but negative actions are louder than positive.

Cheese wagon away. We drove out of Saint John and up to Quispamsis, there we took a ferry across the K-Word river to the Kingston Peninsula. Kingston, New Brunswick, not Kingston, Ontario the home of the Beer Mile (http://www.beermile.com/). We drove through Kingston, which was like... tiny... and then we were off into the bush. New Brunswick is a very interesting place. You get away from the cities and it is beautiful. There are tiny lakes everywhere, so as you go through the middle of the forest there are always houses scattered about. They are spread far and rest on lakes and field and all manner of nature. They are just houses, with people trying to make their way. The unfortunate part is that New Brunswick is also not the wealthiest place in the world, so there are many gorgeous houses, and there are many... well... not so much.

We made it to the Sugar Bush and dispatched. On to our interpretive tour.

Evidently there is a rumour that maple syrup was discovered by the natives. One native stuck his tomahawk into a tree for the night, and in the morning he pulled it out to go about his business. There was a hollowed log at the base of that tree, and throughout the day the sap ran out of the tree and into the hollowed log. Needing water, the man's wife took the sap from the tree to cook their meat with. It cooked, and it gained a different flavour and it was sweeter. So was discovered, Maple Syrup.

We were shown Maple Syrup through the ages, so to speak. How the natives would hack into the tree to get the sap, but when the settlers came they brought augers and they could bore holes. This was less damaging on the tree and more effective. This same method is used today, but where wooden buckets were used to catch the sap, then metal, most farms now use plastic piping. This way people do not have to go from tree to tree every morning to get the sap. The sap runs in the spring when a warm morning follows a cold evening. The sugar bush we had visited collected more sap then ever before and all of their barrels are full.

The natives put the sap in a hollowed log, and used hot stones to evaporate the water (by heating the stones in the fire, and then placing them in the sap). They evaporated it to a point where they could store it over the rest of the year. The settlers used cauldrons, and then evaporators to thicken the sap. This produces an enormous amount of water since the sap to syrup ratio is 40:1 and thus has to be done outside. Now farms use a Sugar Shack, where the evaporator is housed. It boils the sap until it reaches 104 degrees at which point it is syrup. Our guide has two trees in his front yard, and when he boils them it takes about 4 hours to go from sap to syrup.

The Old

The New

The Sugar Shack

At this point our tour was nearly done, but there were two more things that needed doing. We walked over to a trough were our guide was shoveling snow. Then he poured syrup over the snow and gave us all sticks. I had heard of this process from a friend, and we had tried the result in Quebec City, but now it was our turn. We stuck our sticks in the syrup and began to roll. Delicious, and there is a certain satisfaction in knowing that you just walked through the forest that gave you that delicacy.

Out of the woods and back to where we started. We had tried the syrup as candy, but not as syrup... good thing that at the end of these tours there is lunch. Pancakes, sausage, beans, and more importantly... maple syrup.

It was good. All of it.

I would highly recommend this to everyone I know. Sure, chances you will be in New Brunswick in spring might be limited, but if you are, check it out... www.elmhurstoutdoors.ca

They also sell some maple products... I did purchase some maple toffee, which is amazing... hmm... maybe I will go have some now...

...

...

...

Oh wait! I have to finish the story. They got on the cheesewagon drove back to Saint John where Alexander wrote about it then had his Maple Candy and all was right with the world...

The.

End.

mmmmmmmmmm......

Blog Long Owed

Finals are over. I don't think I will be Ichiban, but I am not too concerned there. That is a small thing. All I know is that Finals are Over, and that I have three days to sort my life out before it is back to the grind of the MBA.

I have heard mixed ratings of UNBSJ and I have given it mixed rating myself. Despite this I have come to realize that everything I here for I am getting. I am getting all I need from the program and all I need from the surroundings.

I will clean my room now, and write this blog. Then I am expecting a call from a company in chemical trying to hire me for my spreadsheet expertise. This afternoon I will be working and I will be trying to sort out everything I can for the Ka Muso Kai's (formally the Calgary Iaido Club) Summer Seminar. Oh yeah, I guess I ought to book my flight to Toronto for the May long weekend and sign up for the seminar so I can challenge the Third Dan test for Iaido and the first grading for Jodo.

If I ever finish that I have more to do. I have a short story that I am in the middle of writing. I have a novel that I am in the middle of writing. I have a martial arts club that needs advertising, and a toastmasters chapter that needs the same. I have a desperate need to relax and to play video games and to just be.

I hope there is enough time, but there never seems to be. It turns out that I am slightly ambitious compared to some and while they have time to do nothing, I don't. Who is luckier? I could not say.

Well... I will do all that I can, and that is enough.

Speaking of all that I can I mentioned that I had a blog to write. A few weeks ago we went to Uptown (Downtown) Saint John. We were on foot and we went all over the place. We were just looking around, for such landmarks as old cathedrals, old statues, and the ocean. We found them all. I will not say much about it, but the pictures speak volumes.

In Uptown Saint John there is a square that is a few hundred years old. It is called King's Square, and it is beautiful. There are statues here that tell stories of many things. I share with you this one, which is a war memorial for those lost in WWI, WWII, and the other conflicts that Canada has been involved in. Also of note it the many graveyards around Saint John. They are from earlier times when large graveyards had not been practical. I do not have a photo, but it it old, and amazing. The one graveyard I speak of is adjacent to King's Square and it has been restored by the Irving Family. Evidently it had been gravely neglected over the years, but in its restored state it is quite serene. It is amazing however to see the old stones. Beautiful.

I did not take photos of all of the Cathedrals/Churches, but there are many. They are all still in use though not all for the same purposes as when they were founded. The one above is one of the oldest churches in Saint John. I would describe it, but the plaque does it so much better.

We wanted to find the ocean, and we did. All of Uptown is surrounded by the Bay of Fundy. We could not get too close to the ocean due to the fences of the companies with their ports taking the waterfront, but we could see it. I did not take a picture because really, it only looks like a chain link fence between my life and an infinite world of wonder as the ocean stretches on forever until it falls off the edge... Actually, that does sound like it would make a good photo... Oh well...

I have one other photo for you. Though there might be some mixed feelings about this one it is an important part of my life, and the lives of those dear to me. It is funny that when you go to all the cities in Canada, this is one of the oldest buildings you will find...

Perfect Moment

I must say, while there are some drawbacks to living in Saint John, I do enjoy watching the stars as I walk home from school. Every night I get to stare straight into Orion's eyes as my path leads to him. It is a beautiful thing. I think that most people forget to look up, as our worlds tend to revolve around us, but up is there, and worth looking at.

On a mostly unrelated note I found a very interesting poem by Rudyard Kipling , the author of the Jungle Book, and the Calling of the Engineer. This specific poem compares marriage and cigars and is well... interesting...

http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Betrothed_(Kipling)

For the record... I do not endorse what this poem says... Just thought I'd toss that out there...

Study Ethic

It sounds like my new roommate is deathly ill. I don't know what he is doing, but he is in the bathroom and it sounds like he is coughing up a lung. I hope he is not, that could be rather awkward.

I am sitting at my desk and I am very close to falling asleep... save me mate (mah-tay... not mate... heads out of the gutters people)...

I must study... MUST!!!!!!! MUstttzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.....

Don't...

Don't, just don't take a bachelors degree and then a masters degree and then another masters degree all at once without any breaks or gaps or whatevers... just don't.

Finals this week. I am cutting it close this time, starting studying for my next final with less than 24 hours until the test itself. Oh well, it is a small thing... plus, I don't really need to worry...

I'll be fine... I always am...

All I Can Hear...

I found a song on the Internet and no matter what is happening it is all I hear. You know what, I don't mind. This song is a combination of two songs, combined by a father for the love of his daughter. For the full story see the link below.

Anyways, it is beautiful. When I hear songs like this it makes me miss my trumpet even more, and it makes me long to devote more time to music. One day... I hope... for now, I will just keep listening... I hope you do too...

Love Story meets Viva La Vida - John Schmidt

For those of you who have not seen the originals...

Love Story - Taylor Swift

Viva La Vida - Coldplay

Sorry no embedding of this one kids... gotta follow the link...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvgZkm1xWPE

Bag's a comin'...

I got the call... what once was lost was found... no, I am not referring to my wits, but my lost suitcase! The guy from Air Canada called and said expect your suitcase in half an hour.

Great!

Wait a tick. Half an hour? Where will I be in half an hour? Wait wait wait. Where am I now. For those of you who don't follow the weather of areas that you are not currently in (I know that I don't) it is currently windy in Saint John. Actually, it is very windy. The wind was at 60 km/hr with gusts of 90 km/hr.

Back to why this is important? Well, because my phone was being cupped in my hand, and though Air Canada likes to believe that people do not in fact do things, and that Air Canada's purpose is in fact to help people move from doing nothing in one location to not doing anything in another, that is not the case. I, contrary to popular belief, have things to do.

So, I applaud Air Canada for finding my bag and being ready to transport it to me within 24 hours (though I am still as a loss as to why my bag went missing) but I regrettably will have to wait until you can deliver it on my schedule.

Tomorrow it is, plus, who needs deodorant and a toothbrush anyways?

Aren't you glad you don't live in Saint John now?

Puns

For those of you who read this Blog I extend to you a mild warning:

http://www.xkcd.com/559/

Why is it...

Why is it that whenever I fly into this city I do not get all of my bags. All the way from Calgary I was concerned that I might not get all of my bags on the other end... but no... why be concerned? This time I had lots of time to make all of my connections and I was on a plane that was surely large enough to fit all of the passengers luggage. Ergo, all should be well and I should stop worrying.

So, I made it to Montreal, cajoled my way into the Executive Lounge with an expired Guest Pass and enjoyed my wait in Montreal. This wait was sweet with the snacks and beverage, but even sweeter knowing that with all of this time my bag had to be making if off of one plane and onto the other. I mean, what could go wrong.

I trekked to the gate for Saint John and saw some familiar faces from my Calgary flight. They called us up and we made our way on board. Everything was great, we were in the air on time, I finished reading my crappy Ethics book (which by the way had some good points in it but I would have to firmly disagree with some of the utilitarianism push laced in the pages by the author), and we made it to Saint John with no real issues except for a little bouncing on the runway.

Everything was great, no worries, my ride was waiting outside, the bags were coming... coming... coming... and then all of the bags were claimed. I myself bagged one (pun intended) but the other was ne'er to be seen again... actually... I hope to 'er see the bag today, but we will have see...

Either way... I sit here now with one bag here and one bag missing. I have my camping knife, but my Swiss Army knife that belongs just under my wallet is gone.

I feel so naked.

Pending Posts

To all my readers... I would say faithful, but that one week I did not post my readership fell 80%! Well... I guess there was nothing to read, so it is hard to have readership, but still. I am disappointed.

Anyways, just so you know there are some serious blogs coming down the pipes. Lots has happened lately, thus the lack of writing, so I will update you soon....ish... turns out that travelling around takes time, not to mention the finals that are coming up next week that I have not yet started studying for because I have been travelling around...

Uh... yeah...

I really need to go...