Wednesday, November 30, 2005

from the "more, more, more" dept.

Remember, faithful reader, that there is much more for you to see. I've been posting so mamy images that content winds up in the archives. So, look to the right side of your screen and scroll down... that's the archives... and there are tons of treats waiting for you!

Cheers!

from the "winding down" dept.

The adventure is coming to an end. Just today, Thursday and the lion's share of Friday remain.

The rental car went back today... but BJ is lending me his during the day. So I am hoping to fit in a lunch or two still.

Yesterday was an amazing day... as the photos below demonstrate. And the sun is out again. And unlike Vancouver, there is no snow, and the temperatures are in the 12C range. Nice!

Lots of things ahead: the late flight home Friday, work the weekend. Then, prepare to go to Sacramento the following Saturday. Yikes, talk about a hit on the old expenses. Combined with Christmas, it's going to be a fiscal rollercoaster.

That said, lots of work is on the horizon, so the lack of cash will be short lived.

I saw on the tube last night that the average salary in Fort McMurray, Alberta is $91,000. Jesus standing in a garden!! That's some major dinero. Life is so unfair!

Anyway, ATV (CTV Maritimes) awaits. And then, if the sun holds, I think I'll head out to the mighty south shore for a late afternoon coffee in Lunenburg. Or Chester. Or maybe, just maybe, head back to the Annapolis Valley for more fresh cider and apples from Henniger's. Awww.

Cheers!

Long and winding road (Duncan's Cove)


Long and winding road (Duncan's Cove)
Originally uploaded by borderfilms.com.

Mmmm... curvy!


Mmmm... curvy!
Originally uploaded by borderfilms.com.

Fog Horn


Fog Horn
Originally uploaded by borderfilms.com.

WW2 battery, Duncan's Cove


WW2 battery, Duncan's Cove
Originally uploaded by borderfilms.com.

WW2 battery, Duncan's Cove


WW2 battery, Duncan's Cove
Originally uploaded by borderfilms.com.

Stability


Stability
Originally uploaded by borderfilms.com.

2 ships passing in the day...


2 ships passing in the day...
Originally uploaded by borderfilms.com.

Duncan's Cove, NS


Duncan's Cove, NS
Originally uploaded by borderfilms.com.

Hula @ Duncan's Cove


Hula @ Duncan's Cove
Originally uploaded by borderfilms.com.

A nice day on the East Coast!

Monday, November 28, 2005

from the "clear agenda" dept.

Monday in Halifax and I am not rushing around to leave tomorrow. Yay! Another few days await, and, because I crammed so much visiting into the previous week and a half, I have lots of time to slow down and smell the rum.

I finally got some pictures posted, as you'll see if you scroll down. If you click on them, they'll open up into a larger version.

Today is bright and sunny, if cold. I think a trip out to Peggy's Cove for a coffee and some gingerbread is a captial idea. And then maybe a toodle down to Chester for some lunch.

It's almost 9. I better get a move on... the line-up at the Tim's drive-thru should be clear now.

Cheers!

Mmmm. Scotch!


Mmmm. Scotch!
Originally uploaded by borderfilms.com.

They make the Glen Breton here. Here being between Mabou and Margaree Forks, Cape Breton. Unfortunately the store was shut, saving me $60.

4Sale


4Sale
Originally uploaded by borderfilms.com.

Margaree Valley, NS

Nearing Sydney


Nearing Sydney
Originally uploaded by borderfilms.com.

Bruce snaps


Bruce snaps
Originally uploaded by borderfilms.com.

Parrsboro sunrise


Parrsboro sunrise
Originally uploaded by borderfilms.com.

Another use for a credit card


Another use for a credit card
Originally uploaded by borderfilms.com.

Bruce clears the window on a frosty morning in Parrsboro.

Parrsboro


Parrsboro
Originally uploaded by borderfilms.com.

Another shot of Cape Split & Blomidon from across the Bay of Fundy (home to the highest tides in the world).

Phew!


Phew!
Originally uploaded by borderfilms.com.

Thankfully there is always a handy loo in the woods.

Icy Trees


Icy Trees
Originally uploaded by borderfilms.com.

It was chilly in Parrsboro, on the north shore of the Bay of Fundy. Hiking along the coastline, we came across this tree that had been sealed in ice.

Parrsboro light


Parrsboro light
Originally uploaded by borderfilms.com.

The lighthouse at Parrsboro, NS on Nov 25, 2005.

The Bash


The Bash
Originally uploaded by borderfilms.com.

A little get together at Scott and Katherine's for me. There were almost as many kids as adults. Lots of food and laughs. Too bad it only happens only once every few years.

C & L


C & L
Originally uploaded by borderfilms.com.

Caroline gropes Lydia as a snowman looks on...

And another thing...


And another thing...
Originally uploaded by borderfilms.com.

Pat & Caroline in an intense staredown.

Look! No chins!


Look! No chins!
Originally uploaded by borderfilms.com.

K & C


K & C
Originally uploaded by borderfilms.com.

Katherine and Caroline

Wanna see my bike?


Wanna see my bike?
Originally uploaded by borderfilms.com.

Caroline, Scott and Pat looking at the cycling hardware in Scott's basement.

The kids


The kids
Originally uploaded by borderfilms.com.

Lots of changes here in the Merrytimes... especially the addition of a flock of new little people.

Tru Luv


Tru Luv
Originally uploaded by borderfilms.com.

Scott's Bay, NS


Scott's Bay, NS
Originally uploaded by borderfilms.com.

The boat that wouldn't float...


The boat that wouldn't float...
Originally uploaded by borderfilms.com.

Bay of Fundy, Cape Split, NS


Bay of Fundy, Cape Split, NS
Originally uploaded by borderfilms.com.

Sunday, November 27, 2005

Ex-church, Scott's Bay, NS


Ex-church, Scott's Bay, NS
Originally uploaded by borderfilms.com.

Ex-church, Scott's Bay, NS


Ex-church, Scott's Bay, NS
Originally uploaded by borderfilms.com.

Ex-church, Scott's Bay, NS


Ex-church, Scott's Bay, NS
Originally uploaded by borderfilms.com.

Annapolis Valley


Annapolis Valley
Originally uploaded by borderfilms.com.

from the "home for a rest" dept.

Sunday 11/27 @ 8:03

Back in Halifax...

Last night was a hoot over at Katherine and Scooters. We had a house of kids and adults... and mucho good times. Photos to come tonight, if I can get the Mac online.

Today I headed to the Annapolis Valley. The weather was ok, but the drive was good. Stopped at Hennigar's for cider and cookies. Then went to shoot stills at the look off, and over on the south shore of the Bay of Fundy.

I discovered an old run-down church off a small road. Took a few cool shots of it and froze to death! It was really cold on by the water.

Back through Wolfville I drove... with a stop at the Grand Pre winery (hint hint), and then Mark Hammond's place in Sackville.

I'm going to try and change the flight... again... and then will work on getting some pictures of the last several days posted.

Cheers!

Saturday, November 26, 2005

from the "road notes II" dept.

1pm/Sat Nov 26.
Back at the Truro Staples parking lot, poaching wifi. Nice night last night with Bruce Graham and his wife Helen.

I hadn't planned to stay the night, but after several beers, it was decided that I had to stay. Not that I minded. We chewed the fat until late into the night.

This morning Bruce and I went touring around Parrsboro -- a place I had never been before. Quite stunning -- from the sunrise on the deck to hiking to the top of a small island.

Pictures to follow.

Up next: Back to Halifax and a potluck at Katherine and Scott's place. Sunday, if the weather holds (today is beautiful) then I'll head to the Annapolis Valley.

Cheers!

Friday, November 25, 2005

from the "road notes" dept.

Truro, NS
Staples parking lot.
3:05pm local time, Friday 11/25/05

On the way from Cape Breton to Parrsboro. Lots of driving today. Nice in CB: warm and rainy in Sydney. THen warm and sunny in St. Peters. On the mainland, it's sunny and cold. Dark clouds on the horizon. A few flakes of snow.

Pictures to come tonight. Also planning to extend trip to next Friday now. What the hell! I like it here!

Cheers, byes!

Tuesday, November 22, 2005

Scooter @ Point Pleasant


Scooter @ Point Pleasant
Originally uploaded by borderfilms.com.

Scooter's big gun.

Neil


Neil
Originally uploaded by borderfilms.com.

Savoy takes in the scene. And dreams of the Midtown.

Uteck Bowl Fans


Uteck Bowl Fans
Originally uploaded by borderfilms.com.

I miss youth.

BJ @ Xmas Parade


BJ @ Xmas Parade
Originally uploaded by borderfilms.com.

Radio boy at the Xmas parade. Brrr.

Hulafax


Hulafax
Originally uploaded by borderfilms.com.

The best part of Dartmouth is the view of Halifax. And leaving.

Hula Scooter


Hula Scooter
Originally uploaded by borderfilms.com.

Scott meets Hula.

Dartmouth


Dartmouth
Originally uploaded by borderfilms.com.

For sale.

Dartmouth


Dartmouth
Originally uploaded by borderfilms.com.

For rent.

Dartmouth


Dartmouth
Originally uploaded by borderfilms.com.

Scenic Dartmouth in the fall. Chair anyone?

Audio God


Audio God
Originally uploaded by borderfilms.com.

What's old is new again.

Paul Palmeter


Paul Palmeter
Originally uploaded by borderfilms.com.

Paul Palmeter @ Global/Hfx.

from the "working vacation" dept.

My apologies for the lack of images. Not being able to connect my Mac to B&L's internet connection means that there is no simple way to send pics. Yet. There will be some kind of resolution soon.

Monday was a work at home day. It started about 8am local, and ended about 10pm. Long day. But I did take a 4 hour break in the middle, so not as bad as it sounds.

Today I plan to work a little smarter, though it will still be a split shift. However, money is always a good thing.

Not much on the agenda other than that. I think I'll get over to the CBC at lunch. And that's about it.

On the road Wednesday. Back here Friday. Thinking about extending the trip a few days. We'll see.

Cheers!

Sunday, November 20, 2005

from the "sundaze" dept.

The weekend flew by, but it's been a good journey so far.

Yesterday Neil and I hung out at the Atlantic/Uteck bowl... some cheap beer, free dogs, and girls in a hottub. Pictures to come.

After that, we headed to Maxwell's Plum for some tasty pints. An incredible selection awaits the beer fan there... at least 20 different brews on tap, plus 100+ varieties in cans and bottles.

I met Leo Clark, the producer of ATV's Live at Five. We chatted about the biz for some time. Then Neil and I headed to the Midtown for a piece of marinated shoe leather, cheap beer and to meet Heather, his wife. Heather, at 42 looks like she's 20. I swear I went through a time warp. Or she's sold he soul. Or maybe it's good clean living on the Right Coast.

It was approaching 6:30 and -5, which meant it was time to head up to Spring Garden Road to watch the annual Christmas parade. It was pretty big, but somewhat lame. The people in the parade were in high gear and at one point were literally running by. We're not quite sure why. Because of this, the musical floats created their own doppler effect as they screamed past.

Of note: the Thirsty Duck is "closed for renovations." What does that mean? Bankrupt, probably. Apparently there aren't enough people to drink up in all the bars... and they're dropping like... bar flies.

After the parade, Neil, Heather and I headed for the waterfront and some liquid warmth. Then I met up with Blair and was taken home for a rest.

Sunday was a little more relaxed. I slept in, then borrowed Blair's car and headed to the old MITV/Global plant. 17 years after the first time I stepped in there, I was back. Lots of changes and new faces. Some cool new toys -- like a kick ass audio board.

Paul Palmeter was anchoring & producing the 6pm cast, so we had a dandy little visit. Then Scooter, who was shooting news in the morning, and I headed to Pete's Frootique for some Sunday shopping fun.

We shopped on a Sunday with the other heathens... and then spent the rest of the day at the plant.

The evening was calm. Came home to BJ's and we sat around watching the Lions lose. Then I watched CTV News at 6 (at 10)... finished this babble... and went to bed!

Cheers!

Friday, November 18, 2005

from the "broken man on a Halifax pier" dept.

Well, here I am!

It's been a whirlwind, these first 24 hours.

Arrived around 11am yesterday during a torrential downpour. Rough landing, but at least I was able to sleep for part of the flight from Vancouver to Toronto. And Toronto-Halifax went fast.

Lydia picked me up at the airport, and we went to the Burke's fancy pad in Cole Harbour. I met their daughter -- now almost 5 -- and we laughed long and hard at grumpy dad. Tanna is a riot.

Blair and I spent too many hours trying to get wireless networking going/drinking rum. And then, a big long sleep followed.

Friday, I hooked up with Scooter and we went a'eatin' at some joint downtown. Then we headed to visit Katherine at her work. Then out to Hammonds Plains to pick up their daughter Lauren. Video games in the rec room followed.

Tonight is bar night... tomorrow the Atlantic Bowl (or Uteck as its now called).

More to come. Pictures too. Oh, and Point Pleasant Park was just plain sad.

Cheers!

Wednesday, November 16, 2005

from the "back to where it all started" dept.


Ah, another travel day. A late one though... airplane doesn't depart for Halifax until 11:45pm.



So it's a free day to do this and that. And tire myself out so I can hopefully sleep on the plane.

It's advance voting day for the Vancouver civic election. I reckon I will voice my opinion and cast a ballot. If the morons who want to return Vancouver to no-fun city return to power, we're in serious trouble. And if I don't vote, then I can't complain.

Also going to try and check in sans bags at the airport. I want to see if I can select the emergency exit row this morning, so I have some actual leg room tonight.

This trip is certainly shaping up to be fun. The agenda is already full, to wit:



Thursday: Hang with Blair, Lydia, Tanna.
Friday: Peel Pub night with Q104 crew
Saturday: Uteck (ex-Atlantic bowl)
Sunday: Breathe
Monday: Work at CBC
Tuesday: Work at CBC
Wednesday: Off to Parrsboro
Thurday: Off to Cape Breton
Friday: Cape Breton
Saturday: Pot luck at Caroline's
Sunday: Breathe
Monday: Buy wine for Shelly, fridge magnet for Cheryl
Tuesday: Fly to other side of country

I am very much looking forward to this trip. It'll be nice getting back to a place I used to (still?) love so much. And there is more English spoken than in Albania.

I'll probably update Roadspill from the airport tonight... or Toronto during a short layover in the morning.

Current forecast calls for early wetness followed by sunny and cold days. Not dissimilar to YVR. Here's the latest forecast.

And, of course, get ready for lots of images...

Cheers!