Monday, September 29, 2008

from the "altered states" dept.


Trying to predicting the results of this week's upcoming vice-presidential debate is tough.

On the surface, I'd say Biden will wipe the floor with the history-revising baby machine known as Palin. And he should. He has experience. She has none. He can think. She has no brain. Simple right?

Maybe not. Remember, this is the alternate universe of American politics, where up is down, good is bad and being a war hero with three purple heats makes you a traitor.

I'd give nearly even odds that Sarah will stumble her way through the debate like a drunkard in a crowed bar -- bumping into people, spilling drinks and attracting looks of bemusement/disillusionment.

And the next morning the so-called Liberal media will shellac Joe for being too tough. Too mean. He'll be lambasted for treating the self-described pit-bull/hockey mom as a political candidate rather than a delicate rose.

And he'll be villified.
And Obama will lose the election.
And it will be the end of the world as we know it.

Truly, there is no hope for planet Earth if Grandpa Simpson and Maude Flanders become the next leaders of Americaland.

But maybe my worry is simply because I'm thinking like a Democrat and I can't believe 8 years of the WORST ADMINISTRATION EVER is actually drawing to a close.

Maybe I'm afraid I'll wake up and find the possibility of change was nothing more than a dream.

I sure hope not.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

from the "hello darkness, my old fiend" dept.

I'm back in crazy-driving, lululemon-wearing, sushi-eating Vancouver. I've been away since late August and the skyline appears to have changed yet again. Where do all those towers come from?

As I have no job, no home (save a couch in Deep Cove) and no clue as to what I'll be doing next ( Wanderism aside), I wonder if shuffling off elsewhere might be a more fiscally responsible move.

Why spend Canadian Dollars when you can spend Guatemalan Quetzals (and less of them)?

Yet another decision that has turned into an entry on a growing list of things to do. And a list I need to start working on.

Up first: post to roadspill.

Check.

Cheers!

Doug

Sunday, September 21, 2008

from the "damn you Jared! damn you to hell!" dept.

For your Sunday morning entertainment I present a darn fine parody of Keith Olbermann. Specifically a take on Olbermann's Special Comments and his (not always) feigned outrage.

If you've never seen Keith in action, here's a SAMPLE.

And here's the parody:



[H/T: REW]

Friday, September 19, 2008

from the "perogies and cabbage rolls" dept.

I landed in Winnipeg last night after a far-too-long journey from Halifax. Long layovers. Long flights. And the inhumanity of coach.

I was welcomed by warm Prairie air, a helpful car rental agent and cross-town drive past closed fast food restaurants. I was hungry, but at 11:30 on a Thursday night, no one was serving -- save the Golden Arches. Yick.

Summer is still here and the locals are taking full advantage by displaying lots of skin. This, no doubt, in preparation for the reality of winter that is likely just a few weekends away.

My agenda here is full. Work. Visiting people. Stopping by old haunts like the Wawel Meat Market, Alicia's, Jeannie's, VJ's, et al. Hello cholesterol, my old friend!

More to come. Pictures too, of course!

Cheers!

Thursday, September 18, 2008

from the "iPod touch myself" dept.

The words will be few as I am writing this on my ipod touch. Tap. Tap. Tap.

I'm currently killing time in the Halifax Airport Tim Horton's. Fun!!

There's still 2 hours to go until my flight. And I have a 5 hour layover in Montreal... But I have access to the Air Canada lounge. Too bad I can't drink as I have to drive in Winnipeg. Whatever...

It doesn't get any more exciting than that.

UPDATE: After an uneventful flight from Halifax to Montreal (in swishy biz class), I am now killing time in yet another airport. Only four more hours to go. Hello three episodes of Weeds and the final episode of Generation Kill.

Cheers! Santé!

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

from the "it's alive" dept.

After much work, Wanderism is now online.

What is it?

Why, it's a travel website for people who actually travel.

Have a gander and feel free to comment. Click aqui/here!

Cheers!

Monday, September 15, 2008

Midtown Tavern


The Midtown Tavern's days are numbered... so Tuesday, a group of us will visit the Halifax landmark for what will likely be my last time. Sniff!

from the "on the road, again" dept.

I'm leaving Saint John, NB... destination: Halifax. Out the door at noon (Atlantic). Blame the day old pizza.

More from Halifax...

Saturday, September 13, 2008

from the "road tripping" dept.


A brief note:

I'm back in Saint John, NB after a long drive from the site of an abandoned satellite earth station near Bridgewater, NS.

The plan had been to hit the cottage, but the weather is decidedly wet.

Perhaps we'll just hang out in Serf City.

More photos are on my Flickr site.

And, as I often promise, more words and images are coming.

Cheers!

Thursday, September 11, 2008

from the "it beats appearing in Frank" dept.

The Halifax Metro newspaper covered the MITV/Global reunion last Friday:

One of the biggest parties of the week had to be the 20th anniversary celebration of MITV. Now known as Global, the little-television-station-that-could started out as an Irving-owned independent.

It launched on Labour Day weekend in 1988 with some of the biggest television names in this region, Bruce Graham, Laura Lee Langley and Alex J. Walling.

The reunion was organized by former audio guy Doug Murray, who flew in from out west to gather up his former co-workers at the Foggy Goggle.

For those not familiar, the Foggy Goggle occupies the former site of the Soho Bar and Grill on Argyle Street. The pub’s atmosphere is all about casual, with high-top tables and warm colours. Glad to see it’s open until 2 a.m. on weekends too.


Nice!

Cheers!!

Tuesday, September 09, 2008

from the "no particular place to go" dept.


Rachel & Fundy
Originally uploaded by borderfilms (Doug).

Just a short post to let you know I've posted some photos on Flickr and Facebook. You should know how to see them by now.

I'm off to explore the Eastern Shore... more to come!

Cheers!

Sunday, September 07, 2008

from the "stormy weather" dept.

I'm back where it (the career, life) all began: Halifax. I arrived Friday. The day started in a cottage on the Saint John River in rural New Brunswick. After enjoying early morning peace and quiet, I said goodbye to Janet and Mark and hit the road.

The roads were quiet, the day beautiful. I was tempted to take some of the slower routes back to Halifax, but, in the end, I elected to stick with four-lane blacktop.

The party to mark the 20th anniversary of MITV/Global Maritimes loomed. And by the time I made it to the suburb of Hammonds Plains, I was already running behind -- a theme for this trip.

The bash was great. Dozens of people from the old MITV days showed up and we kept the party going until after 2 a.m. Not bad for a bunch of 40-somethings. The sad part is that such a get-together is unlikely to happen again. Unless a certain someone decides to move back to Halifax. And that isn't the long-shot you might think.

I've got to wade through the images and will post pictures soon.

Turning to weather -- the projection map says it all:



A quiet Sunday is about to be upset by the remnants of a tropical storm. While it won't be anywhere near hurricane strength, Hanna is likely to bring high winds and torrential rains. The rain has started and the winds are picking up as I write this at 9:45 am Sunday morning. We'll see what the day brings.

I'm also planning to spend several hours on hold with Air Canada... methinks I want to change my flight plans and hang here a tad longer. We'll see what they say...

Cheers!

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

Brown's Flats, NB


Brown's Flats, NB
Originally uploaded by borderfilms (Doug).

Janet and Mark's cottage on the shore of the Saint John River, near Saint John, NB. Not seen: cats and beer.

The middle of New Brunswick


The middle of New Brunswick
Originally uploaded by borderfilms (Doug).

Cameraphone pic of stunning New Brunswick scenery!

from the "no lights, no motorcar" dept.

Greetings from Brown's Flats, New Brunswick -- a small cottage community on the Saint John River, near Saint John.

I've been staying here for several days with Mark and Janet, whom I worked with in Ghana. It's their family cottage and it's amazing... peaceful, beautiful and devoid of the internet and telephones!

My mobile works, but poorly. Not a big deal, but I do miss the coverage of the American political scene.

I am writing this post off line and will post from the city.

I'll return to Halifax tomorrow... and start getting prepped for the big bash on Friday night.

Cheers!