Saturday, November 25, 2006
Build your rink
An interesting story that I have a personal interest in.
As winter temperatures appear to be rising, skating on natural ice may be a thing of the past, something we remember, the way we remember wearing scratchy woollen socks when we go out in the cold instead of smooth, modern polypropylene ones.
I used instructions from rinkrake.com, and so far, have invested hours and hours of time and nearly $1000 to buy lumber and tarps to make a great rink.
Rinkrake.com is a little pricey for tarps, so I ordered a huge tarp from Polytarp. Ask for Irving when you call - they supply a lot of backyard rinkmasters with their white poly.
Last year we had a pretty good rink. The biggest problem was the slight slope in the yard, which creates severe stress on the boards in one corner.
That said, it’s great building a rink when the weather is in double digits above freezing.
Wonder if it’ll get cold enough this year at all?
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Collateral damage speaking
My brother-in-law killed himself Tuesday afternoon.
He did it in his van, in a small plaza parking lot.
He took some pills, and then lit a small, home made BBQ on the floor in the back.
Soon after, he went for the Big Sleep.
Someone must have called 911, because he ended up in the hospital, where they worked on him for over an hour.
His obit says he died suddenly, peacefully.
I wouldn’t call it peaceful.
Suicide is violent.
“He did it, didn’t he?”, my sister-in-law said when she saw the cops at her door.
They say successful suiciders try 8 to 25 times, on average. 70% of them are white males, most older. Since he matches the last two stats, I shudder to think of the other times he tried. I knew of only one other, last April.
Did you know it’s illegal to attempt suicide?
Images flash in my mind of him holding and hugging my children. Fresh ones.
Sounds of his voice thanking me profusely for helping him with his new job at my company echo eerily in my head. Haunting ones.
Wondering why anyone would go to the dentist (who scared the hell out of him) in the morning, only to polish himself off in the afternoon.
Wondering what the hell he was thinking when he decided to head out to the plaza. Wondering what his last thought was.
Wondering if he thought about any of the good things in his life. His wife, his daughter, my family, his new job, his expensive condo, his rags to riches story.
Wondering if we would have become better friends if he continued working at our company.
Wondering if we know anything about what bubbles beneath the surface of our closest family and friends. I doubt it.
I told others of his suicide. Both had their own tales of self-killers they knew. From this week.
We don’t read their “died suddenly” stories anywhere. Are we so ashamed or embarrassed? Why?
The first family dinner a couple of days later was funny. His name barely came up at all. Would it have been wrong to stand up and scream “What the hell is wrong with you people? Aren’t we going to talk about him at all?” I guess no one wanted to crack the ice, before it thickened and entombed his now finished life.
All those birthday parties he’s going to miss. All those Saturday morning coffee and donut visits he won’t be at. All those current event conversations we won’t have. All the lottery pools he won’t be in. All the holes in our lives he’s left.
Soon, anger and guilt will subside into sadness, compassion, and forgiveness. Final letters found will hardly answer the endless questions that we’d all like to drill him with. The what-ifs, the what-could-I-have-dones, the why-didn’t-he-want-helps will all vanish.
All that’s left is to pick up the pieces and carry on.
Because a bomb went off.
Monday, June 5, 2006
A class celebrity
I’ve always loved Styx, and now I know why.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Amazing bridge
One of my favorite parts of my trip to FLA was this bridge.
The Sunshine Skyway Bridge is the world’s longest cable-stayed concrete bridge, with a length of 29,040 feet (exactly 5.5 miles or approximately 8.85 km).
Quite a site—and all for only $1 toll.
Saturday, July 23, 2005
Take a break
If you’re in the Toronto area and need a great place to get away from it all and jump in a lake, check out this lovely resort. Family run for 75 years, they must be doing something right.
The best part about it is the food, and the lack of telephones or internet. A great disconnect.
Saturday, July 16, 2005
Old enemies surface
It’s odd in today’s modern age to read a story of an enemy kamikaze (suicide bomber).
The U.S. warships were so close that Toshio Yoshitake could see the black puffs of anti-aircraft-gun smoke wafting up from the blue sea below. Flying over the Leyte Gulf in the Philippines, he figured that in another 20 minutes he would be upon them and, in a ball of fire, fulfil his duty.
What’s even more odd is that he was involved in a battle where my grandfather’s ship was sunk.
Sunday, October 17, 2004
A fan
How could I not link to Alexa’s blog?
Hi,
Your blog Right On! is fabulous. Not necessarily all women. I’ve known a
few men whove had no interest in sex. Nada. Weird. I just started a blog
and I am trying to attract some readers. I was wondering if you wouldn’t
mind popping by and taking a look at it. I’m always open to comments and
suggestions.
You’re under Misc right now, Alexa. Let’s see if you get boosted to Must Reads.
Tuesday, July 27, 2004
Very sweet
This site fulfills 2 of my fantasies.
VIA J-Walk
Saturday, May 22, 2004
Rob test 1
Tuesday, May 11, 2004
Chicken tax
It seems the BC Chicken flu has hit Toronto: Swiss Chalet is charging 30cents more for white meat on all its orders.
Their chicken entrees are still the best taste and value out there.
Saturday, March 20, 2004
Oh really…
You are Charlie Brown!
Which Peanuts Character are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
No Fawlt
Have spent the last few evenings watching a friend’s video set ($US orders) of the incredible Fawlty Towers. I’m amazed by how many of my 20-something acquaintances have never heard of it. Compared to the crap on TV today, watching this quality is a welcome break.
Monday, December 29, 2003
Rush in Rio
One of my Xmas gifts was Rush in Rio DVD ($US orders), clearly the pinnacle product of the band Rush’s career. I wrote a bit of an amazon review below.
Some links to sample:
[url=http://www.rushinrio.com]http://www.rushinrio.com[/url]
[url=http://www.rush.com]http://www.rush.com[/url]
Wednesday, December 24, 2003
Merry Xmas all - and Saddam!
A photo montage Christmas greeting made by members of the 1-22 Battalion of the U.S. Fourth Infantry Division, featuring the face of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein manipulated to look like the head of Santa Claus, is posted on the wall of army barracks in Tikrit, Iraq December 22, 2003. REUTERS/ Zohra Bensemra
via LGF
Merry Xmas to all [url=http://www.rightonblog.com]http://www.rightonblog.com[/url] readers! I’ll post tomorrow I’m sure as the (extended) family drives me crazy.
Sunday, December 7, 2003
Jack
I’ve always liked Jack Nicholson, and I will be going to see his new movie, Something’s Gotta Give.
An exclusive interview with Jack Nicholson,
single man and singular star
Wednesday, October 1, 2003
Marital Bliss
Since all the government does these days is talk about homosexual marriages, I thought I’d mention a heterosexual one: mine. Congratulations to my wife for putting up with me for 10 years (as of today). I couldn’t have done it without you!
My wife found a little blurb as to why you should get and stay married (instead of shacking up or simply cohabitating with the “why do we need a piece of paper” argument), especially with the government constantly devaluing marriage. So here it is:
It means you love, trust and care about someone and want to stay with them forever. It means you stand up and say you believe in that person and they believe in you. It means you’re proud of each other.
Amen, love!
Wednesday, September 10, 2003
Religious tones
I have to admit that the big organ in the big church in which I was married affected me just as this article describes.
“It has been suggested that because some organ pipes in churches and cathedrals produce infrasound this could lead to people having weird experiences which they attribute to God,” said Professor Richard Wiseman, a psychologist from University of Hertfordshire.
Monday, August 18, 2003
Right Wing Children
Yup, I am one of them.
It’s funny how many right-wingers and traditionalists I’ve known who have very liberal parents, siblings and other relatives, and thus find themselves political pariahs, or at least misfits, in their own families.
Monday, August 11, 2003
The Pipes
This weekend we held a 75th bday party for my father in-law. Being of Scottish heritage, he is very fond of bagpiping. So, we went and hired a terrific piper named Rob Crabtree.
If you are ever interested in something different for a party or significant event, I highly recommend him.
Wednesday, July 30, 2003
Elvis and me
I just recently purchased Elvis: The Way It Is ($US orders) on DVD. I am telling you all this because I huge Elvis fan. I am trying to find other good Elvis concert DVDs. Any of you have any recommendations?
This DVD has great sound and images - it’s hard to believe it’s 33 years old. Elvis looks great, and his audience is completely intoxicated with his person. It is amazing watching grown women throw themselves onto his alter like lambs - all for a kiss from the King.
There is no-one like him, and no-one will ever be like him. I only mention this as the 60 year old Jagger comes to Toronto - Elvis would be 68 if he were alive today. Long live the King!
Saturday, June 28, 2003
Libertarians
I am not actually a libertarian exclusively, but I am partially. Loudmouth says the party needs your membership to remain a party. Email this guy if you want to join.
The Libertarian Party of Canada is collecting signatures in order to be recognized as an official political party.
Wednesday, June 4, 2003
Mean Streets
I am reading a good book called Mean Streets - Confessions of a Night-Time Taxi Driver.
Very interesting reading if you’re into “reality” and Toronto.
Monday, February 10, 2003
Tech decline
Personally, I just dumped my AOL ... for a 90% loss.
My tech holdings are way down, but AOL doesn’t look like it will get back up anytime soon.
Monday, January 27, 2003
GM problems
I’m compelled to post this, as I find it is a serious problem and I want a record here and on the web of my problem. My 2nd GM product with a 3.4 engine, a 2001 Montana, is costing me big time. The major problem, the coolant system, is costing my close to $3000 for a van with 160k ... not much.
Many others have the same problems. They say it is related to DEXCOOL, made by Texaco - that eats gaskets. Petitions are being signed. Lawsuits are being launched.
Saturday, January 4, 2003
Oh no! Eminem!
All right, someone said a little personal stuff in a blog makes it more interesting. Being a fiscal and social (mostly) conservative, my moves and statements are monitored closely by friends and relatives, to see if any hypocrisy arises.
You see, those left of us conservatives are constantly trying to find faults or variations with our views, and holding them up to their left wing bright lights. Any aberration or inconsistency in our views and they rejoice and scream that we are not true to our values and views.
That said, most of us conservatives are flexible and not so blind that we don’t accept opposing views. This does not make us any less conservative - au contraire - it proves we are practical people and willing to incorporate new conservative values into our portfolio. Sometimes we have to make them fit, but we always find a way.
Recently, rapper/hiphop artist Eminem got my attention. After reviewing his recent movie, critics compared him to Elvis. Elvis attracts me by his great music and incredible fan base, which endures to this day. So I had to listen to Eminem’s latest album, 
The Enimem Show, and see what it was all about.
All that I heard was true: he is vulgar, rude, obnoxious - and I love the album. There are many conservative strings in his lyrics. Loyalty to friends, devotion to family, no matter how broken, to name two. The bottom line is that the music is amazing, and I urge you to click the above link and buy the album.
More recommend links to music, software, and books will appear in the days ahead.