Local News and Petitioners

I have been considering a new online persona via a new blog for some time. The new venture would be personal, local, and probably political. Not necessarily in a partisan sense, but in a "common sense" fashion.

There is no blog yet (I'm waiting on a name) but a recent turn of events in local news might be a catalyst to get me started. However, one has to be careful as my province is like the Deep South: it is best to keep your mouth/pixels shut when it comes to politics.

For now, here's the scoop: 200 doctors signed a petition to the premier about climate change. That strikes me as being absurdly outside their expertise, but let's set that aside for now.

I'm curious if they will weigh in on (a) an 1880s-style sewage problem in the capital city or especially (b) serious fish kills in local rivers (possibly due to pesticide run-off).

I don't expect the physicians to have answers (these are thorny problems), nor do I endorse their wading into political waters. But the more I think about the hypocrisy of their silence on these issues, the more it drives me crazy.

CC

Gannets

Over the vacation, some family and my guest went deep-sea fishing. These birds, gannets, were diving around the boat, pretty much just as in this video. I had never even heard of them before.

It was crazy! They hit the water like missiles, at about 40-60 mph. They are very aggressive as well, trying to take fish off the hook when someone is reeling in. Other birds, like seagulls, have no chance when these birds are around: gannets are twice their size both in body and beak.

NOTE: the last 10 seconds of this video may be disturbing to true animal lovers

Mid-July Visit

With barely a day in between, another dear, inner-circle friend came to visit from the USA. This was a longer trip. Though again, it may not read well, this will serve as a diary. The past 8-9 days have been a whirlwind tour of PEI that left no stone unturned.

The weather was pretty much perfect, with the key exception of a music festival, when we needed it most. It seems as though Mother Nature cut a deal with me: great weather for 90% of my guests' stay, except for a key afternoon/evening, which was one for the ages (see below).

Day 1

• brunch at Cora's (one of the few overlaps)
• visit to Anne of Green Gables, including a ponderous drive through Cavendish, whereupon we discovered a lovely Gelato stand
  
• beach tour at Cavendish beach (where I nearly broke a toe)
• harness racing at Red Shores (aka the CDP), with buffet

Day 2

• deep-sea fishing in North Rustico (with family). Gorgeous weather. Crazy birds (another post).
  
• lobster dinner at Water Prince Corner Shop
• Cows ice cream (of course)

Day 3

• Tim Horton's
  
• stop at the Cheese Lady in Winsloe
• visit at my parents (with happy run-in with my sister)
• MerchantMan Pub for lunch
• a 6-hour, soaking-wet adventure at the Cavendish Beach Music Festival. This will be another post, one day.
  

Day 4

• Rufus and Rory's for breakfast
• Harbour Hippo with immediate family (gorgeous day)
• Poffertjes, a Dutch treat on Victoria Row
• dinner at Peakes Quay with my sister and bro-in-law
  

Day 5

• guest went horseback riding near Morell
• lunch at Fishbones, then shopping
  
• Cows ice cream (again!)
• dinner at Claddagh House (my guest's first oysters)
• Cows ice cream (is this possible?)

Early July Visit

My first visitor from the USA, a dear friend, was here over the past few days! It was a wonderful time that coincided with the Royal Tour of William and Kate.

We had mostly gorgeous weather with the unfortunate exception of the day where Will & Kate were here. That said, I couldn't really ask for better.

This is a summary of events. This may not read well for others but serves as a bit of a diary for me:

Day One

• brunch at Cora's
  
• visit with my parents
  
• Harbour Hippo tour!
• Cows ice cream
• dinner at Fishbones (with my sister and bro-in-law). Oysters, mussels, lobster. Cramming for finals regarding the Anne & Gilbert musical.

Day Two

• fantastic live-stream of Will & Kate thanks to CityTV
• lunch at Maple Grille
• dinner at V and C's (where dinner reviews surpassed many of the other fine-dining establishments)

Day Three

• lunch at Landmark Cafe in Victoria
• Toy Factory near Hunter River
• beaches at Cavendish (water was way too cold for some)
  
• dinner at the Shipwright Inn
• Anne & Gilbert at the Harbourfront Theatre

All visits with friends and family were really great. Most restaurants were outstanding, with a couple of lessons learned.

One fun tale: my guest wanted to buy some Island-made toys at the Toy Factory (sidebar: the original operation was close to my grandparents' home).

My guest liked some wooden, animal-shaped crayon holders but was surprised to see they weren't marked as PEI in any way. At the cash register, she asked about this and the staff offered to sear the wood not only with the location but also the names of the children. They do this regularly, for free. Perfect.

CC

ps. No sleep for me... another dear friend arrives soon! It is hectic to have visitors so close, but on PEI there are only 8-10 weeks of prime visiting time, so things get busy.

Bridges

A year ago tomorrow, I crossed the Confederation Bridge, my car loaded to the gunnels with my belongings.

It is fitting that this weekend, I'm going to a conference in Frederiction, NB. Tomorrow night, I'll be crossing the same bridge, returning to PEI.

Year 1 of the new experiment has been an adventure, for sure.

Some thoughts....

• The biggest headline is that I no longer have an inner voice saying "You are a guest in the US", "When are you going home?". As much as I love St Louis, I was going crazy, as old blog posts illustrate.
  
• It is deeply comforting be trivially close to old friends and family. Though I do miss my St Louis people, and the diversity.
• The tech scene has been a disappointment. I was hoping to join, or start, a local user group. Based on an internal one at my workplace, I don't think anyone would attend. There are few people who are passionate about their work. I'm surprised at how many people are semi-pro athletes who treat their career as a hobby. However, perhaps the upcoming conference will impress!
  
• I had big hopes and dreams last year. I've made some important gains with the satirical website, but I feel like I've slacked this year. More on those in future posts.
• Music and fitness are key to my happiness. The past year gets a grade of B on both scores. I'm not in top form on either the guitar, piano, or treadmill, but they are all active and going well, considering the disruption of the move.
  
• Winter was tough and spring was a chilly joke. I realize now that my first summer back was absolutely charmed in terms of weather. It was perfect all the time!
• I moved locally in 2009 and massively in 2010. I am SO FREAKING grateful not to be packing boxes in 2011!

The bottom-line is: no regrets. I am still dealing with US taxes and Canada Post (don't get me started), but my move is almost complete. It was the right decision.

CC

Update

Here are some quick news items:

• I want to be vague here but some friends had a big day today. I'm so excited for them!
• I'm meeting a newcomer to PEI/Canada this week, probably tomorrow. I'll be showing him around the Island through a charitable organization that matches newbies with Islanders. That should be interesting. I don't actually know much about PEI.
  
• I thought I was done with the Tax Nightmare but having checked tracking numbers through Canada Post, I can only verify that 1 out of 3 Important Documents were received in the US. The other 2 arrived in the USA but I don't know anything else. Fabulous.
  
• In case anyone was wondering, I am still a cat person. I like dogs but "dog people" live in a world that I will never, ever understand.

CC

ps. Check out some new links over on the right-hand side!

Pro-Tip: Hire Professionals

After a long, frustrating search, I found a cross-border accountant this tax season (in Washington state). Within 3 minutes of our initial phone call, I could tell she was bright and professional.

And how. Several weeks after uploading a zillion scanned docs to her website, I received a giant FedEx package with multiple returns. 1 for Canada and 3 for the US.

The presentation was simply beautiful: each return was fixed to an envelope and with instructions. The instructions were essentially: (a) mail by the given date and (b) find the big green stickies that say "Sign and Date here" and, well, sign-and-date there, stoopid!

A chimpanzee could have followed the directions and that is exactly how I want to be treated. Seriously. I share a deep connection with the spirit here, because that's how I think software should be written: a chimp should be able to use it. I say that often a work, but I don't mean to denigrate the user, because sometimes I am the chimp.

This is one of those cases. This was an expensive service but it was absolutely worth it. I could not be happier. My only hope is that Canada Post delivers the returns correctly, as I am due for some refunds (bonus!).

CC

Civic Duty

If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
-- John McCrae, In Flanders Fields

I voted today! It was easy and a touching experience. Though I probably could have voted in Canada from the US, I haven't voted in a federal election since 1993.

Democracy is fragile. I'm in a Toastmasters public-speaking club, and discovered the following while researching a talk:

(a) Canadian aboriginals were only able to vote, freely, in federal elections in 1960 (before that they had to give up "First Nations" status)

(b) Women won the vote in Switzerland in 1971

That is a surprisingly short time ago. (Not as poignant as the current struggles in Africa and the Middle East, but those issues are too obvious re: giving a talk).

In other political news, this rant by Rick Mercer laid down a challenge to the disillusioned youth of Canada (the 18-24 demographic turned out at 37% in 2008). Happily, the youth have responded with energetic, positive "vote mobs" as illustrated here.

CC

ps. For American readers, the vote is May 2. I was at an advance poll.

pps. Kudos to the Elections Canada website. I found it useful and user-friendly.

An Electric Week

I'm currently enthralled by the leaders' debate for the federal election, occasionally looking at the chirps from the riffraff on Twitter (which is hilarious and sometimes enlightening).

Later this week, the hockey playoffs start, with wall-to-wall TV coverage, as God intended.

Locally, the ECMA music festival will begin, with bands playing in 20+ venues late into the wee hours.

Heady stuff. These are great times.

Sunset

The last post was a minor meltdown, predicated by the search for documents and the lack of a decent office-service shop.

Little has changed (e.g. I have not yet received confirmation that I have filed for an extension in the US), but I have found a office centre. That's a relief. I uploaded megabytes of PDFs to My Accounting People in Washington State.

In other news, tonight, I drove up to Brackley Beach to watch the sunset. I hadn't thought of going up there in a long time. To my surprise, there were a few people there, even though the wind was chilly and the main walkway to the beach is closed for repair. I didn't stay long, but it was very tranquil and pretty.

Just Get Through This

The last major hurdle for The Big Move is taxes. Unfortunately, it is going to be pretty crazy.

I thought I found an accountant I could trust, and so I sailed through February and most of March, blissfully assuming I could pay for his expertise with a sense of comfort. Alas, I was dismayed when told that he is not licensed this year for US tax returns. Information that might have been useful in freaking February.

I spent 2-3 weeks trying to find another accountant, looking like an idiot who leaves things to the last minute. I finally found one who specializes in cross-border stuff, in Washington state (!). Now, it is so hectic that I am making basic mistakes.

I just ransacked two abodes whilst looking for a tax return from last year, thinking last year was 2010. Of course "last year's" documents are marked 2009. Heaven help me.

I remember thinking last summer, "if I can just get through June". Then, due to the writing assignment, "if I can just get through February".

Now, it's getting through April.

Kisses For Later

Many Islanders know this story better than I do, but I saw part of it last night on the news and was deeply moved by it.

As I understand it, Jenn Zahavich, young wife and mother, was diagnosed with cancer. She started a blog, and wrote about her battle and her new appreciation for life.

As her condition worsened, she wrote a children's story for her young son, and planned to publish it. The story is called Kisses For Later, and is about a mother who gives her son many, many kisses, which he can store in reserve. When he has "a hurt", he can take one and use it. She has read the story aloud many times to her son.

Jenn passed away 2 weeks ago.

I will be sure to provide a link to the book, once it becomes available.

CC

Update

Here is a quick life update for interested readers:

• I'm not out of the woods just yet, but my editor had high praise for the first draft of my article. I poured a lot into it, and the bar is high, so this is a relief. For those that will have me, my social calendar is open!
  
• This might not be obvious for a software developer, but from blogging, to articles, writing is one of the pillars of my career. Even silly satire opens a lot of doors.
• The plan for summer visitors is in continual flux. There were 4 separate probable visits; sadly, it's now down to a definite, a probable, and a maybe. I don't mind flexibility, but it is tricky to keep up! Esp. since I will be planning vacation around this.
  
• A big win for one friend is that she planned to come for the Cavendish Beach Music Festival, as she is a big country music fan. However, the artists were not yet announced. Bonus: the gamble paid off, as the headliner is Brad Paisley, who we both love. He is an unbelievable guitarist. A double-bonus was running into my sister whilst buying the tickets at the box office.
  
• A heavy day tomorrow for some dear relatives. I won't go into details here but it is a time for our family to come together.
  

And now we wait

I have been wrapped up in a writing assignment for about a month. I've been pretty anti-social, with exceptions for the Scotties (curling) and church. I've lived and breathed this article for several weekends in a row... the gym and the piano are vague memories.

This has been nerve-wracking because it is my first time writing for this outfit (it is the same as the Java conference series that I've mentioned in the past), and the peer pressure is high. The other authors are brilliant and monstrously prolific.

The good news: draft #1 has been submitted! Though I am not done, I can enjoy this weekend. At some point next week, I will receive the dreaded Editor's Feedback, which will be a renewed call to action.

Tonight, I celebrate by attacking a major pile of laundry with the resources only a Friday night can guarantee.

CC

Neighbour #3: Denied

It is 6 pm. Home from work and having just eaten, I am napping on my couch, wrapped in an afghan blanket, with the iconic local news show, Compass, on TV. This is a ritual.

There is a faint knock at the door. Guess who.

Of course, it is my neighbour. First thing he says is, "hey buddy, I know I owe you $10". Then he launches into a request to use my computer to download an MP3 off his iPod.

Bad move. First, it is generally unwise to disturb Nap Time, especially with something overt like knocking on the door. Second, now you want to escalate this budding friendship by entering my space and using my computer.

Negative. Thankfully, I was sufficiently irked that I didn't give in to country, folksy civility. Screw you, buddy. You aren't getting in my apartment and you aren't using my computer. I told him something about being concerned about viruses (not exactly plausible) and held my ground.

To his credit, my neighbour, a lumbering giant of a man, is kind-hearted. He backed off immediately and disappeared down the hall.

As I returned to my couch, I thought I heard him talking to someone else (did he knock on another door?). Heaven help us.

CC

Missed Opportunities

This is mostly a self-directed vent.

For a venture that remains shrouded in secrecy, I had a personal goal of being recognized by a local radio/TV station within 6 months.

This past week, at the 3 month mark, I scored an interview. I still can't believe it. It is really great news.

It has not aired yet but, alas, I didn't nail it. My voice will be ok, and I didn't say anything too crazy, but I missed a huge opportunity.

I wasn't funny or colourful in any way. I just answered questions earnestly, as though I was 8 years old. I didn't give myself the liberty to (a) take a chance and go "out there" or (b) ask permission beforehand if I could ham it up. Given the subject matter, the interviewer was probably mystified, since the topic involves humour. What's worse, is that I didn't give credit to some key happenings involving social media.

I was a smiling zombie.

As is well-documented on here, when I don't do well in public speaking, I brood for a very long time (months, years). It is vaguely similar to suffering a defeat by the nefarious Jim G.

In my defense, I have a lot going on. I am trying to finish a tech article, and on that day, I was supposed to be interviewed by a local magazine for some tech stuff. That interview evaporated but on that day it seems like I had to be in 4 places at once.

Small consolation, now. The interviewer even said (beforehand) that we could do multiple takes! I guess I clammed up when the microphone was on: 'tis a pity because that's when it counts.

Oh well. We'll see what happens.

CC

ps. More to come after the news comes out...

Neighbour Redux

My neighbour dropped by today, interrupting my train of thought while sequestered, writing an article.

The good news:

• He mentioned the $10 he owes me, even though said he would have it tomorrow. This shows a cognitive cohesion that spans conversations. I am impressed.
  

The bad news:

• He asked for a lift downtown. He was very friendly and polite, but essentially was asking "can you drop everything and give me a lift?". For some incredible reason, I complied.

The weird news:

• This guy claims to be a major Nascar fan, and has been down to a race in the USA (with his mother). However, he didn't seem to realize that he was visiting while the Daytona 500 was on TV. (It is the start of the season, and a big deal for fans.) I even asked him about it. His answer made no sense.
• In his defence, Nascar races last 4 hours. I've heard jokes that even rabid fans can go out and do errands/chores and come back for the ending. (Contrast this with F1's efficient 90 minute races)

I do not want this to be my latest Apartment Saga. I don't want a new friend, or at least not this guy. No more taxi rides. Just keep the $10.

Neighbours and Nutjobs

The new apartment is working out pretty well in the winter:

• the blast-furnace thermals of this building, pure torture in the summer, are now comforting, given a -25 C windchill
• someone else worries about the snow in the parking lot

Interestingly, a recent turn of events involves my next-door neighbour. I ran into him in the laundry room the other night. He rambled on many subjects, including a trivia night that he ran recently at a club. He asked me the final question:

Two goalies have won the Conn Smythe Trophy (MVP in the playoffs). Name them.

I guessed Ken Dryden and, after some thought, Chris Osgood. He beamed, "You got it!". Great! I haven't lost my hockey mojo.

Well. I looked up the answer later. Chris Osgood did not win the Conn Smythe and there a dozen goalies who have won the Conn Smythe award.

Our new friend is a few steps short of a staircase, I'm afraid.

All the more interesting: on Valentine's Day evening, he approached me in the hallway and asked me if he could borrow $10. He had a story about his stranded girlfriend. Though weird, he struck me as honest, so I lent him the cash. He promised to pay me back by Wednesday night.

I write this on Wednesday night. We'll see what happens. I am skeptical that he will remember but I am certain that he will try and mooch something else soon. I wonder what the look on his face will be when I remind him that the juice is already running on the $10 (a gambler's term for interest).

Today

I remember watching The National on CBC, about 3 weeks ago. Two pundits, from Egypt, were predicting the future in their country. The younger said that this would be their Berlin Wall; the older felt that things would change slowly, over years.

The younger woman was spot on, as it turns out.

Today, I think about the young street vendor in Tunisia who set himself on fire, out of rage and humiliation. Tunisia is not Egypt, but one can draw a straight line from that act to today's stunning events.

Mohamed Bouazizi could not have had any idea of what he would start. I wonder if he does now.

CC

Peace

Lately, I have been thinking of relatives, M and G, who are cousins but more like an aunt and uncle. They have been suffered some truly tough times recently.

I send them wishes of peace in my thoughts and prayers.

CC

Christmas Gifts

I haven't mentioned a lot about Christmas, but it was lovely. A nice haul of stuff as well, without concerns about how to get it on an airplane.

Again this year, someone in Africa received a gift in my name, through World Vision. This year, it was a micro-loan. Perfect, sincerely.

I've also received several gift-cards to various eating establishments. I frequent these places often, but even more now that I'm covered.

Lots of books and clothes as well. I'm currently reading one: Bill Bryson's At Home. Highly recommended and I've just started.

Wheels

I have been in some interesting winter episodes with Herbie, the beloved Miata. With true winter tires, it was a good car, but definitely the pint-sized go-cart was not in the same weight class as Old Man Winter.

Today, Rowdy, the Honda Civic, was given a beat-down by winter, under comic circumstances. It was stuck in about 1 cm of snow. The Civic is no SUV or Subaru but certainly a step-up from the Miata: heavier, and front-wheel drive.

Alas, last night I parked in some divots in my local parking lot, and the poor car couldn't be extricated this morning (you would have to see the parking lot to understand -- imagine the front-wheels in an inverted speedbump).

Thankfully, a Salt Squad (assault squad?) scrambled to action tonight. The Honda greeted the team as liberators.

It is a concern, though. Winter has barely started, and this ain't Saint Louis, where it is 17 C / 65 F, once a week, by municipal law.

The first call to action is new tires, which is not going to be cheap or fun. The second call to action (though surely not this year?) is a new ride. There is a hot Subaru out there with my name on it. Old Man Winter would be in a fair fight.

CC

Happy New Year

Best wishes in 2011 to everyone!

I hope the holidays were peaceful for everyone. Mine were just great. Lots of visiting with family and no air travel. The latter item cannot be overstated in terms of relaxation.

I'm looking forward to the new year. I hope to set down some goals for myself and will probably post out of a sense of accountability. 2010 was a great year in terms of career, Big Decisions, and music. Fitness was pretty rough, though I salvaged the year in November and mid-December.

Any resolutions for you, dear readers?

peace
CC

Little Drummer Boy

Per last post, my computer is running out of juice. But I wanted to take a moment to share this.

I remember seeing something vaguely like this when I was about 7 years old. I'm almost sure this is the same one.

I was deeply moved by the song, and remember that I had a lump in my throat. It is my earliest memory of being deeply, profoundly moved by music.

Merry Christmas.

Power Outage

I believe my power adapter for my laptop has died. The computer is at 40% power right now, so I need to conserve energy.

I might be hard to contact until I get some juice on Boxing Day (hopefully somewhere on the Island has a Mac adapter). This will be my first attempt for serious hardware acquisition on PEI.

In happier news, have a Merry Christmas!

Silent Monks

I was struck by the creativity of this video. Though not a Christmas carol, it seems to fit the season:

Shipping on PEI

Here are some details about receiving courier shipments in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, in case it helps anyone. This may be especially useful if you can't be at home to receive a shipment.

This info is accurate as of December 2010, but may not be when you read this. Please do your own homework!

DHL

Call the 1-800 number on the delivery notice. They will flag the shipment as "pick-up". On the next day, you can go to the DHL depot, which is at 7 Mount Edward Rd (near Longworth Ave). There is no service counter: you have to deal with the drivers, who are available only early and late (I believe 7-8 am and 4-5 pm).

UPS

Again, call the 1-800 number on the delivery notice to arrange your pick-up. Purolator Courier handles UPS on PEI. They are located at 502 Brackley Point Rd, and have a bona fide service desk. You will need photo id with a current address. (If you have trouble reaching the 1-800 number, you can probably drop by the service office, but expect to return for your item on the next day).

FedEx

Same deal: call the 1-800 number on the delivery notice to arrange your pick-up. FedEx is located at 3 (or 3-D?) McAleer Dr, and have a bona fide service desk open from approx. 3 pm to 5:30 pm. You will need photo id and your delivery notice.

Good luck!

Ultra Man

This post talks about an Islander who does Ultraman events. He has recently traveled to Hawaii to compete in Ultraman Hawaii.

I have heard of a lot of events, but I had never heard of an Ultraman. A 2-day event, it seems to be roughly an elongated Ironman:

Day One: swim 10 km, bike 145 km
Day Two: bike 275 km, run 84 km (aka 2 marathons)

There is extreme, and then there is ultra. That is unbelievable.

I've checked the race results and it looks like Paul Dalton made it! Bravo!

Gym Lightning

I've been getting back on track at the gym. A favourite workout is to swim at CARI on Saturday morning, followed by a run at another facility. It is not convenient, but it is a good start to the day.

My running has not been fast, but tonight, it bounded by a quantum leap in the right direction. A guy next to me started running at X mph, and I tried to match him. In 2007, this would be an easy pace, but right now it was above my range.

I stayed with the guy through 2 miles and sure enough, he stopped. I finished through to 3 miles. I don't think that I am a better runner. After all, he may have needed to hit the washroom. Who knows. The point is that he helped me raise my game. And for that I say: thanks.

Today and Felicia

'Tis another birthday. This story isn't about this year but rather last year's milestone, my 40th birthday.

The Saint Louis film festival occurs during November. As it happened in 2009, one film had a single showing, on my birthday. According to the summary on the website, it was a Romanian movie about a 40-year-old Romanian woman, Felicia, who lives in Amsterdam. She had been away for 19 years (as I had been). She returned every holiday to see her family (!), but she hated the travel and found it increasingly difficult to leave her homeland. The summary said it was about her struggles with identity, family, and aging.

Though I had considered many grand plans, throughout the year, for my birthday (London? Paris? all-night partying?), I hadn't acted on them. Now, in mid-November with no plan (and many queries from friends "how will we celebrate?"), I was obsessed. I re-read the film description dozens of times.

I decided to spend my 40th by going to see this indie film, alone. I wanted it to give me insight on my own life: secretly, I knew I would be influenced by Felicia's decisions. O Felicia, show me what to do! Our fates will be paired forever!

And so I sat in a dark theatre, almost empty save for 9 Romanian strangers. In short, the movie was awful. It had no plot and only barely matched its eloquent summary. It was 90 minutes of a daughter and mother arguing at an airport. Worst of all, it didn't tell me that I should move home.

The movie was so bad that it was a running joke for a couple of weeks (I did have several big birthday dinners that week, and it made for a good story). However, I eventually learned the lesson. If I really needed a foreign film to guide me on big Life Questions, then I already knew the answers.

Add the Vancouver Olympics, and voila, here we are, writing from Charlottetown. I had dinner with my family last night, and more dinners to come with friends. My first birthday season on PEI since 1990.

Thank you, Felicia. My dear, it has been quite a year.

Lest We Forget

I went to the Remembrance Day ceremony at the Cenotaph in Charlottetown today. I don't know if I had ever been before, but 20 years away gives one some perspective.

It was a cold day, but no one complained. Who would dare complain about some chill in the face of what our veterans have endured.

Later in the day, I visited V and C and the family. After a terrific meal (local organic chicken), we watched a documentary on the NFB website. It was about World War II. Both appropriate and fascinating.

CC

November Rain

Last week was pretty rough on multiple fronts, but it was a good weekend, despite the endless, cold rain.

Good news: I swam and ran, both for the first time in ages. I took a break from running, but I finally admitted to myself that my hair length was preventing me from swimming. The solution: buzz it. My hair is almost as short as it was in 2007, when I seriously mowed it down to make swimming easier. (Not in terms of lap times, but just ease of maintenance).

We'll see if I get faster as a runner. My alltime record for 1 mile was at the same time, in the spring of 2007. Though putting the miles is the dominant factor, I do think improved heat dissipation helps as well.

CC

Milestone

Some news over on Pedaling PEI... 5000 km (~= 3100 miles) for the year! That is some serious pedaling.

Congrats!

CC

Election Signage

Check out some of the signs around town!



I have posted these to Facebook, where only my friends can see them. I figure since they are public, I can also post here for those not on FB.

I am avoiding overt text on here so that Google won't index the words. In this way, things stay relatively anonymous.

First Pick

Alrighty, I'm back from the Big Trip and the London thing is off, so it is time to start planning some stuff. Keen readers know that I have some big plans for my return.

I've made my first pick. I saw a recent CBC news item that the PEI Association for Newcomers needed volunteers. They need people to help newcomers (to PEI, and to Canada) discover PEI. Often there are language barriers.

Count me in. I'm not exactly sure why but this flipped the right buttons for sign-up. I like the diversity aspect and also the fact that I have been from away for so long that I need to discover things as well. I meet with them early next week.

Next up: websites. I've whittled one idea down to a true sweetspot, and will start that soon. I need a web domain and a 'brand'. I have some in mind and may run them past readers via email / in person.

CC

Saint Louis

I'm back from a great trip. This was up there with Paris and Hawaii as one of the alltime greats. This is a bit surprising, as I'm so familiar with Saint Louis, but my friends and colleagues, the energy, and the weather really won me over.

It was 70 F = 22 C and sunny for the entire trip. I wore only sandals (quite a gamble).

Though I couldn't see everyone, I caught up with a few disparate groups (including my old client site, the microbiology folks, and the Dinner Club gang). Every lunch and dinner was an event. In a way, it was a lot like my Christmas vacations of yore.

A major bonus was a partial stay with BryGuy and zee Librarian. Great to see them and everyone else!

As the week went on, I shifted into conference mode, a major reason for the trip. It was terrific. The energy was palpable. I must have chatted with 40 different people from my old employers. Even better, the speakers were great. People are raving about it on Twitter.

For those in Saint Louis, the conference was centered at The Pageant (and some other venues). I've seen Ani Difranco, Joe Satriani, and Eric Johnson there. I have now seen Guy Steele and Douglas Crockford there too (they are just as huge, within computer science). It was very neat and I'm telling you: StL's stock as a tech center is going way up due to this conference.

It is good to be back! It is a bit chilly here but I'll be happy to get back into my routine.

Happy Thanksgiving

I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!

It is a bit of a weird dream: I have moved back home and yet am in Saint Louis for the first (Canadian) Thanksgiving. The good news is that my Christmas travels will consist of driving anywhere from 10 to 45 minutes.

In the US, Thanksgiving is on par with Christmas in terms of being a major holiday. That isn't true in Canada, so I chose to travel to attend a conference.

It has only been 4 months so it feels very natural to be back! 80+ F and sunny today!

CC

Open Government

I find the notion of Open Government to be intriguing. The idea is not to produce more data by the government, but to shed light on existing data, to present it in modern and innovative ways. A bonus is turning governance into an efficient feedback loop where citizens produce their own data, influencing decisions.

This article in MacLean's describes a modest project in Vancouver regarding trash pickup days. It may seem like a humble thing, but the technology and the idea is not. Note the dozen of other projects that are starting up.

In related news, I am going to Saint Louis in a week to visit friends and attend a conference. One of the sessions at the conference is on Open Government.

In even more related news, my father recently announced his candidacy for mayor in our town. I was hoping to link to something online, but despite the press, I can't find anything online. My sister and I did post to Facebook, with enthusiastic responses from friends and family.

I just realized today. If Dad were to win, could I help with technical solutions to Open Government, starting in the small town? A new mayor and a tech visionary awaiting a mission: that might be interesting.

CC

Update

Just a quick update...

• I thought I was going to Europe on a trip for work, at the end of September, but that has been postponed.
• After the 13 km run for Terry Fox, I feel fairly fit for the first time in a long time. Unfortunately, I also feel exhausted. It has been a long week.
• I only have 2 TV channels and have not yet unpacked my remote control. For those on PEI, I am rocking channel 8 and 13. Surprisingly, I love it. I'm watching much less TV, and yet I still get The National and Compass. I find that I'm watching more stuff online now (which I used to hate).
  
• It has been 3 months on PEI. I have some big ideas about contributing to the community, but I've been slack on all of them. I have another trip (personal) coming up in October, but after that I hope to really get started on some ideas.

CC

Terry Fox

This morning was the Terry Fox Run across the Confederation Bridge.

It was a gorgeous day and a fun run. On the NB side of the Bridge, there were several thousand people. It was one of the biggest events I've been in, larger than anything in Saint Louis, except possibly the marathon. Here is a pic in the Globe and Mail.

I'm pretty wiped now. I was up at 4:30 am and stood around for 2.5 hours after the school-bus ride to NB.

Consequently, it is hard to describe the atmosphere. Suffice it to say that people were in a good spirit, and there were all kinds of participants: wheelchairs, baby strollers, etc.

CC

Running the Bridge

I'm running the Confederation Bridge on Sunday, as part of the Terry Fox run. It will be 9 miles = 13 km, and highly symbolic of my return home, as I'll be starting on the NB side and running back to the Island.

Here is my page if you would like to donate towards cancer research. My thanks to my parents for helping out with the first donation.

For those who may not know Terry Fox's story, check out the Wikipedia article. He is a modern-day hero among Canadians.

Today

There are a lot of memories being shared on Twitter. I feel as though I have nothing left to say. But this is not to imply a callousness, or that I have forgotten that day.

Here is a link to my 2006 post about a moving quote, one which defines the era, in my opinion.

Binky commented on that post, 4 years ago. A lot has changed since then, and a lot has stayed the same.

Billy Bishop

Late yesterday afternoon, Vic and Colleen invited me along to see a one-man play, Billy Bishop Goes To War, up in North Rustico at the Montgomery Theatre. They were surprised at my ready acceptance (I have to be in a rare frame of mind to do things at the last minute, in part due to the burden of being an aspiring athlete and musician).

When we showed up at the place, things looked bleak. The theater is a renovated barn, and no one was there but us and 5 crew members. Yikes.

However, the place filled up over time and it was a delightful evening.

As background, note that Billy Bishop was the leading ace of World War I for Canada, and arguably for the British empire.

The play is his reminiscences from a retirement home in Florida in the 1950s. It was great! The show was a contrast: the stage had little more than a chair, relying on the actor to create a world in our imaginations; yet, on the backing wall, various film footage was occasionally shown.

Despite our shaky start, it was a terrific outing.... A big thumbs-up.

September

It seems that September has always been my new year. As I've probably blogged before, I remember the nervous excitement of the first day of school, replete with new sneakers, clothes, and supplies.

I even like the word: September. It is 2nd only to my birth month as an aesthetically pleasing collection of letters and sounds.

So, it is fitting that September is the first month where I'm really 'at home' here on PEI. I'm in my own place and not surrounded by boxes. I'm starting to find my rhythm again. e.g. I ran 10 km on Saturday and then went to a 5 km event this morning.

Even more interesting is that if I were still in Saint Louis, I would be making a trip to Detroit this week, for visa reasons. So long, Detroit! I'm grateful for the chance to work in the USA, but I won't miss that stress and hassle.

Happy New Year, everyone.....

a link through history

Two unique articles came across the transom in the last few days. I thought there was an interesting "link" between them.

Quote 1

This little town (Charlottetown) is cut off from the world in an aggravating way.

The coast of Nova Scotia is in plain view along most of the southern coast of Prince Edward Island, but the transfer by boat from Pictou takes three hours...

from this article, in 1896

Quote 2

During MacLachlin's decade as CEO [sic], UPEI has also seen its international enrolment quadruple to 500 students, about 12 per cent of its registration.

Would those world-class researchers, and all those foreign students, be on the island without the Confederation Bridge? These are not people who wait for the ferry.

from this article in the Montreal Gazette

Weekend

This is a late wrap-up for a weekend, but here goes:

Halifax

My cousin R and I drove to Halifax, to see R's brother K. K has a wife and baby daughter (who I hadn't met).

With a quick equipment pick-up from Binky (which was a fun mini-visit), we were a cargo-carrying convoy to NS. Just a day trip but well worth it. I had burned some "Onion radio" snippets for the ride, which R found to be absurd and humorous. (In another post, I might test the waters with an idea that merges satire and PEI.)

Lots of thoughts on the day... K is the youngest of our generation, so it is pretty neat to see K as a father. They have a lovely spot and cooked mussels and burgers for lunch. Since R and I are both feral dogs, we were grateful.

I was blown away by how much water there is in the Halifax area. Not just the big harbour but all the inlets, channels, and lakes. I later read on Wikipedia that the coast is very jagged. Neat stuff.

The infant is a cutie. A happy baby, she hardly made a fuss and just watched us. A fun game was slapping a hand on the coffee table, always near by as we are still getting our sea legs. Really great trip.

York Point

On Sunday, I caught up with two old friends. P, K, and I go way back to the playpen. I often mention that I was MC at P and T's wedding in 2001. (He and K are cousins, and K's house is next-door to ours, though about 3/4 mile of fields in between).

I don't remember the last time we were all together. I've seen P often, but I think it was at Christmas near 2002 or 2003 for three of us. Anyway, plenty of catching up...

P has two girls now (adorable in their own right). I haven't met K's daughter yet but thanks to Facebook, I can see the family pics.

Skype

As mentioned, I later used to Skype to video-chat with Miss G in Boston and Vic here on PEI. Video-chat is simply astonishing, though as Vic points out, I waited until I was just 25 miles away from him before I got on the bandwagon, missing out on 10+ years in Saint Louis.

Skype: I've reached 2004

I had a very full, fantastic weekend with dear family and friends, but the main update for now is that I just installed Skype.

Many readers will have already gone through the amazement, but I'm just getting onboard now. I just finished a video chat with a friend in Boston.

It is unbelievable! Free for Skype-to-Skype and $0.02 per minute to a phone! I knew all this, of course, but sometimes you just don't understand the neat-o factor until you go through it yourself.

EDIT: I've also Skyped with Vic, just tonight. He pointed out the irony of us using Skype now that I am back on PEI, about 30 miles away from his house. Point taken, mate, point taken.

So Long Cell

My 314 cell account is officially terminated. That phone (shown here) is 7 years old, and served me well. It has been to 4-5 different countries.

I don't have a new phone yet. There is no harm in calling my parents, though email is probably fastest. I do have a temporary cell so just write if you would like that number.

Sorry for the inconvenience!
CC

The Big City

Here is a fun fact: I've never actually lived in Charlottetown, the capital city, before.

I was extremely serious about school and lived with my parents right through undergraduate, then left for Waterloo (with some brief interludes in an apartment).

Now, living "in town" is very interesting, as the moving chaos is subsiding. Having things within walking distance is a big plus. I enjoy looking at the houses and the various buildings. All the street names are familiar, but not as my neighbourhood: in the old days, they were always merely means to a destination.

Synchronicity

Here are some events since I've returned:

My farewell post on the tech blog quoted Frank Ledwell. My farewell post on this blog quoted Sarah MacLaughlin. On PEI, I went to a storytelling night in honour of Frank. His grand-nephew read from the same book I quoted, and on the drive the Sarah M song came on the radio.

Before leaving, I purchased a tech book in Saint Louis. It had a bird on the cover. On PEI, I discovered that cormorants had taken over an abandoned bridge. I then checked my book: the bird was a cormorant.

I had an appointment with the cable guy the other day. As it turned out, he was in French Immersion with me from grades 1 through 6. This is not a typical schoolmate run-in: we were all in the same classroom for years.

I went to an acoustic music festival in Kansas, in 2003. I have a t-shirt from the weekend. Last night, I went to see Don Ross, a Canadian guitarist. Upon checking out his Wikipedia article beforehand, I discovered that he is the only person to have won top prize twice (in 1988 and 1996) at the same festival. I wore the shirt to the show, though it was impossibly wrinkled from being in a box for 7 weeks.

First Night

This is my first night at the new place! About 7 weeks since I landed back on the Island.

I'm very grateful for my family for letting me stay with them. It went better than I could have imagined, esp. considering it went longer than expected.

Interestingly, I happen to know that it is Miss G's first night at the new place in Boston. She and I have been sharing stories about our respective places.

I've let the grind of the past couple of weeks distract me from my original goals when I returned. The next post (in coming days) will remind me of my dreams for the return, and serve to get me going again.

CC

Life Update

Though a lot of this is on Twitter and Facebook, here is a quick update from the CC newsdesk:

• I'm 90% moved and about 20% unpacked. There were some delays with respect to the apartment maintenance, but yesterday was a good day. I haven't stayed there yet but probably early this week.
• I'm giving Allied a grade of 'B-'. The delays were crazy but at least my stuff made it, seemingly unharmed.
• I've booked a trip to Saint Louis! I'm attending a conference in mid-October. I really wanted to go back for my birthday or Halloween, but the conference is too good to pass up.
• Next weekend is an annual family gathering on my Dad's side. Looking forward to seeing everyone....

A Pint is Popular in Poplar Point

"Save Bear! Save Bear!", the children yell from inside the cottage. Quick to act, our hero sprints toward a black dog laying on the grass. A rare funnel cloud of mosquitoes swarm down on her. She whines softly, only able to raise her head as the mini vampires feed.

"Gnaaaaaah," our hero grunts, as he lifts the weakened dog into his arms. Ignoring the probing bites of the insects, he shuffles towards the safety of the screen door, bursting into the cottage to the cheers of his happy hosts... The evening is saved! They can return to the quiet beauty of a serene sunset.

I recently spent an evening with V and C, at their cottage at Poplar Point. What a beautiful setting! Though I joked about donating a pint of blood (see title) to the local insect population, the bugs weren't too bad. Certainly worth the spectacular view of watching the sunset, with the shadows looming across the hay bales on the rolling hills, and the lapping water at the wharf. The jagged coastline of The Island has many 'points'. Poplar Point juts into a large inlet from the Northumberland Strait: the Boughton River. The local wharf is on this water. Oyster and mussel fishermen quietly ply their trade a few hundred metres out.

V and C had already eaten, but having arrived from work, I dined on a salad made from homegrown vegetables. Outstanding stuff. I was reminded that lettuce actually has flavour.

We hung out and told stories as the light faded into night. It was just another summer evening on The Island. That is to say: perfect.

By the way, the cottage is for available for rent: check out the website here.

CC

Stuff

My stuff did arrive on Thursday! Everything went smoothly. I haven't opened any boxes yet (pending the local move) but so far, it seems like everything is in good condition.

It is unclear when I will truly be into the new place. Possibly Monday but more likely, there will be several runs throughout the week.

Moving Update

They are arriving Thursday afternoon!

This is good news.

CC

Cell Service?

Can any Islanders weigh in on their cell provider? They all want 3-year contracts so I want to do my homework.

I already know the following, as these are the common answers:

• All data plans are very expensive
• All cell providers suck
• Telus is from out west

However, this doesn't help much. I am somewhat interested in reception but more interested in customer service.

I am probably deciding between Telus and Rogers, as they have great deals on the iPhone 3Gs. No one has really answered my 'cell phone poll' either, so I'll have to go with my gut on that one.

I've been everywhere, man

On Monday, I was at Poplar Point (more to come). Saturday night, I was in St Peter's. Both of these are on the eastern part of the Island.

Today, a cousin and I drove to the extreme northern tip of the western end: North Cape. It was great! I've only barely been through parts of Prince County (the west) before. We had a meal at the restaurant and gazed out over the water, which stretched as far as the eye could see, at a radius of about 200 degrees.

CC

Milestone

I was going to write about giving blood earlier this week, on a completely separate theme, but this breaking news just came across the transom: Pedaling PEI has reached the 300 mark for donating blood / plasma.

That is a tremendous achievement! And it's not just the stuff of life, it is also a big time commitment: he estimates about 2 hours per visit.

CC

One Month

Today marks one month since the return to the Island. It is interesting that it was on the 18th, as that is a popular birthday digit in our family. It also means that I reached PEI exactly 8 months after turning 40. That is cause-and-effect, right there.

Things are generally going well. I'm sure that I have mentioned that moving back in the summer was a masterstroke. Aside from dinners, I've been out to a few cultural events: e.g. an international film festival and some local comics. I haven't visited everyone yet in terms of family and friends, but I'm past the complete exhaustion that followed the drive, and starting to get out.

I'm sure most know that Regis and Kelly were on PEI. It was pretty cool stuff, and I'm glad I wasn't watching it from Saint Louis. That would have been difficult. Especially because (a) most of it was accurate and gorgeous (b) some of it was airbrushed. I think the mix would have been painful to see from away. But, never mind that, as those days are over.

Fitness is going ok. I'm running, and though not 'fit', the trend is in the right direction. Same is true with my modest musical aspirations.

There have been some unexpected challenges. One is the movers. My stuff should arrive near July 26th. There are others as well but we'll see how they work out. My main goal is to strive towards my sense of routine, get settled in, and enjoy the rest of the summer.

CC

Hulk Smash!

My stuff has not yet left St Louis. It is July 8. They picked it up on June 15.

The local agent in St Louis explained the dispatcher hasn't found a truck yet. Mercifully for him, he was suitably apologetic.

So now the interesting thing is that if I ask them to wait for a couple of weeks, I will have my apartment. I was assuming that they would bring my stuff to my family's house, but more delay could bypass the intermediary move, which will be yet more expense and generally unpleasant.

I haven't asked them to wait yet, and am not sure if I can do that. We'll see.

The Window

Tomorrow is the last day of the "delivery window" for my stuff. No word yet. Vic reminded me that there must be a tracking number, and sure enough there is one. Alas, the online news is rather ominous. We'll see what the St Louis agent has to say tomorrow. I won't go into "Hulk Smash" mode until then, but it won't be far off.

In happier news, I've selected an abode! It is near Ken's Corner (approx. Euston and Weymouth) in Charlottetown. The name apparently has stuck, even though Ken's is long gone. It is a 1-bedroom with a parking spot, and within walking distance of "the action", whatever that may entail. I'm enthusiastic about it being very close to the Confederation trail (St Louisans, that is our Katy trail).

Finally, my sincere apologies to Island readers with whom I have not yet visited. Sadly, this group is virtually all Island readers. I've been exhausted from the stress of the move and a new employer. All I do is sleep, it seems. On the weekends, all I do is run (as exercise) or run errands (for the move). I hope to see everyone soon!

CC

Happy Canada Day

Happy Canada Day, everyone!

It is a lovely day here on PEI. Though I have been getting my car inspected / acclimatized, lots of people are going out to community pancake breakfast and parades today. Various communities will have fireworks tonight.

Thanks to my American friends who have send e-notes, and special thanks to JAK for a hilarious Hoops & Yoyo e-card to celebrate. She sends one every year...

CC

Housing

There have been a few miscalculations on this journey, but possibly none greater than housing.

I always presume too much. I just figured that there would be a lovely 1-bedroom apartment in downtown Charlottetown, within walking distance of the famous Victoria Row. Moreover, it would be available precisely at the right time, for the right $, and there would be a parade for my arrival. Streets lined with 27-year-old cheerleaders throwing flowers, Mardi Gras beads, and bras in the air.

Well.

Negative. Though the fight is not yet over, it seems that the usual problems of city life (namely, finding a place that isn't a studio, and one with a parking space) is a universal constant, whether it be in Boston or Charlottetown. This is painful.

I can always cop out and move to Stratford (near work) or in the outer perimeter of the downtown core. That would be easy, and as my innate need to find a routine intensifies, it is likely. I'm torn between holding out for my ideal spot and for just settling somewhere.

(Note that so far, my current situation, with family, is going splendidly. However, the prospect of 1-2 more months inevitably wears on everyone involved.)

CC

ps. Still no stuff. Who knows when. However, a victory on importing the car today. I think I will have all my paperwork on Canada Day, no less!

New Blog Name?

As mentioned in a previous post, it is time for a new personal blog.

I want a motif and a brand, but first I need a name. I differ with Shakespeare on the triviality of names. A rose named 'sweating stinkweed' would not smell as sweet. It just wouldn't. Sorry, William.

At a farewell party, revelers were invited to submit their own choices, which included PEImp (a pun on pimp, though it requires a visual of me in costume), and OMG_Coyotes (a tribute to the recent menace in the Maritimes).

I quite like "Prodigal Son", though perhaps that is a bit much.

I want something to be Maritime oriented, or PEI oriented. Or more generally, about a return to one's roots, with all of the complexities within.

What do you think?

First Week

It's been a week since I landed back on the Island...

So far, so good, but some things never change, such as a Friday night nap after work. Though this one was extraordinarily long. I think the drive and a full work week has caught up with me.

No news on the movers yet. No news on an apartment, though I hope to start looking tomorrow.

Some quick notes:

• The locals say it is hot, e.g. mid 70s F at 6 pm. I laugh heartily at this! I need to parlay my relatively superior heat endurance into some cash or athletic success.
• I'm so glad that I moved back before Peter Mansbridge retired. I don't know how much longer we'll have him on The National.
• It occurred to me last night that I should try to go for a week (a month?) watching only TV in French. News, entertainment, the works.
• There are internet connection issues at my parents. Their computer works fine, but my Mac is stymied. This means my podcasts are stymied. This has to be fixed, soon.

CC

First Day

Just a quick update... Today was my first day at the new gig!

It went fairly well. Definitely a cultural shift from a medical company that is based in France, but it seems like a good crowd of people. Everyone has been very friendly.

No time for stories just yet.... Still lots of TODOs to take care of as part of the move.

CC

ps. No news on my belongings yet.....

Safe and Sound

I'm back on PEI! It was a long 3-day drive, but I made it.

Interestingly, as I cruised towards the Confederation Bridge, I heard the following songs, randomly in a 10 minute span, on the radio:

• Life is Highway (Tom Cochrane)
• Carry On My Wayward Son (Kansas)
• Highway to Hell (AC/DC)

All of them seemed appropriate.

I forgot how late the sunsets are in the north. 9:30 pm! The summer evenings last forever, and I was treated to a gorgeous sunset (the disc was down, and the sky was streaked with yellows and pinks against the clouds, with only the ocean as the horizon) as I crossed the bridge. Unfortunately, PEI was traversed in darkness, but I will have the rest of the summer to explore.

Next up: start the job, start the apartment search, find a gym, and wait for my stuff to arrive.

CC

ps. If you are on PEI, and have read this far: do you have a smart phone? If so, which one? iPhone, Droid style, or Blackberry? What about your friends? I need to make a choice soon

Bud the Spud

Bud the Spud from the bright red mud
Goin' down the highway smilin'
The spuds are big on the back of Bud's rig
They're from Prince Edward Island

(posted from the road, Columbus, Ohio)

Off the Grid

Much like a year ago, I'm at the apartment clubhouse, hammering out a blog post with no Internet access at home.

And yet things are quite different.

The movers come on Wednesday. Things are not quite ready but very close.

I have really felt the love from all corners in the last 2 weeks. I've had dinners, lunches, parties, etc. It has been a terrific send-off; far more than I ever imagined.

The people here in St Louis are really wonderful. I think I knew that beforehand, but the outpouring lately has been profound.

I was happy to see the core Dinner Club gang at a recent party. That was fun, and the ending was surprisingly overwhelming. It was the inevitable Big Moment where I realized this was all really, truly happening, and combined with moving vagueness and stress, it was intense. I could write 5 different blog posts about that evening and the people there.

Today was better. I had a final lunch with the nefarious Jim G today. Saying goodbye, the grizzled ex-Navy man was pretty choked-up until we joked that we'll race a 1/2 marathon together at a vacation event, which naturally led to me saying that "I'll be fit again by then, and you'll still be eating Moonpies and Twinkies".

It is to laugh (lest we cry).

CC

More Factoids

Here are some more musings....

My StL employer asked me to go onto Facebook to help our presence on social media. It was through Facebook that I noticed the job fair on PEI. I would never have seen it otherwise. (FB is much maligned in the media, and by most people, but it really does have some benefits).

My move will be a bit easier because (a) I moved last year from my apartment and (b) we moved buildings last year. So I don't have a great attachment to the buildings. Naturally, people matter far more and it isn't easy to leave them. But I hope to be back soon, maybe even this year.

The timing is pretty good. It is a good time to leave my client and June is both a decent month in St Louis (a bit warm and thunderstorm-y) and a great month on PEI. I'll be back at the height of the tourist season!

CC

Last Day

Today was my last day at the client site. It was terrific.

In the morning, people brought in tons of food. Stuff from a French bakery, donuts, and more. Our war room was party central. There were many goodbyes. I had written out some notes the night before (for a select few people), and distributed the cards during the day.

One of my favourites, the famous Berlin, read her card, and then asked me, tentatively: "is a hug OK?". I laughed out loud, and very nearly shed a tear. Of course it was OK.

For lunch, they took me out to a favourite Indian cuisine restaurant. About 20 people went out, which was quite a testament to my departure (or their love of Indian food).

Finally, at the end of the day, about 18 people surprised me by singing 'O Canada'. They printed the sheet music at a Canadian gov't website, no less! It was surreal, weird, and really funny.

What a great spot. I loved that gig. It was the best place I've ever worked.

CC

Fun Facts

Here are some facts that have popped into my head on the move:

I came to the US based on a job fair that I attended (and took substantial effort and time off work) in Ottawa.

I am leaving the US based on a job fair that I attended (and took substantial effort and time off work) on PEI.

I believe the 2 oldest things that I own are a Good News Bible (received in 1983, as part of confirmation into the United Church) and a chess set that I received for Christmas when I was about 12.

My work visa expires in September, but I will not have to renew it (for the first time in years).

People ask me if PEI has various stores (e.g. Trader Joe's). I have no idea. I haven't lived there in a long time. Ditto for social services.

I find myself thinking about PEI in the era when I left. I wonder what it will be like, as though it is 1991, forgetting that I have been there 5 times in the last 2.5 years. I was just home in March!

CC

Quote

I made my announcement over on the tech blog. I quoted a poem by Frank Ledwell (the late, famed Island writer and poet). Readers may want to check it out (click here).

CC

Weekend Celebrations

On Friday night, some friends got together for a bash to celebrate my departure. I could write a 10-page essay on the evening. It was just great. There were about 3 core groups (the Dinner Club gang, work people, poker friends) and others who defy categorization -- all them special and dear to me. Some extremely key people (including my best man Bryan) printed out many photos of escapades over the years.

There were pics of costumes (pirates, horse jockeys), trips (Hawaii, Paris, Amsterdam), and every hair style imaginable. I have them now with me in my apartment.

It was really touching, and of course seeing the people was even better. Everyone was very kind and wished me a warm farewell. There really aren't enough words to describe the emotions, and the bittersweet sense of finally going home and yet leaving St Louis and my friends.

I may have denied roots and commitment at every opportunity, but I absolutely do have roots here. There is no denying it.

As I've learned from Traci, I'll be back to visit. I may even book a trip this summer, just to have something ahead on the calendar. Plus, many people suggested coming to PEI. That would be fantastic!

On Saturday, I attended Jess' wedding (JLC is a dear, long-time friend and occasional commenter on this blog). It was really splendid. I loved that it fused a variety of traditions with wonderful choices from pop music (e.g. John Lennon, The Beatles, Stevie Wonder), all tastefully rendered on piano.

There were so many nice touches, but one that stood out for me was an Irish prayer (if I recall correctly). I can't find it online, but it wished the groom and bride many blessings (e.g. shelter from the rain and cold, prospersity, etc). One of them hit me pretty hard, personally: being near to loved ones. Proximity as a blessing. Amen to that. Congrats, Jess! What a lovely ceremony....

CC

Update

Things are extremely busy but plans are falling into place, slow but steady.

The new motto is: just get through June. I think most of my triathlon training was intended for this month in terms of maintaining reasonable blood pressure.

A fun fact: I will start a new blog when I get to PEI. I don't know the name yet. I've always hated the URL for this one, and as my bro-in-law says "there are too many C's". It will be under this Blogger account so it won't be hard to find.

CC

News

Birds in winter have their fling,
But always make it home by spring.
It's just another ordinary miracle today.
-- Sarah McLachlan

I heard Sarah McLachlan sing Ordinary Miracle at the opening of the Vancouver Olympics, and I knew then that my trip home this spring / summer would be a bit different:

I'm bringing all my stuff with me.

This is it. I've accepted a job back on Prince Edward Island, and am moving back! I start in mid June...

I will write more about how I found the courage to (finally) overcome my inertia, how much I'll miss my friends in St Louis, and so on, but for now I want to get out the news. I'm very excited!

CC

ps. I will post on my other blog but not just yet.

pps. Almost everyone in St Louis has said "you've been talking about this since I've known you". True, true. I did just live year-to-year, and though my 'St Louis Experiment' was really wonderful, that is a hard way to live. The 'PEI Experiment' is the next chapter.

Jim G Returns

Jim G and I raced a 3k tonight, on the same Clayton High School track that saw some of our greatest, fastest battles back in 2003-2005.

This was his first real event since the serious motorbike wreck in November 2008. He won, though we were both at a glacial pace. I hate losing but I was happy for Jim. It was good to see him back.

However, the evidence is in: I've really slacked off at the gym, and it has taken a toll. Hopefully, I can get back on track now that the damn talk is over. Alas, there are other balls in the air that may have a far greater impact.

I'm stunned at how fit I was in the past. Both in terms of body image and just sheer metrics. I barely ran this race in 16 minutes. I'm sure that I have broken 13 min in the past. That may not sound like much, but remember that running times are exponential.

CC

ps. It was probably 80+ F when we raced at 7 pm. It was crazy.

Talk

Sometime in early December, I wrote an abstract for a talk on a topic that I barely understood.

As long-time readers know, I have been cramming for it over the last couple of months. It was today, and went pretty well. Though in a small room, the place was packed, and of the group that submitted evaluations, most were impressed.

Going in, I wanted a mark of 80% from 80% of the crowd. Though there are no "marks" like that, I think I met that goal.

It has been a long, stressful spring, but this milestone is a major relief and a nice bullet item in the resume. Moreover, having attended these conferences annually since 2001, it was just time to get up there. Despite my moaning, I am a decent public speaker.

CC

Google Logo

This is a time-sensitive post but today's Google logo is a working Pacman game. If you click on the logo and let the game start, then you can use the arrow keys to play the game.

Very cool... more on Google's Doodles here

CC

Update

Some people know that I am anticipating some news to post on this blog. Alas, as yet, there is no news. This is a bit surprising but there we have it. I don't know how the gears of destiny really work.

Some other, real news: my tech talk is this Sunday! As things draw closer, I'm getting excited. The long hours of preparation will (hopefully) pay off, and I'm quite distracted with other stuff to be too worried.

In the phrase of the last 2-3 years, "it is what it is". i.e. The first rule of Tautology Club is the first rule of Tautology Club.

CC

Cross Canada 2010

Pedaling PEI told me about this neat blog (click here)... 2 Islanders are biking across Canada, and blogging their adventures. Check it out...

CC

Cinco de Mayo

It is a time of celebration in St Louis: Cinco de Mayo, a crossover pseudo-cultural recognition of a Mexican victory in 1862.

This particular one is gorgeous: 80 F and sunny, even at 7 pm.

You might ask if I am celebrating. Dinner? Drinks? Perhaps a long run?

Negative.

I am consumed by The Talk and The (career) Exploration. I have been to Kinko's for 4 straight nights to photocopy documents and/or proofread presentation slides. I haven't been to the gym in about 3 weeks. Soon, I will return to work to make up time this evening. I am constantly on the phone at lunch, and tomorrow AM, I am taking the morning off to consult with cross-border accountants.

It is pretty busy. I have virtually withdrawn from social circles in St Louis (sorry about that). I am usually sleeping well and not really keyed up, but things are intense, and I haven't even made any decisions on The Exploration.

My main solace are some guilty-pleasure TV and, wonderfully, a strong routine on the piano.

I hope all is well you, dear readers. Have a margarita for me!

CC

Perspective

A lot going on at CC HQ, but no updates...

Instead, just read this (click here). It is worth it. Quoteth:

Erik, who is living with liver cancer, has always wanted to be a superhero. On Thursday, the regional chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation granted him that wish with an elaborate event that involved hundreds of volunteers in Bellevue and Seattle.

Vancouver trip

Long-time readers will know that we recommend Pedaling PEI on a variety of levels.

Be sure to check out recent photos from a trip to Vancouver. I happen to know the author cycled about 200 km in a week trip there.

CC

Interesting Link

Some techie wrote a comment called "Dear Canada, I miss you" and people are responding. My guess is that many are ex-pats who are working in science and technology.

You can't make this stuff up!

CC

Sweet Music

I don't like it when people stay on the same theme in social media. Their voice becomes noise, and the message is lost. I follow one person on Facebook (not a reader of this blog, and a former instructor) who has a single social issue and that's it. It gets old.

In a similar vein, my bemoanings are probably getting old on here.

So here is some music! This is the angelic Eric Johnson, and one of my favourite songs of all time. There is a long intro but just let it go.... or skip to about 5:20

This song came from God, seriously.

The Inner Circle

This is not news, but I have great friends both in the US and Canada. Several people have contacted me in the last couple of days to understand the back story behind recent themes on this blog.

A special shout-out to my sister who really brought the goods in a recent conversation. (People ask if I am "close to my sister" and I say yes, but we don't talk often on the phone. Generally Islanders are not phone people, due to insane long distance rates back in the day.)

CC

Big Questions

There are many big questions, and most show the following question to be rather trite and greedy. Yet, one has to be careful.

This is rhetorical but the question is if there is ever "the right time" to cash out of investments. Normally, one should never do this, especially if there are penalties involved, but what if it is for a life-changing event?

If one stays in the market until it gets better, this is effectively "timing the market" which is notoriously error-prone.

On the other hand, if one waits for too long, one never makes a decision.

This is tricky stuff.

Without throwing rocks at either side, all I can say is that cross-border living is rough, man.

Stress

The water is getting hotter at CC HQ.

Everyone has stressors and mine are not necessarily bad things, but the next few weeks could get seriously crazy. That said, there is no news per se.

One example: I am giving a dry-run of a tech talk tomorrow but have a lot of other stuff going on. I need to compartmentalize like we all did back in school. (I'm amazed at the amount of juggling we did in school. It was CRAZY.)

Accountant

Can anyone recommend an accountant (or financial planner) that specializes in cross-border taxes between Canada and the USA?

I'm done some research on the web but I thought I would ask here. The few that I have found have some scary websites (e.g. dated copyright notice, typos, etc). I'll take any reference, no matter how indirect.

CC

Ancient Phone

I am still using my absurd Nokia 3560 from 2003. In May, it will be 7 years.

I paid $150 for it, ostensibly to write apps for it, so I could learn 'mobile computing'. That didn't happen, and it might be just as well, since the mobile computing revolution didn't occur until a few 'device generations' later (it sure has exploded now).

My phone was one of the first to have a camera, and to allow access to the Web. Before the hugely popular uVerse, AT&T had an unpopular mobile program called mMode. (They are similar in name only: same marketing VP?)

Slowly, but surely, though AT&T is hacking the legs out from underneath me. I've received at least 2 letters saying that they won't support the phone anymore, and that I should upgrade and get a new contract. Yet the phone still makes calls and still does text-messaging (both are vital).

However, I could once email pics from the phone. I could browse the web (sort of). Both are now gone. The fat lady is warming up for this thing... It's almost over, but at least I got my money's worth.

Plus, I have some treasured pics and videos on there, seemingly with no way to move them. In some sense, my phone has become a curiosity in its own right. Imagine owning a tiny 'moving picture viewer' back in 1910. At parties, I am often showing photos or videos in that manner: people enjoy the pic, but are also enchanted/disturbed by the medium itself: "is that a phone?"

I can't say I love it, but I do love its quirkiness. I hope to keep it for a long time, if only to look wistfully at some of the pics and memories.

CC

Flex the Golden Pipes

Tonight, PBS is featuring a concert by Michael Bublé at Madison Square Garden. This is big treat for me: I've heard of him, but am not really familiar.

He's an international star, and a legend in Canada. Several friends and family have trekked to Halifax to see him, and I can see why.

This guy knows how to flex the golden pipes (see below for reference). The backup band and overall vibe is just fantastic.

Apple

Today is the birthday of one of my best friends (Happy Birthday, G! though she doesn't read blogs) and also the 2nd anniversary of my Mac laptop.

It has been outstanding. Apple has a rabid fan base and I've learned why. Yes, they are more expensive. They are arguably more 'closed' than 'open'. And there are some scary censorship issues looming for the iPad (and iPhone).

I don't care. Stuff just works. Many apps (e.g. Keynote, the analog to PowerPoint) are outstanding. If I had to do my current tasks in Powerpoint right now, I would seriously consider a new line of work. In Keynote, things are so much easier: it's like staying at The Ritz.

CC

Speaking at Conferences

I really hate preparing for tech talks, when they are formal and far in advance. I have too much time to think about it, tweak it, etc, and I slowly go crazy.

I have one coming up in 5 weeks, and I'm starting to dread the 'end game' where I wind myself up for it. It's pretty much all I think about, and I have a lot of other stuff to think about.

I'm much better in a spontaneous setting. Multiple people have called me a professor because I can summarize a topic in 10-15 minutes fairly well: just give me a whiteboard and let me go.

CC

Non Update

I am slowly, cautiously unveiling some uncharacteristically personal stuff on here. Specifically, that I am seeking new locales of 'endeavour', so to speak.

Alas, no news to share. I thought I things would be happening by now (as I took some action awhile back) but apparently the world does not work on my schedule (can you imagine!?). That said, I feel like news could burst forth fairly quickly. The uncertainty was freaking me out a bit, but now I'm just used to it.

CC

Fitness

Today, St Louis hosted the annual St Louis marathon. What a lovely day for it. Perhaps a bit hot, even, for a run. As I write this at 9 pm, it is still 72 F.

I am not in shape to do a 1/2 marathon, much less a marathon. However, I did swim 1 km and run 4 miles today, which feels pretty good.

CC

The Inertia of Bleak Desolation

It is another Saturday night, alone, facing some serious decisions and work deadlines.

And so, dear reader, I'm sure you are thinking that here comes another post, full of despair, bemoaning the fate of someone who must suffer the slings and arrows of having a successful career and great friends/family in 2 different locations. The misery is palpable.

Not tonight, friends: it is 75 F as I write this at 6:30 pm. The sun is about an hour before sunset, and I have the screen door open in the apartment. The weather has been spectacular over the last couple of weeks; tonight it is perfect.

I've caught up with some of my favourite people over the last week or so. Work is going well. I'm healthy, if not especially fit. I've started playing the piano again, being very careful to not injure my wrists by coming back too soon (I'm almost out of that phase, in fact).

Life is good here, and I sincerely hope it is with you as well.

The Fog

Sometimes, when I'm alone, I look back on the years I've been in St Louis. I know that time flies, but I try to account for the specific years.

I've come to realize that I am often in a fog. By that, I mean that I am so focused on something that I really tune out from others and the Big Picture that I've mentioned earlier.

Often, the goals are activities, and many are noble such as the piano and especially athletics. I used to exercise like a banshee, man. I'm starting to really see that now.

Sometimes, the fog lifts, and I feel like I can see things for what they really are. It is in these times that one gets lonely.

Things were rather lonely tonight, but I chatted with 2 major, dear friends and I'm very grateful. The coming weeks might get stressful, and it is really great to be as blessed as I am with such a great group of friends.

I know that sometimes, in the fog, I may not have been there for them (and others) as much as I could have been.

I worry my life will ultimately turn out to be a Willie Nelson song. No one has really said it better (though Willie didn't write it).

CC

ps. In case it isn't obvious, there are some big decisions ahead at CC HQ, and they are manifesting themselves in some top-shelf angst (if not very top-shelf writing), as predicted by my sister.

The Big Picture

Please note that I plan to live until I'm 90, and am feeling fine. This post may seem morbid but in fact, it is merely introspective.

Three thoughts seem to unite into a theme for me lately:

• My friend Traci gave a touching eulogy to her grandfather, in the fall of 2007. That was the beginning of a Big Shift in my life.
  
• I once read (possibly by Dale Carnegie) that you could measure a life by the number of people who come to your funeral. The idea is that no one fakes that. They must have been moved by something: they aren't trying to impress you.
• MacLean's magazine dedicates the last page of every weekly edition to an obituary for a regular, non-famous citizen. 90% of the column is about their loved ones and their impact on their community, and then whammo, the last paragraph explains how they passed away. Week after week, its impact really adds up and makes you think.
  

Now at 40, I find myself considering my own legacy. What will they say at my funeral, many years from now? If I don't like what I imagine, can I change that? I certainly have lots of time.

The truth is that I want to do something much bigger. Possibly out of vanity (a LOT of things stem from vanity), but ostensibly out of goodwill and altruism. I want a project that is bigger than me, and something that will really contribute to a community. Both my Mom and Dad are stellar examples of this in their own lives.

Aha, but which community? Alas, I have decided that it will not be St Louis, as great as it is, and as wonderful as the people are here. It is just too far from home. I have missed a lot of funerals for major people (in my life) on PEI. That really bothers me.

I don't know when, exactly, and I don't know where, but I want to move on. I want people lined around the block at my funeral, because I've done something that moved them to pay respects.

CC

ps.

This is random but an interesting tribute to the character of Jean Beliveau, the legendary Montreal Canadien hockey player who defined 'classy'.

I once saw a biography of Jacques Plante. Also a legend, he was an eccentric goalie who played for the Habs and famously pioneered the goalie mask. Much later, he lived in poverty in Switzerland, estranged from his glory days and from his team.

When Plante died, only one Canadien traveled to his funeral in Switzerland: Jean Beliveau.

Random Facts

It has been 80+ F here in St Louis this week! It is almost like summer!

No news on any big decisions / crossroads. Stay tuned.

I've decided to cease doing my Twitter-feed for fake news. I made the announcement today, on April Fool's Day, as that seemed humorous. Alas, it was too cerebral and I think it will take a couple of weeks before people realize it is no joke. I hope to write longer pieces as I'm fond of satire, but the Twitter gig just wasn't fun anymore.

CC

ps. Note that JAK reports that the Twin Cities in Minnesota went without snow in March for the first time since 1878.