Through the "Fire" of Life: August 2006

They Return!

The NHL New York Islanders are returning to Yarmouth for their 2006 - 2007 season training camp. Travelling Man and I will be attending an exhibition game on September 23rd when the Islanders go up against the Acadia Axemen University ice hockey team. The game is at 12 noon and should prove interesting. From what I hear, the Islanders will only be using their Bridgeport affiliate prospects against the Axemen - not their top roster. But then again, that would be a mismatch of sorts.

Check out the "Windfall" blog - you will see an update to our song list there.

Yesterday an alarm was triggered at Beacon Seniors terrace causing a little excitement - then later in the day a tractor trailor caught fire behind LaFarge. Judging by the amount of thick black smoke showing, I thought we were in for a long evening, but that wasn't the case. A couple of fire runs in one day - nothing serious.

Chow for now!

Yuck!

I wonder if anyone can invent something that prevents cats from upchucking? At least I saw the yucky mess without stepping into it, and it was in the laundry room entrance as opposed to smack dab in the middle of the living room floor - but jeesh - all I can say is YUCK!!

Borderline

The local Yarmouth band "Borderline" performed at the Red Knight last night. My boss at work joined me to listen to them. The verdict? A very good song list of classic tunes being borderline rock / country - hence the bands name. They are quite tight, not leaving too much time between songs, which is good. Don't ask me their names as I do not know them by name - I am terrible with names anyhow.
The musician who impressed me the most was the bass player. If a band has a great bass player, they have it made - he/she provides the foundation and a groovin' bass line is what fills the dance floor. Not only that, three of the four band's members sing. As the night progressed, the dance floor continued to be used.
In conclusion, this band ranks as one of the best local bands for their genre. I would say they rival and even surpass the "Grinders" - check them out sometime! This is just my opinion - but I prefer the style of the lead guitarist for the Grinders over that of the one for Borderline, but I prefer the bass player for Borderline - he's one of the best local bassists I've heard. He put the band over the top in my opinion. In the vocal department, I would give a slight, and only a slight, edge to the Grinders.
If any of you have heard this band and would like to offer comments - please do! I enjoyed them. Bravo to them, the Grinders, Hourglass, and all the other local talent. Believe me, there is more local talent around here than many folks realize!

Good Bye Annan!

I figure it's about time to post a new blog. Tuffysmom has threatened me to put a new post up. But what to write about? I entered this session having no idea what I am going to write, but I am getting tired of looking at Koffi Annan's picture. I figure a new post will push it down the pecking order.

Last night for Fire Dept. training, we just had a work party of sorts to burn down an old storage shed no longer used behind the hall. We set up some hose lines just to keep things "kosher". Now we know we can light fires as well as put them out. The Truro Fire Dept. had an eventful night last night with an apartment building fire that almost caused death - some folks had to jump from the third floor apparently.

Frank and Sue just left, having stopped in for a visit. I had a good bike ride this evening, stepping up the pace a little to prepare for the YMCA biathlon in early October. The running part of the biathlon is the hardest for me.

I will be going to check out a local band at the Red Knight shortly called "Borderline". A report on that will be upcoming in my next blog.

Well, that's all for now - live from 7 Sprucewood - this is Fireguy!

Annan - I Don't Understand You!

I would like to sit down with this man and have him explain to me why he so vehemently decries the recent actions of Israel in raiding a "Hizbollah" terrorist stronghold the other day. These extremists are receiving military supplies from Syria and Iran despite United Nations Cease-fire resolution 1701 which expressly prohibits this! They are attempting to use this cease-fire as an opportunity to re-arm. The full contingent of peace-keepers have not yet arrived, and even if they had arrived, would probably not have the stomach to keep these thugs from gaining munitions to once again use against Israel. Hizbollah's objective is to see the elimination of the Jewish state - Iran's president has called for Israel to be blown off the map. Syria is also threatening military action to take over the Golan Heights and is helping Hezbillah. It seems that every time "Annan" opens his mouth, he speaks out against Israel! This makes me feel angry - speak out against Iran and Syria who are violating the cease-fire agreement by attempting to supply arms to terrorists, speak out against Hizbollah for using innocent civilians as sheilds in the recent conflict! Stop criticising Israel for rightfully defending herself from hostile neighbors!!!

Music and More Music!

The 2nd annual "Beausoleil" festival started this evening at the Mariner's Centre. A few weeks ago, I happened to win a weekend pass to the festival by answering a question asked on CJLS. There are a few pretty heavy hitters performing this weekend, such as Matt Minglewood, Kevin Chase, Dave Carmichael, and guitar phenom Matt Anderson, who I heard a bit tonight. What a treat to the ears to hear him play! Kelly Belamon also performed along with a few other local artists such as Bill d"Entremont and Robin Dillanger. Myra LeBlanc's band "Tickled Pink" will be performing tomorrow - I played music with her for awhile.
I also went down to the waterfront to hear Dave Bishara's band "The Grinders". They are one hot local band - I remember listening to Dave sing when I just a young boy. He played in a band called "Harmony". The waterfront activities are of course all part of "Shark Scramble" weekend. And to top things off, there are stock car races on Sunday - Heaven help me - too many things to do and not enough time! So if anyone complains of there being nothing to do in Yarmouth, do me a favor - laugh in their face and refer them to this blog for a rebuttal.
The big CCR-Revisited concert is coming up in Antigonish on the Labor Day weekend. Needless to say, that's perhaps a once in a lifetime opportunity!
It's late, you are caught up, and it's off to dreamland I go. Bye for now fellow blog family. Hey, that can be our theme song - "We are family..."

Yummy Yummy!!!!

Yummy yummy fish & chips! This is where I had lunch today as I often do in the summer. I highly recommend you give it a try sometime. If you are not careful though, you may end up sharing your meal with the pigeons.

I also highly recommend visiting the Y'arc to see the photography exhibit by Bruce Robbins. Bruce is a dispatcher for the Yarmouth Fire Department and a very good photographer. I went there today and happened to see LJLC coming out from the exhibit. Thanks for the hug by the way!

It was also a nice night for a bike ride, so I went for one through Sandford and through the MacCormack Road.

I am thinking of starting a separate blog for the band I'm in called "Windfall". Keep an eye out for that. Bye for now.

More Dory Race Action

These are more pictures of the dory races during Seafest. I did not catch G's team, and that's a shame because she was asking for pictures.

A Sea-Dooer happened upon the scene as well and did some frolicking between races.
Also, the fire Dept. is shown towing a tired team back to the pier.TravellingMan has been having problems posting his blog, so I though I'd try mine. I used "Picassa" to blog these pictures all at once.

CCR Here I come!

I got my ticket to see CCR-Revisited on September 3rd in Antigonish this morning. How did I find it? I Googled Antigonish radio stations, went to the station website, and voila', ticket information for the concert! I am excited because I grew up listening to CCR and loving their music. The band I am in now is doing quite a few CCR numbers - the latest being "Born on the Bayou". I have listened to audio clips on their website and they sound great - true to the original. As mentioned, the drummer and bass player are the original guys anyway, and they always provide the core of a group's sound. There are even video clips of them in concert at their site, http://www.creedence-revisited.com/gallery.html

I shall combine this concert with a Labor Day weekend visit with Tuffysmom and J and of course "Tuffy" himself. Antigonish is less than an hour from Stellarton, so that works out good.

Missing Cat Found

In today's news, the search for a missing cat at 7 Sprucewood Drive turned out successful this afternoon. The orange cat, affectionately known as "Tuffy", was found after an exhaustive search hiding deep in a closet, apparently trying to avoid the long, arduous journey home with his owners, who had been down visiting for the weekend. The owner, Tuffysmom, and her brother, Fireguy, had just expanded the search area to include the neighborhood and had even employed walkie-talkies to communicate when the frightened kittie was spotted by Tuffysmom then retrieved from the closet by "Fireguy".
For further reports regarding the travels of "Tuffy", check out Tuffysmom's blog.
Reporting live from 7 Sprucewood Drive, this is "Fireguy".

Row Row Row Your Boat!

These are some pictures I took at the Dory races in July as part of Seafest activities. I just downloaded them to my computer tonight. My telephoto lens was used for these, so no cropping was necessary, and very little editing if any was needed. My new monitor sure helps with the editing, as my old monitor was a much darker so I would tend to overbrighten the pictures without realizing it. This ladies team won their division, and are shown receiving their prize.
The two guys in the zodiac are firefighters providing a measure of safety for participants.

One team requested a tow, but were not in any trouble. Just a little tired, I guess.

Of Races and Rides!

This Sportsman class stock car went on a wild ride on the backstreach! Car number 15, which is for sale, somehow lost control and away he went. The driver walked away with a smile, and I'm sure the price on this car just went down a little...hehe. Surprisingly enough, it raced again. I did not stay for the entire day, as I had a Cycling Rally banquet to attend.

This car, also a Sportsman car, is a nice looking car, and finally won his first race. It is driven by Jody Goreham.

The final day of the Bike Rally was today. The ride I went on consisted of a trek out to Ellenwood Park via the Hardscratch Road - I did not see Teahound around though. After a break at the park, the gang went through Raynardton and Tusket Falls, stopping at the Hydro Dam (I did NOT swear - really). Crossing very carefully Highway 103, we then finished off by taking Highway 3 back into Yarmouth. This is a 50 Km or 30 mile loop - very doable. Next year's Rally is in Saint George, New Brunswick. Unfortunately, the Princess of Acadia may not be running so that would mean a LONG drive around if I decided to go.
Aussie and Lexy will have much fun in the new bike trailor for tots - if you don't know what the heck I'm talking about, refer to sister Susan's (AussiesNan) blog. A couple at the weekend's rally had one for their tot as well. Let's see now - who will have more fun? The little kids being towed or the BIG kids doing the towing?

Well - I must go and check out the price on that stock car..haha

Where's the Helmet?

I have a concern that's been on my mind for awhile, being an avid cyclist. At least half of the cyclists I meet on the road do NOT wear helmets. First of all, helmets are mandatory in Nova Scotia. Secondly, they are lightweight and comfortable. Thirdly, you can get a CSA approved bike helmet that is not that expensive. The organized tours I ride on require them. I have seen so many riders without them that today when I met a couple riding without them, I tapped my helmet as a reminder. That probably urked them more than anything, but it urks me as well seeing so many people without them. Where are the mounties who are supposed to enforce this law?

Now that I've gotten that off my chest, it was a nice day for participating in the Atlantic Canada Bicycle Rally. The group I rode with cycled over 50 miles today. We went to the lighthouse, back through Pembroke and Sandford, then through to South Ohio via the Richmond Road, back to Yarmouth. We stopped at the Sandford drawbridge among other places.

After working up an appetite cycling, my friend Sheila and her mother kindly invited me for supper, so I had a visit there. I also visited Frank and Susan, so it was a full day indeed. See dad's blog for a picture of them on their new bikes. They were here before I got home visiting Travelling man (dad).

Tomorrow promises to be busy as well with the races slated for Lake Doucette as well as more cycling in the Rally - so will bid you all "adieu".

VACATION!!!

Two more days to work, then two weeks off. There is only one word to describe that - YEEEHAAAAAA!!!!!!!
This weekend marks the beginning of the Atlantic Canada Bicycle Rally here in Yarmouth. And no, it is not the Hell's Angels! I expect to see at least a couple of the nice folks I met last year on my bike tour up in Parrsborro. This year, local cyclists can ride free. It is a recreational event, not a race, and should be fun. All the information is on the above link. Nannan and her hubby may consider this, now that they have new bikes...
By the way - welcome back from Keji - looking forward to hearing about your adventures.

There are more stock car races this weekend out at Lake Doucette, so there is planty to do to start my vacation without going away anywhere.

I had a spin on "Daisy" Sea-Doo tonight in Lake Milo. A fun way to cool off.

Well - sleep sounds good about now - so will "hit the hay" as they say.
Bye all -

Through the "Fire" of Life

Wednesday, August 30, 2006

They Return!

Monday, August 28, 2006

Yuck!

Saturday, August 26, 2006

Borderline

Friday, August 25, 2006

Good Bye Annan!

Sunday, August 20, 2006

Annan - I Don't Understand You!

Saturday, August 19, 2006

Music and More Music!

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Yummy Yummy!!!!

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

More Dory Race Action

Monday, August 14, 2006

CCR Here I come!

Sunday, August 13, 2006

Missing Cat Found

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

Row Row Row Your Boat!

Monday, August 07, 2006

Of Races and Rides!

Saturday, August 05, 2006

Where's the Helmet?

Wednesday, August 02, 2006

VACATION!!!

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