I keep getting strange jobs to do in Waterloo. I've installed paving stones and shower tiles. I've patched the peak of a roof. I seem to do every trade but carpentry. But hey, it's a living. So here I am, building scaffolds so that I can install aluminum soffit and fascia on this 1905 home. Fortunately, I have a harness on for protection at these heights.You see that vent up there on that gable? I have to install vented soffit over it. As I stand up here reaching as far out as I can; holding myself in place with one foot while reaching out with the opposite hand, I find myself asking myself the question over and over again: "What was I thinking?"
Thursday, October 11, 2007
What Was I Thinking?
Waterloo, Ontario, October 11, 2007
I keep getting strange jobs to do in Waterloo. I've installed paving stones and shower tiles. I've patched the peak of a roof. I seem to do every trade but carpentry. But hey, it's a living. So here I am, building scaffolds so that I can install aluminum soffit and fascia on this 1905 home. Fortunately, I have a harness on for protection at these heights.You see that vent up there on that gable? I have to install vented soffit over it. As I stand up here reaching as far out as I can; holding myself in place with one foot while reaching out with the opposite hand, I find myself asking myself the question over and over again: "What was I thinking?"
I keep getting strange jobs to do in Waterloo. I've installed paving stones and shower tiles. I've patched the peak of a roof. I seem to do every trade but carpentry. But hey, it's a living. So here I am, building scaffolds so that I can install aluminum soffit and fascia on this 1905 home. Fortunately, I have a harness on for protection at these heights.You see that vent up there on that gable? I have to install vented soffit over it. As I stand up here reaching as far out as I can; holding myself in place with one foot while reaching out with the opposite hand, I find myself asking myself the question over and over again: "What was I thinking?"
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Camel Safari Tips
From My Recent Journey In India
Jaisalmer, January, 2007
When you talk about Camel Safaris in India, you're talking about Jaisalmer.
It's a quiet place compared to Jaipur but what I really notice is the underlying tension here. We are very close to the Pakistan border and the police are always on the lookout for terrorists who want to slip over the border to India. I learned here that you don't fool around when you fill in those boring three pages of forms to sign in at a hotel. The manager told me they can be fined five hundred rupees if the forms are filled in wrong.
Our safari costs $45 each per day, each plus another $15 for beer and chicken. The beer is ice cold when it was packed but after a day in the hot desert it's pretty warm. 
Also you should consider the fact that it is shaken all day as it rides on the camel. So the only time it really is good to drink is in the morning when it has had a chance to cool down and stay still. Unfortunately, I'm just not a drink -beer-in-the-morning kind of guy.
The other thing is the chicken. I just never thought of how chicken could be kept fresh while we travel. Nourah offered to let me wring it's neck. I know it's hypocritical to pretend chicken doesn't die for my plate, but I like to try. I feel like a murderer when (Harvey) [never name the food] is killed for our dinner. Some say that one overnight is enough but I love having 2 nights under the stars. I recommend the three day trek. You also go further into the desert that way. It is all set up in a loop. Nourah offers to show us the villages but we usually say no. Most of them are just tourist traps so that they can beg for your money and sell you trinkets. We prefer to just see nature and enjoy the peace and quiet. Another thing to check on is the number of people on a trek. We really lucked out because it is only Aw and me. Make sure you get your own camel. Don't let them put two on a camel. I also talked to some people who said they had a camel driver who spoke no English. It's great when Nourah is able to tell us about the desert. One more thing. We're here in January. By April, the desert is too hot for travel. But you know what? You can take all the precautions you like. You can still end up on a Trek you didn't agree to. This is India. Sometimes it's a great experience, like ours is. Sometimes it's not.
Jaisalmer, January, 2007
When you talk about Camel Safaris in India, you're talking about Jaisalmer.
It's a quiet place compared to Jaipur but what I really notice is the underlying tension here. We are very close to the Pakistan border and the police are always on the lookout for terrorists who want to slip over the border to India. I learned here that you don't fool around when you fill in those boring three pages of forms to sign in at a hotel. The manager told me they can be fined five hundred rupees if the forms are filled in wrong.
Our safari costs $45 each per day, each plus another $15 for beer and chicken. The beer is ice cold when it was packed but after a day in the hot desert it's pretty warm. 
Also you should consider the fact that it is shaken all day as it rides on the camel. So the only time it really is good to drink is in the morning when it has had a chance to cool down and stay still. Unfortunately, I'm just not a drink -beer-in-the-morning kind of guy.
The other thing is the chicken. I just never thought of how chicken could be kept fresh while we travel. Nourah offered to let me wring it's neck. I know it's hypocritical to pretend chicken doesn't die for my plate, but I like to try. I feel like a murderer when (Harvey) [never name the food] is killed for our dinner. Some say that one overnight is enough but I love having 2 nights under the stars. I recommend the three day trek. You also go further into the desert that way. It is all set up in a loop. Nourah offers to show us the villages but we usually say no. Most of them are just tourist traps so that they can beg for your money and sell you trinkets. We prefer to just see nature and enjoy the peace and quiet. Another thing to check on is the number of people on a trek. We really lucked out because it is only Aw and me. Make sure you get your own camel. Don't let them put two on a camel. I also talked to some people who said they had a camel driver who spoke no English. It's great when Nourah is able to tell us about the desert. One more thing. We're here in January. By April, the desert is too hot for travel. But you know what? You can take all the precautions you like. You can still end up on a Trek you didn't agree to. This is India. Sometimes it's a great experience, like ours is. Sometimes it's not.
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
KW Mecca
Kitchener, Ontario, October, 2007
I'm lying in a cold bunk on a very cold Second Class train across the Rajasthan Desert of India. 
Do I think of the Maharajahs from the ancient world? Do I consider that this is the place where much of the civilized world began? Do I think of the adventures that lie ahead? No. I think of 'KW Surplus'. It was here that I got the sleeping bag that is keeping Aw warm. Mom took me here just before I left for Asia and on a whim, I picked up some items that ended up saving my bacon on my trip. And the things I bought were sooooooo inexpensive. So here's my salute to you, KW, and of course here's to you Mom!
I'm lying in a cold bunk on a very cold Second Class train across the Rajasthan Desert of India. 
Do I think of the Maharajahs from the ancient world? Do I consider that this is the place where much of the civilized world began? Do I think of the adventures that lie ahead? No. I think of 'KW Surplus'. It was here that I got the sleeping bag that is keeping Aw warm. Mom took me here just before I left for Asia and on a whim, I picked up some items that ended up saving my bacon on my trip. And the things I bought were sooooooo inexpensive. So here's my salute to you, KW, and of course here's to you Mom!Monday, October 08, 2007
Desert Goats And Children
From My Recent Journey In India
Jaisalmer, January, 2007
Jaisalmer, January, 2007
As we pass through a desert village these children lead us in. They are proud of their small community and they want to share it with us. 
There are very few building materials out here so the corrals are built from rocks, with a dried up branch and some straw for shade and protection from the rain (if it ever comes).
As we come closer, the goats come to us to see who their visitors are.
Aw creeps up to a goat to see if she can make friends. This is just like having our own private petting Zoo.
We have been traveling for three days. We have seen very few people or creatures of any kind so this is really fun for us.
"Na la Kaw", as Aw would say; 'So cute".
There are very few building materials out here so the corrals are built from rocks, with a dried up branch and some straw for shade and protection from the rain (if it ever comes).
As we come closer, the goats come to us to see who their visitors are.
Aw creeps up to a goat to see if she can make friends. This is just like having our own private petting Zoo.
We have been traveling for three days. We have seen very few people or creatures of any kind so this is really fun for us.
"Na la Kaw", as Aw would say; 'So cute".Sunday, October 07, 2007
Terry O'Reilly Confusion
Anyone who listens to CBC radio, knows about O'Reilly And The Age Of Persuasion. This show has become the benchmark for quality programming. Mike Tennant and Terry O'Reilly put these great shows together each week. But there seems to be some confusion about Terry's past. CBC listeners keep asking: 'Didn't Terry O'Reilly play NHL Hockey for the Boston Bruins back in the seventies? 
I hope this clears up the confusion. Go Terry Go!
I hope this clears up the confusion. Go Terry Go!
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