The Vinyl Cafe

Went to a live taping of the CBC radio show Vinyl Cafe with Stuart Mclean. Had a great time with my dad and step-mom. 

Totally worth it and I will definititely go see another one if I have the chance to.

The passing of a friends father

Today I read a facebook message from my friend Kalin who lives in Whitehorse was in Toronto. 

His father passed away and that there was a viewing in Toronto. 

I had not seen Kalin in many years as we kept missing each other when he was in Ontario. I made the two hundred kilometre round trip to see him for fifteen minutes to pass on my condolences. 

We talked about the photograpghy potential in Whitehorse. 

I now have another trip added to my bucket list.

2012 in review

It has had its ups and downs but I am happy with my life as it is.

I enjoyed all my squirrell moment road trips to the USA and East Coast for paddling, photography, and life.

I plan to stay in Canada more in 2013 and visit some friends and family out west that I have not seen in a few years.

Life is to short and I want to make sure I visit them before things get busy and stuff happens.

I plan to continue with my weight loss ... I managed to go from 275 pounds to 222.4 over the last 23 months. It has made a difference in my ability to do things. I hope to maybe start walking and biking and work my way up for the hike into the Green River race in november without injuring myself.

Can't wait for march to come along so I can go boating.

For now I will continue on with my camera in hand until then.

Be safe out there and have a great New Years Eve!

p.s. I will try and remember to update my blog as well. Just been a crazy year!

Paddling roadtrip from hell

Just had the paddling weekend from hell.

Had a shake start in the front end fo my car. Stop to check what it was and no obvious signs.

Turned around to go home and had my front left tire come off on the 400 north of King City road.

Sheared five studs off. Tire was tilted in and held on by one stud with no nut on it. Car did not ground out.

Had the CAA guy stop at my place first to pick up two of my steel snow tire rims and the current rim was screwed up.

Had it towed to Barrie Ford. New hub was installed on it for 360 bucks.

Went home picked up my crap ... roadtrip part two.

Paddling was great ... noise in pulley area of car got worse. Disconnected the power cable going to AC clutch. Still some noise.

Got to the duty free in Buffalo. Had to go bathroom and get a bottle booze. Went to start car heard a squeal and serpentine belt came apart. AC unit pulleyt seized.

Made a few phone calls. Talked to USA customs and of course i had to be like fifteen feet away from him as he was paranoid and had a big ass gun.

CAA came across and got me with a flatbed truck and dropped my car at Barrie Ford and gave me a ride home.

I was over my mileage on the tow and had to pay a extra 60 bucks but it was cheaper then staying in Buffalo.

So including the starter I had replaced a week ago ... three tows in just over a week ... Felt like I was in a movie but not sure which one.

Having CAA Plus ... priceless!

Note: the AC unit had totally seized which caused the belt to break ... AC is now gone replaced with a pulley system. only need the car to last until next April as I should be able to buy a brand new vehicle then!

The wear and tear repairs I just paid for are still cheaper then getting into a vehicle payment.