Spring!

Actually, it's summer. The way the temperatures have been lately, it's easy to get confused. Spent a nice, sunny, but cool (I shouldn't have worn shorts) day at the park by the lake in Whitby yesterday.

Nice clean air though:



and lots of interesting clouds:

Bums

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2009/07/10/comprehensive-offer.html

Well, the union has rejected 7.2% over 4 years. They want 12%.

Now I'm not a public sector employee. I work in the private sector. At the moment, if offered, I say thank you to 7.2% over 4 years. It's more than I'll get, and it's hard out there.


Bums.

Art

http://www.torontooutdoorart.org/

Checked it out this afternoon with my youngest daughter. Very neat. Lots to look at. Both in terms of art and of people wathcing.

The problem with spray on sunscreen....

Took yesterday off work to hang out with my youngest daughter. We spent the afternoon at Kelso Park in Milton. Just the small "lake"(er...pond?) pictured about. BBQ'd up some lunch then lazed away on the (man made?) beach there. Great beach weather. 29 Celcuis and sunny. First real hot summery day this year I think. I tried some spray on sunscreen. Think I'm more a fan of the original rub on type. I didn't get enough protection out of the spray on. I think part of the problem is I may have held the can too close. I have burnt and non burnt areas. A lobster zebra man look, if you would. My daughter held up just fine, so it can't be the product. Must be the application....

Thunderstorms and a weather change went through this morning and took the summer weather off with them. Back to 19 Celcuis. Ah well, with city workers on strike and no garbage pickup, maybe cooler is better.

Oh, and despite what you hear on the news, I haven't had garabge pickup in several weeks, but the neighbourhood I live in is still quite clean. I'm sure in the areas right around the designated temporary garabge drop off and storage depots the same can't be said, but individual neighbourhoods seem to be holding up ok. Not swimming in stench and garbage yet. It's only been 3 weeks, after all.

Camping Trip

Spent the last four days camping. Not far, only a 2 hour drive out of Toronto. A place called Glenn Allan Park on Crowe Lake near Marmora. Here's a couple shots from the campground out across Crowe Lake:





Near Maroma there is an open pit mine where they used to mine iron ore:







If you haven't figured out from all the water in the bottom of the pit, this part of the mine is no longer in operation. If not, here's a sign from the old mine:



Aecon own it now, and are still processing aggregates on site from the limestone that was stripped off (120 feet of it) to expose the iron ore.

Camping was fun. Here's a shot from a canoe on a bit of a windy day:



to close this out, another shot across Crowe Lake, closer to sunset:

ROM Walks

Another entry for those who live in Toronto. This one for those who like to get out in the summer, at the same time learning a bit about the city you live in.

ROM Walks - Guided tours of the city by the Royal Ontario Museum. I did the Sacred Stones and Steeples walk tonight. Very interesting, even in the pouring rain.

Sad.

I'm sad. Can't entirely explain why, but I am. Sad. Sad and happy.

Some words.

Some really honest words.

Some words that are far more honest than a lot of us would ever risk to be,

Some words that feed into my sadness

My life in these days is so boring and depressing. Wish had someone with me in these days. A guy that would cheers me up hold me, cuddly, would go places with me, would go travel around the world like some of my friends do and just be with me.

I know, water and food are basic human needs, but really, in the general scheme of things, can you think of a more basic human need?

Not my words. Words of someone I know, through some of the things I do. Words of someone, who in our supermodel work, isn't much to look at. Words, which, if spoken, would have come out hard to understand, as the mouth that would speak them would have trouble forming the words. A mind in a body that doesn't match. Someone who would hurt no one.

I think I could die in the desert, devoid of food and water, yet happy in the though that someone loves me, as opposed to fat, full and satisfied, but wondering if I had a friend.

Sad.

It leaves me sad. Why? Possible because the tragic irony, but more likely as I'm a bit pissed at myself. Pissed to all the times I've ever felt sorry for myself. I'm living in a great place, have all sorts of opportunity, so far have had great health. What more do I want?

A fantastic mate? A fabulous house.

Well, I've had the house, and as they say, easy come easy go. Mate. Well they are a bit harder to find, but my current girlfriend is golden. More than golden, she is great. I see it. Life's been pretty good to me. Very good. Too good, based on some of the other thoughts circling around my head these days.

So these words make me sad. Sad as I can feel them. As I understand them. I hope my friend finds them.

Sad but knowing I should be happy.

Ecstatic