What an amazing book, the 2007 Giller Prize winner. After reading this book I need to read more about John Hornby, mainly George Whalley’s Biography “The Legend of John Hornby” Macmillan 1962. Also the CBC radio drama “Death in the Barren Ground : A Narrative of Jonh Hornby’s Last Journey”. It is obvious that Elizabeth Hay as spend quite a bit of time in the Far North “Yellowknife”. It is an area I’ve always wanted to see but never with any kind of urgency. After reading this book I just feel compelled to visit the north and I feel it is going to have to happen sooner rather than later. The characters in the book just come alive, living in the north and working for a small town Radio Station. The beauty of the North is comes alive and the harsh reality of the winters and the darkness leave you with the chilll they must have felt. I have fallen in love with the characters, the quotes, the beauty and passion that she lays upon me with her great words. I could pick this book up and read it again right now it was that amazing. I’m not really going to get into the story I just have to tell you to read this book…

What have I done? I avoided Tim Hortons to avoid the chains, the corporate machine and ended up buying a coffee from the behemoth of corporate culture, Suncor Energy! I didn’t realize that the little Neighbours Coffee inside the Petro Canada Gas station was infact owned by Suncor Energy. I was worried but wasn’t sure. There was no staff in the uniform, just coffee on the heaters and upon looking into it after the coffee I realized that they do a good job of making it look a bit Mom and Pop but infact I supported the Oil Sands, NEVER AGAIN. In case you are wondering, the coffee was crap… I was tired and driving home from my sisters so had to have a cup but should have tried a bit harder, maybe independant gas station. Man this isn’t always easy!

Simply put, went to gym, worked out and now back to work!

Well when it comes to family, marriage, a home and years it’s just not easy to walk away from it. I inherently believe that certain things are meant to be and sometimes they just don’t workout. For what ever reason they just don’t always finish the way they should. I was reading a good novel (Dear John) the other day and at first I was truly disappointed with the ending because it didn’t work out. It did work out I hope for the one fellow but not the main characters or maybe it did. John learned to love, a woman, his dad and maybe forgive his mother in some strange way but the moral of the story was lost to me at first and that is letting go… It’s hard to let go if you don’t think you’ve done everything you could. Did I really do everything I could to save my family, my marriage, my home? Am I really giving happiness a chance if I’m still consumed with these thoughts. I stood at church the other day for some baptisms and I’m not often seen there (at church). But it was touching and forces one to evaluate family. It isn’t an easy thing to let go of. I just let go of something pretty wonderful but did I really ever give it a chance? It could have been great I’m sure as there were far to many signs of it’s greatness but I infact had not “let go” of what I had. For what ever reason when ever I start to feel the slightest semblance of happiness I need to pull back, and I have to ask myself what am I pulling myself back to?
Have I done all I could do in my past relationship? Am I true to myself? Am I true to others? Am I true to my children? I think if I’m not true to myself the others all suffer. Have I let go? I know that my blog is read, I know that I’ve left people hurting in my wake and that was not my intention. My intention was to seek out love and happiness but I think I need to let go first. I’m sorry to those I’ve hurt in trying to find my path! I wish I would have stuck with my instincts to have waited… I did manage to let go for a moment and for that, Thank you! Anyhow a great quote…

In life, there’s many things that we have to learn to let go. We have to let go of situations, things, memories, people and even ourselves.

One might ask why I write these, why do I put myself out there? These are my breadcrumbs and if I get lost I can read through them and maybe I’ll find my way back!

Wow I’ve had a library card for a few months now but had yet to actually check something out. Well I finally did. All part of the resolution to purchase nothing new. So I went and checked out two books and will read them in the following order, Late nights on air and New Moon. I try and read the Giller books so this is another Giller book and well New Moon I just have to keep reading the series.

And again I’m writing about a romance novel and this was a great book written by Nicholas Sparks, the author of The Notebook. This was a great book, leaving you feeling very empty and unfulfilled in the end when it comes to the two main characters John and Savannah. The last hundred pages I just couldn’t stop turning sitting in the West Town having pints. John was an army guy and unable to really have a relationship in his life, not many real friends, difficult relationship with his father and girls were all the wrong ones. On leave he meets Savannah doing a chivalrous deed on the peer and embarks on a life changing journey. The is duty abroad, 911 back home and loss. In the end he does what he does best, chivalry. I loved this book even though I was hoping for a different outcome. The movie is coming out soon and it actually looks good.

People have serious problems in the country when it comes to ice. What the hell are people doing out on the ice when you can see the water all around. I saw ice fishers but the seemed a bit more prepared than the adult who had a bunch of kids all out on the ice skating and there are visible openings on the ice. Check out my pictures and you can see all the open water and there is one adult and a bunch of kids all skating around in very deep waters far from shore. I don’t get it! Anyhow had a great run and took frequent breaks to take pictures along the way because last time I didn’t bring it and there was some good scenery. One thing I forgot to photograph was the trail I ran through about half way into my run. Anyhow great run and I just loved it.

123►

Well headed to york street gym for a workout and a bit of a run after on the treadmill. Well did a great workout with all supersets again. Started with wide grip chins as usual, did overhead presses, skipping, toe catches, cross cables, kettle ball, elbow to knee. Also did cable curls, reverse cable curls, cable pressdown with rope. Had lots of skipping in there, planks on the ball and hanging leg raises with great form. After a very hard working and being very winded I headed over to the treadmill for a 20 minute run doing 2 miles. It was just under 20 minutes and the recovery is coming along very well.

Well today I went to learn how to brew beer with the goal of brewing at home like a few people I’ve run into. I’ve had home brew in the past and have to admit is tastes good, better yet amazing if you use a keg instead of bottles. So I’m brewing up beer and will be using a Corny Keg system on tap when I’m finished. The brew will be ready in 3 weeks. So I headed up to Brew Time on Upper James in Hamilton to learn the art of Beer Making. I met up with who would become my Brew Master Matty (hope that is how you spell it) and began the process. I took some pics so here they are. The one thing you don’t see is the making of the liquid yeast. Matty made it the day before so it would be ready today. I made the choice to make it with Barley and bitter and aroma hops with liquid yeast instead of Malt extract and dry east for the obvious reason that I plan to drink this beer. Anyhow I’m very excited and when I have the finished product and the draught system in place I think I will be having a little party! I did do some taste testing on some of the brews that are almost ready and it’s pretty incredible. I think I might have to run up in about two weeks to give it a taste test of my own although I’m sure Matty will keep a good eye on it for me.

123►

Well can you see anything important? Why haven’t I seen that tattoo?