Freedom and Democracy is Dying

August 30th, just another day to some people, to others it means the near end to summer.

This date in history is significant to me.

On this day in 1995 I resigned from my job as a brakeman/conductor with Canadian National Railways. after having been employed there for 15 years. It was a gutsy move on my behalf as I just enrolled in the Photography program at the NSCC.

I wasn't sure if I would be any good at photography and going back to school after being out for 15 years scared me a bit.

As it turned out, I had the best time of my life. I attended school for two years and received a certificate in Photography and a diploma in Digital Imaging.

The other reason that August 30th is significant to me is because on this date 3 years ago my girlfriend of 7 years left me for someone else. At first it caused me pain but in retrospect, it was the nicest thing she had ever done for me.

In the past three years I have taken the time to get to know and like myself. I've met some terrific people and had a lot of fun.

I'm excited about my future and very happy in my own skin.

As a side bonus, I got to keep her cat when she left.... my buddy Foster. 8-)

Dogs have no money. Isn't that amazing? They're broke their entire lives, but they get through.

You know why dogs have no money? No pockets.


Jerry Seinfeld

People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they never use.

Soren Kierkegaard

Well I'm better than dirt!

Well most kinds of dirt. I mean not that fancy store-bought dirt.

That stuff's loaded with nutrients. I can't compete with that stuff.


Moe the Bartender
The Simpsons

Province scores 11 firsts in Environment Canada rankings

By GREG MacVICAR

For those who ever doubted it, Nova Scotia is now officially both the wettest and foggiest province in the country.

David Phillips, a senior climatologist with Environment Canada, has ranked each province and territory in 70 different weather categories and posted the results on the department's website.

Although Nova Scotia weather is wet and wild, Mr. Phillips said it has some endearing qualities as well.

"If I was an optimist, I'd be saying: 'Welcome to Nova Scotia, the warmest province in Canada and the one with the warmest and sunniest falls. That's right, we can gloat as we pick apples, rake leaves and take in football games under sunny skies.'

"You guys brag that you have the best falls in the country. Here is proof now. You can put that on your bumper sticker."

Despite hefty heating fuel bills and a reputation for blue noses, Nova Scotians may be surprised to hear we also lay claim to the warmest Canadian province on average.

That's largely a trick of geography. Nova Scotia is long, narrow and doesn't deviate much longitudinally, as British Columbia does.

"They're saddled with the fact that their province has a lot of Arctic climate," said Mr. Phillips. "When you factor in a huge chunk of real estate up there in the north, you get numbers for the province which are quite different."

Nova Scotia also ranked No. 1 with the mildest winter, the fewest freezing days and - perhaps no surprise to airline passengers - the most hours with low visibility.

"Nova Scotia got 11 firsts in various categories, " Mr. Phillips said. "You couldn't beat Nunavut, which got the most at 22. But nobody's going to beat them. Of course, they got it all from cold and snow and wind."

Mr. Phillips, who calls himself a weather weenie, said it took him about six weeks to compile his list from data collected over 30 years.

He did it for teachers, tourist operators and tavern bettors.

"I've had more calls from taverns and bars, people saying, 'There's $50 riding on this, Phillips! Where's the wettest province in Canada?' Now they know. It's Nova Scotia."

1. You Are Different and That's Bad
2. The Boy Who Died From Eating All His Vegetables
3. Dad's New Wife Steve
4. Fun Four-Letter Words to Know and Share
5. Hammers, Screwdrivers and Scissors: An I-Can-Do-It Book
6. The Kids' Guide to Hitchhiking
7. Kathy Was So Bad Her Mom Stopped Loving Her
8. Curious George and the High-Voltage Fence
9. All Cats Go to Hell
10. The Little Sissy Who Snitched
11. Some Kittens Can Fly.
12. That's It; I'm Putting You Up for Adoption
13. Grandpa Gets a Casket
14. The Magic World Inside the Abandoned Refrigerator
15. Garfield Gets Feline Leukemia
16. The Pop-Up Book of Human Anatomy
17. Strangers Have the Best Candy
18. Whining, Kicking and Crying to Get Your Way
19. You Were an Accident
20. Things Rich Kids Have, But You Never Will
21. Pop Goes The Hamster & Other Microwave Games
22. The Man in the Moon Is Actually Satan
23. Your Nightmares Are Real
24. Where Would You Like to Be Buried?
25. Eggs, Toilet Paper, and Your School
26. Why Can't Mr. Fork and Ms. Electrical Outlet Be Friends?
27. Places Where Mommy and Daddy Hide Neat Things
28. Daddy Drinks Because You Cry

Grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway,

the good fortune to run into the ones I do,

and the eyesight to tell the difference.

I have a bad habit of ignoring those closest to me. At times I tend to take them for granted, like they were a rock of sorts. Of course then I take them for granite. ;-)

The best friend I have ever had is someone named God. Perhaps you heard of Him/Her...

Most of my life I've sought our Creator when I was in need and walked away when I felt I was in control of things.

Everyone has different ideas and views of what "God" is.

My view is He is pure Spirit who created us, and wants the best for us. He will guide us if we ask and stand by quietly when we choose to ignore Him.

Sometimes He says no when we want something that is not good for us.

Take some time and sit in silence. Ask the Creator to talk to you and guide you. If you don't like using the name "God", use something that makes you comfortable.

Remember, there's more to this world than what we see, hear, smell, taste and feel.

Seek the Creator and His angels. They are there for your benefit and are waiting.

"If money is your hope for independence you will never have it. The only real security that a man will have in this world is a reserve of knowledge, experience, and ability."

Henry Ford

Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first.

Mark Twain