It was a cold and Windy day...

"We don’t stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing. "
George Bernard Shaw

I saw this quote earlier this week - I agree - and we're still playing - today we beat the Saint John Trojans 26-7 in a scrappy game. we were up 21-0 at half and we played some solid defence in the second half, in fact we we're actually down to 13 players vs. 15 players for awhile.

Anyways bottom line we won, 3-peated as NB Champs and are headed back to Caledonia again.

Looks like it will be a rematch of the 2005 Caledonia - as the Valley Bulldogs won in Nova Scotia.

So we're headed down to The Valley, another date with Sweet Lady Caledonia. I can't wait...

The Foreign Prophet…

Dad always said that people would listen and act on the advice of a Foreign Prophet, more readily than they would on the very same advice given by someone familiar to them. I’ve seen many examples of this over the years, such as Rugby Coaches with Accents. They are given instant credibility, while someone you’ve grown up with will have to prove to you that they know something. It’s funny sometimes how the same message said with an accent can have such a different impact. Maybe people assume that since you're not from there you can bring a new outlook to their situation, or you have more knowledge.

So along those lines, this past week, I was running the roads with Nic and Sophie on an Esteem Team Tour– which started in Springhill, led me through River Hebert (pronounced Hibbert), Oxford, North River, Scotsburn, Westville, back to Truro, Stellerton, Thorburn and ended up in East Pictou. It was a great experience and over the 10 presentations I was able to talk to almost 1900 kids.

My message was simple – Set Goals, set them high and then work on a plan to achieve them – I met some fantastic principals and teachers and I visited some great schools – I asked them to share a dream with me, then to work on how to make that dream a reality, and before you know it, they had a goal. A goal is just a dream with a plan afterall. All week I worked on a goal, standing on a exercize ball and completing 5 passes with a volunteer, by Thursday afternoon , I had increased and surpassed my goal, and was able to complete 20 passes before I fell down. While I was trying to entertain the Youth of Nova Scotia - Nicki was entertaining one fussy munchkin (who recently discovered she had arms) back in our Hotel room.

All week we stayed at the Comfort Inns in Amhurst and New Glasgow, nice hotels, awesome continental breakfasts. On Wednesday Morning (6:30 am) while I was eating my Breakfast in the lobby, this guy walked in looking for a hotel room – They told him that they didn’t have any and that he could check back at 11 am – I looked at one of the other people in the lobby and we both said “Wasn’t that JD Fortune?” and it was – the lead singer of INXS couldn’t get a room at the comfort inn, but we had one. I guess that you’re only ever as famous as you are in your hometown.

We were also all able to go visit Uncle Jimmy in the hospital - he's having an Operation this afternooon and my thoughts are with him in Halifax - Sophie got to see her Great Uncle, while in truth so did I.


The Loyalists play the Trojans tomorrow – Should be a Dandy game, Kick off is at 2pm – Rain or Snow…

Tear it down, Build it Bigger…

I associate this expression with “if it doesn’t Kill you, It will make you stronger”, Both are great expressions that would seem to be rooted in Biology – If you overuse a muscle, it will tear and regenerate itself into a stronger bigger muscle (I’m no Biologist, But my Mother is…) – The same way that you can go through some seemingly horrible event, and you’ll be a stronger person for having survived it.

I was thinking about this yesterday sitting on the Physio Table, with current running through my knee and awaiting ultrasound – I have been in these tiny rooms a lot, because I’ve torn myself down lots of times and counted on people like Gary Keeling to put me physically back together – kinda Humpty Dumpty like. I was thinking how easy it can be to tear ourselves down, and how much determination (and outside help) it can take to build ourselves bigger.

We have all gone through turmoil, faced and overcame challenges, raised ourselves above the mess and moved on to the next challenge. That’s simply called life, the problems arise when people get stuck, when they’ve used themselves all up getting through the challenge, and have nothing left for the rebuilding phase.That's where even the strong need someone to lean on, to help them through, to caryy them if it's needed. Mind you there is a lot of power in failure, let me re-word that, there is a lot of power that can be taken away from a failure. Failure forces us to question, which forces us to find an answer which gives us power over the future, as we now have knowledge about how we failed and conversely what we’ll need to do to succeed – there’s the power of failure for you.

"Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men." - JFK

"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who at best, if he wins, knows the thrills of high achievement, and, if he fails, at least fails daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat." - JFK

Right now, two very important people in my life sit in hospital beds, both are in the process of building it bigger, The body can only quit when the mind will let it, and I doubt either of these two men have even heard the word quit. All of our thoughts and Prayers are with them, because everybody no matter how strong can use a few prayers.

Get well soon Jimmy and Bill.

It Doesn't Matter Who's Got The Light If You're Not On The Corner...

This is an expression that Dad borrowed from Doug and The Slugs – when I was young I thought it was talking about a flashlight, but later I figured out that it was talking about lighting a cigarette – either way the message(s) is(are) the same.

One way to look at this would be the old “To each their own” sort of message – where something that has no bearing on your situation, isn’t worth your worry

or spun more positively – where half the battle is just showing up, that we should all Endeavour to be on that metaphorical corner, so that we can all concern ourselves with who brought the flashlight, and where that light is leading us. Maybe we should all strive to be the one with the light, leading the way, lending a hand, but if we think that this role is beyond ourselves we should at least be there, living life to the fullest – waiting for direction. Maybe if we aren't open to a new idea, we'll miss out on something, I strongly dislike missing out on things...

If you don’t Like Martinis, Try Anchovies…

I was thinking the other day how much harder it is to be something than it is to be nothing, which seems like a deep thought – I think the really hard part is figuring out what it actually is that you want to be, and have the conviction, courage and self-belief to actually do it. “People don’t do what they believe in, they do what’s most convenient then they repent” – Bob Dylan mused on this in Brownville Girl – It always strikes a chord with me and pops into my mind when people complain about their situations. Things can almost always get worse, so worse in fact that you’d gladly go back to situation that you had complained about, considering where you are now.

For instance Gas dropped to $0.88 this past week and people were all so very happy – I remember last year when people would have been outraged to pay $0.88 – that was before we paid $1.25 a litre – now we’d gladly pay anything under a dollar – it doesn’t take that long to appreciate things when they hit you in the pocket book.

I think (or at least I hope) that everybody eventually would like to be something (maybe something more), or at least recognize and appreciate the things they already are.

The reason that this comes on the heels of Thanksgiving is not co-incidental, I was reflecting on this very thought through the chaos that is Thanksgiving Dinner – The whole world seems very crazy at the moment – Nuclear Testing in Korea, Amish Shootings, and the Fact that Canada is at WAR in Afghanistan – I was simply sitting there appreciating the chaos, surrounded by loved ones and great food - enjoying some loud time together.

I’m thankful for all of it- Nicki, Sophie, My Parents, Sisters, Brothers, my family, my friends, Max and Simon, Rugby, Red Wine, cold Coors Light, my job, X Box, Hot Turkey Sandwiches, warm fall days, Snowy Winter nights, grand parents, long hugs, all those people that have touched my life, Aches and Pains, the places I’ve been, the amazing things I’ve seen, My Physio, all my scars, my teachers, Chicken-a-la-King, the Mini Rugby Kids, raking leaves, Vacation, Waterfalls, Rare Steak, Wings at the Rogue, Mowing the Lawn etc… I could go on and on – but these are the things that came to my mind the quickest. I'm thankful for the good and the bad - because that's why I'm who I am, where I am - so being a goal oriented forward looking person, it was nice to be in that moment and enjoy what the now. Like Turkey and Gravy.

As for "If you don’t Like Martinis, Try Anchovies…"Dad said this to me yesterday, while we were discussing Capelin (Tiny Fish from Newfie) and how they didn’t taste very good – he used this expression and indicated that after anchovies anything would taste good - he makes a good point, he usually does...

Bèja - Du...

This is a new one - Dad said it on Sunday - it deals with Something that has never happened before - These events are very rare - there is a "nothing new under the sun" attitude that exists in this day and age - and most things in our everyday lives have been done somewhere by someone before. Kinda like the opposite of Deja-Vu.

Not this time - The Loyalists won the Aliant Championship in Newfoundland - it was awesome.

Some other big news - My cousin Brian and his lovely wife Tracey had a little Boy Joey Donahue, he weighs 7lb. 2 oz and is doing great.

A couple of Loyalists had birthdays yesterday - "Slippery When Wet" turned 32 and David Calder turned 23ish.

Meghan and Simon came over for some Roast Beast, Portabello Rizotto and Aspergi last night and to spend some time with Sophie. It was a good night. Meghan and the Lady Loylists are off to the Rock this weekend to Play the Dogs and Swilers - good luck ladies.

Loyalists - Atlantic Champs

For the first time in the history of the Aliant Atlantic League, the home team did not find themselves on the winning end of a championship match. The Fredericton Loyalists bucked the Atlantic Aliant League trend and defeated the Saint John’s Swilers at their home field by a score of 31-19. The match was the Loyalists toughest game of the season, marked by hard hitting and wide-open play.

The Swilers pressed the Loyalists for the first ten minutes of the match, but the loyalists managed to stifle what seemed to be endless attacks and finally gained momentum of their own with an opportune try by Malcolm Reeves. From this point on Fredericton managed to play some of their most inspired rugby of the season and maintained the game’s momentum until late in the match when Saint John’s managed to cross the line to even the gap.

Scoring for the Loyalists on the afternoon were Chris Aaen, who rumbled through after an exciting series of play. Simon Pacey and Chris Hunter also scored for Fredericton with Scott MacAfee converting all four tries and adding a penalty kick to round out the score.

Fredericton was able to set up the Aliant League Championship match by defeating an upstart Mount Pearl Dogs the day before. Under typical Newfoundland wind and rain, the Loyalists gained a hard fought 33-10 win and a much needed bonus point to set up the Championship game versus the Swilers.

Fredericton coach Keith McAlpine was both humbled and elated with the result “I am just amazed at how the guys played today, and cannot tell you how exciting it is to win this cup on Newfoundland soil for the first time. The guys are battered and bruised, but not one of them is complaining right now. What a team effort.”

Fredericton now regroups for a shot at the historic Caledonia Cup, the symbol of Maritime bragging rights. The cup goes through Saint John, which means there is still some high end rugby to play in New Brunswick during the month of October.

This Rocks...

Just a quick update from Newfieland - The Loyalists beat the Dogs yesterday 33-10 - The dogs were up 10-7 at half - but we played well and the scrum took over in the second half - we've set ourselves up for a Championship final today against the swilers at 2pm newfie time. I'll post a score as soon as I can get back to the computer.

This is the longest i've been away from my girls in a long time and I miss them like crazy - I'll be coming home soon babies.

Good Things Come in Small Packages... (Reprise)

Today is my Mom's birthday - Here are some of my favorite mom shots.

She is a fantastic lady, her kids' biggest fan, a wonderful Grandmother and she always told me that good things come in small packages, she'd know, she is a small package herself.

Mom, because you are who you are, I became who I am.

I Love you Mom, have a great day.
p.s. - Mom decided that if the Loyalists weren't going to be able to do the Run for the cure - that she'd take it on herself and join the Tractors and Equipement team - She has raised over $1200 and will be running to cure breast cancer on sunday - great work Mom, we're very proud of you.

Out On Spree...

The Loyalists are Heading over to Newfieland for the weekend - so in that spirit, here's the best story dad ever told me about Newfies.

Two Newfies travel to Calgary looking for work, when they landed they had $500 between them, they found the least expensive place they could for $400, the next thing they decided to do was buy a car, they went to the used car lot, but there were no cars that cheap – the owner decided that he’s have a bit of pity on these guys and he sold them a camel for $50 – the Newfies were excited, the had a place to stay and a way to get around – so to celebrate they decide that they go on spree – the headed down to a local watering hole on Electric Ave., tied their camel to the parking meter and went inside to enjoy some drinks.

A few hours, and many drinks later our heros stumbled out of the bar penniless, only to discover that there camel was gone – they were horrified and started to scream for the constabulary, who brought them downtown to get a description of the stolen camel.

So they started into the description of the camel, echoing each other’s comments – IT WAS BROWN, yeah it was brown , HAD FOUR LEGS, yep four of em, BAD BREATH – Lord TUNDERIN” your right there – the police them asked if it had any distinguishing features – the Newfies hummed and hawed and finally one of them said “ OUR CAMEL HAD TWO ASSHOLES” – the other newfie looked shocked and gazed at his friend with a blank expression, just then the Police officer asked – “Did you see this yourself” , and the slack jawed newfie looked at his buddy and said – “well did ya”

The other newfie said, proud as punch “NOPE, BUT WHILE WE WERE RIDING DOWN TO THE BAR, I HEARD SOME FELLA SAY – LOOK AT THOSE TWO ASSHOLES ON THAT CAMEL”

Anywho - we play the dogs on Saturday and the Swilers on Sunday should be quite a weekend that will deserve a Spree come Sunday night.

This guy has just finished his spree

As You Wish...

Storybook Love by Willie DeVille (From Princess Bride)

Come my love, I'll tell you a tale
of a boy and girl, and their love story,
and how he loved her oh, so much,
and all the charms she did possess.

My love is like a storybook story.
But it's as real as the feelings I feel.
My love is like a storybook story.
But it's as real as the feelings I feel;
it's as real as the feelings I feel.

Now this did happen once upon a time
When things were not so complex,
And how he worshipped the ground she walked.
When he looked in her eyes, he became obsessed.

This love was stronger than the powers so dark,
A prince could have within his keeping;
His spells to weave and steal a heart
Within her breast, but only sleeping.

He said, "Don't you know I love you oh, so much,
And lay my heart at the foot of your dress?"
She said, "Don't you know that storybook loves
Always have a happy ending?"

Then he swooped her up, just like in the books,
And on his stallion they rode away.

Today is our third anniversary - Three fantastic years with many many more to come.

Nicki, As you wish...

Squirrels...

This is the expression that dad has always used for the UNB rugby teams - we played them last Friday night - it was a very fun and entertaining game - fast paced and probably the best we've played all season - the Final Score was 51-24, but it felt alot closer and we poured it on at the end.

When I asked dad why he calls them squirrels - I thought it may be that the beaver on the UNB emblem looks more like a fluffly tailed tree climber, than a dam building tree eater - he replied " no - it's because they run around on the hill all day playing with their nuts"

I laughed - it's funny stuff.

When I first started playing for the Loyalists - UNB was a full fledged member of the NBRU senior A Divison - and they beat us on more than a few occasions - and when ever we played it was always the battle for Fredericton.

We've worked hard to build up a collaborative relationship with UNB over the past few years and I think it has paid off already (Two atlantic titles in 2005) and will continue to pay dividends long into the future with a talented player pool crossing the bridge to come over and play at Loyalist Park. This year we have had quite a few UNB Players play with the Loyalists, both alumni and current players, and we hope that they come back for many years. Cass is coming with us to NFLD this coming weekend - so the tradition continues.

I no longer think of them as Squirrels - now I've started to think of them all as potential Loyalists...

It's Go Time...

This Game is going to be fun to watch, UNB has alot of talent and it should be a great test for us, we are raising money to go to Newfoundland next week to defend our Atlantic Championship and are selling "Cheap Date Night" Tickets at the game - the prize is $50 at Boston Pizza, Two movie passes at Empire Theatres and a night at the Amsterdam Inn - they cost 1 for $3, 2 for $5 or 5 for $10. There will also be a pair of Sloan tickets (tonight's show) up for Raffle - please come over and enjoy "Happy Hour" on the Burm.

Flush Twice, It's a Long Way to the Cafeteria...

Dad said this quite a bit when I was growing up, and I've heard it quite often as an adult as well - I never really put that much thought into it's meaning until last week. One of Dad's university friends "Benton" used this expression, and I think dad adopted it, or the other way around.

So after some thought, here's my take on it - this expression is used when someone isn't being completely truthful, as if what they are saying could be better suited to a toilet - it may also be a reflection of the quality of food at St. FX - or any cafeteria for that matter, and since it's rumoured that 85% of what is served at a cafeteria is of unknown origin - maybe we've cleared up 15 or 20 % of that mystery???

Anywho - on a personal note, I've always thought Cafeteria's got a bum rap - I love Cafeteria food, but then again I'm a big fan of airline food and Chef Boy-r-dee - so really who am I to say.



It's Thursday Morning and the weekend looms large, Rugby on Friday Night (IRONMEN Vs. LOYALISTS - 5:30 pm Kickoff at Loyalist Park), Karen's baby Shower on Saturday in Moncton, and Sunday to ourselves (although there is a STU alumni Game at the clubhouse at 2pm) -

Sophie is going to be 6 months old on Saturday as well - exciting times

Make Hay While The Sun Shines...

Dad used to always say this, I always assumed that it referred to taking an opportunity to do something when the time was correct - It's also most likely a very old expression that most likely has it's roots in the fall Harvest. This past weekend was the annual Harvest Jazz and Blues festivoulé in Freddy Beach and it is a very electric time for the city, between Wednesday's Free Concert and Sundaty's Free concert there are hundreds of awesome acts and thousands of eager Harvest Jazz and Boozers. Meghan was heavily involved this year, I think she was the co-chair of the committee that sold the artist's CD's - and she was pictured in the Daily Gleaner today "making hay"

We were on the road this past weekend , after the rugby game in Surf City, we headed out to Rothesay to hang out with Red, Vic, Jack and Ava - It was a nice visit filled with good company, good food and tons of laughs. (What more could you ask for)

Speaking of taking our opportunity the Loyalists Held off a late surge and Simon punctuated a tough fought 22-11 win over the Trojans, with a 50 m gallop to score under the posts - it was a nice way to end the game. The score was 15-11 at that point, so it gave us some breathing room after a hard 80 minutes. Next up we've got UNB this Friday night at Loyalist Park. Looks like some of the Trojans thought of themselves as combines (Harvest Theme) and "Raked" up Aaen's Back.

Moday was also a Provincial Election in Newbie, with Shawn Graham's Liberals beating Bernard Lord's Conservatives - by a score of 29-26, it was a close game - but the red's pulled it out in the end. I always find it odd watching TV coverage of an election - that they call a winner 45 minutes after the polls close,(yet it still takes the USA a week and a half to come up with the results) - Anyways after 4 years of integration, which combined my dept with housing and Social services - I'm sure we'll get a new name and a new direction - but that's good I'm all about adjusting to changes. Hopefully New Brunswick will come out as the ultimate winner.

My guess it that they were bailing hay in Kent County last night.

More Fun Than a Barrel of Monkeys...

Tomorrow is Jackman's Birthday - he'll be 33 - This isn't one of dad's expressions - but he's said it I'm sure, and it applies perfectly to Jackman. Jackman (Lots of people don't know his first name) is one of the most fun people I know - he's silly, witty and smart - Tough combo to pull off, but he manages - he's also busy - he's got three boys, a lovely wife and two cats.

The above picture is us with his youngest boy - and my godson - Maxwell Theodore - he's tall, has big blue eyes and is blond - he's going to be a handfull in a few years - watch out ladies.

This expression has always puzzeled me a bit - I don't know if you've ever actually sat down and played with a barrel of monkeys (The Toy) but they aren't terribly exciting, you string them together - that's about it - but If you were talking about a barrel of actual monkeys (Chimps), that you opened, after being cooped up in a barrel for any period of time - I'm sure they's be up for some fun and into just about everything.

The chimp thought was what got me thinking about this story - one night while returning home from downtown, we (Jackman and I) decided that the shortest distance between two points (King St. and Beaverbrook St.) was a straight line - and to be efficient we had to cut through some backyards, for the most part this was easy - but we came upon a chain link fence behind one of our friend's apartments - it was going to take some monkey skills, so we went to climbing this fence, and just as Jackman was pulling himself up on top of the fence, his shirt caught a snag, and ripped - he wasn't happy as it was a Roots shirt with a Canada Flag on the front - anyways - he looked up and saw this great tree limb a few feet away - I had just climbed to the top as well and he says "watch this" so he dove out LIKE A CHIMP, grabbed the branch, swung under, everything was going perfectly, when I hear a loud "SNAP" and I see Jackman plummeting earthward, laying flat out, still holding the branch, which was now more of a souvenir - he landed flat on his back ( from about 7 feet up) - I jumped down at the same time to help him out, and a few of those motion lights turned on - Jackman popped to his feet and the two of us, fueled by adreneline sprinted out of that backyard and onto the street. We laughed the entire way home, but decided to stick to the streets, the walk may have been longer, but it wouldn't be as dangerous, or funny.

So here's a Happy Birthday wish for you my Friend: May all your rebounds be that quick, all your landings soft and may you celebrate all your birthdays surrounded by the people who love you.

Have a great day buddy!

I May Have Been Born Yesterday, But I Wasn't Born at a Quarter to Six this Morning...

Dad always says this about being gullible, but not stupid. Kinda like the fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice shame on me thing. Yesterday was the 5 year anniversary of the 9-11 attacks on NYC and the Pentagon- I can't believe it's been 5 years, on that day I was stuck outside as the Feds were on strike and put up a picket line that we weren't allowed to cross, so we got vague reports of these accidents/attacks on the street - when we finally got into the building the everyone was glued to the computers seeking out info on what was actually going on. it was only 11 years prior, after I finished writing my last exam @ FHS in the spring of 1989, Mal, Red, Ferg, Gerry and I drove down to NYC, and we were actually up on the top of the WTC, so watching as those ginormous towers disintergrate was overwhelming.

The world is alot more wary these days, not as accepting, quicker to judge - these acts of unimaginable horror changed the way that alot of people think of our world, which is a shame, on the other hand we discovered there are real life superheros that day. That's what I try to remember, the amazing people that did what they had to do to get through what they had to get through, I mourn for those that lost their lives and pray for the ones they left behind, but mostly I hope for a better tomorrow.

In actual fact the only difference in my day to day life is that I have a security tag to get into work (which I forget at least two days a week) , Gas is more expensive and I have friends on the other side of the world trying to make the world a better place by helping to rebuld and bring peace to a region of the world, that hasn't enjoyed it in centuries.

Yesterday was also Awareness' birthday, but on that fateful day she proclaimed that she was going to change her birthday to the 12th, but if you ask her she was actually born yesterday... (and no one will ever forget her birthday again)

Rage Against The Dying of the Light...

DO NOT GO GENTLE INTO THAT GOOD NIGHT

Do not go gentle into that good night,

Old age should burn and rave at close of day;

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,

Because their words had forked no lightning

they Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright

Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,

And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight

Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,

Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears,

I pray. Do not go gentle into that good night.

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Doggedly Determined...

I guess the expression stems from Man's best friend - the dog, who never gives up, and always aims to please, to keep up the chase until they've found the fox, or until they get that Milk Bone.


This is another one of those "Hard Wired" things - when someone mentions determination - the little voice always echos "Doggedly Determined" - I must have heard it enough growing up that it's written on the back of my mind.

Determination is a fantastic quality, and I see real examples daily in my job, people succeding through sheer tenacity, against adversity to reach a goal that is constantly an arm's length away. I also see everyday examples of those that except what is told or given to them, and concede to the life that they've been handed rather than strive towards what they actually want their life to be.

There's something great to be said for NOT getting what you want, but there's nothing good you can say about accepting it. The world wouldn't be the way it is if people didn't fight through obstacles - those that are most admired now were once thought of as only-Brave and Crazy.

Stand Up or Onomatopoeias...

From the above clip, you'd think that I was doing some of the best and most witty standup ever written, but in actual fact I was simply making silly sounds, the only other people that I know that would actually enjoy these noises as much as Sophie - are Aaen,Jackman and Simon after a week on the road together, because as we all know after a week out - everything is pure gold.

Enjoy the weekend

What Is The Nature of Your Request...

My dad used to always ask this of us when we were asking him a question, it taught me early on not to assume that we knew the why - as in why the person that was asking you for something was actually asking you. For example if someone asked you if you could do a favour for them, instead of immediately saying "sure no sweat" - you ask the all important question - "What is the nature of your request?" That way if someone was going to ask you if you could, for instance, clean out a horse barn, or some equally glamourous chore, you'd have the option of saying "no thanks", but if you say "yes" first - you'll end up smelling like an ass, or a donkey, or a horse...

on the other hand Dad also imparted on me the value of helping people out with things that they are doing, two hands make a lighter load and so forth - the value that I see in helping others is, if you've shared in the struggle, you can more closely appreciate the outcome.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained...

The Loyalists head down to Moncton tomorrow to play the Black Tide - I'm still not game ready, but I'll be there to share in the struggle.

"Life is not simply a slow journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely at the end in a pretty and well preserved body, rather your should live so that when you come to the end you'll skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaim "WooHoo -- What a Ride!"

Yes Sir, No Sir, Three Bags Full Sir...

Dad always uses this expression on how to deal with authority figures - such as Refs, or Police Officers - but these last few nights My boss has become my lovely daughter Sophie - she has decided that she should be awake all night or at least wake up every hour to make sure that her dutiful employees are on the job.

It's hard to be angry when your boss looks at you like this -

The new expression might be - Yes Sophie, No Sophie, Three Diapers Full Sophie!

Although in the back of my mind I have always thought that the Bags that dad was talking about are filled with the same contents as the diapers...

The Size of a Small European Automobile...

Today is unofficially the end of Summer, although it's been 12 years since I've been in school (UNB) , Labour Day always seems like a sad day to me. Not that it really is, I love fall, I love the hot days and cool nights, I love the smell of fall (Smells like rugby) and I love the new TV season is right around the corner. (I've recently become quite taken with the show "Grey's Anatomy" , it's a good show, and I've had a hole in my TV watching schedule since Third Watch ended, it premieres Sept. 21st. )

It's been a crappy day, Nic and I are both coming down with the Flu I think, maybe it's allergies, but my body aches and I've had a headache since I woke up - Sophie may also have a touch of something, because she has been up all day and very fussy -it was a marathon day of tv and we watched about 600 episodes of Project Runway today, there was also a CSI, CSI Miami, Beverly Hills 90210 and Friends Marathons on - but we decided on Project Runway.


The Loyalists won on Saturday 98-13, We all watched the game from under the scoreboard - It was a good performance but we still have to improve, because to win the Aliant league you have to win two on the rock, and winning one is a tough ask, just ask the Trojans, or the Prarie Fire or the Americans - anyways we're gearing up for Moncton this week, they are a strong club and it should be a good game.

On the Wedding front Danielle and Jamie's wedding was a smash. The bride and Groom looked awesome as you can plainly see, and I'm sure everybody had a great time, it's hard not too when the Flynn's get together.

Anywho to the title of the Blog - this is how my head feels on account of this headache, like a small european automobile - I always heard Dad say this about things that were bigger than they should be, but small never the less - I always thought that the cars in Europe were the same size as in North America, that is until we rented a car in Normandy in 1999. The car we rented was a Vauxhall and we tried to seat Dad, Jackman and Myself in the back of it as we toured the D-Day beaches, the car was a midsize, but I wouldn't like to see the compact, as to seat the three of us in the back seat, we had to roll down the windows and each have an arm out, we must have looked quite funny.

These Are The Days...

Today is my Cousin Jamie's wedding, He is marrying Danielle in Nova Scotia, We wish we could have been there, he's one of the most fun (I was thinking funnest, but that's not a word) people I have ever known - On our honeymoon he caught up with us for a wild day at the Canada Vs. New Zealnad Rugby Match - I hadn't seen him in awhile and it was a fantastic gift. I wish you all the happiness in the world, wedding days are awesome - one of those special days when everything is perfect, no matter what happens, simply because you are with the ones that you love the most and you'll remember every second of today for all of your tomorrows.

Here is a little thing that is written on a bench by Chapman Field at UNB - I thought of it when I saw this picture, for some reason, I think it's the take time to Play part, but I don't know for sure, anyways have a great one...

Take time to think;
it is the source of power.

Take time to read;
it is the foundation of wisdom.

Take time to play;
it is the secret of staying young.

Take time to love and be loved;
it is God's greatest gift.

Take time to laugh;
it is the music of the soul.

Take time to dream;
it is what the future is made of.

and lastly a picture of Sophie because I can't resist

Two Haircuts for the Price of One...

Dad would always say this no matter how much or how little of your hair you had cut off - I catch myself saying it to people who have gotten their hair cut and I laugh, not because it's super clever, but simply for the fact that it's what pops out of my mouth and it seems I have little to no control over it.

I had a great response to the poem from last week so now I've decided to post another - it's good - a Robert Service poem - which was required reading on Beaverbrook St. growing up -

The Rhyme of the Restless Ones

We couldn’t sit and study for the law;
The stagnation of the bank we couldn’t stand;
For our riot blood was surging, and we didn’t need much urging
To excitements and excesses that are banned.
So we took to wine and drink and other things,
And the devil in us struggled to be free;
Till our friends rose up and wrath, and they printed us the path,
And they paid our debts and packed us o’er the sea.

Oh, they shook us off and shipped us o’er the foam,
To the larger lands that lure a man to roam;
And we took the chance they gave
Of a far and foreign grave,
And we bade good-by for evermore to home.

And some of us are climbing on the peak,
And some of us are camping on the plain;
By pine and palm you’ll find us with no claim to bind us,
By track and trail you’ll meet us once again.

We are fated serfs to freedom – sky and sea;
We have failed where slummy cities overflow;
But the stranger ways of earth know our pride and know our worth,
And we go into dark as fighters go.

Yes, we go into the night as brave men go,
Though our faces they be often streaked with woe;
Yet we’re hard as cats to kill,
And our hearts are reckless still,
And we’ve danced with death a dozen times or so…

We are playing Rugby tomorrow at 3pm - Megs plays at 1pm, both teams are playing the Tars - should be a great day at the park - see you all there, new haircut or not...

G.O.S...

This is a new expression that Dad has said alot recently, so much so in fact that one thursday night a few weeks ago my sister called to tell me that I had to use it. What does it mean you ask? Getting Old Sucks - and it does. Dad told me years ago that you may have to get older but you don't have to grow up.

My last post, that awesome poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson - I was in a very thoughtful mood on friday and that poem really seems to flow nicely into this blog - I think that Ulysses was thinking the very same thing - Getting Old Sucks - now here's a hero from the Trojan war, who has returned home - he was also known as Odyesseus - he's been through alot and now he's home but he has an ache to continue his journey, although the entire time he was travelling all he could think of was getting back to Sweet Penelope and his son - now that he's back he misses the way things were - he's looking to set out again and have more great adventures. He had to go through those trials (or his Oddessy) to appreciate his home, and now that he's home the peacefulness of it all is making him appreciate his journey. He's decided to leave his son to reign over his people, afterall, his son has never known any other life, and for our hero the water is wide and he'll always be seeking it's edge. I think we all seek what we don't have, until we get it, then set our sights on the next thing that we want or need - human nature? maybe... But what happens when you want what you've got?

Last Saturday I stepped down as Captain of the Loyalists- it was way harder than I had imagined, 12 seasons at the helm, hundreds of games won and lost - I don't like when things end, but I do enjoy the fact that all I'll have to deal with is playing. I also hurt my leg on Tuesday Night, so I'll be sidelined for a few weeks, to recuperate and get ready to set sail again.

Sophie and Nic are great - adjusting to 3 meals of Solid foods a day and almost learning to Crawl, she can sit up by herself for awhile, but usually ends up on her side. She is also "talking" alot more (if I "talked" like that people would ask me - "What's with the screaming?") and we are eagaly awaiting her first English words - I'm sure the dogs have understood some of what she's saying now. She's 23 Weeks old - and getting older, so I guess in her (our) case Getting Old Doesn't Suck not even a little bit...

ULYSSES...

ULYSSES

It little profits that an idle king,

By this still hearth, among these barren crags,

Match'd with an aged wife, I mete and dole

Unequal laws unto a savage race,

That hoard, and sleep, and feed, and know not me.

I cannot rest from travel; I will drinkLife to the lees.

All times I have enjoy'd

Greatly, have suffer'd greatly, both with those

That loved me, and alone; on shore, and when

Thro' scudding drifts the rainy

HyadesVext the dim sea.

I am become a name;

For always roaming with a hungry heart

Much have I seen and known,-- cities of men

And manners, climates, councils, governments,

Myself not least, but honor'd of them all,--

And drunk delight of battle with my peers,

Far on the ringing plains of windy Troy.

I am a part of all that I have met;

Yet all experience is an arch wherethro'

Gleams that untravell'd world whose margin fades

For ever and for ever when I move.

How dull it is to pause, to make an end,

To rust unburnish'd, not to shine in use!

As tho' to breathe were life! Life piled on life

Were all too little, and of one to me

Little remains; but every hour is saved

From that eternal silence, something more,

A bringer of new things; and vile it were

For some three suns to store and hoard myself,

And this gray spirit yearning in desire

To follow knowledge like a sinking star,

Beyond the utmost bound of human thought.

This is my son, mine own

Telemachus,to whom I leave the sceptre and the isle,--

Well-loved of me, discerning to fulfill

This labor, by slow prudence to make mild

A rugged people, and thro' soft degrees

Subdue them to the useful and the good.

Most blameless is he, centred in the sphere

Of common duties, decent not to failIn offices of tenderness, and pay

Meet adoration to my household gods,

When I am gone. He works his work, I mine.

There lies the port; the vessel puffs her sail;

There gloom the dark, broad seas.

My mariners,Souls that have toil'd, and wrought, and thought with me,--

That ever with a frolic welcome took

The thunder and the sunshine, and opposed

Free hearts, free foreheads,-- you and I are old;

Old age hath yet his honor and his toil.

Death closes all; but something ere the end,

Some work of noble note, may yet be done,

Not unbecoming men that strove with Gods.

The lights begin to twinkle from the rocks;

The long day wanes; the slow moon climbs; the deep

Moans round with many voices.

Come, my friends.'T is not too late to seek a newer world.

Push off, and sitting well in order smite

The sounding furrows; for my purpose holds

To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths

Of all the western stars, until I die.

It may be that the gulfs will wash us down;

It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles,

And see the great Achilles, whom we knew.

Tho' much is taken, much abides; and tho'

We are not now that strength which in old days

Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are,--

One equal temper of heroic hearts,

Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will

To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

- Alfred Lord Tennyson

You Can't Win Them All...

Dad used to say this alot when I first started to play with the Loyalists 16 seasons ago, he hasn't had to say it much recently, but last Saturday, he could have - we lost to the Trojans 27-24 - I missed a kick on the last play of the game to tie it at 27, that sucks - what sucks even more is that I was sucked out during the game, I didn't seem to have any energy (Lack of Sleep, Not a good B'fast - I don't know) but I do know that excuses are like assholes, everybody has one - excuses are easy to use and to blame - but all it does is shift the responsibility away from where it truly belongs - squarely on our shoulders.

Losers make excuses, Champions make commitments ...

So we get over it, we look ahead to this weekend's tilt against Halifax RFC (Cougle's Team) - The Peter Dickson Cup. Peter was a former captain of the Loyalists and a coach of Halifax RFC - he passed away from cancer almost a decade ago - so our two clubs come together once a year to celebrate his memory by playing rugby. Should be a good game, I know that the Loyalists have something to prove to ourselves.

How is Sophie? She's awesome as always - the Solid food experiment is going better - I don't know if she read Superfudge in the womb but "Eat it or Wear it" seems to be a motto of hers.


Big congrats to Heather and Troy Shears who recently got married in Australia in the company of Big Simon (He was their videographer) - This is Sophie's first exposure to Oz culture.



Malcolm is correct - you can't win them all, and nor should you, because there are some important lessons that you can't learn from winning - Like You Should Try to Win Them all...

I HATE LOSING!