Something Wicked This Way Comes...

I have no idea where this expression comes from - all I could think of was that whoever first said it must have endured a NB winter - which is well on it's way. To that end we spent the weekend preparing for it, raking leaves, getting Christmas lights put up, cleaning out storage rooms and doing the recycling (Would be cool if F'ton. won the Recyclethon).

Or they could be saying it with a Surfer/Skate Punk tone - and talking about Sophie - she is totally wicked (As in Wicked Awesome) - She is a crawling machine and loves to be standing up (totally opposite from most MacAfees and a couple of Paceys I know) - she is working on her talking - "Ba" is her favorite/only word at the moment - we don't know what it means but we are eager for her to come up with more vocabulary so she can explain "Ba" to us. Maybe she picked up French from her Poppy and really likes her socks?

So I was thinking about winter, then long winter's naps, then naps (then I fell asleep...) I love naps, although I get to take them less frequently than I would like, they are still a treat.

Yesterday morning I had such a treat sophie had been up a few times through the night, then up for good at 7:50 am - so we ate and played and hung out - then about 10:30 am rolled around and Sophie was tired, so I thought that I'd grab a nap at the same time - it was magic - we both slept for 2 hours, it was a great way to start a Sunday.

Back in University I would actually schedule my days so I would have to get up for 8:30am classes every morning - just so I could come home at 2pm and nap for a few hours - wow that seems so far away now. Maybe that person was talking about a wicked nap they were about to take, who knows - sounds cool though...

Straight from the Hip...

Dear Tragically Hip,

Are you Looking for a Place to Happen? well Escape Is At Hand For The Travellin' Man because It's A Good Life If You Don't Weaken and I'll Believe in You if you bring your Family Band to Freddy Beach.

So Save The Planet, it's been a Long Time Running since you've done the Flamenco on the (Fiddler's) Green.
We're not Thugs, we won't be Yawning or snarling when you get here, we may have Fireworks if you Twist My Arm,(I've got Little Bones you see) so we'd be Ahead by a Century if you'd only Bring it All Back.

So call up that Thompson Girl, Cordelia, The Bastard, Gus: The Polar Bear from Central Park and Grace, Too - tell them that you're Locked in the Trunk of a Car, if you have to free up some time, then pull on your Fifty-Mission Cap, jump on a Train Overnight or better yet take a Silver Jet and make Vapour Trails down here to Fredericton, don't worry about Freak Turbulence we're above the Hundredth Meridian.

Fredericton is not a Greasy Jungle so have Courage and don't be Scared we don't have Lake Fever so there is no Inevitability of Death - It Can't Be Nashville Every Night, so why not make it Fredericton tonight, and We'll Go too -
Fully Completely.

So Hard Done By,
Scott

"Police Department" Pastry...

I'm not talking about Doughnuts, Fritters or even Dutchies (Isn't that Weird) - I'm talking about Simon - Happy 23rd Birthday - I may have that a bit backwards, but anywho.

Si is my younger brother and one of my oldest friends - I've known him since he was born, my oldest friend is probably his sister Sarah though.- she came over to spend the night at our house when Donna and Peter rushed to the Hospital to deliver today's birthday boy so many years ago.

I spent as much time at Simon's houses growing up as I did at my own - the entirety of Downtown Freddy beach was our backyard, with the occasional bike excursion to catch frogs at Killarney Lake or a summer of ticket taking for the Bull of the Woods at Kings Landing -we were never far apart. We've had some great adventures in the past and things haven't changed much - we are still having adventures both on and off the rugby pitch. Simon in the Proud Godfather of our Sophie and visits her weekly.

Simon is the top rugby player in this part of the world and I have his Canada Jersey to prove it.

We've come a long way from the Kent Manor Winterhawks, Happy Birthday Si I know you'll have a great one.

2006 The Rugby Year in Review...

We held Our Awards Banquet Last Night Here's a Photo of the outstanding players

2006 Loyalist RFC Year-end Award Winners
Women:
Most Improved Forward – Nicole Henderson
Most Improved Back – Meghan Duffy, Catherine MacNeil
Rookie of the Year – Marcia Chiasson
Most Valuable Forward – Ayoka Bubar
Most Valuable Back – Meghan MacAfee
Outstanding Player – Amy Gorham
Men’s B:
Most Improved Forward – Alex Childs
Most Improved Back – Brad Richardson
Rookie of the Year – Spencer Smith
Most Valuable Forward – Craig Murphy
Most Valuable Back – Drew Carleton
Outstanding Player – Jason Watters
Men’s A:
Most Improved Forward – Andy Nash
Most Improved Back – Allen Furlong
Rookie of the Year – Jebb Sinclair
Most Valuable Forward – Ryan Jackman
Most Valuable Back – Malcolm Reeves
Outstanding Player – Simon Pacey
Loyalest Loyalist:
Keith MacAlpine

NBRU All-Star Selections 2006
Premier Division
Chris Hunter --------Fredericton Loyalists
Ali Massoudi -------Moncton Black Tide
Andy Nash ----------Fredericton Loyalists
Jeff Warr ------------Saint John Trojans
Blake Edwards -----Fredericton Loyalists
Sonny Urquhart ----Saint John Trojans
Chauncey O’Toole -Belleisle Rovers
Cass Conkin --------UNB Ironmen
Brent Rowney ------Fredericton Loyalists
David Irving --------Saint John Trojans
Jon Haines ----------Saint John Trojans
Chris Aaen----------Fredericton Loyalists
Scott MacAfee------Fredericton Loyalists
Allen Furlong-------Fredericton Loyalists
Malcolm Reeves---Fredericton Loyalists

MVP Forward- Chauncey O’Toole (Rovers)
MVP Backfield- Simon Pacey (Loyalists)

Second Division
James Moran --------Mt.A Mounties
John O’Leary--------Woodstock Wildmen
Ron “Izzy” Hansen--Fredericton Loyalists
Tom Richard---------Saint John Canadians
Malcolm Appleby—-Woodstock Wildmen
Jeff Ahmad-----------Woodstock Wildmen
Charles Robinson---Charlotte County Bulldogs
Reece Roche---------Saint John Trojans
Josiah Fecteau-------Charlotte County Bulldogs
Drew Carleton-------Fredericton Loyalists
Paul Vernall--------- Woodstock Wildmen
Jude O’Reilly------- Charlotte County Bulldogs
Chris Hoffman------ Charlotte County Bulldogs
Derek Burden--------UNB Ironmen
Rannoch Harley-----Mt.A Mounties

MVP Forward – Ron “Izzy” Hansen (Loyalists)
MVP Backfield- Chris Hoffman (Bulldogs)

Women’s Division
Kim Sinclair ---------Moncton Black Tide
Alison Aiton ---------Fredericton Loyalists
Jen Stone ------------Moncton Black Tide
Kady Doyle ----------Saint John Trojans
Abbie Miller ---------Saint John Trojans
Julie Emmerson -----Moncton Black Tide
Heather Patterson ---Saint John Trojans
Ayoka Bubar --------Fredericton Loyalists
Amy Gorham -------Fredericton Loyalists
Andrea Brushett ----Moncton Black Tide
Mareika Dow -------Moncton Black Tide
Katie Mason --------Saint John Trojans
Jess Frenette---------Moncton Black Tide
Kimberlee Justason -Saint John Trojans
Emily Baadsvik-----Moncton Black Tide

MVP Forward- Jen Stone (Black Tide)
MVP Backfield- Amy Short (Trojans)

Navel Gazing...

Peter once used this term for our rugby team after we had put together a highlight film - at that point in 1994, we seldom won a game, we had some flashes of brillance but overall we we're a few years off - I think we made that video to encourage us to keep going, there was some good stuff (included on the video) but we also had some things to work on and overall we had some growing up to do.

I sit here this morning putting together a "Review 2006" Video - it's alot of time and effort - and it was a long season. We started off in January at the Dundee Dome in Moncton, playing full on Rugby and hardly showing any rust from our 2005 campaign, then came Pilates by Garda - 15 sweaty rugby guys being put through their collective paces by a very understanding and patient Susie (Shout out to Garda,Al and Susie), then We went to Boston to play the Irish Wolfhounds - we lost this game 48-26, but it was closer than it sounds and they went on to be the national runners up in the USA. Then exhibition game against Bellisle, then Uprites of Spring Tourney where we won all 5 of our games - then Edmonton, where we were unfortunate to lose our first two games against the # 4 (Alberta Champs)and 5th (UBCOB Ravens) ranked teams, we then regrouped to beat the #12 (Manitoba Champs) and #2 ranked (Ontario Champs) teams and came home, 9th best rugby team in Canada.

Most of the guys went on to play for the Spruce, who enjoyed their best ever season 3-3, good work while the men's and women Loyalists got busy with Tournaments - Our women's team won every tournament they played in all summer, which was quite a feat, our men's team won the Rebel 7's (in the final against ourselves)

The Women's Fall season was all over the place, with wins over Moncton and narrow losses to the Trojans - They did continue a summer trend by winnin g the Atlantic Invitational Championship in Newfoundland by defeating the Swilers and The Dogs in one weekend. Unfortunately the ran into a very good Moncton team (Who went on to be Provincial Champs) in the Provincial semis and were sent home a week too early.

Then came the fall season for the Men's 1st side- We started off with a home loss to the Trojans (the first since 2003 and second since 1999) then we turned ourselves around the men went undefeated from that point on, capturing the Aliant Atlantic Championship on the Road after two hard fought games in Newfoundland, We won the NBRU League, The NBRU Provincial Championship and went on to win our third straight Caledonia in Frigid Kentville. We played 24 games from April 22nd to Nov 4, won 20, lost 4 , our record over the past 3 years is 35-5.


The men's second side had a decent season, with some great road wins, and some unfortunate home losses - and finished off the year by winning the NBRU third Div Championship over UNB B side (Made up of several future Loyalists)

All in all a fairly decent year - We also had some new arrivals - Cameron, Sophie and Ava.

Back when Peter said that we were naval gazing, maybe we were - maybe we were trying to see if we had the guts to become the team that we've become. You should always know what you've got inside before you start out on a great adventure, you simply have to know how far you'll be willing to go before you could possibly get there. Once you arrive it's good to have another hard look inside to see what things helped get you where you are (Heart, Determination, Hard Work...) So that you'll be able to figure out, not only where to go next, but what things you'll have to work on to get there.

Tomorrow night will be the payday for all the hard work we put in since January, you may even catch a few people checking out to see if they are an outtie or an innie...

Sharts...

Dad used to talk about these mythic things – they were hard to define and you really never knew what you were getting yourself into – kind of like the “Here I Sit Broken Hearted” poem – If you don’t know it, it may still be written at the University Ave. Pedestrian underpass (Uphill side of the street) – and if it isn’t there – ask a co-worker – someone knows it.

So last night Simon came over for dinner and to check out some pictures for the Awards Banquet (Saturday Night at the Clubhouse – talk to Malcolm Reeves for tickets) unfortunately for uncle Si, Sophie was not having a good night, she’s cutting teeth and not enjoying the experience – add to that a couple of meals of GREEN BEANS and she was up all night with the “Foops” – baby version or sharts. We have some great pictures of the season thanks to some dedicated photogs (Jodi, Greebles and Jorge) so I should be able to put something quite snappy together for the awards banquet- speaking of things that are snappy – here are a couple of Videos by Fergus (My Cousin) that I find quite entertaining.


This one Features my Cousin Lee and the Music is by a local Jam Band.


I am upriver again today in Victoria County – I am enjoying myself up here, the waking up at 6am, to get here on, time I could do without- but the drive was nice and the people are great.

As an aside:
Today, I ate at Kelley’s Place again - they have “World Famous Hamburger” – and truthfully it was very good, I’d never heard of it before yesterday, so I don’t know how truly famous it could be. On the other hand just because people know about you, doesn’t make you good – just well known or World Famous. They could easily back up their claim if they said “Perth’s Best Hamburger” because it was hands down the best hamburger I’ve ever eaten in Perth (Two days in a row, I’m a sucker for marketing) – hopefully those burgers won’t give me the Sharts.

Fill Yer Boots...

This is a great expression – it means to take all you want, help yourself or be my guest – When I was growing up I always thought it meant to jump right in, as in jump right into the river and fill yer boots. I don’t know that I ever went fishing (as a child or and adult) and never fell in the river – that’s the measuring stick to know if you were having a good time, or having a GREAT time. The only time when filling your boots is not recommended would be when you are wearing chest waders and it’s early May – trust me on this.

So today I was up early thanks to Max – he was having an issue – maybe he was too jazzed up from the Dancing with the Stars Finale, or maybe it was that Shat pile of a Game show – whatever it was he required attention on numerous occasions, much like Sophie the previous night – I wish they would get there schedules aligned.

So I was up a lot through the night – then the alarm went off – 6am –and I was like “what the… oh yeah I’m working in Perth today” – so I drove to Perth to do a few Appointments. It was a lovely drive in the rain, and now it’s clearing off and the temperature is supposed to hit 15 degrees, which I'm sure it has. I almost took my jacket off on the walk back from lunch. (Kelley's Place - Good Cheeseburgers) which not too shabby for the 15th of November (if the weather could only hold out for 5 or 6 more months - I'd be a happy boy) – I am covering off for an employee out on training – which is great because it lets me get out of my office and do some different types of things.

My Sister is in Kiwi Land – having a great time with Katie, KELSEY and Sandra – Not an empty boot in that crew.

So here’s hoping that when someone offers you the opportunity; you "Fill Yer Boots" fill them high, maybe even catch a fish in them, wouldn't that be a treat – afterall how much fun can you have with Empty Boots…

Could Eat an Apple Through a Picket Fence...

This is an expression that dad once said about someone who had a Gap in their front teeth, like me or himself or any of my uncles. It’s a funny visual to say the least, and what got me thinking about it, was dad and I building a long awaited fence at my house yesterday.

In July Aaen and I went to Kent with his Truck and picked up four sections of fence, a couple of 4x4s and a couple of Ground spikes, this was necessary as our neighbours “thinned” out the trees that secluded our backyard and deck from the street. So fast forward 5 months of procrastination and it took dad and I a couple of hours to erect the fence, with very little swearing and no major injury –

I have always been a procrastinator, which is actually a fairly silly thing to be – I put off doing the things that I dislike, or things that I don’t see as important – then weeks down the line I assume I’ll be able to get them done – except that they weren’t important and I didn’t want to do them weeks ago, so what has changed? Not much, except that I want to do the thing even less now and me getting it done has become important to someone.

I’ve been making an effort of late to set a goal – a SMART goal and achieve it ASAP – that way I’ll have more time to do the things that I think of as important – which undoubtedly involve Nic, Sophie, Family or Rugby…

Suddenly Sophie...

I was told at the market today that I need to have more Sophie content - Here you go.

At the Market today

She Found her Toy Box

And Her Love Monkey

Two Headed Monster?

Amor patriae...

For Love Of Country...

In Flanders Field
By John McCrae
In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lieIn

Flanders fields.Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

Growing up, the war was just something that happened, my Grandfather-Thomas Flynn fought in it (So did Nic's Grandfather) there were lots of movies about it, but it never really sunk in that this was the event that shaped the world that we are living in today, it never sunk in until one day in 1999 when I had the honour of touring the D-Day beaches in Normandy.

On that day - everything became real - we were there, Jackman and I ran the beach at St. Aubin Sur Mer, where the North Shore Regiment, stationed in Chatham, NB, had run the beaches, and fought and died so that Canadians could go on living the way we wanted to.

I was blown away by the Canadian cemetery at Beny-Sur-Mer - it was a plot of soil given by the French to Canada for all they did for their country and the world- I've never felt so at home so far away. Then there was the unbearable sadness as we roamed the grave sites, reading all the names (there were many that were known only unto God) and the ages and the short epitaphs that their families back in Canada had sent over as final words for those they loved, and lost.

As far as I'm concerned War is a terrible thing, but oppression is worse, so thank God that there are countries like Canada that are willing to go into places, like France, or Holland or Afghanistan for that matter, and stand up for those that are unable to stand up for themselves.

I remember this poem, as it is written in the Alumni building on the UNB campus and I would walk by it everyday on my way home from class, it is very powerful.

They shall not grow old as we who are left grow old.

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

So today standing in the brilliant sunshine, clapping for those veterans who could still march I felt very proud to be Canadian, and I was glad to see so many people there to show those heros the appreciation that they deserve for their courage and their actions so many years ago, so far away.

November 11, I will remember, how could I possibly forget?

Land of The Long White Cloud...

Wanderlust - I know I've talked about it before, it runs rampant in my family - kinda. anyways to that end Megs is in New Zealand(Aotearoa) , not the new part of Zealand, just past Burtt's Corner, the country. She has gone down there to meet up with Katie her sister from another mother, best friend. They've also joined forces, it is reported, with the Pride of Taymouth - Kendra and are taking on the North Island as I post.

I actually went to New Zealand, in 1994, it was quite an adventure - New Zealand is rugby heaven - they love the game there and it is everywhere, like hockey here during the playoffs - I played for a club called Ponsonby RFC - they were great to me. I got to play with some future All Blacks (Carlos Spencer), Samoan national team players (Darren Kellett) and a Soap Opera Star (Rene Naufahu). I just looked up Rene and he's also been in the 2nd and 3rd Matrix movies - way to go Rene.

You learn alot about yourself while travelling, I think mainly because you are alone with your thoughts- at least most of the time. You also get to be the person that you sometimes wish you were - because no one from your life is there to tell you what you are, so you surround yourself with fast friends that think you can do whatever it is you want to do, simply because you told them you could - What freedom.

I watched a show the other night that was all about negative self talk, and how damaging it can be to one's self - it was very powerful, and I was glad that I've always had my own back. otherwise I would never have been able to go Bungee Jumping at Taupo, or into the Black Abyss - an underground Caving experience where you absail down a underground waterfall - I have/had a fear of heights, which I conqured at least for those two days , so it was all very awesome.

I know that Meghan and her band of giggling sillies are having a great time, They could have a great time in the Geary woods - so why would I expect anything less from them in The Land of the Long White Cloud - Kia Ora...

Caledonia Homecoming…

This week as we Brought Sweet Lady Caledonia back to Loyalist park – we are sending a couple of Guys back to Caledonia, literally (Caledonia is the Latin word for the area north of Hadrian’s Wall as named by the Romans so many years ago) we now call it Scotland - a name I also rather enjoy.

Gone are David “Disco Dave” Calder and Jebb “Jeff St. Clair” Sinclair – We had a send off for Dave last night at the Rogue, and I heard that Jebb may have been lost in Translation, or rather Trans-Atlantic transition. These two Scottish bound boys are getting ready to play some more rugby - after helping the Loyalists to provincial, maritime and atlantic titles they are heading to Edinburgh to help Stewarts Melville RFC out for the next 7 or 8 months.

I did hear that Jebb had some issues getting into the UK, I think that they were the very same issues that Richard had getting into Canada - anyways the'll be living together so eventually they'll have to decide who is Oscar, who is Felix and why is Jebb wearing that Pink Cowboy Hat?

The really cool thing is that they don't have to stop playing rugby, and we'll be able to keep track of their progress on the Stewart's Melville Rugby Site
providing that Jebb gets his house in order.

I wish both of you guys the best of luck for a continued successful season - you were both a big part of our success and I hope you bring that across the pond with you...

Caledonia, Caledonia what makes your big head so hard?

Gut Fawkes Night...

Remember remember the 5th of November,
The Gunpowder, Treason and Plot,
I know of no reason why the gunpowder treason
should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, 'twas his intent
to blow up the King and the Parliament.
Three score barrels of powder below,
Poor old England to overthrow:
By God's providence he was catch'd
With a dark lantern and burning match.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, make the bells ring.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!
Hip hip hoorah!

Last night after our return from Kentville we assembled at the clubhouse to go through an ancient ritual - The Bonfire. This bonfire is to remember Guy Fawkes and his bothched attempt to kill the Protestant King and the Lords of England by blowing up the English Houses of Parliament. For the Loyalists it was to get rid of some old fences.

So we Burn things and stand around an look at the Fire - It was also a Full Moon and a Homecoming - Sophie fell asleep in Grampie Mac's arms, a great end to a great weekend. You could also tell who the newfies were, as the Jackman's were out in full force.

Caledonia...

From the time I started playing rugby this word/entity has been firmly emplanted in my psyche - It's more than a game, it's a whole week complete with superstition, tons of history and well deserved reverance. Sometimes she's a lady, sometimes a lost love - but always special.

1999 - Our First Date (8-0 over Cole Harbour) 2001 - Our Second Date (24-17 over Halifax RFC)
2004 - We Started Going Steady (25-10 over the Halifax Tars)2005- The relationship blossoms (53-0 over the Valley Bulldogs) 2006- The Love affair continues... (51-5 over the Valley Bulldogs)

We went down to Kentville along with what seemed like 50 Loyal Fredericton Fans and played against a very strong Valley Bulldogs team (10-0 record in 2006), it was the end of a long and successful season, we worked very hard and it payed off on Saturday - Si got a well deserved Man of the Match, and did and awesome job chugging Guinness - We had some Caledonia first timers - Thorpe, Jebb, Smash, Chizz, Waters, Furry, Teen Wolf and Calder (our Scottish import).

So we put 2006 to bed,but not before some well earned celebrating, much drink, food, song, dance and merrymaking, all the hardware is where it was when we began the year, we finished with a 13-1 record in fall rugby action (690 points for, 172 Points against) and 20-4 record overall (including exhibition games and the National Club Championships) - that was a good year...

That Caledonia - She's one High Maintenace lady - but worth every second of effort...