Tractors and Equipment...

This was a magical place - I haven't really thought about it in a long time, but I heard this JCB Song on TV and it reminded me of being little and driving loaders or just hanging around over at the shop. Some of the very cool things that I remember best are "no running on the concrete" , the fact that they had a very old very cold pop machine in the shop out back, and once a year Mr. Chet Campbell would host Family Fun Days where all the employees could bring their familes and eat BBQ chicken and drink pop that was kept cold with ice in the bucket of a loader -but my most favorite thing was this huge ball - they called it a world ball and it was made out of canvas It stood about 10 feet a round and was pushed all around the horse paddock (what is now the Superstore Parking Lot) while all of the kids chased it around - moments of pure bliss - many good times at T&E. It was truly a family place, My Grandfather and Dad both worked there and there were always lots of kids around, the Campbell's (Chris, Andrew and Jill) and The Rust's (Cam, Dana, Christie and Terry) stick out in my mind - good times. It's nice to think of where you grew up, when you start to think about where you want your kids will grow up, and I can only hope that Sophie has as much fun visiting me at work as I did visiting Malcolm (although I doubt it, because there's no Cool tractors here afterall)

Home Again, Home Again...

A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it...

Now Malcolm never said this, he might have read it somewhere but a guy named George Moore actually said it - I was thinking that this was a perfect quote because Simon - the world traveller has set down some roots - he bought a place in Devon and became a homeowner today - Congrats.

In my opinion "home" is where your family is, so I've had many homes over the years - at first we lived at two houses down the street, then we moved to what I now refer to as my parents house, but That's what I think of when I think of as my boyhood home - my other boyhood homes were Peter's House and Donna's House - because that's where I spent most of my time, with my adopted brother and sister. Now I have two homes - the one I live at with My Girls and My Dogs (I love our place, and most of the time there's no place I'd rather be) and The Clubhouse, which gives new meaning to playing a Home Game and Home field advantage. I think that this opinion of the clubhouse is held by many, who, have over the years have adopted our own little piece of real estate on the river as at least their second homes, many have raised familes, met wives, laughed, cried, celebrated life and lives well lived - if that's not home, then what is.

This weekend the Loyalists are all at home and it should be a dandy as we host the Trojans with all three teams - women Kick off at noon, Men's 2nds at 1:30 and the 1sts at 3pm.

Come on out - We're having a homecoming...

G.F.Y....

This is a Double Acronym - It goes out to the idiots who stole the Stump Hound from my parents driveway last week
Good For You - My parents won this Stump Hound - a 250lb chainsaw carving of Hound Dog from the SPCA a few years ago - it's heavy and awkward and was an eyesore initially but has found it's place at the top of Malcolm and Nancy's driveway, and now it is like an extended family memeber, or like one of the dogs that doesn't get to come in the house. I think it was Wednesday night some brainiacs decided they would steal it, and DRAG it to their place - well they soon realized that it is as heavy as a TREE TRUNK and at that point they abandonded it at Queen's Square where the Police promptly found it the following day after my mother had reported it missing.



FYI - Stump Hound is back where he belongs - guarding the backyard, he's got some new scars (Three blocks worth of Drag Marks) but he's had an adventure and we often come back from the good adventures with scars - I know I always did.

My parents have alot of faith in the world, Their house has always been open to anyone that wanted to stop by - so much so that many of my friends (Their adopted kids) would stop and take naps there between classes at UNB, or stop by to borrow some bacon late at night when the urge struck. Dad would lend anybody anything that they needed and asked for, so it really sucks when someone violates that trust - and for that you can use the other less polite version of this acronym...

Yes Please, Thank You and Excuse Me...

Are we as polite as we should be? I was thinking about this alot recently, but it was really brought to my mind on Saturday Night at the Bulk Barn - I was browsing candy (Mike and Ike's I think) and this guy bumped into me, I'm not a huge guy, but I would hope that someone would notice if they ran into me, this guy didn't seem to, I of course was very quick with an "Excuse Me" - he hardly looked at me, anyways that bothered me, but I got over it, maybe he was just a rude guy - whatever, I still got to eat candy.

I was hard wired early on that you should hold doors, say the magic word (Contrary to popular belief it isn't "Now") and thank people that do nice things for you like let you go at a crosswalk or let you merge into traffic during the 15 minutes of rush hour we have in Fredericton.

I think we should all make an effort everyday to be nice, to do nice things and be polite about them - maybe at the end of the day it will catch on again and we will all deserve to eat candy...

It's a Spoon not a Shovel...

This was a common phrase heard at the MacAfee house while I was growing up, as I was a growing boy I enjoyed eating, and eating fast - I don't know where this came from - I remember dad telling me when he was growing up (With Three MacAfee Sized Brothers) that If you didn't eat fast you didn't eat much. I had no worries, My sister Megs is eight years younger than I am, she never really put any pressure on me at the dinner table, and Simon still eats slow - so he wasn't a threat - I guess that I've always had an impending sense of urgency - I like getting things done so I can move on to what's next, like eating dinner so I could watch Star Trek for instance.

Sophie is starting to eat rice cereal this week - Her first introduction to real food - should be fun.

I have been on Vacation this week and it' s been nice - We went to Moncton, ate at St. James Gate and Drank some beer with Jenn and Trev - besides that we've been hanging around Fort Awesome, I think I'm going to get ambitious and attempt to put a patio down tomorrow - should be interesting.

The first pictures of Emma showed up today - They were awesome.

There seems to be alot of Girls being Born - This bodes well for the Jackman Boys in a few Years.

If You're Going to Play, You Might as Well Win...

I remember Dad telling me this at siome point when I became involved with competitive sports - I think it fueled my natural tendancy towards competition, and as I later learned - I enjoy winning, but more importantly, in things that mattered to me, I HATE TO LOSE.

To actually come to this realization you have to lose alot, and I have - I also came to the realization that - I LOVE TO COMPETE.

We (The Loyalists) played our first New Brunswick Rugby Union league game on Saturday against the Belleisle Rovers - The game was fun, we played hard and finished well, they played hard and never gave up - in the end the scoreline of 60-20 wasn't really indicative of the match, but in the end we are now 1-0 and have gotten off to a good start to our 2006 campaign.

On the Sophie front - today we were visited by My cousins Jamie and Jen, my Aunt Rhoda and Jamie's fiancé Danielle, it was nice for them all to meet Sophs for the first time speaking of Sophie, she's turned into quite the little jumper - the video was nothing - I think she'll be trying out for the 2024 Olympics, that is if they sanction the Jolly Jumper as a medal Sport, hey ballroom dancing is, can jolly jumping be far behind, but as malcolm says - If you're going to play, you might as well win...

Legends of the Fall...

Legends of the Fall

I believe in the tight five,
That unstoppable force that guides us forward
The power that binds those men together
Always pushing as hard as they can
towards an unreachable goal

I believe in the back row
Those souls torn between the power and the glory
Those creatures that hunt in packs,
but often punish and bleed alone
Those magnificent bastards that come out of no where
to teach an uninitiated back why people say “heads up”

I believe in the half backs
The ones that are charged with doling out the riches,
Won by the forwards, and given to the backs
to turn them into good fortunes.
The generals who launch there charges into the fray,
Or play the tactical role until the tides have turned.

I believe in the centers
That dangerous tandem that are assigned to
Furiously breach the gap –
Through slight of hand or speed of foot, or sheer determination
Then act as a wall, so that no man shall pass
Or have the will to after they’ve met.

I believe in the back three
The danger men, the speed merchants,
single minded in their madness for the white line
But also act as the last line of defense
The only thing that stands between glory and humiliation
They know no fear – they aren’t allowed

I believe in our coach,
The one who shows us the way -
Who is charged with the responsibility to show us the possibilities
Warn us of the hardships and the sacrifice that it will take
who does his battle vicariously, never truly knowing
the taste of blood – but still he marshals us on.

I believe in the Loyalists, this band of brothers
Bound together in blood, sweat and dedication
Where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts,
Where believing in each other is the only thing
standing between what we are
and what we can ultimately be, Truly…………
Legends of the fall.

Two Babies and a Pair of Boxing Gloves...

First Things First - Congrats to Tracey and Pete Slipp on the birth of their first daughter Ava Slipp - I know it's a wonderful experience, I'm living it daily - I'm also still waiting on Pictures of my Cousin Julee's second daughter Emma. Lots of Girls around these days - That's awesome.

The Title Expression refers to what a bottle of Dark Rum contains - or so it's been said. (this one probably hold more than that)

I hope everyone has a great New Brunswick Day or (insert Holiday Name Here) Day - Nothing like the last long weekend of Summer - Enjoy.

The Loyalists Kick off our season tomorrow - 3pm at Loyalist Park - See you there.

They Name Streets after People Like You...

Dad used to say this to me when I was being Selfish - fatherhood definately beats that out of you (or Exhausts it out of you), I guess that's why it becomes so apparent to parents when their own kids are being selfish. There is a thin line between Selfish and looking after yourself - you need to take care of yourself, because if you don't and you continue to give constantly, what you are sharing with others isn't always worth getting.

I think that the most valuable thing that we have and one of the easiest to be selfish with is: our time - I heard a statistic that the average American parent spends 20 minutes a day with their child - that's completely nuts.

So we should all try to share our time more freely with those that make us feel good - that way you are sharing but sneakily being selfish because you are getting alot of benefit out of spending your most valuable resource on your loved ones... If that even makes sense?

Hotter than a Fox in a Forest Fire...

Well This is an exression that dad uses to describe a hot day - today is hot in Freddy Beach, It's not even 11am and the Feels like scale is at 34 degrees - and it's on it's way to 40. Last year the upstairs of our house would have been a sauna and I would have to retreat to the basement to get any sleep, but this year we got an air conditioner, it's working overtime today, and the only reason I'll be missing any sleep will be thinking about the Power bill.

I Love Summer, I love the heat (Except at night when I'm trying to sleep) and this coming weekend always seems like the last of the real summer weekends for some reason - We've got our first rugby game, against the Belleisle Rovers who are a great team and the game should be very entertaining - The weather network is calling for 25 and sunny, so it will be a good day for fans as well, if they enjoy sunshine, beer and Rugby.

Sophie is enjoying her first Summer, she has taken to the water without incident, so much so that we now have two pools on our back deck to beat the heat.

The expression in the title isn't quite complete, the fox is missing an adjective, but at least now it's suitible for family reading - if you want to know the rest, ask Malcolm -it's funny and makes more sense.

Enjoy the heat - It will be winter soon enough.

Build a Bridge...

This is an expression that I heard a long time ago, from a Newfie friend of mine - Malcolm has also used it on occasion -and it often creeps back into my thoughts.

I see people all the time that are dealing with things long past (or from their past), and they often don't even realise it - this is where one would use the Phrase "Build a Bridge, and get over it" - It doesn't work that easily and it's alot easier to say than live - but if you don't know that you should try to get to the other side, why would you bother trying.

Everybody has "hang ups" or "Triggers" they are the things that get their blood boiling and spur them on to acting the way that they do. I've been working on figuring out what sets me off (Turns out that I have an over developed competative nature), so that I know when it happens, and I am able to control myself. Not the fact that I am triggered, but how I react once triggered - you are only able to control how you react once you realise that you are reacting or something like that?

I guess in building a bridge you are alot like that famous Chicken or Frogger(Originally posted rabbit) that is crossing the road - you are simply trying to get to the other side...

We Can't All Be Beautiful...

Dad used to tell me this ( in a sarcastic tone) when I was being an ass, thinking I was better than somebody else. It always put me in my place -It's funny now that I think Dad was teaching me a life long lesson, a lesson that I learned back then, and now I've re-learned a slightly different more positive lesson with Sophie - I think the the expression should be more like "We can't all be Beautiful, but you're a Beauty"" - and that the trick is looking deep down for the beauty. The more that I think about it now, our beauty isn't really defined in how others look at us, but by how deeply we seek the beauty in others.

Everybody has something that makes them special, that makes the a beautiful person - that's very cool - because too often these days people are told what they are not - try telling someone something that they are, try telling them they are a beauty...

This is Sophie - She's definately a beauty...


And a big congrats to My Cousin Julee and Pony on the birth of their second daughter Emma Dianne who arrived on July 26th - Grampy Jim must be beaming, look forward to introducing her and Sophie.

They All Have Brakes...

I think Dad told me this when I was learning to drive. Everybody has heard of Defensive Driving - well this was more like Offensive Driving - I unfortunately learned the end of this expression 10 days ago, it goes like this "They all have Brakes, they won't all use them" (As was the case in the picture to the Left) and on the coner of Westmorland and Brunswick.

I've heard about Soft Tissue Injuries and Nicki got in a Car Accident 7 or 8 years ago and was in constant pain for the next three years, and then off and on pain from then on - I never knew it was as bad as it is - it's more annoying than anything else - new things hurt and ache everyday.

Anyways I have new respect for those that have "Soft Tissue Injuries"

I am going to see Gary Keeling and he is working his magic and I will take the field on August 5th when we start the defence of our 2005 New Brunswick Championship against the ever dangerous Belleisle Rovers.

Malcolm has always said that They all Have Brakes, and he's been hit by two different cars, so I guess they stopped after they hit him...

I Think It's Gone...

When I was growing up, every second Friday was very special, aside from being pay day, I assume, it was the day when the MacAfees (Sometimes the Paceys) went to the Cabin Restaurant - What a great spot, if you got there early you could get a booth, if not you had to sit at the back by the window or up at the counter. Anyways back to the booth - it was awesome - you could play 3 songs for a Quarter - nothing new, but they had a great selection from the late 60's and Early 70's - It was a very nice treat, and we'd all sit around and talk about what kind of week we had - then the waitress ( I think her name was April) would come over and she would say "The Usual?" to which we'd answer yes - My usual was always a Hot Turkey Sandwich with Gravy on the fries and peas on the side with a Chocolate Milkshake. I love the food at the Cabin - I still do, I don't go as often, maybe a couple of times a year - Grease For Peace...

But I digress the title expression comes from from Malcolm when, at the end of my chocolate milkshake I was trying, with my straw, to slurp every last ounce of goodness out of those old tin milkshake cups - Malcolm would look at me and politely say - I think it's gone. I would laugh - he was correct. The best was when you forgot that you had left some in the tin cup.

Working on a message that you could get out of this Malcolmism was tough - it was buried deep under Gravy, French Fries, 60's Music and meals with our parents, but here is it - Appreciate things, appreciate people and live in the moment and for the moment - All these things come and go, and sooner or later there gone, so you should try to suck them dry when you have the chance - and sometimes if you're really lucky there will be a little more in that Tin Cup...

F.I.F.O....

This is one of Dad's most favorite acronyms - it's not about inventory, it is about getting along when you find yourself in a new situation. This expression was no more evident than when Richard Borthwick recently came to Fredericton from Scotland to play for the Black Spruce - he fit in from the start, so much in fact that he would even qualify for another Malcolmism - he was in like a dirty shirt (I have no Idea) and even started to dress like the locals.

He left for a month long exploration of the land of oppurtunity - that's right the United Snakes. He was flying into JFK to tool around NYC. He would have been a welcome addition to our Loyalist Squad as we embark on another fall season, but alas he's been replaced with another Scotsman David Calder who himself has fit in quite nicely.

I've always figured that you should keep your mouth closed until you figure out how things work, adapt your style and then not shut up until you get heard. you learn way more while listening than you do while talking.

Anyways Richard, it's been a pleasure - enjoy your trip and we'll see you on TV one of these days...

Put your Hand on the Glass and Feel the Pane...

This is a Malcolmism, although I'm sure it's borrowed - Today is Dad's birthday and as per tradition, he is spending it at Little Forks on the Little South West Miramichi, I'm sure he's enjoying a Coors Light and a Nap between all the fishing - have a GREAT DAY DAD.

Now back to the expression At first it seems that you'd be putting your hand in Broken glass and feeling pain, but as a play on words, a window is called a pane of glass - so there's the funny part. On Friday morning I was rear ended on Brunswick St. It was a crappy way to start the day, both for me and the young dude that wrote his car off on the back of the X-Trail - He was probably going 60 or 70 kms trying to get through the lights in sequence as you can on Brunswick if you are going the speed limit - Lucky for me (Quick Goat Thinking) I saw him coming and pulled over to the Keft, so he could have more room to stop, but he didn't and ran into the back right hand corner of the X-Trail - The lucky part was that the impact was absorbed in my torso rather than my neck and thanks to Rugby, Pilates and Genetics my core strength is quite good, so my expectation is quite good - The bad news is that I feel like I got hit by a truck (It was actually a Neon) and that my entire body Aches (My Right arm doesn't feel too hot) I got into see Gary Keeling on Saturday Morning - and started down the road to recovery, afterall Rugby season is only 18 odd days away. Aaen used to tell Jackman daily that he hated Neons - I'm starting to see why...

Yesterday The Black Spruce lost their Final Super League match of the Season 27-12 against the Ottawa Harlequins - it was a banner year for the Spruce who won two games and should have won at least one if not two others - good work boys, you did New Brunswick Rugby Proud.

On a Sad note Nicki got a call this morning to let her know that her longtime co-worker Dave MacDonald had passed away on Saturday - He was always the life of the party and will be sadly missed.

Better than a Kick in the Pants...

This is Malcolm's expression for the more commonly known "Lesser of Two evils" or that you should look on the bright side of the situation. I always enjoyed this expression - there is an alternate version that involves a frozen boot - but the meaning and the lesson in the expression is still the same, in the end it's all about attitude.

Having a positive attitude is a wonderful thing - it makes every situation better than it was. Sometimes it is hard to maintain, as it seems that the world is lining up to kick you in the pants, but those are simply the challenges, the things that you need to overcome, so that at some point in the future you appreciate where you came from, and how it's led you to where you are. Hopefully a positive attitude will also allow you to enjoy where you are, at that time without having to always be looking for the next challenge. I am goal oriented, so I have a hard time living in the now, but Sophie is definately helping me along with that - because when you have a baby you always have to be present in that moment, both to care for your baby and enjoy that moment, because many of those moments are firsts.

I'm working on always having positive attitude and gladly accepting all the challenges that life throws my way - I think it will be more fun that way, and as Kramer said as he was Smoking and Drinking "Here's to Having Fun all the Time"

Last weekend was the World Cup Final and why I started to think of this expression - Italy won in penalty shots, Zinedine got kicked out for a Headbutt, but it was Better than a kick in the pants.

Cow Down...

I love this expression - I can't believe I actually forgot about it until now - I remembered it when I drove by the field beside First Wesleyn Church (They have a great Easter Musical) and there were cows lying down - Dad always told me that if you saw cows lying in a field that it was going to rain. But he most often used it to describe himself cowing down on a couch.

Today was a good day for cowing down - Aaen, Robyn and Si came over to drink a few beer in celebration of the previous days Spruce victory, we ate burgers and I got the play by play of the past weekends games - it was a good Monday.

We all packed up and went to watch the Loyalists of tomorrow take on Moncton - they won 17-7 and the future looks bright, it was good to see them wearing the same Jerseys that we wore last fall - a vision of things to come. Sophie had enough mid way through the second half and we bailed - last I heard Simon (who has tomorrow off) and Richard were off to Mexi's looking for some Nacho Libre - or Free Nachos to enjoy with Margarita or a Margarita - either way...

A.M.F and T.S....

This is a two for one deal - Try to figure out the expressions from the acronyms - they both go out to the Toronto Xtreme - because for the first time ever the Spruce beat the Toronto Franchise - 34-10 they won it going away and it was well deserved. Now just one more game to salvage a .500 Season.

Enjoy the flight boys -

Captain Canada...

Captain Canada - Circa 1996

So today is Canada Day, The GST got reduced, Gas got regulated (and went up5.54 cents) and all around our great nation the Red and White were flying proudly -

it was Sophie's first Canada day and to celebrate we went to the nation's biggest block party on the Green - what madness - it was like someone tried to jam the Frex, a Gong Show and 50000 people into a small box. We snuck away before the parade - but there were a ton of people that showed up for that very reason.

We then went to Boston Pizza for Supper and came home to feed and put Sophs to bed after a long day of being patriotic - the whole crew was exhauted and we all hit the hay at 8:30 pm - luckily the guy next door decided to mow his debris strew backyard at 9pm so sophie had a nap rather than a sleep - after I fed her we went to see the fireworks. We drove the bridges and the number of people was staggering - people actually parked on the bridge, and shut down one lane. I've always loved fireworks - years ago I can remember going to Tractors and Equipement, and watching the fireworks that were being launched from the raceway - It was very loud and Meghan didn't enjoy them, but Si and I sure did.

So Sophie had a great day - tomorrow we Pressure wash the house and the decks an eagerly await news of another historic Spruce win.

S.O.L....

I decided that this week I'd give some of my Favorite Malcolmisms that were in Acronym format - I won't give you the meanings - It will just be funnier if you figure them out on your own.

Last Sunday I watched the Spruce play the Quebec Caribou - It was entertaining, and went right down to the wire - Spruce lost by a couple of points and a couple of feet. That's where the title of this blog comes from.

Black Spruce Rugby was dreamed up nine or ten Christmas Eves ago at Jay McKay's house, alot of the usual culprits were present - We came up with the name for the new Rugby Canada Super League Franchaise that we would launch that coming Spring. Black Spruce Rugby - afterall the Black Spruce is the dominant Tree in Northern NB, it's hardy, tough and can grow on rocks - so was born The Spruce. (We also Kicked around the name NB POWER - but we thought that the copyright laws would get us and no one would like us, but on the other hand we could raise our ticket prices every six months without rhyme or reason.)

The Spruce Play the Niagara Thunder tonight - so good luck Boys - give them hell.

Could Chew the Nuts off a Hubcap...

This Expression is a neat one - the last time I heard Dad use it was to Decsribe my mother after she felt the Loyalists were unfairly treated by a Referee in our first Game in Edmonton. I have no Idea about the origin of this expression, except that I assume it has something to do with a flat tire - and a misplaced wrench. So somebody got so mad they chewed the nuts (Lugnuts) off the hubcap.

I can only imagine that the driver of this fine Meat Truck felt the same way as he heard the screech of metal on metal - which I can only assume was followed by a very loud curse.

"He was headed to Victory, Then he hit a Bridge"

Couldn't Hit a Cow in the Ass with a Shovel...

This Malcolmism surrounds Aim and the ability to reach a goal - as described in the most simple terms - but it does bring up some good questions 1- Why would you want to hit a cow? and B- How could you possibly miss (List Courtesy of Normie) - I guess the mental picture is what Malcolm wanted us to see so that we could fathom the magnitude of the blunder.

Two Championships in two nights going to the team I didn't want to win - nothing against the Heat - it is their first championship - so good on them, but last night it was more of a case of Dallas Losing the Championship rather than Miami winning it.

This is what brought this expression to mind - Great teams find a way to win in the end, I think the Mavs lost the last three games by one point each game - that's a hell of a way to lose.

I was once at a job interview and the last question was " Do you Love to win or do you Hate to lose? " - Personally I hate Losing way more than I enjoy winning, but my Favorite part is the battle to decide which of the two (Winner or Loser) you'll end up at the end of the game.

For the Mavs there is always next year - the only reason I like them is because of a story Simon has about Nowitski bartending and his Ghetto-German accent and his perpetual $5 Happy Hour.

So remember even if you miss the cow 9/10 times, make sure you're swinging that shovel with all you've got because sooner or later you'll make contact and that 10th time is Magic...

Horse Shoes and Hand Grenades...

This is a widely used expression, and a good one - Malcolm used it tons, trying to get me to accomplish a goal and not just come close, because more often than not, close is not good enough except in the two before mentioned situations. I am not a huge hockey fan, My moods aren't affected by the fortunes of the Sens, I don't watch every Leafs game and bemoan their early playoff exits, and frankly I couldn't care less if the Bruins even played again - But last nigt I was into it - I may not love hockey - but I do love sports, the thrill of the fight - and last night it was a fight well fought.

These playoffs I rekindled a childhood romance with the Oilers, it didn't hurt that the Loyalists were out in Edmonton (You can't help but to get caught up in the Oil Rush) - I think I may be back on the bandwagon.

I would have loved to see the Oilers win, but it wasn't to be, they gave it all they had and the Carolina Goalie was good last night - I know how they feel - I've lost more games than I've won, and they all suck- It's always better to end your season on a win than on a loss, but I guess last night close wasn't good enough...

Attention Span of a Gnat...

I have been very fortunate in my life to have so many father figures - Malcolm first of all, who taught me many lessons about life through seemingly odd expressions - so that a kid with the "Attention Span of a Gnat" would be able to store them away and call on them when needed - Genius!!! There was also my namesake grandfathers (Thomas and Lee), My Uncles (Jim, Mike, Mike, Jim, Kevin, Tim, John, Bev, Donnie, Gerry,Tommy, John), Nicki's Dad Rick, there was also all of my Parents Friends (Peter Pacey most comes to mind) and last but not least my friends who have become fathers ("Now that's Parenting" - Jackman) They have all taught me very different, yet all important lessons - sometimes they didn't know They were teaching, sometimes I didn't know I was learning - but in the end it has shaped me into the Father I am and hope to be for Sophie - So many thanks - Happy Father's Day

I re-watched "O Brother Where art Thou" last week and I heard this Siren song "Go to Sleep Little Baby" - Which put the heros into a deep sleep - I've been humming it in my head ever since, hoping some of it rubs off on Sophie I guess (She hasn't been sleeping all that well) a bedtime plea to my wonderful daughter on my first Father's Day. Although I can imagine that Malcolm uttered such words at me and my Sis many years ago - he told me that I cried everytime I saw him for the first three years of my life - Mama's Boy I guess.

It's been quite a weekend - Saturday was the re-vitalized Rebel 7's Rugby Tourney - which both the Loyalist Men and Women Won (The men actually played the other Loyalist Team in the final) Then Jenn came to town with Baz. He's at least twice as big as he was last time we saw him - which isn't saying much, I think he weighs 4 lbs. We hung out and tried to somehow con Sophie into falling asleep, she finally called it a night at12:50am - as did I - Funny how that works out.

So today is father's day and we are having the whole crew over for a BBQ - we've got tons of good eats and it should be a great afternoon. Hopefully Sophie sleeps again sometime soon and keeps an entire meal down for a change.

Lucky You Aren't Made of Suger or Salt...

I heard this expression plenty when I was young - It's about being out in the rain, or getting wet in general - I repeated this phrase a few times over the past few days, as it seems we're smack dab in the middle of Monsoon season. I think we got more rain last weekend then we did all last June - anyways It's wet - Mini Rugby went off without a hitch this morning - the kids are great and they love getting wet and muddy.

Now I guess this expression is fairly simple - but as a child I thought I was lucky that I wasn't made out of Suger or Salt, therefore maybe there were kids that were actually made of suger and/or salt - so these kids couldn't go out and enjoy the rain. So I went on to learn that all humans are made of Sugar (in their blood) and Salt (through their whole bodies) - but we're also 80% made up of water - I guess that's what our skin is for, to hold us together - but I'm not a biologist (you'd have to ask my mom). Regardless - I've always loved running around in the rain, jumping in puddles and catching raindrops in my mouth.

The rain can cleanse - and it did today, wiping out a 14 year losing steak that NB Senior Rugby teams had against their Bluenose rivals - today the slate was wiped clean - as the Spruce beat the Keltics 26-7 - way to go Spruce - Enjoy the celabratory Rain Dance tonight - you've earned it.

Don't think twice about the sugar or the salt, just Enjoy the Colorado Kool Aid...

He'd Swim Through a River of Shit and Take a Mouthful Every Stroke...

This is a great expression - and one that has uses in more than one situation. Firstly the way that dad used (uses) it most - as pertaining to a person with a generous spirit - that someone would go to that length to help you. The second use is that the person was a Glutton for punishment - I enjoy the first one better - my whole life dad seemed to put extra emphasis on being determined - the phrase "Dogged Determination" pops into my head alot - there is alot to be said for being determined, Not quitting when others would - this definately separates the Successful from the mediocre -

One of the most generous and Determined guys I know returned to Freddy this week - Slippy is Back! After a few years of the US and a couple more in Hogtown - he's brought Trixie and (Soon to be) baby Slipp home. Any day now his life will change forever, we're all glad that they're back so that we can share in their magic. He also starts to work for NBLCC which is very exciting and Dangerous at the same time.

Keep on Swimming...

It's Not the Size of the Dog in the Fight that Matters, It's the Size of the Fight in the Dog...

Non Malcolmism - He has said it, but I think it actually has a more famous originator - It's a great quote about Perseverance, and I truly believe it, being metaphorically, a smaller dog most of my life. Sophie saw her first Black Spruce Games yesterday, The Spruce played well against a very talented Rock team - I counted no less than 6 Canadian internationals on the field - The Score was 27-3 at full time, but the Spruce deserved better, Their defence was courageous and they played the full 80 minutes - The Rock Backrow was very aggresive and caused some issues offensively for the Spruce - The ball was also a Greased Pig due to the inclement weather and this also cost the Spruce some points in my estimation. Next week the boys travel to Nova Scotia to exact some payback as they take on the Keltics.

The regular performers (Simon, JB, Aaen, Jackman, Blake, Rowney, Mookie) played well as did some newer players (Jebb and Chauncey) - Things look promising for the Spruce of 2006.

Yesterday we also heard that Raena and Jones had another baby girl - River Jones - Congrats to the proud parents.

The Year of the Big Carrots in Carleton County...

Dad used this expression fairly often - it was always to describe a non specific year in the past when something terrific had happened, The expression itself is odd because if you are from New Brunswick, you know Carleton County, not for it's carrots, but for it Potatoes - afterall it is the Home of McCain's. Maybe that's why that particular year was such an oddity, maybe that year the carrots were abnormally sized - anyways it's Carleton County so it doesn't have to make perfect sense, it simply has to be nice, couretous and served with a side of fries. Well summer has hit Freddy Beach and the weather is hot - rugby season has begun (it actually began for the Loyalists months ago) and we are gearing up to host the Black Spruce Match Vs. The Rock - should be a great game - The Rock are the reigning RCSL champions - and always a tough match - Kick off is at 2pm on Saturday, it will be well worth the admission - Canadian Prop Rod Snow is making the trip, and he is a hell of a player. We are also hosting a Silent Auction to support the "Relay for Life" There are tons of cool Gift certificates and some very cool art, along with Rugby Jerseys and Bar Schwag.

The Jones' are expecting any second now (Unlike this guy, he has no Idea what is coming), today is the due date and Jonesy said that it was going to happen anytime when I talked to him on Tuesday night - good luck Raena our prayers and best wishes are with you.

Speaking of Babies - the Slippy's are coming home - in less than a week - Tracey is 30+ weeks pregnant and the arrival of a little Slipp is close at hand - Homecomings are a great thing - welcome back to where you belong.

Sophie is amazing - she smiles all the time and has been talking alot - She seems like she has tons to say and is just working on her english, anyways that's a dad's opinion on the matter.


I wonder if at some point in the future when relating stories to Sophie or Baby Jones, or Baby Slipp if I'll refer back to 2006 as the year of the Big Carrots in Carleton County? I hope so...