Mark Hutchison's Weblog

Road Trip (part 2) - Timmins to ... somewhere north of North Bay

2012-01-09T08:38:00.002-05:00

So here's part 2 of the road-trip video. This is starting from Timmins and heading south. I didn't get quite as much footage but it still gets you to a little north of North Bay.

If you look really closely and REALLY quickly you can see the giant buffallo at the Earlton Zoo on the way by! (it's 2:07 into the video)

Watch it on YouTube here.

Road Trip - Toronto to ... somewhere north of North Bay ...

2012-01-04T20:37:00.000-05:00

Ashleigh and I drove up to Timmins in December and I took the opportunity to test out making a driving video. I set my camera to take still shots every 2 seconds and then sped it up to display about 30 shots per second.

The battery gave out right when we arrived in North Bay so there's a skip in the video at that point. We charged it for about 30 minutes and then it gave me another hour of video on the road north of North Bay.

Every minute of video translates to, roughly, 1 hour of driving.

Watch it on YouTube here.

test

2012-01-02T23:48:00.001-05:00

Timmins Panoramas

2012-01-02T21:30:00.000-05:00

Send in the clowns!

2011-11-20T11:17:00.001-05:00

2011-11-06T08:47:00.000-05:00

Watch on Youtube here: http://youtu.be/Aj6QMzhgZTo

Blue Mountain Ridge Runner

2011-10-10T18:35:00.001-05:00

View directly on Youtube.com

CBC News: Gamers' discovery could generate anti-HIV drugs

2011-09-20T22:43:00.001-05:00

Mark Hutchison (Mark@hutchisonfamily.ca) thought you would be interested in this story:
________________________________________________________________________
Gamers' discovery could generate anti-HIV drugs

Online gamers have solved a molecular biology puzzle that may lead to new drugs to fight HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

and this was Saturday ...

2011-08-28T22:23:00.002-05:00

Watch on Youtube!

2 Muffins

2011-08-10T22:01:00.001-05:00

There are two muffins sitting next to each other in the muffin tray inside the oven. The first muffin says to the second muffin "Boy, it's hot in here!"

The second muffin replies, "Holy crap! A talking muffin!"

- that joke never gets old!

Ahhh, Beerfest!!! :)

2011-08-05T18:25:00.000-05:00

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The New Bell Network is ON! Fastest (21Mbps), Largest (4X Rogers), New International Roaming (GSM/HSPA+) and the BEST Devices. Check it out here: http://network.bell.ca

August 2011 Long-Wekend

2011-08-01T11:28:00.000-05:00

Watch on Youtube.com

Game night!

2011-07-27T18:49:00.000-05:00

Canoeing

2011-07-24T11:00:00.000-05:00

1000 Tastes of Toronto

2011-06-18T15:39:00.000-05:00

The view from my balcony.

Luminato's main stage

2011-06-18T15:25:00.000-05:00

Across the street from my front door :)

Toronto skyline

2011-06-18T13:57:00.001-05:00

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The New Bell Network is ON! Fastest (21Mbps), Largest (4X Rogers), New International Roaming (GSM/HSPA+) and the BEST Devices. Check it out here: http://network.bell.ca

Please Brake for Snakes

2011-06-18T13:06:00.001-05:00

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The New Bell Network is ON! Fastest (21Mbps), Largest (4X Rogers), New International Roaming (GSM/HSPA+) and the BEST Devices. Check it out here: http://network.bell.ca

CN Tower as seen from Tommy Thompson Park

2011-06-18T13:04:00.002-05:00

Help by Sponsoring Ashleigh in the 2011 Walk for Kids Help Phone

2011-04-29T13:25:00.000-05:00

Ashleigh will be participating in this year's Walk for Kids Help Phone. Please help out and sponsor Ashleigh at:

Kids Help Phone Sponsor Page

Perform this way.

2011-04-27T09:59:00.000-05:00

True dat.

2011-04-22T19:31:00.001-05:00

Tim Burton Exhibit @ TIFF-Bell Lightbox

2011-02-19T21:59:00.001-05:00

Visiting with Grandma "Big Grandma" Shanks and Aunt Mary

2011-02-13T20:10:00.001-05:00

Finish Line - Trailer

2011-02-08T16:26:00.000-05:00

Coming soon. Watch for my cameo around the 14 second mark.

Santa Monica Pier

2010-11-15T15:38:00.000-05:00

Santa Monica

2010-11-15T14:24:00.000-05:00

Breakfast in Paradise Cove

2010-11-13T14:48:00.000-05:00

Yup. Tough life.

2010-11-13T02:15:00.000-05:00

Roughing it today

2010-11-12T14:19:00.000-05:00

VIP Booth at the Roger Open

2010-08-14T12:58:00.001-05:00

And this is Saturday.

Beerfest

2010-08-06T17:41:00.001-05:00

And this is Friday.
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The New Bell Network is ON! Fastest (21Mbps), Largest (4X Rogers), New International Roaming (GSM/HSPA+) and the BEST Devices. Check it out here: http://network.bell.ca

World Cup Finals Street Party

2010-07-11T14:06:00.001-05:00

For today's World Cup finals game our street has been shut down and converted into an open party with BBQ, beer, games and HUGE tv screens live broadcasting the game. This is awesome! they should do this for all the big sporting events!

Beer Can Chicken!!!

2010-07-01T13:36:00.000-05:00

Oh yeah baby!

Vuvuzela-berry

2010-06-22T23:39:00.001-05:00

Best BlackBerry application ever!

http://store.blackberrycool.com/productMobile.asp?id=66007&MD=1

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The New Bell Network is ON! Fastest (21Mbps), Largest (4X Rogers), New International Roaming (GSM/HSPA+) and the BEST Devices. Check it out here: http://network.bell.ca

Bacon Pancakes

2010-06-10T07:44:00.001-05:00

I know what I'm making this weekend!!!

http://www.joeydevilla.com/2010/05/02/bacon-pancakes/

Who needs Bakon when you've got bacon?

2010-05-24T18:53:00.002-05:00

This all started about a month ago when I found a link online for Bakon Vodka: http://www.bakonvodka.com/

It didn’t take long to realize that the LCBO doesn’t carry Bakon and importing’s not really an option so I decided to make my own. If you search online you’ll find dozens of sites running through the steps to make bacon infused vodka, but, most of them seem derivative of this recipe: http://www.browniepointsblog.com/2008/01/20/homemade-bacon-vodka/

I decided that if I were going to make bacon vodka that I needed to kick it up a notch:

regular bacon vodka sounds awesome ... gotta make that
I decided to also make a bottle of bacon, tomato and cracked peppercorn vodka

Here’s the breakdown of what I did:

Step 1 – Preparations

Prepare a clean, glass, freezer-safe, water-tight jar or bottle for the infusion. Mason jars work well.
Fry the bacon. McAuliflower’s recipe suggested 3 strips of bacon to a pint of vodka so I cooked 5 strips for a 750ml bottle of vodka.
Suggested: fry some extra bacon. I had to start over my first time around as half the bacon ended up being eaten between the pan and the jar ...

Put the bacon in the jar, fill with vodka and seal. I split the bacon and the vodka equally between two 500ml mason jars to make 1 regular bacon and 1 bacon, tomato and cracked peppercorn vodkas
Place the jars in a cool (not cold) dark place.

Step 2 – Kicking it up (2 weeks in)

After 2 weeks of infusion I added tomatoes and peppercorns to one of the jars. I chopped the tomatoes into 2-inch cubes and cracked (not ground) the peppercorns

Step 3 – Freezing (3 weeks in)

After 3 weeks of infusion time I placed both jars into the freezer. This will help to congeal the fat from the bacon and also helps to thicken some of the free-floating pulp from the tomatoes

Step 4 – Filtering (after 24 hours of freezing)

After 24 hours of freezing and using a regular coffee filter and a funnel I strained the vodka infusions into separate bottles

I ended up changing the filter several times throughout the straining process as I found it would clog after a few minutes with congealed fat and pulp

Step 5, 6, 7, etc. – Drink!

As you can see the finished product has a light yellow colour for the straight bacon vodka and a beautiful orange colour for the bacon, tomato and cracked peppercorn vodka. The latter has a very strong peppery smell and I think in future batches I may ttry reducing both the amount and the infusion time for the pepper. The aroma from the tomato is amazing!

I’m holding off of tasting until the coming weekend so that I can put together a proper barbeque dinner and vodka tasting. I also need some time to decide what drinks to mix out of this first batch. Here’s what I’m thinking right now:

The World’s Greatest Caesar: It’s your classic Caesar recipe but made with bacon, tomato and cracked peppercorn vodka

The Caesar Martini: 3 ounces of bacon, tomato and cracked peppercorn vodka, a splash of clamato, shaken over ice, rimmed with Caesar salts, garnished with 2 olives and a few drops of worchestershire

Canadian Breakfast: a shooter made with bacon vodka, Maple Cream Liquor and a splash of crème de cassis

I'm still working on more recipe ideas but I have the week to dream things up!

Bakon Vodka

2010-05-01T15:10:00.000-05:00

Bacon? Good. Vodka? Good. Bakon Vodka??!?! Sign me up!

Please Pledge Ashleigh Marshall

2010-04-27T19:35:00.000-05:00

As a charity, Kids Help Phone receives no core government or United Way funding and depends on the pledges from amazing people like you. Your help is needed now more than ever. Please pledge Ashleigh so kids and teens in our community who feel they have no where else to turn can get the support they need and deserve. Today, tonight and tomorrow.

http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=869871&langPref=en-CA

I can't beleive it ...

2010-04-26T22:40:00.000-05:00

On April 22 a fire ripped through University Plaza taking out Mel's Diner, 140 West (formerly Jose's Noodle Factory), Mr. Sushi, and Ceasar's Martinis. This is devastating. A big peice of home is gone ...

A fundraiser's been organized to help everyone who lost their jobs in the fire. If you're in and around Waterloo on Thursday, April 29, stop by Phil's and show your support.

http://news.therecord.com/article/701318

Little bastard!

2010-04-22T08:24:00.000-05:00

He bit me on the ankle! The little bastard climbed down off a 6 foot perch, waddled over to me, and bit me on the ankle! How ridiculous is that?

More from Baby Beach - Aruba

2010-04-21T13:07:00.000-05:00

Baby Beach - Aruba

2010-04-21T10:40:00.000-05:00

What to do ...

2010-04-19T15:04:00.001-05:00

Oh yeah, I have to head down for my massage now!

Good morning! :)

2010-04-19T06:35:00.000-05:00

What more can I say?
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The New Bell Network is ON! Fastest (21Mbps), Largest (4X Rogers), New International Roaming (GSM/HSPA+) and the BEST Devices. Check it out here: http://network.bell.ca

And this is why I love my job today!

2010-04-18T17:36:00.001-05:00

Just arrived in Aruba, got shuttled to the resort and was welcomed with a bottle of perseco, some cheese and nuts.

Doesn't get much better than this!
------------------------
The New Bell Network is ON! Fastest (21Mbps), Largest (4X Rogers), New International Roaming (GSM/HSPA+) and the BEST Devices. Check it out here: http://network.bell.ca

Ah Friday.

2010-04-16T21:53:00.001-05:00

Why can't we have more of you each week?
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An Interesting Life

2010-04-08T01:05:00.001-05:00

Easter Bunny Funny

2010-04-01T17:50:00.001-05:00

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Sales calls in Oshawa

2010-03-24T14:44:00.000-05:00

It's days like this that make me really enjoy my job.

:)
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The New Bell Network is ON! Fastest (21Mbps), Largest (4X Rogers), New International Roaming (GSM/HSPA+) and the BEST Devices. Check it out here: http://network.bell.ca

Support Haiti Relief Efforts

2010-01-13T20:56:00.000-05:00

The Canadian Red Cross is supporting emergency efforts in Haiti by providing evacuation support, first aid, emergency shelter and clean water. For more information or to donate, please visit www.redcross.ca

Gotta love Captain Morgan

2009-11-02T22:10:00.002-05:00

Look very close ... very fast ... from second 3 to 4 of the video that's me jumping up and down like a jackass on the far left! :)

Autographs are available for a nominal fee. ;)

2009-11-01T23:25:00.000-05:00

Vote for Gilad and win a $50 Gift Card!

2009-10-05T18:47:00.002-05:00

Just a reminder to everyone that voting has opened in the Firkin Pubs' "Say FU to Student Debt" video contest. Vote for Gilad's video and you'll be entered to win a $50 Gift Card!

http://www.firkinuniversity.com/content/view.aspx?a=giladcohen101

Firkin Student Debt ::

2009-09-20T22:41:00.007-05:00

Firkin Pubs is running a contest for University grads to help pay off their student debt. The most popular video submission wins $5,000 toward their student debt.

Gilad's gone all out with his submission. Check it out. If you like it, visit the link below between October 5th and October 26th to vote for Gilad. Vote early. Vote often!!!

Vote for Gilad :: Firkin Student Debt ::

Shared via AddThis

Mitsubishi Motors City Chase presented by BlackBerry Bold

2009-08-13T01:36:00.001-05:00

Mitsubishi Motors City Chase presented by BlackBerry Bold

Shared via AddThis

Sweet. I think.

2009-04-20T15:24:00.000-05:00

I think I just paid my last Student Loan payment ...

Sweet.

Some days are good.

2009-03-27T08:21:00.000-05:00

This is why I like my job. Driving around looking for a place to park and do some work in the 30 minutes I have before my first meeting of the day I came across this. Within the next 8 hours I'll have driven over 300 km, met with 3 different clients in 3 different cities and visited a golf course, a warehouse and an upscale restaurant in downtown Toronto.

But for now I'm sitting in a park between a 200 year old tower and a tiny cemetery that's as least as old listening to the birds and watching the sun come up.

Physicist Stephen Hawking accepts post at Waterloo institute

2008-11-27T23:31:00.001-05:00

Canada's profile in the international physics community got a huge boost today as renowned "superstar" cosmologist Stephen Hawking accepted a research post at the country's "crown jewel" of theoretical physics study.

Hawking will hold the title of distinguished research chair at the prestigious Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. The role will see him make regular visits to the southwestern Ontario city, beginning next summer. ...

http://www.thestar.com/article/544641

ScanLife!

2008-11-25T01:19:00.004-05:00

Text the word “scan” to 43588

Go to http://www.getscanlife.com/ on your phone’s Web browser

Matt Humphreys - Mama Said Knock You Out

2008-11-13T22:20:00.005-05:00

Check him out at www.matthumphreys.ca

2008-10-16T22:46:00.000-05:00

We have so many things working against us. Don't be another one.

Best concert EVER! (well ... ok ... SARS-Fest was pretty damn good too)

2008-08-26T12:11:00.004-05:00

Wow! What an incredible concert! I don't think I've ever seen the Molson Amphitheatre that ram-packed with people and that riled up. The entire crowd was on their feet, screaming and jumping and dancing through most of the show. And what a collection of people ... hippies and rockers and bikers and skids ... it really took me back to my highschool days where long hair, ripped jeans and faded t-shirts were the way to go and music was loud, fast and hard. Kid Rock said it best: "this isn't any of that American Idol s**t, this is American Bad-Ass!". The only downside was trying to cram several thousand guys into the washrooms between sets. This is the first time I've seen no less than triple the lineup at the guys washrooms versus the girls washrooms. Insane. Other than that I think this is by far one of the best shows I've seen. I'm still in awe of the whole spectacle ...

I got to see Lynyrd Skynyrd performing Free Bird!

and Kid Rock permorming beside Rev. Run!

Kid Rock & Lynyrd Skynyrd tonight!

2008-08-25T18:20:00.000-05:00

Hoo-Rah!

Gilad says ...

2008-08-24T20:16:00.000-05:00

Gilad says I need to update my weblog more frequently ... He's right.

Unsolicited insult of the day ...

2008-07-13T23:30:00.001-05:00

Why bother putting on makeup if you're going wear that hideous outfit? That's like knitting a sweater for a dead squirrel.

2008-06-16T13:33:00.003-05:00

Goodbye February!

2008-03-01T19:54:00.001-05:00

18 phones in two days ....

Slept 14 hours.

Feels good.

Hello March.

Rain? Seriously?

2008-02-04T21:43:00.001-05:00

Groundshaking thunder and torrential rains ... Are you serious?

What the hell has been happening with the weather this winter? It's +5 one day, -20 the next, snow storming the next, winds are tearing pieces off of buildings the next, and now ... it's raining?!?

Ridiculous.

Back on the horse

2008-01-27T16:34:00.001-05:00

Ok ... I've left this site alone for far, far too long. Looking at it today I'm reminded of why I started posting here in the first place: it's far too easy for me to let things slide and not update my friends and family on what's new and exciting in my life.

I thought about going through and trying to back-date posts on all of the significant changes that have happened over the past weeks and months ... way, way too much effort. I'd never set aside the time.

I think it's better to start clean and fresh. Here's a point-form blast of the past month or two and then from here on I'll try to keep things rolling in a steady way:

- I busted my ass at work

- I went to Timmins for Christmas and, for the first time in as long as I can remember, had the whole crew together again! I think we set between 16 and 20 seats at the dinner table this year ... booyah!

- New Years eve I was back in Toronto and bounced from dinner to a house party to the bar

- Ashleigh and I went to Florida for 3 days in the first week of January and managed to do so on the 3 coldest days of the year (25 degrees before and after we went ... 9 degrees when we were there ... WFT!?!?)

- I started the paperwork to move into an apartment with Ashleigh this April. We'll be at John and Wellington so if anyone's hitting the bars downtown give me a buzz and I'll come out for a drink! Look forward to welcome party details this spring; B.T.B. 4 is in the works! (eviction details may follow shortly thereafter ...)

- I went to see my first live lacrosse game at the ACC last night. One of my co-workers, Scott Campbell (#37) plays defence for the Toronto Rock. Awesome game! Fast. Aggressive. They got schooled in the first half and came back to win 14 -10. Awesome. Scott, I have one question: how does a guy playing defence end up across the field and checking the other team's goalie? Seriously ... who cross-checks the goalie? Just awesome.

That's it ... That's all ... More to come as the days go by.

P.S. - Gilad: I'm writing this from my BlackBerry just for you. It's like a little portable computer ... It's incredible.

http://dawnagilad.blogspot.com/2008/01/mmm-ipod.html

Christmas is coming ... wanna buy a phone? ;)

2007-12-02T22:33:00.001-05:00

The title says it all. Christmas is screaming down on us and, for better or for worse, this is the time of year that deals on wireless rates start to go crazy. If anyone's looking for new phones for themselves or for Christmas gifts then now is the time! Give me a shout by phone or by email if you're in the market and I'll let you know what we can do for you. (Ask me about our new multimedia toy that gives you phone, Unlimited Internet, Unlimited email, MP3, photo, video, etc, etc, etc for as low as $37/month ... it's damn cool!)

James Barber, Urban Peasant

2007-12-02T22:22:00.001-05:00

On Thursday, James Barber, the Urban Peasant, passed away while reading a cook book as a pot of soup simmered on his stovetop. Watching his television show on a lazy afternoon is a genuinly pleasant memory from my younger years and to know that he's gone makes me sad. I have to smile, however, at the beautiful symmetry between his life and death. We should all be so lucky, when the time comes, to pass doing something that we love.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2007/12/02/barber-tvchef-obit.html

http://www.james-barber.com/

Worldwide Hops Shortage

2007-11-02T10:30:00.001-05:00

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2007/11/01/hops-shortage.html?ref=rss

Can't ... Stop ... Salivating ...

2007-10-28T21:28:00.000-05:00

http://bulapictures.com/index.php?l=show&id=86

Thanksgiving?

2007-10-04T18:41:00.001-05:00

Really? Who knew? Why does nobody tell me about these things?

I know ... I know ...

2007-09-12T23:47:00.001-05:00

Gilad, you're right ... but I'm exhausted. I'll try to get back into the groove.

New Month, New Quarter, New Job ...

2007-06-29T20:11:00.001-05:00

Holy cow things move fast sometimes ...

As of next week my role within Bell Mobility will be changing. I am now the newest Account Executive for the Small Business team. This means I'll no longer enjoy the luxuries of a coushy desk at the head office, the insane food binges with the guys around me or the fabulously entertaining dialogue between stressed out sales folks trying to retain some small measure of sanity by venting hours of pent up frustration into a few moments of verbal chaos ... I'm going to miss it for sure.

Instead I'll be given a laptop, a new phone, a corporate credit card ;) a car alowance and I'll be working from home and from the road. A big change for sure! Although it will be, in many ways, very similar to what I was doing for the dealership back in Waterloo.

The best part is that my territory now spans all of Ontario! So anyone looking for phones or anyone who knows anyone who's fed up with their existing carrier (excluding Bell ... because Bell clearly rocks the kazbah) please drop me a line; you know they'll be well taken care of!

Art Exhibition in Sudbury: July 1st to 31st

2007-06-12T07:55:00.000-05:00

Art By Audrey Presents a visual art exhibition featured at the Northern Lights Festival Boreal as well as at Sudbury’s “The Black Cat Too” from July 1st – 31st and will be showcasing a mix of colourful contemporary paintings, Ink drawings and photography. The style is meant to be simple and impactful. Part of this group of work explores a musical theme, as seen in this-years "Northern Lights Festival Boreal" Poster.

"My belief is that colour and movement create life and passion. All my images tell a story. I attempt to create environments of vibrant colour and flowing curves that will spark imagination and surround there viewer in a magical world of beauty and infinite possibility through creative thinking. I want people to leave with a feeling that this world is full of beauty waiting to be discovered." - Audrey Hutchison

Got me a new table ...

2007-06-05T19:46:00.000-05:00

It took me two and a half hours of gridlocked traffic, closed expressways, blocked off roadways, painfully full bladders and empty stomachs to get it but dammit ... that's one hell of a table! ;)

Lions and Buffallo and ... Crocodiles? Oh my ...

2007-05-23T23:36:00.000-05:00

This is one of the most amazing wildlife videos I've ever seen! It's a little slow in the begining but it's worth watching right through to the end. Absolutely incredible!

Home, sweet home!

2007-05-21T21:18:00.000-05:00

After 95 days with no fixed address I've finally moved into my new apartment in Mississauga! It's difficult to describe how good it feels to be able to get settled in again. Thanks so much to Sonia, Mike and Jen for keeping me off the streets and feeding me for the past 3 months! (Oh, crap ... I'm going to have to start cooking for myself again ... dammit ...)

Here's my new address:

1508 - 4100 Ponytrail Drive
Mississauga, ON, L4W 2Y1

It's not huge, but it's home.

My boss stole my socks ...

2007-04-14T10:49:00.000-05:00

No, seriously ... She really stole them ...

... and then she burned them.

Trans-Atlantic Smart-Assed Son of a ....

2007-04-12T09:48:00.000-05:00

This is ridiculous ...

1) go to http://maps.google.ca
2) click "Get Directions"
3) set the Start location to "New York"
4) set the End location to "London"
5) click the "Get Directions" button

Now scroll down to step 23 ...

Hell hath no fury ...

2007-03-04T13:08:00.001-05:00

Let me begin with the assertion that, under even the best conditions, women are volatile and react in unpredictable ways under stressful or frustrating conditions ...

It's been a crazy few weeks. I've started my new job and moved in with a friend and co-worker in Mississauga. It started off as a really sweet deal: I have her 3 bedroom townhome condo to myself while she's been off in Spain for the past 3 weeks ... and then the roof caved in ...

Ok, not quite that bad. The roof started leaking. I came home from work to find water pouring in and around the picture window in the living room and the framework around the window falling off the wall. By the next morning a second leak at the other end of the house was feeding water into the second story and the carpets were saturated with water.

After several emergency calls to the property manager, condoboard meetings and visits by contactors we've determined that this house is one of no less than 7 in the complex that have sprung leaks and has also suffered the worst damage of the lot. Awesome.

So, tomorrow Sonia will come back from Spain to find her furniture piled in the middle of her rooms, paintings taken down from the walls, drapes taken down from the windows, carpets torn up from the floor and huge industrial fans in 4 different rooms.

Oh, and the icing on the cake ... I was in her garage looking for shovels and tarps and shopvacs and noticed that, at somepoint after she left, one of the tires on Sonia's truck has gone flat and it's sitting with the rim on the pavement.

Bloody fantastic.

Bloody sissy drivers ...

2007-03-01T21:29:00.000-05:00

Three hours to drive three blocks ... Unreal.

The Works of Audrey Hutchison

2007-02-12T20:27:00.000-05:00

Audrey's published a Website showcasing some of her artwork (paintings, sketches, digital graphics, etc). Check it out and let her know what you think. Constructive criticism is always welcome.

http://audreyhutchison.275mb.com

New Job, New Car, New Home

2007-02-12T20:13:00.000-05:00

February seems to be a time of change for me. I've started just about every major job of mine on or around Valentine's Day and this year is no exception. This Thursday will be my first day working out of the Bell Mobility head office in Mississauga. The change in position means a few things:

more money ;)
medical and dental benefits
pension program
stock options
the opportunity for future promotion and advancement within Bell Mobility

So, even though Waterloo has been a great place to live it's time to move back to the city. For the first little while I'll be staying with a friend and co-worker while I look for a more permanent place to live (so if anybody has a line on a good apartment or condo in Mississauga or Etobicoke then please let me know).

I've also just finished setting up the financing and insurance on a new car ... the first car I've held in my own name (woohoo!). Tomorrow morning I'll be picking up my shiney new Metallic Grey 2007 Toyota Corolla CE with just 11km on the clock! I'll also be signing myself into no less than 5 years of car and insurance payments ... but we'll ignore that for now.

I'll also be losing my current phone number and current work email address and it will likely be about a week or so before I have new contact details up and running.

As a final point, I'm putting my Waterloo apartment up for rent immediatly so if anybody is looking for a large 1 bedroom apartment right in the middle of Uptown Waterloo please let me know (comment here, send an email to my alumni.uwaterloo.ca account, msn or facebook me ... I'm not hard to find).

Audrey's at it again ...

2007-01-22T00:06:00.000-05:00

I don't know much about boats.

Audrey, however, sure as hell must ...

http://pforcookie.spaces.live.com/Blog/...

Bell Mobility BSP Christmas Party

2007-01-21T02:58:00.001-05:00

Last night was the long-overdue Bell Mobility BSP Christmas Party (in sales, nobody has time for parties in December).

Let me tell you, when you bring together about a hundred individuals who have all built careers on being extroverted and commanding the attention and admiration of the people around them ... all hell breaking loose just doesn't do it justice. I love these Bell parties! These are people that are wired 24-7 and in desperate need of an outlet through which to blow off steam.

Great food, great drinks ... Lots off opportunities to shmooze with the big-wigs (I twirled a director on the dance floor ... That's got to count for something).

My only regret is not trying harder to break into the hotel's hot-tub at the end of the night.

I start training on Tuesday ...

2007-01-19T11:42:00.000-05:00

I've found my true calling. I start training on Tuesday.

Beauty in Statistics

2007-01-04T01:31:00.000-05:00

http://www.leenks.com/link60904.htm

Happy New Year!

2007-01-01T23:52:00.000-05:00

Holy bloody smoking cows ... what a night!

This Year for New Years Eve we pulled together a posse and all got tickets to the party at Steamwhistle in Toronto. The pre-party was at Ashleigh's place downtown; she played hostess to about 20 of us and pulled together drinks and hor d'oeuvres (one more night with so, so much good food). Let me start of by saying that a night that starts with and 18 to 3 girl-guy ratio (with one guy fiance'd) can only go on to great things!

Drinks at Ashleigh's were a blast! Good food, great people! Tonnes of fun!

at 10-ish we began the trek to Steamwhistle which is a 10 minute walk under normal conditions ... and then came the downpour. Within seconds two-thirds of our party were in cabs, I had Sam's umbrella in my hand (thanks!) and we were running towards the CN Tower. With only a small amount of chaos (...nudity...) we barreled through the walkway at the base of the tower and out the other side. By the time we arrived at the venue the rains had stopped and we were thoroughly soaked.

We immediatly skipped over a few hundred people already in line and re-formed our posse at the front. Tickets, coat-check, drink tickets ($40 = an armload of drinks!) and the party was under way. It was a good crowd. Everyone was pumped for the party. For the life of me I cannot remember hearing any of the music although I know there was a DJ ... the consisted of zig-zagging from the main room to the cigar lounge to the bar.

I don't know at what time we left but the walk home was entertaining ... I played in a 100 foot Christmas tree.

Back at Ashleigh's we devoured the remaining food ... and a pizza ... and probably some other things ... and then died.

I cannot remember the last time I had that much fun. Such a phenominal night!

Cops, Knives and Maple-Leafs

2006-12-30T23:42:00.000-05:00

I picked up Audrey from the airport today. I love meeting up with Audrey; she always makes me laugh. The girl decided in what seems like 48 hours to drop what she was doing and come back to Canada. To get from her boat to the airport she had to cross no less than 3 police baracades and be escorted at least part of the way by two cruisers. Her plan, from what I gather, was to get back to Canada and then ... meh she'll figure it out from there ... so I offered to, at least, get her from the airport to the city. When we met at the airport she was carrying about 30 pounds of exotic hardwoods to use for ... stuff ... and told me the story of how she had to give up her 6-inch-blade hunting knife at airport security. I love it!

Audrey and I then met up with my Mom (who had also quite unexpectedly shown up in Toronto) at my Aunt's house. We had a short visit and some lunch (which somehow led to the revival of my plans to publish a how-to guide for student living) then drove to see my Grandma at her place.

In the evening Ashleigh and I went to see the Leafs-Senators game ... spectacular ... except for the bit where we lost in overtime ... that discounted, it was a great game!

Merry Christmas!

2006-12-26T23:28:00.000-05:00

This year work kept me down south over Christmas for the first year ever ...

It was hard skipping out on the trip north and the holiday visit with my family but it was a good Christmas nonetheless. Ashleigh's family offered to take me in and feed me for the holiday's ... and hoo-boy did I get fed!

Christmas Eve dinner was traditional Ukranian food: borscht, breaded veal on a stick, fried fish, pickled herring, kolbasa, cheese blintzes, pierogies ... mmmm ... so good. After dinner Ashleigh and I headed downtown for some skating at Nathan Philips Square (my first time on skates in YEARS) and then drove around looking at Christmas lights.

On Christmas day everyone opened their gifts in the morning and people visited throughout the day. I made a quick trip out to Scarborough to visit my Aunt Margie, Uncle Eric, Uncle David and my Grandma Shanks. It was short visit but I'm glad that I popped in to say "hi".

Dinner Christmas day was the traditional turkey and fixings ... sooooo much good food. Stuffing, cranberry sauce, potatoes, veggies, mushroom gravy, turkey gravy, cheese sauce. I ate more over those two days than the rest of the month of December!

After dinner Ashleigh and I went out to the bar for a Merry-Christmas drink with Rob, Chris and Sue.

All in all it was a great couple of days ...

Boxing day ... back to work ... bloody hell.

Decision Making Made Easy

2006-12-12T01:36:00.000-05:00

the Schmooze, the Schmooze, the Schmooze is on FIRE!

2006-12-03T18:32:00.000-05:00

We don't need no water, let the mother...

Hey wait ... I was planning to go there for drinks! Somebody get some bloody water!

Balls ...

Hinder, live at the Mod Club!

2006-11-29T18:48:00.000-05:00

I took Ashleigh to see Hinder at the Mod Club in Toronto on Tuesday. On Monday I was asked "who the hell is Hinder?" and the best response that I could come up with was "soft-rock ballad". Now, don't get me wrong, I really liked everything I'd heard from them but their CD does have a gentler, more heart-breaky, feel than what I would typically listen to.

We missed the first opening band and arrived just in time to see the second opener come onstage. Holy crap they were the furthest you can go from "soft-rock ballad" ... picture Korn trying to rebel from their wholesome family image. With a different crowd I fully would have expected a bottle-smashing, chair tossing, stage-diving, mosh pit to develope ...

From the moment Hinder took the stage I was impressed. I have to say that they do a great live show! They have a lot harder rock sound on stage than what get's played on the radio. Austin Winkler himself kind of reminds me of José Caldéron ... if he played music instead of basketball ...

The video below is was taken by someone right up against the stage and, although it's not the best quality, gives a pretty good picture of the show. Hanging off the mic stand you can see an impressive collection of bras (at least 10 or 15 more were added during that show). We were probably about 10 feet back from the stage and the sound balance was a hell of a lot better from where we were than what plays back in the video.

The show was fantastic ... as was the company ;)

All in all it was a great night.

Got my photo in the paper (and NOT for public nudity this time)!

2006-11-25T20:46:00.000-05:00

In today's edition of the KW Record there's an insert that was sponsored by the Greater KW Chamber of Commerce that talks about "How to Build Your Business" and on page 14 they've included a photo of my and a few quotes:

Now, had I been given the option, I would have used a photo in which I'm smiling ... and I'm not 100% happy with the way they compiled and edited my answers to their quesitions ... but who am I to complain right?

You can order your autographed copy today for only $19.95 (GST, PST, shipping and handling charges may apply).

Food, Booze, Clowns and Santa ... Ah, Christmas!

2006-11-19T22:33:00.000-05:00

Sunday was the Santa Clause Parade in Toronto and I had VIP booth tickets to watch the show. What the hell are VIP tickets to the Santa Clause Parade? Well ... free pizza, hot dogs, Cadbury Mini-Eggs (Christmas colours of course), cookies, fruits ... beer ... lots of beer ... coffee, hot chocolate ... Bailey's ... Whiskey ...

So for the whole 2 and a half hours of parade watching I had food in one hand and a coffee with whiskey in the other ... Santa's just that much more entertaining when you're boozed up!

Addendum: People are More Interested in Bell than they are In Me

2006-11-17T14:18:00.000-05:00

Further to my last post, I also began tracking this site on the same day:

At a glance we see:

fewer hits
all the pageviews are within Southern Ontario (hey Timmins ... what the hell ...)
there is absolutely no pattern visible within the Visits and Pageviews graph (certainly no visible growth)

So we can see from the data that people are way more interested in Bell than they are in me ... I never saw that one coming ...

One last bit of trivia: there's one visitor that views my site (but not the Bell site) using Safari 419.3 on a Macintosh Intel computer ... I can see you Gerlard!