Ness' Outpost

Kurt and his family were kind enough to invite me up to their cottage on “Go Home Lake” which is kilometer 178 on highway 400 outside Barrie. Traffic was fine since we went through the back roads around Borden zigging and zagging our way north through the many lines and concessions – much better than being part of the 401 parking lot. Kurts cottage neighbours left at 8am Saturday morning and didn’t arrive at the cottage until 2pm. I’m sure I’ll take that route for the Sudbury wedding come the Labour Day long weekend.

There was lots of boating, swimming fishing and all around lounging around at the cottage. I of course got my normal sunburn, sadly on the top of my ankles which is a pretty sensitive spot by the way.

The lake was mostly making fun of my fishing skills, but I caught a sunfish and I pulled this monster out of a pretty strong current in the Rohmann’s bay.

I’m going to see the Yankees vs. Jays game tonight at the Rogers Center. Should be a pretty good game, and apparently the Jays have a pretty good team on paper. I’m looking forward to it.

I’m re-rung! This time with a size 7.

And just in time too because this weekend I’m off to the autoshow in Toronto to geek it up with some mechanically like minded people and then it’s off to Laruen’s for dinner.

Rich and Jen tied the knot yesterday in a lovely service in Hamilton. The speach went pretty well on my end. There were quite a few “um’s and ah’s” as I parsed though my notes filtering out some stories on the fly to shorten it but Jen brought the house down to tears with her speach and Ray had a very moving one as well.

A great day for all with lots of smiling and hugs which makes the whole thing official.

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Burgess.

Kurt and I decided to crash the local Irish pub after work. I know it’s a Scotish holiday, but Ned Devines was going out in full force so we had to tag along. We started out with some scotches to the birthday of Scotlands greatest poet.

Since we didn’t have the offical Ned Devines tickets to the supper we had to pester the waitresses to get us a few plates of haggis. The reading of “To The Haggis” by Robbie Burns himself was read by the piper after he piped in the tasty treat. I really enjoy hearing the bag pipes played live. It’s such a loud instrument though for being just an air bladder and some pipes.

Robbie Burns day is definitly one of my new favorite holidays!

Rich Burgess is getting married on February the 18th, 2006 so we’re throwing a stag for him this Saturday the 7th in Hamilton.

Meet at Westend after 1pm to play some poker and have a few drinks and dinner. Then we’re off to the Bulldogs game around 6 and then who knows…

I’ve learned an important lesson today.

I cannot wrap a present that is fit for presentation.

The good news is that by handing a gift to a loved one that looks like it’s been run over by a few reindeer, an elf or two and Santa’s Humvee the gift inside is elevated to the next level once the non-protective covering is removed.

For example, a pair of socks wrapped up nicely with a bow and matching paper is kind of a let down after the excellent presentation of the giver. BUT when you find a pair of socks in a package that looks like a toddler has been gnawing on it for two weeks – that gift is a festive surprise!
There are not any high hopes attached to the gift. The reciever is simply glad the gift wasn’t last years fruit cake covered in a thick layer of varathane and ready to be used for a hockey puck.

Seasons Greetings!