Gladstone Outpost

G'day!

Well, the first day of 2012 has come and nearly gone for me in this hemisphere. I'm content so far. I'm working on expanding the Fort into "Port" with some sailing skills - getting more into rock climbing again although my usual partner just left to spend a few months in Singapore and Nepal/Tibet.

I ended up taking a last minute flight to New Zealand with a coworker since a friend of his bought a sailing boat. Last minute being pretty accurate - I pretty much left a white board message for my current roommate, packed a bag and headed out to the coast for Christmas, then got dropped off at the airport on the way back. Probably should have checked the weather, as it ended up raining most of the time and I didn't get to hike too much, but the sailing was decent still, and sleeping on a boat is always fun! Luckily there were lots of thermal hot pools to warm up in.

Australia in general has been a lot of fun; I find it's easier to get out to do things like climb or kayak or camp. And there are a ton of music festivals coming up in our summer. The PhD is gestating at the moment, slowly coming along.


I'm excited to see where 2012 takes me.

Maroochydore, Queensland

The official Blog of the Fort McMorley Diaspora

I've been meaning to make this post for a while, over a year in fact, but never got around to it. I've been in Winnipeg for 15 months now, and out of the fort for 19... doesn't seem like that long when you write it in months, but it feels like a lifetime. Anyhow, I wanted to bring everyone up to date on what's going on in my life, and thought everyone else could do the same and stay in touch better.

Of course everyone knows I'm living in Winnipeg with Natalie now, at the UofM medical school. I find I really like Winnipeg now, even though I don't miss Calgary any less. The city is cold and poor, and the roads rarely have painted lines and I essentially have to travel through a ghetto to get to school, but it's actually a very pleasant place (avoiding everything North of Portage Avenue - if you ever come through winnipeg remember that and your stay will be a pleasant one, or at least uneventful).

Recently moved from the apartment we were in to the main floor of a house, which I have named "The Burrard"; there was also a place available on Morley Avenue, but the extra $200 in rent and 10 minutes on my commute didn't seem worth being able to once again live in a place named Fort McMorley. I tried to keep a few Fort Traditions going: Stew Sundays lasted about 4 months until the lack of interest from my friends here in coming, and the lack of enthusiasm from Natalie to eat leftover stew for 4 days when that happened, made that come to an unfortunate end. We do still have the tv often set to the fireplace channel, though, so there are at least some touches of the Fort here.

In terms of what I've actually been up to, of course school uses up a crazy amount of time, but I manage to find enough time to read a fair bit, as well as the all-important brewing, which has granted me the privilege of draft beer from my fridge, which is at least as awesome and fattening as you expect it to be. Also playing a lot of hockey, which

I've taken up because my friends here play either hockey or basketball, and for some reason taking up hockey seemed easier... no idea.

As you probably know, I was in Ethiopia last summer researching my parasite stuff, which has turned out well, going to Philadelphia tomorrow to present the results. I'll put a picture in at the bottom of me in Lalibela, an awesome archaelogical site in the North of the Country.

As for what I'll be doing for the future... All I can say for sure is that I'll be in Winnipeg for another 2 1/2 years, til I graduate. Next summer I'll either stay in Winnipeg or head back to BC for a few months, and will hopefully be traveling, there is some talk of going skiing in Chile or Argentina to make up for all the ski days we miss by living in the prairies :(

Anyhow, that ended up being pretty long, but there was a fair bit to catch up on. I'll try and update semi-regularly, and would love if everyone else did too, be great to hear what everyone's up to. And hopefully we can get a chance to all end up together at some point. All the best to the Fort, wherever you are while reading this.

Also, I assure you that although my hair loss has indeed accelerated, it is nowhere near as dire as the photo suggests - it was absolutely pouring that day.

The disintegration of the family unit happens at the supper table

Family suppers are important. Whether it be immediate family, or the one you create with familiar friends, getting together to share food, drink and conversation is integral. My fondest memories are the conversations and arguments that come out of sitting down and sharing a meal together with the people that matter most to me. Television, and the idea of gathering around it for suppertime can destroys this family unit. Instead of engaging in conversation and getting to know eachother better, individuals sit mindlessly in front of a a blaring screen, entertained by mass media rather than one another. Maybe if TVs were shut down during suppertime, we'd all understand eachother a little better and the world would be a happier place.

http://www.willparson.com/2008/11/23/kids-watching-tv-past-and-present/

MMXI

Good riddance Goodbye 2010!!

XXV

Quarter century come and gone since I was ripped out of my mother's womb, two weeks late and unwilling to budge after attempts at inducing labour. In fact, we're both lucky to be alive. So much has happened in 25 years yet all that I have learned from my experiences is that I am still naive to the ways to the world and I have so much yet to experience. I am nowhere near what I thought I would achieve by this point (job, career, house, car etc). However, I now know that these comforts are trivial compared to the friendships forged, the adventures I have been on and the journeys I have yet to experience. Even within the last two years, the personal growth I have gone through, the memories I've shared and created with those around me are just a small sampling of what is to come. How I lived the majority of these 25 years with eyes closed, self-absorbed and unaware of what surrounds me, I am not sure. Each day brings something new, and I feel that I must continue to challenge myself to new experiences, take risks and to strive to be better at everything each day. I've been so lucky to be surrounded by such wonderful people, to be supported by so many and to have the life that I do now that I am always motivated to contribute back and return all the love that has been given to me. I am who I am and have accomplished all that I have because of all that are around me and have pushed me along the way. To everyone over the past 25 years, thank you. I love you all.

2009 wrap up

So Reza and I have now adopted a tradition in which we reflect on the past year and attempt to sum up "things we did" and "things we learned" about ourselves, or just in general. It is difficult to summarize in a few points the personal growth and developments that occur over the course of 365 days and so much is hard to really put into words. Regardless, I will attempt. *Note: I realize this isn't nearly as interesting as last year's... I made a resolution to cut out the drama from life and I'd say it worked!

Things I did:

- Travelled, moreso on my own than ever before. Some for pleasure, some for school

- developed a better understanding about scientists and research

- Saw a near drug overdose and made my first 911 call

- Wore my prom dress again. Twice.

- Enjoyed the simplicity of summer life

- Went on a date in Central Park

- Lost a lot of sleep over teaching a class

- Was in my first art show

- Took better care of myself

- Took many photos

- Baked a lot

- Never made it to a beach this year :'o(

- Got better at snowboarding

Things I learned

- Don't sweat the petty stuff

- Egos are annoying

- What friendship really is

- Panicking should only be done mildly, otherwise it wastes time

- Aim high and go big, or go home.

- Flying through the US is something else.

- That life's coincidences can turn out surprisingly well

- Some of the best memories are made over a good meal

- Graffiti art is sweet.

- Confidence in oneself and not caring about another's opinion can carry you surprisingly far

- A great pair of tights are essential in any wardrobe

"I can't? Well fuck you, I'll prove to you that I CAN".

December 2009

Earlier last year I posted a list of things I have done and learned in 2008. When I was writing it I wondered how 2009 will play out. For most of my mature life I considered 2005 as the most eventful and 2007 the happiest year. If I had to pick a year as the year I learned more about my own abilities and what I can achieve, 2009 will be that year. There were plenty of happy and sad moments, but overall I wouldn't do anything differently. 2010 has a tough job if it wants to top 2009 and I can't wait to see how it'll do

Things I did:

-Did not read as much as I did in 2008. But had my own share of books.

-Brought Benji out to Calgary, he's not very happy. Sorry Benji.

-Played more guitar that 2008.

-Drove from Miami to New York city, conquering US's east coast. (watch out west, 2010 might be your year)

-Became a keyboard commando during the Iran's election fallout.

-Had a a video I made for youtube played on CNN!

-Re-shuffled lots of friends, upgrading some and downgrading most.

-Went to London to see Michael Jackson, he couldn't make it.

-Went to London and got drunk in more random bars than I can remember.

-Realized travelling with my mom and sister, although all inclusive... is not fun

-After not getting the job I wanted, I eventually got it.

-Got a bartending degree!( I don't remember anything from it..)

-Mourned my grandpa's death, (first family death that actually took a toll on me)

-Did not drink as much as 2008, but drank in more exotic places with interesting people

-Kept on going to the gym

-Smoked more sheesha.

-Got sick way too many times. (fucking C-train)

-Bought lots of toys.

-cut back on bacon.


Things I learned


-Vincent Donofrio is my favourite actor.

-New York is all that it's hyped up to be.

-I am much more capable than I thought I was in 2008

-Miami is a fun city and between it and New York is not much to look at.

-Americans are a lot of fun

-Sometimes life protects me from my own foolishness, most times through relentless failures in things I have no business investing my time in.

-"Staying focused, doing what it takes and getting what you want" are words that define 2009.

-Metric is an amazing band and I believe Emily Haines and I think on the same brain wave.

-Wrestling is way too stupid, no matter how hard I try to shut off my brain I can't take that stuff like I used to in grade 7.

-

A tribute to the holidays...

Persians

Today I learned that Persians are not 'brown' and calling them such results in a terribly faux pas. I was let off the hook for not having many Persian friends.

I think I need to clarify my complete and total ignorance in this.

For 18 years of my life; this was a persian:

Om nom nom nom nom.

They come from this place:
Yes. The Persian Man. And likely Italian, from the looks of the mustache... So for the majority of my life, Persians referred to a delicious dessert that was uncomplicated and that you could buy for 1$ after school from some fundraiser that would invariably be hawking them in the halls. Sure, there was some vague notion that cats or rugs or some gulf waaaay across the ocean may be involved, but... mmm.

Don't worry, I've learned a lot since then. ;)

(Sidenote, Calgary was rumoured to have a Thunder Bay day where they'd fly out boxes of persians and Labatt Crystal for us displaced persons. I think it was a lie. Sigh.)

Squash Soup Recipe - As Requestsed by Beth

So I'll admit my squash soup was pretty bomb. Why bother denying it? And for everyone who's stuck in very-snowy Calgary without a pot of squash soup, I'm afraid that my life is empirically better than yours, based on that count alone.

Anyway, since this isn't a scientific article, I don't have to cite my original sources (thank god), but most of the directions came from the food network site, which has never actually given me a bad recipe.

1 large Butternut squash (~3 pounds/1.3kg)
2 carrots, peeled and diced
1 large yellow onion, diced
5 cloves garlic
olive oil, crushed
1/2 tbsp curry powder
5 cups chicken stock
1/2 cup whipping cream
salt/pepper

Preheat oven to 375. Cut the squash in half, scoop out the seeds etc., score the surface deeply with a knife and rub in olive oil (at least a tablespoon per side). Generously season surface with salt and pepper. Put face up on a baking sheet (I covered with foil, not sure if that's necessary). Roast for 40 minutes or until cooked through.

Sautee the onions and carrots over med-high heat with olive oil and some salt for ~5 minutes, until softening noticably. Add garlic and curry powder, reduce heat to med-low, cook another couple minutes.

Scoop squash out of skin with a large spoon (sounds easy, doesn't it? Well it's not, and I burned the shit out of my fingertips to prove that. If anyone has a better way of doing that, I'm all ears.) and add to the pot along with chicken stock. Stir to mix and bring to a boil, put on a lid and simmer for 20 minutes at lowest heat setting.

Use an immresion blender (I now own one, just ask) to thoroughly blend soup. Add nutmeg to taste, season with salt and pepper, and add cream.

Cynic!

Summer Reading

Beth wants your book recommendations. :)

The F Word

Let me just start this out by saying that I don't consider myself a feminist in any particular way. I usually enjoy Chef Ramsey's work - Hell's Kitchen is pretty entertaining, and Kitchen Nightmares is another somewhat interesting show, they usually do pretty well for background noise and a few laughs.

His new show however really got to me - I couldn't even finish a full episode of it. The F word, which mixes a few different concepts like cooking contests, new recipes, and celebrity restaurant stuff is part of a campaign by Ramsey to get women back in the kitchen.

Wtf? Are we in the 21st century here? Sure, basic concept, that women don't learn how to cook in school anymore, that's true. And he points out that 21 year olds don't think it's an important skill to learn, which may be true in some cases, and may, as he claims, lead to 30-somethings that can't or don't cook. Alright. But that's not truely a "women only" issue.

So Ramsey goes to this one house, and the woman he's talking to is a doctor, which in my mind is arguably one of the busiest professions, and she admits that she eats frozen food. Gasp. Shock. And hasn't cooked in 9 years thanks to a fish pie disaster that she tried to serve her parents and in laws. The thought of a fish pie in general is pretty nasty. So whatever, he gives her some simple recipes and helps her cook something good. The husband in all of this? Sits by prettily and enjoys the food. He doesn't have "Dr" in front of his name. Not sure what his excuse for ignoring the kitchen is but apparently that doesn't matter.

I don't get it. In this day and age where women are no longer stay at home mothers who don't get jobs I don't see the point of focusing exclusively on women in this case. Men are also more then capable of following a recipe - or maybe he thinks that professional chefs can be male, but in the family it's only the woman that should cook?

Whatever. It just ticks me off every time he says that women need to get back in the kitchen.

Love, etc

Reza does The Way

Reza does Pretty.

Yup. Geek.

Music and neuroscience go well together. The host of this clip is a little... um... hmm what's the word... painfully nerdy...? But stay with it, it's kind of interesting. And amusing.



Synesthesia seems cool.

The things I have to study....

Fading out of reality while reading paper upon paper about what amounts to -nothing- made me wonder if I could make them any more interesting. Maybe if it all came in comic form. I could turn all the developmental mutants into characters.

Sonic Hedgehog's a given. But other proteins could make it too... I could totally see Forkhead and Fox. Maybe have Lunatic Fringe lurking crazily around the edges, coming up with devious plots. Fear Of Intimacy and Abstinence By Mutual Consent could be sort of awkward characters that pop up once in a while. And the background could be the alphabet soup of usual crappy names.... speaking of which...

I'm kind of jealous of the grad student or PI that decided to name a protein creating the acronym "CRAP". And then I realize that I'm only jealous because that would make a good conversation starter and poster title and realize that there are no limits to my geekiness.

Can't wait til this semester's over.

Eff.

demotivationals

Too lazy to write, here are some demotivationals












And my favorites: