Girls, Girls, Girls!

So I went on a trip in time last week and took in a concert featuring one of the great hair bands of the 1980's. That's right, Motley Crue. Can you believe that mother effing sheet. My lord was this what the 80's were like? I have to say that I was never a big fan of the Crue and they did not do anything to win me over that night. As I sat there watching the likes of Vince Neil, Nikki Sixx and Tommy Lee 'playing' there music I was struck by the fact that these guys have little or no talent. Most of their show is about wowing you with the fireworks and scantily clad women. It almost makes you forget that every song sounds the same. Its obvious these guys are your prototypical 'lets form a band so we can get laid' type of group. I think the highlight of the concert was when Tommy Lee stepped from behind his drum kit and offered the crowd a swig of jagermeister. He handed the bottle to some dude in the crowd and told him to make sure that he passed it along. Now my first reaction was, "this can't be good", what with it being flu season and all. It wasn't until later that I really started to wonder how good an idea it is to be sharing a bottle with Tommy Lee. If I'm not mistaken this guy has Hep C and hey I'm no medical expert, but maybe its not such a great idea to swap spit with the dude. Next thing you know Canadian Blood Services will be screening people for blood donations by asking if they have been to a Motley Crue concert recently.

So all in all I was not that blown away by The Crue, but heck I hardly remembered any of their songs and I don't remember being too fascinated with them in my youth. Now you may ask why go to a concert when you don't even like the band? Well a friend asked me to go and I did. Plus the second act was Aerosmith and hey, I actually know some of their catalogue. Now these guys didn't need all the theatrics to put on an entertaining show. They played familiar classics and gave the crowd what they wanted. I had fun.

I have to say that I was surprised by the lack of mullets to make it out that night, but I guess people are starting to give up on the hairstyle. Praise Jesus. There were a lot of tight jeans though. Some things just never change. So that was my first ever arena concert going experience. Can you believe that. I don't know what it is about this Alberta air, but I just seem to get out and try new things. Its great.

So we have Christmas arriving in a week and so look for my Christmas story between now and then.

So that's it, that's all.

Toys, toys, toys.

Scooby Dooby Doo Where Are You?

We got some work to do now. The Scooby Doo cartoon brings back some difficult memories for me and I belive explains a lot about why I am not a fan of the cliffhanger ending or two part episode. It may not have happened a lot on Scooby Doo, but I swear there were enough of them, in my mind anyway, of two part scooby doo episodes. Oh sure now when ever I catch a Scooby Doo episode on Teletoon or something it ends with the bad guys being caught and the gang enjoying some scooby snax. It must have been the Harlem Globetrotter episode though that has left me with this impression. Anyway the point of my story is that there was a time when I saw the first part of a two-part Scooby Doo and missed the second half, leaving me wondering if they ever found the fiend. You see my father was a tyrant when it came to TV. When he got home he was gonna watch what he wanted to watch and that meant I could miss watching the Scoobster, because he figured that I could watch cartoons on Saturday, not understanding that Scooby Doo didn't air on Saturdays. So I was never guaranteed to see both halfs of an episode. I don't know what the TV people were thinking screwing around with kids' minds like this. COME ON! So because of this I can't get into shows that have a continuing storyline through more than one episode. I want things to be done when the hour or half hour is over, is that too much to ask?
Now that I think of it I'm pretty sure Dr. Who could also be blamed for screwing me up. With one TV in the house during the early 80's I was lucky to watch anything I wanted because of the old man. His house, his rules you know. Dr. Who forced you to watch like 5 or 6 episodes just to get the story. What is that about? How dare they. I never understood what the heck was going on with that show because I would end up seeing six different episodes from six separate series. Now things might have been easier if my parents bought me my own TV as a kid or let me watch what I wanted instead of their boring programs, but alas that was not to be. So ever since that time I have always had an uneasy feeling when 'to be continued' shows up on the screen at the end of an episode. I want answers damnit and I can't wait another week to get them. I will be watching a program and can sense that there is not enough time to wrap things up and going "oh they better not be even thinking about extending this to a second episode." So you see I am a bit troubled here. The point of this long winded diatribe is to say I like that they put TV shows on DVD. Thats it, that's all.

Also I would like to add that my father and mother aren't really tyrants and I actually think them to be cool most of the time. Its just that when you're a kid, you're parents are the 'man' and you have to rise up against the man. Am I right.

Alright dudes. Have a great day!

I really wanna know, Who are you? Who, who, who, who?

Well it would appear all the CSI watching I have been doing over the last few years has finally paid off. Last night I attended a murder mystery party and I was able to solve the crime before for anyone else. Gil Grissom watch out.

The evening started out slowly, but when things got going people were vicious. I played the role of a college student who shared a locker with the victim of the crime. This had people looking at me suspiciously because the crime had taken place just outside the school. So at first I had a large group of people accusing me of being the murderer, but my story checked out and there were a lot of witnesses to my whereabouts, but that didn’t keep me from trying to find the person who offed a man a barely knew. I have to admit my investigative skills are a bit unorthodox. I spent most of the night ignoring the clues and barely remembering what people told me or what I even asked them. So I gather it was by osmosis that I was able to determine whom in fact was the murderer. It was obvious to me that Cynthia was behind the crime because she had both the means and motive to commit it. You see, the victim owed her several thousand dollars for some design work she had done at his house. It seemed a little rash in my opinion to run him down, because you’ll never get the money that way. Although the victim had bought a plane ticket for somewhere in Europe, so its possible we would have never seen him again.

Anyway it was a real good time and it was for a good cause. My friend Danijela used the party as a way to help raise money for a charity marathon she will be running in Arizona this coming January for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada. If any of my loyal readers out there would like to throw their support behind this run you can make a donation online by clicking on her name. I hope you will.

Oh yeah, if you read the last post on this fabulous journal you will see that I shaved my beard leaving behind a fine moustache. The picture I included with the story is quite possibly the finest photo I have ever seen of myself. Well as gorgeous as I look with the stache, I have gone completely bald about the face. Now I wonder does this affect my status as the Bearded Backpacker? No. The Bearded Backpacker is not defined by the beard, he defines the beard. So I may not look like the Bearded Backpacker for awhile, but I will still do all I can to uphold the values and whatever else I claim to stand for.

Well thank you for your time and it would be greatly appreciated if some of you would consider helping mon ami with her marathon.

Later

'Cause I really wanna know, I really wanna, Who are you?

God only knows what I'd be without you

The Bearded Backpacker has gone on holiday and in his place we present the Mustached Mountaineer. No loyal readers, its still your hero, the Bearded Backpacker, but I have made some changes to my appearance so that I can go undercover in my quest to understand the world of the cowboy. This weekend Calgary is playing host to the National Bull Riding Championships and in honour of that I thought I would shave my beard and just leave my moustache in its place. I don’t know what I was thinking when I made that decision, but I guess I just wanted to change things up a bit, what with having the beard on for a year and a half now. Sometimes you need to go with a complete overhaul to strengthen the beard’s power. Anyway I was hoping for some input on the mustached look and so feel free to post your comments, I look forward to your thoughts.

So I hope some of you had a laugh at my expense and we will continue the adventures. The cold weather is really moving into the Sandstone City now. We are enjoying or are expected to enjoy minus 20 temperatures and the snow has returned. Its not too bad I tell you what.

Did you know that Calgary was called the Sandstone City? I have to admit that I only found this out recently myself. The story behind the nickname seems to be that after the great fire of November 1886, where Calgary's downtown was almost entirely destroyed, it was decided that to keep this from ever happening again all large buildings in the city's downtown would be built with Paskapoo sandstone. So over the next 15 years over 40 sandstone buildings sprung up downtown and the city got its masonry moniker. Fantastic. I'm so glad I was able to teach you this amazing tale. This is just some of the fabulous insight you will be privy too if any of my loyal readers decide they want to drop in. We'll learn alot.

Oh yeah so I guess I should wish a Happy Thanksgiving to my friends in the U-S-A. I hope y'all enjoyed the turkey and football.

Later

Where have all the flowers gone

Well I have to say I am a horrible blog author considering I have gone two weeks without saying anything. I guess I have let my life keep me from writing anything. Or its possible that too many things have been going on and I have just been to indecisive about what to write. Well in the past two weeks the fine city of Calgary has experienced a couple of snowfalls and a couple of chinooks. Those chinooks can really knock you down if you're not ready for them. During the first one I was hit hard by the atmospheric change. My eyes felt like they were gonna pop out of my head, I was having trouble focusing and my head was in some severe pain. It was either the chinook or I was suffering a stroke. I hope it was the chinook. Anyway its pretty cool when a chinook rolls in. The snow just melts away leaving no trace of the winter storm we just witnessed. When it has snowed here it has been pretty cool and I have some pictures to show it.I had to drive in a blizzard last week to get to my moonlighting gig at the Big Blue Machine. It was a fine driving experience. I enjoyed it greatly. Also in the last couple weeks I was lucky enough to win a free night at a 3 star resort in the Rocky Mountains. I have let a few people know that who ever visits me first here in Calgary will have first shot at taking advantage of the free suite and breakfast. Y'all better not wait too long or you will be sorry. Also this past weekend I went to check out the Borat movie. It was quite the laugh riot, if not also a quite disturbing film. I only have to cite the wrestling scene from the movie to make my point. Anyone who has seen the film knows what I'm talking about. Those who have not, count yourselves lucky. Anyway the movie was hilarious and not as uncomfortable as you may think. Chef recommends. Alright everyone, have a great day and keep reaching for those stars.

O Connie, O Connie, I miss you so

Hey all my loyal readers. Yes once again back is the incredible, the one, the only, the . . .





BEARDED BACKPACKER

I wish to send a very Happy Halloween to everyone out there in internet land. May your partying and candy eating be grand. This year I am dressing up as the Backpacker as I bring more goodwill and joy to people everywhere. Isn't that scary. Me the grumpiest guy this side of the 100th meridian planning to bring joy to the world on the most scary of days. Whooo hoo hoo hoo hoo.

So you may have thought I should have included the lyrics of the monster mash as the title to my post here today, but Connie reminded me that I have been lazy in my duties as the Backpacker so I wanted to give her a shout out. I do miss Connie though and her unhealthy allegiance to the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Montreal Canadiens. What is with that. I hope things continue to go well for you this year.

Hey I wanted to say congrats to Nic on his new eyes. I'm glad because he and glasses just didn't belong together. Will this make him a better hockey player or lead him into police work, we will have to wait and see. I say good luck.

I also want to pay tribute to one of the wackiest and best dogs I have ever known. He always had bad breath and some wild and crazy hair and in a lot of ways reminded me of myself some days. He wouldn't shut up, but we loved him for it. I want to say so long to our dear friend Pepsi, he passed away last month. I really do miss his cute little face and his arthritic walk and his inability to jump on the bed because he was too short. He made me smile every time I saw him. I'll miss him even more now that he's gone.

So as you may have heard I have started to work on video presentation of interior shots of me and Calgary. I hope to make it available in the next month or so so keep an eye out for that.

Alright well I'll leave it at that for now.

Have a Happy Halloween

I was working in the lab late one night
When my eyes beheld an eerie sight
For my monster from his slab began to rise
And suddenly to my surprise
He did the mash
He did the monster mash
The monster mash
It was a graveyard smash
He did the mash
It caught on in a flash
He did the mash
He did the monster mash
From my laboratory in the castle east
To the master bedroom where the vampires feast
The ghouls all came from their humble abodes
To get a jolt from my electrodes
They did the mash
They did the monster mash
The monster mash
It was a graveyard smash
They did the mash
It caught on in a flash
They did the mash
They did the monster mash
The zombies were having fun
The party had just begun
The guests included Wolf Man
Dracula and his son
The scene was rockin', all were digging the sounds
Igor on chains, backed by his baying hounds
The coffin-bangers were about to arrive
With their vocal group, "The Crypt-Kicker Five"
They played the mash
They played the monster mash
The monster mash
It was a graveyard smash
They played the mash
It caught on in a flash
They played the mash
They played the monster mash

Out from his coffin, Drac's voice did ring
Seems he was troubled by just one thing
He opened the lid and shook his fist
And said, "Whatever happened to my Transylvania twist?"


It's now the mash
It's now the monster mash
The monster mash
And it's a graveyard smash
It's now the mash
It's caught on in a flash
It's now the mash
It's now the monster mash
Now everything's cool, Drac's a part of the band
And my monster mash is the hit of the land
For you, the living, this mash was meant too
When you get to my door, tell them Boris sent you
Then you can mash
Then you can monster mash
The monster mash
And do my graveyard smash
Then you can mash
You'll catch on in a flash
Then you can mash
Then you can monster mash

Na, na, na, Gonna have a good time

I don't know about you, but I thought this may have actually been a monumental moment in my Blog. The last post was the 25th post I have put on this fabulous page and I think it deserves some sort of recognition if not a celebration.

Hi am the author of this blog, the internet's Litton Wickenheiser. I started this blog as way to share the experiences I am enjoying in Calgary with my good friends back in the O-town, my parents and of course those who know me everywhere else in the world.

So to all you playas I want say to say Thanks, Merci, Kiitos, Gracias etc etc . . . for giving me the inspiration to come here once a week or so and belt out a few lines of the crazy thoughts going on in my head.

I think I will celebrate this momentous occasion by reflecting on some of the highlights of this journey, the Bearded Backpacker retro.

Well the adventures began after I attended the Erin Mills stampede stomp and was the master of the Sumo Pit. I declared my dominance that day pushing and hurting anyone who dared get in my way. I HAVE THE POWER!!!!!!!!!!!

The stampede brought some early highlights to the blog as I took in free breakfasts and rodeo fun.

Following that it was the adventures with my parents as they came to visit their beloved son in the New West. We had a lot of fun, what with the Rocky Mountains, West Edmonton Mall and promiscuous zoo animals. All good times.

After that I kind of disappeared and reappeared celebrating the wedding of my Brother in Christ, the one the only Jimmy James E. It was a blast and I had tonnes of fun. Plus I got to check back in with a lot of the great people I left back in Ottawa. You guys still mean a lot. Never let anyone tell you different.


After that I just kind of went off the rails and my mind took over the blogging without me having any control. Where does this mean we're going, I don't know.

I think I will just try and keep it light with a few biting commentaries if possible.

An update on my reality show audition is that I don't believe this one is meant to be, but that's okay. I think there will be other opportunities. I need to be on TV.

I want to leave you here with the lyrics of another song. It was from one of my favourite shows growing up, The Electric Company.
Morgan Freeman was one of the regulars of the cast. It rocked and taught me a lot and I believe is a very appropriate celebration song. So read the lyrics here and hit the link at the bottom. Hopefully it will bring you to an actual video of the opening credits for the show.

HEY YOU GUYS!!!!!!!!!!
Moving out in a new way
Moving out in a new way
We're gonna turn it on (turn it on)
We're gonna bring you the power (you can do it)
We're gonna light the dark of night like the brightest day in a whole new way
We're Gonna Turn it On (do do do)
We're Gonna Bring you the Power (do do do do)
We're gonna tell you the truest words that you heard anybody say
Moving out in a new way
Moving out in a new way
We're gonna turn it on
We're gonna bring you the power
It's coming down the lines, strong as they can be through the courtesy of the Electric Company

That's right the Electric Company.
Give it a chance to load up.

Alright friends. I gots to go. Have a great day and look forward to the next 25 posts, This was number 1

Later

And i think it's gonna be a long long time

I don't know about you, but I'm finding the start of this NHL season to be the most scrutinized and most intensly analyzed hockey season in my hockey watching life. It does not seem to matter what I am watching or reading, but you'd swear it was at least mid season with the way 'pundits' like Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun are getting all worked up.
I'd bet you that Mr. Garrioch would love to have half the Ottawa Senators team traded just because they started 1 and 2. Why are guys who look like they can't skate or even hold a hockey stick allowed to make so many outrageous claims about this sport.

Here are more examples of early season wackiness. You should know I'm no fan of the Maple Leafs, but after their loss to the Sens they were getting written off. IT WAS ONE GAME PEOPLE!! The Buffalo Sabres win two games, one in a shoot out and another in the last minute and their going to the cup. Everyone is so quick to be a bandwagon jumper its embarrassing. I know we can look back on the last two cup winners and both the Lightning and Hurricanes had awesome starts to the season, but both were almost beaten by teams who people had written off halfway through the season.

I guess I'm just sick of these half wits who figure Calgary Flames goalie Mikka Kiprusoff is done because he has a bad pre-season game. Or the Sens can never overcome the absence of Chara. There is more than Chara not being on the team. Yeah he was a presence, but the defensive problems the team has have more to do with the fact the team is missing new team member Joe Corvo to injury and everyone else is playing with a different partner or the opposite side. Give them time to get it together before having a panic attack.

Anyway I truly believe that people are taking hockey way too seriously now. I don't like losing to the leafs, but in reality it doesn't really matter for the Sens anymore. Teams are going to lose games during the season. Last year the Sens may have started the season 3 and 0, but two of the wins were in shootout and once they had to come from behind and the other they blew a big lead before winning in the penalty shots.

Anyway I had to rant because I have this sense that too many people are pinning what happens in the first week of the season on their team's chances of winning the cup.

Come on.

We all need to take a breath people

Now somewhere in the black mountain hills of dakota

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian fans. As it is the time to be thankful I guess there is a number of things I can say thanks to. I guess the return of the NHL was one thing that I was really happy to have back after the one year lockout. I had a lot of fun last season going to the Corel Centre slash Scotiabank Place to watch the Senators play. I guess it will suck a bit this year that I won't have a chance to see my favourite team in person, but I got in a lot of games last year to hold me over.

Another thing I'm very thankful for is the series of events that led to me moving to Calgary. I'm really glad that I actually did take that chance and moved across the country. I'm thankful for all the support I received from my friends and family during a pretty stressful time.

I have to give a lot of thanks to the support and place to stay the Double B's, C and Two D provided me with when I first arrived in Cowtown.

I'm also thankful for the great people I have met in my short time in Calgary.

Anyway to summarize, Thanks

Well I will leave it that. I want y'all to enjoy your turkey or tofurkey and remember to give thanks.

Oh before I leave I'd like to share the lyrics to a classic Yes tune

Ive seen all good people turn their heads each day
So satisfied Im on my way.
Ive seen all good people turn their heads each day
So satisfied Im on my way.

Take a straight and stronger course to the corner of your life.
Make the white queen run so fast
She hasnt got time to make you a wife.

cause its time, its time in time
With your time and its news is captured
For the queen to use.
Move me on to any black square,
Use me any time you want,
Just remember that the gold
sfor us to capture all we want, anywhere,
Yea, yea, yea.

Dont surround yourself with yourself,
Move on back two squares,
Send an instant karma to me,
Initial it with loving care
Dont surround
Yourself.

cause its time, its time in time
With your time and its news is captured
For the queen to use.
Diddit diddit diddit diddit diddit diddit diddit didda.
Diddit diddit diddit diddit diddit diddit diddit dont surround
Didda. - yourself with yourself.
Dont surround yourself with yourself, dont surround yourself.
Move on back two squares,
Send an instant karma to me, send an instant
Initial it with loving care karma to me. dont surround yourself.

cause its time, its time in time
With your time and its news is captured
For the queen to use.
Diddit diddit diddit diddit diddit diddit diddit didda.
Diddit diddit diddit diddit diddit diddit diddit didda.
Diddit diddit diddit diddit diddit diddit diddit didda.
Diddit diddit diddit diddit diddit diddit diddit didda.

cause its time, its time in time
With your time and its news is captured.

Ii. all good people

Ive seen all good people turn their heads
Each day so satisfied Im on my way.
Yea, yea.
Ive seen all good people turn their heads
Each day so satisfied Im on my way.

Were's moving on up

I'm a big fan of television and the movies, anyone who knows me knows this. That is why I was really excited this week when I had the opportunity to audition for a reality type television show. The show is called Letters, or something like that, and it will pit 10 men in a free for all of love.

The contestants will attempt to win the affection of a women solely through their talents with the written word. Being on the show would allow me to reach my goal of being on television. Sure I was on TV back when I was 13 and my class took part in The Thunder Bay Televison Young Producers. Still I didn't appreciate the experience. I played the chef in the sketch, 'Mr Roger's Solar System.' The theme of the show was space I think, it was such a long time ago.

To the East Side

Anyway let me set the scene. I happened to be cooking something when Mr. Rogers walks in and asks me what I'm doing? My line was 'I'm cooking Mr. Rogers.' Shortly after the kitchen explodes and the laughter begins. I remember watching the episode as a kid and laughing at myself so hard that it hurt. I unfortunately do not have a copy of the show. It is one of the regrets of my life.

A side note of that production is that Kevin Durand, who has appeared in such films as 'Walking Tall' and 'The Butterfly Effect', was the host of our little production. Its awesome baby.

Yeah so I don't know if anything will come from this little audition, but it has made me think about whether or not I should consider getting involved in some other types of productions, maybe some type of one man show or the shakespeare in the park, I dunno. We will have to see where the wind guides me as a float atop a giant leaf, breaking free in the autumn from the mighty oak and drifting slowly, but surely to the earth. I am holding tight on this botany fueled adventure and so far I like it.

Anyway if my fans out there can think positive thoughts about this opportunity that would be great.

To a deluxe apartment in the sky

Before I go, there was something else I was wondering about. Did the Road Runner and Speedy Gonzales ever race one another? I don't seem to recall. I know the Hanna Barbera characters always had some sort of Olympic type event, but not the Warner Bros.In any case I'm thinking that Road Runner would have to win just because of his longer legs. I mean I'm not taking anything away from Speedy, the dude is quick, but he has to expend so much more energy to cover the same area. Of course he does deal with a lot less wind resistence because of his smaller body and his closeness to the ground. It is a debate that will rage on until these two champions of speed, race. If it has already happen, let me know. I GOTS TO KNOW,


Alrighty then Dudes and Dudettes. That's it for me tonight and I hope you can stay tuned for a new episode of Golden Girls. Tonight, Blanche and Dorothy fight over the same younger man. Let the laughter ensue.

We finally got a piece of the pie!

It don't matter that you got not alot, So what

The Office, the winner of this year's emmy for best comedy, premiered its third season this week with what may have been the most uncomfortable 22 minutes of television I have ever seen in my life. The show had me cringing and laughing all the way through. The episode has Michael Scott finding out that one of his employees is gay. Now any other normal person would handle this in stride, but not Michael. No, he decides he is gonna put his own little spin on things and in the process outs Oscar. It is amazing how this guy doesn't get anything. And yet this is the genius of the show.

Anyway after outing Oscar, Michael decides he is gonna fix things, first by trying to hug Oscar and then by kissing him. The most spectacular about all this is that the rest of the office just sits there watching Michael do these things. I'm still laughing.

The episode was great and the season is off to a great start.

I give it a 5 out of 5 backpacks.

This is the first of what may become a regular feature of the Bearded Backpacker that I like to call 'The Reviews.'

And with this being the first I'll share another opinion of entertainment with you.

Mon ami Amanda was in the city this weekend to celebrate some religious holiday and so had a chance to hang out with her and we decided to check out a film.

Along the way we picked up to stragglers to join us at the movies and this made selecting a film a bit difficult. We could not get unanimous approval amongst the four of us for any of the following, 'The Last Kiss', 'The Gridiron Gang' or 'Talladega Nights.' However a surprise to me was that everyone was up for seeing 'You, Me and Dupree.' It was a fine choice. Owen Wilson, and that thing he calls a nose, Matt Dillon and Kate Hudson all gave hilarious and touching moments and left us all laughing, except for Rebecca, who thought a nap would be more appropriate. Anyway I loved it, it was really fun and the hockey helmet was a nice touch for Wilson. I laugh alot.

Anyway I wrote something much better about these two, except the computer conspired against me and I lost the genius before saving. Damn you KHAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway enjoy my thoughts and maybe you too will tune into 'The Office' or check out "You. Me and Dupree.'

"The Reviews' have been a Quinn Marten Production.

Do you know do you know do you know just how I feel?

So I thought about writing something about how ridiculous I think the New York Islanders signing of Rick Dipietro is, but why waste our time.

I'd rather talk to you about a much more important issue. The fall of the Sunday Rec Plus B Swingers in the Championship Game on Sunday September 10th. It was a great day for co-ed slo-pitch. The sun was out and temperature decent. We played the Commandos, a team we lost to by one run during the regular season in the bottom of the Seventh. The cruel mistress of fate would cast a similar spell on us in the Big Game. We did our best to win that game and I may have even had my best hitting performance of the season. Took me long enough. Yet the glory of victory was not to be ours as we again lost by one in the bottom of the 7th.

All the time, it was...we really, finally did it!! You maniacs! You blew it up! Ah, damn you! God...damn you all to hell! "






















So this loss brings my record in championship games to a dismal 3 and 7. Not good.

Ah well winning isn't everything. Who I'm kidding? Its the only thing!

But seriously we will all be better for the experience.

Anyway I would love to write more, but '2103: The Deadly Wake' is on Encore Avenue and it looks too good to miss.

Long long time ago

Wow. I can't believe it's been 5 years since I began my career as a media monitor. The date was September 10, 2001, that was the day I first began listening and writing about the news. I have to admit that I really do like my job a lot even though many people don't understand it or others find it boring. I guess I am an infophile and having a job where I am getting bombarded with new information everyday is really pretty darn exciting.

So it was 5 years ago that I entered the 10th floor office of Bowdens Media Intelligence in downtown Ottawa. It was a pretty uneventful day that I remember very little of, because as you may know things were gonna get a lot more exciting on my second day, what with September 11th and all. I think it was probably very beneficial to have such a major news event take place on the second day of a monitoring job. Anything that would follow that event would seem like child's play. It could also have made the job seem more mundane and dull and let me tell you those moments exist, but I guess its my love for information that just keeps me coming back each each and every day.

When I was studying history and political science at Carleton University or radio broadcasting at Algonquin College there was never a time that I thought wow I could get paid to just sit in front of a tv or radio and write what's going on . But the job actually exists.

The time I have spent as a media monitor has led to some of the best friendships I have ever known and maybe that is why I like the job so much. There have been some tough times during my time with the company, but my friends have always been there to help things along.

I spent my first 4 and half years with Bowdens working in Ottawa and the job finally allowed me to meet some quality people in the city that I know will be friends for life. There is of course Mo who has been one of the most important people in my life to date. She has been a tremendous friend and has tried to help me from the first day. There is also Rob, who without his influence I may have never been able to enjoy as many Ottawa Senators games as did last season. Who else is there? Of course I cannot forget Em. She is a wonderful friend who always gives me a reason to smile. There are a few others in that office who are great people and I'm glad I had a chance to get to know them. Mitch, Lan, G-Money, The Mats, Marlene, Murial and Mel are some of the interesting characters I had a chance to meet during those halcion days. What's with everyone having an M in their name anyway?

Of course the good times in Ottawa did come to an end and I headed west to check out how the playas in Calgary roll when it comes to media monitoring. Well let me tell you these cats are whacked. There is a great group of people in the office out here. The atmosphere in the office is very positive and I hope that I will form the same bonds I had in Ottawa out here.

Well I just wanted to reflect a bit on my anniversary. 5 years is a long time, but it has been a good time.

I want to dedicate this post to Rob, Mona and Emilie, the Bowdens co-workers who made my time at that place so much easier.

You all rock

I'd like to end this post with a song

What would you do if I sang out of tune,
Would you stand up and walk out on me.
Lend me your ears and I’ll sing you a song,
And I’ll try not to sing out of key.
I get by with a little help from my friends,
I get high with a little help from my friends,
I’m gonna try with a little help from my friends.
What do I do when my love is away.
(Does it worry you to be alone)
How do I feel by the end of the day
(Are you sad because you’re on your own)
No I get by with a little help from my friends,
I get high with a little help from my friends,Oh,
I’m gonna try with a little help from my friends.
Do you need anybody,I need somebody to love.
Could it be anybodyI want somebody to love.
Would you believe in love at first sight,
Yes I’m certain that it happens all the time.
What do you see hen you turn out the light,
I can’t tell you, but I know it’s mine.
Oh I get by with alittle help from my friends.
I get high with a little help from my friends,
Oh I’m gonna try with a little help from my friends.
Do you need anybody,I just need somebody to love,
Could it be anybody,I want somebody to love.
Oh I get by with a little help from my friends,
Mm I’m gonna try with a little help from my friends,
Oh I get high with a little help from my friends,
Yes I get by with a little help from my friends.

Thanks a lot! You've been a great crowd!

How Long... How long must we sing this song?

Again I have decided to take some time to reflect and collect my thoughts before releasing another post. I find myself with a number of ideas, but when it comes time to write out my thoughts I have not the energy or the wisdom to put it down.

I prefer to philosophize my ideas and figure if they make any sense to me, but usually they don't so I might as well just write some things out.

So I saw something that to me was just genius. You may have already seen it, but if not make sure you get down to youtube to check out George W. singing the U2 classic, 'Sunday Bloody Sunday.'

It's truly amazing the editing done to make this work. It rocks.

Anyway it is this song that makes me want to write something, but what. I no longer have any real adventures to speak of, what with the end of summer and the baseball season. I will be going for the Sunday Rec Plus "B' title this weekend. I look to play well and have fun and for that occasion I have had my haircut. I want to look good for the team photo and I wouldn't mind if my hat would stay on during a game.

I don't want to worry any of my fans who like my longer hair, I have not shaved my head, but I have gone above the ears so hopefully you will still like me the way I am. Its amazing how much our hair can come to identify us, either to ourselves or to others. There was a time I did not get my hair cut too short because I was worried it would change the way some people thought about me or maybe I just thought I looked good with it. It's like the whole beard thing. I love having it and it has become a part of me and anyone who says to get rid of it I will tell them;

THE BEARD STAYS YOU GO!!!

But is that really a bright idea? I mean, choosing my facial hair over a relationship, I say yes, because you should never have to change who you are unless you are a complete ass. I don't think I'm there yet. I could be wrong. Nahhhhh!

Anyway what was my point?

So I want to recommend something else that I have found really funny, it may be some of the best cartoon writing I have seen since
'The Tick.'

The show of which I speak is 'The Venture Bros.' It is a more adult spin on the Johnny Quest cartoons you may have heard of. It's the story of a scientist, his two sons and their super strong body guard voiced by Patrick Warburton. The show has me laughing out loud rolling on the floor. It's ridiculous, the stories, the villains and the whole idea. I don't think I could do it justice in an explanation, but check it out if you can. It's on Monday nights on Teletoon at 10:30 pm.

So those were my picks of the week and I hope you do your best to check them out because they are the bomb y'all.

Well I guess that is all I have to say for now, but I promise I will update everyone on the results of tomorrow's Softball tilt.

Gooooooooooooooo SWINGERS!!!!!!!

Deep Thoughts

I think we all have little things we do when we are feeling a bit down in the dumps or bummed. I myself love to dance wildly like this special move I adopted called the RG Makelove or when I really need a pick me up I will do the running man. Its glorious. But what has been helping me most lately when I feel a little blue is to follow the lead of one Will Ferrell and wax poetic with a few lyrics from the Starland Vocal Band.

Gonna find my baby, gonna hold her tight
Gonna grab some afternoon delight
My motto's always been 'when it's right, it's right'
Why wait until the middle of a cold dark night?
When everything's a little clearer in the light of day
And we know the night is always gonna be there any way

Sky rockets in flight. Afternoon delight. Afternoon delight.

Wow the lyrics of this song are so powerful and it is definitely one I need to sing in public one of these days. Think of the great moments in television and cinematic history where this song has made an appearance. Anchorman, Arrested Development and the Simpsons are just some of the fine programs that have taken a chance on a little diddy that allowed the Starland Vocal Band to get their own summer replacement variety show in 1977. Late Show host David Letterman was even a writer on the show. It just reminds me of the power of a one hit wonder. If these guys were around today they would probably have had a 10 year run with their show. Luckily for us their one song success and brief variety program were short lived.

Wait a minute. Who I am I to judge this band. They got a hit that lives strong to today so I say well done and thanks for all the memories.

Another song that I can't help belt out once an awhile just for fun is the Public Enemy classic

'Bring Da Noize'

I am hoping to learn guitar so I can perform an acoustic version of it or maybe I will just take it and make it into a lounge number.

Bass! How low can you go?
Death row what a brother knows
Once again back is the incredible
The rhyme animal
The incredible D. Public Enemy number one
Five O said "Freeze!" and I got numb
Can't I tell 'em that I really never had a gun?
But it's the wax that the Terminator X spun
Now they got me in a cell 'cause my records they sell
'Cause a brother like me said "Well
Farrakhan's a prophet and I think you ought to listen to
What he can say to you, what you ought to do"
Follow for now, power to the people say,
"Make a miracle. D, pump the lyrical"
Black is back, all in, we're gonna win
Check it out, yeah y'all, here we go again

Chorus: Turn it up! Bring tha noize!

I don't know why, but sometimes at work I will just start singing it. It reminds me of a simpler time when I was still in high school and life was less complicated or it just has a great message or I just love the bass. My mind has no focus. I like that about me.

Anyway the reason I started this post was to tell you about my beard. It was the fall of 2003 and I had just shaved off my handle bar moustache so that I would not ruin the pictures for Paul's wedding. I am a caring sort. Anyway on with the show this it. So check it, I had always let my beard grow to a point where it really got annoying and then I would shave the whole thing off. This would change in late 2003 when I decide to buy a pair of clippers. This allowed me to trim the damn thing whenever it got to that itchy unbearable stage. So other than one week in the past 3 years I have been with beard. I really do love my beard. He and I have had a lot of memories together. Will I shave it off and go without again? I don't know. I'm just too darn attractive with it. Well come you have all seen the pictures.

Anyway thanks for hanging out for this long diatribe. I want to give a shout out to my homies and shorties. Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars.

A superbowl homeboy from the O-town

Yes so it wasn't all weddings and dancing and drinking for your's truly during the trip to the National Capital Region. I actually ran into some of the other people I left behind when I took off from my former home.

You can see some of them in this photo. They are so innocent looking aren't they, well let me tell you, you can forget all that. Bad seeds every last one of them. Wouldn't trust them any further than I could throw them.

The one on the left is the real troublemaker, but I leave that story for another day. Anyway I did see the 6 people you see above along with a few other all-stars, Nic and his sweetheart, DC and his crazy family along with my personal favourite Chuck Man Jack. Oh don't forget about that crazy French man who always reminds me to be out there sowing my oats or something like that. I in turn helped him reno a bathroom. Whoo wee!! That was the highlight of the trip. Hopefully next time I'm in Ottawa he'll have another project for me. They're quite a bunch let me tell you.

Of course my search for Danny G was fruitless, I can never get a hold of that guy, its as if he is avoiding me. What is he afraid of, is it the money he owes me or does he know that I found out about his fear of cardigan sweaters? I don't know.

So the trip to Ottawa allowed me to spend some quality time with Mo and her kid. It made me realize that I deep down I don't hate children, I actually enjoy hanging out with them and discussing world events. Its a blast. Will I make a good father? Some say yes, others may not be so sure. As long as any children I have turn out to be jerks than I will consider their upbringing a success.

Now to something important. What's the deal with Pluto being demoted. That's an outrage that is. We are always talking about equality and then scientists go and pull something like this. Ridiculous.

Anyway that's my time, now enjoy the musical stylings of Baby TV.

HERE WE ARE -- THE B.I.C.

From the O-town

Hey hey, its about time I wrote something on this blog. What the heck is wrong with me. I guess its just that I am recovering from my fun adventures in the Nation's capital. I was in Ottawa to attend the wedding of one of my oldest and dearest friends, the one the only Jimmy James.

I've known James since I sat next to him in Mr. Vescio's Grade 9 geography class at the ole St. Ignatius High in the wonderful tree-lined municipality of Thunder Bay. Those were good times. The world was changing, what with the fall of the Berlin Wall and communism getting its rightful kick in the can. My earliest impressions of James was his quality of character and his tremendous verbosity. That boy would say words I didn't even knew existed, me being a simple boy from Finnish Irish stock. He was a good chap and my best memories from high school include him and my other brother in Christ, the man not the myth Paul Q or Squirrel as he was known by then. It was not until Grade 12 that our bonding as friends would really take hold. It was that year that we all played on the only decent football team that St. Ignatius ever put together during our time there. Of course the following year we played on possibly the worst football team the school ever had to offer, but it was all in good fun. I wouldn't trade those memories for anything.

But it was those football practices and the fact that Paul lived on his own and had a place for us to hang without any adult supervision that gave us the time and space to develop some of the strongest friendships I will ever have. Despite that lack of supervision the three us were very well-behaved and spent a lot of time high on life :) I guess we had what any teenager wants, FREEDOM, and we didn't abuse the privilege.

When high school came to a close I would abandon these two as I took off to Ottawa to attend Carleton U and they stayed in T-Bay to go to Lakehead. That time apart may have ended a lot of friendships, but it is a testament to how strong our bond is that despite my absence whenever I did see these two it was just like old times and eventually all three of us would meet up again. Paul was the first to join me in O-town and James was there shortly after. What's up with that. We could not be apart I guess. Anyway some things are just meant to be.
Of course I decided that I must test the bounds of our friendship and pick up and leave these two behind once again. If you follow this blog at all you know I have moved on to Calgary. Will they follow me here? Only time will tell.

As those two settle down with their new lives, both of them married and Paul now the proud father of a beautiful baby girl, I have to admit that I am very proud to have these two guys as my friends. Paul made a great speech during James' wedding reception and pretty much summed up what I was feeling about James and Paul and the friendship we have.
We are very different people and it may seem odd sometimes, even to ourselves, that we have remained so close over the years. I know I have had many a stupid argument over the years with James, remember Friday the 13th, and I have picked on Paul a lot, who could forget the mullet, but it was always in good fun.

I guess my point is that you guys rock and I look up to and admire you both. Congratulations to you James and Nesrine, may you have a lifetime of joy and happiness together.
As for you Paul, keep on doing what you're doing. You take care of that family of yours and be the best father you can.

My words of encouragement. Anyway I guess I have rambled long enough.
In closing I just want to say that I miss you guys and I look forward to seeing you soon. The unholy triumvirate that is the BIC will unite again.

Well that's it for now. Coming up next I go looking for Danny G, share memories of bathroom renovations, contemplate my qualifications as a father and try to figure out how they could demote Pluto.

Check y'all later and Peace Out

Day 7 and 8

So I have been lazy about the updating of my adventures and I hope y'all can accept my deepest apologies.

So to update everyone, me and my parents spent the 7 and 8th day of their visit going to and hanging out at the West Edmonton Mall. Yes the world's biggest mall and family fun zone.

I did not hang out in any of the fun centres, but I did see every inch of retail space that place can offer. Too much.

As for Edmonton I did not see much, but its no Calgary. What can I say I have bought into the hype.

So if you want to know more about West Edmonton Mall take a trip on this link and you'll learn so much more.

So that's it, the end of my parents visit. The left early Day 9. It was a really good time and I really liked having them visit. We took lots of pictures and have many memories.

Well what the heck do I do now. I must find some new and even more exciting adventures. It could be my upcoming trip back to the O-town for mon ami's wedding. Will Jimmy James make it through the ceremony without fainting or falling down. It could be exciting and I can't wait.

Alright so lets all have a good time and get down!

Check y'all later. Out

Day 5

Let there be mountains !

So on the fifth day of my parents visit to Calgary we went off to check out a little piece of God's country know as Lake Louise. It is quite amazing, the colour of the water, the rocky mountains and the chance you may be eaten by a grizzly bear.

I had never been to Lake Louise in the summer, only the winter, so this was the first time I had ever seen the actual water in person and it was truly amazing. The mountains that surround the lake are pretty breathtaking themselves, but it was the colour of the water that I could not get over, that teal hue, I guess you would call it that, is so weird. I could imagine swimming in it would be like swimming in a big bowl of green skim milk. The colour is so vibrant that I couldn't actually believe that it was water, I had this urge to try and walk across it, but my senses got the better of me.

Once we checked out the lake we went o a little chair lift ride to get a better view of the Rocky Mountains.

I don't know what it is, but I just love the rocky mountain way, couldn't get much higher.

I don't know what I can say about this view other than you have to check it out for yourself to get the full appreciation. I hope that some of my fellow travelers will join me out here in Alberta one day so I can share these amazing vistas with them.

As for the bears, we didn't have a run in with one, which is a little disappointing, but that was probably for the best.

So it was a pretty cool time in Lake Louise, but I think this vacation is starting to wear my parents out.

Day 6 was pretty much a break in the excitement for the C-town 3, but that was only so we would be ready to conquer the great monstrosity of merchandising that is the West Edmonton Mall.

Stay tuned loyal travelers.

Day 4

Much to my surprise my parents were not even getting on my nerves yet after 4 days of the visit. I think thats some kind of record. They're great people, they really are and I love them to pieces, but they are also my parents so they cramp my style sometime. I kid of course, but only cause they may read this.

Anyway so Day 4 saw me and my ma check out the zoo while my dad went golfing.

The zoo is cool to me. I think I should have pursued a career in zoology. It would be fun. I could hang out with the gorillas or monkeys or the bears or the lions or etc all day long. I just love watching the way these creatures act.

However since this was my Ma's only chance to see the zoo we tried to see everything. So we did. We started out by checking out the hippos they were just eating and weren't swimming so I didn't get to see them in the water, but i did get to see the fish that 'clean up' after them. There were so many of these fish. It was pretty cool how they all gathered by the glass.

There were some other amazing animals like the giraffes, zebras and lions. But it was early in the day and they all seemed to be more interested in resting than entertaining. The bastards! Don't they know we came for a show, well their lucky I love all creatures.

I don't hold a grudge against them. They have a right to rest

So a little later on we went to the rainforst exhibit and that's where we got to check out the monkeys and all sorts of primates. The gorillas were there. I think I will go back and watch them again, them and the spider monkeys. Even though the gorrilas were not doing much they were still real interesting to me. I think its the fact they could kick my a**. What would that be like to be beat up by a gorilla. The spider monkeys were so active that it was really fun watching them swing around and goof off, oh what a life.

I could go on and on about all the animals, but I loved so much at that zoo that I would almost have to say I'm a zoo geek. The elephants didn't do much because they are getting a new enclosure built at the zoo. The flamingos were pretty neat and so colourful eh. The red panda was reall awesome, but I'm so incompetent that I never had my camera ready when he was looking my way, What a maroon.

Anyway all in all the zoo rocked and anyone visiting Calgary should check it out.

Well I'll leave it there for now, but tune in soon as the Beaderded Backpacker and his honoured guests head off to the rockies one more time to check out Lake Louise.

Later

Day 3 of the Visit

So why I was hard at work, (for some reason I can't stop laughing when I say that) my folks decided to take a ride to Drumheller to check out some golf and the Royal Tyrrell Museum.

They suck, but they did bring me back a T-shirt and a golf towel though.

I think they said they had fun.

Day Two of the Visit

So it took me awhile to actually remember happened on day two of my parents visit, but now I recall. My dad was wrapped up watching the final round of the British Open while my mom and I went to get a better view of Calgary from the Calgary Tower

There were some strange and unusual creatures at the Tower as we entered. An oversized beaver posing as a mountie, a moose dressed as a hockey player and a Tyrannosaurus Rex, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!
Luckily these natives were friendly and allowed me to have my picture taken with them.

Also there was a wooden Indian, he didn't say much, but he was a friendly cat nonetheless. So we went all the way up to the observation deck where we got some shots of the city and took in the amazing view.

Of course I took the opportunity to stand on the glass floor and look at potential doom, my ma was not so brave. The Tower is a nice place to visit. We had fun.

Coming up next, the parents take off to Drumheller to see the dinosaurs without the Backpacker, what bums. Perhaps they will still have some stories to tell

Later

The Backpacker Returns

Ahhhhhhh . . . . .

So a whirlwind week of excitement has come to an end for the Bearded Backpacker. Mon parents have come and gone and along the way there were a number of adventures. This week I will share these journeys with you the only way I know how. Chronologically. So my parents arrived here in the New West on July 22nd. It was a lovely Saturday here in Alberta and of course we needed to take advantage of the nice weather by making a short trip to Ikea, I think . . . that was a week ago and I’m not much for note taking.


Anyway after that we decided to take a drive out to Banff, Alberta to check out the rocky mountain resort town. There are lot of shops and touristy things in that town and of course great architecture and rocky mountain vistas. It was a tiring day though with myself and my folks deciding sleep was not necessary the night before, what with them getting an early flight and me unable to sleep because of the excitement of their visit. Anyway it was all in all a great start to the visit and things would only get better as the week went on.

I'm Still Travelling

Sorry loyal readers I am compiling a series of new adventures and will soon have an update for you on the happenings of the Bearded Backpacker.

The Backpacker's parents have come for a visit and have kept him rather busy, but don't worry the tales of excitement, adventure and tom foolery you have grown to love will be coming soon.

Plus I just can't get over the shock of Garth Snow being named the new GM of the New York Islanders. What's up with that?

Later

Here are some of the things I saw at the Calgary Stampede


Weadickville is where I saw the cops take down a couple of ne'er do wells.

There was some good carnie food at the Stampede. Corn dogs were one and mini-donuts were another.
Look its a cow and man did it smell good, whooo wee!!!!

The Snow Birds were actually part of the opening day festivities of the Stampede and were flying right over my apartment that day. It's quite the experience having planes, choppers and fireworks hovering overhead for 10 straight days, but it was all in good fun.

And of course the super dogs. If you look close you can see a streak. They were so fast I couldn't get a good picture. Anyway, hope you enjoyed the sites of my Stampede experience. Where does the Bearded Backpacker go from here? Only time will tell. Y'all have a good time now you hear.