Judith's new office!

How do you like Aunt Judith's new workspace? Anyone want to come for a board meeting this summer?
We're installing wireless Internet near the tennis courts so Judith won't miss any important work while sunbathing or smashing that poor little yellow fuzzy ball around. However the phone calls interfere with her game so she may have to get a man (Anyone?) assistant.

As I eluded to you in a earlier posting I'm trying this thing Judith calls "work" and I will assume you're all curious how that is going for me.

My day mostly consists of waiting for peanuts 12:07 phone call. It is his "job" to ensure I understand what he is eating for lunch each day. I am still not sure why, but I guess I will learn once I get more "work" experience.
Also I have to spend a lot of time reviewing e-mails my friends and family forward to my "work" e-mail. I didn't know so many of my family and friends did "business" with the "firm" until I started "work"
So far my favorite part of the "work" day is something my "co-workers" call "tea time" It happens everyday at 15:00 hrs. It consists of a warm drink they call Earl Grey Cream and pieces of dark chocolate. Judith says it keeps the "workers" happy and the "firm" more productive. Who would have thought a simple cup of tea and some chocolate could do so much good! And if one of the "firms" directors or Judith's shop steward is in the office that day we stop what ever we are doing and must entertain the big shots. Judith says they're grooming me for big things, so I should sit in and listen as I might learn something. Judith says getting "connected" is the ticket to the big time! I still haven't asked her what the big time is, but I am sure it must be fun if it is anything like "work"

Also, I am learning about "consultants". I know who they are now because the all wear blue shirts, gesture a lot, draw pictures, and eat lunch out everyday with Judith. Judith tells me if I wear blue shirts and become buzz word compatible I can become a "consultant" no problem once I get "connected". Maybe that is what the "big time" is?

Thanks to my cousin Ian, who showed me this awesome mail away course booklet he received in the mail I can get certification in anything. You should see all the training you can get if you just put a little tear out stamp on this card with your address.

Also, I have started the first ever corporate trumpet band at the "firm". Judith calls that "taking initiative" and says it will help me with getting a "promotion" someday.

As you can see "work" is a place of learning, sharing, and evolving. I am glad I have had this opportunity to "work" and I have to thank Judith for introducing me to all the great things you get with "work" however I think being a super hero suited me better! What do you think, should I just go back to sleep?

Cadet Camp Week

What do you get when you put twenty-one kids in red jumpers and sound the alarm?

Chaos!

No, silly you get Cadet Camp, days of endless fun with our local firefighters, learning basic First Aid, Fire Fighting (real fires), High Angle Rescue, Auto Extrication, Fire Behaviour, Search and Recovery, etc.

So what are you doing this spring break?

Trumpet

I am currently in possession "on loan" of the famous Yole Trumpet. A WM Frank, Chicago (Circa: pre-1950) If you would like the national anthem played before your next board meeting, or happy birthday for a pet, I will be booked at Carnegie Hall, however I will try to fit you all in! Otherwise you will find me playing to Rufus and Judith. Lucky Judith huh!

Nickels, Full Decks, Fun, and Guitar's!

There is music, and then there is music. There are guitar players, and then there are guitar players, and then comes along something else. And in this case it was Montréal Guitare Trio

This weekend we left our rock and ventured to another rock a few hours up the coast. I know seems silly to head north this time of year, and then to another island, why?

It was Ian's double nickel, that's why, and since we both live with full decks, it was the "right" thing to do. We arrived in the middle of a party with a few select (didn't want to scare us off) locals (of course, they're just like our locals, just with different postal codes) so it was like we never left home. Judith entertained them with tall tales, while as usual I just barely kept up with her!

The next day, after an epic stroll through the forest and along the shoreline, we ended up at Martha & Gordon James for tea! Good thing, as it was tea time, and you know what happens to tea junkies if they miss three o'clock tea time! Gord was a gracious host and made sure we all got our tea fix. It is obvious that the James have very good taste, just being friends with Carol and "old whats his name" tells one that, but then we noticed an original Elaine Savoie which proves with out a doubt they in fact have exquisite taste. I would have liked to hang out with Gord more as he plays the sousaphone, which would go well with my new trumpet, however we had to keep moving to make the Montréal Guitare Trio show on time.

As I was saying, there is music, and then there is music. There are guitar players, and then there are guitar players, and then comes along something else. And in this case it was Montréal Guitare Trio The best part about music on the islands, is the venues are only so big. In this case we sat front and centre, and what a show! Get off your couch and on-line to check when MG3 is coming to your town, you will not be disappointed. I am sure I have now seen the finest three players our country has to offer. They took us side to side and from one end to the other and back again. Unbelievable!

The Creative Class

I found Richards presentation the Creative Class interesting and thought I would share it.

http://tinyurl.com/358tvb

"We need to tap into creative potential" Would you like to better understand the Creative Class? Author Richard Florida spells out about how the "creative class" is transforming work, leisure, community and everyday life.

Island Birthday Party (Note: This is Febuary)

What do you have when you get the goretex set together, add some adventure and a really nice boat ride from captain Rob and his deckhand the lovely Amanda? Answer: A picnic Birthday party on a little island in a provincial park on a sunny February afternoon complete with a huge assortment of home cooked goodies including champagne and single malt scotch. Check out the spread!

Yup, that is a beach fire, in February, and yes even more food.

Good thing Ann has lots of friends to share with, Ann is the one beside Judith in the red Goretex. The Birthday girl!

Here is Judith guarding the Black Forest Cake that included a real rose on top, yup it is still February. I wondered where that single malt got to, but I see it there.

Well, and then there was this pup, waiting to become bird food, when we moved on. When you live at the "end of the earth" as my dad says you're often up close and personal with nature on a daily basis and this day was no exception as sad as it is to see "smell" a dead creature while you are picnicking. I am not sure how she died, but I am sure Quincy or CSI will investigate on episode what ever!

The "Happening" Circa 2008 (Retro Summer of love)

So you see, Judith and I volunteered on Friday night to help out at a major event in our community called The "happening" which was basically dinner theater, and thanks to my parents bringing me to this little community since the "sixties" I actually know what a 'happening" is. Judith on the other hand being from the right side of the tracks, had nothing to wear. So after showing her the above photo, and explaining that my mother is not musical and those are not her bridge club members, we worked out a routine "Freak Freely and Far Out" and put together some outfits that would be in character to be part of the show.
This is our pal, Cimarron and my artistic inspiration also in character and looking "Far Out" I wanted to introduce her to you all, as I believe she is potentially one of the premier artists of our time and getting better every second. Keep an eye out for her in a gallery near you.
This of course is PeJu post face painting by our pal Elaine. She can work the face paints like no ones business. Pretty cool huh kids? Maybe when you visit you to can look like aunt Judith "the hippie", but don't let your parents find out or off to boarding school you will go!
OK, so this is Helen, mother of three of our friends, teacher of children, master actress, Postmistress retired, grandmother to some special girls, and all around cool person that doesn't mind blacking out her tooth for show business. It is a wish you where there story, but picture your mother acting on stage like a star struck school girl at the feet of another actor pretending to be a rock star, it is a good thing her children all have a sense of humour as one might be a little embarrassed by such a display of overwhelming lust do to star fever. Helen is always entertaining to say the least!
So what the, is this you ask? Well that is Jan (AKA Lawrence Welk) and all around wild musician, so why the gun you ask. Something about defending her honour and fight to the death and winner takes all. Judith, the mortgage, credit card debt, and hundreds of half baked business ideas. So as you can see me being armed with nothing more than a camera and Jan a .22 I had to think fast and work my charm before he unloaded this clip on my backside. Being known for my quick action and even faster mouth, I quickly moved into the battle ready position, and threw everything I had at Jan, until he surrendered to my poetry. Just like a "hippie" comes to a "B" IN with a gun, dame hippies, when will they learn Beatniks invented the summer of love.

Anyway the night, the music, and the skits, where a riot, I don't think I have laughed that hard in weeks. So in future when Valerie, says party I recommend you come. That gal knows how to throw a bash!

Judith is currently negotiating with her to host future GUTZ tradeshows!