I assume you all have guns and crack...

It's been one week since I wrote that slut of a standardized test (the MCAT) in Utica, New York, and there are few things that I just need to say: to all american border guards, what the hell is the collective chip that you all have on your shoulder? Seriously, I want the inside scoop. Why do I have to feel like I've swallowed a condom full of cocaine every time I talk to you? I'm sure that you've stopped your share of fruit smugglers, but is that worth making everyone who enters America feel like they've done something wrong? Your attitudes perpetuate the idea that Americans live in fear, and everyone who enters your country gets a taste of it.

Border guards aside, I was actually wasn't disappointed with the experience I had south of the border. I went down to write the MCAT with George, a friend of mine that I met this past year. His black civic held up nicely, particularly on the drive back when we decided to exit the highway on a one way ON ramp, and were forced to drive up and over a sidewalk. I bet that car saw more off-roading action than 90% of SUV's. The trip itself went smoothly, we managed to get down to Utica, check ourselves into a hotel, find our testing centre, and have dinner all before 6:00pm. The test itself went pretty well as expected, although I did stumble on one section and didn't finish. The thought of having to study and write the entire test again because I goofed on one section makes me want to throw up. I won't find out how I did until October 10th, so I'm sure I'll have my share of nightmares where the verbal section chases me down a dark alley and eats me alive.

I'm back in Vancouver now after 12 months of being in Guelph (minus a trip home for Christmas). It's been a long time since I spent a fall in a province other than Ontario, and I'm really looking forward to the mild winter. I suppose I'm going to need a job, so I'm trying to get BCIT to take me on for a fourth year. I think if that falls through I'll apply to a place down at Granville Island - I was there this morning and it looks like summer staff must have left because there must have been at least 10 'Help Wanted' signs there. Maybe I'll apply to the tea shop and give Marty a run for his money at tea trivia? Not likely.

Kayaking Gulf Islands, Hiking in the Rockies

Yes, summer adventure season is in full swing here in BC, and I thought I'd post a few pics from the two most recent trips.The first one began with me, rory, and two others sailing from Vancouver to Mayne island over the course of a day. Because we had to sail into the wind, it ended up taking 14 hours and we arrived shortly after midnight. We also found out that our boat had no lights. Anyways, Mayne was nice but not as cool as our bike trip was 2 years ago. We ended up kayaking to a small island near the end of Saturna the next day, and then around Saturna along the Canada/US border and past pender to get back to mayne the following day. There was an incident involving a helicopter... remind me to tell you the story when we're all together again.Me and my brother drove out to the rockies for a week, and we knocked off the top hike on my must do list: Mt. Assiniboine. We started in Canmore, Alberta, and walked 28km through 3 different national and provincial parks and across the bc/alberta border. We camped at the lake right below Mt. Assiniboine, then hiked to a nearby peak the next day to get a better view of the area. We took a different trail to get out of the park, going through wonder pass which had amazing views of glaciers and huge lakes. There's a few more pics on facebook.



Mt. Assiniboine and the Lake where we camped

Reading a topo map from the top of Nub peak

Tales from the Deep South Cont.

vice presidential transport

the library of congress

Convocation

Convocation was actually a few weeks ago, but I figure since it will be one of the only documented parts of my life I might as well put some photos up. It was actually a fairly good time, I was in line right in front of a good friend of mine who I worked with on my undergraduate research project this year. It was held in the Gryphon Dome which did a fantastic job of keeping in the heat. I have never seen so many sweaty geriatrics my entire life. It was a good time overall though, I snuck got my photo taken with Coral Murrant (left), my Physiology Prof, mentor, and idol.

My family came down to visit which was a blast. My sister had never been to Guelph, and it had been 4 years since my parents dropped me off in first year. We managed to have a great time, although we had a coughing incident during one lunch, and when I went into Toronto to meet my parents for a Blue Jays game I missed the bus (and I don't need to tell you guys how wound up my mom got). We did meet up however, and had a long discussion about the 'hug a tree' strategy when you're lost... Definately a smart move.

One last event of note. Mom, Dad, and Heather went to a taping of 'The Hour', and Dad (in fine form) walked onto the stage and starting talking to George Stroumboulopoulos like they were old time friends. Anyhow, "George" (as Dad calls him) told my Dad that he would get some BCIT people tickets when the show comes to Vancouver. Of course my Dad is wearing his embarassing 'Control Freak' shirt. What a guy eh?

Tales from the Deep South

click to view wicked suspenders

So. Mark is in Vancouver, Beautiful BC, Graeme in Guelph...soon to be in Europe and Asia ostensibly... and Martyn, though he seems to have dropped off the face of the earth is only half way there, having relocated temporarily (we hope) to South Korea from his Auzzie homeland.  I miss all you guys, though I KNOW you're all having adventures. Myself, I've elected to spend the summer in God's own country, spinning my own bathtub brew of misadventure here in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.  This is the hometown of Michael Jordan, Ben Folds, and some nasty Klan history.  NCAA sports reigns king here and my amazement never ceases at how many freakin basketball, football and baseball stadiums there are on campus.  A few weeks ago it was South Carolina vs North Carolina baseball and it was a pretty big deal.  I think Graeme would have loved it.  Guys, you're never going to believe this, but people actually dig it down here!  Can you believe that shit?   

My second weekend I headed up with a couple of friends to Virginia and Washington DC.  You can see me here proudly towering over the phallus of America.  This man was wearing perhaps the sexiest pair of patriotic suspenders I've ever seen, 

so he of course, made the picture cut.

Incidentally, I haven't quite found the right set of stars and stripes pants/pantaloons yet, but I WILL be purchasing some coveted america-wear in the near future fret not.  I had a fantastic time in DC.  Saw the zoo, the whitehouse, the capital AND joined in a protest on the capital lawn.  "WE ARE AMERICA, NOSTROS SOMOS AMERICA...." no, to this day I'm still not sure what we were protesting...  I should mention also that I slid down the banister in the Library of Congress and bought a tie that had a picture of every american president on it, including "Bill Klinton."  Yes.  Oh, and also a pair of patriotic nail clippers...I wonder what airplane policy on those puppies is?

A few pictures included of DC.  Including the capital where it looks like Dick Cheney may have been visiting!  I'll have to put up a few more in a bit.  

Sumas Mountain and Random Vancouver Bike Rides

Sumas Mountain

It's still too early in the season for high alpine hikes, as there is still a snowpack on most mountains above 1400 feet or so. So, we drove out to abbotsford and hiked Sumas Mountain at 1200 feet. The view below is of highway 1 going through Chilliwack. Hope is to the far left.

Richmond Dyke

I've also been exploring a lot of the trails within the city that i'd never gotten around to seeing before. I usually do something like this in the evening after work. This bike ride started in Richmond by the airport, then went over the fraser and along the ocean to Steveston.

Sea Wall and Lion's Gate

Another after work ride. I wanted to do the seawall, but a large chunk of it was still closed becasue of that wind storm in december. So when I got to the detour, I biked up to the causeway and across the lions gate bridge to west vancouver.

Juan de Fuca

Juan de Fuca

Now that I've figured out how to add photos I'll keep you guys up to speed with my adventures this summer. I went camping along the Juan de Fuca trail with my roommate right after the last day of exams. We didn't actually do the whole trail, we just hiked to the first beach and camped there. This is along the south west edge of the island. Naturally, we had a massive bonfire that night.

start of summer

Hey guys, guess it's time I finally wrote something for this blog. So i'm in Vancouver for the summer, which is proving to be a lot more boring than usual without you guys around. I true mark fasion, I've secured another completely random job for the summer. I'm working as a stagehand for a staffing company that sets up all the major concerts. Yesterday I set up Tim McGraw at GM Place, and it looked like quite a spectacle. Aside from work, I've mostly just been getting outside as much as I can. I have a whole bunch of trips planned for when the weather gets nicer. Me and my brother are going to the rockies for a week in July, kayaking some of the gulf islands at the end of June, and going on a high-alpine bike ride in rossland (in the kootenays). Oh yeah, and I have a reservation for the westcoast trail starting on august 27th. So... life will be good once we finally get some sunshine. If I can find out how to post photos on here, I'll start adding some, as I'm getting more and more into photography these days. Anyways... how are you guys? Marty, last time I talked to you we were at the Blenz Coffee in Victoria. What's south korea like? How are your classes? Do the people there worship you like a god because of your superior english skills? Graeme, I'm sure you're busy finishing off your classes and drinking steamwhistle ale, but fill me in on your travel plans more thuroughly. Pete said something about you going to Norway? And Peter... please blog about your times in North Carolina. Are the people there really evangelical? Will you eventually succumb and join their wacky religion? If so, please put me in charge of church fundraising.

We Are 4 Friends

Hey boys,

This past break made me realize how lucky I am to have such good friends to share good times with. No matter what happens, I think we have solidified our friendships to the point where it will last a lifetime. I created this blog so we can all see how everyone is doing, just updates on day to day things. As we travel our seperate ways, hopefully this blog will keep us connected. Gentlemen... We Are 4 Friends...