More Pool Sharks on the way
New Year and a new training cycle for area divers, David gets the first one out of the way this weekend with a 6 OW and 3 Rescue students for me to train in everyone’s pools sessions. I keep forgetting how much I hate chorine and time and time again I put my self into it. Almost daily actually.
Lately I have been run down and the dr. thinks my thyroid needs adjustment but wants to do more tests, low thyroid problems is a product of side effects from Depression drugs, so yet another present to remind me that being normal is a job and a half on behalf.
In the pool I tried out the 28mm lens I got to get it dailed in for underwater mosaics, which is going to take some work but I think it’s going to be doable in good vis conditions. After the pool we hit the Oarsman like normal and hosted a pint.
A day on the Rideau
Before my latest tattoo appointment I took a ride out to the Rideau for a looksie and found this old cottage at the end of a side road that was marked Cottage for Rent. I think the cottage is further down the unplowed road or someone has a sense of humour.
At one of our wintering diving holes I spotted this red squirrel having a snack at the Lockmasters home on top of the hill then down to the lock for this picture.
Taking pictures in white snow at mid day presents a challenge, and I figured out that using the flash actually brings the white out a little more but I had to adjust the ISO and EV offset as well as they were getting blown out. Perhaps tomorrow I will venture out to some of the downtown churches. Tonight after group maybe some night shots.
drydock underconstruction dec 09
They have started working on the Dry Dock at the Marine Museum and with all the ideas it will be a pretty neat site once they get it all done. The last couple of days have been brutal but with todays work out it has seem to subside a little so I went out with Sean and got some snaps.
The shot I took this season is a different angle then all my others but I wanted to get the amount of construction digging that is going on. They are going to rebuild the drydock and then drain it all to make some holes in the ship for all to see the engines. The bonus is that then they don’t have to get it check for holes in the hull anymore and other seafaring rules as it will be a drydocked ship.
This coupled with all the construction on ontario street lately is supposed to improve the access to the water front for all to enjoy but it seems that hasn’t really become apparent yet so lets hope for the best in the spring.
The holidays start already
Christmas at Motorsport Plus Click on the link to see the video btw. 
I got the annual invite to go to Motorsport Plus and had a good time till about 8 then the meds like normally wore off and I shot out of there like a bat out of hell. The people are good people and most of them are very calm and collective. It’s just the drugs wear off and it’s just like being back at day one. My Dr. yesterday added yet another one to lower some blood pressure problems caused by the drugs and hopefully boost the anti-drepressent as well. Here’s hoping for the best.
The best thing about the get together was the addition from Steam Whistle ale as they donated a keg for the festivities, I am not a pilsner type guy but it wasn’t as bad as blue but a little lighter. So off tomorrow to help out with the rideaucrest photo shoot.
Kingston’s Christmas Seasons Starts off
So off with a parade actually….
So Sean and I put aside the depression symptoms that keep us away from events most of the time yet again and watched and photographed Kingston’s night time Santa parade. We started at 3 pm by visiting Rosie and the Hog chapter at the old Nortel plant parking lot and met up with a few old friends from both the military and high school of all places for Sean.
Then off to downtown where we met up with another photographer Paul Walsh from Photosave/Kingston Recycling yard. Paul wasn’t there at the time we arrived so we had a beer and returned to the street. The parade didn’t arrive till near 540 and took a long time. Due to the amount of walking participants. Children from the age of 5 beared the 6 KM route and the bikers had to watch the overheating of their bikes as the parade slowly winded down Princess Street to City Hall for the lighting of the Town tree in Springer Market Square. Too many people there for us to handle.
Enjoy the pictures here.
Exercise the only natural drug
So when you suffer chronic depression and shit like that, your routine is a big part of life. I start in the gym almost everyday to keep it in check. Doesn’t work all the time and your friends don’t understand after a year or so. Today on the news a french girl suffering was cut off because she was enjoying so life and photos were posted on Facebook.
hard to belief that a Dr would diagnose someone without even seeing them and on a photo is unreal. On top of that she isn’t even smiling in any of them. WTF, I bet the Dr even got his 300 bux an hour for the consult as well. What a wonderful system we got. I hope for the best for her.
What to do when a Shrink goes Postal
Being a suffer of depression and PTSD I can wholly understand a solider going over the edge after a deployment or in the process of doing so. Soldiers are pushed to the edge then brought back so often after a while the fine line gets blurry. Subject to all that goes against the grain and ones beliefs then asked to behave and be a model citizen when not doing the job. It gets to one after a while and if anything I have learned everyone reacts differently. Some immediately others years afterwards If in the later case most of the time the therapy and cure are too long and difficult to peruse in todays world of instantaneously being fixed.
When a shrink or other mental health care worker goes over the edge many start questioning the “rules” and treatment being obtained. The worse thing about this one is 13 others lost their lives and the gunman survived at least he had the decency of doing this in Texas where death is used constantly as a punishment.
RIP boys
Ok Swine Flu Bring it On
So on my Dr’s advise I headed to the Swine Flu Clinic after my workout and arrived about 1115 about 20 mins later they closed the line and stated there was a 4 1/’2 wait.
So a few anxiety attacks and sweating bullets for most of it I came out alive. The whole thing was a total cluster fuck. They handed out the questionnaire and didn’t even tell you if you choose yes to any of them if you would be treated. Imagine if you waited 4 hours to find out you couldn’t get the shot.
Waiting in line for 4 hours is something a solider is use to so it wasn’t that bad, but there was people in the 350 lb range (women) dragging chairs and not letting the elder sit down. Two people brought dogs with them as they pissed on the floor they ignored it. One even took out a hearing aid label for her dog, and with no hearing aids she was carrying on pretty good. I spent the afternoon twisting to get people to talk to my good ear.
The came the needle the nurse jabbed me pretty hard, and I could help telling her so as well. I guess after 500 people that day you get sloppy. But it’s all good now and just have to wait for the regular shot now.
the day after
So yesterday was my birthday and my regular dive buddy, John and Pat Coyne from Pat’s Charters in Kingston took me out to the Comet and Marsh for some birthday diving. That was after my Dr’s appointment where he announced that it was time for a drug shakeup. I got my ticket paid for to head to Grenada and some apple pie to boot. Life yesterday was simple and today when I finally crawled out of bed I went for a drive instead of the Gym.
I also started uploading pics to the site mostly Scuba ones and soon more then that but little bit at a time.
Another Weekend, another OW course
Soon I will finally get a break but sometimes being busy helps the mind for the time being. I haven’t much time to myself the last couple of months and now am feeling the run down feeling I suffer from. At least I have been able to get the students trained and ready to go for the upcoming school year classes being held in Florida and Bahamas.
So this weekend is the start of the end of the student season and off to get some personal diving in as well. The best part of this year has been the absence of the local clowns raising, stirring and spreading rumours.
I have also open a few more sites for the diving public and plan on revealing a few more before the boats come out as well for shore diving access providing we get the line in for safety reasons.
This class was just like the good ole days and the students learned and made the course for me. Ross who took the blunt of the punishment was a solid stand up guy for the weekend and almost became the diver of the weekend, but I have to give that to the 2 girls who on the last dive just nailed it. For the AOW students I shedded a tear of pride when Serge was flat and knees up watching the students go through what is now known as the circle of death.
The circle of death is the name of the new line laid in the quarry, what I have been doing is bringing them to the small hole at 8 feet. The start off doing a fin pivot and when ready to swim follow the line, stopping at the car hood, toilet, boat, car, boat, boat, boat, table all doing a drill at each stop. By the third time around all where hovering and flat.
Thanks for making my weekend good as the winter sets in I will reflect on it.
When your down your down.
So after a very busy week of diving 21 of them btw yesterday we headed to the store and I took a few good customers out to go diving. Much to the shirgrin of the operators which actually turned a little ugly and embarrassing for them as now more regulars are keeping away due to the banging of the help.
I had forgotten a dose or two which I thought shouldn’t have any effect but yet another reminder that I lead a medicated life to stay off the edge and just enough to life day to day. The unfortunate part of this is that some people are just a little bit slower then everybody else and refuse to believe that people can suffer a mental illness and not function properly in certain aspects in life.
So the nightmares returned and the midnight strolls around the house are back as well as the raging blood pressure leading to more restrictions on what I can do and will do for the time being.
I used to be heavily involved in wreck preservation and for two weeks I posted pictures of peoples art sketched into a historical wreck which for 100 years had no autographs from it’s owners, now the mast is covered in graffiti. Guess what no response from the peanut gallery on an action plan.
I guess things only get done if someone else is making money other then me.
And Yet another Day of Diving
So one of my diving buddies and comrade suffers as well and does a lot of diving with me, which is quite enjoyable and helps me understand what is going on in my head. Knowing someone else outside the military circle suffering at times eases me. So today I got to the gym a little late and still got in about 25 kms before heading to the store to get my stuff sorted out for a photoshoot on the Munson. John and Chris joined me as well and as both are striving to improve and as I get comfortable judging smaller errors it’s starting to be a little easier as well.
Meanwhile David and the gang were hanging and banging at the quarry where he was finishing the classroom/pool like conditions portion. I will take over on Thursday testing and hopefully on Friday finish them off . I think it’s going to be fun last time I had a bunch of teen girls it was easier then the parents, so hopefully the same result.
Some shots are plain lucky
So we got blown off the lake today as the winds hit 25Kph out of the south which is pretty brutal in the small boats. But like normal once the customers go away and the evening comes it drops drastically. After vibrating most of the day and staying out of peoples way so I don’t tear them a new one I headed down to the water front to catch a sunset.
But the skies wouldn’t raise high enough and only a thin red cloud line was seen from the water front, then the skies open up and the rain came hard, I was at the marine museum and could see the wall of rain down the street when a rainbow appeared over RMC. So i got a few shots in and started home, I stopped at the Holiday Inn to allow some people to cross and saw a Brigantine come into view so I started down the wharf for a few more shots.
Buskers, Beer and an Old friend returns
So the buskers are in town this weekend and it’s fun for all to enjoy, other then a few mini panic attacks I made it through the day with some help from the patio. Chris came with me for the day as Rose is out of town on business feeding elephants in africa. The buskers this year featured a couple of new acts that are worth seeing. The child in the picture above had just donated a good nose nugget that he had mined a moment before. He felt the need to join the others in adding to the pot.
The first one is the mime in front of Kingston Station very disciplined and played the accordion for added effect we stuck around for a bit with this guy and watched the children lose themselves figuring him out.
The better one of the show from what I saw as a british juggler and escape artist that kept the crown going with a constant spew of one liners. Near the end he coaxed a girl out and snuck a quick kiss turning her in to every shade of red possible. After which Chris and I headed to the quarry for a drink with Dan and listen to his plan for expanding the quarry for a family fun place.
Well look who is back in town and has joined me for a drink at the quarry and has many plans for the upcoming months. 
So stayed tuned for his adventures.
Complete pictures from the Buskers will be uploaded here.
More new Ink
So I got a new tattoo again today and so did Polly. I tried a new artist as the one I like seems more interested in smoking up in his store and playing guitar hero then actually getting down to business. This new girl did a great job reworking my old tattoo and will more then likely get repeated business from us.
i have started back in the gym as well after a couple of weeks off my leg was killing me and the depression was raging for some odd reason. I also got a new to me truck which was one of the worse experiences in my life
I purchased the truck in full on a Monday and had to wait 8 days to get the truck as the dealer could not locate parts for the safety and schedule the work to be completed.
Cpl Dube comes home then Kingston bike night for me
As a vet the hardest thing is to attend a repat for a fallen solider, even harder is to watch soldiers drive by and not even stop to pay respects. This repat was even worse as several Vet MC clubs did not send representation as well. Making the decision to re-up with the Canadian Army Veterans motorcycle club a wise and the right choice. I hesitated about re-upping this year as local politics in the mc world spiraled out of control. Now in the end only one is doing what they all claimed to be doing, Maybe they all just didn’t get the email. At least a five year girl with a heart condition made it from Brockville.
Some of the most interesting people come to pay respects, American’s from Niagara Falls, Boeing Plant workers from the US working at the Airbase, passerby’s, a tour company puts on a free ride for legionaries from TO to attend both ceremonies and even pets. This repat a retired Captain from Ottawa drove by and handed the boys a couple of coffee cards for Tim Hortons to show them respect in return.
Wednesday nights Chris Graham(Cookie, aka Sarge) puts on a bike night which has attracted the local hot rod community as well. Nothing outlandish just like Friday’s in Market square it’s just something else in the riding community to attend. The addition of the hot rods draws attention as well. AW throws it’s support behind it and 60’s music was played in the AW theme. All that is asked if one would like is to bring a canned vegetable for Martha’s table a local food bank. If you don’t get told in advanced on what veggie to bring canned tomatoes always are welcome.
So after a busy day yesterday i finally crawl out of bed at 1030 looking for meds and a purpose today
Ride for Dad 09 – Kingston Ontario
Today the motorcycle community in Kingston did a charity ride for prostate cancer. Motorcycle charity work began with the Hells Angels looking to change their rep and a Toy drive was the result of it. It took off in the biking world as many groups and people banded together to promote charities and goodwill.
730 AM at the Thompson drill hall on the base it was rough at first old feelings and a long night made the start pretty rough for me. As people cycled in and out of the registration tables and bikes kept coming and coming and coming. They say about 770 bikes took part many with rider in tow.
Many and I mean many volunteers at work, The home depot workers manning the souvenir table.
Jojo and his band setting up for a free concert, Radio Stations, Bike stores all sent their vehicles and workers took the day off to participate. We got off to a later start as more bikes showed then was participated I left for Fort to take some oncoming shots.
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Then i jumped in with the blockers and rode with Randy to the Rio Can Center where even more bikes had amassed. On the way into the parking lot a cancer survivor stood silently with a homemade sign thanking the riders, it moved alot of people and it was mentioned a few times on what little thanks goes a long way. After a pep talk and group photo with the proclamation from the crier.
The poker ride was on. At 3ish most of the riders returned to the drill hall for a burger and wind-down with Jojo and boys playing up a storm.
It was amazing to see the work Brian P put into this event and a job well done as well. i spoke with him near the end and am sure he’s taking a break for a bit. Most all the other riding organizations took part, talked and told stories of days gone by and to come. All except one group which is beyond me. I mean if your looking for members, donations and help for your events wouldn’t one come and play with others even if it’s just a handshake and smile.
Home for nap and now i am off to join the Timmie’s gang at the local hangout.
Kingston Bike Night has a New Home and Day
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So last night I attended the first Market Square Bike Night. This night is held at the Springer Market Square behind City hall and all are welcome. Any riding club welcome and no hassle for wearing your badges either. I got there a little to late as I thought it started at 6 when in fact it was 530. Upon arrival the Town Crier was present driving an early model Suzuki and proclaimed the Bike Night as an area event.
This is what riding is supposed be like look at the smile while showing off her new ride.
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When you suffer from chronic depression any deviation from a plan or your path in life is hard to manage at the best of times. Yesterday Dan, Chris and I took a sightseeing flight to Rockport and back which coupled with my workout and lots of sun made the evening go smoothly. The crew that put on the First Market Square Bike Night made everyone feel welcome. No comments about who’s badge is on your back, no being removed off contact emails, facebook groups, flickr groups etc by attending.
The even went the extra step by providing kickstand plates for those with out. The weather stayed good, and even the classic car community is starting to attend
For the first turn out it was well attended with more then likely over 130 bikes coming and going throughout the evening and many of non bikers stopping in and taking a gander. Hats off to the two scooter jockeys that withstood comments and kept a great attitude and smile all evening. For those that missed the evening for one good reason or another you missed an great opportunity to meet new friends and chat with old ones.
Photo’s of the evening ad future evenings are and will be here. High quality pics are available as well, permissions are needed to use my pics as well.
Join the Market Square Bike Night Facebook Group as well.
A beautiful day for a Sad Occasion
Today I made the trip to Trenton to honour Karine Blais as she returned home for the final time. The thing that really made the trip was the number of people that took the day off to attend the ramp ceremony in a working day. Many biker organisations attended and put aside their differences as well.
The first count was 74 bikes then more arrived putting the number over 100, Tim Hortons was there giving out free coffee and donuts. As well as various news agencies, a girls school class, members of the local reserve unit old guard and even some National Guardsmen from Buffalo.
I will post the rest of the pics later on here . So last night was a little rough but I have had worse.
I also visited Corbyville and did a shoot on the old buildings there and will be working on the pics later.
Resting in Peace
Kingston has been an transportation hub since it’s inception. Despite the many bad hands the various forms of government has dealt Kingston it still survives. Railroad travel was a big thing and a major mode of transportation for many a Canadian. Then after the second world war people became mobile and the automobile became king of the road.
After the construction of the Queens Highway 401 many travelers took to the open road at the expense of the ladies of the rail. The Grand Trunk Railway had a small station in Ernestown, a very small hamlet now a part of the City of Kingston. It closed after the highway opened up but still remains standing like many other stations in the region. If one wants to explore it the back window was wide open as well, I think you may need a flashlight to look around though. Take only pictures and memories if you decide to visit.
The full set I took is located here. A comprehensive history of the the station is located here.
Today I actually completed 2 1/2 hours at level 19 on the stair master and was burnt out pretty good making me forget about my need for 12 pills in the am and 3 in the pm. The best thing is that spring is going to come Easter Weekend.
A trip around Howe Island and featured on CKWS
So Sean finally got out of bed after I had a hell of a work out Level 18 three hours, I took the weekend off then was able to get that out. We started looking for the abandoned house on Channel View and after an couple of drive bys it was located. Nothing worth looking at so we took the ferry over to Howe Island and found lots of abandonments and stuff. Complete series of pictures here.
For the next time we know where to stop and have a look, next time Sean is off we are hitting Wolfe Island hopefully and if we do I will give Paul a call as he likes Wolfe Island alot. On the way home off to shoppers to get my month meds and work on my latest shots.
Revisiting Home – Picton Heights
One thing I remember about my Dad is that he was a Guardsman. The Canadian Army Guards were a highly respected and renown in the newly canadian forces in 1969 as the the future in leadership. Then they were disbanded mostly due to their ties to the British Army and being a new regiment in the CF.
After CFB Picton was closed, much of the base housing was sold to the Government of Ontario. Originally run by the Ministry of Health, it was later transferred to the Ministry of Community and Social Services, and was named Prince Edward Heights. The “Heights” as it was known locally, at it’s peak was home to approximately 450 mentally handicapped individuals, and employed just as many staff, until deinstitutionalization became the norm and it was forced to close in September 1999. More Pictures are located here as well. The Pictures are from the Barracks, Kitchen, Hospital and a Mess as well.
While traveling in and out of the buildings I was remarking to my UE buddy and friend about the memories of the barracks and how most bases have the same types and paint schemes. As well for at least three days of great weather and sunshine I got some sleep as we actually were riding the bikes for the first time of the year. Sean got cold and and remarked how only pussies have heated vests, I ensured him that I was a warm pussy. . Sean’s vest will be on his new ride when he picks it up as well.
Burn Out
One thing about depression is that you burn out for no explainable reason after a few days of activity. Today was no exception but i still made it to the gym for a reasonable workout and then home for a bit. I then had to get out of bed and do something so off to the back roads I went. Sean was on a Limited Masters Course over at the store and Polly was ill so I had to go alone, which was ok as I needed some time alone anyway. I stopped at an old trucking company and took a series of shots and have to return as there was lots to see. As well yesterday Sean and I visited the Gananoque Boat Works a set of derelict buildings in Gananoque. Enjoy the pics.
UER score on Desert Lake Rd
So after today’s work out Sean and I headed to the vast unknown to see what we could find today. The day was nice as the sun came out for the 6th day in a row actually eliving my depression quite a bit this week. I was just thinking the day was a wash when we spotted the above beauty and we went to work.
The house was two floors and safe to walk around in which is better then most of the ones I have found in the past but the stairs to the basement had been removed for some odd reason. After the shoot I walked down the back road for a bit and was rewarded finally with a truck with a tree growing out of it. These are rare finds for the UER crowd and I have seen plenty shots but very few of them in Ontario and even fewer outside a recycling yard.
I will be loading the rest of the shots from the site here. Enjoy
