The World through our Lenses

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

KINGSTON BIKE NIGHT

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.