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.
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.
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.
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
So lately for some odd reason my depression is raging pretty good and people are getting on my nerves for no good reason. Yesterday after my work out a serious one 120KM’s in less then 5 hours which made for a good night’s sleep finally. I was feeling down which has been going strong for over a week so today off for a photo shoot with Polly first we stopped at the greenhouse for some pics then I snuck into the Alcan demolition site for a few shots.
It was neat exploring the site and seeing some garbage that has been laying around for years, tin soda cans, Players Light smoke packs, wooden match boxes and Ceramic conductors. I think I will try some more of this UER stuff in the near future.
So the latest kick I have been on is back to the historical stuff that I like. Mostly Canadian stuff and I really enjoy learning about stuff on where I have been or am at. I have accumulated a few photos as well as some links to archival pictures of places I have been. So this is the first in a series I am working on Now and Then shots.
This week is Feb Fest and I went to City Hall a couple of times to take shots, I even caught the Big Harv the mayor of Kingston chowing down a beaver tail. Beaver Tails are a deep fried donut shaped like a beaver tail. 
The interesting thing is that they are from Killaloe Ontario. Anyone from the Ottawa valley will tell you that there’s nothing in Killaloe except a bunch of old hippie draft dodgers from the 60′s hiding out. So it makes sense that they invent a good munchie.
So while taking some shots I remember that shot I like from Marsden Kemp in the 1800′s and got lucky with a bunch of kids playing in snow piles and ice bridges waiting for a Horse and Buggy ride. So I have made it the first in my Now and Then idea.
I have also been working out pretty good and the depression is only rearing it’s head when I get tired in the mid afternoon for a bit. Also Polly made it out for a bit today and I took her to see the goats on Sand Hill but she wasnt in the mood to take anymore shots. So home we went.
I also bought the new bike on Thursday, actually bought it awhile ago just dropped 20 grand on it to keep in in my name. So tomorrow it’s supposed to be above zero so hopefully I will get out after my workout and get some shots in.
So this year is slow to start as most years for anything but working out, I am not a fan of cold weather anymore and with the depression it’s even worse. They say that there is more clear skies in the winter then any other season but I don’t think this rings true I am sure there’s only been 4 blue skies days this month so far.
On the camera front I got a shot of a coyote finally but only the back end as the minute I lined up the shot he turned but this was the first time I saw one in a long time and the first time in Kingston. I also have to stitch my latest pano of the windmills being erected on Wolfe Island. Also I am starting to learn the G10 pretty good as well not as crisp as my D300 but handy for the pocket.
I have finally for the first time in many years been able to complete a 50 km workout with very little pain and problems so my knees are holding out on the machines so far this winter. Next week the sit-ups are going to be re-added to the workout as well.
I think we will be diving a new shore dive from Wolfe Island as well this coming season, I am working on getting the location of a burnt coal steamer in 38 feet of water in the Barrett Bay area of Marysville.
I am fighting with the insurance company over the payout of my motorcycle they think that a 8 thousand dollar deductiable is a good way to go to keep them happy, I turned it over to the broker and am hoping for a resolution soon so I can get the new bike up and going the way I want it.
So I finally did something that I have been meaning to do for years and that was to cover up a tattoo I got in the early 80′s by an old army buddy that was starting out. For those that haven’t been inked in years the process hasn’t changed a bit unfortunately and they are not licked on by kittens.
Ivan is now a successful tattooist in Petawawa now and his work is very excellent but I have no reason to run to Petawawa to get a tattoo fixed as I wanted to sleeve or have a scene anyway.
Before embarking on my new inked adventure I stopped at the KGH wreck site where members of the Kingston and Belleville diving community were gathering for a New Years Dive. It was chilly but they all were in good spirits and raring to go. Mike Hill a local PADI instructor was conducting his 1000ths dive which in any sport professional or amateur is a great feat. To put in context for those that don’t dive that is about 40 days underwater for a competent diver. Just to rub Mike I dished it as an thing I had done long ago and it was nothing .
Also in town my friend Joan from BC who was lunching with her husband, Child and Sean at the Raddison so I stopped in and gave my blessings as well.
So back to the parlor and away we go when getting someone new to do ink on you. You go through a process checking each other out and sizing what each of you are capable of. My part is easy all I have to do is relax and let the boy do his stuff. He has to draw the scene and hope that I like it etc . For what it is worth it was a good job and having someone capable of doing this freehand was an added bonus.
If your looking for some work and don’t need the attitude of an artist which some get after years of work stop by Don’t Tell Momma next to the beer store on princess street. Young but highly capable artists there.
I also took a few moments out this am to take a few shots around town when I left I started to wobble so I realized that my morning meds were sitting on the night table so back to the house and an hour later life was good. So enough of the vacation back to the gym tomorrow and back to life as I know it now.
The gang at the boat launch on west street hanging around looking for people to feed them.
So the year went on like last, but finally a great amount of drug changes and tweaking XMas was bearable and not even good ole fashioned fight on and off the net. So I have to say it was a good one.
So here’s the hightlights of the year according to me
- I lost alot of weight and the ongoing battle of the bulge continues into this year as I have still a lot to go, It was very weird to go from a 3xl to a med up to Large and bordering on a med again and still have a beer belly but it’s work and lots of it.
- I got back into technical diving and completed the GUE level one course then immediately dove the Jodery and Picton wrecks on Helium. My good friend Chris who is vacationing in Africa kept me going so this year I have to concentrate and help him finish.
- I bought the motorcycle of my dreams and rode out to California with my best friend Dan all went well till I got ran off the road by a kid in a sports car.
- I met a certified member of the nazi party in Illinois, a christian biker in Kansas during a hurricane, a vet on a bridge drinking a beer, a member of the banditos in New Mexico, Flo from the movie Cars, Rob the photocopy guy in San Francisco .
- Learned Macro photography in a two week trip in Bonaire.
- Got the camera of my dreams as well with a 500mm lens.
- Retired from the military after 27 years with the last the hardest on the mind
- There is more but my mind is slowly being fried for the night
So to end the year I purchased 4 hours of tattoo time in which Polly took 30 mins in getting her first Tattoo but I have a bigger one coming starting tomorrow.
So to all my friends and those I missed the most I hope this year will even be better for all of us. Have a safe night and if you drink let someone else drive you home it’s not the eighties anymore.
So I am just getting over a serious cold for the last few days and made it to the Gym to day for a pretty good work out. The thing is when this happens then the drugs that I take to control my mood and sleep go out of whack and so does the depression therapy and of course during the holidays. So I went out tonight to take a few pics and play with the high ISO set up on the D300 which I am pretty impressed with.
I plan to go out and try it with a tripod when it becomes a bit warmer the -20 temps tonight were just a little to much for my liking today. Even with the cold weather I haven’t had any problems with my arthritis which I am grateful and hopefully it will get better with the health.
My cat has a new hobby attacking are removing Santa Claus from the window and slapping it around, Polly is not impressed and spends most of the time in the living room scolding poor smokie. I don’t think the cat is listening to her anyway 
Three days of snow in Kingston has netted us about a foot on the ground and people are in shock and awe over this. I remember when I first moved to Kingston 20 years ago the lake effect would bring a foot over night and no-one would even say anything, A sign of the times I guess.
