Camera broken!

On July 1oth, I dropped my camera. Yes, I did it, I can't even blame Sarah. Smashed the LCD screen and have no digital zoom. So NO pictures for a while! Boo-hoo...

Took a week to think about what to do with it and it cost less to get fixed than buy a new one. Even though, I noticed my camera's price has dropped considereably. So it is out being repaired. Hopefully, I will have it back by July 22nd. Just in time for the weekend.

Well that's my filler for the day!

Have a great day!

Nothing new

Went back to the Bluesfest on the Thursday, July 14th, as the previous night was cancelled due to Thunder storm/Lightning storms. So glad I went, as I was introduced to an awesome live band called Michael Franti & Spearhead. Also saw Rufus Wainwright on the grassroots stage, I meant to watch part of his show and then head back to the mainstage to see India Arie. But, I think Rufus put a spell on everyone with his voice (and piano), before you know it the evening was over. Next year I will have to plan my vacation around the Bluesfest!

Oh yeah, Hockey is back!

The NHL and the NHLPA have reached an agreement in principle on the terms of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. Details of the deal will not be made available pending the formal ratification process. It is anticipated that the process will be completed next week. ...more

Haircut and Blues

Around 7:15 pm last night I decided to go get a haircut. So, I went to do that and then after talking to the person cutting my hair I decided to take a drive downtown and head to the Bluesfest. It was good for about 3 great songs from the "String Cheese Incident". Then the thunder and lightning started and the great jam band had to leave the stage, so I walked over to the Grassroots stage to see if Dutch Mason and John Mayall were going to play. Nope, all concerts temporarily cancelled until the storm passes! Walk around for 20 minutes and watch the beautiful lightning Show, then the rain came and we all piled into Ottawa City Hall, beer and all. Yes, all 5 security guards at the door stopped some people from bringing in their beer. But, the rest of us stood with our beer at the big glass wall and watched a City Council meeting. Around 9:45 they cancelled the rest of the evenings shows.

I heard that Bluesfest is letting us go back tonight with our receipt of yesterday's ticket. So...I guess I will go back downtown. And, yep, it's supposed to rain again!

Mainstage

Thursday, July 14, 2005
T.B.A.	Anyone with a day pass to Bluesfest for Wednesday, July 13 can attend Thursday’s performances. Patrons will be asked to present their day-ticket wristband or ticket stub at the entrance to Bluesfest on Thursday to gain entrance.
6:15 pm	James Bryan
7:30 pm	Michael Franti & Spearhead
8:45 pm	India.Arie

Grassroots Stage

Thursday, July 14, 2005
T.B.A.	Anyone with a day pass to Bluesfest for Wednesday, July 13 can attend Thursday’s performances. Patrons will be asked to present their day-ticket wristband or ticket stub at the entrance to Bluesfest on Thursday to gain entrance.
6:15 pm	Soul Review Board
7:45 pm	Rodney Crowell
9:30 pm	Rufus Wainwright

Thanks

We all had a great time in Niagara Falls, Mississauga, Toronto and the Lake.

I just wanted to thank Brian and Marci for the hospitality. Susan and Haley for the fun day at Marine Land. Melanie, Sarah thanks you for the lip gloss! Tod, Cathy and Dylan for the wonderful evening and morning of relaxing (I think Tod was there)! And to Dad and Dale for the most enjoyable work on the last 2 days of vacation, I will be back very soon to cut the branches up and hopefully start the great deck extension.

Time to go to work and rest!

Photos of 1st week of Vacation

We are back and I am having a hard time getting back into work, so blog instead. We all had a blast for during the week off. And I was able to cut the 250 photos down to just over 100. Thank the Lord for inventing Digital Cameras! Because of the amount of photos I created a separate link to JULY 4th - 10th photos, or click on the title, or click on the link on the right hand column.

Beware, you might get bored of all the WATER!

Happy Canada Day everyone

Yes, I did make it to see fireworks. In the town of Shawville. It was my first time there for fireworks, and I was impressed for a small town. Sarah was excited as can be and she had a good time.

So sorry to the Sweitzer's for not getting out to see you this weekend. We ran into a little trouble getting there. I heard you had a great weekend camping. Sarah and I really hope we get out with you before the summer is over. We really want to!

It was good to see the whole gang (or most of it) up at the cabin. Sarah got most of you on camera (just check out July's Photo's).

Which reminds me......It is now July, so (you all now the drill) there is a new link on the right to July's photo's. A few more have been added to June.

Oh, yes, and my brothers made it back alive from Algonquin park. Only one day early. Not because they were eager to get back, but just because apparently it was just WAY too windy to canoe the big Opeongo Lake on the way back. So good for them! We will be looking for a link to my brothers web site to see there journey via GPS and photos.

It is now Sunday 9:30 pm, I have to go and charge my camera batteries and pack some bags. Talk to all next week.

Middle of the Second official week of summer

Well, I am writing some stuff, because I think after this weekend, it may be awhile till I get back here. You know, summer and outdoor fun!

Mark and Tasha, hope your weekend in Montreal was fun (nice hat Tasha, like it). And I hope your weekend in Pleasant Park is good for camping.

Todd and Len, this should be day......ummmmm......four of your seven day canoe trip. I hope you still have toothpaste.

What else, oh yes, today was the last day of SCHOOL!!!! Sarah has done very well. She set a goal after her first term to make her report card better (not that it was bad, it was very good). Well, I am very proud to say that she came home with a majority of A+'s...AWESOME!!! We are all proud of her. She is very proud of her self, as well. Just a like a girl to have a report card like that.

Chuck, I would assume that haveing a brilliant daughter, she has a report card like Sarah's. Don't tell me that marks like that dissappear after the second grade!!!

One more day of work than I am off to who knows where. As long as it is hot, don't even mind the humidity...I LOVE Canada.

PS - Video Page was added on the right hand Link Column. I do not know how long the videos will take to load (let me know), especially you people on Dial-Up.

Videos

Today I have added a Video link on the right column. There are a couple of videos there now. I will add more as they arrive.

Like Father Like Son

Congratulations to Benjamin Sweitzer....

Ben represented his class in the storytelling contest today. He did the story "More Pies" by Robert Munsch. He did so well....I was very proud. Mark went to work late so he could go......I think I saw a little tear in his eye. Ben is a very good public speaker. He just lapped it up when the kids laughed at him when he made his funny gestures......I wonder where he gets that from???

Tasha

What, Mark was caught crying!!! Just kidding.
Good for you Ben,
Sarah and Jason