The way we were

I saw a movie "Once"...

It planted a seed.

I have always searched out live music in intimate venues. I have spent many hours considering how I could have more of it in my life.

In the movie, there was a small music studio. As soon as I saw it I knew instantly I could muster the resources to have one too. Epiphany.

The seed flourished into a sapling, and has overwhelmed all other considerations of what to do when I end the current phase of my life.

"From desire, ariseth the thought of some means we have seen produce the like of that which we aim at; and from the thought of that, the thought of means to that mean; and so continually, till we come to some beginning within our own power."
Hobbes, Leviathan

At this point in my ruminations I would like to meet people that have studios. In conversations I have already had, it seems clear the sound engineer will be an important draw to the studio. My thought is that if I do not meet the right engineers before I have the studio, I will tour universities asking the professors to recommend outstanding students. I will be living in Europe. The studio will be in Europe.

I am interested in opening a dialog with anyone who shares these interests.

On a different note.

I instituted a savings plan several months ago. 25% of my net. It has been successful. It's hard. I have fallen behind a couple times but always caught up. I find I don't have the discretionary income anymore, but I have adapted and I am happy I have savings now.

I am moving my investments to a personal money manager from my self-directed RRSP. Most people who have any wealth use them.

I should get the final decision on my Irish citizenship by the end of '09.

I have had to change my union affiliation to an Alberta local in order to stay in Fort McMurray. I considered coming back to BC, but the work situation here is questionable. This switch has ramifications. In BC I can retire at 55 with only a 15% hit to my pension, but in Alberta its a 30% hit. So the pension I have already earned won't be affected, but the part I earn in Alberta will take the hit. I'm not sure how I will deal with this.

I have two rental units now. Both are in the hands of Property Managers. They are well worth money, considering the units are in Edmonton and Terrace and not easily accessible by me. I don't have to spend any time thinking about the properties other than making payments (about $400/month beyond what rents cover).

Didn't go to Cuba at xmas, due to all the flux in my life over the work situation, but still plan on Paris in April and Ireland in September.

1288 days til the new chapter begins.

**presses the publish button...closes his eyes and wonders if the Hostel for Wayward Girls could somehow fit as an adjunct to the studio**

I'm a Loner

I am not anti-social.

I think people are the only reason to live. Without validation from others, there is no reason to exist.

Many of my thoughts are of how short life is, and all the things I won't accomplish that I have tremendous desire to experience.

I always wanted to be a helicoptor pilot. I'm not ruling it out, but I have to balance that against the time I would like to devote to going into the jungle villages and trying to convince old women to stop cutting off the clitoris's of young girls? And when do I go to university? Feel the thundering hooves of the wildebeasts pounding across the Serengeti? Spend the weeks going to all the gothic cathedrals and dwell on the men that built them? Travel from end to end in India? China? Azerbijan? Own another motorcycle? Catamaran? Learn to dance? Play guitar? Go where Alexander went? Caesar? Captain Henry Morgan? These men have tales to tell? I want to hear their stories?

So I think.

It's easier to think when you are alone.

But that's not the whole story.

My feelings are intense.

I feel awe, often.

Some sunrises make my jaw drop. Sunsets. Beautiful girls. Orchids. Thoughtful people. The fact that we are on the crust of a molten ball flying through the universe...

I treasure the company of my family and friends, and derive a large measure of who I am from my interaction with them.

But I often feel compelled. To do this. Or that. And I find it easier if I don't have to negotiate. You can judge for yourself if that makes me self-centered or selfish.

Which also explains why I haven't had a girlfriend for the last 10 years. I need a woman who stirs feelings in me so deep that I am willing to sublimate to some extent my own needs.

The good news is I felt that way with Emma, but I didn't make my case, and although she listened intently, she got away. I will find another. Just the process gives me hope. Serves as a beacon.

So if I am with you, it is because I want to be with you. Enjoy our time as is your wont. But understand there are powerful undercurrents pulling at me.

Tick Tock.

...because ordinary just isn't good enough today.

The rumors of my demise...

I have another character flaw.

I don't adapt well to change.

The last time I was due for an update I had a mildly traumatic event.

After having clawed, backstabbed and blackmailed to get my toe into Branch 90, Sterling Cranes' heavy lift division, I was ignominiously kicked off Suncor's site, for being over 6 feet off the ground without a safety harness.

I was up on the 330 ton crane in what I thought was at the very least a grey area. Apparently not. Within 30 minutes after said incident I was off the site and back in my room.

The next day I was on new site with an uncertain future. No internet. And a strong predilection to hunker down and reassess my choices.

Bodies strewn everywhere. And all for naught. Back to the bottom of the heap.

I finally ended up here: (my crane on the right)






in an excellent camp with a good job, but it was hours from town and very isolating.

Almost immediately upon settling there I got the opportunity to buy another rental apartment. Only this time I had learned from the first one and was determined to do it right. Cash flow positive.

Both rental units are now under professional property managers and I believe the newer one is cash flow positive. Time will tell.

The business I am focusing for my retirement (must find a new description for that period) is a music studio. A full professional studio, can be bought anywhere in the world for 750K. With 30% down you can get a business loan. At this point it's just a dream. Catamaran first.

Cami got married. I always describe Ryan as the kind of guy that walks into the room and makes everyone feel comfortable. Wish I was kewl like him.

Ya Ya, I'm kewl. But not as kewl as him. She dun good. As usual. Very proud of her.

Morgan is doing well. Still promising to go to school. He knows what to say to make me happy. He is also the prime source of hugs. Every one is appreciated.

OCT 23. Vegas. Always wanted to see Elton John in Vegas, but he is usually there in March, and for some reason I am always poor in March, maybe it's my xmas holiday. This year he is doing two weeks in the fall. Must see. Cher is there too. And Cirque. And helicopter ride into the grand canyon. Iiiiee. Only budgeted 4 days :)

The Irish embassy has accepted my application for citizenship. I have to wait 18 months from now for the answer.

I'm tired of telling people I am making good money, but I can't seem to get ahead. I owe more now than when I came here 6 months ago. It's always something. Soooo. I am going to do the save 10% thing. Only, Doug style. Two weeks ago I started putting 25% of my net income into savings as soon as I get my cheque. No idea if it sustainable, but I'll know soon enough :)

Getting my hated tattoo, laser removed. In contact with a new tattoo designer. I finally found a true artist, Jenny Jarrett at Liquid Amber to do the ink. Very excited again.

Ordered a carry-on backpack after much research. In theory if I pare down the stuff I take on trips to one small bag I can walk right onto planes and off again without long waits at the carousel. And no more lost/missing luggage.

1428 days.

Oh, and I landed back on my feet. back at Suncor, on a 500 ton Demag.
(The one in the middle)

Gonna publish now, because my thoughts are endless...

The things that matter in life...aren't things.

This is too cool. By...

This is too cool. By pressing the number 3 button on my cell phone I speed dial Jott, Jott asks me who I want to talk to, I say blogger. I hear a beep and I can talk for 30 seconds into my phone, Jott will transcribe it and forward it to my blog, 20 seconds I am done I can send this message anywhere to any link to any e-mail to any place. Jott.com, too cool. listen

Powered by Jott

A post by Gord Clarke

Stress is for incompetent people

If you are competent ,and you are doing the best you can, why in the world would you be stressed.

Gord Clarke

Based on a True Story

I am not sure which is the more important take away from this tale Google Alerts (GA) or recovered memory function. GA are a resource I use everyday.

One that I had set up was for memory loss. My memory was so bad at one point in my life that I had hold a finger on an entry in the phone book because I could not retain #'s in my memory long enough to dial them on the phone.

I came across GA one day and decided to try "Improve Memory" as my search term.

At first I had it set up to return results daily but this added too much to my daily routine, so I changed it to weekly.

Over the course of time two different threads appeared. Practice-practice-practice, and Omega 3 fatty acids.

Practicing memory games gets very boring very fast, so one day I bought some flaxseed oil and started using it. The difference is night and day. I can remember 10 digit numbers the first time I see them and I can retain them. Dramatic change.

Flesh eaters can get their Omega 3's from fish oils. For vegetarians I highly recommend flaxseed oil as Omega 3's are not pervasive in our diets.

I usually have 3 or 4 alerts open at anyone time tracking topics of interest, especially for late breaking updates.

I just found out about effective new treatment for smell loss through GA's. It's only effective while taking the medications, so not something I am interested in. But, it's new and interesting, and most importantly I know about it.

Net worth took a minor hit as I took losses in my stock portfolio faster than I am paying down debt. Looking back over time, it is becoming clear that I have increased my knowledge exponentially, but managing a portfolio is time consuming. As such I have decided to hand my portfolio over to a professional wealth manager. I will have to top it up to 20K plus first, so it's a work in progress.

I have also found a new accountant. Any good accountant will make you 10 times the money you pay them. Ask around. Get one.

Although my tenants always pay, they are always late. I can live with that, but I find it takes a lot of work to keep on top of what is a fair rent, and finding dependable local tradesmen (although this hasn't been an issue yet). I have decided to pay the 10% of the rent and hired a property manager.

Been doing my research on Cuba for xmas, mostly by reading Lonely Planet forums Cuba branch. It served me well for Egypt. I will buy a LP guide for the maps and schedules before I leave. Haven't bought the ticket yet, because it may be that it's cheaper to buy an all inclusive deal and then just go on your merry way. We'll see. I have also decided to try and make it for 2 weeks with only one piece of carry on luggage, instead of my back pack. No more waiting at the luggage carousel, or lost luggage.

The kids are alright, tonite.

Have accommodation's and ticket for Pemberton Music Fest.

Had a major crane upgrade since I posted last photo's. But photo's are against the rules, so it will be a bit before I post new ones.

Still waiting for answer on Irish passport.

My life is balanced between work and play. I can sustain it till I get my "A good woman".

Day 60

I am often asked what I do...


The Place.

The Crane. 225 Ton American.

The Plate. (33,000 lbs.)

Landing Plate 2.

Another angle.

Plate 3.

Taking shape.

Had my first workout today. Wow, long time. Apparently I don't adapt to change easily. Be nice to know this at, say, 15?! But I do adapt. And I have no fear of change.

Check this site out. Whats On When.

In the keyword field type Cirque du Soleil, or Elton John. Or in the country field, type Cuba and see whats happening on The Malecon.

If it is happening in the world, it is probably listed on this site.

How can you not get excited?