- I was born very young, early in the morning, and quite small. (L’Hôpital Saint-Michel, in Montréal at 0105hrs, weighing 6lb 6oz)
- I have visited some 42 countries.
- I worked 28 years for the same organization before, in 2008, I took early retirement so I could travel the world. I plan to see as much of it as I am afforded.
- I travel slowly, often with my home. This allows me time to appreciate the landscapes I move through, listen to the birdsong, breath in nature, appreciate the freedom of being – and stop at every castle and cafe.
- I have not ridden nor driven nearly enough miles, reached nearly enough destinations, visited with nearly enough people, experienced nearly enough tastes, sights, smells.
- I enjoy a quiet morning coffee.
- I like dogs, but allergic to cats, lobster, and charlatans.
I’mI was under contract to Cairn Terror named Skye. (She made me write that.)I’mI was a life long Formula 1 fan. As a corner worker at regional and F1 races, I was fortunate to experience Gilles Villeneuve racing his Ferraris up close. He is still regarded as one of the best. We lost him too soon. (I’m no longer a fan. The 2021 World Championship season was a shitshow.)- I’m very worried about the environment.
- I’m very curious.
- I love to progress, experiences, learn, grow. To be stagnant, to be comfortable for too long, for me is to decay.
- I’m handy with tools. I try.
- I’ve thrice qualified for the Boston Marathon, but only ran it twice. My fastest marathon was in 3:09:45. My fastest 1/2 marathon was 1:24:??
- Sunset is often my favourite colour. Sunrise is a close second. Often, my favourite is the colour of the clear mid-day sky, or dramatic rain clouds.
- I have no time for liars, manipulators, abusers, bullies, cheaters, racists, and selfish types. Yet, I’ve experienced more than enough shenanigans from those types.
- I stand up for children, victims of abuse, and adults who have been disadvantaged, fallen through the cracks, or left behind due to no fault of their own.
- The day after I retired I jumped on my overlarge motorcycle and started riding west and then south. When the road ended at the most southern city in the world, I turned around and headed back north. On that trip I rode my motorcycle 65,000 km between New Brunswick, Canada and Ushuaia, Argentina.
- In 2012 I bought a used motorcycle for $300 and rode through much of north Vietnam. I gave it to a local farmer when the Chinese knockoff kept breaking down. He loved it and had the time to restore it. I then purchased a genuine Honda Cub 110cc and rode the rest of the way around Vietnam.
- Wanderlust has bit me quite hard.
- Less planning has meant more adventure.
- On Monday, September 6, 2021, Labour Day in Canada, my heart stopped for 12 seconds. I’m fortunate to be alive today. I’m grateful for our universal health care system, and the caring women and men who save and change lives every day. I’m privileged. I know it. I don’t take that for granted. I owe it to them to live the best life I can.
- Live your life. You are limited to one.
What about Skye
You may know that I was under a long-term contract to a bossy, sturdy, wilfully stubborn, active four-year old. A 17 lb. Cairn Terrier named Skye. Most people fall in love with her immediately after meeting her. She is cute, shaggy, spunky, intensely tenacious, playful, independent, scruffy, and scrappy. She thrives on attention and is very friendly, but when she spots a squirrel, cat, or a genuine adversary, she loses all common sense and turns into a mad barking beast warning me the world is about to end.
In 2017 I had been looking for a sailboat to go cruising full time when I found her. So I named her Kai, which is Hawaiian for ocean. I quickly learned that she has zero tolerance for open water. Any water. Even puddles. Imagine that, a terrier not liking water. So I renamed her Skye after learning Cairns were developed more than 200 years ago on the Isle of Skye, a destination I plan to visit.
I had hoped Skye could come on an international long distance tour with me. But the simple fact is that she does do well in the heat and her nature, lack of any sense of self-preservation, and desire for permanence, would place her at great risk in many situations. So, after almost 5 years of bring together, through some very difficult times, including being my only constant companion throughout the pandemic, I made the very difficult decision to find her a good home.
As I write this, tears in my eyes, Skye will be moving to a new home in a few days. Her new humans both love dogs and for the first time, she will have an adopted both and sister, both West Highland Terriers. She thrives when she is with other dogs. It is difficult to let her go, but it’s the right thing to do for her. I know she will be well cared for.