Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Photo #244

The flagship of Canada's Pacific Fleet, HMCS Algonquin (DDG 283) performing a rescue drill. She was actually pretty far out off the shore this morning, and the zoom on my camera wasn't getting a good enough look, so I thought to try pointing the lens through the eyepiece of my binoculars and this is what I got...

I like this shot because it's similar to what you'd see looking through the periscope of a submarine. "Destroyer on the horizon!"
Brightness and contrast were adjusted before posting.

W.O 365

Monday, November 29, 2010

Photo #243

By our very last day on Oahu most of us had had our fill of all the touristy destinations, and the crowds, so we decided to pile into our rented SUV and get out of the city to really see the beauty of the island. Most of the photos from that day have already appeared on my facebook page, but here's a scenic shot I took as we were driving down the Kalanianaole Highway...

Photo taken Nov. 29, 2008

After this, we headed to the airport to catch a late night flight back home to Canada. I'd go back to Hawaii in a heartbeat. I hope you all enjoyed my trip down memory lane.

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Sunday, November 28, 2010

Photo #242

If you visit Hawaii, one of the things you must do is go to a Luau. We did that on our 6th night...

Photo taken by me Nov. 28, 2008.

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Saturday, November 27, 2010

Photo #241

You can't visit a tropical destination without seeing some of the colourful sea life. Megan and I had our 5th day in Honolulu all to ourselves, so we decided to visit the local aquarium...
We found Nemo!
All photos taken by me Nov. 27, 2008.
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Friday, November 26, 2010

Photo # 240

Twisted trees and eroded cliffs. Hanauma Bay, Hawaii. This is where we spent our 4th day...

Photo taken by me on Nov. 26, 2008.

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Thursday, November 25, 2010

Photo #239

During our 2008 trip to Hawaii we visited Pearl Harbor, and while I could post a picture of the Battleship Missouri or the USS Arizona Memorial, I've decided to share a couple of photos of a friend we made while having lunch...

It's a zebra dove, and yes he has a deformed foot, but he's adapted and was very social.

Or perhaps he just wanted our Doritos...
Photos taken by me on Nov. 25, 2008.

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Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Photo #238

Two years ago today I married my best friend and high school sweetheart on this beach near the Northwestern tip of Oahu. It was the happiest day of my life so far...



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Photo #237

My friends, I'm going to do something a little different here this week. For the rest of this week I've decided to post some previously unpublished photos from my trip to Hawaii 2 years ago.
There are two reasons I'm doing this: The first is to mark the second anniversary of the day I married my best friend Megan (Nov. 24, 2008); and the second is because I'm a little tired of the snow and ice we've been getting here in Victoria this week, so I like to look back at these photos and dream of warmer places.
Again, these photos were never posted anywhere before now, not even on facebook, so this will be a nice treat.
We'll start with the view from our 17th floor hotel room on our first day there, Nov. 23, 2008...


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Monday, November 22, 2010

Photo #236

There is one thing I like about snow, and that's photographing it...


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Sunday, November 21, 2010

Photo #235

I spotted this little bandit around 1:00 this morning on my way home from a friend's house...

I know it's not the best photo, but the little guy and his buddies were moving pretty quickly. This was the best shot I could get.

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Saturday, November 20, 2010

Photo #234

Well, rest of Canada, Victoria, BC gets snow and ice too...



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Friday, November 19, 2010

Photo #233

Too much text messaging...

This photo was not staged. Megan and I were watching TV last night and Merlin jumped up onto the coffee table and just flopped down by my phone. Our camera just happened to be within arm's reach. :)

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Photo #232

There are a lot of really small pieces to paint on the model I'm building! Fortunately I have a parts holder with a built in magnifying glass...

*Please note: The paint job is still in the early stages and will be touched up.

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Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Photo #231

I like having a fireplace! It's a great way to quickly heat up my home and it keeps my power bill down. Plus, it casts off a nice warm glow...


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Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Photo # 230

A great view from somewhere along Dallas Road...

Can you see the gull in flight near the top left corner?

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Photo #229

Icebreaker Polar Prince at Ogden Point. I'd say the ship needs a paint job...


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Sunday, November 14, 2010

Photo #228

You'll find me here tonight...


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Photo #227

I've reached the time of year when I find myself working less and less which has freed up a lot of time for me to try to get back into an old hobby of mine...

I haven't built any models since I was probably about 15 years old, but sometime back before I moved into my new home, I got into a conversation with a good friend of mine about how cool it would look to have a couple of really nice ships on the shelves in my den. Nothing too crazy, but just a couple of tasteful models of real ships to fill some spaces among my books and guitar stuff. Turns out, my friend is an avid builder so he thoughtfully bought me a highly detailed model of the RMS Titanic as a housewarming gift.
The box has been sitting unopened on my shelf for a couple of months now, but this week I went and bought some supplies like paint and brushes and such and I've decided to give it a go. I'm hoping that the patience I've gained in my old age, and the skills I've acquired as a professional painter for the past few years, will produce a beautiful model worthy of display. Wish me luck!

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Friday, November 12, 2010

Photo #226

A parade of antique military vehicles unexpectedly drove past my home yesterday morning, after I had already posted the photo of the day and put away my camera, but I did manage to get my camera fast enough to get at least one good picture. Check this out...


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Thursday, November 11, 2010

Photo #225

To our glorious dead...

Photo taken by me in 2009.

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Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Photo #224

This is the Royal Air Force's Distinguished Flying Cross medal. It belongs to Megan's grandfather who earned it for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against the enemy"* during the Second World War. It's one of the R.A.F's highest decorations for bravery.

It's a little hard to tell, but the diagonal stripes are purple.

During his time in the R.A.F, Megan's grandfather piloted Spitfire fighter planes in the Battle Of Britain in 1940. He also flew Lancaster bombers (such as the model shown below) in other battles over Europe. In many of those cases his aircraft would be shot down and he is very lucky to have survived, and keep flying. All of his stories are fascinating because they are told from a first person view of notable historic events that no textbook could ever fully capture.


I've always been interested in history, and I like hearing stories from people who were actually there when history was being made. This can also be said for the veterans of today's wars who will be telling future generations stories of their time in the service.
Tomorrow, take a moment to honour our Veterans.

Both photos in this post were taken by me in September, 2006.
*Quoted from Wikipedia who quoted it from the British National Archives.

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Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Photo #223

I have my poppy pinned to my lapel. Do you have one?


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Monday, November 8, 2010

Photo #222

In honour of Remembrance Day this Thursday (or Veteran's Day for my American friends), all of my photos this week will have a military theme. Despite one's views on war itself, I think it's important to remember those who fought and or gave their lives for the freedoms we have today.

I'm currently reading about the Naval battles that took place during the Second World War. While the text is detailed and well written, it's the photos of burning ships and terrified, wounded young sailors that really drive home the point that war is no game.


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Sunday, November 7, 2010

Photo #221

Megan and I started watching that show "Great Migrations" and, well, I just had to capture the title of this episode...


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Saturday, November 6, 2010

Photo # 220

Our little cat Merlin had to go for a bus ride to the veterinary clinic this morning. As you can see, he was thrilled...


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Photo #219

A mallard cruising on the lake...


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Thursday, November 4, 2010

Photo #218

Mmmmmm, leftover Halloween candy...


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Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Photo #217

A nice mid-autumn photo of the Nature Reserve near my home...

Photo taken Oct. 31, 2010

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Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Photo #216

Canadian Coast Guard ship Provo Wallis in Victoria...

This photo is actually from exactly 2 years ago today. I'm posting it for two reasons. A: There have been a lot of Coast Guard ships visiting Victoria lately, but I haven't taken my camera to work with me to get any photos; and B: I couldn't come up with a better idea for today.

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Monday, November 1, 2010

Photo #215

Woodpecker near Swan Lake. This guy was huge, too! About the size of a crow!


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