Life with Canucklehead

Woodfield Rocks!

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:56:53 -0500

For those who already don't know - which I suppose many of you who visit here already are - I live in London, Ontario. For the uninitiated, this is best described as being halfway between Toronto and Detroit. I was born here, and I am a proud citizen. Anyway, I've pretty much always lived in what can be described as downtown - at times using the term more liberally than at others. I did live briefly in BC and for a few years in Toronto, but I've always been a Londoner in my heart. It's actually only been since last July that I've lived in the 'Woodfield' neighbourhood (sometimes referred to as 'Historic Woodfield') but I can assure you it is a very special place.

Credit: Meghan Dauphinee - Woodfield Variety (Source: HERE)

To be clear, prior to this house - I actually only lived a block & a half from the boundary - but it might as well have been a world away. In my last house, lovely as it was, I knew only the immediate neighbour on each side. They were great, but the sense of community just was not there. Here? Forget about it! Everyone knows everyone and makes an effort to be friendly and great. There are a lot of community events and the area is really steeped in tradition. ANyway, I'm not going to go into the details here - you can read about them when you vote. (More on that in a second.)

Farewell Server Logistics

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 23:14:26 -0500

Tonight is a rough night. You are actually visiting this site for the first time on a new server. A Canadian server. It's tough to vocalize but I'm hopeful that my final support ticket to my previous host will help explain things:

I'm sorry to say I'm leaving. I'm sorry because you are incredible - to the point that I actually feel guilty. Considering all you've done for me. I started my first website almost 5 years ago knowing next-to-nothing about hosting a website and thanks to you I still pretty much don't today.

Prior to writing this note, I did take some time to read through some of my previous tickets. I really was useless. And drunk. Well normally both. You were kind and understanding - in short, you were awesome. That's what makes this difficult.

To be clear, the while SOPA ting is what started this ... and yes, I'm saving a few bucks - but the patience and support you have demonstrated WAY overcame these facts. At the end of the day, I'm a vocal advocate of shopping local and supporting Canadians business and well, I decided to put my money where my mouth is. In short, shopping local begins at the home(page).

The Big 4-0

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:17:08 -0500

December 14, 1971 - the date of birth. It's been a while since I wrote and since I went to a LOT (read: next to none) of effort to have no plans tonight - well, I thought I'd treat you all to a post. Now, don't start feeling too sorry for me - we did have a big party with lots of friends, family and well-wishers last weekend. You may not be surprised to learn that I drank too much - but I've since been delighted to learn that most of the guests claim to have had a great time - despite my behaviour. I'm thankful for awesome (and understanding) family and friends.

Anyway, at some point at the party someone asked me what I had learned over my 40 years, and I'm certain I gave it some inappropriate short response. With a little more time for reflection, and the actual 40 years now upon me - well, I've been able to better form an answer. I wouldn't call any of this stuff earth-shatterin, but - well, it is what it is.

(In no particular order.)

Age is a very high price to pay for maturity.

#Movember

Sat, 22 Oct 2011 21:45:42 -0400

I've been involved with Movember for a few years now. Like any hipster worth his weight in obscure albums - I was into it WAY before it was cool. Found out about it through an Australian blogger - well, bacuse her husband was doing it and I thought is sounded fun. Turns out it raises money for a good cause as well - who knew?

Anyway, last year I was on the local committee and this year I am honoured to be the Movember chair for London, Ontario. I would sure like you to be part of it - it's a LOT of fun and as previously mentioned ... a GREAT cause.

Wait you have questions?!!! What's that? What is Movember? Well, you asked for it:

MOVEMBER IS THE MONTH FORMERLY KNOWN AS NOVEMBER, WHERE MEN AND WOMEN ACROSS THE GLOBE JOIN TOGETHER TO RAISE AWARENESS AND FUNDS FOR MEN’S HEALTH ISSUES- SPECIFICALLY PROSTATE CANCER. MEN GROW A MO (MOUSTACHE) FOR 30 DAYS TO BECOME WALKING, TALKING BILLBOARDS FOR OUR MEN’S HEALTH CAUSES, SPECIFICALLY PROSTATE CANCER.

MEN WHO SUPPORT MOVEMBER, CALLED MO BROS, BEGIN BY REGISTERING AT MOVEMBER.COM. THESE BRAVE PIONEERS START MOVEMBER 1ST CLEAN-SHAVEN, THEN GROW AND GROOM THEIR MO FOR THE REST OF THE MONTH, TAKING PRIDE IN THE MAJESTY OF THEIR MOUSTACHE.

#BAD11 #FOOD

Sun, 16 Oct 2011 10:44:20 -0400

As some of you may already be aware, today is Blog Action Day. This is something I have been doing for the last few years - originally because I suspected it was making some sort of difference, but this year more as an excuse to put up a post - something which has been happening a LOT less frequently as of late. Anyway, this year Blog Action Day coincides with World Food Day, so naturally our topic is food. I know this is a passionate topic for many people - but for me I'm afraid the relationship is more ambivalent.

There is so much to say about food.

We use food to mark times of celebration and sorrow. Lack of access to food causes devastating famines, whilst too much is causing a generation of new health problems. It can cost the world, or be too cheap for farmers to make a living. For me? Food is simply little more then something required to live - I do not LOVE food like many others do and am fortunate enough to live in a country where a lack of food is rarely an issue for many. Case in point: