"Shutter Island."

Saw this movie on Friday night, excellent movie, but I guessed what was going on in the first couple of scenes.

The Procrastinator Strikes Again!

Okay, I'll always be the first to admit that I am a procrastinator. But I'm also good at coming up with reasons why I didn't do something. So, here's my list of why I haven't had one single blog since September of 2009.

1. My life was in perfect alignment with the planets crushing my ability to blog nearly ending my blogging ability altogether. Luckily, I snuck my family aboard the Ark and would yet live to rebuild civilization... oh wait, that was 2012.
2. My new computer was so fantastic I had to replay all my computer games from the past. "Space Ace" anyone??? Just kidding.
3. Everyone knows that the better games are released during the winter... and summer sucks for video games.
4. Sims3.
5. I'm lazy. Yeah, this works, too.

Truth is I've been using my blog for my own therapy. And my life had been pretty good, but I was also in denial in these last couple of months and needing to vent again.

I'll try to keep it positive, and not doom and gloom everyone. I'm also going to do some reviews over the summer of video games, and movies that I see.

Why are we afraid of obscurity?

In this day and age people find recognition through ever growing multimedia resources. I'm not just stringing together some fancy words here... how many bloggers have you browsed through today? Yes, I'm talking to you. There is no one secretly reading over your shoulder.

Why are you interested in what we are doing? 'We' being society that post their day to day happenings on the internet. Did you read somebody's Twitter page today, and found that they were just watching TV or deciding what to make for supper. Did you read some stranger's Facebook update to see that they missed their significant other? (they were probably reading somebody's MySpace page)

Perhaps we are all voyeurs to some extent... we go for an evening walk and we see someone's front window, well-lit and open, and we can't help but glance inside. We see a picture hanging on the wall and we wonder who is in the picture and what is the relation to the owner of the home.

It's like you're house sitting and you can't help but explore the non-public areas of the house. Do the home owner's have a stash of dirty magazines, drugs, or (this is slightly extreme) have bodies partially buried in the basement?

Everyone is territorial to an extent and yet we constantly crave attention. View my webpage, read my blog, see my pictures.... translates to "see me, accept me, love me... please." Those who do share with us aren't going to tell us their dirty laundry... we won't see a blog stating... "picked my nose today... passed gas in the elevator at work... blamed the new girl." If we did, generally we wouldn't see a picture or identification attached to such candid diaries, and actually I'm betting it would be popular.

Why is Paris Hilton a celebrity? Okay, so she's an heiress to a billion dollar empire, but she gained notoriety through partying, excess, a modelling career, and an x-rated video. The video is what pushed her through to internet stardom and that gave her an "in" to her music career (I'm hoping the gods here me now when I say that was sarcasm and I hope she never does another album again).

Come full circle... here I am.

Alone... in my computer room... typing my blog.

My wife was asking me, "Did you have a new blog entry?"

"Nope."

"It's been a while since you wrote something."

"Yep."

I'm not trying to be profound... just trying to find a cure for blogger's block.

The return of the missing blogger...

Hello again folks. I've not only been waiting for my computer to become whole again, I was also on vacation. And as I had so earlier mentioned, I am reluctant to state my vacation plans so boldly on Facebook, or blog about it in case some opportunist thieves decided to case my house.

We came back from Owen Sound, Ontario, where we had a great time. Spent some time at a cottage on Georgian Bay, went to the Toronto Zoo, went to the Farmer's Market and had some kettle popcorn, did some shopping and had a gazillion cups of Tim Horton's coffee.

The weather was very nice, hovering from 23 to 30 degrees Celsius, so that was enjoyable until the humidity kicked up a notch (that's my understated way of saying... "ick!") for the last three days. I'm grateful my father in law has air conditioning.

I took this picture at the cottage, and my son Ian had a great time, as you might see him mugging for the camera. For him it was a day of playing in the water, watching the boats, soaking up the sun, eating s'mores by the campfire and laying on the jetty watching the meteor shower when it was dark. He was sad to go.

So after being away from my computer for two weeks, I have some stories to tell you, but of course, I won't get to them all in one night. So, if anyone was missing me... here I am... ta dah!

Exorcism of my computer

I've sent my computer to the exorcisit. Actually, a computer tech with the great name, Adam. He's taking my computer apart, fixing it, exorcising its demons, and hopefully upgrading it. That's one of the reasons I haven't blogged for a bit. The other is that I refuse to blog on my wife's laptop as I'm doind now. (I'm going to leave in that past typo to prove my point) I hate the key placements on laptops and it's made for people who generally type properly, unlike me. PLus, her computer is about to go way of the dodo too... she's having all types of trouble with hers as well. At some point I will be doing some more blogs on my days off... believe me I have a lot to rant about. So, hope to have your atention again soon. Later.

Getting a little love back...

Because of my shout-outs to fellow bloggers, Amy has kindly added me to NWT Blogs. So, return the favour and check it out... there are plenty of northern based blogs there.

New Mural for Adam's Ribs

Calling all Techies out there... I want a new mural for the title at the top of my page. The plain white words just aren't cutting it anymore... Occasionally, I browse through other blogs to see if anything catches my attention and I notice some blogs had great murals for their blogs. Being the materialistic bastard that I am (just so you know, I was born before my folks were married, and that gives me the right to call myself that!), I want one now too.

I found some other blogs from Hub Publications from around the Northwest Territories. I actually liked the creativity of these:

• http://www.hacala.ca/journal/more-on-a-tweet/

• http://vivacemusica.blogspot.com/2009/07/ode-to-summer.html

• especially this one

  http://www.snowcoveredhills.com/?p=3090

Browsing on Blogspot I found these:

• http://distressability.blogspot.com/

• http://www.crossfitnewhampshire.com/

• http://seymourcornelius.blogspot.com/

• Great name,

  http://sabotagesarah.blogspot.com/

• http://poptrropicaspeedyfly.blogspot.com/

So, I'm actually asking if there's anyone out there who can help me out... I'd like someone to create an original mural for me. I know this is probably hard to do something like this for someone you might not know very well, but my computer lacks the creative tools to complete something like this, and not to mention I already have a full procrastination list (see last blog). So to assist you, I'm going to brainstorm for you all the things that I like to use in a mural using your own artwork, photography, media skills or using some of my available pics from my blog or my old website. If there are any murals that I really like, I will change the plain old "Adam's Ribs," to your creative piece of multimedia genius! Crediting you, of course!

You have my permission to use the photo above, if you wish... I think this picture captures my humour and spontaneity.

Here's my brainstorm of words to associate with me:
music, movies, acting, singing, the North, writing, socializing, having coffee, photography, entertainment news, interesting news pieces, computer games, video games, Xbox 360, aboriginal ancestry, paranormal stories, creativity, humour, travel.

Some things I love to see:
Northern lights, northern scenery, wildlife, abstract photography.

P-R-O-C-R-A-S... Oh hell, I'll spell it later.

As I may have said earlier, if you were to look up procrastination in the dictionary, you would find my picture. And it would be a non-flattering, rolling out-of-bed, after a week of Mardi-Gras, hungover, bad picture.

Part of the idea of starting a blog is to be able to tell people about what's going on in my life. Is my life so mundane that I have nothing to write about? No. Was there no events that I can write about? No. Is there no issues in the news that I can't write about? No to that too. So, what was I doing? Can I blame Facebook? Mayhaps. How about my buddy James for telling me about The Movies computer game. Probably. Or, maybe I can say I'm a weak, network socializer with a penchant for games on social networks and for old videogames that continually challenge you to do your best, while ignoring other things that should surely be done. Yep... sounds like me.

Let me make a list of the things I've been neglecting.

1. Cleaning my Man Room(c). For those of you who don't know, my Man Room(c) is my basement dungeon where I have my computer set up at a desk, and my Xbox360 set up on a computer flat screen with a comfy couch. Notice the little copyright after the Man Room(c), it's my little way of thinking I have an original room idea (so, sue me... I'm in denial) and it's to give you an idea of how to speak it. You should emphasize it when you say it and use a deeper voice, so that you at least pretend it's important. Air quotes are acceptable as long as there is no rolling of the eyes from the females. Anyways, I have a habit of leaving empty snack bags and beverage containers where they lie. After all, it's hard to pause when playing multiplayer on Xbox Live to get up to the garbage bin. To me, it's not that bad, however when you think it's too dirty for another guy to come check out your Man Room(c), you know it needs cleaning. I also have a curtain rod to put up and my wife reminds me that my mother-in-law is coming for a visit soon. But, I don't think I can get a Bobcat in here...
2. Blog... see posting date?? Nuff said.
3. Scripts. All my scripts are still in development hell in my brain... casting is yet to be determined. Although if I really want to make some of these into movies, I should get my butt into gear.
4. Although she doesn't tell me so, I feel I've been neglecting my wife. We had a nice dinner and our friend made us an anniversary cake for our eight year anniversary which was on the seventh. We had a nice barbecue with our friends, including fellow blogger Kara. I had a great time that day. But I feel like I haven't spent enough time with my wife. With work, and kids, and putting them to bed, we both yearn for our down time and I feel like we haven't spent much time together. Although I do visit her at almost every coffee break, and spend most lunches with her, I can't help feeling like she needs more of me... it doesn't help that I come down here to blog, and play. Here's my version of a public display of affection... I love my wife very much and think that I've lucked out very much in finding her. My life would be different without her and I consider my life with her, and the birth of our two boys... a blessing. She's reading this, I know... "I love you, honey."

I guess that isn't so bad... my procrastination list. Maybe everyone should make a procrastination list so that you can understand whats important to you and needs to be done. Never forget to tell the important people in your life that you love them and try to whittle your list down. As for me, I'm sure I have to visit my wife now, as she's probably added more things to my list.

The Origins of the H1N1 Virus... must read.

Happy Canada Day... and pics for my buddy Jay.

What is it about vehicles and guys loving them? Beats me. But when I see a kick ass ride I wish it was me that gets to drive it. When I see a 'for sale' sign on a barely drivable classic, I think, "I can fix it up," when I'm lucky enough to complete a cabinet from Ikea.

Guys are like that... we see a rusting bucket of bolts and think we can fix it up, while women see a problem guy and think I can fix him up. We're built that way to always see the possibilities of what could be. I think that if we didn't think that way, we'd still be trying to make fire in a cave someway.

My buddy Jason can fix up old vehicles. And he's shown me some of the projects he's worked on including a $200,000 car. He's proud of the work that he's done, and I can say that I'm proud of him as well.

I always tell him that I saw an awesome truck and I thought of him. Or I saw a fixer-upper for sale and I think I could buy that and bring it to Jay.

We've been buddies since high school and he lives in Prince George, British Columbia, while I live in top of the world, Hay River, Northwest Territories. We see each other when we can, usually in Grande Prairie or Fort St. John. But it only amounts to a couple of times a year.

Anyways, I put these pics on the blog for Jason.

BTW (By the way), someone here in Hay River has a Ferrari. This person, who used to be my neighbour, has a '91 Ferrari. I approached him today at the Canada Day Celebrations and told him that he had to let me sit in his car... he said that maybe he'd take me for a drive... in this case, maybe is good enough. I've never been in a Ferrari, and me sitting in one would be like a Penguin at the North Pole... it just doesn't happen.

Anyways, Happy Canada Day Everyone!

Thanks...

Thanks to James for turning me on to Rooster Teeth comics... just my style of humour. It doesn't say much for me, does it?

Michael Jackson R.I.P.

Another Part of Me died yesterday. Say, Say, Say, what you want about Michael Jackson, his behaviour may have been Off The Wall, but his music could Heal The World. Do you Remember The Time when Thriller came out? He may not have been happy with the Man In The Mirror, but he was hoping to have One More Chance with his fifty city world tour. Clearly his death is not Black Or White, whether he had a Bad heart and it couldn’t Beat It. All we know is Michael Jackson is Gone Too Soon.

Seriously though, we'll miss Michael and I give my sincere condolences to the Jackson family. He will be missed.

I Want to be a Ghost Hunter

I’ve been interested in the paranormal forever. I guess it started out as the normal youthful curiosity after watching some scary movies. Psychic phenomenon fascinates me. Stories of hauntings have always interested me. Even stories of monsters I’ve found intriguing. It doesn’t mean I believe it all, but I do find them interesting.

For a long time I’ve seen movies with ghosts and found them grossly entertaining. I really don’t expect a real ghostly experience to be like the Amityville Horror or The Entity. I should expect that they are more likely to be like The 6th Sense. Some of my friends said they didn’t find the movie scary, but I think that the events in the movie would be closer to a paranormal experience than others.

I’ve also praised A&E’s paranormal show Paranormal State, for a more ‘realistic’ view of the paranormal. They don’t film something and say, “Look! It’s a ghost!” But they’ll say they captured a misty phenomenon on film, and it could be explained by humidity levels from the entrance. The subject group of the show, the Paranormal Research Society (PRS), would be hesitant to jump to the conclusion that they have definitive proof of paranormal activities, but some of the cases they’ve documented have captured convincing paranormal activities. In almost every episode that I’ve seen the PRS has had some convincing experiences. For Father’s Day, my wife and kids got me the first two seasons on DVD… and I watched the first episode of season one on my lunch break.

I’ve also heard great reviews of a show called Ghost Hunters. I’ve never seen the show because for some reason my satellite provider doesn’t get it… Damn You ExpressVu! Although the personal reviews I’ve heard of the show have been favourable, the website Wikipedia notes some not so kind reviews of the show. That being said, I like Paranormal State and Wikipedia also has some bad reviews for that show too.

I think that the evidence caught on audio/video (AV) have always interested me as well. We’ll never know completely whether AV from these shows is not tampered with in any way.

Audio recordings have been used by ‘professional’ and amateurs alike for years. EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomenon) is very popular and featured in movies and television. I saw an episode of a show called Sightings in the early 1990’s with a supposed expert in EVP. She walked through an old Civil War Prison and recorded some pretty creepy recordings. She had the entire fort to herself and captured some recordings like:

“Make it stop.”

“The pain…”

“That’ll do.”

There were other recordings that she captured, but I can’t recall what was said. She only caught those on her recorder after the audio signal was boosted and subtitled for the viewers to understand.

EVP has been so convincing and scary, that people are more likely to believe the phenomenon. However it can be easily debunked as pranksters, voices carried on the wind, etc.

When the movie “White Noise,” came out, I saw the preview of the movie and even before I said I wanted to see the movie, my wife said that I was not to bring that movie into our house. I saw the movie anyway, and I didn’t think it was that creepy.

Because of my interest in ghosts, I have a huge interest in old and historical buildings. I love to explore abandoned derelict buildings and see evidence of things that haven’t been touched in years. I took the picture in a storage building that used to be for the Residential School in Hay River, it was creepy and I couldn’t go to the basement of that building. Felt some bad mojo from there.

In the Northwest Territories we have the Naka (I’ve heard it pronounced Nuh-Guh) or better known as the Boogeyman. I’ve been told that the Naka’s origins actually started in before the Europeans arrived to Western Canada. I was told by elders that Naka literally meant stranger. And in olden times, when someone appeared near their village that was not known, they referred to them as Naka. Their appearance was usually indicative that someone from their village was going to be taken. Further stories have also indicated that this would be one tribe’s measures to prevent inbreeding. Someone would go to another village to steal away one of their boys or girls to be married off in their village.

The Naka has a fairy tale story feel to it, with historical origins, so I found it interesting. There’s been stories of Sasquatch, Yeti, Okopogo, Loch Ness Monster, and the Mothman all over the world. Some specified to certain geographical areas, such as the Okopogo in the Okanagan of British Columbia and the Lake Ness Monster in Scotland. Some evidence presented has been clearly debunked in the past.

Don’t you love hearing stories of people who had premonitions of things to happen and then proven correct later? Even I’ve incredible experiences with Déjà vu that have freaked me out. There have been shows produced about psychics like Medium and The Listener and countless movies and novels. There are different kinds of psychics with different kinds of abilities. There are different claims to different abilities and many skeptics have loved debunking claimed psychics. The most famous skeptic that I can think of was Harry Houdini. To him he took psychic claims and would disprove them because he felt people were being taken advantage of.

All this being said, I wish I was a ghost hunter or paranormal investigator. Just to be there to experience it and give an opinion of yes or no to the phenomenon. Got any ghosts? How about a demon possessing your daughter? Instead of calling the Ghostbusters, give me a call first.

Internet Security

I mentioned before that we just came back from Grande Prairie, Alberta. Spent the weekend shopping, going for nice meals, shopping, and going for coffee at the Church of the Mighty Tim (for those non-Canadians reading my blog, I'm referring to Tim Horton's, which is a coffee and donut chain in Canada and in some American States. The coffee truly is the nectar of the gods).

I just thought that I'd mention that I didn't mention in my blog, or on my Facebook account that I was indeed travelling to Grande Prairie. Why? A new breed of internet criminal.

It seems that internet opportunists are now using Facebook and Twitter accounts to their benefits when people are saying they are "vacationing in Mexico" or "Lost in Las Vegas." It seems that burglars then know which house to hit. You can check out this article here. So, think twice to calling in sick and having your pic of you partying on a friend's profile, or announcing you're going to be tanning in the Bahamas (I can understand wanting your ex to be jealous, but you might be letting burglars know to pay your place a visit).

Shout out!

Hey, I recently went to Grande Prairie, Alberta this weekend and got to visit with my Dad who lives in Fort St. John, British Columbia. He drove the two hours from FSJ and we got to meet his wife, Tess, who in turn got to meet my wife and kids for the first time. It was a nice visit even though Tess was feeling a little under the weather.

My dad asked me about my blog, having heard from one of his dispatchers at Teco Taxi. Turns out Keith has been checking out my blog every once in awhile and told my dad about it. So, here's a shout out to you, Keith. I hope you're not checking out my blog at work... just kidding, I won't tell.

Amendment to Up Here

Yeah, okay, no one mentioned to me that the map was in German... at least my buddy Shawn would appreciate it. That is what happens when you get lazy and look for a map of the NWT on the internet and don't use MapQuest.

And Kara was kind to remind me that Wolverine is from the Northwest Territories. In the comics, he originated from Wood Buffalo National Park and appeared in Fort Smith. In the movie, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, there is no mention of Wood Buffalo or Fort Smith, but it starts off set in 1840 (I'm guessing) in the Northwest Territories. In the shots there are some pretty big trees and it looks like it's in Ontario or something, when some young kid behind me makes a smart alec remark, "That looks nothing like the Northwest Territories."

I guess history lessons are really bad in Canada. Does anybody remember Rupert's Land, Upper Canada and the Northwest Territories? In 1840'sh, the Northwest Territories was across a large portion of Canada... not just the NWT today. I actually turned around and told him, "Back then, the Northwest Territories was half the size of Canada." I don't think it was that big, but it shut him up anyway.

Coke or Pepcid?

Day 21 and still no colas.

I have noticed an increase in acids in my stomach causing heartburn. Apparently, when I had my gallbladder removed in September of 2007, a friend told me that to help digest foods I should drink cola. It was supposed to assist in what the gallbladder does, which is to break down foods in the stomach.

So... I don't know whether there is a direct correlation between drinking coke and not having heartburn. You would think it would be the other way around, wouldn't it? But the heartburn has becoming more frequent that I was actually thinking I should just have a coke and be damned with it.

Thankfully I have a loving and supportive wife who promised she would shove bamboo chutes under my toenails and then soak my feet in turpentine if I drank coke again... so, Day 21, and still no colas.

Just kidding, my wife would never do that to me. Although she would probably look at me disapprovingly which would be the same as the bamboo chutes and turpentine.

When creativity dies...

Such a sad title for a blog. But it does feel like a death in the family when you know of someone who has so much potential through their artistic expressions and they let their natural talents go to wayside. I'll only say first names for these people... but it's only to let them know that I think of them and their talent.

Matt used to draw and paint and play a pretty decent guitar. At one time he nurtured his artwork by working for a graphics company, but now works as a parts supplier.

John used to draw quite a bit... comic book art that showed such promise. I hope he's still doing it, but he lives so far away now... last I heard he was working for a electronic chain.

Andy used to pound his drums to Metallica and AC/DC. He had a large bedroom that consisted of a bed and a drum kit... the bed was small and the kit was large. Don't know if he's still keeping the beat, but he's a Harley Davidson mechanic which is an art of its own now.

Binky... where are you? I heard rumors you were doing a comic in Vancouver??? Whatever came of the character Jupiter???

Cameron last I heard you were hanging with Binky... you also showed some awesome potential for creating some manga or comics.

Me... you had some great years acting in theatre and you had your foot in the door with that bit part on North of 60. You used to write songs and stories and sing to the girls... what happened?

Interestingly enough, life happens to throw you curves... I don't plan on stopping, but I realize I have to be patient enough to start again when the opportunity arises. I get sad sometimes thinking of the 'would haves' and 'could haves'... but we have to make the best of the 'right nows.'

Just remember, creativity never dies but regains new life at every turn.

Up Here

I was born here in Hay River, Northwest Territories. I was born in the hospital here, where my mother and my wife works. (Mother and wife meaning two different people... this isn't Deliverance y'all)

Although I've always been one of those who yearn to be anywhere else from where they are from, I can't say the Northwest Territories is a bad place. It's the last of the North American frontier lands. It has the biggest amount of area with the fewest amount of people (I dunno if this exactly true anymore since the creation of Nunavut in 1999 which was created from half of the NWT). It has the mighty Mackenzie River, the longest in Canada. The Great Slave Lake (on which Hay River is on it's southern shore) is the eleventh largest and sixth deepest lake in the world. We have eleven official languages for the Northwest Territories.

We've been on television. The first season of History Channel's wildly popular Ice Road Truckers was shot on the ice roads from Yellowknife to the diamond mines. There's a new reality series shot in Hay River and Yellowknife about Buffalo Airways which started here in Hay River and starts September of 2009. Reality TV biker dude extraordinaire, Jesse James shoots an episode of Jesse James is a Dead Man in the NWT's arctic... check it out... it's on tonight on Spike!

We have famous actors.

Leslie Nielsen was born here in the Northwest Territories in Tulita, which was formerly known as Fort Norman. He's been in numerous Hollywood Productions, including but not limited to the Naked Gun series, the Airplane! movies, Men With Brooms, and some of the Scary Movie movies.

Margot Kidder was born In Yellowknife and became famous when cast as Lois Lane in the

Superman movies. She has also appeared in other movies, none really memorable. But has cameos in Mel Gibson's Maverick and the Superman television series Smallville.


Dustin Milligan was also born in

Yellowknife and is a newly established actor in Hollywood. He starred in the first season of the CW's resurrected series 90210 as Ethan. I never watched the show, but I'll give him a "Hell Yeah," just because he's from the Northwest Territories. He'll be appearing in the new Mike Judge film "Extract," and is currently filming a western with Paul Gross here in Canada called "Gunless." I'll be watching his career with keen interest. (Hey Dustin... psst... I'm an actor, too!)

So, I guess I'm saying I am proud to be from here. Just wishing I was closer to civilization. Somewhere where I can get back to acting on stage (or television again). Somewhere not so many people know me... anonymity does have its perks. But if you've never been here, you should come check it out... we could go for coffee.

Forgive Us Our Trespasses...

Forgive me Father, for I have sinned. It has been one week since my last blog... I'm not religious... I'm just saying it's been awhile.