tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59567853865407513602024-03-13T11:29:51.355-04:00BaffinblogDoonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977052089984009745noreply@blogger.comBlogger93125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956785386540751360.post-18778117701801083602010-01-14T23:45:00.002-05:002010-01-14T23:47:44.384-05:00Musical interludeSometimes, I play music.<br />Tomorrow (Friday), I play at the bar in the Nova hotel.<br />A little while ago, I recorded some songs. You can hear a couple of them here: <a href="http://www.myspace.com/brandonquigleymusic">www.myspace.com/brandonquigleymusic</a><br /><br />One week left in the north!Doonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977052089984009745noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956785386540751360.post-27669003996533564732010-01-07T20:54:00.003-05:002010-01-08T00:35:34.020-05:00ProroguedSchool was prorogued today because of the crazy high winds that threatened to blow away my apartment (particularly the plumbing and heating), so I spent my time writing this:<br /><br />Stephen Harper<br />Office of the Prime Minister<br />80 Wellington Street<br />Ottawa, Ontario<br />K1A 0A2<br /><br />cc: Leona Aglukkaq, MP, Nunavut<br />Linda Duncan, MP, Edmonton-Strathcona<br /><br />Dear Mr. Harper,<br /><br />I recently heard that you’re planning to prorogue parliament, effectively taking 5 weeks of paid vacation from the job you and 307 other Members of Parliament were hired to do. What a great idea! I’ve often thought that Canadians deserved more than a measly 2 week minimum. I expect you’ll be extending this vacation time to everyone else in Canada shortly.<br /><br />This turn of events is especially interesting to me personally, as I recently resigned my job as of January 22, and instead of heading back to work on Monday, January 25th (the same day Parliament was scheduled to resume), I will be moving to Edmonton to be with my partner who took a job there in September. Just as Canadians were anticipating your government’s answers to questions about the pertinent issues of the day (the economy, torture in Afghanistan, climate change commitments, whether you should be taking naked pictures of people at airports, etc.), I was anticipating with excitement looking for work, and the challenge and opportunity that come with a new job and a new chapter in my life.<br /><br />But you have helped me realize that there is more to life than the daily grind of going to work. People have already started asking me if I’ve found work in Edmonton yet; now I’ll explain that I’m waiting until March so that I can follow your lead and focus on talking to fellow Canadians (probably in cafés and bars), and doing important work on issues like international diplomacy (I’ve booked a trip to Mexico for 11 days in February). Perhaps I too could assist as a citizen by helping out when the world’s eyes are focused on Canada during the Winter Olympics - I’m a recreational curler, so if you could get me tickets to the gold medal games for the men’s and women’s tournaments, it would really help the important work I’m doing for the good of the country.<br /><br />Of course, right now the big difference between you and me, Mr. Harper, is that you and all your fellow MPs are getting paid your full salary during this period. I’m sure this is merely an oversight on your part that you’ll quickly want to rectify in the interest of fairness. I’ve calculated the a reimbursement of 5 weeks of pay based on my current salary; please see the attached invoice, and forward payment to the Edmonton address below at your earliest convenience.Doonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977052089984009745noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956785386540751360.post-27130158819283134862009-11-04T21:26:00.003-05:002009-11-04T21:32:02.605-05:00RadioHey, Iqalummiut! If you're looking for some ear candy tomorrow between 5:30 and 6:30, why not turn your radios to CFRT, 107.3, and listen to my new radio show, "Lost Highway" (or "Route Perdue," since it's the francophone community radio station). Playing the finest roots - country - folk - weirdness, in this town at the very least. For that matter, why not listen every Thursday.Doonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977052089984009745noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956785386540751360.post-26225759220408242332009-10-18T01:14:00.001-04:002009-10-18T01:17:08.615-04:00One year<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Well, it’s been a year since I last posted on this here ol’ blog, so I think you can say it’s been fairly inactive. But I hate to leave this little piece of the internet in the state it was in. When I last posted, well, that was definitely one of the low points in my life. Luckily, things are incredibly, hugely better these days. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">My big news is that I’m leaving the North as of January. Well, heading just barely south of 60 to Alberta, continuing my legacy of living in places least likely to be occupied by a once proud Torontonian. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">During my over two years here (really? that long?!), I’ve met several amazing people, many of whom have been unbelievably kind and welcoming. They’ve tried to find me jobs, places to live, and just generally put themselves out with no expectation of anything in return. Some of them have left, some are still here, but I will never forget any of them; these are people who restore my often deeply shaken faith in humanity. (One of these amazing people is the reason I’m going to Edmonton.)</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">There are also people in this town who have treated me worse than I’ve ever been treated, who have lied and gossiped and been really hurtful. I guess what I’m saying is, Iqaluit is a small town where everything often seems bigger, both the good and the bad. I hope the people I leave behind, not to mention future Iqalummiut, understand this, and take care of each other instead of tearing each other down. It’s an island, so we’re all stuck here together, plus it’s cold and dark alot. If there’s one lesson I have to pass along it’s this: play nice.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">One big plus of the past year is that it’s allowed my throw myself into my artistic projects (visual, musical, etc.) more than ever before. So stay tuned for some sort of internet presence devoted to these creative endeavors. </span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:12px;"><br /></span></span></div>Doonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977052089984009745noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956785386540751360.post-6634077146919840192008-10-17T19:54:00.002-04:002008-10-17T19:56:53.252-04:00Bye.So, it looks like I'm gonna have to be leaving the blogosphere indefinitely. Sorry for the abruptness. I won't get into why, but you can ask <a href="http://www.porttownghosts.blogspot.com">her.</a>Doonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977052089984009745noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956785386540751360.post-4965105452312827652008-10-11T15:05:00.004-04:002008-10-11T15:56:43.810-04:00In 3 days...Holy crap, it's the final days of the federal election... it seems like just yesterday that Harpoon forgot his fixed-election date "rule" (Rules are apparently only for other people), and set us upon this path of daily-tracking polls, flatulent political commentators, long-winded speeches, and leaders visiting Iqaluit to hold community events (featuring, of course, long winded speeches).<br /><br />Anyway, in keeping with the ongoing musical political commentary on this blog:<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wZt05quSTVU&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wZt05quSTVU&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />Although I think Rick Mercer has lost alot of his edge in recent years, he is still occasionally hilariously right on:<br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/4hfGy_b87gI&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4hfGy_b87gI&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />But remember, politics isn't just hilarious, it's also about, like, issues and stuff:<br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MkPLzJdvkz0&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MkPLzJdvkz0&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />Oh, and by the way, there'll be<a href="http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/astronomy.html?obj=moon&n=677"> a full moon on election day</a>, furthering <a href="http://baffinblog.blogspot.com/2008/09/blame-it-on-moon.html">my paranoia</a>.Doonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977052089984009745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956785386540751360.post-27120946358743017382008-10-07T22:31:00.009-04:002008-10-07T23:02:18.463-04:00Weekend caribou bonesTowards the end of Federal road, there's a very nice road that goes uphill and through almost nowhere. If I had a car it would be a handy way to get out of town, but I have no car, and thus I walk past electrical lines...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IOOpHaOrw2Q/SOwcrMG5p0I/AAAAAAAAAT4/qSsPcgX9XF4/s1600-h/IMG_0554.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IOOpHaOrw2Q/SOwcrMG5p0I/AAAAAAAAAT4/qSsPcgX9XF4/s320/IMG_0554.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254606393544648514" border="0" /></a><br />and look down on the edges of civilization below.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IOOpHaOrw2Q/SOwdZwCFqEI/AAAAAAAAAUA/I-houfg1WfE/s1600-h/IMG_0555.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IOOpHaOrw2Q/SOwdZwCFqEI/AAAAAAAAAUA/I-houfg1WfE/s320/IMG_0555.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254607193462122562" border="0" /></a><br />To the tundra!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_IOOpHaOrw2Q/SOwh76fsOaI/AAAAAAAAAUg/j3OgPg3No84/s1600-h/IMG_0556.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_IOOpHaOrw2Q/SOwh76fsOaI/AAAAAAAAAUg/j3OgPg3No84/s320/IMG_0556.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254612178432702882" border="0" /></a><br />Where caribou once roamed,<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_IOOpHaOrw2Q/SOwfVTTVKbI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/Qjg9u9FqWMA/s1600-h/IMG_0560.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_IOOpHaOrw2Q/SOwfVTTVKbI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/Qjg9u9FqWMA/s320/IMG_0560.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254609316053592498" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IOOpHaOrw2Q/SOwg0GgRbUI/AAAAAAAAAUY/mzfrpNa35k4/s1600-h/IMG_0561.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IOOpHaOrw2Q/SOwg0GgRbUI/AAAAAAAAAUY/mzfrpNa35k4/s320/IMG_0561.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254610944705785154" border="0" /></a><br />and obligatory inukshuks* stand.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IOOpHaOrw2Q/SOweTzitvJI/AAAAAAAAAUI/Y4A2OLm2rek/s1600-h/IMG_0566.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IOOpHaOrw2Q/SOweTzitvJI/AAAAAAAAAUI/Y4A2OLm2rek/s320/IMG_0566.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254608190836685970" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">*TM Vancouver 2010<br /><br /></span>Doonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977052089984009745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956785386540751360.post-28706658649101948992008-10-06T21:44:00.004-04:002008-10-06T22:36:32.191-04:00Signs of the Apocalypse, Part 3.This is quickly turning into a regular Monday event.<br /><br />So, economic turmoil hit the Canadian economy in <a href="http://www.thestar.com/business/article/512375">a big way</a> today. There's nothing that puts your own life problems into perspective like global economic collapse. I just listened to the <a href="http://thislife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?episode=365">latest This American Life</a> podcast, which helped me understand just how screwed we all are. Although I could have just read the top 10 headlines at <a href="http://www.reportonbusiness.com/">Report on Business</a>, including:<br /><h3><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.reportonbusiness.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081006.wmortgage07/BNStory/Business/home?cid=al_gam_mostview" title="In move expected to be followed by other banks, rates on these products will rise to 5.75 per cent, a percentage point above the prime rate">TD to raise rates on mortgages, home equity loans</a></span></h3><h3><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.reportonbusiness.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081006.wexplainer1006/BNStory/Business/home?cid=al_gam_mostview" title="Report on Business writers explain the bloodbath, and what's safe and what's not">Why markets are diving, why credit is drying up</a></span></h3><h3><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.reportonbusiness.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081006.wrbanksbazis07/BNStory/Business/home?cid=al_gam_mostview" title="This summer, Michael Gold, developer of a much-hyped condo project in downtown Toronto, realized he was facing a problem">Developers struggle to secure financing</a></span></h3><h3><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.reportonbusiness.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081006.weconomy1006/BNStory/Business/home?cid=al_gam_mostview" title="Economists slash economic growth forecasts, see Bank of Canada cutting interest rates">Scotiabank projects recession in Canada, U.S.</a></span></h3><h3><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.reportonbusiness.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081006.wloonie1006/BNStory/Business/home?cid=al_gam_mostview" title="Canadian dollar is now down more than 9 per cent from a year ago, the biggest annual drop since 1998">Loonie slides to 18-month low</a></span></h3>On a more positive note, a more positive headline points out that <a href="http://www.reportonbusiness.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081006.wstocksvoices1006/BNStory/Business/home?cid=al_gam_mostview">"Out of Panic Come Great Long-term Opportunities."</a> And if there's any sector of the economy that deserves to be taken down a peg, it's the<a href="http://www.financialpost.com/news/story.html?id=863968"> oil sands</a>.<br /><br />Seriously though, I'm sure we have nothing to worry about... we'll probably all be swallowed by a <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/09/08/lhc.collider/?iref=mpstoryview">black hole from deep underneath Switzerland</a> first.<br /><br />Have a great week!!!Doonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977052089984009745noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956785386540751360.post-26275552323899251072008-09-29T15:25:00.005-04:002008-09-29T16:30:14.224-04:00Further signs of impending apocalypse1.) The Report on Business section of the Globe and Mail the other day has an interview with noted economist... <a href="http://www.reportonbusiness.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080926.watwood27/BNStory/Business/home?cid=al_gam_mostview">Margaret Atwood??? </a>Things are even more mixed up in the financial world than we thought.<br /><br />2.) <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080928.welxndion0928/BNStory/National">Just when you thought things couldn't get any worse for Stephane Dion.</a> (Advisory: link features graphic depiction of a Liberal man kiss. Don't click if you just ate.)<br /><br />3.) You know who would absolutely, never ever let Bob Rae kiss him? (I mean, other than 99% of the population.) <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/arts/film/story/2008/09/28/newman-reaction.html">Paul Newman</a>. Anybody want to rent <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054997/">The Hustler</a> (one of my favourite movies) and play pool? I don't know about you, but I'm going to need to do alot of manly things to recover from #2.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">P.S. - Thanks to the Baffinblog research team for uncovering some of those important, if disturbing, links.</span>Doonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977052089984009745noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956785386540751360.post-83630224707020933082008-09-29T00:46:00.005-04:002008-09-30T00:14:40.826-04:00Silence.I was really enjoying getting back on top of blog posts, but you’ll notice that’s died down all of a sudden. I’ve had a bunch of things I wanted to put up on ye olde blog, but I’ve been sort of dissuaded from writing anything. Despite my best intentions, I’ve stumbled into a few pitfalls in stuff I’ve put out into the internet universe lately.<br /><br />Some of you may have noticed that I took down a blog post from last weekend (and I know people noticed, because my site traffic tripled that particular day). I wrote a bunch of stuff about how I was feeling about my life in Iqaluit lately. I meant what I wrote in that post, but combined with small town gossiping, unrelated third parties were hurt who really didn’t deserve it. Gossips, please keep it to a dull roar.<br /><br />Secondly, well, you can read <a href="http://kentofthenorth.blogspot.com/2008/09/tonight-on-our-show.html">this</a> and come to your own conclusions. I hope it’s not controversial to say that it’s no fun to be bullied and have your job threatened for expressing an opinion (or for doing Google searches). Please keep the flame wars to a dull roar.<br /><br />So in conclusion, if you’re visiting this particular corner of the internet, please refrain from bullying, threats, and mean gossip. I’m really doing my best not to hurt anybody, so please return the favour. Thank you. If anyone needs me, I’ll be curled up in my bed trying to deal with this damned insomnia I’ve had for the past week.<br /><br />(Hopefully this post doesn't upset anyone, or else I may have to give this blog a break for a while.)Doonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977052089984009745noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956785386540751360.post-14931380646052224542008-09-21T11:35:00.008-04:002008-09-21T18:19:47.975-04:00Apocalyptic weekendYesterday it was snowing and the wind was blowing like it wanted to rip your head off. Something was clearly not right with the universe. Then, when I walked out of my apartment, I saw this:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_IOOpHaOrw2Q/SNZ1KQHjsCI/AAAAAAAAAS0/sXN2GC16F5Q/s1600-h/con+air.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_IOOpHaOrw2Q/SNZ1KQHjsCI/AAAAAAAAAS0/sXN2GC16F5Q/s320/con+air.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248511234732699682" border="0" /></a><br />Perhaps the weather meant that God was angry (the good god who wants us to take care of poor people and stuff, that is, not the one that hates gays), because Stephen Harper had arrived. So, two out of four horsemen of the apocalypse so far this weekend, and it's not over yet.<br /><br />As I walked by the cadet hall where the Conservateurs were doing whatever it is Conservateurs do, I imagined that inside, everyone was singing this song, and it made me feel better:<br /><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rNyKk0ufvTY&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rNyKk0ufvTY&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/briancoops">Check out more videos here.</a>Doonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977052089984009745noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956785386540751360.post-7769225411459526082008-09-18T21:53:00.004-04:002008-09-19T16:48:12.326-04:00Blame it on the moonI just realized that it was a <a href="http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/city.html?n=677">full moon</a> on Monday, which partially explains why my week has been so messed up. The last full moon, there were a couple of days when I just felt totally weird and couldn't accomplish anything... then I realized it was a full moon, and it all made sense somehow. I never really noticed the cycles of the moon before I moved up here... working with young children last year, I definitely noticed something going on around full moons. Maybe it's the very high tides in Iqaluit (second highest in Canada, I'm told).<br /><br />There's clearly only one solution: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Abian">Blow up the moon</a>.<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kHpX5aa5Lz4&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kHpX5aa5Lz4&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object>Doonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977052089984009745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956785386540751360.post-42513648377097823522008-09-16T19:56:00.004-04:002008-09-17T13:05:01.103-04:00Wheels fall offI may never write anything positive on this blog again... after yesterday's post, everything's gone pear-shaped. I slept about 2 hours last night and can't eat - I think I'm getting sick, I'm totally stressed out all of a sudden, and I'm just generally feeling pretty gloomy.<br /><br />To top it off, but I've been drinking out of <a href="http://www.thestar.com/sciencetech/article/500083">this exact yellow Nalgene water bottle</a> for a while. Next stop, heart disease.Doonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977052089984009745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956785386540751360.post-59876815829185041882008-09-15T18:32:00.005-04:002008-09-15T18:50:31.176-04:00Crispy carpets, fancy handouts, and bums.I managed to cram about as many people as possible into my apartment on Saturday. Thanks to all that made it a good time. I still don't have a vacuum cleaner, however, so my carpet's a little crusty, because sweeping it with a broom doesn't quite cut it.<br /><br />Today threatened to go off the rails in class, since my fancy handout I spent a couple of hours on last night wouldn't print. My students, however, continue to be suspiciously awesome, and all went well. I'm certain they're plotting something.<br /><br />I'm off for a beer in a bit. If you're hanging out at home, why not virtually <a href="http://www.moonstephenharper.ca/index.html">moon Stephen Harper</a>? C'mon... you know you want to!Doonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977052089984009745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956785386540751360.post-26043000900053238772008-09-12T21:28:00.006-04:002008-09-14T14:51:16.639-04:00Too much election, in only one week.I got slightly immersed in election junkie mode since the write was dropped, but had to take a break mid-week... the negativity of politics got to me. Heck, I can't even avoid it by just <a href="http://towniebastard.blogspot.com/2008/09/election-good-but-who-cares.html">reading</a> the <a href="http://porttownghosts.blogspot.com/2008/09/boo.html">usual</a> northern <a href="http://inflatableelvis.blogspot.com/2008/09/because-five-opinions-will-make-our.html">blogs</a>.<br /><br />Anyway, because I will spend an inordinate and unhealthy amount of time at news websites (eg: <a href="http://www.globeandmail.com/politics">www.globeandmail.com/politics</a>, <a href="http://election.rabble.ca/">http://election.rabble.ca/</a>, <a href="http://democraticspace.com/blog/">democraticspace.com/blog/</a> to name a few), you may run into some political commentary on this one as well.<br /><br />The problem with following election news closely is that engaging discussions of issues quickly turns into lazy hacks hurling cheap insults at the national leaders and their parties, jumping all over campaign "gaffes," and hyping meaningless polls that swing wildly beyond their supposed 3% margin of error. <br /><br />It sure can be depressing, but remember, depending on where you live in Canada, you have at least 100% more choice than Americans do in their upcoming elections. And if that's not enough for you, I'd recommend <a href="http://www.videosift.com/video/Michael-Moore-runs-a-Ficus-for-Congress-2000">running a Ficus tree as a write-in candidate</a>.<br /><br />So, in the interest of positive political discourse, I've decided to try to say some positive things about all the party leaders and their parties.... (that way later on I can hurl cheap insults, complain about my possible choices, and be a lazy hack for the rest of the election.)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Liberals/Stephane Dion:</span> He's probably my favourite Liberal leader since I've been old enough to vote. I mean, sure, that's compared to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Chretien">a man</a> who was senile for at least his last 2 terms, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_martin">a mean spirited, wealthy industrialist</a>, but still. Good for Dion for making the environment an issue in this campaign, and if nerdiness was the only criterea for being prime minister, he would totally win a majority!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">NDP/Jack Layton</span>: Well, so far I like most of the NDP campaign; they've called for a moratorium on the oil sands, really focusing on the environment, and they've come out swinging against Harper. Also, as a trivia note, I just found out that the NDP is the <a href="http://www.punditsguide.ca/">only party committed candidates in all 308 ridings</a>. And I think if you vote for Layton, you get a free moustache ride... hey, why are you going?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Green Party/Elizabeth May:</span> Well, she managed to get in the debate without having ever elected a member of parliament... mostly because she's less of a jerk than the other party leaders. The <a href="http://www.greenparty.ca/en/policy/visiongreen?origin=redirect">Green party platform</a> is mostly pretty good... and I just found out that it includes a minimum 3 weeks of vacation, and a 35 hour work week, which are great ideas. Also, they really like trains. <a href="http://www.punditsguide.ca/">And margaritas.</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Conservatives/Stephen Harper</span>: Um, er, something positive? Let me think about this for a second... uh... errr.... blue is an okay colour. And the Conservatives haven't yet come up with a budget any more stupidly right wing as most of the Liberal budgets before them.<br /><br />Wow, I even managed to say 2 nice things about the conservatives! See how easy that was?Doonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977052089984009745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956785386540751360.post-40632631802821312012008-09-08T22:27:00.009-04:002008-09-08T22:57:53.412-04:00Reconnecting with the landSince I've been back, I've hiked around Sylvia Grinnell Park a couple of times, getting reacquainted with this crazy treeless landscape I'm surrounded by. Here are a few things that caught my eye:<br /><br />Rocks!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IOOpHaOrw2Q/SMXimjHeuDI/AAAAAAAAARs/dDKOYAX_mgI/s1600-h/park1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IOOpHaOrw2Q/SMXimjHeuDI/AAAAAAAAARs/dDKOYAX_mgI/s320/park1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243846493032331314" border="0" /></a><br />Rocks forming an Inukshuk!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IOOpHaOrw2Q/SMXlghtZAII/AAAAAAAAASM/MUXeV_y-zSs/s1600-h/park5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IOOpHaOrw2Q/SMXlghtZAII/AAAAAAAAASM/MUXeV_y-zSs/s320/park5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243849688110137474" border="0" /></a><br />Bones!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IOOpHaOrw2Q/SMXlLaCXDTI/AAAAAAAAASE/5qUTiIQ4Oi0/s1600-h/park4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IOOpHaOrw2Q/SMXlLaCXDTI/AAAAAAAAASE/5qUTiIQ4Oi0/s320/park4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243849325273353522" border="0" /></a><br />Fall Colours! Who needs maple trees, when you have tundra?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IOOpHaOrw2Q/SMXjEq79KiI/AAAAAAAAAR0/1OesoeI_jjE/s1600-h/park2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IOOpHaOrw2Q/SMXjEq79KiI/AAAAAAAAAR0/1OesoeI_jjE/s320/park2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243847010527554082" border="0" /></a><br />Waterfalls!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_IOOpHaOrw2Q/SMXkrRg9C2I/AAAAAAAAAR8/903ql-dg53Y/s1600-h/park3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_IOOpHaOrw2Q/SMXkrRg9C2I/AAAAAAAAAR8/903ql-dg53Y/s320/park3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243848773229939554" border="0" /></a>Doonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977052089984009745noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956785386540751360.post-75663667033980523192008-09-07T12:40:00.008-04:002008-09-07T13:17:03.928-04:00Work Life/Home LifeNorthwestel came through, finally, with my internet service, so I can get this blog rolling again.<br /><br />First off: survived my first week of art teaching. It went, I have to say, remarkably well. My students are working ahead of where I thought they'd be after 4 days (well, the ones who have shown up semi-regularly), and I suspect they may actually be learning something. And I haven't had to freak out yet, either by yelling at kids or sobbing quietly to myself after classes are over. Not even close! Let's hope this keeps up.<br /><br />I've also spent alot of time in my new apartment, which feels incredibly opulent, not because it's anything other than an average 1-bedroom apartment, but because it's all mine. It makes me extra-happy to come home to. Here, let me show you around. Don't mind the mess. This is the living room:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_IOOpHaOrw2Q/SMQIlNoDdFI/AAAAAAAAARM/cqQjBr4shRY/s1600-h/living+room.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_IOOpHaOrw2Q/SMQIlNoDdFI/AAAAAAAAARM/cqQjBr4shRY/s320/living+room.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243325301571941458" border="0" /></a>If you have GN supplied furniture, you may have the same couch and chair.<br />Now we go towards the kitchen...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IOOpHaOrw2Q/SMQJYXbYjnI/AAAAAAAAARU/XtUHd5aBEgM/s1600-h/living-dining.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IOOpHaOrw2Q/SMQJYXbYjnI/AAAAAAAAARU/XtUHd5aBEgM/s320/living-dining.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243326180376481394" border="0" /></a>If you come over, this is where we can sit and have a tea.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_IOOpHaOrw2Q/SMQKRB92ErI/AAAAAAAAARc/yoQ4l-FKdBA/s1600-h/kitchen+table.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_IOOpHaOrw2Q/SMQKRB92ErI/AAAAAAAAARc/yoQ4l-FKdBA/s320/kitchen+table.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243327153867985586" border="0" /></a>While we're sitting, we can look out at the planes at the airport, and see the sun going down, which might look a little like this:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IOOpHaOrw2Q/SMQL2Db5N7I/AAAAAAAAARk/TdWvRt46Ev8/s1600-h/IMG_0519.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IOOpHaOrw2Q/SMQL2Db5N7I/AAAAAAAAARk/TdWvRt46Ev8/s320/IMG_0519.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243328889429243826" border="0" /></a>Doonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977052089984009745noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956785386540751360.post-19804822077868906032008-08-30T12:30:00.003-04:002008-08-30T13:10:46.929-04:00Return to the northHey folks!<br /><br />Sorry about the silence lately. It seemed silly to post on Baffinblog when I wasn't on Baffin island. But now I'm back, and I've escaped the hustle and bustle of down south, to the, well, even more hustle and bustle of Iqaluit; at least in terms of how much work I have to do to get ready for classes on Tuesday in my new art room, not to mention settling into a new apartment (which is awesome). <br />This morning I tried to hit some house sales, because although my apartment is furnished, I have very little in the way of other things, especially kitchen stuff. Unfortunately, 10am is aparently not early enough to get the good stuff. I managed to buy coasters with windmills on them, a skipping rope, a jar of pickles for $2, and a PS2 game (even though I currently have no TV). In other words, totally impractical things I don't need at all. So, if you have any extra stuff to sell, let me know. Useful is better, but if the above list is any indication, I apparently will buy any old crap you have lying around.<br />Anyway, I've gotta get some more work done. If you're in Iqaluit, I'll probably run into you on a street corner before long (if I haven't already).Doonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977052089984009745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956785386540751360.post-71513625252820960522008-07-23T22:27:00.005-04:002008-07-23T22:34:31.124-04:00PeopleYou know what's weird about Toronto?<br /><br />There's all these people around... I see so many of them when I walk down the street, and yet... I don't know any of them, and they don't say hi to me! Not even the children (of which there are very few). What gives?<br /><br />Oh, wait, I guess that's what most people call "normal." But it sure is weird after living in Iqaluit.Doonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977052089984009745noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956785386540751360.post-29075141792074959322008-07-08T18:07:00.005-04:002008-07-08T18:40:51.422-04:00One year in the northWell, I've made it. On July 2nd of last year, I arrived in Iqaluit, and although I'm excited to head "down south" tomorrow, I'm also pretty happy I've made it through a year here - a cold, dark arctic winter; my first year of teaching; my first time owning a motor-vehicle (a snowmobile) - a year of many changes and new experiences. I'd be lying if I said that everything went according to plan... there have been alot of challenges living up here. But I'm looking forward to sticking around next year, to my new job at the high school, to my new apartment in town, to a full season of snowmobiling, and to whatever the heck else northern life brings me in the next year.<br /><br />I'm also looking forward to catching a fish... I went out today for a last chance before getting out of town for the summer, and I had a char on my line until it managed to free itself a few feet from shore... aaaargh! And as with most of the fish that get away, he was, of course, enormous (well, at least a foot long anyway).<br /><br />The other day, as if to dramatically end my first year in Nunavut, I was walking by 4-corners to find the Kamotiq in the midst of being demolished. It was sad to see the last igloo-shaped building in town come down. I figured this picture was a good was to say so-long for the summer:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_IOOpHaOrw2Q/SHPso_NtX3I/AAAAAAAAARE/iCUXrDEfgGI/s1600-h/kamotiq+RIP.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_IOOpHaOrw2Q/SHPso_NtX3I/AAAAAAAAARE/iCUXrDEfgGI/s320/kamotiq+RIP.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220776581960392562" border="0" /></a>Doonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977052089984009745noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956785386540751360.post-76505639311300435122008-06-29T18:25:00.005-04:002008-06-30T23:21:49.657-04:00Of CircusesThe past couple weeks, I've had my head down, busy volunteering with Alianait and attending the multitude of Alianait events, and with writing report cards on the way to the end of school (my last day was Friday). I can't even believe I made it to the end of the school year; I'm sort of still in a daze of disbelief.<br /><br />My life feels like a circus, especially since I've attended a couple of circuses - the Fibonacci Project was a great show last Sunday, and Artcirq on Tuesday was pretty cool too. In fact, all the Alianait events so far have exceeded my expectations, I'd say. The opening concert was a long night of eclectic music from all over, Monday night brought this amazing frenetic Quebecois folk band to the Francophone to ring in St. Jean Baptiste Day, Wednesday I heard cool stories from Dave Bidini and Michael Kusugak, Friday Dave Bidini played some songs at the Nova bar... phew! And those are just my evenings this past week.<br /><br />Oh, and last Sunday I also swung by the Nunavut Arts and Crafts festival, where I played some songs, and participated in a Printmaking workshop done by Andrew Qappik. I also purchased a print by an artist named Veronique Nirlungayuk. Here's the print I made along with and the one I bought:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IOOpHaOrw2Q/SGlBPgdaykI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/JHi0bIBiAEs/s1600-h/IMG_0369.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IOOpHaOrw2Q/SGlBPgdaykI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/JHi0bIBiAEs/s320/IMG_0369.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217773377952598594" border="0" /></a>Doonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977052089984009745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956785386540751360.post-38820825945910746242008-06-18T21:47:00.007-04:002008-06-18T22:21:09.083-04:00On the Road to Nowhere with Robertson Davies<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IOOpHaOrw2Q/SFm9yRF7U7I/AAAAAAAAAQc/vlczrFQkIkM/s1600-h/IMG_0299.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IOOpHaOrw2Q/SFm9yRF7U7I/AAAAAAAAAQc/vlczrFQkIkM/s200/IMG_0299.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213406714937430962" border="0" /></a>On Monday, I took advantage of a recently discovered teaching perk - the Discretionary Day. Which is basically an extra, random day off of my choosing. Luckily, it was beautiful, so I took a short walk out on the tundra.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_IOOpHaOrw2Q/SFm_tX_AmSI/AAAAAAAAAQk/xxMH2h6VuMk/s1600-h/IMG_0303.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_IOOpHaOrw2Q/SFm_tX_AmSI/AAAAAAAAAQk/xxMH2h6VuMk/s320/IMG_0303.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213408829911374114" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IOOpHaOrw2Q/SFm82xTsfxI/AAAAAAAAAQU/XxT1FafSby4/s1600-h/IMG_0302.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IOOpHaOrw2Q/SFm82xTsfxI/AAAAAAAAAQU/XxT1FafSby4/s400/IMG_0302.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213405692792962834" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IOOpHaOrw2Q/SFnBMRc_gxI/AAAAAAAAAQs/TuhR01jSQ1Q/s1600-h/IMG_0310.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IOOpHaOrw2Q/SFnBMRc_gxI/AAAAAAAAAQs/TuhR01jSQ1Q/s320/IMG_0310.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213410460245656338" border="0" /></a>Doonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977052089984009745noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956785386540751360.post-20011067252916810212008-06-08T00:31:00.005-04:002008-06-08T22:55:12.442-04:00Staying in the north after peak oilSince I made the decision to stick around the north for the indeterminate future, I've been reflecting alot on what the future will hold up here. One of my main concerns about sticking around in this town is how large my environmental footprint has become. Although I don't own a car and walk everywhere I go, almost all the food I eat is flown in (at least until the local greenhouse can feed me, or I catch a Char), and all the electricity in town comes from diesel generation. This is all pretty hard to ignore when you're at ground zero for climate change.<br /><br />Even ignoring my guilty, lefty, green bleeding-heart, with oil at $135 a barrel (and $200 a barrel oil a possibility in the future), it's going to <a href="http://www.nnsl.com/members/newspapers/stories/jun2_08fs.html">cost the government</a> and everyone else alot more to live up here, and it makes me wonder how sustainable all of our futures will be.<br /><br />Anyway, these are some of the things I think about when I contemplate the future of the North, in particluar with me in it.<br /><br />On a more positive note, I hope to do alot of positive things as an art teacher that I might never get the chance to do down south (more on that later). And I love that I can walk everywhere here... although if I ever get lazy and buy a vehicle while I'm up here (besides my non-enviro-friendly snowmobile), I'm looking at <a href="http://www.daymak.com/bikes-toronto/eb/mainsect.html">electric scooter</a>s, or even <a href="http://www.daymak.com/bikes-toronto/pages/golfcar/powerelite.html">electric atvs</a>! How cool would one of those be?* I'll bet I can rig one up to run on solar...<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">*If the battery doesn't die really fast, which it probably will in the cold winters, as my more practical-minded brother pointed out.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span>Doonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977052089984009745noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956785386540751360.post-40780728234489862912008-06-05T21:45:00.004-04:002008-06-05T22:30:02.464-04:00Buying art in IqaluitThese are recent pieces I purchased while drinking beer or eating Chinese food (which is how most art gets purchased in Iqaluit).<br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IOOpHaOrw2Q/SEib5wLt0OI/AAAAAAAAAQM/pS6MgF5TH04/s1600-h/IMG_0295.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IOOpHaOrw2Q/SEib5wLt0OI/AAAAAAAAAQM/pS6MgF5TH04/s320/IMG_0295.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208584385542869218" border="0" /></a><br />I should also point out that there are some excellent drawings from Cape Dorset at the museum here in town - I encourage local folks to check it out.Doonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977052089984009745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956785386540751360.post-28507876648670257592008-05-27T22:59:00.002-04:002008-05-27T23:13:55.552-04:00SpinningIt's been a while since my last post, since my life has been spinning in many different directions lately, with almost constant sunlight, latin dance parties, and counting down to summer (23 school days left).<br /><br />Most noteworthy, however, is that I've been offered the position of Art Teacher at the high school here in Iqaluit. Which is just about the best teaching job I could have possibly hoped for. So, after much uncertainty, it looks like I'll be returning to my skidoo after the summer's over, and possibly sticking around the arctic and this <a href="http://www.lyricsfreak.com/p/pogues/dirty+old+town_20109784.html">dirty old town</a> for a little while.Doonerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02977052089984009745noreply@blogger.com0