ĭn'də-strē

doers' and dreamers'

I have a confession to make. Today I officially became a Newfoundlander but I am smitten with another province-- Nova Scotia. I drove through Nova Scotia and although covered in snow, it was extraordinary. My mum was born and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia along with her 5 other brothers and sisters. The province has always had a certain appeal to me not only because of family roots but because of the climate and the Annapolis valley. Nova Scotia has an amazing climate that allows for amazing fruit farms and wineries-- two of my favourite things.

I also love how close it is to New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. I love Newfoundland so I'm a bit torn. I won't be leaving Newfoundland any time soon as I have a one year lease on my apartment. I also believe that I need to fully experience Newfoundland culture before I make any decisions on moving. I plan to visit Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island this summer to get a real feel for these two amazing provinces.

To add to the Project Noble Beaver list, I did visit TVAL Skincare and purchased two jars of Lilac Blossom body butter to help with my dry skin. Not only is TVAL Canadian but the products I purchased were made right here in St. John's. Cool eh? Did I mention Lilac?! My favourite scent. I am also posting this blog entry from the Hava Java cafe. I almost went to Starbucks today and turned around. Some habits die hard.

I have the weekend to relax and read since government as usual doesn't do weekends. So the reading list:

• Anita Stewart's Canada by Anita Stewart
• A Taste Of Canada: A Culinary Journey by Rose Murray
• Food Security for the Faint of Heart by Robin Wheeler
• doers' and dreamers' guide - Nova Scotia Tourism
• Experience New Brunswick - New Brunswick Tourism
• The Gentle Island - Price Edward Island Tourism

today we are 33

Happy Birthday to me :) It's another gorgeous day here in St. John's, NL. It's warm and sunny and the snow is melting. I have to head off to the Ministry of Transportation to renew my driver's license; after that, I'm just going to enjoy the rest of my birthday.

Today is the official start date of Project Noble Beaver. Right now I am at a local coffee shop named Coffee Matters Too. After that I'm heading down Water Street to TVAL Skincare to buy some much needed body lotion. My skin is so dry from being in Alberta that it hurts so moisturizer is essential for helping retain what moisture is left in my skin so it can heal. Being home in St. John's helps because of the humidity and soft water.

Yesterday I bought 3 books for my birthday. Two of them are by Canadian authors. One book, called Anita Stewart's Canada: The Food, The Recipes, The Stories by Anita Stewart is truly an amazing book! I am in love with it and have been reading it all day and last night. I never realized how influenced by Canadian culture my mum's cooking was. This book has been an eye-opener and I'm really pleased with myself for finding this gem. The other book is called Food Security for the Faint of Heart by British Columbian author Robin Wheeler. The real test will come tomorrow when I go grocery shopping. I don't have a lot of money to spend on groceries so I have a feeling I will be at the grocery store awhile trying to figure out how to get what I need but still buy Canadian.

great canadian adventure

I'm home :) I left Fort McMurray, Alberta 10:00 hrs on Friday, February 20 and arrived home in St. John's, Newfoundland on Wednesday, February 25 at 21:00 hrs. I have not seen a blade of grass since October 2008 as the entire country is blanketed in snow.

I slept over at Rueben's house Friday night and Saturday morning while brushing my teeth I froze and convinced myself this was a horrible idea and didn't want to go through with it. Friday night I curled up in my old bed with Rueben's dog Cosmo curled up against my leg. I was warm and at peace and felt ok. The thought of driving 6585 km in winter seemed even too big of an idea, even for me.

I did it though. Once I made it to the Manitoba border I started to relax a little. The drive through southern Ontario was monotonous and took two days. I slept in my car in Thunder Bay, ON and North Bay, ON. I had to stay over in North Bay because the OPP pulled me over outside of Sault St. Marie and told me to get a burnt out headlight fixed. I stopped in Ottawa for my second meal in 3 days. Yeah, I know but I get motion sickness.

I made it from North Bay, Ontario to Riviere Verte, New Brunswick in one day considering I drove through a snow storm from Montreal, Quebec to Quebec city, Quebec. Quebec was sketchy as all the signage is in French. I got turned around in Quebec City because I missed my turn off. That added an additional 20 minutes onto the journey.

Riviere Verte, New Brunswick to North Sydney, Nova Scotia was easy driving and I made it to the ferry terminal by 18:00 hrs. The MV Joesph and Clara Smallwood set sail at 23:00 and it arrived in Port-aux-Basques, Newfoundland the following morning at 08:00. One cool note, at about 03:00 the ship felt like it was slamming on its brakes and ramming head first into something. Dudes, it was ice! Apparently the ship is also an ice breaker of sorts. Ice jam on the North Atlantic. Coooooool. Anyways, once I drove off the ferry it took about 13 hours of driving to get home to St. John's. I'm tired, I have a headache of epic proportions and I have no idea what I'm going to do now. I do know, however that tomorrow is my 33rd birthday and the start of Project Noble Beaver.

Darren and I. This photo was taken about 30 minutes before I left so this was the last time I saw Darren. I don't know how to explain my friendship with Darren except that it's complicated.

Talk about adding insult to injury. These 3 pictures of my new office. My supervisor had me move everything from one building to another. Two minutes after I finished the task, that's when I found out I was laid off. Yeah. Whatever, I got paid.

Looking out towards Plant 92 and the Evaporator

The Kastle, where I spent the better part of the last 2.5 years.

Ironic, since I was actually leaving Fort McMurray. I stopped at the tourism Canada kiosk and picked up some free travel guides to all the Canadian provinces I would be visiting.

Outside of North Battleford, Saskatchewan

Leaving Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. I do love Saskatchewan and will miss living there.

Heading towards the Manitoba border.

Manitoba border. By then my nerves has finally settled and it was an uneventful drive to Brandon and onto Winnipeg.

I know what your thinking but no, they are not the same lake. This is southern Ontario in the winter. You drive through the woods, you go down a hill, you see a lake then you repeat this ad nausea for 2 days.

Nova Scotia :) The home province of my mother and also of many of my friends. If Newfoundland doesn't work out, this is where I'll be heading next. Beautiful province. I love Nova Scotia.

The Table Mountains outside of Port-aux-Basques, Newfoundland.

On the way to Cornerbrook, Newfoundland.

Overlooking the city of Cornerbrook, Newfoundland.

Springdale (I think....), Newfoundland. Beautiful town. They enticed me to visit by putting out a sign on the road saying they had coffee.

Sunset outside of Gander, Newfoundland.

requiem for a rogue

I came for the money, I stayed because of the people. Today was my last day at work. Tomorrow I'm heading home to St. John's, Newfoundland. A surreal experience as I started this journey August 2006. Time to move on.

it had to get weird

Last night I went to visit a lovely gentleman from another camp. A good time was had by all and my car was running great as well. I was feeling rather content when I stopped at the security gate and ended it up hearing words I never thought I’d hear at an Oil Sands camp. The male security guard stopped me to check my car and ID-- nothing out of the ordinary right? As he’s leaning down checking under my glove compartment he says:

Security Guard: “…right behind your Knitting Bible”

Me: “and my sewing machine. Yup, I’m such a girl”

Security Guard: “I know how to knit.”

For this moment I’m kind of stunned stupid. A male security guard on an Oil Sands construction site in Alberta is telling me he knows how to knit? Um…???!!!

Me: “oh rly? Are you single?”

Apparently all thoughts of the previous gentleman were thrown aside due to this stunning revelation.

Security Guard: *laughs* “no.”

Me: “that’s too bad. One doesn’t meet very many male knitters. There are 53 million knitters in North America y’know…” (thank-you Stephanie Pearl-McPhee)

Security Guard: “and how many of them are men?”

Me: “I only know of a few thousand. In fact one of the most talented knitters I know of is a man.”

After that he shooed me off and I went happily back to my camp. It was a surreal moment and I think I made him a bit nervous.

west wind

last night I scuttled to the parking lot and raised the dead. Over the holidays, the maintenance crew buried my car in snow-- heavy, compacted snow. But I prevailed and shoveled the snow then took a deep breath, sat in my car and turned the key. It's alive! I knew Slepniir would not let me down. Afterall, we have been an item for 7 years. We've driven over 3 provinces and many, many towns and cities together. We've driven through every conceivable weather condition to be found in Canada. We've driven through mountains, over hills and dales, relaxed on a few ferries, and conquered the great prairie. I love my car and my car loves me.

Tonight I continue to pack and get ready for the last great trek home to Newfoundland. I was also happy to see I didn't overpack my car last December. I guarantee I'll be able to fit my stash and my book hoarde into my car-- even my duvet.

I'm really excited to be going home. I have a plan and it's good. Though, I might not be home for long. I have a lead on another job here in Alberta and it's left me torn. On one hand, I want a nice, relaxing 4 month vacation so I can catch up on being me. On the other hand, I don't want to be without a job, especially one that pays well. We'll see what happens tomorrow. I'll make the call because who knows, I may be able to take some time off while I wait for the new project to ramp up. I don't want to get ahead of myself though. First priority is to get home alive.

Even though I've found myself unemployed, Project Noble Beaver is still a go. Today while reading the comment board on the CBC I saw these two posts; "what the hell is made in Canada anymore? Can you give me some products I might consider buying?" and "Seriously, have you ever tried to buy only things made in Canada? It's almost impossible unless all you're buying is Quebec maple syrup and Alberta beef..."

Obviously they are not knitters and they are not me. I've found a lot of products that are Made in Canada. I have a wonderful group on Ravelry that have been brilliant at providing me with even more companies that sell or make products here in Canada. It's not impossible and I'm going to prove the pessimists wrong. So far I've been given the names of Canadian companies that sell and make paint, furniture, mattresses, cosmetics, soap, medicine, coffee, tea, chocolate, linen, wool, yarn, vegetables, dairy products, meat, fruit, tools, and clothing. This project is not going to be easy, but it's not impossible and doomed for failure.

tangled up in plaid

I wrote letters for two people I care about with all my heart. It was the only way I could say goodbye without crying. I figured out long ago that I can use writing to short circuit my girlmones to say what I feel. I can cry heroically. I don't cry very often but when I do, I rival Niagara Falls. It can be epic. I have a few more letters to write, but those two were very difficult but also very honest.

5 more days until I drive home from Firebag, Alberta to St. John's, Newfoundland. I figure that's roughly 7000 km. If I stay at a good steady pace, I'm hoping to be home on February 26 that way I can go out and celebrate my 33rd birthday on the 27th.

I know my posts have been rather dire straights lately so here is a list of which and what makes me happy despite recent events:

1. My car and I are finally going to be reunited. It's been over 2 months since I've taken Slepniir for a drive. Not only are we going to be together, we're going to do something quintessentially Canadian; drive the Trans-Canada highway across the country. We also get to take a ferry and that is so cool :)
2. When I get home, I will have my stash, my camera, my ipods, my macbooks, my journals, my sewing machine, my bathtub and a goodly amount of my books. With most of my stuff with me I know I couldn't possibly lack for creative inspiration.
3. I'll be home in St. John's! What could be better than that? well...besides really good sex...
4. Good food. No more gross camp food. The food is so foul that after almost 3 years, I surprise I haven't gotten the scurvy.
5. If I do find a job at home and it pays well, I am so getting a puppy!
6. Knit night. Now I can actually attend since I won't be stuck in Alberta in the ass-cold which is a level of hell not even Dante could comprehend.
7. Sewing. I got fabric and I got my sewing machine so now I can finally get the time and space to work through my sewing queue. Hellz yeah.
8. Doctors. It's been awhile since I've had blood work done. Now I can get a check up on the important things like how my liver is doing and whether my blood sugar is ok.
9. Newfoundland culture. I moved to Newfoundland for a reason; the people and the culture. I'll finally get to be home long enough to appreciate it.
10. Last but not least; there are a few people I would love to never, ever see again in my life. I hope they rot especially the ass-clown that pushed to have me laid off. I have a feeling that by going home I will be relieved of a lot of stress.

with a big black horse and a cherry tree

I went to the doctor today because I need antibiotics and they refused to see me because I didn't have my provincial health card with me. 2009...not so much fun. I also realized today that I can't afford anything. Until I get another job, it's going to be like college all over again. Basically, it will be living off of $50 a week.

As I'm writing this, apparently a plane has just crashed in Buffalo, NY :'( *sigh* 2009...you suck. This whole year has been a shit-storm. I am very sorry to see this on the news-- none of us need such tragedy now, or ever.

I'm a nervous wreck and I'm scared and slowly I'm becoming overwhelmed. I am a very strong person mentally and emotionally. Not everyone is so lucky. I will get through this, I always do because I have more lives than a cat. There is one silver lining to this dark cloud-- I will finally be able to go home. I haven't stopped moving in 3 years. Every 10 days I pack and get on a plane or a bus or in my car and I go; thousands of kilometers to work then home again. Now I can focus on allowing my soul to catch up.

I will have time to hike, photograph, knit, run, read, write poetry, journal, bake, cook, crochet, bead, scrapbook, organize, paint, code, and explore. Most of all, I'll have time to start again. I'll figure it out. I'll be 33 years old in 2 weeks. The future is friendly.

omega

I got laid off at 2:00 pm MT today. On February 20 I'll be driving home to St. John's, Newfoundland. Yup, it the middle of winter. Awesome. Despite everything, I'm a complete mess because I'm never going to see my friends again. It's my childhood all over again when I always had to leave my friends every few years. The downturn in the economy has ended the life I made for myself almost 3 years ago.

I have to start over. Alone.

the noble beaver

I'm going to be starting a new project officially on February 27, 2009. The project goes above and beyond some of my goals on my 101 Things in 1001 Days list. In 2007 I made a resolution for the year to explore art and popular culture from other countries. I felt that American pop-culture had run amok over my interests and l was lacking a more broad perspective. So I made the 70/30 rule where 70% of the pop-culture I explored had to be by artists that were not American. It worked brilliantly and I enjoyed French and Korean film, British and Canadian authors and music from countries such as England, South Africa and Brazil.

That resolution was easy but this new project is going to be a test of my patience, endurance and tenacity. So how to describe Project Beaver? Basically I'm going to be exploring all things Canadian. Since later this year I'll be driving across Canada, I figure I have a perfect opportunity to compliment that experience by exploring and indulging in all things Canadian.

However, there are a few caveats. I'm going to try and buy only products made in or by Canadian companies but the products have to be environmentally friendly and not tested on animals plus fair-trade and organic when possible. If no Canadian product exists, I will substitute with that of a non-Canadian company but sold by a Canadian retailer. For example, I love Aveda products and the spa I go to in St. John's is an Aveda concept spa. If I cannot find a Canadian made product that works well, such as shampoo, then I will continue to purchase Aveda products from the spa.

But! and this is a big but; because I dislike waste, I'm going to use the products I've already purchased and replace them with Canadian products when required. For more information on what inspired this please visit one million acts of green.

The other exception is safety. I will not compromise my safety so if my car requires a part made in Japan for example, then so be it. Better to be alive then dead.

The big deal part of this project involves the CBC. For those who don't know, the CBC is Canada's national broadcaster; for Canadians by Canadians. Starting on February 27, 2009 and going until February 27, 2010 I will only watch the CBC. I want to see if the CBC provides a rich enough experience in Canadian culture from art, sports to news and politics. My television will be glued to the CBC for one year. I don't own a television at home so if I get laid off it will be difficult to work this experiment but I'm thinking of buying a television this summer anyways.

I'm also going to be exploring Canadian art as well but not exclusively. I enjoy many authors and artists from all around the world and the CBC part of the project is good enough without sacrificing music, film and books. I will however, make sure to allow Canadian artists to be front and center in my choices.

I know this project is ambitious but also completely fun and hopefully enlightening. I was embarrassed the other day when I read through a list of Canadian Prime Ministers and didn't recognize 3 of them on the list. I pride myself on knowing a good amount of Canadian history as well as knowing how my government works but since I couldn't name all the Prime Ministers I'm feeling a bit humble.

P.S.; Karin ~ The colour card comes from a book called More Alive with Color: Personal Colors - Personal Style by Leatrice Eiseman. I scanned the Sunlight colour card then matched the colours and cleaned it up. This book is essential to me because since I'm so used to wearing neutrals esp. black and grey that I need the help when shopping for colours that flatter me. I recommend the book; it's not outstanding but does the job well and the colour cards are awesome and I use mine when I shop for clothing, make-up and yarn.