tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42141409974125208372024-03-25T06:14:57.915-03:00Ea-pea Dave's Terra NovaGoing The "Wrong Way" Never Felt So Right.David Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07334812588167693129noreply@blogger.comBlogger177125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4214140997412520837.post-52135373085647775902012-08-13T11:58:00.000-03:002012-08-13T12:07:52.587-03:00EP Road Trip: Mahone Bay and LunenburgEP Dave is back! And what a way to rejoin the world - with a road trip! My roommate was leaving back home for Korea, and I thought I would like to treat her to a special trip.<br />
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When I was in Korea in 2009, I was guided on a train tour of South Korea by a total stranger. Some random woman I <a href="http://koreancop.blogspot.ca/2009/04/episode-50-in-which-dfm-gets.html">met in the Secret Garden</a> at Changdeok Palace in Seoul, South Korea, befriended me and then invited me on a tour of all her favourite spots around South Korea. It was truly<a href="http://koreancop.blogspot.ca/2009/05/episode-59-in-which-dfm-visits-museum.html"> an experience I would never forget</a>, and one that would change my life forever.<br />
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I asked the woman how I could ever repay her, since I wasn't exactly loaded with money at the time. She said that I could repay her by returning the favour to any Korean visitors I met in Canada.<br />
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So, fast forward to January 2012, and my roommate of the past seven months is about to return home to Korea without visiting the one place every Korean knows, PEI (the home of "red-hair Anne"), and only ever having travelled by bus to tiny Truro. No offense to Truro, as I'm sure it's a lovely town, but the Acadien who lived there before the British stole it from them originally named the place "Village in the burnt wood." That's probably not exactly the postcard image of Canada she would like to take home with her.<br />
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I knew what I had to do. While I couldn't afford the time or the trip to PEI, I did the next best thing - I took take her to Lunenburg.<br />
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According to Wikipedia, Lunenburg was one of the first attempts by the British to settle British Protestants in Nova Scotia, back in the 1750s. This makes it somewhat special for two reasons. First, they actually settled a new area and didn't just steal a settlement from the French or Mi'kmaq, but also this influx of Protestants resulted in Lunenburg being attacked by the Catholics nine times!<br />
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More importantly, in modern times, Lunenburg is the best remaining example of a planned British colonial settlement in North America. It was awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status, accordingly, in 1995.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZf9zpXNUeGhTnPaMUUcRTSThJAIijBeoUrdyQ91iBfh0b7Qzbydbxi6rG9lK6HDGsJRCnTdhGt5AJgzY6tML4xjfGwkRUuONVLFUPFt5misp3G8Vl_KHD8UVEUyuc6wM0LOW-Pl7rBsE/s1600/P1070353small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZf9zpXNUeGhTnPaMUUcRTSThJAIijBeoUrdyQ91iBfh0b7Qzbydbxi6rG9lK6HDGsJRCnTdhGt5AJgzY6tML4xjfGwkRUuONVLFUPFt5misp3G8Vl_KHD8UVEUyuc6wM0LOW-Pl7rBsE/s320/P1070353small.jpg" width="320" /></a>
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On the way over, we took the Lighthouse Route along the coast and stopped in at beautiful Mahone Bay. Mahone Bay is famous for its cafe on the side of the road. No wait... that's not right.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-y97QEQeDXjX-2zWNSKbE2CYW4HBn3C1YKTsSLuNjtNMVCim54cedj4qcwIUyGwQcrwtH3HQfD8UsVeFfhEoiW2rhc-tAAQ2vTEuo9Nk8cWvAA8YdaFqoAJ2uaS37NjSFgfhmBiV5IE/s1600/P1070035small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-y97QEQeDXjX-2zWNSKbE2CYW4HBn3C1YKTsSLuNjtNMVCim54cedj4qcwIUyGwQcrwtH3HQfD8UsVeFfhEoiW2rhc-tAAQ2vTEuo9Nk8cWvAA8YdaFqoAJ2uaS37NjSFgfhmBiV5IE/s320/P1070035small.jpg" width="320" /></a>
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Aha! That's more like it. Mahone Bay is famous for its pretty downtown Main Street, and its three churches more than 250 years old (two-and-a-half of which you can see in this picture). On a side note: I've been waiting more than two years to take this picture! Success!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw8-YUbPNA9lxtpiL7UDZ2POwGn-LC55WKkYycT4vq9YMnY6nJKOLZjTGpqg5XA-lAkxeNghTukSyVzI3dAO6tNlYo-OjoPrcGZDena7VQWqbHf-ppwQP4XXcLYLmcg5v1EX5pGXgVWgc/s1600/P1070385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw8-YUbPNA9lxtpiL7UDZ2POwGn-LC55WKkYycT4vq9YMnY6nJKOLZjTGpqg5XA-lAkxeNghTukSyVzI3dAO6tNlYo-OjoPrcGZDena7VQWqbHf-ppwQP4XXcLYLmcg5v1EX5pGXgVWgc/s320/P1070385.JPG" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhllpkwWm4vSpWABCwTMxNumnmbrLsjiP3ynzbptLA3gpRCWgrc7Dwf-l805ioou6ZKtLQVHOrRvlKHpyN52mQQ0CbvlHuhKD3v69qnKPx2dILS6RV0TFtTmq3Wx7Uh91uusQMW5m3vlf0/s1600/P1070389small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhllpkwWm4vSpWABCwTMxNumnmbrLsjiP3ynzbptLA3gpRCWgrc7Dwf-l805ioou6ZKtLQVHOrRvlKHpyN52mQQ0CbvlHuhKD3v69qnKPx2dILS6RV0TFtTmq3Wx7Uh91uusQMW5m3vlf0/s320/P1070389small.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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Of personal significance to me was a trip to the excellent independent tea store, The Tea Brewery. The store's motto is "where there's tea, there's hope." What more do I need to say? You can clearly see why someone would have biked 100km just to buy some superb Blueberry Tea. I only wish I had thought of it first.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGrnTh7hpxcRPsDT7oKPYBTZOZOW0CFrEWNrWROzOfgw8h5LhlkKVZ9w0OU0DtODpyj5vi9EG1vD-kUfBHwzNk4tTx3gCUQINWxcn-_GYBBnxhjk4oO_Ya9DZTi0Tn7Ju3U7cYfjMHDIw/s1600/P1070403small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGrnTh7hpxcRPsDT7oKPYBTZOZOW0CFrEWNrWROzOfgw8h5LhlkKVZ9w0OU0DtODpyj5vi9EG1vD-kUfBHwzNk4tTx3gCUQINWxcn-_GYBBnxhjk4oO_Ya9DZTi0Tn7Ju3U7cYfjMHDIw/s320/P1070403small.jpg" width="320" /></a>
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I mentioned earlier the pretty downtown for which Mahone Bay is well known. That beautiful yellow house in the background is a store. The entire Main Street is filled with others just like it. It's well worth an hour of your time to stroll up and down this street if you're ever in Mahone Bay. You won't soon forget it. Nova Scotia has some of the most delicious ice cream I've ever tasted, as well.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIzGQB3UsK5e2a-OWd0PRDM2o4XAo8CHsQJ07j-pKTrwNEYD1oSjGsDp2sgG_GJgqbmrpW93saxpn1O5kpT4j8vmD6xPS3-5mkA95y_xoGPsnYdPfV2pdAABDmu7nS9eMzJgXV_BKoqhE/s1600/P1070413small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIzGQB3UsK5e2a-OWd0PRDM2o4XAo8CHsQJ07j-pKTrwNEYD1oSjGsDp2sgG_GJgqbmrpW93saxpn1O5kpT4j8vmD6xPS3-5mkA95y_xoGPsnYdPfV2pdAABDmu7nS9eMzJgXV_BKoqhE/s320/P1070413small.jpg" width="320" /></a>
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Finally we got to Lunenburg and stopped for a picnic. Mihwa is an excellent cook and made the most incredible "bulgolgi wraps." Even more perfect though was the view. I enjoy Halifax, but this is really what I had pictured when I planned on moving to Nova Scotia.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxYatKfr2dGC0b4iWUW_kwUpG3F8qYlkQObbx6jTT61YvMKu37eijvQAcBIZi8nGZgHTF0Oe0H0FOdgwzELU-44SafBcMnbPdEU2Z7Td6lWhmLemQbEM9bjawDgDzxZrhSEr3_m5_haqE/s1600/P1070435small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxYatKfr2dGC0b4iWUW_kwUpG3F8qYlkQObbx6jTT61YvMKu37eijvQAcBIZi8nGZgHTF0Oe0H0FOdgwzELU-44SafBcMnbPdEU2Z7Td6lWhmLemQbEM9bjawDgDzxZrhSEr3_m5_haqE/s320/P1070435small.jpg" width="320" /></a>
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Lunenburg is famous for its well-maintained, 18th Century downtown storefronts, painted every colour of the rainbow (and some extras). I had visited here as a youth, back in my high school days, but I did not understand the significance of the town at that time, and shamefully I must admit I did not appreciate it as much as I should have. I'm grateful for the second chance to walk these streets.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8P21XW6TTDjw8RVaykkI8xVGY_LWiig6Biy5a4pCnIjec7uOnl5YamTLhHE0rob03JvxN3p7VH1AyVTZHETL4eaGpZp2HH1M-IAMFPc39hmYdSHiLtcQc1eSvomCIiC8kelG5phLM8c/s1600/P1070480small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8P21XW6TTDjw8RVaykkI8xVGY_LWiig6Biy5a4pCnIjec7uOnl5YamTLhHE0rob03JvxN3p7VH1AyVTZHETL4eaGpZp2HH1M-IAMFPc39hmYdSHiLtcQc1eSvomCIiC8kelG5phLM8c/s320/P1070480small.jpg" width="320" /></a>
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If you don't feel like walking, that's okay too. Even the tour guides get into the spirit and the costume of the 18th Century. I was a little disappointed that the horse didn't whinny with an accent though.<br />
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The real excitement was down on the waterfront. Not only were the Tall Ships in town, but this year marks the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812, during which the British burnt down the White House (hoo-ah!) There were parties and festivities everywhere.<br />
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When they aren't patiently enduring the endless stream of tourists, the locals like to row out in their yellow dinghies. I'm sure my astute readers will notice that the red building in the back ground is the exact same building found on the back of the <a href="http://heindorffhus.motivsamler.dk/shoebox/bluenose-banknote1975-luenenburg-back.jpg">1975 Canadian $100 Bill</a>. It's a little hard to tell from this angle, but trust me, it's the same.<br />
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The Bluenose II was under repair, getting a face lift, but I found something even better. This is the R/V Farley Mowat. It was formerly the flag ship of Canadian hero Paul Watson's great Sea Shepherd fleet. The anti-free speech Harper government of Canada stole the ship from Watson in 2008 though, after his crew was caught documenting the government killing baby seals.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8G2ggdAkUuguEAPjZPtpAoYk1twyPTD7cZ3cbp1_6EzKmdqCelex53i4_wDaUKW8aGB-tYrVqY9WVn9J9L3KDemPDQXgbmR4tJJR_2_yzCwG4w9Ogc5B-tudiEJ4V3a61V-Zp07R8qWM/s1600/P1070517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8G2ggdAkUuguEAPjZPtpAoYk1twyPTD7cZ3cbp1_6EzKmdqCelex53i4_wDaUKW8aGB-tYrVqY9WVn9J9L3KDemPDQXgbmR4tJJR_2_yzCwG4w9Ogc5B-tudiEJ4V3a61V-Zp07R8qWM/s320/P1070517.JPG" width="320" /></a>
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Before we left I insisted on making one last stop - the beautiful Lunenburg Academy. Perhaps the most remarkable heritage building in the entire province, the Lunenburg Academy has been designated a Municipal, Provincial, and National Historic Site. Additionally, by visiting the Academy, yet another in a long list of blunders from my youth has been repaired. I somehow failed to deem it important enough to visit this gorgeous building my first time to Nova Scotia. I can now check the last item off my list of high school Nova Scotia "oopsies". Success!<br />
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"Oh no! We're gonna die!" Ha ha! This is not quite the sight you want to see in front of you when you're travelling down the highway at high speed. Thankfully it was just a semi-truck being towed backward by another semi-truck. I have to admit, this was the first time I had ever seen that... weird.David Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07334812588167693129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4214140997412520837.post-48382437138180814902012-06-06T23:43:00.000-03:002012-06-06T23:45:58.592-03:00HRM Monument #33 - Wolf on the Rocks<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aRz5C79L3hRSgAMk2-fRIxXLFjrBUORPamqxQ5NKZJocMZk55o0WfITRHgJ9Qmn33niQTlgc129Mh3b_S3O_bHrtLvdbevOcBnYm9MVmXZcjJJheQxXbMQ2gzze7CB81KmnSrzI96Fk/s1600/Image00001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aRz5C79L3hRSgAMk2-fRIxXLFjrBUORPamqxQ5NKZJocMZk55o0WfITRHgJ9Qmn33niQTlgc129Mh3b_S3O_bHrtLvdbevOcBnYm9MVmXZcjJJheQxXbMQ2gzze7CB81KmnSrzI96Fk/s320/Image00001.jpg" /></a><br />
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Located in the middle of the cobblestone pedestrian street, Granville, in front of Gallery Page and Strange, this lone wolf was designed and produced by Ontario College of Art graduate, John McEwen.<br />
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Especially known for his use of naturalistic objects flame cut from massive slabs of metal, McEwen has produced art out of his blacksmith shop since before the '80s, and has exhibited his works across Canada as well as in Australia, Germany, and England. In 2007 he was honoured with a Doctorate of Fine Arts from the University of Lethbridge.<br />
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This particular sculpture is more than meets the eye. The two rock cliffs on which the wolf is walking (buried in the snow) are actually pieces of marble from Cape Breton Island.David Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07334812588167693129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4214140997412520837.post-9927598731105084852012-04-14T19:08:00.004-03:002012-04-14T19:21:34.663-03:00Titanic 100th AnniversaryToday is the 100th Anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. On April 14,1912 around 12:30 AM, the RMS Titanic hit an iceberg off the coast of Newfoundland and sank on its maiden voyage. Ships from Halifax were some of the first on the scene collecting victims and bringing them back to the city. Many of the buildings in Halifax were used as temporary morgues, until the victims could be identified and burried. Three major cemeteries in Halifax contain the <a href="http://epterranova.blogspot.ca/2010/11/hrm-point-of-interest-16-titanic-graves.html">graves of the recovered victims</a>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5aQycAoFhTHlwOod77skd9FPz6C1jh3owJag8TlJH0kDiCRXLAj5kjADKxeMqgR1XHeX6pyRaNWfPDLotHbTr1aZPHiNAYvJEjn0LnQdyURcLGXsobEPfBLvsguYtsiUFB_jIDOrvcvc/s1600/Image00001.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5aQycAoFhTHlwOod77skd9FPz6C1jh3owJag8TlJH0kDiCRXLAj5kjADKxeMqgR1XHeX6pyRaNWfPDLotHbTr1aZPHiNAYvJEjn0LnQdyURcLGXsobEPfBLvsguYtsiUFB_jIDOrvcvc/s320/Image00001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731383128502793010" /></a>David Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07334812588167693129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4214140997412520837.post-29473979858396679622012-03-20T08:06:00.005-03:002012-03-20T18:01:16.476-03:00HRM Point of Interest #25: Royal Artillery ParkLocated just across the street from The Citadel fortress, Royal Artillery Park was acquired in 1799 to provide soldiers quarters, stores, officers' accommodations and a headquarters for the Royal Artillery personnel stationed in Halifax. As an interesting factoid for Haligonians: the old location was across the street from the Grand Parade where the World Trade and Convention Centre is now.<br /><br />In 1812 work began on the Officers' Mess. Rather, it would have begun, but the War of 1812 got in the way, and so work wasn't completed until 1816. At 196 years old though, it is officially the oldest Officers' Mess in Canada.<br /><br />My favourite part of the park is being able to walk around and look at the well preserved pieces of artillery from wars past.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5ENlIb4sEE7JVR7IjvQPwpz_osY6R4rT0xEvDMnOkEH0sPNjiA4yvWF2mordsgo7kPrc7cDPbKQ0SpVIW3UrHj-PvRKZw7a9mvJG98G29RXj7k4wH2aU7NkzXkjWOpgMB23uszvUQEA/s1600/IMG_0544.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5ENlIb4sEE7JVR7IjvQPwpz_osY6R4rT0xEvDMnOkEH0sPNjiA4yvWF2mordsgo7kPrc7cDPbKQ0SpVIW3UrHj-PvRKZw7a9mvJG98G29RXj7k4wH2aU7NkzXkjWOpgMB23uszvUQEA/s320/IMG_0544.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722081993196267138" /></a><br /><br />(Breech-loaded Howitzer used in the Boer War of 1895. This gun was actually still in use even up to 1917.)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijHOixJeshAQ0BszdxFRXOI2IcnjRSpv5zAV7nRu7XfLerPWNjROJY0PhKNx8Nwtnlqclncjewv5BKMwVfHDosvtaHyi5L7hLcUWKXgZcpZ0kFKhM9B7fUcygZ17yhWYfZA-e8DUM_TxA/s1600/IMG_0548.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijHOixJeshAQ0BszdxFRXOI2IcnjRSpv5zAV7nRu7XfLerPWNjROJY0PhKNx8Nwtnlqclncjewv5BKMwVfHDosvtaHyi5L7hLcUWKXgZcpZ0kFKhM9B7fUcygZ17yhWYfZA-e8DUM_TxA/s320/IMG_0548.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722081998489561458" /></a><br /><br />(WWII Gun used in desert battles in Africa in 1941.)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzN5FhyphenhyphenvfeVbv2ineZF48h0X48Hodu8qa8_QiVSAuQcjde_026Y9_7pzm5kEFGtI7Dd8suDKybDC409NvkPNy0QstXZellacDjBYDmP2SFKktTO6znG2ulV7x4egrE45VRUvJG9K_-1Fw/s1600/IMG_0557.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzN5FhyphenhyphenvfeVbv2ineZF48h0X48Hodu8qa8_QiVSAuQcjde_026Y9_7pzm5kEFGtI7Dd8suDKybDC409NvkPNy0QstXZellacDjBYDmP2SFKktTO6znG2ulV7x4egrE45VRUvJG9K_-1Fw/s320/IMG_0557.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722082003529552226" /></a><br /><br />(Armour piercing howitzer gun used from 1940-1952.)David Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07334812588167693129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4214140997412520837.post-90972723023119899612011-09-05T15:05:00.007-03:002011-09-05T16:59:30.000-03:00Nova Scotia National Historic Site #14: Akins House<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxrRx29Ob54paFelGv5v3ZRWUl_O83gpZDn3Jpj_ZPB7tccC_KUsXWHCUAmmE2rr2LLe1OuOMN7u7ijEk-h7MNIapLxqDGhVHTkZFc3zNGjWYyyA8lJS3oAYiZI3_sA0EshyZPBU3KPk/s1600/Image00001.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxrRx29Ob54paFelGv5v3ZRWUl_O83gpZDn3Jpj_ZPB7tccC_KUsXWHCUAmmE2rr2LLe1OuOMN7u7ijEk-h7MNIapLxqDGhVHTkZFc3zNGjWYyyA8lJS3oAYiZI3_sA0EshyZPBU3KPk/s320/Image00001.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648966578042071138" /></a><br /><br /><div>This small cottage on Brunswick Street, in North End Halifax, was the home of Thomas Beamish Akins. Built in the 1790s, T.B. Akins' house is the oldest dwelling in Halifax.</div><div><br /></div>Thomas Beamish Akins was born on February 1, 1809, in Liverpool, Nova Scotia. His mother died when he was 10 days old, after which time he moved to Halifax and was there raised by his mother's family. Akins went on to become a relatively successful lawyer with his cousin, Beamish Murdoch, but neither married or exhibited any interest in public or political matters. He never once ventured outside Nova Scotia.<div><br /></div><div>Akins did, however express a keen interest in history. He entered a contest and won a silver medal from the Halifax Mechanics' Institute for his 1838 "Essay on the Early History of Halifax." Although, his essays were apparently rather boring, they did rely heavily on "primary sources" which still makes them useful to this day. In 1882 Akins was made president of the Nova Scotia Historical Society</div><div><br /></div><div>In 1811, Sir George Prevost complained to the Provincial Assembly of Nova Scotia that its public records were "in a ruinous state." However, it would take numerous government bunglings before something was finally done about it (are you surprised?) Opposition member, Joseph Howe, distressed by the rapidly decaying condition of the records, moved in 1851 that the province do something to examine, preserve and arrange the documents. Enter Thomas Akins, who agreed to become the first ever provincial Commissioner of Public Records in Canada, for any province, on May 29, 1857.</div><div><br /></div><div>This was an important moment in Canadian history, since the creation of the Nova Scotia provincial archives predated that of the Dominion's archives by fifteen years. Furthermore, there would not be a second provincial archive created until Ontario established its own in 1903. Thanks to some rare political forward thinking, Nova Scotia now enjoys one of the most complete sets of public records in the country.</div><div><br /></div><div>Akins maintained his position faithfully for 34 years until his death in 1891. Upon passing away, Akins bequeathed his entire, substantial personal collection to the provincial archives.</div><div><br /></div><div>For more information on Thomas Beamish Akins, please refer to his biography, <a href="http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01-e.php?&id_nbr=5924">here</a>.</div>David Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07334812588167693129noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4214140997412520837.post-46576209907151737212011-08-22T16:30:00.015-03:002011-08-23T13:48:12.481-03:002011 Halifax International Busker Festival, Part 2 - My Favourite Acts<div>With over 30 different acts, ranging from mime to acrobatics, and from dance to magic, the EP Reader with a tight schedule might have wondered what would have been the best acts to see? That's a great question, and while I thought all of the performers were great, there were four that really stuck out in my mind as having been "must see!"</div><div>
<br /></div><div><b>1) <a href="http://flameoz.com/flameoz.html">FlameOz</a>, England</b></div><div>
<br /></div><div>Originally formed in Australia in 2002, FlameOz is a unique entertainment company that blends its awe-inspiring fire show with the energy and flare of the circus. FlameOz won the Metro People's Choice Award two years in a row, in 2009 and 2010, and they were back again this year with two completely new shows (one for the day, and a night time version as well).</div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJ6cFNl0treF_IfSbOkDCPiQQRqpvdjQ7yt5FCKPiovbGSz3eCE27ftDgXY6vCvAM1_p4m8eKE5q9X2vWs3GSTp7q9zlvalJxNAX9IPp1_huW7EycwqjOQDJJEbZtoIb68MsbC5NOsbw/s1600/Image00005.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJ6cFNl0treF_IfSbOkDCPiQQRqpvdjQ7yt5FCKPiovbGSz3eCE27ftDgXY6vCvAM1_p4m8eKE5q9X2vWs3GSTp7q9zlvalJxNAX9IPp1_huW7EycwqjOQDJJEbZtoIb68MsbC5NOsbw/s320/Image00005.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643767628108856354" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 230px; " /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>(When FlameOz flat-packed its Swedish team-mate, Thomas, in from IKEA, he had to be re-assembled by hand. Unfortunately, the other members put his arms on backwards.)</div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCjINETBtbCGI8I3QgwJFYJg1moXABGfNjG-lSTkSG8LInQKt3GIkUzg3KDuWPr66oIxyH-Ns0SAtMUxNDHOvHqTuxeZ9Ib04NGC1EN8ZTctg-4EnXNLwytUMUqFeHJjcp8Y6y2Sz-iAg/s1600/Image00006.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCjINETBtbCGI8I3QgwJFYJg1moXABGfNjG-lSTkSG8LInQKt3GIkUzg3KDuWPr66oIxyH-Ns0SAtMUxNDHOvHqTuxeZ9Ib04NGC1EN8ZTctg-4EnXNLwytUMUqFeHJjcp8Y6y2Sz-iAg/s320/Image00006.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643767634875828482" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>(The amazing Satya, standing on Ms. Gracie's shoulders, spinning three hoops...)</div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaeVOl90MjNcJ7E3rC5vgAQkUf6cpHpahj5oJvXd0pfb_9H_bXA7eJT4Fhwe8RZD0EWl2u2wExV12mkb1aBDAACRZkKywCWW4NncnE-433bUVdtGNKrptDAiSWSD-0XQyye-eUGMSpM_Q/s1600/Image00007.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaeVOl90MjNcJ7E3rC5vgAQkUf6cpHpahj5oJvXd0pfb_9H_bXA7eJT4Fhwe8RZD0EWl2u2wExV12mkb1aBDAACRZkKywCWW4NncnE-433bUVdtGNKrptDAiSWSD-0XQyye-eUGMSpM_Q/s320/Image00007.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643767642909588242" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 231px; " /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>(... And then tossing all of them on to Dmitri in one shot.)</div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidM75dYZqFhwbDHzbP7-gHGsXifkiCB5fpfYIjAUYehLNym4vXz7HG8jvtykDNGH9RYbUUyW5rn7ocjwNcCQq25e-xZCgMLqZJvwDVjA0if5rexxKzHHAdUbmGXTSmnh6ZmZK1AXSWsK8/s1600/Image00062.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidM75dYZqFhwbDHzbP7-gHGsXifkiCB5fpfYIjAUYehLNym4vXz7HG8jvtykDNGH9RYbUUyW5rn7ocjwNcCQq25e-xZCgMLqZJvwDVjA0if5rexxKzHHAdUbmGXTSmnh6ZmZK1AXSWsK8/s320/Image00062.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643773646035270722" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>(Gracie, doing a straddle lever on Satya's back, while Dmitri and Dangerous Dave look on. Oh yeah, and they have flaming torches on their heads too.)</div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjN_SNhFmzaTBkLS0TG9G9kH_9-wMHe7T4g7oCR23dZflSTUzcvK4ouiBqvyfVX3uQqXvDREQQzvQBpJPxF1TwPAKteiSF_6hi7A8o6PDCy9qrsvY1rYSy65vuI6hpA35-seNpSUkKOEk/s1600/Image00008.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjN_SNhFmzaTBkLS0TG9G9kH_9-wMHe7T4g7oCR23dZflSTUzcvK4ouiBqvyfVX3uQqXvDREQQzvQBpJPxF1TwPAKteiSF_6hi7A8o6PDCy9qrsvY1rYSy65vuI6hpA35-seNpSUkKOEk/s320/Image00008.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643767649683443938" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 231px; " /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>(Dangerous Dave figures he'll have a go, as well, and lifts four people. Thomas' legs are hooked around Dave's waist, and he's sticking up out of the front like a larger version of Kuato from Total Recall.)</div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVksEabyMBq2of0RvA7epuONG1dk8NXwJWRT25ICdgd_w3xyl8oZopeW8IFkSJp9H7-T6Rw8_VuXF5Uecngz4CZdSh-2p0Ya4hVVOcnNYNKQPockHbDlBSPg5HioBiK7Uuy9atahNVmY/s1600/Image00013.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVksEabyMBq2of0RvA7epuONG1dk8NXwJWRT25ICdgd_w3xyl8oZopeW8IFkSJp9H7-T6Rw8_VuXF5Uecngz4CZdSh-2p0Ya4hVVOcnNYNKQPockHbDlBSPg5HioBiK7Uuy9atahNVmY/s320/Image00013.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643767992425702818" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 222px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOvjfHT7chXz5jW5lfuwoENyMlOb4uMXM71ueugKJfzRXU1H_wVMmCK-IbN4lKF3QqwVvGqm0g7a48i-u4in-kiEhHo9nuN1pME-wcoFYMX2rbr-XlBuxWI6MMMnyCARI03z0i3VOVeM/s1600/Image00012.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOvjfHT7chXz5jW5lfuwoENyMlOb4uMXM71ueugKJfzRXU1H_wVMmCK-IbN4lKF3QqwVvGqm0g7a48i-u4in-kiEhHo9nuN1pME-wcoFYMX2rbr-XlBuxWI6MMMnyCARI03z0i3VOVeM/s320/Image00012.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643767988441643586" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 221px; " /></a>
<br />
<br />(Everyone's favourite FlameOz show is the one they put on at night. They're worth seeing in action, so click <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDqFpR4xD-U&feature=related">here </a>to watch a video clip from the 2009 show.)
<br />
<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUDrJQyXI4xRZzjQ9ZeW1ZFNkaJNLTkEf2_UU53Kgi_HpUmtR2gLRlaT3NBxLyDKZo5oSynbFV9O8Aaz_vSjkfQ309-jJBizfEvNZyelNNoSQxuJT9cOkkKge2G2p3UUS5wbxaKFR42e0/s1600/Image00035.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUDrJQyXI4xRZzjQ9ZeW1ZFNkaJNLTkEf2_UU53Kgi_HpUmtR2gLRlaT3NBxLyDKZo5oSynbFV9O8Aaz_vSjkfQ309-jJBizfEvNZyelNNoSQxuJT9cOkkKge2G2p3UUS5wbxaKFR42e0/s320/Image00035.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643773639149887362" /></a><div>
<br /></div><div>(It's a low quality picture, because it's taken from afar, but here you can see Satya and Ms. Gracie spinning flaming hula-hoops of death, during the All-Star show.)
<br />
<br /></div><div><b>2) ILLMask/<a href="http://www.illabilitiescrew.com/">ILL-Abilities</a>, All Over.</b></div><div>
<br /></div><div>Consisting of two BBoy teams (break dancing), of seven people total, representing as many different countries, ILLMask/ILL-Abilities was by far the most inspirational show of the festival. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Ill-Abilities was formed by Luca "Lazylegz" Patuelli, to destroy the common misconceptions surrounding people perceived to have a "disability," and to show the world that anything is possible and that when you make no excuses, you have no limits.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtkmTFEg_4I_sPKTbedjvX7hB1ET5HeG8u1WO3kZxdASExzXrbLN9I0K3LQ6nELA5HNXWdYHPsQl8V-du6dy7cODeAcQUL-zqXdHUPp0Ft6BkqfXydsMkkXa1EkOx695CiHZn0kYSpro/s1600/Image00028.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtkmTFEg_4I_sPKTbedjvX7hB1ET5HeG8u1WO3kZxdASExzXrbLN9I0K3LQ6nELA5HNXWdYHPsQl8V-du6dy7cODeAcQUL-zqXdHUPp0Ft6BkqfXydsMkkXa1EkOx695CiHZn0kYSpro/s320/Image00028.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643770528953246722" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 221px; " /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>(A Thalidomide baby, Sergio David Miranda Carvajal a.k.a "BBoy Checho," was born with severely effected lower limbs. His dance style involves a lot of upper body strength, and he often appears to be "floating" in the air. Here you can see him doing a move called "What Your Man Can't Do." In his home country of Chile, Sergio is a freelance electrician.)</div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCez0ehmpMK00b8KYIsKo9fwEGuM38gnfX88N9c_zvvT2d0q1L_PLXdWqJqhg9FnIWslaAqQyy2eXNNfI_Z7v4gLQFN3HBmcaeabT2Y9OuokM4oeDDxzvo4YFIZqNyDiNLhkCPv7SpR3I/s1600/Image00030.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCez0ehmpMK00b8KYIsKo9fwEGuM38gnfX88N9c_zvvT2d0q1L_PLXdWqJqhg9FnIWslaAqQyy2eXNNfI_Z7v4gLQFN3HBmcaeabT2Y9OuokM4oeDDxzvo4YFIZqNyDiNLhkCPv7SpR3I/s320/Image00030.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643771009685832850" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 219px; " /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>(Living in San Francisco, California, Tommy Ly a.k.a. "BBoy Tommy Guns" was diagnosed at 18 year-old with osteosarcoma - having a malignant bone tumour - in his right knee. He was given the choice between a prosthetic bone implant and amputation. Tommy chose the amputation <i>because</i> it would allow him to continue with high level dance and physical activity.)</div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp6KdRZ1zdvYpTxHNz2URDj_eHJ90ZGumNudlBcoW6unDZwqRtjfV9U420Z3fxyn4XgrPWyijaRAUOEbQ6LJz3S-8tdBAtlufPUnBIpZZCzbrpHcO5UjViuIXua1T6bDJIp3xnnbqtVfw/s1600/Image00029.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp6KdRZ1zdvYpTxHNz2URDj_eHJ90ZGumNudlBcoW6unDZwqRtjfV9U420Z3fxyn4XgrPWyijaRAUOEbQ6LJz3S-8tdBAtlufPUnBIpZZCzbrpHcO5UjViuIXua1T6bDJIp3xnnbqtVfw/s320/Image00029.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643771005567162146" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 222px; " /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>(Luca "Lazylegz" Patuelli is a Concordia University (Marketing) graduate from Montreal. Born with arthrogryposis, a condition affecting the bones which causes stiffness of the joints in the body, and in his case causing weak calf muscles. Luca believes any dance move that can be performed on the ground, can be performed on crutches.)</div><div>
<br /></div><div>ILLMask is a combination of two separate dance teams, and also includes Luca "Lazylegz" Patuelli. Three of its members came along with Ill-Abililities to Halifax to help with the show.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnaPZYOHq7QuChRus3IyOvrHyC2rHZBr-fA0MklnOSZHCNPhV4ZmAuzO9d1uXw7CtDSe_lzgxi-5NedVZg_UBzbfvtoP9kXYvvds3sBzom1hpw9Mu4twhD_OP8hT4MWS-KN0INBQ5jHKY/s1600/Image00031.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnaPZYOHq7QuChRus3IyOvrHyC2rHZBr-fA0MklnOSZHCNPhV4ZmAuzO9d1uXw7CtDSe_lzgxi-5NedVZg_UBzbfvtoP9kXYvvds3sBzom1hpw9Mu4twhD_OP8hT4MWS-KN0INBQ5jHKY/s320/Image00031.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643771017457943474" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 221px; " /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>(Some of the stunts that they performed seemed to defy physics.)
<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibgs7owbqmyAM28DKJ_e-gRcm00cJNIjMhrggHcY6EFRC__aX66CuFnqURn7ZEatRERUmYvHijouErxZBBEmnurAnF3Pa9oGVw_zgIl3pvDluyk2eaGEtvMVrnLRfViBmUe6SJgCdKttk/s1600/Image00027.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibgs7owbqmyAM28DKJ_e-gRcm00cJNIjMhrggHcY6EFRC__aX66CuFnqURn7ZEatRERUmYvHijouErxZBBEmnurAnF3Pa9oGVw_zgIl3pvDluyk2eaGEtvMVrnLRfViBmUe6SJgCdKttk/s320/Image00027.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643770523843234882" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 222px; " /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>(And some of them just looked painful.)</div><div>
<br /></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2AukSTXNjftKWis32xiymezOADIURPFgZECqrAwbNmwoWQ2R5NuW3zShf-ofIT-cYZWgdWhnqvY96NxGydYhyLImVOIB2h4fw26Vq2Ubq6sPidDrH7LLynIYb_Z2GOdhA1-z41nR7yE/s1600/Image00032.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2AukSTXNjftKWis32xiymezOADIURPFgZECqrAwbNmwoWQ2R5NuW3zShf-ofIT-cYZWgdWhnqvY96NxGydYhyLImVOIB2h4fw26Vq2Ubq6sPidDrH7LLynIYb_Z2GOdhA1-z41nR7yE/s320/Image00032.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643771078377097954" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 221px; " /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>(Bonus shot: Lazylegz and Checho perform the two-man, two-arm float. They actually perform a stunt later in which both men support each other on just one arm. It sounds difficult and looks even harder.)</div><div>
<br /></div><div><b>3. <a href="http://lordsofstrut.com/">Lords of Strut</a>, Ireland.</b></div><div>
<br /></div><div>Blending "pop, dance, and entertainment, into circus, acrobatics and comedy," Famous Seamus and Seantastic are the two members of Ireland's "hardest working man band." They provide a high-energy comedy-acrobatics show, that contains equal parts break dancing, contortion, acrobatic ladder and acrobalance (you'll see). Poking fun at celebrity culture, Sean and Seamus definitely put the theatre back in street theatre.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>While I borrowed much of that above paragraph from Lords of Strut's official website, I'm being 100% sincere when I say Lords of Strut, more than anything, is perhaps the single greatest health care return on investment ever made by Ireland. This award winning show is supported by the Irish government and provides a nearly non-stop 45 minutes of laughter, mirth and joy. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Since, "laughter is the best medicine," and a <a href="http://www.umm.edu/features/laughter.htm">University of Maryland study</a> found that people who laugh are 40% less likely to have heart disease, it stands to reason logically that this relatively tiny investment in culture by the Irish government must be saving its country millions of dollars annually in health care costs. The Canadian government is welcome to take notice and make the appropriate changes to its fiscal policy any time now.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW1lJ6Zqmk7f-DXgAriYCgi8yy79dmUSGtd_SG-izZw47YeeNvjcMiZ3ns3aI2MOmPPU87WFQju2hBXoX5JcLNQLUYRno6O58hM-_aUaLRFfj38-CJVWkByKqhJ78pU8ZvIBx8X5tx7Gs/s1600/Image00051.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW1lJ6Zqmk7f-DXgAriYCgi8yy79dmUSGtd_SG-izZw47YeeNvjcMiZ3ns3aI2MOmPPU87WFQju2hBXoX5JcLNQLUYRno6O58hM-_aUaLRFfj38-CJVWkByKqhJ78pU8ZvIBx8X5tx7Gs/s320/Image00051.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643772770536583826" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 230px; " /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>(During the show, Sean and Seamus notice a tourist in the audience with a camera and stop to get some free publicity and exposure in the Salem, Massachusetts area...)</div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Ay84P2rwYweOigYc-nqo6SHVq2NUxux2UYH-OllItM9q2IyOUoQRdx4FiOr50o862BLS5eAaOctzlsxQECF5tI8xUr8aiQVmKuX2KJNkW-4884RvkX2jWfePq1kWdnBII4K0gKurSrM/s1600/Image00049.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Ay84P2rwYweOigYc-nqo6SHVq2NUxux2UYH-OllItM9q2IyOUoQRdx4FiOr50o862BLS5eAaOctzlsxQECF5tI8xUr8aiQVmKuX2KJNkW-4884RvkX2jWfePq1kWdnBII4K0gKurSrM/s320/Image00049.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643772032644034722" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 230px; " /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>(...Then they decide to have their picture taken in "the crazy pose.")</div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqipUu6k6ZgY-074Wt_ZcOGPC9rM5dzr2rea7m2Bb6dtjJZV-GiP5-90j9TFUYw4KsDt56-bXW_VqPwEcmxSAEQwgeUeZysqujZ6Rnzgl7oe5zbObXGqVpAk37tmuUNesk8NbeGW0jM-w/s1600/Image00037.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqipUu6k6ZgY-074Wt_ZcOGPC9rM5dzr2rea7m2Bb6dtjJZV-GiP5-90j9TFUYw4KsDt56-bXW_VqPwEcmxSAEQwgeUeZysqujZ6Rnzgl7oe5zbObXGqVpAk37tmuUNesk8NbeGW0jM-w/s320/Image00037.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643772005399506866" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 231px; " /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>(They do eventually get around to dancing, but Sean has some trouble with his back spin and needs Seamus to come help him.)</div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItmX8U0cEIt5988Dq5d6sqEflRO66JePrjrl98H0VNRtW1hwXAeofaQx8NTFBkKMOWmsWqh8fTHakcJyM9awOQC5bGblU0tDYymXINfTgTHSyjthTuA_HLYIwDu2sbKtb6-Q7odd8lLg/s1600/Image00052.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItmX8U0cEIt5988Dq5d6sqEflRO66JePrjrl98H0VNRtW1hwXAeofaQx8NTFBkKMOWmsWqh8fTHakcJyM9awOQC5bGblU0tDYymXINfTgTHSyjthTuA_HLYIwDu2sbKtb6-Q7odd8lLg/s320/Image00052.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643772774118864706" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 231px; " /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>(Why is Famous Seamus so mad? Perhaps it's because "you didn't see his brother, Seantastic, lift him up in the air, with one hand, <i>by his ass</i>!")</div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt9vzj5_ND1rinY1sWQrm6SDLhNKTJEP3pO18RI8SHa2sMb9Da0ea17d-fjqwbW49Gp-gtvuULElv_sAXG8fNTz7fun2YzCdDArFsqn_f7DlbMOMhoOgdxf68wPNvkbgrdsHDq0x2HS2A/s1600/Image00056.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt9vzj5_ND1rinY1sWQrm6SDLhNKTJEP3pO18RI8SHa2sMb9Da0ea17d-fjqwbW49Gp-gtvuULElv_sAXG8fNTz7fun2YzCdDArFsqn_f7DlbMOMhoOgdxf68wPNvkbgrdsHDq0x2HS2A/s320/Image00056.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643773095107534018" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>(Now Seamus is upset because Sean is ruining his "ladder dance" by standing in front of him.)</div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Xj9QMlEllt1e9Ff0Gl_4RtOIO3uPtDBFtGu4C3qDuPnemUx3VABFUzSS3_ENUQjdyq5ROTulyKEfHN2yBEDd6G-KKHBJQzvjkE9oUrPqQK6P49UqELcyc15UBn5mgHcfr0HIFX3iTXc/s1600/Image00038.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Xj9QMlEllt1e9Ff0Gl_4RtOIO3uPtDBFtGu4C3qDuPnemUx3VABFUzSS3_ENUQjdyq5ROTulyKEfHN2yBEDd6G-KKHBJQzvjkE9oUrPqQK6P49UqELcyc15UBn5mgHcfr0HIFX3iTXc/s320/Image00038.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643772010844706066" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 231px; " /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>(Sean gets a solo too, with his "ring piece," which he'll eventually fit his whole body through. This joke works much better in Ireland, as I think there is something lost in translation when it comes across the Atlantic Ocean.)</div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbbbPTfOQDDrSbLbWe6Ii0ase_MAb_jwHZs8vqpa-Xevsa6U6ge-XG4j3s3dyKLYyuYmgXQgBmt8lZAakw7gbaxmtyy9YaXxSV9lhrpzyNkB8iZJUziTVz2sVisdClSi7tJ3hlzo-6HI/s1600/Image00057.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbbbPTfOQDDrSbLbWe6Ii0ase_MAb_jwHZs8vqpa-Xevsa6U6ge-XG4j3s3dyKLYyuYmgXQgBmt8lZAakw7gbaxmtyy9YaXxSV9lhrpzyNkB8iZJUziTVz2sVisdClSi7tJ3hlzo-6HI/s320/Image00057.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643773098654058130" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 220px; " /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>(Toward the end of every show three unsuspecting men get dragged out of the audience to become part of Lords of Strut's back-up dance team. Together they are called the Strut-a-lites.)</div><div>
<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUpEpyPIKK6LsTCJ2N653P6EvZDGwjnH6xxrf8YgV9P5sI9KcMZ9yvWnuI9YVFvBgxi_cT7r7bc6UuMbZ_IDDHn24aqh3rH49CNmjblgcINDfWS1yzQmUyS52rAECulw0QcrFF-vIxUw/s1600/Image00060.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUpEpyPIKK6LsTCJ2N653P6EvZDGwjnH6xxrf8YgV9P5sI9KcMZ9yvWnuI9YVFvBgxi_cT7r7bc6UuMbZ_IDDHn24aqh3rH49CNmjblgcINDfWS1yzQmUyS52rAECulw0QcrFF-vIxUw/s320/Image00060.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643773618610174338" /></a>
<br />
<br />(The finale though, is this stunt. They are the only two-man man band currently performing this move. And yes, that is a man standing on another man of roughly equal weight's head.)
<br />
<br /></div><div><b>4. <a href="http://throw2catch.jimdo.com/">Throw2Catch</a>, Montreal</b>
<br />
<br />A professional circus group that typically does paid shows on cruise ships or in theatres, last year three of the members, Jean-Philippe, Nicolas and Sam, created a street show they planned to perform three times. They received so many calls after those three performances - from festivals booking their act - that this summer JP, Nico, and Sam, along with their dog "Salto", have driven over 7000 km back and forth across Eastern Canada, in a converted, old mini-school bus, to entertain their adoring fans. "Success!"</div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHFIs8R_E0pU44knkVWT1emtaUBhbeXpu3kaqZZAWmlkYJ1NrBACqTwXCuKhh7QlMHsHnFbdlXNsfqvRz3r1b96eqQmS_HjEyOx9n7T7Ug7os7ezkQmaqZ-1wPW9Pbhrbj8KNMVlqwGc0/s1600/Image00020.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHFIs8R_E0pU44knkVWT1emtaUBhbeXpu3kaqZZAWmlkYJ1NrBACqTwXCuKhh7QlMHsHnFbdlXNsfqvRz3r1b96eqQmS_HjEyOx9n7T7Ug7os7ezkQmaqZ-1wPW9Pbhrbj8KNMVlqwGc0/s320/Image00020.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643770028396852946" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>(Never ones to take themselves too seriously, Nico holds the "hot hot hot" hoop of fire in one hand, while he taunts JP The Lion to jump through it.)</div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhULe-Z8aAl9AVT7_jHilF3_q5f8PFSPb1CDi65hyphenhyphenBKtbzFUA87T1i6wLujN6pvIeuoARq9h32yUM9CPm9z-jLKJGqh61ljKHvUWYraOZh669TParzwywojgoYuQ4yazAoB8WfNVa3mde0/s1600/Image00021.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhULe-Z8aAl9AVT7_jHilF3_q5f8PFSPb1CDi65hyphenhyphenBKtbzFUA87T1i6wLujN6pvIeuoARq9h32yUM9CPm9z-jLKJGqh61ljKHvUWYraOZh669TParzwywojgoYuQ4yazAoB8WfNVa3mde0/s320/Image00021.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643770033584707106" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 231px; " /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>(In the words of Ringmaster Sam, "Suc-cess!")</div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8nXc5oeCXgByf2g3ANNJOjLDqpGljDyXV9zh4cSj3LKZV-tMV88mRzEwVbtJ1DNXU17W9qqu0_WwpkP8MyAaAag6duRWobaz1JdWKpszdrVDbESjPqqmpOYL3QYdLpjS6iBjcaJS7qFU/s1600/Image00019.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8nXc5oeCXgByf2g3ANNJOjLDqpGljDyXV9zh4cSj3LKZV-tMV88mRzEwVbtJ1DNXU17W9qqu0_WwpkP8MyAaAag6duRWobaz1JdWKpszdrVDbESjPqqmpOYL3QYdLpjS6iBjcaJS7qFU/s320/Image00019.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643770020529894530" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 230px; " /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>(They don't just have a good sense of humour though, the boys also have some serious juggling skills.)</div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha71KK5-C4hvuikoNt8NAVW6kQHhAeic-Z02mDKiwPyBJfEDsOUm37Ass8Ju0eaBCGUesHESXWqyS8x9sb_2qztppOsX-Cta0cdXrzX8Uqy8gBuCQrY9QZ7Mk1rAGiUM6eXSEjFezgR40/s1600/Image00023.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha71KK5-C4hvuikoNt8NAVW6kQHhAeic-Z02mDKiwPyBJfEDsOUm37Ass8Ju0eaBCGUesHESXWqyS8x9sb_2qztppOsX-Cta0cdXrzX8Uqy8gBuCQrY9QZ7Mk1rAGiUM6eXSEjFezgR40/s320/Image00023.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643770047076512130" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>(Here, Nico and Sam juggle the razor sharp swords of death, while JP does a "salto" over seven members of the audience and lands between them.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOTXz-kapSiFfeJx2XhABVcsSZ2x_GW-6w0htK16YYCDPxWg4oh70wdoP3FviweRS-D-6h6Ir80XFLnbfUFE0iz4LDZwEfykhiHBVTiKJcAkEXr-1eqeGqWAMmckKqo6fVe9ptL2SuuzU/s1600/Image00022.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOTXz-kapSiFfeJx2XhABVcsSZ2x_GW-6w0htK16YYCDPxWg4oh70wdoP3FviweRS-D-6h6Ir80XFLnbfUFE0iz4LDZwEfykhiHBVTiKJcAkEXr-1eqeGqWAMmckKqo6fVe9ptL2SuuzU/s320/Image00022.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643770043634498338" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 221px; " /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>(Nico performs on the Cyr Ring, that we first saw at the <a href="http://epterranova.blogspot.com/2011/07/2011-royal-nova-scotia-international.html">Tattoo</a>. He also seems to be losing his clothes. The woman in the front row, on the right, doesn't seem too upset though.)</div><div>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTfFm_DuCzavT87LUfYdkq4dBtcxrtaW4sJfrldfJwx2p6qNapdBxg4NlyKVqNWwnc70ZvxMq7xMTDcSk4qZPHecMcSCHBIyk0IhmOPgY22wLBPYuJ1mHEQDtMS7R93eH-mxy-oiRHJG4/s1600/Image00048.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 231px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTfFm_DuCzavT87LUfYdkq4dBtcxrtaW4sJfrldfJwx2p6qNapdBxg4NlyKVqNWwnc70ZvxMq7xMTDcSk4qZPHecMcSCHBIyk0IhmOPgY22wLBPYuJ1mHEQDtMS7R93eH-mxy-oiRHJG4/s320/Image00048.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643772024430464082" /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>(In perhaps the most dangerous part of the routine, JP gets ready to be launched into the air from the Russian Bar and do a double back flip.)</div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhadtCOW1DP32kLqU_JbK8h-BrJOYUxt8fEVomBCiYXZyBu_u7GLktyrAqP760kVVBndaIQnBvlinwJAJZZObmRxrxSIrPGqAqs3m_Ncwx6QqKIYQ4GdeHXWcCPlRCKGFTTWy9Zsfh0IP4/s1600/Image00018.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhadtCOW1DP32kLqU_JbK8h-BrJOYUxt8fEVomBCiYXZyBu_u7GLktyrAqP760kVVBndaIQnBvlinwJAJZZObmRxrxSIrPGqAqs3m_Ncwx6QqKIYQ4GdeHXWcCPlRCKGFTTWy9Zsfh0IP4/s320/Image00018.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643768015121574210" style="cursor: pointer; width: 230px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>(You didn't believe me, did you? That bar is only 3 inches wide, and believe-it-or-not he's going to come down and land on it safely.)</div><div>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Co-Fl-JWyhCiCFR025wjyaNOAdZ4lWWc9bMW7gCdDUeMo6FmMwntpz0kAsXdelfeKa05b3z1H1OsQpXo_6dxlMjk6fyG48bwtjBCIGnYZpbT_f_bOO49MjntzRP8tgsYs156lWt2TWY/s1600/Image00024.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Co-Fl-JWyhCiCFR025wjyaNOAdZ4lWWc9bMW7gCdDUeMo6FmMwntpz0kAsXdelfeKa05b3z1H1OsQpXo_6dxlMjk6fyG48bwtjBCIGnYZpbT_f_bOO49MjntzRP8tgsYs156lWt2TWY/s320/Image00024.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643770498944206338" style="cursor: pointer; width: 231px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>(Let's face it though, the real reason you all came here is to see JP do a back flip through this burning ring of fire - it's real this time.)
<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Ou0lJwXypjHac93CNJbTSPMkBV4graw4-6owQJ6AC8I6a8VUghjhpntQPPRUSjxh6TlnbjNQFQ_Qg_ssRyk4G1NVi_j8fxEvl3mZTejMuYg2eVm8EZ_L_4fxfdKrnxyqvJq4x3QJTho/s1600/Image00025.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Ou0lJwXypjHac93CNJbTSPMkBV4graw4-6owQJ6AC8I6a8VUghjhpntQPPRUSjxh6TlnbjNQFQ_Qg_ssRyk4G1NVi_j8fxEvl3mZTejMuYg2eVm8EZ_L_4fxfdKrnxyqvJq4x3QJTho/s320/Image00025.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643770515406724946" /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>(JP readies himself for certain death, while Nico and Sam prepare to step off the ladder of doom onto the teeter-board of terror.)</div><div>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0urWpsE08-EjwBA4lPojj9n4dKrjCf9CHF8ePGvAbRuK_xKA6Fm0v_l_myhJSiYvM-Za5hmF3OIKoLb-2fEXPF-tPZDnO99xn-KXLWcTOUTc-i1xz-Hg4vsFCzhSBXFxTuLITOGRb3Qs/s1600/Image00001.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 231px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0urWpsE08-EjwBA4lPojj9n4dKrjCf9CHF8ePGvAbRuK_xKA6Fm0v_l_myhJSiYvM-Za5hmF3OIKoLb-2fEXPF-tPZDnO99xn-KXLWcTOUTc-i1xz-Hg4vsFCzhSBXFxTuLITOGRb3Qs/s320/Image00001.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643767625133151090" /></a>
<br /></div><div>
<br /></div><div>("Suc-cess!")</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Well, EP Readers, I hope you enjoyed this year's EP Review of the 25th Halifax International Busker Festival. Remember though, when you're donating to street performers who have dedicated upwards of 18 years to their craft so that you can be awed and entertained, if you can't buy anything with it, neither can they.</div>David Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07334812588167693129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4214140997412520837.post-85643366488039414392011-08-18T12:56:00.011-03:002011-08-23T13:50:54.700-03:002011 Halifax International Busker Festival, Part 1: August 4-14, 2011<div>For the 25th year in a row, the annual Halifax International Busker Festival took over the Waterfront from August 4-14 and entertained locals and tourists alike with 11 days of comedy, magic, dancing, and fire (that's right, fire!)</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Last year, due to lack of funds and time, I had a limited review of the Festival. However this time around, prepare yourself EP Readers, for the most picture-filled, EP-filled, busker-filled funstravaganza I've posted on EP Dave's Terra Nova yet. How is this possible, you ask? Great question! This year I signed up as a volunteer for the 11-day Halifax International Busker Festival, and volunteered for 14 shifts. I took over 600 pictures. I've posted the best here in this special two-part series. Consequently, I'm confident to say you will not find a more thorough review-in-pictures of this magnificent event anywhere else on the Internet.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVLdCBIT92LIg0mnLmmIg1U3n4KQ7tI7LG_0Bz1_E0nVwkm1wsc0UPbsoz6mf1-blkUUFkw7fLKxbNGGK4uRUbQHzRw865z9AmccIBq6ImPgkuer9b963ZTlCUdC4z3Q5yp43ocalzdxs/s1600/Image00014.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVLdCBIT92LIg0mnLmmIg1U3n4KQ7tI7LG_0Bz1_E0nVwkm1wsc0UPbsoz6mf1-blkUUFkw7fLKxbNGGK4uRUbQHzRw865z9AmccIBq6ImPgkuer9b963ZTlCUdC4z3Q5yp43ocalzdxs/s320/Image00014.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642232958288003186" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>(Are you ready for some busking? You'd better be! Thomas didn't fly all the way from Sweden to Thailand, to meet up with two pretty ladies on a beach, who invited him to Australia to join an elite fire-twirling team that sometimes graces Halifax with its presence, just so that you could not be entertained.)</div><div>
<br /></div><div>At 25 years old, the Halifax International Busker Festival is the oldest street performance festival in Canada. It's quite an honour to be invited to perform in it, and quite a bigger privilege to be able to watch it, since the Nova Scotia provincial government seems to think it is more important to fund massive, money-losing outdoor concerts than it is to support a funny, entertaining, economy-boosting, and often inspirational festival such as this one, and consequently this years festival almost didn't happen. In fact, Flame Oz, one of the performers, publicly shamed the Nova Scotia provincial government during one of its performances for this inexcusable display of poor judgement.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>This year saw 30 performers from 4 different continents, including the countries of Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, Ireland, England, the United States and Canada. Rather than just talk about them though, I'll show you a small sample of photos so you'll know what you missed, and in part-2 I'll post even more photos of my top-three favourite acts.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAtVXbngg7KgiXKyxI_qdvjm1EyjfpDYZPvu8zw1Gu8exgnBWqlA_WwYzKny4zNiQNUoDdGK2uMnK7x84fktEtFZlLtXrof3jijSLam3HIYAwSzybQl9O5YRO46oxZ-k4shFKjDDqIVk8/s1600/Image00009.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAtVXbngg7KgiXKyxI_qdvjm1EyjfpDYZPvu8zw1Gu8exgnBWqlA_WwYzKny4zNiQNUoDdGK2uMnK7x84fktEtFZlLtXrof3jijSLam3HIYAwSzybQl9O5YRO46oxZ-k4shFKjDDqIVk8/s320/Image00009.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642225895403693106" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 222px; " /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>Definitely deserving honourable mention, is one of the funniest mime acts you'll ever see, <a href="http://www.fraserhooper.com/">Fraser Hooper</a> from England. Unfortunately for Fraser, his act's entertainment level depends largely upon the sense of humour of the audience and more importantly the sense of humour of the children he gets involved in the show. This can be very hit or miss, but when it's on it's one of the funniest shows. In the above photo, you can see Fraser setting up a tug-of-war match between four adults and what looks like a five year-old boy.</div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Wkml9Ax0XrKEmKDf3YSWDaTkqY0kOnrtqbWazRkEl8xMlckNQJPnfbfBwQw0_OZMcZNAmkKKKV1frezcIl2UK9CqQZFjhy0HoN9CidWvyf9jlcp6Pda-ZzwmsTE41cQBYv5B7k-nFs4/s1600/Image00011.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Wkml9Ax0XrKEmKDf3YSWDaTkqY0kOnrtqbWazRkEl8xMlckNQJPnfbfBwQw0_OZMcZNAmkKKKV1frezcIl2UK9CqQZFjhy0HoN9CidWvyf9jlcp6Pda-ZzwmsTE41cQBYv5B7k-nFs4/s320/Image00011.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642227406516253426" /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>The best part of the show is when Fraser has a boxing match between himself and a member of the audience, complete with sound effects. Again, the humour here is really dependent upon how well his "volunteers" can perform.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdTNVHVdFAzVP8yIfxSKZVs1xWg24U3IdE_yaMbBKbImSVFsfE4BR8XSvy6GyltH8ah1PO4o_CJBZsUDShN-DYf3_s_wLbjk618Yfx8NCzBwQnMjGAZvTm6EPeYN1jesbyIm2ztd-s_Io/s1600/Image00010.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdTNVHVdFAzVP8yIfxSKZVs1xWg24U3IdE_yaMbBKbImSVFsfE4BR8XSvy6GyltH8ah1PO4o_CJBZsUDShN-DYf3_s_wLbjk618Yfx8NCzBwQnMjGAZvTm6EPeYN1jesbyIm2ztd-s_Io/s320/Image00010.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642225901456748578" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 230px; " /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>Sometimes when he gets hit in the face too many times, Fraser gets disoriented and ends up hitting the ring post/corner man instead. (Unfortunately, my camera didn't auto-focus quick enough for this shot.)</div><div>
<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvRaF0nJeXcTOTSiMf5Dhf3B5MN7TbAPLUVbUzPsUsdV9gnRAMCxf97BAYl1XEwNLlX3uMEnSPTigX4vsbLhulWmVhwDfaIwOtePyl1fIGhcUd6su14gAonYuzIltqMJQP3ehHhSejqWQ/s1600/Image00045.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvRaF0nJeXcTOTSiMf5Dhf3B5MN7TbAPLUVbUzPsUsdV9gnRAMCxf97BAYl1XEwNLlX3uMEnSPTigX4vsbLhulWmVhwDfaIwOtePyl1fIGhcUd6su14gAonYuzIltqMJQP3ehHhSejqWQ/s320/Image00045.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642227055347083858" /></a><div>
<br /></div><div>Another exciting group was the martial arts/stunts demonstration crew <a href="http://team2xtreme.com/">Team2X</a>, out of Scarborough (Toronto). One of the members of this team was even part of the the stunt team for the film Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World.</div><div>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOHavVb7t4GgxT4-AABdvOJOC3HXCd2xEK1PXXiwIILGEh-4IvwiHO3ZRAz4Qxgg8tyYXe4mb7BmjbwRhvAfpjqR7rgSDAbCYThSwfUqRqT-S8iGNlNcc4FTvT8pln4HZUAI7qEcuxZDQ/s1600/Image00015.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOHavVb7t4GgxT4-AABdvOJOC3HXCd2xEK1PXXiwIILGEh-4IvwiHO3ZRAz4Qxgg8tyYXe4mb7BmjbwRhvAfpjqR7rgSDAbCYThSwfUqRqT-S8iGNlNcc4FTvT8pln4HZUAI7qEcuxZDQ/s320/Image00015.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642226551715953346" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 221px; " /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>During their show, one of the members messed up and had to be "punished." Check out the "lift" he received from Carl's spinning back kick. Needless to say, this kick was not pulled. You might also enjoy the reaction of the woman in the front row, on the right.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYhh1e43lvKkrxELKruQuk74W2G_XAjca9fl_1KcjRyRZvQRRtB_k4gsdt55CwOEd1V0QbULGGSDTmFNlzvWvmkfOTxVHqNGCLhZvzN49qmkDOORHcKGcAuk_NWkZ7QzJUyV9WMhQQkDs/s1600/Image00043.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYhh1e43lvKkrxELKruQuk74W2G_XAjca9fl_1KcjRyRZvQRRtB_k4gsdt55CwOEd1V0QbULGGSDTmFNlzvWvmkfOTxVHqNGCLhZvzN49qmkDOORHcKGcAuk_NWkZ7QzJUyV9WMhQQkDs/s320/Image00043.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642227030251165618" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 230px; " /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>By far the best performer at self-promotion was <a href="http://victorrubilar.com/">Victor Rubilar</a>. As one of the other performers joked, "if you want to know how awesome Victor is, just ask him. He'll tell you all about it." All kidding aside, this unbelievable football (soccer ball) juggler from Argentina, currently living in Sweden, had one of the more impressive skill-based shows, and was definitely a hit with all the ladies. </div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Ium4lHKNdG6yXmpeI6w2uXtM6nK9R9Q7vZwxu6YCyQexZr9IpX_8GxNRf1jWKSeGKrGOnMO_wF04C82xGY-nEiCMKOTmLkUCMrisXCEurJvVaduGtCBbArBfz7a_l5k1X26qHjJaEUE/s1600/Image00044.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Ium4lHKNdG6yXmpeI6w2uXtM6nK9R9Q7vZwxu6YCyQexZr9IpX_8GxNRf1jWKSeGKrGOnMO_wF04C82xGY-nEiCMKOTmLkUCMrisXCEurJvVaduGtCBbArBfz7a_l5k1X26qHjJaEUE/s320/Image00044.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642227041529657954" /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>As well as being the recipient of this year's Fan Choice Award (apparently two years ago he lost by one vote), Victor holds four Guiness World Records. These include "most consecutive rolls of a football across the head from temple to temple," "the longest time to spin a football on the forehead," "the longest distance travelled whilst balancing a football on the forehead," and "most footballs juggled (5, as you can see in the picture above)."</div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt6_ueX6vN3Qkkxav1T82OEE8kyyWtihqMlRaIBSWl74dzKXhjGsWU8iuvQzNk5NbUzA5kRa72PwdZFoVv7LF-E9NkL4poMYgTszdfHFIs7OQru2vZaoZzOkju-81P-cEpelBDZxjvo_U/s1600/Image00041.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt6_ueX6vN3Qkkxav1T82OEE8kyyWtihqMlRaIBSWl74dzKXhjGsWU8iuvQzNk5NbUzA5kRa72PwdZFoVv7LF-E9NkL4poMYgTszdfHFIs7OQru2vZaoZzOkju-81P-cEpelBDZxjvo_U/s320/Image00041.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642226562780972322" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 230px; " /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>If you can't juggle five footballs at once, you can always have members of the audience try and play a game of water balloon tennis with giant raquets - the aim of which being to get a water balloon into the red colander helmet on <a href="http://aidanorange.com/">Aiden Orange</a>'s head. For this trick to be successful, there is a certain level of skill needed by both the members of the audience to bounce the water balloon from one raquet to the other, and then high enough into the air without breaking it, as well skill on Aiden's part to be able to position himself in such a position as to be able to "catch" the water balloon in the helmet. I was impressed that eventually, within the ten balloon margin for error, the team of "volunteers" and Aiden were always able to "successfully" complete this stunt. (Aiden always seemed to get wet at the end though.)</div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEACUgDEB_YZpZ-wTtwR1Z-yDUdWr6Z456mQj8lmjtbiBYqOyDiAPj2sWw246xTVFheu_8EOeyWhb-DGfyLvOa-nqsCeNLQ7qcZx_N-iv-U3Px0r6FbJirInojYhArKA8ho1jcHt1t1xY/s1600/Image00002.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEACUgDEB_YZpZ-wTtwR1Z-yDUdWr6Z456mQj8lmjtbiBYqOyDiAPj2sWw246xTVFheu_8EOeyWhb-DGfyLvOa-nqsCeNLQ7qcZx_N-iv-U3Px0r6FbJirInojYhArKA8ho1jcHt1t1xY/s320/Image00002.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642225868077654546" style="cursor: pointer; width: 231px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>Holding a degree in Astro-physics from the University of Toronto, Aiden now makes his parents proud by travelling around the world balancing an electric lawnmower on his chin, while members of the audience throw heads of lettuce into the spinning blades. This was my least favourite stunt of the entire festival because I always had to clean up the salad that was left over on the stage after every show.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRR0zskbagnfbU5rfo7AT3EYd9uAoqaZY-aEcaC__dc6toMYZBzWJWYvGQxopq79Rm91A6QCPy-St9cF2mpvJ1nbJCwtR9GGcga1rxykE10avct082WwSVvRhqn5_a7BB8tWmtsRLTiZA/s1600/Image00036.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRR0zskbagnfbU5rfo7AT3EYd9uAoqaZY-aEcaC__dc6toMYZBzWJWYvGQxopq79Rm91A6QCPy-St9cF2mpvJ1nbJCwtR9GGcga1rxykE10avct082WwSVvRhqn5_a7BB8tWmtsRLTiZA/s320/Image00036.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642226556605972546" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>And then there was Peter Rabbit. Actually, I'm not sure how to classify Peter, but he's always a fan favourite, and has been invited to perform at the Festival six times so far. I heard he has also won the Fan Choice Award twice in the past. For Peter's performances, he sets up his "expensive equipment" and then proceeds to energetically drum on the buckets for about half-an-hour. At the Historic Properties stage here, Peter would have a special finale in which he would go around the audience and drum on absolutely everything in sight, including the buildings of this National Historic Property behind him, and the strollers of the babies in the audience, and even the bottoms of people's shoes. Pay special attention to the "no hands" drumming in the photo.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Lest you think Peter is just some guy from Brooklyn who set up some dirty buckets (he broke all of his over the course of the festival and had to find a new one at the last minute for this show), check out <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urYzLQDzY2s&feature=related">this video</a> of Peter performing at a University of Kansas basketball game.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAN-ZGyXaUIxYk7EshqUkNGdYmYGYoT7tXXh0FNjcOC6n6zRD3rS-dm1faudVSpxGtkcChU19QngNKTKiErbPUCTe-zRyKdxo4MSu4Krx7pwBWQZqtDWr2nfWRdIZ457NKrBdkiuL8N1M/s1600/Image00061.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAN-ZGyXaUIxYk7EshqUkNGdYmYGYoT7tXXh0FNjcOC6n6zRD3rS-dm1faudVSpxGtkcChU19QngNKTKiErbPUCTe-zRyKdxo4MSu4Krx7pwBWQZqtDWr2nfWRdIZ457NKrBdkiuL8N1M/s320/Image00061.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642226568649630578" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>An often overlooked aspect of the Halifax International Busker Festival is the vendors that line the Waterfront to sell people overpriced food ($5 for a piece of pizza?). By far one of the more interesting side vendors this year was this wax hands-making booth. To see an interesting video of how this is done click <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KadOir2xqkI&feature=related">here</a> (note: this is not my video, nor was it taken in Halifax, as the description will make clear.)
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0EcVMFhzLI3xyI6VEgB8FtRlG8bwMZszAhEq25OvtkCYpN0UOGG13C8Rwc_Msnwmse5xdlbpJF32Bm_q4PGx_nn51VoksHHkRwU-wKRJ_Yfa5Hw33VibAxyGvjiVv_3iN3wepuG_1da0/s1600/Image00042.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0EcVMFhzLI3xyI6VEgB8FtRlG8bwMZszAhEq25OvtkCYpN0UOGG13C8Rwc_Msnwmse5xdlbpJF32Bm_q4PGx_nn51VoksHHkRwU-wKRJ_Yfa5Hw33VibAxyGvjiVv_3iN3wepuG_1da0/s320/Image00042.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642226578671088834" /></a>
<br />
<br />Of course, anywhere there are people, you will invariably find a Peruvian pipe flute band. This one came from Ecuador for the summer to play at various Atlantic Canadian locations and sell their CDs. In spite of my fear of an impending giant guinea pig invasion (yes, it's a South Park reference), I still have to admit that this band was really really good, and that I'm still whistling their infectious melodies.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-hkF7VbPXjmj6I5v5HOPSQ1hFI69cMstQSf-Wg6N5hqTVCjEiTbdYOjJaLzoFD1NhRogmy1nB2jSLUT7XJIxroYNZRQvkw4j3GwDsc6AZTrUvXGidOANNjRjGffbXBXc2x3iYSoHIf4/s1600/Image00003.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-hkF7VbPXjmj6I5v5HOPSQ1hFI69cMstQSf-Wg6N5hqTVCjEiTbdYOjJaLzoFD1NhRogmy1nB2jSLUT7XJIxroYNZRQvkw4j3GwDsc6AZTrUvXGidOANNjRjGffbXBXc2x3iYSoHIf4/s320/Image00003.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642225874528889026" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 230px; " /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>And now for something rather "out there". This is world class fire breather <a href="http://www.pyromancer.nl/?lang=en">Pyromancer</a> from Holland. His show was a bit eccentric, and I heard some people say it was too "weird" for them, but certain members of Flame Oz told me personally that he was one of the best in the world. (Which just goes to show you the average person rarely understands or recognizes the beauty and artistry around them.)
<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7u52KT-HZJnQJJkDcmINs5x7T_WnD5h1uCOCGNDWkfcf-XjK7SQYjLvZJMsV3DAFiyT8WD2cqfb8Yz43BOqCjYRm6Z6t0Su48oXwd8z6xH63HHl5p706TmLHvrn_pP1N65QXzrHsFx9Q/s1600/Image00004.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7u52KT-HZJnQJJkDcmINs5x7T_WnD5h1uCOCGNDWkfcf-XjK7SQYjLvZJMsV3DAFiyT8WD2cqfb8Yz43BOqCjYRm6Z6t0Su48oXwd8z6xH63HHl5p706TmLHvrn_pP1N65QXzrHsFx9Q/s320/Image00004.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642225885605841058" /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>I'm particularly pleased with this night photo, and I'm certain you'll find it an impressive looking stunt, but to truly appreciate the mastery Pyromancer has over his craft, watch the video <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7S3n6m4DyfY&feature=related">here</a> (the backward walking firebreathing stunt creates a serious risk that the flame could travel backward down his throat and burn him badly, just so you know).
<br />
<br />In conclusion, I was struck by two main things after volunteering at this festival. First, I was amazed at the level of performing talent in the street performer community, and second I was embarrassed by the unbelievable level of disrespect some people can show. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Without fail, and I watched over 50 shows, whenever one of the performers would start preparing the audience for his/their final act, no less than five people (and those were only the ones I caught) would try and sneak away from the show. It was always at this part in the show too, so it's not a coincidence. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Now, I can understand not having enough money to pay every performer, but again this is no excuse since every single performer pleaded with the crowd to, at the very least, just come up to them and say "thanks" if they couldn't afford to put in even $1. Famous Seamus from the Lords of Strut (more on them in part-two) noticed this disturbing trend as well. As part of his show he would routinely point out these embarrassing people and announce over the loud speaker "if you listen carefully you can hear the squeaking of the tight-asses as they try and walk away."</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Additionally, the garbage was quite an issue. I spent most of my time as a volunteer picking up garbage. (If I never see another BeaverTails wrapper ever again it will be too soon.) While I was cleaning up one of the stages after the last performance of the festival, a family from Belgium stopped me to express their horror at how disrespectful Canadians are. The idea of seeing this much litter on the streets of Belgium after a street performance was incomprehensible to them (which leads me to believe it's a problem with Canadians). We had no less than six garbage cans located around the relatively small stage area, yet I was able to pick up two garbage bags full of litter after everyone had left. It was truly disgusting, but I know it's not just a problem with Halifax. All Canadians, consider yourself EP Shamed. Get your acts together and stop embarrassing us internationally.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Now that that unfortunate, but necessary business is out of the way, I can continue with <a href="http://epterranova.blogspot.com/2011/08/2011-halifax-international-busker_22.html">part-two</a>.</div>David Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07334812588167693129noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4214140997412520837.post-60799322521839950952011-08-05T23:54:00.008-03:002011-08-07T16:04:06.979-03:002011 Natal Days Festival, Part 2: July 28-Aug 1, 2011<div>On Monday morning, I arose at 5:30 AM, to get ready to cycle to Dartmouth to compete in my first (running) road race in 3 years. After registering and gingerly warming up my IT Band Syndrome-plagued knee, I took my place with the 1200 other runners to wait for over 1 minute after the gun was fired to reach the starting line for the 6 mile event (10 km).</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmlcz1mbNNra-2cm_qiWeLsuPTUtGCfouExqXpc76ni0cxw-9QqRb9upiIR8Kt98JD-Jc8GIGwhOfYlXvfaJy9O2fwbqRvd-7I2dfWeXKjB_gAp5aCg9WQXQbU4iWM7scHwMQhfsYN5bc/s1600/Image00006.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmlcz1mbNNra-2cm_qiWeLsuPTUtGCfouExqXpc76ni0cxw-9QqRb9upiIR8Kt98JD-Jc8GIGwhOfYlXvfaJy9O2fwbqRvd-7I2dfWeXKjB_gAp5aCg9WQXQbU4iWM7scHwMQhfsYN5bc/s320/Image00006.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637563330135821538" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 229px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>(And we're off! Well, sort of...)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXk6fQLvGhiaoQaFImkd3j1KOQT5f5I4QFNFKlXKZloQkHQSy2FL71apHfgbXpcD7GhLzNhb-vupaSI4lNwAzDheropxhj9JAqFGWnoNEC2LcC2eIskN6Q6m4PaL7gKtiruOU-ILO3AI/s1600/Image00008.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXk6fQLvGhiaoQaFImkd3j1KOQT5f5I4QFNFKlXKZloQkHQSy2FL71apHfgbXpcD7GhLzNhb-vupaSI4lNwAzDheropxhj9JAqFGWnoNEC2LcC2eIskN6Q6m4PaL7gKtiruOU-ILO3AI/s320/Image00008.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637563387027697506" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 219px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The Dartmouth Natal Day Road Race is a 105 year-old tradition. Officially it is the third oldest running race in North America. As you can see from the above photo, it gathers quite a crowd, and with beautiful tree-lined streets like this, it's no wonder why.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3THRyuIliGN2H4L-H3WL1KfgjH8jnUmeT1iiTevqqHAocHPl3xMqghh2k2IqJExhZ3Vi4mSaDsArD5xTK6cJ6aElWuyGEfA9_MzIVK5NuHw85v9r7pzbLlqRfq0YPwDDNztNAfUBmPY/s1600/Image00009.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3THRyuIliGN2H4L-H3WL1KfgjH8jnUmeT1iiTevqqHAocHPl3xMqghh2k2IqJExhZ3Vi4mSaDsArD5xTK6cJ6aElWuyGEfA9_MzIVK5NuHw85v9r7pzbLlqRfq0YPwDDNztNAfUBmPY/s320/Image00009.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637563398944656050" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The race even drew out local fans who pitched in to keep everyone cool on this blistering hot day.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLaJPOUi8l94XfK6db2oeud6hZak0-Vm1pN_2RHHCjNpviZaJiXNo60CrJ6P3NeqIVA-QU2em7YN3LyCYVKEtGw2RBvx7qUESDYLAZCnNCZuLJFzDYtG2OKxPvuVINbMIiuvYsNGTS0V4/s1600/Image00013.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLaJPOUi8l94XfK6db2oeud6hZak0-Vm1pN_2RHHCjNpviZaJiXNo60CrJ6P3NeqIVA-QU2em7YN3LyCYVKEtGw2RBvx7qUESDYLAZCnNCZuLJFzDYtG2OKxPvuVINbMIiuvYsNGTS0V4/s320/Image00013.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637564387303077250" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 222px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>After finishing the road race, and cleaning up, I walked about 20 meters back to the race course which had now been turned into a parade route. Stanley Cup winning hockey player, Brad Marchand of the Boston Bruins, was the Honorary Parade Marshal. This position essentially involved nothing more than sitting in a car and waving at fans. However, this couldn't be done efficiently, as dozens of fans kept forcing the parade to stop by running up to try and get Brad's autograph.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwbLaV9QP-EDmwzS5CeOYR_Wh-QOUi0Qrye6hgNFDuqhNpq_yBnUE9rYAHS1FLto-X72VXF9RaKyCW-mZJdGCGPO4frfcp43P5kNrsiNonJkdUODUVT9kNudLyf1aHjSGCzcoseQbGxAk/s1600/Image00012.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwbLaV9QP-EDmwzS5CeOYR_Wh-QOUi0Qrye6hgNFDuqhNpq_yBnUE9rYAHS1FLto-X72VXF9RaKyCW-mZJdGCGPO4frfcp43P5kNrsiNonJkdUODUVT9kNudLyf1aHjSGCzcoseQbGxAk/s320/Image00012.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637564378723164338" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 222px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Of course, what would a parade be without marching Mounties?</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVItXFbLgDomcKJ1IwiY4GcxWcGy7N1SfQCZrh2oE4nliPYDXzBK7q_uDV8oE1OUsBo3lG8oh3FiIC7CGN8aqgLTmqxm-8NA7xSAiQjkL0ifhxBtVFBXidHlNiGaz7KFGhct3AfyCESU/s1600/Image00017.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVItXFbLgDomcKJ1IwiY4GcxWcGy7N1SfQCZrh2oE4nliPYDXzBK7q_uDV8oE1OUsBo3lG8oh3FiIC7CGN8aqgLTmqxm-8NA7xSAiQjkL0ifhxBtVFBXidHlNiGaz7KFGhct3AfyCESU/s320/Image00017.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637569619132141234" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 221px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjymBLy4DkjE1-vLF8qV67LOg0ipj9PTgzi3BvxyoOHqNbsxFVq-uitIzhtMekUvgX9hO3vBZnVABmVSQEV-CTsI2dbToRFacpLrP204OTydW6lFNZm9LZzCqcxkZfGQ2ex81sxGy21Ijo/s1600/Image00015.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjymBLy4DkjE1-vLF8qV67LOg0ipj9PTgzi3BvxyoOHqNbsxFVq-uitIzhtMekUvgX9hO3vBZnVABmVSQEV-CTsI2dbToRFacpLrP204OTydW6lFNZm9LZzCqcxkZfGQ2ex81sxGy21Ijo/s320/Image00015.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637564396424924306" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 221px; " /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2Trm3DPVaBnxOSORyD3Dg_LYkmVhXU0K_mR9CdoGY5jKjlLS0Vls5HKeYl6fRufWSgLnz8XhiAyuWJnbabO2Pn7p535LGjv82OrpBUOX9DOD-7tkkggvgu83HBoCPxEZYWhl0VBJKD4/s1600/Image00020.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2Trm3DPVaBnxOSORyD3Dg_LYkmVhXU0K_mR9CdoGY5jKjlLS0Vls5HKeYl6fRufWSgLnz8XhiAyuWJnbabO2Pn7p535LGjv82OrpBUOX9DOD-7tkkggvgu83HBoCPxEZYWhl0VBJKD4/s320/Image00020.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637569639622293746" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwGDxPHPbtwnV2pZBJ1EG3DZm7T-2pA3H29lOnJJfxm0tvtkyW6UEJ8EjKHNGG3sZ78fBj-plPkTwB34RQMlQu1kmquuDa-hqw0247XMcsK0Ytr7Ob4z6UwaPPdXFgoXU5mO7YeDSjdA/s1600/Image00019.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwGDxPHPbtwnV2pZBJ1EG3DZm7T-2pA3H29lOnJJfxm0tvtkyW6UEJ8EjKHNGG3sZ78fBj-plPkTwB34RQMlQu1kmquuDa-hqw0247XMcsK0Ytr7Ob4z6UwaPPdXFgoXU5mO7YeDSjdA/s320/Image00019.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637569627517309170" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 222px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>All of my favourite floats were back again, like the Crime Stoppers Jailbirds, the tiny fire engine, and the Shriners with their Paddy Wagon.<br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwjkr5y2i-jtbKfEXslareUway3iWfasEPMFIveveoEp2eETF5sVY8UY9vp8T9Rqzv0uqOqiyKh5qLdRGoq0LR7Rgm7FfTGd8BRBXlx6RXKMQMQb0irMfJhATSEHv_MAQKus3r3bopiS8/s1600/Image00021.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwjkr5y2i-jtbKfEXslareUway3iWfasEPMFIveveoEp2eETF5sVY8UY9vp8T9Rqzv0uqOqiyKh5qLdRGoq0LR7Rgm7FfTGd8BRBXlx6RXKMQMQb0irMfJhATSEHv_MAQKus3r3bopiS8/s320/Image00021.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637571521804317202" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 238px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiL9kXoKElgUdsFIRGkaASJj5nBsuqXRPoj_TLTSib9xI1EtCjNkN4y9o2QOBuq7aquTexLERPvKC9ob6ZYu-TCdH-ITP4PKpjJiUYyJx0enYI2FaVmOJG33bW7wXZDqwgyYZ8LymN7BE/s1600/Image00014.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiL9kXoKElgUdsFIRGkaASJj5nBsuqXRPoj_TLTSib9xI1EtCjNkN4y9o2QOBuq7aquTexLERPvKC9ob6ZYu-TCdH-ITP4PKpjJiUYyJx0enYI2FaVmOJG33bW7wXZDqwgyYZ8LymN7BE/s320/Image00014.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637564393237949346" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 220px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>There were even some new favourites as well, like these Japanese drummers, or the pirates who shot bubbles from their cannon. To be fair, the pirates aren't really new, since they were at <a href="http://epterranova.blogspot.com/2010/07/hrm-point-of-interest-5-sullivans-pond.html">Sullivan's Pond</a> last year for the <a href="http://epterranova.blogspot.com/2010/08/natal-day-festival-july-29-august-2_02.html">Mayor's Dartmouth Tea Party</a>, but this is the first time I've seen them in a float.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTXJ9il16CMBeyEE2Xs5Ynk-YZ2UYKNlywcigSCWSpByFeHsPPemu5B9D_N7gcgyNMxEwPibVxy9DZCQMI3IOtcTNMZ4M_83Z40bu6NOKIFVD3PK-36H-Regr0bxEoITlpuccJtTWfqU/s1600/Image00025.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTXJ9il16CMBeyEE2Xs5Ynk-YZ2UYKNlywcigSCWSpByFeHsPPemu5B9D_N7gcgyNMxEwPibVxy9DZCQMI3IOtcTNMZ4M_83Z40bu6NOKIFVD3PK-36H-Regr0bxEoITlpuccJtTWfqU/s320/Image00025.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637571551468255906" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 221px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>After the parade - because I obviously hadn't had enough exercise this day - I rode back to the Macdonald Bridge to participate in the 29th annual Bridgewalk. Just like at last year's Bridgewalk, the city shuts down the Macdonald Bridge for the day and pedestrians are encouraged to walk over and back as many times as they'd like. It's the best day of the year, in my opinion.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifY8njHDzOgI3a4JQhGtt-x8wljT-_6Ygg16qAdPsN5SB9mTzf-RxYElvfw9QWAlOPOV9X828CA1VHpHr8ErYmTQdCDF433TpbTAoKurCSF8JdSv39myyoBwsByjP-kVXDZhwIdV3UY90/s1600/Image00022.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifY8njHDzOgI3a4JQhGtt-x8wljT-_6Ygg16qAdPsN5SB9mTzf-RxYElvfw9QWAlOPOV9X828CA1VHpHr8ErYmTQdCDF433TpbTAoKurCSF8JdSv39myyoBwsByjP-kVXDZhwIdV3UY90/s320/Image00022.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637571533873238962" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Additionally, it doesn't hurt that the organizers serve free cake either. If I'm honest, this fact had no small part in my decision to come participate.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguI8fYv53_d01yYzBaWFxQcp88qRMCs0um41WekVkL-BG2ndjObaqH2rYQ6xFkopvQwpAdnDpRN40WYj1CXinDz9eOXc8TgHVDTpS2SoL6kwBIcyVjkl3wqvWk9hRCbgfkxzYlWPQS2BE/s1600/Image00023.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguI8fYv53_d01yYzBaWFxQcp88qRMCs0um41WekVkL-BG2ndjObaqH2rYQ6xFkopvQwpAdnDpRN40WYj1CXinDz9eOXc8TgHVDTpS2SoL6kwBIcyVjkl3wqvWk9hRCbgfkxzYlWPQS2BE/s320/Image00023.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637571534640481170" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>If for some crazy reason you don't like cake, you could also look at the classic cars. This '54 Bel-Air was probably my favourite. I had forgotten about the "good ol' days" before computers (and fuel economy and safety and performance...) when a small Ea-pea could fit in the engine bay of an automobile.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsEPoHe0OZQE0CoaaIVNxMTUgoAXdRbRFDor72mY2ab2bdKLHoTOu48SbX2-wEAMhtSe8xjEpYBnCq44jB_91iexmuCT-mCBsh3ciUzh1pFJF-51Uuig9Q9vychTAvfeuKLrUQakMUgr4/s1600/Image00024.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsEPoHe0OZQE0CoaaIVNxMTUgoAXdRbRFDor72mY2ab2bdKLHoTOu48SbX2-wEAMhtSe8xjEpYBnCq44jB_91iexmuCT-mCBsh3ciUzh1pFJF-51Uuig9Q9vychTAvfeuKLrUQakMUgr4/s320/Image00024.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637571542457963922" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 222px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwsJAKzAwVhGhRSVDWp9uAu5YpRdgFGs0FpdLXpnQNIo2Zm2OJ01rrgiMDelO23bFsIi2anx0M8uYSC8MyOqsx_duyXoL-yV6lejATSlMoRVrXX2oDsY7YXBjSfS2WaFN9opzQkx26enw/s1600/Image00026.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwsJAKzAwVhGhRSVDWp9uAu5YpRdgFGs0FpdLXpnQNIo2Zm2OJ01rrgiMDelO23bFsIi2anx0M8uYSC8MyOqsx_duyXoL-yV6lejATSlMoRVrXX2oDsY7YXBjSfS2WaFN9opzQkx26enw/s320/Image00026.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637571953228660866" style="cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Plenty of extra encouragement existed along the roughly mile-long bridge. If the oompa band didn't make you pick up your feet (or stroller wheels), then Mr. MACPASS could definitely brighten your day with his gargantuan smile.</div><div><br /></div><div>By the time I had crossed over to Halifax and back though, I was truly exhausted and could barely stay awake. I decided to conclude yet another successful EP Natal Days weekend by cycling back over the bridge and back home to fall asleep.</div>David Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07334812588167693129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4214140997412520837.post-55601317161120240792011-08-02T21:21:00.007-03:002011-08-02T23:34:11.616-03:002011 Natal Days Festival, Part 1: July 28-Aug 1, 2011<div>It's that time of year again. For the 116th summer, the five day celebration of Halifax's founding and three-time mayor, Alexander Keith. rolled into town for a funstravaganza that is unrivalled in the Maritimes. It's kind of sad to admit, but Natal Days seems to be an even bigger event in Halifax than Canada Day. </div><div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6U9jJox92JoDXa2G_DiAbiGNaWIXYkv1upknp3NW2i9wxPJqniEX-2DtuoN5osgz7ipqRBK6MXUn27mHk98McV1SOaiQgK2ANhF8SezbUVURSnYr_Y1S4ORodVFw7a7faYL3xoh4lzo8/s1600/Image00001.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6U9jJox92JoDXa2G_DiAbiGNaWIXYkv1upknp3NW2i9wxPJqniEX-2DtuoN5osgz7ipqRBK6MXUn27mHk98McV1SOaiQgK2ANhF8SezbUVURSnYr_Y1S4ORodVFw7a7faYL3xoh4lzo8/s320/Image00001.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636432724161718418" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 181px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>As a special treat, the HMCS Montreal was open to the public on the <a href="http://epterranova.blogspot.com/2010/07/hrm-point-of-interest-9-halifax.html">Waterfront</a>. I didn't go on it this year, because the lineup was huge, and I was rushed to get to my next event. However, regular readers will remember the <a href="http://epterranova.blogspot.com/2010/06/canadian-navy-centennial-and.html">Navy Centennial</a> was celebrated here last year, and I boarded the HMCS Athabaskan then. I suspect this ship looked very similar from on deck.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja8KXZq4wXV4mLFqU4bhmT7Rnh3hb7f2uw-6vjcB-ThvAWLmnWpvdMmVTD1nzx2lL4TUInGcR4xtJkjtzUYc0nHwg2kM_p9prNUfg40Rw29YqFPLq4O88v100aXJGsHqaXGTkk8TC-25c/s1600/Image00004.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja8KXZq4wXV4mLFqU4bhmT7Rnh3hb7f2uw-6vjcB-ThvAWLmnWpvdMmVTD1nzx2lL4TUInGcR4xtJkjtzUYc0nHwg2kM_p9prNUfg40Rw29YqFPLq4O88v100aXJGsHqaXGTkk8TC-25c/s320/Image00004.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636432742233639778" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 212px; " /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>From here, it was time to head to the <a href="http://epterranova.blogspot.com/2010/07/nova-scotia-national-historic-site-1.html">Public Gardens</a> for the annual Mayor's Tea Party.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzkGBCRIGlqPrMucTWZLjnjEEkP3itPdRhXAId_NTJIAptxS-QXYNYA5a-c_tKKPLPf0zyC9osBTCB3pS6uM2geH79rBDckNBYwGWyPPExfJh6quW4Q-B7an3JKGWPvEjM5HSVz9shkc/s1600/Image00003.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzkGBCRIGlqPrMucTWZLjnjEEkP3itPdRhXAId_NTJIAptxS-QXYNYA5a-c_tKKPLPf0zyC9osBTCB3pS6uM2geH79rBDckNBYwGWyPPExfJh6quW4Q-B7an3JKGWPvEjM5HSVz9shkc/s320/Image00003.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636432733494110610" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 206px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>There was a live swing band, poppin' out the tunes, and plenty of dancing going on. However, it must be said I was a bit out of my demographic...</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcN4GnEO5b2zv_iUvteFJv9kCq16kaAEdnw7GZBTvYksflj8f5LhAbLLfmYKM8Gy0iYaLK-cZaLFd44xpCdpR6AUE9yu0QuRBbYXqWUTAOgLxyiJkXmoS3U36yRYnzp21e60IBawivPYM/s1600/Image00002.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcN4GnEO5b2zv_iUvteFJv9kCq16kaAEdnw7GZBTvYksflj8f5LhAbLLfmYKM8Gy0iYaLK-cZaLFd44xpCdpR6AUE9yu0QuRBbYXqWUTAOgLxyiJkXmoS3U36yRYnzp21e60IBawivPYM/s320/Image00002.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636432730348637570" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 218px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I didn't pay any attention to my age though, for there were cookies to be eaten and they weren't going to eat themselves.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQFJitxwhadwqHXYRcG6fTA2EMP-MKIuwouV_zyVstqnU9ymPIeBeUccGPkAik46M0K5kzWihxu9ayH8_e3s6hE9urrxstB44O1rwJorQbHHLX_57fP_avDbx3NoMYvmt7cp0TZ3JAWgo/s1600/Image00005.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQFJitxwhadwqHXYRcG6fTA2EMP-MKIuwouV_zyVstqnU9ymPIeBeUccGPkAik46M0K5kzWihxu9ayH8_e3s6hE9urrxstB44O1rwJorQbHHLX_57fP_avDbx3NoMYvmt7cp0TZ3JAWgo/s320/Image00005.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636432745421605298" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This being the United Nations Year of the Person of African Descent, a gospel concert as well as a hip-hop concert were put on in the <a href="http://epterranova.blogspot.com/2010/06/hrm-points-of-interest-halifax-commons.html">Central Commons</a>. All total, there was about 8 hours of music, and I know some of these people stayed for the whole thing. I hope they put on some sunscreen.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNtSpkG741trrFwIfocb3U5HSXQXSwi_wmYoFL0gr2rbz7lN5QzBUJyqVHx6M7TrJqXLr7zaLQheGk1IwUIh5CK9mibi04mGWd7mxpt1rw4A_zAapYUStJ4FFbmRqST_aW1Bdw5rPr7XE/s1600/Image00028.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNtSpkG741trrFwIfocb3U5HSXQXSwi_wmYoFL0gr2rbz7lN5QzBUJyqVHx6M7TrJqXLr7zaLQheGk1IwUIh5CK9mibi04mGWd7mxpt1rw4A_zAapYUStJ4FFbmRqST_aW1Bdw5rPr7XE/s320/Image00028.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636433735532703330" style="cursor: pointer; width: 242px; height: 320px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxuOnlv6ga0nFYOk1uT6Erft4AzHR1Cn9BH-4AEmCamvLa71qY2ksqPA2BkKlXXjbfU1EyoQdYPfMxf7qFeKBTboG1EUkEXt9R4OFP9mrL6eLIFM9IPPh_LNLIV3ZRQlY9YEojb1z7Iyg/s1600/Image00027.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxuOnlv6ga0nFYOk1uT6Erft4AzHR1Cn9BH-4AEmCamvLa71qY2ksqPA2BkKlXXjbfU1EyoQdYPfMxf7qFeKBTboG1EUkEXt9R4OFP9mrL6eLIFM9IPPh_LNLIV3ZRQlY9YEojb1z7Iyg/s320/Image00027.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636433726268975378" style="cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Of course, what would a holiday be in Halifax without fireworks? After the concert, at 9:30 PM, the best fireworks show I've ever seen in Halifax was launched. Only 150 or so metres away in a ball-diamond, the low level fireworks boomed like thunder as they lit up the sky just over our heads.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQtfnGs9Odt3ARZHYvDiJxcegtYdq2fx1sH873hvqcdDMTNjNyNIf7SJdyemQs6TDQP8iBOosX9KQbPOMU8qq7UYh5p4VGcTO3qSTPNGRl0HrV80Ac134XLpNJR8bsU9hxq3LotJxE9vE/s1600/Image00029.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQtfnGs9Odt3ARZHYvDiJxcegtYdq2fx1sH873hvqcdDMTNjNyNIf7SJdyemQs6TDQP8iBOosX9KQbPOMU8qq7UYh5p4VGcTO3qSTPNGRl0HrV80Ac134XLpNJR8bsU9hxq3LotJxE9vE/s320/Image00029.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636433740642155330" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>After the first fireworks show, I rushed down to the Waterfront again to see what was supposed to be the best Bridge fireworks show ever, or at least that's how it was billed. I'm certain it would have been too, if I could have seen it. A colossal planning error meant no one on the Halifax side of the harbour could actually see the fireworks. Furthermore, the show was so far away that I could barely hear them either. It was a disappointing way to end the day, but I made sure to show everyone around my pictures from the Commons fireworks show to let them know what they missed.<br /></div>David Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07334812588167693129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4214140997412520837.post-13960768832370592002011-07-30T14:56:00.004-03:002011-07-30T16:49:03.480-03:00HRM Point of Interest #24: Waverly Inn<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGds9fCizPuMj4w8A2F0o1-7TT72ck8BaW7H8ibmKsWmm6k9TBC3Ss80wU5nuu9zgqhkIAz1bUaoKT_D1m0s-5cpREdTb4gneoNf23ppAxPLiNxUij70-JfROLkiaiD6M6PoILhWS0jk/s1600/Image00001.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGds9fCizPuMj4w8A2F0o1-7TT72ck8BaW7H8ibmKsWmm6k9TBC3Ss80wU5nuu9zgqhkIAz1bUaoKT_D1m0s-5cpREdTb4gneoNf23ppAxPLiNxUij70-JfROLkiaiD6M6PoILhWS0jk/s320/Image00001.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635207924199613538" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div>The Waverly Inn, on Barrington Street, started out in life as a private residence. Edward W. Chipman, a wealthy dry-goods merchant, and his wife Mahala Jane Northup built one of the most expensive and extravagant homes in Halifax in 1866 (this one).</div><div><br /></div><div>Mahala really really loved her new home, and apparently she loved showing it off even more. Numerous accounts describe the lavish parties and dances she would host in her home that was described as "... in a style, both regards to size and decoration, more like a palace than a private residence."</div><div><br /></div><div>By 1870 the party was over though, literally, for Mahala as well as her hoighty-toighty guests. Eddie's dry-goods business had all dried up and the house and all the furniture was seized by the city. The house was then sold to a couple of sisters, Sarah and Jane Romans, who turned the house into one of Halifax's finest residential hotels.</div><div><br /></div><div>During its heyday, The Waverly Hotel was noted for having exceptional hospitality, and played hosts to regular guests such as Oscar Wilde, John Doull (president of the Bank of Nova Scotia, 1889-1899), P.T. Barnum (yup, <i>that</i> P.T. Barnum), George Vanderbilt (seriously, just search some of these names up for yourself), and William Henry (the son of the Father of Confederation with the same name). In fact, the hospitality was so remarkable at The Waverly, that the Premier of Nova Scotia, The Honourable George H. Murray, stayed in the hotel for six years while in office.</div><div><br /></div><div>Every time I cycle or walk past this bright yellow mansion on south Barrington, on the way to the train station, I'm reminded of all the history of this city. I had wanted to take a picture earlier and make a post about it, but it's just not the same without that blue sky in the background and I could not seem to get all the way down to south Halifax early enough to capture an image with a clear sky and the sun behind me. Better late than never though, I suppose. This hotel is over 140 years old, after all, so one would think that a few more days won't hurt it too much.</div>David Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07334812588167693129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4214140997412520837.post-1850327636481102692011-07-14T13:38:00.007-03:002011-07-14T16:13:28.933-03:002011 Lebanese Festival: July 7-10, 2011It's an interesting experience having to title all of my more recent posts a little differently, as these key festivals come around for the second time.<div><br /></div><div>As I mentioned last year, the Lebanese Festival is the Lebanese equivalent of the Greek Festival in almost every way: both are run by orthodox churches, both involve ethnic food, ethnic deserts, ethnic dancing, music, and fun games for the children. Having had the opportunity now to enjoy both festivals now for a second time, I understand a little more closely though the subtle differences between the two celebrations.</div><div><br /></div><div>One of the main difference between the two festivals is the length each has been running. Whereas the Greek Festival is firmly established (26 years old) and brings in national politicians (remember Michael Ignatieff was there last year), the Lebanese Festival is still relatively new (this is only its 10th year). Consequently, the Greek Festival is very polished and smooth, and usually runs without so much as a hitch. The Lebanese Festival, on the other hand, has a schedule, but I've yet to see any of the events run on time, or exactly as listed.</div><div><br /></div><div>Case in point, I showed up at 11:00 AM on Friday, July 8, to see the advertised Lebanese music videos and "Cooking With Tony" session. However, none of the advertised events were held until 1:00 PM, when the Briek Competition (in which I competed) was held.</div><div><br /></div><div>What the Lebanese Festival lacks in organization and punctuality, it makes up in fun in spades. Everything about the Lebanese Festival is designed to entertain its guests, and they put on a good show. Last year I think I missed the point. I couldn't get past the fact that it seemed like a less punctual version of the Greek Festival. After a second year though, I've come to appreciate what makes the Lebanese special: it's a big party, and everyone's invited.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQMi0eHgUciEIX6mHOM8aJGnNmbnTHxWg9YxUUKoL6QAD7xzCM8S1H0-yHx99SeBtEJWEulfIKMrMxedQIllLG78BaOqUt5rHDDfqbuof3EQWwCCLXXkNZzfH6mRYp_mc8_kX6pLxI2M/s1600/Image00008.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQMi0eHgUciEIX6mHOM8aJGnNmbnTHxWg9YxUUKoL6QAD7xzCM8S1H0-yHx99SeBtEJWEulfIKMrMxedQIllLG78BaOqUt5rHDDfqbuof3EQWwCCLXXkNZzfH6mRYp_mc8_kX6pLxI2M/s320/Image00008.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629267927218393794" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>(With a kitchen in the back of the hall, the Lebanese Festival has a pretty slick operation running with its food distribution. As usual, I ordered the massive mixed platter, with tabbouleh - a salad of finely chopped parsley, tomato and fine cracked wheat seasoned with mint and tossed with olive oil and lemon juice; hummus - a chick pea dip served with pita bread and olive oil; kafta - grilled swewers of ground beef seasoned with onion, parsley, and spices; and grape leaves stuffed with rice, tomato and onion, parsley cooked in olive oil and lemon juice.)</div><div><br /></div><div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHdji4hEO6vkaD6X7mnUXguP2AcfEGijOEtTpi2Pqn5PjG_SdNvVENFqVCj2EODxSMr2hCGlv3Xx3YbK5c5qRM9LyjG9wlJhAUtgggPB800LkltkO4pNVsc3rAupPpG-hXa8yQo8Kzdwk/s1600/Image00007.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHdji4hEO6vkaD6X7mnUXguP2AcfEGijOEtTpi2Pqn5PjG_SdNvVENFqVCj2EODxSMr2hCGlv3Xx3YbK5c5qRM9LyjG9wlJhAUtgggPB800LkltkO4pNVsc3rAupPpG-hXa8yQo8Kzdwk/s320/Image00007.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629267919511799906" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>(For desert I had the mixed desert plate, with three different kinds of baklava, date-filled ma'amoul, and I traded one of my baklava pieces with a student I taught for a piece of his awamat.)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedM7fIiWjeeyKQxw0FPm3p-PxWhVKbkESSxngnqC74ky0nfMkdQGX2I1qQTT_ujMlY9QIiFdch9QJTl8El9FKvsftn1qwKy4N2aV6C3DVWC6x2PzzQPzfK3JUmkxCSmp_S-7LCIxnjM4/s1600/Image00009.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedM7fIiWjeeyKQxw0FPm3p-PxWhVKbkESSxngnqC74ky0nfMkdQGX2I1qQTT_ujMlY9QIiFdch9QJTl8El9FKvsftn1qwKy4N2aV6C3DVWC6x2PzzQPzfK3JUmkxCSmp_S-7LCIxnjM4/s320/Image00009.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629267930315126562" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 231px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>(Any ethnic festival must have a table for crafts. It's a requirement it seems.)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tnRljMDddeIk7pRl_-OyNyUphhBhbKdxeQ02-tUjPACVou1so9LiJJyXOrdT4m7y69MVqyTK2sNY42duFw3D4H1bPqNPlsdDf76NdVh_f3zsEb99LRBefvDQatCNl2k3mG2EKlRbn8w/s1600/Image00002.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tnRljMDddeIk7pRl_-OyNyUphhBhbKdxeQ02-tUjPACVou1so9LiJJyXOrdT4m7y69MVqyTK2sNY42duFw3D4H1bPqNPlsdDf76NdVh_f3zsEb99LRBefvDQatCNl2k3mG2EKlRbn8w/s320/Image00002.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629264424998383586" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 232px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>(The goal of the breeq competition is to drink the water from the breeq the quickest, with the catch that the jug can't touch your lips.)</div><div><br /></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZa5hQdPPSI-c4mm9U7PkqkyJhPDqs9_qs4HieBjbJ19xtG8u02CLnOMGZkDAPZaPlYF-AviZ3UZe06MdDeqC3mzuN4tg6YZjOwc0mPccNV4RBmL0GY3Eg6sOeeXzSfhWMnKfV6OChEVo/s1600/Image00001.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZa5hQdPPSI-c4mm9U7PkqkyJhPDqs9_qs4HieBjbJ19xtG8u02CLnOMGZkDAPZaPlYF-AviZ3UZe06MdDeqC3mzuN4tg6YZjOwc0mPccNV4RBmL0GY3Eg6sOeeXzSfhWMnKfV6OChEVo/s320/Image00001.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629264421420983394" style="cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>(The breeq - pronounced "breek" - is a traditional Lebanese water jug.)</div></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkTvw2VGosBWytvhO-RaLOleZwX8S2p3ylo6uNibjUKJLxc8XjMtfKZD_aeW2s-OT9gXq78w11842bSMsG2OEjgGtkthcuYUMHaNdMGQ9x1gqls4MxoqeiG5WFgTrKrmqXcAy4_mAHC3o/s1600/Image00003.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkTvw2VGosBWytvhO-RaLOleZwX8S2p3ylo6uNibjUKJLxc8XjMtfKZD_aeW2s-OT9gXq78w11842bSMsG2OEjgGtkthcuYUMHaNdMGQ9x1gqls4MxoqeiG5WFgTrKrmqXcAy4_mAHC3o/s320/Image00003.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629264438793458514" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 220px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>(Victor, in the middle, would eventually be crowned the winner. I think it was unfair, since I actually drank all of my water - as per the rules - while as you can see here that he left most of the water running down the front of his shirt.)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRjf-YRgM0efYf1LYXcC8HitlhLzZJP1WObtI8Qig6YrUQ5BleCubbfYBKOZ4WbEcPyBbizujiQnPcRHPhicJnVLkqff87RtOaQV7yUY36lScWcSsWw-vH7iMrlu24K6BPRUilq2fqMU/s1600/Image00005.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRjf-YRgM0efYf1LYXcC8HitlhLzZJP1WObtI8Qig6YrUQ5BleCubbfYBKOZ4WbEcPyBbizujiQnPcRHPhicJnVLkqff87RtOaQV7yUY36lScWcSsWw-vH7iMrlu24K6BPRUilq2fqMU/s320/Image00005.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629264452195665250" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 250px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWhz2_mbBhRtlflTv6CiGHJcXtKwG5oZGHShwNXhUOMVkst-y3RplDcNUwa5uXPOiJUcOKvnPHO9aYYR0tQU6Aqkn1EDuU0S-ocnLnH7BaFkS3tnPYNIqgpR4_Ke6cn431Z_UFMoZQg8/s1600/Image00004.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWhz2_mbBhRtlflTv6CiGHJcXtKwG5oZGHShwNXhUOMVkst-y3RplDcNUwa5uXPOiJUcOKvnPHO9aYYR0tQU6Aqkn1EDuU0S-ocnLnH7BaFkS3tnPYNIqgpR4_Ke6cn431Z_UFMoZQg8/s320/Image00004.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629264445124273314" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 241px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>(Perhaps the aspect I appreciated the most about the Lebanese Festival, was the creativity in which the organizers presented the standard festival events. This children's dance exhibition was run as a parody of "So You Think You Can Dance?" The judges of So You Think You Can Dabke? each spoofed a different judge of the original show, and it was obvious the children were having a great time.)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcA8nOvH7_s05z5ZIUlaGqyKUtqSLjUgsXYAcBwM0bAXq1-MO0sFxGBhBuVYnQIzv6NcfUJf19kls_6ds93wa9muXvOJAxbrJduYwAePy5tnKTOP-8l87_VfmjbGtP3UthlmM31E6B5ac/s1600/Image00006.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcA8nOvH7_s05z5ZIUlaGqyKUtqSLjUgsXYAcBwM0bAXq1-MO0sFxGBhBuVYnQIzv6NcfUJf19kls_6ds93wa9muXvOJAxbrJduYwAePy5tnKTOP-8l87_VfmjbGtP3UthlmM31E6B5ac/s320/Image00006.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629267917154770706" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 234px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>(The two girls in the previous pictures each tied for first place, and so they competed in a "dance off!" Much excitement and cheering from the crowd was present.)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHo_Yo7WKUxcEu-Ovhk83z78_hyTg4JbeDZwXIlqijw_Z-GtoQbV-Esmna8mnKxPqbwKoycssVySHmdQ_IBvX7MIc-h7JgFJDtXwPqjzRJiv-lTB4skYDH-ZINDgc4x2ZHzDPeWFFkVE8/s1600/Image00010.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHo_Yo7WKUxcEu-Ovhk83z78_hyTg4JbeDZwXIlqijw_Z-GtoQbV-Esmna8mnKxPqbwKoycssVySHmdQ_IBvX7MIc-h7JgFJDtXwPqjzRJiv-lTB4skYDH-ZINDgc4x2ZHzDPeWFFkVE8/s320/Image00010.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629267932917528034" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 237px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>(In between the events, the boys and I took turns rocking out on Rock Band.)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53Pg_jUALxxCU6cbszUY1Cywm8Ct5aWve2fQZESOGVhBt6gn2UVMKUIEh2GT2a7pREsLM21phNC05PFukXLxtaA7CfXFWxYFbsTctSwFNGPkjVbjX5We31MfDl16Zf6t6ndSFp1TBWWk/s1600/Image00011.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53Pg_jUALxxCU6cbszUY1Cywm8Ct5aWve2fQZESOGVhBt6gn2UVMKUIEh2GT2a7pREsLM21phNC05PFukXLxtaA7CfXFWxYFbsTctSwFNGPkjVbjX5We31MfDl16Zf6t6ndSFp1TBWWk/s320/Image00011.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629268102207541986" style="cursor: pointer; width: 230px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>(Victor and Nick, power through Baba O'Riley. Victor wanted to make sure everyone noticed his Hendrix-like skills. I was told to inform you that he didn't miss a note on his solo.)<br /></div>David Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07334812588167693129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4214140997412520837.post-56076421725238033842011-07-13T11:16:00.010-03:002011-07-15T23:30:36.583-03:002011 Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo: July 1-8, 2011I find it very odd, actually. I hear on a weekly basis that "there's nothing exciting to do in Halifax," or that someone wished they lived in Montreal where things were more exciting. Nothing exciting to do? Once a year the largest indoor show in the world, consisting of a cast and crew of over 17 000 people, comes to Halifax for an entire week. <div><br /></div><div>Despite this, I have met numerous people who have lived in Halifax for years but have never managed to travel downtown to see this world-class exhibition - the second largest military Tattoo festival in the world. Not <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">EP</span> Dave though, I said <a href="http://epterranova.blogspot.com/2010/07/royal-nova-scotia-international-tattoo.html">last year</a> that I would come back every single year, and today I'm happy to say I have still kept that promise.</div><div><br /></div><div>This year, the organizers made a fair number of changes. The theme seemed to be a musical one, instead of a Navy centred show (last year was the 100<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span> Anniversary of the Canada Navy), and the show was shortened half an hour to be more accommodating to any children in the audience (it was still over 2 and a half hours).</div><div><br /></div><div>One of my favourite events - the military obstacle race - was back again though, thankfully. This year teams from the air force, army, and navy took turns competing against each other for bragging rights, and a trophy of some kind the name of which I've long since forgotten.</div><div><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxpQGyM3x0yOqTusijEWI0VCoVD3CML_AhZnvaqFtwBcyQvTYnnET4uZhglNKysZs1N7HEh6Tpo6IWpUgxYFQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><div><br /></div><div>(Remember to plug your ears during the explosion parts. Oh, what's that? You watched the video before you read this warning? Oh well, look on the bright side: next time it won't matter because you'll be deaf.)</div><div><br /></div><div>In the interest of saving upload room, I made a few highlight videos this year to give you a taste of what you missed. They are by no means to be considered a comprehensive collection of all the performances, nor should you read too much into my inclusion or exclusion of any performances or performers. I basically only took a few videos, because my arm would have dropped off otherwise and I would have run out of room on my tiny camera, and then I edited them together crudely. Please don't feel slighted if I didn't mention you or your favourite group.</div><div><br /></div><div>This first video features some of the more artistic components of the Tattoo. You'll see the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Acadien</span> dance troupe, La <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Baie</span> en <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Joie</span>, with <a href="http://www.cassieandmaggie.com/home.cfm">Maggie and Cassie <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Macdonald</span></a> from Halifax, Gym Wheel from Germany, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Rullest</span> Precision Roller Skating Team from Estonia (sorry about the quick title on this one), and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Garde</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Rupublicaine</span> Motorcycle Team from France. </div><div><br /></div><div><div>The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Macdonald</span> sisters are actually world renowned musicians and dancers in their own right, and I'm pleased to say Maggie <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Macdonald</span> personally taught me how to Cape Breton step dance back in January. </div><div><br /></div><div>Also, one of the members of the Estonian roller skate team told me after the show that this was their first ever exhibition performance. Before this year's Tattoo they had only performed in competitions.</div></div><div><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzyTfzJwPNkgPukUc7Ef9_8hem4X2wtSBuzvgdnwcYlZXB_6NFhhvwZ44PlAL3YNEU4h_buZlpTkzR82yhb' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><div><br /></div><div>This second highlight video features highlights from some of the more acrobatic and gymnastic performances at the Tattoo. There were many great teams in attendance, but I chose two of my favourite: <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Talentholdet</span> from Denmark, and Henriette and Carla <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Hochdorfer</span> with guest, Dominik <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Lange</span>, from Germany.<br /><div><br /></div><div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw5hh5Uya2LH-laa0KkdjJN5SyCgDAB5QLGzStqEpucdGcfHT4fFDURYhn3Eol3-Vz21bMujQIvUQ74VCX2CQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>And of course, for those of you who just can't get enough bagpipes, there was the fantastic as always, finale march.</div></div><div><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx4TcXVRa7dl9SMV75k7GXtEhoZW1L_iAw6E5aopRq8URLZD21luk0AxVZmo3s3IFLfdVPxnH7Dns_CouxpXw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADw9NXAG00UYAon2eZlXxilEoln3ekxE0Rsq8ZQoFeckHkOaiwUfAQHD34JGh2qSkhqSdvNbi81KtU4V0Xo_RluWjcEImovDBBTQAHjYUY7wjFQ6IhBpbJa0MDN8ycvhtZfd6Wk9hf54/s1600/Image00011.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADw9NXAG00UYAon2eZlXxilEoln3ekxE0Rsq8ZQoFeckHkOaiwUfAQHD34JGh2qSkhqSdvNbi81KtU4V0Xo_RluWjcEImovDBBTQAHjYUY7wjFQ6IhBpbJa0MDN8ycvhtZfd6Wk9hf54/s320/Image00011.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628925538615054722" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja09h7mrGVbPzTfXSMbJA-ohN8QUfPv4cETftKcS2Q1E00DqO-4T-HzXMtKBEAoR-y_LpAFUIlTBYdplNudGIOD8Rn0eDyNcY5LzqCZeIXUwJjJBaR5QH5rdfnwD2itLNudpzXaAJwTck/s1600/Image00007.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja09h7mrGVbPzTfXSMbJA-ohN8QUfPv4cETftKcS2Q1E00DqO-4T-HzXMtKBEAoR-y_LpAFUIlTBYdplNudGIOD8Rn0eDyNcY5LzqCZeIXUwJjJBaR5QH5rdfnwD2itLNudpzXaAJwTck/s320/Image00007.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628925442557287698" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRd-XOx3G4Ff2soIRne3A8FMJQf3IAUXYtG5Ym3fk5swZjZGsn0t2z9ztno-1ISdDSMTk8nycHzPGBNReADNYocwgYeOCQBFNetwLLTA38rGXKyVk5oJE8bQ7IUG9HEKTW4x4LQsSFJpY/s1600/Image00008.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRd-XOx3G4Ff2soIRne3A8FMJQf3IAUXYtG5Ym3fk5swZjZGsn0t2z9ztno-1ISdDSMTk8nycHzPGBNReADNYocwgYeOCQBFNetwLLTA38rGXKyVk5oJE8bQ7IUG9HEKTW4x4LQsSFJpY/s320/Image00008.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628925443743317778" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 237px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>(<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Talentholdet</span> messes around after the show and I sneak some photos in with the stars. The girl on my right is 15 years old. She's been training since she was 1. The next time you say, "I wish I could do back flips like her," be prepared to dedicate 14 years of your life to the cause. There's no such thing as an overnight success.)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQi56hyphenhyphenMWjrM9g7V9pa8By-BevgkjnHhXdke5FtCTUJ7ku2luHAt5_RrCh45Wiq711yLUXlwAXyjeP0bxKIdOQIpwRkqIP_l6bWLeRtWx6nBM0I0wdbpgHUSwB4Gpg_01iN9p0ZTWbw-Q/s1600/Image00006.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQi56hyphenhyphenMWjrM9g7V9pa8By-BevgkjnHhXdke5FtCTUJ7ku2luHAt5_RrCh45Wiq711yLUXlwAXyjeP0bxKIdOQIpwRkqIP_l6bWLeRtWx6nBM0I0wdbpgHUSwB4Gpg_01iN9p0ZTWbw-Q/s320/Image00006.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628925441291115314" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 235px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisMDNgeeSrpp1uaFu0y0SMrkp6m3O5W9HB1BDKZBvx5HAfel-3qEHq2OHTZVELN-wK-ARCbZAPGjaJEiwEW1yzMrU_P8_XKHMT1SBIzvHmpY1FBSJKKKAnjFD3piRjdmJIILd92eI1YNg/s1600/Image00005.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisMDNgeeSrpp1uaFu0y0SMrkp6m3O5W9HB1BDKZBvx5HAfel-3qEHq2OHTZVELN-wK-ARCbZAPGjaJEiwEW1yzMrU_P8_XKHMT1SBIzvHmpY1FBSJKKKAnjFD3piRjdmJIILd92eI1YNg/s320/Image00005.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628925110635117154" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 237px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>(The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Hochdorfer</span> sisters and Dominik looked lonely so I came over to raise their spirits. See how awed and honoured they are to have me on their bicycle? That's how generous I am. I'm always willing to rub my butt on other people's things.)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfA2ztIine8yXXInA-J0g4tadWO-H6LFOmR3cCxicpNq2OoNsPkchGumVHkeV7gyZgEJuEkFaiQfJjwLS69PbAHP01_Wi6sHCKrDY1u4mzDvIHT6Oc-erSF63Ql929E57-Ev2stkJKQMI/s1600/Image00004.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfA2ztIine8yXXInA-J0g4tadWO-H6LFOmR3cCxicpNq2OoNsPkchGumVHkeV7gyZgEJuEkFaiQfJjwLS69PbAHP01_Wi6sHCKrDY1u4mzDvIHT6Oc-erSF63Ql929E57-Ev2stkJKQMI/s320/Image00004.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628925106513837554" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 241px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6AIFOiPfrIxDrRF7ncdxTyHb3S6dExG8kbwSDSTKHQVoUc6zw1-fwu5AuxXP1HHpQmTD8r22Q5i3IsDBBNfYnKGi7lUG7C7ptTq9MQUQEmIdKxOYBUG4WLgP4-il4pa3UOWLqU-fiOeQ/s1600/Image00001.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6AIFOiPfrIxDrRF7ncdxTyHb3S6dExG8kbwSDSTKHQVoUc6zw1-fwu5AuxXP1HHpQmTD8r22Q5i3IsDBBNfYnKGi7lUG7C7ptTq9MQUQEmIdKxOYBUG4WLgP4-il4pa3UOWLqU-fiOeQ/s320/Image00001.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628925084235295282" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 230px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>(Unfortunately the girl being lifted up fell down and broke her leg after that picture was taken, so I had to fill in as the newest member of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Rullest</span>. It's a good thing I look good in a skirt.)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMAxisC0AaF_mkLmhJX2tDEJhAy1PqoenrSCktSzjhduDq85ccu3ZcL7OwWbVleDcmQsV26C4Sre-zcykXGjKI_8undgAoh_ceukP5D0Tp22TnNvB_iO4BeWbe32rY_wBVtkWWNcpPXNo/s1600/Image00009.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMAxisC0AaF_mkLmhJX2tDEJhAy1PqoenrSCktSzjhduDq85ccu3ZcL7OwWbVleDcmQsV26C4Sre-zcykXGjKI_8undgAoh_ceukP5D0Tp22TnNvB_iO4BeWbe32rY_wBVtkWWNcpPXNo/s320/Image00009.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628925453398435186" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 237px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>(I wish we had these things in school growing up... I can't see any reason why I shouldn't have been allowed to roll around on this. I bet my mother could, though. Then again she also didn't want me playing with sharp knives either.)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1yTWKeYn4opEWKf1-Mb_MqoD9m9STOQDgeOAWiw3N2nA8yJbcB-9_9P2uM7WQlPBU51muwYdGKB9gCWou_esB2zn4aPx-I8H8jzN_wi97du_1tMQ-q_hu9N2-JGcgam9xCfrpCcX0Lyo/s1600/Image00010.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1yTWKeYn4opEWKf1-Mb_MqoD9m9STOQDgeOAWiw3N2nA8yJbcB-9_9P2uM7WQlPBU51muwYdGKB9gCWou_esB2zn4aPx-I8H8jzN_wi97du_1tMQ-q_hu9N2-JGcgam9xCfrpCcX0Lyo/s320/Image00010.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628925461772012994" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>(Nobody gets away from the long arm of the Dave.)</div>David Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07334812588167693129noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4214140997412520837.post-59942074603201385112011-07-07T16:52:00.009-03:002011-07-07T17:51:31.183-03:00Random Halifax Picture #16<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmddV2eKNBCJvTYsSpZwODBIWh59jfLbr_f9Wv-wEJQmFtTeoSaS9i78SAnTI0auohmF7JtbYFp864Dtdx6gkMGE0UUUtfhAHLeKwenbjUZmuWhJiMzhaWtW_U0Ks_PPXTzsZZfAZSYCg/s1600/Image00004.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmddV2eKNBCJvTYsSpZwODBIWh59jfLbr_f9Wv-wEJQmFtTeoSaS9i78SAnTI0auohmF7JtbYFp864Dtdx6gkMGE0UUUtfhAHLeKwenbjUZmuWhJiMzhaWtW_U0Ks_PPXTzsZZfAZSYCg/s320/Image00004.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626712794823618674" /></a><div><br /></div><div>Unfortunately, I missed the now annual <a href="http://epterranova.blogspot.com/2010/06/membertou-400-festival-june-25-27-2010.html">Commons Powwow</a> - Mawio'mi - but I was able to catch the very very last song of the entire weekend event. This is a bunch of, soon to be voiceless, boys singing "Victory Song." I can attest that the sound is as intense as it sounds from this close.<br /></div>David Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07334812588167693129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4214140997412520837.post-82987142564488155512011-07-06T09:57:00.009-03:002011-07-06T11:07:38.154-03:00Multicultural Festival 2011: June 30 - July 3, 2011<div>The largest multicultural festival of its kind in Atlantic Canada, the annual RBC Multicultural Festival aims to give Nova Scotians an opportunity to explore the cultures of the world in Halifax, through music, dance, exhibits, crafts and food.</div><div><br /></div><div>At its new location at the Halifax Seaport for the second year, the organizers were expecting such a large turnout, that they opened the festival one evening earlier than usual this time.</div><div><br /></div><div>As anyone who's known me longer than a week will attest, I love food. And more than food, I love exotic food from around the world. The more eyeballs, testicles, and spices, the better!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS45FT-V58OTJGyrut6CRMkoAFZAGkCuh2MeVDFs5IrLRaaOhpM9GaawUkYJp9-EMqIDL27I3dGMpS78J2y5kjkRlOEdB4HoV8G4sXfivjFCq9j8J6a-X1Cqf_CxIE22snsxjsmObMnTY/s1600/Image00004.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS45FT-V58OTJGyrut6CRMkoAFZAGkCuh2MeVDFs5IrLRaaOhpM9GaawUkYJp9-EMqIDL27I3dGMpS78J2y5kjkRlOEdB4HoV8G4sXfivjFCq9j8J6a-X1Cqf_CxIE22snsxjsmObMnTY/s320/Image00004.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626227761996723378" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 238px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Now, there weren't any balls of any kind this year (except for falafel), but there was enough chickpea and chicken to feed an army. I have a theory on this. It seems to me that it takes a special type of Western mentality to waste valuable land raising beef, when you could raise about a hundred chickens for the same price, in the same space. </div><div><br /></div><div>This seems to be why many of the exciting cultures - where there have been enough people in a close enough space for a long enough time to actually have a unique culture - eat chicken. I'm sure you'll see my theory in textbooks within the next few years.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmX4nh1QVPqXESZYcfKzWpBTS5I569LlUyS0W2KK3bbMLsL4GAVk02H_P7k1C_dAqTRtOg347UtuQkm8gzND6K6iYk4K7NaVIfxj20cs79x_eFCWvamG8IhPC8k7IPBl-JJzWC0Vn6Xw/s1600/Image00005.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmX4nh1QVPqXESZYcfKzWpBTS5I569LlUyS0W2KK3bbMLsL4GAVk02H_P7k1C_dAqTRtOg347UtuQkm8gzND6K6iYk4K7NaVIfxj20cs79x_eFCWvamG8IhPC8k7IPBl-JJzWC0Vn6Xw/s320/Image00005.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626235426563898898" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 226px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>As a special treat, this year the African Diaspora Association of the Maritimes was serving up Ethiopian food (or a version of it). I was pretty excited about this because I've been trying to get my hands on some <i>injera </i>(moist, spongy, yeast-risen flat bread) again for more than five years now. Also, since I know you're wondering, "diaspora" is the African equivalent of "ex-pat."</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOErSp-Jczq45oa7_-RL-Sxqz15jcOIl3qBmYdWA94bCGOGpq7vU6jmkOutlEFzPlF2ND_MBvauATppu76oRiPojuHAnPGUJVKaN9d2Zd75C1P3U89835qukYy4caODiRyw8OIAxfSaPY/s1600/Image00002.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOErSp-Jczq45oa7_-RL-Sxqz15jcOIl3qBmYdWA94bCGOGpq7vU6jmkOutlEFzPlF2ND_MBvauATppu76oRiPojuHAnPGUJVKaN9d2Zd75C1P3U89835qukYy4caODiRyw8OIAxfSaPY/s320/Image00002.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626227724643272658" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>With my belly happy, I went off to enrich my mind at the various cultural exhibits. Above, you can see me proudly displaying my recently acquired Taiwanese heritage.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXaVSdlZyylzVFG7uonUTZ5bcX12y8V0T9w7YiReKKEBSldjIW0qeC_ddhDI6SyIeOGNjR6Y8oU5Bs11DZucu-4Cu4-LZJQGkWYknH9w_emu2fz0Mq6-xURcf50KvCakSzz3LSLqP_T3k/s1600/Image00001.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXaVSdlZyylzVFG7uonUTZ5bcX12y8V0T9w7YiReKKEBSldjIW0qeC_ddhDI6SyIeOGNjR6Y8oU5Bs11DZucu-4Cu4-LZJQGkWYknH9w_emu2fz0Mq6-xURcf50KvCakSzz3LSLqP_T3k/s320/Image00001.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626227715711973010" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 237px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>At the Chinese Association of Nova Scotia's booth, I started a small trend (among those around me) by having the woman in yellow write out my name in Chinese. I also drank some Chinese oolong tea prepared traditionally (it involves a lot of theatrics, but still tastes like tea in the end.)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUwWf68cElmtjtOivab8Xv6BZ508AxwznRHZwnKkM1bEZ_SBFgu2OH-LCAyJH1-g_Ptn-W45YIivrSw3p-BX0d4j6j8oEhvg_5GieSyiCWpUlkaaxEJMMaTvah6xCsdcmNDtN4MBh8Qa4/s1600/Image00003.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUwWf68cElmtjtOivab8Xv6BZ508AxwznRHZwnKkM1bEZ_SBFgu2OH-LCAyJH1-g_Ptn-W45YIivrSw3p-BX0d4j6j8oEhvg_5GieSyiCWpUlkaaxEJMMaTvah6xCsdcmNDtN4MBh8Qa4/s320/Image00003.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626227745121021634" style="cursor: pointer; width: 229px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>If I wasn't drinking tea, I was making friends. Here you can see Alexandra, from Russia, who was actually visiting Canada for about ten days and came to help out at the Russian Association booth. Additionally, I found the only set of straw woven, Russian-style sandals in Halifax here.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-e4KUtN7WAnysay7_2JNDCq3JqBdb28jbvZB8ZLfgNo1oFU2qUcb11Il7TLW0eN0RLGyOQuNuusoS5WHlQ6QYnyNd8SP0jHe1A2qAKZr-m45fULSm_QTzozKKZsyg8dA6sCePagrxGo/s1600/Image00006.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-e4KUtN7WAnysay7_2JNDCq3JqBdb28jbvZB8ZLfgNo1oFU2qUcb11Il7TLW0eN0RLGyOQuNuusoS5WHlQ6QYnyNd8SP0jHe1A2qAKZr-m45fULSm_QTzozKKZsyg8dA6sCePagrxGo/s320/Image00006.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626227481940668818" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 234px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>While I didn't get to see much of the cultural performances (technical difficulties), I did manage to sneak myself into an African dance workshop. A few eager young volunteers decided to give it a go on stage as well (future EPs, for sure.)</div>David Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07334812588167693129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4214140997412520837.post-28691668017373599642011-07-04T23:37:00.009-03:002011-07-05T11:54:49.831-03:00Canada Day 2011: July 1, 2011After a very rainy May and June, the weather couldn't have been more beautiful for July 1st. The sun was out, and of course so was EP Dave for the annual Canada Day Parade.<div><br /></div><div>Halifax loves having parades. Unfortunately it seems as though every parade features the same floats. What I love about the Canada Day Parade, is that it doubles as the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo Parade as well, and that means new acts every time.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Tattoo is a half-circus, half-military marching band/drill team exhibition that runs annually. Every year the performers walk the parade route before winding up inside the Metro Centre for the start of the first show.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrFDrLr5pQ9a7v5u9R_O5HkqW5JzjsrfTz_Mt4JBO5uBIEd953sRw_nEOBmkR999dTbhxs4n132x_VnG51XDgJ5zAWmRFW0l4swCCqsa57ZB_WX3U9V0H3ivBhGjpqEZez8ckgmgDFy-c/s1600/Image00001.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrFDrLr5pQ9a7v5u9R_O5HkqW5JzjsrfTz_Mt4JBO5uBIEd953sRw_nEOBmkR999dTbhxs4n132x_VnG51XDgJ5zAWmRFW0l4swCCqsa57ZB_WX3U9V0H3ivBhGjpqEZez8ckgmgDFy-c/s320/Image00001.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625698062974536770" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 224px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Representing the Acadiens, Le Baie en Joie are present at nearly every big event in Halifax. Rightfully so though, since they're a world-class dance troupe in their own right, as well as being home grown Nova Scotians (perhaps begrudgingly for them?). And yes, you are right astute reader. I am in exactly the same spot on Spring Garden Road I always stand for parades.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPUr8AKFjr7X96mZoCBvoF7frUB0BYoL15yfF6YidPVn5xpOdHnQmIAXxmyBRKW208TI4NAq48sPTkDYMuD6YVrnsTqKzjCVq88zeSj9MnPE6boH9bd9PXwPmOPkAghCtRVtq-cXNQwHs/s1600/Image00002.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPUr8AKFjr7X96mZoCBvoF7frUB0BYoL15yfF6YidPVn5xpOdHnQmIAXxmyBRKW208TI4NAq48sPTkDYMuD6YVrnsTqKzjCVq88zeSj9MnPE6boH9bd9PXwPmOPkAghCtRVtq-cXNQwHs/s320/Image00002.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625698074719727826" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>From New Zealand, the incredible all-female Lochiel Drill Team. They are 30-time New Zealand Champions, and you can see from this picture that they even walk down the street in unison.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4lzjhyphenhyphenEGRe4aMprDUxixXKcilFJj3lcYQGEl2hdCl-b1a6tT-xiUbKBrut11H4n3qLTK0pavZzxHST99ZmaxIs9iOKdlZ9BIy98UlpV9motsTBsoE1qkNFhWKNxpToQ9nhR8u7JpFTk/s1600/Image00003.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4lzjhyphenhyphenEGRe4aMprDUxixXKcilFJj3lcYQGEl2hdCl-b1a6tT-xiUbKBrut11H4n3qLTK0pavZzxHST99ZmaxIs9iOKdlZ9BIy98UlpV9motsTBsoE1qkNFhWKNxpToQ9nhR8u7JpFTk/s320/Image00003.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625698086461311122" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 231px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>At about this time I switched over to the other side of the street so that the sun was behind me. There's actually a BellAliant store behind this mega-jeep, and I originally had my hopes up that the military had finally received all my angry e-mails and was coming to destroy Bell. Alas, that was not the case...</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOB2Abnpf2j09jfzmhf8fy7IJ5uNz00kv_7lbsrTJ1rUM8habb_lHOBS0yJq8hkEvigaal7mTdt0o5Hty5DxZjCVjo5L2FNee7hR14pwp_m11JY9S8aKa2nE3l6QvF4OPvM3BdAGH0fkw/s1600/Image00004.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOB2Abnpf2j09jfzmhf8fy7IJ5uNz00kv_7lbsrTJ1rUM8habb_lHOBS0yJq8hkEvigaal7mTdt0o5Hty5DxZjCVjo5L2FNee7hR14pwp_m11JY9S8aKa2nE3l6QvF4OPvM3BdAGH0fkw/s320/Image00004.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625698129567265010" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Some English traditions die hard...</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKfAq15VetOzfHxUIvVklOHK8_VHRz8emT27ejHFXck0kuIoxA8JaYBkb_eOp5mlTgx2ZTI_R6qNMytjUJfEuMh_Kz8n9KrDE7JG4sd5lJ_43N783DfR7q1ba-aS91QPpr_mmy-FWwUck/s1600/Image00005.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKfAq15VetOzfHxUIvVklOHK8_VHRz8emT27ejHFXck0kuIoxA8JaYBkb_eOp5mlTgx2ZTI_R6qNMytjUJfEuMh_Kz8n9KrDE7JG4sd5lJ_43N783DfR7q1ba-aS91QPpr_mmy-FWwUck/s320/Image00005.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625698146396529426" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Champion German stunt cyclist, Domink Lange, has been doing tricks on his bicycle for so long now he's forgotten how to ride it normally. He was joined in the parade/Tattoo by two other German stunt cyclists - Carla and Henriette Hochdorfer. Needless to say their combination of acrobatics AND bicycles was a winning one in my eyes.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_OAWkVTPN6vW87kOZ9zDUOFeWdvHp_vBCyiy0WxPhh3Eq6p-eOTn1aKcB7UPriVx8PcL3zgkStiAgH02APblx8Llhh4DHI-phBkq6dPk7lE5BVlGCiEJAnPli-z3zb7z-vuetJYKgwM/s1600/Image00008.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_OAWkVTPN6vW87kOZ9zDUOFeWdvHp_vBCyiy0WxPhh3Eq6p-eOTn1aKcB7UPriVx8PcL3zgkStiAgH02APblx8Llhh4DHI-phBkq6dPk7lE5BVlGCiEJAnPli-z3zb7z-vuetJYKgwM/s320/Image00008.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625698669910657122" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 234px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiIdVNOcIvVerjYlsOx5fiyf599jjTFjjs3vlf78Aec7VG4a4qkEWdBfvXjQpbR9RMVCmdMnDGHQigeZe9bEy-Iv4UsIltonzYwwQO8Vq5rl4dpYTDPSOiXPUjj5L83fcQ89GoXp-OtLs/s1600/Image00007.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiIdVNOcIvVerjYlsOx5fiyf599jjTFjjs3vlf78Aec7VG4a4qkEWdBfvXjQpbR9RMVCmdMnDGHQigeZe9bEy-Iv4UsIltonzYwwQO8Vq5rl4dpYTDPSOiXPUjj5L83fcQ89GoXp-OtLs/s320/Image00007.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625698663384231378" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Germany has by far the largest non-Canadian contingent every year it seems. If they aren't sending over cyclists or trampoline acts, they can always be counted on to have top-calibre step-drill teams or marching bands in attendance.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf5fw-SRYhYJZELaC0SXABmU13TvbYFSffsR3z5Qmd02FuY_i4GHyrQfmI9XEVgFQKESYWF32O5iXQdzmi0aZnZziTJkTrzHPnEfNDldgWmGMGgr4L-InKH93BaHS9nEACbnBuAoIhzhI/s1600/Image00010.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf5fw-SRYhYJZELaC0SXABmU13TvbYFSffsR3z5Qmd02FuY_i4GHyrQfmI9XEVgFQKESYWF32O5iXQdzmi0aZnZziTJkTrzHPnEfNDldgWmGMGgr4L-InKH93BaHS9nEACbnBuAoIhzhI/s320/Image00010.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625698712489385074" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheLMZmT4SSw6ClJa8E2YVdpS3HyRg5nUXEAWtnxUUHwdW-a3GmHCpXvyawWhSlRW6-Fu3exUR1qg5dGkOlCbBvPslU-FVJkZjIRiZPD-f8Js961oZ8c6wJQ_bn8hqu3REOqTEfZ9lyeWY/s1600/Image00009.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheLMZmT4SSw6ClJa8E2YVdpS3HyRg5nUXEAWtnxUUHwdW-a3GmHCpXvyawWhSlRW6-Fu3exUR1qg5dGkOlCbBvPslU-FVJkZjIRiZPD-f8Js961oZ8c6wJQ_bn8hqu3REOqTEfZ9lyeWY/s320/Image00009.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625698682073133010" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YNKjtxwYYzo2K5fjjcKjljARDQD7jJHOfIfNIPBvgbM1qFk_TCYjYZxvrNdJkYmKBLa8evWlxke02O3pH1ysVPACJIgEgyZrKlrOl9G51b8B4pkeJgtuPpz44k1rB6mZR4H1n8TVtAs/s1600/Image00011.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YNKjtxwYYzo2K5fjjcKjljARDQD7jJHOfIfNIPBvgbM1qFk_TCYjYZxvrNdJkYmKBLa8evWlxke02O3pH1ysVPACJIgEgyZrKlrOl9G51b8B4pkeJgtuPpz44k1rB6mZR4H1n8TVtAs/s320/Image00011.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625699495656191842" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Showing us a new way to get around town, the Gym Wheel team from Germany brought their incredible collection of hoops and human wheels. I shudder to think about how they got those through airport security. I have trouble getting a roll of toothpaste on the plane.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJEuzNUjsnCtohPaCVXtiyGxr_Sk5PAaWkuE8-2x-WDGUACyt8b0s8RrX3hnxwtPzAhRRm_n3zqOwrpnv64ARSM3s3LeRKfPIz8VSsqeHUgvSs3Wg30GJqoGateVE3Sj6iQQMO2HxP4M/s1600/Image00014.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJEuzNUjsnCtohPaCVXtiyGxr_Sk5PAaWkuE8-2x-WDGUACyt8b0s8RrX3hnxwtPzAhRRm_n3zqOwrpnv64ARSM3s3LeRKfPIz8VSsqeHUgvSs3Wg30GJqoGateVE3Sj6iQQMO2HxP4M/s320/Image00014.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625699530768001234" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 219px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>When the "horse play" was all over, a more serious float came along. This newly wed couple rented a wagon to pull them through the streets. What a special day for them, but I'm not so sure about the bride's face. The poor girl has a face like a cow.</div><div><br /></div><div>Of course, what would Canada Day be without fireworks? Halifax loves its fireworks and will think up any excuse to fire them off. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXlkbug89E1KfgEOou3GPfaJG34DyswtNwZAGk11H5SiaSDGbPPzRwPnuKoRKww3eBwNP6qUJ2O-Ajily3DoSSgoTbnNWVnIvt-D0FMalYWaHZhYQXoJyOeHj_gXUZRm8Svw-2x8W4KfI/s1600/Image00020.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXlkbug89E1KfgEOou3GPfaJG34DyswtNwZAGk11H5SiaSDGbPPzRwPnuKoRKww3eBwNP6qUJ2O-Ajily3DoSSgoTbnNWVnIvt-D0FMalYWaHZhYQXoJyOeHj_gXUZRm8Svw-2x8W4KfI/s320/Image00020.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625700155417700194" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 238px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>There were whizzy ones...</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDokOrv2-nAwwvkH00yt6r3pbJqevUCPHD0itaYBbxNOigeje2ANo8MRyWFiau11YIhsvfrckph1pe8BBr5BjaSH7rvAOzlKkIC7cDinVao5qsIC_hJyTXmAb52f0Jg6aFpKPdj9TjcxE/s1600/Image00018.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDokOrv2-nAwwvkH00yt6r3pbJqevUCPHD0itaYBbxNOigeje2ANo8MRyWFiau11YIhsvfrckph1pe8BBr5BjaSH7rvAOzlKkIC7cDinVao5qsIC_hJyTXmAb52f0Jg6aFpKPdj9TjcxE/s320/Image00018.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625700117494485506" style="cursor: pointer; width: 254px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>And fizzy ones...</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQxm9OwEBa8a050UNjIPW6h2C_gKgpribtSNtGx9p1GBZ79yo7ieiwgPjvQRobWhkg1pSiiC33fYH1AtssILsBEa-7vfn9i6ICLXj0LwbAgStsZcWdF2zFZhv59edgqRrMSqLtQpncRw/s1600/Image00017.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQxm9OwEBa8a050UNjIPW6h2C_gKgpribtSNtGx9p1GBZ79yo7ieiwgPjvQRobWhkg1pSiiC33fYH1AtssILsBEa-7vfn9i6ICLXj0LwbAgStsZcWdF2zFZhv59edgqRrMSqLtQpncRw/s320/Image00017.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625700111128979090" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 223px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>And smoking ones...</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXrfuJXLoxsugiw5k6ZQnO7qbSZJmdFwNVWXlCaQYVe5QniRMRUY00s_cbtjUj2UgDh289EZDtDaCXDaq-T_3Zv5lwzDhkTLLUETkVGfqO5O4EcndOLnpY86Qufh96ert3NG6xI92k8uM/s1600/Image00016.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXrfuJXLoxsugiw5k6ZQnO7qbSZJmdFwNVWXlCaQYVe5QniRMRUY00s_cbtjUj2UgDh289EZDtDaCXDaq-T_3Zv5lwzDhkTLLUETkVGfqO5O4EcndOLnpY86Qufh96ert3NG6xI92k8uM/s320/Image00016.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625699556947325730" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>And great big finale ones.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's interesting too, because it seems easy to take fireworks for granted when your city shoots them off about five times a year. I was talking with one of the young performers from the Tattoo a few days later, and she told me that she was amazed at how big and long the fireworks show was. She came from a small town in Denmark that only let off a few firecrackers once a year on New Years Day. </div><div><br /></div><div>If I learned anything, I learned today that it's important to get out and talk to people because it helps put everything in a better perspective when you can see things from a different point of view. Stay tuned for more EP Dave-style cultural enlightenment.</div>David Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07334812588167693129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4214140997412520837.post-11392408593281000432011-07-03T23:12:00.006-03:002011-07-03T23:29:06.253-03:00HRM Interesting Person #9: Megan Leslie, MP<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK4v_HyUr66ZuSeI6CiN2VmSMt22CBjHcWxVAuAdE6SRjRdEUHMxkOfQ828q7iDjGb4yAm5XBgYvvf2eGZc87upZtdiMQY8Z4VpYWSrOSUIYxjEc6b_IB_LVQy-C3K1qQATM35-bvvO-8/s1600/Image00008.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 236px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK4v_HyUr66ZuSeI6CiN2VmSMt22CBjHcWxVAuAdE6SRjRdEUHMxkOfQ828q7iDjGb4yAm5XBgYvvf2eGZc87upZtdiMQY8Z4VpYWSrOSUIYxjEc6b_IB_LVQy-C3K1qQATM35-bvvO-8/s320/Image00008.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625318385569681570" /></a><br /><br /><div>One of the keys to meeting people is to be where people are. While volunteering for the Blue Nose Marathon back in May, I ran into Megan Leslie, the newly re-elected MP for Halifax. Elected in 2008, Leslie was voted Rookie MP of the Year by Maclean's Magazine in 2009, Best MP by The Coast in 2009 and 2010, "Top Up and Comer" by The Hill Times in 2010, and was named one of "the five best MPs" by The Mark News.</div><div><br /></div><div>On this day she was running to raise awareness for a charity cause dear to her (I can't remember now, but I think it had something to do with getting fresh water out to rural villages in Africa). She agreed to take a photo with me so long as I agreed to stop calling her Ms. Leslie, and start calling her Megan.</div>David Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07334812588167693129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4214140997412520837.post-79802644255645309302011-06-22T01:11:00.011-03:002011-06-23T01:29:26.750-03:0026th Annual Greek Fest, June 9-12, 2011<div>I'm a bit late in posting this, since I was away for nearly a week in Atlanta, Georgia, but a couple of weeks ago one of Atlantic Canada's largest annual festivals geared up for its 26th year.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Halifax Greek Festival was inspired by tales of similar events held in the US, and plans were laid over a quarter century ago for the first Greek Summer Festival in 1986. The organizing committee grossly underestimated how popular that first festival would be, and as the line ups grew, the food quickly ran out.</div><div><br /></div><div>The festival soon grew so large that it had to be moved outside to a large tent in the parking lot. And though it has evolved, the festival still holds true to its roots even today, as an opportunity to share with Haligonians the cultural and historical roots of the Nova Scotia Greek community, as well as the culinary specialities that make Greek food lovers and EP Daves everywhere say "opa!"</div><div><br /></div><div>Long time readers may feel like they are experiencing a case of deja vu, but there's a good reason for that. Last year's Greek Fest was the first ever EP Dave's Terra Nova post. That's right, EPTN is officially a full year old (insert applause here). Luckily for me the festival is roughly the same as it was last year (read: awesome), so I can more or less just recycle most of what I wrote the last time... but I won't.</div><div><br /></div><div>When I was going to all of the festivals last year, I can remember trying to experience a little bit of everything offered at each festival so that I could present my report afterwards. This year around, with most of the festivals being familiar to me and my readers, I will concentrate more fully on having a full and great personal experience to share, that will compliment and supplement the posts I made last year.</div><div><br /></div><div>To start this year's festival season off right, I decided to go all out on the food. Last year I used to spread my budget too thin, and this would end up leaving me with an unsatisfying experience. This time I went to the opposite extreme and ate way too much. I can now say with certainty that despite my love of Greek food, there is a limit to how much one person can eat in one day. One man does not need to eat lemon roasted potatoes, moussaka, pastichio. spanakopita, tiropita, dolmades, a Greek salad, and then have a donair. That said, everyone should want to find out for him-/herself.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyuKy6JUBiMwsBHj6Rnbkuc84ZSTTcs04bZFmp4DnKxdLgdYvul69hmTIFDPAfzKOBDXLjPcLV5rOpAdQePMr0CJ5lseAv5APWIUdZdcjkP1fpmfiYohOCW5gX9LLFUcdRb7LfvrKV0b8/s1600/Image00008.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyuKy6JUBiMwsBHj6Rnbkuc84ZSTTcs04bZFmp4DnKxdLgdYvul69hmTIFDPAfzKOBDXLjPcLV5rOpAdQePMr0CJ5lseAv5APWIUdZdcjkP1fpmfiYohOCW5gX9LLFUcdRb7LfvrKV0b8/s320/Image00008.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620894939318021026" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 228px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>(Catering - Greek Fest style. These hard working volunteers cooked through the night to make sure there was enough food for everyone.)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Sgw0nDkeyWox0tAdCUsj6NmE4Ns9o3pEY0uhaETK3bJHlL-1zk0WBn441GrN6iVqZMGmeQE0QFDljr1NtMtpBlljKPKCIZm0CgMT8FRT_UhAeGKXaTTi3DhbLn5q1GvzCUztPP4-Hbs/s1600/Image00009.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Sgw0nDkeyWox0tAdCUsj6NmE4Ns9o3pEY0uhaETK3bJHlL-1zk0WBn441GrN6iVqZMGmeQE0QFDljr1NtMtpBlljKPKCIZm0CgMT8FRT_UhAeGKXaTTi3DhbLn5q1GvzCUztPP4-Hbs/s320/Image00009.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620894941302533522" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 223px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>(It's tough to see from this picture, but by "everyone" I do mean just about everyone in Halifax. This particular lineup snaked all the way to the back of the hall, and then curled around to the entrance.)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBvQ2BRv7s8IjQoQgD9GLc0xojh33K7AXGD4gsENaGRC1uTeiATTLsxG46MCm-3sJsaSvw8l7KkKZwVybvmKNJ8GLrOJp2VdhsmWFMC5nPT2T1RYH5Vshzz__LT1t-__b60H2jnBdH3I4/s1600/Image00005.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBvQ2BRv7s8IjQoQgD9GLc0xojh33K7AXGD4gsENaGRC1uTeiATTLsxG46MCm-3sJsaSvw8l7KkKZwVybvmKNJ8GLrOJp2VdhsmWFMC5nPT2T1RYH5Vshzz__LT1t-__b60H2jnBdH3I4/s320/Image00005.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620894709511960338" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 226px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>(Some more beautiful volunteers cooking up some pork souvlaki kebabs.)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJE37hg1xJi2S5FnNgkDe2jROwp919k_u7Pg-zTueMsfjSYi4y4_JLQxylvgAQbmpKGfUSTG1ODJE0cjrv3c3fj4VYew3UkPDJdQ3PSCp_4pQDEcriffKH80b2muz4PRZsm-MOWTpILxg/s1600/Image00006.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJE37hg1xJi2S5FnNgkDe2jROwp919k_u7Pg-zTueMsfjSYi4y4_JLQxylvgAQbmpKGfUSTG1ODJE0cjrv3c3fj4VYew3UkPDJdQ3PSCp_4pQDEcriffKH80b2muz4PRZsm-MOWTpILxg/s320/Image00006.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620894927887806386" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 232px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>(If you couldn't make it the one minute walk from the hall to the kebab/donair pit, there was a roasting lamb station along the way to tide you over. Old man getting smoked out not included in the price though.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Since this year my motto seems to be "in for a penny, in for a pound," I checked out the souvenir tents too. This volunteer put on a master course in salesmanship, and I ended up walking away not-unhappy with my new komboloi, or "worry beads." </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0ukmmF0esczIDTraw19u_HuCzHrSr4k2uFhhCgKbnogj7czb2R_4qUdcs-sYvwpBKMFeQIAoWvVJwriH4r_AETmcI_xTR0Rpv4zyBhw4erMOqUNbYZuXJ98u_6e632RJihUCJpJDOxA/s1600/Image00002.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0ukmmF0esczIDTraw19u_HuCzHrSr4k2uFhhCgKbnogj7czb2R_4qUdcs-sYvwpBKMFeQIAoWvVJwriH4r_AETmcI_xTR0Rpv4zyBhw4erMOqUNbYZuXJ98u_6e632RJihUCJpJDOxA/s320/Image00002.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620894688531539058" style="cursor: pointer; width: 249px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Draped over the hand, between the first and middle fingers, the user can flip the hanging beads over the top finger and produce a satisfying clanking sound when the flipped beads strike the hanging beads on the other side. Historically komboloi were quite a popular form of stress relief, and are still often used by smokers looking to quit. I must say, once I learned to flip the beads and reset my fingers smoothly, the repetitive motion and noise I was able to produce became quite addicting.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb92jnqg7kxAOxAlWnsuIgsD3N58mbnBJaIc3dLbduin21zSOBO_94WndIIEDSLWliVsVgi9_GCAqHrJWOLL7Y0B5K-1-eoMhKzpiDE4ZXuHUnwKS9PRy6_7CoNBMgvOl6qThh8IKib4Q/s1600/Image00001.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb92jnqg7kxAOxAlWnsuIgsD3N58mbnBJaIc3dLbduin21zSOBO_94WndIIEDSLWliVsVgi9_GCAqHrJWOLL7Y0B5K-1-eoMhKzpiDE4ZXuHUnwKS9PRy6_7CoNBMgvOl6qThh8IKib4Q/s320/Image00001.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620894685039066738" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 202px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Of course the ever popular ethnic dancers were back again, and this time I came early enough to see the young children dancing too.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytUQkej2gg0GxzN3_x7vy0BsNHOW8crOpkKPibiev_MJPENrAhwSE06atmTArkQC3n0sV_EH7Nn0KceSzNDFILGDqdTLJjiuWky8_kaJYbjf2o7x5mEcMvmUCzyDV-ZQ7c3COXbpAbTA/s1600/Image00003.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytUQkej2gg0GxzN3_x7vy0BsNHOW8crOpkKPibiev_MJPENrAhwSE06atmTArkQC3n0sV_EH7Nn0KceSzNDFILGDqdTLJjiuWky8_kaJYbjf2o7x5mEcMvmUCzyDV-ZQ7c3COXbpAbTA/s320/Image00003.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620894698105445602" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOhcz7bCa8WPx2vbVXKYJHJvnSmpCf9FUNAuAEQ6horMZNoVNYz29qeusNF7BRpN9AQXysnzEaMwjDAKRaodt6Q1AW27GZxUqVvQ1sKD_Ox72pZWezl5MgJXjnLRZh4PPt48uE6f-WLfI/s1600/Image00004.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOhcz7bCa8WPx2vbVXKYJHJvnSmpCf9FUNAuAEQ6horMZNoVNYz29qeusNF7BRpN9AQXysnzEaMwjDAKRaodt6Q1AW27GZxUqVvQ1sKD_Ox72pZWezl5MgJXjnLRZh4PPt48uE6f-WLfI/s320/Image00004.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620894706246478498" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 230px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>(Everyone say, "opa!")</div><div><br /></div><div>This year I decided to absorb even more of the experience than last year, and so I ventured in to the St. George's Greek Orthodox Church. I was not quite prepared for what I saw though, and the following sight blew me away.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDYtStaiL-z-VgO9gOxb-i_uarEHLfIFdohhzUE169Q4jopW2yjO_Qs9Jru05T8vDz-paO5zT6-IY6bctauHAVa9B-Yf27wc8B_1iJibxTLXeg0MO-6tujpSvrWRt5vvIMk6O2RiTnxw/s1600/Image00007.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDYtStaiL-z-VgO9gOxb-i_uarEHLfIFdohhzUE169Q4jopW2yjO_Qs9Jru05T8vDz-paO5zT6-IY6bctauHAVa9B-Yf27wc8B_1iJibxTLXeg0MO-6tujpSvrWRt5vvIMk6O2RiTnxw/s320/Image00007.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620894929370859330" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 228px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>(This picture doesn't do it justice, but the the inside of the St. Goerge's Greek Orthodox Church is covered in paintings from floor to ceiling, and all around, and on top of that - not the ceiling, I meant additionally - there are the myriad traditional ornaments located around the church that probably have some traditional significance of which I am not aware.)</div><div><br /></div><div>I spent about forty minutes on the upper balcony having a Biblical debate/discussion with one of the priests, as well as learning about the main differences between the Greek Orthodox Church and the other "90 000 heresies" (i.e., the Roman Catholic and Protestant churches, and their off-shoots.)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzek0nXjSq_1VGEXQ-yPCykoTBwwfjAGFNltk75rS30Vj3FftlLO2OSPlCuEVZG6tw8ee9Mzi6U2nCHfzbeAE7HcPvOs0sbpjZjkTuaLZ9TtKyq0meIVQVi7jBvTuDtKwoc56Oty5ACxc/s1600/Image00010.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzek0nXjSq_1VGEXQ-yPCykoTBwwfjAGFNltk75rS30Vj3FftlLO2OSPlCuEVZG6tw8ee9Mzi6U2nCHfzbeAE7HcPvOs0sbpjZjkTuaLZ9TtKyq0meIVQVi7jBvTuDtKwoc56Oty5ACxc/s320/Image00010.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620894950979191442" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 232px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>(This photo is for EP Dan. The "hit the goalie" game was back, and the net too - to catch the ball if you miss.)</div>David Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07334812588167693129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4214140997412520837.post-41884738715478002092011-06-05T08:27:00.006-03:002011-06-05T09:05:02.897-03:00HRM Bike Week 2011, Part 3: Pancake Breakfast and Bill 93 Proclamation<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNCo71yg0F5w4Z11bCL8h3YUDrrBKqaS2DKS9wtsjNuPpFr6UqGhNdn1lRi1q0dhw5Isj3n2UUSULKRZi8x4rBOhgTprhJxz7PAiKFhyphenhyphen0m2Ogmjo2qtN8rRoYnY683oeXGxuUunXIyiSw/s1600/Image00010.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNCo71yg0F5w4Z11bCL8h3YUDrrBKqaS2DKS9wtsjNuPpFr6UqGhNdn1lRi1q0dhw5Isj3n2UUSULKRZi8x4rBOhgTprhJxz7PAiKFhyphenhyphen0m2Ogmjo2qtN8rRoYnY683oeXGxuUunXIyiSw/s320/Image00010.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614696864395498514" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div>On the morning of Wednesday, June 1, I woke up and geared up early in the morning to cycle across the Macdonald Bridge for a free pancake breakfast. It won't take regular readers long to figure out that EP Dave loves free food, and will do just about anything to get it. However, if I can get free food at an event that promotes cycling I will ride my bicycle across the ocean to get it (literally in this case).</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqf76Xjr3fo9HRe_39-gb-cDRc-p4Q18Azst_WZ61YLzL-tfj9Dfap195AKw9LZ4Yp88pgHR_yApQErIe0mhcyk4zLI8MzLY94rSkzWibE47lTWypbpRAL-55TCeJnrzidRQnihzSOQk/s1600/Image00011.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqf76Xjr3fo9HRe_39-gb-cDRc-p4Q18Azst_WZ61YLzL-tfj9Dfap195AKw9LZ4Yp88pgHR_yApQErIe0mhcyk4zLI8MzLY94rSkzWibE47lTWypbpRAL-55TCeJnrzidRQnihzSOQk/s320/Image00011.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614696866928465234" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 242px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>(Shivering in the cold since 6:30 am - it was about 8:40 am when this picture was taken - these three HRM heroes served pancakes, fruit salad, and juice to passing cyclists, and seconds of it to me.)</div><div><br /></div><div>While a free pancake breakfast for cyclists is reason enough to get up early and leave the house, it wasn't the only cycling related event happening on this day. Teams of relays from different corners of Nova Scotia had been cycling for ten days across the province, and would be converging on the capital, Halifax, at 1:00 pm to deliver a copy of a historic bill to the Legislature that would become an official law on this day.</div><div><br /></div><div>The bill in question, Bill 93 (the one meter law), requires all motor vehicles to give a one-metre birth to cyclists when passing (drivers can move into the oncoming traffic lane when it is safe to do so). The law also makes it punishable by law to drive or park in a bicycle lane too - that means you taxi cab drivers. Halifax still has a long way to go to reach the level of cities like Victoria, Bike Mecca of Canada, or even Ottawa, but this law is a good first step, and is the first of its kind in Canada.</div><div><br /></div><div>Bill 93 is largely the result of intense lobbying by the Halifax Cycling Coalition (HCC). The HCC was formed in 2007 after the death of 19 year old Michael Brooker. Brooker was cycling downtown in the morning, when he was struck by a transport truck and killed.</div>David Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07334812588167693129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4214140997412520837.post-41374984613661335172011-05-31T23:56:00.006-03:002011-06-02T22:49:02.203-03:00HRM Bike Week 2011, Part 2: Bike & Boat<div>On Tuesday, one of the most anticipated events of the week (on my part, anyway) was happening, and I could barely wait. </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid-_8lQZkik82Dr9ffNackNQsD0sbwljiqNoVyzetY8OPghggqVODEFE_xpc8fmuXtujRhep5oF_f39Xi9SWasCnY_XxRUxoQNYegyzoV8TDbN4nk53qsCvfx41ZDrgrgNndUZ1hSmo6o/s1600/Image00001.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid-_8lQZkik82Dr9ffNackNQsD0sbwljiqNoVyzetY8OPghggqVODEFE_xpc8fmuXtujRhep5oF_f39Xi9SWasCnY_XxRUxoQNYegyzoV8TDbN4nk53qsCvfx41ZDrgrgNndUZ1hSmo6o/s320/Image00001.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613362008382930530" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>(I'm not used to seeing a full bicycle rack.)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrfKmE1n0B78bGNIutlQqpG6eos9KajUkp10rgdP7fv6FL2ZUPnHeqiJTwK-Ut3VYRP-yw6twbciNx30lu8s0zgkNL0em_h8CjWk_VGSoeqoHl-lZUDVQ9DLUFz2MTJRTtM5Iqudo1vWU/s1600/Image00009.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrfKmE1n0B78bGNIutlQqpG6eos9KajUkp10rgdP7fv6FL2ZUPnHeqiJTwK-Ut3VYRP-yw6twbciNx30lu8s0zgkNL0em_h8CjWk_VGSoeqoHl-lZUDVQ9DLUFz2MTJRTtM5Iqudo1vWU/s320/Image00009.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613362200398800306" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 222px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>(Apparently neither was the boat club. Here you can see bikes locked to fences and trees, and if you look closely, you can see that the fence way back in the distance has bikes locked to it too.)</div><div><br /></div><div>The reason there were so many bicycles parked outside of the St. Mary's Boat Club on this day, is because people who rode their bicycles were able to paddle a canoe or kayak for an entire hour, and/or join a group yoga session, for free. This was a marvelelous idea for a few reasons: A) It involves bicycles (enough said), B) look at how many people showed up - it was obviously a success, and C) Nobody in Halifax seems to even knows that this place exists. Most of the staff who work at the facility only found out about it through past HRM Bike Week Bike & Boat events. </div><div><br /></div><div>St. Mary's Boat Club is actually a municipally subsidised facility in a prime location on the Northwest Arm. It provides an inexpensive recreation experience to the entire population of HRM for less than the cost of going to the a movie. Twice a week during the summer, the Club provides group canoe and kayaking sessions, and you can even take lessons on how to sail.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjeetkzOTuhEIUTLJDHa-heMCWnBfQmcN9o7Qb1wWVid04HuPIRVts6Rz7NKvoe5DMtYu2632AmXQvGtM7NCQSvvTTmfe1_lqCeJnL_9fTAXE3yVRGqxbLGKSZRNv-B8JmgrnUvhodMgA/s1600/Image00002.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjeetkzOTuhEIUTLJDHa-heMCWnBfQmcN9o7Qb1wWVid04HuPIRVts6Rz7NKvoe5DMtYu2632AmXQvGtM7NCQSvvTTmfe1_lqCeJnL_9fTAXE3yVRGqxbLGKSZRNv-B8JmgrnUvhodMgA/s320/Image00002.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613362015840735666" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>(On this day, it was going to be kayaking for me, and from the above image, you can see that most of the other visitors were interested in paddling in a kayak as well.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Our friendly, neighbourhood instructor-man, Steve, helped us get into the kayaks safely (read: dryly). However, I decided to get a bit of practice in on the dock first.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU-51FGcPWurXcvoW4ioWXzozODlNjtu_BupCKo-xCOSoippAzXBbAH9efXcVeq4D48_33KWpiZbdWZx4mVSTK20C2x7a-iaHaW8LPqMaqEp3mlzsq6p2nZK9n8lWWPPIkFsY0IssaQdI/s1600/Image00004.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU-51FGcPWurXcvoW4ioWXzozODlNjtu_BupCKo-xCOSoippAzXBbAH9efXcVeq4D48_33KWpiZbdWZx4mVSTK20C2x7a-iaHaW8LPqMaqEp3mlzsq6p2nZK9n8lWWPPIkFsY0IssaQdI/s320/Image00004.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613362021638236162" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw7arr_4uRkIG9IhrPhYs5CKw-A-zG-8uP-fp8AVvtyi5do2Ud2aX6QewsDHOOUjERnWruDaHxZ6DEGdea5I2w9Oq31aWW7plCruT91bibTFJW49btteQ8QttATs2Z7I0bix5NpJX8gLA/s1600/Image00003.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw7arr_4uRkIG9IhrPhYs5CKw-A-zG-8uP-fp8AVvtyi5do2Ud2aX6QewsDHOOUjERnWruDaHxZ6DEGdea5I2w9Oq31aWW7plCruT91bibTFJW49btteQ8QttATs2Z7I0bix5NpJX8gLA/s320/Image00003.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613362015083223570" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 234px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>(Hey, who's that good-lookin' guy in the blue kayak? He looks like he can really paddle.)</div><div><br /></div><div>After an hour we finally were able to get everyone into the water and were on our way around the Arm. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Northwest Arm is one of the most beautiful and interesting areas in Halifax, if not Nova Scotia. In and around it you can find <a href="http://epterranova.blogspot.com/2010/07/hrm-point-of-interest-8-melville-island.html">trails</a>, <a href="http://epterranova.blogspot.com/2010/08/nova-scotia-national-historic-site-9.html">National Historic Sites</a>, <a href="http://epterranova.blogspot.com/2010/10/hrm-point-of-interest-17-dingle.html">towers</a>, <a href="http://epterranova.blogspot.com/2010/07/hrm-point-of-interest-11-point-pleasant.html">parks</a>, <a href="http://epterranova.blogspot.com/2010/07/hrm-monument-14-ss-mont-blanc-anchor.html">monuments</a>, <a href="http://epterranova.blogspot.com/2010/09/nova-scotia-national-historic-site-11.html">homes of rich people</a>, and even <a href="http://epterranova.blogspot.com/2010/06/hrm-points-of-interest-2-deadmans.html">dead American soldiers</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe58q9037RvojXpDQLa9hzaE1POegSAl57U8zaeJT3p5sXWJAovpP2loxjcWo_EAbgELge9GQ_yTS0Ccol12sI3fMInurCq7VpabuKRACacGq7YSnIJg4ErVW1k42oCjxY4-1ZJ30Z06g/s1600/Image00005.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe58q9037RvojXpDQLa9hzaE1POegSAl57U8zaeJT3p5sXWJAovpP2loxjcWo_EAbgELge9GQ_yTS0Ccol12sI3fMInurCq7VpabuKRACacGq7YSnIJg4ErVW1k42oCjxY4-1ZJ30Z06g/s320/Image00005.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613362029245237890" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 222px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEher_Mfc3xtpQKPv2gSi1hl-KUW6GryXHZfL9Cfg3WWRmSYm9peCyBRE119xu98xtXVpufFiuphswm1BOO2qR6zcEffX_4ih2QtpnM0GKwuqhN3eIg5p43uOmklE_2Jrf0pIcfTvmLcFkA/s1600/Image00006.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEher_Mfc3xtpQKPv2gSi1hl-KUW6GryXHZfL9Cfg3WWRmSYm9peCyBRE119xu98xtXVpufFiuphswm1BOO2qR6zcEffX_4ih2QtpnM0GKwuqhN3eIg5p43uOmklE_2Jrf0pIcfTvmLcFkA/s320/Image00006.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613362190796645634" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>(Some of the houses, like that one behind me, cost upward of $900 000. Here I paddle past and steal some of its attention. My apologies to the owner. Special thanks to my new friend Brent who teamed up with me to perform a daring boat to boat transfer of my camera before taking these shots.)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM9IFDAXY1vXYQjEDPwm1uw8Qqdgru2FHxdje9cgTkBor7S5Nbw-iY2oGGb_VlUYevUCCai0g9HqKTVLXrz_Z51yILg825ppM5iIPLN7qHLfXpbktR2WRAAYFS-M2HAL8WTwZdiN25-nk/s1600/Image00007.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM9IFDAXY1vXYQjEDPwm1uw8Qqdgru2FHxdje9cgTkBor7S5Nbw-iY2oGGb_VlUYevUCCai0g9HqKTVLXrz_Z51yILg825ppM5iIPLN7qHLfXpbktR2WRAAYFS-M2HAL8WTwZdiN25-nk/s320/Image00007.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613362192163362258" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 206px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>(Lest you think St. Mary's Boat Club only offers kayaking, I provide this picture as proof that canoes can also be rented. In hindsight, canoeing is far more relaxing than kayaking - it's just far too tempting for me to try and make my kayak go fast.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Towards the end of our session, we congregated in Melville's Cove to hear a bit of history. Long-time readers of EPTN (and those who clicked on the above links) will know that Melville's Island used to be a prison during the War of 1812. The soldiers would shoot across the cove to a small peninsula they called Target Island (the Brits at that time seemed incapable of distinguishing peninsulas from islands). Many years later it was discovered that there were dead American prisoners of war burried on the "island." But now you get to hear "the rest of the story."</div><div><br /></div><div>Because of the American policy of "leave no man behind," The United States of America proposed that some soil be brought up across the border, spread over the ground, and Target Island be named American territory. Well, the leaders of Halifax are capable of making at least one good decision, and they figured it wasn't such a good idea to have a bit of the U.S.A right in the middle of Halifax. Instead, it was agreed upon that the area be named a park, and a monument was placed there with the names of all the soldiers. Every year on the last Monday of May (the day before this day, incidentally), a Memorial Day celebration honouring the soldiers is held on the renamed Deadman's Island.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNufKSDFw-fR2xfFjj-AjrOFYJLL62eSDo8OJpRt0N4-TW5Ow0-YbRuXExtdKXEYMFNzLcqR0xbiSuJNR0a0ovjLiPqt0nUXzjLpwo6MSmSwGa80WS9NRyahhNeeC_nPdOEJu_j83zXY/s1600/Image00008.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNufKSDFw-fR2xfFjj-AjrOFYJLL62eSDo8OJpRt0N4-TW5Ow0-YbRuXExtdKXEYMFNzLcqR0xbiSuJNR0a0ovjLiPqt0nUXzjLpwo6MSmSwGa80WS9NRyahhNeeC_nPdOEJu_j83zXY/s320/Image00008.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613362194668656578" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 229px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>(One of our guides exhibits proper boating safety, as he recounts the history of Deadman's Island, and tells a story about how he and some other instructors told the students at a summer camp that the area was haunted with the ghosts of the buried American. The students were told the ghosts became bald eagles, which nest around the Northwest Arm. One day the students came screaming down from a hill, and a bald eagle was chasing them. 10 of the 11 children ran and hid, but one brave little girl grabbed a mini-oar, about three feet long, and started waving it in the air to defend the canoe. It sounds like she's got what it takes to be the next EP. From here on, I will refer to her as "EP Girl.")</div><div><br /></div>David Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07334812588167693129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4214140997412520837.post-58011202002010116022011-05-31T14:16:00.005-03:002011-06-05T09:05:30.823-03:00HRM Bike Week 2011, Part 1: Take A SeatFrom May 27, to June 5, the best event of the year will be taking place at various locations around the city. HRM Bike week was developed to celebrate cycling and encourage and nurture a cycling friendly environment in the Halifax area, as well as to encourage new riders to give it a try and riders who haven't tried it in a while to dust off their old two wheelers and experience the joy of peddling once again.<div><br /></div><div>I specifically remember seeing advertisements for this ten day event in the <a href="http://epterranova.blogspot.com/2010/10/hrm-point-of-interest-16-halifax.html">Farmers' Market</a> on my first day out exploring when I arrived here last May. However, I was disappointed to see that the week in question would be the week I would be on my train journey to Vancouver. Consequently, I've been waiting with anticipation for this year's event for a full 12 months, and I don't plan to miss any more of it than I have to.</div><div><br /></div><div>The first event I attended took place on Monday, May 30, on the Dalhousie University campus. The Halifax Cycling Coalition organized a showing of a film entitled <i><a href="http://www.takeaseat.org/">Take A Seat</a></i>, and for $8 I received admission, free cake, free popcorn, free apple juice (or Daveoline, as it's been called in the past), and a 3 year membership to the Halifax Cycling Coalition.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Take A Seat</i> is the story of an amazing young man from England, Dominic Gill, who rode a tandem bicycle from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, 29 519 km down the western coast of the Americas until he reached the most southerly city in South America, Ushuaia. The bicycle weighed far too much for him to peddle the whole journey on his own, and so along the way he met, and was able to convince over 270 people to jump on the back of his bicycle and travel anywhere from a few minutes, to a few days with him to help him out. The whole journey took him over two years.</div><div><br /></div><div>To get an idea of how long this is, find Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, on Google Maps. Zoom in until the scale reading reads about 10km (bottom left corner of the map), and then commence clicking and dragging the screen all the way down to Ushuaia, Chile. The whole operation took me about eight minutes of constant dragging. I got lost a couple of times around Mexico, and ended up in the Pacific Ocean before I widened the image to see where I was. </div><div><br /></div><div>How long did it take you? How many times did you get lost? How many clicks did it take? Now, imagine each one of those drags being about 2-5 days worth of peddling on a 100 kg bicycle.</div><div><br /></div><div>Watching the film I remember strongly the sense of isolation he related feeling as he spent a lot of the journey by himself. To Dominic, being alone was the hardest part. Additionally, I was struck by his determination to push through, even after suffering hundreds of tube punctures, and breaking his bicycle numerous times in different places, not to mention having intense diarrhoea at one point. </div><div><br /></div><div>Mostly though, I smiled at the people he met along the journey who recognized someone doing something special, and who wanted to be involved in it themselves. Watching <i>Take A Seat</i> has renewed my love of cycling, my love of people, and my love for the sense of adventure that prompted me to embark on this grand mission of living in every province, and visiting every National Historic Site of Canada.</div>David Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07334812588167693129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4214140997412520837.post-16486617478166072952011-05-25T08:28:00.008-03:002011-05-25T11:05:44.729-03:00Blue Nose Marathon 2011: May 21-22, 2011<div>For any of you long time followers of my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">EP</span> adventures, you may think the name Blue Nose Marathon sounds familiar, and are wondering where you heard it before. If you remember my Cross Canada Adventure, you will recollect that when I <a href="http://3xcanadian.blogspot.com/2010/05/halifax-to-montreal-1-300-km-23-hours.html">left Halifax for Montreal</a>, on the start of my train trip across the country, I had to make my way across the street past <a href="http://3xcanadian.blogspot.com/2010/05/halifax-to-montreal-1-300-km-23-hours.html">a bunch of runners</a>. That's right, this last weekend marked the one year anniversary of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">EP</span> Dave's arrival in Halifax.</div><div><br /></div><div>To celebrate the occasion I decided to volunteer at the event which was to be the first strong evidence to me that I had moved to a more cultured city. See, to me, running/walking is the sport of kings. It takes determination, patience, and perverseness. Furthermore, it is the most egalitarian of sports, since nearly anyone can do it, and the biggest competition takes place mostly within yourself - whether you're struggling to complete your first 5K, or you're a seasoned veteran aiming to shave a minute off your personal best for the full Marathon. In many ways, I feel the existence of a popular Marathon within a city is a sign of that city's sophistication as a whole.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVpfl91zvS18PMbLyq1ME2JrwMkUNuyBrogtTV1jUppZWWgWQX-OhoCITkdH4NphKz1lt9kynKNzMhZLF1OyOLd-Bewr6g5pYND6VeZKWccyN_9ARavqbtHOCzbl5Na8fApP-XA6p1ac/s1600/Image00001.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVpfl91zvS18PMbLyq1ME2JrwMkUNuyBrogtTV1jUppZWWgWQX-OhoCITkdH4NphKz1lt9kynKNzMhZLF1OyOLd-Bewr6g5pYND6VeZKWccyN_9ARavqbtHOCzbl5Na8fApP-XA6p1ac/s320/Image00001.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610631672127946002" style="cursor: pointer; width: 221px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>(We were a motley crew, us volunteers, but we got the job done.)</div><div><br /></div><div>My first task was to be a course marshal for the Kid's Fun Run on Saturday, May 21. I had a couple of the thunder sticks you saw in the above photo, and I smacked them liberally and shouted encouragements at the children that most of them didn't understand: "You're in the final mile now; you're more than 2/3 done the race." When that didn't work, I simply used my tried and true motivation methods I learned from my years as a summer sports camp instructor: ["Mister, my side really hurts *sob sob*."] "I know how you can fix that. Just run down this hill and around the corner and you'll be almost at the finish where you can get some juice and snacks." ["Okay!" *takes off sprinting*]</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5Xox2z0qyxdyXmG5ThvPLT9k9b9iA-tIm2B_P3_OYdAsh5H5NdbU9RH2pTDWS6mWzAlMol4zhw8VLNCtVrozkXfdUvZTLJCYbYQmppQlOVzGSLJpvIYDVLJticWtuyR8TBRSO9x_tC8/s1600/Image00012.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5Xox2z0qyxdyXmG5ThvPLT9k9b9iA-tIm2B_P3_OYdAsh5H5NdbU9RH2pTDWS6mWzAlMol4zhw8VLNCtVrozkXfdUvZTLJCYbYQmppQlOVzGSLJpvIYDVLJticWtuyR8TBRSO9x_tC8/s320/Image00012.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610632108851014130" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 215px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-F-iBmKzBQKaLrJDio0-kKgyDZsXR-843uqMXmpak54K1xkticaoC9nHw1E_Oz32Lwlxqpqkt9qXVza9RMjiowwyRoy4WVNZI163St6ZEWcHGBjfx4u6-9wo8_rWBeHoLehRpJ7EGniE/s1600/Image00015.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-F-iBmKzBQKaLrJDio0-kKgyDZsXR-843uqMXmpak54K1xkticaoC9nHw1E_Oz32Lwlxqpqkt9qXVza9RMjiowwyRoy4WVNZI163St6ZEWcHGBjfx4u6-9wo8_rWBeHoLehRpJ7EGniE/s320/Image00015.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610632130579434946" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigPKQc-Nx2bZNxH7_sTV9iHrcL72_ZCdmsRbWce8lsn5DwHIyXRB_btBT3dLNKNFVVREpj-SyBoC5cw9EsTmC-D9MsMXd5EECQxmzKF_Y_5kckvdIOuCApq5BCfxNGSmqm_cD7gCgDuE8/s1600/Image00013.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigPKQc-Nx2bZNxH7_sTV9iHrcL72_ZCdmsRbWce8lsn5DwHIyXRB_btBT3dLNKNFVVREpj-SyBoC5cw9EsTmC-D9MsMXd5EECQxmzKF_Y_5kckvdIOuCApq5BCfxNGSmqm_cD7gCgDuE8/s320/Image00013.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610632118846215314" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 216px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqz0Bl-S8S0tcXB35YpAu69Kg8hcFzZ5MTmoizA1iaPu4v0yuPKgleZ6Tr751mSv1llVXWvIPvuUUagESmTCoTWohEgIybqmEb4s5uUjpIw9TMxUqiwGtusZlE7L_vuFm2K1Ru_8ebyxU/s1600/Image00016.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqz0Bl-S8S0tcXB35YpAu69Kg8hcFzZ5MTmoizA1iaPu4v0yuPKgleZ6Tr751mSv1llVXWvIPvuUUagESmTCoTWohEgIybqmEb4s5uUjpIw9TMxUqiwGtusZlE7L_vuFm2K1Ru_8ebyxU/s320/Image00016.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610632264245126882" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 232px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Win or lose, everyone got a medal and moral support from Myles - the Blue Nose Marathon's mascot. Since I know you're probably wondering, "blue nose" is a reference to a true M<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">aritimer</span>. Historically, the men of the sea would have worn heavy blue pea coats. After being out in the cold rain for even a short while, they would invariably have to wipe their noses. The sleeve of their coats would have been their first choice, and the wet blue dye would stain their noses, hence the term "blue nose."</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFOxnrdZ6_Mh0Qnl6oKiAHRAy1FvzrttGfmsvsbHZo5zH3NMEuWm20i_sx-dLgnQyxN1RWtaZhgvmA0FfHiFDH5drLjhLh71gIAfxz5_VSObvstFmXm_hPgjQ8UF3hblMEd6M8EjruEYI/s1600/Image00018.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFOxnrdZ6_Mh0Qnl6oKiAHRAy1FvzrttGfmsvsbHZo5zH3NMEuWm20i_sx-dLgnQyxN1RWtaZhgvmA0FfHiFDH5drLjhLh71gIAfxz5_VSObvstFmXm_hPgjQ8UF3hblMEd6M8EjruEYI/s320/Image00018.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610632287823391058" style="cursor: pointer; width: 232px; height: 320px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTd2GkVagUhSTaGqYprMfIBjT0jAz4HLBb097KXu0hQAhu1sqRn2wp-2gZZOB6MhPNMBo9PDrJJx62MGJn3LSGdaJNZpP4W1zL-OP3Ron4bUulT-DJgKUxmklHyxf8Hzs0qPZ-Fwgg88/s1600/Image00017.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTd2GkVagUhSTaGqYprMfIBjT0jAz4HLBb097KXu0hQAhu1sqRn2wp-2gZZOB6MhPNMBo9PDrJJx62MGJn3LSGdaJNZpP4W1zL-OP3Ron4bUulT-DJgKUxmklHyxf8Hzs0qPZ-Fwgg88/s320/Image00017.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610632274702699826" style="cursor: pointer; width: 227px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The next day, on Sunday, I showed up bright and early to work the marathon event (which also featured the more popular 5K, 10K, and half-Marathon events). </div><div><br /></div><div>For anyone who doesn't know, the Marathon is not simply a long race, but a very specific distance of about 26.2 miles (44.2 km). The name comes from the dubious and improbable legend of an Athenian herald named <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Pheidippides</span>, who supposedly ran about 25 miles from the Battle of Marathon to Athens to inform Athens of the Greek victory over the Persians before collapsing dead.</div><div><br /></div><div>The story is improbable not because 25 miles is a long distance, but because it is more likely the Athenians would have sent a rider on horse back. Furthermore, this legend is a "modern" European perversion of the original version of a professional runner (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Pheidippides</span>) who was sent by the Athenians to Sparta to request support when the Persians landed at Marathon. </div><div><br /></div><div>The original <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Pheidippides</span> travelled 150 miles (240 km) in 2 days without a problem to deliver the petition, making the mere 25 miles he supposedly ran from Marathon to Athens seem like a warm-up jog. Nevertheless, this new version of the journey and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Pheidippides</span>' subsequent collapse at the end, was the story Baron Pierre <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">de</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Coubertin</span> used to create a 26 mile race called the Marathon for the 1896 Olympics in Paris (the first modern Olympic Games).</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYYRXChjdHmLfaRG2C8dm5WEMuuFDFwMZ5v8lRb6I2KY-1KSewveLBlw42fHkWICq-01WGn5ztL1TEyWtffS8zNAkeQddFKH0nPE73yNJkJHoZzrYfTukJl026EEng64xFJDe4tWcWaQ/s1600/Image00002.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYYRXChjdHmLfaRG2C8dm5WEMuuFDFwMZ5v8lRb6I2KY-1KSewveLBlw42fHkWICq-01WGn5ztL1TEyWtffS8zNAkeQddFKH0nPE73yNJkJHoZzrYfTukJl026EEng64xFJDe4tWcWaQ/s320/Image00002.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610631676084603570" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 229px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The weather was chilly on Sunday (as it has been for all of May this year really), but that didn't stop over 10 500 competitors from showing, up and a number of fan also, to take part in the 8<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">th</span> Annual Blue Nose Marathon Weekend.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibzgM58OR6snoFdp0bbNbU20YUqkoxDWC1BoLKBKaGO2k3CH0tOoeTia5ndhd6PrVGayfiGjCmJPHUfXBbP9GGlEYLWGLdXXPUuSY7GhjUGnKL8NWIRM7duwN2-s8V-lmq6_VwbK0HPPY/s1600/Image00005.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibzgM58OR6snoFdp0bbNbU20YUqkoxDWC1BoLKBKaGO2k3CH0tOoeTia5ndhd6PrVGayfiGjCmJPHUfXBbP9GGlEYLWGLdXXPUuSY7GhjUGnKL8NWIRM7duwN2-s8V-lmq6_VwbK0HPPY/s320/Image00005.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610631695197897346" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 245px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWUXjpvkBquh9e9jk1dil-tRdvMYNHKRFkNVmPYKI3RoJJ_Xf1MCCweGvcdDXW6R9EzhlZVFpjOSHE9WUkTM-omAYKPgIRAvynjCIg16xWnfFgWKf-gu59luM-B-WA1Mr6v1jT7jArKk/s1600/Image00004.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWUXjpvkBquh9e9jk1dil-tRdvMYNHKRFkNVmPYKI3RoJJ_Xf1MCCweGvcdDXW6R9EzhlZVFpjOSHE9WUkTM-omAYKPgIRAvynjCIg16xWnfFgWKf-gu59luM-B-WA1Mr6v1jT7jArKk/s320/Image00004.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610631686595180530" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 231px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>(Garnering most of the attention, were the now "famous" Pink Tutu Boys - running in the half-Marathon, and winners of the Best Costume prize.)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNt1z5LOmevfFSWNW54tzn5QJrDS44Exnfp-mzw075D1rB3Ub_fPkmZMnyOvq2k4eWt1XQeeIFvFmvCK7d7m1y3L_zXDy-xF_0cyQZbzolEZmfWF58_4KZNysbu5oW2grPvniT_OYidU/s1600/Image00003.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNt1z5LOmevfFSWNW54tzn5QJrDS44Exnfp-mzw075D1rB3Ub_fPkmZMnyOvq2k4eWt1XQeeIFvFmvCK7d7m1y3L_zXDy-xF_0cyQZbzolEZmfWF58_4KZNysbu5oW2grPvniT_OYidU/s320/Image00003.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610631678814006562" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 230px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>(Runners push off in a pack at the start of the 10K race.)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0n1jC7n1ur9KGxXmYU4KMaLuaxZfNFJ5PzkcVfZHjBsmzjuPEwafAjcCrafjthWPb_e1W_BqXRDfMD35NrS2RdKUffAIP4HMJ811XUJ-Uxj3NE3E0qM1gg7Xt4pSY7JVhN1kHCt2VwJo/s1600/Image00006.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0n1jC7n1ur9KGxXmYU4KMaLuaxZfNFJ5PzkcVfZHjBsmzjuPEwafAjcCrafjthWPb_e1W_BqXRDfMD35NrS2RdKUffAIP4HMJ811XUJ-Uxj3NE3E0qM1gg7Xt4pSY7JVhN1kHCt2VwJo/s320/Image00006.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610631905810244226" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 229px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>From what I heard from the runners, the Blue Nose Marathon - due to Halifax's hilly topography and horrible spring weather - is not a fun race. The only reason anyone enters it is because of the massive hype surrounding it. Here (above) we see runners struggling up the final hill towards the finish.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqMgte1ReGpXozJMrvbO1EWOsD3bYkr6rxIGDeUpg6_ayXajbZMxgUk74c-hEWxsfEo_VHgLvEx7rYx3EAqDYXXB1e_wkvzy-kZB3Ak9f7a84tXJRIjujMBfSqeG_IFH7Mx0pQaD3MIw/s1600/Image00007.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqMgte1ReGpXozJMrvbO1EWOsD3bYkr6rxIGDeUpg6_ayXajbZMxgUk74c-hEWxsfEo_VHgLvEx7rYx3EAqDYXXB1e_wkvzy-kZB3Ak9f7a84tXJRIjujMBfSqeG_IFH7Mx0pQaD3MIw/s320/Image00007.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610631912761686306" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 208px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>(Once you finished the race then the real struggle began, as you tried to make your way past the throng of finishers back to the Metro Centre to warm up, get some refreshments, and maybe have a massage.)</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Before I arrived I thought I would be out on the course, helping the runners, but I was actually given a new position as a "results roamer". My job was to wear a special shirt and carry around a smart phone from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Telus</span>, which had a special App that would grant me instant access to racers' results as they became available. </div><div><br /></div><div>As with most new technologies though, the system was flawed. For starters, there weren't enough phones for me to have one, and of the phones that did exist most of them would shut off frequently causing much frustration on every one's part. In the end I was moved to baggage claim, where I had the difficult but necessary task of sifting through the pile of bags to find the belongings of the runners as they hobbled in stiff-legged from the course.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Because I spent the whole race inside I couldn't get many pictures of the action, but I did capture some memorable moments from the big screen that streamed live video of the racers as they crossed the finish line.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKBsGfmSTV2LQP5w8rI2IyzFRtam7vC43irkSYaLBtZ0SWrqXIVgXDOAGv_4YnQRXc44u9mT3M5FYsAM7M2Y8I2ubKWTy8ixfQ4LovUE8tD3NMWyZXH7cSCHM1bCJLyKYFghHXc-S0zw/s1600/Image00010.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKBsGfmSTV2LQP5w8rI2IyzFRtam7vC43irkSYaLBtZ0SWrqXIVgXDOAGv_4YnQRXc44u9mT3M5FYsAM7M2Y8I2ubKWTy8ixfQ4LovUE8tD3NMWyZXH7cSCHM1bCJLyKYFghHXc-S0zw/s320/Image00010.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610631935996167554" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 250px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKBsGfmSTV2LQP5w8rI2IyzFRtam7vC43irkSYaLBtZ0SWrqXIVgXDOAGv_4YnQRXc44u9mT3M5FYsAM7M2Y8I2ubKWTy8ixfQ4LovUE8tD3NMWyZXH7cSCHM1bCJLyKYFghHXc-S0zw/s1600/Image00010.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>(This woman was clearly elated to have finished what I assumed was her first half-marathon.)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYy6VViwCdd3i880wUPL3WFp_Bjl3rhAvZ4cwYEl7TI_5TL_23-PHPoDB7n4LkbjsXbQcWpObvvswcGwyQwMX6kpTQoLQClm54XY3_4hkkqZsP81umR4DCDrr_5NExNV_oUcfvk-EIII/s1600/Image00008.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYy6VViwCdd3i880wUPL3WFp_Bjl3rhAvZ4cwYEl7TI_5TL_23-PHPoDB7n4LkbjsXbQcWpObvvswcGwyQwMX6kpTQoLQClm54XY3_4hkkqZsP81umR4DCDrr_5NExNV_oUcfvk-EIII/s320/Image00008.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610631914977505186" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 237px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYy6VViwCdd3i880wUPL3WFp_Bjl3rhAvZ4cwYEl7TI_5TL_23-PHPoDB7n4LkbjsXbQcWpObvvswcGwyQwMX6kpTQoLQClm54XY3_4hkkqZsP81umR4DCDrr_5NExNV_oUcfvk-EIII/s1600/Image00008.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>(This group of runners travelled all the way from Newfoundland, and were in great spirits and dancing around.)</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_VbFreOS3uGniADsLbFbxdN7lzAyNt33zTFeCTjvH4OjGotOo8MG4KxI_1it1WaGhqyV1MTfPhUoL-TAFzW15nv7ePp4ki9ecBLivZRxL2wXzKtwsrgAyUfjPJZmqCqDj5_Izs9rF88/s1600/Image00009.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_VbFreOS3uGniADsLbFbxdN7lzAyNt33zTFeCTjvH4OjGotOo8MG4KxI_1it1WaGhqyV1MTfPhUoL-TAFzW15nv7ePp4ki9ecBLivZRxL2wXzKtwsrgAyUfjPJZmqCqDj5_Izs9rF88/s320/Image00009.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610631924652807730" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 261px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_VbFreOS3uGniADsLbFbxdN7lzAyNt33zTFeCTjvH4OjGotOo8MG4KxI_1it1WaGhqyV1MTfPhUoL-TAFzW15nv7ePp4ki9ecBLivZRxL2wXzKtwsrgAyUfjPJZmqCqDj5_Izs9rF88/s1600/Image00009.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>(Some of the runners chose to run the full Marathon though, and very few of them were dancing at the end. In fact, most of them could barely move they were in so much pain. I can't wait to try too!)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv390Jbw8pYdE7pPUD8HIcxdiHn7sP56_IdBXqPlGY1mxf9PY-pW1KpphSr8qQ4nTShrRSdL083LoM7xRoWcXGD0iZFJzIiMtfOPphp0JzYwdA7l2QovlWHFRBfQWtRuE5l78QRcYqY4Y/s1600/Image00011.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv390Jbw8pYdE7pPUD8HIcxdiHn7sP56_IdBXqPlGY1mxf9PY-pW1KpphSr8qQ4nTShrRSdL083LoM7xRoWcXGD0iZFJzIiMtfOPphp0JzYwdA7l2QovlWHFRBfQWtRuE5l78QRcYqY4Y/s320/Image00011.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610632101689123282" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 245px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv390Jbw8pYdE7pPUD8HIcxdiHn7sP56_IdBXqPlGY1mxf9PY-pW1KpphSr8qQ4nTShrRSdL083LoM7xRoWcXGD0iZFJzIiMtfOPphp0JzYwdA7l2QovlWHFRBfQWtRuE5l78QRcYqY4Y/s1600/Image00011.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>(As usual, Myles was there to offer encouragement and support. On a cold day like this, the guy inside this suit was probably the only warm person at the event. It was even cold inside the Metro Centre because the doors were propped open.)<br /></div>David Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07334812588167693129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4214140997412520837.post-7560444133242334872011-05-22T16:35:00.008-03:002011-05-23T20:55:42.879-03:00EP Dan's Last Day, Part 3 - Museum of Natural History<div>In every province in which I will eventually live, I have my major "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">EP</span> Goals" to complete (see above tab, just below the blog title), but I also plan to make a number of sub-goals, specific for each province. For Nova <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Scotia</span>, one of those sub goals is to visit each of the province's 27 Provincial Museums.</div><div><br /></div><div>First up on the list of 27 is the Museum of Natural History. I was quite excited to finally pay a visit to the museum for an official blog trip - I had been here on some other occasions for special events. Additionally, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">EP</span> Dan was excited to come here because we had missed out on a chance to see the animals during the <a href="http://epterranova.blogspot.com/2010/10/nocturne-art-at-night-october-16-2010.html">Nocturne: Art At Night</a> festival back in October, 2010, when the exhibit closed before we had arrived.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitatKrHuOEfjE5n7snPQxaULe3_ArEgTcAJVKqHyoWg_ykCUS99G8YyCBOrjInxWMFUOVmcDqp8V_8AIiqEl_ceHrOhF8TYx-5SmCc1GH5xF2-xbkFhZL6SWgYKXTQLFmoHNvR6FC6jUg/s1600/Image00001.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitatKrHuOEfjE5n7snPQxaULe3_ArEgTcAJVKqHyoWg_ykCUS99G8YyCBOrjInxWMFUOVmcDqp8V_8AIiqEl_ceHrOhF8TYx-5SmCc1GH5xF2-xbkFhZL6SWgYKXTQLFmoHNvR6FC6jUg/s320/Image00001.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609627876735906306" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 244px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>(My <a href="http://koreancop.blogspot.com/2009/04/episode-46-in-which-dfm-visits-biggest.html">two-headed turtle</a> picture from my trip to Korea was so popular that I thought I'd include another. I fear this one isn't quite as impressive though...)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJOZcSlDYewkrtG_CDI3OXj0M5KBUwUtVyF_9x_8vQu9QBK5eTBd1sHz_Jk_HtGZp4ToKVc7ckowtHCtQoJ7UZexdoAeB4YbJvzBLlPWOAdLhczxyjg5p20nm9CJkpAZz22czCeAJDfk/s1600/Image00004.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJOZcSlDYewkrtG_CDI3OXj0M5KBUwUtVyF_9x_8vQu9QBK5eTBd1sHz_Jk_HtGZp4ToKVc7ckowtHCtQoJ7UZexdoAeB4YbJvzBLlPWOAdLhczxyjg5p20nm9CJkpAZz22czCeAJDfk/s320/Image00004.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609627889422097154" style="cursor: pointer; width: 223px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>(Speaking of impressive water creatures, this is "Francis" the lobster, who was too big for any lobster trap. He actually would have been caught in a net, before being given to the Museum of Natural History.)</div><div><br /></div><div>One of the major instalments at the Museum is a collection of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Mi'kmaw</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">artefacts</span>, clothing and tools. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Mi'kmaw</span> people, which still inhabit the region, had lived in the Maritime provinces of Canada for centuries before contact with European explorers was made.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYzyExR1l6Yv0gnPlfwzG1_RaYcCWNT0I4DIse5Y9sqtV30W2WaGC8XmXVNtsoNMNWn2qVnuPBo1XKwHHX8DzyuSmm_dk3-_1dif1d2mkT8yGE1In2N_Yjn6B9niZ-HMVt_Lz9r0pP2WY/s1600/Image00007.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYzyExR1l6Yv0gnPlfwzG1_RaYcCWNT0I4DIse5Y9sqtV30W2WaGC8XmXVNtsoNMNWn2qVnuPBo1XKwHHX8DzyuSmm_dk3-_1dif1d2mkT8yGE1In2N_Yjn6B9niZ-HMVt_Lz9r0pP2WY/s320/Image00007.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609628022610491938" style="cursor: pointer; width: 245px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>(This is just a sample of the Museum of Natural History's massive collection of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Mi'kmaw</span> quill work on bark - assumed to be the largest collection of its kind in the world.)</div><div><br /></div><div>The other major collection at the Museum is that of the large underwater animals found around the area. The highlight being the massive skeleton of a pilot whale found stranded on Sable Island, some 300 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">kms</span> south east off the shore of Nova <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Scotia</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilD5StIaT7uuPrFg08JJ-6aJsKI6P3qt_bPMeBUQpwvE07WpxuFucq7PTMJQmxDenncKtOmUGvrYcNj9LC-2hWnXFEyeyr3afIN2Z-Ibmj1-BinHQy_iDl4ixUc7aplR3mKErJNyTLZ2k/s1600/Image00005.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilD5StIaT7uuPrFg08JJ-6aJsKI6P3qt_bPMeBUQpwvE07WpxuFucq7PTMJQmxDenncKtOmUGvrYcNj9LC-2hWnXFEyeyr3afIN2Z-Ibmj1-BinHQy_iDl4ixUc7aplR3mKErJNyTLZ2k/s320/Image00005.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609627905869875234" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 195px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>(A closer inspection of the fins will reveal five finger-like bones. I thought they were interesting.)</div><div><br /></div><div>The real reason <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">EP</span> Dan and I came to the Museum today though, was to see the exhibit "A <i>T.Rex </i>Named Sue." Named after Sue <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Hendrickson</span> - the archaeologist who discovered the skeleton - Sue is 42 feet long, and 12 feet high at the hips. Officially it is the largest, most complete <i>Tyrannosaurus <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">rex</span></i> skeleton in the world. Purchased by the Field Museum in Chicago for $8.4 Million, Sue has been on a world tour, and has been seen by over 10 million people, but Halifax is the first Canadian city ever to host the exhibit.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihu3ziTl-Z7dAAthsODuwTX_-OtAccrJk8NxBZNtdK17Qu9esVVBNqxN2Q6MWR7baBR_rgoKPODMV5KVOhBU2ozB3x6Af-wWqfcfB6lBOhimh96AhvvDFa2TwbQ970VpGlcLj936RJ-lM/s1600/Image00002.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihu3ziTl-Z7dAAthsODuwTX_-OtAccrJk8NxBZNtdK17Qu9esVVBNqxN2Q6MWR7baBR_rgoKPODMV5KVOhBU2ozB3x6Af-wWqfcfB6lBOhimh96AhvvDFa2TwbQ970VpGlcLj936RJ-lM/s320/Image00002.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609627880853502946" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 217px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>(Psst... Don't turn around.)</div><div><br /></div><div>By this time we were both getting a bit tired so feeling lucky to have escaped with our lives, we headed back home. With Dan now gone back home, I'm on my own for the summer. I'm not worried though, what with all of the major festivals coming up again, life will not be boring for long.</div>David Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07334812588167693129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4214140997412520837.post-90437741095911351212011-05-19T12:05:00.006-03:002011-05-19T12:41:28.672-03:00EP Dan's Last Day, Part 2 - Lunch At Westcliff Diner<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOW5gUdwVlB55DW89f9YODg6DxlCvcDE2gzb9pi_NchkkWrpA5L9eTmSlrYzO-dRzQ8cNXmPC0Sq4KrAnPcv3ubVoAes5wTqJBmPjOHRPxK9gB7ooQN7oxkKUi8Z9ciGepzJj7qDZxM8/s1600/Image00001.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOW5gUdwVlB55DW89f9YODg6DxlCvcDE2gzb9pi_NchkkWrpA5L9eTmSlrYzO-dRzQ8cNXmPC0Sq4KrAnPcv3ubVoAes5wTqJBmPjOHRPxK9gB7ooQN7oxkKUi8Z9ciGepzJj7qDZxM8/s320/Image00001.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608444035553908594" /></a><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOW5gUdwVlB55DW89f9YODg6DxlCvcDE2gzb9pi_NchkkWrpA5L9eTmSlrYzO-dRzQ8cNXmPC0Sq4KrAnPcv3ubVoAes5wTqJBmPjOHRPxK9gB7ooQN7oxkKUi8Z9ciGepzJj7qDZxM8/s1600/Image00001.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOW5gUdwVlB55DW89f9YODg6DxlCvcDE2gzb9pi_NchkkWrpA5L9eTmSlrYzO-dRzQ8cNXmPC0Sq4KrAnPcv3ubVoAes5wTqJBmPjOHRPxK9gB7ooQN7oxkKUi8Z9ciGepzJj7qDZxM8/s1600/Image00001.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>When I first moved into my new apartment, I remember quite distinctly the person who dropped me off saying that this restaurant made the best club sandwich in Halifax. This was back in June, 2010. Since that time I can remember two other people on two other occasions recommending the club sandwich or the fish and chips here as well. </div><div><br /></div><div>I had always kept promising myself that when I had an occasion to go dining with someone I would come here. After Dan and I finished painting our pottery at Clay Cafe, we walked about twenty minutes to get back here (we actually passed it on our way to Clay Cafe the first time). This was my chance to scratch another "to do" item off of my list.</div><div><br /></div><div>We both ordered the club sandwich with fries, and I must say it was every bit as good as its fans had suggested. For desert I ordered what has to be the best chocolate milk shake ever made, and the most delicious hand-made maple fudge.</div><div><br /></div><div>The food was incredible, but it was the atmosphere that will have me coming back. It's a family run business, with an older couple who bicker back and forth behind the counter, make the food, serve the food themselves, and get themselves into some of the most hilarious conversations with the regular customers. </div><div><br /></div><div>When we were there, one conversation focused on how the wife wouldn't be coming into work the next day, because she just had to watch the Royal Wedding, but not the part before or after, just the wedding, but not the part before or after, just the wedding, but not... It was too funny, and they were easily the most stereotypically "East Coast" couple I've had the pleasure of meeting. </div><div><br /></div><div>The charm of this diner is the food and the character and the cheap price. If you're ever in Halifax, it is not to be missed.</div></div>David Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07334812588167693129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4214140997412520837.post-4830170652218815982011-05-14T16:04:00.007-03:002011-05-14T18:41:27.153-03:00EP Dan's Last Day, Part 1 - The Clay CafeI can't believe it's been eight months already, but back on April 29th, EP Dan went back home to make some money during summer vacation. Since it's about half-way through May already, I figured I should finally get around to sharing what we did. <div><br /></div><div>For the better part of 2011 we had both been too busy, and the weather too crummy, to enjoy much of our surroundings. I really wanted to show Dan a good time before he left, so I decided to take the day off from work and spend it with my brother so that he could have at least one good experience before he went back home.<div><br /></div><div>The first place we went was somewhere I've been wanting to visit since I first came to Halifax - The Clay Cafe. On a number of different occasions I had even walked inside, but I seemed to be waiting for the moment to feel right to enjoy one of the best experiences in Halifax. (It seems like it would be a great place to go on a date too, although that's just a bonus, and completely unrelated to this post.)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Sq7r0qNAKk5Ikx4ZQgdNjUViSGH2Rlz4XYlDt3QjhwEAHgm841yZkJPvJWZLVofCkFIjj26wR3P6Uhd4gnLJ5KmSd7favO6Lqt2t-U1IeZDeCkjCaiG4Urr4SA47YfHAtYQ5tCf8imo/s1600/Image00009.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Sq7r0qNAKk5Ikx4ZQgdNjUViSGH2Rlz4XYlDt3QjhwEAHgm841yZkJPvJWZLVofCkFIjj26wR3P6Uhd4gnLJ5KmSd7favO6Lqt2t-U1IeZDeCkjCaiG4Urr4SA47YfHAtYQ5tCf8imo/s320/Image00009.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606675257932295602" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The first step for us was to choose the object we wished to paint. The price was written on the bottom, and this included the price of the paint and firing the finished product in the kiln.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtB-fsODyryYrlFVSKpQFb63mdnaqFitTgLVZVk7BiFWbRoYuDAPbrXL34FS-HmV2zdC_ArsoLs0M8nu-Nf-CIi4DvjH5wYB5jS5UOHEwOAXs_sEOkuwCHgcLnAvT42dwtU-2F49kRLKo/s1600/Image00003.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtB-fsODyryYrlFVSKpQFb63mdnaqFitTgLVZVk7BiFWbRoYuDAPbrXL34FS-HmV2zdC_ArsoLs0M8nu-Nf-CIi4DvjH5wYB5jS5UOHEwOAXs_sEOkuwCHgcLnAvT42dwtU-2F49kRLKo/s320/Image00003.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606670580951177394" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 244px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>(EP Dan chose a turtle and I chose a small piggy penny bank.)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSDpNsYrrSGQP3sGQc0djB1OQ1weozjqojYZacF1sNNDmkHfNvaZAQixaNXwdmyEO1sVpRZ9aSMXn-wfrspGREZLfZHDdYoLoM8GAfkB0imPuYuHYJYX0mv2P9J-eM8wl-Lio_ZEYklw/s1600/Image00002.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSDpNsYrrSGQP3sGQc0djB1OQ1weozjqojYZacF1sNNDmkHfNvaZAQixaNXwdmyEO1sVpRZ9aSMXn-wfrspGREZLfZHDdYoLoM8GAfkB0imPuYuHYJYX0mv2P9J-eM8wl-Lio_ZEYklw/s320/Image00002.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606670573806268658" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Next we chose our paint. Not only were there various colours, but there were also different kinds of paints, with different textures, as well as different stencils and stamps for making shapes.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQU2pNWwn1hz87tvIIQmnx38uFWYvRbA19bX5sy84jgkmp4nQcpOxB-VdtCPKKEaWZsCrfCOpu2d9fV7CkhSWqtFzoBUKdnWLZTwETqwl8I_q2x5oBhbhvl3P8uFog_VyUsWwCty3v40/s1600/Image00004.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQU2pNWwn1hz87tvIIQmnx38uFWYvRbA19bX5sy84jgkmp4nQcpOxB-VdtCPKKEaWZsCrfCOpu2d9fV7CkhSWqtFzoBUKdnWLZTwETqwl8I_q2x5oBhbhvl3P8uFog_VyUsWwCty3v40/s320/Image00004.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606670587110975970" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5-vUOK7BIVM5W9cDSkHU-hotkSD4pIYuWe3adarmtCeANW5eNSP0roFbJINv-CGbuavzW24qkgAOf7JBzwtvyRq-nAwBrw4GWqsjAGq3Raohoj-K8j5Ydj_UUWlmGra_zBBl-_HIsFfs/s1600/Image00006.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5-vUOK7BIVM5W9cDSkHU-hotkSD4pIYuWe3adarmtCeANW5eNSP0roFbJINv-CGbuavzW24qkgAOf7JBzwtvyRq-nAwBrw4GWqsjAGq3Raohoj-K8j5Ydj_UUWlmGra_zBBl-_HIsFfs/s320/Image00006.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606670739537204242" style="cursor: pointer; width: 254px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>While there were a variety of different colours, both EP Dan and myself are pretty conservative, so we just went with the standard version for our creations (you can't tell, but that is pink paint I'm using).</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdugaWZMF4RRiZjOx0NDCBSfdxXF2uHx6TupRzaa6fHYK6lXkNfOQ7qqRvn8ylO6iO763ZxbQioZCgaCk6ahFqWMnQ8IC7Q6FPjATlk2Zqocdd5yvlcIepeg_ab9-0VKwO0AgBhjWEy20/s1600/Image00005.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdugaWZMF4RRiZjOx0NDCBSfdxXF2uHx6TupRzaa6fHYK6lXkNfOQ7qqRvn8ylO6iO763ZxbQioZCgaCk6ahFqWMnQ8IC7Q6FPjATlk2Zqocdd5yvlcIepeg_ab9-0VKwO0AgBhjWEy20/s320/Image00005.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606670588157952562" style="cursor: pointer; width: 237px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>In order to get a solid, dark look to the paint, it was necessary to cover our pottery with a minimum of three layers of paint. To speed the whole process up, blow dryers were provided. Looking at this picture again though, I probably got a little too intense while I was "shooting" the paint.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzvvW7Wn8C_QShzkKITZyRr1ktBHSe3FOUzzg4CewGgOMrI4orpWNnAPLi-U3iXYvknscRV0REg4k4U55f9TWjdcTjuHeuIx_-2Vv1eTYeKYHgdR6rW8b-1We8izc0zAS3ns5NyURff4/s1600/Image00007.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzvvW7Wn8C_QShzkKITZyRr1ktBHSe3FOUzzg4CewGgOMrI4orpWNnAPLi-U3iXYvknscRV0REg4k4U55f9TWjdcTjuHeuIx_-2Vv1eTYeKYHgdR6rW8b-1We8izc0zAS3ns5NyURff4/s320/Image00007.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606670747155232530" style="cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 320px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdxrLqeam04Yr8qTbhnduJsUp5c-2ujSw215LWRkXYkFQt87P0rQLurA_Hab18lT7NyX1JZ7tB92XzmVKBi6CM1LtfFzIlZEokeJXziiWKULbjtBZlDsBrMKE79mxtyKDRBl8DqtWxKCE/s1600/Image00008.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdxrLqeam04Yr8qTbhnduJsUp5c-2ujSw215LWRkXYkFQt87P0rQLurA_Hab18lT7NyX1JZ7tB92XzmVKBi6CM1LtfFzIlZEokeJXziiWKULbjtBZlDsBrMKE79mxtyKDRBl8DqtWxKCE/s320/Image00008.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606670751185661202" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 257px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The end results turned out better than I thought they would. My piggy bank says "A penny saved..." on one side, and on the other I wrote "... is a penny earned." My goal is to collect all the pennies I find on bus seats, or on the ground, or in my wallet, and deposit them in my bank before depositing them in <i>the</i> bank, as I run a little experiment to see how much money we waste by just throwing away our pennies.</div></div>David Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07334812588167693129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4214140997412520837.post-63805658796848361832011-04-22T09:07:00.005-03:002011-04-22T09:26:27.517-03:00HRM Monument #32: Norwegian Soldiers Monument<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSSKA0umDS8ogvl2catB_qLGaeRmLfe10RUIFAhOd8FJhwhUg9IE7qZchxysjwqKMcWTK71NSPsFlHFdcSRa-oO65plYvSMXfjax1TS0NwuCpdbNjfLO1Xf7TkwPJIF9QbCj82iZeZ3jY/s1600/Image00001.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSSKA0umDS8ogvl2catB_qLGaeRmLfe10RUIFAhOd8FJhwhUg9IE7qZchxysjwqKMcWTK71NSPsFlHFdcSRa-oO65plYvSMXfjax1TS0NwuCpdbNjfLO1Xf7TkwPJIF9QbCj82iZeZ3jY/s320/Image00001.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598378675329275986" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div>This sharp looking monument was erected in memory of the Norwegian sailors and soldiers who gave their life in WWII, and who were buried in Nova <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Scotia</span> or who were lost at sea around Nova <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Scotia</span>. It has a few practical uses as well, especially when I need to check my hair in my reflection, or when I have to get a few inches higher to take a nice picture of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Sackville</span> Landing (the open area in which the monument is located) or the Harbour, both of which you can see in the reflection in the monument.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's been nearly a year since I originally stepped off the train and dropped my bags off here - in Halifax - during my cross Canada adventure. Although I became a little busy this winter collecting more funds with which to go exploring in the upcoming months, looking at this photo I took last summer I was reminded again about just how strongly Halifax's sometimes sad, but always important history has been largely effected and shaped by war.</div>David Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07334812588167693129noreply@blogger.com0