Boxing Day

It is now the day after Christmas. There were many gifts under the tree, too many really, but some very useful things among the packages. Saphyre is graduating from high school this spring, so next fall she'll be living elsewhere and in need of many housekeeping items. In one day she received enough to be able to survive by just adding food. From dishes to a microwave oven, she is not wanting for much now. Parker, as usual, needed more goalie equipment, and a new mask is what he wanted most this year. He got some tools, clothes and electronic gear too.

I gave Roxanne a nice watch, but where she hasn't had one for a few months, this one is taking some getting used to. It is a bit larger than the one she had. Hey! I just discovered, when I got the link to the picture, that the watch is now on sale. I never buy things unless that is the case, but this was the only watch I could find that I liked. We have now decided to bring it back, and put the money towards a George Foreman Grill (when it goes on sale), plus a different, less expensive watch. 'Tis the season for exchanges...

I got the one big present I was asking for - a Leatherman Super Tool 200. I actually wanted the Wave model, but this one is top-of-the-line. It will replace a rather inexpensive multi-tool I've worn out in about 2 years of use. The new one has a 25 year guarantee.

The big meals are still ongoing. I've probably put on all the weight I lost over the summer and fall. The boxes of sweets and cookies don't help either. Going to have to take advantage of the nice days and get outside for some exercise on a more regular basis. It has been warm and damp the past couple days, and just about all our snow is gone. I was looking forward to trying cross-country skiing next year, so I hope we get more soon.

Master, Limited - Almost

The requirements for becoming a tour/charter boat (<60gt/around 50') captain, in Minor or Home Trade IV Waters, are as follows:

• 2 months (480 hours) of sea time aboard similar vessels (>5gt/8m) to which you will be working on.
  
• Marine Emergency Duties A2 - Small Vessel Safety
  
• Marine Basic First Aid (I took Marine Advanced First Aid)
  
• Restricted Operator's Certificate - Maritime Commercial (I obtained an ROC-M previously)
  
• Ship Master's Medical Examination
  
• Transport Canada 040 Chartwork and Pilotage exam for the waters of operation
  
• Transport Canada 061 Navigation Safety exam
  
• Complete an oral/on-board examination
  

This week I completed the 3-day ROC-MC (99% final mark!), so all I have left to do is get my sea time officially signed for, and be quizzed aboard the vessel I'll be operating. The 040 exam I did was for the Minor Waters of PEI, so I'd have to do another one of those if I find a job in a different area. For example, the Bay of Exploits, where I live and do most of my boating, is classed as Home Trade IV. The cost of all this is up over $1000 so far, and currently no solid work prospects in this field. Should you know of anything, please contact me.

A Full Year of Raids

Today email arrived today with dates and details for the upcoming Raid Avalons. There is a new website for the adventure races too (http://www.raidavalon.com), but it is not yet setup. As a sneek preview, here is what is planned.

2004 RAID Avalon Schedule

February 28, 2004
RAID Avalon Placentia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Start time 8:00 am, male, female, solo, 3 person teams, 4 person teams (mix). Estimated time 5-8 hours. Distances not revealed - mt. biking, map and compass, cross country ski (Back country ski), snow shoes, rope activities, and cultural and traditional activities - $80 per person.

June 19-20, 2004
RAID Avalon, Urban adventure race St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Start time 8:00 am, male, female, 2 person teams, 4 person teams (mix). Estimated time 4-10 hours. Distances not revealed - biking, hiking/running, map and compass, canoeing /or sea kayak (to determinate), rope activities, and cultural and traditional activities. $450 per team of 4, Kayak include) or $ 300 without kayak.

July 31-August 1, 2004
RAID Avalon Carbonear, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Start time 8:00 am, male, female, 2 person teams, 4 person teams (mix). Estimated time 4-10 hours. Distances not revealed - biking, hiking/running, map and compass, canoeing /or sea kayak (to determinate), rope activities, and cultural and traditional activities. $450 per team of 4, Kayak include) or $ 300 without kayak.

September 4-5, 2004
RAID Avalon Ferryland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Start time 8:00 am, male, female, 2 person teams, 4 person teams (mix). Estimated time 4-10 hours. Distances not revealed - biking, hiking/running, map and compass, canoeing /or sea kayak (to determinate), rope activities, and cultural and traditional activities. $450 per team of 4, Kayak include) or $ 300 without kayak.

Just Another B-day

Well, it is December 7th, and that means it is my birthday. I'm only 1/365 of a year older than I was yesterday, so not much has changed physically. Mentally, turning 40 hasn't mattered much either. However, when I stop to think that there are very likely many more days behind than lay ahead, it can get a bit freaky. Best to have another piece of chocolate cake and change the subject...

Snow Day

Last night when I went to bed there was just a light coating of snow over everything. This morning it was bad enough to close the schools. We did have some snow in early November, but that batch didn't last long since it was followed by a couple weeks of fairly warm and wet weather. It looks like we are finally getting our winter.

This is good news for all the people who enjoy this time of year. Snowmobiling, skiing, snowshoeing, skating, and so on will soon be available to those who partake of such activities. For others, this is when they plan to be spending some time in warmer climates. I personally like the season to the point where I don't even mind spending 2 hours shovelling. It is good exercise, and get you out in the crisp, cool air.

Good-bye LOcom

LewisporteOnline.com has expired. For two years I maintained a website at that URL, and for about five years previously it had been on various servers as The Lewisporte Web Mall. For most of that time it failed to pay for itself, so it was allowed to die when URL came up for renewal. HalEnt.ca still has some life left, but it is not currently directed anywhere.

This is all a part of closing Haliburton Enterprises. I put nearly 9 years into that business, and it has yet to make an annual gross profit even in the mid-three figures. I've realized that it was mostly just an expensive hobby that may have kept me from growing a good career for myself. Over the next few weeks I have to finish up all the odds and ends so that I can put this lesson behind me.

This means I am now even more actively seeking full-time employment. Prospects don't look very good here at Lewisporte, so I'm also preparing to move in the new year - should that become a requirement. Let me know if you hear of an opening for someone with experience in business, computers, land surveying, sales, handyman, marketing, shipping & receiving, design, or anything, really, I can use to get back on my feet again. There is not much I can't do at one skill level or another, and I don't mind starting near the bottom.