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30 pieces found
100 days — writingAug 13, 2026
Happy Birthday
I plan on being kind to myself as I cobble this together. Inspiration? I'll paw through the pictures on my phone, find one that has a story and write something about it. I'm setting a word count of 750 and will give myself a little reward every time I'm within 10 or 20 words of the limit. Little rewards are just that. Maybe I'll have a nap. Or a bubble bath.
adventuresAug 8, 2026
Wandr Lust
A detailed itinerary of the Calgary–Victoria run, including the security bin that gets "randomly selected" every single time, the breakfast my doctor would like a word about, and the seat I pay extra for so I don't have to be near anyone.
adventuresMar 21, 2022
A Sunstar pickpocket named Stephanie
It's not every day a Sunstar tries to steal your watch. China Creek Campground is located on the Alberni Inlet just outside of Port Alberni proper and is home to a dizzying array…
adventuresMar 29, 2022
But, are there any sharks?
When you swim in the ocean, you are swimming with sharks It's that time of the week again—the day after I miss a post. I've written, written, and even more written many posts, but…
adventuresFeb 4, 2022
A Land Down Under
A bunch of years ago I went scuba diving in Comox, British Columbia at a place called Singing Sands . It's a shore dive that leads to a concrete-hulled sailboat about 75 feet…
essaysFeb 16, 2022
Wish You Were Here
Many years ago, I found myself in Rome, Italy. It was late August, and I had taken a train from Leonardo da Vinci International Airport to Rome Termini Train Station. It was my…
adventuresJan 28, 2022
Mike’s Big and Wet Underwater Adventure Activity Book
How bad do you have to be at biting stuff that evolution gives you ‘endless teeth’? I’m speaking, of course, about our friends beneath the waves, the shark. Earlier today, I was…
life at homeFeb 14, 2022
Bodies Are Weird
Bodies Are Weird So, for reasons unknown, my right deltoid started hurting. I didn’t do anything to it, I didn’t do anything with it, it was just hanging around doing what…
work & creativityJan 8, 2022
The World is Your Oyster
This past week I've been working on a couple of really fun client projects while trying to balance my "day job" with personal projects, and I'm pleased to announce everything is…
adventuresFeb 11, 2022
Adventures In Boracay: Part V
Boracay has been anything but boring. Between the Muerte Gang , lacerated toes , sunstroke, and an ant invasion , we've somehow managed to stay alive and enjoy this tropical…
adventuresFeb 15, 2022
Aspiring Electricologist
In my quest to wire an on/off switch to my motorcycle's USB charger, I may have found my new favourite store. B & E Electronics in Calgary is to warehouses as Narnia is to…
100 days — writingAug 14, 2026
Found Treasures
There at my feet, across from Sidney's best fish and chips, lay a beautiful if inexpensive piece of jewellery. I looked around for someone clutching their neck. Not a soul.
life at homeJan 29, 2022
Don't Forget To Eat
This is a quick one today as I’ve been busy writing a much longer post about our trip to Boracay a few years ago—it's a tale of adventure, intrigue, blood, being lost at sea,…
essaysMar 27, 2022
The Fountain of Youth
The Fountain of Youth. The secret lies in the potential of broken bones and stitches. Yesterday, Jennifer and I got to hang out with her nephews. They're in the 9 to 12 age range…
adventuresFeb 7, 2022
Adventures In Boracay: Part I
A few years ago, Jenn and I went to the Philippines and decided to spend a week on the island of Boracay. My eldest son Keegan had been before and highly recommended it as it had…
camp covidJan 22, 2021
Adventures at Camp Covid
Here I am, hit me like a quarantine Catch up on the rest of the story and read the tales of 'Camp COVID' in order: 1. Alive and Well at Camp Covid 2. Adventures at Camp Covid 3.…
camp covidJan 24, 2021
Life and Times at Camp Covid
The gritty truth behind life in quarantine Catch up on the rest of the story and read the tales of 'Camp COVID' in order: 1. Alive and Well at Camp Covid 2. Adventures at Camp…
camp covidJan 26, 2021
Enlightened at Camp Covid
Wisdom in a world of uncertainty Catch up on the rest of the story and read the tales of 'Camp COVID' in order: 1. Alive and Well at Camp Covid 2. Adventures at Camp Covid 3. Life…
camp covidFeb 15, 2021
Camp Covid Epilogue
So, This Is How It All Ends Catch up on the rest of the story and read the tales of 'Camp COVID' in order: 1. Alive and Well at Camp Covid 2. Adventures at Camp Covid 3. Life and…
camp covidJul 15, 2021
Return to Camp Covid
A tale for the ages Catch up on the rest of the story and read the tales of 'Camp COVID' in order: 1. Alive and Well at Camp Covid 2. Adventures at Camp Covid 3. Life and Times at…
camp covidJan 19, 2021
Alive and Well at Camp Covid
What started with a close contact and a couch at the studio quickly turned into a full-blown quarantine staycation—welcome to Camp Covid, Alberta-style. From deep throat swabs to Frankenlamps and food trays delivered like prison rations, this is the surreal, oddly cozy tale of isolation with a view.
the writer's deskApr 10, 2022
Carping dat Diem
We’re nearing the end of the 100 Days Project, and there is time for one more “ Daily Dropbear Weird Monthly Prize Award of Excellence ” award. I will be drawing this final prize…
life at homeJan 12, 2022
Basil or Bust
Just when you think all is lost, an email comes through that changes the entire course of your life. After reading the recent post about the ‘Great Basil Shortage of 2022’, Alert…
essaysJan 14, 2022
Accidental Starlord
My tombstone could read (in Engraver's Plate), "HE NEVER MEANT TO BE A STARLORD™" and that would be accurate. When I look back on the impossible events that transpired to enable…
essaysJan 17, 2022
16KB and the Truth
Back in 1980 my dad bought the family a TRS-80 Colour Computer from Radio Shack complete with a four-colour printer. The printer had four pens, Red, Green, Blue, Black and was…
adventuresMar 5, 2022
That's Cool, But It Isn't a Motorcycle
Everything that happens, happens for a reason they say. You can tell it’s getting close to Spring because this young man’s fancy turns not so lightly to thoughts of motorcycles…
adventuresApr 18, 2022
The Amazing Dargie Family Easter Egg Hunt
The most epic annual event to ever grace the hills and vales of Calgary I come from a long line of humans doing silly things, and it's funny how the Universe aligns. For example,…
life at homeJan 23, 2022
A Hairy Situation
It happened suddenly and without warning. One day my eyebrows were perfect; the next day, the left one went rogue; a single eyebrow hair began growing straight down—straight down…
adventuresFeb 5, 2022
Quicksand, Crawdads and Gangsters
It's starting to feel like Spring (again) in Calgary , with temperatures in the double-digits on the plus side beginning this weekend. Will it snow again? Probably. Are we in…
adventuresFeb 8, 2022
Adventures In Boracay: Part II
Getting off the ferry was just as harrowing as getting on the ferry, but we made it, damn it. Dragging our luggage kicking and screaming onto the lush island of Boracay, we…