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23 pieces found
essaysApr 12, 2022
Of Gravity and Lampshades
This story is a glimpse into my accident-prone life. You might be feeling a little queasy looking at the photo of my youngest son jumping off a cliff into a relatively small bit…
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 homeJan 4, 2022
The Sentient Thermostat
By all accounts being alive today is really rad. And by rad I mean how excited the eighties BMX movie, filmed in Cochrane, Alberta and surrounding areas made me feel. Before you…
camp covidJan 19, 2022
Camp Covid Retrospective
One year ago, I was holed up in the Ramada Plaza Downtown writing about isolation and COVID uncertainty—today, I’m back in lockdown, this time in my own basement, riding out another brush with ‘The Vid.’ Full-circle vibes, surgical gloves on standby, and yes, still saving the world one hardboiled egg at a time.
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…
100 days — doodlingAug 29, 2026
Tonight We Ride
From Featherhollow to the belly of a cruise ship in off the coast of Alaska — tonight we ride!
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.
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…
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…
adventuresFeb 9, 2022
Adventures In Boracay: Part III
Life on Boracay had settled into an easy rhythm. I’d wake up early to work, later Jenn and I would have breakfast, go for long walks on the beach and then swim back to the hotel…
adventuresMar 17, 2022
Adventure Around Every Corner
And a story in every turn. It's the middle of March, and not only are the Cherry Blossoms blossoming and the Tulips are tuliping, it is also sunny and warm on the island—warm…
life at homeMar 22, 2022
Setting the Bar
Achievement unlocked. After years of stressing I would never again be able to achieve this physical feat, I have done it. Ladies and gentlemen and those who identify otherwise,…
adventuresMar 24, 2022
Motorcycle Migraine Therapy
Time to call in the bomb squad and save the day. It was +20°c yesterday in Calgary, and my migraine was off the charts. If I were a canary in a coal mine, there would just be a…
adventuresMar 31, 2022
Road Rides and Robots
This and other summer adventures are just around the corner. Last night, I was out with my kids and their significant others to discuss plans for our summer road trip to Vancouver…
work & creativityApr 17, 2022
99 Days Of Words, Photos, And Fun
Click here to see what happens next. It’s day 99 of the 100 Days Project, and I’m excited and a little nervous. Today’s post will be the gratuitous project recap and the…
adventuresNov 15, 2020
Space Walk 2020
Captain's Log: Autumn 2020. The Global COVID-19 Pandemic is really starting to ramp up for the 'Second Wave' and masks are now mandatory in all indoor public places; Safeway…
the writer's deskMar 9, 2022
Science is Looking Into It
Keen-eyed artist early warning system for cosmic misalignment. Have you ever woken up, and the world felt a little off-kilter? Just a little? That’s how it was for me today, just…
adventuresMar 28, 2022
How many motorcycles are too many motorcycles?
You can never have too many motorcycles. Since last summer, I’ve been stalking the Internet for a third motorcycle to add to my growing stable. Why three motorcycles, you ask?…
100 days — writingSep 17, 2026
Highway Man
Tom Cochrane rode the highway all night long. I did it in the daytime, like a grown-up, and I stopped for snacks. Three hours from Medicine Hat, a lot of cows, and exactly two pronghorn.
100 days — writingSep 19, 2026
Autumn Ride
The sun was shining and it was +20º as we rode west, the leaves just starting to turn. It was my call where we'd end up, and somewhere before Stoney Nakoda I'd have to actually decide.
100 days — writingOct 6, 2026
Calgary Biker
There comes a time in every Calgary motorcyclist's season when you need to start thinking about putting your favourite thing away for winter. Or, for Calgarians, First Winter™.
100 days — writingOct 15, 2026
The Wave
Left hand, down low, two fingers out. Nobody teaches you this. I taught riding for years and it was never in the curriculum, yet you start doing it around your second week.