It is with sad hearts and teary eyes that we watch the final trip and funeral of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo who was gunned down while standing guard over the National War Monument in our nation's capital last Wednesday, October 22.  

Thank you for your ultimate commitment to our country and our freedom Nathan.

Also, on behalf of our Canadian members at Kamazooie,…

As you may have recognized by now, my postings come from emotional experiences that I have gone through. It is pleasant and convenient for me and for readers is when the emotion is positive, heart-warming, experiential, or exiting. 

Unfortunately, the emotion that I have been dealing with over the last few weeks has been anything but positive. However, another underlying premise in our community is that we can help one another through experience sharing, even when these experiences…

Over the past several years I have managed to (thankfully) arrange a side trip up north during my summer vacation. To be honest, doing this isn't as easy as it sounds. As an expat when you come back for summer or Christmas vacations, time is short and demands on your time are high. As our children have grown older, it is a bit easier to carve out some time...but largely my trips north have been a result of taking longer holidays. I used to take 12-14 days but now have stretched it to 3…

It seems that over the last few weeks, I've come across a few occurrences of girls/women being someone they are not. I have to say that this is something that has struck a chord with me and I have to question if I'm always who I really am or who others want me to be.

The first is that I just finished a great book that is soon coming out as a major motion…

One of the many benefits of being Canadian, is the amazing variety and beauty of the geography and the diversity of people that populate it. In September I had the opportunity to visit the far north of Canada...specifically Iqaluit on Baffin Island...for the first time and was blown away by the haunting beauty of the landscape, the thriving wildlife and multi-cultural nature of the community of Iqaluit itself. My longtime friend Steve Polak put the plan to visit Baffin Island in motion last…

You may have heard about the interview Mike Tyson did with Nathan Downer on CP24, a news station in Canada. The interview was intended to preview Tyson's one man show at the ACC named "The Undisputed Truth" which covers his journey through boxing, acting and other key elements of his life.

In an earlier interview Tyson said that the upcoming show covers how he…

For me it began on the Labour Day weekend in 1966 when I realized, there was no getting out of this, I was going to go from my life of freedom, playing and hiking…

Nothing philosophical today, just a couple of shots of my quick visit with Mom (Hilda) this Friday and Saturday.

It was a really nice visit as usual. Went for chicken at Swiss Chalet and ate way to many fries but it was yummy. Mom even had a glass of wine.…

As the Toronto International Film Festival looms large the local and international media, I thought it would be a good theme to use for this week's community post while at the same time promoting some of our recent postings.

Some of you may already have noticed that we've gained a movie producer amongst our membership, Michael Dragea. Recently, Michael posted his own introduction to the community and also introduced his first movie "It was you Charlie" which premiered at…

Anyone from Toronto will immediately know and recognize what the CNE, is. It is the Canadian National Exhibition. Very near Downtown Toronto - it is a huge amusement park that opens mid August running through to Labour Day (September 1st). 

Like all things, it has evolved over the years. I remember my mom (and on a rare occasion my dad) taking me there…

Never having gone to a premiere film night, this was a new experience for me. Fortunately, Michael blogged about the premiere of his movie "It Was You Charlie" in time to purchase tickets and make it to the premiere evening show. It was a great movie with an uplifting ending, and the opportunity to see and speak with the stars, directors, producers and cast members -…

Although the worst possible timing to post this self promoting blog, in light of the tragic loss of an amazing entertainer, Robin Williams, i've been encouraged to share some extraordinary news with the Kamazooie community.

For those who have not read my blog about my very non-linear career trajectory... Hello my name is Michael and i'm an Architect.  (Now…

Hello Kamazooie community!

I'm often asked, about my profession... and its interesting but, there is no simple answer to give.

Technically speaking i'm an Architect.. but I specialized in project management... I lived and worked in the arctic for several years managing infrastructure and housing development projects across the Nunavut Territory,…

It was with shock and heavy hearts that we heard yesterday that Robin Williams has made his last curtain call and left this world behind. It is even more shocking to hear that it is suspected that this fabulous actor/comic took his own life. If you are a follower of my blog, you may recognize that I write/post from an emotional standpoint, inspired by things that happen…

I have to admit that it felt strange to be taking in a concert on a "school" or "work" night! Anu and I drove downtown to catch a concert with guests from the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, at the University of Toronto. 

We did not quite make it in time to the restaurant where I had made reservations... if you have reservations then "traffic" magically knows about…

Everyone seems to like this one. Its not low-fat but it is great tasting.

This version itself was copied down by my niece Debra. (My sister Gina's daughter)

Hope you enjoy it!

Mom, Gramma, (Auntie) Hilda

Last week, Anu and I took some time to go to a movie theatre downtown, to take in a wonderful dinner and a movie. We caught a brilliant movie called Boyhood, at the TIFF theatre (Toronto International Film Festival). 

On the heels of Brian's commentary on "Living in the Moment" - Boyhood is on that same theme. The brilliance of this movie was that Richard Linklater…

Let me start by saying I am no expert in this culinary art form. Quite the opposite. I am still quite rough around the edges despite having fished for decades. That said I have enjoyed the outcomes of those with far more prowess. There are a few variations on the theme and favourite fish meals that I would like to explore before opening the floor for comments.

1. Let's start  with the 'shore lunch'. Shore lunch is a term for an often unplanned meal on the side of the lake or…

We hear this mantra or suggestion a lot these days and I guess it can have many meanings. Perhaps in today's busy life with so much media streaming at us, it makes even more sense to try to bring ourselves to understand and appreciate this key to really living life. But…

Who cares about being grateful?

Isn’t thankfulness just for losers?

I tend to be a respectful, and thankful person, but some days these questions do come to mind. Whenever I can, I thank people… and have made an effort to provide a personal and sincere note of gratitude to those who were deserving of it, especially on my work-teams.

It does not take much. A…