JensenPark

Helen clearing snow…while I take pics. View from the porch (front and side of house) The famous bee hives. Helen told me of how she got stung silly by mowing the lawn by them…or something silly like that. Back of Castle Gowrie from the ponds area… I had Jim hold his walking stick to give you some perspective: he has one pond dug below grade from another pond. Jim will explain why… This pond has a dock for swimming…unfortunately, the dock is underwater. Why? One of Jim’s eccentricities I guess. Windmill that pumps water somewhere. I think for the heavy water plant…Jim was asking if I wanted to see the ‘yellow cake’ facility, but I was running short on time. The infamous excavator that Jim almost went swimming with… “of course I have a 80 foot wireless tower in my back yard…don’t you?” Dogz…Bonny Clyde…great dogs. Pond…(I think there are 5) Guest cottage where I spent the night:

Having successfully accomplished the first part of my journey…the meeting with Angus…I move on to complete the mission: Visit the one known as BlairGowrie and deliver the DangerDogz gift. I consider the meet up with Angus a success as I made it without getting sued by Angus. A notorious tort-happy lawyer. The mythical land of BlairGowrie starts about at the edge of Toronto. However, the land is so large that it is about a 2 ½ hour car drive from Toronto to the centre of BlairGowriea. As I drive, I know I am getting close to the nerve center of BG’s empire: I spy some of the windmills used to generate power for his immense empire: I spy a mail box on the side of the road! Alas, I am almost there. Expecting to find his house close, I turn off at the entrance of BG’s driveway and sigh as I realize how large his place is. His driveway goes forever. I sense what the Nazi’s thought as they invaded Russia. Cold, snow and tundra that stretches forever. I travel by what is obviously a dumping ground for BG. Yet, still no house… Finally – I sense I am close. I pull up to the mansion and am greeted by attack dogs…in the distance I hear their master’s voice bellow a warm greeting: “get him! Attack, attack!” I am ushered into Castle BG and immediately am welcomed like an old friend. Once I pass through security at his front door. Here I am arriving finally at the guest quarters…checking in. There is a long walk from the entrance to the actual quarters… I relax with a drink in the guest lounge while I await the Castle’s Lord. Jim set me up in Helen’s office to fly and was kind enough to pour me a shot of scotch. A ‘shot’ at BG’s is like everything at his residence: oversize. I am poured at least an 8 ounce pour. I comment to Jim that beer steins are not meant as scotch glasses. He calls me a wimp and heads back to flying. Jim, Helen and I share a great evening of dinner and wine…and then headed to a friend of theirs…we get 10 minutes away and are turned back by white out conditions. The snow was so bad, Jim actually missed the turn-off to his house (after living there 12 years). Or maybe he was just drunk. Hard to tell. Had a great nights sleep. If you have ever been in a spot where there is zero ambient noise, this was similar. No car noises, no planes overhead, no neighbours…absolute quiet. It was quite something. Having slept at both Dubbo’s house and at the house of Painless, I can say it was enjoyably unique at being able to sleep at a Dogz house without the host trying to crawl in and ‘cuddle’. Shudder. Next morning I get up rested and head to the breakfast nook for a bite. Then grab a quick snack in the guest nook. Jim and Helen give me the grand tour… The house is magnificent. After seeing pics of it, and hearing about it, for years – it was nice to see it for real. Much was built by Jim and Helen from wood harvested from the land. Jim will have to describe the type of wood used…but it is spectacular. How do you describe to people someone like Jim and Helen who built the place from scratch? “Oh, yeah…they are banking execs who harvest wood, cure it, cut it and frame and build a magnificent house themselves…just like all normal banking execs”. A pic of the famous wireless tower through the stained glass that Helen did (the one that Jim DID NOT break…yet) Had some snow overnight as mentioned. About 8 inches. My rental car: How would I get out? Jim says he’ll get out the snow blower. I have visions of Jim pushing a snow blower to clear a few kilometers of driveway. Should have known better. “…this is a snow blower!”

The journey begins in the wintery city of Edmonton...and continues in the wintery city of Toronto. Canada is a huge country as you can see. It is at least 4 inches across. Toronto, is of course home of the Angus. Angus...aka Cold_Gambler...is famous for two things. And reviled for one. Famous for being one of the founding fathers of the Dangerdogz, and for being the most whipped husband in the Dogz. Reviled for being a lawyer. Anyway, I met up with Angus downtown Toronto for the picture swap. Angus was kind enough to get the pic done up for free - after threatening to sue the framer for some made-up-on-the-spot tort. Angus, being part-Scot, of course simply pocketed the money we gathered for the pic. We chose to meet over coffee at a local shop. We hadn't seen each other for a while, so we had exchanged pics in advance so that we could recognize each other. Angus: JP: Angus of course ordered an fair-trade, organically grown, union-picked dark roast. I ordered a chemically treated, subjugated-orphan, child labourer coffee bean picked de-caf. We discussed politics of course. Angus' shares his economic vision for Canada: I explain mine: We further discuss the usual. Kids (his kids used re-usable, environment friendly cloth diapers). We raised ours in disposables made from the fur of unicorns, purchased in cases made with old-growth trees. Cars: I have 3, and I leave them running around the clock to keep the environment warm. Angus takes public transport and buys carbon offsets for each trip. Environment: he has a tattoo of Al Gore on his arm. I have a tattoo of the Alberta Oil Sands on mine. Wives: Angus discusses how beaten and whipped he is - and how much he is afraid of his wife. I discuss how beaten and whipped I am - and how much I'm afraid of my wife. Common ground at last!!! Handing over the pic, Angus and I pose for a photo. We discuss how it is great to see each other again, and how we miss seeing each other on TS. We promise to keep in touch more in the future. I mention how warm the coffee shop is, and Angus comments that it is warm like the steam baths he visits, and maybe next time we could meet there. There is an awkward silence and we both look down to avoid eye contact. We go outside and both pretend that little conversation never happened. Package under my arm...I continue my quest to get to BlairGowrieLand!

Happy Birthday Pete! Whadya' get?

will post up a proper pictorial and description of my adventures in BG-land, but here is a few pics of the presentation... Jim opens the package... evaluates the gift...and the attractiveness of the squad Expresses his critical view stores the picture in an appropriate place

On behalf of Andy J, I must protest strenuously. If we allow humour like this to flourish, then the terrorists will have won.

That's too bad Beebop...but of course understandable. Saturday night with the Heller's goes back about 7 years when we'd fly...and then join up the Heller's after regular flying. I'm out of town this weekend (again...sigh) but will try to be around when you get back! Thanks for all your hosting Arthur.

looking forward to seeing you this Saturday Jim. Strength in numbers!

If you happen to be watching the Grey Cup Parade on TV this Saturday, keep an eye out for a big oversized hotel bellcart float... beside it, you'll see young Parker (the younger half of 'JensenPark') walking beside it dressed as a piece of luggage...and beside him either my wife or me...

my intent is to be there. Fri/Sat any of you kind chaps recommend a way to get to Italy (say, Rome) afterward? I was thinking Ryanair, but I've heard horror stories about them... I understand Jabo, with his great new job, is buying the first round. Oh, and providing us with cheap internet for porn while we are there!

Hey guys: I will put up a thread in one of the locked forums...if you can look at and start the bookings! Under the DD/HH Private Forum.

sweet... crazy, yes...but sweet.

really? well, I do admit to being rather out of touch lately. work, travel, volunteer commitments, politics has kept me way out of the loop...

http://forums.ubi.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/23110283/m/4901088198

Please Jim and everyone: Never wake a sleeping Jedi again.

You forgot number 7: Hire a mercenary team to track down Capt Jack and whack him for making you look at the ceiling and stick out your tongue. (oh, and don't think you are hard to find. There are only two Dreamlifters out there...)

http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/81156810/

Nice pics...must have been very relaxing. you're final pic...you kinda look like Doubletap

And about bloody time already. (kidding). Thanks Snack...look forward to trying them. Especially Korea.

first and last name mailing address (street, city, country, etc) Of course, I'm actually doing this as part of my part-time profession: Identity Theft Guy. Once I have your address and credit cards numbers...look out! Oh wait, I guess it doesn't work if I warn you in advance. Dang...where's the edit button? Rog...a little help here please?

guys, I'm on the road traveling tomorrow - so will start maybe booking next week. can each of you PM me with your full mailing address please. will probably require a c/c for guarantee (not prepayment though). Will let ya' know.

http://fooblog.mexxoft.com/category/computerspiele/storm-of-war-computerspiele/# Pilot's reflection in the cockpit dials? no wonder the game is about 7 years late getting released.

Angus - might be in TO in early November. Will let you know and we can grab a beer. Hope the kids are well.

holy cow Smash...what do they feed you down there? Growth-hormone-injected everything? Good to see you are still around...