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February 16, 2007

Although it's February, it's a balmy 10C in Vancouver; it seems like this part of the country has permanently exiled winter. So as you might have guessed I'm in Vancouver right now. More specifically I'm sitting in the Student Union Building, affectionately dubbed SUB, drinking my Starbucks coffee, frantically avoiding the trip to the library to buckle-down and do the last minute preparation for my interview tomorrow. I gave myself a tour of the campus this morning and I have to say that the UBC campus is not only much bigger than I imagined, but also really beautiful: how can you complain when your view from the breakfast table encompasses forest, ocean, and mountains? I guess I should pack up and make that unavoidable trip to somewhere quiet.

January 6, 2007

Humans are clearly an inferior species >:-[

December 18, 2006

Thomas the Tabby Tomcat Attacks!

October 28, 2006

Well, once again, I'm back in school, and hopefully this will be the last year of undergrad for me. I'm applying to dentistry schools all over the continent. The whole application process is so involved, especially when you are applying to so many schools. So I got an email from my uncle Farhad from Iran, he sent me a funny pic of him buying fish I think...

July 5, 2006

The Chiniguchi Lake portage trip was an absolute success (another Kevin Callan classic). It was just beautiful up there and eventhough it rained on Saturday, the three of us had an amazing time on this trip. I do have to mention that the meals on this trip were unprecedented (steak, sausage, etc.), I'll just tell you to check out the pictures. This was if not the best, one of the best canoe trips I have been on. If you were thinking about coming and you didn't, then you're going to be sorry when you see the pics.

On a different note; eventhough I got as far as the interview process, I didn't get into dentistry at Western for this year. So I'm going back for another year of undergrad with Kayvan, and this year Macan will be joining us too. I should have a better shot next year so we'll see what happens. Just as a reminder Fish Fest is coming up in less than two weeks. Check out the calendar for details, and the 'Misc' has directions to Port Dover.

June 14, 2006

Hey Folks. I just wanted to let people know that there IS in fact a canoe trip planned for the Canada Day long-weekend (Friday June 30th to Monday July 1st). I am working out the details right now, but it will be at a place called Lake Chiniguchi which is next door to Temagami. Let me know if you're interested. Details coming soon.

May 30, 2006

So we were all disappointed by the not-so-awesome weather on the May longweekend, but it was still good to get out to Killarney for the first canoe trip of the season. The pictures and videos are up now in the new gallery, so check'em out. Just giving advanced notice to all you kids; the annual Fish Fest party at my parents' place in Port Dover is on the weekend of July 15-16, so keep that weekend open :P.

May 17, 2006

Killarney is right around the corner. So we're leaving at 6am (ish) Friday May 19th and coming Monday May 22nd. We're doing the same route as last year, so there will be a hike to Silver Peak on Sunday. The weatherman says it's going to rain on Saturday and Monday, but will be sunny on Sunday (how appropriate). Make sure you have rain gear, a dish & cutlery, sleeping bag & mat, water bottles/nalgenes, and most importantly a pack! :)

Here is a map of the route.

April 27, 2006

Walking listless down a darkened street
I hear the drum
I just can't hear the beat

So the new Pilate album (Sell Control for Life's Speed) is out. I picked it up yesterday, actually I picked up two copies! Well, Sunrise records was giving a free ticket to their show with each CD purchase, and at $14 it's a deal. So Angele and I are going to the Pilate show at 'Call the Office' on Friday. I saw them last year at 'The Wave', and they were awesome. On a different note, I had my interview last Saturday; I think it went well, but I won't hear from them until the end of June. I just hope it's finally good riddance undergrad. I wrote two more exams yesterday, and the last one will be on Saturday afternoon. Glorious summer here I come.

April 20, 2006

After writing two exams, I'm feeling desperately bored, so I started working on a new feature for the site. I'm trying to change the picture gallery to a system called Gallery 2.1.1, which lets people upload pics and organizes albums pretty nicely. So all that means less work for me later on. So right now there isn't much in there, but I think future pics (especially from trips) will be added to Gallery.If you have some pics that you want to share online, then let me know and I'll give you a username and all that jazz and you can upload your pics yourself. Okay, back to studying.

April 11, 2006

Another year of undergrad is finished! I hope that was the last one. I really should be studying for exams but I've gotten back into painting miniatures, more specifically I picked up these Tyranids that I started converting years ago. I finished painting one, and I liked the way it turned out, so I took some pictures. On a different note, I will get a list up with the trips and events of this summer... coming soon. Also, I finished the website for the UWO Kinesiology Student Council Oh ya, exams, I should really start now. Maybe I'll do some laundry, or maybe get something to eat, I wonder what's on TV....Isn't there something going on today? No, that's tomorrow: I think it's some kind of anniversary, a first anniversary perhaps ;)

March 14, 2006

I was up in North Bay a few weeks ago for Jason's (Angele's brother) birthday. Boy do they get a lot of snow up there; the snow banks were 6-10 feet high on the residential streets. It was a fun weekend, and Angele took LOTS of pictures with my camera and I was asked to post the pictures, so that's what I did.

March 10, 2006

Okay so I'm making another webpage, this time it's for the Kinesiology Student Council. Here is a link to a rough version.

February 15, 2006

If you're looking for an interesting quirky non-fiction, read Freakonomics by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner. Some people might say this book is aimless, but the authors themselves make a point of mentioning that the book does not have a central theme. I don't think the book has a typical central theme, but I would say the idea that correlation does not equal causation is stressed throughout the book. I think that's a great idea to be pushing because most people don't understand what correlation really means. The authors also continually tell you that a lot of times common wisdom is not so wise, with examples to demonstrate. The book was a lot of fun to read, and although not revelatory, it does really make you think. I recommend it.

February 14, 2006

Happy Valentines day (you know who you are, you're probably reading this at work aren't you ;) ). Okay so after more than a month I finally sorted through 270 pictures from our trip out west to Calgary and Banff. So if you want to check'em out, they're in the picture gallery.

February 8, 2006

Chuck Norris, you have nothing on me!

December 16, 2005

Wow, it's been a while since I updated the page. Well it's the same old excuse; I was busy... No, that's crap, I was just too lazy. Well at least I've got a few things to say. I've read a few books in the last few months, all of them good in their own right. The last one I read is called 'On The Beach' by Nevil Shute. I had heard people describing this book as a dystopia (my favourite genre), but that is not quite accurate, or rather, it isn't what you would think of, when you think of dystopian books like 1984 and Brave New World. Here is the synopsis; it's the 1960's and life in the northern hemisphere has been obliterated by the cobalt bombs of a devastating nuclear war. Although the southern hemisphere was not directly hit, the radiation in the air is slowly making its way south of the equator and leaving no trace of human life. The story takes place near Melbourne Australia, where people are awaiting the arrival of the radiation and therefore the inevitable end of humanity. Meanwhile people continue to live out what little remains of their lives. There are moments of beauty in the human story that unfolds, but overall, this book leaves you with a sense of utter despair. You might ask, "Why the hell would I want to read this book?". To you I say, to feel is to be human. Not that I revel in misery but true despair is a part of your humanity with which you're rarely in touch. Although I thought it was a good book, I don't want to pick up anything like this for a while.

September 24, 2005

I'm finally back in school. I had my last trip of the season; I went up to North Bay with Angele. Angele's friend Pam got married and we went to the wedding. I got to meet Angele's friends and the rest of her family. Everyone was so friendly and made me feel very welcome. Angele's mom especially, was so kind and gracious, and hospitable, I didn't feel awkward being there at all (Thankyou!). The pictures are in the Picture Gallery section, so have a look.

August 29, 2005

Well, it's my last week in Port Dover this summer; I'm moving back to London this weekend. I'm excited to have my own place again, there's nothing like quasi-independence. I've been putting together the new website for the Western Outdoors Club, so have a look and tell me what you think. I also put up the pictures from the Montreal trip. Thanks to Sherry and Macan for organizing the trip it was lots of fun. Ready, Set, Move.

August 18, 2005

Well, it's the middle of August and I'm actually looking forward to going back to school this year. This summer has been so crammed full of plans, trips, and excursions that it's worn me out a little bit. But that said, this has been an amazing summer; the trip to the east coast was especially noteworthy. The Cape Chignecto trip was phenomenal not only because the trail was beautiful and offered breathtaking scenery, Halifax and Fredericton were both fantastic as well, and who could forget the lobster dinner. Last but not least, lets not forget the people, Kayvan, Jon, and Laura, thank you all for making the trip what it was; a trip of a lifetime. Thanks Laura for the hospitality and showing us around in Fredericton. Thanks Kayvan for driving the whole way there and back, and leading the hike and getting up early to get the truck. Thanks Jonny for the laughs and not reading my postcards :). Lastly thanks to me for planning it ;) Oh ya, the pictures are up.

July 14, 2005

How tides control the sea, and what becomes of me
How little things can slip out of your hands
How often people change, no two remain the same
Why things don't always turn out as you plan

How infinite is space, and who decides your fate
Why everything will dissolve into sand
How to avoid defeat, when truth and fiction meet
Why nothing ever turns out how you planned

These are things that I don't understand
Yeah, these are things that I don't understand

The above is a piece of "Things I Don't Understand" by Coldplay from the "Speed of Sound" single. I've had that song in my head the whole day, in fact it's looping in my noggin as I write. Oh ya more pictures; the New York City pictures are now up for your viewing pleasure.

July 12, 2005

I had a great day on the water today; the wind was primo. I spent about 5 hours sailing on my dad's Hobie Cat Catamaran, and boy was it fun. Kayvan was on the windsurfing board and we were racing side by side up and down the shoreline, it was awesome. I finally have the Stormhaven / Cyprus Lake pictures up if you want to check them out. Thanks to those who came out. I'll have the New York City pictures up this week as well. If you talk to me, ask me about the fun I had at the border, or read it at Brill's page.

June 20, 2005

I'm just cranking out the pics on the site now; the pictures from the Barron Canyon portage trip are now online. The Cyprus Lake camping trip is this coming weekend (June 24-26), so if you're interested and you haven't told me anything yet, send me an email or give me a call real quick, as this will be it for camping trips, well maybe one more in August.

June 7, 2005

It's 1am and I finally got the Killarney picures up online, so check them out in the picture gallery. Also the route map for the Barron Canyon trip (coming up this weekend) is up as well. It looks like it's just the four members of the original posse for this trip. I'm looking forward to spending some time quality time with the boys.

I was on the treadmill today, listening to music, and as usual my mind was wondering from one place to the next and I started thinking about the past two months, and I realized how great things have been going since school ended. I was thinking about how great it is to be with the right person, to be with someone who really makes you happy. Well I won't get too sappy but I'll just finish off by saying, thanks for the amazing weekend.

May 25, 2005

Thanks to everyone who came on the Killarney portage trip, it was a lot of fun. We seem to do a lot of portage trips, but there's always something new and fresh every year. We mixed it up on this trip by spending an entire day hiking up to Silver Peak. We started on David Lake and hiked about two hours through rolling hills, crossing the tree line several times until we finally made it to the top. I think some people found the hike a little difficult (especially the return trip to the canoes) but I thought it was moderate in difficulty - just some good excersice for the day. Nonetheless we were rewarded with a magnificent view at the top of Silver Peak, where we could see the smoke stacks of Sudbury to the east and Georgian Bay/Lake Huron to the west, and all the lakes of Killarney in between. I definitely recommend the hike up to Silver Peak if you have never been there, as a rocky rugged mountain it's a rather unique place in the middle of our mostly flat province of Ontario. Keep your eyes open for the next trip; Barron Canyon on the weekend of June 11-12.

I'm sitting at the office here in Simcoe, speaking to the patients with the demeanor of a zombie... Uhhh.. I feel like a corpse because I was up last night until 3am cooking up my famous Moussaka for a certain someone's birthday today, whom I'm going to visit after work. By the way, Brill, thanks for the compliment on the Moussaka, I'll have to make some more for ya sometime. I think there's something unholy about this dish everytime I cook the stuff I feel completely drained, as though it stole some of my soul. It's also unnaturally heavy, it seems to weigh more than the sum of weights of it's ingredients.

And I can't forget, Happy belated B-Day Jonny!

May 1, 2005

Some people are just from a different planet. I mentioned how I was glad that I was only moving down the street, so there wouldn't be too much to worry about. Wrong! My initial meeting with my potential new landlord seemed very productive; he showed me the house, how the appliances work, we negotiated a price, and he gave us the code to the door so that we could move in at the end of April. Also, I specifically explained to him that I wanted the place from September, and he said that was fine and that we could even leave some furniture there over the summer. On Thursday, Kayvan and I went to the house and met with this guy, at which point he said that he wanted someone to take the place earlier than September, and there was somebody coming to look at it. I was thoroughly irritated and angry. This man, not only decided to change his mind, he decided to tell us about it the day we were supposed to move some of our furniture over. Since we were counting on storing our big furniture (couch, bookshelves, bed, etc.) at the new place we were not prepared to move them anywhere else. We spent the rest of the day looking at prices and availability of storage and moving truck options. We found a good storage place in town and moved a lot of stuff over and took the rest of our crap to Toronto and Port Dover. What really bothered me was the inconsiderate nature of this human being, and his inability to listen to my brother and I at our original conversation. Oh well, I don't care, I moved and it's over with. So just to let you kiddies know, I'm going to be in Port Dover on weekdays working at my parents' office, and on weekends I'll either be in Toronto, or in London hanging out with my new friend ;)

April 27, 2005

Well, I finished my last exam today and I must say I feel great. I came home after the exam and I tried my hand at an Indian dish called Butter Chicken, and eventhough it came out too spicy, the company I had approved so I'm happy (Next time I think I'll use half a chilli). Sometimes you picture yourself doing something in a particular situation, yet when you find yourself in that situation you find all of your imaginings and your plans have melted and you're left questioning yourself. Moving on, I've been packing for the last few days, and now the time has come, I have to start moving to the new place. I'm glad that it's only down the street because that means no moving truck required. Hopefully the move will be finished by early Saturday so that I can be in Toronto by Saturday evening so I can hang with the boys. I'm really looking forward to this summer, so much planned, so much to do...

April 17, 2005

Bones sinking, like stones, all that we fought for... I don't know what it is but I've had that line in my head for 6 months, and I don't think it's leaving any time soon (It's Coldplay if you didn't recognize it). I had my physics exam this morning, and I'm really glad that course is finished, and not for the reason you might guess. The course was really easy, too easy. I feel like I'm a worse person for taking it; in requiring so little it's almost condusive to lowering your standards. As though you'd expect less of yourself after taking this course. I'm no masochist but taking a course should require SOME work, otherwise it's not worth taking. Oh ya, the season's first portage trip will be to Killarney on the May 24 long-weekend. Kayvan is organizing it, and I'm sure he's told most of you about it. If you're interested let me know. Sorry Jonny, I'll be your paddling buddy on the next trip :P.

April 4, 2005

On Friday the Western Outdoors club had its elections, and I'm proud to say I will be co-Webmaster and co-Photographer for next year. I'm looking forward to updating the website because right now it's cumbersome, disorganized, and it's been irritating me since I joined the club. It'll be my project this summer. I left the meeting feeling somewhat odd because I've never done anything like this; when I was at U of T I didn't even have time to join any clubs let alone be a club executive. On a different note, congratulations Brill on finishing school, best of luck finding a job. I'll be done school myself on April 27th, then I have to move out, put stuff in storage, and find a place for next year.

March 28, 2005

Jonny, Cark, and I came up with a tentative events calendar for this summer. I figure the best way to get people to come on trips is to get them to commit early. So here it is gang, you'll notice a new item on the side menu, called events calendar. When you open that, you'll have to pick a month, at which point a calendar for that month will show up with all of the planned events. There are various camping/portage/road trips planned, and in a bit I will put up the relevant information for every trip so that you can just click right on the calendar and see the details for that trip. Right now the only event that has any info is the Cape Chignecto Trip, for which there is a pamphlet (with a map) you can have a look at. I will update soon, so stay cool my babies.

March 1, 2005

I got back from Florida a few days ago, and I have to say it was a phenomenal trip. It was a totally different experience than canoeing in Ontario. I spent a good portion of the day editing the pictures from the trip, but I am proud to say that I managed to get through all 300+ pictures in one day. Anyways, the pictures are indeed online now, look for them in the picture gallery.

Feb. 16, 2005

This coming Saturday, I'm heading out to the Florida Everglades on a canoe trip with the Western Outdoors Club. Especially after two solid days of rain in London I'm really looking forward to the warm weather and the chance encounter with an alligator. Mostly as a measure of safety (and maybe of interest) I'm putting a link to a map of the Everglades canoe route.

Jan. 18, 2005

After sitting in the icy depths of winter for a while, I thought I'd do something constructive and hopeful at the same time. I bought another 'A Paddler's Guide To' book, this time it's for Algonquin park. I was browsing through it and I found a route that looks really cool. It's about 160km through the Nipissing River, which will take 8-10 days. I think this will be an August trip. I'm not going to try to 'sell' this trip to anyone, and I'm not looking for a big crowd for this trip. If you're interested in a longer more difficult trip contact me. I will plan another canoe trip for late May that will be shorter (3-5 days) and not as difficult so that we can get everyone out for a good time.
Here is what the Nipissing canoe route will probably look like.

- Kaveh Nateghi