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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.
essaysMar 18, 2022
That Little Voice is a Dick
It's a beautiful day in the neighbourhood. It's close to my deadline for today's writing challenge, and here's the thing: I've written, re-written, deleted, and restarted this…
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…
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…
essaysJan 15, 2022
Responsible Adult.
Lately I’ve been thinking about being an adult—specifically when I might become one—for all my life I’ve always felt mentally younger than I physically am. Not that this is a bad…
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…
the writer's deskMar 7, 2022
Snow Showers and Goatnados
Snow Showers and Goatnados. Migraines and Rocky Mountain Weather Systems What the hell are " snow showers? " Today's weather app says to expect snow showers, and now I'm confused.…
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…
the writer's deskMar 13, 2022
MST TO MDT TO PDT DST
Times they are a-changing, literally. This weekend was the first time in a long time I’ve been on stage performing and hosting, and it was awesome. Pandemic, blah, blah, blah.…
the writer's deskApr 3, 2022
National Find a Rainbow Day
National Find a Rainbow Day. Did you know that today is National Find a Rainbow Day ? Neither did I. Turns out that Aristotle was really into them, as was Seneca the Younger and…
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…
archiveMar 2, 2022
2nd Ever Daily Dropbear Blog Weird Monthly Prizes Award of Excellence
This month’s winners announced as well as the hero in a new line of stories I’m very excited to announce the winners of the “ 2nd Ever Daily Dropbear Blog Weird Monthly Prizes…
adventuresMar 10, 2022
'Sploring Canada
Stop and look around for a bit. I stumbled across an old photo album on an old Google account that I completely forgot about so I thought today would be a photo essay from back in…
life at homeJan 11, 2022
Zen and the Art of Ironing
We’re going on seven months of living in the ‘burbs and I feel every moment of every day out here. I miss Kensington and my routines; life is just different out here, the vibe 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…
essaysMar 14, 2022
The Oxygen, Humidity, and Salt Quotient
The fine art of living at sea level. It has been two years since I have been on a plane, let alone been inside an airport. Yesterday felt like there might be some normalcy on the…
work & creativityJan 2, 2022
The 100 Days Project
"Yes! Welcome to 2022," is what I said to myself when I woke up this morning, excited to start the day and my spiffy New Year. I yawned, stretched, and promptly pulled a muscle in…
life at homeJan 3, 2022
The Story of Estevan
There are patterns that occur in life which can inform you if you are in fact doing well or are about to watch your atoms skitter off madly in all directions. In my case, the…
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…
life at homeJan 5, 2022
Carb Hunter
If 2022 had a motto it would be, "what was I thinking?" It's DAY 4 into the New Year and I find myself asking this question with shocking regularity. For example: I started the…
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,…
life at homeJan 31, 2022
The Coyote Barriers of Calgary
Not all ‘burbs are created equal. “Some ‘burbs are built in valleys, and some ‘burbs are on the plains, and other ‘burbs—like our current ‘burbs—sit on high terrain.” Each area of…
life at homeJan 30, 2022
Your Family Might Be At Risk
Your Family Might Be At Risk. There are many things that can cause a family to break down, particularly during a pandemic. Families are literally trapped together, schedules have…
life at homeFeb 1, 2022
Everything You Need To Know About Snoozing
What is the logic behind ‘snoozing’ your alarm in the morning? But more importantly, and something that has been on my mind every time I hit that stupid button: Why nine minutes?…
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…
adventuresMar 12, 2022
A Part Of Your World
Trying not to die under the waves. Time has a way of distorting memory, particularly when memories were formed as a child. My memories of growing up are pretty fantastical—I’ve…