Food Obsession

What do you do when there is only one left on the plate, and it's your favourite food? Do you offer to others around you, or do you grab it for yourself?

In the past year I have discovered my obsession for salty/briny foods. I have always had a love of dill pickles, especially homemade, and the ones I helped my mom make last autumn are amazing. I also really enjoy olives, no matter what ripeness they are, but I tend to lean towards green. On the Saturday of the Easter long weekend I made a pizza with real feta cheese, and love the briny water that it comes in, if I knew it wasn't unhealthy for me to drink it I probably would. Now when at a dinner party or a buffet and I have these choices in front of me, my plate usually ends up quite full of these food items. I would keep my fridge stocked all the time if it were affordable, but alas it is something I will never be able to afford and therefor is a luxury.

What is the one food, or type of food that you have a love for and will always eat the last one from the plate or bowl?

Craig

Summertime, Living Is Easy

Well after being unemployed for five months I have started working at Home Hardware again. I was excited to be working again as I was running out of activities to keep me occupied throughout the day, but once I walked through the warehouse doors, I felt the life force be sucked out of me. After a week of being back I am already into some of my old habits, which include staying awake much later than I should and eating junk food late in the night as well. With the increasingly becoming better I will be back to commuting to work on my bike, and improvements to my diet and exercise routines.

As the weather works towards its peak it is time to plant the vegetable garden again this year. In 2010 I attempted, and succeeded rather well for my first attempt at growing vegetables and herbs, and combining the info I have read throughout the winter, and last years experience I know that 2011 can be more productive. This time round I will be sure to plant all forms of lettuce in succession so we have it available for a longer period, and will avoid planting potatoes as they failed to produce anything that was amazing. The biggest surprise for me was the carrots that were of exceptional quality, and I am looking forward to making a soup with them again. I am hoping that the cucumbers, zucchini, squash and tomatoes perform better this year as well. The biggest challenge with the garden I have planted, due to its size, is keeping control of the weeds. I managed to stay on top for the first half, but once summer reached its peak I lost all control, but managed what I could.

There is something incredibly rewarding at the end of the harvest season when you look back at all the fresh vegetables and herbs that you put you energy into, and the cost savings from not having to purchase them at the grocery store. It brings a smile to your face to know that you contributed to improving your health and the environment, and I find there are few other satisfactions in life.

Craig

Wednesdays Works

As you may have noticed I have not posted any new sketches for a short while. Well here are a few that I worked on but didn't feel they were ready, or wasn't sure if I wanted others to see them.

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Kitchen Island & Coffee Table

The kitchen island is made of wood with tubular steel supports. I got the idea while watching an episode of The Big Bang Theory as Leonard and Sheldon have something similar in their kitchen. This is another item I have added to my list of furniture to make in the future. It will look rustic with a slight modern element to it by using tubular steel. The coffee table has also drawn inspiration from the kitchen island, with the difference being the design of the legs, although still made of steel.

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Patio with arbour

I have always wanted a house with a beautiful stone patio, and an arbour attached to the house to create a natural shaded area using vines growing over it. I am still unsure of what material to use for the patio, flagstone or stone pavers. I think the flagstone would add more to the natural feel of the patio, but in this sketch I drew it with large patio stones. The following image gives you a better visual of what the patio would look like with flagstone. The arbour is very useful if your house faces south or west and you enjoy entertaining late into the evening as it provides essential shade for guests in the summer heat.

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Rear yard w/ flagstone patio, grass area and veg/flower garden border

This rear yard is ideally suited to anyone with a narrow but fairly deep area. The flagstone patio is how I want it to look in the previous sketch, and this view is you sitting under your arbour looking to the back of the yard. The grass area is elevated one step due to the yard having a slight ascent, and the whole area being bordered by a mixture of vegetable plans and flowers growing at the base of a handcrafted wooden fence. The veg/flower beds are supported by stone pavers, but I'm not sure if I want to create 2-3 levels similar to the patio/grass areas. These are all elements I can figure out when I actually have the opportunity to implement in real life.

Craig

Water: Tranquil to Rabid

As you walk along the riverbed you see an old stump that would be perfect to lounge against for a short while. Once you've been seated for a few minutes you become amazed at the force the river has. This force has the ability to carry seeds from plants upstream to its new home further downstream, and provide a home for many species of fish. This is the moment you realise that you've not eaten or had anything to drink in a while, so you take out your small fishing pole and catch one of the native fish in the area. While it is cooking on the fire you have made, you fill your canteen with the refreshing mountain spring water on a hot summer day, and are thankful for if it were not for water you would not exist. As you sit and enjoy the feast you reminisce of childhood, running through the sprinkler on a hot summer day and this brings a smile to your face, and at that moment you wish a light shower would arrive to help cool you down.

As the happy thoughts start to fade, you now think of the destructive force water can be. Too many times you have witnessed on the news of riverbanks flooding and destroying crops, houses and wildlife, but where are the people to go, the river provides for them. You picture tsunamis ripping through entire countries, destroying everything in its path, and want to know how you can help them rebuild for the future, but also hope it never happens again.

Craig

Friday's Feed

While watching Attack of the Show on Thursday the hosts showed a clip of a video during their Around the Net segment. This video is of Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking having a rap battle.

Texts From Last Night - A website that posts user submitted content. The content being text messages from friends, family, co-workers or colleagues, and majority of them are quite hilarious, disgusting or disturbing.

Unfortunately that is all for the week as I had a lot on my mind and it took a lot of my time. I didn't make a post for Wednesdays Works either, but I have some for next week.

Craig

Friday's Feed

This past weeks discoveries around the net.

Mobius Strip: I discovered this while trying to think of a potential name for a business if I ever start one. For people who do not know what this is, you can make one yourself by taking a strip of paper and twisting it once, then bringing the two ends together and taping, or gluing them. What has happened is you have created an endless loop. No matter where you start, you will always end back at your starting point. I have attempted to create this using AutoCAD, but it is rather difficult without knowing the 3D aspect of the software.

M.C. Escher drawing of a Mobius Strip

Klein Bottle: After reading extensively about the Mobius Strip, I was lead to discovering the Klein Bottle. This is taking a Mobius Strip and cutting along its length and folding it together.

Klein Bottle

 Julian Beever Pavement Drawings: I am sure many people have seen these before as they have been reported on many times. He is an artist that creates incredible drawings on sidewalks around the world depicting all sorts of products and thoughts in his imagination. There have been times that he has had trouble with the law and not allowed to complete them.

Joshua Hoffine Horror Photography: This man has an incredible imagination, not unlike Julian Beever, but uses photography as his median. Not only does he come up with some scary ideas, but his crew and friends that help him bring his thoughts to life are amazing.

 

Craig

Wednesdays Works

I have not had much inspiration or ideas the past week, so I will only be posting one sketch that was done on the 22nd. It is of what I picture the front/main entrance to my custom built house would look like if ever I have the opportunity to build it. The idea for it has come from my time living in England and wandering in older neighbourhoods, as well as Plexus Doors(located in British Columbia), I love the custom work and detail that is put into the reclaimed lumber doors. If I ever start carpentry this is another project I would like to build myself, even if it only gets used as a door between rooms, or to a work shop. There are a few detailed features that I would add, like a viewing window, and custom manufactured door knocker made from steel. I've still not decided if I want the door to be arched, or have it rectangular with an arched window above(like the sketch).

Front/Main Door

Craig

Waterloo Renting

I am in the process of searching for a place so that Emma and I can live somewhere together that is not my parents house, and has amenities close at hand. About a year ago I was on a mission to find a place and failed to move anywhere. I felt that the places available were not to my standards, or the landlord was discriminatory towards me. Well I am coming across the same problems again. Why is it a hassle to find a place to rent in Waterloo, am I looking at the wrong places or are my standards too high. I have found one place that is an an ideal location, and the property is well maintained. The problem is the management require that both parties interested in renting the unit view it, and also have an interview with the management company before entering into a lease. Am I the only one that finds this ridiculous, especially if I can provide enough evidence that I am capable of paying the rental fees myself, and a courteous tenant that will maintain the rental unit, or does it make sense for it to be a process similar to hiring someone in a management position? I have heard from friends that are currently renting, that they found it a very simple process and have found places in a very short period, any advice as to what I am doing wrong?

Each week that goes by without me finding a place, is causing me to have doubts in the cities I was born and raised. Perhaps my traveling has spoiled me or it has opened my eyes to the reality that the city I once loved is now showing its true colours.

End of rant,

Craig

Wednesdays Works

As I have stated in previous posts about writing and sketching my thoughts, I am going to make a weekly post of anything I have worked on in the previous week.

The first image is of a stone archway that could be incorporated into a house that might be between the kitchen and dining/living room. I feel this is a good place for it as the kitchen will have a natural material for the counter-top and will give you the feeling of being in nature as you cook meals. The other place you may find the stone archway would be at the side of the house providing access from the front yard to the back, with a decorative wrought iron gate.

Stone Archway

The next image is an idea I have of what my future house could look like, if I ever have the opportunity to custom build it. The round turret would house a spiral staircase that leads to a library, and within the library there would be two comfortable reading chairs and a small side table. The spiral staircase would be the only access that visitors know of until I show them the hidden doorway through one of the bookshelves that leads to the hallway between bedrooms. I am inspired by Medieval and Gothic Architecture and therefore want to use many of those elements in my design.

Medieval/Gothic house with spiral staircase

I have a few more ideas floating in my head and each will I will post what I have sketched in the previous week.

Craig

Waterloo Region

I have been following the plans in Waterloo Region to improve the public transit and am encouraged and discouraged by its residents.

I am in support of the plans to include Light Rail Transit in the region, although I feel that their initial idea of running it from Conestoga Mall to Fairview Mall is not the ideal choice. If I were on the transit council my plan would be for the Light Rail to run from St.Jacobs(or the Farmers Market, with buses to St.Jacobs) to the Ainslie St terminal in Cambridge. This is one of the plans the the region has, but it comes with the highest cost for local taxpayers. I understand the frustration from Cambridge Mayor Doug Craig at not being included with the current semi-approved Light Rail plan, as rapid buses are to be in place from Fairview Mall to the Ainslie St terminal, with plans in the future to expand the rail line.

I am opposed to increasing transit only using buses as this comes with higher costs by having to increase the amount of roads we have. I feel the biggest issue is vehicles with one occupant, and in this situation that requires households to own more than one vehicle. If it is possible for residents to remove one vehicle it could save them thousands of dollars over the year through maintenance, fuel, and insurance. With this extra income they have the option to treat themselves to anything they want, holidays, house renovations, and have the monetary funds available when an emergency occurs.

The first step that needs to be taken in the Region is a central hub that connects buses, Light Rail, VIA Rail and GO Transit, which is currently in the works in Kitchener. Once this hub is built we will have the option to take VIA Rail to several cities on Southwestern Ontario and as far East as Montreal, which can then connect to other cities. By having this option we can hop on a bus at a stop, hopefully only a short distance from our doorstep, to the central hub, and if anyone works in the GTA they can transfer to the GO Train. From this hub I would also like to see the GO Train or VIA Rail have a link to Pearson International Airport, Waterloo Regional International Airport and London Airport. Currently the only transportation options residents of Waterloo have to airports are from a family member, friend and Airways Transit/Taxi. When a friend or family drives you it is convenient but it can become tiresome after a while if you fly frequently, and the cost from Airways Transit/Taxis is too high in my personal opinion, so I would like to have a cost effective option with convenience.

While the Region works on improving the public transit they need to improve the other methods of moving about the city, by this I mean better maintained sidewalks and increased bicycle lanes. Obviously with these improvements safety comes into question, and I feel confident that Waterloo will do a good job. Having read a few statements from people concerned about taking the small town charm from the cities that make up Waterloo Region I understand their concern when it comes to improving transit by installing Light Rail, but we also need to look at the major employers currently operating here. Of the three highest employers two are involved with investing and insurance, while the third is in the Information Technology business and is known around the world for its innovation, and with these three companies operating here I feel that the small town charm has gone, so why not move forward and embrace what the Region can offer its future residents without harming the current ones. I am looking forward to what the Region implements, but it is up the its residents, and if you disappoint the residents they will move from the Region and advise others to do the same or convince people to not move here.

This will be my first full year living in Waterloo Region with my partner, and I am looking forward to it even if it comes across in some of my posts and potentially not enjoying it. I shall participate in the events hosted by each city throughout the year and am looking forward to new events coming to the area. If you would like anymore info here are a few websites to better inform you:

Pro LRT - Tri-Cities Transport Action Group

Opposed to LRT - Taxpayers for Sensible Transit

Region of Waterloo - Rapid Transit Info

What are your thoughts on the future plans the Region has in store, and what is something you would like to see come to the Region or for councilors to change or implement?

Craig

Fire: Mesmerising to Fierce

You are sitting on a stump shortly after sunset watching the smoke float majestically towards the sky as the flames tips lick the air. You find your body slowly relaxing as you are mesmerised by the flames dancing with each other, and feel the warmth emanate and envelope you making your comfort with nature more enjoyable. After a few moments you are disturbed by the thought that you need to satisfy your hunger, so you move from your comfortable position to find food to grill over the open flames. As you are cooking your vegetable and meat over the heat and flames, while enjoying the intoxicating aromas, you marvel at your ancestors for discovering fire entirely by accident when a piece of flint was hit against another piece, yet you also thank them for this discovery as it adds new elements and flavours to your daily sustenance. After enjoying your meal the night would not be complete with having a smore over the coals of the ever decreasing fire before you go off to sleep.

While on your drive home you see smoke rising in the distance, and as you move closer to it you are aware that a forest fire is happening. This fire is destroying everything in its path and is difficult to control due to strong winds, and is increasingly moving towards houses and a nature reserve. As you proceed past it you hope that the wind changes as you don`t want any people or animal harmed and are aware after the fire burns out, the earth will rejuvenate itself to be more brilliant than it ever was, and look forward to seeing this.

Craig

Next installment - Water: Tranquil to Rabid

Thoughts & Sketches

Having started this new blog I have found new inspiration in my surroundings and am putting effort towards writing my thoughts, and drawing sketches of any creative ideas I have. In order to do this I have purchased a sketch book that I have by my bed as most of these thoughts appear to me just as I am in the process of falling asleep.

I lack the skills to sketch properly, but as I will continue doing it I should gain a better understanding as I progress and practice. As with the sketch book I have a book to teach me how to draw simple objects and give me different perspectives on scenery and people.

So far I have sketched what I would like my bed, audio/video stand, and coffee table to look like, and hope to make these myself someday. I am in the process of changing the header of my blog as well with photos that I have taken myself, and a few other features, but I don't want to give all of it away just yet, you will have to come back in the future to see what has been done.

Craig

Nottingham, England

Well I have arrived back in Ontario after a two week holiday visiting Emma and friends in Nottingham, England. I had a wonderful time and am sad that I needed to come back as I enjoy living in that city. Over the two weeks I have been out for dinner more times than the last year, and in a pub to have a drink, all but one day. Even though we speak the same language(sort of) it is a different culture, but probably not something that most people will notice spending only a few weeks there on holiday.

As I lived in England for 15 months I am familiar with the citizens and their daily lives and how they differ from that of Canadians. For me the biggest difference is the city life, everything revolves around living in cities. In North America people work in the city centre(if you can call it that), then drive back to their homes in the suburbs and don't interact with others around them, whereas in England people work in the city centres(live in the centre as well as suburbs) and remain there for hours to go shopping, meet with friends for drinks, go to the cinema or theatre and congregate in the open market square for any events happening. While observing this you get a real sense of community and discover attributes from your own nation that irritate you, especially when the world around believes Canadians to be some of the friendliest people. Yet having travelled to many places over the past years I am not being a witness to this belief.

My second largest observational difference in how the citizens moves about the city, public transit v personal transport. Throughout Europe public transit is the biggest means of transportation for moving from house to work and social venues. In North America the car has been the dominant means of transportation for the past five decades and possibly longer. With the idea of public transit I feel it adds to the sense of community you get with the citizens of cities and outlying areas.

After reading this you probably think that I am only interested in city life, that's not the case. I do enjoy living in the countryside but you can't deny the convenience of living in a city and when you want to experience the country life you have the option to go for a drive, camping or hiking(all if you own a car). Another point I would like to make is that European cities have been established for a much longer period of time than all of North America and therefor have the upper-hand when it comes to city planning and catering to the residents.

Over the next few weeks I shall be adding new posts that are in line with this one, feel free to add your two cents on the topics at hand

Craig

Air: Peace to Rage

As you wake from a peaceful slumber you're senses are bombarded with the fresh sights and sounds of a new day. After having moved from the bed to your balcony you notice it will be a hot day, but you find relief from the breeze cooling your skin, your significant other baking fresh bread in the kitchen, you also find wonder in watching the birds swoop and dash about on the air pockets. Having enjoyed these sights for a few moments, you enjoy your breakfast with your significant other, and after you take a stroll to the beach at the base of your vacation home, as you take a seat on the beach you admire the waves crashing on the rock while taking notice of the faint saltiness aroma being blown in from the ocean. Unfortunately this is the final day of your peaceful vacation away from the stresses of everyday life in the city, but with this you have one final experience with air, your flight home. While on the flight you marvel at the achievement of humankind being able to harness such a powerful force, and am thankful for this opportunity to be able to enjoy such holidays.

You have now been home for several days and as you watch the news you see a report that a hurricane has destroyed the vacation home you stayed in. With this thought in your head you are again thankful for the peace and memories that the air has brought you, but also aware of the destruction it can bring.

This was the second installment to my thoughts on the elements. Do you have any thoughts on air or earth?

Craig

The next installment is - Fire: Mesmerizing to Fierce

Earth: Creation to Destruction

You're alone in a field, to your left is a forest, to the right mountains. As you look tot he sky you see a storm coming, which way to you turn for shelter. If it were me I would have trouble deciding as both places can provide ample shelter. Hiding below the canopy of the trees is a remarkable sight and the sound of rain on leaves in relaxing. During the storm some rain has come through, and after, you have the aroma of fresh damp soil and flora.

If you ran to the mountains you have the opportunity to hide in a cave from the approaching storm. The cave offers a different setting from the forest, as it offers the strength of the earth and the peacefulness of darkness, but if you suffer from claustrophobia, you hope you didn't make the wrong decision. While hiding in the cave you discover the means to create fire, and when the fire is raging, you see stories of the past written into the rock. These stories are from the earth shaping to its current form, and civilizations past, whose story is told through drawings and symbols.


After the storm has passed you emerge from the forest, or cave, to discover a landslide has destroyed the fringe of the forest, and a volcano has erupted in the distance and clouded the beautiful sky above. Yet in your mind you see this as a humble message to humankind from nature that she is keeping us in check, and to not take her for granted and destroy the beauty that has been provided.


This is my view of the Earth element. What do you see when in nature and what are your thoughts about earth(not the planet), but soil, flora, rock, etc.


Craig

Next installment - Air: Peace to Rage

Blog Inspiration

The inspiration for this blog came from my love of earth, air, fire and water, hence the Elemental in the title. As for the alchemy well that's drawn from my interest in the fantasy genre from novels, history and video games. If it were not for the elements, alchemy would never have been attempted, and I feel alchemy is the precursor to modern day sciences like chemistry, biology and psychology.

Turning a New Leaf

So I decided the other blog I have is not doing me justice, as I feel limited to what I can write on it. The reason I started this one is so I can write of the quirky things I view throughout the week and other odd thoughts that pop into my head. Most of those thoughts tend to appear while I am falling asleep and when I wake they have gone. My new leaf is to write these thoughts down before I forget them in order to improve my memory and find my true interests.

I have a very difficult time writing my thoughts and getting my ideas to paper. This is part of the reason I have started to go back to school and will continue to do so. Yes it may take me 5+ years to get a degree/certificate in anything, but it is the best way for me to do so. The other reason I have started this new blog is to teach myself HTML/XHTML and a graphic design program, so if anyone has advice or knows of an online course I could take(low cost or free) it would be very helpful.

Anyway enough of my rant, enjoy your day and I shall have a new post in a couple days, and please give me feedback on the look of the blog so far. I know a few things that need to be adjusted and will get to them when I have adequate time to play with the finer details.

Craig