In the News: Algonquin Backpacking article in Toronto Star

This is what I would call an "ok" article where they discuss the basics of backpacking in Algonquin. Nothing really ground breaking here, but not a bad read. The highlight in my opinion is the quote below...

The park ranger remembers meeting a husband and wife after they had completed a gruelling hike – it was her first backpacking adventure.

"I asked them how it was," says McEathron.

"The woman turned to me and said, `I think my husband brought me out here to prove how much he dislikes me,' " he says with a laugh.

You can read the article in it's entirety by clicking HERE.

Thank you!

Just wanted to say thanks to all the readers that posted comments and emailed me regarding my Things I've Been Missing Lately post last week. Your words of concern and encouragement are much appreciated.

It's amazing how a week and some much needed perspective courtesy of Orville and others (See comments) has me looking at my situation with my "glass half full" goggles on. His statement of...and I quote...

"From where I stand, you are just wasting more of your youth pining away for what's gone. By the time you figure out everything you've lost, more has gone out the door."

Wow how true is that? Way to hit me where I live Orville!

He is SO right! My life is not perfect and either are all the decisions I have made, but I have a great life and have no reason to be sulking. That old expression "it could be worse" really applies here and my problems are really petty compared to others.

Thanks for the heaping spoonfuls of perspective.

Things I've Been Missing Lately

It's been weeks since posted last and for the first time since I stated this thing I have no excuses to explain it. I just didn't want to . It feels odd saying that, like I am being too honest or something, but the truth is right now, I don't care.

That said, my family has been going through some really tough times the past few weeks and if that comes off like I am fishing for sympathy....well, I am really not, but I sure would like to blow off some steam.

Things I've been Missing Lately:

1. This Blog: I know I am not the greatest writer or speller or....well, you get the idea, but I love to write here and hate that things I have no control over have changed (even temporarily) my love of this blog. It sucks and I am not happy about it.
   
2. Hockey: I want the season to start NOW. It seems like forever since I've watched the Leafs lose.
   
3. High School/ College: I miss those care free days, when I thought a hard days work was 4 hours of sitting on my ass listening to a prof. Youth really is wasted on the young and I fear I may have wasted some of mine.
   
4. Life Before Blackberry: I miss the way life was before this vile little device forced its way into my life.
   
5. Retro Fast Food: I want to go back to 1986 and have a Big Mac, but in the original Styrofoam container, fuck that cardboard crap. Remember those? I loved the little "squeak" they made when you opened one. I would sit, feathered hair, pinned jeans and all and eat without a single thought about trans fats or cholesterol. Ignorance is bliss.
6. My Mom: I miss the relationship I had with her. She was everything to me growing up, but that all changed after I was married. Oddly enough, this is the same time my relationship with my Dad improved. What would Freud say about that?
7. Opportunities: So many times I didn't do or try something for fear of looking the fool. Even now I turn down chances to do some very cool things because of this hang up. I don't like feeling this way, but the truth is....I always have.

That's all for now. Funny, I just went back and reread everything and I do seem a bit angry...maybe even crazed. I used the "F word" for the first time here. Sorry if this all seems a little crazy, but I just have lots of things to deal with at the moment and if feels good to get it out.