Assiniboine Zoo

Assiniboine Zoo
Originally uploaded by mojospet.

I wish that I had something profound and funny to tell you now that I've sat before this computer and am updating my audience. But I don't really.

I'm content with life in my new home, in this new city.

My computer was having some overheating issues and so I brought it to the shop to get repaired under warrenty. I won't have it until approx. Thursday of this week. I accidentally left my flash card in my computer as well, so I can't even take photos or video footage while it's gone.

My right hand is inflamed at the moment. This always happens to me when I move or start a new job. In this case, I've done both, so I'm not surprised that my arthritis is flaring up.

I went to the Zoo today. The weather here is perfect. If you're ever going to visit Winnipeg, you should do it at the end of April or the beginning of May. Everyone has a healthy tan and most people walk around with their shirts off. The temperature is a balmy 21 C, but the sun is nice and warm. It's really the perfect mixture of natural elements.

I hope that some of you will email and let me know how you are doing.

First Day

DSCF1130
Originally uploaded by Michael Tyas.

I have been all over the city today! I got my health card and unpacked, and even toured a bit of the Forks this afternoon!

The End of Part One

It's the end of part one. I'm moving to Winnipeg in a few hours. I've got a new summer job, and over the months have been cultivating some new goals for myself. I'm going to the University of Manitoba for Environmental Studies starting in September, however I wanted to see the city and put down some roots ahead of time.

I heard this song by The Violet Archers and bought their CD immediatly. It nearly entierly encapsulates within 14 tracks where I am and how I feel at this point in my life. I've been imagining this video for a month. I feel that it's one of my best ever.

Cash Car

Cash Car
Originally uploaded by Michael Tyas.

This is the conversion rate between a car and cash.

Garage No More

My garage sale was a great success. Depending on who you ask.

Mehrnoosh said that I could have made a lot more money. I sold my original vlogging camera, the camera that started it all, for $1. Lavalamp: $1. Fireproof safe: $1.

You missed the pillage of a lifetime if you didn't show up. I only made $40.

So according to Noosh I was raped and burned on a stake. But I see it differently, because I was only interested in getting rid of all this STUFF that I didn't need or didn't have room for. I sold nearly everything except most books and an electric typewriter. I'm giving the books to a church library, and the typewriter to the salvation army.


On a larger sale, I have sold my car and had that shipped off to the buyer earlier today. It was sad to see it go, my beautiful Regina, but I'm looking forward to the cashola infushion.

Walking Home

I stepped out of the dark store wearing only a thin zip up sweater and felt the crisp air against my skin. The stars were clearly visible as I double checked the doors by yanking on them a few times. The late evening was cool, around 9 degrees, and I felt a refreshing chill as I took my first step home. My earbuds began playing the latest downloaded podcast and I found myself lost in a song that I had never heard before, the guitar plucks and drum beats matching my walking rhythm. I've walked this road, this sidewalk, this side of town for the past 7 months daily. I barely even had to think about navigating myself on the cracked sidewalks because they are so ingrained in my memory. I realized this truth and felt a little unnerved; I was asking to be hit by a car by not paying attention. I picked up the pace and tried to focus on the walk, but slowly drifted back into the soothing melody.

Garage Sale!

I'm having a garage sale on Saturday, starting at 6 AM. Come around if you are in the area! It's at the corner of Dawson and Lawrence, in Orangeville. There's lots of quality stuff that I just can't bring with me when I move to Winnipeg, and have no where to store it! Everything must go!

This isn't the first garage sale I've ever had. Renee, Sheena and I had a fundraiser in 2001 to send us to Mexico and South Africa, respectively. We made over $714! Click on the photo for more pictures of that day.


Aparently I had no fashion sense back then, either.

The final countdown.

I have not had the time to properly explain myself, why and where I'm moving to in Winnipeg, and why so early. Answers will follow, rest assured.

Super Spies circa 2001.

Click To Play

Since I'm in the middle of packing for Winnipeg, I'm coming across all these old memories burned onto CD. I have always enjoyed playing with the camera, even as a kid, and my siblings and I would often get together to make funny skits on video. Eventually I grew out of it and decided to pursue a serious career in the media industry in Los Angeles. Now it's welcoming me back.

Starring are my kid brother and sister Paul and Leah, and Leah's friend.

Pay special attention to the calculator, and the A: Drive. Oh, and the special sound the computer makes is a cameo guest star voice appearance.

This video was filmed around 2001.

Poetry

Poetry
Originally uploaded by Michael Tyas.

I found this slip of paper while I was cleaning up my room and separating all my belongings into piles; throw out, keep, or sell. I used to get inspiring ideas at work and would write them down so I wouldn't forget. I wish that I could remember what this was inspiring.

Easter Chill

Click To Play

I really wanted to explore my favorite hike in the world during the winter, however the opportunity to visit in the last 6 months didn't come up, and all the snow melted away.

Thanks to a freak Easter Chill I got to experience the forest with a dusting of snow across the oranges, browns, and greys! It was a great day.

Cross Season

I've been having a little fun with Photoshop. This is a picture from my favorite hike in the world, taken over two seasons in the same position!

Here are a few links to my Flickr album where you can see more seasonal cross sections.
Pine River
The Lookout

Zambia and Beyond

One of my best friends in the world is traveling to Zambia to help get out AIDS awareness and work with orphans. She has started a blog called To Zambia and Beyond which will chronicle her mission and fund raising efforts. Give her site a visit and read the archives for pertinent information if you so desire.

The Arrived

Click to play

I spend the evening with my brothers and their friends. We shoot each other to the death.

Formats available: Quicktime (.mov)

Love my pills

Love my pills
Originally uploaded by Michael Tyas.

My pills are life enabling. They must also be taken with food. Lately I've been eating like a mad man. I need to gain weight before I move to Winnipeg because it's so cold there and I have no insulation. I'm developing a small pudgey wudge around my belly button. Most people say that it's only visible when I am sitting or bent over, but I can feel it giggle when I walk and am beginning to get self conscious about it. Images of a skinny white man with a bowling ball, etc. I've started to do sit ups to combat the bulge (tiny as it may be) and my pills prevent my joints from turning to cement. Apo-Hydroxyquine is primarily used to treat and prevent malaria. It's effective arthritis prevention is a mystery.

Mark it and make plans

Valancy Jane has declared June 20th to be 'meet other bloggers day.'

On June 20th, 2005, I by chance met up with Valancy Jane in the flesh in Los Angeles.

on June 20th, 2006, I by chance met up with Therese, VJ's best friend in the whole wide world, in Toronto. Those two haven't even met yet!

Sounds like a sign to me. Start planning now!

Lost Fall

As you may remember, autumn is my favorite time of the year. I brought my friends to my favorite hiking spot for the first time last fall, but I didn't edit it right away because the timing wasn't right. I wanted to savour the memory and wait for a miserable rainy day in the spring to recall our wonderful day together.

The video is purposely large because I wanted to capture in quality the beauty of the season.

Update: Mehrnoosh beat me to the vlog months ago. Here is her take on the day.

Update 2: The video took place over three regions. The first hike was at Mono Centre. Secondly, we visited Superburger in Shelburne. Lastly, we took in the sights on "My Hike" at the Pine River Provincial Fishing Area.

Update 3: I find it so funny that I exclaim "Winnipeg, whatever that is!" I had no idea I would love it here to much!

Dirty Stinky Chewy

A few weeks ago Chewy was sprayed by a skunk. I was home alone and had to deal with him before I left for work.