Timo's Lightning

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More on the thunder storms I've been squawking about for the past few days. My German roommate Timo and I stood outside and watched the storm drift across the big prairie sky. Then we realized that the lightening was right above us and ran back to the house, screaming like school children. This storm system created an F4 torndao 45 km west of Winnipeg.

Spray Deodorant for Television!

Please view this video, rate it, and leave a comment. I'd like to be on TV!

Timetable Scheduling

Timetable Scheduling
Originally uploaded by Michael Tyas

First step was to jot down all my available classes so I could pick them apart later. I have succeeded! I've got big spaces for lunch and my Tuesdays and Thursdays are heavy, but manageable. I've also got lots of time to work in the afternoon/evening at a job or studying, or to have a SOCIAL LIFE.

And then I said:

We're getting tornadoes like mad! I'm telling you, the tornadoes are coming for me! I've been telling everyone this for a month. Manitoba has had 5 tornado watches in 7 days. Everyone in this province is skinning their teeth and wondering who they must throw overboard. They're about to cast lots. I'm doomed!

This is some amateur footage, the best I've seen so far, of the Elie twister.

City Blood, Country Heart

>Click to listen to my theme song.

I feel very lucky to have made my way to Winnipeg. It's a big city with a small town feel. I don't feel lost or out of place and most people I've met have been phenomenally nice and generous. Winter aside, I think that I'm going to really enjoy myself here in the next 4 years.

I've chosen this song, City Blood, Country Heart by Patrick Brealey & the Knives for two reasons. The first being, it reminds me of the people in Winnipeg.

And secondly, it reminds me of a story my mom tells me every once in a while to deflate my ego. I was born in the city and lived downtown Toronto for the first two years of my life. My parents decided to make the move to rural Shelburne when I was five. We had no sooner arrived and unpacked when my mother rushed outside to the squealing cries of a five year old and found me in a tree, hanging on for dear life, three feet above the ground.

"And that's when I knew that you were a city boy," she says.

P.S.

I vaguely remember this event as well. When my mom came to rescue me, she made fun of me.

Another Actual Conversation

I'm talking to Joy in South Africa

Joy: I just realized that I need to buy some furniture for my Japanese apartment.

Me: Don't they have furnished apartments over there.

Joy: They've got a fridge and a washing machine and carpet and a bed, I think.

Me: You're sure that the bed isn't a heap of cloth on the floor? You know, Japanese culture is different than what you're sued to.

Joy: Ach MAN! I don't need a bed! Just give me the floor, a concrete slab!

Me: Lie hell you don't need a bed. What concrete floor are you going to sleep on, an S shaped one? (in reference to her scoliosis).

Joy: You are a bastard.

Bolt!

Bolt!
Originally uploaded by Michael Tyas

My on the spot attempt at capturing lightening during a storm this evening. Note to self: TRI POD.

The main storm is drifting past the southern end of the city far away. It was safe, however once I noticed there was a little bit of activity in the sky above me and I connected the fact that I was standing in the middle of a school field like a human lightening rod I scampered back home.

WINNIPEG at 9:45

WINNIPEG at 9:45
Originally uploaded by Michael Tyas

The air is thick with the anticipation of a late night thunderstorm.
It's no wonder they call it "SUNNY MANITOBA!"

Of course, I'll be paying for all this sunlight in the winter. For every action there is an equal reaction.

If I die before I wake (updated)

Monday, June 25
****Update of the previous 4 updates. It's the same story all over, AGAIN. Tonight should be the last night of crazy weather. Here is a recap of what's been going on this weekend.

Friday, June 22 and repeated on Saturday, June 23
****
This is an update from yesterday. It's like Deja Vu!

A picture of yesterday's G4 tornado.

There's a tornado producing storm sitting on top of Winnipeg at the moment (again). I've been saying that the tornadoes are coming to get me for a month now. It would be pretty neat to predict my own death on my blog, wouldn't it?

Update:

We're all in the basement.

Update:

Here's what went down.

Follow along with my provinces crazy weather here.

The Truth

The Truth
Originally uploaded by Michael Tyas

Renee's BBQ

Renee has returned from Africa and, most recently, Ontario, to spend 7 weeks in the fair city of Winnipeg. Coincidentally, I am here too. Coincidentally, she is one of my best friends in the entire world.

I'm making new friends, however. Well, actually they're all Renee's really good friends and I've kind of weaseled my way in, but I think that they're all quality and I feel like they like me because I feel good about myself when I hang around them. I was having so much fun that I forgot to give this video a proper introduction, climax, or ending. It's all peanut butter with no bread.

Formats available: Windows Media (.wmv), Flash Video (.flv)

Look into my eyes

I'm gonna fuck you over
Originally uploaded by Michael Tyas

I was clubbing at the Empire on Saturday evening and don't remember taking this shot. Maybe I have an alter ego?

And no, I wasn't taking drugs Lynn.