Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die

This is my 300th Post!!!
I would love to travel to France one day.

Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without

E is for...

If you remember rightly, i started an Alphabet Game back in May 2009 and my last letter i achieved was D back in December 2010. I will continue where i left off. Below is a link where you can catch up on the first 4 letters of the alphabet.

http://applesgosplat.blogspot.com/search/label/Alphabet
From May 1st 2009 - "This is going to be a project of mine where i will Alphabetize things that are important to me. If you follow along, hopefully you will learn things about me. I will be photographing the letters of the alphabet with things that also mean something to me. I will try to be as creative as possible."


E is for...

• Eggs - I love eggs. Eggs for Breakfast, Eggs, for Lunch, Eggs for Dinner
• Emu - You can take the boy out of the country but you can't take the country out of the boy
• Endomondo -I use this program on my Phone to track my exercise and training program. It is very good for my motivation.
• Erections - Who doesn't love Erections? (I won't be photographing this)
• Energy - Energy is important to me as I need lots of it for Cycling.

Stand by, Photo to come.....

Snapbucket

Trying out Snapbucket for Android on my Samsung Galaxy S Fascinate.
This is limited in Filters and effects but for a small little app, works great. Enough for the hipster look to your photos to share on social media sites.

Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist

Day 12 - A picture of something you love

High Blood Pressure

Back in December 2010 while getting my blood pressure checked for my Hernia Surgery, the nurse told me i should get my blood pressure checked, which i did and sure enough my blood pressure was higher then it should be.

Systolic Pressure is the maximum pressure in blood vessels when the heart beats.
Diastolic Pressure is the minimum pressure in blood vessels when the heart relaxes between beats.

My Highest reading was taken in December which was 165/90.
High Systolic Pressure is 140 and above. High Diastolic is 90 and above.

Results from 20th December 2010 -- http://acbcycling.blogspot.com/2011/06/blood-pressure.html
Results from 4th January 2011 -- http://acbcycling.blogspot.com/2011/06/blood-pressure_27.html
Results from 16th January 2011 -- http://acbcycling.blogspot.com/2011/06/blood-pressure_7919.html

Todays Photo

Taken at Three Mile Beach, Penticton. June 26th 2011

Day 11 - A picture of something you hate

Day 10 - A picture of the person you do the most ****** up things with

Finding Your True North: Corning to Ellensburg

Finding Your True North: Corning to Ellensburg

I was recently reminded of the great memory from my first trip to Canada in 2009.

This is an excerpt from the story i wrote on our blog page.
"When the roads clear up and you have been driving slowly, it can lead to a false perception that the traction on the car will be good. Barreling down the roads that have been ice for that last 50 miles is always a good idea."

Day 09 - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most

My Mother, what more need i say?, she raised me.

Day 05 - A picture of your favorite memory

I don't have an actual photo of a memory but here is a photo of many memories that I love. Christmas is a great time of year when it's spent with family.

Day 06 - A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day

Lance Armstrong

Day 08 - A picture that makes you laugh

The Drive Home

This is a photo from yesterdays Drive Home. The First Day of summer with the sunsetting at about 9.20pm. This was taken with my phone and doesn't do it justice. The colors of the clouds were amazing.

Day 07 - A picture of your most treasured item

Day 07 - A picture of your most treasured item
I know i have missed a few days but when i have time, i will catch up.
This is a picture of my most treasured item, a livestrong wristband that i wear everyday. My girlfriend bought me this and it reminds me to live life to the fullest. LIVESTRONG!!

Penticton Cycling Club

Sunday, i took my first ride with Penticton Cycling Club. I am hoping to meet some new friends through this club and to join a lot rides. The details of my first ride can be found on my Cycling Diary blog. http://acbcycling.blogspot.com/2011/06/first-penticton-cycling-club-ride.html

It was an awesome ride and this route i wouldn't have ever found without the cycling club. I no doubt will find plenty more routes and gain a lot of riding fitness and experience.

PACA's June Newsletter is out in case you missed it, here it is

Also here is there Facebook Page http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=33817843601&v=wall

Day 03 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show

Day 03 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show

Fathers Day

Today is Sunday June 19th 2011 and it is Fathers Day. In Australia, Fathers Day is the First Sunday of September.

Humming Birds

 

Once again, i had some time to try and get some Humming bird photos. Today they were in particularly comfortable mood and kept coming back for more. I was able to get a few good shots of the two birds that were feeding from our feeder. There is an orange one that i have seen feeding from our feeder before but i haven't had the luck of capturing him on film.

Other Photos
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=7117299&l=a136113af8&id=696244598

Chinese Restaurant

Took at trip to the Westbank Library and happened upon a Chinese Restaurant, Hong Kong Gardens. Will have to try it out one day.

Day 02 - A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest

Day 02 - A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest.
This is Bridget and I in Australia on the Great Ocean Rd, Victoria.

Lake Okanagan

Okanagan Lake is a large, deep lake in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia. The lake is 135 km long, between 4 and 5 km wide, and has a surface area of 351 km². The lake's maximum depth is 232 meters near Grant Island. The lake is drained by the Okanagan River, which exits the lake's south end in Penticton, after flowing over a small dam.

As of the 14th of June, the Lake was 4.8 cm above Full Pool. This is the Boat Launch Ramp in Peachland at the corner of Princeton Ave and Highway 97. As you can see that the water is over lapping the piers. I doubt that these piers will be usable for a few weeks. The next few weeks will be interesting in seeing how high the lake will actually rise. Trepenair Creek is still flowing fairly quickly but water levels have dropped slightly which i'm pretty sure is the same for the other creeks in the region.

Postal Strike

Since June 15th, we have had a Postal Strike here in Canada which means we haven't had any mail delivery since then.
Even the Mail Boxes are closed so mail isn't being held for days, which then can be destroyed by hoodlums.




The News Article from Peachland News

Day 01 - A picture of yourself with ten facts

 
Day One - A Picture of yourself with Ten Facts

Here is a photo of me, freshly shaven for the first time in over 6 months. By the end of this 31 day journey, you will see how much beard growth i have as i won't shave till the 31st day of this 30 day challenge.
My last blog update lists all the challenge steps that will reveal a little something about me each and every day over the next month.

Fact 10 : Born and Raised in Australia with Filipino Heritage
Fact 9 : I totally love British Columbia, Canada
Fact 8 : My Favorite Sport is Cycling
Fact 7 : My Favorite Drink is Iced Coffee
Fact 6 : I Drive a 1998 Dark Green Pontiac Sunfire GT standard transmission with almost 300 000 kilometres
Fact 5 : I wish i could be Jason Bourne
Fact 4 : I would spend my last $5 on a phone call to my mother
Fact 3 : I rarely drink alcohol and i don't smoke or do drugs
Fact 2 : I believe in God and i was happily raised Catholic
Fact 1 : I feel at home at a Nudist Beach

30 Day Challenge

• Day 01 - A picture of yourself with ten facts

• Day 02 - A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest

• Day 03 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show

Day 04 - A picture of your night

• Day 05 - A picture of your favorite memory

• Day 06 - A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day

• Day 07 - A picture of your most treasured item

• Day 08 - A picture that makes you laugh

• Day 09 - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most

• Day 10 - A picture of the person you do the most ****** up things with

• Day 11 - A picture of something you hate

• Day 12 - A picture of something you love

• Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist

• Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without

• Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die

• Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you

• Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently

• Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity

Day 19 - A picture and a letter

• Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel

• Day 21 - A picture of something you wish you could forget

• Day 22 - A picture of something you wish you were better at

• Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book

• Day 24 - A picture of something you wish you could change

• Day 25 - A picture of your day

• Day 26 - A picture of something that means a lot to you

• Day 27 - A picture of yourself and a family member

• Day 28 - A picture of something you're afraid of

• Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile

Day 30 - A picture of someone you miss

Day 31 - A picture of yourself

Game 7 Stanley Cup Final

Last Night, June 15th, 2011, I watched the Stanley Cup Final Game 7 between Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins. Unfortunately, the Canucks were unable to bring home the Cup back to Canada as the Bruins came out victorious. The Final score was Canucks 0 - Bruins 4. All season, the Vancouver Canucks had been the best team in the Competition, winning the Presidents Trophy, winning the Western Conference Trophy but it was the last hurdle, the Stanley Cup that was all too much for them.

Even before the game had finished, groups of outraged fans rioted through the streets of Downtown Vancouver, over turning vehicles which they then set on fire, smashing windows of buildings and for the most part destroying anything that they could.

These photos below are some stills from the television as i sat and watched the Vancouver Riots unfold.

Trepanier Manor

*Update* 31st July 2011
http://peachlandnews.com/blog/2011/07/28/canadian-western-bank-seeks-trepanier-manor-receivership/

"The Canadian Western Bank is at the same time going after Wilshaw in the amount of $943,000 and Dafoe and Dudelzak for $1.829 million each, alleging that the three principals of the project signed a limited liability guarantee to secure the mortgage." - From the Peachland News Article Above.

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Living near Trepanier Manor, I thought I would do some research on this development and on why it is taking so long. This development proposed in 2005 offered the community of Peachland, 20 luxury homes starting at $900,000 each scattered on 25 acres of property. The Manor will also consist of a Luxury Hotel. Over the year i have lived here in Peachland, Not much at all has been done to the project, with only small amounts of work being completed. Street lights have been installed within the year but no construction on any building has started.

"The small luxury hotel at Trepanier Manor offers the best in Okanagan Valley accommodations, fine dining restaurant, hotel spa, winery, cookery school and other amenities, all operated under the superior customer service pledge of Small Luxury Hotels of the World Ltd. Overlooking Peachland and Okanagan Lake, the hotel and its offerings will always remain at the service of Trepanier Manor home owners."

According to the Website http://www.livingatthemanor.com/ 
"Just 10 of our 20 building lots remain to be sold, with a building start for five homes scheduled for spring 2011 and hotel construction slated to begin this summer." (June 12th, 2011)
According to Peachland News, Construction was supposed to Start in 2010.  Peachland News

February 8th 1010, reports state that lights, electricity were finally switched on for the 25 acre lot.
http://trepaniermanor.blogspot.com/2010/02/lights-water-action.html

Scott Wilshaw, Business person of the Year, Novermber 21st, 2009 in Peachland is apparently the mastermind behind this project. With 20 years experience in Hospitality including hotel development, sales and marketing consulting, and managing the Big White Ski Resort hotels and numerous luxury hotels in Canada and the U.K, this might have been one project which was too big for the Manor group to complete especially for a town like Peachland.

Resources:
http://spongebob82.posterous.com/51471445
http://www.livingatthemanor.com/

Finch

Hummingbird
This Hummingbird photo was taken while cooking on the barbecue. A little closer to the bird. This photo isn't absolutely perfect with the bird a little blurry but still it is a better photo then my other ones taken previously. I am gradually getting the photo i want. I just have to keep on practicing.







Finch
These photos were the best of a handful without a tripod. I should have used the tripod to be able to use a longer shutter speed as the tree was creating a fair amount of shade on the Finch Feeder.

Humming Birds

Today i was luckily able to capture this little hummingbird feeding from my feeder. Hummingbirds are cool little birds that always make me happy when i hear them buzz by. These were taken from my front deck. I have two hummingbirds that i know of that come by for a feed. Hopefully i will be seeing more of them.








And also this woodpecker taking on my Bird Feeder Tree. At the moment i am trying to figure out the species of this Woodpecker. If you know the species, please let me know as it will save me time in research.

5.0km run

Endomondo Running Workout: "was out running 5.00 km in 28m:56s using Endomondo."

Run started in the Dry and by the end of the run i was saturated from rain.
Fastest run ever.
Speed work was the key here with a fairly high heart rate for the 5.0km.

HR
AVG= 171 bpm (86% of max)
Max= 190bpm
236 cal
11g fat

Big News Article

A big News Article in Peachland and Summerland has crashed one of my favorite sites. http://www.peachlandnews.com/
Written by Dave Preston (7th June 2011) http://peachlandnews.com/blog/2011/06/07/school-bus-car-involved-in-hwy-97-accident/

A tragic accident involving a car and a school bus filled with high school students has shut down Hwy. 97 about two kilometres north of Summerland's northern boundary. It is not known what type of car was involved because emergency personnel had covered the entire vehicle in a blue tarp - usually signifying a fatality.
The bus was a 15-passenger model transporting students from Princess Margaret Secondary School in Penticton. According to a student who was at the scene but not involved in the accident, the bus was transporting students in a physical education class from the H2O Centre in Kelowna back to the Penticton School. The accident happened at about 6 p.m. Tuesday. Numerous emergency vehicles from the South and Central Okanagan decended on the scene, including four fire trucks from Summerland Fire Rescue, nine ambulances, several ambulance supervisor vehicles and many police cars.
It is not known at this time what injuries were sustained by the high school students, but one person with critical head injuries was taken by helicopter to Kelowna General Hospital. Paramedics set up a triage area on the highway and one police officer said some students were transported by ambulance to Kelowna, while others were headed to Penticton.

This weeks weather

 

Tonight (Tuesday 7th of June 2011) has been very wet with a fair bit of rain. We will see how accurate the forecast is the rest of the week.

June 4th 2011

June 4th 2011. (Kelowna, BC, Canada)
The first hot day of the year. More of the same tomorrow.
Today is also the second game of the Stanley Cup Playoff Finals between the Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins. The game starts at 5pm and we are having a bbq party to celebrate.

Drive Home

This is a picture from today's drive home after work. The weather cleared up a little after a morning of rain. The lake was looking quite lovely.