Yup, looking at its definition it does appear that I have joined a cult. I wasn’t paying attention and then BAM!, here I am part of a group bound together by veneration of the same thing – a Blackberry. The iPhone cult almost had their claws in me but the Blackberry group made too compelling a case. I must admit, if I was looking for a purely personal phone then the iPhone would be in my possession already, but I needed a phone that would be an email beast with a full keyboard that wasn’t on the screen. So, with the decision made, I browsed the used phone listings and found a great deal on a Blackberry Curve 8310 over the weekend. Bad timing though as it is the long weekend and so now I have to wait to get a new SIM card and a plan on Rogers.

So, I guess I should also explain why I need such a phone. This time it isn’t just a case of me wanting a cool, new toy (which has been known to happen.) In line with all the changes happening in my life situation, I have chosen a new career. While searching for a new job, I was offered a position as a mortgage consultant by an acquaintance who has a mortgage brokerage. After a couple of weeks of research and meetings with him I came to the decision to accept the offer and registered for the course I need in order to get accredited. It is not going to be an easy career to start out in since it is solely commission based, but with some hard work and perseverance I believe I will do well. It is going to offer me the opportunity be in control of my own success – the harder I work the more I am rewarded. I am really excited about this opportunity and can’t wait for the course materials to arrive this week so that I can get started.

I guess the last bit of news to share is that my goal of getting in better shape is still on track. Following my three weeks off at the beginning of July due to heel ligament damage, I am back on track with my running. I have managed to get out for seven 5k runs in the last thirteen days, even with a three day layoff with a knee injury. Yup, the same leg… it appears to be moving up the leg and so I guess the hip is next. I have been running with the knee pain for the last couple of days still, but it isn’t getting any worse and it is actually feeling pretty good tonight. I hope I can stay healthy for the next month and a half as I have signed up for the Canada Army Run 5K on September 20th and I would like to be able to run the entire thing with as few walking breaks as possible. I am a few weeks away in my training plan to running an entire 5K and so, barring any further injuries, I should be ready. Aiding me in my training is a pair of Thorlos running socks . They certainly aren’t cheap, $17 CDN after taxes, but well worth it! My feet feel refreshed after a run rather than sore and they also prevent blisters on longer runs. Not only that, but I picked up some tech shirts to help keep me cool and dry, and that they do. I don’t know how I even ran for a couple of weeks before without them – again another great investment in my training. I would like to get some Under Armor stuff to see what it is like now but can’t justify spending $40 on a shirt just yet; I am still only at 5K distances after all. If all goes well with this first run then I plan on doing the Run for a Cure 5K in October as well. Wish me luck in keeping healthy!

So what are you waiting for? Go to the link below, select Chris Dunn and press the vote button!

Finalists for the “what would you do with 99%” contest

You never know, you may be the next one to enjoy the results of the winnings with a fabulous BBQ dinner hosted by yours truly.

Nevertheless, we celebrated the holiday over the 4-day weekend like everyone else – and we celebrated it real good! Cindy’s friend, Kat, and her boyfriend, Ollie, arrived in town from London on Thursday night to visit family (and us!) That night we headed into town for (quite) a few pints and managed to close down the bars. Granted, it was a Thursday and they closed down earlier than we are used to, but it was probably a blessing in disguise since I was still feeling the after effects the next day. I spent Friday resting up as I knew I had busy day coming on Saturday since everyone was coming for a BBQ (known as a “braai” in South Africa I learned). In addition to Kat and Ollie, Nicole and Dave (Ollie’s sister and her boyfriend) and Erica and Ray (friends) were on the guest list at Chez Chris’ Grill. This meant getting up somewhat early and heading to the grocery store to get some supplies. On the way back home, Cindy dropped me off at the butcher where I watched them cut eight beautiful sirloin steaks for me. Once home they marinated in the fridge for eight hours while I made some apple crisp and prepared the potato wedges.

Our guests arrived shortly after 4pm and the beer started flowing, pints of gin & tonic for the ladies. Well, to be honest, for some the beer was flowing earlier at the pub since Liverpool was playing the early game, but I won’t name names. Erica and Ray made a trip to the American PX for us and came baring gifts – ranch dressing, Doritos and maple syrup! The sun was shining and we enjoyed it while relaxing on the patio, although some people found the balmy weather cold still, but it wasn’t any of the Canadians! In between beverages we managed to get the steaks grilled and dinner on the table, and I will toot my own horn and say that everything turned out pretty damn good. I made two apple crisps thinking that we would have some leftovers, but that plan failed as it went quickly. No complaints at all though, as an evening of merriment with friends and foliage-paying-it-forward was enjoyed by all (see the photos for more details).

We didn’t have much turn around time before our next scheduled eating event. Ollie and Nicole’s family was kind enough to invite us to Easter lunch/dinner – I don’t know what to call it since we started eating early in the afternoon and finished in the evening. It was simply fantastic food – and by that I mean meat, meat and more meat. There was even meat wrapped in other meat, and the stuffing was meat! There was only one green dish on the table and I think that was just to contrast the color of meat. It was all so delicious and I made sure I helped myself to seconds, although there was enough food for everyone to have fourths, and that was before the desserts were even brought out after a much needed break. Cindy even got her Easter egg hunt, although it did get a little rough with the eight or nine of us running around the house like kids. We had a great time with our substitute British family while away from home for the holidays and couldn’t thank them enough for taking us in.

So, you see. The Easter Bunny really is a whore! Ya, I don’t think I argued my point very well either.

glowing sun on face
seat for resting your tukis
good patio cheer

What? That wasn’t clear? I am surprised as haiku is unambiguous and concise by nature. Has my sarcasm come through the keyboard successfully? “So why the haiku then?” you may ask. I read somewhere that if the entry was in the 5-7-5 poem format I may have a slight advantage, and I will take any advantage I can get.

For those not attuned with Japanese poetry, here is a translation of how I would use the winnings…

New arrivals to the UK, Cindy and I have a great home with a wonderful patio and beautiful garden out back. With the recent arrival of spring, we are tempted out our back door to the warm air and cooking on the new grill – an old-school Weber charcoal grill, of course. However, our patio is missing something – furniture! I want to share my newly found grilling abilities with friends, but I feel ashamed of our naked patio with nowhere to sit. I also feel that it would be rather rude to ask people to sit on the ground and so I need some help from bview.co.uk. How are we to make new friends in our new country without proper outdoor seating arrangements? Pretty difficult task in my eyes. I know bview.co.uk can help because I see Garden Furniture World is one of their merchants; seems like a match made in heaven. Come on, help a brotha out!

During my in-depth research for the competition, I also came across some other helpful hints for winning. So here are the poetic annexes to my official entry.

in a time of need
distressful situation
safety goat saves day

safety goats needed
land of less to produce them
with first world wages

Even if I don’t win, I expect my Capra aegagrus hircus of shelter in the mail some day. (look it up)