Author: Doug Rutherford

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Fox Lake trip

Camping resumes.

June 10

The second camping trip of the year commences! Again, we headed to Fox Lake for a bit of “out of town” and a bit of fishing if the weather was to work out. It would be a bit of a broken trip, since I had to come back into town on Friday. To do this, my daughter drove out with Clara’s truck so I could come back in.

Our first day was a lazy one. I drove out in the motorhome with the cats. We tried a new experiment with bringing them in separate carriers. This was not a successful as I would have liked, since the soul rending meowing from Furball made it hard to concentrate on the road. However, we did make it to the lake without incident.

campsite image
Our site for the weekend.

We spent most of the day setting up, since we brought far more stuff with us this time. Eventually, we settled down to sleep, with the cats settling for the upper bunk, at first. Darcy did show up several times for a head bump and to make sure my beard was appropriately groomed. Clara’s cheeks apparently needed washing on several occasions through the night. She did finally head back up to the upper bunk and fell asleep with on her sooky blanket with her stuffy. She may be Daddy’s Little Panther, but she’s Daddy’s little baby, too.

June 11

Day 2 was a lazy day. I didn’t bring the boat out since the forecast was quite windy for Wednesday and Thursday, and I thought I would wait to bring the boat Friday. It was gusty most of the day and so far, I haven’t had the awning up except for a few hours today.

We used the occasion to have a lazy day. Several naps were the high point of Thursday, since the joy pf camping is saying, “Screw it, I’m going to read or lay down for a while.” Even the cats jumped into the schedule with full abandon.

I have noticed we seem to be using more water than budgeted. This may take some consideration. We had a late supper, and eventually settled down to sleep. Yes, this did involve some more beard grooming, but this has become a nightly ritual.

June 12

We woke early, so I could go back into town, get my knee X-rayed, get the boat, and do a bit of shopping. It is obvious we are using way more water than I had hoped with the original plan of staying until Sunday. The grey and black tanks are also 2/3 full. We need to work on water management better. I did bring back another large water jug in case we run out. Filling the grey and black tanks is a small issue compared to having no water at all. Yes, it sounds a bit odd parked next to a lake but giardia is not my idea of a fun time.

Furball was pretty desolate on the way home, so I decided we should try putting them in a bigger, single carrier. We did that when I took them to the vet but they hissed and howled at each other and I figured Darcy was going to murder poor Furball in his carrier. The handle on the carrier broke, so we took it back and bought two single carriers. We put them in the bigger one and Darcy was hissing in less than five minutes. I think there’s no way I’m going to win on this so we’ll try using the bigger carrier for a while. They did drive to Whitehorse from Port Alberni in the same sized carrier so this shouldn’t be an issue.

We got back around supper time and it was quite windy, blowing hard from the north with thick white caps. I held off launching the boat until after supper when the weather turned rather calm. I had the boat tied to the dock and it was shortly after that the wind came up again, and again from the north. I took and potential plans of a late night fishing trip on dead calm water, like it was the previous night when we went to bed. I went back to the dock and checked my lines three times before going to bed. I did cheat and make sure I tied it bow into wind at the dock.

I will certainly say one thing. I’ve seen several different cloud formations this weekend. The clearing sky to the north at midnight this evening was a bit odd looking, for sure.

cloud image
Clouds.

June 13

The wind was as bad or worse today. I checked my lines earlier in the morning and retied them. I managed to wear away some of the dock, the boat was bouncing so much. There seemed to be no indication it would die down anytime soon and I spent a fair amount of time thinking of hauling it out and taking it home, rather than waiting until the next day.

The wind at Fox Lake.

I did make one minor goof. We brought all of the cats’ leads home and in forgot to bring them back to the campsite with us. All there was left was a short leash in the truck. This meant you could only take one for a walk at a time, meaning there was much unhappiness from the one left behind. This ended as part of the windy weather, since neither one was out for long before crying to go back into the camper.

We did discover that friends whose cottage is next to the campsite were there for a bit and we dropped in after supper, and after I had pulled the boat. This was not an easy task, although the wind wasn’t the problem. Someone in their infinite wisdom parked their boat trailer in front of mine. I had to wiggle it out by hand and the language that may have accompanied the task was not for all audiences.

By the time the boat was fully put away and I put a fire in, the lake had calmed down considerably. I wasn’t totally surprised since it had to stop blowing eventually. But, it was after 10 PM and I wasn’t turning around and relaunching the boat, only to have to take it out again tomorrow morning anyway.

Suffice to say, the lake turned a little nicer, although not nice enough to justify throwing the boat back in…

Nice sunset looking north.
Nice sunset looking north.
sunset image
Midnight, looking south towards town.

June 14

We got up early today. We opted to skip breakfast (actually I skipped breakfast, since Clara got up earlier than I did), and got the two vehicles packed up to head back. We still need to figure out the organization of the camper a bit. This was done under the watchful eye of Furball who figured something was up. Darcy was too wound up to care until I put her in the camper for the drive home. Since Clara took the truck, I put the carrier in the passenger seat so they could see me while we were driving. This started with Darcy grooming Furball, followed by Darcy hissing and spitting at him 30 seconds later. I told them to settle down and, oddly enough it did. They were both asleep in two minutes and stayed that way most of the way home.

All in all, a nice weekend despite the lack of fishing. I’m sure I can find a chance to fix that situation in the near future…

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The experiment continues

In a fit of persistence or insanity, the cats and I are spending the night in the camper again. I have rum. It may be necessary.

I have not only rum, by the way. After Darcy’s failure to appreciate the joys of camping the other night, I have two weapons. I have the kitty tent, given to me by a friend, and I brought the cat carrier. Both are quite friendly, safe places the cats enjoy.

Furball picture
Furball and the carrier

Oh, I forgot. I have something else. I have catnip, and now, so do the carrier and the tent. This may work…

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Science

As you may know, we conduct experiments because we don’t know how things will turn out. Research is not done on things where we know the answers, but because we don’t know the answers.

Last night’s experiment had mixed results. Furball seemed to take reasonably well to the camper, although he took a long time to settle down and didn’t stay settled the whole night. Darcy did not settle down at all, except for a short period between 5:30 and 6 AM when she and Furball curled up together on my feet.

She tried to find any way out, and was skittish at any noise at all. This becomes a bit of a problem since the robins chirp loudly all hours by this time of year and there was a bit of a wind last night. At 7 this morning, I gave up and brought them in. Since none of us really slept, we all trundled upstairs to bed. By the way, Clara was so worried over how the cats would adapt that, even though she was in the house, she didn’t sleep a wink last night.

I guess the next step is to try again some night this week. When we travel, they’ll be in the big carrier anyway, so I’ll bring that out as well. The carrier, or as we call it, kitty jail, is actually something they’re both rather fond of and they may find it a bit of a comfortable place to hide out from the evil robins that dwell outside the camper. I’m not sure how it will turn out, but, this is how science works, after all…

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Indocrinating new cult members

For those not aware, we got two cats two months ago. They were rescues, and friends brought them up from Port Alberni. However, after taking this time to get used to us and the house, tonight is the time when we determine if they will be real Rutherford cats or not. Tonight is the first night they get to sleep in the motorhome. We are only spending the night in the driveway, so this should be easy enough.

This has not progressed without trauma. Furball is the first to find the upper bunk. Darcy is still trying to find a way out. She knows where the door is, and is sitting in front of it rather expectantly.

Image of Furball

Furball and the upper bunk.

Darcy at the window.
Darcy at the window.

Soon they will be willing members of the camping cult. After all, as a good Daddy, the bag of treats came out of the house with me and I have learned the power of bribery. When I turn the lights out and go to bed, they will probably climb in with me as usual and all will be normal… even in the camper…

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Back to the Future?

Given the reminders that 2015 represents the year when Back to  the Future II takes place, we should look at a few more upcoming movie temporal placements:

2015: Back to the Future II

2018: Rollerball

2019: Blade Runner

2022: Soylent Green

2027: Children of Men

2029: The Terminator

Most of these aren’t really good to think of, given that most don’t speak well of the future to come. However, don’t panic. After all, look which movie settings have passed:

Early 1950s: War of the Worlds

c. 1960: Fahrenheit 451

1977: The Omega Man

1984: 1984

1997: 12 Monkeys

1997: Escape from New York

2001: 2001: A Space Odyssey

2010: District 9

How much of this has happened? Oh wait. Some of it has…

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It’s time to look at the costs

Today, the Yukon Government announced that they will appeal the decision of the Yukon Supreme Court’s Decision to overturn the amended land use plan for the Peel River drainage. The timing is interesting, in that the announcement comes shortly after the legislative session has ended and the house will not sit again for several months.

This was the result of a suit filed to deal with the government’s implementation of their own land use plan for the Peel, overturning the process and decision of the Peel Watershed Planning Commission after five years of consultation and $1.6 million in costs.

The original plan called for protection of 80% of the region. The government, however, unilaterally rejected the plan and presented their own calling for protection of less than 30% of the region.

The Na-Cho Nyak Dun and the Tr’ondek Hwech’in First Nations, along with the Yukon Conservation Society and the Yukon chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, filed a suit arguing the government’s new plan unilaterally ignored the planning process, part of the Yukon First Nations’ Umbrella Final Agreement, and hence, is constitutionally protected.

This is not the Yukon Government’s first foray into clashing with Yukon First Nations over traditional lands. The Ross River Dena Council successfully sued the territorial government in 2012 over requiring consultation for granting staking on traditional lands. The government appealed the Yukon Supreme Court decision to the Supreme Court of Canada, which refused to hear the appeal.

The Kaska Dena Council have also filed similar suit in May of 2014. Ross River also filed another suit over failure to consult over the issue of big game hunting permits in August 2014.

All of these issues seem to stem from the complete failure of the Yukon Government to understand their role vis–à–vis first nation governments in the territory and the proven in law rights and responsibilities of governments on first nations’ traditional territories.

Under the Umbrella Final Agreement, a constitutionally protected agreement, first nations have the right in Yukon to devolve any territorial government power and have that funded from Yukon Government revenue. What this basically means is that a first nations government in Yukon is the constitutional equivalent of the territorial government.

Perhaps, for perspective’s sake, the Yukon Government should look at this from the other side, namely, that the government is the equivalent of a first nation and the premier is the equivalent of a first nation chief.

Until the government governs the territory in this manner, they will continue to throw away taxpayer’s money on suits they have no hope of winning, and for no other logical purpose than to save face. Unfortunately, when it comes to relations with Yukon First Nations, the government has no more face to save.

These trials have cost a substantial amount of tax money, wasted because the government does not understand or want to understand their position in the constitutional milieu. What would be quite fair is for the government to publicly announce how much has be spent since 2011 on law suits filed by first nations. These number should be made public before the appeal is filed…

 

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That time of year

Dove imageOnce again that time of year has come. Quickly, as you can guess. I’ve had no time to even get around sending my Christmas cards. Fortunately, there are 12 days of Christmas so I can still send them off in the season.

Tomorrow, I’ll get a chance to make a few phone calls and talk to family and friends. Until then, I wish you the best of the season: peace on earth and goodwill towards all.

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Analog to digital

In May 2013, I posted that I had started using an electronic cigarette on occasion. The brand I use is Canadian, from a company out of Edmonton, and do not contain nicotine. As such, they are completely legal for sale and use in Canada.

I used both for a considerable period of time, and then, several months ago, moved on to just the e-cigarette. I like to think that I’ve moved from analog to digital.

This is a combination of a lithium ion battery and atomizer, which connects to a cartridge containing the liquid that is used. The liquid is water, glycerin and flavouring. My latest favourite is apple, although I also am quite fond of coffee and chocolate.

I am, frankly, a little confused over Health Canada’s somewhat odd approach to these. While their comments tend to deal with those that do contain nicotine, they seem somewhat against the idea of them. I find it odd that Health Canada would be against a tool that reduces smoking.

Yes, there are studies that indicate just that. A recent one, out of University of Massachusetts Boston, revealed over a three-year long study that people using the nicotine type e-cigarettes for at least one month are six times more likely to quit than those who do not. The recommendations of the authors following the study were:

“Policy makers need to think carefully before enacting any laws that make adult smokers less likely to try these products, such as taxing e-cigarettes as heavily as tobacco or eliminating flavors.”

Given the success rates, it would seem that there would be a reasonable amount of support for these. After all, nicotine really is a stimulant that functions much the same as caffeine. Nicotine replacement products, such as the nicotine replacement patch or Nicorette inhaler (called that in Canada, but the Nicorette E-Cigarette in European marketing), are completely legal when licensed.

Health Canada, however, must also be remembered to be a government body and, as such, answers to the federal minister of health. The minister has the ability to overrule any Health Canada decision (including the results of drug testing, by the way).

Depending on whose figures you use, there are either five or six million smokers in Canada. If you average one pack a day and use the lower number, with approximately $12 of federal and provinces excise taxes and sales taxes on each pack, you can see a probably $60 million per day influx of cash into federal and provincial coffers.

Two month ago, I emailed Health Canada and asked if their lack of support for e-cigarettes are a department policy or at the instruction of the minister. I haven’t gotten an answer…

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Another playwriting competition

Another year has come and gone and another playwriting competition is over.  There’s nothing quite like the joys of writing, caffeine, adrenalin, and insomnia that accrue in such a short period of time.

I thought about spending it working on two plays I’ve been trying to finish over the last while. However, I thought I would write something new for a number of reasons.

A friend passed away recently. We had worked together for 22 years and, as it turned out after half of that time, our grandparents had both emigrated from the same town outside Belfast in the 1920s. I figured it was time to write a play that takes place in Ulster, namely Derry in January and February of 1972.

If you think you can write a play from scratch in 24 hours, you will be disappointed. I`m content with the first draft I managed in that time. It`s a bit ragged at the edges, but that`s how first drafts are supposed to be.

So, there`s another one on my plate. One of these days, I going to have to retire, if for no other reason than to finish a few plays…