tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756642Fri, 25 Oct 2024 10:58:02 +0000ethiopiaEgyptNamibiaWildlifetrekkingmovie reviewsvideo of the dayrant of the dayCairobicyclingfloraUgandaaddis ababafoodsudanHockeyDahabFlowersEtoshamystery photoKenyaNamib DesertvisasFish Creek Provincial ParkSimiensautumnOmo valleyTanzaniaalberta politicsboatsFruitKootenay National ParklalibelanairobirwandaChinaSouth AfricaTravel TipBirdsMozambiqueSiwaWaterton National ParkitinerarieskhartoumAstronomyZambiaqtlibrarianrunningBotswanaSS LiembaScarlett JohanssonharrarhumourtrainsvegetablesDreamsGlacier National ParkHaikuHong KongJohannesburgKigaliPhotographyShameless Self PromotionTelevisionWeathergorillashyenaspostcardspyramidsAdventureAlexandriaBangkokCalendarCalgary politicsFaunaGreat BlogsGuilin ChinaInspirationLusakaMalawiMaputoMotivationMursiSCUBASoccerThailandThe Amazing RaceTom PhillipsWastabook reviewrentedslumsAtlantaBearsBighorn SheepBurundiCarl SaganChinooksEyesFamous PeopleGeocachingLas VegasLionsListsLunar EclipseNepalOkavango DeltaOuter SpacePerpetual TravelPharmaceuticalsPoetryQuizSnorkelingStephen HawkingTravel IdeasTraveling FriendsWaterfallsWinter Olympicsairplanesbadmintonbulbsglobal warminghitch hikingmilestonesmulesrecipesecurity.songs in my headtheoretical physicstomatoeswedding videographyhttp://bigtubofgoo.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (bubba)Blogger532125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756642.post-7788794251693538258Wed, 01 Jun 2011 22:34:00 +00002011-06-01T19:59:34.539-06:00HockeyLogo of the Winnipeg Jets version 1.0.First, congrats to the Peg!Welcome back to the NHL!(To readers not familiar with the situation, Winnipeg lost their NHL franchise, the Jets, fifteen years ago. Just yesterday, it was announced that the Atlanta Thrashers will be relocated to Winnipeg starting next season.)Thought it was going to be a semi-warm day on the Canadian Tundra before the second http://bigtubofgoo.blogspot.com/2011/06/return-of-jets-and-2011-stanley-cup.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bubba)16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756642.post-276743671472874754Tue, 24 May 2011 20:23:00 +00002011-05-27T23:14:58.276-06:00AtlantaHaikuWildlifeMy bro was in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Just happened he was at the Aquarium and snapped this pic of Rhincodon typus for BTOG. Thanks goig!Whale Shark HaikuGentle giant sharkMuch too large for a fish bowlRun Whale Shark runWhale Shark Fun FactsIt is a shark, but is not a whale.Largest shark/fish in the world.Largest confirmed whale shark is 12.65 m or 41.5 feet.Heaviest confirmed whale shark ever:http://bigtubofgoo.blogspot.com/2011/05/whale-shark-haiku-atlanta-aquarium.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bubba)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756642.post-7825212107738895155Sat, 14 May 2011 23:05:00 +00002011-05-14T18:44:25.460-06:00HockeyNothing like watching a hockey game and being body-checked by an arctic zephyr rolling off the Canadian Tundra at the same time.I have a problem.I was talking to my sister the other night. She noted that it was an off night for the NHL on TV and inquired what was I going to do in its absence...I panicked a bit until I realized that the NBA Playoffs were being televised on another channel.Oh, howhttp://bigtubofgoo.blogspot.com/2011/05/2011-stanley-cup-playoff-third-round.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bubba)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756642.post-3700985719655057465Fri, 29 Apr 2011 01:41:00 +00002011-05-24T21:37:25.958-06:00HockeyCouldn't find a hockey pic but I've got this swell pic of some home grown spuds from last summer...Reader warning: Every year I indulge in NHL (National Hockey League) playoff prognostications. Suffice to say, ice hockey is not the most popular sport on the planet but in Canada it's the only game in town (CFL football follows closely). So, please bear with me while I stick out my neck out on http://bigtubofgoo.blogspot.com/2011/04/2011-stanley-cup-playoff-second-round.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bubba)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756642.post-5244226185772705760Sun, 06 Mar 2011 05:38:00 +00002011-03-07T21:32:22.657-07:00AdventureCairoDahabDreamsEgyptGreat BlogsPerpetual TravelThese are my friends, Sally and Richard.They are indeed gods of travel.They've found in the world of traveling what amounts to the Holy Grail, the El Dorado, a state of Nirvana...They are perpetual travelers.We first met in the Dahab Hostel (that name keeps popping up) in Cairo back in the day. My first impression was that these folks really had it together. They were really serious travelers http://bigtubofgoo.blogspot.com/2011/03/slow-train-coming-and-art-of-perpetual.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bubba)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756642.post-1957152608317978184Tue, 08 Feb 2011 05:44:00 +00002011-02-16T21:58:51.004-07:00AdventurebicyclingGreat BlogsTraveling Friends(L. to R.) Bob, Jason on Montreal in the Baha Peninsula. (photo courtesy of Jason)This is my good friend, Jason.I first met him in Cairo at the venerable Dahab Hostel on Talaat Harb (a stone's throw from Midan Tahrir). I'd been hanging there for a least a couple of weeks beforehand, chillaxing from a long haul overland journey from South Africa. The Dahab was just what the doctor ordered: a http://bigtubofgoo.blogspot.com/2010/12/biking-it-down-pan-american.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bubba)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756642.post-368535253956143244Sun, 28 Nov 2010 05:19:00 +00002010-11-28T22:12:22.229-07:00CalendarPhotographyShameless Self PromotionHey everyone,If you haven't gotten your freebie 2011 calendar from your corner gas station yet or just need some Christmas stocking stuffers, please buy my new hot-off-the-presses Africa 2011 Calendar! A new year means 12 more of my favourite mindblowing African portraits gracing your wall at home or at the office!If you missed out on my Africa 2010 calendar, fear not, for I have converted it http://bigtubofgoo.blogspot.com/2010/11/hot-new-africa-2011-calendars-on-sale.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bubba)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756642.post-7468158371356671087Fri, 12 Nov 2010 21:42:00 +00002010-11-12T14:44:52.225-07:00Fish Creek Provincial ParkfloraHaikuA Haiku.Slender tall grass, drenched in tepid sunlight, sway in cold autumn wind.http://bigtubofgoo.blogspot.com/2010/11/autumn-on-canadian-tundra-2010-part-5.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bubba)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756642.post-825631068200308166Tue, 02 Nov 2010 00:21:00 +00002010-11-01T18:24:44.913-06:00autumnFish Creek Provincial ParkMore Aspens in Fish Creek Park.http://bigtubofgoo.blogspot.com/2010/11/autumn-on-canadian-tundra-2010-part-4.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bubba)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756642.post-2707835746433519766Wed, 27 Oct 2010 02:09:00 +00002010-10-27T12:03:56.396-06:00autumnfloramovie reviewsThe Aspen Poplar (Populus tremuloides) in Fish Creek Park in late October...Movie Review: Sicko.I've had Sicko recorded on the PVR since January of this year and finally watched it yesterday.In Sicko, documentary filmmaker Michael Moore (Fahrenheit 9/11, Bowling for Columbine) looks at the state of health care in the USA.Moore makes a convincing, driving case for reform of the US health care http://bigtubofgoo.blogspot.com/2010/10/autumn-on-canadian-tundra-2010-part-3.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bubba)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756642.post-7150137260522487466Mon, 18 Oct 2010 23:24:00 +00002010-10-18T17:25:13.870-06:00autumnCalgary politicsfloraNice to see some non-yellow leaves once in a while...It's the big Calgary Civic Election today.How many times have I used the word "big" to describe a mayoral election in Calgary?From what I've seen on the news, it looks like a close race amongst three candidates for mayor and a huge turn out of voters.There's a few more hours until the poll stations close.If you haven't already done so, please http://bigtubofgoo.blogspot.com/2010/10/autumn-on-canadian-tundra-2010-part-2.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bubba)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756642.post-6769146446812943888Thu, 14 Oct 2010 04:08:00 +00002010-10-13T22:20:12.403-06:00autumnfloraLooks like we're well into a lazy, hazy, and surprisingly warm autumn out on the tundra.It's a small miracle actually, considering the abysmal summer we had in cowtown.Everyone should get outside and bask in the warmth of the sunshine before the first blast of winter blows our way.http://bigtubofgoo.blogspot.com/2010/10/autumn-on-canadian-tundra-2010-part-1.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bubba)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756642.post-7711763349419973106Tue, 05 Oct 2010 18:27:00 +00002010-10-05T12:36:17.129-06:00foodvegetablesIt was good to be a root in the garden this year. Most of the "above-the-ground" vegetation was blown to smithereens by a devastating hail storm in August.I think I managed to dig 15 to 20 kg of the orange (and a couple of yellow) taproots out of the dirt this year.Now for your...Little Known Facts About Carrots:Mel Blanc, beloved voice of Bugs Bunny, didn't like carrots.The world record for http://bigtubofgoo.blogspot.com/2010/10/bounty-of-harvest-2010-part-2-carrot.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bubba)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756642.post-277729095851344776Sun, 26 Sep 2010 23:00:00 +00002010-10-05T12:16:41.000-06:00bulbsfoodvegetablesWe had a pretty good haul of garlic out of the garden this year.Like the size of those bulbs.Harvested so much, I'm sure there's enough garlic to last till next spring...Little Known Garlic Facts...China, by far, produces the most garlic in the world (77 percent of world output or 12 million tonnes per year).Garlic juice can be used as an adhesive for repairing china or glass.Garlic is mentioned http://bigtubofgoo.blogspot.com/2010/09/bounty-of-harvest-2010-part-1-garlic.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bubba)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756642.post-1221535351322427302Sun, 19 Sep 2010 23:11:00 +00002010-09-19T18:17:13.404-06:00BearsBighorn SheepFaunafloratrekkingWaterton National ParkWildlifeOk, we lucked out on the weather the first two days but we woke up to heavy cloud cover in the morning of Day 3. It looked like the sky was going to open up and pour on us as we started up the steep hill behind Lone Lake.The final day of the trek just rocked. Two major undulations faced us: first climb over the eastern shoulder of Festebert Mountain and then gain the lofty heights of Lineham http://bigtubofgoo.blogspot.com/2010/09/hiking-in-waterton-lakes-national-park.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bubba)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756642.post-458800967368647090Wed, 15 Sep 2010 20:27:00 +00002010-09-19T17:42:04.459-06:00trekkingWaterton National ParkThe water supply behind the Snowshoe campground. Someone should really bottle this water and sell it for big bucks... Strike that last thought. Lets just leave it alone and not wreck the ambiance.Snowshoe Wardens' Cabin. Apparently there are only 2 such backcountry cabins in Waterton. What a shame... As an aside, didn't get much sleep the night before. I think it was just too quiet out herehttp://bigtubofgoo.blogspot.com/2010/09/hiking-in-waterton-lake-national-park.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bubba)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756642.post-8676363276631759518Mon, 13 Sep 2010 17:14:00 +00002010-09-13T11:54:37.112-06:00FaunafloratrekkingWaterfallsWaterton National ParkRed Rock Canyon, Waterton National Park...on the way to the Tamarack Trail.Hope everyone is having a great summer.Just came back from Waterton Lakes National Park where I hiked the breathtaking Tamarack Trail with my friend Khalid.The Snowshoe Trail Head. By the way, the entire trail was asphalt surfaced. Just kidding. The objective on the first day was to hike 8.5 km along Bauerman Creek to http://bigtubofgoo.blogspot.com/2010/08/hiking-in-waterton-lakes-national-park.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bubba)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756642.post-5698822010045501141Sat, 14 Aug 2010 20:52:00 +00002010-08-14T14:53:21.931-06:00FlowersPharmaceuticalsrant of the dayClematisHad this conversation with my local pharmacist the other day.[I, BTOG, just handed over my prescription]Mr. Pharmacist: So, do you find yourself going through a lot of this stuff?BTOG: Well, I have good days and I have bad days [regarding usage]... Why? Is there a problem that I should know about?Mr. Pharmacist: Skin cancer.BTOG: I beg your pardon...did you say cancer?Mr. Pharmacist:http://bigtubofgoo.blogspot.com/2010/08/diy-pharmacyor-please-make-me-come-over.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bubba)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756642.post-1690137540826674446Sun, 01 Aug 2010 04:14:00 +00002010-08-01T23:45:12.678-06:00bicyclingfloraFlowersKootenay National ParkOh, how I miss the alpine meadows of Kootenay National Park...I've been thinking of the next trip for a long, long, long time. Maybe too long.With any trip, you can only prepare so much beforehand. There's just too much to know. In the end of the day, the most important facts to know are visa requirements and where to get them. With that knowledge, anything is possible.Having said that, in myhttp://bigtubofgoo.blogspot.com/2009/12/of-bikes-and-gunsor-best-bike-touring.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bubba)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756642.post-5411719785567680020Sun, 25 Jul 2010 22:09:00 +00002010-07-26T16:57:05.467-06:00AstronomyCarl SaganStephen Hawkingtheoretical physicsvideo of the dayRegular viewers of BTOG are familiar with my obsession for astrophysics (observational and/or theoretical).No doubt concepts describing black holes, dark matter, superstring theory, cosmology, etc. are indeed fascinating yet mindbogglingly abstract and necessarily overtaxing on the ol' gray matter.Today's video of the day, a rare jam session between my two of my boyhood heroes (former American http://bigtubofgoo.blogspot.com/2010/07/calling-occupants-of-interplanetary.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bubba)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756642.post-3041602860470902864Fri, 02 Jul 2010 07:55:00 +00002010-07-02T02:15:16.532-06:00SoccerSouth Africavideo of the dayBeen watching a lot of World Cup soccer lately and thought I'd post this video as a tribute to the "beautiful" game. Be sure to watch in full screen and HD mode...Hope everyone's having a great summer!!http://bigtubofgoo.blogspot.com/2010/07/video-tribute-to-fifa-world-cup-2010.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bubba)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756642.post-2619183048162261328Sat, 29 May 2010 22:25:00 +00002010-05-29T18:26:51.285-06:00Hockey"March Towards Eternity" or "More Reasons to Hate the Western World"... Pic would make a good Far Side cartoon...Wouldn't it be nice if they fit the entire NHL regular season into the time it takes to play its playoffs (in a couple of months?) and then have the top two teams play for the Stanley Cup in a best of seven series?Wishful thinking on my part...but it would improve the on-ice product http://bigtubofgoo.blogspot.com/2010/05/2010-nhl-stanley-cup-final.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bubba)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756642.post-7593542175003888754Sun, 16 May 2010 19:52:00 +00002010-05-16T14:59:33.943-06:00ethiopiaHockeyOmo valleyTo humour BTOG's non-hockey fans, I give you this week's photo of note of a young Hamer girl at the Turme market in the Omo valley (Ethiopia) posing for two, two, two Birr. Where did she get those seashells for her necklaces???I'm not the one who toots his own horn too often but I'll take a moment to point out that I've accumulated an outstanding prediction accuracy rate of .750 through the http://bigtubofgoo.blogspot.com/2010/05/2010-nhl-stanley-cup-semi-finals.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bubba)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756642.post-6744728582739990240Wed, 05 May 2010 19:29:00 +00002010-05-05T17:42:28.667-06:00wedding videographyMost BTOG readers are familiar with my escapades in wedding videography.I try my damnedest to be the best videographer in the business. Really I do.It's a very difficult and challenging profession fraught with thrills of victory and agonies of defeat...Pertaining to the latter, I cringe whenever I receive an email from my editor (who makes me look really good 99 percent of the time) with a http://bigtubofgoo.blogspot.com/2010/05/mirror-mirrorin-cabinet.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bubba)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756642.post-7879039371856717499Thu, 29 Apr 2010 05:14:00 +00002010-04-29T18:24:01.660-06:00EtoshaHockeymystery photoNamibiaHere at BTOG we are a full service blog. For those who could care less about the hockey playoffs (and some who do), I've dug out this photo from the vast BTOG archives as the first mystery photo in ages. What are those curious, squiggly streaks of light? Clue? The photo was taken in Etosha National Park, Nambia at night. Ok, I may have given it away. Good luck!!The Long Awaited http://bigtubofgoo.blogspot.com/2010/04/2010-nhl-crazy-eights-stanley-cup.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bubba)0