Sunday, February 4, 2024

Washington + 2024 Update

 









Have you missed me? Unlikely. Here is your update.

I was just in Olympia, Washington, at the beginning of January. I was visiting friends that I met while living in Nakhon. It brings me great joy that we still get to hangout.

Thailand 2012
































We went to a comedy show to see this guy:












We hiked part of Mount Rainier


















And we also did a mid-week hike in Olympic National Forest

































We went bowling, went to an arcade, and ate a lot of great Thai food. Life isn't all bad.


I got caught up on some administrative bubble work, got some reading done, and had a break from bubble parties and supply teaching. Do you know what people in Seattle love? Pinball and arcades. I visited the Pinball Museum in Seattle. I am not a pinball wizard. Yet.

Did I spend 6 hours there? Maybe. Is it the best museum I have ever been to? Yes.


https://www.kuow.org/stories/did-you-know-seattle-s-pinball-culture















Bubble Birthdays kept me busy full-time from May to October. I have been supply teaching at a school nearby. I just started a short-term contract for a grade 5 class while their teacher is on leave and I will be there until at least the end of February. However, the main priority is my business. I want to hire people this spring and see how big I can make my bubble business grow. 












I have tried to give something up for the entire year for the last few years. One year I gave up drinking, another year I stopped gambling, and two years ago I gave up any sort of treat that you would give to a kid. Last year my goal was to stop swearing, stop complaining, and stop drinking Red Bull. How did I do? I had a swear job app on my phone and it has $120 in it. I’m almost positive it’s impossible not to complain for an entire year but I am more aware of my complaining and I think I have it under control. I had relatively no trouble giving up energy drinks but let's just say, I have had a few in 2024. 









What did I give up this year? That’s a bit of a nosy question but I guess I will answer. My goal for 2024 is to not eat or drink at any chain restaurant or drink establishment. My thinking was I was stopping too often (especially in the summer) for something to drink or to get ice cream from McDonald’s or Wendy’s. Nobody should be getting nourishment from a drive-thru because it’s not actual food so I have given it up for 2024. Have I lost weight? No! Have I gained weight? Surprisingly, yes! Now, like the treat denial, there is a bit of a grey area. What exactly is a treat? What exactly is a chain? My initial rule was a chain had to have 3 or more locations but there is a small grace period to iron out what I am giving up for the year. For example, there is a donut shop in Ottawa called Maverick Donuts. They have three local locations. Are they a chain like Burger King is? I would lean towards no. It’s locally owned and isn’t making billions of dollars. Another reason I chose this challenge was to eat more locally and support small businesses. For my sanity, I believe the rule will be if it’s in more than one country, has more than 6 locations, and seems to be on track to continue to grow and not remain a locally-owned business, then I will consider it a chain. If it has a drive-thru, that’s also a good reason to skip eating there.















Quick thoughts:

-Sandbox VR is good, clean fun. (I tried uploading the video Sandbox sent us but it didn't work so here is a link to what it looks like)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQ9DOIrZiK0&ab_channel=SandboxVR


-Snow days as a teacher is almost as good as having a snow day as a kid.

-Why are you buying books for kids? The library is free, people! Just go online, find the most popular books, put them on hold at your local library, and just wait for them to come to you. 

-Watch the movie American Fiction.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0MbLCpYJPA&ab_channel=MGM


-Leo is also a great flick. Good message for kids. Accurately depicts the life of a kindergarten teacher.











The top books I read in 2023: The Covenant of Water, Ultra-Processed People, The Smart Money, The Stranger in the Woods.

-Is it springtime yet?





"Waste enough minutes and you could waste a lifetime."


Thursday, November 9, 2023

Running Out of Things to Write About?

  











I have written three blog posts this year. All-time low. Have I heard the people complaining about not having enough Bert writing in their lives? I have not! Have you found another writer to tickle your imagination? I certainly hope so. But for those longing for an update from the Bubble King, here we go.

 

Is life in Canada boring?

Coming in hot with the first topic, aren’t we? Boring? No. Less novel and exciting than life in Asia? Yes. I’m surprised it took me over two years to start feeling this way. I thought after a few months, I would have been ready to get back out there. I think the high of running my own business kept me going but as the novelty wears off a bit, the realities of my move is slowly sinking in.

I don’t regret coming home. I love how much time I get with my mom and people that I love. I need to do a better job of creating adventure in my everyday life. I think now that the weather has turned, the fewer hours of daylight and having to go back to supply teaching until prime bubble season, it just has me longing for Laos treehouse ziplining and scuba diving liveaboards.

Am I interested in seeing or hearing about anyone else’s travels? I certainly am not.

 

How is your bubble business?

I had been doing it full time since May. That is a huge win. I did about 30 shows in July and 31 in August. Next year is going to be a pivotal year for Bubble Birthdays. I either want to grow or scale it down. I don’t think I want to be doing bubble parties as a 50-year-old. The business idea is sound. As of right now, there is nobody else in the bubble space in Ottawa. The main issue will be hiring people that I trust that won’t destroy my business and putting systems in place to take myself out of the day-to-day of running of the business. I have read a lot of books for help but if you have any helpful tips on how to turn a business into a franchise, let me know.

 

What is teaching in Canada like?

I was right in being apprehensive about becoming a full-time teacher here. The challenges are real and I commend anyone who is able to put in 25 years of being a permanent teacher. They earned that pension. Well, most of them.

 

What are you reading?

This year has been decent for reading/listening. At the moment, I am reading this:




 








I just listened Novelist as a Vocation and now I want to read some more Murakami.

 

Here are some books on my list for the next few months:





 




























What are you looking forward to?

I am visiting some friends in Washington in January 2024. It will be nice to be in nature with them, catch up and leave Ottawa for a bit.

The last two seasons I have not been snowboarding as much I had hoped. That changes this season. I have a night pass at Edelweiss and a day pass to Fortune. My bindings were broken so I was reluctant to get after it but now that I have fixed that problem, my plan is to get out as much as I can while keeping both of my writs not broken.

 

How happy do you think people are?

Not as happy as they should be or as happy as they let on.

 

What are you watching?

I just finished watching all of the available episodes of Yellowstone. Big fan.

 

I am trying to get into the Sopranos but time is an issue. Bob's Burgers might be on the list as well.




 







Is life cheap in Canada?

Ummm, last time I checked, no.

 

What is 2024 looking like?

Supply teaching, hopefully winning some NFL futures bets, snowboarding, Pacific Northwest trip, growing the bubble business, making healthy choices, reading and trying to find some adventure in and around the city.

 

What did you give up in 2023 and what will you give up in 2024?

2023 was a year of no swearing, no complaining and no Red Bull. How is it going so far?

No swearing: Pretty well. I have a swear jar app on my phone. I’m up to about $115. I need to donate it to a cause I disagree with. My swearing has plummeted and I am pleased.

No complaining: It’s a work in progress. I feel like it’s almost impossible. Getting better but still not where I want to be. Bringing this resolution into 2024 will be necessary.

No Red Bull: Zero Red Bulls have been consumed. My Monster intake is at about 204. Kidding! No energy drinks this year. I know what January 1st is going to taste like.

 

My 2024 resolution is not been finalized but I am contemplating giving up any type of restaurant/coffee/drink place that is a chain. A chain free grocery or gas station lifestyle seems a bit much but I think eating healthier and more focused on small businesses would make my life better.

I hear my cousin is going to give up fried foods.

 

Any new questions you like to ask people?

If you could meet any of your ancestors, who would you meet and why?

Describe the most magical moment you have experienced in your life so far.

What is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you?

 

Any final thoughts?

The longer I go without kids, the more appealing not having my own kids becomes. Could it happen one day? Sure! It would probably go great! But I am really seeing the upside of living somewhat kid free.

I love hot apple cider.

Lots of outdoor spas close to Ottawa. I don't hate it. 

Glow in the dark bocce was is a hoot.












I started curling. Big curler now. You know who loves curling? Older, white people.

 

I wish you a pleasant November.





 







“Good or bad, hard to say."


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday, September 4, 2023

Newfoundland + Kingston


Two posts so far this year. That is not acceptable. Here we go.



In July I went to Newfoundland with my mom and brother; it was a smashing success. This trip was for her 70th birthday present and my guess is that she enjoyed herself. We don’t get too much kid free time so it was a nice change of pace just hanging out the three of us.

















Newfoundland is huge. Also, Labrador really gets the short end of the stick. There is no time to say Newfoundland and Labrador. I hear Labrador is gorgeous in the fall.










We saw a risky Newfoundland music show in Rocky Harbour. It was called Anchors Away. My mom claims it wasn’t as sexual the first time she saw the show but I have my doubts. We then spent some time in Gros Morne National Park and drove to St-Anthony’s. Once in St-Anthony’s we went on a boat tour to see icebergs. I had never seen an iceberg before and it was certainly worth the drive. We saw lots of icebergs and even saw a whale. Did I feel great on the boat ride back to land? No, I did not.

 



































You know what’s good? Seafood in Newfoundland. Highlights included eating a lobster roll, fish and chips and a cod burger. There is not a ton going on in Newfoundland. Granted, we didn’t hit up St-John’s but there does not seem to be a lot of opportunities for young people so it makes sense that many people end up leaving the province for better job opportunities. I’m not a huge history guy so while I did learn about the cod fishing ban in 1992, this article might give you a better understanding of what actually took place.

 

https://www.heritage.nf.ca/articles/economy/moratorium.php

 

We also toured around the Tablelands. It doesn’t look like anything else in the area so if you have it on your list, it is worth checking out.

 

https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/nl/grosmorne/activ/experiences/tablelands

 

We also explored an 11th century Viking settlement called L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site.

https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/4/

 










This was a highlight. Seeing how the Vikings lived in their settlements was a nice glimpse into their everyday lives. Worth visiting or just watch these YouTube videos about it.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMVjNYogaLg

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAOVRhfJQ2A

 

Renting a car makes exploring Newfoundland much more manageable but also booking any activities or shows seems like it would also make your trip more enjoyable. Should you visit Newfoundland? That seems like a personal choice but if Newfoundland is one of your dreams, make it happen.

 

Kingston

Kingston. I drive by it every time I head over to Toronto. I sometimes stop to grab food or gas but I have never made Kingston my destination. I was not disappointed! Did I explore everything? No. Did I mostly spend the entire time just on one street? Yes. Did I eat lots of good food, go to an arcade and drink the occasional bottle of Soju? Maybe.










The main reason for this trip was to go to Boldt Castle. I recently got my boating license so me and a friend rented a Sea-Doo and took the two hour journey to Boldt Castle. Here is the official history of the castle:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZWbJVrtQ98

 

https://www.boldtcastle.com/visitorinfo/about

 









You know what’s fun? Sea-Doos. Did we tip? No. Did I think I was going to crash it and have to pay for the repairs? I certainly did. Should you go Sea-Dooing? Probably.

 

Kingston is filled with bars, food and is a pretty easy place to walk around. You can take a trolly tour, tour the penitentiary, or spend some time on the water. One of my cousins has a not-so-secret love affair with Kingston and I am starting to understand why.


There is a casino not too far away from Kingston; I recommend you avoid playing roulette there.

 

Those were the two trips I took this summer. While it wasn’t as exciting as heading to Greece or Italy, it has been nice spending time with family and friends in the Great White North.

 


"Everything good, everything magical, happens between the months of June and August."