Rodeo Road Trip

The three kids and I had planned this cross-Canada road trip from Toronto to Calgary for a number of months. We were all excited about the prospect of spending two weeks on the road. Heading west to visit friends in Saskatoon and Calgary with a sidebar to Banff. Just the boys

Started in Windsor. I had been on a business trip in Detroit.

My wife drove the fully loaded Isuzu Rodeo down to Windsor with the boys. Said our good byes at the Tim Horton’s and dropped her off at the Windsor Airport for her flight back to Toronto. Headed toward the tunnel to find I 90 for the first leg of the journey through downtown Detroit, across Michigan into Illinois and through Chicago in rush hour. Continued on up to Wisconsin for our first night’s stop in Madison.

Long first day. Coming after a night of no sleep due to the ‘celebration’ that concluded the business trip. Exhausted. Happy.

The Rodeo had been a surprise addition to our fleet. I am not a truck guy, but we felt flush after my recent job promotion and decided to get on the SUV bandwagon early. Black. Aluminum rims. 2.8 L V6. 5-speed manual…even then I chose oddball vehicles. Either that or the Dealer saw a sucker coming…

Effortless drive to be honest. Packed to the roof behind the rear seats. We stopped every two hours to rotate the boys through the seating. Ensured that everyone got to ride shotgun. Rodeo ran very smoothly along the Interstates. Long wheelbase, highway tires, 5th gear overdrive all contributed to the comfort.

Day 2 started early. We wanted to make it to Minot, North Dakota by day’s end. Same routine. 2-hour stops. Breakfast, lunch and dinner on the road.

Stopped in Bismarck, North Dakota around 6 pm for supper at a Jack in the Box. 3 hours to go to Minot.

Headed north from Bismarck on a two-lane highway. Sun began to sink into the horizon off to our left.

Gorgeous light.

Stereo tuned to a local rock station.

Everyone relaxed

Then the moment: opening chords to ‘Life is a Highway’ by Tom Cochran.

All four of us broke into the chorus.

Magic!

We were ‘on the road’!

Took the Dog for a walk today

Actually our 4 lb. Yorkshire Terrier took me for a walk. This is one very determined animal who simply does not know how small her physical body really is. She has a huge personality and works ceaselessly to protect us. She teaches many lessons...

• Size doesn't matter. Her bark is definitely louder than her bite, but she is proud and fearless.


• Personality counts for everything. Through sheer force of being 'cute' she attracts attention where ever she goes.


• Enthusiasm is critical. Enough said


• Boundless energy. Always ready with a wagging tail to go out for a walk.


• Devoted and loyal. We repay this by allowing her up onto the big sofa to watch TV

My new year's resolution for 2009: actively seek out people with personality like our 'Tia'

Christmas and Blogging

I found that it was nearly impossible to generate traffice to any of my blogs over the Christmas/New year's break. Seemed that people were exhausted: all the bad news in the media and in their jobs took its toll and people simply 'checked out'. Took the time to update the template and condense all three of my blogs into one: http://mykalsreport.blogspot.com/ I now have my running, car driving and business stories all in one place that seems to make sense now as my blogging evolves. Stories with a message I guess would be the best way to describe it.

To launch 2009 properly, I decided to go against the grain this morning, January 5. Got up early and went skiing. Mount St. Louis north of Barrie was the destination this morning. Hit the lifts right at 8:30 am. Had my choice of over 25 runs virtually to myself for three hours!! Fantastic machine groomed runs. Light flat, but temperatures mild. No waiting in lift lines! Living north of Toronto has its benefits.

Finally, looking at the advertising industry for 2009. Don't like what I see for the mainstream agencies based in Toronto. Especially the ones with automotive accounts. People will work harder and be under even more stress. I see health issues coming for some. Myself...I am going to continue to blog, experiement with social marketing and work with smaller, non-Toronto firms where much of the action seems to be.

The Master Chef

His name is Court.

Yes he has wings...


And he knows how to cook!!!

Not sure where he learned it but suspect his late Grandfather, Carl had a lot to do with it.

This blog is something of a tribute to his Grandfather and to the fabulous food that he always prepared for get togethers with family and friends. Now, he was a master!


We will be posting recipes focused on real Jamaican cooking. Of course, we will be posting stories as well...what would a real Jamaican cooking blog be without stories?

Love to share your recipees as well. Send them to moralesc.beach@gmail.com

The legacy continues