tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107759142011-12-30T16:15:29.742-05:00Observations, Memoirs, and Opinions.Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.comBlogger3621100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-79301897559139546342007-02-12T22:44:00.000-05:002007-02-12T20:20:41.871-05:00

So let it be done.I've made the jump to Wordpress. So update your bookmarks, RSS feeds, and however else you were able to connect here. I don't have my own url yet, but that'll be the next step if I ever commit to spending the cash. First, I want to get a new camera.I give credit to Blogger because they got me interested in doing this and had a fairly easy setup for those of us new to the

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-34127724069117537602007-02-12T07:00:00.000-05:002007-02-12T07:00:06.550-05:00

The news this morning is that the US government has more proof that the bombs used in Iraq have Iranian origins. Haven't we heard this sort of thing before? I doubt the world would fall for this pretense again.

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-90515217789255490402007-02-12T04:54:00.000-05:002007-02-12T07:02:20.302-05:00

My goodness yesterday sucked! Having gastro (a stomach virus) is horrible enough when you get it by yourself and you're relegated to writhing in your bed trying to get some sleep. But both my wife and I woke up with it. My symptoms were not as bad (aches, fatigue, occasional nausea, slight headache, and stomach ache from time to time) as my wife who had them full blast. So I was left to caring

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-21684969418851433752007-02-09T02:42:00.000-05:002007-02-09T00:04:42.629-05:00

Taken in front of the Chateau de Chenonceaux in the Loire Valley of France. It's alway been one of my favorite photos, but I'm still amazed how much attention it has gotten on Flickr.Does anyone know what the title is referencing?

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-89251342361582866292007-02-08T22:54:00.000-05:002007-02-09T22:43:06.056-05:00

Holy mackerel! There was a huge crowd at YULblog last night. Estimates run from 70 to 100 people. Quite a change from this time last year when we were lucky to have a dozen. Although I wasn't interested in seeing all 100 attendees, I was very happy to catch up with familiar faces and meet many new faces of blog I've been following for a while especially Danièle, Kate, and Vanou. As Danièle

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-74821750979987102312007-02-07T06:15:00.000-05:002007-02-07T06:17:23.046-05:00

I'll likely be there unless there's a minor emergency. It's been a few months since I've been in attendence. Hope to see you there.

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-71009293187818283092007-02-06T02:42:00.000-05:002007-02-06T08:35:23.178-05:00

So the second truth about me that I'm revealing is that I have very short fingers.I discovered this when I was in high school and for about the next ten years I would often compare the size of my hands to people I met. And there was only once that I found someone other than a family member who had shorter fingers. She was a girlfriend and a foot shorter than myself. The two family members are my

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-70574059870917189232007-02-05T02:42:00.000-05:002007-02-06T12:25:57.318-05:00

They lost.The feeling is the same as it was when the University of Illinois men's basketball team lost in the final a couple years ago. Am I sad, disappointed, or upset? Just a little, but in the end every game has a winner and a loser. Each team was deserving enough to win it. To get that far in the season says something already considering the all the other teams that season who didn't make

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-5892291535189743972007-02-04T02:42:00.000-05:002007-02-03T23:08:38.922-05:00

The other night we went to a large birthday party for one of our relatives. It was a surprise party and was an extremely well done affair with great food, good company, and a great band. But there is another reason we'll remember that night. One of the guests brought a local celebrity. So as much as I/we enjoyed the night, there was always one eye occasionnally glancing over in that corner of the

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-92037225366239625882007-02-03T01:31:00.000-05:002007-02-03T01:40:35.707-05:00

Interesting to see it again after all these years. It's painful to watch at times because of the cheesey lyrics and Steve #4 has no rhythm. Another thing is that "the Fridge" #72, who was considered big at the time, could be considered slim compared to your average player of today.

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-67306435393091011372007-02-02T02:42:00.000-05:002007-02-01T22:18:45.143-05:00

Sunday evening we'll be camped out in front of the television eating Maison du Roti sausages and chili I threw together during the last football game. We'll be suffering through the commercials and faux billboard advertisements from the local feed for what will hopefully be a Bears victory. I'll also be keeping an eye on the shots of people in the stands because this guy will be at the game.This

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-8598350764048337102007-01-31T02:42:00.000-05:002007-01-30T23:48:22.804-05:00

As many of you may have heard, Blork and I have made a wager over who could lose the most weight relative to their goal. So the clock has started ticking with the end date in early August six months from now. In addition to the weight I've lost already, I've committed to lose another 27lbs. That would get me to 178.5 which is considered healthy for my height and frame. But I haven't weighed that

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-55661875032097294052007-01-30T02:42:00.000-05:002007-01-29T21:53:13.249-05:00

A line of sycamores in the gardens of the Chateau de Versailles, France. Winter 1991-92.Recently, Patrick, a Flickr member whose pictures I've been viewing regularly, mentioned that he was going to Versailles. So since then, I've been offering what I know about the city and places that I recommend seeing.It reminds me how much I really enjoy doing this. There is just something inside me that

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-2040233268805091072007-01-29T02:42:00.000-05:002007-01-28T22:30:55.122-05:00

So after two more weeks, I'm down another 4 lbs for a total of 9 lbs. That actually brings me back to where I was last fall. Sad, but true. It should be a tougher go after this. I likely won't be posting as often about this in order not to bore you to death. It'll likely be on a monthly basis.So how exactly did I lose that much that fast. This go-around I decided to try the "Wets do Munch" diet.

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-59852522871853987932007-01-26T17:02:00.000-05:002007-01-25T22:07:44.758-05:00

Taken on probably the windiest day of the year last September. This is Parc René Lévesque in the Lachine neighborhood of Montréal.

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-84106100362676567162007-01-25T02:42:00.000-05:002007-01-25T12:08:04.506-05:00

So the answer to the last post was #4. 'I have done illegal drugs' is a false statement. I kinda figured it would be easy because since almost everyone has tried them at one time, why would you include it in a list like that. Either way, it looks like I got some splainin to do. The other four items will be elaborated on in the coming weeks.In truth, I have only been offered marijuana only twice

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-38523707936297190232007-01-24T02:42:00.000-05:002007-02-06T22:45:54.404-05:00

I have been officially tagged by the honorable Jonas Parker with a meme. So here are my five things and you have to guess which one is not true.1. I flashed the audience during a school play.2. I ran 1000 miles over a summer.3. I have only found three people with shorter fingers that I have.4. I have done illegal drugs.5. I used to frequent a gay bar.So which one is false? Regardless, all will be

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-59286633766187935632007-01-23T02:42:00.000-05:002007-01-23T05:55:07.161-05:00

In the historic district of Wake Forest, North Carolina. December 2006.

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-12247966754317136822007-01-21T20:15:00.000-05:002007-01-21T20:59:52.538-05:00

The Chicago Bears are going to the Super Bowl! I was 14 yrs old the last time they did that. And it looks like they may be facing the same team.Although I am a die-hard Cubs and Bears fan, I have learned over the years to hold back really getting my expectations up when the teams start doing well. It has happened all too often that you get your heart set on them going to the final game and

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-40770911912579476242007-01-21T00:30:00.000-05:002007-01-21T00:54:57.129-05:00

This blog has been featured on the pages of the Montreal Gazette again. Page B2 of Saturday's paper. Pick it up if you have a chance. The online version is only available to subscribers. Thanks to Steve Faguy for the article. If you don't have a chance to check it out, here are a couple bits, but I urge you to read the Gazette anyhow."While many blogs begin with personal posts and move to

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-57620059066169638872007-01-20T02:42:00.000-05:002007-01-19T22:45:50.655-05:00

There's a big game on Sunday at 3pm for those of you not following American football. The Chicago Bears will play the New Orleans Saint for a chance to play in the Superbowl. And they'll be playing in my favorite stadium.The song this opera singer is singing is the Chicago Bears fight song. It used to only be known by die-hard fans. Back about ten years ago, my father would pass out the words to

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-1160611435562013932007-01-18T19:37:00.000-05:002007-01-18T17:21:14.911-05:00

The Nyhavn (New Harbor) in Copenhagen, October 1991.Lately, I have been thinking a lot about photoblogs vs Flickr and why I prefer using Flickr. Although it would be fun to have a photoblog (if I had the time) since it is much more formal, I'm really enjoying Flickr.I know some of the arguments against it such as the format and the fact that browsing images are done by thumbnails which really

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-74510492502303599332007-01-16T21:25:00.000-05:002007-01-17T08:40:09.142-05:00

As I mentioned last week, one of my main resolutions is to finally get my weight back down and keep it off. At first I thought I would avoid talking much about it here because I was worried about not living up to my resolution. Like last year I mentioned it here and I lost only seven pounds. Three of which were back by the summer and then another seven were added before the New Year.But this year

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-72804415604124530322007-01-15T11:46:00.000-05:002007-01-15T12:10:24.819-05:00

You're fashionably late this year. Though I'm not complaining.Last year you came to the party a month earlier.Lets hope for a relatively easy commute home.

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-33669720800994243362007-01-12T12:37:00.000-05:002007-01-12T12:54:50.500-05:00

Taken at the Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary near Naples, Fla late last month. This is a small prescribed burn area that has begun to reemerge. During our stay down there, I kept wanting to see and photograph some indigenous landscapes and plant life. With so much development going on, it's hard to know what is native and what is imported or created. So I was really happy when we went to the

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-22713354101110229432007-01-11T02:42:00.000-05:002007-01-10T22:52:37.781-05:00

One thing that I've thought about recently is that before getting into blogging, all of my good and close personal friends were people that I either went to school with or worked with. I really can't think of any people who I have met outside of those circles that I have become very good friends with. I don't have any problem with it and it really works for me. But it does seem a bit odd

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-88428663640148513982007-01-09T12:16:00.000-05:002007-01-09T12:27:36.411-05:00

A shot from the back door of the place where we stayed in Bonita Springs, Florida last week. It had been raining all day and the sky cleared just before sunset to produce these results. If anyone is interested in information about staying at this place, let me know and I'll forward it to you. I hope to write about some of my observations and impressions of Florida soon.

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-13554303834198990122007-01-08T02:42:00.000-05:002007-01-22T22:37:59.110-05:00

A bit belated, but just as sincere. I hope everyone has a happy and healthy 2007.2002 was the start of a small family. 2003 was the year of getting adjusted to a new city. 2004 was the year of many visitors (10 from out of town). 2005 was the year of homeownership. And 2006 was the year of an expanded family. 2007 will be about achieving balance between work, family, and pleasure with two working

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-11519873262863993642007-01-06T23:56:00.000-05:002007-01-06T23:59:34.602-05:00

After her... I like my results. Makes me wonder if subconsciencely I have a huge ego. I'm just happy I wasn't deemed Superwoman.Your results:You are SupermanSuperman90%Spider-Man70%The Flash65%Supergirl62%Robin62%Iron Man60%Wonder Woman57%Hulk45%Green Lantern45%Batman35%Catwoman25%You are mild-mannered, good,strong and you love to help others.Click here to take the Superhero Personality Quiz

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-8345359454441190542007-01-05T22:21:00.000-05:002007-01-05T22:29:37.569-05:00

This picture was actually taken three years ago on our last trip, not the most recent one. We took an airboat tour in the Everglades that started off by visiting the local alligators. One or two of them were fairly trained where the airboat driver would pull up near them and throw them marshmallows. This guy pulled up next to my side of the boat and opened wide for his snack. Although he was

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-11390531315445815062007-01-04T22:49:00.000-05:002007-01-04T23:37:55.430-05:00

... we're back.Almost the equivalent of driving from Chicago to San Francisco and back. Or Montreal to Salt Lake City. That was the five day travel portion of our vacation down to Bonita Springs, Fla.As much as we had a good time with good family and friends, it is nice to get away from the transient lifestyle. And what a nice surprise to come home to sunny above freezing temps. For months I was

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-85742387808827077222006-12-15T02:42:00.000-05:002006-12-15T17:27:34.118-05:00

We're off to Florida tomorrow. I'm using the last of my paternity leave and heading south to spend time with family over the holidaze. This is a shot from three years ago when we did the same thing. Though this time we are driving. I estimate close to 70 hours of travel and 6000km (3600 miles).This space should be quiet during that time. The place where we are staying does not have internet

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-13944044863187644202006-12-14T02:42:00.000-05:002006-12-13T23:45:54.463-05:00

Over the past few months I've noticed three differences. A couple of progress and one of quality of life.The first was back last summer. We went to Parc Orford and spent a day at the beach. We had done the same thing soon after moving here. The thing I noticed was how at ease I was compared to the previous time. That first time, I was nervous. My French was quite shaky and I was worried someone

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-3387672969103271662006-12-13T12:55:00.000-05:002006-12-13T15:30:02.006-05:00

Wow! That's weird. I've been surfing during lunch and came across this photo. After a couple seconds it became real familiar. Then I looked the details. Hold on a second! I know that building. I worked on that structure. I designed those connections.Turns out it's the last project I worked on before leaving Chicago. The developer got tons of attention when a previous project expressed the bracing

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-12182800126536539332006-12-13T02:42:00.000-05:002006-12-13T09:17:24.582-05:00

There have been a few posts added to the European Memoirs blog since I last mentioned it here. The posts include: a trip to the French Alps; a trip to visit someone in Holland; a class trip to Chartres, France; a tour of the Pantheon in Paris; a description of the EuraRail Pass; and some words about homesickness.After the holidaze I hope to post about time spent in Rome, Florence, and Paris.

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-43478148284483334232006-12-12T14:42:00.000-05:002006-12-12T19:42:46.732-05:00

Nope, I haven't switched... yet. But if I did, it would look like this (without the flowers). I got curious the other night and created the blog and that header. But Blogger beta won't let me export to it. The ability to add a personalized header along with Dante's level of security would be my main reasons for switching. But I don't have the time to play around with it, so I need a "press this

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-3821133667602342712006-12-12T02:42:00.000-05:002006-12-11T23:23:36.455-05:00

Taken in the forest near Sutton, Quebec. October 2006.

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-24146614878663075932006-12-11T02:42:00.000-05:002006-12-12T12:59:17.188-05:00

It's seeping in. Mainly through images. I've always been a visual person. If you tell me a location, my mind puts me there. Driving down that street, recreating the environment.The images have always been there, but for some reason there is an increasing emotional element attached to them. I remember that place and all the memories attached to it. It's nostalgia and always has been, but there's

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-13496489610455523732006-12-10T00:00:00.000-05:002006-12-10T00:00:20.844-05:00

Now that we have received our first snowfall, I can expect with every new encounter to be asked if I have any trouble with the cold weather up here. I've talked a bit about it here before, but I thought I'd share some of my more recent or better understood observations.The average year-round temperature difference between Chicago and Montreal is about 8 F (5C). The mean temperature difference at

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-84728703533446447942006-12-08T02:42:00.000-05:002006-12-08T00:08:55.629-05:00

A view of the city from the cupola of the Pantheon in the Latin Quarter of Paris. December 1991.

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-77450008615210341552006-12-06T02:42:00.001-05:002006-12-06T22:23:09.642-05:00

Back when Blork switched over to Wordpress, his tag 12 Monkeys became more prominent since it's at the top of his list. I was a bit intrigued by this little project. Basically for the calendar year of 2004, Martine and Blork created a target subject for other participating bloggers to write a post on that topic. Their series included jobs worked, alive moments, taxi rides, tearjerking movies, out

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-36095952931994800312006-12-05T02:42:00.000-05:002006-12-04T22:16:02.310-05:00

Florence, Italy. December 1991

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-73961350054248287302006-12-03T02:42:00.000-05:002006-12-03T12:24:24.316-05:00

Here are three quizes I've taken. Each seems to claim me as their native son. I'm not sure what that says about me.Maybe I catch on quickly. I managed a perfect score on this first little quiz. Though the natives will probably agree that anyone that lives here for a year or two could do well on it with a little educated guessing. The questions aren't that tough and none had anything to do with

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-33754526173242034112006-12-01T02:42:00.000-05:002006-12-01T06:33:53.185-05:00

I thought this shot would be appropriate given the forecast for wintery conditions. A rare view of snow in the gardens of the Chateau de Versailles in early 1996.

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-3542592915332550302006-11-29T02:42:00.000-05:002006-11-28T22:48:07.856-05:00

Yesterday, the Canadian Parliment passed a resolution recognizing Québécois as a nation within Canada.Now when I first moved here I was a bit confused when I was told that the Féte de Saint-Jean-Baptiste (St John the Baptist Day) is Québéc's national holiday. "Shouldn't it be a provincial holiday?" In my mind the words nation and country mean the same thing. Consulting the dictionary, a country

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-29723179729722941192006-11-28T02:42:00.000-05:002006-11-27T21:32:07.425-05:00

A cold late-December day in Florence, Italy. 1991I'd like to take another chance to expound how much I'm loving photography in the digital world. Many of us who grew up in the darkroom age loved the darkroom process. It was part scientific and part artistic. In order to produce good pictures you needed to have the discipline, patience, and accuracy like a scientist, but you also needed the

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-1152296121983578572006-11-26T02:42:00.000-05:002006-11-27T16:01:35.880-05:00

I used to work for a large firm with offices in many cities. The namesakes of the firm and the head office were in New York. The namesakes would come around to the other offices from time to time and it was a fairly big deal. In addition to being namesakes of the firm, they were as close to being celebrities as you can get in our line of work. I'm sure if you watched a week of the Discovery

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-14923748649230781312006-11-25T02:42:00.000-05:002006-11-27T16:03:02.916-05:00

This has been a pretty amazing week.I received a request to use this photo for a museum presentation. Something about comparing the structure of the JC Bridge to something else. They may or may not use it since the resolution is pretty low.There were the Canadian Blog Awards. The blog received 72 votes in the Best Personal Blog category. That put it in 8th out of 112, 29 votes shy of the second

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-69375124336974123282006-11-23T02:42:00.000-05:002006-11-22T22:57:40.458-05:00

To those of you south of the border (US, not Mexico. Though Happy Thanksgiving to those of you in Mexico also.)This picture was taken at the Jean Talon Market in Montreal this past September. It was our first time there and we were pretty amazed by the size of it. Our points of reference are the temporary markets in Versailles, France that we frequented while living there. This was twice or

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-4583603135819210232006-11-22T02:42:00.000-05:002006-11-22T22:41:02.955-05:00

Many of you my age probably remember that cop show from the mid-80's. In our house it held a special meaning because my father grew up on the real Hill Street in Chicago. FYI, there is actually no police station on the street. The street is only two blocks long including the house he grew up in along with the elementary school he attended. The building he grew up in has since been replaced by the

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-11265558952971819682006-11-21T02:42:00.000-05:002006-11-20T23:13:43.086-05:00

Taken during a tour we were given of the Pantheon, Paris, France. November 1991.

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-54854596961801802512006-11-19T02:42:00.001-05:002006-11-19T00:05:36.536-05:00

There has been a lot of talk about the use of petroleum lately. How much it pollutes the atmosphere, how limited the supply is (I've heard 10 years before we run out), and how dependant we are on it. So there has been increased talk over the past two years over how we as a population can ameliorate these issues. It's been something I have been spending much time thinking about and I have some

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-73229863303988727132006-11-17T02:42:00.001-05:002006-11-16T23:19:59.549-05:00

No, actually it's a sign for caves up in the St-Leonard neighborhood of Montreal.Don't forget to vote in the Canadian Blog Awards.

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-9340573727821633952006-11-15T02:42:00.000-05:002006-11-15T06:52:32.300-05:00

Voting has begun over at the Canadian Blog Awards. There are over 300 nominees in the 20 different categories. This blog has been nominated in two. Best Personal Blog and Best Blog Post. I have put together a list of noteworthy nominations that I recommend. Voting runs from today until next Tuesday. You can vote once each day (per computer). It's not required that you vote in every category, but

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-51702710686198118332006-11-14T02:42:00.000-05:002006-11-13T22:26:16.656-05:00

Taken during a walk in the forests near Sutton, Quebec a couple weekends after the autumn peak in October.

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-38581152408349310212006-11-12T09:34:00.000-05:002006-11-12T09:48:13.909-05:00

The new James Bond movie Casino Royale has seen heavy publicity over the past couple weeks. There are the traditional movie trailers in theatres and on TV. There are billboards either advertising the movie itself or the new Bond hawking some wares like watches. Then there are print adds in newspapers and magazines. Lastly there are the rounds of talkshows introducing the new Bond to the

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-32150856837801372902006-11-10T02:42:00.000-05:002006-11-10T00:08:40.411-05:00

This is a piece of art that I noticed from the parking lot of a grocery store when we were in Chicago last summer. It is on a non-descript wall of a Chicago Fire Department building. The screen is quite intricate and it is backlit at night which punches out some of the features even more. I really like how they cobble together so many aspects of Chicago and it's history.

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-1159537974096320622006-11-08T02:42:00.000-05:002006-11-08T00:18:55.568-05:00

There is one thing that happens to me often now that I am a parent. I'll get into the elevator or walk around on the street and reach into my pockets. Most of the time I'll find something that reminds me of my kids. A pacifier, a snack bar wrapper, or often a small toy. I had put them there at some point while attending to them. They are nice little reminders and always make me think of the movie

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-85765650688135535152006-11-07T13:09:00.000-05:002006-11-06T23:13:12.664-05:00

Taken while visiting a new friend in Leeuwarden in northern Holland. November 1991.

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-21852189597565090632006-11-05T02:42:00.000-05:002006-11-04T23:38:11.798-05:00

I must get something off my chest. I love the Republican party. They have done so much for the US and it's reputation around the world. Under their leadership they have shown the world that the United States is a caring nation concerned about citizens of other countries around the world regardless of the financial consequences. They bring to justice ruthless dictators who threaten the peace of

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-70761263257968740862006-11-03T21:18:00.000-05:002006-11-02T23:35:47.745-05:00

Inside the Hohensalzburg Fortress above Salzburg, Austria. October 1991

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-1158117369935043932006-11-01T23:15:00.000-05:002006-10-31T22:19:21.558-05:00

I have finished posting the second half of the Octobre travel break. It includes the remainder of our stay in Prague, then visits to Berlin (day one and day two), Copenhagen, and Stockholm. There are also a couple interesting stories about night clubs we visited in Prague and Stockholm which weren't exactly what we were expecting. It was a great trip. We breezed through every city and missed a

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-12289216716134222442006-10-31T15:52:00.000-05:002006-10-30T22:41:14.808-05:00

A shot taken during a two-hour stopover in Annecy, France at the foot of the French Alps in November 1991.

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-75844622753398731432006-10-29T04:19:00.000-05:002006-10-29T00:19:45.540-04:00

Rain in October serves no purpose. There is no growing season ahead. There is more than enough snow to provide the moisture needed in the spring. So October rain is only here to set the mood and make the falling leaves stick to everything.Mind you, I'm one of those nutballs that doesn't have a problem with rainy days. I almost like them as much as sunny days and cloudy days. I like the ambiance.

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-83098402531811134492006-10-27T21:19:00.000-04:002006-10-26T23:03:22.897-04:00

Taken from the observation deck of the Tower of the Olympic Stadium in Montreal in August 2003. I'm a big fan of the stadium even though many native despise it. I like the fluid forms and the sculptural quality. Seems odd that finally thirty years later that unconventional forms like this are really starting to come into vogue.On the blog awards front, I have been nominated anonymously for

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-27708335853596206352006-10-25T22:27:00.000-04:002006-10-25T23:20:36.358-04:00

For those of you not living in Montreal, the hot topic of the last week has been the mayors decision to rename Parc Avenue along with Bleury Street to Robert Bourassa Avenue. Many people are furious for a variety of reasons. Some are upset because they feel Parc is an integral part of the collective memory. Some are upset because another avenue is being renamed for a politician. And others are

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-1160611356122446652006-10-24T20:01:00.000-04:002006-10-23T23:53:13.627-04:00

This is one of the pictures from the 1991 October travel break. It is the Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen, Denmark.I have to say that I'm a bit surprised at how much attention some of the photos on Flickr get, while others that I really like get close to none. This is one of those photos that got a lot of attention. I figure it is due to the subject matter instead of the artistic qualities of

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-26608818219490852792006-10-22T14:21:00.000-04:002006-10-22T00:37:51.536-04:00

I have felt that the US should stay in Iraq until the civil unrest has finished. I don't feel that it was right to go in and take Hussein out of power. But now that the forces were there, they should finish what they said they were going in there to do. To pull out would show that the country would not follow through on what they set out to do. Or an impression could be made that a withdrawal

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-1160611079320912292006-10-20T19:57:00.000-04:002006-10-22T00:38:56.616-04:00

Caserne de Pompiers #1 (Firehouse #1) in the Maisonneuve neighborhood of Montreal. Designed by Marius Dufresne after he discovered Frank Lloyd Wright. It now houses a small theater company. Here are a couple more pictures of the building.

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-1161021401753301552006-10-19T06:02:00.000-04:002006-10-18T23:39:44.974-04:00

Monday I said I was going to compile another "Best of" for those new to the party and since it has been almost 200 posts since the last one (post #100). I started to compile it and it proved to be a difficult task. Wading through the archives, determining what could be considered the best, and adding links, etc. The whole time I was thinking that it would be so much easier if I could just throw

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-1159978576488165762006-10-17T12:12:00.000-04:002006-10-17T13:28:47.832-04:00

One of the pictures I uploaded recently for the European Memoirs blog. Rouen is a very nice city with three impressive gothic churches. A good day trip from Paris, or a stop on the way to Honfleur and the Normandy Beaches.

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-1160688876070399562006-10-16T17:24:00.000-04:002006-10-17T13:28:48.720-04:00

It's that time of year again. Nominations are being accepted for the Canadian Blog Awards. My love of competition, my need for validation, and just plain curiousity has me interested in being a part of it this year. So feel free to nominate me if you feel what you read here is worthy. The only two categories this blog could fall under are Best Personal Blog andBest Blog (yeah, right).There is

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-1160610917910634072006-10-13T19:50:00.000-04:002006-10-17T13:28:48.185-04:00

Baseball season is over for the Cubs, but I like this shot of the old scoreboard. Although they have tacked a video screen to the bottom, the top is still manually operated with the workers sticking their heads out to watch the game once in a while. I've heard that it's incredibly hot in there and smells like pee. Their only way to relieve themselves is into a funnel with a pipe that leads down

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-1160591815148012122006-10-11T14:28:00.000-04:002006-10-17T13:28:48.099-04:00

Some excerpts from the President's press conference today:"The speaker's strong statements have made it clear to not only, you know, the party members, but to the country, that he wants to find out the facts,'' Bush said at his press conference outside the Oval Office. "All of us want to find out the facts. I mean, this is — you know, this is disgusting behavior when a — you know, a member of

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-1158117339943502922006-10-11T11:14:00.000-04:002006-10-17T13:28:46.184-04:00

The first half of our October travel break has now been posted on the European Memoirs blog. It includes Munich, Oktoberfest, Salzburg, Vienna, and our arrival in Prague. There's a couple interesting stories among the sites seen, but the ones I find more interesting are during the second half. So there is much more to come.

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-1159994990353765512006-10-10T04:42:00.000-04:002006-10-17T13:28:47.921-04:00

This was taken on a morning on our way to class the year I was studying abroad in Versailles. They would usually open early the side gate to the gardens at the Neptune Basin. So we would enter the gardens then walk out the front gate of the chateau. Sometimes they would open the front gates just as we were walking out to the surprise of many early risers trying to be the first into the chateau

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-1160085504602586702006-10-08T17:25:00.000-04:002006-10-17T13:28:48.009-04:00

Last Saturday morning our family went to Complex Desjardins to drop off my wife and the baby. It was an assembly to raise awareness for breastfeeding. At 11am, all of the mothers would attempt to feed and they would be counted. There were 920 feeding of the over a thousand participants who were trying at that time. We received two tickets to see Monsters on Ice since we participated. Although

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-1159900200975515242006-10-06T14:27:00.000-04:002006-10-17T13:28:47.659-04:00

This is a shot that I took on my lunch hour earlier this summer. I like it, but I feel there's something that could be done to it to really make it pop. If you have any suggestions, I'm all ears. This is Jeanne Mance Ecole Secondaire (Secondary School, grades 6-9). The entire perimeter of the building is covered in artistic graffiti.

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-1159805162775275162006-10-04T11:48:00.000-04:002006-10-17T13:28:47.481-04:00

When it was announced that the teams on this season's Survivor would be split along racial lines, I like everyone else thought that is was pretty silly. They mentioned it would increase the minorities in the game, but creating competing teams just didn't seem right in a world trying to overcome stereotypes. Thankfully, when asked what they thought about it, all the players downplayed it. They

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-1159841852884589312006-10-02T22:06:00.000-04:002006-10-17T13:28:47.573-04:00

It is interesting to see what photos gain the most attention compared to those that I feel are good ones. This is one that is in both camps. The river was amazingly still that day and I was able to take some very good photos. For more on my visit to the chateau read here.I was thinking the other day that it is kinda funny how my Flickr account has become a sneak preview of what will be covered in

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-1158001213293842552006-10-01T15:00:00.000-04:002006-10-17T13:28:45.754-04:00

October is my favorite month. We have quite a history together and I enjoy it's place in the change of seasons.Many milestones in my life have occured in this month. During my second year of high school cross-country, I came in fifth place overall for the final race of the year after spending the year as a middle of the pack guy. It was the highlight of my high school running career and I never

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-1158117250105604112006-09-30T23:13:00.000-04:002006-10-17T13:28:46.101-04:00

Two more posts have been added to my European Memoir blog. They encompass two trips. One to the chateaus of the Loire Valley and the other a day trip to Rouen and Honfleur in the Normandy region. These trips were largely uneventful story-wise and they are largerly about the places visited. This is probably because I spent much of them running around on my own. There are a few interesting people

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-1159525983655597062006-09-29T06:22:00.000-04:002006-10-17T13:28:47.150-04:00

Taken at Navy Pier in Chicago in July 2005 at the same time as this photo and this one.

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-1159327884674602432006-09-27T22:39:00.000-04:002006-10-17T13:28:47.065-04:00

I was contacted last week about a post I had written for Metroblogging Montreal by Cecilia Jamasmie, an editor for Orato, an online journal "True stories from REAL people." She was wondering if they could repost one of the posts I had written about the Dawson shootings in their journal. I checked it out and Ed's article had already been posted. I procrastinated over the weekend and gave her a

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-1159232677205588692006-09-26T20:49:00.000-04:002006-10-17T13:28:46.980-04:00

A photo of the inner court of the Chateau de Versailles taken in 1991.The first time I lived in Versailles, I was fortunate enough to live near the gardens and the chateau. Our walk to school with a minor detour took us through the gardens and out the front gate of the chateau. In the photo, we came out of a passageway on the left and walked diagonally toward the camera. It feels surreal to

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-1157658878834870762006-09-24T15:53:00.000-04:002006-10-17T13:28:45.343-04:00

Our car now has 225,000 km (140,000 miles) on it. And over the summer we had quite a few repairs done on it. We are hoping to stretch it until next summer, but in the possibility that it doesn't make it, we have been casually researching what new cars are available and what meets our needs. So we have been checking out all the other cars on the road and making mental notes.Well, the other day

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-1158899035057211862006-09-22T23:24:00.000-04:002006-10-17T13:28:46.897-04:00

Wow! What a bomb! I was starting to think shows like Survivor and the Amazing Race were falling into a pattern with the same personality types and the same interpersonal conflicts, but last night's revelation on Survivor: Cook Islands was a first. This is where I am supposed to tell those who haven't seen it of a spoiler alert.The first hint of something odd was when after the immunity/reward

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-1158894659478979912006-09-22T06:54:00.000-04:002006-10-17T13:28:46.811-04:00

This is another shot that I took in Chicago this past summer. I'm not a big fan of Tiffany, but his work was some of the more interesting objects to take picture of during my 30-minute mad dash to take as many pics as possible. I've already posted other pics from that photo-quickie here, here, and here.

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-1157942370932368902006-09-20T22:21:00.000-04:002006-10-17T13:28:45.507-04:00

Some of you may have wandered over to my photostream on Flickr. Over there, I go by the moniker "The Irish Samurai". You may have wondered where that came from, so I thought I would explain.It was a nickname I came up with for myself back in high school. My sister and I were having fun sending in personal ads to The Reader, a weekly newspaper in Chicago. Like most people we were sending in vague

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-1158632473760758022006-09-19T10:17:00.000-04:002006-10-17T13:28:46.639-04:00

A shot I took early this summer of the Victoria Jubilee Bridge which connects Montreal to the South Shore (and vice versa). I was struck at how such an orderly and fairly simple structure could look so chaotic at certain angles.

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-1152460787285394542006-09-17T11:59:00.000-04:002006-10-17T13:28:27.214-04:00

There are some people you come across in life who make you believe in the human spirit. Jerry, our mechanic, is one of those people.For over thirty years our family has been taking our cars for Jerry to repair and maintain. It was back when my father worked at the Zenith plant on the west side of Chicago. The Grand Service Center was within walking distance so he began taking our cars there to be

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-1158338518056398082006-09-15T23:37:00.000-04:002006-10-17T13:28:46.557-04:00

I have written a post over a Metroblogging Montreal with even more of my thoughts on the recent shooting at Dawson College.This is one of the best aspects of blogging. Sharing eyewitness accounts and thoughts on tramatic events such as this.

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-1158116792960332652006-09-15T11:00:00.000-04:002006-10-17T13:28:46.015-04:00

This is some artwork that someone had done in a knothole along a major Montreal street. I pass by it when I walk to the local commercial strip during my lunch hour. The photo may be deceptive. It is about two feet tall. I thought it was a pretty clever idea.

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-1158247295442318502006-09-14T11:15:00.000-04:002006-10-17T13:28:46.470-04:00

So many thoughts... where to begin.Since yesterday I've been listening to 940 News on the radio constantly while I'm in the car. I listened for over an hour this morning due to the all the traffic. I normally don't like talk or call-in shows, but there is good information and viewpoints to be heard after an event like this. Even if it means wading through so many other viewpoints that seem off

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-1158200465808621142006-09-13T22:12:00.000-04:002006-10-17T13:28:46.375-04:00

For my readers who are not in Montreal and do not read Metroblogging Montreal, fellow author, Jay, has written his first hand account of the events. Quite an amazing recollection.Personnally, I don't know what to say about the events. For some reason I feel quite empathetic to what he went through or the other witness recollections and I can't put my finger on why. Is it because they sounded so

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-1157943453279640532006-09-13T10:39:00.000-04:002006-10-17T13:28:45.590-04:00

The other day I was in the video store and I came across a title that blork had recommended. Why We Fight is a documentary about the creation and propogation of the military-industrial complex, the American war machine.I have to say it was a hard movie to watch. Why? I'm an American and the movie furthered my feeling that capitalism will and is destroying the country. It is happening too often

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-1157997732836260422006-09-12T13:55:00.000-04:002006-10-17T13:28:45.672-04:00

He's a bit old to be called "Billy the Kidd". Taken at the Granby Zoo in July 2006. I like the depth of field, but I could have done a better job with the background. Maybe if I had moved to the right and used the trees as a backdrop.

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-1157253543042383312006-09-10T23:18:00.000-04:002006-10-17T13:28:44.919-04:00

Last winter I started another blog called European Memoirs. So far, I have spent a total of 19 months in Europe between living there and a couple trips. So I thought it would be best to document those times before more of it slips from memory. The blog laid largely untouched for the last 8 months so I thought of something that would help me finish at least part of it by next summer.My first stay

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-1157658715948986332006-09-08T15:51:00.000-04:002006-10-17T13:28:45.179-04:00

It's funny that I never posted this picture on the blog. It is my most "interesting" photo on Flickr. The next few Fridays I'll post the best ones that haven't made it to these pages. Tuesday will remain the more recent ones. I've also changed my blog photo posting practice so that photos are vetted on Flickr first. In other words, I'll only post the best photos after I see how well they are

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10775914.post-1157253490528028372006-09-06T23:17:00.000-04:002006-10-17T13:28:44.837-04:00

Well last Wednesday night we won the finals to be the best of "Associates" C-League. So I guess we were once again the best of the worst. As our reward for winning two years in a row, we will be bumped up to the next league so everyone else can beat up on us.As for our performance over the year as a team, we did well. We were not far and above the best team in the league. We were second in the

Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201487732079235426noreply@blogger.com0