dryfly.ca started as a website for sharing one of my DIY projects, a stitch and glue kayak. Since then I've added several more projects including a skin-on-frame kayak, cedar strip canoe, kayak paddles, canoe paddles, building a spey rod, and an antenna for receiving OTA HDTV. I also occasionally ramble on about politics, technology, bike racing, product reviews and last but not least, our kids.
Click on the Photo Gallery to lots of my pictures in their full glory, including family, friends, boat building, travels, etc.
Tight Lines!
Archive for May, 2009
May 21, 2009 at 10:11 am · Filed under Just Stuff, Technology
This morning I read several reports on the hazards of using reusable shopping bags. The fears relate to poisoning from bacteria, fungi and microbes. On the surface it raises some concerns, but a quick look at the studies shows what really is going on. These studies appear to be sponsored by plastics lobbyists and other industry groups such as Food Fight Toronto, an organization consisting of community groups, retailers and residents who are concerned that regulations on packaging will lead to increased costs.
One report here shows just how shabby and poor the studies may be. The study in this report used a sample size of one. Other reports can be found here and here.
Personally, I’m not the least bit concerned about this, although it does raise the point that these bags should be washed now and then. I’m not sure about using bleach – I don’t know which is worse for the environment and sustainability, using bleach or using plastic bags. I don’t think a person needs to be too worried about sterilizing their bags. Rather, by regular cleaning of reusable bags a person eliminates or reduces the environment in which bacteria and microbes can live. You don’t need to kill the bad guys, you just have to get rid of their houses and food.
May 12, 2009 at 10:59 am · Filed under Photos, Politics
Another one of my photos made it into Rick Mercer’s Photo Challenge, #22/25
May 5, 2009 at 2:05 pm · Filed under Freedom 15 Canoe
I finished scraping the inside of the hull this past weekend. I enjoyed this part of the build, as it didn’t involve any epoxy or electric power tools (ie ROS). Using the curved cabinet scraper I was able to not only remove glue from the inside surface, but also fair out any uneven strips. I’ll only have to do a quick sand on the inside before it’s ready for fiberglassing.
May 4, 2009 at 11:15 am · Filed under Photos, Sports
Check out epicimages in the links section to the right. He has some great photos from cycle racing.
May 4, 2009 at 7:48 am · Filed under Just Stuff, Sports
Don Cherry’s Hockey Stories and Stuff by Don Cherry
My review
rating: 5 of 5 stars
Don Cherry’s Hockey Stories and Stuff was a pleasant surprise. I’ve always enjoyed Cherry’s commentary on Hockey Night In Canada, but I’ve also thought that he was a bit of a meathead. He’s funny, somewhat insightful, a full-on Canadian redneck that loves being a redneck. When you look at the cover of the book, you get the feeling that it will somehow be the print version of his Rock ‘em Sock ‘em Greatest Hits video series. Instead, what you find inside is something completely different and the cover is very misleading and doesn’t do the book justice.
The book is simply an unordered compilations of stories from Cherry, written exactly how he would tell it. There is no attempt to “correct” the grammar that Cherry uses. This turns out to be a brilliant idea, because Cherry is one of hockey’s greatest story tellers and there’s no better way to hear the story being told. The stories encompass all aspects of Cherry’s life in hockey: his AHL career, NHL coaching career, life on tv and the CBC, his dog, his dad. While reading the book it is obvious that Cherry loves the hard hitting and brutal side of hockey, but what really struck me was just how much of a humanist Cherry is. The book is in perfect sync with the fallen soldier memorials that Cherry has at the end of his show on HNIC. There are many great stories in the book, such as coaching a Bruins team with Bobby Orr and Brad park, or getting in a fight and almost having his thumb bit off. What really sets the book apart though is how it shows Cherry’s understanding of compassion and kindness.
View all my reviews.
