I've been to the mailbox three times this week and still no men...so I guess no one sent any based on my last posting...never hurts to try.

I was standing out on my balcony the other night looking up at the stars and thinking about how routine my life has become. I must be having writers block again because I couldn't think of anything to write about on the blog. Life here is as similar as life down South. I go to work, buy groceries, go out with friends (wing night!), see movies, get books from the library...watch tv...same stuff you do in the South..so what can I write about?

Here's a funny Jennifer story. I had people come over for supper on Sunday. When the first person arrived he buzzed my apartment, one of the other people invited to dinner answered the buzz.
"Buzz me up"
"Buzz you up? What are you talking about? I'm at home answering the phone."
"I'm at Jennifer's buzzing her apartment."
"No, you aren't, your calling L's house."
Confusion ensued.
I got a call from L's house...please buzz J in...he's downstairs and can't buzz up.

Earlier in the week I asked to have my last name and initial put on the phone list downstairs (for my forgetful friends who can't remember my unit #), apparently when she added my name she changed my phone number...to my friends....strange. It took us a while to figure out what had happened...and what a weird thing that it ended up going to my friends house instead of a strangers.

BTW, the we did not eat the chicken in a can the other night. It is actually sitting in my freezer awaiting a trip to the garbage bin.

Here's a few clips from youtube that are enjoyable...they are about a local super hero...Polarman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMjl90XYXBk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0I2kCot63nI
Polarman walks around town year round in this outfit (including the goggles). he kinda does random acts of kindness like shovelling steps for people, things like that. He's a poor soul, but he leads a good life.

The time is almost upon us...when once again the North has more hours of daylight than the South...two weeks from now as a matter of fact.

Sunrise in Iqaluit today, Sunday 6:55am
Sunrise in Charlottetown, 6:59am

Sunset in Iqaluit, 4:41pm
Sunset in Charlottetown 5:53pm

Two weeks from today....

Sunrise in Iqaluit 7:07am
Sunrise in Charlottetown 7:34am

Sunset in Iqaluit 6:23pm
Sunset in Charlottetown 7:12pm

I have a new employee in the office, he's from Newfoundland (as is a good portion of the town)...anyway, the talk has been of the weather in Newfoundland and how much snow, etc they have received the past couple of weeks. M has been glad to gloat to all his pals back home about how great our weather has been. Sure, it is colder here than down South, but I haven't shovelled snow since I moved up North and I haven't had to scrape my windshield since November. You can't beat that.

Totally off topic...
If I was to say that the North is lacking something, anything, I would say it is lacking in single men. Yep, the wild North is full of wonderful strong single women...and very few single men. The men seem to arrive with girlfriend in tow as if they are unable to brave the North alone, yet the women arrive alone and survive quite happily.

For those of you thinking, what can I send North of Nain, how I can help her out....send men!

I was at a party Saturday night, there was a number of people who had been in Cape Dorset for a work trip a few weeks ago and a comment was made about a display of canned chicken, kip, spam and other assorted meats. Which brought on a discussion of the canned chickens.

It's a whole chicken in a can. The label looks like it was printed in the 70's and from the amount of dust on the top of the can I would agree. I decided to purchase a can of the chicken and investigate. Everyone wanted to know how big the chicken was, what it looked like, did it have bones, did it need to be cooked, etc.

Tuesday night I had a couple of friends over for supper. The after dinner entertainment was to open the can. (Yep, exciting times in Iqaluit) Here's the pictures that came from the event...


Check out the dust on the top of the can.


The smell of the chicken as I started to open the can was over whelming. (Off-topic...I don't like my new hair colour...thoughts?)


The yellow sludge is the fat. The can suggests that you chill the chicken before eating. Yeah, solidfy the sludge, good idea.


And finally the chicken out of the can. I'm not sure who would want to eat this...I wouldn't.

Digital Camera $359.99
Supper for friends $67.89
Chicken in a can PRICELESS....or $12.49 at North Mart.

A few weeks ago a friend mentioned that there was an article in Maclean's magazine on the various premiers across Canada...it had pictures of their homes in it....did anyone see this? Can they tell me what issue it was in? I'd love to get a copy.

If you can help, please post in the comment section. Thanks!

Ok...totally not Northern related...but made me very happy. Thanks to Captain Canuck for providing the first link...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gGWrnm-B44

If you are of my generation then you will appreciate these links...otherwise check back later for another NofN update.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8fB39cCb00
I can only get to 2:09 in this...if anyone knows how I can get the whole thing let me know. This is my fav all time skit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5hVOxIpNcc

And to think only a few short weeks ago I was trying to figure out what youtube was...

Finally found the cord that attaches camera to computer...so here's some pictures of Cambridge Bay.


View of some of the houses around town.


There seems to be a lot more snow in Cambridge Bay than in the Baffin Region.


Part of the Dew Line.


Sailboat stuck in the ice. Apparently the owner of the boat came over from Greenland a couple of years ago wanting to immigrate to Canada. He lived on the boat for a year (no easy feat in Northern Canada) and then was kicked out of the country. He isn't allowed back in which is apparently why the boat is still in Cambridge Bay. There are articles in the paper on this...but I didn't do the research so you will have to accept this information with a grain of salt.


My friend Mel pointed out that within this house lives a very traditional type fellow. He doesn't have electricity and prefers to live a more slower paced way of life. Good for him...I sure couldn't do it.


The parka on the right was absolutely gorgeous. The main part of the coat was made entirely out of rabbit fur. I'm not sure what the hood is, but it was certainly impressive. The parka on the left was nice too. It's mother and daughter, they were selling hand sewn products at the trade show. The rabbit parka was selling for $4500. Which really was a steal if you ask me.


Wandering around town one afternoon I popped into the grocery store. I'm not sure how much chez whiz costs in Iqaluit, but thought the prices might be of interest to you. How much is the medium sized jar where you live?



Michael and I standing under the arch...marking the Arctic Circle. It was M's first trip over the circle so we had to mark it with a photo.


Yep, charter a plane, it's the only way to fly. LOL. While the hours are good and the convienence is amazing...the space is well, limited. Here's the gang on the way back to Iqaluit.


I'd say it was standing room only on the flight, but in actual fact there wasn't enough height to stand up. I sat sideways most of the trip to avoid keeping my knees out of the back of the person in front of me.

One of my new found Northern friends is a pilot. I haven't flown with him yet, so I can't say if he is a good pilot or not, but I assume he is. I mean any landing you can walk away from is a good landing, right Brent?

Anyway, I shouldn't try to make fun. He was nice enough to show me this cool slide show of some of his trips. I am sure you will enjoy it. Turn up the speakers and enjoy the North through the eyes of a pilot.

A day in the life

Brent is a part-time Northerner at the moment, (but used to be here fulltime). He resides in Ontario with his wonderful wife and three kids. He does three week rotations up North. Thanks for sharing!

I arrived back in Iqaluit Friday evening safe and sound. Thank goodness for charters. No lost luggage and no delays.

Yes, my trip last week was...rough. But the law of averages is still on my side. If you think about the number of flights I have been on over the past number of years I think I've done pretty good. This trip is currently placed at my 2nd worst trip ever, but I don't have a 3rd worst (at least yet).

The trip to Cambridge Bay worked out quite nicely and I'm glad I was able to go. Pictures and comments to follow over the weekend.

In the meantime I would like to introduce you to the newest member of my family...Iqaluk. (Fish). I haven't picked out an English name for him yet, so Iqaluk will have to do for now.

I purchased Iqaluk in St. John's, Newfoundland on Monday. He went through security in St. John's with no difficulties and then we flew to Ottawa together. Monday night I munched on Wendy's, he had flakes. Tuesday we flew to Iqaluit. We arrived around 1:30pm, our luggage arrived at around 3pm on the freight flight and since I was leaving at 4pm on the charter to Cambridge Bay he had to come with me. The guys in the office laughed at me as did most of the other charter passengers, but I didn't care. My fish was safe with me. He traveled in a very, very small plastic container in the pocket of my parka. He lived in a plastic cup on top of the tv for a night in Cambridge and then in his big tank after that. Somehow I think he likes the cup better.

We arrived back this evening safe and sound. Iqaluk is in his travel tank waiting for the water in his big tank to reach room temperature. Iqaluk is a pretty blue betta fish who have been North of the Arctic Circle...how cool is that?

Finally a flight that arrived when and where it was supposed to. I arrived in Cambridge Bay yesterday evening. It's a nice little town. Approximately 1500 residents (same as Pangnirtung). A couple of major differences, Cam Bay has a bank and you can get alcohol.

I roamed around at lunch and took a few photos (which will need to wait until I return to Iqaluit). I spent last night munching on char, and musk ox jerky. And I tried muktuk for the first time. Muktuk is the skin of narwhal and the first layer of blubber. It is cut into tiny pieces and served with soya sauce. It was chewy. Very chewy. But I will eat it again.

Tomorrow afternoon I'm off to the store to buy some musk ox to take back with me. The jerky was good and if I can buy a small amount I'll get some of that too.

Cam Bay is colder than Iqaluit, it was approximately -35 when we arrived last night and the temp didn't go up much today during the approximately 6 hours of daylight. I don't mind, I have my parka so I'm good.

Today was a trade show. It's been steady. Tonight we dine on prime rib roast and then a few drinks. Tomorrow night they are having a hypnotist provide entertainment. Should be interesting to watch....I don't plan to get dragged up on stage.

12 out of 13 not going to happen.

Did I ever mention that I have strong negative feelings about Air Canada? I used to travel...alot. And it wasn't uncommon to lose my luggage. I normally took it in stride as it generally happened at the end of my travels. Like last week when I was returning from Vancouver. This weekend tops that.

Friday, February 3, 2007
Depart Iqaluit 7:10pm
Not quite...they had to load and unload a couple of trucks from the plane so we left late...but it was cool to watch so no biggie.
Arrive Ottawa 11:25pm
Collect baggage 12midnight

Saturday, February 4, 2007
Depart Ottawa 3:05pm
Not quite. Flight was delayed for about an hour due to incoming equipment (umm...a plane?)
I start asking about making connecting flight in Halifax...don't worry she says, you will make up time in the air. (um, ok...sure)

Arrive Halifax 6:32pm
Flight to St. John's scheduled to depart at 6:30pm....as our plane pulls in we can see the plane at the gate...yeah, they have decided to hold it. 12 people run frantically down the hall to find the plane has departed...without us...angry mob returns to arrival gate to find out what is going on.

"Oh, they decided not to hold the plane as there is another flight to St. John's later tonight." 12 very grumpy people try and find agents to give them meal vouchers and new boarding passes.

New departure time...10:35pm. Ok...we are in at midnight, nothing big planned for Sunday except a tour at 2:00pm...no biggie. Then pushed back to 11:50pm then moved up to 11:25pm.

11:40pm on plane listening to instructions on how to use a seatbelt. 11:50pm...entire plane is being escorted by RCMP and airport security downstairs in airport. Apparently there had been a security breach and everyone needed to leave the secure part of airport. We were told that they had to wait for the dogs to arrive and clear the airport before we were allowed back upstairs. But there is a catch...

If they can't get this done and our flight back through security by 2:00am our flight can't leave because the crew will have been working too long or something to that extent, in which case they will cancel our flight.

The mob gets a little pissy...but overall the mood is good...but everyone is tired.

1:40am we are back on the plane again listening to instructions on how to use a seatbelt.
1:50am pilot announces we need to get more fuel.
2:20am fueling is done.
2:40am de-icing wings, etc.
3:00am flight is cancelled due to bad weather in St. John's
3:15am luggage is off loaded. mine is not there...neither is luggage of any of the 8 students I am escorting.
3:30am mob turns angry as another lfight headed for St. John's has joined us in baggage claim and all passengers who had connected from TO were told they had no luggage.
3:35am I am in line waiting to see what they plan to do with us and when we will be departing.

If you are familiar with the Halifax airport you will sympathize...the line went from Air Canada ticket counter to the Liquor Store...and people were not in good humor.

They had us form lines for certain flights and then reform lines. They passed out the toll-free and told people to call on their own to get on another flight...I did. I got all 9 of us on the 6:30am flight. YEAH!! I'm in line waiting for new boarding passes when the AC man says that the toll-free reservations people screwed up and no one will be getting on the 6:30am flight...cause it was already full.

5:50am I finally get to the head of the line. My group is re-booked on the 10:35pm flight for Sunday (which it already is). We are given a hotel voucher and sent away. I am too tired to think about getting a kit from them with deoderant, toothbrush, etc.

6:20am we arrive and check in at hotel. I sleep until 11:30am then get up and change all my reservations. So, no trip to Yellowknife.

Our flight Sunday night was late leaving and by the time I got the students checked into their apartments and me into my hotel it was 2:22am Sunday. I left St. John's at 5:30pm on Monday.

I am presently in Toronto awaiting a flight to Ottawa. I will sleep tonight...finally...and IF the storm in Iqaluit has quieted down I will fly home and then leave in the afternoon on a charter to Cambridge Bay...if the flight is not going ahead...I'm headed for a spa and then a bar.

BTW, I haven't been to the North West Territories or the Yukon yet...those are the two missing links in my cross Canada tour.

On the road again. I just can't wait to be on the road again. blah blah blah de blah blah blah...and I can't wait to be on the road again. Ok...country was never my strong point.

Friday evening I will escorting 9 students to Ottawa, and then Saturday, on to St. John's. I'll get them settled and then Monday I'm off to Yellowknife and then Tuesday Cambridge Bay. There will be no internet access until my return next Friday...but expect some great pics from Yellowknife and Cam bay upon my return to Iqaluit.

I can't wait to hit Yellowknife. Not only will that make 12 out of 13 provinces/territories visited, but I get to see an old friend who works there...a fellow Islander...and there aren't that many of us around.

My flight from Newfoundland on Monday goes straight to Fort McMurray...and then to Edmonton and then to Yellowknife...that shows you how many Newfoundlanders work in Fort McNewfie...you can't get a flight from SJ to Ottawa without going through Toronto or Montreal...but you can board a plane in NL and go straight to Alberta...go figure.

Enjoy your week. I know I'll enjoy mine.

North of Nain...signing out till next Friday.