Scott's Life has ended

For future updates on Patricia and Scott's activities, please visit http://www.scottandpatricia.com/. All personal blog entries from this blog have been transported there.  No more political entries at the new site (small price of married life for me).  

We're Married!

Scott Sankey and Patricia Selestra were married on Friday, March 6th, 2009 at 8000 feet elevation atop Grotto Mountain above Canmore, Alberta, Canada.  It was a sunny clear day and -6 degrees C in Canmore and -18 on the mountain (-27 with wind chill).  The below pictures are from the deck of the Rimrock Hotel  in Banff afterward.  More pictures to follow.

 

FEMA camps mentioned on Network TV!

In a surprising FOX segment, Glenn Beck mentions the FEMA jail camps that have been constructed all across the USA. I have followed this in the "conspiracy theory" world for a long time. These camps are all empty, ready and waiting to receive whomever the government wants to lock up. Now wait and watch Glenn Beck get silenced for daring to talk about it.

Hillarious Sleepwalking Dog

I laughed and laughed when I saw this:

Sleeping Dog Runs Into Wall - Watch more Funny Videos

Roiling Mass of Snakes to Receive $160 Billion in Gov't Stimulus

The Onion News Network strikes again.

Story too crazy for fiction

This true story about a giant Russian hermit shootout with Russian special ops is crazy.  Ambushes, rich people's houses burning down, traps, scared local police, and a very lucky sniper are all part of the story.  Check it out.

Pathetic humans, swarming around your new leader like ants.

This is getting stupid.  It's as if he were the messiah or something.  I can hardly stand to turn the TV on anymore these days because of all the nauseating commentary about Obama.  Maybe people are just so happy to be rid of that other man.  I don't understand why in a supposed democracy people want to treat the president like a king, coronating him with more lavish and expense than you can imagine.

Anyhow....click on the pic to see all the peasents celebrating King Obama as the country crumbles. 

Why I Like Calgary Winters

From:http://www.wx.ca/

Pop, Soda, or Coke?

What do you call your carbonated beverage? Here is a map of preferences by area of USA. It reminds me a lot of this map of religions I posted earlier this year.

The Amero is coming

Get ready for the end of the US$. Hal Turner is of course a conspiracy nut, but this video makes one think. Time to finally order those Maple Leaf gold coins I think.

White Phosphorus

So those exploding smoke shells in the last post were actually white phosphorus. I find it hard to understand why Israel would do something so blatantly cruel in front of the whole world. I truly believe that this could be start of period of massive unrest in the middle east - it's almost like the Jews are trying to stoke hatred. And for what? Any thinking person knows that they will not stop the home-made rockets from being launched. Pouring white phosphorus on a civilian population will only increase the hatred and resolve of their enemies.

Obviously Hamas is also committing war crimes such as using civilians as shields, holding their command bunker under the main Gaza hospital, etc. etc. But the Israelis are losing the battle for world opinion by killing so many civilians - including UN workers. Not a way to win friends and infulence people.

Gaza Pic

Interesting weapons, these. Exploding shells that scatter over a wide area. Interested weapon choice for one of the most densely populated areas of the world. Not a fight, more like shooting fish in a barrel.

2008 Wrap Up

I really appreciate all the Christmas letters I received from friends & family. However, I have never had the incliniation to do one myself because my life is usually pretty dull. So to replace a letter, and since I keep this blog more or less up to date, here were the highlights from 2008:

Financial Meltdown (ongoing)

New York Trip

Laurel & Sheldon's Wedding & Family Time

US Election

Trip to Philippines

Of course if you read this blog once in a while, you will be already up to speed. I have no doubt that 2009 will be at least as exciting and eventful as 2008. Best wishes to everyone in the New Year!

Misc Video Clips from Palawan Trip

Misc Philippines Trip Clips from Scott Sankey on Vimeo.

Trip Summary:
Now that pictures have been posted, here is a brief commentary on the trip. I was fairly nervous about what to expect in the remote corner of the Philippines that Patricia calls home. However, both of us had a blast - the people were so helpful that majorly inaccessible areas became almost instantly available to me regardless of my physical condition. Just try to get a taxi driver in N.A. to lift me into their cab - no way. In the Philippines, it was a given. My chair always made it it, whether in the trunk or jammed in the passenger seat by the driver.

Patricia's family were very accommodating to me and I felt right at home. I just plan to learn some more Tagalog before I go back next time. There was a wide range of English speaking ability but usually there was someone around who could speak it well. The many kids were fun to be around and always trying to help with whatever I needed. I played a lot of 007 on the Nintendo 64 that we sent them - I was a little rusty (hadn't played it since college) but had a lot of fun being a new target for the kids to shoot at.

The New House: A major reason for the trip was to view progress on the new house Patricia (and I) are building for her parents. The house is coming along nicely, about 70% done, and even has an accessible bathroom and shower right off of the guest room (thanks to Pat's foresight). The move-in from the old to new house was done the day we got there and everyone looks forward to hopefully putting the finishing touches over the next several months.

Island hopping: We made many day and overnight trips to the various tiny islands and resorts that line the coast of Busuanga Island. I snorkeled at least 4 separate times and had a blast seeing sea turtles, a shark, rays, and many types of fish. The islands are so unspoiled and prestine - you could have your pic of many essentially private beaches to spend the day at.

Coron Cliffs and Lake: We spent one day boating down to Coron on the other side of the island to see the sites. We went places even Patricia hadn't been before. We explored hidden coves in the cliffs and some hiked up to a pretty freshwater lake high up on the other side of the cliffs.

Christmas: It seemed like there was one ongoing Christmas celebration from when we got there to when we left. Many parties, fiesta, parades, birthday celebrations etc etc. We spent Christmas eve at a very late mass at the very nice Catholic Church. Then a late midnight feast at "the big house" - no not the jail but the 80 year old family homestead.

Uncle Tony's: The last day of our visit we accepted an invitation to Uncle Ton'ys compound accross the bay from Salvacion which is a very nice property that has guest houses, a pool and a very nice view. The visit was really nice and I plan to take him up on his invite for a visit next time we go back to the Philippines.

On the whole, I am very pleased with the trip and that I was able to finally meet Patricia's family. I know, it only took me ten years but I take a long time to make up my mind. I would highly recommend the Palawan Islands as a place to visit but clearly the family connection made our visit much easier (and less expensive). Next time I go I want to make a trip to the southern Palawan Islands to visit the underground river that has just been named one of the 7 "new" wonders of the world.

Slideshow of more pics

The beach lot I want to buy

This lot is for sale, wouldn't it be nice to have one's own beach property?

More pictures - Black Island Day Trip

One of the many trips we took to visit islands took us to Black Island, which is a protected island that anyone can visit.  Fortunately we had the island to ourselves that day.    A palm boat at 50% capacity.The unloading process.Our Picnic lunch.

This is the beach where the pic was taken that I posted a week before we left.   Mission accomplished.

More Pictures from Palawan, Philippines

atricia is from the island chain called Palawan in the southwestern Philippines.  Specifically the island of Busuanga at the northern tip of the island chain in the town of Salvacion (see map).

Family Picture.Me with all the kids in front of the town sign.

Palawan Phiippines

We have landed and are enjoying the wonderful island of Palawan.  Here are some pics from the trip so far.  We are at Club Paradise resort now which has (slow) internet access. Family in Manlia, Left to right: Scott, Pat's Uncle, his wife, Angelica, Patricia, Pat's Lola (96 years old and still very sharp), Pat's Sister Vanessa, Pat's Auntie Silo.  Me in a "tricycle" on the way to go boating.  Pat and I on Paradise Island Resort beach.

Thousands rally in downtown Calgary

So I went over to City Hall yesterday to see if Albertans care about the recent lunacy in Ottawa.  Almost 3,000 people turn out (according to CTV) but City Council wouldn't give us a permit to demonstrate.  Therefore, we just rallied across the street in Olympic Plaza (what a shame City Council has only one conservative).   You can't see me in the pic above but I was there way at the back incase things got crazy.  Here is a link to some good flickr pictures.