BEAR Den Ottawa Feb 7 , 2012
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Theory Part 2. Performing Acoustic “Lowlife” Live
Kornicky in the Afternoon at 106.9 The Bear Ottawa
Tuesdays’ Mini Ramble
Seems to have been a bit of a writers reprieve for to long now. So, this uhm ends that. The main concern is that life seems to be whipping by as fast as ever, only now packing more into the void, making them count again. Jamaica on nickels for 96 hours just in case the 2012ers got this one right. Doubtful but why gamble unnecessarily. The Show feeling good, feedback thus far positive but shant let that pollute the expectations. Feels like the train just started rolling, much steam still yet to be harnessed. Forward at all cost. Be dammed the hurdles. Step aside the swine that interfere in the grand plan. No prisoners this time. 
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A Really Cool Job
I know I have a pretty cool job doin what I do on the radio. They pay me for being me. as sweet as it gets. However, having just finished a 9 month ride looking for a job and possibly a new career, I looked at all options.
Although I am not qualified for this gig I saw listed on kajiji, as a kid at heart until the end and an adult with a love of amusement parks et al, this job at Proslide would be a blast for the right person.
PROSLIDE is the world leader in the
custom design, engineering and manufacturing of Water Rides for Amusement Parks,
Waterparks and Hotel Resorts throughout the world. Recognized as the industry
leader in water ride innovation, ProSlide’s products have received best in class
awards year after year. Our mission is
to create the best Water Ride attractions in the world, that consistently
demonstrate obvious advantages of superior thrills and entertainment value
matched with the highest levels of safety and product quality above any
others.
With continued growth in waterparks
and demand for the ProSlide rides, we are currently recruiting for:
Installation
Services Technicians (Multiple positions open at various
levels)
Installation Services Technicians
will be deployed to international customer sites to manage and complete our
product installation process. Ability to
build and manage on-site customer relationships is critical for this role. Training and installation planning will be
based at our Ottawa office with deployment to international locations including,
but not limited to, Asia, Europe, and South America. Deployments will be up to eight (8) weeks in
duration, with home leaves to Ottawa managed between installation projects.
Specific
Responsibilities:
- Represent
ProSlide in a manner which builds positive relationships with customers and
other industry vendors. - Maintain
active communication on project plans, status and issues to customer
representatives and ProSlide management. - Assist
in the preparation of detailed plans and budgets for the installation phase of
water ride projects. - Assist
in the preparation of detailed guidelines directing the work of ProSlide
installation personnel or contract resources to ensure optimum consistency of
methods,
results,
adherence to schedules and achievement within budget limitations. - Provision
of expert assistance in the preparation of cost estimates for installation and
material costs for contract proposals. - Administration
of ProSlide’s Job Safety Program to ensure optimum compliance to the highest
level of safety practices in the industry. - Negotiation
with suppliers of equipment, products and services to reduce costs and maximize
margins for all installation related activity and costs. - Preparation
of detailed status reports to inform clients, other members of the ProSlide Team
and other interested parties on the status of individual and all installation
activities. - Participate
in on-site activities to provide an active leadership role to ProSlide
installation teams. - Participation
of “take-offs” for material supply requirements. - Review
of engineering output for accuracy and completeness. - All
other duties as required.
Qualifications:
- The
successful candidate will have: - Minimum
5 years experience in construction activities, ideally with some specifically
involving water ride systems - Excellent
oral and written communication skills - Experience
in construction safety programs - Heavy
equipment operation experience an asset - Experience
in supervision/leadership roles - Experience
in project planning and managing budgets - Willingness
to work as part of a team - Willingness
and ability to travel extensively and work extra time as the need
arises
Interested applicants are asked to e-mail their
resumes to:
careers@proslide.com
Where the hell have I been?
I was reminded in the last 2 days a few times about my blog. Nice comments followed by a “wheres some new stuff dude”.
I look back on the clock which is spinning at an irregular quickened pace and has done so for the last many months. It ain’t slowing down. I thought it might. Guess its up to me to react.
A quick catch up. It all started coming apart during the summer. Spending much of it in full vagabond form. I was moving around on my Harley every three days. Projects were at hand, being developed. But my focus was pulled in 50 directions, not intentionally, but a form of Attention Deficit disorder where panic, not video games and an overindulgence in tv drove crazy desperation. I wanted to get other people’s stories. As it turned out, my own had to be figured out.
A couple of bad things happened. Loosing faith in your abilities and your career create a void. I couldn’t say i doubted full heartedly my radio abilities, it was more my ability to tolerate the bullshit. I was working in a creative industry/ building that quashed that very quality. I worked for shortsighted ladder climbers. I worked for aged consultants. And it was over because I spoke my mind and pissed someone off. Years of life erased by goons.
I had this creative energy that needed release. it came thru these pages and some video and stories over the summer. My friends Jacqui and Jamie at MotosportPlus encouraged me to do more. Once May came thru and I no longer had a home to call my own, a mental slide started. Moving between Kingston, Toronto, Ottawa and every road in between. I applied for Jobs, had interviews, waited for calls. I burned fuel on my two wheels waiting for the grand realization of what was next. It wouldn’t come. Every Kilometre passed without the transparencies that oft would evolve with wind in your head for hour after hour. It was frustrating many times. Unfamiliar territory while astride my therapist. Emptiness… pulled over at an empty beautiful spot and screaming FUCK at the top of your lungs. pounding at the air. Brewing anger and despair. It wasn’t me. I knew how to deal with ME, i thought. Me was challenging ME. or as my Rasta friends would say.. I soul in conflict with I man.
The stresses and behavior on my part also lead to the most Zen like thing Ive known in my life blowing apart. I was in trouble. A goodness was ending because of my darkness. My doubts , my insecurities, my fears. Things were taking over in my life that were countering and destroying the things I trusted i believed in. The people I truly loved. My own soul being picked clean by my own vulture. i held on to a past, afraid to fully take on the present and future without blinders and shades far too dark. I didnt do what i do. Step into the light and embrace what was in front of me with all my soul. My deadness, what I was taught thru song and dance and community and time. Before any job offer had come my way a revelation was becoming clearer along the way. I couldn’t lose my love too. not this time. And it was shared between two. a mother and her daughter. My Zen. My soul. And it seemed too late…
Enter Ottawa. A Great offer at a great station in a great city. ( www.thebear.fm ). A position and a challenge I knew I could take on. financially and professionally a beam of light that I had to jump aboard. And would enjoy. But never fully until Zen was back in tact.
The first weeks on air were like a shot in the arm to me. Early weeks saw me in a hotel, with my cat who had been in wonderful care by Loraine and John for several months back in my company. A loneliness rolled over me immediately as I took the few hours I needed to just sit and look out the window again at another city, nervous, heading into the abyss alone. Again. Kid had to convince himself he could do it again. Get the strength needed inside to make it happen. be succesful.
A week later my truck gets rear ended by a drunk hit and run leaving 8 1/2 thou in damages. 500 more out the pocket. Whatever. it happened and rather than being pissed as I normally would be, I practically almost shrugged it off. bring it on. The snake that whacked my ride will suffer at the hands of the Karma Police. I realized at that moment it was going to take way more than that now to rattle me. Karma Police had been all over my ass for months. Somehow they were still after me. that chic Cop in Gatineau now strikes as not a real cop. Karma Cop. My bike has broken down, my cherry Motorcycle helmet got pinched, I’m getting audited. I’m knocking ‘em down one at a time. Crazy assed times.
On a hight note, I found out who my true friends are as all hell broke loose. Some stood out above all others. I was able to build and enjoy and spend time with my most amazing parents. more time than we have had in 15 years. I will cherish them. That was a gift in all this.
However one piece seems most important of all. Zen, my Zen is still in tatters. And it’s all that matters. Two pieces of my puzzle. I’m becoming who I always thought I was, but realized I wasn’t completely. stark shit when you realize it. When Zen…I and I, we are repaired, mid earth comes back to centre and I shake the ghosts that keep calling 911.
Forever.
The Weird Go Pro…Life Going Down The Road
It’s been the strangest of Summers so far. People have been complaining that it was a shit spring, now its too hot. All I know is that life has been getting weirder and I have spent the bulk of the last 3 months rollin up and down every road between Ottawa and Toronto and 80% of the time it’s been just the bike and I. The Harley and I have been ripping the stuffing out of each other. We both now need a little tlc, some cool down.
I’ve been scrapbooking a little, filming a little here and there and basically just been letting miles roll past me hoping the answers will appear…or at least seem to be less clouded. It’s been the most worrisome time of my life. Oh hell I’ve gone through lots of shit, but the stresses associated with trying to plant my foot in the right direction took on an epic feel. While the vast majority of what I have worked for all these years has all but vanished, consequently all that I have worked at to believe all these years has help guide me through. I kept finding a little more gas money, usually from the hands of Jacqui down at Motosport Plus. Some commercial work and compassion…and confidence. I am forever grateful.
My friendship with them has opened new doors. It has opened my mind to what I can accomplish, part of what my future direction is. It has given me the confidence to pursue slightly different avenues. I continue to move around on my loving “Springer”, further blurring the line between the Brand, “Harley Davidson” and life. I’ve always embraced the lifestyle and this summer I’ve enjoyed through “not having anywhere to go”, living it most of the time. My machine continues to serve me well beyond simply the fit and function of it’s parts.
Part of this summer’s journey allowed me to talk to hundreds of people. At times I had my camera or phone ready to document it, other times I didn’t wish to interrupt the spontaneity of the meetings by rushing to unpack the gear from my bags. Those took on just a personal gratification. I will continue uploading what I have as I piece it together. A search of “kornicky” on Youtube will yield some of what I’ve been posting. More found on Motosport Plus facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/pages/MotoSport-Plus/21416064434.
I’ll share a quickie from last week. For years, when I stop for a rest or a place to chill, someone will inevitably come up and ask about the bike. Conversations range from the benign to enlightening and entertaining. It never fails. Lat week while taking in 1000 Islands beauty I stopped for a moment of quiet reflection. It lasted just a few moments before a mini van pulled into the same pocket of roadside heaven I had found. I then had my peace interrupted by 6 visiting tourists. At first I thought “jesus i just want to sit here quietly,can’t they find another view.” We were close enough to each other that you may have thought I was travelling with them. I could make no sense of the Mandarin they were speaking to each other. as I looked up, one greeted me with a smile and said in english, “it’s beautiful”. We looked out appreciating the view, and then I asked the one man where they were from. Beijing was his answer.
Most of those in the group spoke little or no english, translations were being offered amongst themselves. I proceeded to ask 20 questions. Were they family or friends? What have they seen so far? How long is their stay? What have they really liked so far? Where you heading next? On and on. general interest on my part. It was then that one of the gentlemen in the party, maybe 60 years old and in very limited english turned and pointed to my bike and asked, ”is that a Harley Davidson?”. My answer was of course very proudly, Yes. The vista before us may have all but disappeared. I proceeded to now get 20 questions. Some asked in broken english, other more detailed questions and answers were translated from one to the next. We surrounded the bike and I proceeded to answer the gamut of inquiries as to what year, how big was the motor, how much does it cost, where have i gone on it…on and on.? The machine, my machine raised as much interest as the surrounding landscape. Another bond made with folks from another part of the world. The Brand itself held in the highest regard. The Harley holding its own. 5 more dreamers born that moment.
Some Beijing Tourists stop to wow over the bike
I gave them each one of my cards. they took a few pictures of the bike before they had to leave. I never wanted to interrupt the whole natural process of the meeting by rushing for the digicam and interviewing them. I only had my phone and asked for one picture for my scrapbook. The chance meeting would remain our own little part of the trip.
Port Dover,Friday The 13th and Other Scary Days
Ho ho, as my favorite scribe would say, perhaps the words doth flow again. drastic times make for drastic measures. Words kept to myself, others shared with friends and not some anonymous peeper from half way across the world this last while. The last thing to leave my apartment fittingly the portrait of Jerry Garcia. Seemingly peering over his glasses at me and me alone, reminding me of staying true to what I believe to be me thru these crazed waters. The challenge is to figure out how “the challenge” is to still be enjoyed. Lyrics from my journey thus far leading me forward. What a long strange trip indeed.
Jerry now sits in a ten by ten storage 8 yards from the 401. I’ve placed him in such a way that his gaze will greet me as I ramp up the door to most of what I hold on to. That all-knowing gaze staring out from within a cluttered little space. Reminding me, Not Fade Away. The thought of it just made me smile. being a Deadhead just worked again.
So on the cusp of these sour days on my part, some choose as I have many times in the past, to journey beyond what a normal person would consider reasonable, to trek in from now around the world, to the small hamlet of Port Dover. A day forever painted black by the superstitious, Friday the 13th becomes a pilgrimage for 24 brief hours. Bikers..errr motorcyclists from all walks of life push beyond what has not always been fun, to enjoy the equivalent of a sardine can filled with beer. It’s a great time, or it sucked. Weather always the determining factor.
MotosportPlus threw together a little party to greet a contingent from Drummondville, just outside of Montreal last night. Many quite familiar with the fun-loving debauchery they were heading into know its a crap shoot. Those on their first time anticipate legendary fun. Willing to shrug off the anticipated rain and sponginess to say “ they made it”. Imagine how grand the tales told are that it would inspire someone to ride a 2000 km round trip, for a beer, a sticker and a tshirt when all is said and done. The craziness of it is what drew me the first time. Seemed like a very Deadhead thing to do. it was and still is. I’ve driven farther for a two hour concert so Dover seems like a gimme.
The group pushed on to Toronto early this a.m. Will I be several hours behind them? I really should find home, seems like the obvious but the allure of just goin and putting off the b.s. for a few more days…well it’s forever alive.
I’m sitting on the fence until the final moment. For me, it would end at about the 600km mark as I pulled back into the east end of Toronto leaving Dover by 3pm hoping to beat the rain. The bike to be garaged temporarily as the forecast calls for a week of it at least. I can ride in the rain if I have to, but ONLY if I have to. I hate it, and need no more hate in me at the moment. Of anything.
Friday the 13th indeed.
Shakin The Cobwebs…At Speed!
Zero degrees and the emerging Robins were the first true sign of Spring for many. For me, it’s never quite ‘overnight’. It builds, revealing itself in definitive increments. A series of events culminating with one yearly ritual. Several things must occur
I’ve been watching the snow-capped salt mountains disappear from parking lots. I’ve been waiting for a few days of rain. The street cleaners hit the roads in a Tour de Force that lasts about 2 weeks. As buds start sprouting on trees, and matted lawns start to slowly turn a familiar green, the fire starts inside. It is official, it gets better from this moment on. The Harley has been freed from its winter confines. I am free. As long as I can find 1.37 per litre of fuel.
After what can best be described in positive terms as “an interesting winter”, I’ve seldom felt the great urge to purge the mind as I find myself doing this year. The temptation to find a twisty and open ‘er up has been brewing since November 3, 2010. However, a winter spent not just locked down in an apartment but also in mind has me itchin for the other aspect of motorcycling pleasure. I’m not looking for the solitude out of the gate. The moments away from everyone and everything to clear the mind, put things in perspective, simplifying the day. I’m awaiting the connection with those like-minded souls who pursue a life on two wheels whenever possible. I’m looking forward to actually hanging, and talking to groups of People. Real people.
As humans, we function best as a collective. We are sociable creatures. Depression and death follow those who find themselves alone too often. We cannot function properly, we slip into an abyss. Winter can be gloomy enough as we find ourselves locked indoors, sheltered from the storm. Our workplaces, whether we like them or not perform another vital role during the worst of the year. We are forced to emerge from the cave daily and be part of a larger community. It fills a void created by the lock down months. I’ve found myself not missing work as much as missing the interaction. It’s a balance, solitude vs interaction. It’s been out of whack, time to get the scales back level.
Jacqui, Jamie, Ali, Jr, Preston, Steve, Laurie, Jeff, Andrew, Tony, Corrie, Brian, Suzanne …the team at MotosportPlus have hosted my ass for many afternoons over this long winter. They have been my main connection to the real world for the last 5 months, breaking up the monotony of solo filled days. I don’t drink, I talk. They have all encouraged me as the job search continued, made me laugh, made me forget some of the b.s. and helped me with some projects. Yesterday, as Jeff had my bike wheeled out of storage, it was if seeing an old friend appear before me. The relief, the joy, the emotion, the reunite. It was all of that. I’ve missed my motorcycle in the past, but never like I have in this most recent winter. A piece of my life, my lifestyle has been returned to me. Normalcy slowly appearing. Spring has sprung. The scale is being recalibrated and has leveled off just a little bit more. Time to shake off some cobwebs. At SPEED!
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