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** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** I think it was 1989 when I went to Valley Fair and had a ride on "Excalibur" (pictured above) At the time "Excalibur" was billed as the roller-coaster with the highest drop in the world. We waited in line for forty minutes to take the three and a half minute ride. The first two minutes and forty seconds of the ride are spent on the slow climb to the summit. We watched as the coaster ride thrilled the long line of excited theme park guests. Just before we were about to get our turn to ride "Excalibur" the park employees took one of the two trains off the track and replaced it with another train. They sent the new train for a run without any passengers on it, and explained to us waiting guests that, it was regular maintenance to change the trains and test them before the guests go for a ride. The test train came back and was loaded with passengers and sent on it's way, which made our group first in line to take the next ride. Before our ride began the employees retired the second train and put another new train on the tracks. They instructed us to board the train. I asked why they didn't send this new train on a test run, and a young fellow told me that they didn't have to test the second train. So I got in my seat, in the front car. What do I know? We began our climb to the top, my heart pounding ever faster as we approached the tippy-top of the ride. When we got to the very top and the first car (which I was in) was about to take the downward plunge, the train stopped. So did my heart. No other train stopped at the top. I had a look around and noticed a narrow staircase that ran along the side of the rail. My friend in the seat behind me tapped me on the shoulder and said, "Hey! Joel, look back here, it's a cool view." I kept looking forward and expelled a few swear words. My cussing was interrupted by a voice coming out of a small on-board speaker. The voice cautioned us to stay in the car, and promised that they would get us going again in a short time. "I told you %#@*&s to test the %#@*&ing train before we got on it," I said to the speaker. Then after a few anxious minutes the train jerks violently forward one, two, three times. Our car went over the edge but the weight of the rest of the train pulled us back and then with one last violent burst of forward momentum we free fell, SCREAMING all the way to the bottom. The rest of the ride was more just to slow things down. Maybe give you a chance to dry your pants before getting off the ride. That was my last roller coaster ride. It's one that I'll never forget, that's for sure. [Embed For Use By Upgraded+] Joel Brother Nature ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Co-Host with Fi   of "Invalid Item"  ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Member of The Showering acts of Joy Group "Showering Acts of Joy Group" & Rising Stars "Retired Founder, Rising Stars Program" I'm docked at "Talent Pond Blog Harbor MOVED TO 1700829" , a safe port for bloggers to connect.Please visit my blog @ "Invalid Item" Made in Canada   |
| June 15, 2012 Day 15 of the 30-Day Blogging Challenge And, it's Funny Friday! "Boy, was my face red when ..." I dated a girl, who in the end robbed me, and implicated me in the other crimes she was committing. It took about two years for me to clear my name and re-establish my credit rating and trust in people. That's not the funny part of this story. The funny part is about a phone conversation I had with this person in the first weeks of what turned out to be a nightmare of a relationship. The phone rang and I picked it up and said, "Hello." It was Satan (not her real name) She was calling me from her cel phone and was traveling with her auntie in a motor home, which was also packed with kids. The phone connection was very poor and the background noise of the motor home traveling on the hi-way made for a difficult conversation. They were on their way to pick me up, as I was going to join them in attending an after wedding gathering. Satan's auntie was from out of town and I had just met her the night before at a Satan Family wedding. I could hardly make out what Satan was saying due to the noise on the line, when she asked me, "Do you know where my auntie can get some cocaine?" I thought that was an odd request, but hey, to each their own. Now, I have no idea where to get cocaine from, but I do have friends that might know something about that so I offered to make a couple phone calls for Auntie Nutjob. (not her real name) The funny part of this story has already been told, because due to the poor phone connection, Auntie Nutjob was not looking for cocaine she was looking for propane.(for her motor home) Satan relayed the message to her aunt that I would make a few calls and get back to her with what I can find out. I heard Auntie shout, "Well they have to have some here. it's all over the place back home." Satan relays that message to me, and I assure her that I will do the best I can, and call right back. Then auntie says, "I don't want to drive out of my way to get it, tell him to find somewhere close for me to get it." Satan relays that message to me, and I explain that can't control where it is that I will find anything or even that I will find something. I'm thinking to myself at this point, that I should have just said, "I don't know where to get that sort of thing." Then Satan says to me, "Never mind, we will stop at this gas station and ask someone there." "Are you out of your mind?" I say. "No, why? says Satan, we're pulling into the gas station now." So at this point I'm pretty much yelling into the phone. "You're going take a group of kids into a gas station and ask where to buy (at this point the motor home is shut down and all is quiet) Cocaine! Are you fucking kidding me?" Satan covers up the phone and repeats my statement to her auntie, then I hear laughter. "My Auntie wants to buy PROPANE Joel not COCAINE, PROPANE!!" Boy, was my face red.  Another kick at the cat : it's just an expressionMy apologies for being AWOL.( I miss hanging with all of you) Life has become pretty busy here and my online time unfortunately has had to be curtailed. I'm going to try writing entries as best I can, but I can't commit to daily entries. (I will do my best, and you will be my people, sayeth the blogger.) Peace and Love Folks Have a pleasant week-end. Joel Brother Nature I'm docked at "Talent Pond Blog Harbor MOVED TO 1700829" , a safe port for bloggers to connect.Please visit my blog @ "Invalid Item" Made in Canada |
| June 4, 2012 An Earlian Prompt. "Mind Over Matter. Earl can't concentrate when it's too hot. What effects your concentration? Got any concentration tips?" Concentrating is what I'm good at, just not for long periods of time on the same topic. I don't quite understand what Earl wants to concentrate on when it's too hot. When it's too hot I tend to concentrate on the heat. When beads of perspiration run into your eyes and start to burn your retinas out, I switch over to concentrating on that. The key to concentrating is having the ability to pay attention. I have made attempts to move small objects using only the power of my mind. None of these attempts were either successful or recent. I have since concentrated the use of my mind on more productive projects. Joel Brother Nature I'm docked at "Talent Pond Blog Harbor MOVED TO 1700829" , a safe port for bloggers to connect.Please visit my blog @ "Invalid Item" Made in Canada |
| June 3, 2012 "How was your week? Tell us about your week outside WDC? Mundane? Exciting? Tell us. Blog." Portrait dedicated to Ash aka Mr. McCurdy, Painted by Ashley's eldest brother Darrell (Joe) Ducharme. ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** I transferred some images from my camera onto my laptop. I want to start my week in detail by sharing this image from last week. At the internment for Ashley (Headshot Preacher Presiding) This portrait was unveiled, it was painted by Ashley's oldest brother. I began the week cutting grass in Sunset Bay between rain falls on Monday. On Tues I went into the city and met with a new friend/musician,videographer. We discussed the opportunities of working together on a variety of projects and business ideas. We agreed to meet again next week to focus on one or two "get started" projects. Wednesday I was ready to go and purchase the plumbing hardware necessary to replace the plumbing in the Bannerman house. When I got to The Home Depot I was informed that the entire city was out of plumbing products due to a rail strike. I cried, closest thing to a shower I had in weeks. Thursday I had some yard care work to take care of and (Timmy) and I went to see the Rogers Waters, The Wall, Concert. Roger Waters had a group of local school children join the band onstage to sing and dance. The kids were real good and added to the show's live dedication to the movie and album of the same title. What an awesome experience for those kids to have. I wished I had the chance to do something like that. Once I was paid a dime to hold a drummer's base pedal in place while he played a set at a street festival. Yep...onstage! me. What? speak up I can't hear you over the pounding in my right ear. huh? Is if Friday yet? On Friday I bought a used lawn tractor and headed back to Sunset Bay. I finished off the week the way it started, cutting grass. I cleaned the pool for a change of pace. I managed to fall behind in the Punctuation Station Class, and was late for my first two days of the June 30 DBC. Then when I logged on to WDC to catch up, I was surprised to learn that I have been promoted to "Preferred Author" and given a brand new yellow case. Thank you to everyone for the congratulatory messages. I would like to also congratulate my fellow inductees. It is truly an honor to be included among this group of talented people. frankcraft Angus  Farooq Michael Thomas-Knight LG back to the writing board Lana  InkWellspring66 Lightbringer Jocelyn Green Dave Emanuel David O'Haolin Whalen shoumojit Talera Another kick at the cat : it's just an expressionWe set ourselves up a pretty cozy outdoor hockey venue. What a great way to spend an evening. ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Joel Brother Nature I'm docked at "Talent Pond Blog Harbor MOVED TO 1700829" , a safe port for bloggers to connect.Please visit my blog @ "Invalid Item" Made in Canada |
| June 2, 2012 "Name your poison. Got a sweet tooth? Tell us about your favorite chocolate bars, cakes etc. If you're a health nut, tell us your favorite health food for spoiling yourself (muesli bars? Crackers?)" ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** The "Poisonous Food Choices" are a new food group added to the four known food groups: Frozen, Take out, Dine-in, and Delivery. I tend to stick to the basic four. I've never been one to have a sweet tooth, but I find, Y&S Twizzlers and Nibs, (strawberry) to have the perfect (not too sweet) candy flavor. I like to have plenty of Twizzlers on hand. Twizzlers make an ideal (girly) drink condiment. If you bite the ends off of the licorice ropes you can use it as a straw. The flavor of the licorice is infused in the drink flavor, it's pretty much orgasmic. A drink I call, Iceberg (50% Bacardi Breezer, Orange & 50% Smirnoff Ice, Poured Over Ice.) Is the best drink for a Twizzler straw. During periods of my life I have been overly health conscious and physically fit, but this is not one of those periods of time right now. My weakness in the poison isle is "Potato Chips" aka "Crisps" (UK). I'll eat all brands and all flavors. I just sampled a bag of Hostess, BBQ Chicken Wing flavored. My favorite chippy chip for snickity snacking is Lay's, Original. I've noticed that during times when I go on a chip free diet, the Lay's people start to lower their prices. I think it's because they notice a decline in market share. Do have have to point out, that I'm not exactly a health nut? I'm just a regular nut. I like to shop at the stores that have the health foods and the snack foods share an isle. You can pick your poison, then find the antidote on the other side. Joel Brother Nature I'm docked at "Talent Pond Blog Harbor MOVED TO 1700829" , a safe port for bloggers to connect.Please visit my blog @ "Invalid Item" Made in Canada |
| June 1, 2012 Today's prompt: "What Blogging Challenge format do you prefer - the structured format of April or the looser format of May's Follow Me. As always, explain why, give examples etc, etc If you have absolutely no idea what I'm talking about, just give us a rundown of your blogging history." Dear Prompter It would appear that you have discovered my two weaknesses. 1. I can not resist responding to a prompt. 2. I do indeed have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. Well played! A Rundown Of The History Of Brother's Blog. Created: 3:16pm on 08-24-2011 Item Size: 119 Entries Total Views For This Item: 2,943 Check out this entry I first wrote for, the New Horizons blog forum. In it, I quoted, Rixy, who has since passed away. I also wrote what I thought was a fairly clever response to a writing challenge. It's interesting that I did not receive a single comment. "Invalid Entry" This is the first entry I wrote for the 30 Day Blogging Challenge. The only interesting thing about this entry is that it also did not receive a single comment. "Invalid Entry" Then Creeeee - A - Tivity Maaaaan!!!! Showed up, and not long after, Andre aka Blog Monkey dropped by as well. Now Brother's Blog has 119 entries and nearly 3,000 views, and thats gotta mean something. I have no idea what, but, Thats gotta mean something. So there you have it, the history of Brother's Blog. And...Now for the rundown. Brother's Blog is... Sorry folks, I can't do it. I was going to write a series of negative comments in an attempt to rundown Brother's Blog. I just couldn't do it. I could come up with a whole bunch, but I couldn't make them believable. I received thousands of reviews but this one best speaks to the quality of the product and the enjoyment one can expect to be showered in whence reading Brother's Blog. Review of "Brother's Blog"  Another kick at the cat : it's just an expressionMay is History and June is a mystery. Here's to a BLUE JUNE everybody Joel Brother Nature I'm docked at "Talent Pond Blog Harbor MOVED TO 1700829" , a safe port for bloggers to connect.Please visit my blog @ "Invalid Item" Made in Canada |
| May 27,2012 All of this and more will be discussed in Brother Nature's Memorial Day, Extrava - gaaaaans - Zaaaaa! I've had a fairly busy week, it started a day late due to the Holiday. I still have all my fingers. I spent the week in the city, and might still be there had I not headed for the hills on Friday. "Lesson One," opened up in the Punctuation Station course and that would have taken up all of my available online time had the hockey games not taken priority.   With NJ advancing to the Stanley Cup final, I stand an excellent chance to win the pool I am in. I have a five point lead and two players left. On Wednesday I was driving my friend Timmy (as seen on Southpark) to an appointment when we were witness to a traffic accident. An out of control vehicle entered the intersection on a red light and was about to hit several vehicles in the intersection. The driver of the out of control minivan, took evasive actions to avoid hitting another vehicle, but was now headed straight for us, as we sat at the red light, watching this collision take place. At the late second the minivan took a new direction and slammed into the traffic light pole directly in front of us. The van hit the vehicle in front of us when it came to a stop, and the light pole, traffic lights and all, collapsed back onto the mini van busting the windshield and trapping the driver and passenger inside. It all happened just feet away from us and we were completely untouched. Funny to note that, Timmy and I were in that exact same situation about twenty years ago, except that time the out of control vehicle slammed right into us.Do strange events repeat? Check this out... On Friday I attended an internment service for Ashley McCurdy, As his father proceeded to the grave site accompanied by the Parrish Priest, the Priest , stumbled and fell,, hitting his head on the side of the wooden lid to the burial plot. The Good Father made it through the service, a bit groggy and a little shook up. The funny thing is... The same Priest presided over Ashley's mother's funeral service just a few years earlier. At that time it was cool and there was a drizzling rain. A few people stood under the raise back door on a mini van to stay dry. The fellow with the mini van pulled the backdoor down to close it unaware the the Priest was not clear of the overhead door. The door came down on the Priests head knocking him to the ground. The Priest completed the service a bit groggy and a little shook up, only stopping a couple times to dab his head with a tissue. It must be the McCurdy curse! Prompt for May 24, 2012. From BIG BAD WOLF Happy July 4th!  Since I'll be working and running around until 5PM, here's the prompt for tomorrow.Criminal Mastermind/Unsung Hero Basically, if you wish to talk about your misdeeds, talk about them. Should you wish to plead the Fifth, talk about your heroics. If you wish to plead the Fifth on that, just blog about your day. If you want top plead the Fifth on that... you're on your own. On to the prompts! About Crime and Misdeeds ▼ Prompt for May 25, 2012 Is a "follow me" entry from the mind of : Fivesixer  titled : "This one's about what you'd be." Tough Act To Follow ▼ On May 26, 2012 My thoughts on caring for a loved one in poor health. Was discussed by : Have a sunshiny day!  Taking The Fifth ▼ Emily  Shared an entry titled : "Invalid Entry" It's Just A Matter Of Time. ▼ This might be early for some of you, but it's already 10 pm here, so here's the prompt for May 28: Yesterday, while looking through my collections, I came across my first published pieces (published back in 1997 and 98). Those first printed pieces brought back so many memories, I decided to edit each item a bit and post them here, also send them to the place I get my writings printed now. Do you have any such thing back from childhood which inspires you to do something new every time you look at it? Tell me about that special treasure in an entry titled: "Cherished Treasure". Eager to read your entries! Dear Eager ▼ Joel Brother Nature I'm docked at "Talent Pond Blog Harbor MOVED TO 1700829" , a safe port for bloggers to connect.Please visit my blog @ "Invalid Item" Made in Canada |
| May 23, 2012 The idea is to follow Yera's tittle "Whoops" Yera ~Twelve!~ I'm not sure why, but when ever I think of the the word Whoops I think it is funniest, when it's said by a doctor. Like I said, "I'm not sure why." Whoops! I'm getting squeezed out of the city, like toothpaste being squeezed out of the tube. The pressure surrounds me, ever increasing, until I ooze into the driveway at Sunset Bay. Speaking of toothpaste, I better go get my day going, so I can get outta Dodge. Cheers  Joel aka Brother Nature I'm docked at "Talent Pond Blog Harbor MOVED TO 1700829" , a safe port for bloggers to connect.Please visit my blog @ "Invalid Item" Made in Canada |
| May 22, 2012 Today's prompt was sent out to our group, then I wrote this initiating entry. I didn't quite follow the "follow me" format, but it's better than making everyone wait. What are your views on waiting for things? Are you patient or do you stress about it? What sort of things do you do to pass the time while waiting? Talk about, was it worth the wait, or all just a bunch of wasted time? My blog entry today is dedicated to 30DBC Creator/Founder Earl suggested that I write something about our Victoria Day Holiday week-end. Earl also gave me a second opportunity to initiate a blog entry after I screwed up the first one. Thanks again Earl.Victoria Day, more commonly known as May long week-end has just passed once again. I've enjoyed this holiday ever since I could remember. I first came to know this holiday as, Firecracker Day. It was the only day of the year when it was okay to play with matches, not only that, but we were encouraged to play with explosive devices. Back in the day the news was filled with stories of kids who had their fingers blown off or had permanent damage done to their eyes and or ears from the high quality firecrackers that were readily available to all who wished to celebrate this glorious holiday by blowing things up. In those days firecrackers packed a punch. There were no regulations, and these fairly powerful explosive toys were marketed directly to kids. The government eventually banned the sale of these products around the same time I discovered that you could still buy them if you waited until you were alone in the store with the shop keeper. I was always careful about playing with my contraband explosives. One of my favorite things to do was to set up my little green army men in the sand box then partially bury a dozen or more firecrackers underneath them. I would quickly light the fuses with a cigarette, which was also readily available to children, and watch the army men get blown to smithereens. Other kids committed heinous acts on frogs, insects, and unsuspecting pets. I never went in for that type of action, but you can't blame them for doing such things, it was encouraged in the advertising of the products. Who would have thought that hamsters and firecrackers went together? ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Hey Kids, Hurry up and get your firecrackers, so you can be COOL! ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Later on in life, I learned that the reason behind the fireworks was to celebrate Queen Victoria, who in 1924 appointed Lord Stanley as Governor General to Canada. Lord Stanley is better known for being the name sake of The Stanley Cup, which is The Holy Grail of The National Hockey League. I'm not sure why we have a holiday to honor a British Queen, but what the heck, a day off to play with fireworks is always welcome. As an adult May long week-end became the kick off to summer. It was the big camp out week-end. Head out of town, open up the cabin, fill the campgrounds, pack the beaches, enjoy the outdoors, these are the things people do on this week-end. Of course May long week-end is always cold and rainy. I woke up in a tent, wet, cold and hung over on many a May long week-end. The Victoria Day Week-end now has a more somber, less explosive meaning for me personally. I'm reminded each year, that we have to be careful. Whatever you're celebrating...Be careful. life is precious. RIP #19 K. Johnson. Cool,with cloud cover and high winds, on another Victoria Day Week-end Note that we fly, The Union Jack on our Provincial Flag. ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Every day is spent waiting for something or someone. Today I waited for the City Water Works Dept. to arrive to change out my leaking water meter. The fellow has come and gone and I now can restore water to the house here on Bannerman. I'm just waiting for Timmy to come and give me a hand with some plumbing. Waiting is a big part of everyday, to pass time while waiting I try not to think about all the things I'm waiting for. I am much much better at waiting than I used to be. So many days were wasted, sitting and staring at the Christmas tree, waiting for Santa to finally arrive. Yeah! The water mafia are here at last. ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Another kick at the cat : it's just an expressionOn Mother's Day past we all went to the local racetrack with Mom as is our family tradition. A good time was had by all. The race track is a good place for waiting. You wait for each race to start, wait for each race to finish, wait in line to place your bets, wait in line at the concession stand, and wait for the whole thing to end, so you can wait to get out of the crowded parking lot. This year I had a special relationship with one of the thoroughbreds by the name of, Hello Scott. Scott is my youngest brother's name. I swear to you that this horse was trying to tell me something. As I watched, Hello Scott, turn circles in the paddock prior to the race, I swear the horse made an effort to look right at me on each pass. It even smiled and winked as it walked by. Grinning cuz I'm winning ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Proof that it's not my imagination. Hello Scott, is looking right at me. ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** I went "all in" on Hello Scott, to win. I waited for for the race to start. I waited for Hello Scott to cross the finish line. Hello Scott did not let me down, he crossed the finish line, as promised. Unfortunately Hello Scott waited for the other horses to cross the finish line ahead of him. My final photo, titled, Empty, like your wallet. ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Joel aka Brother Nature I'm docked at "Talent Pond Blog Harbor MOVED TO 1700829" , a safe port for bloggers to connect.Please visit my blog @ "Invalid Item" Made in Canada |
| May 19, 2012 Ms. Cindy  raised an excellent question in her blog prompt.(The Reason I Was Born In The World) I don't think there is a wrong answer to this question Some day we will all find out exactly what the answer is, and for the first time in the earths history we will all be correct. I think I was born to provide a physical form for my spirit to inhabit. I won't pretend that I know why that is, but that is what I believe. It's the simple things that are important. The things that we may not even be aware of. For example, there may be a person you have contact with who is not happy about their appearance, perhaps this person is lacking in self confidence. With out knowing this about the person you may comment that they look very nice, or some other form of a compliment. You may never know how much better your comment made that person feel. You may never know that your comment inspired that person to achieve great things. Perhaps a small encouraging comment saved a life. You never know, but some day you will. That's what I believe. As I read through all of the entries for the eighteenth of the month, I grow more confused as to what the prompt is asking for one to write. I guess that is a good thing because it allows the writer to choose their own road. I enjoyed sunnystarr's entry. I will follow her take on "admirers." I am the worlds worst male at catching subtle hints from admirers. One time a girl asked me if I would give her a tour of the house at a party. (It wasn't even my house) I gave her a tour of the whole house as best I could. She lingered in the bedrooms for the longest time. I had to step back a couple times, as she kept trying to stand in the same spot I was already standing in. I thought to myself, "come on!!! do you want a tour of the house or don't you." Brother Nature, taking it slow. Brother Nature, slow. Oh, so slow. Oh Brother!  I guess I'm at somewhere some when. I'm going to have to pretend I get this one. Looks like most people took the poetic way out. O M G ! Look at the time! meet me in comments. Joel aka Brother Nature I'm docked at "Talent Pond Blog Harbor MOVED TO 1700829" , a safe port for bloggers to connect.Please visit my blog @ "Invalid Item" Made in Canada |
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