The Engleson Files

Mom and Dad, since retiring, have re-settled back in Penticton, except this time in a much nicer locale. After two long years of construction, the condo unit they bought is done, and now, comfortable living is the only focus at hand (although I give my Mom until the end of the year to become totally engrossed with the Strata Council, since she is up to snuff on everyone in the building and is becoming quite the stickler for the “rules of the roost”). Their new home is right on Okanagan Lake and is a very, very nice place to dwell. We are a five-minute walk from the downtown core of Penticton, 2 second walk to the beach and a 2 minute walk to Dad’s boat. Both Mom and Dad are very happy, and we are happy to mooch off them as much as we possibly can.

Yesterday we spent the entire day at Okanagan Lake and found a nice spot with a slide that goes right into the water; well, that was all that was needed. Magnus must have went up and down this damn thing 1000 times and cried when we eventually had to take him home for his nap. He was asleep (literally) within seconds once he hit his bed. Water and a slide, that is all you need for a two year old!

For my birthday, my parents bought me a ticket to the BC Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, which is held every year at the Lakeside Resort here in Penticton. This year’s inductees were: Larry Ashley, Bernie Pascal, Doug Bodger, Ernie “Punch” McLean and Tom Renny. Other notables who attended were: Stan Smyl, Barry Beck, Steve Tambellini, Cassie Campbell, and, Brian Burke. Now, I was hoping to maybe schmooze up next to Mr. Burke at some point to get some hockey tidbits, but that did not happen. But, I did come out of the night with a bit of a Brian Burke story - kind of: So, it just so happens that I stumbled into the Men’s washroom at the same time as he did, and awkwardly, I begin some loose chatter with him there. (Yes, I know, probably not the best venue, but it was my only chance so I had to seize it). I ask, “So what’s your salary at right now with the Duck’s,” and his very quick response was, “None of your damn business!” Dismayed, I attempt to clarify my gaff, but then I see him laughing while washing his hands at the sink; he then very nicely goes into some detail that he has spent $41 million. We meet again right after at the bar (he’s a rum and coke man, too!) and he detailed a little how the Pronger deal affected his cap, and then he was gone. Brian Burke 1, Engleson 0. Bastard!

Crokinole trailer

For some, it is a game. For others, it is a sport. Every year, hundreds of competitors from around the world travel thousands of miles and descend upon the rural Canadian town of Tavistock, Ontario with one objective: to be crowned the World Crokinole Champion. Crokinole is a unique game that combines the geometric visualization of pool, the prophetic strategy of chess, and the dexterity of a grandmother sewing a quilt for her favorite grandchild. Those who have the adequate endurance to remain in a plastic chair for hours will excel, while those who cannot will falter. At the end of the night, one determined competitor will be exalted as the planet’s greatest crokinole player. Will it be Dan, the farmer? Bob, the retired hockey player? Joe, the retired teacher? Al, the fisherman? Or an unheralded amateur? Buy this movie on DVD to find out!!

At the spry young age of 84, Grandma Wilson took the red-eye Greyhound from Burnaby and came down to visit us all in Penticton for the week. Draped in her new 2006 Penticton Peachfest Beachwear (accessorized beautifully with Terminator glasses), Grandma has been fitting right in down here in the Okanagan. For the past two years, she has been auditing two university courses per year and is showing no signs of stopping; stubborn as the day is long, I love her dearly and was thrilled to have had her come up and visit. Cheers to Grandma W!!

Oh drab, the beach again! Yes, this routine has completely taken over our lives: 7:30am go out on the boat for an early morning waterski, come back home around 8:30-9:00′ish, eat some Frosted Flakes, go out to a beach and play, come back home for some lunch around 12′ish (cool down), go back out to another beach via Dad’s boat, come back 3:30-4′ish for happy hour, rum and coke time, dinner, then back out into the water again. Magnus’s primitive mind cannot fathom all this beach insanity - he just knows he is in heaven, “Magnus sit down boat!” “Magnus go to beach!” “Magnus…water!”

Wow, what a day it was on Monday!! Yesterday, my brother, Dad, Aunt Joan and I went down to Oliver to play a round of golf at Fairview Golf and Country Club, and man, is it a beautiful course. I played great shooting an 89, and, I was able to beat my bro, Jim, which is very, very rare - so that was beauty! Then, after a couple of rum and cokes at happy hour and dinner, we packed the whole gang up onto Grandpa’s boat on Okanagan Lake and went for a wonderful little swim. A perfect end to a perfect day. Yes folks, life is good in the Okanagan!!

The Crokinole King
Deka Lake - CP - The hype going into the 2006 British Columbia Crokinole Championships was at a fevered pitch in Deka Lake, but, after all the dust settled, the championship game never lived up to its billing at all; in fact, it was not even a contest. Many crokinole fanatics who travelled far and wide to Deka left feeling very unsatisfied after Craig Engleson absolutely pounded Adrian Conradi into the ground to claim his first provincial title and official declaration as the undisputed champion. “Well, yes, it was a bit of a surprise to have been in such control of the game. I mean, Conradi was not a factor at all. I’m just sorry the fans did not get to see a real competition,” stated Engleson at the post game press conference. In seven games (games to 100), Engleson took six in convincing fashion winning every game by a margin of 50+ points, while in the seventh and final game Conradi snuck one out 100-95, but it was clear Engleson’s focus was not really there since he already knew he had the title in the bag. “Sure, it would have been nice to sweep, but hey, maybe that last little carrot I threw him (Conradi) will help give the kid some confidence for next year.” But, all was not lost for the fans who got to witness perfection and history converge within one magical game. In what will unquestionably go down in BC crokinole history, Engleson swept game 3 with a score of 100-0; everything Engleson touched in that game simply turned to gold. “Absolutely incredible,” stated one amazed fan, “I don’t know how that guy does it. He truly is the undisputed provincial champ.” So, all in all, it was Engleson’s night to shine and how bright indeed his gleam shone over the great game of crokinole, and Deka Lake.

Well, we have just settled down in the Okanagan after an absolutely fantastic two day jaunt up to Deka Lake to visit the Wolfe-Conradi cabin. It was our first time visiting, and boy, did we have a great time! Adrian, Sara, Hanna and Cosmo were wonderful hosts (as per usual) and the natural surroundings were just the tonic needed for our travel weary bones. During our first night visiting we got to meet a good friend of Adrian’s, Ken, who put on one hell of a druken show for the rest of us drunkards - it was priceless! Day two was a little more low key, but the rest and relaxation was very much needed and enjoyed. Magnus thoroughly enjoyed playing down in the creek and Kristin just loved watching her boy be happy. Perfect weather, fabulous scenery, beauty cabin, great friends, fantastic time! Thank you to the Wolfe-Conradi clan for a wonderful two days!

Yes, our bags are packed and we are on the go! Victoria was great but the Lumina is now on the road and is going to venture into the Lower Mainland and then up into the Interior of British Columbia before re-settling back down in the Okanagan. See you then!

Not too sure if any of you are aware of Mystery Science Theater 3000, but it is basically a television program where these guys (and robots) watch old ‘B’ movies and then proceed to hack them to pieces while watching it - it’s beautiful! (Look for the three of them in the bottom left-side of the screen) The following clip is taken from the episode where they watched the classic thriller - Master Ninja. Enjoy!

With the skull painted, the pressing job was to get the driftwood stained and coated so it would be ready for the final push. For the stain I used Miniwax Woodfinish - Golden Oak 2108 - $7.49 at Cook St. Do-It-Yourself Center. I was a little bit unhappy with the end result since (I felt) the stain came out a little too dark; but, all in all, I am happy with it. Then it was time to coat the wood with Envirotex Lite Pour-On High Gloss Finish, this product preserves and beautifies your wood product, and, one coat equals up to 50 coats of varnish ($22.99 at Industrial Plastics and Paints - 1239 Government St, Victoria, BC) - so you could understand why I would be so excited, this product is a winner! With these final steps completed, I am ready to put the project on official hiatus status until I return again to Victoria in mid-August. Stay tuned, ladies and gentlemen, we are coming towards the final stretch!!!

Before and After

Before we arrived in Victoria, Gramma Judy borrowed a few toys and DVD’s from other friends for Magnus to play with while we were visiting. The toys have been great, but the DVD’s have been a bit of an issue. This one here of Bram (from Sharon, Lois and Bram) has been unsettling, to say the least. I mean, would you approve of a guy who dresses like this and prances around singing all the time help raise your child? I thought so…