15 Years Later...

Looking down on the South Pool from the observation deck in One World Trade Center

It's hard to believe that 15 years ago a group of terrorists hijacked four passenger jets and flew one into the North Tower of the World Trade Center, another into the South Tower of the World Trade Center, one into the Pentagon.  The 4th plane crashed into a field in Pennsylvania after the passengers and pilots fought back, preventing this plane from reaching it's target.

How did 15 years go by so quickly?

In the past 15 years a lot has happened.  My children who were 12, 10 and 8 at the time of the attack, have grown and have lives of their own.

I'm now a grandparent.

A number of friends and family have passed away.

Adventures have been had and injuries incurred.

My view of the world has changed in that I've chosen to look for the good in the world, which is easy to find.

I've watched less news mainly because evil and tragedy sells so that's what the news outlets broadcast the most.  Evil and tragedy do exists, however I believe that good exists in a greater abundance.

I've learned people are resilient, especially if they have the mindset to take control of their life regardless of what happened in the past.  This, I've learned, isn't easy.

I still remember, vividly I might add, watching CNN as the 2nd plane hit the South Tower and trying to explain to my 8 year old son why someone could do this.

I remember visiting New York for the first time last September, days before the 14th anniversary, and viewing into the pools that outline where the towers stood, watching the water fall deep into the ground while reading the names of those who died that day.  The emotion and reverence of that place is difficult to describe.

Ladder and Engine Company 10 were the closest to the World Trade Center and one of the first to respond following the attack.  They lost 6 members that day.

Resilience sometimes means rebuilding

I would like you to always remember what took place on September 11, 2001, not in anger, but in reverence for those who lost their lives and for those who gave their lives to save as many of their fellow human beings as they could.  

Remember 9/11 as a reason make the world around you, in your own neighbourhood first, a better place.

Gerald Trees
Musings And Observations Of An Adventurous Life Seeker

Things To Know Before Moving To Canada from the USA

It's come to my attention that more than a few people have indicated they'd move to Canada after the November Presidential election.  Now that the elections is over and President Trump has been sworn in, the interest in Canada has grown.

I made a career decision to move to Canada 26 years ago and Canada is my home.  With that in mind, here are 10 things you should know if you're planning on making the move.

• The Canada health system is what people in the USA would call "Socialized".  It has it's issues, however it works well overall.
• Leave your guns at home.  Canada has gun laws that will likely leave most of my fellow Americans wondering how Canadians survive.  We do have guns in Canada as hunting is part of Canada's history and tradition, however the laws are specific on what you can own.
• Sports are similar, however Hockey and soccer are the nations most popular sports.  Canadians do play football, however you'll need to adjust to a larger end zone and 3 downs.  Fortunately US television is available, including sports.
• Politics are quite different in Canada.  Thankfully elections are short and sweet.  The minimum length of a campaign is 36 days after an election is called and because campaign spending is strictly limited, most election campaigns hold to the 36 days.  A federal election must take place every 4 years, however it can be called earlier if the Prime Minister chooses.  Also, the political system is based on the parliamentary system and is considered a constitutional monarchy.  Suffice it to say, it's different than what you're use to.
• Canada is as much of a "melting pot" as the USA, perhaps even more.
• If you think gas prices are high in the USA, you'll be in for sticker shock once you get to Canada.  That "nice" looking price you see at a Canadian gas station is for 1 litre of gas, which is slightly more than 1/4 of a gallon.
• Speaking of litres, Canada uses the metric system.  When you see the speed limit is 100, remember that's kph.  60 mph in US terms.
• One of the best things about Canada is the currency.  I'm not talking about it's value, but it's colour.  $5.00 is light blue, $10.00 is dark blue, $20.00 is greenish and $50.00 is redish.  Canada has a $1.00 coin called the Loonie and a $2.00 coin called the Toonie.  Canada recently discontinued the Canadian penny.  The bottom line here is when you look in your wallet, you have a good idea of how much you have based on the colour.
• Contrary to popular belief, Canadians live in houses, not igloos.
• Finally, Canada is a bilingual country.  You'll see English and French on everything you buy in the store.  You'll also find English is a little different as well, with "Eh" and "Hey" being used a lot.  

BONUS:  If you do choose to "escape" to Canada following the outcome of the November election, you'll get to file taxes in Canada and the USA.  The USA is one of only a few countries that require citizens to file taxes regardless of where they live or work.

Enjoying a Canadian summer

Gerald Trees
Musings And Observations Of An Adventurous Life Seeker

Lessons From a Toddler - Part 2

It's amazing how much toddlers develop and change in 2 months.  Here are a few more lessons that I've learned (re-learned) since my last entry.

1. No matter how nice the shoes, bare feet are the best.
2. Outside is better than inside.
3. Sand is an essential "mineral".
4. Learning is more about persistence than intelligence.
5. Sometimes self imposed quiet time is necessary.
6. If you want something, ask.  If that doesn't work go get it anyway.
7. Celebrate your own accomplishments.  Climbing into grandpa's chair is a big deal...
8. If you get bored with something, move on.  You can always come back.
9. Cheesecake is the food of the gods!
10. No matter how much is going on or how many things need doing, naps are still important.

More lessons to come.

Gerald Trees
Musings And Observations Of An Adventurous Life Seeker

The positive side of facebook

Social media and facebook in particular has been a part of society for a decade, at least.  Social media is now part of the daily existence for most of us.  The media has become a way for us to share with friends, family and the world parts, if not all of what goes on in our lives and our opinions on everything from politics to what our favorite restaurant is.

Over the years more than a lot has been written about the negatives of social media, with facebook being one of the popular targets.  Everything from people waisting time to airing their "dirty laundry" to the world.  In typical media fashion, little is written about the positive side of social media, including facebook, and yet there is a positive side and in my opinion a big one.

I first joined facebook in 2007, when my daughter was in her first year of university and while I probably spend too much time "browsing", I've also reconnected with childhood friends, classmates and I have made new friends that over time I've had the pleasure of meeting in person.

A former teacher and good friend who "convinced" me to join him on an adventure in Peru.  We reconnected thanks to facebook.

Recently I met someone who I'd been "friends" with since 2010 when we were on the opposite sides of a debate about Harley Davidson Motorcycles shutting down Buel Motorcycles.  For those who spend too much time riding, dreaming and reading motorcycles, you'll understand.  For those who don't, you'll have to imagine it in political terms, only more important.

Anyway, over the years Graham and I have found that we have more than a few things in common besides motorcycles and it was only a matter of time before we'd have the opportunity to meet in person.  The only significant issue was distance as I live in Canada and he's from Australia.  Earlier this year he made a career move to the US and was on holidays in Victoria, a couple of hours from where I live, earlier this week.

It was a pleasure to visit and have some food and drink with someone who I'd only known from cyber space.

Friends finally meet in person.

While the web and cyber space has a dark side and can involve hours of uselessness, it does have a positive side, if you choose to look for it and use it.

Gerald Trees
Musings And Observations Of An Adventurous Life Seeker

Greed, Fear, Curiosity and Scams

My email spam filter picks up at least one "attempt" my email scammers to relieve me of my money each day.  I'm sure most of you find the same thing happening at least once and a while.  These scammers play on three powerful human emotions, Greed, Fear and Curiosity.

In the Greed category the most common attempts either involve winning a bazillion dollars in a lottery that I've never entered or helping a Nigerian businessman set up shop in my country by helping him bring in his gazillion dollars in exchange for a bazillion dollars.  All I need to do to claim my fortune is send money and all my banking information, including password.

In the Fear category, you have the phone call from a Microsoft "technician" telling you that your computer is "infected" and sent them a warning.  Of course they can help you out and fix the problem but they need information to "verify" who you are.  Of course that information involved either banking or credit card information.  There's also a "fee" for their service.  Personally I love to talk to these characters as I own an Apple Mac and they get quite frustrated and occasionally angry when I attempt to convince them that I don't have Windows.  Waisting their time is the best best payback.

Another Fear related one involves a phone call or email from your countries tax agency telling you that either you or your legal representative must call immediately or they will begin some form of legal action.   In this case you own taxes and must pay immediately to avoid legal action.

Both of the above are happening more all the time as they have a good chance of success.  The typical person really doesn't understand how computers and the net work and have a fear of being "hacked".  Most of us also have a fear of the "Tax Man" the legal system and will do almost anything to avoid both.

In the Curiosity category, which is relatively new as scams go, you'll receive an email informing you that FedEx or UPS attempted to deliver a package and that it will be sent back unless you set up a delivery time.  Information on your package can be found in the attachment included in the email.  Well you have a package and it's a mystery because you weren't expecting a package so the urge to click on the attachment to find out what it is strong.  Unfortunately the attachment is usually a malicious program designed to take your computer "hostage", including all you data, and it will be released for a fee.  Simple, subtle and unfortunately effective.

One of my favorite scams actually happened to me this week.  At least the attempt was made.  I recently listed one of my motorcycles for sale on a Canada wide listing website and the next morning I received a text form someone wondering if it was still available.  They wanted to buy it "immediately" if it still was and the included their email.  Red Flag #1.

I noticed the area code of the text was unfamiliar and a quick search indicated that it likely originated from the Boston area, a different country and on the other side of the continent.  Red Flag #2.

I did reply to his email address and told him my motorcycle was still available and that I was aware he wasn't from British Columbia.  He replied with an offer that was $800.00 more then what I was asking and that one of his "agents" would be arranging shipping and payment. Red Flag #3.

In this type of scam, the offer of more money is the "hook" and if you take the hook you'll either lose your item or be asked to pay for shipping up front and what you pay will be added to the sale price of the item.  Either way you'll lose something.  My reply to his offer was "That's an interesting offer.  I'm surprised you've not been able to find a similar motorcycle near you for a similar price."  So far I've not received another email.

I still have it and my money.  By the way it's still for sale...

The "moral" here is to be curious about everything and avoid giving in to Greed, Fear and in the case of Curiosity be aware and avoid being "played".

Gerald Trees
Musings And Observations Of An Adventurous Life Seeker

"Perfect" Kills Adventure - And Other Things

Wanting things to be "Perfect" is really a fear of failing. 

You can either play it safe and do nothing...

or take a chance and find something unexpected.

A few years ago I asked a friend if they could go anywhere they wished for a vacation and do anything they wanted, where would it be and what would they do?

My friend gave me an answer that went something like this.  "I'm unable to answer that because I need to know what the weather would be, how much it would cost and if the activities I want to do are even available when I'm there."

So I added another "parameter" to my question in that "Let's assume that the weather would be to your liking, money isn't an issue and what you want to do is available."

My friends response was "you can't guarantee that things will be perfect so why bother."

I one respect my friend was right, if you're trying to find the "perfect" time to do something or waiting for the "perfect" weather to go somewhere or any other stipulations that must be "perfect", I can guarantee that will never happen.

"Perfect" is a concept that kills dreams, plans and adventures.  Our society has drilled into us that there's no point in doing something if something bad may happen or unless there is a guarantee of success.  This has happened because failure in anything is looked on as a bad thing.  This is one BIG reason why so few people achieve the goals and dreams they had when they were young.

Without getting too caught up in issues of society, the best way to break out of the need for something to be "perfect" is to simply get on with it.  Pick something you want to do, something you want to learn or some place you want to go and do it!

• Start - make a basic plan and get going.
• You will have setbacks - learn from them.
• You may have to "sacrifice" to make it happen - it'll be worth it.
• Your plan may have to be altered along the way - that's were the real fun takes place.
• At the end you'll feel a great sense of accomplishment - the unexpected is better then perfection.

Forget "Perfect" and get on with life!

Plans that take an unexpected change of direction are often the most memorable

Gerald Trees
Musings And Observations Of An Adventurous Life Seeker

Time Is Short So Get On Living!

Last week I received news that a friend from my youth had passed away after a 2 year battle with cancer.  We'd not seen each other since college days, more then 30 years, and yet through the power of letters and Facebook we kept in touch.  We connected with each other more after her diagnosis and I got a small glimps into her vallient fight.

In the past two years I've lost no less then 4 friends due to either heart attack or cancer and each time it jolts me into the reality that I need to get on with living and doing the things that are important instead of things that are "easy".  

In other words, it's time to get on finishing the "bucket list" and stay connected with family and friends on a regular basis.

Rest In Peace Marci and my God give your family, especially your sons, comfort and peace.

Gerald Trees

Musings And Observations Of An Adventurous Life Seeker