John's Place for Photos

Heres the news...

Sun, 13 Aug 2006 01:37:49 GMT

Family, Friends et al.

Big news to pass along to all:

This morning, Saturday Aug 12th at 11:07 am, our third son was born.
Delivered in Guelph, Ontario after yet again an amazingly short labor by
Melissa, DANIEL TREHANE TOMKINSON was brought into this world and the
Tomkinson family. The "tale of the tape" has Daniel tipping the scales at 6
lbs 13 oz (3100 grams if you must) and 21 inches long. Happy, healthy, and
wailing away.

Mother and baby are fine, although they are staying in the hospital tonight
"to get some sleep", leaving me to deal with William and Matthew solo
tonight!

In other big news departments, we finalized the purchase of our first home,
in connection with our cross-country relocation IN TWO WEEKS.

Yes, for those of you who didnt know the dates, we are moving to Alberta on
Aug 26th. Work has tranfered me to Edmonton Area Control Center and I begin
there in earnest on Sept. 11th. Our new house in in Wetaskiwin and has room
for our growing family (I'm not sure that any house is really prepared for 3
boys under 3 yrs old!!) The house is on 1.2 acres on the western edge of
town, and across the street from the local airport! Many fun days ahead I am
sure. For your files, effective September 1st 2006, we will be residing at:

6246-47th Ave
Wetaskiwin, Alberta
T9A 3S1

My email remains the same, and phone numbers to follow ASAP.

That should be enough news from us for one week! Who knows about next week!

Hoping this email finds you all well,

From,

John, Melissa, William, Matthew, and Daniel Tomkinson
--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.10.9/417 - Release Date: 11/08/2006

If Calvin Controlled....

Sun, 04 Jun 2006 05:17:28 GMT

Loss in Aviation....

Mon, 15 May 2006 06:04:11 GMT

With a connection to our family through my step-father Dave, our thoughts are with family and friends at the Saskatchewan Air Attack, where Dave used to work.

One dead, two injured in airplane crash in Sask.Last Updated Sun, 14 May 2006 21:47:41 EDT

CBC News

One man died and two others were injured when a forest-firefighting plane crashed Sunday near La Ronge, Sask.

The three people were taking part in a training exercise Sunday when their plane went down in the bush about 1.5 kilometres northwest of the provincial forest-firefighting centre.

The weather was fair at the time of the crash, according to Canadian Press.

Scott Boyes, spokesman for Saskatchewan's Department of Northern Affairs, said a 54-year-old man from La Ronge died from the injuries he sustained in the crash. Two others were taken to a Saskatoon hospital with unspecified injuries.

The aircraft, a Convair 580 owned by the provincial government, was carrying fire retardant.

http://www.aviation.ca/content/view/2966/117/

Car Shopping

Thu, 11 May 2006 04:22:21 GMT

"...Always look on the bright side of life....."

So Im now shopping for a minivan. Ho Hum.

A deer without insurance hit my car last night while I was heading north to take a friend home. The pictures above should really say most of the story. If you have a minivan and like or dislike it, let me know.

I'm currently too tired to put up a full update so I will try tommorrow, and head off to bed now.......ZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzz...............

John

Life Update...

Fri, 05 May 2006 08:16:19 GMT

As I flipped throught the recent entries here, it seems that most of it is really gibberish and filler so I thought I'd post an update on things going on in our lives.

Melissa continues doing well as the pregnancy continues. She has a pedicure and massage comming next week to bring balance against the daily mayhem brought on by our two bulldozers. In fine form as usuall the house is running well. If you havnt seen our baby names list, it is 2 blog entries before this one. Discussions as of today have the first names in each respective list gaining an advantage over the others, but again - time will tell.

Matthew has begun speaking, in a rudimentary fasion. "Up", Tr"uck", and D"ad", along with head nods or shakes. He is developing a strong thinker personality which is funny to see.

Williams potty training is nearly done - knock on wood - and accidents are become less frequent. He is getting ready for the move and when we go flying he now thinks every flight is the one to Alberta.

I recently finished my On The Job Insructors Course for ATC, and am looking forward to teaching soon. I have flown quite a bit over the past month with good weather and a long list of willing passengers. Flying most recently a friend with a fear of flying, and we climbed higher than I've ever been while I was flying, upto 10,500'. Amazing view and being a nonsmoker now, I could actually breathe! Speaking of smoking, today is exactly 6 MONTHS since I quit, and its been amazing. Wish I done it sooner!!!!!

As a whole family this week, we put out our summer yard gear and patio set up. Enjoying the mid 20's temperatures with bar-b-que's, playing in the sandbox, and Dads sunburned face! I have two weeks of soon so we are looking at some day trips and time together.

I'm working midnights this week so if you havn't had an email from me in some time you might expect one over the next few nights. I'm trying to catch up on all my delinquint replies. Theres your brief summary and update for today. Happy Cinco de Mayo.

John

Emailed blog entry

Sun, 30 Apr 2006 13:41:00 GMT

So I'm trying out some new functions here in Spaces. This blog is a remote email entry enabling cell phone text updates. Not that I'd do those, I'm too cheap to pay bell the cost for text messaging, but its interesting to know I could.

Anyways Im at work, but have noticed no one is commenting on the baby names is the previous blog entry. Still no ideas? Let us know......

John

Baby Names and Home Videos

Tue, 25 Apr 2006 04:15:10 GMT

Well, if you have stopped by in the past few days, you'll have seen our new edited home video of William Flying. It is now availablr here: http://www.filelodge.com/files/hdd5/109712/Kiddie_Flight_06(1).wmv

I'll clear up some questions I keep getting: Yes his hands are ON the controls, Yes he was flying, No I wasnt holding on, I was there and it was safe, the plane nearly flies itself but to him it was the world, we were up for nearly an hour and he flew for most of the time. His friend Grace enjoyed it, the both thought we were going to Alberta in the plane!! Hope you like the video. Let us know in the guestbook or email.

We have been negotiating names, and have decided to include public imput. For your voting pleasure here is the short list:

Daniel Trehane

Isaac John

Benjamin Trehane

Thomas John

Joshua Thomas

Alexander (Alex) Trehane

Mark Paul

Catherine Elizabeth

Katelyn Elizabeth

Elizabeth Michelle

Samantha Anne

Ann Catherine

Rebecca Alison

Victoria Elizabeth

Let us know.....

My brain is leaking......

Fri, 21 Apr 2006 11:42:17 GMT

So la te da.

Im bored at work today and so on a break I bounced around on the 'net for a bit. What do I find but anothertest of my brain pattern. Hahahaha. Now anyone that knows me, including myself, knows my brain pattern. One of the best sites on the net that I feel reflects that pattern is here: http://elgoog.rb-hosting.de/index.cgi

But anyways here what another site said about me:

***Your Brain's Pattern***

Structured and organized, you have a knack for thinking clearly.
You are very logical - and you don't let your thoughts get polluted with emotions.
And while your thoughts are pretty serious, they're anything from boring.
It's minds like yours that have built the great cities of the world!

What Pattern Is Your Brain?
http://www.blogthings.com/whatpatternisyourbrainquiz/

Go figure, like Im logical, structured, and organized. Sounds like a control freak to me. Oh. Um. Wait. Yea, Im a controller so.......wow.

Try it out and let me know how you do in my guestbook. -I hope you enjoy the new video link running on this site now too.

Some ATC insights.......

Sun, 26 Mar 2006 06:12:53 GMT

Some People Just Never Listen:

ATC to Flight 123: "Slow to 300 knots please." After several moments, it was apparent the crew had not complied with the first speed reduction and was overtaking the inbound plane ahead of them.

ATC to Flight 123: "Slow to 280 knots." This was soon followed by a request for 250 knots from ATC when the crew still had not slowed the airplane.

Finally, the now-frustrated controller ordered, "Gentlemen, the number is 250. Either slow to it or turn to it!"

A young and stupid pilot wanted to sound cool on the aviation frequencies.
So, this one time he was approaching a field during the night time.
Instead of making any official requests to the tower, he said: "Guess who?"
The controller switched the field lights off and replied: "Guess where!"

Control: "Air Canada 351, you have traffic at 10 o'clock, 6 miles!"

Air Canada 351: "Give us another hint! We have digital watches!"

"Flight 2341, for noise abatement turn right 45 degrees."

"But Center, we are at Flight Level 350. How much noise can we make up here?"

"Sir, have you ever heard the noise a 747 makes when it hits a 727?"

Following the cartoons.......

Sun, 26 Mar 2006 03:43:01 GMT

Today as I moved around on the 'net getting news and misc. tasks that I do, I ran into a few articles that really struck fear into me. I'd like to share them with you if you'll take a minute to read them and come back.

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/subcontinent/2006/March/subcontinent_March944.xml&section=subcontinent&col=

and then

http://www.youmeworks.com/sharia_canada.html

Scared yet? Are we letting religous freedoms fall in the name of political correctness, or empowering religous zealots within our state system under the misguided cover of multiculturalism. As we make our preparations to move out west (after nearly 10 years near, in, and around the self proclaimed center of the universe - Toronto) a few things I've noticed are the constant spineless attitude displayed by the current Ontario government. Now active or implicit support for Sharia law has long been a topic of disussion in Ontario. Given the recent developments in Afghanistan about the persecution of Muslim to Christian convert Abdul Rahman, any discussion about the merits of Sharia law in Canada should rapidly become apparent to all. It is not a point of religous freedom but more a point of human rights, equality, and respect for others at a fundamental level.

Please read the articles and think about the ramifications in our Country. One other point to ponder, whether it be real, important, percieved, or missinterpreted, it should be noted that a google search of the persecuted Afghan, Mr. Abdul Rahman returns numerous pages of terrorist links and FBI materials.

It could be that his name is similar in nature to John Smith in the USA or Chan Wong in China. I dont know, but I do know we are in danger here of being complacent, of being implicit supporters of bringing this new law into Canada.

Thank God we have our boys and girls in Afghanistan to help make a difference and exert some pressure to stop this. Video on our troops here.

Breif update

Mon, 20 Mar 2006 06:02:51 GMT

As we prepare for the move, we have found out Williams friend Graces' family will be moving to Edmonton at the same time as we are! Odd how the world works sometimes. We are planning to make a house-hunting trip to Edmonton sometime in June.

At work, I am scheduled for an on the job Instructors course which I have wanted for some time and opens teaching opportunities for me in Air Traffic Control.

I have rearrainged this page for a little while to display a few selected video clips I've found in my online travels.

We are moving!!!!

Thu, 02 Mar 2006 06:34:55 GMT

Its official, we are moving to Edmonton this Summer!

I recieved and accepted an offer today from NAVCANADA for a move to Edmonton Area Control Center for a position in the Clagary enroute specialty. Starting date is September 4th so look for more informaion to follow about the move!

Below is the contents of an open email to friends and family I sent out this evening:

Dear friends and family,

As many of you know, we have been on the verge of a major move for a little while now and discussions with NAVCANADA have been ongoing. I have today recieved official notice we are moving to Edmonton for this september. I start training for the Calgary enroute specialty at the Edmonton Area Control Center begining September 4th. This move will likely occur after my qualification as an Air Traffic Control Instructor for On-The-Job training. Melissa and I are reviewing our options regarding move dates given that our next baby is due August 11th.

Having lived in Ontario now for nearly 10 years, it will be sad to say goodbye to so many friends. To those of you in Ontario recieving this note, please be intouch. We will likely have a get-together over the summer with everyone. For those in Alberta, we are on our way.

For updates on the move, the pregnancy, the boys William and Matthew, or anything going on with us, we keep a website fairly up-to-date with info.

Ultrasound and heartbeat 2.

Mon, 13 Feb 2006 04:00:59 GMT

Well we just had our first ultra sound, and we heard the heart beat (everything is fine). WOW!!! It's real. We are having our 3rd baby. As with both pregnancies before, hearing the heart beat and seeing the baby on the monitor for the first time brought tears to my eyes. Reality sets in, 3 kids under the age of 4! Are we crazy? Whose idea was it to have three?

The more I think about it, the more excited I get. Crazy? Maybe. When I'm on the floor playing (being attacked) by both the boys, I think another one would make life more interesting, and more fun. A girl would chage things up a little. I think a girl would keep the boys (and dad) on their toes. A boy would also change things, but not by much. I can't wait to find out.

Both the boys and John were there for both the ultra sound and hearing the heart beat. William wasn't quite sure what was going on, and had a look of confusion on his face. "What are you doing to my mom?" I know that I was getting sick after I ate, but I finally figured that out, eat less more often,( I always knew that but when I'm pregnant common sense goes out the window).

Tired now so I'm off to bed. I'll post more again later.

Pictures of first ultrasound, baby #3 attached.

Bono on Justice and Equality

Mon, 13 Feb 2006 01:58:59 GMT

Listening to CBC this afternoon on my way home from work, I heard a Keynote address given by Bono (the U2 band frontman and one of my favorie musicians). The address was given at the 54h National Prayer Breakfast on Feb 2nd, 2006 at the Hilton Washington Hotel. Below is a exerpt that made me take pause for some reflective thought and it may well provide this for you as well. Let me know in your comments. The link at the end shows the transcript in its entirety, a good read or listen or watch.

"This is not about charity in the end, is it? It’s about justice. The good news yet to come. I just want to repeat that: This is not about charity, it’s about justice. And that’s too bad. Because we’re good at charity. Americans, Irish people, are good at charity. We like to give, and we give a lot, even those who can’t afford it.

But justice is a higher standard. Africa makes a fool of our idea of justice; it makes a farce of our idea of equality. It mocks our pieties; it doubts our concern, and it questions our commitment. Six and a half thousand Africans are still dying every day of preventable, treatable disease, for lack of drugs we can buy at any drug store. This is not about charity: This is about Justice and Equality.

Because there's no way we can look at what’s happening in Africa and, if we're honest, conclude that deep down, we would let it happen anywhere else -- if we really accepted that Africans are equal to us.

I say that humbled in the company of a man with an African father.

Look what happened in South East Asia with the Tsunami. 150, 000 lives lost to the misnomer of all misnomers, “mother nature”. Well, in Africa, 150,000 lives are lost every month -- a tsunami every month. And it’s a completely avoidable catastrophe.

It’s annoying but justice and equality are mates, aren’t they? Justice always wants to hang out with equality. And equality is a real pain in the ass. Seriously.

I mean you think of these Jewish sheep-herders going to meet with the Pharaoh, mud on their shoes, and the Pharaoh goes, “Equal? Equal?" And they say, "Yeah, that's what, that's what it says here in the Book, here. We're all made in the image of God, sir."

Eventually the Pharaoh says, “Look, I can accept that. I mean, I can accept the Jews -- but not the blacks. I mean, not the women. Not the gays. Not the Irish. No way.”

So on we go with the journey of equality.

On we go in the pursuit of justice."

Source:

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/bononationalprayerbreakfast.htm

Prompted response on global issue

Wed, 08 Feb 2006 06:05:38 GMT

Globaly, voices now are rising for reason and patience in the wake of the latest inflamation of the muslim world. I had definitley thought I didn't want to post thoughts on this blog about this topic but having been propelled into responding on different sites, I thought I should see what happens here.

“What we say to Muslims is that we must not at this time stoop to the level of those who want to resort to insulting the prophet of Islam as a terrorist. We should engage in peaceful, responsible protest.”

Haji Mustafa, a representative of Muslim group, Hizb-ut-Tahrir, conveys his dismay at Muslims threatening Westerners with violence during a demonstration in London.

Is this an islamic voice of reason?!?!? Could it be? Let us take the log out of our own eye before we take the splinter out of someone elses….or should that be the other way around? hmmmmmm

I am deeply saddened by both sides, and we both have nearly valid arguments. The problem is the methods of communication between cultures. Given a fundamental belief in the same God and core rules - ie. the 10 commandments - the escalating riots cannot nor should not be tolerated by any culture/society/religion/group. Killing cannot justify any actions, nor can two wrongs make a right. All religions preach peace, forgivness, and love yet to practice what they preach appears a nearly hurculean task - and let us in the west not take the ‘holier-than-thou’ attitude now for we have strayed in the past as well.

Antagonistic? Maybe. Freedom restricting? Maybe. Insensitive? Maybe. Justified? Maybe. Representative? Maybe. It’s all in the eye of the beholder. Sadly, some peoples vision is much more near-sighted then others.

Other family thoughts can be seen here:

http://willbop.breebop.com/2006/02/07/lampooning-cultural-icons/trackback/

http://awaketodream.net/?p=110

Of other note, Iran is a much graver situation currently and now drowned out by the media furor over cartoons. To complete my segway to Iran, here is a cartoon done 3, yes THREE, years ago on Iran. See a pattern? Ohh, should I post political cartoons or could it be insensitive to the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Meanwhile such a volume of anti-American sentiment makes any action on their behalf, at the global behest, appear imperialistic. They are the only ones able to defend against this threat but global optics make this action appear like another takeover of the mid-east oil patch. Will Alberta be next?!? Please no cartoons with grass, cowboys, or rodeos.

Cartoon source:

http://www.coxandforkum.com/archives/2003_09.html

Traveling out west next week.

Tue, 07 Feb 2006 06:02:49 GMT

For those of you who dont know, I'll be out west from the 15th to 21st of February on a combination work/pleasure trip. Looking forward to time in Edmonton, Red Deer, and possibly Calgary.

More itinerary infromation should be up soon for those interested.

Also, we have had the first doctors appointment and heard the babys heartbeat. Wednesday morning Melissa has her first ultrasound and will likely do a pregnancy blog update following that.

For those of you who missed it, Pauls birthday was last week (3rd) and Mom's on the 5th.

John.

General Thoughts.....

Fri, 27 Jan 2006 01:10:42 GMT

So the vote is done, the die cast. Harper wins, but it seems so does Martin, Layton, and in a way Duceppe.

Why dear Lord must the great sucking black-hole vortex of Toronto not see the light? Few things annoy me as much as the 'center-of-the-universe' complex this city has while simultaneously not thinking about its own decisions!! If you havn't heard, the great Mayor of Toronto is now demanding the Prime Minister Elect come to Toronto to see what it's issues are, like Mayor Miller couldn't call or write. And even better the Liberal Ontario Premier Dalton 'superstar fiberal' McGuinty is now walking around saying "Ontario wants in" as if he at some time idealized Preston Mannings original western mantra for the reform party. Likely.

And the masses gobble it up.

http://www.torontosun.com/News/Columnists/Blizzard_Christina/2006/01/25/1410409.html

"All that can be overcome so long as this new government makes a genuine effort to understand Ontario and brings a lot of goodwill to the table," McGuinty said. Ah, yes. And the Liberals understand us so well. Look back over the past 12 years. What rewards did we get for electing Grit after Grit?"

My blood pressure dictates I stop this discussion for now but I will continue again soon enough.

In Other news, we had Melissas father Vic at our place for nearly a week to give her a break from the boys so I could take her back out on the town for some fun. A few dinners out, A special invite to a movie screening in Toronto, election rallies, and general adult fun without sippy cups and diaper bags. Durring this time I gave Matthew his first haircut, as shown in the latest pictures posted here, and we had some freezing rain which made out landscape look like glass. Quite spectacular but if you know how sloped our driveway is, well it took me 40 mins one day to get out on my way to Cadets.

I may be in Alberta next month but no guarantees yet, more to follow soon. Enjoy the new pictures!!

John

Skating and others.

Fri, 20 Jan 2006 03:43:45 GMT

So William finally had his first opportunity to don his new Christmas Hockey gear today.

As seen in the pictures posted here, we were at the local arena and not our rink in the yard. If you have seen any weather reports from southern Ontario this winter, you will know that my earlier attempts documented in photos here were completely futile.

We ended up being the only family on the ice for nearly an hour as the PA system pumped in musc by RAFFI (Down by the bay...Peanut Butter Sandwiches..etc) which brought back youthfull memoies to me. William took to the ice confidently and it would appear at first glance that he likely has more athletic potential than I ever did! Matthew also enjoyed practicing his walking on the ice.

Some other pics are from playing trains this afternoon and evening while Melissa was out at here Legion Ladies Auxillary meeting. With William as operator, myself as designer, and Matthew as destroyer we have fun for hours with Thomas the train and friends.

I have also posted below a picture of the new shirt I recieved in the mail yesterday. I wore this Liberanos shirt around all day today and only got one comment "so how much did the conservatives pay you to wear that?" to which I said it was NDP.Anyways things are looking good for change this monday in Ottawa. Surfing the news net today I came across some interesting notes:

Gilles Savard, the Liberal candidate for the riding of Jonquiere-Alma, participated in a noon-hour candidates' forum Thursday.

Shortly after, he told a local radio station he conceded defeat and was urging his supporters to vote for Conservative Jean-Pierre Blackburn to consolidate the federalist vote in a riding the Bloc Quebecois has held for more than 12 years.

"It's certain that tomorrow I won't be the member here,'' said Savard. "That said, in my mind I'm sure that Mr. Blackburn should be the next member, that's how I see it.''

Also:

Thirty-seven percent of those responding to the SES poll said they would vote for the Conservatives. Support for the Liberals was 30.7%; the far-left New Democratic Party got 16.6%. The Bloc Quebecois, which supports independence for Quebec, got 10.7%; the Green Party, 4.9%.

Thats it then for today, hope you all enjoy the new photos and if your interested in getting a great shirt for yourself they are available online at www.westernstandard.ca (you'll laugh if you see whats on the back too!).

Everyone knows!

Thu, 12 Jan 2006 20:38:21 GMT

Welcome to my first entry.

John thought it would be a good idea to write about how I'm feeling and what's going on with the baby and in life. I'm sure John has mentioned that I have been a bit moody. Well that's true. Plus after every meal I feel like I've eaten something bad. After a few hours that feeling fades, then I feel like I haven't eaten in days. So it's a vicious circle of feeling sick to being hungry. Of course after dinner I get the sick feeling and about bed time I feel like I haven't eaten. I don't know if any of you have tried to sleep with your stomach screeming at you to feed it, but I can't sleep. So I have something like and apple and the cycle starts all over.

I remember the last 2 times I was pregnent. I said I'm never doing this again. Why would people want to do this to them selves again? Then your baby is born, and you fall complety in love. After some time your baby grows up, and you start to think, maybe we should have another one. You actually miss the feeling of being pregnent (or at least the sugar coated memories you've created, which you have to do, other wise no one would have more than 1). Then comes the day you find out your pregnant, and all those wonderful memories you have vanish and reality sets in. Mood swings, upset stomach, can't sleep, can't eat or smell certian things without feeling sick, constant bathroom runs, limited to what you can do, and all you can do is count down to due date. I have how much longer? Are you kidding? I can't do this for that long. I don't have the patience to wait that long. But some how you manage. With support from family and friends, you can get through anything. Just think, at the end of all this, their will be a new addition to the family. A whole new person to interact with, to watch your older children bond with. I can't wait to see how William and Matthew react with the addition.

Well that's all for now. I'll try to post something regularly and as things happen.

Melissa

We are EXPECTING!!!!!

Thu, 12 Jan 2006 14:25:42 GMT

NEWS FLASH: We are expecting again!

Melissa is Pregnant again as we expect our third child. Before we are bombarded with questions here are the facts for everyone at this time:

1.- Due Date August 11th 2006

2.- Melissas is doing good (she will post her updates soon).

3.-We dont know, nor will we find out, the gender of the baby (we never did with either of the boys).

4.- We do not have names decided yet although discussions/negotiations are ongoing.

5.- This child is very likely to be our last.

We are planning to post updates here as a central information source and possibly Melissa will make notes in a journal format. More to follow soon.

Watch for Melissas posts for in-depth updates that I cannot provide! Simply follow along inth the blog or click on the "Pregnancy" category link below to see them all.

-John