The House & other Arctic musings

Lists, lists, lists

“Trogon. Okay, got it. Where do we find the gnatcatcher?”  I lifted my eyes from the binoculars, away from the bird sitting mere feet away. “We usually find the gnatcatcher at our stop down at the coast, there’s lots to see here yet.” I replied as I returned to the gorgeously gaudy bird that was calling, looking for the non-existent Cuban Trogon it had heard.  Others in the group, were talking excitedly about the Trogon as another was calling farther down the bank, coming closer. The gnatcatcher seeker moved off, looking for something new.

I think that it is in our nature to keep lists. We humans seem to long for bringing order into our lives, we categorize, compartmentalize, organize. Like so many other people, who enjoy birds, I keep a life list. The list is simply a way of keeping some order, keeping track of the birds that have come into my life. There are no year lists, no Territory lists, no yard lists, no Birds seen on TV lists (okay, at the risk of offending someone, I know someone who keeps a TV list).  On those now rare occasions when I go on a trip somewhere out of the country I'll keep a list, mostly to to transfer to my life list (eventually, I still think I need to enter the last Cuba trip there, and that was years ago).

I've never thought of the list as the goal.  As much as I would love to see every species of bird on earth I could care less how many birds are on my life list. I can't, for the life of me, understand why someone, upon seeing a Cuban Trogon perched 10 feet away calling, would immediately want to move on, to find one more endemic, or one more for this list. I can't understand this search for one more tick on a list, one more species to stroke off and move on.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that listing is wrong. Whatever gets you through the night, you know. You don't have to look very far to find people who extensively list who have a deep appreciation for birds. Charlie, of Charlies Bird Blog, has a 2006 list that for January alone has more birds on it than I will no doubt see in the rest of my life. I have to admit that I covet deeply each and every one of those birds on that list, or his life list, the birds.  But you'd be hard pressed to find someone who cares more passionately about birds, and ethical birding than Charlie. Unless you looked at nuthatch of bootstrap analysis, or Mike at 10,000 birds, or well that list is pretty extensive and I could go on and on.

There is little doubt that recording observations, a la Christmas Bird Counts, Breeding Bird Surveys etc plays an important part in our understanding of birds, and their populations, and that people get a great deal of satisfaction from their lists. That they can be touchstones, a way of reliving specific trips or times or birds. And I am impressed with the Big Years, the big lists and the lot. There are amazing numbers out there, amazing accomplishments, amazing drives. I devoured Mark Obmascik's The Big Year. I guess I just don't get what it has to do with birds, perhaps if it was called something other than Birding.

But, having said all that, I offer for you here, my current 2006 World Bird list.  Bow down before my amazing and superior abilities.

2006 World List

No.    Common Name    Scientific Name    Date    Location

1)      Northern Raven    Corvus corax        Jan 1    Arctic Bay NU

The Circus of the Spineless

The latest edition of the wonderful invertebrate carnival, Circus of the Spineless is presented in pictures over at the always entertaining Pharyngula.  If you've never visited Prof. P.Z. Myers' excellent blog, take some time to explore it at it's new location.  You are sure to find this wide ranging,  chephlapodcentric, reality  based blog a treat. Unless you are a proponent of Intelligent Design or Creationism in which case you'll likely find a quick skewering

This months edition of the Circus offers a wide variety of those creatures that run the world.  Although I never realized that fungi and vegetables were invertebrates, but what do I know, I'm not a scientist.

What do you mean Friday was two days ago? - Construction Post

I'm starting to realize that we are going to have an incredibly beautiful house when we are done. More and more of the trim is going up and it is getting easier to envision the final product.

Three of our five interior windows went in this week and we've been puzzling over the best way to trim them out. God knows what we are going to do with the two big ones. There are five interior windows in the House. Now when I say interior windows I mean they go inside the House but despite my instructions to the contrary our supplier supplied exterior windows. Double paned, gas filled, E - coated high efficiency windows.  I'm not sure what heat loss they are supposed to stop between the office and the entrance way but I guess I'll appreciate the sound proofing between our space and the great room.

As I've implied above there is a window between the office and the entrance way, a tall (92 inch) narrow window between the door and the closet. Unfortunately there isn't much room for casing it. We've ripped down some pine casing to another profile a little over two inches wide and will picture frame it. The narrower casing will allow it to fit between the window and the doors casing, which is a wide maple casing.

The kitchen window really adds to the looks of the kitchen, although it looks out into a hallway. I've been joking that I'll have to paint a mural on the opposite wall.  We built an opening high on the dining room wall that mirrors the window, to let in natural light.  Standing at the sink I can just see the top corner of the highest dining room window. We're not settled on what we're going to do to case it on the hallway side, probably a painted pine picture frame, but we know what we'll do from the kitchen side of things.  It will get a slight maple sill, to match the exterior windows, and we'll make a maple casing that looks like the kitchen cabinet doors for the rest, sort of a Shaker style window casing.

The other window that was installed goes between the hallway of our apartment and the great room. Now the idea for the window was that we could look out, on our way to the kitchen in the morning, and see if anyone was up and about yet. So we could go and greet them, get the coffee or tea on, that sort of thing. I pictured in my mind a small window, even from the plans I thought it was a smaller window. But you know, this is a big honking window, about 3'X5'. It is getting a slight maple sill on the great room side, with wide maple casing. It will go well with the maple on the stair treads and banisters.

The windows yet to go in are huge, basically they are a wall.  The windows separate the front entrance from the dining room.  It will open up the entrance, and people coming in can see who's already here, and vice versa.  Through the windows and the french doors you will be able to look from the entrance, right through into the great room.  We have no idea too many ideas how they are going to be trimmed.

At last.

For My Daughter in Reply to a Question

David Ignatow

We're not going to die,
we'll find a way
We'll breathe deeply
and eat carefully
We'll think always on life,
There'll be no fading for you or for me.
We'll be the first
and we'll not laugh at ourselves ever
and your children will be my grandchildren.
Nothing will have changed
except by addition.
There'll never be another as you
and never another as I.
No one ever will confuse you
nor confuse me with another.
We will not be forgotten and passed over
and buried under the births and deaths to come.

I'm looking down at my sleeping daughter. Moments ago, I was holding this tiny, perfect person in my amazed and clumsy fingers, marveling in this miracle that is a baby.

I think I'm better prepared this time, that my fears are not as overwhelming as they were with Travis. I still think of the countless opportunities I have to screw up her life, or make it into something wonderful, and wonder filled. I really want to make this world a world of possibilities for my children. More than anything else I would like them to see the world through the eyes of children, all of their years. What a world we would have if we could all keep that sense of wonder about us. The curiosity that swirls about them, could save us all if only we could all hang on to it.

But right now, our daughter is asleep, at home, at last. My fears ebb and grow, but I know, deep down that with her and Travis here, the world is a much, much better place.

Arctic Travel, the adventure.

You can't get there from here.

Yesterday, when I got home for lunch, Leah greeted me with the news that Travis had an appointment at one at the Nursing Station, and if his check up was okay he had to leave on the afternoon's plane for Iqaluit. Travis needed some dental work done under a General and a spot had opened up. 

One of us, of course, would be going down with him.  Now when I say one of us would be going down that would be me, as there is only one of us that flys well. It is kind of like volunteering in the RCMP - "I need a volunteer... you, Kines". And as inconvenient as a three day trip would be, I would be able to get Hilary at the same time. And as I'm not sure I follow the logic of doing dental work on a child under a general anesthetic I would be much happier being there.

The check up went well and we were scheduled to leave at 8:00 pm. Leah's little sister Sukiqpa would also be going down for the same thing, along with another of Leah's sisters as an escort. Most of my afternoon at work was shot though as I had packing and some organizing to do, finding accommodations and that sort of thing.  I did get back to the House late in the afternoon and when I returned home I found out that the plane had been canceled and we would be leaving today instead.

Now the airport is at Nanisivik, 30 kms away, and although the plane was due to arrive at 5:30, they wanted us there at 3:30.  I guess that is to give us time to make it through security. ("Are you aware of the contents of your bag?" "Did you pack the bag yourself?" "Have you left the bag unattended?" "Any nail files, knives, scissors or other sharp objects in your carry on" -- There, you've just gone through security at Nanisivik.) And speaking of carry ons, I was told that I'd have to check my laptop as luggage as they might not allow carry ons on the Hawker. Sorry, this isn't a laptop, its my... purse, yeah my purse.

So we ended up at the airport promptly at 3:45, and quickly checked in, and settled in for the nearly two hour wait.  Gary came with us to bring the truck and Leah back to town and we tried to entertain a tired and grumpy Travis until the plane arrived. Leah, Travis and I were in the truck when the plane arrived, and we said our goodbyes. In the terminal (Terminal 3 I believe) I told Gary that Leah was ready to go and that they could leave, and after a two hour wait you could imagine he didn't waste any time in doing so.

He had no sooner walked out the door when the First Air station coordinator got up and announced "As you know, the plane has been canceled, we'll call you with the new arrangements". As I know? Plane canceled? But it's on the ground!!  As it turned out the Hawker lost an engine about 100 kms out of the airport, and it will be on the ground here for several days.

So now we had to head back to Arctic Bay.  Our ride!!!!! Its already left.  Luckily Gary noticed a "Door ajar" light in the truck and had stopped at the end of the parking lot to check it out.  Even luckier, he didn't know that there is a loose connection in the truck somewhere and the "Door ajar" light is usually on.  So I started off sprinting across the parking lot, just as he started off again. But he saw me and stopped.  Unfortunately Travis thought his dad was abandoning him, and was soon running across the parking lot after me, screaming his lungs out.

So about three and a half hours out of our day, dental work that will no doubt have to be rescheduled to a later day, and no Hilary.

All is not lost, Hilary arrives on tomorrow's plane at around 1:30, with a woman from Arctic Bay who is returning from Iqaluit.

Film at 11:00

Update: January 25th

This morning I called the airport to see when the plane would be coming in and was told it was running a couple hours late, and would be in at 5:05.  At coffee, I figured I'd slip home and double check, just in case there were any changes. 

I got one of the crew.  "5:05? No we're on the ground now." (Remember I'm a half hour drive away from the airport)

I told them my baby was on the plane, and they said there was no baby on board. I managed to get one of the local workers on the phone and found out that our escort never got on the plane. A call to Iqaluit confirmed that she, along with HIlary had missed the plane.  She was told at the boarding house to be at the airport by 1:00 pm, which she was. Unfortunately it was the wrong information and the plane had already departed.

I guess Hilary will be here on tomorrow's plane.  In the mean time, one of Kautaq's daughters went to see Hilary and emailed us a couple of photos.  So.... here's our girl.

Vote for Ben Cruachan Blog

The nominations for the 2006 Bloggies have been announced.  While I'm disappointed that only one of my favourite blogs are amongst them, it is a very good blog.  Duncan at Ben Cruachan Blog writes a blog that gives me South Envy everytime I visit. His walks amongst the wildlife in Victoria Australia will leave you wanting to visit and share in his appreciation of the varied bird life that shares his world. Chances are, if you are a regular visiter here you are well familiar with his wonderful blog.

He's been nominated for the Best Australian/New Zealand Blog and I'd encourage you to head over to the 2006 Bloggies site and vote for him. It is a well deserved nomination.

What's in a name?

For Inuit, naming a baby is very important. Generally speaking babies are named after someone, usually someone who has passed on, and it is believed that the child "takes on" the spirit of the person they are named after. In essence they grow into the name.  Leah's youngest sister, for example, is named after her Grandmother Arnakallak. Because of this I call her Sukiqpa (roughly Grandmother-in-law). If a child was named after my father, I'd call him dad.

We've taken the habit of giving our children a first name, a western name of their own, followed with middle names in the Inuit tradition. Thus Travis' full name is Travis Matthew Alvin Avinga Evaluarjuq Kines. Travis is his own name - Matthew is for a very good friend of Leah's who committed suicide in Hall Beach - Alvin is for my Grandfather - Avinga and Evaluarjuq are for elders from Iglulik who have passed on.

We struggled with his first name, as I imagine many couples do. It is hard to come up with something that is unique enough, that you both like, that won't be too unique (ala Moonunit Zappa - sorry if you're reading this Moonunit).  Finally my brother's son Brandt suggested Travis and we both decided it was a great name.

When our daughter was born this morning we still hadn't settled on a first name, although we had three middle names picked for her.  When I called my brother to give him the news Brandt answered the phone.  Our conversation went basically like this:

Hi Brandt. You have a new cousin.
"Is it a girl"
Yes, a girl.
"What's her name?"
We haven't decided yet. Any ideas?
"What colour is her hair?"
I don't know yet, but I would imagine that it is black.
"Hilary."

So, I give you Hilary Kautaq Arnakallak Rose Kines. Hilary, because now Brandt names all of our children. Kautaq for Kautaq Joseph. Arnakallak for Leah's grandmother. Rose for my Grannie. May she grow well into all of her names.

It's a Girl!

Our daughter was born at 11:09 am this morning in Iqaluit. Seven pounds eight ounces. Everyone is fine and we're hoping she'll arrive here on Monday's plane.

No first name yet, but we're working on it, we're working on it.

Friday Construction Post - Hangin' doors & Purty windows

Hanging doors has always been one of those mystical things that carpenters do, something that ordinary blokes like myself never attempt, or if we do attempt it, never get it right.

Well for the best part of this week I've been hanging doors.  We have 9 of 18 doors hung, and a couple trimmed out. Like anything else in carpentry all it takes is some patience, some knowledge, and some attention to detail.  If I can do it...

Because the doors we had wanted for the B&B were not going to be ready in time to make the sealift ship I agreed to get some thinner (1 3/8"), hollow core doors instead. It was a decision that I regret, and I wish we had waited, and paid for the extra shipping. The doors that arrived later, are far superior, with jambs that are much, much better. Those jambs supplied with the hollow core doors, are thin, not very precise, and far from straight. To make matters worse, the crate containing our doors and closet bi-fold doors leaked, and we lost some bi-folds to damage, and all of our doors are water stained.

Here is a door to a storage area above the kitchen. Some of the jamb detail isn't visible as a jamb extension has been added.  This particular wall is a bearing wall, and is built with 2X6's, so adding extra material to extend the jamb (which are designed for 2X4 walls) was necessary.

One of the keys to hanging a door, is to make sure the hinge side is solidly attached, and plumb. Start with the area where the hinges attach and then shim the rest of the jamb so it runs straight. Once that is done, you hang the door in place and then securely shim and anchor the top corner. This will help ensure the jamb doesn't shift out of square.  Next you move across to the opposite top corner and shim and secure it in place. Shim the top of the door straight and level. The gab at the top of the door should be even all the way across.

Now it is a simply a matter of taking a measurement across the top of the opening, and shimming the latch side of the jamb to that same measurement down to the bottom. Again the gap between the jamb and the door should end up even, all the way down.

Install the knob, and then the strike plate, lining the plate up so the door is flush with the jamb. Then put the stop in place, tight to the door, so there is no play when the door latches. Voila. Repeat as necessary.

Of course, not everything has gone that smoothly and I've installed a knob three times on one door before I got it right, pulled hinges right out of the jamb (like I said, cheap wimpy doors and jambs, the screws supplied are the shortest screws I've ever seen. Of course once the door is hung we replace all the hinge screws with 2 1/2 or 3 inch screws so the whole thing is attached to the framing itself), and started to hang a door upside down. But they are going on, and I have new skills.

Gary and Johnny were doing other detailing all this week, and amongst all of their jobs they finished trimming out the dining room windows. Take a look... I think it looks pretty sharp.  The sills and trim under the sills is birch, and is finished as natural wood. The jamb extensions, trim and the rosettes are being painted white.

Most of the windows on the client side have been trimmed out, the Great room is about half done.  The jamb extensions take a lot of time, getting them accurately in place. After that the trim goes quicker. 

All in all, the window, door and closet trim looks very fine.

I and the Bird. #15

It is incredible to believe that there have already been fifteen I and the Birds. The wonderful carnival devoted to the incredible wealth of avian life we share this planet with. Aydin over at Snail's Tales is the host of this edition. Go give it a read.