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Brian Parkinson

@whatevernot.com
117 followers 62 following 297 posts

Motorcycle trips, building things, Canadian ephemera from the 60s & 70s, computational nostalgia, rhubarb pie, ferries and trains. travel: www.whatevernot.com/travel stuff: www.whatevernot.com/build blog: www.whatevernot.com/blog

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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 21/09/2026
Currently in Red Bay NL where we were greeted on shore by Jimmy the Lighthouse who was so happy to welcome us. Red Bay is a national historic and UNESCO world heritage site - there is evidence here of Basque whaling dating back to 1530. #BlueSkyMonday
Picture of someone dressed up as a lighthouse greeting our arrival by boat to Red Bay Nl. This is home to UNESCO world heritage site due to the archaeological presence of Basque whaling vessels dating back to 1530.
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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 07/09/2026
Happy Monday. The trans-Labrador highway (TLH) runs from just west of Labrador City to Blanc-Sablon with a length of 1,149 km. There's no cell reception and limited services through dense wilderness - it used to be an entirely gravel road but paving was finally completed in July 2022. #BlueSkyMonday
Picture of the gravel Trans-Labrador highway leading to the distance with a fully loaded motorcycle in foreground. The background is a slightly cloudy blue sky day.
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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 01/09/2026
Happy Monday. This pic is taken on the flight from Iqaluit to Pond Inlet NU. Views of massive glaciers and fjords at mind-boggling scale - the land seems to extend to forever. You'll want a window seat. #BlueSkyMonday
View from out the window of a twin otter in Nunavut with a large glacier front and center and a deep fjord heading off to the far left. Gradations in the blue sky background.
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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 24/08/2026
Happy Monday. The South Nahanni is one of Canada's quintessential canoeing rivers flowing through the Nahanni and adjacent Nááts'ihch'oh national park reserves. From the Mackenzie mountains in the west over the majestic Victoria Falls and out into the Liard river; a paddler's dream. #BlueSkyMonday
Picture of two canoes padding the south Nahanni river in the Nahanni national park reserve NT. Calm water, tall cliffs and a brilliant blue sky.
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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 21/08/2026
TGIF. In 1972 Toronto band 'Heat Exchange' released the single 'Can You Tell Me' bw 'Inferno' on Yorkville records. An album deal fell through and it took until 2017 before all of their singles were collected into the fine retrospective 'Reminiscence'. #FridayCanCon www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iuu...
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Can You Tell Me
YouTube video by Heat Exchange - Topic
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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 17/08/2026
Happy Monday. One great thing about the high arctic is the late afternoon sun which pours in on an oblique angle making long shadows and casting a glow on everything around. Time to chill, have dinner and grab a fine sleep in the tent. This is Alexandra Fiord on Ellesmere Isand NU. #BlueSkyMonday
Picture of camp site in the high arctic with a yellow tent in the front left foreground. A blue sky with wispy clouds form background, with a number of ice pans floating out in the fjiord. Alexandra Fiord on Ellesmere Island NU.
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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 14/08/2026
TGIF. Comox (James Papp and Paul Stephens) released 'Comox and Friends' in 1974 and it nicely channels the 70's California singer-songwriter sound. They were likely named for the K'ómoks First Nation on Vancouver Island. Track 2 is Broken Promises. #FridayCanCon www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoVW...
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Comox and Friends - Broken Promises (Canada1974)
YouTube video by forestmusic1970
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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 10/08/2026
Happy Monday. Iceberg. #BlueSkyMonday
Picture of uniquely shaped iceberg floating in the right foreground with a misty blue sky background.
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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 07/08/2026
TGIF. Luke Gibson was lead singer of Toronto blues rock legends 'Luke and the Apostles' and then joined 'Kensington Market' which imploded in 1969. In 1971 he recorded the very fine country folk rock LP 'Another Perfect Day' - here is 'Windy Mountain'. #FridayCanCon www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lGH...
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Windy Mountain
YouTube video by Luke Gibson - Topic
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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 03/08/2026
Happy Monday. In the Mingan Archipelago national park reserve, the Havre à Petit-Henri campsite on La Grande Île is secluded and private - only 4 sites well separated; it's very quiet. There is fairly challenging 23.5km trail that loops around the perimeter of the island. Bliss. #BlueSkyMonday
Picture of the Havre à Petit-Henri campsite on La Grande Île - part of the Mingan Archipelago national park reserve. With an extensive rocky beach in the foreground with Parks Canada sign, the view is serene against a backdrop of blue sky.
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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 27/07/2026
Happy Monday. Wandering by the stream which winds through the Fairy Meadow in the Cirque of the Unclimbables. Nahanni national park reserve NT. #BlueSkyMonday
A picture of two women walking by a small stream in a meadow surrounded by tall cliff faces all around and a background of blue sky.
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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 24/07/2026
TGIF. In 1973, this soft pop earworm went to #1 in Canada (and #7 in Australia!). Gary Weeks and David Beckett ('Gary and Dave') released 2 LPs and a number of singles in the mid 70s and then decided to quit the biz to become pilots for Air Canada. #FridayCanCon www.youtube.com/watch?v=7r_S...
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Could You Ever Love Me Again
YouTube video by Gary And Dave - Topic
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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 20/07/2026
Happy Monday. Western Brook Pond - a fresh water fjord carved by glaciers and filled with extremely pure fresh water, nestled in Gross Morne national park which takes its name from NL's second highest peak; a member of the Long Range Mountains running up the west coast of the island. #BlueSkyMonday
Western Brook Pond, part of Gros Morne national park on the west coast of Newfoundland - majestic beauty all around. Picture of the fjord and big cliff walls with a pale blue background sky.
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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 17/07/2026
TGIF. The Poppy Family - here performing Michael Nesmith's "Different Drum" on CBC's Let's Go 1968. Terry Jacks, Susan Jacks (Pesklevits), Craig McCaw on guitar/sitar and Satwant Singh on tablas/drums. #FridayCanCon www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAL0...
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Different Drum - Poppy Family on Let's Go 1968.
YouTube video by Brian Parkinson
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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 13/07/2026
Happy Monday. The Gaspé Peninsula is on the south shore of the St. Lawrence; its name is derived from the Mi'kmaq word gespe'g, meaning "end", referring to the end of the land. #BlueSkyMonday
A picture of the Gaspé peninsula extending far into the distance with a small piece of parkland in the fore-right. The background is streaky light clouds against a blue sky.
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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 06/07/2026
Happy Monday. Don't bug me - at the cottage. #BlueSkyMonday
A picture of six red adirondack chairs on a rock overlooking a lake, with a wispy cloudy background.
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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 03/07/2026
TGIF. The great Terry Sawchuk was immortalized in song by Newfoundlander Ron Hynes. Sawchuk held the shutout record for 46 years, won the Calder, 4 Vezinas, 4 Stanley Cups, and was inducted to the Hockey Hall of Fame the year after his final season. #FridayCanCon www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcwA...
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Sawchuk
YouTube video by Ron Hynes - Topic
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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 29/06/2026
Happy Monday. Long live the roadside motel. ❤️ #BlueSkyMonday
Picture of blue roadside motel with a lone BMW touring motorcycle parked in front of one of the units. There is a background of blue sky with a couple wisky clouds.
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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 26/06/2026
TGIF. Raffi, Canada's "global troubador" and "children's champion" was born in Cairo and immigrated to Canada in 1958, eventually settling in Toronto. Before his first LP he contributed 4 tracks to CBC compilation 402; here's a lovely "Song of Friends". #FridayCanCon www.youtube.com/shorts/-gRBB...
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Raffi - Sing a Song of Friends
YouTube video by Brian Parkinson
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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 22/06/2026
Happy Monday. The arctic can be a land of contrasts. In 1930 Canadian Lawren Harris painted a number of large canvasses of Bylot Island NU; this pic was taken just east of Pond Inlet as we headed out for a 4 day hike to 765m Mount Herodier which stands high above the surrounding area. #BlueSkyMonday
Picture of Bylot Island in the distance, with the Pond Inlet dump in the foreground displaying large non-biodegradable  items (refrigerators, buses, etc) which will likely remain here forever. The sky is a bright blue with streaks of white clouds forming the background.
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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 19/06/2026
TGIF. Gene MacLellan was a Canadian treasure. He wrote a string of hits for others but his renditions are the Gold Standard. Snowbird, here with the additional 3rd verse dropped by most cover versions, is a deceptively sad and poignant song. RIP Gene. #FridayCanCon www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDCN...
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Gene MacLellan - Snowbird (Lyric Video)
YouTube video by GeneMacLellanVEVO
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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 15/06/2026
Happy Monday. There is a seasonal research base at Alexandra Fiord, Ellesmere island NU and here they monitor plant growth and also collect data on the receding glacier in the background. The local crew welcomed us, gave us a tour, and later served up a wicked tasty butter pecan pie. #BlueSkyMonday
Picture of the research station at Alexandra Fiord NU with small plexiglass enclosures protecting the small plants working hard under a very short growing season. A big receding glacier is in the background with backdrop of blue sky.
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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 12/06/2026
TGIF. Tom Northcott was a Vancouver based folk/pop singer with hits in the 60s & 70s (nominated for a Juno in 1971). His back catalog is well worth exploring - Rhino's "Sunny Goodge Street" compilation is tops. Here is "Girl from the North Country". #FridayCanCon www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9ho...
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Girl of the North Country
YouTube video by Tom Northcott - Topic
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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 08/06/2026
Happy Monday. When you come around a corner and see the big tall cowgirl giving you the salute, you know it's gonna be a fine day. #BlueSkyMonday
Picture of a tall cowgirl statue at intersection of a gravel road. She is very tall standing with arm raised over the height of the power lines. Blue cloudy sky background.
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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 01/06/2026
Happy Monday. Arctic Bay Airport (YAB/CYAB) with services to Iqaluit and Resolute Bay was established in 2010, replacing the airport at Nanisivik. It's about 6 km southeast of town - there are no restaurants, vending machines, duty free shops, souvenir stalls or wifi. #BlueSkyMonday
A picture of the Arctic Bay Airport (YAB/CYAB) airport terminal - with services to Iqaluit and Resolute Bay was established in 2010, replacing the airport at Nanisivik. The picture is of the terminal, with background tundra and a blue sky.
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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 25/05/2026
Happy Monday. The West Coast Trail is a challenging 75km multi-day hike in Pacific Rim national park BC from Port Renfrew to Bamfield in the traditional lands of the Huu-ay-aht, Ditidaht, and Pacheedaht First Nations. Beaches, cable cars, ladders, forest, petroglyphs; it's all here. #BlueSkyMonday
Picture of a beach on the west coast trail (part of the Pacific Rim national park) with a view of the ocean and a big blue sky background.
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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 18/05/2026
Happy Monday. The Royal Hotel in Flin Flon MB. The town is named for the nickname of Josiah Flintabbatey Flonatin, Esq, hero of the 1905 SF novel "The Sunless City" by J. E. Preston Muddock. A statue of Flinty designed by cartoonist Al Capp (Lil' Abner) looks over the museum grounds. #BlueSkyMonday
A picture of the Royal Hotel sign in Flon Flon MB. The town is named for the nickname of Josiah Flintabbatey Flonatin, Esq, hero of the 1905 SF novel "The Sunless City" by J. E. Preston Muddock.
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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 15/05/2026
Are You the Next Brøderbund Superstar?
Old display ad from a magazine asking the reader if they are the "Next Brøderbund Superstar?" with a black&white picture of a faceless man standing behind an Apple II.
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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 11/05/2026
Happy Monday. Checking out the Hoodoos in Sirmilik national park on Bylot Island NU. #BlueSkyMonday
Picture of a section of Hoodoos (weathered rock formations) in Sirmilik national park on Bylot Island NU with a cloudless blue sky background.
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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 04/05/2026
Happy Monday. Kispiox BC is a Gitxsan First Nations community known for its totem poles which were the subject of a series of Emily Carr paintings in the 1920s and 30s. The town's original name is "Anspay'axw" loosely translated from the Gitxsan language means "The Hiding Place". #BlueSkyMonday
A picture of some standing poles at Kispiox BC which is a Gitxsan First Nations community known for its totem poles which were the subject of a series of Emily Carr paintings in the 1920s and 30s. The town's original name is "Anspay'axw" loosely translated from the Gitxsan language means "The Hiding Place".
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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 27/04/2026
Happy Monday. A pic of The Wall in Fermont QC which acts as a windbreak to shelter the rest of town from the cold north wind - it is 1.3 km long x 15 metres high and contains apartments, stores, schools, bars, hotel, restaurants, supermarket, and swimming pool. Baby it's cold outside! #BlueSkyMonday
A picture of part of The Wall in Fermont QC - it acts as a windbreak to shelter the rest of town from the cold north wind - it is 1.3 km long x 15 metres high and contains apartments, stores, schools, bars, hotel, restaurants, supermarket, and swimming pool. The poutine is pretty good here too.
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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 20/04/2026
Happy Monday. Early June in the mountains - perfect weather to be out on a motorcycle. #BlueSkyMonday
Picture of roadway out of the north-east from Yellowstone national park US. Big snow banks on either side with a backdrop of the mountains in the distance and blue cloudy sky.
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Reposted by Brian Parkinson
Canadian History Ehx @cdnhistoryehx.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
On this day in 1975, Harmonium released their second studio album Les cinq saisons. Considered one of the best Canadian albums ever made, it went platinum in Canada with 100,000 copies sold. It also earned four Juno nominations, including Group of the Year.
Illustrated scene of five long-haired men wearing matching blue outfits with wing-like designs on the back, sitting on a hill surrounded by large stylized plants and pink flowers. A small animal lies beside them. The group faces away from the viewer toward a soft landscape with trees, clouds, and a faint rainbow in the sky.
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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 13/04/2026
Happy Monday. Home to the largest concentration of monoliths in Canada, Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve is located off the North Shore QC highway 138 near Havre-Saint-Pierre. Acccess to the chain of islands is via kayak or boat - campsites are super isolated. A++ solitude. #BlueSkyMonday
Picture of a large stone monolith backgrounded by a bright blue sky and wispy cloud. Taken at the Mingan Archipelogo National Park Reserve in Quebec - great views and campsites.
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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 06/04/2026
Happy Monday. Get a good sleep at Art's Motor Inn. Free Wifi! #BlueSkyMonday
Picture of Art's Motor Inn sign - an old style roadside motel sign in great condition, backgrounded by a pale blue sky and some trees. Looks like a good place to stay the night.
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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 30/03/2026
Happy Monday. Never underestimate the importance of the afternoon nap. Our final day in Sirmilik national park on Bylot island we got a hike in exploring all over while we waited for the pick up boat to come from Artic Bay on Baffin island NU. The silence and tranquility is unmatched. #BlueSkyMonday
A couple hikers taking a break with a nap in the sun - Sirmilik National Park on Bylot Island with a big glacier foot in mid-distance and some snow capped peaks in the distance.
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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 23/03/2026
Happy Monday. Just a thin sheet of ice remains on Summit Lake, at the 1/2 way point of the 100km Akshayuk Pass in Auyuittuq national park NU. Mount Thor in the distance. Our group got lucky to have an unforgettable layover day here basking in the sunshine. #BlueSkyMonday
PIcture of Summit Lake in Auyuittuq National Park. Mount Thor in distance, blue sky all around.
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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 16/03/2026
Happy Monday. Looks like good road ahead under the big blue sky of Saskatchewan. #BlueSkyMonday
Picture of paved road in Saskatchewan with a big blue sky background.
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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 09/03/2026
Happy Monday. The Rock Creek Badlands parkway in Grasslands national park (east side) is an 11 km paved road that rises and falls along an escarpment with westward views that showcase some of the most amazing vistas in Saskatchewan. All around are hiking trails and amazing scenery. #BlueSkyMonday
Picture of the Badlands parkway in Grasslands national park with a touring motorcycle in the foreground right.
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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 02/03/2026
Happy Monday. Blackfoot Crossing historical park interpretive center for the Siksika Nation in AB is built on an escarpment at the site of a historic buffalo jump - it's also the site of the signing of Treaty 7 on Sept. 22 1877. Exhibits, tours and fine cafeteria; well worth the stop. #BlueSkyMonday
Picture of Blackfoot Crossing historical park interpretive center for the Siksika Nation in AB with blue sky in background.
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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 23/02/2026
Happy Monday. Here's what hiking in Quttinirpaaq ("top of the world" in Inuktitut) national park can look like - fleece weather and 24 hour sun. It's the most northerly Canadian park on Ellesmere island - there were 11 hikers on the plane in and we were the only visitors that year. #BlueSkyMonday
Picture of 3 hikers in mid distance walking on tundra in the high arctic with a cloudy blue sky background.
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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 16/02/2026
Happy Holiday Monday. Loop Brook campground in Glacier National Park BC is an exceptional spot to hang out for a couple days - the campground has lots of amenities and the hiking is fine - you will pass remains of old train trestles and encounter great mountain views all around. #BlueSkyMonday
View of the mountains in Glacier National Park BC with a sign denoting Loop Brook Campground in the foreground. Blue sky in background.
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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 09/02/2026
Happy Monday. On a wicked cold day like today, I'd rather be spending time here. Meat Cove NS - due north at the top of the Cabot Trail. #BlueSkyMonday
Picture of a tent in the foreground on an outcrop looking over the Atlantic with a big ol' blue sky background.
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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 08/02/2026
Hailing from Saguenay QC, ‘Angine de Poitrine’ (Khn de Poitrine on guitar, Klek de Poitrine on drums) are a “microtonal Dada-pythago-cubist rock orchestra” and, well, omfg. Here they are live on KEXP - enjoy. m.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ssi...
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Angine de Poitrine - Full Performance (Live on KEXP)
YouTube video by KEXP
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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 06/02/2026
Snooker’s greatest commentator since Ted Lowe. RIP John. m.youtube.com/watch?v=vNKx...
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John Virgo's Greatest Commentary Moments 🎙️
YouTube video by WST
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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 06/02/2026
The pure tenor quality of the voice of Harold Montgomery Gives a special interpretation To the grand old hymn "The Old Rugged Cross" Chill bumps appear and I am frozen in the web They weave As they reveal Their innermost selves With the outpouring of their hearts ... A must!
The album cover of The Revelaires album "The Joy of Knowing Jesus"
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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 02/02/2026
Happy Monday. To get to Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine in Quebec you take the ferry due north from Souris in PEI - the seven islands form an archipelago all connected by the 85km route 199 (a blast on a motobike). Weather is lovely (windy) and it's easy to find great coffee & croissants. #BlueSkyMonday
Picture taken on Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine in QC. Bright sunshine with blue sky background, a lighthouse and boat in foreground, an island in the background.
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Reposted by Brian Parkinson
Grateful Dead of the Day @gratefuldeadday.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
There is nothing like a classic 1969 run of Dark Star> Stephen> Eleven> Lovelight (from Live/Dead no less), and that is just what the Dead give us in the second set here. There is also a fiery Other One Suite and the very last Clementine ever. gratefuldeadoftheday.com/01-26-1969
gratefuldeadoftheday.com
Dead of the Day: January 26, 1969
Avalon Ballroom in San Francisco, California
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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 26/01/2026
Happy Monday. Pond Inlet NU (aka Mittimatalik - “the place where Mittima is buried”) is located on the north east shore of Baffin Island and across the bay from Bylot Island and Sirmilik national park. This shot is taken from Salmon Creek which is about a 4km walk west from the town. #BlueSkyMonday
Picture of Pond Inlet NU taken from Salmon Creek with moutains, glacier caps and blue sky in background.
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Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 25/01/2026
Walk out to winter, swear I'll be there Chance is buried just below The blinding snow.
The cover of Aztec Camera's High Land, Hard Rain LP.
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