iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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.

060

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.

060

Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 04/09/2026

Five's a charm, man - good luck.

110

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.

030

Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 31/08/2026

Ron Hynes on Terry Sawchuk. bsky.app/profile/what...

000

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.

040

Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 23/08/2026

Seconding this - we really enjoyed Karen Pirie.

030

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...

youtube.com

Can You Tell Me

YouTube video by Heat Exchange - Topic

000

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.

040

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...

youtube.com

Comox and Friends - Broken Promises (Canada1974)

YouTube video by forestmusic1970

010

Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 07/08/2026

Shout out for her awesome doc Antidiva! Carole rules.

000

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...

youtube.com

Windy Mountain

YouTube video by Luke Gibson - Topic

000

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.

040

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.

050

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...

youtube.com

Could You Ever Love Me Again

YouTube video by Gary And Dave - Topic

000

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.

0102

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...

youtube.com

Different Drum - Poppy Family on Let's Go 1968.

YouTube video by Brian Parkinson

050

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.

030

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.

160

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...

youtube.com

Sawchuk

YouTube video by Ron Hynes - Topic

020

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.

050

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...

youtube.com

Raffi - Sing a Song of Friends

YouTube video by Brian Parkinson

020

Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 25/06/2026

You *rock* Gurdeep. Congratulations.

000

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.

040

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...

youtube.com

Gene MacLellan - Snowbird (Lyric Video)

YouTube video by GeneMacLellanVEVO

010

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.

090

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...

youtube.com

Girl of the North Country

YouTube video by Tom Northcott - Topic

030

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.

040

Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 02/06/2026

But. But. But you now have an entire freight container to fill with fountain pens!!

040

Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 01/06/2026

Lol - my recollection is that it does. But there ain’t much else, aside from unreal scenery all around.

010

Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 01/06/2026

Newspaper digitized archives via TPL - a very deep rabbit hole (both Star & Globe available). Love the cartoony style on this.

010

Brian Parkinson @whatevernot.com · 01/06/2026

For Lindsay's Books, you want to Start at the Top and have a Colonnade Day!

Picture of an old ad from April 1987 showing the stores and shops of the Colonnade Mall, including Lindsay's Books for Children.

110

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.

150

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.

050

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.

031

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.

010

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.

020

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".

020

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.

040

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.

030

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.

12611

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.

010

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.

040