About Me

About Me

Peter Smith
Peter Smith

Raised in outport Newfoundland in a town of 65 people, I pursued a post secondary diploma in Information Technology right out of High School.  Graduating into the recession of the early 80s, with a student loan at an interest rate of 13.75%, with a diploma, but no clue how to apply for a job or contacts to rely on, led me back home, and eventually into the hotel business from the accounting side.

Eventually tiring of a job I didn’t like, I made the decision to go back to school, and moved to Nova Scotia and back into the career I really do love, a software developer, currently specializing in Python.

I’ve always been a geek at heart, but yet I love the rural life I grew up with.  Fishing, hunting, camping and the great outdoors are still loves of mine, even if I don’t pursue them as often as I once did.  Sports were always a big part of our lives, and I played many (badly) and loved them all.

I’ve never lost my love of home, and will always be a country boy no matter how long I live in the city. Keeping those memories alive, and sharing them with those who may be interested led me to start blogging on https://randomisland.ca. That is a spot for my recollections, stories, and re-tellings of others I’ve heard from back home on Random Island, NL. 

This is a portfolio site of sorts, which is more devoted to what I do, from photography, cooking, cycling, writing to what I do professionally. Sometimes I blog here about other topics; politics, rants, sports, or whatever might catch my attention. Hoping to do more of that as an outlet soon.

I’m the cat that curiosity hasn’t killed yet.  I am interested in nearly everything from ancient history to modern gadgets.  Always curious about walks of life and how people live and lived.

The journey is the destination, learning never ends, and I’ll never grow old if I never grow up.

Interests

  • Cycling
  • Photography
  • Grilling,
  • CFL and NFL football,
  • Formula 1,
  • Absurd humour - Monty Python, Black Adder, Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy
  • Sci Fi & Fantasy
  • Reading

I’m eclectic and random as hell. Thanks for dropping in.

Random Island

CCM Targa

CCM Targa

A couple years ago I got back into riding bike, and then the other day I saw an ad for an old vintage 10 speed.  It reminded me of the one Keith had and I inherited.  An old CCM Targa.  There’s been quite a bit of new technology and difference since those days (and price […]

These Random Roads

With kind permission from Bill March.  Thank you, I love it! These Random roads don’t go too far but they always brought you home until the day you crossed that causeway bridge to the great big world unknown Under cool moss grassy o’er rock and shale sweet memories now peaceful lay just a stone throw […]

The Lunch Can

The Lunch Can

Recently, an old family friend, Gary Cooper, passed away.  Gary was more than a family friend though, he WAS family.  To everyone! I’d lost touch with him, and many more for that matter, since I’ve moved away, and more so since my own Dad died. Not necessarily through anyone’s fault, though I’m sure my own […]

Music Class

Music Class

The item in the image above, if you don’t remember, was used to draw music staves on the chalkboard (though it was also co-opted to use for cursive writing and maybe, just maybe, to make writing “I will not chew gum in class”100 times easier). I posted it a couple days ago on twitter, and […]

Three on the Tree

Three on the Tree

While out yesterday to drop off some tools to my sister, Annette, I saw a pickup go by that somehow reminded me so much of ones that Ross Smith used to drive. While he had big lane with a long road gong right down to his house, the truck was a staple diagonally across the […]