I have a High School reunion planned for next Aug.1, so right after WCBF (July 21-27) i'm gonna fly back east for a few weeks.

When are next years Eastern Meets planned :?:

So much to do..........so much time.

What a complete turnaround for the bummed out guy that originally started this thread.
I'm glad to see things have shaped up and your actually looking forward to what coming!

Yes it'* true that my feelings have changed after four months of stewing about it.

.....the final outcome has not come to fruition yet, so stay tuned.....


Yes Shadd, I am planning on it in early October. Dates are not yet cast in stone but I'm thinking of leaving Oct. 9 contingent on me finishing painting my bathroom.

I'm puttin on a sled pull in our little town on the 20th of october, should be quite the show! You should come!

Give me your address so I can Google it to see where you are Shadd.
You need your location on your avator.....what are you in hiding??

I have a prospect on a job. They want me to start right away but I told them I want to wait until the 3rd week of October.....like Monday the 22nd
I'll try and delay it another week if I can. Thanks for the heads up.

Wish me luck. I'm heading off for my first job interview tomorrow.

Three more lined up over the next couple of weeks.

Four more days of work left at my old job

Retirement is like using cruising control.

Sorry, been out of internet contact for a coupla weeks. Anyways, I'm in Royal City, WA. Sounds like things are really gonna work out well for ya!

.....from the sound of my first interview yesterday, MORE ($$$,$$$) than OK.
They want me to start as soon as possible but I told them I need a vacation.

The three other interviews I have next week will be similar I'm sure. Huge demand for Engineers in Canada (and all over the world I might add) right now

I have a month off after 4 more days of work at my old company.


Here is the Memo I issued last week to all of my working Contacts:




As some of you already know, my employment at the Powell River Millsite will be terminated on September 28, 2007 as I transition into semi-retirement.

I would like to thank you all for working with me during an exciting 29 year career that spanned over five separate companies in the same location; Macmillan Bloedel, MB Paper, Pacifica Papers, Norske Canada and finally Catalyst Paper; through the demise of the Mill Engineering Department in 1998 and its recreation in 2003.

It is a sad time and it is a happy time.....but more sad. It is with a heavy heart that I breathe a sigh of relief after having spent most of that time struggling with continuous improvement while much of the time suffering under continuous downsizing and cost cutting restrictions. This certainly was and still is an industry in turmoil.
My career here in Powell River on the whole has been a satisfying and fulfilling one.

This employment afforded me the opportunity to grow as a Professional Engineer, purchase a home and raise a family, all within a short commute to work in the beautiful small town atmosphere of Powell River. For that I am truly grateful.

Companies seem to be ruthless in their pursuit of outrageous goals, but it'* the Capitalistic economy driven by investors like you and I (except some have a lot more money) that demand returns on their investments. I worked as a Capital Project Engineer. Capital money is much harder to justify if returns are low. Not enough to build a new machine, not enough to rebuild them, so they eventually become obsolete, worn out and shutdown. It may be just a matter of time because we have limited wood fibre to supply them. Blame Global Warming and publicity from powerful Environmentalists like Al Gore. Blame ourselves for allowing it to happen.

I am not planning on moving from Powell River for at least the next 2 years. I still love living here and I want my son to finish high school with his friends.
My wife Laura and I look forward to a bit of travelling and I still retain my passion for monkey wrenching my vehicles….as long as I can afford them. I will offer some of my professional skills to work on temporary part time Engineering services…..to be able to afford them.

I will have more time for travel, so maybe you'll see me in my travels or around town.

Ciao.
Paul N. Bernardo P.Eng.

Kykoh Engineering Services Ltd.