Happy New Year

And so ends another year, just one of many now, and they seem to be passing with much greater speed. Although 2008 is now in the history books, it created some memorable moments and witnessed some milestones:

- I became a grandfather again
- I relocated our small business to smaller quarters in response to the shrinking economy
- I opened my home office (not entirely sure this is going to work, I am so used to going into the office in the morning)
- I lost my best pub buddy, golf buddy and diving buddy to Toronto
- I was very fortunate to make a new friend who likes English football as much as I do (even if he does support the wrong club)
- I purchased my new camera, which I think will become a new and satisfying hobby for me, if I can ever learn how to properly use it (is anyone out there able to help me here?)
- I have few friends (by choice, I think), but the ones I do have are fantastic and precious
- I have learned to be more patient, less critical, and can still laugh at myself
- I have become closer to my family
- I am in a great relationship with a fantastic lady
- I started this blog, and have "met" some interesting and accomplished people through it

And finally, I am looking forward to 2009. No resolutions, just a general promise to try harder.

Happy New Year to all. May it bring you everything you wish for, as well as a few pleasant surprises along the way.

Merry Christmas

Well, the day fast approaches, and I look forward to two weeks away from the office. Time to spend with family and friends, eating too much, laughing just enough, and sleeping whenever I want. The shopping is done, the baking yet to begin (I will post some photos and recipes once I get started, in a day or so), and the football is all planned for the TV. So, I take this opportunity to wish one and all a very Merry Christmas. Be happy and be safe. May 2009 bring you everything you wish for.

White Christmas

Ok, it may be a little early to get excited, but Vancouver had a snowfall! It happens so rarely that everyone gets excited, or they get depressed, or angry, apprehensive even, but they get involved!

I grew up on the Prairies, and loved the winter. Loved the cold and the ice and the snow. I can take it or leave it now, leave it mostly, but it is beautiful when it first falls.




It means I don't have to water the flowers, or trim their growth. They do seem a bit surprised and somewhat pissed though! And another thing, how am I to use my Grillzebo? It did not keep the snow off my BBQ! Snow is much more creative than mere rain, it finds its' way into every little nook and cranny.




Oh well, off to do some shopping for my Christmas provisions. Need to think about baking my sausage rolls, molasses cookies, and whatever else fancy may decree. I do love a white Christmas though. Time to get out and enjoy.

Trainspotting

My business sometimes takes me into the Fraser Valley, about 25 miles inland from Vancouver, where I have some of my furniture manufactured for clients. I have taken to bringing my camera with me wherever I go now, so when I drove out yesterday I was encouraged by a thick bank of fog and the rising sun. (I was driving east at around 7:30 am).

Near my suppliers facility, there is a river and a train bridge. I thought I might camp out there for a few minutes in the hope that I could catch a train passing over, and get a couple of shots. No such luck - no train. But the bridge could not escape.

When I was taking photos I heard some muffled banging and had to scamper out of the "no go" zone I was in. I had visions of being tossed about by burly Railroad Police, of being trussed up and transported to some secure area while they checked my camera and my heritage (just to be sure I was not some disturbed terrorist). No such luck!

All I found was a sport fisherman getting ready to enjoy a morning on the water. I wish I could have accompanied him for short while.

Steveston Harbor - Another Foot!

Steveston Harbor is one of the tourist spots in the Lower Mainland, and lies just south of the City of Vancouver. It is popular due to its proximity to the ocean, the fact that you can buy seafood directly from the fishing boats, and it has a reputation for good fish and chips.

Until recently DBM and her hubby lived only a short bike ride away from this little gem of a community.

All in all, Steveston had any number of bragging points, but now, it will soon become notorious. As of this morning, another foot has washed ashore. This time on the shores of the Fraser River here in Steveston! The mystery continues. Where will it all end? Will it end?




I suspect that the discovery of another sneakered appendage will not adversely affect the tourist trade in this little community. People have long memories for things such as good fish and chips, but short memories for the more unpleasant things our society can sometimes throw at us.

English Bay

Fall in Vancouver is splendid. The weather is mild, if somewhat wet, and the colors are vivid and warm. We rarely get snow, and most of the foliage is year round (pine, cedars etc.), so we never seem to turn brown, and even the lawns are green all year. In fact, they are usually greener in the winter than they are during the summer months. Anyway, one of the nicest areas is English Bay, in the downtown west end. The beaches, the walks, Stanley Park and the salt water. A great place to live and to come home to.

It can sometimes get a bit depressing, with it being dark when you head off to work, and dark when you sit down to dinner. But, with the new office, English Bay is only four blocks away, and on a sunny day, within an easy walk, even for someone such as myself. I think I will spend more time here over the next month or so.

Granddaughter Niobi

I have just received a new batch of photographs of my new granddaughter. I'm not certain where I read the opinion that all newborn babies look like Winston Churchill, but I think Niobi certainly had an alarming resemblance to the past Prime Minister, at least for the first two weeks of her life. Things seem to have settled down a bit now, and she is definitely becoming a beautiful little bundle. At any rate, here she is.



I do hope the little fists unclench at some point, as little girls are supposed to be sweet and cuddly are they not? She does look confident though! Bring it on!