3 men down!

Shite - what's with the 3 recent federal NDP candidate resignations? 2 for for public pot use and 1 for public nudity - who thought socialist politics could be so fun? Next time I want to liven up my CandleLite party I'll call the NDP riding office and invite the boys over...There's a few problems here. By all accounts the party decision makers knew about these events ( and presumably understood that if made known to the public that they would be fair game to critics and voters) and decided to roll the dice with them anyway. Now they're down 3 candidates, and their credibility takes a bashing. Does this speak to a level of desperation around securing NDP candidates in some ridings? Did the campaign managers actually think the average voter would look past the blatant and idiotic drug use, and naked frolicking with teens in their potential elected representatives? I hope not, in both cases - or else the Left is in bigger trouble than we thought. On a more larger level, this creates some ideological problems. The NDP advocates for the de-criminalization of marijuana and supports the increase of harm-reduction drug programs (eg. Insite) to address drug addiction, so to then distance themselves from self-professed (albeit excessive) marijuana users turned politicians is a tad hypocritical. I think it's important to run a platform with the above-mentioned ideas, but the presentation of the candidates voicing this message would be key - ie. that pot-smoking candidates are a reflection of social drug use in the general population (hot-boxing the ice-fishing shack, passing a spliff around the gang at a house party, etc.) as opposed to driving around the West Coast stoned and recording it or being a judge at pot seed contest with a known DEA target. Just a thought...

Passchendaele

Just putting you on notice; this Canadian production opens soon - I'll give it a watch and use it to make a comment on Afghanistan and/or comparisons to Amercian war flicks.

Format Change!

After running this blog (sporadically) for a few years as a web-journal of personal trips and events, probably as more of a crutch for my own terrible memory, I've decided to switch it up a bit. I've recently wanted to find a medium that I could use to reflect my processing of the people, ideas, events around me, and consequentially to demonstrate a statement of position in regards to this process. Thus, I'll provide more personal commentary and reflection of the goings-on around me, both locally and more globally, that will hopefully engage readers and invite more participation to share in this process.

Also, I'll include cat postings.

I've also added a Follower gadget - so for all those fellow bloggers out there please sign up to show your support. For non-blogging, but interested readers, please let me know if you want me to add you to the automatic e-mail list so that you get new posts direct to your inbox.

Dem

me and Cynthia P.

Part 1 of interview with Inuk throat singer; on life, lyrics and learning her traditional songs. Check out www.tumivut.com to catch the buzz...

For those who need a Maddie fix...

Here she is - roving around looking for a bedtime snack. She recently enjoyed a weekend on the farm - she met Jake and trolled the herb garden and then got lost in the cow field, aahh - summer...

OK - who parked the S2 in the backyard?

A recent and brief trip back to PG brought me face to face with this thing in the parents backyard. My dad had recently picked up this S2 sailboat from the east coast; he hopes to fix her up (the Maree II?) and plunder the south seas with her. And because she made the Kessel run in 12 parsecs it'll be a quick run to Passage Island from North Van.

Junior Summit on Ice!

August 2007 - we trekked down to GM Place to watch the final game of the Canada-Russia Super Series, an 8 game tourney with the best junior hockey players from both states. The hockey was great, but it was no replay of 1972. Canada won 7 of the 8 and tied the other. The skill was simply awesome - we watched Kyle Turris, Tavares and Gagner light them up.

Passage Island Redux

In May we had a working holiday on PI. Although I was initially fully prepared (and requesting)
to doze in the sun, a mini work bee quickly ensued and we found ourselves working on the roof - hammering in the afternoon heat. All was forgiven as wine and ale flowed afterwards. Pete has made substantial progress since last year, but one can only imagine how much more he would completed without the brain injury.

Newfie down!

Spring is in the air, so it must be wedding season. May found me losing another mate to the state of matrimony, and by summer's end I myself will inhabit that world. This one felt particularly significant as my Newfie friend and I had spent many a crazy time in PG over many years. As I said in my best man's speech; "may the wind always be at your back!".

What Internal Combustion Engine?

Spring time means bike time, and what better way to kick off the new season than on my new ride, tweedie, and check out the Critical Mass. Part protest, part parade - we had a great time; we took it a step further and substituted water for cheap German ale so it was no surprise when Pete later fell over in Stanley Park. We capped off the night by riding through the park to the north shore and then hailing caesar at a local public house. Aahh- summer...

hi mexico!

Fun times had by all (save for the digestive systems of some) during a trip to the Mayan riveria with the future in-laws. The trip confirmed what I know about myself - a) I'm really too white. b) I melt in the sun. c) despite what my mom says I can eat ice cream for dinner. d) I like tequila. I also learned new things - a) don't harass groups of monkeys. b) sarcasm doesn't translate well. c) cross continental plan travel is the devil's work.

Man down!

Nothing says holiday fun like attending a wedding of an old friend. Tam - we hardly knew you...

floppy fishy

Amy's first fish heads for the frying pan.

A Rare Sighting

Occasionally, when the elements are just right, a small group of Youngs will congregate together for the purpose of eating and playing cards. In late August just such an event was spotted on the north shore - local young Youngs renewed relations over take-out Thai and a physical game of Donkey on a surprisngly flimsy table. These pictures show the group of cousins frolicking after the shared meal and before the necessary ritual sacrifice of one of the Innocents.

Progress on Pirate's Island

In August we took a sojourn to Passage Island with our comrade TA to check out the nation-building over there. We drank and dined with locals and relations, met the goat and tented on the floor of the ever-rising house. The next day we took in a local beach on Bowen Island and burned in the sun.

The Prodigal Son

Of course, as no trip to the interior is fully complete without a visit to the old folks we spent several days in the bat cave on Tamarack. The little man even came down from Rumsfields oil-patch to say hi and I renewed relations with my companion Willy, who no doubt was put out by being unable to share the bed with Amy. We visited old and new friends, toured the old neighbourhood (podcast to follow?) and donated money to the local casino (wait, that was just me...).

During our summer holidays in July we travelled to Houston BC to visit the Halvorson clan there. Fun was had by all as we fished a local lake for trout. Amy successfully caught her first fish and then tried cleaning her first fish, not so successfully.

Cup Crazy!

After losing the WHL to Medicine Hat in game 7 we met them again in the Memorial Cup Final - ah, sweet revenge - the Giants sealed their first Cup title. A great ending to a awesome season!

Seabus to the Cinematheque

Just had a chance took catch the tail end of the DOXA documentary film fest downtown this weekend. We saw Quitters; about life in a UK residential treatment program. It was a good story; reminded me of the choas I work in. Would like to split a festival pass next year though, to watch more of the films during the week. At $12 a show its a bit pricey to soak them all in. A better plan would be to volunteer down there for a free pass and to meet some if the filmmakers. Mental note.

A Day at the Coliseum

Nothing says summer like watching playoff hockey! After watching the Vancouver Giants make it to the semi-final of last years Memorial Cup, and knowing they would be hosting this years tournament, we decided to get a few season tickets to partake in the fun. We took in a number of great games at the rink on Renfrew and watched the G-men win the BC Division and then lose in double OT of game 7 of the WHL final against the Medicine Hat Tigers. This past week the great hockey continued as the Memorial Cup began. This championship tournament sees the 3 CHL league winners (WHL, OHL, QMJHL) and a host team battle it out for Canadian junior hockey supremacy. After watching several of the round robin games this week I can honestly say that this the most exciting hockey around; goals, hits, great goal-tending, and personal appearances by Gordie Howe, Bobby Orr and Trevor Linden - and we haven't even had the final game yet! The Giants will seek revenge tomorrow in the final against the Tigers - hopefully pics of their win will follow.