The turtle pictured here is Harriet the Galapagos Turtle. She lived in the Australian Zoo (owned by Steve Irwin) where this picture was taken by either Briana or myself on our summer holiday to Bribane in 2005.

Harriet was born at an unknown locaton nearly 180 years ago and was suposedly studied and captured by naturalist Charles Darwin on his “Voyage of the Beagle” to the Galapagos Islands in 1835. Harriot died today after a short illness in her pen (in the photo). On her death, she was the oldest known animal in the world.

Who’s the fittest now?

Smile!

Originally uploaded by ms_doyle.

We were at the Vancouver Chinese New Year Parade on Pender and Columbia in Chinatown. This was the most exciting and meaningful parade I have ever attended. Real gravitas. Meaningful in ritual, cultural significance, meaningful in history and the building of a new community.

My son was with us and was enthralled by the spectacle, especially the dragons, but what really enthralled me was the town.

This city put on its shiny clothes, banged the big drums, waved its flags and exorcised the demons of a long wet winter. It felt good to shake it out.

A look for the new year

Originally uploaded by Will_Tom.

Welcoming the year of the dog and ushering in the red packets of prosperity.

BreeRedCoat1

Originally uploaded by Will_Tom.

Cake
Short Skirt, Long Jacket

I want a girl with a mind like a diamond
I want a girl who knows what’s best
I want a girl with shoes that cut
And eyes that burn like cigarettes

I want a girl with the right allocations
Who’s fast, thorough, and sharp as a tack
She’s playing with her jewelry
She’s putting up her hair
She’s touring the facilities
And picking up the slack
I want a girl with a short skirt and a long jacket.

I want a girl who gets up early
I want a girl who stays up late
I want a girl with uninterrupted prosperity
Who uses a machete, to cut her red tape

With fingernails that shine like justice
And a voice that is dark like tainted glass
She is fast, thorough, and sharp as a tack
She’s touring the facilities and picking up the slack
I want a girl with a short skirt and a long, long jacket

I want a girl with smooth liquidation
I want a girl with the right dividends
At City Bank we will meet accidentally
We’ll start to talk when she borrows my pen

She wants a car with a cupholder armrest
She wants a car that will get her there
She’s changing her name
From Kitty to Karen
She’s trading her MG for a white Chrysler LeBaron
I want a girl with a short skirt and a long jacket

La Connor

Originally uploaded by Will_Tom.

Well, we are just returned from a visit to La Connor, where my parents live. It is a lovely town in Washington State just now recovering from Turkey mania. Yes it was just thanksgiving and we did our best to rid the world of those wattle swinging, gobble gagging little suckers but La Connor has a special place in tis heart for the pilgrim bird.

It has been invaded by a small flock of wild turkeys. Folks agog at the site of the beasts flouting the traffic signals just outside the sherrifs office will have to content themselves with photos. It might be American Thanksgiving but turkey hunting season ended in October.

We are integrating Bree into the family and she is doing quite well. As most know we will be wed on Sept 09 2006. Until then, she has to get used to us all.

Any horror stories out there on integrating the spouse to the family embrace? Fathers in bad taste? Sisters with bad intentions? Brothers with bad breath?