Well it is that time folks. It is the morning of Wedding’s Eve and Bree and I are getting ready to leave our home for the last time as maid and esquire to alight upon the world, to be transformed by the eternal and ancient magics of community, commitment and togetherness, and to emerge as a whole; a stronger compact.

As it were we will become likened unto an alloy, whose combining produces a metal far stronger than the original materials.Like an alloy we will forge our individual strengths in the flame of our love and shape them with the anvil of our commitment to each other. truly, such a strength will be produced so as to withstand the test of time and the corrosive effects of adversity.

So we won’t be around here for a few spaces. I might get Joc to guest Blog for a bit. Thanks for the opportunity to use all the boy similes.

My Cool Sister J-girl, who has a lot in common with Lisa Loeb in my opinion (funky glasses, smart, realistic view of the world, quirky, artistic, sensitive to emotions) should also get be on the show Number One Single. Lisa L probably woudn’t stand for it. Sis is just too cool.

You see I have refrained from using a glam shot of her here as she herself would prefer to be thought of by her deeds ad actions rater than mascara choice. My Sister rocks and if the Christian Boys she knows could get over the massive guilt they have been indoctrinated with, they too could be exposed to this coolness. I am told that a lot of Xian girls are in the same problem. Wierd.

Flickr Photo Download: Posing with ‘Steve’

Another awesome stop on our Lisbonical vacation!

Google Image Result for http://urban.csuohio.edu/~sanda/pic/travel/portugal/nazare/nazare70219.jpg

One Week! Bree and Mee are getin’ hitched and flying to Portugal. Obidos is one of the locations we will visit.

Obidos02c.jpg (JPEG Image, 902×592 pixels)

The scale railway club at Centennial Park in North Burnaby had an annual meet up today andmodel railroad enthusiasts from all over the West Coast brought their locomotives to the facility of a little public fun. A $2.50 ride lasted for a good while and pulled the visitors through a very beautiful scenic country side with bridges, mountains, creeks and tunnels.

My Little Boy absolutely loved it! While I am talking about my son and not just the small squeak that still lives inside my head, I have to say that this event was just great. There were enough trains to take all comers on rides and no one had to wait very long. The trains were awesome. The club members were very “in character” and the sun shonefor the whole day. I did kinda wish my dad was here too but we will have some great stories for him.

I was able to strike up a conversation with John, the owner of one of the locomotives. We have some allied interests as I work for a company that makes diesel stoves (that he knew well) and he uses diesel to heat the boiler in his engine to make the steam that powers his train. Many of the other trains have propane powered boilers or are gas engine driven (like lawnmowers). He finished some maintenance and offered to take The Boy for a ride on the back of the locomotive. All of The Other Dads were super jealous.

I took pictures… I rode the trains… I talked to other men about diesel… I spent the day with my son experiencing a truely shared enthusiasm…Perfect.

Thank you Burnaby Train Guys. You are tops in my books.

Ths one is definitely for the family and friends out there! Enjoy.

My son, who is 5, wanted me to study this picture. I wonder if it is a hint? I think I have an idea what themes take center stage in my little boy’s mind. I have to say, I am envious. I would love to crawl ack in to a smaller skin and play with knights and dragons all the time.

Well, for Dads, that is some times what having kids brings us. We get the chance, as parents, to relive some of these themes, just as we relive triumphs, insecurities, fantasies and failures.

Peter Pan! Oh twer it I!

Super props for my sister, her husband, son and neighbours for throwing a Canada Day celebration at their home near Brisbane Australia. The Candihoovians were from Manitoba and British Columbia and everyone dressed in their maple leaf best as they partook in a Sausage Sizzle on the BBQ.

Happy Canada Day!