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.

To ths page via Gillian and provenance beyond.

I like Crowe reference. Lucky Jack Aubrey, beat to quarters!

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.

This is a shout out to the Gilli-ific one. With out her and her ilk, we would be stuck with robotic cats like the children in Japan. Poor children.

-shudder- Here is to real cats! To real cats everywhere!

I have been tagged by Bree with a ‘four things’ meme.

Four jobs I have had in my life:

1. Sandwich Artist
2. Dock Jockey
2.5 Used and Antique Book Dealer
3. Park Ranger (sort of)
4. Marketing Director and Marine Stove Guru

Four movies I would watch over and over:

1. Ken Burns “Out West” or “Civil War”
2. Henry the Fifth (Ken Branagh)
3. Mambo Kings
4. The Lion in Winter (both Close/Stewart and Hepburn/O’Toole)

Four Places I have lived

1. Montreal
2. Edmonton
3. New Westminster
4. Vancouver

Four TV shows I love
1. House
2. Rock Star
3. Mythbusters
4. The Office

Four places I have been on vacation:

1. Queensland, Australia
2. England
3. Hawaii
4. Cruise Ship

Four of my favourite foods:

1. Curry (but I pay for it)
2. Really good pasta
3. Salmon
4. Pecan Pie

Four places I would rather be right now:

1. Portugal
2. Bruges
3. A beach, with big waves
4. On the Boat, cuddling

Tag, you’re it:

1. Gillian
2. John
3. Sarah

Linked here is a Baby Name Reference Tool with some wicked kool flash-happy tooling. Check it out even if you are not getting into the baby racket. It is truely a blast to playwith. Oh Oh Oh! Let’s try Wagner! Wallace, Eunice, Beatrice! Ahh….. Instant gratification.

Check Baby Check Baby 1 2 3.

Had some friends over last night to revel in sweet doggitude.

As well as Briana and myself there were Gillian, Dave, Tristan, Nadia and Jason in attendance with Nathan, Kristina and Jocelyn sending regrets.

Pop cutlure was referenced, stories of past events were recounted. Drinks and food were consumed. Work was discussed, romances were explained and humorous remarks about sex or foolishness were enjoyed by all.

Particularly interesting were indepth discussions on database design and computing or alternatively myth, the spread of language groups in migtratory populations and Greek and Roman Heroic literature. With profound agreement, all agreed it was much cooler to be geeky than to actually be cool.

Special thanks is due to Tristan for bringing some wine to share and to Briana for gracing us all with her astounding beauty and charm. I for one could not stop staring at her.

Carole Taylor

Originally uploaded by Will_Tom.

Today in Victoria BC, Provincial Foxy Finance Minister Carole Taylor released the details of the BC 2006 Provincial Budget.

“The focus of the budget is children, there’s 421 million dollars over four years including 72 million to add more social workers and front line staff.” CKNW

The budget is notable for two serious things and some other things that are not so serious.

Bad press about useless youth and child services = more money and focus on such like. Serious.

Province turning a corner on a localised recession and so this is the first real ’spendie’ budget (possibly on the backs of the down-trodden, who am I to say.) Serious.

In the not-so-serious catagory. “Baby needs a new pair of shoes”. In keeping with tradition, the Finance Minister sports a new pair of shoes on budget day. Usually loafers, brogues and oxfords on the dour feet of the folically challenged get passing mention on budget day. -But Baby!- $600 Gucci pumps complete with the horse bit logo. Bling Bling!

So guess what the radio news focused on? Shoes, legs, related topics. Then the Speaker of the house says ‘Baby’ he better not be talking about any one present in the Legislature. So sure we in BC have a FMILF with gams from here to Revelstoke but the children! The Children!

Sleepy dog

Originally uploaded by ms_doyle.

Ok so you have seen this dog before. You know about the dog. You have seen the photos. You have even been privy to the details of paper training in the kingdom of puppyland.

But you haven’t seen this photo yet! Yup its another pic of the Schnauzie-schnauz. Deal.