I just got back from a business networking function at the Dr. Sun Yat Sen garden in Chinatown. Oh my goodness, is it ever beautiful in there. Better still, a small group of us got a private guided tour from the facility's director of marketing. There was no access to anything restricted, but we did get the history of the garden itself, as well as some explanations of why things are the way they are there. It was stunning in there, and I can see why it's considered a special place - among other things, it was the first scholar's garden ever built outside of China, and it was also the first one built since just after the Ming Dynasty.
There's also a public, free garden space, which doesn't provide access to the scholar's rooms, but does have much the same feel of the rest of the gardens. I can see me spending a bit more time there in the next little while, since I seem to be losing some of the balance in my life again. I need to re-focus once again, and some introspection would be a huge benefit for me right now, I think. Or does anyone have any other suggestions for quiet, contemplative spaces around the city?
Wondering
30 May 2007 - 07:42.
At what point did platform flip-flops become acceptable? As in, 2-inch platforms. It just looked... wrong.
What would possess someone to take my boat out, break it, put it back, and not say a word? Can you say 'coward'?
Where's Waldo
25 May 2007 - 22:04.
I realized today that it's been a fair while since I've blogged. The truth of the matter is that I've been fairly busy for a few weeks now.
It started during the WHL playoffs, when Matt and I went to see like 5 or 6 home games, with a whole raft of different folks. Then I added more rowing to the mix - I'm doing some more races this year, so I've been spending a bit more time on the water so I can pretend I know what I'm doing.
Then there's work.
My company has been growing at a respectable rate, and business is good. I haven't quite yet reached that critical mass where I'm completely self-sufficient, but I'm getting closer. As always, my friends have been invaluable beyond reckoning in ways I won't begin to describe here. Suffice to say... without my friends I wouldn't be as busy as I am.
It's all good. And I'll try two write a bit more regularly.
Random
19 May 2007 - 12:27.
Since when were mullets considered acceptable again?
And does anyone actually get home faster by weaving in and out of heavy traffic during rush hour? Why do people do this?
I don't get either of these things. Can someone explain it to me please?
In An Elevator
14 May 2007 - 10:23.
So I'm in the elevator in my building this morning, and one of the other riders is taking his 13-year old golden lab out for a walk. The guy mentions in passing that the dog has bad hips and hind legs, and that the dog isn't it too much pain.
Which implies by extension that the dog is in some pain, and the guy knows it.
I admit I'm conflicted about this one. The dog seems happy (much tail wagging), is friendly, and responds well to attention. But he's obviously hurting, can't move properly, and has trouble getting up even from sitting (no idea about his getting up from laying down).
Would you have the dog put down, knowing he's in pain? How much is too much? I'd really welcome some comments and feedback on this one.
Summertime Bliss
09 May 2007 - 08:39.
For the first time in about 3 years, my summer will be my own this year. And it couldn't have come at a better time (especially given the weather forecast).
The past few summers, I've spent many a weekend at the rowing club teaching Learn To Row classes, and I've really enjoyed it. I met some good people, and in fact I can take some of the credit for a decent number of VRC's current crew - I've probably taught somewhere around 100 differen folks over that time, a measurable percentage of which are still active VRC members.
This summer is diferent though. I decided a few months back that I wouldn't teach this year since I've apparently forgotten what it means to just be a rower, and because there's so damn much going on in this city that I can't take part in because of LTR commitments. The dragon boat festival, the Jazz festival, spontaneous camping weekends or getaways... I've missed doing these things.
And the beautiful weather this morning reminds me that I've made the right decision about not teaching this year. If today is a taste of what's yet to come, it's going to be a phenomenal summer.
Dogs Have Legs
07 May 2007 - 23:43.
Y'know, I've always suspected that dogs were able to get themselves around pretty well. I mean, most of them have 4 legs to move on and eyes to see with. So I'd really appreciate if someone could explain to me what's up with people who insist on carrying their little pocket dogs everywhere.
Case in point - tonight I'm in the elevator in my building, and a lady is in there with me carrying her little dog/rat out so it can do it's little dog business. She's carrying and coddling the little thing like some sort of infant, making little cooing sounds at it (and I know for a fact that the dog is not a new addition to her household).
I don't get it. If you're taking the dog outside, why not put it in it's little leash and let the beastie walk for itself? Let the thing get some exercise for Christ's sake...
Test Me
02 May 2007 - 16:03.
Usually I'm not a huge fan of memes, but this one is a little cooler in that it's interactive. Apparently some movie later this year with a name of The Golden Compass includes familiars, or as the call them, Daemons. So you take their silly test and it tells you what you are. Except the display code also includes an option to let people change your results, by asking questions about you. So here's mine - roll over the image to interact and start the test. It all happens inline, with no redirection to another site.
Your input has the capacity to change the animal on the image (currently a lion). I'm curious to see how it ends up....
All The Marbles
01 May 2007 - 10:17.
Here we go again kids! The defending Western Hockey League champion Vancouver Giants are once again shooting for the crown! After dispatching the Prince George Cougars in the Western Conference finals in 5 games, they're now moving on to face the Medicine Hat Tigers in a bid to repeat as the WHL kingpins.
Games 3 and 4 are the first home game, taking place next Tuesday and Wednesday (the 8th and 9th respectively). I'm going to both. Matt is going to both as well. Who else would like to join us? Tickets are a paltry $25/game, including the let-me-bend-over-so-you-can-do-me charge from Ticketmaster. I can front the ticket purchase and you pay me back at the game.
I'll be going to both games (as well as game 5 if required) so if you'd like to join the festivities, then drop me a line or leave a comment, and let me know which game you'd like to attend.