Happy 40th, DJB

You were born at 10:23 am on July 28th, 1967. With luck, I'm hoping this will be the year I get to meet you again. Heck, I'll even explain the significance of the name I gave you.

hg xxoo

On Hornby time

Again. We're lucky enough to make this visit almost every year. As you can see from the shot of the pasture, we get to pitch our tent in a pretty idyllic spot. Not a bad view, eh.

This year, I spent waaay too much of my Hornby time reading -- what else, the last installment of Harry Potter.

Hornby Island's a place where even I like to shop. This is saying a lot because I'm a person who usually hates shopping. My favourite store there? The one at the Recycling Depot, where they have a whole lot of everything. And the price is definitely right -- all of it's free.

Of course, there's more to a stay on Hornby than just reading and shopping. No day would be complete without a stroll down to Ford Cove for one of those patented West Coast sunsets.

in Cars: more than meets the eye

Although I admit to love watching high-end motorsports, I can't say I'm usually a fan of much else about cars. But look out, here comes a book to challenge that.

This book's a matter of poetry meets cars -- and roller-skating. But it's more than just wheels. It captures a sense of explosive teen energy, along with all that sweaty sex, complete with anticipatory aspects.

Of course, there's a much deeper core running along that double yellow line poet Kimmy Beach balances on as she takes us down the highway. These poems look unflinchingly into the face of shocking loss.

This range of emotional experience is balanced by enough musical references to make a complete soundtrack. I'm only sad that Turnstone couldn't provide an accompanying CD. Guess you'll just have to make your own. When you do, crank the volume and get ready for one heckuva ride.

More about the Thailand tour

As mentioned in an earlier post, the trip to Thailand meant beaches, temples, markets -- all that the brochures promise, but oh so much more.

Although we spent most of our time on the island of Ko Pha Ngan, we journeyed to Chayaphum (in the northern area of Isaan) and environs (national parks, more temples, a tiny village still dedicated to growing rice). We also spent a few days in Krung Thep (Bangkok), where we stayed on the 68th floor of the Baiyoke Sky, the tallest building in the city. We had spectacular views and it felt like unbelievable luxury (especially the bathtub!). What a contrast from the simple life we'd had, lounging in the hammock at our bungalow.

But contrast was ultimately what the country was about. So much was so different from the kind of life we're accustomed to in Canada. The street markets and food vendors, the easy-going pace, and maybe most of all, the amazing highway system. Of course, the fact that so many people drive motorbikes rather than cars frees up an incredible amount of space on the roads. Even during Bangkok rush hour, most vehicles seemed to keep moving, probably due, at least in part to the complex system of overpasses. And even when we were hours north of Bangkok, the highway was six to eight lanes wide. It seemed a far cry from what passes for infrastructure here in B.C.

I've not posted my photo album on a public site, so please let me know if you'd like the by-invitation link.

And oh yes, those pesky clothespegs. Jeez, but they were annoying! I seemed to spend more time re-assembling them than I did actually hanging out the clothes.

Leaving Vancouver

When I left for Thailand, I encountered this in the airport.

It's an image that stayed with me, especially as I knew I'd have a month where I wouldn't be able to drink any water but the bottled variety.

I'm not sure if the person tried to fill their bottle and then gave up, or if there was some other reason for leaving their empty where they did.

Quick post from Thailand

There'll be details once we get home. But highlights will include temples, beaches, and of course, the constant re-assembling of the falling-apart clothespegs. Who knew that laundry could provide so much entertainment?