The Next Days Look Good

Black clouds, dark dark grey clouds, white clouds, thick clouds energy-sucking clouds have driven me to the couch today with an alluring stack of New Yorkers. I am going to "errand walk" across town and back and hope that it doesn't pour; thankfully, the forecast says that there are good days ahead. The one happy about the weather—rather my stay-at-home status—is Leon (below).

Walking Indoors

This was up in the design department so I am not sure if Karla is a film or design student. Regardless, I love the power of her title or advertising graphic.

Today being damp at times and iffy at others, I gave myself a treat and went to the always highly stimulating (and indoor) grad show at Emily Carr University (where I teach, post retirement). You can do a lot of dry walking to see this large show spread out through the campus—a campus cleared of furniture, students, faculty, detritus and glows. The grad show is a creativity festival.

Afterwards, I coached a new client and re-discovered the joy of mentoring. Sometimes artists seek me out to ask me questions and then resist my advice; other times artists whose work sucks want to hire me as a consultant. But when a nice person who is a clever artist seeks my advice and demonstrates a healthy history with sales and an entrepreneurial bent, I am in teacher heaven.

You can view (some of) the online catalogue here.

Three One-Hour Walks

Another beautiful day. Are you noticing how Vancouver is not the city of endless rain as per its reputation? Today's walks were short. I went downtown to have lunch with buddy Dwight, then came home, then walked to near the Olympic village to see newborn Maddie, daughter of dear young friend, Stephanie, and her husband, Adrian. Then I walked home, and after that, I walked to the Stanley Theatre (not directly) to see Dream Girls.

I live in a stunning civic setting, but the overwhelming sense of newness, standardization and order is rather depressing. But the sea, the endless fresh air, the moderate climate, the mountains and an abundance of space and corridors for human traffic make this city a paradise. Now, if only they would get a bike system like Montréal has.

 My street, Hornby, a few blocks north beside the court house. (Above and below.)

Men in suites.

 I love Next Noodle Bar on Robson for food. I love the staff and its owners, the service and the entire menu.

Dwight and our lunch.

 Maddie above and with Mom below.

 False Creek (above and below) on a genius day.

 This lovely terrace (above and below) in Yaletown is less than ten minutes from my house.

Sequin pants, yellow and black fringes (two) on the pant bottoms, red lips, large glasses and in her sixties.

Lunch in the Park

Today was iffy, weather wise, but I had a date with dear friend Susan whom I met in 1952. She was my first date to West Vancouver's May Day Ball and she is a member of the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club so we met there (in the Coal Harbour location) for lunch. The restaurant floats on a dock on the water and we ate outside in beautiful warm sunshine.

I walked there and back; a walk of an hour each way.

 The Laburnum trees are out. They are stunning when paired with Wisteria, and toxic.

This is a lovely meadow (above and below) that is right by the yacht club and covered  in daisies and buttercups. A lovely place to read Shakespeare.

Majestic weeds.

I never tire of this classic landscape of my life.

Election Day

Today is Election Day. I have lived in BC all my life. Other than when Mike Harcourt was Premier, I have been disgusted with all our provincial governments. But hey....

Whereas on a sunny day, I cannot bear being inside and can hardly wait to walk, on cloudy days I have more trouble with motivation. Today was one of those days, but once I got out in the mild air that smelled so good after yesterday's rain, I had no trouble meandering for three hours.

Stove polling station?

At the foot of Hornby (my street) is the pedestrian ferry terminal for Granville Island and other parts of False Creek. 

 See that yellow dust at the bottom of the picture? That is pollen. I have asthma. I lose 40% of my breathing capacity when only .04% of the air has particulates so days like today are brutal.

 The beach, although not pretty, is ten minutes from my house.

Our AIDS memorial. I saw many friends names.

The Iris are out on Lost Lagoon.

I never tire of this fountain in Lost Lagoon.

 AN orchid like flower I loved seeing today.

That fabulous convention centre roof.

miles of Wall Flowers! Mmmm....

Jack Poole Plaza and the mountains behind. This was the Olympic Caldron during our Olympics in 2010.

Way too many buildings with reflective surfaces and boring shapes. 

Chris Doesn't Do Rain

It is teeming with rain today.

Rain (even thunder) verified Vancouver's reputation today and kept your passionate walker in his New Yorkers and doing domestic errands. I am optimistic about tomorrow and will put my mind to thinking about an interesting destination.

Two Gardens

Some days Chris doesn't walk and today is one of them. As I write it is 14:00 and I have just come home from a lovely two-garden quick visit with friend Mary-Lou who is just back from France. We first went to Queen Elizabeth Park in the rain to go to the (covered) Blodel Conservatory but it was raining inside too. The plants and the birds were glorious and, as always, Mary-Lou is delightful company. Then we went for lunch at the van Deusen Garden and after lunch, for a stroll in the garden during a break in the rain.

But thank God for the rain—the plants needed it and since it is still warm, walking, even during a light shower, is wonderful.

 Scarlet Macaw.

 This grows on a single stem. Like a crown for a performer.

Look at those blue feathers!

Grey African delight. He was very communicative.

????

Does M'Lou not rock?!

Simple elegance in avian design.

I have no idea what the name of t his beauty is.

This is the only shot I took at van Deusen. The Alium and Laburnum were stunning.