I've uncovered why my apartment seems so big. Originally, I thought it was because of the huge space and lack of inhabitants. In fact, it's because my phone book is so tiny! In other towns, the phone book is thin. In Nanaimo, the phone book is short and narrow! Meanwhile, I discovered a house with an address which reminds me of a Rush song. On this week's trip, I discovered a police presence at the airport. Why the man in the wheel chair was handcuffed and boarded my plane first, I'll never know. And I discovered why the long weekend traffic was so terrible - two motorcyclists broke down and had to be given a talking to by the police. All in one fun-filled week!... read more

I had heard the whispered tales of Alberta's springtime weather. From an ancient book, I took a clue: scaling the frozen mountaintops, fjording the river Alph, finding the secret cave, I searched for the lost Xanadu. After breaking my fast on honeydew and drinking the milk of paradise, I rose to this sight: prisoner of the lost Xanadu, because the rental car agency didn't provide me with a scraper.... read more

Had dinner with a very good friend tonight. Over the past three years we've had dinner at least once per year, whenever I visit this city. It's getting to be a tradition! We went to the same Thai restaurant - good rice noodles in a spicy soup. Then, to avoid a parking fine, we drove around the block and had a cup of fancy tea at the same coffee house. Another good tradition! My friend wishes you well.... read more

Yesterday was a windy day, so I decided to spend 20 minutes roasting my last pound of Ethiopian Sidamo. It may be the moister atmosphere on the coast, and it might be the new stove, but after 20 minutes the beans were still light brown! I increased the heat to eight and it still took another 15 minutes to roast properly. So, my neighbours got a chance to see the eccentric winnowing the chaff from his beans. This morning, with freshly roasted beans, I ground a cupful of my favourite brew. It's a good life with a quiet moment before a lazy day. I spent the morning finishing the book a friend had bought me. 364 pages of fiction. It's not like me to read that many pages in less than two months, so it must ... read more

What a surprise meeting up with Charles! And at Ontario prices! I think BC could be a very nice place to live!... read more