Visit to my father in Kamloops

The weekend before last I flew up to Kamloops to see my father, who turned 90 the week before. He is still in good shape mentally and physically. I phone him every week, but it has been difficult to see him in person. Most of his energy goes to looking after my stepmother, who has lost her short term memory.  There were a few years where she became unsettled whenever I visited, which made it unpleasant for all of us. I got some good advice that things may have changed in recent years and talked with my father who agreed it was worth attempting a visit, which went well. It was great to see my father and my stepmother was quite warm to me. She and my father lived together from the time I was around 8 years old. I lived with my mother but spent all vacations with my father and his wife. As a kid I never realized how supportive she must have been to make this happen. I think it would have been more natural if she had been uninterested in raising another child, after having seen her own into adulthood. Another kindness I had as a child that I did not appreciate!

 
I guess I get my fashion sense from my father. They have a fantastic view from their place!

Latest Pottery

I just got the first batch of pottery back from my work at the UBC pottery club. It is a nice studio on campus with a bunch of enthusiastic and fun students running it, with success. It is a positive social environment as well as being a good place for the craft. Here is what came home with me tonight:

 

The little things are napkin and tea light holders. I had used some old clay I had that fired at the same temperature as what they do (cone 6), but this was a mistake, as any wisdom they had on how glazes looked after firing did not apply. I did like the amber colour of the bowl and using underglazes again. I have since started using their clay. 

I also found an old picture of the things I made in the class at Britannia Community Centre in the Fall course I took there. I don't think I ever got around to posting this.

Apartment Floor Cocktail Party is a Mixed Success

I wanted to get to know some of my neighbours in my building. I am pretty self-sufficient, but it is just nice to know people around you. I thought about knocking on people's doors and introducing myself, but that didn't seem right (it has later been made clear to me that this is a general failing in Canadian society). So, my gambit was to put up signs and invite people over:

I also asked over the woman I am dating (my girlfriend? I don't know the rules for when you make the transition to that term) and a buddy. They got along well, which is not necessary but nice when it happens. I did have one neighbour come over as well, Florian from next door. He is originally from France, with an interesting career in interior (and exterior) design using natural materials. 

I guess if you really want to meet people, you need to talk with them in person. Maybe some day I will grow up and be able to do that. 

First Christmas after Separation

I overthink so many things, but other things come as a complete surprise. Like, how after separating from my wife, Christmas would be quite different than it has been. However, it was mostly pleasant, thanks to friends and family.

The first surprise was a tree in English Bay, just outside my building, that is decorated with lights every year (apparently). It made a big difference to me, because I didn't have a tree myself. I could look at it every day from my window.

I did see the kids and my ex-wife before Christmas. I had them over for dinner before Christmas on two evenings since the work schedules for my children didn't synch. On boxing day, family friends had us all over for lunch "as usual". My ex-wife gave me some turkey leftovers.

Christmas day itself was a bit of a glitch. I woke up alone with no tree and one present, went to the gym to work out, called my aged father in Kamloops early because I was lonely (he got a chuckle from that, but was supportive).  However, after lunch a good friend of mine came over and we went for a walk in Stanley Park and then I made him dinner (not turkey, because he is pescatarian).

The celebration for New Year was actually one of the best I can remember. I spent it with a woman that I have started dating recently that has become serious. She arranged New Year's Eve plans. We went on the Stanley Park train in the early evening. The train route is all decorated with lights and sculptures. It was especially fun for me because I can remember being on that train as a kid with my father. We went to the VSO New Year's day concert together, which I really enjoyed. Good way to start 2017. 

On Monday, the last day of the winter break, my Magic:the Gathering card group came over for lunch and to play. We had some enjoyable games. I ate and drank too much. Now I am ready for the Spring regime of losing weight and getting in shape (at least that is the plan).  

West End conditions poor predictors for cycling to UBC

I came into work today. Let's say light work, as I only have a couple of things I "have" to do. I was supposed to take my daughter out to lunch but she is stuck at the house with the flu. I was going to show her the pottery studio at UBC that she is thinking of joining next term. I'll still take a break during the day and go over to the studio and make something. Starting the day with a break to make this post... maybe I can avoid working altogether!

I was in Ireland during the first snow we had here and when I got back it was clear in the West End where I am living now, and I thought it was fine to cycle into work at UBC. Luckily, I can see UBC from my apartment window (I do love my view) and the West Side hill was covered in snow, so I knew to take transit.

It has been clear in my neighbourhood again for a few days with rain and temperatures above zero. I was happy to cycle in today, first time in several weeks. It was even not raining! Probably should not have, as the conditions are still icy as you come up the UBC hill. Interesting how that little bit of a change in elevation makes such the difference.

I'll have to be more careful about checking conditions for cycling in the winter. In my old neighbourhood, I could go out the front door (North facing) and check the front walkway for ice. That was a good predictor for the worst conditions on my route.

Nostalgia extends to UVIC Physics class 1980-1985

So as I am going through old pictures I am finding some of my undergraduate years at UVIC. These were also good times. I don't mean to say that between grade 3 at Berkeley and UVIC there were no good times, but they were few and far between. At UVIC I found a social circle I could really enjoy again. The first class we took together was Physics 211. Note that John Z (who I don't remember well) is holding up a drop/add form. The instructor took these pictures so that she could remember our names. I so get that now.

We eventually graduated:

And the picture of our honours class got put up on the wall of the Elliot building. As a quirk of human nature, no-one asks why we are in red overalls, they only ask why that one guy (whose name I don't remember) is not in red overalls.  

More pictures of Berkeley 1969-72 buddies

I am going through my collection of pictures, digitizing them. Somewhat sadly, this is because of my separation from my long time partner. There is only one set of negatives and we both want to have records of our time together (notably two great kids, now grown up). I have the job of digitizing everything of interest. Well, Lealle is not interested in these pictures, but I found them in the box, and remembered good times.

Below are Alan (the coolest kid) and Jeff Jones (my best friend):

Roger (who had a pet rat) and Tommy Tamura:

and Utz McKnight:

Apparently, I can only remember last names from back then if they alliterate. Utz is an exception because my mother was close friends with his mother, so I could be reminded of his last name in later years. 

Those three years in Berkeley (grades 1-3) were very formative for me, due in part to the great friendships I had with these guys.