Monday, March 30, 2009

Earth hour

We spent the hour playing the board game Life in the living room surrounded by candles. It was probably Kassie's favourite Saturday night in a long time. I snuck a peak outside, both in the front and in back, and every single house in the neighbourhood was lit up — porch lights on, lights inside, even the street lights. (Wasn't the city going to turn off street lamps?)

I wondered if we'd got our dates mixed up. Oh well, even if we did, it was great fun!

Sunday, March 22, 2009

BSG...we've come a long way

Battlestar Galactica then...

then

and now...

now

Kinda fitting that the last cover depicts Baltar, Caprica 6, and Starbuck together.

What did you think of the two-hour finale? Not everyone in our family room felt the series reached a satisfying resolution. Me, on the other hand, I got most of my questions answered and I thought the conclusion rang true to the spirit of the show.

My only question is what next to watch on television. Dare I hope to catch an episode of Fringe any time soon? A quick google seems to hint at an April 7th return (see wikipedia). That's some hiatus!

Friday, March 20, 2009

Last ski day

Kassie and John had their last day of skiing last weekend. Here's a shot before they started...

avant

...and one après-ski:

avant

Thursday, March 12, 2009

March Break

There's nothing like March break for updating the much-neglected blog and, most importantly, for some quality family time. John had a reception at Parliament Hill Tuesday night, so Kassie and I, both of us on vacation, decided to tag along.

The weather didn't come close to rivalling either Mexico or California (the previous years' March destinations) but we had fun wandering around the Byward market area, taking in the Group of Seven at the National Gallery (not to mention happening upon Rossetti's The Salutation of Beatrice), and touring the Parliament's Centre Block.

View from Peace Tower

Certainly every Canadian should visit Parliament Hill. I'd been before but I must confess I was grateful for a reminder of the different roles played by the House of Commons and Senate in Canadian decision-making. I (re)learned as much as Kassie. If you go, definitely take in a tour and don't forget to visit the Peace Tower (watch for a glimpse of the bells on the way up/down) and the Memorial Chamber.

SYTYCD Canada finale

The 15-city tour finished in Kingston the weekend of February 21-22nd and we were there with bells on! It was Kassie's long-awaited Christmas present and the show was spectacular.

The top 10 dancers from the TV show So You Think You Can Dance Canada took turns introducing the acts — a nice touch — and performed such favourites (in my opinion) as Breaking Dishes featuring Kaitlyn and Izaak, and Nico and Natalli's memorable Knock on Wood. In fact, there were at least two Melissa Williams' numbers, two Mika songs, and at least one Mia Michaels' group number. Not bad!

Dance Kingston

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Leisure time

It's well into the new year — Happy New Year, everyone! — and I'm finally getting around to blogging. I meant to wax euphoric about the holidays: the time spent with family and friends, and the rest and relaxation. I suppose it's never too late; however, fully immersed once again in the workaday world, I hesitate to conjure up memories of the holidays. The next vacation is a long way off. Oh woe betide.

The next best thing, however (particularly when the weather outside is in the minus twenties), is to escape with a good book or movie. So, with Daddy away skiing the slopes of the Austrian alps, this weekend Kassie and I decided to embark on an adventure or two of our own: a return to the imaginative realms of two of our favourite works of fiction. We started by renting The Spiderwick Chronicles, the tale of three children who stumble on the fantastical world of faeries, goblins, ogres and assorted wondrous creatures in their own backyard (and of course must vanquish evil and save the world). Next, we hurried to the cinema to take in the newly released Inkheart, a fairly faithful adaptation of Cornelia Funke's wonderful book about the dangers of imaginative creatures escaping from the landscape of fiction to inhabit our world. Evil is once again vanquished and a family torn apart reunited. Just what the spirit craves.

Movie posters 1

Next on the list is City of Ember, apparently out on DVD this week. (Was it ever released in the Canadian movie theatres? We think not.) And, once Kassie takes courage in hand and reads Neil Gaiman's Coraline — it's imperative that we read the books first — we'll be back at the cinema, popcorn in hand. YA fiction rocks!

Movie posters 2

(I'll have to wait for Twilight, however. Kassie still won't budge. A "romantic adventure" is not on her radar — not yet!)

Friday, December 19, 2008

Happy Holidays!

I've just finished my last work day before the holidays! Hallelujah!

Actually, it was supposed to be a half-day, as we were planning on leaving the city for destinations elsewhere to visit family and friends. However, snow has delayed our exodus. That's Canada for you!

Before we leave (tomorrow is the latest plan), let me wish everyone a great holiday and all the best in 2009!!

Sunday, December 07, 2008

Sound off

What is it with drivers who beep pedestrians as they cross the street? Or drivers who beep other drivers as they wait for a pedestrian to cross? I walk to work and I can't believe the number of impatient people behind the wheel, especially in the morning. What gives?