Wednesday, April 22, 2009

muse-ing

During my last year of university a good friend of mine wrote a song for me. It was, and remains, a very cool experience. Today I found out that the daughter of another friend of mine has achieved this same feat at the tender age of 5.

In some ways, it's not that surprising. Julia is a child who sparks wonder and delight in those around her. You could make a calendar out of the things she says. (My personal favorite is still the time she wished she could "gather up all the gravity so she could fly".) It was Julia's birthday just the other day and David Cavan Fraser, friend of the family penned a song for her. It reminds me of early John Mayer, especially towards the end. Take a listen:

Julia


I love the lyrics:

Say your prayers and I will say mine too
that only my good
will get passed on to you.

If ever there was a perfect prayer for parents.

There's a line in the song that says "try not to grow up if you can". I hope that as Julia gets older and ever wiser that she holds on to the joy she greets the world with now. I hope that at 15 she is still as willing to run and greet an old friend, or cross a room to make a new one. And if she figures out a way to fly, I hope she'll take me with her.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

fly the road

I've never been into concept cars but I saw something today that just might change my mind. I found this link through Nathan Fillion's tweet (is everyone on Twitter now?) and had to smile when I realized the video was from Top Gear. I first saw Top Gear when we were in England for Mark's graduation. If you haven't had the pleasure, head directly to YouTube now. I'll wait.

The episode that was featured on flytheroad.com deals with the Carver by Persu, a three wheeled electric car that looks like the mechanical lovechild of a motorcycle and an x-wing.

You've got to admit, it's one sexy ride. Whether you're into cars or not, this looks like fun.

Sunday, April 05, 2009

UPDATED - Mom & Dad bought a house!

UPDATE: Now there are more pictures of the new place. Mom said I can be her official decorator (twist my rubber arm). I *knew* all those hours watching home decorating shows were going to come in handy!

After years of planning Mom and Dad really are moving out west. This past week-end they bought a beautiful house in their dream neighborhood just minutes from the Vedder River. The house has a great flowering tree out front. Doesn't it look inviting?
The house is 3 bed/ 3 bath was lots of places for hanging out. There are fantastic windows throughout giving the house great light and mountain views. When you come in the front door, this living room is on the left.

You can't quite see it in this picture, but there are two skylights in this room too. The staircase is straight ahead with a powder room and laundry room off to the right. If you follow through to the back of the house you get to the family room.

Looking from the family room over to the left, the breakfast room and kitchen run all along the back of the house.


The kitchen has new counters and there are new hardwood floors and carpet throughout. There's also a formal dining room on the left side of the house between the living room and the kitchen. Upstairs there's a big landing, three bedrooms and a games room. There's also a great view down into the living room. And literally, a 3 minute walk from their new front door, there's the Vedder River:
I think there are a lot of really great memories just waiting to happen in this house. Upstairs there are three bedrooms plus a games room. Dad is going to take over one of the bedrooms for a permanent train installation. The great thing about retiring is that you finally get to play professionally :)

Mom & Dad have been saying that they wanted to get a couple of La-Z-Boys to go in the new house. We took a trip into Langley to the La-Z-Boy gallery and they found a sectional instead.
Theirs is the same style as this one, same color but instead of the long lounging part it has three -- yes THREE -- recliners in it. Dad loves that two of the recliners are on the same side so he & Mom can recline side by side. Clearly Mom & Dad will be hosting movie night. I am thrilled to bits that they are going to be about a half hour drive away. We've waited a long time for this and now it's just a few weeks away.

Welcome to BC Mom & Dad. To quote the great Broadway musicals "I think you're gonna like it here!"