Saturday, December 27, 2008

Well it finally has switched over to rain BUT that is causing other problems - like slippery sidewalks and flooding roads as many of the catch basins are under a couple of feet of snow.

The image at the top is from my Nov 2007 trip to Cozumel - it from a beach on the Atlantic side of the Island - more rugged - actually part of a National Park that I visited as part of a bus tour of the Island.

I will be returning to Cozumel on my Feb 09 cruise to the Western Caribbean from New Orleans.

Cheers

D

Friday, December 26, 2008

Well I had hoped to be able to report that the snow had stopped and turned to rain but such is not the case as it is still snowing hard as I type this post.

I did get out to the local stores this morning - lots of Boxing Day shoppers and the electronics store were packed. One item that the price has dropped to my expectations are a couple of LCDHD TV's - there is both a 32" Sony and a 32" Samsung on sale for just under $500.00 and I can get the deluxe HD box for under $400.00 I had hoped to pick one up this afternoon but with the heavy wet stuff still falling I'm not going to get the truck on the road - yes I could take a taxi back with the purchase but the sale prices are in effect until the end of next week so one more day isn't going to make a big difference. Then there is the matter of getting a hold of my cable provider to get the box switched to their service and the HD channels added.

The learning curve is also in effect for my new Blackberry - have the phone #'s plugged in - now starting to add some of my favorite web sites to make browsing easier.

More later

Cheers

D

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Vancouver's official Xmas tree at the Old Courthouse on Georgia and Howe Sts

The Olympic countdown clock at Courthouse Square

Snow scene at Plaza at Wall Center on Burrard St

My tree and some of Santa's gifts.

Walking over to have lunch with my brother I took my camera and caught some of these snowy scenes both before and after the lunch.

While the weather has cleared up I still don't feel like heading out to the burbs - still too much snow around and there is a chance for some more in the forecast.

My present to myself was a new Blackberry Pearl cell phone - my existing contract is expiring so I decided to upgrade to this PDA and add data web browsing and email to my contract.

More later

Cheers

D

Monday, December 22, 2008

I don't think anyone is going to be using our sun deck recliners anytime soon!

Looking down onto our inner courtyard from the 9th floor roof.

Southwest view towards Burrard Bridge and Kits Point.

Looking south down Hornby St towards Bridges restaurant - it's the yellow building - on Granville Island.

Well it finally stopped snowing about a half hour ago - there is somewhere between 10 and 15cm at least just on my balcony - here are some scenes from the roof top patio - I was up to my shins in places on the roof terrace just getting these images.

The turkey dinner went off without any major glitches and Jim brought along his new Korean room mate from Korea - it was his first time observing our Xmas tradition - while Korea is 70% Catholic which I was not aware of - he is Buddhist - only his second time having turkey - the first was at Thanksgiving with his then home stay parents.

A small gift exchange took place - I show them some of my video from the recent trip and we just chatted and enjoyed each other company for a few hours.

By 10PM I was once again alone in the apartment and after having an active day called it a day and turned in for some shut eye.

Today I hope to head to the gym for a brief workout and then possibility out to Metrotown with Jim for him to do some last minute shopping - right now the roads aren't great but hopefully they will improve now that it has stopped snowing and the sun is trying to shine.

Cleaned up the mess - dishes etc from last night - even with using paper plates this year I am still looking at 2 loads for the dish washer.

Craved up what is left of the turkey and have enough left over to several meals - we probably make a casserole later in the week.

Gord - if you are reading this - I still have room for your turkey on Xmas day.

More later

Cheers

D

Sunday, December 21, 2008

The chair in the courtyard indicates how much snow has fallen so far.

A look at our courtyard and the bikes in the snow.

Rooftop patio looking towards the Burrard Bridge and English Bay.

These images are almost live as I just shot them after getting home from the grocery store. The streets are passable but don't use them if you don't have to.

Now I can sit back await the arrival of the turkey stuffer and watch the snow fall and the football games - the Seahawks are playing in Seattle in an open air stadium so it should be another reason they can use if they lose.

More later

D.
Found this cute seasonal image on another blog site so I am gonna borrow it for a few days - hope Santa won't mind.

Well it did snow overnight and there is around 5cm on my balcony and some light flakes are still coming down but so far it hasn't been all that bad.

Today is the day that the turkey goes in the oven and a few friends are suppose to come over for a full Xmas dinner - I know that Mary Rosie - my godmother and cousin - won't make it - the streets are very slippery by her place and at 80 she is worried about falling - hopefully the others will be able to make it - just as I started to type this post the snow has intensified and I do need to run out to the store for a couple of last minute items.

The way this weather is going I can't wait for the trip to NOLA and the 7 day western Caribbean cruise.

More later

Cheers

D