Scenes From My Weekend & Catching Up

Friday night my husband and I took Indy and headed down to Rocky Point for dinner al fresco.

There's nothing better than sitting on the waterfront eating cod and chips in a paper cone. That right there is a West Coast summer in a nutshell for me.


I love the design of this water park.

I also love taking water shots-you just never know what you're going to get in terms of the pattern of spray and it's always interesting.



And now by way of an update:



Reading: I still have The Third Man Factor on my bedside table. It's been there all summer, which is something new for me. I've had some pretty severe migraines as a result of an ill advised medication change. (It's a long story, but I am in the process of undoing that change.)



What this meant was that my vision has been blurry and my head's been killing me much of the time, so reading was completely out. So was watching TV for any length of time or being on the computer. August was pretty much a disaster. I am hoping to be able to finish this book over the next few days.



It's a great book-really interesting. It talks about how in times of extreme stress, in life and death situations, adventurers have had the sense of a presence, a "third man" who would accompany or guide them until the danger had passed. The book is part interview, part reference to scientific studies, part anecdotal stories of mountaineers, divers, arctic explorers and pilots.



Watching: When I have been able to watch TV, I've been enjoying the post season 3 part wrap up series of Deadliest Catch. I have also been watching Departures, which is a series about two young guys travelling around the world, with seemingly no particular plan as to where they go next-they went from Chile to Mongolia, for example-they are not doing it in any linear fashion. It's an interesting series because they go well off the beaten track and so you get to see alot of things most travel shows don't even touch on. It's not about the tourist traps.



Listening: A couple of friends sent me some mixed cds and I've been listening to those the last week or so and perusing iTunes on Mondays when they change their new music offerings to see if there's anything I have to have. There really hasn't been anything really exciting album-wise out this summer-none of the artists I enjoy have put a new album out lately, aside from the Indigo Girls who had Poseidon & the Bitter Bug a few months back which I really enjoyed.



Drinking: I've been living on iced coffee all summer. I make my own. YUM!



Anticipating: The arrival of Autumn, my favourite time of year. I wait all year for it, like a kid waits for Xmas-I love it that much. It's the best weather, the leaves change colour and I get to haul out all my favourite sweaters. I make alot of homemade soups and stews and bake biscuits and all that good stuff. I spend alot of time outside enjoying the crisp winds and I can't wait to take Indy to play in the leaves now that he's a bit older. It also means my wedding anniversary is just around the corner. We celebrate 19 happy years this year!



Dreaming: About gearing up for the 2010 Olympics training and preparation. It will be beginning soon and I am pretty excited. Uniforms and accreditation is supposed to take place in Sept./Oct. and I am dying to see what we're going to be wearing. I hope it's a great design. They have yet to unveil the uniforms, but it should be happening real soon! The Paralympics has a totally different set of uniforms and since I will be doing both, I will have both. How cool is that? Over the weekend, I bought myself a nice red large moleskine journal to keep during this whole process, however I am not the world's best paper journaller-I prefer to blog, so we'll see how that goes...



Doing: I've been cleaning the studio the last day or so. It was so dusty I could hardly stand it and stuff was just piling up. It was time to put the paper shredder to use and get rid of junk. The recycler is full and I can actually see the floor again. (I had piles all over the place.) It was good to tame some of the chaos. Now I just need to tackle the closet and re-sort some of the stuff on the shelves and then it will be neat and tidy again. I cannot work in a mess and this is the longest I've ever let it go.



Creating: I am working on four projects at the moment. I am in the middle of altering a bra for a breast cancer fundraiser. I am 3/4 finished. I am also working on a 20 page zine for an exchange and I have that about 1/2 done. Waiting in the wings are two projects that will follow-one is an exchange with my ATC group of small party favours inside paper cake slices and the other is gifts for the 12 days of Xmas exchange I host every year. Lots to do in the next few months! I am hoping to get inspired and be ahead of the game!



So how about you? What have you been up to?

Full Circle

So on Sunday, I had a celebration of the end of my chemo treatments. Believe me, I could not be happier to be DONE! I invited friends to join me at a restaurant and we had this cake with icing that was the same blue as the chemo I had.

I wanted to give special gifts to my friends Lisa & Lance for all their help. Lance drove me to all my chemo treatments so I wouldn't have to deal with the stress of driving and Lisa went with me to hold my hand, keep me company and kick the nurses' butts when necessary. (And believe me, there were times when it was!) They both were there when I needed them, sometimes even before I could ask and I really appreciated it.

Maria Lamb painted these watercolour portraits of their puppy Dexter for me to give to them and I think she did a wonderful job capturing his likeness.

I think they were both surprised and delighted. See? Lance is smiling!

These are the party favours I made. I got new pill bottles from my pharmacy and filled them with blue jelly beans. I printed some vintage medicine labels from my collection and stuck them on.

Later in the evening, it dawned on me that we had all these pill bottles sitting on the table and to anyone looking at that, we probably looked like a bunch of junkies or a suicide cult or something. We had a good laugh about that.

It was great to see friends I haven't seen in awhile. We've kept in touch via email, but it felt good to get together and talk and laugh and hug them.

I didn't know I was going to, but I got pressies!

Zines....

And see that bag in front of Lisa & Penn? Well it held a very special gift, from the hands and hearts of my close circle of friends, organized by Penn. I was so surprised and humbled by their gift.

This is the beautiful book they made for me, filled with art, words of encouragement and charms. You can take a peek at the pages below.

I have always said I have the best friends in the world. They are exceptional human beings and I am very blessed to have them in my life.

May the circle be unbroken.

Altruism & Artistry

So remember those charms I created some time ago for a project called Ties That Bind that combined handmade charms and altered men's neckties which were then fashioned into a large art doll to be raffled off to raise money for Ovarian Cancer Research and Support Services? Well in the August issue of Art Doll Quarterly, they have a really nice article about the project. I just managed to get my hands on a copy yesterday- finally! And guess what? I can just see my two charms peeking out in the top photo on page 30! That was a lovely surprise!

In addition to the article in the magazine, organizer Aileen Roberts has put together a book with beautiful photos and content about the project, which you can both preview and order in either softcover or hardcover here. As with the raffle, ALL PROCEEDS will be going to Ovarian Cancer Research and Support Services. I have yet to receive my copy, but from what I've heard from others, it's had rave reviews! For more information about the project, please visit the Ties that Bind Blog.

While we're on the topic of artists making a difference, I got a very nice email from Jeanette Janson on Wednesday. When I went over to check out her blog, I saw that the most recent post was a call for artists to make altered bras for a breast cancer fundraiser that's being held in late September called Creative Cups for Cancer.

Having just finished my final round of chemo, (though not for cancer) I can certainly relate to how brutal treatment like that can be and I thought I would try my hand at altering a bra. Why not? I have to get it done fairly quickly, as I have to send it to the US and that can take up to 14 days in the mail so I popped up to the local thrift and found a teeny 32AA, brand new for a whopping $5 and I am going to start on it this evening.

If you would like to participate, just go on over to Jeanette's blog and leave a comment with a way for her to get in touch with you. I am sure she would appreciate it and I know that the women who the funds will ultimately benefit certainly will. You just never know when or if your body will betray you in some way-just look at me. If you'd ever told me I'd be diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at 37 and battling like I have, I never would have believed you.

I can tell you first hand, knowing that my friends have my back and have been there no matter what I need, day and night, through thick and thin, has kept me going through the worst of it. And that's the beauty of the artistic community too-I see this kind of altruism happening all the time. It's so beautiful-someone puts a call out for projects such as these and each and every time, artists rise to the the occasion and answer those calls, sending love and comfort to those that are hurting. Art heals and transcends grief and pain. It speaks a language that every heart understands and is balm for the soul. When I see artist coming together like this, it makes me very, very proud of our community.

One of the most powerful things I ever read was this:

"Be kind, for you never know what someone else is going through."

Truer words were never spoken.

World Police & Fire Games 2009 Closing Ceremonies

I have been itching to get these photos up sine the weekend and now finally have a few moments and some energy to do so so here they are, the final photos of the World Fire and Police Games of 2009! This first set was taken at the Vancouver Convention Center on Saturday. My son came down with me to but some souvenirs, as he plans to join the police force in a couple of year when he's of age.

I had the rare opportunity to not only photography but to hold the gold and silver metal in my hands at one point, as an official was getting ready to transport a box of medals and said his driver and I could look at them. (The perks of being in Transpo!) As you can see from the photos, the medals were beautiful.

The second round of slides is Swanguard Stadium at the Closing ceremonies and volunteer appreciation. It began with a BBQ for the volunteers and they gave us some gifts (swag) as well as food and then when the festivities got started there was a parade of atheletes. It was really very heartwarming because it allowed them to acknowledge us for the work we'd done to help them have a successful games (everything and anything you can imagine you would do to run a sporting event for over 10,000 athletes, official, VIPs, their families and then that's not even counting the public spectators and over 3400 volunteers!) and also allowed for us to congratulate them on their participation and garnering of medals.

There was just this warm rush of good will between the athletes and the volunteers as they paraded in-they were clapping and cheering for us and throwing gifts at us into the stands-Frisbees, hats, t-shirts, keychains, pens, footballs, you name it and we we were on our feet clapping and waving and cheering for them. At that moment, there were no countries, no differences, nothing but a sense of community and harmony. It was a beautiful and uplifting thing. It made me very excited for the Olympic and Paralympic Games which, as of this past Wednesday are only 6 months away!

This last set is the entertainment we had for the evening. The Abbotsford airshow was on and they arranged to have the Snowbirds. which if you are American, it the equivalent of the Blue Angels. They came out and flew over the stadium 5 times and it was just breathtaking. What a wonderful surprise that was!

We also had a presentation by a drumming circle from the Squamish First Nations who are one of the 5 nations who are in partnering in hosting the 2010 games. The did three different songs. One was the eagle song, one I can't remember what it was for and the last to honour all the forest fighters around our province fighting hard to save our lands and homes. (We've had awful forest fires this year-I think it's the worst year in recent history.)

Following that, we had Canadian rock band Trooper play. They did old favourites like "Raise a Little Hell", "Two for the Show", "We're Here for a Good Time" and "3 Dressed up as a 9". It got quite late and I headed home as it was heading for ten as folks from transpo had had some really long hours and we were all tired.

It was so much fun to meet some of the athletes and to trade shirts and hats. I managed to score a couple of caps for Deb's son Whit who right this moment is out in California on his very first forest fire. I figures it would be meaningful for him to have some swag from the games. I traded for a hat from the Melbourne, Australia Fire Brigade with a fireman who won a gold medal and I got a spare WPFG volunteer hat that has the games logo on it for him. I can't wait to send them off!

I also had a Montreal firefighter who was a hockey player ask to trade with me for some bracelets I had for his game shirt. It was white and red and so we traded. I knew my son would want that shirt and it fit perfectly and it did.

The next games will be hosted in NYC in 2011 (they are held bi-annually) and will be on the 10th anniversary of 9/11. I am sure that's going to be a very emotional gathering and something spectacular to see.

Taking part in this games was an amazing experience and I am *SO* glad I did it. I met some amazing human beings, had a ton of fun, learned some new skills (I know know the ins and outs of dispatch and using a mike phone!) and had the deep satisfaction of giving back to our emergency service workers. When I saw honorary spokes person Michale J. Fox on TV asking people to volunteer, how could I say no? I am so glad I got involved. It was everything I could have asked for and more.

* Next post: Catching up on all sorts of interesting tidbits!

Celebrating Someone Special

Happy, happy birthday to my treasured friend Deb. This is just to let you know that I am sending you my love across the miles and thinking of you today, feeling, as I always do, blessed that by some magic of the universe our lives crossed paths. I know we were meant to be friends.

I am grateful for your positive outlook, your generosity of spirit, your warmth, your laughter, for long talks on the phone, for getting me and for commiserating over our boys. (Both sets!)

My wish for you today and on every day of your life is that you are happy, healthy, safe and loved. May you have peace in your heart and may you be doing the work that feeds your soul. Happy Birthday my friend. xox

"In my friend I find a second self." ~Isabel Norton

*I am off having chemo but I have lots to report about the World Police & Fire Games rap up. The closing ceremonies was fantastic. I'll be back in a few days with photos!!

Indy Update

Indy was feeling under the weather for a couple of days. He had a visit on the weekend to the emergency vet for medicine and tests. His blood work came back normal, despite a bit of an upset tummy. On Tuesday at his yearly check up, our vet was very pleased with how fit he was and said he's in excellent shape. Indy's a trim 67 lbs. He felt confidant that Indy was well enough to have his yearly vaccinations.

I had to laugh-when we were finished, the girls at the counter were talking about Indy and apparently everyone in the clinic knows the story about Indy warning me of the intruders we had a few months back in our carport. Funnier still was the staff saying I was one fierce woman for confronting those creeps and scaring them off the property. *laughs* Yeah, in moments like that, my fight or flight response always gets stuck on "fight" mode.

Indy's rested up now and feeling peppy again-enough so that he's up to creating mischief-fetching shoes and tearing his squeaky tennis balls apart. (Labs are especially good at this because they can hold things tight with their webbed toes, making ripping easier. We have many a bald tennis ball in this house!)

Thanks to everyone who asked after Indy. *We love you for it* It looks like he's going to be just fine, which is a huge relief. I can't tell you how upsetting it was to call home and hear that he was not only sick but had been to the vet without me. He really is my dog, though we all adore him and being an hour away and not knowing what was going on freaked me right out. Those of you who have fur kids will know exactly what I'm talking about.

Anyway, no one knows what caused the problem, but all's well that ends well. Let's hope it's a long time before we have to go through something like that again!

Snapshots

As promised, some quick pictures taken from The World Police & Fire Games. It's harder than I thought it would be to get photos. While I am there, I am extremely busy and there just doesn't seem to be time to stop and capture what's going on all around me.

This was taken as I walked up to the new part of the convention centre, which is where I am working during the games. It's one of two main hubs for everything that's going on with the Games and the place is humming with activity all the time. In addition to the games activity, there is all the regular tourist traffic from the local hotels as well, so the whole area is just chock a block with people.

These are eco sculptures that have been specially made for the games. The games is making a concerted effort to be green and part of that effort is the creation of these eco sculptures that are sprinkled here and there throughout the areas in which there are games venues.

The sculptures are quite interesting and it was hard getting photos of just the sculptures-all the tourists were posing in front of them. I had to stand around waiting for some time till they moved on to get these shots.

These eagles are part of an on going project. A few years ago we had whales in the city and artists decorated fiberglass whale forms that were then displayed all over the city. A few years later, it was bears in the city. Now it's eagles. This one was done with old licence plates. It's inside the convention centre.


This is the digital sign outside the room where Transportation Dispatch is housed. I like the idea of digital signage.

This is the transportation dispatch room! Because of where we are situated and because, as you can see, the doors are wide open, people come in and ask us all kind of questions, not just those pertaining to transport. Of course we're happy to help-we just think we should change our title to Transportation and Information. *laughs* We do it all!

It looks like a simple set up, but we're answering phones, talking on mike phones, talking to people in person, looking up information on the computer and in manuals, as well as booking transport, keeping track of drivers and working hard to keep everything running as smoothly as possible. My crisis line training and experience is really coming in handy!

Here's another of those eagles in the city I was talking about. I like this one alot. It's just down the street from the convention centre.


This is a way finding sign out at Town Centre in Coquitlam. My husband and I took Indy and went out there to see if we could see some of the Games this morning before it got too hot.


We managed to see a bit of a lacrosse game which was underway when we got there. I have no idea who was playing because it really wasn't long before it was too hot for us to watch any more.


I don't know how these poor guys could stand wearing all that equipment when it was 27C out at 10 a.m.!

I took this shot for Penn-I love the font of the numbers on their jerseys and I thought she would too. Very old-timey! (Notice the hose hooked into the fence as a misting station to help keep the players cool.) Not long after, my husband, Indy and I were cooling off in the spray park on the other side of the venue and eating ice cream. The heat is not our friend!

As we were making our way back around to our car, I came upon this rather disturbing sight. It's a firefighting dummy that had been abandoned in the middle of an obstacle course. Rather startling to walk by an empty field and see a body just lying there like that! The competition had moved to another area which is how it had come to be there all by its lonesome. I just thought it was funny. You don't see that every day!



Yesterday, on my way home from the convention centre by skytrain, I shared part of my trip with a police officer from Capetown, South Africa. We had a great conversation about world politics (one of my favourite things!) and he had such glowing things to say about how welcome he'd been made to feel from the moment he'd arrived in Canada for the Games and how great his experience here has been. I was proud he felt embraced and accepted by my country and grateful that I was a very small part of his experience.



Sitting on that sky train yesterday, having that conversation with someone I would never have met otherwise, I was blissfully happy. I tell you, having the opportunity to interact with people from different cultures and to appreciate their beauty and what they bring to the world is a wonderful thing. We change each other's lives in these small moments, whether we realize it or not. I know I will remember this conversation for the rest of my life.

The wonderful paradox of giving is that the more you give, the more you get to keep for yourself.

I may not have alot of time to take digital photographs of the Games, but I promise you, I have taken a thousand snapshots in my mind.

Long Weekend...

...thus far, the good:

I had a very full and satisfying day in service to the men and women who serve and protect us-men and women police and firefighters from around the world, here for the World Police & Fire Games. As I mentioned before, I am working transportation dispatch for the games and let me tell you, it's crazy busy. I am helping coordinate transportation for Games officials and VIPs, Athletes, equipment and just about anything and everything that needs moving from one place to another quickly and efficiently.

I've met some lovely people and it was so wonderful to hear other languages being spoken today, some of which I understood in part (French and Spanish) and some I just enjoyed listening to (German and Swedish). I love being in the middle of a diverse group of people and getting to make them feel welcome and helping to make their experience here a good one. Nothing makes me happier. I am really enjoying what I am doing. It's hard work, but I love it.

The bad:

Unfortunately, Indy, my beloved Lab is sick. We don't know what's wrong, but while I was away today, my husband had to take him to the emergency vet. He had some blood drawn and the vet gave him some pills and special food. I am praying it's just a bug that blows over quickly. I cannot bear the thought that it might be something more serious. That would completely undo me. They are going to call tomorrow with the results of the tests. Of course I found out all this had happened when I called to tell my husband I was on my way home at the end of the day and it was all I could do not to cry the whole way home. Please hold good thoughts for my sweet boy.

The Sublime:

A large group of Norwegians wandering around with Viking helmets on. Now that's not something you see every day!

Tomorrow I am on shift at 6 a.m. I am exhausted and heading to bed so I can be bright eyed and bushy tailed tomorrow. I will try and snap some pics so I can share with you all. It really is quite an event!