Queen's Quay, Toronto

Queen's Quay
Originally uploaded by Maoman

I just found out that this photo I took in May of 2000 was selected to be used in the fourth edition of the Schmap Toronto Guide. Kewl.

Ferry from Quathiaski Cove to Campbell River

Getting on the ferry to from Nanaimo to Horseshoe Bay

Heriot Bay Marina

Heriot Bay Afternoon

Aroma Cafe on Quadra Island

Strolling on the dock of Camp Homewood

Island Evenings in Canada

Kerry and Colleen's Place in Campbell River, British Columbia

Vanessa and I had a lovely dinner at Kerry and Colleen's house in Campbell River. We were sorry that we only had the one evening together!

Heriot Bay Inn

V and I enjoyed a supper of fish and chips at the Heriot Bay Inn.

Evening ferry from Campbell River, BC to Quadra Island

As soon as we boarded the ferry, I could hear the bagpipes. With camera in hand, I went to investigate...

Snow!

Vanessa Can Ski!

Snowy Night

Ski Bunnies!

Janice's Birthday Party

Today was Janice's 29th birthday, so we had a big celebration. Kris and Peter made scores of absolutely sensational kebabs, beef, chicken, pork, and vegetarian, Mom made her famous potato salad, and of course there were also great hors d'oeuvres and salads . Dad had us well stocked with wine and beer, and to finish everything off, there was coffee and Napoleon Torte!

Jer and Janice had invited some of their friends, great people who over the years I have been fortunate to count as my friends as well. Matt Tiessen and his girlfriend Petra were there, Joel Regehr and his wife Vania, Tom and his wife Kelly, Pierre and Maritsa, and their 20 month old daughter Vania, Grandma, Paul and Hilde Tiessen, and of course everyone in my family. It was a great evening, and I think everyone had a wonderful time. Happy Birthday Janice! We all love you!

Baby shopping and lunch

After breakfast, Mom took us out to some baby stores to get some stuff for the baby. Clothes, a chair for infants, some blankets, etc. I took a look at some strollers as well. Of course the guy in me wants to get the biggest, most high-tech stroller available - something like this:



Or this:


However, Vanessa will probably want to rein in my aspirations and get something affordable. ~sigh~ Women just don't get vehicles.

After the shopping, Vanessa and I took Mom and Dad out to lunch, to Solé on Erb Street. Vanessa and I shared the soup of the day (she can never finish whole orders of anything it seems), she had linguini tossed in a baby clam and tarragon rosé sauce with roasted garlic, red onion, sweet peppers and shiitake mushrooms garnished with seared jumbo sea scallops, and I had wiener schnitzel. Dad had roast beef on a spinach salad with a buttermilk dressing and garnished with necatarines and blackberries, and Mom had the calamari. We had a nice bottle of Italian white with our dinner and cappuccinos after. The grand total, with tip and taxes was $130, which was pretty reasonable for the level of service and quality of food.

Saturday at home

Today was a nice day. The weather was warm, and the evenings pleasant. Vanessa and I have been enjoying Mom's Volkswagen bug. Convertibles were made for weather like this.




As you can see, we're continuing to eat well!




This is Vanessa and Peter de Sousa, Kristine's boyfriend. They've been going out for over two years already, but I hadn't met him until this week. He's a nice guy, and it's been good getting to know him.

Niagara Falls

Yesterday Vanessa and I went to Niagara Falls with Mom and Dad. V wanted to ride on the Maid of the Mist. We did that, and it was fun, but I'm good for a few years before I need to do that again.



It's great seeing the ethnic diversity in Canada. On Centre Island, I saw Hasidic Jews sharing a roller-coaster with Muslims and their veiled wives, and at Niagara Falls I saw a dreadlocked six year old kid with skin as black as coal holding hands with a blond kid with impossibly fair skin. They looked like they were best friends. They could also have been subjects for a Benetton commercial.

Canada also has tons (Ha!) of fat people. Now anyone who knows me knows that I'm not exactly slender. Hell, let's face it - I'm fat. In Canada, however, I fit right in. In fact, I'm average, or even smaller than average. It's kind of disgusting, but the sheer abundance of foods here, the lifestyle of convenience which everyone lives, and the incredible selection of foods means that waistlines here aren't going to get smaller anytime soon.

Lemmings

From our family reunion - this is a bunch of cousins and cousins' kids jumping off the roof of the boathouse.