T-dot!

Went by way too fast but a fun, packed trip.

Nature at Gid's Cousin's parents' place, Thurs. afternoon.




Coin Laundry on College St. Friday night.


We just! don't! get! these kinda leaves here...


Gid & I picking up croissant, meatball sub & a tiny bottle of Sprite (which later became a vase for orange tulips!) at Caflouti (right across from Trinity Bellwoods on Queen). They were all out, but try the chocolate croissants *mm..melt*


Jackpot. Playing pinball at Carte Blanche on Queen St. (so fun).


Kensington! Balloons & Gid picking up veal. *(it was fun going back to the ol' stompin' ground... a "welcome back" at lovely Moonbean. Courage my Love. Some of the same faces. What time can do. What time won't change...).


Chinook arch & jet, today (already back) in Calgary.


Was great to visit. To see everyone. Pizzeria Libretto (as fantastic as Naples!) with K10, Lunar-J, Cousin & Gid. Time with the family. Even cookies at Gid's Grandma's fantastic brick house (wish I had remembered to charge my camera batteries that day!!). Roast dinner with J&J and their genius 2-year-old. Staying up late with D&S (after Cousin & Gid crashed!). Sushi on Bloor (stab-free!) with D&L (hearts!). Breakkie Java-house-style with Cousin, Gid & Will (my ol' Jonqu pal!) followed by spectacular shopping, Kensington with Cyb and a home-cooked meal.

Nice to get our minds off things, but now it's back to the bridge and a hectic next 3 weeks...

Many thanks to the Cousin (and the Cousin's cousin) for the tremendous hospitality!! See you soon for cupcakes, tea, and folk music, ok? Or we'll just rendez-vous in Van!(destination vacation!).

Toronto!!

"Cities have been described as the
greatest of all human creations"
- page. 8 "Cities: the Groundwork
Guide" by John Lorinc.
[Quote cited from Joel Kotkin, The City: A Global History]

I'm looking forward to investigating this one - and seeing it again with new eyes.

Pics to come!!

Social Networks & Thriving Communities

I've been reading a lot lately on the link between life satisfaction & social-connectedness- and I'm thrilled to be interviewing John Helliwell - an prof from UBC - about it next week. The topic? "Subjective Well-Being and the Importance of Social Networks for Thriving Communities." This article on the Vancouver Board of Trade website argues that successful companies know how the value of connecting financial and human capital: "For success to be sustainable, strong social groups are required within our companies and between our companies and the societies in which we live." The key is engagement. (*more on this later!)

Note to self: read this. (Bowling Alone: the Collapse and Revival of American Community by Robert Putnam)