Flash Mob Dancing in The Streets

All over town, spontaneous outbursts of Oh Canada can be heard being sung by the crowd. We joined into a singing of our anthem at Robson Square during a medal ceremony that was shown live on a big outdoor screen. Its such an emotional feeling. Great pride in being Canadian.

I came across this on You Tube. Looks like a wonderful time and really gives a true sense of the atmosphere on the streets of Vancouver every night since the Olympics started.

This is called a Flash Mob. It was organized by a group called "Imagine 1 day", a group promoting quality, primary education be supplied to every child in Ethiopia by the year 2020.

Apparently, organizers put this out on line, with online choreography that people could practice at home. They were hoping that they may get about 200 people turn out for the street dance. They got a turn out of approximately 3000!

The idea is, that if we can pull together to to make such a performance so easily, then there are other ways that we can impact the world through fun.

I wish I had known about it, I would have been dancing in the streets myself.

You can read more at the official website of Imagine 1 Day by clicking here.

Sky Watch Friday

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A Window Too High.

See the previous post for more details on the story behind this sculpture.

ABC - Wednesday - E

E is for ETERNAL REST.

Today I was in New Westminster EXPLORING.

I came across this cemetery that I was ENTIRELY unaware of, until today!

This is the Woodlands Memorial Garden. The cemetery of over 3000 souls who had died while in the care of Woodlands and ESSONDALE Insane Asylums. It was opened in 2007. Most of the people memorialized here, died between 1928 to the 1950's.

I think it is a beautiful memorial, that gives dignity to these people in death, that EVADED them in life. Prior to this redevelopment project, most people weren't even aware that a cemetery existed in what seemed like an overgrown meadow. It was only rediscovered when a group of people trying to research it interviewed some former Woodlands Residents, who knew of it. Most of the grave markers were found stacked in a shed and others were found in a nearby ravine. You can read more about it by clicking on this bold print to link to the landscape Architect's site.

Mounted on these monuments and walls are the original hand cast grave markers. The black granite slabs on the monuments have the names of the dead who's markers were destroyed or missing.

This plaque shows that even as early as 1878, someone felt that the Asylum was a dreadful place.

Now they are memorialized in a peaceful garden, filled with the heady fragrance of spring heather.

This sculpture is called 'Window Too High" and represents the windows that were placed so high in the walls, that the residents would have had difficulty seeing through them.

Click here for a link to a

VIDEO OF THE OPENING DEDICATION. In it, there is a moving performance by a former Woodlands resident.

Seeing the special people amongst the crowd, brought a tear to my eye to see the huge smile on his face at the end of his heartfelt song. Today they are able to be contributing members of society insted of shunned and hidden away out of the public eye.

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ABC Wednesday - D

I know it is a few DAYS since it was Wednesday. With all the DRAMA of the Olympics, I was DISTRACTED from posting on time . Sorry for the DELAY!

My family has been busy DIGGING. When our DISTRICT is DELUGED with rain, the DRAINS in our neighbourhood are not large enough DIAMETER, so the pipes back up and we get water coming up around the foundation of the house. Usually we manage the excess water with a pump and have been able to redirect it to avoid DAMAGE to the home. But this past summer, we weren't so lucky and it came up the DRAIN DOWNSTAIRS and DAMAGED the flooring. We had industrial fans and DEHUMIDIFIERS going for two weeks to make sure we got all the DAMPNESS DRIED out of the DRYWALL.

On the four streets adjacent to ours, over a DOZEN homes were flooded on the same DAY. Since the city seems DETERMINED to
DENY any responsibility, we DECIDED make some changes on the property that should keep the place DRY from now on.
It was DIRTY work. Keith and the kids DUG out a huge area around our patio and filled it with gravel. Aren't they DEARS? I would have helped them, but someone had to take the photographs! Hey you! What are you leanin' on that shovel for? Ya look like a city worker!
They worked really hard. Raining the whole time. They filled the trash cans and then used the DOLLY to take it to the trailer. With the DIRT being so wet, they were so heavy. The trailer held 12 cans. and they did 4 loads! 48 of DIRT then 48 of gravel! Plus an hours DRIVE between loads to DROP off the DIRT at DADS friends place for his garden.

Aren't I lucky to have such great kids? They were genuinely willing to help their DAD. We must have DONE something right. Hows that for an awesome Valentines DAY gift? I got chocolates too!

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Olympic 2010 Vancouver

Today was the opening ceremonies for the winter Olympics in Vancouver. The air in the Lower Mainland today was electric with the spirit of the games. The enthusiasm was tangible. Such an incredible energy to be part of it. The day started with the tragic news of an accident which took the life of a young Georgian athlete who was killed on a training run on the Luge track. Very sad news indeed. Allthough his loss did overshadow the day, Vancouver did find consolation in the Olympic spirit however, and the overall feeling was of pride and celebration.

Unfortunately, Keith had to work. So Heidi and I headed to Vancouver on the sky train without him. There was a sea of people dressed in red to show patriotism to Canada. also many in the Olympic colours of ice blue and lime green, colours that represent the water and the trees of BC.

On the streets of Vancouver, there was a party atmosphere. I am so glad we went down to be part of it. We could have stayed home and watched it from the comfort of our warm couch, but it doesn't compare to being there amongst the crowd.

The Olympic flame has made its way across Canada over the past few months. Today it traced its way throughout the Downtown area of Vancouver. The streets were lined with enthusiastic onlookers. Many carrying Canada flags tied to hockey sticks! Preceding the Olympic torch runner, was this group of flag wavers on a Zamboni Machine.

When the runner turned the corner and came into view, the crowd went wild and a robust cheer went up. Here, the runner, in the white uniform, carries the flame and gives the cheering crown the "thumbs up" gesture! The final destination for the torch was BC Place Stadium, where the opening ceremonies were held. It can be seen at the background, through that next traffic light. The white dome on the stadium, blends into the clouds and doesn't show up well in this photo. But click on the photo to enlarge it and look closely and you can see two people standing on the roof!

Everywhere you looked, there were maple leafs and Canada flags. This was probably the largest one!

The stadium seats 60,000 people. But many people weren't able to get seats in there. Anticipating this, the organizers set up "Live Sites". Places where they had large screens playing the ceremonies. This way, we were able to be part of the crowd to enjoy the festivities amongst other Canadians and many visitors from other countries. The crowd cheered and sang along, as though they were right inside the stadium. It was amazing!!!!!!! The ceremonies were stunning and I was thrilled by the beauty of the show. We stood shivering in the rain and wind, but I would not have missed it for the world. Several times through the day I found myself with a tear in my eyes and my heart filled with pride. As I type this, I am watching the ceremony rerun on tv at 1:25 am! I think I will be able to watch it again and again!

GO CANADA GO.

Opening Day Again?

We met Andrew at the boat launch. Once again the sun is shining. Just in time for him to go home after he spent two nights in the gloom and rain.

I am just glad he is safe. I cant help worrying about him when he goes off into the woods. He likes camping in minimalist style. Not at a nice safe campsite, but right in the forest. Amongst nature in all its splendor!

Crossing the Golden Ears Bridge this afternoon, it was practically deserted!

I could have walked down the center of the bridge unchallenged by traffic, just as we did on opening day.

50th

Yesterday, we dropped Andrew off at the lake. He is spending a couple of nights camping and canoeing. It was gorgeous when we dropped him off. Clear and sunny. By night fall it was cloudy and drizzling. He will be enjoying the challenge of being "Survivor Man".
I worry about him being up there with the hungry bears and mountain lions. Not to mention whatever crazy woodsmen may be running around up there. His greatest danger is probably, exposure to the elements. There is just a dusting of snow on the higher hills. But even in summer, the nights by this lake can be cool and damp.
While he is playing in the forest, he missed his uncles 50th Birthday. No wonder Don is smiling, this cake was amazing!
Don is married to Keith's sister, Donna. They have two great kids.

Dons family was there. His mom, 2 sisters and 2 brothers.
We took this opportunity to get some family pictures. This is Keith's Mom and Dad. Brother Norm, Sister Donna and conspicuously absent is the baby of the family, Mike. He had to work today.

We all had to take a second look at dad today as he showed up with his mustache darkened! There were more than one comment about a close resemblance to a certain German Dictator! He thought it made him look younger. By the end of the evening, he had decided to go back to being gray!
There they are, the whole St.Cyr gang. Well most of them.

Happy Birthday Don.

Happy Birthday Dave

This little fella has a birthday today! Dressed up for a New Years Eve wedding just over a year ago.

Whatever happened to the good old days? The house is eerily quiet without the boys having their band jams here.

Its hard to believe that my littlest baby boy is all of a sudden 21! Can you belive he used to be a clingy mommas boy!

ABC Wednesday - C

Chrome and Crimson in Canada .
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