Caput

Everything just doesn't seem to want to work for me. My firefox links went poof, along with all my passwords and login info. Just means a lot of work to get it all back together. Also, blogger wont let me comment on other blogs. So I'll have to figure this one out this weekend. In other news, I can finally post again but that was so annoying...

CS - I can't wait to check out more of those blogs! And Biker betty thanks for the comment. I'm just commenting here since nothing is working and well I've been so tired from all of my training which I think has led me with a short fuse.

But tomorrow is a new month, YEAH!!! I can't wait, and it might be sunny here... Things will get better I know... hehe

What - More Snow

We ended up having more snow than expected again this morning. Yesterday after dealing with a funny car problem all morning, I got out for a few minutes to take a few photos of the beautiful blue skies and snow. Here's what it looked like Tuesday in Vancouver.

And here's what it looked like this morning from my window.

Yes it's small but you get the point, snowing again! As I see spring trying to spring up, winter still wants to stay. And I know from you people in Switzerland, this looks odd and different as you guys basically didn't have the winter weather you are used to having.

As I write this, it's still snowing here in North Vancouver. As it turns out, blogger has some stupid new spam catcher and I got caught in it. So this post is now almost a full day later after they finally got to me some 12 plus hours later. There's great customer service for ya!

Sunshine And Snow

Sunshine And Snow
Originally uploaded by thnkfst.

I woke up early this morning to get to my morning swim. The sky was turning this same sort of blue in the distance yet the sun wasn't even nearly up. On the way back home, I was dreaming of having my camera with me. So as soon as I walked inside, I grabbed my camera and took a snap shot from the window...

Oh I love sunny days with lots of snow on the ground. I'm hoping to get more later too. I guess it's a nice day to go out and enjoy the outdoors while it lasts. As I was walking down the road, the beautiful Lions were sunny and white capped. I hope to take a few snaps of that later on.

The Canadian Ski-Doo

After spending nearly 2 hours searching for that perfect photo, I gave in and resorted to the only two flickr photos I have posted of the wonderful Village of Villeneuve, Switzerland. So what does the Villeneuve have to do with the Ski-Doo? Besides being a wonderful backdrop for beautiful views around Switzerland, it's also the home of one of the offices of Bombardier.

You see Bombardier wouldn't be in Villeneuve if it weren't for Joseph A. Bombardier, a Canadian, and his invention of the Ski-Doo in 1922, at the ripe old age of 15 years of age. Be sure to check out the link to see the first ski-doos. Bombardier Inc. was founded by Joseph-Armand Bombardier as L'Auto-Neige Bombardier Limitée in 1942, at Valcourt in the Eastern Townships of Quebec.

Today Bombardier is a large manufacturer of regional aircraft, business jets, rail transportation equipment, recreational equipment and a financial services provider. Its headquarters are in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and has two additional offices in Switzerland.

If you happen to be visiting Quebec, perhaps the Bombardier Museum might be of interest to you. The large modern museum is located in Valcourt, Quebec and is dedicated to the life of Joseph-Armand Bombardier and the snowmobile as well as the industry he helped create.

The museum has been professionally curated and features a wide array of Ski-Doos and other industrial designs as well as a selection of books, booklets and other items of interest to ski-doo enthusiasts. The present museum is actually located blocks away from the huge, present-day Bombardier Recreational Products factory.

For me, the bombardier museum exists in Villeneuve. It's the building overlooking the start of the mountains which leads to the Col De Jaman, certainly a spectacular site to see in person. I remember being in awe finding the building for the first time along my journeys venturing into villeneuve back in June 2002. For that previledge of already identifying with the company made me appreciate the spectacular backdrop of the stunning Lac Leman.

What a great story behind something that I already appreciated when I found it in Switzerland. However, it has come back to me here in Canada once again after learning the ties between Canada and Switzerland and the first ski-doo.

P's Corner - Spaced Out Sundays

My Catholic upbringing emphasized for me the importance of being humble; especially on Sundays. But that was a long time ago, and I've developed a different view of my place in the world since then. Nevertheless, I still think being humble is important and leads one to be a better person. And what better way to feel humble than to take in the Hubble Ultra Deep Field.

I'd be surprised if you don't feel just a little more humble after watching that video! By the way, the numa, numa guy is supposed to be there, lol.

The Comfy New Chair

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This weeks Photo Hunt Theme is Soft.

We've waited for more than a year to get ourselves a new soft and extra comfy new sofa and chair. I'm not so sure the pic does justice but the soft tone was a touch I added hoping to make it look so extra soft in the suede material it is. You are looking of comfy and super soft new Chair.

Time Travel

Did the week just pass me by without me noticing what happened? I'm sure it had to be something to do with time travel here in Vancouver. Oh wait, I think that's just other people traveling around the world while I stay put.

I swear yesterday was Monday and then I looked up at the day and it was already Thursday. Maybe I'm just running around like a chicken with my head cut off. At any rate, I know what I've done for the week. I know I'm tired beyond belief and just want one morning to sleep in...

But we have a new sofa in our flat. It's beautiful and I want to take a photo of it but we will have to wait and see. It's been too long that we haven't had something to sit on that felt so soft. I think I've got my photo theme for the weekend... Any guesses...

Spring is in the Air

Spring is in the Air
Originally uploaded by thnkfst.

During our Eagle find we saw beautiful blue skies and hints that spring will be coming. I think the signs are coming out as flowers are starting to pop up from the earth. It's a beautiful sight and such a fun time to photograph!

I'm curious to know if spring is starting where you live. We currently have our sunrise at 7:10am which means I'm getting up earlier and earlier on my late mornings.

I'm also curious to know if anyone has seen the fasnacht celebrations. I think the celebrations began in Basel.

And hopefully I'll be posting a few more new photos soon!

My First Canadian Masters

So I survived my first Canadian swim meet with flying colors. I'd say the success was more on the social end as I got to know many more of the dedicated morning swimmers. You see our team is made up of 4 pools and numerous different workout times. I normally swim with the noon masters group, consisting of usually myself and one training partner, and just started swimming additional workouts in the morning. So I got to know these people a lot better and I got to help them out with some stroke questions. We've actually got some really impressive masters swimmers.

Here's something quite impressive to hear. Our 60 year old friend finished his first ever 200 m butterfly. There were only 2 people who swam the event! Our relay is only 9 seconds off the record for an over 240 years group. And we have a few athletes who can get us there! Now I'd like to be part of that group some day, as I've got a long ways to go.

If you want to know the results, I'd rather wait until they come in but it looks like from January, I held the top times. I swam quite a few events in fact.

Here were my first 25m times
Relay - unknown 50 fly
100 IM 1:15.21
100Back 1:13
100 Breast 1:23.3
50 Fly 33.33
50 fr in relay unknown

I guess my focus for the next meet is going to be longer distances. I have my eye on 2 or 3 events right now, so we shall see.
The meet was action packed and even a bit of a Chinese new years relay celebration ensued during the break.

Happy Chinese New Year

Today is the official start of Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year and with that comes new beginnings. I guess I have my share of those today. No I didn't get my hair cut or buy a new outfit, but I am going to my first Canadian masters Swim meet today.

I'm going with my friends to the local Vancouver swim meet, who are also swimming, so it should be a lot of fun. I've got plans to swim with the elders actually in a relay. I do hope we can make up the relay which has to consist of our ages making up 240 years.

My friends actually have already been to the pool which I have never seen. I haven't had too much time to read blogs lately or even post a new photo for that matter. But I'm very happy staying busy. It's a rainy day here once again, so it's a great time to be indoors. Now you wouldn't hear me saying that in California where all (99% of) swimming pools are outdoors, so you get the picture of what I did long ago.

Hope your day is just as wonderful as mine will be!

Einstein Haus in Bern

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This weeks Photo Hunt Theme is Antique.

Since the theme is Antique, I thought I'd pull out of the woodwork something that is near and dear to me but still amazes me every time I take a look at the pics from The Albert Einstein House in Bern, better known as Einstein Haus in German. We had a chance to see this back in August 2005 while we were last visiting Switzerland.

Here are a few antiques of the place in Bern. There is so much history behind this special place of the second floor flat of Kramgasse No. 49 in Bern, Switzerland from 1903 to 1905 the residence of Albert Einstein.

I believe this might have been an antique sofa.

Einstein's Attire

His beautiful courtyard and typical Swiss architecture for the area. It already brings back fond memories and makes we want to retreat there asap. Really if you have time, you need to check out Einstein's biography.

Pretty Antique wouldn't you say!

What's in My Bag

So Kim H from Stepping Stones tagged me to do a meme and a good one at that!

Here's what you do

Take a photo of the handbag/purse that you are using today.
Dump it out and take another photo.
Make a list of everything in your bag.
Post it on your blog (and let me know!)

Now most of you might laugh but I should be asked what is in my swim bag more than my bag I carry around while I'm not swimming. I definitely keep it more European and I sort of like to have my belongings on my body for safety reasons. But that's just me!

Before

After

My list in my bag includes:

Notebook - handy for taking business notes.
4 pens - You know we need certain colors.
Wallet - yeah to keep my identity straight when I forget.
Old Mobile Phone - Just look at the flash back photo!
Sunglasses - A blue moon hits from time to time in Vancouver and we get sun.
Second Notebook - more notes for reading during down time.
Shoe pads - didn't take them out after purchasing them.
chapstick - I need it, I'm addicted.

Now anyone passing me on the streets of Vancouver doesn't have to ask me what's inside.

I usually have more stuff in my swim bag and switch out and carry along that most of the time. I guess it helps me when you are self employed!

Celebrating Chinese New Year

A lot of people have been coming to my blog to find out about Chinese New Year in 2007. I thought it was only fitting to do a post on Chinese New Year since it is quite big here in Vancouver. Unfortunately since I'm not in Switzerland at the present, I really would have to investigate more about the events happening in major cities such as Basel and Zurich.

For 2007, the Chinese celebrate the Year of the Pig. Of course, there are many festivals throughout the world celebrating this wonderful day. Chinese New Year is known in Chinese as the Spring Festival or the Lunar New Year. Somehow, I think Switzerland celebrates in the same way with Carnival or Fasnacht.

Of course Chinese Nwe Year is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. The festival proper begins on the first day of the first lunar month in the Chinese calendar and ends on the 15th, in which this day is called Lantern Festival. Chinese New Year is also the time when overseas Chinese all around the world travel home to have reunion dinners with their families on Chinese New Year's eve. Read more about Chinese New Year on Wiki.

Here is a look at a few of the festivals.

Sydney, Australia - Get your Chinese New Year Festival Tickets for 2007 year of the pig.
Vancouver, BC - Chinese New Year Festivals in Chinatown.
Run down of major cities and events
Dr. Sun Yat Sin gardens - what a beautiful place!
Parade in Vancouver for Chinese New Year festival.

The Chinese New Year is a highlight celebration in Vancouver (Pacific Boulevard S) and is one of the largest and most vibrant cultural events in the country. The event consists of two weeks of contemporary and traditional entertainment, food, drink, games and activities. There are also prizes, food markets, flower fairs, traditional art and artists, and much more to see and experience. Bring the kids for the carnival and children's activities. Admission ranges from free to CAD10 for adults and CAD5 for kids and seniors. I'd recommend it if you are from the area. We won't be making it this year as we do have other weekend plans.

Cool New Laptops

Since I was having laptop slowness troubles myself this morning, and can't get the topic off my mind, I thought it was only fitting to share a really cool article about a Swiss artist and retro looking laptops.

The Swiss are on the forefront on helping out the developing world with children being the first to experience their own very cool and outrageous looking laptops. And I mean outrageous in the coolest way! Swiss designer Yves Béhar, who currently lives in the bay area, providing the finishing touches making these cheap $100 laptops is something to be envied. The program is dedicated to get one laptop per child or OLPC and is something I think is such a great idea.

Do check out the laptop article from Swiss info.

Happy Valentines Day

Saint Valentine's Day or Valentine's Day as most of us know it is more of a commercialized holiday than anything else. But there are roots to this traditional day where lovers express their love for each other; sending Valentine's cards, candy, or flowers.

The Valentines holiday is actually named after two men, both Christian martyrs named Valentine. The day became associated with romantic love in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished.

A few interesting notes are how other people celebrate this holiday outside of Canada and the US.

In Finland, Valentine's Day is called Ystävänpäivä which translates into "Friend's day". As the name says, this day is more about remembering your friends than your loved ones.

In Denmark, Norway & Sweden Valentines Day is known as Valentinsdag. It is not celebrated to a large extent, but some people take time to be romantic with their partner, or send a card to a secret love. I'm sure Renny and Tor can tell us more though!

Valentines Day also has regional traditions in the UK. In Norfolk a character called 'Jack' Valentine knocks on the rear door of houses leaving sweets and presents for children. Although leavings treats, many children were scared of this mystical person.

Whatever Valentines Day brings you, I hope it is just a delightful day no matter what!

Are there any cool traditions you have on this special day?

The Blackberry

For some of us, it's hard to think about life without our mobile devices. I know that was my thinking while I was living in Switzerland. My mobile phone was how I was connected to my friends as I travelled from city to city. It was my way of knowing what they were doing and if I could meet up with them. Most of this communication was done through what most know as SMS or text messaging. It's the cheap alternative to calling someone. And it came in really handy when it was time to meet up with a friend in a train station with crowds everywhere.

So I can only imagine what it has been like to be using a Blackberry mobile device. The BlackBerry is a Canadian invention which was actually introduced way back in 1999. The Blackberry mobile device supports such functions as e-mail, mobile telephone, text messaging, internet faxing, web browsing and other wireless information services. I guess you learn something new every day because before the Canadian inventions series a few weeks ago, I wouldn't have known this was a Canadian invention.

The Canadian company which developed the Blackberry is known as Research In Motion (RIM), it delivers information over the wireless data networks of mobile phone service companies. BlackBerry first made headway in the marketplace by concentrating on e-mail. If you really don't know what a Blackberry is, please click on the above link.

I'll leave you with a stunning photo of the progression of mobile phones.

For me, the mobile phone progression is mind boggling.

Longer Days

Over the weekend, I either wanted more sleep or just couldn't sleep anymore because of the daylight. I love the daylight but because we don't have shutters as one usually has in Europe, I tend to just wake up instantly no matter what. It would have been nice to sleep in at least one day...

So I thought I'd show everyone today's comparison from a few popular places blogger's live around the world.


Vancouver (BC - Canada)
Feb 12, 2007 7:27 AM 5:27 PM 10h 00m 29s

Zurich (Switzerland)
Feb 12, 2007 7:37 AM 5:44 PM 10h 07m 19s

Frankfurt (Germany)
Feb 12, 2007 7:43 AM 5:38 PM 9h 55m 30s

Atlanta
Feb 12, 2007 7:25 AM 6:19 PM 10h 53m 36s

Oslo
Feb 12, 2007 8:04 AM 5:00 PM 8h 55m 1 2s

Tromso (Norway) - Thanks to ToraA
Feb 12, 2007 8:31 AM 3:27 PM 6h 56m


I love seeing the comparison between places in the world with how much sunlight each of us gets.

Oh Poutine

a lil poutine
Originally uploaded by Beard Papa.

We were out running errands yesterday when I got really hungry and needed to get something to eat right then. P already had something on his mind obviously, because he was set going to a certain place which just happened to be at the mall we were shopping at. He finally broke down and told me he just had to have some poutine. Ok, I let him go about his business getting some from a place where I just loved their fries or frites as we know them en Francais.

Well I've finally done it guys, I've tasted the delicious meal of poutine, pronounced poo-tin in Quebecois. I know it sounded so disgusting, as I was told but I was wrong...

Food definitely plays a role in defining Canada's culture, as does not being truly Canadian without trying some poutine. The origins of this dish are said to have come from a man known as Fernand Lachance. Lachance had his first idea back in 1957 in the restaurant he owned in Quebec's Eastern Township. At first he was only offering fries and cheese curds mixed together in a plastic bag. One day a trucker requested some gravy on the side, mixed it inside the bag and poutine (pronounced poo-teen in English) was born.

In case you wanted to know, poutine isn't all too complicated. The contents of this high calorie meal include French fries, cheese curds and gravy. This unique dish evolved into something of Canada culture and life in Canada. It wouldn't be the same in Switzerland if you just didn't try fondue or talk about how the culture of Switzerland and fondue just mold together especially while vacationing in the Alps.

The actual origins of the word poutine comes from la poutina of Southern France, meaning pudding. The word first appeared in Canada with Acadian cuisine with a dish which included pork, mashed potatoes and a spiced sauce called poutines rapees. Roughly translated, the word poutine means "stuff stuck in a mess of other stuff which is also quite saucy." Of course, there are many different variations to this dish as there are to making some great fondue dishes in Switzerland.

Upgrading

I'm finally going to do it... The upgrade. I hope it won't take too long!

It only took a matter of a few minutes and since I already used a google API account, it was quite easy...

However, everything is now messed up more since I tried to redirect and it won't go back to the blogspot.com address..

Abandoned in Comox

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This weeks Photo Hunt Theme is Broken.




This is a broken and abandoned boat in Comox, BC on Vancouver Island.

This past year we returned again to Vancouver Island to see it was still abandoned and definitely broken in more than one place on the boat. The photo is one of my first attempts at HDR and not my favorite work, but it's still a beautiful broken boat!

A Bloody Caesar

In watching the CBC special last weekend, I learned about something I think most people would not have heard before, well at least it's unique to Canada. I'm sure most of heard or drank a Bloody Mary, but I'm more impressed if you know how to make a "Bloody Caesar".

So what in the heck is a Bloody Caesar?

First off it's the "official cocktail" popular in Canada. I've personally never heard of such a drink or heard of someone ask for one, so it must be quite unique in some way or another to this region. Typically a Caesar, also known as a "Clammy Mary" contains vodka, Clamato (tomato juice and clam broth), Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce and it's served on the rocks. You typically garnish it will celery (same as the Bloody Mary) and a wedge of lime. If you go without the vodka, then you'd be drinking a "Virgin Caesar".

Many Canadians living abroad prize a bartender who can mix a good Caesar.On a side note, in 2000 Mott's even printed the Caesar recipe on bottles of the Clamato juice sold in the United States, but the cocktail drink remains relatively unknown there.

My success in learning more about Canada continues...

Swim Meet Count Down

I'm sort of counting the days until my first Canadian Masters swim meet here in Vancouver. I've decided to step up my training a lot more thus incorporating weights and morning swims into my regime.

I'm starting to get a bit tired as a result of training, but that's just fine. I think it was Tuesday when I already thought it was Wednesday wishing the week would hurry up and slow down in time for the weekend. I'm only left with 8 or so days until I jump into that indoor pool, something also a bit different than what I did while growing up in that California sun.

The scary thing is that since I haven't been able to travel back to California in a while, I haven't been able to get all of my belongings. Things that might be the slightest bit useful are a swim bag, some swim towels, fins, paddles and more swim suits. I just have a problem with buying more when I already have all of that stuff somewhere else.

When I look back on my swimming career, this will be the first time I've been to a swim meet in about 8.5 years. Yes it's been that long, but I guess it's like a runner or biker coming out of retirement, things will be just fine. I'm not really saying I'm out of retirement but rather just having fun swimming up here in Canada. Because that is true, I'm doing this for my health and for the fun of it...

Two Days of Fog

After 2 wonderful days of foggy weather we are back to the normal rain in Vancouver...
How I love the fog so much more...
I'd rather have the fog around here in the eternal land of rain.
Here in North Vancouver it actually rains the most.
It's not to say that Vancouver doesn't get lots of rain.
That's all I have to say..

A Piece Of Canada

Last night P and I watch a show called The Greatest Canadian Inventions on CBC. The host, Bob McDonald, counted down a list of the top inventions, many of which were very surprising to know started in Canada and NOT the US as most people might think.

Quite frankly I was shocked, but also amazed that Canada's Top 100 inventions have not been in the limelight for most of these inventions. Canucks to many are quite selfless in their inventions, and usually let someone else steal the limelight to mainly the US.

Yes the US actually bought many of the patents from Canadians. Sorry Thomas Edison but you didn't actually invent the light bulb. You only bought the patent for $5000 to claim it as your own!

Some Great Canadian Inventions Include (in random order):

1. The Light Bulb - not Thomas Edison didn't invent it!
2. Pace maker
3. Telephone
4. WonderBra of 1935
5. Robertson Screw Driver
6. Plexi Glass (think Hockey games)
7. Basketball game
8. Electric Wheel Chair
9. Insulin
10. Propeller boat motor
11. Canoe
12. Electron Microscope
13. 5 pin bowling
14. The First Replay - think super bowl!
15. The Zipper
16. Poutine!

Since I didn't have a clue what a Robertson Screw Driver was, I thought I'd also tell you guys what I learned about this unique driver. The inventor, Peter Lymburner Robertson, was planning to sell tools from a street booth. As he was setting up this booth, Peter slashed his hand open. So Robertson vowed to create the ultimate driver so that he would never slash his hand with a flat head screw driver again.

P.L. Robertson went one step further and patented his square-headed driver in 1908. In fact, this driver was so cool the Fisher Body Company which constructed the Ford Model T decided to use his invention in its product line. Today 85% of Canadian screws sold use the Robertson head. See how simple the screw is! It's about a logical as the metric system if you ask me.


What's even harder to believe is that I've never seen this screw in Canada yet! Only 10% of the US uses this more practical screw but if things go their way, you'll be seeing a lot more people switching to this Robertson screw.

I'm thinking a few more inventions are on the horizon for the future to tell you about what Canada has done for the world. So this is the first of a series which I'd love to learn more about Canada too..

Purple Haired Lady

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This weeks Photo Hunt Theme is Gross.

I'm not so sure I was all too creative this weekend but here's what I found. Some might say this is gross. I certainly know my mom would be one who would say exactly that. "Eww - Gross!" To me, it's just funny and shocking. What amazed me even more was the age of this woman who happened to be walking up a small hill in the streets of Lausanne's shopping area.


What's your take? Maybe the trash on the ground or the rubbish bin near by is a better example of what can be gross. It's certainly not all that tidy for Swiss standards. If you click on the pic, you can see more rubbish on the street too. I'm not so sure I got it, but it's a try...

This is a look on the other side of the Rhine River in a French park. I'm sure we all get the point. But I certainly had a big laugh when I saw this for the first time.

It's Cross Quarter Day

For most of us in North America, we usually know today as Groundhog Day. Since I did a post last year about Groundhog day, I figured I wanted to add something new and different about the day.

Did you know today is the Cross Quarter which falls half way between the Winter Solstice and the Vernal Equinox. It means we are half way to beginning Spring which for me is one of my favorite seasons. I operate better with more light and the closer we get to the summer equinox, the more light Vancouver gets. Even when I was able to ski more, I still loved it when the time changed for spring occurred.

I'm also willing to guess Fasnacht and Carnival are in full swing in places like Switzerland, Southern Germany and the Alsace region of France, as this officially marks the pagan holidays in Northern Europe and the British Isles. Basel's Fasnacht is said to start on the Monday after Ash Wednesday which is on Feb 26th this year. Yes it still might be cold out, but there's something to celebrate everywhere.

Does anyone else know of a holiday celebration during this time of year? It's said in Ireland they celebrate an Imbolc

In case you were wondering, Punxsutawney actually did not see his shadow today, so there should be an early spring! It's also 1 year ago today that P and I finally moved into our new place.

**Special thanks to CS for correcting me on the Basel date!

Amazing Sunsets

Yesterday I spoke about my amazingly dumb blunder of not having my camera with me as the most amazing sky ever lay out before me in Vancouver. I wasn't all too impressed since I only had a few words to describe what I should have recorded in a few photos.

So yesterday, with fog and all, I brought my camera in tow just to see if I could catch one great moment in the sky. The colors weren't as impressive, nor was the view. But I am sure one gets the point of how beautiful the evening sunset was**.

Viewing from the deck in North Vancouver.

The Fog ruins the downtown view, yet the colors still make Vancouver so beautiful.