Vancouver Boat Show 2009

We almost missed it this year. Crossing town from Christ Church we just happened to see the sign advertising the Vancouver Boat Show at BC Place. As a sailor I never miss it though in later years with my 39.9 foot steel sailboat GIRI completely outfitted I'm not the 'customer' I once was. In the past the boat show "deals" have always warranted buying there. It's where I got my Furuno radar, my Yamaha outboard, Garmin GPS, Moonlight windows, ICOM radios and countless other gadgets and gear. Otherwise Steveston Marina has been my greatest outfitters and even they have honored special boat show rates weeks after the show if you get your 'order' in. Eric was in good form when I bought my collapsible kayak dolly for $89.00 from Steveston's having worn out the one I bought years ago. He'd last sold me my watermaker which we'd carried to Hawaii for the sail back this last summer. The dolly will be used on an office move but then it will go into full use carrying 'gear' back and forth from truck to boat. One day a marina will get a conveyor system like ski hills eventually got tow ropes. Until then a major part of boating will be 'hauling'.
The fun of the boatshows is seeing the new technology as much as the new boats. I've got a boat so the boats themselves aren't as exciting though I'm always amazed at the better lay outs and designs that have developed over the years. The MacGregor, sailboat/motor boat with water ballast is one of the great inventions but other than that the show was mostly powerboats. Probably product of a faster age.
Seawise Marine impressed me most with their hydraulic dinghy and motor loading systems. Having hauled little boats for years onto my big boat I'm impressed with a brilliant reliable system that appreciates that some of us are getting older.
I loved the outboards having gone to the Yamaha 4 hp from my Yamaha 8 hp simply because of weight. Admittedly I loved the speed of my earlier Nissan 9.9 which over powered my little dinghy so planing I left jet boats in my wake.
The boat show is not just big boats. Every dinghy and inflatable and fishing boat imaginable was there. We liked best the outboard powered flatboat that carried a 4 x 4 ATV which could ride off the front onto a beach much like marine landing craft. Clipper kevlar canoes were there and all the variety of kayaks.
The Yanmar engines looked so pretty and clean compared to mine which has seen so many miles it's on the rebuild.
Full points went to Neptune Slat Systems for coming up with a way to ensure mattress stay dry and have movement of air below them.
Liza Copeland was there with her wonderful books chronicling her families sails around the world. I've enjoyed reading her books as much as the slide presentations I've been priviledged to attend at Bluewater Cruising Association club nights. I bought Mumford's latest book, Dangerous Water's, Tales of the Sea for the remarkable deal of $10 and laughed that it was at the boatshow a year previous I'd bought his African adventure book Friends from Bluewater Cruising Association were there with copies of Currents ,the international offshore cruising magazine.
I told the fellow at Cooper's Yachts Sailing School if I'd not have taken my first sailing lesson there I'd not have ended up solo sailing through winter storms to Hawaii. So beware of what you're taught and what you wish for. The Coast Guard and all the safety gear experts were also on hand.
Oh to have an extra million dollars. I loved the big aluminum fishing boats powered by Honda 200 outboards but thought Lowe's fishing boats and trailors as ideal for fishing on the Frazer.
If you can't afford things you can at least put in for the draws. And Yamaha had the best draw offering the G3 boat and motor. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Storm Tech had the most fashionable and durable lady's yachting wear as my friend walked away with a waterproof jacket insisting she could wear it anywhere. Thanks to Nikka Marine and Fishing I stocked up on my smoker supplies and now have unthawed tuna in brine preparing to be smoked on my balcony.
I missed seeing Barry the welder this year. When he had his wood boat next to mine in the Coal Harbour marine I was smoking venison one night on my steel boat when the wind changed and the smoke blew int his open hatch. He and his wife were searching their boat from stem to stern at 3 am for the fire until they realized the smoke was coming from my Little Chief.
The boat show is a great place for memories and dreaming. I'm sure glad I didn't miss it. I was especially thankful to talk to Rich Hutton at Shelter Island Marina about hauling my boat out so that someone like the folks at Bracewell Marine Group can fix my mast this spring. We've got the greatest sailing waters off the coast of British Columbia. After crossing the Pacific last summer I'm really looking forward to day trips where I can enjoy evening barbecues and gently rocking safe harbours at anchor.

Hollyburn Lodge, Cypress Mountain

The healthiest place by far to eat in Vancouver is Hollyburn Lodge on Cypress Mountain. Because you have to snowshoe or cross country ski to it even their fries are low cholesterol. The veggie chilli and fresh bread with hot chocolate is certainly a must for the diet conscious. Bluegrass and folk music have been added to some nights probably to encourage jigs to assist digestion. Truly a 5 star establishment.

HOLY MO

Lucia Frangione is my favourite playwright. Her Holy Mo, the story of Moses told through the eyes of children and clowns is highest holiest art with just a holy heap of whimsical absurd delight. I laughed myself silly despite having been to Holy Mo before. That's Lucia for you. There's so much happening and so much humor you can return again and again to the same production and experience a whole new show . I hate to say it for such a young and lovely artist but her works really are that iconaclastic. Caribou Magi is truly a Canadian 'classic' if this young country can claim such a word. Expresso her Italian family piece touches the heart as much as her other works reveal the soul. With next year's Leave of Absence, to be performed by Ron Reid's Pacific Theatre she promises a serious play. I look forward to any Frangione but what difference will that be. She has always moved me to tears.

Eria-Faye Forsyth played Bufoona of a thousand personalities. One minute scamp, next minute sage, old then young, adolescent and rebellious and really only wanting to be a princess whenever Follie, played by Katharine Venour would have her be a slain villain. Bufoona's step ladder Goliath was a testament to the creativity of costume designer Drew Facey. Katherine's Venours extraordinary talents as an actress were displayed throughout from Rambo the Sphynx, to dancing girl in Hebee town to God almighty, her voice and performance thoroughly engaging. Julia Mackey played Guff, kazoo playing guitar strumming mute whose transformation crescendos the show. Morris Ertman, the director, must have come direct from a benedictine monastery specializing in the mystery of herding hilarious cats to bring this outrageous script and these women of such wit and genius to the stage in tact. It was a testament to the overall professionalism that none on stage broke a smile when the audience was rolling in their seats and gasping for air at juke box elvis and icebox grails.

I've had season's tickets to Pacific Theatre longer that I've been married or lived in one home and never regretted bringing friends along to enjoy what I"m forever telling people is Vancouver 'best bang for the theatre buck'. That's saying alot considering the overall high level of theatre which is offered in Vancouver. Vancouver has been called "Hollywood North" due to it's excellent filmcraft but might as well also be called "Broadway Northwest" thanks its brilliant stagecraft.

CAA - CROWBAR AUTHOR

It’s Wednesday. The CAA meeting has an open mike tonight. I’ve been practicing all month . Took the week off work. Morning to night going through the tombs of unheard prose and poetry. That’s just the stuff from the basement, didn’t even get to the storage lockers or the stuff I left in my parents basement. Impossible to choose. What can they expect me to say in 5 minutes. I need an audience for at least a week. All the material I’ve got. My great chance. No sleep. Pots of coffee. Everything is no good or it’s plain great.
The neighbours been complaining about the ‘noise”. Phillistine. Doesn’t understand art. A soliloquy has to be shouted. The night is almost here. They should have given me more time to prepare. I’ll never be ready.
And what about clothing. Couldn’t find a thing that was appropriate. Had to get a whole new wardrope. Days of searching for just the right ‘look’. The author look. What about socks. You can tell a lot about a person by their socks. Should I wear them ?
Hours of reading in front of the full length mirror. 5 minutes. No way. I need at least an hour. I’ll take an hour of material and they’ll want me to read it.
Since I’m reading , they’ll notify the press. Won’t they? Spell my name right. That’s what the sign up sheet was for. For the agents and publishers to get my name right. Maybe I should call them myself just in case. I’d like to tell the people who usually ignore me I’m reading but they’ll hear in good time.
Now why isn’t the door open? It’s Wednesday. 7 pm. The Alliance for the Arts Building. Howe Street. I’ve got to get in there. I can see there’s people in the board room through the window. They’re looking at me.
That’s right. I’m pounding on the glass door. Let me in. I’m an author. I’m reading. Don’t just wave me away. I’m an author.
Haven’t seen a crow bar eh! That’s why guys like me drive trucks. Thought that glass door was going to keep me out. I’m an author.
Old people huddled in a corner of the board room. Saying something about being Canada Council. I know that’s just a small part of the Canadian Author’s Association.
Suits and dresses. White hair. Eying the crow bar. Waiting for me to read. Obviously.
Crowd gathering outside. Glass everywhere. Some people on the street getting noisy.
Guess it’s time to read. Crowbar kind of works like a conductor’s baton. Good thing I practiced shouting the words.
Sirens. Crowd control at last.
Yea. I know it’s good. I’m an author. Everything is good when you’re an author. It’s a being thing. I’m being the art here. I’m communing with the muse. I’m in the zone. I can feel the writing flowing through me.
Nice police guy asking for the crow bar. “I know you’re an author.” Sure I give him the crow bar. He understands.
I think the reading went pretty well too.
One of the cops told me on the way to the station he’s a writer. Has this cop book he’s working on.
The lawyer wasn’t impressed to be called out of his poker game. Got me off though. Said the judge wants to be a writer, too. Both figured I’d be better back at work so I could pay his fees, the cost of the door and the old guys dry cleaning bill. How was I supposed to know the old guy had prostate problems. I’ll pay the fine out of my royalties.
The picture in the province looked good . Spelt my name right. “Crowbar author”. Good ring to that.
Now I’m looking forward to reading next Wednesday.
How was I supposed to know the CAA meeting was on the second Wednesday of the month and not the first. I got the time right. Authors shouldn’t have to think of everything. That’s why I need a publisher. Get one of those cute secretaries to follow me around everywhere.

Revolver - the movie

Revolver, the movie, released in 2005 in England and re released 2007 in Hollywood, written and directed by Guy Ritchie was shown on television tonight. I thought of the Beatles sound track when I surfed it but stayed because Jason Stratham of Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Transporter was the lead. I came in on the movie somewhere after the beginning and yet was nonetheless captivated.

The greatest con of the ego is to convince you that it's you, was the idea that ran through the movie.

I'd just looked up a passage in Spiritual Brain by Beauregard in his discussion of the experiences of those who were clinically dead and had near death experiences, NDE's, 'there is judgement, to be sure, but the reports appear to be in agreement that all judgement comes from within the individual, not from the Being of Light. It seems, in fact, that all God is capable of giving us is unconditional love."

At the end of movie Revolver which may well have been named after the firearm given the number of shootings that occurred, there was Deepak Chopra and a whole group of the PHD's and MD's commenting on the spiritual meaning of the ego, the devil and projection and other constructs in the movie. I'd seen this in the Bling but was surprised to see it at the end of a shoot em up.

So I looked Revolver up Wikepedia (God I love Wikepedia) and sure enough the philosophical and theological substrate was intentional. English screenwriter Guy Ritchie was apparently studying the Kabballa (Jewish mystical writings) at the time of making Revolver. The trinity of characters are named after the patriarchs with Jake short for Jacob, Avi short for Abraham and Zach short for Isaac. The 23 enigma and 32 are numerological references and always there's reference to life as the 'game'. .

It didn't do well at the box office for some reason. Not for acting as Stratham and the others were in top form. It now seems likely to become cult classic. Long after many other movies are dead someone will play this movie backwards and hear "John is a live. John is alive."

"Almost any religious system which fosters unearthly love is potentially a nursery for mystics" Evelyn Underhill, Mysticism

Perennialists believe that "The world of individual consciousness and matter is only a partial reality, which reflects an underlying divine ground". Beauregaard, The Spiritual Brain

"Be the change that you want to see in the world." Mohandas Gandhi

The main goal of this functional magnet resonance imaging (fMRI) study was to identify the neural correlates of a mystical experience. The brain activity of Carmelite nuns was measured while they were subjectively in a state of union with God. This state was associated with significant loci of activation in the right medial orbitofrontal cortex, right middle temporal cortex, right inferior and superior parietal lobules, right caudate, left medial prefrontal cortex, left anterior cingulated cortex, left inferior parietal lobule, left insula, left caudate and left brain stem. Other loci of activation were seen in the extra-striate visual cortex. These results suggest that mysteical experiences are mediated by several brain regions and systems. Beauregaard, The Spiritual Brain.

Be assured that the more progress you make in loving your neighbour, the greater will be your love for God. His Majesty loves us so much that he repays us for loving our neighbor by increasing our love for him in a thousand ways. I cannot doubt this. Theresa of Avila (1515-82)

Chinese New Year Parade 4707

The Chinese year 4707 began Jan. 26, 2009. Today despite the rainy weather people came out for the Vancouver Chinese New Year parade. With dragon, cymbals and drums bad spirits were scared away from individual shops.

According to the Chinese Zodiac, 2009 is the Year of the OX. The Ox sign symbolizes prosperity through fortitude and hard work. Those born under the influence of the Ox or Buffalo sign will be stable and persevering.

Volunteer Virgin Exchange Program

I would not like anyone to think I'm taking the war on terrorism any more lightly than I took the war on drugs. No one doubts drugs or terrorism are problems. What has always been at doubt is whether the government takes them seriously. The government 'strategy' in the war on drugs ironically did nothing to reduce drugs but bought a whole lot of bullies new bully bling in the way of helicopters, fast boats, missiles, and such. It further destroyed confidence in government, terrorized the population and removed most fundamental freedoms of a democratic society. The war on terrorism with it's continued insistence on fighting violence with violence has destroyed international confidence in western governments, reintroduced torture a la mode, destroyed the economy of the western world and done nothing to reduce terrorism. Ironically the terrorists always appear to have hand me down second hand bully bling which makes one wonder if stopping new bully bling might not do wonders for reducing the supply of terrorist bully bling.

Consequently I gave some thought to the problem. The terrorists, mostly sexually inexperienced moslem bombers, appear to be blowing up the world for their masters to get virgins in heaven. Kennedy asked the country, to consider not what it could do for the people but what the people could do for it. In Victorian times, mothers told their daughters to lie back and think of England.

Would it not be possible to offer therefore a Volunteer Virgin Exchange Program for any sexually inexperienced moslem bomber's bombs. The government might consider further compensating the virgins with American real estate considering what deals they could get at this time thanks to previous government fiscal programs.

As I see it virgins who would agree to be with these sexually inadequate men in exchange for their bombs obviously would have to set a minimum limit on the size of bomb which warranted the exchange. This would naturally require some show and tell and perhaps smaller bombs might be exchanged for perhaps more dubious virgins. Government beaurocracies could well work out the details so that very soon terrorists and virgins could be together wholly distracted by toddlers and teen agers living heaven on earth.

As a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush I believe this would be a much more sensible and likely to succeed program. Further once a terrorist has one virgin it's very unlikely that he'll want a whole lot more but will indeed get a job like most married western men to have an excuse to get away from the home.