Typhoons Blow: Living through Rammasun

A lot of memories are sought in an active way; through vacations, birthday parties, anniversaries and the like. Many more are created completely unknowingly at the time and are only significant in hindsight; a random meeting with someone who becomes important in your life, an impromptu drive down a country road that fruits a beautiful …

The bugs are back in town

The bugs are returning. After a couple months with a decrease in the number of insect invaders in our home, the warmer weather lately is bringing them back. There are a lot of things that living on a tropical(ish) island forces you to get used to. Things your typical Canadian just never really has to …

Month of Living Without: Alcohol

For the past month I haven’t touched a drop of alcohol. I realize for many this is no big thing, and if this is you, bear with me. I’ve never been a heavy drinker, but I’ve also never been known to shy away from a few beers or a bottle of wine. And after living …

Standing up to work

I sit a lot. Really, a lot. Between work, eating and TV/R&R time; I estimate I sit an average of 14 hours a day — add in sleeping, and I’m not standing more than 20 hours out of every day. And while that seems outlandishly high, I suspect that I’m not alone. I’m also not …

Grabbity — a very bunny parody

My friend Tim and his wife run a wonderful business called ChunkiChilli, making organic cotton toys and apparel for babies and children. Having a bit of fun with an upturned wok, a sheet of foam with a hole cut out of it, and what looks like a sock hanger; Tim has created a little parody …

Removing my children from the Internet

About a week ago I began deleting all photos and videos of my children from the Internet. This is proving to be no easy task. Like many parents, I’ve excitedly shared virtually every step, misstep and milestone that myself and my children have muddled our way through. To be honest, aside from making sure my …

New 2014 design – simplification

In my spare time I’ve been working on a redesign for this site, and I think it’s finally complete enough that I’m comfortable writing about it. The first thing that should be immediately noticeable is that top to bottom the site’s been simplified. Largely it’s been pared down to a single column. Navigation is tucked …

Canada Day home-made burger buns

Being in China, a lot of holidays from home slip by rather silently. Easter, Thanksgiving, Labour Day, Victoria Day… if it wasn’t for Facebook updates from my fellow Canucks, I’d completely forget to even acknowledge the holidays with a nod. Such was the case when I woke up this morning and realized it was July …