Archive for Vancouver
Some meaning
I’m lucky I’ve been able to extend my teaching career a bit, at University Canada West, after taking Kwantlen‘s retirement buy-out. My two advanced professional communications classes this term are really wonderful. A special bonus is that one of the classes starts at 8AM on Monday morning.
Fall classes
I have two at UCW, including a Monday morning 8AM weekly gathering, starting tomorrow. Having students to guide and teach is a most profound blessing.
Sunday Morning
I was finishing up the preparation for my two classes today – first ones ever on a Sunday! – when I heard a woman, in tears and sounding drunk, walking by on the sidewalk below me: “I used to LIVE here – *fuck* YOU!” We know the feeling.
Don’t hide.
Before I taught my class this afternoon, I visited The Pendulum Gallery downtown to view my friend Lincoln Clarkes‘ marvellous photo exhibition again (it closes tonight). The gallery is a terrific space, which I had *almost* to myself. The two women there, from England, came up to me and started a conversation – a few minutes into which the older of the two asked me whether anyone had ever told me how quite odd I seemed.
Many polite people have asked me that question, and my answer’s typically something like this: “It’s amazing that I’m even allowed outside.” (It is.)
Today, however, I was still trying to find the words when the younger companion said, “Just take the hit and go on.” I did, we all did.
I had the best morning!
Coming home in October
I took a bit of video crossing over the Fraser River yesterday evening, from my seat on the Amtrak, returning home to Vancouver. I love a train the way a child loves trains, so watching other trains from my train was a special delight.
Easter on TransLink
On my way out to Surrey on the Skytrain to share sushi with friends yesterday, I saw a fellow furtively smoking heroin off of foil with a straw. To keep from staring I moved to another part of the train. The train was filled with sunshine.
On the final leg of the trip back home to Vancouver, on the shuttle bus, a tiny young Latina woman got on holding a splendid ukulele, then was strumming very quietly and tentatively. She was seated right behind me. After a while, I turned around and told her how nice her instrument sounded. She said she was trying to learn a song, then sang it in Spanish in a very quiet voice to the six or seven people left on the bus; the guy in the seat behind her knew the song and hummed in harmony. It was really beautiful. I told her she had a lovely voice and put my hand over my heart. It was my stop. She insisted on shaking my hand before I went out the door.
What a great Easter I had.
Crossing the Fraser River in the early morning
There is almost nothing I love more than taking the Amtrak Cascades train south and across the border. Coming back up north, to Vancouver, comes close, though.
“Unlimited Growth Increases the Divide”
Somehow I had never really looked at this building before. It’s the only old building left on that block, Hamilton Street in downtown Vancouver. The text installation is by Kathryn Walter, 1990.
Save the mural
Blank grey wall or … marvellous art – decisions!
Vancouver is one of my great loves, but it disappoints me again and again.
—
June 27:
Always True
(After this cottage at Harwood and Bidwell in Vancouver was emptied out prior to demolition fifteen or more years ago, it was covered with delightful tags.)
home soon & joy now
On March 7 Amtrak started up its Vancouver, BC – Portland line again – the Amtrak Cascades – almost exactly three years after the pandemic shut it down. This filled me with profound joy.
The line gives me to my love & the line brings me home.
Crossing the Fraser River last night, about forty minutes from English Bay.
My train
My friends know I love a good train ride. And more than that, I count on one particular line, the Amtrak Cascades, to bring me to and from loved ones in the States. Discontinued at the start of the pandemic, Amtrak restarted partial service a few months ago, and in March Amtrak is bringing back the second train – early morning southbound to Washington State, night-time return to beautiful Vancouver. They’re hiring, and I could not be more pleased.
Below are photo tributes I made to my home stations, in Vancouver and Seattle, a few years back.
Amtrak
I rejoice at the news the train from Vancouver, BC to Seattle is set to start running again in September. That train has meant the world to me. It brings me to my loved ones in Washington State and then home again to my beguiling paradise.
Here’s a little piece I wrote on that train ten years ago on my iPhone blog:
A morning Amtrak conversation
Old fellow: “Same person’s been in that bathroom for five minutes!”
His wife: “What makes you think it’s the same person?”
Fellow: “It has to be!”
Wife: “No dear, it doesn’t have to be.”
Me: “How long have you two been married?”
Fellow: “60 years!”
Wife: “50 years, dear.”
Car 6 explodes in laughter. It’s going to be a fine trip to Olympia!
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