here's to a new beginning

Has it really been over 2 months since I last graced this space with my presence? Hard to believe but thanks to two different friends pointing it out to me last week I have been reminded that I do in fact own a small piece of the blogging world. Apparently there are at least a couple of people out there interested in what I have to say. Thanks!

So here I am again, staring out the kitchen window, watching my back yard flood thanks to the rain and reflecting on a summer that never really came but is now long gone. Looking at the lake forming next to the garage I'm reminded of all the things that I planned to do this summer (like fixing the drainage) but never really got around to. Contributing to blog space is just one of many projects cast aside over the past couple of months but to be completely honest, looking back now it doesn't seem like there was really that much to talk about anyway.

What have I typically filled this space with after all? Looking back in previous posts you'll find all sorts of stuff about politics (mostly provincial), my community (Vancouver-Hastings) and some of the volunteer opportunities within it, the Gateway Program (interesting that now all of a sudden so many others are bringing attention to this), the environment and of course mountain biking. An odd mix perhaps but these are the things (along with my family of course) that make me happy. Question then is how do they contribute (or not) to my absence from the blogosphere?

Some may disagree but I think that politically speaking its been a pretty quiet summer as the province has managed to tick along quite nicely with Gordon Campbell at the helm. For those that didn't know I am a fan of the man and his leadership and therefor tend to agree with most of the things that the BC Liberals have done, or at least those things that affect me and my family. Frankly I see no problem in his plan to turn over the University Golf Club to the Musqueam's! Politics...oh yeah I guess there is that nasty little labour dispute that doesn't seem to want to go away. This has been a challenge hasn't it? But I quite intentionally left it alone as I, along with many Vancouverites have managed to find a way to get through it. The truth is that I don't agree with or support either side of this particular dispute. I believe that the union is being completely unreasonable and at the same time I think that Sam Sullivan has demonstrated a complete lack of leadership on the matter. But then if you ask me I think Christy Clark should be mayor.

The strike has contributed in some ways to my lack of inspiration as it has affected my ability to participate with at least 4 of the volunteer groups that I belong to since they have been handcuffed by picket lines. While most of these groups shut down for the summer anyway it is never-the-less difficult to talk or get excited about the City's Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness Program, the Hastings Community Association, the Hastings-Sunrise City Vision or the Public Realm when all of their projects and facilities have been shut down. (My son doesn't need to go to pre-school anyway)

Short of his brilliant move to risk life and limb and enter an active construction area without benefit of even the most basic personal protective equipment, my pal Shane Simpson has been pretty quiet this past summer. Nothing too ridiculous for me to mention here anyway, although I see that is quickly changing so stay tuned. The PNE has come and gone for yet another year with over 900 000 visitors and I'm happy to say that my family and I are included in this number yet again. It amazes me to think that there are people in this community that seem bent on dismantling Hastings Park and the PNE as we know them and as they have stood as institutions in our community for so long.

So I guess this leaves mountain biking...ah mountain biking probably the second or third love of my life. What happened to you this summer? Things really started off well and we were managing to get out at least once per week for a good while but then life started getting in the way I suppose. People got busy, people moved, changed jobs and so forth and suddenly it became near impossible to find a time that our faithful group could get together at the same time. My own schedule and family responsibilities made getting away for even one afternoon or evening almost impossible. The weather... well one great thing about mountain biking is that sometimes the crappier the weather the better the ride.

So here I am, the last day of September and the water level in the back yard is almost to the point where it starts pouring into the garage...

But not to worry! If I have sounded bit dreary up to this point all is till ok (but thanks for listening anyway) because I have a feeling that things are about to change after all, I see both Carole James and Shane Simpson back in the news with one foot or another rapidly approaching one mouth or another. The groups that I love that aren't stuck behind a picket line seem to be ramping up for the tail end of 2007. I've started a great new job that is challenging me in all of the right ways (its also allowed me to stay in Vancouver) and, perhaps most important I dropped my bike off at the shop yesterday for a much needed tune-up. It should be ready in about a week just in time for some wet, muddy fall riding.

It feels good to be back in the saddle again!