What's your reason for living?

I wish I could ask that question to everyone I meet. To me, it's the only question that ever mattered.


"It's dangerous not to be fully engaged. Here's some really bad news: It's dangerous not to do what you love. The harsh truth is that if you don't love what you're doing, you'll lose to someone who does! For every person who is half-hearted about their work or relationships, there is someone else who loves what they're half-hearted about. This person will work harder and longer. They will outrun you. Although it might feel safer to hang onto an old role, you'll find your energy is depleted and, miraculously, you'll be the first in line for the layoffs when they come."

One of the saddest things in the world is making great food and having no one to share it with. It's such a waste. I always asked my mother why she didn't like cooking, and she said it was so much effort for so little appreciation, and I never understood what she meant until now.

I hallowed out 3 buns and baked a crab avocado-spinach-cream cheese-lemon-garlic-dill-pepper dip inside them. It was the perfect comfort food for a cold day.

I could only finish half a bun because the warm, soft torn bread chunks were filling enough. I stared at the two other buns, watching them go cold as I took a photo. I took a photo because how else am I going to say, "Hey look, I made something great! Try it!"

Then, having no choice, I stashed the buns in the fridge.

Nothing says summer like watermelon slices and dripping creamsicles.

Nothing says "suburban visitor" than throwing a beach barbecue before Vancouver fireworks. Grilled asparagus marinated in pepper and lemon and garlic? Yes please.

My friend Ayendra has a small red car named Karl.

Karl's full name is Karl Marx Ferrari.


Andy, Steve, Paddy, JJ and I all sat together for Grade 12 History class before we became friends. Once upon a time they used to be scared of me. Good times.

It's my niece Rhianne's birthday today! She is the most calm and easy-going child I've ever met. I also absolutely love the fact that she's not shy about singing out loud. I hope she never outgrows it.

The last time I visited her, she could not pronounce my name. She lisped on "Frances" and kept on calling me "Princess" instead. I wore dresses and indulged her. Apparently, after I left, she kept on asking where "Princess" was and when "Princess" would come back.

Most people brag that their children are smart and geniuses etc etc, and of course all children are, but what I'm so proud of is the fact that Rhianne will eat ANYTHING you put on her plate. Anything. Just like her Aunt Princess, no?

My Father's Story
He says he was late to his own wedding because he was helping cook the food to be served in the reception.


My Mother's Story
She says that if he didn't show up, she would have shrugged because that was his choice, and she could go it alone.


My Story
My father's story of abnormal priorities sounds like something I would do.
My mother's words of feigned bravado sounds like something I would say.

With writer and photography-enthusiast Alicia Ratchford, I went to the Vancouver Art Gallery last week to get a more intensive look at Andreas Gursky's Werke. Even though I visited the gallery a month ago, coming back to devote an entire night to Gursky's works is a great idea given how much time it takes me to stand in awe in front of his pieces.

Mostly, I stand in front of his photographs because I can't believe what I'm seeing.



For instance, looking at James Bond Islands III, I am struck by nostalgia and curiousity. After all, I have seen islands before--just saturate this image with colour and happy lighting. So this image is familiar, yet uncanny at the same time. Uncanny, because I could mistake the middle island is a komodo dragon rising out of the mist. I have to peer closely, stand in front of the photograph to convince my brain that it's an island. I had to convince my brain that I'm looking at an image about islands, and that this image exist somewhere in this world.

Why do I love photography that confounds me? Because I like being reminded that I am in the process of looking. I take the process of seeing for granted most of the time. I have been seeing my whole life, and seeing comes so effortlessly that I don't question my presumptions. When you walk down the street and spot a traffic light, do you get blown away by the fact that you can see at all? Of course not. We wouldn't function in our everyday lives if we spend every second amazed by our senses.

But a good photograph does just that. It reminds me that this is perhaps what I felt when I first looked at the world for the first time.


"Seeing comes before words. The child looks and recognizes before it can speak... The way we see things is affected by what we know or what we believe."
-John Berger, Ways of Seeing

One of my fantasy jobs: jelly bean flavourist! Next to ice cream flavourist, of course.

From the Jelly Belly page:
At select cities in Canada, beginning August 19, 2009 until September 13, 2009, you can stop in and pick up your 21 gram sample bag of the new Jelly Belly® Ice Cream Parlour Mix.

The new mix comes in 5 new flavours:

• Chocolate Chunk: chocolate ice cream, chocolate chips, brownie and fudge make this flavour a true chocolate lover’s dream come true!
• Strawberry Sundae: this flavour combines strawberry ice cream, graham cracker, strawberries, caramel and whipped topping for the ultimate sundae experience!
• Birthday Cake: All the flavours of your favourite chocolate birthday cake, including the rainbow sprinkles.
• Apple Pie: this flavour combines graham cracker pie crust, apple pie filling, caramel and a scoop of vanilla to top it off.
• Mint Cocolate: smooth, creamy mint ice cream flavour mixed with the chocolatey goodness of chocolate chips, brownie and fudge.

Vancouver, BC
August 19 - 8:00-13:00 Waterfront Station at 610 Cordova St
August 20-13:00-18:00 VAG, 750 Hornby, Robson, Davie and Burrard Streets
August 21-15:00-17:45 Science World - 1455 Quebec St., Skytrain/Pacific/Main Stations
August 21-18:00-20:00 BC Lions Game, BC Place
August 22-12:00-17:00 Kitsilano Beach, Seawall, Granville Island
August 23-12:00-17:00 Blockbuster - 21621 Lougheed Hwy., Maple Ridge
August 26-13:00-17:30 Yaletown – Mainland, Hamilton, Seymour, Pacific, New and Davie Streets
August 26-17:45-18:30 Jericho Beach/Urban Beach
August 27-13:00-18:00 Skytrain Station, Commercial & East Broadway
August 28-13:00-18:00 Waterfront Station at 610 Cordova St
August 29-14:00-16:45 English Bay - Stanley Park - beach and the seawall
August 29-17:00-19:00 AC/DC concert - BC Place
August 30-13:00-18:00 Blockbuster - 900 - 333 Brooksbank (Park and Tilford) North Vancouver
September 2-13:00-18:00 Park Royal Village, 2002 Park Royal South, West Vancouver
September 3-14:00-19:00 London Drugs - 525 West Broadway
September 4-15:00-17:45 Science World, 1455 Quebec St., Skytrain/Pacific/Main Skytrain stations
September 4-18:00-20:00 BC Lions Game, BC Place
September 5-12:00-17:00 London Drugs - 2230 West Broadway & Vine
September 6-12:00-17:00 Save-on-Food, Ironwood - 3000-11666 Steveston Hwy., Richmond
September 9-15:00-20:00 London Drugs, Kerrisdale - 2091 West 42nd Ave
September 10-15:00-20:00 London Drugs - 2032 Lonsdale, North Vancouver
September 11-15:00-20:00 London Drugs - Park Royal Shopping Centre, 875 Park Royal North
September 12-12:00-17:00 Save-on-Foods - 333 Brooksbank Ave., Park & Tilford
September 13-12:00-17:00 Save-on-Foods - 2308 Cambie Street

Facts:
1. Jason Turner was my neighbour in North Vancouver.
2. Every year I buy from Josue Menjivar, and since he's a good man, he tells me not to spend all my money. Also, he sent me some more free postcards in the mail!
3. Last year Derek Kirk Kim took a picture of me as I bought his book.
4. OMGOMGOMG-Kate Beaton!-OMG.



I wish I heard of Kate Beaton way back when I was in Grade 11. Anyone has ever sludged through Social Studies 11--Canadian history--will know that humor goes a long way. After all, who wants to memorize the 7 qualifications of becoming a member of Senate? Mind you, I had a fantastic Socials teacher (and since I've been out of high school for 5 years, no, I'm not just saying that to be a teacher's pet). But comics would have been the icing on the cake, you know?

It would have also helped to know that Canada's Prime Ministers were varying degrees of crazy. Or Prime Ministers' wives.

Oh Margaret Trudeau.

Click to read comic: