A daily Starbucks purchase has become a ritual in our family. I tried to fight it. I tried to resist. I tried not to become another one of those suburbanites who spends upwards of $100 a month on designer caffeine. That plan died on the vine the day that Kimi and I attempted to replace our Venti lattes with a couple strong cups of drip coffee. Four hours later, we were parked in the Starbucks drive-thru, holding our aching heads in our hands.

I took out my nipple ring for the first time in 4664 days today. I had to get a chest x-ray and the technician asked it be removed. I didn't even know that I could get it out. I feel positively unbalanced. I have been wearing that piece of jewelery since I was 19 years old. It's been through my undergrad, my MA, trips to europe and latin america, various girlfriends and my now wife and many incredulous conversations.

You have to remember the cultural context of 1992 to understand the gesture somewhat. In Maple Ridge when I walked out with a steel ring in my chest to teach the first waterfit class of the new year with 50+ women there were some interesting reactions. This just wasn't done. Multiple earrings were still strange and body piercing was a long way from the main stream.

I got it done upstairs in Mac Leathers when it used to be on Granville by a somewhat sadistic burly piercier. My middle class illusions were shattered when he asked if I wanted the sharp needle or the dull one. The sharp one consisting of 8 gauge wire sharpened on a grindstone. I was also somewhat disturbed to discover that the freezing went on the end of the wire - something about horses and barns came to mind. After viewing, the clamp, pierce, and jewlery insertion my friend Jon suddenly lost his appetite for body piercing. Each to their own. Apparently my face matched my white shirt.

The silver has worn off and somehow it represents the lessons I"ve learned over the years. Shaped and molded by experience. Symbols are a powerful trigger to memory.

My beautiful wife with my daughter.

Playing peek-a-boo under the kitchen table.

We went to Saltspring Sunday, Monday and Tuesday to stay with family and catch up. We played cards, picked apples and plums from the trees and fresh tomatoes from the garden. Felicity followed the cat around and got to kiss it several times amongts adomitions of gentle, gentle. I am not sure if we were talking to her or the cat. We made music with family and reconnected around the minutiae of everyday life, kids, houses, bills, and food. As well, Felicity got to go on a big boat and run up the front with her hair streaming and chortle.

And the odds of me getting a girly girl who just loves high heeled shoes?

Now lean into that, girl. This ain't no namby pamby state sponsored orphanage. It's time to earn your keep. And none of that 'please sir, can I have some more.'

Apparently it is only against the law if you tape the box shut.

I look like my dad, yes I do. (Not that we keep track of these things) :-)

mmmm....doughnut

In between temper tantrums at the PNE

Katrina satelline pics - new orleans satellite pics - damage analysis

5 Reasons not to use linux

http://www.linux-watch.com.nyud.net:8090/news/NS8124627492.html
--
Sean Edwards
seanje@telus.net

It is terrifying what nature can do. By Monday night New Orleans may no longer exist.

Waiting for the bus. Better get used to it kid the way gas prices are going.

Arriving at the PNE after our bus ride.

Oblibatory arms length photo. I so need a photographic assistant.

We got up early in the morning and had breakfast and then got ready to go to the PNE to see the puppies. In toddler terms this means we get up at seven and leave the house at 9. We took the bus to PNE which she found overwhelming to begin with but then grew to like it. Super Dogs was a combination of feelings. Excitement about the puppies but the loud music and lights going on and off led to several incidents of "Daddy, Big Hug" and burying her face in my shoulder until it felt safe again. After the show we got to pet several dogs which was quite exciting. Picture shows the Super Dog running track.

Waiting for the Super Dogs to start.

A mostly unsuccessful attempt at lunch.