Things that inspire me to write #34: The Polar Express

December 26, 2012.Reading time 1 minute.

It’s Christmas day, which at our house means time for the annual holiday movie-a-thon, which usually includes Scrooged, Elf, or any other show that includes a good dose of sarcasm. However, this year with three wee ones to entertain, we did something different and watched The Polar Express. And I think I actually enjoyed […]

Things that inspire me to write #35: My Gramps

December 24, 2012.Reading time 1 minute.

Tis the holiday season, a time all about being with family—in addition of course to the over eating and overspending parts. Not surprisingly, after spending the last couple of days with my partner’s grand folks, I found myself thinking about my own, long deceased ancestors. Particularly my grandfather, Philip Amsden. I didn’t know very well […]

Things that inspire me to write #36: Santa Claus

December 24, 2012.Reading time less than 1 minute.

His whole purpose in life is to make children all over the world happy. I don’t care if he was a product of a Coca Cola ad campaign, we are surrounded by some pretty messed narratives in this society (has anyone else watched Dexter lately?) Compared to all that, the character of Santa Claus, a […]

Things that inspire me to write #40: VanDusen Festival of Lights

December 19, 2012.Reading time 1 minute.

I may not believe in Santa Claus anymore and those carols they have been pumping into Winners for the entire month of December are definitely starting to irritate me and I never did much care for candy canes so why would I want one in my mocha–however last night I discovered my Christmas magic. Once […]

Things that inspire me to write #41: Snow

December 18, 2012.Reading time 1 minute.

I seem to be dwelling a lot on one of what is often considered to be the utmost in boring of subjects: the weather. However, after lamenting about the lack of snow I feel it is my duty to recognize this morning’s frosted flake windfall. It snowed. Yes, Vancouver’s rainforest climate was blessed with a […]

Things that inspire me to write #47: Chocolate Arts

December 13, 2012.Reading time 1 minute.

Every year around this time my family and I embark on afternoon of truffle making. It’s a pretty good time–how can anything that involves chocolate, marzipan and liquor filling not be? However, despite all our thermometer watching, ever-so-gentle butter stirring and measured sprinkling–the end results generally resemble very chunky cat-turds. Making chocolates that looks as good as […]