We Bought a House!!

Christine and I are about to become two of the priviledged few! Homeowners!!

In October we will say goodbye to Co-Op living, goodbye to renting, and goodbye to Vancouver. We've purchased a house in "the country", on half an acre, with a ton of space and a lot of character. We feel blessed, and of course we are totally stoked. The dogs will finally have a safe yard, which was of primary importance to both of us. The house is everything we wanted, I know we will be very happy there.

I wish everyone could be so fortunate. Vancouver is a beautiful city, one of the most naturally gifted cities I have ever seen, but there is so much grinding poverty here that seems to get exponentially worse as time goes on. We couldn't afford to buy a house here, and we both have well-paid jobs and financial security. I can't help but think about the scores of homeless adults and children who call Vancouver's streets home. I know so many people classed as "the working poor", who live lives of misery, just barely scraping by. They want more for their children, and themselves, than they will ever have. I don't have a solution, I'm not naive, I don't think there is a quick fix to such a huge social ill, but God, I wish things were different.

Chris and I are very lucky, and we know it.

It Has Been a Long, Long Time.

I think my long, dry spell is over. So much has happened this summer, mostly good, hell, mostly great, but yesterday will remain in our hearts as the "defining moment" of summer 2006.

Yesterday we said goodbye to our beloved Chunky.

Chunk was many things to many people, she was Christine's faithful and constant companion for more than 10 years. She was the first Shih Tzu with whom I had any kind of real contact, and she taught me, through her actions and her attitude, that "little dogs" have no preconceived ideas about stature, they can be, and are, huge characters in small bodies. Chunkamunk was one of those individuals that waltzed through life to her very own, unique soundtrack. She was an amazingly independent dog who asked for little and gave much. We loved her when she graced us with her presence, we will love her for the rest of our lives. Goodbye, good dog.