Riding

Last riding lesson on Cookie. Here's me, my riding partner and our instructor, and I even have decent form going over that jump.

Convocation

Here I am in the graduation ceremony just after being hooded.

And now I have to hand back the mace. Isn't that hat awesome.

Motorcycling

Wow, it's been a number of weeks since I've been out for a ride. Ivan and I went out this morning, a bit chilly but no traffic.

Visit to Victoria

Before I left Vancouver I've always wanted to take the habour plane to Victoria. With my last weekend in Vancouver coming up, I finally got it together and went to visit Frank on the Island.

Standing in line I was chatting with a business man who was obviously very used to taking the Harbour flight. I asked him where would be a good spot to sit and he said the co-pilot's seat. I thought he was pulling my leg but then another business man asked the pilot on my behalf and I got to sit in the cockpit!!

I got to wear the headphones and listen in on the chatter. The pilot was a friendly guy and here he is as we were taxiing down the runway (yes, he was filling out the forms while we were on the move).



A view out the cockpit window.



And we're airborne.
A view of the pilot.


It was a great flight and great weather. The pilot asked me all about how we managed our garden because he was trying to do the same. I was telling him about canning pears and blanching beans as we landed in Victoria, that was a bit odd. I learned about what turbulent wind from mountains and buildings looks like on the waves and when to anticipate updrafts. On the whole, it was a very lovely time.

However, when I was in Victoria I forgot my bag and when I went back my iPod was stolen. So the trip wasn't without it's downsides. :-/ Hmmmm, time to rethink about that flight.

Old times - getting paper towels

Students from the Eltis lab make the trek to the media room to *finally* get more paper towels.



Of course the undergrad pushes the cart.

Hiking at Joffre

Some weeks ago I went snowshoing around Joffre Lakes. On the hike up we saw Whiskey Jacks who were clearly well conditioned to handouts. Here's one guy who came to an empty hand.
The first day was beautiful and sunny. This is a photo of Joffre and Matier. On the second day when we went hiking we went along the ridge to the right and eventually on to the anniversary glacier located between the two peaks.

On the second day of hiking it started off cloudy but then the weather cleared. This is a photo looking down the anniversary glacier.

And finally, a photo of me in front of the ramp leading to the col between the two mountains. It actually looks pretty hikable but by this time I was tired and my ankle was feeling sore from the recent sprain. Yup, chickened out to go to the hut.

Takoyaki!

Takoyaki night with labmates!
Cooking takoyaki. We put in cheese, shrimp and green onion.

Cell phone

When my nice simple cell phone was recalled for safety issues, I was sent a nice mp3 phone with camera. The mp3 part is terrible, if you've ever considered getting an mp3 phone because you want to consolidate, well, buyer beware. I like the camera option though, that is, when I remember to take it out. Getting the pictures off the phone is difficult though, and without any further adieu, here's the hit parade:Labmates in the lab.

There's this really really cute baby donkey where I ride and his name is Downtown Brown. Who comes up with those names!
The endless game of Munchkin. The box says 45 minutes but it lies.
Chatting with old housemates.
Baby rats are damn cute, I can't remember her name! My time as a rat foster home has come to an end. My last pair were shy rat boys.
Breakfast at the Wolf and Hound!