Remembrance Day

This is, I believe, the most relevant stat holiday we have left. Canada Day is great, but Nov. 11th seems to be just as much about our country as July 1st. It was great to see another huge turnout at the Leg cenotaph this year. There are clearly a lot of people who want to mark the armistice, honour the fallen, and applaud the war vets who are still with us. Last year, it was pouring rain -- but the crowd was just as large as today (beautiful sunshine). Aside from the decked-out soldiers and ex-soldiers, I noticed plenty of military types in the crowd, both in and out of uniform. One fellow was even wearing his medals on a sweat shirt! It's hard not to get swept up in the emotion of the whole affair when you're surrounded by all things military. My generation is pretty lucky being born when we were. We owe a lot to the youth of the early 20th century.

I wasn't very good about wearing a poppy this year -- normally make a point of it. I bought one and found two more, but lost them all over the past two weeks. Bethy still had one, and pinned in on my jacket before we left. What a woman!

Yesterday was a day off from teaching for Bethany, so we got to hang out all day. We got some tea at the Ogden Point cafe, then drove Robyn (my sister) to the airport. Took the long way home via Wallace Drive, and stumbled upon a pretty nice neighbourhood with some swanky houses.

I've always had a soft spot for the Saanich Peninsula, and I'd love to live there one day. Just look at the landscape! It would be a dream come true to live somewhere in rural Central or North Saanich. Of course, my thoughts quickly shifted to the staggering price of housing. The average family home is now going for well over a half million! I wonder if things will top out as the population curve takes over and there are less people around, taking some of the pressure off the market. Somehow, I doubt Victoria will see much vacancy over the coming decades. People come from all over to live here. Never say never, but I'm pretty sure I don't want to live anywhere else.

We also had a great visit with my buddy Matt on Friday, got caught up for the first time since our road trip. He and Craig are really making inroads into the local radio jingle market, with some fresh ideas and innovative approaches. From what he tells me, people are starting to listen and buy into their work. He speaks about his company (Marble Wave) with the same type of passion he's always held for his music. That in itself tells me they'll be successful at it. Perhaps one day they'll even take a run at the lucrative San Fransisco market, and unseat Uncle Jesse and Joey.