Nothing in Particular, Lots in General

Meet Michael! Bethy and I met him last fall at volleyball night, and we became fast friends. He and his wife Cathy invited us over to their place for coffee, and we had a long visit, learning lots about each other. They moved here from Edmonton, right around the same time we came to Denman. He's a successful builder/contractor, and they're both accomplished artists who decided to give up Alberta once they discovered a certain plot on the Island. They're in the process of building their dream home, and upon learning that I was a bit short of work, Mike offered to hire me on as a general helper at the build site. That was a couple of months ago, and it's been a pretty awesome experience for me. I've never been a handy type, but he's turned out to be the perfect person to introduce me to all this tool-swinging craziness. He's very patient, clear in his instruction, and damn funny in the process. He likes that I was somewhat of a clean slate, so I didn't bring any bad habits along with me. So we spend all day mucking around and piecing his new home together. I came on board pretty early in the build, and started out helping with the form work and rebar frame that became the first floor's concrete walls. I'd never been part of a concrete pour before, that stuff is fascinating. I hope to stay involved until the project is finished, as much as my limited ability will allow.

So unfortunately I missed the big Obama inauguration this morning, had to catch it after work on the Internet. Bummer -- I just love watching these large-scale historic events in the moment. I know I go against the grain by taking a wait-and-see approach to the new Prez -- 99 percent of people seem to be riding high on the simple fact that he's black and/or replacing Bush. Fact is he's a great speaker, and that's about all we know. He's saying all the right things in dramatic fashion, and if he's actually allowed by the American political meat grinder to back up his words with actions, then I can get excited. I certainly don't like his promise to drop more troops into Afghanistan. The bad guys will be ready for them, and surely some Canadians will be in the line of fire that much more. However, Obama is pledging to take some hard action towards alternative energy and humanitarian efforts. Let's hope so.

We just re-watched one of the best films to come out in recent years, Across the Universe. It's a musical using all Beatles songs to propel the plot. It's a visual wonder, well-acted, profound, just an awesome piece of work. It was a Julie Taymor production, a name I recognized instantly as it's not the first time she's made such an impact on me. My family was lucky enough to take in the Broadway production of The Lion King while visiting Toronto some years ago -- another one of her masterpieces. I remember I actually got a bit choked up at how wonderful it was, how such amazing things were possible and presentable before my eyes. Anyway, she obviously knows her stuff -- and her latest stuff is Across the Universe. I can't recommend it highly enough. Bethany bought a copy, so if you come over to visit, you can borrow ours.

We've been watching a lot of TV lately, to help pass the long winter nights. Sad but true. Not very much to do on Denman Island in the winter -- well, I shouldn't say that. It's just the best stuff is outside, and it's too damn cold to stay out there for very long. There are activities like volleyball, badminton, poker, yoga and exercise classes on various nights of the week. There are actually two small gymnasiums in the Village, and most days something is going on. We do badminton Wednesdays and V-ball Thursdays. Bethy is into a circuit training exercise class on Tuesday nights. Every Sunday morning is a soccer game, first and everyone-welcome and then a more hardcore game for the more macho jocks. We've yet to attend, but when we do, I'll be in the first game -- not sure which one she will play in, probably both.