Boxing Day Shopping

So with no clear purchase agenda, Julianne and I drove down to the Eaton Centre to see if there were any bargains to had. HBC gift cards in hand, we checked out the Bay... but there was really nothing that we really needed. We did pickup 8 bowls to match our current dishes, but of course they were regular price.

Venturing into the mall, Julianne was keen to check out Thyme Maternity and Motherhood stores... both had very unimpressive deals. I mentioned to Julie that I thought the GAP had a maternity section and that's where she hit the mother load. (so to speak) Everything was 30% off the price that was already discounted. The find of the day was a pair of white capri pants for $6.99 All in all, I think she got about 10 items for under $100 total.

Here are a few she picked for Baby Bata.

Merry Christmas !!!

Julianne made her contribution to the ongoing quality of content of the blog site by presenting me with a 50mm Nikon f1.4 lens for Christmas. She explained to me how she debated between the f1.8 and f1.4 FYI the 1.4 cost about double what the 1.8 does, but she felt that it would 1.4 was worth the price for the better image quality. What a great girl.

So I'm totally digging the superflat depth of field. However, the non-zoom nature of the lens is forcing a little unplanned exercise in getting the shot just right. Here are a few shots from Christmas dinner at Nelene's

Deanne & Timmies wedding day

So as the pictures show, the weather cleared for the wedding day.

It was an interesting experience to be around the brides place on the big day. It was really a hive of activity with videographers, photographers, hairstylists and makeup artists negotiating around family members, all making the last minute preparation. It was definitely a far cry from the scotch and pizza pre-wedding snack we had on my day.

After a morning of preparation, we trekked down from the Villas to the city of Scarborough (yes, Scarborough is the capital of Tobago). Scarborough is very hilly and the church is on the side of a hill that overlooks the bay. The ceremony was performed in a full church. It went off without a hitch. The only slight unforeseen event was that the rings may have slightly shrunk in the island heat as rumour is that they were a little tight to squeeze on.

We returned to Stonehaven Villas for the reception. Dinner and dancing was great by the highlight for me was the dunk in the pool to end the evening. More photos can by found by following the "my photos" link

Tobago days 1-3

Okay, well really day one and two. At least it wasn't snow... and actually it only rained in short bursts and dried pretty quickly. I'd still take the occasionally wet 28 odd Celsius over the big zero it was back in Hogtown. We stay the first few days on the Tobago Hilton properties, Plantation Villas. It's an assortment of the hotel, semi-detached condos and detached villas. Our place was very nice, two bedrooms and bathrooms with a large private deck. Julianne's dad also was nearby in one of the detached villas. A 4 bedroom home with a private pool backing on the golf course.

Honestly, the first few days were pretty low key thanks to the rain. We visited Storebay, a public beach and market but is was pretty quiet due to the unpredictable weather.

On the 3rd day I did get a chance to play the Tobago Plantations course. A PGA ranked course and stop on the seniors tour.



Definitely a nice course with great weather but the highlight was the 3rd hole where the rolling waves against the rocks backdrop the green. (an impressive single bogey on the most difficult hole on the course)

So for the LuMBeR crew... the verdict...well read it for yourselves... and only 6 lost balls.

Movie review... I mean finally...

Okay, finally a movie review. I felt this one was worth blogging because many people probably never saw it or will likely not see it.

Two things you should know about myself as a reviewer.
1. I am NOT and environmentalist. I believe that climate changes are a natural part of the big eco-bubble we call earth and dramatic changes have happened in the past. Also, i don't believe the last hundred years of temperature data we have is enough to draw conclusions on a weather system that has existed for billions of years. (for some interesting 'fictional' arguments about global warming, read Michael Crichton's book "State of Fear")
2. I am a car enthusiast as my prior entries illustrate. I love the power of my 333hp BMW even though it gets less than 100km/10litres on most tanks. I believe any car should have enough power to go when you want it to go, regardless if your doing 40km/hr or 140km/hr.

So that brings me to the movie... I don't know if it's because i'm getting older, but it seems like there are a lot more entertaining documentary films than there was 20 years ago. All of the Michael Moore films, or one with the guy that ate all the McDonalds food (name escapes me right now... brain cramp)

So the electric car follows the birth and death of the GM EV1. It does a great job in establishing the force and technology and promise behind the birth of the car. For those unfamiliar with it, its an odd looking car, definitely has a cuteness factor... feels a bit like Herbie by the midpoint of the film.



This is important, because if you don't root for this little car, you'll miss the impact of its demise. The film does a great job of portraying various 'evil empires' by attempting to erase history.

I can't ever see myself protesting over a car but I would say that it's an engaging movie and it was successful in having me raising the question of why not having an electric car.

Especially if it was this one. I just need to figure out how to come up with the 100k or so pay for it. Tesla Motors