Tom, I wish. And yet no. It's just that my current school is run by a coterie of Japanese women, though this is lessening to a degree and after this year, when our principal leaves, will be even less so. My friend calls them the Asian mafia, but Yakuza seems more appropriate to me.

And, FTR, I love them. My previous school was run by a coterie of mostly angry African American women. I wonder if most public schools are run by women?

Abby!

Other than cold, how's Vancouver?

Abby!

We've had hardly any snow in Halifax. You must have our snow. Keep it. Think of it as a gift from me to you.

My grandfather was Canadian. Does that get me anything? I doubt it.

No, but if your grandfather and grandmother were Finnish, you could become a Finnish citizen. This, because of the Finns who spent a whole generation stuck in former Finnish territories occupied by the Soviet Union.

Plei!

Vancouver's good. I moved in November out of the West End (but not too far) with my sister-in-law/BFF. We have two cats and dog in a smallish 3-bedroom basement suite, which is chaotic, but I love it rather a lot.

I'm about done with all the rain/wind/snow though. Did you guys hear about the roof on BC Place?

Sue!

Really, you are too kind. Way, way too kind. Please, it is too much!

No really, since we are having a Vancouver winter, the least I could do is return the favour. I wouldn't want to take your winter and leave you with none.

Hi Abby! Yay for lurkers!

Speaking of citizenship, I knew a guy who grew up in Zambia, thinks of himself as Zambian, etc., but his parents are German, so now he has an EU passport. Sweet deal.

I really miss the cherry blossoms. They sometimes come out in January.

How are we to be expected to keep up our quota of mocking Eastern Canada at this rate??

I'm about done with all the rain/wind/snow though. Did you guys hear about the roof on BC Place?

No! I didn't. Probably because whatever happened no doubt happened while I Had No Power.