2013 Ends

I must admit that this has been a trying year in every respect.  There are however two things that I learned this year that I will never forget and both have to do with people.  On the one hand, I learned that things are not always as they appear, and on the other that what is seen is artful, without hidden agendas and rue in a sense that can only be described as a gift.

Of the first, there is nothing I will comment on further.  Our world and our country is an oligarchy of narrow interests whose internal compasses have long ago lost its moral direction and does not know what is right and what is wrong.  The result is that most of the world suffers while few thrive.

The second is the gift that is my son.  He is autistic.  We have learned that in that gift we find a person without guile, without malice, without hidden agendas, without hatred.  He sees the best in people and is incapable of arrogance, deceit or sarcasm.  He is truly a gift sent to teach me and his mother what purity of mind is all about.  Were we all similarly disposed, the world would be a far better place.

2014 will be about him - about his growth and happiness.  

Video Highlights: First Home - Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2013

Video Highlights: First Home - Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2013

Christmas Traditions

A little bit of Peanuts and the late great Vince Guaraldi.  i grew up with Peanuts and sometimes I really miss the humour and especially Snoopy.

Vince Guaraldi left us way too soon.

Crossing the Pacific

We hope to follow:

Global Wind patterns

This is a really cool site to see an animation of global wind patterns.  Go to this link

Merry Christmas Everyone

We watched the classic version of Dickens - A Christmas Carol with Alistair Sims.  It's a great movie and never seems to lose its message - although the world doesn't listen.  However, although I had posted it earlier, it is never Christmas until this piece is played:

Merry Christmas to all - sailors and non-sailors alike.

Cornell's Ocean Atlas

Jimmy Cornell has published a new Ocean Atlas that has a an interesting plot worldwide of the probability and force of wind, tide, and likely storm tracks to help you plan your routing - say across the Pacific.

Cornell's Ocean Atlas

The chart below shows the upper red line being the traditional route sailed shown in old pilot charts ( in this case just off eastern Canada in the Atlantic) while the lower red line points to a route that would take better advantage of the winds as they are now observed.  

For more on this really cool Atlas visit Jimmy Cornell's Site

Vancouver Concert Band at Dickens School

We played a short concert at the Dickens School in Vancouver this past Wednesday.  Good audience and it was fun to do.

View from the Trumpet Section 

Frank Ludwig Holding the Baton

Yours truly on Flute

Thompson Rivers University

I have had the pleasure the last year or so working with Thompson Rivers University on a new Campus Master Plan.  It was a pleasure working with this client.  They have a breath-taking site and as they grow, the plan defines a framework that will allow the expanded area while creating a high quality campus experience for students, faculty and the community of Kamloops BC.  Many thanks to collaborators Ray, Carla and Anthea (you know who you are), and to Cliff, Alan and Matt on the client side.