I don’t know what to do with my pictures now that the Photo Throwdown is over

Checking out the Van Dusen Gardens, January 1st.

What am I supposed to do with these excess photos?!

336-364: Photographing happens, posting doesn’t.

To make up for the last 20+ days, here are two slideshows worth of photos:

First: Christmas on the Island with my family

Second: The rest of December

 

A photo, every day, all year. Tomorrow is the final day with Andrea Woo.

5

 

I've busted a few balls over the years. Goodbye Christmas, see you next year. (iPhone - January 5, 2011)

Check out my competition in this photo throwdown at Andreawoo.com.

So this is Boxing Day…

And that means Christmas is a long way away.

There are two things, nay, three things that I generally do on Boxing Day. 1. Shop, 2. Travel, 3. Blog about Christmas.

Seeing that I’m in Nanaimo and few of the stores I frequent even exist here, I don’t anticipate much of number 1.

I am, however, considering a return to the Lower Mainland today.  For one, I didn’t pack much for this trip and am already running out of things to wear. Secondly, I hate rushing back to the routine.  If possible, I’d rather have a day to get back on track before the inevitable return to work.

It’s 6:30am.

I have no interest in being awake right now.  It’s Sunday morning and I wanted nothing more than a nice long sleep to recharge my batteries.  I took it easy last night, opting for watching hockey and some episodes of the trashy MTV show, Jersey Shore, over anything in a social capacity.  I was in bed by 11:30, hoping that even if I woke up early, I would still get a decent sleep.

Sleep fail.

A Calgary Christmas

The weather tried, albeit unsuccessfully, to keep me from visiting my brother and his fiancee in Calgary.  After a cancelled flight, I braved blizzard conditions followed by wind and now, a deep freeze.  With the wind chill, we are sitting at a balmy -31 degrees.  I prepped for a winter wonderland but this is a bit extreme.

El Christmas

(Video Format at bottom of post) 

With the surprisingly large dump of snow this weekend and the erection of a tree in my living room, I can’t help but think about Christmas. 

The celebrations are starting a bit early this year.  Without a home to return to in my homeland (Edmonton), I’ll be spending Christmas in BC.  But first I’ll fly to Calgary on the 12th, drive up to Edmonton on the 14th and fly out on the 17th.  It’s a quick visit, but seeing that I won’t get to spend Christmas with my brother, this trip seemed essential.  

I’m in a weird Christmas situation this year.  My parents have packed up all their belongings, including Christmas decorations, and await the construction of a new home.  My folks, despite being together, live in different cities, separated by a ferry ride.  Neither of their current homes are large enough to accommodate more than 3 of us.  

So, my Christmas base is my own apartment.  I carried my tree home yesterday, thinking that if I didn’t do it now, it wouldn’t happen until next weekend and then I’d only have a few days to enjoy it before leaving.  I really do enjoy Christmas.  I like the tree,  the lights, the cheesy music, wrapping gifts, candles… And I like Vancouver snow.  

Vancouver snow comes down in giant flake conglomerates. They are giant and fluffy until they hit you or the ground.  There is an immediate melting process which prevents much snow accumulation.   It’s because the temperature isn’t really cold!  And you know the snow won’t last.  You can likely go without shoveling, ever.  And the city snow-removal team doesn’t seem to sand the roads.  So there is no dirty side of the snow process. 

It might be a bit cliched to say I don’t need presents at Christmas, but it’s true.  My overall enjoyment is the atmosphere of Christmas.  There is a feeling.  I mean, I’m still vaguely depressed and surly, but my core is.. warm?  

That all said, people (Mom, Dad and brother) will still buy me presents and I will be happy because of it.  If there was a no present or present choice at Christmas, I’d still choose the present option.  They say every year I’m hard to shop for.  Every year, I’m required to provide a list.  So, via the magic of the internet, my Christmas list: 

1. Board Games

2. People to play Board Games with me

3. Digital SLR Camera (this has been promised to me as a graduation gift, but if I can get it any sooner…)

4. Spices, Sauces, Cooking Stuff

5. Marty Reasoner (in a picture, in person, on a jersey, in a jersey..)

6. Art for my living room

7. A Wii (preferably with Guitar Hero 3)

8. Record Player that works

9. A job so that I don’t have to go to school anymore

10. Tights (thick, not like pantyhose)

11. A massage

12. Magazine Subscription (McSweenies or Trashy Womens) 

13. Bath Products

14. Non-fiction Books

15. DVDs (Newsradio, Freaks and Geeks, Science of Sleep… too lazy to think of more)

That’s a start right? 

Gimme presents. 

Merry Christmas!

And there seems to be interest in seeing this video style again, so here you go: