PEOPLE, PLACES, THINGS... the Election vs Pillow Talk

Did you know that Vancouver has a councillor's by-election on October 14th? (note: advance voting Oct 4 & 10th)  Guess is that those who know dates, times issues are  politically inclined, but many others are just surviving day to day and not necessarily thinking about it.    Voting matters, in fact people have died,  in some places on the planet still are,  to have the right to vote and make a difference. I've decided to look at things that matter through a less deadly lens.  This post will fall under the focus of "taking care of ourselves".

I'm aware of the by-election, not because I'm political, but because a neighbour in the "hood" is running.  That neighbour is Pete Fry and he's the guy!... at least he's a nice guy and that's always good to know right?   I love that he mentioned the Eastside Culture Crawl in a recent write up on the creative community -- that's pretty cool.  Have a read on the hyper-link and decide for yourself about Pete and the others.  

Remember when Councillor Geoff Meggs, stepped down from his position at the city?  Well for those who don't,  Geoff is a politician who stepped down from city counsel to take a position with the Province. That was when there was a lot of  excitement rolling out on the new provincial government?  -- Liberals out and coalition government in!! 

It was VERY exciting, even if most people didn't fully get what was going on.  British Columbians  have a knack for doing the unpredictable in this regard.   All I can say is, if anyone doesn't tell you B.C. has the most exciting politics,  then they're totally unaware of how wacky we British Columbian's are.  I actually love B.C. for this quality of voting. 

Anyway, back to Geoff.  He stepped down and I know I'm not the only person out there that didn't get the full picture of what that meant for the city.  It's not part of my everyday world to think about who takes that job on, and how they get it...  Bottom line, is it comes back at us voting citizens, and we need to get out there and voice who fills the space.  Hmmm, how, what, where and who all come rolling out at you so here's the quick answer.  You have 3 chances to place the person who gets the job-- Oct 4th, 10th and voting day the 14th.

Knowing who's running is difficult to keep track of never mind the  issues.  I suggest you go back up to the "that's pretty cool" link above and take a little read (okay I just made it easier for you by hyperlinking it again ; smile).  Here in Strathcona we are lucky as Pete Fry, one of those candidates, live right in our "hood".  What better chance to find out directly about issues than to speak  to your neighbour? 

I know, I know, we're all exhausted putting out more energy all the time but ...  Actually no 'buts' here, as we all know everything before a' but' is questionable right?  Soooo, just go that extra 25% and do it! Get out and vote.  

After you do that voting thing, go rest your head on a pillow.  Speaking of pillows did you know we have another person in our "hood" who makes them?  Yup, just got an e-mail notice from Erika  who's all about pillow fighting!   Love those pillows and I know mine have stood up to some healthy pillow battles.   Erika and Pete are just 2 more people in this place making a mark on things.

You may just want to do a little fun pillow fighting over those political issues.  Have some fun and remember to vote. 

Note: warning your pillow fighting should not get to this level...(take care of yourself!!)

 

 

COMMUNITY -- power to the worker!

To make things happen takes a team, a group of dedicated people, who are inspired by a project, action, and purpose.  It's exciting to be apart of something that manifests into a reality.  Some of those team members in this project are on site.

Who would think that when you take on a building project you develop relationships with such an interesting group of people; architect's, contractors, footing/foundation trades, framers, mechanical specialists, house raisers, city workers, neighbours and the list oges on.  

Many years ago I realized one never does anything alone, opening your eyes to those who work with you, around you, for you, beside you...  That's also when it became important to me remember to thank people for things especially their kindness and personal traits. With the madness of the world today this is not always easy to remember to do, for it requires one to reflect for it to be genuine.  

During this project family has extended to include all the good people who have been interested and belong to the project in one way or another.  This includes those who have lived in or had relatives of the original house and come back to the neighbour hood to visit the community they remember from another time.  It also includes those who live here now and others who didn't even know our "hood" existed.

Some time ago, Marianne asked me to think about a name for the project;  beyond The Big House and the Octopus.  At first I thought it had to be Felliniville, as I always joke my family is like a Fellini movie, but not so sure Federico would approve.  My niece, Natasha and I, over time, have discussed the idea and one day we nailed it -- "D" Village!   

"D" Village is perfect, not only because "it takes a village" as the saying goes, but also because my Mom's name starts with a "D" and is the impetus behind the project itself.

Cheers to community and "D" Village -- working with love.

PROGRESS -- life is breathing into the Octopus

Posting a short time lapse and a few photos on the what is happening at the back of the site.  It has been quite the "reality hit" of what something looks like on paper and what it takes to make that drawing a reality.  Ever ask yourself "oh my, what have I got myself into?"

If you're asking yourself that question, in my opinion,  it's safe to say you're living an exciting life and more than likely you're learning.  Viva la Octopus!

ART -- the line just keeps giving

What do I see when I look at art?  There are lines, form, shapes and color that jump out and sometimes they create landscape, figures, abstract images and so forth.  This is also  found in everyday objects.  At times, I play a game walking through the streets looking for one of these things to educate my eye at the simple act of close looking.  For me, it's about the art of the everyday.  You can go crazy if you look at too many things so focusing on one element of art makes you notice things that are easily missed.

The ECCS (Eastside Culture Crawl Society) is an organization dear to my heart for many reasons. In fact, I believe in this organization so much that I give it my time, energy and creative chutzpah. Every year the ECCS hosts an event called the Culture Crawl and the audience is the public -- people have told me they come from Abbotsford, Montreal, West Vancouver, Toronto, and even Internationally to catch this 4 day celebration of visual art, craft and design.  If it's new to you check it out and join in the fun -- this year it's on from Nov 16-19th.

One of the reasons I love this organization is because it is has grown in professionalism over the last 5 year beyond expectation and yet has not creeped into the area of pretentiousness.  It has been able to maintain it's connection to community spirit while continuing to have artists and public interact directly creating a very human exchange.  It's the best way to experience and learn, and it goes both ways; artist learn from the public and the public learns from the artist.  The exercise I use in looking for art in the everyday applies to focusing on experiencing the Crawl.

For this post I've decided to focus on the line.  Here's a looksee at where the eye has gone in that respect.