Three for Three and Eight for Eight

Having accrued only a few social contacts during our first 10 weeks in our temporary location, we tend to gravitate toward town and college activities. Those at the college tend to be free or 'by donation'. By a random twist of fate, we had something happening each week night this last week. Monday - movie, Tuesday - movie, Wednesday - music concert, Thursday - kayaking, Friday - play. Over the preceding weekend we had also seen a movie on DVD. That's 3 movies, rather closely packed together, unusual for us. And all three were good, three for three! They were "Melinda and Melinda", "The Mistress of Spices", and "Urga - Close to Eden". The first was Hollywood, but clever. The second and third we can highly recommend. In fact, for me the third is one of those special movies that will stand out among all the movies seen in a lifetime - despite leaving me depressed about what is happening to the planet in our lifetime.

Thursday's weather forecast was belied by the actual weather; no thunderstorms nor even rain arrived. There was wind, but the Kayak Master chose our route to circumnavigate Newcastle Island in the safer and easier direction. Eli has become accustomed to the kayak, finding it reasonably comfortable and no longer tippy. Nevertheless, the cold and dark may shut down our season. This was our eighth reasonably successful trip; so we're eight for eight! Each trip was between two and three hours of paddling, We started the sessions in September, so this is perhaps more kayaking than we'd do if we owned kayaks. The university provides kayaks, all gear, transportation, and the Kayak Master at a cost of $5 per time for students (e.g. Eli) and $9 per time for faculty (e.g. me). It's typically a small and fun group.

On Friday evening, we attended a play, "How the other half loves", at the Nanaimo Theatre Group's facility, the Bailey Theatre. The play was witty and interwove the lives of three couples simultaneously, rather than sequentially. It worked well. The Bailey is a perfect size, generally well designed, and in good repair.

Yesterday we again hiked Arrowsmith, but this time with Ray. The weather up high was foggy and increasingly cold and wet as we ascended. As enjoyment turned to deep despair, we hurriedly ate our lunch and turned about well before the summit - worried about wet slippery rock becoming iced. Nevertheless we had a good workout. Ray had driven, so we picked up our car at Ray's after a spot of wine. We may try another weekend hike with Ray next Saturday, but the forecast needs to change first. So ended our frenzied week.

Richard
2006.10.29