Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Mounted

A quick update, as it has been a while since I wrote an entry in this web log. Ok, last weekend, Santa Claus paraded into town. And with him, practically all the organizations in the Vancouver community. It was fun to watch. On the photo you see me with some Mounted Police without their mounts. The red uniform is one f the most recognizable international symbols. It was chosen as a contrast against the American Army's blue one, so that Indians could tell bad (US army) from good (Canadian police) guys. Talking about Canadians and Americans: they both like to line up at restaurants and bars. The longer the line, the more they want to eat there. In the other news: I received my copy of the OpenGL Orange Book from Amazon. I am using it to improve Stormbaan Coureur.

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Parking Regulations Vancouver Style

The city council here loves parking signs. They love them so much that they prefer to bundle them together. Take this sign at Beach Avenue for example. You are supposed to read them in a flash as you drive by looking for a spot. Interpret four pictograms, three arrows, two time ranges, a duration, and two day ranges in one second. You get here at Saturday 17:00h and see this sign. What do you do? Park or do not park? That's the question. BUZZZZZ! Wrong answer.

De stadsraad heeft een voorliefde voor parkeer verkeersborden. Het liefst gebruiken ze deze bij bosjes. Neem bijvoorbeeld deze collectie op Beach Avenue. Je wordt verondesteld om het even snel in het voorbijgaan te lezen, terwijl je op zoek bent naar een plekje. Ontcijfer vier pictogrammen, drie pijltjes, twee tijd slots, een tijdsduur en twee dag specificaties in een seconde. Je komt hier op Zaterdag, 17:00 uur, wat doe je? Parkeren of niet parkeren? BZZZZ! fout antwoord.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Canuck Impotence

I just witnessed my first NHL hockey game. The local team here had adopted the US slang word Canuck. It's a good thing that I saw some proper hockey by the Giants, because the Canucks failed to score tonight. Well, normally a 0-0 does not have to be bad, as long as it is Soccer. In Hockey, I expect at least some goals, or if not, some dog fighting. Both were not present at this game. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd periods were goal-less, and so was the extra time. Even when they did the shoot-out (much like Penalties in Soccer) Vancouver failed to score. The Edmonton Oilers put in 1 goal during the shoot-out though. At work I had printed out the anthem lyrics, but darn it, I left it at the office. So I sang along half the lines of the anthem. Oh well, better luck next time. The pictures show the line up for the anthem, and the first Oiler shoot-out (a miss).

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Remembrance

November the 11th has a different meaning in Canada than it has in North Holland. Here, we remember the fallen soldiers. Amy and I went to a performance by the Vancouver Youth Symphony Orchestra. I had never been to a symphony orchestra before, and must say I was blown away... Wow. They played one of my favourive pieces: Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber (1910-1981). It started with the Canadian anthem, which was very impressive. I meant to learn the lyrics, but I had not yet taken the time. I regretted this, as I would have liked to sing along. The adagio was chilling. Goosebumps all over. Brahms, Elgar and Dvorak were wonderful also. I definately want to go more often. It seems to be a well kept secret here. Fantastic music, which is easily accessible. The audience was mostly family of the more than 80 orchestra members, but they are exceptionally good.


11 November heeft hier een andere betekenis dan in Noord Holland. Hier herdenken we de gevallen Canadase soldaten. Amy en ik hebben een optreden van het Vancouver Youth Symphony Orchestra bijgewoond. Het was mijn eerste symphonie concert ooit, en wow, was ik even onder de indruk. Ze speelden zelfs een van mijn favoriete stukken: Adagio for Strings door Samuel Barber (1910-1981). Het begon met het Canadese volkslied, en dat was zeer indrukwekkend. I was van plan de tekst te leren, maar daar was het nog niet van gekomen. Graag had ik het meegezongen. The Adagio was een enorme ervaring waar ik kippevel van kreeg. Ook Brahms, Elgar en Dvorak waren prachtig. Het lijkt een goedbewaard geheim. De bezoekers waren voornamelijk familieleden van de meer dan 80 orkest leden, maar het niveau was bijzonder hoog.

My first Hockey game

Courtesy of Shawna, I attended my first hockey game. It was between the Vancouver Giants and the Prince George Cougars. It's not the big NHL, but a lower league game. Yet, over 6000 people attended it. I was rooting for the cougars, but the Giants fans you see in the picture had more to cheer for. They won with 7 to 4 goals. I blame the ref who was favouring the home team. See in the photo how shameless commercialism is taking over the noble game. During recess, little kids battled it out on the ice.

Sunday, November 4, 2007

Fare Thee Well

Amy's zus had ons uitgenodigd voor een bezoek aan een concert van Great Big Sea, een band uit New Found Land. De band heeft een trouwe schare fans, die het repetoire uit volle borst meezingt. De muziek klinkt af en toe alsof het uit een Iers vissersdorp komt. Best wel tof, zeker met een biertje op. Het podium was van een Casino. Mijn vader zal trots op me zijn, ik heb welgeteld nul dollar, en nul pennies aan het gokken besteed. Verder heb ik nog te melden dat nu eindelijk mijn naam op de gevel van het gebouw prijkt. Na er 5 keer omgevraagd te hebben, heb ik het uiteindelijk zelf moeten doen.


English translation is left as an excercise for the reader.