Me in 25 pictures

I decided to try to show myself in 25 pictures or less for an upcoming secret santa I'm participating in. This is what I came up with...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Some of the things for which I am thankful today:

One year ago today I was unemployed but now I have a good job that I enjoy.
Eleven months ago today I was roofing in the rain and snow for a total shithead but today I am working with wood indoors alongside people I actually like.
Katy.
The fact that I live with a wonderful woman who cooks and bakes amazing food.
No studio projects.
(ergo) I slept last night.
I haven't gone hungry once this year.
I'm able to train jiu jitsu 3 times a week at an excellent school.
The information age.
My family are all happy and enjoying their respective lives.
Red wine.
The array of talents I have inherited/learned over the course of my life.
I am strong and in my prime.
Uncensored books.
My harmonicas.
The abundance of music amidst which I live.
My health.
My two architecture degrees.
Art. All of it.
All of the friends who named their kids after me. I have known no greater honor.
The world's slowly-opening mind.
My kitties.
Lunch... even if it is leftovers (they're from last night's fantastic dinner)
Opposable thumbs.

While many are waking this morning to wonderful food and the comforts of loved ones and holiday traditions, I packed my leftovers and coffee thermos and headed off to work as usual. Alas, there will be no Thanksgiving in Canada today. But that doesn't mean my heart's not in it. I just can't get used to celebrating Thanksgiving in October the way Canadians do. I hope you all have a wonderful turkey day and enjoy a relaxing break from work and your routines. And for God's sake, stay away from the stores tomorrow, will ya? With each participant, so called "black Friday" further solidifies its status as an actual holiday.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I've come so far...

...hard to believe it's been three years since that picture. That life seems so far away.

Comfort in the small things...

"Don't worry, Parker, when I snap you'll go quickly."
-Willy (co-robot master)

Winner!

One of the guys sent me this pic taken after I won my fight at the Revolution tournament... I love having my hand raised.


Thanks to Cole Blevins for the pic.

Won a silver medal this weekend

I fought in a Jiu Jitsu tournament this weekend in Langley, BC. Our friends, Shawn and Kelly, came to watch with Katy and everyone had a really good time. I won my first fight via armbar submission and lost my second fight on points. Though I wish I could have won the day for my friends and for my school, I was happy to have at least made a very good showing in my first fight. At the end of the day I walked away with a silver medal... not bad for my first tournament in four years. Anyway, here's a video of my first fight. I'd show the second, but it's just six minutes of me getting overpowered by a guy who is obviously much more acquainted with the gym than I. He never threatened with submissions, but he was able to take me down and keep me there. It's not the most impressive fight.

But this one...


The loud cheer at the end is Katy. I loved fighting for her. There's something primal about it... fighting to impress a woman. It's the first time she's watched me in a real match. She was a little nervous for me, she said in the end, but always really excited and supportive. I was glad she was there with me.

Anyway, going for a harmonica walk. Hope you all have a good week.

'Night.

Jamming... with my mom!

Have I ever mentioned that I come from a musical family?

Long overdue pictures of kids, family, and the beautiful place I live...

These pics are from the family celebration we had at my sister's house last month. It was awesome seeing everyone and even more awesome playing with all the kids.













I passed out a few of my harmonicas to the kids and we played together. They seemed to have a good time with it...




The next day we went to Ft. Smith to visit the Parkers. I've always loved going to Unlce Joe's house.




We drove past this sign in Vancouver on our way out to Grouse Mountain last weekend.


This is looking back at the edge of downtown Vancouver and Stanley Park as we took the SeaBus North towards the mountain...


This is looking west at Stanley Park and the edge of West Van...


Looking back south at downtown Vancouver as we headed North towards the mountains.


These pictures are from the Capilano Damn on the North shore. All of the water from these mountains drains into this reservoir and serves as Vancouver's drinking water supply... it's Katy's favorite spot in Vancouver and one of the more beautiful places I've seen here. Can you believe this is less than an hour from where we live?