BALANCE

Last week I was in beautiful Victoria, BC. 

My daughter and her High School Marching Band were there to march in the Victoria Day Parade.  They even made the front page of the local paper!

My wife and I were there to celebrate the beginning of 20 years of Marriage in the place we honeymooned.

While we were there we met so many very nice people and saw so many beautiful things.

You might know, I'm a hockey fanatic. 

The Stanley Cup is named after Lord Stanley.  He also happens to have a park in Vancouver aptly called Stanley Park.  We had to stop by and say Hi.

I also was able to go by GM Place, the stadium of the Vancouver Canucks.  The truth is they have never been one of my favorite teams.  Can you tell?

 

We had lunch in a cute little tea house up island called Adrienne's.

Who would have guessed it was owned and run by the parents of one of my favorite NHL Goal Tenders of all times, Ron Hextall!  Ron wasn't there but I did manage to get behind the cash register for a photo.

On the way back we had to stop off at Timmy's place.  No, I wasn't hungry for a Timbit.

Wait - did you know Tim Horton was a NHL Hockey Player?  Now you do!

Hey, I met another famous Ron along the way...

While touring the gorgeous Butchart Gardens we were able to recreate a picture my wife and I took almost 20 years ago, this time with a small addition.

It was a beautiful time. 

On the last day, my daughter surprised me with a little something.

A small pocket reminder in pewter. 

You'll recognize this as the symbol Yin Yang.  Good vs Evil.  Light and Dark.  Chose your own label.  My interpretation is simply, Balance.  In everything there is balance.

I was reminded of that balance on our return home. 

One of our best friends live in Colorado. 

Windsor, CO to be exact.

This is a video of her neighborhood. 

She wasn't hurt.  Her family is ok. 

Her toddler son was in the Day Care but came out ok (the restaurant next door was leveled).

Right now we're looking to help those that didn't.

Balance...

Ygnacio Valley H.S. Marching Band

 

I'll be a "Band Dad" again this weekend. 

The Ygnacio Valley High School Marching Band will be loaded and on the Bus before dawn Saturday.

They'll be marching in beautiful Napa Valley in the Vintage Reserve Band Festival.  They are a small but wonderful group of kids.   I just hope it doesn't rain.

Last weekend they finished FIRST in the Lodi Grape Bowl!  Go Warriors!

Incidentally, if you have a kid in the band, I have 500+ photos uploaded in a private website.  Call me and I'll send you the link.  (925) 639-1078

And remember, I'll donate $500 to the YVHS music program for every loan you refer to me.   Call me for details.