The Weekend

After work on Friday, Betty and I went to the local gym. We then picked the kids up and went to Rogers because Shaula wanted to rent the just-released on DVD animation Hoodwinked. I watched the last 20 minutes. It looked pretty good to me, more sophisticated than Finding Nemo, Monsters, Inc., and the ilk.

We went for a 30 minute walk first thing Saturday, and met up with Betty's parents for a dim sum brunch on Victoria Drive. Total bill for four adults and the two kids, including tip: $20. In contrast, I paid $18 just for myself for a dim sum lunch with co-workers in Richmond on Friday.

Saturday was International Astronomy Day, so at noon we made our way out to the planetarium where I spent about a half hour checking out the displays and the Antares Optical booth. Antares is a local telescope manufacturer/wholesaler. They had a "everyone's a winner" draw. My prize was a coupon for a 25% discount off all accessories on a future purchase.

Next, we went to West Point Grey, West Tenth Avenue near UBC, actually, to do some shopping. We rarely venture this far west. I bought a few toys for the kids at Kaboodles, Betty a pair of jeans at Changes, and I bought some chocolate at Daniel (see picture).



On the way home, I dropped by Vancouver Telescope's new premises at the corner of West Fourth and Blenheim. We never made it to the Café Artigiano in Kerrisdale.

After dinner Betty and I went for another 30 minute walk. We spent the rest of the evening, hours, going through my clothes to see what can be given away: I've since lost weight, and it was high time for me to relinquish some of my pack rat attitudes given our shortage of storage space.

Betty and I hit the gym Sunday morning and then the family hit our second home, Metrotown mall. Here's what I picked up:



Pomegranate sure seems to be in these days!

The four books I bought (Algernon, Charlie, and I, Blindsided, Birders, Speaking of Success), all non-fiction, were from the clearance tables at Chapters. The Pamela Wallin (yes, Pamela Wallin the news lady) book is very good based on a cursory read. When I got home later, I looked them up on Amazon and Chapters. Lucky for me, Algernon, Charlie, and I and Blindsided garnered good reviews.





We also made our way to the Burnaby Public Library. I took out The Power of Generosity and Field Notes on the Compassionate Life.