I remember running an errand to Main St on a "car free" day. The side roads were completely clogged and traffic was at a standstill on these residential side roads. It entirely defeats the purpose. Take bus, skytrain, walk, ride bikes etc. but at all costs DO NOT DRIVE TO CAR FREE DAY. Thanks!

I imagine a child wandering off onto a road. A panicked parent rushes to snatch and snap the little one out of harms way. Anger, fear, and shoulder shaking. A raised voice criticizing and demanding, what’s wrong with you? and don’t ever do that again. Then the shock and pain of a spanking. I am coming to understand now why I instinctually beat myself up so much at near misses and innocuous blunders. I tried to speak kindly to myself like I’m a little child to no avail. I’ve realized it’s not the kid inside who’s upset or scared, it is a protective parent. What I’d say to soothe a frantic parent greatly differs from a startled pre schooler. Everything is okay. Nothing bad happened. You’re not a bad person. This happens to more people than you think. I am okay. I love you.

It's a strange poem. And with the aurora making regular appearances it's come back to mind. Three friends venturing to seek out what fortune can be made of a mysterious phenomenon. One has a problem with their feet and bows out. Another wanders off with disjointed speech and is lost from exposure. The writer makes it and is in awe of the crackling magnetic glow, yet returns to civilization penniless, still alive, but starving. In my life I've seen parallels of the poem play out in unexpected ways. It's caused me to wonder if chasing passions and the discovery of self is a fools errand. Therapy is expensive and it leaves me lonely and hungry.

I hit retirement age a couple of years ago. Found out I have a terminal illness and decided to change how I live. I moved somewhere very warm all year with beautiful beaches. Got rid of my car. Started walking a lot. Eat less. No Alcohol. Less TV and internet. No social media. Etc. I feel amazing! I wish I had done this sooner lol.

It happened during practice when I strummed my guitar and the drummer who looked like she could pass for a grandmother expected me to slow down. Been playing guitar for over 20 years and some tired old fogey tells me how I should play. I felt belittled. Didn't like that, it got way too boring for me. So I simply left. Can't stay in any band unless your heart's content.

I admit that I absolutely hate how certain groups are trashing our beautiful city with all their sticky posters . Why do you insist on making this beautiful city look like a third world country ?

There is an abandoned K2 red telephone booth just off of Commercial Drive that sparks my imagination every time I see it. There needs to be a speakeasy on the other side of that booth just like the famous PDT in New York. There’s no hot dog joint, but I’ll take it. If we put a spin on it and had a Shuswap bannock joint I would be in heaven.

Not going to spend any more time complaining to Translink about my overcrowded bus route. Overcrowding is happening on a lot of buses throughout the lower mainland and nothing is getting done. Just all talk and no action. Even if you complain to a customer service agent and they pass it on there’s really nothing they can do. The agents have no control over what the higher-ups do. They basically just get paid to sit in a call centre, give directions and listen to your problems over the phone. I’m done.