English Bay on the longest day
Vancouver, BC
Advertisements
Eileen Campbell
The Fox by R. Williams Parry
March 14, 2018 — 49thandpacificOne hundred yards from the top of the mountain, when the peal
Of the churches on the slopes were inviting us towards them,
And the unspent sun of glorious July
Inviting us towards the mountain – right there,
On an unknowing foot and quiet trot
His rare beauty wandered in front of us
We, without movement and without a breath
Were paralysed a moment, like a trinity of stones
We stood, when in the middle of an uncaring step
He too stood frozen in space, above
His one tentative foot the two steady flames
Of his eyes upon us. Then, without hurrying or panic
His red fur slid over the ridge;
It happened, it ended, like a shooting star.
above English translation by Rhodri Evans
Original Welsh poem: Y Llwynog
Ganllath o gopa’r mynydd, pan oedd clych
Eglwysi’r llethrau’n gwahodd tua’r llan,
Ac annrheuliedig haul Gorffennaf gwych
Yn gwahodd tua’r mynydd, – yn y fan,
Ar ddiarwybod droed a distaw duth,
Llwybreiddiodd ei ryfeddod prin o’n blaen
Ninnau heb ysgog ac heb ynom chwyth
Barlyswyd ennyd; megis trindod faen
Y safem, pan ar ganol diofal gam
Syfrdan y safodd yntau, ac uwchlaw
Ei untroed oediog dwy sefydlog fflam
Ei lygaid arnom. Yna heb frys na braw
Llithrodd ei flewyn cringoch dros y grib;
Digwyddodd, darfu, megis seren wîb.
R. Williams Parry (1924)
September 30, 2017 @ 6:07 p.m. pdt
September 30, 2017 — 49thandpacific“How am I supposed to breathe when you take my breath away?” (Greg Sczebel)
The Meaning of Relativity by Albert Einstein, Introduction by Brian Greene
September 1, 2017 — 49thandpacificBrian Greene and I speak the same language, English, at least in some of his books.
His simple explanations bring concepts into focus for simple me.
His Introduction was a pleasure.
And then the Introduction ended.
The main event began.
The Meaning of Relativity
page 1:
“The theory of relativity is closely connected with the theory of space and time. I shall therefore begin with a brief investigation of the origin of our ideas of space and time, although in doing so I know that I introduce a controversial subject. …”*
As much as I cherished the lessons from Brian Greene, here now was Albert Einstein, talking to me like I understood every word.
Bliss.
Communication is so important. Despite the wide chasm in our I.Q.s, we were doing just fine since we met 3 minutes ago. I eased myself deeper into the Macy’s Martha Stewart medium and extra firm pillows, took some deep relaxing breaths, and rejoiced in my good luck to finally be introduced to him, Albert Einstein, after all these years. Why had I resisted for so long?
page 3:
“…By means of simple changes in position we can bring two bodies into contact…”*
He is a sweet talker. I don’t mind.
But then, as all relationships do I suppose, a perturbation arose. It happened when I turned to page 4; a lack of understanding if you will, a gap.
What was that?
– An equation.
I read the passage once more, and again. Yes, phew, got through that hurdle. And we are back on track.
“Does anyone ever call you Al?”
Onward to page 5.
Here again was a challenge. Another equation. But it was small, simple letters.
Got it. Where there is a will there is a way Al. Now that I’ve found you I’m going to persevere.
And so Al continued his discourse.
Wow! Who knew? Me and Al.
Until page 6, where a total communication break down occurred.
Sadly, our relationship was over.
With a heavy heart I turned off the light.
I will always remember the hope. And now, to dream.
*The Meaning of Relativity by Albert Einstein with an Introduction by Brian Greene Princeton University Press, New Princeton Science Library Edition, 2014
August
August 12, 2017 — 49thandpacificAugust, the climax of the year. Trees are lush and heavy. The fruit is ripe. A carefree laziness fills the hours. For a precious few weeks we forget what day it is. Every day is exquisitely the same. Nothing to do but complain about the heat.
But soon enough, that satisfying contentment is shattered by one dreaded sentence; someone you like quite well may utter it, or perhaps a stranger wandering close enough to be heard: “You can feel that nip in the air.”
There it is, in its naked starkness like a sumptuous August tree in January. We all know it but are too prudent to speak the obvious: the heat wave has ended.
Yes, August is passing us by and we are heading into fall. And then the second nail in summer’s coffin: One leaf floats down, drifting from side to side, landing right there.
Today is hot, August still full of promise. I enjoy the luxury of my favourite month in delicious solitude, only every so often allowing in close family and trusted friends.
They know full well there is to be no unmentionable utterances as we bask in the blissful afternoon sun.
Vancouver City Hall
August 11, 2017 — 49thandpacific
Not one drinking establishment an easy walk from City Hall. There used to be a lounge across the street. And a pub kitty corner in the City Square Mall.
Are those people running things actually sober?
There is a marijuana store.
Love this rainy day view.
Beautiful, isn’t it?
straighten your tie
May 27, 2017 — 49thandpacificSome of the ladies like the casual look but how can you beat a suit?
And there is nothing better than a tux; a man who can wear a tux like he’s in pyjamas, a lucky guy. Is it the underlying allure of pyjamas?
That’s the thing about a suit – all done up. Which leads to news anchors. Sitting behind that desk, reading news to me, as impervious as it gets; armour, a barrier, no opening.
Who said ladies don’t like a challenge?
I would like her job.
Matt Bomer
There is something about a man straightening his tie that gets to the heart of me.
One of my fellow bloggers grabbed my attention immediately when he liked my site with this view:
from Jesse Kerema’s blog “A Journey to Success”
Sadly, Roger Moore is gone. I liked him as James Bond but he wasn’t one of my favourites. Ultimately it’s how they wear the tux. The original – Sean Connery:
Not bad –
Honourable mention to Daniel Craig.
Daniel Craig as James Bond
My favourite 007 is Pierce Brosnan. And now we get to the crux of it.
It’s going to rain.
May 19, 2017 — 49thandpacific“It’s going to rain,” she said. “I was going for a walk but I’m turning back.”
“It’s not going to rain,” repeating, “it’s not going to rain. The weather forecast says it’s going to be hot on the weekend.”
“Hot?” She was looking up. “No, it looks dark. It’s going to rain.”
“It’s not going to rain. It’s dark because the sun is setting. There is no rain in the forecast for 4 days.”
“Really? No rain? But it’s cold…It’s going to rain.”
“It’s cold because you are in the shade. It’s going to be dry.”
She was incredulous. “Dry?”
“Yes.”
“No rain?”
“That’s right. No rain.”
She needed to believe it and continued on her walk.
