A Collection of Daily Wisdom by Dennis Sylvester Hurd since September 2003.

This Windows Media Video clip should've been added here earlier in the week but I had to re-attach the wires to my computer. It was a fairly simple process. I long for the day when I'll say, "Computer. Capture that one-minute, CTV clip of the apartment fire in our building and add it as an entry in my blog." Someday.

Labels: Hardware, New Westminster, YouTube

It feels as though we were waiting a long time for the mist to disappear.



Just yesterday, the environment cleared a bit and this morning seems even more fog-free. I can see the other side of the river from the window. But damn ... I'm so fickle. I already miss it.

The week of fog made everything seem comfortable and close. During these times just sticking around the house feels wonderful. I rank the recent fog in the same category as a strong nor'-east'a snow storm along the North-American Atlantic coastline or a good shamal dust-storm in the Persian Gulf.

Labels: weather

This year, I have decided the television show I just can't do without is Grey's Anatomy set in Seattle. Might it be that I have an unnatural infatuation for Canadian actress Sandra Oh? Anyway, the show's not your typical medical drama.

Labels: Seattle, television

Fire is a basic element. I blogged about the cinematic quest for it in an entry in October. Being able to control fire is a major cornerstone of civilization and proof of man's evolution.

Still, beyond the primitive fascination, there must be a universal destructive relationship between man's dwellings and fire. Fires where people live are an important part of history both recent and ancient. For example many cities including this one have completely burnt down in the past. In New Westminster, it occurred in 1898.

Technology brings new more flammable materials yet provides the means to extinguish them with new fire-fighting apparatus. I saw some the other night. This building's alarm system is a miracle of sorts, controlling elevator access and fans as well as just the warning siren. The night of the apartment fire, indicator lights in lobby access panels were flashing in a colourful display one would expect at NASA's mission control.

Labels: New Westminster

The entries are a bit late today as I was in bed. I was robbed of a several hours of sleep last night due to a fire in this building. At around 2:15 the alarm sounded. I could smell smoke only after getting up and opening the doorway to the corridor. Of course during an alarm one must exit using one of the duel stairwells. The futher down one went, the smokier it became. I had to hold my breath.

Outside we met across the street. It was easy to see the fire burning in the apartment right above the main entrance. The flames caused the window to shatter and then consumed items near it in a wall of orange. Firetrucks and police cars lined Carnarvon Street. Emergency services provided several Translink busses for residents to stay warm in. When vacating, warmth wasn't a perquisite for clothing choice.

They got the fire doused quickly but, of course, the firemen had to check out the situation. We weren't allowed in the building. After about two hours they allowed all those on floors 3 and above to return. Special arrangements for accommodation were made for those living near the fire and for those with kids or breathing problems.

Everything was handled smoothly and without undue stress. The ventilation of the building has already removed most of the smoke smell. I just got up, but I will check to see if I can take a picture later.

Labels: New Westminster

Lately, you might have a little trouble seeing something even if it's quite near. There's been constant fog since last week. When I went to class at 12:30 yesterday, it wasn't too bad. I took the picture when I got there.

The fog grew thicker though. It was especially dense yesterday evening. When I was driving back from BCIT at 5:30, I had to take it easy. Few other drivers seemed to be doing so.

The fog made me feel a tiny bit strange. I wasn't scared but the whole world did seem unusual. Perhaps mysterious is the best adjective I could use to describe what it accomplished. It made even the well-known seem vague and unique. It brought deceptiveness. I could have been led to believe that nearly anything was lying around the next corner.

Labels: BCIT, weather

You'd never find them when driving around. They blend in too well with the commercial environment of ethnic restaurants and businesses along Fraser Street in Vancouver.



Although in British Columbia over nine and a half years, we'd never gone shopping expressly for Sri Lankan food products. Yesterday, we found three, main grocery shops on Fraser Street in Vancouver, BC. These small markets carry otherwise-impossible-to-find items which are manufactured and exported from the island. We returned with a cache of goodies that I've not eaten since several months in Sri Lanka in the fall of 2004.

Labels: food

I was looking at the links of how visitors arrive here. I found that I'm interesting and important. Here's Feedster's blurb:

Each month, Feedster brings you a list of 500 of the most interesting and important blogs. Enjoy browsing to see what people are reading, to find feeds that will bring topics of interest to you on a regular basis, and to discover new voices in the Blogosphere.

The honour is quite gratifying. I'm ahead of thousands and thousands of other blogs at their list's number ... 396 .