Of Birthdays and Water

What a week. Last Thursday, amid all the rain that we have had this year, parts of the province started flooding. It began in Banff and Canmore, then on Friday it hit Calgary, High River, and area. Dad and Violet were in Spray Lakes managing their camp site. They were able to phone me and let me know that they had an opportunity to be airlifted to Canmore, but that they were in a safe location with plenty of food and fuel to last them a couple weeks. They did not have a place to take the animals (2 dogs and 2 cats) to, so they chose to weather the storm (pun intended). By Saturday night, almost 10% of Calgary neighbourhoods had been evacuated, as had much of the other communities mentioned. The zoo was flooded, and they lost one peacock and their piranha and tilapia fish.  Downtown Calgary was under water, and schools were closed. Diploma exams were made optional, and all finals were cancelled. It was a crazy time here.

Dad and Violet were contacting me daily from the pay phone. They were eventually airlifted, with the pets, to the Nakota Resort east of Canmore Sunday morning, so I was able to go and get them. They are borrowing our Ford Focus for the time being while they wait to be able to get back to the campsite and collect their motor home and van. So far there have been 4 deaths related to the flood, all in the High River/ Okotoks area. One was a father of six, who died when his ATV flipped as he was riding to check on his neighbours. Waters have receded, most Calgarians are back in their homes, and the long clean up process has begun.

This challenging week has left me with many thoughts. First and foremost, I am grateful that the losses incurred, especially the loss of life, were not nearly as bad as they could have been. I grieve with those who were are dealing with the loss of a loved one, but rejoice that there were only a handful. I am disappointed in the actions of some vandals, looters, and stores who started gouging their customers (including the Travel Lodge at the airport which doubled their rates overnight because of the flood - guess which hotel I am asking people to boycott). Mostly, however, I am so proud of my fellow Calgarians and Albertans for the supreme acts of charity, service, and strength that are being demonstrated. People are being patient as we come together to help clean up. Countless have opened their homes for those forced out. Edmonton and other communities are sending support in supplies, money, military, RCMP and police officers, firefighters, and so much more. Our mayor, Nehed Nenshi, has been a superstar and an amazing leader during this whole time. He has led with such compassion, wisdom, strength, and common sense. He won my vote before this all happened, but he has won the hearts of Calgarians and Albertans now, and he deserves it. Let us hope that as the flood waters move east, that they will dissipate and all will be prepared.

On a happier note, birthdays this week! Little Barbara turns 1 tomorrow, I turn a year older the next day, and both of Barbara's grandfathers have birthdays (26th and 29th). As I look back on this last year, I am so blessed to have this little angel in my life. Fatherhood has been such an amazing adventure, and she is so precious to me. I am so thankful for her mother and my wife, Heather, for all she does for our family. I can't wait to see what the next year will bring.

I am tired, so I will do a quick Top Ten List. As I prepare for the Vegas Convention in August, I give you my Top Ten favorite Trek Characters:
10. Morn. The brown lumpy alien in Quark's bar that I actually had a small hand in naming.
9. The Doctor from Voyager. we met Robert Picardo at Spock Days in Vulcan a few weeks ago, and he was great. The Doctor was a wonderful character who showed great depth. Mostly, he was a very pleasant surprise. I thought I would hate a holographic character. Who knew?
8. Shran. The Andorian from Enterprise played wonderfully by Jeffery Combs just made the show so much fun when he was guest starring.
7. Geordi La Forge. I loved this character because he showed that handicaps are only what we make of them. Plus, only in Trek can a blind man fly the flagship.
6. Scotty. Yes, my ancestry has something to do with this. I loved his humor and wit, plus his genius.
5. Q. My favourite TV villain. His cocky attitude and impish wit made him a favourite, and I wonder if he is truly a villain.
4. Jake Sisko. By far the most realistic child character on the series. He was one that I identified most with, and found to be the most human.
3. Benjamin Sisko. My favourite captain. He was a diplomat, a soldier, an officer, a father, and an explorer. He was the ultimate leader.
2. Kes. My deepest Trek crush. Often ignored by many top ten lists for "Hottest Trek Babe", but she was as  beautiful on the inside as on the outside.
1. Miles O'Brien. The everyday man who does his job and then goes home to his family. This guy is the one who  Iidentify the most with.

Honorable mentions go out to (in no particular order) Picard, Data, Phlox, Kirk, Sulu, McCoy, Quark, Odo, Ezri, Vic Fontaine, Neelix, Archer, and Porthos the Beagle.