An Eventful Summer, a New School Year, and Everything In Between

So again the time gets away from me, and I find myself two months gone and no blog entries. So much for making the most out of my summer this year. It was fairly eventful, at least. A quick update to get people caught up with what has been happening.

Barbara had her first birthday party. It was great to have both sets of grandparents and several aunts, uncles, and cousins come. Beyond anything else, it amazes me how much joy our little Barbie-Lou brings into the lives of those who know her. She is growing by leaps and bounds. During the summer she has started to walk (with us holding her hands, of course), had her second bottom tooth and first top teeth come in, and has started saying a few more words. "Mum", "Dad", "No", "Jesus" (when she sees a picture of Him), and "Star Trek" are common. Just in the last few days she has added "Up" and is almost at other words. She opens cupboard doors, then looks at Heather or myself. We tell her to close them, and she does, then immediately starts to clap her hands with joy. It's as if she does it just so we will praise her. It is one of the many adorable things that she does. She laughs out loud when others laugh, she can tell us what chickens, dogs, and cows say (but only when she wants to), and she enjoys just about all kinds of food. In July we went to Vancouver for our anniversary, and for one of our meals I ordered a root beer float. I gave her a little taste of it, and she was hooked. She would pound the table and yell to get my attention for more root beer float. Well, it runs in the family I guess.

Speaking of Vancouver, we had a great time. We reconnected with our friends the Barbers, saw both the Aquarium and the zoo there, and watched fireworks on the beach. It was a great time. We drove there, and I was impressed with how pretty British Columbia is. We drove out in one day, but decided to take two days to come back. I think we will likely be making this trip more often.

The flood cleanup continues, and little by little the area recovers. Much of the big work is done, but much that is easy to overlook remains. I did help out in High River for cleaning up, and was saddened by the amount of destruction that had occurred there. The Stampede went on, but the concerts that are associated with it were either rescheduled, relocated, or cancelled. The Saddledome is still being worked on, as are many homes. Thousands of people are likely going to have to move, and the province is helping with the finances of that. Of particular note to me is the Calgary Zoo. Happy to report that the loss of animal life was low (four peacocks, one pot-bellied pig, and the tanks of tilapia and piranhas died), but the South America building was beyond repair, and all of their animals were relocated. That includes little Tunku, the male white-handed gibbon that I had become so attached to. He and his mate were sent to Safari Niagra, and it is a good home there. Much of the zoo is still closed, but they did open the northern part on July 31. The best part of this is the feeling of support that has been coming from so many people and institutions who are reaching out to the zoo. The Vancouver Aquarium had a bake sale as a fund raiser, the Discovery Wildlife Park (which we went to on July 20) had a day where all gate proceeds went to the zoo, numerous zoos across the country took in our displace animals, kids sold lemonade, and countless of hours were contributed to the clean up and rebuilding. It is sad, but heart-warming at the same time.

The biggest event for me this year was attending the huge Star Trek Convention in Las Vegas. I loved it! I went with my oldest and one of my dearest friends, Matt Harker. We had a great time (though I missed Heather and Barbara terribly). We met many great celebrities and fans alike. For the Top Ten, I thought I would give you the Top Ten Personal Moments for me at this convention:

10. Anthony Montgomery. He played Travis Mayweather in Enterprise. He had us doing the Harlem Shake. He is funny, kind, goofy, and a superhero fan like myself. 

9. Rick Worthy. He played a few Trek characters, my favorite being the Arboreal Xindi leader Jannar. He was so funny and yet so humble as well. I had the opportunity to talk to him in the hallway and the elevator. He became one of my favourites easily.

8. Getting my picture taken on the bridge of the Enterprise. I took the first officer's seat, Matt was in the Captain's chair, and we had anyone else who was in costume come.

7. Being a part of the record attempt to have the most people in Trek Costume in one place. Terry Farrell brought us to 1085. 

6. Getting my picture taken with Richard Kiel, who having never been in Trek, was still invited. He played "Jaws" in two James Bond movies. My mother raised me on Trek, and my father raised me on 007. Roger Moore will always be my favourite Bond, and Jaws was my favourite villain. Richard was super nice, and suggested he put us in a headlock for the photo. We loved it!

5. The DS9 panels. Having the main cast and guest cast reunite on stage was wonderful. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of DS9 was one of the main reasons we went. They were all great, and I got to meet most of them and get their autographs. 

4. Armin Shimmerman. I must admit that he was one of the best experiences. He took time to talk, get to know me a bit, and was such a genuinely nice person. His wife of 33 years was also there, and they were a really sweet couple. I hope he comes to Spock Days.

3. Meeting people from around the world! Made new friends from New York, Ohio, and England among other places. 

2. Photo with William Shatner! Three seconds of delight!

1. James Darren, who played Vic Fontaine, was such a delight. He even recorded a message for Heather. A real class act.

 

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.