Chief Executive Baby Sitter

Check it out Dad! That little girl on your lap looks pretty darned happy to be in the arms of Grandpa Walsh now doesn't she!? When do you think that she'll start calling you "Bud?" My guess is sooner than you think! Congratulations on your recent "appointment" to Chief Executive Baby Sitter, and Chairman of the Smiles Board. Oh, and incidentally... Happy Birthday Dude!!!

25 Years Ago Today

The strange thing is that although I was only ten years old, I vividly remember driving in the car with my mom when the CBC News broadcaster said something like "John Lennon, the singer, songwriter, former Beatle and peace activist was shot to death outside his New York apartment today." Not only that but I remember my mom gasping in horror, and me asking her "why would a man do that to him?" I don't recall the answer. Today, as I heard the CBC broadcaster remind listeners "25 years ago today..." I couldn't help but think of the first time I heard The Beatles "The White Album" and realized that almost everything that I listened to and loved in rock music "came from there." And also how relevant I think John Lennon and his moral center still is today. Especially today. I found this great quote from Norman Mailer just now.

"I have hidden myself in work today. But it keeps flashing in my mind. I feel shattered, angry and very sad. It's just ridiculous. He was pretty rude about me sometimes, but I secretly admired him for it, and I always managed to stay in touch with him. There was no question that we weren't friends, I really loved the guy. I think that what has happened will in years to come make people realize that John was an international statesman. He often looked a loony to many people. He made enemies, but he was fantastic. He was a warm man who cared a lot and with the record Give Peace A Chance helped stop the Vietnam War. He made a lot of sense."

So, in honour of the Statesman Who Never Was... STOP THE WAR! GIVE PEACE A CHANCE!

The Shameless Exhuberance Of A Child

Why is it that a simple thing like a day off from the studio and a midday skate-ski with my buddy Mike can enfuse me with such a childish sense of joy? Wait a minute... I said "day off" and "midday ski" in the same sentence... Now I get it! Or was it the café carajillo?

The view of Howe Sound from the Cypress Mountain ski area on a pretty winter's day. The rare combination of opportunity and access to the ever changing outdoors that is so representative of Vancouver. Hard to believe that this view is only 45 minutes from most parts of the city. Ah, bliss... Experiencing a vista like this is a huge part of the soupy mix of multiculturalism, liberal attitudes, modernity and optimism that makes up my perspective on Vancouver as a place. A place of a great unknown future that ultimately breeds engaging and interesting people of all walks of life. Can you tell I am all goofy happy from the ski? You knew it!!!

Megcita en sofa!

The question I know you are all asking is whether Megcita is smiling in this photo because she looks so beautiful and happy to be 32 weeks pregnant, or if it is because she can't hold back her joyous state of mind having received delivery of our new sofa. Agreed, it is tough question to answer. Nonetheless, there she is... "My" beautiful wife sitting on "her" beautiful new sofa!

The Trailer To End All Trailers

Click here to see the latest uber trailer for "Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe." Nine minutes long. You'd think that would be too much... but it is done in a very interesting way. Mostly, I just noticed the musical score which sounds great. Above are some stills from the NarniaWeb page. They are frames from some of the shots I worked on at Rhythm and Hues. There are loads more images on the NarniaWeb page under the image gallery link. After 8 months of hard work and expectation... It sure is nice to see the stuff out there! Only one week until the film opens, and I have to admit that I am unusually excited to see this one!