Thursday: City Hall

Today was a good full day.  This morning I went to City Hall to take photos for the photo project that work has me engaged on.  Normally the project's a bit cumbersome as it's not always convenient to fit it in but today was different because I got to take a look around City Hall.  The Deputy Mayor came with me and we had a really good chat as we were walking, as well as in more depth afterwards.  We talked all about city politics - the good, that attracts people to Vancouver, as well as the bad, such as the housing crisis, the homeless situation and the fentanyl epidemic.  It was fascinating and a good connection to have made.

Then back to work where I found a surprise doughnut on my desk.  While I was eating it, I got an email from the local free newspaper, the 'Georgia Straight', telling me that I had won two cinema tickets in a competition I entered yesterday.

After that, I had an excellent lunch with one of the most sprightly and alert 85 year olds I've ever met - we had a great chat, mainly about China.  I was fairly stunned when he said after lunch that he was heading back to his office as he still works pretty much full time.

The last piece of fun was tonight's bad Christmas sweater party at my American colleague's house.  I am proud to say that K. was in the finals for the bad sweater competition - I think it was the rolling reindeer eyes on her sweater that did it.  My sweater wasn't quite bad enough to be effective - it just looked like I had dubious dress sense.

P.S.  I'm calling it 'sweater' and not 'jumper' in deference of the fact that it was an American occasion.