While waiting for bro to get his a$$ here (20 hours to go), we went out for a walk. We took a route we know well, thinking it'll take us some 50 minutes. But... this time we continued in a field... and had to walk further to find a way back into the neighborhood (photo to the right was taken in said field). All in all, it took us 80 minutes. It's a warm day outside, but the breeze is cool, we had cold water with us... and we feel wonderful right now *s*.

And this photo was taken in our neighborhood this morning as well. Yesterday afternoon we had a storm that lasted some 15 minutes... The wind was blowing like crazy, dark clouds covered the sky, but no thunder, no lightning, no rain... nothing. After 15 minutes of crazy wind everything calmed down again, but when we went out we saw the damage of this dry short storm... This huge tree fell down. It's a good thing it didn't hit the house right beside it... but still - it's so sad...

We had few "hard working" days, getting ready for my brother's visit. Actually, we needed to do a serious spring cleaning... you know, the whole deal: windows, closets, the basement... Hours of slaving on the house - stuff I hate with passion, but know I have to do.

But hey, the house is all clean, smells nice, and we are READY!!!

And in between, we've found some time to go out for a bike ride. The city is so beautifully decorated with summer flowers... The grass is green and fresh everywhere, and the sunsets are spectacular these days.

Summer vacation feeling is one of my most favorite feelings these days. And knowing that my little bro will be here in 36 hours - priceless!!! *s*.

That's right. I've got wonderful news... My brother will come for his annual visit 2 weeks earlier than he planned. He'll be here next Tuesday, July 22nd, and will stay for 6 full weeks. Yay!!! I'm so excited I might burst *s*.

Joe will start his holidays tomorrow, Wednesday. That gives us few days to get ready for bro's visit. And meanwhile, we're riding our bikes around the city, checking nice interesting paths.

My gym membership ended yesterday, and since bro is getting here , I saw no use to waste money on prolonging the membership, especially when I won't have time to use it. We'll be busy enjoying the outdoors here in the city, and hopefully even further! As you can see from the photos, there are lots of gorgeous places to see in Calgary, it's beautiful out there in summer time, and we're going to have a blast!!!

The evening starts with the chuckwagon races, which is a great event on its own, and later a huge stage is being rolled in, a real live orchestra is playing, and the show begins. Fireworks are an integral part of the show all along, but it ends with lots of them. Calgarians know that, so about an hour and a half before the show ends, you can see lots of people heading towards the Stampede park, camping anywhere they can around it, getting ready to watch the fireworks.

Cars park on traffic islands, on sidewalks, in the middle of the road sometimes... The cops won't give anyone a ticket at that time. They're very understanding and patient. They just know people can't resist this deep demanding need to watch the fireworks... again and again.

First try for Joe to take photos of fireworks. It ain't easy, not at all... and we'll try again in the next few days. After all, today is

Every year, on the first Friday of July, the Calgary Stampede starts with a colorful parade along downtown streets, and the whole event lasts for 10 days. Calgary is filled with tourists who come here especially for the Stampede. It is a celebration of the old ways of the west, the first days and lifestyle of the country in general, and Alberta in particular. It is called The greatest outdoors show on earth, and not for nothing!

We were playing with shadows and light one night this week. I'm in need of few photos for the redesign of my site, so we played with the digital. Our living room was totally dark, and the only source of light was outside in the street. We got some nice silhouettes that night, and here is one...

Some bits and pieces of my life - summer 2003.