Pique'n Yer Interest

I'm not a great driver. I admit it. It took me months to learn to drive a standard car without stalling and even now I'm terrified driving the steep streets of Vancouver, lest I roll backwards into a car that's worth more than my life.

Over the past two weeks - while vicariously enjoying Whistler's recent big storm cycle through Facebook - I spent some time traveling and skiing Norway with a Salomon Freeski TV crew.

Meet Darth Luddite. Like fellow Sith lords, he wears a black cloak with a hood, has menacing yellow eyes and he carries a red lightsabre. He's stealthy, he's fierce and he's influential.

For the past two years I've been a part of a lively discussion (translation: argument) over the use of disposable coffee cups.

My first kiss was a peck on the lips of the girl I had been in love with for four or five months. We kissed on a dare made by our mutual friend, Suzie. It was innocent enough, simple enough - a brief peck and that was it. Kaily was smiling about it.

On February 6, my daughter will turn three. There will be cupcakes. And presents. And a lot of wondering where all the time has gone.

In her 2007 book The Shock Doctrine , left-wing activist Naomi Klein writes that free market policies have snuck into implementation in various countries as their citizens were reacting to disasters.

Back in the day - even five years ago - a TV was a thing to care for, like a car. I still have my first, it's shaped like a microwave and has a 17-inch screen but it works well and it was a big deal when I bought it.

Well, now we know why they're called parking lots - because there's Lots of Parking. At least in Whistler.

Hanukkah ended yesterday, leaving a 15-day gap in my holiday festivities until Christmas rolls around. Getting loads of extra presents is one of the benefits of being part of an extended family of mixed-worship values.