dreaming over the ocean

So, what memories do I have of edmonton, from the last time I spent more than 4 days here. I think the best memories were from when I was a kid, and I was a "Royal Glenora Gator." Many days were spent under the summer sun at the outdoor pool, with friends who lasted for years. Every summer, we would come together, we would train together, laugh together, travel together, and race together. From the time I was 7 until I was about 14. then... I went to boarding school. The other day, I went to the Glenora club, and I looked at what is their new pool. It is beautiful. It is indoors, but under a glass structure, so it feels like it is outdoors. The lap pool is detached from the kids pool, and there is a little jacuzzi tub. The guarding office is not sketchy, but a wide open, spacious area. but. it doesn't have the memories attached. it is a vague recollection of the past. I have, of course, other memories of Edmonton. like Edmonton Folk music festival. And the riv...

So, I would like to begin with the fact that I am moving over from my long-running Xanga blog. www.xanga.com/that_canadian_rower. For a number of reasons, I think. 1)many of my friends are on blogspot now. 2)i dont really post very frequently there anymore. (not meaning that i will post frequently here, either, but, you know...) 3)im not a rower anymore. so, maybe it is time to not go under the "that_Canadian_rower" name. 4) maybe it is just for a change. Blogging, for me, is a funny thing. because, in reality, who are we to think that our thoughts are interesting enough to be read by other people? but, it is a bit of an outlet, I suppose. and, if people really have the desire to keep up with you, they can... so, Sunday was remembrance day. Veterans day in the states. here in canada, the Poppy lapel pin comes out in abundance, to remember Canadian soldiers. The significace, i think i remember, is that poppies, previous to the 1st world war did not grow a lot on battle...