Christmas Parties

Hi everyone,

I am just blogging about last weekend now, because it was a very busy weekend and a busy week followed.

On Friday we had my Office Christmas party and on Saturday we had Mike's. The two parties were very unique, but both very fun. Mine was at "SIP" which is a tapas restaurant and bar. Waitresses, circled the crowd with everything from sushi to crab cakes and there was an open bar as well. Everyone indulged a little too heavily, but we had a great time. Here myself and a project manager break out the bubbly to pour for a Christmas toast. Our CTO is in the background ordering more to make sure every glass if full.
Michael's Christmas party was at a very posh restaurant in Yaletown called "Brixx". The restaurant features a beautiful outdoor terrace which is kept warm with propane heaters. We enjoyed a 4 course meal with elegant appetizers. Everything from duck to salmon. We both chose the beef tenderloin which more than lived up to its name and I had a decadent chocolate moose for dessert. After dinner, the party was moved to a bar next door where we played pool for hours and the festivities continued well into the night. Mike is quite an avid pool player, but just bad enough not to win against his boss ;) All employees received a $50 gift certificate to the Keg. We have a Keg across from us on Granville Island, and will have to make an evening of it. I really like the co-workers at both our offices. They are all very fun and interesting people.

However, I sure do miss the old pot luck GNB XMas parties at Dooleys. I mean where was the under $10 gift swap?? I feel cheated... ;)
Again we have been getting some odd weather in Van City (global warming??). I had planned to go to Bright Nights in Stanley Park this weekend (A Christmas light show all through the park done by the Vancouver firefighters to benefit the burn unit) to get into the Christmas spirit, but due to a storm with very high winds, the exhibit is a bit of a mess and is closed until further notice. I have been enjoying the Christmas lights here all the same. One thing that is quite different are the Cranes that are dressed up for the holidays. Because of the booming construction market here, the sky is dotted with Cranes. For the holidays the construction companies cover their cranes with Christmas lights and it is pretty cool to see their colorful outlines marking the horizon.
Also, because I live by the water, boat owners decorate the masts of their sale boats/yaughts to look like Christmas trees and many owners really do an awesome job.

While Mike and I eat supper, we watch the decked out boats float by oooing and ahhhing. I took some pictures but they don't show up well at night.





Just outside our building in the park they have decorated the huge pillars with lights and set up a large Christmas tree. They have the lighting rigged so that the huge candles flicker.

Here we have an all Xmas radio station which I am listening to. "Christmas Time in the City" is playing right now which is somewhat of a coincidence...

We didn't bother to get cable yet, but Mike has been a real sweetheart and has downloaded National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, the Grinch (old cartoon version of course) , the Rudolph claymation cartoom movie and A Christmas Story for me. A little wine, chocolate, and hor d'oeuvres and my NB web cam and I'll be all set for XMas ;)

Chris and Rain have generously donated their artificial tree to us as they can get a real one this year (live trees aren't permitted in buildings because of the mess)

Here is my Christmas tree. I think I should take a picture during the day as the evening picture makes it look a little spindly.

I've decorated it with my gorgeous Aiken's Pewter ornaments (that was a great idea Dad, you've really started a good tradition there by giving us all a unique yet connected base for decorating our Christmas trees. I appreciate that now even if I may have once thought it corny).

I have been so busy that I have a hard time believing that Christmas is only 9 days away. I hadn't even gotten around to sending my presents yet thinking I had plenty of time. I apologize if anything gets there late, but I am a novice at this long distance Christmas gift giving.

Love you all, until next week,