B is for BELIEVE

Welcome to Round 19 at ABC Wednesday!  We are bestowing praise on the letter B this week - B as in bananas, belly, ball, brainstorm, beckon, boats, breathe, badge, and belfry.

I think most of you know that I reside in the Greater Vancouver area in British Columbia, the 3rd largest city in Canada with a population of around 3 million.  Some experts predict Vancouver will be Canada's largest city by 2040 with a population of over 10 million.  I can see it is well on its way, but with housing prices currently rising to unbelievable amounts, the Greater Vancouver area will probably expand as younger people move out into the suburbs and beyond.

I've done a bit of traveling in my time and I love everywhere I go.  But when I'm flying in over the city, I sometimes can't believe I live in such a beautiful place!  I actually live in a small village (which is growing as I write this) close enough to the city if I want or need to drive in, yet far enough away that it feels like the country. I thought I'd share with you a few recent shots of this beatific area this week simply because so many people do not believe that we have such great weather here.  Yes, it rains in the winter but it's more like a drizzle than a downpour!

A friend and I went to Granville Island, an area on the water just before you get to the downtown area of the city and almost right under the Burrard Bridge.  Granted it was a beautiful day but this was April and we didn't need jackets at all.

This is the view from our patio table at the famous restaurant Bridges.  They have been known for their bright yellow exterior and the bright yellow patio umbrellas.  However, we were disappointed to see that they've changed their umbrellas to a dull navy blue.  So we complained to the server and told him it looked like any other restaurant - maybe even Earl's (another popular eatery).  He said he'd take it to one of the owners because we felt the yellow umbrellas had been iconic.  Everyone says that Bridges is where the bright yellow umbrellas are!

Anyway, right beside Bridges you can rent boats at the dock here or go on boat cruises around the harbour area.


While we were eating, a pirate ship came by with a boat load of children and caregivers! The pirates waved madly while the children each held a giant hose and sprayed the water as they passed by.

Lots of people moor their boats in this harbour, and there are bounteous numbers of sailboats.  Also as we were eating, one of the Vancouver Police boats came by and they gave us a wave.

 

You will see lots and lots of birds around here, too, especially Canada geese and sea gulls.  They are practically tame and will take food from your hands. Both these birds were really working the crowds.

Finally, there are water buses that we call "aquabuses" that will take you across the water or down the way to another destination.  They're really fun to ride in and the driver will give you a rundown of what you're passing.  They will take you across to downtown or all the way to Science World!

And YES, believe it - we have palm trees here!  This particular shot is down at English Bay Beach, and I love the tree on top of the condo building in the background!  We're able to grow hardy palms here because we're in a little area that is surrounded by water and mountains that gets a very temperate climate!

Hope you've enjoyed a little bit of Vancouver and can see now and believe that not all of Canada is snowbound! 

Have a great week and think of bright and blessed me burning up the roads and trains over in England and Wales right now.  That's why you haven't "seen" me around lately, but I'll be back next week with blow by blow descriptions of my time there plus boundless stories and photos to show you all.

B is for BLESSINGS

In the last few days, most of the western world has been shaken by the deaths of three famous men - a British actor/singer/songwriter, a British actor, and the husband and manager of a Canadian singer.  Each of these men had been afflicted by a wicked disease - cancer - and died far too young.  On behalf of all the ABC Wednesday cast and crew, I'd like to bestow blessings on these men and their families as they deal with the grief of losing their loved ones.

David Bowie

 (8 January 1947 – 10 January 2016)

Who didn't know this man's work?  His impact on the music industry was colossal, selling 140 million records worldwide and receiving nine platinum album certifications, eleven gold and eight silver, and in the US five platinum and seven gold certifications.  He left a legacy of work and in the end brought his art even to his deathbed.  (See "Lazarus" here)

Alan Rickman

(21 February 1946 – 14 January 2016)

What was he most famous for?  It's so hard to say as he played a variety of roles on stage and screen.  Some might say his best roles were as Hans Gruber in Die Hard while others might say it was Severus Snape in the Harry Potter films.  Maybe his best role was as the voice of the Blue Caterpillar in Alice Through the Looking Glass (to be released in May of this year).  Regardless, he will be remembered as one of the best actors of all time.

René Angélil

(16 January 1942 – 14 January 2016)

Best known as Celine Dion's husband and manager, he started out as a singer of pop rock songs in the 1960s with his group "Les Baronets".  He then got into managing other artists and first heard Celine sing when she was only 12 years old.  Angélil and his wife became cultural icons who, apparently, behind closed doors, were kind and down-to-earth people. 

Each of these men was famous in his own right, but we must remember they were human beings who worked hard at their jobs and maybe messed up occasionally in their private lives - just like the rest of us.  Let us honour them at their passing and remember them for the pleasure they gave us through their talents.  Blessings to each of them and to their families who knew them best. 

I saw this on Facebook, posted by Tony DiTertizzi, so on a lighter note, I'd like to leave you with this thought.  Imagine them in Heaven with René directing David while Alan looks on. 



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An InLinkz Link-up

B is for Beta

Beta is the second letter is the Greek alphabet, and, naturally, the source of the final syllable in the word alphabet. "Like the names of most other Greek letters, the name of beta was adopted from the acrophonic name of the corresponding letter in Phoenician, which was the common Semitic word *bayt ('house')."

A beta male is considered to be sensitive, nurturing, conflict-averse communicator. OR have characteristics to be avoided. It depends on who you ask.

Beta testing is the software development phase which "generally begins when the software is feature complete but likely to contain a number of known or unknown bugs... The focus of beta testing is reducing impacts to users, often incorporating usability testing... This is typically the first time that the software is available outside of the organization that developed it.

Beta-Carotene is a strongly colored red-orange pigment abundant in plants and fruits such as carrots, pumpkins and sweet potatoes.

Beta blockers "treat a variety of conditions, such as high blood pressure, glaucoma and migraines."

Founded in 1922, Beta Beta Beta (TriBeta) is "a society for students, particularly undergraduates, dedicated to improving the understanding and appreciation of biological study and extending boundaries of human knowledge through scientific research."

In nuclear physics, beta decay (β-decay) "is a type of radioactive decay in which a proton is transformed into a neutron, or vice versa, inside an atomic nucleus. This process allows the atom to move closer to the optimal ratio of protons and neutrons."

Like alpha, beta is also a financial term though I would be hard pressed to explain it.

There are a lot more Beta terms. If you are of a certain age, you may remember Betamax, a video recording tape that was technologically superior to VHS, but lost out in the marketplace.
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An InLinkz Link-up

Introduction of B for B&B

Thinking of B turned my mind directly in the direction of "Bread and Butter", but even better:"B&B!

I don't know if you have ever seen the program about B&B on BBC? Well we have a similar series on Dutch TV.  It's interesting to see what a B&B owner has to do and how high the standards are. Everything has to be "spick-and-span"! Well, not necessarily new, but clean! The shower has to be as comfortable as possible and absolutely not slippery.
It is nice if there are coffee and tea making fascilities.
In May I had my first B&B experience in my own country. It was nice and very clean. I could make coffee or tea. The shower was exactly as it should be, only not on the same floor as the bedroom. The breakfast was really very good and tasty. The owners were very nice people.
My first B&B was in a beautiful city. I hope to return one day.

The street of the B&B

The view from my window: a quant old street of a medieval town

 

 With thanks to Denise Nesbitt, who created ABC.For more interesting ABC posts click on the logo in the sidebar. This week we are looking for words beginning with B. Don't forget to refer to ABC Wednesday and to the new logo.

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An InLinkz Link-up

B is for Berries

Bouncing Bending boughs branches buoyant brilliant beautiful berries.

The berries I brought you today in the shot above are from about a year ago. You can bank on lots of B words if you link up and visit bunches of B participants.

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B is for having a Ball

The Free Dictionary definition of the idiom To "have a ball" is to "enjoy oneself greatly." The example: "We had a ball at the party and didn't come home until 2 AM."

Well, I don't usually stay out, or even stay up THAT late. But you might find me some Tuesday night around 10:30 pm, US Eastern Time, having a ball reading what BODACIOUS things you have submitted to ABC Wednesday.

So have a BALL visiting your fellow contributors. Not only will you have a BLAST; you might even learn something from someone halfway around the BIG BALL we call Earth.
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Oddly, the couple songs I like with the phrase "have a ball" are a bit melancholy.

One is Come Dancing by the Kinks [LISTEN], from the early 1980s:
Come dancing,
Come on sister, have yourself a ball.
Don't be afraid to come dancing,
It's only natural.

The other is Is That All There Is? by Peggy Lee [LISTEN], from the late 1960s

Is that all there is?
If that's all there is, my friends, then let's keep dancing.
Let's break out the booze and have a ball,
If that's all there is.

B is for Brevity

The BEST of 2013 is yet to come!

According to my friend, BILLY Shakespeare, "BREVITY is the soul of wit."  Therefore I need to be BRIEF to BEAR witness to his sage advice. I also need to be articulate and BECKON you to follow my advice, too.

My advice?

Peruse without BASHFULNESS your archives of photos and choose a few BEAUTIES that will BEWITCH us and so we can marvel at the BANQUET of images spread BEFORE our very eyes.  There is so much available on our BEAUTIFUL planet. Even this small BIRCH, BATTERED by the BLUSTERY waves on Lake Superior is a worthy snapshot for "B." BE alert, and select the BEST image that lies waiting in front of your lens.

Your BEST is yet to come!!

B is for Butanding

Last time, I  gave you a brief introduction of  the state of West Virginia..  This time, I'll  bring you  to the place where I was born in the Philippines, the Bicol Region.  It is located in the southernmost tip of Luzon Island.   The region is bounded by Lamon Bay to the north, Pacific Ocean to the east, and Sibuyan Sea and Ragay Gulf to the west. The northernmost province, Camarines Norte, is bordered to the north by the province of Quezon, thereby connecting the region to the rest of Luzon.


Bicol Region is volcanic in origin and part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. Known as the Bicol Volcanic Arc or Chain, the volcanoes are the results of the Philippine Sea Plate sub-ducting under the Philippine Mobile Belt, along the Philippine Trench.  In the small town of Donsol is where I came from, the place where you can find  a bunch of whale shark or locally known as  Butanding. According to my source, Butanding is the biggest fish in the world. In 2004, Time magazine has ranked interacting with those gentle giants as "The Best Animal Encounter in Asia".  So if you are going to  the Philippines for a vacation, try to  swim with the Butanding, it's fun and one of a kind experience that you could have.

Alrighty, before you get bored, buckle up and get ready with the bumpy but exciting  ride we are about to take and see from the different  letter B contribution  of the ABC participants around the  world.  (source of info and photo: wikepedia and dsc.discovery.com)

Stop by at my blog when you get a chance.

Rose

B is for Beginning interview with Berowne

ABC is an evolving phenomenon and we like to keep it mind BLOWING!

This round we are going to be introducing contributors.....starting with our very own Berowne

I caught up with him last week, busy man he is, and he shared the following fascinating insight into his world!

Dear Mrs. Nesbitt: My friend Berowne is indeed honored to have been chosen to represent the letter “B” this week. I hope bloggers will forgive him for treating the subject with a certain degree of levity. Herewith his answers:

 “What is your most favorite sound?”
Berowne: Hearing from my son or daughter, when neither of ‘em needs money.

“What is your least favorite sound?"
When they need money.

"If someone were to play you in the movie of your life, which actor would that be?”
George Clooney has already expressed interest, but so far no decision has been made.

“What food would you most like to have if nutrition and calories were not an issue?”
First off, I like frangipane. I have no idea what it is; I just enjoy saying the word. Then there’s coq au vin – providing it’s made with real cocoa.

“What utterly impractical or useless skill do you possess that most people do not?”
Paraphrasing Oscar Wilde, most of my skills are impractical, useless, immoral or illegal.

“What top 3 people (dead or alive) would you invite to dinner?”
Well, first off, I’d have to make a basic decision. They should all be dead or all alive. You can’t have dead and alive mixing; every time that has been tried it has ended badly.

“What would the main course be?”Fricassee of mountain goat is always well received.

“What piece of music do you most identify with?”The hip-hop version of “Seventy-Six Trombones.”

Berowne looks forward to seeing all you folks again on the internet. He says goodbye with, as they say south of the border, “Vaya con huevos!”

B is for Brothers and Sisters

ABC Wednesday brings together people from all over the world. Among people participating this week, and indeed in previous weeks, months and years even are friends in Norway. The whole world has witnessed and felt the tragedy which hit Norway last week. 

Brothers and Sisters by Marie Souline

In my perfect world there would be no war

People would communicate, and work their problems out diplomatically

All nations would be allies

People would wear smiles

And no one would ever know what a gun was

We would all be brothers and sisters

In my perfect world there would be no racism

People would be judged based on the content of their character

We would all hold hands

We would all be friends

We would all be brothers and sisters

In my perfect world there would be no heart ache

Families would love unconditionally

Lost love would become friendship

Friends would have no troubles, only fun

And no one would ever be lonely

We would all be brothers and sisters

In my perfect world there would be no worry

There would be no wars

There would be no racism

There would be no heart ache

There would only be occasional tears of joy

We would all hold hands together, as brothers and sisters

Thanks Jane for this link

B is for Batman

It occurred to me that Batman and the ABC Wednesday BLOG have quite a few things in common. No, really.

BATMAN BATTLES the BAD guys, the BURGLARS and BAMBOOZLERS, BOPPING the BELLICOSE with a BAM!
ABC Wednesday BATTLES the midwinter (or midsummer) BLUES and BLAHS, with a BOUNTY of BEAUTIFUL, BRILLIANT, and BOAST-WORTHY BLOGPOSTS.

BATMAN worked largely alone, or with Robin, though, eventually, he sometimes BANDED together with the Justice League.
ABC Wednesday BEGAN as a solo project of Mrs. Nesbitt, but now she has BROUGHT together a BATTALION of folks to write these BUBBLY intros and visit each participant: Cheryl, Donna, Gattina, Helen, Joyce, Leslie, Natalie, Sylvia, Troy and me (Roger).

Comic BOOK fans argue what company's heroes are the BEST, BATMAN's DC, Marvel or some other group. I may be BIASED, but I think ABC Wednesday is, in the words of Tina Turner - BORN Anna Mae BULLOCK - Simply the BEST.

BTW, we BESEECH that you link to the specific post (www.blog.com/b-is-for-best) rather than the general blog (www.blog.com). That way, people can BETTER go BACK and see what BODACIOUS posts you and your BLOGGING BUDDIES have BEGAT!