November can be made a dreary month, with the awful societal act of Daylight Saving causing dark afternoons and darker moods. So, here are a few things that have sparked joy for me lately from the cosmos to tiny anchovies.
X-Class Solar Flares Creating Incredible Auroras
With the Sun being in the most active phase of its 11-year solar cycle, we continue to be treated to magnificent auroras, due to solar flares erupting off its surface and slamming into Earth’s magnetic field. Aurora videography is truly mesmerizing – seeing the undulating colours move about like wraiths dancing in the sky. And, perhaps there is no better vantage point than ABOVE Earth aboard the International Space Station. Get a load of the video below from Astronaut Zena Cardman or check out more photos here.
Frankenstein Being Pure Creature Comfort
I was late to watching Frankenstein, mostly because I don’t care much for gore and Gothic vibes…which I thought would basically be this entire movie. However, having now watched, I was so pleasantly surprised, and now understand what the fuss is all about. Guillermo del Toro’s interpretation of the Mary Shelley novel features rich, sumptuous set designs, a beautiful score, and captivating character work by Jacob Elordi, who creates a Creature of comfort. He brings a beautiful, gentle innocence to Dr. Frankenstein’s creation that is incredibly endearing. I also hadn’t realized Christoph Waltz was in the movie who is as entertaining as ever.
Watching Pluribus
I watch so much TV that I often find shows to be somewhat predictable. In comes Pluribus (or “Plur1bus”), which is fresh, original, and unpredictable. I’d really like you to go in cold if you have no idea what it’s about, so I’ll say broadly that it’s an accessible sci-fi plot (by Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan) that is rife with commentary on emerging topics like AI. Rhea Seehorn is incredibly well-cast in the main role; she kind of reminds me of Kirsten Dunst in Melancholia, which centers around how a severely depressed person would cope with the end of the world. There’s also delightful guest stars, like Jeff Hiller from Somebody, Somewhere, who I was so pleased to see pop up on screen. Trailer below if you wish to get a bit more insight.
Thousands of Anchovies at White Rock Beach
For only the second time in my life, hundreds of thousands of young Northern anchovies descended at White Rock beach. And, with them, came herds of seals and sea lions, and a cacophony of gulls (video here). All you had to do was dig your net into the water, it would come up with hundreds of anchovies. Here’s a cute photo of one of the visitors – a small seal pup left to snooze on the dock while its mother went hunting. The anchovies have since grown large enough to head into deeper water, ending the spectacle, but it was very exciting while it lasted.
Taking Painting Classes
I’ve done a few painting classes over the last year, and went to one last weekend with my niece where we painted “Hootie” the Owl. Art wasn’t something I excelled at as a kid, so I kind of stopped doing it/got demoralized, but drawing with her (and getting her encouragement) has rekindled an interest. I’ve found it incredibly relaxing and restorative – having 60-90 mins away from a phone/screens and being entirely focused entirely on the present moment. Plus, having an art teacher show you the process step-by-step makes it very accessible, as you learn techniques along the way and add your own unique touches. As a fairly competitive person who aims to excel, these classes are teaching me to embrace imperfection and to try to enjoy the process and not the outcome. (Although I was very pleased with the outcome on this occasion!)
Olivia Dean’s “Something In Between”
Olivia Dean’s music is like a warm hug. She kind of has a bit of a Corinne Bailey Rae vibe, but with perhaps more soul and substance. “Something Inbetween” is my favourite so far, and has survived the 3-week playlist endurance test where I have yet to skip it.
Vancouver Goldeneyes Starting Their First Season
The Vancouver Goldeneyes kicked off their first game in the PWHL against fellow expansion team, the Seattle Torrent, on Friday. They sold out Pacific Coliseum and are the first PWHL team to not have to share home ice with another team, which means having their really cool logo on the ice full-time. The roster is also STACKED, featuring phenom Sarah Nurse, and as a friend said “It’ll be so nice to have a good hockey team to cheer for” (aka not the Canucks.) I went to Cirque du Soleil at the Pacific Coliseum earlier this year, and really loved the wood interior and intimate arena environment (as compared to Rogers Arena). It’s an excellent facility that I hope to go to many games at. Check out the vibes from their opening game, which end 3-2 for Vancouver in overtime.
Fundraising for Jen Campbell Quigley Scholarships
A close family friend passed away a few days ago. She taught me core life skills as a child like how to put my hair up in a ponytail by lying off a bed, and was an incredibly fun, kind, and open-hearted person who was always the first to like a post or comment something encouraging. She was instrumental in her education roles in the communities of Kimberley and Fort McMurray, and fittingly, she asked that a memorial scholarship be set up in her name in lieu of flowers. I was once the recipient of a memorial scholarship, and experienced what a beautiful, powerful gift this is to pass on to future generations. Donations are being raised here, and it is beautiful to see these communities rally together to ensure an enduring legacy for such an exemplary person who prioritized compassion and kindness. You can donate here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/jennifer-campbell-quigley
That’s all for now. I wish you many feelings of joy this holiday season!
