this morning i went to the richmond speed skating oval for a photo outing. it was really cool to finally step inside after having witnessed the entire building process over the past few years. my favourite part of the venue is the fancy curvy ceiling made out of recycled wood, made entirely from the thousands of trees devastated by the pine beetle infestation a few years ago. quite an eco-friendly and resourceful idea on the part of the architect(s)!

some speed skaters also happened to be practicing when i was there, so i got to try out my panning technique with my camera (i took many shots before i got some decent, non-blurry ones). they were practicing for a competition to be held between the 27th and the 31st so i will try to attend one or two of them since the oval is located in my town. plus, i won’t actually be here when the olympics happen so i might as well enjoy events there while i can.

anyhow, i won’t be updating for a bit since it is the holidays afterall, but i wish you all a warm and lovely time with family and friends!!! seasons greetings :)

ridiculously awesome beard caps by vík projónsdóttir (ps. i’m back in vancouver!)

the snow is still fresh and untouched. with each step into it follows a gentle cracking, a shallow collapse; a sheet of ice was hiding underneath. i pick up the shard that i had created, it numbs my fingertips. i toss it against the wall, it shatters into brilliant jagged pieces. they fall gently into the snow, pillowed. i stomp around for a while longer, much like a kid elated at splashing in puddles, before finding my way to this frozen, bare tree.

it’s december outside. a blanket of ice hugs the tree branches tightly, the panel of glass at the bus station, tightly. i’m never letting go, the ice says, i refuse to let go. hear my plea when the wind brushes against your cold ears. listen to me, and let me stay, for when i leave i will have nothing to hold on to.

my ears are always cold, numb and red in the winter time. what really helps though is listening to music… it probably sounds kind of silly but i swear it works for me. quite conveniently, this is also where i found my inspiration for the december mixtape – music that washes over you with warmth.

since this is the last mix of the year, my present to you is a selection of 20 songs instead of the usual 10. they are a fantastic escape from holiday music, if and whenever you tire of jolly jingles. and needless to say, all of these songs are just amazing… so please, soak them in. have some hot chocolate and cookies while you’re at it.

click the album cover to download :)