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  • THE FINALE: Tap-tap-tapping on heaven’s floor (I finish what I start, I really do)

    THE FINALE: Tap-tap-tapping on heaven’s floor (I finish what I start, I really do)

    My second year of being in tap lessons. There we were. The “Tap” promotional campaign that involved–oddly enough–tap, and I had made it to the Saturday finals. My rivals were many; their talents were intimidating. I had only been slapping my shoes against hardwood for three years; they had been doing this since they were…

  • Tap-tap-tapping on heaven’s floor

    Tap-tap-tapping on heaven’s floor

    Yes. That is me after winning a musical theatre award for some number called “Vaudeville.” I was about eleven here. This year of our antichrist, 2024–one of the most challenging but transformative epochs to date–marks the 45th anniversary of Coquitlam Centre.  What’s that, you may ask with soaring ignorance?  Why, it’s exactly what it sounds…

  • Candy is a food group.

    Candy is a food group.

    Growing up, I was lucky to have parents who worked full-time, yet came home to cook a nutritious dinner for us every single night. Our meals were standard fare–salads were always on the table, every single night, along with some version of chicken, potatoes, pasta, meatloaf, Doukhobor vegetarian food–while the memorable things that stick out…