Cal's Journal

“Abdullah go to suite 2905 and put on a harness. I need you to paint the bottom of the balcony.” A crackling voice came through Abdullah’s phone. “What’s that boss? I think you said a harness? Outside on the balcony?” Abdullah looked down at his iPhone and checked the number. Sure enough, it was Raj, his boss, telling him to get a harness to paint a balcony. The young painter did not like the sound of those instructions. “Ok, where Read more…

Mom stood at the door and stared longingly at her daughter. The little girl was no longer a small bundle of joy and excitement. She was now a blooming teenager filled with emotions and turmoil.  Where has the time gone? It seemed like only yesterday mom was holding her little girl to her bosom, nurturing the tiny precious baby. Then in a flash, the two of them were sitting together holding hands and playing with dolls. She will never forget Read more…

Barrman stood at the bottom of the towering glass and concrete structure and looked skyward. The bottom of the balcony felt like it was a mile above them. He prepped the stage and looked over at the young Spaniard standing there. The unfinished spot stood out like a blotch of ugly grey on the white concrete. Their job for the day was to prep the concrete and help finish another piece of the newest skyscraper that jutted thirty-six floors above Read more…

Today was Cinco de Mayo, May the fifth 2021. It’s a day like any other day in much of Mexico, in the rest of North America it’s an excuse to drink Tequila and Cervezas. For the last five years, our next-door neighbours have had a party to celebrate the day. We would pack up the margarita maker and go sit in their back yard with a group of people and celebrate Mexican culture and cuisine.  This year Cinco de Mayo Read more…

We walked down our front street breathing in the fresh spring air. It felt like a pause in the race life has become lately. I have been busier at work than I have been in almost two years. My job rigging swing stage has exploded and life is suddenly going at full speed. Stop the world I want off. So honey and I walked to the local Mexican place looking for a connection. We were looking to pause and find Read more…

Sunshine gleamed on the Okanagan Lake as the calm waters beckoned me. It was time to get on the water and take Serendipity to her slip at the Manteo marina. Warm spring air filled the valley and I felt the energy of the day. Captain Rob has been hard at work polishing up Luxury Lake Tour’s 2015 Campion Biltmore. She gleamed as if brand new again. The deep blue and grey colour shone in the morning sun, and I couldn’t Read more…

A glow echoed in the distance blocked by the mountains. Beaming from behind its earthen cover, a sliver of the moon shone towards the sky. I stared in anticipation and awe as it crept rapidly upwards. The man in the moon stared back down at me, his face appeared over the peaks reflected in the shimmering water of the Okanagan Lake. They said it would be a supermoon. This was one time they were absolutely right. The glory of the Read more…

Muhammad stood looking at the shore, his stomach churned with emotion. A musty smell clung to him like an obnoxious blanket. He watched as the small boat approached, he stood on the bow of the MV Aman, his home for the last four years. That boat represented freedom; the freedom he hasn’t felt since he first stepped on the deck of the Bahrainian flagged cargo ship in May 2017.  Trapped onboard a floating wreck, the seafarer’s life has been on Read more…

Sidhu grabbed his father’s hand and held it tight. Rasping breaths struggled to bring in more oxygen, the young boy held on pushing his fingers deeper, willing his dad to live. The boy’s mother was gone into the hospital three days before, they heard nothing more. He hoped to see her again. Now his dad was visibly suffering, struggling to fill his lungs. At the age of ten, young Sidhu cried softly hoping for some miracle, he wished for someone Read more…