When I first started this blog it was much like the day I became a Realtor®. All I had was starry eyes, a hope and a prayer and the willingness to put it all on the line.

Highs Lows

Some time ago I passed the 30 year career mark as a Realtor® and today I passed the hurdle of creating the 1,000th post on this blog. I can tell you without reservation that it has been a journey peppered with highs and lows.

Weird

Blogging is a weird thing to do as you are always talking to strangers. As you know, our mothers warned us about such behavior however, for the most part you all have been pretty kind to me and for that I thank you. As for the others well… while you may not appreciate it, you have actually made me a stronger person and so too, I thank you.

Appreciated

So to the many thousands who come to visit YatterMatters each and every month, let me say to you a heartfelt – Thanks!

LEST WE FORGET

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved, and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch, be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields

11/11/11

They were so young! For me each season brings a deeper understanding of their sacrifice. All wanted to come home – so many never did.

Remembrance Day

Today, this poem is part of Remembrance Day ceremonies in Canada and other countries. The poem was written by a Canadian – Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army

Photo Credit

In our city, days pass measured only by the routine. Many are recalled as a days with wet sloppy shoes being the routine. On those days when viewing a home for sale, it is a ritual to remove those shoes upon entry to the property for sale.

However, on some days in our city, you get to forget about those damp, wrinkled shoes waiting near the entrance in that high priced Vancouver home. On those days, when outside in the sun, being a Vancouver Realtor® has it’s perks!

The Benefit

The Lions from Prince Edward Park Nikon P100

As we approach the Holidays and the end of 2010 it is often a time when we reflect on what was and what might be.

An email was sent to me today with a link to an interview by Riz Khan of Aljazeera. The person being interviewed was Slavoj Zizek, philosopher and cultural critic who’s book ‘Living in the End Times” claims that we are living in denial.

Offering up this interview on this blog is a departure from the everyday Vancouver Real Estate or – is it? The video presents a fascinating discussion on elements that touch issues currently seen in Vancouver Real Estate – one of which is often brought forward by others while conducting business as a Vancouver Realtor®.

What’s Being Said?

Although the video asks the question ‘Is Capitalism a Failure’ and subsequently addresses this topic on a global level, there is however, a point made that trickles to our level. As you watch and listen to the discussion consider your understanding of tolerance – 8:34mins.

Decaffeinated

Is your tolerance “decaffeinated”? What is the impact of the most evident group of Vancouver’s high priced home buyers who amongst others, are buying properties which many Vancouverites now consider beyond their financial grasp. Reflect on how the pursuit of land ownership as we understand it in Vancouver, may be creating and/or changing class structures within Vancouver’s communities as a by-product of that ownership. Are we living in “denial” of this impact? Are we tolerant of this change or, will we accept our view of tolerance as nothing more than not being “harassed?” On balance, we must also ask if they will feel the same way?

Ask yourself – if there is a real solution or, as Zizek states, is your view just a “notion”?

You may have a solution to offer in the comments below but please, as Zizek asks of us – “don’t personalize it.”

Cautionary note: Zizek holds himself as a Marxist. Regardless, be prepared for interesting points of view that will leave you to think about what was, what is and what may be.

As Bob Dylan said – The Times Are Changing.

Riz Khan and Slavo Zizek

Full Link here

This was the first poem learned as a little person. At first, it was just a poem. With each season passing, it has grown in significance becoming one that never passes far from memory.

Today, the poem is part of Remembrance Day ceremonies in Canada and other countries. The poem was written by a Canadian – Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918) Canadian Army

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved, and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch, be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields

He Was Just Eighteen

As young man of 18 years, he was a speed skater from St. John, New Brunswick when he was called to war. He was assigned in August 1942, to the 83 Squadron Path Finder Force, the original squadron of Lancaster bombers.

In England while recovering from severe burns he described in a letter to friends at home, subsequently published by the Evening Times Globe how -

It was a nice bright moonlit night and the bomber was serenely journeying through the skies over France when, seemingly from nowhere, a Jerry figher came at us from underneath and before we had a chance to get out of his way he blasted about 200 shots at us and set us on fire. Flames spurted up immediately under my station as mid-upper gunner and in a few seconds both the turret and myself were on fire.
I left the turret to get my parachute…I managed to locate the chute but it was burning too. It was probably just as well that I had caught on fire because my gun turret had been blown to bits after I left it.

Lest We Forget

With all of that and more he was one of the lucky ones who made it home and who, as a result, made my life more complete. Sadly, he died just a few short years ago.

Philip F. Connell, D.F.M. P.F.F. BADGE, OP WINGS AND BAR was one of many brave men who during W.W. II made a difference that allowed me and so many other Canadians to enjoy a life of freedom. Phil was my father in law and … I remember.

Have you lost something or, did someone enter your property uninvited and take it?

The Vancouver Police Department has released their latest crime map. Want to know what nefarious things are going on in your neighbourhood?

Vancouver City Police

On a regular basis the Vancouver Police Department publishes crime maps for your consideration.

Vancouver Home Buyers Want to Know

As a Vancouver Realtor® I’m often asked what the crime rate is like and what types of crimes are perpetrated in different neighbourhoods. When buying a Vancouver home this resource is a very quick way to find out. If you are in the process of finding a Vancouver home and consider this information important you may want to book mark the site on your browser.

The maps reveal crime rates for Break and Enter in both Vancouver residential and Vancouver commercial properties. There are separate maps for automobiles to show which Vancouver neighbourhoods have theft from autos or have had the entire car stolen.

Hat Tip to Valerie Maclean, Executive Director, Vancouver Police Foundation

Halloween is always so much fun.

I get to see all the little people arrive at my door dressed up and excited as they wear their spooky costumes hoping to scare some treats out of me.

A Halloween tradition of sorts is to visit one of the great stores in Vancouver that is chock full of Halloween ideas.

Dressew

This store is a landmark in Vancouver and has been around at its Hastings and Cambie location for as long as memory serves. Each year when Halloween rolls around this store becomes a madhouse of shoppers looking for the materials to make a costume and the accessories to go with it.

However, if you are inclined towards the ready-made you will be dazzled by the selection of frightening weird and wonderful dress ups.

Adventure

Want a shopping adventure? At Vancouver’s Dressew store prepare yourself for the aisle bump and grind. It’s almost as scary as Halloween and the experience will definitely get you into the right spirit for a Vancouver Halloween.

Where Is This Place?

You can find Dressew at 337 Hastings St W, Vancouver, BC.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) in Canada rose 1.9 per cent in September compared to September 2009.

Up Continues

This follows a 1.7 per cent increase in August. Prices increased in seven of the eight major components of the index, with clothing and footwear posting the only decline.

At the Core

‘Migrant Worker’ by Dorathea Lange 1936

Core CPI, which excludes volitile components such as food and energy, increased 1.5 per cent in September after a 1.6 per cent rise in August. Core inflation was below the Bank of Canada’s (BoC) target of 2.0 per cent. More tepid economic growth means that inflation in Canada is well under control and that the BoC is unlikely to raise its trend setting target overnight rate until the spring of 2011. This means that the prime rate, variable mortgage rate and interest charged on home equity lines of credit will likely remain unchanged until next year.

Retail Sales

Retail sales in Canada advanced 0.5 per cent in August after being flat the previous two months. Year-over-year, retail sales increased 3.5 per cent in August.

Positive

This suggests that economic growth returned to positive territory in August after contracting 0.1 per cent in July. In British Columbia, retail sales continued to display relative weakness, declining 0.1 per cent in August after falling 0.4 per cent in July. Year-over-year, retail sales in B.C. increased 2.9 per cent in August, down from 4.3 per cent in July.

Backgrounder

Life as she knew it then. Florence Owens Thompson – the woman in the picture.

Copyright British Columbia Real Estate Association. Reprinted with permission. BCREA makes no guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of this information.

In Vancouver many follow the Canadian tradition of Thanksgiving.

For the majority it is recognized as the harvest festival. For city dwellers it is unlikely that we take much time to talk about the benefits of harvesting a good crop and has morphed into something different for urbanites. Within the city it is more the accepted practice to gather as family or friends to celebrate a year of good fortune and health with a grand turkey dinner.

Different Reasons

According to Wikipediathere are contentious issues regarding the origins of the Canadian version of Thanksgiving claiming an tie in to Martin Frobisher and his return from the Arctic.

The idea of a turkey dinner is traditionally associated with the American version of thanksgiving that dates back to the time of the Pilgrims and the Thirteen colonies.

Different Styles

In many countries, and areas celebrate their versions of Thanksgiving. With the help of Wikipedia here is a small list:

• Belarus
• Erntedankfest – Germany and Austria
• Guldize- Cornwall, UK
• Vishu
• Chuseok

Photo Credit

Different Ways to Enjoy

To many, the meaning and purpose of thanksgiving is different.

The differences vary as much as do the look and feel of Vancouver homes, condos and services provided by Vancouver Realtors®.

It is those differences for which I am most Thankful.

Most of us have a sense of the things that change the Vancouver market yet few of know what makes the green leaves of summer change with the seasons.

I am often amazed at the dazzling colors that greet us at this time of year. Did you know that the red and yellow colors are always present and are hidden by the green. It at this time of year when a plant stops producing chlorophyl that the red and green begin to show?

Back East

In the eastern part of our country and the north eastern states the change to fall is a big deal. These pictures will give you some idea of why.

Locally

If you are lucky and have found Chad Schuler on Flickr you will visually experience some great fall moments in the lower mainland.

Courtesy of Chad Schuler

You can find more of Chad Shuler’s work here.