Here’s my gig in a nutshell: I write about British Columbia. I love British Columbia.

I was born on Vancouver Island, on the coast, and have lived, worked, and played here pretty much all my life. My family lived on the island for nine years before moving to Richmond, BC, and I have been back here or on the Gulf Islands since 2011. Yes, I know Vancouver, Squamish & Whistler, and the northern and southern interior. FYI, during the Beatlemania days, I walked in front of the Birks Building on Granville Street in a Beatles wig to shock the normals, boxed as a young amateur in provincial tournaments, and knew many families and had and have friends in West, North, East, and South Vancouver. I was educated and learned so much about rejection in so many flavours at high school and Capilano College & SFU as I became a familiar trekker in the backcountry. I took on the job of logging on the coast to prove I could do it. I lived in Haida Gwaii, on the Tlell River, in a cabin without running water or power for six years. I have always been a writer, but I also had a long career as an IT pro and part-time college instructor. I’m a musician who is also handy with a shovel, nail bag, and hammer. I have been a clerk, a taxi driver, homeless, an adventurer, a mountaineer, a father, and a general lover of the finer things in life. I have had six honeymoons, but none of the relationships maturated into marriage. Today, I live in small-town BC, am in touch with Nature every day, and love every minute of this life.

So, that’s what I write about––BC. We sure as hell are not perfect, and I’m a prime example of that, but we are rare. Homegrown talent still sticking around is tougher to find than free camping in Whistler. You’ll find us unique, rebellious, and self-righteous. Thankfully, not all of us are invading Imperialists. We quietly share our nook in this world and the heritage of those who were here long before we arrived. And yes, some of us realize that what we had in the 60s and 70s, including our spirit and children, vanished across the vast ocean or over the mountains, so every last remnant of BC still here deserves our protection.

It has been a helluva ride, and there’s still more to come, so welcome to my page.

Al