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Music | Top 100 Albums | Imogen Heap Creates A Career, and Endures

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Imogen Heap has the kind of fame that’s mostly invisible.

Throughout her three decades long career, the Grammy Award-winning British musician has merged intimate, sweet, stirring vocals fused with gently sweeping electronic soundscapes into lilting, alluring, pulsating and ethereal synthesized, yet organic pop that is uniformly and captivatingly gorgeous. Perhaps not the best known music artist, Imogen Heap maintains a loyal fan base that encompasses both her devoted listeners, and music critics across every continent on the planet.

Thus, Imogen Heap has managed to build herself a successful, if low key, career that has endured for the past quarter century and more, as she remains true to herself, a self-produced artist popular on the indie concert circuit across the globe.

Born Imogen Jennifer Jane Heap in London, she was raised in Essex, where she studied classical piano from a young age, writing songs in her early teens.

While attending boarding school in her mid-teens, Imogen Heap discovered alternative pop/rock, Euro-pop, and electronica, a musical mixture that effectively ended her desire to become a classical instrumentalist.

In the musical era of the 1990s when talented, attractive young female artists were breaking out into momentous world wide fame — think, Britney Spears, Fiona Apple, Tori Amos, Aaliyah and Alanis Morissette, to name just a few outstanding artists — record companies were on the lookout for upcoming new talent.

Thus, a young 17-year-old Imogen Heap was discovered, promoted and ferried across the globe to meet music critics in major cities across North America.

VanRamblings was invited to an intimate concert featuring Ms. Heap that took place on a late evening in 1993, in the basement of the Georgia Hotel, where a gangly young Ms. Heap played a handful of songs she’d written, after which the music critics on hand were afforded an opportunity to meet with her for an interview, accompanied by a local Warner Bros. A&R rep, in a room just off the concert stage.

Long story short, Imogen Heap’s début release was not a hit, the album fading into history, and, should you look online, not included in Ms. Heap’s discography.

Although Imogen Heap’s 1998 album iMegaphone received some acclaim — Ms. Heap’s music reflecting influences including Kate Bush, Annie Lennox, and Björk —  the album did not sell well, as Ms. Heap lost her contract with Almo Sounds.

All was not lost, though, as Ms. Heap’s transcendently lovely vocals caught the attention of Guy Sigsworth, Madonna’s producer at the time — who produced one of the songs on iMegaphone —  who kept in touch with her after the album’s release.

In 2000, Guy Sigsworth suggested a collaboration.

In the early 2000s, Heap and Sigsworth began working together, sharing equal responsibilities in the collaborative project Frou Frou.

Despite the duo’s lighthearted name, Frou Frou utilized electronics to create an atmospheric, dreamy, and nuanced sound. MCA/Universal signed the group in 2001, and Heap temporarily put her solo career on hold.

Frou Frou released the album Details in 2002.

MCA/Universal arranged for a global concert series for Imogen Heap to support the album. Details sold like mad for Frou Frou across the European continent, becoming a massive hit for the duo, with the song Let Go topping the charts, while also being included on the award-winning Garden State soundtrack.

The success of Frou Frou allowed Imogen Heap to return to her first love: a self-produced, solo career. As Ms. Heap continued to tour across North and South America, and Europe, Frou Frou became a hit only on the European continent, most particularly in France, where Imogen Heap became a certified star.

Frou Frou and Details never took off anywhere else on the planet, save Europe, although the success of the album did serve to pay Heap’s bills, while allowing her to refocus on her career as a solo artist.

From 2003 through 2005, Imogen Heap taught herself the intricacies of the complex music production software Pro Tools (also used by Finneas O’Connell in the production of Billie Eilish’s début album).


Track 2, Goodnight and Go, from Imogen Heap’s 2005 smash hit album, Speak for Yourself.

By 2004, Frou Frou had disbanded, as Heap turned her attention to creating her first, fully self-produced album, which would become the massive hit, Speak for Yourself, which she produced over the period of a year and a half in her kitchen, responsible for every intimate detail of the album.


Track 5, Hide and Seek, from Imogen Heap’s 2005 smash hit album, Speak for Yourself.

The first smash hit off of Speak for Yourself, which sold wildly across the globe, gaining immense radio play, was Hide and Seek, the song rising to number one on the indie charts across Europe, and North and South America. Hide and Seek stops the show midway through; it’s expressly designed to make you come to a dead stop on your drive or walk like it did when it popped up in The O.C.

An a cappella blend of Heap’s hyper-layered pipes, it’s sonic trickery makes the song lap itself; there’s so much synthetic beauty in there that it comes off sounding organic anyway. Besides, it’s uniformly gorgeous; no beat required.


Imogen Heap’s voice, an ephemeral elastic thing that more often than not disappears into the music, as is very much the case with Just for Now, Track 9 on Ms. Heap’s 2005 album, Speak for Yourself.

Speak for Yourself ends with the rather melancholy The Moment I Said It, the song notable for its contrasting melodies that hint at greater possibilities in the future.


Track 12, The Moment I Said It, from Imogen Heap’s 2005 smash hit album, Speak for Yourself.

Stories of a Life | Redux | Cathy and Raymond’s 1970s European Adventure

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Traveling on a train across Europe, with a Eurail Pass, in the 1970s

In the summer of 1974, Cathy and I traveled to Europe for a three-month European summer vacation, BritRail and Eurail passes in hand, this was going to be a summer vacation to keep in our memory for always.

And so it proved to be …

On another day, in another post evoking memories of our cross-continental European sabbatical, I’ll relate more stories of what occurred that summer.

Train travel in Spain, in the 1970s, as the train makes its way around the bend

Only 10 days prior to the event I am about to relate, Cathy and I had arrived in Lisbon, Portugal, alighting from a cruise liner we’d boarded in Southampton, England (passage was only 5£s, much cheaper than now).

After a couple of wonderful days in Lisbon, Cathy and I embarked on the first part of our hitchhiking sojourn throughout every portion of Portugal we could get to, finally traveling along the Algarve before arriving in the south of the country, ready to board a train to Spain.

Unfortunately, I developed some intestinal disorder or other, requiring rest and fluids.

Once Cathy could see that I was going to be fine, she left the confines of our little pensão to allow me to recover in peace, returning with stories of her having spent a wonderful day at the beach with an enthusiastic retinue of young Portuguese men, who had paid attention to and flirted with her throughout the day.

Cathy was in paradisiacal heaven; me, not so much.

Still, I was feeling better, almost recovered from my intestinal malady, and the two of us made a decision to be on our way the next morning.

Traveling from the south of Portugal to Spain, in the 1970s

To say that I was in a bad mood when I got onto the train is to understate the matter. On the way to the station, who should we run into but the very group of amorous young men Cathy had spent the previous day with, all of whom were beside themselves that this braless blonde goddess of a woman was leaving their country, as they beseeched her to “Stay, please stay.”

Alas, no luck for them; this was my wife, and we were going to be on our way.

Still suffering from the vestiges of both an irritable case of jealousy and a now worsening intestinal disorder, I was in a foul mood once we got onto the train, and as we pulled away from the station, my very loud and ill-tempered mood related in English, those sitting around us thinking that I must be some homem louco, and not wishing in any manner to engage.

A few minutes into my decorous rant, a young woman walked up to me, and asked in the boldest terms possible …

“Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?

“Huh,” I enquired?

“Do you kiss your mother with that mouth? That’s the filthiest mouth I’ve ever heard. You’ve got to teach me how to swear!”

At which point, she sat down across from me, her lithe African American dancer companion moving past me to sit next to her. “Susan. My name is Susan. This is my friend, Danelle,” she said, pointing in the direction of Danelle. “We’re from New York. We go to school there. Columbia. I’m in English Lit. Danelle’s taking dance — not hard to tell, huh? You two traveling through Europe, are you?” Susan all but shouted. “I come from a large Jewish family. You? We’re traveling through Europe together.”

And thus began a beautiful friendship.

Turns out that Susan could swear much better than I could; she needed no instruction from me. Turns out, too, that she had my number, and for all the weeks we traveled together through Europe, Susan had not one kind word for me — she set about to make my life hell, and I loved every minute of it. Susan became the sister I wished I’d had, profane, self-confident, phenomenally bright and opinionated, her acute dissection of me done lovingly and with care, to this day one of the best and most loving relationships I’ve ever had.

Little known fact about me: I love being called out by bright, emotionally healthy, socially-skilled and whole women.

Two-year-old Jude Nathan Tomlin, baby Megan Jessica, and dad, Raymond, in June 1977
The summer of 1974, when Cathy became pregnant with Jude, on the right above.

Without the women in my life, Cathy or Megan, my daughter — when Cathy and I separated — Lori, Justine, Alison, Patricia, Julienne or Melissa, each of whom loved me, love me still, and made me a better person, the best parts of me directly attributable to these lovely women, to whom I am so grateful for caring enough about me to make me a better person.

Now onto the raison d’être of this instalment of Stories of a Life.

Once Susan and I had settled down — there was an immediate connection between Susan and I, which Cathy took as the beginnings of an affair the two of us would have (as if I would sleep with my sister — Danelle, on the other hand, well … perhaps a story for another day, but nothing really happened, other than the two of us becoming close, different from Susan).

J. D. Salinger's Nine Stories, an anthology of short stories published in April 1953

 

Danelle saw a ragged copy of J.D. Salinger’s Nine Stories peeking out of Cathy’s backpack.

“Okay,” she said. “In rounds, let’s each one of us give the title of one of the Salinger short stories,” which we proceeded to do. Cathy was just now reading Salinger, while I’d read the book while we were still in England, about three weeks earlier.

Cathy started first, For Esmé — with Love and Squalor. Danelle, Teddy. Susan, showing off, came up with A Perfect Day for Bananafish, telling us all, “That story was first published in the January 31, 1948 edition of The New Yorker.” Show off! I was up next, and came up with Uncle Wiggily in Connecticut. Phew — just barely came up with that one! Thank goodness.

Onto the second round: Cathy, Down at the Dinghy; Danelle, Pretty Mouth and Green My Eyes; Susan, showing off again, De Daumier-Smith’s Blue Period, “turned down by The New Yorker in late 1951, and published by the British Information World Review, early in 1952.” Me? Struggling yet again, but subject to a momentary epiphany, I blurted out, Just Before the War with the Eskimos. There we were, eight stories down and one to go.

But do you think any one of us could come up with the title to the 9th tale in Salinger’s 1953 anthology of short stories? Nope.

We thought about it, and thought about it — and nothing, nada, zero, zilch. We racked our brains, and we simply couldn’t come up with the title of the 9th short story.

We sat there, hushed. For the first time in about half an hour, there was silence between us, only the voices of children on the train, and the clickety-clack of the tracks as the train relentlessly headed towards Madrid.

We couldn’t look at one another. We were, as a group, downcast, looking up occasionally at the passing scenery, only furtively glancing at one another, only periodically and with reservation, as Cathy held onto my arm, putting hers in mine, Danelle looking up, she too wishing for human contact.

Finally, Susan looked up at me, looked directly at me, her eyes steely and hard yet … how do I say it? … full of love and confidence in me, that I somehow would be the one to rescue us from the irresolvable dilemma in which we found ourselves.

Beseechingly, Susan’s stare did not abate …

“The Laughing Man,” I said, “The Laughing Man! The 9th story in Salinger’s anthology is …” and before I could say the words, I was smothered in kisses, Cathy to my left, Susan having placed herself in my lap, kissing my cheeks, my lips, my forehead, and when she found herself unable to catch her breath, Danelle carrying on where Susan had left off, more tender than Susan, loving and appreciative, Cathy now holding me tight, love all around us.

A moment that will live in me always, a gift of the landscape of my life.

#BCPoli | BC Election 2024 Vancouver-Little Mountain May the Best Wo/Man Win

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On Friday, May 3rd, the Conservative Party of British Columbia announced former Vancouver Park Board Chairperson John Coupar as their candidate in the newly-created riding of Vancouver-Little Mountain, in the upcoming provincial election.


John Coupar announced as BC Conservative Party candidate in the riding of Vancouver-Little Mountain

John Coupar is best known for his role in saving and restoring the iconic and much beloved Bloedel Conservatory atop Queen Elizabeth Park, located at the geographic centre of Vancouver and the Little Mountain riding.

“Public safety is issue number one. Residents deserve to walk down the street without worrying about being assaulted or robbed,” says Coupar. “I know this riding and the people who reside in it. I’ve lived in Olympic Village for over a decade.”

Upon accepting the Conservative Party of B.C. nomination, John Coupar had this to say about Christine Boyle, his BC NDP opponent in Vancouver-Little Mountain.

“The current NDP candidate, Christine Boyle, has not represented the concerns of this community. She doesn’t even live in the riding. She promoted the ‘defund the police’ movement, and supports reckless policies on illicit drug use. Quite simply, Christine Boyle is out of touch with the concerns of the community. The residents of Vancouver-Little Mountain require a common-sense approach to governance that will restore public safety, make life affordable, and a responsible MLA in the B.C. Legislature who will represent the best interests of the community,” concludes John Coupar.


BC NDP candidate, Vancouver City Councillor Christine Boyle, seeks office in Vancouver-Little Mountain

After a hard fought nomination race, on April 4th of this year, two-term Vancouver City Councillor Christine Boyle secured the British Columbia New Democratic Party nomination in the newly-created riding of Vancouver-Little Mountain.

“It’s an incredible honour to be your BC NDP candidate in Vancouver-Little Mountain in the upcoming B.C. election,” Ms. Boyle posted on the X social media platform upon securing the nomination. “Thank you for your support, for your encouragement and for your passion as together we work towards building a fairer, healthier and more affordable British Columbia for all.”

BC NDP candidate Christine Boyle for Vancouver-Little Mountain, with media after winning nomination

David Eby weighed in when Ms. Boyle secured the Vancouver-Little Mountain nomination.

“As a Vancouver City Councillor, Christine Boyle is a tireless champion for everyday people and the social good,” Eby said.

“I know she’ll bring that same energy and compassion to her work for people as a BC NDP MLA. Christine will be a strong addition to our team, and a great representative for people in Vancouver-Little Mountain and the issues they care about.”

Christine Boyle is a strong advocate for rental, co-op and non-market housing.

Since first being elected to Vancouver City Council in 2018, and re-elected to a second term on Council in 2022, Christine Boyle has only served to strengthen her environmental and climate advocacy bona fides — including, leading the development of Vancouver’s Climate Emergency Action Plan — which, when you consider that BC Conservative party leader John Rustad believes climate change to be a hoax, makes Ms. Boyle’s election to Victoria all that much more important.

Sources within both the BC NDP and the BC Conservative Party tell VanRamblings that Christine Boyle currently enjoys a five-point lead over John Coupar in the race to become the Member of the Legislature representing Vancouver-Little Mountain.

In the interest of full disclosure, as we wrote on social media yesterday, VanRamblings will formally endorse John Coupar in the lead up to British Columbia’s October 19th provincial election, when we will express why we believe it is critical to the interests of B.C. citizens that John Coupar becomes a member of the BC Conservative Party caucus, a goal that could be achieved should the residents of Vancouver-Little Mountain in all their wisdom elect John Coupar to represent them in the British Columbia Legislature over the next four years.

Here’s what we wrote yesterday on social media in support of John Coupar’s candidacy for elected office under the Conservative Party of B.C. banner.

“I am supporting John Coupar, who I’ve know well since 2011, someone I speak and meet with regularly, someone who saw me through my cancer journey, one of the best men I have ever known, a compassionate and caring man of character who doesn’t suffer fools gladly and stands up for the guiding principles that have defined his life of service and contribution, a champion of the gender variant community, and a person of character who I believe it is critical to have sitting in the BC Conservative caucus.

In the case of John Coupar, it is the privilege of my life to count John among my friends.

My endorsement of John is not meant to suggest that Christine Boyle — his NDP opponent — is not a worthy candidate, or that she wouldn’t make a fine member of the British Columbia Legislature.

The above said, my support for the re-election of British Columbia’s New Democratic Party government could not be stronger, as will be evidenced in my writing in the weeks to come.”

Make no mistake, this will be a close election, with either the NDP eking out a win to form government over the next four years, or the Conservative Party of B.C. — with the wind at their back, riding the coattails of popular federal Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, who is currently polling at 50% support among the B.C. electorate — forming government, from late 2024 through the fall of 2028.

We’ll know the outcome of the provincial election on Saturday, October 19th.

Whoever secures government on the evening of October 19th, VanRamblings implores you to not allow yourself the destructive indulgence of division.

When you awake on a peaceful October 20th morning, those who love you will still love you, and as we head into the holiday season in November and December know that there will be much to be thankful for in all aspects of your life.

Yes, elections are important, and we all — well, at least those diminishing few of us who are engaged in the conditions that impact on our lives, and give a good galldarn about politics, and know how important the role of government is in determining the livability and economic and social viability of our province — will continue on with our lives as we always have, experiencing occasional peripatetic joy, while appreciating the natural beauty of our province, and the love of all those who play a critically important role in the stability and the livability of our lives.

#BCPoli | The Knock Down, Drag Out Fight in Vancouver-Yaletown

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One of the more interesting battles for office in the 2024 British Columbia provincial election will occur in the new, redistributed riding of Vancouver-Yaletown.

Vying for supremacy on election night, Saturday, October 19th, are Conservative Party of BC candidate for office, Melissa De Genova, and the recently recruited British Columbia New Democratic Party candidate, Terry Yung.

As we say above, Vancouver-Yaletown is a new British Columbia electoral riding that was created from a 2022 re-drawing of electoral riding boundaries.

Previously, the area was part of the Vancouver-False Creek riding, which is a geographical area that includes the False Creek South neighbourhoods.

Between 2013 and 2020, the riding of Vancouver-False Creek was held by former Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan. Currently, Vancouver-False Creek is represented by the BC NDP’s Brenda Bailey, who is the Minister of Jobs, Economic Development, and Innovation. In 2024, Ms. Bailey will seek elected office as the BC NDP candidate in the newly-created riding of Vancouver-South Granville.


Melissa De Genova, her VPD officer husband, Blair, and daughter, Lili — who just entered Grade Two

B.C. Conservative Party leader John Rustad, upon successfully recruiting Melissa De Genova as a party candidate, had this to say …

“Melissa brings valuable experience regarding getting housing built, with her deep understanding of the challenges of actually getting housing built, from all perspectives. In her tenure as a two-term Vancouver City Councillor, and her work in the private sector, Melissa worked to get both market and non-profit housing built. The Conservative Party believes Melissa De Genova’s expertise in housing is critical to tackling the affordability crisis in BC.”

The Conservative Party website adds about their Vancouver-Yaletown candidate.

Ms. De Genova was named one of the top forty under forty by Business in Vancouver for her work in creating affordable housing. She has volunteered for numerous community-focused charities, including the Moberly Arts and Cultural Centre, the Salvation Army in the Downtown Eastside, Odd Squad productions, Honour House and the Italian Day Festival Society.

What is true about Melissa De Genova is that she is a fighter, a community activist and elected official who doesn’t put up with any guff.

When Melissa De Genova fought for the construction of the Killarney Seniors Centre —  despite members of the majority Vision Vancouver City Council dragging their heels on approval of the needed seniors facility — Melissa was relentless in working to get the seniors facility built, as she moved the sun, the moon, the Earth and the stars to achieve her goal.

VanRamblings, and anyone who has worked with Melissa, can tell you, this three time elected official (Melissa sat as a Park Board Commissioner from 2011 to 2014, before being elected to two terms on Vancouver City Council) is no one to mess with when she sets her mind to serving the best interests of the community.


Vancouver City Councillor Sarah Kirby-Yung, and her beloved husband Terry Yung, BC NDP candidate.

Retired Vancouver Police Department (VPD) Inspector Terry Yung — who recently left the VPD after three decades of distinguished service — on August 28th became the British Columbia New Democratic Party candidate for office in the newly-created Vancouver-Yaletown riding, ready to fight for victory in the October 2024 provincial election.

“I know Terry is values driven.

He readies action any time someone is pushed around, exploited, taken advantage of, or left behind,” said BC NDP Premier David Eby, when Terry Yung secured the nomination.

“He knows we need to be tough on crime, and tough on the causes of crime. These values led him to an exceptional career in law enforcement, and have called him to public life as a BC NDP candidate. Terry will join two other senior police officers on our candidate team, all of whom have spent their careers dedicated to delivering safe and strong communities. The people of Vancouver-Yaletown can count on him to be in their corner,” continued Eby.

Terry Yung was also the longtime board Chair of the non-profit social service organization SUCCESS (United Chinese Community Enrichment Services Society), and involved with other organizations such as the Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver, the Vancouver Cambie Lions Club, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver. Terry is a recipient of the BC Medal of Good Citizenship and a Melvin Jones Fellow.

“City cores across North America are facing crises with homelessness and addictions, and the impact on public safety that follows. Here in B.C., we’re focused on keeping people safe and getting to the root causes of crime — it’s starting to make a difference,” Yung told those gathered for the Vancouver-Yaletown BC NDP meeting where he was acclaimed the party’s candidate.

“As a former VPD officer, I know B.C. can be a leader in successfully taking on these challenges with kindness and compassion, recognizing the roles of poverty and mental health in creating these conditions. And that’s the approach David Eby’s government has taken: hiring new police officers to take on organized crime, launching mental health crisis response teams, while opening more homes and treatment facilities. B.C. is tackling our public safety challenges on every level. It’s work worth doing — and worth being a part of, which is why I came forward. I can’t wait to get to work in the British Columbia Legislature.”

The emergent, central, defining election issue in Vancouver-Yaletown: crime.

VanRamblings sources tell us that …

  • When recruiting Terry Yung, the Premier made a commitment to Mr. Yung he would appoint the decorated VDP Inspector as our province’s next Solicitor General, and …
  • According to internal party polling, from both the Conservatives and NDP, Melissa De Genova currently enjoys a substantial lead over her opponent. But believe us when we say, with 46 days to go until Election Day, it is waaayyyy too early to predict the outcome of the electoral race to represent the residents of Vancouver-Yaletown..

Terry Yung’s claim to fame is that the residents of Yaletown give him credit for shutting down the controversial Overdose Prevention Society safe injection site — which was a magnet for crime and disorder in their neighbourhood.

Given that Yaletown has emerged in recent years as a family neighbourhood — we’re always surprised to find young children and their families walking throughout the neighbourhood, heading home from a visit to the T&T market, to their home on the 11th floor of one of the myriad Yaletown towers — moving the safe injection to a nearby site, adjacent to Yaletown, was the first order of business for Terry Yung, and the grateful residents of Yaletown.

If we have a criticism of Melissa’s 2024 campaign for provincial office it’s that she is — as has been the case throughout her political career — far too partisan for her own good, her daily visceral, ad hominen attacks on David Eby … who most folks actually like on a personal level, even if they’re not fans of his government … we believe to be counterproductive to her goal of attaining a seat in the provincial Legislature. In the 2022 Vancouver civic election, the electorate tired of her act, relegating her to a 19th place finish on election night, on Saturday, October 15th.

Melissa may wish to reconsider her strategy by adopting a somewhat less inflammatory approach to her goal of winning elected provincial office.

We will say two more things pertinent to Ms. De Genova’s bid to attain office.

  • There is no love loss between Ms. De Genova and current ABC Vancouver / former Non-Partisan Association (NPA) Vancouver City Councillor Sarah Kirby-Yung. Terry Yung loves his wife, and hardly cottons to Ms. De Genova’s less than generous appreciation of his beloved spouse. For Melissa, this is personal, not to mention which, knowing Melissa it is probable that she feels Terry Yung to be a turncoat — “How dare he have supported his wife’s run for Vancouver City Council under the centre-right Non-Partisan Association banner, while supporting his good friend, Vancouver-Langara B.C. Liberal Member of the Legislature, Michael Lee, and now emerge as a latter day candidate for the hated NDP.”
  • Terry Yung is a respected and beloved, retired 30-year member of the Vancouver Police Department. Ms. De Genova’s husband is Blair Da Costa, a multi-year member of the aforementioned Vancouver Police Department. Now, dear and constant reader, you may have heard something about “the boys in blue are a brotherhood.” If Terry Yung doesn’t exactly cotton to Ms. De Genova’s derision for his wife, you can bet that members of the VPD will not be thrilled with Mr. Da Costa’s wife going after one of their own. Just sayin’ …

One more thing: for far too long, members of the public — particularly on the left side of the political spectrum — have underestimated Melissa De Genova, written her off as a “whack job,” designated her as a ne’er-do-well right winger (this name calling on the left drives VanRamblings crazy).

In our long association with Melissa, VanRamblings has always found her to be a progressive on the social issues of the day — and, dare we say, a union supporter — a person of heart and conscience who means well for our city, a person who strives each and every day towards building a better tomorrow for her young daughter, and for all children and families who reside in every region of our province.


Photo of Terry Yung taken on May 11, 2012 for a BBC story on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside

When it come to Terry Yung — who we know and like — we’re unconcerned about the viability and potential for success of his bid for elected provincial office.

Terry Yung went after the Vancouver-Yaletown New Democratic Party nomination with his eyes open. To underestimate Terry Yung’s wit, his intelligence, his experience and his political acumen — hell, he’s married to VanRamblings’ favourite political person in the province! — would be a terrible mistake. No fool he — they’re ain’t a smidgen of naïveté in how Terry Yung brings himself to the world.

Not to mention which: David Eby has no intention of losing this election.

The BC NDP and the BC NDP alone in the 2024 British Columbia provincial election have built an unassailable election campaign machine, with Dippers from across Canada arriving on our shores daily — experienced and winning campaigners, who mean to re-elect David Eby’s NDP government, given that there is so much on the line as they run against an alt-right, Trump-like John Rustad (who actually told the CBC’s Michelle Elliott last week that teachers are indoctrinating students in their care, distributing pornography to Grade 4 students as part of the SOGI 123 programme — without any evidence whatsoever to prove his claim — and that his government would ban thousands of books currently on the shelves in school libraries) — ready to fight for what is right, forward thinking and just for all.