July 15, 2005 - This area is a vital watershed, so what’s the surprise?: One can handle only so many back-to-back sunny days! To those of you in northern climes, that may sound somewhat perverse, but here in Vallarta – where we have perfect weather with just about zero rain from November through May – the rainy season is a welcome reprieve.

May 15, 2005 - Although I have to say, the honeymoon’s over.: Image is important, survey after survey reiterating that we have precious few seconds after meeting someone before being sized up.

April 15, 2005 - What a great opportunity living here provides!: Did you know that there are more Spanish speakers in the USA than there are Canadians? And a recent survey says that 61% of US business executives consider it the most important second language to have, the world’s fourth-most spoken tongue of some 6,000.

February 15, 2005 - Why them against us, or vice versa, when we’re all in this together?: The culling of the Isla Cuale’s healthy cats on February 2 ­ at least half neutered and spayed and the others scheduled to be fixed ­ came as a complete shock, not only to me and fellow gringos, but also to Mexican animal activists.

January 15, 2005 - I saw my first aardvark!: I love Vallarta, my chosen home, yet like everyone else I need to get away now and then to recharge my batteries.

December 15, 2004 - Now that’s one sticky mess I doubt anyone will mind!: This may sound funny with Christmas fast approaching, but for me the dust is now settling, Puerto Vallarta’s November film and gourmet festivals over until next year.

November 15, 2004 - Like excitement? Then this is the time to be here.: Wow! is all I have time to say about the hectic pace we reporters are experiencing this month, with so many incredible events occurring simultaneously.

September 15, 2004 - Many of Vallarta's faith groups, what they do and when they do it, remain mysteries: It's just like clockwork, the way the rain for the past month or so has started about half an hour before I get off work at 6 and keeps things interesting all the way home.

July 15, 2004 - Did you know crocodiles can gallop?: Well, it’s not like there aren’t enough amazing things to see around here, but it’s still good news for us cinephiles that Guadalajara’s Cinemark is opening a new movie theater in Plaza Caracol next spring with eight salons.

May 15, 2004 - Speaking of heat, last month we here at Viva Productions took some.: After a couple of false starts, summer weather is upon us. So until next November 7 or so ­ yes, you can almost pinpoint when the weather changes each year with that kind of specificity ­ I won’t leave home without an icy bottle of water and a facecloth for brow mopping.

April 15, 2004 - Well that was nice, but what now?: I just returned from a nice long four-day weekend, since my office gave us Thursday off as well as Good Friday, a national holiday. And I really appreciated it because it gave me enough time to make a dent in finally getting my apartment painted.

April 15, 2004 - This dog is definitely not every man’s best friend.: Just ask Max Factor heir and convicted rapist Andrew Luster – now serving 124 years in jail, thanks to bounty hunter Duane “Dog” Chapman, who nabbed the fugitive on our cobblestone streets just over a year ago – and the more than 6,000 other felons he has captured.

March 15, 2004 - I’m sure glad my self-esteem is better than it used to be!: Some pretty destructive viruses and assorted unpleasantries have been worming their way into computers around the world lately, the ones in our office as vulnerable as any. So I’m being exceedingly cautious about opening email attachments ­ the Pandora’s boxes of today ­ unless I’m sure who they’re from and scan them first.

February 17, 2004 - My quality of life is priceless.: Reviewing my Day Timer last week, I noted with surprise that just last year at this time, some of us were still marching for peace.

January 15, 2004 - Don't believe everything you read!: Lots positive to tell you about this month, a fresh start on a new year, with a new municipal government promising to make much-needed improvements to the town - including eliminating the thousand-plus times buses batter our historic heart every day. We’ve heard this promise many times from many others.

November 15, 2003 - The tenderness was palpable: I live in Mexico because I resonate with its earthiness, life here more primal and soulful than up north. Despite that, it’s taken me a while to really appreciate how Mexicans remember their deceased family and friends on the Day of the Dead, celebrated the night of November 1.

October 15, 2003 - Just kidding!: Following a three-week hiatus in California enjoying refreshingly cool weather, creature comforts and the love of my family, I am so relieved to be back in Vallarta.

September 17, 2003 - We keep our heads in the sand at our peril: For me, Vallarta is as utopian a place and way of thinking as I’m likely to find in this world. I love it dearly and feel fiercely loyal for all it’s given me. But I’m not blind to its pressing problems. So why do the powers that be act like they are?

August 13, 2003 - Summer’s when the real Vallarta shows itself: Gringos who’ve never experienced a summer here probably assume they’re not missing much. But the visiting nationals currently having a fabulous time with friends and family on the bay’s 100-plus beaches know better.

July 16, 2003: Demonstrating an astute sense of occasion, Vallarta’s Canadian Consulate made an upward move on Canada Day to a larger space in the Hotel Zone with more convenient parking. And, as a Canadian, it occurs to me that the July 1 shift might have been sparked by the desire for more independence.