7 November 2023 – A shaft of early sunlight shoots down the alley. It pulls me me in, to follow its path.

Suddenly I realize that I am entering “Astro Alley,” site of a Vancouver Mural Festival side event this August and subject of my own 8 August post. Now as then, I come across it early morning and quite by accident, this one block stretch between Manitoba & Columbia, West 3rd & 4th.

Then, artists were starting to create the murals; now, the murals dance with the day.

Birdfingers’ dragon creature contemplates his toes, eyes bisected by the beam of light…

bunny-demons frolic above their doorway, the shadow far below…

Soccer Girl completes her kick, her body perfectly aligned with the shadow…

while kittens practise doing what cats do best: sleeping.

Skeletons pretend it’s still Hallowe’en and party on…

in contrast to Office Guy, who dutifully unlocks the door, to report for work.

Speaking of reporting…

Chillivia’s No Time message reminds me that I’m walking west for a reason.

I have an appointment to keep.

So I hustle on out of the alley, pick up the pace and — just like Office Guy — get myself to where I’m supposed to be.