something to blog about

its a zoo out there

2010-03-20T19:07:00.000-07:00

I was on the CBC website and I happened to read and article about a gorilla wielding a knife... and then every time I clicked to the next item I kept seeing more and more... and thought to myself, "man, the Calgary zoo is quite the wild place!" A sampling of zoo news:

New tiger graces Calgary Zoo
March 9, 2010
Escaped zoo snakes found in drain
Feb. 23, 2010
Trespassing charges in Calgary Zoo tiger attack
Oct. 9, 2009
Tiger injures man at Calgary Zoo
Oct. 5, 2009
Dancing elephant statue stays, says Calgary Zoo
Sept. 25, 2009
Zoo looks south for new polar exhibit
July 31, 2009
Sibling rivalry blamed for attack on newborn bison at Calgary Zoo
June 29, 2009
Knife-wielding gorilla photos overblown: Calgary Zoo
June 17, 2009
Grizzly orphans transferred from Calgary to Saskatoon
June 16, 2008
Elephant injures Calgary zookeeper
May 18, 2008

you are the prize

2009-11-24T00:17:00.000-08:00

its going to be a blue ribbon kind of day. heres what I've been working on for the upcoming toque craft fair at the western front! I have made my usual books and cards, and these are my new wearable text based art. I made them from scratch and I love the over the top color and fanfare but the 'awards' are for things like "ok".

If you are in the neighbourhood: western front gallery (vancouver), saturday November 28th 11-5

true vancouver artisans- great variety of local hand made. and I know for a fact there will also be cupcakes for sale...

heres cooking at you kid

2009-11-12T16:47:00.000-08:00

my mom pretty much always made home cooked dinners. she worked full time, took care of kids, the house and still made meals ever night for dinner. my dad did too, but his area of expertise was the bbq and pizza night probably once every couple of weeks. And since I have been taking care of myself now for almost as long as my parents took care of me, I really appreciate it more than ever. In the last year I am finding that I am craving meals from the past. domestic inspiration? nostalgic appetite? I wanted to make the things I remembered and loved- but make it better. it started with my moms spaghetti recipe: I loved it the way it was, but feeding your family on a budget and in a town where fresh produce was a foreign concept I thought I might be able to improve it a bit. no can of tomatoes for me- fresh tomatoes. instead of the lump of green pepper- crisp red or orange. safeway special lb of hamburger- grain fed alberta lean beef. I am pleased with myself and although I guess opening a can of tomatoes might take a little less than cleaning and chopping some vegetables, I feel good eating it. Last night I tried another: beef stroganoff. I had never made it before, but it turned out really well. organic beef and 3 types of mushrooms (white, brown and shiitake). like moms, only different.... (I love you mom!)

she's crafty

2009-11-03T20:42:00.000-08:00

it is november. my goodness! the school year is ticking along and here we are half way to christmas. I have been feeling particularly domestic these days and wanting to make things. wanting to cook, sew, knit and general crafty. last weekend was very productive: made dinner 2 nights, worked on a new upcoming sculpture/wearable art project, hit the knit shop, sorted materials for book making and compiled the do-do list for an upcoming craft fair and christmas. will keep you posted as things progress...

owl update

2009-10-30T15:35:00.000-07:00

update: we called the vet to check on our patient. he's in for observation: he had a concussion, so good thing we took him in! apparently they have had a few reports about owls- they seem to be having trouble on their migration this year! he was also eating (we did not ask) but hope it was a little frisky mouse (sorry mice lovers!)

feathered friend

2009-10-29T22:37:00.000-07:00

my work had a cute little guest- we had a baby (or very small) owl banging against our front doors of the building at about 10am... crows were attacking him so our receptionist went out and caught him in a box, and now he is sitting up at reception. people keep coming to check him out... so cute. he seems calm in the box... not flapping around. we have called the SPCA/wildlife people to come and rescue him. we wished we had something to feed him... too bad we can't capture the mice which are such a problem here at the school! we want to keep him. when I was asked to cover the phones, which I often do, today instead I was asked to babysit the owl.

hail ceaser and bring on the whiskey, jack

2009-09-14T18:46:00.000-07:00

had a late season camping trip this weekend. it was fabulous! went again with E + M and GK (who are camping superstars). this time we went up towards Harrison. the site was closer to the suburbs, so it was a bit busier, and my heading reflects
a shout out to the campsite rowdies this weekend. there were however no bugs so I guess the annoyances evens out. the weather was perfect. sunny and warm and totally blue, blue skies. our site was on a pretty little lake and there were a couple other parks and lakes very near by so we checked out all of them. the other girls went swimming as well as the lakes were cool yet refreshing. highlights include: setting up in the dark, our curious Whiskey Jacks, visits from toads, no mosquitoes, big fires, Oyama sausages, marshmallows and dark chocolate, all terrain bocce, sunshine, cozy tent, peach lambic, ice cream run, fresh air, naps in the afternoon.

Thank you crew for a lovely time. I am so buying a tent next summer!

what a difference a year makes

2009-09-02T14:51:00.000-07:00

just back from a most lovely weekend away visiting miss B in Saskatoon. same weekend last year I helped her move there... this time she is so set up and good to go- beautiful new apartment, wonderful friends, knows all the hot spots and stories behind them.
highlights include: getting hugs at the airport, ms. N arriving too, football, skateshop, pasta dishes, crepes for brunch, breakfast nook, late night nook, girl time, slumber parties, farm land, studio visit, walking lots, river, blue skies, new friends, nice boys, lattes twice a day, party dresses and party girls.

whats cooking hot stuff?

2009-08-19T13:08:00.000-07:00

what do we have here? thought I would share one of my favorite recipes and most well received dinners (from my limited repertoire)
its easier than it sounds: chicken and peaches with rosemary wrapped in prosciutto (and a side of roasted yams and potatoes)

what you need (per serving):
chicken breast- skinless and boneless is what I use
1/4 of a fresh peach
2 slices of prosciutto
1 sprig of rosemary

lay out the prosciutto flat. lay the chicken breast in the centre. cut the peach into thin wedge slices and lay them out staggered on top of the chicken. lay a sprig of rosemary on top and then wrap that prosciutto tucking in all those peaches and rosemary. lay it in a pan. if you want the side of yams and potatoes all I do is cut into chunks, toss with olive oil salt and pepper and some more of the rosemary. it can all go in the same pan, and I put it in at about 365oC for about an hour. the peaches keep the chicken a little bit moist despite the long time in the oven and the prosciutto crisps up nicely.

life is a beach... and a mall

2009-08-04T13:08:00.000-07:00

I just got back from my summer vacation with ms. f and what a great trip!
we did a circle trip down to the oregon coast and then to Portland... over a week. she and I had a great time and despite knowing each other since kindergarten, this is the longest we'd had a chance to hang out and catch up at one time since high school! we always have a nice time, good conversation and even better shopping luck when we are together. it was also my birthday last saturday so we had a big night out for that.
highlights include: road trip tunes, passport ready, hitting the beach, standing in the ocean, misty days, little red car, Seaside, safeway club cards, hot hot heat, catching up with CR and friends, shopping in the city, outdoor markets, Beavers VS Las Vegas baseball, drinks at new places, roof top patios, departures, new red dress, birthday sushi, drive home.

thank you ms. f and CR for the great vacation!

wisdom from elders

2009-07-17T14:39:00.000-07:00

I just got back from a work conference- last year it was in Oregon- which that in itself was great- this year it was in a tiny little BC town. the conference is about computers and Merritt is a depressed and depressing little place, but the school that hosted the event was amazing! the campus is stunning and the atmosphere there was like nothing I have experienced. it is a First Nations school and they really embrace community, tradition, family, history and culture. the Elders even have their own office- so picture a crew of little old ladies and men hanging out at your university. different. the elders put on a welcome feast for us including smoked salmon(smoked right there in a outdoor pit behind the school), moose stew, roast deer, bannock, soap berry juice. as well as drumming, dancing and prayers. one of my workshops was making a cedar bark bracelet with an Elder.

there was also a workshop with an Elder "how to survive in the wilderness", how to make a fire, what to do if you get lost it was funny as he showed us how to make a fire, and then that was about it. one of the big city ladies said what about the other stuff? his answers:

How to survive in the wilderness?: make a fire
What to do if you get lost?: make a fire

wilderness

2009-06-26T11:40:00.000-07:00

early June I went on a wonderful camping trip with GK, E and M. I have wanted to go camping for years- growing up in the north camping was pretty usual and we probably went most summers as a family- but when you live in the big city and no one has a car, and big city kids are afraid of the woods, or dirt, or bears you don't get out much.
I have to say, I only realized how completely unprepared I was for this when we started preparing. when you live with your parents of course you have tents and coolers and bug spray! meanwhile I had nothing but the clothes. thanks to the generous support of my brother, my friends brothers, neighbours and friends my gear was pieced together.
we blasted out of town on a friday afternoon and after some last minute food and beer shopping we were on our way east. even though we were still in the lower mainland, it took a few hours to get there. the site we were headed for turned out to be full as we arrived about 9:10pm. this could have been disaster, but there was another site about 30kms up the road.... and we are so glad we went the extra distance! it was like having our own site all to ourselves as I think only 3 or 4 sites were being used out of 48.
E + M cooked up feasts and made morning ceasers to perfection! talking around the camp fire, playing our ipods, playing all-terrain bocce, drinking weird beer, going to bed late, sleeping in, fresh air, good laughs, getting away from it all.
the last night we were sitting around the campfire at about 1am when a huge adult deer wandered into the edge of our camp site! it hung out there just out of sight for a while just listening to us. on the drive home we also encountered a huge bear lumbering down the centre of the dirt road! it was so much fun.

damn birds!

2009-06-05T12:32:00.000-07:00

It was a nice Friday morning... I was walking back from the market coffee shop with chai in hand and pastry in the other with 2 coworkers when we got shat on. it appears to be biological from a bird- however it was so bad I thought someone threw up over the edge of the bridge over Granville Island. everywhere. spatter on my pants, globs on my side, shoulder, neck, arms and shit in my hair. also on my pastry, wallet and I assumed in my chai so I had to dump the whole thing. I tried in the office bathroom- but lucky one coworker has a friend who lives near by and we wound up going to her place and I caved and I had to wash my hair. which is also a pain as my hair takes hours to dry and deal with. totally gross.

kagami

2009-04-17T16:08:00.000-07:00

years and years ago when I was still in highschool I met this girl at a youth conference and at the end of the week she told me that I reminded her totally of her very good friend- and that the friend was a guy. for me as a 17 year old this was conflicting news. am I a tom boy? do I look like a dude? do I act like a boy?
in the last week I have gone to this new restaurant twice and had the same server both visits. I couldn't really put my finger on it until I left last night. she is the spitting image of one of my ex boyfriends. in looks they have the exact same face, as well I would put money on the same ethnic breakdown. if he had a twin it would be her. she kind of carries herself the same way and has the same mellow and jokey way of talking. I finally get it.

a boat ride to the island

2009-03-18T11:43:00.000-07:00

I was over in Victoria on the weekend- I had not been there in a couple of years so it was a nice little get-away. I went over to see my dear friend Ms.F who I have known since kindergarten (which I think is quite the substantial time frame for a friendship of almost 27 years). she is lovely and sweet and listens patiently to my long winded stories. she is also my shopping lucky charm and we often find ourselves on an accidental shopping spree. we also had nice visits with her boyfriend and family and drank a few beers and had many laughs. thanks for the wonderful time! oh yeah, there are Parliament Buildings, beautiful scenery and lots of tourists but we stuck to LOJO.

knit, purl, purl, knit, purl, purl, knit

2009-03-12T18:36:00.000-07:00

so I have taken up knitting... again. I know it has recently been the "cool" thing to do, but I was knitting long ago to start. I was taught to knit by my mom when I was a kid, probably around age 9. but despite starting early I was only knitting squares, or rectangles, or long rectangles, and not very well. I started again about 5 years ago... my mom got me started on another long rectangle (scarf) for the boyfriend of the time. lets just say it took me so long that in the process we broke up, got back together a year later, and then broke up again and it was still not done.
currently I have a few coworkers who knit so I got all inspired... for my first project I did a hat- perhaps that sounds ambitious, but suddenly it all kind of made sense! (and the fact that I have all sorts of people knitting around me when I got stuck on the second stitch- which I did)
how come I had only heard of 'knit' and never 'purl'?! I demanded of my mother (yes, there is a difference)

I don't know... but it seems to be working. the picture included is not the first hat, but the third. watch out! I've started early on christmas presents. I have also made a pair of matching slippers. yes, matching! a pair! I have broken the bank already on wool and I seem to be a little ADD about it all and can't resist having 3 things on the go at once.

2009-02-23T12:27:00.000-08:00

oh, and how could I forget?

the showgirls. all those feathers and sparkle...and nudity. gotta love them

what happens in vegas...winds up on my blog

2009-02-23T12:00:00.000-08:00

just got back from a weekend in las vegas... my first trip there and I went with miss B. its good and crazy and a little- ok a lot overwhelming. we were staying at the mirage on the strip. it was great to experience, and to see and time well spent with miss B. some highlights include:

guest lists and drinks for the ladies. party with a celebrity host. vip treatment. cafe au laits/oles by the pool. wander on the strip. go to venice. go to paris. go to rome. half price martinis. wine bar. old vegas. shrimp cocktails. slots. roulette. losing EVERYTHING. catching up. dressing up. drinking champaign under the stars.

it was a good trip. we did in fact have the same vip treatment as a celeb and have our picture taken by the same photographer- which was all kind of strange (check it out:
http://spyonvegas.com/index.php?query=galleries/recent/view/2448&page=1). we ate lots of nice snacks and appys and drank all the free drinks we wanted. we talked to strangers. we people watched. we explored. we went off the beaten track. don't know that I'll run back there right away, but it was a nice escape for a weekend away. thanks miss B!

lucky 8...

2009-02-06T15:45:00.000-08:00

I have always been fascinated with multiple births. I have actually always wanted to have a multiple birth of my own. twins actually run in the family and I believe there are about 6 sets now on my mothers side of the family within my generation. both my grandparents on my mothers side were said to have been from sets of twins. I plan on taking it up a notch and having triplets.
this brings me to the current situation of the octupulets birth in the states. there is currently a lot of controversy: she is single and unemployed. already had 6 kids. lives with her mom. brought upon herself assumed negative attention for the medical profession for in vitro fertilization, and in her first interview so far draws negative attention to herself by obsessively repeating she really loves kids, really loves them, really wanted a lot of kids because its all she ever wanted.
I don't have a problem with having a lot of children, I also don't have a problem doing it on your own because its something you want to do (sans man). I don't have a problem with in vitro fertilization or the prospect of winding up with 8 kids in one miraculous shot.
but does anyone have a problem with the fact that she looks like a plastic surgery attempt of looking like Angela Jolie? thats weird.

aloha

2009-01-23T00:05:00.000-08:00

imagine me sitting by the pool with drink in hand tapping away on my laptop. I said imagine. I am currently in the hawaiian islands on a little vacation. so far not totally tropical or relaxing but I am working on it. some thoughts: sand between toes, trade winds, happy hours, the smell of flowers, booze in corner stores, hotel air conditioning...and the best- standing in line behind a beautiful tanned boy and all I can smell is coconut suntan lotion

overheard...

2009-01-09T10:18:00.000-08:00

the funniest thing I have heard in a while... said by a woman in her early 50's, recently divorced, talking about her sexy new high heels:

even my church group commented on my come fuck me shoes

a hot mess (but cold)

2008-12-22T23:00:00.000-08:00

so coming to you live from snowy vancouver. I was meant to be on a plane yesterday to my northern home town, but in a reversal of fortune, I'm snowed in. I sat at the airport for almost 10 hours hoping to get on a plane. no seats on the first flight, and then I actually got a seat on the second around 1:00pm. then they wouldn't let us on the plane until we were going to get de-iced. and then about 20 minutes later they closed the runway. and about 30 minutes after that they cancelled all the flights for the next 2 hours.
I retrieved my luggage and got in the hour long line up to check my bag and do it all again for the 6pm flight. about 8 people from the front of the line they cancelled that one too.

I don't mind snow... but it belongs on the mountains or with people who know what to do with it. I have never seen snow like this in vancouver. the main streets are ok, but the side streets- don't bother.

anyway, here I am. I don't know if I'll make it home. I am renting movies and sitting here not sure of my next move.

bold, borrowed

2008-12-18T13:13:00.000-08:00

“Bold” was borrowed from a friends blog, and I thought …why not?
Here's the rule: Bold the things you've done & post on your blog!

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang in a choir
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not physically ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David in Florence, Italy
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Been in a car accident
50. Visited the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Bought Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Been to Winter Carnivale in Quebec City
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Been to Oktoberfest in Germany
74. Eaten alligator
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year's Eve
86. Gone to a concert in a different country
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Been to a church service at Notre Dame in Paris
96. Swam in blue, tropical water
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

brrr.. time for toque

2008-12-03T17:53:00.000-08:00

this weekend, on Saturday December 6th from 11-5 I will be at the annual craft fair "toque"
the Western Front gallery fundraiser is the best showing of local and true artisans in Vancouver. I will be there selling cards and journals. there is clothing, baked goods, jewellery and all sorts of other crafty treats to finish off your seasonal shopping.

check it out: http://front.bc.ca/exhibitions/events/3242

a second bite

2008-11-10T17:13:00.000-08:00

Sunday I went with some girlfriends to an afternoon matinee of the movie I mentioned in and earlier post: "Let the Right One In". It has been publicly released in the Tinseltown 12 (Cinemark) Theatre 88 W Pender St Vancouver. So go if you have the chance! it was just as good on the second viewing...

emily goes to university

2008-11-06T21:28:00.000-08:00

my old school which has had such multiple personalities as Vancouver School of Art, Vancouver College of Art, Emily Carr Institute of Art+Design, and Emily Carr Institute is as of tomorrow, Emily Carr University. This is a once in a life time event and I not only was schooled there, work there, and I now get to be part of the festivities. There is a ceremony tomorrow in the afternoon at which I am an assistant to one of the behind the scenes organizers and then a big party in the evening. So I have my party dress and dancing shoes... bring on the drinks and fan fare!

a long weekend

2008-10-13T16:59:00.001-07:00

its the long weekend for the Canadian Thanksgiving. 3 days is lovely. here it is in a nutshell:
friday afternoon slow home from work. party with 2 of 3 high-school boyfriends in attendance. weird. but nice. visit with my brother. texts from afar. amaretto french toast. maple syrup infused sausages with hash-browns. wander on Main Street. buy gift. glass of wine. walk home. sunshine. crisp air. talking on the phone in time zones. missing people. email and facebook. rendez vous with friends. Robson street. yams. sideways rain. cleaning and sorting. cooking dinner. turkey plans. belgium beer. thankful.

bitten, smitten

2008-10-06T12:15:00.000-07:00

I have attended the Vancouver International Film Festival for a few flicks so far. some years I have seen as many as 10, but other years just go by. Last night I saw the most lovely movie, look for it if you can:

Låt den rätte komma in (Let the Right One In) Sweden 2008

It was a sweet tale of a 12 year old boy, bullied and outcast. who meets his neighbour, a young gal whos a bit odd, but then again so is he. somehow in this northern european place, plunged into winter darkness it seems natural to be on the playground in the dark. she wants to help him and be his friend. he wants her to be his girlfriend. innocent childhood love, simple affections, heartfelt tenderness.
now picture that she is a vampire.

post prairies

2008-09-03T22:19:00.000-07:00

so I am back from the farm. so ends a summer and the adventures to many an airport. miss B is settling in there, and I am settling back in to life at home: school, work, laundry, life.
saskatoon was a nice city, we did a fair amount of walking and checked out what we could. the university campus is beautiful, with a more american feel than any school I've been to here. we even crashed a football game between the huskies and whatever team it is them team from calgary call themselves (see? I'm already rooting for the home team). we also went to a cool little cocktail bar on a saturday night to mingle with the locals.
I was very sad to leave, but I'm a good letter writer, so I am sure (I hope) that will tide us over.

Paris of the Prairies

2008-08-28T17:26:00.000-07:00

which is not be confused with my previous posts. this 'Paris' has lots of bridges and a river and street names I do not know yet, and thankfully- there is no metro. according to wikipedia, Saskatoon Saskatchewan IS the Paris of the Prairies. according to miss B's new landlords, no one here would say that. according to miss B, this was the major selling feature.
regardless, we are here and the reason is because B has moved here to do her masters at U of S. I am here for moral support and as a mule for her luggage. we flew in this morning and have already had a tour of saskatoon, moved into the house, bought her a bed, unpacked and furnished her room as well as went grocery shopping. it is a lovely house from the 1940's and it perfectly charming and close to the university.

I am here for the weekend and we will do all the running around and site seeing we can fit in. it is the long goodbye. the next 2 days need to be packed with all the fun we can muster to last us this fall and until the snow falls.

flying by the seat of your pants

2008-08-19T14:08:00.000-07:00

well I am home. 26 hours in transit yesterday has left me wiped, but I am glad to be here in my apartment. it was a very close call yesterday in Paris as I finally got on the 3rd flight of the day by the skin of my teeth.

I fly stand-by and let me tell you a little about how it works:
the first biggest misconception about flying stand-by is that it is free. it is not, nor has it ever been free. cheapER but never free. even though it has given me many opportunities to travel, see family and friends and see the world- as far as I am concerned, the cost one pays for never knowing if or how you will get home is quite high. you are there "standing by" hoping that a seat might be open on the plane and then the airline wants to fill the seats so they will put you on when space permits. this might sound easy, but it is not.
yesterday was probably in my top 3 most stressful flying experiences in 31 years of stand-by travel. there were something like 80 stand-by passengers (those are currently working employees, everyone from ticket agents to pilots, their families and sometimes friends, then retired employees family members-thats me at the very bottom of the seniority list) and those 80 stand-by people are vying for 5 seats left open on the plane. there were 2 flights to Montreal and 1 to Toronto daily from Paris, and I tried all 3. my last chance was a Montreal flight at 1:30pm... and the flight closed, was full, all of 3 stand-by people got on and they told all of us to come back tomorrow. and then they looked at me. to my advantage I was the only person flying alone, and I only had carry on baggage. and even though the flight was full they allowed me to go down to the gate and make sure there wasn't some last minute change.

* now considering that flying stand-by is often totally dependent upon paying customers not showing up for their flight- this is something I will never understand. if I paid full fare for my plane ticket I would not NOT show up for my flight. ok, maybe you had such a wonderful time you decided to rebook for a later date, or you were in a car accident- but I don't see how you can arrive at the airport, check in, go through customs, security and then not get on the plane.
and this, is how I got home yesterday.

so back to me standing at the gate, and they are calling the names of 2 people who did all of above, and were still not on the plane. and there are about 8 agents all working at the gate and looking at me and calling the other passengers names again, and again... and then finally they decided to give the spot to me. it was something out of a space odyssey movie, they sealed the door at the gate and I stood their on the ramp waiting for an agent to accompany me to the plane. they shuttled me off in a bus to the plane waiting on the tarmac, I got on, and they closed the door.

its almost a day later. you can see why I am relieved to be here. taking it easy today and back at work tomorrow. I missed my apartment and my friends, but over all it was a great trip with so much to see and do. I am grateful for my travel companions and the hosts along the way. now a bit of catch up on life back home...and planning the next get away (sooner than you think)

au revoir Paris et ma vacances

2008-08-17T13:08:00.000-07:00

well Paris has come to a close. right now I am sitting have a glass of wine in our hotel room, after a lovely dinner on a patio with drinks and a view for people watching, we are repacked and have our game-plan for the metro tomorrow morning.
Paris has been interesting- I cannot lie, it was not easy at moments for me.
I was here once as a teenager, but this was different. the city was overwhelming in size and busy-ness for me. I tried my hardest to understand and communicate in french but its evident my language skills are rusty (truth be told gr. 11 was a long time ago). as far as I am concerned the biggest problem was that of the street maps: they don't include all the streets!

but...we are in Paris. Paris baby! highlights include: sitting on patios, taking bagettes to the park and cracking open a bottle of wine, walking and walking, going to mont martre and seeing that view, exploring, skillfully cropping tourists out of photos, the louvre, the pompidou, still managing to find destinations sans address, champs de lysees, top of the arc de triomphe, the eiffel tower during the day, the eiffel tower at night, holding a boys hand under the eiffel tower, notre dame, paris crypt, finally navigating without a map and not getting lost, and everything in between.

special thanks to CR for sticking by me and reading the map from time to time.

it happens to the best of us

2008-08-16T14:40:00.000-07:00

well, today I had a little break down somewhere in the Paris metro- honestly, I really can't tell you where as that was part of the problem. I was all out of sorts and I had warned CR that this might happen at some point. culture shock and a bout of homesickness.
it was brewing yesterday, but hit heavy today. although happy to report, more like a 24 hour bug. I think its out of my system now. we have one more day in Paris and then homeward bound. will still blog about Paris and my return...
tomorrow is pretty casual, coffee, game plan for the metro departure to the airport, pack up and have a glass of wine. a bien tot!

in Brugge

2008-08-13T07:51:00.000-07:00

well, we are in f*ckin Brugge. colin farrel isn't here, but we climbed the belfry and sat on his patio. CR and I arrived yesterday, and will be gone again by tomorrow- but its been nice. busy, very busy but nice. there are tonnes of tourists, but we are often off the beaten path and this suits us all the better. weird shop hours though... we always seem to catch them closed at lunch, dinner, or because its wednesday. tonight we will sample a few more beers, some chocolate. last night I already had the waffles and mussels- but not together.
tomorrow...another train- this time to Paris.

i am sterdam

2008-08-10T14:31:00.000-07:00

CR and I have been staying with my dutch family in the most lovely town of Weesp (about a 15 minute train ride West of Amsterdam). Weesp is about 600 years old- give or take, and it has a population of about 18,000. I do not speak dutch, but I feel strangely most at home here. there is something about the daily life that I can not capture elsewhere. the family we are staying with are my mothers cousins (and age), but are about the coolest and trendy of the family. their english is fabulous. we live in an old brick house on a canal. as I child I thought I was like Anne Frank... and truth be told, we are set up in a lovely room in the attic (this time a 3 floor walk up- my calves are killing me). every night we eat and drink like we are in a 5 star restaurant. they have also taken us all over the country side to various pubs and sites.

highlights: trying every beer on the menu, wandering in utrecht, figuring out the train schedule, shopping in amsterdam, canal tour in the rain, trying on wooden clogs, wishing I'd bought some, thinking in orange, red light district, buying another round, still wanting to live here, another patio, windmill up close and personal, everything small, bike riding inspiration, family, and my attic room.

tomorrow...a little bit of shopping and meeting up with some of CR's friends. family dinner, and then packing to be off again. I plan on sitting on a patio and soaking as much of it in as I can...

so sofia

2008-08-07T09:16:00.000-07:00

I have just finished a week in Bulgaria. miss B was the super hostess as always and took excllent care of me. she was not only my travel companion, but constant translator and guide. I would not let her out of my sight even for a minute! this was an evident lesson early on when I arrived at the airport, went through customs, collected baggage and was greeted by a crowd- not a single english word was seen or heard- and then no miss B. the airport cleared out, and looked as though it might shut down for the night and I was left all by myself with 1 lurking taxi driver. dutch tourists took pity on me and let me use their cell phone. she was waiting at the OTHER terminal...and no one here or there offered up such information. incuding the "information" booth.

memorable moments: miss B's uncle Toni, getting good at the 6 floor walk-up, having her point out memories from her childhood, going to the passport office to be registered, many drinks on many patios, going to the mosque, personal tours with Dushko, having a bulgarian birthday, going shopping at the market for food and hosting a little party at our apartment, kisses for each cheek, road trip to Koprivshtiza, road trip to Plodiv, listening to techno at one of the most historic sights I have ever witnessed, old friends, icecream under the fall of communism.

we stayed in her childhood apartment building in downtown Sofia- in an attic studio. it was nice to see and meet the people and places she has spoken about since I met her (and I must say, painted a most accurate picture). I would love to go back again one day with miss B, and know that I could have not done this trip without her!

london calling

2008-08-04T14:03:00.000-07:00

so I am again writing from the road... was in london england for 3 days visiting my dear friend miss che and what a lovely time! I have not been to london for 10 years or so, but she had me set up in a lovely room in notting hill and it exceeded all expectations: rendez vous with other friends, walking on the thames, shopping, the pound, riding on a double decker, pims in pubs, tate modern, english blokes, riding the underground, wrong side of the street, more pubs, snogging (ok, once)

at the beach

2008-07-15T14:12:00.000-07:00

ooohh! my first post from the road!
I am at a work conference in Coos Bay Oregon right now...we drove down with a car full of coworkers on saturday and sunday- with lots of eating, shopping and sightseeing. its been great. its funny when you work with someone 9-5, but then try living with them for 24 hours a day. I am in the "cool girl dorm", and rode down in the "cool girl car". everyone is cool... but in essence I am with the young/single gals as opposed to the married/children women. did you catch that? I am living in dorms! as someone who attended and works at a small art school where there is no housing, its pretty novel. our boss also made us "tyra mail" which we get daily and read out loud together.
it is however, very cold on the coast. tonight we are at a beach party which I have some doubts about... when we came down from portland we went from 34oC to 14oc in a matter of hours.
it is, stunning. what it lacks in warmth it makes up for in beauty.

embark

2008-07-09T17:48:00.000-07:00

I have been very busy for the last month planning what I think is my first real vacation. yeah, yeah I've traveled a lot. I have gone on a many a trip. many a visit. many a plane. many a country and I am grateful that this has been so much a part of my life. but this is a real vacation... for the first time ever I think I have the money AND the time, and its most certainly the most ambitious trip I have planned. not without help-
the friends and family that are both the sounding board/pseudo travel agents, as well as hosts and translators are not to go unacknowledged.
I am off to London, Sofia Bulgaria, Holland (Amsterdam/Weespe), Brugge, and Paris. in 3 weeks, for 3 weeks. I will be lucky to stay with a friend in London, visit miss B in her home town of Sofia where I will also have my birthday, see dear family in Holland, and rendez vous with a friend who has never been to Europe before and see the rest via train.

as of last Sunday the last of the booking of hotels and trains were complete with the help of a savvy traveling duo. funny... today everyone seemed to ask about my vacation...and honestly I hadn't really talked too much about it until today.

I also have a week long conference in Coos Bay Oregon/Portland next week so I hope I might get to post something from the road...as well as still planning on heading to Saskatoon late August with miss B to help her move for school in September.

See you in October!

she leaves me breathless

2008-05-30T19:21:00.000-07:00

miss B had her most recent solo art exhibition open last night at a downtown gallery. what a lovely event! miss B is one of the most inspiring artists I know, she has fabulous ideas, oozes creativity, works hard, brings ideas to light that people relate to and enjoy and all while being incredibly fashionable and stylish!. I was lucky enough to assist on a few aspects of her process, and I've worked with her before and I loved to be part of it again. Congrats miss B on a fabulous exhibition!

down at the campus

2008-05-30T13:57:00.000-07:00

oh what happened to the month?
its now the end of May and I am over due for a note. thank you loyal readers. my job has been very busy and I will not bore you with the details: but it involved lots of label making, coordination, brain power, calling in favors, and missing out on lunch breaks.

last weekend the pay off was that I got to spend the weekend in Portland with one of my dear friends. it was his birthday, and so it was sort of party central. and the details which made it oh so much fun: getting to be one of the guys, also feeling like I was on a weekend long "bachelorette" style date with his crew, letting loose, going to pubs and dance clubs via rickshaw, lovely dinners, laughing till it hurts, laughing at the same jokes the next day, chilling out in a back yard, BBQ's, learning new things- even about sports, getting spoiled, lounging, talking and catching up.
thankyou CR, can't wait to do it again!

run walker run!

2008-05-05T14:09:00.000-07:00

So yesterday I participated in the Vancouver International Marathon. I did the half marathon which is 13 miles/20.92 km. One of my girlfriends walked with me. We had worked up to about 4 hours of walking during our ‘training’- although that usually included stopping at starbucks and many bathroom stops and then getting to a beer destination. I thought it was going to take about an hour longer than it did, but I clocked in at 3:44:26. It is said to be a particularly beautiful course, basically the perimeter of downtown including Stanley Park.
It was quite funny as we never had any intentions other than to walk, but as we are walking past the spectators- which by comparison to runners, we are kind of in slow-mo, so it was somewhat embarrassing as the clapping and cheering went on…and on and on…and towards the end when people are “only a bit more to go!...you are almost there!... you can do it!!” I think they thought we had run the whole way and were walking because we were giving up and staggering over the finish line.
I don’t know if I’ll ever do it again… I had a lot of anxiety leading up to it (would it rain, how long would we take, what to wear, sleeping in and missing the start time, how I’d get there, would I freak out in the crowds). I made it though, and it was a nice day. I am a little creaky today with sore muscles, but it is satisfying to have completed it.

climbing

2008-04-23T11:13:00.000-07:00

so this last week I went rock climbing for the first time. it was pretty much what I expected- and yet some parts exceeded my expectations. visually it was quite over stimulating with the 35’ walls and coloured pieces all the way up and coloured ropes hanging down and what looks like crowds of people on the ground. we took a lesson, which was so informative and really interesting…and within the first hour I was already up at the top of the wall (ok I was about 4 feet short, but when all you’ve got is a rope like an umbilical cord, and its only the third time you’ve been on the wall I figure that’s pretty good). our instructor was awesome, not only info about climbing, but also about the equipment we were using, communication and little lessons... and they had us climbing on this sort of back wall where for lack of a better description, its private…so you can focus on the task at hand and not worry so much about looking like an idiot, or having your ass get stared at.
I will be going back- which in some ways surprises me, but I think rock climbing fits my non-competitive sport criteria: I just have to focus on me, not falling, being strategic, pushing myself, and I can stop when ever I want.
It was not so much like the gym with the multitudes of meat-head guys, but there were still a few of those jock dudes. lucky I just have to look at the wall.

next stop...

2008-04-11T22:28:00.000-07:00

I was meeting miss B for a drink and a bite after work. I was also going to 'help' or at least observe at a project she is working on for an art show. audio needed to be recorded... now as I am no audio expert- she gives me jobs like "personal assistant" and "moral support" so I can be on set with her. this is enough responsibility, both real and imagined.
what was funny is where we went: miss B has a friend who is a character, and dables in almost everything. he was doing the audio at his studio. and his studio is a bus.
this is an old bus, picture greyhound charter...parked in an empty industrial lot and has a long extension cord, one of those 100' (at least) snaking across the parking lot from a warehouse as the power source. I was told it was a bus, in a parking lot, and yet it was still not what I pictured when I arrived. its ridiculous. there are only about 5 seats still in it and there are a couple of desks and 2 old style orange hairsalon seat/hair dryer things. and then sound equipment. one of the other people there said it was still better than a trailer park...which part being 'better' I do not know. He has saved this bus from demolition, and scavengers by buying it and wrangling a deal with the property landlord. it is not road worthy and it will stay there. and while the sun was setting on this beast, he wistfully spoke of putting a picket fence around it and getting a bbq.

art imitates art

2008-04-05T21:57:00.000-07:00

a while ago I saw a post on a website with a youtube clip featuring a 2 or 3 year old belting out "Apologize" by OneRepublic while sitting in her car seat in the back of a minivan. She pretty much had it word for word with the exception of a couple fast paced lyrics where she substituted and hummed mmm hhhmm lllaaa to make up the missing parts (same as any self respecting adult sitting in a car with the music jacked would do while at a stop light to save face).
so I found it funny then today when little miss K was here making art with me and the song came on my laptop. she is all of 7, and pretty much did the same thing: sang the song to the best of her knowledge, with real emphasis on the "its too late...I said its too late apologize... its too late!" chorus. and she also did this without once taking her focus from cutting and pasting her craft project.
is there something about this song? is there something about the words? is it because its something that children are used to being told: apologize to your mother, apologize for hitting your brother, tell daddy you're sorry. or is it simply because the song has a lot of airtime and the words are easy to follow? and everyone can relate on some level.
I know for both her and I, it means different things about different people... and its kind of true.

the sweet escape

2008-03-26T13:57:00.001-07:00

Ahhh and what a sweet escape it was! wine and cheese and cheese and wine and wine and it was all a little decadent. and deserved, and needed. we had a lovely couple days away. we headed up on thursday after work and the sunshine coast lived mostly up to its name and did not rain on us. friday we went for a walk at a nearby park/oceanfront trail. we also bbq'd which was great- its becoming something of an easter tradition with the "easter salmon" on the menu. saturday we had a leisurely drive back down the coast and caught the ferry home. I love those ladies...no drama, all fun.

I also saw one quick glimpse of those boats... still abandoned out there, but beautiful, seeming alone- yet I find it comforting that they are at least together.

on the coast

2008-03-18T20:00:00.000-07:00

above are 2 boats left for years floating in Pender Harbour. I was able to get up close to them last summer when I was out cruising around in a little dinghy. I wonder if they are still there? we'll see

I'm like a bird

2008-03-17T14:19:00.000-07:00

I had another lovely day with little miss k. down at the public library we saw a performance
with aerial dancers doing a site specific piece off the side of the downtown library. it was watching something of a cross between spiderman, little birds flying off from the nest for the first time, and rockclimbing. I have always secretly wanted to learn how to do aerial dance. well not so secret perhaps, as I mention it here and as I have seen lessons in aerial dance offered at a community centre. pictures above are little miss k and I watching (laying down was better on the neck) and a shot of them in action

wanting to see double

2008-03-11T13:52:00.000-07:00

a coworker has informed me that my feng shui is all off, and that its part of the problem for my lack of dates, or dating prospects over the last couple of years. she said I need to start thinking about pairs. imagine my surprize that I have everything in 3's. 3 objects on a dresser, 3 pillows on my bed, I buy things in 3's. so I went home and put that 4th pillow on my bed. and started pairing things together in strategic places around my home.
she also said that the south-east corner of the apartment (where I collect the pile of dust with my swiffer) and the south-east corner of my bedroom (where I pile up stuff I should take to storage or toss) needs to be clean and clear. apparently having stuff under your bed is a total no-no. but whats a gal to do when there is no more space? what if its all organized really well? and the biggest question stumper: what if its another bed stored under the bed? thats a pair isn't it?

a lesson or two

2008-03-02T21:52:00.000-08:00

the conference in Kelowna was great...yes, its work and all, but I did do a lot of interesting things. I was put up in a swank hotel room, or should I say apartment. I still offered it to the boss man, but he was content with his view of the parking lot. the workshops were really informative...and a relief to hear other people in student services at universities also have ridiculous parents still after their kids. the term is actually "helicopter parents" because all they do is hover. parents prentending to be their children when they call to register, find out to how to apply, tell us that their kids are the most amazing ever... Me TOO! we went to a wine tasting that was at the BC Wine museum- and was equally informative (handouts included)... I now know the real deal with sight-sniff-sip-smell-savor, or atleast enough to one-up my dad.

meetings about wine-tasting and other education

2008-02-26T22:41:00.000-08:00

I am off on a work conference for a couple of days. Its for people in post secondary education institutions. I am going with one of my bosses who is quite entertaining so we should have fun. I keep telling people that the only thing on the agenda up until last week was winetasting- which has nothing to do with the conference, except the area we are going has become quite popular for its vineyards. perhaps it was just a lure to get us there? either way, its a trip out of the city, and a way to connect with others in my field (over a glass of wine) so it can't be all bad. I even talked my boss into flying so thats always something I look forward to. and getting put up in a hotel and free food. and wine. did I mention the wine?

women of distinction

2008-02-25T10:23:00.000-08:00

saturday I had a lovely day out. little miss k and I had a walk on the sea wall and played at a couple parks. I climbed on playground equipment- which I have not had a reason to do in a couple of decades, but really enjoy. sat in the sun and watched the world go by. we also took in an art show and looked in some shops. in the evening I went over to miss b's place and sat on her patio- which is one of my favorite patios looking out over the back side of the city. its an older view with lower buildings on the horizon. she made me dinner, which is always a treat as they are the only home cooked meals I get these days, and had a visit and a good chat about life and things coming up in our lives. we tell good stories and laugh a lot which I also don't do nearly as much as one should.

about time

2008-02-22T15:08:00.000-08:00

so I've been meaning to do this for a long time...and another year goes by. but here I am. now or never.