Timon of Athens.

Kayla and I got together to watch a movie called “Rocket Science” which was playing at Festival Cinemas. It was one of my unusual and quirky coming-of-age films that I love so much, and we came out of the theatre satisfied. We strolled around Granville Island to pass time until Sigrid called me up to call us down to the Bard.

Like the Grouse Grind, Bard on the Beach was something I wanted to participate in for years on end but for one reason or another, I never got around to Vanier Park to watch a Shakespearian performance until I met up with Sigrid this evening. Siggy was working as a volunteer at Bard this year and informed me about this season’s lineup at my “Exalted Edwin’s Return Party” a few days ago.

The performance we had the honour of watching this evening was one of Shakespeare’s little known play called “Timon of Athens”. Rarely performed as a result, this timeless story had the premise of a wealthy man who offered monetary support to those in dire need, but when he himself fell victim to trouble and called upon his friends for help, his cries fell on deaf ears, and the hard realisation that they were not really friends to begin with sparked contempt, anger, and revenge.

Overhearing a conversation between a mother and her two young children who sat in the row in front of us, I was surprised to hear that they came all the out from Edmonton to see Timon of Athens. Now that’s devotion and dedication.

Exalted Edwin's Return Party!

Jamie had organised my welcoming party as soon as I told her my day of arrival about a month ago. Today was the cumulation of all expectations and the grand reunification with the friends I left behind when I decided to fly to Beijing and live there for a year. Nearly everyone I had known in my great past came out to greet me, with a host of new faces of CORE Vancouver.

After wining and nibbling on snacks at J&J’s, we went out to the Lotus Club where we danced hard. That’s when I realised that I wasn’t carrying any ID on me to get in (not that I look under age). Just then, Georg phoned me on my mobile using Skype, so I handed my wallet over to Jamie who began a thorough search for any photo ID. She pulled out a condom instead, and I turned to the bouncer and convinced him to let me in because “I’m really friendly”. This, and the fact that all eighteen or so people who came out to my welcoming party were already in and I was the guest of honour!

I couldn’t have asked for a better welcoming. I felt like a royalty!

The Grouse Grind.

Just a few days after my arrival, I went on a CORE event with Jamie, James, Alex, and Andre to do the Grouse Grind. I’ve always wanted to do it, but have only done it vicariously through others until now. I took my time, as I only had one objective: to finish! This wasn’t a race to the top either, so I just wanted to see how long it would take me to climb from the base of the mountain to the top, taking breaks when necessary. I was still ahead of Jamie and Andre, however, and my final time came in at 75 minutes. Not bad for a beginner!

Can’t wait to do it again.

Home Sweet Home.

Vancouver will always be home for me. There was a change in the air (literally!) when my Boing 767 flew around New Westminster towards Richmond in preparation for landing. I have an awesome 6 minute long video of this, clear as day. I was tearing up behind the camera screaming "HOME! HOME! HOME!" in my head. While waiting at the customs line at the new arrivals terminal, I heard the familiar English and French spoken by people among me, not the disconcerting "ching chongs" I was getting all too used to back in Beijing. Other little big things like bilingual signage, manners, efficiency, people queuing up in an orderly fashion, fresh air, and high sanitation standards, ethnic diversity, high fashion, and Bill Reid’s extensive Haida wood carvings were all subtle indications that I’ve returned to the greatest city in the world. Watching promotional videos of Vancouver 2010 on the jumbotron made me realise how patriotic I am to this land of free, and how much better we are than everyone else (no arrogance here)!

Further proof that I've returned to the land of the free: Free Speech. I had stumbled upon a large group of protesters blocking an intersection in the downtown core protesting against the SPP.

Home Sweet Home.

Landing at YVR

Triple Orgasm.

Friday, August 3rd - 80s Night at Alfa.
Yet another wild night with the gang just a week after our last visit. The fun never ends in the Jing!



Saturday, August 4th - Hutong Haus Party
Went out to Professor Greg's unique hutong for a little more than a chill. :)



Sunday, August 5th - Houhai CS Gathering
"Come one, come all!" is my general philosophy when hosting parties, and came they did. Had the whole roof-top terrace at the Buffalo Club in Houhai all for CouchSurfers!