Okay, so it wasn’t such a surprise after all, but the gesture was nice. My highly acute sensor picked up that something was up when I was instructed to head on over to Jay’s directly after work on the evening of my birthday anniversary.
I did, and Jay, his gf, and Clayton was there waiting for my arrival. Before I could even kick off my shoes, dump my bag, and sit on Jay’s white IKEA sofa, they’d dressed me up with an assortment of odd things. I had on my head a Canada flag top hat, and pinned to it was a helium balloon of a giant yellow smiley face. I then had to wear my jacket inside out. Across my chest, they had pinned a bright yellow smiley faced sunflower. The look was completely ridiculous and I was expected to wear this in public as they paraded me around town.
At first, I was reluctant, but then acquiesced for THEIR enjoyment.
They drove me to a first nations restaurant called Salmon n’ Bannock on West Broadway where Timm, Kemila, and Ieda, were already waiting at the table. The wild buffalo burger on bannock was delicious, and so was my Beaver Buzz cream soda.
The surprise didn’t stop there. After dinner, I was whisked away to the Cheesecake restaurant on Granville for desert where I had started opening gifts from friends. I got a gift certificate for the Miraj Hammam Spa for a 30 minute massage!
Thank you friends. It’s always delightful to be with you all!
Jun 18, 2010
Jun 13, 2010
Galiano Bike Camp.
The first thing I did after landing on Galiano Island was to cycle to the scene of my accident I had the year before and make history by successfully cycling around the island without sustaining any injury.
At the scene of the accident, Jay, Ieda, Norm and I all stopped so that I can fake my accident for the camera. The sign is still there and so is the tree in which I slammed into. Nothing’s changed, actually other than the fact that I now have a stainless steel place with six screws on my left humerus.
A few kilometres later, we arrived at Montague Harbour where we unloaded and pitched out tents. I came to the realisation just how close we were to our destination before I took that tumble into the woods. Gah!
It was a beautiful day to be out cycling. From Montague Harbour, we cycled for yet another ten kilometres to a place called Retreat Cove, a beautiful nook of weathered soapstone rocks overlooking the majestic Trincomali Channel. Moving on, we continued to the north end of Galiano Island along Porlier Pass Rd. where it came to an abrupt end with a weathered billboard which stated “No Tresspassing - Indian Reserve”. We were all hungry, thirsty, and tired when we reached the end and couldn’t fathom cycling back to our campsite. Our mistake here was not bringing enough food and drinks along with us and we paid for our lack of judgement in the end. My legs were so jelly-like that I couldn’t even stand on my own two feet and took many pit stops along the way just lying on the side of the road.
Just down the steps from our campsite was a marina. We walked to the end of the dock and spent quality time looking up. The stars came out in full that night.
The morning after, we took a stroll along the beach and trails at Montague Harbour and came across a cluster of purple starfishes on the rocks. The beaches were so colourful with green algae, white sands, and blue waters.
At the bookstore by the ferry terminal, the manager there congratulated me and shook my hands after I told him that we had cycled from one end of Galiano to the other. Apparently, not many manage to complete this 50k cycle. We did it partly with our camping gear on our bike racks!
I am happy to say that I've finally covered Galiano Island with success. Now on to the next!
At the scene of the accident, Jay, Ieda, Norm and I all stopped so that I can fake my accident for the camera. The sign is still there and so is the tree in which I slammed into. Nothing’s changed, actually other than the fact that I now have a stainless steel place with six screws on my left humerus.
A few kilometres later, we arrived at Montague Harbour where we unloaded and pitched out tents. I came to the realisation just how close we were to our destination before I took that tumble into the woods. Gah!
It was a beautiful day to be out cycling. From Montague Harbour, we cycled for yet another ten kilometres to a place called Retreat Cove, a beautiful nook of weathered soapstone rocks overlooking the majestic Trincomali Channel. Moving on, we continued to the north end of Galiano Island along Porlier Pass Rd. where it came to an abrupt end with a weathered billboard which stated “No Tresspassing - Indian Reserve”. We were all hungry, thirsty, and tired when we reached the end and couldn’t fathom cycling back to our campsite. Our mistake here was not bringing enough food and drinks along with us and we paid for our lack of judgement in the end. My legs were so jelly-like that I couldn’t even stand on my own two feet and took many pit stops along the way just lying on the side of the road.
Just down the steps from our campsite was a marina. We walked to the end of the dock and spent quality time looking up. The stars came out in full that night.
The morning after, we took a stroll along the beach and trails at Montague Harbour and came across a cluster of purple starfishes on the rocks. The beaches were so colourful with green algae, white sands, and blue waters.
At the bookstore by the ferry terminal, the manager there congratulated me and shook my hands after I told him that we had cycled from one end of Galiano to the other. Apparently, not many manage to complete this 50k cycle. We did it partly with our camping gear on our bike racks!
I am happy to say that I've finally covered Galiano Island with success. Now on to the next!
Jun 8, 2010
Madama Butterfly.
Puccini’s Madama Butterfly was a delight to watch. Aside from the girl sitting next to me who took more interest in her two smart phones in her purse during the Opera, I had thoroughly enjoyed this performance at the VO. Notable highlights from this production that really caught my attention and imagination was the set, costume, and video design throughout. The Mondrian theme that set the visual language was beautifully done on the kimonos worn by many of the performers as well as the striking suit worn by James Valenti who played one of the leading roles as Benjamin Franklin Pinkerton.
As for the video design, I quite enjoyed the cascading curtains that lowered from above displaying an animated wave pattern in alternating colours. It was almost trippy!
Stephanie was also in attendance but as much as we tried looking for each other before the show and during intermezzo, we didn’t meet until after the performance when we all spilled out into the lobby.
An applause for Vancouver Opera’s initiative in reaching out to the younger audience with the Opera Under Thirty (Get OUT!) promotion where I was able to take advantage of steep discounts on seats. I have but just one more year to still quality...
As for the video design, I quite enjoyed the cascading curtains that lowered from above displaying an animated wave pattern in alternating colours. It was almost trippy!
Stephanie was also in attendance but as much as we tried looking for each other before the show and during intermezzo, we didn’t meet until after the performance when we all spilled out into the lobby.
An applause for Vancouver Opera’s initiative in reaching out to the younger audience with the Opera Under Thirty (Get OUT!) promotion where I was able to take advantage of steep discounts on seats. I have but just one more year to still quality...
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