Weird Al's Canadian Idiot

I'm am so proud EH!



 

Sky Train Party, Parade of Lost Souls

On Friday, I went to the Sky Train Party that was looping from Clark Station to Main Street. The party filled up three train cars and had a live DJ on the first car. The attending police were very cool and laughed a lot.

There was an outdoor party afterwards with free jello shots. The Master was my favourite costume.

Then we went to the Anza club for a drink and live music. I had never been there before. It is like an old cottage or coach house on Ontario and 8th Avenue. Our last stop was Gigi's for baked pasta on Broadway between Cambie and Main Streets.


On Saturday, a friend I went to Commercial Drive for the Parade of Lost Souls. We started our evening at Stella's. I had a delicious raspberry vodka cocktail called a Blind Date. We shared tasty tapas including calamari, hummus and ahi tuna. We had a great view of the costumed revelers on the street.



Some of my favourite costumes were this orange demon, Lego Man, Beaker, Princess and Mario, the Fortune Teller, and a bartender with his own bar. Wish I saw the Queen of Narnia, Facebook and A-Team, and Robot Kitty.

Watched the second show by Radiant Heat at Mosaic Park off of Charles and McLeans streets.

Listening to: The Shins - New Slang (Garden State Soundtrack)

 

Mark Tewksbury Is a Great Movtivational Speaker

I had an opportunity to hear Mark Tewksbury speak at the annual Vancouver Tourism Awards. The event took place at the Sheraton Wall Centre. Beautiful hotel and a successful event. Wished I worked in the front-line of the tourism industry because the door prizes were amazing. Trips, nights at hotel, tours, dinners, and the three grand prizes were packages to Whistler, Seattle, and Banff and Calgary.

Mark Tewksbury is an Olympic bronze, silver, and gold swimmer from Calgary. He talked about 5 steps to visualize, plan and achieve your goals. I guess they are summarized from his new book. He is a good public speaker and very inspiring and motivational. I left the gala on an elated high.


I am trying to figure out the weekend. There is the Parade of Lost Souls of course. I really want to go to that unless it is pouring rain. Maybe mix in a few chores, some social mixing, and a movie and coffee or two and we might have a weekend.

I am so dismayed that my Calculus II course I need to take to finish my first year is being offered in the middle of the day. The college used to offer one of the courses in the evening. Don't they realize some of us have to work during the day? That college is so poorly managed, it is unbelievable.

I also have to go down to South Vancouver to update my address at another college. Useless. I would rather do it online or over the phone.

Listening to: Paula Cole - I Don't Wanna Wait

 

Autumn Has Arrived

I am trying to remember the past month and a half, and I cannot recollect what I has transgressed. I know there has been plenty of movie nights, potlucks and movie viewing. On Thanksgiving weekend, I got to hang with my niece for two days and one night. That was awesome as usual. We went to Mill Lake Road Park, the Vedder River for salmon fishing, and she read to me before bed time. We also walked the dog Max.

I also volunteered at the After Burn to fundraise for the Burn BC project(s). That was a long, but exciting evening. The first party at the Waldorf was an incredible success and exceeding our expectations. There were DJs, performance artists, live bands, stilters, and a fire show.



 

This past weekend, I went to the Work Less Party Masquerade. It was a blast! A great mix of good energy, people in great costumes, performance art, body painting competition, and live music. My only dismay results from the fact that the two crowd favourite competitors, Fatman and Spiderman who were both outstanding crowd favourites, did not win any of the four categories for body art and talent. Some great costumes were Princess & Mario, Ghosbuster, Brokeback Mountain, and a gorgeous Silver Hooper Goddess.

I also went to Shebeen Whiskey behind the Irish Heather on Friday for a friend of a friend's birthday. What a grand place to celebrate. It feels like you are at a little bar in the old world (19th century Coach House). Met a few folks who worked with people from my past. The place is a bit tricky to find, but cozy once you get there.

Listening to: Jim Sturgess - I've Just Seen a Face (Across the Universe Soundtrack)

 

Burning Man As Burning Does

I just woke up from a 3 hour nap after work and I am eating a grilled turkey and swiss sandwich. I had chocolate earlier and a pecan cinnamon muffin. I also had Memphis Blues ribs with friends on Commercial Drive for dinner last night. Ahh, the things you crave in the desert.

Been back from Burning Man for two days now. The population total this year was 47,700 people. I really felt the tourist yahoo factor on the last weekend. Garbage everywhere (especially by the dance camps on 2:00). Lots of creepy guys, people not participating, and bikes not lit up at night. There was a suicide and an arsonist burned the Man on Monday during the lunar eclipse.



I had a great burn. I camped with Kamp GFY near 3:30 and Desert. We got many thanks for not playing trance all weekend from many folks including DPW and the Rangers. Theme camps and citizens came by to gift us with ice cream bars, freezies, snow cones, and entertainment. Our agent missions were a blast.

We built a bike ramp on the street and heckled passer-byers. Visited many friends and danced most nights until 4 am.

My second home was the Lost Bar at 2:00 and Landfill. I participated in Free Hugs.



Some of my favourite art pieces were the Crude Awakening, two oil tanker trucks, Treehouse, this synchronized light piece, and the Temple.

Oh, there was this crazy gorilla and snake eating apple merry-go-round that created a motion picture when it was peddled (better in the evening). Went to Cereal Thrillers a few times for my journey down children's memory lane. Saw a camp that built a waterslide, took a kayaking lesson with James, and went to Costco Soulmate Trading Post to find my Soulmate.

Impressive dance camps this year. Of course there was Opulent Temple with mega-superstar DJs and fire cannons. But there was a gigantic dome with excellent breaks called Eschon Village. Moon Base was fantastic too with drum & bass and lasers you could see across the city. I also went to a beautiful wedding at the trash fence during the lunar eclipse.



There were two white-out dust storms two days in a row. The weather was generally warm with warm nights. Long drive home. Wished I stayed overnight in Reno or Oregon to break it up. We were rear-ended by a woman from Fort McMurray in the exit line out (exodus). The temple burn was magnificent.

 

On Tuesday, I went to the Vancouver Art Gallery with a friend to see the Monet to Dali exhibit from the Cleveland Museum of Art. It is probably the best exhibit to date at the VAG. Paintings from Impressionist, Post-Impressionists and Expressionists. The art is absolutely breathtaking.

There is also an exibit by Andrea Zittel titled Critical Space. She is an artist from California and her exhibit showcases works and textiles influenced by mainstream culture, psychology, technology, and consumerism. I really loved the Escape Vehicles, floating islands, modular living spaces, capsule living unit, and dresses.



 

Last night, I went over to a friend's to sew fun-fur boot covers. They look so cute! Eskimo kiss anyone?

Working on last minute preparations, scavenging and shopping for my trip to Burning Man. I am on track with only a few more things to get (parasol, cd zip case, groceries...). I am starting to feel the butterflies and jitters. I can't wait to be on the road. I started writing down events, parties and invites in my little black book.

I think I am going to volunteer at Costco! So excited. That afternoon, there is a Catholic skool party. Hmm... the possiiblities! Can you tell I am giddy like a skool girl?

Listening to: Stereo MCs - Step It Up

 

Still Radiating From the Weekend

My long weekend in Seattle was a blast. We stayed with friends in South Park and kept singing our "theme". Arrived very late on Friday, chatted with our hostess for a bit, and then crashed.

On Saturday, our hostess made us waffles, eggs and bacon. Delicious. I love their dog. She's wonderful. Very friendly and obedient. She can close the door after she goes outside all by herself.

Since everyone was going roller skating and then to a wedding later, I opted to meet up with a friend. He and his loved one were hosting a get-together in West Seattle for a friend that was passing through town. We stopped off at the Utilikilt store. The store was out of basic black kilts in my size. My friend insisted I try on a new style that was blue corduroy. I was resistant at first, but then, oh my, it was a perfect fit! Felt comfortable and not heavy or hot like I anticipated. I got one and ordered the black one. My friend tried on a red corduroy one. He looked so *hawt*. He took it too.

We went back to his place. Some friends came over and we worked on our camp banner for Burning Man. Then we played cards. I was so ecstatic. No one I know plays cards anymore. When I was young, we could not sit at the grown-ups table unless we played cards. They taught me a game called Presidents and Assholes. It was a lot of fun, except when you are an Asshole. My President's rule was pass your worst card to the left and your best card to the right.

After, a bunch of folks came over to hang out. I met lots of new people, including Mom and Dad. Mom was very loving, but she reminded me how important it is to buy your mom a Mother's Day present every year. I took a nap for a bit and started laughing when I heard Diem's voice.

I got up and people had come over post-wedding. Fasty & Gia came by to pick me up and take me to another house party. I wore my new kilt. Woo! It was great to see the bride and groom. I gave them my congratulations. They both looked lovely. I saw a few pictures from the wedding. The location was a beautiful garden and the reception was under outdoor tents. I heard the food was amazing and there was even belly dancing.

On Sunday, we went to the PAD for brunch. Fasty & I cooked brunch. I had a blast. The PAD is wonderful and has a huge back yard. One wonders how one will ever afford that kind of palace in Vancouver.

We went to the Fremont Market after and ran into Johay and Merry. We checked out the market and went for drinks on a patio. Worst waitress ever (well, almost). We went back to visit Jelly and Queen of the Harpies. We bought them snacks and treats. We watched the end of Who's That Girl. That was a riot! Madonna during her Marilyn Monroe phase.

We did a bit of shopping to kill some time because we weren't quite right for dinner. We opted to go to a great Mexican restaurant in South Park, but it had just closed when we arrived. Tsk Sunday hours. We grabbed some take-away from the deli of a grocery store along the I-5 and headed north at around 9 pm. The border line-up was killer. I got in at about 1 am.

The holiday Monday was nice and relaxing. The weather was still stunning. We met up with Diem, K8 and BT to watch The Simpsons movie. It really is awesome! It holds its own as a movie. I laughed all the way through. Fantastic! We gave BT some silly birthday presents.

After, I went to Fasty & Gia's to hang out and play Super Nintendo. We chilled all afternoon. I was so low-key; it was great. I went for great Japanese food near Metrotown at Tomoya off Nelson and Kingsway. I had a wonderful Burnaby roll and 2 pieces of hamachi sushi. Yum.

Best weekend I have had in a long time. I did not even have to go camping!

Listening to: Pink Floyd - Learning To Fly

 

Summer Feels Good

Yesterday was fun. Not the work part, but the post-work part. Some coworkers and I met up after work and we went to the new Hapa Izakaya in Kitsilano. Yummy Japanese tapas and drinks. Ahi tuna, sashimi salad, chicken wings and Korean rice along with raspberry vodka ice-tea (I am going to try it replicate it). Not difficult for four people to spend $80 and still be hungry and sober.

We kicked it up a notch with Bellinis at Browns Social House. Much better with spinach and artichoke dip and yam fries. The drinks and yam fries were divine. I think we have to keep up traditions for Tuesday Bellini night. I think I will be back there on Friday for dinner before heading south to Seattle.

We finished off the warm evening by watching the Celebration of Light with China's fireworks display at Kitsilano Beach.

 

After work today, I went to MEC to get a head lamp for camping and some turtle LED lights. I have been wanting a head lamp for years and it really helps see in a dark tent at night.

At home, I managed to cool off by drinking Breyers vanilla frozen yogurt and Baileys in a Simpsons slurpee cup.

Currently, I am painting my toes Suzy Loves Sydney by and Bogota Blackberry OPI. Got to have pretty toes for holey soles and my new Utilikilt.


Listening to: Alex Gaudino - Destination Calabria

 

Garfield Disliked Mondays

Well, it's interesting how when you are in dire need of doing laundry, you have to resort to wearing pretty, sexy panties to work. They are not the most comfortable to wear all day long at work (being, you know, their cut, style, lace and size), but hey it's better than going commando.


Saturday evening, Illuminaries at Trout Lake was magnificent. I missed it last year, due to attending an 80s themed birthday party at a posh house in West Vancouver. We watched the fireworks from his parents expansive stone-tiled deck facing downtown. I can't resist anything to do with the 80s. Nonetheless, the lantern festival this year had even more lanterns, performance art, fire shows, and people this year.

Radiant Heat rocked it with their choreographed performance and beautiful costumes. I almost missed the second show because we could not find the correct location (there were three fire shows in all).

After the show, I sat with friends on the hill and had interesting conversations about relationships, chemistry, defense mechanisms, and communication issues. Funny, how as adults, we still go through the same motions.


I have a new guilty pleasure: Gene Simmons Family Jewels. My cousins were watching the tv show marathon on A&E. I laughed constantly during the episode and the Simmons Family. Total riot! It did not feel or seem as staged as some of the other celebrity reality tv shows. I was surprised to learn that he and his wife Shannon are polyamourous. I was also impressed the kids are so down-to-earth and normal.

 

Thank Dog It's Friday

Woo Friday! I thought I would never make it. My back/shoulders/neck are killing me. I have had a tension headache for almost two weeks. I have orthopedic therapy today. So, looking forward to that.

I am going dancing at Organix tonight (won't push it too hard though). Some Seattlites are coming up to visit for a friend's birthday. I think while they are paint balling tomorrow, I'll run some errands. I need to buy a head lamp from MEC and a parasol in Chinatown. My last blue metallic one had to be thrown out after many trips to Burning Man.

Oh yes, after attending Critical Massive, I decided to go to Burning Man this year. I am in such a great, positive and happy place... and I am single. Hmm... The possibilities for a great experience are endless. It felt good to take a break last year. It felt really great to say Yes to going. So much for quitting!

Listening to: The Beatles - Come Together

 

I Am A Springfield-ian

I recently created my own Simpsons character avatar for the new Simpsons movie.



What a load of phun: P H U N!.

 

What Do People Envy About You?

People Envy Your Compassion

You have a kind heart and an unusual empathy for all living creatures. You tend to absorb others' happiness and pain. People envy your compassion, and more importantly, the connections it helps you build. And compassionate as you are, you feel for them.

What Do People Envy About You?

 

White Water Trash Fight

Participated in the water fight at Stanley Park's Lumberman's Arch on Saturday afternoon. What a great way to cool off for 15 minutes. The rest of the conspirators continued for another hour and 15 minutes. A pick-up truck full of water dumped a waterfall off the bridge.



Funny, how information spreads like wildfire on the Internet. Most conspirators were teenagers who fought around small children and families and did not pick up their water balloon garbage.

In the evening, I went to the annual White Trash Party. I wore a Coors Light visor, tank top, jean skrit and sneakers. Upon reflection, I probably should have wore my cowboy hat.



We ended up crashing the Richmond Night Market. There were a group of volunteer firemen at the entrance selling raffle tickets for Tsunami victims. We bought tickets and one of the prizes was 5 firemen for 5 hours to do what you want with. One bold firemen kept flirting with the trailer party chicks. Overall, a hilarious night.

Back at the party, there was a lawn mower motor hooked up for shredded stuffed animals and there was a toliet and sink hooked up in the yard for, well, you know.

Listening to: Bryan Adams - Run To You

 

Hot In the City

It has been so hot this week. Finally summer! I am not complaining--I'd rather take heat any day over rain or snow (except with humidity). I was melting away on the couch with the kitties yesterday. Too hot to do anything. There was the possibility of watching Transformers at 10:00 pm in the surburbs, but then I would be in bed by 1:30 am. It might not have mattered anyway; I am having trouble sleeping this week. Woke up again at 4 am and could not get back to sleep.

I am looking forward to a Gastown roof-top party apres-work for two coworkers celebrating a going-away to Australia and a wedding shower. I just want to see the loft and the roof-top view! I bought Lebanese and sundried-tomato hummus, Que Pasa tortilla chips, soy crisps, and green olives.

I think my old neighbours are also having a house warming/welcome a friend back into town get-together. This weekend has not even started yet and it already seems action-packed!

Listening to: Axwell - Feel the Vibe

 

That's All

It is interesting when you meet someone, and the encounter his you
like a brick wall. When you kiss for the first time, you feel the earth
move. Even every single time afterwards, when you kiss the earth seems to stand still.

You talk about feelings, what you want, the possible future. Things seem to move quickly and easily become intense because it is real
chemistry. You try to slow things down, but it is difficult because
you both fit so well like two missing pieces of a puzzle.

I never understood chemistry before, but now I do. You feel their
presence from across the room. You feel every molecule inside you
vibrating. It's more than a crush, desire or lust. You think about
how you have to have this person in your life until eternity.

But then, one of you panics or self doubts, and thinks about all the what-if's. The same person retracts the things he or she said and how he or she behaved. Defense mechanisms run so deep. You have to love like you have never been hurt before. It is so difficult.

Best to play it safe and continue your life with your security blanket firmly attached to the ground. Why take risks when you can settle for the safety and comfort of what is familiar and predictable. Because you have full control over your vulnerability. No sense in changing everything you have ever known for ultimate happiness, passion, and balance.

Listening to: Duncan Sheik - Barely Breathing

 

June 2007

June usually feels like summer, but this one did not. I went up to the Sunshine Coast to camp with about sixty people for Lemuria. I had an incredible time being cozy in the tent playing Zigity with friends, dancing, listening to music, and hanging with great people. I love being out in the woods and listening to the sound of the wind rustle the trees and the birds singing. Little weekends away from the city are marvelous.

I also went to the Car-Free Commercial Drive Festival. This is one of the best street fairs I have ever attended. The streets from 1st Avenue to Venables were closed off to the traffic. There were street performers, art, music, DJs, information booths and vendors. I was there for four hours and saw many familiar faces. Stopped for ribs at Memphis Blues. There will be another festival in late July.

I went to a BC Cancer Fundraiser for a coworkers' team that participates in the Breast Cancer Walk. There were door prizes, a silent auction and stand-up comedy. The restaurant Zawa was terrible: poor service, warm drinks and minimal staff. However, we were there for a great cause. I did not manage to win any of the great prizes, such as hotel, whale watching or dinner. But all was good because the team raised what they were hoping for.

I was selected to participate in a sexual boundaries workshop with a group of twenty other people. It was interesting to hear other people's perspectivies on what constitutes consent. The idea of asking permission for anything new every time even with people you have previous established intimacy with was an interesting concept. So was checking in often as to whether or not the other person is still feeling good and having fun.

Lastly, I went to Critical Massive in Washington. It was at a private camp ground in Maple Valley with about 250 people. There was art, music, DJs, and great people. I really enjoyed the Equilaterial Electric trio playing string fusion late Saturday evening. The whole experience and camping with Kamp GFY moved me to go to Burning Man this year. I am in a positive and happy frame of mind, and single, I though it would be great to down to the burn with these folks. We had such a great dynamic and sense of family together that weekend. This will be my sixth burn. So much for quitting.

Listening to: Tommy Largo - Chacaron

 

Faithless - Bombs

New Faithless music video banned by MTV.



 

Wow, Dashboard Sucks

Well, I just changed my blog frame and surprisingly, it erased all my template customization. Hmm...

I don't think I have a back-up of that...

*grr*

Does what happens in the Facebook stay in the Facebook?

Facebook collects information about you and stores it in a database and profiles you into statistics it sells to third-party corporations and government organizations.


Watch this:

http://albumoftheday.com/facebook/


I never joined and never will. I always kept asking the people that kept sending me the invitations to join, what are they doing with your information? People would always respond with, "Nothing!". I really hated it how you could not browse Facebook to see what it was about and what their policies were.

When you join and agree to the Terms of Service, you are agreeing to much more than you think. You are actually violating your personal privacy.

May 2007

May was action-packed and very enjoyable. Celebrated Cinco de Mayo at Amanda and Geoff's. Actually looked up the holiday and learned that it was to celebrate how Mexico over thrown the colonial stronghold. I made wicked layer dip and delicious pineapple/malibu rum daquiris and strawberry-lime/rum daquiris. Complete with live music and a great mix of people. We also had a little fire show out back. I met a nice young lady from Australia who declared me as her new best friend.

Went to brunch at Leanne and Renee's new place to help raise funds for Amnesty. We managed to raise almost $200! The girls slaved all weekend to cook us two kinds of lasagna, salads, salsa, potato and cheese bake, and coconut pie. Delicious! I love being in a room full of pscyhology masters.



Managed to visit the Vancouver Art Gallery to see the Fred Herzog photography exhibit and the Huang Yong Ping's House of Oracles exihibit.

Fred Herzog's photography exhibit from the 50s and 60s in early Vancouver were a delight to look at. Small houses in downtown where high rises now jut up to the sky. The old culture of different neighbourhoods and the styles of days gone by.

Huang Yong Ping put up media articles and a sign of protest and distaste at all the controversy strummed up by the SPCA about his art piece with live lizards and insects. He had even added better lighting, water, food and shaded areas for the critters. But when that was not good enough, he pulled the art piece. Censorship. The SPCA should be focused and doing a better job on protecting cats and dogs. Hmm...


For May long weekend, I went to Oliver with Amanda. We stayed at her brother's Chris' home away from home. He plans to renovate it completely and then retire in it. Wonderful, small rancher with a beautiful backyard. We discussed hardwood floors, bathroom design, double-pane windows, and Japanese landscaping. Finally, someone home-nerdy like moi!

Oliver was great. I realized it was more practical to purchase a vacation home in this area, than buy a one-bedroom condo in the far reaches of the GVRD. Only a half hour to Penticton. We sang karaoke two nights, relaxed in the sun, drank wine and ate, danced and toured around. The sounds and smells of a summer weekend were a nice touch and helped me recharge for the gloomy spring back in the city.

Went to see a great play at the Vancouver Playhouse titled the Andersen Project. A story directed, written and starring Robert Lepage who plays three characters: an French-Canadian albino playwright, a Parisian Opera house director, and a Moroccan graffiti-artist immigrant.



The play was captivating to watch and provided a great balance of drama, comedy and romance. I loved the dance scene on the train after he took the dog's prozac. The way the stage design changes for each scene and the use of computer projection was fantastic.


Went down to Seattle for a Space Bus Fundraiser called BollyHouse. It was produced by Doc and Geminitrix. I loved Seattle and I have missed her dearly. I think she missed me too. We also celebrated Geminitrix's birthday. The venue was a beautiful 2-room artist's studio with a hot tub. We had some nice hot tub relax time and some mad Chinese food before the party started. Doc made this amazing Bollywood video sequence he projected onto a deep-red wall that was hiliarious to watch. There was also beautiful performance art in the art by a lovely couple. Definitely a memorable weekend.


Went to see The Police at GM Place opening night. Great seats off the edge of the stage with a direct view of Sting's derriere. I was pleased and estatic to see the group has still got it. Great live show and I loved the raised additional drum section for Stewart Copeland. A giant gong, a xylophone, and various Asian wind chimes. The Asian drumming and chiming during Wrapped Around Your Finger, and another song I cannot remember at this very moment, were amazing. The crowd singing along to Roxanne as the stage was bathed in red light. The opening with Message In A Bottle. With two encores and I managed to get onto the floor twice. Amazing show!


Last, but not least, I went to the Backstage Lounge for Abel's birthday. Half price martinis and a beautiful view of False Creek. We drank and listened to the The Wet Spots. A great looking and sounding 40s-style band that sings wymsical and perverted lyrics. They were very entertaining, but also sassy and charming.

The service at the Backstage Lounge still sucks, but everything else was wonderful.


Listening to: The Police - Synchronicity II