Illuminate Yaletown

I went to Yaletown's first annual Illuminate Festival on Saturday. There were about 25 art installations including an ice living room, ice bonfire, light spheres, wall projections, shadow theatre, and light panels.



The highlight of the festival was Radiant Heat's fire performance shows. Radiant Heat performed three shows with a grand finale in front of EQ3.

I was surprised the event was not car-free. Pedestrians were everywhere with children and toy dogs. It was one giant car park. I thought it was strange the Roundhouse Community Centre did not have an open house for the event either. Apparently, the festival was such a hit, it will be back next year for the Olympics.

Listening to: Oscar the Grouch - I'm Sad Because I'm Happy

 

Ecofriend and Fabulous!

Imagine fulfilling your consumeristic desires guilt-free. Well, not completely guilt-free, but pretty darn close.

The Green Depot has opened its doors in Brooklyn. It is a green hybrid of Ikea and Home Depot full of organic and sustainable products for your home.



Also nifty, is the new West Elm store in Emeryville, CA that has a green and solar power roof, not too mention reclaimed hard-wood floor and low-VOC painted walls.



Listening to: Michael Mind - Ride Like the Wind

 

Love Like Blah

Like this Rat. I am not a huge fan of rats, but this is one cute bugger. Apparently, she chatters when she's content and snuggles stuffed animals. Cute. Bugger.

If you are a big g33k, you'll enjoy the History of Video Games. Reminds me of a few weeks ago when my niece and I were playing Pac-Man and Dig-Dug.



My cousin K sent me this music video for Fatboy Slim's The Joker. Bizarre. I love seeing the cat herders' hands in the camera shots.

I am not sure I want an iPhone enough to pay $60 a month on top of my cell phone plan. My unlimited Fido plan is grandfathered. I do not have digital cable because it costs $60 per month. I doubt plan prices will be going down any time soon.

Listening to: Beck - Timebomb

 

Laughter Is Always Good

I love British humour. BBC's Women Know Your Limits is very funny.

The Onion has its own YouTube Channel.



Hotmail stopped working on Mozilla today. Argh. I have to use IE to use it.

To iPhone or not to iPhone. Simple consumeristic, technologic whorish luxuries.

Listening to: The Pretenders - Don't Get Me Wrong

 

One of Those Days

It is one of those days. You know... the ones where you just want to put on lounge wear when you get home, eat some dark chocolate and drink some vanilla earl gray tea.

I started a profile on Urban Spoon. I saw that there is a Urban Spoon iPhone application, so I decided to check the web site out. It is actually very well organized and reviewer driven. Funny, I had this idea several years ago. But, Urban Spoon truly delivers. I have reviewed over 114 restaurants and voted on 218 in Vancouver, Victoria and Seattle. I definitely like to eat out.

Now I am thinking about a bubble or salts bath. Another action-packed weekend starting with Friday at work. I am looking forward to catching up with a friend visiting from San Francisco, whom I have not seen since end of summer. I am excited to play host to a tourist.

It is the official one-year countdown to the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. It is even more controversial than ever.



Thrifty Foods is promoting Romance In the Aisles, where you can shop and mingle with other singles. Make a date over spending a buck or two.

Listening to: Holly McNarland - Numb

 

Trader Joe's Song

The fabulous Trader Joe's song. When is Trader Joe's coming to Canada?



I love Trader Joe's. Natural amazing fusion and International foods: dried fruits, trail mixes, teriyaki beef jerky, wasabi peas, healthier chips, mango and peach salsa, $2 wine, strawberry juice, garlic linguine, real soaps, and the list goes on. Most of it is chemical and additive free.

I also love Talking Rain sparkling water. It consists of natural water with only 100% natural fruit essences. The flavour kiwi-strawberry is amazing. Now there is pomegranate-lime? I am thinking about a Costco card just to purchase flats in Washington.

I am debating purchasing an iPhone for the cool applications. I am such a geek. Not really interested it as a phone because the Rogers plan in Canada is the second highest priced in the world (behind Italy). But the applications to organize my daily life, podcasts, games and gallery are cool. I already picked out colorware colours in blue, orange and chartreuse to change it from black.



I want to sing "I Wanna Be iPhone-sturbated" to the Ramones' I Wanna Be Sedated.

Listening to: Coldplay - Clocks

 

Back Burner

Well, I was chatting with my boss the other day about Earned Days Off (EDOs). I thought that you worked over time to bank up an EDO. So, this year I worked an extra 4 hours so far. Usually, I would just adjust my time when I wanted and work less on a day(s) to reduce the extra hours earned.



Apparently, this is incorrect. I am suppose to work extra as needed, but I get an automatic extra 5 EDOs off (regardless if I work less or more). So, last year I did not take these extra 5 EDOs. In fact, during the Xmas holidays, I took three Leave of Absence (LOAs) with NO PAY. Argh.

I am still awaiting my 6 month and annual performance review and a potential raise.


Oh, and 30 year old Frat Boys are dumb.

Listening to: Madonna - Sorry

 

Damn Skippy

A newly born baby lemur clutches a teddy bear as if it was its mother.



I recently read the article about Governors Island Envisioned as an Eco-Park on inhabitat.



Lately, I have been hearing Kermit's Rainbow Connection in my mind. But the duet with Debbie Harry and Kermit the Frog is lovely.



More banjo please.

 

Laundry Lifted

Weird. Someone stole my graphite 300-count queen-size fitted and flat bed linens from the laundry room.



I hope this person returns them. I kind of liked them.

Listening to: Enigma - Age of Loneliness

 

Gorgeous Chicken No Less

I went to a new hair salon to faithfully follow my hair stylist. He now works at Essensuals on Richards near Robson. Great salon and fantastic staff. I went to Rainbow Flowers on Main Street to pick up some flowers and stopped by work. At work, Saturdays are Pub Day. I visited with some clients, requested Johnny Cash from the band, and drank ginger ale with the ladies.

I went to Shiro for sushi on Cambie Street with D&M. No short of awesome. The place is owned and staffed by wonderful Japanese people.

We started discussing traveling to Asia. They want to travel through Asia for a few months. I started thinking about going to Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

D&M showed me the Gorgeous Tiny Chicken Machine Show.



Apparently, I passed some kind of test.


We also watched a Japanese aerobic English Learning instructional video.

 

Love Like Blah

Love this polar bar drain stopper.



Like all things bacon--including but not limited to this bacon scarf, bacon bra, bacon diet coke, bacon band-aids, and mall art.

Like that I just signed up for an account at LastFM. You can listen to your favourite artists and recommended similar artists. I like it so far, but easily become bored of stations. I like how you can skip artists and songs you dislike.

Listening to: Planet Funk - Rosa Blue

 

Kodak Gallery Review

Blah. Well, I ordered some calendars as gifts for Xmas and I made one for myself. The binding coil that holds the pages together comes out all the time. I have to constantly rebuild it every time I turn a month page. Argh.

I also printed a batch of photos at their sale price of $0.15. Great deal. On the second batch, someone noticed my friends print their name or logo on the bottom. So, Kodak Gallery refused to print this batch unless I had signed waivers from every photographer.

I canceled my order and decided to buy a Costco card. Costco lets you print photos at the regular price of $0.15.

I think January is officially off the calendar.

Community Is Everything

This past weekend, I went up to Whistler with 21 other people to celebrate a friend's 40th birthday. We rented two 4-bedroom townhomes at the top of a winding road. We soaked in hot tubs, dined on french toast, bacon, ebelskivers, Indian curries and rice, and prime roast, danced, laughed, and sang. It was a great, relaxing weekend amongst some really great people. I think I am finally out of my winter fog. I have the sparkle back in my eyes.




In Burien, the Seattle burners and Ignition Northwest have created a public art space featuring The Passage from Burning Man. B/IAS (Burien Interim Art Space) was officially opened and celebrated this past weekend in South Seattle. The art structure will be open to the public for one year.

Listening to: Eurythmics - Miracle of Love

 

Foggy Dew

There has been a lot of fog hovering over Vancouver for the past few weeks.




Last week, I watched BBC's Blue Planet first disc Ocean World and Frozen Seas. It was immensely good to watch while doing yoga.

I also watched an Lebanese film Caramel, and a fantastic British dramedy Death At A Funeral.

I started watching Weeds. I was hooked after the first episode. Mary Louise Parker is incredible as a Suburban widow trying to support her family as a pot dealer.

My Canon S400 bit the dust after five years. It keeps giving a Memory card error. I replaced the battery thinking it would fix the problem. But it hasn't. I guess it is time to buy a new digital camera.

I got a funky new Tokidoki Messenger Bag designed by Italian artist Simone Legno. My pattern is way cooler. Ha! If my camera worked, I could take a picture of it. Pft.

Listening to: Don Henley - Boys of Summer

 

The Woman

A Softer World




Listening to: Electric Six - Infected Girls

 

Hello Goodbye

Long week, although I was sick at the beginning of it. I feel exhausted and I am not even taking a class this semester. I am eating leftover cold organic steak and thinking about steamed edamame. My new favourite thing is Tetley Summerberry & Rosehip tea with Chilliwack River Wildflower Honey.

We went for a nice walk at lunch to Main & 26th Avenue with JD. We went to Sawasdee Thai for lunch for yummy Phad Thai. This is my favourite Thai restaurant hands-down. Great lunch specials and service that is authentic.

Most of the snow in Kitsilano has melted, but there still are grayish peaks all along mid-Main Street.




I finished reading Prozac Nation. I thought it would be more hipster-contemporary. It was more like reading a young woman's journal while she copes with manic-depression. Not an enthralling book.

I really enjoyed Christopher Moore's You Suck. A tragedy with sarcastic under tones about two young vampires in San Francisco. The book was hilarious and I could not put it down.

I tried to find some used second-year Psychology texts to read for fun. Knowledge is Queen you know. No such luck. I could not sell my old text books either (even at half price).

Not sure what to do this weekend. I usually have to teeter-totter between chores and homework. What ever will I do? Sushi and The Spirit anyone?

Listening to: Frou Frou - Breath In

Happy End of the Year

Well, welcome to 2009. I spent New Year's with a small group of good friends to ring in the new year. We gathered at a friend's place, made dinner, and then joined the Skytrain Party. We just missed the train by two minutes, so we had to rendezvous with the party train in Burnaby.

The party filled up two joined Millennium Train cars. The Carnival Band played as we danced and sang. We sang Morning Train, counted down from 10 and yelled Happy New Year at each stop, and finished our finale at Waterfront Station.

We returned to the house to continue the festivities. It was great to connect with everyone, some of which I had not seen since the end of summer.

I would like to wish everyone good health, prosperity and happiness for 2009!

 

Have I Told You Lately

I love this music video?

Naive New Beaters - Live Good




PS: F-U Warner Music for demanding YouTube pay you for production views, not getting your way, and pulling all your content. When we view it online, we keep it alive.

Guess what? We are going to boycott you official posts.

 

It's Christmas Time

Band Aid - Let Them Know It's Christmas Time



 

In Suburbia

So, I have been in suburbia for three days and counting. This is exactly where I wanted to be over the holidays. I am hanging with my cousins and eating turkey and trimming left overs, drinking strawberry black tea, watching movies, and playing Wii. I am now officially a Wii devout.


I saw Reinfather on MadTV:




Listening to: Pink Floyd - Learning to Fly

 

Miss You

Goo Goo Dolls - Here Is Gone




Mom, I miss you.

 

Snowed In

Well, I am officially snowed in. I have to delay my plans to go to the burbs and hang with my cousins. No Wii for me.

The highways are insane.

My cousin sent me Santa and Reindeer singing White Christmas.

I was also sent Christmas Morning, which sums up North American consumerism during the holidays.

 

Seattle SantaCon

This weekend, a few Canucks and I went to Seattle to participate in their annual Santarchy. I had an amazing time with about 250 Santas. We started out in the International District and ended up on Capital Hill.




Some great highlights were dim sum at House of Hong's, Wing Luke Asian Museum, singing Bohemian Rhapsody at 88 Key's, and listening to The Grinch being read at the Library.

Santa in New York also made The New York Times.

Plastic Bags Sux

According to The Wall Street Journal, the U.S. goes through 100 billion plastic shopping bags annually, and making them requires an estimated 12 million barrels of oil!



Reusable bags are a great way to reduce use of unnecessary resources and waste.

 

Follow Your Heart

So, the other morning I knocked down a bubble magnet off the refrigerator--twice. The magnet says Follow Your Heart. Both times it fell off and rolled; I had to chase after it.

These past weeks have been difficult without my little one. It is challenging at night lying in bed, or waking up at 3:30 am wide awake.

I received a lovely sympathy card from Vancouver Feline Hospital. It was from the vet expressing her compassion for my loss. It was beautifully hand-written. The hospital is very caring and compassionate about cats.

Christmas is a tough holiday for me. I miss a lot of familiar faces. But as some people are destined to leave your life, while others are meant to enter and share new experiences. I always count my blessings and never take any friendship for granted. But part of me just wants to hide out in fuzzy pajamas for the rest of winter watching films and reading books.

Listening to: The Beatles - Yesterday

 

All Corseted and Nowhere to Go

Well, today was a busy day. I went to the Cambie for the Annual Piss-Up at 12:30 am. There was probably about 20 or so people that showed up. We stayed there eating, drinking and being merry until about 4:30 pm when Santa showed up. About 150 Santas to be exact. They were not as rowdy as I would expect, but it was great to see Santa spreading Christmas cheer.



Santa left, and I stayed until 6:30 pm. I went home and took a 2 hour nap. I got ready to go to SinCity. I managed to lace up my corset myself. I have never done this (lacing on the front and back). I looked smashing corset, tutu, makeup and all. But, I tried to call a cab three times and it was busy. Weird, I went outside and oh, it's snowing! Holy crapola. I hope everyone got home safe and sound from the Cambie.

I wonder how people are going to make it back from Richmond for a work dinner. I am glad I did not commit to that. I would have been stuck out in Richmond and renting a hotel room for the night.

At least I look and smell great.

Listening to: Goldfrapp - Ooh La La

 

Relax, Don't Do It

Foamy - No Christmas For You



 

Well, I went to bed at 10 pm last night and woke up at 7:30 am. This is typically how I would like to sleep during the weekdays, but rarely happens. I only woke up once too. I usually wake up at least 2 to 3 times, sometimes staying awake until I actually have to drag myself out of bed.

Since I was finally rested after weeks of not sleep well, I came up with a five-point rating system. I am not sure what to call it yet... BEST? You basically rate on the following performances: 1) Kissing, 2) Foreplay, 3) Third Base, 4) Positions, 5) Finale. Personally, I would say a 3/5 with potential for improvement with a deadline would be the bare minimum for a potential continual engagement. But, I would be hoping for a 4/5 at least. *ahem*

Anyways, I decided to make organic blueberry pancakes for breakie. Still enjoying the delicious blueberries I bought at the Riley Park Farmer's Market this summer and fall. They freeze great and still taste fresh when thawed. Even better, I am trying out this new organic maple syrup I bought from Capers. Delicious! As was the organic wildflower honey from Chiliwack River Valley.

I love JD's tips and treasures. I was mildly attempting to convince her to put up a website or blog to share her tips. Maybe I should not do that, so I can only habour her knowledge for myself.

 

I just found out that Chicago has a Legoland Discovery Centre. I wanted to go to Chicago to see sustainable home designer Michelle Kaufman's new PreFab House Design. A sample of her design is sitting in front of the Chicago Science Museum for tours. If only I had a free weekend before January 4th, 2009.



 

Kudos to Grinches

Kudos to the Grinches who stole 80 boxes of toys worth $25k and turkeys from the Salvation Army. They also left the freezer door open, so the rest of the frozen meat would spoil.



 

Bah Humbug

Oscar Hates Christmas. My hero.

 

I have to jolt myself back to reality every time I hear a Christmas song in a store or on the radio.

 

Near Cambie Street, I ran into my old elementary school chum. I see him maybe once a year at random places. We had lunch together at Capers and caught up. He informed me of all school mates where abouts and what-ons.

 

We had our first/last class before our final exam on Monday. The last three classes had been cancelled. The instructor just informed us today the final exam is accumulative. Thanks buddy. The outline gave me the impression it was only the last two chapters. Where was this information two weeks ago?

I was suppose to register for spring courses two weeks ago. I could not decide whether or not to enroll in a course or take the semseter off. When I checked the other day, all the courses I would have selected are full. I think the universe is telling me to take a break and go to yoga and pilates for the next few months. Health and wellness yes, school stress and exhaustion no. Check.

 

Listening to: Supertramp - Logical Song

 

Counting to 1, 2, 3, 4

Feist on Sesame Street.

 

Stewie counts to the number 12.

 

I love lazy Sundays.

 

Cartoons

Well, after being woken up at 12 am, 2 am and 3 am by intoxicated morons smoking on the west side of our building under my windows, I had the wacky idea to recapture a small token of my youth and watch cartoons. To my dismay, I could not find my Looney Tunes Volume 1 or Tom and Jerry DVDs. On that note, where did my Depeche Mode and Matthew Good DVDs run off too? Thanks to everyone I have ever lent stuff to that never ever gave it back.





Thank goodness for YouTube. For a moment there I wished I had cable. Oh wait, cable networks do not play classic cartoons, only ones to advertise consumer products.

Weird, my Siamese cat Choco is watching Tom and Jerry with me.

Listening to: Zero 7 - Destiny

 

Simpsons

Simpsons Intro Lego Style




Simpsons Video Game by EA



Makes me want to buy a WII.


Listening to: Barenaked Ladies - Lovers In A Dangerous Time

 

She's Gone

I went to go to my car this morning and she was gone. I parked her on Friday at Balsam and 1st Avenue and saw her Saturday when I went for a walk on the beach. I am not sure if she has been gone for 24 hours, so I am unable to report her to the police. I am considering posting her picture on the side of milk cartons. Maybe she's upset with my parenting and has run away from home.

On Friday, I went bowling at Revs. Played two games with my team and it was a lot of fun. Mostly a younger crowd with montages of hip-hop music marathons. On Saturday, I went for a walk along Kits Beach. It was a beautiful fall day. I stopped at Benny Bagel's for a lox museli bagel. I watched part of the first season of Six Feet Under. I really like that dramedy. On Sunday, I met BT & Delilah for brunch at Sunset Grill.

After brunch, I met MoFaux on Main Street and we went to the DTES for the East Side Culture Crawl. We visited galleries and viewed paintings, sculptures, pottery, and photography from DTES to Strathcona to Parker Street Studios. The latter being a converted 4 story warehouse with tons of artists showcasing their work. We finished the evening with drinks and bites at Fets on the Drive, and then warm bevvies at JJ Bean.

Listening to: Feist - Inside and Out

Eco-Friendly and Fabulous

In partnership with Pitt, Kiehl’s just introduced its first Cradle to Cradle Certified product Kiehl's Aloe Vera Biodegradable Body Cleanser. The delicately scented liquid body cleanser, is formulated without parabens, SLS or dyes and is packaged in a 100 percent post consumer recycled bottle. I hope it smells good.



Cargo Cosmetics’s PlantLove Botanical Lipstick is planted inside a box made of paper embedded with real flower seeds, which can be used in your garden or flower pot. Inside the box, you’ll find a tube made entirely out of corn. In the tube is lip-loving lipstick infused with Orchid Complex and meadowfoam seed oil as well as jojoba and shea butter.

Add to that the fact that Cargo will donate $2 from the sale of every $20 tube to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and you’ll want to plant a big, bright kiss on everyone you meet.

 

Kittens and Puppies

This amuses me:



 

As does this Shibu breeder web cam. Thanks to JD for the link.

 

Thank You

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has offered me words of encouragement and their deepest empathy. Your friendship means so much to me.



I am very lucky to have such wonderful people in my life. People I treasure as friends who provide me support, guidance, understanding, and love.

 

Miss You

I miss the way you used to greet me at the door. You came running and mewing. You were so excited to see me.

I miss the way we used to fall asleep beside each other in the evening.

I miss the way we would cuddle on the sofa.

I miss the way you'd roll on your back with one eye open hoping I would pet your belly.

I miss the way you sit patiently for your tiny piece of soya mozzarella.

I miss the way you would growl as you ate a piece of juicy steak or rib.

I miss the way you lay on the rug on the hall.

I miss the way that you groomed so often that your long gray fur was always purrfect.

Listening to: Matthew Good - Strange Days

 

Goodbye Bear

After a strong fight with kidney failure, I had to say goodbye to Bear early this morning. We had a great 14 years together. I will miss him fondly.



Listening to: Dido - Here With Me

 

Bear Is A Fighter

Well, I do not mean to go on and on about my cat Bear, but he's hanging on. I took him to the vet yesterday morning and she says he is doing better but not great. I got no sleep and was exhausted in the morning fully prepared to say goodbye. But she says because he ate a little bit of chicken and managed small squirts of number one, we should continue to IV and medicate.

He did not eat or drink that I know of yesterday. But this morning at 5 am, I awoke to him nudging and purring with me on the bed. I made a little step by the bed, but I do not think he used it. He managed to eat tiny bits of the roast chicken I bought last night.

This morning, after attempting my first time with an IV, some of it squirting on the floor, I managed to IV him with 100 ml of fluids. Now, getting him to take 1/4 antibiotics, and 1/2 urethra medicine is a different matter. The bet makes it look so easy!

I watched Lars and the Real Girl and Little Britain Season 2 last night. The film was fantastic.

Listening to: Morcheeba - World Looking In

 

Bear's Last Night With Me

So, Bear still has kidney stones (they did not pass or dissolve) and he has not eaten much in the last 24 hours. He is spending this evening with me and I believe it to be our last together. I keep listening to Sungha Jung play guitar on YouTube.

I cannot stop crying. I do not know how I will make it through the rest of this week. It is tough to accept this fate after I saw him so animated and eating after the surgery. I try not to dwell on the what-ifs. I try to accept and understand that it is just his time. But it's difficult. He's so weak and is nauseous. He confuses the nauseous with food, not his kidneys.

I have another mid-term tomorrow morning. It will be right after we say our final goodbye.

Listening to: Sting - Fields of Gold

 

Modern Cat House

A cat lover and designer built this two level kitty house with a cardboard porch for scratching.



Listening to: Pet Shop Boys - Suburbia

 

Kitty Update

I am currently watching Bear on web cam at the Vet's office.

I took Bear to the Feline Hospital. Apparently, his bladder was so
full it was rock solid. It was also inflamed with kidney stones. Both of these were shown on his x-ray, yet the Emergency Hospital still discharged him. Because he was with me for 15 hours before going to the vet, and did not drink or eat, or was ABLE to pee. As a result, when I brought him in he was deemed Critical.

I was so angry at the Emergency Hospital. Why would the evening vet discharge him and send him home with me? Apparently, they thought his seizure was cranial, and did not think the kidney issues were severe. I read the the kidney issues relating to age can CAUSE seizures. They gave me some Valium and liquid potassium and some low-protein food. Apparently, this was all I needed to care for him at home.

The vet put him on oxygen, IV drip, and draining his bladder (lots of blood). She injected his bladder with saline to try and dissolve the kidney stones. She canceled her next 5 appointments to help him. Wow. She was amazing and honest. This took one and a half hours. I decided to do these much to see how much he would recover over the next 24 hours.

He rested on IV drip under the Bair Huggy blanket (insulated and heated). His body temperature and blood pressure dropped, but second Vet managed to sustain him. He had a quarter of electrolytes and peed (blood) with the catheter. I sat with him for 7 hours. The primary Vet told me he needed to be IVed and catheter for 4 days to bring his electrolytes up, rehydrate, and heal his bladder. Day 1 of 4. She said I would be living by his cage.

I wish he had been transferred to a vet immediately instead of staying with me overnight for 15 hours in distress and pain. I remember when he crawled from the hallway through the kitchen to lay by my air mattress in the living room.

I think about pet insurance. How a monthly $10 a month for fourteen years can be cheaper than $2500-$3000. But which insurance is the right one without limitations? It is a lot of money to pay monthly. Also, would annual check ups have helped? I think when cats reach old age, around 12 or so, maybe charting drinking, eating, peeing and pooping habits is a good idea.

I go back tomorrow morning.

Bear Cat

Bear was acting weird this morning. I did not know where he was. I called and searched for him. Eventually, he came out in a daze.



When I came home from work, he was very mewey. He was not affectionate as per usual. He did not sit or lay in his usual haunts. I was suppose to go out this evening. I kept checking on him. On the third check, he was having a seizure. I was a little freaked out to say the least.

I took him to the Animal Emergency hospital. I was there back in February with Stimpy. It's a mere $180 to walk in the door. He was breathing rapidly. They placed him on oxygen to get his blood pressure down. The drained his bladder. I tried to recount his behaviour, eating and waste habits over the past few days. It was difficult. Had he been eating? Has he been peeing?

Once his blood pressure was down and bladder was drained, he was a bit more perkier (vet's term). Although, when I was talking to the vet, Bear started to have another seizure. She gave him some valium and wanted to keep him over night. With the cost of keeping him over night, blood work, and an x-ray, it was an estimated $1500. Wow.

I had planned to travel to Seattle for an annual event, but I think I will stay in town instead. I do not know how I will sleep, let alone go to work tomorrow.

Listening to: The Cure - Love Cats

 

Thriller and Parade of Lost Souls

On Saturday morning, SFU students participated in the charity event, Thrill the World, a global attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the largest simultaneous dance to Michael Jackson's Thriller at Kitsilano Beach, Vancouver.

In the evening, I went over to Demanda and GEoff's for a pre-Parade of Lost Souls party. We feasted on scary Flesh and Blood Sandwiches (turkey and bell pepper), Tombstones (rice krispie treats), and Rotting Fingernails (toasted pumpkin seeds). The house was decorated like a Haunted House. I dressed up as Alice In Wonderland. Riff Raff lent me a stuffed bunny.

We headed to Commercial Drive for the Parade of Lost Souls. Surprisingly, most people did not dress up, or maybe dressed as tourists. Sadly, a lot of people littered on the ground. Demanda and I scolded a Super Mario for throwing his beer bottle on the park grass.

Some of the best costumes I saw: an aerobics class, Hello Kitty Stormtrooper, Marionettes, and various Public Dreams performers. Great fire show at Grandview Park by the CinderBellas and Radiant Heat.

Listening to: Monster Mash

 

C'mon, Move to Canada!

 

I am a Social and Economic Liberal

I could have told you that.

You are a Social Liberal (78% permissive) and an... Economic Liberal (26% permissive) You are best described as a: Strong Democrat Link: The Politics Test on OkCupid.com: Free Online Dating Also : The OkCupid Dating Persona Test

Take the Politics Test

Bad Girls

Well, I have been a bad girl. Not literally, at the moment, but when I receive gift certificates I forget to use them. Ones for The Bay, Capers, Jacob, A&B Sound, Pacific Centre, Blue Water, and Rocky Mountaineer Whistler Train. Most people would rush right out and spend the paper/card-for-cash immediately, but me, hey, I put it away safe for a rainy day and find it two years later. Whoops!

Another hectic week at work, my first mid-term, and a nutter-disengage after two dates. If it's not for the half-life crisis mid-thirties men, it's the younger insecure and needy momma boys looking for codependency. Mr. T, I miss your companionship dearly.



Nothing a apple martini, chicken and veggie stir-fry and some Sex and The City episodes won't cure. I am completely hooked on this British show Secret Diary of A Call Girl.

Trying to figure out how to mix-meld the weekend. A bit of errands, a bit of fun, some homework, some chores, and some retail therapy? Demanda asked me to be her plus one for fun to the spa for her birthday next month. I cannot wait to be pampered from head to toe at Spa Utopia.

Listening To: Donna Summer - Bad Girls

 

A La Weekend

The weekend was a blast. I went to a fun hipster party on Friday that had a great group of people, DJs, live PA, and grilled tasty meats in a beautiful loft in Gastown. Met a bunch of new cool people, danced, and got to hang with some great Victoria people. Happy 4th Anniversary P6!


We (me + Victoria peeps) continued our twenty-four hour extravaganza with brunch at Locus. Best apple-cinnamon pancakes ever. I love their apple-raspberry juice. I ran my guests back to the ferry terminal just as it started to get stormy. Stormy days are best spent in bed cuddling with a lovely warm body. But a girl cannot have everything she desires. Well, maybe. I am currently taking applications.

Tried to nap, but really what was the point. I can push through on 5 hours sleep. I went back down to Gastown for Erin's stagette party. She has a funky loft in Gastown. We started out by Blue-in' Up in blue accessories, ribbons and pom-poms.

We nibbled and drank, and then headed to Salt. This restaurant serves amazing pinic-portion tapas. You can pick your wine, spirits or beer, and server will help you choose a tasting platter or meats, cheeses, and condiments. The beef tenderloin, farmhouse brie and ash camembert, and an Australian shiraz were a perfect compliment. With slices of French bread, you can nibble away and wow your taste buds at every bite.

Slightly tipsy in a short skirt and big black boots, we refreshed back at the loft and then headed to Lotus. We danced the evening away with a blue cheer here and there.

I meant to go to Donna's birthday party around midnight, but I just could not muster the stamina. I was yawning and beat from a craptastic week. I will have to make it up to her BIG TIME. I wasn't sure how late her party would be going on until. I am pathetic. IOU a good time out on the town!


I am attempting to study for my mid-term on Tuesday. Unfortunately, procrastinating is winning. It does not help that I am stressed by all the crazy people falling apart around me. How did I not get that Memo?

Listening to: Seal - Crazy

 

A La Weekend

The weekend was fantastic. I did not do enough homework as I liked or should have, but the weather was spectacular! Do not get me wrong, I love fall. The leaves changing colour the briskness in the air. I long to go to Whistler or Tofino.

On Saturday, I met up with some friends at the Cat's Meow at Granville Island. We had some bites and drinks on the patio before seeing the Dream Science Circus at the Waterfront Theatre. The group of talented performance artists are based out of Bellingham, Washington and this was their first show in Vancouver. I cheered and clapped in awe throughout all the performances. The interaction with the audience was amazing!




After, we lounged at the Arts Club on overstuffed leather sofas over rounds of tasty beverages. I got to catch up with friends, some of whom I had not seen in quite some time.


On Sunday, I went to the Clothing Swap at the Granview Legion. The sun was bursting through the sky and I felt a tough too warm in jeans. I only managed to find two items and I dropped off a medium sized bag of donations. Abel managed to find clothing to fill two medium bags. What a great community event.

We replenished our energy at Me & Julio. I had the amazing halibut and mango salsa tacos with drinks on the patio. The Executive Chef mentioned slyly that she still receives slack from devotees for dropping the brunch menu. Tsk.

We walked up and down The Drive and stopped for gelato. I love apple gelato. Yum, nice top to a beautiful day.

I am now addicted to Zoo Tycoon. Why can't I make the chimpanzees and clouded leopards happy? Apparently, guests did not like my first zoo. *grumble*

Listening to: Paul Simon - Me and Julio

 

Current Faves

Whitesnake - Here I Go Again




Def Leppard - Hysteria




The Cars - Drive




Yes - Owner Of A Lonely Heart




Simple Minds - Don't You Forgot About Me




New Order - True Faith




Petshop Boys - Being Boring



 

Favourite Music

Currently, I am listening to:

Daft Punk's Harder Better Faster Stronger (Deadmau5 Edit)




David Guetta's Love Is Gone




Starkillers's Discoteka




Global Deejay's Sound of San Francisco




Bravery's Believe




New Order's Age of Consent

Missing the Dust

My seventh Burn was awesome. I finally found my family on the playa at Costco. By mid-week there was 40 of us. Lots of work, little disposable time, but it was great fun getting to know everyone. Working for the corporation brought many new experiences and I loved working the store, especially interviewing customers.



My favourite memories include a great playa date on Friday and a beautiful kiss on top of Babylon at midnight, processing my application for the Department of Dreamland Security, having tea with The Hank at the Bombay Tea Co., joining a Khaki party near Opulent Temple, dancing at a great art bus party near Tetris, and watching the sunrise post-Burn with a new friend. The Temple Burn was fantastic and we escaped the dust storm in the Inca Roads art bus.

After a few break downs, salvaging parts in Reno, the Inca Roads art bus was a huge success. I got to work security on the bus on Friday evening. Loved chilling in the private space viewing my Laser Star Pod projector with a cuddle puddle of good friends.

On Wednesday, we went on the Costco Catholic School Girl Ride (on the Space Bus) and crashed a wedding reception at the Ashram Hotel. We also got to bud the line up the Man and dominated the second floor. A Costco employee got to spank Larry Harvey with a GFY paddle and another employee told him off.

I also had the pleasure of attending Kyle & Crafty's Wedding on Wednesday. Three songs were performed: Ring of Fire, Take On Me, and a beautiful song about walking hand-in-hand in the desert. Kyle and Crafty's vows were beautiful and made me cry. It was such a lovely wedding. The chilled cake was delicious too!

Saw some amazing art installtions, but not as many as usual. That was difficult for me, to not be able to view lots of art installations or visit with people. But new experiences and change is good. Karma was very good to me this year.

The weather was some of the worst I had seen in years. The temperatures hovered around 30C, but there were two full-day white out dust storms on Monday and Saturday. It basically consisted of wearing goggles and dust masks and sitting on the couches and watching the world go by. My summer-mesh tent barely held up throughout the storms.

I am really considering Ranger training for next year. I have done a few volunteer shifts for local Regional events. It's a huge commitment and responsibility. I am encouraged to take that step. I think it is time for me.

I did not take one photograph this year. Nonetheless, Espressbuzz, Hot Brenda, and Gambo took great photos.

My caravan stayed at the Peppermill in Reno post-Burn. What a lovely experience. You could stay in a 70's drug lord or Roman Goddess room, both with insuite jacuzzi tubs. The pool, hot tubs, buffet, Fireside Lounge, and burners were a great, relaxing experience.

Listening to: Sheena Easton - Morning Train

 

Funny Sign

Got a chuckle out of this sign:




 

Are We There Yet?

Well, life has been hectic preparing for my 7th trip to Burning Man in less than 2 weeks. One would think I could just roll up into it with ease and knowledge of a veteran. But, it's a lot of work packing, finding a bike, decorating the bike, finding a carpool, figuring out when you leave/return, and whether to book that retro-neon room in Reno.




I spent my second weekend in Seattle working on the Inca Roads art bus. It looks fantastic. We painted the inside and exterior, and stained some doors. My laser star projector showed up, as did some interesting costumes. I cannot wait to be heading on the road with M&C. We are due to arrive Saturday. I will help setup Costco SoulMate Trading Post. This year the camp with have a fridge and barbecue. First time I will be camping with a major theme camp and participating in a meal plan. I am going to cook carnivore and vegetarian Thai yellow curry.


These past few weeks, I went to dinner with Demanda to The Reef on the drive for dinner. I had a delish fish entree with a Majita (raspberry rum mojito). I longed to be laying in a hammock holding a slushee drink watching the playa go by.

I also went to Flying Tiger with a friend I had not seen in years. We split tasty Asian tapas and I had a delicious Tiger Tail martini (pear vodka, apple, sparking cider, honey and cinnamon). I also am starting to catch up with an even older friend. It is nice to have him back in my life. I have missed him dearly. I am almost tempted to kidnap him and take him to the Burn.


Langara finally gave me my registration date of late June in August. Luckily, I managed to register for a business course that is a prerequisite for Managerial Accounting.


Other than that, been crazy busy preparing for the road trip and squeezing in as much social stuff as I can.

I bought a snazzy new Creative Nomad Zen. I cannot wait to load her up and try her out!

Listening to: Global Deejays - The Sound of San Francisco

 

Inca Roads and Pretty Toes

On the weekend, I went to Seattle to meet Jay and help Mom & Dad with their Inca Roads art bus. Dad has done an amazing job, with the help of Captain Conundrum, renovating the bus to transform it into a sci-fi art bus. Truly glorious! He added a platform roof accessible by a skylight and ladder with railings. Inside, all the seats have been removed, the floor rebuilt, and a platform bed added to the back. The inside will be lined with beautiful saree curtains. Railings will be added to the top with a soundsystem.



We had great fusion sushi at Umi in Belltown. I also went to the Flight To Mars Prompeii party. Fantastic decoration, costumes, and beats.

The next day, we had delicious sandwiches from De Laurenti a deli at the front of Pike Market. Best turkey and havarti sandwich on a ciabatta ever! Wow, every bite was tasty. Then, we helped clean up and organize the bus thus far. Then, we had great Mexican food at Guaymas Cantina south of Pike Market. The restaurant had amazing spinach salad. We hung out, viewed the sunset, and watched Serenity.

 

I went with Delilah to Jo's Toes on Burrard & 6th to get pretty pink and blue butterfly toes with little white flowers. Jo is a talented toe artist. It was a tough decision on choosing which pattern to paint. I was eying up the orange with toadstools. There were even great Santa themes.



 

Listening to: Frank Zappa - Inca Roads

 

Honeymoon Anyone?

Sprig has posted its Top 10 Eco-Honeymoons recommendations. Aside from dreaming of a week in Bora, Bora, Costa Rica, or Kenya, I have no worthy suitors.

When driving across the border to fly to Vegas from Bellingham, the female border guard asked if Demanda and I were married. I replied, "To each other?". She was attempting to subtly ask if we were marrying Americans to seek citizenship. I scoffed at her implying question and jovially stated, "What? I love being single!".

It takes quite a man to get me to do a double-take.

Listening to: Sarah McLachlan - Sweet Surrender

 

Fireworks Litterbugs

The aftermath of the fireworks at English Bay was a sea of trash. I do not know why people cannot pick up their disposable garbage and dispose of it in the trash bins on almost every block. How lazy can you be?

So Lucky

I am so lucky to have grown up always surrounded by nature on holidays, summer vacations, and weekends. Most summers were spent up at our grandfather's cabin (he built) on Crystal Lake in the Cariboo Interior. My father's sisters and their children (our cousins) would stay at the cabin in summer. We got to swim, canoe, fish, hike, play games and cards every day.




Ever since I was a toddler, my father always took us to parks on weekends and camping several times a year. I love being outdoors. It is so calming and beautiful. British Columbia is my backyard. I guess that is why I have such a strong desire to preserve and protect the outdoors. Why I am always conscience of my ecological footprint on the planet.

 

Sunshiney Day

Well, I have seemed to lost my Dragon sunglasses (second pair *sigh*), my fleece jacket, my credit card, and my car keys. Talk about a bout of bad zen. What did I do to my karma?

To recover from my huge lack luster shopping in Vegas, I decided to purchase some cyberlox hair pieces from Amalthea's Attic. I have friends who have made beautiful and sexy hair pieces that tie around pig-n-pony tails. But I am lazy and that requires artistic skill. So, I bought a custom-made pieces of blue and green cyberlox. The pieces even glow under ultraviolet light. I thinking about having custom metallic silver and blue pieces made.

I also bought Switchrings to give away at Burning Man. It's official, I am attending my 7th Burn. I was invited to camp with a great group and theme camp, (drum roll please): CostCo - The Soulmate Trading Post. I participated last year and met my Soulmate. He was a wonderful person and cute ta-boot.



I am also eyeing this bamboo t-shirt that says Seek Balance and is sweat-shop free. Pricey, but good for the mind, body, soul and conscience.


Since I get multiple tickets for parking in permit-holder only sections of my neighbourhood, I finally dragged my arse down to City Hall to purchase a permit for Kitsilano. What do you know, it was cheaper for a annual permit than one ticket ($45). Shucks.

Listening to: Matchbox Twenty - Time After Time

 

Viva Las Vegas

Returned from Las Vegas late last night. Still recovering from sleep debt today. Overall, it was an amazing time. Katia and Shawn's wedding ceremony at Lake Las Vegas was beautiful. Dina sang two Hawaiian chants and Amy and Nikki sang a song and played guitar and flute.



The weekend consisted of shopping, dancing, strippers, buffet, some sleep and Penthouse parties. One of the best moments was walking the strip at dawn. I definitely regretted it to some degree after only sleeping two and a half hours before check out. Wished I stayed another night. It is so difficult to pack in as much as possible into one little weekend. The temperature was about 40C with humidity and there was even a thunder and lightning storm on Friday evening.

I had not been to Sin City for over 7 years. It has changed a lot since I was there. Lots of new lights, hotels, shopping, and restaurants. I was so perplexed to see so many families with young children. Lots of young 20-somethings going full-fledged Spring Break style. I even got a few, "Show me your tits!".

Listening to: Sheryl Crow - Leaving Las Vegas

 

Balloon animals from trash bags

Street artist Joshua Allen Harris started with a polar bear made of out recycled plastic bags. He installed it over a New York street air vent and it created an Internet sensation. He has also built a giraffe, lockness monster, and mythical creatures.



I love temporary urban art.

Listening to: The Knack - My Sharona

 

10,000th Shoplifter Gets Parade

What do you do when your shop is a constant target for shoplifters? Why celebrate by giving the 10,000th shoplifter roses, cake and a marching band!

The The Consumerist is easily my new favourite information-based web site.


I bought some reuseable picnic items from Ikea to use at potlucks, picnics and camping. I had camping stuffs, but they are made from metal. I purchase a plate, bowl, cutlery and cups. I even broke them in last night at Belva's 5th Birthday Party! We celebrated her big day with games, a water balloon fight, Twister (you're welcome!), dancing and tubbing. Happy Birthday Belva!!!


My cold is down to a dry cough. Because of the heat, I have coughing fits. Bah! At least it will be gone before Vegas! The countdown begins. I am a perfectionist at cramming in as much as possible into weekend trips to Sin City. My date's mom asked her if I was a lesbian. Well, I prefer the term "kissing cousins". Now my only decision is what to wear to the wedding?

Listening to: Matthew Good - Anti-Pop

 

Ontario dog owner throws best friend off overpass

A Niagara Falls dog owner threw his/her dog over an overpass. What kind of sick, sadistic person would do something like that? Luckily, the dog managed to limp away with a fat lip and a chipped incisor, only to collapse and be rescued by a woman driving by who saw the dark object fall from the overpass overhead.

 

Just Because

Last week, I placed a Boylan's Vanilla Soda in the freezer to chill before drinking after purchasing it. Well, I forgot about it and it froze and expanded in the freezer. I had never seen the result of it before. It was kind of cool in a science experiment kind of way.


A really cool guy sent me a Haiku:

Alas my dead dog
Trusty friend for all these years
At least I won't starve


I bought two new rugs at Ikea the other day. The cats love them (like the futon Fasty & Gia gave me). I swear cats think you purchase stuff for them. I wanted to purchase a new entertainment unit, but I could not figure out what parts to choose to replicate the final result.


I thought of a great triple-feature 80s night. The movies would be Weird Science, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, and The Breakfast Club. Popcorn anyone?


So, a dear friend of mine came to visit me with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. When I asked why he was giving them to me, he said to thank me for a favour I did for him months ago. I was gobsmacked. I helped me because he asked for help. But the gesture was lovely.

We went for a walk at Kits Beach and stumbled upon a picnic with a great people beside Bitchez's car. We sat with them for a bit, laughing, people watching and graciously accept their offerings of delicious salad, sushi and cherries.

We continued on to Swiss Chalet for roast chicken dinner and Caramel Fudge Cheesecake.

Listening to: Simple Minds - Don't You Forget About Me

 

Happy Canada Day

Happy Canada Day everyone! Yes, I am one day late, but I have a cold even though it's 20-ish Celsius out. Last weekend, I went camping in the hills near Mount Baker with BT and Harley. Beautiful area, views of Mount Baker, and nothing but songbirds singing. It was about 28C. I picked up two and a half bags of trash. Litterbugs sux!

Had dinner Sunday evening at the great North Fork Brewery on Mt. Baker Highway. Best pizza I have had in a very long time. I had a delicious Mediterranean pie with home-made rootbeer. Yee haa! Definitely comfort food after being in the woods two days.


Trying to figure out my weekend. So many social invitations and activities to choose from. Off work sick today. Lovely to have a hoarse throat and cough in the middle of summer. But what's a girl to do but go get a slurpee and get things done?


One and a half weeks to VEGAS. How I long for the glam and glitz of Vegas. One of my favourite, trashy, excessive American cities.



Here are some White Trash Party photos.

Listening to: Starkillers - Discoteka

 

Help For Little Victims

From VancouverSun:

Dogs injured in the earthquake that killed 70,000 people in China on May 12 are getting a second chance at life, thanks to a private shelter run by Chen Yunlian in Sichuan province. Many of the dogs taken in by the shelter were found dragging crushed hind legs through the rubble-clogged streets of Sichuan province.


They were the lucky few -- stray and abandoned dogs were mostly shot by police and soldiers in the wake of the quake for fear they would spread disease. One of the about 100 dogs rescued by Chen from devastated cities including Beichuan, Wenchuan, Qingchuan and Dujiangyan takes a rest as it learns to walk in a home-made walker. One of the eight staff members at the shelter trained dogs over the weekend to use their walkers. Chen, 60, has been rescuing stray dogs for a decade and now has about 900 dogs and 100 cats in the shelter just outside Chengdu, the provincial capital.

Dog ownership has grown more popular as Chinese become wealthier, but few people have the emotional attachment to pets that is common in the West. Indeed, dogs are still often seen as a source of meat for the family stew pot, especially in some rural areas.

 

Truly inspirational.

 

I Love You

You people are amazing! Thank you for showering my life with joy and positivity.




There isn't one day that goes by that I take your friendship for granted.

XoxoX

 

J'aime Au Chocolate

I love chocolate and chocolate loves me! Nothing beats coming home after a long, stressful day at work to find a bar of Endangered Species chocolate in the fridge. I love the Rhino Dark Chocolate Toffee and the Tiger Dark Chocolate Espresso bars. Proceeds go to protecting endangered species in their natural habitat and the bars are organic. Once you taste good, dark chocolate, you never go back!




Love Catherine Ledner's animal print series of animals with wallpaper.




Really feel a strong desire to paint my apartment. I even picked out colours for the living room, kitchen, bathroom and hallway. But my body is so ragged from my muscular-skeletal soft-tissue problems. I think I am going to commission my father to create a framed chalk board for the kitchen wall. Better yet, I should pay him to paint my apartment. Hmm... now there's a thought.

Listening to: INXS - Pretty Vegas

 

A La Weekend

I had a great, relaxing weekend that finally felt like summer! So many options--it was difficult to fit in as much fun things as possible in only 2 days.

I arose early on Saturday and went to yoga. Then, I headed out to the burbs to visit my dad, niece, Max the dog, and the two cats. My niece, her friend and I went to the primary school playground for the afternoon. We hung out and played in the woods behind the school. We built bridges through bushes and ate salmon berries. It reminded me of being a kid (minus the bmx bike). My niece's friend exclaimed, "You're so cool!". Damn skippy.

Finished the evening off visiting with BT, Delilah and Jay. We opted for gelato at La Casa. Always a tough decision there with all those flavours and huge lines, but I opted for the usual maple walnut and banana fudge. Delish! We chilled and watched old retro silly clips on You Tube.


On Sunday, I went to Amanda and Geoff's for pancake breakfast. Best pancakes eva! We went over to Commercial Drive for Car-Free Days. The event seemed even busier than last year for it's third official annual event. I did not like the Tribal Harmonix stage at the bottom of the street at Veneables. Lots of live music, peformance art, booths, and vendors. I bought two gorgeous pairs of poi. I cannot wait to jam with them at the beach.

Met up with Poiboy to hit up the Main Street event. It definitely had a different vibe with the hipster crowd. Not bad for their first year.


So ANNOYED at the Conservative Tories government for proposed Bills to restrict nautropath and natural products, new immigration restrictions (deemed racist), fines for copyright infringement ($20k for uploading and $500 for downloading), and censorship on television and films (Young People Fucking). I did not vote for the Tories. Boo on you apathetic Canadians who did not vote. *sigh*

Listening to: John Lennon - Working Class Hero

 

Vegas, Baby

Lately, I have been looking at photos on Flickr and researching Vegas. My friends K&S are getting married there in July. I am so excited! I love Vegas. However, I have not been since 1999-2000 for NYE. No one ever wants to go! I love that city. I am attempting to find a companion for that weekend adventure.



Listening to: DJ Tiesto - Beautiful Things

 

Vegas, Baby

Lately, I have been looking at photos on Flickr and researching Vegas. My friends K&S are getting married there in July. I am so excited! I love Vegas, and have not been since 1999-2000 for NYE. No one ever wants to go! I love that city. Attempting to find a companion for the weekend adventure.



Listening to: DJ Tiesto - Beautiful Things

 

Critical Massive

I went down Thursday evening to Critical Massive at the Skaltitude Retreat south of Carlton in Washington. I should have taken an extra day off because it was about a 5 hour drive without stops for groceries and dinner.



The weather was moderate for alpine country, but the evenings were cold and windy. I had an amazing time being part of Blues Dome. I relaxed in a hammock, tended bar, roamed, gazed at stars, laid under art, and danced. On Friday, we took a group photo in the labyrinth and burned a Man on Saturday. Inside the Man, there was a beautiful metal heart. Met lots of new and great people, and one particular Brit.

I am still radiating from the energy and people from the event of 350 people.

Listening to: Diana Krall - I've Got You Under My Skin

 

Rain... As Per Usual...

Well, it's raining, just in time for the upcoming weekend and my camping trip. I camped three times in the rain last year. I have to buy tent poles for my tarps. I am camping in a valley this weekend in Washington.

On Sunday, Mo Faux and I went to see the exhibit Town Without Pity at the Elissa Cristall Gallery on South Granville. The exhibit by Jim Ramsay is a collaboration of 24 artists from Vancouver, Toronto, London, Staten Island, Boston, Seattle, Palm Springs, Sweden, Scotland, and Tokyo; each artist has contributed one aspect or building to the main street of the Town Without Pity. It is fantastic and a must see. There were many favourites, including Wal-Mort (and I was lucky enough to meet the artist).

After, we went to Wicked Cafe, again, for warm beverages. Two times in one weekend. We sauntered on downtown to brave the crowds at the new H&M at Pacific Centre. Dreadful, long lineups. I managed to get a few sexy, satin tops and some bling. I love H&M and have been a devoted fan since experiencing it in New York.

We wandered around Granville Street before heading to Clubhouse for tasty sushi. We had a bit of everything until we were no longer fading from all the walking and shopping. I have not been there inawhile, but it is definitely one of my favourite sushi spots. With all the development along 2nd Avenue between Cambie and Main Streets, it won't be long before that place has lineups down the street.

Listening to: Madonna - Rain