Weekend Shenanigans!

Because I promised you photos...




The skirt was nice and breezy, and the fishnets were surprisingly warm and comfy.



But ladies, after spending roughly 4 to 6 hours in a bra, I do not envy you.

(I stole these pics from Shauna's facebook, but I'm sure she won't mind. Besides, I retain copyright of my own image. It's the law!)

Temporary Metamorphosis

I can't believe what a harrowing experience shopping for women's clothing can be! I guess if I did it on a regular basis it wouldn't be such a big deal. But I mean, is it too much to as for a simple "small, medium, large" sizing system? Or how about a straight-forward waist size measurement in inches, instead of an arbitrarily chosen numbering system that varies from company to company and has relation to any standard unit of measurement. And what's with the need to know the diameter of every part of your body?

In any case, I've got my halloween costume. It's not quite what I envisioned in my head, but I think it will do the trick. This is either the best idea or the worst idea I've ever had.

Photos are probably a must.

Adrift and At Peace

I departed from Burnaby on a Sunday with headphones on, suitcase in hand, and a backpack slung over my shoulders.




A skytrain to downtown. A 45-minute bus to the terminal. A 1.5 hour ferry across the straight. A half-hour drive to Schooner Cover. I arrived mid-afternoon.





I'd covered a lot of ground in the first day, and we hadn't even embarked on our trip yet.





That changed soon enough. The wind was blowing, the sun was shining, and I was among friends and family.





The wind didn't always cooperate. Most days we didn't even raise the sails. Captain Lockhart set the autopilot while the navigator checked his GPS, then we'd start the motor and head to our next destination.





We'd arrive in port mid-afternoon each day and spend time relaxing on deck or exploring the local villas. In the evening it was off to a pub for dinner.





There were no rival pirate ships, and no sunken treasure. But after a rather uneventful summer spent mostly indoors, a good cruise in the sun was exactly what I needed.

Leaving the World Behind

I'm going on vacation with my parents. We'll be sailing the Straight of Georgia for a week. I'm really looking forward to it. There's something really great about being able to drift on the ocean waters with not a care in the world other than where you'll port for the night. Life has been busy lately, so this is a much needed vacation.

Of course, when I get back I'm going to need a vacation from my vacation. Being on a boat for days on end surrounded by nothing but water and distant shorelines can also make a person feel trapped after a while.

In any case, I'll be relaxing and enjoying myself while everybody else is working hard at their jobs. Nya nya na nya nya!

Maybe I'll bring back some photos.

Host Migration Successful

I've moved. It's finally over. Well, almost. I still have to :

1) Finish unpacking a few boxes,
2) Decide which of my things to donate to whoever will take it
3) Discard of of those items which I feel I don't really need anymore (Like the rest of my family, I'm a bit of a pack-rat
4) Decide which boxes that I rarely look in deserve a permanent spot in the bedroom closet, and which ones should go to storage on the assumption that I'll never look in them again until I move.
5) Return to my old room at the old residence to patch up a few nail holes and clean the walls a bit
6) Set up my stereo, TV, and X360 as my reward to myself for getting the all the rest done.

*Sigh*. I hate looking at this list. It's a number of rather small tasks that won't take much time or effort (except maybe #5) to accomplish. But I just want this to be done and over with so I can relax and enjoy my new home.

Maybe a soak in the hot-tub will ease the stress. :-)
(As usual, any and all bikini-clad girls are welcome to join me.)

Looking Back

Please bear with me. I'm feelinging a little sentimental.

Every person's life is like a story being written. Except the characters are also the authors. We write the story that we want others to read.

Almost 4 years ago I made a decision to move to BC to chase my dream career. It wasn't an easy decision to come to. I knew Vancouver was the city to go to to find the knowledge and experience I needed to reach that goal. But it meant leaving behind a lot of dear friends and everything familiar in order to go out and face the unknown.

I'd been in Edmonton for 4 years, off and on. It was just starting to feel like a home to me. I had a girlfriend, a job, a great big circle of friends, hobbies, and lots of family close by. My bills were paid, I had very little stress, and I was really enjoying life.

But I felt restless at the same time. I felt like I was standing still, just waiting for something to happen. I crave change, variety, and progress. Despite all the great things I had going for me, I felt stagnant.

I don't believe exciting things will ever just happen if you wait for them. I think most times you have to make them happen on your own. And so I decided it was time to close that chapter of my life and start writing a new one. I applied to school, made moving arrangements, put my life in a box, and shipped it off over the Rockies.

I planned a moving-away party. I invited everybody I knew. We ate, danced, drank, laughed, cried, and had a good time. At the end of the evening I said my so longs. Everybody asked me, "when will you move back?"

"We'll see," I'd answer, cringing. I already knew the answer. This wasn't like the first time I left Edmonton to go to school. I wasn't planning on going back.
The next day I hitched a ride to the airport with some friends, gave them goodbye hugs, and stepped on a plane destined for my future. One way ticket.

I found a place to live. I moved around a bit. I went to school. I snagged a good job that makes me happy. I made new friends. It's been 4 years. And every time I flip back to that previous chapter I see all the great things I had.

To those I left behind: Most of this current chapter is filler. It's here to progress the story and establish a few new characters. But all of you were the characters that mattered most. You're the ones who shaped me, who characterized me. You're the ones who were with me in the beginning, who are always in the background, and will be with me at the end. I count myself very lucky to have as many close friends as I do, and countless memories to go with them.

It's been 4 years. I'm always surprised and a little flattered when somebody asks that same question, or makes suggestions like "you should move back to Alberta". It's nice to know they care, and that if I returned tomorrow they'd welcome me back with open arms. It's always great to visit them, and always hard to leave.

But I like where this story is going. After 4 years, my answer hasn't changed. When will I be going back?

We'll see.

Help! - Roommate Needed

Hey everybody,

I'm looking for a roommate, and a place to live. I'm trying to find a decent 2-bedroom place in the burnaby area, somewhere reasonably near the skytrain. (But not near Edmonds...). If you know anybody who is looking for a roommate, please let them know I'm looking and to get in touch with me.

I'm quiet, clean, and responsible. I don't party, don't smoke, and don't own any pets. I'm looking for a roommate, male or female, who shares the same qualities, is easy to get along with, and is respectful of personal space.

I've already given my 30 days notice, so I need to find somebody soon. Please pass along the word.