Last week I got back from my trip to the West Coast. Some sort of survival mechanism kicks in and I forget how beautiful it is to live in BC - mountains, ocean, and clearcuts...er, forests. Living on the Prairies for the last three years has given me a new appreciation for "the land of the cold and the flat", but I LOVE the moment when I step off the plane in Victoria and smell the salty air.

During my flight out I was sitting next to a woman on her first trip to the left coast. She was very nice, and kept asking "what's that river?", and "what's that mountain?". To which I replied, "what province are we over?", and "some random part of the Rocky Mountains" respectively. Geography - not my strong point (irony?).

I spent a few days in Victoria, spending time with the dogs, "assisting" dad with house stuff (i.e. fetching drinks, critiquing, and pushing glass out of windows), hanging out with mom, and generally not doing too much. We ventured up island to Nanoose Bay for a couple of nights, and it really is a beautiful area.

I took the ferry from Nanaimo to Vancouver where I met Meghan; we cruised downtown for some window shopping and Starbucksing (is that a verb? did I just verb a noun?). We harassed some random guy who was foolish enough to sit next to us when we were at our caffeinated best. I say harassed, but he didn't seem to mind. Who studies medical books in Starbucks? Go to a library buddy.

On our way back, we hit the Keg in Delta, indulged in some light dinner/drinks, went back to her house and played cribbage (I beat the Master - though that was a stroke of luck), and made our famous spinach and artichoke dip! All in all, we packed quite a bit into a short time.

Sarah came out the next morning, and the three of us went for brunch at Milestone's. It was a delicious meal, and we had mimosas and celebratory cake for Sarah's birthday (it was technically a while ago, but we never got a chance to celebrate). Sarah and I spent the day together, did IKEA, and then had a bbq at her friend's house. We got up dreadfully early the next morning (I'm talking 5 am) to catch the 7 am boat back to Vic. She went to the dentist, and I spent time with her sister and three adorable little girls.

As much as I really don't do mornings, I have to say that I appreciated the view from the ferry that morning more than I ever have before. I used to make that ferry trip all the time, and became accustomed to the scenery, but seeing it again was spectacular. It was too cold to go outside (the MEC fleece came after the Vancouver trip!), but the view from the buffet lounge was amazing.

Then it was a few more days around Victoria - we fit in a trip downtown for sushi/bento boxes at Yokohama, a trip to Lush (thanks to Dan) and MEC, the old Spaghetti factory (a family tradition), and I got to see the Spirit Bears, located all through Victoria.

My one bone of contention was the weather - it was hot the week before I arrived, freezing the week I was there, and warm again after I left. I kidnapped my dad's fleece for the better part of the week I was there - sorry about that Dad!

And now I'm back in Toon town, getting work done and generally getting back into the swing of things. It's warmer here, which makes me happy, but it's overcast and the weather is volatile, which gives me headaches that last for days (headaches = unhappy). Anyway, I'm back, for better or worse, and I have to say, it was nice be home.

My boys and me

A rare picture of the four of us - Dan, Mom, Me, and Dad

"Eddie Bear" - located in Market Square

Spirit bears, or kermode bears, are found only in British Columbia, and are widely recognized for their unique white colouring. Local artists, in partnership with sponsoring individuals or organizations, created a unique design and applied it to the surface of a life size (approx. 7ft) custom formed fiberglass Spirit Bear. Once the work was complete, the Spirit Bears were displayed in prominent public spaces around Vancouver, Victoria and 7 other cities.

"Sitka Spirit Bear" - Inner Harbour

"Francis" - Royal BC Museum

"Spirit Rising" - Nanaimo

Spirit Moon - located at Pandora and Government (McPherson Playhouse)

Teaka trying to stow away - hey, he's a white dog, I could have used him as a blank canvas and painted him like a spirit bear!

Mom, Dad and I on my last night.

Mom with a totem pole outside the Royal BC museum.

Me, Sarah, and Meghan at Milestones for brunch. Happy Birthday (Sarah) and yay for mimosas!

Meghan and I at Starbucks (where else?) during my trip to Vancouver

This is me with an authentic totem pole

Beautiful views of the distant mountains

Mt Baker in the distance

Scenery - not exactly Saskatchewan

The view from a reststop on the way Up Island

Weird News

I've been trolling for news updates this morning, and in addition to CTV and local news, I've come across some very strange news articles. Here are some highlights:

Regarding Animals

1) In Australia (of course) a giant snake has taken over a house . The 6 meter scrub python snake and its 3 meter mate have been living in the roof of a house in Queensland. First, I suspect that the house isn't zoned for a suite in the rafter area; second, the snakes have refused to pay rent; and third, the guy is a bit freaked out. The big concern is that the larger snake, believed to weigh up to 100 kg, may fall through the roof. Spectacular.

2) In other snake news, one of the most poisonous snakes in the world gave birth to 35 babies. The Russell's viper snake is deadlier than the cobra, and thankfully these ones live in India.

3) A vicious squirrel mauled a woman and left her covered with blood and in a state of shock (in the US obviously - a Canadian squirrel would have said please first and thank-you after, and perhaps offered a bandaid). The best part? According to a Squirrel Expert, "this was probably just a particularly hormonal squirrel". Can you give a squirrel tiny Midol tablets?

I'm not sure how this woman felt about squirrels before the attack, but I guess she's not crazy about them now. After all, a squirrel is just a rat with a cuter outfit (Bradshaw, 2002).

Stupid People News

1) Yes officer, it was the coke, not the rum that caused the accident. A driver consumed 1.5 litres of Coke, including three "free pour" rum drinks, and claimed that the hit and run that killed a 15 year old boy was caused by the sugar in the Coke. Sure it was - maybe you switch to Diet Coke in Prison? I can't believe this happened in Canada - it seems so very American.

2) You've heard of dance-a-thons, and run-a-thons, and all sorts of a-thons. But here's a new and horrifying twist on an old classic: A masturbate-a-thon. Participants, who have to be over 18, can bring any aids they need and according to the website, "The amount you raise will be determined by how many minutes you masturbate and/or how many orgasms you achieve". And religious groups are a bit upset you say? I'm shocked. Seriously, who does this type of thing? Creepy.

3) Ahh, and they say families aren't spending enough "quality time" together these days. Well, one family apparently subscribes to the saying "families who steal together, stay together". A mother and grandmother gave their two small children instructions to pocket thousands of dollars of jewellery; the mother scoped it out, the kids stole it, and the grandmother stuffed it down her shirt.

I hope they steal enough to pay for the therapy these kids will need in a couple of years. And my parents only used to take me to the museum and zoo and such. Damn.

A Questionable Ending...

Shannon and I decided to go out for a drink tonight, and we thought that since it was a Sunday night of a long weekend, there was a possibility that there might be some people at the bar. Not so much. We had a couple of drinks and chatted, and knew it was time to go home when two (extremely) drunk guys came over to buy us drinks with the line "hey, since you're the only two girls in the bar, would you like a drink?".

Hmm, let me think that over - 1) if you weren't swaying/slurring your words, maybe; 2) you didn't say, "since you're cute" or even "Hi, my name is...", but "you're the only girls"; 3) when you introduced yourself to me, you were so drunk you forgot the part where you say your name. Great, thanks but no thanks. Have a good night while ladies exit stage left.

In other news, I did drink a mullet martini (and I felt very Saskatchewany about it). It was excellent.