Spunkygirl Monologues

It’s hard to believe that I have three weeks left at my job in Calgary. It seems like I was resigning just yesterday- not a month ago.

In the past four weeks I have strived to stay ‘present’ at my job. There is so much to do and we’re so far behind that I stress out about getting caught up before I leave. I know, I’m crazy. I gave my notice due to poor health and here I am, still worrying about things not being as they should be. I have, however, stopped working so much overtime. I force myself to stay at home- which is not the most comfortable place in the world right now- until the last possible minute. It’s been hard. Most of the time I succeed.

Aside from slowly calming down and work and not killing myself over my job, I’ve been prepping my apartment. As soon as I told my landlord that I was moving he told me to clean everything so he could start showing it. So, after 6 fun-filled and somewhat sleepless nights in New York City, I came home to clean my apartment from ceiling to floor. I spent hours scrubbing and packing. I pulled my fridge and stove away from the walls and mopped behind them. Never, in my life, have I ever done that. Seriously. Never. I was beyond exausted when I was finished. However my landlord expected the place to look the same way it did when I moved in, even though I am still living there. He said my futon/sofa was dirty and asked if I was keeping it. When I said no, he said he would get rid of it for me. I thought he meant after I moved out. He didn’t. He threw it away a couple of days ago when I was out of town. So, I have zero furniture in my living room.

Living in an apartment that is 80% empty is weird. I’m paranoid about making a mess, as I don’t know when he’ll show up. I refuse to use my oven because I have no desire to clean it out again. I sit on my bed to read, surf the net or watch a movie, and I scrub the bathroom everytime I use it. This may not seem odd to you, but I am by no means a clean freak. When I was a teenager and my best friend was over, I’d go downstairs to fix us a snack and come back to find her cleaning my room. Nicole was the clean freak, not me. In fact, my roommate in my 20′s was also a clean freak.

Epiphany: As I write this, I realize that my best friends and former boyfriends were all clean freaks. Wow. I not a total slob, I swear. I like order. I just don’t enjoy cleaning.

As time slips by and I prepare to leave my job and my apartment I’m left to wonder about what the future has in store for me. Travel is a big part of my future, but with the estate (where my travel money is tied up) is still up in the air, I need to make plans for that limbo period. At the present my plans include a move to Vancouver. It’s something I’ve talked about for years. As far as I’m concerned, now is a great time to finally do it.

My Vancouver plans consist of renting a small apartment, focusing on my writing and blogs and possibly a ‘fun’ type job to supplement my income for a short period of time. With TBEX11 planned for Vancouver next June, I definitely want to be there. How my travel plans will be affect, I’m not sure. At this point I’m thinking of shorter trips that last for a month or two, rather than one bog one. At least for now.

As time progresses, plans evolve and change. I still plan on going to Asia after Christmas, but for 3 months rather than 6 months or longer, and I’m okay with that. 

My trips will be in shorter spurts, but its still travel. I’m still exploring and discovering things about the world around me and about myself. In my mind, that’s what travel is about.

One of my favourite views of Vancouver is from Jericho Beach in Kitslano. Although I love downtown Vancouver (there is SO much to see and do down there), sometimes I like to stay somewhere quiet. Kitslano is perfect for just that.

Introductory Note: Dear Readers, this post is based on my views during my time not only while the Olympics were in Vancouver, but from various other trips I’ve taken to the city.  I realize that this post may make me a tad unpopular, but please read it carefully before posting any hate type comments.  Thank-you

As with all Olympics there’s controversy and protests happening in Vancouver.  In fact on my way into the city on Friday I was unable to drive through Main Street as it was full of people protesting against the Olympics.

Protest Group on 1st Ave and Main St. February 12, 2010

This was a very peaceful crowd.  There were several press people, camera crews and tourists amongst the crowd trying to get a feel for what was happening. Now from my understanding their angry about the money being spent on the Olympics when the city has problems like Homelessness, housing etc.  Okay, I can see what you may be angry if you’re directly affected by rent hikes, lack of housing options etc.  But these are all problems that a.) Vancouver has had for many many years as do most major cities around the world and b.) these are problems that are not quick fixes. To think someone in City Council would say, “Oh hey, let’s use this Olympic money and just house everyone!” is silly. It’s not an easy fix.

One of the points made on the flyer I picked up was talking about an increase in Police services, spies, etc. and how unnecessary that expense is. Ummm anyone remember Munch? Or how about 9/11? The entire world is watching Vancouver right now.  There are athletes from around the globe, from waring nations. The need for security is crucial. Yes, the road closures can be a pain in the ass, but I’d gladly take road closures, circling helicopters and a severe increase in security over a terrorist attack that ends up killing people. Call me crazy, but those decisions make sense to me.

As for the decision about excluding Women’s Ski Jump, I don’t know enough facts about what’s happening to make a well rounded statement. From what I’ve been able to dig up this would have been the first Olympics where there was a Women’s Ski Jump event. I don’t know why the IOC decided against including the sport in 2010.  If you have better information than I do on this, please comment so we call all learn a little more.

Here is one thing that I do know, turning peaceful protests into violent ones is STUPID! Yes, I said stupid.  Violence does NOT get your message out more clear, it doesn’t make people want to run out and “join the cause”.  Violence erases your main message, and it’s effectiveness. Whatever work you may have done to bring the issues to light has now been tainted by the small few who thought they were cool to wear masks, taunt cops, and vandalize shops, cars and other vehicles. This is why I will never support groups like PETA or Greenpeace. I don’t agree with using violence to get my message across and I don’t think you should either!  Let me ask you this question, during the last few days, have you taken stepped out of your anger to see (I mean actually SEE) what’s happening around you, in your own city? If you haven’t, then let me tell you…

• I’ve seen peoples gathered around the screen on Robson St outside HMV, watching the news brief about the tragic death on a training Luge run. My thoughts and prayers go out to Nodar Kumaritashvili’s family.
• I’ve seen children so excited their entire bodies were shaking when the Olympic torch passed by them.
• I’ve turned off my radio when driving and listened to the crowds of people cheering, having fun and celebrating their country.
• I’ve seen representatives from all over the world, smiling and greeting the people around them.
• I’ve been in crowded stores and experienced none of the frustration and angry that’s always apparent at Christmas time. The shops are just as busy, but the people in them are happier.
• I’ve overheard travelers at the hostel commenting on the friendly and polite encounters they’ve had.
• I’ve held an Olympic torch because a guy walked into the bar I was eating at with one. There were a bunch of people who walked up and asked to hold it and have their photos taken with it. We remained seated and watched. As he was about to leave though, he came over and asked if we’d also like to hold the torch and have a photo taken, of course we said yes! The torch belonged to Larry Campbell.

This post has taken a very different turn then I had originally intended. I was going to rant and rave, but why? I’m just contributing to the overall problem if I do. I refuse to support any cause that uses violence to get its message across. I will however listen to anyone with a solid view.

When I arrived in Vancouver this morning I was dreaming of checking into the hostel and having a nap. My plans to sleep in at the hotel in Kamloops this morning was thwarted by the fact that my paycheque had not been deposited into my bank account.  It was a scary scene as I had $40 in my pocket and ¼ tank of gas left in my car.  After some frantic calls to payroll and my boss I filled my car with gas and started driving to Vancouver, waiting to hear about whether I’d have money to get home. Thankfully shortly before arriving in Vancouver my boss and I connected and she agreed to deposit money into my account for me.

I don’t drive to Vancouver very often, most times I fly. So remembering which exit to take off the Trans Can 1 is a challenge.  This morning I chose to take the E 1^st Ave exit, which turned out to be a good choice.  When I first noticed the people on the side of the road, I didn’t take much notice, but when all the cars had to pull over I clued in.  I was right where the Olympic Torch was going to be.  Now I’m not a HUGE fan of the Olympics, meaning I watch a few events and sometimes the Opening Ceremonies, but never the torch runs.  It never seemed all that exciting.  Let me tell you, seeing it on T.V. and seeing it in person are two different things.  In person you can hear the cheers and excitement of the crowd, you can feel the energy and the pride, you can see the utter thrill on the kids faces.  As the torch came closer my eyes were glistening.  I was very proud to be Canadian at that moment.  I was on cloud nine. After all, this was a complete accident.

After arriving at the hostel in Jericho Beach I was anxious to go to Granville Island to pick up a couple of notebooks and some bread.  I wasn’t sure what driving would be like, so I opted for a taxi.  As we neared the entrance I asked the driver to let me off and I’d walk the rest of the way.  It turned out to be a wise choice.  For the second time today I had stumbled on the route of the Olympic Torch.  This time there were infinitely more people lining the street. Getting a good angle would be a challenge, but the vibe of the crowd kept me standing at the sidelines. This time as the torch came into view the crowd began to spill onto the street, including yours truly.

I loved the feel of the crowd as the torch passed by. As soon as the runner was clear people left the sidewalks and walked behind him, cheering, shouting and being proud Canadians. Yes, there is a lot of controversy surrounding the Olympics, in fact I believe there has always been controversy during the Olympics. But I don’t want to talk about that in this post.  This post is about being proud of our Country and our people.

Man, what a week! When a co-worker offered to switch a shift with me so I could leave for Vancouver a day early I was thrilled.  I love Vancouver and extra time is always a huge bonus.  What I didn’t think about at the time was that I’d be working 10 days straight.  It’s been long, I’ve been tired to the point of falling asleep standing up, but here I am on the evening of day 9 and I am SO ready to have day 10 done and over with.

If you follow my blog (please say you follow my blog…) then you may be familiar with Blog Crawl Monday’s and you may also be aware of the fact that there wasn’t one posted this week.  Allow me to explain.  I woke up early on Monday morning to find my poor baby (my laptop) was sick with a nasty virus.  So at 7am I rushed to Walmart and bought some new anti-virus software.  I spent the remainder of the morning installing, running scans and stroking my laptop while saying “It’s ok baby, Mommy will make you feel better. Please don’t die on me”.  Needless to say, by 2pm I was rushing out to door for work and praying my baby would be ok when I got home.

By the next morning I was confident my baby was over the worst and I had full intentions to do a blog crawl after work, but. I. fell. asleep. in. my. chair.  Don’t worry, I’ll post a Blog Crawl this coming Monday from Vancouver before I leave the hostel to explore and get myself into trouble.

Ok, now that my Blog Crawl explanation/apology is settled, allow me to fill you in on the pre-trip portion of my soon to be awesome Vancouver adventures.  Are you ready? I clean, packed, made lunch and I leave tomorrow after work (spending a night in Kamloops).  I know, you’re so utterly thrilled to know that stuff!!

Soooo if you haven’t written me off for boring you with this blog post, I hope you’ll come back and read about my wild-crazy-all-out-amazing-Vancouver-Adventure.

** Oh and if you’re DYING to know what I’m making for lunch, it’s a wrap with turkey, bacon, avocado and some cheese

Pizza Bianca from Terra Breads, the Farmhouse‘s fresh Chevre Provence goat cheese from Capers, fresh fruit from the Granville Public Market… these are some of my favourite things in Vancouver.

I’ve visited Vancouver over a dozen times since 2005.  I’ve walked Grouse Mountain and the Capilano Suspension Bridge, I’ve visited the Vancouver Art Gallery and walked the halls of the Museum of Anthropology at UBC.  Tourist sights don’t hold a lot of wonder for me anymore.  I look at Vancouver as my second home, my relaxing-be-myself-do-what-I-love kind of home.  I have routines when I’m there, and I like it that way.

When I heard that the 2010 Olympics were being held in Vancouver I said no way! There’s no chance I’m going to be there.  Too many crowds of people, long lines, higher prices, ugh! That was until this morning, when my position started to sway.  I’ve been contemplating what to do with my four days off in February.  I could stay home, but I know that after the second day I’ll be climbing my walls.  So I started playing around with the idea of driving to Vancouver.  I made some calls, and found a bed at HI Jericho Beach for $30/night.  2010 Vancouver Adventures was born.

I’ll be bringing my laptop and Nikon D60 with me on this trip.  The idea is to capture the excitement and vibe of the city through my lens and this blog.  I don’t have event tickets, and I only have 2 days there.  But that doesn’t mean I’ll be missing out. In fact I know I won’t be.  I’ll be feeding my passion for travel and new adventures and there is nothing better in the world than that.