SNOW!!!!!!

Here are the pictures I took of the snow in downtown Van.








Looking out the glass cube from the 2nd floor music department at Chapters.

Robson Square across from the Vancouver Art Gallery. oooo pretty!!

The snow is all melting today though. It was supposed to snow up to 40 cm last night!! Stupid weather forecasters, they suck. I think we got maybe 1-2 cm last night.

The Continuing Adventure of James in the Big Smoke Part 2

So it's been a while since my last update, and this happened before it snowed, but here it is.

I'm walking down Robson, after I had finished work. I see this guy walking the other way and I do the typical nod when eye contact is made, just as he is walking by. Just after he has passed by me he says "excuse me." I of course turn expecting a question, like, do you have the time? Instead I get a very soft, but well spoken, gentleman thanking me for not blowing him off and actually taking the time to stop and listen. At this point I'm not sure where this is going, but I don't really have anything else to do so I stay and listen. He continues to apologize and thank me for stopping and then get's to the heart of the matter. He doesn't come right out and ask me for spare change, he instead explains his situation. He's HIV positive and his prospects for food in the near future are slim to none. He doesn't ask outright for help or money, but lucky for him I happened to have "spare change" and since he was not in my face "gimme your change!!" I gave him the $2-$3 in change I had in my pocket. He thanked me and we went our seperate ways. The end.

So, Joel, the city has not made me jaded. It all depends on whether you demand the change, as if it is already yours to have, or if you politely explain your situation without the expectation of help in any form.

ooo more blogthings... damn you Blaise!! ;-)

Your Movie Buff Quotient: 80%

You are a total movie buff. Classics, blockbusters, indie favorites... you've seen most of them. Your friends know to come to you whenever they need a few good DVD rental suggestions.

Are You a Movie Buff?

Your Vocabulary Score: A-

Congratulations on your multifarious vocabulary! You must be quite an erudite person.

How's" Your Vocabulary?

Your Vote Score: 33% Republican, 67% Democrat

While you don't always agree with the Democrat party, it's a pretty good match for you. Do be sure to research each candidate. A liberal Republican or independent candidate might fit you better at times.

Should You Vote Republican or Democrat?

The Continuing Adventures of James in the Big Smoke

Got off the bus this morning at the vulgar hour of 6:25am to wander another block to the 7-Eleven, where I can get my 1 litre bottles of Coke, 2 for $3. Then wander back that same block to Chapters. On the way, I of course meet one of our down on their luck inhabitants.

Bum: "Spare a dime, I'm starving."
Me: "Sorry, I don't have any change on me."

Now I don't usually carry real money, and usually use just my debit card or if that's empty, my credit card.

Bum: "Can you double check?"
Me: "Sorry, I really don't have any change."
Bum: "You got 5 bucks?"
Me: "I don't have any cash on me at all."
Bum: "Could you double check?"
Me (getting preturbed now): "I only use plastic, I have no cash on me!"
Bum: "Could you go to a bank machine?"
Me (done with the conversation): "NO!!"

I was ready to start smacking this guy over the head with my umbrella. Did he really think I would go to a bank machine, which would only spit out $20's, to get him money. The whole reason I don't have kids is because my income only supports me and I think some of the tax I pay goes to support him. What little he may get, and use to better himself. Yes I do really believe that a lot of the street people could get their asses off the street if they tried. I've known people who expected the money to be dropped in their laps. Fill out a form!?! I can't be bothered. But... they will give you oodles of cash if you just fill out the form. Nah, it's too complicated and I had a bad childhood. WHAT THE FUCK does that have to do with the form and getting free cash!!!! Yes, FREE... let me say that again, FREE FUCKING CASH. Duuuh, do I have to pay it back? NO!! IT'S FUCKING FREE!!! Now fill out the damn form!! Nah, I'm going to drink myself stupid and move to butt fuck nowhere, and then complain about how I'm in butt fuck nowhere in a dead end job giving up on my dreams. Do us all a fucking favour and chew on a 9mm.

I didn't realize I felt so bitter about this, but I do feel better now.

Nostalgic

Feeling a bit nostalgic today... hot summer days, pavement too hot to walk on in your bare feet. Seeing Raiders of the Lost Ark at the Capitol 6 in Vancouver. Snow banks so high that you have to actually climb them to see the houses behind them. Cruising the town and getting home in less than 5 minutes... Golden is a small town after all. Looking out from the top of the chairlift @ 8 in the morning seeing the fresh snow covered peaks poking through a fluffly white sea of clouds. Drinking beer & watching movies after delivering pizza's for Papa John's. Drinking while working @ Papa John's on Y2K New Year's Eve. Osoyoos after midnight pulling a U-Haul. Roger's Pass in the snow pulling a U-Haul. Dodging chestnuts in Kerrisdale as it pours rain while working two jobs. Birthday parties at the basement suite in Kerrisdale. The ferry, when I'm not in a rush to get either off the island or on. Canada Day 2006.

Is it wrong?

Is it wrong to enjoy the downward spiral the theatre is going through since I left? Should I enjoy the fact that something I worked so hard to make my own is being destroyed, rotted from the inside. Oh well, whether it's wrong or not, I'm still enjoying it, so thppppppt.