The Good, The Bad and The Soggy

Some thoughts on Vancouver, from a Dusty Calgarian:

Good: The smell of the salty ocean air on the Sea Wall.
Bad: The smell of skunks in Kitsilano.

Good: The vibrant entertainment scene and night life.
Bad: The aggressive panhandlers.

Good: All the miniskirts.
Bad: Seeing the tracks up a heroine addict's legs because she's wearing a miniskirt.

Suggestions?

Tales of an Internet Nomad (part zwei)

Here I am on Burrard, just a couple of blocks south of Davies, doing my laundry. No open networks right this second, but I'm sure I can try again when I'm finished writing.

I finally checked into the Jolly Taxpayer and it's really nice. There are communal showers, but the rooms are cozy, clean and exactly the sort of thing that nosarious would love to manage. The building is over 100 years old. If there are older buildings in cowtown, I don't know of them.

The weather is cooling down, which suits me nicely. the only downside is that the womenfolk are all wearing pants now instead of barely-there skirts. The British Columbia Bra Shortage continues, I'm happy to say.

I've been doing a lot of shopping. Between that, my flight, and my (admittedly cheap) room, this is going to be an expensive holiday. Not that I mind - I offered to take someone with me, and that would have made it a little more expensive. I still want to do that, but it probably won't be for several months.

I bought some albums, a DVD and a couple of books. Saw Kung Fu Hustle with chris9871. It was stupidly funny, and I must get garething and Alyssa to watch it - it's right up there alley. Try to imagine The Matrix as directed by Tex Avery, and you'll have a good idea what it's like.

Finally got together with slavewench, who was as charming as I'd imagined. We had a nice lunch together at a sushi bar on Granville. Now I never really got to know her when I was in Calgary, but we do know a lot of people in common. This led to a conversation where we would be giddy to find out we knew (and liked) some people in common. We also engaged in some mutual schadenfreude with people we knew (and didn't like). And there were some awkward pauses as one of us talked about someone we liked, then found out the other person didn't like. I'm sure we'll be getting together again while I'm here (possible tomorrow as I'm organizing a get together to watch Stomp at one of the local IMAX theaters. Hmm, I'd better call her.

She seems like fun and I look forward to adding her to my group of other Vancouver friends and stirring vigorously.

My Weight Watchers adventure continues, though I haven't been journaling (a recipe for disaster if my past is any indication). I've found a meeting on Friday at the church garething used prominently in his In Nomine game. I've also fallen off the caffeine wagon a few times. I attribute this to stores not carrying diet drinks other than diet coke. Oh well, I'm still doing Ok, and I'm sure the evilscientist will thump me when I get back to cowtown.

Finally got to see somejauntypolka (she was in Seattle for the weekend) yesterday and again today for lunch. We had mediocre Vietnamese food and above average conversation. Conversation is always above average with somejauntypolka.

Went to the whiggy_one's and chatted with his roomies. Also watched some Venture Brothers which is a pretty funny show and also offensive, which I like.

I'm hemming and hawing about doing the Grouse Grind again, which would make me doubly-foolish - I'll let you know.