No more depressing posts. I promise.
I've been downtown Van for, lessee (*add the four, carry the two, divide by ...) a month now, and can honestly say I'm getting used to the urban lifestyle. I filled my bike up with gas today, and realized it was the first time in a MONTH that I'd done it. It helps being two minutes from work, and can walk to three different supermarkets, or 10 different little grocers.
What's it like? Well, I spend a good deal of time at the dog park, and it's probably the best place to get an idea of the cross-section of society in my neighborhood.
So far, I've met an ex-stripper who made me snort coffee through my nose I laughed so hard, an ex-motorcycle instructor who's been giving me tips and trying to get me to buy a second bike, a blind lady and her assistant canine, Terry, and a raft of gay men. Well, that's to be expected. It's the West End. They all respect my straightness, though.
Dounia has started a new Saturday night spot, and it's a mere two blocks from my house. So all ya'll will know where to find me after work on Saturdays. Sunday, well, Republic has this crazy-good reggae night with a live band who does amazing covers. So that's my weekend right there.
Monday nights, of course, will be spent watching football. And if my wonderful sister (are you reading, sis?) comes through with her connections, it'll be on
THIS!Excuse me while I change my underwear.
So what else is going on? Well, back in Kelowna, I find out that one of their players - I guy I'd talked to a bunch of times in the press box - died in a motorcycle accident. What wasn't reported in the media, and I'm not sure why at this point, was that he'd racked up something ridiculous like
10 car accidents and pushed his insurance premium for the year to over $100,000! That was a few years ago, but damn, man. Someone up there was trying to tell you something.
And then, this week, I find out
THIS GUY has been charged with a bunch of sexual assaults. He's who the cops think was the "Rutland Rapist." Good god.
What's f--ed up about this is I used to play basketball with the guy twice a week at the rec centre. I remember him in high school. He didn't seem at all capable of what the cops are claiming.
Which reminds me of my time in White Rock... I ran into an old friend I used to ball with on Saturday nights at White Rock Christian. There used to be a guy there who was a substitute teacher, a hell of a baller, and worked for the Vancouver Grizzlies. My friend told me that he'd been indicted in this huge child pornography sting, and there was talk of pedophilia charges as well. It completely through me, because this guy was the nicest, most modest, most unassuming guy you'd meet.
Now wait a sec. I did promise a non-depressing post, right? OK, how about a great video of Bill Cosby
not making any sense at all?