Okay Vancouver this is your chance. Your chance to pull yourself away from the beloved Canucks with the phrases, "I knew it" and "I told ya" Walk away and leave the rest of us, that believe that the reigning President's Trophy winners are not dead yet, to our Playoffs . After living in Toronto for thirteen years I can understand the passion that leads to blind faith. Even when it's unrealistic that they'll score two goals in one minute, doesn't mean that you don't cheer for it. So take this chance to walk away from the team and give some bullsh*t reason why you believe that they're finished. Tell me why, and I'll shake hands with you, but I won't buy it. After a few pleasant exchanges with my Toronto Maple Leafs friends,(who have aligned themselves with the team that "stole" their cup in 1993) I realised something. The more people that jump off the band wagon, the better. I'd prefer the people that think we should've started Schneider, should throw on their Nashville jerseys and stand up and clap.
When you look at the situation, it not good, but it's not Pittsburgh bad. That's bad. They've been leading games and blowing them. I heard plenty of comments suggesting a goal tending change after game one, even though Lou made 36 saves. 36! So much is made in this city that the team isn't good enough, even though statistically they've been the best team two years in a row. Champagne Problems is what my friend would call them. We're too good, we're too deep...and yet people are complaining? Why is the Vancouver attitude that good isn't good enough? I argued with a guy talking about last year, and he said Luongo cost them the Cup. I reminded him that he had two shutouts, and the team did go to game 7. He shrugged and said, "still". What an assh*le. Not good enough!
Which brings me to the real reason I'm asking all fair-weather fans, doubters, and people setting themselves up to be right by giving up after two games to jump off the wagon. I need you to move out of my way so that I can cheer for my team. I might be one of those people willing to go down with this ship, but until I see handshakes, I'm not quitting. You people, you don't know who you are, make me sick. Leaving a playoff game before the final whistle! Booing the home team in the second period! You are an embarrassment. The Canucks are the defending Western Conference Champions and we are their fans... act like it!! Show some class, get off you hands, give the club some energy. I don't want to hear another Vancouverite talk crap about southern US teams until we start acting like we are more invested than they are. Look at the crowd in Nashville. And Pheonix. Meanwhile the fans of the team that competed for Lord Stanley's Cup are all sitting with they're arms crossed like a bunch of disappointed parents.
So go. Mope around the city. Complain about the roster moves. Bitch about the refs. But stop going to the game so that the rest of us can support our team. Face the wall in the bar so that I can watch the game without your condescending I told ya so. Stay home and watch the Real HouseWives of Vancouver, but stop calling yourself a tortured, faithful fan suffering from years of disappointment. If you've already given up on the team that had the most points in the NHL, then I'm not sure you were a fan anyway.
Finally, to 99.3 the Fox and anyone that hate the Maple Leafs fans. Say what you want about their bravado, blind faith and over all obnoxious pride...they never gave up on a winning team. Some people in the city could learn something from that. Look around the world at the team that are the best, and why people hate them. The Yankees, Manchester United, The Patriots...they all have die hard fans. People that blindly believe that they'll always win and wear the colors with Pride. If everyone in Canada, or hockey, or wherever, hates the Canucks and the fans, then lets give them something to hate... our pride! Lets be the ones that don't look like sore losers with some dumbass riot, but like winners and gleefully hold our heads high with some dumbass riot.
I look forward to the next week.... When the boys come rolling back and take this series. I'll get to be that jerk in the bar saying I told you so.
But I won't.
Hrushowy
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Sunday, October 23, 2011
celebrate life
I started this morning off by coffee with the bio-parents. It was a little rough because all I really wanted to do was sleep. I've come to realize that these two little monsters will never let that happen. Talking with Bio-Mom reminds me that this life started out with her having to make brave choices at a young age. It was 1973 and to have a child out of wedlock, or any alternatives including being a single mother was exceptionally difficult. Fortunately (for me) she decided to have me, then allow another family to take me in. It's tough not to thank my lucky stars for the chance I've been given. It wasn't the easiest start for me, but it's been hard for many others. I think that I'm aware of it, is the thing that motivates me. Constantly reminding myself that I can do more. I'm trying to harness my exuberance for telling stories into a career, to raise my kids in a loving and open household. Not drink so much!
The lesson today was, "you are here for a reason." I'm not smart enough to know why, but I know that. I spent a long time being suspicious of the phrase everything happens for reason, because it didn't seem realistic. Even if I don't necessarily believe it, I can certainly accept that it may be possible. It took a shitload of circumstances to land me on this planet, and a shitload more to get me to today. If anything, I should show those occurrences some respect. Even though I have been accused of egotism, narcissism, and a few other isms, I'm harder on myself than anyone. I believe that I owe the people that have aided my maturity(or lack of).
I know...Deep
The reason I'm delving into this is because of the rest of my day was at a Celebration of Life ceremony for my friend Tyler Wright. Last year Tyler went hiking in Squamish and did not return. For weeks the Search and Rescue did their diligence through the forest looking for signs, but eventually called it off. It's no fun having to see familiar faces, and old friends under such duress. Having to share pain and smiles in the same sentence. I did what I usually do. Make jokes, try and make people laugh. It's not because I don't know how to deal with death, its because I'm more articulate with this keyboard, and a cold beer. I wish I didn't have a history of seeing death around me. but I do.
I know how much easier it is for us to categorize people after they're gone, but I can sincerely say that Tyler was special. Tyler had an infectious personality, and truly moved everyone that he touched. All you had to do was hear one story from today and watch everyone in the room nod simultaneously. We all knew the language, the energy, and the exuberance of Tyler. As a kid I was jealous of his ability to be involved in any situationn with such ease. There was a genuine quality that you hoped would rub off on you. In 1990 I was in a car accident with six other people, one of which was Tyler's sister. When the doors of the ambulance opened Tyler's was the first face I saw. There was comfort in that. His eyes were wide and red as he watched us all being carted in the ER. He Nodded to me with a reassurance that I'll never forget. The last time I saw Ty was about seven years ago at Wayne Gretzky's restaurant. I turned around after hearing someone say "Hrushowy?" Nobody in Toronto ever called me that, so I immediatly reacted. His big looming smile,a blue afro and those gigantic feet. I wish I'd seen him more over the past years. I wish I had five more minutes to say five more things.
I love the phrase Celebration of Life. It is concise and perfect.
Make sure you do more of it. Yours and the lives of the people around you.
Friday, October 21, 2011
power to the people
I usually save my utter disappointment with public officials for those south of the border. I find myself shaking my head at some evangelic nimrod who tells his constituents that abortion is murder, but murdering the doctors that performs them is just. Frankly it's the kind of thing that really bothers me. People protesting funerals, hiding behind the phrase "family values" and then condemning everyone that doesn't agree. How is it possible to say "God loves everyone, except for..." The same country who's past is littered with discrimination elects an African-American as president, then vetoes gay marriage on the same ballot. This is the kind of ironic sarcasm I save for my friends down south.
and then I read about this guy: Marc Dalton
Maple Ridge-Mission MLA Marc Dalton praised the UK-based Alpha organization as “a free forum where people can meet to discuss God, the afterlife and the teachings of Christ.”
First of all, this jack-ass uses a quote from Winston Churchill on his web-page. Wonderfully ironic considering the amount of people that believed that Churchill himself was a closet homosexual. Maybe that's how he heard about Alpha? Perhaps Mr. Dalton is letting on more about himself then I thought. It's one thing to start spouting off about curing homosexuality, it's another comparing them to gambling, pornography and abortion. Two of which I've participated in today. He's public official, who's voice speaks for the people, and he's also school teacher. Is this his opinion or that of his constituents? They're supposed to be the same when he speaks in public. Are the parents of his students aware that he may be trying to cleanse them of their human nature? That's an awkward parent-teacher interview.
What's worse for me, is that I keep trying to defend Maple Ridge to my wife, and then people like this speak up. She's already wondering why I'm so fucked up. Just by stating his "beliefs" he is creating tension within his school. Kids, teachers and parents alike are going to know that if they support what our government, and society deem as acceptable he of, he isn't. How is Mr.Dalton going to defend a child bullied for his\ or her sexuality? No one will be able to trust his judgment, or lack there of.
Kids have it hard enough, and living in Maple Ridge no less. For me Mr.Dalton has to answer for his actions. The thing is he knows this. He worked in high schools. He feeds homeless and promotes unity. To bad he's got a case of the crazies.
And we have the cure.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
can I give you some advice?
The other day I was looking for a Burger King for a Whopper. I didn't quite know where it was and ended up in a strip mall. I stopped at a crosswalk and waited for an older lady to cross. The parking lot was empty, and it was Sunday morning. I looked around for the BK sign, but had clearly taken a wrong turn.
Then something weird happened.
The lady that crossed stopped after she got to the other side and was saying something. I rolled down my window and heard, "I looked over to thank you, but you weren't even looking in my direction. You didn't even see me."
Are you fucking kidding me? I replied to her, "Of course I saw you. That's why I stopped." She shrugged and waved me off. "Look lady, If you're not laying in the parking lot gasping for air then I fuckin saw you. I didn't know that I was obligated to acknowledge your thank you."
I don't have a lot of complaints about my new\old home, but there's one thing kinda gettin me. It's the influx of people offering to tell me about everything. This lady upset that I didn't see her "thank you"? What kind of insecurities are you dealing with, when you need to be validated after thanking someone.
While telling this story to another Vancouverite, they commented that I shouldn't feed my children fast food. Now I dont' want to get off on rant here, but I think I'm done with people without kids wanting to give me advice about parenting. It's nice that you think that you know better with no frame of reference, and I'm sure I was the same...actually no I wasn't. I didn't know a thing about kids and had no intention of learning.
People constantly tell me what we should do, buy, and teach our children. So the next time I'm at the mall and you see me(or any other parent) and I look like shit. I'm half asleep, and have been amassing nickels from the car to buy some shit from a candy machine that my three year old has been yelling about for two hours. By the way, that three year old is soaking wet because the diaper shift when he was kicking me in the nuts while I tried to buckle his seatbelt. The seat of my car is forever damaged because this happens all the time. That pee has mixed with the numerous kinds of cereal that he likes to throw at me when I'm driving. So, I pretty much feel like I pay $400 a month so that my kids can destroy it. I've been up for seven hours and it's 11:00am, because the older one had a climbed into bed with me, but slept upside down and filled my mouth with her feet.
I don't know if it's the title of "One of the Best cities in the world" that give some people in the 604 the right to constantly give their opinion. It's as if the some sort of commentary is in titled to all that reside.
"The lights are to bright on BC Place."
"We want bike lanes, but not those bike lanes."
It's answering the question that has not been asked. So let me join in...
It's okay to be a little rough around the edges for a city. I don't want to wait in line to get into a bar, then wait in line at the bar. My service shouldn't be based on my turn, it should be based on how much I tip.
Also, just because it's sunday doesn't mean that the entire world has the day off, so speed up when your walking.
Finally, any "Advice" about what coffee I drink, car I drive, or food I eat, that is not accompanied with the funds to heed your suggestion, will not taken!!
PS- I agree that the referees hate the Canucks!
Thursday, September 8, 2011
and then...
I have nothing to say.
...okay not true, because I always have something to say. Whether it's important or not!
Anyway, Knit toques in summer. What the fuck? Is this seriously a look that your want to portray? It's ridiculous. It's dumb. If I wore shorts and crocks in the middle of winter, but still pretended I was super-hip, you'd all think I was an asshole. It's the equivalent of Ontario people who say the like the cold. Shut up! It sucks.
The whole Vancouver Vs Toronto thing has got to stop. First of all to the players on both side of the table...If you haven't lived in both places you're not allowed to play. Don't give me some shit about how the people are rude in "the centre of the universe", but you're judging me like my previous job was GM of the Maple Leafs. Some jack ass here started a petition to get a baseball team in Vancouver, and his tag was, "we can beat Toronto!" At what. World Series wins? So stupid. Now to all the people that live back in the T.O., please don't find the most beautiful parts of B.C. and say you don't like it. I think mountains are dumb, and I hate the beach. Nobody hates the beach!!
And we can go in the water here, granted it's fucking freezing.(I thought you like the cold!)
I'm hooked on America's Got Talent. I think it's how they should decide on everything in the USA. More People voted for the velvet voiced Landau Eugene Murphy Jr, than for any republican candidate. Fuck this every four year thingy, every year new guy voted on by the people, for the people.
My biggest guilty pleasure right now is watching inflated pride. People that think (ugh, KNOW) they are smarter and better than the masses. Those people that shout into there smartphones on the street. Or don't text in a club. People that look around the room to make sure that at least one other person can see how awesome they are. Guys that have bulge of beer dripping over a cinched in belt, screaming what Peyton Manning should've done. Of course you know, you drive a truck. These people light up my life. You should thumb your nose at me for not knowing about different kinds of lox, you work at Safeway. You're the garbage man, why wouldn't I listen to your advice about my car. Because of all of these reasons, and more(the more being my wife's choice of TV) I can now openly admit... I watch Bachelor Pad!!
This might truly be one of the great gems in television. Other reality shows may be as good, but I wouldn't know. They bother me. Big Brother, more like Oh Brother. Survivor? Come on. Leave these idiots on an island and come back in a month. There's your winner. Hell, that imbecile from The View is famous from being on that show. Theses people on the Pad are unreal. First of all, they all talk as if something they are saying or doing is actually important, or relevant. They then say vulnerable things about themselves, all while being filmed. It's awesome. They think so highly of themselves, and the way they "play the game". I hope that they watch the show when it airs, but I'm sure they won't find it as funny as I do. As a student of writing for Film and Television, I can say this...You Could Not Write This Shit!!
It's that *good!
* by good I mean Bad
...okay not true, because I always have something to say. Whether it's important or not!
Anyway, Knit toques in summer. What the fuck? Is this seriously a look that your want to portray? It's ridiculous. It's dumb. If I wore shorts and crocks in the middle of winter, but still pretended I was super-hip, you'd all think I was an asshole. It's the equivalent of Ontario people who say the like the cold. Shut up! It sucks.
The whole Vancouver Vs Toronto thing has got to stop. First of all to the players on both side of the table...If you haven't lived in both places you're not allowed to play. Don't give me some shit about how the people are rude in "the centre of the universe", but you're judging me like my previous job was GM of the Maple Leafs. Some jack ass here started a petition to get a baseball team in Vancouver, and his tag was, "we can beat Toronto!" At what. World Series wins? So stupid. Now to all the people that live back in the T.O., please don't find the most beautiful parts of B.C. and say you don't like it. I think mountains are dumb, and I hate the beach. Nobody hates the beach!!
And we can go in the water here, granted it's fucking freezing.(I thought you like the cold!)
I'm hooked on America's Got Talent. I think it's how they should decide on everything in the USA. More People voted for the velvet voiced Landau Eugene Murphy Jr, than for any republican candidate. Fuck this every four year thingy, every year new guy voted on by the people, for the people.
My biggest guilty pleasure right now is watching inflated pride. People that think (ugh, KNOW) they are smarter and better than the masses. Those people that shout into there smartphones on the street. Or don't text in a club. People that look around the room to make sure that at least one other person can see how awesome they are. Guys that have bulge of beer dripping over a cinched in belt, screaming what Peyton Manning should've done. Of course you know, you drive a truck. These people light up my life. You should thumb your nose at me for not knowing about different kinds of lox, you work at Safeway. You're the garbage man, why wouldn't I listen to your advice about my car. Because of all of these reasons, and more(the more being my wife's choice of TV) I can now openly admit... I watch Bachelor Pad!!
This might truly be one of the great gems in television. Other reality shows may be as good, but I wouldn't know. They bother me. Big Brother, more like Oh Brother. Survivor? Come on. Leave these idiots on an island and come back in a month. There's your winner. Hell, that imbecile from The View is famous from being on that show. Theses people on the Pad are unreal. First of all, they all talk as if something they are saying or doing is actually important, or relevant. They then say vulnerable things about themselves, all while being filmed. It's awesome. They think so highly of themselves, and the way they "play the game". I hope that they watch the show when it airs, but I'm sure they won't find it as funny as I do. As a student of writing for Film and Television, I can say this...You Could Not Write This Shit!!
It's that *good!
* by good I mean Bad
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
so much to say
It's been a while since we've talked, but I thought that I would check in...
Back kickin it on the west coast and all is good...except the weather. I made a lot of wild promises about Vancouver and for some reason the lack of sun has come a bit too early. That being said, it's not 40 with a humidex of 900, and we're not planted in front of the air conditioner. Those days in Toronto are like someone shoving a hair dryer in your mouth, while wearing a wool snuggy, and blasting lasers into your retinas. So no real complaints yet.
The best part of being somewhere(kinda) new, is wearing the rose colored glasses while enjoying the city. The wife and kids arrived the day of the "Stanley cup riots", but didn't see anything because they fell asleep from jet lag. The next day all of the nice Vancouverites had the city cleaned up before they saw anything. They thought people swept the streets every morning. (and they still think that!)
A couple of rants.
pot heads) Okay I get it. It's B.C. and everyone knows everyone, that has a grow-op, blah blah blah. I'm all for the legalization, and taxation, and I don't even smoke. However, I think the stigma is gone so the secretive, hoody pulled down act can go. I don't think you're tough, I think you're a douche. Oh you're a drug dealer on the eastside, I think I'd rather work at KFC. Also making "Cannabis Day" June 1st is fuckin disrespectful! Pick another date you degenerates. You can celebrate Canada day on the 1st, then get high every other day, like you're going to do anyway!!! Only a bunch of unpatriotic idiots think smoking pot in public is some sort of risque thing...as I said it's B.C. It smells like pot on the streets of every neighborhood.
commuters) Sure it's fuckin douche in Toronto, and they'll step on your mother to get on the street car first, but here it's the exact opposite. If you're late in Vancouver, don't expect to find the fast lane among your fellow morning folk. You're late for a $20k class of watching the Simpsons, and everyone on the sky walk is dilly-dallying. You'd think with all the coffee sold in this town people would be walking faster. (Deep Breath)
I'm okay.
I really don't have a lot to complain about...I take the sea bus to a film school. And I love it. My family is here now, so I'm not drinking myself into a Hemingway...
Three wonderful women had there babies over the past week or so...
congrats to Tara(twins), Chantal, and Dani...boys for the lot of them!!
On a very sad note we lost someone very close to our group. Kevyn and Stacy of http://www.thebestlifeever.com/
lost a member of the immediate family. Cassius was beyond a loyal friend, she was a pillar in their relationship. Whether it was lazy Sundays at baseball, or late night swimming Cassius was there. She held herself with grace and humility, and was an amazing role model and friend to my daughter. You will be greatly missed.
Back kickin it on the west coast and all is good...except the weather. I made a lot of wild promises about Vancouver and for some reason the lack of sun has come a bit too early. That being said, it's not 40 with a humidex of 900, and we're not planted in front of the air conditioner. Those days in Toronto are like someone shoving a hair dryer in your mouth, while wearing a wool snuggy, and blasting lasers into your retinas. So no real complaints yet.
The best part of being somewhere(kinda) new, is wearing the rose colored glasses while enjoying the city. The wife and kids arrived the day of the "Stanley cup riots", but didn't see anything because they fell asleep from jet lag. The next day all of the nice Vancouverites had the city cleaned up before they saw anything. They thought people swept the streets every morning. (and they still think that!)
A couple of rants.
pot heads) Okay I get it. It's B.C. and everyone knows everyone, that has a grow-op, blah blah blah. I'm all for the legalization, and taxation, and I don't even smoke. However, I think the stigma is gone so the secretive, hoody pulled down act can go. I don't think you're tough, I think you're a douche. Oh you're a drug dealer on the eastside, I think I'd rather work at KFC. Also making "Cannabis Day" June 1st is fuckin disrespectful! Pick another date you degenerates. You can celebrate Canada day on the 1st, then get high every other day, like you're going to do anyway!!! Only a bunch of unpatriotic idiots think smoking pot in public is some sort of risque thing...as I said it's B.C. It smells like pot on the streets of every neighborhood.
commuters) Sure it's fuckin douche in Toronto, and they'll step on your mother to get on the street car first, but here it's the exact opposite. If you're late in Vancouver, don't expect to find the fast lane among your fellow morning folk. You're late for a $20k class of watching the Simpsons, and everyone on the sky walk is dilly-dallying. You'd think with all the coffee sold in this town people would be walking faster. (Deep Breath)
I'm okay.
I really don't have a lot to complain about...I take the sea bus to a film school. And I love it. My family is here now, so I'm not drinking myself into a Hemingway...
Three wonderful women had there babies over the past week or so...
congrats to Tara(twins), Chantal, and Dani...boys for the lot of them!!
On a very sad note we lost someone very close to our group. Kevyn and Stacy of http://www.thebestlifeever.com/
lost a member of the immediate family. Cassius was beyond a loyal friend, she was a pillar in their relationship. Whether it was lazy Sundays at baseball, or late night swimming Cassius was there. She held herself with grace and humility, and was an amazing role model and friend to my daughter. You will be greatly missed.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
back to school...
Wow. Who would think that a course on writing would keep me so far away from actually doing it. Don't get me wrong it's awesome! I love the idea of braking down stories, characters and scripts. Shit, have the classes are watching movies, so no complaining. My head is spinning around so fast I can barely keep up to my own narrative. Assignments and deadlines now actually exist, unlike when I would create them on my own. Then miss them. Crash courses in high school English, and pep talks about not being a douche to your fellow classmates. After all, one day you might need them. The coles notes are this....learn the rules and the existing structure, then you can disregard Industry standards.
Okay, enough of the that shit. Let the ranting continue.
On the 26th of April me and friend headed for the west coast from Toronto. I suckered him in with promises of Chicago Cubs in Wrigley field and the possibility of good conversation. Chicago was awesome. I could've slipped right into a life there as long as the word "Gun" never came up. It was very much like Toronto in personality, and architecture. The people were fantastic, and nobody tried to kill me even though it was game 7 of the Canucks vs Blackhawks. I pretended to be a Chi fan and even did some "cheering" when Toews scored near the end of the game. Finally those lost years in acting school were paying off, and probably saving my life. Of course when Burrows eventually potted the winner, the bar rang silent. I skipped off to the bathroom, head sagging in disappointment, then mimed a victory dance in a washroom stall. The first leg of our journey had ended, and now it was the dreaded 94east highway of boredom.
I'm sure that places like Minnesota, and North Dakota are actually really nice, and the people are probably fantastic. It wasn't them, it was us. We were hungover and the highlight was over after the first night. Sure the Painted Canyons were beautiful. The waitress in St.Cloud was pleasant. From that point on we knew what to expect. The third night we stayed in Billings Montana, and apparently every open door is a casino. The women's prison is downtown, you can smoke everywhere, and the word "hockey" has absolutely no meaning. We eventually got the waitress in the bar to find the game, and every rifle toting patron looked at us like it was the pride parade, but we stood tall, and cheered quietly.
The next morning was going to be a big push. We'd fucked our schedule by being hungover on day two, which was supposed to be our longest day, but became our shortest. Now we were going to try and make it all the way to Vancouver by later that evening. There were elongated silences while we gathered ourselves mentally for what we were attempting. Immediately around the first turn were massive mountains. I knew there would be some, but not this size. Most of the land leading to that corner was fairly flat. There were indications that there would be some elevations, but I was shocked. Granted it has been a while since I've seen mountains of any kind, let alone monsters. All of a sudden we realized that we knew nothing of western Montana, and had no idea that we would be driving through the pan handle of Idaho. And that Idaho had mountains....big fucking mountains. I didn't see a potato anywhere! The new highlight of our journey was this little town off the highway in Idaho called Wallace. It looked as though they were filming an old movie there. All the buildings, and houses were from the 40's. It was crazy. It would be worth the drive out there to stay a few days in historic Wallace.
After that we were in to the 500miles of home stretch. Washington was a sight for sore eyes, and I was thoroughly impressed with gigantic wind farm. It looked so cool. We both started to fade quick in Washington. Sure the GPS, Marilyn, was setting us up for an arrival time of 11:00, but it seemed very far away. The street turned in highway and the peaceful drive through empty spaces was no replaced with the intermittent wipers on the outskirts of Seattle. Seattle was too close, we couldn't give up. We were now heading north, and the signs were counting down to the border. I couldn't wait to be on home soil. Drink a double-double from Timmies, be able to read the road sign without doing math, not fear rednecks. From the border crossing I could see the lights on the mountain guiding me home. I cracked the window to smell the sea air, and two guys had been living in that car for a long time. I was rejuvenated driving along a street I grew up being on.
We rode Granville right into the city center to visit a friend at his bar. I changed out of my sweat pants and tried to smell better, but it most likely didn't improve. Thank god we were in the hippy capital of Canada. As the beer touched my lips I knew that I couldn't drink it without drinking 40. Ben Smashed back his, and mine and those almost sunk him. We were beat down, tired, and looked dishevelled. We quickly returned to the car for the final ten minutes of our trip. My sister and her boyfriend Chris awaited our arrival with iced cold Kokanee, and roaring fire. Chris lives in this tree-lined house with six foot fences keeping the people out. The path down to the house is led by hanging lights under the over grown branches that create the coolest archway. Guarding the property are two full blooded wolves, Tundra and Tonka. These are the most gorgeous animals, that howl in tune with distant sirens. I thought I'd maybe fallen asleep at a stop sign and had drifted into Narnia. Of course the B.C. hospitality is gracious, and caring. We ate, we slept. Our journey across the country had ended. It was a wonderful surprise that most of the geography was unknown by either of us, and we think we're smart. We agreed on most things, we solved Major League Baseballs biggest problems, and learned that using your cel phone in the US can be very costly.
Being here is very bitter sweet for me. It's what I've wanted for a long time, and Film School is an added bonus. Yet, my little ones and partner aren't here. The gorgeous views, and breath taking mountains are lost when you don't have those you love there to share them. The positive is that it's almost been two weeks, which means that there's only about four to go! Soon we'll be riding bikes around Stanley Park, and playing at Kits beach. Until then I'm going to put my head down, and study. Hopefully the magic of Narnia will speed up the time.
PS- it's Mothers Day. 13 years ago on May 5th my mother died. Her funeral was the Saturday and the following day was Mother's Day, so this day absolutely sucks for me. It has taken on a new meaning since having kids....but still sucks. So please take the time to tell your mother that you love her. Simply because there are plenty of people who cannot. If your Mother has passed, then I raise my glass with you...
Okay, enough of the that shit. Let the ranting continue.
On the 26th of April me and friend headed for the west coast from Toronto. I suckered him in with promises of Chicago Cubs in Wrigley field and the possibility of good conversation. Chicago was awesome. I could've slipped right into a life there as long as the word "Gun" never came up. It was very much like Toronto in personality, and architecture. The people were fantastic, and nobody tried to kill me even though it was game 7 of the Canucks vs Blackhawks. I pretended to be a Chi fan and even did some "cheering" when Toews scored near the end of the game. Finally those lost years in acting school were paying off, and probably saving my life. Of course when Burrows eventually potted the winner, the bar rang silent. I skipped off to the bathroom, head sagging in disappointment, then mimed a victory dance in a washroom stall. The first leg of our journey had ended, and now it was the dreaded 94east highway of boredom.
I'm sure that places like Minnesota, and North Dakota are actually really nice, and the people are probably fantastic. It wasn't them, it was us. We were hungover and the highlight was over after the first night. Sure the Painted Canyons were beautiful. The waitress in St.Cloud was pleasant. From that point on we knew what to expect. The third night we stayed in Billings Montana, and apparently every open door is a casino. The women's prison is downtown, you can smoke everywhere, and the word "hockey" has absolutely no meaning. We eventually got the waitress in the bar to find the game, and every rifle toting patron looked at us like it was the pride parade, but we stood tall, and cheered quietly.
The next morning was going to be a big push. We'd fucked our schedule by being hungover on day two, which was supposed to be our longest day, but became our shortest. Now we were going to try and make it all the way to Vancouver by later that evening. There were elongated silences while we gathered ourselves mentally for what we were attempting. Immediately around the first turn were massive mountains. I knew there would be some, but not this size. Most of the land leading to that corner was fairly flat. There were indications that there would be some elevations, but I was shocked. Granted it has been a while since I've seen mountains of any kind, let alone monsters. All of a sudden we realized that we knew nothing of western Montana, and had no idea that we would be driving through the pan handle of Idaho. And that Idaho had mountains....big fucking mountains. I didn't see a potato anywhere! The new highlight of our journey was this little town off the highway in Idaho called Wallace. It looked as though they were filming an old movie there. All the buildings, and houses were from the 40's. It was crazy. It would be worth the drive out there to stay a few days in historic Wallace.
After that we were in to the 500miles of home stretch. Washington was a sight for sore eyes, and I was thoroughly impressed with gigantic wind farm. It looked so cool. We both started to fade quick in Washington. Sure the GPS, Marilyn, was setting us up for an arrival time of 11:00, but it seemed very far away. The street turned in highway and the peaceful drive through empty spaces was no replaced with the intermittent wipers on the outskirts of Seattle. Seattle was too close, we couldn't give up. We were now heading north, and the signs were counting down to the border. I couldn't wait to be on home soil. Drink a double-double from Timmies, be able to read the road sign without doing math, not fear rednecks. From the border crossing I could see the lights on the mountain guiding me home. I cracked the window to smell the sea air, and two guys had been living in that car for a long time. I was rejuvenated driving along a street I grew up being on.
We rode Granville right into the city center to visit a friend at his bar. I changed out of my sweat pants and tried to smell better, but it most likely didn't improve. Thank god we were in the hippy capital of Canada. As the beer touched my lips I knew that I couldn't drink it without drinking 40. Ben Smashed back his, and mine and those almost sunk him. We were beat down, tired, and looked dishevelled. We quickly returned to the car for the final ten minutes of our trip. My sister and her boyfriend Chris awaited our arrival with iced cold Kokanee, and roaring fire. Chris lives in this tree-lined house with six foot fences keeping the people out. The path down to the house is led by hanging lights under the over grown branches that create the coolest archway. Guarding the property are two full blooded wolves, Tundra and Tonka. These are the most gorgeous animals, that howl in tune with distant sirens. I thought I'd maybe fallen asleep at a stop sign and had drifted into Narnia. Of course the B.C. hospitality is gracious, and caring. We ate, we slept. Our journey across the country had ended. It was a wonderful surprise that most of the geography was unknown by either of us, and we think we're smart. We agreed on most things, we solved Major League Baseballs biggest problems, and learned that using your cel phone in the US can be very costly.
Being here is very bitter sweet for me. It's what I've wanted for a long time, and Film School is an added bonus. Yet, my little ones and partner aren't here. The gorgeous views, and breath taking mountains are lost when you don't have those you love there to share them. The positive is that it's almost been two weeks, which means that there's only about four to go! Soon we'll be riding bikes around Stanley Park, and playing at Kits beach. Until then I'm going to put my head down, and study. Hopefully the magic of Narnia will speed up the time.
PS- it's Mothers Day. 13 years ago on May 5th my mother died. Her funeral was the Saturday and the following day was Mother's Day, so this day absolutely sucks for me. It has taken on a new meaning since having kids....but still sucks. So please take the time to tell your mother that you love her. Simply because there are plenty of people who cannot. If your Mother has passed, then I raise my glass with you...
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