Shots on the Go II

So here we go again (i'm wearing my glasses, so hopefully less dumb typos)

I shop at he sweetest little store in Inglewood called Espy and I've gotten to know the staff very well (just ask Scotiabank) so when they had a grand opening for their new, improved (though I like the other store better - it was small and intimate and the floors were hardwood and uneven, etc) store, I wanted to capture the moment with my gal Ashley. Britts came with me and didn't quite know how to work the camera of my blackberry.

  Britt: Opps. Its fuzzy.

Me: k. take another one

Britt: Its not taking

Me: its the middle button - just press it. 

Britt: Oh LeeLee - this is terrible, I'll take it again.

 Britt: Opps. I cut off your heads

Me: k. take one more. 

 Britt: its still fuzzy

Me and Ash: forget it.

(the store owner calls us MaryKate and Ashley - lol)

 I'd just gotten my hair cut and dyed a little darker - and wanted to show Heidi. Plus I was going on a date and needed to know if my outfit was acceptable. 

 Wheee! Registered for the Bluenose Half. Though I've lost a month of training due to illness ... *wah*

 Bree Britt and I went floating down the Bow last summer in Brees new boat. It was groovy. Like a luxury liner of blow up boats.

 That same night (pic from a couple of posts ago) in the cab on the way downtown. (me n' Britt)

 Photo op arriving back at Brees after being shut down by our no sense of humor cabbie. Oh - that still makes me laugh; he hated us. But Bree kept saying, 'this isn't the shortest way home' and Britt and I were like 'don't worry about it, etc'. She said, not whispering, 'but they always try to rip you off'.

 Cool hat I saw at Simons in Montreal. Pretty annoying bits in the front though. Looks like I just cut my hair and went out side in the rain ...

 One of my favorites - Mooresy. This is how she told me I'd left my sunnies at her place in Edmonton.

 This is my desk and those are flip chart notes from a meeting that I had to transfer into an email. You know the expression 'too close to the forest to see the trees'? I was too close to the paper to see the words. I could see about 5 letters at a time. And this was promptly at 5:55 when I was about 5 minutes away from freedom and a workout and ... not being at work. Took me over an hour to do this.

 This truck was outside my gym  - its a giant Dodge painted in red, green, black and white camo. I bet he has guns and shoots gophers. And drinks Pilsner beer. And watches Nascar.

 Cruising Cross Iron Mills with Dad, he turns to me with a straight face and says 'you keep shopping, and come back here to get me in an hour'. (only those who know him will find this funny)

 Forgot to add this to the last post: These are the curtain rod ends for my room. They are as spectacular as you think they are. From Urban Outfitters - I was bringing it in to Home Depot to get a curtain rod that fit.

Wha??? People will buy anything.

 I'm going to write a book.

 This is how I count down my days at work. Some say its what prisioners do.

Really? I ask.

Well I can relate.

 I got this awesome bday card from one of the Managers for another division of our team. That and a Fleetwood Mac cd - he knew I loved music and thought this was 'one for all ages'.

The little bear who was wandering around our camp looking for food. This is taken from my managers office.

And the trap she stayed in for half a day before she met her demise. Poor little thing, but she was becoming too familiar with people which is a danger to all involved.

Thats it !

Blank Stares and Silence

Whilst in Vancouver re-aquainting with the friends I haven't seen in recent history, we played a few rounds of the game Catch Phrase.

Rules are: A word or phrase appears on the screen of this funky little gadget and you have to get the other team to guess what it is by explaining it without saying any of the words. Then pass it to the next person before the buzzer goes off. Its quite emotional. And loud.

So my turn came around and the phrase was 'Cool Beans'.

EASY I thought!

So I start .. voice elevating ... accelerating ...

'UM UMMMM ,,, UHHH ,,, CRAP .. OK SO THIS IS FROM THE MOVIE HOT ROD!!!!!!

YOU KNOW - HOT ROD!!!! THE MOVIE WITH THE GUY? THE STUNTS? THE COSTUME????

UMMM ... UMMMM ... OH MANNN!!!

OH!! I SAY THIS ALLL THE TIME, ITS MY FAVORITE EXPRESSION -

BUUUUUZZZZZ - the timer goes off.

They are all staring at me blankly and someone pipes up "We haven't seen you in 15 years, how would we know what you say all the time".

Fair point. Very fair point.

I'm a spaz sometimes.

Kearl Lake Comments ...

Tass and I have started a Quote Book for the crazy things we hear at work. And with the different nationalities and crazy Capers, theres always something to add.

Today my boss says to me:

Can I share something with you?
Me thinking it was going to be something exclusive and deep, I casually said 'sure, go ahead' as I plunk in a seat across the table from him.
He says 'I don't like your shirt. What you had on yesterday was nice, but not this. I don't like it'.

Haha. What a guy.

It is kind of ugly but funny enough ... I don't really care.

2,234 Kilometers Later .... Calgary to Vancouver and Back in a Week - Part 2

To continue my excellent adventure:

On Sunday, I went to church with the gang and saw a few people who I used to hang out with and that was pretty fun. With Facebook now, there were no real surprises, but was very nice to see them all just the same. One (non fb-er) of them came up and introduced themselves. haha. Another one came up, pointed at me and said "I know you. I know your face. I just don't know your name".

But the funniest thing of all was Duncan Beckett (family friend) was there on his honeymoon. So strange and random.

Here we are! I made him get someone to take a pic with his blackberry and email it to me on the spot! Cuz really - what are the chances?

I met up with Steve B. (Teebie Guy) and went for lunch at Dennys (we're a classy bunch) and drank great quantities of coffee and didn't stop talking for probably 2 hrs. Then I treated him (since he paid for lunch) to crazy lattes at Starbucks. So now we're even.  We had such a super visit, he's a very special cousin!

He's my buddy.

This is us! Nice angles, hey?

Then I made my way to Aubrey and Heathers (family friends, I hadn't seen in many years) and met their 3 lovely children as well. We laughed and told stories and got caught up on each others lives and laughed some more.

 Then some more.

They took out for dinner to White Rock, poor little G sitting on my lap the whole way - not entirely comfortable for her, I'm sure.

It was so wonderful to be amongst people I've known most of my life, its actually something I took for granted living in Nova Scotia. And don't realize I am missing out on until it happens.

(Aubrey's new business venture. Its really taking off.)

jk - innovative though, I must say. Imagine what this person has saved on signage.

The next day dawned with Mrs Kelly at the house to take the older two to school and the youngest to go spend time with his Grandpa at their condo. So while we waited for school to begin, I sat at the table with a hot cup of coffee hearing stories about their crazy uncle, with details coming from the mom, neice and nephew. Very entertaining. They are such wonderful children - so polite, and funny. It was completely enjoyable and relaxing to be there.

Then - off to see Mr Kelly! Following Mrs in her sporty red car was quite the adventure, I could hardly keep up. So I spent a couple of hours there, again, chatting and laughing and relishing in the company of people who knew me when I was in diapers. I was sad to leave, but was meeting Carmen for lunch and it was an hour drive away.

We spent a great afternoon together, and a regular school night at their place with a nice, homecooked dinner with Mark D again. Then homework and crafts and floor hockey and other-domestic-stuff-completely-foreign-to-me.

On Tuesday, after a leisurely get up, Carmen and I went to lunch with her mother and shopped a bit.  I was sick (as I've mentioned), but we had a super visit. It was so nice to be back because all that I know of Vancouver is positive. It was my foray into the world as an adult, leaving the safe confines of Cape Breton, and I made such great friends and had really wonderful adventures.

After hugs goodbye, 'thanks for having me"'s, with promises of a return visit in the summer, I made my way across the city again to see another family I'd known when I lived there. But its an extra special situation because I got to combine two sets of people who mean so much to me.

While living in Van, there was a family from church who lived a few streets away; this family consisted of 4 boys, ages 8 -16, all super sweet and fun, athletic, etc.

 I often locked myself out of the house and on a couple (or more) occassions, I'd make my way over, sheepishly knock on the Wilsons door, ask for Cam, and with a silly grin, he'd put his shoes on, walk over with me through the shortcut I'd never attempt on my own, and climb in a window, and rescue my keys which were almost always in full view.

 Their mom was quite sick and still trying to run a busy household with busy boys,

so I'd go over to visit her, help her fold laundry, etc and thus became quite close to them. She eventually lost the battle to her illness but her boys were lucky enough to, a few years later, have their dad re-marry a truly wonderful woman. Who just happens to be a good friend of my sisters, and whom I'd gotten to know well via this relationship.

Sooo ... I spent my last evening there, with her, her husband of course, and their two young daughters, and two of the boys and their wives. I feel like a broken record when I say how much I laughed and reminised and just purely enjoyed myself. The boys told crazy stories, skyped their brother that lives in Nicaruga (he didn't remember me), and played guitar and the tuba and did the splits and other tricks. The girls were so cute and fun and lo-ved by all! 

Then Suzannie Bobannie, who now goes by Sue, and I sat up until almost midnight chatting. Safe to say we covered alot of ground :-).

And with that, I started my journey back East the next morning through equally dangerous roads as the first time.

Thankful I live in Alberta where fuel is $1.08 at the most...

I didn't stop in Kamloops. Not even to pee.

If my fuel gauge read like this, like it did on my way out of that place on the way west, I'd have had to ...

I spent the night in Revelstoke - not cheaping out this time! at the coolest place ever. I'll write on that at another time.

 I am not a snob.

Well, sometimes.

About some things.

But overall, I'm not.

Except when it comes to coffee.

Revelstoke has no Starbucks and I was forced to down this swill on my way out of town. The only thing that made it remotely better was the shockingly hot man who struck up a conversation with me in the line up.

I made it home safe and sound that afternoon after a much more relaxed and snow-free drive! It was nice to sleep in my own bed again and I didn't have to worry about ickies on the top of my comforter.

This concludes the story of my spur of the moment trip to Vancouver - its the best thing I've done in a very long time. You should try it sometime.

Its a really amazing feeling to know that after all this time, even though we've kept in touch on a very minimal basis, I can pop back into their lives and I'm welcomed with open arms.

I'm a lucky girl. This much I know is true.

2,234 Kilometers Later .... Calgary to Vancouver and Back in a Week - Part 1

After a insanely stressful hitch at work, I decided to hit the road. Literally. I called my friend Carmen from Vancouver, who I hadn't seen in 15 years, to see what she was doing for that weekend. I loaded up my iPod, bought a couple Audio books (don't ask the young guy at Chapters where the 'Books on Tape' are - a blank stare ensues), stocked up on snacks, purchased Roadside Assistance and an Roadside Emergency Kit (67 peices to keep you safe!!) and off I went.

This was taken just outside Canmore - how lucky am I to live here and have this beauty at my fingertips.

 I also know I shouldn't have been taking photos while driving whilst 18 wheelers are hurtling towards me. I had noone to photojournal for me, hence the occasional steering wheel in the shot. I'd like to point out how narrow the roads are and you've nowhere to go but up. Up the snowbank.

 If I didn't take pictures, you'd miss this. The drive was so beautiful, it was distracting.

 Tunnels are frequent

 As is long stretches like this. I'd like to tell you where this is, but that would mean I knew. And I don't. I thiiiink its just before Revelstoke, BC.

REVELSTOKE!

 Oh Revelstoke. If you were a human, I'd want to marry you. I fell in love. Its like I stepped back in time both to the olden days AND the 80's. Boy, neon ski gear is really making a comeback, isn't it?

 I stepped out of my car where I parked without paying, because I didn't have to. Where I fit in with my camera around my neck, my wild hair back in a pony, with no makeup and my 'whatever way the wind blows' look. Where Stores are called Grizzly Book and Serendipity Shop, and notebooks are $20.00.

I wandered the streets taking in this unique little place (well, famous town), surprised by its employment center and outreach program! I guess little towns have their needy too.

Its a town of broken down Ford Taurus' and jacked up Ford F150's, bearded bicyclists, yoga studios and spas.

Its a town of talkative bookstore owners and laid back (read: stoned) early twenties making your latte.

Its a town where time has stilled and people are unhurried and kind

The mountains and majesty of this place blanket you in awe. It makes you aware of how small and insignificant you really are. Well, if you don't concentrate on THAT part of it, its a very peaceful place to be.

I was excited to keep going though and Kamloops, approximately 3 hours further was my rest stop for the night.

Oh Dear. Little did I know.

KAMLOOPS

So in keeping with the whole authentic roadtrip experience, I wanted to eat at roadside diners and sleep in one-off hotels.

Um. What was I thinking??

After a microsecond of checking out a place downtown, I scurried back to the main highway and found a 'chain'. I wanted to stay cheap and I decided against a privately owned establishment and went with ... are you ready??

ECONOLODGE! I figured it was safe enough.

 Figured is not reality.

I paid the guy $70 for the night while he hardly said one word to me since he was speaking Arabic to someone on the phone. The lobby was presentable - it wasn't some romantic getaway, or a business trip I could expense my accommodations to, it was just me looking for a place to sleep. So I was alright with (the lobby so far anyway).

I get my key, grab my bag and walk up the stairs to an outside hallway and find my room.

 Its not that bad at first glance. Its no Waldorf Astoria, but again, it'll do.

I was hungry (shocking) and went on the hunt for some food. I didn't find food, but I found a Shoppers Drug Mart with a sweet little girl who was chatty and showing me all kinds of new make up etc. I'd chewed my nails off for some reason on the way into (Kamloops) and to prevent looking like a crackhead when seeing my friends for the first time in 15 years, I had to buy nail polish and all the goodness that comes with a self manicure.

I return to my room - turn the tv on, and start on my nails. I watch Mystic Pizza (for the very first time) while painstakingly painting my nubs of nails.

Nail are dry, movie watched, but I'm still not tired. But have to go to sleep - I have a big day ahead of me.

I am suddenly overtaken by a bad feeling of 'what have I done'? As I was pretty sure at best, one drug deal had occured here today. I was so sketched out, but still climbed into bed, gingerly taking the top cover, refusing to think about the possiblities of the pillow I was about to lay my head on, and turned it down so it didn't touch me.

I laid there.

Heart pounding.

I could hear every sound. Real or imaginary. But I still heard them.

So I jumped out of bed, grabbed a sleeping pill and popped it.

There was no way I wanted to be awake when the door burst in and my murder took place.

But next thing I know, I'm awake.

Alive. Not murdered in the least.

I feel silly for being so scared . (when did I turn into such a pansy??)

I went to look out the window and heres what on the blind:

 And those finger prints? They're not soap finger prints ....

and I no longer feel silly for being scared

 I come down the stairs and this is what greets me. Eeks. Its gonna be a long ol' drive in the snow.

 In alignment with my committment to make the best of this trip and try new things, I decide to go next door and eat at Harolds. Its a diner atmosphere with very modern surroundings. Which naturally takes away from the diner atmosphere. The server - she was great, the food was delish and the coffee, mediocre, but better than I'd hoped.

(Please note the photo bomb - the Four Seasons Motel sign in the background- pretty sure they've fooled someone, somewhere)

 Soooo ... wanna get closer to God? Drive the Coquihalla Pass during a snowstorm.

 All kareoke had ceased, no more laughing to Ellen DeGeneres on 'tape', radio turned off, it was total silence save for the audible beating of my heart. (couldn't enhance my chances of dying any more by taking a picture) 18 wheelers passing me at, oh, lets say, 120km/h, throwing slush all over my windshield.

I wasn't having fun at this point and questioned my wisdom in making such a trip.

(this is a reenactment - based on actual events-  this is what my face looked like probably for 2 hours while I drove these roads) Ah - nothing a little Botex won't fix. jk jk

This is the coolest thing ever though - a runaway lane for truckers. I wanted to try it out for myself but didn't want to tempt karma.

 This was prettier in person. Dusk on the mountains was pretty incredible. However, I don't know where that was taken seeing I got to Van before nightfall. I'm guessing before Kamloops the night before.

VANCOUVER!!

Welcome back Leanne - nothings changed! Rain and traffic jams!

 So after seeing Carmen and Derek after 15!! years and meeting their lovely little children, Mark deVries came over and we hung out for the evening, essentially getting to know one another again. Because, really, you can't ask 'So whats new?' after all this time.

That was Friday, on Saturday, I went for a run for an hour or so in the hurricanish winds, got another sore throat and Carmen, her little girl and I went shopping (shockingly to Lululemon) and for lattes at Starbucks.

After we went for sushi in their little part of the city called Steveston (another wonderful little spot) Mark and Derek are pictured below. Nobody changed. Everyone even looks the same. Theres just kids and disipline and hockey and soccer involved now.

 When I lived in Van, in 1994, Derek and Carmen were dating and of course, spent a lot of time alone; Which left Mark D, Mark R and I to wander streets doing silly dares and exotic meals (exotic to me, the 19 year old Cape Bretoner was sushi and such). We went downtown to Cloud 9 fo, the revolving restaurant for dessert (I got dizzy) and it was sincerely like old times, Mark D flying through the streets, Derek in front telling him how to drive and Carmen and I in the back giggling at the boys. It felt like I was in a time machine. Pretty special if you think of it. Not the time machine part, but the other part.

 Here were are. I love this girl. Carmen - who took me in as a friend when I was brand new to the city and we were an instant hit! She's not aged or changed, its crazy. I'd like to think my eyebrows are better than they were when I was here last. No really. I saw photos. (think Bert, Ernie)

Then Mark Ritchie and his sweet little family came over and we ate dessert and played Catch Phrase and Pit. Again, nothing changed, the chemistry between everyone was the same as it was so long ago.

Derek and Mark R fighting, Mark R screwing me over while I frown upon realizing this, call him a jerk and return the 'screw ya over' favor, and Mark D and Carmen quietly fitting in, the calm amongst the three storms.

 Here we are! (photo taken by an 11 year old)

 I'm getting tired and will write more tomorrow about the rest of my amazing reunions with some very special people.

 

I hate to say it because its such a churchy word - but I truly feel blessed, especially after this trip and blah blah blah how much joy the visits I had brought me. I'm uncomfortable with cheesy stuff like that, but in this case, it couldn't be more true.

Cheers til Tomorrow!

LeeLeeMac

Another Cool Song

Casting Crowns - Jesus, Friend of Sinners

http://youtu.be/eNhz8BMTqsk

Jesus, friend of sinners, we have strayed so far away
We cut down people in your name but the sword was never ours to swing
Jesus, friend of sinners, the truth's become so hard to see
The world is on their way to You but they're tripping over me
Always looking around but never looking up I'm so double minded
A plank eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners
Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks yours

Yeah...

Jesus, friend of sinners, the one who's writing in the sand
Make the righteous turn away and the stones fall from their hands
Help us to remember we are all the least of thieves
Let the memory of Your mercy bring Your people to their knees
No one knows what we're for only against when we judge the wounded
What if we put down our signs crossed over the lines and loved like You did

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners
Open our eyes to world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks yours

You love every lost cause; you reach for the outcast
For the leper and the lame; they're the reason that You came
Lord I was that lost cause and I was the outcast
But you died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet

'Cause You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners
Open our eyes to world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks Yours

And I was the lost cause and I was the outcast
Yeah...
You died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet

Make Me Aware

http://youtu.be/PmqOotbnmL8

Cool song I heard coming home from church today.

Enjoy