going out

I have fallen in love. There is much debate over whether this vodka is a hoax or not, but here is proof that it is real: 

Upon much research I have found a few places (sold out mind you) that you can buy this vodka from. I’ve also put myself on some waiting lists. Out of selfishness I don’t want to post these sites, but I think I might. Being that I was only today forwarded to the Crystal Head Vodka site I’m going to wait until tomorrow to see if the “sold out” date (that is supposed to end today) is still sold out…I will keep you posted!

Last week Friday Ashley, Dave and I packed up and hit the road to Seattle to see my good friend Steve Byrne preform at Giggles in the U-District of Seattle. Steve did a great job at managing the crowd and his set had us all cracking up a lot. Afterwards we all went out to a couple of places and had way too many shots amongst other things. One thing that I learnt that does not mix is ostrich feather dusters and drunk girls.

The next day we drove home (after stopping at one of my favorite malls first, Alderwood Mall).

Sunday, I can’t even remember what we did.

Monday we went into Vancouver and took the kids on the Halloween Train in Stanley Park. This is where Jett got the idea in his head that he wanted to be a mermaid for Halloween - and so he was.

Wednesday after work we drove into Vancouver to The Farm so Dave could re-record some bass he did for Soul Side In on their song Seventeen. He had added his own twist to it, making the song sound so much more amazing, but unfortunately the band and management has ‘demonitis’ and Dave had to basically dumb down the bass and record it again in its original format.

Thursday morning bright and early we went and picked up Dallas and headed for the airport - we were Winnipeg bound! Default had an arena show with The Waking Eyes, Mobile, The Watchmen and Papa Roach. It was a really fun show. It was just retarded that our “all access” passes didn’t mean jack during Papa Roach’s performance.

Friday I worked from downtown and then after we hit Falconetti’s on Commercial where I won a free beer for picking a random Canucks player (if he scored, I got a free drink). Thank you Bernier! After that we got ready at Mike and Josie’s then headed over to Dave & Carmelina’s place for a little party. After some major laughs there we headed over to The Penthouse to watch Kill Rhythm play.

Saturday morning we packed up and headed back to Abbotsford in order to make load in time for the trip up to Penticton. Dallas, Jeremy, Dave and I drove up in a sweet cheap rental car (Danny & Jay took a one ton up with the equipment). Default had a show with Soul Side In opening for them at The Barking Parrot at the Lakeshore Resort & Casino in Penticton.

Sunday we drove back down to Abbotsford and after Dave and I stopped at his place to change his shirt we went over to my place for a big family gathering with awesome food to celebrate my mom’s 59th birthday (in my eyes she hasn’t aged since she turned 45).

After dinner I flew out of the Abbotsford airport to Calgary where I now find myself completely sleepless. My alarm is set to go off in just over 4 hours in hopes that I will actually go and swim some laps or work out before starting my day of work here.

Happy Monday readers!

C

On Saturday I had the pleasure of meeting the majority of the band at Kent’s birthday celebration.  Tonight Dave and I are going to Plaza to see the boys play.

At Kent’s birthday we got to hear some songs the boys laid down in L.A. and I am SUPER excited to see Like A Storm play.

Will fill you all in tomorrow about how the show went and hopefully post some pictures as well.

This week has gone fast, but man I could not welcome Friday any sooner.  Very interesting week here in Vancouver…  From being accused of being a police officer, to hanging out with an actual pimp, seeing people I met 8 years ago to running into old friends randomly again the next night (and I mean someone who moved to LA who was business partners with my old best friend from 6 years ago).

I do not miss downtown – that much can be said.  The past two nights is proof that you can go away for awhile (IE not hit the Granville strip or simply go to nightspots) and when you do go back it’s always still going to be the same people.  The people who essentially were raised and grew on that strip, who’ve made a “name” for themselves…

This weekend I’m going to do nothing but relax, except for at 10:30am on Saturday when I go to see my trainer and get my ass kicked in a way that feels oh-so good!  Oh, and for those of you that know me you know how small the world is to me.  Turns out this “pimp” I was with on Wednesday also coaches football in Abbotsford and my trainer is their defensive coach assistant or something.  Can’t wait to trip Sheldon out with this story. 

I was really looking forward to Thursday night.  It just felt like greatness was going to happen. 

I had gotten into town a bit early and went to Rodney’s to meet up with Louis and crew.  Turned out Alisha was there and Louis didn’t tell me because it was going to be a surprise.  It was really great seeing her!  I forgot how amazing of a soul she is and just nice and fun.  From Rodney’s we went to Glowbal and had some more drinks and snacks.  Cynthia came and met up with us at Glowbal before we took off to Celebrities for the fashion show.

At Celebrities there was “Fashion House” put on by Kid & Daab – a fashion show showcasing Ed Hardy, Affliction, Sinful and Buffalo.  We waited forever for it to begin (typical Vancouver fashion) and when it did I must say I was disappointed.  We had primo viewing in the VIP section behind the DJ booth and could see everything.  The models looked so unprofessional.  It seemed like there was a lot of tension backstage, frustration – maybe no trust in the stylists or makeup artists, because when they came out they all seemed awkward.  No one gave it.  Not even, disappointingly, Jesse who is a pro at this kind of thing. 

After the fashion show we left (ran into Melany and Ryan so if I knew what was best for me I needed to hightail it out of there).  We ended up meeting this guy who I will refer to as Crazy-Langley-Guy as I don’t even know if he told me his name at all…  He was so cocky and crazy and pretty well wasted.  He said, “We’re going to the Roxy now, going to hang out with Chad Kroeger and Tom from Hedley.”  Now what Crazy-Langley-Guy didn’t know is that I had been texting with my good friend Todd who works on CFOX and hosted what has to have been one of the craziest Rock Report’s ever that day (how often do people spray hairspray on their ball-sack and light it on fire on the radio?) and Todd told me they were all at Republic.  So we get to the Roxy and the doorman tells us they aren’t there yet.  So then we go to Republic and go upstairs and meet them in the VIP.  Tom was right by the rope and Crazy-Langley-Guy introduced us.  Then Chad Kroeger came up to us and shook our hands and then said, “Let’s all get wasted!” and soon after that we picked up and went to the Roxy and hung out in the back room. 

The Roxy is like a college house party – that’s the vibe.  Chilling in the backroom with Chad Kroeger, some Default members and the guys from Hinder.  I’m sure there were other mentionable people there also but I don’t know who any of these guys are to tell you the truth.  I saw Matt again there, he lives in Abbotsford and he remembered meeting me last time also.  He was pretty drunk and said we needed to exchange numbers before the night was over – we didn’t.  At one point he brought Chad over to me almost like a, “See, look at her” and Chad looks at me and says to him, “Ya she’s really hot!”  I ended up meeting a pretty solid dude named Dave who lives in Mission (20 min from my house, not even) so we chatted and got to know each other pretty well.  He plays bass in Default.  Cynthia ended up cutting out early and I kept on drinking water.  That must have been the first time I’ve ever been sober at the Roxy – normally I can barely remember leaving let alone remember how I got home.  Ended up going to an after party in Kits with Dave, J (their drum tech) and some other guy I think his name was Ryan…  Jeremy ended up arriving with some girl as I left.  I said no to the adult candy that was presented also.  Overall a pretty proud night for myself…

I had such a great night last night.  It’s nice being able to go out and not get drunk and have smart conversations with like-minded people.

I am so excited for Kid & Daab’s Fashion Show this Thursday at Celebrities!  Ed Hardy, Affliction, Sinful and Buffalo will all be showcased.  It’s been awhile since I’ve gone out, and I’m so happy that Fashion Show season has started again with these boys!  With name on guestlist and VIP passes awaiting I am extremely excited.  Especially since my outfit is just going to rock so hard! 

Keep posted for pictures!  I finally charged two camera batteries so my pocket camera is back in action! (now my SLR is dead, need to charge and upload those fabulous photos also)NYC is coming up soon too - also excited for that! 

Today is a very sunny and beautiful day.  It almost feels as though everything is back to normal, whatever normal is.  I am half laying here listening to an amazing song that I’m sure the world will fall in love with; I have a very precious handsome dog laying beside me.  Sun is pouring in through the windows and reflecting off the concrete floor.  I find myself in this peaceful state of being that seems to have deserted me for some time until now.  Everything where I am right now just feel right, and I’m going to try and remember every aspect of how I feel right now to get me through the rainy days I know are looming ahead.

On another note, I don’t miss Vancouver at all.  And by Vancouver I mean the going out, the “scene” and the people belonging to that scene (give or take a handful that actually seem genuine).  Last night Cynthia and I went and checked out Wintersleep at the Commodore.  It was decent.  Cynthia is a huge fan of their first album, she said they don’t sound so good live and we both agreed that the sound check could have been better and the vocals were off.  We stayed until the end and left, making our way down Granville Street to perhaps check out Republic – our old stomping grounds.  After being invited to the head doorman’s birthday party on Wednesday and receiving complimentary cover passes we skipped the line and walked right in, well only to be waiting in another one where you have to get a stamp and check your coat (that is unless you are like my neighbor and his mini entourage, Tommy Europe, and get to walk through the “special” side, SO – Cynthia looks at me and says, “Want to forget about it?”  “If you want?” “This is so annoying, I don’t even think it’s worth it.”  “Well we should give the passes back to Tarquin then”  “Why?”  “Respect?  We’re not coming in; we don’t need them…  Don’t want to appear like we weren’t thankful for what he did?”  “Let’s just keep them”  “I don’t know, we should give them back…”  “You think?”  “Yea, and at least say ‘Thank You’.”  We exit through the “special” side and there is a crowd of people on the other sides of the ropes trying to get in, Tarquin is busy in one corner, Cynthia takes initiative and we sneak out the other side and slip into the Saturday night Granville Street crowd making our way over to Unwined to see Sabatino.  We walk into Unwined and the vibe is completely different, SO much better…  I am stopped on the way in and don’t even notice at first that it is Alfonso who has stopped me.  He’s holding onto my arms.  Then I realize it’s him and I give him a big hug and he hugs back, keeps squeezing my arms with a huge smile on his face asking how I have been doing and what have I been up to.  All smiles.  I thought to myself, I guess him and his girlfriend broke up.  He takes us to the bar and gets us vodka waters.  We tell him we’re going to go and say hi to our friend Sunny (a.k.a. Sanjin) and we go.  We are in the other corner talking to Sunny and all of a sudden I notice the familiar face of Alfonso’s girlfriend right in his face, she doesn’t look happy, he looks like he’s trying to explain.  I’m pretty sure she recognized me from pictures before they were dating (damn you facebook!).  Finally we find Sabatino, and he refills our drinks for us.  We stand there and chat a little.  Scott, Alfonso’s business partner, asks us if we need a drink.  “I have goose and water at the table” he says.  “We’re fine, thanks!” we answer back.  He asks me how I’ve been and what I’ve been up to, the usual, talk a  bit of shop (we both have set up public companies) and then he leaves.  Then another person whose name had escaped me but I remembered incredibly comes up and says to me, “You look familiar…” and I said, “I’m sorry, I forget your name, but yes we do know each other.  Remember Angela Rice?  And you were friends with Jason and him and I were sort of seeing each other ages ago?  Jenny Konkins friend…”  “Oh yea!  How are you!  What’s your name again?”  “Cynthia.”  “Joshua”  “That’s right!  Well this is my friend also named Cynthia, and this is my other friend Sabatino” he shakes their hand, seems awkward, and leaves.  “I can’t get over how many people this girl knows.  Everywhere we go she knows somebody.” Cynthia says laughing to Sabatino.  I guess it’s sort of true – but mind you this world is incredibly small.  Then again, how many people can run into their friends ex boyfriend who is from Australia outside the Tate Modern in London England?  Or on their first night out in London run into their biological mothers ex boyfriend?  Run into a person from Vancouver in Kampala, Uganda… the list goes on…

Our night ended with a walk down to Mega Bite pizza.  Cynthia dropped me off after she assured me she was good to drive and I crawled into bed probably sometime just before 2 a.m.

Oh yes, I nearly forgot to mention another great moment in the night.  Dinner.  We went to Italian Kitchen.  The chef took keen in our table and basically custom made our dinner for us.  We told him we were hungry.  So he started us with a caprese salad, and Kobe meatball to tie us over before our main course.  And what was the main course?  Delicious fire grilled steak, jumbo prawns, asparagus risotto and Atlantic lobster all in a vanilla butter sauce.  YUM!  Oh, and let us not forget dessert.  I’m not a fan of tiramisu, but this one was amazing.  Then there was also the chocolate concoction.  Everything was so good.  There was even this lemon sort of ice cream that wasn’t ice cream.  I swear after we each took a bite of it we looked at each other like our mouths had just orgasmed. 

Not a bad night, pretty sure it’s going to tie me over for a while.

I was browsing through a folder called “Archived Pictures” and I came across this old picture of me and who I call the first love of my life.  Even though technically I suppose Randy in the 11th grade was, but really, based on someone who still holds a very special place in my heart, it’d have to be Billy. 

 I first met Billy at an afterhours called “Triple 8″ when I was 17.  He took a five dollar bill and folded it into a ring for me (where the jewel would have been was where the five was) and he put it on my finger.  I had a huge crush on him instantly (of course he was the hottest asian I’ve ever seen and for those of you who know me know that I went through a huge asian faze in my younger years).  Billy and I lasted all of 3 months.  There was just too much of an age and maturity gap, maybe even a learning gap between us.  I didn’t know how old he was, but I knew he was much older than I. 

Two years go by and I find myself at a fashion show at Au Bar with the same girlfriend I had been at Triple 8 with (she’s a year younger than me).  I am recently heartbroken and say to my friend, “I want to find a guy like Billy.”  We both were under the impression that he had moved to Toronto.  All of a sudden I get this bear hug from behind and I hear a familiar voice, “That’s it!  My search is over!  You’re the girl for me!” (but picture that in a thicker Chinese accent) and I get spun around only to find out that it is Billy himself!  I was so happy.  We dated for another seven blissful months before he broke up with me saying that my parents would never accept him.  He started seeing another girl, last I heard they moved to the island and started a family.  I didn’t like her, she was a bitch, she wouldn’t let him talk to me… 

Miss you Billy Tong, where ever you are… 

For people who aren’t naturally blessed with the “skinny” gene why is it so important for some to be slim?

Boys will like me more if I’m skinny, I’ll be better accepted if I’m skinny, I’ll fit in more if I’m skinny, I will belong if I’m skinny… 

Some reasons girls think of… 

But if you want to be skinny for boys, what kind of boys are you going to find?  Boys who are into the physical fakeness of the human being?  Boys who will have you in a constant fear that they will go for the next “hot skinny thing *cough* blonde *cough*”

I’ll be better accepted if I’m skinny.  I’ll fit in more if I’m skinny.  I will belong if I’m skinny.  Better accepted by whom?  Fit in with who?  Belong with who?  People who are so superficial that you need to be a size 2 to be “in” with them?  Are these really people you want to be trying to please?

So after asking these questions (which were inspired by reading some words in a sketch that say, “being skinny and partying always wins”) I wonder what the true point of my last few days of crazed healthy eating and exercising that makes my lungs feel like they are collapsed when I lay down is…  “I want to be healthy” I tell myself, “I want to fit into those jeans again” I tell myself, “I’ll find love…” ???  So what is wrong with doing exercise in moderation?  That IS what being healthy is about, no?  Why do I want to look and feel a certain way before the weekend?  For the strange dinner that’s going to take place between 4 people on Thursday?  For Mary Anne’s birthday on Saturday?  Why do I have to lose it quick (so far 5 lbs and 2.5 inches off the waist in the last couple days). 

Are these the thoughts of a girl who wants to give up and find any excuse?  Or is it the truth?