I still run religiously, and I love every bit of the footstep-pounding-on-the-pavement action. I still intend to partake in future races. But the timing of the TC10k was completely inconvenient for me due to other major life events and changes. I probably should have hopped on here in the couple of weeks prior to the 10k race to divulge that bit of information. Sorry to keep you in the dark!

In recent weeks I’ve commenced a refreshing new career and met some incredible connections, among many other exciting things. More on that soon enough.

For now, back to life, as I leave you with a little video my new co-workers have tendency to throw on once in a while to lift spirits…

Along with the Surly Blonde- the office favourite- I personally am a big fan of Black Toque and Blue Buck (formerly, ‘Blue Truck’). Plus the seasonal Dirty Squirrel is a nice addition, when you can find it in stores for that very limited time.

Phillips Brewery Meets Pacific Shores Resort

This past November the co-workers and I went on an excursion up-island to Pacific Shores Resort & Spa, located near the Parksville area of east Vancouver Island.  That evening the resorts on-site restaurant, the Landing West Coast Grill, hosted a Brewmaster’s dinner.

A 7-course meal, each paired, as well as cooked with, a different Phillip’s beer.  From the hay clams steamed in IPA, to the Surly Blonde beer bread and finally the Chocolate Porter caramel sauce on the dessert, my senses were pretty elated from start to finish.

The success of the evening was due to the collective orchestration and efforts by the restaurant’s Dir. of Food and Beverages, Atilla Cimsit, and the Landing’s Ex. Chef, Andrew Howarth.  Also in attendance as guest of honour was the founder of Phillip’s Brewery, Matt Phillips, and a couple of his team to educate us on the history, and share tales of the beer naming processes.  (Apparently the Dirty Squirrel and Surly Blonde ales were originally reversed- Surly Squirrel and Dirty Blonde.)

Their award winning beers were matched faultlessly with the Landing’s unmarred creations utilizing fresh, local ingredients.  It was an educational and highly enjoyable evening, and I believe I can now safely call myself a Phillip’s beer advocate.

How do I feel at the end of the day?  Am I sad because I feel on my own?  No, I got by with a little help from my friends- clearly.  Not from the fab-four, though these friends could take on the similar title of fab-five with ease.  My co-workers are a dream team.  When I’m around them I feel, at times, unstoppable!  Batman-esque… I can tackle the day’s more difficult tasks with a BOFF! ZLONK! KAPOW!  Or a ridiculously large-tired motorcycle-ATV hybrid, Bat-Pod-like way of mowing the day’s hurdles down?  Who knows.  But we all had a great day at the ol’ work place.

In any case, accomplished a good mix of work and personal tasks, so I’m content.  I made a few more reservations for the impending European adventure.  Transportation to and from the airport is key.  We have to be there a minimum of 3 hours prior to departure.  From there, a brief stop-over in Calgary to pick-up some folks who pay too few taxes as well as rake in the dough- go figure, then straight to Frankfurt am Main.

I haven’t had the pleasure of experiencing true jet-lag just yet.  The vote on which direction gives you the worst case of it was pretty well split in the office.  Some said flying East boggles your brain more, while others claimed it’s heading back West that will drain and disorient the most.  We shall see how I fare!

Enough Euro-talk, and enough of this being awake deal… Tomorrow I’ve got to jet to Vancouver for a concert.  Radiohead @ UBC Thunderbird Stadium.  Should be unreal!

Much unlike the crow situation- when they turn all loud, scavenger-like and aggressive- the seagulls have their own annual practices happening on these rooftops you’re passing by regularly.  Quieter, calmer practices.  The art of making a family.  And I get to witness it first-hand at my work place.

Monday we arrived at work to find the seagull family (who for the last three+ years have made a home for themselves on our deck at the office) successfully hatched 2 out of their 3 eggs.  The third egg and the newborns were being diligently tended to by one of the parents, while the other sat atop a higher look-out point.  They’re very wise, these birds.  With their nest situated directly in a corner of the south-east wall of our deck, shaded during the day, protected at night.  It’s a money set-up, the gull equivalent to a pricey condo in the Aria or the Belvedere in what some are dubbing Victoria’s version of a “mini Yaletown.”

Tuesday morning we were gratified to see egg number three followed it’s siblings lead.  So as my co-worker (and avid outdoors-man) Lea pointed out- this is happening on thousands of rooftops all over the city.  Much like the blooming of the flower beds in our City of Gardens, they started a couple of months later than previous years.

It sure is cool to see it unfold, and unlike the crows these birds don’t take you for enemies if you’re trying to enjoy the sunny summer days out & about.  Ah, cheap humbling entertainment.

3 crates packed full o’ fresh lobster, 2 cousins on either Canadian coast to execute the plan, and 1 group of hungry co-workers getting together at the office = a feast to write home about.

Write home we did not (too much effort, highly time consuming), but I’m certain we made our gratitude known through muffled “thank you’s” whilst stuffing mini two-pronged fork-fulls of delectable lobster in our mouths.

If I had to choose but one picture to sum it up? That one will do it justice, I’m certain!

Europe Planning

Though not on this continent, some notable concert news has come up recently.

Pennywise will be in Amsterdam on September 7th ’08, playing a show at the Melkweg Venue. I just happen to have the ‘Amsterdam’ part of this September’s European adventure slated to take place at that time; we’re most likely getting tickets.

By that time I’ll be half way across the world and seeing concerts will be feasible once again, considering in order to fund said trip I will find myself in the audience of only two shows this summer: Iron Maiden next week, and Radiohead in August.

But there are a plethora of inexpensive (often free!) diverse cultural/music/heritage, and all-around artsy events in Victoria to look forward to while I am situated here over the summer months.

Ah, the beauty of life in a tourism-driven community. Can’t complain, can… not… complain.