Vancouver, how I love thee. Let me count the ways…

1. Strolling through the ravine behind my house and running into Steve and his friend at Choices Market.
2. Visiting with a friend on a lovely outdoor patio and having a perfect stranger politely interrupt the conversation to mention he loved my idea for a story I’m developing about my fear of strollers. “They’re like hummers!” he exclaimed in front of his construction worker buddy. Yes, yes they are.
3. Running into an old colleague of my mom’s (now with the VAG) strolling along Broadway, just as I got off the #99 bus. Book recommendations exchanged. (Stanley Park is now next on my list.)
4. Exploring Granville Island in fantastic company (Aurora!) and running into three friends over the course of an afternoon. Paper-ya indulgences were not avoided. Also, made a new friend at Edible BC and discovered Backyard Beans. 
5. Friday night BBQs. Especially steak. 
6. Getting a free frappuccino/Vivanno/latte every time I’ve visited my neighbourhood Starbucks in the last two weeks.
7. Having rad friends BRING US a Greek dinner!
8. Running into Vicky, giving her feedback on her new website and discovering I have a friend who is an upholstery expert (among many other things)! 
9. Visiting with amazing friends, namely: Jenn, Avital, Miranda, Anneli, Marisa, and Laura…
10. Enjoying complimentary tickets to The Stanley — Les Miserables, tomorrow night.  

I am terribly disappointed to have missed the make it fashion, art & design market. My very own slice of London on Vancouver soil! Did anyone make it? (pun intended)

I hope there’s another coming soon…

Any other recommendations? Portobello or otherwise?

She’s best known as a hip-hop and pop songstress, but tonight, Vancouver’s Kinnie Starr will be showing off her talents as a poet.

Starr will read from How I Learned To Run, her first book of poetry and drawings, which is described as “a contemplative look at love, history, sex and the complexities of being part Mohawk in a Canadian family that has yet to come to terms with its indigenous roots.”

Starr has been performing across Canada and around the globe since 1995. She is also the co-founder of Vancouver’s Aboriginal Music Lab, and teaches with Artstarts in schools.

Tonight’s reading is from 7:30-9:00 p.m. at the Vancouver Public Library’s Central Branch (350 W Georgia St.), and it’s free.

Or, if you can’t make it to the reading, you can check out poems from How I Learned To Run or order a copy here.

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From the CBC Radio 3 blog

I leave Toronto one week today. I can’t believe how fast it’s flown by. Just three months ago I was curled up in our condo cursing the cold and nursing my 24-hour ‘morning’ sickness. Today I am staring out at the sun-kissed waters of Lake Ontario filled with regret. I will miss this city and all its eccentricities — the buskers of St. Lawrence Market, Kensington’s nooks and crannies, Little India on Queen Street — where you’ll find us 3 out of 7 nights a week. I hope to share a few more ‘Signs of Hope’ from Toronto before we hop our plane next Wednesday. 

Priority number one, upon my return to Vancouver (April 18, after our trip across the pond) is hitting up Raw Canvas: a full-service paint-on-canvas art studio complete with wifi, lounge and fresh crema. 

I’m making plans and taking names. Who’s in?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

In partnership with No Shortcuts Design, boutique writing and editing company The Word Studio announces the launch of its website: www.thewordstudio.ca.

The Studio’s recent work includes:

• Feature Article: Celebrating British Columbia’s Unique Cultural Footprints in Canadian Museum Association’s MUSE Magazine, Nov/Dec 2008
• Book Launch, November 28^th: From out of the Flames (ImaginePublishing) edited by The Word Studio owner, Christina Crook
• Upcoming Writing Projects: with Global Peace Initiative, Absolute Leadership and Tourism New Westminster

Visit our blog at www.thewordstudiocanada.blogspot.com.

…..

My company website is LIVE at last!

Shane Claiborne, of the simple way (: a community of faith) is coming to the Lower Mainland this weekend. If you’re interested visit the Northview Church site for more info.

i think i cleared 40 hours this weekend.

friday and saturday marked the 7th annual bc student forum and it was, as always, an inspirational event for all involved. this year the forum hired me as their communications manager, so this weekend i was sporting my work cap (or more accurately: narcissist blazer, hylas and nymph slacks and 5inch heels.) the only potential hiccup this weekend was the mayor’s eta, but he rolled in smiling just as his bio was coming to a close. phew. success.

this year’s panelists included the influential: justice james turnbull, the controversial: tom williams, and the insightful: greg pennoyer, and the savvy: nicholas klassen: a wonderful mix leaving the students, facilitators and staff with much post-event-pondering. always an excellent sign.

then sunday morning i rolled out of bed to hit a monday deadline. wrote straight from 9am to 10:30pm, save for a short jaunt through the new neighbourhood with my wonderful hubby. i don’t know how he puts up with my schedule right now, but i sure love him for it.

current mood: ready for a weekend.