tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91583546131959210372024-03-10T20:23:15.736-07:00Vancouver: A Local's PerspectiveRobynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08571315175379688615noreply@blogger.comBlogger240125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158354613195921037.post-25794231963466774042012-08-28T13:01:00.002-07:002012-08-28T13:02:40.327-07:00New blog!For those of you who still lurk around on this blog, I'm happy to announce that I've started up a new blog under my own domain: <a href="http://bcrobyn.com/"><b>bcrobyn.com</b></a><br />
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I'll still keep this blog around, but have decided to start fresh on the new site.<br />
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See you there!Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08571315175379688615noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158354613195921037.post-51446047237909691922011-07-07T17:53:00.000-07:002011-07-07T17:53:20.758-07:00Kale & Nori's West Coast Recipe SeriesPhotos from last Thursday's Kale & Nori event at the BC Liquor Store on Bute and Alberni. Thanks to Lauren Mote and Jonathan Chovancek for your tasty treats and sumptuous cocktails. Details will come shortly:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08571315175379688615noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158354613195921037.post-28130201641585724022011-06-25T13:19:00.000-07:002011-06-25T13:28:03.570-07:00Cheaper Show 10<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhzUiYXx6Fob9RT4bKkRbayKrGLPt9jab1A8TmuxziWedWmdAgHYvbfAEEr2LRaPVTOK908ru4P17-ntObUctrJ3OgHQTbQzHy5Dj9-9ofZ0ThwNM7Z0wnZfSPpV2V0BvrysdeL390GM/s1600/IMG_5185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhzUiYXx6Fob9RT4bKkRbayKrGLPt9jab1A8TmuxziWedWmdAgHYvbfAEEr2LRaPVTOK908ru4P17-ntObUctrJ3OgHQTbQzHy5Dj9-9ofZ0ThwNM7Z0wnZfSPpV2V0BvrysdeL390GM/s640/IMG_5185.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Last night was the preview of the Cheaper Show 10 at a temporary venue set up on the corner of Kingsway and Broadway, just across the street from Our Town Cafe. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Cheaper Show is an art show where every piece is selling for $200. It's a way for artists - local and international - to showcase their work, while also providing art lovers with a way to purchase art without going broke. It's also a bit of a who's who of the Vancouver art scene, as always.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I experienced the Cheaper Show for the first time last year when it was at Woodwards W2 building. I wasn't impressed much by what I saw last year, but I blame it partially on crashing it during its last half hour after having attended a wedding all evening. This year is a different story. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Nevertheless, if you intend to buy art, go early as most things sell within minutes of it opening. Most people however, I figure, just go to the Cheaper Show to see and be seen. So it goes.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">If you're going to the Cheaper Show tonight, here's a taste of what you can expect. Click on the photos to zoom right in to see them in all their detailed glory. You know you want to!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIIKnpHKiHdEsFYtuG0z4WWf9M0pqX1EQ1jdmbGTKnRrOibNiubpBuv_jCHTpKLRJkjiSkPWY23UT6Tiv9wRCEq6Sr8cvDf2iUOwvEtqS0MOjX8P_P38QdGWWgV8QoTjdghh6drQcvJY/s1600/IMG_5191.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08571315175379688615noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158354613195921037.post-1253691305423273482011-06-18T12:59:00.000-07:002011-06-18T12:59:22.896-07:00Coal Harbour<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHePTroOIeTKIMoTMX0xSs17rBAXeS3k1OVRaJlJQxY-5jM_3iVgiGWQt8xoowkVeul6f3XxcHmib-qoMAl4A6XfKFwNJqL_ytxJa-i7OX0NDu7j1UsjUNPCT6g-EHm9kFxyR9r15qneE/s1600/IMG_4027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHePTroOIeTKIMoTMX0xSs17rBAXeS3k1OVRaJlJQxY-5jM_3iVgiGWQt8xoowkVeul6f3XxcHmib-qoMAl4A6XfKFwNJqL_ytxJa-i7OX0NDu7j1UsjUNPCT6g-EHm9kFxyR9r15qneE/s400/IMG_4027.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I took this shot outside of the Vancouver Convention Centre last Saturday, June 11th after gorging myself with food from Eat Vancouver - a 3 day food & beverage convention. TBEX (Travel Blogger Exchange) was happening simultaneously. Hundreds of travel bloggers stormed the city but most (based on my travel blog snooping) rarely ventured beyond Coal Harbour, which is a shame, but at the same time... the view's nothing to scoff at.Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08571315175379688615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158354613195921037.post-69763344514382069992011-06-16T13:33:00.000-07:002011-06-16T13:33:04.611-07:00Full moon rising on June 15, 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0W3kOtDgLVgThu12JR_ebzOIMgSCFpRMHPZ5rDiclBKzyefAjm8cLCmKaXKxyvlCuqhbP2UcrZu4wUWOIzZxssJIWcnxkB8-w0051YhKIh0x4VSppeZBK2jghXWf5YZlCx-A6ZnuewY/s1600/IMG_4510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0W3kOtDgLVgThu12JR_ebzOIMgSCFpRMHPZ5rDiclBKzyefAjm8cLCmKaXKxyvlCuqhbP2UcrZu4wUWOIzZxssJIWcnxkB8-w0051YhKIh0x4VSppeZBK2jghXWf5YZlCx-A6ZnuewY/s400/IMG_4510.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
Overlooking Robson Street last night as the full moon rose after the Canucks lost the Stanley Cup.Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08571315175379688615noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158354613195921037.post-25199116916782180342011-05-21T17:24:00.000-07:002011-05-21T17:26:11.900-07:00Brewery Creek Beer Festival - USMy first trip to the Armoury aka: the Beatty Street Drill Hall was a week ago Friday for the Brewery Creek Beer Festival - US as a part of the Vancouver Craft Beer Week. Imagine 20 or so American breweries serving craft beer in a giant drill hall... that was my Friday:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihnhhXchD1m-XMRGOAp3NEfM6tTp16jlk8L0f5jUI_r8Fr2lSGiCMNGzopLhLWWkPplO2sFUy8PrfWup1hdHQ-XovlqFsFe-ZmWHzkJK71yty4FWPYQFaHnD3Wyo6IOnLytOrDNOOT1cc/s1600/IMG_2888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihnhhXchD1m-XMRGOAp3NEfM6tTp16jlk8L0f5jUI_r8Fr2lSGiCMNGzopLhLWWkPplO2sFUy8PrfWup1hdHQ-XovlqFsFe-ZmWHzkJK71yty4FWPYQFaHnD3Wyo6IOnLytOrDNOOT1cc/s400/IMG_2888.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The orange blossom ale was intriguing...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizosIzQB-1McFmpejsr8-BJEFk5oBUzybnVlDYI64Ph_fSr144eJT5Camu5bgw6eKnZX4AGE1T1Wf0FpMQEKmPSjvymUNWzs9K3IoUCWEnqBne2OMMnhmMlgq9DDTUt2P4KhHrPFkNhsA/s1600/IMG_2820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizosIzQB-1McFmpejsr8-BJEFk5oBUzybnVlDYI64Ph_fSr144eJT5Camu5bgw6eKnZX4AGE1T1Wf0FpMQEKmPSjvymUNWzs9K3IoUCWEnqBne2OMMnhmMlgq9DDTUt2P4KhHrPFkNhsA/s400/IMG_2820.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Kentucky bourbon barrel ale was delicious...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Re-up BBQ was there - they make amazing pulled pork sandwiches</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyXgK7b_esjgpAnJjc1EULw3IwrPWKzIUVpjmpD97a1w5_KyLV9ABtUgo2iveSyAaLYzCxc1k1Ovf9w4N2okiMllcPbgyIVFEHcUZ1nVtDVqunWLLWq74rG2V1-zD7IXeIhQgST6b6wqM/s1600/IMG_2902.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyXgK7b_esjgpAnJjc1EULw3IwrPWKzIUVpjmpD97a1w5_KyLV9ABtUgo2iveSyAaLYzCxc1k1Ovf9w4N2okiMllcPbgyIVFEHcUZ1nVtDVqunWLLWq74rG2V1-zD7IXeIhQgST6b6wqM/s400/IMG_2902.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I opted for a smokey made with craft beer... best decision of the night!</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div>Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08571315175379688615noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158354613195921037.post-9363346096224519652011-05-11T14:21:00.000-07:002011-05-11T14:21:08.704-07:00Belgian Beer Showcase at Biercraft for VCBW<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ytWnWFzYw2mqo2dDBf5KZW31nlsmPFyBlDLTvTxWbSGkqEpnTkbS1IR8fgAc0JeVdf_eMM1nOXk_omyAXb5Vgbn18oUGn_NF-hkfEqKSvVA8TP4IffsTK3obiVF7lxnj5qqW_Kl2I4Q/s1600/IMG_2427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ytWnWFzYw2mqo2dDBf5KZW31nlsmPFyBlDLTvTxWbSGkqEpnTkbS1IR8fgAc0JeVdf_eMM1nOXk_omyAXb5Vgbn18oUGn_NF-hkfEqKSvVA8TP4IffsTK3obiVF7lxnj5qqW_Kl2I4Q/s400/IMG_2427.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Vancouver Craft Beer Week is happening right now. I was fortunate enough to atttend the Belgian Beer Showcase at the Biercraft Bistro down the road from where I live. With over 40 Belgian beers available and unlimited opportunity to drink it (okay, I lasted from about 8-11pm)... if you love your Belgian beer, it was an event not to be missed!<br />
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</div>Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08571315175379688615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158354613195921037.post-78514301582916422452011-05-11T13:51:00.000-07:002011-05-17T12:31:35.488-07:00Killer Whales in Burrard InletWhere's the best place go whale watching in Vancouver?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2377/2238803834_2bf4152484.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruffles the patriarch orca of J-pod in the San Juan Islands, 2003.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Apparently Stanley Park!<br />
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A pod of orcas have been swimming around downtown Vancouver today, past Stanley Park, under the Lion's Gate bridge, and all the way over to Port Moody at the eastern-most end of Burrard Inlet.<br />
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What are they doing here?<br />
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Good question.<br />
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Just like that <a href="http://bcrobyn.blogspot.com/2010/05/grey-whale-in-false-creek.html" target="0">grey whale that swam into False Creek</a> practically a year ago today, it could mean that industrial Burrard Inlet's ecosystem is actually improving *or* perhaps it means that the food sources where they'd normally be hunting are diminishing. I'm actually thinking the former... and I'm also thinking, I'm no expert, it could be anything, really.<br />
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I used to work for a Steveston-based whale watch company for a summer back in 2003. There are 3 pods of residential orcas that are here from May until about October/November, but they typically stay within the Gulf Islands/San Juan Islands region, rarely venturing north of the mouth of the Fraser River. Seeing orcas even remotely close to downtown Vancouver is practically unheard of. <br />
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But these are apparently transients - not residential J-pod, K-pod, or L-pod. These orcas don't have regular travelling patterns or a seasonal home base. They go wherever they go. And unlike the residential orcas that feed off salmon, transients hunt seals. Having done a walk around the Stanley Park seawall the other week, I can vouch that Burrard Inlet sustains a very healthy population of harbour seals!<br />
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What does it mean?<br />
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I don't know... but I hope it's a sign of good things to come.Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08571315175379688615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158354613195921037.post-82363489388785472232011-05-11T01:08:00.000-07:002011-05-11T01:11:46.518-07:00The Waldorf Hotel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1cJKkgya_RiA7FAJlSqJLErryS4RmjQqN8DwBKxZHkiQVh2t1i_4k_L12Gk8fvZ1Eb99Fxzgzv_NB1tgo5VjQuvTCTbyrunA5zhbYf0O353HTXBTH2YMCTGRljUthniFo_USyZSTIgT8/s1600/IMG_1783.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1cJKkgya_RiA7FAJlSqJLErryS4RmjQqN8DwBKxZHkiQVh2t1i_4k_L12Gk8fvZ1Eb99Fxzgzv_NB1tgo5VjQuvTCTbyrunA5zhbYf0O353HTXBTH2YMCTGRljUthniFo_USyZSTIgT8/s640/IMG_1783.jpg" width="427" /></a></div><br />
The <i><a href="http://www.thisiseastvan.com/">This is East Van</a></i> book launch happened last Thursday at the Waldorf. We were going to check it out, but didn't feel like paying cover for an event we'd only stay at for 20 minutes... so we did a 180 and went straight to the Biltmore (where we were supposed to be, anyway) instead. Fortunately for us, the Thao and Mirah show was phenomenal. Openers Alex Guy and Sallie Ford and the Sound Outside were equally incredible. All in all, one of the better shows.<br />
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Read the review of the show on <a href="http://www.guttersnipenews.com/music/concert-reviews/thao-and-mirah-tour/" target="0">Guttersnipe</a>.Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08571315175379688615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158354613195921037.post-9919700284405003902011-05-11T00:58:00.000-07:002011-05-11T11:31:53.483-07:00Granville & Helmcken<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge5JxqWyrBVzW7hkbFPgK2wydWgfQJwrYRBbjFy_r5A9QkN_-z-wau0WY61RuCvvQVn6zZgjbg412OYn_r5qMcPfuO-UItHJO5A-fhoQpoDgjJbXShHtV5PSGZobZeKJck15QtQcrpAp8/s1600/IMG_8579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge5JxqWyrBVzW7hkbFPgK2wydWgfQJwrYRBbjFy_r5A9QkN_-z-wau0WY61RuCvvQVn6zZgjbg412OYn_r5qMcPfuO-UItHJO5A-fhoQpoDgjJbXShHtV5PSGZobZeKJck15QtQcrpAp8/s400/IMG_8579.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I figure if I can't commit to writing an eloquent blog post once a week, surely I can at least feature a recently-taken photo.<br />
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The above photo was taken on Granville Street in March. I was on my way to cover the Cocktail Kitchen event at the Refinery - one of those moments where, yes, I had a camera in hand. I guess it's not so rare these days.Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08571315175379688615noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158354613195921037.post-44875536922344116632011-04-20T10:23:00.000-07:002011-04-20T10:26:44.076-07:00Bake for the Quake!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCfh0VMthvAp7ftTQYVBSwbrKeAkMT_VZdbdwTSiZfdeNilDQnlF921rgGDTe2U-fWOSp23WQjPlBaAREUgUox5h_JqKAz05UcXkeCJAvoGg0VTa6nH99BvZhSux6pXXdiuMJUVy6QrCk/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-04-20+at+10.24.14+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCfh0VMthvAp7ftTQYVBSwbrKeAkMT_VZdbdwTSiZfdeNilDQnlF921rgGDTe2U-fWOSp23WQjPlBaAREUgUox5h_JqKAz05UcXkeCJAvoGg0VTa6nH99BvZhSux6pXXdiuMJUVy6QrCk/s400/Screen+shot+2011-04-20+at+10.24.14+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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I know there are a quite a few of you who live and work in Yaletown... or who can at least easily visit Yaletown on a whim.<br />
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Anyhow... for those of you who can make it to Yaletown this evening, the <a href="http://www.bakeforthequake.com/" target="0">Bake for the Quake</a> collaborative bake sale's happening at the Roundhouse Community Centre from 6pm until 8:30pm.<br />
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Two local food bloggers, Melody Fury of <a href="http://www.gourmetfury.com/" target="0">GourmetFury.com</a> and Joy of <a href="http://www.gourmeted.com/" target="0">Gourmeted.com</a> have organized this event as a fundraiser for Japan earthquake and tsunami relief. All proceeds will go to Doctors Without Borders.<br />
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Locals - food bloggers, bakeries, and those who just love to bake - are all participating and they're selling all kinds of tasty treats tonight.<br />
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Needless to say, I've got my tupperware containers ready to go and I'm going to hit the bank machine before I arrive. It'll be a great event, so I thought I'd pass this on to fellow sweet tooths.<br />
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p.s. Yes, it's 4/20, and I'm not sure if it's a coincidence or if this was strategic planning, but there you go!Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08571315175379688615noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158354613195921037.post-15265735898117176582011-04-12T11:17:00.000-07:002011-04-20T09:21:13.755-07:00And the winner is...<b>UPDATE: </b>Congrats to the winner of the contest: Candice Roach!<br />
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Writes MARKET at Jean-Georges:<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody">After much debate and consideration, The winner of dinner for 2 at MARKET by Jean-Georges and Game 2 Playoff Tickets is CANDICE ROACH (Twitter: @loveyourcake). We feel that your cupcakes best exemplified your love for food and the Vancouver Canucks. Congratulations Candice! Go Canucks!</span></span></i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihazgEcDsa4OvBvf85_JsviPmr985880rb-KE7Zr9HPBVCaOLrNcpOgD7GygPONW03L1ITKXdWue7dQDLo1WVIWb2HBZN124jxdH5ShPO-Ygp99UV9iC21ezoTKuK_z7njb6y4J6al-SQ/s1600/marketcanucks.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihazgEcDsa4OvBvf85_JsviPmr985880rb-KE7Zr9HPBVCaOLrNcpOgD7GygPONW03L1ITKXdWue7dQDLo1WVIWb2HBZN124jxdH5ShPO-Ygp99UV9iC21ezoTKuK_z7njb6y4J6al-SQ/s400/marketcanucks.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MARKET by Jean-Georges congratulating Candice.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
See a photo of Candice's amazing Canucks cupcakes <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/loveyourcake/3601408293/" target="0">here</a>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZeWLBFDUMjJmmdSUg51mAVD0rwiPWD9dNcfXenzcC6_QprT19QEA12Tm0osY0vVTBp1tAEHAwa8NNhvE50HZAnOP7FlFjpLjBlGe6yIYXzea54AYlC09p6fe7JzbhhwcB8GjCQ-Uztg0/s1600/IMG_4360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZeWLBFDUMjJmmdSUg51mAVD0rwiPWD9dNcfXenzcC6_QprT19QEA12Tm0osY0vVTBp1tAEHAwa8NNhvE50HZAnOP7FlFjpLjBlGe6yIYXzea54AYlC09p6fe7JzbhhwcB8GjCQ-Uztg0/s640/IMG_4360.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Vancouver Canucks this past December</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
Are you a foodie <i>and</i> a Canucks fan?<br />
<br />
If so, you'll definitely want to enter this contest.<br />
<br />
As anyone in Vancouver knows, this has been a landmark year for the Vancouver Canucks; they’ve celebrated their 40th anniversary, the first President’s trophy in franchise history, and Canucks fever is officially taking over the city.<br />
<br />
To help you, the fans celebrate, <b><a href="http://www.marketbyjgvancouver.com/" target="0">MARKET by Jean-Georges</a></b> is launching a fun and free Twitter/Facebook contest to give away a <b>Dinner for 2 at MARKET by Jean-Georges</b> and a <b>pair of first round playoff tickets</b> to their fans.<br />
<br />
Being that it’s the hottest ticket in town, they're going to make you work just a little bit for your chance to take home the prize!<br />
<br />
You’ ll have to do <i>all</i> of the following to enter:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Step 1:</b> Re-Tweet this: </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I’m in the MARKET for #Vancouver #Canucks playoff tix with @MARKETjg_Van from <a href="http://bit.ly/e7cCCQ" target="0">http://bit.ly/e7cCCQ</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Step 2:</b> Go to their Facebook Page: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/MarketbyJeanGeorgesVancouver" target="0">www.facebook.com/MarketbyJeanGeorgesVancouver</a> and tell them why you’re the biggest Canucks fan in Vancouver along with your favourite pre-game meal ritual.</span><br />
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For contest updates, follow <a href="http://www.twitter.com/@Marketjg_van" target="0">@MARKETjg_Van</a><br />
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MARKET by Jean-Georges will then look through all of the re-tweets and read all of your responses then select the one that they think best expresses your love for food and the Vancouver Canucks.<br />
<br />
Hint: they want you be as creative as possible. They love photos, videos and even the odd haiku... although (and I quote) "those who mention deep dish pizza will immediately be disqualified"... guess they really are trying to seek out the foodie Canucks fans. The winner will be announced on a video that will be posted on their Facebook page.<br />
<br />
* Contest runs until: Friday April 15 at 1:00 pm<br />
* Contest open to residents of the Lower Mainland only.Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08571315175379688615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158354613195921037.post-30023565270109724352011-04-06T11:15:00.000-07:002011-04-06T11:19:31.001-07:00Happy 125th Birthday Vancouver<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGc2-qWqfuKW67MdvIrBp_T0qNZu7k-bvvmIatrpOmBhzBXAhtUtmZpgMvlM09mZdkfPNirkinSw2F5Er0pOsPfFlMJLO84Aomq89zSVowTJ43VEdGmGGgAtaFtxnpLpY_R3jwXZewXc/s1600/IMG_9555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGc2-qWqfuKW67MdvIrBp_T0qNZu7k-bvvmIatrpOmBhzBXAhtUtmZpgMvlM09mZdkfPNirkinSw2F5Er0pOsPfFlMJLO84Aomq89zSVowTJ43VEdGmGGgAtaFtxnpLpY_R3jwXZewXc/s640/IMG_9555.jpg" width="427" /></a></div><br />
You're a gorgeous city, and it's a gorgeous day. What more could you want?Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08571315175379688615noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158354613195921037.post-52938822356183037732011-04-01T17:58:00.000-07:002011-04-01T17:59:28.306-07:00604 PulseIf you're wondering why I haven't been posting much on here anymore, it's because as of last month I've been busy at work compiling, curating, producing, and ultimately publishing a new blog for one of our clients, the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains tourism region. <br />
<br />
Just a recap, but Vancouver Coast & Mountains (VCM) is a massive region spanning all of Vancouver, the whole Lower Mainland, the Fraser Valley and the Fraser Canyon, the Sea to Sky corridor - including the entire Duffy Lake Road area - and the Sunshine Coast. <br />
<br />
The blog is called <a href="http://www.604pulse.com/" target="0">604 Pulse</a>:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2rXWczbXJKFVS54b3hCsATMKqUDn7-9qqPS9eWilSBl-evcL9UR85Qr8BFkt415rbf1gQpMhsF8DbcsE4tUZQ53ODcPQCc0iyH8FkgGpb9iTG0v7t_cJZ_od_oqPvpD6bTr-jF6Six8/s1600/604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2rXWczbXJKFVS54b3hCsATMKqUDn7-9qqPS9eWilSBl-evcL9UR85Qr8BFkt415rbf1gQpMhsF8DbcsE4tUZQ53ODcPQCc0iyH8FkgGpb9iTG0v7t_cJZ_od_oqPvpD6bTr-jF6Six8/s400/604.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The idea is to get people (i.e.: you!) inspired to explore the region - not just our own neighbourhood - but to get out and visit places that are often within an hour or two drive away.<br />
<br />
Yes, I guess it's true. I have my dream job!<br />
<br />
Monday I post "Weekday Activities" - cool things you can do during the week.<br />
<br />
Tuesdays I post "Family Activities" - family-friendly activities you can experience.<br />
<br />
Wednesdays are the "Outdoor Activities" post where I detail outdoor excursions that often revolve around hiking, bird-watching, winter sports, or simply window shopping.<br />
<br />
Thursdays revolve around "Indoor Activities" - museums, galleries, restaurants, markets, and other places with a roof over top.<br />
<br />
Fridays are fun with "Hidden Secrets" - highlighting the lesser known gems that maybe the locals know, but the general populace does not.<br />
<br />
The idea is, I'm scouring the internet to find what other people are saying about these places, these experiences. I'm not writing why *I* think it's cool - I'm finding why fellow bloggers like it, and I'm passing it along. <br />
<br />
Needless to say, check it out: <a href="http://www.604pulse.com/" target="0">www.604pulse.com</a><br />
<br />
Follow me on Twitter and humour me: <a href="Http://www.twitter.com/604pulse" target="0">@604pulse</a>.<br />
<br />
And please, please, please... if you have suggestions for content, let me know. Feedback's greatly appreciated. :)Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08571315175379688615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158354613195921037.post-81912323411926710312011-03-31T09:36:00.000-07:002011-03-31T09:36:18.050-07:00Granville Street<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7dCkCFkkuXSDC2jnfytBIaI9K6RGQYPeFwIxyJL4eMUhYsmXm3km7tEGrkN-vwoSsjpV8WxFX8BkJgZCnxJCgCZ0_Wn8Hv6AEpP-QljiXM2YNVN7OZWkKdM8-ML8Ehn9kLdAdwal_l8o/s1600/IMG_8579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7dCkCFkkuXSDC2jnfytBIaI9K6RGQYPeFwIxyJL4eMUhYsmXm3km7tEGrkN-vwoSsjpV8WxFX8BkJgZCnxJCgCZ0_Wn8Hv6AEpP-QljiXM2YNVN7OZWkKdM8-ML8Ehn9kLdAdwal_l8o/s400/IMG_8579.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08571315175379688615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158354613195921037.post-26170966252853331362011-03-27T19:19:00.000-07:002011-03-27T19:30:36.909-07:00Cherry blossoms<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3GbDzsUMfWxmedL9YVksnMTFDWi8WHGsN6s2oDBS62udDUAsvF5RqQ_mYXtBAmlSZqGrlSv0tXhy1wbPEFFxxb7oabXfj6ElYBvjEImllXW1SZvEvBjVBJwsqfIIW1yXPcPyv_HCXk5k/s1600/IMG_8798.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3GbDzsUMfWxmedL9YVksnMTFDWi8WHGsN6s2oDBS62udDUAsvF5RqQ_mYXtBAmlSZqGrlSv0tXhy1wbPEFFxxb7oabXfj6ElYBvjEImllXW1SZvEvBjVBJwsqfIIW1yXPcPyv_HCXk5k/s400/IMG_8798.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Japanese plum blossoms outside my parent's house</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Right now - this very week, even - is my favourite time of the year.<br />
<br />
I blame it on the cherry blossoms.<br />
<br />
There's something, almost like a pheromone, that gets released into the air when the cherry blossoms are in bloom, and it speaks to me at some sort of primal level, and all I want to do is go outside and bask in the gorgeousness of spring flowers. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWCLP54isj5PKZapXTr9qVjcGXEe5kpqBbOnFuhCw02cQTanirm-iNQPbXNAtSrv-ZpDryXUCKyDln9FYHbGDNjqc5uIX5uqP9wOGf64sDLqs8srxYOC09T08lktAoXii6IqL-zqKc0A/s1600/IMG_8800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWCLP54isj5PKZapXTr9qVjcGXEe5kpqBbOnFuhCw02cQTanirm-iNQPbXNAtSrv-ZpDryXUCKyDln9FYHbGDNjqc5uIX5uqP9wOGf64sDLqs8srxYOC09T08lktAoXii6IqL-zqKc0A/s400/IMG_8800.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Perhaps it's also the Daylight Savings Time taking into effect - it's 6:15pm right now and yet the sky's light and it feels like sunset's hours away - a feeling that screams summer's coming right up and the winter of a few weeks ago is a long forgotten memory. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPWSdPrBfadfwPnocE9BudcVDxsrcwv7BB9Db3qcYGn4EW6Sdms4T1ftFYnJ0iJfH7-qhVrgn8vjoMpy-1qH8tKG1y1R4G4ieKjpkmxGs_0sx6JnQSdFkPFUOO-a6pBbnBEMFEJ_8GtQ/s1600/IMG_8813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPWSdPrBfadfwPnocE9BudcVDxsrcwv7BB9Db3qcYGn4EW6Sdms4T1ftFYnJ0iJfH7-qhVrgn8vjoMpy-1qH8tKG1y1R4G4ieKjpkmxGs_0sx6JnQSdFkPFUOO-a6pBbnBEMFEJ_8GtQ/s400/IMG_8813.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
On Thursday I entered a Twitter contest being held by the City of Vancouver in promotion of the upcoming <a href="http://www.vcbf.ca/" target="0">Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival</a>, and found out a few hours that I had won the prize: a book called Ornamental Cherries in Vancouver.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-TEcjiN0qgur8IpEIgMsRof6AdOc_YvPLQe7COBgRBvbGI80qqvymbWlNvy1opZ2lFtIgBYLske5_nSToxO88vnwwcwv5_jIxQY-Y_s9-dfZxyRKtlJY6g9yXBTpKGa7MRtWbq3qkkWM/s1600/ornamental.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-TEcjiN0qgur8IpEIgMsRof6AdOc_YvPLQe7COBgRBvbGI80qqvymbWlNvy1opZ2lFtIgBYLske5_nSToxO88vnwwcwv5_jIxQY-Y_s9-dfZxyRKtlJY6g9yXBTpKGa7MRtWbq3qkkWM/s400/ornamental.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><br />
The book features all the species of ornamental cherry tree in Vancouver - its history, how to recognize it, etc. I picked it up from City Hall on Friday afternoon and as geeky as it is, I'm proud to have it in my ever-growing collection of Vancouver books.Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08571315175379688615noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158354613195921037.post-12371725105336128512011-03-21T20:47:00.000-07:002011-03-22T11:17:56.973-07:00My Unusual Night at the Planetarium<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ngAYTdvE1ymb0it0M69roQRuqt4FBY4zEeUnzw3SZ6c9WnmKFR37Kti5qOk_vkeH-vIJeB5y7PWACvX3M_cDgVRt9KR6eCRAC1x04ZnRktlA_AQUrEL2QuFTD-OujeJnsNZ3nTWIlWM/s1600/IMG_7819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ngAYTdvE1ymb0it0M69roQRuqt4FBY4zEeUnzw3SZ6c9WnmKFR37Kti5qOk_vkeH-vIJeB5y7PWACvX3M_cDgVRt9KR6eCRAC1x04ZnRktlA_AQUrEL2QuFTD-OujeJnsNZ3nTWIlWM/s400/IMG_7819.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The H.R. MacMillan Space Centre aka: the Planetarium</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
When I was invited to attend </span><b><a href="http://lotusdestiny.com/awakening-to-the-universe-within/" target="0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Awakening the Universe Within</span></a></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> at the </span><a href="http://www.spacecentre.ca/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">H.R. MacMillan Space Centre</span></a> last month, I knew that it wasn't going to be your typical night at the Planetarium - a venue perhaps better known for its Pink Floyd lazer shows.<br />
<br />
But I've always been a fan of Vancouver's MacMillan Space Centre and astronomy in general. Despite pursuing an arts degree, my highest marks were always in UBC's astronomy classes. One of my most memorable vacations was at the <a href="http://www.jacknewton.com/canada.htm" target="0">Observatory B&B</a> in Osoyoos, and I probably own more Carl Sagan books than I care to admit. Sure, I might not have known what it meant to "awaken the universe within", but I was open-minded and was more than willing to find out.<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The first sign that I was in for something different was when I read the following introduction on the official event </span><a href="http://lotusdestiny.com/awakening-to-the-universe-within/" target="0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">website</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">:</span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"></div><blockquote><div style="margin: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Calling all</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span style="border-width: 0px; margin: 0px; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> healers, conscious energy workers, yogi’s, holistic health care practitioners and everyone on the path of higher consciousness.</span></i></span></span></div></blockquote><div style="margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span style="border-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Having only</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://bcrobyn.blogspot.com/2010/11/yoga-vancouver-cliche.html" target="0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">tried yoga</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">for the first time a few months prior, this was definitely new territory for yours truly. But it was also new to everyone else</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span style="border-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">. You see, this event </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">would be the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">world's <i>first</i> star activation DJ event. </span></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The event </span></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">would be showcasing Sacred Geometric Patterns (called "Star Activations") created by artist and healer</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://lotusdestiny.com/" target="0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Baljit Rayat</span></a></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">, accompanied by music and sound by Soundscape Producer </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.ascendedthoughts.com/" target="0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Derrick Bauman</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;">Needless to say, I still had absolutely no idea what to expect. Would this be a concert? Would this be therapy? Some of my more cynical friends snickered at me for agreeing to go at all, but I was sincerely curious. All I knew was that I would be led through Baljit's Star Activation Healing Method which will be accompanied by Derrick's enchanted, ambient soundscapes - soundscapes of singing bowls, tuning forks, electronic instruments and planetary recordings. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I then thought, w</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">ould it be weird going alone? Would I know anybody there? Would I stick out like a sore thumb? Would it be obvious I wasn't one of</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> them? </span></i></span>In my wildest imagination I had envisioned a <a href="http://www.shambhalamusicfestival.com/">Shambhala</a> trance-like techno party taking place under a dome of stars while wild psychedelic images pulsated in time above.<br />
<br />
I couldn't have been more off.<br />
<br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAma60oXHdSFZu_TDoiu5FUV06jJn6-5coWhn8GOee90axU-Wl_UpLWhtpbVj0L4DeibFItAC37hS7P6VuaGdmQjODrkLhCAEvpex3fjkKaaK6_ev8o7HCKANDazD_Lc7PusccVpcRkU/s1600/IMG_7807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAma60oXHdSFZu_TDoiu5FUV06jJn6-5coWhn8GOee90axU-Wl_UpLWhtpbVj0L4DeibFItAC37hS7P6VuaGdmQjODrkLhCAEvpex3fjkKaaK6_ev8o7HCKANDazD_Lc7PusccVpcRkU/s400/IMG_7807.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;">The audience gets settled in their seats before the show.</div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
When the lights dimmed, both Baljit Rayat and Derrick Bauman were introduced.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;">Baljit started off with an interesting anecdote. She said that she used to work at an architectural firm and one day found herself playing with the AutoCAD software inexplicably creating unique shapes and patterns. A </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;">colleague who had been observing asked what she was doing, and Baljit simply responded, "I don't know". She didn't know what motivated her to create these images, but she could sense their energy and continued</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"> creating what she would later learn to be Sacred Geometry, or Star Activations.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszFpRkQ9jo-UJJKMLx7LiVuHvz12sb_HSqfK3k37z2ETQAC2DIwo1Oe5hbSAae85dawQb1U1NT_s2U3vT7vS4xm8D9ENrXiMJ1cnTimlnh0f3yicMReQJxWeGG7oISonV0gDN1V7s5ds/s1600/IMG_7814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszFpRkQ9jo-UJJKMLx7LiVuHvz12sb_HSqfK3k37z2ETQAC2DIwo1Oe5hbSAae85dawQb1U1NT_s2U3vT7vS4xm8D9ENrXiMJ1cnTimlnh0f3yicMReQJxWeGG7oISonV0gDN1V7s5ds/s400/IMG_7814.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div></div></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;">Baljit Rayat and Derrick Bauman</div></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Baljit describes Star Activations to be "similar to those that you would see in crop circles, but instead of having to be in a plane over corn fields to feel the energy of those designs, Iʼve created my own system of sharing sacred geometry shapes for the purpose of healing on an energetic or physiological level.”<br />
<br />
She explains the concept in more depth on her <a HREF="http://lotusdestiny.com/healing-services/" TARGET="0">website</A>:<br />
<br />
"Sacred Geometry are Universal patterns of geometric shapes that carry a high vibration. They are a make up of our DNA strands and our Reality. I discovered through communicating with my higher dimensional guides that the sacred geometry that I have been channeling are called “Star Activations”. The “Star” comes from the Sacred Geometry acting as a STARgate channel that sends a Powerful vortex of Light Energy connecting to the Universal and Cosmic Truth to Your “I AM” vibration. This assists in removing karma, old programming that is no longer serving your Soul’s Mission, and fear based emotions healing on all levels of your bodies balancing the Divine Masculine energy and the Divine Feminine energy within YOU."<br />
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Don't worry if that makes little sense. What I took away from the night was that she uses her Star Activations and healing powers to help us fulfill our goals as creative individuals.<br />
<br />
Derrick, a local audio producer, then explained that this was the first time his soundscapes would be set to Baljit's Star Activations. He intuitively created soundscapes that suited the distinctiveness of each Star Activation. Sure, we were guinea pigs for the night, so to speak, but we were ready to experience it. The lights and stars dimmed, and the first Star Activation faded into existence.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyG8CKSKSaq7Dawiuq6S8v6Fc7j-yesz36HJnEu8K4GGSDJIEAIlpyw5VmrT5NYzYKMrYbkW2psEDl8auNH5eTRWJ4kEd3PvYS0vtq_rrhlq3je3-mq6OWvbRzJ9-cXWhB5fwPrqA8U7Q/s1600/IMG_7817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyG8CKSKSaq7Dawiuq6S8v6Fc7j-yesz36HJnEu8K4GGSDJIEAIlpyw5VmrT5NYzYKMrYbkW2psEDl8auNH5eTRWJ4kEd3PvYS0vtq_rrhlq3je3-mq6OWvbRzJ9-cXWhB5fwPrqA8U7Q/s400/IMG_7817.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;">The first star activation of the night.</div></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>The entire room was quiet and an ambient bell - a Himalayan Bowl - started to resonate in the background.<br />
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The Star Activation rotated counterclockwise ever so slightly and there were subtle animations running up and down the strands like electrons following an orbit. It was incredibly soothing to look at, almost hypnotic.<br />
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I remember thinking, "How did she <i>make</i> that?" which led to me thinking, "I shouldn't be thinking about this right now". At least I wasn't snoring, like the man behind me! But I couldn't really fault him - it was all very comforting and relaxing.<br />
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Each Star Activation was on the screen for several minutes - some looking simplistic, some looking tribal, others organic and cell-like, and others completely alien. Some were incredibly complex and I found myself transfixed by the whole experience.<br />
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The soundscapes were indeed that - ambient sounds - each suited the Star Activation perfectly. I remember at one point of the night being reminded of Johnny Greenwood's Bodysong. Nevertheless, I loved what I was hearing and the mood that it was creating.<br />
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Baljit's voice - confident yet soothing - announced the name and purpose of the Star Activation and called upon universal energies, her voice almost chanting at times. It was my first experience with such a healer. It was quite powerful to experience<br />
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Thankfully this wasn't at all like I had been anticipating - a techno party. No, this was more like a group-led meditation session, and it was exactly what I needed. The session went through at least 20 different Star Activations and continued for an hour and a half until 8:30pm.<br />
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When the lights came back up, it was as if the entire crowd awoke from a giant slumber, smiling and feeling rejuvenated. A woman a row over to my right whispered to her friend, "Did you sleep at all?" Her friend responded, "No, I wanted to watch the entire thing".<br />
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She wasn't alone.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixiLm4e2ESchvitqYlmzGRxhellT3BDTF0mjBe_OEVXgeOalCXPXzL2SHpynGQ236sLokdocoURa2mUXNyF5ZHkvuHmbfvVvAcW_50UZn2AAf6x-x-pLxrUd3BXYrdkZes9KxOznU2CwQ/s1600/IMG_7820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixiLm4e2ESchvitqYlmzGRxhellT3BDTF0mjBe_OEVXgeOalCXPXzL2SHpynGQ236sLokdocoURa2mUXNyF5ZHkvuHmbfvVvAcW_50UZn2AAf6x-x-pLxrUd3BXYrdkZes9KxOznU2CwQ/s400/IMG_7820.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;">The end of a beautiful night at the Planetarium</div></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08571315175379688615noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158354613195921037.post-5020795857855566322011-02-24T15:17:00.000-08:002011-02-24T15:45:19.920-08:00Free Fred Herzog photography exhibits at the Equinox Gallery<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.equinoxgallery.com/gallery2/gallery-2/art/19487" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Vancouver in 1959. Photo by Fred Herzog/" border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2dMIPPhm3qqP1vKKyNxALY86XSgn1ipUDsHj1-1v66Hw9C5qQA7CDz0VFmVCZcUPt2W-logbztk2DZB9djD8ZGOGYd6HwUWxtFIfqcQbJbZaGYhEubC21YpM59_2rg7rp5SJgCB6RVfE/s400/EquinoxGallery.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coal Harbour circa 1959 - photo by Fred Herzog</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
It's hard to believe that's what Coal Harbour looked like in 1959.<br />
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It almost looks fake, but it's not. I mean, heck! Did Georgia Street really look like Kingsway back then?<br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The photo is Fred Herzog's. It's one of the many Herzog photos featured at the <a href="http://www.equinoxgallery.com/">Equinox Gallery</a> on South Granville. Herzog's work is featured in two exhibits at the gallery: <a href="http://www.equinoxgallery.com/artists/portfolio/fred_herzog%3A-reading_pictures">Reading Pictures</a> and <a href="http://www.equinoxgallery.com/gallery2">Early Colour Photographs</a> - the latter of which features Vancouver.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjpeXSi4jWDKbU2ssIjPslwpcqdtldtsFpHGY6Bp_-Gd_TBcHTpxPK-gNKncLdTcYqb4n6G4z7wFgrdoh0wNZLKB4yCltN8au70UII1LEo0lxbQSLAYI0RxoSoqn1Q0uzWJonFp4U-SUo/s1600/EquinoxGallery2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjpeXSi4jWDKbU2ssIjPslwpcqdtldtsFpHGY6Bp_-Gd_TBcHTpxPK-gNKncLdTcYqb4n6G4z7wFgrdoh0wNZLKB4yCltN8au70UII1LEo0lxbQSLAYI0RxoSoqn1Q0uzWJonFp4U-SUo/s400/EquinoxGallery2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Granville Street circa 1959 - photo by Fred Herzog</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
But the photos capture why I love Fred Herzog. He candidly captured Vancouver's past in <i>colour</i> when the rest of the world was shooting black and white. He brings to life lost eras of Vancouver's past and makes me nostalgic for a time I never knew. There's no such thing as a time machine, but this is the next closest thing.<br />
<br />
I figure I'd throw this shout out to the Equinox because it's one of the many private galleries open to the public on South Granville. It's completely free to view the galleries. While the Equinox often features Fred Herzog's photography, these two exhibits end next weekend on March 5th, so if you're looking for something to do this weekend and you're even remotely interested in Vancouver history, put the Equinox Gallery on your agenda.Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08571315175379688615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158354613195921037.post-62546561877205128422011-02-22T11:22:00.000-08:002011-02-22T22:43:28.575-08:00Love letter to Commercial Drive<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN0JmrnVEmcFTguL351l56vKPPR5nT-tL_dYYKFSTGh2odn4JJ6a0dgxrT_fTcsOH-oaKphoauRXQkmWstdzQfHUiRXtKOmVKw1Yb32ZjXsXY6jWOoVgFkWVkuQ8hcBHtsQyp9j8xXp9s/s1600/IMG_7784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN0JmrnVEmcFTguL351l56vKPPR5nT-tL_dYYKFSTGh2odn4JJ6a0dgxrT_fTcsOH-oaKphoauRXQkmWstdzQfHUiRXtKOmVKw1Yb32ZjXsXY6jWOoVgFkWVkuQ8hcBHtsQyp9j8xXp9s/s400/IMG_7784.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
Commercial Drive has always been one of my favourite Vancouver neighbourhoods, if not because of its distinct demographic diversity and its vibrant spirit culturally. I mean, it always feels more like Montreal than Vancouver. Being one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Vancouver with several significant waves of immigration will do that, I suppose. But I just like <i>being</i> there.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzflO6POpHHkJCZ72aCZU-im8xu3pQV2XZwnlsap0XWkr3hRKjp42omrrBRyrDHB9PHz7i_aPBxjXceJs-LaxWBiG6WEBrqoeLgRQosrJzkHQ_6cFy055DgBQaORy5_0QiGMlVJMG_ENM/s1600/IMG_7798.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzflO6POpHHkJCZ72aCZU-im8xu3pQV2XZwnlsap0XWkr3hRKjp42omrrBRyrDHB9PHz7i_aPBxjXceJs-LaxWBiG6WEBrqoeLgRQosrJzkHQ_6cFy055DgBQaORy5_0QiGMlVJMG_ENM/s400/IMG_7798.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a><br />
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My love for the Drive started early. I have memories of being a kid and early teen, wandering up and down Commercial with my parents. We used to come here on Sunday afternoons just to meander around without aim. My dad loved dragging us into the Italian grocery stores and delis just to look at the different Italian ingredients. My mom, sister and I would then drag him into Beckwoman's and other "hippy stores" (as we called them). I'd often end up with a silver ring to add to my bohemian jewellery collection. Hey, it was 1994. That was back when Magpie Magazines was a key fixture, back when bocce-playing Italian men outnumbered the hipsters. Oh, who am I kidding.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1PRuHw_FC3on8uUzsRmMwPOCx-BZZFsjGbpU_plkzDo9ibLgnw6mgmNNO3wo7r83xB6M877SJHsdME8Z-sj3pevTfOkqfXK88nRX2VY6xUp4AVTWpzUevcW621TUoKsPEuEAHvUaDmlQ/s1600/IMG_7803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1PRuHw_FC3on8uUzsRmMwPOCx-BZZFsjGbpU_plkzDo9ibLgnw6mgmNNO3wo7r83xB6M877SJHsdME8Z-sj3pevTfOkqfXK88nRX2VY6xUp4AVTWpzUevcW621TUoKsPEuEAHvUaDmlQ/s400/IMG_7803.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a><br />
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I remember though, eating a pasta lunch with my family at this Italian restaurant in the early 90's - whatever it was called - in the space that became the WaaZuBee Cafe. I always wondered what restaurant that was, but it was my sister who figured it out last September when we were sitting down at WaaZuBee, and she pointed out an old Italian landscape painted onto the wall that was partially painted over. The painting was a relic from that Italian restaurant. It's not every day you can use the word palimpsest in its right context, but...<br />
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I probably only visited the WaaZuBee Cafe a handful of times in my life. First time was in 2000 or so, with a group of friends during the Parade of Lost Souls. I distinctly remember somebody dressed as a tree - head full of (real) branches and all - having a drink at the bar. I think I returned in 2007 to catch up with a long lost friend, but I hadn't returned again until this past September. When I arrived, I was surprised at how miserable the space had become. I remember it being a sort of hip alternative cocktail bar and late night eats joint. This time, it was tired, just begging for a Restaurant Makeover. Worse yet, it was a Friday night and it was <i>dead</i>. It's therefore no surprise that the WaaZuBee Cafe closed its doors soon after.<br />
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But another thing about the WaaZuBee Cafe was that their sister restaurant, Subeez, used to be my go-to brunch place and late night food haunt when I lived in Yaletown. And just the other week, I went to Cafe Deux Soleils for the <i>first</i> time. (I know!) And perhaps not coincidentally, but Cafe Deux Soleils reminded me a lot of Subeez. I don't quite know what I thought it would be - perhaps a perpetual reggae joint? Something more akin to the Naam? I'm not sure. But the bad art, the cavernous space, the ad hoc tables, and the electronic music blaring at 8am? It was like being back at Subeez, but on the Drive. So I guess it's timely.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZmJygO1eFrV0ZhTY_WToNh_wa9V-Zu13BbAoHJWkKi-YN1lr5ldpFNHo9fktpZInDw8YDybTZi8r57jXbR6bk566_jKCRXDDa-UIUFwZCjGYSbfmQYZJ2hKTYbXB-E-f4OCta9idCD4/s1600/IMG_7801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZmJygO1eFrV0ZhTY_WToNh_wa9V-Zu13BbAoHJWkKi-YN1lr5ldpFNHo9fktpZInDw8YDybTZi8r57jXbR6bk566_jKCRXDDa-UIUFwZCjGYSbfmQYZJ2hKTYbXB-E-f4OCta9idCD4/s640/IMG_7801.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="425" /></a><br />
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Well these days when I visit the Drive, it's not because I'm there to aimlessly meander, it's because I'm visiting people, seeking an Americano & muffin, dinner ingredients, or brunch.<br />
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<div style="margin: 0px;">Favourite brunch is <a href="http://bandidastaqueria.com/">Bandidas Taqueria</a>, up by 12th. You're lucky enough if you get a table on weekends without having to wait for 20 minutes. But the wait is, I think, worth it. The food's all vegetarian, sustainable, and damn tasty. </div><br />
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That there above was my brunch... the Ronny Russell baked burrito, with roasted yams and onions, fresh guacamole, black beans, green salsa, purple cabbage and pumpkin seeds. That's the first time I had one of their baked burritos, and according to the server, that's the most popular item on their menu. I can understand why.<br />
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Usually, however, I'll order something off their actual brunch menu, like the Alan's Breakfast. It's like huevos rancheros in a salad:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52ufL9M2BzpbS3SVBivNGbNhvn7CBxo6ur11yH8pucmfHwsVdK4G6r0dKZjMvmlIGY0fcZfdfmWHOw95wywd3YJvPPuhiQutSo00QeZNWoeoyHWgyTJ2N6wD1lEaCzFOgow6v-XojaSE/s1600/IMG_7766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52ufL9M2BzpbS3SVBivNGbNhvn7CBxo6ur11yH8pucmfHwsVdK4G6r0dKZjMvmlIGY0fcZfdfmWHOw95wywd3YJvPPuhiQutSo00QeZNWoeoyHWgyTJ2N6wD1lEaCzFOgow6v-XojaSE/s400/IMG_7766.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a><br />
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</div>In the Americano & muffin department, <a href="http://www.pradocafe.com/">Prado</a> has sort of won out, if not simply because of their cranberry, sweet ginger, and oatmeal muffins. I used to be sceptical of the place at first, deeming it too pretentious with its contrived minimalism. "Ohhh, let's all hangout in a BLANK CANVAS and look cool."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHRUkCUIr4lFLHHWm7SiaiCRbST4MWo9Kxn0QFFgyQoMyu-m41dEVbRTCK4hBiLuf-_Nhh5jViozV78pkj4jUAo4hyphenhyphenfyuF3hZC4_Y8u6CtxbIrPw-_YEuEkvOjh-fPQTe3J2utGodnz4c/s1600/IMG_7791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHRUkCUIr4lFLHHWm7SiaiCRbST4MWo9Kxn0QFFgyQoMyu-m41dEVbRTCK4hBiLuf-_Nhh5jViozV78pkj4jUAo4hyphenhyphenfyuF3hZC4_Y8u6CtxbIrPw-_YEuEkvOjh-fPQTe3J2utGodnz4c/s400/IMG_7791.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a><br />
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The reality is, the space works. It works a hell of a lot better than its previous occupant - a questionable Greek restaurant where the windows were steamed up and covered in plants.<br />
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The muffins are great at Prado. The Americanos are fine by me, but better yet, it's the people. The people are real, the staff are sweet, and the place works together to function as a community hub. It's just a friendly place to be, as far as coffee shops go. I used to be sceptical, but now I'm a fan. I mean, hey! People actually <i>smile</i> at one another there!<br />
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And I guess that's why I like Commercial Drive, why I like <i>being</i> there. It functions as a community hub - as a friendly place - a real, natural community that thrives and continues to thrive there in the face of soaring real estate and low wages and condo tower development. In a city where communities are often planned and fabricated to be marketed to a particular <i>lifestyle</i>, Commercial Drive is real, warts and all, and I like it for that.Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08571315175379688615noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158354613195921037.post-38957398375121068702011-02-16T23:05:00.000-08:002011-02-17T10:09:53.131-08:00Wine Tasting at Marquis Wine Cellars<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmUCq9DI-xRRKXS4C2Wy7xCYdibIgcHtYUDCwQ3hOY4qgjmPeLhROMs7hS67ENA9gIWM_V4tTTkocYyM06gHncHPjTMQrt9kmclBq00j7vNUC6zqlDrHYhoBYcZZxqnp-ZXpJtioUljo/s1600/IMG_7474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmUCq9DI-xRRKXS4C2Wy7xCYdibIgcHtYUDCwQ3hOY4qgjmPeLhROMs7hS67ENA9gIWM_V4tTTkocYyM06gHncHPjTMQrt9kmclBq00j7vNUC6zqlDrHYhoBYcZZxqnp-ZXpJtioUljo/s400/IMG_7474.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a><br />
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I just came back from the a wine tasting at <a href="http://www.marquis-wines.com/" target="0">Marquis Wine Cellars</a>. <br />
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<i>"Marquis Wine Cellars?"</i> <br />
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You know, that wine shop on Davie Street at Burrard, next to Celebrities. <br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="240" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=Marquis+Wine+Cellars&aq=&sll=49.891235,-97.15369&sspn=28.109852,76.640625&ie=UTF8&hq=Marquis+Wine+Cellars&hnear=&layer=c&cbll=49.279691,-123.130116&panoid=ZaizfDyKyZf0fm5l-9YGlw&cbp=13,210.47,,0,-1.63&ll=49.26422,-123.130131&spn=0.05377,0.145912&z=12&output=svembed" width="425"></iframe><br />
<small><a href="http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=Marquis+Wine+Cellars&aq=&sll=49.891235,-97.15369&sspn=28.109852,76.640625&ie=UTF8&hq=Marquis+Wine+Cellars&hnear=&layer=c&cbll=49.279691,-123.130116&panoid=ZaizfDyKyZf0fm5l-9YGlw&cbp=13,210.47,,0,-1.63&ll=49.26422,-123.130131&spn=0.05377,0.145912&z=12" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small><br />
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Yup, you know the one.<br />
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Well, they threw the invite out on Twitter about a week ago (maybe longer - I only noticed it last week), advertising a blogger event. <br />
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"I'm a blogger!" I earnestly thought. So I RSVP'ed, and voila! I'm on the guest list for a social media wine tasting event amongst the city's foodies, sommeliers, bloggers, and Twitter hounds. Wine served by Marquis, cheese served by <a href="http://www.bentonscheese.com/" target="0">Benton Brothers Fine Cheeses</a>, and scrumptious morsels of heavenly delight by <a href="http://www.louisgervais.com/" target="0">Louis Gervais Fine Foods and Catering</a>.<br />
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What a fine evening! Got to see a lot of familiar Twitter/Blogger faces, in addition to putting some faces to names (and real names to Twitter handles) - ha!<br />
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But the best part, of course, was the opportunity to taste an assortment of fine wines from around the world (Australia, Italy, Spain, and France, to name a few), high end artisan cheeses - both local and global, and an assortment of gourmet bite-sized treats (proscutto-wrapped prawns? Hi!) Needless to say, it was my kind of evening!<br />
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The event itself was held in Marquis' back room (as opposed to the store front where customers were shopping as we tasted the treats in the back). The room itself was rather small considering the large turnout. As a result, I found it rather hazardous to carry a wine glass and a plate of food in one hand while also snapping photos in another, and, if inclined, taking down notes. The reality was that it was either one or another. I chose, for the most part, to eat and drink.<br />
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Strangely, however, I managed to juggle my camera in such a way that I was able to snap a few shots. How they actually turned out the way they did? I don't know. Nevertheless, it'll give you a taste of my lovely Wednesday evening:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6CR7bzxWxfU2ALWj8r2HpK6bTKPG6YkPU_FfEO_CqOLowtqaLFj9UJ43XXqBERhmb1qImG_UZaxg7Y1adVXgzTTIFJGViCSDnbCGAnohgBMCIMMr8kR6VfSzsIPVdP5DceoubByhyxc/s1600/IMG_7438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6CR7bzxWxfU2ALWj8r2HpK6bTKPG6YkPU_FfEO_CqOLowtqaLFj9UJ43XXqBERhmb1qImG_UZaxg7Y1adVXgzTTIFJGViCSDnbCGAnohgBMCIMMr8kR6VfSzsIPVdP5DceoubByhyxc/s400/IMG_7438.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An assortment of cheese - all delicious!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwntr1IuHmUGWhXXkFkuvBKVI665v4Ct1Ec-qoIKnbTMd4-5iEm0jaLaPE54eoR8JVgdbzOrFLaik0oi_Pd_QRm-ys0NT6rDCzoiDrW213gZnIzjQ29_0ZCJ6QLLDE_Wt7eaai68C9k4/s1600/IMG_7440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwntr1IuHmUGWhXXkFkuvBKVI665v4Ct1Ec-qoIKnbTMd4-5iEm0jaLaPE54eoR8JVgdbzOrFLaik0oi_Pd_QRm-ys0NT6rDCzoiDrW213gZnIzjQ29_0ZCJ6QLLDE_Wt7eaai68C9k4/s640/IMG_7440.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Although this Stilton (from the oldest Stilton farm in England) was amazing!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLEEDoNw2UcbrKZMo7GKjt_FNuuO-1v3Xlh3vVOjvN59ygzgi1WILhmiODhBIJrPDLm5wBkrmCk0awjPQTcNyN83At0b0cwrMdzkQBZDqsljAzcbGjjIMyLtu-gVQKHEaO6olAj16v2AQ/s1600/IMG_7437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLEEDoNw2UcbrKZMo7GKjt_FNuuO-1v3Xlh3vVOjvN59ygzgi1WILhmiODhBIJrPDLm5wBkrmCk0awjPQTcNyN83At0b0cwrMdzkQBZDqsljAzcbGjjIMyLtu-gVQKHEaO6olAj16v2AQ/s400/IMG_7437.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The P'tit Basque was a lovely firm sheep's milk cheese, nutty like Manchego</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutDOU4XZ27FE-KDizYdrKuIH5OBKFu5dMrU20puirKoJkEc8wm9vHDuOVHHMPryznXPZvKhbaHyd8caQndH_LvRLPZ005agrAp5yMtMAlkzFr9VLZMCC60pzAH7TFeBErRZSmxcPZKIA/s1600/IMG_7451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutDOU4XZ27FE-KDizYdrKuIH5OBKFu5dMrU20puirKoJkEc8wm9vHDuOVHHMPryznXPZvKhbaHyd8caQndH_LvRLPZ005agrAp5yMtMAlkzFr9VLZMCC60pzAH7TFeBErRZSmxcPZKIA/s400/IMG_7451.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-BL6mneHEhk7IFq10FEPS9V3sCVQRiJA_y4g_YH3v5CcvOtQGtZTISQOSax23vuh-au28OqcfOi0zS91aGidH_IuiLAce00V0owfBrEZ-QCGorcDleRfJIuBZECLtDzspr7xGsbyiWc/s1600/IMG_7454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-BL6mneHEhk7IFq10FEPS9V3sCVQRiJA_y4g_YH3v5CcvOtQGtZTISQOSax23vuh-au28OqcfOi0zS91aGidH_IuiLAce00V0owfBrEZ-QCGorcDleRfJIuBZECLtDzspr7xGsbyiWc/s400/IMG_7454.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone loved this Pinos Gris</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AxCPfrheYnSe-NREUlcCyQ2GYcLGY_vCLz7HpUKz6zjSEHysPk8_nMZPrYCJd1SI_iKHFQaqVSfO0ydXi4sqAlNnkeq7GsRYnT2D6Cac6vSopJ8W6OBgMk-k5YR2p3MF59UnIbDt_Mg/s1600/IMG_7455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AxCPfrheYnSe-NREUlcCyQ2GYcLGY_vCLz7HpUKz6zjSEHysPk8_nMZPrYCJd1SI_iKHFQaqVSfO0ydXi4sqAlNnkeq7GsRYnT2D6Cac6vSopJ8W6OBgMk-k5YR2p3MF59UnIbDt_Mg/s400/IMG_7455.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCAwQUxuHHzHzAm66OokZbNVB_8xRhal7ssHl2NyUNkNUNn2rFz_B8vbeRhsE3lmOLDK-8wmM5K3plSq2zjBTI47M9alDXiH1Wem6pwze-7YG0WjV79whTKuMInKWCHAqyXjNV3am6cGY/s1600/IMG_7461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCAwQUxuHHzHzAm66OokZbNVB_8xRhal7ssHl2NyUNkNUNn2rFz_B8vbeRhsE3lmOLDK-8wmM5K3plSq2zjBTI47M9alDXiH1Wem6pwze-7YG0WjV79whTKuMInKWCHAqyXjNV3am6cGY/s400/IMG_7461.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was rather taken by this Barossa shiraz known as Spinifex - Bete Noir</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbP5InoJAk5Wbv-K-8q4qM_i2D98FTdPrr9J2o8tq-MWLbTCDb5xHvqp_XjkI8VvnRZN4oXJ-ytg1FsmN-WgZL8y8oygoZ3HmsQcI2tGY41LtHhoYcTtAw60LVL7eybCAJHeEEV1C-msE/s1600/IMG_7445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbP5InoJAk5Wbv-K-8q4qM_i2D98FTdPrr9J2o8tq-MWLbTCDb5xHvqp_XjkI8VvnRZN4oXJ-ytg1FsmN-WgZL8y8oygoZ3HmsQcI2tGY41LtHhoYcTtAw60LVL7eybCAJHeEEV1C-msE/s400/IMG_7445.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And this? This was a scrumptious roast beef & Yorkshire pudding treat</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja6Fh8nCM2ttnCDcqA0iN9otyieiTvrMZ_cGKD3Qumm5bxXHw24MA_9MuRF9PlsprBquay4CZ3-r9X7lZGtdcoCmteS4Edhyf85FPCAgjaq9QYW78aAANtdsesb24Xq5ZUED557MPwVUM/s1600/IMG_7476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja6Fh8nCM2ttnCDcqA0iN9otyieiTvrMZ_cGKD3Qumm5bxXHw24MA_9MuRF9PlsprBquay4CZ3-r9X7lZGtdcoCmteS4Edhyf85FPCAgjaq9QYW78aAANtdsesb24Xq5ZUED557MPwVUM/s400/IMG_7476.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was my favourite of the night - a Sauvignon Blanc-ish wine of the Loire. Very smoky with distinct mineral flavours. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ86zfvBGJIXgvZjODYv5mR28i8Nzlqz_rQERUiGO0xlPyD9NYkJcmyMmJhrDJIvLO0fZ0wIh80xhMnsdvOL9jk3GjNrdwYCxwmTlajfa0RL6qHAZ1GkU8v4518bKKx7kqc7ACT9HhcAc/s1600/IMG_7444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ86zfvBGJIXgvZjODYv5mR28i8Nzlqz_rQERUiGO0xlPyD9NYkJcmyMmJhrDJIvLO0fZ0wIh80xhMnsdvOL9jk3GjNrdwYCxwmTlajfa0RL6qHAZ1GkU8v4518bKKx7kqc7ACT9HhcAc/s400/IMG_7444.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful, huh? Believe it or not, these were beets!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJA_bwXe3vCpF5hsNS7tfJWMc-AF4hJ4myIcx8DXZFVNjRh6nPPKKar3-GRJJJ23EhrOJvG9W8wjB7Ez7Xo7rl5dnDINqs6J36uMrbdedZpby4S5QksO4Ore12ZH4SKSSOvy_j7a_DUY/s1600/IMG_7478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJA_bwXe3vCpF5hsNS7tfJWMc-AF4hJ4myIcx8DXZFVNjRh6nPPKKar3-GRJJJ23EhrOJvG9W8wjB7Ez7Xo7rl5dnDINqs6J36uMrbdedZpby4S5QksO4Ore12ZH4SKSSOvy_j7a_DUY/s400/IMG_7478.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But perhaps my most unexpected discovery was Marquis' curtain. It's covered with adorable Vancouver cliches... with wine!!! (I love this!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjHWO2A73_rI74jOgoLL3gv-_PihyX5_NKja32ZqPYZIOfkFyuhsKOtI9PZ7rWN9ouu7ESlGURTTlkzZrctIvoAH_JAQua1VLm26kBB4-2YB1V4lOKvZn43k_h9xcnqwhBSynmi019nqU/s1600/IMG_7469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjHWO2A73_rI74jOgoLL3gv-_PihyX5_NKja32ZqPYZIOfkFyuhsKOtI9PZ7rWN9ouu7ESlGURTTlkzZrctIvoAH_JAQua1VLm26kBB4-2YB1V4lOKvZn43k_h9xcnqwhBSynmi019nqU/s400/IMG_7469.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMMNYDalv2fVjZbbnl35Qq31mrBoyr8PlqUkIoVEjnq75OuhKtigLA625aXnHapAsC9bpxl5KmnYa10aBDT_PC6kyuagAyFi3UJIgObOsfNUmBq6q8aTkahm6Q3KBSIWsf1T043ak-dA/s1600/IMG_7470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMMNYDalv2fVjZbbnl35Qq31mrBoyr8PlqUkIoVEjnq75OuhKtigLA625aXnHapAsC9bpxl5KmnYa10aBDT_PC6kyuagAyFi3UJIgObOsfNUmBq6q8aTkahm6Q3KBSIWsf1T043ak-dA/s400/IMG_7470.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPAyqk8j_MlObMK0Dk6EX95emltLRE4rTO5nUwU-q92lAYo9aaOhnS2AqhAyd7-HfjD_L_AiRQUWttn_L-LNSOjZBTzGwprJtYPJ00TbIG_18kctrbzJsvE812g8o5IG2esRB4BRrFE20/s1600/IMG_7468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPAyqk8j_MlObMK0Dk6EX95emltLRE4rTO5nUwU-q92lAYo9aaOhnS2AqhAyd7-HfjD_L_AiRQUWttn_L-LNSOjZBTzGwprJtYPJ00TbIG_18kctrbzJsvE812g8o5IG2esRB4BRrFE20/s640/IMG_7468.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even the orca spouts wine!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdadOT9Z4lPRFUZFEzSjP6PN3UykSbCPUpMrolIV5PxCcRnRa50vlXWjgUz65XTpxW-rAwkT3SVzvKiOnUa2POCagxWXu3eoR1y3S2PtwYfPMjJkbYlI5YDiANAari5CEgMFdxwfaQxSk/s1600/IMG_7481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdadOT9Z4lPRFUZFEzSjP6PN3UykSbCPUpMrolIV5PxCcRnRa50vlXWjgUz65XTpxW-rAwkT3SVzvKiOnUa2POCagxWXu3eoR1y3S2PtwYfPMjJkbYlI5YDiANAari5CEgMFdxwfaQxSk/s400/IMG_7481.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Benton Brothers are real people! Thank you Andrew and Jonah for the cheese!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiupXUTj9hAxx_5RzIhCt2iO_1u2E1jTV9xncha8Ag3eVM1mPiRkeGbUmdLXa1s_BPMUeSSQDkAhOMPk4mnNHjK72Ynx6r5HZXjDa_dztXMsA4MIWVjuQJzdVEt-pUE6TfWfBg3K6bGXc/s1600/IMG_7482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiupXUTj9hAxx_5RzIhCt2iO_1u2E1jTV9xncha8Ag3eVM1mPiRkeGbUmdLXa1s_BPMUeSSQDkAhOMPk4mnNHjK72Ynx6r5HZXjDa_dztXMsA4MIWVjuQJzdVEt-pUE6TfWfBg3K6bGXc/s640/IMG_7482.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And Kevin McKinnon, the manager of Marquis, humoured me throughout the night whenever I requested more wine (and when I took his photo). Thank you!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
So cheers to Marquis Wine Cellars, Benton Brothers Fine Cheese, and Louis Gervais Fine Foods and Catering for your generosity and for hosting such a fantastic night for all of us!Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08571315175379688615noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158354613195921037.post-13474940183170002522011-01-23T14:35:00.000-08:002011-01-23T14:50:29.776-08:00PuSh Festival's La MareaI accidentally stumbled upon the surreal film set-like performance, La Marea, on Water Street Thursday night. As explained by the <a href="http://www.straight.com/article-368887/vancouver/push-festivals-la-marea-brings-live-drama-gastown-storefronts" target="0">Georgia Straight</a>:<br />
<blockquote>PuSh International Performing Arts Festival presents nine stories imagined through pictures of the inhabitants of Water Street. The show is called La Marea, and along the street, in the trendy heritage storefronts and upstairs windows, a series of vignettes plays out, with live actors and surtitle screens that reveal their stories and innermost thoughts.<br />
<br />
More information at <a class="ext" href="http://www.pushfestival.ca/" style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Helvetica; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="www.pushfestival.ca/">www.pushfestival.ca/</a></BLOCKQuote>Needless to say, it made Gastown even more photogenic than it already is...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/robynobotica/5379005038/" title="IMG_5649 by BC Robyn, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5049/5379005038_7faf85bb22.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_5649" /></a></center>Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08571315175379688615noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158354613195921037.post-27386423705097695102011-01-19T17:09:00.000-08:002011-01-19T17:38:29.648-08:00Reflections of Haida Gwaii<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/robynobotica/5355379927/" title="Untitled by BC Robyn, on Flickr"><img alt="" height="333" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5290/5355379927_bd7f3a4e44.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/robynobotica/5355998658/" title="Haida Heritage Centre by BC Robyn, on Flickr"><img alt="Haida Heritage Centre" height="333" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5206/5355998658_048c0b22b3.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/robynobotica/5355435805/" title="No Line on the Horizon by BC Robyn, on Flickr"><img alt="No Line on the Horizon" height="333" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5210/5355435805_cfb9dc7006.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/robynobotica/5344764172/" title="Untitled by BC Robyn, on Flickr"><img alt="" height="333" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5283/5344764172_156bcf6e0d.jpg" width="500" /></a>Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08571315175379688615noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158354613195921037.post-12821685763039083932011-01-16T14:38:00.000-08:002011-01-16T14:49:10.929-08:00Brian Eno in Vancouver<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">March 1993 - the month I discovered my taste in music. I listened to U2's Achtung Baby and my life changed forever. Cliches aside, Achtung Baby made me into the music geek I am today. But despite all my music geekdom, I never considered myself a fan of Brian Eno, mostly due to ignorance. I mean, I knew his more accessible projects - Roxy Music, U2, Passengers, collaborations with David Byrne, etc. - but never felt the urge to, say, discover Music for Airports. Ambient music, despite my love for more obscure ambient shoegaze crap (Ulrich Schnauss, anyone?), just never appealed to me. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">My loss, I suppose.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">Despite all this, I jumped at the chance to see Brian Eno do a lecture at Vancouver's Vogue Theatre. He was in town by coincidence. The Vancouver Art Gallery managed to snag him for their Culture Series before his 4am flight to Brazil. He was in Calgary the night before because his art installation, 77 Million Paintings, is at the Glenbow Museum. ("That doesn't seem to be somewhere one would associate with Eno", an acquaintance of mine suggested.) In any case, if one's flying to Brazil, I suppose Vancouver's where you get your connecting flight. How fortunate for Vancouver!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">So I sat through 2 hours of Brian Eno speaking that night and it was not unlike my art history lectures at UBC. It was all very geeky and academic and scientific and right up my alley. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">But rather than review the lecture here, I figured I'll link to the site I wrote it for:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><a href="http://www.guttersnipenews.com/features/brian-eno-an-illustrated-talk/" target="0">http://www.guttersnipenews.com/features/brian-eno-an-illustrated-talk/</a></span><br />
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</span>Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08571315175379688615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158354613195921037.post-15020398281043162792011-01-16T14:11:00.000-08:002011-01-16T14:11:32.068-08:00Sun goes down on 2010<div><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfe7vqJ0LJ0ct6iXYFO_Mf9wqpo5WaJrVVBDDCwsVzN4L40MD28xyXmkYEx07m0G8GU33fWdjpYJ6WSL8TAEuENJtu0iKLtCZ4v1VUbFnQDu1wsHOgn4OQ14_OAYr2eAE5sPGmr0mQHQ/s1600/IMG_5297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfe7vqJ0LJ0ct6iXYFO_Mf9wqpo5WaJrVVBDDCwsVzN4L40MD28xyXmkYEx07m0G8GU33fWdjpYJ6WSL8TAEuENJtu0iKLtCZ4v1VUbFnQDu1wsHOgn4OQ14_OAYr2eAE5sPGmr0mQHQ/s400/IMG_5297.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last few minutes of sunlight over Vancouver on December 31, 2010</td></tr>
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</div><div>Just going through my photos from 2010 and realized that I never really wrote the travelogues I anticipated I'd be writing. I started to write about my Kootenay journey back in August while I was in Creston, but I realize I have photo galleries of Rossland, Kaslo, Fernie, Prince George, Prince Rupert, and Haida Gwaii - some of which are now up on my Flickr account, but never did I write about my journeys. Nevertheless, we're still early enough in 2011 that I can safely post a few reflective entries in the near future without it seeming out of place.</div><div><br />
</div><div>In other words, be forewarned - travelogues ahead!</div><div><br />
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</div>Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08571315175379688615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158354613195921037.post-86282461709778433482011-01-05T13:00:00.000-08:002011-01-05T16:14:33.667-08:00Corner Suite Bistro closed? Yup. And Sweeney's and Fiasco.Vancouver foodies were shocked to learn on Twitter yesterday that Corner Suite Bistro, a popular and hip French bistro in the West End, had closed its doors permanently without warning. This is just after many local journalists were touting it as one of Vancouver's best restaurants of 2010.<br />
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Rumours were spreading on Twitter that they had a failed negotiation with their landlord. Others speculated that it was simply due to them having the wrong location or inconsistent staff. It was even suggested that BC's tougher alcohol penalties have threatened the restaurant industry as a whole.<br />
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While people were speculating the closure, others were commiserating their Groupon and gift certificate losses. Groupon was active on Twitter today saying that once the closure has been confirmed, they'll get in touch with people about reimbursement. I'm just glad I used mine when I did back in October but I feel bad for those who have to deal with this aftermath.<br />
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On a similar note, I was saddened to learn that Sweeney's of Yaletown - a gourmet, slow-food cafe where I ate many a delicious lunch this past summer - has closed its doors. Apparently they just weren't getting the dinner crowds, despite their popularity at lunch. Imagine a restaurant where the food is organic, most items are under $12, you can buy wine by the glass, and there's a new fresh feature every day - the pulled-beef tacos with mango and chipotle were to die for! The only catch is that you order at the counter, but they'll bring your food to the table. That's not really a catch for the Yaletown lunch crowd - most of us don't live in Yaletown, but we work here. The Yaletown dinner crowd? That's a different story. People come to Yaletown looking to be spoiled, to be wined and dined in luxury, and unfortunately, it seems that Yaletown wasn't the appropriate niche for Sweeney's. It's a shame, but at least they're spending the next few months finding a more appropriate location. May I make a suggestion to them? South Cambie needs you. So does Commercial Drive. So does Riley Park.<br />
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Unsurprisingly, Fiasco shut its doors the other week. "Fiasco? What's Fiasco?" Exactly. Formerly Amacord, they reopened as what I'm guessing was supposed to be a typical Yaletown loft space, but it was stark, dark, and lacked an inviting atmosphere. The tables, for example, were naked. The lights? The lights were lacking - the place <i>looked </i>closed from the outside. The bored-looking waitstaff didn't help. It simply felt unfinished from the get-go. Always empty at lunch, we decided to check out their $10 lunch specials regardless. The food was always tasty (steak sandwich with goat cheese and roma tomatos for $10?), but being served a lipstick stained water glass when we were the only patrons in the restaurant was, in retrospect, a bad omen. Upon the next visit, they told us they were changing chefs and menus - a new chef from NYC would be arriving soon. When we came back a few weeks later, gone were the $10 specials and the lunch menu consisted of overpriced pasta dishes. Two weeks later? They were closed. In this case it wasn't the closure that surprised me, but at the haste of which it was done. Wow.<br />
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We're 5 days into 2011. I wonder what other restaurant surprises lurk on the horizon?Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08571315175379688615noreply@blogger.com6