Forever Immortalized by Google

I was walking around my territory in East Van doing my job the other day when I realized that the Google Car was in the vicinity taking photos.
I was watching it zip up and down the streets and alleys in the lower grounds, so was very aware of where it was coming and going by the time it got to the street I was on.
I had heard an interesting story on CBC about this town in England that had resisted the car and it's invasive photography. They just decided "no" and created quite an effective ruckus.

I first became aware of the whole "street scene" feature when I was virtually lurking around LA's downtown core one afternoon a year or so ago. I loved it, but can see how privacy is really an issue.
I suppose now that the car has captured me on the job, I will be forever immortalized on street in Vancouver. Look for me with my blurred out face and extended finger. heh heh

In da 'hood

I received this in my email today.


"I received a crime prevention bulletin from a Blockwatch Captain who wanted to share these interesting thoughts.

I realize these ideas are a little beyond Blockwatch but still worthy of consideration! Some Blockwatch members do a lot of travelling or work and park in some isolated areas.

1. If being attacked, use your elbows, heel of the hand or knees (hardest and toughest parts of your body) to hit with and go for eyes, throat or groin; all the soft spots of the human body. If you do strike a vulnerable body part and the suspect hits the ground and is slow to get up, start to RUN! Unless you are a UFC fighter, I suggest you beat a hasty retreat to a safe area! Be thankful you got a lucky punch or kick . You do not want to continue fighting.


2. If you are getting robbed for your purse or wallet, remove it from your possession and empty the contents and/or throw the wallet/purse away from you. Do not stand there and let the crook search the purse and ask them if they want more! Drop the purse/wallet and start to run IMMEDIATELY! THE CHANCES ARE GREAT THEY ARE MORE INTERESTED IN YOUR PROPERTY THAN CHASING YOU! RUN TO A PUBLIC PLACE!


3. If you are ever taken hostage and thrown in the trunk, try to remove the rear signal lights and put your hand out and get attention.


4. If you are ever taken hostage as a driver or passenger in a car, TRY TO GET HOLD OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND CRASH THE CAR! TRY TO CRASH THE CAR IN A PUBLIC AREA WHERE THERE ARE PEOPLE! The chances are good the airbags will deploy and save you. Get out of the car immediately and run. I do not think the bad guys will be trying to chase you down after this car crash with witnesses about. Try not to hit any innocent people. AIM FOR A BUILDING OR TELEPHONE POLE.


5. Regarding Rule 4. It is better to fight for your life in a public area than be taken hostage and taken to a private area where the chances of a successful escape are going to lessen. When in a difficult situation where your freedom is at stake, be prepared to run! Your adrenaline will give you an added boost. DO NOT BE A WILLING HOSTAGE! I have read many Vancouver Police Reports and newspaper stories where adults have tried to abduct children or teenagers and these people have fought back and WON! If children and teens can fight off an adult male, SO CAN YOU!


6. DO NOT PARK BESIDE A VAN. The cargo doors could be opened quite easily by persons hidden within the van and you could be quickly grabbed if caught off guard.


7. DO NOT PARK BESIDE A VAN WITH A MAN SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. SAME THING! It’s easier to grab you!


8. It is probably safer to take the elevator than the stairs. Stairwells are isolated and probably not well travelled when compared to elevators. Elevators also have alarm buttons that can be activated for ANY reason!


9. When facing an opponent with a GUN, if you can run away, THEN RUN! I can speak from 25 years of police handgun shooting at the range. IT’S TOUGH ENOUGH TO HIT A STATIONARY TARGET WITH A HANDGUN! HITTING A MOVING TARGET THAT IS ZIGZAGGING IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE. ONLY A LUCKY SHOT WILL HIT YOU. DROP THE WALLET AND PURSE AND RUN.


10. Some criminals have pretended to use a cane or a crutch to lure their victims into a false sense of security or get you to help them open their car doors etc. Some criminals have used a fake cast to feign a broken arm. It is normal to offer assistance to physically challenged people. But, be warned. Perhaps asking for a shopping attendant to assist the both of you would be a suitable alternative? NOT EVERYTHING IS AS IT APPEARS TO BE.


11. If you hear noises at night time outside your house and you decide to go INVESTIGATE? Take your cell phone with you. These noises may be purposely made to get you outside your house. TAKE YOUR CELL PHONE WITH YOU!


12. Last but not least, make sure that you have an emergency action plan involving YOUR FAMILY. Does your family know what to do in the case of a house fire? How about an earth quake? If separated from your family for whatever reason, can they contact family members? Can you all meet at another location? MAKE SURE YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS KNOW WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.


13. Develop a PLAN B and PLAN C for your family in any emergencies."



Let's rumble?

victim of the 80's

The 80's. Whoa.

Yarnbombing and the knit graffiti saga continues

Yesterday I happened to be home from work by accident and heard an interview with Leanne and Mandy on CBC talking about their upcoming book, Yarnbombing.
It was cool to hear, and has got me started on making yet another branch of this original blaaaahg.

Please, do check out the Yarnbombing site, and the newest member of my blog family, Strathcozies.

get yer craft on people!!!!!

dear Israel...

we interrupt this blog to talk about skincare....

I'm not just talking regular skincare, but delicious, wonderfully organic skincare products that you deserve and will want if "quality" is what you are looking for.The company is called Bioéthique, the products are made in Provence, and they are having a boxing day sale now, so it is a perfect oppourtunity for you to check out their wares.

We all have skin, and we need to take care of it.
I used to be a strictly "soap and water" girl. I couldn't stand the feeling of anything on my face after I had washed it, and because I rarely wear any sort of makeup....this is something that I have always adhered to.
If I'm cleaning my face, I don't need any greasy, waxy, so called moisturizing products smeared or caked on my face. Bioéthique, is one of the first lines that has left me feeling clean and moisturized without that ugh waxy feel that is usually left behind.

One of the first things you will notice about these products is their very different texture and consistency. Compared to many main stream products which are artificially thickened, these products are quite thin or light by comparison. It certainly doesn't diminish their performance ability, and in my opinion, enhances it. There is no excess to absorb and it all disappears into the porous sponge that is your skin.
Their unique texture does require a mental shift when you are extracting them from their containers however, as I have lost great globs of shampoo by simply spacing out and not paying attention. Be aware!! These are quality products that need to be used sparingly, and with great relish.

Another consideration for making the switch to organic products like Bioéthique is the use of animal products in many 'brand name'products. If you wish to avoid these potentially harmful and generally disgusting animal products and other toxins you might want to think about it.
Longevity is key. So the time to start looking after your skin is now.

These products are delicious smelling, with subtle fragrances of orange, and rose and other essential plant oils. They are fresh, and work best that way. They leave my skin feeling great, and my body smelling delicious.Of course, only time will tell, but if I'm smiling because my skin feels so good, then how can this be a bad thing?

I strongly encourage you to check them out.
Their sale runs until January 1'st. You will be as hooked as I am. Guaranteed!

my favourites include:

the cleansing milk
the exfoliating scrub
the eye cream
the wonderful anti-oxidant serum
the delicious smelling body moisturizer
the day cream-nice and light
the moisture mask....because I work outdoors and need a little extra tlc sometimes

where have all the birches gone?

Down at Gore and Union there has been a vacant lot for some time. It has also been a hot spot for arson and vandalism from the haters of gentrification.
They had placed some orange fencing around some of the larger trees there. I understood this fence to mean that they would be saved.There were about 4 birches initially.Some were larger than others.

I had seen some spectacular wildlife there from time to time as well. If you can call inner city wildlife spectacular, and I believe you can.
Giant 'coons sunning themselves on the roofs of the now burned out homes.
A big Buteo looking for lunch.
It was a familiar corner. One that has been changing ever so slowly.
The fenced in trees started to become a receptacle for garbage and starbucks cups. Clothing. Other flotsam of the downtown eastside.


The other day, I noticed that the very last tree had been cut down.
They had been disappearing over time, broken off, snapped in half.
This one was more obvious.
Someone actually tramped down the orange fence and cut it down.
There was no evidence left behind except a stump.

I started to wonder about some of the other Birches in the neighbourhood.
Three on the south side of Strathcona school field. Three at the park house on Keefer and Heatley.It is a bummer to see so many disappear. Leaving stumps.