I know I shouldn't laugh.......

...but this is the face of a scared little boy about to pee in his pants.

In case you haven't been listening, or are not a Canadian interested in federal affairs, our country is in a Constitutional Crisis. By dabbling in the ideologies that make up the identity of what it means to be a "Canadian", Prime Minister Steven Harper has blown it. This coupled with the fact that we JUST had a national election? People are annoyed. His old stomping grounds of Calgary might not accept the direness of the situation, but he's managed to unite all of the opposition parties against him. I believe this includes the Bloc Québécois.

What is especially delicious about this possibility of taking power from an ineffectual government, is the fact that Michaelle Jean, the Governor General, will be the one to decide how it will all go down, if it happens.
She is seen as a waste of money by most Conservatives, and they attack her travel expenses from time to time, but she is a representative of our country, and needs to exist.
As if we would want some totally backwards, uncultured, hater of the arts, right wing hill billy to represent us to the rest of the worldly universe. She puts up with a great deal of heat, and this seems like karmic payback for being maligned continuously.

I hope it goes through. I'm tired of all the cozying up to all the wrong people. I'd better end there, as I'm no political writer, and it's like Beavis and Butthead talking about the Mona Lisa in here, or something.

Let us all laugh aloud now, shall we?

On Wall Street

Anangel Solidarity

Sammi Aurora

Joy Sea

Hane Pearl

Anthi P

Siskin Arrow

Silver Yu

Rubin Forest

Skaubryn

come sail your ships around me....

Stop the Violence

Lately there has been a great deal of violence in my neighbourhood.
It's been a hot spot for awhile what with the rapid gentrification and housing market the way it is. It's been written on sidewalks, poles and on the sides of homes. Class Warfare!!!!




It has been particularly hard on the house at 708 Hawkes Ave, which has been the victim of shocking violence and destruction. Too much really.
It started when the house was sold. A huge, gorgeous communal place that had seen it's share of inhabitants over the years. Called the fish bowl for a reason, the preferred name for me was the "dirty fish bowl". Maybe it was the flip tone of, "hey, wanna buy a house?" that was posted in the window of the place, but whatever it was, it set off the vandals in a big way.
I guess the anger is mostly directed at the guy who bought and gutted the place for re-sale.
Everybody hates a flipper, but a guy has to make a living somehow. Is he any worse than a person who makes their living owning apartment buildings ahd renting out suites?

I have always had empathy for inanimate objects. I feel badly at the amount of damage that's occurred to this house, especially considering what kind vibes it's had throughout the years.

I've heard the rumours circulating of who it might be. Ranging from the ridiculous to the probable, including the rumour that a soccer ball was found inside, and I can't say that I know for sure who it is, but I do know that they're misdirecting their anger in a lame, adolescent way.
Like the night I had far too many drinks at the Anza club and upon leaving decided to act out some reckless, destructive rage on the antennae of some poor bastards car. I didn't choose the most expensive car on the block, to make it some 'credible' act against the man a la "eat the rich", oh no...
I chose some poor bugger, who was probably at the same show, and it was either a crappy Escort, or a Civic, or whatever from the 80's. Whatever it was, my behaviour was stupid, and juvenile, and didn't accomplish anything of value.
Sorry buddy.

I hope the senseless shit in the hood stops soon.
Take the anger to the big developers, or Gordon Campbell's house, or wherever.
Let the house return to it's good vibe self. It's already been gutted and eviscerated for all to see. I feel poorly for the house....and the new owner who is in the process of purchasing and is no doubt nervous about moving in there.It is sad.

Save the Heatley Block from Demolition

Save the Heatley Block

Long Hot Summer of Bad Drugs?

The Police and Ambulance services have been out 3 times already this morning to assist two tweaking half dressed girls on the street in front of my place. No one has been able to help them so far. Not that they are even willing to accept help....but their party posse had some infighting and abandoned them with their jerks and grunts and groans. It is extremely disturbing to witness.
Thankfully the kids didn't see any of it.

I saw some public sex in the park on my dog walk. The local park has become a camp ground.
Last night I heard blood curdling screams coming from the vicinity of Hastings.

Yes, summer is in full swing.
The trip to Oliphant seems like a distant memory.

If people could just stick to beer.....

Waves: Chinatown

I met a couple of fine ladies for coffee tonight at Waves Coffee in Chinatown.
It's a 24 hour establishment at the corner of Pender and Main Streets, just one block from the infamous "Hastings and Main".
Yadda Yadda.

It felt weird going in there because I'd been to the old place several times which was jam packed full of Chinese curios and every type of thing imaginable.

I got a Latte, of course, and I should have had some food, but I was feeling stunned and not thinking clearly. What I saw looked good. Possibly even vegan.

It's huge, with comfy seats. Open air in the front and back. Free wifi. Plus, just having an alternative to Starbucks™ is a plus.

The only drawback was that the "Beavertail" guy came to our table, and as deferential and polite as he was....I could not give him any money. I hope this does not make me a Yuppie object of scorn.

What a maroon!!

W.O.W.
That was some hiatus.
I saw this and thought it was post worthy.....hahahahahaa

My favourite Palace Brothers song

I can't say which incarnation of Will Oldham I prefer, but this song is one of my best ever all time pick me ups.
Something about the great harmonies, the loose drums and laid back singing style. It's all good.
It's about as close as I'll inch to country music, and is up there with Freakwater for best indie old timey country ever.

And might I just say the "Flying Burrito Brothers are NOT country fusion Les!".
thank you.

Give a listen!!!

This is making it hard to get started this morning.

So much tragedy in the world.
So much suffering.
Makes me worry for the future.
Again.

Lemme Guess...

It must be the day after welfare wednesday, 'cause I've seen the fire truck go by about 4 times today.
Also, I saw an old acquaintance working out on our corner last night.

I wanted to make her a plate of chicken curry to go, but she took off down the street before I could get it together.

le sigh.

Somebody's knocking at the door....

Somebody's ringin' the bell.

You know the tune, and what with the Private Natural Gas Vendors and the Missionaries on the march, it's the song I've been singing lately.
The Jehovah's Witnesses were by the other day.
I must have been out, or occupied, because my husband saw them from afar and was trying to call and warn me.
Also, the bloody BC Liberals shoved something through my door.
As if......

But even weirder, was the God Graffiti I found directly out front of my door today.
I must say that this is a first, and I was initially creeped out, but now I am amused.
I don't think it was the woman I've dubbed "the witch", whom I have a photo of, but would rather not post.....but I doubt that she would get down on the ground to scrawl that.
She usually just walks up to my front door, looks up towards the rickity roof of my porch and stares. It is most unusual. But in a neighbourhood where some of the patrons wear aluminum foil helmets, there really isn't much that surprises me.

I did a google search on "limb of God" as if that might offer up some clues, but mostly all I found were sites devoted to talking about why God never heals missing limbs etc. Interesting, but not something I have time to explore at present.

I wonder if google will produce anything on "Limbo of God"? Sounds more fun definitely.

Honesty at what cost?

Yesterday, the ladies went downtown to do some shopping.
Springtime means a new lipgloss, you know, girl stuff.
We had lunch out and got on the bus with our parcels.

The bus stop at Abbott and Hastings was particularly grim, as per usual. I saw a guy buy dope and then his scabby girl came up and promptly punched him in the arm and started arguing with the dealer. These were 2 people dressed like any other 20 somethings, except they were covered in scabs, emaciated, and without much control of their muscles, jerking back and forth etc. It was tough to take.

Of course my 4 year old asks, "why is that person punching that other person"?
What can I say except, "those are crazy people honey".

I fear for the future. I wonder how Vancouver will clean up this heinous mess by the Olympics. Maybe finally things will change. I also worry about how desensitized we have all become.
These are human beings.

What a long strange day it's been....

I cannot believe the craziness that I just witnessed on the street.
I had been nauseated earlier by the sight of two street urchins making out between two parked cars. Imagine emaciated, drawn, skeletal, love and then mix in the crazies. It was disturbing.

Then, as if out of some movie.....3 big guys wearing Puffy jackets and one donning some kind of Rasta hat come cruising down the sidewalk. It's only extra bizarre because they were obviously not familiar faces from the 'hood....cause usually people start to look familiar round these parts. Plus, this was a group of about 6 or 7 guys, so it was really obvious.

Next thing I know, I see one of the guys doing the kicking, stomping thing on a guy on the ground.



That is some scary stuff. I got all spooked calling the cops then realized the futility of it all.
I guess they can rack it up as statistics, but as far as enforcing people to not be violent towards each other, I dunno. It did break up the nice little crack party that had been forming though.

gonna banish all negative thoughts now.

ohmmmmmmm

Nothing to Report

Oxford Comma

So my baby likes Vampire Weekend really a lot!
I knew that he would have his dad's penchant for the preppy.
Also he is a sucker for African guitars.

Check it out if you dare. The dude even wears 'deck shoes' as if that is some revolutionary fashion statement.

everything old is new again.

How Can this be Good for You?

I realize that I'm taking a step backwards here, but I've been fascinated lately by the concept of the "E Meter". You hold onto two metal rods and an electrical charge goes through your body/mind as you do insane repetitive thoughts for hours on end. How can this be good for you? Does Tomkat participate in this? Does Beck? How many hours do they spend doing this per year?

Doesn't it fry your brain?


After having worked at a summer resort operated by "people of another faith", but really a cult in my opinion and shall remain nameless, I've seen how people will surrender their "free will" to the family they've found in a cult.

I mean, even I had that van of people who came around and picked me up for my Christian Youth Crusader group every Thursday night back when I was 13 years old. I'm surprised my parents allowed
me to go, but hey, whatever. I managed ok, and I even remember pulling my own hijinxs while I was there. Like when they picked me up for the wedding of the Pastor's daughter who was marrying some dude from Prison.

Come on, what is going on there?

It is scary stuff. To read so much about the Scientologists though...
I must say, "Ewwwwww!!". They seem like quite an unsavory bunch of characters. Of course I mean the ones in control, as a majority of them are likely victims to whatever extent.

Check out this e-meter costing over $4500 American. Yikes!

If you've ever lived in Vancouver, you know that there is much too much property crime and far too many car thefts. One of the VPD's most successful campaigns is the "bait car program", which nabs and videotapes plenty of junkies driving erratically and shooting off handguns from time to time.

The VPD promoted themselves with bravado in a street style.

This is what happened.





I find this hilarious and harmless fun.

Milestones

Today the littlest E was able to get his hands on his own wee unit.
It was so cute!!
I must say that I was a bit concerned at first only because he has trouble with his "grab control". It's never really in a delicate grab mode, more of a death grip.
I suppose he'll figure it out.

Hurray!

movin' on.......

I never really got into his Seachange album, and I must say that his being a Scientologist was a huge disappointment, but whatever.

This video has got some fantastic work in it.

An Unhealthy Obsession?

Santa brought me a new Vanity Fair magazine for Christmas. I enjoy this magazine, only because I'm a sucker for tabloid. I particularly enjoy the trials and tribulations of the enviably rich and the mayhem that ensues from life's excesses. I find it entertaining. Also, I don't have long patches of time now where I can read, so that's how it is.

So of course I latch right on to the tale of Jeremy Blake and Theresa Duncan. I'm reluctant to even type their names here lest I incur some sort of wrath be it supernatural or other. Just a normal pair of hipsters living their lives, being successful in Los Angeles, a city which I am also obsessed with.


I'll just say that the pair both committed suicide a week apart, and I might remember some snippit of this thing unfolding at the end of July, except that I was preoccupied with the upcoming birth of my boy.

Basically, I have spent a disgusting amount of time on these two deceased individuals, poring over every fact about their lives, and deaths.

I really don't feel like posting links to sources that I have read as I feel somewhat guilty,dirty,overly curious,pathetic,and exhilerated that I am engaging in such Schadenfreude.
First I honed up on the so called "facts" and "conspiracy theories", somewhat venturing into a world of haters. So many buzzards circling around. I tried to read and ignore what was necessary for me to NOT feel completely soulless, but who's kidding who, sometimes the dark is seductive.
To me, it is a mystery unfolding on the internet. There is a movie here, but I'm certainly not writing it. I will be moving on sometime in the near future.

I've recently tired of one particular blog as it was starting to feel too negative.
Also, how much time do I really want to spend on one dead blog. Goodbye to that one.

Now I've gone right to the source. Interesting in it's own merit, but certainly not worthy of the hype bestowed upon it. I have been rifling through, snooping on comments and getting obsessed with the Lunar Society. The whole premise of a secret society being very Pynchonesque in itself. I find many of the posts interesting and hilarious. Maybe I see a little of myself there. Not the glam or the blonde, but the interests. The music, the critical theory, the psychoanalysis,French New Wave,punk rock,consumption and criticism of pop culture,all that good stuff I went to University to learn. All from someone I never knew who took their own life.
So.Weird.

I borrowed these lovely images from her blog.


Happy New Year, she shouted into the void!!!

Damn!!

OK, so I've still got the damn pink eye.

What the hell?!
Why am I the only one in the family with this damn annoying goopy eye business?
I'm thinking it's because I touched a donkey at the Christmas Train night and then promptly stuck my finger in my eye?!

Whatever.....I just don't take too kindly to foreign bacteria invading my body.
Gonna break down and go to the doctor later.

EXXXXXXXXPLEEEEEEEEEEEEETIIIIIIIIVVVVVVVVVE!!!!!!!