Weekend Adventures

Hello All,
I am done school for this semester. I definitely could not wait for it to end. The last week has been quite busy with school and work. It was nice to see it come to an end. On Friday night there was a party for bookstore employees down at the Legacy Art Gallery. It was really great to get to know people from work in a different setting. It was semi-formal attire. I brought two ties with me. I like the blue tie more then the red. And the smile in this photo is a little creepy, I know! The food was good and lots of it. I had both a glass of white wine and punch but was tired of holding them at the same time so I mixed them together and made a white wine sangria so that I could drink and EAT! I was hungry that night.

After Legacy a few of us went to Earls. Now I know a few of those who are reading this went with me the last time I was at Earls. The service was poor, the food was bland, the servers would dress quite slutty and it took us close to 30mins just to pay the bill. So I wasn't heading into the place with high expectations. Well I was surprised. The service staff was nice, dressed comfortably, and the drink I had was quite nice. I had a Strawberry Daiquiri. Nice, sweet and smooth. So I am probably going to get some comments on the fact that I was drinking. And Yes I was. A half glass of wine and the daiquiri, it was nice. I did not feel I needed to drink, but I felt like having something sweet to sip on.

After Earls I headed to Salsa Palace to shake it up a bit. There was probably 5 of us who went out to dance. It was nice. I like Cafe Casablanca more. Nicer, kinder atmosphere. And the dancers at Casablanca are very very good. So my Friday night was a really great way to finish off my week and be done with school. I good closure to the semester.

Then Saturday came. I went with Paule and her family along with another family to see the 'Parade of Lighted Trucks'. I still can't believe that is the name of the event. So at just past 6 I left my house and started biking to Paule's house. Now, I stated to her that if it was raining at my place really badly I wouldn't come. Well it wasn't raining at my place or at her place, but in between, oh was it raining. It took me a much longer to get to her place. My brakes weren't as strong due to the rain and that I hadn't adjusted them much later so they were becoming loose. So I was traveling slower. It was dark and wet so I was worried about visibility for the traffic, whether they could see me or not. I had all my rain gear on so no problem with that. But by the time I got to Paule's house, which was a 35min ride which on a good day it takes me 20-25min, I was soaked. Dirty from all the muck from the roads and the goose trail. My bike was in pain. It started to make a clicking noise while going there. It needed attention but I didn't have time. I quickly got changed and headed out with the family and drove to Western Speedway, near Bear Mountain. And then we waited. And waited. And waited. I was tiring of that so I focused my attention to Anna. She was the daughter of the mother from the other family that joined us. Well Anna and I had a great time. We talked about many things. She was so cute. It was lovely to play with her and put her on my shoulders, and watch the trucks come by and joke around. She was very bright. Hehe. At one time she licked me on the cheek and her mom went, "Oh Anna don't lick him!" I responded and told Anna that only dogs lick people. She said, "I'm a doggie." I replied, "No you're a human." "No, I'm not a Ouman. Look, WOOF!" I barked back and so it began. Her and I spent the next little while barking like dogs in front of everyone. It was so much fun. Here are some pictures from the parade.





















Then on Sunday I slept. And Monday I slept, and cleaned my bike finally. Not even fully done. The chain is going to need to be replaced. Rusted a little too much from the settled water. It has served me well, 4000km so far. Will keep it until the new year. No point getting another one to have it destroyed by the rain also. Hope you all have a great week to come. And enjoy whenever your weekend comes from being free of the things we choose to do.

Nicholas

Funnies...

How many software engineers does it take to change a light bulb?

1) None. real computer geeks prefer LEDs.
2) None. It's a hardware problem!
3) Just one. But the house falls down.
4) Two. One resigns halfway through the project.
5) 10. One to change the bulb and one to explain binary.
6) Is this a dynamically allocated light bulb?

A Night Ride

A bunch of posts ago I wrote about riding at night and my feeling of peace and clarity of the mind during those times. Well a few nights ago I came home after a day out and about doing the things that needed to be done. I had both my panniers on the bike. They were probably close to 30lbs. Filled with books, papers, work clothes, and rain clothes. So when I was coming down the driveway towards my garage I did not want to go in. I didn't want to be home yet. So, I opened the garage door; rode inside, dropped the weight, took off my jacket and went right back out.

I quickly rode down to Willows beach and did a couple runs up and down. I could not go as fast as I wanted to because it was so dark. One thing I have noticed in Victoria is that it has gotten very dark at night these days. The roads are hard to see and my light is not a 'seeing' light it is a 'to be seen' light. After Willows beach I went onto Beach Drive and rode quite quickly(30-40kph) to the Marina. It was great fun to be out with no cars driving around. I don't know how to describe it. It is not a feeling of being alone but free from others. The dichotomy of the environment, riding at day I am cautiously looking out wherever I am going to see what to avoid next. But at night it is relaxing. Do I like it more then the daytime. It is not about liking either one more. They are different. I like riding during the day but at night there is nothing around me. It is an escape from the daylight. I like falling into that mystery of the night.

I clearly had some energy to burn that night. After doing circles to cool down at the Marina, I started on my way home. I saw another cyclist riding behind me. I noticed a big halogen bulb lighting up the front of the bike. I was trying to ride slowly in order for them to catch up to me. I don't know what I would have said but a part of me wanted them to join me, or me to join them on a night ride. I was too fast for them to catch up and too scared to turn around and approach them. An opportunity lost and an understanding found. Take the moment. Accept it for what it is.

Nicholas

PS: Photo was taken by Cey on the #11 bus, via iPhone, while I raced him back to his place. Great photo Cey. And I will not make any comment about how great my legs look. None at all. Click on the image to make it larger. You can see how long ago that was taken. I have not put fenders yet on the bike. Definately need them now.

Winter has come, but the sun stays.

Firstly sorry to all that read this message with snow sitting on their doorstep. The sun is still shinning here and it is so great to be able to bike around not in the rain. Although, I think I should get some funding from MEC because of all the bike stuff I have bought from them.

I am amazed at how fast this semester has gone by. I have 12 hours of class left, 1 Exam, two tape assignments to complete and journal entries to write. So close to being completed.

With all my smiles of the great weather that is here, I am planning a trip up to whistler to visit my brother. Spend some time up there with the snow. It is crazy expensive at this time of year. Who would have known. At least I can bunk with my brother. Thanks Chris. Should be a great time. Get off of the island and see something new. I have been to whistler before but quite some time ago. Always nice to see things fresh with older eyes.

-Nicholas

He is double plus good!!

Found this picture of a celebration party with Obama's friends and supporters. The omni-present giant head on the wall made me think about the current level of authority of the President of the United States. Which has been growing illegally for some time now. The picture reminded me of another image that looks quite similar.

Let's keep our eyes open and not walk blindly behind those that we deem more appropriate to be in the position they are in. Don't stop demanding. Continue if you can. I have a limited role to play. I am not a citizen of the United States. I am a Canadian who does not feel represented by the current political position here and wary of the condition down south.

There was a difference of 7.5 million votes between the two candidates. Therefore 56million people voted for the other guy too! Don't forget that. America has not changed overnight. It has put on a different mask. I'm curious if the masks that are worn by us all will ever be taken off.

Nicholas

Whatever!

Tick-tock, goes the clock
We wait for waiting.
Hold back for patience
Hope for clarity
In the end time passes
Thoughts are forgotten
Opinions change
Reflect
Redirect
Realize
One day you hear the clock go
Tick-Tock, Tick Tock

Words of Advice

Note #1: I am but dust and ashes. I am that proverbial grain of sand on the beach of life. None of us are that much far from each other. We're all the same.
Note #2: For me the world was created.

Think about it.....

Check this out.

http://www.thezeitgeistmovement.com/

Seasons

Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes,
Five hundred twenty-five thousand moments so dear.
Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure, measure a year?

In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights
In cups of coffee
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife.

In five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure
A year in the life?

How about love?
How about love?
How about love? Measure in love

Seasons of love. Seasons of love

Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes!
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Journeys to plan.

Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure the life
Of a woman or a man?

In truths that she learned,
Or in times that he cried.
In bridges he burned,
Or the way that she died.

It's time now to sing out,
Tho' the story never ends
Let's celebrate
Remember a year in the life of friends
Remember the love!
Remember the love!
Seasons of love!

Oh you got to got to
Remember the love!
You know that love is a gift from up above
Share love, give love spread love
Measure measure your life in love.

We are all monkeys

Monkeys who think they need to be happy rather then be like all other animals and just be. Existence. We are no different than any object that you see around you right now, the mouse that you are clicking, the buildings that are around you, and the ground you stand on, we are all the same. Energy. It is all just energy. Forms differ but it is all the same, all together, all just one.

Nick

At times I think we think too much.

and i know what i just said

Welcome to the family!

Well everyone I am excited to announce that my brother has asked for his girlfriend's hand in marriage and I am thrilled to have Shob become my sister in-law. I have never had a sister before. I think it will be nice. hehe, hey sis! So pretty exciting news everyone. YAY!!!

Life's Work

Not what you think. I just thought the heading was good. I just came back from a long day at work. I am tired and just need a little time to veg out but feel like I need to do some school work. I work for the next three days, all of them nice and full of time on my feet, walking around(better then running:p) making sure everything goes smoothly.

But is it right for me to complain? No, i don't think so. I am lucky to have this job and at times it is very very relaxed, right now it is crazy busy but that will change in time.

Hope you all are doing well. Talk with you another day.

-Nicholas

Midnight in Victoria

I love biking at night, it is, at times, the perfect temperature to ride through the empty streets. Have my music on and just rolling on the streets. I like it because I feel at ease. It can calm me down before going home, and it doesn't feel like I am in a hurry. I can let go of the handle bars, free my body from the bike and breath. It is peaceful and I connect with it well.

Goodnight