Vancouver Trip (part 2)

Day 3: Momma Bear and I woke up early and decided to take a ferry to Victoria, British Columbia. We had a rental car which was P-i-m-ping Nissan something or other, but it was fancy. Once on the boat I made a B-line to the deck and watched as we set sail. I kept saying “I’M ON A BOAT!” in which my mother replied “Yes you are, now what do you keep saying that?!?!” (If you don't understand click here)

The boat ride was about an hour long and once on land again I was amazed at the beautiful scenery. Victoria and Vancouver are just like Halifax  except on steroids and with mountains. Victoria was awesome, the people were friendly and the food is great! This was also where I bought one of David’s many presents. I bought him some of those Buckyballs, he loves them  and plays with his balls for hours on end (not going there)

Day 4: Momma bear and me drove up to Whistler, which is now my favourite place on earth right now. So beautiful minus the hernia you get driving back on the edge of cliffs. We made a stop on the way to see some of the Olympic parks and then finally arrived in Whistler. After a half hour trying to find a parking space we walked around the Village for 4 hours shopping and eating some Irish pub food (which is where we always seemed to eat, gotta keep the Nova Scotia Irish/Celtic love). It was also a beautiful sunny day so you could actually see all of the mountains. The average age there is about 16-24 and the retail prices were about $20 more than anywhere else in Canada. Still loads of fun and I can’t wait to go back!

We were only in Vancouver for 4 days and I can’t wait to go back. I told David over and over that we were moving there, and that I was going to “miss” my plane and stay there forever. Just to humour me David did look up the cost of living there and immediately informed me that if we sold our house and everything we owned we would only be able to afford a 10foot by 10foot shack there. He’s such a dream crusher.... or a realist whichever. 

Monday Momma bear and I flew home. She was in first class on the plane but was able to bring a “guest” with her into the Air Canada lounges which are awesome! They give you free food, magazines and booze...which I took full advantage of.

Speaking of which I'm hungry now
- D

Vancouver Trip

There has been a delay in writing my blog because I was in British Columbia with my momma bear for a vacation.  Which was oodles and oodles of fun.

Day One: We were only in BC for 4 days, and I was determined to walk as far as my little legs could take me while I was there. Momma Bear was working, so I woke up early (the first time I woke up at 6am and didn’t want to murder someone, love 4 hour time change) and set out on my day by 9am. I walked out the doors of our nice hotel and instantly started walking in the wrong direction towards the bad part of Vancouver. Where the homeless and drug addicts are by the hundreds. About two blocks up I realized this and turned around. After a few “which way is the water front?” I finally found the harbour. The first place I stumbled across was Canada Place and was in awe at the Olympics flash back. Then after a few more wrong turns I found the Olympic Torch (which was my goal of the day) Here’s my picture: 

After walking around Vancouver all day, mom called and asked me to meet her for dinner. As I made my way to the restaurant, I started seeing weird debris on the ground. I looked up one of the side streets that was closed and it looked like world war three. There was exploded, burned up cars, a tanks, and fake concrete debris everywhere. I kept walking and met mom and her work colleagues for a green beer (it was St Patrick’s day) and told them about what I had just seen. On the way back to our hotel I pointed out the exploded street to my mother. As we looked at the movie set, I turned to look beside me at a man, talking to another man laying on the ground. After a few moments I realized it was PACEY! Or Joshua Jackson as some others may know him. He was acting out the next scene with his director 5-10 feet from us. I starred in awe at his perfect sexy body as he flung himself into buildings. After about ten minutes security noticed us and shooed us aside. My teenage dream was finally fulfilled (minus the whole marrying Pacey part)

Day Two: Momma bear was still working and so I decided I would go to the Vancouver Aquarium to see fishies. I awoke again around 6am and went down to the concierges for directions. Turns out his name was Donny and he was from Newfoundland (no matter where I am I will always find a maritimer) Anywho he directed me to take a bus to Stanley Park. For those of you who know me know that I can count on one hand the amount of times I’ve been on a bus. So I walked out onto Vancouver streets with the exact change in my pocket  and waited about ten minutes before I saw the #19 bus. I walked up the stairs and shaking nervously jamped my change into the meter slot. Which of course clogged it and the bus driver had to shoo my hand away so he could fix it. Embarrassed, I made my way to a seat as he drove on, or I should say I nose dived into an empty chair because I was not prepared for the bus to lurch forward. Once seated the panic set in that I had no idea where I was going other than Stanely Park. So I starred out the window every so often reading street names and franticly trying to find them on the mini map Donny had given me. I should also state Donny drew a mountain goat to remind me if I see mountains I’ll always find my way, but if I find a mountain goat I’ve gone too far.
  
Sure enough Donny was true to his word and the bus stopped at Stanley Park. I made my way and found the Aquarium only to be alone starring at large locked doors. I of course forgot to change the time on my phone clock and therefore arrived at the aquarium half an hour early. After some walking around and annoying some nearby ducks, the half an hour passed I made my way inside. I walked in and soon realized that of course they take your picture at the door. Everyone with their families our significant other was being photographed. As soon as I was next in line I politely said with a smile “It’s just me”. The lady smiled back and turned to scream to the photographer “SHE’S ALONE, IT’S JUST HER!” for everyone to hear. Thanks jerkbag.

The aquarium was so much fun! Like all the other kids, I pushed my face against glass windows to see all the creatures on the other side.  I giggled when the beluga whale splashed it’s trainer and watch in awe as the dolphins swam around without their eyesight (they covered their eyes for echo location stuff). I made frog faces at the ginormous froggies and tapped the glass to make the snakes look at me. I was there for 3 hours by myself and enjoyed every minute of it!

Okay I’m going to end it there because I’m still jet lagged and tired! I’ll finish my last two days in B.C some other time. Keep checking back for updates.

I Maybe Crazy but I Have A Heart

Alright this past week has been hell and since I can’t think of anything remotely funny to write I’m going to talk about something that makes me smile.

Two years ago this month I quit smoking. Not many people knew I smoked but I did so for a good 10 years. I was over half a pack a day and it was my kryptonite. Anyone who smokes will tell you it’s not as easy as “Just quit” like the non smokers say. I can remember the exact moment that I chose to quit, I was driving in to get my hair done, and for some reason I had that “what the hell am I doing” moment that everyone talks about. So on my way home from the hair dressers I stopped in and bought the patch, went home slapped that puppy on and waited for the moment of self gratification to kick in. Well it didn’t, instead I became an insane emotional wreck that was looking at anyone to pick a fight with. David was always there and I believe we both agree now I almost killed him 3 times in an angry emotional rage (don’t drive and quit smoking is my only advice). After a week of bitter sweet hell I realized I had chosen the wrong patch and was on Step 2 which I thought was if you smoke more than ten cigarettes a day, but it was less than ten a day. So I was half withdrawing and half receiving nicotine. Fast forward, David is still alive and kicking, extremely afraid of me (which is an understatement) but he fought through it with me. David never smoked ever, and dated me, a smoker for 4 years. God knows how he did it because smoke smells like butt if you don’t smoke yourself.

So that’s not where the story makes me smile, it was that summer. That summer of rage, emotional outburst and endless tears I had one of my melt downs and the only thing that calmed me down was driving the Old Waverly Road by myself, music loud. So it was on one of my drives, tears pouring down my face for some god awful insignificant reason that I passed this (I assume 12 year old) girl on the side of the road with a sign in her hand “bracelets for sale”. I kept driving on and wound up at Mic Mac mall,  I went shopping and then two hours latter headed back home the same way. It was a thirty degree day and even the A/C wasn’t enough to keep you comfortable. As I rounded the corner the same girl was still on the side of the road with the sign, waving as cars passed. I drove past her once more and then turned around at the gas station up the street. I drove back and pulled in the street she was  on. She saw me coming back and threw her sign on the ground and ran back to a little wooden table she had set up with her friend. I walked over to where she stood. She was smiling ear to ear, and I smiled back. She presented the little string bracelets she and her friend had spent the day making. I pretend to look through each one admiring it as best as I could but the purple one was the one that caught my eye. I picked it up and said “I like this one the most, how much?” “That’s one of my favourites too, it’s a friendship bracelet. Two dollars please” she replied (which was a small rip off but after the day she spent outside well worth it) I handed over the two dollars as she smiled widely over her new cash. I looked at her and said “I’m going to give it to my best friend then” she smiled and I finished “She’s over in Korea so this bracelet is going to fly half way around the world” Her eyes grew so big and she replied “Really?!” I told her “yep my best friend is over there and I’m going to give it to her”

Now the bracelet is wrapped my best friend, Kryslte M’s ankle as she travels around Korea and Bali (as far as I know, she’s probably on her way to some other Asian country)

So that’s my story, a little girl working hard for something she loves to do, and a travelling free spirited friend wearing something that made me smile. 

Skies of Blue, Clouds of White

I haven’t written in a while, mainly because the past 6 days have been hell. First I was sick, which was extra terrible because David was sick as well. So my whining didn’t go very far and the sympathy from him and his running nose didn’t get me the attention I wanted. The only thing worse than a sick Danielle is a sick David and Danielle.

 Next was I pulled a muscle in my neck and was unable to move for 3 days until I went into the doctor and he gave me happy pills. Which make me 5 seconds slower and so if you throw anything at me I will not flinch until after the impact (David has already tested this theory).

So that's my small update, if you want to read a better version of the past 5-6 days go to David's Blog
PS: I know this title has nothing to do with this post, but I don't care, I liked the way it sounded. Which might have something to do with my happy pills, okay I'm going to take a nap.

- D

A Story About Love....Or Something Like That

Well some of you know the story of how David and I met and it is one about passion and love....or something like that. It all started in the summer of 2004. My father had just bought a motorcycle and after some talk he said he would take me out on it. Excited I suited up and was about to get on when I asked him about how motorcycle drivers always wave at each other. He smiled and replied "Yes they do. The passenger’s wave as well if you want to you should do it too". Excited now that I was going to be a part of a small club of waving motorcycle drivers I couldn't wait.

 As we drove down the street we came to a set of lights in which we were turning right. As we leaned around the corner to turn, another motorcycle caught my eye. Excited I let go of the back handlebar/back rest and stuck my hand out in a wave. It was a strong, firm and decisive wave. As I did so the guy on the bike looked over at me, and within a moment saw my gesture and then looked away. That was it! My first motorcycle wave and the guy didn't wave back. I was so upset that I told my dad I wasn't waving to anyone ever again.

 A week may have passed when I was out with my friend at Tim Horton's. We were hanging out in the parking lot when he saw his friend pull in. He got out of the car and walked over to these two guys standing on the curb. I followed suit and soon saw the bike. As my friend was saying hello to the guys this is when I looked up and said "who owns this bike?!" A guy wearing a motorcycle jacket replied "I do" I looked at him square in the eye and said "YOU'RE AN ASS HOLE!" Shocked at my reply, his mouth dropped open and something along the lines of "I'm sorry?" came out of his mouth. The guy was David (he should have known then that if my first words to him were "you're an ass hole" he should have turned and run) I finished my rant explaining the story of how my first wave was at him but he didn't wave back. Of course he gave me some poor excuse of not remembering and he was probably holding in his clutch because he was stopped at the intersection. (Whatever he still ruined my life in that moment) After a few moments of explanation I accepted his apology and we both went on with our day.

 Well the next morning at the same Tim Horton's I was getting my friends and my morning coffee before school. As I walked out I heard a honk and quickly looked up to see David sitting in a truck waving frantically (this was for the full effect of making sure I saw him waving so that he avoided more verbal assault from me) With a smile and a blush I waved back only to be suddenly interrupted by squealing tires and more horn honking. I forgot to stop walking when he waved and walked straight out into traffic. (kids always pay attention when crossing the road). After that he always waved and I waved back.

Maybe the second or third time we actually hung out he told me he was a Newfie and I'm pretty sure I told him Newfie jokes for almost half an hour. He pretended to laugh (or so he says, I think the jokes were HIL-AR-IOUS) and I fell head over heels for him. Fast forward to now, and the name calling still happens every so often but David in his true David fashion will roll his eyes, never fight me back, and wait until I'm done being a jerk before he continues on being the nice guy he is.

My Little Secret....

Dallas Green 2011

Alrighty I’m a big music buff which is clear as day, but after today’s little slip up on the radio I feel the need to clear the air. The first step is always admitting you have a problem, and I have a problem. I won NOFX tickets on the radio and was asked to sing a song and I blanked. Which to some, isn’t surprising. You see my problem is that for the life of me I cannot memorize the lyrics to ANY song! At all....none.....nothing... not even Wonderwall, Everlong or Wheightly Ghost. Itsy Bitsy Spider is even a challenge.
So that's the truth, I always mess up words and make up new ones (this includes all of Tim’s & Dallas’ songs too) It’s physically impossible for me to sing a song front to back without making one mistake. This is the reason I cannot become a singer someday, that and I have absolutely no musical talent. It is to the point now where David tells me to sing only in private, or gives me the silent head shake because of my issue. Here are some examples:
(Me)“...But that was a conversation, you’ve done nothing wrong”
(Paperwings, Rise Against) “...But that was a conversation you took nothing from”

(Me) “Well I have no time for you”
(Write it all down for you, Elliot Brood) “Well I write it all down for you” (name of the song)

Now I know you’re thinking “well gee Danielle, those don’t sound so bad, those are just common mistakes”. There’s more...

(Me) – “On a January night when the cold winds breeze, I got an Irish name and an injured Wreath” (Red At Night, Gaslight Anthem) – “On a January night when the cold winds freeze, I got an Irish name and an injury”

(Me) Me “Then he had a pig and felt like a man again”
(Flannagan’s Ball, Dropkick Murphys) “Then he hit a big one and felt like a man again”

(Me) – “Your hands I can’t seem to find, Ba-lou-sha burns my tough”
(Give it All, Rise Against) – “your hands I can't seem to find, Pollution burns my tongue,”
(David and I have yet to figure out what Balousha is)

And of course, the forever infamous "CLEVE'S CLEVE'S CLEVES" which is suppose to be the Cleve's sporting goods slogan. Which isn't even close because the solgan is actually "Source for Sports"

It doesn’t stop at song lyrics, it’s also song names; such as Neil Young’s “A horse with no name"
My version is “A horse with no head” and as David points out, that would make it a dead horse.
So if you see me singing either tell me to stop or please don’t pay attention. I apologize now for any inconveniences I may cause you in the future.

Canada Games are in Nova Scotia

Well I’ve been receiving mixed reviews on my blogging. I’ve been told I”m getting all mushy because of my last two post and contrary to popular belief I do actually have a heart. For those who think I’m very heartfelt and loving, contrary to popular belief I am usually an ass hole. I'm multi dimensional like that. As David says I'm crazy but crazy and intelligent are basically the same thing to me. You say potato I say potato (bet you read potato the same way twice in your head)

The past two weeks have been very busy because of the Canada Games and all of the free concerts. The two things I love most in life: Concerts and Free stuff.

Monday (February 14) we saw Joel Plaskett and I attempted a flash mob (key word is attempted) you can view it here:

If you’re thinking “Gee that doesn’t look like a flash mob” you’re probably right but I had no idea because I was luckily stuck between two gigantors and couldn’t see a damn thing. I still did my dance though, which lucky me we chose to stand in a spot covered in ice so my flailing dance arms and jumping dance moves were hampered by slippage and almost face plants. It was still oodles and oodles of fun because Joely P knows how to put on a show.

Tuesday was Sloan but there was no way in hell I was standing outside in -25. Sorry guys. So Wednesday was Hey Rosetta with David, so much fun and had Mayor Peter Kelly give me candy. So it was fun, tasty and a tad weird. Thursday was Matt Mays and anyone who was there will tell you it was fun cakes! Good Gracious! Dartmouth came out to play and it was a blast. I should also apologize to the poor girl standing beside me who had to hear my rendition of City of Lakes sung not in D major but in suck major at the top of my lungs (I know that sounds insanely lame but I don't care).

Fast forward to Wednesday (Feb 23) The Stanfields! If you haven’t seen these guys yet, do it. Always a fun time, and I now know that even sober they sound awesome. Don’t judge me they sing “The Dirtiest Drunk in the History of Liquor” it’s basically a mandatory entrance fee to their show, and I always pay admission so (this is where my point is validated). David has a hall pass because he doesn’t drink and is always the designated driver (DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE KIDS)

So, the non music things I did during the Canada Game was seeing the men’s gold medal hockey game. Which I won tickets too! And was the only event I went too...because it was free (hey I’m poor don’t judge me) . Anyway besides the fact that David and I sat in the wrong seats (which were wayyyyyyy better, center ice and lower bowl) my team won! David (in true David fashion he picked the team I didn’t) I went for B.C and David went for Quebec. So...if I may...OLEEE OLE OLE OLEEEE muhahahahaha
- D

Parents are Awesome

I loved the responses I received on my last post. It’s amazing how far a smile or compliment can go.

I guess you could say that another big part of who I am is based on good parenting, but don’t tell my parents that I can’t have it going to their heads. I do love my parents and they always seem to make me laugh everyday. Once my facebook status was “Went to the Casino & won $200 playing the ATM Machine!"  Then my mom called me asking me if I have a gambling problem. They may not understand my humour but they always give me good material when I want to make a joke. 

As a child you see your parents as super heroes that can solve any problem with a kiss or a hug. Then you grow up to the teenage years where everything they do is incredibly annoying and you have no idea how you’ve made it this long living in the same house as them. I once pulled the “I’m going to call child services on you” card, and my mom replied “Go head and do it, I’ll show them you’re room and all the things you’ve done and own” (I never used that threat again, she was always so good at calling me on my bull sh*t) Then comes adulthood, where you realize that you’re parents might actually be super heroes, after all they do manage to still love you even after everything you put them through as a teenager (Sorry about that mom & dad).

I still love yanking their chains, such as telling my mom that I decided to get a blog and I know she checks this almost everyday to make sure that I don’t write anything bad about her (HI MOM! sorry). Parents are funny and people just like us, and they can do amazing things for you. Such as cooking you amazing meals (Janet (David's mother) I’ll pay you to make that bread pudding again) or free trips (I can’t wait to go to BC with you  mom!)  or keeping you grounded (such as mom calling and asked which seat I’d prefer on the plane to BC. I replied “window, but aren’t you sitting next to me?”, Mom “Ah No, I’m flying first class") In her defence this is a work trip for her, so I'll pleasantly sit in my seat in the back of the plane crying and screaming that I want my mommy because after all you're never to old to keep your parents grounded either.

In conclusion this post is dedicated to awesome parents out there and on behalf of us kids we’re sorry about all the stress, sleepless nights, and line pushing we’ve put you through. But hey, we make your life...colourful. I mean sure if you didn’t have kids you’d have way more money, less grey hair, more time for yourself, could probably travel the world, but what fun would that be?

Loves!

-       D

Penny For Your Thoughts & A Dollar For A Smile

For a couple of years now I’ve had an American Dollar bill in my wallet folded neatly and never used, and here is why.
  
My first job at 16 was working for Tim Horton’s. It was the beginning of my independence and although I enjoyed the money, the fast pace atmosphere was always the one thing I would complain about. During one of my dinner time rushes I was serving people as quickly and nicely as possible. Person after person passed by my counter some were happy and some definitely not to happy.
When the rush was finally over I started cleaning up the mess me and the others had made. After a few moments a man was standing in front of me on the other side of the counter. I looked up and recognized him from moments before. (Ham and Swiss sandwich meal) He waited for me to notice him and I stopped what I was doing and asked if anything was wrong. Then I watched as he put his hand on top of the counter, not saying a word until he pulled his hand away and an American dollar bill appeared. A little confused at his gesture he leaned in and said “Never stop smiling because you’re good at it” and then he walked away and I never saw him again.
The reason why I never cashed the tip was because this man was obviously in a terrible accident. His face was severely burnt and scared, he didn’t have any ears, nose, lips or eyebrows. I remember seeing him in the line earlier and served him as if he was just another person. So this man who obviously had a much more difficult life than I did, took a moment out of his day to acknowledge me and I never had the heart to cash the tip but instead kept it as a reminder to smile.

- D

David Has A Blog

I'm happy to say that David now has a blog and you should all follow him. He also has a Flicker account if you want to check it out.
Please Note: Anything written in that blog about me is false unless it is about how wonderfully awesome I am.

- D