This makes me sad

Ok, so we all know about the American election. On a night where history was made for all the right reasons, California was making history for all the wrong reasons.

You see, on that night, the State of California NARROWLY said yes to Proposition 8, essentially taking away the rights of gays and lesbians to marry.

Now, I get this is a divisive issue. I get that. What I don't get is why. What does it matter to the religious right if gays get married? Does it really have any impact on the state of your marriage? I mean, let's not lie, the divorce rate isn't going to soar because a couple of gays got hitched.

I just don't get it. What does it matter?! I truly believe that if Jesus were alive today, he would be preaching the ideas of tolerance and acceptance, not hate and divisiveness. I mean, wasn't the guy all about love? And acceptance? And understanding?

I was truly moved by this commentary by Keith Olbermann from MSNBC. I have some gay friends and the idea that they cannot share their love in the same way as I can, well, I don't like that idea and am thankful I live in Canada and not the US.



Watch it. It is only 6 minutes of your time that might give you some food for thought - rather than just blinding following, think about the reality of your choices. Think about what they really mean and who they really affect.

I had fun

So like I mentioned previously, I am making friends in Vancouver. Sure, most of them are from Edmonton, but I have met a couple of really cool Vancouver-ites.

Friday night, one of these cool Vancouver-ites told me about a show his band, The Painted Birds were doing show as part of the Nearly Famous Music Festival. I hadn't seen him play live and well, you all know how much I enjoy live music. So, Priscilla, Sarin and I put on our best, 'we're cool too' outfits and went to check out the show.

I had never seen a friend perform live before. Other than Jarod's Ukranian dancing, I had never seen the transformation of a person into a rockstar. That alone was reason enough to go. Josh was great and it was really cool to see him morph into this star, groupies and all.

Not only that, but when he came to chat during an acoustic break, I felt pretty cool. I mean, he is with the band! heh.

Saturday was enjoyable. Went to a great Thai resto with Nikki. Cheap and good, what more can you ask for? And then went to hang with P3 and Sia. It was good to see P3, but especially great seeing Sia.

I never really got what was so great about having a dog - that was until Sia walked into my life. But that is enough for a whole other post, so I will save it.

So, yeah. Vancouver. You aren't ALL bad.

A little lost

I had gotten into this lovely routine here in this miserable city.

I had a friend at work that I REALLY liked and not just in that co-worker sorta way. Climbing all the time and had developed this lovely relationship with P3 (yes, the ex. I don't want to hear it)

Well all of a sudden, that has all changed. Well, temporarily at least.

You see, my friend at work found a really great job. Like a REALLY great job, one that I cannot even begrudge her a little for taking. So fine, one down. FINE.

P3 decided a few weeks ago that he was going on a roadtrip and taking my puppy love with him. I mean, I can deal with one leaving, but both of them?! What?!

And now, I have been all ... shy when I am bouldering. I don't really get it, I have bouldered by myself a bunch - and every time I am ok. Nerves in check and I actually do quite well, but not lately. The past few times, I haven't been able to even do routes that I normally do. How messed up is that?! Ugh.

So, I go, by myself and suck. Like really suck. I hate sucking at anything. In general, I just don't do things that I am not good at. But this too shall pass.

At least I hope.

Plans?

YES! Actually I do have plans this weekend and I am very excited for them.

My friend's husband has organized a pubcrawl for his birthday. I have never been on a pubcrawl before and I really thought I would never go on one. I mean, really, my time has passed. But this one is going to be people of my own age group, so it should make for a good time.

I have no idea where we are going or what we are doing, but at 7PM tonight, I am getting on a bus and heading to god-knows-where to drink excessively.

I feel like a girl of just 25 again!

I got really high

So I have taken to rock climbing.

Taken to it in a way I never thought I would take to any sort of physical activity. I HATE physical activity. A lot. I don't like the gym. I think running is stupid. And everything else has just seemed 'meh' to me.

I tried rock climbing for the first time in April. I really liked it. The first time I got up that wall and finished a route - well, I was hooked. Even in the busy climbing gym, the only thing I could think about was the problem in front of me.

I have mentioned several times how I have a busy head. Usually, I have few moments of nothingness. And when I do, they are often fleeting. But not when I climb.

When I climb, the only thing I can think about is the next hand-hold and my foot placement. Am I using my arms too much? How do I have to position myself to make finish this one? These are the only things that can go through my head. Otherwise, I fall. And no one likes to fall.

So yeah, I go three or four times a week now. Three hours usually at a time. And I boulder too. Bouldering (for those of you who don't know) is when you climb about three metres up without rope. There are huge crash pads beneath you, so there is no worry of injury. I hope.

I have even gone outside. Which is fucking incredible. These are from my very first outdoor climb. Right on the ocean - how amazing is that!?

Me climbing












The view from Lighthouse Park (West Vancouver)









Me freaking out before my first climb.












So yeah, I love something that isn't shoes or work or bad for me. And it is sofa king granola!