A year in Vancouver!

The bigger the undertaking, the trickier it is…

This week all I can say is, “please stop raining!!” And yes, the two exclamation marks were totally needed. I’m not usually a fan of doubling up on punctuation, but really, in this case… It has gotten to a point where I have taken to throwing coins into wishing wells and making this my wish. I’m also going to add, a day early, in the hope of tempting the fates and really praying they prove me wrong, it has rained every single day for the entire month of November. Go on, I dare you, stay dry tomorrow. I feel like I live in Cloud City, except Hans Solo has yet to show up in his Millennium Falcon.

Usually, or at least for the past four weeks I have tried to avoid the rain somewhat on a Saturday, I know, I’m not made of sugar, I won’t melt… but my hair will frizz, by finding indoor activities and adventures in which to partake. This week, I thought I had also found an indoor attraction, only to be proved wrong once I arrived. I headed out to Queen Elizabeth Park, yes I know a park is usually outdoor, and most of this one is no exception. However, I will pause briefly to say the fountains were very pretty, and would have been worth more attention if it wasn’t raining quite so hard, and the landscaping was gently enticing, and again with a sunny day would make for a very pleasant walk. It is not quite on the same scale as Stanley Park and it does not have the dramatic and enchanting appeal that I enjoy in Stanley Park, although I appreciate this may all be a matter of taste, however, it does have the Bloedel Conservatory.

From the initial description of the conservatory I was given to understand that is would be something like I imagine (never having been) the Eden Project in the UK is like. The guide books spoke very highly of it, and the literature produced by the parks authority describes it as Over 500 different plants from tropical and subtropical areas of the world are on display, and over 100 birds of various species call the Bloedel Conservatory home, free-flying within the spacious plexiglass dome. Take a stroll through a simulated tropical rainforest paradise, then explore the subtropic and desert climate zones. Unfortunately, due to funding cuts this is set to close, for good, in the New Year. I thought I would therefore, take this opportunity to visit before it finally closed. I have to say I was very disappointed. The dome which supposed has great views of the city was frosted and cloudy, and cracked in numerous places leading to a huge amount of leaks, so many in fact that a umbrella was necessary inside and the birds had been taken to seeking shelter under foliage and perches, and in one case, an umbrella! The dome was also much smaller than I had imagined, having a radius of just 40 meters, therefore leaving little scope for changes of habitat, and certainly not ending up in a dry desert like environment due to the roof issues. It is a shame that this is going to be closing, as it had the scope and potential to be a fantastic learning experience and really enjoyable place to visit, but I can see that the expense needed to maintain and correct it, from its current state would be extensive.

Queen Elizabeth Park, remains a nice place to visit, and possibly in the summer its attraction will be that is isn’t Stanley Park, it is certainly easier to get to, has much cheaper parking, and a couple of Henry Moore sculpture pieces that will be worth a second and closer look.

I feel a little like time has slipped away from me this week, I’ll see what next week has to bring…

A year in Vancouver!

It is too late to ask advice when the danger comes…

And this week it presented itself in the form of coyotes, and me very nearly ending up on their dinner plate. I was quite happily walking home on Friday evening, I was about 300 yards from my apartment, it was about 7:00pm, dark and I was on a road which cut through wooded area when a man stopped his car and started talking to me. Usually at this point I would be a little suspicious of the man in the car- I listened to all the “stranger danger” sessions at school, and having a bit of a sweet tooth, let’s face it, if anyone is offering me candy, I’m not going to be putting up much resistance. However, this was a very nice man and he thought he really ought to point out that there were two coyotes standing about eight foot away from me. The bit of noise he had created in his car and his lights encouraged them to disappear into the trees, but they did make a couple more passes before I reached the top of the road. Having Googled their behavior when I got home, I was delighted to find I was a little to chunky for them to actually want to eat, I knew pizza and fries had a purpose! What I think is a little more concerning is my complete lack of a survival instinct! How could I have not even realized that they were there? If I had been a cave person I would have been sabre tooth tiger food before I even knew I was in trouble- I think it is safe to say I was descended from the sit by the fire and check out my pointy shoe wearing tribe rather than the actually do something useful tribe.

The magic ski pants did get another outing this week, relatively short due to high gusting winds, not so much skiing as being randomly blown about in any which direction. Interesting sport, but not sure it will catch on for the Olympics! However, I will try not to dwell on the ski pants too much as it is likely I will start on their many fantastic qualities and get far too carried away.

I did also manage to get out to Science World this weekend. This is one of the places I have been past every week since I arrived here and finally managed to get inside. The building has always appeared fairly intriguing, and is quite possibly one of Vancouver’s most distinctive structures being a big silver geodesic dome. It was apparently left over from Expo ’86 and is now a very hands on and child friendly museum, if you don’t mind embarrassing yourself somewhat it can also be an adult friendly museum… After playing on the stretch and reach machine I learned that I am decidedly more bendy than the average 29.2 (ok- that is 31) year old women. I was very proud of myself for being able to reach 48 cm rather than the standard 33cm, and I had no warm up and practice time first! I have to say, men only have a disappointing average of 25cm- really guys!?!?!?

The science museum does have five galleries and loads of things to play with, the teacher in me found it a little too gimmicky and not learning focused enough, or at least not directed enough. I would have liked a little more explanation on some of the exhibits, and maybe a little less interactivity on the “Where do we come from?” gallery. I really can’t get my head around the video game sperm that was killed by not swimming fast enough through the acid patch… it just seems wrong somehow, although I’m sure there is a lesson in there about speed of hand movement and use of fingers to help… finish the sentence yourself J

I did say a few weeks ago that I wouldn’t turn this into a movie review- but “Pirate Radio” rocks. I can see why some of the reviews this side of the Atlantic may have been less than enthusiastic, possibly a few too many cultural references that slid under the radar, and we did only get a cut down version, so if anyone in the UK wants to fill me in on the missing 30 minutes… I laughed far more than anyone person should- especially when half the time I was one of only a handful of people from a packed theater who found the jokes funny. Maybe that says more about me that the movie?

A year in Vancouver!

He praised his own achievements, not without cause…

This week has seen a change in temperature! It is hard to believe that last Wednesday I was climbing the Grind blissfully unaware that it would be the last one of the season. The sun was shining, the sky was a bright blue, and despite a slightly chilly wind the temperature was a pleasant- well at least for running- 55F. However, come Thursday morning a storm had appeared, the sky was gray and a snow flurry signaled the start of the winter season, or at least the Grind had been closed due to snowfall. Before the weekend the skating rink was open and the skiing had begun. So, instead of climbing the trails this week I found myself standing in 2.5 ft of snow and lacing up my skates for some outside ice skating. The rink may not quite be infinity style but rather than an edge it the ice seems to rather turn into snow, which makes skating harder! However, despite the two years it has been since I last hit the ice I felt I had a handle on things. I’m still no better at dealing with the cold, but I did really enjoy myself, until small children appeared and thought they could share the rink- don’t they understand who I am?

Saturday brought about some indoor activities and I headed back into town for a lecture and a presentation at the art gallery. Owen Kydd, a Vancouver local, had a photography and film installation/ selection of pieces that he was discussing. Kydd was exhibiting three pieces if work, “Mission”, “Night” and “Joshua” and all three took the same form and were shown on three connected walls. A triptych of videos displays a series of still lifes, portraits, vignettes and tableaux, all out of sync. Each one linked to the title of the piece. “Misson” shows the city of Mission, one of the many postagricultural communities at Vancouver’s periphery, “Joshua” is a California version of the same small town story and “Night” is from the East side of Vancouver. At times an image may appear still: one shot taken across a parking lot has the feel of a still photo until a car arrives into the frame and stops in front of a movie theater, reminding us that we are watching something unfolding in time. While depicting innocuous items and seemingly unimportant moments in time I found the concept to be intrusive, as though invading thoughts and catching people unprepared and vulnerable, maybe exposing a way of life they felt contented in, and a community they felt connected to. In contrast, I found night, although evoking the same expressions and emotion within me more accessible. Maybe this was because I expected people to be more alone and vulnerable at night, more lost in their own thoughts, feelings and concepts of reality. At night, and in the dark individuals in stillness and lost in their own musing seemed more at ease with themselves and a normality I could identify with than those ‘lost’ during what I would supposed to be an industrious, social experience during the working day.

One other photographic exhibition that I do feel deserves a mention was Scott McFarland’s take on Constable. He had an exhibition on the same floor as Kydd and was where I happened to find myself later in the day. His recreations of ideas based on Constable and shot on Hampstead Heath had me reflecting on summer days in England and the pleasantness of lying on the grass watching the clouds blow and change overhead as a world gets on with its busy day around you. Possibly some of my enjoyment of these comes from reminiscing about childhood memories from Greenwich. I don’t think they invoke the same response as the Kydd works, but in my shallow opinion, much more the kind of thing I’d hang on my wall… in case anyone want to buy me a Christmas present…

A year in Vancouver!

Dullness is incurable…

And this week has certainly been anything but dull! Having previously mentioned last week to some children I teach that in England we would have fireworks on November 5, not October 31 they took it upon themselves to do some research and find out why. I was initially impressed with myself- enquiring minds and independent learning skills- I’m good, secret smile to self. So, as Thursday arrived I walked into my own mini England, complete with costumes and accents. At this point all I can say is I know I have an odd accent but I REALLY hope I don’t sound the same as they did, although they assure me they were copying me accurately. The costumes were… well, they seemed to have mixed up a few different traditions at this point and wanted to vote to see who could be King and Queen for the day, so had found some crowns and tiaras and hidden some pirate gold for the games and the dancing later, and just in case we had forgotten Hallowe’en the previous week, candy was given out for the costumes. I must admit, even I was a little confused at this, but continued smiling and went along with the fun and adventures of the day. At lunch time we burned paper “guys” that they had created and had the biggest sparkles I have ever seen. Eleven year old boys get way too excited at the prospect of setting fire to things. Then back for the last treat of the day which was a rendition of “Remember, remember the 5th of November…” My concern for their independent learning skills was awakened at this point, when they asked what ‘gunpowdertreason” was exactly because it sounded sweet and did we eat it at any other point of the year! I think a little more work maybe required on this topic before I can say that we all totally grasp the historical significance of this event!

Show and Tell this week was also drama based, but I have no idea what the Apache were doing invading Canada, speaking with Tennessee accents and playing badminton- but given this was supposed to be linked to Social Studies, it was a Friday afternoon and it made me laugh I let it slide. Teaching is not what it used to be! (Said with a wry smile, a slight shake of my head and the knowledge that I have just had two days of great fun.)

This weekend I thought I try out the Museum of Vancouver, despite the less than enthusiastic reports I have had of it in the past, and the not particularly enthusiastic guide book entries. I did have a few other options, but the weather forecast was for rain so I automatically ruled out anything that might not be undercover, and the MOV had free parking, and a huge parking lot so beat the others hands down. In my book that makes it a massive hit right away! So, I happily headed out to Kitsilano and Vanier Park.

I arrived at the museum just as a tour and a short presentation speech was being given on their new exhibit- “Ravishing Beasts”. http://www.ravishingbeasts.com/
I’m not usually a big fan of taxidermy but this was actually a fairly interesting take on it. The MOV had originally been housed on the top floor of another civic building, but at the start of the 1960s it was relocated into the premises they have today. At that time they had a large taxidermy collection, and it was carefully put away into storage for the duration of the move until they were ready to re-show it. There it remained, until this October when it was re-established as a modern art collection and presented as more than just a “scientific learning experience’. They do have some pieces that are there purely for educational value, such as the non extinct passenger pigeon- the last one died in Cincinnati Zoo in 1914, and they have tried to link in visitor experiences to the changing perception of the craft of taxidermy by showing item such as the elephant foot side table from a Victorian parlor alongside a character gopher on loan from the Gopher Museum in Calgary. Despite the disclaimer that all animals used had died from natural causes I’m not sure I understand the use of them in art, I think I find it all a little too macabre still, I can justify it as an educational necessity, or when it is a non expendable source, but I’m not sure dead animal pelts made into humanesque shapes is what I would call art. Having said that, it does not serve a utilitarian purpose, it is thought provoking and it has created a response from me, so maybe it is art after all. I think on balance though I still prefer Monet.

The rest of the MOV was dedicated to the history of Vancouver. Starting as you enter with a crab like sculpture which according to native legend guards the entrance to the harbor, and ties in nicely with the astrological symbol corresponding to July 1, and Canada Day; the museum is still undergoing a multimillion dollar renovation which might explain why the Aboriginal peoples were only represented by two small boards and a totem pole in the foyer. However, from the lead up to WW1 through to the 1970s I thought the museum was a great documenter of social history, if not the heavy factual dates and long cards to read, it was a light and entertaining guide through period costume, furniture, music, posters and TV. Often laid out as a street scene or a domestic room, it gave the opportunity to gather a feel of the time. The explanations- although not hugely detailed, were often on cards next to exhibits and the personal stories of people involved were often noted down beside particular items. While I spent a very enjoyable three hours in here, it not on the same level as major museums in other large cities, and certainly not on the scale you would find in the ROM in Toronto, this maybe an unfair comparison on my part, and possibly I should leave that thought until I get to Vancouver Island and check out the Royal British Columbia Museum.

Oh- not only did it not rain while I was out, I even saw some blue sky when I left… who knew the weather forecasters could be so wrong?

A year in Vancouver!

Going to Hell is easy; it is coming back that is hard…

And judging by the number of costumes, parties and ghosts and ghouls that this city had in offer for October 31, Hallowe’en was going to be one big celebration of magic and Paganism. I only had one slight mishap on the costume front, I genuinely couldn’t tell if one guy was dressed up, as most of the bar staff were, or if he was just wearing a flannel shirt and suspenders, was that was just his regular lumberjack attire- it is after all, Canada... and I certainly wasn’t brave enough to go ask, especially after he sat down at the bar and placed and order. Maybe not quite going to Hell, but given the events and publicity surrounding this night it was going to be one big party. The fireworks started before it even got dark and carried on pretty much all night, and I have to say they really were quite beautiful. Like any city Vancouver has its fair share of haunting and eerie ghost stories, particularly in the older areas of the city, such as the Gastown district and if you can’t be scared on October 31…

Most of my weekend has been spent outside making the most of the absolutely gorgeous weather we have had, despite the repeated warnings of rain all weekend the skies have been a bright blue, the occasional white fluffy cloud has passed by and the temperatures have been in the mid 50Fs. Therefore I have completed a Grouse Grind, run in the park and walked part of the Baden-Powell trail around Deep Cove.

Deep Cove really was a quaint and pretty little town. Possibly a bit over run with people outside and making the most of the opportunity- apparently, and I haven’t checked this out it was -8C in Calgary and hovering about the 0C mark in Toronto, I knew there was a reason I didn’t move there. Anyway, trainers laced I headed up the trail and into the woodland on the short 2KM walk to the lookout point, managing to sneak a glimpse at a sea otter on my way out of the parking lot. I was little unsure about it, and thought I might find myself writing about the embarrassing experience of pointing out, and trying to photograph a floating stick so was more than a little relieved when the “stick” started to move its head and make undulating swimming motions through the water! Unfortunately I didn’t manage a photograph.

I did however enjoy the walk up to the rock shaped point and I could look back and see the opposite side if the view I get every morning as I drive to work. Tomorrow I will be thinking- “ahh, I know what the other side of that cove looks like.” Yes, I am that sad, and yes I do talk to myself when I’m in the car.

My only whinge for the week- a Chevy Tahoe is not a small car, it never will be and people should stop trying to park them in small car spaces, and stopping distances, yes, when driving in the rain they are still important! I’m done now.