On days like today where I’m quite busy at work — when I can get a few moments with my thoughts that is — I drift off to “what’s London going to be like?” land. Will I even like it there? What’s the weather going to be like? Will I make friends there? and most importantly… Will it be anything like Vancouver?
Ahhh… Vancouver.
I returned from a whirlwind weekend in VanCity on Monday night at 1am. Suffice to say, I was tired for the next three days, but it was totally worth it! I got to see so many people throughout the 3 days I was there, and let me tell you, it felt good.
I always talk about how much I miss my friends, the creatives, the brainstorming, the projects and whatnot — so I won’t bore you with that again 
— but I feel like this trip back and the people that I spent time with, reassured me that traveling around the world is the right choice for me — for now.
On Friday night when I arrived (late) I took the skytrain downtown and rushed to Yagger’s to see Jeevin and Stoms at the cast party for their short film ‘Pinky’. Upon arriving I was greeted by a slew of my VFS compadres Jenny, Ryan and Ashley, to my ItGetsBetter girls Iva and Sidika and then of course the men of the hour! And many more! What an amazing welcome back to the city that I love.
Later that night (and a shot of Jagger later) I went over to my ‘husband’ Mike’s apartment. Mike and I have been friends for about 2 years now — although we have known each other for 6 years. We stayed up until the wee hours of the morning talking about everything! Work, what boys we liked, money, food, movies, iPhone apps, what boys we no longer liked, how badly I needed to move back to Vancouver.
The next day we got the first of my four Blenz Hot Chocolates…
I swear this stuff is infused with an addictive additive. It’s like liquid heaven.
…and then went shopping at Metrotown for supplies for the evening’s events : a St Patsy’s day party thrown by the incredibly Andrew Menzies. I decided to make mini cheesecakes for the party as they are my specialty — not to mention super easy to make and incredibly delicious. Pretty sure I ate 3-4 of them myself. Ridiculous.
I’m a firm believer that everything is better with strawberries.
We then watched Terminator 2 (which was totally awesome! I miss the 90s.) and got ready — I put on my ridiculous green leggings and we headed off to Andrew’s!
Andrew made 133 bacon wrapped water chestnuts for the party. That’s right. 133. Impressive isn’t it?! He bakes them in the oven at 375 for… some amount of time — Andrew or Chelsea, if you’re reading this, help me out! — in a mixture of soya sauce, brown sugar, water chestnut water and bacon faaaaat. Absolutely phenomenal. I wasn’t sure I was going to like them to be honest, but I figured, it’s worth a shot and I was pleasantly surprised. So hats off to Menzies.
Oh yeah! AND HE THREW ME A PARTY! What a guy! I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it dude — and I hope to be able to return the favor one day… in like 18-24 months from now haha. But seriously, thank you. Also!! Big thanks to April who let Andrew have the party while she was away! And to Betsy who helped Andrew prepare the buffet and is just an all around awesome person!!!
He really liked the dart gun I brought him. Kent did not.
Oh! And additional thanks to everyone else who came out to the party! Marcel, Bob, Darren, Kent, Keith, Sandra, Nick, Devon, Allie, Amber, Graeme, Carolyn, among many others — sorry to anyone I may have forgotten! Such a fantastic feeling to be surrounded by so many people you love!
The start of a very long conversation about butling. Marcel, Darren and Bob. (aka The Snappy Dresser.)
With it being St Patsy’s day and all (Andrew coined that, I might add. I’m not that quite self absorbed….maybe not.) I decided it was time to celebrate in my annual traditional way — by getting completely intoxicated. The one time a year I indulge in drinking, and did I ever! Started the evening slowly with a shot with Andrew to Chawlie and ended it with two (or five) back to back, and then it was time to go back to Mike’s. (Damn you and your bourbon, Opatovsky!)
L to R : Betsy, Mike, Devon, Keith and Marcel. I love the accessories.
The next morning I woke up feeling preeeetty awful but it was worth it. haha. We watched some TED talks, ate some fruit and cookies and then headed downtown to film the second It Gets Better shoot!
Our only husband and wife duo in the video. Check out Darren’s new blog here, and some of Red’s music here.
Big thanks to all of our wonderful actors / friends who came down to share their stories of heartbreak, bad break ups, and reassuring messages. You guys are the greatest! (Full credit list to follow — I don’t want to exclude anyone!) As well as Bob Woolsey and Darren Borrowman who got us the classroom and the lights!!
We love you all!
In true EBM fashion I brought snacks for my cast and crew. Bananas, granola bars, chips, juice, cookies and chocolate. I was going to grab carrots, but then I would have been late…r than I already was.
We shot in one of the classrooms I had worked in while I attended VFS, it brought back some lovely memories of terms 1&2 group projects. The blastlight and the CD project. Memoriieeees.
Yes. That’s right. I used a stack of magazines as a tripod. It worked and that’s really all that matters.
As you may know, this project has been kind of a surprise for both Lauren and I. We’re hoping that this second edition of the project is just as well received as the last, if not even better! (ha) I started editing on Monday and continued last night and I must say while it’s going to be hard to decide what to include and what to cut out, I think it’s going to be great when it’s done and I can’t wait to show you!
Following my wonderful day of filming, I returned to Mike’s, he went off to work night shift, but right before leaving we were treated to a Dim Sum dinner by his roommate Dan. Stand up guy he is!
The next morning was spent chitchatting with Mike about the future. Our favorite thing to talk about. We are both impossibly optimistic while still having a negative streak every once in a while. Luckily we have each other to balance us out, and bring ourselves back to reality. Great guy he is.
We watched one of the Bourne movies (seriously into action movies lately.) and then Mike fell asleep on the couch so I got ready to go meet Bob for lunch — followed by an afternoon of uploading footage and hanging out in their office — so obnoxious Patsy.
The outdoor light kinda makes the pork look funny — but it was absolutely perfect. A bit too much — but sooooooo freaken delicious. I love Peckinpah!
I then went to Blenz for the last of my hot chocolates and then met up with John for supper at … you guessed it! Yagger’s!
Started my trip there, ended it there, and I hope to do the same thing the next time I go to Vancouver. Such a welcoming place, with a scrumptious menu, friendly staff and lots of TVs with hockey on it!
That’s right. I’ve converted another person to Yaggers’ fabulousFish & Chips. Actually two. I brought my mom some of my left overs and she loved them haha.
After the lovely dinner John and I went back to his apartment (at Woodwards I might add. Baaaallin’. I miss my old place so much!) so I could grab my luggage, hop on the skytrain and head on home. It was a short trip but it was just what I needed to get back on my horse, apply for jobs, save up for traveling, and take off in June.
I hadn’t seen most of these people since November, and some since way way before then. Having the opportunity to talk about my trip and get some feedback was so comforting. Knowing I had all these people who believed in me, who thought I had a great idea and supported my dreams — it reminded me of why I’m doing this. To show others that they can do it too with a little bit of planning, networking and wanderlust.
Well. That was my incredible trip to Vancouver and I think that’s going to be about it for me tonight! My aunt Maggie should be arriving soon and I’m going to go visit with her and maybe watch some Frozen Planet.
Have a lovely weekend y’all! Enjoy the Hunger Games if you’re going to see it — I am tomorrow!
Peace&Love.
p.♥
