a girl's whose name begins and ends with "a"

picking up where i left off, saturday afternoon in richmond, mass renovations in the public library and unposted limits on internet unbeknownst (probably spelled that wrong) to me, i met up with my daddy for vietnamese home cooking on number 3...then off to the LD where he funded my sunscreen and batteries, fresh fruit and conversations about how i'm moving to toronto (again) and life plans and paths. i think he may have even caught a glance of my honey because he was peering closely at my abandoned organ, but true to fatherly form, he did not ask.

next up, was two floors vertical to the home of my two new baby-sitting charges, they are soo cute, though somewhat bratty and testing of the new person...4 and 2, half quebecois and half tahitian, it was my initiation into their world and meeting their parents. it was a go, and i see them later on tonite because it's their daddy's bday and their parents haven't been out in like an eternity.

capping off my evening, was the luscious divine brown. i was met at the door of dicks on dicks by "sweetness" the doorman/ex-bread garden worker whose cute mug i run into occasionally at the vpl. we actually introduced ourselves this time, so it goes to show that the community is small but not always too cool for freakin' school. i was also greeted by my pal wonders, who was sportin' the pimp daddy look for the evening (i ran into him yesterday on the bline and i heard some of his music, collabo with a local singer, and yo..it's gonna blow up! yippee canadian soul) and ran into sex-is, my percussionista extraordinaire, who held a spot for me to dance next to her...ray robinson was opening, and he was alright, would like to see him with a full band before i judge, and i talked extensively with his keys player...who may move out here, so we could just trade places ") and i hijacked the pen so i could get the autograph...that's how you gotta do with canadian arteests....remember ivana santilli?

divine brown was amazing. i knew that that would be the case though, as many times, the cd never does justice to the live performer..she was gracious and had personality, energy, charm, and two notes into the funk band playing, i was sprung. just like jully black, yea girls...got some second hand info about the bep concert the night before where jully was off the hook (didn't even know she was on the bill) and the cracked-ness of the ferg...turning somersaults? wtf.

well, yesterday was back to work, think it's a good spot for me, good food, good folks...met up with the italian stallion for our standing jjbean date and sat there with a bowl of cherries, offering the occasional one to strangers, good times. made my return to the gym, and will probably have to hit the pool at some point, or a beach.

ran into my favorite front-er at the library and got some latin charm and compliments on the red slip dress. got a couple more items of bizness, including a $10 phone card that allows me to talk to my baby for 17hours...giddyup...main street, what?! i know i could probably have gotten the card elsewhere, but any chance to bigup the street...gotta make it home to eat and sit on the babies.

at the end of the week, i'll take my vacation at the husseys so i can look after their place and shoot up their felines when they're away...animals and babies, must be a caring nature that i emanate for folks to trust me with their beloveds...oh, "say love" because i'm trying to be part of a movement...gabe? if you're reading, ben's looking for you...peace.all4now.

well, almost a week has passed without any tombloggery. speaking of tom though, i did blog on myspace a few days ago..

it's been a long week, working long shifts, but it's been good, good food, good peeps, the hours just fly by, new experiences, frustrating moments in the hot loft, but attitude is everything when it comes to success and i will get it.

i've been hitting the pool after work, whenever i can, love the mount pleasant pool which is in danger of extinction with the building of the new community centre in 2007. it's nice to unwind in the water after the scorchers we've been having. they should really open up a second lane though, because there are a few too many fat men who want to leisurely play jacques cousteau undersea adventure when i'm trying to grind out my lengths...grrr...oh well, it's all a lesson in sharing.

i met with a motivational financial advisor, and i'm considering a side career of selling insurance, as well as being around someone who will motivate me to go forward with my own business. i've got a renewed sense of desire to teach music and be successful, but i'm going to have to do it on my own terms in order for it to go as i please...gotta sever that tie still.

i tried to see palindromes, but to no avail, as the bc translink system someone disappointed me with its lack of availability of buses. what? i have 6 mins left? aahh!

last nite, got fancy for my date with seb, who remarked that i looked like i came from the runway, and he was indeed also looking dapper in his new lacoste wares. we engaged in some willy wonka..and (sigh) i love johnny depp. ok, enuff for now...oh, ya, that deep roy is someting pretty hot as well....oompa...loompa! all4now, will report on divine brown at a later date. peace out.

but nothing faux here, it was with the realness.it's a good thing i got a swim in after my 10hour shift on saturday because my beloved kimchinut hates to swim. i did attempt to go to the gym though, and got foiled by the later opening time due to the sunday-ness of the time. i came back to clean up and make the place respectable for the viewing. i finally broke down and called the nut, to see how much more of the morning had to pass before she contacted me.

we met up and immediately went to the sunnyspot cafe, "just what vancouver need" and i had a lovely brunch sandwich and we got caught up on biznass and noted the number of dogs in the hood. we continued the tour of main st. going into all the lovely shops and basking in the sunshine. i picked up a few "lingerie inspired" items that will compliment my gypsy chic post new york soho jewlery buying experience fashion profile. her textile earrings got quasi rejected by the dude in peasant girl, who reminded us eerily of a simpsons character.

we headed back to west vancouver, where she was staying, and scored big time at a garage sale. i let her do the haggling and just sit back and laughed at the whole experience. the booty? she came out with a pair of seal skin boots and a cast iron bucket for gardening (total spent $6) and i got a chestnut brown, medium sized bowling bag and a digital camera circa 1998 for $5. not too shabby.

we picked up the boys..hers and the uncle, or as i christened him, dawson, and headed to kits (yes, seb, this sounds like an outing with you, and yes seb, i was grumbling about it to her too...) to meet up with some old friends of theirs. we loitered on the corner of alma and 4th, thinking that some secret rituals with the children were being performed, so we endured the suspicious glares of the neighborhood folk with one finger on their pre-sets to 911. finally, we assembled a posse to go to jericho beach and be on the outskirts of the folk fest. i went in briefly, but only to a suitable amount that i could dry off quickly.

we ended up at the eatery, which is a campy, fun place to have sushi and magnets. we got some love from the owner because of a hockey connex to one of the friends, and there may be another eatery coming sometime soon to a neighborhood called mine. i "won" a pair of "miso horny" astroboy thong underwear, so i collected more treasures. oh, and i got a red mini and green scarf with hand pockets from the free box too...

i ended up giving a tour of my apartment to try to dispel the notion that i'm a packrat, but i don't think that worked out too well.

as much as i love the sun, i'm going to try to stay out of it tomorrow, unless i go swimming, because the 10hr shift sandwich consisting of reunion goodness=a tired girl. guess it all catches up, and the boss will be back next time i work...so here's looking towards new challenges..nothing i can't handle, right? i can definitely note that i've been eating better for the past week and not spending superfluous funds on junk food or food in general since i'm basically fed two meals a day every day that i work...all4now.

yes, i'm loving the job, it's all coming together and things are starting to make sense as every day passes. i love that every day is different because i'm constantly learning new things and tasting new things and working cooperatively with great people as part of an independant, ORGANIZED business that i can believe in and feel proud to wear the shirts (which are cute as shit on me, if i do say so myself) the last couple of days have been busy american tourist days so there have been some great moments. i can barely keep a straight face when speaking to these beings..."does that roll come with a piece of meat?" (what, is your last name Clemente?!) "why don't you have any plastic forks?" (well sir, we serve porridge and soup, we don't have any metal forks either) "do you serve milkshakes here?" (nuff said.) those are just a few gems i saved from today.

i had a little freakout yesterday, but it comes along with the monthly amnesia that i have and the denial that comes with wanting to believe that i'm the only woman on the face of the planet that is not affected by pms. it's funny the next morning when i can't figure out why i'm behaving so irrationally and thinking of putting my piano up for sale and quitting music forever. in this case, waking up did the trick to snap me out of it, and going to the gym made it even better.

partial blame on the mental state leads me to make a note of the first speedbump with the boo, but we're all good again, and he was patient enough to make me want to talk myself out of that silent treatment mood i can get into. and it's cool, it was bound to happen sometime. people who say it's all good all the time are lying, or there's really just no passion and eventually they start to take advantage of eachother and out of nowhere one person disappears for 5 days then text messages the other to not break up (but not stay together) in a coffee shop on main street.

speaking of those who we shouldn't waste blog space speaking of (but are anyway) i ran into that dj again, who introduced me to his japanese exchange student girlfriend (what's with guys i date that fall into this habit?) i guess that's the type of asian that's most desired by some still (the non-lippy kind)...and she doesn't object to traipsing around town trying to collect money for past gigs that should have been paid before played. she's probably supporting him and/or storing his tables at her place-money bet. the part that bites my ass most is that that fool gets to walk around with his girlfriend (ok, and the fact that he actually names her his girlfriend gets me too, it's a pride thing, what?) when my sweet thing is far away, is that he goes and introduces me as "angeliNA". ungrateful unclefucking ingrate. but oh well, i'm finer than her, my man is WAY finer than him, and his last mixtape...licked ass in carandiru.

what did i want to end on? oh yeah, hopefully i'll get to see my little kimchinut and she brought bangles with her..and i'm going to enjoy some delectable delicacies that i got to take home from work and the discounted fruits from the market...and i will go and play the piano that i quit for 12 hours. all4now.

but i had red snapper with lemongrass and ginger as well as black lentil and sweet potato today for lunch..yummy...yesterday? many veg with couscous (guess i finally got some, though not at 3am in new york) and so many other beautiful brothy concoctions...ah, how good does it feel to actually work for a place where you believe in the product that you're selling..and it's been an adventure, so many things to learn, i did my first sign today, flexed my art skills. :)

vancouver is soo beautiful, every time i go onto granville island or just look over that bridge, it's sunshiny and gorgeous...and when i'm off it starts to rain! well, not always, but it's cool.

i'm sticking to my workout of the core..even though it kills me sometimes..i went this morning to balance out the fact that i've been busy the past couple of days, vocal class last nite (we sang czechoslovakian mountain songs) and hip hop tomorrow after work..and i was waiting all day to get off and come here to the library to im with a certain someone today...to meloncholic results..but oh well, everyone has a bad day..and i think i'm more sensitive than usual...but this morning i was great, the workout was a good call..as was the shorter sleeping schedule, as i read in strut mag that too much sleep can kill u, so i've tapered off on the 7hour mark.

met up with kay-tay last nite, though maybe could've said "no" because i was kinda cranky, but it was good nonetheless and she gave me some flawless advice, as per usual ") didn't actually buy anything from the jj, but sampled the lovely hodgepodge wares of the new mediterranean restaurant...

well, here i am, back in the real world..earning money, saving up to move east...had a brilliant thought today though, that if i end up working at chapter's, i'll be able to get the transfer and this current job will help me get the "in" at a serving spot where i can garner tips galore! brilliance hits on the treadmill...

i keep running into kanye every couple of days...hmm..it's not like we live in the same neighborhood and frequent the same establishments or anything...but he's gotta watch the bonecrushin', i'm fra-gee-lee...

alright, i sense that i'm rambling, or at least beginning to...i'm reading "candyfreak" by steve almond and it's quite delicious..endorsed by the scintillating amy sedaris, right on the front cover, no less....ok, all4now.

so, it's funny how life can change in the blink of an eye.

after the "interview" on saturday, i hit up the library to borrow "the joy of cooking" and ran as fast as i could on public transit to the mount pleasant pool to soak up some rays in the afternoon..next met up with the acrylic nail queen at jjbean...:) then, doing my dishes to miles davis in my apartment while the late afternoon light streamed thru the window. talked with my lover and got a little heated..then had to get up to go for a late dinner on the drive with pila and fam.

first day at work was awesome..we're situated directly in front of the pie store..and the tasting and the soup and the hot cereal were to die for. everything is so well organized because everything and everyone is basically directly on top of eachother, so i can tell it will be a good time. the ladder going upstairs reminds me of the loft bed. granville island is beautiful and crowded and i don't think i'll get tired of looking at mountains of blueberries anytime soon.

i went to the gym on my way home because i missed my "core" workout on saturday, and felt a bit delirious in the evening so i went to bed early. i hope i get a good night's sleep tonite..so that i'm all ready to go for work tomorrow..keep busting into sweats though..

did my laundry this morning, and headed to the library before the MBTI personality based career counselling workshop and it was pretty interesting to learn about the techniques used to define people's types..as well as what careers are best suited...it's also good to know that most of the directions that i want to go, or have thought about pursuing are on the list, so i haven't been completely off. my issue is that i don't want just one career...or i can't make up my mind. oh well.

during my break, i went around the corner because i was craving sushi and i had a salmon lover's special and an ika karaage from this place called "jako"...mike wasn't there, but i think it was named due to its korean/japanese fusion..it was good though, and pretty cheap, yeah!i passed by another pie shop that just opened up on robson..they seem to do savory and sweet..what a phenomenon. i stopped by to see the old boys in the new store..my hubby is looking good in the fushia! dunno about the liquid diet though... i finally got my divine brown ticket (my previous efforts were foiled by procrastination and freaking russell simmons taking over dipt urban wear) and a bank balance..so it's probably good that i'm just starting to work again..gotta figure out where that money went, especially since none of my bills from new york have been paid yet...oh well. back to reality. it's pretty great. all4now.

so many things to report..i love it when the fabulousness spills over into another day. so yesterday, i finally decide it's time to get off my ass and print up a resume or two, and i got the address for an employment centre on davie street. i get off the bus and land right in front of the YWCA youth employment centre. i walk in, get a tour, use their computers and other services, and it's within walking distance to davie where i arrange to meet the lovely hubby.

as an aside, i got to visit my fabulous korean lady that wears minks to sell magazines and clove cigs on broadway and granville and i had to buy bust because they had sandra oh on the cover and jerri blank's ad for peta in the front cover. i also had to pick up the lastest issue of strut, go canada! i think this will be my first subscription..sorry black book, you never got back to me about canadian fundage and checks..u snooze you lose, new york!

we both arrived perfectly fashionably late and it was so exciting to see the new improved post shopping spree version of my bestest...his pimpin' new gear included a j.lindeberg zip up, le tigre wrist band, and Rich someone or other who the fuck cares the jeans were worth every penny the way they hugged that ass...ab fab my friends, ab fab.

we met at stepho's, our usual, where i had the roast lamb extravaganza, i can't really tear myself away from that...so good! then we did our robson street stroll, and i got to ride in mummy's "puma" for the first time in awhile.

i went to the library to send a quick shoutout to my boo, then hustled off to granville island to apply at the stock market, this soup/dressing/dip/sauce joint, everything's made inhouse, and the staff is amazing. the application form itself is worth writing home about..."on the back of this page, draw a chicken..."

i hustled back to the public library for the westcoast poetry festival and i saw some amazing performances (for free no less) i missed larissa lai, but saw evelyn parry, oni the haitian sensation, wayde compton and jason de couto, hilary peach and alexis o'hara, who were all so worth peeping.

i exchanged some stalking messages with my caffeine partner and bonded with an addict at the free box on main street. i got a couple "grown up items" and she got some pants that i helped her hold up a large purple velvet gown to try on. i wanted them too, but we shared amicably and they fit her so they never woulda fit me. besides, i didn't really want them after she told me that she didn't wear underwear. we made a pact that if the cops came (to bust her for nudity) we'd go down together and hugged after the experience and called it a night.

i got some holleration from some cute girls out of their car and a gas station attendant yelled "nice smile"...and i thought that i had made it through the day without some assholic holleration..but that was proven wrong when i got the call from "jersey"..who always makes my head hurt a little...can't wait to tell my kimchinut about it when she's here next week.

this morning, i was woken by the owner of the stock market saying she was going to call me at 8am, but opted for 9instead. she was leaving for vacation today and wanted to interview me asap. long story short, i gotta job and have to give up the lofty position of claiming the status of the unemployed..but i can already tell that it will be the best working experience ever. three for three: my living space, my love life, and my working life...now i'm putting it out there that i need a computer to set up an ebay account to sell my trinkets and get ready to move to toronto (yes, i'm back to that plan, and i'm giving myself a year) who wants to start the bidding on my squishy orange?! all4now.

ps. oh, love is everywhere. hiphop is everywhere. i came under the bridge today to watch some sick graf artists, was mesmerized by the guy painting a horse...peace out.

well, another beauty-full day in vancouver, actually made it to the pool today after a walkthru of my "program" this morning..yep, that core is gonna be strengthened! i also went to the blanket gallery to look at some drawings, nice exhibit and i strolled through some main street stores, some very very hip joints, lemme tell u.

and yesterday, it was the birthday of the dalai lama, george dubya bush, and one notorious k.a.n.y.e. and funny how i ran into him on the corner on my way to the post office. we got caught up and he met the organ, nikki, and we got some food at the sunny spot, which has got to be my new favorite main street eatery, though hawker's is not far behind. i got kinda blushy blusherton when he told me that he actually read this set of online musings of mine...well, it's all true. i don't lie. we saw the beautiful suites in the mennonite apartments on 11th, despite max the crazy landlord's will to walk in on people having what looked like suspiciously post-coital moments...kinda awkward. the bday boy helped me tote some water past the starbucks' permanent fixtures/hollerators...and i borrowed his copy of the huckabees.

my first vocal class went well, i love summer school and adult education..the most diverse people show up to classes...can't wait to see who's in hip hop tonite. the teacher is eccentric, the pianos are old, and i met and grossly dislike this slimy dude who is appropriately named "a rash"...yep. oh well, he can't actually move or feel music, despite what he chooses to believe.

i ran into the aspiring assfucker today and found out he also works out at my gym and my gay husband will be amused to know that a certain local "musician" that we went to see last year found me on main street and bought me a mocha at jjbean. all this holleration makes me appreciate the fact that i have a superhero of a man who actually listens and is sweet and genuine as well as fine as hell. that's all4now cuz i gotta go and tell him that...peas.

i guess nyc is not the only place where this occurs. it's been so on and off since i got back, weather wise, but oh well, i suppose it's better than forest fires.

i didn't make it to richmond on sunday nite, so i missed summer school on monday, but i did go over to the hussey's home to use his computer, but we ended up getting caught up over tea and crumpets instead. what is it with gay men who used to work at pottery barn? i was so freaking afraid to touch anything, lest i break it.we had a nice chat, he gave me some leads to find work, and sent me home with some homemade pasta sauces and dressing from the stockmarket..yummy.

i made a stop off at chapters, and they sell sheet music, so therefore this makes it a good candidate as a potential place of employment, because then i would get discounts on sheet music..as well as dvds. hmmm...told my teacher that i needed some space too, so now the summer is mine to study as i please and gain some outside skills. my vocal class starts tonite! can't wait!

i was chatting with my boo online at the library until i got kicked off, and then i ran into a local musician whom i've crossed paths with a handful of times here and in victoria. i helped him cut up his album covers, told him about new york, and we exchanged myspace tips and folks. i toured the sfu harbour centre campus and damn, it's pimp! we had some cookies too that were pretty killer.

i headed over to my favorite indie theatre, the Ridge, for yet another double feature. this time it was Jiminy Glick and Melinda and Melinda. the former had its funny moments, and the latter was actually a lot better than it was written up to be. it was well acted, and nice to see new york, even if it was just Manhattan...but you can't knock a movie about love, piano players, and the comedic vs. tragic elements of life, and the brevity of it all, and how imperative it is to live out every moment.

i walked home from broadway because it was such a nice nite, and i had my girl keep me company via telephonic device, and i can't wait to see her on thursday.

well, i'm only mildly sore from my 8am meeting with the personal trainer, so i'ma take that for what it's worth. i also went into the le chateau outlet and tried on pants and walked away from them. ") i did linger around the computers at compusmart though...better consult an expert before i make that purchase. all4now.

scoot down a road that starts and stops on your non-dominant foot and buy lemonade from children on the street. werd.

that was me yesterday after leaving here and getting the breadstuffs from cob's bakery. that quebec street, i'll tell ya! but i arrived unscathed and only a little bit sweaty to the fete and it was hopping. the garden was beautiful, the live jazz band was mellow, the kids were exhuberant and the food was to die for.

i mingled a bit, got caught up with the mamag-unit that i came for, took photos, had blueberry pie, and sat in the sun loving life. i was feeling that it was seriously time for a nap, and i got to take home the remainder of the pie and a big chunk of brie.

i spent the rest of the evening chilling, organizing some music, playing the organ and woke up early today to join the gym. i decided to go the community centre route, especially when i found out that my membership includes pool privileges..so there.

so, i made my first appointment with the personal trainer who showed me all kinds of core strengthening exercises to do with the body ball and then i hit the pool for an hour...a faint tan line..but i think i need to go later in the day. i'm pretty tired, but i had to come and blog and see if my superhero's online.

i love my neighborhood and all the doggies, the jj bean, and the fact that i picked up this book called "the good deed" at the centre with a note on it that said "this is your book to pick up, enjoy and pass along when you're done" so i read it and deposited on the 3 bus.

well, that's all for now, debating whether or not i need an iced coffee beverage....love ya.