Vancouver…Day 1 (continued)…

To continue on with my journey in finding The Comfort Inn, I travelled from Bute down Robson to Granville, down Granville to Davie and lost my way to the Inn.  I missed Nelson because I was taking all of the buildings, sights and people in.  It was great.  Even with missing the Inn, I saw so many views (and a few I didn’t want to see).  Got checked in at the Inn a bit early and took a breather, freshened up and was ready to get on my way again.

First person in line was an awesome person and good friend of mine, Tris Hussey (@trishussey on Twitter).  Tris and I have known each other for just over a year.  Poor guy lol.  We met for coffee at Waves on Pacific off of Davie.  I found my way with no problems.  Had coffee, chatted a bit and we took a quick walk down to the seawall where we parted ways.  I took a short walk down the waterfront and came to a park and decided to watch a bit of a soccer game going on and then make my way back to the Inn.  I took a different route back and got some pics along the way.  Good way to start off my trip.  I’ll be back over soon Tris…make sure your not out of town when I do (hehehe).

The evening proved to be a bit busier.  I met up with new friend, Laura Bzowy (@wowie on Twitter).  I loved chatting with Laura.  She is a person full of life and looking to make it all happen.  Having coffee and a bite to eat at Starbucks (on Howe near Davie) was great.  Thanks Laura for the meet and great conversation.  Hope to do it again soon.

After coffee, it was off to the Jupiter Lounge for Comedy Night for Diabetes with host and new-found friend Tanya Davis (@netchick on Twitter).  Tanya was full of life and busier than ever when I got there.  Making sure everyone met and everything was taken care of (with the help of some wonderful staff and friends of hers).  Tanya is on Buzzbishop’s Team for Diabetes and will be running a half marathon in Florida in January of 2009.  The MC and comedians were great.  I laughed the whole way through.  But the best part of this night was meeting some of the people I had been chatting with (okay bugging the crap out of) on Twitter.  Thank you for being so wonderful Gus and Russ, Raul, Monica and yours, Laura (different Laura), and Tanya.  You were all so wonderful.  Gus and Russ, I loved sitting with you.  Russ that joke you made was really bad (LMAO) but I loved it and laugh so hard I almost coughed my drink up on the comedian on stage LOL.  Thanks to all for making me feel so welcome.  Tanya gave me a lift back to the Inn at the end of the show.  Good thing too…with all of the walking I had done, my tootsies were a bit sore.  Thanks Tanya again for that.  HUGZ.

It was off to the tub to soak my feet and relax in the tub for a bit before going to bed.

Goodnight to all!!!  Sweet dreams <3

I Was Like a Little Kid and the Trade Show (part 2 of 2)

Hi there!!!  I am back to go through the rest of the story.

The thing about the second day…we did not do the go-kart store this day.  It was Wednesday that we did the go-kart store.  Everything else was the same as in Part 1.

Wednesday…THE TRADE SHOW.  My first trade show.  This show was for amusement / theme park entertainment groups.  I scored a pass as I work for Western Speedway and I know the important people there.  I was really excited about this and took quite a few pictures of the event, people, displays and actual rides.  All were set up for people to use or try for free.  Also, POS operating system software companies were there to help to promote their product.  I found this actually more interesting than the rides and games provided. http://www.flickr.com/photos/karmashots/sets/72157607295303476/

One software provider, Gatemaster, proved not to disappoint either in sales / promotion or as down-to-earth have a good time people. http://www.gatemaster.com/ Andy and Tiffany were hard at work when Ian and I showed up there.

Another interesting conversation I had was with Richard Bernal of Mountain Coin Machine Distributors.  http://www.flickr.com/photos/karmashots/2858206965/ Richard is not only a business man but also an avid  photographer.  Very easy to talk with about his product line and even got a bit of history on his life in the process.  This is one person I hope to get the chance to meet again.  Great guy!!!

After chatting a bit with exhibitors, Ian & I walked around, taking in all that there was to see.  I took more pics and then we called it a first day.  Great day here!!!  Hoping to go back again next year.

The afternoon was when we hit the hotel room, left a few things, picked up a few things then headed out to the go-kart shop near the RIO Hotel.  Interesting shop.  Ian was there to look at parts, kits, thingamajigs and books.  Really nice staff there.  Will do an update on the place and website when I can get it.

Then back to the Hotel.  This turned out to be an event.  The cab taking us back to the Strip had a flat tire.  We had to wait for a rescue cab to come and get us.  Never been through that before.  But found out with all of this that there are over 500 cab outlets in Las Vegas alone…a lot of them owned by the same company.  That’s one way to get every dime you can out of fare-goers.  GO CABBIES GO!!!

We noticed that when back at the hotel Ian’s fanny pack with his camera was missing.  I originally thought he might have left it at the trade show so I started retracing our steps.  Ian was adamant that he brought it back to the room and left it on the bed.  Ian is not one to forget things like that so we contacted Hotel security and they were great on handling everything.

It was then off to meet Andy & Tiffany from Gatemasters (and a few of their friends / business cohorts) at Bahama Breeze for dinner.  It was great meeting Mark & Brett from American Bowling, and the others (too many people…only one day in but loved it).  After dinner, we all took cabs to New York New Your to go to The ROK.  Really nice and very expensive.  The thing I liked about this was that for the whole time we were there, only one waitress served our group and only our group.  Dancing and drinking prevailed.  Then it was time to head back to the hotel.  Thank goodness for the Deuce Bus and 24 hours service.

Day four and five…same things again except for the partying.  I wanted to try and capture some of the pictures that were lost when Ian’s camera went missing.  I got the Bellagio watershow.  We also went to the Luxor and a few other places.

Then on day 5…pack up everything, go for one last walk towards Bonanza stores and Sahara Hotel and then shuttle to the plane.  See you soon Vegas…really soon

I had a wonderful time, met awesome people, finally found free wi-fi, took lots of pictures and got to spend some quality time with Ian.  Now I know why I have the best friend in the world…he can put up with me.  Nawhhhh…I am not that bad…just a little of the wild side sometimes

Thank you for reading!!!  Cheers everyone!

I Was Like a Little Kid Again… (Part 1 of 2)

Just recently, I took a trip with Ian (friend of 20 years) to Las Vegas, Nevada for a amusement/theme park trade show.  I was only about 9-10 years old the last time I went through Las Vegas on a family vacation.  This post is just about my experience.

To start off, I really enjoy travelling so when I had this opportunity to go to Las Vegas, I took it.  It turned out to be an awesome trip with only a few bumps along the way.  And I didn’t get ditched by Ian in Las Vegas…I actually ditched Ian one night (just so he could have fun with his friends without having to worry about me).

Taking the plane has always been something I loved doing, so having the camera and actually being able to get shots from the window of a plane from where we took off to where we finally landed was great!!!  Just to note…lots of window shots of clouds, land etc.  Every time Ian looked at me, the only thing that came out of my mouth was “Ian…do you want to know what?” and then a huge grin came across my face.  I was excited to finally be on our way.  I’m sure Ian wasn’t amused after awhile

The plane trip consisted of a stop-over in Seattle which was to be about a 2 1/2 hour wait but got bumped up so that we departed Seattle right away.  I was thrilled as this was about 2-3 more hours that we would have in Las Vegas.  Plane left Victoria, BC at 6am and we were in Las Vegas for 10:30 am.

We hit the hotel (stayed at Circus Circus), got settled and within the hour were on our way up the strip to see the sights.  I had camera in hand taking pictures of everything.  Then I saw the Stratoshpere Tower…taking a few pictures of the tower, I realized my fear of heights coming on and vowed that I would not be going up to the top to view Las Vegas.  Ian was bugging me about going on the rides at the top and that he would be buying me a ticket to go on one.  Yeah right!!!  Not a chance.

We checked out a lot of stores on strip plus went to an outlet mall at the other end of strip.  Lots to see and lots of choices of things to buy.  I bought a t-shirt, a bracelet and a pair of earrings.  We were actually looking for a CSI baseball cap for a friend.

That evening, it was up the strip at night.  Treasure Island was our first stop.  We took in the gambling scene for a bit then  we saw the last show at Treasure Island.  It was totally not what I expected.  I loved the siren theme with the pirates.  It was very action-filled and a little sexually enticing (must have been the sirens).  Ian had taken pictures with his camera so that I could add them to my Flickr photos of our trip.

After the show, we walked some more of the Strip and took some more pictures.  One place I fell in love with and had Ian take multiple pictures of was The Venetian Hotel.  The water gondola was the setting for romance and l’amore.  The lighting, the water, the costumes all very sensual.  I was wishing at that time I had a special someone in my life to experience this with.  Ian being like a brother to me was not that person *LOL*.  We walked through the Hotel taking pictures.  The Venetian is everything a couple in love would want!

A few more hotels and some more photos and we were back to Circus Circus for some shut-eye.

Tuesday…we did more sight seeing with a trip to a new form of time share Hotel experience.  The Wyndham is an affiliate of many hotels/motels including one we all know…The Ramada.  The complex was beautiful…the timeshare experience was totally different than traditional timeshare programs out there.

After, we took in a go-kart store on the far side of the city then hit the Stratosphere for dinner, a show (American Superstars) and a trip to the top of the Tower.  This was awesome after I got over my fear of height.  I could actually walk around without any anxiety!!!

The next stop was the piano bar at New York New York.  Dualling piano players…how awesome was this.  And the tunes played were ones that almost everyone in the bar knew.  This was even better as people were joining in and singing with the players.  It was an awesome experience.

I ditched Ian after a bit as I was tired and needed some rest.  I walked around the hotel and then took the Deuce Bus back to Circus Circus.  The best deal we found in the first two days…THE DEUCE BUS – $5 for 24 hours of service…day or night the bus runs.

More to come in part 2 of my experience…BFN and cheers!

Place to visit and photograph while in Vancouver

I have compiled a list of more common places to visit when I go to Vancouver in October.  I decided that I am going to coincide my trip with my birthday so that I am doing exactly what I want and what I love to do on my birthday this year.

Here is my list of the areas I would like to see:

Chinatown       Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Gardens  (definitely to see)

Capilano Suspension Bridge  (a little afraid of heights so I may chicken out at the last minute )

Gastown       Granville Island       UBC Botanical Gardens       Museum of Anthropology

Downtown Vancouver’s Industrial area       Bridges of Vancouver       Whyte Cliff Park

Stanley Park      Aquarium      Science World      Any architectural designs that strike me

Taking the Skytrain plus photographing new Skytrain development in Vancouver (will be my main route of travel).

I think for the days I will be down in Vancouver and surrounding areas, this will be enough to try and take in.  I am looking forward to this trip.

If you have any other places that may be of interest and that may be unusual or different, please leave me a comment.  Always looking for new adventures!!!

Cheers!!!

My Experiences with Internet Dating!!! (Part 2 of 2)

To carry on with my story, I went to Port Angeles, Washington to meet Lee.  The ferry trip was excellent.  Had an opportunity to take lots of photos, including some of Lee.  He picked me up from the ferry.  We had decided that since it was almost 10 pm just to go pick up some icecream and go back to his place and watch a movie.  The movie “Monty Pythons – The Holy Grail”.  Awesome movie to watch on a first meeting.

I do have to tell you that Lee was the perfect gentleman and I never felt worried, afraid or anxious around him or even with staying at his place. It’s that gut feeling of mine finally kicking in again.  And contrary to popular belief, you can meet a guy, stay at his place and not have sexual relations LOL.

The next morning, we headed out to breakfast (we like our breakfast exactly the same way lol) then Lee took me around to see Port Angeles and surrounding areas and gave me some history about PA.  I had an excellent time and didn’t really want to head back to Victoria, BC yet but you know…obligations.  We talked a little more, held hands alot, and kissed.  Then it was time for me to head home. We have MSN’d each other a bit since.  There are many things for the two of us to consider getting into dating internationally.  We had also discussed this.

I don’t know where this is going to lead but is just dating (right now) and not classed as a relationship.  I can not commit to anyone that quickly.  I have my own demons that I am still dealing with regarding the growing pains of love and dating but I am slowly working through them.

How needing and being needed relates to internet dating?

During my marriage, I had gained about 100lbs and it has been aweful to try and get rid of it but it is slowly coming off.  When I finally decided to leave our marriage, I needed to find something to make me feel good about myself again.

That is when I got into the internet dating scene.  I needed someone to show me attention to help me feel better about myself again.  I met quite a few people, some I dated and some were, after the first date, deamed not for me.  I quickly regained my self esteem and got what I needed from the person(s) to keep me going.  I felt if this person is paying attention to me then they must need me or want me to be in their lives.  Boy was I wrong!!!  Not the best way to handle things.  I had a lot of people worried about me and how I was handling things.  And it caused me no end of heartache because I believe in love and wanted someone to love me so much I would have done almost anything to make it happen.  I had actually tried almost everything with one person… trying to hold him in my life because I believed that he was the one I was supposed to be with.  Again, boy was I wrong.  I was thinking with my heart and head and not using my gut feeling to avoid a bad situation.  He is still in my life more as an acquaintance than anything but if he ever needed anything, I would still be there for him.  And I think he would be there for me aswell.

I am now at this point in my life happy, working on being totally healthy again, energetic, and have realized that the right person will come along when it is time.  I do still meet people the old fashioned way…no computers…but the internet dating scene is good for meeting people when I really don’t have the time to get out there and socialize and meet people.  Right now, meeting people online is the fastest and easiest way for me to initially meet people to maybe get to the point of actually meeting people.

I hope this post made sense.  I have a lot of stuff going through these lines to express my whole self.  It would take a book to finish expressing myself (with a lot of repetition along the way).  I will keep you informed about my relationship status when it finally happens.

Cheers and thank you for reading

My Experiences with Internet Dating!!! (Part 1 of 2)

In my life, I have dated, had relationships of great value, broken up with, been broken up with, married, separated and now basically divorced.  I remember each and every one of these times and look back to see what I have learned from past love experiences.

One thing I have realized about myself is that I love to be in love and loved to be and feel loved by someone.  This is not an uncommon thing for people to want to feel this in their lives.  With this said, I also want to feel and be needed by someone but I also want them to know that I need them in return.  This is not an easy thing for me to express to someone…that I need you.  I have always been the needed one.  I need to work on this.

How does this relate to the world of internet dating?  This coming up!!!

I have never been a person that really enjoyed going to a bar or cabaret to meet men with the hopes of making a potential love contact.  I went with my friends to socialize and dance and have a few drinks.  It was always fairly easy for me to strike up a conversation with a person, get to know them through a couple of dates and then know whether I wanted to take it further or not.  This was in the past when my life was not as busy as now and with technology so much more in my life.

I have and still use online dating sites to meet people as my life doesn’t always allow me the time and opportunity to get out in the real world to meet people.  Actually I met my ex-husband through a local bulletin board site in Campbell River, BC.  “Fred’s Fine Files” is what it was called and the guy who operated it was named Mike…funny that.  Brian and I were married for 12 years and are still friends to this day.  To carry on with my story…

Since being separated, I have been on a host of sites to meet new people (including Lavalife $$$ and EHarmony $$$) and have finally just stuck it out with Plenty of Fish.  It’s free…it’s world wide…it’s easy to use…the only thing is the user plane is not really nice to use (but who am I to complain…it’s free).  I have chatted and met quite a few people who I have remained friends with aswell as dated or am still dating.  There have been a few that have been very difficult situations in my life and since I am the “a bit naive and I wear my heart on my sleeve” type of person, have had a little bit of heart ache because of it.  I attribute some of it as my own fault…actually alot of it.  This is how I am growing.

Just recently, I have made plans to meet Lee, a new friend of mine from Plenty of Fish, in Port Angeles, Washington.  We will see how this transpires.  I will let you know when I return tomorrow.  Coffee, walking, talking and taking pictures of the sights etc…I am looking forward to it.

So I will continue this story after my trip to Port Angeles.  Safe journey to all, including myself, and have an awesome day tomorrow.  Life is only as much of an adventure as you make it!!!  Make it real and good

Bfn

Vancouver, BC – I Want to Photograph You!

When in Vancouver, BC the last couple of days, the one thing I really had a deep desire to do is photograph this incredibly diverse city.  I could not believe the building designs, the quaint and not so quaint store fronts, the industrial side, and the great ethnic mix of people living day to day in this concrete jungle.

I noticed cafe names (Dolce Amore hit me the most), doctor offices galore, all types of eateries (one on Oak Bay I want to try for Sushi), many motor vehicle store fronts, the Skytrain (track mainly), and the vast, evergrowing erecting of condos units.

My next trip to Vancouver will be a walk on the ferry, take the Skytrain and explore/photograph this incredible city and adjoining areas type of trip.

I have been to UBC for soccer games for niece, White Rock to the pier, Surrey (of course to visit family), Abbotsford to partake in an annual motorcycle show they have there at the Tradex, Grouse Mountain (took the gondola to top of mountain when afraid of heights and nearly cried my eyes out) and to the malls and restaurants.

One restaurant (on the way to White Rock) that has the nicest homemade meals is the RoadHouse Restaurant.  Usually everytime I go to visit, we go there for breakfast.  Always awesome and the coffee is great too!!!

Drop me a note of places I should visit when I go the next time and I will plan my trip to include these sights.

Thanks for dropping by!!!

Two Days of Travelling and Fun!

A week ago I had decided to go to Vancouver, BC.  We left on August 26/08.  This is my trip experience.  My brother and I made the trip together and I had a great time.  Websites will be listed at the end of my journey for anyone interested!!!

August 25/08     It actually started the night before going to Vancouver.  I had a busy night.  Was off to watch my nephews in go-kart tournament races about 7pm (at Western Speedway ) then off to work after that.  Got home around 12am.  Long day but a good day.

August 26/08     Woke up about 5am…packed everything it seemed.  I got dressed, made a coffee and finished getting ready to catch the ferry.  6:50am we left and caught the 8am Schwartz Bay to Tsawassen ferry.  The ferry trip was the usual affair…breakfast then giftstore then outside to watch the morning by sea.  Very Relaxing.

Making it to the other side, we took the 99 to downtown Vancouver.  First stop… Italian Motors.  For go-kart extremists, this is definitely one stop you should make.  The staff were friendly and very knowledgeable/helpful.  Next stop… Genesis Motors.  Not too far from Italian Motors.  I stayed in the car for this place and it wasn’t long and my brother was back out and we were on the #1(Trans Canada) to make our way to Coquitlam to go to Princess Auto and then to Chilliwack.

Chilliwack proved to be very useful for go-kart information aswell.  First place we hit was Checkered Flag Racing…it was closed.  The second place was Extreme Hobbies and Karting.  The service and help there was great.  Ian was able to get some very useful information re go-karts and the setting up of the engine’s timing, gearing etc.  He was really happy about this.  Me…I looked around and bought a Revell model of a “69″ Daytona model…and yes for me to build and paint.  I loved doing this as a kid when I had an opportunity so thought “Lets go for it”.  We both walked away happy.

The trip to his best friend’s place proved to be the longest part of the trip…but the easiest to get to.  I really enjoyed meeting his friend Dirk and his family.  Wonderful people.  I hope I get an opportunity to meet them again.  We all went out for dinner at Boston Pizza.  Dirk’s mom was really interesting…talking about the war days and survival in that era.  I loved chatting with her.  And the kids were wonderful.  A house full of lego and Thomas the Tank Engine toys and movies.  Loved it!!!  I hit bed around 9:30pm and slept the whole night through.

August 27/08     Today proved to be just as interesting.  Trying to get back to Italian Motors from where we were.  I made us get lost a couple of times for a total of 15 minutes or so (laughing) and then finally called the store.  We were on the right route the whole time.  I should have stuck with my gut feeling with giving directions   Then about 20 minutes later, on our way back to the ferry to catch the 3pm Tsawassen to Schwartz Bay.

Sorry Ian for getting us lost a few times (smiling – Hope this doesn’t happen in Vegas)!!!

This is the first trip I have taken with my brother and not the last.  Soon to Vegas.  I am guessing that by the end of the second day there, he will ditch me and leave me to my own devices.  Maybe not a good thing but looking forward to that trip.

This was my two days of travelling and fun!!!

Italian Motors   www.italianmotors.com

Genesis Racing   www.genesisracing.com

Princess Auto   www.princessauto.com

Extreme Hobbies and Karting   www.bulldogmotorsports.com

Checkered Flag Racing   www.gokarts.org

Western Speedway   www.westernspeedway.net