tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18354905109876882992024-03-07T17:24:54.622+08:00Out of AustraliaThe blurtings of Dee during the weeks she was allowed out to roam the world on her own.Dee...http://www.blogger.com/profile/06560899414001589827noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835490510987688299.post-33666934056421503032007-05-24T20:47:00.001+08:002007-05-24T20:48:00.006+08:00Things I do when I am bored...<p>... I calculated that during my holiday I travelled 43,200 kilometres or 26, 844 miles. Luckily it was by aeroplane.</p><br />Dee...http://www.blogger.com/profile/06560899414001589827noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835490510987688299.post-91675276299528170272007-05-20T10:13:00.001+08:002007-05-20T10:13:32.458+08:00New blog<p>I will update this travel blog with video and bits and pieces as I sort through my files. However, for my local activities etc, you can go <a href="http://dudledee.blogspot.com/">here</a></p><br />Dee...http://www.blogger.com/profile/06560899414001589827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835490510987688299.post-24240491790079668652007-05-20T08:50:00.001+08:002007-05-20T08:50:25.216+08:00What have you done today to make you feel proud?<p>Well, one week later and I think I am finally over the jet lag. The flight home was not too bad actually. From San Francisco to Sydney I had a seat behind the bulkhead which meant more leg room (YAY!) and I could even be a ruffian and put my (shoeless) feet up. Managed to actually get some sleep. </p><br /><p>The young couple sitting next to me were lovely. He was Canadian she was an Australian living in Vancouver. She was taking him for his first visit to the big brown land. She and I spent an amusing few minutes during takeoff filling him in on how to be a Canadian in Australia. It was hilarious. He had a great sense of humour and provided some hysterical alternative meanings for the pictures on the aircraft safety card. I considered throwing her off the plane and making off with him... sigh.</p><br /><p>Anyhoo, the plane landed in Sydney and I cried. What a wuss. Then we all piled off the plane and I sprinted to the baggage claim to get my bags so I could check in at domestic and catch my connection to Perth. I had two hours. You would think that enough time yeah, expecially as I already had a boarding pass. Clearly you have not been to Sydney airport lately.</p><br /><p>What a @#$%&! #$%@#*&! mess. First my bags were the last ones off I kid you not. Then I had to sprint to the other end of the terminal to transfer to domestic. The queue of people who wanted to do the same thing actually snaked from the check in counters back into the main terminal. They only had four counter positions open for people trying to get on flights to all cities in Australia. There were hundreds of them.</p><br /><p>Finally got through and bags checked in.Had to queue for customs. Had to queue again for security. There were two security check stations. Two. TWO!!!!! I looked at my watch and knew that my flight was nearing closure and I still had to get across the tarmac on the shuttle bus. What a total cockup Sydney airport is. How did they manage during the Olympics???? How embarrassing was it to hear international visitors who had just had very long flights complaining about the facilities? Bad airport. Bad. The thing is, you now have to go through Sydney when you fly in to the east coast no matter what city your destination is. My bags had to come off and go through customs in Sydney and couldnt go through to Perth so I could go through customs there. What pillock thought of that? Even people with a short flight to Melbourne had to do the same. Anyway, it ended up that I made the transfer to the domestic terminal and RAN full pelt to catch my flight. Just made it. I have not had to do that in any other place I have been in the world. Catch up Australia. I mean seriously. Jeeeeeeez.</p><br /><p>I had a whole row of seats to myself so stretched out and watched Perfume (Alan Rickman - sigh), The Dead Girl, and half of Becoming Jane. Ate food.</p><br /><p>Jess and Here Be Dragons were at the airport to meet me. They were holding signs that read: "Welcome Dee. World Traveller" and "Dee, friend to the stars (in particular <br />Alan Rickman and Daniel Radcliffe)" </p><br /><p>I laughed out loud and hugged Jess and we both promptly burst into tears. LOL.</p><br /><p>It has taken me a week to unpack, wash clothes, tidy the house and stop waking up at 2am starving hungry. I think I am in the zone now. I also immediately got sick with a cold that both Brenda in California and Jess at home had. Also, have to get some tests done early next week for a worrying health problem that raised its ugly head when I was in San Fran. So, a bit of a downer there but hope that it turns out to be a false alarm. I will be back at work on Tuesday and life will assume normal-like proportions from then on. This is seriously depressing. I am already planning my next holiday abroad which is likely to be New Zealand as things go.</p><br /><p>I will be flying to wherever December Boys premieres (Adelaide?) in September and might be going to Melbourne with The Fringed One and Here Be Dragons to see Order of the Phoenix in July. </p><br /><p>Perth is small. It is soooooooooo far away from well, anywhere. I feel so out of it here. Well, I did expect some effects from being away and seeing the world didn't I? </p><br /><p>LOL I had become surpirsingly used to going into a supermarket and seeing 65 varieties of everything. Shopping back home was a bit of a shock. However, we have what we need if not everything we want.</p><br /><p>So the time has come to end this blog which is a bit sad really. So to stop the girlie wah wah tears, I am going to start a new blog and post to it. Enough weird stuff happens to me here to warrant a home-style place to post pics and stuff. Once I have the thing built, I will post a link here and on Dan's site.</p><br /><p>For now, the dream has come to an end. Thank you to all of you wonderful people. I had such a great time meeting with you all and seeing your cities. You all have a room here if you become insane and want to visit the west coast of Australia.</p><br /><p>Keep it real.<br />Dee</p><br /><p></p><br />Dee...http://www.blogger.com/profile/06560899414001589827noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835490510987688299.post-3366124836535291932007-05-14T08:00:00.001+08:002007-05-14T08:00:34.326+08:00Vancouver and San Francisco<p><img style="margin: 5px" alt="" src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/sanfran/billreidraven.jpg" /></p><br /><p>Want to know what this Bill Reid sculpture is all about? Go <a href="http://www.eldrbarry.net/rabb/rvn/first.htm">here</a></p><br /><p><img style="margin: 5px" alt="" src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/sanfran/nakedpole.jpg" /></p><br /><p>You gotta love it when a naked man greets you at the anthropology museum of the university of British Columbia.</p><br /><p><img style="margin: 5px" alt="" src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/sanfran/backpack.jpg" /></p><br /><p>Packing by backpack in SF...</p><br /><p><img style="margin: 5px" alt="" src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/sanfran/toplombard.jpg" /></p><br /><p>The view from the top of Lombard Street. The windiest (as in bendiest) street in the world. And below the view from the bottom.</p><br /><p><img style="margin: 5px" alt="" src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/sanfran/bottomlombard.jpg" /></p><br /><p><img style="margin: 5px" alt="" src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/sanfran/sealions.jpg" /></p><br /><p>Pier 39 Fishermans Wharf SF</p><br /><p><img style="margin: 5px" alt="" src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/sanfran/goldengate.jpg" /></p><br /><p><img style="margin: 5px" alt="" src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/sanfran/linerandfog.jpg" /></p><br /><p><img style="margin: 5px" alt="" src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/sanfran/fogcreeping-up-on-island.jpg" /></p><br /><p>Fog creeping up on unsuspecting island in the bay.</p><br /><p><img style="margin: 5px" alt="" src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/sanfran/medinindatsausalito.jpg" /></p><br /><p>Me dining in Sausalito...</p><br /><p><img height="706" style="margin: 5px" width="350" alt="" src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/sanfran/chickenpuppet.jpg" /></p><br /><p>A man with a real chicken puppet in a street in SF. Doesn't everyone?</p><br /><p><img style="margin: 5px" alt="" src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/sanfran/wattle.jpg" /></p><br /><p>The wattle tree in my backyard.......</p><br /><p style="color:#008;text-align:right;"><small><em>Powered by</em> <a href="http://www.qumana.com/">Qumana</a></small></p><br />Dee...http://www.blogger.com/profile/06560899414001589827noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835490510987688299.post-3115229823429323792007-05-10T03:59:00.000+08:002007-05-10T04:25:25.429+08:00So this is it...... the last day.<br /><br />I am sitting in the lobby of my hotel in San Francisco waiting for Mediterre to pick me up for a last whirlwind tour of the sights before she drops me off at the airport. My flight to Sydney is at 10.20pm. It is all over. I am pretty sad for a range of reasons and will be glad to get back home and process all the stuff that has happened and the stuff that did not get to happen. <br /><br />I need to post pics of my last few days in Vancouver and the time I spent here in San Francisco. SanFran is pretty cool. I got to do some stuff like watch sealions basking, swimming, fighting and making hideous noise down at Fisherman's Wharf; I rode on a cablecar; shopped in Macy's; went over the Golden Gate Bridge; had dinner in Sausalito where I watched the fog come in over the bridge; went to see Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf at the Golden Gate Theatre; had coffee in the Haight; roamed around Chinatown. Drank California wine which is pretty good; Walked up and down hills. Saw lots of hills. Did I mention the hills? You can hang glide off these hills. Seriously.<br /><br />So it's not all bad really.<br /><br />San Francisco is quite like Perth in a lot of ways. They have like almost more eucalyptus trees than at home. In fact, the street trees are almost the same as those you find in Perth. Hell, they even have bottlebrush trees. The people are friendly and the weather is mild. It was lovely and warm while I was there with temps in the 30's. The locals complained about the heat. However, I renewed my tan which had faded alamingly during my time in cooler parts. I really enjoyed the freedom of just wearing tshirt and jeans without jumpers and coats etc.<br /><br />I am now faced with the trip home. Only 2 more flights. How strange is this feeling? I feel like I have been away for years. Once I get back I will finish off this blog with photos and stuff that I have missed out in previous posts. For now, I will try to get my head around the fact that this epic journey is nearly done and wish you all love until next time.<br /><br />DUST IN THE WIND -KANSAS<br />I close my eyes, only for a moment, and the moment's gone<br />All my dreams, pass before my eyes, a curiosity<br />Dust in the wind, all they are is dust in the wind.<br />Same old song, just a drop of water in an endless sea<br />All we do, crumbles to the ground, though we refuse to see<br /><br />Dust in the wind, all we are is dust in the wind<br /><br />[Now] Don't hang on, nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky<br />It slips away, and all your money won't another minute buy.<br /><br />Dust in the wind, all we are is dust in the wind<br />Dust in the wind, everything is dust in the wind.Dee...http://www.blogger.com/profile/06560899414001589827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835490510987688299.post-16058196354446423832007-05-04T09:12:00.001+08:002007-05-04T09:15:13.874+08:00It is going to be so hard to leave here...<p class="MsoNormal">This is the forest walk at the other side of the Capilano Suspension Bridge. The trees are magnificent, tall and straight and beautiful and so GREEN.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span> Some of the views I saw when I was there were so beautiful it sort of hurt.</p><br /><p><img style="margin: 5px" alt="" src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/canada/capilano2.jpg" /></p><br /><p><img style="margin: 5px" alt="" src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/canada/capilano1.jpg" /></p><br /><p><img style="margin: 5px" alt="" src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/canada/capilano3.jpg" /></p><br /><p><img style="margin: 5px" alt="" src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/canada/capilanoriver.jpg" /></p><br /><p><img style="margin: 5px" alt="" src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/canada/capilano4.jpg" /></p><br /><p><img style="margin: 5px" alt="" src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/canada/mepeeping-1.jpg" /></p><br /><p><img style="margin: 5px" alt="" src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/canada/lookup.jpg" /></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal">OK, so you can see right up my nose but check out what I was looking at...</p><br /><p><img style="margin: 5px" alt="" src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/canada/tall-tree.jpg" /></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal">And at the end of it that wonderful time in the forest, I got to hug a bear.</p><br /><p><img style="margin: 5px" alt="" src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/canada/bearhug.jpg" /></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal">In other news...</p><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Em and Dee travel by toy ferry to the amazing market place of Granville Island.</p><br /><p><img style="margin: 5px" alt="" src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/canada/littleferry.jpg" /></p><br /><p>The ferry dudes were er... friendly.</p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><img style="margin: 5px" alt="" src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/canada/ferrydude.jpg" /></p><br /><p>This is what Vancouver looks like.</p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><img style="margin: 5px" alt="" src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/canada/vancouver3.jpg" /></p><br /><p><img style="margin: 5px" alt="" src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/canada/vancouver1.jpg" /></p><br /><p><img style="margin: 5px" alt="" src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/canada/vancouver2.jpg" /></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p style="color:#008;text-align:right;"><small><em>Powered by</em> <a href="http://www.qumana.com/">Qumana</a></small></p><br />Dee...http://www.blogger.com/profile/06560899414001589827noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835490510987688299.post-87690625177969861182007-05-03T11:58:00.000+08:002007-05-03T12:16:26.980+08:00Whoops, I did it again...This is a stylised raven an image of an animal that was central to the First Nations People of British Columbia. The art of this area is absolutely amazing and so my Canada tattoo had be something that had meaning on a deeper level.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/canada/raventatt.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br />If you want to see some more examples of Haida art, go <a href="http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/Exhibitions/Haida/java/english/art/index.html">here</a> or <a href="http://www.robertdavidson.ca/photos/exhibition/index.htm">here</a>.<br /><br />Oh Em got herself a little tatt as well. Hers is a reference to her profession as an archaeologist. Cute, huh. It's a trowel and brush.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/canada/debtatt.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>Dee...http://www.blogger.com/profile/06560899414001589827noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835490510987688299.post-32640420320120746932007-05-01T11:10:00.001+08:002007-05-01T11:11:08.134+08:00VancouverI am in <a href="http://www.tourismvancouver.com/visitors/">Vancouver</a>. It reminds me a bit of Perth mainly because there is a lot of water right near the city. It is a very pretty place with mountains as a backdrop. <br /><br />We arrived via the ferry from Swartz Bay which is just out of Sidney. Then we took buses and taxis into North Vancouver where our motel is. On the ferry over we had dinner OMG. Buffet style all you can eat (is reminded again of Homer Simpson). YUM.<br /><br />The motel is very comfy which is great but next door there was a family of Loud People with a child who obviously has ADHD because at 1am they were still rolling up and down outside the rooms on a skateboard. The family had obviously missed out on door closing lessons in childhood because all they seemed to do when opening and closing doors was wind up and SLAM. I found myself fantasising about all sorts of booby traps within their room and piano wire across the path to deal with the young skateboarder. (note to readers: I am not normally a violent person)<br /><br />Anyhoo on Sunday morning we went and had Dutch pancakes for breakfast. This is a ZOMG situation, people. I think I died and went to heaven.<br /><br />After that we went <a href="http://www.capbridge.com/">here</a>. It was AWESOME. I tell you, again AWESOME. I hugged a tree and also a giant stuffed bear outside the giftshop.<br /><br />Then we went off to the Vancouver Aquarium which is in Stanley Park, the much beloved public park of Vancouverites. It has been badly damaged in the ferocious storms that the NW coast suffered this winter but it is still gorgeous (like me, LOL). The Perth equivalent would be Kings Park except Stanley Park is like, flat. <br /><br />The aquarium was great. Everything there is the Largest in the World (except for the sharks) The otters are HUGE and sooooooooo cuuuute!!! I saw Beluga whales. They are all white and are amazing.<br /><br />I will post pics in here but now have to go eat brekkie and then out for more fun.<br /><br />Byeeee. Love you all.Dee...http://www.blogger.com/profile/06560899414001589827noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835490510987688299.post-2699709258344185842007-04-29T03:03:00.000+08:002007-04-29T03:25:23.304+08:00A funny thing happened to me on my way to the cafe.This morning I was minding my own business walking down the street to the cafe for a spot of brekkie when I heard a voice say, "Hey, gorgeous." What the...? I looked up but there was no one near me at all but when I turned my head, I saw this young man looking at me. I checked but there was still no one else there so he had to be talking to me, yeah?<br /><br />Young man: "Hey gorgeous, come home with me."<br />Me: Laugh.<br />Young man: "No, don't laugh. I'm not joking. You're gorgeous come home with me."<br />Me: Laugh. "Are you THAT desperate?"<br />Young man (now walking beside me): "Why do you say that?"<br />Me: "Um, I'm like old and past it."<br />Young Man: "Age has got nothing to do with it. Really."<br />We walk along for a few minutes.<br />Me: "So how much success have you had with this approach?"<br />Young man: "Well this is my first time doing it."<br />My thought bubble: "Yeah, right." My voice: "I see and what made you try this with me?"<br />Young man: "Well you are gorgeous, you really are, and if you came home with me I would so go with you."<br />Me: (after a pause druing which I started to think about it - well people, he was kinda cute): "You know, I am from Australia. Have you ever been there?"<br />Him: "No. But I really want to."<br />Me: "Well you should go. You would be very successful there."<br />Him: "Really?"<br />Me: "Yes really.What's your name?"<br />Him: "Matt."<br />Me: "I'm Dee. How old are you Matt?"<br />Matt: "20."<br />My thought bubble: "Dear God, I have a son 5 years your senior".<br />Matt: "I am so serious. Like if you came to my house right now..."<br />Me:(Long pause) "So, what are you going to do instead?"<br />Matt: "Right"<br /><br />We chatted while waiting at the crosswalk. I said I was going for breakfast. He said he was going to buy cigars (ewww). As I sat in the cafe, he later passed the window and I waved and smiled...<br /><br />So there you go. Opportunity number 2. And that was all before 10 am this morning. Sigh.Dee...http://www.blogger.com/profile/06560899414001589827noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835490510987688299.post-48518617352126660632007-04-27T08:18:00.000+08:002007-04-28T11:55:59.282+08:00Views of home...<a href="http://www.nachohat.org/main/perth_webcams/">Perth Webcam</a><br /><a href="http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/imarine/coastaldata/1739.asp">Trigg Beach</a><br /><br />Well today is my last day on Vancouver Island. Tomorrow Em and I head off for the mainland and Vancouver city for a bit of full on sightseeing and general fun type stuff.Dee...http://www.blogger.com/profile/06560899414001589827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835490510987688299.post-13326290449308139172007-04-25T00:47:00.000+08:002007-04-25T02:13:46.821+08:00General randomness.Am currently majorly loving on Nine Inch Nails newy, Year Zero. Trent Reznor writing stuff that is not about himself... who knew? It's noisy and good. Very very good. Not all that US friendly though:<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"> <br />Nine Inch Nails-Survivalism <br />I should have listened to her<br />So hard to keep control<br />We kept on eating but<br />Our bloated bellies still not full<br />She gave us all she had but<br />We went and took some more<br />Can't seem to shut her legs<br />Our mother nature is a whore<br /><br />(chorus:)<br />I got my propaganda<br />I got revisionism<br />I got my violence<br />In hi-def ultra-realism<br />All a part of this great nation<br />I got my fist<br />I got my plan<br />I got survivalism<br /><br />Hypnotic sound of sirens<br />[ Lyrics found on http://www.metrolyrics.com ]<br /><br />Echoing through the street<br />The cocking of the rifles<br />The marching of the feet<br />You see your world on fire<br />Don't try to act surprised<br />We did just what you told us<br />Lost our faith along the way and found ourselves believing your lies<br /><br />(chorus)<br /><br />(cut-up speech)<br /><br />All bruised and broken, bleeding<br />She asked to take my hand<br />I turn just keep on walking<br />what you'd do the same thing in the circumstance im sure you'll understand<br /><br />(chorus)<br /><br />You got your pacifism - I got survivalism </span><br /><br />In other cultural news...<br />Have just finished reading Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides. A giant 529 page rollercoaster of a novel crammed with adventure and sizzling gypsies. No, wait. That is something else...<br /><br />Next read is Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand which I have often picked up and put down again but without actually reading any of the words. I hope to remedy this today.<br /><br />May be going to University of Victoria today and might speak to boffins there about possibilities etc... Once I have finished my Master's Degree, who knows?<br /><br />Also need to remedy a small problem with US Immigration or I may not be allowed back into the States. I forgot to submit a little piece of paper when I left Dallas. My experience with little pieces of paper like this is that they can be deceptively benign in appearance, yet cause all sorts of bother...<br /><br />I find my thoughts returning home more often. Main train of thought concerns the question of whether the house is habitable after number one daughter and The Fringed One along with Here Be Dragons have been partying in it. Sigh. Seriously, I find that I need to get home in my head before I actually physically arrive there, otherwise I end up like really sad, dude.<br /><br />I continue to be appalled at failure to find a sugar daddy to keep my in the manner to which I would like to become accustomed. Distraught at prospect of resuming mundane life. Resigns self to fact. Terrified at thought of looking at Visa statement. Decide not to look.<br /><br />The main thing I like about being in the Northern Hemisphere is the feeling of connectedness to most of the major things that are going on in the world. Perth is SOOOO ISOLATED. The world is accessible from here. Also, people here have access to awesome music festivals that make me go weak at the knees when I read the lineups. <br /><br />I have also had ample time to reflect on the comparisons between life in Australia and that in other places. Australia has some serious deficits, people, and I don't mean consumer type stuff. I mean in terms of attitude - toward the environment in particular and towards people and the world in general. I have to sort out what my conclusions are about a lot of stuff but that will happen when I get back home.<br /><br />I am rambling on but in so doing realise I am at the transition between the fantasy of holiday and the reality of 'normal' life. This generally sucks. However, as usual I will carry on and see what happens next...<br /><br />I miss my dog. Sniff.Dee...http://www.blogger.com/profile/06560899414001589827noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835490510987688299.post-46372040443126677372007-04-24T10:22:00.000+08:002007-04-25T00:23:32.654+08:00So I hugged a moose. Got a problem with that?<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/moosehug.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><br />(It's not a real moose but it is the horniest thing I have got close to so far... Can I say that in Canada?)<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/pretty-road.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br />I drove along this pretty road today. Spring has sprung on Vancouver Island, that's fer shuuuuure.<br /><br />Apparantly, Em woke up to this one morning...<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/scary-dee.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><br />We went to the BC Museum and oh boy, it is fantastic. Outside, there are magnificent examples of First Nations totem and house poles thusly:<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/poles.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/housepole3.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/houseart.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/housepole2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/housepole.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br />Now, that is art.<br /><br />Inside there is the most fantastic display of art from the First Nations people. Also a terrific historical exhibit of Victoria that you can walk in and around. I had a great day.<br /><br /><br /><br />IN other news...<br />Darth Vader spotted busking in downtown Victoria, BC<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/darthvader.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><br />And finally what it is like to not be at work.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/happydee.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>Dee...http://www.blogger.com/profile/06560899414001589827noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835490510987688299.post-530959171599643752007-04-24T10:13:00.000+08:002007-04-24T10:15:11.289+08:00Sigh...Dee: What do you have to do to find a hot man in this town?<br />Em: Age fifty years...Dee...http://www.blogger.com/profile/06560899414001589827noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835490510987688299.post-83863556750608275572007-04-21T23:44:00.000+08:002007-04-21T23:57:53.978+08:00Problem with commentsI notice that the last post I made and one other earlier one, did not allow comments. I am suspicious and blame Blogger for this. I, however, am on holiday and will not engage in any work-related activity re: debugging html code etc etc and so on and so forth, until I return home.<br /><br />If you want to leave a comment for me (and I hope you will as I love getting feedback!)please email me:<br /><br /> <span style="font-style:italic;">dudledee@gmail.com</span>Dee...http://www.blogger.com/profile/06560899414001589827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835490510987688299.post-66125798241408357362007-04-20T23:15:00.000+08:002007-04-22T00:13:05.157+08:00It was sunny all day yesterday......and the good denizens of Sidney walked around the town <span style="font-style:italic;">without their Goretex coats on!!!</span> I kid you not. I goofed around at the B&B then went for lunch with Em after which I sat in the cafe next door and drank tea and ate mango passion cheesecake whilst writing cards to send to all and sundry. Then I put in a few solid hours on my book (Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides if you must know)as I sat on a park bench overlooking Roberts Bay. It was horrible and I was glad when it was time to go home. LOL. Em and I had fresh sole and vegies for dinner followed by fruit salad with raspberries, strawberries and stuff. But get this: you can buy a CRATE of strawberries, huge strawberries, for $6.50 Canadian. OMG. Food is so much cheaper here.<br /><br />Anyhoo, thought I would post a map so you can see where I is. The red arrow points to Sidney where I am staying and the green arrow points to Tofino where Em and I will be going overnight on the 28th April. I think. The yellow dotted line between the island and the mainland is the border between the USA and Canada.<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/canada/VancouverIsland-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><br />I love it here. The only thing that worries me about living here though is death by 1) earthquake and 2)tsunami. The west side of the island is extremely vulnerable to tsunami as is in fact the whole island. At least on the east side you get the warning of houses and stuff floating by from the west to alert you to the fact that something is not quite right... I am seriously tempted to spend a couple of years in BC though. Having said that, the pull of Australia is SO STRONG. I don't think I could leave there permanently. Sigh. I am all <span style="font-style:italic;">thing</span> and internally windswept about the whole business.<br /><br />In other news...<br />Em and I were waiting for a bus and I spotted a snake curled round a small branch just lying there in the grass at the side of the bus stop. He was sooooooo cuuuuuute and I wanted to keep him and call him Squishy and make him mine. I didn't though. The mean men at Australian Customs wouldn't have liked that.<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/canada/snake.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><br />I came across a pod of logs that had beached themselves. Their navigation systems must have gone wonky or something. Sad, eh?<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/canada/podoflogs.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><br />You can stop looking. I have found it...<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/canada/centreofuniverse.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Average sized moth sighted in Butterfly Gardens.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/canada/atlasmoth.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br />Actually, it is called the Atlas Moth and is the freakiest thing. It just sleeps all day in the tree (like a koala) and only moves at night (unlike a koala which doesn't move at all if it can help it) and as you can see it resembles a low flying aircraft in size.<br /><br />I've seen a cockatoo!<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/canada/sulphercrested.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Me with 2 flamingo at the beautiful Butterfly Gardens. We had a great time there in the heated environment while it bucketed down with rain outside.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/canada/flamikngo.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Just don't ask...<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/canada/sidechickview.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/canada/frontviewchick.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The following is part of the interior of the place we are staying at. It's for sale if you want to buy it - $800,000 Canadian. Not bad seeing as it has separate business premises out the front and a fully self contained flat at ground level, 5 bathrooms and 3 bedrooms and an office area in the main house.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/canada/insideinformaldining.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/canada/insideformaldining.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br />I'd show you our room but it's too messy... LOL <br /><br />On Sunday we are off to the BC museum. They have amazing stuff there. Em has all next week off work so we will be hitting the trails and doing the real thing. <br /><br />See you all soon. Take care and loads of love.Dee...http://www.blogger.com/profile/06560899414001589827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835490510987688299.post-72089329002247693932007-04-15T00:40:00.000+08:002007-04-15T02:19:17.178+08:00Holiday tally so far...The Dee awards brought to you by ... Dee.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Best cheesecake</span>: Boston. In the market with Jen. Andreas baked vanilla cheesecake was the best I have ever tasted, and that is saying something. I wish I had got a whole slice for myself now.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Most useful item</span>: The magic umbrella. Whenever I carried it with me, it refused to rain. If I left it at home, it bucketed down.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Most astonishing sight for an Australian</span>: Seeing pasty English people swimming in winter in a lake in Hyde Park. I think I am still traumatised.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Biggest disappointment:</span> The lack of actual English people in London. Seriously. We will not speak of this again. Also, the absolute and horrible changes in the land of my birth. Sigh. The place is almost unrecognisable yet I still love it. Was seriously homesick for London after I left.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Strangest building</span>: The Atomium in Brussels. It's made of balls, people. Balls.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Best day out</span>: Camden Town with Em. Just brilliant. I love Camden.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Most enchanting critter</span>: The marmot. Roderick the marmot to be precise. He lives at the end of Chance's road and is so cute. I love marmots (but I couldn't eat a whole one). <br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/roderick-the-marmot.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br />I also liked the teeny weeny umbrella jellyfish at the New England Aquarium. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Thing I forgot to tell you:</span> I had my right ear pierced in Belgium. On the little flappy bit not the lobe or the top. Ow.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Most emotionally complex experience:</span> Visiting my childhood neighbourhood and seeing the house I lived in. Also, seeing Lake Michigan, full of fresh water. Still can't get over that.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Most unpleasant airport:</span> Chicago. No question. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Nicest airport:</span> Tie Between Denver and Vancouver.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Most unpleasant airline:</span> American Airlines: Staff, planes, baggage handling (they lost my bag at one point) all up to poop.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Most charming men:</span> Definitely Canada. OMG<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Place where I have offended the most people</span>: It has to be Canada doesn't it? I get the most disapproving looks by jaywalking across intersections which I, of course, NEVER do on purpose. *grin* <br /> <span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Most hilarious sound</span>: Skaila's voice when I told her I was at the airport. She thought I was arriving the next day.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Most hair raising experience</span>: Tie between the drive from Heathrow to Watford in Nikki's car (23 hours of utter safety in a plane and I am now going to die on this English motorway) and experiencing being in a car driven on the right hand side of the road for the first time (Brussels). I had my hands over my eyes most of the journey. The taxi driver thought it was funny. Oh ha ha.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Best food</span>: Don't make me choose. Oh OK it has to be the clam chowder at Point No Point, Vancouver Island. And of course there is the grilled salmon at Fish on Fifth. Did I mention the deep fried Mars Bars??? Definitely not for the faint hearted. In fact, a nifty way TO HAVE a heart attack... yet, strangely delicious (gazes off into the distance). <br />Not forgetting the salmon and shrimp (shrimp, LOL) melt at the place next door to Em's work.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Biggest suspicion</span>: That Canadians practise being polite in the mirror before leaving the house in the morning.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Best girlie day out:</span> The beauty salon and lunch day with Joan in North Carolina.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Most strenuous day:</span> Aspen and Hanging Lake trail with Chance. Lack of oxygen is a startling thing.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Australian thing most missed:</span> The stars and the sound of magpies warbling in the morning on next door's roof.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Stupidest thing done by a grown woman:</span> Getting drunk (Nikki made me do it) and lost in Brixton after midnight. Was hilarious though.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Best celebrity sighting:</span> ALAN RICKMAN. (Fans self) I would have loved a picture of my face. Totally gobsmacked would be an apt description. In fact I wish someone had smacked my gob. I might have actually said something. No, wait. That might not have been a good idea...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Weirdest thing sighted</span>: A huge carved chicken sitting on a swing that is hanging from the back neighbour's wooden deck here in Sidney. Here is the proof: <br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/chickenswing.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Most expensive indulgence:</span> $45 Australian dollars to get my eyebrows waxed. You guessed it - London.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Thing I am most ashamed of doing</span>: Buying things in Walmart. Doh. Idealogically unsound people. I feel tainted.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Funniest email received while on holiday</span>: From number one son - '<span style="font-style:italic;">Hi Mum. Am in Toronto. Balls frozen. Love T.</span>' (Son was on tour with band)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Creepiest thought:</span> 'I have to go back to work. Can I do that? Who have I become in the last few months? What does my life mean now?' Relax, that is as deep as I am going to get.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Absolutely the best experience ever</span>: Seeing our Dan on stage in Equus and meeting him and his lovely dad. I mean, how cool is that? Totally and utterly the best night of this holiday.<br /><br />Check back for more additions. I will post them as I remember or as events occur.Dee...http://www.blogger.com/profile/06560899414001589827noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835490510987688299.post-57546173098567268262007-04-14T05:07:00.000+08:002007-04-14T05:16:03.188+08:00I'd forgotten how much I like Gordon Lightfoot<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/canada/GordsGold-newcover.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br />In the early morning rain<br />With a dollar in my hand<br />With an achin in my heart<br />And my pockets full of sand<br />Im a long way from home<br />And I miss my loved ones so<br />In the early morning rain<br />With no place to go<br />Out on runway number nine<br />Big seven-o-seven set to go<br />But Im stuck here in the grass<br />Where the cold wind blows<br />Now the liquor tasted good<br />And the women all were fast<br />Well there she goes my friend<br />Well shes rollin down at last<br /><br />Hear the mighty engines roar<br />See the silver bird on high<br />Shes away and westward bound<br />Far above the clouds shell fly<br />Where the mornin rain dont fall<br />And the sun always shines<br />Shell be flyin oer my home<br />In about three hours time<br /><br />This old airports got me down<br />Its no earthly good to me<br />cause Im stuck here on the ground<br />As cold and drunk as I can be<br />You cant jump a jet plane<br />Like you can a freight train<br />So Id best be on my way<br />In the early morning rain<br />You cant jump a jet plane<br />Like you can a freight train<br />So Id best be on my way<br />In the early morning rain<br /><br /><br />...Dee...http://www.blogger.com/profile/06560899414001589827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835490510987688299.post-50905013701531976362007-04-14T01:07:00.000+08:002007-04-22T00:16:23.799+08:00Fish on 5th...... A humble looking fish cafe on Fifth Street in Sidney. Don't be fooled by the exterior folks ( I will post a pic when I take one! LOL). Inside dwells the best fish and chips (yam fries OMG) that you will eat and that is saying something. Have been there a couple of times now and enchanted by the cheeky waiters one of which I professed my love to last night. <br /><br />Me: I think I love you<br />Waiter: You do?<br />Me: Well, you bring me food and beer.<br />Waiter: (laughs)<br /><br />I may propose to him tonight.<br /><br />But truly a fun place with great food. After dinner Em and I went to a bookshop and I bought a couple of half price Harry Potter calendars (only for their archival value and the sake of completeness you understand) and a book called 'How to be a Canadian'. Quote: 'There are no roads in British Columbia. There are only corners joined together.' and ' The natural habitat of Canadians is the shopping mall. Canadians are timid, but they will respond if approached. The best way, we find, is to offer them a handful of seeds whilst speaking softly in a calm but firm voice.' and 'Canada is a big, bold country. Most of the people in Canada live as close as they can to the U.S. border, where they huddle together for warmth. If you want to appear <br />Canadian, all you have to do is tuck a beaver under your arm and stroll along humming the <span style="font-style:italic;">Hockey Night in Canada</span> theme song.'<br /><br />I think I may enjoy this book. Perhaps I should write one on How to be an Australian... hmmmmm.<br /><br />Anyhoo, I have just remembered my trip to the Roots clothing store in Victoria where I was immediately asked by the male store assistant if I was Australian.<br /><br />Me: Yes!<br />Assistant: Ah. Are you offended? (he meant by the whole 'Roots' thing. In Australia root is a verb and refers to the procreative activities as well as referring to the bit on the end of trees that goes in the ground. For further explanation, please send me an email.)<br />Me: Naaaaaaah!<br /><br />I bought several items of clothing which as we all know are the best kind of souvenirs. Em insisted on taking this picture of me modelling the baseball cap that I bought for number one son.<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/canada/roots.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Ridiculous isn't it? PLease note favourite Camden Town tshirt bought in Camden Town.<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/canada/meonferry.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Me on ferry going across to Victoria<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/canada/point-no-point.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Point No Point Resort Restaurant wherein dwells the best Clam Chowder in the universe.<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/canada/meat-point-no-point.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><br />It was raining but the view out of the restaurant was very calming.<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/canada/fat-seals.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Fat seals who became disinterested when it was obvious we had no food for them.<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/canada/marine-centre.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Sidney Marina and Marine Observatory (the little building). I spent a happy hour there on Thursday, looking into little tiny tanks and using microscopes to see the marine life in them. It was awesome and in lots of ways much better than a big aquarium. There were about 20 little tanks on desks that you could look at. The centre caters for school groups and tourists and is just terrific. I bought a tshirt, of course.<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/canada/seagull-thief.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Seagulls conspiring to steal fish from the fish market on the pier. These guys were hilarious.<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/canada/seagull-skylight.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Seagull on the bathroom skylight. He later moved and started pecking the glass and looking in. Cheeky bugger.<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/canada/flowers.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><br />There are flowers everywhere. Its the only way to tell that it is spring here. (Waits to get whacked by Em)<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/canada/emat-work.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Em at work. Impressive eh? She is making a mockup of an archeological dig. I reckon she just likes cutting and gluing.<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/canada/ems-view2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The view outside Em's work area. She looks out on this folks. Feel free to hate her.<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/canada/mt-baker.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The view across to the USA, Washington State. You can just see Mt Baker.Dee...http://www.blogger.com/profile/06560899414001589827noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835490510987688299.post-15912907392956965062007-04-13T00:07:00.000+08:002007-04-13T01:47:38.563+08:00travel whingesI do believe I am getting tired of living out of a suitcase. Everything is always crumpled and the thing you want always scuttles to the bottom of the bag. Grumble.<br /><br />Am feeling a bit down as certain of my plans have fallen through for various reasons. The California bit is looking bleak. Looks like I will be there on my own which is sad. I was really looking forward to seeing it with Em but she can't come with me. I look like not seeing Mark either which is the biggest bummer and makes me sadder than sad.<br /><br />Might kill myself by eating Rogers chocolates...Dee...http://www.blogger.com/profile/06560899414001589827noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835490510987688299.post-39691835461051995002007-04-11T23:34:00.000+08:002007-04-13T00:07:27.554+08:00oh Canada!Sidney by the sea,Vancouver Island. I could live here in a heartbeat. Am thinking of doing so in fact. If I don't report for work, you know where to find me.<br /><br />Well, Em met me at the airport holding up a sign that read "Strange Australian Woman" (Oh HA HA. slap) much to the amusement of the woman standing next door to her. The flight had been delayed due to yet another set of luggage boarding the plane sans owner. All the luggage had to come off and the absconders removed and the hold reloaded before we could leave. But I digress...<br /><br />Chance and I got to Eagle airport and I checked in with 4 minutes to get through security and on the plane. Hee. You guessed it. I got searched. Not my bags. Me. I was beeping even though I had no metal on me besides the rivets on my jeans. Got the full pat-down which took sooooooo long... Anyhoo, Finally got through that and repacked my carry on and got shoes on and all that and did make the flight. Had to go via Dallas Fort Worth and let me tell you how big that airport is. That airport is fecking HUGE. To make my connecting flight to Vancouver I rode a train that took 5 minutes to get to the other terminal. sigh.<br /><br />I had the whole row of seats to myself. Sheer bloody luxury lad. Who needs first class??<br /><br />When I got to Vancouver, the plan was to catch the ferry across to Vancouver Island but due to the delay we had missed the last one by one minute. Sigh. So off to a motel we went and then went out for something to eat. It was great.<br />Next morning we got on the ferry well, we got in a bus that eventually drove on to the ferry. Big ferry. We had delicious buffet breakfast as we powered through the teeny islands and gorgeous scenery. I will put photos up when I get my lazy ass on to it.<br /><br />Em's dad man met us at the ferry terminal and we then zoomed off for a drive around the south part of the island. Sooooooooooooooo prettttty. All trees and moss and lichen and green and wet. Rainforest, gotta love it. Went to a little gorgeous place called Point No Point.<br /><br />Me: This is called Point No Point?<br />Em: Yes<br />Me: What's the point in that?<br />Em: There is no point.<br />Me: That's the point?<br />Em: Yes.<br /><br />The clam chowder was to DIE FOR people. Eating that looking over the little bay where there were seals swimming. Each table in the cafe had binoculars and Em's dad told a funny story of people down on the beach who were nude sunbathing once while the polite Canadian diners pretended not to notice. LOL. The manager had to go down and tell them that a restaurant full of people could see them. <br /><br />Em and I are staying in a lovely bed and breakfast right in the middle of Sidney. On Monday we went shopping in Victoria because I need something decent to wear to the Empress Hotel when we go for afternoon tea. Get that! Me being posh, LOL. Around here<br />there are heaps of places to shop and poke around in and there is even a pirate shop Merri. Yes I am going in there. Don't panic. The sea here is grey but beautiful. The seagulls are freaking huge as is just about everything squirrels included. Yesterday I mistook a squirrel for a small cat. <br /><br /><br />Canadians are friendly and talkative. Bus rides are full of the sound of people chatter. Everywhere else I have been, the people are silent and try not to make eye contact. Paranoia. Here the people are relaxed and seem genuinely happy. Really. People smile at you as you go by. Can't work out if it is pathological or paradise.<br /><br />I am well and happy and wondering how I will ever fit back into work and normal life again... off to explore some more of this wonderful place. Back with photos later.Dee...http://www.blogger.com/profile/06560899414001589827noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835490510987688299.post-73788328142055753822007-04-10T22:59:00.000+08:002007-04-10T23:30:19.852+08:00Colorado to Victoria BCColorado is dry. Very very dry. The first time I shook hands with Chance's husband, I nearly electrocuted him with static. 'Welcome to Colorado,' he said. I had a wonderful time up in the mountains with Chance and her family. We drove all over the place. I stomped in snow, was amazed by frozen waterfalls, got sunburned!!, saw big-horned sheep, deer (munching up peoples gardens in town, lol), marmots (omg cute miniature meerkat critters SOOOO CUTE), Canada geese (these dudes are all over the place but I havent yet seen one in Canada...), prairie dogs, red tailed hawks, mountain jays (brilliant blue), chipmunks, and one small spider that Chance converted into atoms one night in case it was a Brown Recluse. This spider kinda kills your flesh and stuff so not too nice. We have one like it in Australia. <br /><br />Memorable moments: <br />Me leaping into the air when Chance yelled 'OUTTA THAT CHAIR!' when the aforementioned small spider was sighted.<br />The look on Chance's face when I said I wanted to see a rattlesnake.<br />Seeing a marmot for the first time. <br />Poking snow only to find it was solid ice. Small embarrassment to pokey finger.<br />The funny tshirt shop in Aspen. OMG I wanted to buy ALL those shirts. Laughed till I cried.<br />Yummy crockpot dinners at the end of a long day sightseeing.<br />The amazingly weird tourist shop with the pianola that started playing for no apparant reason.<br />The Continental Divide even though it did try to kill me to death with freezing.<br />Seeing a frozen lake.<br />The roadsigns: 'Move accidents off the road'; 'Road rage call (number)'; 'Beware falling rock' (Man, that rock was falling all over the place);'Beware avalanches'(er... what exactly are you gonna do???); The street called Bellyache Road; The town called No Name (now that's just lazy).<br />Seeing Orion the right way up. I miss not seeing the Southern Cross out of my back door when I get up in the night though. sigh.<br />Seeing Christopher and getting Christopher hugs. Hi sweety!!!<br />Debating the usefulness of the Monarchy with Katie.<br />Listening to Gordon Lightfoot while travelling to Aspen. Carefree Highway, let me slip away on you.<br />Reading the lightning safety brochure out to Chance. Man that thing was so funny. "Treat the apparantly dead first."<br />Going up to Hanging Lake. 'Is it straight up?' I asked. 'Not especially,' said Chance. I am paying you back for that one buddy. Chance is like a mountain goat skipping from rock to rock. I, on the other hand starved of oxygen, went 2 feet at a time then gasped for 10 minutes... Coming down was easier,even when the dumbass tourists going up didn't step aside to let us through. NO BRAKES PEOPLE!!! Souvenirs from the hike include a gash on my knee and assorted bruises. My lungs may never recover.<br /><br />I loved Colorado. It's big and dry and rocky and looks like Wittenoom Gorge in places (except for the snow of course) The air is clean and clear and the people are Australia friendly. After Chicago and all the big cities, it was heaven to a girl like me used to big spaces and sky.<br /><br />Chance and I had so many laughs. OMG. I love you buddy and THANK YOU for my stay. Se e you when I get my Green Card eh?Dee...http://www.blogger.com/profile/06560899414001589827noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835490510987688299.post-37826611135276813262007-04-07T10:33:00.000+08:002007-04-07T11:00:41.132+08:00Colorado. Rocky Mountain HighLet's just let the pics speak for themselves. OK with a little help from me.<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/skirunsfrom-the-air.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br />Ski runs from the air.<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/rockies-from-the-air.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Rocky Mountains from the plane. OOOOO shiiiny.<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/view-from-chances-backdoor.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The view from Chance's house.<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/canyon.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/brook.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/hunkidory.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Everything's hunky dory here.<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/snow-scene.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/sylvan-lake.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Sylvan Lake and yes, it is frozen.<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/continental-divide-from-the.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The Continental Divide<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/mee-at-continental-divide.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Me getting my face blown off at the Continental Divide. I have never lost sensation to any part of my body so fast as I did this day. I couldn't feel my fingers after about 5 seconds and I am sure my face blew to the other side of my head...<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/hanginglaketrail.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Hanging Lake Trail that I hiked up today with Chance.<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/melauginginrockcavehangingl.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Me laughing deleriously through lack of oxygen on Hanging Lake Trail.<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/trailwaterfall.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Mossy waterfall on the trail.<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/hanginglake.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Hanging Lake.<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/aspen2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Aspen. Can you say 'expensive'? Lots of shiny happy rich people wearing designer ski gear. YAWN. If Alan Rickman isn't there, there are no celebrities I want to see.<br /><br />ANyhoo, I am really tired. I hiked up a mountain pass today so will write words tomorrow or the next day. I just wanted to show you how beautiful Colorado is. I love it here.<br /><br />I am sadly leaving Chance and family in the morning... Off to Vancouver to see Em and to plan the slapping of Mark when we both go down to SanFran in a couple of weeks. See you with news of that when I next get a good internet connection.<br /><br />I am having a ball. Still no luck but have not given up hope. Certain of you will get what I mean. I will definitely post if that situation changes *wink*.Dee...http://www.blogger.com/profile/06560899414001589827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835490510987688299.post-85767356977916039102007-04-06T04:42:00.000+08:002007-04-07T08:46:43.940+08:00Photos from Belgium<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/belgium/dee-with-belgian-beer.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br />Yours truly enjoying a Belgian beer.<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/belgium/atomium.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br />The weird looking Atomium in Brussels. It looks like the balls are small even from underneath, but they are actually the size of very large rooms and the connecting pipes house escalators. The top ball contains a restaurant and lookout.<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/belgium/escalator.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br />One of the escalators inside the tubey parts of the atomium. Oh and the back of Kevin's head which I include for perspective.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/belgium/squareleuven.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Leuven (downtown)I sat in a cafe overlooking this square and had coffee while I wrote a thank you letter to Dan's dad. Then it snowed.<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/belgium/sheilas-english-class.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br />Sheila's English class.<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/belgium/belgian-castle.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/belgium/castle2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The Horst castle. <br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/belgium/bruceandsimba.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Bruce seemed to get on well with Simba...Dee...http://www.blogger.com/profile/06560899414001589827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835490510987688299.post-31771100205250822452007-04-04T21:32:00.000+08:002007-04-07T09:37:31.163+08:00Chicago. I think Frank Sinatra was mad. It's not my kind of town.Well, I am flying American domestic airlines now. No food service - you have to buy your own. I was thinking they might get us to push the plane down the runway too. Anyhoo, I left Boston and set off for the airport for Chicago. It was all good except the flight was delayed because the pilots had not had enough time between flights to sleep and could not fly against US regulations. So we were late getting off the ground.<br /><br />Chance met me there and she had organised a hire car!!! Wheee. A black Jeep 4WD... shiiiiiny. So we piled in and headed off to my accomodation. Chance did a great job finding her way around. (Brownie points) The B&B was amazing. Ray's Bucktown B&B if you want to know and it is a weird eclectic place full of strange collections of things and slightly creepy papier mache statues. I had a room where the bed was under a slanted skylight. I could see the stars and clouds as I lay there. It was magic.<br /><br />But let's go back a step. After dropping off all my shit, we went to Navy Pier which is a very touristy place on a pier (funny that)that juts out into Lake Michigan. We walked to the end of the pier and stood overlooking the water. OMG. The lake is huge. It is not possible to see the other side and it is all fresh water. I actually teared up as I looked out over the water. What could we do in Australia with a supply like that??? So much water and we are so dry... Sigh.<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/chicago/navypier.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Anyhoo, we had a look at some of the shoppies there. I bought the obligatory tshirt ("Dead men dont tell tales. Navy Pier. Arrrrrrr." Complete with Jolly Roger. I thought of you, Merri when I bought it and now feel completely prepared for International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Arrrrrr) Then we had lunch in a fabulous place called Be Bops which is a Jazz Cafe. I had a local beer (naturally) which was OK.<br />Have I mentioned that serves of food in this country are obscenely large??? !OMG! Tip: Order kids size meals. They equal a normal adult portion in Australia.<br /><br />Next we went up to Sears Tower and had a look at Chicago from above. It goes on and on and on and on. <br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/chicago/searstower2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/deedanfan/chicago/from-sears-tower.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Still couldn't see the other side of Lake Michigan. Bought a fridge magnet with picture of Sears Tower on it. Went back down lift and Chance took me home before returning the hire car and boarding her plane back to Colorado.<br /><br />I sent out for pizza and settled down for the evening and reflected on the day. Oh, I was only there for the day because I had arranged to meet someone else there but that was not possible so Chance offered to come down for the day to show me Chicago as she had been there before.<br /><br />I don't like Chicago. It is big, dirty, noisy and the people are rude. I have no idea how people actually live there. Maybe it is to provide employment for therapists, who knows? All I can say is I am glad I went there to see it but I will not be going back any time soon. The airport is an exercise in chaos. They actually lost my bags the next day but that is another story...Dee...http://www.blogger.com/profile/06560899414001589827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835490510987688299.post-26491109786466959452007-04-04T21:09:00.000+08:002007-04-04T21:10:48.375+08:00Way down South (Sarth to you Nikki lol)Boston to Raleigh, North Carolina<br /><br />I’m in the South, folks. Well, I have been since Tuesday last and it has been a blast. I have been staying with Joan and her husband, John who have shown me real Southern hospitality. I have been shown around the beautiful countryside, fed, taken to the zoo, shopped and cared for.<br /><br />But to start off, I arrived and Joan met me at the airport. When I left Boston it was raining and about 45 degrees F, in Raleigh it was 83 and sunny – WAAAAARRRM!!!! I had not packed any summer clothing so we went out of course and bought some after we went and had steak sandwiches and beer for lunch. YUM ! Back to Joan’s cute house and time for a shower and tea. <br /><br />Joan had planned to take me to the beach the next day so we packed overnight bags and settled down for the evening. Unfortunately, the next morning I woke up with a stinking headache, stuffed nose and lethargy. A mix of jet lag, constant traveling and changing climate and POW! Dee was out of circulation for the day. Joan had to cancel the accommodation bookings and all and jeez, what a shit. But there was nothing I could do, I had to just stay in bed and sleep it off. By the end of the day with the help of gallons of water and cold and flu capsules, I felt better. By next morning I was well enough to go out with Joan. We both got manicures and pedicures, had lunch, coffee, Ben and Jerry’s ice cream and shopped. In the evening we went out for dinner to the 42nd <br />Street Oyster Bar where I had LOBSTER! - and bought a great souvenir glass which weighs a tonne. Today we went to the North Carolina Zoo where the people were often more entertaining than the actual animal exhibits. It was a great day. I am now sitting here, typing into Word, because Joan’s internet is down. Monday, I am in Chicago and meeting with Chance before flying on to Colorado. I will be cold again. Today I was at the zoo in Capri pants and shoestring top. Monday, I will be back in sweaters.<br /><br />Raleigh is a very pretty place. It is real spring there and the Dogwood trees are all in flower. Such a pretty tree with lovely white flowers almost like a McCartney Rose. There are pink ones too and they are all over the place. The winter-bare branches of the other deciduous trees have a mist of light green as the new leaves emerge from buds. I was surprised to see so many pine trees – they are everywhere. Joan and I went for a walk around Shelly Lake one day which was lovely. The surrounding land is all natural woods with a walkway and people passed us walking their dogs or jogging (you’re still gonna die people. Why not walk?) Saw a couple of critters – squirrels and the State bird the Cardinal which is bright red. There were Canadian Geese and ducks on the lake and heaps of turtles swimming about.<br /><br />We went on lots of drives around the place and saw where the posh people live. <br /><br />Joan made her grandmother’s coconut and pineapple cake and John cooked a wonderful breakfast one morning and I ate grits for the first time. On my last night Joan did Southern fried chicken YUMMY!!!<br /><br />Thanks Joan and John. I had a wonderful time even if your cat did near knock ma leyag orff while I was standing in the hallway and even if you did laugh at me for wanting to get in the drivers side of the car all the time. (hmph its you lot who have things backwards). I loved my stay there with yawl and I love you.Dee...http://www.blogger.com/profile/06560899414001589827noreply@blogger.com4