Lazy Day Friday, Metro Vespa, Madigan, Commercial Drive

Since arriving back from Southern California, Arizona and Mexico I feel I’ve had a whirlwind of work and errands.  It all began to slow down with Laura’s visit last week.  I so enjoyed the VSO with Fliter playing Chopin.  I was getting ahead of myself.  Thinking too far into the future.

I’d had to ace the Opthalmologist and learn that I’m not dead.  Good news.  I actually asked if I would be able to ride my motorcycle for another 10 years and he said yes.  My dad had macular degeneration and losing his ability to drive and read was devastating for him. Mom’s deafness was easier for her. She’d heard it all and increasingly preferred her memories.  She did miss tv and loved her grand children.  Becoming bedridden did her in.  We so love motion.  

I’m considering trading in my fifth wheel for a motor home and the investment in driving and sight is on my mind.  Another eye apt in a few weeks.  Discussion of surgery and scheduling.  It’s all quite overwhelming considering that I’m humbled by lack of spiritual awareness.  But Jesus might have walked on water and raised the dead and cured the blind he still didn’t chose to change his own mission.  Now I’m glad to ask for help.  Dr. Horvath recommended the Vancouver Eye Clinic when I told him my lovely opthalmologist had retired.  It actually turned out that the excellent kind accomplished Dr. Macintosh had died.  I believe in ‘thy will be done’ which 

I saw Dr. Rob Pintwala and despite being young he was excellent.  I felt truly blessed and grateful for great physicians.  

Still I have had a gambit of emotions terror, defeat, depression, hopelessness.  It’s natural when my normally excellent coping mechanism of denial and magical thinking fail.  It’s all possibly god’s making me blind like I was told I’d be as a kid for looking at naked women or porn or any thing sexual actually.  Since the first divorce I’ve been hell bent. That’s why we say religion is for those who don’t want to go to hell and spirituality is for those who’ve been and don’t want to go back.  I want to see a decade or more longer to drive a Motorhome and motorcycle .

I’ve having an issue with Vanity. My Vespa GT Supertech 300 is just perfect for all my needs.  It was light enough that I could carry it well south on the rack on the front of my Ford Truck.  It has all the power and get up and go to handle rides on the highway and scooting about the city.  I have the Harley in storage right now. It’s joy in the country and styling in the city.  It’s heavier and last year was harder to get on and off the carrier rack.  However last year I had great long distance rides in the desert while theirs year I only did 20 minutes rides on the Harley from Mexico to Yuma.  The rest of the time I was travelling about town mostly.  Now I’m using it for shopping and errands.  I’d like to have the Harley to ride up to Whistler and do the Duffly Lake circle.  Maybe later in the summer I’ll get it out. For now except for the vanity issue I’m really enjoying the Vespa. 

The brunch here at Havana was spectacular.  Madigan loved a burger chopped up and ate that while i delighted in the taste and texture sensation of the Chorizo Hash.  Now I’m have another cafe at lait. 

People watching remans great on David.  Now that I’m among the oldest here all the men and women are girls and boys to me so people watching has decades of entertainment.  I m invisible now too.  Everyone notices Madigan but I’m merely the accessory.

Great news that Maxine and Pierre healed the rift in the Conservatives increasing the potential for saner folk to evict the Liberals from leadership.  I look at the platform and it’s by far superior to what Carnie is offering but it’s a compromise.  I really am enjoying Trump and Doge and would love to see something similar here.  The Freedom folk got charged with ‘mischief’ which is a rather face saving thing for the courts and government considering the tyranny and evil of Trudeau and Liberals.  I really don’t like the Ottawa sharia communism shift and anti Christian anti Canada position. I know the Conservatives will be centre and not the extreme left wing and communist chinese apping that the Liberals WEF religions holds.  It’s’ awful seeing the direction of Britain.  Censorship and migrants coming from countries where the censorship is the worst.  

Oh well.  

It’s all above my pay grade and I’ll be very relived when the Liberals are out and Trudeau is gone. I’d be happiest if he was in jail.  

It’s a sunny day. The Cherry Trees are blossoming here. The daffodils too.  

It’s a great day to be alive .I’m alive. I have this fantastic liket dog companion. I’ve spent the week working with great staff at the clinics, have incredible patients getting better, moving forward, struggling to do their best, and I’ve had a great meal and have a home to return too.  Life is good. God is good.

Metro Vespa just called to say my Vespa is ready. Hooray.  I just need to finish this second coffee . I can use the toilet in the park across the street. I may ask here but having Madigan along makes the park toilet okay. 

I’ve been seeing the Tezla cars on the road and liking the look of them .  Well designed.  I wish Ron was alive. He loved Tezla and I’d like to see him driving one. Probably he has one in heaven.  I miss my mom and dad so maybe death is really just going home. One day the longing takes over.  

God is good all of the time.  Today is great. 

Out and about in the City

I enjoyed getting dressed up to go downtown. I left Madigan to be a guard dog.  I rode the Vespa Touring. A beautiful young blond in a Mini,  with her white toy poodle on her lap, let me in ahead of her at the construction near Clarke.  I was glad to find parking on Burrard by Robson. Seems everyone had the same idea to enjoy the post Covid Lockdowns by coming into the city.

I love the Vespa Touring box. I could leave my helmet and armoured mesh jacket. I was dressed in a new Papa’s 50’s polka dot black dress. It was sleeveless and  fell  loosely from bozom to a couple of inches above the knees. I think it’s called A frame.   I had a matching black  earrings and necklace and the sandals I bought yesterday.  Very presentable and quite invisible. At my ages men and women tend to coalesce. No one cares as long as we’re clothed.  I actually had women compliment me on my dress. 

My first stop was the Vancouver Art Gallery. With the Covid lockdowns I’ve missed my visits and reflcctions on art and perspective.  It was a bit of a hodge podge  of exhibits from their collection. I enjoyed it.  Murat. Wade.  Modern works.  Some aboriginal and some black. Angry themes and more. I did enjoy the Heath ceramic exhibit. Emily Carr paintings were on the wall about the room.  It was just a lovely presentation.  I forget the main floor Asian artist. Dragans and Buddha. I so enjoyed the ‘space’ of the art gallery. 

After  I walked  to Granville. The street was closed off and there were entertainers spaced among the three blocks.  I was looking for the shoe store which I didn’t find. On a whim seeing Adrenaline and asked for another ear piercing. I’ve had piercings and tattoos done there. I talked about Erin and learned that Bill had left and has his own tattoo place in Maple Ridge.  The piercing went well. Sharp pain and then done.  

I walked all along Granville and turned back to Pacific Centre. There I stopped at B2 Shoes.  The beautiful sales girl dress in blue helped find me some sandals as well as half boots for the scooter. She brought me a whole selection. Two pair worked.  I’m normally not at all a shopper. This day I really enjoyed it. It was just such a change to be so amongst so many people after the last year of isolation. I loved people watching. Vancouver women in summer are a real treat. The men not so much. 

Back at the Vespa I put my shoes in the box, suited up and headed down Georgia.  I took Prior out to Commercial and found a parking place at one of my favourite cafe’s.  I was tired. An expresso perked me up while I wrote a blurb about the Art Gallery and uploaded some pictures to my blog.

Were it not for my eccentricity I might have stayed on the couch today. Playing dress up got me out.  Anonymous mostly with masks and just invisible old I enjoyed participating in the city. Also some time alone without Madigan whose now 11 months. Not such a puppy that he can’t be left alone a little bit.  

He was certainly glad when I got home. I change to tshirt and shorts. Lick would have it Emory and Bella were out being walked.  Madigan did two tours of the park.  The heat and humidity was telling on the fur coated friends when we came in

Now it’s movies and left overs. What a great day!  Thank you Jesus! 

Commercial Drive. Alive on the Drive

I’ve finally made it to Commercial Drive again.  It’s always a joy. It’s my favourite place in Vancouver to people watch. The whole smorgasboard of characters walks by. I’m at Fet kitchen waiting for a Benny.  Madigan is tie to the chair and not at all pleased with restriction.

We came from church, Lighthouse of Hope in New Westminster.  We’d aimed for the St Bartholomew Church Service at 10 but weren’t ready to go till 11.00.  The in person services were returning after Covid. I really wanted to make church. It was the ‘event’ of the day.  We did it too.  

Lighthouse of Hope is a really inclusive community church. They accepted Madigan and me.Metta was a lovely greeter. The church was having it’s first in person service.  Madigan was at his first church service. He was unwashed. A total barbarian. All He wanted was to play with me. Even Jumped up on my lap. I’d brought a chew but he was just full of beans.  Possessed, in church parlance. The virtual bit was a problem with the feed freezing like my video does when the satellite doesn’t have enough band.  Then the acoustics on the the sermon was problematic.  Despite putting in my hearing aids the masks made some of this garbled. I loved the message though. Reminded me of the problems UBC had with it’s virtual seminars at first.  

The good news was the slides were excellent. I enjoyed the choice of scripture and the 10 minute breaks when Madigan napped and I could pay closer attention. There was a break at 1. I’m not certain it was over but I chose that moment to escape with the Beast.  I’ve diagnosed his condition Disruptive Puppy Syndrome.  It was good to be at church.  Good to pray with other Christians. Thank you Lighthouse of Hope

Now I’m on Commercial. Fets Whiskey Kitchen. There’s stalls with plexiglass dividers for individual and group dining on the street where parking was.  There’s a smorgaboard of eye food walking by.  Some eye candy, some main course. Commercial is the best people watching in Vancouver.  Every shape size colour age and type is represented.

 I ordered bacon bennies and gave the bacon to Madigan.  He’s energized by all the people and excitement. He even barked at me to give him more bacon.  The lovely young waitress gave him water. He had a long drink then tipped the bowl.. It’s plastic and I know he’d like to chew it.  He’s tied to the chair and can’t reach and destroy.

The cappucino’s are excellent. The peach cobbler and ice cream arrived and is delicious.   The sun is playing peek a boo.  A cool breeze then a blast of heat. 

I’m so thankful for Commercial.  So many fond memories.  I always think of George and Suzanne when I’m here.  I remember holding hands and reciting ‘God I offer myself to Thee….’

Guess who got all the bacon?

Little Italy, Commercial Drive,Grateful

I’m here on a Saturday morning.  An utterly gorgeous young woman just walked by in one of those grey tube dresses that only perfectly fit young women wear.

It’s the people watching. The coffee for sure.  I’m at Continental and it’s always been one of the best. I’m having a delicious mocha prepared for me by a barista with curly cherry died hair and blond moustache. 

I liked that he complimented my gold earrings.  India gold from Nanda Jewelers.  I was asked at a medical conference recently why I had earrings.  They’re studs.

It’s been years but I remembered the first one. I’d known this wonderful old Jewish mariner who had one large gold earring. He told me the sailors and pirates had earrings so if they died at sea and washed on a beach this would pay for the burial.

I asked ‘Which side did  a sailor get peirced?’

I,d thought it was a gay things and didn’t wish to be seen as ‘coming out’ 

He laughed, his face, wind and sea wrinkled. “Not a few of us worried when the gay crowd began that. I’ve forgotten which side. That was decades ago . I don’t think it matters any more.”

My other patient a gay man also in his 80’s had told me these ‘secret signs’ had been really important when. He was young. It was illegal to be gay. “The police were forever trying to entrap people in those days. As soon as they’d get on to what was the fashionable sign, we’d develop a new one, like cryptography. Then the artistic ‘in crowd ‘ would  pick up on the old fashion all to the amazing confusion and consternation of the super straight  homophobic police. They really were lost. If anyone got caught we just figured they wanted to. Some of the  guys didn’t mind the jail.”

I had the single earring for a long time, proud of it. Outside work my life was sailing. An executive member of Blue Water Sailing Association, I was gaining skills in off shore sailing, dreaming of sailing to the tropics of Gauguin. I identified myself as a mariner, albeit amateur, until I sailed solo across the Pacific through winter  storms . Alot of the romance was lost. It became a mode of transportation and way of life. I became accomplished and. no longer needed to declare my belonging. I just was.. I loved sailing but I no longer needed the ‘identification.’ 

One day I got the second gold stud because it spoke symmetry. Besides by then I was no longer concerned to be called ‘gay’. There were a lot of other things I’d care to be called less.

A young man dressed in a long loose fitting suit dress just walked by. He really looked like any young business pperson  but truly unisex.  Handsome, beautiful, gay, straight.  I couldn’t say. He was fashionable, well dressed, and young.  I liked that. 

Immediately following him was a beautiful young girl in a bright turguoise mini skirt. A tight white tshirt emphasized her well formed  breasts.  She was definitely looking to be looked at.In comparison the young man  seemed to walk as if he just wanted to go about his business dressed as he liked. He did know he made a statement.I looked at both identically but the latter gave me a look that said, ‘I’m glad you noticed but if you look any longer than a second I’ll be offended.’

My dog meanwhile had moved in on the two delightful young women chatting amiably at the next table.  He has no sense of ‘timing’ and invariably meeting Fifi he spends far too long getting acquainting himself with her genitals.  Neither Fifi or their owner are ever bothered, female dog owners being like the horsey set, are more down to earth, less flighty and comfortable with animal behaviour. 

I’m embarrassed. I pull him back from nuzzling the young lady’s crotch. She laughs in response, “I love dogs and he’s my little dog who was just sitting on my lap before we came out.” It being Commercial Drive I wonder if she and her friend are Lesbians. I’ll never know.

I’ve just picked up my electric bicycle from Motorino Electric. That’s the Italian connection. I immediately thought of my friend Anil, spending weeks there painting and sketching. He’s posted his work for weeks on Face Book   I loved the fine details of his architectural sketches. 

It brought back memories of reading of the greats of literature in the `18th and 19th century doing the Italian ‘tour’. Byron and others. By contrast I’d loved the BBC documentary sent to me by Graham of the sacking of Rome by the Celts. Being Celtic I love all things Celt.  Which brings to mind sitting writing at a coffee shop in Dublin when I took Laura to Ireland and we searched the graveyards for our ancestors.

Laura always comes to mind when I think of Rome or Milan. She so loved our time there making every fountain and every church special with her laughter. I loved the Vespa ride. We’d been riding from church to church trying to put together the skulls and bones, matching the relics of saints.  

I loved the narrow cobblestone streets, the crazy traffic and the dinner in the cafe with outdoor tables on the lane.  The drivers and waiters would negotiate the passage of  cars through the romantic diners.  We complain of construction in Vancouver. Evening driving in Rome is a whole other matter.

I also think of Suzanne and George and Alive on the Drive whenever I’m here on Commercial.Fond memories. Where does time go. Joe’s on Commercial Drive was the first destination I bicycled to when I first moved  to Kits in the 80’s.  It’s still very much alive. More traffic but still the best coffee shop experience in the city, my favourite people watching. , even if one has to beware of the gaze police and the anti freedom of speech social justice warriors. 

 I love listening to the conversations from other tables. A couple of Huffington Post girls are nearby with their sensitivities and emotions while two men with thick accents are further over and talking business and women as naturally as any men of the world would.  For a moment I forget I’m in Canada.  

I like the Harley parked on the street. I am impressed with the haute couture black leathers a couple are wearing. I watched as they climbed off their machine and came over  for a Continental désigner coffee.  

A lovely lady in long flowing bright coloured flowered summer gown just walked by , straight black hair. Polynesian. Before her was a 50’s lady, young but dressed like she stepped out of a magazine featuring washing machines and baby clothing. She was voluptuous with fluffy western square dance skirt and baby blue frilly short sleeved  top.  Sensible afternoon shoes. No doubt in the evening she’d change to something more revealing with high  heals. She’d want to be most alluring when she brought her man a martini or Manhattan.

Lots of Vancouver outdoors clothes. Beach wear and gym wear and hiking wear worn for the trip to the market. Vancouver’s a kind of Village People athletic wear place. There’s a suspicion looking at some of the bodies the clothing never has served the purpose it was designed for.

 I liked the little tyke riding on his mothers’ shoulders, beach hat to keep the sun off his face.  The baby buggy another mother is  pushing is so sophisticated it may as well have been made by BMW.  Probably has disc brakes on the wheels.  

It’s a politically incorrect thought but I like that VPL’s are all but absent.  The man who introduced me to that term one summer of girl watching a decade or more ago, is now Ill and housebound.. Hard to believe we once were considered frisky. ‘Visible Panty Lines’.  When they’re absent it’s leaves tantalizing thought that only the thinnest fabric separates the naked from the environment.  The young men are commonly wearing their jeans without underpants.  I did.

Not us old guys, well, things change.  I’m considering going to the Scottish Games today. The first thought was whether I’d fit into my kilt. I’d needed help from Laura getting the belt buckledfor Robbie Burns Dinner.We’d needed all her womanly expertise with skinny jeans. Lying on my back on the bed the two of us got the waist buckle done up.

Then next question was what to wear under the kilt, knowing well, “nothing’s worn under a kilt, because everything is  always in perfect working order.’  

My elderly aunt told me when I’d commented on her concern one outing about locations of the washrooms, ‘they’ll come a day when you’ll be the same ‘. So let’s just say, I don’t know if I’d want to wear nothing under the kilt in public if there’s a shortage of toilets.  I’m thankfully always from ‘depends’ . But when  Laura and I were in New York the idea of waiting on the cold New Year’s eve for many hours, without access to a toilet ,made watching the Midnight Ball fall on the hotel room tv far more attractive. 

I like the girl’s pleasant educated voice at the next table.  She’s sat down with a friend and they are discussing biology and college instructors.

Gilbert loves it here.  So many dogs. He’s blind but the smells must be wonderful. He’s such as social little fellow. I’m suspecting my parking will soon be up. I locked my electric rad bike  into the box of my white Ford truck. Despite that It has been long enough in this district sadly known for drugs and theft. My doctor friend who’d bought a condo nearby left saying it was too depressing to have to pick up used needles in her doorway.

 I love Commercial. I love the shops where I’ve bought the best Italian spices and meats.  I love the coffee shop where the men watch soccer. My Spanish female professor friend could be seen there shouting at the screen. I love the bookstore where I sometimes see my brilliant orthodox poet friend. He always knows the most original literature and so often has guide my reading to the most insightful uplifting creation.

 I might ride my Harley over to Coquitlam now that Gilbert has had a walk and outing.  I missed seeing men tossing telephone poles last year. I do like the pipes and the elegant ladies country dancing. 

  

Sunday in Vancouver, St. James Anglican Church, Lyle Thomson, and Commercial Drive

At St. James Anglican Church, The Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ was being celebrated. Catholic Bishop Remi de Roo, ordained Bishop of Victoria (St. Boniface Cathedral) in 1962 and founder of the Centre for Studies in Religion and Society at the University of Victoria gave the sermon today. Three were baptised in the Liturgy of Baptism. As a congregation we joined in recitation, "I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth....I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried..He descended to the dead. On the Third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father . He will come again to judge the living and the dead....I believe in God the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the ressurrection of the body and life ever lasting.....the baptism being followed by the Peace. Everyone greets me and then Gilbert of course. Gilbert gets so excited. The Eucharist followed with prayers. Father Mark Greenaway-Robbins in the announcements reminded us that the third week of January, churches across the northern hemisphere observe a Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. It was fitting then that Bishop Remi de Roo should be preaching a sermon on the eve of the week of Christian Ecumenicism. The service ended with the Angelus.

We stayed for coffee and cake in the Bishop's room. I talked dogs and quail with a lovely gentleman who was taken with Gilbert. Alice and Gilbert had several long lost friend encounters in the space of an hour all the while Gilbert wanted to play with Father Mark's older, wiser and bigger dog, Bear.

We left the church and headed over to the Dug Out where people were having a celebration on behalf of Lyle Thomson.  Lyle was born in Morden Manitoba in 1938. Lyle's film company is Can-opener Productions.  He's been involved in film since the 60's but had no formal education till graduating from the Vancouver Film School in the mid 90's.  Lyle has done tremendous service to the First Nations people especially in the Downtown Eastside. He's a leader in the abstinence movement in the addiction prevention and treatment.    I was glad to be at this celebration.  The First Nations cultural leaders had a drum ceremony with songs. Film industry, Writers, Editors, Addiction Counsellors, Court and government representatives were present along with a whole lot of spiritual leaning people who expressed being touched by Lyle's example and generosity of spirit.  Many including myself shared what an inspiration Lyle has been over many years. . At the end we all ate cake.  I was glad to visit with old friends before headed out with Gilbert for a walk on Commercial street.

Before that I stopped for a shower at the office since the water lines are frozen in the cold.

Now I'm in Joescafebar.com, an institution on the drive. I used to bicycle here back in the late 80's. They have the best cheese and salami sandwiches with capuchino one could every hope to find. Right now Gilbert is waiting outside in in his new wool sweater which has brought him so many positive comments. We all remember wearing similiar sweaters when we were kids growing up in Canada. Now we just have to get some bread and milk before heading back to the boat to haul water for the coming week. The lines are frozen so I'm thankful for the office shower.

Everyone here is either playing billiards or watching soccer. Soccer is the game of the Drive. Though chilly it's a lovely sunny day. I miss the Alive on the Drive meeting that had many of us congregating here Saturday morning for years. It added to the spirituality that seems part of the Drive experience that has it's own share of profanity as well.  I had so many great after meeting meetings with Suzanne, Bill, George and others talking all the while we were trekking through  ethnic stores, bookstores and eventually stopping for coffee or breakfast at Joes or one of the other delightful Drive cafes. There is so much diversity here with such exquisite shops and markets catering to tastes from around the world. Gilbert loves all the little dogs he meets here too. It's a dog and people friendly community.

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