Over the last few years Bill Lin and his crew have organized Vancouver’s own version of the Amazing Race, and have done a fantastic job. My sister and I were lucky enough to participate earlier this spring and I have to say it’s a really great adventure.
Since September 2004, The Amazing Hunt introduces this new racing style which provides an opportunity for you to discover a city’s hidden treasure… its culture, landmarks, and history. Our goal is to create a positive and healthy lifestyle in your community while promoting local tourism, business, and charity. [The Amazing Hunt]
The races run every few months in various cities around the lower mainland. Their endurance levels vary as well and there are always new challenges. Although the recent race on August 11th had a fantastic turn out, Bill and his crew are looking for volunteers to help out with the upcoming event in Surrey on September 8th. Visit him over at the Amazing Hunt Blog for more information about racing and volunteering for these great teambuilding events.
Upcoming races:
September 8th 2007 Saturday – Surrey (Space Limited)
October 20th 2007 Saturday – Downtown Victoria
Jenny and I are doing the Surrey race, which won’t be a foot race this time, so if you’re up to the challenge sign on up and we’ll see you there!
I have yet to write an entry on Vancouver Coffee about a certain place in Gastown that just makes my morning with their large coffees and breakfast sammiches, but until then I thought I would toss up another Miss604.com poll.
While I wait for John to get ready and escort me down to 7-11 I’d like to actually find out the best, quickest, tastiest place to grab a cup in Vancouver. Yes, I said 7-11, that’s because it’s cheap and the one on the corner by us seriously tastes great. With so many options out there, including $15 cups from Artigiano I just wanted to know.
Poll Closed.
To view and vote on past polls, visit the Miss604.com poll page.
We just caught her last night on Urban Rush where she performed the first single from Chin Up Buttercup, “Every Single Time”.
I’ve seen Holly in concert a few times and have to say she’s one of the funnest artists to watch, plugged in or acoustic. In some strange turn of events the last time I saw her was at Central City in Surrey with Randy and Lahey of the Trailer Park Boys. For those growing up in Vancouver in the 90s listening to CFOX and hearing Matt Good for the first time, you probably remember Holly’s singles “Numb” and “Elmo”.
If you enjoy her new single visit the Much More Music countdown page and give it some love by voting and the new album, Chin Up Buttercup is in stores now. It’s also available for purchase on Amazon, interestingly enough its suggested pairing is Hospital Music, buy both for $26.95 CDN.
My sister’s beau would not believe her when she told him that raccoons can be rather ornery creatures.
I confirmed this with a few stories as did John who is always amazed at how tourists in the park stop to take pictures of the nocturnal mammals. They can be dangerous, can hiss at you, not be intimidated and carry rabies. There was an outbreak of rabies in skunks and raccoons in Stanley Park not too long ago in fact [Stanley Park Ecology, 2004]. Recently the animals have become quite the nuisance in the suburbs as well.
A pest control expert says the Lower Mainland appears to be experiencing an upswing in the number of raccoons being born…
…One cat owner living in the in Tsawwassen’s north end suspects raccoon’s are responsible for the loss of two neighbourhood cats. Only yesterday, a Tsawwassenite living on 53A Street came home to find five raccoons in his kitchen, threatening his cat. Police had to shoot one of the raccoons after the homeowner injured it with a golf club. [News 1130] [Story also on Canada.com]
We kind of knew the population was on the rise when John spotted a raccoon mommy and daddy engaging in ‘private’ activities in a tree outside our apartment. When I arrived home from work they were still at it… 5 hours later.
We usually giggle at tourists taking photos of these creatures mostly because they seem so ‘everyday’ to us. But it’s a little more than that, you never know with these animals, especially the ones you find in the back alleys downtown, those urbanized raccoons are the worst, eh.
Last night I had a vicious migraine and passed out around 9am. I woke up this morning, got out of bed and my legs didn’t want to work. After thumping down onto the bedroom floor and telling my body it was time to wake up I made my way to the computer. I had my morning brew then read my compulsory blogs, finding some kick ass posts from Keira and Corinna. Following in the eclectic and fun style of both, here are a couple tid bits for today.
In 2005, John got me hooked on Rescue Me. Since then it’s been a staple for us and we countdown the days until we can download the torrents for the new season in the USA. A while back, Keira started calling John “Probie” and Duane “Garrity”. This of course makes me laugh out loud whenever I hear it and you would too, if you’ve seen the show. I was looking on the show’s site and decided to actually compare my hubby to “Probie” aka Mikey Silletti aka actor Mike Lombardi.
Okay well they could be cousins at least
Our good pal Duane is going on vacation soon, a well-deserved vacation where he can be in tropical weather, sit on the beach, be served froofy drinks with umbrellas in them. He told us the news last night over iChat, while also trying to sell us a used car.
I spent some quality time with my family this weekend, starting off with a lovely lunch then I watched Ella Enchanted with my niece and nephews while playing with sticker albums. These children are the most important part of our family yet it seems they’re actually in constant danger when playing with their shiney new birthday or Christmas gifts.
I heard about Thomas the Tank Engine recalls a while ago and alerted my sister, as there was found to be lead in the paint.
In June, for instance, another major toy company, the RC2 Corporation of Illinois, recalled 1.5 million popular Thomas & Friends wooden toy railway sets because for at least two years they were being coated with excessive levels of lead paint, even though the manufacturers were aware of restrictions on lead paint [NY Times]
Well this morning Mattel is all over the news, recalled 9 million products because of the same issue, lead paint, along with magnet problems [Mattel/Safety].
Toys affected by the lead paint are: Fisher Price CARS movie ‘Sarge’ character, Dora the Explorer and Elmo various plastic toys [Recall 1]
Those affected by the magnet recall include: Polly Pocket, Batman Magna Playsets, Barbie and Tanner, Doggie Daycare, Shonen Jump’s One Piece [Recall 2]
My mother would say that when she was little they would play with sharp, pointy, electro-shockey devices full of lead paint all the time. And yes, I remember a couple of my toys or games that, thinking back now, could have really put my eye out, but it’s more an issue of accountability on the toy manufacturers’ part. I’m just super glad that my niece’s preferred gift to receive is actually a book.
We’re off for a little adventure today, it will be our first “quality time” since the long weekend and we’re looking forward to it. John’s back at work tomorrow and then the PNE starts up, which means he’ll be uber busy for the next 2 weeks. I’m so unplugging for the rest of the day now.
