Randomness: Chris just sent me this article about Yupsters.

I could really go for a beer right about now. We were trapesing around Granville Island (during our long ankle-wrecking walk) and came across the brewery. It’s a lil operation but would be neat to check out…and spend a day in…a nice…long..cold refreshing day.

Hockey: Tonight, Pay Per View – Vancouver at Dallas. The Canadians defeated Finland and Russia prevailed over the USA in World Jr. Hockey action yesterday.

Bellini Saga: We caught a bit of the Can/Fin game from our booth at Earl’s. I was being picky and I apologize to the waiter if i seemed unreasonable – i wasn’t too horrible… but those who know me know that i hate pulp. and for some reason there was pulp in my bellini so i inquired about it – that’s all. apparently their sangria is made with orange juice. this i didn’t know – and that would explain the pulp in my bellini. the waiter explained this and i went on to enjoy my drink. although as a result of the whole drink kafuffle he forgot to enter our appetizer order so our dinners came first. i really don’t think i flustered him that much but we scrapped the appie and in lieu he offered us a free dessert.

we always have such odd “luck” at Earls. We went there after work once with someone the girls from the office. our waitress proceeded to spill an entire bellini on john’s lap (…arm…pants…shoes…floor…). they offered to cover any dry cleaning costs but it wasn’t too big of a deal, he was just super sticky for the rest of the night. they comped my bellini and we also got a free dessert. kahlua mocha mud pie can solve any problem mmmm. those jeans have now become known as “the bellini pants”. it just so happens that john was wearing the bellini pants last night. coincidence? hmm.. next time we go we’ll just get right to it and order a bellini – full of pulp – for his lap.

In addition to the note i added onto a post yesterday, the concern about Patullo Bridge is again in the spotlight due to another tragic accident that claimed the lives of 4 people. If you’ve ever driven over this bridge (as i have many times a week for the past 25 years..well as a passenger THEN as a driver when i was old enough) you’d know how freaky it is to hit that almost-hair-pin curve especially if you’re stuck in the middle lane. it’s not that i don’t trust myself enough to stay in my lane and go the speed limit, it’s that i don’t trust other drivers. i’ve driven over that bridge at 10pm and seen an SUV with no lights on straddling the middle lane – coming my way. so many of the accidents are in THAT spot and they involved head-on collisions. meridians won’t really do much, I think the new Surrey Mayor has it right when she says – we need a wider bridge — better yet a new bridge.

While we’re talking about bridges to Surrey, why on earth did they only add ONE lane to the Port Mann? Sure it gives us a HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle) lane heading East but from 5am to 8pm westbound traffic is backed up for miles regardless. why could they have not made it a counterflow? they only somewhat solved the solution for one direction of traffic. There’s also the issue of twinning the Port Mann.

anyone who’s had to take the Patullo or the Port Mann KNOWs that some vast improvements need to be made to the major arteries around here. although more space/breathing room and quicker travel times (not because of speeding) equals potentially more vehicle traffic – and i believe that’s a main fear most people have. in an article by the Tyee “… widening highways to reduce traffic is like buying bigger pants to fight obesity: more room on highways will just encourage more people to drive.” If we build it, they will come.

Laura is buying me cookies. she’s on her break and just called to tell me there’s a 70% off sale at Athlete’s World. Our office is attached to Pacific Centre and at the north end all the stores are clearing out. so on top of all their boxing day/week sales, they’re all having lease expiry blowouts. i believe holt renfrew will be taking over that entire side of the mall (from the food court all the way up to old navy) nuts eh? i wonder what it will be like for us office people who walk through there to get to food on our lunch break – i don’t want to have to pass through Stuffy McSnob’s to go get a panini from Cafe Supreme. (which probably won’t exist after this…)

I ended up getting a sub for lunch today, although i would have prefered a nice soup and sandwich from Suzette’s – with the big ol thick multigrain bread and alfalfa sprouts mmmm…

today is shaping up to be just as slow as last week – it’s all going to start again soon though…the 12 hour days, the weekend shifts… earnings season is coming! for now, i’ll try to enjoy this slow time and put a top coat on my nails before i leave for the day.

EDIT: Bridge of death strikes again. I’ve blogged about it before and even John (after living here for only a few months) calls it the “bridge of death”. it’s utterly insane how unsafe that bridge has been for decades.

last night at work i replicated the FIFA World Cup 2006 logo on the white board (as best i could). this summer we have the World Cup of Soccer (from Germany) which will be pretty exciting to see. I don’t follow a lot of football (soccer) but I really enjoy the thrill, excitement and skills displayed at the World Cup. It’s also pretty neat to see people in this city (which is pretty darn ethnically diverse) go absolutely bonkers in support of their country/team.

Ack – there’s so much hockey going on right now yipes! Spengler Cup, World Juniors, NHL, the upcoming Olympics eee! We took a year off and now we’re making up for it. Although the Giants (WHL) were still on last year and they seem to be having a pretty nice season so far.

i fell asleep while john was watching the Outback Bowl this morning – football bores me. I’ve decided to include lots of new years pics in this post, although i’m still waiting for copies of anne’s pics from her visit. it was a good time, pretty mellow but it was with people i care most about.

earlier that day we received a parcel from john’s friend Don – the Rev – he sent us a lovely letter and package full of goodies, including DVDs of Mystery Science Theatre 3000. He also included a puppy for each of us, because well, everyone needs a puppy.

the evening started off with a visit from Tanya – haven’t seen her in ages. she’s fresh off a trip to calgary. She stopped by for a few mins since she was downtown.

then we got to work on the margaritas, john’s family recipe which is bascially… the nummiest thing you’ve ever drank :p

my brother brought some food from my mom’s house – SO much food. pizza, lasagna, pita bread, greek salad num num. we had a nice base in our stomach – we could now fill our bellies with much margarita goodness.

we played cranium and the girls beat the boys this time – my sister and i really aren’t used to losing hehe. nothing beats john’s version of “bloom” and here’s jen’s Eye, Full, Tower.

we got pretty silly. watched silly shows and then jen and sean passed out. jen had to be up for work at 6am in north van so it’s understandable. we weren’t hung over on sunday but we still stayed in all day. watching documentaries, eating cheese n crackers, enjoying the last few days off work until …well…easter? i think that’s the next stat.

i’m at work right now – we went for a humega walk around town today. took the water taxi to granville island, walked along the seawall on that side until the cambie bridge – crossed over and back around to english bay via yaletown. i tried my first soy mocha – the cream usually gives me a belly ache, it wasn’t too shabby at all. i look forward to the year ahead.

i have no resolution, i usually don’t. i just hope that everyone is healthy and happy in the year tocome. remember a job is just a job, family is first, live your life and always support your local podcaster:p 2005 was a bit rough and full of transition, who knows what 2006 will hold, i can’t wait to find out.