The opening of VanDusen Botanical Garden, farmers markets, and encouragement to get out and enjoy the fresh air. Not a bad outlook for the weekend during the second month of COVID-19 isolation. For your entertainment and viewing pleasure, here are a couple of things to do in Vancouver this weekend:
Things to do in Vancouver This Weekend May 1-3, 2020
One month ago I reached out to some of my friends around the globe who are originally from the “604” area to see how they’re doing during the COVID-19 pandemic. I decided to do a follow up Q&A to see how they’re all doing several weeks after our chat…
Vancouverites in Isolation Elsewhere: Steffani in Ottawa Part 2
Since we last spoke, how have restrictions changed in your city?
I don’t think much has changed — if anything, it’s maybe tighter now. $880 fines for hanging out in parks. From my apartment, I can see the bridge (one of them) into Gatineau, Quebec, on which police control cars coming in but not going out.
This is one thing I hope gets harder — travel in/out of Quebec — because, despite off-the-charts transmission still occurring, they’re opening the province in the next week or so and we’re all worried.
A Toronto Star article says Ontarians are the Canadians most likely to wear masks when going out — hello! I’ve been doing so for 5 weeks — and Québécois are least likely. So, this should be interesting since I’m literally 3km from Quebec.
Not a day goes by when I don’t wonder what’s happening with the aliens who have taken over Doug Ford’s body. Who is this competent leader, and what are they putting in his Corn Flakes?
At this point, what are you tired of cooking at home?
I’m enjoying cooking but I hate feeling like it’s my only option. Eating takeout/delivery is unsettling.
But what I’m hating is the dishwashing. My kitchen is so small, and I am so fed up with it.
I think the key is to keep trying new things and to occasional splurge on something, if you can. Recently that meant I asked the butcher (who delivers!!) for some short ribs and that was a magic night. Tonight I’m making my first couscous in years after getting a delivery from Ayoub’s (great BC company doing mail order for nuts and dried fruits) and I’m excited about exotic things like cranberries and almonds and stuff to put in the couscous.
(Even you could easily make couscous — pour some stock or boiling water and lemon juice on, add nuts and fruit, and pair some meat with it!)
Is there something you are craving from your favourite local restaurant? Have you been getting take-out/delivery?
I’d really like to have some poutine. There’s a place in Byward Market, Lowertown Brewery, who make this amazing poutine with fresh curds (made at St Albert, one of the best in Quebec, just 20 minutes away) with ROASTED CHICKEN GRAVY.
It’s so good it’ll make you wanna slap your mama and cry out for more. But poutine is just not something one gets delivered. I’m hoping the little unnamed poutine truck on my block opens up sometime. It ain’t roasted gravy but it ain’t a dirty dish in my kitchen either!
Are there any online events (concerts, workshops, etc) that have kept you entertained?
I have actually been working a ton. It’s only slowing down NEXT week for me so staying “entertained” hasn’t been a challenge.
I’ve been decompressing with cooking shows, which feel vaguely like a tense thriller — WHO WILL DIE THIS WEEK, AS THESE NAIVE FOOLS SHARE FOOD OFF THE SAME PLATE?! — juxtaposing the Before Times sensibilities versus the “God, no, who SHARES food?!” mentality of these end times.
I found a great podcast I can’t remember the name of, something like The Soundtrack Show on I Heart Radio, where a Hollywood composer picks a movie and dissects the soundtrack and explains the dramatic tools the composers used to lead the viewer’s emotional reaction and I’ve found the podcast oddly compelling. Great to listen to while cleaning the freakin’ kitchen AGAIN and AGAIN and AGAIN.
Has your outlook changed? Are you feeling more, or less positive about the outcome of isolation?
I have no balcony or patio and I have occasional days where I spiral into despair. The reality of having to take an elevator 14 floors and all that, just to get outside, can feel really unnerving.
On the flip side, we in Ottawa are lucky to have so many independent food delivery options now, so I’m getting better food dropped off to me sometimes than I would if I had the leisurely ability to shop for it myself.
Like Byward Market, our version of Granville Island, has vendors banding together for delivery, restaurant wholesalers (local guys) are making deliveries, even my favourite Italian specialty store is delivering now. It makes such a difference in life because now I can go out for a walk without having to incur additional risks — AND I get to support local companies rather than Loblaw’s.
In fact, a group of restaurants came up with a company called “Love Local Delivery” to deal with delivering their food while cutting Uber and Skip The Dishes and other profiteers out of the action. I’m super-impressed with how resourceful Ottawa has been.
But part of my depression these days is I really think this will be ongoing for a year or so. I’m optimistic there will be a vaccine, but I also think things will be getting worse before they’re better, and I think my “down” state of mind is that I know a lot of loneliness and isolation will be unavoidable until we get there. That said, I think my paranoia and my ability to stay inside for long periods will be part of why I get through these times relatively unscathed.
I’m also dreaming of The Next Chapter, where this passes and I move to the countryside and never get trapped in an apartment again. (Seriously. Small hobby farm, me with my sourdough and some chickens and a rambunctious Border collie.)
What’s one thing someone could do for you right now that would make you smile?
Pay off my credit cards! Oh, wait, I’ve done that. Pay off my line of credit? Or, you know, hire me for their next marketing or other campaign that requires a kick-ass writer with a conversational tone. Me likes work. 😀 Stay safe, kids. This isn’t over. But staying home, being smart, and self-isolating is how to get through the next wave.
Read the Original Series
Anne in New YorkSteff in OttawaPatricia on Salt Spring IslandRobert in Bali
Preston in Los AngelesDuane in SpainRichard & Francesca in SingaporeDave in Japan
You can join an 80s style workout fundraiser for Beauty Night Society on #GivingTuesdayNow, May 5, 2020. Bust out the blue eyeshadow, the BIG hair, your best leg warmers and headbands. You can sweat for a great cause, and have a lot of fun in the process.
Workout Fundraiser for Beauty Night Society
When: Tuesday, 5 May 2020 at 6:30pm Where: Zoom! Register online to get the info Cost to Participate: $10 minimum donation to Beauty Night
100% of the proceeds from this class go to support Beauty Night Society, which works to change the lives of women and youth living in poverty through wellness, life skills development and makeovers.
Beauty Night builds self esteem and changes lives of women and youth living in poverty through 3 streams of programming: wellness, life skills development and makeovers.
In 19.5 years, Beauty Night has given 80, 000 life changing makeovers to impoverished women and youth. Due to COVID-19, they have had to transition their programming online. The monies raised from this event will be put towards building the resources for this.
Participants will be entered to win personal training sessions and daytime yoga classes with Beauty Night’s Founder and Executive Director, Caroline MacGillivray.
I need to create a folder in my inbox called “more good news from an awesome company” and just filter all my London Drugs emails in there. Yesterday it was announced that London Drugs is offering shelf space to local small businesses who have had to close their doors due to COVID-19.
London Drugs is Offering Shelf Space to Local Small Businesses
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business reports that only 21% of small businesses in Canada are fully open due to the COVID-19 global pandemic and 50 per cent have reported that they are unsure if their business will survive. As an essential service, London Drugs stores are open and have the ability to help small businesses that have had to close their retail stores, stay afloat.
“This is a really hard time for many small businesses, and we are in a unique position in these challenging times where we can really help out,” said Clint Mahlman, President and COO of London Drugs.
“As a 75-year-old Canadian owned and operated company we have always supported fellow Canadian businesses and now is the time more than ever, to come together. As an essential service, we are here to help our local small businesses while also providing an opportunity for customers to pick up their favourite local items and support their favourite local companies.”
In select locations, London Drugs will be transforming its centre aisles into Local Central, a dedicated space to help local businesses sell their products.
Mahlman adds, “Whether you sell coffee, local honey, or your restaurant’s graphic T-shirts, London Drugs is here to help.”
Small business owners can fill out the online application here to learn if their products qualify and apply to be part of London Drugs Local Central. Some rules and restrictions apply.
You can also tag local businesses that you think could benefit from the initiative on London Drugs’ social media posts. Follow London Drugs on Facebook and Twitter to tag and for more info.
London Drugs has been an amazing supporter of mine over the years, through contest partnership, charitable initiatives, and they also hosted two of my book launch events!
One month ago I reached out to some of my friends around the globe who are originally from the “604” area to see how they’re doing during the COVID-19 pandemic. I decided to do a follow up Q&A to see how they’re all doing several weeks after our chat…
Vancouverites in Isolation Elsewhere: Duane in Spain Part 2
Since we last spoke, how have restrictions changed in your city?
We’ve been on lockdown in Spain for 46 days now, but thankfully the end is in sight. Spain just announced a four phase plan to slowly ease restrictions and return to a new normal, one that includes social distancing. Starting this weekend we will be able to have up to an hour of exercise per day. That may not seem like a lot, but after being basically confined to our houses for 46 days, it’s going to be heavenly.
At this point, what are you tired of cooking at home?
I haven’t really been experimenting too much in the kitchen, other than with sourdough. Because I try not to go to the grocery store too often, I tend to make big batches of food, such as chilli con carne or lentil soup. The more I write about all of this, the more it sounds like I’m in prison eating bread and soup and getting my one hour of yard time a day.
Is there something you are craving from your favourite local restaurant? Have you been getting take-out/delivery?
Take out food is still available, and I’ve used it a few times. There’s a decent Thai restaurant I sometimes get Pad Thai from (even though it doesn’t actually resemble real Pad Thai, it’s still tasty). And I grabbed a pizza one afternoon too. When this is over though, I’m really looking forward to someone else making me a nice coffee at a café.
“Eating a bit of fresh bread and avocado. This weekend kids under 14 could go outside again with their parents. Nice to hear the sound of kids playing again, and see the odd one go by on their bicycle.”
Are there any online events (concerts, workshops, etc) that have kept you entertained?
Not really to be honest. I do the odd zoom call with friends, but haven’t been super motivated for any learning seminars or the likes.
Has your outlook changed? Are you feeling more, or less positive about the outcome of isolation?
I had good moments and bad moments overall. I have tried to maintain a positive outlook, but about 10 days ago I was getting pretty melancholy with the whole experience. I’ve been pretty good at keeping busy, but the lack of nature and social interaction starts to wear on you after a while.
What’s one thing someone could do for you right now that would make you smile?
Give me a massage! I haven’t been sleeping very well (common during quarantine here it seems), and for whatever reason my neck is sore from sleeping weird on my pillow!
Read the Original Series
Anne in New YorkSteff in OttawaPatricia on Salt Spring IslandRobert in Bali
Preston in Los AngelesDuane in SpainRichard & Francesca in SingaporeDave in Japan
