I am a lemming

I arrived in Vancouver yesterday and checked into my hotel, which is literally right across the street from the city's largest event venues, General Motors Place and BC Place arenas. Around 6:45 p.m., I'm sitting in my room and staring at the wall and waiting for all the patterns to start moving (j.k.), and I look out the window and see about half of Vancouver congregating across the street. It looked like they were looking out into the waterfront, as if anticipating a fireworks or light show or something. People just kept streaming in, and the police were there to direct traffic. Being the curious cat that I am, I decided to see what all the fuss was about, so I hop into my shoes and dash downstairs and across the street. It didn't take long for me to realize that these folks were forming a line for an event at the GM Place, but what was the event?!? I heard some guy asking someone else who was in the line, and got a snide remark in response, and then I heard people talk about how much they paid for their ticket. I turned around before I got too far down on the line, and strolled over to the local 7-11, and passed several ticket reseller offices with event posters on little sandwich boards. It was then that I realized, to my utter horror, that I had been standing in line to see Justin Timberlake. I may be a lemming following the other lemmings off a cliff, but at least I turned around when I realized my mistake. Unfortunately, many of the other lemmings did not turn around in time to save themselves from faddish pop music from an ex-member of a boyband.

Rented a bike and wreaked havoc all over Stanley Park today. The weather has been very cooperative and I was very happy to be enjoying it. Stanley Park is amazing, it's like what Central Park is to NYC, with paved and dirt trails, grade separated trails for pedestrians and cyclists/rollerbladers, giant redwoods, ponds, duckies and geese, an aquarium, totem poles, a lighthouse, a cannon that actually goes off regularly, bridges, equestrian trails, beaches, fountains, tot lots, etc...there is something for everyone, and of course the views along the waterfront are spectacular.

I've also noticed how easy it is to get around without a car. The bus system is extensive, and if that is not enough, there's also the skytrain (part monorail, part subway), and the city is digging a new line. There are also clearly designated bike lanes and bike racks everywhere, and more amazingly, you will regularly see people using them! The city is relatively flat, and people are very respectful of bicyclists and pedestrians. Honking is usually reserved for other automobiles. If that's not enough, it's also very pleasant to use my limbs to get around, and the streetscape is usually interesting enough that you don't feel like you've been walking very long.

Anyways, I can go on and on and on about how much I love this city, but I will spare you more rants. All I will say is that I hope that I am fortunate enough to live here someday (plus, moving here is consistent with my master plan of "moving north," unless, of coarse, I move here after living in Alaska).