Sub Cultures.....interesting weekend....

So we had a great little trip this weekend up to Whistler, we do seem to be spending a good deal of time there lately. Our intention was to go up and do some skate skiing so I would have at least done it once within the last few months before the Snow to Surf race! In that respect we did not have much luck, even with all of the snow that is still around they closed the Olympic Park! So although I was unable to brush up on my skate skiing skills we were able to spend an incredible weekend downhill skiing….The skies were clear, the snow wonderful and the lift lines short, you couldn’t ask for a nicer time to be on a pair of downhill skis.

Blackcomb Mountain

The one thing that did take us by surprise was the “Telus World Ski & Snowboard festival” that was in full gear when we arrived…. I suppose we should have known this but we have both been rather isolated due to work lately.   The place was packed, with all kinds of stuff going on…including concerts all day and night……we stayed at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler again so we were able to visit the crowds and then return to our little quiet sanctuary later in the evening. It was way to much fun, great energy and good crowd! 

So after wondering around the crowds we couldn’t help but notice what I would call the vibe of the town.  There were certainly a lot of young people in the crowds but it was more than just that, it was the underling subculture of the sport that they were celebrating. Culture meaning…they have their own language, their own rituals and rights, even their appearance becomes uniformed. And for some reason you immediately think about and smell that world-renowned BC bud!   

On reflection when I think of other instances where this occurs I cannot help but think of triathlon and all its subcultural norms. From aero helmets to compression socks, to buzz cuts and pony tails there are very obvious sub cultural traits that you become part of. 

There are many subcultures and throughout history we have participated in them, think about the 60”s Hippie…. what comes to mind? Haight Ashbury crowds with tie die clothes, if they were wearing any, free love, and of course drugs. 

So we know they have always been around, that they manifest in many different forms, so why do subcultures exist? Is it that we just want to belong, or that we what to be recognized to being part of something that others are not?

Hard to say really, subcultures are created when a group of people branch off from the original culture that share a set of beliefs that differ. I guess we could say that this is the case but it seems to be more than that. It has the feel of belonging that transcending just being with "like minded" people. Sharing the cultural beliefs that are created allow us to be a part of something that we may not have been had we not joined.  

So once there can you move in and out? Or is it more cult like and you are forever trapped in the "family"? Well I think Charles Manson would be disappointed with the answer, subcultures are not dark cults they are just people sharing. So you can move freely, some people tend to stay for longer times than others, some people never leave.....which ever you are know that its good to be in a place that makes you feel good. 

look at the size of that helmet!

I like to consider myself rather flexible as I move in and out of the different subcultures I am exposed to, however there are always some parts that I just cant seem to buy into. 

Take the Ski/Snowboard subculture…..those oversized toques are about the most unflattering item I can think of for anyone to wear, for triathlon I must admit I could never really put an aero helmet on and keep a straight face, my yoga practice is dear to me and I am sure I could not live without it now, but the chanting is definitely not for me.

I think we can be a part of many different cultures and personally my belief is that it’s not the rights, rituals, the clothes or the language. It’s the people that are most important, they are the ones that keep you involved…the relationships you build and the friends you make will last longer than any of the things that consume sub cultures………

Looking forward to seeing some friends next weekend during the Snow to Surf relay race and catching up......

Till next time, happy chatting..... 

Food...yum....

So this conversation did start over a bottle of wine, at a great restaurant just last night. The restaurant is called Lupo  http://www.luporestaurant.ca and its one of my favourite here in Vancouver.  Yes you guessed it.....the conversation was about food, how much I love it and how good it is here on the West coast.

So let me start with my food origins, I was born and raised in Halifax Nova Scotia which as most people know is on the East coast. Contrary to popular belief when I was young I did not have lobster served to me every day,  shellfish was very expensive and still is. We actually ate a lot of fresh water fish, mackerel and trout, but we did eat clams and mussels like they were popcorn!

There are two distinct food memories that I have from Halifax,  first is Clams & Chips, delicately deep fried fresh clams and a pile of french fries...sound horrible? Not so.....these little pieces deep fried heaven were delicious and the best versions could be found from street carts for a very reasonable price!

The second is an all you can eat Lobster deal......yes you heard it correctly....all you can eat lobster!I don't think they do this anymore however I remember when they set up a restaurant on one of the old ferries that used to travel between Dartmouth and Halifax. You would pay $13.95 and grab a plate then head to the counter that was surrounded by massive buckets of boiling water....before you knew it a wonderful little cooked creature was sitting on your plate. These were not canner size lobsters, no these were at least 2-3 lbs. As a added bonus you also received potato salad, although it does not sound exciting it was really very good....traditional stuff with no fancy additions....this food memory is one that reinforces the fact that food does not have to be covered in sauces, cooked for 4 hours, or seasoned to death to be absolutely wonderful!

I moved to central Canada and spent 15 years in Ottawa, and the food there was certainly very different. When I look back at food from that part of my life I must admit I feel rather disappointed.....don't get me wrong there were some good restaurants, but not great restaurants.  One great restaurant was a little Italian place on Preston Street in the heart of little italy, I am not sure if its still there or even if I can remember the name but it had great authentic food, and some of the best strawberry shortcake in the world!. Another memory I have from Ottawa is the corn, yes I said corn....every year in August we would wait anxiously for the farmers to harvest their crop of corn, my favourite was the peaches and cream, I am not sure why they called it that but it was so good you could not stop eating it.

Then there is the West coast food world.....and how different it is.....in Ottawa pub food was fries, nacho's and wings....here you can find smoked salmon salads with walnuts, organic greens a homemade honey vinaigrette! In a pub? I think we actually our food quality here for granted, we have come so accustom to getting food that is above standard in its taste, presentation and variety that when we go to a different place we expect so much more!


One of the questions that came up during this conversation I was having was "What is the best meal you have ever had?" I think that is a really hard question to answer, mainly because I think its not just about the food you are eating, its about the experience. Meaning that the food can be influenced by the experience you are having, the timing, the atmosphere, so many factors come into play. You know when you are really hungry and craving something specific and when you get it.....its the best thing you have ever tasted! Or when you work hard to create a meal you sit down and enjoy all of the fruits of your labor....its divine!

I have eaten in Paris, London, New York and a hundred other places,  I have wonderful food memories for them all....for New York it has to be the street food.....Paris its the lunch baguette with fresh mozzarella and tomatoes, and London....well lets just go with the great beer!

So as you can tell I love food, I have to battle every week to make sure that I balance my love of food with the effects of eating too much of it! I exercise when I can and watch what I eat during the week but no matter what happens in my life I will refuse to deny myself the pure joy of eating great tasting food......right now my weekends are my time to indulge in food heaven and I have certainly picked the right city to do it in!

Well I am off for a run, till next time happy chatting!

Cars, really pretty cars.....

I have a confession, I like cars....pretty cars. Weird I know......Sexy lines, bright headlights, horsepower, sport suspensions...all of it! It probably comes from the fact that I grew up with three brothers but don't worry...I still like girly things...dresses,  jewelry, and especially shoes....oh how I love pretty shoes!




So with my love of pretty cars I headed off to the Vancouver International Car Show this weekend. And it was a blast, so many pretty cars....shinny and the new car smell that just cant be replicated. It got me thinking about what I like about cars.......

Personally I think that cars should either be really utilitarian or really fun/sexy. My own list of cars to date...a rather bad second hand Renault Alliance (yes dreadful I know) that I paid more in insurance the first year than I did for the car! Then I moved onto a Mazda Mx3 - a sexy little silver sports car that was fun to drive however just slightly dangerous in 4 feet of snow when I lived in Ottawa. Then there was my beloved Jeep, hard top and soft top....which came off anytime I could let it! Drove it through snow regularly but the fondest memory is a trip into the deserts of Utah and Nevanda.....wonderful! Now I have a Mini, a fun little car - great for the city and with a sport mode that lets it feel super spunky on the drives up to Whistler.

What what makes a sexy car for me? Well this is a good start......but it is a little over the top..I like subtle lines, classy curves and something that will give you some g's when you push the pedal! like this one....

Its the Infinitely G37 x Coupe of course......3.7 litre V6 VQ engine that gives you 348 hp, sport suspension, and a twin air intake....the cockpit in the car makes you feel like you are in a race car.....but the seats wrap around you making you want to sit in it all day! 

So enough about my new infatuation, my dream last night had me driving one of these through the red rock canyons in Utah.....scary! 

Although Dwight likes this car his preference is for the 4 door, can you imagine doing something that cruel to a sexy sports car! Seems he is a a sedan man, the practical side of him coming out....for me its either really practical, like the Subaru that we have, or a sexy fast sports car.......just can't do the middle of the road! 

The car show certainly had a ton of great cars, but I did not spend a lot of time in  the Hyundai, Toyota or GM sections...more like a few hours with  Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Porsche,  and lets not forget the Ferrari stop! 

If you have to have a convertible.....

One of my favourites but 100K plus for a car just seems crazy!

We were not permitted to sit in this one and play! 

The only disappointment for the day......that they theme for the whole thing seem to be to have white cars.....I must admit white is my least favourite colour for a car, and to see all these wonderful cars dressed in white paint was really difficult to take! 

We finished the day in a great new pub (no surprise) that has been opened in the conference centre and has one of the best patio's in the country! Overlooking Canada place, with mountains water...and most importantly SUNSHINE and good beer. On the walk home I couldn't help but snap this photo of someone we have heard about over and over again for the past few months......too funny! If you want one of the t-shirts just let me know! 

Till next time - Happy chatting........