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........

Reflections

In the woods there is a pond, its surface is as clear as glass, in the reflection you watch the clouds float by and the scent of spring is in the air. It's early morning and its the time of day that balances between reality and fiction, where sometimes you wish you could stay forever but know that you just cant.  What causes us to look into a pond like this and reflect? When moments like these present themselves are you filled with regret because you don't have more of them? Or do you cherish the precious seconds that transport you somewhere else, if even for only a minute?

Sometimes I think I reflect too much, seems I always have,  you know one of those "why" kids that was never satisfied with the answer. Where some people look to find the explanation in science or religion I have always been satisfied with what the question does for the person asking it. Reflection to me is as natural as waking up in the morning, only more rested ;-)


So lets go back to that pond, did you choose to stay just a moment later and soak it all in? If you did, what was in your mind? Life, love, happiness? Or just the colour of those floating clouds? What did you see?

Why all of the questions? 


Well I have always wondered if people reflect as much as I do, if the why question is as annoyingly present in everyone else's mind as it is in mine....


My reflection is sometimes deep and touching, other times its lighthearted and rather superficial, but it always teaches me something. About myself, about the way I interact with the world, about how the world interacts with me :-). 


Reflection when done often can become a way to settle things with yourself, to come to terms with decisions and events that you have experienced. But don't take it lightly, reflection without asking the right questions and really listening to your answers can be devastating.  Your own personal biases can trick you into stopping before you actually reach the answers you desire. 


So what do I mean....well lets say that you are reflecting and staring into that wonderful pond you found when out on a walk. Your question starts with "why do I always rush into things?" Well the answer might come as "because I like change, I like to do different things".  That could be the answer.....but I would keep going. I would challenge you to ask another question....."why do I like to do different things" and so on and so on......you might just end up with more than you originally thought! 

So enough lecturing on your deep reflections that you should or should not be doing, everyone is different and everyone uses different ways to review themselves and their lives, I just seem to do it a bit to regularly which can be a rather annoying trait......Sometimes it takes a few great statements to get us going.....to inspire the self reflection that brings us closer to ourselves. 


One of the best deep thinkers that have ever lived..... Socrates,  here are a few of his insights.....

• I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing.

• Worthless people live only to eat and drink; people of worth eat and drink only to live.

• Beauty is the bait which with delight allures man to enlarge his kind.

• True knowledge exists in knowing that you know nothing.

• He is richest who is content with the least, for content is the wealth of nature.

And one of my absolute favourites........Wisdom begins in wonder, Socrates 

Reflection is wonder, and only through wondering can we move forward. Wonder is responsible for our science, the understanding of ourselves, and the continued growth of human kind. 


You don't have to change the world or even change yourself, but by reflecting and wondering you can gain a deeper understanding of who you are, your strengths and your weaknesses, your likes and dislikes, and with that information you can change your experiences in the world.........and isn't that what we are all doing here......? 

Till next time, happy chatting.........

I love those who can smile in trouble, who can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but they whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves their conduct, will pursue their principles unto death.
Leonardo da Vinci

Friendship......

I had the absolute pleasure of spending time with my friends this weekend, some I have not seen for over 6 months. Yet within moments I felt at home, at ease with each of them, comfortable with myself and our relationships. I started thinking, what creates friendship? What sustains it? Can a friendship last forever? I am sure that I cannot and will not give this subject the depth that it deserves however I reserve the right to write about it again!

Most people would not know this about me, and when I say it the response I get is often disbelief....but I don’t make friends easily.  I tend to manage acquaintances well, and often have a lot of them, but friends.....friends are difficult to me because I need to commit. What I mean by that is when I get close to people I need to commit myself to them and that takes a leap of faith, a leap that if taken too often can lead to disappointment, so I choose to slowly and cautiously commit myself to people.  But when I do its extremely rewarding for me, you see I need friends, need the wonderful energy that they unselfishly provide, need the understanding they naturally give, and need the support that they offer. 

So what creates friendship, I think connections are different for everyone. Deep connections, ones that create trust, respect, interest and love are the connections the bloom into friendships. Have you ever met someone and almost instantly said to yourself, I would like to get to know this person....not because they have an interesting life or they seem eccentric, but there is just something that you feel......something that seems familiar to you,  a deep understanding.  

Once we make this connection, can we keep it forever? My answer is yes, I think we can. It’s not easy, it takes work but I think it is something that can be done. I personally believe that a key to real friendship is to not to be judgmental. Your friends will make decisions that you may or may not agree with, or make choices that you would not make. Some of these choices may even draw them away from you but it’s you that can choose acceptance rather than rejection.  Personal paths can move in different directions but how we move along and who we move along with is our choice. 

I have a friend in Ottawa that we send the Christmas cards to, exchange emails with, and have only seen once since we moved to BC, but I truly feel my connection with this person is as deep and meaningful as it was 10 years ago.  I guess it’s also your commitment to the connections you have built and the commitment from the other side of the relationship as well.  Some friendships will come and go but for me once I am in.....I am in 100% and no matter what the risk is I think it’s worth it.................

So this weekend was wonderfully uplifting for me, I gained back some liveliness, some love, and a reminder that I have people in my life that are good and soulful. So thank you to all, I hope to visit often and take advantage of all of the gifts of friendship that you provide...............

I have included some photo’s and I do respect that fact that you may not what your pretty face published on the internet...if your image is here and you would like me to take it off please just send me a note and I will do so immediately!!

Till next time, happy chatting.

The Language of Motivation

 Do you find either of these quotes from Tomas Edison moving? Inspirational? Do they strike a key with you and how you see the world?

 "Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up." ~Thomas Edison 

You can't realize your dreams unless you have one to begin with. 

Motivation is something that we all seek personally and as a leader something I am always trying to discover for the people that work for me.  Its an interesting question "What motivates you? we ask it and hear it all the time but do we really know how to answer it? If we could really tell someone exactly how to motivate us would it be a good thing? Or would you prefer to be influenced and not know that your motivation was coming from an external source?

Personally I hate asking that question, you inevitably get more of what people think you want to hear versus true insights. So how do we handle this problem.....if we can use language to articulate how we feel, what we think, and what we want, then why can't we use language effectively to translate what gets us going? 

I must warn you I am on a bit of a language kick, more words actually. Meaning that I am absolutely fascinated by how words, the right ones, can inspire positive action. I picked up a book that has been a delight to read, Great Speeches of the 20th Century. Teddy Roosevelt, Adolf Hitler, and Martin Luther King are all in there....and all of them used words to move people for better or worse.

"Every life is determined and evaluated by the interior form of love. Tell me what you love, and I will tell you who you are." Pope John Paul II June 18th 1983

What if I knew what motivated you and could use words to not only help me move you, but through the words you use help me understand what I should be saying? That's a field called neuro-linguistic programing, it started in the 70's and has had a variety of uses. While the original goals of neuro-linguistic programming were therapeutic, the patterns have also been adapted for use outside psychotherapy for interpersonal communications and interpersonal influence, used for coaching, team building, public speaking, negotiation, and communication. I prefer its application in the context of using language framing to influence and motivate. 

Let me try to explain.......

We all see the world through the filters of our lives. Our experiences to date make us who we are and influence our interpretation of what what we see and choose to do. These filters can sometimes be seen in the language we use. The easiest example to use is how we explain what is important to us, using the answers we can determine what or how we can be motivated.

Follow this conversation..........................

 

Why do you want to change your job? 

Because I would get more personal satisfaction,  make more more and spend more time with my family.

versus 

Why do you want to change your job?

Because I would get away from all of this boring work, all the deadlines and my boss who keeps looking over my shoulder. 

The first answer is someone who thinks in terms of what there is to be achieved, they are motivated to have, get, attain and so on...in essence they the are motivated toward something. The second is someone who thinks in terms of what should be avoided, gotten rid of or moving away from something. One is not better than the other, what appears to be a less positive behavior in the away approach can actually be a benefit in certain circumstances. These people have a tendency to be very good at solving problems and can be very valuable during projects as they can often see what can go wrong. By contrast we can all appreciate the toward type individual and their ability to drive until the goal is in sight........the message simply is that we could all use a little of both.

Knowing this simple idea that people come to the same thing from different points of view, how they see the situation differently can allow us to use the appropriate language to motivate. Sports is a field where this in its simplest form can be seen, and one that some of my readers will associate with! 

If I ask you "Why do you want to do this race?" And you answer "Because I have always wanted to finish in the top ten of my age group" you are more than likely are someone that is motivated by moving toward a goal. So what language would work the next time I am trying to move you to do something..........I might say something like......"if you commit yourself to the workout you will see an improvement and stand on the podium the next time you race."

If I ask the same question "Why do you want to do this race?" and you answer "Because I do not want to be unfit all of my life". You are more than likely motivated by words that support an away type of behavior and i would say "if you commit yourself to the workout you will be well on your way to never being unfit again!"

This may help explain why we sometimes seem to be talking and some people just don't hear us......

Clear as mud right? Well, it does take some time.....time to listen, time ask and time to get to know who you are dealing with. I do believe that we can inspire positive action through language, my goal is to move through the next months practicing this belief....with my "towards" people I will strive to use words like attain, have, get, achieve, enable you, and here's what you can accomplish! For my "away" folks I will endeavor to motivate with words that they hear like prevent, fix, not have to deal with, lets find out whats wrong, and their be no problems..........in the end its moving people, creating success and helping people become what they want to be....not what I think they should be. If that means understand and trying different ways to influence then I am all for it.........especially if its using words to do it!

So I leave you with a story, not meant to motivate but to cause reflection, just another incredibly powerful use of words and how they can impact our lives. Choose yours wisely, don't waste them, or think them frivolous, you have the power to motivate, educate, build confidence and destroy it, all with words.........the ones we pick can and have changed lives.

The Story of Two Wolves.........

One day an old Native American grandfather was talking to his grandson. He said, "There are two wolves fighting inside all of us - the wolf of fear and hate, and the wolf of love and peace."
The grandson listened, then looked up at his grandfather and asked, "Which one will win?"
The grandfather replied, "The one we feed."


Till next time...happy chatting...........

Traveling...love going....but getting there is work.........

Transporters, that's what I want.....just like in StarTrek, you punch the in the proverbial coordinates and 30 seconds later you are there. The thought of being broken down into molecules and reassembled is more than a little terrifying but sometimes I think its worth it. Beam me up Scottie!

So why all of a sudden write about traveling? Well I am actually on a little trip right now, no nothing exotic. Just a trip for work, heading to Toronto for the week so I thought I would reflect a little on the experiences I have when I travel. 

Let's start with Airports, I actually like airports. They are usually bustling and the variety of people to watch go to and fro is incredible. You, like everyone else are there for a reason; to go somewhere. Some people are getting ready for their next meeting while others are already dressed in their shorts and beach wear prepared to step off the plane in some tropical place. There are backpackers traveling alone, families, and businessmen and groups of tourists. Airports are truly a master of organization, between serving hundreds of thousands of people, the safety that has to be considered and the fact they are open 24/7 is beyond imagination. A fun place to be an observer..............

Then there are the people, like any service industry traveling seems to bring out the worst in people. Its not good enough that we are defying gravity and flying thousands of miles but we expect that its going to happen without one glitch, one little hick-up....your dreaming!

 

So back to my little trip, all went as expected this morning, I did a web check in yesterday and got a bulkhead seat...yeah, more leg room. Being a well behaved traveler I arrived at the airport 1 hour before my flight, but volume was light so no waiting. Went though security in a breeze, I usually do.....if you have ever seen that move “Up in the Air” there is a lot of truth to the suggestions he makes....I have a few rules that I always follow and they seem to help...a lot!

1. Never wear a lot of jewelry, keep it to little earrings and nothing else if you can help it.
2. Belts, avoid them unless you feel you may make a scene showing off your lacy underwear!
3. Shoes, easy on, easy off, AVOID laces..........!
4. Be efficient, what ever might draw attention in your bags – take it out!
5. Wait your turn, being rushed and looking irritated (even if you are) will only make things worse!
6. And most importantly...flash that wonderful smile and say thank you lots!

So now that we are through security I would like to go back to the attitude thing, why is it when people are travelling they seem to get all , well the best way I can put it is.......”its all about me!” Take the gentleman sitting behind me......right now. When I sat down in my window seat I did what I always do...empty my bag so I can put it away. This is a 5 hour flight so I want to have all of my gear at the ready. Laptop, glasses, headphones....water. Then I take my near empty bag and do what I am told “please place all of your bags under the seat....well that's what I tried to do....but nope! Two very large feet are wedged underneath my seat....they come so far forward that they almost touch my calf's. I mean I am not even getting a piece of paper under there. And when I give a subtle little nudge I get a NOT so subtle nudge back! When I turn all I see is a middle aged man staring at me like I have done something wrong.....but I say to myself....just because you are miserable doesn't mean I have to be to....so I settle my bag in a comfy place....after all I am at a bulk head seat...LOTS of room, unlike my new friend crammed in behind me!

So lets talk about seats........window or isle are both good for me, when I travel alone I prefer the window so I can star out every now and then. Near the front, easier out! And of course...first class whenever I can get it!

It has always amazed me how that middle arm rest always seem to be taken by someone else........you know, shouldn't you be able to say....you take it for the first half of the flight and I will take it for the second half? The man beside me now has been ruffling though papers and doing a move that mimics an eagle in flight with his arms.....I swear if he hits me again I am going to push back! But no, no Ann....remember your emotional intelligence – you choose what emotional reaction you are going to have....like getting really pissed off ....big deep yoga breaths!

So right now I have to move my legs, really....so I have a couple choices...get up and walk to the washroom or just rearrange in my seat. I really just want to rearrange but you remember Mr Eagle beside me, well he is not going anywhere soon and I am not sure I can do it without clipping one of his wings! Here goes!

Well that was not so bad....he even moved his feathers for me! 

So the rest of the flight unfolded without incident, a little blogging and 1 ½ movies later (I hate it when that happens) I landed comfortably at Pearson International Airport. A balmy -10 degrees (-21 with the windchill I am told) I quickly jumped into a limo...well they call them limo's but they are really town cars! I have traveled quite a bit through out my career, sometimes to nice places and sometimes not. I have developed a bit of a routine, which I am sure most people do.

First thing first, check in and ask all of the most important questions.....

1. What floor is the health club on?
2. Where is the best place to get a cup of coffee in the morning?
3. How long will it take to get to my destination the next morning?
4. Where can I get a reasonable dinner, both financially and quality?

With my answers in hand I head up to my room. Today I go to the 17^th floor....the top, nice, something about me asking for foam pillows?......I am staying at the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto and its a wonderful old hotel. Grand entrances and lobbies, wonderful woodwork and of course they make you feel great!

A quick review of the room, yep its nice, test the bed, comfy, the TV works, bathroom is good......time to settle in. I change and head down to the gym, Toronto is three hours ahead of Vancouver and its already dark...people are eating and drinking already because its 7pm! I know its important to get into the rhythm of the city but I HAVE to do something to feel better and a quick run on the treadmill will do the trick.

I journey down to the recommended eatery, a pub called Piper's....I think to myself I have to go there at least once.....that's the name of my niece: Piper-Jane! And so that's where you find me now while I am waiting on dinner, mussels and a pint of beer. I look around and see more tourists, lots of business people, maybe one bar fly but I am not going to get close enough to ask. The room is dark, aren't they all...they have a hockey game and a basketball game on the televisions. But its the music that is really catching my attention, old stuff....I am so bad at this game....if Dwight was here he would name that band in an instant, me...... not so much. So the song, well the chorus is “Ricky don't loose that number”? Thoughts anyone....yeah yeah I know...but I just don't remember...I know all of the lyrics if that's any consolation. Next on the play list, OH – I know this one......this is Santana....OK so some artists I just LOVE enough to remember all of their songs!

What interests me about the music is its different than the pubs in Vancouver, I cant say that I have heard this type of continuous classic rock played at a pub since I moved to Vancouver. Odd, it has never crossed my mind before but now that I am here I notice it. The music in the pubs out west is new music, you know the stuff that people my age go....”who is that singing”, and still don't recognize the name when you hear it” There is not one song that has been played here that I don't know.....interesting......is it the pub or the city?

On a side note, I think I have to say to anyone from BC reading.......the service we get there is really, really good.....I mean really.......good.

So I transition for a night cap upstairs in the Fairmont's Library Lounge, its a different world up here.......lots of suits,the bartender is definitely cuter, there are twice as many women in the room (interesting), they free pour their wine....and attention, attention attention.....did I mention they paid attention to you.........? I know what you are saying.....that's because you are paying tons of money for your drinks or dinner there...well actually I'm not. Granted I have only stopped for a glass of wine but its actually cheaper than I would pay in Vancouver...weird.

It's that attention that makes you feel special, and try to deny it all you want but we all want to feel special, be treated with respect and admiration.....some people thrive on it more than others that's a given, that's why we have Hollywood. But for regular folks like us, I think we want more than just fitting in, we want exclusivity, whether its the attention you get at a fancy hotel or being part of a team that everyone else wants to be a part of, we all want that feeling that we are part of something that is extraordinary. Well that is my rant for the evening.....some guy just sat beside me and has the stench of cigarettes oozing off of him ruining my entire vibe....sometimes public places can do that to you.......no matter how exclusive they are...........!

Tune in later in the week and I will be finishing up my trip with another post, hopefully you take a look.....

Till next time happy chatting..............