28.4.06
vancouver housing market blog.
My new favourite blog, good for keeping up on the crazy housing prices in Vancouver.
Posted by double R at 1:39 PM | 0 comments read on
24.4.06
49:59
...was my time in this year's Sun Run. This was my first 10 K, and after very minimal training, I was happy to pull it off. The past few years I was running half marathons, and while I love participating in the races, I could do without all of the training. I'm glad I got "roped in" to doing the Sun Run. A beautiful day for a race, the distance and the atmosphere shared with over 50,000 runners and walkers was fantastic -- I'll definitely sign up again next year.
Posted by double R at 10:43 PM | 0 comments read on
18.4.06
my american friends.
...I hope you are watching and voting for your favourite contestant on the best show on television -- American Idol (next to Lost). I don't know why but I always get choked up when I see a good performance. I think it's going to be Chris and Katharine as the final 2, but please keep voting for my personal choice, Elliott. Ace and/or Kellie should go next based on last night's performances, and if you ask me, I think it's all an act.On a different note, Happy Birthday, Dad. I can't believe you're 69 today, looking as young as ever.
And last but not least, a big welcome to the new addition to the Correas, a new baby girl born early Tuesday morning. Congratulations VeeJay, Michelle and my god-daughter, Emily!
Posted by double R at 11:42 PM | 0 comments read on
13.4.06
random fashion thought.
Ok, so I guess this is an "Ask Randy" question for myself. I don't have many fashion rules for myself, but one of them is to only buy fragrance made in Paris. Cologne and perfumes made anywhere else tend to have more alcohol content, and are generally"synthetic".My other fashion rule of thumb is to buy shoes made in Italy, especially dress shoes. I have literally been looking for a long time for new dress shoe/demi-boot, but I have been unable to find something that I like in my price point and made in Italy. Actually most of the shoes that I have seen are made in China. Now if my budget is not Ferragamo, what's a girl (or a boy) to do?
Posted by double R at 8:37 AM | 0 comments read on
11.4.06
the return of the supper club.
A few years ago, when I was just out of school for the second time, a few of my work colleagues and friends thought a good alternative to the bar and meeting other available men was to have a potluck. Affectionally called the "Supper Club", the deal was that we would bring something to share and a friend. From the very first one at Trevor's place, it grew into something bigger. New people were met, new friends were made, some connections were made and some were even broken.Jump a few years later since the last one and we decided to revive it. It was nice to hang out and catch up, and also meet some new people...:). My friends hosted a fantastic party and as gracious hosts, fun was had by all.
I have always felt that forging solid gay friendships for me was always more difficult than with straight men. Maybe it's because there will always be a sexual undertone, I don't know. Don't get me wrong, I am very, very lucky to have a diverse set of friends and acquaintances with a variety of different interests and backgrounds, but gaining a good group of gay friends has always been a challenge. Some of them have moved away and lots have drifted apart. So it's really nice to finally forge true friendships with some really good (gay) people.
Posted by double R at 8:06 AM | 0 comments read on
7.4.06
picture taking.
On Tuesday, Ernie from San Francisco paid us Vancouver folks a visit. I've only met him a few times, but the great thing about having the folk arts as a shared passion is that there is an instant bond between those in the know. He's a bit of a foodie, and he wanted something very west coast, so we went to check out the Raincity Grill. It's a Vancouver institution and has been around for ages, but I have never had the chance to go. Anyways, we both partook in their tasting menu. Overall it was okay -- food (7/10 -- 3 out of the 5 dishes were memorable), ambiance (6/10 -- what's up with the decor?) and service (5/10 -- I could not hear a word our server was saying). I don't think I will be back.However good conversation was had, and it was nice to catch up.
Ernie is a good photographer, and he took some good shots while he was here. Check them out here and here.
Ernie kept on commenting that "Vancouver is such a beautiful city". He inspired me to take some pictures of my own, in the morning and afternoon on my walks with Hiram.
Posted by double R at 11:41 AM | 0 comments read on
4.4.06
hiram.
Living downtown, in Yaletown, is certainly a dog lover's paradise. There are tonnes of dogs from the very small (and somewhat ridiculous) to the extremely large that it would seem that one would need a permit to own one of that size. My office too is a dog friendly one, and each day of the week there is a different dog working with us. There's Charlie, Sasha, Nutmeg, Nikita and Hiram, each with their distinct personalities that make them more loveable.I've always wanted a dog in my adult life, however I know how much responsibility it is -- I mean I can't even take care of myself sometimes! So one way to satisfy the desire is that I sometimes volunteer to dog sit. This week, Hiram has been staying with me. Just over a year old, he's a big clumsy lug that is still really a puppy at heart. A very well behaved, well trained Golden Retriever, he's a supermodel (read: gorgeous) that has funny quirks, like how he just loves ice-cubes like they are 't-r-e-a-t-s'. Or how he basically goes bezerk at the dog park, but I guess that's what all dogs do.
With my apparently "busy" schedule, it is good to have Hiram around even for just a week to mellow me out. It's nice to know that there's someone waiting anxiously to see me when I walk through my front door.
Posted by double R at 8:19 AM | 0 comments read on
