Oh, Canada & Old Friends
Posted by: j_john
Last week I did some international traveling--sure it was only Canada, but the border patrol, the kilometers, the "centres" and "loonies" made it seem foreign enough. I took the train (and bus) up to Vancouver, B.C. to visit an old friend of mine I've known since the 5th grade, Martha Larson, who was attending a conference held by the Acoustical Society of America. While I didn't sit in on the action I did get the opportunity to see more of the city than in my previous visit, (when I hung outside this place for a few hours hoping to see Stereolab and The Microphones--I never got in, but I did meet some kind people and I had already seen the 'lab in Portland and Seattle that week).
Vancouver is a much bigger city than I remembered and I wanted to check out what it had to offer--of course I'm always up for a film no mater where I am, so I decided against watching the new Star Wars when I discovered that the much anticipated IMAX movie Sharks 3-D was showing in town.
After mistakenly going to the science museum "Science World" where they only have the Omnimax theatre, I eventually found my way to "Canada Place" (what's with these terribly unoriginal names?) where I was soon greeted with enticing images of great whites and text proclaiming an opportunity to "Dive In Without Fear." My anticipation was growing with each new step and sign--I've wanted to see sharks in 3-D ever since I missed out on the terrible third Jaws movie 20 years ago. However, anyone familiar with my history of Universal Studios rides and multiple unsuccessful attempts to experience the mechanical shark attack will probably not be surprised to discover I didn't get to satisfy my 3-dimensional desires, when I discovered this.
Well, I wasn't about to let a projector problem ruin my trip, so I hopped on the Sky Train and explored the outer areas of the city. I stopped off in New Westminster and discovered the world's largest tin soldier on their scenic boardwalk area. Another interesting discovery awaited me in Burnaby, home to the Michael J. Fox Theatre. After a half-hearted late attempt to find a screening of Star Wars I headed back to the city for a free meal with the acoustical folks, and then hit the smoke-free pool hall with adjacent bowling alley--where I discovered the weird way of Canadian bowling. Maybe it's difficult to tell, but the balls are totally lawn bowling size.
The next day Martha and I came back to Portland and I tried my best to show off the city despite the poor Spring weather. We went to Byways for breakfast, then Powells, the PSU area Farmer's Market, Saturday Market, and stepped out of the rain for a screening of Episode III: Revenge of the Nerds. After the mostly forgettable movie we hit the Apple store where Martha bought her first apple product, a new 6GB iPod mini. She found herself drawn to the pink one, but after debating the ability for pink to match with everything in her wardrobe she settled on silver (with a future pink accessory case in mind). I kept thinking how disappointed in me Mike would be if I didn't convince her to go for pink, but I have a hard enough time convincing myself it's okay to branch out and buy navy blue adidas instead of just black adidas. After a quick trip to Lewis and Clark College (where we strangely didn't see one person) we ate at pizza Oasis and talked about how great it is to still have good friends from our Minnesota roots. Then it was off to the airport and back to the routine...
From: July 23 | Comments (4) | Permalink
NYC Day 9
Posted by: j_john
Another day of culinary delights, this time Marisa and I visited the faux In-N-Out Burger in New York, "Blue 9 Burger." Next up was an amazing dessert dumpling place, "Beard Papa" with delightful decor and flavor. Oh, and later on we picked up some awesome black-market DVDs.
From: July 23 | Comments (0) | Permalink
NYC Day 8--Philly visit part two
Posted by: j_john
John and I checked out the Life Aquatic and then chowed down on some classic Philly Cheesesteaks at Jim's on South St. I took a bit of video which you can find here.
From: July 23 | Comments (0) | Permalink
NYC Day 7--Philly visit
Posted by: j_john
Took the train down to Philadelphia to see two of my oldest friends, John B. Anderson and Sean W.L. Erno. Awesome time drinking Yuengling and eating Ethiopian food.
From: July 23 | Comments (0) | Permalink
NYC Day 6
Posted by: j_john
Another day in Manhattan, this time we did a whirlwind tour of the MOMA after an interesting lunch at Hooters (more on this over on digest soon). After the museum we visited one of my favorite places to shop, the Original Penguin by Munsingwear store. Dinner featured an amazing waiter-dude I was too shy to take a photo of...so we have the Penguin and I.
From: July 23 | Comments (0) | Permalink
NYC Day 5
Posted by: j_john
We had plans to hit the newly reopened MOMA today but decided against waiting in line forever. Instead we went to see "A Very Long Engagement" at the Paris Theater, and killed some time visiting the NBA store, where you can find some amazing T-Wolves related merchandise involving hummers and tractor-trailers.
From: July 23 | Comments (0) | Permalink
NYC Day 4
Posted by: j_john
Spent the first day of the new year indoors, finishing up the last episodes of Sex and the City, reading Time Out and having my first delicious sips of Holiday Spice Pepsi.
From: July 23 | Comments (1) | Permalink
NYC Day 3
Posted by: j_john
New Year's Eve we drank champagne in cans. I know, but Sofia said it was okay.
From: July 23 | Comments (0) | Permalink
NYC Day 2
Posted by: j_john
I totally found my twin in Brooklyn--Nick Poppy.
From: July 23 | Comments (2) | Permalink
NYC Day 1
Posted by: j_john
Even though my Wolves lost, I still had a fun night watching them play the Knicks, eating pizza and drinking the old lager.
From: July 23 | Comments (0) | Permalink
