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My mini summer vacation starts in a mere eight days, so I’m most definitely already plotting out what I want to do when I hit the Island for seven days and six nights. Earlier, I wrote a bit about the upcoming Filberg Festival at Filberg Park in sunny Comox. Quite obviously, I will be filling you all in on the good stuff I find there.

On August 4th, 2007, Mt. Washington is opening up its renowned mountain biking slopes for the Bearclaw Invitational mountain bike competition. Darren Berrecloth, the event’s coordinator and a slopestyle rider himself, promises the event “to be a wild ride, a competition that not only will impress the crowds, but help propel the sport forward.”

If impressive and dangerous riding isn’t enough to entice you, there’ll also be a Kokanee beer garden set up next to the course along with music and food. Preliminary events and practice runs will be held on Thursday, August 2nd with the main event happening on Saturday.
*Photo courtesy of Bearclaw Invitational - 2006

For more info:

Bearclaw Invitational Official Site
Mt. Washington

The always fabulous Miss 604 has written an article entitled Celebraton of Litter - Part 2, keeping us all afloat on what’s happening with Vancouver’s city workers’ strike. Funny how the strike has coincided with tomorrow’s return of sunshine, the height of tourist season and the Celebration of Light. Check out Rebecca’s article here.

For those of you that know me, it’s no secret that I am a greater lover of quintessential movies from the 1980s. The following are clips from some of my favourites for your viewing pleasure and enjoyment.
*All clips courtesy of YouTube. I do not own any rights to any of the following video clips.

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Mick always ensures that Sue feels like Jane in a Tarzan movie in “Crocodile Dundee” in 1986…

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Bill S. Preston, Esquire and Ted “Theodore” Logan are given the assignment of a lifetime in “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure” in 1988…

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Jack and Wang are thrown into the middle of an alley war between the Chang Sing and the Wing Kong in “Big Trouble In Little China” in 1986…

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Jeff Spicoli says “hola!” to Mr. Hand in “Fast Times At Ridgemont High” in 1982…

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Joanna teaches Dean and his boys a lesson in “Overboard” in 1987…

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Jimmy, Corey and Haley find themselves in the middle of their first encounter with Lucas in “The Wizard” in 1989. (And for all you hipsters out there, yes, that’s Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley/Postal Service fame).

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Nothing frightened me more than Dorothy’s first brush with the Wheelers in “Return to Oz” in 1985…

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I saved the best for last. No girl hasn’t swooned over Baby and Johnny’s final dance in “Dirty Dancing” in 1987.

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I could easily sit here for hours and list off hundreds upon hundreds of 80s classics, but instead I’ll let you kill some time. Head on over to The 80s Movies Rewind for some nostalgic fun.

Being that I have an overwhelming love and appreciation for the art of B.C. Coastal First Nations people, I have long wanted to visit UBC’s Museum of Anthropology, but for whatever reason, never went. Earlier this week I told my friend Craig that I’d be dragging him out there because this was something that I really wanted to do, and I wanted to go with someone who would let me take my time and allow me to enjoy the time I was to spend there.

Much of the museum is being renovated for expansion, so unfortunately, many of the exhibits were compacted together. Despite the crowded feeling, seeing Bill Reid’s piece, “The Raven and the First Men,” in person was exhilerating for me. The Great Hall, which features floor-to-ceiling windows and is filled with breath-taking totems, was simply quite stunning. I can understand that First Nations art isn’t something that interests everyone. However, unlike the majority of art of any generation, I feel very strongly that First Nations art tells a story, evokes emotion and shares part of the past. Each piece is very carefully crafted, both physically and emotionally. No piece is random, and that heart is so strongly conveyed through what I see.

In addition, I was completely thrilled upon arrival to find out that amateur photography within the museum was actually encouraged, as long as flashing was kept to a minimum. Check out more of what we saw on my Flickr page if you’re interested.

Anyone who has ever spent time living in Vancouver’s West End has most likely, at one time or another, grabbed some quick Chinese food from Ho Ho on either Davie Street or Robson Street. I’ve been guilty of doing so more times than I can (or care to) remember.

One of the best things about living on Vancouver Island, in comparison to Vancouver, is the grocery stores. Thrifty Foods has only recently opened up shop on the Lower Mainland in recent years, but Quality Foods is exlusive to the Island. Surprisingly enough, the Chinese take-out counter at the Quality Foods location in Comox is, quite simply, phenomenal. I’d even go so far as to say that it’s better than any Chinese take-out I’ve had anywhere on the Lower Mainland. A stop in at QF for their chow has become an essential part of any trip I make to Comox, and has since developed in me an insatiable appetite for szechuan beef; so much so that I find myself craving it on a daily basis.

While sitting in any West End apartment, craving Chinese food, one would most likely head for Ho Ho. However, this is a problem for me because never is szechuan beef (nor my substitute, ginger beef) ever served up at Ho Ho. So this evening, I instead skipped down an extra block to Pacific Wok (found across the street from Shopper’s Drug Mart) and loaded up on their chow mein and ginger beef. The man behind the counter warned me that it was spicy, but he apparently is unaware of my high tolerance of spice. Okay, so anyways, it was great and that’s the whole point of what I’m trying to say.

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I already know I’m weird, but what I’m about to inform you of is only going to further your own causes for believing so. I’ve long been a fan of Corey Feldman for reasons unbeknownst to me. The Goonies? Stand By Me, anyone? C’mon…you can’t really hold this against me. He made a great addition to many 80s movies, and the fact that he got sucked up into the cocaine vortex like so many other child stars of his generation was a bit heartbreaking. Fast forward a decade and a half, and Corey’s got himself a new show premiering Sunday, July 29th on none other than A&E. You’re excited like me, aren’t you?

Just breathe, because it gets even better.

The show’s title? “The Two Coreys.” Yes, A&E is reuniting Corey Feldman with his fellow 80s child star, Corey Haim. The premise? Haim’s moving in with Feldman and his wife, so can the two survive each other? Who knows, but I’m pretty sure I’ll be watching.

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Next weekend is Blogstock 2007 at the Railway Club. Who’s going?

I’ve officially purchased my new domain name, and can now officially be found at http://www.keira-anne.com. If you’ve got me linked, please take a moment to update your HTML. However, my former blogspot address should still direct any traffic to my new URL.

New post to come later today…

*Big thank-you to Duane Storey for helping me get this off the ground.

If you were to ask me to name someone, other than immediate family, that has been a key person in my life for longer than I can remember, there is only one name that comes instantly to my mind. In all fairness, her entire family has been a tower of strength and support for myself and my own family, but Dianne has always been a deep well of both virtues. She is a woman who has always stood by my mother, always loved, held our hands and seen the true core of all of us – myself included.

To this day, I am grateful and accepting of her beautiful presence in my life.

Photo courtesy of Lauren Rae

This evening, I spent close to three hours on the phone with Dianne. I was intrigued by a story my mother told me that Dianne should impart to me, one that is based on an experience both her and I shared unbeknownst to each other. Last October, a traumatic series of events (which I may “regale” you with at another time) brought about a peculiar necklace in my life. Since that time, I have worn it daily as a symbol of patience, understanding and love within a particular and deep friendship. As it turns out, Dianne has the same necklace.

All jewelry aside, Dianne had much more insight to reveal to me. I have long believed that she has a very sensitive spirit about her, one that is discerning when it comes to others. She has known me since before I was spitting up on my mother at feedings, and she knows me today. Being that I am in a huge period of personal transition and self-awareness, I wanted to share with her what I have been learning.

© Getty Images

The key element in my life that I am striving for and seeking is balance. I believe that “balance” is a word that actually gets thrown around quite a bit, when in actuality, the concept is a very profound one. It’s a guarantee in life that both distressingly painful circumstances and instances of joy are going to cross our paths at different times. The key is to find the balance in both – to not be consumed by one or the other. It’s simply too easy to become comfortable in the complacency that comes with experiencing hurt, and equally as simple to become numb and lose all peripheral vision when everything runs smoothly. There is much to be discovered in either circumstance, but it is important to learn not to stray too far from the centre. That is a healthy place to be.

Of course, one needs to have the desire to be in that healthy place – to climb onto the proverbial teeter totter - before any growth can even begin.

© Getty Images

Dianne asked me what it is I want for my life; what it is that I want my life to look like. I said that I want to be a tree – one that is rooted in a strong, solid, unmovable foundation in order that it may grow long and diverse branches filled with exquisite green leaves full of life and breath.

I want to be a picture of health, emotional balance, self-respect and self-love. The years I spent involved in the church were ones that, I believe, stifled my personal growth rather than encouraging it. In terms of faith, my heart – my true self- believes in God and His love. It’s His love that allows me to love. However, though it may be a hard pill to swallow for some of you to read this, the indoctrination and expectations placed upon me by the church as an establishment were clipping my wings rather than allowing me to spread them. That being said, I feel much more “tuned in” to my spirituality while sitting on Long Beach staring out at the endless waves rather than sitting on a wooden pew that turns my bottom completely numb while eliciting a trail of drool from my bottom lip as my eyes glaze over.

© Getty Images

At the end of the day, and at the end of it all, there are only a few in your life that remain. Dianne told me that the people who are really and truly meant to be a part of your life – the ones that are a part of you – are the ones worth fighting for. They are the ones that cause you to grieve and hurt and feel anger and annoyance because those sentiments produce great joy, love and gratefulness. They produce a sense of humility and allow you to forgive each other. The friends and people in your life that truly love you are the ones that stand beside you and sometimes behind you. They encourage your growth and your ability to expand your world, your view.

Photo by Duane Storey

Right now, everything in my world seems yellow. To me, that colour signifies brightness, beauty, exhilaration, re-birth but also caution. I am moving into uncharted territory, but it’s terribly exciting. Underneath the layers that I am peeling away, bit by bit, I know that I am a wonderful, loving, beautiful, caring woman whose heart beats with much strength. I am endlessly thankful that I am ready to climb onto the teeter totter and find my centre – my place of balance. It is such a freeing and empowering place to be.

They say that patience is a virtue. This is one virtue I know all too well, and today it has certainly paid off.

In January, I blogged about a trip I made to the U.S. to do some shopping. During the trip, I spotted a pair of killer Keds (pun intended) that, for whatever reason, I decided to pass up on. They were perfect and petite and, with an all-over print of killer whales on an oceanic background, were flawlessly suited for a girl from Vancouver Island. I couldn’t shake the shoes from my mind, so when I returned to Nordstrom a few weeks later, I was set on making the purchase. To my great disappointment, they were entirely sold out. To add insult to injury, the design was exclusive to Nordstrom - the shoes weren’t even available on the Keds website.

Upon arriving at work today, Jeanette casually mentioned “oh, I had something I meant to tell you about…” While shopping with her kids at Brentwood Town Centre, the unthinkable happened. She spotted the elusive Keds! Not only were they the very design that I had forgotten about after chalking them up to a lost cause, they were in a sublime 8 ½ and were on sale for $29.99. I navigated Vancouver’s rain-soaked streets for two hours in ridiculous traffic, but I am speechlessly thrilled to tell you all that I am now the proud new owner of an entire pod of killer whales.

It’s true love.

More dashing photos can be found on my Flickr page. An event this magnificent has to be shared in illustration.

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You know how they say that when the snow falls, it seems as if Vancouver drivers completely forget how to drive? I believe that the same is true of rain.

1. You and I are on an elevator together. Yes, I understand that this equates to close quarters and that a mild level of discomfort for the situation is to be expected. “How about all this rain/sun/snow/hail we’re having?” is not necessary. I don’t want to talk to you.

Your humble narrator is back in the West End after spending time with puppies in Gastown. I must say, it feels refreshing to be back in a part of town that isn’t clogging my nasal passages with the twinge of stale urine.

I feel like I am breathing, really and truly.

Last night I spent some time with John, Duane and Rebecca, indulging in a Mexican siesta. Word to the wise, kids…alcohol and sugar don’t mix.

Being that the weather this week is more reminiscent of fall rather than summer, I’m actually looking forward to a weekend indoors. I can easily grab some “sun” and colour at the tanning salon, but two days inside with movies, blankets, tea and closet-organizing sounds like just what I need. As well, knowing how passionate I am about B.C. coastal Native art and artifacts, Craig is taking me to the UBC Museum of Anthropology for the first time. Needless to say, I’m giddy on pins and needles about Sunday!

P.S. Two weeks to the day until my BC Day long weekend starts. The Filberg and ice cream and Tofino - oh my!

P.P.S. Darling Jeanette was in Brentwood Town Centre last night and, in a miraculous feat, spotted the elusive killer whale Keds that I’ve been pining over for months. They’re the last pair, they’re in my size and they’re half price. It was meant to be. She placed them on hold for me, so mama’s going to bring her baby whales home after work today. Picture to come tonight - guaranteed!

Marc Brown said that “sometimes being a brother is even better than being a superhero.” Quite clearly, I am not a brother; however, I am blessed enough to have one.

On August 26, 1984, Trevor Iain Mellis was born in Comox, British Columbia. Being not quite four at the time, I don’t much remember that day. Pictures of the hospital room where we, as a family, gathered bring back a familiarity, but that’s really all.

In the years that followed, I was dealt some tough lessons in what it means to be a big sister. I was also dealt tough lessons in what it means to have a younger brother. I’ll not lie - he was often quite the “little terror.” This label is something that he proudly owns up to and admits to this day. We were as any brother and sister would be - we fought, we yelled, we made each other cry, we pushed each other down the slip n’ slide and sometimes we’d conspire against our parents.

As we both grew older, sadly, we grew apart even further. Throughout my late teens and early 20s, I wasn’t even sure that an actual relationship with my brother would ever be a tangible possibility. Countless people told us both that we’d grow out of it, but I was stubbornly convinced that it would never be so.

I am not sure what it was; I can’t pinpoint an event or turning point. Even when our father passed away when I was 17 and Trevor was 13, nothing improved between us. When I moved to Vancouver in 2004, and out of the same home I shared with him, something most certainly changed. One hundred and eighty degrees, if you will.

Today, there is no man that fills me with more pride than Trevor. He has a gentle soul and a humble nature. He’s certainly still the little “charmer” that he once was to our Oma, and I see it in him all the time. There is no man that offers me the consistent and unfailing love, loyalty and dedication that my brother has shown me in the last few years.

I am so proud of the “little terror” who has now become my “big brother” and my guardian.