Keira-anne.com

Not long ago, I thought July 30 would never arrive. It seems, however, that is has. After weeks of planning, packing and mostly just anticipating, I’m slinging on my oversized backpack, grabbing my laptop and boarding the Coastal Renaissance with Jenny in less than 24 hours.

First stop on Keira-Anne’s long weekend: the We(s)t Coast of Vancouver Island, Tofino. It’s been a little over two years since I was last there, and I am highly anticipating a good time, rain or shine. Perhaps I over-prepare more than I should, but I did bring my UGGs in the event that I’ll be colder than a mofo after a few hours of surfing in the Pacific.

To those of you who are wondering if I’ll be bringing my camera and sharing the weekend with you through photos, to that question I say “oooooobviously!” The next few days will quite undoubtedly be chalked full of amazing photo opportunities.

Before I bid you all adieu, however, there is one last (very important) thing that requires attention…

BIRTHDAY BABE

Tomorrow marks a special day in the life of someone who is very special to yours truly. My dear, darling and sweet friend Ashley is celebrating her 24th birthday. I have known this girl for close to a decade, and with each year, there is more to learn, love and appreciate about her. She has a spirit and disposition that is incomparable to anyone that I know. What I appreciate most about Ashley is her unrelenting heart; one that always loves me, never judges me.

I wish so much that I could be with her in Calgary to partake in a martini, a cupcake and a few giggles, I know that she knows that she’s very much loved across the miles from sunny BC.

While talking with a friend, he mentioned a gem of a site he found that’s simply perfect for wasting time. People from all over contribute photos, love notes, to-do lists, break up letters, kids’ drawings and whatever else they can find in some of the most obscure places. Found Magazine [website] is where you can find them all in one place. Here’s a couple I dug up for your viewing pah-leasure…

“Adjust your attitude, young man.” What five star parents call their child a snot? Tsk, tsk.

Photo: Found Magazine

You must obey. I’m not sure what happens if you don’t though.

Photo: Found Magazine

“When you wake up in the morning and it’s quarter to one and you just want to have some fun…”

Photo: Found Magazine

Deep Thoughts

Photo: Found Magazine

Why do I adore this photo? I had a very similar hot pink satin concoction when I was that age. I look equally as rad with my crimped hair.

Photo: Found Magazine

Everyone loves a healthy dose of passive aggression.

Photo: Found Magazine

Photo: Mercury Records

In 1997, there was no escaping “MMMBop,” either on the radio, MuchMusic or from yours truly’s JVC three-disc stereo system. I spent countless hours that summer sitting on the roof outside my bedroom window listening to Hanson’s debut album, “Middle of Nowhere.”

Fast forward 10 years: 2007 saw the release of “The Walk,” an album recorded and released entirely on Hanson’s own label, 3CG Records. Much of the proceeds from the record, and a single entitled “The Great Divide” in particular, were donated to HIV/AIDS research in Africa. Hanson have since been touring the record extensively, and in each city played, the band completes a one-mile barefoot walk with their fans to continue to raise awareness for a cause the brothers are obviously so passionate about.

Photo: kmarski on Flickr

Being that it’s been eight years since I saw them play the Orpheum Theatre, you can imagine my excitement when I learned they’d be playing the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver on September 10, 2008. Through the magic of everyone’s favourite Vancouver blogger, Miss604, I will be able to bring all of you, my fabulous readers, up close and personal with the trio from Oklahoma.

Prior to completing the one-mile AIDS walk (for which I am completely willing to forego my pedicured tootsies) with Hanson, Rebecca and myself will be interviewing Hanson, snapping photos and taking in the show that evening. I’ll remind you all closer to the date, but be sure to check back after September 10th for all the juicy tidbits, audio interview and photos from what will most certainly be a day to remember.

What: Hanson (live and acoustic)
When: Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Where: Commodore Ballroom, 868 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC (show is 19+)
How: Tickets at Ticketmaster [click here]

For more information on the band, visit their official website.

Still a skeptic? Check out this acoustic clip of the boys (attempting to play) with Tom Green on drums.

Before I typed these words, I sat here staring at a blank screen. I haven’t written anything new in close to two days and, truth be told, I still don’t have much to say.

[more staring...]

I guess the only difference between this post and any other post I’ve written before is that I’m writing this one on, for the first time, my very own MacBook Pro.

It’s sweet.

This is me and Becky as M&Ms. She made it. We also sing and dance for a nominal fee.

Photo: miss604 on Flickr

What could be better than hot sunshine, cold beer, sweaty and dirty men, insane mountain biking, friends and a summer day spent on Mt. Washington?

I know, I couldn’t think of anything either.

Only a month from now, the mountain that’s home to my favourite powder riding in the winter is now opening up its bare hills to the Bearclaw Invitational Slopestyle III. I was lucky enough to check out this annual mountain bike competition last summer and I’m already anticipating this year’s bike battle on August 22 and 23, 2008. The only difference for me this year being that I’m kidnapping the lovely Miss604 and showing her what a 250 party weekend is all about.

According to Darren Berrecloth, event organizer, this year’s comp will be the best yet:

“On August 22nd there will be a free slalom event which is invitation only…the format of the free slalom is simple; it’s a dual slalom course with 3 or 4 dirt jumps in it. It’s basically racing with the jumps also being judged, in a similar format to mogul skiing. We’re bringing in a mogul skiing judge for continuity and yes, this is the first time a competition of this sort is being held.“

Spectators will be in for a treat on the day of the actual competition, Saturday, August 23. The course this year has been re-vamped and, according to Brent Curtain, PR Director at Mt. Washington, features a “brand-spanking new course with all the crazy wooden stunts” spectators of the event have come to expect. For those lucky enough to be riding, a jackpot worth $18,000 is up for grabs. And for those of us cheering from the sidelines, there’s live music, beer gardens sponsored by Kokanee and an adults-only party Saturday night at the legendary Fat Teddy’s.

If you plan on being in the Comox Valley at the end of August, I highly suggest getting your ass up the hill to check out this event. It promises to be a pretty stellar time for all involved. Keep a look-out for Miss604 and myself, snapping our cameras.

For more information, visit the Bearclaw Invitational official website.

Tonight marks the opening night of Vancouver’s Celebration of Light, sparking over the waters of English Bay. It’s the annual event at which, over four nights, 1.4 million Greater Vancouver residents cozy up together to take in fireworks displays from around the world. This year’s competition boasts colourful presentations from Canada (July 23), the United States (July 26) and China (July 30) with a grand finale on August 2.

Photo: Duane Storey on Flickr

I will not be one of those 1.4 million. While the fireworks themselves can be a marvel to see, I can’t say that 500,000 people invading my neighbourhood each night, police helicopters circling overhead, dump trucks full of littered garbage and suburban jackasses getting into street fights are overly appealing factors.

“But Keira, you chose to live in the West End.” Sure, and I can also choose to leave the West End on the nights in question. If the City of Vancouver were to, say, move the event to the shores near Point Grey, you can be damned sure the locals would cause an up-roar. It’s my quiet little neighbourhood. That being said, after work and a half hour of laying in the sun (fingers crossed), I’m grabbing sushi from my favourite joint and venturing across town to hunker down in Gastown for the night.

All’s not lost on fireworks evenings. Last year I had the pleasure of spending one such evening in the company of lovely friends, such as Rebecca, and meeting new ones, like Tony. And oh my, the fun we had that night!

You don’t have to like the music of ABBA, you don’t have to like glitter…you don’t even have to like musicals at all. Anyway you slice it, however, “Mamma Mia!” is certainly “a trip down the aisle you’ll never forget.” When you have a superb cast helmed by Meryl Streep, there’s nearly no conceivable way it could go wrong. I saw the super-hit musical at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre a few years ago, and by the end, the entire audience was on their feet, singing and dancing right along with the cast. I’d hoped the film would have the same magic to it.

Much like the live musical, “Mamma Mia!” follows the story of a young girl, Sophie, who’s raised on a small Greek Island by her mother, Donna. As Sophie’s wedding approaches, her desperation to find out who her real father is becomes impossible to ignore. After finding her mother’s journal from the year Sophie was born, she invites three possible men in hopes that one of them will be her father. When ensues after that is anyone’s guess – and surprise!

Photo: Universal Pictures

Luckily, seeing “Mamma Mia!” transition from stage to screen was nearly seamless. The point of the film, in my opinion, is pure entertainment, and entertain it does. The characters seemingly have a way of connecting with the audience in such a way that one could almost understand their inside jokes together. Each and every song and dance number is a treat to watch and Meryl Streep’s turn as Donna had me astounded. The woman’s got pipes!

If you’re anything like me, you’ll find yourself constantly (and hypnotically) torn between admiring Meryl Streep’s flawless cheekbones or Amanda Seyfried’s near perfect breasts. Either is a welcome distraction from Pierce Brosnan’s unfortunate turn at singing. Let’s hope making musicals doesn’t turn into a new career move for the former James Bond.

Check out the trailer below if you haven’t already, and visit the “Mamma Mia!”
website for more goodies.

Thanks for another superb and super fun date, Becky!

I am tired. In fact, I am so tired that I am near ready to cry from the struggle of keeping my eyes open this morning. The chorus from Riley Armstrong’s “Sleep” keeps looping through my head. On my desk sits a very strong Americano being used as a chaser for the ginger molasses cookie I just ate. Perhaps I was hoping that the copious sugary coating would give me a boost or a rush.

I’d like to chalk it up to late nights of South Park and a dinner party yesterday evening that lasted until after midnight. The truth of it, though, is that my body is just getting older. Jack once told me that once one thing goes wrong, it’s all downhill from there. My eyes started to fail me two summers ago and since then, apparently he’s been right.

Perhaps wishing so defeats my desire to live in the moment, but there isn’t a lot I wouldn’t give to fast forward through the next six and a half hours and crawl into bed.

(For those of you that actually clicked on the Riley Armstrong link, I apologize for sending you to quite possibly one of the corniest videos of all time.)

This past weekend I sighed and lamented over how much longer I’d have to wait until my planned trip to Tofino with Jenny, until I realized that the trip is, in fact, happening next week! Though we have only two nights in my little homeslice of heaven, both us girls plan to make the most of it. Being that it’s Tofino we’re camping at, surfing is item number one on our menu of merriment.

Photo: jesse edmonds on Flickr

It’s been probably no less than five years since I set foot on a surfboard, and even then, I wasn’t very good. Teaching yourself is rarely a good idea. It’s no secret that the West Coast of Vancouver Island boasts some wild waves, so learning in a safe environment is key. I signed Jenny and I up for an afternoon lesson with the Bruhwiler Surf School, and can’t even begin to tell you all how excited I am.

According to Bruhwiler’s official site, the legendary Bruhwiler family has grown up on the shores of Tofino, which provides years of stellar experience to share. I have zero doubt that Jen and I are both in for an exciting adventure because I’m going into it knowing that I’ll have fun whether I eventually stand up or not. And besides, if all else fails, I can just run up and down the beach in my blue bikini with a board tucked under my arm, à la Cameron Diaz.

Photo: Beth77 on Flickr

It’s late and why I’m not yet tired enough to attempt to sleep is beyond me. I’ve been on the Island for a little over 24 hours and will return to Vancouver in less than that. Tonight was my ten-year high school reunion and, for the most part, it wasn’t much worth the trip. Our Facebook group stated that there were 33 confirmed and a little over 50 who said they’d “maybe” show up out of a grad class of roughly 140.

I’d be hard-pressed to say that even 30 attended. That would be stretching it.

At the beginning of the night, only a handful were at the Edgewater Pub in Comox. A few more trickled in after that, but it was certainly no party.

What was with me? Blargoo.

Okay, so I ordered the “Island Cheese & Fruit Platter.” According to the menu, it was to include strawberry and pear slices, walnuts and bread crisps to accompany the fresh assortment of Island-made cheeses. The Comox Valley alone is home to, in this humble narrator’s opinion, the best brie cheese in Canada. Naturally, my expectations were rather high. This is what was brought to my table.

Pretty sure the processed cheddar and mozzarella had been sliced for a few hours.

On Thursday after work, I was packing up my stuff to go to the Island when I had a visitor on my balcony. He was pretty sweet looking.

I’m bound for Vancouver once again tomorrow. I’m actually pretty stoked to be headed back there, to be honest. Nine minutes have passed since I started this post, and my eyelids are starting to feel rather heavy. I guess that means I should do the responsible thing and power down for the night. So, um, goodnight.