Keira-anne.com

“What would the world be like
If, for every rose given
Another would be received?”

[source]

For close to three years, I have worked in the same office tower in downtown Vancouver. It’s about 22 levels of law firms, investment offices and other well oiled money-making machines. On the bottom floor there are two cafes, a travel agent, a florist and, among other things, a convenience store. This convenience store, however, is unlike any other I’ve ever been in for the simple fact that it’s owned and run by two of the truly most astounding people I’ve come to know in this city.

Photo: Humpalumpa on Flickr

Nikki and her husband Raul (who I’ve affectionately come to call ‘Uncle Raul’) are often the respite in the long days I haul at the office. Usually once a day I’ll slip downstairs to buy a scratch ticket, a mini candy bar or a Diet Pepsi. My real reason for the visits, however, is simply to engage in warm conversation – even if only for a minute or two. Today was much like every other day, except in that by the time I was done having my chat with ‘Uncle Raul,’ I realized I’d been absent from my desk for 40 minutes.

As I’ve said before, a father is an irreplaceable person in a young girl’s life, but there are many men in a lifetime that wear the shoes in an instance or two. ‘Uncle Raul’ has always told me that I can come to him and Nikki to talk, share, seek advice and listen. And believe me, to say that ‘Uncle Raul’ loves to talk would be grossly understating the truth. It’s a good thing, too, because the man has a lot of wise and well-learned truths to share.

Today we spoke of loving others and sharing humanity. How the subject even came up in the first place, I’m not entirely sure.

Photo: ~Aphrodite on Flickr

Sometimes, and even often times, we will encounter people in our daily lives that impact us in a decidedly negative way. They drain us of our energies and our inside light, and sometimes through no intended way. Something as simple as a misconstrued e-mail or disconcerting glance can have a crushing effect. Sometimes it’s people we know; sometimes it’s a complete stranger.

It is because of this very reason that it is absolutely both essential and crucial that we as human beings put forth an extra ounce of ourselves to show compassion; to show a spirit of humanity. And before we can gain the ability to show love and kindness to those we know and don’t know, we as individuals need to show love and kindness to our own selves.

What is important in the big picture is holding on to the truths that we know, rather than the often irrational thoughts and ideas that ping around in our heads like marbles. While those marbles are likely to roll away once they’ve been exhausted, what we ultimately know is what’s left behind. Through this, we can instead create and hold on to an awareness of who we truly are on the inside. By this, I don’t simply mean our personalities, but the fact that there is constantly a battle brewing between our sensible, logical selves and our egocentric selves.

Photo: hidden side on Flickr

What do I mean by this? There is an insatiable, irresistible and voracious trait in each of us that wants our circumstances to change, to move the hands on the clock to 5:00 p.m. when we’ve just started work, to part the traffic so we won’t be sitting in a highway jam for an hour, for that phone to ring, for payday to come, for our holidays to start…

None of that matters. Right now, I am sitting in my pajamas in a wooden chair, clicking my fingertips on a keyboard and sharing with you the lesson I’ve learned today. That is the only thing that matters right now – this instant.

Right now, you are sitting at your computer and reading what I just wrote. Beyond that, take stock of the very moment you’re in. Realize it for what it is, have patience with yourself, accept the current circumstance of this very minute and be okay with it.

Love yourself wholly, and the ability to love others will come that much easier.

Last week I found myself at a walk-in clinic. While I was partly too lazy to trek across the Cambie Street Bridge to my actual doctor’s office, I find the medical staff at the Stein Medical Clinic [website] to be thoroughly professional and less of a headache to deal with.

I had a minor health glitch, one that had me diagnosed and out the door, prescription clutched in hand, in under 10 minutes. At one point during my time at the clinic, I do remember flashing my BC Care Card, but my debit and credit cards stayed firmly tucked in my wallet. From there, I walked to Urban Fare’s pharmacy, handed over my prescription and paid for it only five minutes later with, quite literally, pocket change.

To most Canadians, this is completely normal; to most Americans, this is a luxury.

To many of them, it’s a choice between visiting the doctor or paying this month’s rent. Canada, it seems, isn’t that far behind.

Photo: Brittany G on Flickr

Garnering both flack and praise, Michael Moore’s 2007 documentary “Sicko” turned the spotlight on the some 50 million Americans who are uninsured or are covered with such measly insurance that they’re victims of the system all the same. The problem at large in the United States is that health care is completely privatized, and in his film, Moore targeted his suspicions of the conglomerate insurance companies that were denying treatment to policy holders in order to pinch pennies…billions and billions of pennies.

Here in Canada, various levels of our Government foot the bills for approximately 70% of healthcare costs and the system is “designed to ensure that all residents have reasonable access to medically necessary hospital and physician services.” [source] A huge number of our citizens also receive further and more comprehensive coverage through their respective employers.

In a time where the almighty dollar is king (and making more of it is the name of the game), I have to stop and wonder how much longer we have until Canada goes the way of our southern sister. If and when that day comes, I’m packing my bags and moving to France. Who’s with me?

(Click here to view the trailer for “Sicko.”)

It’s been a busy weekend for your humble narrator, and though it’s only Monday evening, only now is my weekend ending. I had planned on popping in to a birthday on Friday night, but after sleeping so horribly all week, my body caught up to me and I ended up crashing after dinner.

I’d been super psyched all week for Saturday, as I’d planned to pack up my swimsuit, beach umbrella, two wonderpups and an armful of great friends to head to Spanish Banks West. I was joined on the sandy shore by no less than Duane, Becky, John, Phaedra, John, Jenny, Amy and Rod (and a couple of surprise visitors that I had the pleasure of meeting). Oddly enough, I didn’t whip out my camera once, but here are a few snaps some of the others grabbed.

Photo: jenniferstoddart on Flickr

Photo: jenniferstoddart on Flickr

Photo: miss604 on Flickr

Photo: Duane Storey on Flickr

Being in the sun all day tuckered us all out, and after a quick bath and dinner, both Casey and Benji slept nearly straight through until the following morning. We had time to quickly clean up and throw on some laundry before hitting YVR to retrieve their daddy. However, I couldn’t leave the airport fast enough for the simple reason that I had a ridiculously fabulous evening with two of my very best girlfriends to look forward to. It’s been some time since I last saw either Ashley or Emily, and an even longer time since the three of us hung out together.

Ashley and her husband, Mike, have recently started a new photography company based out of Calgary called Snap Photography. Being that she’s the aspiring photographer she is, Ashley’s camera came out for the evening and stayed out until both girls left today. After a quick dip in my pool, we dressed up to hit Joey’s on Burrard for dinner (food was great; service was much less than stellar). Our night included no less than giggles, girl talk and a hit of Cabo Wabo tequila each.

I love these two girls with my whole heart, and they have always only ever shown me love, acceptance and grace. It’s hard to believe I’ve known Emily since she was still in elementary school. I hope that weekends like this will still continue to come around, even though we’re all far apart, though only geographically speaking. They’re amazing women with even more amazing hearts.

(It was also decided by Ashley and Emily that I really and truly am Butters‘ mom. He’s pretty much the cutest thing ever to roll out of South Park.)

I bought “Arular” last week and have been busy driving around and listening to it. Sure, the record’s three years old but it’s new to me and it is the summer album for this girl, this year. And yes, I’ve been M.I.A. over the last few days, but for very good reasons.

Photo: Snap Photography

I’ve been a busy little bee over the weekend and there is so much to fill you all in on, but alas, you’ll have to wait a little bit longer. I just showered, Bumbled, spritzed and now I’m heading out to Granville Island for a bit ‘o breakfast. More fun and more photos to come.

I like Eva Longoria, quite a bit, and so the point of this post isn’t a slam on her. Rather, it’s a perfect demonstration that she is a normal girl just like the rest of us. No girl is comfortable in her skin 100% of the time, and it’s completely understandable. Mainstream media bombards us with images that we ultimately know are largely fabricated, but the proof is often hard to find.

I’ve always said you can open any Victoria’s Secret catalogue and clearly see the airbrush marks and spots on inner thighs where excess inches have literally been cut away in photo programs. Sometimes, though, the best example is a side-by-side.

The photo on the left was shot for Bebe Sport’s recent campaign; the photo on the left was snapped just yesterday off the coast of Portofino, Italy.

Left Photo: Bebe Sport; Right Photo: Bauer-Griffin for People

She’s a real girl, ladies – with a healthy figure just like the rest of us.

As a little girl, it was common playtime practice on lazy summer days to lay down on the spikey grass in the sunshine and watch the clouds in the sky. Sometimes I’d try to find shapes within the clouds and make up stories with them. Other times I’d swear I could see the Earth moving when, in reality, it was simply the clouds visibly moving, not our planet.

Photo: Sylvanfeather on Flickr

I think what I loved most about cloud watching was the surreal experience it provided to my young and impressionable mind. I’ve always had a vivid imagination, and that part of my mind’s eye has always stretched across the void into my dream world. My dreams have always also been rather vivid, though they come and go.

What I’ve long found most interesting is that often I’ll have a dream of little or no consequence – more of a snapshot of activity – and then at some point down the road, that snapshot comes to life. Sometimes it’s months later, sometimes years later. Even just last night, as I sat around talking with friends, I had the strong sensation as though I’d seen this instance before.

Photo: venkane on Flickr

I am thankful for the ability to dream and I appreciate the dreams I have. Sometimes they are painful or frightening, such as one I had last night. Often, though, the dreams I have can bring immense peace and perspective into my life. Dreaming is a very powerful tool to tap into what might be going on, unbeknownst to ourselves. That isn’t to say that every dream will mean something; often they are simply silly and not at all meaningful.

If you’re curious, next time you dream, write down a few key symbols that emerged and see if any of it makes sense in some aspect. Another idea, though one that shouldn’t be solely relied upon, is checking out Dream Moods for a bit of direction. It allows you to search those key symbols and comes up with possible meanings behind their appearance in your dream.

Happy snoozing!

This West Coast weather cannot get more gorgeous, and so with all the sunshine and heat, I’m trying to make the most of it. Lucky for me, I am in charge of my favourite charges, Benji and Casey, for another fun-filled week. We hit Crab Park yesterday for a long while, are hitting it with Becky tomorrow and had a play date this afternoon with Amy and Peanut.

Photo: Amelia Burrows on Flickr

Not only did all three of them have an absolute blast frolicking and playing in the sun and the grass, they also met a few new friends. Harley was a 2.5-year-old Pomeranian who was unbelievably soft and had a friendly face that was almost identical to Benji’s.

Soon after, the boys met Beans, a four-month-old Norwich Terrier. Beans was, without a doubt, so cute that it hurt to even look at her. She had the happiest face, beautiful fur that made her look like a cross between an Ewok and a teddy bear and did this cute thing where she’d get down real low on the ground whenever she approached another dog…like she was being all slinky and sly.

I have got to get one for myself. Need proof? Check out these little dumplings. Norwich Terrier breeders are few and far between, but I managed to find one online in South Surrey/White Rock. These babies don’t come cheap though…one can expect to pay about $2,500.

My precious little girl, Charley, is becoming quite the explorer. She’s developed a sense of adventure and lost much of her unwarranted fear. Other dogs don’t phase her, unfamiliar places are no longer frightening and the ocean is becoming her second home. She is, in fact, becoming quite well acquainted and comfortable with the Georgia Strait.

My mom and aunt brought her to Seal Bay Forest Nature Park yesterday, and my mom on her own headed for Miracle Beach Provincial Park with the little wiggle bum this afternoon. A few adventure shots of the cutest little girl ever…

Normally Charley will steer clear of the ocean, but being that July has brought hot temperatures, she felt quite comfortable plunking herself right down in the water!

Lately, it seems, I cannot get enough of South Park. It’s crude, crass and entirely inappropriate. Why I find it funny, I have no idea. Tied for the first place trophy of “Best Character,” in my opinion, are Eric Cartman and Leopold “Butters” Stotch.

One of my favourite episodes featuring both aired during the seventh season, in which Kyle must choose three friends to invite to his birthday party. The party is being held at Cartman’s favourite place in the whole world, Casa Bonita. When Eric finds out that Kyle invited Butters as his third friend to the Mexican restaurant, Cartman attempts to foil the plan and convinces Butters to hide in a bomb shelter so that he can take Butters’ place.

In the end, Cartman’s scheming plot is eventually found out, but he’s not willing to go down without a fight – or at least a little bit of fun.

Interestingly enough, as I surfed the web regarding this episode, I uncovered this little gem. Who knew? Anyone want to make a trip to Denver with me this weekend?

Early in the summer of 2007, Becky and I had the brilliant plan of making a day of it at Playland at some point on a sunny day. Lost in a sea of bikinis, sunshine, cocktails, ice cream and all the fun that fills up a summer, September came and we still hadn’t made that Playland trip. This year, we decided that it absolutely had to happen, so we set a date and invited all our friends along.

The rain chased a few people away that had planned to come along, and I’d like to say that it wasn’t as fun in the rain as it would be in the sunshine, but I’d be lying. We’re Wet West Coast kids – we’re used to the rain! And so, we set out and eventually met up with John Bollwitt, John Biehler, Jennifer Stoddart and Amy “No Blog For Me” Burrows and had ourselves a splendid day!

It’s pretty much unanimous that the Crazy Beach Party was everyone’s favourite ride.

I can’t remember the last time my cheeks hurt so much for an entire day. You couldn’t wipe the smile off my face if you tried!

Becky and Biehler were the only ones brave enough to ride the Hellevator. Count me out.

My Keds came too. After a day in the rain, though, they’re in severe need of a washing.

John was super stoked to ride the piggy on the Merry-Go-Round…

After burning through all three seasons of Deadwood, I was itching to try my trigger finger.

It’s easy to say that amusement parks are only fun when you’re a kid, but the truth is, grab a few friends, indulge in some games and you’ve got a great day! And while I can’t stomach the spins and turns as much as I could as a kid – all of us were feeling extremely queasy by the time we hopped the bus home – we definitely all had a blast! Then again, maybe it was the corndogs doing that to us…