8 Mile (Plus 5)

I've been in Detroit for the last two weeks. Mostly moving around in the areas just outside the city. When I mentioned to friends back home that I was here, they all said similar things "Don't get shot." Being here now, I'm sad to see this is what they conjure. Everyone I've met here has been generous and eager to help in whatever way possible.
I can tell there's an authenticity here that's not present in other places, like say, oh I don't know, Southern California. Even Portland. There's history, amazing buildings that deserve to be preserved, instead of crumbling away or bullzoded for what one hopes will be a profitable venture.
I wish I had a camera on me that just recorded the days. It's turning into one crazy movie with obscure characters, ridiculous rows about going to bed and surprise cameos. Early this week we stayed at the scuzziest place I'd ever stayed but it still had a certain amount of charm. I wanted their retro lamps. We only stayed the one night since my friend found a bed bug on him the next morning. I laughed and laughed. How could have expected anything else for the price we were paying?
I had my first Coney Dog at American after we crossed under the tunnel from Canada to the US. We've been in the Royal Oak neighborhood, where we're back at again. Plymouth was charming and apparently movie-esque as I was informed that a portion of the latest Scream movie was filmed there. Over the weekend a local friend took us to his favorite markets and eateries in Dearborn. If you go there, go see Shatila.
I never thought I'd say, "Hey I'd like to live in Detroit for a while" but there's a lot of culture to be explored here and neighborhoods ripe with fun finds.

Back in the TDot

I can't even recall when I last posted or where it was. The last week has been a haze. We traveled from Vancouver to Edmonton. We stopped in Revelstoke and had a magical time in a great little place called the Peaks Lodge. We sat in the hot tub out in the snow, and I ate my first basket of poutine. From there we visited Lake Louise, one of the loveliest places I've been. The lake was completely snowed over and grand with the mountains cradling it. I felt like I was in another life for a few hours, the one I always imagined.
Things shifted when we hit Edmonton. I've wiped much of the past few days away as they were heavy with conversations and debates. You know the kind. The ones that continue to bubble up. They're draining even when you're not a part of them. I decided to give myself a date to decide if I want to continue on this wild ride. That's next week when I'm done with an event we're planning in Detroit.
But for now, I just arrived today in Toronto. I knew it would happen and they came. The tears that rushed up from the disbelief its taken me this many years to come back here after moving back home. I still haven't even seen the city! We're staying by the airport and I wonder how I'll feel when I stroll past my old apartment on Queens Quay.
I'll let you know.

Leaving Vancouver

I can already tell I won't be able to post as often as I'd like. The days whiz by and there hasn't been any time away from the tasks at hand except to get food or run errands. Last weekend was filled entirely by a financial seminar held by Peak Potentials. I've never attended any kind of class on personal finance and I'm surprised at how much it actually changed my thinking regarding it. I realized I've always focused on educating myself in every area but this one. D'oh!
We stayed at the Hilton in Metrotown which also served as the venue for the event. On breaks we waddled into the mall attached to the hotel, whisking us away to the other side of the Pacific. The stores, food court and market were ripe with various Asian delights. Add rain and you'd be an extra in Blade Runner.
The end of the an inspiring weekend brought drama, which actually wasn't caused by me for a change, and a new hotel. I'm surprised at the miscommunication and sensitivity in business dealings. It's thick with day time hullabaloo. Actually there's been some form of it every day, I swear I'm not behind it. We moved over to the Patricia Hotel. We wanted a cheap place anywhere but on the street with the crack heads. Wouldn't you know it, that's where we ended up. The funny part is the hotel isn't that bad, actually it's been pretty great, aside from catching the cleaning ladies sneaking my laundry change. We have the lobby to ourselves to work, the staff is very helpful and Pat's Pub is just a walk down the hallway.
Tomorrow we leave for Calgary, then head to Edmonton. Cold Country Canada.

Away I Go

I spent the last two nights in Tacoma with one of my dear graduate school mates. It was a much needed but bittersweet adieu for now of art talk, gallery browsing and karaoke hopping. (By the way, if you ever pass through, stop at Bob's Java Jive Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, but not Saturday for karaoke. And if you want to see Larry make sure you do it on a Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday.)
After helping said friend install paper animals in the underpass foliage for an art walk, I headed out to Vancouver. The drive was easy and lovely. I could not believe just how easy the border crossing was. There was one car in front of me. One. Yes. One. I've been crossing borders my whole life and never had that short of a wait. Everything looked beautiful.
I arrived at the hotel I'm staying at for the next few days, met with my future boss and settled in. I went solo in search of food and decided to go with what was close, Red Robin. The scrunched line at the door had me opt for the speedy bar seating. I ordered and sat patiently, texting faraway friends. Soon my food arrived and I began eating.
I was halfway through my meal when the older, admittedly tipsy, Indian fellow sitting across the bar came over. He ascertained that because I, being a pretty lady, was by myself I must have either been stood up or not from there, which means American. Quickly he asked me what I thought about Occupy Wall Street, then who I was voting for in the coming election. I recalled with sudden ah shitness just how much Canadians love to talk American politics. He was stern in telling me to vote for Ron Paul, then somehow got carried away into preparing me for 2012. Initially I thought this meant something about the election but it was in regards to doomsday predictions.
I was informed that far off in the universe a supernova occurred and the gamma waves from this event will be reaching us in 2012. "Don't be afraid." He spoke these words multiple times. His advice was to spend as much time as possible outside during November and December of next year to absorb the gamma waves. "Time will stand still. But don't be afraid" At this point the two bartenders kept checking in on me to make sure I was okay, as did a patron sitting just behind us. "What are we afraid of? We will all die one day, so what are we afraid of?" He asked my name for the fourth time, shook my hand and said he just wants me to know there is nothing to be afraid of, not to let fear stop me. He then stood, kissed my cheek and left.
The bartender came over, apologized and mentioned he was a regular that had been coming there for two years. He drinks, sometimes leaves quietly but once in a while hones in on someone. I said it was fine and smiled. He was right after all. What is there to be afraid of?

Shame, Shame, Shame

So I haven't posted since last year. A lot has happened in the the time between. I moved to Portland, lived there for 8 months and am now embarking on a whole new phase. I might have to come up with a fancy name for the rest of my life. I predict the next year will be quite eventful, hence my return to blabbing on about those particular moments that want to stand out. Documenting starts now.

(Not So) Bomb House Burn

The house in Escondido that was found to have 'a record-size cache of explosives' was set fire this morning just before 11am. A girlfriend works in the area and I live only a few minutes away from the property on Via Scott so we devised Operation Bomb House Burn. Our mission was to find a location to watch the burn while lunching. We rendezvoused at the Target shopping center on Valley and Auto Park Way. Soon we hit the road traversing back streets that led us closer to the plume of black smoke. Most of our keen ideas were thwarted by road blocks. Damn. With luck we found a road that wasn't blocked, or so we thought. It was the perfect spot just across the freeway to catch the remnants of the planned blaze. We rejoiced but that soon vanished as we turned the corner to go up the hill and saw the police blockade. Looks like this mission had reached its end point as lunch hour was running out and my friend had to be back at work. Ah well we thought. Little did we know all the excitement would be happening in the Target lot. As soon as we pulled in to get back to my car, the cart collector became distracted and a runaway cart careened toward us narrowly missing us. We turned a corner and a wild-eyed shopper veered into our side of the lane, which required more evasive driving on my friend's part. We could hardly sigh relief when another holiday customer roared around a corner nearly front-ending us. Finally we were able to park, safe and sound. Don't go to planned house burns if you're looking for action. Just hit your local Target parking lot during the holidays, you'll get more than you bargained for.

Wild Hipsterdom?

This morning my eyes were caught by the headline Scientists discover new bearded monkey. Yes, it's true, a new species of Hipster Monkey has been discovered in the Amazon. Read for yourself.
The scientists seem to focus only on the monkey's red beard as it's main distinguishing factor but other accounts have reported seeing them swing from trees sporting skinny jeans. Another tells of one monkey sipping Charles Shaw while reading Bukowski.
My question to the scientific community: Is the jungle ready for hipsters? Other animals have voiced concerns such as gentrification of their habitats, and increased noise levels due to indie bands forming.
Only time will tell.