from hoser to malone

We're here for a good time
Not a long time
So have a good time
The sun can't shine everyday
-We're Here for a Good Time, Trooper

I’ve been having a party at my parent’s cabin on Christina Lake since I was old enough to get out there under my own power. Over the years it has managed to accumulate a name, a trophy, numerous decorations and water toys of various sorts, as well as various traditions. Most notably, that of banning people or things from the party.

I’ve had a lot of fun over the years at this party, but I have the sense that it has perhaps run its course. This year I believe was the 10th annual Leanne Walton Invitational (LWI) and perhaps the last real one. People’s lives are changing and I’m not sure if I will have the gusto for throwing a 3 day long party in my two weeks off next summer between 3rd and 4th year. Who knows. I can see the potential for a reunion tour of sorts.

Despite a smaller number of guests this year, we had an awesome time. The wind cooperated to help the Manta fly like never before and the trampoline saw some spectacular acrobatics. I made a playlist called “singalong songs” that worked maybe too well. Check out the facebook group (if you are so inclined), to see the photos.

More updates from the med school front to come.

gramps and the hulk

Kam: I like to play matchmaker. If two people are right for each other, I hook them up. If things aren't working out, I can come in and help... ensure that things end peacefully.
Kaitlin: So you're like the Internet then--- except you're a real person.

Kam: You flatter me. But yes.
-JPod, Douglas Coupland

I think my last post was from New York. Aie.

Obviously got home safe and sound and spent most of my time moving stuff back and forth between burnaby and vancouver.

..... a little update on my living situation....

My parent's bought a condo unit in a building that was just beginning construction years ago when I first got into school at UBC. It was supposed to be ready....a couple weeks ago. So, surprise, surprise, it's not and Courtney and I are living in her parent's house in Burnaby until it is (they say oct/nov...i think more like jan). It's not so bad considering it's a big comfy house and it would be vacant if we weren't going to be here, but I don't look forward to the commute. It would be really nice to move before the rains really hit. Also, moving from a 5 bedroom suburban mansion to a 500 sq foot condo might be a bit of a living space volume shock, but hey, the astronauts do it.

Right, so back in Vancouver, we were, for a couple of days. Mostly because our friends Cortney and Trish were getting married. I planned Cortney's bachelor party that took place on the friday and the wedding was on sunday. Both were fun although I can say I won't be planning another party like that again unless I have to. Trying to get a group of men coordinated and then pay you back for the festivities is a bit of a nightmare.

The wedding itself was awesome. Ceremony and reception was in Burnaby outside in the sunshine. Unfortunately there was a bluesfest going on in the park beside where the wedding was being held, which took away from the atmosphere a bit. Sometimes it's hard to really get into marriage when there is a sweet jam happening in the distance.

I should probably forward this one to them. They probably want it for the front page of their wedding album.

mike's umbrella

What is that feeling when you're driving away from people and they recede on the plain till you see their specks dispersing?-it's the too-huge world vaulting us, and it's good-by. But we lean forward to the next crazy venture beneath the skies.

- On The Road, Jack Kerouac

Boy, oh boy, Boston was hot. What a great city though.....kind of like Kingston really- but with more universities and less prisons. We ended up staying with Courtney's friend's boyfriend. We were very comfortable in our own room with barlow-esque airconditioning levels, which was pretty sweet after sweating it out sleeping on the couch in Manhattan. I started our first day there meeting up with an old friend of mine from Australia and his lovely wife. We haven't seen eachother since I was there- 8 years ago, so it was pretty cool to catch up. We spent the day doing a bit of sight-seeing...going through the Boston Commons, the Public Library and out to see Harvard. James was an awesome tour guide somehow, pointing out little tidbits like he'd been living there all his life. Great day but HOT, HOT, HOT.

The next day we went to the beach, which I was expecting to be kind of crappy, but was actually really nice. We went north to Gloucester- only 45 minutes out of the city and the sand was white and the water was clear and cold. Not really that cultural but oh-so-nice to cool down and relax- I finished reading On The Road.

We've done a few more things since being back in New York, most notably visiting the Guggenheim and Harlem. Courtney and I went to the Gug together and then she met up with her mom to do some card shopping so I decided to check out Harlem. I'm not sure if I went through the "good part" or the "bad part", but it was something to experience none the less. New York really is amazing that way- so much money and so much poverty. And the racial divide is pretty striking. Once I got on the train to Harlem I didn't see any more white people till I got back to Central Park.

Courtney flew out this morning and I head back tonight. I'm kind of ready to be in beautiful BC again I think, although probably not as much as Katelyn, who has been in Africa for the past 3 months and returns in a week or so. I'll post photos tomorrow.


...and by tomorrow I meant at least a couple weeks later. This is some famous little ducks in the Boston Commons. From front to back: James, Sheena (his wife), Leisha, Courtney.

poetry in motion

hot hot humid heat
stumbling into starbucks
venti vanilla bean frappuccino
mistake

-Kyle Merritt, August 2007