merely talk

Miah came out from Edmonton this weekend to see me. And I have to say that his timing was impeccable. Vancouver has a reputation among it's residents as being the "No Fun" city. Mostly because other than going to the beach, there isn't much to do here. Except for this weekend.

I went and picked him up late on Friday night. It's always fun driving to the airport, and I had the luck to park in the wrong section of the parkade. I was near the arrivals, but it was the international arrivals, not the domestic. So I had to walk throughout the airport trying to find the domestic terminal. On my way I passed a fancy to-do hair salon. Which I thought was kind of weird. I can understand the book stores and souvenir shops in the airport, but a hair salon. How much business could they really get. Maybe the flight attendants and pilots use it. But still.

Anyway, Miah's plane was right on time, and on account of him being very tall, I had no problem finding him. We walked the long walk to my car and managed to get home without too much trouble. He told me to relax a few times, but that's only because I'm a slightly nervous driver and am not used to driving in this city yet. The streets are just too narrow for comfort.

On Saturday we had fabulous breakfast at one of my old high school haunts, and then went for a brief shopping trip down Broadway. We went to one of my favourite used book stores, where I got a copy of Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood. This is going to be the deciding piece for me. I've read two Atwood novels: The Edible Woman, which I hated so truly and completely, and A Handmaid's Tale, which I adored. So if I like Alias Grace I will continue to read Atwood, if I hate it I will consider A Handmaid's Tale a fluke and never read Atwood again.

After shopping we met up with Anna and Amanda and then the four of us headed down to the beach. The tide was out when we got there, but I was eager to get Miah in the ocean. So after a little sunbathing, we walked to the water. And, as was to be expected, it was bloody freezing. But we went in anyway. After a little while our bodies became so numb you couldn't really feel the cold anymore. It was good times. Miah was surprised by how salty salt water actually is. I know I too always find that weird. As an original Alberta girl I'm always a little shocked when I first dive in. I always manage to swallow a little bit and then spend a few minutes looking lady like as I try to spit it all out. This happens every single time. I don't think I'll ever get used to the saltiness, I spent to much of my childhood swimming in fresh water I suppose.

After our lazy day at the beach, we rushed home to shower and change and then went over to Niall's for a fireworks bbq. It was the second night of the Celebration of Light, and Sweden put up an amazing show. It totally blew me away. They were completely in synch with the music, and their firework choices were spot on. We were behind a pretty large crowd, so a couple times Miah had to lift me up so I could see the lower fireworks. But it was still totally awesome.

Another awesome thing was how well Miah fit in with my friends. He was sociable and sweet and funny. He was totally accepted by everyone. Which made me really happy. I love it when people I adore like one another. And also it makes ones life so much easier when one's friends like one's boyfriend. I loved how they could all see how great he is.

We ended up walking home from Niall's because the buses were packed and slow and in the end walking was faster. Of course walking involved crossing a bridge (I hate heights) and then 12 blocks up hill (it had been a long day so we were both exhausted). But we made it in pretty good time.

On Sunday we slept in, which was glorious, and then headed downtown once again for the Pride parade. The Pride Parade is the only official parade in Vancouver so the city goes all out. There were tons of floats and the parade was about 2 hours long (which we found a little to long). Anna, Amanda, Miah and I found a nice spot on a curb in the shade. The shade was good and all, and kept me from getting burned (even though I was wearing my SPF 45, I don't really trust it at all) but I also got really cold, especially after the fireman sprayed us with their hose.

The parade was good, but we also found it really long, and the free stuff take wasn't all that great. We got a couple condoms, and a bit of lube, but not much else. This couple with a child beside us, on the other hand, got lots of stuff. They got bubbles and candy and beads. Amanda and I decided that next time we'll get our hands on a kid and bring them so that we can get some good stuff too.

We parted ways with Amanda and Anna after the parade and I took Miah to Granville Island. We went in search of cheap tourist-y things for his sisters, and found these key chains with their names on them. Which was perfect. We went to the public market and picked up some lycee nuts and then he grabbed a slice of pizza and I got some perogies. I can't go to Granville Island and not get perogies. It's just wired into me that they must be bought and eaten whenever I walk past the kiosk. We also went and checked out one of my favourite stores, Dragon Space. I knew most that everything in that store was totally up Miah's alley. And I was not wrong. He really liked all the things they had there, like the dragon coffee tables (which I love too, they are these glass tables with the stand being a dragon's body and then the head poking through the glass table top. The craftmanship is amazing and they really are absolutely beautiful.) We also spent a long time looking at all their really cool chess sets. They has Lord of the Rings, and King Arthur, and Robin Hood. They were great. I want a set, but there is no way I can afford one right now. Anyway, I'm trying to live a less object filled existence. Since it seems I move every year I'm sick of hauling all my possessions. I don't want anymore until I've settled somewhere semi-permanently...a.k.a after university finally ends.

Granville Island was packed so we left after about an hour, and headed back to the apartment and watched the Seven samurai, which I found a little long, but still really good. I'm curious to see the magnificent Seven now, just to see how much they stole. Or to put it more kindly, to see the American interpretation of the story.

A DQ run was required after the movie, and then it was time for bed.

I took Miah to the airport on Monday morning. It was sad having to say goodbye. It seemed like the weekend just flew by, and I don't know when I'm going to see him again. Which is really sucky. I specifically wore non-waterproof mascara to the airport so I wouldn't cry. I know myself pretty well, and my sense of vanity is one of my most useful and powerful tools. And then on the drive home, I just concentrated on driving. Which was also a good way to keep from being too sad.

It was a great weekend. I love sharing this city with new people. I love having excuses to do tourist things. And it was so good to see that boy of mine. I really can't wait until Amy comes out in a week and a half, cause I get to do this all again. It'll be splendid!