The Rumours of My Death have been Greatly Exaggerated

Thought I'd died, did you?  Not quite, although lord knows my life has not been as exciting as one might like it!

A few left over pictures from San Francisco (which, by the way, seems a world away).... These are from the deYonge Museum.....

...and Hank's cat makes a rare appearance...

Indeed, this is how I know I have probably, over this last series of visits, overstayed my welcome.  The cat has avoided me for 8 years.  If it has now decided to bow to the inevitable (i.e., if this woman is going to keep coming, I guess I better be friends), I have for sure been here too often (although, in his defence, Hank says not)!

My house in Steveston has now been on the market for about three weeks, with no offers yet.  Those of you who know Vancouver know that the market has been grossly overheated, mustly supported, it must be said, by Hong Kong money.  It is now slowing down a bit, for a number of reasons (including a slowdown and devaluation of said Chinese money) and I might have missed the market.  I don't mind much; I really love my place.  I just thought I would take the opportunity to put some money in my jeans for travelling.  I've looked around at what's on offer, and I certainly would be able to get something quite nice (still having room for visitors, not to worry) and still pocket a few hundred thousand.  Well, there are two open houses this weekend.  We shall see.

Meanwhile, I have been taking advantage of Steveston (going out between the raindrops, as far as that is possible).

It is lovely, isn't it?  But one pays quite a premium to live in Steveston, and if I am only going to be here four months of the year, it isn't worth it to me.  I'd rather be in Egypt, or on the Trans Siberian Railway, or the Galapagos, or.....well, you get the idea.

What else have I been doing?  Well, dating actually.  What a concept!  I have tried a new website (that's all the details I will bore you with, to protect the guilty), and have actually been contacted some age appropriate, good looking, and hardly damaged at all men.  It has done wonders for me, really.  Not only has it made me feel attractive and desirable, but it has solidified in my mind what I want from a relationship.  That is, what I don't want, which is someone else in my life 24/7.  Having people to play with, though, has been a lovely change.  None of what I have been doing can be dignified as a relationship yet, but it has been fun.  If a big love (I can't say "the love of my life"; I've done that already) knocks on my door, I will no doubt let you know!

I've been working some.  Workers' Compensation has no work right now, so mainly I am working for the Mental Health Review Board, and I'm finding it very disconcerting.  I (and two other panel members) have someone else's liberty in my hands.  The patients I have seen are all intelligent, even personable, but their lives are train wrecks, and they have a screw or two loose.  It really is very, very sad, but it does have the benefit of making one realize how very, very lucky we are.

I've also been helping friend Robin pack up her mother's apartment.  Robin, Debbie and I went to law school at the University of British Columbia together, and have been getting into trouble together ever since.  However, we are also always there for each other.  I will never forget Robin and Debbie coming to Salt Spring Island to help us pack up the house there.  I had to issue gloves and masks because of the excessive mouse poop in the (unfinished) basement!  So I certainly owe Robin this much.  The three of us have spent two full days, with one more still to come.  All (or at least most) of us are of the age when we are doing this for our parents (mine had the good grace to die young and while I was far away from home), but doing it while someone is alive (albeit in a nursing home) is a bit ghoulish at best, and Robin, old softie that she is, is having a hard time.

I must say the packing crew was amply paid last Friday, by a dinner at Shares, a new "small plates" place in Morgan Creek.  Foodie alert' this is highly recommended if you get to this neck of the woods.

My theater (and bridge) friend Tom had an aborted theater episode.  London Underground is a play that received much hype, and was sold out in London.  However, as done by the United Players at Jericho - well, we gave the second half a miss. 

I have been missing my duplicate bridge, and haven't scouted out a partner for duplicate here.  But the boys and I have had one "dinner and bridge" evening, with another to come next week, so that is good.  I adore our evenings.  The bridge is good (except for mine, of course), and we laugh and laugh...l

There have been some events.   Most recently, a former colleague at the Workers Compensation Appeal Tribunal retired.  We worked together for 15 years, and there are not too many of the old guard left, so attention must be paid.....

Sorry about the blur, but Mickey's speech had to be memoralized somehow...

.....the Juke Box Man (aka Gerry) takes me for an early birthday dinner on the beach at White Rock on one of our few sunny days....

.....and, finally, Nora attends a political (aka Conservative) fundraiser.

Kerry Lynne Findlay, our MP (Member of Parliament)

Jason Kenny, Immigration Minister (right)

Malcolm Brody, mayor of Richmond

..and Maureen and Eric, who roped me into this...

Alright, you've got me, I am a registered Conservative.  I would be a libertarian if I could; I just plain don't believe that the government is the answer to everything, and Steven Harper's conservatives have the brains not to mess with already settled social issues (which they don't inherently agree with) such as gay marriage, abortion rights, etc. and to deal with the economy with some brains.  There you have it; my dirty secret revealed!

So, on that note, happy Canada Day, Happy 4th of July, and happy summer.  And I promise to be a better correspondent!

Imagine - it's raining in Vancouver!

And last week at this time, I was in San Francisco at the Beach Boys concert! 

It is hard to follow up on that!  In any event, Hank and I were recovered enough by Saturday afternoon to go to a movie.  We saw The Most Excellent Marigold Hotel.   Maybe I am just not critical enough, but this was definitely another thumbs up (or, for those of you in the know, in San Francisco the little man is jumping out of his chair!).  Not only an adult movie, a feel good movie too!  Go see it, if you are looking for hope for romance in the future, no matter what your age!

And yet another movie on Sunday.  You have heard me tout the HD filmings of the National Theater of London (natlive.org, I think).  Hank had not yet been initiated, so we, together with friend Karen, went to see the encore of Frankenstein.  I had seen it before, and it was even better the second time.  The creature is played by Bennedict Cumberbach, now playing Sherlock Holmes in the newest incarnation, and he is fabulous.  A hot actor to watch!

Monday was a travel day - a long travel day!  I was going to be early anyway - I always am, as most of you know - but the flight was delayed due to fog, so I didn't get back to rainy, windy, cold Vancouver until 5 P.M.  And then the fun began!  I was meant to play bridge at 7:00 (yes, I know, I know, who makes arrangements on a travel day?), so when the cab dropped me off, I just put my suitacase in the garage and hopped into the car.

.....which didn't start!  Half an hour, and a visit from the automobile association, later, I was on my way.  I made it to John's place okay - but when I went back to the car after an enjoyable night of - well, it was more talk than bridge, I'll admit it - it was dead,dead, dead.  So, still not having been home, still wearing the same clothes I had put on at 5:30 A.M. that morning -   I stayed over at John's, and had another visit from the automobile association in the morning, this time for a brand new battery.  (By the way, the battery in my nice, simple American car is - wait for it - behind the left front tire, which needs to be removed before the battery is replaced.  How's that for great engineering?)

So, finally, mid-morning on Tuesday, I'm back in business.  Still not having gone home, I'm on the way to my former office, to say hello to former colleagues, catch up with the gossip, and start filling up my dance card, starting with Tuesday afternoon coffee with former colleague, friend and Neighbor Eric. Tuesday night, I have dinner with Lesley, and her good friend Laurie.  French food is all well and good, but I have been desperate for ethnic food, so we are off for Indian cuisine. Laurie is a real kick, and it was a fun, fun, fun girls night out.  I have a lot (okay, mostly) men friends, and I love them all, but I do enjoy a girls night out every once in a while...

In the process of picking Leslie up, I have a chance to see her new digs.  She is now an empty nester, and has moved from a huge house to a lovely condo overlooking the Fraser River.  Seeing it helped to solidify the decision I had, I think,  already mostly made.  On Wednesday, I listed my Vancouver home for sale.  The Vancouver housing market is overheated; I can sell my place, buy another, smaller (and still nice) place, and liberate a couple of hundred thousand dollars to travel.  That could keep me for 15 years of travel.  After that, guys, you can pour me into a nursing home, and I promise I won't complain!

By Thursday, I had already been assigned a hearing by the Mental Health Review Board (and, for the jokers among you, remember that I was chairing the hearing, not having my fate decided.....).  Work is good - especially since I have been doing nothing but spending money for some time.  There is more work where that came from, so between catching up with friends and working, I will manage to keep myself busy until the next trip.

So, now you are up to date.  I will keep you posted, as always.  By the way, I know Blogspot has made it hard to post comments, but I would love to hear from you.  So, please write, at divawannabe2@yahoo.com.  Look forward to hearing from you.

The Accidental Tourist

So, back in San Francisco, for a week anyway. 

A few left over pictures from Amsterdam.  First, a picture of those steep stairwells I was telling you about.  This is the one at our hotel...

Then, from a last evening walk around, a sight rarely, if ever seen in the North American continent any more, a living, working automat....

Finally, a road sign that took my fancy....

I mean, how often do you see a sign that tells you the road to Byzantium?

Back to San Francisco....

The problem with Hanks being such a Southern Gentlemen:  I worry that I take too much advantage.  There have been, after all, several glaring clues.  Hank's cat, who has shunned me for its seven year existence, has now decided to accept my apparently inevitable presence and is making nice.  The second clue is that all the guards at Hank's office building know me by name; by the time I have walked through the glass doors, they are calling Hank and asking whether they should let "Miss Nora" up!  So, I worry about outstaying my welcome, but Hank assures me I am welcome any time, and, thus, here I am.

I left you last on my arrival at SFO on Sunday, May 27, around noon.  In spite of the 9 hour time difference, I try to outwit jet lag by staying up until some sort of normal local bed time.  Hank, as usual, has scheduled entertainment.  To begin with, it is the 75th anniversary of the opening of the Golden Gat Bridge, so we head up to Twin Peaks, for a view of the bridge, and the city in general!

Can't tell that it was windy enough to blow us off the hill, can you?  Hank looks great, though, and it feels as close to home as anything!

We blow back down the hill and head to Mel's Diner for a late lunch (Hank actually suggested eating; far be it from me to dissuade him....) and a movie, Dark Shadows, directed by Tim Burton and with Johnnie Depp.  Those of you who know me know how unlike me this choice is, but it was my choice, and I actually enjoyed it.  I adore Johnnie Depp, and admire him for some of the quirky movies his pop star status has allowed him to make.  Tim Burton too; I am a - somewhat suprised - fan!  So, thumbs up from me on this one, although clearly not for everyone.

The social schedule goes on, and Monday Hank, friend Pat and I see The Avengers!  Yes, I know, I know, Nora watching an animated comic book - who would have thunk?  But do you know what, it was great fun, although I have to tell you, watching New York being destroyed (albeit ultimately saved) by the bad guys is not nearly as amusing after 9/1.  But again, another thumbs up from me.   The dialogue was actually quite ironic and funny, and Rober Downey Jr. and Mark Ruffalo did it for me! 

Clearly, my attempt to outwit jet lag was not successful, and Tuesday was a down day, spent mostly......doing nothing!  By Wednesday, though, I am back at it, and decided to play accidental tourist in San Francisco by walking from Hank's home (located either in the Fillmore or in Alamo Square depending on who you talk to) down California Street to Hank's office....

This is the California Street cable car, which David and I took to get to work when we were working at the Bank of America many, many moons ago.....

...and I had forgotten how lovely Grace Cathedral is.....

Of course, the pictures don't show the extent of the hills, both up and down, involved in this little walk....

Thursday, I finally connect with friend Karen.  Hank, Karen and I (and David, and others) worked together at Bank of America, back in the day, and we have kept in touch.  Karen has a lovely apartment, only 6 blocks from Hank's, and we had a lovely catch up chat.....

after which I head to the deYoung Museum for a lovely afternoon wallow in culture old and new. 

The old part I won't bore you with, except to say that visiting the pictures and artifacts there (they have a great textile collection, a great African collection, and a respectable American Art collection) is like visiting old friends.  The new part is more surprising.  I don't usually like fashion collections - for obvious reasons.  However, the de Young was showing what I believe is the first retrospective for the designer Gautthier (sp?).  He started out with Pierre Cardin, but soon went out on his own.  He has designed for Madonna's tours, among others, and has the most interesting, androgynous, sexy - well, I can't really call them clothes, let's say "outfits" -  I have ever seen.  I was mesmerized, by the outfits, and by the mannikins, which had moving eyes and mouths and spoke to you, and the music - it was altogether fascinating!  If you get a chance to see it wherever you are, go for it!

Friday, I headed back to Hank's office - by bus, this time - for lunch with his boss, Vicky.  Vicky was also a former colleague at Bank of America, and we hadn't had a real talk in a long time.  We had a lovely talk, about old friends and new adventures, and about David (it is always nice talking about David to someone who knew - and loved - him in his prime!!).  The older I get, the more I like reconnecting the links in the chain of my life.

And finally, Friday night, the event we have all been waiting for, the Beach Boys concert.  Ittook place in the Greek Theater, at the lovely University of California at Berkeley.

It is a great venue, and it was a great crowd, lots of old folks, of course (some, I am sure, were over 70), but an amazing number of young people as well.

Sound track of our lives indeed!  They played some of the songs from their new album (yes, they have just released one, and yes, I know I should say CD, but old habits die hard), but mosly old favorites like Douce Coup, Surfer Girl, Rhonda, and, of course everyone's (or at least Hank's, and, I think, mine) favorite,  Good Vibrations.  It was a balmy California evening, everyone was rocking out, and it couldn't have been better!  Certainly, one more belt notch for me in the rock and roll department!