With all the wonderful things that happen in my life, it is difficult to sit here and try to find the words to write about something terrible that happened. But here it goes so I dont have to re-tell the story over and over again, just a warning, this story is sad and disturbing.
Lucas and I were driving from his house to mine Friday night. That day I had taken the skytrain to his house so my car was parked at Scott Road Station. Normally, when driving from his house to mine we would take the Alex Fraser Bridge, this night we had to take the Putullo Bridge to pick my car up. The original plan for our evening was to see a film, however, on the way there we decided we would rather stay in and proceeded to pick up my car. While still in New West I expressed that I was not feeling well and needed something fizzy to drink, I said to Lucas that I was fine with just stopping at the Mac's near my house but he, always concerned about me, decided it would be best to turn around and go to the 7/11 just a little ways back from where we were. I'm telling all these details because I believe that all these small decisions brought us to the place we were at, at the time we were at on the Putullo Bridge that night. After leaving 7/11 we headed for my car. We were driving over the bridge when, as we were reaching the top arch of the bridge, traffic slowed. There was a silver car in front of us that manouvered around, what looked like, a stalled jeep. When Lucas and I went to do the same, an older man running to the railing caught our attention. It was at this time we witnessed this older gentleman, push himself over the railing, plant both feet on the other side, and without the least bit of hesitation, jump to his death. Lucas immediately pulled the car over and dialed 911. I, at this point, could not move. Lucas ran out of the car to the railing to see if he could see the man. It was after 10 at night and it was dark but he managed to see the man, face down in the fraser river, floating. He tried to follow the body so he could show the police where the man was, however, construction workers on the bridge would not allow him to stay on that side of the bridge with no sidewalk while traffic was still moving accross. Within moments, several police cars were at the scene, the bridge was shut down, and we were the only two witnesses who stayed behind. Being on one of the busiest bridges without a single car in sight other than the ones with blue and red lights flashing was a surreal moment. I felt like I was in a scene of a movie and none of this was really happening. Lucas and I remained on the brigde for the better part of an hour while the police asked us questions and took our statements. They thanked us profusely for staying behind, stating that normally, normal people like us never stayed behind.
When we got home we were still in shock. My Mum made us tea, I told her to make it just like my Gran would, a comfort thing I guess, and we sat and tried to make sense of what we had seen. An impossible task. That night I could not sleep, everytime I closed my eyes I saw this man hop over the railing and let go. No hesitation. I think that that is what haunts me the most, his determination and my intense curiosity of what could cause such determination. No hesitation at all. The same images haunted me last night. I seem to be okay during the day but at night it feels like I'm afraid of something. I'm not sure what that might be. Lucas and I know that there was a reason why it was us who witnessed this, what that reason is we have yet to discover. All the small decisions we made that night led us to that place at that time. There is always the lesson that life is precious but I feel like we have more to learn than that. Only time will tell I suppose. Until then I will try and reflect on it when I can and hopefully will be able to sleep in the meantime.
30.7.06
27.7.06
Salt Spring Island
This past weekend Lucas and I visited Salt Spring Island for some well needed time away. We decided that we would cycle which was a good idea until we saw that the forcast would be very very very hot. We still cycled but it was one of the most difficult rides I've ever done. Overall the weekend was a really great time. I enjoyed Salt Spring so much, I had no idea what a great little Island it was, the town was so artsy, full of galleries and book stores, I was in my element.
This is me just settling on the ferry, we were so late they actually held the ferry for us, hence my stressed out look
This is part of the view from our cabana, mostly I like this picture because of the way the bike looks
Our little home away from home, we were so glad we found this place, it was perfect
Lucas and I enjoyed a much needed Stella Artois at a local pub where I unwillingly and unknowingly ate a veggie burger, so good I had no idea it was a veggie burger until we got the bill...
Lucas loved the pink sky so much he demanded several pictures in front of it, this is my favourtie
Lucas relaxing on the deck
I thought this was a pretty cute picture of the two of us, different from the classic one that is always up here.
This is my favourite photo of Lucas, I think it is so artistic looking.
haha this one just makes me laugh, so out of character
Our second day there, we took a row boat out onto the lake. I had no idea how motion sick I would get, here we are resting in the shade and I'm trying to distract myself from my stomach by taking pictures
This is me at a local cafe we spent the afternoon at the day we left. It was a really neat place, I especially loved the huge tree in the middle of the patio.
The ferry ride home was so very relaxing and very hot, so hot we were tanning out on the deck
While I tanned, Lucas finished the last half of his 'Romio & Juliet'
The last picture of our trip, somewhat less stressful than the first, as it should be
This is me just settling on the ferry, we were so late they actually held the ferry for us, hence my stressed out look
This is part of the view from our cabana, mostly I like this picture because of the way the bike looks
Our little home away from home, we were so glad we found this place, it was perfect
Lucas and I enjoyed a much needed Stella Artois at a local pub where I unwillingly and unknowingly ate a veggie burger, so good I had no idea it was a veggie burger until we got the bill...
Lucas loved the pink sky so much he demanded several pictures in front of it, this is my favourtie
Lucas relaxing on the deck
I thought this was a pretty cute picture of the two of us, different from the classic one that is always up here.
This is my favourite photo of Lucas, I think it is so artistic looking.
haha this one just makes me laugh, so out of character
Our second day there, we took a row boat out onto the lake. I had no idea how motion sick I would get, here we are resting in the shade and I'm trying to distract myself from my stomach by taking pictures
This is me at a local cafe we spent the afternoon at the day we left. It was a really neat place, I especially loved the huge tree in the middle of the patio.
The ferry ride home was so very relaxing and very hot, so hot we were tanning out on the deck
While I tanned, Lucas finished the last half of his 'Romio & Juliet'
The last picture of our trip, somewhat less stressful than the first, as it should be
25.7.06
Waiting Times?
This morning my mother informed me that one of her bosses had cancer. She said that they found in right away when conducting the colonoscopy and stated that it was possible the cancer had been there for roughly two years. She then said "Can you believe that they are now going to make her wait another two weeks for a scan?" and my automatic reaction was well that is not too long is it. And then I thought just wait one second, did I honestly just think that two weeks was not a long time for a person with cancer to wait. It led me to think why I was thinking that way, and then I remembered, wait times in this country have been so long for so long that I've become acustomed to them, so acustomed that when told that a cancer patient who could have been living with cancer for over two years would have to wait another two weeks did not seem like something to make a fuss over. To me this is tragic. This is something to fuss over.
This incident this morning reminded me of an article in my last Maclean's that I had meant to write a blog about. Paul Wells, who writes an opinion piece every week, wrote an article about the fact that one of Stephen Harper's 'priorities' has disappeared titled "Stephen Harper's new game: Hide-the-Priority". The article is eye opening. He points out that Stephen Harper, in a recent article in a Conservative magazine, listed a completely different fifth priority than what he campaigned on. I know many of you will not remember what Harper campaigned on but the premise was that he had five priorties for Canada, all of which he would tackle in his first year as PM. I would like to quote from the Wells article, here he is discussing the list featured in the recent conservative magazine.
"The fifth item in his list was never among the five priorities the Conservatives campaigned on. The fifth Conservative campaign priority was: "work with the provinces to establish a Patient Wait Time Guarantee." Harper has replaced it with this business about "strengthening our country...And it's not a typo."
This is shocking to me when such a large percentage of Canadian citizens view health care as not a fifth priorty but more often the first priority. I'm certain many citizens voted with this priority in mind, feeling safe that Harper would look after it. It seems as though he has not.
Now, before I get a bunch of Conservative flak about what I'm writing, I understand some other notable things have been happening within the country and around the world that the Prime Minister has had to focus on but that does not excuse the fact that he is blatantly ignoring this priority he once had. The fact that he is listing his priorities as, and I quote, "cleaning up the federal government, cutting taxes, cracking down on crime, supporting families, and strengthening our country at home and around the world" is not acceptable
All I am asking, Mr. Harper, is what happened to establishing a wait times guarantee?
For those who are interested, the Wells article is available online, click below
'Stephen Harper's new game: Hide-the-Priority'
This incident this morning reminded me of an article in my last Maclean's that I had meant to write a blog about. Paul Wells, who writes an opinion piece every week, wrote an article about the fact that one of Stephen Harper's 'priorities' has disappeared titled "Stephen Harper's new game: Hide-the-Priority". The article is eye opening. He points out that Stephen Harper, in a recent article in a Conservative magazine, listed a completely different fifth priority than what he campaigned on. I know many of you will not remember what Harper campaigned on but the premise was that he had five priorties for Canada, all of which he would tackle in his first year as PM. I would like to quote from the Wells article, here he is discussing the list featured in the recent conservative magazine.
"The fifth item in his list was never among the five priorities the Conservatives campaigned on. The fifth Conservative campaign priority was: "work with the provinces to establish a Patient Wait Time Guarantee." Harper has replaced it with this business about "strengthening our country...And it's not a typo."
This is shocking to me when such a large percentage of Canadian citizens view health care as not a fifth priorty but more often the first priority. I'm certain many citizens voted with this priority in mind, feeling safe that Harper would look after it. It seems as though he has not.
Now, before I get a bunch of Conservative flak about what I'm writing, I understand some other notable things have been happening within the country and around the world that the Prime Minister has had to focus on but that does not excuse the fact that he is blatantly ignoring this priority he once had. The fact that he is listing his priorities as, and I quote, "cleaning up the federal government, cutting taxes, cracking down on crime, supporting families, and strengthening our country at home and around the world" is not acceptable
All I am asking, Mr. Harper, is what happened to establishing a wait times guarantee?
For those who are interested, the Wells article is available online, click below
'Stephen Harper's new game: Hide-the-Priority'
23.7.06
Maple Ridge Karaoke
OK, first an apology to all of those that I told would find a blog entry for karaoke last friday, clearly, I'm late, and for that I apologise. Without further ado, here are the pictures of a night I remember very well.....kinda ;)
Lucas belting it out, not sure what song but he sang some Led Zeppelin and The Who, all of which was awesome.
Shane getting ready to sing Zoot Suit Riot or was it CopaCabana, doesnt matter, Shane you rock!
Shane and Aliesha singing I have no idea what...Shane? Can ya help me out here?? Cute pic though
Shane and Lucas looking their best...(notouching)
Tara and Shane's sister Stephanie
Me with Karaoke Nick who is awesome!!
Aw Shane and Tara (too cute!!) ;)
Lucas and me, also cute
Lucas belting it out, not sure what song but he sang some Led Zeppelin and The Who, all of which was awesome.
Shane getting ready to sing Zoot Suit Riot or was it CopaCabana, doesnt matter, Shane you rock!
Shane and Aliesha singing I have no idea what...Shane? Can ya help me out here?? Cute pic though
Shane and Lucas looking their best...(notouching)
Tara and Shane's sister Stephanie
Me with Karaoke Nick who is awesome!!
Aw Shane and Tara (too cute!!) ;)
Lucas and me, also cute
14.7.06
Weekend on the Sunshine Coast
Last weekend Tara and I embarked on a little adventure. We boarded a Ferry for the Sunshine Coast with no more plans than having a wicked Girls only weekend. In our books this classifies as adventure, trust me. We were worried when the first hostel we visited was booked for the entire weekend. Luckily I remembered a small hostel in Sechelt that mum and I had stayed at the year before, there was vancancy and that is where we stayed. Overall the trip was a lot of fun and relaxing at the same time. We are so very lucky that all it takes is a short ferry ride to feel as far away from the city as possible.
Tara and me patiently waiting in the afternoon ferry line up
My softserve skills apparently need some work...
This is the name of the Hostel in Sechelt that we stayed at
Lucas bought us a 'little' present for our trip which we very much enjoyed :) (Thanks Lucas!!)
Here are Tara and me enjoying our vodka on the patio, what you can't see is that it is raining on us at this point but hey, we're from Vancouver a little rain won't stop us from sitting on an awesome patio
The two of us on our way to the local pub which turned out to be quite lame, all the fun was in that walk there and back...and ok...I fell on the way back, face plant right on the sidewalk, not sure how it happened but Tara did a good job reminding me all the next day and would have been disappointed had I not included it here.
When we got back to our room and turned on the bedside table lamp, the light was green! Rather shocking but made for a neat picture of the 'Grey Goose' bottle.
The second day there we visited the Halfmoon Bay Country Fair which was pretty neat as you do not find these in and around the city too often. There were neat stalls set up with local art, musicians, bingo and of course a little beer garden.
That night Tara and I went walking around Sechelt. This is a photo from the Native reserve on Sechelt. The Sechelt Native band received Self Governence in 2001 (I believe) and many of these Totem Poles are in celebration and remembrance of that. The art was truly amazing.
We spent our last morning wandering around Gibson. We even ate at the famour Molly's Reach Restaurant. Very good pizza!
Tara and me patiently waiting in the afternoon ferry line up
My softserve skills apparently need some work...
This is the name of the Hostel in Sechelt that we stayed at
Lucas bought us a 'little' present for our trip which we very much enjoyed :) (Thanks Lucas!!)
Here are Tara and me enjoying our vodka on the patio, what you can't see is that it is raining on us at this point but hey, we're from Vancouver a little rain won't stop us from sitting on an awesome patio
The two of us on our way to the local pub which turned out to be quite lame, all the fun was in that walk there and back...and ok...I fell on the way back, face plant right on the sidewalk, not sure how it happened but Tara did a good job reminding me all the next day and would have been disappointed had I not included it here.
When we got back to our room and turned on the bedside table lamp, the light was green! Rather shocking but made for a neat picture of the 'Grey Goose' bottle.
The second day there we visited the Halfmoon Bay Country Fair which was pretty neat as you do not find these in and around the city too often. There were neat stalls set up with local art, musicians, bingo and of course a little beer garden.
That night Tara and I went walking around Sechelt. This is a photo from the Native reserve on Sechelt. The Sechelt Native band received Self Governence in 2001 (I believe) and many of these Totem Poles are in celebration and remembrance of that. The art was truly amazing.
We spent our last morning wandering around Gibson. We even ate at the famour Molly's Reach Restaurant. Very good pizza!
7.7.06
Home of the Great Outside
So last weekend, a bunch of us decided to cash in on some of the free camping that is available in this beautiful province of ours. After some searching, in and out of dirt roads and provincial parks, we found the perfect spot. We were lucky to find anything on Canada Day long weekend let alone a completely secluded site with our own little private creek and enough space for three tents. The first night it was just the four of us, Sean, Anita, Lucas and me. We were joined by Alex and John the following night (which my batteries were dead for). It was a really amazing time, being that secluded, able to make as much noise as you want AND not have to pay a penny for it. It's about time we started utilising this little benefit of the Canadian outdoors. However we did manage to bring up some technology including several digital cameras. Here are some of the photos, I may post more when Sean gets his photos up online.
This is our tent, I liked this photo because of the way the fire looks
In this picture you can kind of see the little bridge off to the left that went over our creek
Here is the other side of the campsite
Me getting a drink from the cooler that the boys suspended into the very cold creek
Sean and Lucas posing on the Bridge
Lucas and me in front of our tent
The Campsite
During the day on Sunday we headed to Chilliwack Lake, which I had never been to. It is so beautiful and very very cold. After visiting the very very busy main beach, Anita remembered that the day before she had noticed a path that led to the water and perhaps there would be less people there. Well there was no one there and we a little private beach all to ourselves for the afternoon. It was beautiful and very relaxing.
The Private Beach we found
Lucas and the Lake
This is our tent, I liked this photo because of the way the fire looks
In this picture you can kind of see the little bridge off to the left that went over our creek
Here is the other side of the campsite
Me getting a drink from the cooler that the boys suspended into the very cold creek
Sean and Lucas posing on the Bridge
Lucas and me in front of our tent
The Campsite
During the day on Sunday we headed to Chilliwack Lake, which I had never been to. It is so beautiful and very very cold. After visiting the very very busy main beach, Anita remembered that the day before she had noticed a path that led to the water and perhaps there would be less people there. Well there was no one there and we a little private beach all to ourselves for the afternoon. It was beautiful and very relaxing.
The Private Beach we found
Lucas and the Lake
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