Corks, Culture, and Coins.

I just returned from a little mini-holiday in San Francisco, California.  It was lovely there!  The people were friendly, the weather was spectacular and the city felt like a long lost friend.  

I was in San Francisco a few years ago and I remember thinking this was a place I could spend a lot of time at and maybe even call home.  The culture and people were so warm and the great restaurants and wine bars reminded me of what I wish my city was like.  We have 2 maybe 3 great districts with great food and culture - it feels like San Francisco is designed with these great venues on every corner!  

One evening I was laughing to myself because my friend and I wanted to find a Starbucks - we were shocked - there are very few around and the one we found on Ghirardelli square was closed at 8pm!!!! 

 However, they have TONS of these great cafe's that spill onto the streets.  The tables are full of locals and visitors sipping on great local wines from Northern California while enjoying the mid day sunshine or the warm evening air. 

 They might be sharing a plate of freshly made tapas or some wonderful late night snacks.  Most of their food is from local markets because they don't have to ship it in...  it is home grown!!  And because it is California they have an environmental concern on keeping things green and organic.  Very different than the frozen, then deep fried snacks we get here in Canada... 

One part of any city that size is the homeless population and those in poverty.  I know - my city has many shelters that are forced to turn people away from their doors because there just aren't enough beds. In Canada, that is a big deal because of our harsh winters but in California their mild temperatures make those searching for a place to sleep less desperate.  The panhandlers come out in full force around the touristy areas, around Union Square because of all the shopping.  Their presence can be a bit overwhelming and awkward for people who don't know how to respond to the steady line up of sketchy characters standing around in certain areas asking for change.  Some of them develop little gimmicks that try to catch people's attention.  One guy was sitting under a box that he had designed to look like a monster.  He would talk from under the box to passers by and move the cut out lips of the cube shaped monster...  it caught my attention because he just starts talking in character.  There are so many of these various street people who have a little schtick they perform to get a few bucks from those who feel they need to respond with a donation.  I guess the one thing that makes the experience less assaulting is that they don't harass you for money - usually they just have an old MacDonald's cup with a few pennies or nickels in it that they shake at you as you walk by. 

I thought I heard somewhere that there is a bylaw in California that says they cannot panhandle or ask for money directly or they can get a ticket or put in jail.  

Not sure on exactly what the law says but I heard some people talking about it the first time I visited the city.

I also thought some of the panhandlers were funny because they had no gimmick...  one guy asked the couple walking near us for money to buy drugs.  I didn't know if I should laugh because I think he was serious.  Later I saw this guy and I had to take a picture.  I tried not to make it obvious so my friend is standing in the sight line but the focus is him and his sign.

 If you can't read it - it says "Why lie, I want beer" - And I saw a few people slip him some cash just for his honesty.  I didn't know what to think...

Honestly, such a great trip.  I loved it - and after this trip I truly feel like I could live there.  

So fun - if you haven't gone - GO!  it is amazing.... or you can come next year - I think it will become an annual trip...  so start saving your American $$$.   The more the merrier!

Tag? Don't judge me.

So, a few months ago a fellow Blogger put the challenge out to me or in the Internet chain letter format - she tagged me.  I am now required to write  7 random/weird facts about myself or I will have some sort of issue throughout my life - Just kidding - I don't think there is any sort of curse with waiting to expose these personal facts other than taint my image.  I am hoping it will be fun my readers won't think I am a freak! 

I'll be honest this is tricky...  how do I pick which 7 of my quirks do I feel okay with sharing....

1. I am a shoe freak -it's true.  One day I went to Canadian Tire to by a shelf to store all my shoes and they don't fit...  The shelf has 8 shelves and the shoes are doubled up (One on top of the other) on each shelf, some summer sandals and flip flips are piled 3 and 4 pairs high because they are flat.  Each shelf has approximately between 10 and 12 pairs on it.... Do the math.... The top shelf has boots because they are taller and don't fit in the shelf. PLUS, I have 2 boxes with other shoes that didn't make it onto the shelf.  All of this is kept secretly in the basement - that way people can't bug me when I say I need to buy new shoes. 
2. I like to garden.  Yes - it's true!  I like to grow my own vegetables and flowers.  My favorite is when I get to pick them and put them fresh into a salad and serve them to friends...  I love that feeling of "home made".
   
3. I have to have my dishes and glasses stacked a certain way in the cupboard... It's not like I think the world will end if they are stacked differently but it makes me uneasy...  I have had friends over for dinner and after we are all done and doing dishes I will see them put a green bowl on top of an orange bowl...  my blood pressure jumps and I try to ignore it.  Once the coast is clear I re-arrange it a go on living peacefully.
4. Everyday I walk my dog in an off leash park that is bordered by a residential alley.  This is where the garbage pick up is as well.  I am not a garbage picker but I saw a vintage floor lamp, circa 1950's siting in the alley behind someones house so I grabbed it and continued walking with my dog.  I carried it all the way through the park and got it home.  Not only was the light bulb left in it still working the lamp works just fine!    
   
5. So many people including Hailey, (the fellow blogger who has me exposing my weirdness to the world) love the TV show Gilmore Girls.  I don't get it.   I have never been interested in it.  The dialogue is way too over the top - no one actually talks like that - the script writers are clever but it is so rehearsed...  I think I have watched 3 episodes ever.  I can't have those hours back now. I know many people like it but I have never connected with it.
   
6. I always secretly laughed and mocked those people who had "Dog Art".  Especially those velvet pictures of dogs sitting at a card table, wearing people clothes while the dogs drank, smoked and gambled.   Although it probably fit in well in their 1970 inspired "rumpus room" with avocado green shag rug and wood panelling.  I remember looking closely at these dogs and it was a fun picture - kinda kitschy!  But I always thought my art design taste was more contemporary with classic styling.  I am drawn to modern versions of classical design.  Well, last summer I was looking for something to hang in my front room.  Guess what I bought??
7. Sometime after Survivor aired I became drawn into this world of reality television.  I think I have watched almost every reality TV show made!!!  The trashier the better!!!  Everything from Big Brother, the Bachelor, Paradise Hotel, The Apprentice, Average Joe, Beauty and Geeks, America's Next top Model, Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire and the list goes on.  I maybe don't watch the whole series but I like to see what they are about.  I don't like to admit it but I always wonder what I would be like on a Reality show.  I would apply for the Apprentice - it is one of my favorites! 

Well, I guess that wasn't so bad.  Now you know some weird little facts about me.

Don't judge me!  

My best time

What a beautiful bride...

I can't explain how truly happy I was for my dear friend Charmaine to find the man of her dreams and marry him.  I was purely joyous to see her celebrate the beginning of a new life together.  Both the bride and groom wrote their own vows and she had the great line in her vows...  She said all the important stuff, like how she will stand by him and love him and how he is so wonderful.... all nice but the best line I've ever heard was when , after a long pause and with an emotionally quivering voice, she said "you're my best time"

What a great way to say I like you and I love you!  Char has always had a way with words but this was publishable...  I loved it!  

I can't wait to find someone who will be my best time - especially since I have some pretty great times now!!! 

Congratulations Char and Glen!!  I am so happy for you guys!!

Question 4

Tell us some crazy dog stories that made you laugh (Part A) 

or cry (Part B)

A) My home is situated in an older heritage part of the city with big yards and large trees which was a perfect fit for bringing a new German Shepherd puppy home in August. When the seasons changed into fall the canopy of trees that line the streets lighten to beautiful shades of yellow, orange and red. For residence in my community we wait for the windy days to blow all the leaves down to rake them up before the snow falls. It was a particularly sunny fall Saturday and I thought I would get a head start on this project so I gave myself a time limit - in 1 hour this yard will be cleaned and ready for snow. I made a few piles in the yard while my dog sniffed around and watched the changing landscape of the yard. I was very focussed and fixed on a timeline to get this task done. As soon as I turned my back on my dog she would dive head first into the leaves... at first I was upset, "this is going to take forever if the dumb dog keeps spreading the leaves all over the yard!" But then I looked at her little face sticking out from the middle of the pile and laughed, eventually I found myself laying in the grass and leaves with my little 4 month puppy having a great time. In life we tend to get busy and forget to take time to enjoy the moment.





B) In Alberta we are lucky to have a provincial holiday called Family Day in February, originally designed to provide an extra day off in the year to be with the ones you love. As a young single girl on this particular occasion I thought I would spend my day off with my 2 year old dog, Paris. It was sunny and warm for a mid-winter day so we piled into my vehicle and travelled to an off-leash park that we had never been to. I put the car into park in front of a seniors building along the street where I saw all the dogs, their owners and their families. It was going to be a great day! We entered the park and it was fast becoming my favorite day of 2008 so far. After about 2 hours of hiking in the beautiful trees and along the paths I was ready to leave. Paris realized her fun was ending and I could sense her walking further away from me and not coming when I called. This has happened before but I was not prepared for the drama that we were about to go through. No matter how much I tried to trick her, corner her, lure her or even turn around and fake that were still walking - she would not return to me to go home. After about 45 minutes of trying to catch her I heard sirens coming towards us. Did someone call the police on me?? A fire truck and an ambulance pulled up in front of the seniors building where my car was parked. I tried to keep Paris away from the commotion because they had their own crisis to deal with and didn't need a lose German Shepherd running around. I thought if I walked over to my car she would follow but she didn't, one of the fire men was sitting in the truck watching my frustration increase. I decided that I would get in my car to move it closer to where the park entry was and away from the emergency vehicles. Perhaps my dog would see me driving that she would come over and hop in. My plan did not work out. As soon as I got in my vehicle the emergency personnel were wheeling the gurney out with an elderly woman on it and Paris was right in the middle barking. I slammed on my brakes, through my car into park and jumped out to help divert her away. She was still up to her tricks and 3 firemen were involved at this point trying to help me get her under control. Eventually she stopped and sat in the middle of the road with her ears back, I was able to clip the leash onto her collar and drag her into the car. I thanked the firemen for their help, got into my car and burst out crying. How did that go so terribly wrong? What could I have done differently? It was so overwhelming to me, I cried all the way home when I started talking about it later with a friend I just bawled. The fun and enjoyable 2 hours walk was forgotten by the 2 hours of chasing and drama that resulted at the end. The next day I logged onto http://www.bradpattison.com/ and signed up for his seminar for the coming weekend. I don't have a temper but I just felt so helpless, powerless and out of control. I truly was at the end of my leash!

Question 3

Puppies- just how destructive can they be? Tell us your story.

I went away for a weekend and left my little puppy, Paris with my brother and is wife. They just moved into their newly built home and decided they would contain her to the linoleum area by the back door when she wasn't in the basement or outside. My dog had a few toys she liked to play with and they were all in her lino corner. My sister-in-law noticed Paris was being rather quiet for some time so she walked over to the the back door and saw little dog ears perk up. My sister-in-law saw a cloud of white batten stuffing from the toys strewn about on the floor, it was like Paris was sitting in a cloud of white but she is no angel! The fuzzy toy innards were everywhere and my sister-in-law just laughed at the sight before she had to bag up all the mess and throw away the prized toys that became limp hollow fabric shells now.

Question 2

Tell us about your loss of a pet
There are 2 days from my childhood that relate to having an animal that I remember like it was yesterday because of the impact those days had on my life.
The first day was when I was going into Grade 2 after a family meeting we all piled into the car and drove to the local SPCA to pick out a dog. I don't remember any of the other dogs but Grizzly. He was a skinny 6 month old collie X that just shook from the excitement in the back set with me on the way home. He was a little timid at first but quickly became my best friend. Everyone in our family loved him deeply as he travelled with us to visit grandma, we took him camping in the mountains and fishing at the lake in the sun and on the ice. Everyone loved him because he was a great family dog.
In the coming years my mom decided to go back to work, my dad was worked long hours at his job that frequently took him out of town and I started to find new things to occupy my time as I grew older other than caring for the dog.
The second life changing day is still so real to me even now as I reflect on it. When I came home from my friends house, Grizzly did not come to greet me as I walked in. I remember asking without concern, "Mom, where's Grizz?" Her and my dad called me to the dining room, sat me down and with very upset and emotional faces said they started to talk to me. I don't really remember how they said it but they made the decision to surrender Grizzly to the SPCA for another family to enjoy him. Our schedules were so busy that he was being neglected. No one was taking him for walks, or grooming him, he just hung around the house and the yard because everyone in the family including us kids were too busy to give him the love he needed. I remember trying to negotiate his return, "I'll do more... I'll do better..." and then running to the basement wailing in tears for hours, it was a flood of emotion like I had never felt. I knew Grizzly wasn't dead and that another family was going to take him but I had lost him from my life, no good bye.
My dad loved that dog and he had to bring my uncle with him for support when they dropped him off. I knew it was tearing him apart too. The following day my uncle went in the SPCA to see what happened to Grizzly because he decided that he was going to adopt Grizzly because he loved him too. When he asked the staff there about him they said he was picked up earlier that day by a young family who lived on a farm just outside of town who needed a friendly family dog. They sure lucked out! Our family still struggles to talk about that day because of the intense pain that we all felt. My dad still breaks down in tears when he thinks about those days, but we always have the memories of the good times and the comfort knowing Grizzly was loved by many.

Question 1 - Dog trainers

Questions from Brad Pattison about Dog trainers- Tell me about how they gave you success or let you down

My Answer.

I signed up for dog training class that came highly recommended and we were told for the 8 week sessions to bring various items to class including, 2 leashes, a short one and a retractable one, a pocket full of soft chew treats (like Roll-Over cut up but not cheese - his words) and to not too feed your dog prior to class. Over the 8 weeks we discussed many topics but during this particular class we were learning how to walk our dogs on a retractible leash. I had a 7 month old puppy who was full of beans on this particular evening. I went to switch the leash on her collar she wriggled out of my grip and thought it was party time. Among the other young and untrained dogs she was trying to start a revolution by riling up the troops, all the dogs started barking as my dog weaved in and out of the panic stricken owners trying to soothe their excited dogs. The trainer was trying to corner my dog but she is a lot fast than him and made her way around the room about 10 or 15 times with everyone trying to coral her into a spot where she could be caught. This made the trainer very upset and embarrassed. I asked him what I would do if that ever happened again and he couldn't tell me anything other than, don't take her off leash for at least 2 years. I paid for that??