I was supposed to keep uptodate! But after everyday I think, 'I will do it tomorrow'.
Anyway, this week, week five, is the week known as 'the week where dyl has a bike' week.
That's right people! I have a bike! look,
My bike. aka trouser eater...
The leg has been eaten by my bike
A little bit annoyed doesn't quite describe it. I really like them trousers.
Anyway, this week, week five, is the week known as 'the week where dyl has a bike' week.
That's right people! I have a bike! look,
My bike. aka trouser eater...it's very nice for the $80 I paid for the bike, and $5 for the seat... and $10 for the lock... +VAT...
but it was still cheap! Plus it works, and has gears. This is an important fact for Vancouver, as I live on the top of a hill. Great for getting to work, it's all downhill, but from work... erm, yea, not as easy, especially the first time. Anyway, now to the day to day bits of this post.
---
Monday
Day off work! Well, would have been, but I did a few hours as they asked. This is why I bought a bike, the bike that had a seat missing. I was surprised that it was offered for the $80, and the guy (with an awesome name -> Dylan) gave me the part to attach the seat to (which he said I could change if I would like to try a different one) for $5. I just had to fix it on myself. Which was all good as they had all the tools and would guide you if you didn't really know what to do. I think this store is great.
So with this bike, I decided, 1st I really needed to make sure that no-one could steel it! So to a different shop, and the situation of, leaving the bike outside to buy a lock so that I can lock the bike in such a situation without it being stolen. Very odd. I found out while riding to this shop that the bike likes to eat my trousers. Eat. Shred. DEVOUR!
but it was still cheap! Plus it works, and has gears. This is an important fact for Vancouver, as I live on the top of a hill. Great for getting to work, it's all downhill, but from work... erm, yea, not as easy, especially the first time. Anyway, now to the day to day bits of this post.
---
Monday
Day off work! Well, would have been, but I did a few hours as they asked. This is why I bought a bike, the bike that had a seat missing. I was surprised that it was offered for the $80, and the guy (with an awesome name -> Dylan) gave me the part to attach the seat to (which he said I could change if I would like to try a different one) for $5. I just had to fix it on myself. Which was all good as they had all the tools and would guide you if you didn't really know what to do. I think this store is great.
So with this bike, I decided, 1st I really needed to make sure that no-one could steel it! So to a different shop, and the situation of, leaving the bike outside to buy a lock so that I can lock the bike in such a situation without it being stolen. Very odd. I found out while riding to this shop that the bike likes to eat my trousers. Eat. Shred. DEVOUR!
The leg has been eaten by my bikeA little bit annoyed doesn't quite describe it. I really like them trousers.
2nd, I wanted to show it off. Hello Ben & Lynda. They were first to see it. Us three always seem to meet up as we finish around the same time and work in a close enough area.
On the ride home I decided that I would also like to do some shopping. You'll notice from the picture of the bike that there is no-where to put said shopping, nor the manbag that I was wearing. Which by the way isn't that comfortable to have around you when riding a bike.
Ok, so I saw Robert on the way to safeway too. Thanks to him I now know how to lock up a bike.
Confused?
well ok, I know how to lock up a bike, I was just being extremely dumb that day. This is what I did: I took the lock and tied the wheel to the frame next to the bar that holds all the trolleys. What Rob pointed out was basically that I failed. He picked up the bike. I had forgot to tie it to the bar that holds all the trolleys!
So there you go folks, remember, tie your bicycle to something, not just to itself!
Well, as I was saying, nowhere to put bags. Now this in itself wasn't so bad, I just put it on the handlebar. What was bad was that on my first ride home I decided to take a route that involved THE STEEPEST CLIMB EVER! A few pedals upwards and I thought 'screw this, I'm walking with the bike'. Yep, I haven't ridden a bike in a while, My legs did not like what I was doing!
Actually, my knees were complaining lots. I figure it was because the seat was not high enough. I will say this however, the view was very nice indeed. It kinda made up for the poor choice in direction.
So lesson number two, plan a route that isn't so steep.
---
Tuesday
No work for real this time. Ben and I met up with Lynda at her place of work. ie we went to see the chocolate coffee shop known as 'mink'. I have to say, the milkchocolate drink that I was given was rather nice. We were meant to watch the film Hancock, but It was such a beautiful day that we decided to go to English Bay and just chill. While waiting for Andrew, me and Lynda decided to practice kicking each other... ie pretend we know kung fu.
On the ride home I decided that I would also like to do some shopping. You'll notice from the picture of the bike that there is no-where to put said shopping, nor the manbag that I was wearing. Which by the way isn't that comfortable to have around you when riding a bike.
Ok, so I saw Robert on the way to safeway too. Thanks to him I now know how to lock up a bike.
Confused?
well ok, I know how to lock up a bike, I was just being extremely dumb that day. This is what I did: I took the lock and tied the wheel to the frame next to the bar that holds all the trolleys. What Rob pointed out was basically that I failed. He picked up the bike. I had forgot to tie it to the bar that holds all the trolleys!
So there you go folks, remember, tie your bicycle to something, not just to itself!
Well, as I was saying, nowhere to put bags. Now this in itself wasn't so bad, I just put it on the handlebar. What was bad was that on my first ride home I decided to take a route that involved THE STEEPEST CLIMB EVER! A few pedals upwards and I thought 'screw this, I'm walking with the bike'. Yep, I haven't ridden a bike in a while, My legs did not like what I was doing!
Actually, my knees were complaining lots. I figure it was because the seat was not high enough. I will say this however, the view was very nice indeed. It kinda made up for the poor choice in direction.
So lesson number two, plan a route that isn't so steep.
---
Tuesday
No work for real this time. Ben and I met up with Lynda at her place of work. ie we went to see the chocolate coffee shop known as 'mink'. I have to say, the milkchocolate drink that I was given was rather nice. We were meant to watch the film Hancock, but It was such a beautiful day that we decided to go to English Bay and just chill. While waiting for Andrew, me and Lynda decided to practice kicking each other... ie pretend we know kung fu.
These photos on Bens flickr... and yes I chose these two because I thought when compared it was funny.Anyway, when we did get to English Bay, it was so beautiful. I didn't have my camera though. But you can all be jealous from this photo that Ben took.
Yes this picture is very nice, but being there looked even better.After this, as everyone was taking a bus home, I joined them, despite having taken a bike. Good thing that these buses can hold bikes. So me and Ben took the same Bus, and ended up waiting forever for said bus. While waiting we met an odd old man (why do they always appear when buses are involved?). He was just yabbering to us about random crap. He mentioned tai chi, and so I mentioned that I do chen style, and then he did it. He was rather good. The oddness really came in when he mentioned that he was once talking to a random teen on a bus, and told us that he wasn't doing so to chat her up... Now I don't know about you, but if you have to say that, then maybe you were.
Anyway, long story short. He was odd. The bus arrived eventually. I got home.
Anyway, long story short. He was odd. The bus arrived eventually. I got home.
---
wednesday
Work! Ok, so the kitchen staff liked calling me Nigel as it was an english name. Grr. However, today they thought of another name, London. So now I am known as London to the kitchen staff. yay. Still, better than Nigel. It's all fun though, I don't mind, besides, I'm teaching them proper english swears, and general english words/phrases. One thing they pointed out that I completely agree with is the stupidity in using the word tea, for dinner. It's true, and I never use it this way. But, then again, its not as confusing as these Canadians make it out to be.
So as not much happened today, I am going to tell you all how to talk and act canadian.
1st: Say 'eh' (aye) after most sentences (especially questions). Although, to be honest, most Vancouver people don't say this, other Canadians do.
2nd: Don't ever say bathroom, or toilet when you are out, you are looking for the 'washroom'.
3rd: a list of things canadians don't really understand, and the equivalent canadian.
plaster = band-aid
clingfilm = ceram-wrap
washing powder = laundry detergent
single cream, and all the varieties of milk = they don't use words like semi-skimmed etc, they have a percentage showing the fat content.
surname = lastname (some canadians understand this though)
CV = resume
blutac = tac/putty/I don't think they really have a name for it!
route = pronounce it as rawt. (although, once again, some canadians understand this)
'ickle' = they don't know this word! Nor do Australians. It's only people from the UK that have.
Canada Geese = They are just called Geese here.
4th: always do as the lights on the road say. Canadians, seem to lack the ability to walk across a road unless the light says they can cross, even if there are no vehicles!
lastly: recycling. This is second nature to them, we suck at recycling.
Oh actually, I took a nice route back from work on my bike, not too steep and full of nice looking houses. One day I'll have to show my bike route (scenery) somehow. Taking the cycle roytes means less traffic and nice scenery... and no stupidly steep hills (so far). I'm not sure how far to cycle to work is, but the straight line distance is about 6km from the house to work.
Also, there was more riding, from house back to the hostel (about 5km away in a straight line) to celebrate Andrew travelling for 1 year now. I am rather jealous. The cake was good. Plus I took some photos, this is my personal favourite.
SuperAndrew, and his adoring fan Lynda. They weren't even posing, this is normal
Andrew has amazing stories, and it is great to hear them. Just so so jealous that he has been to so many places and has many stories to tell.
I discovered on the ride back, that riding the bike was faster than waiting for the bus. woohoo!
---
thursday - I have a house warming!
Work - all management disappeared an hour before the end of my shift. This ment we all took free food. (Should I write this here? meh, I'm sure I'll be long gone before they see this). Also if anyone messes up (like throwing stuff in the bin, catching something, walking with wrong tray), we like to say to each other, 'Fail!'. Also, for some reason, using the word 'face' is still a great insult.
HOUSE! is a doctor,
and my housewarming is not,
a random haiku.
umm, yea, so we had pizza! I was happy, so returned the favour with strawberries and grapes in cream. People seemed to like the house, it's garden (despite not having been mowed for a while), and the many floors. Ben 'Secured' his place on the Sumo Bean bag, and we watched a film. Helen came later, this maybe because I accidentally told her the wrong bus. Sorry! Really I am, we shall have tea some time to make up for it.
Everyone but me here
I'm in a photo, yay! Emma is deeply focused on the film.
Lynda is napping, so you can only see her legs. Also Helen really likes her "nest seating".
A few people left early due to sleepiness or 'need to call girlfriend at the same hour everyday' syndrome. That left Me, Rob, Sabrina and Emma. Not enough for scumbag really, however my housemate Edwin showed up. We got him to play with us, and so Scumbag returned, however, Rob was always king.
---
friday
NOTHING HAPPENED!
I bet you would like that, but no, nothing much happened at work. I do like the fact that as a new person, I get to train even newer people. Oh and I got my first pay check (from my first week of work). OH, and some lady said to me, I love your accent, is it Australian? I think she wins the Dumb award today.
Anyway, I finished work an hour early and so decided to make this an evening with my bike. Here's a few photo's from my flickr,
Granville Island bridge
One of My bike and False Creek
some with me in them as my mum has complained that I am not in many of my own photo's.
That's right, I'm following Ben's footsteps, I'm taking arrogant photos of myself. I tell you what, it is addictive. Although in some of them, you may wonder, how I got the camera in such a place.
Thoughtfulness. Plus the science world building behind me,
A random footpath bridge, with no flat place to put the camera on!
Tomorrow is water fight day in Stanley park! But also, buy a bike for Ben day too.
---
Saturday
WATER FIGHT!
or maybe not as it turned out.
Ben and I walked to bike shop and found a bike he wanted and needed fixing up.
The bike Ben found.
The first offer for the bike was not by Dylan, but by a lady co-worker, she said $150. 150! she was having a laugh, surely! So after she went back in the shop, I said, lets walk to Dylan, he offered a more reasonable price, less than $100. However, there was much to be done, fixing the chain, front wheel, brakes, gears, and general rust-age.
"Pish-posh, I know how to fix this on."
The new bits that needed to be added cost a little as well, that and using the bike holding-ma-jigger thingy, and getting instruction from the staff while fixing it.
That bike holding-ma-jigger I was on about. (Ben in background)
Yea, this actually ended up taking about 2 hours. Which meant that we missed the start of the water fight. We went to stanley park anyway, with a quick stop to starbucks along the way. We had strawberry frappuccino. They are very nice, and so to are the cheese croissants we had at Tim Hortons.
So we found quite a few people still water fighting, and we met up with Lynda. What we did was not fight with water, but chill in the sun. Yep, that was out day, chilling in the sun. I hear it wasn't such great weather today in england, haha, you all suck.
Lynda did have a water gun, but it had the strange ability to hit everything but the target. Sabrina joined us later. After much chilling and half napping in the sun watching boats and ferries pass in the Burrard inlet (yes, it's hard being in Vancouver), we decided that we were hungry, and required food. We had a brief interlude messing about on the fallen tree.
The fallen tree in Stanley park.
(I personally like this picture. Click HERE!)
Then we had a fake picnic! We found a spot near some Canada Geese (which are just called Geese here), and Ben and I rode our bikes to the nearest corner shop, bought a loaf of bread, some ham, some philadelphia, bananas, apples and some crackers. This was our picnic/dinner. It was rather good actually. It was also a lot of fun, randomly eating like this together.
Umm, fake picnic goodness.
The geese also liked the crackers too, and apparently the not so good apple. Lynda and Sabrina took the bus afterwards, and left me and Ben to cycle home. On the way I used a washroom in a random shop, and discovered, to my amazement, square watermelons!
Look, they're water-melons, and they are square!
I did not know they actually existed! And, yes, ok, they are technically "cube" shaped, now be amazed by it!
Today has been a good day off (check out more photos of today from Ben). Tomorrow is work from 11 to 6.30. Or in other words, I get to help with the closing up. Fun times!
---
Sunday!
Work was work. What did annoy me was the owner of this dog. They left him outside, with no shade, and only a little to drink, and left him for like over an hour! IDIOTS! the poor dog was finding hard in the sun, so I propped an umbrella next to it. Stupid owners, should be slapped with a fish or something.
Anyway, finished at 6.30, and got to take 9 cookies, for they were going to chuck them away at the end of the day. These cookies were for the 'Getting rid of rob party/event', probably more of an event.
I cycled all the way there from work, it took 45mins. Cycled by the water all the way, it was good. I really like cycling now, can you tell?
Yea, we spent a little time back on Jericho beach, relaxing, then had some $8 pizza's on 4th Avenue before splitting up, never to see Rob again... until he visits the uk/we visit him for awesome new year celebrations that the dutch have. He is going to Japan next. Farewell Robert!
Umm, the only other thing about today is milk. Yes milk, the type of milk I bought is called... well look at the picture.
Yes, that's right, it's and excellent source of calcium!
nice.
And thus ends week 5! Tomorrow is a day for soup.
and random photos too that I have not shown yet.
wednesday
Work! Ok, so the kitchen staff liked calling me Nigel as it was an english name. Grr. However, today they thought of another name, London. So now I am known as London to the kitchen staff. yay. Still, better than Nigel. It's all fun though, I don't mind, besides, I'm teaching them proper english swears, and general english words/phrases. One thing they pointed out that I completely agree with is the stupidity in using the word tea, for dinner. It's true, and I never use it this way. But, then again, its not as confusing as these Canadians make it out to be.
So as not much happened today, I am going to tell you all how to talk and act canadian.
1st: Say 'eh' (aye) after most sentences (especially questions). Although, to be honest, most Vancouver people don't say this, other Canadians do.
2nd: Don't ever say bathroom, or toilet when you are out, you are looking for the 'washroom'.
3rd: a list of things canadians don't really understand, and the equivalent canadian.
plaster = band-aid
clingfilm = ceram-wrap
washing powder = laundry detergent
single cream, and all the varieties of milk = they don't use words like semi-skimmed etc, they have a percentage showing the fat content.
surname = lastname (some canadians understand this though)
CV = resume
blutac = tac/putty/I don't think they really have a name for it!
route = pronounce it as rawt. (although, once again, some canadians understand this)
'ickle' = they don't know this word! Nor do Australians. It's only people from the UK that have.
Canada Geese = They are just called Geese here.
4th: always do as the lights on the road say. Canadians, seem to lack the ability to walk across a road unless the light says they can cross, even if there are no vehicles!
lastly: recycling. This is second nature to them, we suck at recycling.
Oh actually, I took a nice route back from work on my bike, not too steep and full of nice looking houses. One day I'll have to show my bike route (scenery) somehow. Taking the cycle roytes means less traffic and nice scenery... and no stupidly steep hills (so far). I'm not sure how far to cycle to work is, but the straight line distance is about 6km from the house to work.
Also, there was more riding, from house back to the hostel (about 5km away in a straight line) to celebrate Andrew travelling for 1 year now. I am rather jealous. The cake was good. Plus I took some photos, this is my personal favourite.
SuperAndrew, and his adoring fan Lynda. They weren't even posing, this is normalAndrew has amazing stories, and it is great to hear them. Just so so jealous that he has been to so many places and has many stories to tell.
I discovered on the ride back, that riding the bike was faster than waiting for the bus. woohoo!
---
thursday - I have a house warming!
Work - all management disappeared an hour before the end of my shift. This ment we all took free food. (Should I write this here? meh, I'm sure I'll be long gone before they see this). Also if anyone messes up (like throwing stuff in the bin, catching something, walking with wrong tray), we like to say to each other, 'Fail!'. Also, for some reason, using the word 'face' is still a great insult.
HOUSE! is a doctor,
and my housewarming is not,
a random haiku.
umm, yea, so we had pizza! I was happy, so returned the favour with strawberries and grapes in cream. People seemed to like the house, it's garden (despite not having been mowed for a while), and the many floors. Ben 'Secured' his place on the Sumo Bean bag, and we watched a film. Helen came later, this maybe because I accidentally told her the wrong bus. Sorry! Really I am, we shall have tea some time to make up for it.
Everyone but me here
I'm in a photo, yay! Emma is deeply focused on the film.Lynda is napping, so you can only see her legs. Also Helen really likes her "nest seating".
A few people left early due to sleepiness or 'need to call girlfriend at the same hour everyday' syndrome. That left Me, Rob, Sabrina and Emma. Not enough for scumbag really, however my housemate Edwin showed up. We got him to play with us, and so Scumbag returned, however, Rob was always king.
---
friday
NOTHING HAPPENED!
I bet you would like that, but no, nothing much happened at work. I do like the fact that as a new person, I get to train even newer people. Oh and I got my first pay check (from my first week of work). OH, and some lady said to me, I love your accent, is it Australian? I think she wins the Dumb award today.
Anyway, I finished work an hour early and so decided to make this an evening with my bike. Here's a few photo's from my flickr,
Granville Island bridge
One of My bike and False Creeksome with me in them as my mum has complained that I am not in many of my own photo's.
That's right, I'm following Ben's footsteps, I'm taking arrogant photos of myself. I tell you what, it is addictive. Although in some of them, you may wonder, how I got the camera in such a place.
Thoughtfulness. Plus the science world building behind me,
A random footpath bridge, with no flat place to put the camera on!Tomorrow is water fight day in Stanley park! But also, buy a bike for Ben day too.
---
Saturday
WATER FIGHT!
or maybe not as it turned out.
Ben and I walked to bike shop and found a bike he wanted and needed fixing up.
The bike Ben found.
"Pish-posh, I know how to fix this on."
That bike holding-ma-jigger I was on about. (Ben in background)Yea, this actually ended up taking about 2 hours. Which meant that we missed the start of the water fight. We went to stanley park anyway, with a quick stop to starbucks along the way. We had strawberry frappuccino. They are very nice, and so to are the cheese croissants we had at Tim Hortons.
So we found quite a few people still water fighting, and we met up with Lynda. What we did was not fight with water, but chill in the sun. Yep, that was out day, chilling in the sun. I hear it wasn't such great weather today in england, haha, you all suck.
Lynda did have a water gun, but it had the strange ability to hit everything but the target. Sabrina joined us later. After much chilling and half napping in the sun watching boats and ferries pass in the Burrard inlet (yes, it's hard being in Vancouver), we decided that we were hungry, and required food. We had a brief interlude messing about on the fallen tree.
The fallen tree in Stanley park.Attacked on the tree top.
(I personally like this picture. Click HERE!)
Then we had a fake picnic! We found a spot near some Canada Geese (which are just called Geese here), and Ben and I rode our bikes to the nearest corner shop, bought a loaf of bread, some ham, some philadelphia, bananas, apples and some crackers. This was our picnic/dinner. It was rather good actually. It was also a lot of fun, randomly eating like this together.
Umm, fake picnic goodness.The geese also liked the crackers too, and apparently the not so good apple. Lynda and Sabrina took the bus afterwards, and left me and Ben to cycle home. On the way I used a washroom in a random shop, and discovered, to my amazement, square watermelons!
Look, they're water-melons, and they are square!I did not know they actually existed! And, yes, ok, they are technically "cube" shaped, now be amazed by it!
Today has been a good day off (check out more photos of today from Ben). Tomorrow is work from 11 to 6.30. Or in other words, I get to help with the closing up. Fun times!
---
Sunday!
Work was work. What did annoy me was the owner of this dog. They left him outside, with no shade, and only a little to drink, and left him for like over an hour! IDIOTS! the poor dog was finding hard in the sun, so I propped an umbrella next to it. Stupid owners, should be slapped with a fish or something.
Anyway, finished at 6.30, and got to take 9 cookies, for they were going to chuck them away at the end of the day. These cookies were for the 'Getting rid of rob party/event', probably more of an event.
I cycled all the way there from work, it took 45mins. Cycled by the water all the way, it was good. I really like cycling now, can you tell?
Yea, we spent a little time back on Jericho beach, relaxing, then had some $8 pizza's on 4th Avenue before splitting up, never to see Rob again... until he visits the uk/we visit him for awesome new year celebrations that the dutch have. He is going to Japan next. Farewell Robert!
Umm, the only other thing about today is milk. Yes milk, the type of milk I bought is called... well look at the picture.
Yes, that's right, it's and excellent source of calcium!nice.
And thus ends week 5! Tomorrow is a day for soup.
and random photos too that I have not shown yet.
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