You know what I HATE?

Okay, a bit of a rant for the night...

One of my absolute biggest peeves is unreliable people. I'm pretty easy-going... I fully realize that people are busy and that sometimes, even when I want them to, they can't make plans.

This is fine with me.

What I can't handle is looking forward to something, making plans for days, sometimes even weeks, then having people back out the same night with some shitty last-minute excuse. If you've got better things to do, fine... bugger off and go do them... but don't make me fucking wait around for you while you do your shit and then break the plans made.

This summer I seem to have encountered more of this then ever before (or, at least, it's happening all at the same time). Tonight was a fantastic example... I've been waiting for weeks to go watch the UFC pay per view. I'm a big fan of mixed martial arts and love to watch the Montreal fighter George St. Pierre. It's his title defense tonight, so I made plans a week ago to go see the fights with a couple of guys I know. They wanted to go grab beers and watch them with me, so I planned out a time and the three of us agreed.

Today, I received a call saying that one of them was going to be a bit late. This I can handle. Then, the other guy let me know he was going to be running late too... again, no problem. So I wait patiently until about 7:30 (30 minutes after the fights have started) and I get a message from the one guy saying that he might not make it because he's at his aunt's b-day party and a bunch of his family is there. Okay, you know what, that sucks but another guy is still coming. So, I wait for another 45 minutes and am just on my way to the pub and I'm just about to call buddy #2, and I get a text message... you guessed it, he bailed too.

Now it's 8:30, the bars are jammed, and I don't have anyone to attend the fights with. Thus, I sit at home pissed off and I'm gonna miss everything.

This is stacked on top of the fact that I waited around all morning because my boss was supposed to call me so I could pick up my paycheque for the end of my summer of painting. I'm still on the coast for a week, but I finished painting yesterday and he said he could clear up what he owed me. I also knew he was in a golf tournament this afternoon so he wanted me to pick it up before he had to go to that. Fair enough... no problem.

So I waited around all bloody morning. I texted him at 10:30 letting him know that I'm ready to stop by whenever he was good to go. I phoned him at 11:45 and left a voicemail saying that I'm around and ready. Do I get a call back? Nope. Not until 6:00! And I'm over the fact that he buggered off on me this morning, so I asked him when he wanted to meet up. He said he would be back home "shortly" and he'd call me so I could meet him. Over an hour later, still no word. So I texted him to see if he was home. I didn't get my cheque until 7:45 tonight, again waiting around for him.

Today was obviously particularly bad, but I can't tell you how many times I've waited around for phone calls or meet-ups and have been disappointed. Are people in their mid-20's fundamentally flaky? What the hell is up?

Not impressed, people. If you commit to something, just fucking commit. I can't handle the bullshit of wasting my time waiting for disappointment.

I guess I've said my piece... I think I need a beer.

T

Walking home in the rain

It's been quite a long time since I last walked home from the pub in the rain. Since it wasn't really rain more than a light sprinkle, it was quite an enjoyable walk home. I hadn't seen a friend of mine in quite some time, and since she'd broken up with my close friend, we hadn't really spoken. It was really good to catch up and have a good chat over some drinks, and then enjoy the walk home. I always talk about it, but I really miss walking places... it's just something I enjoy.

After a steak, some drinks with friends and a rain-filled walk home, I'm ready for bed. Left coast, I'm gonna miss you when I'm gone again.

T

200 posts and all things left coast

I guess it's been a couple of years of self-indulgent story sharing on this little blog o' mine. Some days it feels as though I have endless amounts to share with the world at large, and other days... well... there's a reason why I don't have posts for days on end.

Since I've been out here on the Left Coast for over a month now, I thought I'd list my Top Six things in Victoria that I just love... some involve activities, others are places to eat, and still others are just nice locations/things. Don't get bogged down in the order... there is no particular order. I'll try to add another four soon, but I've gotta run to work soon so I don't have time to make a full Top Ten list. Let me know what you think...

1. Sunday brunch at the Shine Cafe. I haven't been able to fit in a brunch here yet, but believe you me, I will soon. There's a lovely selection of eggs benedict that I tried to work through from top to bottom while I was still living here. I think I made it, but I think I should try again :) Oh, and I love the first picture featured on the "Pictures" page.

2. Fisherman's Wharf. This quaint little float-home community on the outer edge of the inner harbour is a great place to grab a coffee, walk around, get some delicious fish and chips, and even feed Sammy the Harbour Seal. Just lovely and one of my favourite places.

3. The Noodle Box. My favourite take-out place, well, ever. The Spicy Peanut Noodle Box is just simply delicious. I've been a couple of times already.

4. Oay Bay Marina. My aunt and uncle have a boat out here, and although they don't take it out on the water nearly enough, it's still a great place to either hang out, watch the local seals who mooch food off the tourists, or grab a coffee and walk around.

5. Cook Street Village and Moka House coffee shop. Although I've never lived down in this neighbourhood, I've always wanted to. The area allows me to embrace my inner-hippy/yuppie, while enjoying the most delicious of coffees. Again, just lovely. Moka House was pretty much my second home for the first few years I was out here and although it's changed a bit, it's still a place I feel at home.

6. Beacon Hill Park. I've been doing some running down along the water near the park, as it has some of the best views in the city and there are dogs and kite fliers and kite surfers everywhere. The park itself is just lovely... and if you have a family, there's a petting zoo, ducks and ponds, and lots of places to play around. Definitely one of my favourite road-running routes in town.

Off to the coffee-cart I go...

T

Talent and inspiration

Periodically, I'll poke around my "friends" on Facebook and come across people I haven't spoken to in many months, sometimes years. Since I've moved away from Alberta, I've lost touch with many old classmates and friends that I always enjoyed seeing.

Just a few minutes ago, I saw that a few of my old schoolmates were sending messages to each other via the lovely aforementioned social communication device, and I came across Jane's website. I knew that she was persuing her artistic endeavours out east at a school in Ontario, but I haven't spoken to her in a few years. Obviously what I thought was simply impressive in high school has blossomed into something even more intense.

Although the site is under construction, I urge you all to check it out. You just have to go to her homepage... JaneRenyk.com

Just enjoy and let me know what you think. Jane, if you ever come across this page, I'm truly impressed.... all the best with your work.

T