Farewell to the Irish Girls 2010

Jody takes all the girls to Cuba for a well earned holiday......

The weather is still warm and hot during the day, yet the easterly winds around 6pm indicates what the calender already tells us; the summer is slowly ebbing away heralding fall and all change again. So it is with this 'summer of shamrock love', as those giggly mascots of Ireland pack their bags and head back to the wee nation with harsher realities to contend. The girls certainly stamped their identities on GI and smack bang between the eyes of several smitten young lads at Aquaboose. At least two of them, will have their hearts wretched and pulled across the Atlantic by August end.

With plans to see the New Year in on O'Connell Street, Adam and Will both were interested to hear how my own journey involving a chance encounter with a bikini babe on a beach in Greece, ended 3 years later with marriage and moving to the best city in the world. For they are both at the start of their own lives, ripe with potential, yet with hard choices ahead of them. Helen and I often smiled to ourselves when we heard of relationships coming apart with couples mere miles apart. If it is meant to be, it's meant to be.

On those great nights which work best, when they just occur spontaneously, bringing together happy energy and giggles, the girls were in full effect. They hung out, loved the attention and were just as silly like the rest of us. Other times, the simple facts of such diverse birth dates, makes one realize that 2 or more generation apart can draw happy memories for some, and confusion for others. Mention a band like 'Duran Duran' and Rach thought I was choking. Mags parents probably met over this very band and she wasn't even a twinkle in her dads eye when Simon lamented on and on about Planet Earth!

The girls are young, so why would they want to hang out with us old farts? Even those good looking hipster's who look like Mr. Clooney has his limits. (Although as 'old school' as I am, I did take umbrage with Mr Ga Ga himself: Max Millions who said I was a terrible dancer! Bah!)

So Face-book is stuffed with snaps of these young celtic things beaming with 20 somethings like themselves. You hope they will have made happy memories over here which they will cherish in years to come. To look back on when they also hit their fourth decade with just the same screaming kids, despondent husbands and other crap we all face. (OK life is not all that bad, but you get my point).

By all accounts, it's not always an advantage to be part of a pack who all know each other. The other night, a mad night ensured at the 'Republic' downtown, when the girls battled heads, causing tears of melancholy typical of the Irish and the demon drink. (My own Uncle Brenden was the very same one night, with a illicit bottle of pot-sheen, lamenting his past....) What can you expect with 11 girls, all 'best friends' living in the ming-ing halls of sorority ville? But Chris did his magic, and they were all up dancing and hugging each other once again! Well done Mr UFC!

The secret of life is to be open to change, and the potential of possibility. The strength of Aquabus is its diverse range of people, which each summer brings new youthful faces who bring that dynamic attitude.

 

Of course, we will miss them. I will miss Rachel for her endearing hugs, love of life with that gorgeous smile. Elaine, the savior of the 'choc's', with her savvy sense of fair-play and confidence. Rebecca who simply is a lovely caring girl...(Adam, of course you should go in December!) And Aishling. Oh Aishling. The girl who started it all: O Canada, zap straps and postcards. Sadly, the wedding fell though (visa restrictions on multiple brides, big fights with the Maid of Honor, the court case is going to be stupid). It all ended with long regretful glances across the dock....

Of course, limited life experience can also make some their age a right pain in the arse for being some what self absorbed. Yet, on the whole, they held their place well, worked hard, and represented their nation at its best. We will miss them, but are grateful for the time we shared together.

Lets hope their younger fans can survive the departure!

Miss you luvvies! ;-) xx

peeaaaccceeee out sisters!




postscript: Mags: you're gorgeous + I love u all!

King Kirk, dour Eric and the Flag Twins....

He wore an expensive cut jacket, probably in soft lamb, which matched his precise goatee covering puckered cheeks. But as he minced past me on the way onto GI, I knew that steely side stare screamed 'WTF!' all be it very quietly. Hey Mr. Eric 'Will & Baste' McCormick, so wot if I'm in my Canada Day work helmet and red socks: I'm a celebrity round here don't you know?

Working on the dock, you'd think I was wearing buck cheeked chaps without me jocks on underneath. Is wearing our beloved Maple Leaf as a cape really so provocative to cause one customer to tell Jordan, deckhanding across to Hornby Street:

'What's with the guy wearing the flag? They should put him in a straight jacket and walk him off the island!'

Wot? Gear down big rig! Maybe looking like a clown unleashed his coulrophobia.....jackass!

It's raining on the dock, and I am helped in my attempt to lighten the mood by the lovely Rachel. She throws a tricolor from the old country over her shoulder as well. Bubbly, funny and with the cutest smile which would make any judge say 'I believe you', she is one of the infamous girls of Eire. I'm sure when August 25th rolls around, We will all calling Jody in panic mode saying 'They're gone - what now!'

What now indeed, but life rolls on. Just remember, they're here to have fun and if we can have a few giggles along the way: lucky for us. They give us the gift of reminding us old gits that life is to short, and we used to be just as exuberant and bursting with raw, wide eyed youthfulness when we were their age. The secret is to be respectful at all times - however much is consumed on a messy night at the backstage - where they still feel safe, and leave our presence without basically feeling creeped out!

A job which John S. and I take very, very seriously of course....

And now, Ladies and Gentleman, its time once again for:

DES REID'S Celebrity Watch on GI.......

I wasn't born with these radar ears for nothing. Although John can't believe that I can recognize a celebrity from 15 feet away - just by hearing their voice, I knew a former Canuck celeb when I hear one. The man who stood on his head as the goalie for Vancouver Canucks in the 94 series against those pesky Rangers, was sitting on the patio at the Arts Club having a great time. So when Kirk McClean passed us, we had to give him a shout.


Des asks: What would happen if the Limey and Kirk went on a boys weekend to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico together?

What a gentleman, he was approachable and laughing away with us. For some reason, which I can't fathom now, his lovely female friend pointed out where else he has abundant follicles on his body. All we do know is that Kirk self declared to our collective mirth, that he has hairy toes as well!

Kirk McClean: you are a true gent, one of B.C's best and deserving of DR's celebrity sighting of the day!!

Before I sign off, a shout out to my good friend Jake. The other day he was looking forlorn at the back dock. It seems he was having a losing battle with a belligerent engine, and he just looked done. To my surprise, I found him later in the Arts Club, having a much needed break as suggested. I mentioned that my own lads would just love to work at AB - it would be the perfect first job for them in their teens. How can you not feel that this young men is class supreme when he said: 'Of course! Any kid of yours is my kids!' Love that man!

And on that happy note, I sign off for now. Until next time:

peeeaaacccceeeeee out sisters!

Summer of Shamrock Love 2010....

An Irish proverb states that time is a great story teller. Well, this season is turning into the summer of shamrock love. As reported earlier on Canada Day, Granville Island has been smitten by the arrival of an army of young, lovely colleens, all seemingly from Bono's postcode. For some mad reason at least 20 of them, came over en-mass and have shacked up in the vacant fraternal halls at the 'Greek' village at UBC. Guess, they heard about all those crazy Canook boys on the west coast after the Olympics. But, time is a ticking, and fortunately it has been hot, hot, hot along the creek. The right set of circumstances for party fun, snatched glances and shy smiles to develop on the ever busy deck of Cyquabus IV traveling to Jail-town.

We also just had that annual firework festival: the 'celebration of light, a summer favorite in the city. For Aquabus regulars, it is viewed between a sigh for some, and gritted teeth for others. While it is certainly appreciated for drawing out thousands of customers who use our service, it can also puts those drivers working that night a little on edge. Once the last kitchen sink has been blasted off into the air in a massive crescendo of visual delight, the show really begins for the mass exodus. That sleepy creek, quickly becomes a 8 lane boating channel of bobbing madness as all those floating vessels turn around and head back to the creek. Super yachts, party ships, Bubba Gump Shrimper's and every thing else; right down to the loons all dressed in black with day glo sticks for navigation lights in their micro dinky dinghy's are all out there for a Aquabus driver to dodge trying to get very eager fare paid passengers across. Quite a heady brew for any salty captain, let along a driver out for a fun job for the summer!


Maybe it was that emotional edge, that caused romance to burn under the 'en espanol' display by Mexico on July 28th for one recent Irish arrival. For it was with shock and surprise, when one seasoned veteran in our ranks, who shall remain nameless for obvious reasons later, that got up, raised his glass at the 'back stage lounge and proposed marriage to one young colleen we all know as Aishling. Everybody gathered around held their breath in eager anticipation, but as the girl said later '....he's gorgeous! I had to!' she declared 'Yes!'

According to urbandictionary.com, the Celtic translation for Aishling is 'dream' and apparently she is a 'true rarity' for being a 'true beauty well known amongst her friends, for being down to earth and being caring while having stunning looks' no less! Well, she certainly wasn't on earth that night, as she floated on the clouds looking down at her disbelieving girl friends who couldn't believe her luck at getting such a catch.



Aishling stares in awe at the beautiful hand made ring made by her friend Noreen.

Aishling good friend Rachel said she would be the maid of honor whilst crying on Wills shoulder, only after being quoted later saying that the mystery suitor was a 'dry shite'. Her other friend Elaine seemed to be a bit peeved to be a mere bridesmaid. Nevertheless, all the girls ended up getting langered together in celebration.

The mystery of the 'seasoned veteran' continues. But, lets just say that the happy couple to be plan to live in Abu Dhabi, as polygamy is freely accepted there.


disclaimer: the reading of this blog entry does not entitle the reader to 100% accuracy of actual events.....more like 3%: they actually are all stunning in real life!