The Darkness Before The Dawn......

It always darkest before the dawn.

As I write this, Canuck fans are reeling as the Bruins have smacked and walked over the Canucks to pull back the series to make it 2 games apiece in the quest for the Stanley Cup.

How could it be that Lou could allow 12 goals to pass him, and our top line could produce just one gutter goal in two games?

For this Canuck fan, it's hard punishment to take.

So, lets us look back to game two last Saturday just remind us where we just came from in this series......

The omens looked so good......Jody said turn around the Cup is coming! And this is what greeted me.....

I was so lucky to find a seat right near the front of the big screen, and pretty soon the Aquabusers slowly joined me to watch the action........including the lovely Astrisd who can't get enough of old Saint Nick's beard.....

Astrid - it's not fake! Honest!

What a game and it ended so specularly quick.

I did blink and practically missed the goal of all goals to end this game.

The spectacular wrap-around goal, beat Boston netminder, Tim Thomas and defenseman, Zdeno Chara (#33), just 11 seconds into the extra period, giving the Canucks a commanding two games to none lead in the best-of-seven series.

You beauty Burrows! Get in there!

And how we loved it.....so what to do now?

Head north my friends! 

Canuck Nation - On the Rise!

Hiliary & Astrid head North!

So our merry band, caught the ferry across the creek to get to Fan Central: Granville Street to celebrate with fellow fans....

The place was buzzing, people wandering up and down, high fives, screaming, drums banging, horns aplenty.......

This fan saw my poster, and insisted he get a picture........But if you want see what really happened, in living color - these two are for you!



Captain Adam was in fine form. He hoisted me on his shoulters, and this Limey Cam report shows the action from up high.........



This is what hockey means to Vancouver, to Canuck fans, to Canada. I leave you with my status on Facebook on Thursday, June 9th 2011 - the night before Game 5 when the Canucks MUST win to stay in this series.......

'What are u thinking!....it is darkest before the dawn - we were here before against Chicago, and we all said 'What are they going to do now?' then POW! EA sports called it in 7 and have been 99% accurate to date.....so lets go people....stay strong, stay faithful, stay Canucks.....'

In the meantime.......

peaaaaacccceeeee out sisters......   

 

 

Chack Stedda! It's Victoria Day......

Who would think that old Saint Nick turned up at the Backstage on GI, wearing a poncho! Yes, the old guys on vacation and decided to see what all the fuss is right now in Vancouver Town?

Only another tidal wave sweeping through that's painting this city in a blue and green tidal wave called the Stanley Cup Finals! The excitement is so reminiscent of that other big party last year. 

So, after the Canucks demolition of San Jose in game 4, that gets us to just one game and the Promised Land, I headed down to the backstage to see my Aquabus chums.....

The ‘bros turned up: Jake the 'Chack Stedda' and Boy Blunder Brandon.....both in fine form shouting ‘Father Christmas!’ and ‘What’s with the Cargo Pants Bro?’ – it was like I hadn’t seen them since...Nineteen Eighty Four! 

Neo + Rebecca......baby's got blue eyes!

The ever lovely Astrid bounced in totally ignoring her brother and Aquabus Driver Max......

But, it's starting to feel like summer is just around the corner because it’s new hires season! 

Hello Neo, Claire and Rebecca!. 

Typical, it’s all a blur and I can’t keep up with them all.

Lovely to see that old pirate Captain Heidi back from Les bleu to settle these newbie’s down on the creek in the next few weeks. 

She already has hit her thespian stride and is starring in another production Aquabus bound across the creek for the Children’s Festival!!

Father Christmas meets his elfs: Siobhan + Jordan....

It was also great to meet Ian from that other boat company on the creek. Especially as he told me that he runs the False Creek Ferries photo group on the Flickr website! 

This group was the inspiration for yours truly to start a photo group for our fav ferry boat company. Ian was a real gentleman and gave some helpful tips before he took for a 3 month internship in LA. Good luck Ian!

Happy 17th Big Kev!

And how Big Kev smiled when he was presented with his very own friendship bracelet for his big 17^th birthday by another new hire: Sammy! Happy Birthday big boy!

And as we danced the night away, suffice to say, it’s looking like it's going to be another great summer season on the water for Aquabus!

In the meantime........

Peaaaaccccceeeeeee out sisters!

Post # 60 - Aquabus sails to Flickr!

By Suup - Flickr

Little did I know what I was getting into when I became a member of Flickr.

Flickr is a website where you upload, organize and share your pictures online. It has community groups based on common themes. 

It has become quite the community, as I discovered when I went to members launch party last year during the Olympics....... 

By indieyuppie - Flickr

I noticed that there was a group for that other ferry company on the creek with over 1500 pictures! But there wasn't a Aquabus Ferry group...until now!  

So, I decided to jump in and became the 'Admin Commander' of the official Aquabus Ferries group on Flickr! 

And in just 3 weeks we already have 10 'Passengers' As of May 14th, 2011 we have 168 pictures of those famed little boats...... 

Here are just a few great pictures in this group: 

  

By Adri L

By Ridock - Flickr

By 604Photo - Flickr

Please follow this link to see more great pictures like these:


Aquabus Ferries


In the meantime...........


peeeeeeaaaaaaccccceee out sisters!

The Stats Don't Lie........

It's been over a year now since I started this blog.

Started as a record of my adventures working for Aquabus during the Winter Olympics, it has continued on with my own musings, stories, and life out and about around the island.


However, I have questioned how 'in the center of it all', I really am. Maybe not so in the strictest sense being an occasional visitor on and off the Island. 

But, what I hope this blog has become is my own homage to everything Aquabus. The people, the boats and everything in between.


So, while I love to write, I've been pondering if I should continue this blog or not. Who reads my drivel anyway?


Well, apparently quite a few of you. 

While I do have two official followers, who I know personally (thank you guys!), I took the lack of comments as a sign I was, as that old adage goes: whistling in the wind.......


Until I glanced at the stats of the visitors to this site in the past year:

Last year over 2600 visitors came by, and over 600 have taken a pew. Thank you all........

Guess I'll carry on.......

In the meantime......

peeaaaaacccceee out sisters! 

Famed Boats Lure Artists in our Midst........

Those iconic boats are popping up all about town in the most unlikely places.

Those familiar colors caught my eye as I traveled along 4th Avenue one morning. In the windows of the `Splash Swim and Cruise` Shop at Bayswater and 4th, a painting advertised the upcoming Roundhouse Exhibit highlighting `Artist's in our Midst`.

The life and vitality of Granville Island, as these boats ferry passengers across the creek are a popular lure for artists. Another striking image was created by Sara Prestley.

An art student of Capilano College in North Vancouver, Sara`s painting was one of the original images for their fund raising `Reflections Vancouver 2010` calender.

 For more information on the Roundhouse Exhibit click on the link below this picture:

 Roundhouse Exhibit  

In the meantime.........

peaaaaacccceeeeee out sisters!

The Past & A Surprise.....

A visit to the Granville Island Hotel, for a great brekkie (traditional: $11) with Jody highlighted images of Aquabus past, and a surprise for the future docked at the back dock. 

 
As we were leaving, Jody showed me a tribute to that infamous 'old lady of the creek' (see last blog entry) on display in the bar next door. 


The Dockside Brewing Company has an image of my fav boat the Rainbow Hunter to promote its Old Bridge Dark Lager. 

 
As I sadly lamented her departure to waters new, I couldn't believe what caught my eye docked nearby........

Last year, the little ferry company that could, said goodbye to the original Cyquabus that started it all 25 years ago.  

 
Cyquabus I was originally launched from the Spyglass Dock in 1995, and plowed the creek right up to 2010. 

Unfortunately, after a valiant battle, she finally succumbed to the minions of Transport Canada. 

Or did she?........


(Read about her farewell last year here:  
http://inthecenterofitall.blogspot.com/2010/09/gentlemanwe-salute-you.html

picture from flickr by sfPhotocraft

So, it was a shock to see what was parked at the back dock. For there, in all its glory, floated the skeletal framework of Aqubus's past. 


Newly minted in its original le bleu (by the very equitable services of Congo Bob Unlimited) Cyquabus I awaits her wedding dress, ready to start life anew on the creek, once again.......

the past returns anew to the creek.....

In the meantime........

peaaaaaccceeeee out sisters..... 

Tribute to the `Rainbow Hunter`.........

A visit to Aquabus HQ the other day brought to light some pictures documenting the journey and refurbishment of the `Rainbow Hunter`.

When acquired back in 1999 – her hull was so encrusted with barnacles that when it was finally scraped off – she rose a whole foot in the water......

After barely making the Georgia Straight from Vancouver Island, she left the water as the `J Hunter`.......

....and later went back as the `Rainbow Hunter`.....

``The hull is all original yellow cedar but she was also very light. So we had to put weighty lead ingots into the hull so she wouldn't rock and roll in the water.

 So, if I was talking to you and I looked up and said:

‘OH MY GOD! LOOK OVER THERE…IT’S A KILLER WHALE!!!!``

 (Taken from a `A Limey, A Canuck, on an old Fishing Boat` - a grand tour of False Creek) 

Big Kev decides to give way to the $20 million `After Eight`.....

In the meantime.......

peeaaccccceeeeee out sisters!