Meeting the lovely Charmaine Crooks!

Its been 12 days since my last blog......if you want to see what I've been angry about during that time - head over to my other blog as I had a lot to say.....

But back to now. Tomorrow is my favorite day next to Christmas Day. Canada Day is the big day to show your off your Canadian pride big time.

And if you do, and are covered from head to toe in red and white, you can get the 2 for 1 special on all fares at Aquabus.

Will and Kate, the future King and Queen in the old country, are visiting Canada right now. Why they're not going further west than Calgary I don`t know.

But Kate looks stunning as this picture shows, when they were in Ottawa.

 I also had the pleasure to meet a member of our own Royal family last week!

My friend Kat Thorsen had a fund raising night at District 319 - a beautifully restored Chinese theater at Main and Cordova downtown. The Vancouver Friends for Life society cares for people with life threatening problems.

Kat drew poster size sketches of prominent gay personalities and then invited the invited audience to finish them off. They were then auctioned off to funds for the Vancouver Friends for Life society. They cares for people with life threatening problems.

It was a great night, full of fun and laughs with many of the personalities there in person on the night.

(For more see here: http://skinnyscronnybrit.com/2011/06/28/kats-heroes-with-heart-nite-district-319/)

One of the gathered personalities was the lovely Charmaine Crooks! A one time member of the International Olympic Committee, she was part of the team which secured the Vancouver bid for the 2010 Winter Olympics.

I was very touched when she thanked me for working at Aquabus during the games and helping visitors to our great city. A true lady!

Happy Canada Day people! See you at the Aquabus dock tomorrow! Its going to be a mad day and even madder when I see Britney Spears tomorrow night! Can`t wait!

In the meantime,

peaacccceeeee out sisters

The Riots + skinnyscronnybrit.com

Hey - it sucks, I know.

Read about my thoughts on that last game and how our city imploded at my other blog right here:

This wasn't the next chapter I wanted for MY city!

Thanx for reading!

In the meantime:

peaacccceeeeee out sisters!

Hope is Brightest after the Storm....

Hope is brightest after the storm.

The whole Canuck Nation woke up Friday morning knowing we just had to win Game 5.

This was going to be the most important game of the series.

It was no wonder that Lou took a midday stroll around the seawall.

He had the weight of the Canuck Nation across his shoulders.

As a city held it's breath come 5pm, little did we know the drama that would unfold before us.

The team that stepped on the ice was the one that got lost along the way to Boston.

You beauty!

As the defense got a boost with the young 21 year old Tanev and Edler hit everything in sight., they cut down the Bruins chances, and Lou's confidence rebounded as he got his mojo back.

We came out hungrier, more savage than the previous two games. It was hard to believe what I was seeing. The Bruins went 0 for 4 as their special teams just couldn't get it done.

But it took the continuing tenacity of the gritty 4th line, that produced the only goal by that nutbar Lapierre. He wristed a shot from an impossible angle that rebounded out of Thomas`s glove and over the line.

Game set and match. You beauty!

Get me Downtown! 

The taxi driver can't understand why fans cry over a hockey game.

He tells me that he just watch`s the game, and that's that. I haven't the heart to tell him that when Crosby scored 7 minutes and 40 seconds into overtime in that game last year, I cried.

To understand Canada, you have to understand the power of hockey in our national psyche. And right now this game is all that this city is thinking about.

As I head down to Granville Island to meet the gang John keeps calling: `Where are you man?` It seems he can barely keep the gang at bay, as they`re gagging to get down town.

I`m like a human Stanley Cup as I run down the ramp, Captain Adam, Chris, Max and the gang hoist me up in a huge hug. This is really the best of times! It`s all singing and huge smiles as we take the Cquabus over.

On route, we decide to head for supplies at the Wicklow. As we head up the ramp to Yaletown, we wonder if we`ll make it without getting mobbed with what we`re openly carrying.

But we do, and the party continues into the night........

Canuck Nation Central 

To walk down Granville Street, after such a huge game is to float in a sea of youthful exuberance and joy. I can`t help feeling buoyed as this city parties like Funkadelic said as `one nation`under a groove`.

The Canuck Nation are out in force in a wall of blue. High fives aplenty, screams and hooting.

And OMG - so many party girls in their best glad rags......love it!

The bobbies are out, standing around in their neon vests. But all credit to them, they`re are smiles and as they say in the old country, taking a `softly, softly`approach.

Apparently they have a record 2000 alcohol pulls that night, but you would never have known

A Chance for the Big Show 

And so here we are. They won the must win game.

But it`s still NOT over.

The Canucks, as good as they are, just won the right for a CHANCE to win the ultimate prize of all.

We cannot underestimate a team that has also got this far, with that much skill and a equally hot goalie.

They will come out probably just as nasty, mean as determined as before.

For this fan, it`s been a nerve wracking but brilliant ride so far. And what a ride! It`s brought together a city just as we all came together in 2010 for the Olympics.

But remember:

....stay strong, stay faithful, stay Canucks.....
(up to now its worked!)

But before I go: a couple of films from Friday night:





in the meantime:

peeeaaaaaacccceeeee out sisters! 

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!