The other side of paradise.

~ Lkvy ~ Leave a comment

Yann has explained his kettlelessness. He generously donated his kettle to the bike shop and has been boiling water in a pot on the stove ever since. He also said that he’d found that railroad spike while bushwhacking between logging roads. I hope that his next found treasure will be something a bit more useful, like a kettle.

There is somebody on his floor with a sign on their door that reads “Paradise.” The word is glittery and backed by flamingos.

Could paradise exist in this 70s-era low-rise residential building? Why not?! The lobby has a full wall of mirrors on one side that arbitrarily corrugates into the corner. Fun!

The seating area is behind the partition wall. It features a pleather—short for pleasure leather—loveseat and a particleboard coffee table adorned with a pot of plastic foliage.

But wait, elegance doesn’t stop there! Two tall side tables flank the entrance, holding more fake plants, an empty vase, and a bowl of decorative spheres. Who was the first person to think to glue stuff to balls and sell them as home decor? And did they get rich off this idea?

The glitz and glamour extend all the way to the back of the lobby, where an inoffensive abstract print hangs over yet another ledge supporting a pot of fake plants, garnished by a lone pinecone.

This is paradise as managed by CAPREIT.

While I don’t personally find the building all that inspiring, Yann’s suite has positives. For starters, the cats live there. It’s also nice to have immediate access to scalding hot water instead of waiting 30 seconds to wash my hands with tepid water like at home. One of the items Yann has found for free (albeit not while bushwhacking) is an obscenely large tv which he has mounted on swing-out brackets. On it, I have access to three streaming services, which, honestly, overwhelms me since it’s been over a year since I’ve subscribed to any streaming service. That said, I’ve discovered the serenity that is the Ambient Expiration YouTube channel. It’s the deaf version of background music.

Currently, I am enjoying a rainy hike through the Kodama Moss Forest in Yakushima, Japan. Now that’s my idea of paradise.

While visions of Japan play in the background, I shall resume my recap of my adventures in Slovenia! Two months ago, our group headed to Nova Gorica, which loosely translates to “new hill.” This long overdue post is about our journey to that new hill.

Continue reading “The other side of paradise.” →

The resurrection of summer.

~ Lkvy ~ Leave a comment

The expiration of summer on September 1st turned out to be a false alarm. I had Labour Day off like most people, but because I work Sundays, it didn’t translate into four consecutive days off work. To my luck, a planned power outage at my workplace closed the bike shop on Wednesday. That turn of events gave me the four-day break I’d almost been cheated out of.

Last week, I removed the cargo cages from my fork and swapped out the SPD pedals for flats. I reversed my decision on Tuesday afternoon, intending to head out to one of the Gulf Islands for my second ever solo overnighter.

Actually, I first asked Alexa, who’d recently become quasi self-employed, if she was interested in joining me for a last-minute adventure. As it turned out, she and Daniel had also made the last-minute decision to head to one of the Gulf Islands for some two-wheeled adventuring and had no desire for a third wheel. Fair. Only, it meant I had to rule Pender Island out as a possibility because even if I went on my own, our paths would definitely cross. To avoid this awkwardness, I chose Galiano Island.

I’d already done two cycling trips on Galiano Island, including that foggy January overnighter where I ended up pitching my tent in the darkness. The island is a long, skinny strip of land; the first provincial campground, Montague Harbour, is located 1/3rds of the way up the island from the Sturdies Bay ferry terminal. The other campground, Dionisio Point, is at the far tip of the island and is supposedly accessible only by boat.

The ferry ride to Sturdies Bay.

I knew Yann and Burger had managed to get there by bike several times, and a colleague, Rory, was just there last weekend. To get there by bike merely requires some light trespassing. “There is a gate that blocks off the road. Just go around it,” instructed Burger.

Continue reading “The resurrection of summer.” →

Jezebel takes on Kobarid.

~ Lkvy ~ Leave a comment

Aw, you always leave too soon, summer. On the morning of September 1st, the door of warmth was kicked shut. A new door swung open and let in a gust of chilly air, signalling the beginning of autumn. That morning the temperature was just barely over 10°C. I’d let my stupid summer plan of riding up Mount Doug on a 7-speed cruiser bike slip away. Although the temperatures have since rebounded, I’ve also missed my chance to do the Vancouver Triple Crown ride.

Running was going well until I slammed my left kneecap into the sidewalk two weeks ago. The two easy runs I’ve done since this injury have both ended with me falling asleep at night with an ice pack on my knee. Garmin continues to flag my training status as “strained” while also dropping my VO2 max. On the upside, Garmin woke me up at 7am to notify me that my fitness age had decreased, with the falling confetti animation and all.

I have begun my surrender to the new season with a big batch of butternut squash soup and by planting some frost-tolerant vegetables in the garden. There is an ongoing search for a new sweater. Halloween costume possibilities have been mingling with memories of Slovenia in my head: I still have five more days to cover.

Onto day 6:

Continue reading “Jezebel takes on Kobarid.” →

What What.

~ Lkvy ~ Leave a comment

Plum Torte season is here!

Last year was a low-yield year for the plum trees in the backyard. This year we’re plumdog millionaires. I baked this torte in honour of Yann’s 38th Yanniversary on the 26th. He’s more of a pie guy than a cake enthusiast, but as I don’t own a pie dish, I hope this was a good compromise.

While delivering the torte, I rescued this disgraced royal couple from a box labelled “FREE” on the side of the street.

There is a strong possibility this wasn’t purchased ironically, as there are still folks alive in this city who get goofy over the British royal family. At least it has entered my home with the utmost irony. Now I need to find an actual use for it. To store condoms? Then, when I get around to using a condom, I’ll whisper into the guy’s ear, “Reitmans.“

(I have a feeling this joke will go over most people’s heads, but I am keeping it in anyway.)

(The roomie’s suggestion was ribbon candy, which I think is somehow funnier.)

If the above wasn’t TMI enough for you, you’re in for a treat!

Continue reading “What What.” →