Some RSS Feeds I didn’t know the BBC had

9 November 2009 by H

I’m still trying to figure out what to do with this blog… so how about I try something trivial.

Here are some RSS Feeds that I didn’t know the BBC had. This should help cut down the huge news behemoth that is the BBC into its most popular form:

My desk

6 November 2009 by H

Another test

Looks like I can blog from the BlackBerry now

6 November 2009 by H

Got BlackBerry service back!!

Settled in Vancouver properly

9 September 2009 by H

Since I started to write that post (I forgot about it for weeks) there has been some changes. I have a job at last! Managed to get into a company that specializes in Electronic Medical Records, similar to CRM, but medical specific this time. Won’t name them as I prefer to keep this blog and work very seperate, but I will say that it’s a great place to be working and I have some fun co-workers (quite a few of them Kiwis).

I’m still in my flat and still on the inflatable bed, and I’m still doing the Grouse Grind, but I can’t for much longer as the snow is coming. One evening I was sort of trapped at the top. You see, descending on the trail is far harder than ascending. It’s better to download on the Gondola. But the line was 45 minutes long! So I went sight seeing.

Quite a summit!

Quite a summit!

Up on a chairlift for the first time in ages

Up on a chairlift for the first time in ages

Bears! Grisly Bears no less

Bears! Grisly Bears no less

Burnaby and South East Greater Vancouver

Burnaby and South East Greater Vancouver

Now that's quite a shot. The great sky, the summit downwards, Stanley Park and Vancouver! You can also see the US!!

Now that's quite a shot. The great sky, the summit downwards, Stanley Park and Vancouver! You can also see the US!!

Not many places in the world where you get this

Not many places in the world where you get this

This is the other side of the mountain. On one side of this mountain I have a large city, on the other...

This is the other side of the mountain. On one side of this mountain I have a large city, on the other...

A little closer to the Grizzley Bears so far!

A little closer to the Grizzley Bears this time

The backstory

The backstory

A 5 shot Panorama

A 5 shot Panorama

The weekends and weeks have gone back to being a bit quieter now that I’m not properly travelling any more. I’m still making friends here but they are coming along, being in work helps. I’ve started planning quite a few things, for example, I want over the next 12 months:

  • Permanent Residency
  • New flat, to myself, not living with anyone unless they are my significant other!
  • New furniture for that flat
  • New PC
  • New car
  • Holidays everywhere!

Hardly easy but I’m back on London money and living here!

There is one more batch of photos to show you, these ones shot on the BlackBerry. All of False Creek.

The colour here does NOT do the real thing justice

The colour here does NOT do the real thing justice

But the skyline is worth it

But the skyline is worth it

One of the many marinas

One of the many marinas

Art

Art

BC Place

BC Place

The Aquabus!

The Aquabus!

I don't know why that was there

I don't know why that was there

The Cambie Bridge

The Cambie Bridge

This van caught my eye

This van caught my eye

Anyway, I’m still alive and still enjoying it.

I won’t be updating the blog as much while I’m just living day-to-day here… but trips away, significant stuff etc will still go up. Keep reading and subscribe by RSS or Atom folks!

On the go in Vancouver

9 September 2009 by H

Good day readership! It’s been a while since I posted. I always said that the blog would take a back seat when I got to Vancouver as it get’s day-to-day again. But that being said, I’m not divoid of stories either.

So, I have a house to stay in now, moved in a few weeks ago and I’m glad to see the back of hostelling for a bit (no offence to the Samesun, it’s good at being temporary accommodation and I miss it in some ways… e.g. a bar downstairs).

Thing is, I’m still broke, so:

This inflatable mattress is my bed, the sleeping bag has since been replaced with a proper blanket that my housemate lent me and I bought some pillows from IKEA

This inflatable mattress is my bed, the sleeping bag has since been replaced with a proper blanket that my housemate lent me and I bought some pillows from IKEA

The house is a 4 plex (4 flats in one building), we have the lower one facing the left

The house is a 4 plex (4 flats in one building), we have the lower one facing the left

Nice area, isn't it?

Nice area, isn't it?

So I’m moved in but had no job… no amount of doing the Grouse Grind would help that.

However, my tireless (uh… tiring and arduous) searching of Craigslist paid off. The day after I moved in I got a call setting up a phone interview for a company in North Vancouver. So I do the interview and it goes well… I get a call to come in and have a chat. Suit on and away I go. Bus, Seabus, Bus again.

That goes well and I get called back for a 2nd interview! I can’t go immediately as I was already due a trip to Whistler!

I'm back! I'M BACK!!

I'm back! I'M BACK!!

In Southside Diner for breakfast the next day, we see this

In Southside Diner for breakfast the next day, we see this

Most seasonaires recognise this!

Most seasonaires recognise this!

Bike Park in full swing!

Bike Park in full swing!

Whistler!

Whistler!

Me, Steve and Shane spent most of the time partying it up. Went back up to the old Finance building that I used to work at to catch up with those who remain (not many… strange thing was that we didn’t see Flora but we did see her dog, Buddy).

The view from the old office

The view from the old office

But lets not forget the main event, the meat!!!!

Bring forth your meaty goodness!

Bring forth your meaty goodness!

What a great caravan!

What a great caravan!

The Bottom of Peak to Creek... I remember this run well and could litterally visualize skiing it now

The Bottom of Peak to Creek... I remember this run well and could litterally visualize skiing it now

Took this from in the pool we had use of the whole weekend! Look at that sky!

Took this from in the pool we had use of the whole weekend! Look at that sky!

Shane drinking his favorite size beer

Shane drinking his favorite size beer

Another shot to give you an idea of the atmosphere

Another shot to give you an idea of the atmosphere

And yet another!

And yet another!

The next day I popped to the village for a while to do a bit of shopping and just see the place again… can’t neglect Blackcomb afterall!

CIMG8796

VANOC should thank me for that shot!

Another classic Bike Park shot

Another classic Bike Park shot

Later that evening, we were out to Bills… cougars everywhere! But before we went in, I snapped this.

Wow!

Wow!

However, Steve was quite annoyed when I necked a $16 Grey Goose vodka that the girl he had met bought herself. Sorry Steve!

The next day…

Bring on the samples!!!! Had to queue a lot

Bring on the samples!!!! Had to queue a lot

Tasty!!

Tasty!!

Even more tasty!

Even more tasty!

But after breakfast, I had to go to the Whistler Farmer’s Market. This was a fantastic event back in 2006… and hasn’t changed! I bee-lined for Sargent Poppers Kettle Corn. This is by far the best popcorn on the planet.

Tasty as!

Tasty as!

I had the urge to go hiking for a bit… there was one place that just had to be done!

Lost Lake!! Bring it!

Lost Lake!! Bring it!

On the way I stopped by the Lost Lake XCountry Ski Hut

On the way I stopped by the Lost Lake XCountry Ski Hut

Another great one with great colour!

Another great one with great colour!

A panorama of Lost Lake (from the South)

A panorama of Lost Lake (from the South)

Whistler and the main "“beach”"

Whistler and the main "“beach”"

This should give you an idea of what it's like. Its like any other beach on the planet, but no sand.

This should give you an idea of what it's like. Its like any other beach on the planet, but no sand.

I even decided to hike back to Whistler Creekside… stopping by Alta Lake’s shore for a while

The Whistler Golf Course

The Whistler Golf Course

Alta Lake!

Alta Lake!

Whistler again!

Whistler again!

Another lake, but I can't find the name

Another lake, but I can't find the name

Back at Dusty's I hiked up to get a good look at the BBQ Champs!

Back at Dusty's I hiked up to get a good look at the BBQ Champs!

We had use of a pool for the weekend, chilled out in there for a bit. It’s fantastic! Later, me Ken, Gav, Steve and Shane headed to Tommy’s for a while… Jagers were on special… ouch!

The next day I took this advert for BC

The next day I took this advert for BC

I hiked up the bike park for a bit. That's how they get the bikes up in case your wondering

I hiked up the bike park for a bit. That's how they get the bikes up in case your wondering

The Village

The Village

I only had a few hours left up here now. Was going back that evening. Only one place to go.

I went back to Lost Lake again!

I went back to Lost Lake again!

Then it was Greyhound back.

Was a great laugh of a weekend, big thanks to Steve for putting me up and to all of the new Finance Crew + Friends to making me feel welcome.

There is more to tell folks!

How did I forget the Celebration of Light Fireworks…

25 July 2009 by H

I just realised I forgot these from the last post!? They are from the Celebration of Light Fireworks, the first night of four!

Remember that barge?

Remember that barge?

Up it goes!

Up it goes!

This display was put on by Team Canada (high ISO shot by the way)

This display was put on by Team Canada (high ISO shot by the way)

They would sometimes fire mines into the water, clever

They would sometimes fire mines into the water, clever

I'm going to run out of Firework related captions

I'm going to run out of Firework related captions

This one was the luckiest of the night... a mid explosion shot!

This one was the luckiest of the night... a mid explosion shot!

Vancouver after 3 weeks!

25 July 2009 by H

I arrived here just over 3 weeks ago now!

I’ve found a few new addictions… the first of which has to be the Grouse Grind!

Its a 2,830 steps up the side of Grouse Mountain. You gain 853m over 2.9km. That's an average incline of 30 degrees.

Its a 2,830 steps up the side of Grouse Mountain. You gain 853m over 2.9km. That's an average incline of 30 degrees.

It's known as Nature's Stairmaster and is described as particularly harsh. The average time is 90 minutes, I did it in 68 on my first go!

It's known as Nature's Stairmaster and is described as particularly harsh. The average time is 90 minutes, I did it in 68 on my first go!

100,000 people do it every year... people compete to get up here!

It's known as Nature's Stairmaster and is described as particularly harsh. The average time is 90 minutes, I did it in 68 on my first go! The very fit can do it in 45 minutes. 100,000 people do it every year!

What I look like half way up it!

What I look like half way up it!

However, you do it for views like this!

You do it for views like this!

I took this one on a later attempt. North Van looks great!

I took this one on a later attempt. North Van looks great!

And the Lynn Canyon isn't half bad!

As does the Capilano River (please ignore the lift tower)

I might have to give this a go!

I might have to give this a go!

My legs have become like rock again thanks to doing that a few times. My friend Noriko introduced me to it and hopefully it will become a Sunday afternoon regular thing!

There was also one more thing that I just had to do during summer. You see I never did the perimeter of Stanley Park last time… so off I went.

The Boathouse and my starting point

The Boathouse and my starting point

There is a 8.8km path round the Park

There is a 8.8km path round the Park

HMCS Discovery on Deadman's Island

HMCS Discovery on Deadman's Island

Canada Place with a few Cruise Ships

Canada Place with a few Cruise Ships

The Port of Vancouver Look-out

The Port of Vancouver Look-out

Now this photo I like!

Now this photo I like!

Lion's Gate Bridge

Lion's Gate Bridge

The Girl in the Wetsuit

The Girl in the Wetsuit

Not sure where it is but I just like this shot!

Not sure where it is but I just like this shot!

I suddenly got a new habit of cargo ship spotting

I suddenly got a new habit of cargo ship spotting

It's hard to spot, but that's Grouse Moutain with the Grouse Grind... look for the cable car. The apartment block in the lower right is a lot closer.

It's hard to spot, but that's Grouse Moutain with the Grouse Grind... look for the cable car. The apartment block in the lower right is a lot closer.

Another one of the Lion's Gate Bridge

Another one of the Lion's Gate Bridge

I was walking anticlockwise, and was now on the sunny side of Stanely Park. That means only the right hand side of my face was getting sun (burned)... so I looked like Harvey Twoface

I was walking anticlockwise, and was now on the sunny side of Stanely Park. That means only the right hand side of my face was getting sun (burned)... so I looked like Harvey Twoface

One of the beaches... can't remember which

One of the beaches... can't remember which

But I can tell you this is English Bay Beach

But I can tell you this is English Bay Beach

All of these have to be distractions from the job hunt and house hunt I’ve been engaged in. Ages spent on Craigslist and Workopolis every day while trapped in the Hostel Lounge gets to you. Fresh air is always required.

Good news is, there are plenty of places to get it!

Good news is, there are plenty of places to get it!

I think thats supposed to be the Olympic Mascot

I think thats supposed to be the Olympic Mascot

Now the barge of Fireworks looks interesting...

Now the barge of Fireworks looks interesting...

Those barges would later be used for the Celebration of Light Fireworks Display!

Now remember, I’m out here with SWAP. They organised quite an interesting day trip out to Lynn Canyon, which has a suspension bridge… that’s free! Saving me $35 vs. the Capilano one.

This thing had a habit of rocking

This thing had a habit of rocking

The view made it worth it though!

As always, the view is the reward

It's just a pity these cables get in the way

It's just a pity these cables get in the way

Digging a bit deeper into the forest we find this!

Digging a bit deeper into the forest we find this!

Probably the best shot I've taken since landing!

Probably the best shot I've taken since landing!

Changing the white balance to good effect!

Changing the white balance to good effect!

Does that water look cold? It was.

Does that water look cold? It was.

But it's photogenic

But it's photogenic

Very photogenic!

Very photogenic!

A bit more walking later we make it to this spot where you can go Tombstoning (which by the way is a stupid idea if the depth isn’t known. Here the depth is known and there are park rangers on hand).

It's called 30 foot drop! You see those folks in the top of the photo? Well that's about 30 metres of jump!

It's called 30 foot drop! You see those folks in the top of the photo? Well that's about 30 metres of jump!

Somone doing the big jump!

Somone doing the big jump!

Doing flips as he does

Doing flips as he does

I don't think I fancy this (although there are smaller jumps)

I don't think I fancy this (although there are smaller jumps)

Nah, not for me.

Nah, not for me.

This is the last shot the camera took, but I'm pleased to say he straightened out again for landing

This is the last shot the camera took, but I'm pleased to say he straightened out again for landing

I’d gotten talking to a group of Brits and 2 of them did decide to do this. I’ve got a video I need to edit of it all.

The sort of rocky picknick site...

The sort of rocky picknick site...

From the top of that huge arse jump!!!

From the top of that huge arse jump!!!

Still, there were some other good places that you can only see up here!

Still, there were some other good places that you can only see up here!

After that we headed for English Bay for more chilling.

Everything above can be accessed easily from Downtown Vancouver by Bus or the Seabus! This is a great spot!

Now, the other big news is that I have finally gotten a place to stay. It’s near Cambie and West 17th Ave. Looks like a great area and I have a pretty cool house mate. The job hunt goes on though.

Hope you enjoyed all 45 photos!

Updated some of the old posts

17 July 2009 by H

The Hunt is on in Vancouver

11 July 2009 by H

CIMG8151I’ve been here a week now and thought I should update you all. On the Monday after I arrived I sorted the remaining things that I needed to get going. First job was to get a bank account. I went with HSBC this time, since I bank with them in the UK. Good move. I was seen to pretty quick and set up an unlimited checking account for $12 a month. Over here, bank fees are much more common and higher, in fact, most “cheap” accounts at about $4/month only include 10 transactions (Interac Payments, Deposits etc)… last time I hated that so much I just paid out for unlimited transactions at $12/month. Interac by the way is a debit card for over the counter use (like Switch/Maestro in the UK). What I wasn’t expecting was to be given my new Interac Card then and there, ready to go! They were also happy to pull my UK banking details so I could apply for a credit card! Perfect, I can do online shopping this time! Very pleased

Then I met Steve for a catch up since he was down. Good to see him.

Then it was the start of job hunting, which has taken up most of my life this week. Craigslist, Workopolis, IT-Careers.ca’s Job Board, BCJobs.ca and many others have been trawled over. Job hunting here is very different to the UK, this BritishExpats.com article explains it well, but essentially I’m doing a lot more legwork rather than fighting recruiters off left and right…

The househunt has also started too.

Anyway, got (another) headache so I’ll finish off with some photos I took today

CIMG8145

Burrard Street Bridge

Wow there are a lot of boats near Granville Island Markets

Wow there are a lot of boats near Granville Island Markets

A Totem Pole in Kits

A Totem Pole in Kits

Summer is great here!

Summer is great here!

And I’m in Canada!

5 July 2009 by H

I’ve made it! Got to Vancouver!

I slept the night on Dallas Fort Worth airport’s floor, before security so there were no shops or benches. I watched Long Way Down to keep the spirits up then eventually fell asleep. I woke up in the night to find someone had put an American Airlines 1st Class Blanket and Pillow by me, that was great of them! Had 2 Breakfast Burritos the morning after and I regret the second one quite a bit!

Still, 4 hours on a plane full of OAP Cruise Passengers and I was in Vancouver. Promptly had the Work Permit Issued and jumped on the bus for Downtown. Checked into the Samesun and then ran off to get my SIN number reactivated as fast as I could! Then I chilled out with some Kokannees and watched BC Lions vs. Saskatchewan!

Today I’ve been on Skype most of the morning then headed to Metrotown for a look around, then I came back and realized I needed to get a phone… but I can’t decided between Fido and Rogers (even though they are owned by the same company!)

Anyway, here are the customary photos!

Robson Street

Robson Street

North Vancouver

North Vancouver

The Skyline!

The Skyline!

The Seaplanes!

The Seaplanes!

It’s GREAT to be back!