Unintentionally, it’s been a few weeks since the last post, but not to worry it’s not because of health issues or life going in a horrible direction. How is it that Monday’s come and go and weeks fly by in the “slowest” time of ever? hahaha

When I look back on the “moments” of the weeks gone by it’s interesting to think of the things, people and places that float to the top. Easter was completely untraditional while enjoying, wait for it and don’t freak out, Thumper for the holidays. All the Italians are going “Bravo, fantastic” while maybe not so much for local vegan neighbours. Nonetheless, Mom and I enjoyed a lovely meal together which was very different from the 15 member family dinners of the past that reduced to 7 and then grew and then dropped until 2 of us were left standing this year; no zoom, no facetime. Life is changing: norm not norm, new norm, no norm, never norm…

Then more restrictions came and variants exploded, all the while I kept calling the gov’t vaccine line to be told “you’re not eligible to book yet”. Hmmmm, I’m an anti-vaxer nor am I follow the sheep and rush to the line, yet somehow all the variant news left me wanting to “do” something to feel more in control of the uncontrollable. So. I made a few more “piece flags” or are the “kites” now? (smile) Like most of us , I just kept riding the wave. I even went a little off the rails when a friend and I actually ran down to the Italian Cultural Centre just to see if we could squeeze in and get a shot, or two. Had we been later in the day, according to “ME”, we might have been successful. However, that very night is when Dr. B.H. announced on the news “hey people don’t be doing that — every shot is accounted for”, I thought yikes was she watching us? hahahah . As it turned out she was watching all the teachers in Surrey, who apparently had the same idea. Only they didn’t go in discreet “two’s”, like me and my friend, they lined up around the block at vaccine sites so I guess
”they” (Dr. B.H. and co.) had to do something. The result was that the Italian Cultural Centre did NOT see us again after that adventure.

Other things that have happened lately include; “space invaders”; art galas and park reclamation. “Whaaaaaaa?” I hear you say! Yup, let’s start with “space invaders”, which is my name for “dance party”. A few of us from CAWM (the Connecting Threads group), were sitting around at the UNION having a Covid coffee chatting when I said “I miss dancing”. Well, hallalujah, praise the lord it just took off from there. Every Wednesday and Saturday at 2pm we occupy under-utilized spaces, like the labyrinth in the Linear Park, and DANCE!! We take turns making a playlist and go for it. Feel free to join our dance party or do your own. It’s a goodtime, even Mom joins in! Some friends think I’m crazy but that just makes it even better.

Now let’s share the Art Gala. I decided to partake in my first “virtual” art gala fundraising event through the Audain Gallery in Whistler. I like that Gallery and appreciate the art and love that they focus on local artist as in BC. The Gallery and works are truly a class act. You’ll see by the boxes sent out, they don’t do anything half measure, and are a model for other Organizations raising money for good things. Even Artdog Koko got into the act.

… and Mom

After a break from the day to day drudge no control COVID life and just dealing with the new world order we get local in the hood. The Strathcona Park update, this community has been waiting for this a LONG time — plus an over 10 month no park access occupation. It’s partly laughable as there have been many an excuse of COVID — because of COVID, you know it’s COVID, nothing can be done easily because of COVID… blah blah blah.

If anything BECAUSE IT’S COVID people should have been moved to inside shelter AGES ago AND this community SHOULD have had green space to use AGES ago. What other neighbourhood has had this happen to them during COVID? We’ve now been left with a traumatized neighbourhood, afraid to go into their own park. This should NEVER have happened. There are many things about the encampment that have made me feel how “WRONG” it is. It’s not an either or situation but rather a plane old “WRONG” situation and there is no one who is going to convince me it’s OKAY to leave people living in tents for 10 months through the crappy weather etc… even if they’re criminals or people with mental health issues of institutionalization levels. It’s like Lord of the Flies crazy.

Now onto the ultimate “WRONG”, in my opinion, and that was the death of Carl. Carl was the young indigenous man who went to the park to camp after having a fight with his girlfriend, thinking it would be safe. He was young and thought it would be fine. His father Henry, lives in our neighbourhood, unlike so many in the park who claim to be. Many of us know him form his drawings he shows and sells occasionally to those of us living here.

When it first came out the Carl was beaten and left for 12 hours in the park many of us hadn’t made the connection to Henry as many only knew Henry. The press, of course, mentioned the situation and when many of the Park Occupants (encampment people) were asked about it or Mrs. Singh they denied any connection to the attackers; ya well we all know how that turned out for the killers of Mrs. Singh — it was Chrissy Bretts right hand man the “mayor of Oppenhiemer” that had the Canada wide warrant out for his arrest. Like Mrs Singh, the level of tragedy for Carl is beyond words. The fact that a “true” member of this community lost his son, because of permitted park use for an encampment, breaks my heart.

We continue to light candles for Carl and his family.

Stay safe (getting my Vaccination soon; just booked)