The aftermath

So it's been a few days now and Vancouver is well into the "healing". I'm not sure what it means when people say that. I know the riot was unbelieveable and really shocking to see such horrible things happen to your lovely city (People in Toronto during G20 can attest to this) but I'm just not sure what we have to heal from. Yes, some jerks destroyed our downtown, but it wasn't an act of aggression against everyone specifically. The people that actually have to heal are the ones who were injured or had their property damaged. The rest of us watching from the safety of our own homes were shocked, yes, but other that than, what needs healing? I'd love some insight on this.

I'm not trying to discredit anyone who feels they need to "heal". I know I was really affected by the things I saw. I am just trying to understand.

I had a chance to go downtown before work the other day and what I saw was astonishing. Despite editing tons of footage post-riot, I had NO idea that EVERY single window of The Bay was smashed.

To give you some perspective, here is a Google street view of what The Bay looks like on a normal day.

View Larger Map

And by all the windows, I mean around both of the corners. The Bay takes up that whole block, and they got every window. There are A LOT of windows. I would say over 50 panes at least. All boarded up. However, I'm sure you've heard about the "wall of sorrows" which is almost more overwhelming than the damage itself.

It's amazing to see all this. Some are positive messages, others are sad, others are upset with the people who did this. Then we have the stuff I'm a big fan of, like this.

The morning after the riot, hundreds of people descended on downtown to just clean up. It was so amazing. They didn't have to do that. It wasn't their mess. But this is their home and they wanted to show what we are really like. There was a photographer who made an effort to photograph as many clean up crew as he could. Someone then took those photos and made these posters, along with various riot shots. I love it. I'm all for getting the faces of those who did this out there. We need to know who they are. On the "Except" posters there are words like "SHAME" and other negative things. The "especially" posters have nice things. That Boston fan even has a big heart drawn around him (I agree). You'll notice on the wide shot that some posters of the "Except" people are missing...guilty parties often return to the scene of the crime.

I think what was really confusing to see was the pattern of the destruction. The Bay was completely smashed, but across the street the H&M and Aritzia were untouched. A few shops down the Blenz was damaged and then nothing. Then a block away, the Louis Vuitton was damaged. Every shop on the same block as The Bay had plywood over their doors. However, across from The Bay going north nothing was damaged. Going south towards the Sears store like Starbucks appeared fine, but the Sears was trashed. It's just very random and I'm sure that why it's a mob and not an organized looting spree, but just strange to see in person.

They have started to ID people from footage and pictures (honestly, did these people REALLY think in 2011 we wouldn't find you?) Reportedly, ICBC will be loaning their facial recognition technology to help. So basically, if you have a drivers license, say goodbye to your innocence. There are several shaming website out there. It gets the names of those confirmed to be rioters on the internet and in public so they can be identified in the future (I.E potential employers etc.) I say confirmed because I only follow a site that does their research and doesn't just post photos and ask people to identify them. I don't think that site just accusing people willy nilly and posting personal details like addresses and phone numbers are acceptable. Doing this encourages people to go out and take matters into their own hands and this makes them no better than the rioters. Let these people be arrested, charged, and forever shamed by having their name publicised as a rioter.

Ok. In OTHER news :)

I've signed up for a triathlon!!! It's been on my list of goals for a while now and there is a mini one happening in my neck of the woods in July! I'm pretty nervous but also excited! It's going to be a real test and challenge for me. I'm confident I can complete all the elements...it's doing them one right after the other that makes me nervous!

I didn't forget that it was Monday and I still have favourite things! (despite all the craziness this past week)

The Canucks run this season (WOW guys. Just wow. Congrats • The fact that the 11/12 season is near! ( GO SENS!) • That David FINALLY has Sundays off!!! So happy • That I'm getting calls for summer sports work • Almond milk • Peanut Buster Parfait (I wish they had mini size) • My super smart cuddly dog (she basically sleeps ON me) • Spa services (I don't get these enough) • parents • the weekend • making my own gifts • parties!

I think that's enough from me today :) I know I missed a garden update last week. I'll try to make an excellent one this week

Will summer ever arrive?

June 15

Well. That was quite a day.

It started off with so much excitement and nervousness in the air. The arena was a whole different place. Hardly anyone ate dinner pre-game...it was just eerily silent as we waited.

At this point there was still so much hope!

I even had a really good shot on TV

Yes...I'm really that happy when I know a camera isn't on me o_O

Of course the game did not go as it was supposed to.

Ahh...my old friend Stanley. How have I touched the cup but the two teams I've worked for haven't. Am I jinxing them?

Boo. Boouins. Go home Boouins.

Of course it wasn't long after this that I checked my Twitter and started hearing reports of hooliganism.. That quickly escalated to insanity. Being in the arena and seeing nothing but news reports I was naturally terrified to leave. The fires were happening only a couple blocks from the arena. How did I know they wouldn't start outside any minute. I delayed leaving for a bit, but things were only getting worse and they police had stated shutting the bridges down (of which I must cross to go home) so I knew I had to go. Fortunately a co-worker was heading out and over a bridge at the same time and thus I had a posse of protection to get me onto the safe side.

It was a safe walk over, nothing bad happened or really presented itself with the chance of happening. However the voyage over wasn't without it's shock.

This is what we saw when we left the arena. We knew there was a fire so snapped some photos

The fire on the right started as we were crossing the bridge. That's when I got a little more panicked. It's one thing to know a fire is going on, quite another to see that others are still being started...and that is A LOT of smoke. As we crossed the bridge we could just see the smoke coming from all over the place. Vancouver was burning.

They're goin' in!

Vancouver Police HQ is immediately on the other side of the bridge we crossed. So this is the view we had. The bridge was blocked but every few minutes another van (yes van...like soccer mom Dodge Caravan) would speed off and over the bridge PACKED with police inside.

I spent the 16th AM editing nothing but riot footage for the morning news show. Sifting through it, I was angry, so upset, and sometimes moved to tears by what happened to some people.

I'm so sad that my memories of the Stanley Cup Finals will be this. It was scary watching the G20 riots from here. It's horrible being in them. I'm so glad that they riots didn't move to the arena or even start there. Minus a man falling from the viaduct onto the ground below, things were ok around the arena.

There were a lot of people that tried to stand up and stop the maddess. People trying to stop looters and vandals. I think most of these people ended up injured. To them: I'm so sorry, thank you for trying, and I really hope you are ok. You were so outnumbered, but you did the right thing.

It's unreal to think that the rioters thought they would get away with it. EVERYONE downtown had a camera or cell phone. It was also JAM packed with media, print and television. I have seen so many faces I wouldn't even know where to being in trying to pass that on to police. Several people have already been arrested and many more have turned themselves in. They will ALL pay. There are so many websites and facebook groups dedicated to bringing these people to justice and making sure they are shamed for their actions. They will not fade into the nigh and live their life out normally. Everyone will know who they are and what they did.

Think before you act people. The consequences will follow you until the day you die.

I have some more finals photos on my real camera. I'll post a link to those when I get them up.

Why did this happen?

Mid-June Monday

And  yes...still in pants and sweaters. This is crazy

I've had a headache for two days :( The only thing that made it go away was a massage yesterday...but now I won't get one until tonight since David is at work :( not cool.

Game 6 tonight! Canucks could win it all!!! Part of me want them to and part of me wants game 7 so I can see the cup presented..and work one more game. It's going to be short summer that's for sure. I can't wait for hockey to start again so that MY team can get back in it!!

If I don't have coffee I start to fall asleep around 7:30...every time...7:30 is my kryptonite. Oh how I just want to curl up and sleep. It's good my suite doesn't have anything comfy....other than this chair....ahhhh

Favorites!

sleeping • Daisy and her antics • having food made for me • the energy in Vancouver lately • handmade gifts • manicures • Skype • neck pillows • HIM • Granville Island Brewing company • Ciabatta buns • almonds

Short list today, but I am sooo tired. I leave you with CUTE



1.  

Neatness!

A couple of things to share!!

First, meet Lily!

She's the newest addition to our little family! She's so tiny, and we have yet another new fishbowl, but this one was given to us, and has a nifty little light!

Second

David's mom has been having a lot of fun so far! Yes, she got to meet the dolphins at the Aquarium...having a husband work there is AWESOME! The weather definitely hasn't been co-operating. The forecast says sun...but it's just been overcast the whole time. 

I should add David isn't the only one with hook ups. I did win him tickets to game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals....I've never seen him act like such a little kid. He talked about it for days. I was glad he enjoyed it!

Now only if summer would start...I can't believe it's mid-June and I'm in long pants and a sweater. So annoying

Gameday Gameday!

Another week has ended and the playoffs are still going on. I was hoping it would be over today. It's been a REALLY long two months. I mean it's awesome and fun, but I'm also very very tired. So here is hoping it takes just two more games :D

David's mom is in town for a week. We had so much fun exploring yesterday. I'm lucky to have a cool mother-in-law and not a crazy one like some people end up with. yay!

The garden is still coming along. Some fast growths and some...deaths :(

The little basil is finally starting to grow. The lavender is also in the same stage

These beans just keep GROWING!! They are so fast!

Chives! All...chivey!

The flowers. They keep filling up the pots!

The grapes have more flowers!

The new additions. I think one of these is peppers and one is cherry tomatoes...I can't remember.

Onions....not doing much

Strawberry plant keeps getting taller

Sunflowers...these will take a long time to grow!

Tomato plant doing great!

Tree keeps returning to life

The deaths...one pepper and one cherry tomato...I don't know what happened....

I trimmed back the lilac tree now that they are all gone so it's more open and nice!

The broccoli gets leafier every day!

I had a photo of the lettuce and spinach but I guess it didnt' send. I took these are 9:30 pm last night and it was so light out. I had no choice but to use my iphone...so I will TRY to take nicer ones in the future.

The spinach isn't doing to well...it's very small and full of holes. Damn bugs.



Morning Monday

As I rode the bus to work this morning at 3:30 AM, the sky was already starting to lighten up from the rising sun...I love June for that reason...the days are just getting longer and longer. It's amazing.

So we're in the final stretch of the playoffs. It could all end this week! Imagine! Having free time! (what's that?!) Needless to say it's very exciting. I would say the city is way more excited than the Olympics.

The nice weather is finally here... REALLY REALLY here! It's been in the high teens and sunny for several days! And due for several more! Which is good because my mother-in-law arrives on Wednesday and it's important to have nice weather when you have visitors!

Faves (I wish there were more font choices...)

Words With Friends • People around me getting iPhones • The sun being out • Toe cages on my bike • Being able to laugh with David anytime • Sharing my good fortune with others • Captain Noodles • Visiting friends!! • New fashion ideas • Free things • Hand massages (knock me out cold) • Daisy just plopping on top of me at bedtime • Garage sale season • Mongolian BBQ!! • Working! • Crazy video sales from closing Blockbuster locations! • New shoes (red ones!) • Slushies • My cold basement that feels like we have air conditioning :)

Today's cute is below...That is what I mean about Daisy just plopping down. She doesn't care how YOU feel...so long as she is comfy that's what matters. So cute.



Green Friday!

I like having themed posts...gives me something to look forward to.

The garden just exploded this week! I HAVE to get the cherry tomatoes and peppers out this week so they can grow!!

 

Sunflowers!! So many more!! And they are about an inch taller

I harvested a ton of lettuce last week and we had a salad...and already it's almost ready for another one! It grows so fast. I'm so excited

The flowers that are starting to bud on the grapes

It's hard to see but there are really skinny green blades poking up for the chives.

Strawberries!! Bigger leaves = yay!

The beans were the biggest surprise. In just a week all this showed up! What's cool is you can see on the middle stalk the bean used to plant is split in two with the leaves growing out!

The amazing regrowing Christmas tree. Jill saved the day by pruning it

The broccoli continues to grow

The tomatos are also much taller this week.



I reckon it's all the rain we got, couple with some great days of sunshine. I used my iphone for the photos this week so they aren't as good. I'll try to use the real camera to get some close ups! It's supposed to be sun all weekend, so when I'm not at hockey I have to get out and get the trough and soil!!!