A lovely start to the day was getting a message from Rae-Anne that the lead singer of The Hip Replacements had dropped off his feathers to give to me. What a sweet gesture! I shall add them to my fedora
After work it was off to Encore for the Friends With Benefits tasting evening. There were new foods to try and good company. I also came home with a new t-shirt, not that I need anymore, I just love Dad Rock
This followed immediately by the All Candidates Forum at Key City Theatre for the upcoming provincial election. I must say that I was very impressed by Kerri Wall of the Green Party, which quite surprised me The applause told me there were a lot of big C Conservatives in the audience.
The best part of this very warm (27C) Fall day was taking a good long soak in my tub as I watched The Fall Guy. I really liked it and take back my long ago judgement that I wasn’t a fan of Ryan Gosling.
Tonight was a lot of fun hanging with Dave and Deb at Encore for the show. I e seen the actual Tragically Hip three times and these guys do a great cover. The lead singer acknowledged my hat from the stage and afterward came to our table and said he was going to offer me his feathers but realized he didn’t have others with him.
I went to poker night with treats from M & M Foods where I was served by Tim whom I dated back when I first moved here.
Poker at Landon’s with Shawna and Tim, Kathy, Tyler, Galen, Alyssa, and new guy, Canyon was fun as we caught up with each other. I didn’t do well but had a good time.
I got a lot done today and made my way to Key City Theatre to run bar for a Rock Legends show. It’s been a while since I have volunteered and it was good to be back. People were happy to be at the sold out show and it was fun to see so many familiar faces. I picked up my gift from the Vollie party that I missed.
Not sure why I am dragging butt. I woke up before six, fell asleep again and struggled when my alarm went off. I got through the day, getting payroll and filings done as well as the invitations to or FPPAS Vollie party on the 25th at Encore.
Got home after 7, had a quick visit with Tracey and then made nummy tuna melts on garlic toast for dinner.
Currently crocheting and watching Celebrity IOU with intention of tucking in soon.
It was National Truth and Reconciliation day today. I acknowledge that I live in the traditional territories of the Ktunaxa peoples and have been blessed in the past to live in the Heiltsuk Territories. I have lived in other places, on unceded lands, but was not aware at the time. I am glad that I have been taught so much more than I ever learned in school about our treatment of those who were here first.
I awoke to a text from Rae-Anne asking if I wanted to go for a drive to Kimberley and catch up. I picked her up an hour later and we had a great afternoon strolling in and out of stores in the platzl. We also stopped at the Marysville Falls for me to enjoy the new boardwalk.
After a quick stop at Superstore it was off to Safeway where I picked up a free $200 Tassimo machine when I scanned my Scene card and bought 5 packages of coffee.
We ended the afternoon with a great meal at Heidout. It was so great to have time to catch up
I did laundry and chores today and crocheted a little.
I have a problem with Carlos wanting more than I have to give. For one, I am not impressed that we have to communicate only in Spanish. Two, he doesn’t ask me about myself at all, just expresses love and wants to chat regularly. The problem is that there is not much being said. I don’t want to break his heart but I may need to.
I met Leanne for dinner at Ella’s and had amazing fish and chips while we had a very nice visit. Next it was off to Key City Theatre where the Rotary ladies were gathering to see Menopause the Musical. There was an extra ticket so Deb met us there. The show was very funny and well performed. Expensive, but worth it.
I woke just before my alarm to a call from Rae to go for coffee but it was my ABC zoom day. About half of us were on and it was nice, but I feel the connections fading. I don’t want to talk about those not there and shut down a line of questioning that was about someone else. I think I have just had a tough week with the vimf news and it was all a bit much. Straight from there to a client who I really like. 8.5 hours later I had to call it a day and promise to return. About a half hour before that her husband had come down joking that he was still waiting for his dinner. 15 minutes or so later the smoke alarm went off and we had a good laugh that he must be cooking.
I made it home just before 9 and am exhausted. I was supposed to play a game and catch up with a friend but I have no more in me. I plan to sleep until I am rested this night.
Today was a productive day of work and volunteer time and then I went to meet Dave and Deb at Encore to have dinner and see Ryan McMahon play. It was a whole lot of fun. Was so great to chat with Ryan and reminisce about meeting on SSI when I hosted a music night of him back in June 2009. He was amazed that Rae is my daughter and told me Well done.
Just before Rotary lunch I received an emailed announcement only moments before it was blasted out on media.
Organizers of the Vancouver Island MusicFest have announced there won’t be a Festival in the summer of 2025.
The Board of the Comox Valley Folk Society and MusicFest staff have announced they are taking a year off from the annual summer festival to rebuild resources and determine a sustainable vision based on the current economic reality and cultural changes. Sadly, this difficult reality is being faced by numerous Festivals around the world as all grapple with escalating costs.
“Economic challenges have increased dramatically across all aspects of the Festival – from travel costs to certain production costs more than doubling what they were before the pandemic. When paired with decreasing sponsorships, zero local funding and reduced ticket sales you have pressures on all sides.” say organizers. “We have no desire to raise ticket prices to the level we would need to in order to make things work, which would make our Festival unavailable for so many members of our community and loyal patrons. It’s all caused us to realize, for the moment at least, our Festival model is no longer sustainable in the Comox Valley.”
The Board and staff have not come to this decision lightly, realizing how important the Festival is to many volunteers, friends and families who have attended the community gathering over the last 30 years. “It’s a hard day for us all.” says Festival Artistic Director/Executive Producer, Doug Cox. “But it’s time for us to pause and consider the future of our event and make strategies for a sustainable future.”
I sent out over 180 email to current and past volunteers to thank them and let them know that I hope to see them again. I am struggling to process the end of a 16 year relationship.
I had a good day although I am rather tired as I think my brain is still trying to figure out what time zone I am in.
Had an appointment mid afternoon to get my nails done as I had broken one while snorkeling. I let Minh choose and he did a gorgeous job.
He and I have good conversations and he was very perceptive about a situation I was in. We saw it the same way and had a good chuckle.
I picked up Moms pills and dropped them off in time to have a short visit, pay her bills, and read her email that comes to me.
Once home, it felt like I was barely in before the winds kicked up. Before long there was a good thunder storm and rain. It seems to have mostly passed over now although I can still hear the wind chimes singing.
Ugh, I woke up at 5:30… managed to sleep a little longer but was at the office by 8:30
It was nice to share with Brett some of the highlights as I know he loves flora and fauna.
I calmly got the day’s necessities done and then spent over an hour going through over 700 email.
I have also made time to keep a bit of conversation going with Carlos. He is so sweet and openly expressive about his feelings for me. He seems to not care that we speak different languages and live on different continents. I can’t imagine this will go anywhere but for now it is nice to know someone is thinking well of me.
The weather was hot today and the air conditioning felt especially cold.
Tracey has had x-rays of her foot done as it still hurts. Hopefully there is nothing seriously wrong.
We had a good sleep, gathered ourselves and checked out. Ash gave directions to cheaper gas and then it was off to Cranbrook. I don’t have a lot to say tonight as I am very tired. We made only two stops more. One at A & W for some grub and one to take a picture
I do have something serious going on with only some bites. Growing larger and itchy
I somewhat unpacked,
Ate some food, did this and am off to bed.
Ok I also took a client call and cleaned litter box, neither of which I really wanted to do.
Alarm went off at 4, got ready, picked up our boxed breakfasts and the car was ready. At the airport before anyone else, had coffee and relaxed until the flight. Check in was so easy and I laughed as my suitcase was exactly on the 23 Kg limit. My carryon is a bit heavier than it was though!
We had seats together on the first leg to Panama. What a lush green surrounding Panama City sits in. I saw freighters that seemed to be in a holding pattern.
The plane ended up in a holding pattern and we had a furious walk from one end Terminal B to the other end of terminal 7 where we barely had time to use the loo before once again going through screening and being ushered immediately into line for boarding. They poured out our water bottles and took my sealed bottle even though we were just a transfer. What a waste.
We are not seated together on the leg to LAX and we traded seats so Tracey could have the aisle which she prefers and I have a window. I have been intermittently watching The Way Back and napping. Lunch was awful.
I am so glad that for this long stretch we may be separated but are in rows 6 & 8 which are premium with extra legroom and a seat screen. I am wishing that I hadn’t booked the last odd middle free seats for the next leg as we may have been blessed again. Ah well it’s a shorter leg.
I did manage to break my nail where it chipped when I finally made my way to the loo. I quite enjoyed the movie This Beautiful Fantastic
My triple feature of this leg is charming and disturbing so far; Blinded by the Light which appears to be based on real humans. I recommend it.
I was stunned to realize when we finally reached my car in the Park & Jet that I had left my phone in the loo. I went back and used my iPad to summon Find My Phone. Ultimately I heard it ringing in a security guards hands. I proved it was mine by logging in the password. We finally got checked in to the Coast Hotel in downtown Calgary. It was decent although we shared a king bed due to availability
A great sleep in a gorgeous room led to an easy wake up and go. We had a delicious breakfast and then joined Steven and Jo to meet Fernando in the lobby for our tour.
We are blessed as he is not a tourist guide but rather a marine biologist who studies dolphins and other mammals!
Cotton TreesSable (cotton) Tree
There are two tides, twice a day, two hours apart. Very unusual. In Guayaquil, Jan-April is rainy humid season, May to December weather stays the same everyday. At most 12 degree difference over the year. Cold current from south creates this unusual coastal current. This is considered a coastal town even though it is 90 Km from ocean. This is because the river is influenced by tides.
95% of farmed shrimp that is exported comes from this area. most important industry after petroleum.
These dolphins are an endangered species. He estimates that the ones we see today will disappear within 45 years.
Orcas are same species as Dolphins
Rosette Spoonbills use their beaks to lure shrimp when tide is low
White Ibis and Blue egret
First was Brown Pelican, group are bigger Peruvian ones ( so many pics, so many notes)
Whimbrills brown on branch
Tiny kingfishers
Edwin was the helper. Fernando said he gives him coins and is the only child he lets help
El Morro has most hours of sunshine in Ecuador just like Cranbrook does in Canada.
Once back at the hotel we got ready and met Ricardo in the lobby for our walking tour of Guayaquil which should have happened when we arrived last evening so we would know what to be sure to do this evening. Too late!
9 de Octubre is Guayaquil Independence Day
We did have a nice walk and then the bus picked us up and dropped us in Old town. As Steven, Jo, Tracey and I hadn’t had an actual meal since breakfast, we chose to stay and eat at Camaleon. We had good food and drink and great conversation before strolling back along the water on the Malecon. It took us up through the arts district and then down through the entertainment area and market. A lovely lovely evening and I was able to find a Panama hat for Will.
Back at the hotel we headed for the 18th floor where I bought myself a certified handmade in Ecuador Panama hat and then we sat at the bar for a drink. The two young cuties behind the bar have served us well the last two nights. One even told me a good spot to go for a really good martini if only I had one more night.
A guy saddled up to the bar and we found out he was from San Diego. Russel is 68 and funny, travelling solo. He is on the same tour as us just one day later. Tracey headed up to the room to pack and I stayed for a chat and martini. Two of his travel mates joined. Joseph and Daniel are 40 and fun. Joseph asked me for my IG and is very interested in them coming volunteer at MusicFest next year. Apparently it’s super cheap for them to fly LA to Vancouver.
The time came quickly to head to the room and pack. I had to move some heavier things to my carry on. With no scale it’s all a guessing game.
Having found out that Pam, an acquaintance from Cranbrook, who has battled brain cancer for years now, passed, and then going through the snorkeling disaster this week, I was spent. I got ready, packed and stowed my gear before 9:30 checkout time and headed down to walk the pier. I spent some last time smelling and feeling the breeze, chatting to and photographing the marine iguanas and relaxing. I ended up going back to the hotel and sat in the big egg chair swing where I wrote a little and read a little until the others all returned to board the bus to the airport.
The flight was relatively uneventful and by 5:30 or so we were at our lovely Sea Garden Hotel in Guayaquil. The Sky Lobby was on the 18th floor, our room, on the 11th. We had a great view of the river
Quick freshen and we were back on the 18th to find some of our group in the rooftop bar. We had a lovely visit and then a group of us went to the restaurant on the same floor for an exquisite meal and service before parting ways for the day.
JennyVirginiaCarlos My sweet airplane buddyJaneSarah Madhavi and Leena
The morning was free time and I absolutely loved the time to wander the town, shop, take pictures, observe the wildlife, and clear my head
Lovely Ana who sold me my coffeeMichelle who tended my cactus woundBanksy inspired
At 12:45 we met at the second pier to go for our excursion. Pepo and Steban, the trainee, took us to the water taxi which took us out to the Aquaria. This boat was well equipped and d soon we were off to Isla Lobos and Ochoa beach. David had come down to tell the guys that I had a panic attack the day before. I understood what he said and assured them that I would be fine.
Captain Robby known in town as avocado, was a great skipper and his mate Fernando was friendly and helpful.
Our first stop was in a channel where we were shuttled to the island. It was a trail that allowed us to see Frigates, Boobies and other birds. We had a couple from outside our group who joined us.  they were not as able footed and had to be assisted. There was even a fall at one point however we all made it to the end. Once back on the boat, the gentleman turned to me and said you just float across the rocks. I was flattered and I think part of it is that I just haven’t got to the point yet where I don’t believe that I can. 
FrigateKicker RockImmature frigateSea lion teeth Seban You can tell this is the male because the dark in his eye is very small where in the female it is larger Daddy nesting on an egg and a couple of babies Fernando
Booby Dance
I had been nervous but decided to go with the small snorkeling group to the beach and go from there so I wouldn’t hold anyone up. I needn’t have worried as I was back in the comfort zone. Virginia, Steven and I ended up enjoying a small sea lion swimming around under us, following a diamond sting ray, and seeing sea anemones, a sand dollar and many fish of a variety of sizes and colours. I was so relaxed that I had my hands behind my back and my fingers up in the sun and it one point. I even decide to mermaid swim. It was a most enjoyable time and I got my groove back so to speak. I don’t have any pictures, but it really was a remarkable afternoon that restored my faith in my love for the water and my understanding that it was my empath feels that were bringing on the stress of the day before 
At one point I asked 26 year old Sarah what she did and she said she was in marketing and is retired! I honestly can’t process that
We all freshened up and headed to a spot that Jane and Sarah had been to before. Tracey and I were last to head out and we actually saw Albacore in the back of a truck that shortly became the main ingredient in my Ceviche. There was a great visit which included Jenny singing along with the live music. While there I received a message from Rae that Pam had died. It was not unexpected, but sad. When everyone headed back to the hotel, I stopped at the red chair spot, sitting at the bar and had a whiskey. There were a couple guys who sat next to me and we had an awesome conversation about the places we had visited. They told me about Easter Island and it is on my wish list.
triumphgal 