THINGS I'VE FORGOTTEN TO SAY (Pt 1): I just had a quick read through I've what I've written so far, and realised that I've left out quite a lot of stuff, so consider this the catch-up session. For many of the things that have happened there are perfectly good (adequate anyway)accounts on the blogs of my fellow travelers, the links to which are on the right of the screen for those who haven't noticed. This is handy because, for a variety of reasons (wasn't really paying attention, didn't much care at the time, drunk, I was somewhere else ect.), I don't really remember many of the details, although a personal favourite is Simon's story about meeting Patrick Stewart. So what follows is my 6 and 3/4 weeks so far in note form. Please be aware that I haven't really made notes of any form since University (2nd year), so if I break off half way through and starting doodling in the corner, please forgive me.

• Week 1 : Stayed in hostel room with fellow Bunac'ers, all of whom had the surname Johnson. Discovered Stuart talks in his sleep, especially about someone called "little monkey(?)". Spent too much money on beer, pool and Ms. Pacman. Discover the joys of cheap Chinese take-away. Begin house hunting. Approached by homeless man who offered to climb a pole for money. Discover The Royal (hostel bar and Bunac hangout)
• Week 2: Still in hostel. Spent too much money on beer, pool and Ms. Pacman. Sign lease on house with Simon, Chris and Debs but can't move in 'til Nov. 1st. Start job at Party bazaar (a party supply store). Want to leave hostel, feels like we've been here so, so long...
• Week 3: Still in hostel. Spent too much money on beer, pool and Ms. Pacman. Now sharing a room with a Swiss guy after spending to nights on (what was then)the floor of (what was then) Rachel, Paul and Tessa's house. Rediscover the joys of hostel living. End up in The Royal (again) with Gavin. Team up with Swiss Guy to play 30 minute table football against two Iranian guys, narrowly lose 5-4 (damn Swiss defence...)
• Week 4 : Move into vacant appartment of symapthetic co-worker rent free (score!) until I can get into the house. Only furniture present is a leopard print chaise-longue, but the view is cool and the price is right.
• Week 5: Finally move into house. Discover previous tennants have left behind more stuff than we though they would, including several beds one of which I bag as my own. Unfortunately they also leave behind a lot of dirt, rubbish and in Simon's room used condoms (lovely). Get house in order. Discover we have free cable. Spend more money.

That's the catch-up pretty much finished. Simon bought a dartboard a couple of days ago, making a dream of an in house pub one step closer to reality, and Chris has revealed he is the worlds worst dart player, bringing the plasterboard wall behind the dartboard one step closer to collapse. No pictures in this post because the local library computers have no USB ports, but I'll probably put some in next time. Maybe.

A PICTURE PAINTS A THOUSAND WORDS...
Which is good because now I only have to write half as much. This is the gang on halloween (the most holy of the weens). Names from left to right are Alan (golfer), Ian (buddy holly), Paul (monk), Simon (footballer (?)), Me (Zombie), Debs (Cop), Pete (Chef), Gavin (Hunter S. Thompson),Chris (Hawaiian Babe) Andy (crayon) and Rachel (Angel/Devil). This was before the crazy golf, "Thriller" re-enactment, bar invasion, shoulder rides and good-natured drunken lunacy that marked this night as one of the better ones so far. As for the photo of Chris and Andy below, I have no idea or any real desire to know where Andy's head is or what it's doing there, frankly the fact that Gavin even took a photo is a little disturbing...
I haven't got any new photos of my own, largely because the last pack of batteries I bought were flat before I used them (try proving that to the guy on the checkout) so you're just going to have to wait some more. Needless to say I'm having a much better time than anybody reading this, and the real reason I haven't bought any batteries is that I'm having far too much fun to worry about anything so menial. That and the fact I can't afford them. Happily, I get paid on Tuesday and so can afford the little luxuries I've been putting off until I have some money, like a stereo, waterproof boots, a new coat and that pesky liver transplant surgery. But the stereo first I think.
In all seriousness though, Vancouver is a very cool (if wet) place with plenty to see and do. This is spoilt somewhat by the fact that I have to work most of the week, and I have yet to make enough money to do any travelling, but I shiver with anticipation (or maybe the rain) at a time when I can actually do all the things I want to do.









Yes, I was drunk... sorry mum.





Top Five Best Things About Vancouver So Far:

1. The view
2. The people
3. The food
4. The cheap CD's
5. The fact that I've got a foreign accent, suggesting to others that I have led an interesting and exotic life

Top Five Worst Things About Vancouver So Far:

1. Everyone thinks I have an Australian accent
2. The weather
3. They don't include tax on price tags
4. You keep having to tip people
5. The total lack of Jaffa cakes.

FINE, I GIVE IN: Before I start, I'd just like to point out that I'm only doing this because others around me have pressured me into it. I don't really want to and if I stop posting it's because I've lost interest, not because I'm too busy or had other plans or anything. Anyway, welcome to my world (shoes and hats off in your way in if you don't mind). I've now been in Vancouver for exactly a month now and it's actually going remarkably well. I've got a job, a place to live and I've even met people; some of them are even Canadian! Mostly tho, they're doing the same "work a year abroad" thing that I am. The membership of the Ex-Pat Massive is currently as follows: My housemates, Simon (a Sunderland supporter...hahaha!), Chris and Debs (a not-all -that-odd-really couple). Andy (a cockney crayon), Ian (a non-crayon cockney). Andy and Ian are here together, but not in a gay way or anything. There's Gavin (an increasingly distraught Rangers supporter), who lives with Paul (a cheater of scrabble). There's another Paul (a world record holder for "least words in a conversation") who lives with Rachel (a world record holder for "most words in a conversation") and Gaz (a Chef- who I haven't really talked to much to be honest).There's also Pete who I sat next to on a plane, shared a hostel room with and can't seem to get rid of. I've also got sick of putting stuff in brakets as you may have noticed. If you want to know what I've been up to for the last month, you can look at the Blog's of my fellow travellers using the handy links I intend to provide once I work out how, to the right of your screen. I'll probably do flashbacks or something in my next post, along with pictures and stuff, but to be honest I can't be bothered right now. But if you want to hear about Patrick Stewart, death threats, drunk stories, people in trees and other fun filled things, then you can wait until I get round to doing it.