You know when you realize that you’ve got A LOT of content still left behind? That’s seriously been the theme of my weekend, and it looks like it’s going to be the theme of THIS week. I have eaten dinner and breakfast at Pacific Prime Steak & Chophouse (the restaurant of The Beach Club Resort in Parksville, on Vancouver Island) at least five times, and I have NEVER written about it. Ridiculous, I know.
The dinner menu is really solid, with a variety of seafood, vegetarian and meat-based dishes.
In my opinion, despite its name (Pacific Prime Steak & Chophouse), the dishes that are the most delicate, savoury and delicious at this restaurant are seafood-based. When we had dinner here for the Parksville Uncorked Wine and Food Festival 2011, we ate a number of seafood dishes and these were amazing, same thing when I had dinner here with my Mom.
Pacific Prime’s linguine with giant prawn is absolutely stellar.
And yes, I know I’m weird. I hate cheese but absolutely love cheesecake. And look at this cheesecake!
I would strongly recommend that, if you are ever in Parksville, whether you stay or not (and I’d recommend you DO) at the Beach Club Resort, you should try Pacific Prime Steak & Chophouse at least once in your lifetime. It’s totally worth it. And the prices for entrées, appetizers and drinks are on-par with great restaurants in Vancouver, so not too expensive. Good value for your money.
Disclosure: The first time I ate at Pacific Prime with my Mom, our dinner was complimentary courtesy of The Beach Club Resort. We had breakfast there twice and I paid for that on my own dime. I attended a Burrowing Owl Winemakers’ Dinner there in 2010 that was also complimentary, but then I also had dinner there one night afterwards and I paid on my own dime.
I’m always fascinated with deep house music, and for some reason, I’ve got this tune in my head and I can’t get it out, so I thought I’d share it with my readership. For your listening pleasure, Kathy Brown’s Never Again (in Copyright Classic Mix). Total nightclub, lounge music.
All my brothers and I studied our graduate degrees either in Canada or the US, and 4 out of the 5 of us live in Canada or the US. My Mom did her PhD in Spain, and throughout that time, my brothers (and I) have either graduated from their degrees or married or had children. The fact that we are all spread all around North America makes my Mom’s summer travel plans quite complicated, and sometimes turns into a logistical nightmare.
I just talked to my Mom this morning and it turns out that due to unforeseen circumstances, she can’t really come visit me in July of 2011, as we had planned all along (and as I had planned my own year). I totally understand how she wants to spend time with each of her five sons, and I don’t put any pressure on her to come visit me, but now I’m left scrambling trying to readjust my summer schedule. Stay tuned. Fingers crossed for a Mom visit towards mid-end of June.
If you’ve read my blog for any length of time, you’ll probably notice I’m fascinated with the transformation of urban centres. This interest stems from my doctoral dissertation research (although when I wrote my PhD thesis, I examined aspects of industrial/urban transformation, rather than purely changes in urban form).
I walk throughout Vancouver quite a lot, and I’m definitely drawn to Coal Harbour for a variety of reasons. It’s close to my downtown office at The Network Hub, it has a beautiful marina, and it presents interesting challenges when exploring its urban structure. Increasing densification and urbanization in this area has meant that some older houses had been torn down and condos built.
I did remember, though, that often times I would pass by some older houses and I set out to find them in a recent photowalk I did. You can see that I did, indeed, find one (on Bute between Melville and West Pender). Only two, for now, but I’m sure there are more.
I often do the same thing for Yaletown and the West End. I’ll post photos of those photowalks soon.
This past Monday, May 16 at Guilt & Co. in Gastown, I was a guest of Bombay Sapphire for their “Sapphire Speakeasy”. Apparently, this event was inspired by the Prohibition Era. The ‘Sapphire Speakeasy’ showcased fresh tips on spring and summer entertaining, and featured fantastic cocktail and food pairings inspired by the mystique and classic flavors of the 1920s (I’m told it’s a hot trend right now).
I have been a guest of Bombay Sapphire for 3 years in a row, so by now I am practically best buddies with the crew and mixologists. Bombay Sapphire flew in from the UK their Master Mixologist, Merlin Griffiths. Merlin was joined by Chef Corbin Tomaszeki from Dinner Party Wars, and together conducted great (and quite entertaining and engaging) cocktail and cuisine preparation demos.
It was a pleasure to see a number of my friends from the food and cocktail media scene, including Cassandra Anderton (Good Life Vancouver), Mijune Pak (Follow Me Foodie), Emme Rogers, Sherman (Sherman’s Food Adventures), Kevin (604Foodtography), Chin Chin and Raj Taneja (Urban Mixer), Dawn Chubai (Breakfast Television), Crystal and Karm (VanCityBuzz), Degan Walters (Foodists), May Globus (who writes for the WEVancouver) Rick Chung and Sophia Cheng, and many more whose names I might be blanking on.
Merlin was, as usual, a total sport, as was Chef Tobin.
For me, a large part of the event is always sampling the pairing of the Bombay Sapphire cocktail and the Bombay Sapphire-infused meal. My best pairing here was the Prohibition Turkey Bites with the Sapphire Sin. On their own, my absolute favorite is the Dorothy Parker. This cocktail is made with fresh pineapple juice, grenadine and Martini & Rossi Bianco (although this last ingredient can be substituted).
For this cocktail you could also substitute with martini extra dry and a teaspoon of sugar. I’m a martini boy, what can I say? The food pairing was Potato Rounds with Pea Puree and Shaed Fennel, which I found a little insipid. I like potatoes with sea salt are incredibly tasty, as on their own they’re sort of bland. But again, the Dorothy Parker can totally be served standalone.
Definitely a memorable event, and I can’t wait for next year’s! Of course, it helps that I went home with a little swag package that included obviously some Bombay Sapphire Gin. Now, if all other gin manufacturers were so kind as to invite me to their events!
A couple of weeks ago, I was asked by David Berner to be a guest on his show on Shaw Community TV on The Power of Social Media in Public Policy. Given my experience in the field (I teach and do research on Public Policy, and I have a strong social media presence and work and consult on this topic), I felt particularly honored and felt that this was an incredibly fitting opportunity to discuss issues of how we use social media in public policy. Below is the full 30 minute show.
Thanks to David for inviting me to his show and giving me the opportunity to discuss issues that I’m passionate about and that I’m currently working on. It was a wonderful conversation. And I think it’s particularly timely.
Via my friends Summer Dillon and Rick Rake I found out that Ken Herar is embarking on a four-day, 200 km cycling expedition from May 18-21 from Mission to Victoria. His intention is to create awareness and showcase the need for harmonious and cultural diversity.The campaign is called ‘Cycling for Diversity’.
From the information I was sent:
The trip ends on the United Nations World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, shining a spotlight on the area’s diverse ethnic populations and the growing need for inclusive communities. Herar and his small group of riders will be stopping in Mission, Abbotsford, Langley, Surrey, New Westminster, Burnaby, Vancouver, Richmond and Victoria enjoying classroom visits and civic celebrations.
During the trek, Herar will be riding a Devinci Oslo Hybrid road bike, which was loaned from Wentings Cycle & Mountain Shop in Mission. Herar hopes to raise funds to purchase the bike and donate it to someone in need.
“By creating awareness, we are making a difference,” said Herar. “But we should never stop building cultural bridges.”
On the first day of the trip, the Cycling for Diversity team visits Griner Park in Mission at 8:15 a.m. for a diversity tree planting. The tree is a Ginko Biloba- an evergreen native to China, which is known to have medicinal properties. The District of Mission has also declared May 16 to 21 its official Cultural Diversity Week.
From Griner Park, the squad will make five stops at Mission schools and the Mission Indian Friendship Centre where they will engage in discussions about diversity and the cycling trip. From Griner Park, the team team will travel to Dasmesh Punjabi School in Matsqui Village before they speak to a Grade 12 Law class at W.J. Mouat Secondary at noon.
The next stop is Gordie and Colleen Howe Middle School where the team will be heralded by cheering students waiting on the school track. A second tree planting is set at 2:30 p.m. at Old Yale Road and South Fraser Way. Three maple trees will be planted to celebrate the ride. Canada Safeway in Abbotsford is the next stop at 3:30 p.m. followed by an hour-long diversity celebration featuring entertainment by Korean drummers and delicious Safeway snacks.
At 5 p.m. the team will also make a quick visit to the Abbotsford Heritage Sikh Temple to pay their respects to the historic building, which is celebrating its centennial. By nightfall the cyclists will make their way to Langley for more diversity activities to follow the next day. The trip concludes in Victoria at Legislature. The schedule for the next three days will include more school and civic visits. For those interested in riding or for more details, contact Ken directly at 604-615-2499.
For real time updates, supporters are encouraged to view the Cycling for Diversity Facebook page or follow @RickRake who is live-tweeting along the way. Donations for the bike Herar will be riding can be made to Envision Financial, Account #4577128 at the Mission branch.
A lot of people see the Downtown East Side of Vancouver as a downtrodden, derelict neighbourhood. But people like my friend April Smith (AHA Media) do a lot of great work documenting the amazing things that happen in this neighbourhood to revitalize it. One of the projects that I noticed as I was walking on Cordova Street near Main Street was the Grey to Green Art Fence.
My friend Jay Peachy (Jay Peachy Gallery) is one of the featured artists. I went on a quick photowalk and took a few shots, and you can see how art can be a driving force of renewal and healing.
It’s beautiful to see how little things like this collaborative can generate so much beauty in a gentrifying and oft-neglected neighbourhood. Good work to everyone involved in the Grey to Green Art Fence.
A number of people have asked me what The Network Hub looks like now that the first installation is in (Scott Sueme is the Artist on Location), and I decided to take a few photos for people to check it out.
I have always loved the Vancouver Lookout. It’s the place where I take out-of-town visitors whenever I want to give them a quick snapshot of how beautiful Vancouver and it’s surrounding area is. People associate Harbour Centre (the tower that houses the Vancouver Lookout and its revolving restaurant) with Vancouver almost in every single snapshot you can get from the city, and it’s literally kitty-corner from my office at The Network Hub, so it’s kind of surprising I don’t visit more often. Wait, I know why. Because in Vancouver, it rains almost 300 days out of 365. Which is bad. But when it’s sunny, bright and beautiful, you can’t get enough of it.
And seriously, there’s almost no way you can take a bad photo with a day full of sunshine, from the Vancouver Lookout. Exhibit A, see below.
Breathtaking, isn’t it?
I’m really glad we have an elevated lookout point at Harbour Centre, because it’s such a great place to take photos from and appreciate our beautiful city. A bit of history on the Vancouver Lookout:
The Vancouver Lookout opened on August 13, 1977. Astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, cut the ribbon and welcomed a crowd of dignitaries, Vancouverites, and visitors. The Lookout tops Harbour Centre which, at 168.8 meters (553.16 feet) high, is one of the tallest buildings in Vancouver and British Columbia. It’s only slightly shorter than nearby Seattle’s Space Needle that rises to 184.4 meters (605 feet).
The cost for an adult trip up is $15 dollars (Canadian) and you can save your ticket and go up any time throughout the day (something I find extremely nice, as many other attractions don’t have in-and-out privileges). You can also find the Vancouver Lookout on Twitter (@VanLookout) and on Facebook.
Disclosure: I paid for my own trip up, out of my own pocket. I just thought it’d be nice to highlight a Vancouver landmark.
You may know that I’m a former competitive dancer. While never a ballet dancer, I have done enough contemporary to understand the beauty and complexity of ballet. And one of my favorite ballet companies is Goh Ballet. You may remember that in December of 2010 I reviewed the Goh Ballet’s exquisite performance of The Nutcracker. Well, now 2 lucky readers of mine (and many more, hopefully, as tickets are selling fast) will get a chance to witness their amazing dancing skills in their upcoming show, L’Amour, a one-day-engagement at The Centre in Vancouver for the Performing Arts, on June 4th, 2011.
Yoshiko Kamikusa of the Goh Ballet (Photo credit: David Cooper Photography).
Goh Ballet’s production of L’amour on June 4th at the Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts will offer Vancouverites a rare opportunity to witness a privileged sampling of the works which they will perform in China this August. Uniquely stunning repertoire combined with the award winning young Goh Ballet dancers’ exemplary performance quality garnered them this special invitation. L’amour features dancers Yoshiko Kamikusa, recent Tanzolymp Gold Medalist and Danielle Gould, Youth America Grand Prix Prize Winner with newly staged repertoire and specially commissioned choreography. This performance production marks a momentous occasion for the dancers to share their pride and artistic talents with the City of Vancouver. Always in pursuit of achieving further artistic excellence and reaching new heights, the Goh Ballet is honoured to accept this cultural exchange invitation from the Chinese Government. A group of 35 Goh Ballet dancers will travel to four cities in China.
Since L’Amour is the French word for love, I would like you to tell me what do you love the most about ballet (in the comments section, or in a Twitter entry). My own favorite element that I love about ballet is the amazing athleticism and skill wizardry. Sometimes I wish I were dancing competitively again.
To gain an additional entry you can post the following on your Twitter stream. I will draw 2 winners of this contest on Wednesday June 1st at 2pm. Two maximum entries (one via comment, one via Twitter for a total of 2).
Check out @hummingbird604s giveaway: Tickets to @GohBallet ‘L’Amour’. I entered to win, read how here: http://is.gd/dMJHzB
For tickets to this unique engagement, L’Amour with Goh Ballet, tickets are available through Tickets Tonight or calling 604.684.2787.
I’m SO impressed with Sam Tsui’s cover of Hold It Against Me. I will fully confess that I bought like 6 different versions of Britney Spears’ Hold It Against Me. But this one takes the cake, without a doubt. For your listening and viewing pleasure.
You know when you hear about a place and you find it somewhat overrated for what it is? I think that’s the case with Finch’s Tea and Coffee House. It’s a beautiful place and the “old home” feeling and decor is nice. It’s almost always packed, and very near to my office. Those are the pluses.
I went there with my friend Rachel Thexton to catch up and grab a quick lunch. Normally I wouldn’t complain about pricing in downtown Vancouver as I know it oscillates. But for the same price, I’ve had tastier (albeit smaller) sandwiches at Meat and Bread. I ordered a salami baguette (which reminded me of Paris) and while it was filling, it had way too much lettuce and little flavour. Thankfully it was salami!
For $7.75 for the sandwich plus $3.00 I paid for a non-descript cream soda, I think next time I’ll definitely go to Meat and Bread. Going to Finch’s is an experience everyone should try at least once. I may not come back often, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t. And its staff is so nice it’s hard to be upset at them (they work really hard). The sandwiches did lack some ooomph though, in my opinion.
Disclosure: I paid in full for my lunch on my own dime.
I had been planning to do a number of giveaways related to being a tourist in your own hometown but for one reason or another, I’ve been insanely busy (if you’ve read my blog recently, you may know the reasons why). But I really wanted to get this particular one launched and luckily, The Westin Grand in Vancouver has partnered with me to offer one lucky reader of mine a package so that they can be a tourist in their own hometown. The winning package consists of a one-night stay in a one bedroom suite at The Westin Grand, Vancouver with a $75 dining credit for Hidden Tasting Bar & Social Lounge. The winner will be awarded a gift certificate for the prize which must be redeemed within one year of winning. Room reservations will be based on availability.
To enter my giveaway, tell me what you think the most beautiful part of Vancouver is in the comments section. Personally, I’m definitely drawn to the Coal Harbour seawall. But I’m really a Vancouver boy. This is my city, this is my home. To gain an additional entry (total of 2, one via comment, one via Twitter), you can post the following on your Twitter stream:
Told @hummingbird604 my favorite part of Vancouver to enter to win a @TheWestinGrand prize pack http://is.gd/X2cewx What’s yours?
I’ll draw a winner on Monday May 31st at 2pm and I will announce it accordingly with Travel Tuesday. You can follow Hidden (Twitter/Facebook) and The Westin Grand Vancouver (Twitter/Facebook) on their social platforms, and be sure to check my review of Hidden. I will post the name of the winner here on Tuesday May 31st at 2pm, and the winner will have 24 hours to contact me, as per my Contests’ rules and regulations. If I don’t hear from the winner, I’ll redraw until I find one.
All photos on this post are property of The Westin Grand Vancouver and they have them licensed to use commercially (and I used them with permission)
You all know I’ve been a big fan of Charlie’s Angels. Well, the 70’s TV show is coming back to TV. Reinvented, of course. And I have a sneak peek to the fall series on ABC, Charlie’s Angels. Executive Produced by Millar and Gough (a team I love), it looks like it will be a fun series. More information about the show after the video.
Everyone deserves a second chance. Even a thief, a street racer and a cop who got in a little too deep. After all, the three women who solve cases for their elusive boss Charlie Townsend are no saints – they’re angels… Charlie’s Angels.
This big, loud, fun take on the 1970’s smash hit series introduces us to three new angels, all fearless operatives, head-turning beauties and close friends. There’s Abby (Rachael Taylor) a Park Avenue Princess who became a world-class thief. Then there’s Kate (Annie Ilonzeh), a Miami cop who fell from grace, losing both her career and her fiance. Finally there’s Gloria, a disgraced army lieutenant who has a way with explosives. When one of the angels’ missions ends in Gloria’s tragic death, Charlie persuades them to partner with Gloria’s childhood friend, Eve (Minka Kelly), a street racer with a mysterious past. They may not know each other yet, but one thing’s for sure–Abby, Kate and Eve will always have each other’s backs.
Leonard Goldberg (the original Charlie’s Angels) and Drew Barrymore (the Charlie’s Angels movies) join forces with Alfred Gough and Miles Millar (Smallville) to deliver the adrenaline rush of the season. Set in scorching-hot Miami, Charlie’s Angels delivers nonstop big screen action. With the help of Bosley 2.0 (Ramon Rodriguez), their hot, young technical expert, and the guidance of their enigmatic boss Charlie (Robert Wagner), these angels are an unstoppable crime fighting force.
In recent years, the movement to end anti-gay bullying has taken a lot more meaning to me, in particular in light of the 2010 campaign “It Gets Better”. I wrote about my own view of whether it does or does not get better last year.
Homophobia is unfortunately still, despite Canada’s and Canadians’ best attempts, rather rampant in this country. Heck, even in Vancouver we hear homophobic slurs. Tomorrow (May 17th), a group of us will gather at Floata to celebrate IDAHO, the International Day Against Homophobia (in its 2011 edition).
Every year, the International Day Against Homophobia is the moment to start off an awareness campaign on sexual diversity. The current campaign’s theme is Same-sex Couple – A Story of Love. All too often, people perceive being gay or lesbian in a narrow way in which sexual orientation is reduced to its simplest form – sex.
Just as for opposite-sex couples, same-sex couples form out of emotions and romantic feelings. Sexuality is certainly a part of a couple relationship, and it is often the sexual dimension that sparked the flame. However, a lasting couple relationship cannot be based on sexuality alone. Same-sex couples, formed by either two women or two men, go through the same good and bad times that opposite-sex couples do.
It’s Monday, and as usual, I’m writing about music, and this time, with a great giveaway. Blueprint Events and the Adelphia Group are bringing Grammy-winning DJ, David Guetta to the Vancouver Convention Centre on May 22nd, to play for a 6,000-person audience. From what they tell me, this is poised to be the largest indoor show B.C. has ever hosted without assigned seating. This is the first show of its kind to be hosted in the city and over 5,000 tickets have sold so it promises to be a packed show and an amazing event on the Victoria Day long weekend.
Photo Credit: Sebastien Camelot on Flickr
Who/What: David Guetta and special guests Avicii, DJ Sultan, Ned Shepard, Nadia Ali When: Sunday, May 22nd (Victoria Day long weekend) Time: Doors at 7
Where: Vancouver Convention Centre Tickets: On sale now at Ticketmaster
Blueprint Events and the Adelphia Group have entrusted me with a pair of tickets to give away to a lucky reader to attend the concert and I’ll be drawing winners on Friday May 20th at 5:00pm (you should respond that you can attend within 24 hours of me contacting you, as usual).
To enter my giveaway, just drop a comment on this post telling me what’s your favorite musical tune. It doesn’t necessarily need to be a deep house song (but of course, some of mine are actually deep house).
I’m really exhausted. It’s been a really busy few months, and with Derek’s memorial happening on Sunday, I basically had no brain for anything that was remotely tied to blogging. I had already made a point of making sure that I attended Northern Voice 2011 (all of it, not only the day when I spoke alongside Arieanna). I really enjoyed having the chance to give a talk with Arieanna and the feedback we received was extremely positive.
There are a few pointers and suggestions that I would like to give to future panel organizers and people who want to pitch and speak:
1. If you are a moderator, please don’t give a long introduction. You are there to moderate, and your stars are your speakers. Don’t take away time from them.
2. If you are a speaker, make sure you don’t run overtime. Other folks’ talks often have to be moved around because someone else ran overtime.
3. If you are an attendee, make sure to thank everyone, from organizers to volunteers. Organizing a conference is a rather ingrate duty. I have organized a few, and trust me: it’s exhausting, it’s hard work and it’s really not that much fun. The exhilarating part comes from people enjoying it.
4. If you are an attendee at a conference, make sure you don’t litter. I had to clean up rooms after people had left. Pick up after yourself. You’re old enough, and I would hope your Mother taught you well.
5. Turn your cell phone on to vibrate, silent or off.
6. Increase the number of “please” and “thank you” that you use when asking people for things. Particularly because self-entitlement is not good.
7. If you are a conference organizer, please make sure that the tech works properly and that there’s someone to assist speakers. We had a couple of minor mishaps (and one of them was at MY own panel!). Thankfully, overcome (and thanks for that).
Thanks to everyone who organized, attended and volunteered. I really had a fantastic time. Photos of some of the talks I attended are below (sorry for the poor quality, I seem to have lost my touch with this new camera).
Giving a talk at Northern Voice 2011 (with Arieanna Schweber). Photo credit: Dixon Tam
Anybody who knows me well knows that, while I enjoy consulting, and doing academic research, my absolute passion is teaching. I began teaching since I was probably 9 or 10. I was the youngest ever member of the volunteer literacy instructors for the Institute for Adult Education in Mexico (Instituto Nacional para la Educación de los Adultos, INEA). I volunteered for INEA from when I was 10 to about 15, teaching adults who could easily be my parents how to read and write.
Teaching is, without a doubt, the one thing I feel I’m most passionate about. I enjoy the “aha!” moment where my students’ faces lit up. I am thrilled when I hear comments like “you made me a better person” or “I had to come home after hanging out with my friends because I was enjoying writing my final paper“.
So many of my students have gone on and done amazing things. I have former students working for the David Suzuki Foundation, for the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and for the United Nations Secretariat. Some of my students have done their graduate degrees at Carleton, London School of Economics and Columbia University.
And all of them keep in touch and tell me every so often how much impact I have had in their lives. With my good friend Derek K. Miller’s memorial taking place today, I completely forgot about May 15th, when in Mexico we celebrate “El Dia del Maestro” (the day of the educator). My late Auntie, my Mom, two of my brothers and I have all been professors, and all of my family has at some point taught or tutored. And my good friend Airdrie Hislop Miller is also a teacher, and she loves it.
I want to take a minute to celebrate the educators in my life (colleagues, especially), my former professors in Mexico and those who continue to sacrifice selflessly teaching – simply because teaching is about transforming individuals. And that’s all I can aspire to do, to leave an impact on this world.
As you may have read a few weeks ago, Arieanna Schweber and I are speaking today at Northern Voice 2011 on the topic of building robust and long-lasting communities online, Communities That Rock. Since our talk will be definitely more expansive and can’t be as detailed as we would both love to, we co-authored an e-book (available for purchase and download for $5.99 here) that goes into much more detail. This e-book is completely standalone and you would not have needed to attend our talk, but if you do, we look forward to seeing you at our talk. Our panel (and e-book) is intended for those who already have some basic understanding of blogging.
Darren and Travis led the beginning of the 7th annual Northern Voice. Travis led us on a really sweet tribute to Derek K. Miller (Penmachine). Then we began with a wonderful and touching keynote by April Smith (AHA Media)
I love the George Wainborn Park, although I’m quite disappointed that I haven’t been able to find any information on Wikipedia on it (surprising, eh?! but thankfully my good friend Gus Fosarolli came through with information directly from the Vancouver Parks Board website on George Wainborn Park). It’s a park located in the marina side area of Yaletown, very close to the David Lam Park and the area around Beach Crescent, in Yaletown, right across from Granville Island.
While some people don’t find “constructed” or “architect-built” parks very exciting (e.g. urban parks that have a somewhat sophisticated feel), I really like them. Obviously, I still have my heart won over by parks like Trout Lake (which, with its lovely lake, looks very much like a non-urban park, despite the fact that it is embedded in a very residential neighbourhood). But I do enjoy walking around George Wainborn Park, in particular along the seawall.
There are some nice restaurants in the vicinity of that area, including C Restaurant, Nu and the Stone Grill.
Have you ever had the chance to walk around this lovely park?
My friend Lorraine and I had already been to The Wilder Snail (not surprisingly, about a year ago) but for some reason I forgot to blog about it. But this time I decided not to forget, particularly because I liked this place and it’s a beautiful location to have coffee, lunch or just hang out (free wifi with purchase, it’s passworded).
We ordered a couple of Montreal smoked-meat sandwiches, which were generous on the Montreal smoked-meat and very tasty (really, how could you screw up a MSMS… but I digress). The service was cordial and friendly and lunch was inexpensive ($5.99 for each one of the sandwiches).
Obviously, as anybody who reads my blog will know, I don’t eat cheese so I had to remove it but otherwise, our lunch was really good. I’d definitely come back for lunch or even just for a coffee and to read a good book. The Wilder Snail is definitely a lovely neighbourhood cafe.
Strangely enough, I’ve almost always called my Mom “Mom” (e.g. the word in English for “Mamá” in Spanish). I think the reason being that I (and all of her children) have lived in English-speaking countries for most of our adult lives. Last year (summer of 2010), my Mom had an opportunity to taste what the life of the Hummingbird604 was like, and for that I’m very grateful. I think when she comes visit me this year she’ll know what to expect. In Mexico, Mother’s Day is celebrated on May 10th, so I’ll have a new post on here (and in Spanish, which is our native language, even though my Mom reads and speaks English fairly well). In the mean time, Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mom’s out there. Being as close to my Mom as I am, despite the physical distance that separates us, makes me realize how important the mother-son bond is. Hope all the Moms out there have a wonderful day.
You know when you realize that you’ve got A LOT of content still left behind? That’s seriously been the theme of my weekend, and it looks like it’s going to be the theme of THIS week. I have eaten dinner and breakfast at Pacific Prime Steak & Chophouse (the restaurant of The Beach Club Resort in Parksville, on Vancouver Island) at least five times, and I have NEVER written about it. Ridiculous, I know. 
