more bad luck

I don't understand it. Vancouver is a nice place but there's just so much random theft. Katy started a new job today. We were really happy about it. On her first day, someone sneaked into the employee room and went through everyone's stuff, taking Katy's wallet, change purse, and phone. What jerks. As Katy put it, "why can't they be civilized about it like in Toronto? At least in Toronto, they take your money and leave you your life." So she had to cancel everything and we have to wait to buy her a new phone. She just got her bus pass and her student ID today. Gone. This sucks. What did we do to deserve all this? First Katy's computer, then my bike, now this. We like it here... but the random theft sucks. Sure makes it hard to settle into a place.

Jerks.

Stupid, stupid, jerks.

Stupid.

Jerks.

Apartment videos...

First look at our empty apartment...
I have to say that we had just driven for 12 hours through the mountains and were on edge as it was. Then the real estate lady took more than an hour to show up with our keys and when she got there she informed us that it was too late to move our stuff in according to condo rules and that we would have to wait until the next day. No fun. But we dealt with it.



Katy in a closet... I don't know why.



More of Katy in a closet... really, I didn't do it. She went in there on her own. I just film.



Out of the truck and into the middle of the living room... it's not even that much stuff but it sure looks like it.



First official tour...



To the Micals...



A look at Vancouver...



From Burrard Street Bridge...

Sproule and the Gang

Well, my new job is awesome. It's a really great environment and I'm already getting to do some minor design work. I get along really well with the whole office and I look forward to going to work in the mornings. It's nice getting back on a schedule that has me up bright and early in the morning and tired before midnight. All is well... coasting through to my first paycheck and then it's time to get some dishes and maybe a chair. Definitely a haircut. Never thought I'd be excited about getting dishes. Guess I should enjoy the part of my life where my wants are simple and easily obtained. Well, time to get going on my pleasant 10 minute bike ride to work. Bye all.

Eulogy to my carefree youth...

So today I begin my new job at Sproule and Associates.

Goodbye carefree college days.

Goodbye free time.

Goodbye student loans!!!

Oh so many pictures! [and videos!]

Well, we got our place unpacked and are all moved in here. I got a job Friday making really good money and I start Monday. That was a really big relief. I'll be working for a man named John Sproule at Sproule and Associates. (http://sproule-architects.com/) They're a small firm with about 8 people or so doing residential, commercial and resort work. It's a good scale for me... I don't have to design big tasteless skyscrapers and that's the important part. My office is easy to get to and is just a mile down the road. I went to school with one of the guys who works there, too. That's how I got my "in". It's really, really exciting for us... an adult job with adult pay doing actual architecture! They even hired me to be a designer and not a computer jockey! I'm excited to get started.

Otherwise, we're just trying to get settled in... you know, find our new coffee shop, bakery, grocery store, etc... explore, explore, explore! The weather has been nice and has only rained for a few of the days we've been here... it rains all winter, though, from what I'm told. We're preparing ourselves for that. Last night, Katy and I went downtown to celebrate my new job. We locked our bikes up to a steel railing at a busy intersection and went in to eat. When we came out, my bike was gone. They simply cut the lock (yes, on a busy street) and walked away with it... left the lock for me, even. It was a bummer. Luckily, Katy found a Craigslist add for a guy with a used bike and I bought a cheap bike this morning and a lock that was a bit more than the bike. This is the second time I've had a bike stolen... it won't happen to me again. I have to be building up some karma points somewhere with this. So we got over that tragedy quickly... and now we both have good [read: expensive] bike locks.

Well, that's about it for now. I'll throw some pictures and videos up now. Until next time...

Ok, I've posted videos on a different page so this one doesn't laod too slow. To see trip videos click here.



































*Look closely at the back of this trailer. You might have to click on the picture to blow it up.














More photos later... Mountains and Vancouver yet to go!

Made it!

Hi all,

Well, we made it to Vancouver and have moved into our place. We have no internet and therefore no phone but hope to have that remedied next week. More to follow later... just letting you know we're alive.