Seattle and India Arie Concert

Oh the weekend went too quickly but it was really great fun.

Friday after work we headed straight to the US Boarder to start the weekend trip off as soon as we could.

It is a nice drive and traffic was on our side, the border crossing only took 40 min which was actually really good from what I hear. After about three hours in total we arrived at our Hostel which is in the funky area of Seattle called Belltown. We stated at City Hostel. Each of the rooms has a different design we were in a room that had the coloring of an old persons home and the imagination of H.R. Giger. Makes for an interesting combination. 

This was the room we stayed in for the weekend. 

This trip the fancy cameras stayed at home so all of the photos are from phones or the small Canon point and shoot. We also were on the squeakiest bed I have ever slept on but my sheer exhaustion due to the hospital visit on Sunday and subsequent bed rest for the most of the week ensured that I slept through the night both nights.

Saturday morning we had breakfast downstairs (got to love free hostel breakfasts although the ‘jelly’ they serve instead of real jam is to be avoided at all costs, don’t even want to think about what is in that shit) and then I wrote for an hour and a bit. After that we walked down to the world famous Pike Public Markets (if anyone has seen any videos of the fish guys this is the place - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mY4EZGBKMRE) it is also the birth place of Starbucks Coffee. This is like Fremantle markets but two city blocks. It kinda made me home sick. There was a sweet Herbal shop that sold all sorts of Esoteric goodies and I managed to pick up an harder to get Tarot Deck for $18 so I was pretty happy with that. After walking around the markets for a while we had Indian for lunch and got ready to go to the India Arie concert.

Cool Esoteric Shop

The weather was awesome on Sat. 

The Courtyard of the Hostel

Due to a University Football match (they take that SHIT SERIOUSLY in the US, the crowds are like the crowds at a packed AFL game) we were Super late and I was freaking out because the VIP info said not to be late or we may miss out on a bunch of the stuff. I was not the best company that trip cause I was upset/worried about missing stuff. We got there and found out that they pushed the start time to an hour and a half later so that was a relief. Killed some time in a Comic Book store and watching a couple on a first date at a Chai Café.

The concert and VIP session was awesome but it started off as complete shit. The Ground Control staff were Rude, unprofessional and actually really mean. It took ages for everything to get into a flow and we couldn’t even keep the seats we thought we paid for. At least we were able to get the front row balcony seats before the general public was admitted but still it was pretty bad management. I can forgive a lot of first performance hiccups I have been on the other side of that stuff but this was a HOT F*&KING MESS. If the event location had been any bigger we also would have had crappy seats. Luck was on our side for that one. The Neptune is a sweet theatre full of little touches of mermaids around the place and some stunning window art.

Everything pretty much got better when India came out halfway through the sound check. We then got to meet her (told again by the pushy staff that we had to be quick because they sucked at managing the event). I got to meet a long time musical favorite of mine and she is so beautiful as a person inside and out. India let me know that she is going to visit Australia for the first time in April next year. I know a few people who will be very excited. I was a little worried about the photographer they used. She seemed to have NO idea of what she was doing and the final photos proved that she didn’t. I am just lucky most of my photos were in focus, I feel heartbroken for the people who had completely blurry images of their VIP meet. Another horribly unprofessional mistake by Ground Control. No one was allowed to take personal photos either and I whole heartedly believe that they would have been better than the hot mess that the company produced.

Gramps Morgan was the support act and then India hit the stage at 10pm. Her musical director Shannon was amazing and India didn’t leave the stage until 12.30am which was pretty awesome. It was a really great concert. The bumps along the way were manageable and we were lucky when it came to our photos etc so I am counting my blessings.

Some of the window art

India Arie

Me and India

Sunday we went to the Seattle Centre and had a wonder around. The musical fountain was pretty cool and when we went to the Armory, which is like a massive food court I immediately saw an interactive Video Game museum and walked right in. They had old gaming systems and games set up so you could play them. There was my first ever console the Commodore 64, old Sega’s, Atari Systems, the Nintendo 64 and heaps more. It was good fun playing Mario Kart and I hope they get a perm gig somewhere. It was great fun.

Owning Mario Kart....

We then headed to the EMP Museum of Music, Sci-Fi and Pop Culture down the road and it was one of the best museums I have ever been to and I am a huge dork so I go to a lot. We browsed the Nirvana exhibition, The Jimmy Hendrix Experience, Archetypes of Fantasy, Icons of Science Fiction and Horror in film exhibition. To say that I was in geek heaven would be an understatement. You know what happens when you put Buffy the Vampire Slayer props alongside Costumes from the Princess Bride, The Labyrinth and Harry Potter? A very Happy me. There was a huge mythical tree in the Archetypes of Fantasy area with little play areas for children and I wanted to crawl in there next to the huge dragon and never leave. The artwork on the walls was also amazing. There was an interactive touch screen panel which told you which Archetype of Fantasy you are and I got……

10 Points for Guessing………

The Warrior Maiden

No shock or surprise there. A bunch of the Fantasy exhibition was narrated by George – Game of Thrones – Martin and there was a glass cabinet full of hand written maps, letters and time lines from J.R. Tolkien. I purchased the artwork from the Archetypes which is very similar to the Major Arcana of the Tarot and I was bummed that they didn’t have cards of the Archetypes. The lady at the gift shop said that it was the number one request from people. I am currently fighting the urge to cut the cards out and use them in my divination practice.

Not a great photo of me but I LOVE this movie so I am posting it anyway

Kurt Cobain art/poster

Kurt Cobain Letter

Multi Person Bike

Music Fountain

The Sci-Fi area had the Neo outfit from the Matrix and some original Star Trek goodies and the first Imperial Dalek, guns and weapons from all sorts of TV and movies, Star Wars goodies and plenty that I thought my Mum who introduced me to Science Fiction books would have loved. That was a freaking great day. We didn’t even get rained on until we left Seattle.

Hehe Mr Pointy

We arrived back in Van after a smooth ride home on Sunday night. I really enjoyed Seattle and am looking forward to going again and exploring more of the city.

My First FaerieWorlds

New post is up but I put it on my other blogsie

Have a look if you want

http://www.ethony.com/2013/08/my-first-faerieworlds.html

Public Dreams Lanterns Festival

Last weekend Joel, his two aunties and I headed to Trout Lake to go to the Illuminares Lantern Festival which takes place every year. I have heard that it may not happen next year which is a shame. It is run by Public Dreams and is volunteer run. 

The darker it got the more people arrived with people of all ages and lots of families gathering around the lake to celebrate. The costumes were awesome and I wish I had better shots. Ashley forgot her camera memory card so I had to rely on my iPhone which kind sucks in low light and the flash takes too much away from the glow of the lanterns. 

Bands were playing, drummers were on show and even the local sword fighting crew had everything decked out with glow in the dark adornments. 

The highlight of the night was the performance by the Radiant Heat fire performance group wowed the huge crowd with fire poi, hula hoops, swords, fans and even dragons. It was pretty awesome. To find out more about them hit up the link HERE 

I loved the Labyrinth that was created with hundreds of lanterns decorated by people, I had to bite my tongue when people kept calling it a maze. Yo people learn the difference! The mini lantern lawn sculptures were excellent too. But it was the giant Owls that were the best. I pretty much stalked these three guys to get a photo as they kept on moving and my slow shutter speed couldn't keep up. Awesome costumes!

The band playing were full of energy and they lead the procession around the lake. I am so stealing the idea of making an umbrella into a jelly fish....maybe next year at Faerieworlds.

Lanterns were released into the sky at the four compass directions which was also pretty cool.

Here are the small amount of photos I got that evening.

OWLS!!!!

Khatsahlano Music and Art Festival - Kistlano

Last weekend 10 city blocked where a massive street party in one of the trendiest and busiest suburbs in downtown Vancouver. It is the Khatsahlano Music and Art Festival and it is sponsored by one of the largest radio stations around the Fox.

At every street intersection there were either stages with house music, rock, folk, hip hop and even electric violins and the streets were lined with market stalls, skaters, artists and performers. It was pretty kick ass. There was even College league dodgeball going on.

Thank goodness for public transport as over 50,000 people walked that street over the weekend. It was a bit of a bitch to get down there as like most cities the public transport runs a little slower on the weekends but most people took PT so it was all good.

Can't and won't complain with a major city putting on a sweet free festival for everyone. It was pretty ace and most of the artists were local so it is a great way to support local talent. SO MANY HIPSTERS! Man they are EVERYWHERE.

I also managed to do a bit of husband scouting for my Boo in Australia, Courtney, I FOUND ONE for her. We now just have to find him and stalk him a bit. I am sure he is going to super appreciate the effort we are going to go to.

They caught me

For all of the photos from the day they are on Facebook - HERE

Sunday I had Improv again and it is always a fun day of laughing. It was also my last week of freedom as I started work on Monday. It was great but I am now so tired. Two short weeks next week cause of FaerieWorlds which is pretty sweet.

Busy weekend this weekend as well but just wanted to update the blog at least on a weekly basis and put some photos up.

Finished the first completed draft of my first eBook which I am pretty excited about. Now just have to put the finishing touches on it and get someone to look over it for a final edit.

Went and saw Pacific Rim, man the movie screens here are so awesome it was so worth the 3D. Plus 3D movies on a Tuesday here are like $12. Cheap Tuesdays in canada are like $7 you remember when that was the case in Australia..... yeah me too. We is being screwed down under with movies.

Hope the people who sent me their addresses are starting to get their first little something. If you haven't sent me your postal addy email me and I will put you on the mailing list.

Good way to celebrate a new job

Peace out for now, the sun is shining still (we have been apparently spoilt the weather has been AMAZING) going to go enjoy it at another festival and meet up with some peeps at a cafe.

Will update again next weekend.

For Friends and Family

So some people have been asking for me to blog and have something to keep everyone updated while I am on my adventures beyond Facebook. So here it is. It is also great cause you can comment and update me too. (Which some of you have been sucking at BTW).

So what has been happening?

Pretty much all settled in to the new time zone although the fact that it is still light at 9pm at night is still a little hard to get used to.

Have been creating a lot of art for no other purpose but to create and writing a bit.

Looking for work has been harder than I thought and I wasn't really looking for the first four weeks or so but then when I started to really have a look it was harder than I thought and the entire process took over a month but alas I start my new job on Monday with an International recruitment agency looking after candidates in IT. It is going to be nice to take a break from Engineering and the mining industry for sure. There is another Aussie guy in the office from Perth no less and the company was voted one of the best places to work last year. It is right on the train line and my gym is also two buildings down which is very handy.

I started Improv Comedy classes at the Instant Theatre downtown two weeks ago. Jaime gave me some excellent advice about finding a hobby that is social to meet new people and it was excellent advice. I have met a couple of people in the classes who seem like people I may become friends with which is pretty cool. I pretty much spend the entire day at classes laughing and having a great time. I have two more classes in the next fortnight and then there is a performance group that I may be able to be a part of which will meet each week for 3 months and then perform. That would be pretty great. So that is good fun.

Today was an excellent day as I received my birthday pressie from Krystina and Samara which was a lovely surprise when I went to the post office. Thank you both for the wonderful gifts. I am a spoilt girl. To Kristy, Krystina and Samara I am going to send something over for your 30th birthday I am just trying to find something awesome enough to actually send.

My pressies :) I am a lucky girl

Am getting used to being on the right side of the road and am not as freaked out about it any more. I have also stopped walking to the passenger side of a car and expect to drive. I even went on my first unaccompanied drive this morning.

I recorded my first video for a series I am going to have on my new website soon about the Tarot which turned out better than I thought and I have so many ideas for them. Trying to fit it all in before I go back to work is probably not going to happen but I will get it done. Started up a social group to meet people too and will be seeing them again next week. Will see how that goes.

Joel and I have been enjoying the sunshine and we went to the VanDusen Botanical Gardens yesterday were there is a wonderful sculpture exhibition going on and a maze which was good fun. I have some photos and will upload some later.

One of my pieces of art

This was a dessert I had called chocolate explosion and I couldn't finish it it was so sweet and rich. Really good though.

Some chalk drawings out the front of the apartment

Seen a few movies, Monsters University, Despicable Me 2, Man of Steel. I wish that all of theaters here had selected seating cause on Tuesdays when the movies are like $5.45 you an easily end up in the front and that has happened. The real butter on the popcorn is pretty cool and they do pop it at the theater.

So this is my first update along with some photos. Will try and keep it up to date as much as I can.