BoyJake Types from Vancouver

This is me recommending Canada - Vancouver anyway. I've been here less than forty-eight hours and I'm already in love with this place. It's like Minneapolis, but it feels bigger to me - it's not - Vancouver is only 44 square miles to Minneapolis's 58.4 (thanks, Wikipedia). It's cleaner than any U.S. city I've ever been in (sorry, Minneapolis) and everybody up here seems to be in a good mood. For once I'm glad that a people are living up to their stereotype - these Canadians are pretty damn polite. The assholes up here are really nice people and even the ugly people are beautiful. I may never leave.

I got up, got some Canadian cash out of the hotel's machine and wandered out in search of a coffee house where I might work on my novel. I didn't get far before I found a diner and my stomach usurped my literary intentions in favor of French toast - but truth and beauty on the page must be fueled by something - it might as well be fried egg bread and maple syrup. Sufficiently nourished I took a long walk down Georgia street where the only independent (i.e. not Starbucks) coffee outlet I found was closed...so I kept walking. I walked until I found a Starbucks. I learned about the existence of Canada's two dollar coin when I thoughtlessly tossed my coins in the tip cube and realized that I gave my sweet Starbucks barista a 100% tip. The good news is that it's just Canadian money.

I finished Chapter 22 and started Chapter 23. When I found myself with writer's cramp I decided to move on back toward to the hotel. I stopped at a Canadian chain drugstore (the name escapes me, but signs all over the place said "Proud to be a Canadian company!") where I bought some pens (I was running out of ink) and three KitKat Dark bars - I don't know if they even still sell KitKat Dark in the states - I haven't seen it if they do - I'll pretend I'm treating myself to something special.

On the way back I took a different route along the harbor where I found a few non-Starbucks cafes that I may try out before I leave. I took a nap and Brenda called to chat for a bit. That's always a swell way to wake up.

I'm supposed to set up our tradeshow booth in about an hour, but that won't take long.

The photo is a public art bear statue - there are different themed ones all over Vancouver and I like them.

Thanks for playing.