Thursday, May 31, 2007

'07 Finals

I finally had the cable guys over the day before and my cable got installed. So I could watch the second game of 2007 Stanley Cup Finals in Anaheim, CA. between the Senators and the Ducks. The first game was won by the Ducks 3 to 2. I watched the scoreless first period where the Senators and apparently their goalie were under constant attacks. Then in the second period I had an eye on the TV and another one on the food that I was making for dinner! (Something with zucchini, I give you the recipe, if you're interested. It's healthy, simple, and delicious) It was scoreless again while Ottawa lost a 5 to 3 opportunity. Then the third period came up finally and it was up and down and up and down but that was Anaheim who took the advantage of a home game and had more shoots. I was done with the damn food and less than 7 min. to the end I sat and said to me: Let’s watch the rest with a little more interest in hockey! But in 6 min. and few seconds left, the Ducks scored and they now lead the series 2-0! The next game is scheduled for the coming Sat. in Scotia Bank Centre.
Don Cherry was different in Couch’s Corner tonight! He Supported Ottawa’s goalie, who’s a Black guy and the Ducks’ goalie as well and seemed happy with the Ottawa’s result despite their two losses. He said that these two games were road games and now it’s the Senator’s turn.
(Photo: Emery stops 30 shots of the Ducks and let only one in and that one costs them the game)

Monday, May 28, 2007

Wreckage

I took the gravel road right next to the neighbourhood where the line of houses end and went all the way up. I was going to take the trail map I bought from the adventure centre but thought I’d be fine. So I passed where the road gets to two branches and the right one, which I think is the one I took last time I went for a walk, belongs to Squamish first nation people and rode up. My back was a little sore because of all the rocks of that stupid wall which I had to lift but I was fine. After a few minutes I reached a flat part of the road with a nice view of all the mountains, the valley and trees. I took a few photos and then my Gosh! I looked down and saw the wreckage! There were at least four cars down there! All destroyed, of course. One can imagine what has happened to the passenger. I, for a moment, was terrified and felt a shake all around my balls! At the same time I wish I could get down there and see the vehicles closer. I, then resumed my ride and it was slope down till I reached a wooden bridge and then got slope up again. I didn’t know how far I was from the main road and the exact same thing that happened when I was riding in Paradise Valley happened and I decided to go back because I started late and that was almost 07:00 PM. The only difference is in the Paradise Valley I didn’t return but in there, in Valley Cliff, I did! I rode back and I saw another cyclist coming from the opposite direction. So it was probably not too far from the main road. I’ll go all the way next time but that was a good exercise and got home around 19:25.
(Photo: The destroyed cars at the bottom of the hole, may be 200 meters, I really don't know and that's scary. No one should have been taken out alive)

Saturday, May 26, 2007

Amazing Handset (Not handjob!)

I was so tired yesterday morning when I got up. That was because of another stupid thing A. J. did and again made us facing a problem with the house, this time with the retaining wall. That’s another story that I‘m not telling here but what happened is when I woke up and went to the washroom I saw a pile of shit in the toilet! I was so tired the night before that I forgot to flush! So I flushed and was goin’ to wash and suddenly dropped my mobile phone in the toilet! Oh my! I quickly took it out and tried to dry it out! Of course it was not working! Happily I just flushed a min. ago but still there was shit on it! So I put it on the floor outside under the direct sunlight and went to work. I then checked it in few hours and amazingly the handset itself was working! And finally after a few hours it was receiving the signals and working perfectly!
(Photo: My handset after it got saved by me and sunny sun! Thanks to Sony Erickson!)

Monday, May 21, 2007

A Short and Beautiful Ride


I have to find a way to get rid of this crappy laziness which has been sticking to me since I really don’t know when! I decided to start that carpentry book and finish it and actually I did start yesterday and enjoyed a lot but couldn’t do it today! Then that’s my cycling which has been postponed lately, mostly because of too much stupid work that I have to do and secondly because of the damn rain. I know the deep reason is loneliness which is not goin' to be discussed here.
Today was beautiful and sunny though. But I was stuck at home behind this damn computer and just once stopped by at the project site, did a grocery shopping and went back. I was going to check on that girl whom was seen a little ready but I’m stupid and didn’t! So finally at about 16:00 I decided to go for a ride. I went all the way to the University. There's a long slope up in Garibaldi heights and then a right and left turn in the neighbourhood and I found myself there. It’s going to be opened this fall.
Then I drove around that neighbourhood. It’s a beautiful place and went again to the project site where Mike and one of his aides were still working. I took the trail alongside the Squamish River where the Eagle View is and drove back all the way home. That was a short but good ride which also gave me the chance to test both the engine (myself!) and the bike itself so I get ready for longer rides.
(Photo: A beautiful blue flower in the Squamish River bank. I love this great nature here which, unfortunately, is being destroyed day by day by damn constructors. I took it with my new Sony digital camera which I bought specifically for my ride as it's easy to carry it in my belt bag)

Saturday, May 19, 2007

Flashback (11): Ellen

I used to talk to a girl who, I think, still resides in Toronto, back to the early days of my immigration. I guess it was 2002. I found her through an Iranian dating website among a few others. She was a refugee probably slid in from a South American country, as she said once. But I’m not sure because she was a lair. Ellen, as she used to be called in a real state office or something like that, used to tell me the stories that she would forget later and contradict herself! She also used to yell at me and curse at me on the phone and when once I asked her why she did that she would say that she was under so much pressure and needed to get it out! She was broke; I guess and lived based on the welfare and the money I think she gained from an old men. I think she used to sleep with them in exchange for food and accommodation .Once she asked me to go there because she said wanted to rape me!
Obviously she was in a bad situation but I would never travel all the way to Toronto to fuck someone and come back. Well ... maybe I should have! She later told me that she had found someone and they stayed in bed for I don’t remember how many days! But she said that the guy had not have sex for more than 2 years and a half! I guess they really enjoyed themselves because sounded that they both needed that! She also used to send me photos, probably to convince me that she’s attractive enough and worth travelling to Toronto! She was not pretty but when it comes to fucking, I don’t care! I don’t know why I didn’t go! I talked to her and sometimes she would say that I can come and sometime she would say that her apartment is too small. I never knew which one was right! But I do remember that she had a Caucasian girl as her roommate who used to bring the guys over for sex, apparently. She was so mad at her and said once that she found a box full or rubbers in her room! She also accused her of theft! She said that the girl stole her stuff, like a skirt or belt and then simply returned it!
I don’t remember how exactly but I, one day, asked her to stop calling me or talking to me on the phone. I was tired of her bullish and stupid behaviour and that was the end of it

Friday, May 18, 2007

3 out of 7

I had a message from a lady in one of my credit card company’s security department, yesterday. She wanted me to call her. I thought that was not really important and ignored it. In the morning I tried the number and it didn’t go through and then I got connected once and the agent started asking stupid question they usually ask. Oh ... by the way I went to a gas station to buy gas for the generator and the card didn’t work! I got angry and just in the middle of conversation I hang up!
Then I called the main number and asked the lady to cancel my card. She was trying to convince me that it was a security problem but I said they did that because of my previous nationality. I was really mad. She said that she would add that as a reason and we ended the conversation. The card is cancelled after about 3 years.
Then after a short time a lady from the security department called but I told her that I didn’t want to talk to her and I had already cancelled my card!
This is the third time I cancel a credit card. First time it was a BMO one and I cancelled it right after I received the first statement! And that was without any spending. I guess it had annual fee and I simply didn’t want to pay that amount. It was offered to me in Pearson International Airport when I was heading home, almost 2 years ago. And then there was that fucking bastard, the E-fax company which charged me two times and I couldn’t get a hold of them or stop them. I even went to a police station. In the Downtown office the officer helped me and said what he needed to be able to work on the case but he also referred me to another district which was closer to my place. They teased me and bullshit me in that office but I had already cancelled the card and saw no reason to file a complaint and follow the case. The recent one have recently increased my credit from $1000 to $1700! What a huge amount! No I have fewer cards to deal with and less statement to receive. I stick to the 4 ones which are left, plus the other two for specific stores.

Monday, May 14, 2007

West Vancouver


I went to Tim Horton’s for my breakfast today and sat there for a few min., calling my friends in Alberta. I called Hojam, Ali. G. and Hodani and only the last one picked up. We chatted for a while and then I decided to go for a ride but not riding my bike. I decided to drive the van in Sea to Sky highway and take photos. Then I said to me why don’t I go to Wal-Mart and buy the digital camera I was going to.

I went there and the same girl I saw the first time I got there, was there: Amber. Caucasian, average-looking, tall and bit shy. She’s way too far from Jasmine. She told me that the camera I was looking for was sold out and there’s one left and that’s the one on the desk. Why I’m saying this bullshit story is because I think there might be a chance to get here. I think I have seen signs but better be sure before I run for it. There must be something wrong with me because when we were goin’ to the stock in the back and I was walking shoulder to shoulder with her, I felt my cock is getting bigger and I almost got hard on! That was very good feeling. Thank God that I was not allowed to get in the warehouse!
Anyhow I couldn’t get the camera and drove the highway all the way to West Vancouver. Had a few stops on the way, including one in Britannia Beach for a few photos but couldn’t get many because the beach and everything were at the left, exactly where the sun were shining.
As soon as I reached West Vancouver I turned right and went to 13th street. Wow! I haven’t been there before. I parked where Lion Gates Bridge could be seen easily and then went in a big mall. Did a little shopping in the Future Shop and some food stores and then went for a walk and photography.
Although it was partly cloudy but people were there walking their dogs. It was like a dog park! It was beautiful though. I took a few photos and walked around. Amber then called and said that she didn’t find the camera. I could easily say that she’s a shy girl on the phone as well. I’m goin’ to ask her out soon this week.
So I find how to get to the first major shopping centre out of the town and there’re much to discover but this damn van is not a good vehicle for a road trip. Consumes too much gas and is heavy and old. Also the wheel quivers when I push the break. But I have to stick to it until I buy a car for me. I’ve been doin’ a little research about the vehicles and I guess now I know what I want. That perhaps is another post.
(Photo: Lion Gates Bridge, the way it's seen from Ambleside park in West Vancouver in a cloudy day. The picture is not as clear and shiny as it should be, partially because of the clouds and also because of, I think, the machine and paper used in Wal-Mart photo lab, a Kodak one. May be I should stop taking it to that store and just use Fuji somewhere else)

Saturday, May 12, 2007

A Beautiful Scene

When you work for A. J., it has advantages and disadvantages like any other job. Prose and cones. He bullshits you a lot, things like: “My management is ...” actually worth less than a piece of crap in toilet! or “I’m engineer!” You are for sure! And many more. At the same time you should look at the glass half full: I learn many new things that might be helpful to me to be a site supervisor or a builder in a few years, I drive the vehicle that the company owns and I pay not a penny for that, I don’t waste time and money on getting to job and back, he pays for food and takes me to restaurants off and on and the last but not least I see funny scenes that I probably won’t forget for years! I let you to taste one of them:
Once we loaded the van and there were a few pieces of long lumber heading out of the back door. They, I guess, a little longer than 12 feet ‘cause I can push them in. I told him a red flag is needed to be attached to the end of the woods in order to make it easily visible for the drives and that prevents from accidents. I added that the cops would probably stop us if they see that. He said that he would take the responsibility then sat behind the wheel and started. But for a reason he had to back a little and first he hit a light post! I heard a crack and he put the gear in drive and moved forward. The front of the vehicle just below the dash had been hit by the lumbers! Then he backed up again and this time he hit his own van’s lid with the lumber and made a big dent! We both jumped out of the vehicle and I said: “That’s nothing!” But that was something! He later told me that he had to pay $500 to have it fixed and that’s the extra expense of what the insurance company pays. Considering that is a leased car, he would have a problem with the inspector but he didn't. They changed the lid! I try to post more on A. J. as this is part of my daily life now!

Thursday, May 10, 2007

A Fool and His Money Are Soon Parted

I was talking to Mike, the framer, about the two big houses A. J. is building and they are about to be finished. He said that he didn’t think selling them would be easy. A. J., himself, said the same thing last night when we all were sitting at the dinner’s table in a Greek restaurant. The fact is, as Mike said, and I guess he’s kind of right, the houses are just not simply this little town's style. People, who buy house here, would like to buy something like a cottage, all-wood and simply not a luxury mansion. Who’s really goin’ to spend $800,000 on a house in a small city like this? What A. J. says is when Sea to Sky Highway is finished, it’s only half an hour drive to Downtown Vancouver. That drives people who work in Downtown and that could be a well-paid job to buy an expensive house like that. If I had money or could borrow money from a financial institution, I would never buy a house like that in that neighbourhood. It’s a beautiful place though. But just two fucking nasty Punjabi families are enough to ruin a small neighbourhood like this. Beside once I was up to Garibaldi estates, if that’s the name, where you get close to the newly being build Canada Quest University, I saw beautiful houses. Talking about Punjabi guys I just add this and go back to the main subject. I was leaving one of the houses today and a Punjabi girl called and asked if I worked there. I said: “ Why? “ She was a little surprised and said: “ Don’t you want to tell me? “ I said: “ No! “ She said: “ I’m her sister (pointing at the Punjabi woman who lives next to us) “ I said: “ So?! “ She was being driven mad! She said: “ I have business for you” I said: “ You want to do business here?! “ She said: “ No! I – have – a – business – for – you! “ I asked: “ What business? “ She said something about painting and I said: “ The painter will be here at about 10:30. Just talk to him! “ Then turned my back and left and heard she said something in Punjabi to her sister! I’m sure that I drove her really mad but that was a good lesson for a little stinky piece of crap like her. Just remembering our conversation makes me laugh! I’m really happy that I kind of humiliate her!
So I guess A. J. did something that really regrets it. His former partner, a fucking stinky Punjabi induced him to invest here and build big houses. He has built one himself just next to these two, couldn't sell it and now is being rented by bunch of pot-smokers and drunkards. That’s A. J.’s fear now. I just don’t understand why he listens to everyone and the funny thing is he thinks that he’s very smart. But just to mention that once we were at the Punjabi guy's place he kept us at the door without inviting us inside or offering something, while we had to smell shit all the time we were standing on our feet!
So that’s one of the problems out of many for him and he’s really under mental pressure. He’s out of money and tries to borrow some from everyone and everywhere. He had a plan to list the houses a few weeks ago but there are still things to be done and I don’t think he can do it sooner than the weekend after.
One last thing: Let’s say the houses are built in a nice and quiet neighbourhood and no one minds the stinky Punjabi guys around. The other issue with the houses is as he cuts the corners to the keep the expenses low and hires cheap trades, mostly again Punjabi guys, the houses have so many problems that can be seen by a keen eye. So what they say applies here: A fool and his money are soon parted.

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

Stressed Out

I received a mail from Jasmine last night. I was a little surprised because she never has done that before and I never had time to spend with her. It was only about the new maps though. Then I went to see her this morning because I thought that's a sign but when she came to the desk, as beautiful as ever with her magic blue eyes and told me that she would move to Vancouver, I was shocked. We never had the chance to get close. I mean I never spent time or better to say had time to spend time with her but always hoped to find some and make her if not my girlfriend, at least a good friend and companion of mine in the city that I know nobody.
She said that she had a plan to go to Thailand and teach scuba diving there! She said that she had been already there once and fell in love with it! She said that she would go to Israel and the India and Thailand would be her final destination. I asked her if she would go by herself and she said that someone would be with her in India, I guess. She said: " There's someone always " And I said: " Not for me! " I wonder if she had a boyfriend. That could be someone who's trying to have her and somehow has the chance to travel with this little piece of diamond!
That made my whole day miserable until the afternoon I had a chance to be myself, full of sense of humor and funny with Sunny, A. J.'s daughter. God! That was all horrible before that and I was a complete different person. Completely stressed out! Everything I try, turns to a disaster for me. Then I yelled at a woman who was waiting for me to back up. I yelled at another woman in land fill where she was right and I was all confused all afternoon when we were planting cedars in the backyard!
Fortunately the day ended in a nice meal in the Greek restaurant of the town, A. J.'s favorite but I was so upset that I was about to burst in to tears as the shitty job of mine is so dumb! I think the worst mistake I've done is postponing my marriage or inability of making a good girlfriend out of the many I've seen so far. Fuck this shit! I'm not in the fucking mode that I was in the afternoon so I really can't express myself but what I had in my mind at the time is when I die I will have this on my tomb: The day I die, is the best day in my life because I never had anything but mental and physical pain all through it. Fuck and I'm responsible for most of it.
One more thing, I was so sad that I didn't think of the reason of her trip to Israel. Then when I was planting the cedars and thinking to myself (getting tortured) I figured it out: She's a Jew. I find it from her family name. That's why she's goin' to Israel. She also asked me what I was doing today. And obviously didn't get what she meant. She was asking about the time after work. And I said that I was working! Fucking stupid! Stupid!

Monday, May 07, 2007

Forestry

When you drive around in Squamish you see logging trucks a lot and there's a sorting log place, I would call, because I thought it's a log mill first and Jasmine said that they just sort them, in the town that I saw when I was up the Chief. So you would think there'll be no jungle in a few years.
That's partially true. They cut trees and cut more and more every day because they not only export it, especially to the US but also make most of the house out of wood. So they wouldn't be much left soon but Jasmine said that first they have to get license and then they make the Government sure that they replant the cut threes. She said that there are places that the jungle is rejuvenated and gave me a brochure. I have to check it out as soon as I find a free time. But she also added that they can't do that to the national parks.
Here's the question now: What percentage of Canadian forest is national parks and how efficient their refreshment procedure. She was insisting that it's very effectual but I doubt it most of Canadian forest is gone in probably last 50 years and there doesn't seem any end to cutting them as that's part of Canada's economy.
(Photo: A logging truck at the lights. I took this photo when I was behind the wheel as it's seen clearly in one main intersection of the said town)