Traditions

We're a week out from the wedding of one of my oldest friends so of course it has the rest of us thinking ahead, wondering what our own weddings might look like. We don't talk about flowers, dresses, or even rings; we're more concerned about the various events and traditions that are inevitably part Of the wedding package.

Times have changed and more people are looking at alternative options for bridal showers, stag/stagette parties, and even for the actual ceremonies and receptions. I'm not going to lie...I'm all for the tradtions. It's probably the planner in me but I get excited for all the showers and parties. It also doesn't help that I have a huge family so even the simplest events like Sunday dinner become parties.

Oh things to look forward to...at least I've got time to prepare myself for all the madness to come =)

Where In The World

No, I'm not wondering where Carmen Sandiego is.  The truth is a bit more mundane but infinitely more interesting to me since it concerns this blog.

Way back in January, I mentioned that this blog surprisingly has readers scattered around the world.  Blogger actually tracks your blog's statistics, looking at page views, post views, traffic sources/referring sites, and audience location.  They also break down the sats so you can examine them over certain periods of time ranging from what's happening on your blog right now, this day, this week, this month, and even your all time stats since the start of your blog.  My favourite stat is probably the one that looks at where people are reading from (audience location).  Here's a quick breakdown of countries so far (as of 10 am this morning):

1. Canada (1,841 views)
2. USA (346 views)
3. Norway (97 views)
4. Malaysia (87 views)
5. UK (51 views) 
6. Denmark (31 views)
7. Australia (26 views)
8. Germany (18 views)
9. Monaco (15 views)
10. Russia (13 views)

Even though they make up only 26% of the 2,644 views, I'm really feeling the international love =) It's easy to chalk up the high Canadian views to family and friends, but places like Malaysia, Denmark, Germany, and Russia breaking into the top 10 is amazing considering I don't really know anyone who lives there!

It's little things like this that help me realize what kind of range and depth my own little voice can reach just with the random things I ramble about.  It also makes me imagine how these numbers could grow as I take on issues and topics of importance once I'm ready to take that step.  With the Internet and various technologies, the world is shrinking and I think I'm ready to stake my place in it; with a bit of help from my friends (known and unknown) of course =)

Reunited...

...and it feels so good!

It's hard to believe that the last time I was in the same city as all of my best friends from high school was way back in 2005.  Six years later and we've been reunited for the first wedding out of the six of us.  I have a feeling that the next week and a half is going to be full of laughter, ice cream and reminiscing about the past ten years.

It's amazing to think of all the things we've missed out on in each other's lives since we've been spread around the world over the years but it honestly doesn't feel like it's been that long  One of the benefits of knowing each other for over ten years is that even though we go through stretches where we're more out of touch than in, nothing really changes =)

Summer Treats

Mmm...Gelao...

A few weeks ago I boldly declared this to be the summer of ice cream.  From Blizzards to McFlurries, Marble Slab to every gelato place in Vancouver, I've made it my mission to chase these sultry days with ice cold treats!  This new found commitment got me thinking of some of my past (and current) summer treats: Freezies, ice cream sandwiches, lemonade, Frappuccinos, daiquiris...you get the point =)

Anyone feel like tossing out their faves for me to add to my list?

What colour is your favourite?

Family Night

It was fam-jam night at the movies with nine of us braving the front rows (pretty sure it was the fourth row!) to catch Transformers: Dark of the Moon in 3D.  I'm short on time tonight (as usual) so the review will have to wait until tomorrow (at the earliest) but I will say, if you have a chance to watch it in 3D, do it!  Sure, movies are expensive and you can probably just find a bootlegged copy on line but destruction on this scale just doesn't translate as well onto a computer or television screen.  One piece of advice; get there early for a decent seat though so you can actually see the entire screen at once =)

The Race

The last Harry Potter movie comes out in 10 days (first showings are at midnight on the 15th!).  Being the geek that I am, this means it's marathon time!

My god-daughter and I have a bit of a race going on to see who can finish reading all seven books and watching all seven movies first.  I know she'll beat me in the end since she has the advantage of free afternoons now that it's summer vacation.

Are we crazy?  That much is obvious.  Apologies in advance for any less than stellar posts.  Clearly, I'll be a bit distracted for the next little while...

Summer Planning

Summer weather has finally arrived and it's got me thinking of all the different things I'd like to do over the next couple of months.  Of course now that I'm trying to record them, most of those brilliant plans have deserted me.  Here's what I can remember...

1. Bard on the Beach
2. Theatre Under the Stars
3. Sailing
4. Bike around Stanley Park
5. Visit every gelato shop in Vancouver =)
6. Watch at least 3 outdoor movies in the parks
7. Watch a movie at the drive in
8. Watch the last Harry Potter!
9. Visit the Island
10. Visit Washington

What about you?  Any suggestions to add to my list?  Feel free to send me some of your summer activities =)