First post and swimming against the tide
Unless someone is going to beat me to the punch and type up a storm this should be the first post on Metroblogging’s Vancouver site, the very site you’re reading. I’m super excited that we’ve been able to convince Metroblogging to open up a franchise in the land of Trevor Linden and rain because I’ve really enjoyed reading their LA site for years and since becoming involved in the startup of this particular city site have fallen in love with their Seattle coverage. Seattle being Vancouver’s twin, an image of what we would have turned out to be had the British botched the War of 1812.
So for this first post I’d like to talk a little about being a human salmon, fighting against the people tide in Burrard station. I work in Burnaby but live downtown in Coal Harbour, and every day I fight against the hordes of people rushing into the city centre from the burbs via the Skytrain. Today was the worst I’ve ever seen as the westbound trains were packed to the gills with people hypnotized by the mere oppertunity to see Santa Claus in his annual parade. Meanwhile trains going East were like a scene from 28 Days Later, after the zombies have eaten everyone in London.
Did you go to the parade? Was it worth being squished into a Skytrain car with a loud Swede named Ivan? Was it the real Santa or just one of his helpers? Let us know by using the comments, which is internet for “magic note leaving device.”
Skytrain blog Santa Claus parade
it was definitely worth it… if you’re a child, believe in santa, and/or trying to get in touch with your inner child.
hey, consider yourself lucky to get to live downtown - at the end of the workday, you’re heading into the city to kill off your night while other folks are in the dreary ‘burbs of burnaby.
and yay for being human fishies - human sardines on the 99B every morning….!
True living downtown is key. After spending the last two decades almost living in Kelowna, which is essentially on big suburb with no Vancouver attached, I love living downtown so much.
Congrats on your first posing. I know you’ve been working at this for a while. Keep it up!
Welcome to the family!
LA Metblogger here — welcome to the family! It’s a good thing the Canucks are in the Northwestern Conference and not in the Pacific with my Kings — now we can be friends! ;D
Hey Vancouver, Phoenix here. Welcome to the Metroblogging family.
Hey, just saying ‘hello’ for Berlin. :-) Welcome to the club!
Robert: we can be friends. It’s not like the Kings have been good since they traded for the 1985 Oilers team and almost won the cup. I mean how can you not love a team with Gretzky?
Llyod: Thanks for the welcome. Say hello to Gretzky for me. He coaches the Coyotes now in Phoenix.
Till: Berlin. Sweetness.
Thanks for the hello all of you. It’s good to be here.
Welcome, Vancouver people. I look forward to reading more about your area.
Hey, take one illegal stick away and we’re Stanley Cup Champs! ;D
Howdy from another Seattle Metroblogger - Vancouver is definitely a sister-city! Nice to see y’all joining the party… (and hey, if I defect to UBCVancouver, maybe I can come play with you guys!)
Oh that would be great. I heart the Seattle Metroblog. Heart it like a lovable puppy that never pees on the carpet.
Another Seattleite here - we should seriously consider a big meetup and hang out and write cool entries about it. :)
I’ve always considered Vancouver a sister city, and I’ll never turn down an excuse to come visit. (My last excuse was the Pixies at the Commodore, and it’s just been far too long!)
Congratulations, you guys! :)