journal features
movie reviews
photo of the day

Vancouver drivers

the journal of Michael Werneburg

twenty-eight years and a million words

Vancouver, 2001.08.13

If the sudden gaps in my journal are any indication, I'm starting to have a life again! This weekend, Ken, Heidi, Charlie and I went hiking/camping in the interior. Went to Manning park, and stayed somewhere in the three-brothers region. Our main objective was to learn about camp coking, and I think we did (even me, though my main contribution was to act as foil, it seems).

I got out for a real spin on my bike this aft. Went to demonstrate a connection between my cell phone number and my home address, to meet the bank's paper requirements. I had to take my phone bill, and it's a fair haul, so I thought it best to take my bike at 4:30. I've learned a few important things:

Vancouver drivers are even worse than Torontonians (though less aggressive). They seem to pick and choose the street signs they'll obey at random.

A possible reason for this is the distraction caused by all of the scantily clad women on in-line skates. No wonder in-line skates are banned in Sydney!

I managed to avoid major injury, but my bike is clearly in need of help. I made an appointment to have it checked out. The best they could do was Monday!

Actually, I lie. I'm also in need of help. Used to be able to cycle twenty/thirty blocks I just put in without raising a sweat. No more!

rand()m quote

Naturally the common people don't want war: Neither in Russia, nor in England, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.

Hermann Goering