Sue is Back in England!

My first day back in Brighton was fucking awesome! God, I have missed it! The strong sea air, the bracing wind, the slight hint of decay!

After my passport nightmare, which, thanks to Tonya (or was it Sonia?) at Canada Passport and my friends and co-workers, was resolved for a mere $307, a trip to Surrey and a few hours out of my work day, the rest of the trip over to the UK was easy.



I sat next to a Brit named Chris and to his left, a Danish-Canadian, Miana. Turns out that he works on contract for the British Navy on one of their huge aircraft carriers and she works for the small Canadian company that supplies the Navy’s navigation systems. And He lives in Salisbury, which is on the way to one of my prime destinations, Stonehenge! We had a great time gabbing away, although Chris was quite loaded by the end and asked me if I had ever been in love. Have I? I certainly thought I had, but how does one know for certain? It’s not like acupuncture – the needle slips into the right spot and your whole body resonates in an unanimous “yes!!”

Forgot my beautiful sheep leather jacket on the plane, so had to go back to get it, but it was a great chance to stretch my legs after the long flight. I didn’t sleep much despite taking melatonin and changing into my green sheep pajamas. Customs was a breeze. The customs officer asked me how I was getting to Brighton and when I responded that my friends were picking me up, he frowned slightly and stamped my (spanking brand new) passport.

Ali and Stuart were waiting right at the front of the arrivals gate with a sign reading “Ms Angle”. I had known she would have a sign, I just did. Stuart took some “action” shots of my expression upon arrival which are not flattering – I look like an ecstatic demon.

Drove from Heathrow to Brighton – the traffic is awful here, but Stuart does the commute four times a week in his beautiful BMW, so were here in no time. I remember the first trip in when Jay had sent a car for me thinking, oh my god – it looks just like England on tv!! The beautiful rolling hills and verdant countryside is just breathtaking.

I must admit that I was slightly nervous about coming back to Brighton because, really, I only knew Ali and the gang for a mere three months before our unfortunate return to Canada. Would we get along? Did we still have anything in common? I am so happy to say that it was like I was here yesterday. The bond is there – real and irrevocably solid.

Came back to the flat on the beach – just as I remembered it! Then had a bit to eat in Hove – yummy British rashers and chunky chips!! And off to Richard and Wendy’s flat that they had just purchased before we left in 2009. And a surprise – Maria was there as well! What a fantastic reunion. Everyone is still the same! Lots of laughter and catching up. And of course Richard’s outrageous anecdotes. The room was full of love and friendship. It truly felt like the day after our Christmas party two and a half years ago (but without the hangover for me!)

After a few hours catching up, we picked up Ali’s brother, Chris, who is awesome! Went across the street to the Bristol Arms and played ping pong. There was some fierce competition, but Chris, that spin doctor, definitely took the prize. Some would say (i.e. Ali, Stuart & myself) that Chris is too competitive, but that’s only because he whipped all our asses!

Stayed up until about 11pm – couldn’t believe I did it! Fell asleep under a cloud filled duvet to the sounds of my beloved seaside city.

Christmas 2009

Well, it's been a shitty year. Flying from Heathrow with a hangover on New Years Day is not recommended. Especially when Vancouver is embroiled in a three week long snow storm. I was stopped by Customs and questioned. Not interrogated or searched, but questioned. C'mon, can't you see I have a hangover, just spend $200 on a cab, $100 for overweight luggage and a took a trans-Atlantic flight?

Arriving home, my very much missed and beloved cats ignored me. On purpose. For about 60 minutes.

Then I got a job. The worst boss ever. I could tell you stories. Oh my god. If you need a veterinarian in your neighbourhood, please call me. I have inside information. And working in this clinic gave me a new and interesting (read: horrific) insight into the neuroses, greed and ego of professionals. And to think I worked for lawyers before this!!

Luckily, I went old school and sent my resumes in the mail and ended up with a job I'm liking. Not loving, but liking very much. With the clinic comes two cats, and a Labrador retriever. I especially love when I can have a special dog friend but not have to be the primary caregiver. Perfect.

Sad news in August.. My beloved and much talked about cat, Phillip, aka the Pirate,was diagnosed with renal lymphoma. He died a month later despite all our efforts. Oh god that hurt.

My oldest cat (and less talked about) Henry, was diagnosed with nasal lymphoma the same week (by way of endoscope, which was pretty cool) and I was trying to prepare myself to lose two cats at the same time. However, Henry seems to be a bionic cat. Let me list his issues: Cancer, hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, high blood pressure, heart murmur. He also suffers from FAD - flea allergy dermatitis and has had pemphigus foliaceous (an auto-immune disease). Count those: 7 things. Yet here he is, fast asleep at my side. BIONIC!

I hope for the best in the coming year. More prosperous would make Sue happy. And if anyone wants to know what I want for my birthday (Jan 14) I would like an IPod or new shoes, or dinner at a fancy restaurant or anything you care to give me.

I enjoyed writing that. Merry Christmas.

xo sue

Oops!

Played pitch & putt with Jay this afternoon in Burnaby. I hit many trees, but the best shot by far was dinging the side of the port-a-potty.

I completed my first week at my new job. Work is exhausting! I'm working with dogs again, and they are rangy, heavy, nippy and challenging. Oh, my aching back. Gotta start stretching in the morning! I fell asleep on the couch last night and nothing Jay did could dissuade me from staying there (i.e. all night). I woke up bright and early having to pee. No doubt because Phillip (who now weighs a hefty 17.5lbs) was on my stomach. I thought I would go back to Hastings Park and see what the new developments were.

It was obvious immediately that my supposition that the fish were up to no good was correct! There are literally millions of minnows populating the pond now. In just a week! Incredible.

 
 

No wonder the two Great Blue Herons have set up shop. I have never seen a heron hunt successfully before so I was thrilled when I espied one of them on the the opposite bank doing just that. Around this time a lovely Asian couple approached and I pointed out the minnows and the heron. The lady immediately started clapping and shouting - trying to scare the heron away so he wouldn't eat the fish. He gave her a withering look and kept on about his business. Nothing I or her husband said could deter her from attempting to stop the natural order of things. And nothing she did or said could keep the natural order of things from happening. Finally the heron started delicately wading deeper into the water and I was sure I would get to see the action, but just as he was about to "pounce", a red-breasted blackbird stormed towards him and started pecking at his hind end. Whaaat? No fish today! Or at least at that moment...


 

I'm Back Part II

As I was observing the fish, I heard a squawk and looked to my right. A Great Blue Heron was eyeing up a Canada Goose. The amount of action going on was just amazing. That park is a real gem.

 
 

I love this picture of Phillip - he spills out of the doughnut and has to rest his head on my jim jams!

 

I'm Baaaaaaaack!

As you all know, I'm back in Canada and have been since January. I was pretty bummed out to be back and wallowed for a few months. But, I'm feeling much better and since I really loved doing the blog before, I thought it would be a good thing to start writing again. Actually, it was my trip to lovely Hastings Park that inspired me. The whole pond was teeming with spawning goldfish and I really wanted to share that experience. So, thanks little horny fishies!

I also wanted to post some photos I think are cool...

Dead Things:


 
 

I can't seem to get all of the pictures I want to go in, so will put them in a separate post.

I Am A Bad Blogger

Yes, it's true. I am a bad blogger. It sure is easy to write about things when they're fresh and new. But settle in, and the drive to write just, well, dries up. Other things take up the space. When I first started my blog about England I felt quite isolated. Imagine that, a country with... Actually, I only know the population of Brighton - 800,000 - and only because my Dad asked me and I looked it up on Wikepedia. The English sure can squish 'em in! It's really the size of Victoria but with that many more people. People that cannot stay on one side of the sidewalk, who cut you off and never apologize. Who bump into you and give a dirty look as if it were your fault. Good at queuing, the Brits, but bad at negotiating any sort of outdoor space.

We went to Prague last month and it was a delight. Yes, the city is beautiful and full of history. This is not what I am referring to. What I mean is that the Czechs (and the thousand of tourists) know how to walk on the street. You stick to one side! It was so relaxing, even amidst throngs of people.

I have an uncanny way of losing my way. Craig and I were on Paros, in Greece many years ago and bickering about directions. I was adamant that I was right so he asked me to take us to the sea. In a huff, I did. Unfortunately, it became obvious ten minutes later that we were obviously going uphill. I had the same problem in Prague. I really did look at the map. But, I also thought that if I just kept walking over the hill I'd end up at the River. Yep. A problem. I refused to get a cab because I need to learn to navigate. I did eventually do it! But not before circling around and ending up at the Charles Bridge twice.

It is our penultimate night here in Brighton. Jay is asleep and I'm trying to "organize" for the movers tomorrow morning. Which is why I'm writing this right now. So, gotta run. See you back in Canada!