Category Archives: Vancouver

The other 40th anniversary

Posted on October 1, 2017 by garpinbc

One of the benefits of having a good revue cinema in your neighbourhood is that it forces you to see old movies you’ve been putting off renting. On Monday I went and saw Close Encounters of the Third Kind at … Continue reading →

Posted in Brampton, Commercial Drive, Memoir, Movies, Rio Theatre, The Seventies | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

It’s hard out there for a debt collector: Watching Skip Tracer on National Canadian Film Day

Posted on April 27, 2017 by garpinbc

I’ve always been a champion of Canadian film. Growing up, I was the only person I knew who watched the Genie Awards telecast. I also recognized the directors Sandy Wilson (My American Cousin), and Patricia Rozema (I’ve Heard the Mermaids … Continue reading →

Posted in Brampton, Movies, Pop Culture, The Seventies, Vancouver | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Watching Blazing Saddles in the current political climate

Posted on September 24, 2016 by garpinbc

If there’s an upside to the rash of celebrity deaths this year, it’s that The Rio Theatre has been honouring the deceased with retrospectives of their best movies. First it was Bowie, then it was Prince, and lately it’s been … Continue reading →

Posted in Brampton, Commercial Drive, Current Events, Humor, Memoir, Movies, Politics, Rio Theatre, The Seventies, Vancouver | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

It’s all fun and games until someone marries a cousin of a cousin

Posted on September 21, 2016 by garpinbc

During the Vancouver Fringe Festival, I saw show called Feste at the Portuguese Club of Vancouver. I had heard about the show from my friend Morgan Brayton who learned about it at a festival media event; she also knows the … Continue reading →

Posted in Brampton, Commercial Drive, Memoir, Portuguesey, Vancouver | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

The Lady on the Train

Posted on September 4, 2016 by garpinbc

I come from a large family, so I have a lot respect people’s personal space. If I’m you’re neighbour, I’ll try to keep the volume of my music and TV down. I don’t man-spread on public transit, and I take … Continue reading →

Posted in Brampton, Commercial Drive, Humor, Memoir, Movies, Rio Theatre, Vancouver | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Eternal Garage Sale of the Spotless Apartment

Posted on August 31, 2016 by garpinbc

Last Saturday a couple of friends and I had a garage sale. I came away from the experience learning two things: I’m not cut out to work with the public. Unless it’s signed by Picasso, you’re stuff ain’t worth shit. … Continue reading →

Posted in Buying, Commercial Drive, Humor, Memoir, Pop Culture, Sales nightmares, Uncategorized, Vancouver | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Summer of Love: Eighties Edition

Posted on August 19, 2016 by garpinbc

The best part about living on The Drive is having the The Rio Theatre at my disposal. One of my favourite past-times is watching films from my youth on the big screen even though I could probably see them for … Continue reading →

Posted in Brampton, Commercial Drive, Memoir, Movies, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Out of time but not out of mind

Posted on March 14, 2016 by garpinbc

Facebook has this great way of reminding me that I’m aging a faster than I can stop to live in the moment without feeling like I’m missing out on something. Today on my news feed some asshole decided to inform … Continue reading →

Posted in Memoir, Music, Uncategorized, Vancouver | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Are You My Barber?

Posted on August 7, 2014 by garpinbc

One of the longest relationships I’ve had in Vancouver ended a few weeks ago when my barber decided to move to Ontario with his partner. Like getting dumped by your boyfriend, evicted from your apartment, or fired from your job, … Continue reading →

Posted in Tales of the West End, Vancouver | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Out With a Bang

Posted on July 24, 2014 by garpinbc

The softball season is officially over. All that’s left is a beer bust, a banquet, and a draw for a train trip for two to Jasper, BC that I’m hoping I win. The playoffs were held over the weekend. By … Continue reading →

Posted in softball, Vancouver, WESA | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment