Corner of Granville & Davie Street, Vancouver, B.C.

There, amongst the dumpsters, cigarette butts and alley refuse is a mural that is a visual parable for those who choose to see it as such.

Tucked away off of a busy street in the heart of Vancouver, this hidden gem of street art remains, for the most part, ignored and isolated - just like the rocks and islands who pass by it.

Insulated in their cocoon of phone apps, tweets and ear buds, the dwellers of the electric city march-by, yoga mats in hand, eager to chase that elusive bliss that always seems to be, just beyond their reach. 

Eventually, the colours will start to fade and this city scape will be no more. And the only memory of its existence will be in the minds of those who chose to stop and open their eyes to the world around them.

I was waiting for the bus today when I noticed a lonnie and two quarters lying on the pavement.

I was going to pocket the change but then all of a sudden, I had second thoughts.

The way the coins were arranged and the fact that they amounted to exactly $2.50 made me suspect that their presence wasn't entirely by happenstance.

Someone had left them there on purpose.

All of a sudden, I looked up and saw a man walk by. His dishevelled hair, soiled clothing and a gait that is so common amongst the down-and-out made me want to rush up to him and press the coins into his hand.

But I didn't.

Instead, I silently watched him walk away until he was out of sight.

The bus came at its appointed time and I got on. 

As I watched the scenery go by, I silently hoped that the man would come across the coins and claim them for himself.

I wonder if I would have done the same had the money been the kind that folds...

...probably not.

Christmas Day 2011

In addition to being exposed to new opinions, events, products, techniques, people, places, various artistic expressions and the best and worst of the human race, YouTube also allows us to spend Christmas Day with folks from around the world.

So with that being stated, here is a smattering of my finds on YouTube on this rainy, blustery, December 25th, 2011:

Merry Christmas!

The Red Wagon

I had to go to the Hastings Sunrise area of Vancouver today for an appointment. On my way there, I drove past this restaurant called The Red Wagon. As I drove by it, I could see that it was packed inside and there were people standing by the door waiting to go in. As an ardent fan of the weekend brunch, I’m always on the look-out for new restaurants to try - especially the ones that serve the all day breakfast specials!

So after my appointment, I went to The Red Wagon. Luckily, there was one spot left at the counter when I had arrived (a perfect example of why it pays to be single in Vancouver!). I sat down and was greeted by a friendly young lady who immediately brought me a coffee and a copy of The Vancouver Sun.

Walking into the restaurant, you’ll notice that the interior is pretty basic. You won’t find any funky art hanging on the wall. It’s basically a space filled with tables and chairs. I saw a chalk board with the specials written on it and an old sign advertising Crush (a soft drink). But other than that, the walls were void of any distractions. There’s plenty of natural light coming-in from the large windows and the combination of eclectic patrons and wait-staff makes the environment hip and welcoming at the same time.

As I sat there taking in my surroundings, I noticed that my place mat was essentially a plain white piece of paper. Now I realize that this may not be much of a surprise to very many people, but I thought it was a very good idea for the simple reason that some diners might want to use it to jot down ideas, contact information, etc. And for parents dining with their kids, it can act as a blank canvas for their children to draw on, thus occupying their attention while giving their parents some much needed R&R.

Now as many of you know, the state of a restaurant’s washrooms can be enough to make a patron run for the hills! But not in this case, for the unisex bathroom was spotless! In order to access it though, you have to walk past the dish pit and the kitchen. And unlike some Asian restaurants in the city, a trip to the bathroom at The Red Wagon won’t leave you wondering if and when you’ll be “praying at the porcelain altar”!

But watch your step! The floor can be slippery - Whooooooooooosh!

My coffee was never cold thanks to the awesome service from the staff, and the smoked salmon scramble was delicious. Mind you, my bill for a coffee and breakfast came to a total of $14.92. So it isn’t cheap! And a post-meal walk within the neighbourhood revealed other restaurants offering the “All Day Breakfasts” for less than $10 (and in some cases, $5!).

But I didn’t mind paying the extra amount and in fact, I ended-up leaving a twenty. In my haste to get to the appointment on-time, I forgot to take my wallet with me. The staff were totally cool about the situation and entrusted me with the task of doing the right thing. No raised eyebrows. No third degree. Just a simple understanding that I would be back to pay my bill.

By the time I came back, the restaurant was stilled packed and there were still people waiting for a seat by the door (which really didn’t surprise me considering my experience earlier today).

Thank to The Red Wagon, I now have a reason to come back to the Hastings Sunrise Neighbourhood and more importantly, a new place to pay homage to the almighty brunch!

For more info visit: http://www.redwagoncafe.com/