Previously on 24...: May 2006

Black Frogs and Fishballs

Saturday night saw us venture out into Chinatown, to witness the awesome spectacle that is the Chinatown night market. Our usual group had a few extra visitors though. Liz's mum and stepdad were with us for their final night in Vancouver. So I'd like to welcome Pearl and Mark to my blog, I hope you enjoyed your stay.

The nightmarket wasn't that big actually and consisted mainly of food stalls. It was here where Ian made the biggest mistake of his life and had some fishballs. It will without doubt go down as the biggest regret from his time in Vancouver.

After the market we headed for a brief drink in the Cambie. We met another of Gav's workmates here who literally wouldn't stop talking. One by one we drifted away yet he still stood there talking until he was left on his own.

We then wandered around Gastown for a while trying to find somewhere else to drink. This walk also took us into the less glamorous parts of Vancouver full of diverse and interesting characters.

We finally settled at The Black Frog until the early hours where the following pictures were taken on Mark's camera.

Group shot, for those of you just joining us, Andy, Me, Ian, Pearl, Liz, Gav, Mark

Preview for the wedding?

B.U.N.A.C The worlds worst boyband getting ready for a relaunch

Gav looking pleased because Chris has joined him

Ian stroking Andy's hair. You're not alone in the flat now boys

The Brazilian Job

My third trip to the Whitecaps Swangard Stadium brought about the best match so far. This was most probably because the Whitecaps weren't actually playing, this time we were watching Brazil. Well the Under 20's anyway. Going into this last game of 3 between Canada and Brazil, the score was surprisingly tied at 1 game each.

I had read reports of the previous games which described Brazil as pretty toothless upfront, and that could be my only criticism of them. Their touch and control was sublime with lots of tricks and skills on display. The only thing lacking was their shooting which was surprising considering it was Brazil. Two of their three goals in their 3-1 victory came from own goals (spectacular own goals) by the Canadian team. I don't think this team will be producing a future Romario or Ronaldo.

Due to Andy's poor time management skills we almost missed the kickoff. I of course was there in plenty of time and was made to wait for quite a while. Anyway, here are a few pictures of the night. Some of them are a little dark.

The game was a sell out and the many Brazilian fans made it a much better atmosphere than at the Whitecaps

At 2-1 down Canada started to rattle Brazil but just couldn't find that equalizing goal

Even some of the Canadians were supporting Brazil

On comes the stretcher, the Brazilians liked to roll around on the ground

Another Brazilian on the ground. A Canadian player actually got sent off in injury time. Disgraceful

A tender moment from the Hoff....

This week saw the final of American Idol, but more importantly gave the world another chance to see the Hoff himself. There was just one clip of him right at the end with a tear in his eye. Beautiful.

The Hoff could also be seen at the NBA Playoff match between Phoenix and Dallas. I think a movie comeback will soon be on the cards

Video... on the blog?

Thanks to my housemate Shuji for giving me his friends computer, I have now been able to put a video for you to enjoy on the blog. For one month only, until my free trial ends you can now enjoy the Oscar winning masterpiece that is Classic Keenie.

Just click on the link to the right. Make sure you have some speakers or else you will not be able to hear Ian utter the immortal words.

How cool are we?

It's Saturday night on the long bank holiday weekend. You stay out till 4am in the morning. Where could you have been? A club, an all night party or were you at a Retro Video Game Orgy. Because thats where we were.

Ian had spotted an advert in the last ever Dose for some kind of all night computer game marathon playing party/session. It was actually a fundraising event but we didn't really know what expect. Worried that it might just be a gathering of people who resembled the comic book guy off the Simpsons Ian, Keenie, Simon, Gavin and myself set off with many a reserved look between us.

When we got there we had a look at the building and decided to go to the local pub beforehand. We finally took the bold decision to go in and found it to be rather good. The actual room was quite well set up with games machines of all ages hooked up to all kinds of tv screens and projectors. There was a DJ playing loud music over the top, a bar and plenty of people, both male and female.

We played on plenty of games and had lots of fun as it was quite different from what we usually do. The most surreal moment of the night for myself occured at 3am. Myself and Gav were sitting indoors, in a tent playing Mortal Kombat 2 while "Eye of the Tiger" from Rocky 3 blurted out from the sound system. Crazy stuff.

However. I'm sure you want to see it yourself, so with no further adue here you are.

The coolness just radiates off me

The Dreamcast was set up to the big screen. Plenty of Ready 2 Rumble and Soul Calibur action

Looking cool Ian, keep it up

There was a DJ in the booth up there. Playing all kind of music

There's me on the Nintendo Virtual Boy. The machine itself was a flop as it made people feel sick. After a minute on Mario tennis I felt the same

All the hip kids were here

Simon and Gav. No they weren't drunk and collapsed on the street

They were playing Mario Kart

The tent contained the Sega Genesis (Megadrive to UK readers). It was here I thrashed Keenie on NHL Hockey 11-4

How could they turn me down for that job on the Price is Right

Only state of the art machines allowed

Possibly the 4 coolest people who have ever lived

The Power of Blog...

You may be reading this thinking it's just a silly thing, just some pictures and writing that people can show their friends and express their feelings. But then you would be underestimating the power of the blog.

It can transform those of us who are mere mortals into full blown celebrities. It happened to Andy's girlfriend Laura when my mum recognized her on the street and it happened to me earlier this week.

At Ellie's leaving do she brought along a friend and started introducing us all. When she got to me, Ellie said this is Paul and her friend Katie replied yes Paul Banks, I've read your blog, its very funny.

So if you do see me or any of us bloggers walking down the street, don't be afraid to talk to us. We like yoursleves are only mortal, you may even get a mention on the blog yourself.

Ring ring. Hang on its my phone again.
Me: Paul Banks speaking
Steven Spielberg: Hi Paul, I'm Steven Spielberg and I want you to star in my movie.
Me: But I've never acted before.
Steven Spielberg: No, but you can't be any worse than some other so called actors out there.
Me: Thats true.
Steven Spielberg: I've been reading your blog Paul and as you know my last film Munich didn't do too well at the box office. You see, I'm making Indian Jones 4 soon and Harrison Ford is getting on a bit, plus its been ages since he had a hit film.
Me: Ain't that right.
Steven Spielberg: I need someone who can guarentee to bring in the public and with your new found celebrity status I think you're the man for the job.
Me: I think you're right Steven, but I'm not getting out of bed for less than $30,000000.
Steven Spielberg: Only $30,000000, you're practically doing it for free.
Me: Well, I'd love to stay and chat but I've got some parties to attend to and then I'm off to Africa to help save starving children.
Steven Spielberg: What a guy!

Whatcha gonna do when Hulkmania runs wild on you!

I've been waiting for Ian to post this picture, so I could steal it and use this title, brother!

Playtime

If kite flying wasn't enough fun for the weekend then Sunday just took it to the extreme. Ian, Gav, Jade, Jilly and myself ventured out to the PNE Playland for a day of excitement and terror as we took on the most hardcore rides this theme park had to offer.

There were many highlights including the Hellevator, The Crazy Beach Party, The Break Dance and the Wooden Rollercoaster. The Wooden Rollercoaster was exactly as it sounds. A giant wooden rollercoaster which was very fast. The only problem was that you weren't strapped down too tightly, meaning you kept leaving your seat everytime you went up and down a drop. I think one or two of us took some physical battering but we all lived to tell the tale.

I also won at crazy golf. Follow the pictures below to see my historic victory.

The Hellevator. Just one long vertical drop. It wasn't as fast as I expected it to be, but the worst part was just hanging there at the top. Nice view though

Everyone eagerly awaiting for the gates to open. Run, run as fast as you can to get to the rides

Crazy Beach Party. Funnily enough there was no beach or party on this ride. Plenty of craziness though

Gav, Jilly, Ian and Jade after we'd just been on the log flume. I did get a little bit wet

The Break Dance ride. Like most theme park rides it involved a lot of spinning around

Ian and Jade on the Mouse

Ian's shortcut ran into problems

Myself and Gav pondering our next moves on oversized draughts. This game went on for hours

Amateurs

Teeing up on the last hole. I was so far infront I didn't even have to look at the ball

Standing victorious after 18 holes of crazy golf. Special mention to Ian who finished 17 shots off the pace

The new Haagen Dazs poster

Jade testing her might with a hammer

That was the Playland, see you next time

To finish the weekend off we went to see the Vancouver Whitecaps beat the Minnesota Thunder 3-0.

The Brazilians have already started their world cup victory celebrations

Lets all fly a kite

Uo to the highest height
And send it soaring
Up through the atmosphere
Up where the clouds are clear...

This weekend brought some more beautiful weather to Vancouver and another trips to Kits beach. This time though we were armed with the kite Jade bought Ian for his birthday. I never really mastered the art of kite flying as it kept crashing down with alarming regularity. Ian and Andy had a lot more success, although Jade managed to almost kill someone when the kite missed a young boy by only inches.

Kits pool with another beautiful view in the background

Another view of Kits pool. It must be opening soon

Here's a sandcastle I made at the beach. What's that, no I didn't just find it and have my picture taken with it to make myself look good

Dog beach, lots of dogs, lots of beach

The scene where the kite flying took place

Ready for lift off

Steady, steady

Soaring like an eagle

And after all, you're a wonderpaul...

Last Tuesday saw Ian's 26th birthday, so on Friday night we all went out to the King's head for food, drink and live music. Before I go on I will just explain the title to this entry. Whilst the band were doing a cover version of Oasis' Wonderwall a drunk Andy managed to change the lyrics to "after all you're a wonderpaul".

Anyway, a good night was had by all, the highlight being Andy trying to climb over a table back to his seat, and then falling off. If only you saw it Ian. He did cut his leg while attempting this as well.