week one...

...is done

I've been in the country for exactly one week - and had several tasks that "needed" to be accomplished in that time.

first up = find somewhere to live

I've already recounted the agonizing decision choosing between two perfectly good places (different styles/costs)


so here's a shot from the window of my current bedroom



thermometer outside the kitchen shows that it's still pretty cold in Vancouver (well, cold for someone from brisbane)

Next on the list of things to do - buy a car.

Last post, I mentioned a trip to Vancouver island in search of a 2nd hand car.

well, I missed the scheduled ferry (0900) due to traffic... So re-scheduled for the next ferry (1100). Thankfully, I was still picked-up at the terminal by the car dealership (Saunders Subaru).


pictured above = 0900 ferry departing without me (well I'm guessing that's what it looked like - if I was actually there, I'd be on it)


the 1100 ferry to Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island (not leaving without me)

1st car test driven


"the rabbit" - a 2003 VW Golf CL (base model).
less than 88,000kms on the clock
5 spd manual
5 door
2L, 4cyl
no-frills (seriously - it's non-power windows, no central locking, no AIR CONDITIONING!... and drives like a dream, I LOVE the VW gearing/clutch)

I also test-drove a Honda CRV (1998), a 2001 Forester (with 220,000kms), a ford focus from 2002, and... a 2011 Imprezza.

but I kept coming back to the rabbit; it just fit.

knock the price down a little (quotes-without-tax suck) = done

drive the 2011 imprezza to the bank to get a cheque (and another cheque for my rent/deposit)

swing by a lawyer on the way back, to notarise a copy of my drivers' license (see past entry about THAT drama)

organise the insurance (and registration) - get a pretty big shock re: cost...

drive back on the last ferry.

swap cars at the long-term parking (take the rental back to my overnight accom.)

return the rental the next morning, and catch a lift... to the bus terminal... to get to the ferry... to pick up the rabbit... (which ate the fly...oh-my!)

shuttle driver from Denmark says I have to try the buffet at the casino...

Haven't had any proper food in Canada yet (it's all been fast-food so far)


example of my culinary delights up to this point in canada



he wasn't kidding - for the price of a burger and fries, I got a substantially better meal...


Pick up the car and head back through some traffic (1 hr trip = 2+1/2)

Next on the list was a phone-plan for the iphone (not essential; but beneficial - especially for the ability to search and map my way around town)

Still being blocked on all fronts by the lack of canadian photographic ID.

I was HOPING that the Faxed, notarised copy of my drivers license; got through to the QLD dept of transport - so they would authorise the release of a transcript of my license history - which could be faxed-back to the North-vancouver branch of the ICBC drivers licensing office in time for our Friday - so I could finally swap my Australian license for a local photographic ID...

...but no.

complicating matters is the fact that QLD dept transport can't give me the phone number of anyone who's actually NEAR the fax machine so I can confirm that they've actually received my FAX. (which is "most definitely" the fax number they've told me on two separate occasions - and NOT the one listed on their web-site... which is INCORRECT!!!)

"calm-blue-ocean... calm-blue-ocean"

Breakthrough on Sunday...

After moving into the new place, I drive to the local Mall, to get some lunch; and buy a computer monitor (to match the small-computer from mid-last-year, which packed into my carry-on luggage)

Thought i'd give it one last shot at hooking up the phone.

Try prepaid with the same company that I'm already connected to.

In-fact, all I need to do is get a new SIM card *(oops they gave it to me for free), and purchase a data pack for $25/month - boom - we're in business.

Pick up a cheap and nasty monitor, get some lunch, go home, sleep.

Monday

One of the wacky things about buying a car out of town, is that it may not be fully compliant with ALL of the local laws and registration requirements.

I was made aware of this AFTER I agreed to buy the car (whilst getting the insurance sorted), and managed to get a retrospective discount from the dealer if any repairs were needed.

Either way - schedule the car for a service, etc before getting the "air-care" test done.

Next available booking is tuesday.

I'll need gumboots for any potential jobs, as it's still raining in Vancouver (well Duh - it's VANCOUVER!)

Pick up a set, along with some burts bees lip balm (originally miss-typed as lip-blam... awesome)

Burn-away the arvo watching Sucker Punch at the local megaplex... (not bad - even if the story is a little thin - Snyder is still a visual genius)

Tuesday


dropping the rabbit in for a service/wheel-alignment/air-car-prep/anything else?


rather than sit in a dealership all day - I head down to the ferry and shoot across to the city for some walking/food/whatever


interior of the vancouver seabus terminal




out of work boom operators have a tough time applying their unique skill-sets to the real-world; this guy scored big-time...

TNT vancouver office calls = my sound gear has arrived.

I just have to visit the local Customs branch (located 2 blocks from the TNT warehouse), and explain all the particulars about my shipment (why?where?how?why?how-much?etc) before they'll release it to me.


ahhh the vancouver public library...




...perfect place to catch up on some cinefex mags (note the covers of some vancouver-shot films)




back at the harbour for some lunch




north-bound seabus




detail




canada place (convention centre?)




big-blue-thing




need boat-fuel?




another angle on the revolving restaurant (from last years adventures)




view of North vancouver city




Ships in the harbour




window washers must have fun in this town - it's always raining...




on the north-shore again - looking back at the city




detail



So the lovely people at North Vancouver VW were kind enough to: service my car, fix the exhaust, drive the car to the nearest AIR CARE facility (it passed), flush the manual transmission and brake fluid, align the steering, and wash (WTF!) the car - all for a 'reasonable' price... (all things considered; purchase-price+tax+rego+insurance+repairs = exactly my budget for a car in Canada - good thing I didn't actually look at something more expensive eh?)

drop-by a local registration agent to update the aircare details, and buy a couple of things at walmart.

If you ever try to buy a single pair of socks, you're out of luck buddy - it's 6 pair for $7 (or 10 for $11)


I also picked up a copy of TRON LEGACY (hands-down, BEST sound-track to a film from 2010), shame I don't have a blu-ray player over here...




I do, however, have a little die-cast light-cycle *with spinning wheels



One final surprise


the day before I left Australia; a Canadian sound recordist posted that he was looking to sell a short (documentary-length) aluminium boom pole.

I've been looking for one of these for quite sometime.

I took this as a sign; paid up, and asked if he wouldn't mind hanging onto it until I found a place to live.

long story short, it shipped yesterday - and arrived today.

woohoo - now I just need to take the "film and television orientation course incorporating the WHIMIS certificate", before applying to the local union (IA891) - sadly the next course/s run on the 7th/8th of MAY!

perhaps I can swing a few non-union jobs before then, to get back in the groove...

'til next-time