Wednesday, July 18, 2012

What the Camera Saw

...on Thursday:
In Vancouver International Airport, I met my girl totally by accident. Her plane to Calgary was hours late and I arrived at the same boarding lounge for my 10.30 flight to Toronto. We chewed the fat for 20 minutes and then both flights got called at the same time. Awesome!

...on Friday:

After a sleepless night on a plane, suffering from climate shock (37 degrees?? whaaa--?) and lightly jet-lagged, I had breakfast with Mr. HSB's brother and sister, and nephew. A good time was had by all, and Lesley left the restaurant with several crispy slices of bacon in her purse. (You know it's been a good day when you have bacon in your purse.)


Mine........all mine.

...on Saturday:
I was devastated when I missed this exhibit at the SAM last year, and on the weekend in Toronto, I walked past the AGO completely by accident - and saw a poster. "We're going!" I said to my uncles. 

My favourite painting in the whole exhibit. This woman completely riveted me and I stared at her for a solid ten minutes, while other people watched me tentatively. I could practically hear them thinking "What on earth do you SEE in her?!" 

Night view from my hotel room window, with extreme zoom. This photo reflects my utter delight with my proximity to the heart of downtown Toronto. "Look, Ma! Yonge Street!"

...on Sunday:
 With my wonderful Joe and Dave, celebrating their award with them.

I felt like I was sitting next to a pair of celebrities: Ruby and Sadie! A surreal feeling of meeting children I already knew...and I was hard pressed not to just scoop them up in my arms and shower them with kisses. (And I met Belinda and Susan, too! But didn't want to shower them with kisses. That would have been weird.)

...and on Monday:
Every time I come back to YVR, I try to get a photo of Mt Baker...this is the first one that worked.


Joe and Dave, thank you THANK YOU THANK YOU for inviting me to share your wonderful day, and thank you for all the great times we had together over the weekend. I am already planning my next visit to downtown Toronto -- next time, I want to go to the St Lawrence Market!

Kiss kiss!
Shannon

14 comments:

Ames said...

For some weird and inexplicable reason, I ALWAYS look for someone I know in airports. And, yet, NEVER, have I found a long lost buddy.

That is totally awesome and my favorite part of your story. Wow.

Glad you had such a great time. Did you miss me?

Dave Hingsburger said...

I can't believe everything that we managed to fit in to the time you were here ... what a great weekend!

Lesley said...

So great to see you! Too bad it couldn't be longer :( I will send you two photos as soon as I can figure out which ones they are :s

Brenda said...

Sounds like you had an awesome time! Oh, and I love your hair Shannon, you look marvelous girl!

Anonymous said...

Hi, I wanted to mention that I too was (and am) interested in the photo Dave put up on his blog. I haven't had a chance to post my thoughts; but, thought that you may be interested in the web-site references I found about the painting, Picasso and his relationship with woman who sat for the painting. I sent the web-site references to Dave via e-mail, so if you're interested, perhaps ask him to send them to you (as I don't have your e-mail account).

You truly do look great without the hoodie (lol). .... and, love your hair and your smile.

Elizabeth & Andrew

kate said...

OK first off - you gorgeous creature, you!!!!!

Second off, what fun!

Shan said...

Everyone is being so nice about my -hair! ("Th-thank you," she blushed in adorable confusion.)

Thanks Elizabeth, I will email Dave for the references.

Gwen said...

Love!

Gwen said...

I've started another batch of Felix Felicis, by the way. Should be ready by 2013.

freedomnan said...

Gwen,

My batch will be ready sooner! I will let you share it!

Anonymous said...

Oh, I miss communicating with you! You look so happy and beautiful! Glad you were able to take such a wonderful trip. (moved to Minnesota, btw. Think that makes me almost Canadian...)

Belinda said...

And I got to meet SHAN!!! It was SO exciting and better than I could even have imagined to meet the person behind the wonderful voice on your blog.

I have met someone I knew from Ontario--at Vancouver airport several years ago. It was the strangest feeling to see her from behind and think how much she looked like--and was--Tamara! She was flying back to Ontario, having moved to Victoria. She fell in love with my Mum who was traveling with me, and I had the joy of hearing the culmination of her faith story, that had begun when she accidentally attended a "spiritual" writers conference that was Christian and then joined our writers group. Had I not met her at the airport I would never have known that she had moved into a house in Victoria opposite a church that she was now attending. God's grace! :)

Belinda said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
lizbon said...

Mountain photo is surreally gorgeous. Your hair is really gorgeous. Glad to see evidence of your awesome little getaway.