“…THIS is a crow-bar. See? They got their little stools and everything.” – Moe Syszlak, as he pulls a framed photo out from behind his bar depicting crows sitting on tiny stools.

Over the last few days I have heard an increase in the amount of children screaming outside my apartment building.

Don’t be alarmed.

It’s pretty common as I live within a few blocks of an elementary school. They stroll passed often enough, friends or parents in tow. The alarming part is- they’re now screaming not as they run buoyantly to class to find out what they’ll learn today, or back home proudly to relay what they’ve been taught to others- they’re now screaming as they dodge dive-bombing CROWS!

It’s that time of year, and it’s happening all over Victoria, among other cities. The crows are nesting, and they feel a determinate need to protect their young’uns. Much to the fear of those who choose not to commute to work (or school, downtown, etc…) while encompassed by a frame of metal and powered by a motor. If you’re biking, you’re safe. But without the protection of a helmet, you run the risk of being swooped down upon.

Bike to Work Week 2008

Speaking of biking, it was Bike to Work Week last week. Thousands of Victorians abandoned their vehicles and started pushing their pedals; incentives included various Celebration Stations with free goods from local suppliers, daily draw prizes, and watching your wallet swell while the gas gauge in your car remains still, if only a little longer. I don’t live far enough away from my work place to make signing-up for BTWW count. Which is fortunate for me, really. Unfortunately the weather has been unpredictable and all-around lame. I would hate to have been the person biking home in the 40 km/h winds last night.

Now that Lost is over until early ‘09, having ended with a bang at #1 in the ratings that week, Hell’s Kitchen has my full attention. In it’s 4th Season, 5 chefs remain, and lately I have seen some of the most entertaining episodes of this series… ever. That being said I don’t see any standouts, yet. The entertainment factor is high, but the quality of participants is waning compared to earlier seasons. Difficult to say right now, but I’m going to predict Corey, Bobby, and Petrozza in the final 3. Which is interesting considering the age gaps (25, 37, and 47).

If you’re not an HK fan, and don’t intend on watching it tonight @ 9pm, the upside is there’re still a few things to be done indoors while the weather is uncooperative this rainy June and you can’t bear to make a tee time. Scorsese’s Rolling Stones documentary “Shine a Light” is still at the IMAX. I’ll be seeing it shortly, but I believe it plays nightly at 8pm for only another week (until Thurs, June 19th ‘08).

Iron Maiden in Vancouver

It’s nice as an islander to have the reminder now and again that Vancouver gets 65% more rain than Victoria. I saw proof of this last week while there just for the one night. The Iron Maiden show at the Pacific Coliseum was fantastic, well worth trekking through drenched downtown Vancouver for a day.

Here are the rest of the pictures from what can only be described as an Epic Journey.