Nine West has a new sandal called Raven. Unfortuantely, it is neither interesting nor particularly attractive, and looks uncomfortable. I think I speak for most Ravens everywhere when I say I'm disappointed.

Vancouver is excellent. I was quite tired of work by the end of last week, and I think the fancy times up here with Brian this weekend, plus the work-related medium-fancy times of the conference the next couple days will be a perfect little break.

Lots of walking around and eating out with Brian. A very disjointed drive up Saturday (stops for UPS, coffee, gas, bagels, lunch with Caitie, waiting at the boarder), then we explored a little, then had excellent tasty dinner + drinks at some bistro between on the cusp of the sketchy neighborhood.

Sunday: breakfast of perfectly almost-over-toasted French toast, then a shoe-buying expedition, then the newly-remodeled aquarium and a drive through the park.

It was chilly, but stayed dry until we found the craft commune of Granville Island -- drizzly is not good for tourism. We forced ourselves to walk through the little village of arts and nicknacks until early dinner. Excellent bread and Canadian peach cider, good crab cake to start, but some kind of weird bits in one of my scallops that I may never get over. If this city has ruined scallops for me, I firmly take back my "Vancouver is excellent."

Today, Pookie left at 8ish, so I got ready for a big day of no plans. Realized I left accidentally sent my umbrella home in the car, so went out and bought a new (and better) one at some drug store. Certainly, in Canada I've heard more sales rep and cashier people with clear recently-immigrated accents than I've ever heard ever in the states.

Tried shopping, but nothing peaked my interest until ... Zara. What a mecca! Everything beautiful! How have I spent years shopping and never seen this place? Everything gorgeous but reasonably priced, trendy but not cheapo, good quality, decent fit. Had to visit the fitting room twice to try everything on. And, wonderfully, went out today thinking of a trench coat, and came back with a perfect one. Love a belted waist and a big collar. Somehow, though, managed moderation and only bought three things: that coat, dark work pants, and a little black casual dress. Has bows at the waist. Possibly I'll be drawn back in for some shoes before I leave -- there were some amazing ones, if only they have my size ...

The Vancouver Art Gallery coat check lady was one of the rudest service people I've ever encountered, and we barely spoke. I can only guess she was jealous of my fabulous hair. The building is lovely -- very nice to see how a piece of classical architecture fits seamlessly in a very modern-architecture city. Some video installation, some tree stuff, much pictorialism that I looked through diligently without being moved. Was worth $15 because I had nothing better to do and it could be considered a donation toward Art.

Finally it was time for some work-related mingling. Flatironed my hair, then went cashless to the foyer on the third floor, where I clinged to the first group of approachable ladies I saw, until I heard the bar was accepting debit cards. Got me a G+T, then clumped with UW advisers till someone suggested we head to the hotel bar. Had another couple rounds and talked about college-related stuff there till someone suggested we go to bed. Now here I am. Typing way past my bedtime.

Pants rants.

Sarah: oooh i went to the opera last night

me: yeah ...

Sarah: saw pagliacci

me: ooh?

Sarah: so GOOD

me: how was it?

Sarah: dramatic

emotional

i liked it

4:56 PM me: we went to the symphony today

it was video game scores.

i fell asleep for a few minutes

5:05 PM Sarah: omg, for real

video games?

5:06 PM me: yeah

so it was basically like movie scores.

5:09 PM Sarah: hmmm

was it good?

what was the crowd like?

5:10 PM me: some of it. it was like 2 hours and they covered maybe 10 or 12 games, so it was lots of short bits. kind of obvious-sounding music, nothing mindblowing.

The crowd was ridiculous!

holy crap.

5:11 PM just the clothing -- nerds in suits, a couple girls in full-length gowns (at 1 pm), a high school kid wearing a furry hats with ears and everything, and then some bad harajuku knock-off girls, then someone wearing a black veil and fur cloak ...

5:12 PM plus normal parents and kids, and 20-something men.

Sarah: wow, just as I was hoping

I was mad last night

there were A LOT of people wearing jeans

me: oooh

yeah.

Sarah: and I just got so annoyed w/ seattle

5:13 PM it's like can't you even dress up for a FRIDAY night at the OPERA

me: in know. it doesn't even need to be super fancy, just put on some slacks or something.

What did you wear?

5:14 PM Sarah: a knee length black skirt, pin striped v neck shirt

and a nice coat

5:15 PM lysondra wore black pants

a nice shirt and a nice coat

i would have been ok w/ people wearing khakis

even

but jeans is just too much

me: it always seems so awkward, even for the nicely dressed people, to have no standard dress code.

5:16 PM no one really looks quite right

5:17 PM Sarah:i know, it just bothers me

i just think the opera is something that is formal

especially an evening show

i'm glad to get out of seattle

Lyso told me that she went to this gala one time

5:18 PM for some organization

and it was fancy

and there was someone there wearing birkenstocks

me: woah.

yeah ...

5:19 PM it's not like nice clothing it any less comfortable.

Sarah: jeans can be kind of uncomfortable

me: yeah.

5:20 PM Sarah: But i'm also annoyed by girls in prom dresses

me: yes.

someone needs to come in and give seattle a talking-to.

I slept through aerobics this morning, but went to Northgate for new workout shoes and pants this afternoon. Very excited to peek through this giant DSW shoe store, but everything was not very thrilling.

30 minutes later at the slightly scummy-feeling Shoe Pavilion, I realized I'd probably never be thrilled by an athletic shoe. But my current bright green Pumas have lost their cushiness, (and when did bright green seem like the best color for my feet?), so I bought a pair of pink and white Asics. More cushy and much more pretty.

Then to Target to complete the ensemble: more workout pants = less frequent need for laundry. Surprisingly attractive for being too comfortable for public. Plus! Wrapping paper. I've only bought two presents and neither have arrived from Amazon, but if you wait too long you get stuck with the ugly snowcreatures and creepy Santas on your gifts.