One of the things I love about living in Vancouver is riding the ferry. At least a few times a year I go on trips that require riding the ferry to go visit one of the numerous islands off the coast of B.C. or up to the Sunshine Coast. Yesterday I rode the ferry to the latter.

The views of the mountains and the ocean from the ferry are simply stunning. Whenever I behold them, I'm filled with awe and gratitude for the opportunity to enjoy their beauty. Even when the weather is gloomy and rainy (as it was while I was there), the seascapes and mountainscapes remain striking.

Although I hate the constant rain, I realize that it's the reason the western coast of B.C. is so gorgeous.

I've been really looking forward to Advent, which begins this Sunday. Not only does it usher in the Christmas season, but it also marks the beginning of the new year in the Church calendar.

I'm especially excited to observe Advent in Vancouver because I know that the church I'm attending has a kick-ass Advent schedule in store that is going to be a feast for the eyes and ears.

But what I'm awaiting the most is Lent, which I've been eagerly anticipating since the last Lenten season ended.

The first half of this month was spent frantically looking for a new apartment. Finding a rental is so bloody competitive in this city. Anyway, I'm relieved that I finally did manage to get a new place. I'll be moving into a co-op house and living with 6 other very cool and interesting people. I'm very excited about my new home, especially because I'm planning on staying there for a very long time if it works out. I've lived in a co-op living situation before and enjoyed it immensely while it was good.

So now I'm packing again (ugh) and dread moving day, but I'm pretty certain that the temporary annoyance of schlepping will be worth it once I settle down in my new, cool house.

I cannot believe that California's Prop 8 passed. WTF? Are we still living in the bloody Jurassic era? And it's California, for crying out loud!

I feel devastated on behalf of my friends and the gay community at large. Y'all should just move to Canada, especially to Vancouver!

Wow, America actually did it. I seriously thought the US was still at least a century away from electing a black president. Well, I'm glad it's Obama and not McCain because if it were the latter then Canadian hostility towards Americans would just reach an unbearable level. The last time I moved to Vancouver it was right after W was re-elected, and I got pretty tired of all the shit Canadians were saying about how stupid Americans were. Although most of their remarks were true, it was still my country they were ridiculing, and I just didn't want to hear it. My response was, "Well, at least you don't have to live in the U.S and have Bush as your leader."

Now that I think about it, each of the three times I've moved to Vancouver happened during a presidential election year.