Had to come back up to Vancouver for another business trip this week. I got in yesterday evening. Caught the sky train, which is their local light rail here, for the Olympics they built it out to the airport. It takes about an hour to get from the airport to metro town, where I stay in Burnaby. Checked into the hotel and hooked up with my buddy Sean, who is gracious enough to lend me his bike for the week while I am here. Yep, even on business trips I ride, more on that in a bit.

I basically only eat sushi while I’m here. Sunday, Sushi Garden, Monday, Sushi Garden and Tuesday…Bella Pizza. What?! Listen, I dont want to die of mercury poising while I am here. Plus, I was really in the mood for pizza tonight.

I got the Garden Veggie Supreme. It was just over pretty good. I wouldnt say spectacular, but since my experience to date has been Boston Pizza, (ugh) and…hmmm…dont remember the name. Think if Papa Johns and Little Caesars had a love child it would be called CRAP!! Does it matter what its called at this point, it was wretched. The box was green and purple and have had cardboard that tasted better, Anywho…back to Bella’s. It has spinach, tomatoes, artichoke hearts, garlic and a touch of Pesto (so says the menu). There was enough garlic to keep the twits from twilight far…far…away from here. The only action I am getting tonight is my tongue. While it gets continually raped by my toothbrush.

The sushi out here rocks. They are a dime a dozen. There are two that are my favorite and both are within walking distance of my hotel. Oyana and Sushi Garden. I am usually the only white guy in Sushi Garden, so that oughtta give you an idea of how good it is.  Oyana’s and I are fighting. They probably have no idea, but I went there yesterday, admittedly late, and wanted to sit at the sushi bar. The chefs were cleaning up and neither side seemed as if they wanted my business, so I bounced and went to Sushi Garden instead. In the last two days, I probably ate half my body weight in sushi. My mercury levels are getting low, so we should be good to give Oyana’s another shot tomorrow.

Since I am out here all alone with nothing to do, I decided to ride to the Apple Store in Vancouver yesterday. No kids or wife yapping in my grill that they are bored, which by the way, how can you be bored in the Apple Store. You are surrounded by ipods, iMacs and Mac Minis, my head is spinning just thinking about it. Anyway, needed to pick up an adapter an Airport Express (huh, oh nothing honey), plus I was hoping to see and touch the iPad, but to no avail. Even the Apple stores wont have them until they come out in April. That was slightly disappointing. I bought my happiness…oh look…a squirrel. As fun as that was, the highlight of the trip was the bike ride. Some people snort for it, some drink it for it and others smoke for it. Though after that ride, I may have to start smoking for it too.

It was just under 12 miles round trip of pure adrenaline pumping, car zooming, traffic dodging, hill riding exhilaration!  I left work just before five, so it was right in the middle of rush hour. Burnaby and Vancouver have many bike trails on the roads out here, very biker friendly, but the route I took, not so much. Plus all the hills, here. Imagine riding 18-20 mph at ruising speed, then you hit the down hill and you are jamming at about 30-35 with 1000 pound projectiles  are zooming past you 15-20 mph faster than that coming within inches of your arms. mistake to your left and you are speed bump. Make a mistake to your right and you are the new ornament on the parked car you just bashed into. Its a great way to train for riding in the mountains. I think I smell a career change, bike messenger.

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One Word: HELLFREAKINGYEAH!

I just need to make sure Deb gets job with spectacular benefits for any medical issues I may incur. Speaking of which, you may have noticed my commutes into work have been smaller. Thats due to the proximity of the hotel. Its just over a couple of miles…..of downhill BABY! I have spent the last couple of days dialing in how I can give you a feeling of what the commute is like. Lets just say it takes me about 8 minutes to get into work and about 17 to get back. What goes down, must go up, or something along those lines. Expect some video on it in the morning with the crescendo on Thursday.

Matty has to tame the beast. Royal Oaks on my skates kicked my ass. Daddy brought a bigger keg to the party this time, unless of course the stoplight at the bottom of the hill has anything to say about it. Ah well, should be fun!