Review: WildPlay Element Parks August 30, 2010
Posted by gmbmfb in : entertainment, fitness , 3comments
Cost: $40 + tax
Time: approx. 2.5 hours
Website description: Monkido tree courses are elevated obstacle courses set in a beautiful forest and securely suspended in the trees at 10 to 60 feet off the ground! Elements include a Tarzan Swing, zip lines, scramble nets and swinging logs. (picture is also from the website)
This was my first time in about 10 years doing an obstacle course, so I was really excited/nervous. I’m a bit scared of heights, so I thought this would be a really good thing for me to do. (That’s also why I like climbing mountains so much!)
Anyway, we knew WildPlay would get crazy busy during the weekend, especially on a nice day, so we reserved a spot right when they opened at 9am. We also got there 30 min. early so that we could fill out our waivers, etc. And we’re both REALLY glad we got there early because we were the only ones on the course for about half of our time there, and it was really cool and peaceful.
Before you’re allowed in the course, someone there goes through a 15 min. introductory/safety lesson, where you learn how to get in your harness, hook up your carabiners to the safety lines and zip line device. You’re always attached to a safety line, so even if you fall during the course, you won’t plunge to your death, obviously. :)
There are 4 different stages to the obstacle course, each stage getting progressively harder. Our guide said only about 80% of people attempt the last stage because it’s quite a bit harder than the 3rd stage. Also, there was a really wide variety of obstacles, so you were never bored. The first two levels were fun, and not hard. But the last two levels were actually kind of hard to do physically. My arms are sore today as a result! I was impressed at the difficulty level and was glad that it was challenging. There was also a good number of zip lines.
Also, there are guides on the ground to watch you and make sure you’re not doing anything stupid. But to also help if you’re stuck in a certain place on the course. They were also good for encouragement during the hardest stage.
We both agreed that it was DEFINITELY worth the $40+ admission, and that we were looking forward to trying out their other locations as well in the future.
Friday Miscellaneous August 20, 2010
Posted by gmbmfb in : blog, car, entertainment , 6commentsLast night I went to a friend’s house for a BBQ. There was nothing else on, so she forced me to watch The Last Song on her laptop with her. I absolutely cannot stand Miley Cyrus. And also, it was literally the worst movie I have ever seen in my life. But do you want to know what the most horrifying part of the entire night was? The realization that she was the best actor in that entire movie. Everybody else was so awful that I wanted to stab my eyeballs with knives.
Moving on … in news about my car, I’m still waiting to get my bumper fixed. I took it into the shop and they ordered the parts in, but then they had to cut out a HUGE chunk of my bumper to colour match the paint. Hopefully it will be done by the weekend!
Oh, and finally in blog-related news … the big “reveal” will be happening around the second week of September. So stay tuned! :)
Have a good weekend everyone!
Entertainment spending August 18, 2010
Posted by gmbmfb in : entertainment, spending , 6commentsA couple of days ago, I met up with my sister and her BF for a lovely dim sum lunch (she treated). They were in town to do a little shopping at IKEA. I’ve stayed away from IKEA for quite a long time now, because you can never just go in and buy one thing. I doubt we’ll be buying anything furniture-wise until we decide to move and buy our own place anyway.
Anyway while at lunch, we all decided to go to a pre-season Canucks game together. BF, too. My sister has never been to an NHL game before, and her BF has only been to one. As for BF and I, we go at least a couple of times per season.
The game we’re all going to is in September, and it’s up to me to find tickets. They shouldn’t be too expensive. There are upper bowl tickets for $35/each, so we’re hoping to find lower bowl for around $60-70/each. It should be doable since it’s just pre-season.
After that, I think the only other game we’ll be going to is the Outdoor Classic in Calgary in February. :)
In other social activities coming up, tomorrow I’m going over to a friend’s house for a BBQ. She said the only thing I have to bring is wine, and luckily I already had a bottle of white chilling in my fridge, so I won’t have to spend anything on that.
And on the weekend BF and I are going to the PNE. I’ll buy tickets online to get the discount, and we won’t be doing the rides this year or going to that Bryan Adams/Beach Boys concert, so that will save some money. The plan is to just buy lunch and mini donuts while we’re there. :)
Also, BF’s family is coming into town for a week at the end of the month. I don’t anticipate doing anything spendy. Maybe a dinner out? Other than that, just probably hang out and play with the kids.
Girls camping trip July 20, 2010
Posted by gmbmfb in : entertainment, travel , 9commentsThis weekend is our annual girls camping trip. There are only 4 of us going, so it should be a nice, quiet time. Unless there are other rowdies camping there too. I don’t even really know where we’re going, just that it’s east of my house by about 1.5 hours?
Budget:
$10 camping fee
$25 food (2x breakfast, 2x lunch, 2x dinner + snacks)
$15 fire wood
$30 booze
$20 gas
TOTAL = $100
It’s more than I’d usually pay for a weekend of camping with BF (we never have fires or bring booze), but a camping trip with the girls only happens once a year – and it’s much cheaper than going on a trip anywhere else. Plus, the weather is supposed to be really nice – which I’m excited about, because the last 2 years we’ve gone, it’s been pouring rain!
Oh, it’s Monday June 7, 2010
Posted by gmbmfb in : entertainment , add a commentSad that the weekend is over. :(
Saturday was fabulous weather to drive down to Seattle for a baseball game. BF had too much work to do and had to go into work, so he gave me $$ for his ticket (we had to pay back my friend who bought the tickets) & his share of the gas money. It was a great game, the Mariners lost (woo hoo!), and we all had a lot of fun. I only ended up paying to fill up on gas in Blaine (in Canada it costs me $40 to fill up my tank, and in the USA it was only $28 – SO not fair). Anyway, my ticket ($31), miscellaneous purchases and food for the trip (hot dogs, beer, etc) were covered by my friend (approx. $50 total). Why? She owes me $50 because I managed to find a fabulous deal on Yankees tickets for the next time we head down to the USA ($100/pair from Karl @ Outdoor Vancouver).
We did do a Target run, and I managed to pick up the make up that I like for 50% less than I would have paid here in Canada. Will recap my purchases in my weekly spending report.
Sunday I went to school with BF to help him study for a very important exam he has in July. Turns out he didn’t really need me, so I just kind of hung out while he studied with a classmate. :) We went to the mall to pick up ink for our printer (he paid), and then we ate lunch at the food court. In the evening, we watched The Road. It was such a depressing movie, but I enjoyed it. Viggo Mortensen was amazing in it.
Happy birthday to BF! June 2, 2010
Posted by gmbmfb in : entertainment, relationship, travel , 16commentsEven though BF’s birthday is today, I gave him his present yesterday since it arrived in the mail. He has been wanting a solar charger – so he can keep his various electronic devices powered for longer hiking trips. So I got him one from MEC. I read a bunch of reviews online, and they all seemed to be positive. Plus, the charger is SUPER light and you can strap it to a backpack so that it can charge while you hike.
Tonight we’re going to dinner and a movie. :)
For dinner last night he made burgers. I decided to try something new and skipped the bun (180 calories just for a bun!). I just put some dijon mustard, ketchup and a little avocado on top of the burger patty and ate it with a fork. I’ve always thought about doing that, but didn’t think I could handle a bunless burger. Turns out I can, and I think I might even like it. Hmm.
In travel news, my business trip to Las Vegas is officially booked. I’ll be there for 5 days/4 nights in July and am super excited. Although, not excited for the weather. The other 2 times I’ve been to Vegas, it’s been in the winter. And even then, it was t-shirt weather. I don’t know how I’m going to survive in the heat of the summer. I’m not sure what my work schedule is like, but Serendipity and I are going to try to meet up for a cocktail or two. :)
Also, I’ve been trying really hard to book my f light to Toronto, but I simply cannot fathom paying $650 for round trip airfare – and that’s with a seat sale! I just won’t do it (I don’t think). I’ll keep my eye out on prices, and hope that they start to fall closer to the date that I want to travel (end of July). I might have to book everything last-minute to get a good deal. Which should be okay, since I won’t have to book any time off work to go – maybe skip out on the Friday a few hours early, but that’s it. I was originally hoping to do the entire trip for around $900 – flight, accommodation & spending money. And clearly that’s not going to happen. So if I can’t keep the entire trip to around $1200, I’ll really have to see if it’s a smart move to go or not.
Oh, and does anyone watch Deadliest Catch? BF and I are addicted to the show now.
Mariners game this weekend June 1, 2010
Posted by gmbmfb in : entertainment, travel , 1 comment so farSo this Saturday BF and I are driving down to Seattle with another couple to go watch a Mariners game. We got lower level tickets for only $25 each! That’s cheaper than buying them from the box office! And that includes parking, which is awesome and very convenient. The 4 of us will split the cost of gas, and that’s about it for costs. Aside from ballpark food, that is. BF is mildly obsessed with their garlic fries, so I’m sure we’ll get a double order of those to share along with burgers or hot dogs or something like that.
The other couple wanted to know if we were interested in stopping at the outlet mall after the game. I had to politely decline. Both BF and I are trying to keep our costs to a minimum right now. Plus, there’s nothing I need! But we did decide to stop in Target so I could pick up some make-up since it’s SO MUCH CHEAPER in the USA. I only need pressed powder and blush, so I don’t think I’ll spend more than $20. For make-up, I just use drug store brands – and save the expensive stuff for my skin care. Can’t afford to do both, so I choose my battles. :)
Sex and the City 2 June 1, 2010
Posted by gmbmfb in : entertainment , 14comments
So last night I saw Sex and the City 2. I wasn’t expecting much because of all the horrible reviews I’ve been hearing, but wanna know something? It was EXACTLY what I was expecting from SATC2, and I really liked it! There were some cheesy bits (like the karaoke!), and I could have used more of Aidan and definitely much more of Smith (but he was looking a little crusty), but it was what I expected. And the flashback scenes were freaking priceless.
Sure it wasn’t as good as the first movie, but what sequels actually are? And the outfits they were wearing!? Some of them were kind of ridiculous. Ridiculously ridiculous. Would anyone really go to Abu Dhabi wearing what they wore? But again, that’s what people want in a movie like this – fashion! I hated all of Miranda’s outfits. Each and every one of them was more hideous than the last.
Oh, and man do the girls look crusty and old. I mean, their bodies looked fantastic. In shape, totally fit, looking really good. But there’s only so much make-up can do. Carrie was looking especially tired and old, and surprisingly so was Charlotte. Too many close-ups of Carrie’s face. But they are supposed to be women in their 40′s, so it was to be expected that they didn’t have perfect skin. I’m glad they’re not doing a SATC3 though.
Anyway, I would definitely recommend this movie for fans of SATC. I really enjoyed it for what it was! Although I have a sneaking suspicion that MacGruber is going to be better (going to see it tomorrow for BF’s birthday). :)
