Weekend.

Got together with an old co-worker on Saturday to go check out a fabric store in Gastown. Turns out we ended up smack dab in the middle of the Jazz Festival.

I've never seen so many people in Gastown since the last time it was a entertainment district in the 80's.  We found ourselves in front of the free stage while a presentation was going on. Okay we really only stopped cos there were hot firemen and cops on the stage. As it turns out, it's also the Vancouver Spirit Rally paying it's respects to those who on the front lines of the riot two weeks ago. 

Looking through the photos, I see something familiar. Me and my friend in this picture.

Of course I'm not going to point out where we are, but we are clearly visible in this picture.

It was actually quite emotional being present for this rally. To be able to thank the police, firemen, E-Comm workers(911), nurses and doctors from St. Pauls Hospital, the TD Canada Bank for stepping up and giving the Spirit Rally a place to present in the final hour (the whole thing was almost cancelled). People on the stage were choked up, so were those in the crowd. Much cheering and applause for those who put themselves between businesses, civilians and the rioters.

There was so much to see, as the rally ended, we saw, we ate, we walked up to The Bay and signed the Citizen's Wall and read all the comments. A few hours later and a little exhausted from being emotionally overwhelmed, we headed down to English Bay to rest our tired feet and people watch. aka. watch half naked hot men strut their stuff.

Long story short, it was a nice 10 hours we spent downtown with no agenda, and no rush to be anywhere.  Aside from the co-worker I ran into on the street, who was blatantly rude to us.  All we said was "hi" to her, and she looked at us like we had 10 heads. Simple mutual acknowledgement for the hello was all that was required. Don't say she didn't recognize me, she was at my friggin birthday lunch.

In other news, I went through my cell over the weekend and started deleting phone numbers of people I have never heard from first, or ever.  Really what is the point of having their number or contact infor if they never use it. I go through this cleaning junk phase more often it seems. I'm simply tired of being the person who makes first contact all the time. These people are not my friends. Friends hang out and do shit together. These are acquaintances.

Once it dwindled down, I was left with a dozen friends. Not bad really. These would be the people you can really count on. Ask for nothing in return and call just because, without wanting anything. A dozen is nothing to be cough at.

I put everyone into categories on my cell. Acquaintances who are in semi regular contact, friends, business friends. The rest got deleted. There is no point having all those people around if they only weight you down, rather than lift you up.

At first I felt bad, like I owed them an explanation of what was about to take place. Then realized, why? They've never made any effort. Right then, I stopped feeling bad. I have to do what keeps me happy. Dropping dead wood was the start. 

I'm not bitter about dropping these people and will be friendly when I run into them, but have stopped trying to include them into activities and events. I have to remind myself every now and then, not everyone is worth the squeeze to make juice and at that point it's easier to just crack open a beer and call it a day.

In short, if it's a not two way street, I'm no longer keeping you in my phone, or on facebook. Harsh? I don't think so. It's my life, my happiness and you're not contributing to it.  I don't think the whole "cleaning house" of facebook friends, and people you keep on your phone, ever ends.  Change is the only constant.