Last Fall I washed my hands of Vancouver's clubbing scene. Maybe I'm getting old, maybe I'm getting snobby. The fact is, that night was the straw that broke my back.

I went out with a friend, and we circled FOREVER to find a free parking spot. Eventually, we bit the bullet and paid through the nose. We entered our first club. My friend wrinkled her nose and said, "Ew, this place is too young." That type of observation doesn't bother me, because I look young anyway. Besides, the music was fantastically old-school hip-hop. It was hilarious watching high schoolers being so serious while in a club, dancing perfectly to match the beat, looking around for potential dates to go home with.

Of all the smells I encounter while walking Vancouver's streets, pot is definitely in my Top Five. One of the best things about this city is that we seem to have a lot of freedom to smoke dope.

However, there are medical patients disadvantaged by the law, not being able to smoke medicinal marijuana legally. According to Rielle Capler, of the BC Compassion Club Society, "there's only about 1500 people in the country who have a license to legally possess cannabis for medical purposes... out of the millions who are estimated to use it for medicinal purposes."

The Compassion Club is raising awareness by holding an exciting event: a pot film double-bill, called "No More Drug War".

I can't garden. Sounds defeatist, but if you saw the "graveyard" of dead plants in my apartment, you'd agree. However, listening to Jayme Melrose, a holistic gardening enthusiast, makes me believe I can plant anything!

Melrose is leading a workshop this Saturday, on the relationship between gardening and the universe: the stars, our planet, and the moon. If it sounds a little hoo-hoo to you, don't write it off just yet. Apparently, biodynamics has a long history, and is taught at various institutions. "The Egyptians wrote in their hieroglyphics about the relationship with the cosmic moon and stars. So did the Mayans. So did the pagans, " she explains in a sparkling voice. There are scientific elements in her holistic approach. As one example, she states that, "The moon pulls water. And plants and us are mostly water."

I've been to the Mongolian Grill on Commercial Dr. countless times. As I sit waiting for my food, I can't help but admire the photos of Mongolia on the wall. People on horseback, riding in grass fields that stretch on endlessly. But besides eating the Canadian version of their food, I know nothing about Mongolia. I didn't even know where it was, until coming across the site of the Asian Film Festival, happening at UBC.

On the evening of Monday, Mar. 26 you can catch 3 films from Asia, playing back to back at the Norman Theatre. Only $2.50 for all three!! With my limited budget, that's a deal. Even if I end up having to sit on a special doughnut cushion for comfort. It's a great way to catch a glimpse of life in Mongolia, India and Indonesia.

On the (very) rare day when the sun is out, I always think, "I really should get my bike out." But I know what awaits me: a grimy chain, flat tire, brakes that need to be adjusted...

Apparently, Jett Grrl could be my salvation. Not a superhero, simply the name of a bike repair shop / classroom owned by Tracy A. Myerson. Sure, she could tune up my bike for me, but "teach a girl to fix, and she'll ride for life" is more like her mandate. "Fixing has traditionally been thought of as men's work," says Myerson. "Women are not taught how to fix things, then they don't have the confidence to do it."