Free For All

It was some time ago that I decided to blog up a weekly column about free activities in Vancouver. I was broke and frustrated that the only pastimes my funds seemed to allow were quiet, introspective evenings, reading yesterday's paper confiscated from a coffee shop, and sipping on Life Brand herbal tea.

Of course all my friends seemed to rolling in money. I'd run into one or another parading about in some newly acquired cashmere blend winter coat, while I shivered in my shabby, shoulder-padded overcoat, a remnant of Christmas' past. These same friends would tell all about the great show they saw the last night, or the one they were on their way to. And, then the were the others who were on their way to Argentina to sample the Buenos Aires nightlife and suntan along the coastline (okay maybe it was just one person).

Meanwhile I sat at home avoiding a burgeoning mailbox, the contents of which I dared not look at, scheming ways to get invited to friends' dinner parties.

It was at some point during this time that a question grew out of my malcontent: When had fun been co-opted by corporate culture? Surely there were activities that one could revel in without being required to shell out hard earned dollars. I mean really, where was all the organic joy of life? I decided then that I would look for planable fun activities that are free, or at least really, really cheap, ie. the cost of bus fare.

Not a second sooner than I had made this decision I got the job I had been waiting for. Suddenly I had enough money to mingle with my minions again. And I promptly forgot about my new philisophy.

Well, now I have remembered, and I intend to do something about it. So, this post is a statement of my intention to do a weekly post about a fun, free activity.

photo courtesy of movieposter