Granville Street: Take Your Chances

Ah Friday. No matter how much rain falls it still doesn't change the calendar. Happy hour beckons. This weekend should be quieter given the fact that everyone who's Irish or wishes that they were won't have an excuse to pit Cops against Firemen. But there's never really been a good excuse (or a bad one) for drinking until your eyes cross come the weekend.

There's this little shop just past Helmcken Street on Granville, daring you try on the lingerie/swim suits/club wear it sells. Or just dares you to try and fit into'em. But given the recent happenings and attention Granville Street is getting these days a night out with friends seems more daring than it used to be.

But who's to blame?

At the coffee shop on Smithe, a few americano sippers blamed it on a group they nefariously referred to as the 'Bridge People'. In other words, the Surrey kids who romp on over the Fraser River to escape the Mirage. At the arcade just after Nelson there was a different opinion. Between bouts of Street Fighter Alpha a trio of thumb-jockeys said it was all gang related. At the sandwich shop on Davie there was still another culprit accused, the clock. 4 AM last calls just give you two more hours to find some trouble. There was the hostel host too who blamed the cops who, he claimed, swing first and ask questions later.

Whoever or whatever is causing all the alleged mayhem on Granville Street, well I haven't really noticed. But I'm not really the fighting type so maybe I'm just not meeting the right people. Either way you cut it seems that something is going on after midnight along the Granville Mall besides the dancing, drinking and dating. But, to be fair, it's happened before.

Who's to blame is really up in the air. Who do you accuse? Don't look at me, I'm just an innocent bystander who'll probably get punched in the face for just being there.