What Would I Do For A Nanaimo Bar

There are so many blogs and posts written about the REW conference but I had to add my own story.  I almost didn't go because I was so intimidated by the multiple methods of travel required - all explained at my fear of flying post.

Planes, Taxis, Ferries and Automobiles

I felt like a whiny little baby about my fear of traveling to Nanaimo.  Especially when I heard Michael Brown's story.  He had a longer flight than I did but he also had a 3 1/2 hour drive to the airport first and had to use extended parking.  My airport is less than 15 minutes away.  Boy, we sure take things for granted.

I arrived at Seattle first and waited for Michael.  We told each other what we were wearing although I was sure I'd recognize him from his pics on his website.  However, he was much taller than I envisioned.

We took a taxi to The Victoria Clipper ferry and I recognized David Abernathy as soon as he walked up.  He came up to us so I guess he recognized us, too.  That 2 1/2 hour ferry ride sitting across from David flew by.  That was a conference in itself!

Our rental car went without a hitch as they picked us up at the ferry port in beautiful Victoria.  Michael drove the gorgeous 1 1/2 hour drive to Nanaimo and we all wished we could have had time to stay a bit in Victoria.  Next time I'll arrive early and stay a day or two there. 

When we reached Nanaimo we called Eric Blackwell who was at the famous Keg restaurant for dinner. Morgan met us in the parking lot (I got to hug him) and we met up with the group that was already there and ordered dinner.  The Keg was next door to REW headquarters so Morgan took us on a tour of the offices.  I knew Morgan was young but he appeared even younger in person.

We then ended up at our rooms and relaxed after that 10 hour or so trip.

The Conference

Some of us complained about the early meeting time for breakfast (7:30 a.m.) but Michael and I (and we picked up Richard from Texas, who was staying at our hotel) were some of the first members there.  Breakfast was served and it was great.  In fact, all the catered food was wonderful.  Good job REW.  We learned that we didn't have to get there so early the next day.

You can read through REW and elsewhere to get more about the actual conference so I'm not going to go through that.  I will write about a fear I had.  The fear of falling asleep.

I don't care how interesting the subject matter or the speaker, I found out a while back that my attention span doesn't last long during seminars.  It's like I'm being hypnotized and being told, "Your eyelids are getting heavy..."  I was happy to see that Mike Brown took some photos of other sleepers (all younger than me) so I didn't feel too bad.  But I still feared the possible head bobbing or even snoring out loud!  Oh, the humility!  It either didn't happen or no one would tell me.

First Impressions

It was fun seeing the people and comparing them to their avatars.  Eric Blackwell and Dennis Pease looked like I expected.  Knox did not.  He must have some crazy picture posted of himself out there because I expected a totally different guy.  Jim Olenbush was much younger than I expected - that was my experience with most of the attendees.  Yeah, ya know you're gettin' old when you wonder if you'd win a prize for being the oldest person there.

Dirty Old Lady Warning:  If there are any single girls out there thinking of making the conference next year,  the guy to gal ratio was great!  And boy were there some hotties.

It was also interesting to meet all the other people that I had no clue what they looked like, especially the men behind the wife's website like Tom Walker, Brian McReynolds and Jon Karlen.

And although I can't mention everyone, I was eager to meet Nick.  He was pretty close to what I imagined although he was even more cleancut than I anticipated.

Nanaimo Bar

I've written about my love for monkeys and should have MonkeyWoman as my forum name but I thought that maybe someone from my area (a potential client or a local agent) might not understand.  My other love is candy and sweets - or my other downfall might be a better description.

I found out early on that when in Nanaimo you must try a Nanaimo bar.  I asked Morgan where to find one.  Before the conference was over seoGerry walks in with a little bakery box.  Inside was a decadent looking Nanaimo bar!  I believe it was Carolyn Gjerde-Tu that cut it in pieces so we could all taste it.  Mostly oohs and ahhs but one or two icks for those that don't like coconut (there's only a little). 

However, we were approached by Michael Peterson, a Nanimo REALTOR and resident, who told us that wasn't a real Nanaimo bar.  I think it was just an upgraded version, like a custom REW site type of Nanaimo bar. 

Lo and behold, the local real estate board was holding a meeting in the conference building and since Michael is a member of the board he snuck in and swiped a plateful of the bars (along with some other delicacies).  These were a little plainer than the bakery version but still good (a little less coconut, too). 

That is when my diet fell off track.  I had just finished lunch plus dessert and then had more dessert.  It was downhill from there.

Bowling in Nanaimo

That was going to be my original blog title but I had to use the Nanaimo bar.  I was surprised that many members didn't know what Cosmic Bowling is.  I have two friends that used to set up a Candlelight bowl every year and the last 3-5 years it was the Cosmic Bowling. 

Some people went straight to the bowling alley from the restaurant.  I didn't have my bowling clothes on and needed to change.  I went back to my hotel with Tom Walker as he wanted to get into jeans.  Neither of us knew where we were going so I asked the desk girl, "Where is the bowling alley?"  She replied, "Which one?"  I thought, you guys have more than one?  She asked, "Five Pin or Ten Pin?"  Those names didn't sound familiar so I asked her if there were any other names.  She said, "Splitsville" and I said that was the one.

You see, Nanaimo has two different kinds of bowling.  Ten pin is not the name of the lanes but means that there are ten pins to knock down.  Five pin means you knock down five pins!  I was told it's a smaller ball and to me it sounded like bocci ball bowling.  Next year Morgan will have to take us to five pin bowling as I don't think anyone has tried that from the states.

I was on a team with Mikey, Aaron (much younger looking than expected) and Jim Olenbush.  I tied Aaron twice.  Jim beat us the 2nd game.  Most of the attendees didn't bowl.  They were sharing secrets in the bar/pool room, creating search engine empires.

Where Were The Souveniers?

My husband told me to get him something from B.C.  So after our 2nd conference day I went off by myself trying to find him something.  I went into a vintage shop as he plays in a retro 60's British invasion band  (hubby is on the left with glasses) and he loves old psychedelic stuff.  But it was all women's things and I couldn't find anything there.

I walked most of the downtown area and couldn't find a simple, tacky souvenier.  Not even a salt and pepper shaker set for my collection.  Bummer!  I ended up at Long's Drugstore and bought myself sunglasses and candy (candy I've never seen in the states).  In fact, when customs asked me what I had to declare (I've never been through customs before), I said, "Do I have to declare candy?"  He didn't answer.

All I could find was a t-shirt on the ferry that said Victoria Clipper on it.  I guess that's better than nothing.

I was once again proud of myself when I found my way back on foot to The Keg where we were meeting for dinner again on Wednesday night.  You might have read about the blue cheese filet mignons.  In fact, on our second evening (Tuesday night) I suggested trying a different restaurant.  I thought Dennis Pease's wife Debbie was going to punch me because the place (The Lighthouse restaurant, I think) ran out of steaks!  She was looking forward to another good steak.  Although the food was very good there, we all ate at the Keg again after that.

Next Time

Many members are suggesting that we meet in the states next year and I heard mentions of Las Vegas.  I'd really love going back to Nanaimo and I'd make sure to create a vacation around the conference.  I'd love to explore Victoria and I'd get on the Internet to locate the other tourist attractions (I'm a shameless tourist - no climbing mountains for me)!

I also had a whirlwind couple of hours in Seattle and MaryAnn whisked us through Pike Place Market (a fisherman's wharf) that was bustling with food, flowers, jewelry, clothing, etc.  If I had more time I could have found my souveniers there but once again, it was shop or eat.  I chose to eat.

We asked a local and he pointed us to a restaurant on the bay with excellent food.  As I looked at my watch I could see I might not make my plane!  Mike & I had to have the hostess call for a taxi twice.  I had 45 minutes before boarding but I made it.

All in all, it was memorable, exhilirating and just a whoosh.  I networked, met new people, made new friends, learned new things and finally decided to spend some money with REW!  Yep, Morgan was smart.  I wasn't sure about the custom IDX but when he showed us the bells and whistles I can't wait to get mine.  And after all these years I finally put my first work order in.  I got sold!

5 pin bowling photo credited to sam

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