February 4, 2011

Vancouver Daze #2: East Vancouver Tweetup

Vancouver Daze, Volume 2: The first ever East Vancouver Tweetup at the Army Navy & Airforce Veterans Unit 298 Canteen on February 2, 2010. Published in Vancouver Is Awesome.

East Vancouver Tweetup | Army Navy & Airforce Veterans Unit 298 Canteen

East Vancouver is not my hood. As a kid, I spent weekends there often with my parents eating at pho and Vietnamese restaurants and shopping at Asian grocery stories, but not much else. Cyndi Hunter told me her and  Ajay Masala Puri  were determined to throw an East Van tweetup and celebrate their hood.

East Vancouver Tweetup | Army Navy & Airforce Veterans Unit 298 Canteen

They wanted to hold it at a veterans club and highlight the neighbourhood with its rich cultural diversity. I heard friends like Kris Krüg (above), Kemp EdmondsJason BakerCanadian Kelli, and other would be there and it piqued my interest.

Above is 88-year-old Whistlin' Smith, a blind veteran (standing with Cyndi and Ajay). He regaled us with tales of times past ad war Grandma Simpson style, but much more coherently. The canteen volunteers spoke of the purpose of a veterans club and its role in the community. They need new members and business to sustain themselves and offer services to vets.

East Vancouver Tweetup | Army Navy & Airforce Veterans Unit 298 CanteenEast Vancouver Tweetup | Army Navy & Airforce Veterans Unit 298 Canteen

The Taurus Club (aka the "Cop Club"), as its called, felt like such a random place full of interesting things. It's one of those places you always pass by and seldom go in. The special members club is large and full pool tables, shuffleboard, and karaoke. A lot of other tweeps there wore their East Van pride, well proudly, especially espousing the Main Street area we were in.

East Vancouver Tweetup | Army Navy & Airforce Veterans Unit 298 CanteenEast Vancouver Tweetup | Army Navy & Airforce Veterans Unit 298 Canteen

As a photo/citizen journalist and social organizer, a very clean-shaven Kris spoke of community advocacy and giving back to foster creativity and sustainability. The evening also showcased the East Vancouver themed Mainly Main, a free, glossy, bit-sized magazine that I found impressive in its detailed production.

East Vancouver Tweetup | Army Navy & Airforce Veterans Unit 298 CanteenEast Vancouver Tweetup | Army Navy & Airforce Veterans Unit 298 Canteen

I love meeting new people and putting real faces to avatars. It was great meeting John BiehlerMonika Rola, K-dot, Greg AndrewsLiam Lahey, and many others IRL.

East Vancouver Tweetup | Army Navy & Airforce Veterans Unit 298 Canteen

The night was definitely more fun times. What makes these meet ups and tweetups great are the people there. The collective social community of Vancouver that lives online is a small, distinct, friendly one. It is always a pleasure mingling amongst them. I enjoyed the East Van theme, meeting new people, and diversifying my surroundings.

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