Hi Nat!!
I'm going to miss you. But I'm glad to hear that you are prioritizing your life. Everyone has to do that every now and then. [Even if we don't always know it!] I'm also glad to hear that you are NOT shutting the door behind you as you move on - for now - from TH. TH will always need you and you - on some level at least - will always need TH. We ALWAYS need to know that there are places on this often scary little planet of ours were we are welcomed.
I wish you all the best - all the time.
GREAT BIG HUG
Craig!!

Happy Birthday Nat!!
I hope you're having a dandy day!!



GREAT BIG HUG
Craig!!

Hi Nat!!
I hope you're having a wonderful day. [And week and month and year, etc.]
Be sure to let me know if it is on Vancouver Island. It's a BIG Island. It would be fun to know where you might be staying. [Generally speaking] It's VERY hot! Today was close to 30 and it's supposed to get even hotter next week. Right now I'm writing this to you with sweaty little finger tips!! lol Well... actually I have HUGE hands - but saying sweaty HUGE finger tips just sounds more monster like than 'cute'. lol If none of what I'm saying makes any sense - blame the heat!!
Still fighting my way through this depression. It's hanging on tight - that's for sure. I've decided to update my kitchen - so that's helping me a bit. It's giving me something else to think about. Besides - I really enjoy painting. I don't like all the 'prep-work' - but the actual painting part is fun. I appreciate the offer to lend me your ear. And not for a second do dismiss your offer or think of it as being 'less than' because your a teenager. I've known a LOT of very enlightened teenagers. [And I'm talking to one right now] I just tend to keep MY problems to myself. Which probably explains why I'm often depressed. Oh well.... If I ever feel like throwing a bit of me 'out there' I'll certainly, seriously consider throwing some your way!! lol [Did I mention it's very hot?! lol]
Take very good care of yourself.
GREAT BIG HUG
Craig!!

Hi Craig,
Now look! It's taking me a long time to respond now too Sorry about that.
I definitely share your feelings about traveling by ferry! I've only done it a few times, but it is quite confined. I seem to get headaches on them too.
I believe the house is close to Victoria on Vancouver Island, but I could be wrong. My mom certainly knows where it is! It's on the island for sure, and that's what I'm excited about.
I haven't really seen any Clint Eastwood westerns, but I did know that was what he was famous for. I feel like picking one up sometime just to see what it's like! I thought all of the characters in Gran Torino were really believable! The acting was really well done too. It definitely would be nice to have someone to stick up for you, and I'm sorry that you had to go through that bullying alone. That's something you should have never had to face on your own.
You always seem like such a happy and optimistic person, Craig, but I understand what it's like to get down too. No matter how it seems, do what you need to do to pull yourself through. You can work your way through this Also, I know I'm only a teenager, but if you ever want to talk about anything that's going on, feel free to send me a message, 'kay? I can handle talking about grown up problems too.
I'm doing alright these days. Really, I'm missing my friends because most of them are away or at summer school, but I'm managing and am looking forward to seeing them when I can.
I hope you are doing well and are enjoying some nice weather
*HUGS*
Nat.

Hi Nat!!
I hope you're having a super duper day!!
Sorry I didn't respond to your previous message.
How rude is that?! Sheesh!!
I've been to Richmond a zillion times. But not in years - not since I moved to Victoria - so that's almost 10 years ago now. My mom and dad bought their first home there and that's where my two older brother's first lived. It wasn't until 'the family' moved to New Westminster that I born. [Way back in 1963 - YIKES!!] That's also where I went to school. [K to 12] 'New West' [As the locals call it] was OK when I was a kid - but it kind of got run down over the years. Not sure what it's like right now - but whenever I look a mls.ca [Which is a real estate website] I'm surprised by how many new high rise apartments have been built since I left. I might go back to the mainland this summer - just to see what it's like!! Trouble is - I absolutely HATE being on a Ferry. I feel so trapped. UGH.
Are you and your family still planning on coming to Vancouver and Victoria? And will the house on the beach BE in Victoria - or Vancouver? [I couldn't quite figure that out]
I'm glad to hear the play was a success. And 'Urinetown' certainly sounds interesting!! Is about the life and times of 'street people' or something?!
I have to admit - I'm a Clint Eastwood fan. I like almost everything he has been in. Well... recently. Can't say I'm a big fan of his 'shoot 'em dead' westerns. [Which is what he was most famous for - in the beginning of his movie career - in case you didn't know] Gran Torino is now one of my favourite movies. I really loved 'Taou'. [aka 'Toad'] He was very believable. I think one of the reasons I really like the movie is because - as a person who was bullied - I often dreamed of having some adult man come to my rescue. Someone standing up for ME!!
How have I been? Well..... not too good. I'm fighting off depression. And it seems as though I'm losing. But that's just how the 'fight' goes - sometimes. Eventually I'll work my way through it.
How are YOU doing?!
Take very good care of yourself,
GREAT BIG HUG
Craig!!

Hey Craig!
I just wanted to drop by and say hi As well as mention that I remembered you posting about Gran Torino before in the Sports and Entertainment section, and I watched it! Just the other day me and my brother got it and watched it. It was so cool! So thanks for the awesome movie suggestion
How have you been recently? I hope you are enjoying the summer.

Hi Craig
I'm having a fantastic day today!!! It's finally Friday and I've got an exciting weekend coming up. I'm babysitting a bunch, and it's my sister's birthday party , not to mention Mother's day...
I grew up in Richmond when I lived on the mainland. It was pretty nice when I lived there, but then again that was 6 years or so ago. Who knows what it's like now
But Victoria sounds absolutely beautiful! I am so excited to go. The whole trip is going to be so much fun. We're renting this house near the ocean for part of it, seeing family a bit, going to Granville Island, and seeing Science World again! (Gosh I love Science World )
Seeing my friend in the play was really cool. She didn't get the Demi Moore part, but it was still awesome. It was very similar to the movie, and the guy who played Kaffie was perfect.
Another show I went to see was Urinetown. It sounds really weird, I know, but it was the most hilarious musical I've ever EVER seen!
I hope you have lots of fun this weekend. Got any fun plans?
Nat.

Hi Nat!!
I hope you're having a super duper day.
Sorry I didn't respond to your April 13th message. That was silly of me. But I enjoyed reading it - if that helps!! lol How was your friend's play? Was it odd seeing someone you know so well - pretending to be someone else?! Did your friend play the Demi Moore part?!
I have to admit - Victoria - in fact - all of Vancouver Island is beautiful. And I'm especially lucky where I live. I'm only a few blocks from the ocean if I go one way. And a only a few blocks to the Inner Harbour [Where the Parliament Buildings are] if I go the other way. And the 'place' is surrounded by tourists and horse drawn carriages and pedi-cabs and double-decker buses and mopeds and cruise ships and floater planes and ducks and birds and herons and so on. It's wonderful. Victoria is - in fact - one the top ten tourist destinations for all of North America. [I sound like tour guide!! lol] Where on the mainland did you live? I was born in New Westminster and was raised there. It was a nice city - once upon a time - but now - I don't know. It just seems somewhat uncared for. Then again - I haven't been there in 5 years so maybe it's nicer!!
That all said....
THANKS for the 'congrats' re me becoming a HelpLink mentor. I was one before TH crashed. In fact - I was a TH moderator soon after it first started - about 6 years ago. WOW!!! I've been here a long time!! lol
Take care of yourself,
GREAT BIG HUG
Craig!!

Hey Craig!
Wow! I just noticed your fancy new name colour Congrats on the mentor position, I think it really suits you and I'm sure you're going to do a fantastic job!
I am a new pink member in disguise...lol
Nat.

Aw, gee, yeah I guess it does serve me right But those eggs were oh-so-delicious!
It turned out that the concert venue was vandalized, so they moved the concert to next Friday instead. But next Friday is the day I'm going to see my other friend's play! I promised her I'd go to it. Now I'm desperately trying to sell my tickets to get my money for the concert back. It really sucks losing $20 just like that They wont refund my money. But I really can't wait to see the play They are doing 'A Few Good Men' (O.o that sounds wrong...). You may have seen the movie before, but it was a play first. Should be a blast.
Only one more day of vacation left for me. I'm planning on spending it with some friends. We're going for brunch
So how are things on the island lately? I wish I could have gone to Vancouver island. I lived in BC for 11 years, and we stuck to the mainland. It looks so close on a map too! We're planning on going back for vacation and maybe going there. Visiting family and such.
I hope you're doing well!
Nat.