AHA Media

While waiting at a bus stop at Main and Hastings, we noticed the following image

Two AHA MEDIA members ventured into the area of  Kerrisdale to see an art show and left the DTES area’s  hustle and bustle.

The busy Christmas shopping season was certainly amplified with the abundance of stores hours opening later for shoppers and gift buying being highly encouraged on the streets of Kerrisdale.

There is such a stark contrast between the areas of  DTES and Kerrisdale. The biggest difference we saw were the prices of items and the lush atmosphere of the many high end stores.  To illustrate our point,  a slice at a local DTES vendor is $1-$1.25 a slice where a Flying Wedge Pizza’s slice  retail at $4.50+ !! 

Granted, one gets what one pays for in life but we were surprised at how much impoverished one could feel by simply walking around and seeing how some well-heeled society folks in Kerrisdale live in abundance. 

We as AHA MEDIA realize that simple things like the joy of  eating restaurant fare can be out of reach of the ordinary citizens of the DTES.

The  way the current welfare system rates are at, most DTES society members ( after paying for their rents ) live on less than $6.oo a day!  Given that tight of a budget leaves no room for a welfare recipient  to have a little bit of fun and be able to live a life.

How is one to budget for food, toiletries and medications? How about trying to make daily ends meet on the cost of a “rich slice of pizza”? ( After taxes added on a ” $4.50 + slice of pizza ” is sure to somewhat equate the less than $6.00 a day one on welfare has to live on)

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While waiting for the bus to bring us back downtown eastside, we took a photo of an old train wheel being used again for an artful purpose.

It’s good to know that one is alway rich ( in feeling ) when you have the kind and loyal people, supporting non profit societies, community centres and friends in the DTES.  Kerrisdale is a nice place to visit, but we’d rather just visit when we want to and be able to appreciate the differences between our area of the DTES to the more high end Kerrisdale.

Al’s van covered with snow admist heavy snowflakes falling and blanketing  everything.

Holly Tree covered with snow

Holly Branch covered with snow

Leo,  lives at the Balmoral Hotel, and spends his time at the Radio Station Cafe building minature swiss chalet lodges out of colored popsticks bought from the dollar store. What a unique handmade Christmas gift!

Little Christmas trees available for sale near Chill Winston’s in Gastown

A curtain of snow fell overnight and made everything look so serene.

 AHA MEDIA was busy this weekend! From learning more about building a website,( Much appreciation and thanks to Lorraine Murphy of Raincoaster Media  for her patience and guidance through our first time ) to designing business cards.  We were at a “satellite” office this weekend  in Surrey.( Courtesy of Al, one of the founding members of AHA MEDIA who is famously well known in our circles as playing and parodying Prime Minister Stephen Harper in our sketch comedy skits! :).

As we wait for our downtown office to finally be renovated…. ( Drywall has still to go up ), we are lucky to be able to work in several office type spaces including our newest place inside Tinseltown Mall at One Stop Cards Games, located in the middle between Starbucks and 7-11.

With the cold weather snap, we’ve been experiencing, it’s an opportunity for us to film new things. We have definitely worn gloves and multiple layers of clothing to insulate us!

Eating more heartily before filming is important!  Here Al displays his big breakfast!

Ensuring an AHA MEDIA vehicle passes Air Care is crucial. ( This photo was taken behind a glass window in a enclosed room to protect us from the exhaust fumes )

Winter Wonderland at New Westminster City Hall ( This photo was taken while in a moving vehicle )

The Royal Westminster Regiment which continues to guard New Westminster City Hall on the hill. ( This photo was taken while in a moving vehicle )

An antique store in New Westminster holds many treasures.

A closeup on a stately looking organ

An old- fashioned baby stroller that looks as though it could come from the era of Mary Poppins

Icy cold bottles of Coke were once found in this fridge.

Icicles formed along an awning

After the road trip home to Vancouver, Hendrik decides to brave the chilly winds and take some panoramic shots of the mountains by standing on a creaky old fire escape.

A classic car

Hendrik with another classic car