March 20, 2022

What a pleasure it’s been to see so many faces this week.

It’s been a memorable and momentous week. The first week in a very long time without being told to wear a mask indoors. 

At first, it was a little strange walking into a store or a restaurant without anything covering people’s faces. 

Some people still chose to wear a mask in the grocery store. That’s is ok, it is their right. The one I struggle to understand is the person walking alone outside wearing a mask. Still, that is their choice and who am I to tell them otherwise. 

The mask mandates ended March tenth and after just over a week it has been a great time for celebrating and connecting with other people.

I’ve been so busy connecting with people I haven’t had time to write my blog and share how awesome it’s been seeing the smile on people’s faces. 

It started Tuesday at the Greater Westside Board of Trade’s Business After Hours at Kelly O’Bryan’s in West Kelowna. It was the first such event in two years. It was so amazing seeing everyone’s faces, most of the serving staff was maskless as well. It’s been quite a bizarre two years where we almost got used to people covering their faces. 

Say what you will, the masks were effective in keeping people healthier physically. Mentally is another matter altogether. 

Leaving the mask behind has been a release for me. I understand some people feel afraid. Some feel vindicated. 

I feel free.

The sixteenth of March was the second anniversary of Big White closing down it was also the second anniversary of Dr. Bonny Henry’s introduction to the people of the province and it was the day the first restrictions were put in place. 

I’d like to be done with those types of dubious anniversaries. 

Saint Patrick’s Day was a boon to the bars and restaurants of our province. No more limits on capacities and people were allowed to mingle. It was a huge weight off the shoulders of many struggling business people. This coming April 8 the last of the onerous restrictions on that industry will be lifted and they won’t need to ask anyone for their vaccine passport anymore. Why they delayed until after spring break is fairly obvious… Yet frustrating I’m sure.

We attended a party on Friday night, it was very nice to enjoy the company of friends. I felt a great connection to everyone who was there and our hosts were most generous. 

And we didn’t need to worry about breaking any rules.

I finished an eventful week enjoying a full room without masks or limits at the Globe Café and Bar for Comedy night. The Big White restaurant was sold out and the place was hopping.

It sure felt good to laugh.

Especially when everyone in the room could share in the laughter and we could see the faces of our favourite servers. There is a heartwarming connection felt when a room full of people laugh together.

Later that same night we ended our night at Snowshoe Sam’s Bar. Jon Bos was playing a gig and the bar had its first live entertainment since March 2020.

And the dance floor was full of smiling faces.

It was great being able to get up from my chair and go to the bathroom, without searching in my pockets for a mask. 

I ended my week trolling across the glassy waters of Okanagan Lake. We had a nice group of people from Vancouver who booked our pontoon boat for the first tour of the year. We went fishing and I felt a good connection with four young kids and their dads. It would have been a perfect week if we’d caught a fish.

Can’t have everything.

It’s the start of spring break with my daughter and we are at Big White for the week. I look forward to skiing with my kid even if it’s not full days. I will make the most of every minute.

I hope she appreciates how lucky she is being able to stay at a ski hill – I know I do. After two years living in the coronaverse, I look forward to a spring break of almost normal.

I look forward to continuing to live the dream.