And views from the tower. What a beautiful city.

I presented my second paper in a panel that turned into a roundtable discussion on new methodologies, promises and problems in research blogs. It was a great chance to talk with many who are in my boat, and made some cool contacts to help me along the way.

The best bit about the conference however, was when Heidi Campbell took me aside for lunch and we talked about my PhD journey. It was fantastic to have someone who’s considered such an original, prolific and spirited expert in this emerging field give me some time just to help out. A rare opportunity for which I’m really grateful.

Next year’s AoIR is in Copenhagen, so I’m already saving up to go.

Aleks and TL showed me a fantastic time on the last night where we took over Vancouver. Found my new favourite cocktail and met dozens of peope on the streets and in the pubs. Thanks guys – you’re tops.

My paper was well received yesterday afternoon, though I ran out of time. It’s the case when you’re sudying something new and you need to spend time talking about the phenomenon you’re actually studying and the methods by which you do it. I got some interesting questions out of it, and I feel good about having presented, despite the fact I was so nervous (I’m normally a confident speaker, but yesterday the nerves seem to get with me, and I’m not good at dealing with nerves).

After the session there was a small meeting of those researching (or interested in researching) religion online. It was a great conversation where new directions in research may be explored. I talked up what’s happening at RMIT, but I was also intrigued by what’s happening in Buffalo, where one sociologist, Pauline Cheong, is working with people from the geography department looking at a “geography of online sacred spaces”. There’s an interest in particular in how global ethnicities form, say where a Korean diaspora connects through online ritual to their home communities. As an old geography major (former life), it may be something I could explore in the future.

A couple of students at the University of Heidelberg mentioned that there is a summer school happening in 2008 on media, religion and culture, and that they are looking for experts to provide seminars. Sitting behind them, I leaned forward and whispered “You know, I’m an expert”. It was loud enough for everyone to hear. They turned and said, “Well, let’s talk tomorrow”. Don’t think it’ll get anywhere, but they know I’d be very happy for them to pay me to go to Germany to speak. He he he he.

When I arrived in Vancouver the guy at the customs desk chuckled quite heavily when I thanked him for not taking my fingerprints.

Vancouver is beautiful, but also in your face. As soon as I dropped my bags at the hotel I walked two blocks to a bar where I knew some conference guys were hanging out. On the way I was approached by three beggars. When a mate and I went out of the bar for a cigarette we were approached another two times. One of them actually didn’t want money, wanted me to buy him some food. So we walked together to the nearest supermarket where I bought him Froot Loops and milk. He told me he loved me.

I’ve been in the city for about 24 hours now, have been approached about fifteen times, and have given away about twenty-five dollars. ten of those people have given their unying respect and love to me. Hey, what can I say, I’m a saint. It’s a real shame that a foreigner with money like me is treated better than actual residents. But I know Melbourne is getting worse with its growing number of beggars, so I shouldn’t be too critical.

After the bar another mate, Jan, and I headed to a nearby house club. It was only midnight so it hadn’t gone off yet. I was feelinga little worn out so I didn’t stay. I went back to my hotel but couldn’t sleep, so I went down for a walk. I headed downwhat I thought was a main street but quickly turned into Vancouver’s version of Kings Cross. The number of prostitutes calling me honey started to overwhelm me to the point that I would have paid any of them fifty bucks to drive me back to the hotel. But I resolved to walk faster.

Wound up in the gay district somehow, that by 2am on a Tuesday night seemed like 10pm Saturday on Commercial Rd. An old man came up to me, told me he was from Prince George or Saint George or something that sounded remote and Canadian, said he was lonely and wanted to buy me a beer and conversation. If he weren’t so pissed to the eyeballs I would have had a beer with him – not because he was in any way attractive, but that he looked and sounded indigenous and I thought he would have had some interesting stories to tell. But he couldn’t do more than mutter to me how pretty I was, so I caught the nearest taxi back to bed.

Overslept way too much, went for an afternoon stroll through the pretty old part of Vancouver, which looks just like a movie set of old Canada, and wound up in an actual movie set (they’re pretending it’s France – they took down all the English signs and put up french ones. Made me think why not just film it in Montreal?). I was shuffled around a corner by annoyed camera crew and ended up in a run down part of the city, and was approached about four times by people wanting to sell me heroin.

So at the moment I don’t know if I should walk around twon as little as possible, or even more just to see what would happen next.

I went to the lookout where I got some fairly amazing views of the city and the coast. Will put the pics up when I get the chance.