Who do you think you are?

I'm totally addicted to this show.  I am actually watching it right now, as I am typing.  It finds the family history of famous people.

Let me premise this by saying I know I have a family.  I am very fortunate to have the family  that I do.  I have always felt a little like I was on the outside of the family.  Whether it is Fricker or Biddlecombe, I never really know where my place is.  I've struggled with this over the years.  I've wanted to be a part of the Biddlecombe family -- but never knew if I could be a part of them.  Or if they would want me to be a part of them.  I found this summer that the answer is heck, ya.  I can be a part of the family.

Yesterday when I came home from work I had a big envelope on the counter--it was from Grandma Biddlecombe.  It was our family tree.

As a girl, I have been completely enamoured by anything English, Great Britian, London, Scotland, Ireland--I was fascinated by medieval life--not to mention the Royal Family.  I had a HUGE crush on Prince Andrew growing up....

A number of years ago Melissa, knowing my love for historical drama told me I should read some Edward Rutherfurd books.  I read London, Sarum and New York.  Then, I started on the Forest.

I loved, loved, loved, Sarum, London and New York.  Interestingly, the very first entry of the family history I received:  Thomas Biddlecombe 1744, Salisbury, Wiltshire England.

Bam.

Salisbury is Sarum.  And as I looked through the history--I found my name.  I was in the midst of this family history and I suddenly thought....I belong.  I have a place.

So, I am going to bed with my cold, and I am going to read through the history....see what other amazing things I can find.

Life as we know it.

 

In fact the larger truth would be 3 or 5 years ago, I wouldn't have pictured my life the way it is.  This weekend, point in case.

It was International Women's Day on Sunday.  Meh.  Seriously, I didn't stand up and pound my chest and declare IT'S WOMEN'S DAY!!  I think the day would've come and gone like any other Sunday--except my co-worker asked me to do a International Women's Day 10K bike ride, called, Peddlin' for Pints.  Ya, you heard that, Pints. 

I thought, sure why not!  So, I paid my entrance fee and waited for March 8th.  I was a little stressed about it--truth be told for several reasons:

1.  It's a giant beer run.  I don't like beer.
2.  It's all women.  I don't particularly like women.
3.  It's a crowd.  I don't like crowds.
4.  I'd have to talk to people.  Real, live, unknown to me people.

A couple nights before I was starting to get anxious.  And cranky. (Sorry Kent.)

I left early to meet up with the group--and was very early.  We were due to start the ride at 12:30, but we didn't start until well after 1.  We ended up being tweeted as #babesonbikes.  We left the downtown core:

 

 

Our first stop was Spinnaker's.

 

 

Interesting and horrendous, women have only been involved in the craft brew industry in Victoria for 2 years.  (lady above worked in a large brewery for 8 years in Vancouver before moving to Victoria and taking her post at Spinnakers) You heard this...2 years.  Back in the day, beer making was women's work.  It was considered "food" so men didn't make it.  Interesting that when it became a luxury or not a necessity, the men took it over and women were squeezed out of the industry.

 

Spinnaker's joined with other breweries around the world crafting an International Women's Day brew.

 

So back to the tasting, the first beer they served was Funkalicious.  Not amazing, but palatable.  Then they paired it with a lemon, basil white chocolate truffle.  Paired with the truffle it. was. amazing.

 

They served 2 other beers, but at that point I was just interested in the chocolate.

 

We then took a long way around to Moon Under Water Brew Pub.  Where the owner (woman) told us how she got involved in the brew industry and gave us 4 samples.  So, my evaluation was: Ew. Ew. Ew and Ew.  In fact, my notes from Moon were:

 

Light side of the moon: uh, no.

This is Hefeweizen: Less no than above, still no.

Creepy Uncle Dunkel: no comment.

The Pots Pils:  Oh God, no. 

Food: meh.

 

 

When I saw this sign outside the bathroom all I could think was I want milk and cookies.

 

Ladies from the bike ride, including the owner of Moon.

Impressive brew facilities

 

 

This lady was doing yoga in a park checked online for things to do and joined us on a whim.  She didn't bring a friend, she was hilarious.

This is one of my favourite co-workers, Terri.  I sent this photo to her hubby with the caption:  She might need a ride home.

 

Next stop was Driftwood, by here, I was checking out.  I was maxed out by the noise, the crowd and beer.  I tried a taste of everything, mostly just a tiny sip--I really don't like beer.

 

 

They had a handy (large) bottle of Sriracha.

 

This was the only other beer I liked--it was made with wheat, it was white and foamy.  When I say I liked it--that's relative....

This little pipsqueak was adorable.  Super cute and knowledgeable.  She told us how to make beer from start to finish.

 

At this point, I was thinking, how much longer....Then we were off to Canoe.  One of my favourite places in Victoria.  Best patio in the city.  When we left Driftwood, there was this real camaraderie and we were gelling as a  group:

 

 

 

Would I do it again, absolutely.  I learned things, I met people, I had a good time.

 

Looking back on my life, I wouldn't have ever DREAMED of doing something like this 5 years ago.  3 years ago, when we moved here, I may have gone to Canoe or Spinnakers for food, but not drinks.  Oh, how life has changed.