Apparently Metro Vancouver, fka the GVRD is hurt and displeased with its google rank and is in need of some serious SEO help.

If you Google it, you’ll get eight other entries, including a newspaper, soccer league and hotel before you finally find the one for the body formerly known as the GVRD.

Staff tell the Vancouver Courier the name isn’t the trouble though, it’s Google’s arcane system, which tracks outside sites still using the old title and they say their webmaster is hard at work trying to find a solution. [News1130]

Apparently the big issue is that the name “Metro Vancouver” isn’t unique or ‘googleable’ enough. Geez and I thought I was anal about my google search results.

Well they are correct, the first result I get is the Metro News Paper, followed by Vancouver Metro Soccer League, the non-downtown Days Inn, Metroblogging Vancouver (yay!) and rounding out the top five is a Urban Vancouver.

According to Urban Vancouver’s poll: ‘What do you think of “Metro Vancouver”, the new name for the GVRD (Greater Vancouver Regional District)?‘ so far 40% of readers welcome the name. As for me? I really don’t want this to turn into a mass amalgamation a la Toronto but it’s just a name change, which doesn’t bother me. And regarding the google search? I’m on results page 3 so count me out of the running, although I’ll be checking back to watch the climb of the District formerly known as GVR, just because I am that geeky.

Yesterday I put the super-secret word out that Dancing Matt himself would be down at English Bay, well, dancing.

In February of 2003, he quit his job in Brisbane, Australia and used the money he’d saved to wander around the planet until it ran out. He made this site so he could keep his family and friends updated about where he is.

A few months into his trip, a travel buddy gave Matt the idea of dancing everywhere he went and recording it on his camera. This turned out to be a very good idea. Now Matt is quasi-famous as “That guy who dances on the internet. No, not that guy. The other one. No, not him either. I’ll send you the link. It’s funny.” [WhereTheHellIsMatt]

Matt dances so much, in so many places, for his most recent video he traveled 39 countries on 7 continents in 6 months. Now that’s some serious dancing.

For his next project he’s going around North America, avoiding the usual monuments and getting people involved, saying it’s almost like a flash mob sorta thing. Keira and I went down to the inukshuk after work today to check things out, where we happened to run into James and Chris.

Vancouver is Matt’s first stop and the only way to find out his next shooting location is to sign up via his website. If you’re on his mailing list (like John is) updates get sent right to you.

Okay, here’s how this works: you tell me where you are and how I can reach you, I’ll contact you if I’m passing through your area to shoot a dancing clip.

A few weeks before I arrive, I’ll let you know when and where to meet. You show up. You sign a release form. We dance.

The release form basically gives Stride gum, my sponsor, the right to use your likeness in the video. You must be 18 years or older to sign, or have a parent/guardian sign on your behalf. We’ll be providing release forms at each event, and I also plan to put a printable PDF version on this site so you can read it and fill it out in advance. [SignUp]

Vancouver will be included in the June 2008 release, so stay tuned to his website for more info and updates or check out Matt’s journal/blog.

For the 3rd year I will be participating in the CIBC Run for the Cure on September 30th, 2007. John and I have done our fair share of runs in the city in the past but we usually make sure to catch this one every year because it’s for such a great cause.

The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure is an extraordinary single-day experience that unites more than 170,000 Canadians in 53 communities across the country. Together, we’re raising millions of dollars to fund innovative and relevant breast cancer research, education, and awareness programs in the communities where you live. [CBCF]

The run is 5kms and you certainly have the option to walk as well. The course is usually around False Creek, starting at BC Place, looping through Chinatown, past Science World, over the Cambie bridge and back into BC Place. It also takes place on the same day across the country in over 50 other cities.

If you don’t feel like participating, (although I would highly suggest it, you meet lots of cool people, are encouraged to wear pink, get some swag and free granola bars mmm) you can sponsor a participant.

My personal donation page is here, or you can donate to the cause in general or another runner anywhere in the country.

Your donation will be added to the critical funds raised by the Run, and will be directed towards research, education and awareness programs. If you’re able, come on out September 30th and take part in this really great event.

Update: John’s got his post up nowl in case you’d like to sponsor him for the event as well [Audihertz]

When I was 9 years old the Skytrain came to Surrey. I remember driving over the Pattullo in our little red van every week and watching the progress on the Skybridge, just wondering how tall it would go and what it would look like when a train went across there for the first time.

This was 1989 and it took another 5 years until 3 more stations were put in place throughout North Surrey. King George Station became the terminus in 1994 and it’s pretty much stayed that way for the last 13 years.

Photo credit: DenisSylvesterHurd on Flickr / DenisSylvesterHurd.com

There was speculation that the Expo Line would extend down Fraser Highway in a few years, which didn’t happen. Then some said maybe it would turn a bit and head toward Newton, which I haven’t heard much else about at all. With all the hub-bub over the RAV Line/Canada Line I’m wondering when commuters from other burbs are going to get a break.

Over the last few days local news was inundated with stories about the millions of extra commuters taking to public transportation and highways during the fall rush back to school and work [News1130]. Obviously transit is a hot topic and I would assume more so for the communities involved in the postponed Evergreen Line project, which was supposed to be up and running by 2009.

The Evergreen Line is a proposed rail transit line in Greater Vancouver, Canada. It is proposed to run from Lougheed Town Centre SkyTrain station in Burnaby through Port Moody to Coquitlam, and is planned to begin operations by the end of 2011. [Wiki]

And while relief for commuters out in the North-West of the region is needed, I’m still wondering about Surrey.

It has no Millenium Line expansion, no West Coast Express, just a couple bridges (one of which is barely standing and has killed 15+ people over the last few years) and the other is constantly backed up. On top of this, wait times for buses are ridiculous. Downtown you can catch a bus across town or across downtown every 5-10 minutes. You’d be lucky to find the same bus coming every 30-45 in Surrey or Langley. I looked up a schedule last week for one of the busiest routes, Surrey Central to Newton exchange. It had a bus every hour, once an hour.

The Surrey Leader recently covered and reported on the rumours and ideas surrounding Translink’s 30 plan for transit expansion in Metro Vancouver.

“Every crazy idea everybody has, let’s put it on the table and have a look at it,” said TransLink vice-chair Marvin Hunt. “This is a golden opportunity for us to be able to look at all the different possibilities that are there and work on the ones that are the most viable today.” [Surrey Leader]

The Evergreen Line is #1 on the agenda as it’s been in limbo for a while now. But does it not seem as though the top “solution” for Surrey thus far has been a) more roads b) twinning a bridge c) more roads? Can’t Surrey folks be environmentally conscious in their commute and not have to lose valuable greenspace in the process?

Photo credit: SqueakyMarmot on Flickr

So far, TransLink has identified King George Highway and 104 Avenue in Surrey and the Fraser Highway to Langley as routes to get median bus ways between 2013 and 2021 [Surrey Leader]

Median busways like in Richmond? Hmm. The Leader article continues including ideas like:

Interesting ideas for sure, but what would help the most? Do Surrey and Langley commuters want more express buses? More roads and routes? What’s the best way to get working folks from their homes and into their offices in under 2 hours? Perhaps the possible lack of office space in Vancouver is a good thing, for this very reason.

Personally, I know I would like to see the Expo Line completed. Take it to Guildford Mall, expand to Langley, take it to South Surrey, either way would help.

Update: A bit of backlash is arising over the Vancouver Mayor’s push to extend the Millennium Line ahead of completing and moving forward with the Evergreen line. [CKNW]

After reading Rod Templeton and seeing John Chow and his bagillion-dollar ad revenues one too many times on The Lab I finally decided to start ramping up the monetization of the site. Yes, “monetize” is not my favourite word either but it’s about time I started doing a little more. If I can promote local business and get a little something out of the deal (after doing it for free all these years) I’m going to give it a whirl.

Fewer gaudy Google Ads and links to sites and places people actually might visit in Vancouver? That’s the idea.

The first ever paid advertisement, that isn’t a Google Ad, is for Money Coach. I have also included the Rio but that’s in exchange for some screenings that have been offered to me through my blog.

I’ve profiled Nancy Zimmerman before, during my Blogathon, and when she heard me entertaining the idea of ads on my site a little while ago, she stepped up and offered her services. Ironically enough, Nancy’s specialty is helping people manage their money. She offers consultations, advice and programs to help people gain more control in their lives… instead of having it run by financial burden.

For more information about advertising on Miss604.com visit the new “advertise” page. Ads will all be clearly marked as such and I will always be upfront about what publicity has been purchased.

We just got back from an hour-long walk through the Park in the rain and I’m trying to compose a ‘weekend recap’ post and it’s just not working. Instead, let’s take the easy way out and throw together a link fest.

Want to take a scenic Ferry boat trip to a cute little island that won’t cost an arm and a leg? Try heading South to Whidbey Island, Washington. It was a quick 20 minute trip across the straight but it’s really a gorgeous area. The cost of vehicle, driver and passenger was about $12 and if you are so inclined, you can even get beer in the cafeteria for $3.

Tyler Ingram‘s made a Technorati WordPress Plugin, and we all know how I love a good plugin. This is a simple badge that you can apply to your WordPress site to show your Technorati ranking. This is based on incoming links to your blog and the rank of said links. At least that’s what I’ve been lead to believe it means… hooray for link love!

NetChick is celebrating 10 years of super deluxe blogging in Vancouver and to spread the joy she’s giving away a Wii. In a recent conversation with Tanya I found out we actually both made websites in 1997 through Rogers with hideous http://members.home.com/yourname/yoursitenamehere.html” kinda urls. Well sort of, mine was a fan site for my favourite band at the time that quickly died but she started an empire. She was blogging, webcam’ing and has been going strong ever since. Her ability to interact with her readers and share personal stories to such a captive audience is unsurpassed in this city. Of course this is my entry into the contest but this is also such a wonderful milestone I’m happy to promote it in any way I can. Miss604 is going into its 4th year of blog-dom and I can hardly fathom what this will all be after 10 years.

Finally, my sister and I will be doing The Amazing Hunt in Surrey this Saturday. Please, everyone stay off the roads, away from major landmarks, tourist attractions, and if you see two sisters running around in red race shirts, please have a laptop with wifi readily available so that you can look up directions for us. Although, we’re not too worried, this is our home turf man and after our placing at the end of the last race, we can only improve.

Ever since Tod Maffin‘s session at Barcamp I’ve been thinking about getting me some silicone. I have a nice, white, pristine MacBook and I need to protect it somehow.

Yesterday at the Apple Store in good ol’ Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood, WA I checked out some possible keyboard covers. They were clear or white and cost $29.99 USD. I brought them over to John and he said ya know, we could probably just get that stuff at Future Shop or London Drugs. Well, he was right. I walked into London Drugs this afternoon and found me a silicone cover for $17.99.

Would anyone like to help me out with my silicone issue? I’d really like a cover like John Biehler‘s, I think his is green. Hey John! Where did you get yours? I’d prefer not to buy it online… I’d just like to find a local store that has a simple keyboard (only) cover for the MacBook 13.3″. If anyone can help me out, get me a deal or supply with me one I’d fully promote the heck of out it on my site, thanks!

We’re almost through Season 4 of Rescue Me. I spotted Denis Leary wearing a BC Lions shirt earlier in the season and scooped a screenshot on Episode 11.

We know Leary is a hockey fan and although I’m pretty sure we may never see him in a Canucks jersey, it was kinda neat to catch a local connection on one of our favourite shows.

Season 4 of Rescue Me is now airing in Canada on Showcase, Tuesday nights at 10.