Meet Amy Aikman! Amy was born and raised in Victoria!
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My husband Donovan. He constantly surprises and inspires me. He's also clever as all get out and looks great in a kilt.
What is your favourite local store in Victoria and why?
Cherry Bomb Toys! If there isn't a new Starscream figure for me to buy I love chatting with the owner B and his staff, and the Toy Museum upstairs is so cool.
Describe yourself in one word.
Optimistic.
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Osaka. My husband and I spent a week there in 2006 and it wasn't nearly long enough.
What is your favourite activity in Victoria?
Getting sushi at Fujiya and taking it up to Mount Tolmie to eat (and catch some Pokemon while we're enjoying the view.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
Accidentally tucking my dress into my pantyhose when I was using the restroom in a gaming store (anyone remember GNU World Games at Town & Country Mall? No? Just me?) full of guys, and not realizing for far, far too long.
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
I have to mention my friend Debbie Stirling here. She collided with a pedestrian on the Galloping Goose Trail a few years ago and broke her back. Her bike had all the proper lights and she wearing a helmet but the pedestrian was wearing all black, and stepped directly into her path out of nowhere. Watching her recovery was incredibly inspiring, and she is one of the best, kindest and strongest women I know. She's back on her bike and hopefully will be back to boxing soon too!
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
Growing up in Colwood down by Esquimalt Lagoon, catching salamanders in my backyard with my brother Graham.
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I feel like I'm failing pretty hard at this right now, but in the past I've helped organize people in my place of work to go donate blood (blood, it's in you to give!) and last year I joined the Order of the Eastern Star which supports the Canadian Cancer Society and the BC & Alberta Guide Dogs. There's more I want to do still.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
Kindness. A little kindness goes a long way.
Where would you sneak away to in Victoria to spend some time alone?
Esquimalt Lagoon with a good book (and a great deal of sunscreen).
Where would you like to see positive change in Victoria and why?
Homelessness and affordable housing in general. I've seen so many more housing options open up in the last couple years (motels converted to housing, etc) but there's still tent cites popping up. It's insane.
What do you think makes Victoria great?
It's the people. Shop owners who know your name and remember that book you were talking about the last time you were in, cafe baristas who start making your drink as soon as you walk in the door. Other dog owners who rescue you with a spare poo bag.
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
#1 I actually managed #1 on the list earlier this year, I went to New York and saw the "David Bowie is…" exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum. I only cried three times!
#2 Visit London and do a David Bowie tour
#3 Go to South Korea and see BIGBANG in concert in 2020
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I've touched the Oscar Meyer wienermobile.
How do people connect with you, personally, through social media?
Most of the above! Instagram and Twitter are my favourites right now though.
What is the name of your business/organization?
I don't work for myself, but if I did I'd love to figure out a way to get more Korean pop groups to tour Canada. Or maybe I'd open a Tiki Bar. I just need to win the 649…
What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?
I am good at telling other people that they can do the thing, but really bad at believing it myself.
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I love my life, so I wouldn't change a thing.
What do you always find yourself saying?
"Kazak, whatever that is I don't want you eating it."
Tell us your best piece of life advice.
Don't take life too seriously. One of my favourite Kpop rappers has a YOLO tattoo and at first I cringed hard, but dammit if it isn't actually solid advice.
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
You just HAD to say "currently alive" didn't you? Okay, so since I can't pick David Bowie I'll go with Kwon Ji Yong, aka G-Dragon from BIGBANG. He's a singer, songwriter, artist and fashion icon in South Korea. I saw his solo concert in 2017 and it was an unforgettable experience. Kpop concerts are just on another level. I'd love to just sit down over a drink and chat, not in a "fangirl" way, but just talk to him about his life and what he wants to do in the future and maybe give him a hug because sometimes it looks like he needs one.
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
I want to support my neighbours and my neighbourhood. I want to see Victoria thrive. Sending money outside of my city doesn't support my city, so unless it simply doesn't exist here, I try to buy locally.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Slowly, slowly, learning not to care so much what other people think.
Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Kelly at the Roundhouse Cafe. Roundhouse is my neighbourhood cafe and Kelly always, always makes me feel at home there.
My choice for the VictoriaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Debbie Stirling (deboliciousness – Instagram), Janice La Couvee, Joanna Ridley (daringdachshund – Instagram), and Krista Loughton
Some general comments I would like to share are:
“Hello, babies. Welcome to Earth. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's round and wet and crowded. On the outside, babies, you've got a hundred years here. There's only one rule that I know of, babies-"God damn it, you've got to be kind.” – Kurt Vonnegut.
We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE.
In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition of the people, businesses, and organization that help make our city great. Thank you, Victoria!
