My First Flames Game (Hockey Night in Calgary)

Last week I went to my first game in Calgary since moving here. It took quite a while for some of my sponsors to get me tickets for this, but off I went. I thought besides the game, I'll try and see what the difference between a game at the stadium here compared to Ottawa would be. Here what I discovered:

1)We had tickets in the 100 section, behind the Flames net. Good seats to see the action, but the difference here from Ottawa is the bowl seats at the ends are like seats in the 300 in Ottawa. Very tight feeling, not a lot of leg room. I was feeling cramped. I now know why they want to renovate the stadium. I was also surprised about the lack of Private Boxes. With all the head offices out here, they are really missing out. Advantage - Ottawa

2)Concessions. At first, it looked exactly the same. Instead of Pizza Pizza, it is Boston Pizza, a smaller slice for $5.75. Then I found another concession area just away from our seats, $6.75 for a huge chicken finger order. Beer, they only had one size, but for $6.75, it is bigger than the ones in Ottawa and too big that it gets warm quickly. I didn't try the hot dogs, too full after that finger deal. - Advantage - Calgary

3)Clock. Looked a little out of date, not sure if it was the mesh getting in the way, but I believe it is time for a new clock. - Advantage - Ottawa

4)Goals. When the Flames score, there are little bubbles up by the clocks on both side that shoot out a flame. I thought that was neat. Also, they keep the stadium cooler, so when the flame shoots out, you get warm by it. I do like the horn in Ottawa, but it had a feeling when they scored, it may have been the coolness. - No Advantage.

5)Announcers. The same as in Ottawa, guys who do the contest are annoying. Interesting though to be at a game and hear the national anthem only in English. - no Advantage

6)Crowd. They're loud. I will say the loudest I ever heard was at two games for Ottawa at the Centre, but for early in the season game against Colorado, these people really know what is going on. They really follow their Flames. Nothing against Ottawa fans (I'm still one of them), but I don't get the bandwagon jumping feeling as much here. - Advantage - Calgary.

7)Traffic. This is really unfair, but the Saddledome is one stop off the train from my work. So, as long as you leave an hour before the game, the crowd on the train won't be as bad. On a warmer night, I could walk home from the Dome, I probably wouldn't do it for safety reasons, but you could. Once the game was over, I was lucky and caught a train minutes after I got out of the stadium and was home in less than 15 minutes. Even if you live in Kanata, when was the last time you heard that about leaving Scotiabank Place? This goes with crowd as well, Flames were up 5-2 with over five minutes left in the third, I could probably count the amount of people who left in the hundred sections on two hands. Another thing you rarely hear in Ottawa. Some people told me traffic getting out of the stadium is the same, but there is no reason to park there. - Advantage - Calgary



Overall, good game. the Flames has their powerplay working really well, and they looked good. It makes me wonder if how well they are playing and how well the Sens are playing, could we see them meet in the playoffs? Too early to tell, but home can hope. If they do, I'm just wondering where I can watch the game.

The Depressing Time of Year

So, Christmas is almost here, less than three weeks to go. But while all the excitment of the holidays is around us, there is a little thing in Calgary that causes your body to feel a little quiter.

Over the past couple of weeks it has started. We are out of the cold weather snap we had the past little while, with an average of -28 in the day and -37 at night (or -42 when walking to work in morning?!) and now we have temps right now of 0 and by Saturday a possible of 13, it is the lack of sunlight that starts to get to people.

What takes place is the sun doesn't come up until around 8:40am and goes down before 4pm. So, when I'm walking to work, it's dark. When I'm going home, it's dark. I never used to believe that stuff I heard about lack of sunlight, but I can tell you, it's true.

It plays with your head. You start to feel weird, kind of sad, slow, it is kind of hard to explain. You really have to take time over lunch and go out just to get sunlight. I'm not getting rickets or anything like that, but it can get a little depressing to not see the sun.

Oh well, Christmas is coming! I'm getting myself in the mood right now by watching Santa Claus is Coming to Town, singing along with Put One Foot in Front of the Other (if you don't know it, you're lost, if you do know it, the song is stuck in your head now). I'll be heading home in a couple of weeks, seeing how much Ottawa has changed (?!) and seeing family and friends. But there are things to report on Calgary before I head back...so keep reading

Bad Behaviour Law

Last week, the city of Calgary voted to put in a Bad Behaviour Law. Meaning, fines will be handed out for certain items that are deemed rude, insulting or dangerous.

I read, just after this past, on CFRA, they had a poll should the city of Ottawa adapt the same rule. 93% of people that voted said "yes". Before you hop on the "let's crack down" phase, here is some of the offenses and fines:

Standing on a park bench: $50
Brandishing or holding a knife in public: $50
(using the knife, depends on how and where - fine goes up with more use)
spitting on the sidewalk: $100
fighting in public: $250
urinating in public: $300
taking a crap in public: $300

How standing on a park bench is the same has holding a weapon in public would be the same fine is one of the many areas of discussion.

Some of the bad habits not fined yet:

Throwing cigarette butt on the ground
sneezing in public
arguing in public
singing in public
having your music loud enough for everyone to hear
discussing politics in public

I Moved Out Here For This...

Over the past week, we've been battling a force that is not supposed to be this strong this time of year, that of Old Man Winter, or his younger buddy, November Freezy!

Over the past week, the temperture dropped from a balmy 8 degrees on November 20th to a record low this morning of -31 degrees. It has been -20 since last Thursday, and while we are supposed to get warmer tomorrow (if you want to call -14 warmer?!), by next Monday, we are supposed to be at normal temps of -2. I don't mind the cold, I mean that 10 minute walk in the morning for work, really wakes you up, but it is how rude people are when it gets this cold...

Item 1) Getting on the C-Train.
Now, I have explained about the train before, that on one street of downtown it is free. Late last week, when this cold snap hit, I was walking my route, when one the trains was pulling in. I raced to catch it and had to get on at the last door. Me and 11 other people. While we did this, there was on one else in the rest of car, while these people all stood in area that can hold around seven. I asked a gentleman in front of me, if he would mind moving...his response, "where would you want me to go?" I looked, walked past him and said, "I would have assumed where I'm going."

Item 2) Getting Coffee
Now, getting coffee in the morning can sometimes take a little longer than hoped, but sometimes it is longer than it should be. Yesterday, the coldest day (until today), the trains were not running, so I ended up walking the whole way to work, (not a big deal, we have a number of places where you can get around downtown inside), but getting coffee was a stretch. Everyone's trying to figure out what they need, but the kicker was the person in back of me. I always try to get through a line as quickly as possible, so people aren't waiting. I have two cards from Starbucks and wasn't sure which one had the full amount, so gave the girl both of them. The guy behind starts to whine about how inconsiderate I am for using my card. I was right, I gave the girl the card that was full and my time took as much as it would if I paid cash. As I'm walking away to get my coffee. I hear this guy's order, one coffee, that he wants to pay with interact. He's complaining about me, and he's using interact. I didn't have to say squat as a very nice lady behind him gave him a confused look and said, "and you were whining about the guy using his card?" He just looked at her, walked over the cream area and pushed another woman out of the way to get his cream. Glad to know I wasn't the only one to think he's a jerk!

Anyway, I'm heading to my first Flames game since moving here tonight, so now I'll get to see what the hockey fans are like here, are they like Ottawa? Do they leave with Seven minutes left in the third? Is it as pricey? We'll see...

Where Did The Time Go?

There was a point when I was writing on this pretty regularly, trying to give you the happenings of an Ottawa Man out west. But, work and other issues, have slowed down my writing. Looking at this, it has been almost four months since I wrote. So, I will look over the past little while and try to update what has taken place in the next few days and update the twists and turns that have happened in the wonderful city of Calgary.

Stampede Day Two

Well, now things get interesting.

My brother Randy flew in to town in the afternoon. His flight landed at around 1:30, so off we went to see the sights and such. Made a time to hook up for lunch with our buddy who was with the night before, and went back to my place to drop off stuff. Pretty usual things.

Once we went off to get lunch, it was around 3pm. What started out as a casual lunch, turned into one of those Devil and the drinking game days. We went to a pub up the street from my place (that I had only been in a couple of times), and discovered that they had a roof top patio. UP WE WENT! After a few drinks we got chatty and discovered that our server was from Ottawa. That just kicked everything off. After ordering lunch (that after about 3 drinks each), another friend joined us. We ordered more food - don't know quite why - and many more drinks. After a few more hours, our server was off and sat down with us, bringing another server with her. Because I had a few drinks, I became chatty, and was doing quite well (not falling down, not slurring), then the shooters came out. There is where a few deleted scenes make their appearance.

We apparently stayed at this pub for about 5 - 6 hours, we then went to another bar across the street (this is something that I didn't recall until the next day) and not only did we drink more, we ate as well! Within an hour, I got put off by the bartender flipping bottles (if you can take the quote "I've had enough of this fuckin' shit" as put off), we then went out for dinner(!?). Off we went to an Italian restaurant down the street. Another friend joined us and we sat down and ate a very good meal, but it was our third in less than 6 hours. How we got this drunk with that much food, I don't know.

But because we ate so much, I felt we weren't drunk and dragged my brother to another bar after dinner. A couple of beers later, back the apartment we went. A good night's sleep was what was needed - instead a pass out with clothes still on was what followed. I made an amateur mistake - peaked too early and had my best performance before the week was out. Oh well, a few more days ahead, and a few more stories to tell.

Stampede Day One

Well, Stampede time is here. For those of you who don't know anything about Stampede, you may think it's all about horses and dirt, but really, it is about drinking, cussing and hopefully some other things! Because things have been so busy, it is catch up time now!

Day One: Parade Day.

A huge parade kicks off the Stampede first thing Friday morning. What it means to those who work downtown (like myself) is that you need to get to your office before 8:00 am, or you ain't going to. I got in early and took a good look outside the staring window (or office window if you prefer). The security in the building had a Stampede breakfast going, so everyone in the office went down and had some grub and watched the parade. After the half-way point, I went back to the office to work some things, and watch the parade from the window. Very cool little parade.

Then came the night. Being how this was the first in a 10 day run, a buddy who is in town working over Stampede, decided it would better to go out for a nice meal instead of going out and getting trashed. Good Idea. A wonderful meal - nice drive and ended my day by driving up McLeod Trail and watching the fireworks at the closing of the first night.

Not a drunken night, but a nice one. The drunken stuff was to follow!

When Wild Weather Hits

So, after two weeks back home, where I had a great time, spending time with friends, seeing my parents and family, seeing the new house and swimming in the new pool (the best hangover cure I assure you), I came back to Calgary in time to get settled in for Stampede.



Being my first Stampede, it should be fun, and I will be keeping a log about the on-goings that happen.

But today, or this evening, we had a storm that I have heard about. It was an amazing storm, complete with hail and flooding in my basement (not much, but enough to pull out a pot to stop the running of water).

As you see by the photos, it is amazing when wild weather hits, a storm like this and now two hours later, pure sunshine. Going to be an interesting week and a half!

Why is Plain Different Out Here (or I don't want mayonaise with that!)

So one of things I have noticed in the past little while is how something like ordering food has become a little more confusing and problematic.

Case in point #1: A few months ago, I ordered a burger at a joint and asked for it plain. The girl behind the counter looked at me like I'd ask her to give me all the money in the till, went to I assume a supervisor, who came over to help her with the order. "He wants nothing on it but ketchup and musturd," she said. "No," I explained, "I ordered it plain, that means I want nothing on it." She looked at me, looked at her employee, then told me I was mistaken, it means what she said and punched it in that way. After a two discussion, in which she kept telling me I was wrong, I finally got in her head, I wanted nothing on the burger "the meat and the bun" we say. I received it, after dirty looks by the staff and by the people who were behind me. I now know, don't say plain, say nothing on it.

Case in Point #2: I went into subway a few weeks ago, and order a chicken parm sub. After ordering my bread and asking for it to be toasted, I went to further down the line. It came time for my sandwich to be given its coverings, I stated, "nothing on it please." "Mayonaise only? Ok" was the response. I don't know where you get mayonaise from nothing, but it happened (2nd time in my life, but that's a Florida story). When I explained I didn't want anything on it, instead of just going along with it (and making her job easier because she doesn't have to put anything on the sandwich), she told me that nothing on it would include the mayonaise. Again, regardless of that, it is not what I asked for. It took another two minutes to get my sandwich. She gave me that look (one I gave many times while working in the service industry) of me being the biggest pain-the-butt customer she had all day. I learned another lesson, tell them exactly what you mean.

Case in point #3: Last week, I order a chicken sandwich, and I stated, just the chicken and the bun- plain - nothing on it. The young man behind the counter nodded his head and stated "only mayonaise and lettuce." This time my voice was a little higher - "where did you get from what I said only mayonaise and lettuce?" He told me I ordered basic, and that's basic. I didn't order basic I told him - i ordered nothing, explained exactly what I should be looking at when I receive the sandwich. He nodded, "I get it, you don't want mayonaise, you want something else on it." I lowered my head, caught my breath, and explained one more time what I wanted. "I've never heard of that," said the young man behind the counter. "I'm sure you haven't when you don't listen to the customer," I thought. This time, five minutes later, and I checked the sandwich in front of him, I was able to get my food.

So, among the many differences out here, this is something I never would have thought would cause me this many problems (this is only three examples). So short of me walking behind the counter and making the sandwich myself, I have to keep just explaing, with hand gestures to help. Or maybe look up a new word for plain, nothing, basic meaning meat and bun!

My Usual Playoff Experience, Only Now in Calgary

So, after last nights defeat at the hands of the Mighty Ducks, I got to see what another city looks like when its team gets knocked out in the first round. Many things are similar to Ottawa in this way, mainly people wondering what went wrong, how could this happen after a great year, what changes need to be made, you know the drill. Well after living in Ottawa for so many disappointing seasons, I have answers for those Flames fans, and here is One Ottawa Man's point of view:

1) What went wrong?
Simple, the Flames got caught looking ahead. There was so much being made about a Flames-Oilers 2nd round, that they misread that they had to get by the Ducks. The last two games were lacking in emotion and they didn't seem to want it as much as the Ducks, they wanted nothing else but to play the Oilers. The press here didn't help as well, writing more about a possible series than the series at hand. That was the ammo that the Ducks needed.

2)How could this have happened after such a great year?
Playoffs are different. Look what happened the last time with the Flames, nobody thought they would go to the final. Also, if you look, the Ducks were one of the best teams in the 2nd half. Not a big surprise.

3) How did Bryzgalov outplay Kiprusoff?
He didn't. Much like seasons ago when the press (re:Toronto) was praising Belfour for shutting down the Sens, it wasn't that he played that well (don't get me wrong, he played well), but when the few shots he faced were at his chest. The same here, Bryzgalov played very strong for the Ducks, but a good part of his credit could go to the Flames themselves for taking such little shots and not trying to figure him out.

4) What happens next year?
Easy, and not easy. The Flames defence and goaltending is solid, it is their scoring or lack there of. They need a number one centre - someone who can lead with Iginla. Langkow is a good player, but he is no more than a number 2 centre, a problem that the Sens had for a number of years until Spezza really arrived (Yes, Yashin was a number one centre - but in the playoffs, he couldn't score on John Grahame). They have to get this, or they will continue to suffer the same fate. You can only win so many 2-1 games.

So I walk to work this morning, feeling like I was walking by a state funeral, the way everybody's face looked. But by this afternoon, the weather got a little nicer, a little warmer, and those frowns seem to switch a little upward. It's not the end of the world, it just seems like it for a few hours. Now my thought process can try to figure out why these people should be buying theatre tickets. What else are you going to do?

With the Flames out, I can now cheer the Sens out in public without fear of being abused, and will possibly hear people agree. And as I watch my team from another city, I wonder what will happen with the rest of the playoffs, and wonder what could have happened had the Flames played like they could have and ended facing the Oilers.

Oh well, go Sens go!!

Getting My Ralph Bucks - Or to the People of Alberta - I deserve this...

Last Friday I received, after much delay and a number of phone calls to prove I am who I say I am (which was really me just saying "this is me!"), I received my Ralph bucks. For those of you unfamiliar with this, the government of Alberta decided that every living person - man, woman and child, of Alberta was to receive $400 tax free, due to the growth of the economy. There was one catch, you had to be a resident of Alberta by September 1, 2005. I became a resident, three different times, August 1st, when I started paying rent on my apartment, August 4th, when I landed and started working and August 27th, when I switched my driver's licence over. All three under the timeline.

Now I wasn't expecting this windfall, just thought if I get it, then great, if I don't, no loss. After the cheques started arriving in February, I heard from a number of people who had received them. Then I read about a young man who moved here as of August 31st and received his cheque. Well, I thought, if this guy is going to get $400, then certainly, I, an Ottawa man out west, deserve this money as well. I phoned the government of Alberta, and with my best Grampa Simpson, declared "gimme, gimme, gimme..." I was told that they didn't have a record of me in Alberta, and I told them that I moved here in August. I was told how sorry they were and that the 'cheque is in the mail'. After a month, I called to find out where it was mailed to, they told me then I should receive it in the next couple of weeks - and I did!

Before I received it though, I started to read some letters to the editor in the Calgary Sun (which for readers of the Ottawa Sun, you pretty much know where I'm going). There were a couple of irate people, who were upset that "deadbeats" like myself have just moved here and now I was getting the same money as them. I should be shoved aside, I should be forced to walk the Red Mile naked, I should be forced to eat my Sens hat (or Leafs, Habs, whatever) - there is on way "freeloaders" like this should share in this wealth. Well, that caught my attention. While I agree, that long standing Albertans have a little different view than say, one Ottawa man out west, but here's something for them to chaw on:

Moving to this wonderful provience:
$1900 for moving furniture
$900 for moving car
$850 for flights, looking for apartment and moving
$68 for driving licence
$69 for changing of car plate
$1250 for safety of said car
$895 cleaning deposit on apartment
$200 for hotel for first two nights in town
$264 for Alberta Health Care
$44 a month for said health care starting May
Total: $6396 - $2500 moving expenses = $3896 it still cost me to move to Alberta.
So I don't deserve $400?
To the gentleman, who referred to someone like me as a "freeloader" - Get Stuffed!

One More Thing To Make Me an Albertan (or finally getting my healthcare

This week I celebrated (I'm not sure if that is the right word) eight month anniversary of being in Calgary. Amazing to me how fast time has slipped by. While it has been an interesting trek, and at times, and expensive one, I had one more issue to take care of. After getting licences, plates, addresses, taxes changed over to an Alberta address, I had one more hill to climb, changing over my healthcare. Not that I didn't want to do this, but putting something like this off was truly the only way to deal with it. After what I went through just to switch my plates and car, I couldn't imagine what I would be faced with trying to do with my body.

I sent the info in Healthcare office about a month and a half ago. To give you an idea of how bad that is, OHIP covers you for three months after a move like this, I got here in August. You do the math, I was sure they would. Not that I meant to do, I just forgot...simple as that, I forgot! Oh well, about a week ago I received a letter from Alberta Healthcare telling me that I did not give them the full info that they needed and I had 15 days to get my info to them or I couldn't be processed. So yesterday, I finally had the time to go to the downtown office and take care of this problem. I was sure that I would be waiting for hours. When I walked in, not to say this in the wrong way, but I was the only person in the office speaking English, so, I thought, I came on the right day. After waiting a few minutes, I looked around, there were five counters dealing with people, one was closed (it being late afternoon), three working with people, and one trying her best to find something to do other than get trapped with someone so close to quitting time. I was glad to see that the government attitude of work is the same across the country - that's what brings us together. But a few mintues later, I was called, sat down in front of a very pleasant lady, who took my information and set everything up for me in around three minutes (that includes a call she received from her daughter while I was there). I was told that I would be backdated (which means I'll be paying for six months - which is what I figured) and she gave me my Alberta Healthcare Card. Card is a strong word, it is a piece of paper, no photo, no marks, just says your name, number and Alberta. I was even told I could laminate if I wished. You would think with the money that is paid, they may want to think about getting something a little more solid.

So that is my last step, now I feel like I live here, although with spring being here and summer around the corner, let's see how the living improves. And now that I have my healthcare set up, be damned with safety!

When Construction Finds You

Not that I truly believe in conspiracies, but I have always had a feeling that when it came to construction, it always has a little bit of a WSGW to it. WSGW stands for Where Sean Goes to Work.

In Ottawa, it seemed to be a never ending saga, and it didn't just revolve around work. If I went a certain way for a while, construction would all of sudden "pop-up", no notice, they'd just start ripping apart road. If I found a different route, they seemed to follow. If I found a quick way out of Barhavven, where my parents were at the time, they would have general meetings and discuss the many ways to make sure that my drive would have time to add to while one person worked and seven others stood around making sure my car was stuck in this mess.

Not driving to work in Calgary must have fooled them, for a while. I'm getting close to seven months here and in the past two weeks they have figured out my path. Walking to work as I do, I usually follow a couple of paths. Two weeks ago, they tore up a path that I take going home. Not a big deal, it just means I have to walk a little farther, adds a couple of minutes. This morning, I walked into my path to work being completely ripped up. Now, just going to the other side of the street would usually not be a big deal, but when the other side is the C-Train tracks or traffic, that can be a problem. I wouldn't have thought much of it, but when I passed by the construction (one guy working - eight standing around), one of the constructions guys gave me the thumbs up. It looked as it was to say "we found you!"

If You Don't Like the Weather, Wait Five Minutes, Part II

So, last week we went through a cold snap, this week it warmed up, but we got snow. And not the type that I spoke about earlier, we got snow - enough that twice I had to clean my car off (the fact that the battery isn't working, didn't make the job any easier). I don't mind snow, but to get this type of snow fall now is a little on the dishearting side. I mean, I'm used to getting this in November, but the first real snowfall in the later stages of February? I makes me wonder what type of summer we're going to have.

Now, as I said, it has snowed this week, but it amazes me again how it shuts the city down. Except of course for the weekend, all I've heard from people on the street and in buildings is "how great this snow will be for skiiing this weekend." Now, let me get this straight, driving in it during the week, causes all of them to forget how to drive, how to function and even for some, forget how to go into work. But by Saturday, this pain in the ass snow, is now SNOW!

Amazing what the weather looks like on certain days.

If You Don't Like the Weather, Wait Five Minutes

It's amazing what happens when the weather changes very quickly. I got used to it happening a bit in Ottawa the last few years, but after what has taken place in the last week, and what will be happening in the next week, with the weather, it's enough to make Sybil crazy.
To give you an example of what I mean, is last Saturday, the temperture was 18 degrees, Sunday, 12 degrees, by Tuesday night, it was - 10, Wednesday, -23, Thursday morning, -30. By Saturday, it will be -1, 1 on Sunday, 12 on Monday, -1 on Tuesday. I now know where they got the saying, if you don't like the weather, wait five minutes.
It goes beyond the cold, it's how people change during periods like this as well that got my attention. On a day like today (-30), I walk down to 7th Ave and catch the C-Train for the rest of the way to work. For those of you who aren't familiar with Calgary transit, the train travels across the city, but on 7th Ave, it is free for riders. A very smart idea, that helps in the idea for me to not drive into to work. This morning getting on the train was busier than usual, which I expected with the cold, but the way people acted, pushing, shoving, not paying attention to other people. A man in front of me (all of 6'3), shaped like Weabal hit me in the face with his back pack three times. By the time the fourth was to come around, I let him know of my displeasure. "Do you mind?" I asked. He looked at me as if I had slapped him across the face (the thought crossed my mind). "You've hit me with your bag three times already, could you watch it, please." Instead of a "I'm sorry", or him taking it off his back, he merely gave me a dirty look and turned and started talking to his friend again. I got off at the next stop, where while wearing my headphones, the jerk thought I couldn't hear him. "What a little weasel eh?" he said to his friend. "Better a weasel than a fat, fucking potatoe body," I replied. I don't know what that means, it was something one of my brothers used as an insult many years ago and still sticks in my head. The look of shock, either from what I said, or trying to figure out what I said meant, gave it enough time for the door of the train to shut before he could head out after me. I have to admit, it felt a little warmer after that.
I guess the weather isn't the only thing that changes after five minutes.

Watching the Super Bowl Out West

Even while having sattelite or digital cable back in Ottawa, I got used to never being able to see the Super Bowl through the American networks, always having them taking over by Global, so you couldn't see the American commercials that run during the game. Low and behold my surprise last night when not only was my digital box allowing me to watch the game on the Detroit station, but also I got to see the American ads (I wonder if it had anything to do with the game being in Detroit).

The ones that stick out were a Bud Light ad, where a husband goes up on a roof to 'clean the gutters' for his wife, when he gets on top of the roof, he pulls out a lawn chair and a bud light, spots his neighbour, his neighbour asks what he is doing, and he responds. His neighbour, doing the same thing, having a beer sittting on a lawn chair, states he is 'fixing the sattelite'. They both see their other neighbour getting on his roof. 'Fixing a leak in the roof' he claims, the two state, 'good idea, have to use that one', where the 3rd neighbour states 'no, I'm really fixing...' and falls through the roof where we see his wife enjoying a Bud Light.

Another ad featured monkeys (Lisa...monkeys), jumping around partying in an office setting, where a display shows increased revenue. An office worker comes in and turns the display around, explaining that revenues are actually down. The monkeys stop, look around, then put the display back the way they had and continue to party. The ad then says 'need a new job". Later this office worker is speaking to friend, where she claims 'I know what you mean, I work with nothing but jackasses', then all you see if jackasses in suits.

As for the game itself, a pretty boring game, with a couple of questionable calls. I believe the first Seahawks touchdown should have stood and the Steelers first shouldn't have counted, he did not make it over the line, but that is just one Ottawa man out West's opinion. The Rolling Stones, well, thankfully I was making dinner at the time, so I saw what was necessary.

Another good thing about watching the game here is the time zone, the game was over by 8pm, more than enough time to relax before passing out after the game. Now, we have the Olympics to look forward to, even if the first game against Italy is 5am Mountain time.

You Must Be This Tall To Get On This Ride

This past Saturday, I went out as part of my resolution to get out and meet more people. And while I have been doing that more in my first month back, I have noticed something in that time as well. Women in the city seem to have a thing about height. Meaning, there seems to be a limit of how far they would like to look down, or up, whatever the case may be.

A couple of weeks ago, one young lady told me "I look cuter sitting down" another this past Saturday gave the look of disapproval, giving the impression that I should put myself on the rack and grow a couple of inches before stepping up to the plate. Now this not something that you can fix, like losing weight (which I did) or get in better shape (which I did), height is something that going to keep coming back to me. Now being only around 5"6, there is only so much that I can do. I will not wear lifts (I don't think that extra 2 inches will really do anything and with my balance problems, especially after a few pops, it is probably not the best idea), so what is a man like me to do?

Well, my best bet is to roll with the punches and see if I can find someone who is not so strict on the height issue. It has been interesting, it has been like being a kid again, where I couldn't get on rides because you had to be this tall. I expect the next woman I speak with, to look at me and put her arm up and say "sorry, can't get on this ride!"

Remember When You Vote...

This explains so much...

How Can Snow Be This Troublesome When You're An Hour Outside of the Mountains?

This was one of those days. This morning, I had to get up and drive a few brochures for work to a section of the city that I have never been to. To prepare for this, I got a map and directions from the web, and prepared for it to be a least double the time it said on the paper (it being 7:30 am, and it being rush hour), low to my surprise, another factor would come into play - snow. Never said anything on the weather about snow, but when someone says it's snowing in a panic voice, I assume to be getting somewhere over 10 - 12 cm, not a brushing of snow.

Now, coming from Ottawa, where a few cm of snow is something we just shrug off, I'm still perplexed as to why it causes the city of Calgary to "lose it". They are an hour outside the mountains, and it seems that no one seems to know what this white stuff coming from the sky is. The radio station I had on in my car made it sound like a storm. So this was just one item of my trip. The 2nd major factor was because of some construction going on, they took down the sign name for the main street that I had to turn down. I was going against traffic, so time wasn't a big factor, but because of this wonderful mistake on missing signage, I had to drive 4 km out of my way, turn around to get stuck in traffic, and add 25 minutes to my trip. Due to the combination of rush hour and snow, people were speeding at a pace of 4 - 6 km/h, I almost couldn't keep up.

After dropping off the boxes (and being treated like a delivery guy who was getting in the way), I jumped back in my car from the parking lot by the building back to the parking lot on the streets. One item I have to learn in this city is shortcuts, and how to get to different areas with the least amount of slowdowns.

Not that I totally believe in conspiracies, but in luck (bad, good, dumb) - I do believe someone got in touch with some people in Calgary and told them if you are ever in front of a red Mazda, make sure you brake going through a green light - he likes it. Either that, or that same unknown bylaw exists in both Ottawa and Calgary. Nice to have somethings that remind you of home!

First Full Week Back

As this is the first in a number of posts, rants, whatever you want to call it, I should start with a beginning. While this is a look at a year in the life, I have been in Calgary for about five months. At times, I will go back and show some of the hardships that I went through, some of the discoveries that happened, and look over what I did wrong and right in my first little while here. But the majority will be a look at how I survive a full year out west!

What can I say about coming back and getting into the full swing of things. It's not always what you think it would be.

I wrote a blog last Monday when I arrived home (yes, I'm calling it home) but somehow I made it disappear when I changed something - still trying to figure out how this works.

So to begin, let's just try and go day by day:

Monday:
I booked an early flight from Ottawa to come back to Calgary that was to leave at 7am (next time I'll pay the extra $40 and fly out later in the day), but I thought, at this rate, I'll be in my apartment by 10 am, and have the whole day to get myself back into being back in Calgary. The flight was supposed to leave at 7, for some reason, which they never explained, we flew out at 7:40. I don't know about you but I really enjoy sitting on a crowded flight, not moving, being told to keep my seatbelt on because we could be leaving at any moment. At least I was smart enough to take all the free papers that they have to offer, but couldn't they have turned the TV on? I don't need to see on the screen where the plane is, I can just look out the window and see the groundcrew to figure that we haven't left yet.

After a fairly uneventful flight, I got back home and was happy to see that my apartment was still standing. Took the rest of the day getting adjusted to being back, different weather, different time zone, different enviroment.

Tuesday:
Woke up feeling someone had dragged me down a street. Was this a cold or a retroactive hangover? I did do a little partying when I was in Ottawa, but not enough to have my body get back at me three days later. Went into work and got back into the swing of things. Took about an hour before I realized, I'm back and I'm already a week behind. As every minute passes, it feels like I'm falling behind another day. I'll get caught up as the soon as I can stop time.

Wednesday/Thursday:
pretty much the same, trying to find a way to get caught up but not seeing a light at the end of the tunnel, but I didn't expect it as I know the next two to three months will be the most hectic for me. These days were a blur...

Friday:
Until Friday that is. My cold was the worst of the week the entire day. So bad was my cold that I ran out of tissues over lunch and had to go a drug store to purchase some. Of course they only had large boxes. So picuture if you will - I'm standing in line, when the woman in front of is returning an item (at 12:52 on a Friday), the line-up behind her, including myself, is very pleased to be waiting while she asks every question she could think of (I thought it was good that she had them written down). While this was going on, I started to have a sneeze attack. I'm holding a box of tissues, that I had to tear open, after I turned around to see a very cute girl behind me give a look as though I was two-year old eating in front of her. I really know how to impress the ladies. After tearing out far too many sheets, I got to the cash and was told by the sales lady, "you're paying for that whole box, you know?" As my image was already shattered by my dripping nose, I thought it was not in my favour to come across as cheap. I shook my head and politely thanked her for pointing out my faux paux. What would I have ever done without this lady. I didn't think my face could get a red as it did, but mirrors don't lie.

Saturday/Sunday:
Just tried to keep my head from exploding. Spent Saturday watching Hockey Day in Canada, and watching as the Sens handed the Canadiens a win, the Leafs beat the Oilers, and the refs hand the Canucks a win over the Flames. All in all, a good day, but basically stayed under a cover and just relaxed. Sunday, nothing really changed. You know you're not feeling well when you watch a movie and start to think about things you may done right or wrong previously as to pertains to the story, then quickly shake and think "what the f**k"

My first week back wasn't a full blown get back as I may have wanted, but it was something to get myself back into the swing of things. For this year, I have decided that I need to do somethings for myself. I have to get out more, meet more people and put stuff in the past that I may have focused on too much and not worry about it. I have to realize that I am living in the west and what was in Ottawa is just that, in Ottawa. So, it's starts now - and I will keep posting not just for those who may read it, but for myself, a diary to progress my growth, or my slips.

Here is to the year!