Seattle Part I

First of all, Happy Birthday mom. Just getting toward the end of the pictures. Only a week and a half after I got home. Or more like two weeks. This is the Seattle leg of the journey.

First thing we did when we arrived was have a cocktail with Hal. What a crazy place he has.

Devyn having a swig of her gin gin mule. It was delicious drink!

Dev had to use the bathroom quite badly by the time we arrived. It is behind that bookcase just to the left of the tv. His place used to be a real garage. It's beautiful.There I am in the sun on Hal's patio. Notice the pool down below. It's so nice in Fremont where Uncle Wally lives.

And Uncle Wal's dog is pretty cool too. There's Farley when Megan first brought him over. We were lucky enough to set up shop at my Unc's condo. Too bad he was in Croatia though. Thanks.

More Seaside and the coast.

Just a few more quick ones of the coast. Tsunami zone!

Another self-portrait. We were able to find one game of the Stanley Cup Finals in Seaside. Had supper and watched the game. But I've already forgotten who won. Doesn't matter much in June does it?

Some more nationalism. Or maybe it was a little Canadiana flowing over the border. I'm not sure which one.This guy tried to make a sales pitch to us at the waterfront. Wyndam something or other. Sounded like a time-share thing where they would give $50 for listening to the pitch. But he soon figured that he wasn't going to find buyers in us and decided to have fun with us. Partying at the ocean.

Part IV Seaside

Seaside, Oregon was only 20 miles west - southwest of Astoria. Not quite as nice, but we stayed in a nice place, two seconds from the ocean. It was still cold, but nice to be there.

The funny thing about the hotel was the roof was covered by seagulls. And the resulting mess was astonishing.

Freedom Kids was about he only thing I saw on the while trip that made me think of the supposed Patriotism. That part of the US is not at all like the stereotypical American from Texas or the "South". The pacific northwest is not too different from home.We get to the ocean and we can run out and dip our hands in. Dev's first thought is to grab a giant stick and chase me around. I think we were pent up in the car for too long at that point.

Part III Astoria

Once we left Portland the trips in the car became much shorter and we spent the days wandering around the coast, slowly making our way toward Seattle.

It was very very cold. The wind, and rain. It wasn't pleasant, but a lovely little town. Nicer than Seaside I think. Only twenty miles apart, but Astoria wasn't quite as tourist-y.

Devyn at one of the docks along the warf.

One of the highlight was when we spotted a seal. I admit he startled me, and by the time we dug out the camera it was too late. However we was hiding under the docks here.

And then we saw that load of logs on a barge being towed by the little tugboat. Funny, it's an everyday thing if you live by the water, but a neat sight if you live in land-locked Edmonton.

Part II

From Cour D'Alene we went straight west toward the coast. A wonderful ride along the Columbia River.

As we pulled into Portland we decided it was warm enought to try and camp. The only site we found was a parking lot with no fire or anything. Not what I had in mind. So we traced our way to another cheap motel. It wasn't the most comfortable place we stayed but it was next to a bread factory which made it smell really nice. Portland was really pretty actually. Not the best for driving with all the bridges though.

Here we are having a little fun down by the river.

And some more fun being tourists. We were trying to take our self-portrait above and someone was kind enough to help us do it below.

This was a little restaurant/brewery we visited on a sunny afternoon just as everyone was getting off work. A nice afternoon lunch while those who weren't on vacation went about their business.

The first leg of our journey

Sorry it's a bit delayed, but between trying to get the pics printed off, and planning for Craig and Jen's wedding, and the first week back at work I am having trouble getting this done.

Here's part one: There were some major floods going on in Southern Alberta. We were at Waterton on the first night. Horrible weather, cold, and the Road to the Sun was closed again. So it was a brief stay.

The next day we crossed the border. We were there at 8:30 eagerly waiting. There wasn't another vehicle to be seen. A little stressful crossing with one lady grilling me and a guy searching the trunk. He felt sorry for us with a car full of camping gear and didn't bother to look too closely.

Waterton National Park is on the Cdn side, and Glacier Park on the Montana side. The rolling hills were amazing. I thought I could have some fun in Montana.

Here's a nervous Tom pretending we are staying in a nice hotel. I am thinking this was the one in Cour D'Alene, Idaho. The motel only cost $45 I think, but they must've been the host accommodations for a dog show. I say countless dogs there. I think perhaps Devyn was more comfortable in the dives than I was. They stunk, the beds were terrible, and the pillows way to thin. Beginning to sound a bit like my mom I think. A good thing of course.

And outside the doggy daycare we found our first big photo op. And a Walgreen's across the street. We bought white cheddar flavoured Cheetos. The delicious hard ones. Rather disappointing really. Tasted just like the orange ones. But yeah, back to the picture. How cool?

Holidays

I am back!!!! Hopefully that means there will be lots of posting going on here. Trouble is, I dread posting the million pics we took. I had a tremendous time though, and it will be fun going through all the pics. Hopefully many of them will make it this far.
Edmonton to Wateron National park the first day. Then to Cour D'Alene, Idaho. To Portland, and then Seaside/Astoria. A quick zip up to Seattle to see the cousins for the weekend, and then to Van to do some more visiting. On Thurs I drove all the way from VanCity to Hinton and finished the route yesterday. Now it looks like a bomb went off as I sort through everything that we brought with us. Some of it used, some not.
So there's a rough skeleton of our trip, 2500 miles and change. I will now try to figure out how to post this stuff. Maybe I day-by-day breakdown with some pics, or sections of our trip..... keep posted while I am posting.

Happy Birthday Dev

Well, this has been such a busy week. Now it's finally slowed a bit and I am enjoying an afternoon of coffee and catching up on some stuff I've been meaning to do .... like post on the blog.

Dev turned 23 on Monday and we had mother's day the night before. We went out for Greek food for her birthday and then we tried to get out for a bike ride on her new bike.

Pretty sweet ride hey?

And then yesterday David Beckham was in town. He was playing a match against the Vancouver Whitecaps in Edmonton. That was a lot of fun.

Here are the troops heading from my place to the LRT for the game. Mike and his wife Heather in the back, and Mike Rennick in the middle. Kevin needs no introduction. Everyone knows Kevin.

And there's one shot of Becks. We had really good seats and the game was a lot of fun. The camera flashes were hilarious everytime he touched the ball.

End of an era.

So the last two fish had to be flushed over the weekend. I don't know what it is, but that was not a good experiment. Better take it down and start over. They say the fish won't last very long anyway, but it's too bad. The life expectancy is somewhere around 4 days to 4 months if I can recall correctly. I did have one of those Cardinal Tetra's in the past that lasted me 4 years! Must have been the oldest tetra in history!
There is a good note in all of this though. I don't have to ask Kev to come over when I am on holidays in a couple weeks to feed my fish *evil smile*
The other topic of the day is today was officially the first day I wore shorts to work this spring. Perhaps even the first time in my brief postal career that I've worn them. It's a lot easier to get around without the big coat and thermal underwear and gloves .... etc. I was even sweating as I walked around in the sun this afternoon. A nice Monday, and only two more until vacation!

This is how it works

So I had to renew my vehicle registration the other week. I get a notice in the mail and they say I can renew online. Perfect, I won't have to leave my place and stand in line at the dreaded registry.
This is weeks ago and I get confirmation and the new pink registration card and think nothing of it. But then I realize I need the stickers for my plates. Where the hell are those? And when are they going to mail me the new ones for '09?
Today my plates expired so I got on the horn and asked someone where the stickers are. The lady told me to pop into a registry. Ahhhhhhhhhh, but this defeats the whole purpose of renewing online. The Internet is supposed to make our lives easier.
I was not too happy, but in the end there is a registry in my parking lot and there was NO LINE! Amazing in itself. So I got it all taken care of in a matter of minutes, but why is nothing ever easy? I'll give one more example. I want to buy something online already. I needed a case for my mp3 player. It's not an ipod so you simply can't find anything in a store. So I go to the Creative website and find the case on sale for $10. By the time I got to the "check-out" they inform me it will cost $40 to ship it here. Yeah, right! So I went to Future Shop and found one on a discount table for ten bucks without the shipping!
Maybe things will get easier, but every time I try to do something on the computer it takes me an extra four or five tries before it works. I've often thought it's the operator and not the machine. Now I am not so sure.

Easy Week

I've said before that I have the best job ever. This week I was on a Part-Time walk and finished early every day. I even had time for a haircut. I love going to get a haircut, but I don't really think it should cost me $29. I go to a nice salon to see a nice girl who seems to cut my hair nicely. Same place as my mom goes, but I can't go every time. Maybe go to Supercuts once and then to Vaso once.
Anyway, she wasn't shy with the clippers. I told her my hair was left a little too long last time, so she made sure I wouldn't leave saying the same thing. Oh well. She soaks my hair, shampoo's and conditions. Gives me a crazy head massage while conditioning and then cuts. After she rinses again and then "styles". I never look as silly as I do when I leave the barber. But we'll just call it my summer 'do.
Perhaps I will go do something today that gives me reason to take a picture. Then I will have something to blog about.
I should also share with my loyal readers that grandma made a wonderful batch of soup and homemade bread. Lucky I made it in time for supper - Thanks gran!

Jury Duty

The whole seniority thing at work makes me wonder sometimes, but I can see it's advantages too. I had to pick my holidays in two rounds. Everyone picks their days based on seniority, but everyone still gets a fair crack. So I was only a few months in and I picked my holidays. A two-week block from May 25th to June 7th. Perfect. For the last five months or so me and Devyn have been stuffing money into a peanut butter jar. We've done quite well, and I think we could pay for much of our camping trip through the mountains and down to Seattle.
Anyway, Dev was summoned to jury duty on the 29th of May. Ahhhh. I am sure we can get it sorted out, but what if? I know they'll be reasonable about it, but it gives you a little scare. I guess it's safe never to get too comfortable.

It's because of my mom!

I was looking back at the previous post and think there's something wrong with the title. Taken off life support...... Sounds like I just watched Bob and Doug McKenzie in Strange Brew. *Take off eh?* (Which is a film I think is quite hilarious) Taken off of life support, perhaps? I'll tell you it drives Devyn nuts if I accidentally correct her grammar. It pisses people off, but how can I possibly be any different? As they say, I come by it honestly. Thanks mom.

But there must be a point to this right? NOPE! None at all. Just thought I should get on here again because I was laughing at myself a few minutes ago. I made supper tonight. I had an assortment of treats including, 2 scrambled eggs, two hot dogs, and a pile of cucumber and green pepper. And a beer. Delicious. Thanks for taking the time to read this. I shall go find something else to do.

Taken off life support

Another one is gone down the pipes. From the original 8 fish, one of the Cardinal Tetra's had his/her tail eaten off and was thus sent to a better place. He/she was trying to hide behind the Egyptian head I have in the tank and it was just too sad. The area where the tail had been chewed had this cloudy little jelly-like thing around it so I decided he had to be put out of his/her misery.
It's looking pretty good for the tank being empty by the time I leave for holidays in late May! I don't know if I want to arrange for Kevin to come over every couple of days to feed two little fish. Like I said before though, the first tetra I ever had lasted four years. Maybe one of these is a fighter. I think the life expectancy is more like four days.
It's my last weekday off today, and I don't really know where the time went. I had a delicious day yesterday going out for lunch and getting my grocery shopping done. Checked out a new camping store which was rather disappointing, but I wasn't working. This weekend should be very nice so I will try to ram as much fun into it as possible, and get back to work on Monday. Should be interesting to see how out-of-shape I can become in one week.

Lots of fun

Had such a good time. I drove out on Monday and stayed two nights. Rode on Tuesday. There was NO ONE in Jasper. I had the whole hill to myself. When we walked around town we could've blown a cannon down main street and not hit anyone. What a treat compared to going in peak season. I just love days off in the middle of the week! And that pool was nice too!





Devyn sitting by the giant totem pole in the lobby. Swanky treatment at that place.

















Here are the grain theives caught in the act. The car must've been full of grain and there were about twenty elk sniffing around.

Jasper Trip

Here's the bear in Hinton I think. Can never remember whether I'm in Hinton or Edson. It's welcoming us to the mountains.

Found a good deal at the Jasper Park Lodge which was beautiful. Our room was 100 years old I am sure, but the grounds and pool were nice. The room was pretty tiny and simple. You're never really at the hotel for very long though. There's the outdoor heated pool.

This is the tiny patio. The whole thing was quite hilarious. When I tried to check in, the hotel staff threw down their jackets for me to walk on so I wouldn't get my shoes dirty. I needed ice and they brought it right over with a smile "Mr. Dukovac" And, "would we like a ride on a golf cart to the swimming pool?" made me a little uncomfortable.
Getting out on the hill for the first time in two full winters. It felt amazing. Certainly rusty, but it doesn't take long for the body to remember what it's supposed to be doing. I ran out of steam pretty quickly, but had a beautiful time ripping down the hill.


We saw a million elk and a few goats, but once again I seem to have a lot of trouble seeing any "cool" animals like Grizzlies or big sheep. It's neat to see these things walking around two feet from you though.

Another one bites the dust

Well my loyal readers are now subject to trivial updates on the state of my fish tank. And it's not looking good. Two more died overnight. And one got sucked into the filter and I can't find him. So we are down to three cardinal tetras and zero neon tetra's.
I'm glad three or four of you got to meet them over the short time they were with me.
Did I mention again how much I hate adding pictures to this stupid site? I've had tips from a few of you to make it easier but every time I add something or click anything the damn things get deleted and then I have to add them and reposition the photos. I'll have to figure it out by the time I return from my little jaunt to the mountains.
Look at the pathetic post from yesterday. It started with three pictures and all the writing was nice, now the words are cut off half way through and it just makes me furious. I'll leave it and play with the html code when I have stuff to add from my trip.
This free week off is going to be so nice. I got a free lift ticket, and a really sweet deal at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge so it will be nice. There are benefits to having days off during the week!
Who knows if I'll have any fish left once I return.

And then there were ......

Three of my neon tetra's have been flushed already. It's heartbreaking. The bigger Cardinal Tetra's seem to be feasting on the little one's tails. So I find them twitching in the filter intake unable to swim because they have no bums.

They're a little hard to see, but the tank is cool. I am glad it's up and running again. The fish really are kind of pointless, and I didn't even have a chance to name them, but it's nice to have them.

Otherwise my place has become the occasional venue for poker nights. It's fun, but I make far too many mistakes. It really is a fun game to get into, but don't worry, I haven't taken to watching it on tv.

Here's my best impersonation of Phil Ivey ...

But alas, it's usually Devyn chomping away on her winnings.

Tomorrow I am off to Jasper for my first day of snowboarding in two winters. Just in time as the hill will be closing in a couple of weeks. I have the surprise week of holidays and decided I better go while I have the time off. Even going to stay at the Jasper Park Lodge. High-rollin! I'll have more exciting things to post in a couple of days. Stay tuned.

Where does the time go?

It's now been another month since I've been on here. The thing is, I am finding so many things to do that sometimes I feel I don't have the time to sit down at the computer.
What's the news? Well, I am officially under the 200 lb milestone. After hitting an absurd 229 the week before I started walking for a living. Now I am down to 197 or something. Pretty amazing that I get paid to do it too. I think I have the best job in the world. Seriously, now the snow is gone and it's warmer. Should be a fun summer.
Now that the vanities are out of the way, I can talk about the new additions to my place. I finally bought fish for the tank I've had running for about a month now. I bought 5 neon tetra's and 3 cardinal tetras. They're three days old now. They are supposed to be the most durable ones. Last time I did this when Sarah first bought me the tank the very first tetra lasted 4 years. Should be interesting to move the tank when I decide I have to live somewhere else.... (I just finished hanging my first picture up in this place though) Seems to me the blog is in need of some pictures. I have a week off next week, so that should make lots of time available. I will make it one of my "projects".
And the final order of business is the Oilers. Final game of the year tonight, and what a great year it was. I know they missed the playoffs and all that, but it really was a lot of fun. Certainly a better finish than last year. The best part is I must've been to ten games this year. I am looking forward to next year. I'll have to watch the playoffs until June to keep my fix filled.

What a day!

Sometimes things just feel right in my world. The weather is beautiful, I'm well rested after a two-nap Friday afternoon. And things couldn't be much better.
I dropped Devo at work this morning, took a right out of the parking lot. I found myself face-to-face with a Saturday morning Canadian ritual. Tim Horton's. Trouble was I hadn't had a coffee this morning. So I went in and found out it was Roll-Up-the-Rim time again. Double trouble. I waited in line anyway, only about 5 or ten minutes at the most. Got a coffee and hit the road back toward my place. I remembered my cousin giving me a Rim-Roller last time the contest was on. It's a wonderful little device they made to cut the coffee cup and "roll the rim" to see if you've won. An amazing little tool. Really. It's impressive. But I hadn't used it since the last Roll-Up-the-Rim. Where in the hell would I find it? It's got to be in the car somewhere. Where else do I ever take a Timmies coffee? After a few minutes, because there aren't many places to look in my little Ford, I found it. Second place I looked, in the ash-tray. YES!!!! I was elated, even though my cup said please play again. I will, I promise. I will.

Spring Break?

Last time I was compelled to write on here was because of the weather. Well, today felt like it was spring. It smelled so wonderful outside, and I even saw a fly. I have no idea how that can possibly be, but I saw it alright. Next there will be mosquitos in February. Oh joy!
Today was a brilliant 10 degrees above zero and one hell of a nice day to be a postman. But it's Friday and I don't work for two days, so enough "shop" talk.

There was a moment earlier this week on the way out to help mom and dad move furniture where I NEEDED my camera with me. We were moving new furniture into the other room now that the pool room is definiately NO MORE. It's gorgeous in the front room. (I guess we have to call it that now.) Or living room, but we kind of already have one of those.... I think I'll continue to call it the pool room - it was just that for a long time. Yeah, yeah, yeah, back to the original thought Tom.....
I was driving down the trail to help my folks and I saw some guys hanging a new billboard on the side of the road. I huge one. And they were still there kind of peering over the top of the thing smoothing out the sheet ......... and the sign was upside down!!! I think that is what a blog is ultimately for - capturing something at the right time and putting up there immediately. It was hilarious.
Well, now the fun has worn off because it's still upside down. A radio station trying to generate some conversation. I am no longer being a sucker for the marketing. Enough said. But I plan on taking a picture anyway so you can imagine why I was laughing.
Another moment where I wished I had my camera was when me and Dev went to the casino for some (harmless) fun and I put $5 in the loonie slot machine and spun it about three times before hitting three lovely 7's. Paid me a $100. Thanks for the free bottle of Pilsner and unlimited sports select losses for at least a month! Woo hoo!

It's SOOOO COLD!!!!

Welcome Winter!!!! What a blast of cold we are in the midst of right now..... Dad says his truck read 31 below zero and the radio tells us the wind made it feel like minus 46. All over the west is getting pounded too. We were hardest hit by the wind I'd say. Work was a wee bit harder than usual.
I wanted my camera to take a picture of myself. Toque and my Ed Hervey mask, scarf, all caked in frost. A parka, several layers underneath, pants, thermals, two pair socks, and my pants tight around the ankle to keep out the snow. I was trudging through snow drifts that were easily up to my knees. It was strangely exhilarating.
I had a route where I spent half of the day driving to businesses and the afternoon portion delivering to houses. I guess I was walking for almost two hours in the afternoon. On a normal day I am out walking for roughly4 hours so perhaps I got off light.
The beauty is that they told me I'll be on it for two whole days..... very rare for me. That means I'll be off in plenty of time to join dad at the Oiler game tomorrow. So mom decides to stay home because it's too cold. Hmmm, maybe the cold isn't so bad after all.

Happy New Year!!!

Ok ok, I must make this a more common occurrence this year. It seems that I have so much on the go,and nobody ever hears from me. I am having a blast I can tell you that. This post is simply to update some of you on my place. I still call it my new place but I guess I have been here for 2 months already.

Kind of like Stephen Harper still calling his government the "New Conservative Government". It's almost as bad as listening to an interview with a hockey player.

This is "Betty" in all her holiday glory.

And there has been some baking going on at my place. That's Dev and her friend Kristen. They had a few holiday coctails, or by the time I got home from work they were called fauktails. Festive cocktails I think.

Then there was Christmas. I have a few new additions to my kitchen. Look at my square plates. And look at the leftover ribs. Thanks mom. They were yummy the second time, and the third. They are on the left side. World famous I'd say.

And then there is MY first Christmas tree Sush. This one belongs to Devyn, and her mom won't let her set it up at their place because the decorations are too tacky. And there is a few of the ones my mom bought for me over the years.

Of course I can't igure out how to rotate it, and the picture is out of focus, but my patience is running thin. I am beginning to think I should upgrade from my "Lite Speed" internet. The stupid thing is so terribly slow. But this is better than nothing.

I have a million other things to say, but they seem to escpape me right now. As a result I will have to go take a shower and get on with cleaning or something. Maybe a nap......

Nice

Check this out...... Merry Christmas Tom!

We (me and Dev) decided the little tv was simply not going to do in the new place. It's a 32" Sharp Aquos.......ohh la la.

One of our friends helped us out by using his Best Buy employee discount. Thanks!

And you'll notice the Rider's are hoisting the chalice in the shot....... Yay!

The New Pad

Here are a few shots of my new place and what seems to go on in this new place. Huge pantry to the right of the fridge.

Kevin has the swiffer out cleaning the floors. It really didn't need it yet.

I'm going to buy a TV "this" big.

As you can see, that tv I have up there looks a little bit silly.

I can't seem to arrange the pics in the manner that I would like to, but you get the point. And anyone who is reading this also knows what a pig this site can be for posting pics.

Nice location right downtown where I have always thought I would like to live.

It is also nice to see Kev more often. Later that same evening he ended up climbing into the fridge.... because he could.

I had to go out and get tenants insurance. She asked if I had 20, 30, 40 thousand dollars worth of stuff. As you can see, I told her $20K. And that's being generous.

The job is going very well. I am somewhat surprised that I love it so much, but the weather is still incredible. Last week I went out in short sleeves one day. More from me later.

One October Post

Well, this was a dismal month for blogging, but I have been busy. Not that busy that I can't even go on the computer, but I am finally working full time hours. I got a letter in the mail saying I was given an automatic appointment to Full Time letter carrier. So I have two weeks under my belt as the freindly neighbourhood mailman.
It takes me a while to sort the mail, but the walk is fabulous. I plug in my mp3 player and go for a 3.5 to 4 hour walk every day. Now I know I have been lucky with the weather and I know it's almost November, but I think it is going to be awesome.
I am also just on my way out the door to pick up my car which is now sporting some brand new tires. I think the timing was right, and if the car will last another 100,000 KMS I will be laughing.
Thirdly, I will be moving into my new apartment next weekend so no more pile of stuff in my moms computer room, and her basement, and her two spare bedrooms. Everyone will be very much relieved that it is all finally falling into place. Things just happened to take about 3 months longer than I thought they would.

Street vendors

Now I just finished a book Sarah gave me by some dude from Calgary, Alberta (Marcello Di Cinto) called Harmattan. It's a guy who went a volunteered in Ghana I think and he travelled West Africa for ten or eleven months. It was interesting, but a little bit too much for me. I think it was a little bit pompous. I am not sure why, he is a fascinating writer who had some amazing experiences.
It got me thinking about things you can buy for a quick snack in any given place. I think it is different in every different city you go to, and certainly there are national links.
In the book, the guy said everywhere you turned you could buy oranges. They were green, and the vendor would grate the peel off, and you were to bite off the top, and suck the seeds and juice out of the orange. Squeezing it, and spitting out the seeds afterward. He said the ground was littered with the corpses of oranges. It made me laugh.
In Toronto normally people bought hot dogs from carts along the road. In Moonbeam, ON I got poutine. In Kenora, ON it was the chip truck for french fries soaked in vinegar. In Paris it was pain au chocolat (croissant with chocolate), and in London sausage rolls. Ottawa you think of beaver tails. In Prague I had some kind of pig-in-a-blanket thing and cheap thin crust pizzas. There was a sausage wrapped in some pastry type thing, but not like London's. I guess the fish and chip places in England were more common than the sausage rolls. I was just broke so I had to go for the cheapest thing.
In Germany I was getting kebabs, or Turkish type donairs. What do you get in Edmonton? Fat Frank's? I guess so, or late night pizza. Saskatoon was an ice cream town for me I would say. In Roma it was some pizza and Tetra-packs of wine. I wonder if anyone has anything else.....?
Totally random, but something I was pondering for a couple of days. I guess that's half the reason people travel.

Random goings on...

First off I'd like to proclaim that I have been a Rider's fan since before '89. Whenever I was old enough to be influenced by my parents and realize I had a small interest in football. So I am not sure when that was, but it's been a long time. Being a Rider fan in Edmonton is pretty cool though. Although the Riders can never escape with a win in Edmonton. They say the last time was 1999 or something silly. I can say I went to the game in July when my Uncle Emil was in town and the Rider's were up 20-1 at half and lost 21-20. Fitting, really. And to make matter worse (better) is they have gone on to win 5 straight. They haven't lost a game since they blew that one here.
Otherwise, I am back to work this evening after my first long weekend as an employee at Canada Post. I imagine it will be busy tonight, but I just hope things go smoothly. I had an earlier post about my first little "incident" on the first day, but a girl who started with me got into a real accident on Friday. I hope everything is okay with her, I feel sorry for her, and the fact that everyone will be talking. It's going to be hard for her to show up this evening.
And finally yesterday I was able to get out to the lake with my pops to do some fishing. I proudly proclaim that I caught three to my dad's one. So we will leave it to you to imagine that mine were also wayyyyy bigger. It was just brilliant to be out there though, and get a line in the water for the first time in at least a month. Here's hoping we have some nice days yet this fall so we can go molest some more walleye's.
For now though, time to go stand around and earn some money.

What a first shift!

Well, I finally had my first shift at the Post Office and it was quite a time. I walked in an saw a familiar face right off the bat. That was nice, and then some of the guys I trained with were also starting that same time. There were four of us in all. The bosses were great, told us where we needed to go, what we needed to do and showed us the routine we will follow every evening.
I get out to my truck and do the pre-trip inspection. Going through the thing from top to bottom. But we have to sign our names to it, so I might as well do it right? There is apparently 28 minutes written into our agreement for that inspection alone.
So I wait around for about 1.5 hours before my turn to load up. I show grace and elegance as I back into dock #2 and jump out of my truck and into the warehouse. A lady drives 5 cages onto my truck and off I go to St. Albert.
I had no trouble getting there, and only a little bit of trouble backing it into a tight dock there. I will say at least it was NOT graceful and elegant.
I made it though, and turned around and went back to the plant. Things are quite busy there at about 11:15 in the evening. So there's some more waiting.
When it my turn to back in there is a big semi truck with a 53' trailer in Dock #2. So I attempt to squeeze in to dock #1. Well, you can now imagine where this story is going....
I nudged his mirror. Honestly, it was nothing more than a nudge, but we have to fill an incident report. The new guy crashes his truck on the first day. This is just great.
Anyway, the familiar face a recognize at the start of my shift is the guy who comes to deal with this, and he makes me feel fine. Tells me safety is first, and no matter how much is going on around me, if I am unsure to just stop and look. Be sure.
I know I will get used to the big truck, but I thought this was a funny little story after the first day.
So I finished that, loaded two more cages and hit the road to finish my job. An uneventful trip anyway.
I will only point out there was a crazy full moon as we walked out to our trucks for the first time. And I noticed a dead crow on the side the grass where I parked my car. Omens, perhaps.
We'll see how tonight goes.

Sarah's Gone

Well, that was officially the quickest three weeks of my life. But what an amazing visit. I think we did pretty well to fit as much as we did into the visit. Sarah's beau is wonderful, we got to see all of Sarah's friends, and had a trip to the mountains. We had four days at Folk Fest and even got a day in at the lake.

The worst thing about it was they had to leave.

There's Alvin as we arrive in Jasper. It was Carly's birthday, and Marty was off that week so we got to bring them along with us.

And we got in a couple of scenic little walks in to pass the time before we were on the road back to Edmonton. Maligne Canyon and Mount Edith Cavel.

There are no pics of the folk festival because I wasn't going to bother lugging my camera around. I will have to get those on the other computer. But as always it was a wonderful visit with a bunch of people I don't get to see very often. Uncle Wally and Hal were there again tempting me to take a trip to Seattle. Maybe this year it will actually happen.

Sarah and Alvin were here for his first visit in Canada and then there are friends from Vancouver, and all over who come to enjoy some cold beer and good music.

Otherwise, I will have one more week off work before they finally cut me loose on Monday Aug 27th. What a stretch of idleness.... but things are going to change pretty soon. I think I will take off to Saskatoon tomorrow for a round of golf with my cousin. Grandma says she'll pay for gas. For now though, I must have something else to do.

Sarah's Home!!!

Sarah and Alvin arrived in Canada a week ago today. I have had no time at all it seems to make any posts.
Summer is flying by, and I have been taking lots of pictures to put up here. The thing is, I don't have my camera with me at the moment. Thus. I find two minutes to post, and I don't have all the tools to do what I want to do.
This weekend we went to Jasper and showed Alvin the mountains. We seem to have been ripped off in the wild life department. Only one group of mountain goats, a few squirrels, and a deer on the outskirts of Edmonton. But there was lots of beer, lots of food, and lots of great company.
Otherwise, I have finished my air brakes training and I am off for the driving test tomorrow. Soon I will be working...... 9 full days of training under my belt and a few more to go.
On the apartment front, I am going to look at two places tomorrow and likely will be able to come up with a decision.
Folk festival tomorrow and things will be just as crazy for a few more days.

More to come

I have been getting some grief from a few of my loyal fans for a lack of ANYTHING on here. So I am going to post a quick one, and try to get back on later with some of my pics. On Tuesday I took my driving test for my new job as a letter carrier at Canada Post. Yay!!!! Finally after a long long long haul, I am almost there. On Monday I start getting paid!!! I am not sure why the driving test, but I got a pass rather than a fail although my reversing could certainly use some work.
Tomorrow morning back there for some other certification, and I am starting the paid training on Monday.
So a long stretch of 5 months to the day, I will be back on some one's payroll. I tell you, it can't come soon enough.
I took this ten-foot-tall truck out to make a couple of fake deliveries and rolled through the downtown in the truck and had a pretty good visit with the guy. I don't envy his job, but he was totally relaxed.
I will tell you all later how the return to the work world is treating me, but right now my laundry is finished.
I will try to go through the pictures of my recent trip to the Pembina Folk Music Festival where my friend Jeff Stuart played a stellar set for a bunch of his friends, and Fred Eaglesmith did next-to-nothing to woo his fans over. I enjoyed it thouroughly and especially dipping in the river as the temps soared to the mid-30's. That's hot for us here in Canada.

1408

Last night I went to see 1408, the movie based on a Stephen King book if my info is correct. It was great. One of those thriller movies I guess. I wouldn't call it a horror flick, mainly because it wasn't gruesome at all. Just full of tricks to make you trip yourself out.
The music would get really loud, and you would get tense and expect something to jump out and scare the hell out of you, but instead nothing happens. Or music will start playing with a sweet lady's voice singing something like, "It's only just the beginning".
I hope you know what I mean.
I think the most annoying part was the way it was filmed. The camera seemed to be spinning around, taking some shots from above, and some of the views were upside-down. Made you kind of dizzy at time.
But the movie had the digital clock coming on while unplugged, or the numbers changing on their own.... all the really frightening stuff from things I would watch as a kid.
I will always think of the Unsolved Mysteries I watched as a kid where the aliens were changing the kids bedside alarm clock/radio. It had to be the same model I happened to have, and always frightened me.
Cool movie though, next will Live Free or Die hard. I wonder if people in New Hampshire like that movie more than anyone else? The motto on their licence plate says "Live Free or Die" - typically American if you ask me.

Almost a month

Damn, it's been almost one month since my last post, but I am glad to see Sarah's is about that long too. The time is just getting away from me. I have no idea where the month of June went.
The job front is moving along nicely. I don't know why things are so slow, but I was told to go down to Canada Post on Monday morning two weeks ago. Then on Thursday I was called to come in and do a General Abilities Test the following Monday. Good start. I think I am generally able.
Then the Tuesday I was invited for an interview, and on Wednesday they called my references. If my security check would hurry up and go through, I think I should be getting a call.
What a difference this would make, and I hope I don't jinx it or anything by updating before I actually get the call I am waiting for.
I am using this as some weird kind of superstition or something to try and will them to call me back tomorrow.
I can't imagine what I will feel like if this weight is lifted off my shoulders. One thing, I can tell you 4 months of being out of work isn't as much fun as one might think.
I'll post again as soon as I know more.

Folk Festival

Man, my wonderful mom went to pick up folk fest tickets for another year, and although the line-up is the same old shit, it's going to be great. Nothing really compares to Folk Fest weekend. All the friends we see only at this time of year. It's my 12th year running I think, and over those years there are lots of us who travel into Edmonton for the music and the beer. This year I won't be travelling in which is good, and we are already talking about taking a fishing trip around that time too.
The best news of the whole lot is that my sister and her boy toy will be in town from Zambia. I wonder if Alvin will be glad to hear "The African Guitar Summit" who are playing this year.
In addition, Blue Rodeo will be back again, Harry Manx will be back again, Eric Bibb will be back again.
Just thinking it might be time for Terry Wickham to start bringing in acts that might appeal to someone other than the 60 year-olds who have been coming every year since the festival started. Mom, you aren't 60 yet!
Thinking back to last year, like him or not, Hawksley Workman was there all weekend and his sessions were packed. The younger kids have to have someone to go see right?
I hope the organizers figure it out in the next couple years. I would die of shock of the long-rumoured Elvis Costello, Neil Young, or Van Morrisson gigs ever came to the EFMF. We can always dream, but Buffy St. Marie winding up the whole festival??? Seriously.

Nothing new!

There's a way to get people to read what I am going to write...... nothing new. My grandma had her surgery yesterday to have her reversal done for something that she had done several months earlier. Not that anyone reading this would really be too excited to hear the details. It's gross stuff that my mom is much better at dealing with and explaining than I am.
I am now home three months, and I am still biding my time and waiting for that right job to come along. This is where everyone interjects and gives their suggestions. Don't worry, I am not waiting around for something to come to me. I have always been the luckiest guy in town, and I even told the dealer at the casino that once. But I know for this to fall into place is going to take more diligence and hard work from me. I have been at it all along.
The thing I am trying to get at is, that my folks have been behind me the entire time, and they haven't pushed at all. They somehow strike a perfect balance between encouraging and reminding. It's the people who don't really know what's going on that piss me off although they're just trying to help.
If I don't know you, and I don't talk to you about it, then leave me alone. Otherwise, there are friends who are looking for job postings, and keeping their eyes peeled. That's the support I need and look forward to getting from those around me. Otherwise, I am having a blast, and I am going to have good news any day now. I can feel it. Let's hope so anyway, the cupboards are getting a little bare.

Hockey Pools

Fascinating.... I am three points out now that Teemu Selanne finally shook out of his rut. The best part about the Oilers not being in the playoffs this year is that I was able to use my brain rather than my heart when picking my fantasy hockey team.
And I am starting to see some movement now that some of my players started to finally score. I am the reigning two-time champion of our regular season pool on sportsnet.ca, but I haven't been able to crack it in the playoffs.
Who would've thought I would be cheering for the Detroit Red Wings? Easy, seeing as I picked Datsyuk, Lidstrom, and Zetterberg. Shouldn't be a surprise though seeing as I hate Chris Pronger and wish he would've been suspended for 8 years.
I am keeping faithful to Canada on the Eastern front. I like the Sabres, enjoyed watching them all year, but I just like the way Ottawa has been playing.
So I am three points back, and there's lots of time to come back.

How much can things change in ten days?

The facebook phenomenon is dead I think. In my world anyway. I thought it was so handy, but I will stick to the old yahoo email address and blogging.
I just can't bear to rekindle relationships that took place 10 years ago, and I am not really a big fan of small talk anyway.
I am not trying to poo poo everything here, as I think there are advantages, and I admit I am a curious person, but with me there are things that are only cool for a short time and then I lose interest.
Kind of like the movie Bone Collector with Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie. Is she not the world's shittiest actor? I honestly couldn't bear the hokey lines, and the scenes where Denzel is conducting the police investigation from his hospital bed. It was RIDICULOUS! And perhaps the biggest waste of time yet.
I kept thinking of the dude on CSI who always has the cheesy lines and he's forever lifting his sunglasses up and down on his head.
And to think there are people who really like this BS. Oh well, I'd rather be outside myself.

I did see A History of Violence, which was pretty entertaining. And 16 Blocks with Mos Def and Bruce Willis I think. That was pretty good. Just a decent way to pass a couple of hours really. The new Bond was worth my time. Except for the scene at the end where the building is collapsing in Venice and no one really seems to be in any hurry to get out. The force of gravity must be weaker in Venice than it is in the rest of the world because it took an awfully long time for that building to fall.

I am interested in movies, and like to watch them, but I think I am one of those picky viewers who just doesn't like to watch something that is too silly. Like the movie with Tom Cruise - I think War of the Worlds when the son returns at the very end of the movie and answers the door. Are we really supposed to believe he survives that war scene? Absolute crap!
Next time I will think of something more interesting to talk about.

Ahhh what to say?!!!

I was playing around on the computer for about half an hour now, and I have come across several interesting things. My uncle's blog is great, I've linked to it on the side, so go check it out. Sounds like things are a little sketchy in New Orleans still.
I read an article by a Canadian guy in Maclean's one time just after Katrina and I don't think I will ever forget the pictures he had, and the stories he told. Trouble is I forgot his name. He was a professor at a university down there if I recall correctly. Anyway, it was fascinating, and it looks like there is lots to see and do there.

I am also going to admit to spending a little too much time on Facebook. I sit down and check it like my email, but I try to get off there asap - so nobody can cyber-snoop and check out what I'm doing. How could Tom be on the internet on Friday night? Or whatever. But this site is incredible. I've written about it before, but one buddy has pics of him flying a plane - I had forgotten he is a pilot - another has a little baby. Shit, that's the girl I dated in high school. I asked her not to hold my hand down the halls because all the teachers would ask seeing as my dad was the principal....... Years later I found out she was a sunshine girl, and now I see she's into hunting and having babies.

How do you reject someone on there? Will they find out if I click reject? I have 10 pending friend requests now, and I don't want to offend someone I haven't seen in ten years???? What's the deal with that? I think it's all getting out of hand. I am going to take my camera out and take some pictures. They make for better blogging.

Facebook rules, New Orleans does too. Maybe I'll go one day.

Grieving Online

From the last post you'll see I went off on another direction, but the main thing I have been thinking about as a result of the campus killings in the US is the role these social networking sites play today.
Sites like Facebook, and Myspace among others (those are the only two to which I belong) are often viewed as a place for pedophiles to troll for little girls. I know there is a lot of that, and I know there are a lot of young girls talking about things they likely should not talk about on the internet where everyone can see, but there is a role for these sites. And the killings showed that first hand.
Every news story I read had clearly gone onto these sites to see moving tributes. One of the guys killed apparently had 1000 + friends on Facebook and while the whole situation was unfolding, people were posting thoughtful messages, and meeting on his site to talk about what was taking place.
Within a few hours, and even days, thousands of "groups" were formed for people to leave their thoughts. I think it helps people deal with this stuff. After all, if this is where everyone goes when they turn on their computer, why not meet there and "talk" it out?
From legitimate heart-wrenching notes, to ones that attacked all Asians, or all Koreans came up within hours of the shootings.
It really is a powerful tool, and one that people need to accept. These social networking sites aren't going away, so it's time people realize it's more than just a place to go look at really young people without many clothes on.

How strange

I have had all sorts of thoughts about the online world over the last couple of days. I wanted to write it all down in separate ideas, and I still may do that, but I have to give my sister a shot first. I went to her blog, and out of curiosity I tried to click the link on her page that would take me my own blog. Well it turns out that we have to go read about some dude named Luke whose blog is attached to both links. Oh well, I think he's a DJ or something, so he must be fun.
So fix it so people can read your fascinating blog, and if they get bored they can come over and see how life in St. Albert is. Although many of them (myself included) are likely more interested in eating fried caterpillars than looking at my terrible moustache.
Anyway, I have been thinking about Facebook, Myspace and the internet in general. I have a video camera on my cell phone so if I happened to be near a crazed gunman, or a big fire I could yank the phone out, and with a few clicks of a mouse I could have my video playing on the evening news.
All the major networks had as the Virginia Tech story was breaking, was this grainy footage from people who were filming with their cell phones. So that's what the CNN's and CBC's have to do to keep up with the internet. I may biased a little, but the fact of the matter is, radio is the only other medium that can deliver the goods immediately. And I am guessing most people ran straight to their computer. It is easier than running to your radio and trying to figure out how to switch it back to the AM function and find newstalk radio.
Frankly though, I don't need to feel like I am watching the Blair Witch Project when I am watching the news. None, I mean absolutely NONE of the cell phone video captured my attention or showed me anything particularily interesting.
Now, I must admit that I went straight to the 24 hour news staions like CNN and CBC Newsworld to find out. First I saw 2 killed, including gunman: AP Report - then I switched back and saw 31 dead etc. It was a time when the journalist in me woke up and I wanted to reach for a phone and dial until I had someone on the phone who could give me the deal.
There was one time in Saskatchewan when there was a dozen miners or so trapped in an Esterhazy, SK mine and it was a Sunday afternoon. I was one of the only ones working, and we were just getting the story in bits and pieces. One of the guys in the newsroom was from Esterhazy and he started calling, and I helped and we eventually got the Regina reporters on the way there and spent two days covering the story non-stop. It was fascinating stuff really.
Earlier this week was one of those exciting times to be working in the news biz. I know while I was at the gym running on the treadmilll watching the news, most of the Lulu Lemon wearing moms in the joint were tuned into those same news channels.

Facebook

I went on this site called Facebook after reading about it in Maclean's magazine. Someone invited me, I clicked a few buttons and all of a sudden dozens of emails started flooding into my email from all over the place. People from Sheridan during j-school, and people who've moved away and I haven't thought of in years. The name of my junior high school even popped up. Remarkable, but kind of creep at the same time.
I guess it's hard to get away and hide nowadays. I feel like an old man as I try to catch up with what the kids are doing these days. Ahhh, the things a person can do on here.
But the blog is my favourite by far. I might have to post the link to this blog on my facebook thing and see if anyone actually reads it. Then again, it would be better to read if it were more interesting.
And that means getting away from the computer. What a vicious circle. What am I ever going to do?

Still going strong!

Man, the gym is so so so much fun. I think about it all the time.... when can I go next? What am I going to do today? How long will I be able to last?
I love it. There was badminton nets up yesterday so I kicked Dev's ass there. Twice. And tonight I am going to aquasize.
The only reason I want to do that is so that I can go into the steam room and hot tub afterwards. I was honestly quite sore after we went last week too. I laugh because, as a man, I am certainly in the minority and most of the ladies are 20 years older than me. I am sure they are cheating by putting their feet on the ground. Yup!
I have been pretty good only missing one day at the gym since I got the pass, and I don't see any reason to stop going. I take a couple hours out of my day and go burn off some energy. Beats the hell out of sitting in the pub.
I am going to resume the job hunt, just thought I should write something on here. Mainly because I have a minute, not because I have anything much to say.
Later.

Tom's going to the gym!

hahaha, Yeah I know.....
But it's true. There is this crazy new leisure centre in St. Albert and I went to have a look yesterday and it is amazing! There is a huge pool (mainly for kids I think) and two hockey rinks, a huge gym, and we also get access to the other pools and arenas in town.
For $40/month, I know I could do something else, but I signed up, and think it's not all that bad. Those of you reading this elsewhere, where things aren't the same (Sarah) might think it's dumb, but this place is lots of fun.
I could go outside and walk or run, and I could likely lift weights somewhere else, but this is what I did, and only have one day under my belt, but it was sure fun. I am going to bring swim trunks today and go into the steam room. Ahhhh that will be nice because it is snowing today!!! I couldn't believe my eyes when I woke up.
So I started out with one month, and I will give it a go and see how it works.
The two people I know are likely to see this blog, will hopefully see a change come folk fest in August so I can drink extra beer and not worry about the belly. But that is a long ways away. We'll wait and see. Either way I will be drinking beer with you guys.

The Middle East

Just watched a PBS documentary on a pilgrimage many Iranians make into Iraq despite all the dangers. Apparently these pilgrims are targets of suicide bombers, but they go anyway. The thing I don't understand is the whole concept of martyrdom. It doesn't make any sense to me. They leave their family behind, their kids, and everything else, and say they would be honoured to die there. It would lead them to paradise if they were to die there.
They cry and when they are out of tears they cry blood........ what could possibly make these people so devout?
I know the Middle East is a dynamic place, and very cultured, but the rifts between Shia's and Sunni's was equated to the difference between Protestants and Catholics. I would be a very rich dude, or at least very recognizable if I came up with the answers to these issues, but where would you even begin?
The people who support Iran's President feel that America and Britain are the oppressors and they tie it into their ancient religious tales of Imam Hussein. He will return one day in the battle between good and evil.
I can't even begin to explain all this, and think I should be blogging something else, but I wonder why religion drives people to this. I guess there are religions on all sides playing into the whole face of the world. The politics or the entire world are often based and driven to some extent by religion. Isn't it all something to believe? To discuss? But why die for this?
I don't know. But I am tired of thinking about it.

Back to life

Man,
I just went on a three week hiatus from everyone, and this morning I feel as though I am emerging from said absence. I moved back, and just took a couple weeks to myself without phoning a soul. And then the emails start trickling in asking if a missing persons report should be filed.
So I am taking this lovely morning - the morning or my dad's 60th birthday - to catch up with stuff. I went to a job fair yesterday downtown, and saw about ten people who said, "You can go to our website and apply for as many jobs as you like" What exactly is the point of going down to the convention to have them tell me that? I can go to the websites sitting in my underwear at any time.
Oh well, in the digital age, there isn't really a way to find anyone who can actually speak to you. So I rely on the one piece of paper to get me in the door. I hope something works out soon, but I am not in panic mode yet.
I went to a construction site for the last two weeks, and made some cash to tie me over, but that certainly isn't the job for me. It's funny to see the hierarchy of tradespeople though. And those dude's are making a lot of cash. In fact, everyone on that site was making good coin. Just not something I want to do for too long. As one of the grizzled old dude's told me, "You can get a lot further with a sharp mind than with a sore back" - How profound.
One good part is that I am getting a lot of reading done. Something I had been slacking on. One book was called, Water For Elephants, by Sara Gruen which was INCREDIBLE. Read it!
I shall keep this more regular, and then you will all be the first to know when I find a wonderful job that pays me loads of money.
That's all for now.

It's been more than a month!!!!

Holy hell,
I am sure no one is going to be looking at this anymore. Oh well, can't blame you seeing as I last informed everyone of my resignation. Since then, I finished up work at Rawlco, moved back to Edmonton, had a week's holiday, and worked two weeks on a construction site.
And Friday is going to be my last day as a labourer. So there! You are up-to-date.
I think I took this job too quickly thinking something was going to land in my lap so I've decided to hang up the work boots and try a little harder for something really enjoyable to come along.
I leave my place at 6 AM and drive downtown. I start work at 7 and work until 4:30 pm - so it's a long day. Almost 6 PM by the time I am home. So I am not going to keep this up any longer. I have honestly enjoyed being outside thought, and I don't mind the grunt work - it's just not for me right now.
Sarah, if you read this, thanks for your diligence. I am not sure who else will look.
More from me soon, now that I will be "in-between job" again soon. hehe
That's about all for the minute, time to go to sleep.