Tuesday, March 30, 2004
What time is it, eh?
Hey there,
Well, its +24 degrees today. What a gorgeous day! We had a great weekend. On Friday night we went for a cheap night of 10-cent wings with Francis and Sherry, in a cheap restaurant - and I mean "cheap" on all accounts - a bit of a sleazy place but we were there for cheap food so we made do! We met up with Erin and Ryan then for a cheap cinema night (Yes, I'm a cheap date!), for Along Came Polly. A bit of a chick flick but a few good laughs too.
On Saturday, Ryan and Erin brought us travelling, to Kananaskis Country to see Bragg Creek and Elbow Falls. It was a beautiful day and the views of the mountains and the falls were just spectacular. I found this site which would give you an idea of what we saw. Ill try to post our pics as soon as we get them developed. (Elbow Falls Pics) We went for food then in this fabulous diner where the waitress was just hilarious. We spent the whole time laughing at her. We went back to Erin's house then for more food. We were just stuffed after the day was over! Saw the film "School of Rock" there too. Well worth a watch.
Well, we hear that the hour has gone ahead in Ireland, so now ye are 8 hours ahead. It hasn't done the same here yet. Not sure why! Kind of strange really?
In other news, on CBC News last night they had a segment on the Irish Smoking Ban in pubs with interviews mainly done in Dublin. It was funny to see, but it showed the typical "diddly-eye" pubs, with everyone dancing a jig! Hope ye are all surviving the ban!
Thats it from me for now
Take it easy
David
Well, its +24 degrees today. What a gorgeous day! We had a great weekend. On Friday night we went for a cheap night of 10-cent wings with Francis and Sherry, in a cheap restaurant - and I mean "cheap" on all accounts - a bit of a sleazy place but we were there for cheap food so we made do! We met up with Erin and Ryan then for a cheap cinema night (Yes, I'm a cheap date!), for Along Came Polly. A bit of a chick flick but a few good laughs too.
On Saturday, Ryan and Erin brought us travelling, to Kananaskis Country to see Bragg Creek and Elbow Falls. It was a beautiful day and the views of the mountains and the falls were just spectacular. I found this site which would give you an idea of what we saw. Ill try to post our pics as soon as we get them developed. (Elbow Falls Pics) We went for food then in this fabulous diner where the waitress was just hilarious. We spent the whole time laughing at her. We went back to Erin's house then for more food. We were just stuffed after the day was over! Saw the film "School of Rock" there too. Well worth a watch.
Well, we hear that the hour has gone ahead in Ireland, so now ye are 8 hours ahead. It hasn't done the same here yet. Not sure why! Kind of strange really?
In other news, on CBC News last night they had a segment on the Irish Smoking Ban in pubs with interviews mainly done in Dublin. It was funny to see, but it showed the typical "diddly-eye" pubs, with everyone dancing a jig! Hope ye are all surviving the ban!
Thats it from me for now
Take it easy
David
Thursday, March 25, 2004
Looking as young as you feel, but being as old as you are!!!
Hey there all,
Ok, it's been ages since I wrote in this! Since I last wrote, here's what's been going on. Ryan asked me to help out at retreats for Confirmation kids for four days because he had to go to Saskatchewan for his grandmother's funeral. The confrmation retreats went well and I was working with Erin Sikora (a real pro!) for two of the days when there was 70 kids there.It was good fun though. The other two days, working with Leanne and Brad were good too, and the fact that there was only about 27 kids and 15 kids respectively, that helped! It was crazy but the most hectic and head-wrecking day was where there was only 15 kids. The fact that it was a Saturday though, and there were no parents or teachers there, also contributed to the Madness!! It was good though..and some much needed cash!!
We spent Paddys day at the "Elephant and castle" pub, drinking green beer, and being picked up by drunk "Irish Canadians", telling us the same stories over and over, about the Blarney stone etc. It's amazing how many people left Northern Ireland for Canada during the troubles, and the family ties live on here. We met Jeff then and went to Darby O' Gills with him and we met with his brother and his fiancee and a few of his friends. Jeff's brother was delighted to see me because it was a chance for his Welsh friends to start mocking somebody different, besides him!! They were shocked that they couldn't get a rise out of me at all, even when he mentioned that he couldn't believe how many Irish people he has met in Canada, and they are all "between jobs"!!!! He said we only looked about 19 or 20 too (hence the title of this bit!!)
Last Saturday night then we went for Vietnamese food with the 2 Ryan's, Erin, Christine and Matt, and then on to another really entertaining night of karaoke at O'Sullivan's, where the songs from our table consisted of everything from "Welcome to the Jungle" to "Buddy Holly", and even a bit of shouting at "the VOODOO guy". It was a really great night. Then went for Pizza after and a bit of more karaoke to the sound of the dukebox at the table!!
We had an apartment check today and it sounded scary when they came in and the building manager was pointing out stuff to the contractor that was there since the last guy left - burst water pipes and fire damage!!!! - Don't worry, it sounds worse than it looks. You learn from your apartment-hunting mistakes though!!
So we are meeting Francis again tomorrow for 10 cent wings. Cheap nights are the best ones!!
Also, haven't got to the lacrosse game yet, but definitely soon. it's cheaper than hockey, especially with the way the Flames are playing these days, and so close to getting a Play-Offs spot (How Canadian am I?!) - GO FLAMES GO!
And with the canadian Grand Prix in Montreal coming up on June 11,12,13 - it's enticing - We'll see!! - The cheapest for the 3 days is $90 and it goes up to $440 - sounds ok!
That's it for me! Hope all are well
Take it easy
David
Ok, it's been ages since I wrote in this! Since I last wrote, here's what's been going on. Ryan asked me to help out at retreats for Confirmation kids for four days because he had to go to Saskatchewan for his grandmother's funeral. The confrmation retreats went well and I was working with Erin Sikora (a real pro!) for two of the days when there was 70 kids there.It was good fun though. The other two days, working with Leanne and Brad were good too, and the fact that there was only about 27 kids and 15 kids respectively, that helped! It was crazy but the most hectic and head-wrecking day was where there was only 15 kids. The fact that it was a Saturday though, and there were no parents or teachers there, also contributed to the Madness!! It was good though..and some much needed cash!!
We spent Paddys day at the "Elephant and castle" pub, drinking green beer, and being picked up by drunk "Irish Canadians", telling us the same stories over and over, about the Blarney stone etc. It's amazing how many people left Northern Ireland for Canada during the troubles, and the family ties live on here. We met Jeff then and went to Darby O' Gills with him and we met with his brother and his fiancee and a few of his friends. Jeff's brother was delighted to see me because it was a chance for his Welsh friends to start mocking somebody different, besides him!! They were shocked that they couldn't get a rise out of me at all, even when he mentioned that he couldn't believe how many Irish people he has met in Canada, and they are all "between jobs"!!!! He said we only looked about 19 or 20 too (hence the title of this bit!!)
Last Saturday night then we went for Vietnamese food with the 2 Ryan's, Erin, Christine and Matt, and then on to another really entertaining night of karaoke at O'Sullivan's, where the songs from our table consisted of everything from "Welcome to the Jungle" to "Buddy Holly", and even a bit of shouting at "the VOODOO guy". It was a really great night. Then went for Pizza after and a bit of more karaoke to the sound of the dukebox at the table!!
We had an apartment check today and it sounded scary when they came in and the building manager was pointing out stuff to the contractor that was there since the last guy left - burst water pipes and fire damage!!!! - Don't worry, it sounds worse than it looks. You learn from your apartment-hunting mistakes though!!
So we are meeting Francis again tomorrow for 10 cent wings. Cheap nights are the best ones!!
Also, haven't got to the lacrosse game yet, but definitely soon. it's cheaper than hockey, especially with the way the Flames are playing these days, and so close to getting a Play-Offs spot (How Canadian am I?!) - GO FLAMES GO!
And with the canadian Grand Prix in Montreal coming up on June 11,12,13 - it's enticing - We'll see!! - The cheapest for the 3 days is $90 and it goes up to $440 - sounds ok!
That's it for me! Hope all are well
Take it easy
David
Friday, March 12, 2004
At war with the Irish!
Oh my God, Are you Irish?
Yes. Why?
I'm at war with the Irish!
Why?
I'm at war with the Irish!
Are you English?
I'm just at war with the Irish!
This is the conversation we had with a strange, loud girl on the C-Train. She was just after taking the piss out of this guy in a suit, saying "He's a businessman and he shouldn't be smiling, and that he was going to go home and tell his wife that he smiled today on the C-train!"
There was no way this girl was English, with a Canadian accent like that, but most people here are some-way related to Ireland, some more-so than others! But apparantly this girl was at war with the Irish!! We left her off!
Well that was just the start of an interesting night! We met Francis (Irish guy we met in Toronto), and we went to 'The Den' in the U of C (University of Calgary) for cheap beer! That guy has no shame and has "playa" written all over him - no woman was safe, and being from Dundalk, 50% of the women loved the accent and the other 50% didn't understand him!! It was a really enjoyable night though. Good Fun. Must do it again soon. No plans, as of yet, for the weekend. Its +12 degrees here at the moment but snow is expected in a few hours. What a strange city!
Check ya later!
Dave
Yes. Why?
I'm at war with the Irish!
Why?
I'm at war with the Irish!
Are you English?
I'm just at war with the Irish!
This is the conversation we had with a strange, loud girl on the C-Train. She was just after taking the piss out of this guy in a suit, saying "He's a businessman and he shouldn't be smiling, and that he was going to go home and tell his wife that he smiled today on the C-train!"
There was no way this girl was English, with a Canadian accent like that, but most people here are some-way related to Ireland, some more-so than others! But apparantly this girl was at war with the Irish!! We left her off!
Well that was just the start of an interesting night! We met Francis (Irish guy we met in Toronto), and we went to 'The Den' in the U of C (University of Calgary) for cheap beer! That guy has no shame and has "playa" written all over him - no woman was safe, and being from Dundalk, 50% of the women loved the accent and the other 50% didn't understand him!! It was a really enjoyable night though. Good Fun. Must do it again soon. No plans, as of yet, for the weekend. Its +12 degrees here at the moment but snow is expected in a few hours. What a strange city!
Check ya later!
Dave
Monday, March 08, 2004
Long live the King!
Hey there,
Well, how are you all doing? Life is good here and finally getting warm...around 12 degrees today. Yesterday afternoon was nice too, but a bit windy...but still warm enough to wear shorts....apparantly!!
Sinead and I went 'wandering' on Saturday after Sinead's Chiro appointment and ended up in Fish Creek Provincial Park here in Calgary. It's amazing to see the difference that this huge Park, running almost the length of the city itself, makes in comparison to the skyscrapers of down-town that we are so used to. They have fabulous Fire pits too where you can set up your own little bar-b-q. But this isn't just a hole in the ground. It's more like an enclosed shed with actual bar-b-q grills in it. No half-measures here!
We ended up by Ryans house and called in to see him. Sinead got violent again on the Playstation playing Ryan in the new rugby game. Funny to see! We went to Bookers then with Ryan and Erin for some spicy food and onto the downtown cinema where we went to see Bubba Ho-Tep. A strange but funny movie.
"Based on the Bram Stoker Award nominee short story by acclaimed author Joe R. Lansdale, Bubba Ho-tep tells the “true” story of what really did become of Elvis.
We find the King (Bruce Campbell) as an elderly resident in an East Texas rest home, who switched identities with an Elvis impersonator years before his “death”, then missed his chance to switch back. Elvis teams up with Jack (Ossie Davis), a fellow nursing home resident who thinks that he is actually President John F. Kennedy, and the two valiant old codgers sally forth to battle an evil Egyptian entity who has chosen their long-term care facility as his happy hunting grounds…"
Well, now you know what I meant by "strange".
Life is good here. Not much else to report. Hope all is well in your neck of the woods (wherever that may be!)
Take it easy
David
Well, how are you all doing? Life is good here and finally getting warm...around 12 degrees today. Yesterday afternoon was nice too, but a bit windy...but still warm enough to wear shorts....apparantly!!
Sinead and I went 'wandering' on Saturday after Sinead's Chiro appointment and ended up in Fish Creek Provincial Park here in Calgary. It's amazing to see the difference that this huge Park, running almost the length of the city itself, makes in comparison to the skyscrapers of down-town that we are so used to. They have fabulous Fire pits too where you can set up your own little bar-b-q. But this isn't just a hole in the ground. It's more like an enclosed shed with actual bar-b-q grills in it. No half-measures here!
We ended up by Ryans house and called in to see him. Sinead got violent again on the Playstation playing Ryan in the new rugby game. Funny to see! We went to Bookers then with Ryan and Erin for some spicy food and onto the downtown cinema where we went to see Bubba Ho-Tep. A strange but funny movie.
"Based on the Bram Stoker Award nominee short story by acclaimed author Joe R. Lansdale, Bubba Ho-tep tells the “true” story of what really did become of Elvis.
We find the King (Bruce Campbell) as an elderly resident in an East Texas rest home, who switched identities with an Elvis impersonator years before his “death”, then missed his chance to switch back. Elvis teams up with Jack (Ossie Davis), a fellow nursing home resident who thinks that he is actually President John F. Kennedy, and the two valiant old codgers sally forth to battle an evil Egyptian entity who has chosen their long-term care facility as his happy hunting grounds…"
Well, now you know what I meant by "strange".
Life is good here. Not much else to report. Hope all is well in your neck of the woods (wherever that may be!)
Take it easy
David
Tuesday, March 02, 2004
Woohoo! The heat is back....And so is the snow!
Hi,
We appear to have the worst building managers in history, but they are really nice, friendly and helpful (if only it wasn't three weeks after we asked them to fix stuff!) Finally after a week of having the corridors in our building warmer than the actual apartment, they finally came up and bashed the pipes around a bit, and we now have heat, just in time for the return of the snow today.
They keep turning the boiler up and down and it's only our apartment (out of the whole building) which is negatively affected by all of this altering. Supposedly our apartment is enveloped in an air bubble and it stops the heat getting anywhere near us...And you know what they say about people who live in Glass Houses (or Air Bubbles!)?.....Yes, they die of pneumonia!
Well, was at an interview today and I recognised this guy. We had met him in Toronto on our orientation with SWAP. He has just been in Calgary for about a month. He had been trying for work in "James Joyce", an Irish pub here - one of the FEW Authentic ones around, but they aren't taking on more staff so he has been just lurking around there til someone quits!! So we (of course) had to go for a pint there after the aptitude test thing we were at this morning. I got a call back from the job this afternoon there, to come in for an interview tomorrow morning. The money is good but its only about 20 hours a week. If it was 40 hours I'd be rolling in the money but we'll just see how it goes! Might still have a look for something different.
Not much else happening really...just snow!
Take it easy
D
We appear to have the worst building managers in history, but they are really nice, friendly and helpful (if only it wasn't three weeks after we asked them to fix stuff!) Finally after a week of having the corridors in our building warmer than the actual apartment, they finally came up and bashed the pipes around a bit, and we now have heat, just in time for the return of the snow today.
They keep turning the boiler up and down and it's only our apartment (out of the whole building) which is negatively affected by all of this altering. Supposedly our apartment is enveloped in an air bubble and it stops the heat getting anywhere near us...And you know what they say about people who live in Glass Houses (or Air Bubbles!)?.....Yes, they die of pneumonia!
Well, was at an interview today and I recognised this guy. We had met him in Toronto on our orientation with SWAP. He has just been in Calgary for about a month. He had been trying for work in "James Joyce", an Irish pub here - one of the FEW Authentic ones around, but they aren't taking on more staff so he has been just lurking around there til someone quits!! So we (of course) had to go for a pint there after the aptitude test thing we were at this morning. I got a call back from the job this afternoon there, to come in for an interview tomorrow morning. The money is good but its only about 20 hours a week. If it was 40 hours I'd be rolling in the money but we'll just see how it goes! Might still have a look for something different.
Not much else happening really...just snow!
Take it easy
D
