I had to post this picture. If you don't know who I am posing with then stop reading now. I am such a sucker for hockey players. After interviewing Ranford, I just had to take a picture with him. At least, I didn't ask for his autograph like a certain radio announcer, after Ranford announced he wasn't signing anything. The radio announcer produced a hockey card for his "niece." Yeah right.

I have four days off! I need the time to sort out my new apartment. I took the keys last week but I haven't had time or energy to start moving in. But now I am settled in. Of course I need to buy just about everything but hey what can you do? Everyone loves shopping and I am no exception.

A Chilly Update

You heard correct. Temperatures are well below 40C here and with the wind its -50C. I am not amused but what can I do? Complain like the rest of my coworkers, whose cars fail to start? I am one of the lucky few in my newsroom who has a running vehicle. Forget the fact that yesterday my car did a 360 in the middle of an intersection, and just this afternoon my brakes failed to stop at a Stop sign. At least my car runs.

Fortunately I worked last weekend so I have Thursday and Friday off this week. Tomorrow is Wednesday and I couldn't be happier as I am moving into my apartment, which is two blocks from the office. I really hate Northern Alberta winter driving. I can't express it any more because I am trying to remain positive so I can get through the next few days of Winter's curse.

I am a winner. Really I am. I am a cash winner in the Cancer Society Lottery. I bought my ticket back in October. A searchable list of winners was released today on the Cancer Society's website.

Imagine my excitement when I searched my name and Rhyno popped up. Truth be told, there wasn't enough zeros at the end of the number for me but I won the cost of the ticket...100 bucks! Whoo hoo!

To top it off, I found an apartment! I can't wait to get my own place again. I am hoping to get the keys before the weekend. I have some serious shopping to do!

Oh the nerve

Whiskers waits impatiently for his companion to get his butt in gear so they can hit the road.

Are you elking me?

We started getting phonecalls early in the AM about a herd of elk roaming the fields of Grande Prairie. One photographer/reporter headed straight out to find them. Another phonecall, another photographer headed out. By now it was late afternoon and the phone calls kept coming but the two reporters weren't. Since I received three phonecalls in a row, I decided to tag along with coworker Ian to find these damn elk. We found them without much trouble. In fact, we ran across the knee deep snow field snapping away. Ian got better pics and he made the front page!

Always a bridesmaid.....that's me!

It's only January and I have two wedding invitations already! Nick and Melissa asked me to be in the wedding party. I am really excited to see them get married after all I was the mastermind behind their union. They are tying the knot in October in Ottawa.

Then there's Sarah....she's hitching in North Carolina sometime between now and the end of the year. Come on Paul set the date!

I am going on a limb here but I am going to predict more engagements for 2008. I have a feeling that a few more friends will be taking the plunge...
1)Lisa S (Ottawa) 2) Bruce L (Ottawa) and 3) Andrew G (Gimhae)


I took a leisurely drive around town this afternoon. We got a few inches of snow the other night. I am happy to say that the Blueberry didn't let me down. No slipping or sliding. Yippee!

cubans, you don't inhale or so I am told

I finally went out. I tagged along with Damien as he shot Jazz AfterDark at the Water Hole or Rabbit Hole or whatever. Derek and Ian, other coworkers, joined us. We played pool before the event started. Derek (Team DC) and I kicked butt winning three straight games. Good times.


Look at my concentration. I am such a serious pool player. We ate pizza at the paper after the poetry reading. Once again, I am not surprised that nothing is opened late in this town.

Yippie!

There's a cowboy hat on a coat rack beside my desk. I knew it would be a matter of time before I would start wearing it out. I already have a few ideas in mind for a possible calendar. I just needs some cowboy boots.

Andrew phoned me from Gimhae last night. Good to hear my good buddy again. Andrew and I met in Beijing years ago. We slowly became friends after he feel in love (or was it lust) with my bud Julie. They never happened but Andrew and I remained friends the whole time I was in Korea. We even went on a few road trips together. I can't say we got on the whole time but well enough.....
He's in his fifth year teaching English in Korea. He's made a life for him there with a car and a good job. No wife yet but Andrew's such a great catch that I believe it won't be long.

Anyway it was good to hear from him. I was missing Korea and my friends this week.

The Elements of Stupidity

It took someone on a discussion board to point out that I was misspelling Grande Prairie. Otherwise I don't think I would have noticed that there's an "e" at the end of grand like in the french spelling.

I know I am a complete moron. How long have I been here? Okay one month. But still it's not cool to repeatedly misspell the city that I get paid to write about. I know am such a moron.

To top it off I was writing Peace County this week instead of the Peace Country. Still a moron, I think I have both spellings drilled in my head.

This is me stressing out. When I have too much on my mind I leave out letters in words and sometimes complete sentences in conversations. It's a good thing I am drug free.

Muskoseepi is a Cree word meaning Bear Creek.

Grande Prairie has a park. Yup, it does and judging by the amount of people there today, I think residents love it. Muskoseepi Park has walking paths, a skating pond and a sled hill. I just took a little walk around to get my bearings. I didn't bring my Nikon with me. I wish I would have because the light was good and there were so many happy people.

If you don't know your past....

Now that I have the wheels and the time my first piece of business was heading to Grande Prairie's museum. I have a thing for museums. It began when I started travelling. I didn't think much of them before I left the country but now I always try to find the local museum wherever I am.

The Grande Prairie Museum is beside Muskoseepi Park so I killed two birds with one stone. I wanted to go to the park on this fine January day.

For a bargain $5 ticket, I learned more about Peace Country. I admit it I am still trying to figure out the which way is North in this town let alone the history. So the museum helped answer some questions about the region. There wasn't a lot of history but maybe there's another museum in town. I'll have to check.

The permanent exhibit, Chasing a Dream displayed artifacts and souvenirs from the pioneer days. Not a bad way to spend a few hours. I was disappointed that the Heritage Village was closed for the winter.

A member of the working force once again

I was too busy freaking out this week to write. Now I am back to write about the trivial parts of my life. I managed to get over that first week at a new job hurdle. My coworkers were pretty helpful and accommodating.

I am happy that my hatchback is so roomy because I need a place to stay come Feb.1. Ahhh I hate apartment hunting. Somebody please help.

growing up!

I forgot how much fun driving can be when you're.... behind the wheel. The Blueberry is a dream to drive. She handles well and she looks damn good too. I was blessed with good weather as I navigated through the streets of Grande Prairie. Having a car makes me feel like an adult again.

Catch me if you can

I've had much on my plate. I bought a car. And not just any car...a brand spanking new one. Before yesterday, I hadn't even heard of my new car. It's a Nissan Versa hatchback. And it's so cute. Did I mention its color is Blueberry. So already its earned the nickname of The Blueberry. I'll post some pictures tomorrow. I didn't get the car until sun down so I wasn't in the mood to take pictures. I registered and insured it and that incurred a lot of paperwork. One last thing I need to do is get an Alberta drivers license.

While waiting for my car, I went into the Paper and filled out more paperwork. I start my new job on Monday. Now that I have my car, it will make it much easier to look for a place to live.

Sadly my year of idleness is over. Back to the grind once more. I really can't wait. Focusing completely on my career will help me not dwell on how much I miss Ottawa.

Play is the beginning of knowledge.

Winter either bites with its teeth or lashes with its tail

Snow and the cold define the winter season. Luck was on my side today as the temperatures were conducive to taking a long walk. Sadie, the door was happy as she has become accustomed to me and my habits. She made a new friend, Macy who she ran with and made snow angels. Dogs do the cutest things.

Go on, resolve!

I couldn't think of a better way to start year 2008: watching the Winter Classic. I know I am pushing it. There's a zillion other brilliant ways to have spent today. After all it was only Buffalo and Pittsburgh playing. I was pleasantly surprised that it was a good game. The second and third periods were much better than the first. And the overtime and shoot out helped too. I only wished that Buffalo won in its home stadium.

My only complaints were the constant commerical breaks and the never ending preshow that was about twenty minutes too long.

I can't say I did anything more exciting. It's good for me to relax every now and then.

Happy New Year everyone! May you be a nicer person this year.