a trip through the prairies? big things indeed

A trip across the prairies means big things to bring in the tourists.
We started off our trip thinking that we were going to document an amazing photo-journalistic look at the big things that one could encounter when taking a trip across our fine country. Turns out there are a lot more big things in the prairies than anywhere else. I guess that's because there's not much to look at besides the flat land. As an aside, I find the prairies one of the most beautiful landscapes in our country.

So as a tribute to my prairie homeland, here are the big things we found on our trip.

Ah, Taber corn. We haven't tried the Ontario corn yet, but their peaches are amazing.

Who ever thought a teepee this big was a good idea? Remember when one of the tops fell off. That's a disaster just waiting to happen.



Bow Island's pinto bean. What a friendly fellow.

Okay, this is not a big thing but it is a picture I took so I could prove it. Millar Western is where my dad worked for years as a millwright and here's their wood somewhere in between Thunder Bay and Sault St. Marie. Amazing!


Friendly Manitoba.

You may be surprised at the lack of big things we found in Saskatchewan. I thought they would be everywhere. I think if we were driving along smaller highways we'd see more. I know they're out there.

Rosemary update

I could not believe my eyes. Yesterday when I walked into the Bay at the Rideau Centre I saw a face I recognized trying on boots. I couldn't quite place where I knew this lady from, especially because I don't know that many people in Ottawa, in fact, none. Anyways, I looked to the right and who did I see......wait for it..... that's right, it was Rosemary, the flute player from the folk festival. I couldn't believe it. She was trying on boots in Rideau Centre with her Mom. I wanted to go up to her and say something, but I didn't know what to say. It was like she was a celebrity. Instead she's a teenager that plays the flute.

I'll let you know if I see her again. I have my fingers crossed!

ottawa folk

We've arrived in Ottawa and so far we like it. We arranged tickets to go see Greg Brown at the Ottawa Folk Fest as a reward for sitting in the car for 36 hours. There was a great feel to this festival, almost as small-town and folksy as the South Country Fair. It was almost better than the South Country Fair because there weren't any drums beside my head concocting polyrhythms while I was trying to sleep.

A few highlights for you:

1. There was an open stage sponsored by the Ottawa Folkore Centre. A real treat was Rosemary who had just graduated high school and played three classical pieces on her flute. She played Canon in D, by Pachebel, out of a book called "Classical Wedding Songs" To introduce her second song... "The next song I'm going to play is called Minuet by Bach. It's my very favouritest, favourite song. Bach is my favourite composer. I played this at my grade 12 recital" We later saw her performing her songs at the beer tent for those that were working there. While she was setting up her Mom told a joke to help pass the time. It was priceless! It goes like this "What did Buddha say when he ordered his pizza? ......Make me one with everything"

2. Rain gear. Chris and I didn't really bring appropriate rain gear with us on our trip so we had to improvise a little. Chris' Mom got me a roadside surivival kit that we keep in the back of the car so we thought we'd poke around in there to see if there was anything that might help out with the rain. Lo and behold there was an emergency poncho and an emergency blanket. Let me tell you that emergency blanket was quite the head turner. I used it like a cape and wrapped it around myself, then when we were seated we used it to cover our legs.





Now you may wonder why I'm choosing to post this seemingly terrible picture, but I have two good reasons. The first is to demonstrate the use of the emergency blanket. The second is to show you that we were right in front of the gate at the mainstage. We walked up to the front and there was a spot...right in the front and centre of the mainstage. It was like a little gift from Ottawa to us welcoming us to the fair city.



3. The funkiest dancer we ever did see dancing to the Mighty Popo. I was trying to decide how to describe this guy's dancing. Chris suggested that I do an interactive instructional sequence. Here goes! First, stand up out of your chair. Next stick out your right hand and your right foot to the side. Then balancing on your left foot jut your right hand and foot out while turning in a circle. Try to jut your left hand out at the same time, still moving in a circle.

If my directions aren't good enough to recreate the dance, try viewing this video of Chris demonstrating the funkiest dance ever.

the nation's capital

Well, its here. The time has come to leave Lethbridge and have a grand ol' adventure moving across the country to our nation's capital. Ottawa will be our new home. We are going to leave Lethbridge in mere days and its crazy how fast it's come.

Part of me thinks... hooray an adventure. The other part of me thinks... oh crap, that sucks that we're going to be 5000km away from all of our family and our friends. I think I'll try to focus on the adventure sentiment.


Here's a picture of the Parliament Building which I'm sure Chris will see on his way to work everyday. That's kind of neat if you ask me!



Maybe I'll try to find a job at the cbc.

cbc's programming

I was reading on Marc and Kylie's blog about the infamous debaucle at the CBC regarding "the one". I'm not going to talk about that because I think everything has been said on that matter. What I will comment on is "the decline in quality of their radio programming recently" that Marc alluded to. Though perhaps I'm taking this quote out of context, I have been very impressed with certain aspects of the CBC's radio programming as of late, particularly the 9:30am timeslot. (I must agree however partly with the decline of their programming, for example: Freestyle, I dislike that show, and can't believe they got rid of Richardson's Roundup) Let me get back to the 9:30am timeslot.
Monday: Global Perspectives, a collection of documentaries from around the world
Tuesday: The Contrarians, unpopular ideas that just might be right (brilliant episode today on feminism being finished)
Wednesday: Connections, more documentaries from around the world
Thursday: (my personal favourite) Subcultures, a look at subcultures that exist in our society
Friday: Here's the thing, a close-up look at everyday objects

I could go on and on and tell about how much I love Wiretap, Sounds like Canada, Ideas and other CBC radio programming but I don't think I have to. Who can dispute their Canadian-ness and their importance in our Canadian culture.

And don't get me started on cbcradio3. They are high on my list of coolest things ever!

My point you ask? CBC made a dreadful, awful mistake with "the one", but they still have really good programming all over the place.