Goodbye Calgary Hello Seattle

Sunday afternoon I boarded a plane bound for Seattle.  It was difficult to leave, reflecting on some of the great memories I made as well as some of the wonderful people I was able to reconnect with and new ones I've met.  Calgary is an interesting city, to say the least, just not a city for me at the moment.  I'm sure my journey will take me back to Calgary but as for when I just can't say.  

The universe reaffirmed my decision.  For starters, my bag weighed 68 pounds, 18 pounds over the weight limit and therefore I was expecting to be charged an additional $50.  I got to the counter, told the woman my bag was well over, put it on the scale for her, she looked at the weight, looked at me, smiled, and charged the regular fee.  Sweet.  Second, complimentary wine on the flight.  Not such a big deal but a little reassurance goes a long way.  I really feel good about making this decision and moving forward with my life, or laterally, or some direction other than the one I was currently headed.  

There are a few pictures from Calgary and the rest are of Momo, Joel, and their new son, whom I'll refer to as MJ.  I feel very fortunate to have people like Joel and Momo who willingly take me into their home.  Not but a year ago I called Joel the day before Thanksgiving, explained my situation, and without hesitation he told me to fly in to Portland and he could pick me up.  It was a 3 minute conversation and although it was a big deal, he didn't make it into one.  I also feel honored to have been bestowed uncle status.  Again, very blessed to have great friends and family in my life and I'm extremely happy for Momo and Joel and their new son!  

(The final hold out)

 (My final sunset in Calgary)

(The Friedrick Clan)

 (Momo and MJ)

 (One of my favorite parts about coming to Seattle and staying with Joel and Momo is the Asian influence.  I've been here 2 nights and had Japanese food 3 times already in addition to kimchi and Makguli)

 (I think it's the first time I've had Korean Rice Wine since last year)

(Oh yeah, hanging with MJ)

 (Another one a little closer.  Big doings in my life, I changed a diaper with the help of Momo.)

(Momo, myself, MJ, and Buddy the Chihuahua/Rat Terrier mix of a dog all went)

(Momo asked if I could take MJ because the baby holder doesn't sit very well on her.  I did and we finished the walk.  I love his eyes in this photo.)

 (Here's buddy looking for something in the grass)

(Buddy has not gotten the attention he needs from Joel or Momo lately due to the little one.  So, we've become pals as of late.  He jumps up and will sit between my legs, take naps with me, and we usual go for a walk.  Buddy and I are buddies.)

(MJ checking Buddy out)

Book Signing and Sushi

This past Thursday Bob had a book signing at the Indigo Spirit on Stephen Avenue in downtown Calgary.  I accompanied him on the trip and gave him a hand setting up.  He said he ended up selling about 20 books - sweet!  I'm still looking for an autograph copy myself.  If you haven't read it, take the time.  The story is an easy read about extraordinary circumstances - the 1986 Swift Current Bus Accident and aftermath.  The book is called:  Sudden Death:  The Incredible Saga of the 1986 Swift Current Broncos.  If you are in to sports or enjoy a heart wrenching story with a happy ending, pick one up.  

Shereen met me at the book signing and we had planned some exploring.  However, due to time constraints we decided to do lunch instead, Japanese style.  We ordered a ramen and sushi to share.  My favorite was the tempura salmon roll - delicious, a bit crunchy, warm, and tasty.  Not sure what else you could ask out of food.  Then we made our way to a Tim Hortons, grabbed a coffee and a tea and worked on a crossword.  After that, I was off to the rink.  For those of you who do not know, Shereen and I have mutually decided to walk our own paths.  Which, leads me to the personal update...

I'm west bound and down - going to stop in Seattle for a bit and spend Thanksgiving with the Friedrick clan.  This will be my 2nd year in a row - starting to become a bit of a tradition.  After that I'll head back home for a month or two and then I'm off again.  Where?  Not quite sure yet.  I'd like to give back so I'm thinking about doing some volunteer work in South America.  There are also quite a few other places in the world you can teach English.  I'm a bit sad but know the time has come for me to move on from Calgary, at least for now.  A Ramblin' Man can't be tied down for too long.  When I figure something out, I'll be sure to let you know.  I am excited...  

 (Bob after we got all set up inside the Indigo Spirit on Stephen Avenue)

(A little closer)

 (You can see the book, Sudden Death, as well as a few of the other programs Bob currently offers)

 (Asked Shereen to take one of myself and Bob)

('Tree Sculptures,' you might remember these from before)

 (Canadian Pacific Train #29)

 (A little closer)

(Shereen was saying this statue was from Norway)

(Time for some sushi from Shikiji)

 (Shereen was checking out the guys next to us because she thought I wasn't taking a picture of her)

 (Ramen)

(Time for a haircut - looking like a gomer...  Shereen wanted to get a shot of me picking up the sushi althought I'm not quite sure why)

(Time for jump shots)

(I told her how week her jumping skills were so she wanted a round 2.  As you can tell, not much difference.)

(And my jump shot)

The Queen's People at a Brewery and an Izakaya with Old Friends and New

Started the day off with one of the few 'Canadian' things I could think of - a stop at Tim Hortons.  It wasn't bad, but then again, I'm not a big coffee guy.  I also tried ketchup chips which tasted like vinegar and on a recommendation from a friend, Coffee Crisp, which were terrible, at least in my opinion.  Also, I had some poutine but there will be a whole post devoted to that.  Anyway, after that I ended up heading downtown to the Steam Whistle Brewery.  If you're in Toronto and have time, go.  I had a fantastic time and met a few of the Queen's people.  Stuart from Australia  Sam from Canada, and Becky from England.  After a few hours of indulging, I met Hiroko and we went to a Japanese Izakaya for Nobuko's birthday!  It was a fantastic day and I made some great memories.  In case I haven't mentioned it lately, I love my life.  

(Tim Horton's)

(Me and my cup of Chai Tea Latte since I'm not a fan of coffee.  However, it was bagged...)

(Steam Whistle Brewing Company.  This is the outside of the building, at night.  It was easy to find and I believe the tours run every half an hour.)

(There motto is to make one thing and do it right so they only make a Pilsner.  I was planning on bringing some home to share but I left mine in Hiroko's fridge.)

(Not sure what it is with these old carts and distilleries...)

 (There are a few options for the tour.  I think you can pay $10 and get a bottle opener, $15 and get a six pack, and then there's one more option.  You get a few free drinks on the tour and can buy a beer afterwards for $5.)

(I believe this is the old turnabout, where the company started)

(Boxing machine)

 (Stuart and I went on the tour together and ended up chatting afterwards.  He was taking a 5 week vacation from his studies and here he is blowing the steam whistle.  The name implies the end of the day, time to relax and wind down with an ice cold beverage.)

(As the name implies, the case maker)

(This machine is used to detect the impurities in the bottles.  They actually use a very specific bottle which can be re-used an average of 35 times I believe.  It's washed and put back into circulation.  They are a 'green' company.)

 (Filling machine)

(The Queen's people - Stuart, Becky, and Sam.  We met the ladies after they finished their tour.)

(Not quite sure what happened with Stuart here...)

 (Becky was a bit of a firecracker)

(We were planning on taking photos in the booth, but it wouldn't accept our money)

(Not sure what Sam was doing here with the American money)

 (This guy was great.  He said, eat, drink lots, be merry, and make the women happy, or something along those lines.  So, I had to get a picture with him.)

 (If you look closely, you can see the train on the turnabout.  It was the only place, besides at the end of the lines, where you could actually turn the trains around and it has now become an historic area.)

(CN tower at night.  The brewery is literally right behind it or in front of it, depending on which direction you are coming from.  I guess it could also be beside it.)

(The city as the sun is going down)

(Another evening shot)

(Not sure why, but I really liked this one)

 (Time for some food, but no drinks for me)

(Hiroko and Eri)

 (So I took a photo of Hiroko eating a chicken wing...)

 (And she had to do the same)

 (The birthday girl, Nobuko, and myself)

(Three beautiful women)

 (Nobuko is holding up some sake for this shot)

 (Having a bite to eat)

(I can't quite remember what was so funny here)

 (Hiroko loved this picture so I figured I better put it on the blog)

(Sashimi, oh yeah!)

 (The birthday girl with her ice cream/cake and a big smile)

(Opening her gift and I think she's excited)

(Yep, she likes it)