Got my laptop back, I really missed it.
Had a wonderful visit with Joe & Berta Saturday, we did the Garlic Festival. Joe even had garlic beer - YUK! Had just enough time to get caught up, then I moved on to the Coast Plaza as I had early morning meetings Monday.
Had to come home from work early Thursday, been getting these wierd migranes, not particularly painful but completely disoriented, confused, and inability to concentrate on my work. My co-worker was worried I was having a mini-stroke, so I had to assure her later that I have already been checked out and diagnosed. I took Friday off sick-day so I will be completely rested for work in the new week.
Shirley and I went to see Slumdog Millionaire Saturday, great movie. I highly recommend it. We are so lucky to be Canadian with all the advantages that we sometimes take for granted.
And thats all for now, folks.

Elephants & Schoolrooms

My friend and fellow Progressian, Carlos Pardo and his wife Cindy, decided to take a trip of a lifetime - an African safari. They happened to visit a school which was no more than 4 walls, a roof, and dirt floor. That was about 5 years ago, and since then they have started a charitable foundation (http://www.bridgethegaptanzania.com/) and make the trek each year to deliver container loads of school supplies for the kids. Their story and pictures made such an impression on us sthat each Progress Club has donated about $500 to the cause. It got me to thinking that I am due for my trip-of-a-lifetime. Wouldn't an African safari be awsome.



So what did this have to do with baby elephants, you might ask? Well, the also visited a refuge for orphaned baby elephants (http://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/) and the slide show of the little ones being cared for by dedicated volunteers was so touching. Of course, I had to adopt one. I'll get a picture of him/her that I can post in my office. I did this in memory of Malti who died at the Calgary Zoo last year. Cindy is taking care of the transaction for me, and will bring back personal pictures. I'll post it when available.

I HATE MORNINGS!!!

I'm having a crappy, pissy, frustrating morning. First my clock/radio/CD player doesn't wake me up, so I'm running late. It's wierd, it's been coming on but appears to be set for am instead of fm so there's just a soft hiss. WTF. Rush downstairs to feed cats (a priority in our house) and grab a glass of oj. Run upstairs with juice, place on dresser, spill all over dresser. #%%@. Run back downstairs for more juice, close bedroom door which actually slams - no doubt making Al and LeeAnne jump in their beds since they work late, sleep late. Put on purple hoodie, which I haven't worn more than twice since I bought it last fall at an "Optionel" party for $75, and which is a little too short at the waist, and for which I bought one of those cami things with lace on bottom yesterday... glance in mirror, I look like a wanna-be teenager, but no time to change. Grap purple watch, strap breaks. Ten minutes to jury-rig that. Grab my stuff and out the door, get scarf caught in velcro on briefcase, almost strangle myself. Stop in at Tim's for bagel & cream cheese (I'm lactose sensitive but need the protein) and an extr-large coffee. I have a briefing to the minister due at noon. STOP, Relax, breath, focus. Back to work.

It seems I'm spending more and more time on business trips, and with all the changes in the new provincial budget, there will be a lot more meetings in Edmonton. I didn't leave Calgary until 11:50 on Tuesday, and my meeting in Edmonton was at 3:00. The accident on Deerfoot cost me about 15 minutes, but I made it to the hotel, parked the car, walked the 4 blocks to Commerce Place, and was only 5 minutes late. You do the math... We had a follow-up discussions at Rick's Grill - a really nice upscale restaurant. Great food, nice atmosphere, but expensive.

I decided to sleep in this morning, had a nice buffet breakfast, and headed back for a meeting back in Calgary at 2:30. Meeting was cancelled, so went shopping instead. I'll be working this weekend to finish some projects without interruption, so I felt entitled.

Weather finally Spring-like, Al even rode his Harley to work in Okotoks. There's still a bit of snow and ice in shaded areas, but I think it might be safe to switch to my summer tires. The main roadways have been clear for awhile. Called Mom tonight, she said still lots of snow in Miramichi. She's looking forward to her trip out here in June, and we're excited to have her for the summer.

And that's all for now folks.

March update

I hope Blogger isn't playing an April Fool's trick on me by letting me sign in for an update. I'm doing this from the office during my break, so the previous problems were probably with my laptop.

Some updates:
Mom coming for visit June 22nd (Monday) for an unlimited stay. Her birthday - she'll be 77 years old on the 7th day of the 7th month. I think that means something.
Aline will be coming for a few weeks in July as well.
My nephew Steven may be going to SAIT in the fall, and will be staying with me for the duration.
Both Crystal and Steven are turning 19 this month, their last year as teenagers.

My business travel has gotten quite hectic, last week had meetings in Lethbridge on Tuesday, Edmonton on Friday, and Lethbridge again for their Project Homeless Connect event on Saturday. I had tickets for the Windmill Dinner Theatre at 6PM on Saturday, and had no trouble getting there from Lethbridge. However, when I came out of the theatre to drive to Calgary, we were having another snowstorm. I had to drive 60 KM/Hr all the way and saw a very bad accident north of Okotoks. It was pretty scary.

I've had absolutely no time or energy for housework, so my place is a shambles right now. With work travel, Progress Club, and my social life, I'm not home very much.

Anyway, let's see if this actually gets published.