Blame Canada!!!

I had no intention of reusing that title, but what else can I say.

First, the service on my iPhone died. Upon arriving in Winnipeg I’ve had no service. This was not an issue when I went to Edmonton a few years ago so I never expected to completely lose all cellphone capabilities (thankfully I packed Jill, so I can still get around without getting too lost.) Yep, my iPhone is one expensive alarm clock right now.

Then, I read that Farrah Fawcett passed away. For those that know me well, you will understand when I say “sure, she was pretty but she was no Dorothy Hamill.” No one else’s death could possibly outrank this.

And then I read that Michael Jackson died at fifty!

I leave the country for one day and the shit hits the fan.

One Break Turns Out For The Better
When I set up my rental car I chose a “compact” vehicle because that was the cheapest. I normally this and don’t actually wind up getting a compact car because of the rental agency’s inability to keep cars available.

At the Winnipeg airport I was assigned a Suzuki Swift, which is a tiny vehicle. That didn’t bother me, but it was a hatchback with an almost non-existent trunk — which when you are toting around some expensive gear is a necessity. Well, as luck would have it, the hatchback wouldn’t open, Jeebus knows I tried, and when the rental car agent also couldn’t get the hatchback to open I was “upgraded” to a slightly larger car. W00t. Look out Winnipeg, I’m a man with a death wish driving a Mazda 3 through your town having no idea where I am going.

ITP Flickr Pic
Did you know that Canada has its own money?

It’s like playing Monopoly here. I wonder how many Queens and Hockey Players it will cost me to get some sort of cellphone service. I don’t need data services, though that would be nice, but I do need to place and receive calls.

I Did What You’d Expect Me To Do. I Drove The Perimeter Highway
After falling asleep for a good three-hour nap yesterday I decided that I’d drive Winnipeg’s Perimeter Highway in order to see what is out there. The answer? Nothing of interest.

I did see the cleanup of a one-car accident (it had flipped into a ditch), and was a little surprised to see traffic lights on the actual roadway (there were few on-ramps) but little else.

It’s supposed to rain today and tomorrow so I don’t know what impact that will have on my “plans” but I’m sure you’ll read about it Monday. 😉

This Version Of Earl’s Just Doesn’t “Get It”
With my Tour de Winnipeg’s Perimeter (it’s French, just like half of the signage here) I decided to get some grub. As I drove to the hotel I noticed a familiar sign for Earl’s which was right across the street from Winnipeg’s Union Station train station (Where am I? Denver?).

Based on Earl’s server-hiring policy I’d best describe Earl’s I’d as a “upscale Hooters.” And what do I get? A dude. This dude seemed nice enough — if I were into dudes, was not a very good waiter, and got a better tip than he deserved because I didn’t have any small denominations of Canada’s funny money.

The food and beverage at Earl’s was decent enough. I had a beef sandwich with au jus (see, I did that French thing again) and a Alexander Keith’s Red Amber Ale, which I just found out is a “regional brand” of Labatt’s Brewing. Both were rather tasty, I just wish they had been server to my by a pretty young lady in a basic black dress.

Stats & Goals
Daily
Current Mood – frustrated
Current Music – listening to this week’s “Cranky Geeks” podcast
Website Of The Day – When in Canada eat like Canadians…. eat some Tim Horton’s donuts. (yeah I know, Tim Horton’s also has locations in the US)
Mode Of Transportation To Work – n/a
Exercise (b)Log – nothing

Monthly
Foot Mileage – 4 miles, Wheel Mileage – 0 miles
Consecutive Days Of Bed-Making (Longest Streak) – 25 (25)
Vegetarian Days – 0, Carnivorous Days – 25
Marta Rides – 0

June Goals
– lose four pounds… plain and simple (not going to happen)

2009 Goals
– Reduce my weight to 190 pounds (today’s weight was 199.5 pounds)
– Completely read the book 1001 Paintings You Must See Before You Die
РEarn at least $150 through photography sales in order to cover the cost for the renewal of the Jalape̱o Beach SmugMug account I opened the other day.
– Save $500 for the sole purpose of donating to charitable organizations of my choice
– Attend at least one professional photography workshop

The Unmeasurable
– Continue backing up all data, including the off-site storage
– Become a proficient programmer in Objective-C (iPhone development) and Ruby on Rails (Black Sheep web page concept)
– Do not create a solution for something which is not a problem

Cheers,
Paulie [eatl/ga]