When I first moved to Calgary just over 3 years ago, I was pessimistic and quite negative about the city’s maddening sprawl, crazy city parking rates (second highest in North America), lack of urban vibe, unprogressive transit system, and high prices. Since this time, even though I am still irked by all of these negative … [Read more…]
I was able to host a beer tasting last Thursday night as a prize I offered for our Ubuntu fundraiser. The winners joined me and I invited another friend to help us drink the beer. I had to do a bit of research for the event as I know there is a particular order which … [Read more…]
I’m a Man Scout. No, I’m not looking for a man. I’m developing man skills with other men. It’s a new group at church for dudes who just want to get out and be men for a few hours since many of us work office jobs. It’s also a great way to get to know … [Read more…]
As I was gathering my things this morning from my desk I noticed three passports sitting together; none of them are legal. I’m not a spy or an international criminal, so why all the passports? Parks Canada currently offers a passport with the purchase of a year pass to the National and Historic Parks. You … [Read more…]
Yesterday at church, guests from the Christian Reformed Centre for Public Dialogue and the Canadian Aboriginal Ministry Committee facilitated the Blanket Exercise with our congregation. The purpose as outlined by the CRCPD is to: “seek reconciliation and renewed relationships with our Aboriginal neighbours. One step along this journey of reconciliation is to understand our shared … [Read more…]
The latest fundraiser I was a part of was the Pink Floyd themed “Another Brick in the EcoSan Latrine Wall.” We sold cardboard bricks for $10 and entered people’s names in for door prizes that church members donated (wine or beer tastings, multi-course home cooked meals, jewelry making class, etc.). Then a couple Sundays ago … [Read more…]
My church was graced with the presence of three directors of community development projects in the Kamenzi area of Malawi for 11 days at the end of September. I have been a member of a community development partnership team from my church called Ubuntu for the past couple years. Since we sent a small group from Calgary … [Read more…]
The cohousing group I’ve been a part of since November, 2009 is now moving at cruising speed. We celebrated 1 year as Dragonfly Cohousing last weekend. We hired a project manager, Chris ScottHanson in May of this year and ever since we have been passing milestones: incorporation and shareholders agreement, preliminary budgets, financial feasibility, … [Read more…]
A horrid bug is rampaging through my house of nine. My two sisters are visiting us from out of town with my two nieces and one nephew. I am victim #4. My niece, Abigail threw up repeatedly on Saturday night. Monday afternoon saw two victims: my sister and my daughter. I became violently ill in … [Read more…]
I’m on the cusp of finishing Home Movies Vol. 19 and one of the components I always include is a music montage. I like to use a tune we listened to during that time but that also works (is positive, energetic, etc.). These are my past selections: 2003 Spring in Edmonton: Life is Beautiful (Amy … [Read more…]