The Badger of Waterloo

2008-02-27T18:46:00.000-08:00

My grandmother has died. I will be coming home this weekend.

Montreal: Speaking French

2008-02-18T08:49:00.001-08:00

So a major part of wanting to go to Montreal was the chance to work on my non-existant french. Friday I got to speak a lot of french, since just about everyone I ran into insisted that I speak french. Some of that's my own fault, I always start the conversation in french (it's a sure way to get friendly service in most areas - particularly the french side of the city). But on Friday just about everyone seemed to be insisting that I speak french, rather then letting me switch to english once I was in over my head.

In the art gallery two women stopped to scold me in French for taking a photo of one of the paintings. I had to try to explain that I had asked the guards, and that photography is just fine so long as you don't use a flash - and only take picutures of the perminant gallery. I must say trying to convay that was a bit of a struggle, but they seemed to get the point. Then just about every shop owner I encountered would tell me "parle francis" and I found myself explaining to one that I had only just arrived in town... so the french was still rusty.

On the upside I was exstatic to realize that I still remember some of my french, and I enjoyed being able to use it (even if I sound like the most illiterate fool). I didn't get as much practice over the weekend while I was with Victoria (who refuses to speak french - even to me). Since the two of us were talking in english I couldn't trick merchants into speaking french to me.

I think Montreal has to be the best city to learn french in. You always have the fall back that most people speak at least a little english - so in an emergancy you can always find what you need. But more then that, they are more then happy to switch back and forth, so you can start with the french you know and switch when your vocabulary fails you. I think I learned more french (that I still remember) from wandering the city then from taking the classes. Anyway it was so fun brushing up and now I wish they spoke more french in Ontario.

Montreal: Part One

2008-02-12T16:19:00.000-08:00

Due to a really good seat sale from Westjet I managed to get a flight to Montreal for the weekend to see Victoria. The weekend was .... well for those who don't know it was an "interesting" trip.

Friday was pretty good. Victoria had to work, so I went out to the art gallery. No one should be surprised that the art gallery was my first stop. They had some new pieces, and the temporary collection was free so I got to see that as well.

For those who saw 300 with me, and couldn't figure out what I was talking about when I kept saying the body shapes they used reminded me of Greek pottery - I took a picture.

I also took a ton of other pictures.

I just can't convince her I'm crazy...

2008-02-12T16:13:00.000-08:00

So G. (one of my friends out here) has just discovered that I am irrational when it comes to wearing the correct clothing for the weather. I have tried to explain that I have a long history of this, and that her scolding me will probably have little effect. In my own defence I am wearing a coat... just not gloves or a hat.

Opinions Please :)

2008-01-24T08:43:00.001-08:00

I want a UW sweatshirt (since you can't get the degree and not get the apparel)

These are lousy photo's of me, but any suggestion on which one I get?

ps. Rachel I expect you to answer!

To all the guys I know, you are generally off the hook on answering this, though if you feel like voiceing an opinion I'm all for it.

Back in Waterloo

2008-01-23T20:08:00.000-08:00

I'm skipping December - since I was home. Which means I'm almost caught up...

I did arrive safely back in Waterloo. But in the Calgary airport I noticed that there were more signs of the great penguin conspiracy. Just check out these photos:

Lots of Snow

2008-01-23T19:57:00.000-08:00

After Colin went home we got a lot of snow. The snow is fun out here though, since it's pretty dry, it doesn't end up as slush by the side of the road like it does in BC. Yascha and I went for a walk in the woods behind the house, and threw snowballs at trees. We declared a truce (I suggested it after finding out that he had better aim then me).

Colin's Visit: Winter Farmers Market

2008-01-05T22:39:00.000-08:00

Colin came out to visit me, I was so excited! Though it was weird cause we also knew that I would be home in a week. Still so nice to get to show him around Waterloo. We had a quiet night on Friday, and then checked out the farmers market in St. Jacobs. Colin liked the market and we got some great food for the rest of the week.

Later we went to downtown Kitchener to watch them light up the park. It was pretty (and really cold). It actually took so long that we wandered off and got a hot chocolate. But there was this moment, listening to carols, standing beside the bonfire, and watching as all the trees light up around the park. It was perfect. Totally cliche, just the way I like it.

The End of Fall and Begining of Winter

2008-01-05T22:30:00.001-08:00

Exploring Kitchener's Downtown

2008-01-05T22:13:00.000-08:00

Most people in Waterloo will look at you like your crazy if you suggest heading down to check out downtown Kitchener. But one of my class mates and I had a great time wandering around the downtown. Kitchener has all the amazing buildings, and a store that sells nothing but German items... and is shaped like a castle.

Scrabble, beer and hockey with the roomies

2008-01-05T21:57:00.000-08:00

Yes, we are an exciting bunch...

Now that it's January... I guess I should catch up on November

2008-01-05T21:55:00.000-08:00

Just what the title says... the next couple of posts are very very late.

October Catch-Up (part 2)

2007-12-01T21:20:00.000-08:00

I would add more commentary... but honestly I was so busy with school that I don't remember most of October. But the leaves were pretty.. I remember that.

I want to go to this pub

2007-12-01T21:17:00.000-08:00

October Catch-Up: 5 Things I Learned at Octoberfest

2007-11-19T19:12:00.000-08:00

5 Things I Learned at Octoberfest:

The Chicken Dance is the most popular song
If you have to wait in line all your friends will be much more drunk then you by the time you get in the hall.
If you are a man do not wear short-short lederhosen… please, please (it is just not flattering)
Hats are a must, even better are hats with giant feathers and pretzel pins
When the dance floor gets too sticky from all the beer that has been spilled on the floor the appropriate response is to spill MORE beer on the floor. Then the floor is wet and not sticky anymore. Brilliant!

October was pretty...

2007-11-19T18:52:00.000-08:00

side note

2007-11-06T19:12:00.001-08:00

Okay so I figure I should catch up on October stuff that I didn’t mention. Also I wanted to note that I now allow people to leave me messages without needing to have a google account. But if you do this please tack on your name at the bottom… so I know who’s mocking me.

Going home

2007-10-30T20:47:00.000-07:00

This entry skips around in time a bit, and I will go back to chronological order later. I will try to keep this from sounding maudlin. This entry was supposed to be about my return home for Thanksgiving. I’d been so busy with grad school that it was stressful to come down for the weekend, but I was so glad to get the chance to see everyone, especially my Grandparents. Grandpa hasn’t been doing very well so I made sure to see him twice while I was down. I was so glad I had a chance to see him one more time.

Last week my Grandpa died.

Thanksgiving was really nice. I had come down on Thursday night, and my family’s Thanksgiving dinner was on Saturday. My cousins showed up, Colin came, and there was lots of food. He wasn’t able to sit up for dinner, so he stayed in bed and everyone visited with him Having Grandpa being in a different room worked out well, his voice has been going, and hearing him over a large crowd of people is almost impossible.

I’ll be returning home for the memorial service in another week or so.

Last of the Stratford Plays

2007-10-21T18:52:00.000-07:00

Stratford at dusk

My last Stratford play was King Lear. Fantastic show, clearly one of the strongest plays this season. I was also amused to find out what happened to one of my favourite Bard on the Beach actors that disappeared a few years ago… apparently he went to Stratford. Dion Johnston has been out there for a few years.

The actor playing Lear was really good. He raged and his madness was a dead ringer for dementia. Interesting interpretation. I’m glad I didn’t miss it. It felt a little busy trying to fit one more play into that week after Victoria’s visit, but it was worth it.

The Airport: Part 4 of Victoria's Weekend

2007-10-14T22:44:00.000-07:00

The next day we caught Merchant of Venice in the afternoon. We went down early enough to check out all the great stores. Lots of idea's for Christmas. The play was pretty uneven. Though the last 15 minutes were probably the best of any Merchant I've ever seen.

Then there was dropping Victoria off at the airport. As we walked away from the car is said to her “we better remember what space I parked in, or I’ll still be here looking for my car when by the time you get to Montreal”. I just shouldn’t say things like that.

Cause wouldn’t you know it… two hours later, her flight has touched down, and I call to ask if she could think of any clues as to where we parked the car, does she perhaps remember going uphill at any point? Needless to say I’m still in the Toronto airport.

I spent two hours looking for my car. Did I mention I hate having a grey car? After walking around on my own for about 45 minutes a security van pulls up and offers me some help. Too bad they weren’t actually helpful. All they did was drive me around and question my description of the car. For example, I told them it was a grey/beige Toyota Corrolla. They pointed out white cars, and dark green cars, and Lincolns and asked if it was my car. Then there was their wonderful and reassuring demeanour (this is said with dripping sarcasm). They pointed out that my car might have been stolen, and when I asked what I should do if that had happened, they laughed and said, “buy a new car of course”. I started asking to go back out and look on foot.

When they finally let me go, the last guys remark was “I’m sure your car is here… I just don’t think you know what it looks like”.

I went into the airport and found a different security team helping out. By that time Victoria had landed and I was able to call her and ask what she remembered about our space, which was pretty vague. Armed with new information, and new security guard, we found the car in about 15 minutes.

The Stratford Penguin: Part 3 of Victoria's Weekend

2007-10-11T22:37:00.000-07:00

(note: Victoria and I collaborated on the Play review, so much of our two blogs sound the same)

Much as I hate to admit it, Colin is right. The penguins are taking over the world. It’s the only thing that explains the production of “Comedy of Errors” the Victoria and I saw at Stratford.

It was the strangest play I have ever seen. And for those of you who know how many plays I see… well, that really is saying something. It included:

- A guy wearing a tie-dyed toga smoking drug paraphernalia and looking like a certain elf from Lord of the Rings
- Quotes from Gone with the Wind
- A borrowed camel
- A live golden retriever chasing a toy cat across the stage
- A soft shoe shuffle.
- A prostitute whose head lit up every time she had an idea
- Impromptu song numbers
- A panic sign
- The soundtrack to a roadrunner cartoon
- A masked Greek chorus – with a baby (also wearing a mask)
- A witch doctor that comes out of a rolling closet that has a giant eye painted in neon colours.
- Product placement for the other shows (you can imagine that with a play like this the season’s not selling out)

And in the ultimate bit of strangeness, a giant penguin walks on stage – for no reason whatsoever. Or only clue to his purpose was a sign reading “Just for the Critics”. Victoria and I nearly died.

It was one of the most – uh – interesting – plays I’ve ever seen. Actually Victoria and I had a blast, but it’s questionable whether we were laughing with them or laughing at them. I just wish Colin had been with us to see the guy in the penguin suit walk across the stage.

Victoria in Nature: Part 2 of Victoria's Weekend

2007-10-11T22:31:00.001-07:00

Cause they don't have too much of this in Montreal...

Also, we had to walk Molly anyway.

It was a great day. We woke up really late, took Molly for a quick walk. Then we went to a great breakfast place that Rachel and I discovered. I love it cause it's not a chain, it's one of those local dinners. Then we went to St. Jacobs and did some very early Christmas shopping for the afternoon. Then we went to the Conservation Park for another walk before we headed out to Stratford.

The Only Time to Drive: Part 1 of Victoria's Weekend

2007-10-11T22:15:00.000-07:00

I have decided that after midnight is the only reasonable time to drive Toronto. By point most of the loonies have gone to bed. The roads contain great deal of large trucks but very few crazy people.

Victoria's flight was delayed an hour, luckily she called me before I left home so I didn't have to wait around at the airport. By the time she arrived we were pretty dead tired. I think we managed to throw sheets on the spare bed before we collapsed.

And of course, Victoria and Molly were re-united.

Poor Colin (Victoria's one) - he didn't know he had competition.

I've decided to do the weekend in a couple of shorter posts, Victoria's version is posted on her blog: http://bilingualfaucets.blogspot.com/

This seems rather true...

2007-10-02T10:20:00.000-07:00

I read this in a book recently, and it sounds about right to me. Just ask Colin & Victoria.

"It is a small world. You'd have to live in a particularly long to learn that for yourself. There is a theory that, in the whole world, there are only 500 real people (the cast, as it were; all the rest of the people in the world, the theory suggests, are extras) and what is more, they all know each other. And it's true, or true as far as it goes. In reality the world is made of thousands upon thousands of groups of about 500 people, all of whom will spend their lives bumping into each other, trying to avoid each other, and discovering each other in the same unlikely tea shop in Vancouver.”

- Neil Gaiman’s “Anansi Boys”

One Month Later

2007-09-27T21:44:00.000-07:00

So I realised that I've been here a month already. I can't decide whether it's gone by fast, or felt like forever. Kinda depends on the day.

I miss everyone and hate that I'm missing out on things at home, but I'm glad to be here. The program is really great, and my advisor is amazing. I think this is where I'm supposed to be... now if only I could trick you all into being here too.

It's turning to fall here, despite the warm weather which is persisting. The leaves have started to fall and in the place where I walk the trees are vibrant shades of orange, yellow and red. I love walking at dusk and I only wish that my camera could get the hues right.

Victoria will be out this weekend, so I'm sure there will be more updates soon. I can't imagine her and I not finding some trouble.

PS. if this video thing works well enough I promise something more interesting next time, right now all I've got is Molly in a feild.

I have just two words - Mennonite Buffet

2007-09-27T15:05:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday's group of people from my class decided to go down to St. Jacob's Market. Originally I was going to drive, but my car ran into some difficulties that morning. The emergency brake light had started flickering Friday night, and when I dropped my roommate off on Saturday morning the light was constant. I decided to go down to my mechanic, too bad he was closed. I got lucky, and the shop across the street was able to look at my car. Good thing too, since my break line had sprung a leak and my brakes were about to stop working. Glad I checked on that light...

Luckily one of the other people had a car so we still got to go to the market. After buying a ton of fruit and vegetables we headed to a buffet that Jeet knew about. Now I don't know what kind of image springs to mind when I say Mennonite buffet but it was pretty great. Lots of potatoes, fresh vegetables and a ton of pies. In fact I think it had almost as much dessert as regular food.

It also had some nice cars in the parking lot.

Elora

2007-09-27T14:44:00.000-07:00

On Sept. 19th I didn't have any classes, so I decided to head out to Elora in the afternoon. It's a small community on the outskirts of town and was supposed to be pretty. These are some photo's I took.

Medieval Fair

2007-09-27T14:29:00.000-07:00

The fair was mostly geared towards children, but was still interesting to check out the costumes as well as the items for sale. There were Dragon hand puppets at the fair, and I thought of getting one for Christine, but thinking of the look on Mike's face as Christine talked to him through the dragon dissuaded me. I'd like to live past Christmas.

Just a note

2007-09-27T13:38:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'm trying to catch-up on these posts. I'd like to get up to date before my homework gets too intense and I forget all about the blog. So I'm going to post some photos without too much comment so that I'm not always two weeks behind.

School? I mean I went here for school.... right?

2007-09-21T20:56:00.000-07:00

the crazy campus sculpture things, and you thought the blue pyramid was odd...

I figure by now you might be wondering about my school. It was the whole point of going to Waterloo after all. So far it's been pretty good. The orientation was pretty good, and a nice icebreaker. The LED program is pretty small, only 12 of us. I'm taking four classes, but I've got the same prof for two courses. It looks like there will be a lot of work involved. I may die.

My methodology Prof suggested that I might want to take a more intense statistical course (you know something with lots and lots of math). Hum, nope, don't think so. Given my history with Statistics I don't think I want anything too challenging.

An African Safari - because why else would you go to Ontario

2007-09-20T08:29:00.001-07:00

So I was adding some of my classmates to facebook when I noticed a message from Danielle. She was wondering if she should come out for the weekend. Neither of us had much homework yet, and the Safari closes mid-October.

She came out Friday night, and then on Saturday we decided to see how many things we could cram into one day. Quite a few actually. First we went down to St. Jacobs Market. It was huge, and I think I know where I'm getting most of my Christmas presents for you guys.

Then we headed to Cambridge for the Safari. How could we resist... I mean who goes "Gee, I really want to go on an African safari, lets go to Cambridge, Ontario." There are some regular zoo exhibits, but the best part by far was the Safari. You get to drive your car through the park and the animals are just roaming freely. They have huge signs that read "Dangerous Wild Animals - keep windows rolled up!" Not that anyone seemed to abide by that. Windows were rolled down, carrots were waved in the direction of the animals.

I loved the baboons. Now, I'm not usually a fan of baboons, but when they run around like hairy panhandlers they're pretty cute. They come and sit beside the windows hoping that someone will feed them. The generous cars would sometimes have as many as 5 baboons riding on the vehicle.

Oh, and then we rode an Elephant. They are quite comfy,

if rather prickly.

After the safari we headed out to Stratford to catch the Ideal Husband.

Roommates

2007-09-20T08:28:00.000-07:00

I wasn't that worried about getting roommates... or at least I wasn't that worried until Rachel and I had the open house.

I'd advertised that people could come by on Wednesday and check out the place. So Rachel and I rushed back Wednesday (the same day we were trying to buy the car) to wait for people to show up. And wait... and wait.

Not one person showed up... Now I was worried.

Anyway Rachel assured me that it would all work out. And what do you know she was right (it so rarely happens). Anyway by the end of the next week I had three roommates, and they've turned out to be great.

I'm living in with a houseful of guys. I had said I didn't care about gender, but everyone who called me about the place was male, so that limited my choice. But the line-up for the bathroom is much shorter. They're great guys - except that they like math - but I can forgive a few flaws.

Pictures of my new place (my room)

2007-09-19T20:31:00.000-07:00

Pictures from my new place (kitchen & living room)

2007-09-18T20:59:00.000-07:00

Downsizing from the giant white truck

2007-09-17T14:52:00.000-07:00

Getting a car should have been easy, right? You just buy the car and buy insurance. Or not.

In Ontario there are a few more steps. First you have the car e-tested (AirCared) and safety tested, sign the seller's papers, get an Ontario drivers licence, get insurance, get a second insurance quote (which turns out to be half the original quote), and then take all those documents to "The Ministry".

Still, less then 48 hours from going and seeing the car, I was driving it home. Oh ya, and I had even had a mechanical inspection done.

We weren't supposed to sleep on the floor...

2007-09-10T21:40:00.000-07:00

Photo: Molly with our make-shift bed

I knew that we wouldn't have a bed to sleep on the first night. But that was okay, I had a plan. I had what I thought was a foolproof plan. But like most foolproof plans it failed miserably.

I would bring an air mattress with me, and pack the air pump in the boxes I was shipping ahead of me. They said that the boxes needed 5 days to ship, so I gave them 7, and I checked the bus depot in Kitchener was open till 8:30, so we'd be in town with plenty of time to pick-up the packages.

But nothing ever goes as planned. When I stopped by the bus depot the woman at the counter claimed to have never heard of my boxes. I tried to conger up the box by describing it in greater detail. Then the other woman walked by and said, "Gee your name sounds familiar... isn't that big box over there for you?" The other woman looked annoyed and said, "Well, yes, but just the one, so I can't give it to her. We have to wait till they both arrive." Now since I had already paid for the boxes it seemed a little odd that she wouldn't give it to me. After much pleading they gave me the box, too bad it didn't have the air pump in it.

The next day we were looking in the Salvation Army when Rachel found a small air pump. She stood there, with big puppy eyes, pleading for me to buy it so that we wouldn't have to sleep on the floor again. She reminded me that it was the first thing she'd asked for on the trip. The puppy eyes worked, but I suggested we call the Depot first and see if my other box had arrived yet. It had, we were saved.

Sort of. That night we discovered that the air mattress was broken.

How I learned to drive in Waterloo

2007-09-10T21:25:00.000-07:00

So Rachel and I arrived in Waterloo on schedule, picked Molly up, and found our rental car. Now when I say car, you should imagine a huge white truck, something four times the size of Baby Car. I was so glad I had Rachel to drive it. However, every time we passed another car, cyclist, pedestrian, skateboarder or mailbox asked: "am I going to hit that car?.... how about now?... now?... now... what about that person? Did I hit it?"

Since she was driving, I had to deal with navigating. Now this is not a good situation for anyone, since I can’t tell my left from right. I mean most of the time I can read a map, but as Rachel would tell you there were a few moments where I went “OH NO, RACHEL WE’RE GOING THE WRONG WAY!!! WAIT A MINUTE LET ME CHECK THE MAP, WE HAVE TO TURN AROUND! WE’RE GOIN – oh, never mind… it’s okay… we’re fine, we’re going the right way.” In my defence that only happened three or four times… or maybe as many time as she asked if we were going to hit passing cars.

Welcome to Waterloo

2007-08-31T18:13:00.000-07:00

Me in the Airport, changing over my cell phone to a Waterloo number.

So I have arrived. I think.

Honestly, I've been so busy trying to get the house set up that this first week has seemed both much shorter, and incredibly long. I still feel a little like I walked through the looking glass. Still, with Rachel as Drill Sargent, I am more prepared then I could have hoped.

I have furniture for the kitchen and living room, all the dishes and small kitchen appliances, as well as all the important stuff for my bedroom. I have a decent working knowledge of Waterloo and Kitchener, and have driven to Guelph and Cambridge as well. I have a car, an Ontario licence and insurance. I have phone, Internet and TV. And I did it all with a ridiculously small budget. But at the end of five days I was almost totally settled in.

There is a lot more to the story then that and the next couple of entries will cover how I did all those things, along with the requisite loss of dignity that made it possible. There will also be photos.... it is me after all.