Thursday, January 24, 2008
Photo Radar
So...I managed to get 2 photo radar tickets...in the same area, in the same day. For over 200 bucks. *sigh*.
2.26
That's how much a venti coffee is at Starbucks. that seems normal to I realize I used to pay like...1.49.
Weird thing is, I don't like Starbucks coffee, but I drink it. And I'm the only one. The rest of the people order things with "chino" on the end
Weird thing is, I don't like Starbucks coffee, but I drink it. And I'm the only one. The rest of the people order things with "chino" on the end
Lunch
One great place to eat lunch is CO OP at the Mid Town Market on 12th or 11th, or whatever. U go there, fill up this plate with food and pay for it by weight. It's good. For 10 bucks (a deal) you can have about 7 different things...and a can of CO OP pop. If you go at lunch, it's super busy tho.
Beer
After what seems like forever, I've weaned myself off the ale of Ontario and now like two local brews. One is Traditional from Big Rock...the other is all things Wild Rose. They're a small micro that's located in the old army area of Calgary. They sell this thing called The Party Pig, which is this fridge sized keg you get from them for 50 bucks. You'll drink it fast..and it's pretty easy to handle.
It sure beats taking empties back to the bottle depot here. That's THE most annoying thing you can do in life. The lines are terribly long and it's the most stinky place in the world. I usually give my bottles to the homeless people but I have so many now, I think I'm going to be greedy and keep them for myself.
It sure beats taking empties back to the bottle depot here. That's THE most annoying thing you can do in life. The lines are terribly long and it's the most stinky place in the world. I usually give my bottles to the homeless people but I have so many now, I think I'm going to be greedy and keep them for myself.
Ducky's Pub
This is a pub on 4th Street...around 22nd. My first experience there was the assault of their karaoke....which consisted of the same 5 people singing 100 different songs.
Regardless, I've gone back, and I like this place. I took a buddy there for drinks...and it's not that bad of a place. Some things about it.
1. They have lots of hockey on TV screens
2. The customers are either young and sexy or like 50 and just having a pint
3. The food...well you have about 5 choices. I had their wings the other night which where...chicken legs. But they were good
4. The service...is slow. But the people are nice.
5. There is one small pool table in there.
All in all, a good dive bar. If you like "high class" places...this is not where you wanna go. If you like places you can sit in peace and just do your thing, this joint is OK. It's rather refreshing in a city that is all about the imagery of clubs.....
Regardless, I've gone back, and I like this place. I took a buddy there for drinks...and it's not that bad of a place. Some things about it.
1. They have lots of hockey on TV screens
2. The customers are either young and sexy or like 50 and just having a pint
3. The food...well you have about 5 choices. I had their wings the other night which where...chicken legs. But they were good
4. The service...is slow. But the people are nice.
5. There is one small pool table in there.
All in all, a good dive bar. If you like "high class" places...this is not where you wanna go. If you like places you can sit in peace and just do your thing, this joint is OK. It's rather refreshing in a city that is all about the imagery of clubs.....
My flat tire
I have this slow leak in my tire. It's annoying. But it's more annoying that someone ripped off the cord to the air hose at the Petro Can on 4th. Now I have to go to the Shell on 17th. Or maybe I should get it fixed....I just never seen to find the time.
Purple Perk
Yes, I have written about this place before, but I have to again. This is probably the BEST cafe in this entire city. The coffee is good, but the food is awesome. I'm addicted to this "Cuban" sandwich they make...I'm not sure what is in it, but whatever it is, it tastes delicious. I've discovered they have parking in the back (always available) and they use brown sugar for their coffee. I love brown sugar.
You can also bring your laptop and camp out at the Perk. Least I think you can cause everyone brings their laptops into the Perk. The staff is also pretty cool and they're nice people. There isn't that "new rich" thing going on there. I way prefer this place over Starbucks (across the road) or Second Cup which is up the street.
They also have this kick ass MASSIVE cake which is like 9 inches deep. No word of a lie. I dont really like chocolate cake, but sometimes I just wanna buy a piece to eat it....or find a woman to take with me and have her eat it.
You can also bring your laptop and camp out at the Perk. Least I think you can cause everyone brings their laptops into the Perk. The staff is also pretty cool and they're nice people. There isn't that "new rich" thing going on there. I way prefer this place over Starbucks (across the road) or Second Cup which is up the street.
They also have this kick ass MASSIVE cake which is like 9 inches deep. No word of a lie. I dont really like chocolate cake, but sometimes I just wanna buy a piece to eat it....or find a woman to take with me and have her eat it.
Places to Go
Tonight, after work, I stopped by Joyce on 4th. It's an Irish Pub and I think I wrote about it earlier. It has these weird ass harp chairs which are huge....
One thing about this place is that it's got cheap ass food during the week. On Mondays, you can snag wings for FOUR cents each. Now I've never gone, but at 4 cents a piece......even bad quality wings are OK. They sell Big Rock and Wild Rose pints for 5 bucks (now considered a deal to me) for Happy Hour. The place is kinda low key and you can go sit alone...or with 100 friends if you want. I was there tonight and some very loud dood was there....same guy I experienced weeks ago at OJ's in the Mission. Why....do you have to be a dickhead man ?
Joyce has good breakfast, it's 4 bucks for Eggs Benny and hash browns. And it's served till 1 PM for people that have trouble getting outta bed. It's worth it. I'm not sure how they make Eggs Benny, but it's pretty good.
One thing about this place is that it's got cheap ass food during the week. On Mondays, you can snag wings for FOUR cents each. Now I've never gone, but at 4 cents a piece......even bad quality wings are OK. They sell Big Rock and Wild Rose pints for 5 bucks (now considered a deal to me) for Happy Hour. The place is kinda low key and you can go sit alone...or with 100 friends if you want. I was there tonight and some very loud dood was there....same guy I experienced weeks ago at OJ's in the Mission. Why....do you have to be a dickhead man ?
Joyce has good breakfast, it's 4 bucks for Eggs Benny and hash browns. And it's served till 1 PM for people that have trouble getting outta bed. It's worth it. I'm not sure how they make Eggs Benny, but it's pretty good.
Native Culture
In Ontario, I had little to no exposure to native culture. Growing up in Toronto, you're exposed to the 150 different cultures and languages, but you never really get to know native culture because it barely exists.
I find it absolutely interesting. For starters, you meet people with last names like "Goodrunner" & almost 100% of these people break the standard stereotype of natives being drunk bums. It's one thing I notice about Calgary....people are so galvanized on this issue. I'm really not sure how you can label an entire culture because of a few people that don't have their life together. I'm a white guy, the dood that did the Oklahoma bombings was a white guy...but we're not really the same. Dig ?
I find it absolutely interesting. For starters, you meet people with last names like "Goodrunner" & almost 100% of these people break the standard stereotype of natives being drunk bums. It's one thing I notice about Calgary....people are so galvanized on this issue. I'm really not sure how you can label an entire culture because of a few people that don't have their life together. I'm a white guy, the dood that did the Oklahoma bombings was a white guy...but we're not really the same. Dig ?
So it's been almost 1 year
I just spent the last hour re-reading what I wrote. It makes me laugh that I gave a shit about things like "how slow people drive". It makes me realize how fast my life in Ontario was...and how angry & bitter I was for a long time. Ironically, I work more out here than I do back home, but I'm more relaxed. Least I think
So 11 months have passed since I left Ontario. I guess the first question is, do I miss it? The answer...for the most part is no. Calgary is a positive place to live and pretty progressive. One thing that truly pisses me off is listening to people back home tell me how "redneck" it is out here. My answer is whatever and get over it.
Calgary isn't without it's problems...but generally it's a pretty positive city, maybe sometimes with a touch too much money. Regardless, if you want to carve out your dream here, you can. Over the past year I've learned to slow down when driving. I've learned to let people in. I've learned that when people say "hi" in the hall, you say hi back...because thats just normal behaviour. I've even learned to like the Calgary Flames & admit it's fun to pick on "Leaf Nation" doods back home. LOL, last place too.
So 11 months have passed since I left Ontario. I guess the first question is, do I miss it? The answer...for the most part is no. Calgary is a positive place to live and pretty progressive. One thing that truly pisses me off is listening to people back home tell me how "redneck" it is out here. My answer is whatever and get over it.
Calgary isn't without it's problems...but generally it's a pretty positive city, maybe sometimes with a touch too much money. Regardless, if you want to carve out your dream here, you can. Over the past year I've learned to slow down when driving. I've learned to let people in. I've learned that when people say "hi" in the hall, you say hi back...because thats just normal behaviour. I've even learned to like the Calgary Flames & admit it's fun to pick on "Leaf Nation" doods back home. LOL, last place too.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Bar: Singapore Sam's
A few weeks back I was out late and went to Singapore Sam's with friends. It's on 11th Ave near 4th in a small strip plaza.
This is a great late night place....it's a sorta after party outlet where people go after they split from the bar. It's a Chinese restaurant..with a cheesy Canadian flare to it. When I was in there, they were playing bad disco and even worse dance music on the speakers, but it worked. It's also incredibly dark so you can barely see the person you are with. The food is decent, but it works for the after club thing. Only problem is, parking in the area sucks...so it's a bitch to find a place to stick the car if you are driving.
This is a great late night place....it's a sorta after party outlet where people go after they split from the bar. It's a Chinese restaurant..with a cheesy Canadian flare to it. When I was in there, they were playing bad disco and even worse dance music on the speakers, but it worked. It's also incredibly dark so you can barely see the person you are with. The food is decent, but it works for the after club thing. Only problem is, parking in the area sucks...so it's a bitch to find a place to stick the car if you are driving.
Back
Happy New Year.
Life has been incredibly busy for me over the past few months and I haven't posted at all. I'm officially set up in Calgary and....I'd never go back home. Calgary kicks ass.
I get out alot more & such...so I'll write about all things Calgary...even some of the stinky politics and stuff here.
Life has been incredibly busy for me over the past few months and I haven't posted at all. I'm officially set up in Calgary and....I'd never go back home. Calgary kicks ass.
I get out alot more & such...so I'll write about all things Calgary...even some of the stinky politics and stuff here.
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