Down Day

After being on the goal for what feels like ever today is a down day to get caught up on some rest. And maybe tomorrow to. This is ok though. Next week I have some more appointments of various kinds then will be leaving for Vancouver Island until some time in August. For now I am not exactly sure how long as that will depend how things go with my caregiving entourage including one person I hired ho is travelling with us and two people I have hired in Tofino. Could be a disaster but it might work out.

Yesterday was nice. I met an old friend and her baby at the aquarium. Then went and had bubble tea at a funky little cafe with a patio looking out over the water. Today I have an appointment but hope to go to Jericho Beach tonight.

Thanks for the all the book suggestions! I appreciate it.

Vancouver is nice, if a little rainy for my liking. I haven't been writing much mosly because travelling has taken a lot out of me. We are here for a bit so I should have time to recover and post more soon. I hope everybody is doing okay.

After a few days of relaxation beside Shuswap Lake, or Lake Shuswap, I have seen it referred to both ways, it is back on the road later today. I am trying to find a map on google that will show where I am.

It has been beautiful here. Shuswap Lake is another of the many places that I just drove by in the past on my way to somewhere else without really giving a second thought to other than "oh that is nice." It really is beautiful here. Yesterday when the rain finally broke we took a small tour of sorts of a town known as the "house boat capital of Canada." "Tour" meaning exploring a fairly nice path that wound alongside the lake, presumably for golf carts which I was told is the preferred mode of transportation for many of the people who live in the boats. Something I found a little bizarre but also charming in an offbeat way.

I was kind of blue yesterday for some reason. I don't know why. I finished Lamb. Very funny. Like reading a book written by Monty Python. Actually I think parts of this book were pretty much stolen right out of both The Holy Grail and The Life of Brian. I am intruiged by Christopher Moore and want to read more but have decided he is not the kind of author I can read back to back books from. So I am taking a break with re-reading Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy. I don't usually read books a second time. But I recently edited a paper for a friend who was presenting a paper on this book at a conference (that sounds more impressive than it actually is, he asked me to edit for spelling, etc. simply because I am the only person he knows who has actually read this book before. Anyways his paper got me interested in this book again, which I last read what feels like a lifetime ago. I am in dire need of reading suggestions as I have lots of time to fill this summer. So I would appreciate if anybody has any.

Photos

So apparently I didn't figure out posting pictures from the blackberry, as I thought I did. Will try again today.

Figured out finally how to post a picture to here from a black berry. It finally cleared up in the late afternoon so we could enjoy the lake

Great Book

It's been raining all day so I haven't been able to get out to the lake and sight see or people watch. But I am reading a totally awesome book I just have to recommend. I am not a huge fan of absurdist literature but I am loving this book. I can't believe I never heard of Christopher Moore before. I will have to read more. I think this book appealed to the blasphemer in me.

The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal

The birth of Jesus has been well chronicled, as have his glorious teachings, acts, and divine sacrifice after his thirtieth birthday. But no one knows about the early life of the Son of God, the missing years -- except Biff, the Messiahs best bud, who has been resurrected to tell the story in the divinely hilarious yet heartfelt work "reminiscent of Vonnegut and Douglas Adams" (Philadelphia Inquirer).

And I just checked my email and found out my grade in my art history course was A-. I don't know if I mentioned it on here as I haven't written much but a few classes in I decided to switch from audit status to taking the course for a grade. That was one reason I haven't been online much as this course required a lot of my time and energy. Much more than I expected. Two reasons for the switch. The first is that I found I wasn't really motivated to do the required readings when nothing was expected of me. The second is with my unexpected love of art history and wanting to take more courses in the subject, I figured it was best to get a solid foundation in how to write a paper and exam with an introductory level course. In the end I got a lot more out of the course as a whole by taking the course for a grade. The instructor was great and let me write the final exam early due to me leaving Calgary. It was supposed to be this coming Wednesday. I didn't expect a final grade so quick.

And finally happy father's day to all the fathers out there.

Sun?

I got up very very early so I could watch the sun rise over Lake Shuswap. Found a perfect viewing spot. Too bad its massively overcast and the sun shows no signs of making an appearance. Oh well, maybe tomorrow morning.

Its a non travel day so I will try to get caught up with a longer post and some pictures. Also I might manage to get caught up on some emails. I have never stayed in this part of BC for any length of time before, always just drove through it on my way elsewhere. I have been missing a lot. It makes me a bit sad but its nice to be here now.

Spending the next few days near the shores of Lake Shuswap in BC. Its so lovely. I think I could stay here forever

I Did it

I overcame my fears and went sailing on a little boat yesterday. Finally leaving for Vancouver today. More later. I am behind on picture posting.

John glad you liked Mr. Toad :) I will be in touch about Oregon :)

Saw this little guy while out in a park today.

I have been out and about more now that it is nicer so not around much to post as much as I like. But I finally replaced my busted old cell phone with a Blackberry Bold so it has been coming with me when I am out to get pictures and hopefully make blogging easier from remote locations. I finally figured out posterous a little better and hope to be using that more once I get a new blog set up on wordpress and link it with posterous. For now this is where I went tonight. The better pictures are on a camera card so hopefully I can post them tonight. Elbow Falls is fully accessible with a nice paved path that runs over and alongside the falls. Unfortunately it is possibly the most popular picnic area in Kananaskis Country and so is often jam packed with people, even in winter as it gets very little snow and makes a nice family outing fairly close to the city. We made a impromptu decision to go out there tonight when the friend I intended to go to name that tune with decided she really wasn't into it. And I was relieved because I kind of wanted to go outside instead of be in a bar as well. So at 6 pm we fled the city and were quite surprised to find the place essentially empty once we got out there. One thing I saw that I really wish I had taken a picture of but didn't think of was we saw a porsche parked in one of the disabled spots...even though only 3 of the other 200 parking spots were full. And not only that, it was straddling 2 of the 3 disabled spots. I am not militant about parking because frankly I can't be bothered to care if people abuse the spots...it is usually more trouble than it is worth to worry about. I am beat but happy. I was really beautiful. One slight near disaster was forgetting to check how much gas was in the van and realizing 20 km outside of town we had no gas....and not sure if one of the two gas stations in Bragg Creek were open past 8 pm...which was necessary if we were then to get back to Calgary from Bragg Creek. My parents live just outside Bragg Creek so we would have potentially had a rescue but I suspect it would have led to a bad scene when I told them we ran out of gas. We eventually made it to the gas station with a full 10 minutes to spare with the low fuel light on. It was kind of thrilling in a very stressful kind of way, I admit. First to see if we would actually get into town and second if the gas station was still open. But we did so all's well.

song that is in my head today:

Stayed up most of the night writing a paper for my course and I managed to get the damn thing done. Just a short book review and the final exam in 2 weeks and I will be done. Today is a bonus: no snow like there was yesterday morning. I am contemplating a indulgent trip to Lake Louise as the crowds are still manageable and I have beome addicted to the $9 cups of chai at the chateau. But since I am working on very little sleep I might put this off for another day. Have a good sunday everyone

Random thought for the day: Even though I dislike country music I realized today I like Corb Lund and the Hurtin' Albertans (needs a new name for his band). And this is the song that made me a fan. So much a fan that I downloaded the cd from iTunes. And it's all just songs about horses. How cool is that? lol I love it!



I needed to go back and answer some blog comments but am disorganized to do so again. Off the top of my head, I am hoping the little patio I didn't know the condo had can be useful. As of right now there is no way for me to actually get out of the condo to use it (although I could access it from outside). So one renovation is to change the door that leads to it. I think it can be done but I don't know for sure.

Colour scheme I am not sure. Right now its pretty bland and not at all cheerful. Nice just not very interesting. I think I won't get around to even thinking about painting until the fall though. But since I don't anticipate being back in Calgary until late August or early September the summer seems the best time to get the renovations done with no disruptions.

As for my trip to the US, I have not fully worked that out yet. Washington state for sure. Oregon would be nice. Montana on the way home, possibly, depending on the route taken. I am still trying to figure out if such a trip is doable. More details here as I figure stuff out.

I haven't been online much. Lots going on, both good and not so good. But mostly good.

My offer on the condo has been accepted. It is looking like I won't be able to take possession until early August. Which actually isn't bad because I have some other news that is kind of big: I am spending ther summer in Tofino. Or at least some of it. I rented a place for July and August. Not fully accessible but it will do. There is a ton of stuff to do around that. I will be spending some time in Vancouver first, partially to do some things I had planned last fall. Biggest thing is finding caregivers since this will be a solo trip of sorts. My parents are coming but will not be there the whole time. They are not fully convinced this is going to work out but we will see.

Other things: finishing my course, figuring out what renovations I need to make to the condo (not many I think), packing, finding one more caregiver in Tofino, planning a trip to the US in August. Busy.

http://polkadotpajamas.posterous.com/dinner-in-canmore

Condo Part IV

The condo association has waived me needing to meet with them based on references from the rental company I am currently with. So the offer was put in today. Made me a little queazy to think of how much money it will be but that's okay. You can't take it with you when you die so I might as well spend it now to give myself the security renting does not have. Hopefully they accept it.

John yes the cats will enjoy the sun room :) there is even a small cement patio off the living room which isn't on the floor plans. Since this unit is on the ground floor I will have that.

Bee bee, yes to painting it my own colours :) I am already thinking what I want to do with the place, which is quite dull now in terms of paint. I think it will be a good place to live and yes friendly, quiet neighbours. Hopefully.

Seth, yes in Garrison Woods.

Nathan, thanks!

Condo Part III

Upon reflection I am not feeling so negative about the condo being in a 55+ building. It's big and nice and really well set up and suited for me. I wasn't thrilled when I saw the floor plan but it's laid out in a way that I need and I like. I will be comfortable there. I could even see myself being happy there.

Let's hope now that my offer gets accepted. It's an outrageous amount of money and that makes me nervous. But will be worth it and give me a sense of security that I don't have renting.

Stay tuned...Condo part IV might be coming this evening as I continue to ponder lol

We couldn't get any pictures of the inside because the couple vacating it made some objections. They were so unpleasant (the relator was cringing afterward as they were not expected to be home for the showing). They are moving to Ontario to be near their grandchildren...the condo went on the market last week and my mom's friend who works real estate called her with the tip...which I am glad about. But I am heading to Starbucks in a bit and will see about getting some exterior shots.

Condo Part II

I went and looked at the condo.

Pluses:

1. It's very spacious, even more than the floor plans would indicate. And there is the possibility to making some modifications to further make it more open and easier for me to get around in. It would be a big improvement over my current apartment in that regard. Plus it would be mine...no more hassles with the pain in the ass company that manages the complex where I live.

2. It's centrally located but in a newer community. The neighbourhood was rebuilt from scratch about 7 years ago on land that used to be part of the no closed army base. It was designed to be pedestrian and bike friendly so is full of paved paths. Tons of green space and several large parks. The condo building is a block away from my favorite starbucks and within easy walking distance of a grocery store, pharmacy, movie rental place, and several other funky little coffee shops and places to eat. And not far from where I live now (a 5 minute drive) so I would still be close to my beloved North Glenmore Park and to school. I like this part of the city and if I was going to buy it would preferably be in this general area so this works out good.

3. While the unit is totally self-contained, there are a number of services in the building I could access that would make life much easier for me such as laundry and meals, plus some medical related things. Again it depresses the hell out of me that I need these things but such is life I guess. The unit, building, and neighbourhood are all very nice and very accessible. I doubt I would find a more accessible neighbourhood in Calgary.

It really is ideal for me and I am going to put in an offer on it.

So why am I so depressed? :(

Condo

I am going to look at a condo today. If I like it I will be putting in an offer to buy it.

This is the floor plan of the unit I will be looking at. I am curious as to why if Canada uses the metric system the units of measurement are in square feet. Because they did nothing but confuse me (I am not mathematically inclined enough to convert even roughly in my head). Then I realized something: Canada didn't officially adopt the metric system until sometime in the early 1980s. And since the target age for those being sold units in this building would have been educated before that, I suppose they are sticking with something familiar. Yes...it's a retirement condo independent living thing building I am looking at :( Something that depresses the hell out of me but it has lots of things that would make my life easier and even take some of the burden off my family, both things that I want. I realize I sound ageist here and I don't mean to. It's just not the kind of a place I pictured myself living at 28. And the fact that everybody else is 30+ years or more older than me isn't even the thing that bothers me the most. It's a very very nice building. It's marketed as something silly as "enjoy your golden years in the luxury you deserve." And while I am all for having a nice place to live, I am just having a hard time picturing myself living here.

But I am tired of renting. And my initial plans to build a house west of Calgary are not really feasible given care giving needs and the hassle of finding enough coverage living right in the city. Moving somewhere that would require a drive out of the city would likely shrink my pool of paid care givers even smaller than it is now. So we will see how it goes with the condo. Apparently they will sell to me due to having a disability but since I am not 55 or older I have to get special permission and go before some board. Something that also makes me feel pretty shitty. Even to arrange a viewing took some special arranging. Sigh.

But still, it would be a very good thing for me to have a place that is my own.