Thumper

Way back in early 2002, I spent a couple of weeks teaching ESL in Istanbul. I taught until about 10 or 11pm in Taksim and then took a cab back to Sulthanamet as I was staying in a hostel. One night, our cab driver hit a cat. He got out and was so visibly upset. He moved the cat off the road and we smoked a couple of cigarettes with him (because it's ok to take up smoking when you're traveling) and then he told us no charge for the fare because it would be bad luck.

Tonight, I was driving to the grocery store with Stephen, chatting away and joking when a white furry creature ran right under my car. There was no chance to stop. It just happened and we heard two thumps. It was Thumper. It was hare-ible.

Reno-stalgia

This weekend presented the rare opportunity to enjoy two days off in a row with not a single meeting, concert, or stop-in at the office. In Toronto, there would often be weekends like this, but they were left unnoticed because of waking up early, numerous trips to Home Depot, multi-tasking normal household chores with tearing down/building walls, and attempting to fit in a bit of fun.

Because the renovations were our shared second full-time job, we are left without a hobby. It's really unfortunate because there were so many things that I always wanted to go out to do in Toronto, but in Regina I'm finding myself at a loss. A weekend trip to Saskatoon? Somehow not as enticing as Montreal or Ottawa or NYC.

So - do we buy another house, adopt a standard poodle, or maybe I need to get a second job?

can-struction

Mounties Gone Wild

Last night turned into an impromptu karaoke session at the good old Crown and Hand located directly across the street from the RCMP training centre. Apparently, we walked into a huge celebration because at about 9pm the place was absolutely bumping with short haired recruits singing their hearts out.

The first tune of the evening involved a group of about thirty dudes singing "It's Raining Men".

It was a dream come true.

Assiniboia Run-Out

I spent my Tuesday in exotic Assiniboia on a run-out with the Chamber Players. The school and community concerts were enthusiastically and well attended. They performed in the Prince of Wales Centre which houses the performance space, library, southeast Regional College, Curling Rink, Gym, and movie theatre. It's quite a new building and a great little performance space. Of course I was further delighted when we were greeted at the door by a man in a cowboy hat and shown to the dressing rooms.

During the afternoon I stopped by the Sherniak Art Gallery. What an awesome and unexpected treat! The gallery was opened in 2005 and houses the collection of a local business man who had travelled around the world and accumulated an incredibly diverse collection. From Group of Seven pieces by AY Jackson & Lawren Harris to local Saskatchewan artists, to works from China, Vietnam, and Australia. Yet another cool aspect of this place is that the gallery houses the local Arts Council office (provided to them rent-free) and a tea room with an espresso machine (a delicacy in small town Sask). I didn't think the place could get any cooler, but they allow you to wander around the gallery with your cappuccino in hand!

The amazing creativity and appreciation of the arts in small town Sask never ceases to please me!

Stephen Hits Saskatchewan

In the last week, Stephen has really started to experience life here in Regina. He started his new job on Monday and his social calendar is already filling up with new experiences like UFC night, hockey games, badminton night, and Superbowl parties. I'm becoming rather concerned about his metrosexuality which I so love...is he going to become a Saskatchewan boy? Opening beer bottles with his teeth, cruising Albert Street in his truck, and tipping cows with the boys after drinking a case of Pils?

What if he stops referring to "Pils" as "bunny beer"? Yes, I'm concerned.

A couple of nights ago, Stephen went out to grab a bottle of wine to go with dinner (whoops SUPPER) and at the Liquor Store the clerk asked him what language he preferred to communicate in. Stephen was confused and said English. The clerk then asked, "Where do you come from, I noticed your accent". Stephen responded - Toronto, Onterrible!

It's a funny comment because the first couple of weeks after I moved back here I really noticed the slight difference of the Saskatchewan accent. For example, Saskies say "hey" rather than "eh", and Ontarians have a much thicker "aboot". Garage is another one...Saskies make the 2nd g harder than easterners do.

Another recurring comment from Stephen is about the drivers here. He has classified them into either douchebags who flip into lanes with no signals and drive chaotically versus the uber timid drivers who avoid the douchebags at all cost, taking the term "defensive driver" to the extreme.

He also gets lost constantly despite his GPS. In Toronto, it is easy to tell which direction you are headed because of whether you are going up or down hill (towards or away from Lake Ontario) or depending on where you are in relation to the CN Tower. In Regina, there are no such changes in elevation, and it is often difficult to see the downtown "skyscrapers".

Sarcasm is another difference. We went to a place called "The Rooftop" before Christmas when it was -30. Stephen went up to the hostess and asked for a seat on the rooftop. She explained to him slowly that it was much too cold to sit outside and did not seem to get the humour at all.

Needless to say, it's fun to live with a newcomer to the province, but I have no doubt that he will fit in just fine.

Vancouver Reunion