Stampeding...

It's that time of year again in Calgary - the time when the natives either party on or get out of town, and the city is overrun by tourists.

That's right ladies and gentlemen, it's Stampede!!!

If you're a native Calgarian, you might just love to hate this particular event.  It means 10 straight days of horrendous traffic, packed out trains for commuting, and a city wide excuse to get drunk.  Locals know and love to quote random statistics like the fact that Calgary has a baby boom about 9-10 months following stampede, and divorce lawyers have their busiest season for new clients in August, after Stampede has come and gone, and various affairs have been revealed.  Girls seem to take it as an excuse to wear as few clothes as possible (seriously, skanky is just skanky, never sexy!) and everyone drinks way too much.

I've honed my complaints over the years, and rarely head down to the grounds, but this year I did.

It's the Centennial.  100 years of what is known as "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth".  I talked myself into going because my favorite country singer, Paul Brandt, was headlining the evening Grandstand show.  I tagged along with a couple of friends who've never experienced Stampede before, and surprised myself by having a great time.

It turns out the key to having an awesome time at Stampede is to entirely avoid the midway. No rides. No carnival games.  Skirt the outside of that whole crazy section.

It helps if the friends you're taking are new to the whole thing.  It's even better if they both have agriculture degrees, and what they're really interested in are the things that Stampede was founded to celebrate, and not so much the beer gardens and midway rides.  We wandered through barns, watched a sheep shearing competition and a vintage tractor pull.  We checked out the entirety of the tradeshow, watched a little bit of surfing (indoors!), and walked through the arts and crafts.  We savored the best tasting goodies (hello beef bacon BLT, mini donuts, and little greek honey donuts, not to mention dole whip).  And then we left, took a break and ate dinner in their back yard. Burgers and sangria never tasted so good.  (I walked away with a recipe for a great pasta salad dressing, too!)

We came back in time for the grandstand show, found our seats, tried to pick winners in the chuckwagon races, and then watched the show, which included variety acts, motorcycle trick artists, acrobatic troops from several countries around the world, and of course, Paul Brandt.

I admit that it helps that the grandstand wraps up with a 20 minute long fireworks show.  I love fireworks, and the grandstand building has the best seats in the house for this amazing show.

After finishing late Saturday night, I dragged myself out of bed early Sunday morning to meet my work client back at the grounds by 8 am.  We checked out the Superdogs show, and got some ice cream.  My perspective was different as I guided her in her wheelchair through the grounds and crowds, and watched her enjoyment of a season she describes as "my Christmas!"

Apparently it turns out that the key to appreciating Stampede is some new eyes and perspectives.  It's avoiding the crowds and embracing the agriculture and spirit that caused this event to spring up 100 years ago.  It's seeing the joy in someone's eyes as they taste a treat that they look forward to all year long, and it's laughing at bad jokes with new friends.  It's learning the finer points of a tractor pull (who knew this was a competition sport?) and marveling over the speed at which someone shears a sheep.  It's mini donuts and dole whip and laughter.

I had fun gaining a new perspective on Stampede this year.  I'm probably set for another five years or so, but it was great to have new eyes and find enjoyment in something that I mostly dread each year.

Friday

It's Friday, and I'm taking it easy.

I had a rough night.  I've been dreaming a lot lately.  And it was the one night of the year where the heat actually hit the basement, and I tossed and turned, sweaty and uncomfortable between dreams.

So, the city has gone crazy, because it's Stampede, and even crazier than usual because the Royal Newlyweds, Will and Kate are in town for the first days of Stampede - the last official stop on the Canadian part of their first tour.  That means I'm pretty much going to avoid downtown for the next ten days.  Stampede is a major tourist attraction, but mostly it seems to be an excuse for the entire city to party and drink to excess for ten days every summer.  Calgary actually has a baby boom every year nine months after Stampede.

That said, Stampede always means free food.  If you know where to look, you can get a free pancake breakfast every morning and usually a BBQ lunch and supper somewhere too.  I'll definitely be getting pancakes at least once or twice, and I'm going to my first BBQ, hosted by Dad's church, tonight.  (I'm providing the country music CDs for that one!)

I accepted a two week temp position as a receptionist, starting next Wednesday.  It'll be good to have a bit of income again.  And, in the mean time, I'm going to take it easy for a few days, see a few friends, do some reading and resting.  And then, then it'll be time for new things to start again.

I'm thankful for Fridays.  For time to be quiet and rest.

Friday Evening

Here's the plan.

In a little while, L. will be home.

We're headed out to a Stampede BBQ supper that's being put on by the church I grew up attending. I know, I know, I generally avoid anything connected with Stampede like the plague (unless of course you have out of town visitors, in which case a visit becomes obligatory), but I've got to admit that the idea of free hamburgers and various potluck salads and desserts is really appealing to me at the end of a rather long week. I'd love a good hamburger, and I definitely love the idea of not having to cook.

Then home.

It's a priority tonight that I get a full workout in. I've been trying to do some yoga workouts lately, to help improve my health, and some muscle problems I struggle with. The aim is to do one of the 20 minute dvd's at least 4 or 5 times a week. The last two nights have been quite interrupted (I had to stop in the middle last night, and never managed to get back to it to finish), and tonight I need to make getting all the way through one a priority.

After that, a long shower, and then I'm going to treat myself to some reading I think. I'm just going to relax.

Tomorrow promises to be full, with errands and sorting and unpacking. With prayerfully revisiting memories as I unpack and re-display the various "altar stones" I've collected over the years.

So tonight, tonight I'm going to try to rest a little.

(of course, my plans seem to change regularly these days, so who knows what will ultimately end up happening!)

Suddenly Sleepy

I’ve been hit by a sudden attack of that middle of the day exhaustion.

The sort where you find yourself staring blankly at the computer monitor in front of you on your desk, fighting to keep your eyes open, and to not drift off into happy oblivion.

Thankfully, there’s just over an hour left in my work day. I’m not sure I’d make it if it was much longer.

Just over an hour, than a ten minute walk to the train, 40 minutes or so on the train (probably a bit more given the stampede crowds that are having me transfer on the opposite end of downtown from where I normally do), a 15 minute walk to my house, and then supper, cleaning, and flopping down on the couch to watch Grey’s Anatomy or The West Wing on my laptop for a couple hours before bed.

Getting Closer

My dad came with my new roommate and I to our new house for an hour tonight.

We had a couch stuck in our stairwell since Monday, propped against a wall, because we couldn't get it down the stairs when we moved a lot of the furniture on Monday. With Dad's help, we now have a couch in our basement.

He helped Jo - my roommate - assemble her dresser, while I puttered around doing a few little organizational type things.

Our kitchen is basically set up, and on Sunday we're going to move my bed, and I'll officially be living there. Crazy!

It's getting closer. Things are coming together. We have a few more purchases to make - things like spices, a couple organizational items, that sort of thing, but then we're down to simply arranging things the way we want and setting up housekeeping. Just at this moment, the fears have mostly taken a hike and I'm feeling very excited. (Not to mention relieved that this process has a foreseeable end!)

With that done, I'm going to take a shower. Jo and I are tagging along with my brother T. and some of his friends to a comedy club tonight, and have plans to take in the Stampede tomorrow for a few hours before the rodeo.

I also need to run a couple quick errands in the morning, so I'm signing off!

Friday Afternoon Musings

I love my hair today, even though I’ve pulled it all back into a pony tail. I went to bed with it wet last night – quick late-night shower to get the aloe vera and sunscreen that were protecting me from further sunburn off of my skin – and woke up with wild crazy curls and waves this morning. I piled it back into a pony tail simply because I desperately need a haircut that I can’t afford and to leave it down wouldn’t have quite managed the “professional” appearance necessary for work. But I just glanced in a mirror, and I’m loving my hair.

I’m vacillating wildly today between moments of planning my new bedroom in my new house, and being completely discombobulated and frightened because after 24 years I have a new house.

I’ve been listening to Jacob and Lily’s “The Cathedral” all day at work again. Something about it just grabs the deeper parts of my heart right now. (I wrote about that yesterday if you’re interested.)

Jann Arden was great last night. We only stayed for an hour, but she is so funny, and played some of my favorites, so it was enjoyable all around.

I’ve been reading the July issue of “Vanity Fair” the last couple of days on the train and my lunch breaks. It’s guest edited by Bono, and all about Africa. Definitely worth picking up and reading. Not my usual quick read in a magazine, but worthwhile.

I ordered internet services for my new house today. They should be in place sometime the middle or end of next week.

I don’t like the way Stampede increases the number of public transit users. The trains were a bit of a disaster this morning thanks to the parade, and I’m dreading the afternoon commute as everyone heads to the grounds to kick off their weekend. Should be equally gross all of next week as well.

As much as I love being warm, there is a limit to how much heat I can tolerate, and we’ve reached it. I shall be extraordinarily glad if the predicted “chance of rain or thundershowers” occurs sometime today or tomorrow – just so the heaven’s don’t open in the middle of tomorrow afternoon while I’m sitting in bleachers watching the rodeo.

I do believe that I may actually be completely moved by the end of this weekend. Not settled yet, but moved. I think I’ll be relieved when that’s finally over. The strain of this transition must be showing in my face. People at work keep asking me how I’m doing, and if I’m okay.

I think we’ll have a big housewarming party in the fall – once some of my friends that are currently traveling on other continents are home, and can attend.

I’m dreaming of my ultimate someday home (assuming I’m still single). I’d like to have a two-bedroom place, filled with books, and warm colors. One room for a bedroom, the other for an office/library. Imagine – a whole room just for books and crafty sorts of things – I love this plan! Rich colors, blues and greens, reds and browns. Whimsical touches – things that stand out a little bit. Lots of sunlight, but great mood lighting at night… (dreaming is rather fun, isn’t it?)

And with that, I suppose I should get back to work… there are things on my desk with no particular deadline, that I need to stretch to fill most of next week as well, but I should at least make the attempt at accomplishing something in the hour and a half or so left before I head home for the weekend! (Filing here I come!)

Where I'm At

Okay, so here’s where I’m at. I’m sunburnt – all across my upper chest and arms. My face less so, but also burnt. I’m going to have to go to the drugstore on my lunch break and pick up some aloe vera gel to sooth my aching skin.

I’m going to the stampede tonight to see Jann Arden play - $3 gate admission with the proceeds going to breast cancer, and then the concert is free. Marginal additional cost for the famous mini-donuts which will make the evening perfect. I’m still working to figure out what I can wear that will cover my very sensitive sunburnt skin appropriately to protect it from further damage, and won’t leave me roasting to death due to the heat wave we’re currently experiencing.

Hopefully by the weekend I will be fully living in my new house. At the moment we’re waiting to move my bed and mattress to the new house before I can sleep there. I remain of completely mixed feelings about this. I am completely terrified in that “Oh crap I’m an adult” sort of way, with deeper fear issues thrown in just for fun. At the same time I am totally excited to establish my own place, and live independently – which, by the way is expensive.

I’m having money issues. There is almost nothing on the planet that can stress me out the way that money does. I absolutely hate having to think about money, wondering if I have enough money from paycheck to paycheck, thinking about a budget, anything with numbers and dollar signs involved, really. My ideal job would be one where I made enough money to simply be able to purchase something I wanted, without weighing pros and cons of spending that amount ad infinitum. I would also be able to give a lot more generously to things and people whose ministries I would like to be able to support. I hate that right now when I become aware of a need, I have to think about whether or not I will be able to live for the upcoming week or month without whatever the amount is that I would like to give.

On Saturday, my mom, my new roommate and I are going to the Rodeo at the Stampede Grounds. I haven’t been to the rodeo for several years now, and I’m looking forward to taking it in. We’re also going to a stampede barbeque hosted by the church I’ve been a part of the last year that evening. Should be a busy weekend, but fun.

All of these things I’ve mentioned seem so surface level and boring as I look back over them. The trouble is that I’m having a great deal of trouble putting words around the things I’m feeling and wading through these days. I feel like so many things are shifting around me, and I’m struggling to keep my footing. There has been a definite onslaught of spiritual attack, and a corresponding drop in my emotional, mental and spiritual energy levels as I weather and fight the attack.

I’m reading through the Psalms again lately, identifying with so many of the emotions found there, and clinging to the promises. I read God’s covenant with Abram – a word that some friends spoke over me, and I have seen borne out in my life the last several months – on a nearly daily basis these days, to remind myself where my protection and worth lay.

“Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” (Gen. 15:1)