Conference, Day 2

Didn't really post anything about Day 1, but after I went to the afternoon session (Opening Ceremonies, Product Launch (exciting things for spring, but that's all I can say until April 16th) and the Recognition Rally), I had time to find a bite to eat for dinner - wandered over to St. Catherine's Street, but after passing many scary people (and I live in downtown Calgary, heart of scary) I retreated to the underground mall for safety. Too bad all those stores are wasted on me. After all, we have most, if not all, in Calgary already (that I don't shop at) and really, why on earth would I willingly pay 8.5% more for something that I can get at home?? Craziness, I tells you. But the concept is cool, and I just kept following the signs and made it back to my hotel in time to change and head to Mardi Gras night.

First night of conference is some kind of party, to let the ladies (and quite a few men this year) unwind. Okay, so it ends at 9:30, but I'm sure many continued the party back to their rooms. I'm sure the cleaning staff loved us, as there were beads and feathers everywhere, as everyone dressed in their New Orleans finest. I did have on mask and beads, but I have some trouble moving pictures around on this little notepad, so I'll be sure to post some tomorrow.

Today started early, as I was up at 7:30 (isn't this supposed to be a vacation?), and after a quick breakfast of eggs and toast, spent the rest of the day indoors, save for a 15 minute break that I went and sat in the park across the street to get some much needed vitamin D. Today we talked about our compensation package, exciting changes coming the in next year to make our lives as consultants easier, learned some skills to help build our businesses. Lunch was provided, so as I said, I made it outside for all of 15 minutes.

Then it was time to get gussied up for Gala. This is when we honour those ladies (and gentleman this year) for sales, achieving unit leader status, group growth, group sales, etc. And we heard where and when Conference 2012 will be, but not sure if it's still a secret, so I'll hold onto that one for now. Met up with another sales consultant that didn't feel well enough to attend Gala, but still needed to eat dinner. Ate at one of the other restaurants in the hotel, and it was awesome. Ordered the Portuguese Mussels, with Chorizo. O.M.G.!!!! I must have had at least 2 pounds of mussels, and they come with frites. I think I love it here! Got upstairs in time for the champagne reception, and then sat down in the grand ballroom to...food. No one told me there would be food!!! That's why I went for dinner!!! But thankfully it wasn't a full meal (some little appie things, pita, olives, hummus) and then some little desserts (pistachio cookies, mini tarts with apricots,chocolate dipped strawberries). I am full...but that's not stopping me from enjoying one final glass of red for the night.

Okay, tomorrow starts at the same time as today, and will go through till about 6. Yoikes. Guess that means I should get to bed.

Bonne nuit,

Foiled but not beaten

This is what I was looking for, while wandering the streets of Montreal. My mission, which I chose to accept, was to eat the fabled Lobster Poutine, made by the man behind the nondescript door, Chuck Hughes. Unfortunately, there were no seats (once you find the place!), not even for a hungry single gal in the big city, so I made reservations for Tuesday evening. A fitting way to spend my last night, no?? Here is where I am staying. Right across the street is this greenish stuff...I think they call it grass. As a Calgarian, I would not know what that is. In fact, there was stuff "growing"...again, not a clue.

Wandered cobblestone streets.

Found Notre Dame.

Came back to the hotel STARVING...after all, I ate an egg sandwich on the plane at 10ish (and sadly, lost some), and now it was after 6. Decided to eat in the hotel restaurant, but the more upscale one. You know the kind, with all the dark wood and gold curtains, large chairs, piano player in the corner cranking out the tunes of yesteryear. Sipped on a Bloody Caesar (OMG, celery has never tasted so good - so hungry!) and munched on their version of a bread basket. Three bowls consisting of olives, vegetable chips and Asian mix (wasabi peas, sesame crunchies, etc). Ordered the Montreal Smoked Meat Sammie (when in Rome...) and barely got through it and the pile of frites (made the way a French Fry is to be made), fresh veggies and coleslaw.

Back up to the room, where I actually had a soak in the tub with a glass of wine (mini bar = danger) before crashing at 10. And I mean crashing!

Up and about for a wander this morning. So cool, as I can get to the mall across the street without going outside. I guess instead of +15's like home, we could call them -15's. Everything is underground. Bought some stuff at Shopper's and Staples before finding a breakfast place where I enjoyed a breakfast clubhouse (eggs instead of chicken or turkey) and a cup of coffee. Also, since I'm right on top of the train station, I booked my ticket to Quebec City for Monday, and the ticket agent most awesomely booked me window seats for both ways. Can't wait.

Guess I should finish getting ready, as Conference starts at 1. Wish me luck.

Bon Jour,

Still don't like flying

I had hoped that with fancy new luggage, I would also find an appreciation of rushing to an airport at the crack of stupid, lining up for the privilege to be searched and cramming myself into a space made for someone half my size. I was wrong. Although it is pretty and I do love the wheels! Left my home at 5:30 this morning, and got to the airport in plenty of time. Which was good, as security was lined up out the place! Found a Starbuck's and I was officially a happy girl. Until I got on the plane! One of those nice ones with only 4 seats and today was National "if you have small children, please come fly with us" day. Plugged in and prepared for a long flight. Had my natural Gravol to keep the stomach settled, and even risked breakfast later into the flight. An egg sandwich...how bad is that? Did fine (kept taking the stomach aid, as it recommended) until we hit the approach to Montreal. They warned us about turbulence, but because Montreal was so cloudy, we became the little silver ball in God's giant pinball machine! I did deep breathing, I focused on my movie (the Black Swan...enjoyed True Grit better), I told myself all was fine. I did think to grab for the barf bag this time around, and thankfully so. Made it right to the ground, and as we're pulling up to the gate...wammo! I was so hopeful this time. So part of my mission when I'm out and about is to find some serious, hardcore stomach settling stuff. Tired of being the only one who pukes on planes. Ran into another Epicure lady on her way to conference, so between the two of us, we found the bus that drops us off at the door. Okay, technically just up the street, but $8 for a pass that's good for 24 hours?? Sweet. Checked in the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth hotel, dealt with a minor glitch (I had booked my return date as the 12th, but it should be the 13th) and came up to my home away from home for the next 7 days. Very comfy - am heading for a brief nap soon, as I got all of 4 hours myself last night and no, I did not sleep on the plane. Sweet little bathroom...don't care how big it is, as long as it's got a shower. But most importantly...my view!

Okay, so it's not so pretty and I have no idea what direction I am pointed in (where's my mountains?!), but I am in Montreal and am going to have a tres manufic time - sorry, my knowledge of writing French is even worse than my speaking of it...after all, it's been over 30 years since my last French class!

Bon Jour,

7 hours and counting

Litter is changed, kitchen organized and I'm in the midst of organizing the packing. In just over 7 hours I'll be on a plane to Montreal. Yippee!! Finished up at work, got groceries for Mom, gas for the car, food and meds for the cats, showed the neighbour how to give Mr. George his needle, hauled some garbage, cleaned out the fridge, hauled more garbage, inhaled some dinner...it's been a long night. But true to form, I work best under pressure, so I wouldn't have it any other way. Okay, must finish packing and try to get to bed in the next 30 minutes. I can sleep on the plane but really don't enjoy sleeping in front of a whole bunch of strangers! Especially since I have an aisle seat (thanks C.!) and usually when I just doze off, person beside me needs to get up. Oh, and stomach meds are in my purse. I will not have a repeat of Toronto!! Taking my new notebook with me, as there's free WiFi at the hotel, so hopefully I'll be blogging tomorrow evening. Later,

And then there was none

Or very little, at least. Most of the snow, all 21+ cm of it that fell on Saturday, smashing a record along the way, and many poor trees, is almost all gone. The front of my building is almost bare of snow, and the large piles along the side are completely gone. It was a bit of a sloppy walk in this morning (yes, I wore the Birks) and on the way home, the toes did get a little damp on more than one occasion. But it's spring, and I'm wearing sandals, dammit! Day 2 of month end, and everything seemed to go smoothly. I had another adjustment booked today at the chiropractor's and after yesterday's shovelling, that was a good thing. Oh, that's till evil therapist Dave got to me, and his very best to make me cry!! I don't think thumbs are to disappear into one's hip bones like that!!! Just sayin'!! Owwwwiieee... After the chiro (which I walk to, probably a km or so) I took the rent deposit to the bank, walked back across the river to the post office (other side of my building from chiro) then up to a food court for lunch. Chinese may have been consumed...there wasn't any evidence leftover for me to verify that with, however. Back to the office, when I realize that my car/house keys are not in my coat pockets...or my purse. Crap! Call the bank, and after 20+ minutes of being on hold with the call centre dude in Winnipeg (not going to help much, since I live in Calgary!), he did come back on to tell me that yes, I did leave them at the branch and that I could pick them up from reception. Great...add another km on to my walk home, as I first head off in the opposite direction. Get said keys (after receptionist says "what are you talking about?" before finally hunting them down) and then home, past work, in just enough time to change and get my butt to boot camp. Or should I call it Lake Pain. The park is practically flooded from all the snow/melt, but we made do and got our sweat on! Many, many, many, many squats later (again, good thing I have another adjustment tomorrow) before we switched to mega painful upper body stuff - who's idea was it to pull out the "big girl 10-pounders"?? Oh yeah...I remember now. That would have been me. Must have been drinking or something. I picked up a not-feeling-so-well H-woman, and we headed off for noodles (much needed for us both) and to close up her Epicure party that she successfully hosted on Saturday. Did a good job too, considering all the snow. Enjoyed our dinner, did some shopping (for her) in the Epicure catalogue and then everyone home. Made a serious dent in the dirty dishes in my sink, and got all the rent stuff done for another month. Plotting out tomorrow - home, clean, change litter, pick up cat food and insulin for George, drop off groceries for Mom, home and pack. Decided to drive myself to the airport since it'll be cheaper to park in this one parkade for the week then it will be for me to take a cab there and back. Especially since they shut down the major (and fastest, most direct) route to get there. So what if the airplanes need a place to land! I need a place to drive to get to said airport so that said planes have a reason to take off in the first place! Huh...did the city planners think of that?! No. Later,

The day after

It finally stopped about midnight, and left behind anywhere from 8-10" of wet, heavy snow. Sounds like a tree (a rather large) from down the street bit it in the storm...there's just remnants of a stump left this morning. The city got it cleaned up fast, as it fell into the street. Wonder if there were any cars parked under it.

Speaking of cars...that lump appears to be one!

Took me 90 minutes but I finally got my walkways cleaned. I think I sweat as mush as I usually do when I run. It was so toasty in the sunshine that I ended up ditching my coat and shovelling in just a t-shirt. It's supposed to warm up significantly tomorrow, which means we are in for one sloppy mess by the end of the day. Boot camp should be fun, since Friday (before the snow) was sloppy enough in the puddles, mud and snow still left from winter. But at least we're outside again. That's all that matters.

Food has been very erratic all weekend, as I haven't actually been hungry, and I don't want to fill my fridge with food since I'm leaving in two days. So it's been dips and bread, frozen pizza (the new Buffalo Chicken...m-eh) and bowls of cereal.

I did not get up and go running this morning. My heart and back just weren't into it, so I decided to stay home and tackle the sidewalks instead. Took it nice and slow, resting and stretching a lot in between, and the back feels okay. But it's a good thing I return to Dr. Jay and his healing hands tomorrow and Tuesday.

Time to make a few lists...what I need to get done around here, what I need to pack, who I need to contact, etc, before I fly out on Wednesday. Three more sleeps!

Later,

April "showers"

Saturday, APRIL 2nd in Calgary...nope, this was not an April Fool's Joke as many had hoped.

And it is still snowing...it is forecast to snow all day...and all night...and tomorrow (which will make the 29km LSD happy good times! Maybe if we actually had some LSD...hmmm). It will never stop. Would Mr. Suzuki please come to my home, and while shovelling my freaking sidewalks for me (don't know if my back will take it), take the time to explain to me Global Warming. It's the "Warming" word I'm having the most difficulty with.

I'm going back to bed...wake me in June. Maybe it will have stopped by then.

Later,