Because Eventually I Have To Die, Maybe
Fears Drama and Eep!
Crossed Off – CN Tower
Jul 12th
One of the more nerve racking things I have included on my list is a trip up the CN tower to walk on the glass floor. I am terrified of heights and am not exactly a huge fan of elevators, especially those with glass windows, so this particular item on the list was more a test in will power than a chance to have fun. Though I had every intention of making the trip on my excursion out east, I didn’t have any definite plans. My travel partner Chris and I decided more or less on a whim to go into Toronto from Guelph in the middle of the afternoon and go up the highest building in the world. Greyhound tickets purchased last minute and some clamoring to get onto the bus did nothing to settle my nerves. When we arrived in the core, the tower dominated the skyline, pointing ever upward, reminding us of where we would soon be standing.
We got into the queue to pay for tickets and were informed at the booth that there was an hour wait to get up, another hour wait to get to the sky pod (a higher lookout), and an full 60 minutes wait to get down. Since we had already sat on a Greyhound bus for over an hour and a half, we figured we had no choice but to put on our patient faces and stand in line with all the other tourists. The package we chose was $26.50CND, and included the regular observation deck, the glass floor, and the sky pod, we decided to pay the extra $4 for the sky pod experience and extra hour in line!
We got in line with the rest of the tourist sheep, but noticed that the line was far too short to be over an hour like we were told. We assumed that they gave a “worst case scenario” wait time to avoid angry people, but when we discovered we were only in line a mere 20 minutes, we were a bit baffled. Worst case scenario is one thing, but it seems we were given the “operating with one elevator” wait time instead. I shouldn’t complain too much, as 20 minutes standing with the brats from hell and their douche bag family that were behind us was 20 minutes too long in the first place. Let me warn you: the place is crawling with demon children. If you don’t like small children, I suggest avoiding the CN tower altogether or email them suggesting a child free day or evening so you can actually enjoy the experience.
We got into our elevator, and the first thing I noticed was the fully glassed “walls”, but I had to give thanks to the attendants for not placing me in a glass-floored elevator. As we started our climb the vertigo and fear took over, and I closed my eyes tight, and counted the 58 seconds down in my head. Everyone else was oohing and aahing over the view, but opening my eyes was not an option for me. Once at the top we were thrust into a pulsing orgy of screaming children, running children, and men acting like children. We slowly made our way to the glass floor, slipping through cracks in the crowd and avoiding small children running under our feet.
Of course, the glass floor was plastered with small children crawling and swimming around as they are wont to do. It was a challenge getting close to it. Upon catching glimpses of it through the feet and children’s bodies, my heart starting racing. I couldn’t stand on it, I just couldn’t. Chris over course hopped onto it like no bodies business, walking around and posing for my camera. I knew I had to do it, since if I didn’t do it then it would mean another 26 bucks and a hellish elevator ride up the tower again. I planted a foot onto the see-through floor, heard a creaking sound, but decided to stick to my guns. I was only on there a little bit at first, and had to get off. There are SO many giant fat men jumping on it, shaking what seems to be the entire tower. It’s ridiculous and annoying.
We went out to the observation deck and saw what we could, but by this point we were both overcome with hatred for man kind, especially their offspring. Chris was also battling a major headache, so we decided to forego the sky pod, and head back down. We got into the line, which of course had a screaming/crying brat in it, and waited for our turn on the elevator. While I’m sure it didn’t take an hour, it sure felt like it with the high pitched screaming going on everywhere around us.
My general review of the CN tower is that it’s a giant waste of money. It’s over-priced tourist shit with too many children running wild and being insanely loud. As I said to Chris on the way down, I would only recommend it to people planning on jumping to their death since it would reaffirm why life is not worth living. I guess it’s something you have to do while you’re in Toronto and such things, but maybe bring some ear plugs.
Of and of course you can always high five one of the bears to make yourself feel better!
Off to NYC!
Jul 10th
I’m leaving tonight to head off to New York City on the Greyhound with my friend Irma. We’ll be there for three nights, not including our overnight haul to the city on the bus.
I’ve scheduled up some posts to publish themselves, so there won’t be any lack of reading or pictures from the last few weeks of my traveling while I’m without internet. I won’t have access to a proper computer until July 19th when I land in Calgary once again. After New York I’ll be bound for Kingston, ON to see my grandparents.
In the coming days, there will be some posts about my trip up the CN tower, Niagara Falls, and my short road trip to Lake Huron. Be sure to check my twitter for quick snippets of my time in New York.
There are several things on my list for NYC, so be sure to check it out to see what I’ll be up to whilst in the Big Apple.
For now I’ll leave you with a video of tamarins at the Bio Dome in Montreal
Sea Plane Adventures
Jul 2nd
The entire trip to Vancouver and Victoria was just an elaborate birthday present from my dear Adam, but he really outdid himself when he told me that he had booked us a sea plane back to Vancouver. All based on the simple child like comment I made while pointing at the sky: “I wanna fly in one of those”. I doubt that if we hadn’t gotten into a big fight I would have ended up in one, so sometimes anger and storming 45 minutes back to the hotel has positive points. In all, it was a perfect I’m sorry present from a man incapable of apologizing for anything. A thirty minute scenic flight taking off from the water and landing right back in it, excellent!
We had spent the day in Victoria, and had been somewhat anxious all along. Spending the day within viewing distance of the harbour where the crafts were landing and taking off on about one minute intervals did nothing to ease any nerves about the procedure. We were excited though, incredibly excited. Adam had booked the ride with Harbour Air, which is one of a few companies providing air tours in the area. We chose the Victoria- Vancouver leg, but they have a variety of short trips and scenic tours available.
After we had finished sight seeing, we wandered over to their easy-to-find location next to the water on Wharf Street. We had been there already that day seeing if we could drop off our bags. Points to them for being so nice as to ship our bags ahead of us so we wouldn’t have to lug them around all day with us. I was quite nervous as we headed there, as I am not too keen on flying, but I was mostly excited. How could I not be! It’s a water plane (though I think sea plane is the proper term). We did have a bit of a wait, and the process was a bit confusing to me as a newbie to the procedures (keep in mind most things confuse me). After a bit of a wait, we were boarded onto our tiny plane. It is truly cramped in there, but our plane wasn’t even half full so we had a little breathing room. Our pilot (I believe Chris was his name) was very nice and friendly, giving us information about the trip and related matters. We sat in the water, taxi-ing for quite a bit, waiting for other planes to take off and land, but we eventually were kicked into high gear and were soon gliding in the air instead of the water. Just a tad freaky! The views were amazing from the get go, and we were provided of a gorgeous glimpse of the entire city as we circled around. The ride itself was a bit turbulent but not as scary as I imagined. Though I believe that this particular route is mainly for commuters, it provided a very tourist-friendly trip with sights you couldn’t get from a commercial airline.
Landing was smooth, but disappointing to say the least, as I could have spent several hours up in the skies watching families of otters fishing and making myself jealous over the houses spotting the numerous islands. Realizing they cater to people using the Vancouver airport, Harbour air provides a shuttle to the main airport from their location, which is incredibly convenient.
Though it may be a tad expensive (we paid about $80CAN per person) it was well worth the price. I would recommend this company for tours, commutes, and anyone wanting a bird’s eye glimpse of the Vancouver Island area.
And I Think It’s Going To Be A Long Long Time
Jun 10th
Alright, so it’s Tuesday. Riveting, I know. Well it is for me, because it marks two more days until my surprise birthday trip (have I even mentioned that?) and like…10 days?… (this is me being too lazy to count) until my month long Eastern extravaganza. The surprise birthday vacation is Adam taking me to an unspecified (and as far as I know completely unplanned at this point) location to celebrate me turning 22. I have no idea where we are going, not a clue. We kind of went over a list of places that would be acceptable and unacceptable (Edmonton being at the top of the “unacceptable” list and Hollywood being at the top of the acceptable list), but that’s as much as I know. Well I do know we’re not flying to anywhere except within Canada since Adam does not have his passport. My guess is Vancouver since he keeps bringing it up. We leave Thursday night or Friday morning and come back Monday, I know that much too! Ah well, it’ll just be nice to go somewhere with Adam. We had a ton of fun on our Montanarama trip!
And only 10 day to go until the much hyped trip to the Eastern part of this continent. As has been discussed I will be crossing a ton of things off of my list and having a massive amount of fun. Notable: I’ll be in Montreal during Jean Baptiste Day. I’ll have to learn what that is before I go, but I’m assuming it’s some awesome white French dude who did something super French and now they use him as an excuse to drink (to fit in, I will be sure to use this excuse as well).
There’s tons to do before I go, such as go pretend I’m an 1890′s textile striker with my mom and getting all the hair ripped out of my legs and lady parts so I don’t have to think about what a hippie I look like while I am on vacation.
Oh! I get to pick up my passport tomorrow, which will allow me to actually use the other website Mr. Adam got me internationalhobo.ca. That’s my new career aspiration. Anyways, I was supposed to get it today, I paid the 10 bucks to have it available to pick up at the office and all. But I’ll be downtown tomorrow anyways, so I’ll go then. And then I can show off my HIDEOUS passport photo. /too excited.
Eastern Trip and Other News
May 28th
Alright, so my blog has been down for a bit, at least on the posting and maintenance end of things, so there have been no updates. Super lame. My “webmaster” is currently looking for a new host, as I am generally unhappy with how often I cannot access my blog. So due to the giant wait and me having too much to say: here’s a giant mishmash of updates for your reading pleasure.
I have yet to blog and post pictures about my trip to Banff. I will do that tomorrow.
I went and applied for my passport yesterday, which was less traumatic than I thought it would be. My passport pictures were sent, but with a warning they will probably get rejected because my forehead was “too white”. Seeing that I am a white person…I am generally confused by this statement. Trust me, customs and immigration officials will see my giant white forehead and recognize me from my passport picture instantly. I paid the extra 10 bucks for a 10 day pick up which pleases me greatly. I don’t really trust Canada Post with important things. I know getting my passport was on my list, but it suddenly became vital when Irma informed me that I needed my passport to check into hostels in New York. June 10th is my pick up day, and I leave on June 20th to Ontario/East. I hope it all goes smoothly and I am holding my passport in no time.
So this tip out East has not been without planning. In less than a month I will be leaving (eep!). Here is my basic itinerary.
June 20th
Start 5 days in Montreal
Leave for Montreal with Christopher in the wee hours of the morn.
After a stop over in Toronto, arrive in Montreal in the late afternoon
Hostel is booked, private room, shared bath
On the agenda for the 5 days we are there is Mont Royal, eating poutine, #243, wandering around in the Botanical Gardens, #448, seeing Notre Dam Basilica, #478, and seeing the St. Lawrence River.
June 25th
Start a few weeks in Guelph/Toronto
June 25th leave for Toronto, arriving in the early morning
Staying with friends in Guelph
Itinerary includes drinking at Turtle Jacks, Canada Day at Niagara Falls, going up the CN Tower, #102, going to see a movie at the drive-in theatre, #39, seeing the Toronto Pride Parade, #360, going to the museum of Television, St. James Anglican Cathedral, seeing the Art Gallery of Ontario, eating at a Medieval themed Restaurant, #503, seeing the Much Music building, and tons and tons of other things.
July 10th
Embark on three day New York City trip with Irma
Overnight Greyhound bus to New York
Hostel booked, private room, shared bath
Taking Amtrak back to Oakville, where Irma resides.
During our three full day, three night stint we plan to eat traditional New York food, including hot dogs, #334 and pizza, #124, stand in Times Square, #352, see the Statue of Liberty, #389, see the Central library, visit Cooper Station, go to the top of the Empire State building, go to several museums including the Guggenheim and Metropolitan Art Museum, and walk through Central Park, #499.
July 14th or 15th
Taking train to Kingston or meeting mom at Pearson and driving to Kingston
Spending several days with grandparents.
Wolf Island, lake front, wandering around historic Kingston, grandma’s baking, catching up, hanging around, Fort Henry.
As you can see, I will be crossing a bunch of things off of my list this trip. 16 at the very, absolute least! I have put full details of things that are planned to be crossed off or that are in the works on my
A Little Help From My Friends
May 19th
This is a bit of a wandering-mind piece, considering the pros and cons of people helping you complete items on your life list.
There is something to be said about the company of friends, without a doubt. I sincerely hope no one embarks on a nominal life list without the intention of getting a little help and companionship along the way. First and foremost I want to say that it is a good thing to have people involved in your life in any form, bucket lists being no exception. The topic I am concerned with is when this help and companionship goes a little to far. When that well meaning aid in completing yet another item on your life list verges on obsession and overwhelming pressure. Sometimes it might seem, especially with a public list, that your list is no longer your own, but public domain. Should you just run with it and appreciate the help, or take a stance?
I have been so blessed with the unexpected outpouring of desire to help me cross things off my ever growing and expansive list. My mother, partner, and friends are all thrilled with the idea, many starting their own in fact. My mom has been one of the best, so have my friend’s J and Cal in Ontario. Adam has surprised me with things to do on my list, which I appreciate to no extent since Adam is normally not the best when it comes to surprises. I cannot stress enough the appreciation I have for the help and shared amusement at crossing things off of my list. Most of the things on my list are best done with other human beings, particularly ones I enjoy being around. It was not an intention when I conceived the idea of writing a massive list, but I have ended up spending more time with the people I like a lot (I was raised not to love other human beings – thanks mom).
So while I do appreciate this help, I have found that at times it can a bit too much. People make plans around your list or try and steer events towards things on your list. The thing is, when you write these items on your list, no matter how small or big, chances are you have some vision of when and where they might happen, maybe even an inkling of who you would like to take along for the ride. These items on your list have meaning to you in one shape or form, which is probably why they have appeared on your bucket list. Some things are pure novelty, like doing a shot for shot drinking contest, but others probably have a background. Now, on my particular list I have not truly specified many who’s or where’s because I do not want to limit myself nor add too many particulars to my list that I have no control over. There are many, many, many items on my list that I envision doing with my boyfriend. I have not specified this, because realistically speaking in a year’s time our lives could have taken us in separate directions, and any chances I would have at driving on the Autobahn WITH ADAM would be gone. So I will leave it at simply driving on the Autobahn, because I want to do it nonetheless.
These particulars may not always appear on life lists, but with all plans and dreams, they probably have a context and a root. A reason for existing on that particular list. Which brings us back to the idea of help from friends. I cannot decide if refusing this help is in any way rude. Is it inappropriate to turn down the offered help, or pressure in some cases, and explain the context of your goal? The problem with making your life list public is that it does make it somewhat public domain. Friends and family will use it as a guide to plan things, possibly without necessarily asking you prior to making plans. They will suggest things that will seem perfectly reasonable, as they are located smack dab in the middle of your life list, yet you had different plans for that particular item. “Oh, I sort of wanted to do that with my boyfriend…” just seems to rude to me, personally, as true as it may be. Or your entire reasons for doing something may just seem odd to other people. I found myself at a loss the other day when a good friend was suggesting we go let loose at the strippers, which is on my life list. The entire reason I have this on my list is not to let loose at all, but to go see it just for that. I might leave after 5 minutes, to be quite honest, the entire idea of the strippers does not appeal to me in the least, it does quite the opposite. But I found myself hemming and hawing over it, unable to just spit out the real reason of WHY I did not want to go to the strippers. We have conflicting ideas on why to go, so why would I bring someone who is there to ENJOY the strippers with me, when I am going simply to “check out the scene and simply observe the ongoings”. I don’t necessarily think I would enjoy going to the strippers with this particular friend (after much thought concerning our different feelings towards the practice and him having told me he would participate in the coin flicking which sends a shiver down my spine), yet seeing as the fact on my list it says “HEY I WANT TO GO TO THE STRIPPERS” it puts an awkward spin on the entire thing. Is that event in my life now public domain and up for grabs? Should I feel rude and unfriendly telling people that despite the fact no specifics are included in the list I had meant that to happen with someone else or at a different time?
I suppose this is simply a question of North American propriety in the 21st century. My life list will remain online, if not simply for the fact if I wrote it on paper it would get lost within the day. I do hope that my friends and family continue to help me cross things off, as I have enjoyed their support and company during the few I have, especially my mother’s incredible effort to help me finish my Southern Alberta Mini-List a few months back. I do suppose in the end honesty and communication are always the best bet, and I certainly do not want to scare anyone away from helping me with this monster of a life list.
Reflection Friday – Bridges Crossed, and other excitements like the Red Dog Diner
Feb 29th
So, this reflection happened in the not-to-distant past, by which I mean yesterday.
I’m sure most people who know me know that I am scared of heights. Terribly afraid to the point of near insanity. 
Just last night I have an incredibly graphic nightmare about being in a plane that had an appointment with the ground and was hurrying to make it on time. I don’t like tall buildings, elevators, planes, cliffs, tall staircases, nor bridges. Planes are the worst, but bridges are a close second.
So today I had my training for the elections, which is across the river in Lethbridge. I got off at 4, and I was about 3 minutes away from the giant bridge (see inset) that attaches the two sides of Lethbridge to each other. I hate even driving across this monstrosity, but today I thought “oh hell, let’s walk across it!”. So I did. It took me the better part of a god damn hour to do so. Mind you the actual pedestrian bridge over the water (the scary part) only took 5-10 minutes, it was the not-so-bridgey-part that took so long. The fucking think is like a 45 degree incline for a kilometer once you get back to the West side of town, shit! I thought I was so badass with my 30 minute incline-level-6 jogs I do most days at the gym, but this was like 40 minutes incline-level-12!
Regardless, I crossed that bridge. It was scary, I know that sounds lame, but giant concrete structures extending high over water/land scare me like only planes and zombies can. And possibly my mother. I made myself stop in the mid point where there is a look out, but I quickly had enough of that, and I made the last half of the trip fighting the urge to run (in the back of my mind, bridges are ALWAYS collapsing behind me).
So there. I did something that scared the bejesus out of me today, and gave me a killer workout to boot. I also got #245 -work in an election off to a good start.
I also went to the Red Dog Diner last night with Adam which was one of the things on my “to do list for Lethbridge” that I made a while back. It’s located at 4th Ave and 6th St in downtown Lethbridge, with lots of great parking. The hours are fantastic, being open until at least midnight every day. The menu is sooo large, it’s hard to choose between smoked meat sanwiches, all the hot dog varieties, burgers, dill pickles, and the 13 or so kinds of poutine they have. I’m a regular poutine kind of gal, but you can get poutine with chicken and peas, or bacon and tons of other weird things. The poutine is a bit pricey (but worth it when you see the layered cheese *drool*) but it’s not going to run over $20 for two people to get more than enough to fill them up. It was SO delicious! 69 cents for TWO HOT DOGS. Dreamy.
Also, tomorrow morning I hope to be booking a trip to Montreal and Toronto for June with my buddy Chris. I hope it all works out!! I’m not going to sleep tonight, I’m so anxious for the o-k! on it!
The Big Announcement
Feb 25th
Alright, so I have been holding onto this stellar announcement for a few days now, mostly because my mother is going to cast her disapproving eye down on me and I wanted to be out of the city for that, but also because I wanted to feel better and be somewhat coherent. Holy deja-vu. That was weird. I guess I care too much about what my mother thinks about too many things. Good on one hand since my mother had impeccable judgment, bad on the other since she’s wholly against the concept of having fun (unless you count fun as giving yourself a heart attack laughing at weird medical jokes…then she’s ALL over it).
Anyways. Onto the big news! I am going to Ontario! April 5-7th. Okay, crazy I know. On so many levels. At the moment, reading this over, I am thinking “what is wrong with you! You’re insane!!!!”, but what is this blog/list but not an adventure to become out-of-my-mind-Hunter-S.-Thompson-crazy. Maybe scale it back a little from that, though having a bender like Mr. Thompson did in Fear and Loathing seems like a mighty fine idea as I stare down the two term papers I have coming up.
I am rambling today. Here is the story: I have friends, Cal and J, who live out in Guelph.
They moved there from Airdrie this past year, and I enjoy their company quite a lot. We talk quite a bit online, and they asked if I would come visit them in April after they move into what I from here on in will refer to as “their mansion”. Well, normally I do not take weekend trips across the country (normally I don’t take trips), fly by myself, or accept extravagent gifts from people, but I haven’t seen them in quite some time (okay, a very long time) and it’s a wicked trip out East, back to my water and my homeland! I’m very very very excited.
So there. I have a crazy weekend trip across the country planned. I will take solice in the fact Sarah recently took essentially the same trip and had a good time. This will also fulfill #316 on my list which is to fly somewhere on my own. I think a hefty dose of Valium will be in order.
Off to class!
Am I Willing To Get Arrested?
Feb 13th
Alright, so number 152 on my list is to party like a rockstar in Dubai.
Well, that’s all fine and dandy except for this:
British tourist Keith Brown was sentenced to four years in prison after Dubai customs officers found a 0.003g trace of cannabis stuck to his shoe.
and
In one of the most extreme cases, it reported a man being held after poppy seeds from a bread roll were found on his clothes.
I’m not willing to go to jail for four years for stepping on a poppy seed or someone else’s drugs.
I’m debating removing it, both out of fear for myself and out of protest for what I consider to be way too extreme drug laws. Yeah, keep pot and heroin out of your country, but FOUR poppy seeds? Opium galore! I get zero tolerance and all, but zero tolerance must come with some reasoning abilities.
I’ll have to think on it. I don’t like removing things from my list, it feels like cheating, but at the same time, I don’t know if I’m willing to get arrested for this item in particular.
I added another thing to the list though. To go to the Icelandic Phallological Museum. It’s number 318. Trying to make it to 500 this year!