Location: Barlow Trail and 16th Ave NE, Calgary, AB, Canada
Local Time: Noon, Sunday, March 18, 2007
Danny and I went bouldering at the Crux. We were bouldering at the Stronghold last week. The Stronghold is much cheaper for bouldering. The Crux has the same price for bouldering as for climbing.
The bouldering was good at both places. We were there for about 4 hours at the Crux. We met a guy named Al and worked on an overhang problem. Danny almost got it done, but was tired by the time he had it worked out. I lack necessary strength. It's a work in progress.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Saturday, March 10, 2007
The Calgary Public Library
Location: Central Branch, Calgary Public Library, Calgary, AB, Canada
Local Time: Saturday, March 10, 2007
I think the Calgary Public Library is such an extra-ordinary place, I just want to comment on it.
So far I have only been to the Central Branch so far, so my observations can not be considered universal.
The librarians as so friendly, and helpful. I lived in Vancouver, British Columbia before coming here. The librarians there really manage to make you feel that you are only permitted in the building at their sufferance. Here, they like to help you, they take an interest. It's pretty extra-ordinary.
Of course they are also friendly people, but I'm beginning to realize that is just Calgary. The people here are so darn friendly.
The central branch is stocked with 6 glorious floors of fabulous, wondrous books. There is a small DVD section, but a significant music section. I'm starting to work my way through the classical guitar section. First Andres Segovia, not John Williams.
When you reserve a book, they tell you of it's arrival in the requested pickup branch, then you go there and all the reserves are on a shelf off to the side near the checkout counter. You can find your name and pickup your book. Much better than going up to a counter, waiting in line, then dealing with someone who looks at you like you really shouldn't be wasting their time.
My only complaint so far is they close at 5 on Friday night. 9 would be much nicer. However, since downtown Calgary only has 4-5 people in it, total, after 8pm, I can understand why they wouldn't have late hours.
Local Time: Saturday, March 10, 2007
I think the Calgary Public Library is such an extra-ordinary place, I just want to comment on it.
So far I have only been to the Central Branch so far, so my observations can not be considered universal.
The librarians as so friendly, and helpful. I lived in Vancouver, British Columbia before coming here. The librarians there really manage to make you feel that you are only permitted in the building at their sufferance. Here, they like to help you, they take an interest. It's pretty extra-ordinary.
Of course they are also friendly people, but I'm beginning to realize that is just Calgary. The people here are so darn friendly.
The central branch is stocked with 6 glorious floors of fabulous, wondrous books. There is a small DVD section, but a significant music section. I'm starting to work my way through the classical guitar section. First Andres Segovia, not John Williams.
When you reserve a book, they tell you of it's arrival in the requested pickup branch, then you go there and all the reserves are on a shelf off to the side near the checkout counter. You can find your name and pickup your book. Much better than going up to a counter, waiting in line, then dealing with someone who looks at you like you really shouldn't be wasting their time.
My only complaint so far is they close at 5 on Friday night. 9 would be much nicer. However, since downtown Calgary only has 4-5 people in it, total, after 8pm, I can understand why they wouldn't have late hours.
Monday, March 5, 2007
Straw Bale House Building
Location: Near Sundry, Alberta, Canada
Local Time: Sunday, March 4, 2007
Sundry is a little far afield for this blog, but it was an interesting day.
There is a company here in Alberta, Living Design Systems, which builds houses out of straw bales. I went out with my buddy Wayne to see a building going up. We spent the day out there, looking around seeing how things worked and helping install rafters.
Straw bales are cheap building material, locally produced (less transport costs and energy consumption to receive them) as well as good insulation. The final product is coated in stucco, so it does not look like you live in a haystack, it looks like you live in a cement building, without the cold cement feeling.
Local Time: Sunday, March 4, 2007
Sundry is a little far afield for this blog, but it was an interesting day.
There is a company here in Alberta, Living Design Systems, which builds houses out of straw bales. I went out with my buddy Wayne to see a building going up. We spent the day out there, looking around seeing how things worked and helping install rafters.
Straw bales are cheap building material, locally produced (less transport costs and energy consumption to receive them) as well as good insulation. The final product is coated in stucco, so it does not look like you live in a haystack, it looks like you live in a cement building, without the cold cement feeling.
Saturday, March 3, 2007
The Calgary Philharmonic
Location: Epcor Center, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Local Time: Thursday Evening, March 1, 2007
Val and I went out for dinner at a recommended restaurant, The Blue House Cafe, 19th St. NW. Not impressed. The ambiance and decor were lovely, the service was good, but the food was very mediocre.
After that we went to see the King Arthur presentation by the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. That was quite nice. A two and a half hour performance. We arrived a few minutes late but were able to seat ourselves quietly as there were many extra seats at the back.
Local Time: Thursday Evening, March 1, 2007
Val and I went out for dinner at a recommended restaurant, The Blue House Cafe, 19th St. NW. Not impressed. The ambiance and decor were lovely, the service was good, but the food was very mediocre.
After that we went to see the King Arthur presentation by the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. That was quite nice. A two and a half hour performance. We arrived a few minutes late but were able to seat ourselves quietly as there were many extra seats at the back.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Martial Arts In Calgary
Location: Chinese Cultural Center, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Local Time: Monday, February 27, 2007 - 6:30pm
The Chinese Cultural Center in Calgary hosts a variety of martial arts classes, as well as Chinese language classes and dancing classes (not Chinese dancing though). Have a look at their site for full details.
I went to try the Wing Chun class. I've long been curious about Wing Chun because of the Chi Sao practice that is part of the training. Since this is about Calgary, I won't say anything more about Wing Chun, there are plenty of resources available for that. Even better, find a teacher and try it yourself.
I was able to sign up for the class over the phone, which was convenient. The class itself was held in a 3rd floor meeting room with a wooden floor, a nice workout space for the 6 people and 1 instructor who attended class.
Local Time: Monday, February 27, 2007 - 6:30pm
The Chinese Cultural Center in Calgary hosts a variety of martial arts classes, as well as Chinese language classes and dancing classes (not Chinese dancing though). Have a look at their site for full details.
I went to try the Wing Chun class. I've long been curious about Wing Chun because of the Chi Sao practice that is part of the training. Since this is about Calgary, I won't say anything more about Wing Chun, there are plenty of resources available for that. Even better, find a teacher and try it yourself.
I was able to sign up for the class over the phone, which was convenient. The class itself was held in a 3rd floor meeting room with a wooden floor, a nice workout space for the 6 people and 1 instructor who attended class.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Spanish Meetup
Location: Second Cup Center Street, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Local Time: Noon, February 25, 2007
Today I went to meet with a group of Spanish speakers/learners here in Calgary, the Spanish Meetup group. It was my first time to meet the group.
A friend of mine somehow stumbled on the Meetup website and sent a link for a different group to me, from there I looked around, motivated solely by curiousity. When I stumbled upon the Spanish meetup group, I thought that looked like a good time. And it was.
The group was great. Enthusiastic, fun people all around. A variety of levels (so if you are reading this and considering coming, don't be shy). Highly recommended.
Local Time: Noon, February 25, 2007
Today I went to meet with a group of Spanish speakers/learners here in Calgary, the Spanish Meetup group. It was my first time to meet the group.
A friend of mine somehow stumbled on the Meetup website and sent a link for a different group to me, from there I looked around, motivated solely by curiousity. When I stumbled upon the Spanish meetup group, I thought that looked like a good time. And it was.
The group was great. Enthusiastic, fun people all around. A variety of levels (so if you are reading this and considering coming, don't be shy). Highly recommended.
The Broken Plate
Location: 302 10 Street NW, Calgary, AB, Canada
Local Time: Noon, Saturday, February 25, 2007
I've in Calgary for a couple of weeks now and today was my first opportunity to meet with Tammy, a friend I first met over a year ago in Nangi, Nepal.
We went for lunch at a Greek restaurant called The Broken Plate (302 10 Street NW). We started with a sampler plate of dips, on which I recognized humus, but there were 5 others as well, and really good pita bread to dip. I had a baized lamb shank. It was quite nice.
Local Time: Noon, Saturday, February 25, 2007
I've in Calgary for a couple of weeks now and today was my first opportunity to meet with Tammy, a friend I first met over a year ago in Nangi, Nepal.
We went for lunch at a Greek restaurant called The Broken Plate (302 10 Street NW). We started with a sampler plate of dips, on which I recognized humus, but there were 5 others as well, and really good pita bread to dip. I had a baized lamb shank. It was quite nice.
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