Road Trip Part 1

If you're looking for part 2 I actually posted it first because of the order I got the filmed developed.

I didn't start taking pictures until I got past central New Brunswick. I didn't think to take any at the time because Southern NB is more familiar to me. I decided to make a quick stop in Hartland and drive through the longest covered bridge in the world.



Here's a view from the side.



Some typical New Brunswick scenery.



I had heard of Daigle through other blogs and his status as a professional bottom. I'm even considering trying some of his advice. I had no idea that he had his own place though. Must make hosting tricks much more convenient.





There were even sign on the highway. When I saw them I just had to make a quick stop for some pictures.



A few more hours of driving and I reached the Lafontaine Tunnel to Montreal. The city is on an Island.





Traffic was flowing on the autoroute Decarie.



After Montreal it's not much further to my granparents' place just inside Ontario.



I stopped at my grandparents for the night and hit the road again the next morning. Once I left their place everything was a first for me. Up to this point, Toronto was the furthest west I'd been. If you've been following my blog then you've already seen the pictures from the second half of my journey.

I'm in Calgary now and liking it so far. Friday I had a second interview with the firm I had interviewed with earlier in the week and I should find out sometime next week if I get the job. Today I went to Banff with my uncle, his two daughters, and my two cousins that live on the north side of the city. I've never seen the mountains in person before so that was neat. Jeff emailed me about doing something tomorrow and possibly meeting some of the clan but he hasn't emailed me back with any details yet so we'll see what happens.

Appearances can be deceiving.

I don't usually like to copy other people. I don't feel I'm "cool" enough. My curiosity got the better of me though so I decided to try it. Ha ha I got Brad Pitt! If I really look 60% like Brad Pitt why has Ford Modeling not called me? So being the skeptical/analytical person that I am I decided to try a different photo. Now this one's a little more in line with how I see myself. Well except for the chick part.

Road Trip Part 2

I finally got some of the pictures from my cross Canada trek developed. I temporally misplaced the first camera so you’ll have to start with the second half of my journey.

So at this point we’ve already journeyed through New Brunswick, Quebec, and most of Ontario. I had to stop in Wawa because of the Stompin’ Tom song that we used to listen to when we were kids on one of Dad’s records.



If you look closely you can see my reflection in the sign.



After Wawa, it was time to continue my journey around Lake Superior with yet another day of driving on the windy hilly roads of Northern Ontario.




The next day I reached the prairies.



I drove past my grandmother’s birthplace, Steinbach, Manitoba (I’m half Mennonite)



After a night in Regina and some more prairie driving (this time in the rain)…



I arrived in Calgary.

How scientific are these things?

I don't have a whole lot to blog about. My social calendar is relatively empty for the time being and the job search is progressing slowly but surely (I have a second interview tomorrow and they're doing a background check). So instead of not posting I decided to take a looky lou at blogthings to see if anything interesting popped up. This is what I found.

What Your Bathroom Habits Say About You

You are a giving soul. Way too giving in fact. You often get stuck doing the dirty work that no one else will do. You spend a lot on clothes, and you tend to be a very good dresser. However, it's hard for you to throw away trendy clothes when they go out of style. You are a little shy and easily embarrassed. You often wonder if you are normal. In relationships, you are practical and realistic. You have a romantic side, but you only let it out when it's appropriate.

What Do Your Bathroom Habits Say About You?

There were only four questions but the results were surprisingly accurate. The giving part is somewhat true. It's not so much a desire to help but a feeling of guilt for not helping. Thanks Mom and Dad. I don't get how they reached their conclusions about my clothing habits based on the questions asked. The last two statements are true. I'd like to know where they got that picture of me. If the hair was much lighter and much less of it that picture could be me. I'm a bathroom reader and with the advent of wireless technology it only seems natural to make the change from paper to online reading. That way I can take care of business and keep up to date on all your blogs or look for an apartment. Being efficient is juts part of who I am.

I'm learning

This young Padawan is learning. I was killin' some time online and I eventually found myself at outzonetv.com (something to do with Ashton Kutcher in his modeling days). I started watching a few of the clips and one was for Kathy Griffin (once you get their video player up you can click on the comedy tab). The clip of highlights from her season 2 of D-list is funny. I was busting a gut at her parents talking about her going to Iraq to perform for the troops.

KG: So if I get kidnapped how much will you pay for ransom?
KG's Mom: (in a reluctant tone) weeeellll
KG's Dad: How about the condo?
KG: Your going to offer a terrorist a condo in West Hollywood as ransom?
KG's Dad: Well they'll most likely kill you anyways.

I was also a little shocked at the military guy's attitude on the phone. Kathy was warning them that she usually opened her routine with "Where are all my gays at?" but that she probably wouldn't in Iraq. His response was "If they're smart they wouldn't answer and if thy're stupid they deserve to get caught" WHAT? I know, I know, the US military has this whole don't ask don't tell thing but I guess I just don't get where the animosity comes from. Everyone's first excuse is that it's morally wrong. I have several problems with this argument.

1. Do you even go to church? If I had the energy I'd look up the stats on how many people regularily attend church. Whatever the percentages are I'm guessing that the percentage of homophobes that don't even go to church would mirror that of the general population. So you obviously aren't that concerned with morals because you only go to church at Christmas and Easter but they're suddenly an issue when it comes to someone else's sexuality?

2. I'm all for freedom of religion but I don't buy this whole anything goes concept. If you believe that any religion can lead you to salvation then you don't really believe the teachings of your religion. By freedom of religion I mean that you a free to believe what you want and I'm free to believe that you're wrong. But this doesn't mean that we can't be civil to each other. The only example of Jesus being politically active is when he threw the money changers out of the temple. If I show up at your place of worship and start bumping and grinding with my honey feel free to shout angry epitaphs at me but don't you dare go around picketing veterans funerals. Try going home and re-reading your Bible instead. I can accept if you truly are a person of faith and feel that homosexuality is a sin but that doesn't mean we can't be civil and work side by side in the workplace. You do it all the time with people that are straight but divorced or living common-law.

3. Why don't you just admit it. It's more about you being turned off by the thought of two men getting it on. I'm sure for very straight men that thought has the same affect as the thought of doing it with their grandmother. Stop pretending that it bothers you much because it's a sin. Pride is a sin too but you don't see protesters following you around you stuck up arrogant ass.

I guess I just don't get where the hate comes from. Like I said at the beginning, I'm learning but I have a long way to go.

I guess I should...

...probably update this thing from time to time. I'm more of a reader than a writer and I'm also more of a listener than a talker.

I had an interview today with a large accounting firm. I almost didn't want to blog about it in case I jinx it or something but I think it went pretty well. I seemed to have the right combination of experience, personality and career goals that they are looking for. By the end of the interview the manager that I would be working for was using language like "when" I start not "if" I start so hopefully that's a good sign. If all goes well I'll soon be able to join the many other bloggers out there and blog about what an awful day at work I had.

On a more exciting note, I got to meet Jeff on Sunday for brunch (it was more lunch time by the time we got a seat). He took me to a place called Nellie's Kitchen. The food was good but I wouldn't exactly say it was nelly. Actually there was a good mix of clientele. Afterwards he showed me around a bit of downtown. The Gayway (Safeway where all the gays shop), the park to avoid after dark so as not to be propositioned, the gay dance club, a Chintz and Things (or something like that) store that wasn't chintzy. He was going to introduce me to his friend Curtis but he wasn't home (or didn't answer the door). Oh well, his loss. He'll just have to wait to meet me.

This is my second week in Calgary and for the most part I haven't been feeling homesick. Jeff had mentioned that his friend Reid had recently visited the Maritimes so I was checking out his blog and saw his pictures from Halifax and PEI. That kind of made me miss home a bit. One of my friends is related to the guy with the big beard on the North Rustico post cards. On top of this my Mom sent me pictures of my nephews. Now I can't wait to go home for Christmas. Hopefully my older nephew hasn't forgotten me.

Oh yeah, I made it here safe.

I suppose I should probably let you know that I arrived in Calgary safe and sound. I arrived Friday around supper time. The last day of driving wasn't much fun. It rained most of the day, sometimes quite heavy. There was some lightning in the morning and even a small patch of hail. I didn't see any snow but when I got into Calgary I did see some on the bumper of a minivan and apparently the north side of the city got some.
I'm settling in quite well and my Aunt and Uncle are making me feel right at home. I've already been to the mall to get a new cell phone, gone to a soccer game and my cousin's first diving lesson at the Talisman Centre. Tonight my Uncle's company was having a fancy dinner at the Petroleum Club for their grand opening so I'm babysitting. We played a couple of games (Disney's Scene It and Cranium Conga) and the girls got to bed on time so now I'm just enjoying some quiet time until my Aunt and Uncle get home. I do need to get some resumes sent out so I think I'll work on that next. I might be ready to hit the town later in the week.

Risqué?

So I'm driving along somewhere between Dryden, ON and Regina SK flipping through radio station. I stopped on one and the DJ was talking about tonight's episode of CSI NY. A couple was having bungee sex off the Brooklyn bridge. WHAT!?! Am I the only guy that just instinctively crossed his legs and reached down to make sure everything was ok? Now I am by no means overly experienced in the sex department and I know that some like it more aggressive than others but if you have your member firmly ensconced in your partner and they were to suddenly be jarred in an inopportune direction with an exceeding amount of force could that not pose serious risk to your precious assets? Does sex really get so boring after a while that you need to put your equipment in harms way? You may call me a prude but I would prefer not to find out first hand whether a penis is just as effective post reconstructive surgery as the origional.

On the road again...

Well I'm sitting in a hotel in Dryden, Ontario. The driving hasn't been too bad. I just finshed my third 11 hour day in a row. I can safely say I do not want to be a trucker. I'm an introvert so I enjoy a little alone time but this is getting to be a bit much. So far the trip has been uneventful. The scenery between Sault Ste Marie and Thunderbay was breath taking. The hills seemed to go on forever and the leaves were changing colour. It will be interesting to see if any of the pictures I took through the windshield on a disposable camera while driving will turn out. I did pass an over turned tractor trailer today and there were crates of pepsi products piled on the side of the road. Hopefully there won't be any shortages out west. I should have stopped to see if they were giving any away.

Final Get Togethers

Ann planned a little "surprise" farewell gathering for me tonight. I used quotes because she's not very good at the surprise part. Last Sunday I apparently said something that made her think I had overheard her talking about it. "Did you hear me talking to your sister?" she asked. I hadn't but I wondered why she cared if I had heard. The only reason they'd be talking secretly is if they were planning something. Then she told me not to make plans for Saturday night. Hmmm. Anyways, I was right. Ann, Mom, my sister and brother in law and two nephews, and several friends took me to Vito's. It's a pretty good restaurant owned by a local Greek family.

I got some Tim Horton's money and an Esso giftcard for my trip from two of my friends. It was supposed to be best wishes only so technically it was from their dog. They are two sisters that live together and I dogsit their yorkie, Caleb, when they go on vacation. I guess I've ruined their vacation plans. They said they'll have to go to Florida separately now.

After dinner we went back to another friend's house and played scatergories. One round the letter was P and two of the catergories were magazines and things you keep hidden. What comes to your mind? All in all it was a fun evening but it's starting to hit me that I'm really leaving. I know I'll be back for visits but I couldn't help thinking that I might not eat at Vito's again or go to my friend's house. Only two more sleeps and then I hit the road. Next week I'll be blogging from Calgary (providing I have internet access).

Acceptance???

Hmm? I haven't really talked very much about the whole gay thing with my Mom since I told her about a month and a half ago. My parents had a discussion with me when my Dad was home at the first of August but not much more since then. We've been focusing on the plans for me to move to Calgary so I can get a job and stop mooching off of them.

I know where their official stance still is but part of me wonders if Mom isn't getting used to the whole idea or at the very least she's not dwelling on it every second of the day. Let me explain my thinking. Mom went to get groceries today. When she got home I was watching Big Brother. Now Mom doesn't usually watch "such nonesense" but she was tired after shopping so she sat down on the couch. The show happenned to be showing some clips of Will because he was evicted (hee hee oops. Sorry if I just spoiled anything [he said with an impish grin]) and out of the blue Mom says "He's not bad looking". I acted shocked because we just don't talk about that stuff in our family and would she say that if Dad were home? So the reason I'm thinking that she's not dwelling on the whole gay thing is because if she was I think she would avoid pointing out good looking guys to me. Thoughts?

That was the first thing. After the show we started putting away the groceries and she was showing me the snacks she got me for my trip. There was some crackers, snack mix, apple sauce, bottled water, AND Quaker Chewy Dipps Reduced Sugar RAINBOW Chips Bars. Thats right. RAINBOW chips. Coincidence? Je pense que non. I'm sure it wasn't intentional but can we say Freudian slip?

I guess I'll just have to wait and see how this all plays out. Only time will tell but I'll be sure to enjoy my reduced sugar rainbow chip bars in the mean time.

Oh, and in case you were wondering, I don't really think Will's that attractive. For me personality affects how I see someone and he has a whole sleeze factor thing going on.

Road Trip Preparations

In preparation for my cross Canada trek I picked up a Stompin’ Tom CD. For those of you not familiar with him, he is very Canadian. I figured I couldn’t make a road trip across Canada without one of his CD’s. I remember listening to him on one of my Dad’s old records when I was a kid. I thought I might give you a sample of some songs and send some shout outs at the same time.

The first one is Rubberhead for Atari (and anybody else dealing with a breakup). I hope you can find someone that appreciates you and I know I only have your side of the story but I think Mark (John) is a boob.

The second one goes out to Donnie from Idaho. We grow potatoes here too. In northern New Brunswick schools go back early and then take a break for the potato harvest. This song is about PEI potatoes and a trucker named Bud The Spud. I’ll be driving part of the same route as him.

Next is Jeff. Every now and then he talks about feeling down. Jeff, thanks for the info on Calgary. I hope this helps some. Shakin’ The Blues

And last but not least is the infamous Darin. Thanks for telling me what I needed to post audio. Now you can all go crazy like my by listening to these songs over and over again for five days. Stompin’ Tom didn’t have any songs about Phoenix so this is what I came up with. Polka Playin’ Henry is a bit like Darin cause he likes to entertain and he’s good at it.

So now that I have my travelin’ music I should probably get back to packing.