It’s been one of those years. I really hope I don’t have to go through another one like that again. Clichéd though it be, it was a year for rediscovery — mostly of myself. I lost my self-identity in Vancouver, allowing myself to be overwhelmed by another. It takes a while to rebuild that sort of thing. It’s not done yet, but having gone through that I know now what to avoid should I ever be so stupid as to get myself into that situation again…
And so with no further delay, the events of the last year:
- Experienced New Year’s in Nanaimo
- Got a bit disappointed when Y2K fizzled
- Started a course on Technical Writing
- Decided that I hate Technical Writing
- Co-bought a new computer (left in Vancouver)
- Went out to visit Stuart and Therese in Calgary
- Came to the conclusion that I had to leave Allison
- Realized that I also had to leave Vancouver
- Had to walk 1/2 mile through deep snow when Therese’s car broke down
- Had Dim Sum many times (and will still be having it for a while to come)
- Handed in my resignation at Radical Entertainment
- Had to tell my co-workers I was leaving, but not why
- Made a “final” trip to Seattle with my ex
- Saw the Chinese Porcelain exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum
- Toured through Seattle
- Visited the University of Washington
- Visited Microsoft’s campus … scary place
- Spent the most agonizing day of my life preparing to leave Vancouver
- Spent the longest 10 minutes of my life saying good-bye
- Packed up (most of) my belongings into a van (with help) and left Allison
- Spent a night in a hotel in Merritt drinking Jack Daniels and 7-Up, in a complete state of shock
- Arrived in Calgary, and moved into my Aunt & Uncle’s basement
- Bought a new cell phone
- Got hired at Critical Mass Productions
- Got a new apartment downtown
- Bought used furniture from a co-worker (which really needs to be replaced)
- Researched RVs for my parents
- Changed my registration to Alberta, casting off ties to BC
- Found Mother’s Pizza — just as I remembered it
- Had four Easter dinners (a bit much, I know…)
- Ate at a Russian restaurant (for the first time in 11 years)
- Built a website for a good friend (http://www.deskcam.net/)
- Got my butt whipped by my 11-year old cousin many times on her N64 (video games)
- Saw my friend Greg when he made a quick visit to Calgary
- Nearly convinced Greg to buy a pair of cowboy boots
- Met my Aunt Alaine’s sister and brother-in-law
- Played softball on one of Critical Mass’ teams
- …and played better than I did last year
- …but the team still sucked goats
- Made tentative plans to go to Japan (but didn’t)
- Started living with close friend and partner in cahoots, Chris
- Had to adjust to having a roommate
- Got to know many of Therese’s friends
- Got shipped down to Cincinnati to fix a problem at a client site
- Paid US$40 for a taxi to see a US$8 movie
- Spent the Memorial Day weekend in downtown Cincinnati (mostly in my hotel room)
- Visited the Cincinnati Museum, and learned a lot about the area
- Got to know the Minneapolis Airport a little too well
- Travelled in First Class for the first time
- Had to submit a US$2500 expense report (thank God for credit cards)
- Went white water rafting on the Kicking Horse River
- Wore a wetsuit for the first time
- Got thrown out of the boat on a bad rapid
- Hosted Cathy and Craig during their visit to Alberta
- Saw the Stampede Parade
- Went to the Calgary Stampede
- Saw the Grandstand Show
- Went to Banff several times
- Went to Lake Louise
- Travelled up the Icefields Parkway
- Took the tour of the Columbia Icefield
- Spent a night in a nice hotel in Banff
- Went up Sulphur Mountain
- Had lunch at the Banff Springs Hotel
- Went to the Royal Tyrell Museum
- …had to be the guide for Cathy and Craig, who don’t read signs
- Had my first taste of Scotch Whiskey
- Revelled in the glory that is Godzilla 2000
- Ate at Pongo more times than I can remember
- Got to know the staff at A&B Sound
- Helped a friend with her resume
- Struck up conversation with my old university friend, Kim
- Accidentally found another old friend, Alison
- Through Kim, reunited with yet ANOTHER university friend, Laura
- Went on a corporate getaway to Westbank
- Stayed up all night in a movie quote trivia game
- Came in 2nd in a beer label design contest
- Saw my friend Jay get married
- Visited (all too briefly) with Brenda and Marek, friends from Arkipelago
- Nearly missed fall in Calgary — it happens that fast
- Had two Thanksgiving dinners
- Started writing a novel and a whole slew of short stories
- Took my cousin Jen out for an evening of movies and video games
- Went on my first (and only) date since leaving Allison
- Started an exercise regimen to shave off the pounds I’m gaining
- Helped orchestrate The Great Critical Mass move
- Chosen as Lead Developer for the new Critical Mass site
- Got a very nice Christmas bonus
- Went back to Ontario for Christmas
- Saw my old friend (and roommate) Ed
- Had lunch at Milestones (who’s made it to Ontario)
- Spent a nice semi-quiet New Year’s
It’s been quite a year. I can’t wait to see what the next one brings…
