Topic

Friends

143 posts tagged with this topic.

11 min read

A Visit with Back to the Future

Today, I visited with an old friend and they showed me something wonderful. And while the “thing” could easily be construed as a place or an object, I look at it a bit differently. I was shown trust, given a …

5 min read

Turn That Music Down!

Jeremy pinged me a few weeks back: Big Sugar is coming, did I want to go? Given our previous two concerts this year alone, I was in. But more important, this is Big Sugar, which was a notable part of my late-1990s life. …

5 min read

The Arkells at the Saddledome

Speaking of the next show… For Christmas 2021, I got tickets to a concert. Two of them. To The Arkells. The last time I saw The Arkells, they were opening for The Tragically Hip in Red Deer. That was the first …

6 min read

Heart and Styx at the Jubilee

Jeremy and I have been to a few concerts together, notably a few Tragically Hip shows and John Fogerty’s “1969”. So, to a degree, I’m lucky that he pings me to go to shows with him. I was a bit …

7 min read

Dungeons and Dragons

Yes, I know it’s “Dungeons & Dragons”. I chose this spelling intentionally. Deal with it. I think I played D&D once as a kid with the neighbourhood kids. We ended up LARPing it a bit, as the …

4 min read

New Year's Tea

The New Year is always a reason for change. It’s always a reason to do something differently than you’ve done before. It’s a time when people hold to ages-old traditions, and make efforts to start new ones. It’s a time …

2 min read

RIP, Sean Lineham

Today, I arrived back in Costa Rica with my family in tow. Little did I know that my “other” family — my friends and colleagues back in Calgary, were facing quite the tragedy. I found out no sooner than I …

2 min read

One last lunch with the team

For all intents and purposes, I’m off the Rolex team. I’m still on their resource sheet, but the reality is that I haven’t done sqwat with the Rolex account for over a couple of weeks now. It’s all been transferred to …

4 min read

I Was Benno

Yesterday, I had a truly moving experience. I watched a movie. Not just any movie, but an experimental film created by a friend. A movie with a message (unlike much of the shlock that comes out of Hollywood). The message …

3 min read

The basement is ready for heating

Today, Canyon starts the process of installing the heating pipes for the floor. (With luck, it’s also the day our electrician starts moving the service and installing the new box.) We’re one step closer to having a …

2 min read

Dim sum with the newlyweds

There was a wedding over the weekend. But we didn’t go to it. Disappointed, but admittedly it wasn’t within our direct social circle, so I can complain in any way. So first, congratulations to both Geoff and Deanna. And …

2 min read

Sod laying party

I’ve been to a variety of parties over the years, spanning many themes and genres. But I have to admit, I’ve never been to a sod-laying party before. I gotta say, it wasn’t half bad. Kyla, Alex’s friend and co-worker, …

2 min read

Add another to the trilogy list

It’s not every year that you see two great trilogies come to live. Heck, it’s three so far! Today, thanks to my friend Robyn, we saw the Shrek trilogy come to life. I have to say, while it might not be as good as the …

3 min read

Pirating Star Wars

(Oh, I’m just dying to see what links to this article because of that title!) No, this is not about copying the Star Wars movies. So if that’s what you’re looking for, please look elsewhere. This is about two great …

3 min read

A wake for Rich

Tonight was the wake for Rich. It was a chance for those who knew him to get together and remember the life he led, to share in his memory, and spend one last time collectively in his presence. How do you say goodbye to …

1 min read

Fare thee well, Rich

A few months ago, friend and colleague Rich contracted large cell lymphoma, a rather nasty form of cancer. There was a massive upwelling of support from the company and its staff (especially those of us who knew Rich …

2 min read

The easiest move ever

So my friend Adrian finally bought a place of his own. Impressive, given what he had been looking at only a few months ago. And he chose well, too. It’s not a bad place at all, and if he treats it well, should appreciate …

3 min read

Bon Voyage Jim and Mia

I remember when Jim and Mia started with Critical Mass. Mia was an import, from our sister/spin-off company Large Medium in Stockholm, Sweden. Back then we were doing exchanges with Large Medium as a form of …

3 min read

Houses sold and moved

I hurt. A lot. Yesterday, with the exceptional help of good friends, we moved into our “new” house. This after a major screw-up with U-Haul (they neglected to tell us when the truck was actually available) …

2 min read

Go Rich, Go!

About a week ago, I learned that one of my colleagues, Rich, had been diagnosed with large-cell lymphoma. That’s a tough thing to hear about a friend of yours, someone you’ve worked with for years and know quite well. I …

3 min read

Au revoir, Aaron

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. I hate it when good people leave. Aaron Glenn started with Critical Mass a couple of years ago. (Admittedly, I can’t remember exactly when he started — that’s how long he’s …

2 min read

Losing another friend

Jim’s quitting. I just found out tonight. I’ve suspected for a couple of weeks, though. It started when Jim sent me an IM asking for an offsite lunch. Just him and myself. That was my warning bell. The reason was because …

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3 min read

The Return of Rivetgirl

I first met Tamara, really, at the Kelowna getaway back in 2000. As I recall, she did Tiffany at the karaoke night (which created a mosh pit). At the time, Tamara was in Critical Mass’ Production team, a group who …

4 min read

Funeral for Dale Garraway

On Tuesday, 2 January, Dale Garraway passed away at the age of 57. His funeral was today, attended by several hundred friends and family. I didn’t know Dale all that well — he was still Mr. Garraway to me — but I’m close …

2 min read

Another Calgary New Years

Y’know, it never seems to fail — just when I think I’m going to have a relaxing holidays, it ends up being a total whirlwind of activity. Given, there was an upside to all of this: we got to see a lot more family this …

2 min read

Gone in a Flash

Yeah, I know — you’ve heard it before, and you’re gonna hear it again. I hate seeing good people leave. Can’t say I blame Scott Morgan, though. He did get a sweet deal. Especially for a Flash guy. It’s not every day that …

4 min read

Dragon Boats and Best Friends

Two major things happened this weekend. My friend Chris came to town for a visit! But more on that in a moment… Gary and I had grandiose plans about setting up a dragon boat team at the office. But the plans never …

10 min read

Earth Day in Montreal

We were a little slow waking up this morning. Might have been due to the change in time, or possibly due to the fact that we’re beginning to relax on this vacation, or because we simply didn’t get out of bed. All the …

4 min read

Rudy's heading off for greener pastures

James on Monday. Rudy on Friday. I can’t make any “Rudy Tuesday” jokes on this one, I’m afraid. Rudy was only the second Web Developer that we hired after moving into our current building (I can’t say …

4 min read

Jaemo's farewell

Another one bites the dust. I hate it when friends leave, even if it’s just to go to another company in the city. And with James’ departure, it hits a little more. Not just because I saw a lot of my older self in him, …

2 min read

Ohio, Nippon!

[This entry originally posted on How To Get Lost: Ohio, Nippon!.] Last country. Almost home. Being in Japan, actually, is almost like being home. This country is so familiar to me (well, certainly Yotsukaido, Chiba, and …

4 min read

Google saves the day again

As if it’s not enough that Google Desktop regularly saves my heiny by finding long-lost files (I mean, really, why is it that Microsoft created two My Documents directories in XP, and then seems to randomly choose …

1 min read

More weekend antics

Yeesh. Antics is putting it lightly. Here’s the short version (‘cuz I really don’t feel like typing it all out): had to work saturday to finish performance management reviews; god I hate writing them went to jim’s …

8 min read

Thanksgiving 2004

If I had a list of top ten bands that would never play Calgary, KMFDM would have been on list. But more on that in a minute or two. Today began fairly normally for a Sunday: Alex and I rose, ate, showered, and prepared …

4 min read

Jon and Pearl's Wedding

I haven’t been to too many weddings this year. After last year’s complete lack of nuptuals, I’m up to my second. Thankfully, I didn’t have to go any further than a couple of kilometres. After my jaunt to Japan, having to …

4 min read

Luke leaves Critical Mass

Today, My Favourite Giant left Critical Mass. And we are lessened by his departure. Luke Puxley started at Critical Mass not quite two years ago. He was a daunting figure, mostly due to his sheer size. Luke is not a …

5 min read

Victoria Day Long Weekend Aftermath

15 years ago tonight, the Calgary Flames won the Stanley Cup. Tonight, they have only three games until they win it again. It is, admittedly, a nice way to start the week off after a long weekend. The first long weekend …

6 min read

So long, Jude!

And anytime you feel the pain, hey Jude, refrain, Don’t carry the world upon your shoulders. For well you know that it’s a fool who plays it cool By making his world a little colder. — “Hey Jude”, The …

8 min read

Going Curling for the First Time

As the weather turns more spring-like in Calgary, you start hearing unmistakable calls in the air: the robins, the magpies, the geese, the curlers… “Sweep! SWEEP! Harder! HARDER!” One of my …

6 min read

Planning for a Return Trip to Japan

Fourteen days, and counting. Two weeks from today, I’m off to Japan. Again. Relax, this isn’t going to turn into a yearly thing. If I’d had a choice, I’d probably be going to Australia this year, maybe New Zealand. But …

7 min read

Friends from university

Pretty much keep with the trend, I woke late again. When I walked out of the bedroom, though, I found the door to Craig and Cathy’s bedroom open. Given the time of the morning, I assumed Craig would be asleep. I peered …

8 min read

Touring Montreal, Schwartz's Deli

I slept not as long as the previous night, but enough to feel suitably rested. I wanted to make sure that I didn’t sleep too long — this was my last full day with Therese and Stuart, and I didn’t want to waste it. We had …

3 min read

Shopping in downtown Montreal

I slept nearly 12 hours. I woke up sporadically, hearing the odd noise of running water and cats playing. Simply put, though, I was too damn tired to care. I hadn’t slept that well in ages. I woke up in time for lunch, …

4 min read

Fond Farewell, Mr. Fullerton

It seems that Critical Mass is losing too many good people within a very short period of time. First, it was a round of layoffs nearly three weeks ago. Now it’s a series of resignations. Among them is Arthur. Arthur came …

3 min read

Happy 30th Birthday Teak

It’s not every day that you turn 30. Unfortunately, it’s long since been my turn. This time, it was for my friend Teak. You may remember Teak from a previous birthday of his, when Chris and I felt the need for a little …

4 min read

Jim and Luke's 26th birthday

You’d think I’d have learned from my jaunt out on Thursday night. I guess I did to a point, but I made one key error: I went out to celebrate Jim’s birthday. For the record, Jim’s a great guy. He’s a lot of fun — he has …

2 min read

A friend gets a job with Critical Mass

Critical Mass is growing. We’re preparing for a (hoped) massive expansion, but also have organic growth to contend with. This is what led Critical Mass to have to hire a new Project Analyst. And luckily for me, it’s my …

3 min read

Friends move away to Montreal

I hate saying goodbye to close friends. Early this morning, Therese and Stuart boarded their WestJet flight with a trunkful of luggage and two cats. They’re moving to Montreal. By about this time, they’re over Ontario, …

8 min read

Leaking hot water heater and house party

I’ve often heard it said that there’s nothing like the sound of pitter-pattering around your home. This weekend, I found that sometimes this sound isn’t so nice. Like when your hot water heater is leaking. I noticed it …

5 min read

Disc (Frisbee) golf in Canmore

Heat arrived in Calgary this weekend. It’s been warm here for a few weeks now (off and on, anyway), but this was the first really hot time in the ol’ town. Which, of course, is a perfect excuse to flee the city for a …

4 min read

CBC documentaries at the Glenbow Museum

Last October, I bade farewell to my newly-made friends from the CBC Television 50th Anniversary Train. Since then, I have only talked to them over email and phone. It’s not the same as being there in person. And I’ve …

7 min read

The Hell of my job

Not that I’m complaining. This week had been a stressful and depressing one. First off was the Technology department meeting for Critical Mass. The company’s been going through a structural overhaul. It’s not the first …

7 min read

Old friends in Southern Ontario

With Cathy at work, and Craig sleeping for the day (he’s currently working nights), there was little that would cause me to rise early. Well, almost nothing. I had a lunch date to keep. Rising at a reasonable hour, I …

4 min read

Lord of the Rings DVD release

On Tuesday (12 November 2002), the extended version of Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring was released on DVD. The standard theatrical release came out a few months ago, but this was the one I was waiting for …

3 min read

Visiting in Vancouver

T-Minus 6 days Today was much quieter than the previous two days … if you don’t count two kids, that is. After waking and spending a morning with Joel and Michelle’s family, Joel showed me his new pet project. …

4 min read

Riding a VIA Train Coast to Coast with the CBC

There are times that I’m almost envious of myself. Well, okay, one time that I’m envious of myself. Hey, it’s better than being jealous of others… I’m going on a train trip. But not any train trip. In fact, this …

8 min read

My Housewarming Party

96 hamburgers 48 hotdogs 4 jumbo-size bags of chips 104 cans of pop 240 bottles of beer 13 bottles of wine 14 hours of music 1 house equals A good time All new homeowners have one responsibility to fulfill. It’s not …

5 min read

Chris Goes to Japan ... the Second Time

Maybe this is forever, Forever fades away, Like a rocket ascending into space, Could you not be sad, Could you not break down, After all I won’t let go, Until you’re safe and sound. — “Safe and Sound”, …

5 min read

A Surprise Engagement

Ever tried to catch a thrown brick? It ain’t easy. First, you prepare for the heavy weight, which often has sharp edges, and then you try to position your body so that you can buffer the shock and try to prevent bodily …

6 min read

Preparing to Move to Japan

Although it’s very tempting to say that it’s the beginning of the end — it wouldn’t really be appropriate. It’s no longer a guess, it’s not a possibility, it’s not even a plan anymore. It’s fact. Chris is going to Japan. …

5 min read

Revenge is Sweet

When the temperature falls to -21 degrees with the wind chill, and the sky dumps 15 centimetres of snow on the ground, that’s when a young man’s fancy turns to… Revenge. Some months ago, Chris’ and my collective …

7 min read

Easter with my family, friends

Someone’s out to get me, I swear. Unfortunately, that someone is probably me. This has got to have been one of the most hectic weekends I can remember. Here’s the general gist of some of the things that were going on: A …

4 min read

Saying Good-bye to Good Friends

Life is abdunant with difficult experiences. Some come from education, some from your job, some from a close relationship with a potential life partner. But there are few experiences that are as hard as saying goodbye to …

3 min read

Our new roommate, Miao Yin

On Wednesday, I came home to something different. Chris and I have a new roommate. Now I knew about this, so it wasn’t surprise. Nevertheless, it is taking a bit getting used to. She’s fairly short, a little overweight, …

5 min read

Writing Short Stories

Old hobbies die hard. Have keyboard, will write. Love four word sentences. A lot of you … some of you … at least ONE of you asked why I didn’t send a log about Thanksgiving. No particular reason, I just …

16 min read

Wedding in Toronto

Whirlwind weekends. Gotta love ’em… This weekend, as some of you already know, I was in Toronto. One of my friends, Jay, was getting married to his girlfriend of six years, and I was fortunate enough to witness …

9 min read

Softball Tournament in Calgary

This weekend saw the first league tournament of the season. Frankly, I couldn’t quite figure out why we had a tournament so early in the year (we’ve had TWO regular season games so far, both on the same day). But I …

6 min read

Kicking Back in Calgary

If it were possible to work like a dog, my name would be Rover. Bow wow. I’m working on the latest and greatest version of a website we’re doing for one of our Fortune 500 clients. There are nine people on the team: …