In a previous post My computer is haunted by French ghosts I related how my computer has been working mysteriously in two languages.
Derek, a friend and computer expert, said “I deal with a lot of English and French stuff at work, but I have never seen the like of this.”
Edith says “its awesome to go with a bilingual guy.” I thought she was like the world’s best computer fixer upper. Apparently she is thinking this might add some spice to the dating.
The Tour de France is over and I’m disappointed. I thought it would go on forever, not just three weeks.
Since July 5th it’s been fun to turn on the sports channel and watch those guys pedaling away day after day. 3,500 kilometers of cycling in packs -wow that must have been one party. True to its name, they just stay inside France with no side trips to St. Petersburg or Athens.
Were there any gals in the race? I know gals cycle because Cynthia Dunsford shows up in one of those tight suits at the Farmer’s Market, with colorful markings all over. Those snappy spandex outfits didn’t reveal any curvaceous curves on the TV. I’m wondering if non racing cyclists can wear those things, maybe just casual cyclists?
There are even cheats in the Tour de France. Some riders try to get behind someone else and ride their slip stream. Somebody got kicked out for using drugs. That would kill my chances: I’d need painkillers all day long for that run.
No matter what time I turned on the telly, those boys were at it. Like right before Jay Leno’s jokes I could check up on my cousin. And they were pedaling their little Ruby Keeler legs off just before my afternoon nap.
Oh yeah, didn’t I tell you me cousin Danny Pate was in the Tour de France. He was 3rd on leg 15 – cool eh.
I kept searching the pack for Lance Armstrong but he wasn’t there. He could have been like on a motorcycle or in a convertible waving to the audience at home.
I was rooting for my cousin who was 100th overall last week and ended in a close photo finish at 95th. Way to go Danny.
So now it’s over and I will have to go back to watching girl wrestling.
When you enter the Twilight Zone you always wish the camcorder is on record. Unfortunately the camcorder is usually home in its case.
Last night at the end of the storm I went downtown to play at Baba’s. Lights out. Everyone gone home.
I called some friends and they were settling in for the night or already asleep. I went to Hunter’s for wings, Keith’s and a chat with Blake and Steve.
On a whim I drove out University Avenue after catching the first green. There was no one around except a single snow plow working his way by the liquor store. The stores were deserted.
Then it happened. I caught the green at Kirkwood. Weird, I never got the green there before.
As I sailed by Chapters, it dawned on me that I was going to get the green at Belvedere too. I glanced toward the dark fields and the Farmer’s Market.
I don’t remember what happened at UPEI except I got the green there as well. I was in a daze, the white fields and snow banks all merged. Nothing seemed real except the green light at the end of the road for the mall entrance. It stayed green until I passed and then went to red.
I should have my camera, I thought. I could record this and post it on YouTube as a surreal video story of the storm.
What if we set up a site with fellow video journalists and called it Not Just the News or NJN for short? We could cover stories the paper and CBC won’t. Real stories about the real people we know. Post them on YouTube, Facebook and Blogger. That would be cool.
The next light turning left on the Trans Canada was green, good to go. Then the light by National Music was green.
As I turned down at the green light for North River Road, I was in a trance. The streets and buildings blurred by.
Would Holland College journalism students be interested in the project?
The Wal-Mart light was green, then the Ellen’s Creek light was green.
We wouldn’t need a building or an office or any of the standard overhead. Just inexpensive camcorders, editing software and imagination.
The light at Belvedere was looming still green but the walk light was orange. Yes, I passed through. Where was I?
At Nassau a car approached from the left and the light turned green for him. I stopped momentarily before turning right, my trip to the Twilight Zone over but the VJ idea was taking hold.
Charlottetown, Saturday December 12th 2007, Baba’s Lounge in Charlottetown hosted the John Lennon Tribute Show. Organized by Dave Nicholson as an annual event since 2000, this year’s show raised over $1,300 for the Upper Room Ministry.
It was a night of love, peace and rock and roll. More than 20 local artists volunteered their talents to entertain the overflowing crowd and raise money for charity. Organizer Nicholson led the house band of Shayne Coady, Jason Rogerson, Thomas Mears and Chris Coupland.
The music of John Lennon and the performers left the audience with the belief they had attended one of the best shows in some time. The crowd were entertained until the last encore and the lights were turned on.
A few of the more than 20 performers included Andrea MacDonald, Ashley Gorman, Chris Roumbanis, Laura Oakie, Steve Gillespie and Stephen Pate who drew on “Imagine” and “Give Piece A Chance” to inspire the audience.
The Upper Room Ministry, which provides free meals for anyone in need, has been operating for more than 20 years in Charlottetown. The Ministry is entirely voluntary and relies on donations of food and money to help those in need of food. Baba’s Lounge, located above Cedar’s Eatery, has been a haven for local musicians, visiting artists and their fans for decades.
There are a few things we look forward to every week. Having breakfast cooked at the Farmer’s Market is one of them. There are lots of vendors to choose from and one of our favourites is the booth simply called “Breakfast Now Being Served.” There owner Stephen Nowell and his wife Deborah prepare fresh breakfasts on the spot.
The menu includes omelets, French toast, pancakes, crepes and Belgium waffles. The variety of ways he makes them is amazing for the small space they occupy. Every once in awhile I shoot the diet and order French toast with the mixed fruit and berries topped with whipped cream. It’s a secret zero calorie recipe. The breakfasts are a bargain; most cost less than $5 for a high quality meal.
They started off with 4 feet of working space and have expanded over the past 5 years to two locations. Stephen does most of the cooking at his station close to the eating area. Baked goods and waffles/crepes are made at the original counter on the aisle. They start baking on Wednesday to be ready for each Saturday.
What’s free with your meal is Stephen’s sense of humour and occasional sarcasm. He always has funny word or two which is difficult considering his job as a short order cook. His secret? “I pretend I’m on drugs. It’s cheaper that way.” A couple of years ago he renamed me Roy Orbison when I got new dark rimmed glasses. I’ve been Roy ever since.
It’s not MacDonald’s. Things are made to order fresh for each customer. You may have a 15 to 20 minute wait some days but that’s the beauty of the Farmer’s Market. Walk around, shop or just sit and spend time talking to friends. The pace is relaxed: the atmosphere convivial. Brianna or Darrah Richardson will bring the meal when it’s ready.
