Observations on the C-Train

I am not sure what it is today, but I seemed to be more observant on the C-Train this morning. There were 3 individuals that caught my eye with their appearance.

One woman had a Vulcanish look to her. She looked quite dignified, and defined facial features (such as her jaw and nose). Her hair style was more what gave me the Vulcan impression as it reminded me of the Vulcan (or perhaps Romulan) hair cuts on Star Trek. She even had the salt and peppery look to her hair, despite which she still looked middle aged (not too old, not too young). It seemed a give away that she was not Vulcan by her normal shaped ears, but with cosmetic surgery now days, who knows....

I was standing in the middle of the C-Train car, and the Vulcan woman was opposite me just to the front. Opposite me a little farther back, was a man who caught my eye. Or more his eye caught my eye. He had one bright blue eye and one darker eye (dark green or perhaps medium brown). Not quite like Jason/the little girl on X-Men 2 (with the piercing blue eye and the piercing green eye). Had I been standing elsewhere I doubt this man would have caught my attention. He was dressed casually, in a black coat, black trousers, and a shirt with some design on it. He seemed to fit into the mix of the transit crowd. His eye caught my attention and I wondered briefly if one eye had a coloured contact lens. I did not observe him too much, and there is only so much one can gather from a few glances. I did however think that perhaps there was more to him than meets the eye. Does he have some special ability because of the eye? (As I write this Alastor Moody from Harry Potter comes to mine, but a much younger one, as the man I saw would be in his 20s by my guess.)

Now I don't mind if people listen to music. I mind only a little if I can hear a bit of it through their headphones (though I wonder why they play it that loud). But when I do hear it I look around to see where it comes from. Opposite the man, and just about next to me, was a the woman with the loud headphones. Now the best way I think I can describe her, is an 'out of season cougar.' She had the general look in the face of an older woman (I'd almost say she looked older than the Vulcan woman, but they are probably both about the same age). She had wild blond hair, and those dark sunglasses that look like they're made to cover normal glasses. The music I could hear (not too clearly, but loud enough), basically cemented the Cougar image to me. She did not look overweight, but she did look a little hung over perhaps (I'll atribute that to the sunglasses). Now it is a little cool out today, and it wasn't evening when I was on the C-Train, so her attire was perhaps the one thing that did not scream cougar, but close. She had a black winter jacket, blue jeans and brown (typical) winter boots.

There were of course others on the C-Train I observed, but not to the same degree.
A woman had three piercings in her lower lip - her attire as casual as the blue eye man.
The man next to her was working on a laptop.


I must also add that I don't think this is coincident that the next chapter of Joe Trebble is titled Public Transit as I wrote that about 4 days ago (just took a while to type up and post).

Lunchbox Theatre - Calgary

On 26 March I received an email that surprised me. It was an invitation to the launch of the next season of Lunchbox Theatre.

It surprised me as I've no idea how I got on their mailing list.

'Fate' I told myself as I replied saying I would attend. In the back of my mind I thought of who might have put me on the list.

The launch was on Wednesday at 3pm, and it was fun. I was a little nervous since I still feel new to that world (although I have been involved in various aspects of drama and theatre off and on for several years). However, I met a few interesting people prior to the 2007-2008 schedule of plays.

This year it is going to be a set of 7 world premiers, all of which look fascinating. And I so happened to meet one of the playwrights.

Lunchbox Theatre
http://www.lunchboxtheatre.com/

Hello March!

Life is a journey,
one adventure after another
some are joyous
like birth, weddings, graduation
or even just a great night on the town
and some are depressing
like death, loss, accidents
I had such a day yesterday
not with death, thank god,
but a couple mishaps.

It is three weeks since my grandmother passed away.
I was visiting my parents this weekend to help out, even though most of the work was done.
But it was a good thing I was there, for my Mother slipped and fell in the shower.
She went to the hospital, got sewn up (3 stitches in the back of the head), and came home.
Two more times she fell, but luckily my Father and I were there to help.
She was then admitted into the hospital.
At 8:30 pm I decided to drive back to Calgary from Edmonton.
Around 11:30pm, less than 60 km from Calgary, my car spasmed.
This has not been my week, I thought while waiting for a toe.
For last week my computer crashed, and I came down with a heavy cough.
When March comes in like a lion it goes out like a lamb.
Does that refer to life as well as weather?

Also too late...

Reposted on 2012-02-23 from defunct blog

 My mind must have fallen into the gutter... as I realised after my last post that had I actually done the following edits on the real poster it might have been a really good laugh...

Besides the other photo was taken in the mens toilets, and as you can see they had a couple toys you'd expect more for her than him...

Comments from defunct blog:

Hi Eric...

how goes it? nice place.....are you wearing a kilt?
cool...

Cheers
Diana

Published By ScubaDiana (http://spaces.msn.com/members/dianathediver/) - August 05 12:36 AM

A little slow - but it finally clicked

Reposted on 2012-02-23 from defunct blog 

It was not until I was chatting with a friend on MSN that the full impact of this photo clicked. I had the first part "What Next? No Sex!" as my MSN photo. I then briefly described what I thought the rest was without checking.

Her reply was:

well I dunno what goes on in pubs over there... =)

I then looked at the full photo and it dawned on me.. is it implying that you can have sex in pubs?

Now before you get your hopes up, this was in Scotland. Where the national historic garb is a kilt - so you never know....

  

Speed 2

Reposted on 2012-02-23 from defunct blog 

If you look back in my Blog I mentioned a speeding ticket that I got in Oxfordshire - well today I think I got the conclusion to it all (8 months later!)

Here is the old post (updated link 2012-02-23):http://quafaie.blogspot.com/2005/03/speed.html

Now the update:

Before I left the UK I stopped in Taunton to say good-bye to the friends I made there. I also collected my mail. In that was a notice of a court date. I replied that 'yes I am guilty, but can not attend the court date due to...' the fact that I'd be in Canada when the date was. I also re-iterated that I had followed every step, and that I pointed out I have a Canadian driving licence. I also changed my address to my parents one in Canada.

So today I got the results, and, surprise, surprise, it is exactly what I had to pay before (including the 3 penalty points added to my licence) - f*ing bureaucratic Oxfordshire red tape, to take the whole thing in a circle. And I fear it may not be all over - but still I laugh.

I will pay as they have the threatening line:

FAILURE TO PAY WILL RENTER YOU LIABLE TO ARREST OF A DISTRESS WARRANT BEING ISSUED WHICH COULD INVOLVE ADDITIONAL CHARGES OR RESULT IN YOUR MONEY AND GOODS BEING SEIZED.

I would like to return to the UK (as would my friends there would like to see me again), so that is why I am going to pay. I am just debating if I return the original cheque I wrote...

Comments from defunct blog:

Well thats the UK for ya. Lol

Published By UltraSweetnshy (http://spaces.msn.com/members/annifer85/) - August 01 10:57 PM

Better late than never... Photo time

Reposted on 2012-02-23 from defunct blog 

Well I really should have posted the photos of my UK travels earlier, but a combination between uploading and downloading, and sorting them, and real life, has delayed me doing this.

They are all here

But I will try and give a bit of a story here to each of the 11 photo albums:

Album 1: Cycling 1

Photos from first cycling attempt. Penzance to Cape Cornwall, Land's End to St. Austell: 27-29 March 2005

- Just what it says. I started out in Penzance, cycled to the youth hostel near Cape Cornwall, where I met a couple of nice blokes from South Africa working in London. I also met a crazy man with a bicycle who could not stop talking. The next day I cycled from Land's End to Truro, about 40 miles. Then 20 miles later, in St. Austell, after I stopped for lunch, my knee started to hurt. I decided to not risk damaging my knee, so I returned to Taunton to rest up (and see my doctor).

Album 2: Taunton 1

Photos from Taunton and Matt's music video (Taunton & Minehead): 6-13 April 2005

- Mostly photos of friends: Ann, Lou, Matt, James, Julia, Kay and Ed. I met Matt, Ed and Kay just that week. Matt was down in Taunton and Minehead filming a music video for a song he wrote and recorded.

Album 3: Cycling 2

Photos from St. Austell to Liskeard: 15 April 2005

- After resting my knee I decided to continue my cycling where I left off. I went the day before to Truro (by train) to spend the night at Ann's place during college. As I cycled from St. Austell, I stopped at Lostwithiel and the ruins of Restorme for lunch. Then as I was reaching my goal of getting at least as far as Liskeard (20 miles from St Austell), I realised I should probably be off the road of heavy traffic. Next thing I knew I was flat on the sidewalk pavement, my bicycle nearby, and blood dripping from my face. With the help of some nearby people and good looking medics (both the ambulance medics and the nurses at Liskeard emergency hospital), I survived with only 5 stitches in my chin (along with a big scrap om my right elbow). After that fun I decided to return to Ann in Truro, 40 miles away, as my place in Taunton was no longer mine, and relatives near London were several train changes away.

Album 4: Recovery Travel

Photos from Truro, Exeter, London, and Byfleet: 16-23 April 2005

- After a good rest and help from 'nurse' Annifer I decided to lend her my bicycle (until I return to the UK), and to backpack the rest of the way. So I headed to Byfleet (near Woking, south-west of London) to repack my stuff. On the way I decided to do the train change in Exeter, as I had not really seen the city (despite being there a few time for work). On the list of creepy things that happened to me: While I was taking a short rest break from carrying my heavy pannier bags, near the Exeter train station (in the middle of the day), I was hit on by a creepy man. Blatently hitting on me. I lied and told him I was not travelling alone, had a girlfriend back in Canada, did not need his help with my bags, and that I was late for my train (which at the time I was not sure about). I said the last one when he asked if I'd ever thought of being with another guy (yeah time to get outta there).

- After a couple days with my cousins, the Seewooruttuns (in the last few photos), I went to London to see other cousins (Henry and Judy Rado), and walked around London for the last time (so far).

Album 5: Kidderminster 1 & Manchester

Photos from first time in Kidderminster and from Manchester: 27 April - 5 May 2005

- Before Matt left Taunton he told me if I was passing by Birmingham to stop at Kidderminster and he'd put me up for a day or two. So when I changed to backpacking I thought 'I'll go to Kidderminster as my first stop'. That's where I met Tom, another great guy and friend. I was in Kidderminster for about a week, having a great time with Matt and Tom. However I wanted to continue to Scotland, and when a filling fell out, I found out that Manchester had a Dental hospital. So I spent a few days in Manchester, having a good time, and got a temporary filling.

Album 6: Edinburgh

Photos from Edinburgh: 6-7 May 2005

- After Manchester, I went to Edinburgh, and checked into a hostel suggested by someone at the hostel in Manchester. Boy was that a great decision. McBackpacker's Hostels are the best for friendly atmosphere and if you want to travel around Scotland (as every 7th night in their hostels is free). I met a coupld girls that fist day and we went out pubbing that night. The following night we tried to find authentic Scotish live music, in the end we did a live music pub crawl (since not much was had to drink and most places were cover). I also hiked around old Edinburgh (Royal Mile), up Arthur's Seat, and through new Edinburgh (Princess Street). All before getting ready for a McBackpacker's 7day tour of Scotland...

Album 7a: McBackpackers Tour 1

First half of photos from McBackpackers 7 Day Tour of Scotland: 8-11 May 2005

Album 7b: McBackpackers Tour 2

Second half of photos from McBackpackers 7 Day Tour of Scotland: 12-14 May 2005

- Well with over 340 photos of the trip, the full extent of the travel, and all the fun I had, the photos had to be in 2 albums, and my description here is going to be as short as possible - so ask me questions if you want to know more.

Album 7a: McBackpackers Tour 1

     - DAY 1 Edinburgh to Inverness: Edinburgh, Pitlochry, Smallest distillery of single malt (scotch) whisky in the world, Ruthven Barracks,  Battle of Culloden, Inverness, and the introduction of Ruby the inflatable sheep - out mascott (along with other 'things' available in the men's toilets.

     - DAY 2 Around Loch Ness: North shore of Loch Ness, Urquhart castle, Fort Augustus and Scottage heriatige centre, Swimming with Nessy.

     - DAY 3 Inverness to Kyleakin: Looking for marine life, Fort George across the bay, Rogie Falls, Clear skys of Scotland (yes you can sun tan in Scotland!), Plockton, Kyleakin sunset.

     - DAY 4 Isle of Skye: Portree, The Storr (read the sign!), Duntulm castle, Old Scotish thatched houses, Beautiful sky over Skye.

Album 7b: McBackpackers Tour 2

     - DAY 5 Kyleakin to Oban: Elean Doan (Highlander) castle, Loch Scotland - opps Loch Gary, Ben Nevis (highest point on the UK mainland - no I did not climb it like I planned), Glencoe, Heather ale, West coast of Scotland, Sunset in Oban.

     - DAY 6 Oban day trip: Sea-safari, Old slate mines on Luing, Relaxing on Luing, Cairn and standing stones near Kilmartin.

     - DAY 7 Oban to Edinburgh (last day): Harry Cows (pronounced coos), Cambel church, Rob Roy's grave and infromation centre,  William Wallace memorial at Sterling, Farewell night in Edinburgh.

Album 8: Orkney Islands (etc)

- After the fun 7day tour, I decided to finish going to John O'Groats, but needed some other incentive. Aha, a day trip of the Orkney Islands (59th parallel). So I coached (bussed) it up to Inverness again. Then on to the desolate north-east of John O'Groats. And on to Orkney, where it snowed briefly (in the middle of May). Some of the photos show the wrecks of ships from WWI, after which the Churchill Causeways were built to connect 4 of the islands to the mainland (Orkney Island) to stop surprise attacts comming from the North Sea to the Atlantic (Scapa Flow). Stopped in the main cities of Kirkwall and Stromness, as well as the Italian Church, Skara Brae (one of the oldest know settlements in the north), and the Ring of Brdgar. Ferry ride back to Scotland, and photos of John O'Groats.

Album 9: Return Travel

Photos from Glasgow, Cardiff, & Good-bye to Ann in Truro: 19-26 May 2005

- After the desolate, cold days of John O'Groats and Orkney (to off set the beautiful days of the 7day tour), I went to rainy Glasgow, where I met my Great Grandmother's first cousins (Walter and Alice Hamilton). The next day I did a double-decker bus tour of Glasgow, before returning to Kidderminster. However, my reasons for going to Kidderminster were interupted, and I decided to postpone the full second visit and say good-bye to Ann in Truro. On the way I stopped in Cardiff, and a side trip to my Grandparents friends, the Puls (no photo) in Newport. I enjoyed the last few days I spent with Ann and her pub mates, and the Cornish coast.

Album 10: Birmingham

Photos from Birmingham: 28-30 May 2005

- I promised Matt that I would be back in Birmingham for the end of May. After a fun weekend (with no sleep one night - long story), I spent the rest of the week with Matt at Mark's place (the first photo is of Mark). I had hoped to spend some time with Tom as well, but other things were keeping him busy. Including working on the re-make of Eric Prydz's Call On Me music video (for which I helped a little). My last week in Kidderminster and Birmingham ended attending a Geri Haliwell concert in Birmingham.

Album 11: Taunton 2

Photos of friends, final farewell in Taunton: 7-9 June 2005

- My last few days in the UK were spent saying good-bye to all sorts of friends. Matt was one, as he moved back to Minehead for the summer break. Also my ex-house mates - Hayden who moved in just before I left, Spencer and Lindsay who have been in the house the longest. And a few people I met while spending time with Matt. Then it was off to Byfleet to pick up most of my stuff and come back to Canada.

Well that's about it. There are plenty more stories, but those will come as asked, or more importantly, in person  :)

Repost comments (comments from 2012-02-23 on the reposting of this post):

The links to the photos have yet to be updated. Until then you can find all the photos here in different sets here (note that they are in the same order as above, just in less albums): 

Cycling England 1 (2005-03-27 to 29)

Taunton & Minehead, England (2005-04-06 to 13)

Cycling England 2 (2005-04-15)

Backpacking 1: England (2005-04-16 to 05-05)

Backpacking 2: Scotland 1 (2005-05-06 to 07)

Backpacking 3: Scotland 2 (2005-05-08 to 14)

Backpacking 4: Scotland 3 (2005-05-15 to 18)

Backpacking 5: England & Wales (2005-05-19 to 26)

Birmingham Pride, England (2005-05-28 to 30)

It's been a blast!

Reposted on 2012-02-23 from defunct blog
 
Well I guess it is about time that I updated my blog - it has nearly been 2 months!!
What new has happened? What hasn't happened, is the answer!
Sure I have few hours to kill before my next mode of transportation takes me to my next destination. But there is too much to say at this point.
But here is the overview (and since no one guessed the answers to my last blog, a few give aways are here):

• Cycled from Land's End to Liskeard, over the course of a week or so - only 4 actual days of cycling: Penzance to Land's End, Land's End to Truro, Truro to St Austel (where I took a break to no sprain my knee), then St Austel to Liskeard. Where upon I had a cycling accident. (photos to come at a later state, but needless to say, nearly 2 months later you can still see the bruse on my elbow, and where I had 5 stitches in my chin).
• Spent about a week in Taunton between stopping and starting in St Austel. Where I met Matt - he was filming a music video.
• After the accident I spent a few days with my friend Ann in Truro, basic recovery.
• Then a few days in Byfleet with my cousins, the Seewooruttuns, where I did a change of plans repack.
• A few planned days in Kidderminster, with Matt, turned into about a week - just because of fun and the company. Meeting friends like Tom, and Mark.
• Two days in Manchester turned into 3 because of a filling falling out - I got a temp in Manchester.
• Enroute to Edinburgh, visited relatives in Bolton.
• 2 days in Edinburgh resulted in a 7 day backpacking tour of Scotland, with a great group of people
• My own continued tour of Scotland was up to John O'Groats (yes I made it from Land's End to John O'Groats, not all by bicycle, but I made it), a day tour of the Orkney Islands, then a couple days in Glasgow - visiting more relatives.
• A planned relaxing break after Scotland, back in Kidderminster, was changed to Truro. However after a week in Truro I went back to Kidderminster, spending a couple days in Birmingham while I was there.
• Now I just finished a week back in Somerset, enjoying the sun, but despising the hayfever allergies.

Where life takes me now, I do not entirely know.
That seems like a reasonable blog entry at the moment. More in a few days, hopefully.

LE-JOG Cycling

Reposted on 2012-02-23 from defunct blog 

I have now finished cycling from Land's End (LE) to John O'Groats (JOG). Now I have a couple questions for those who bother looking at my blog. Whom ever answers these questions correctly will win a prize (keep in mind I started cycling on Easter).

1) What is the total number of miles that I cycled from LE?
(a) <125   (b) 125-250   (c) 250-500   (d) 500-625   (e) 625-750   (f) 750-1000   (g) >1000

2) What do you think my average speed (miles per hour) was over the entire time cycling?
(a) 4   (b) 6   (c) 7   (d) 8   (e) 9   (f) 10   (g) >10

3) And the fastest speed (miles per hour) I managed to achieve?
(a) 15-20   (b) 20-25   (c) 25-30   (d) 30-35   (e) 35-40   (f) 40-45   (g) 45-50

4) The primary reason I stopped cycling?
(a) I made it to JOG
(b) I came to my senses and realised it was a stupid unattainable goal
(c) My bicycle was stolen
(d) I had a riding injury (ie sprained / pulled muscle)
(e) I was running out of money
(f) I had a bicycle accident (eg collision resulting in me on the pavement)
(g) I was having too much fun with mates (therefore running out of time to finish the trip)

If anyone I have not told can guess the actuall numbers to one decimal point of the first 3 questions, then I'll give them £5.

So Long Taunton

Reposted on 2012-02-23 from defunct blog

Today is the day I move my stuff out of Taunton.
This blog post is short and the last one I am likely to write before continuing my cycling of the UK.
If anyone would like post cards, please e-mail me.
see here if you don't have my e-mail (or want to add comments to any of my blog).
Already on my cycling trip I have met interesting people and hopefully a few new friends. Stories will come later, until then enjoy some photos: