BACK IN PORT ALBERNI
Here I am, back in Port Alberni. Well, I've been back for two days now, but still not that long. When I first went up to PG I kept telling myself I can't wait to be back. After being here only two days, I'm missing a few major things about PG already. Even though I went up there on an unplanned trip, and had to take time off work immediately to leave last Thursday morning, I got to see everyone I missed, except it was for the wrong reasons.
Arthur McKay (1951-2003)
My uncle Art was one hell of a guy. Unfortunately his life suddenly came to an end when he was one of two CN workers killed while on a train that derailed near McBride. If there's a silver lining to such a tragedy, it's that it's brought my family closer than ever before. And I was up there long enough to hang out with some friends I began to forget about. But when I hung out with them I realized how cool they really are, and it brought a smile to my face as we could all reminisce about the past and the good times we've had together. These are guys I've grown up with, and faces I hadn't seen in a while. Yes, PG really isn't that bad a place, and I'm regardless of things I may have said, it'll always be in my heart. I was born and raised there, and lived my first 20 years of my life there, and nobody can take that away from me. I have witnessed many changes in that city. Just how long was I there?
- I was there when the Spruce Kings played in the Rocky Mountain Hockey League.
- I can remember the days when UNBC didn't exist, as well as the road leading up there.
- I remember the Cougars first season in PG (1994/1995), when they had to play in the 1700-seat Prince George Coliseum. I didn't even know what the WHL was before that. On that team the first year included the likes of Mike Leclerc, Chris Mason, Rob Butz, and Dorian Anneck. The Blazers had Iginla, Dominicelli, and Tucker that season so you can imagine how they did.
- I was there when PG was increasing, and not decreasing, in size.
- I was at the Multiplex for such events as the Scott Tournament of Hearts, a Nickelback concert, Tragically Hip, and Our Lady Peace.
- I can remember when the new Aquadic Center and Civic Center were being constructed.
Seeing the family warmed my heart while in PG. When I was younger I thought I was so far off from my parents, but I can now realize just how much we have in common. Like the passion for sports I share with my dad. My dad is always ready for a good conversation about sports and he's always interested to hear my opinion on many issues. However, once I get going on sports, I often won't stop, and that's when my dad is ready to watch a T.V. show or something. Our family also shares the same sense of humour. We laugh at each others jokes, regardless how stupid, and when an episode of Friends, The Simpsons, or Seinfeld is on the tube, we're gathered around watching it.
PG will always be my home regardless of where I'm living. But that hasn't stopped people from making me feel right at home and welcome here in P.A. Although it isn't home, they're doing an awesome job of making me feel like it could be my permanent home.
Last night I went golfing for mens night here at the Alberni Golf Club, and boy I didn't expect the treatment I got. I was golfing with Brian Rands, the assistant pro at the club, as well as a couple other members, Fred and a guy who went by Chevy. As I sat in the golf kart ready to go, Brian had already given me a beer (Coors Light). I figured a beer after the round would be the smarter thing, but oh well, what's one beer going to do?
After a hole of golf, two women pulled up in a cart carrying food and beverages. Brian ordered four shots of fireball, then asked me if I liked fireball. I couldn't just lie, so I said of course I like fireball, I had a shot and that was the beginning of quite a round of golf.
Now I won't go into great detail about my round, but it wasn't the greatest round that is for sure. Nearing the end of the round I had four beers and two shots of fireball, wouldn't be much over a night but over 1-2 hours sure it's a fair bit. For me anyways.
Brian: We've still got one hole left. Of course you want a beer.
That was Brian insisting that I wanted another beer. Yeah I have to admit I was feeling like one more before the end of the round. I figured five beers over nine holes sounded good to me. So I had one and that was it. What was really impressive was our team got runner up on the night, and we drank more as a team than anyone else. Fred and Chevy wouldn't stop drinking, yet their golf games were still solid. No better way to calm the nerves than a little alcohol.
After the golf my night wasn't quite over. It couldn't be because I had to drive home, and I needed to sober up first could it? Well that would be the intelligent thing to do. But how could I sober up fast? How about some food?
A nice dinner is served to all the golfers following their rounds of golf on mens night, so I just helped myself to a nice steak fresh off the barbeque, a baked potato, and some fries and ketchup. This rules! It's no wonder everyone drinks on the course. They've got dinner to sober them up so no worries. I was almost ready to leave when Brian brought me a lemon pie, and two prizes shortly afterwards, a new golf glove and towel. After that the night was over, but not without some fun. And what's even more solid is that I didn't pay a cent the whole night.
It's a Friday night, and an uneventful one at that. I chatted to Meghan for a while, and for those who care, Meghan is doing fine, and enjoying every minute of Smithers. She plans to live there after graduating and working at their newspaper full-time. I'm just joking. I went to work out today, and lets just say I'm a little out of shape. It's back to work again tomorrow, my boss is letting me work Saturdays right now since I missed four work days while I was in PG.
Here I am, back in Port Alberni. Well, I've been back for two days now, but still not that long. When I first went up to PG I kept telling myself I can't wait to be back. After being here only two days, I'm missing a few major things about PG already. Even though I went up there on an unplanned trip, and had to take time off work immediately to leave last Thursday morning, I got to see everyone I missed, except it was for the wrong reasons.
Arthur McKay (1951-2003)
My uncle Art was one hell of a guy. Unfortunately his life suddenly came to an end when he was one of two CN workers killed while on a train that derailed near McBride. If there's a silver lining to such a tragedy, it's that it's brought my family closer than ever before. And I was up there long enough to hang out with some friends I began to forget about. But when I hung out with them I realized how cool they really are, and it brought a smile to my face as we could all reminisce about the past and the good times we've had together. These are guys I've grown up with, and faces I hadn't seen in a while. Yes, PG really isn't that bad a place, and I'm regardless of things I may have said, it'll always be in my heart. I was born and raised there, and lived my first 20 years of my life there, and nobody can take that away from me. I have witnessed many changes in that city. Just how long was I there?
- I was there when the Spruce Kings played in the Rocky Mountain Hockey League.
- I can remember the days when UNBC didn't exist, as well as the road leading up there.
- I remember the Cougars first season in PG (1994/1995), when they had to play in the 1700-seat Prince George Coliseum. I didn't even know what the WHL was before that. On that team the first year included the likes of Mike Leclerc, Chris Mason, Rob Butz, and Dorian Anneck. The Blazers had Iginla, Dominicelli, and Tucker that season so you can imagine how they did.
- I was there when PG was increasing, and not decreasing, in size.
- I was at the Multiplex for such events as the Scott Tournament of Hearts, a Nickelback concert, Tragically Hip, and Our Lady Peace.
- I can remember when the new Aquadic Center and Civic Center were being constructed.
Seeing the family warmed my heart while in PG. When I was younger I thought I was so far off from my parents, but I can now realize just how much we have in common. Like the passion for sports I share with my dad. My dad is always ready for a good conversation about sports and he's always interested to hear my opinion on many issues. However, once I get going on sports, I often won't stop, and that's when my dad is ready to watch a T.V. show or something. Our family also shares the same sense of humour. We laugh at each others jokes, regardless how stupid, and when an episode of Friends, The Simpsons, or Seinfeld is on the tube, we're gathered around watching it.
PG will always be my home regardless of where I'm living. But that hasn't stopped people from making me feel right at home and welcome here in P.A. Although it isn't home, they're doing an awesome job of making me feel like it could be my permanent home.
Last night I went golfing for mens night here at the Alberni Golf Club, and boy I didn't expect the treatment I got. I was golfing with Brian Rands, the assistant pro at the club, as well as a couple other members, Fred and a guy who went by Chevy. As I sat in the golf kart ready to go, Brian had already given me a beer (Coors Light). I figured a beer after the round would be the smarter thing, but oh well, what's one beer going to do?
After a hole of golf, two women pulled up in a cart carrying food and beverages. Brian ordered four shots of fireball, then asked me if I liked fireball. I couldn't just lie, so I said of course I like fireball, I had a shot and that was the beginning of quite a round of golf.
Now I won't go into great detail about my round, but it wasn't the greatest round that is for sure. Nearing the end of the round I had four beers and two shots of fireball, wouldn't be much over a night but over 1-2 hours sure it's a fair bit. For me anyways.
Brian: We've still got one hole left. Of course you want a beer.
That was Brian insisting that I wanted another beer. Yeah I have to admit I was feeling like one more before the end of the round. I figured five beers over nine holes sounded good to me. So I had one and that was it. What was really impressive was our team got runner up on the night, and we drank more as a team than anyone else. Fred and Chevy wouldn't stop drinking, yet their golf games were still solid. No better way to calm the nerves than a little alcohol.
After the golf my night wasn't quite over. It couldn't be because I had to drive home, and I needed to sober up first could it? Well that would be the intelligent thing to do. But how could I sober up fast? How about some food?
A nice dinner is served to all the golfers following their rounds of golf on mens night, so I just helped myself to a nice steak fresh off the barbeque, a baked potato, and some fries and ketchup. This rules! It's no wonder everyone drinks on the course. They've got dinner to sober them up so no worries. I was almost ready to leave when Brian brought me a lemon pie, and two prizes shortly afterwards, a new golf glove and towel. After that the night was over, but not without some fun. And what's even more solid is that I didn't pay a cent the whole night.
It's a Friday night, and an uneventful one at that. I chatted to Meghan for a while, and for those who care, Meghan is doing fine, and enjoying every minute of Smithers. She plans to live there after graduating and working at their newspaper full-time. I'm just joking. I went to work out today, and lets just say I'm a little out of shape. It's back to work again tomorrow, my boss is letting me work Saturdays right now since I missed four work days while I was in PG.
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