It's My Life

COLD WEATHER BLUES

I've been feeling limited in what I can do lately, and while I could blame the cold winter weather on that, that's not entirely the reason. For reasons I don't feel like going into, I'm without the use of my car until early January. Let's just say I can't afford to cover the insurance until then. Just over a month can't be too bad right? Well, not really when the weather is decent. Right now walking around sucks, but at least the weather has been warming up a little.

As far as the location of my car, it's actually in Prince George. I drove up there on my days off a week ago to figure out the whole insurance scenario and when it turned out I couldn't cover the costs, I had to leave the car there. Technically I'm insured with Alberta plates but because I've been a B.C. resident for almost six months already, I'm technically driving illegally. So it wasn't worth the chance in case I'd get pulled over or an accident.

The trip up to PG was an interesting one, fairly low key. Actually the most excitement, to be honest, was probably the drive up since I came in close encounters with moose.....twice. It wouldn't have been so bad had it been earlier and brighter outside but it was dark out and they snuck up on me. I luckily maneuvered around the animals, which of course wouldn't move because they're so dumb. Well, that and they probably barely noticed my little white Nissan 240SX sports car driving up.

So in PG aside from dealing with ICBC over the phone I played my brother's Nintendo Wii. I enjoyed the tennis on there because as a tennis player myself I understand the game and the swinging motion was similar to that if you're really playing tennis. I thought the remote control of a video game remote was cheezy at first (I kind of still do) but it's a cool concept and you can't accuse the Wii of not being original.

I also watched 40 Year Old Virgin again, and I think I laughed at least as hard watching it this time as when I watched it the first time last winter. I did a lot of lounging around as the weather was cold. Plus having a Thursday and Friday as my weekend results in me doing a lot of anti-social activities since all my other friends are Monday to Friday people.

The most excitement I may have had over the past few weeks was joining the TimberWolves on the road this month. I went to Kelowna for a night on Nov. 17 to watch them play the Westside Warriors and the next day I went to Trail for their game against the Smoke Eaters. I just have to say that any sports fanatic who hasn't checked out Cominco Arena in Trail should. There's a library, gym, a 2,100 seat hockey arena and Trail Sports Hall of Fame display featuring like 15 players out of Trail who have played in the NHL. Ray Ferraro and Adam Deadmarsh are a couple former NHLers who are Trail products. In baseball, Jason Bay came out of Trail. Not only does he now play in the majors, he was the National League Rookie of the Year in 2004.

Speaking of the TimberWolves, I had another update on the team's status going front page of tomorrow's issue. By the sounds of it, the team may be sticking around as long as the City can secure funding from the provincial and federal governments to land a new arena. They've already shown their support and they have developers, Chiefs Development Group of Burnaby, which built the Prospera Centre in Chilliwack four years ago.

There's no indication that the team is heading to Whistler or Dawson Creek athough that's what the rumours are. At least those are the cities that have shown interest. But it could still happen. The owners are waiting for confirmation that the governments have shown they'll financially support 2/3 of arena costs. I'd like to see the team stay. It'd be too bad and would really break up what's been a good northern rivalry between the TimberWolves, Quesnel and Prince George.

This is going to be a relatively short post since I really don't have much to say.

I thought there may be some people out there interested in checking out my story on Williams Lake's own Rick Hansen, the Man in Motion. It ran in Tuesday's Tribune this week. Check it out online at www.wltribune.com. That's not a suggestion, it's an order!

So another week has come and gone here in Williams Lake. I've been employed at the Tribune for five months now. It feels longer and shorter than that at the same time. Well, it feels like it's been longer than five months since I was working in Lacombe but shorter than five months since I've been here if that makes any sense. Then again, Lacombe is more than 900 kilometres away so the vast distance between the two towns makes it feel like it's been longer. I still believe that it was the best decision crossing the provincial border and I have no regrets doing it. But I still haven't ruled out moving back to the prairies, I'm just done with the small town Alberta living. If the right job were to pop up in Edmonton, Red Deer or Calgary I'd be tempted to go for it. Actually the Calgary Herald is looking for a sports reporter right now. I think I need at least another five years before I'd even be qualified for a job like that.

My cash flow at the bank is also reaching a low point again. But at least with winter approaching and the temperatures dipping I'll be spending more time at home and less time travelling so saving up money should come easier.

I have found I've been getting lazier lately, which is a habit I need to get out of. I think it's just the time of year. I've always found the fall a little depressing. There's Christmas to look forward to but other than that what is there? The other big thrill of the fall, Halloween, has come and gone. I also worked this weekend so I missed out on what could've been a three-day weekend like some of our staff here enjoyed. If I had that off I would've certainly went up to Prince George for the weekend.

Wow, that's probably among the most boring posts I've ever typed. It was getting too painful to type any longer. I think I need another crazy party soon, or a trip somewhere.

A BUSY FALL SO FAR

Hey, two posts in just over a month! Not bad, still not terrific but months go by so fast now in my busy schedule that it's what every reader of this blog should expect for now.

So I'm still working hard in Williams Lake, up to about 4 1/2 months at the Tribune now and I've gotta say I've been enjoying it. Being back in B.C. has just been great. I can relate to the people more here than the ones that lived in Alberta, they seem to support my habits of partying and living a nice laid back lifestyle more, and although I'm actually in a less urban area than Lacombe where I had the luxury of a 15-minute drive to Red Deer, it's not bothering me too much.

I'm growing content here for the time being. I get along with the staff at work great, I have a good social life and I feel like my involvement with the community stretches deeper than being a local reporter, which was often the feeling I had in Lacombe.

As I mentioned, the social life has helped that. I'm living life a little more like I did in university now, not quite as outrageous as the sensory overload of seeing attractive girls on an everday basis isn't here, nor are the distractions away from work quite as tempting. But at the same time, I'm not the hermit I was for many nights in Lacombe. It's been a happy medium where I've been able to keep my future in focus and enjoy the present.

With it being the fall, I've even started a bit of a routine, as certain events, or non events, fall on particular nights.

Monday is laundry day for me. I was a Sunday laundry guy in Lacombe but with me working weekends and with nothing ever happening on Monday nights it's the perfect night for it. It's often the same nights I call my parents or friends in PG and just relax at home.

Then there's Tuesday nights, where I'm involved with competitive co-ed volleyball. It's been a lot of fun in this league. Tuesdays are so busy at work so it serves as a nice break after a long day. It's a good workout and great social setting as well.

Wednesday has typically been wing night at the Overlander. It's turned into a regular occurance for me. Everybody at that place recognizes me on wing nights I'm pretty sure. If not most do. The girls expect me to show up and when I don't they're surprised. The 25 cent wings and beer may not be the healthiest, but man does it go down nice after a long shift at work.

Well then the rest of the week varies a little. Generally, at least during the fall, I take Thursdays and Fridays off so I lounge around big time those days, running the occassional errands and renting a flick or going out for drinks at night. Even when I work both Saturday and Sunday, I choose at least one night to go out on the weekend. This depends on what day I have to start early at work, or what the occasion may be. Then it's back to Monday again.

Last night was not a typical Tuesday for me. I watched a fireworks display in town, had a few beers and watched the Canucks lose to Nashville, and then ended up going to midnight showing of Rocky Horror Show, not the movie but the play. I'm pretty sure it was my first time seeing the play or movie. It was a little outrageous but not too bad. Everybody kept their clothes on and I didn't get dragged out on stage to start dancing and wave my hands in the air.

Last weekend was a lot of fun too. I went to a house party where I drank beer, did jello shooters, played Texas Hold 'Em and sung karaoke. I ended up crashing there. Now if that isn't a party, what is? I had work the next day, but not till like 3 p.m. Plus the time change worked in my favour.

Oh, and I've been watching a ton of clips on youtube.com for Borat. Man, this movie looks off the wall, downright piss yourself hilarious. I love how the character makes the most offensive remarks and sounds so casual doing it. It should be a beauty, that's all I've gotta say about that.

As far as work I have a couple big stories that may be published Tuesday. One for sure that should be published is a story on Rick Hansen, the Wheels in Motion man himself and a Williams Lake native, getting inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame. He's at a gala in Toronto right now hosted by Brian Williams and he's one of eight Canadians getting inducted. He's calling me at the Tribune on Friday.

Another story involves the Williams Lake TimberWolves Junior A hockey team. To sell or not to sell? That is the question. They may be relocating to start next season although it isn't yet confirmed that their current owner has sold them. I'd like to think it's more the off-ice distractions hurting the team on the ice than anything else because at least then when it's over they can start concentrating on hockey. They're riding an 11-game losing streak and sit last in the BCHL's Interior Conference with a record of three wins, 14 losses and an overtime loss (3-14-0-1).