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Tonight, slaDE~ is in for a treat … preceded by a warming body hot steam bath, slaDE~ is booked in to see an RMT at the Sport Physiotherapy Centre across from the Talisman Centre (that I have so come to love). Lucky for slaDE~, I’m well educated on the therapeutic benefits of massage, and because of this wonderment, he too is discovering the joys and beauty of a Professional rubdown (especially this month). Having not been accustomed to this simple pleasure of visceral manipulation, slaDE~ would surely physically reap the rewards of my mission to book him into as many appointments as possible, making positive use of his health benefits through his Union.
My thoughts are: a happy and healthy body allows for an active balanced lifestyle.
If I could afford it, I’d surely get 4-5 therapeutic massages a week! Wistful dreaming …
A morning massage helped ease the pain in my body. A great beginning to an interesting day, solely focussed on healing and health. And yes, this was only the beginning. Out and about on my bike. What an enlivening way to see the city! However, I was on a mission … The goal? To arrive with plenty of time to relax and fill out the necessary paperwork for my naturopathic treatment. Yes, I was about to embark on the path of alternative health, directed at discovering another means of pain management for my aching shoulders (yes, both pain me now, unfortunately). Jean informed me about her discovery of Prolotherapy, the fabulous Calgary Naturopath who administered it and the benefits of this new-age treatment for her joint pain. Anything was worth a shot (pun intended), especially at this point where I’ve even considered surgery.
Basically, Prolotherapy is a non surgical, pain management technique where a sugar/alcohol substance is injected into one’s ligaments and tendons (which apparently stimulates healing cells in the ligaments). In theory, this should significantly reduce pain and swelling of the affected area.
On a wing and a prayer, I handed over my faith to the Doctor and he skillfully injected the ‘magic’ solution into my upper shoulder area numerous times. Dr Jason was very very good at the administration. I found that the needle itself was incredibly small, so the actual injection wasn’t too painful (even though it was inserted directly and deeply into the muscles/ligaments). What I didn’t expect were the immediate after-effects — the small amount of anaesthetic within the injection was rather body-altering, and I felt it necessary to sit around for 40 minutes before I felt safe and sound enough to face Calgary’s downtown rush hour traffic, by bicycle.
Tucked under the door, in the wee hours of the morning, awaiting our awakening. The letter. From the Property Management Company. Just before leaving for work, slaDE~ told me of its quiet yet powerful arrival, not a word of its contents. Of course, I leapt out of bed, oblivious to the clock which read 5am. I wanted to know. NEEDED to know. The stress of last week was drawn out and unbearably uncomfortable. I wanted answers, and closure, if necessary.
And there it was, in print, the options available to us. Not so bad really …. A rental increase, with slaDE~ and I taking over the lease, assuming that Jean would give her notice. It pointed out that we would bypass the waiting list and this lovely little apartment would be ours. A home! That’s all I’ve really wanted. A semblance of soundness, of belonging in a city, even if but only for a short term. I haven’t necessarily embraced Calgary (more because of the fact that it’s winter, rather than because of it’s character). Perhaps fear of attachment, especially to this cute colourful apartment. Relief filled my core. And I went back to bed to sleep soundly for several hours before my morning fitness routine. Life is good.
Another day, another massage. Gotta use those benefits up!
What was supposed to be a therapeutic session of spiritual awakening turned out to be an expensive disappointment of a not-so-relaxing time-mismanagement. The Spa Europa had a beautiful exterior filled with false promise of services (and therefore expectations) lauded. What I had grown accustomed to in past spa experiences (namely the fantastic Elmwood Spa) didn’t compare to my disenchantment in my first Calgarian spa. I might compare this massage to a mediocre carwash … a light feather dusting leaving me half-cleansed and wanting of more. However, on the bright side, Laura, my attendant took note of my inability to relax and offered me a brilliant calming facial massage (she is a gentle Aesthetician rather than a deep-tissue RMT).
To end the evening on a brighter note, slaDE~ and I attended a LRC meeting where we met new local friends with similar interests and dispositions!
Starting off the morning with a 1.5 hour massage for both slaDE~ and myself helped to steer our directional mindfulness in the proper orientation for peace and tranquillity.
After finding ourselves exploring the crowds of the nearby Chinook Mall, we watched several movies which I can’t speak highly enough about! Happy Feet at the IMAX and Casino Royale. Both phenomenal movies! What can I say? Spectacular, funny, breathtaking, unexpected beauty and worth every penny spent on their cinematographic beauty and thrills! And for those Bond fans … Expect the unexpected. I fell in love with Daniel Craig well before his days as 007. His movie Layer Cake, made in 2004, is a brilliant suspense-filled thriller, right until the ending shot!
I am so grateful for this week to be over. Although there were moments of great happiness and playful discovery, the week was overshadowed by the stress of uncertainty, for me, anyway (poor Jean and slaDE~). The landlords at Opal Property Group were being obnoxious and obstinate about Jean trying to sublet / assign her apartment to us for the next 6 months, or so.
Before coming out here, we had provided 3 excellent house-sitting references that we had hoped would quell the management’s doubts. However, it seemed to fuel their pig-headedness. And as I don’t deal very well with stress of this matter (so I’ve discovered), I’ve been wound up and tight in both my body and spirit.
Nothing really has been resolved by today’s end, but at least I look forward to a weekend filled with several relaxing massages to guide me into a better frame of mind.
One of my dearest girlfriends had her first baby today! After 3 painful days of back labour (Ouch! What a trooper Lisa for hanging in as long as you did!), gorgeous little Michael Maly the 3rd (lovingly dubbed M3 by his little cousin Joe) was born at 6:28 pm, weighing 8 lbs. 9 oz. and measuring 21 inches long.
You can check out his precious blog at: www.michaelmalyiii.blogspot.com.
I’m ecstatically happy for both Lisa and Mike, as little Michael is not only their first child but he also shares the birthday of his grandmother today and his two little cousins (kinda sorta). Lisa’s two sister’s Vicky and Tracy were both beautifully pregnant at the same time and shared the pains of labour on the same day. Vicky’s little girl Sydney and Tracy’s little boy AJ were born on the 15th, only one day apart. What a fascinating amazing coincidence!!
I feel similarly blessed with Lisa in that we share the same birthday on August 22. She however is much younger than I and a far nobler Leo / Virgo than I ever could be. She’s my Angel friend and I love her dearly; Lisa drove to the hospital with me and slaDE~ (me of course in the ambulance with her following patiently in hot pursuit) when I dislocated my shoulder the day before our birthday last year and then cared for me / us in the aftermath. We were supposed to go to Darien Lake Six Flags in celebration of our birthdays but I kinda scuppered those plans with my shoulder popping out and all! Jumping stupidly in high gusty winds, badddddddd.
Lisa, he is so so beautiful. I love him already! I see he takes after his gorgeous Mom ….
The day was spent exploring Calgary (I truly love searching out and discovering the wonderful nuances of a new city) which subsequently also bestowed Jean with the space to pack up her life in peace and silence. However, before we set off on our exploratory expedition, we were delighted with the introduction of Bill. He is such a lovely soul! At the age of 80, he is gallivanting across the country-side, tickling the hearts of many a girl, I’m sure!
Blissfully awoken by the soft cooing of Tony O’s turtle doves made for a tremendous start to the long-ass day ahead of us. With full bellies and laden with a fabulous array of lovely gifts, slaDE~ and I set off for the border. Homeward bound, sort of. The effects of 9-11 were apparent even in this tiny small border-crossing village. Ominous yellow x-ray machines marked the exit and entry into Canada. Gone are the days of flamboyant trust. However, it seems that in our many experiences of crossing the border, we are often whisked through the turnstile without even a check of our physical IDs. With a car — laden to the gills with stuff — journeying to Calgary, I find this truly amazing. I must admit, I’m grateful as well. I dread every single North American border-crossing, whether it be by car or air.
And into the plains we drove …. Long wide swaths of nothingness intermittently speckled with hammering oil-digs. Really quite picturesque with their swaggering cyclical heads of steel bobbing endlessly in their quest for oil.
 Almost in a hypnotic daze, I was jarred by the wild hollers of slaDE~ at the realization of Dog City’s passing. It would be quite easy to miss if you didn’t know or understand the importance of this fictional town. Have you ever heard of ‘Corner Gas’?!!
Wikipedia describes ‘Corner Gas’ as such:
Corner Gas is a Canadian situation comedy which has aired on CTV and The Comedy Network since 2004. Deriving its name from the roadside gas station located in the fictional town of Dog River, the series revolves around life in small-town Saskatchewan. It has been compared to Seinfeld for its dry sense of humour and its plots that are “about nothing”.
Dog river is an actual place name with it’s label well-marked on the massive granary. It is ear-marked as being the only gas station for 60 kilometres in any direction. This statement is actually fairly true. A few stranded buildings mark the ‘town’ which is actually host to the series when they set up shop here to shot the series. Otherwise there is a lot of nothingness is these here Plains.
 Moose Jaw … a most welcome stop, halving our final travel day’s journey between Minot and Calgary. We stumbled across the giant Moose (of COURSE we stopped to add it to our triple-B series of photos. However, we were in search of gold; our stop here in Moose Jaw was well planned, according to the recommendation made to us by Maureen and Ardy: Temple Garden Hot Springs. What an INCREDIBLE gem this is! It made for a completely restful and enthralling spiritual experience, that has changed slaDE~s viewpoint on travel through the prairies forever!
What makes this such a wonderful treasure? Well, Temple Gardens Mineral Spa is probably best known for it’s world famous “Perfectly Natural Geo-Thermal Mineral Water Pool”. The rejuvenating mineral-rich geothermal waters are drawn from the porous rock formation of ancient seabed’s more than 4500 feet below the earth’s surface. The water actually travels through an insulated pipeline about a kilometre outside of the city to the spa. What I like most about this giant spa pool is that you can enjoy either the inside or outside section of the pool without even having to leave the water. The steam room tops the metaphysical experience like a cherry on a sumptuously decadent chocolate sundae.
Yummy!
HIGHLY recommended … Well worth the sometimes monotonous drive through the eastern plains.
The rest of the afternoon’s drive dragged late into the evening before arriving tired and hungry, finally marking Calgary as our home.
Another relatively flat, long day of driving, with gorgeous blue skies surrounding us. Slade~ is amazing in his stamina to maintain wakefulness over long periods of time while driving. Not me … Nope, I am ready for sleepy-sleep after sitting for 4 hours behind a wheel. Good thing I haven’t needed to drive yet on this cross-country journey  . I’m LOVING the beauty of our MAC laptop … the ability to work anywhere anytime as long as I have a charged battery is fabulous. Keeps me occupied on those long quiet stretches of flat straight interstate!
A luxurious stop in Jamestown at the giant Buffalo statue initiated a novel quirky idea in my mind … I wanted to establish a tradition for slaDE~ and myself in our travels. I wanted to stop at every “The World’s Biggest” icon so that we can cre8te some wonderful zany memories of North America’s unconventional novel fascination in their ‘super-size’ phenomenon. We are such a domineering continent that focuses on what I call the triple-B = ‘the biggest, baddest, bestest’. And you wonder why obesity and materialism are such issues in our society nowadays?! Anyway, these stops along our path add for some interesting and imaginative rest stops (when slaDE~ gets in motion, it’s hard to get him to stop sometimes!).
With a bit of directional hesitation and uncertainty, we found our way to my old-time friend’s home in Minot ND. I’ve known Tony O for at least 8 or 9 years, but I haven’t seen him or his lovely wife Karen in about 6 years! Tony is one of my faithful blog-followers and I’m ever so grateful for his continuing friendship! So in planning our trip north of Illinois, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to stop and visit with my old friends. And what a fantastic visit it was! From the time we arrived until the time we lay our heads down, our time was filled with rambunctious laughter, great conversation, spectacular food and an embracing heartfelt North Dakota welcome that leaves us wanting to come back for more!
Tony and Karen have a really interesting extended family living within the confines of their home … 2 dogs (a Labranard and German Shepherd), 2 cats (W – like George W and Phoebe), 3 ring-necked African turtle doves, a Cockatoo named Oblado, a pig named Libby and an Albino African frog (with a strange lopsided tumour jutting out of its neck) to keep the company of several fish. Oddly enough, they all cohabitate together peacefully, if not noisily  .
After our warm introduction to their extended family, Tony and Karen treated us to a fine Italian meal at ‘Michael’s’. Some of the best soup that I’ve ever tasted! But the evening was still early, even though we were some of the last patrons at the restaurant. We went on a lovely drive through Eastwood Park, scanning the ‘Festival of Lights’ … a sight to behold. From start to finish, we laughed at the ingenuity and cre8tivity of the local residents. However, the light show after leaving the park left me amazed and alert …. a house in the country had invested in a really cool combination of musical lights. Thousands of lights bobbed and swayed to this homeowners own broadcast radio selection of Christmas music. Once dialled in, you could enjoy the flashing and dancing illumination that must have set this household back thousands of dollars in lights and electricity! But hey, ‘tis the season to be excessive and flashy .
One final stop at Tony O’s hangar-ed dropzone (which also houses the local air museum!) topped off our whirlwind tour of this quaint little city of Minot. And being the light-weight that I am, I was ready for bed before you could say ‘we’re home!’.
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