reevesr1

Several years ago when I lived in Grande Prairie, I was with some other rich whiny oil field guys working in High Level on a fine, bright -52 morning. We were working outside of course. The consultant comes up to me and asks "you're from Texas, right Rick?" "yesssss" is my shivering reply. "What do you think of the weather?" my inquisitive Albertan friend asks. "I think it's really #$@%ing cold, what do you think of it?" He laughs and says, "yep, it's really &%$#ing cold!" Bunch of damn whiners!

I've certainly been places where the traffic was WAY worse, but that's not what I'm talking about. The roads, freeways, etc. here are not designed for ease of access or egress. Not enough left turn lanes, but traffic light patterns, etc. are what drive me nuts. More than any city I've ever lived in, you really have to know exactly how to get where you're going or you will end up exiting a highway without meaning to, usually because a lack of adequate signage. That and the endless ending of lanes, or highway pinch points that almost looked designed. That said, I have no plans to live anywhere else. Into each one's life some pain must fall.

Winter seemed just fine yesterday, even this morning. Sucks now. Hey DBT, wanna fight about something?

I've lived in a few cities(Houston, New Orleans, Orlando, San Diego, Honolulu, Chicago, etc.), Edmonton among them. To me, it's not even a contest between Edmonton and Calgary. Though Calgary certainly has more through roads in both directions, I find driving here the most frustrating experience of my life. Whoever planned the road system in Calgary couldn't have gotten out of elementary school. Access to shopping centers is bad beyond belief, if you miss an entrance it might take you 10 minutes to get back. It's like the whole city is planned around making it difficult to navigate. When roads are closed, there are no detour signs. Just a sign saying "Please find Alternate Route" Oh, ok. Good I guess if you've lived here your whole life, not so good if you haven't. Bizarre entrances to freeways. Horrible signage. Just brutal. My only real complaint with Calgary. But it do make me a little nuts at times.

A few more shots: Taco--who started this whole thing! Chris and LadyStrange (Tiana) LK2 (Lawrence) and Paul Max and the boys from Loop (Brian and Francois) and others Cheeler (Neil) and Chris (the camera seems to love ya brother!) You think we had enough food?

Thanks to everyone for coming out, it sure was fun seeing friends again and making new ones. Thanks to Lynn for fattening up the family by leaving us the Hashbrown casserole, and to Cheeler (Neil) for leaving the Baileys! My kids want to thank Brent and Todd for the Timbits! Here are some shots: Rocknbugs (Todd) Mr. LynnF (mike) and Lynn The Toolman (Greg) Holding Court BigBowTrout (Chris) and Harps (Paul) in the background I have more, but my stinking picture server is acting up. I'll post the rest later!

Everyone, Our cars will be pulled forward in the driveway, so 2 cars can pull into the driveway. Also 3 more can probably nose in towards the front yard. There will also be some space at the back of the cul-de-sac. Other than that, just park where you can. It's a pretty easy going neighborhood, unless of course you wake them up on a Sunday morning! Looking forward to seeing everyone!

I'm with you Crogg! I seriously love it here. As to getting picked on, Hah! Try being American.....

I AM the pancake man!

Ok, so: Greg has plates and such Lynn has hashbrowns and juice LS has coffee Harps has coffee (there is a Tims on 130 ave, head east, in the 1st shopping center on right--its about 2 exits north of 22x) Taco has bacon I've doing the cooking. Missing anything or anyone?

Brent, No worries. Don't worry about the coffee. Can I get a couple of people to bring coffee?

Greg-Can you bring paper plates (I apologize to any greens on this board, but I ain't doing the dishes) Brent- one big coffee thing from Tim's with cups (no excuses about it being too busy) Dutch man-bacon for say 20 LynnF-cholesterol bomb (hash brown casserole) I need another coffee (at least) juice Can someone help with that? I got the pancakes, milk, syrup and such. BTW, my phone is 660-5328 (cell)

Written warranty is 1 yr on workmanship. But from what I'm told, they are very accommodating on any issue. I have one of their rods, an 8 wt. I broke it reefing on a Bull Trout (ok, maybe I was reefing on the bottom in a pool full of Bull Trout, but is that really important?) Brought it back to where I bought it, and got the piece replaced right away. Very happy with the service.

Hey Don, Is that true? Can you kill Crows or Magpies whenever you want, or did I just bite on a troll? Edit: Answered my own question. I'll be damned.

I knew someone was going to ask that. I'll look at the box when I get home. Or ask Hanson's at the show.... Edit: And body condom might overstate how snug they were!

Hells yes! Max on my head. Perfect. Does it come in a version that one can wear bill forward, or will it be that goofy bill to the side design? I'm just askin'.

Folks, Hanson's gave me a pair of Milano Protac breathable waders to demo and write a little review on. I wore them for an hour in the freezing cold today, and here are my first impressions: These are a soft top wader with a lined outer pouch, lined inner zipper pouch, draw string top. The come with the belt, through pretty big loops. They have an reinforcement in the ass, oversized reinforcement in the knees and built in gravel guards. The feet are a bit larger than regular tight fitting neoprene, with anti-slip on the soles. I actually thought that may be a problem getting in to my boots, but that turned into a non issue. They appear to be very well made. It looks like inner and outer stitching. I played with the inner seals to see how they are made and they seem very flush with the material. Workmanship looks great. They fit very well, and were pretty snug. I think they protected me better from the cold than my Simms, but that could be because my hands were so effin cold I didn't notice (it was -7 and windy). The buckles were easy to operate, even with my frozen hands. I'll update this at the end of the winter, but the first impression is very good. They look to be made to compare to high end breathables. I would replace my entry level Simms with these in a second. Hanson's will have them at the show. They retail for $329, but he is selling for $239, I think. I think he has a deal on boots as well. Check them out if you get a chance.

OK, so here is the list of attendees. If you are planning on going and don't see your name, please let me know: Taco Maxwell SanJuanWorm Harps (and fiancee?) Bigbadbrent Ladystrange cheeler (?) bigbowtrout lynnf (and sig other?) monger troutlover Anyone else? weedy1, your only here Saturday, correct?

Yeah, like I could ever get on anyone about hijacking a post! Back when I was a much younger, much more single man my roommate and I (we had a nice big house) started having parties after the bars closed about once a month. After 3 or 4 parties, they got pretty out of control. My girlfriend at the time was a waitress at the bar we frequented. I had to wait for her to close before going to my house. On the last party, I got there about 1/2 hour after the party started. Had to park 2 blocks from my house and when I got in, there was a line to the keg. One was already gone. Anyway, I go to the front of the line and the dude manning the keg says "there's a line" I said "you know whose house this is?" "Some guys named Rick and Jim, and since I've met Jim, you must be Rick." I get the beer and realize out of maybe 100 people at my house, I know like 10. That was the end of the after closing parties. The cops suggested we stop as well! Monger, Bring that bleeping dog! Mine'll chase him all over.

Normally I would say it's a bit early, but once Jackie hears how many people are showing up on a Sunday morning, she'll probably drink it straight from the bottle!

Lynn, Would you be swimming across the river with SJW or driving? And I wouldn't call Chaparral Calgary. More like Whitefish it's so far south.

My first time typing my address on the internet. I am now very afraid.... 226 Chaparral Pl SE Calgary T2X-3K5 Simple directions (even Max and Brent could figure it out) Deerfoot to 22x West on 22x Cross Bridge (don't stop to fish, but it is GOOD around there) Left at 1st lights (Chaparral blvd) Right at 1st lights (Chaparral Dr.) 2nd Right (Chaparral Way) 2nd Right (still Chaparral Way) 1st Left (200 Chaparral Pl) House is on the left, 2nd from the end of the cul-de-sac. If you are coming from Cranston: Slide down cliff If no ice, fish cliff section for a bit Swim across river to pump house holding Tim's cup up high Walk up gravel road, to 194 Ave Turn Right at Chapala Way When you get to the lights, turn left at Chaparral Dr and follow above directions. We'll have more coffee to warm you up.

Sorta pokin' the tiger a bit there, eh Harps? I don't think you can fire up the Global Warming debate again today. Everyone's in a pretty good mood waiting to go to the show.

I was thinking Saturday, but looking at the weather (+1 on Saturday!), Sat could be a fishing day. So looks like Sunday is the day. I may pop in Friday night as well.

I'm thinking starting at 8:30 or so? The show starts at 10, so I would think that is early enough? I'm open to suggestions. I could go earlier if anyone needs to be there right at 10. I can handle the pancakes and stuff to make it with. I was thinking someone could pick up one or two of those Tim Hortons 10 cup things (one for SJW, and one for the rest of us). I'll have an American Bashing table set up just for you LS. Maybe we could teleconference in Harps? I'm sure there are a couple more who might enjoy taking a shot. I may be an easy target, but I do return fire!