Ummm k maybe it is.

Apologies on the delay of my highly anticipated post-Stampede blog entry. I am pretty much still sleeping since I got zero sleep for 10 days straight. K that was an exaggeration but seriously note to self-take at least 1 day off after stampede to recuperate and blog. Or just take off all 10 days if possible like a real cowgirl.

The first taste of Stampede for me was seeing Dean Brody on Canada Day at the Cowboys tent. I am not overly familiar with Dean’s music, but man that guy is a babe and he put on a great show, including him climbing up some ladder next to the stage. He also sang Canadian Girls in case any of you were wondering. Some guy was hitting on my friend and he worked for Pandora. I didn't believe him at first but then he listed off the specific Pandora name for each charm on my bracelet. This did not help his game with my friend but I think it may mean discounts for me, so #sup. (Except I don’t remember his name or what he looks and my friend rejected him when he asked for a “goodbye kiss” so maybe not). Oh well at least he didn't try and use the “but its stampede” excuse when she said no!

So that was Canada day, and then came the 3 long days in between it and Stampede. I was driving past the parade route the evening before the parade and I saw tons of chairs all set up and holstered onto anything they could be holstered onto and trucks all ready for tailgating for the big parade. I am almost embarrassed to say that I have never witnessed the parade, and after seeing how many people in this town go early and set up to watch I am kind of intimidated by it. However, I am strongly considering applying to be the Stampede Princess for 2015 just so I can be in the parade and well, be a princess like my idol, Kate. So unfortunately I was unable to go watch the parade this year and for the life of me I don’t remember if I did anything that evening, probably not since I knew the next day would be a long one since I was going on a little club crawl.

So Saturday was the pub crawl which I attended with a couple girlfriends.We put our cowboy boots on and started drinking our cowgirl drinks around 2pm. Once we got to Roadhouse, my group went straight to the bar and I looked at the bartender and could not for the life of me remember how I knew him. If you know me well you know I have an awful memory sometimes and so I was trying so hard to think of where I recognized this attractive man from. It took me maybe 3 minutes to realize it was Tom from Big Brother Canada Season 1. I’m a loser and I am well aware so don’t waste your time telling me. I told my friends that it was Tom and they didn't believe me so I had to go all 2014 creep lady and check his Twitter to confirm. Anyway he ended up hitting on one of the girls I was with (and happens to be one of my biggest fans), we’ll call her Mary. I don’t know how much detail I will go into on this because I know Tom will read this one day and I don’t want to embarrass anyone. I did tweet about seeing him and he favorited my tweets so we are basically friends. Ugh I hate Big Brother. 

Cowgirl'd UP 

I am now realizing that the majority of the entertainment I receive throughout stampede doesn't occur while on the grounds or even while at the bar. The best entertainment comes from walking around downtown, usually walking home from the bar. We had to go out and save a friend at Cowboys later that night and some guy asked me where National on 10th was, and I went on to tell him “it’s on 10th.” Later in the same walk a guy claimed “I bet I can play rock scissors paper with any of you and win” so obviously being me I responded “who said rock scissors paper?! Are you from the east or something?” I miserably lost the game (I think he cheated) against him and continued the walk of shame home.

I was most excited to go to the grounds. I love the grounds. The rides, the food, the lights, the games, the people, the cowboys, I cannot get enough. My one and only disappointment from the grounds was that I could not find the deep fried cheezies. The lady at customer service didn't know who I could write a nasty letter to about this issue. When I asked, she said they weren't there yet due to some sort of cheezy dispute, but my friend, we’ll call him Cameron, said that he did find them and they were not good. So this made me feel better. I still managed to try the deep fried cookie dough, deep fried Reese’s sticks, tequila fries, cheddar nuggets, and I think that was all. Not eating pork eliminates lots of the options but I was very happy with all of this food. As you can tell, I am on a strict diet right now which includes me gaining 20 pounds. The grounds were fun I did some rides, played some games, lots of people watching and managed getting caught in a hail storm somehow!

 I made friends on the mousy ride! 

Deep fried cookie dough and Reese's yuuummmm

Where was I again? 

THIS POST IS GETTING TOO LONG BUT I DON’T KNOW HOW TO STOP MYSELF

Tuesday night I went back to Roadhouse for great Canadian rock band, Sloan. My roommate and I consider ourselves Sloan fans – well she knew pretty much all the songs and most of the words while I kind of danced around and knew the popular ones. They put on an awesome show – as per usual and I will definitely see them next time they come around town. I messed up and didn't print out the picture we have of us and Chris for him to sign. UGH sometimes I mess up real bad. He definitely recognized us sometimes you can just tell. That night I saw a guy I used to have a HUGE crush on back in my university days. He was one of the bartenders at MRU while I was studying there and again I messed up and didn't say hi or anything because I chickened out. I guess this means he is still the one that got away for me. And I like to think that I am for him but I will never know. Until I run into him again a year from now and maybe get the courage to ask. #SINGLEFOREVER.

Wednesday of Stampede was the day I was most looking forward to. Wednesday was SHANIA DAY! It’s hard to put into words how amazing Shania was. She started off the concert by coming out on a horse in a Mountie outfit. She did some other really cool things during her show, fireworks, flames, storytelling, an a Capella performance, she even brought 10 random audience members on stage and spoke with them and had them sit around a campfire while she sang a couple songs. Most of all I was impressed with her voice, girl can sing! And she had some wicked costumes. I am thoroughly impressed and highly recommend that if you are in Vegas you check out her show! FYI my pictures from the show kind of suck but here is one... 

The next day (it is a miracle that they all aren't blurred together in to one long day at this point) after an exhausting day at work I got home and an old friend was going to Nashville North and I have this problem where I don’t know how to say no (please don’t take advantage) and so I got picked up like a queen in a car2go and went back down to the grounds for what felt like round 5 thousand. Got to see Nitty Gritty Dirt Band which was fantastic and FINALLY do some two-stepping! If you didn't already know, they sing that song “Fishin' In The Dark” and if you were there you definitely would know that because they sang it 3 times.

My handsome friends.

Friday rolled around and was so excited to see an artist I am a huge fan of, Dallas Smith (no he is not Dallas Green). I had seen him open up for Florida Georgia Line back in February and the guy has talent and some catchy songs. He played at the Coke stage on the Stampede Grounds which I have to admit is not my favorite way to see an artist. The sound is great and luckily we had good weather but I couldn't really see Dallas because it was just one big pit and it ends up being tricky to get a spot where no annoying tall people are in front of you, and unfortunately I am not pushy enough to get my way to the front. I like my personal space. Regardless I loved seeing/hearing him and I’m sure he will be back soon enough.

I was also so happy to get to see the fireworks that night coming from the grandstand show! Living downtown you would assume that I could watch them from my building but nooo my building is a tiny one surrounded by large ones so I definitely could hear the fireworks every night, (and obviously thought it was thunder at first probably 7/10 days) but I didn't actually see them till that Friday and they were incredible. Hopefully next year I will pull it together and make it to the grandstand show to witness the whole show along with the fireworks.

Well that concludes my Stampede 2014 experience. Unfortunately there was a lack of cowboys in my 10 days and I couldn’t find anyone to do Stampede speed dating with me. I did have some terribly awkward moments with strange guys from my past and if you want to hear the whole story then shoot me a message and I will indulge!  

Thanks for reading this novel; it’s probably longer than any university paper I had to write in my 3.5 years. I am seriously hoping to find someone to go to speed dating with me and that should be my next post. Stay tunes lovers.

;)

It's Not Cheating

Today is Canada day. Happy Canada day.

I am coming up on my 4 year anniversary of living in Calgary and this summer I will experience my third Stampede. Stampede in Calgary is a crazy time of year that no one can really understand until they experience it. I wish that I got to experience it as a kid because I would have eaten that up but I spent my summers elsewhere.

For Stampede this year I have decided to do a 3-part blog. A pre Stampede blog, during, and then post madness. However I should probably be realistic and say it will be 2-part because I doubt I will feel like writing during!

There are so many great things about Stampede, but with that come all of the negatives. For every smokin’ hot cowboy, there is a sleazy, wasted fake cowboy. I’ve actually had guys try to get me to come home with them and when I say “no” they say “c’mon it’s Stampede.” I don’t know why that would make me change my mind about not wanting to go home with him!

Stampede is the best time in Calgary for people watching, which is a great activity to do especially if you are lucky like me and live downtown and have a balcony which you can people watch from. The outfit’s people wear, the things that they say, the amount that they drink… it is all amazing.
I highly recommend saving your entire last paycheque to use during Stampede. There are lots of free events around town but the best stuff is going to cost the big bucks. Between concerts, pubcrawls, vodka sprites, entry to the grounds, deep fried cheezies, and rides if you are nuts and that’s your thing, it definitely adds up if you aren’t careful.

Okay that is all for my pre-Stampede post. I have so much going on in the next couple days! Pubcrawl, Shania Twain, Sloan, Dallas Smith, hopefully 20 out of 32 of these.

Catch you on the grounds!
;)

xo

Sometimes things just go my way and I don't know why but it's awesome.

About a month ago, I left Calgary for a three week journey to Israel. I got accepted for a Taglit Birthright trip, along with 40 other "young professionals" from across Canada. I wasn't too sure if I should blog about the trip, since I don't usually blog about my personal life unless it's some kind of self-deprecating joke, but I figured I might as well try something new! (And writing about the trip might get me like 40 new readers..:)) 

I went on Birthright with a friend, and the minute we got to the Toronto airport I started looking at every single person who walked by and wondered if they were going to be on our trip. We obviously didn't approach anyone, instead just sat at the Swiss Chalet, ate our disgusting meals and people watched very intensely. 

Anyways, it came time to actually meet people while checking in to the flight and going through security and at that time I honestly did not think that I would make any friends. I talked to some girls in the lineup at security and then they didn't wait for me when they walked through first and I was like THESE PEOPLE ALREADY ALL HATE ME. 

Okay that was dramatic and the thought only lasted for like 5 minutes. But I definitely remember most of my first impressions with these people, which is cool to think about since like 3 days later I felt like I had known them for years and years. It is crazy to think how friendships can grow with completely strangers so quickly when you are forced to be around each other 24 hours a day for 10 days. 

I went into the experience kind of seeing it as a social experiment and thinking I was on Big Brother. The trip leader kind of forced us all to think that the experience was going to "change your life", but I am not a big believer in comments like that when someone tells you how you are going to feel after an experience. 

That being said, maybe it did change my life. I met some really interesting people from Canada and Israel. People whom of which I sincerely think I will see again and keep in touch with. We went on some hikes which had some of the most beautiful views I have ever seen in my life. There were even a few quiet moments where I was able to reflect on life and think about what I truly want to accomplish. OKAY ENOUGH I AM STARTING TO GET DEEP.

I re'downloaded Tinder while I was in Israel to see what it would be like, after a couple requests from people back home. It was very overwhelming and I deleted it again after about 7 minutes. The second I got it every single swipe right had already swiped right for me and then it was all "only English?" "where you live?" "hi" and some threw some Hebrew in there and I was over it. I didn't really venture out in the romantic side of the country on this trip. The language barrier was too much and I was lazy! Sorry to disappoint my readers.. 

Basically I wouldn't be me if I didn't blog about this trip. If you want to hear any more about it please ask. And if you are one of the wonderful people that I had the pleasure of meeting during those three weeks, then thank you for reading and chances are I like you A LOT and you should come visit Calgary or something.

I'm sure I could come up with stories that are blog-appropriate and blog not-appropriate but I am going to leave it at this for now... with a couple of cute pictures because duh.

Just like, please, don't do that. Okay?

Not that many things REALLY bother me. I like to pride myself on the fact that I am pretty easy to get along with and even little things can make me happy. At the same time however, I am human and there are some things that downright drive me insane. Like the fact that I am at work right now and the website I do my blogging on isn’t working on the computer so I am typing this on word. UGH.

Anyways, out of the few things that piss me off many of them are things that guys do at the bar. Now I’m not trying to sound like a prissy girl who gets hit on by a million guys and is a beyotch towards them after, but seriously sometimes I just don’t know what goes through people’s minds when they say or do certain things. WHY DID YOU THINK THAT WAS A GOOD IDEA?!
So here my list of things that guys probably shouldn’t do or say at the bar.
(Then again what the hell do I know? Do whatever you want.)

1. When I put on my cowboy boots and go to Ranchman’s, I will rarely turn a guy down for a dance. I think two-stepping is fun and I love country music. HOWEVER, don’t try and get to know me while we’re dancing. Yes you can ask my name, sure, but don’t ask what I do for work and what I’m studying at school and my hobbies while we’re on the super loud dance floor! Come on now.

2. Sometimes when I get overwhelmed in a crowded bar, I like to just go stand or sit by myself for a minute. There is no way I’m the only one who feels like that! So if you see a girl standing or sitting alone, don’t go and ask her “why are you sitting alone?” I will be the one who comes back with a sassy response like “because I want to sit alone.” I’m not saying guys shouldn’t approach girls at all but just don’t say dumb things. By all means go up and start a conversation, but don’t be an annoying idiot and ask stupid questions.

3. Also, don’t ask a girl “why aren’t you dancing?” If you want to dance with her, ask her to dance and then see where that leads.

4. Please oh please do not ask where I’m from. And if you do, and I say Canada, then just leave it at that and don’t ask where my parents and grandparents are from. It is actually sooooo annoying. I guess if you ask on a normal date or something then whatever, but not to someone you are just meeting at the bar. Got it??

5. If you buy me a shot of tequila, thank you and everything but please let me have chase for it after. (Yes it’s happened and it was weird)

6. I didn’t realize how therapeutic writing this post would be I guess I’ve been bottling this all up.

7. Don’t say that I have really beautiful blue eyes, when my eyes are actually brown. But I guess maybe you are color blind so then I am really sorry.

So I have a feeling that this list will be ongoing, but it’s quite long already so I think I am going to post it up now! Let me know if you have any other suggestions of things that guys shouldn’t do at the bar. Or turn the tables around and tell me annoying things that girls do?

XO

Sometimes I Do Things And I Don't Know Why

I often make questionable decisions that I cannot backup. 

But seriously, WHY DO I WATCH BIG BROTHER?

Okay so I don't actually watch, this is my first season. I originally watched the season because I knew someone who was going to be on it, but one week into it and that had nothing to do with why I was watching!! 
Here are some of the reasons I can come up with to justify why I watch this ridiculous show...

4. They are trying super hard to make the show interactive which is different and interesting. Twitter and online contests and such. 

3. It is on 24/7!!! This seems pathetic and amazing and creepy all at the same time. Seriously though, I could watch some of my favorite TV shows 24/7 so it's kind of cool that viewers can watch live feeds and catch a cool moment that might not even make the show. 

2. The "Canada" factor. Yes, I know one of the girls on it this season, but chances are that most people have a friend of a friend (or something like that) who is or has been on the show. Also gives you more potential to meet one of the former house guests, perhaps one that works at a bar down the street!! 

1. The main reason that I like watching Big Brother Canada is.......

BECAUSE I CANNOT SPOIL IT FOR MYSELF

I have this awful problem of reading spoilers for TV shows. I have known the outcome of Bachelor/Bachelorette seasons weeks and weeks before they finished. IT IS A SICKNESS I SWEAR. 

Having live evictions makes this show brilliant for me. 


OKAY I AM GOING TO TRY AND HAVE A LIFE NOW

(Because the instant eviction show just ended) 


JK......

Thanks for reading 
xo

Why do I do this to myself?

Why do I do the things I do?

Why do I watch The Bachelor?

This show is terrible. I don’t believe anything that I watch on it. Why do I put myself through 2 hours of watching this awful show every week? Okay, I am being harsh. Some seasons are “better” than others. Some are more entertaining, some are more of a train wreck, some I find myself rooting for contestants to “win” and mostly I just feel bad for the women on these shows. And the men too.

So this week is hometown dates on Juan Pablo’s season. Three minutes in and I am terribly bored.

No Nikki, watching Juan Pablo ride the mechanical bull was NOT hot!!! This girl is craaazy and I judge her.

This show is disgusting me, but I cannot stop watching. The same thing happens every single season. K I am not a total cynic, trust me. If love is real then sure love is great and magical whatever. But falling in love with tons of cameras around you and producers forcing situations? And I would totally apply and go on The Bachelor and definitely be the one who was “there for the wrong reasons” to be on TV and get fans and be famous and maybe take off my country music career. Dream big right?

So what I am trying to say… is that if you have self-respect don’t watch The Bachelor. I am going to see Jennifer Pozner speak at the University of Calgary this week. She is speaking about: Why Reality TV is Bad for Women (…and men, people of colour, the economy, love, sex, and sheer common sense!) I am really looking forward to this! So cool.

Anyways, there is no possible way that I could write an entire blog on each episode of this show. So might as well quit while I’m ahead.

XO

More real life, for real now.

I definitely love living in Calgary. There are so many great things about this city. There are the obvious reasons, and then, obviously, the not so obvious reasons.

I have no interest in listing a top ten reasons I like Calgary or anything like that, but one of my absolute favorite things about living here is that there is always somewhere new to go. Every person that I meet has a different favorite place for food, drinks, or whatever it may be. So now it’s my turn to tell you all where I like to go!! 

I am also a big believer in the idea that it doesn’t matter where you are, but who you are with. I have had some wonderful experiences at these places and I am trying to leave the context of the situation out of it for the purpose of this, but that is kind of impossible.

If money was forever flowing and I could have the best day ever I would go to all of these places. I also think it’s important that I mention the fact that I don’t consider myself a “foodie”. Honestly, I don’t know what that means.

Monki

I was so close to giving up on Monki. So so so close, but MAN am I ever glad I did not give up. Usually when I go out for breakfast I go on an empty stomach, because breakfast is usually a big meal around here. So the first two times I tried going to Monki, the wait was way too long and I was impatient and hungry. Then finally the third time, I was mentally prepared to wait. The person at the door took our name and number and offered to call when our table was ready, but we wanted to wait there. It was about 25 minutes for a table for two. Maybe I am being judgmental but the wait staff could have been more polite. They didn’t offer to show us a menu while we waited or offer us coffee. My friend who I was with is a red seal chef (no big deal) and she said they had a great looking menu. I had the wild mushroom, roasted red pepper, baby spinach & feta frittata. It was amazing. Our meals both came with some of the best hash browns I have ever had, and a little bowl of fresh fruit. It was a great breakfast, I must go back there to try the eggs benny.

National on 10^th

Okay so I have had good and bad experiences here. Some of the employees seem rather pretentious. Once while I was in line, the bouncer yelled to everyone in line that you had to be 25+ in order to get in. I didn’t care much for that, since I was not quite that age. Then some people in front of us said that there was a group of young guys wearing baseball hats that the bouncer didn’t want to let in, which is why he said that. But whatever I don’t really know what it takes to run a bar. I still like going there. Once I went and had to start a tab since I was getting food on a Friday night. Ended up staying there for a while and using the tab for food and drink! Anyways at the end of the night some strange guy was hitting on the bartender while I was trying to get her attention to pay, so I gave the guy a dirty look. After that the bartender gave me back my ID and card and told me he took care of it. Like whaaaaat I didn’t realize things like that happen in real life. Yes, I like National on 10^th.

I didn’t realize how much I would write about each place…

Village Ice Cream

I am 90% sure that Village Ice Cream would constitute as a hidden gem of this city. It’s kind of confusing to find as it’s on a strange street that has construction. Basically, I know I am getting close when I have to think “is this the right street?” but yes that’s the right street. They hand craft all of their ice cream which I find so interesting. It really changes the way it tastes, in my humble opinion. They have their regular flavors, and then 3 or 4 seasonal flavors. I always try the seasonal flavors because I like to try new things. Flavors I have tried are earl gray, pear and red wine sorbet, and banana spice. All have been absolutely delicious. I want to go there every single day. I want to live there. Village Ice Cream, you are wonderful.

I defintely eneded up writing more about those places then I expected to. Here are some other places in Calgary that I recommend, but don’t quite have as much to say about: Ox and Angela, Menchies, Boxwood Café, Kawa Espresso Bar, and well I am basically an 18 year old girl so Ranchmans (obviously) and Hudsons Downtown.

 K tell me more places to go in town because I want to try them all!!! 

XO

This is definitely for real.

Alright so since my first post on Wednesday, I have stuck to my word and only swiped right on Tinder. 

For those of you who live under a rock perhaps and don't know what Tinder is, let me explain. Tinder is an app, in which you can see who around you have the same app (within 150 km). You can see pictures that the user chooses, a tagline, their age, and mutual friends and interest from Facebook. 

For each person you see on the app you can either swipe right, for a "yes" or left for "no". If both people swipe right you have the ability to start a conversation. If one person swipes no then no conversation can happen! That's it, rocket science I know right? Like why cant we all meet people the old fashion way?  

So for the last two days I have only swiped right, and let me tell you it has been quite the confidence boost. 

Here are the different kinds of guys I have seen on Tinder:

1. The guy who thinks he is being super creative in saying hello.

I get it. You think you are a cowboy. Because you live in Calgary. 

2. The guy who gets right to the point. 

Please don't judge me for not responding to that last one. There are some things I would rather be watching. 

3. The guy starting with an "original" compliment.

The weird thing is this is the face I'm making in all of my pictures...

4. The guy who's Tinder cherry you popped. 

Aw... Everyone deserves a match. 

5. The guy who you have the typical "tinder" conversation with. 

If you join be prepared for a whole lot of conversations like this. 

6. The guy who just doesn't get it, and doesn't give up or makes spelling mistakes.

 

7. The guy who doesn't know what else to ask. 

I swear, next time I am going to say "for my blog". 

7. The guy who is just weird. 

Um whaaaat.....

8. And my favorite guy of them all....

You win my Tinder, Wild. You win!

Am I too judgmental? Maybe this is why I am single. 

Oh well that's a blog entry for a whole nother day!


XO