The Moving Man

Wayne and his wife Elaine on the top of Bear's Hump

This past week my great uncle Wayne Anderson passed away in Hawaii. An avid hiking, and climbing enthusiast, (really he was a professional) Wayne fell climbing Chinaman's Hat. This past fall for my documentary screening class I had the opportunity to outline a script for a documentary. I choose to do my piece as a profile of my uncle Wayne, and his many, many adventures. I had a wonderful opportunity to interview him, his wife Elaine, and family. It was last time I got to really talk with him, and I will cherish it always. This is a re-worked version of the pitch I wrote for that project entitled The Moving Man.

For some the greatest challenge in life is to live it to the fullest. It's a challenge to define ourselves against the expectations of society, responsibility, and expectation. It's hard to learn who we are when we are constantly battling against who we need to be. But we find hope in the lives of those who know who they are. Those who live their lives outside the normal boundary lines. Those irregular folk, who choose to live their lives with a zest, and zeal that's full speed, head on, pedal to the metal admirable. People like my uncle Wayne Anderson.

Wayne Anderson is a former prison guard, hiking enthusiast, and father of four. He grew up on a small farm in New Dayton, Alberta just outside of Lethbridge, Alberta. It was there, along with his six siblings that Wayne’s adventurous streak began to grow. At home on the farm Wayne grew up in a traditional sense, surrounded by nature, and his family. He spent his time between chores, and school finding ways to avoid chores and school, and escape from the farm. Eventually he found his way on the back of a motorcycle. From their his travels only increased as he rode his bike across Alberta, and into the States extensively. He rarely packed much, preferring to sleep outdoors, camp where necessary or barter for a place to sleep. His life was one of constant movement and chaos, and he wouldn't have had it any other way.

Despite his constantly moving nature Wayne eventually did settle down in the traditional sense. He married his wife Elaine, and they had four children. But his children were raised in an alternative style. Wayne, a major outdoorsman and hiking enthusiast had his children on the trails, in the rivers, and climbing mountains before most kids learn to ride a bike. He took his children on overnight hiking camps, rappelling, caving, and often bushwacking their way through the forest. His enthusiasm and love of the outdoors has been passed onto his children and all them still remain active hiking enthusiasts. His children were his pride and joy. You see, Wayne's secret talent wasn't his knowledge of ropes, knots, or hiking trails. His talent was more subtle and unique. He had the ability to make anyone feel special. When you were talking to Uncle Wayne you knew he was listening, and that for that minute (usually more) you were all his. It was evident to anyone who knew Wayne, and it's the thing I'll miss most.

I will miss my Uncle Wayne. I don't know any member of our family that wouldn't. He was a grand character. He was a man of story. He could tell and live them like no other. I will miss his stories, and my chances to make stories with him. He was a beloved man, and his family will always remember him. Selfishly I wish that he was still here, especially for his beautiful grandchildren. He was in their lives for too short a time but his stories and his way of life will always be passed on.

I entitled my piece The Moving Man because that is how I always knew him. It's hard to conjure up a memory of him sitting still. I know he's moving on now, and most likely still finding ways to get in some trouble. I'm sure his hope for us to move on too. He was never one to stand around, and he wouldn't want us to either. So for my Uncle Wayne I promise to get outside, hike a little more, and get myself some more stories. I'm going to need to practice if I'm going to be as good as him.

Life Is Something That Happens When You Can't Get Any Sleep!

And I'm back...

As every blog post I write I will start off with an explanation of how busy life has been, but in fantastic, awesome sort of life way. Work life has been crazy busy which is actually really nice. It makes the shifts seem shorter and it makes me even more happy when I'm not working!

Well the Highlight Reel...

Plenty has happened since my last blog update so I'll try and break it down chronologically for some sort of timeline.

1st: I hiked Bertha Lake in the pouring rain. It was good, even though it really is just an extended Bear's Hump but I made it. The only thing that sucked is that there is a lot of cool stuff to see like a massive waterfall off the side of the mountain but it's all blocked by trees so in all my pictures everything looks way less epic than it actually was. Plus I looked like a drowned rat and that's never attractive.

2nd: We hiked Crypt Lake. This hike was actually amazing and the weather was fantastic. I loved Crypt and I'm glad I made it. The first three km are really easy and then the switchbacks and the shale start but it wasn't too bad. The worst part was the tunnel and the cliff face. Crypt has this huge shale cliff face you have to walk along that leads to a tunnel that you have to climb up a ladder to go through. From there you walk along another higher, and scarier cliff face while holding onto a cable. For the readers who are aware of my fear of heights you can just imagine how I dealt with that. But I made it through. There was plenty of snow still at the top which was difficult to traverse and led to me sliding down the mountain on the way back. Luckily this experience helped me to prove the age old movie/tv cliche of the last ditch attempt to grab a protruding stick/pole while falling. Yes, that's right I saved my own life sliding down a cliff by grabbing a protruding stick. I have the distinct memory of thinking while I was hanging by the stick "I can't believe this actually works in real life." Luckily it all worked out and I only feel another two dozen times tripping over my own feet on the way back.

3rd: That same day we hiked Crypt I also pulled my first all nighter. It's weird but at twenty I've never pulled a complete all nighter. I always tank out around 3 or 4 am. Anyway this time we just piled into the jeep, headed into Lethbridge, grabbed some energy drinks and basically lit up the town. Just kidding. I can't exactly divulge the activities but nothing too illegal happened and nothing too sinful happened. It was fun though I must admit, and watching the sun rise driving back at 6 the next morning was definitely awesome. I have to admit though the next day I definately was feeling what I have dubbed the "sober hangover." Lots of water, and lots of sleep and eventually the energy drinks and rowdiness of the night wore off.

4th: I was invited to dinner with some family friends in Cardston. JT, Megan and I went and we had a blast. It was awesome catching up and we played some wicked Wii. I still suck but I've determined that is my lot in life when it comes to video games.

5th: There have been a couple more late night activities such as bridge jumping, lake jumping, and the basic activities of hoodlums. It's been awesome and fantastic and I'm enjoying every minute of it.
6th: We hit up the Calgary Stampede. It was an expensive and amazing adventure even though I had to ride amusement park rides which I hate. It was a great time and an almost experience. So awesome that it actually deserves it's own blog post so stay tuned for that I promise it will be coming soon!!

7th: We drove out to Thunder in the Valley. For those who don't know it's a massive fireworks display down by Crows Nest Past, just past Frank Slide. The drive was amazing and the fireworks were mind blowing. I'm not even kidding I sat there in awe like a kid on Christmas morning. It was awesome and trust me I've seen some good firework shows and this beat them hands down. I'm not sure if it was the mountains, the prevalent weed smell, or the the general hick nature of everyone there but it was a great time and an awesome show!

8th: My fam-jam came down to visit me. They left on Thursday and it was super nice to see them. It was also super nice to be feed by them.

Ok, the highlight reel is caught up. Now for the fun stuff.

Toy Story 3!!!
I love Toy Story. I always have. I had a Buzz Lightyear doll, and I still have a Woody doll. I think it's amazing and genius and I always wished that my toys were alive when I was little (and maybe even still). I saw it and this movie blew my mind. First off it was entirely quote able ("The Claw!! The Claw!!!" "It's triple thick, poly etherne!") Secondly the storyline and character development was super awesome. I was too close for comfort to tears at one point. Thirdly Buzz Lightyear did the tango that sold the movie for me right there.

Ok, the bacholerette thing. It's my duty to inform you that it has passed. I watched two episodes, saw the Jake/Vienna/who the crap are these people break-up interview and I was done. I'm considering that an act of divine intervention.

Predators
So we drove into Lethbridge for the sole purpose of seeing Predators and it was an hour and half of my life that I'll never get back. I thought it would be bad, but bad like the first one with the Govenator was bad. In an enjoyable let's kill dreadlocked aliens sort of way, with super cheesy effects. This one was so bad it was not even enjoyable which considering Deep Blue Sea is one of my all time favourite movies is really saying something.

Anywho,

Work is calling my name. But I'll update soon with the complete Calgary Stampede story and an update on whatever crazy schengians we get up to in the mean time!

Returning To The Scene Of The Crime

Well Folks I'm back.

Life has been a little crazy lately but in a very good (usually) way. Internet is almost always continually down and the staff router hates my mac so posting has been difficult. And I've been busy just having way too much fun. So be jealous, and don't hate me because I'm popular.

The Highlight Reel

Well since I last posted plenty has happened. The first super fun thing was the return to the cabin. As most of my readers know I spent at least half my time last summer at my friend's cabin just outside Waterton. It's a great place for fooling around and getting really muddy. This time we took a bunch of people up there, and had a bonfire. It was a great time and we got super filthy off-roading in the Jeep, and driving the quads. It made my realize how much I desire to be a true country hick and I'm sure I'm on my way to getting there. Next time I post I'm going to try and upload a video of me driving the quad (with my friend on the back) through a huge water bog. It was possibly the proudest moment of my life and I definitely shouted like it was the proudest moment of my life. In the video you can hear me screaming "yes" when I make it through!!

So after the little trip to the cabin we endured more days of rain. We've been doing lots of hiking and yes I have done Bear's Hump a couple more times. I'm up to 7 but I still hate it each time. The best thing is that I've returned to my favourite hike Bertha Falls. We've done that at least a half dozen times by now including in the pouring rain because we were so bored. This week we even went all the way to Bertha Lake. It was fun, even though it was raining. It's a nice hike but it gets really steep after you pass the falls. I think it's an elevation gain of 300 metres or something like that in 4 km. About halfway we stopped and told ourselves that we had totally climbed 300 metres. To our disappointment we discovered that we had gone maybe a 100 metres higher. And some stupid lady told us the lake was just around the corner when it was another 2 km, and 200 metres higher away. She got our hopes up for nothing. It was still super nice though to get out.

Roadtrip!!

The other super fun thing that happened in the past couple of weeks was a little road trip to Lethbridge/Calgary. My friends went home to visit family in Ontario so we got to go pick them up from the airport. We left the night before and spent the night at my aunts and then drove to Calgary in the morning. It was really fun, and a totally surreal experience to take a road trip and listen to music I like the whole way. Loved it!

Other than folks I've just been staying up way too late playing cards or being stupid with everyone. I've actually attuned my body to not sleep before 11 and I should be more tired but I'm not. Things are going well even though work and some other stuff have been quite stressful.

Oh and I also had my first visitor this summer. He's a reader of my blog so I have to say that I had a good time even if he felt like throwing up on Bertha Falls the entire time. It was quite funny to be the motivatior (not a word or spelled completely wrong. Somebody let me know!) on a hike for once! Kidding I love hiking just not Bear's Hump.

The Pop Culture References
Well it's sad to say it but my friends here have hooked me on of all things the Bachelorette. Why? I don't know but I console myself by watching 20 hot guys compete. Other than that I really have to admit I'm ashamed of myself but will I stop watching with everyone? Most likely no. My writers friends have license to mock me now.

Umm, on that note I saw Eclipse. Twice. And yes I enjoyed it. So beat it.

The Music
I'm going old school lately and it's fantastic. As I said my roadtrip was full of music I actually enjoy like the Mama's and the Papa's!! Billy Joel!! Cat Stevens!! And a little emo goodness! It was epic and will most likely never happen again.

Till next time...

And The Witty Died

I'm Not Late, Just Delayed

You know if anyone else was writing this blog questionable titles like that would seem a lot more titillating. Alas, it is only me and I'm just trying for some excitement. Well readers I'm not apologizing but I am explaining the internet in the staff accommodations has been down for the past week and half hence the late blog update. But today is the Sabbath and also the day of reflection, musing, and according to my agreement with my mother updating.

In the Last Week...

Going stir-crazy is the new fun thing to do here. If anyone who reads this lives in the Southern Albertan hemisphere, or you are my mother who just loves to read the weather report for Waterton we have been under a cloud of rain for the past week and half. Seriously we are going out of our minds here and it has not been pretty. I literally spent three hours at Pearls playing cards. My doppelganger (privacy watch mother readers) and I have begun a competition. That will eventually leave me as victor but for now has left me a little tiny bit wanting. But only for now. It's a beautiful game called Rummy 500 and just like solitaire it has consumed my life.

Speaking of the solitaire I have officially beaten the game more than a dozen times, and suddenly my work life has no meaning. So I read, and bang my head against the wall figuratively and literally.

Freaking Bear's Hump

Well readers those of you familiar with Waterton are most likely familiar with the world's worst hike, the most killer, the most likely to be the inspiration for Dante's inferno, Bear's Hump. It's the worst 0.5 km hike of anyone's life, most especially mine. But they have started a staff challenge to hike it thirty times this summer and so far I've been twice. And hated it each time.

But despite the crappiness of my physical prowess I've still managed to have some good times. The first time up it was extremely windy and the second time up it was even more windy. That's pretty much the appeal of Bear's Hump, the view and the challenge of staying on the top in the wind.

Is it Just Me or Is My Witty-ness Lacking?

Well folks I'm just not really feeling the writing today. The blog is going to updated further on in the week I promise, even if the internet is down because I've really grown to love the Pearl's internet cafe. So stay tuned and on top of something more exciting than Waterton in the rain.

P.S. Did ya catch the doppelganger hint? It's not a joke I've seriously made a friend who likes the same stuff as me. It's weird we talk about the same things.

The Dorked Life

My Work Life Consists of Copious Amounts of Solitaire

I'll admit it, dear readers. I've never been much of a solitaire player but for some reason this year, this mindless, frustrating, and mind numbing game has seemingly taken over my professional life. Now, before my readers (namely my mother) get up in my face for wasting time I promise you I'm not. I'm passing time. That's right, my skills as a front desk attendant have increased so exponentially that I have found myself this summer an hour into a shift with little else to do but twiddle my thumbs...hence the Solitaire.

I've never really liked video games or computer games. I can play them for a bit, but honestly I'm not a guy. I don't have a nothing box (ten dollars if someone can find that reference) to reside in while I waste hours and hours beating a game but I've realized that solitaire is not a game. Without intending to my solitaire obsession has suddenly become my goal of the summer. My co-worker got a high score of 655 decimating my high score of 458 so my new goal of the summer has been to beat that score. Here's hoping that the phones stay silent and my skills continue to leave me plenty of time to practice!!!

The Injury Clause

As my most devoted readers know last summer I had many adventures, and they each left their mark, especially my moped adventure. So this summer when I determined that I was heading back here I decided to hold myself to a no-injury clause. This meant that I would try and take extra precautions to ensure that I didn't mangle, dismember, or further disfigure myself. It's been three weeks and I've already broken it...slightly.

Do not panic readers it was not super serious. What happened was two of friends were moving into my hallway so we all banded together to move their stuff. I took it upon myself to hook their television up (because we still don't have one so I needed somewhere to watch bones) and preceded to bang my head against the sloping roof not once, but five times. I'm not going to lie the rest of the night is a little foggy. I do remember laughing way too much and far too loudly. I'm guessing it was about the nearest example I'll ever experience of drunk Maddy. Needless to say the next two nights I slept extremely well, but an Advil a day and I was just fine!

The Dorked Out Life

Well folks I know you read this to live vicariously through my (supposed) adventures while I live in Waterton, and thank you for that but as a proud dork I have a bit to say about my little obsessions. First, Smallville.

If you're reading this you know how much this show means to me. I have devoted nine years of my life to it and by the end I will have spent a glorious ten years worshipping at the altar of Smallville (no sac religion intended) so it would be foolish of me not to put out in the web-sphere my two cents about the season finale.

It was amazing and I'm not just saying that because I'm a die hard fan. Objectively it was extremely well done. The cliffhangers, character development, and even the shoots were extremely well done. For all my Smallville love I really haven't truly loved a season finale since the 4th season finale (when he built the Fortress of Solitude). This finale however was awesome. I loved the original creators and writers of the show Al Gough and Miles Millar but since they left in the seventh season the show has just got this brand new energy. The characters are more engaging, the plots thicker, and they are using way more comic book references, and characters. Plus they finally got rid of Lana and put Lois upfront and centre. Finally Superman has a character who actually questions and tests him!

Ok, I'll stop. I know I'll lose half my readers if I continue praising Smallville. Just know that in one year from know I'll be devoting an entire blog entry to Smallville so that I can achieve some sort of closure when it ends. And I'll probably break out all my seasons again. I love being a dork.

Bones on the other hand...

Bones is supposed to be the replacement Smallville. It's the show that is supposed to make the transition easier when Smallville does end next year. And I do love Bones, and as you know I met the creator Hart Hanson earlier this year. After I met him I had complete faith that he would finally deliver on his promise to get Booth and Brennan together. Complete faith. Even after the 100th episode when she told him that they couldn't be together I still believed. But after this craptastic season finale I've decided I may hate Hart Hanson.

Why you may ask? Because they didn't get together. Instead they each took of for opposite sides of the globe and the show is intending to pick up a year from now "with big changes" ie. keeping playing them apart or possibly bring the characters back with significant others. This is complete crap. The reason I was so forgiving of Hart Hanson was because as a writer I believed the character's story arcs. Brennan wasn't ready to be with Booth in the 100th episode and so her reaction was completely organic. But if she can admit that she loves Hodgins (as a friend) and recognizes that love because he gave her a codebook for poisonous spiders while she is in Indonesia then she can dang well recognize that she loves Booth!! I yelled at the television.

Hart Hanson I take back my giddy, girly, embarrassing reaction when I shook your hand.

Well that was a rant...

Well readers (I'm really pushing the addressing the readers bit today, perhaps it will make my readers feel more loved or perhaps even increase my readership [which by the way is an awesome word]), it's time for me to go make myself some dinner. I know I didn't focus too much on my Waterton exploits but not too much has happened and my slave driver has requested weekly blog postings in exchange for a hair cut when she visits in July so there will be plenty of time to update you. Plus I have to mentally prepare myself for the finale of Lost. Yes, I am also one of those dorks but only recently.

As always...

Check out the new She and Him album. It's like the mish mash of a 60's love child, and norah jones. Fantastic, and soothing. A weird little combination that is getting constant play on my ipod!

As Per The Instructions of My Mother

Well, well it was mother's day

My mother requested that I update this blog for her mother's day present and since it costs only a little of my time I deemed that a suitable compromise and a pretty furgal gift at that!!

Let It Snow, Let it Snow

So those who live in my home city of Edmonton had to deal with a one day freak spring blizzard. I have zero sympathy for you because your blizzard was simply the remants of the three, yes three spring blizzards we have had so far. I'm not kidding, in total I think we've probably gotten about five feet of snow but it melted and then snowed and melted again. Today is a melt day but I'm sure by mid afternoon things will change. Welcome to Waterton!!!

The storms were so bad that the surrounding areas such as Cardston and Mountain View were out of power for two days. Luckily here we were only out of power for about 4 hours but it was enough time for me to realize that I am helpless without a stove. Seriously I freeze my bread and I had to dethaw a piece of bread in the one little crack of sunlight that was streaming through the window. It only took about half an hour of my life that I'll never get back.

Cabin Fever

Needless to say with the constant snow and the lack of anything being open in Waterton we were all getting extremely bored. Even the satelitte was out!! So one night when it was again snowing quite hard we all bundled up and rounded up as many people as we could. We had a small snowfight and then built three massive snowmen just in front of the hotel entrance. It was the most fun I've had in the snow in years. It wasn't cold so I was just in a hoodie and jeans but by the end of the night after rolling around in the snow for hours we were all frozen. So we headed to the pool and hot tub (after hours because we be Staff and we get sweet privileges!!) and stayed there till about 12. It was probably the funniest night I've had here so far.

I've Got The Crew

This year has turned out to be so much fun here in Waterton, and that because we have a really good staff crew this year. There is a big group of us that aren't hardcore party people so we get together for stuff like herbal tea!! It's been really cool because we all just gather in someone's apartment or just stop by whenever we're bored. Last night I had the whole crew essentailly in my apartment until 11:45, just chatting away. It's been really cool and I've really happy that I choose to come back this year.

The Pimp Suite

Yep that's right this year I've totally scored on the staff accomdation front! My apartment is directly across the hall from my old apartment but it's so much nicer. It's really big and has beautiful, big windows that directly face Vimy. My room has a nice big window that faces the mountain and no blind so the sun wakes me up every morning. It's great and we have a massive huge shower which is good because there will be four girls living in this apartment. For now there is three of us and it's working out great!

My Partner In Crime Has Arrived

Due to internet privacy and whatnot I can't officially name my best buddy online who has now shown up but the majority of the people reading this now who he/she is so fill in the blanks. Anyway he/she showed up this week and so now the summer has officially started even if the weather is not co-operating. Expect the great and grand tales of last summer soon, hopefully, weather willing.

Anywho,

Well folks I guess I should return to getting some work done. But before I go everyone should be listening to my new favourite Mumford and Sons and watching Smallville because this week is the finale and it's going to be amazing!! Even for the naysayers who read this and think Smallville sucks, watch it will rock your world and if not Superman will trump you down! Or at least I will in his stead.

Till next time...

The Return

Return To My Mountain Home

Yes that's right folks I have returned to Waterton once again. It was a bit of a struggle to decide and after a hundred pros/cons list (you know I love them) I finally made my decision and I'm here once again. So far, it has been amazing just being back in the mountains. Of course, Waterton is still Waterton. My first day here I was welcomed with three feet of snow and a three hour power outage, but a chinook came through the next day and the storm and snow has now passed. I was all game for an epic snowball fight but my friends were not up for it, but I still managed to get a few shots in.

Right now I'm in an apartment across the hall from my old apartment. It's bigger and it has a super nice shower but there will probably be four of us, or even five stuffed in here. For now it's just two and so there's lots of space. I'm super lucky on the roommate front this year. Most of my roommates are members so I wouldn't be worrying about any major partying. My current roommate is from Ontario, loves show tunes, and youtube blogging. She's been a lot of fun so far and Megan is especially excited to meet her and sing some show tunes.

So that's about it for Waterton now. I'm back to front desk and I'll even be back at the Aspen Village so nothing has really changed there. The first couple days here I've just been adjusting. Nothing too major because of all the trails are still closed so I've just been hitting the gym, working, or cleaning the apartment. Last year this apartment was party central so bleach has definitely been used on almost every surface, and one major nasty, huge, hairball was pulled out of the shower drain, and I almost vomited.

The Rest of The Semester...

Well I survived the end of school. It was dicey there for a couple of weeks especially when my dell computer finally gave up the ghost in the last two weeks of school. Luckily I rescued almost everything (except the assignment I had spent six hours on) off it. Eventually this lend to my newest pride and joy, my Macbook Pro. Yes that's right people this blog is coming to you off the slim, the shiny, the sexy, and all mine MacBook Pro. And not the old one, the brand, spanking, new, fast processor one!

This semester was probably my favourite so far. I loved my classes and I did really well. I got two A-, two A's, and one B-. It was really enjoyable and I'm really looking forward to next year after my summer break.

Oh yeah, the cliffhanger

So I forgot about the last epic event of the semester my Muse concert. It was completely amazing and so deafening! I had a super bad cold a couple of days before and my throat was just starting to heal up and needless to say it did not fare well in the days after the concert. Even if you didn't enjoy their music you would have loved this show. The effects, the sounds, and the passion of the band was so incredible. I was just in awe the entire night of the whole spectacle. I think it will be a long time before I see another concert as incredible as that.

Well...

Well folks it's time for me to head back to preparing my dinner because I have to do it all myself. At the moment I'm living off of asparagus which is good but I'm looking forward to heading into town to get a little more variety going.

As always...

I've been jamming to the new Norah Jones cd, and it's quite good for my older readers. But for the young at heart I have recently rediscovered my love for the Violent Femmes. It's all I've been listening to and I swear even though I've heard it a million times I could put Blister In the Sun on a rotation and listen to it over and over and never get bored. It's that good.

Until next time...

P.S. As I am now back in Waterton and trying to avoid the daily houndings of my mother for my well-being this blog will most likely be updated more currently, so stay tuned, tell your friends, and comment!!!