Here in Alberta

I have had a few friends suggest I have a blog, so here it is.

Well, we've been here in Alberta, having relocated from Nova
Scotia, for about 2 months now. We had an excellent start, bought
a car the first day. We lucked out and found an apartment the second day.

R of course had a job coming out here, I applied
for jobs after about a week or so and was absolutely

swamped with requests for job interviews. They have help

wanted signs everywhere and pages and pages of jobs in their classifieds.

They are so desperate for workers, one guy wanted to train me, yes me,

as a forklift operator in a warehouse. $18 per hour at that.

Things are pretty good, almost always sunny and lots

of money to be made. It's amazing how much less

the gov't takes off your paycheque here.

Compared to NS anyway.

Half the Maritimes is out here.

We have met tons of Maritimers.

Lots from Cape Breton.

It is a saying out here that Alberta

is friendly because half the Albertans

are Maritimers. Although Albertans

are fairly friendly it is a different kind of friendly.

Sort of politely friendly. Hard to explain.

I think they have their minds on money.

The weather is awesome, over 25 celsius

almost every day. The nights are bit cooler

right now, about 15 overnight. This weekend is

supposed to be 25-30 all weekend. Not sure what we

will do this weekend, we'd like to get to Jasper one of

these days. My friend N sent me a link to a nice, and

affordable spot.

I am starting to get used to the driving

but it is still a harrowing experience.

I kid you not - they drive 130 plus

on the highways with just inches of space

between cars. When I first arrived I thought

alot of people were towing other cars.

I almost peed myself driving in Edmonton.

Weird things I have noticed:

What the hell is up with the price of Bounce?

Yes, folks, Bounce. That smelly, soft, piece of paper.

It costs a mind numbing $8-9 dollars here. Wow.

And Bread, bread is anywhere from $2.50-$3.50 per loaf.

Beer and Pizza cost more :-( Cheese, milk, eggs, and of course

meat costs less.

And there are liquor stores everywhere,

and I do mean everywhere. Sometimes 3-4 per block.

They are open every day. I have even heard tell of a

24 hour one. Most everything is open here on Sundays,

unlike NS. It is kind of nice being able to put your shopping off

till Sunday if you don't feel like doing it on Saturday.

Plus it spreads the crowd out more over the weekend so it's

not so nuts all in one day. Besides who are we dictating what

days a person should run his or her business. Or what day

they should supposedly celebrate their religion.

They smoke everywhere here. Even at staff

meetings, in an open warehouse mind you, but still.

You'd NEVER get away with that in NS. I think they'd

throw you in jail or something.

Or take away your Saturday shopping rights.

Almost all rental places, if you are lucky enough to find

one, is 'no pets allowed'. It is very anti-fur here in the

rental industry. Which sucks. They take better care of

their rental units here though. The upkeep is a much better

standard than you typically find in NS.

We live in a quiet little spot called Leduc, which is about

20-25 mins from the crazy city of Edmonton. We do visit

Edmonton a fair bit as it is a beautiful and interesting city.

But the gang problem is severe there so we really don't

venture there at night. Anyone from Edmonton reading

this is probably thinking what wimps we are. But when

you come from a small place like NS, Alberta is a whole

new ball game. And gangs are scary.

So, that's about it to date. I will most the odd update now

and then so stay posted!

Of course you can always visit me at www.oddchick.com