escape from the fridge

Banff attracts weird people.

Paul told me that. I gather he should know after living here for 30 years.

There is me, obviously, and Tom, and Betty with her rat of a dog Sam (she herself calls it Rat), the guy who stares at Pokies belly, and a raft of others. And the raft of others all want to work at our store.

Jason was fired a while back, so Management put up the help wanted sign.
A woman walked into the store and stood there looking at me without saying a word. I was putting away the lader, so I just smiled and continued what I was doing. Once the lader was away, I walked around the store looking for things to do, and this woman followed me with her eyes for a few minutes, without ever saying a word. Finally, at little rattled by her constant stare, I wandered over to her and asked her if I could help her with anything.

"I just finished a course of sleep deprivation" she replied.

"Oh, really" I said, trying to act as if what she said was a normal way to start a conversation.

"Yes, but I just slept now, but I am still feeling a little 'beula' ".

"Oh, ok.." I said, "Is there anything else I can help you with?"

"Here's my resume", she replied as she presented one piece of paper to me.

I took the resume, and started to read...

2002 Worked for Hyait.

2003 Father died returned to Ontario

2006 Returned to Banff Tour after being dangled by my kneck [sic] by my brother.

2006 Plane landed after removing self...



Welcome to Banff LeAnne, you're going to fit in well here......


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Wolves were extinct from the Banff region for neally a hundred years after they had been hunted for their skins.

Then one day back in the mid 70's the first wolf that had been seen suddenly appeared in Banff. It caused quite a sensation as you can imagine. The first wolf!!!

That was untill one stormy night Paul was driving to Canmore, when a large "dog" ran out onto the highway, and Paul struck it with his car. When he got home he called the parks service and reported hitting a dog back out on the highway. The next day a warden was dispatched to go remove the remains...

And now you can see the remains of the "dog" Paul ran over in the Banff muesuem.

Paul was quite disturbed by killing the first wolf to return to Banff, and so kept the fact as his little secret. But you shouldn't tell secerts to someone who runs a blog......



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Here are some other interesting little facts I found out about Alberta:


Albertans have the highest average disposable income, 14% above the national average, at $33, 083. It's the only debt free state in Canada, and with all those oil resources, that's not surprising.

The average wealth of richest 10 % of Albertans is $ 1,311, 401.

THe average wealth of poorest 10% of Albertans is $ -5,314.

That makes a Wealth Gap of $1,316,715. Which is a substantial gap. Albertans also have a stagnant wage - the inflation adjusted average weekly wage from 1993 - 2003 was $676. It rose over that period by about 20 cents.
Which is pretty strange considering that the region has zero unemployment. I would have thought that with the job market so tight everyone would be making decent money. But then I discover that Alberta has the lowest rate of unionization at 25%.

I also discovered that before deregulation of the Utility services Alberta paid the lowest utility rates - now they pay the highest.

I have heard it said that Alberta looks a lot like New Zealand...well, it looks more like New Zealand in more ways than just geography...


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Some highlights of February:

Cross crounty skiing up the spray river with Sarah, and later with Pokie.

Backyard winter Babie

Curling with Sarah, Pokie and Liam, but Sara and I were cheated out of a win by a dirty cheating Pokie.

Valentines day, in which I recieved tasty cakes from one of my admirers, and cards from the two hotest girls in the bow valley.

and with that I am leaving the Bow Valley.....my lush pad up at Paul's place, my position as employee of the month in the Canadian Store, - but worse, I am leaving my friends Sarah and Pokie....I will miss you both

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