New Webcam! Vlog Posts To Follow...

  Well, I finally got with the times and purchased a webcam!  I plan on doing some vlog posts once i figure this camera out!   I hope to have some fun with this format, so bear with me as I learn how to do this.





  If there are any topics or vlog posts you would like to see, be sure to send me an email or comment.


Shane

YWCA Walk A Mile In Her Shoes 2011! High Heel Time!

 Its that time of year again!  I was fortunate enough to be able to participate in the YWCA of Calgary's Walk A Mile In Her Shoes event last year and I am excited to be able to take part again in 2011.  This fun event helps raise money and awareness for domestic violence in Calgary and it really is a fun event.

 I have been overwhelmed by the support I have received for this walk and would like to thank everyone that has donated and helped spread the word!  Amazingly, most of my donations have come from Twitter and Facebook, which goes to show the power that social media has these days.  I am also surprised by the response from local politicians of all political stripes that have stepped up and donated to this great cause.  My donor list really is a broad reflection of all political parties and I am humbled by their generosity!

 The event takes place on Monday, September 19 2011 at 12pm at Olympic Plaza.  If you had a chance to see this event last year, it really is quite a scene!  Watching hundreds of men strap on these high heels and try to negotiate the course is really quite funny to watch. 

  I would love to raise as much money as I can for this great cause and appreciate any donations we can raise for the YWCA.  If you want to donate, please head over to  http://www.walkamile.ca/page.aspx?pid=253&tab=0&frsid=823

I'll be sure to post some pictures and videos once the event is over!

Thanks,

Shane

Hey Dr. Raj Sherman....Stop Calling My House!

  Do you know what annoys this blogger more than telemarketers?  Unsolicited phone calls from Alberta Liberal Party leadership candidates.  I have received three automated calls from Dr. Raj Sherman in the past few weeks, and it is really starting to get on my nerves.

  The call is awkward at best, with Dr. Sherman stuttering about being your leadership choice, yadda yadda yadda.  He then prompts you to push button 3 to register as a supporter ( which I wonder if the ALP is using towards their inflated "supporter" numbers.) and goes on and on about how you don't have to really support the party or buy a membership ( to paraphrase) in the party.  The only thing missing is a promise that your support will be kept strictly confidential and hey, "no one will ever know." ( Promise the doctor! ) It is simply disgusting.  The call is poorly done at best and very annoying.

 What makes me laugh is the fact he really is barking up the wrong tree.  Either he is using poor PCAA membership lists or a piss poor predictive dialer.  I would never vote Liberal, so his computer simply has it all wrong! 

If random calls from controversial doctors are your thing, then you will likely enjoy the call.  I think Raj is probably a nice enough guy and all, but from now on, this cowboy will be watching the call display from now on. 

MP Jason Kenney"s Stampede Breakfast

   Yahoo! I hope that everyone is enjoying Stampede 2011!  I thought I would share an invite to Calgary SE MP Jason Kenney's Stampede Breakfast.  This is going to be a great event and will become a fun annual Stampede tradition. 

In addition to some amazing Stampede Breakfast fare, there will be live music and activities for kids! 

I hope to see you all there!

Shane

My First Pair of Cowboy Boots!

  As a born and raised Calgarian, I am ashamed to admit that I have never owned a pair of cowboy boots.   ( Well, that's not entirely true, I did have a pair of cool boots back in 1981 when I was four years old but I doubt that counts!)  And as a fiercely proud Calgarian, I have always wanted a pair, especially as the Calgary Stampede approaches each year.  Over the past few years, I have often taken a timid look at the boot selection at some of those "stampede" shops along Macleod Trail but never felt comfortable buying a pair.  I found boot shopping quite intimidating as I had no clue what to look for and what type/brand of boot offered good quality at a reasonable deal.  This year, I knew I had to get some.

  Not knowing where to start, I reached out of Twitter for advice!  I had a ton of responses with some helpful hints on brands, comfort tips and what price range to look for.  Surprisingly, the most positive response was from Lammless Western Wear, which has been a Calgary retail icon since I was a kid.  They offered to spend some time with me to show me all of my choices and help me find the right pair of boots.  I took them up on their offer a few weeks ago and had a blast looking!  The ladies there were so helpful and showed me probably 10 different styles of boots ( who knew there were so many options?) and I probably tried on 15 pairs.  They also explained exactly what to look for in sizing and comfort and explained the differences between the various styles. 

  While I liked the look of the Ostrich and Alligator boots, I think that they were a little to flashy for this Cranston Cowboy!  I was so impressed with the service and information that they provided that I purchased a pair of Ariat Boots, which many people on Twitter recommended also.  Here is a shot of these awesome boots.

  I was also worried about my first pair of boots being so uncomfortable that I would not be able to enjoy them, but I am amazed at how comfortable this pair actually is.  In fact, they are more comfortable than my dress shoes.  I have worn them about 10 times in the past three weeks ( not a hint of a blister) and would probably sleep with them on if Becky would allow me!

OK, so it took 30 years for me to get my first real pair of boots but at least its done!  Now I cant wait to take in a ton of Stampede functions over the next ten days. 

 Yahoo! 

Calgary's Photo Radar Cash Cow

  I had the opportunity to appear on the CBC Calgary Eyeopener yesterday as a guest on the "Unconventional Panel" to chat about Photo Radar and the infamous Red Light/Speed on Green Camera's in our city.  This was somewhat of a hot topic in Calgary due to the Calgary Herald's story that the Calgary Police Service had issued close to $40,000,000 in traffic tickets last year!

 In my opinion, the Calgary Police Service is sending a mixed message about the use of these camera's.  They claim that they are all about promoting "safety" on our roads, but I think that the main reason for using this technology is to raise operating capital.  If the real interest is in safety, I would prefer to see the fine revenue put into a special fund dedicated to education and enhancing road safety.

  I also believe that photo radar tickets do not have the same deterrent effect as receiving a ticket in person from a police officer.  Receiving a fine in the mail does little to correct your behaviour, other than to just piss you off.   Having your time impacted on the side of the road, followed by stern lecture from a police officer ( and a real ticket that can affect your insurance rates) probably will go further in correcting your driving behavior!

I am sure everyone has an opinion on this issue, but I still think that these camera's are simply a cash cow for the CPS.

  Here is the link to the CBC Radio panel from yesterday!

http://www.cbc.ca/eyeopener/columnists/unconventional/2011/06/29/speed-on-green/

Drive Safe!

Shane

Rob Anderson's Bill 36 Youtube Video Fiasco

 Sometimes things I see on Twitter really make laugh, sometimes they make me shake my head in disbelief.  I caught wind of the Youtube video below following Twitter exchange yesterday between Airdrie-Chestermere MLA, Rob Anderson and political strategist Stephen Carter.  In this 2009 video, Mr. Anderson repeatedly praises the beauty of Bill 36- The Alberta Land Stewardship Act. This would probably not be such a big deal, except for the small fact that he has been one of the most vocal critics of this legislation since his departure to the WAP. 

 The fact that Mr.Anderson is always so quick to blast his former colleagues ( see his latest letter to the Calgary Herald here...) while deflecting any responsibility for his past beliefs and actions is quite humorous.  Sure, we can change our minds now and then, but given that he was such a cheerleader for this bill in the video makes it really quite funny to watch!



Not sure how he explains this one to landowners in Alberta?  ( And I doubt the PC Caucus was hiding off camera, forcing him to make the speech against his will!) 

 
Interesting....