Wow has it really been that long?

According to the dates on here, it's been almost three months since I wrote anything up here. Naturally a lot of things have happened in that time. A lot of bad things unfortunately, for my friends and my family too. However, I'd really rather not get into any of that too much, simply because, well...it's over and done with for the time being. I think it's much better to focus on the now rather than dwelling on what can't be undone.

That said, holy crap has it ever been hot here! The last time I remember temperatures consistently around 28C for this long has got to be sometime around 2002. Of course, my memory and my math aren't so hot anymore, so if you really want to be sure, check and almanac or something ok?

Last week we had the Calgary Stampede. While I don't know if it's really true, it's always been billed as "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth". In terms of the amount of stuff to see, the number of parties and free pancake breakfasts to go to, and the insane number of people that come here every year...I might have to say it's probably a good name for the thing. I'll save the history lesson for how the Stampede came about to others (see www.calgarystampede.com if you're really curious).

Anyway, Friday was mom's birthday so we got her some tickets to the chuck wagon races and grandstand show. It'd been at least 10 years since I'd seen the show myself, and I was really impressed. There are hundreds of people singing and dancing and it's an amazing production. I can only imagine how much work and effort goes into preparing for that thing. And of course, there are always the fireworks. Japanese folks do love their fireworks, and while I was there I saw several mighty fine displays, but I have to say that none of them competed with these. It was well worth the seat fee simply to watch those go off as the show reached the finale.

So here are a few pictures. Naturally they don't do the fireworks justice, but at least I tried. Click here.