CELL PICS FROM THE PAST

Got my work cell hooked up to my laptop and am able to transfer files freely between them. Here's a random sampling of some pics I've taken with my phone...

GOLDEN RIP-OFF

The University of Alberta has stolen the University of California Oski logo. Well, I just see an obvious comparison. Why they would steal that stupid looking Shriner's-style hat is beyond my comprehension. Not sure what they call their devious looking mascot, but I would guess at a name like Bruno or Tank. If you know, please do tell. Here's a comparison with Oski on the left and "Bruno" on the right.



Not only this, but that shifty-eyed golden bear with the scarlet letter on his fez only represents the men's teams at UofA. The women's teams are represented by an even more incredible beast! The Panda! I swear I'm going to find some panda gear to wear before I head home.

ON EDMONTON

First off, it's cold here. I'm wearing my North Face micro-fleece jacket inside and outside. The airport was 2.5C last night. I'm not going to do the translation for you, but water freezes around 0C, duh. Yes, they report fractional degrees as well. At the medical centre (yes, spelled like that) today I was sitting at the machine console configuring a firewall and a biomed tech from the hospital came up and asked, "Are you cold?!" Yes. I guess I am weak to temperature. This is exactly why I went to Cal and not NWU.

All the candy up here has a different name. Raisinettes are called Les Dingleberries or something. Not really, but everything seems to have a Canadian or French flair to it. I go for the Cadbury Caramilk stuff because I don't normally see it State-side. It's delicious. I love Canadian candy because the chocolate has a different flavor to it. I ate hospital food today and it was blah. I am a bit concerned since I ate bolognese spaghetti and Canadian beef is known to have mad cow disease. I'll take my chances seldom versus the prions. Last night I kept everything to seafood and veggies.

After you watch the nightly news around 11pm, Canadian TV broadcasts The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, and South Park in that order. Genius.

I'm carrying too many $2 coins. Pockets ripping.

They put gravy on their French fries. Thick, brown gravy. My coworker loves it, but I think he's been up here too long that he's been able to acquire that taste. He told me that if you order fries at McDonald's they will ask you if you want gravy.

Cigarettes are about $9-10 per pack. Again, compliments of my coworker for that info. I told him he could buy the patch and save money instead. I don't know how much any of this stuff is in the US, but I assume it's cheaper down there.

They put very difficult sudoku puzzles in their newspapers.

Total hottie front desk attendents. Ukranians.

NORWEGIAN WOOD

I have moved. Santa Clara is my new home. I'm enjoying it so far. Closer to many of my friends. Glad to be out of Hayward. I am very nostalgic about my old apartment. So many good and bad memories. So many memories. I won't forget.

"So I looked around and I noticed there wasn't a chair."