Tag Calgary
20 Tips to Help Avoid the Zombie Plague
Zombies are a menace to humanity, and having witnessed the carnage of the zombie invasion of Millenium Park, it’s all too clear to me just how fragile our society is when subjected to these bloodthirsty beasts. Make no mistake, zombies are mindless, godless, and intent on carnal destruction. I’ve even heard from some fringe elements that they are also communist (this last part has yet to be verified). Having survived the “Massacre on Millenium,” here’s a few pointers that could save your life.
Zombies invade Millenium Park - citizenry fights back
Resting up from a rough night, I was reading the paper in my apartment when I heard blood-curdling screams from outside. Running to the balcony, I saw that a full on zombie horde was ambling down 12th Street, congregating towards Shaw Millenium Park. The Calgary Police call it “Zombie Walk,” but the concerned citizens fighting for their lives called it straight-up terror. I took pictures and documented the ensuing chaos as it unfolded at the park.
Bucket List Challenge - Meditate at the Avatamsaka Monastery
If you have ever taken the Crowfoot C-Train line to the downtown, you’ve like caught a quick glance at the Avatamsaka Monastery. Overlooking the Bow River, this little d-spot adds cultural richness to an otherwise bland business zone with its impressive front entrance and colourful decorations. Having seen the monastery daily on my way to work, I needed to check it out. Thanks to the bucket list, I finally got off my butt to do it.
Nellie's Cosmic Cafe makes a mean breakfast
17th Avenue is not only fantastic for the nightlife, it also just so happens to have a great little breakfast joint in Nellie’s Cosmic Cafe. While some places try to over-complicate breakfast, Nellie’s focuses on delivering the highest-quality classics in a comfortable diner setting. On this particular outing, I got the Belly Buster plate (it smelled so good, I couldn’t help but chow down before taking a picture). Eggs, sausage, pancakes, toast, hash browns, and fruit slices, all for 12 bucks.
The Good Life bicycle shop - cheap bikes, great fun
Update: After a few other storefronts, The Good Life closed for good in 2018 Tucked away in Eau Claire Market is a unique shop that has the distinction of being the only non-profit bike shop in Calgary. The Good Life specializes not just in selling bikes, but showing the riders how to maintain their bikes, providing a large workshop area that members can work on their bikes for free in. With a strong social justice mission, Good Life has been riding high since it got its space in the market.
The Exaggerated Peninsula: Prince's Island Park
Snug up against the business district and Chinatown, Prince’s Island Park is a d-spot that can be packed to the brim for a concert, or a beacon of solitude. A skip away from the hubbub, this exaggerated peninsula (it’s not really an island, since there is some land connection on the west edge) is packed with art, sophistication, and fun. More photos and facts under the fold... On a nice day, it’s not unusual to see interesting social activities going on in the fields.
Calgary ABA 2009 - Hey, You Can Be A Model!
The Allied Beauty Association threw their annual Calgary trade show at the Roundup Centre today, bringing in some of the best and brightest in cosmetics and aesthetics. The cutting edge (har har har) of hair care was present, and several new hair styles and colours were on display. Strangely enough, I was a hair model for the show. Photos and more under the fold. I had been approached by the hairdressers in the salon below my office.
The Patrick Burns Rock Garden... it ROCKS!
Senator Patrick Burns was the Bill Gates of meat-packing almost 100 years ago. Located a short walk from the SAIT C-Train station, the beautiful rock garden named in his honour is a little hidden jewel in the Kensington area. More photos and trivia under the fold. The plaque for Patrick Burns says he “mixed farming, ranching, and processing industries.” Having done none of the three, I’ll just assume that this must’ve been quite the accomplishment.
One bucket list attempt thwarted (for now)
(EDIT - The Lido Cafe is now back up and good to go - the AHS notice was simply regarding the renovations) There’s nothing more irritating than when you have your heart set on dining out at a particular Calgary restaurant and find that it is closed. On the Lido’s front door is a notice by Alberta Health Services that the restaurant is closed. While not technically in the downtown, the Lido Cafe in Sunnyside was considered by many a d-spot that had its charm with the greasy-spoon diner feel and varied menu items (think Chinese food with your baked potato).
Play Music closes it's doors
Since TD Square became a scene out of the movie Brazil, shop owners have taken a hit. Recently, the Play store closed it’s doors (or perhaps more accurately, had the doors shut on them). While it wasn’t the cheapest music store in Calgary, it was clean and had a decent selection of music. They had been sliding into selling DVD’s and T-shirts, and towards the end were having some pretty crazy sales.