Trip planning and being Lost

Trip Planning and being lost

I had two interesting experiences the weekend with with finding new locations and ‘being lost’.

The first event happened Friday evening as I was searching out a friends place in South Calgary. I don't often travel to that area and I don't have a GPS to guide me. The address was a combination of numbers and a named drive relating to the area of town it was in.

The second event happened Saturday evening as I was searching out the Scottish hall in South Edmonton.  I don't often travel to that area , but I did have my phone App to guide me. The address was a direct relationship to a Street and Avenue grid that should have been easy to locate.

On Friday Evening Richard checked in if I knew how to find his place , inquired about my GPS.  he offered to come rescue me if I became lost.   I had prepared before the journey, looking at a map prior to setting off, noticed key landmarks such as parks and  major intersections.  I printed off a sheet highlighting my best route as well as backup route and was on my way.  Although it was blowing snow and I was uncertain about turn offs , I navigated mostly from memory of looking at the map and only had to glance back at my sheet a couple of times.  I found the major intersections, turned at the park , and arrived in the general area fairly easily.  I was a block off on my first try, but a quick adjustment over to the next street had me arrive safe and in time.

The Saturday adventure was a different ordeal.  I had not prepared to go to the Scottish  hall until I was already on the road back to Edmonton.  I pulled up the map on my blackberry ‘MAPS’ function, and it easily guided me to the exact street address starting with a turnoff from Nisku.  As I headed north through industrial area and followed the tracks, I knew I was in trouble when it indicated I was at my address between an intersection of  cranes, pipes, and industrial shed.  I played with the phone settings a few times , remapping and validating my current location, and I was pleasantly surprised that I was only about 3 km away.  Back to follow the train tracks , and past the dead end sign.  My path to the hall was blocked by the Anthony Henday, Train lots, and industrial land.   I thought I could easily correct like any good rural farmer would, by going back to the next intersection and simply hopping over a mile.

Up over the Anthony Henday I went , and closer to 31 Ave, but my cute mapping device again told me I had arrived  between a dry cleaner and a school park at 20 Ave?  To make matters worse , I was navigating without my glasses ( which I lost in Calgary), it was dark, icy, and blowing snow reduced visibility!

After much frustration and calls to my wife waiting for me at the hall , I circled back only to find a variety of street and road names , with no reference to the numerical addresses , and all roads as I got closer , being unplowed and dark, just waiting to swallow up a minivan on the dark winter night.  I thought I best circle back up to the next street with a number on it so I could get my bearings.  When I did so, I found myself on a one way shooting be over the Henday on on to the Gateway Blvd heading in to Edmonton, then Ellerslie Road and Ahhh - Finally a street number ! ! , I think that was where I wanted to turn I thought as again I was blocked in by a series of one way streets , a long train blocking traffic, and snow blown streets keeping visibility poor.    

By this time the final phone call said ‘ Just go home’ we are all leaving now…….

I was frustrated with my phone , with the city planning department, and for my own inability to find what should have been a simple search on a street grid address.  In all fairness , my Map application was well out of date, showing roads that were blocked , and not indicating new ones recently built.  How hard is it to put  ‘ about 37 Ave’ next to Eby Road….

The truth is I was prepared well for the first situation, and ill-prepared for the second.  I searched on updated maps when I got home showed me exactly where I should have turned and what would have been the easiest route.  It's amazing how just a little preparing and planning can change the outcome so drastically!

The lesson learned , is to not make so many assumptions , or gather better information.  I could have gather better advice on major landmarks , or asked how to arrive from an Edmonton perspective , took time to make better notes.  I believe another 10 min would have gotten me there, but I also waisted 40 min in the process!

Go out and make it a great day , plan ahead , get accurate information, and have a backup pair of glasses with you !

~ Blaine

An attitude for longevity

Sometimes an individuals attitude leaves an impact on you that changes the way you view your world,  your life, and what your role is in it.

Such is the experience I had after working a late night last week.   I stopped for a coffee and fresh-air in North East Edmonton, sitting outside a Tim Hortons around 11:00 ay night.   A few people gathered in the parking lot talking over trucks, others were finishing up late night shopping at a nearby grocery store.  I sat and observed.

One man caught my eye , as his pace of movement was a little quicker than most, more intentional and purposeful in his actions this evening.  He was picking up trash in the parking lot, pushing shopping buggies back into place, and generally 'taking care of things'

I made small talk with him as he passed my way, commenting on the nice evening, his focus in his work, and my desire for more benches and park space to enjoy evenings like this.  I learned that he has been in Edmonton for over 50 years and loves Alberta.  The accent told me he was European, so I pried a little on how long he has been in Alberta.

I was soon on my way, and stopped about a mile down the road to fuel up the truck.  A busy 7-11 had friends gathering, people coming an going,  - AND -
An elderly Italian man, emptying trash bins, picking up scattered litter, and collecting a few bottles.  He offered to remove some waist form the back of a young mans pick up truck, and was tipped a few dollars.  The old man graciously accepted and turned to notice me pumping gas.

"OH- Hello!" he said, and walked my way to empty the bins near where I was.
My impression of this man changed , from someone who was a parking lot cleaner , to realizing he covered many blocks, and worked for no single company.  A small conversation between us followed again, and I discovered that he simply wants to keep living!

At 250 pounds, and health problems in his sixties, Gabrielle decided he was going to just keep on moving, - and keep on doing, for his own sake.  He simply decided to get outside every evening and help his neighbours keep the streets clean.  he walks several miles, and gets plenty of exercise.  I watched Gabriela for only a few minutes , but he was lifting and twisting, bending and crouching, and never seemed to slow down.

Now at 75 years of age, and looking about 180 pounds, Gabrielle seemed to be enjoying his life.  He told me he enjoys mingling with people and getting outside.  He makes a few dollars with tips and bottles, but more importantly he is making an investment in himself.

I could have ignored the parking lot cleaner while I sipped my coffee, but I learned a few this about this man who has inspired me to keep moving, and keep doing - as long as I can , wherever I can.

Keep moving - Keep Doing
And make it a Great day!
~Blaine

Pay it Backwards

Making 'someones day' does not have to take elaborate efforts or a big investment of time or money.  I experienced this first hand when a total stranger showed me an act of kindness and good-will with nothing expected in return.

It was a busy morning running around getting supplies for work, and I was debating if I deserved a cool drink on this hot day.  I rarely take the drive-thru , but rather choose to walk into a store.  But on this day I opted for the Tim Hortons drive thru , and was going to treat myself to a medium Ice-Cap drink.

I paid no special attention to the car in front of me or who was driving, I think it was a light coloured SUV, but it may have also been a neutral toned minivan.  As mentioned , it was just an drab routine day, with nothing elaborate on the go.

The only slight item I noticed from the car in front of me, is that the driver did not take any change, she shared a bit of small talk with the host, a bill was handed over , and with a slight wave of the wrist - it drove away . . . .

I pulled up next , ready to hand over my money , but instead the cool drink was handed to me, and  was informed that this is "already taken care of" - Huh? - I asked? , what do you mean?

"The lady already paid for it"  ....  Who? - - "The lady in front,  she already pay for it".

I was both stumped and shocked .. In my left hand I help a cool Ice-Cap,  in my right a $5 bill.  The host was smiling a big grin and was giving me permission to drive away..

As I did - I saw the car from in front turn the corner and disappear.  I paused for a second , waiting for a friend to jump out of the bush, or a stranger introduce them self,  But none of this happened, rather cars drove past,  people walked along - and the day continued as if nothing interesting had just occurred.    I had nothing more to do than continue my day and enjoy my free drink.

I wondered for a long while what drove the person in front of me to gift me with this?  Why did I use the drive-thru rather than walk up today?, and does that person realize how this token gift impacted me today?   I drove the rest of my trip with a smirk on my face,  a glow in my heart , and a new faith in humanity. WOW! - that was nice! , I thought.  and grinned and smiled and felt very special indeed.

Thank you anonymous Gifter - you made me smile, brought joy into my day. By paying 'backwards' to the person behind you in line, you payed a lot of joy forward to a guy who is rarely on the receiving end.

Now go out and make it a great day!,

Smile on the gifts you receive, and pay it 'backwards' when you next feel the urge.

~Blaine