A Blog of Her Own

Well, I’ve arrived in Banff. I can’t say sunny Banff because it’s 11 o’clock at night at raining. Could see a little bit of the mountains on the way in, but not much. The conference is being held at the Banff Centre. I’ll have to try to find some time to explore before I leave tomorrow.

Somewhere around Cochrane I realized that I had forgotten my TALcard. Now I can’t add a new bar code (from the Banff Centre library) and take home a book. That’s my favourite part about travelling around the province.

I’m presenting on the SuperNet at 9:30 tomorrow morning. I’ve decided to call the presentation ‘SuperNet: Information Everywhere.’ It’s my second time trying to use the philosopy of Beyond Bullet Points. I’ll let you know how it goes. After the presentation I’m heading straight back home; I’m transition captain at Coronation Triathlon in Edmonton on Sunday.

I’ll post something about the conference tomorrow.

OK, I bought a scooter. An Aprilia Scarabeo 50 (the not-vespa). Back in early May I test drove a different type. The Usual Suspects came along and documented it here and here.

For years, I was a bicycle commuter. I loved it, even in the rain (well, maybe not in the hail, but rain was OK). But then I got a job downtown with no good bike parking, and I started to like dressing up, and I started to hate changing in bathroom stalls, and I started to have more places to go where I needed to be wearing my work clothes (ride there, change, meet, change, ride back to office, change,…) I guess I’m just getting old. It is a funny time to stop riding my bike so much–now that I have 3 bicycles.

So, in order to be more flexible in my mobility (buses are only so good) while still avoiding the dreaded car-commute, I figured I’d give the scooter a try. Well, after a rocky start actually getting it from the dealer, I have to say I’m in love. It’s like a bike only better.

I can go fast. Faster than I can pedal, anyhow. And I can wear nice clothing and it’s just kinda neat. Yesterday was the first time I rode it to work. That was fine - but it lead me on a 30 minute adventure to find parking. That’s probably a posting on it’s own…tomorrow.

My one fear - this might just be a starter-bike. It might lead me to bigger, real motorcycles. Eek. Well, we’ll find out in July. I’m signed up for the NAIT motorcycle training course. I have to ride a real ‘bike there. Yipee!