Month: May 2013

I have a couple of my sons visiting and thought to show them the downtown area last Sunday by visiting the Lilac Festival.  Big mistake.  This is a one day festival along 4th Street.  Nice are and it was a beautiful day.  The street is closed off and there are vendor along both sides with stages for musicians at the side streets.  Lots to see and do. But there was almost no way to see or do anything.  There were far too many people for the amount of space. I have worked at various kinds of trade shows for years and I’m pretty sure I would not have liked it as a vendor either.  We walked along the center of the street for about 25-20 minutes.  We were basically herded along.  There was pretty much no way to stop and look at things because of the mass of people behind us pushing along.  None of were really enjoying this so we walked along 17th until we found a place to sit, have a beer and people watch.

I don’t know if this quantity of people is usual but from talking to others who have been before I think it is.  My suggestion to the promoters of the event and the City of Calgary is to extend this festival by either space or time or both. Extend it along 17th or make it a two day show.  Something.

My son and I had a blast taking photos the other night at an event at Olds College.  It was a last minute thing but we managed to get set up and get some great photos. 

Some really great people there.  Here is a link to their website: Olds College

If you are being passed while driving on the left side of the road you are doing or not doing one of the following:

1. You are not checking your rear view mirror.
2. You are an uncertain driver
3. You are an idiot
4. You are lazy, (you don’t care about others)
or
5. you live in a country where the right lane is the passing lane.

Those reading this are likely pretty well mannered. Most of the more ‘rude’ people are not really aware of other drivers. Driving is not so much about rules as manners and being aware of others.  I don’t really have a problem with someone driving in the left lane as long as they are paying attention and get the hell out of the way when someone is coming up faster than they are.  Too many drivers are worried, I think, about moving from one lane to the other to move out of the way.  That, to me, is poor driving.  That person should be training and figuring out how to drive more confidently.  Then there are those who are just being ‘right’. I guess.  Not sure really but…I have run into all sorts of justifications for this.  But I really think that it is much safer overall for people to get out of the way of faster cars.

Just sayin’.