Valerie's Variety Podcast

episode 35 season 1

Episode 35: Mental Health Podcast Challenge

Welcome back to a special episode of Valerie's Variety Podcast a sensitive episode where I discuss Mental Heath...enjoy the episode

Mental-Illness-Podcast-Challenge

emotional person

wear my heart on my sleeve

lost friends and lost family to cancer

had a breakdown in my kitchen when work got too stressful

love things and people more than I should

When I was in grade 5 just 12 years old I was living in a rough area in Edmonton with rough people. I watched my neighbour take acid when I was 11 years old and have an episode. I watched my other neighbour have an epileptic attack grande mal seizure while me and my sister plus other neighbour kids were around - I remember being so scared and curious that I couldn't look away or leave but too scared to get to close to this moment

Watched my grandmother die of cancer, lost my grandpa from my moms side he fell off a roof and had a heart attack, found by neighbour kids the same age as my daughter is today.

I have immediate family members that don't respond to my calls, texts, emails, they aren't around for important moments, they're invited, they've been reached out to, they're very important to me, they are included but don't  respond. They suffer from mental illness - they are crushed by their own sense of sadness and loss and can't find their way out of it to reach out or connect tot he people that love them the most.

Watching my friend struggle with her job and her personal life at the same time. We need balance, if work is difficult your home life needs to be solid.

Sadness envelopes me when I think about my family as a child and miss everyone my heart swellsand biomes heavy - not because they are gone and don't respond but because of the time we had together as a family - those days have passed.

Becomes heavy when I was 37 years old my husband had open heart surgery, I was looking at being a window at under 40, I was fearful my daughter would grow up without her dad

I have people in my life that are unkind, unkind to the people I love deeply - these people are mean spirited and passive aggressive and cross the line too much to count and as such I choose not to include them to save my heart from further pain.

Mental illness to me is all of these things and if we allow ourselves to be crushed by sadness, hope, disparity, strength....this will happen, mental illness will set in and conquer our lives. What we need to do is to embrace it, live it, let is fester for it's time and then forgive it leave it by the curb and become more whole than you ever have as this is now part of you. the heavy ness of this moment, this person, this loss, this love. I have my moments, with Christmas just passed and not seeing my mom for another Christmas. BUT reaching out to the people who matter, and who you matter to is the most important.

BUT i have friends that fill up my days, and I'm open to trying, buying, eating, drinking, talking, playing, being together - saying yes when asked. Being the Asker because I need to be purposeful and fulfilled. Love life more and be better, do more and be stronger for it.

Mental Illness is our cognitive thinking skills, can we presume we know what someone is thinking, yes of course, is it accurate to the depths we want to perceive it to be, likely not. It maybe close but it's not the everything.

For me I need to be with people, from what I know about M.I. is that it's a lonely spot to be in, it's cold and isolated. When you're with people you feel warm and cared for - this matters. You matter. we need to matter to people and to the most important person - ourselves.

I lost one of the most important people to me a year ago and I have this whole in my heart even when I write this - no tears now as time has healed this emotion of breaking my barrier of tears BUT I feel sad that she's no longer in my life, I feel like a void is truly there - she was a friend, a dear sweet, non deserving friend to be taken by cancer...BUT i'm stronger for knowing her, perhaps better to as she taught me to have more fun in life and enjoy life just a bit more.

Make life easier on ourselves and our best people. Think of these best people and why they are important, how they make you feel - why they are in your life and cherish these moments with them.

Reflect on Mental Illness, use these life trials as a ladder to build up our character, get that fodder in our lives for us to share amongst our best people at the dinner table to better our friendships. you never know who is going through these moments in life so give someone just a bit more patience do a little better to make life easier for someone else. and remember you are not alone.

thank you Valerie Moss, Valerie's Variety Podcast

Mental Illness Podcast Challenge

stop the stigma

Thank you for listening taking a spot out of your day to be with me and to give me your time, I truly appreciate it. Think about your friends and family who are going through some hard times, give them a text, email or a call to say hi and check in - they may not respond but you can guarantee they loved hearing from you. Thank you to River for putting this Mental Health Podcast challenge out there , thanks to my friend Amber for editing this episode. Thanks to London for the intro and outro. Please share your thoughts with me...in confidence if you have a story you'd like to share about mental illness, I've love to be your support to hear your story.

episode 34 season 1

trust and loyalty and savouring the moment

FRIENDS

Building Friendship, Having Trust,

what does this mean, trustBeing in the moment, always 

What does it mean to have a friend to have trust?

Since living in Calgary for the last 20 years I look around and feel totally amazed by the people I’ve met. Friendships that I savour. So many people impact me on a daily basis. Recently I went on a trip to Vancouver. The night before I left I got to enjoy my friend’s company. This friend isn’t like just any friend. She’s my best friend. When I think of her and be with her there’s usually tears. Happy and sad. She’s a deep thinker she’s sensitive and grounded. She’s empowered more now then ever. She’s the kind of friend who When you reach out to her no matter what time/day or moment she’s there. I adore her so. Amber. 

Friends on a different level

Friends since we were teens...

This evening gave me reflection on the beauty of this friendship. 

I want to know about your friend. 

Who do you have in your life, the guys listening to this - who do you truly connect with? Colleagues? Your kids? Wife? Ladies who do you have? Tell me your story about your friend that you cannot live without. What’s different that stands out that makes this connection between you two - a string that binds your souls together? That person.

Moving to Calgary and Chestermere where I became a mom surrounded by a group of women going through the ins and outs of being a new mom, parent to this little perfect being. Having this group to share our moments with in a safe place environment with each other is our moment. I’ve met people that have moved me to my core. Things that people have done these little things that have made my heart redder and fuller. I love how life introduces us to these moments that when they happen you are different maybe smarter maybe prouder maybe better perhaps. 

The older I get the more I look for the deeper meaning of life - no this isn’t a country song - not quantity but quality. I love things and I’m passionate excitable heart on my sleeve - all the time. I love silly moments. Drinking to much - sewing all night long. Getting lost in music for hours. Having dance parties. Being girly and pretty with my daughter. Karaoke-ing with my dad. My husband means more to me now then yesterday and even when we met. He gets me and makes me feel amazing. I hope I return the sentiments as deeply. 

Trust is where this lies for me. It’s my measuring stick. Trust is it. You betray my trust and I can’t forgive you. It’s not that I haven’t tried it’s that it’s broken forever. That twig has snapped. the last 5 years has put this trust module /tactic / bad sore to the test. What do you measure this with. What’s your sizing chart? What’s your breaking stick?

You know when you lean on people for direction and leadership and they betray you? I am always shocked by this how can they do this to me? They are selfish or pull this rug out from under you and you are once again in your own two feet- it’s you in the end. Trust yourself first. 

While listening to A Star is Born Soundtrack with the sun on my face sitting in seat 10 a the mountains couldn’t be clearer. Love Calgary for this Dec day that’s sunny/ Chinook in the horizon and being lucky enough to be travelling to Vancouver to celebrate another Christmas with this company. My seat mates are headed to Maui. 

Calgary feels betrayed by Canada. Calgary has done so much for this amazing country. We-Calgary gives back like no other province. We are the givers and have always been a ‘have’ province. Now, I’m not the one who talk politics, talks government but I have come across two amazing write-ups lately that I wanted to shares with you as the timing is incredible for our Calgary and our world. 

The first is written by anonymous my friend from junior high Shawn shared this in fb and I wanted to pay it forward as I think it sums up the betrayal Calgary and Alberta feels from Canada. In terms that are sharp and to the point!

by Anonymous

As we stand tall in yet another bust where the layoff papers again start to roll out. People watch the pumps dip below a $1.00 yet again. With the excitement of cheap gas without a care as to what’s happening behind that dollar.We watch those rigs get stacked and trucks head home and the people of this province again can do nothing but watch as the government holds the men and women of this province at a hostage state.No pipelines they said. No rail cars they said. No coal they said. Thousands of people laid off, and downtown Calgary sitting at a 50% vacancy rate.Some people across the country far too satisfied at the thought of the energy sector being shut down. Yay solar panels and windmills.Well I hate to bring the bad news Canada but windmills won’t be paying you $19 billion in equalization payments.Some of you may not understand what an equalization payment is so I want you to think of it as child support. Alberta makes more money than the rest of the country. So we pay you child support so your province can do just a little better in life. We take care of our “have not” children. That’s right Quebec... you should really rethink the divorce as you see about 62% of that number alone.Alberta has carried this country and many of the other provinces for years.Now, as Alberta struggles no one is around. Not even the government that has cut off our ability to transport but has said they will not revisit the equalization payments.So you want Albertas tax payers to pay about $3 billion towards equalization payments... on unemployment? Because that’s the reality. You will not be getting $3 billion from tax payers to hand over to the provinces who so terribly voted red when no one has a damn job.You will not be seeing anything but Alberta crash and burn just a little more. No pun intended but hey while on that topic, thanks for the help on the Fort Mac fires! ?If that is satisfactory to you and if the number at the pumps is making you happy, well just wait because as we have seen time and time again the energy sector is just the first domino. It will travel down, and soon all industries will face difficult times. Every single person across this country will face the reality of Alberta struggling.When you face a lay-off, when you face the choice of food or electricity, and have to turn to social assistance for just a little help along the way... just remember Alberta was there for you.Where are you?

.....

Barack Obama written by R.K. Burrice

The second is one of London’s reading books. She’s in grade 2 and it was my time to pick the book and read. I chose Barack Obama written by R.K. Burrice.. By the end of the story I was choked up. Here’s what I learnt about Barack Obama: he’s kind to the core. His mom is white and his dad also named Barack left when he was young. He was raised by his grandparents from the age of 10. He went to Harvard to become a lawyer so he could help change laws. Volunteered to help people learn about jobs- street people low income people - all people, he was collaborative and positive. He wanted to empower people - everybody he worked at all kinds of charities donating his smarts and his personal time. Did I mention he’s kind to the core? He’s always smiling. We miss you Obama. London asked me why this made me have an emotional reaction - hmm how do you explain this one to a 7 year old. I just said he was a kind man and the current president is very different. How would you have answered this?

--

In closing, Be someone people can trust and Rely on.  have integrity - be a good person even if no ones watching or measuring. Be that best friend! I’ve been reading this book called Skeletons in my closet it’s written by a Calgary Detective Dave Sweets. He wrote don’t be average be a bit better than average - a bit better is easy. A bit better doesn’t take much effort but the results will show ten fold. 

Thanks for listening to the podcast today which as produced and written by me, Valerie Moss, intro and outro  recorded by London Moss. Music for this show is provided through GarageBand and today I chose:

Reflection ApreggioDeep Connection Percussion SnapsTrue Heart Plucky SynthFree Fall Snaps 01Record Player ScratchingAirplane-134 and Airplane-204 (recorded by me on my flight to Vancouver)Truck Engine Pull Away 02Recollection Plus MelodyTascam 40

If you like this podcast and have a second to give me a rating on iTunes or your podcast app to provide me some feedback I'd love to hear from Leave me a comment on my blog or join my facebook group at Valerei's Variety Pod - https://www.facebook.com/ValeriesVarietyPod/ or send me a text/email to [email protected] - I would love to hear from you.

Thanks for listening.

episode 33 season 1

a top pick for Vietnamese

Welcome back to Vsquared and this weeks TMT episode, we are reviewing a fabulous Vietnamese restaurant. The food here is likely the best Vietnamese we've come upon and this is with us searching hard for the best spot.  I've been under the weather with a head cold and always need a nice bowl of chicken noodle soup - preferably my dads soup but..in a pinch this one works great.

Chicken Soup from Pure...mmmm

The place is call Pure, Contemporary Vietnamese Kitchen + Bar located at 815 - 8 Avenue SW

Parking

To get to this downtown spot, there generally plenty of street parking 0 but Parking was a challenge on this day and if I was driving, I would have given up, but since Jeff was driving and wanting to keep his wife happy - we persevered. Finding parking a few blocks away and walking into this great place was worth it!

Starter

We started with an appetizer, the salt and pepper squid - lightly fried with a medley of peppers sliced just so, and other spices sprinkled on top the 3 of us gobbled this up!

Soup

I ordered the Chicken Noodle soup, now when you think of this soup you picture Lipton - red and yellow box from when were were kids likely, but this soup is filled with medleys like green onions, friend dried onion, cilantro, mint and more, plus sprouts already placed in the soup and a separate dish of crispy chicken, with a side of pea shoot salad topped with a light airy sweet dressing , it's so good. London and I shared the soup.

Lemongrass

Jeff ordered the Lemongrass Shrimp vermicelli bowl, lots of bits of nuts, seasoning, fresh lemon grass, mint and cilantro sprinkled throughout, a single vegetarian spring roll cut diagonally on the side topped with carrots julienned amongst other vegetables. Truly a work of art on his plate.

Dishes

Love the dishes here, they are all pottery style with beautiful shapes and colours, they split up my soup into two gorgeous bowls for us to share, matching side plate for the chicken. Charming dinnerware, makes it feel more like home when you eat off of dishes that are so pretty.

Thanks for listening to this TmT segment and this quick restaurant review, enjoy your time when you stop in and eat here, it won't disappoint. Let me know how your experience was. Where is your favourite Vietnamese place and why? We are always searching for the next best eatery - so please let me know.

Thanks for listening. The intro and outro for this podcast is recorded by London Moss, the music I chose for the background is call Pure Love Synth 01 nicely reflecting the name of our chosen restaurant today, the bubbling soup is also recorded by me Valerie Moss.

episode 32 season 1

Vegas Baby!

Secret Speak Easy - invite only hidden gem in Vegas

The Commonwealth, home of The Laundry Room speakeasy

The Commonwealth, home of The Laundry Room speakeasy

typical table ends at The Commonwealth...great atmosphere

Take a spot upon these 'tuffets' order your pre-prohibition drink and enjoy the music coming through the sonophone.

Welcome back to Valerie's Variety Podcast and a special episode about a recent vacation we went on...we, not long ago celebrated our 17 wedding anniversary (ep 19), my husbands milestone birthday and we did this in the best known adult playground...Las Vegas Nevada...

We showed up in Vegas at 10pm, which if you haven't been there, night time is the best time to arrive, this is the city that doesn't sleep...I mean never sleeps. Constant goings-on all the time! The amount of people in Vegas on a Friday night (when we arrived) is incredible, there are hundreds of people, driving walking, dancing, partying and  seeing shows and so many more things. One thing Jeff and I like to do is people watch, and in Vegas this never disappoints.

DING DING DING GOES THE SLOT MACHINES

GUYS PEDDLING SHOWS ON THE STREETS WHEREVER YOU GO

BACHELOR AND BACHELORETTE PARTIES GALORE AND I'M PRETTY SURE THEY ARE NOT ASSOCIATED

THERE'S THIS PLACE AND THAT PLACE TO EAT AND DRINK AND SHOP

YOU WANT TO, LET'S SAY TAKE A HELICOPTER AROUND THE STRIP - DONE

GET A TATTOO, YEP YOU CAN DO THAT ANY TIME OF THE DAY OR NIGHT

and on and on it goes...well we were up for it all, well as much as we could do stamina wise and as much as we could do interest sake, you see, this was our first vacation without our daughter...she's 7 that's quite a few years to go through the beginnings of new parenting, settling into our parenting roles and how much we changed as people within this new family dynamic and then the following months and years getting easier and easier as most of us parents know, the older the baby the easier life gets for responsibilities every single minute.

We booked ourselves into a couple of shows ahead of time as we wanted to see a cirque de sole show.  We’ve both seen them when we have done other trips to Vegas with work or personal but not together...so we chose ONE the Michael Jackson https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/michael-jackson-one

Michael Jackson One

experience...it was incredible and...I bought the T-shirt! Michael Jackson was my very first record I own yes an LP, mine was the thriller album, which my dad still has BTW and it will hopefully be worth some money one day...do you think the Happy 7th Birthday Valerie written in pen will add value to it?...maybe not. But the Vegas show was a must see for me..

Did you know the Cirque shows originated in Canada, in Montreal actually. They are a circus type of show with incredible talent, circus themes and apparatus' as well as the most in credit ideas. One of the skits for the MJ show...they were dressed in awesome suits and everything glowed in the dark. Acrobatics were happening all around us, another part was snow coming down from the ceiling...and to give MJ honour they had a memory box with his signature glove (which came to life), his hat and shoes...all of these items had dance moves all on their own. A worth it show. totally awesome.

Another show we wanted to see was just opening up when we got there,

The Mob Story

https://www.plazahotelcasino.com/entertainment/a-mob-story/

told real accounts from mobsters that made Vegas. A truly remarkable story of love, and impenetrable loyalty. This show also boasted some great talent and theatre performing dancers. We were sitting in a half moon shaped banquette, alone, in real style with small lamps on our table. Our waitress wasn’t great, which kind of sucked BUT the storey sure made up for it. Held at The Plaza hotel which is down in the old vegas areas off Fremont Street, in the original vegas stomping ground, it was worth the trip. We then spent time on fremont street, enjoying the craziness. There’s the almost nude (not the attractive type) peddling a few things here and there. We saw a mother-daughter team lock dancing to a great beat!, then we cam upon a wall of people, I mean a wall, people were stuck there, the music around us was so loud - we later find out once we escaped from the crowds that it was RAT from the 1980’s playing. Pretty cool..

The Venetian

We stayed at the Venetian Hotel, we wanted to splurge a little and in comparison we think we did pretty good on our choice. https://www.venetian.com

This hotel is one of the staples of Vegas, it’s noted as one of the most romantic places to stay in Vegas..well well, we thought so. When we walked around this lovely place, we stopped outside the Dorsey nightclub entrance and someone famous was there, as there were camera men following people around. The entrance to this place has approx 10 claw footed bathtubs and there’s girls sitting in the tubs surrounded by flower pedals - just to look at as your gandering by.

The food in vegas is truly exceptional. Everything tastes good, and you need to shell out, it’s not cheap but it’s worth it the value is attractive.

Did we shop? Not really, like I said earlier bought a T-shirt, well a hoodie from the MJ Show.

Jeff and I are all about the food and drinks. We spent quite a bit of time (2 full nights) downtown on Fremont Street

The Vegas Experience

https://vegasexperience.com

There ziplines, running the length of this area approx 2 - 3 city blocks above everyones heads, you hear them wizzing by and screaming - what a rush this would be. This is Vegas. Above the Ziplines is a dome shaped LED light show and display, every 20 or 30 mins all of the hotels and stores go dark and this LED display lights up the night by performing a light show to music above your heads - it’s incredible.

As we walk along we come upon this small art gallery with a variety of unique items. there is a soldier combat fighter, and other items that don’t really impact me as much as this totally intense piece of artwork: approx 30’ or more tall, towering metal, robot doll, dress with a halter tutu and panties on (basically your are standing below her say beside her feet) her tutu style of skirt is kind of slightly blowing in the wind, she’s part of an abstract yet grouped objects within a small intimate exhibit, outside, surround by a picket fence. She’s connected by cogs and pull lies along with metal contraptions, her eyes are OPEN big and wide, she has short almost a china doll hair cut. and She’s still like a statue but you know she might just come to life. We find a small table at the restaurant just beside this “art gallery’ and proceed to order a couple of drinks, we’re sitting outside at a small table for to along the perimeter small fence of this neat restaurant. The hosts/and hostesses are really inviting and entice you to come in and enjoy. There’s a man with a really large dog, sitting just around the corner from where I’m sitting, he’s bellied up to the bar, his large dog is laying down, with his broad heavy collar on, it’s extremely fluffy and looks tired, he precedes to laydown with his tale just shy of where all the foot traffic is walking by…any minute someone will step on his tale - it never happens. We hang out at this place for a prolonged time just taking in the experience. The Vegas Experience. 

I see something move above me kind of around the corner of the bar where the dogs tale is still safe, and here’s the giant little doll, she’s moving. and Blinking her eyes, she’s lip syncing to some song in the background and moving her feet, walking like but strangely not making any traction. I feel sort of intimidated like a peek into an unusual episode of chucky maybe I’m not sure. This what I’m seeing tho isn’t normal, large robotic baby dolls are not supposed to do this. Everyone is watching though and it’s like a car crash you cannot look away…doesn’t last ling, the pulleys pulling and the metal gliding, the arms and eyes moving, then the music slows down, the eyes close and it’s all like it was before it started…

Clothespin invitation to The Laundry Room - Vegas Style

While sitting there we got to know our waiter, Mike, great guy and very easy going…he’s been here a while, know the chaos that ensues on a Friday and Saturday night down town old Vegas, he’s not really phased by any of it - takes it in stride…he squats beside our table (like an Earl’s waiter stance) and removes a small clothespin from the pocket of his blue shirt, then places said clothespin onto the corner of our bill…on this pin has a phone number etched into it, or sorted burnt into the wood of this tiny messenger. The number reads 702-701-14xx… Mike proceeds to tell us that this place he works at owns a Speak Easy club called The Laundry Room nestled within the Commonwealth an old hotel turned swanky cocktail bar in the fremont downtown district in Vegas. This is an invite only place, you cannot walk in off the streets or wait in line, or pay a cover charge. This place people know about by the people who have gone there before or rumours.

First, you need to text the number on the clothespin, dress appropriately, make a reservation be 15 minutes early, then you go to the address and meet at the red door, a man will greet you - yes he did, You walk into pre-prohibition era design that is incredible, this my friends is the waiting area - the night we were there it was empty but completely furnished just waiting for the party to start…you tic tic wait, admire the paintings one of a small clown boy with a red hat and oversized eyes and face…almost pouting, the tuffets scattered around the floor are inviting to sit on, the old fashioned base board heaters that are holding up the long elegant table as ends…the walls covered in decoupage of black and white individual photographs.

episode 31 season 1

Merry Christmas from me to YOU!

Merry Christmas, love Valerie

Welcome to A special Christmas episode about a girl who grew up in a small town east of Jasper Alberta who now lives in and loves Calgary. What or who brought you to Calgary, why do you love it here?

Once upon a time there was a was a brown haired girl with green eyes who lived in a town with a quaint population. Her mom and dad were also both from this pulp and paper town. Surrounded by coal mines and mountains.

She, this small girl loved Christmas. Her large praternal family consisted of Auntie Cher, cousin David, Uncle Ron, Auntie Barb and cousins Abby and Katy, Uncle Derek Auntie Marg a x cousins Travis Russel and Jolene as well as uncle Murray (RIP) Auntie Laurie and cousin Kyle. And My dad, Michael comes next with me, Valerie and my older Sister Lisa. Then would be Uncle Darcy (RIP) and next comes Auntie Maureen, Uncle Al and their boys Ryley, Davis and Vaughan. Yes this is my family on my dads side. Amazing isn’t it.?  What’s does your dads side look like? How many people in your family on your praternal side? And this is before we all had babies...

We would head out to Folding mountain resort every year! This resort was owned and operated by my grandparents for many years and previous to that by my grandmas cousin. Nestled in the heart of a mountain names, Folding Mountain-a mountain that folded over a lake many crisp years before as well as other Rocky Mountains it boasts to this day a campground and cabins and condos  just East of the jasper gates in Jasper national and historic park.

There was very rarely a sharing of the holidays my gramma Swain won her family most of the time. Her family came home for Christmas. All the kids. Since my dad was a single parent she didn’t have to share us and I was thankful for that I think because she had mostly boys they all showed up for Christmas to be with their mother and of course my grandpa.

We would arrive a day or two before the specialist day and walk into a country home smelling of pies, all kinds of roasting foods like: of course the traditional Turkey and fixings as well as, other family favourites like sour krout soup and sausage stew, perogi and cabbage rolls, enchiladas, and abundance of salads to include traditional lettuce and sort of bean mixture. Plus an incredible array of desserts.

Funny story, when my dad and his brothers were young, remember  how many of them there were? My grandma would do her Christmas baking way in advance and freeze everything in the basement deep freeze. The boys would go in a sneak slabs of her Nanaimo bars and cakes in the night...the stash and supplies were mush skinnier when the time came for Christmas dinner celebrations...hmmm I wonder if Grandma actually minded.

Upon arrival all these families would show up in troves kids and food and pets lol along with presents and all the banter ‘oh Maureen I bought this dish back  I borrowed’ and Oh Michael here’s these pictures you wanted and ‘oh hi Auntie is so good to see you’ this took most of the day-evening just saying hi’s to everyone. Then the grandkids, Lisa, Travis, Valerie, Russell, David, Jolene, Abby, Katy, Kyle would go hunting with Grandpa Swain for the best Christmas tree, a real tree, picked right in our backyard, up the mountain. The tree could barely fit through the door. the decorating would ensure and Christmas was well underway...

You see our family was big and people were scattered all around the country. We had aunties and uncles in Ontario and British Columbia as well as when my family moved us to Saskatchewan and family in Edmonton. But we would all descend into our home town where we were all raised on this snowy snow capped mountain resort that was familiar and special to each one of us in a different or similar way.

this is my dads side

Her maternal side also lived in this area just East in a small town, still nestled in the Rocky Mountains, this is a town where People did not lock their doors the parents teach at the schools and work at the hospitals and for the town. This town started me, it showed me trust where kids played freely in the streets till past dark and it was safe! My mom Candace with us two girls she was the eldest with her husband Doug, auntie Janet comes next, then comes Auntie Kathy with Uncle Randy (RIP) - and her three girls Amie, Shannon and Tracey and the next comes Auntie Lana with her husband Dan and the last but not least is Uncle Glen and his long time girlfriend Jackie with their Son Jarvys. When we would arrive at Auntie Kathy's she would always have some sewing project started, I'm making 7 matching pyjama bottoms - what Auntie it's like two days before Christmas, she'd laugh and say I know...let's get at it! I would come to expect these last minute late nights with Auntie always squeezing in one finally special gift and wrapping presents into the wee hours - this was Christmas.

and this is my moms side

Many Christmass' were spent in Folding Mountain and Hinton Alberta, being at this place and the next, being surrounded by family here and there. The extra people who come to town are always welcome at this family or that. We have roots in this place, generations grew up here. Can you imagine being from a family that has 7 Aunts and Uncles on one side and 5 on the other plus all the cousins... it's pretty fantastic.

These memories I hold very dear. Life changes and people grow up, move out, and spread out, I have 2nd cousins now and small people that call me auntie, my daughter has her own cousins and second cousins that are almost the same age. We have traditions yes, we have family around yes but nothing like when I was a kid...Christmas magic is different now, I setup my tree with my daughter and husband who always tops the tree with the angel. My mom and her husband live over there and my dad and his wife live the other way. My Sister and her new life live somewhere close-ish bye. It's not the same. This is my new Christmas with my special people, it's small and quaint but it's all mine. I'm grateful for my life, we've made choices together, our family traditions are blossoming and our life is good. I'm humble and grateful. My husbands family is close by and we will see them, happy for my daughter to see her grandparents, Auntie Colleen and my nieces as well.

What are your traditions, what do they look like? Who do you miss this time of year, I've lost some family as you've heard who have you lost and how has this changed you? We tend to think about these people at this time of year, that special photo or blanket that you keep for this time of year. Where makes you feel the Christmas magic? for me, special ornaments I hang on the tree and recipes I've now made for years - just for this time of year.

Merry Christmas to all my family and friends, near and far, thank you for impacting my life and spreading your life lessons and nostalgic upon me. Your impressions have lasted and I'm truly thankful to have them.

Songs for this show are provided by London Moss, Oh Chistmas Tree and Jingle Bells and digging out our Christmas Carol book that holds our little Friday George..thanks to Jeff for adding the whistleing in the background, even tho I'm home with a cold I wanted to get this recorded and ready for the Christmas. As you can likely hear in my voice I'm a sensitive person and even more this time of year as I'm sure like so many of you. Hug your chosen few close and enjoy the moment capture it in recordings and songs for future people to enjoy. In this episode I chose the appropriately named Trading places beat 02 from the generations I've listed out and Lobby conversation that truly sounded like the family depended upon my former Christmas home.

Wishing all this next generation of Swains and LaPortes a very merry Christmas..

Jonathan, Makalay, Liam, Parker, Faith and Grace, London, and Landon, Ryley, Davis and Vaughan, Jasmin and Dylan, Avery and Graham, Landon and Jayden, Lilly, Grace and Taya, Owen and Winston and more to come...make your own memories, remember the ones your had and will continue to have.

episode 30 season 1

My life in the signage industry, commercial, portable, exhibit worthy!

Todays episode is all about Signs and what I as a PM/Site Superintendent  have to navigate daily to get our objectives met. I've worked on on larger signage projects. I am the boots on the ground, the service delivery in construction this person, this girl that takes the hits in the field, the main contact once it's produced - I'm this person. Today is a story about my job, my project navigating skills my position as a female in this world of construction and a project that changed my life for ever.

8 million dollar job

Signs Signs, Way-Finding Signs

For those of you from Calgary I was the lead superintendent on the IFP (international Facilities project) at the Calgary International Airport. - for the signage installation program. This is the new international portion of the airport which opened Halloween night Oct 31, 2016. I was there this very night watching the first flight of passengers make their way through the terminal, what a moment. They were heading somewhere tropical and I was hoping the signage showed them their way.

This project started in Dec 2014, with 6000 signs to be installed. Starting with tidy little phases for completion to full-on mass change orders, adjustments, site instructions, more changes, adding to the sheer volume of delays. Taking the project from 6 - 9 months to 3 years. CCNs (contemplate change notice) - this is when a change is suggested, requesting estimates from all of the sub trades. The debate ensues if this is going to move ahead...some of these don't get approved for several months (sometimes 9 months but you need to make sure you know about this change in the future for when your estimate is approved). This means if they are going to close up the ceiling or add/remove a wall you need to know about it - SO you can designate your area that you need your sign to go into or submit an RFI (request for information) as your scope has now changed - guess what there's no wall!

Way-finding Signage, is the type of signage we installed into the airport way finding - this means signage specifically placed for people to find their way. We didn't design the sign, we didn't design the content, we didn't pick the location as to where this is to be installed. Our scope, to build the sign as per approved drawings and to install the signage as per approved placement that is provided to us - that is all! Sound, simple enough?

There's a process...we receive a signage package called IFC - Issued for Construction, within this package the signage is specified, there's a drawing that is provided for each sign type (there was approx 170 sign types, we'll get to these in a moment). This drawing indicates the material, the shape, the size how's it mounted and a code for this which is something like A/B/C/D etc this means the type of signage like directional, identifiers like for amenities.

Then it's our job as the signage company and to produce this to make a technical shop drawing that will be stamped by an engineer, it's also our job to make an artwork package based on the artwork specifications that will need to be submitted to the consultant on the project (this person is hired by the owner).

The shop drawing and artwork specifications then get submitted to the GC - general contractor. The GC then submits to all parties that will have influence over our drawings, this could be another trade like the electrical or data sub-contractors, the clients engineers, the consultants, the architects - we wait, tic tic for all of these stakeholders to review and submit back to the GC, then they finalize and provide us the approved drawings. OR they provide us the drawings that note: re and re which means revise and resubmit. This process continues over and over again until all of the shop drawings are submitted to the GC and respective people. In the case of the IFP project we had over 170 shop drawings to submit as well as artwork packages.

The shop drawings are typical, this sign is installed in this fashion, like wall mounted or floor mounted. The artwork package is a little bit different we need a document called a scheduled which provide the content for each sign at each location. So if there's 300 of sign type b there's 300 artwork layouts for this sign as each one of these signs is different based on the areas it's installed in. Clear?

This is a long process.

When we were submitting for the artwork portion of the signage for this particular airport project - all of the alarm bells started ringing. Why? Because the owner and the consultants were still debating the artwork. What?! I know this sounds crazy but it's the truth. They weren't sure if certain pieces of content should be included or a symbol should look a certain way.

So, we needed to make a decision as a team. Do we produce the signage without artwork, this means that it will be only be considered half done. Plus sort of around this time frame, the changes started pouring into the project, this effected us being the last trade in sequence we came after every other trades changes were approved by a financial standpoint and completed so we can get into this area confirm our location/position for the signage and proceed.

Who were some of the other trades onsite? When you think of construction you likely think of framers, borders, insulation, electrical - yep you are right, but there is also the power and data trade, ceiling trade, walls can be many materials like drywall, phenolic panels, glass, diamond mesh plating and more. There's also trades like coring, welding, flooring, carpet, masonry, and don't forget about painting - did you know some steel columns need to have a paint called intumescent? Don't even get me started. All of these trades and more make up approx 1500 people on this job site. There was approx 12 women and I was one of them, pink hat an all. Working with all of these trades was very interesting, I learned a lot, and have a tonne of Fodder for years to come.

Have you heard of a scrum meeting? This is when your group or a group you need to work with has daily meetings to discuss what you are doing, waiting on and who this may effect. This is also to note what you didn't complete from the previous day and why. Another trade maybe waiting on you and vice versa, I came last for completion, for the most part but the position of my signs required things like power, data, coring (through the floors) as well as plywood backing etc which interrupted other trades...These meetings were daily and for a specific area, constantly introducing the changes that other trades had as well as my own were also discussed at these meetings. Setup as a round table - leading with the superintendent from that specific area worker by worker until we hear from everyone who needs something. This could take a hour or more depending. These meetings were important and trying at the same time.

Comparing drawings from one trade to the next was always an interesting topic - what your drawing doesn't show this? Playing a game of Janga to get all these pieces to sequence together without falling over or collapsing the schedule, scope, costs was my daily job of delivering and executing this project, with a positive attitude.

My job was to balance all stakeholders, from the Architect (should he be phoning my personal cell to discuss changes that are coming). To the sub-trades (what your sign is moving again based on this change order? I didn't get a copy of this). To the general contractor - (when are your signs coming - oh don't you remember you approved this change order, they will be delayed to capture this change). To the painters - (sorry Valerie you can't install your signs because we have a change to re-paint this wall) to the coring guys - Valerie your sign can't go here as planned because there's a giant beam in the way of the cored locations so now it doesn't abide by engineering).

This was the job that changed me, this is the project that I grew up in, this is the job that ended careers - once the job progressed to a certain point all of these workers were no longer needed, workers would be up on ladders doing their thing and it would be pay day - supervisors would be delivering pay stubs and good bye notes a the same time - done! People retired early because this was their last big job, the last feather in their cap, for me it was my first one!

7000 signs 200 sign types produced, shipped and installed, 168 Change Orders Executed, 1200 deficiencies solved, the job is complete!

This project was the biggest construction job in Alberta's history and the largest at the time in Northern American starting at 2 billion. I was there for 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. This is the project that taught me what the word deficiencies truly meant, I had 1200 of them to solve. This job taught me what it meant to spar with men! And trades, architects, contractors, stand my ground, reflect personalities. If they are rude be rude, if they are professional be professional - this worked for me and continues to work, thanks Steve for this incredible tip and great advice. This job taught me about really hard work, business IS personal and one of my biggest challenges came from another female who to had to make her stance, I still haven't gotten over this one.

I'm contented about this opportunity. Being part of the remarkable venture for Calgary, Alberta Canada and this IFP certificate for completion - not an actual certificate but a lessons learned never to be forgotten place in my professional career position.

What's the job or project that changed you - how did it adjust you to your core - why are you different because of it? What happened? Tell me, text/email me [email protected] and share your story. We all go through things like this in life that once that thing or event happens,

episode 29 season 1

New Podcasts for U, my Top 6!

This week on Vsqd I'm sharing some of our favourite podcasts starting from the bottom up. For your kids and for you and your spouse. I recently went to a Podcast Meet-up and we discussed when do you listen, like what time of day do you listen to pods and there was a variety of answers..some listened to them while driving - typical and expected response, some listened while cleaning house, making supper but then a couple people were discussing which ones they listened to at certain times and why? For example, crime podcasts or serious and heavy ones seemed to be listened to while driving and others that were more upbeat were listened to while doing chores. When do you like to listen and which genre? There was also a comment about pods that we've listened to for a long time like 50 plus episodes of something similar like, news pods or comic pods, and how you can compresses these pods to get through them quicker or speed it up - huh never heard of this but now I've found out there's software out there that can do this, interesting hey?

I always listened to the news in the morning while getting ready for work, I have an old iPad setup in my bathroom and I set the news to CBC, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation or BBC British Broadcasting Corporation until recently...with our economy here in Alberta not doing so well,  the news is so redundant and depressing - I needed something else to listen to. So...I've changed my choice to podcasts. For some reason I only listen through the TuneIn Radio App in this getting ready setting, so I searched for podcasts (yes mine is listed on there also) and found some new ones and gave them a go...amongst my other favourite go-to's which I listen to in my cary - here's my current top favourites:

6) Helen by Gimlet Media

Okay the first time I listened to Helen I was hooked, it's funny, like a sit-com from back in the day. This show is about a women who goes to work at Helen - which is basically the Seri or Alexis - A.I. of the world corporate head quarters. Her position there is the intellect for every bird question, yes BIRDS. It's hilarious and well written. Like, "Hey Helen, please tell me how to remove these pigeons in my attic" but she has a personal life that is also edgy like her x-husband has just escaped prison. Easy listening option, funny and intriguing, catchy. It's a series you need to listen to chapter by chapter - it's good.

5) CrimeTown by Gimlet Media

The second one by Gimlet media is Crimetown, this show is gritty, heavy and an all round reality documentary. The first season I'm just coming to the end and it's on the subject of Providence Rhode island and the Patriarca Crime Family, It's told by the people of the mob, First Hand, in their voices, their stories, the police - trying to catch the bad guys, and the mayor how burned his wife's lover with a lit cigarette, robberies of armoured cars, crime guys who had wolves as pets. It's racie and it actually makes you like and side with the bad guys. This is a good story, told well and produced excellently. Add this one to your line up.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Providence,_Rhode_Island

Patriarca crime family - Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriarca_crime_family

4) Small Town Dicks

hosts Yeardly Smith, and Zibby Allen tell crime stories by first responder accounts alongside two detectives who just so happen to be twin brothers, Dan and Dave. They recount stories and bring in other members of law enforcement and peripheral support like 911 operators, EMS and community members to tell their parts of the stories also. It’s a neat round table q and a discussion. True stories, well told from the people who were there. Some of their content can be very graphic and some may involve children, The episodes that involve children, I just can’t listen too as somethings I just don’t want to know. But it's a Great down to earth podcast full of banter and questions and the real answers…check it out!

https://www.facebook.com/SmallTownDicks/

3) Serial by This American Life

…this podcast really intrigues me, Sara Kanik can tell a story like no other, it’s her cadence…her voice tone, and her no BS the way she tells it, this current series (she’s had a few) is based on submersing herself within the Chicago judicial system, and the stories the these people have truly lived. It's about the lawyers and judges, and the repetitive crimes, petty crimes and misdemeanours and how the game is played at every stop and level within this corrupt system. The judges are captured lecturing people about their place in this world, their conduct in society. It's about the people being wrongly accused but taking a lesser sentence anyway. It's about people witnessing a shooting and not telling anyone. Check it out , it’s worth a listen.

https://www.facebook.com/serialpodcast/

2) Uncover: Excaping Nxivm (nex-y-um)

I found out about Josh Block’s escaping Nxivm podcast from the SKS, Someone Knows Something podcast I reviewed in Episode One, Josh block was on vacation back visiting his home town, when he ran into a person he went to preschool, junior school and jewish camp with, her name is Sara Edmondson. As they were catching up he said he works for CBC and she said she just left a cult?

Intrigued?

This story is so interesting, the way Josh tells it about his friend, his friend escaped a cult and it’s all over the news…this is an easy binge listen and worth it, it’s so fascinating as these are just common people like us but one happens to be a reporter and the other one is his friend. Hightlight of this show,  sex ring, slaves and masters and a branded symbol beside her belly button! Check out all CBC podcasts, they are well done and I'm a huge fan.

https://www.cbc.ca/radio/uncover/listen-to-uncover-escaping-nxivm-1.4675949

1) What if World

This one’s for your kids: I commute a lot, if you live in Calgary I live in the Mount Pleasant Tuxedo area, I work either at the airport or way in the SE part of the city 52 street SE and 102 avenue - ish. My daughter goes to school in the deep southwest part of the city. My full trip commute is typically an hour and 15 mins or maybe longer depending on traffic, ONE WAY. You heard me right people, So I leave my house, go to London’t school, and head to work, approx 1.25 hours. I spend a lot of time in my car with my daughter…we listen to podcasts and this one my friends is our FAvourite!! Mr. Eric, the host does each story adhoc off the cuff, completely without preparation, his background is a primary/elementary school teacher- he may still be. He does all of the voices himself and his characters are really thought out thorough and have true character traits- like Fred the Dog, Peety the Pirate, Alabaster, and so many more…incredible, believable voices, the adult puns and humour within his lines, makes me laugh louder than my 7 year old- check out his show.

I reached out to Eric and all of the podcasts companies and hosts to see if they would have a snippet or a promo clip that I could use within my show for this episode, as it's so nice to hear promotions of other pods to get the feel of the show's host, topic and production. I reached out to all these shows for their pod promos and Currently I heard back from Eric at What if World, he did a special shout out to my show -  take a listen..., good right?  We will make

if I hear from the others, I'll be sure to post an update to this episode and share them.

https://www.facebook.com/whatifworldpodcast/

TmTs

As you've likely noticed, for my podcast I've started to publish some shorter content I’m finding it difficult to record, produce and publish weekly when my podcasts are taking more time to research, write and produce plus working full time.  Jeff suggested instead of posting less often as I was thinking of going to bi-weekly posts to posting shorter segments.  To continue creating and publishing content and staying active with my listeners. I really liked this option so for the TmT episodes I’m Capturing Calgary, from bugs, to stampede to restaurant reviews it will be encapsulated within these snippety segments. If you have a question about Calgary, text/email me [email protected], what makes this Calgary unique to you and what do you want to learn about it? What do you love and hate about this amazing city, let me know.

I wanted to add cover art for these TmT episodes, resorted to my trusted Adobe Spark account I designed 3 options, and then put it out there for you all to vote on Facebook here's the options:

Option A, blue black and grey, 2 small boxes on top or a large box, the 1 of small boxes is blue with black writing and houses the words Valerie & YYC the 2nd small box is grey with black writing and says 120 secs - the last box which is larger has a giant white number 2 and beside that it says minute in blue and Tuesday in off white. Overall look - Trendy

Option B, has a 2 minute vertical kitchen sand timer image, glowing circle around the timer with the siltiest hint of a city caputured roughly in the background, the overall look is mysterious black and white, with Valerie & YYC in the upper right corner white on a black background and the words 2 minute Tuesdays beside the timer in a dark red colour. Overall look - Mysterious

Option C, is green, brown and white. Essentially a large green background square and a smaller brown rectangle below this. It starts with a large white number 2 with a brown shadow box behind this, and the word minute in a scribble font that white again on a brown rectangle border. There's a stamped white circle with a border, within this stamp it reads Tuesdays in the green from the background coming through. Overall look - News

Check these images out at ValerieMoss.ca as I'm not sure I can do them justice in my descriptors.

episode 28 season 1

Honing Device for North

Welcome back to Valerie's Variety Podcast and our TmT segment for this week, we're checking out the calgary street names...or numbers and our internal compass' or lack their of.

If you're new to Calgary or have been here for many years our number and named street system can be an like herding cats trying to figure this out. Hopefully you aren’t too bewildered by the numbered street system. Up until the year 1904, Calgary actually used a street naming system instead of numbers. Even today there are some who hope Calgary will revert to the old street naming system, and are even pressing for political action to make it happen. Today, there are some Calgary communities who use both systems. Crowchild Trail, or Highway 1A, Richmond Road or 37 Avenue SW, Glenmore Trail or High 8, 24 Street SE or Ogden Road - to name a few. Which do you prefer and Why? I think naming after significant people or to reflect on past transgressions of a government Reconciliation Bridge for example, speaks to great Truths our city is willing to promote to get recognition - which holds more strength and compassion then 9th street SE. Where do you live and what's easier for you to navigate through the city? Landmarks, street names or numbers?

When I first moved to Calgary, having no sense of direction it didn't help me if it was Glenmore Trail or 50 Avenue - since I have no internal compass this wasn't what I needed - it was useless, I get lost in parking lots, get turnaround inside malls. I need to focus on landmarks, memorize and take pictures of parking stalls, get my bearings by this red door, or stairwell or specific store - not North. I literally think the path ahead is always north or up no matter what direction I'm facing. Crazy right?

Because this is such an issue for me and moving to Calgary when I was just 20 has been a long road lol to say the least. I recently went to a family reunion and my cousin and I were running errands, I was driving, we were sharing directions - she said to turn left, the sign said EAST and I said EAST? to her - she's like I don't know EAST just turn left here... and she too has this obstacle, and thanks to google for helping us out getting EAST, left turn where we needed it.

In my profession I have the requirement to be on job sites, I must know North...I typically will memorize a map of the area and orient myself to always know north and really map out my area, spatial surroundings so I know exactly what people are referring to. 'North west wall, in the south corridor' this would just make me cringe inside. I didn't know this instinctively,  but I could review my map and know the top meant north, then be sure of where they were referring to. Overtime, I memorize and store this information to make my personal life and work life easier, but it doesn't come naturally like a lot of people I know.

Within the last couple of weeks this has truly tested and frustrated me, picture this, I have a compass app on my phone, I have my iPad for documentation, I have the compass in the truck, as I move through the city to all of the these MAX BRT bus stops I need to document, westbound/eastbound/northbound and /southbound directions for the platforms, so I have all of these compass' tools and help and I'm still like, well this is sort of north-west ish. Good god it's so frustrating even with the tools I have, I still second guess exactly. Point me straight north or straight west or put me on a road that is exactly this and I'm good, any variance I'm totally mixed up. I'm not the only one, I realize but it effects me on a grand scale as it's takes me more time to figure this out...

A funny story, while on a large job site, I was meet another sub-trade, in the north east end of the Airport's international area - this i had memorized long before this meeting as I'd been on this job site for months by this point, once I walked closer to him, he was on the phone speaking to a delivery driver...he said "you need to go north" the driver asked which way is that? - the sub said I don't know how to explain this, point your ass north and drive...I just laughed, thank god that wasn't me on the phone but feeling sorry for the guy trying to figure out which way to point his ass...was very funny.

Did you know our brains map this by Magnetoreception meaning that the brain can map by magnetic force a certain path and distance to home or north for example. Whales, birds and even dogs poop according to a magnetic poles. Some insects have a rotating signal that can be used as a homing compass. The entorhinal region fires with neuron signals continuously when you 'know' instinctively you are on the right path.  Entorhinal cortex calculates these reactions, determining the best direction, quickly. If you get lost, it means your brain cannot keep up to the twists and turns and fails to adjust accordingly.

One way to successfully navigate from any point is to simply remember and store this solidly within your brain. So when you are in another area and want to get back to this area..this previous storing will come to be valuable. Some people can remember these reference points better than others. This makes them quick navigators.

What's your sense of direction like, does my situation sound like yours? I hope my daughter gets my husbands jeans and just knows her way and doesn't struggle with which way.

Thank you to these articles: Global News, Daily Mail, BBC, IFL Science, and Science Daily that enlightened me in finding my way to writing this post.

https://globalnews.ca/news/4233952/calgarys-reconciliation-bridge-renamed-we-cant-change-the-past-but-we-are-not-prisoners-of-it/

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-4530490/Brain-s-internal-compass-revealed-flies.html

https://www.bbc.com/news/health-30530674

https://www.iflscience.com/brain/found-missing-part-brain-s-internal-compass/

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/08/160830084004.htm

The intro and outro for this episode is recorded by London Moss, the music I chose for this finding your way podcast are reflective of the content within

Darcy - Lost at SeaCats Meow 05 03 and 02Lost Bits Beat 01Northern Lite SynthNorthern Star BassFar East Drums 02Whale CryNorth Star BassBird Song Erhu FX 01Dogs BarkingDez - South SideSouthbound Beat 02

Thanks for listening.

episode 2 season 1

Have you listened yet? Catch clips of the first 12 episodes here.

Cover Art

Welcome back to Valerie's Variety Podcast, VSquared and our first promo clip, this clip is encompassing highlights from our past episodes 1 through to 12. April 15 from our very fist episode to July 17 q and a between mom and 6 year old. Was very fun to put together and reminisce although it hasn't been very long...it was still nice to go back and listen to these episodes.

Would love to promote your show or product on my podcast? Interested in doing an exchange - let me know as I'd love to collaborate and spread the word about this show and yours.

The intro is by Janice Wilby and outro for this podcast is recorded by London Moss. The music included within these snippets is all through Garage Band The podcast is written and produced by me Valerie Moss, through Garage Band and WordPress.

Thanks for Listening.

episode 26 season 1

100th: 26 Review: Ten, 5 & Humanity

 

Today I want to review a few restaurants we recently stopped into first one a tasty vegetarian eatery called Ten Foot Henry’s located at 1209 - 1 street SW opened from 11 - 11 (shouldn’t it be 10 - 10?) just sayin’ and the other one Trolley 5 located on 17 avenue Sw

First! Ten Foot Henry

When you walk into this place you are greeted with a personalized stamped carpet - the character they use looks like Herald from Herald and the Purple Crayon…an outline of a small animated boys head, bald, and curious expression on his face, shown from the side. But it’s actually named after a long time Calgary icon, Ten Foot Henry became a muse for Calgary’s creative community..it’s actually 37 years old - check out their website for more about their story and Henry’s life.

Once you’re inside, this gracious place is very earthy, you almost feel like you’re part of a garden party where live plants are stringed in hanging baskets in linear lines strategically placed above tables. Wooden tables (which are my favourite) are in abundance with the wood being just finished enough to not snag your clothing, nice and rustic. There’s low dining tables a high tables and one table is 10 feet long, situated just perfectly in the middle of the room. There’s long bars with chairs lined up around them so you can sit up and watch the drinks bar or the cooking bar. It’s a mix of fresh and earthy. It feels good inside. We were educated on the menu (pick your vegetable main then add your proteins) it’s family style so pick 3-4 plates for 3 people and you may have some left over to take in…we chose the jerk spiced cauliflower, the spaghetti with pistachio and pesto, pandano, and the tagliatelle pomodoro and the friend potatoes.

The food came out fast, and hot.

Great Stop

- would we be back likely except there’s so many others places to try out.

Ten Foot Henry Menu

Ten Foot Henry Menu

Ten Foot Henry

Second: Trolley 5 Restaurant and Brewery

their vision, to bring the community together and are located at 728 - 17 Avenue SW their hours vary, when you walk in the ceilings are extremely high and large garage style doors open to the exterior and they were open on this night, very inviting. We decided to sit outside as their patio faces 17 avenue sw so there is always lots of people watching available.

t hey have your usual bar food but they do have some interesting choices that stood out. We had the Dim Sum dumplings (shrimp) these are traditional dumplings mixed with a light vegetable inside a rice paper wrap. These were served within the traditional bamboo container. They were very good. The other item we had was the Salt and Petter Squid, house breaded very lightly but covered, squid, served with julienned vegetables, very generous portion. London ordered some daily jerky, beef, which came out wrapped in white meat wrapping rope - delicious as well. They have a different flavour each day. We sat outside even though it was slightly cool, their exterior heaters were on and we enjoyed this very much. crisp fall air. the washrooms are located beneath the restaurant and to get to them you need to practically tour the entire facility. But once you find them, down two flights of stairs around the corner passed another giant bar with large screen TV’s everywhere, passed all the incredible aluminum casts, encased within glass walls - great

for watching their brew bring made - you finally come upon the washrooms. These are beautiful, along the wall where the sinks are, the lower half is glass and faces outside into an enclosed area just for this place, the top half is covered in mirrors, there’s a long banquette with a mustard yellow tapestry and exposed lighting coming out from over top of the high back - almost like you could lay down with a good book and chill out for hours - this is the ladies washroom.

http://trolley5.com

For my closing review

I want to share a story about humanity. Every Thursday morning I drop London off to school and then I head up 17 avenue SW toward Crowchild, there’s a small second Cup coffee house I stop into and work for approx 1 hour before I head to my meeting. I drive along and park, come into this coffee house, and low and behold there a person sleeping, while sitting up…in the exact spot I always sit at. hmm, I kind of take in the surroundings there’s not generally many people in this place a this time in the morning as most people are going through the drive through - todays is no exception. I order my tea and keep looking at this person sleeping…then I sit along the wall, same bench as he is but a few tables over, I can see him and continue to check on this situation.

I’m interested in his story.

He’s kind-of slumped over, he has long black hair pulled back into a pony tale, some of the hair is fallen forward, there’s a pizza 73 pizza box on the table, a lighter, a beautiful orange rock or a stone, there a card of some sort laying on the seat beside his bum. He’s sleeping, not snoring but definitely catching up on some rest. The staff isn’t bothering him.

I’m there for a solid hour there’s several people coming in now to get coffee during this time and some, like me are taking this scene in - some with judgement and some not really any expression, no one says anything to the coffee house establishment, 

Just as I’m packing up to leave and I walk over, past my sleeping bench mate- to use the washroom, right beside me the female worker wakes this man with the slightest tap on his arm, calling him Sir…he’s completely aware of where he is, she’s asking him to pack up his things and that he must be on his way now or she may have to call the police. The man is very humble and reacts kindly to her. He begins to straighten up and he’s been drooling slightly, I grab a couple of napkins and hand them to him - he thanks me, she still there and proceeds to ask the man if he’s hungry and if she can get him something, he’s so relieved and grateful, he thanks me for the napkins and sits back down, the lady is grabbing him some food and he’ll be on his way. I leave heading to my meeting, feeling so good inside about this public display of humanity.

Check out ValerieMoss.ca for more information including, menu, pictures, and links to both restaurants.

Thanks for listening, if you’ve tried out either of these places, let me know your experience and if you have a restaurant you’d like me to try out please pass this on…we are all about food in my family, good food with a good experience around it!