Gliding, and soaring of sorts.

This past week-end, the Spectator signed me up to accompany a local crew of cadets gliding. Gliding is done by towing an engineless plane 2000 feet up, and then letting her go.
The feeling is incomparable. Without the noise of an engine, there is a natural feeling of flight, quiet and serene. I didn't want to come down, and am now convinced I should have been a bird.
The only really terrifying part was releasing the rope that attached us to the tow plane- the plane with the engine. I'm not sure that my brain understood what was happening until the rope fell in front of me, thankfully the panic passed quickly.
Despite my protests, the pilot -seen below- set us down safe and sound.



Today, while on assignment, I snapped this photo of a an Ospry hunting with its mate (who refused to enter the same frame) over the Qu'Apelle Valley. I am no longer surprised by the natural beauty here, just frustrated it won't co-operate with my photographic capabilities.



Unrelated note: I will be cheering for Germany this World Cup.

The world cup started today, and nobody cares. Well, that isn't entirely true. It is, after all, the most watched sporting event in the world, just not around here. 84,000 people gathered in Johannesburg's Soccer City stadium to watch Mexico and South Africa's opening game.
You'd think with all the wide open, flat land around, the people of Saskatchewan would get behind a game like soccer wholeheartedly. No one in my office, save graphic designer Gina, even blinked at the mention of the opening match. To make things more interesting, I proposed an office pool. Again, only Gina, who is a fan of Argentina, responded positively. I think, in order to make the event more interesting around here, I will take on the roll of rabid fan. Now all I have to do is pick a team. In '96 I was in France when the world cup started, so my allegiance fell naturally. Since then, they have continue to disappoint offensively, and after the whole irish handball incident I'm not sure my heart is in it.
With the first round of play already underway I don't have much longer to decide.
For the record, the opener ended in a 1-1 draw, with Mexico equalizing in the last 11 minutes of regulation play.

Inquiring minds

While I was trawling the internet and hanging out with my dehumidifier, thank-you crop destroying rainfall, I came across this little tidbit. The national enquirer will compete for the Pulitzer Prize — an award whose motto is honouring excellence in journalsim and the arts since 1917.
The tabloid is being considered under the category of investigative reporting and national news reporting for the work it did breaking presidential candidate, John Edwards' extramarital affair.
Apparently there was some debate regarding whether or not it would be considered. It should be mentioned that this same paper has reporting on Richard Simmons' "alleged" sexuality.



In my mind the papers chosen for Pulitzers should not only have that exceptional, attention grabbing series, but also a respectable body of work. Then again, maybe this should act as a flare for the state of journalism.



In other, non-enquirer news, scientist discovered, what they are now calling, the oldest shoe in a cave in Armenia. The 5,500 year old loafer was found near the Turkish and Iranian borders and is estimated to be about a modern-day size 7. Made of cow hide, the shoe predates the Pyramids of Giza by 1,000 years. Armenians everywhere are beaming with pride — cradle of life people, cradle of life.

Loader rides and Prairie fun.

Today, during research for a story, I can across this lil' tidbit from Stats Can. Apparently, 44 per cent of Canadian tourist responded that there is nothing worth seeing in the province of Saskatchewan. In fact, my beloved new home ranked the lowest of all provinces and territories.
Apparently, Saskatchewan Tourism isn't doing their job.
Saskatchewan may not have an big malls or giant nickels, but there are certainly things worth coming here for.
I may only be in my second week, but I have to say, the communities here are enchanting. Beyond the kindness of stranger, which there is a plenty, Saskatchewan in a beautiful place.
I've heard it referred to as the land of 1000 skies, which means very little until you see it for yourself. Each sunset and sunrise you can easily find a panoramic view of a natural light show that rivals the Northern Lights.
As I've gotten to see more of the province, my awareness of its natural beauty has grown. At the same time, I become more aware of how ignorant it was of me to assume that the 600,000 square foot province (10% of which happens to be water) was in anyway uniform.
Before I came here, my pre-30 bucket list tentatively included a cross-Canada Winnebago trip. After seeing the kind of communities that line the Trans-Canada, the idea is definitely a-go.
Proud indeed.

Saskatchewan

It has been done.
And by that I mean my move to Saskatchewan. To reflect this major change, I did a minor redesign on the blog.
I have no doubt that my new environment will provide all the fodder needed to write a blog.
I arrived in the prairies on Monday, to find it was nothing and exactly like I expected. I was picked up at the airport by my overly-kind bosses and their dog, Angel.
We took the scenic drive home, giving me an opportunity to take in the sights —yes, Saskatchewan has sights.
It turns out that the natural landscape in South Eastern Saskatchewan isn't that different from Northern Ontario. Seems I bid my lilacs trees back home farewell too soon. Being that is it spring the fields are filled with adorable baby animals that you can't help but fawn over.

Next stop was the office, the World-Spectator, where I got the first glimpse of where the magic happens.

I got to meet the cast and crew that make the paper possible — a colourful bunch to say the least. Arriving on a week with two staff birthdays proved to be quite fruitful. Nothing says welcome like cake.
Besides warm welcomes, my first week was filled with loader rides, attempted fix ups at the post office and community meetings.
Saskatchewan, can't wait to see what else you have to offer.