Become a Regular

I love being a Regular in a place. It feels nice to walk in and have everyone know your name. OK maybe knowing one's name is overrated, but a nice smile is good (and knowing your order before you can say it!!!) is even better!

In thinking back I guess I was already a Regular here at Trivia. It is great to converse with H and have some nice witty banter. B is always fun as well, and can always be counted on to get us giggling! It really adds to a great evening.

And I discovered last night ... or rather early this morning ... that I am a Regular at another establishment ... Jack's Pizza!!! If it is wrong to have the man know to have your Veggie Pizza with a tin foil covering on it ready to go by the time you get to the front of the line, well then, I don't want to be right!! So sweet last night to cap the night off with an awesome slice of Jack's, and the touching gesture that someone remembers your order!!

(Or maybe I just have had too many slices there!!)

Win again at Trivia

I really love Thursday nights.  So much fun to play some trivia with Team One is the Loneliest Number.

We have had some great times, and amassed more money in Capital gift cards than we can probably ever go through (but we will try!)  I don't think I have paid for a drink with my own money since Feb of last year!

With the exception of one (maybe two??) nights we have not placed in the money.  I shouldn't strike this item from the Bucket List too soon, as I do hope to continue the trend!

But since there was only one Trivia night that fell on Halloween, I can take "Dress Up and Play Trivia" off the Bucket List!

Visit Magnetic Hill

Since I stopped to see the Rocks on the way to Hali, I thought I had better see something interesting on the way back.

Passing through Moncton I have often seen the sign for Magnetic Hill.  We have one near my family in the Ottawa Valley, so I was curious to see what this one was like.  I seem to luck out with so many of the sites out here as they are often closed for the season - which means there are no crowds, and they are free.

Magnetic Hill was well worth the stop!!  I am sure the hill did not have the power to pull my car up the hill (optical illusion perhaps?!?) but it did make me giggle.  An actual out-loud giggle to myself.

Don't need to return to the water park when the season is back on (well unless someone wants to go with me - going alone to Magnetic Hill was one thing, but not sure I want a full day at the park by myself!) 

See Hopewell Rocks

En route to Halifax a couple weeks ago I decided to make a small detour (small ... well a couple hour detour) to see the Hopewell Rocks.  I have always wanted to see the large tidal change, and this seemed like the best time to do it!!

It was very cool.  I showed up just after the park officially closed, but a lady at the front said I could go in for free - but just be warned it was closed.  I ran like someone out of a scary movie through the woods only to reach the Flower Pot area to be surrounded by people.  It was so peaceful and you could certainly see the tidal change.  A very beautiful sight.

I had been texting with a friend and he laughed when I said I stopped my drive to watch the tide come in.  I should have laughed back ... it isn't often enough that we take the time to stop and watch nature.

 

Great minds think alike

Although "show up to a concert dressed as your friend" was not on the original list, I would hereby like to add it.

Awesome Joel Paskett show standing in the horse manure at the FrEx.

Even better ... having Joel Paskett purposely "photo bomb" you at the end!!!

Harvest Jazz and Blues 2013

I really love this festival. A great opportunity to see some awesome music. Last year I was lucky enough to have the whole family come visit for the music, and this year I was lucky to host Ann. 

I think the stand out show for me was Michael Franti (though I wanted to hate it with everyone hyping him up so much before)  Good dancing, and great times with my mom!

The Roller Derby

You know what ... I have the sneaking suspicion that the Roller Derby in Fredericton might just be my personal version of Poke-a-roo.  I cannot seen to actually go see a match.

So to my delight and surprise, I got to see some practice activities at this year's Harvest.  In the off chance/the most likely chance that I will not get to see them .... roll, I am counting this one off the list!  Close enough ...

Buy a broach at the Sunday Market

Before leaving Freddy last year I went to the Sunday Market with the Sweet One to finally get a broach.  There were quite a few vendors selling some pretty "interesting" things.

I finally settled on a small $2 gem.  I have worn it out in public.  In fact my cousin this summer commented on it.  (More so for the fact that it still has its masking tape price on it!)  But like a comment is a comment!

Time to take this item off the list!!

Go fishing on the Miramichi

I love to fish and I keep hearing about this great fishing area in the place to which all roads lead ... the Miramichi! I haven't fished fly since I was a wee little girl so I am not sure I could even tackle this challenge.

So after two fishing seasons here in New Brunswick ... I am happy to say that I have gone "fishing".

So it wasn't in the Miramich (but close enough ... northern New Brunswick ... at least the same province and we had to drive through the Miramichi to get there!)

And I am not sure what I was doing even counts as fishing. But I got to hold the rod and Big J was Sweet enough to teach me how to cast again. I am happy to announce I did catch some things ... the one and only tree in the area, the shoreline, and thankfully not any of the Sweet ones.

I am quite comfortable taking this one off the list!!!

Try a new craft

Yesterday (my first free day in weeks) I was so was lucky to have learned the Mi`kmaq tradition of quill decoration.  I have treasured my quill baskets from Saskatchewan, and was so excited to learn a new craft.

It as a wonderful experience to have been taught by the artist Tara.  Such a cozy and relaxing afternoon spent at her studio.

The quill art was super addictive. It was such a neat process, and a great chance to be creative medium.

Only problem is that it is hard to call up Mary Maxim for the supplies!  I will now be hunting roadkill for my quills!!!

(Mine is the heart ... not the beautiful butterfly!!)

I`mmmmm baaaacccck

Entering round three of fun here in Freddy.  Another year means another set of additions to the Bucket List!!

Here are some new ones:

Digby Scallops in Digby
Treezone
Harvest Jazz
Pond Hockey
Visit Three New Places
Go to Reopened Restos
Win at Trivia
Go to a NB Museum

Sell all of your worldly possessions ...

OK this is a total exaggeration as I have a couple boxes left. But there was actually quite a thrill in the freedom of selling a ton of stuff that you used to possess. I am in the process of moving back to away (heart is breaking as I write this) and I didn't want to bring back all/any of my furniture (it was fine to bring when I had a moving allowance to come here ... but not to move back)

So I discovered (many years too late!!) the best site .... KIJIJI! As a lady from away we used to do a lot of transactions?!? over Craigslist. But this beast is awesome. I cannot upload things fast enough before people come to buy them. (And I always meet people at my front door especially for small items after poor Tim)

If people don't show up, I sell their items to the next person who does. I run a first come first served auction house. You said you would email me back, but you didn't - gone to the next person. Shoe rack - gone in 1 minute (were they waiting all day for a shoe rack to come up!?). One family came in and bought just about everything I was selling. And paid me for it too!!!! (Mind you most things are being sold for ca. $5 hence the feeding frenzy!)

I still need to sell my kitchen "grab all" (aka all my odds and ends - most never used!) I was given quite a few compliments for my "staging" photos - maybe I have a career here if teaching doesn't pan out.

So as I sit on the floor sans tables and think of the stuff I used to have ... there is something freeing about this crazy situation I am in. New beginnings have to happen as my old ones just left with the last customer!!

Be featured in the local newspaper

You know what you really want when you escape outside for a couple moments of sunshine .... to be captured for prosperity by the local paparazzi.

Even better:
- you look like a crazy cat lady who ties up her cat on a leash
- you are reading a Chuck Palahniuk book called "Snuff" about porn (hell, any Chuck book would qualify as "interesting" reading!)
- you are wearing all back so that you blend into the shadows and look deformed
- you pose like .... that!!! Why am I all hunched over?!?  I read enough celebrity magazines that I should know a thing or two!
- be given the title "Just Me and My Cat" so that the aforementioned first comment rings even more true!

But you know what ....

I will admit that I got quite the kick out of being included in the Gleaner!!  It was awesome - like having my name in a song.  I actually got recognized this morning which made me laugh!  And Kaiser is loving his new fame!

Spot a moose

I didn't want to officially add this to the Bucket List, as I am finding out that it can be rather difficult to actually see one in nature.  I have seen one whilst camping in Ontario, but with all these fences and warning signs in New Brunswick, I thought for sure I would have seen one by now.  (And I am totally OK if they stay on their side of the fence and I can drive on in safety)

So much to my surprise when I was driving on Sunday and I finally got to see a moose.

It is so strange that moose in this province look nothing like the imposing beast that is featured on all the warning signs!!

So unless I get to see one in the next couple weeks, I will have to rely on this strange moosedeer hybrid I found, or better yet ....

Have Supper with two lovely ladies whose combined age is 183.

I was taken in as an Easter refugee by Egor and her family.  How nice!  We had a fantastic Easter supper with two very entertaining ladies - and most spry at the ages of 91 and 92.   I was promised fantastic and "interesting" conversation, and I did not leave disappointed!!

It was so nice to be included in such a lovely Easter dinner!!

Many thanks!

Go to three more new places - two down

It is always a pleasure to have access to a car. I love to drive, and since I don't have much opportunity to get in a car and go, I love it when I can.  I decided to keep the car on this week, so that I could explore a little more.  I was happy that E and I were able to make a fun day trip to St.Andrew's by the Sea.

Located almost as far south-west in the province as you can go (well ... I guess St. Stephen and the Ganong factory would be further!)  After getting misdirected and driving aimlessly around Mactaquac, Lincoln and Fredericton, we were on our way to St.Andrews.

A quaint and pretty little town by the sea. Another couple weeks and everything will be officially open - but for now it was a great visit. 

I would love to go back for some whale watching (though E said it was more like whale hunting trying to chase them down.  We had a nice meal of mussels (sorry though NB, PEI took you on this round!!  So much tastier on the Island) and met a very very very very chatty older man who asked the most random questions.   It was entertaining for sure!  We sat out on one of the docks and looked over at Maine which was pretty cool.

When the tide was out we drove out over the bottom of the sea to Minister's Island (Foto below), and watched the men picking clams and dulce.  Luckily we made it back in time before the tide came in and we were stranded!

A very fun day and a fun drive!!  Watch out whales ... one day I might be back to come see you!

Go to three more new places - one down

When I was a young girl, the Megan Follows' film of Anne of Green Gables was all the rage.  I remember quite a few of us, including yours truly, were madly in love with Gilbert.

Also at the time it was common for girls to have themed birthday parties, and I remember attending many Anne of Green Gables events, costumes and all.  As the only red-haired girl with freckles in the class,  I was sort of a ringer for the look-alike contest part of the party.  I was saddened when these parties stopped as I find it rather difficult to get dressed up in braids now in hopes that someone will confuse me with Anne Shirley.

I was very excited to have gone to PEI last week.  Always amazing to visit another province (am now just missing Newfoundland and Labrador, NWT and the Yukon) and explore more of this awesome country!!   Mom and I headed out for the Big Annie and Little Annie tour of Green Gables (not Grey Gardens!)

What a beautiful part of the country!  We made it there before the big tourist season started - which made for a more quiet experience, but super relaxing as well!

Have a lobster supper....

I keep reading about these awesome church lobster suppers and those are the the places to be.  So I added it to this list not knowing what I really wanted.

What I wanted was a lobster supper(s) with K family in Bathurst.

As a lovely Ontario girl we were only ever allowed to have one lobster (which I must say we raced acrossed the floor .... right kind of wrong?!?)  In B we were allowed a 2nd beast which was amazing!!!!!  (and thank goodness we were not offered the eel we caught ... that may have been a friendship breaker .........)

Well if I could not have the church supper (I hear another another month or so),  thenl I was so happy the "Water Prince Corner Shop" was open for the season.(GO THERE!!!!!!!)

Ann and I had the best experience there - on the first day of lobster season.

A 2 lb bowl of mussels each

A 1.25 lb lobster

lots of amazing sides ...

COULD NOT RECOMMENDED THIS PLACE MORE 

Have a photo taken at the lobster in Shediac

Good golly ....

I have been waiting for this, and in the words of Sloan I was "underwhelmed".  I have no idea what I did expect, but I thought my Hummer would be even more spectacular!  OK - it was pretty awesome!!!  A great memory with my lovely mom! 

BTW Trivia Fans - This is the largest faux lobster in the world.  Or so the sign says!

Try Freddy Ethiopian Cuisine

Wow ...


I take back my last statement about not returning to the North Side Market.

I would for sure go back for some more of this amazing food!

I love Ethiopian food, and I will admit that I have missed it. Now I miss not trying it earlier!! With a nice spread of lentils, potatoes, green beans and injera, I am totally happy! A great amount of spice without being overpowering. Beautiful flavours.

I highly recommend this!

Go To the North Side Market

I love the North Side vs. South Side battle here in Freddy Beach. (As a resident of the South side I fully support my peeps over here - though I will concede that the North Side Walmart is waaaaayyyy better - good golly.... is that how I rank places now?!?)

So it was about time to put the North Side Market to the test. The Market in Fredericton (the South one that is) was/is the place to be. You have to navigate through people randomly stopping in the middle of the aisles to catch up, there is the best Lobster and Scallop rolls, the goat cheese monger rocks, and generally it is a great time. The only downfall - the fact that it is only open from 6-1 on Saturday.

And then came the North Side market. Open Fri-Sun. Crazy talk.

Before today I had never been.

And after today I am not sure I will go back.

Lovely T and I headed out across the river for some fun at the NSM. After perusing camo clothing we heading into the market - which is more reminiscent of a flea market. Lots of different vendors, but not quite the same as the SSM. We had a lesson in olive oils and balsamic vinegars (I was accused of having the mumps because the vinegar made my face squinch up - I didn't have the heart to tell him I am missing a saliva gland that makes me do that with anything sour! Little known fact!) I am now the proud owner of a somewhat vintage sign that advertises ladies who like to eat lobster from a can. Love it and the mumbling man who made it!!

A great morning indeed. Another item off the list!

And thanks to T for joining me in the All Day breakfast at the Sunshine Diner - we waited over an hour for our breaky so it was almost an all day affair!!!

Find the best Pizza in Fredericton

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Pizza, and I must admit that I am a little underwhelmed by the selection in this fine town.  Maybe it is my fault for being such a fine and well seasoned connoisseur that I cannot seem to find good 'za here! 

And it isn't for lack of trying!

So in no particular order ... some of my conquests

Boston Pizza - I will admit that I had never been to this fine chain and it seemed to be a regular haunt before.  Until we OD'ed and then it just tasted horrible.  At first glance I thought I had fallen in love with this greasy cheesy shrimp pizza ... and then I realized that it was just greasy cheesy too heavy pizza.  (And now that item isn't even on the menu anymore so I will never be able to fully put the nail in this coffin.)  But the Thunder mugs were good!!

Greco - Hmm... it is pizza.  Not much more I can say about that.  Oh wait .. it has garlic fingers and donair sauce.  So that is always a plus!

Dr.Oetker Spinat - hahaha snuck that one in!!  Always a great pizza no matter where I travel!  And the chef is always amazing!!

New England Pizza Company - B suggested this one and I was super excited to try it.  It was light on the topics, but I liked the crust.  What I didn't like was the $7 delivery charge, which was over half of the pizza amount .... wouldn't order from them again!

Luna - Had the worst first experience so I am not likely to head back.  Since when does a Margarita pizza have onions and a creamy sauce?!  This was probably the first time in my life I have mournfully stared at a pizza and not had the stomach to eat it!

Jacks - oh be still my heart.  I am not sure I would order from them at any other time, but after a night at the Capitol, after the glow of winning at trivia, this seems to be the best pizza ever.  It is almost like they put sugar .. or crack in the crust.  Always a great treat!

And the quest continues!  I would like to try the pizza from the market, but I can never seem to bring myself to order one at 10am! Have to keep sampling the 'za! 

Go for a Saturday Wine Tasting at the Wine Station

I may or may not have passed through the Alcool Wine Station on a Saturday and have seen the "Free Wine Tasting" sign, and have fully chickened out about going in ...

(OK so maybe I went into the main wine station area but never to the tasting!)

So when plans were laid yesterday I was super excited.  (I also got to try out Cafe Loca so that should go on the list soon!!) We planned to go to a B-Boy dance off (yes we are that cool....) and then headed off to the Wine Station (* must digress here .... this is the ANBL Alcool New Brunswick Liquor that is located in a former train station - hence our name.  The train does not run here anymore ... but the booze does!)   We arrived, looked at wine and spirits, had wonderful anecdotes, and then low and behold ... we missed the real tasting ....

I didn't cry.

I wasn't even sad.

Because guess what, there was a wine sampling in the regular part - and good golly the wine was fantastic!  (Two bottles are now in my collection!)

So although it was not the traditional sampling I was expecting, this was perfect for the list!!  Thank you Sweet ones!

Eat at the elevated resto at the market

I have been dreading this one ...

If I had added "have root canal" to the list I would have been more excited for that than breakfast at the elevated restaurant at the market.  I had heard nothing but bad things about this place, but since it was already on the list it had it be done!

And the Sweetest people were my victims in crime ...

An 8:30am start to "beat the line" is a false statement we shall never utter again.  There seems to always be a line! 

After being jammed in like sardines and sharing our table, we sat down and ordered our meals.  Big J was able to smuggle/blatantly bring in OJ from another vender.  I was a little scared to order based on the bad reviews I heard, but I thought who can go wrong with a "breakfast burrito"!

FANTASTIC breakfast!

My only complaint would be that there was too much food on my plate. But I did relishe the random cinnamon bun placed on the side for a breakfast dessert! 

Get Kaiser a girlfriend

The K-dogg (or in keeping with the times, K-Lion/K-Raccoon?) is a lovely creature, but he loves the bitches.  He doesn't mind hanging out with a lovely lady such as yours truly, but he misses a good bitch.

So I was very excited when I heard the Sweetest ones were getting a girl puppy.  A perfect match for the cat who thinks he is a dog!

On their first meeting Kaiser may have been larger than Bea, but the roles have quickly reversed.  That doesn't mean Kaizie loves his bitch any less!  He keeps asking for more play dates (or asking for more food - I cannot seem to tell the difference!!)

Go XCountry Skiing ... or not

One of my favourite Counting Crows song lyrics is "at least you thought you wanted it". 

A wonderful line that can be applied to a lot of things in life.

And I really did want to XCountry ski this year. 

I brought out my Skis (Air Canada gave me the bill for extra luggage),I was invited out by S to hit the trails around Freddy, but then I had a slight little mishap of appendix removal and was mission control bound for the winter (great for hooking, no so great for anything involving movement!)

Although we had snow as late as last Sunday (April 14th!!) I didn't make it out this year.

So great intentions and thinking I really wanted it, trump actually going out!!

And as I include this staged photo, I realize this sentiment could easily apply to the politician's bike.  At least I thought I wanted it ...

Win at trivia

OK ... now that I have knocked off "Play trivia" from my list, it was only time that I added WIN to the list.

And anyone can do it once, so now team "One is the Loneliest Number" has added a second win to the list!!

What fun evenings! 

Our team has been doing well so far.  And the $75 wins don't hurt at all.

Though our team keeps growing, the lovely name still remains.  It came about when I was left abandoned one night and the next team was making fun of me sitting all alone, and they named our team.  I was invited to join these cute lads, as I thought I was being stood up by B&O, but (sadly?!? honestly these guys were cute!) my friends showed up, and the name has stuck!

Go to Hong Kong Waffle

I am more likely to be able to eat a waffle in Hong Kong then be able to eat at this fine establishment.  Although the sign in the window constantly says they are OPEN, this place seems to have shut its doors the moment I added going there to my blog in September.

So, due to the fact that I cannot go there, I would like to officially like to strike this from my list ...

Have a themed dinner party

When I thought about adding this item to my list, I thought about inviting my closest friends for an Italian evening with lovely pasta and flowing Chianti, or Indian with cold Tiger, or Mexican without after affects!  Little did I know that my first big themed dinner party would include me inviting over three of my classes to make German food at mein Haus.

So with recipes in German for Kartoffelsalat, Schnitzel, Kaesespatzle, and Schwarzwalderkirschtorte my classes mixed and mingled and figured out how to make the food!  What a wonderful evening!!!  I am so proud of my students, and it was a lovely reward to have them over to cook and chat in German outside of class.

Go To Trivia

Honestly I have been craving this FOREVER ...

I love board games and strategy, but there is nothing better than the mental prowess involved in a random pub trivia game!

Ann and I (Team Muffin Mix - those who know me know the significance!) were strong players at our local for a while.  I will admit I certainly did miss my team and trivia nights when I got here.

But was happy to rediscover Trivia in Freddy.

Last week I joined team "The Breakfast Club" and we did quite well (though I would love a recount on the "first sense to lose" question)

Looking forward to another game this week!  An activity I certainly do enjoy!

Go to a UNB Hockey Game

Oh dear ...

How have I been at this wonderful university and have never witnessed a championship winning hockey team in action.  I was encouraged by an old flame (was that better Sweet one?!?) to see some games live, but to be honest I am not the biggest fan (oh dear, I did just admit that out loud ... I think my Canadian citizenship was just taken away ....)  I was raised on baseball.  I was at the Blue Jays winning game.  I have "The Terminator"'s signature on my hat.

But I digress ... my goal was to go to a game ...

and I don't think that is going to happen...

Last Thursday I had the most slightest margin of a window to watch a game ... but I didn't go.

Instead I watched the game online.

In this world of technology I figure that had to count for something!  So for the sake of the blog, I kinda went to a UNB Hockey game (in my own home!)

Have a bath in my own house

I love my apartment.  Windows on three sides.  Easy access to the Uni and downtown.  A dungeon basement where I can do my laundry (albeit sans hot water ... was told that "no one" in Fredericton uses hot water anymore ... oh ... I kinda like things in hot water ... but whateves ...)  And the perfect amount of space for yours truly and her furry man friend.

I love my space here.  So what if it doesn't have enough counter space for cooking ... that just means I don't cook.  I have a living room that is just screaming out for a dance party and people to fall asleep with the cat under the laundry rack. Just saying ...

The only downfall ... the shower!

I have had people come to visit who have somehow managed to never set foot in it their whole visit (not naming names but there are more than three!!)  Samps was brave enough to enter and then compared it to "being buried alive" and having the water hit her like shards of glass. 

Yes ... questions now start as to who designed this lovely thing ... certainly not me.  I had an old lover (that's for you Sweet one!) help me with the curtain but it is still not the optimal arrangement.  (The "bullet" hole to the left is in fact a Freddy landmark - according to the Sweet ones' book!)  Much as I love this spot, I will fully admit it is not the nicest space ever.

And I said I would never crawl into that hole for a bath (who likes to bathe in their own dirty water anyways?!? My sentiments after only having a bath and no shower in Germany for one year) but for some reason tonight seemed like the right night for the right kind of wrong.  I did pull aside the curtain so I really was not being buried alive in there. 

My verdict: I sat in there for almost 6 minutes (it was about an Arcade song and a half) before jumping up for a shower.

Go to the Fredericton Hospital and have something removed

Honestly this was never on my list of things to do in this fine city.  (But since I did it - you know I am totally adding it to the list!!!!!   (smiley face if I knew how to make one on a blog ..... )

In fact this was not on any list I could ever have for any city I could ever live it.

In fact I would never wish appendix problems on my worst enemy ... or wait ... that girl who pulled my hair in grade one deserves one ...   jokes-ish

So I think it is fair to say that I survived my first and only appendectomy.  I have never experienced so much pain before and hope to never again (and yes my mom friends I realize I am being a wimp!!)  I had the most random experience in the Fredericton hospital - was very happy to jump the line for an elevated white blood cell count -which also meant I was elevated for surg,  I felt like a push cushion (and I have the bruises two weeks later to prove it!) and I was so thankful that my wonderful Schwesterchen was able to be with me for the surgery - a 24 hour nurse was amazing. 

I am feeling better every day ... but I also feel really sad as I look down at my tummy - that I will probably never get to be a Victoria's Secret Model.  I came so close ...

Alas ... I am just happy to be feeling so happy and healthy after this weird event. 

Go to a Cinq à sept

I love going out with the Sweetest people ever.  And when they invited me out for drinks after work on Friday, I immediately thought I was being invited to the best thing ever ... a Cinq à sept.  I have been out for drinks in Freddy before on a Friday, but often they start at sept, which makes me believe that someone is enjoying the main party from 5-7 without me!!

Well, low and behold ... I did get to experience a cinq à sept - or more like a Cinq à dix (when I finally made it home). We did manage to drink the keg of Rolling Rock dry (other people must have helped us) and enjoyed a wonderful dinner, even though I will forever wonder what the veggie burrito would have tasted like!

I did hear French from the Bucks to my right so I though the cultural evening was complete.  A great way to cap off a great first week back!!