Crowdsourced Joy

My new job at Cambrian House has been unreal with it’s stock of amazing people, it’s bubbly excitement and cool technology that brings back slightly surreal memories of the startup days at GroupTelecom. I’ve deeply enjoyed work lately — work has always been a large component in my life which, if the magical resonance of doing good and making money can be hit, brings huge personal satisfaction. We have very challenging problems to chew away at, crazily smart people to work beside, an endless supply of coffee and a fridge crammed full of food and beer. We’re even making money (shocking for a startup I know, we actually sell things!). All of that has been great and I’m thankful that my life has yet again steered into a cool venture.

The Fairer Sex

As often seems to be the case in our great human struggle, there is a counterpoint to such things. Kathy, my intrepid former girlfriend, and I have muddled through much of this year searching for our relationship and I think we’ve finally arrived at the conclusion that it not only took a vacation but indeed moved to a foreign country, set up a small noodle business and has no intention of coming home. It’s been a very sad week as the we realized this — emotions for me went the whole gambit and I’m left now with just sad and a little disappointed. Our stunningly different lives and personalities which were so fascinating and attractive in our early days had become burdens without the stability that commonality brings.

Realizations of Connectedness

My love woes (how’s that for a loaded set of words!) served to highlight a rather shocking amount of support in my life from friends, acquaintances and colleagues. It was a thankful and uplifting experience to see just how intermingled humanity becomes in times of difficulty; the speed of this has certainly grown faster with newer technology and I’m happy to say I’ll actually be working on making such things better in the future! I’ve often seen myself as a lone cat, a view I now consider a little mistaken, cats are colony creatures after all. Thanks go out to all my friends, new and old, for all your support and kind words.

The Coming Cold

Quite a few of my friends (and a no small chunk of my family) have asked if I’m moving back to Vancouver. The short answer is: no. I dove into Calgary with an open mind and have had my usual luck (whose magic touch never seems to extend it’s sublime ease to relationships *sigh*) in finding the makings to a great life. I’ve made commitments here and most importantly, at least to me, I’m having a good time in general! My father expresses constant surprise over how easily I move around and this is just another chance to grow my flexibility muscles. Now I just need a few things to prepare for this new season (are you listening Universe?!?): some local friends to hang out with occasionally and explore new restaurants, a chance to dust off my snow board sometimes this winter and a dash of personal growth.

Comments

• October 1, 2008, Pam writes: In Alberta, fall is the season of you-blink-and-you-miss-it! Looks like you're sharing Edmonton's little patch of warmth this autumn. Be well.
• October 5, 2008, Brenda May (Audley) writes: Change is often a good thing. New beginnings, new doors to open as others close. Just another stepping stone to a new experience. If you are not looking for happiness, it often jumps out at you.... Take care.

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This move was very cathartic — I donated all my un-wearable clothes, old books, and unneeded household things. I converted all my paper items into scanned PDF’s (huge job, thanks go out to PrintPlus in Vancouver for their Herculean effort). And finally, much was just thrown out or recycled.

The Digital Conversion(tm) along was worth all the effort of the move!

Stay tuned for the actual move into Calgary.

Comments

• August 23, 2008, Brenda May (Audley) writes: You never know how much stuff you really have until you move! I could not believe the amount of boxes we packed for Patrick's move to Calgary. He has moved before, but this time, almost everything was kept because Patrick bought everything new and of excellent quality. It was a very nice apartment with a great location, but moving on..............I must say that I won't miss the hour commute from Richmond to Vancouver!

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Kathy is a profoundly new experience to me, someone who challenges me and herself constantly to grow and learn, someone that I love spending time with.

I think Kathy:

• is a hardcore rockhound
• a prairie girl
• cares deeply about the people around her and humanity in general
• is very smart
• has the coolest bird
• is a serious adventure taker and well traveled
• is into social entrepreneurship as well
• is universally loved by all my friends
• loves chocolate
• will eventually learn to love coffee *duck*

My time with Kathy has been a wonderful interlude in my life and I love her for the time we had together and the friendship that grew out of it.

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In the year and a bit that we’ve known each other Kathy has already had a huge impact on my life and I look forward to many years of growth and happiness with a truly amazing woman. I’ve had love a first sight (overrated IMHO) — this was a very different beast and I think that my head fought against my heart for a few months just to be sure but looking back it was such an obvious and good fit that I’m amazed we managed to wait so long! Kathy is one of the few people I’ve found who is a peer, friend and lover all wrapped up in one tantalizing package. *sigh* Can you tell I’m smitten?

I can’t honestly remember being this happy *sigh*.

The Grizzly House207 Banff Ave.
Banff, AB, T1L 1B4
CanadaAug 30, 2007Patrick Audley5.0business1<?php the_permalink(); ?>A tradition of exquisite fondue.fondue, grizzlyhouse, restaurant

I vaguely remember growing up in slices of Banff every year for New Years – every one of the memories included a visit to the Grizzly House. I don’t think it’s changed much over the years as the rest of Banff has catered more deeply to the tourist trade (though I’m not sure that Aligator was on the menu or that any of the items had little leaves or hearts next to them when I was a kid). I almost always have the cheese and bread fondue to start followed by a mixed hot-oil fondue of various wild meats with buffalo and caribou being two of my favourites. The quality of the meat is always excellent and there is a huge selection to choose from. The best part of the visit through is always the chocolate fondue with fresh fruit – how can you not love that?

Comments

• August 3, 2007, Brenda May writes: When Patrick and Kathy said they wanted to have a family birthday party, I was thrilled; it was also my 57th birthday. When I asked Patrick where he wanted to celebrate his 30th birthday, he chose Banff and the Grizzley House without hesitation. It was a momentous occasion as Patrick has not celebrated his birthday with both parents for a very long time. We stayed at the elegant Rimrock Hotel; Rick (my husband) and I very much enjoyed our time with Patrick and Kathy.Kathy is a lovely young woman and I am so pleased that she and Patrick are together. They make a great couple - both are intelligent, attractive and humorous.

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We walked all the way from my place downtown to the The Havana, a cool Cuban styled restaurant on Commerical street, for lunch. Kathy introduced my to “Dead Like Me” and we watched a bunch of the first season curled up lazily on the couch after the long walk.

For Thanksgiving dinner we went to my Mom's for a traditional turkey dinner and spent most of the night wallowing about in stuffed happiness. We even managed to make it to the pool for a swim and hot tub.

Beautiful way to spend thanksgiving!

Comments

• October 8, 2006, Brenda May writes: Thanksgiving is all about being thankful for family and friends - not what you have or where you live. Patrick and Kathy joined Rick and I for a pleasant and peaceful Thanksgiving dinner. The food was good but the conversation was the best part of the evening. We shared stories and and lots of laughter. Truly, a very satisfying evening for all....
• October 30, 2006, Bruce Audley aka Dad writes: I agree although you must admit, nothing beats a Bentley parked in a five car garage in Southlands. Second to that, I agree that what you have and where you live means nothing!

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Comments

• October 8, 2006, Brenda May writes: I really enjoyed meeting Kathy. She is a sweet and charming girl - very likeable and "down to earth." Her laugh is infectious!

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