Kevin's Ramblings…

Apollo and I headed to Crowsnest Pass for the weekend on Friday afternoon.

I had dinner with a friend, it was an Indian buffet which was disappointing. It was cheaper than it was before, but the buffet was tiny. My friend had arranged to have a dessert brought out and they played happy birthday on the speakers.

Saturday morning started early. Apollo and I hiked around where Blondie, Hera, Twix and I used to walk almost daily. I went for brunch and then napped in the afternoon.

Dinner was at my former next door neighbours place, ribs, veggies, corn on the cob and a Dairy Queen ice cream cake that I brought. Whatever that chocolate crumble stuff is in the middle of the cake is amazing.

We left early Sunday morning, around 3am and headed back to Calgary, got home shortly after 530am. Sunday was a very relaxing day.

I’ll be prepping for my cruise this week, getting groceries for my sister in law who’s looking after Apollo while I’m gone. I also get my new car this week, so that’ll be awesome.

Apollo bought me a Buffalo Bills jersey for my birthday, I’m not sure where he gets his money, but it was an awesome gift, thanks Apollo.

I had heard good things about Jersey Mike’s subs from friends who had gone. One is due to open in the next few weeks/months in Calgary, but there is one in Red Deer Alberta and I decided to make a road trip today.

Apollo and I headed North on Highway 2 around 2pm. It’s not a long drive, just over an hour.

I ordered two subs, the large size. I don’t think they call them large, they are gigantic. They are also excellent.

They freshly sliced the meat and cheese being used and the veggies are super fresh.

I was barely able to eat 3/4 of the one sub I ordered, I just finished the last quarter now, 6 hours later. I still have one more sub for tomorrow and I’m sure it’ll be as good as the one I had today.

I’m looking forward to it opening in Calgary and I’ll be a regular customer. Great subs indeed.

This has been a week of nothingness. I like it.

I haven’t been sleeping all that well at night so I’ve been napping during the day a few times every day. I also haven’t been doing much really. I’ve taken Apollo to a few different dog parks and we’ve had some good walks.

We went to Sue Higgins Park and walked the perimeter and as he often does, Apollo took off to make dog and people friends. I don’t worry about him, he always finds me. This time, I got back to the entrance and waited about 20 minutes until he showed up, all exhausted. It looked like had a good time anyway.

We may go back there today, later this morning but before it gets too hot. It’s a great park, lots of dogs and lots of space.

Today and tomorrow will be slow days, no real plans. I think a trip to Costco is in order, I need some stuff.

On Friday afternoon, we’ll head South to Crowsnest Pass and go on a hike where Blondie, Hera, Twix and I used to frequent. We’ll check into the hotel and then I’m having dinner, Indian buffet with my friend and former neighbour.

Saturday I’m having breakfast at the Golf Club with the same neighbour. I may be attending a BBQ in the evening. It’s my birthday but it’ll be low key.

I checked my mail this morning and I got a photo radar ticket. I was 18kph over and the fine was over $400. Absolutely ridiculous if you ask me. I think I’ll plead not guilty, like I did with the red light ticket (I wasn’t driving for that one) and the prosecutor cut the fine in half, hopefully that’ll happen with the speeding ticket, which was me.

There, you’re all up to date.

It’s a holiday Monday today, Heritage Day in Alberta, Civic Holiday in Ontario, unsure what it’s called elsewhere in Canada. It’ll be a relaxing day, I’m sure.

I may go to Costco, if it’s open, but I am thinking it won’t be, one of the few businesses closed, if it is. Google says it’s open, I’m not entirely trusting them though.

It’s cooler, which is quite welcome after a pretty hot July. Today’s high is supposed to be around 19°C which is definitely an improvement over the upper 20s. I think I’ll take Apollo to one of the dog parks for a hike.

Nothing much going on this week until Friday when Apollo and I head to Crowsnest Pass for the weekend. We are staying at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Blairmore, it’s been totally renovated and is a pretty good deal.

On Friday night I am heading to the Indian restaurant with a friend for their buffet. We are then going to the golf club on Saturday for brunch. Apollo and I will get a hike in on Saturday and then possibly a BBQ on Saturday night. We’ll head home Sunday. I’m hoping I’ll have a birthday cake in there somewhere, we’ll see.

Should be a nice and relaxing week, enjoy yours.

I went out for dinner last night at Cactus Club in Crowfoot.

I started the meal with calamari. It was very lightly breaded, cooked perfectly and the dipping sauce was amazing. A 10/10 appetizer for sure.

The main course was a Cajun blackened chicken breast over potatoes and brocolini, amazing. The chicken left a quick burn on the tongue, great flavours. The potatoes were awesome, mashed with something, unsure what but really tasty.

I finished the meal with creme brulee and it was awesome.

All in all, an absolutely amazing meal, I was stuffed to the gills.

I had never been before but I’ll definitely go back.

Welcome August, July sorta flew by.

This’ll be a busy and fun month I’m thinking.

Next weekend is my birthday weekend, I’m turning 55 a week from today, Saturday, August 8. Apollo and I will spend the weekend down in Crowsnest Pass, having dinner with a friend on Friday night and coming home Sunday. Should be a good weekend.

I get my 2026 Ford Bronco Sport somewhere around August 12. I can’t wait to get it. That’ll be a great birthday gift for my 55th.

Two weeks from today, I fly to Florida for my cruise which leaves on Sunday, August 16. It’s my first cruise and really, the first “real” vacation I’ve had in ages. My sister in law is looking after Apollo while I’m gone, she’s staying in my apartment so Apollo’s routine won’t be disrupted. Apollo will be staying with a buddy the last few days I’m gone as my sister in law had to be in Edmonton.

The rest of August will be slower, I’m sure. No plans, although I might rent a small trailer and go on a camping trip with Apollo.

September will be here before we know it. Enjoy August.

I went to the Calgary Humane Society yesterday at 430 to meet with Bolt and the meeting went well. He’s a good dog, very high energy and I’m sure he’d have gotten along with Apollo.

Last night though, in thinking about it, I’ve changed my mind and won’t be proceeding with the adoption.

Although I do like having two dogs, something in my gut tells me not to proceed and it’s a strong feeling. Apollo seems fine as an only dog and is happy getting all of my attention and that’s how it’s going to remain.

I’ve cancelled the dog on dog meet for today and I’m sure that Bolt will get adopted by another family and for now he’s in foster care.

I may consider another dog at another time, but right now isn’t the right time for me.

I was terminated without cause by IBM on June 1. I didn’t have a client so I had no billable hours, so it makes sense.

There wasn’t anyone from HR in my termination meeting which I found odd, but hey, it’s IBM.

I didn’t hear anything about severance pay.

A few weeks went by and I finally got access to the retirees portal and I submitted an HR request. A few days later I received a reply indicating that after speaking with my management team, I wouldn’t be getting severance.

I replied saying this was against Alberta law, the ticket had already been closed so those comments were probably never read.

I reached out to my management team and they enquired with HR. A mere six weeks later it was determined that yes, I would be getting severance pay and it was finally deposited last evening.

So, my IBM saga has ended. It wasn’t a great place to work, it wasn’t the worst place though, at least I didn’t need to sue them to get some money. They paid me far more than the law requires, so I guess I have no concrete complaints.

See ya, IBM, it was a slice.

July has sort of zoomed by, it’s just about done. It was a busy month.

My friends from Idaho visited at the beginning of the month, we had a whirlwind trip around various sites within a few hour drive of Calgary.

The rest of the month was nondescript really, but it’s a blur.

We’ve had some great summer weather. The temps for the most part have been in the upper twenties with a few days hitting the low 30s and we’ve had very little rain this month.

I’ve gotten on the ebike a few times, not as often as I hoped though.

Twix passed away last week at nearly 13.5 years old. Apollo and I miss her, she was an awesome dog.

As we move into August, I’m looking forward to a buddy month. I’ll get my 2026 Ford Bronco Sport, I should take delivery around August 12. I’m heading on my first ever cruise, I fly out of Calgary to Florida on August 15. I’m looking forward to my trip, it’ll be a new experience for sure.

I turn 55 in just over a week. Nothing planned at all although I’m remotely thinking of getting away for a day or two to a cabin somewhere with Apollo, I’ll see if I can find anything that won’t break the bank.

Fall weather should make an appearance sometime soon, it typically cools down in August, but Fall is my favourite season.

Hoping you’ve enjoyed the summer, have a great August.

After considering it for a few years, I finally got a tattoo as a tribute to the great dogs in my life.

I had previously scheduled it a few years ago, paid a deposit and then for whatever reason, cancelled at the last minute.

Yesterday, I went through with it and I’m very happy with the results.

Five great dogs, Zeus, Blondie, Hera, Twix (all.passes now), Apollo and a blank 6th tag.

I like it.