Calorie Count

This is the first time that I've ever been responsible for feeding myself alone. From cravings to composing grocery lists, purchasing and preparing food, I am alone on this journey of sustenance and starvation.

I moved to my new place a little over a week ago, and left the all you can eat buffet of university residence. As I was carrying furniture into my bedroom my stomach was growling already. The only food I had was a club pack of coffee whitener and a can of beans. My first meal at my new place was pizza ordered from down the road. The following day I ate a meat burrito from 7-11 which is two blocks from my place. Danger, Will Robinson! Danger!

The initial startup for a pantry is an expensive process. I spent nearly $100 buying, what I thought, were bare minimums. Miracle whip, canned veggies, Parmesan cheese. And after all that, I opened the cupboard to find that, though it wasn't bare, it could not support even the most basic MEAL. Everything required assembly, and everything was missing complimentary parts. I had cheese and meat and bread, but no tomatoes or lettuce. I had spring peas and V8, but no potatoes or steak. I tried to live off bagels and creme cheese and began to get cravings for an unidentified food group. Things had to change.

I am now living in a symbiotic relationship with the neighbourhood. The Food Fare, a small grocery store, is a mere block away from me. I make several small trips there a week for fresh meat, fruit & vegetables, and the odd condiment or snack I NEED RIGHT NOW. Their prices are a little more than the big name chains, but their close convenience makes up for it. I will never have to defrost meat and I can purchase my fruits and veggies in small quantities to keep food from going bad. For non perishables like canned food and oatmeal I make an occasional trip to Wal Mart or Price Chopper.

Making larger purchases is nearly impossible when one relies on the bus, so I bought a granny cart. I am officially the lamest person I know.

Dumpster Treasure

I found my first article of dumpster furniture today. I got to keep it because my roommates are Mennonites who value simplicity of life, pacifism, nonresistance, and free stuff.

Unexpected Call

I was minding my own business on the bus when I received a call from my old friend, Chris. He had called a week earlier and seemed in a rush, though he wanted to make quick plans to give me a call some time soon and when would I be available? I told him my general schedule and was looking forward to catching up with him. We hadn't talked in nearly a year.

Hey Michael, how are you doing?

Good....where are you calling from, I don't recognize this number.

Oh, I'm just calling from my friend's house. So, I was wondering something.

Oh yeah, what's up?

Do you want to hang out tonight?

..... SHUT....UP.......NOFREAKINGWAY! YOU'RE IN WINNIPEG!!!!!!!!!

At this point most on the bus thought that I was obnoxiously crazy, but I couldn't care less. Chris phoned me up last week and tricked me into giving him my schedule so he could surprise little old me! I took him to the Manitoba Legislative Building, the Old Spaghetti Factory at The Forks, and then we met up with my friend Milena and enjoyed a beer and some company at Cousins Deli.

I think I made him really jealous that he doesn't live in Winnipeg. And it serves him right!

10 > 5 = True

Winnipeg is in short supply of tenpin bowling lanes for a city of its size. The problem, I believe, stems from an overabundance of five pin bastard lanes on every corner. Winnipeggers seem to love the five pin bowling game, which is obviously a mental disorder or a disease in the water of some variety.

I went tenpin bowling at La Verendrye Bowling Lanes with some friends earlier this week. I lost both games. Damned five pin has dulled my game.

Impromptu Date

On Wednesday I was drawn to the outdoors by the beautiful Manitoba blue skies shining above the university. Kyle and I were going to spend part of the afternoon together after he finished classes, and was excited when I mentioned a skating date! As per tradition, I enjoyed a hot dog after an adventurous glide across the Red River with my boy.

There is no explanation for the spate of skating videos of late. I'm having a lot of fun though, and am considering investing in a pair of skates for myself!

Hockey Fans

My friend Mike sent a mass email asking his friends to come and support his hockey team, the CMU Blazers. They were playing against a team they dearly wanted to beat, the Providence Freemen, and fan support is what the doctor ordered. I'd never been to a hockey game before. I thought it would be a great way to support a friend and try something new.

I got there early. Once his other friends arrived, the support escalated into something only marriage could tolerate. It was like married couples gone wild!

Mike didn't even look at us the entire time, even though we had SIGNS! Broke our tender hearts.

You have to see it to believe it. I think I like this sport!

Check out a previous hockey arena video with Mike F and the gang playing broom ball.

Winter Lesson

A few days ago I needed to take the bus downtown to get a criminal records check for a job I'm applying to. There was a wind chill of -40C that afternoon, and the sun was shining brightly. I printed off the bus schedule and decided against bundling up to-the-nine, since I reasoned I would be there and home in no time. The trip would last less than an hour, and I would be inside a heated vehicle or building for the most part. Long johns keep one warm, yes, but become a prison of heat when one exits the cold.

I'll never make that mistake in judgment again. The application took 13 minutes longer than I expected. So I missed my bus by 3 minutes, and the next wasn't coming for 40 minutes. I was stranded downtown on a corner, with a fierce arctic wind howling through my shivering frame. What was I going to do?!?!




I decided to walk the six blocks to the bus terminal, where I would find a bus quickly to whisk me home. Portage and Main is the windiest intersection in the world. I thought I was never going to be warm again. When it's this cold you can't even use a cell phone to text friends to tell them how cold it is because the screen begins to go through display hypothermia. Images take longer come up and to go away. My phone became sluggish, also a sign of hypothermia in humans. While using the cell phone, my fingers began to throb in pain. I felt doomed that I'd loose my fingers if I did not put them back into pocket pocket right that instant. I cursed my cell phone and it's cold technology.

I was walking for what seemed like ages against a biting wind I swear was freezing my tears against my cheeks. It was so cold that my knees stopped shaking and began to feel as though the oil which keeps my joints lubricated was solidifying. Walking became twice as exhausting. I was in a little bit of a panic.

I will never, ever again, go out on an errand in -25C without donning some polar wear. No matter how planned I think I am.

Winter Lecture

Winnipeg is famous for it's cold winters. My first reaction to the possibility of a future at the University of Manitoba was to exclaim WINTERPEG! Now that I'm a resident, I find the nickname to be quite misleading: this summer was one of the most pleasant (temperature and weather wise) I've ever had, with temperatures frequently above 32C (90F). But when the sun begins to lower on the horizon, and polar air licks across the prairies by order of blue sky cyclones, Winnipeg's situation in the centre of continental North America allows temperatures to inverse to a negative. What does that mean:

Tonight's low is -36C (-32.8F), with the wind chill making it feel more like -45C (-49F).

There is ice on the inside of my window sill. My room has a distinct temperature difference between the floor and the 13 foot high ceiling (which is accessible to me through my loft). If the room were more humid, I wouldn't be surprised to see cloud formation.




Manitobans are among is the highest users of energy in the world, and with temperatures like this (high in the summer, low in the winter) it's not a stretch to believe.

Fortunately, Winnipeg is blessed with a 'dry cold,' which makes a world of difference. I'm originally from Southern Ontario which receives a continuous flow of moisture as air flows over the Great Lakes. Moisture in the air makes the cold feel much colder because it draws heat out of the body quicker than a dry air. It is also more difficult to dress comfortably in a wet cold because either the wet air cuts through your jacket and mitts, or, if they're doing their job, you sweat. I find it much easier to keep toasty on a cold Winnipeg day. So long as I keep all exposed body parts covered, dress in two layers and long johns and a pair winter shoes, the only thing I have to worry about is the tip of my nose.

Longest Skate

Winnipeg recently beat Ottawa and took the title as home to the longest skating trail in the world! The length this year was 8.54 Km, and there's lots of room for expansion. . The trail runs from the Assiniboine to the Red River and passes the historic Forks, gateway to the west, as well as several scenic riverside destinatons. Come live vicariously through my friend Melissa and I as we strap on some rental skates and hit the ice.

See local ice conditions at The Forks website.

You might also like to watch my previous skating adventure on the former longest skating trail in the world on the Rideau Canal, Ottawa.

All-We-Could-Eat

Tim began steak night 5 years ago, and it's since become a bi-yearly event. He likes it because it bridges the gap between his groups of friends. A group of randoms united by friendship with one man. It was a good time. I even joined the facebook group.

Skating on The Forks

Adam and I went skating yesterday on The Forks ice trails. It was a load of fun, and there's even points where the trail goes up and down hill: A first for me in skates. I didn't fall once and was thoroughly tired by the second time round. The skates are cheap to rent at $3.50 for unlimited use. I'll certainly be back there before the winter is over.

In a later post, I return to skate on the longest ice trail in the world.

Birthday of Catan

I had a great birthday party with my friends. We played Settlers of Catan, which is quickly becoming one of my favorite board games. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect party!

Broomball

Broomball. Never heard of it until Carolyn invited me to a wedding shower for Marc and Chars. At first I said that I wasn't going to play 'cause of my arthritis. But about 20 seconds into the game I realized that I was missing out on a world of fun! It wasn't that intensive as I imagined. I hurt today, but it was worth it.

You should all know that I did indeed play the game for about 45 minutes and then decided to film the remainder. I blocked approximately 4 goals. I have no idea how I ended up in net half the time. My team was no where to be found. There was also little by way of comparison between myself and the broom stick.

Listen to my soundtrack

It's changed yet again. I have heard this song Run From Safety by Octoberman many a time whist listening to CBC Radio 3 online. Today I just happened to really focus on the lyrics, and I was captivated by the comparisons between my own life and the lyrics. Those of you who know me well know of my love for "double entendres." My despising of Winnipeg's habit of making mountains out of mole hills (fun mountain, ahem!). But that's just the beginning.

This proof I'm awake, this truth I can't break.

I'm also particularly fond of the line:

Judges and juries, convene in a hurry/
but there's no need to worry, cause this sentence can't hurt me./
And though the powers they've got, oh they seem like a lot/
but it just ain't enough to snuff the meaning for this stuff.

Coming out has been a Run From Safety. Won't you come back home, some people ask? Well I don't think so. As long as we run from safety, we'll find our way out here maybe.

Octoberman - Run From Safety

By the way

There's no easy way of saying this, so curl up beside me and let me find my voice.

As always, this was completely unscripted. This is my first 'coming out' video to to my friends and family, though I had discussed the issue with people in larger circles. I filmed it because I wanted to see how much of a dork I actually was, and also because I have a way of blanking out my memory in stressful situations. I never imagined that I would one day post something so personal and awkward to the internet.




Eight months later I was in the middle of writing the coming out letter to my family. I had told a few close friends back in Southern Ontario before I left, and everyone I knew in Winnipeg knew that I am gay. But I had kept the secret from most people I know in Southern Ontario because I wasn't ready to tell my family yet. The risk of them finding out before I was ready grew exponentially with each person who knew.

However, the longer I was out, the more comfortable I became with my sexuality and situation. I came across the video on my hard drive about a month ago by accident, having forgotten that I had even filmed it (see above re: blackout). It suddenly dawned on me that there aren't very many videos such as this available to the public. I knew this, because I had done extensive research across the blogosphere searching for inspiration and the wisdom of those who had been 'there' before me. I thought that this might be my gift to the cause. It also saved me having to tell hundreds of people in person.

My hope is that some other closeted individual might come across this video and see that it can be done, you can tell someone you love I'm Gay, and life will continue.

Let it

It first big snowfall of the year and my first blizzard ever in Winnipeg. A sign of things to come, no doubt!

Ribs in Residence

Click To Play

Something Delicious.

That's the name of the Sunday evening dinner ritual at Murat's palace in Tache Hall. Once a week Murat gathers some rezbians from our floor and invites them to shop, chop and cook SOMETHING DELICIOUS!

This is the first vlog I've made with some rezbians. Perhaps more will follow!

Formats available: Quicktime (.mov), Flash Video (.flv)

New Digs

I'm finally there! Where? THERE! I'm settled into my new residence in the University of Manitoba. Here's a very quick tour of my new room.

The final update

Copied from a mass email I have been producing regularily.

Transition: Passage from one form, state, style, or place to another. My time in L'Arche is nearing an end, though I find that it hasn't really 'hit' me yet. Nor do the memories of arriving to Winnipeg on April 25 come readily, either. It's a strange feeling, knowing that I'm in denial. University begins on September 6. Orientation begins on September 4. I'm moving into residence on September 1. My last day in L'Arche is August 31. It's 11:30 PM on August 26 and I'm completely 'set up' for university. My student loans have come through. I'm admitted into residence and have a meal plan. All my courses have been selected. I have a book list.

All this is simply incredible since I didn't even know what the word ' faculty' meant in January. I'm thrilled to say that I've had excellent guidance along the way, and a huge thank you goes out to you-know-who and you and you and you, etcetera.

In the past four months I have accomplished all the things, the reasons, why I chose to leave Ontario 4 months before school began in the first place. I've met new people and made new friends, good friends that I adore and have had many good times with. I've traversed across the city and found places and things that I like, while also realizing that there's so much more of this city to explore. I've also visited the University of Manitoba campus many times and feel quite comfortable when it comes to orienteering myself towards buildings and student services available. I'm nearly 25 and couldn't imagine plopping myself into a sea of 18 year old first year students, and then attempting to figure all this out. It would be impossible. I'd have a nervous breakdown. Not seriously, but my arthritis would likely kill me.

And I feel blessed to find that there is lots more I've accomplished since I arrived 4 months ago. God, only 4 months? I've been on the 6 o'clock news. Learned how to plant a garden and harvest it. Learned how to cook delicious meals. Stood in awe under the prairie sky an watched a distant thunderstorm flash beyond my peripherals. Learned how to dance. I've even gotten another high paying part time job at the U of M BookStore as a sexy cashier (which I totally love).

I'm pretty sure that I'll be looking forward to what lies ahead once I can accept that there is something beyond this.

Feel free to visit my blog regularly, again, since I was limited in what I could post in my current job. This message should also mark the end of my mass updates, of which many people have told me were absurdly long. I thank you for your honesty and end this here.

Prosperity and favor upon you all!

Michael

P.S. Do you think you have what it takes to live in L'Arche? We need committed, imperfect people just like you! Visit http://larchewinnipeg.org/

Mini Party Island

That's the name of our phenomenal flotation device, made by Coleman, which allowed for an awesome adventure muddy Assiniboine River. Six friends embarked on a first: Lazily tubing on the medium current of filthy water, not knowing what we would encounter around every bend.

We made the 6 o'clock news.

And rightly so. I've searched for stories of people who have plied waterways of Winnipeg on raft or tube and come up empty handed every time, so when the news crew spotted us nearing our destination, they couldn't help but capture this momentous occasion! I was videoblogging while they were filming us, and in the video dubbed our voices over top of the news footage.

The water of the Assiniboine is truly a turn off, resembling refined sewage without the smell. Could we be the first people to float down the river in an inflateable Mini Party Island and survived to tell the tale? I'm willing to bet YES. History in the making, folks. Go forth and do likewise.