My Lovely Day in the Operating Room

Today I had the wonderful privilege of testing in the operating rooms at the Alberta Heart Institute. It was quite borrrringgg, but I endured.

Downtown

Yesterday I took a little walk downtown. It was mildly (emphasis on mildly) entertaining. At least it was sunny and I didn't have to wear a jacket.

Weeeee Squamish!

I apologize for not posting as of late, final exams were darkening my path like a rain-soaked cloud and it was necessary to devote my attention to the matter. Last week I had the privilege of working at the Mamquam generating station near Squamish B.C. It was awesome. Arriving on the coast, we hopped in the rented Lincoln Navigator and rolled on to site. 

Power is generated by these two generators deep in the shaft. A hole was drilled through the rock and the water from the river is directed to turn the turbines. In the event of a complete power loss to the facility, the bottom three stories of this shaft will fill with water in approximately 28 minutes. 

Jordan donned the arc-flash suit to rack out the breaker. 

Here we are taking shelter from the rain (which only stopped when we got to Vancouver).

On Thursday we went into Vancouver for a bite to eat. This interesting fellow was flaming gay. He was the host at a restaurant we visited. He proudly displayed his "Liberace" rings for us. After the meal we went to the waterfront to take a picture of the skyline. Some Germans showed up in a BMW, jumped out and proceeded to head-bang for a good five minutes to some obscure industrial metal. All in all the evening was strangely eventful.

Mighty Colourful Pavilion at the Museum

Edmonton Silver Skate Festival 2009

An Update On the Horn

I took the inherited trumpet (to two separate places) to see if I could get it fixed. Both had similar diagnoses. The first thing I learned is that it is not a trumpet at all but rather a coronet. Secondly it would take upwards of $300 to get it in playable condition. In some types of instruments, this is well worth it. As the coronet in my possession is not a well known maker, it is simply not worth it. Another thing I learned is that it is from earlier than 1930. One fellow said it mimics styles more commonly found on a coronet from the 1880s. In the process of inspection, the mouthpiece was removed, so at least enjoyment can be had by "buzzing" away on it. I think it will make a good bit of artwork one day!

See the Sky??

A note to all mighty Albertans... these photos were taken in Victoria BC.  Yes, it was indeed sunny. As a matter of fact it did not rain once the entire time I was there.