We recently just returned to the office after our yearly summer break where we close up shop for two weeks. It was a solid holiday and a nice time to reflect and recharge after what had been an insanely busy June and July.
I thought I’d take this week’s column and share some of my experiences during those two weeks off in what I’ll call a summer diary, of sorts.
Wednesday, August 9: The first day of the break, but I’m technically still in an office state of mind because I have to attend a town council meeting that night. I don’t mind at all, and the meeting is a breeze. Besides, I’ve come to genuinely enjoy sitting in on these meetings and watching how a community such as Outlook is operated.
Sunday, August 13: I’m in Saskatoon at the Ex with my brother Brendon. We take in a couple of shows, play some games (I won a giant stuffed pug), and spend way too much money on junk food such as spud nuts, and I even dined on lobster poutine for supper, which cost a whopping $18 but is enough to serve two people. I’m reminded of why I liked the Ex as a kid, but I’m old enough to know now that you need to budget for something like this as an adult.
Tuesday, August 15: I’m on the road, westbound for Calgary to stay at my brother John’s before hopping on a plane for Victoria the next day. While his household goes to a fireworks festival at a park somewhere in the city, I go book shopping at the mall for something to read on the plane, and I also see the movie, ‘Dunkirk’ on the IMAX screen. Fantastic film and an immersive audience experience.
Wednesday, August 16: I’m on a plane headed for Victoria, and by the time I land, I’ve gained an hour back due to the time difference. However, that hour is eaten up waiting in line for my car rental because apparently 90% of the people who fly into the city and need a vehicle apparently go with Budget as well. But eventually I’m on the road and headed for downtown, which is still just as colourful and vibrant as the last time I was there a year prior. I get to my hotel located beside the harbour and open the door to my fifth-story room, and I get that feeling that everyone gets when they’ve just arrived at their destination whilst traveling. I take in my surroundings, including the sweet view of the city skyline and the harbour from the balcony, and then decide to chill with some food delivery and see what’s on the provided cable on TV. By the looks of things, the next few days are going to include a lot of re-runs of Modern Family, The Simpsons, King of the Hill, and when all other options have been exhausted, The Big Bang Theory.
Friday, August 18: I’m doing something that nobody who lives in Saskatchewan can say is possible on the prairies; I’m going killer whale watching. I specifically request the 5:30 pm “sunset tour” because I’m a sucker for awesome sunsets (gee, you think?). The whales are luckily out and about for us, and we even see them go on a hunt for their supper, consisting of seals who dot the watery landscape of the bay. They even swim parallel to us as we make our way back to Fisherman’s Wharf – a sight I’m never going to forget for the rest of my life. Back at my hotel that night, the person delivering my food ends up being one of my oldest friends from elementary and high school, my buddy Kevin Guillet! Small world!
Sunday, August 20: The last four days have shot by fast, as they always seem to do on any trip, and I’m back on a plane headed for Calgary. Eventually, I’m back behind the wheel of my trusty Escape (after driving the behemoth cousin, a Ford Expedition Platinum in Victoria) and headed for home. I end up making great time on the drive; I go from Airdrie to Rosetown in about four hours and fifteen minutes. I arrive home and unwind, and immediately wish I was back in Victoria.
Wednesday, August 23: It’s the last day of my summer break, and it also happens to be my birthday. I drive down to Gardiner Dam to do a little swimming before my family and I enjoy supper at Harv’s Café inside the visitor centre (best fish and chips ANYWHERE). Harv even serves up a piece of cheesecake with a lit candle in it. The day and my summer holiday comes to an end on a high note as I manage to snag ringside seats to a WWE event in October. I really couldn’t have asked for a better two weeks off.
For this week, that’s been the Ruttle Report.
