Rhona-Mae A.'s Profile

I was rather sad when our neighbourhood Decker's Fish & Chips closed down. That's why I was delighted to see that The British Chippy rose from its ashes, so to speak.

They have done wonders with the interior. As Decker's, it was relaxing, nautical, simple. As Chippy's, it's warm brown and sleeker. The large screen TV showing British shows is a nice touch, although I miss the daily newspapers that its predecessor had for those waiting for their takeout orders. That would have made my 10 minute wait go faster, although today, I was just as happy to sit and close my eyes for a few minutes.

The chips are huge. Well done. As Willman says, they're tasty. My haddock was huge. It hung off of my plate by a good couple of inches. Not too much batter and not too greasy. Very smooth on the palette. Done up fresh.

Piecewise? Not bad. I used to get two pieces of haddock when it was Decker's (sorry, I can't help but compare Chippy to its predecessor). I just got one piece with my lunch. Mind you, it was big.

They put three packs of tartar in my bag. Nice. I miss the paper product container and newspaper wrap that Decker's used. It seemed more "British" that way. The British Chippy does have plain paper wrap that they put over the Styrofoam container.

Their menu isn't as extensive as Decker's, but I imagine it will grow in time. I'd like to try some of the meat pies next time.

I love my Honda Fit!

I just had to get that off my chest. Okotoks Honda (formerly "High River Honda") has been around for years and years.

My search began a couple of years ago for a "cute hatchback that's good on gas, is reliable and could fit three sword cases, their owners, Maestro's kennel and Maestro" led to nothing but frustration in Calgary. Several dealerships treated me like a "dumb female". Several models failed my test miserably.

I wound up with a 2007 Honda Fit from these guys. Terry, John and Bernie treated me like a normal person. It probably helped that my dad came with me. They showed me the 2007 Fit, which just came out in North America (aka "Jazz" in Europe and Asia). I LOVE the Magic Seats(R) because of their three modes: Utility Mode (think "station wagon"), Relax Mode (think "full length bed") and Tall Mode (think "bike"). I invented a new mode - "Gig Mode", which is a combination of all three modes, to accommodate my keyboard, speakers and gear.

Today called for the Utility Mode to cart my winter tires. The fog made me late but they took it in stride. I was in and out in just under an hour for my tire swap, which seems to be the standard during 90% of my visits there.  

Prices are pretty good (TIP: Labour rate is reasonable when you go outside of the city). They explain everything to you in terms that make sense. They can also fit you in within a day or two for regular appointments.

Friendly folks.

Their new digs in Okotoks are more spacious. The lounge area is pretty cushy and they have a good selection of junk and semi-healthy food in their vending machine. Cold cream too for your coffee or tea. Bonus!

In a nutshell: OK products at stupidly overinflated prices and crappy service.

They have decent products. Their Mask Miracle Noir is supposedly their biggest seller. It's supposed to remove all impurities. There's a funky magnetic block that sucks up the mud, dirt and oils when you glide it across your face. Oh the miracles of the black sea minerals.

But get this: I've found other masks that work just as well under $100. Heck, under $50. Wait, I've even found some that work well under $25.  Oh here's the clincher - there's face care stuff online that works just as well for $10 and less, USD to boot!

I only paid the $100 for the mask because I tried it in Hawaii to great results. Stupid me, I thought it would be cheaper at home. Ooh, steal of a deal of $100 instead of $200. Whatever. In hindsight, I should have paid the $43 USD for the jar that's 3X as big as the one I got here. At least they weren't so pushy there.

I also bought a little gift bag at Premier Spa Boutique once - with lotion, cleanser and the dead sea salt scrub. Good scrub, mediocre cleanser and lotion. I guess that the $50 I paid for the gift bag was reasonable, considering the rest of their prices. They were pushy then too.

Minus one star for their overinflated pricing. The salesguy said I didn't have my facts straight when I told him that it was cheaper in Hawaii. He said it was a different company and that the products were different. With the same logo? The same smell? The same product names?

Minus one star for insulting the customer's intelligence.

Minus two stars for their incredibly pushy sales tactics and service. I have never seen a more aggressive, customer-deaf bunch. Perhaps it's a sales approach that works well in the Mediterranean but it's a huge turn-off here.

The last time I was there, the sales guy was trying to sell me the black mud mask for $100 AND the acne mask for $250. WTF? I only need one of them and really, I should have bought the other one except for HE WOULDN'T LET ME. Then, he proceeded to schmooze me up to buy the nailcare kit for $50.

After telling him at least three times that I'm on a limited budget, he was still pushing me. He kept saying, "What do you mean you can't afford this? Just put on credit card. It's very good deal. You buy today and then you can come in any time for consultation."

Good deal my butt. Ixnay on using the credit card that I'm trying to pay off. Double ixnay on the torture session (er, consultation). Besides, if you have to push someone that much to buy something, there's something fishy.

They've pared down operations in Southcentre in favour of their new Cross Iron Mills location. Good riddance!

Maybe it's the incense. Maybe it's because of all the healing crystals in the room. Or maybe it's because of the soothing colours and yummy tea. Regardless, if you're into crystals, astrology, numerology, meditation, massage, reiki, angels and the like - you'll find that the vibes in this store are tranquil, peaceful and funky.

The Divine Mine has a great selection of oracle cards, from Doreen Virtue's angel cards to fairy cards. Lots of gifts and books on various aspects of spirituality and the occult. They also offer a variety of classes and workshops, such as Reiki Level 1, Astrology Basics, Ego Management Workshop and monthly meditations.

Their selection of healing crystals is pretty respectable for a store their size. They don't have all the crystals as the local lapidaries do, but having been to two lapidaries, I can tell you that the Divine Mine has a more comfortable environment.

The staff is generally warm and very helpful, especially when shopping for presents. Their website is extremely informative too.

They even have healing crystals for pets! Maestro lost his carnelian (for health) a long time ago. However, his jade pendant (for longevity) has been holding steady since we bought in in the spring. Pundits would say that he was meant to have the jade all along.

The quality of their products is excellent. I've gotten numerous compliments on the quality and beauty of the crystals I've gotten myself or as gifts, the jewelry and the jewelry cages for my stones.

Parking is a little tight around the store, which is the main reason for the -1 star. Prices vary from reasonable to "man, I could get this cheaper elsewhere". Mind you, by the time you're done driving all over the city to find that cheaper deal, you might as well just buy it at Divine Mine.

Thanks to Medicalert, I actually wear a medical bracelet.

I thought the medical bracelets in pharmacies were butt-ugly growing up, so I rarely wore mine; much to the chagrin of coworkers and friends (who actually had to try and remember what my big allergies were, just in case). Yeah, I know, stupid me.

I think I've been a Medicalert customer since 2001. I had a big trip that year so ordering a bracelet then would make sense.

Medicalert has a comprehensive website and product offering. I started off with a gold filled personalized bracelet with links because I wanted something that matched the rest of my jewelry - and look good at the same time. When I lost that one, I ordered a gold filled one with pins (not smart). Then, I found the first bracelet just as the second one was dying. Wouldn't you know it? The first one conked out too shortly after.

They also have sports bands, stainless steel bracelets, copper bracelets, sterling silver bracelets and beaded bracelets, as well as  necklets and medical accessories.

On the back of each medallion, they engrave your file number and most important medical information (E.g., Epileptic, Penicillin allergy, Epipen, etc.). If you were to get into get hurt and lose consciousness, medical professionals worldwide will zoom in on the Medicalert logo. They simply have to call the hot line to get your vital information, such as your doctor, next of kin and further details on your medical conditions.

Place an order online and it's delivered within two to four weeks, or at least, that has been my experience. When you order, they send you a wallet card as well with all your vital information. However, it's much easier (and safer) to keep that at home when traveling. Think about it: what if you were mugged? You'd be giving the mugger very personal information!

They phoned me less than 24 hours after placing my latest order to go over my file. What information did I want on the medallion? What information was I comfortable having just on the file? They could have emailed me but they took the time to call me, which was appreciated. It arrived just in time for my trip to Hawaii this summer.

I have learned that although the gold and gold filled bracelets look pretty, that little bit of gold makes it weak. The bracelets that are made pins holding together the links are even more delicate.

This last round, I ordered a stylish stainless steel bracelet. It's so sturdy that I wear it nearly all the time (except when I'm performing because it hits the keys). It's several steps up from those butt-ugly unpersonalized ones they still sell in the pharmacies.

Home Routes is about enjoying music at its grass roots. In a nutshell, up-and-coming musicians as well as seasoned veterans perform gigs across Canada in small, intimate gatherings at people's homes. Very community oriented. Very intimate.

Artists deliver the same show in a living room that they would present at a folk festival or a concert hall. The difference is that you're in a crowd of 20 - 40 versus hundreds or thousands. It's very easy to chat with the performers during the show and it's exciting to see everything close up, like the subtle signals musicians send each other when they're performing in an ensemble or when they do something that wasn't planned.

Home Routes strives to bring music to rural communities. Artists are booked to perform 12 performances in one of eight circuits that include BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and the Yukon.

I lucked out this evening. A friend of a friend had an extra ticket to tonight's performance in Calgary featuring Grant Simpson, a stride pianist/singer/songwriter and Kate Weekes, a guitarist/mandolinist/singer/songwriter.

Attendees pitched in by bringing appetizers to share and their own drinks. Some brought chairs. After mingling for 45 minutes or so, we all headed downstairs around 7:30 to the hosts' music room for the performance.

What's neat about Home Routes is that 85% of your ticket price goes to the artist. The series runs mostly on the generosity of volunteer hosts and the community pitching in when they attend. The remaining 15% goes towards administrative costs, such as maintaining the website and booking-related costs.

It was too bad the piano was badly out of tune. It was one of those small console uprights that was against the wall. That's fine for practicing and impromptu performances but it should have been tuned for this performance.

Grant's strength lies in his storytelling and his lyrics. "Stalin's Tango" was a witty way to present Stalin's betrayal by Hitler and his ensuing revenge. "Watch Sylvia Ride" was an inspiring song about a spunky, petite cowgirl who trekked up north with her kids, picked up some homeless kids along the way and ran a ranch. The duets with Kate showed off their chemistry well.

Grant isn't so strong in his technical and musicianship skills. His music lacked rhythmic, harmonic, dynamic and tonal variation. Perhaps it was his set selection for the evening. Either way, Maestro would have left the room had he attended.

Kate was the star of the show. She recently returned from a string of gigs in Japan. Her songs have beautiful lyrics, melodic lines, while her chords and harmonic rhythms were more varied. She has a very sweet and down to earth singing voice.

I enjoyed all her songs enough to race up the stairs to plunk down my $20 for her debut CD. "Land Shaping the People" is her song inspired by paddling 740+ km in the Yukon. It was very easy to envision the river and the trees peppering the landscape for as far as the eye could see. Another favourite was "Red Lantern" which is about leaving a light on for the last dog musher in a race.  

The hosts' home was lovely. They've done a good job decorating. It was an treat to just be there. The food was good but then, home-made appetizers usually are.

I give 5 stars for the concept and set-up of the program but 3.5 stars for tonight's performance, which would give it an overall rating of 4 stars.

Tickets are $15/concert, which is extremely reasonable. They also do season subscriptions.  Since this is community-based, they don't really advertise. Word of mouth is their strongest asset. However, I'm sure if you call or email the Home Routes team, you can arrange to attend an upcoming performance.

I really wish I could get out to hear these guys more often. I suppose that means that the times I do attend a concert are just extra special these days. This review is based on my CPO concert-going experience spanning 16 years, with some specifics on the last two concerts I attended.

The CPO is truly one of the top orchestras in the country. The group has come a long way since its inception in 1955. Like all world-class orchestras, they offer the staples of concert series: Baroque (the Serenade Series), Classical and Pops. In more recent history, they have added a new music festival, a Tchaikovsky Festival and crowd-pleasing specials like Jeans &  Classics, Video Games Live, Bugs Bunny on Broadway and Star Trek. Their Saturday Morning at the Symphony Series is also quite popular.

I attended the Video Games Live 2.0 concert and one of the New Works performances in May. Their website provides a lot of information to help you make your purchase. The Box Office is extremely friendly, efficient and helpful when you need to contact them with a question or group ticket purchase.

The VGL 2.0 concert experience was a blast! They had gaming stations in the lobby, a costume contest, CD's, t-shirts, giveaways, and the Nintendo people were there. Even the Blindfolded Pianist of Youtube fame made an appearance. It was a huge celebration of gaming. Members of the audience came up to play Space Invaders and Guitar Hero. The orchestra played the music to match the players' progress (or lack thereof).

In contrast, the New Works concert was a celebration of our Canadian composers. This was held at the Rozsa Centre. The group looked crowded on stage, but it somehow worked. I loved how the newest cellist waded his way to the front of the stage to make some opening remarks. There are a lot of new, fresh faces in the orchestra and they are giving the CPO a cool, hip vibe.

That's a good thing. Yes, the orchestra needs to sound good, but to attract younger audiences, they also need to exude a bit of that "coolness factor", whether they're playing Bach, Brahms, Alan Gordon Bell or Bugs Bunny.

The artists came out to talk after each performance as well.

Those Hagen-Daaz bars are a great treat too.

Venues are top notch. The Jack Singer Concert Hall has wonderful acoustics. If you're going for sound, there isn't a bad seat in the house. If you want a good view, some seats are better than others. There is a good range of tickets, from dirt cheap to top of the line to meet any budget.

Seating is really good at the Rozsa Centre. It's a smaller facility but everything sounds and looks good in there. It's got a more intimate feel to it as well.

As for the "front of house" environment, they've recently made some updates in the lobby that make traffic flow smoother, but that's the EPCOR Centre's domain so I won't go more into that.

It's really cool that they have orchestra members interacting more with the public with things like SMATS, opening addresses and the Ask a Musician section on their website.

Berthold Auerbach once said that "Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." Does the CPO deliver on this? Yes they do. They are a dedicated bunch and they play "con molto espressione".

[EDIT: To be absolutely honest, I worked @ CPO a very long time ago. It's been over 12 years ago and I don't know anyone there anymore so I trust that it's safe to review without any conflicts.]

There are a lot of different things here. I got a good deal on my LED Christmas lights. They handled my return of dead lights relatively quickly. The cashiers have always been friendly.

Later in the year, when I was shopping for grass seed, they did help me find a type that works well for allergy sufferers and steered me in the right direction for soil and a seeder.

However, if you have any questions for a staff person, you have to hunt one down. Every single time. Not fun.

Lighting isn't the greatest, but I suppose it's the same in any of these shoebox monster stores.

Boy, this isn't the easiest place to get to when you're a visitor and on public transit. http://www.TheBus.org led my ototo-san and I on a merry 10-block goose chase.

But it was a beautiful feeling when we set foot inside the store. Sugoi! Totemo sugoi desu! It was like being in ONE GIANT DEALER ROOM at an anime con. You know how sometimes, an anime character has stars instead of eyes? That was me. Towels, wallets, patches, figurines, cosplay costumes and accessories, games, manga and anime. Kakkoi!

I mainly looked at stuff that isn't available at home, like the FMA patches, the towels and other novelties. I did not find an iron-on patch of the SOS Brigade logo but at least got my FMA patches. I nearly bought a messenger bag but then thought "BAKA! What do you need a fourth messenger bag for?"

And I very nearly walked out of the store with an Edward Elric alchemist watch, ring and tags. A steal of a deal at $25...until you touch the metal used for the pocket watch. Flimsy. I'd kill it if I accidentally took a corner too closely and hit a wall.

The staff weren't particularly friendly, especially when you compare them to the other stores I visited during my trip.

Some of the DVDs looked suspect. As in bootlegs. HINT: legit versions say "Region 1" for North America. "Region-free" is a bootleg.

Some of the figurines, cosplay accessories and DVD's seemed overpriced.

They need more smaller sizes (kids', teen, women's) in their t-shirt section.

Ooh, my 30th review. How apropos that it's about Mount St. Francis (Decades, Rosary...ah, I guess you've gotta be Catholic to get it).

Mount St. Francis is primarily a retreat centre, more along the lines of emotional, mental and spiritual health. Run by the Franciscan friars, the Mount is open to all walks of faith. People can attend the themed weekend retreats, the midweek twilight retreats or book an individual silent retreat.

Since the sisters have moved out, their former quarters have been transformed into St. Elizabeth Place, a conference centre for schools, corporations and volunteer groups to hold meetings or team-building sessions.

There's a little chapel on-site and 500 acres of land to walk. Two sets of the Stations of the Cross are outside if you feel inclined to walk up the big hill or down the other side towards the creek.

I've been on three silent retreats there. During a weekend retreat, the directors give talks on various topics pertaining to the main theme of the year. 2009 marks the 60th anniversary of the Mount. This year's retreat theme is "Renewal".  

The rooms are spartan. A single bed, desk, lamp and a sink in the room. There are several washrooms located in each hallway. Honestly, when you're going to "get away from it all", "get some perspective" or "do some soul searching", you don't need anything else.

Spiritual directors are available to help you or to simply listen. Simply make an appointment by signing up on the sign-up sheet by their office door.

The food is sublime. Perhaps that's because one starts to notice all sorts of things during a silent retreat, however, I've talked to several other people who agree about the food.

There's a little library, large windows to look out of while viewing the mountains and a little store to buy books, meditation CDs, crosses, photo cards and more.

They also have the Friar Paul Surette Hermitage, which is a rustic cabin. That's not for the faint of heart. If you want to completely retreat from the world for a few days and be a hermit, you can book the hermitage for your retreat experience.

Cost-wise, the Mount operates on a "free will offering" policy. They tell you what their costs are to run a retreat and then you can decide what you are able to give at that time. If you are financially strapped, don't let that keep you from going. All are welcome.

Call or email them to book a time to just walk the grounds, which is just what I did this past week. My companion and I walked the Stations of the Cross that were up the hill. He talked me into walking ALL the way up the hill. We traipsed through the snow and admired the greenery, the peace and the quiet. Then we walked down again to load up on hot chocolate inside before walking towards the creek.

If you're looking for peace and quiet, whether it's for a few hours or a week, this is a treasure to have so close by.