Curtis Walker's Blog

Blog Moved

2014-01-29T19:00:00.002-06:00

For followers of my blog, I will be making all future posts on my own site at curtiswalker.com. I have imported all my previous posts there, but I will be leaving the posts at this site intact.

Lost Dog Epidemic

2014-01-24T19:53:00.000-06:00

As I walk the streets of this snow-covered community in the bitter cold, I am noticing an epidemic of lost dog signs. In the past, I have noticed occasional signs for a lost dog from time to time, but never anywhere close to the number that I've seen recently. Lost dogs have apparently become such a problem that there’s even a Web site at www.winnipeglostdogalert.com, where

A Bus Ride through the Heart of Winnipeg

2014-01-11T18:11:00.001-06:00

A bus ride through the city’s toiletBegins with an evening that a bum would like to forget He drifts in and out of a conscious stateI don’t want to know what happened last night so lateSomeone gets on with a hat from the Witness Protection ProgramDoes he want to get shot, or is he just being a ham?A young woman applies her many cosmetics, how much is anyone’s guessAmong this group, who is she

Christmas Day Bus Ride

2013-12-25T13:08:00.000-06:00

Twas the day of Christmas and all through the busPlenty of creatures were stirring, maybe even a mouseA rotund woman squeezes through the aisle with a great deal of troubleAfter getting on, the bus’s weight surely did doubleUnder her arm, a large box of chocolates she did bringIt had to be empty, ‘cause it looked like she ate the whole thingThe first of a number of bums staggered onto the

Moose Flashback: “We’re Not Marketing Fighting”

2013-12-17T10:05:00.001-06:00

“We’re not marketing fighting on our hockey team.”Those were the words of Tim Scott, Vice-President of Sales and Marketing of the Manitoba “Fighting” Moose back in 2000, as told to the Winnipeg Free Press, in response to the instant backlash to an ad that the Moose had placed in the Free Press. Do you remember this infamous ad? The ad in question was designed like a fight card and

Dear Jack Ask

2013-11-24T15:56:00.000-06:00

This past week, I read an interesting item in the Winnipeg Sun’s new advice column. You can read the column here, including the response from Jackie De Pape Hornick, a.k.a. “Jack Ask.” For the reader’s convenience, here was the question put to “Jack Ask”: DEAR JACK ASK: I have breakfast with Ladd and sleep beside Noel. At least that's what it feels like since all my husband does is live and

Deacon’s Corner Sign-Gate

2013-11-02T18:31:00.001-05:00

On the Trans-Canada Highway east of Winnipeg, there is a sign just past Deacon’s Corner that gives the distance in kilometers to Falcon Lake and Kenora. In many respects, it is a sign not unlike many others in the province that gives motorists an idea how far it is to their destination.This one, however, has a sordid tale behind it.After the Metric system was imposed upon the Canadian people

Cakes, Tags and the Stupid Store

2013-11-02T18:12:00.002-05:00

Spotted today at the Real Canadian Superstore was a couple in line at the checkout. Among their items was a cake. The cake had no price tag on it, so the cashier called for a price check.After a few minutes, someone from the bakery department came back to say that they couldn’t sell the cake. Why? Because the tags weren’t ready yet.Incredible. After the dumbfounded couple had left, the cashier

A CUPee Worker

2013-10-28T12:56:00.000-05:00

While patching holes on the street in front of my house todayA city worker left something else behind during his stayHe turned towards the house and unzipped his flyUrinating in broad daylight, discretion he didn’t even tryA big puddle next to the asphalt remains for all to seeWe don’t need to see a union card to know that he’s a member of CUPeeTo 311, a call has been made to report the offending

Westman Reptile Gardens

2013-10-21T14:55:00.000-05:00

This past Saturday, I visited Westman Reptile Gardens near Brandon. Having first seen their brochure in a nearby shopping center a couple of years ago, I had been anxious to see their collection of crocodiles, snakes and lizards. Saturday at last presented that opportunity. En route, as many of you might have expected, I stopped to get a shot of this sign at the junction of PTH 16. This

The Windows 8.1 Upgrade Experience

2013-10-18T16:04:00.000-05:00

Against my better judgment, I decided to take the plunge yesterday and take advantage of Microsoft’s free upgrade from Windows 8.0 to 8.1. I had been perfectly satisfied with Windows 8 on my system, but, keenly aware of Microsoft’s intense desire to shove their most recent offering down your throat until you finally cave in, I opted to take my medicine now rather than later. Upon clicking the

A Government With Too Much Money

2013-10-12T13:53:00.000-05:00

Some of you who live in Winnipeg may have noticed in recent weeks and months that virtually every route marker and speed zone sign in the city is in the process of being replaced, if it has not already been replaced. Three of the many new markers on Winnipeg streets. There are many more where they came from.These new city route markers feature the new Clearview font, which, I am told, is

Visit to St. Catharines

2013-09-29T20:38:00.000-05:00

This past week, I spent four days in St. Catharines, Ontario. Some of you who know me will know the reason why, but for public consumption, let’s just call it a business trip. Bright and early on Monday morning, I arrived at the Winnipeg airport ready to board a WestJet flight to the Center of the Universe in the first leg of the journey. The irony of flying WestJet to go east, while using

Heartless Vandalism

2013-09-19T10:40:00.000-05:00

I’m Greg Selinger, leader of Today’s NDP Seems like some people aren’t too happy with me Like a drunken sailor, I’m recklessly spending their cash Emptying every bit of their private stash What’s money, old

NFL Announces New Security Measures

2013-08-30T12:15:00.000-05:00

On Friday, along with 34 other passengers, I set out for my last major bus tour of the season. It would also prove to be the most adventurous tour of the season. Our destination was Sioux Narrows with stops in Falcon Lake, Rushing River Provincial Park and Rat

My First Islendingadagurinn

2013-08-04T16:07:00.001-05:00

On Saturday, I visited Gimli and attended my first Islendingadagurinn, the annual Icelandic Festival of Manitoba. Though the 60-mile trek would fall within my range on two wheels, instead, I went with www.winnipegbeachbus.com, a new business that offers shuttle service to beach destinations throughout the summer. Bright and early, we boarded the bus at the Government Forks. Just as the

Return to Rat Portage

2013-07-29T15:47:00.001-05:00