The Chronicles of Stu

Christina's Birthday 2013

2013-05-12T23:06:00.000-06:00

On May 3rd it was my betrothed Chrissy's birthday. Although the day is important I have learned that she tends to celebrate about a week prior till a couple of weeks later. So as far as I can tell we are somewhere near the end of her celebration and so I can finally write about it. On the day before her birthday I realized that it was officially the last time I would ever get to date a smoking

Putrella Flower at the Muttart Conservatory

2013-05-07T22:33:00.000-06:00

In late spring we had a strange, yet fascinating event happen in Edmonton. The Muttart Conservatory hosted it's own form of celebrity as its Amorphophallus Titanium or "Putrella" came to full bloom. "Native to Sumatra, an island in western Indonesia, Putrella was acquired by the conservatory and arrived in Edmonton in August on a flight from Boston. Detained by suspicious inspectors, the 275-

Parkland After Dark Rotary Casino Night

2013-05-01T08:24:00.000-06:00

A couple of weekends ago Christina and I were invited by United Construction Company to join them at the 1st annual Casino Night hosted by the Parkland After Dark Rotary. We were informed that it was a black tie event so as a test-run for our upcoming wedding I rented a tux to check out comfort levels and to see how it looked. And of course, Christina will take any chance she can to get all

Hockey Trip To Chicago - Losers & Champs

2013-04-29T19:36:00.004-06:00

As usual we brought two teams to Chicago to play hockey: Our stud team (Devils) and our pluggers team (Ice Ninjas) of which I am a charter member of. Our Devils team walked all over their competition in the first game and followed that up with a tight one goal loss in their second game. This created a little uncertainty for them making the finals heading into the their last game. Suffering a

Hockey Trip to Chicago - Cubs and Blackhawks

2013-04-24T10:03:00.000-06:00

Americans love sports. They put us Canadians to shame when it comes to fanaticism and the overall attention that they pay to their collegiate and professional teams. It is because of this that every time I am in an American urban centre I try to attend a game of some sort. On this trip I was lucky enough to get in a Cubs and Blackhawks game. Almost immediately after checking into our hotel I

Hockey Trip To Chicago - Hanging in the Big City

2013-04-22T22:24:00.002-06:00

(Part 1 of 3) It was a rough season for the North Shore Ice Ninjas and for myself this year in rec hockey. The team had a ton of different players, many nights with too few skaters, some suspensions, and some injuries to key players. Personally, I had trouble with an oblique strain and my first goalless season. We finished 3rd last after being relegated down a division with a 7-20-1 record.

Vacation

2013-04-15T12:34:00.006-06:00

I've been on vacation for the last 2+ weeks in Maui and Chicago so there will be a flurry of posts coming soon as opposed to the quiet of the last fortnight.

What I have seen so far in 2013

2013-04-04T13:18:00.000-06:00

Super Aunt Chrissy entertaining the little ones Idiotic Jersey Fouls Some DIY crafting to create a perforated ticket Roast Pig before and after in New Sarepta Shameless consumerism designed for idiots to buy More consumerism but at least cool looking A UFC ringcard girl Arianny Celeste got her picture taken with me Breakfast at Jay Bee's our new North

Roller Derby Nationals

2013-03-31T16:30:00.000-06:00

A week or so back Christina and I found ourselves at West Edmonton Mall. While wandering around we came across the National Tournament of the Roller Derby Association of Canada. I was intrigued.... Chrissy and I tried watching the local team E-ville play once in the past and ended up at some lame-o drama club production. I was so disappointed in the experience I swore off watching Roller Derby

Turning 34 Years Old

2013-03-26T23:57:00.004-06:00

Another year and another birthday, or at least in this case, birthday week. As both Christina and Monica (my family in Edmonton) were going to be out of town during my actual birthday, the 26th of March, they each planned little celebrations prior to their leaving town. Monica arranged a small little party that included delicious cakes made by my niece Claire in her Easy Bake Oven and a candle

Oilers Versus My Redwings

2013-03-25T22:37:00.002-06:00

On March 15th the Detroit Redwings came into town and my buddy Dan took me to the game with his corporate tickets. As a longtime Redwings fan I try and make every game that they come to Edmonton. Even though the Oilers have sucked for a long time they always seem to play Detroit tough and I'm treated to a pretty competitive game. Being that it was a Friday night game the crowd was in good

New Sarepta Charity Hockey Tournament 2013

2013-03-20T21:18:00.001-06:00

We are just 2 days away from the 4th Annual North Shore Ice Devils/Ninjas charity hockey tournament and I am getting pretty excited. As well as reffing the odd game I will be playing for the Puckheads as we chase down the B Side trophy. This year we have a pretty exciting addition of a "Shoot To Win" for $25,000. Three tickets will be drawn and the shooters will aim to get the puck through the

Badminton Champs

2013-03-19T20:47:00.000-06:00

Sometime near the middle of the this season of badminton Christina and I (Birds of a Feather) really started to click and last night we capped off the season by becoming Edmonton Sport and Social Club Recreation B Badminton Champions. But, it was bound to happen really. How could the combination of my spinning backhand and Christina's net domination result in anything other than a mixed doubles

Uni-Corn Holders

2013-03-14T08:30:00.000-06:00

I've been sick for the last little bit with my annual March cold. As I have been housebound a lot I don't have much to post about so I'm filling out the blog with a bit of ridiculousness. Near the end of beginning of March we had some unusually fantastic weather so I jumped at the chance to have a classic summer meal of BBQ steak and corn on the cob. While I was excited to fire up the

University of Alberta vs. University of Saskatchewan Hockey

2013-03-10T19:01:00.000-06:00

Last weekend completely out of the blue Rob texted me telling me that he was coming to Edmonton to watch the UofS Huskies play the UofA Golden Bears in the deciding game of the 3 game series for the CIS CandaWest title. Of course I joined him to cheer on my alma matter (UofS). I'm almost ashamed to admit it but it was my first ever CIS/University hockey game. Not knowing what to expect I was

Mom Turns 70

2013-02-28T16:28:00.001-07:00

On the family day weekend Mom hit a big milestone birthday - 70. To help celebrate Chrissy and I headed 'home' for the weekend to celebrate all things Mary Kehrig. Quilts! Tea! Family Supper! Ice Cream Cake! As a young guy who has seen his fair share of the complications of aging it is inspiring to see the fit and vigor that Mom has. She often remarks that as a

Valentines Day at the Art Gallery of Alberta

2013-02-25T22:22:00.000-07:00

I image that for Christina, living with me ever day is Valentines Day. She must think that, as instead of me having to take her out for a big Hallmark Holiday night on the town she decided to take me out. Around the end of January, she let me know that it was a Sadie Hawkins day and asked if I wanted to know what were going to do. I replied with a serious "Surprise Me" and we didn't talk about

First Oiler Game of the Season

2013-02-18T20:22:00.000-07:00

Last week I was sitting at work thinking about hockey and the Oilers when it dawned on me with the Dallas Stars playing that night it might be one of the last (and also first) times for me to see Jaromir Jagr. I can't say that I am a huge Jagr fan but the man has scored a lot of sweet goals and provided many Hockey Night in Canada memories with the Penguins. So, I went on Stubhub and picked up

The Champ is dead. Long live the Champ

2013-02-13T10:00:00.000-07:00

Christina and I have a long standing rivalry in mini golf. Traditionally, I have held the advantage but a little over a year back she soundly beat me on one faithful Saturday. Ever since then I have been demanding retribution but she has been continually ducking me. Eventually she has come to realize that to be recognized as a true champion she must grant me a shot at her title. But as a champ

(Non) Lazy Saturday

2013-02-10T10:02:00.001-07:00

The winter weather has been awesome this last week after a cold burst. Much like the past post I had, a little Saturday afternoon trek was in order. But first I had a mirror to replace on my car. Just a quick warning for anyone reading. Don't go through car washes unless they are no-touch. I was getting fuel at Petro Canada when I noticed that there was no line to the car wash. Well,

Winter Activities

2013-02-02T17:44:00.000-07:00

The last week in Edmonton saw the biggest cold snap so far of the winter with days reaching -42 degrees with windchill. There is simply nothing to do on those days but hang out in inside, watch movies or ride the exercise bike. It sucks. Knowing that the big freeze was coming Chrissy and I endeavored to get out and enjoy the weather prior to the big chill and basically 'play' in the winter

Lazy Saturdays on Whyte Ave

2013-01-26T22:08:00.001-07:00

Some pictures from the last few lazy Saturdays out and about on Whyte Ave. Fruit baskets as the Strathcona Markets Musicians that can play on makeshift instruments always amaze me Pop Shoppe at Hub Cigar Popping into the the pub for a pint and a comic

Super Auntie Chrissy

2013-01-15T10:00:00.000-07:00

As we were in Saskatoon for Christmas this year Chrissy missed out on the opportunity to give and receive presents with her family. But as she is such a special girl - her family held off and had personal opening 'parties' just for her and I. First was presents from her: Mom, Grandparents, and Aunties. When Chrissy opened up the package from her Auntie Joyce containing the solar powered

Edmonton Oilers Shinny

2013-01-13T21:11:00.000-07:00

Late Saturday night Chrissy's BFF phoned us and told us to not make plans for late afternoon today (Sunday). She was short on details but ensured us there was a very cool event that was going to be going on - but she couldn't tell us what it was. I be-grudgingly agreed to go along with this even though I would end up missing some of the NFL Playoff games that would be going down. Now why would

Coney Island Candy is Closing...Single Tear

2013-01-12T15:07:00.000-07:00

I just heard the news that one of my favorite places in Edmonton, Coney Island Candy, is closing tomorrow (Jan. 14, 2013). I am seriously bummed to hear the news as it is far and away the best store on Whyte Avenue with it's awesome window displays and it's great selection of novelties and candies. It was always a special place that Chrissy and I would stop into and we even went there to get