Ryan J. Allen » O-Canada

Saturday Morning Run ft. Bear Sighting

Ryan J. Allen — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 13:32:13 +0000

I went for a nice Saturday morning run this morning. A bear crossed my track. I like that this happened only a few kilometres away from where I live.

The Queen of Canada

Ryan J. Allen — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 10:17:14 +0000

I am a huge fan of the Queen, and couldn’t be more excited that she and the Prince are visiting Canada for our celebration of our 143rd anniversary. It is a great opportunity to really ponder the history of this amazing county. God save the Queen.

The Challenge: A Year in 100 Photographs

Ryan J. Allen — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 14:59:47 +0000

I am faced with a difficult challenge: a year in 100 photographs.

Before I left Ms. Kirkey was kind enough to prepare for me a photo album with a collection of photos of friends and family. I kept this photo album on my coffee table the entire time I was in Germany. It was a great reminder of the people who help to make my life what it is.

The album also happened to be half-empty, allowing the perfect opportunity to fill the album with photos from my year abroad. I just counted the pages and there is space for about 100 photos. I wasn’t photo crazy most of the time I was there, but I have lots of photos among:

in and around my flat
the chicken castle
Built to Spill in Stutgart
a sloppy joes party
a pigeon festival
my Kinder Surprise advent calendar
a 1FCK match
the Karlsruhe Christmas market
the XXL restaurant
Skiing at Mehliskopf
London, Paris, and Germany with Katy
visiting at mine and castle at Neuenbürg
Munich, Prague, Strasbourg, Blackforest, and Zurich photos with Evan, MK, and Zout
Canada Day and barbecuing in Germany
the Alpencross
my trip to Madrid to see NIN
the Porsche museum
the Canadian Memorial at Vimy Ridge
road trip to Brussels, and
my trip to Berlin

I don’t know how I can condense this to 100 photographs. So far my best idea is to do so using people–minimize the inclusion of photos don’t don’t include people I’d like to remember–but I still think I’ll be left with too many photos to fit in the album.

It’s too bad I wasn’t married to a photo-crazy woman who would just take care of this for me. This would make my life ten times easier in this respect.

Come On Everybody: Group Hug

Ryan J. Allen — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:52:19 +0000

Have you noticed that I haven’t written much lately? I promise that it’s not due to a lack of things to write about, nor is it due to a lack of time to write–I just don’t want to. I don’t want to write about the thing that I would have to write about: leaving Germany.

I just composed a farewell e-mail to say goodbye to those who I could personally say goodbye to before leaving. After I added everyone to the “to” field I realized that there were 60 names in this list and I thought it unfair for me to not write something here about my leaving. 60 people who have personally affected my life in the past year. 60 people that I can put more than just a face to–people whom I have relate experiences and emotions to. Surely you must understand how it can be hard to leave.

Last night I shipped my personal affects to Canada which turned out to be a long, time-consuming process. After spending well over an hour at the UPS warehouse I was received at the Mihut household where we ate a delicious beer can chicken, with potatoes and a salad, and then watched a couple of recently-aired TV shows. It was really relaxing, but sad for me at the same time. I definitely had the thoughts that I did not want to leave.

***

I started writing this post hours ago, but could not finish with the trip to the Asian restaurant, checking-in for the flight, saying goodbye, going for a final run, etc. Unfortunately now I don’t have time to reflect further, as I have to go and get ready for dinner, plus pack this evening. But let it be known that the people here are awesome and I will miss them dearly.

Update: Feel free to track me on flight AC839 tomorrow. No stalkers please. Thanks.

1979 Video Rendition of the Canadian National Anthem

Ryan J. Allen — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 05:43:10 +0000

Today I stumbled upon the famous 1979 video rendition of the Canadian national anthem. Back in the day when TV stations used to “sign off” at the end of a night they would play this video; they would also start the broadcast day with this video. Even though it is now 30 years old it still does a good job of capturing the Canadian spirit (which, arguably, hasn’t changed fundamentally).

Update: It is also worth pointing out what is, perhaps, my favourite rendition of the same anthem: as sung by thousands of loyal hockey fans. Every time I see it–from when I watched it live, to just now–I get an overwhelming rush.

Bagpipes

Ryan J. Allen — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 06:05:36 +0000

Have you ever thought about how in Canada you will now-and-then hear someone playing the bagpipes at a time when you least expect? I am sure that I have walked out of work in Ottawa and heard bagpipes, or been walking downtown and heard Scotland the Brave; this experience even goes back to when I lived in Kingston.

Today I realized that I haven’t heard any pipes in all of the time I have been in Germany. Perhaps this is not surprising, given that the bagpipes are a somewhat niche instrument, though I believe it is noteworthy. I am almost certain that, of those who read this post, someone will hear the bagpipes being played before I make my return.

Update: Bagpipes may not be quite as common here, but I did see someone pooping just off of a trail. Now, I wouldn’t say this is common here but I can’t say that I’ve ever witnessed someone squatting over the ground to lay a turd in Canada. So, there’s that.

Happy Canada Day

Ryan J. Allen — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:01:44 +0000

Happy Canada Day!

I am a big fan of Canada Day–especially since moving to Ottawa. This year it’s a little different, not being in Canada and being at work. I miss it; I would love to be in Ottawa today. It’s too bad I didn’t decide to go back just for 3 days and not tell anyone.

If anyone asks nicely I’ll post the video of Adam J. dancing, drunk out of his mind, on Parliament Hill at Canada Day a few years ago.

Update: You can find the aforementioned video here.

You Always Want What You Don’t Have

Ryan J. Allen — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 06:17:10 +0000

I am going to be honest with you: I am feeling a heavy balance between being happy to be here in Germany, and being excited about returning to Canada. What I mean is, rather than living in today my mind is thinking about the future. Given the option of going back to Canada today, I just might go.

But it is, as I said, a balance; I am really excited about a lot of stuff I have planned in the next 3 months. While I’m sure I could fill the days in Ottawa as easily as I can fill the days here, there isn’t a lot that I feel like I’m missing. This leads me to believe that it isn’t necessarily that I want to be in Canada now, but rather I am excited about everything that will be going on after I return in October.

This week Adam and I are signing up for a fall semester class at uOttawa, and I am unimaginably excited about this. I am sure that anyone who has ever taken a year off of school knows how exhilarating it is to get back to it. I’m so excited that I am thinking about signing up for a second class, even though I will miss the first month of lectures.

The Yo-Yo Ma gig is pretty exciting, too. It’s even more exciting after having paid the VISA bill that resulted from the purchase of those tickets. I believe the plan is to go for a delicious meal beforehand which will, undoubtedly, renew the VISA bill uneasiness.

Returning to regular church service will be great. At Parkdale the Sunday School often focused on the Old Testament, because many worship services discussed the New Testament. I miss both, and the singing.

I think even shopping at the Superstore, getting my hair cut at W, and riding the bus around the city will be awesome. Of course, in four months time I’ll be missing things like this about Germany, but one never appreciates what one has until its gone.

Maybe I’ll also look forward to seeing some people? Yeah, probably.