Willow,
I think you will find that Red Deer is a friendly place with enough liberals
sprinkled around to make everyone feel welcome. If you are looking for a church
choir, there are lots of churches with all faither represented. If you want a
non-religious choir, I suggest you check out Red Deer Collage after the
pandemic restrictions lift.
It’s not conservatives you have to worry about in Central Alberta., it’s the
bad drivers. I grew up in Edmonton in the days when they had lots of traffic
circles. Navigating them was part of driver training and the examination for a
driver’s license. It seems traffic circles went out of favour for years but are
now back – and few drivers seem to know how to navigate one. Never tailgate
someone into an open traffic circle assuming they will keep going. Lots of
people still get confused and brake at the last minute when they should be
proceeding. We lived in England for 2 years where narrow roads and roundabouts
are everywhere. We learned very quickly that any hesitation would earn us a
loud blast on the horn from the driver behind us. Canadians seem too polite use
their horns so there not much motivation for people to learn how to use traffic
circles.
The use of turn signal lights is another vehicle accessory that are frequently
ignored. The rumour is that Central Albertan’s don’t want any liberals to know
their intentions in advance. Red Deer is also a good place for a slow leisurely
drive, especially through the many traffic lights on Gaetz Avenue, the
north-south main street. A large percentage of central Albertans think that
distracted driving doesn’t apply at stop lights. So, it is common to see a
light turn green, followed by pause while drivers finish texting or putting on
makeup, followed by a small number of vehicles making it through the
intersection before the light turns yellow. We call it the Red Deer Mosey and
it’s best observed on a busy Saturday when people are out shopping.
Finally, stop signs on country roads seem to be considered only a suggestion.
Be careful out there when approaching an intersection where the cross traffic
has stop signs. Don’t be surprised if you are the one throwing out the anchor.
This is less of a problem in urban areas but still happens.
The good news, for someone bringing a large quantity of books and thinking of
an online bookstore, is there is lots of warehouse space for rent – and
landlords are negotiable. If you open your online bookstore, you may grow to
need a storage and shipping depot. If so, you are moving to the right place.
The oil & gas industry drove the building boom and has left behind lots of nice
empty buildings.
Good luck with the move. It sounds like an adventure and that you are
approaching it in a very positive way.
YITBOS,
Bob Thomlinson
From: dsp-ea-general-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <dsp-ea-general-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
On Behalf Of Willow Arune
Sent: March 9, 2021 1:28 PM
To: dsp-ea-general@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Moving
Oh my! Can a West Coast liberal find happiness in conservative Alberta? I am
about to find out.
After my Sonia’s passing I wanted to get out of White Rock. I am returning to
Alberta, taking possession on April 15. In Red deer, me having become a small
town girl. My current apartment is full of cardboard boxes ; the movers arrive
on the 22, the gods willing. I shall be driving from here, probably a night in
Revelstoke before the Visa Inspection Station after Golden. I get in-by birth
in Alberta Which is fortunate as otherwise BC residents are not allowed. I can
hardly wait for my first argument with a native conservative. The present
Premier has given me lots of ammunition.
I am looking forward to the distinctive aroma of an Alberta fall, in the woods.
Never had that in BC. Now to change auto and home insurances, health
insurance, hydro, gas, drivers and car insurance, and remove a couple of
liberal bumper stickers from the car. With me come the library of 4,000 plus
hardcover books, most signed first editions. I may well start an Internet
bookstore, specializing in hyper modern first editions. My buyers thus far
have been American and Canadian universities. Louise Penny and Ian Hamilton
are two Canadian writers of note.
I have driven older cars for the last 30 years or so by choice. Not like
Dennis’ stable, just those I consider nice in function and design. So I may
stop in Calgary to take a look at one I found on the Internet. A 2004Chrysler
300M Special. Older cars have a few advantages. I love Facebook Marketplace
and found a wonderful 48” Chinese vase. Cheap. My first girlfriend from Ross
Shep years and I have kept in touch over these many years so she was able to
pick it up and hold it for me. The new place will feature Persian /Chinese
fusion . Eclectic.
I may just be able to join in some of your get togethers in the future and hope
to find a choir to join.
That is, if the immigration types do not find a flaw in my Visa...
Willow
