This town isn't as backwater as I thought it was. Just kidding, um, about the "backwater" comment. This place is really very nice. Last night, without any warning, the skies opened up and dumped about 2 to 3 inches of white, fluffy powder on my doorstep. It's beautiful, I tell you. Just beautiful! And seeing as I'm renting, hah, I don't have to shovel the walk! Mwah hahahhahahhah!

Speaking of my doorstep, I now have one. I rented a basement suite from a guy named Brent. He's 6 years younger than me and has his life together. His wife's in Lethbridge getting her education degree, and he has some sort of job that involves the manufacturing of waste vehicles. But he's in the marketing division which means he flies around the world to wine and dine clientel, um, clientelle, er, clients! No spell check on this computer.

The place is actually pretty huge, especially for what I'm paying for it. The place is completely furnished, and Kay and Carl lent me some sheets and a pillow and a comforter and they fitted the bed perfectly. The only downfall is that there's no laundry facilities and I'm cooking on a hot plate. Or I would be if I had and pots and pans. Ty and Mel said they'd lend me some, but I've had a little trouble getting ahold of them the past day or two, so I've been eating peanut butter sandwiches using plastic cuttlery. I mean, I could buy the stuff I need, but what would be the point if I'm just doubling up on the stuff that Michelle and I already have?

On the car hunt, I've had some dealers trying to talk me into some pretty serious vehicles. One tried to talk me into a 2004 Jimmy that had everything. I mean, everything. Even leather heated seats. But the I find out that the Jimmy's discontinued and that its value can only go downhill from here. Also, a very nice salesman, and I mean it that he's nice because I'm pretty sure I could finance a very expensive vehicle and then say, "No! I think I'll take the 1972 Volkswagon Rabbit!" and he wouldn't care, has been leading me towards a 2005 Chevy Trailblazer. While these are very nice vehicles and something that would really suit the family in the conditions that exist out here, they are expensive. I mean, I'll be able to afford the payments once I start working, but I really, really have to think frugal gormet style here. So, I'm pretty sure I'm going to put off the vehicle for a little while.

There's another reason, though, that I think I want to put off the vehicle. I've been walking like a mad man. I have actually walked all the way around Medicine Hat, and you know what? I feel really good. I have actually, get this, I've actually lost a little over 10lbs since I've gotten here. And don't blame the diet! No, no! Ty and Mel fed me well and so did Kay and Carl. Carl even fed me a couple of beers, and since they were Coors Light I can only attribute this miracle weight loss to exercise, good food and light beer.

So that's it for now. I'm hungry! I may actually get a hamburger because I still need a pot and a pan and various other utensils. Oh, and just to stroke my ego, I would appreciate if anyone, I mean anyone, would post comments to my blog. It would just reassure me that it's being read. So far, only Dan has posted comments, and believe me, Dan, I appreciate it. Just click on the link below the entry and you can insult me to your heart's desire. I'll be reading!