2006.07.16

Moving, Stampede style

Posted in Art, Museums, Galleries, Board Games, Food, House and Home at 10:13 pm by Jeremiah Wittevrongel

890 days. That’s how long it’s been since I signed the agreement to purchase my condo. But on July 11, my patience was rewarded – I got the keys to my new home.

For the past few weeks, my life has literally revolved around the new place. Packing, tossing, selling, giving away, and other prep work consumed far more time than I ever imagined they would, but I got it all done. Then, after getting the keys, there was moving, unpacking, getting the place measured for blinds, getting my phone and internet moved, and shopping shopping shopping. I’m already best friends with Home Depot, and my credit card feels warm to the touch.

The move went very well with the exception of a minor situation with the refridgerator (which was resolved very quickly), and now I’m mostly settled, though not completely unpacked. In fact, I’m a little surprised that Stampede didn’t cause more troubles with the move, given the increase of traffic and decrease of parking (since I’m only a few blocks away). I suspect that moving mid-week probably helped a lot, since things were much crazier on the weekends.

I’m not totally sure why, but it hasn’t yet sunk in that I actually live here. Right now it feels more like I’m a guest in someone else’s home. Maybe that will change when I get some art on the walls, and finish replacing some of the light fixtures with ones more to my taste. I’m enjoying it so far, and I have had a few interesting experiences in the new place. Some of these may sound odd unless you know me fairly well:

  • Finding the perfect shower curtain at Sears
  • Finding the perfect bath mat at Chintz + Company, only to discover that it doesn’t match the aforementioned shower curtain
  • Having several housewives comment on my choice of colors for my bath towels
  • Doing my first load of laundry using a washing machine I don’t have to put coins into
  • Making a meal in my kitchen and not having to do the “cutting board shuffle” while prepping
  • Spending a day in the apartment without hearing a freight train rumble past
  • Sifting through my boxes and thinking, “Wow, do I really have 4 boxes full of board games?”

After all the stuff going on this week, I’m looking forward to going back to work tomorrow and returning to a more normal pace of life.

2006.06.04

Holgate at the Glenbow

Posted in Art, Museums, Galleries at 3:50 pm by Jeremiah Wittevrongel

Today is the last day for the Holgate exhibit at the Glenbow, so I figured I had better check it out. Jason and I spent a couple of hours at the museum yesterday, and it was definitely worthwhile.

I’m sure most Canadians have seen at least one of Holgate’s works at some point in their lives, but to see so many of them in a location other than the National Gallery was a definite treat, since the Glenbow is a lot closer to home.

I was most impressed by the portraits in the exhibit. Many of them were oddly compelling, and his use of subtle shadow to give depth to the scene is extraordinary. And of course, many of the portraits have a visual style and use of color similar to other Group of Seven artists, making them easy to identify as Holgate’s work.

Once again, though, I was forced to think that it’s a bit of a shame that more people don’t go to the museum more often. I’ve got a number of friends and acquaintances that would probably have enjoyed the exhibit, but I doubt very many went to see it.

I suppose that’s part of why I’m a member – I can go whenever I like, I enjoy going, and I’m also supporting what I think is an important institution in Calgary.