Wednesday night I went to bed with much to look forward to. Come morning I was off to Edmonton for a day filled with excitement and adventure, first to document protesting pharmacists.
After I was finished my work duties, the day was mine. I would explore the nooks and crannies of the city, wander the West Edmonton Mall, then to top it all off, rock out to Bob Seger.
Little did my poor unsuspecting self know this particular Thursday would go down in the bad luck book of Brooks.
Anyone could see the unfortunate turn in weather Thursday morning. But hey, what’s a little snow? I’ll tell you what. Icy roads, windy whiteouts, and 60 km/hr. all the way to Edmonton.
Fortunately I made it, the only casualty being a broken ice scraper (rest in peace dear ice scraper, serving 1996-2013).
I managed to locate the rally march, only to discover I had no viable parking change. Following the crowd in my car wasn’t doing me any good, so I decided to park without paying.
My bravery however didn’t last long, and after walking with the crowd for a short distance I dashed back to my car with plans of meeting the protesters at the Alberta Legislative Building.
Do you think I could find the building? No. When I did eventually locate it, could I could find nearby parking? No. Did I miss most of the exciting rally? Yes.
Luckily I was able to find some people from Barrhead in the scattering crowd, take their picture, and have a quick chat. At this point I had a pile of snow gathering on top of my head, and some frozen, dangerously sharp bangs.
After a quick picture of the Barrhead ladies outside their bus, I scurried the block from the bus to my car. Shelter at last.
Before I could begin my extra curricular activities I just needed to upload some pictures to the Barrhead Leader web page and…where was my phone? Not in my pocket, not in my bag, not on the seat of my car.
I leaped outside and frantically scanned the area. It had only been one block, surely I could find my beloved device? No such luck.
While I sat in my car fighting back tears, dripping as my hair finally began to thaw, panic began to set in. Where was I? How was I supposed to find my way out of this city (in a snowstorm, no less) with no phone mapping system? How could I get in touch with my friends? Would I ever make it out alive? I had to get to the mall.
After an hour of desperaete driving, I arrived at West Ed. As I entered the building a small wave of relief washed over my already drenched body. That was until I realized I was in a location filled with fashionable people, and I was sporting the wet rat look.
Soggy, sniffling, and suffering from blisters and a pulled leg muscle, I slowly hobbled through the mall towards the Apple store. What a tragic sight it must have been. I tried my best to avoid the sympathetic looks of pity as a limped along.
I casually strolled into the store and logged into my Facebook account only to find my Bob Seger concert partner was stuck in a ditch near Ponoka. Oh, and Bob Seger was cancelled.
After some much needed shopping therapy and some frozen hot chocolate with a lot of whipped cream, I accepted my defeat and drove back to Barrhead with my tail between my legs.
How was everyone else’s Thursday?
