#35 Complete 10 random acts of kindness

Status: Exceedingly helpful

On my ultimately (partly) disappointing trip to Calgary (I didn't get the job, for those of you left in suspense by my previous post), I did get to take the exceptionally classy Red Arrow bus there and back (all expenses paid).

I've been in airplanes that were less comfortable than this bus-cum-limousine; leather seats, free drinks and snacks, wireless Internet (I know I don't have a laptop, but I could at least check out the pretentious PowerPoint slideshow being crafted by the toffee-nosed businessman sitting in front of me).

Anyway, the little old lady beside me fetched herself a bottled water from the galley, before coming back and explaining to me that she broke her wrist last year and was straining to open it. Word of my superhero-like desire to help those around me must have reached this poor, defenceless woman, for she asked me to open it for her.

This task marks the halfway point in this challenge, and, having settled into Canada, where everyone seems to be so friendly it's borderline pushy (in a good way), I've decided to up the ante for the remaining five tasks. Case in point: the other day, a lady held the door open for me. "Fine," I hear you say. But I was about 20 metres away! I could have entered a number of doorways before reaching her. Don't Canadians know anything about polite distances?

#73 Visit five major Canadian cities

Status: Four left! Actually, no. I left one. Calgary. Pardon the initial mixed metaphor.

Canada is a big country. Like, freaking huge. The walk to my local supermarket, for instance, is seven blocks. Talk about a trek! At least, it seems like it when you're lugging a week's worth of groceries.

Still, as exotic as Safeway is (the cereal aisle is a particular highlight - would you believe Rice Bubbles are known here as Rice Krispies?), I figure it would be best to explore a bit more of the Great White North while I'm here.

A recent job interview took me a few hours south to Calgary, where, I took the time to explore the city (well, three streets of it). While not the capital of Alberta, it has a larger population and more corporate kind of feel than Edmonton.

After wandering up Stephen Avenue, Calgary's main shopping precinct, I took in some true Albertan history at the Glenbow Museum, home to plenty of true western history (and a surprising change from all those coliseums and churches that Europe threw my way) .

A trip to Calgary would not be complete without a trip up the famous Calgary Tower. The observation deck gives some spectacular views of the city, including a jaw-dropping peek directly beneath you through the deck's glass floor. Yet the scariest thing was the price of postcards in the gift shop.

#35 Complete 10 random acts of kindness

Status: Three down, seven to go

Picked up a double whammy yesterday.

First, while drinking a delicious Second Cup Butter Pecan Latté (hold the pretension), I noticed a man in a wheelchair dropped what appeared to be some sort of back scratcher. Ever the kindhearted chap, I scooped it up and with a tip of my top hat, returned it to its rightful owner.

After leaving there, we headed to Safeway, our local supermarket, where, in the cereals aisle, a little old lady told me how "nice and tall" I was. After thanking her and pointing out how "nice and short" she was (not really), she asked if I could be so kind as to reach up and grab her a pack of oats.

Unfortunately, Bodie was present on both occassions, so I can't embellish either event. And I promise, this will be the last get-something-from-a-tall-shelf-for-someone act of kindness for this task.