Conference Weekend Highlights (and lows...)

Rather than drone on about too much, here are the highlights from the weekend, and lowlights you might say...

• they gave me the wrong room when I got here on Thursday night, however they did give me a room like the one I booked the following day. Nice room, kitchenette, sofa, table, desk, and working internet, along the usual parts - tv, dresser, bed, etc...
• the multicultural night was interesting...started great with the Moonlight Drum Dancers from Paulatuk, which were very cool to watch, including this little guy who was very familiar with the music. I love the rhythm of the drums...then some really cute little highland dancers, and then there was something trying to pass for a Celtic quartet...picture the Mamas and the Papas and then change their voices to Rita McNeil on acid, and after that I couldn't hear anymore...I was hoping for something from the Dogrib and Dene, but not this time...the Filipino coconut dancers were funny to watch.
• friends and I ate out at Boston Pizza last night...our waitress ignored us most of the night - she took orders and brought food for three tables that came in after us before she even came to take our order...she brought us drinks and then ignored us, and forgot to bring our parts of our orders at times...bitch. She didn't get a tip.
• the engine light came on in my car...ruh-roh...I have to check with a local dealer to find out who does Toyota warranty work
• the conference is interesting so far...the last session of the day was quite powerful. Have met some great people so far...nice networking opportunity, and I learned great deal about women in Dogrib culture, particularly their coming of age rituals.
• the weather has been pretty mild, which is nice with so many people walking back and forth to the conference. I remember being here last November for core training and we had to trudge through snowbanks in freezing windy weather. This is better...
• took two of the youth from Res out today for some shopping at lunchtime...we also went through Mc Donalds...after one of them tells me he had 2 double big macs last night...growing boys! Was totally unimpressed at how the same cashier at crappy tire treated these aboriginal youth after serving me, thinking we were not together. I stood and watched her be quite rude and abrupt with them, when she was all kittens and rainbows with me...another bitch. the kids I was with were good boys, and didn't look like thugs.
• went out for supper tonight with friends at a nice restaurant, and while the waitress was very nice and attentive tonight, the order machine jammed and our orders were ridiculously long coming out. We didn't mind too much for a while as we sat and chatted over drinks...then we got hungry....once it came though, it was delicious!mmmm steak...went back to one of my friend's places for pie and chatter and had my cards read - good cards tonight, always a good sign. Loads of good laughs, and now an inside joke about girl's days (from back in Cape Breton - those who came know what it is).
• saw someone get arrested outside my hotel on Thursday night...and again last night when I went for a drive. ahhhh, city life...
• I bought 2 cds today - the best of Santana and Pink Floyd's The Wall. Sometimes I just like owning the music in its best form...downloads are often crap
• the boys (kitties) are settled happily at K.'s for the weekend. Miss them at bedtime!
• I am enjoying the socializing...getting a good fix before heading back to isolation...I miss my friend I. who is bodysurfing today in New Zealand...I am envious...
• turkey dinner tomorrow at the banquet...yummm...Happy Thanksgiving everyone!