Blind Date Review

On Tuesday I got the opportunity to see Blind Date at the Citadel Theatre. What is Blind Date? I could explain that... Or I could let my interview with lead actress Rebecca Northan explain that.

The show was even more exciting than our interview, I kid you not! Rebecca, or Mimi as she is known in the show, chose her man in the audience and he was a perfect match. His wife was actually sitting right behind me which added to the awkwardness when the Blind Date took some steamy turns. The show was absolutely hilarious. I would do an in depth review of what happened but the beauty about this show is that it's improvised. Two people meet on a blind date then anything can happen. The show is different every night.

I will say this... Rebecca was absolutely amazing at bringing out some serious acting talent in someone who is not an actor. I could see the guy she brought on stage was nervous, but as the play went along he became more and more comfortable. Heck, he was in his underwear on stage by the end of the show! I can't say enough good things about the show. I strongly recommend you grab tickets to catch this at the Citadel Theatre. Or, even better, win tickets from us!

Go on & get to #WINNING
Dex

Happy Groundhog Day!

It's the day that meteorologists who went to school for years, learning how to predict weather patterns, hate the most. The day when a small rodent no one pays attention to for 364 days of the year takes centre stage. Yes, groundhog day is upon us once again. Here's a quick rundown for those of you that may not be familiar with the tradition:

People gather around a groundhog burrow and wait for the little fella to appear. If he comes out an sees his shadow on a sunny day, then he will return back to his burrow and prepare for another 6 weeks of winter. If he does not see his shadow then that's supposed to mean an early spring.

Now I don't know about you, but if I see my shadow on a sunny day I chase it. Just kidding. I put on my short shorts and break out the iced tea. Groundhog day has so many other traditions around it that make it special. It's not just about the furry critters. The roots of Groundhog day come from German immigrants that came to Canada and the United States. Therefore, German food and drink is often served at Groundhog day events. This is starting to sound more and more like my kind of hangout!

So how effective are the little guys at predicting future weather? Well... Seeing as how they only have 2 options which means a 50% chance they get it right... They aren't doing too well. In a study of 13 Canadian cities over 40 years, they found that the groundhogs were only correct 37% of the time. So maybe don't take the predictions as gospel. Instead, enjoy the festivities, food and drinks.

Will you be attending any Groundhog Day celebrations this year?
Dex 

Blind Date Contest

So you read the title and got excited because you thought that this might finally be your shot at going on a date with me, right? I'm flattered, but this "Blind Date" is not with me... Our new Blind Date Contest is starting today, just in time for the Valentine's Day season! This romantic prize is sure to impress anyone who's affection you may be seeking. I'm stoked to announce the kick-off of our Blind Date Contest on Facebook!

From now, until noon on Monday, February 13th, you have the opportunity to get in on this contest. All you have to do is visit our Facebook page and submit a photo of yourself dressed like Cupid. It's that easy! The person who's photo earns the most votes will win an awesome evening out on the town in Edmonton.

The Prize: Dinner for two at Madison's Grill (approximate value $100)

                   Two tickets to see Blind Date at the Citadel Theatre

                   Maybe even a couple of surprises...

Date: Saturday, February 18th

Not too bad, huh? So, now you have to think... How will you best showcase yourself as Cupid? Also, who are you going to take with you?!

Thanks to the Citadel Theatre and Madison's Grill for their generous donations!

Check out the contest video for more details.

Good luck everyone!
Dex

Make Dinner on Valentines Day

Tomorrow we're officially into February. First of all, where did the time go? Secondly, oh no... Valentines Day is coming... The most expensive day of the year will soon be upon us. Do we risk our fortune or our significant other? Well, luckily you don't have to risk either. Just make a nice dinner at home yourself! This is a great option when you consider that the average restaurant bill comes to $150 on the special night. Valentines Day doesn't have to be about spending money, it should be about being with that special someone that makes you happy.

Ok, so you're not a master chef... How can you possibly impress your love on Valentines Day with a home cooked meal? It's easier than you think! It just takes some planning. Start by searching cookbooks and the internet for a recipe you will both enjoy. Look for simplicity. You don't want to have to find some rare Chinese herb in order to complete your meal (unless you know where to get it).

Once you have your recipe figured out, I recommend practicing it a couple times. Cook dinner for friends or room mates and make sure you know the recipe well to avoid any mistakes when it's game day. Ask them for tips on ways to make your recipe better so that you'll make even 5 star chefs look like they can't even open a can of beans in your presence.

After dinner, throw some whipped cream and chocolate sauce on a bowl of ice cream. Sit down and rent a movie or fire up the ole Netflix account. It's an easy way to save money on Valentines Day and still enjoy it with that special someone. You can easily cut that $150 restaurant bill down to a number that's much more reasonable.

Enjoy your dinner,
Dex 

Why I Love Alberta

On Saturday night I made my way down to Nanton for a fundraising event in support of the Nanton Community Emergency Fund. What made me drive an hour south of Calgary for a small town event? Perhaps you saw about the Nanton prairie fire on the news. If not, check out that link to the news story. My family was one that was affected by the fire. Luckily all the people in the area were unharmed but there was extensive property damage. Some people lost their homes while others lost important pieces of their business. Nanton is a very small town that has an established farming community surrounding it. I wanted to show my support for my family as well as the others affected, as well as try to help out.

The event was focused on replenishing the funds that were used during the emergency. Which gets me to why I love Alberta and the people that call it home. When I showed up to the Nanton Community Hall, the place was packed. I swear that most of the town came out for the event. Everyone knew everyone else by name. Just being in that type of atmosphere was an amazing thing to see. There was a silent auction, a live auction as well as drinks, food and music. Folks opened their hearts and wallets to make sure that the Nanton Community Emergency Fund is ready for whatever might come its way in the future. 

Even though the event was for a good cause, that didn't mean it wasn't a good time. Even though I was the unknown city slicker, there was always someone willing to have a conversation with me. The live auction was the first I've ever been involved in and that was a heck of a time. I engaged in some fun bidding wars over a new recliner, an autographed Oilers jersey (even though I'm more of a Flames fan... The spirit got to me) and a new tablet. 

The silent auction was chock full of great stuff that was donated by people looking to help out. I managed to pick up a pretty sexy looking BBQ kit, complete with travel case, just in case I need to make an emergency call to someone's backyard this summer. Once you were done bidding, there was some beef on a bun and beer to enjoy with the good people of Nanton.

Overall it was a great event and it further affirmed the strength, caring and ability to overcome that many Albertans share. It was heartening to see everyone come out on a Saturday night for a good cause. The power that a community holds when it comes together is stronger than any fire.

That is why I love Alberta,
Dex