great excitement in Airdrie

We arrived here at about 11:30 Friday night. The ceremonies Thursday night went as long and were as boring as we feared. There was something like 300+ kids to process so it went on FOREVER. By the end of the evening we were beginning to really appreciate the stupid kids. For the smart kids the introduction went something like: "This is Johnny Smartkid who is graduating with honours. Johnny is receiving a scholarship from Boring Woman Teacher's society for excellence in 300 level German studies by maintaining an average over 90%. The bursary is for $250 based on academic achievement and student need. Johnny is also receiving ......." and on and on and on.

On the other hand, when a stupid kid got to the head of the line the introduction went like this: "This is Suzy Stupid". Next kid. So, by the end of the evening we were looking for the stupid ones and dreading the smart ones. Of course they went alphabetically so about 1/4 of the way into the evening we had really no further interest in any of the kids at all.

On Friday night we went to the banquet and sat at the family table which posed a whole new set of challenges but everybody was on their best behaviour and all went well. We had warned Marlan that if he noticed that we were missing not to come looking for us because we would be on our way to Calgary. At around 8:00 I all of a sudden realized how late it was getting and we left at about 8:15. They were still midway through an extended video of the kids' progress from baby pictures through to high school. It was really well done. I couldn't help thinking what a change in technology has happened in one generation. The visual effects and techniques that they were playing with and taking for granted didn't even exist when I graduated.

The Sunstrum/Huisma household is fully engaged in getting ready for the big party tomorrow night. I cleaned my fork this morning, discovered that I have lost the o-ring that I need for the tiger torch this afternoon and have otherwise tried to stay out of the way for fear Allison will find me a job. Tomorrow I have to go into Airdrie to mail some stuff so I will track down another o-ring at that time. I'd like to test fire the torch before things get critical but I guess it will likely work. How much can go wrong with a tiger torch anyway?

Jorgito did NOT like our room in Medicine Hat. That was the main reason that we only stayed one night. It would have been a lot easier to stay a 2nd night but we were in a pet room and there were just too many strange smells there for his liking. He really likes being here. I'm not sure he actually remembered the place but he has settled in nicely. Kiwi thinks he is pretty neat and follows him everywhere when we take him out for a walk. Most of the time he sleeps on the bed in our room. On the few occasions when he and Miss Kitty have come face to face it has not gone well so we try to avoid those situations.