This is not so much a Chapter related to Queries one might have on the journey of life, but rather a reflection on an event I had nothing to do with the organization or execution thereof but was really happy to participate in…

The 107th Grey Cup was held in Calgary this year. Once again I attended. I’m not sure what number this Grey Cup Festival is for me, but recently I have been to every one except one since the 2004 edition in Ottawa. Before that I often would attend, but many times it was only to fly in for the game itself. Now I attempt to take in more of the complete festival. This year’s event was first class.

Calgary has always been a friendly city, no matter the state of the economy. This year, in spite of everything in the oil patch including the number of empty office spaces, the city really did put on a happy face. From the moment one arrived at YYC, smiles and welcomes greeted you at every turn. And the Festival’s motto Experience the Energy was well chosen. There was a great deal to do and the official events were all located at the Stampede Grounds so it was easy to find them. Moreover, downtown was alive and receptive to visitors no matter the business. Obviously the bars, pubs, social houses, restaurants, cafes and hotels were especially happy to see any one walk in. But even in those locations the welcomes were genuine and the service excellent. Prices were not spiked to milk the visitors. There was simply an energetic feeling to the moment.

While there were official activities on Thursday (20th), it really was a time to check out the downtown scene and the centre piece has to be the new public Library. It is simply amazing and anyone coming to Calgary needs to make sure that they take a morning or an afternoon or both to bathe in the glory of books and people. Whoever said the age of books is fini hasn’t been to this library. There are books all over the place, accessible and placed so that even the most illiterate can find something  at least to brouse. And there are sections for kids, for moms & tots, for immigrants and newcomers, for Aboriginals and historians, for the serious reader or the novice computer user… it is all there and in abundance…

The architecture of this library is amazing. The entrance way is at the top of sweeping steps and/or ramps and it so symbolic of the famous chinook winds that frequent the southern Alberta prairies in the winter. Moreover to enhance the sense of chinook arch the ceiling of the entrance way consists of western cedar wood in long strips that take the eye upward and outward continuously. Simply magnificent and so warmly inviting. Made me think of travelling up a lane towards a ranch house on a sunny, winter day. Once inside the cavernous atrium (lobby?) and after being greeted by both a smiling security person and a friendly host, one is given a map and brochure of the place. Good thing too because the library is shaped somewhat like a ship, but is laid out in ever rising tiers that seem to swoop
continuously upward.

I’m not going to give you a step-by-step descriptive tour of the place – you should come yourself to properly enjoy it. But let me say this: there are discoveries almost every twenty metres or so!! And the best one was some way into my exploration – an old card catalogue complete with stand and a written explanation of what it was actually used for at one time! For those of us who attended college back in the day it is such a wondrous sight to see an example of our Google out in the middle of a walkway – so reminded me of Rutherford Library at the UofA. Must tell my grandkids to go have a look. I will say that the Aboriginal sector is also very well done – very welcoming and very reflective. Again, whoever was involved in the design and execution of the design ought to be seriously thanked – by Aboriginals as well as others.

After a great library tour which even validated my own infrequent use of such facilities in my college days, visiting local bars seemed almost necessary to maintain the college-like mood I found myself in. So I did.

Friday was more football oriented. In the morning there was the State of the League address by the Commissioner of the CFL. It was less speech and more Q+A which once again demonstrates the strength of this professional sports league. It really does interact with the ordinary fans. No need for a corporate connection or a huge bank account to get another plus for the CFL – where else do such superstars and media folk give an hour of their time just to chat and converse with ordinary folk, some of whom may not have great technical knowledge of the game itself but are just passionate about
it as a sport. A sidebar to it all: a local craft brewery in Red Deer had produced a specialty beer just for the event – it actually was good enough to require one to imbibe extensively of it…

The Rodeo was a unique addition to the Festival and it has raised the bar for all future Grey Cup hosts. What is more Calgarian than the Stampede held each July? Well, maybe now it is the Grey Cup Rodeo. It was a compact version: (bucking) bronc riding, (bucking) saddle bronc riding, barrel racing (women only), wild pony race (catch & ride by kids only) and bull riding. There was a rider (or team) for each CFL team. Points were awarded according to regular Stampede judges and, except for the kids, all the participants were professional. The show was superb. There were riders that didn’t last the 8 seconds. There were riders who showed just how skilled they can be. There were the clowns and the safety riders who
demonstrated how good they are as well. Probably at least half the crowd had never been to a rodeo – I’m betting most of those will return some time to see the big Stampede. All the crowd was enthralled. The competition was close and the display of anger, frustration and/or brute power on the part of the animals
being ridden was palpable. The horses in the barrel racing were strong, fast and obviously in tune with their riders – even the slowest weren’t slow but simply not quite fast enough. I don’t stand for standing ovations very often – but at the end of the two hours, I was on my feet along with the several thousand others in the Calgary Corral (an indoor arena). I’m not sure what Regina will do to show off what is unique to its world but I know now that if a city hosting a Grey Cup doesn’t do some such thing it is missing out on showcasing aspects of Canadiana to a bunch of ordinary but fantastic Canadian
sportsfans.

Sunday was the game itself. You have no doubt read all about it even if you didn’t watch the TSN production so I am not going to re-do that. Suffice it to say that it was a great game and an excellent
moment in sport to experience live and in person. The right team won because they came just a little more prepared and with a little more edge. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers started hard and never let up. I have no problem with the player who won MVP or best Canadian (he being the same person – Andrew Harris, who I got to watch for a few years as a BC Lion), but to me the real amazing heroes of the game were the Offensive Linemen and the entire defence (but especially Jefferson, Jeffcoat and Bighill). The athleticism was almost indescribable and the coordination of their strength and agility was something to behold. I also was glad to see the two-quarterback system very successfully deployed. Most of all, I was glad I was there. (By the way, the half-time show was also first class: 
Keith Urban knows how to play to the crowd and no one was able to keep from at least tapping their toes!! The Beaches who pre-opened the game were a nice concession to those under 40 and the presence of the military and the Young Calgarians was definitely a good idea!!)

All in all, Calgary you all put on an excellent Festival. I did
experience the energy. You even provided excellent weather and even more excellent friendliness and all the bonfires in safe fire-pits around the downtown core to warm the evenings and fill the air with the wonderful smell of wood smoke was a special touch. Thank you very much. The 107th Grey Cup will be in my memory for a long time.