Thursday Coffee Klatch: June 9

I will be there (Olympia).

Looking forward to meeting Otaku and welcoming her to the group!

Count me in - I am looking forward to meeting Otaku as well.

What time will you be there Pooga? I would like to come but can anyone make it for 6:30? I have to be at work at 7:30 and need some time to eat =)

Hope to be there and meet Otaku…

I should be there just before 7

I was planning on making this on but in for more tests… sorry guys… wish I coulda met you Otaku

Can't be there, but say hi to Otaku for me !!

We set a record today! 11 members present!

Jerbear, Sarge, Master, BDK, Mrs. BDK, Pooga, gouche, CJ, pawnman, and two special guests! Of course Otaku was there, and we apologise for keeping her away from her conference this morning. In addition, there was a special 'mystery' guest. I won't say who it was, but I will say (for those old enough to remember) "Mystery Guest, please sign in!"

We covered a lot of subjects, the most unusual to Otaku being how westerners guage distance by using time. For example, "it's 90 minutes to Prince Albert." She was really blown away by the fact that it takes 6 1/2 hours to get to Calgary from Saskatoon, but only 6 hours to get back.

Someone else can fill in more detail, I have to head off to sleep!

Never go for breakfast with military types because you end up being conscripted for all SORTS of onerous tasks – like posting minutes of meetings. Had I know I was going to be responsible for this, I’d have taken better mental notes!

I was first to arrive at 6:25am and not knowing who or what to expect, I staked out a suitable observation post and waited. I had already discerned that the clientele already present were not my quarry – they were far too sedate :). After a time (6 minutes 23 seconds, to be precise) two more likely subjects appeared and were fixing to sit in “their usual spot”. I knew I had my prey once I overheard them using code words such as “pooga” and “sarge”. I sidled up to them and introduced myself. After they gathered their collective jaws from the floor, they introduced themselves as Master and JerBear. After I asked permission to join them, we sat and awaited the arrivals of others.

Next on scene was Sarge. Jerbear and Master then played a game of “guess-who-THIS-is” with me as the subject – a procedure that was to be repeated with each subsequent CMT arrival. It stumped a surprising number of people especially considering that I had suspected that my mugshot had been posted in every likely CMT hangout in Saskatoon. Certainly, the lady of dubious mental faculties across the aisle seemed to know me! Sarge had shown up will full “kit”… but more on that later.

BDK and better half next towed in the real guest of honour, Otaku. I had intimated to Otaku earlier that I might “crash” this gathering, so she was likely the only one not to be caught unawares by my attendance. Subsequent to this august group, I believe Pooga and CJ showed up – both having to endure a round of “pin-the-handle-on-the-CMTer”. Gouche also showed a bit later and kinda correctly guessed right away. Somewhere along the line, Master left to be responsible at one of his numerous employs and lastly Pawnman took Master’s place across from me.

Finally, the attention could turn more toward Otaku and lively conversation ensued with much information, good humour and stories exchanged. Included was the aforementioned discussion of how “distance” is a part of our western Canadian culture and how it can be perceived in many different ways. My recollection of the conversations is dominated by Otaku’s tale of recently seeing a “feather dance” and the subsequent puerile reminisces of several members of OTHER feather dances they had witnessed (okay… it was me and a couple of others…). Conversation ranged widely from stories of where we grew up, to weather and climate, to Regina’s water to Saskatoon’s urban planning. There was also the requisite amount of BC-denigration – again, it is surprising how Canada’s westernmost province is viewed even in Saskatoon! :)

Sarge eventually revealed that his kit contained peanut butter cookies which he generously shared and we noshed on these delectables. Luckily he was prepared for contingencies such as extra people showing up unannounced!

Eventually, things wound down but it was long after the threat of impending parking violations had arisen that we were torn from our lingering. It truly seemed like we did not want it to end as our core group then moved outside the restaurant to block the exterior sidewalk. We eventually shook hands and wished each other well before we parted, but in deference to the many curious onlookers, we refrained from belting out a chorus of “Kumbaya”.

I hope I can speak for Otaku in saying that this was a wonderful experience. The warmth and welcome with which we were met with was exceeded only by the Saskatoon members’ good will. My attempt to surprise your meeting was craftily one-upped by your amity and generosity and it left me humbled. Thank you all!

These minutes (well… given their length, perhaps HOURS…) duly submitted by rudyk, acting honorary recording secretary.

Bravo, well done…..

I vote Rudyk always does the minutes from now on….anyone else???….Very well done Rudy.
Wish I could have been there to enjoy it all!

Well done rudyk…It was a pleasure meeting you as well as the guest of honor Okatu…I as well vote for rudyk as our permenant recorder…He did an excellent job….

I am accessing the site from my hotel room using the hotel connection whch is very awkward.. Even so, II am just happy to be able to login. (Did anyone notice that I got a hit in Edmonton today?- a very nice surprise)

Thank you so much to everyone for the warm welcome. The breakfast club meeting wil be a highlight of my visit to Saskatoon. It was so much fun just to talk to everyone - to say nothing of the fact that I now know much much more about Saskatchewan! I just regret that I did not plan better so I could stay longer.

A special thank you to BDK and Mrs. BDK for providing transportation.
And, how could I forget those great peanut butter cookies!.

An awesome summary of the events of your morning gathering in Sktoon Rudyk Im sure they will welcome you back to do the reports anytime you so desire. & Glad to hear there were no riots that ensued while you were there (unless you left that out hehe j/k!! ??) ..LOL

Well this sounds like one great time and wish i was there too. I WILL have to plan my holidays next year to give good ol' Saskatoon a visit to meet all or most of yous myself.
By the way rudy great job on the minutes.

Well said and well done Rudyk. You are more than welcome to join us again at any time without warning.

(And I'll let you nibble on my cookies!) LOL

Glad to hear there were no riots that ensued while you were there (unless you left that out hehe j/k!! ??) ..LOL - Sweetie

Well there was the…. Ooopps, forgot that we were all sworn to secrecy….. :o)

Good stuff Rudy. I loved the minutes and certainly enjoyed your company along with your sense of humor. I hope you come up more often, after all is only about 2.5 hrs away. Of course the trip home is a little shorter as its downhill.

Okatu it was a true pleasure meeting you and I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay in Saskatoon. It looks like your brought the sun with you as its another perfect prairie day.

Yummmmmmie cookies Sarge.

Wow what a turn out at the meeting. It truly was a great time.

Bravo indeed rudyk!

But you realise that those concise minutes have condemned you to doing the minutes in the future as well. I can't imagine what they would have been like if you had "taken better mental notes"!

With Rudy to do the minutes maybe Regina should start a coffee morning of our own - or at the very least come by Dewdney Shell in Regina introduce yourself and have a coffee free if I'm working!

                               Owen

Sorry I missed coffe but working 2 jobs now kinda puts a damper on things. Wed Thu and Fri I start at 4:15 am so I'm out for a while again