By Park Warden on December 5, 2019.
ParkWardenVoice@gmail.com As the holiday season approaches… Wait! What? Boxing Day is seriously only three weeks from today?! Uhh, so with that in mind, it’s pretty tough to not get into the spirit, especially when there’s a little snow on the ground and, bonus, it’s not -30 C out there yet. I’ll take today’s forecast high of 8 C though. It definitely makes things more pleasant, tolerable, maybe enjoyable (dare I say), as I have yet to begin even thinking about what I still need to do and buy over the next few weeks, ha ha! So instead of jumping to action (’cause why would I do that, as I’m a procrastinator by nature) I think I’ll just waste more time that I don’t have by putting together a “wish list” that’s nearly impossible to fulfill. Now let’s see. A bottle of fine tequila would be a great start. The beauty of tequila is, when you use it properly, it kinda makes you feel like you’re sorta on vacation for awhile, and what better time than December to pretend you’re out of the country, with nothing better to do than wake up to the sound of the surf, and oh wait, I’m daydreaming again. Is it really Dec. 5? 2019? OK so as I was saying… oh yeah, wish list. One thing that really got everybody fired up earlier this week was the announcement by Medicine Hat City Council to raise our utility fees, again, like they do every year, and every time we’re all like, “I’ve had enough of this, I’m not gonna take it anymore,” but we do, begrudgingly. So my wish is for next year, instead of raising our utilities again, how about buying everyone a coffee, or a donut, or maybe some sidewalk salt for when they get nasty during the freeze/thaw cycle in the chilly months; safety first. Another wish I have is for people to start doing two basic things when they’re driving. Now don’t get me wrong, every city has lots of crappy drivers, and I’ve driven in some places where it can get really crazy on the roads, like Mexico, Europe, Toronto, Los Angeles, you get the idea. Hell, I grew up in Edmonton, and that place has lots of terrible drivers, but I digress. My two traffic wishes for Medicine Hat are: 1. Please, use your signal lights!!! 2. Please, don’t stop in free-flow lanes!!! Are these unreasonable requests? I don’t mean to generalize (ha ha, I actually do) but I think the case here is just more laziness than actual rudeness or selfishness. Now for an actual “Christmasy” wish to add to the first annual “Winter Holiday Yuletide Festive Season Wish list.” If you’re of legal drinking age, instead of going with traditional egg nog and spiced rum this season, try a new twist on the disgusting classic – jag nog. Get out the blender, fill it with ice, then go two-thirds full with light egg nog, top ‘er off with the classic German apertif, Jagermeister, blend ’til it’s slushy and serve. It’s guaranteed to make you some new friends over the holidays, and maybe even a new enemy or two as well. Here’s a wish for next year.How about we have a Gas City music festival under the Saamis Tepee? Just make it a one-day event, with only local bands playing (rock, country, whatever), food trucks and vendors, maybe a beer garden, a DJ tent for all the electronica geeks (I love that stuff), and because it would be at the World’s Largest Teepee, we could call it the World’s Largest Medicine Hat Music Festival, right here in town. By the way, I’ll spinning a super-fun eclectic mix this Saturday night at Earls, drop by! One last wish, the most important one. No matter what holiday you’re celebrating/observing, I just wish for everyone to have the opportunity to spend some quality time with family, friends, loved ones, best buds, etc., during the most hectic time of year, when we should really just be getting back to basics. Oh, and I also wish for another shot of tequila, cheers! Enjoy the next month, all the best in 2020, and please get festive responsibly. What are your plans as we say goodbye to 2019 and look forward to next year? Shoot me an email anytime, about anything, to ParkWardenVoice@gmail.com and Ho Ho Hope you have the best Christmas ever. Cheers, and keep rockin’ Park Warden is the Jack of all trades/utility player at 105.3 Rock. You’ll hear him weekends 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Wednesday-Friday evenings and filling in all over. 17