Zounds!

On the 1st of July, I pitched $50 into the company raffle, expecting as I always do with these things that it's a good will gesture, a sort of tax on working with other people.  Many times in my life, that amount of money has made the difference between my starving and not in a given week, going right back to when my daughter was a little girl.  But it's not the same amount of money that it was in 1992, so I guess it's a little easier to part with.

The company has people far and wide in multiple countries so it wanted to give everyone an opportunity to kick in, so the actual draw was put off until today, a week after the 1st.

And yes, I won.

We're a little stun locked around here.

The prize is a six-day trip for two to Montreal in Quebec.  I suspect the company managed both tickets and stay for free, as complimentary, as I recognise the names of clients ... but, hell, why would I care?  My entire experience with Montreal is that once I spent 20 minutes in a bus depot commissary before climbing aboard the bus again on my way to Quebec City, in 1987.  I had friends that moved out there from Calgary years ago, but I've lost touch.  Not sure I'll even try to look them up.  Mostly, it's an opportunity to go somewhere glamorous.  My partner Tamara is beside herself.

So.

I'll be in Montreal over the cusp of September-October, just shy 12 weeks from now.  If there's a regular reader who's close enough that you'd like to meet — for all I know, some of you live in Montreal — then let me know by email.  I'd be glad to shake a hand or buy a drink.