tyler Archives - A Flimsy Plan

Sound Room

December 14, 2024 No Comments

Okay, I am getting this in just under the wire. I probably could have written another post earlier today, because I did have a little break between work at Moveology and going out. But for once in my life, I was ahead of a thing and I so wanted to write about it. So, a middle of the night post it is! Because today, Tyler and I went to Sound Room!

First, though, we swung by Market Collective, which long-time readers will know is one of my favourite holiday markets. It is the perfect mixture of fancy and mid-range artisans. This year, I didn’t get any delicious hummus, but I did fill out my Christmas shopping a little bit. And Tyler ate poutine perogies. Everyone won!

And then… 4pm rolled around. The time had come. The time for us to be trendsetters and make our way to 1st Street. To venture into the basement of the Calcutta Cricket Club and check out Sound Room.

As mentioned in his Beer Exchange post, Ol Beautiful is Tyler’s favourite Calgary brewery and he has been missing their taproom. Sound Room is similar, but different. It is vibey and cool. Maybe too cool. The bathrooms had affirmations playing on the day we were there. The bartenders were all very hip (yes, I used that word on purpose, it sounds funny!). It did sort of feel like hanging out in your coolest friend’s living room – especially with how good the music was. We Shazaam’ed more than one song while we were tucked away in a corner with our beers.

I should offer a caution. Sound Room should not be confused with a taproom. It doesn’t have the same vibes and I can’t see anyone hanging out there for hours, playing board games. It’s more like a very cool lounge, but a little bit less pretentious. And also beer. Good beer.

So when are you going to hit up Sound Room?

Life

Zoolights

December 10, 2024 No Comments

This is typically the time of year where I am going to start writing “oh, the weather outside is weather”… but it’s been pleasantly mild for the last several days. I’ve still needed a jacket and toque, so I wouldn’t call it warm, but mild is very accurate. So accurate, in fact, that Tyler and I actually left home and went to Zoolights last Thursday.

Or, as this signage says, “OOLIGHTS”.

And it was just classic, festive, fun. Because it was so nice out, we really took our time wandering the grounds. We bought hot chocolate, both spiked and normal, and sat next to the many fire pyramids that are dotted around the zoo. We chatted with the fire attendants and shared our favourite holiday movies. (Look, we weren’t a thing last Christmas season, so we have a lot of movies to catch up on.)

We even managed to tick off one more item on my unhinged Bucket List! One of the fire attendants let it slip that mulled wine was for sale! We grabbed a mulled wine and made a game of guessing what animals the lights were supposed to be shaped like. Pig? Hippo? Sheep?

Don’t worry. It eventually became apparent that it was a hippo.

Our night was mild and it was easy to stay outdoors, but I do think it would be do-able in slightly colder weather, especially if you bundled up. Like I said, there are tons of fires with seating throughout the zoo. But also, the conservatory is open this year and they have lights set up on both sides! It was the perfect setting to warm up and get a few cute pictures. (In theory. I was not cute in our pictures, so they are not included.)

For those interested in the stats, this is what you need to know about Zoolights, running from Nov 15, 2024 – Jan 5, 2025. Entry begins at 5pm and you cannot stay from the day into the night – it is a separate ticket. The price is variable from day to day, but it’s usually around $20. They recommend buying your tickets in advance for a better price. We were on the grounds for about 2.5 hours, though, so fairly good value.

I don’t know, guys, it was just so damn festive. Maybe a little bit pricey, but I’m so glad we did it.

YYCEats

Beer Exchange Day 5

December 9, 2024 No Comments

If you couldn’t tell from my last couple posts, life has been pretty intense and busy lately. Which I think can be quite common at this time of year, I won’t pretend it’s just me. We’re all trying to fit everything in. But sometimes, you just need to be cozy and watch a movie that everyone else in the world has seen so you can join into the societal conversations. If the “you” in this situation is me, anyway. Because that’s what I did while enjoying Beer 5.

I mean, just look at that grilled cheese, y’all.

(Note: the cheese crust is courtesy of Tyler. When I am left to my own devices, I eat the same sad meal the entire week. Realizing that I need to create a meal that is also appropriate for a man to eat makes me elevate my game and then Tyler usually has some idea to make it even better.)

And, actually, both the beer and the evening came courtesy of Tyler, as well! I talked him into filling in for the beer exchange at the last minute and he talked me into watching Die Hard. Perfect evening.

YYCEats

Beer Exchange Day 1

December 1, 2024 No Comments

It’s Blogmas! It’s that time of year where I actually write on my blog because, as we all know, I only ever achieve things when I have a structured challenge. I like to create internal pressures that I disguise as external pressures. (Shut up. I’m working on it. In theory.)

I also like Blogmas, though. And this year, maybe this year, will be the year where I parley my Blogmas momentum into actual momentum. This will be the year where my blog becomes something. (At least until I start rehearsals for my next show in February. Wait, was that my outside voice?)

And you know what else I like? Beer Exchange!!! Yes. This is a A Flimsy Plan Blogmas mainstay. Mostly because it means that I only have to come up with twelve post ideas for Blogmas, but also because I love doing activities with friends.

If you’ve read my blog literally ever before, you probably know what the Beer Exchange is all about, but if not, here is a quick run down.

Megan organizes it every year. Sometimes this is very easy and sometimes it is like herding cats. I leave it to you to guess what this year was like.
12 people each buy 12 tall boy cans of a different local beer and then we all take one of each beer. (This is why it can be like herding cats. Megan tries to find out which beer we’re all buying so there are no duplicates and not 12 IPAs.)
Plus the beers are wrapped up, so it’s like an advent calendar! But social! With friends!

So you probably guessed what today’s post is all about – it’s about the first beer from the Beer Exchange! And this year, we actually had a kickoff party! Like for real! No illnesses to get in our way!

And that means we got to enjoy the first beer as a group. Sure, first Tyler and I enjoyed a really good bottle of wine while we were waiting for all of the beers to arrive, but then it was time for five people to drink the same type of beer. And what was that beer? Well, follow me through the cut to find out!