Darlene, myself, Paulette and Darlene’s brother in law Troy attended the Oktoberfest celebration this past Saturday night at the Shaw Conference Center. Doors opened at 6:30, but we left home at 7:30. We were wondering when they would stop serving food (how late I mean) and we risked it. It seemed that they kept serving to at least 9 PM. So if you’re wondering this yourself, I would risk it up until 9 PM for the years coming.

Music was provided by some Umpah pah band for the most part of the early evening and then David Wilcox for the rest of the night. Troy didn’t believe me that David is blind. I’m not completely sure if he’s blind, but I do know that after a show at the Edmonton Northlands Exhibition a few years ago, he had to be led off stage after his set. A guy came out, stood in front of David, put David’s hand on his shoulder and then led him off stage.

So at the end of David’s set, sure enough, a guy came out and led David off stage. Anyone have any confirmations or explanations on this?

Paulette borrowed a “Helga” outfit from a friend in Calgary and it was a big hit.	My girlfriend Darlene and Paulette a few drinks into the evening
This has been officially named the “Coop scarey face” by Koralee Nickarz.	This is where the evening begins to get a bit weird. A typical photo taken by Paulette. I should do a post of “just” Paulette’s breasts. I could fill a page.
This is the only photo completely approved by Darlene for showing. The top one I like, you know, the green Oktoberfest hat, great looking girl, etc, but Dar’s not too happy with herself in it. So, the top one of Us, I like and this one is Dar approved.Is Oktoberfest a Holiday? anyone know? Or just a celebration of sausages, beer and music?

My girlfriend Darlene is a professional photographer. A good friend had asked for some shots of her, her new boyfriend and his family, so we headed off to Edmonton’s Fort Edmonton Park. We got to the location when we began to be stalked by these two Turkey’s. They just wouldn’t leave us alone, and having just read about how Turkey’s are quite dangerous and can “snap your head off”, I decided to keep our small group safe.

First Rule In Turkey Safety

The first rule is to keep some large object between you and the Turkey. I had Darlene’s reflector (I am the “light guy”), so I opened it up and used it to shoo away the big birds. It barely worked. As I got them a few feet away and then headed back to the shoot, the Turkey’s just followed.

I then tried another approach. Talking to them. I walked away from the photo shoot and told the Turkey’s to come with me. They did. Now this was getting quite weird because as I walked away, they just kept following. They wouldn’t leave me alone. The shots you see here are from a good 150 feet away. I had to take the Turkey’s for a long walk, away from the group, around some buildings and then sat down hoping the birds would forget that I was there. Then I snuck away.

I used this approach a few times because each time I thought they were ok being alone, they would trot after me and the whole process would begin again.

Eventually it worked. I got them distracted behind a few buildings, snuck away and joined the shoot just in time as I was needed.

Everyone got a great laugh about 5 minutes later because when they finally found me again, they literally came running across the grounds at full trot.

note: I made up that part about Turkey’s being able to “snap your head off”. Don’t believe everything you read on the internet about Turkeys, Turkey safety or Dangers of Turkeys.