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I’ve been meaning to write an epic post reflecting on my time in Calgary and looking to the future but to be honest I’m knackered! Proper cream crackered: physically and emotionally. But my bags are finally packed and I’ve just got some tidying up to do, drop off a few things at the office and I’m good to go. I’m already checked-in, take-off is at 9.15pm tomorrow.

This last week has been a tough one, with lots of good byes. There’s been fun as well - I had a great leaving party last weekend. It was my ideal party to be honest: lots of people came but everyone had cleared out by 11.15 and I was tucked up in bed by midnight! A proper Bangalore night out I used to call that.

Survivors photo: It was nearly 11pm!

Up for the cup with Michelle and Amit

I also had some nice going-away events at work. My car pool buddies met me for breakfast on my last day at the wonderful Galaxie Dinner and then there were drinks that evening after work with clients and ThoughtWorkers. Thursday was the day the stuff I am shipping home was due to be picked up and that was not the most riveting experience. I’d been given a window of anytime between 8am and 8pm for collection. In the end they came at 6.15pm. All I would say to anyone using sevenseasdirect.com is to confirm if the country you are in uses their own people or a partner to collect. If it’s the latter you might be screwed like I was!

One going-away event that wasn’t such a success was a final trip to Punk Rock Bingo at Broken City. I’ve loved PRB ever since I first stumbled upon it about half way through my time here. However when we arrived on Tuesday there was none of the usual crew to be seen. Eventually somebody started setting up but it looked a new caller and generally a new set-up. I was hoping the old magic would remain but it quickly became apparent that it didn’t. That was when they started handing out vouchers for half an hour’s free internet porn. I was seriously unimpressed and we left shortly after. I emailed Broken City to say that I was pretty disappointed in what went on. In the email I wrote “I know everything these days is ironic and post-modern and nothing means anything anymore..” but I said that some things do matter. I did get apologies from the owner (who seemed surprised that any offence had been taken) and the manager of the bar but they both said it had been a joke. Which kind of proves the point I was making in my email. Ho Hum. I was really disappointed that such a brilliant night had fallen so low but then I found (through the magic of Twitter) that the original Punk Rock Bingo has moved to the Ship and Anchor on 17th. The awesome Steve B is your host again and I recommend it to anyone in Calgary looking for Tuesday night fun.

Overall I’ve had an absolutely brilliant time here over the last 2 and half years, even my run-in with Calgary’s white supremacist community was a highlight! I’ve worked and played with some fantastic people. I’ve made some great new friends and renewed old friendships too, all over the continent. I feel incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to come out and work here, and to be able to come home too and stick with my ever patient employer ThoughtWorks. People have asked me what I’m going to miss, apart from the hiking and the skiing (and I won’t be missing that for long: I expect to be back here for ThoughtBoarder in February!). Well I’m actually going to miss the weather for one. Locals look at me as if I’m mad but even if it’s -20 the chances are the sun will be out. Calgary is Canada’s sunniest city and I fear I’ve come to take bluebird days for granted. Most of all I’m going to miss Canadians. They aren’t just friendly, they are positive and optimistic - even the cynical ones! Being that way inclined myself (IMHO) I can’t help but love it here.

Now one reason I’m so lucky is that I love Merrie Olde England too! I am very excited about coming home. Next week is going to be fun: I’m going to see the Gabrielli Consort at Christ Church, Spitallfields, the Anish Kapoor show at the RA, I’ve got dinner with friends and a trip to see my aunt and uncle singing in a concert in Oxford. And if that doesn’t make me feel good about coming back I’m going to spend myself happy by getting an iPhone. You can’t get more zeitgeisty than a Keynesian solution like that. I’m definitely ready to trade the great outdoors for the big city and see how that suits me. And my excellent godchildren I’m sure are in need of spiritual guidance. There’s much to do and plenty to see - bring it on!