I’m a Pretty Big Deal (in Saskatoon)

I wrote a song for Saskatoon recently (debuted at the end of this video). And apparently Saskatoon is delighted. A local on this CBC News TV broadcast calls the song ‘pretty catchy.’ Global Saskatoon broadcast says ‘Saskatoon Sensation’ does a ‘good job.’ Article covering it on CTV News. And a delighted Saskatoon is a delighted Robert.

Finding the Saskatoon Sensation [video]

Ever since reading about Timbuktu in Dr Seuss’ ‘Hop on Pop’ as a kid, I’ve concocted all sorts of wild visions of what places are like based on the sound of their names. The more unusual, the more magical the skyline I envisioned. Of course, it rarely works out that way — Tahlequah isn’t all that different from Fort Smith — but it … Continue reading

Full Mountie: My Days as a RCMP Cadet

A few months ago the Royal Canadian Mounted Police – Depot Division (Regina, Saskatchewan) invited me to spend a couple nights and a (full) day training as a “mountie.” It’s a rare opportunity. Apparently only five civilians before me had had the chance — and I was apparently the only one to get a regulation moustache. This Lonely Planet video sums up the … Continue reading

Photo of the Day: Regina’s RCMP Depot

Every mountie in Canada comes through Regina, Saskatchewan — home to the RCMP Depot, a training facility in place since 1885. Last week I served as a ‘cadet for a day.’ Marched for 6:30am inspection, learned how to remove people from cars (using ears, pain points) or putting them in (with a memorable groin toss). I got a regulation Mountie haircut & moustache, … Continue reading

What is a Mountie?

Follow my mountie exploits this week at #MountieLand I don’t remember when I first heard of mounties, or wanted one of their red serge tunics and carefully pressed, flat-brim Stetson hats. It was definitely before Canada Day when I was 9. That’s when my gerbil Steve bit my finger, I bled, I fainted, then flew to Calgary for a family vacation to Banff … Continue reading