Horizon had a two day trade show in Saskatoon and I had the pleasure of speaking on behalf of my service package. Great response and now another section of Saskatoon commerce knows about the Problem Solver and my availability as a comedian. It’s Notwork, it’s Network! (see what I did there…with the…nevermind)

I have a corporate show tonight for Gordon Food Service. I tried to reach them a few times but didn’t receive a return call. So I guess I’m up for an adventure. How much food could this Gordon guy eat, anyway?

I’ve been asked a few times now on the differences I’ve noticed between Saskatoon and Calgary. I think the biggest change I’ve had to adapt to is each city’s attitude towards work and business.

Calgary is a ‘work hard, play hard’ business atmosphere. Driven professionals that work like madmen, putting in 80 hour weeks, doing deals on the fly, and dedicating themselves to delivering. They’ll work nights, weekends, whatever they need to do to get the job done. Once the work is done it’s two weeks of binge drinking and vacations. If you’ve ever been in Calgary during the Stampede you know exactly what I mean.

Saskatoon has the ‘slow and steady win the race’ attitude. This city shuts down over lunch, and again at 5 PM. Nobody takes work home with them, and they’ll look at you funny if you suggest a Saturday strategy session. While they may not have passion, they are dedicated. They work steady and take a huge amount of pride in their progress. Just don’t push.

I’ve removed the calendar page for now. Cancellations are killing me. When things solidify again I’ll re-post.

I love my life in Saskatoon, my awesome kids and the woman of my dreams. But wow the economy out here is tough. It’s not that I have no work, I love my job. You just get paid so much less to do it here. Yes I’ve heard the living costs here are cheaper too, but things like food and gas are pretty standard in price.

In reflecting on Edmonton, I’m glad I left it all on stage. I’ve had many shows where I’ve walked off thinking ‘I should have..next time I’ll…” but this time I did what I set out to do. My set went the way I planned, and I was myself on stage. Yeah I’m well aware I bombed, but at least I tried and failed rather than mis-fired and regretted. Very liberating and empowering for the future.

then again…more laughs would have been nice too…

Wow it’s been crazy. I really wanted to make sure I’d finalized a few things before blogging. Counting chickens before they hatch yadda yadda….

Regina was a debacle. Turns out they double booked the club. So no money for Matthew but at least me and the kids had an awesome time for one night at the hotel. The kids love to hit the pool so even though I’m out the cost of the trip plus no payment for the show, I will try to remember it as a positive experience.

Finished my showcase for Just For Laughs yesterday. Maybe driving Saskatoon -> Regina -> Saskatoon -> Edmonton -> Saskatoon in one day wasn’t the brightest. Thank god for my wonderful Melissa who helped shoulder the driving, and kept me happy and positive the whole time. I’m lucky to have those huge breasts her in my life.

This Saturday I have a corporate engagement and I’m hoping to start booking January soon.  I’m also looking into opening communication with a new chain of clubs too.  2010 will be a huge year for me personally and professionally!

Ok so we’re still trying to get to the bottom of what happened in Regina.  For the sake of today’s post, let’s just say we’re home.  Had a good dip in the pool at the Ramada and wow these kids are easy to take on the road.  Liam just sleeps and Max is very observant.  He likes to calculate  how many kilometers/how much time to get home.  We also had a chance to tune in and listen to the Riders get stomped.  Now my Stamps are in first place in the West.  I’ve found my intrest in CFL has spiked since moving.  The Stamps are the only Calgary team I’ll get the chance to see so Max and I are really getting into it late in the season.

Now behold the sheer terror of the Murray clan as we haunt the streets for Halloween!

Witness, Max the Ninja Assassin of Death!

The Dark Lord of the Sith… Liam Vader!

The hauntingly beautiful Bride of Dracula (Now with bigger boobs!

And last… My attempt at a vampire that turned into more of an evil raccoon