The (oh so beautiful) Superstore

After my great rant of support for our U-20 national soccer team they go out and play some of the most terrible soccer witnessed in the history of humankind. I mean we weren't just bad; we were the epitome of terrible. In three games we scored zero goals and maybe, maybe, had ten shots on goal. Calling it an embarassment is quite literally an understatement. I think the Italian women's hockey team is more respectable. They lost 17-0 to the US their last time out. We may suck, but at least we suck at a game people care about. That said, it's possible that we've merely traded anonymity for being known as the most inept soccer players on the planet. You want to know who the Congolis are making fun of right now? That's right. It's us.

I actually made an extraordinary effort to make it to church this sunday. Usually I go to the church closest to my house simply because I can walk there in ten minutes. Shamola, one of my labmates, invited me to her church this past sunday. I took the city bus and tried to look out for the cross-street that her church sits on. Only problem was that most of the smaller streets had no street signs. I quickly found myself on the edge of town with no map, no water, a backpack and 32 degree heat in the shade. Just perfect. As I walk the opposite way down the street my bus just came down, I realize that of the four possible corners of an intersection that a street sign could possibly sit on, there exists a sign on exactly one of them. It's not even the same one corner of every intersection, either. As the sun beat down mercilessly and the sweat began pooling in my lower back I, for this first time, cursed this city. This place embodies urban sprawl and public transit is nearly non-existent. Basically if you don't own a car in this city you don't go anywhere. End of story. There's disturbingly little in the way of anything interesting to do here and even if such attractions did exist I could never get there because I own no car. Bikes are on option, but in 30-plus degree heat 24 hours a day who really wants to bike anywhere?? I know, I grew up in Victoria. I'm spoiled. I think less dependence on automobiles is an attainable goal for North American society. Clearly I should be institutionalized.

I finally made it to the church and the service was delightful. I'm not sure if it's something in the water, or what, but it seems like most evangelical preachers here take their title quite seriously and preach most sermons directly on the gospel message. I almost get the impression that suggesting variety would get one branded a heretic. Whatever turns their collective crank, I guess. The people were lovely and quite welcoming. They offered me a ride home with the"bus kids" on the lovely Emmanuel-esque church bus. It was all so nostalgic. All I cared about was not having to walk.

I have to be honest. I'm sick of walking. I walk everywhere. And I sweat. Walk. Sweat. Walk. Sweat. Walk while sweating. Sweat while walking. It never ends. In fact, this afternoon, facing the ordeal of walking to the grocery store tonight, buying my next dozen meals at Harvey's seemed a feasible and ridiculoulsy attractive option. Sharonna offered to drive me to a grocery store. She sits just below Jesus right about now. I never thought I would be so happy to see a Superstore. While I had a friend with a vehicle I decided to stock up on heavy items. I've not purchased juice before today on the grounds that it made groceries too heavy to carry home. With luck I won't have to purchase laundry soap again in Windsor, either.