Calgary Stampede Report: Day -1 Today is "sneak-a-peek" day. So it's not quite the beginning of Stampede, but there is already an increase in cowboy hats, jeans, and bad cowboy clothing. Many of the bars in town have put up enormous tents in their parking lots, and all the fake-unfinished-wood decorating has been completed and hay bales strategically placed. We're having this strange hazy weather - it's scorching hot at times, but there is a lingering risk of thunderstorms. Tonight we'll watch the first night of fireworks.

Yesterday at lunch I strolled along Stephen Avenue taking in the hustle and bustle of this busy tourist season. I'm a little tired of my old cowboy hat so I tried on a few hats, but didn't find one that I loved. Gotta keep the costume up-to-date..!

Last night Persuade, Devin and I decided to kick off Stampede early with some drinks at la Tavola and Ceili's. We had to leave la Tavola due to the horrible service - the woman working the bar was lovely and sweet, and told us it was her first night on the job, but she was pretty hopeless as a server. She couldn't ring in drink orders, she couldn't open wine bottles or beer bottles, our drinks took forever to arrive, and she kept forgetting to bring the water we asked for several times. I was a little less-than-generous with her tip. We went down the road to Ceili's instead. Much better service there. We are all a little tired today.  | ¶ 3:52 p.m.