And our stomachs are already begging us not to order this 1kg hamburger:

But, before all the excitement at Northlands really gets going, it begins with a parade.

Now, just like last year, we’re going to put out the call to you, the good readers of the edmontonian, to provide us with a photo (or video, we’re not picky) of some sweet, parade action.

We do this for two reasons: you do good work and Sally is banned from the parade due to that one year she wore a costume of fresh mini donuts, only to have the hot oil sear her skin, forcing her to run screaming, and fairly nude, frightening children and adults alike.

If, like last year, we don’t end up having any Capital Ex parade pictures to post, we can always depend on our buddy Ryan giving us a play-by-play of Shaw TV’s play-by-play.

Don’t forget, the parade is going to cause downtown traffic mayhem, Wednesday night,  Thursday morning, and Thursday afternoon.

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And, if you don’t want to work your way through all those links (but they’re worth it…) you can read Ryan’s 2009 parade review at his blog.

the edmontonian's own top chef!

Alright, maybe that headline’s a bit misleading. But our good friend and chief parade correspondant Ryan from GrandeFullBody (who is a heckuva chef) did win this contest, sponsored by NAIT, with this picture of one of his delicious creations. His prize? Cactus Club food concept architect (look, wikipedia says it, I just re-type it) Rob Feenie’s new cookbook

Nice work, you award-winning chef/photographer/blogger! When can we all come to your house for dinner?

*does not love

Well, I put out an open call for folks to cover the parade for me this morning, and I only had one taker – and that taker  – our friend Ryan from GrandeFullBody – was someone who, like me, isn’t a parade person.

At first, I thought this may be unfair of us – but then Jeff pointed out that every media organization in the City is going to do a positive story about the Capital Ex parade. And not everyone likes parades. So we need to represent.

Now before you head over and there and read his hilarious-yet-scathing parade review, let’s be clear: we’re not criticizing the thousands of people who lined the streets for today’s event. In fact, I am literally BEGGING any of you to send me a picture, or an email, or WHATEVER, just so we don’t develop a rep for being civic parade enemy number one. Or pretty soon it’ll be bye bye theedmontonian.com, hello paradehaters.com.

Good job, Ryan. I give you 20 out of 10.

Are you ready to take on the world today, Edmonton?! Well, I’m glad someone is – because I’m not. I slept in until about 25 minutes before I had to be at work. But hopefully you’re awake, on time, and you don’t have “Strange Animal” by Gowan stuck in your head (am I right, @steenyweeny)?

This AMAZING photo comes to us via my good friend Ryan at GrandeFullBody, who probably hates me now because my WiiFit told him he was fat – even though he’s totally not. Thank you, sir!

So, I was having a lovely breakfast with some friends last weekend when my pal Ryan (of the blog GrandeFullBody) told me a magical tale of a replica of the Alberta Legislature made entirely of Lego. Obviously, I called him a liar, right to his stupid face. But then he then backed it up with this picture. (Sorry, buddy.)

Now, those of you in the know are going to be all like, “yeah, Sally, way to discover something that we knew about in 2005.” And I will reply, “Look, don’t ruin this for me. I did not live here in 2005. And based on the fact that rents have doubled since then, I’m going to say there are probably a couple of new faces in Edmonton who will find this to be completely new, completely dazzling information.”

YES, this is 4 years old. But that doesn’t change that it is GREAT. In researching (read = googling) the LEGO™slature and its history, I have learned 2 things: one, that apparently “legoslature” is a common American misspelling of “legislature”, and two, that it was created in honor of the provincial Centennial in 2005, by the Northern Alberta Lego Users Group.

…and just in case this ISN’T rad enough for you, how about THIS? THAT IS A LOT OF LEGO™, people. Did I just blow your mind grapes?

Anyway, I found this press release from 2008 that says the model is located in the East-West pedway of the Legislature. When I called Visitor Services to confirm it was still located there, the operator plainly informed me that it was, because it’s “too big to move.” GOLD, JERRY. GOLD! Thanks Ryan!