Friday, October 7, 2005
Expensive Year
Adult decisions suck. The Ripper has an urinary tract blockage and I was presented with two choices - find the money to pay for treatment.. or it is time to say goodbye. This is a part of pet ownership, and those decisions never come at a good time financially, emotionally, or not around a long weekend when you have other plans. I couldn't not do it, even though I know there are a gamut of philosophical reasons to argue either side of that debate, and the Ripper is getting fixed up right now. Thank god animal lovers become DMVs and assistants, because I was holding on to a thread for a few minutes as I left him there. It was hard, even though I felt that I was making the right decision, and it is only money in the big picture of things, it wasn't easy and I wanted to cry like a baby. Coming home alone was weird, Murphy was sniffing around and he knew that something just wasn't right. So, I am juggling those financial balls up in the air, and making things work. It's not his time yet. I will now attempt to distract myself and clean.
Ride called life
It is a strange day. I am stoked because I get to see one of my oldest and dearest friends later, whom is in town from the southern states and I never get to see her as a result. On the flip side of things, one of my cats is not doing well (in fact, has not left the pant leg of my hockey pants for the last few hours) and we are soon to be off to the vets. So, as a result of a family member being in distress, I don't feel all that shit hot either. It sucks when a four legged friend isn't well, because they can't tell you what is wrong. They just look at you with their trusting eyes, imploring you to help them. It is hard, I am no DMV and all I can do is look at symptoms, book an appointment, and call a cab. I hope that in an hour, I have good news and that my wallet isn't that much lighter. *SIGH*
Thursday, October 6, 2005
Super G
Best part of Victoria, besides just walking around town, would be going to Hugo's Brewhouse for Tuesday night dinner. $5 oven baked pizza and $3 pints. You can't go wrong. They make this funky ginseng beer that I look forward to indulging in when I am in town. Great atmosphere, great price, and just up the street from the Hotel. How can you go wrong? So, that sums up my Tuesday evening in Victoria. The beer tasted REALLY good, and for once, I kept with the Super G rather than switching to the Red Ale. As far as the work part went, the meetings went OK, but not sure where we will be heading too next, or when I will be heading across the straight next. Seems a little bit more preparation or clearly defining expectations needs to happens. This seems to be a theme lately - communication and expectations, and what is truly reasonable to expect to happen. Seems like a few people really miss it with those factors.
When is it ok to have an hotel towel hitchhike home with you?
When is it ok to have an hotel towel hitchhike home with you?
Blah
Back from Victoria, and the skies have opened up with a deluge. I am definitely feeling the darker days, and right now, one of the cats keep crying, and I can't figure out why. Feels like it should be a monday today with how I feel right about now. This week just hasn't been stellar by any stretch of the imagintion.
On a lighter note, I was pleasantly surprised with The Next Accident, a suspense novel by Lisa Gardner. A fine way to spend a few hours. I have picked up a Lisa Scottoline novel for my next read. I think after that I am ready to sink my teeth in to something a little more intellectual next time. I have heard good things about The Kite Runner but I haven't picked up a copy yet.
Feeling pretty scattered during my work days, still. Between working two locations, and traveling to Victoria, to a few days off, I haven't got a clue what is up anymore. I feel a bit out of the personalities loop, but I think I have been saying that for a few weeks.
On a lighter note, I was pleasantly surprised with The Next Accident, a suspense novel by Lisa Gardner. A fine way to spend a few hours. I have picked up a Lisa Scottoline novel for my next read. I think after that I am ready to sink my teeth in to something a little more intellectual next time. I have heard good things about The Kite Runner but I haven't picked up a copy yet.
Feeling pretty scattered during my work days, still. Between working two locations, and traveling to Victoria, to a few days off, I haven't got a clue what is up anymore. I feel a bit out of the personalities loop, but I think I have been saying that for a few weeks.
Monday, October 3, 2005
Break in the rain
From the looks of the weather map yesterday, we were in for rain, showers, mist, pissing down wet stuff, and whatever other words come to mind that describe the falling precipitation for the next few days. However, things are looking up and there is a break in the clouds. It is not the normal kind of monday morning, I am off to Victoria for a meeting, and my mom is tagging along. We are staying at the Empre$$, which is really swank and there is no way I could afford to stay here if it wasn't for work and I get reimbursed. But man, I enjoy it when I can.
I am looking forward to "super G" Ginger and Gingseng beer tomorrow night and half priced oven baked pizza. I think that I just tipped my hand to the fact that I like deals and I am motivated enough to find them. I am also looking forward to getting out and walking around town. Victoria is just the right size to get out and walk, and right on the coast, so not only is it a place to hit the pavement, but, you have gardens combined with ocean views and I am a happy camper. I am not sure what we will be up to today. There is talk of heading out to Sooke, the western edge of the island because we have never been out there before.
Here's to hoping we bring out the best in each other this trip! Sometimes it is bizarre because ultimately she is on a mini-break, and I am working. When I rock up at the hotel, she is ready to do something where I just want to lock myself in a room for 20 minutes and debrief from my day - alone, maybe with a book. Hopefully we catch the end of summer blooms and not just tumultous fall weather whipping by the fall colours by at mock 2.
BTW, Hitchhiker's guide was blah. Layer Cake was an interesting flick though.
I am looking forward to "super G" Ginger and Gingseng beer tomorrow night and half priced oven baked pizza. I think that I just tipped my hand to the fact that I like deals and I am motivated enough to find them. I am also looking forward to getting out and walking around town. Victoria is just the right size to get out and walk, and right on the coast, so not only is it a place to hit the pavement, but, you have gardens combined with ocean views and I am a happy camper. I am not sure what we will be up to today. There is talk of heading out to Sooke, the western edge of the island because we have never been out there before.
Here's to hoping we bring out the best in each other this trip! Sometimes it is bizarre because ultimately she is on a mini-break, and I am working. When I rock up at the hotel, she is ready to do something where I just want to lock myself in a room for 20 minutes and debrief from my day - alone, maybe with a book. Hopefully we catch the end of summer blooms and not just tumultous fall weather whipping by the fall colours by at mock 2.
BTW, Hitchhiker's guide was blah. Layer Cake was an interesting flick though.
Saturday, October 1, 2005
Laying Low
So far this has been a great weekend. We have been laying really low. I think I really needed it after the last few weeks of just go, go, go. Yesterday I spent the day cleaning, and joy reading, and putzing around, and then rented a wack of videos. Today was a lazy day, with a few errands, choosing football picks, watching the 'Nucks game (we kicked some serious OILERS ASS!!!), and playing some Hold'Em with the family. Next up - watching The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I hope it even slightly comes close to being in the same ballpark as the books.. I feel like I have dropped off of the face of the earth, and I know that I am more than likely avoiding some social obligations, but I am embracing some selfish time with my myselt, my man, the cats, and staying close to our place, because really, it has been too long since we did just that. Solo time yesterday was a breath of fresh air too, although those damn hours went by like that car commercial - Zoom, Zoom, Zoom. All of a sudden it was time to get gear together to go out and play some hockey!
Bear fun at the Calgary Zoo
Was it really only two weeks ago that we were on holidays? The Calgary Zoo was great, moving towards a modern zoo with lots of areas for the wild ones to play! They also had a great conservatory, and then a cactus garden with many fluttering butterflies. Cool stuff!
First Night Jitters
AH. All is right again - hockey has officially started up again!! We played a tight game against the Coyote Blues tonight. A bit of the physical stuff happened, but nothing too out of control. I have the after game adrenaline rush happening - beer and nachoes were good, but I am still feeling way too wired to go to bed. I love playing, there is nothing like getting your gear on, and those first few steps on the ice. During the warm up, feeling the wind lift your hair, and the smile spread across your cheeks. I missed the regular hockey games on friday night, but I think without the summer breaks, it wouldn't be so sweet to get back in to the swing of things. I figure we will be placed in the top tier this year - a little more competitive and I think the crush are there. Sounds like there may be support of getting new jerseys this year - YAY!!!! Mine has never fit right and that bugs the crap out of me, so having a new jersey with an updated logo is something to look forward too.
Oh yeah - the jitters. I always seem to feel ansty that first game back. Excited to be playing again, hoping that first step back on the ice doesn't land me on my ass!
Oh yeah - the jitters. I always seem to feel ansty that first game back. Excited to be playing again, hoping that first step back on the ice doesn't land me on my ass!
Thursday, September 29, 2005
ZZYZX
Now this is Middle America Bizarre. Apparently this road leads to ZZyZx Springs, some where out in the Mojave Desert. Definitely not on my list of places to go on my next road trip.
Good Karma!
Wow. I am floored. I actually got some really positive resolution with the bank. I ended up dealing with someone in Customer Care, and wow, everything has been sorted out again, reimbursement is on it's way, and I can breathe a huge sigh of relief! A friend helped push me in the right direction of what to do, and I am really grateful because I had hoped for this originally, but after the last discussion with the bank, I felt pretty dejected and like the poster child for the Humungous Bank campaign that ran a few years ago.
What a novel feeling!! This made my day and is a good reminder that it really helps to keep notes of when and what is said when you talk to anyone who has anything to do with your money. It makes me feel extremely anal, but note keeping and having things on file has saved my ass a few times. Who knew?
What a novel feeling!! This made my day and is a good reminder that it really helps to keep notes of when and what is said when you talk to anyone who has anything to do with your money. It makes me feel extremely anal, but note keeping and having things on file has saved my ass a few times. Who knew?
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Exchange
Well, I tried with that Cornwell book - Trace. I couldn't do it. Not 5 pages in and perspective was shifting from third person, to second, to kind of first, and then back again. I found myself rereading sentences for construction and flow, and feeling myself lost.
So, it was time to lose the book. I am over the guilt of reading a book all the way through that is like punishment from the get go. I have come to terms with the fact there are some books I don't need to read in this lifetime. Like finishing Tolstoy's War and Peace, or Zen and the Art of Motorcylcle Maintenance. I get so far in those books and my mind drifts and the next think I know months have passed and those books have vamoosed off of my side table.
Trace in hand, I wandered down to my local used bookshop, and traded that book flop for Michael Connelly's The Narrows. This is a follow up to the Poet, which I thought was a damn fine suspense story that was technical and filled with intriguing characters. There were a few gripping twists and turns that have stayed with me, even though I read that book about a year ago.
Now this is a good way to spend a few hours rather than stumbling over bad diction and schlocking development. Which is a shame since I really enjoyed the early Scarpetta novels like Cruel and Unusual and Body of Evidence, while my interest started to wane after I had blitzed through 5 of Cornwall's novels, looking for different characters and writing style. Maybe it was my mood, maybe it was the writing. Anyhoo, I am off to dive between the covers : ]
So, it was time to lose the book. I am over the guilt of reading a book all the way through that is like punishment from the get go. I have come to terms with the fact there are some books I don't need to read in this lifetime. Like finishing Tolstoy's War and Peace, or Zen and the Art of Motorcylcle Maintenance. I get so far in those books and my mind drifts and the next think I know months have passed and those books have vamoosed off of my side table.
Trace in hand, I wandered down to my local used bookshop, and traded that book flop for Michael Connelly's The Narrows. This is a follow up to the Poet, which I thought was a damn fine suspense story that was technical and filled with intriguing characters. There were a few gripping twists and turns that have stayed with me, even though I read that book about a year ago.
Now this is a good way to spend a few hours rather than stumbling over bad diction and schlocking development. Which is a shame since I really enjoyed the early Scarpetta novels like Cruel and Unusual and Body of Evidence, while my interest started to wane after I had blitzed through 5 of Cornwall's novels, looking for different characters and writing style. Maybe it was my mood, maybe it was the writing. Anyhoo, I am off to dive between the covers : ]
Pick of Doom
Last year it was me in my hockey pool. The guys I picked ended up having weird and unusual injuries throughout the year - a detached eyeball, dropping in a practise for no known reason, leg injuries, heart palpitations, all sorts of stuff that kept my guys out of the point chase and me out of taking the big money.
Now, it seems that Ken has caught my "doom finger" when it comes to picking a team for the Amazing Race. I think he is 3 for 3 for the last three seasons. The team he picks is the first one out. Bizarre, for it doesn't seem to matter how able-bodied the teams appear, they crumble after that finger has waved in their direction. He would make a great lion in another life so it appears, picking out the next one to fall with amazing reliability.
Now, it seems that Ken has caught my "doom finger" when it comes to picking a team for the Amazing Race. I think he is 3 for 3 for the last three seasons. The team he picks is the first one out. Bizarre, for it doesn't seem to matter how able-bodied the teams appear, they crumble after that finger has waved in their direction. He would make a great lion in another life so it appears, picking out the next one to fall with amazing reliability.
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
I got tagged.
Alrighty then - Refinnej "tagged" me to do this...
Ten Years Ago: I was just getting back home from a month in the UK. I had done a walking tour from London to Canterbury, yes, just like the Canterbury Tales as the proper English Lit major I was in my past life. After the 10 day walking tour I backpacked through to Edinburgh and then wove my way back across the countryside with a few stops back to London to do a Contiki tour of Southern Ireland. It was an amazing trip and that was where I met Kelz, whom I couldn't imagine my patchwork quilt of family not containing. I was really broke when I got home, I found out some bad health news about a dear friend, and I was close to a crossroads in what I would eventually do with my education. I was still living with my folks, albeit in Pitt Meadows and putting on way too many kms on my vw rabbit.
Five Years Ago: I moved out of my 'rents place that summer and graduated from SFU. I had just found my two cats, Ripley and Murphy. I was attending a Women's Conference in Vancouver and learning some new tools for dealing with stress and a I bought a long black skirt on one of my lunch hours. Little did I know that I would need that skirt for a funeral, not a week later :< This was a tumultous year, a lot of changes, and a lot of good byes for people who passed away. I was still single, still playing hockey, and was trying out dragon boating for the first time. I think this was a real turning point in my life, and it was crazy and chaotic, but I think the experiences of this year really helped shape who I am today.
One Year Ago: Ken and I were just getting back from an Alaskan cruise, the last of our big trips for 2004. We had also travelled to Yellowstone and back, which was a trip that blew my mind. I was marking for a student success course, and had taken a few courses at SFU to catch up my GPA over the summer, and was currently taking a creative writing course, which ended up being really vexing and not worth the pain. Our coed hockey team was getting off to a good start, and Ken's men's team was keeping up their tailgating traditions.
Yesterday: back to work after our road trip to Alberta, and then Monday Night Football at the John B pub. The game was lame, so we made it home at a decent hour and watched Las Vegas and then Prison Break (which is a surprisingly good show!). Farted around on the 'puter, and started to put things back where they belong. I think the laundry monster will be tackled today since I have pretty much exhausted my underwear supply.
Five Songs I Know All The Words To:
There would be a short debate here on whether or not I actually know all the words to any song without making up the words to it along the way to suit my needs (not my strong suit)
The Gambler - Kenny Rogers
Brian Wilson - The Barenaked Ladies
Blister in the Sun - Violent Femmes
You Gotta Fight for Your Right - The Beasties
Smoking in the Boys Room - Motley Crew (so I was a big fan in the late 80's)
Convoy - CW McCall
Five Snacks
popcorn
island farms vanilla plus low fat yogurt
chocolate
veggies and dip
hot wings
Five things I'd do with 100 million dollars
pay off all of our debts and share the wealth with family/friends
buy waterfront somewhere and create our dream home with accoutrements and dog run
have a library and work on literacy
travel and get both of us fully certified for scuba diving
put money in to an environmental cause, like salmon
Five places I'd run away to:
South Pacific: Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and French Polynesia
Peru
Alaska
African Safari
UK
Five things I would never wear
block heels
itsy bitsy bikini
super low rise jeans that flash the crack of my butt
super miniskirt that looks like a belt
those shrugs that are popular now... bizarre
Five Favourite TV Shows
Amazing Race
Prison Break
Hockey Night in Canada with announcers
Las Vegas
MASH reruns
Five greatest joys
Being in love
My cats
Reading
Travelling
Family and friends
Our home and results of gardening
Five favourite toys
Fuji Finepix
Computer
Xbox
Tribble from Vulcan
Hockey Gear
Current Reads
Trace - Particia Cornwall
Something by Lisa Gardner
(cross fingers) will get copy of last book in Outlander Series (Diana Gabaldon)
(cross fingers) pick up used copy of one of Reich's latest when I am in Victoria next week
Policy Manuels
Other folks I am tagging to do this
Kelz
Gilly
Regan
Ten Years Ago: I was just getting back home from a month in the UK. I had done a walking tour from London to Canterbury, yes, just like the Canterbury Tales as the proper English Lit major I was in my past life. After the 10 day walking tour I backpacked through to Edinburgh and then wove my way back across the countryside with a few stops back to London to do a Contiki tour of Southern Ireland. It was an amazing trip and that was where I met Kelz, whom I couldn't imagine my patchwork quilt of family not containing. I was really broke when I got home, I found out some bad health news about a dear friend, and I was close to a crossroads in what I would eventually do with my education. I was still living with my folks, albeit in Pitt Meadows and putting on way too many kms on my vw rabbit.
Five Years Ago: I moved out of my 'rents place that summer and graduated from SFU. I had just found my two cats, Ripley and Murphy. I was attending a Women's Conference in Vancouver and learning some new tools for dealing with stress and a I bought a long black skirt on one of my lunch hours. Little did I know that I would need that skirt for a funeral, not a week later :< This was a tumultous year, a lot of changes, and a lot of good byes for people who passed away. I was still single, still playing hockey, and was trying out dragon boating for the first time. I think this was a real turning point in my life, and it was crazy and chaotic, but I think the experiences of this year really helped shape who I am today.
One Year Ago: Ken and I were just getting back from an Alaskan cruise, the last of our big trips for 2004. We had also travelled to Yellowstone and back, which was a trip that blew my mind. I was marking for a student success course, and had taken a few courses at SFU to catch up my GPA over the summer, and was currently taking a creative writing course, which ended up being really vexing and not worth the pain. Our coed hockey team was getting off to a good start, and Ken's men's team was keeping up their tailgating traditions.
Yesterday: back to work after our road trip to Alberta, and then Monday Night Football at the John B pub. The game was lame, so we made it home at a decent hour and watched Las Vegas and then Prison Break (which is a surprisingly good show!). Farted around on the 'puter, and started to put things back where they belong. I think the laundry monster will be tackled today since I have pretty much exhausted my underwear supply.
Five Songs I Know All The Words To:
There would be a short debate here on whether or not I actually know all the words to any song without making up the words to it along the way to suit my needs (not my strong suit)
The Gambler - Kenny Rogers
Brian Wilson - The Barenaked Ladies
Blister in the Sun - Violent Femmes
You Gotta Fight for Your Right - The Beasties
Smoking in the Boys Room - Motley Crew (so I was a big fan in the late 80's)
Convoy - CW McCall
Five Snacks
popcorn
island farms vanilla plus low fat yogurt
chocolate
veggies and dip
hot wings
Five things I'd do with 100 million dollars
pay off all of our debts and share the wealth with family/friends
buy waterfront somewhere and create our dream home with accoutrements and dog run
have a library and work on literacy
travel and get both of us fully certified for scuba diving
put money in to an environmental cause, like salmon
Five places I'd run away to:
South Pacific: Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and French Polynesia
Peru
Alaska
African Safari
UK
Five things I would never wear
block heels
itsy bitsy bikini
super low rise jeans that flash the crack of my butt
super miniskirt that looks like a belt
those shrugs that are popular now... bizarre
Five Favourite TV Shows
Amazing Race
Prison Break
Hockey Night in Canada with announcers
Las Vegas
MASH reruns
Five greatest joys
Being in love
My cats
Reading
Travelling
Family and friends
Our home and results of gardening
Five favourite toys
Fuji Finepix
Computer
Xbox
Tribble from Vulcan
Hockey Gear
Current Reads
Trace - Particia Cornwall
Something by Lisa Gardner
(cross fingers) will get copy of last book in Outlander Series (Diana Gabaldon)
(cross fingers) pick up used copy of one of Reich's latest when I am in Victoria next week
Policy Manuels
Other folks I am tagging to do this
Kelz
Gilly
Regan
Reading Materials
"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." I read that in one of the books that I wandered through on holidays.
So don't sweat the small stuff about the future and take time out to enjoy today, or something like that. Sometimes I worry about the future and forget to enjoy today, so this is a gentle reminder to make sure I enjoy what I am doing in the moment rather than rushing off to the next adventure without savouring what is now.
I managed to make it through four books on my week off:
Stones from the River - Ursula Hegi
Confesssions of a Slacker Mom - Muffy Mead-Ferro
Death du Jour - Kathy Reichs
Love, and other four letter words - Carolyn Macker
I enjoyed them all to a certain degree, but Stones was a great "intellectual novel" and the Reichs novel was consistently good, the others were a bit fluffly, but good for reading while my pilot drove and I navigated :]
So don't sweat the small stuff about the future and take time out to enjoy today, or something like that. Sometimes I worry about the future and forget to enjoy today, so this is a gentle reminder to make sure I enjoy what I am doing in the moment rather than rushing off to the next adventure without savouring what is now.
I managed to make it through four books on my week off:
Stones from the River - Ursula Hegi
Confesssions of a Slacker Mom - Muffy Mead-Ferro
Death du Jour - Kathy Reichs
Love, and other four letter words - Carolyn Macker
I enjoyed them all to a certain degree, but Stones was a great "intellectual novel" and the Reichs novel was consistently good, the others were a bit fluffly, but good for reading while my pilot drove and I navigated :]
Monday, September 26, 2005
Dramatic Badlands
These are the badlands of Alberta, areas rich in dino-bones and bring out the urge to explore in you. We climbed down in between the mounds of debris, and went up and down miniature valleys and washouts. The layers and textures were amazing - from solid rock formations to sand that would peel away at your touch.
This is an old stagecoach, abandoned near Horse Thief Canyon in the Badlands.Home.
Home again. It seems like it has been forever since my eyes have caressed the familiar sites of the lower mainland. Has it really only been ten days since we left for Alberta? It seems like it has been a long time away - especially when my cats haven't let up on their loving since we got home. It is clearly evident that we were sorely missed.
It was a great holiday - better than I expected. We covered 3352 km in 10 days, and spent over 2 days in the vehicle. And all went well. I think we hit a bit of a break in the weather - we missed a blizzard in Banff by a few days, and most days we saw sun. The trees are turning - and there are shades of gold, orange, and red that show through the evergreens. Traffic was not terrible, most people don't travel this time of the year, so we pretty much had the roads to ourselves.
In a nutshell, we went from Coquitlam - Revelstoke - Calgary - Nanton/Fort MacLeod/Okotoks - Calgary - Badlands/Drumheller - Milo (where Ken's family homestead and farm is) - Calgary - Red Deer - Sylvan Lake - Ice Fields Parkway - Revelstoke - home. This trip was equally about the places we saw and the family that we stayed with. Ken has a pretty amazing extended family and they all welcomed us with open arms. I will fill in the gaps with some details over the next few days.
Going to work today sucked. It was really hard to be motivated to go in and put my game face back on. I think that anyone making the transition from play to work is in that position, whether or not it is after a day, a weekend, or a longer stretch of time off. Unless you truly love your job. Work was fairly uneventful, came home and toddled off to Monday Night Football. A bit of a blow out, so home at a decent time. I am still wrapping my head around normal hours, and rocking up to work when I should. Today was all about that - and putting out little fires all over the place. Makes me wonder at times what happens when I am not around?!
The truck is FIXED. Yay. Big banks suck. BOO. Lovely Humungous Bank delivered some bad info to me and will only apologize for inconvenience but not take responsibility for fees incured by yours truly from said bad information. BRUTAL. Gal on phone didn't want to discourage me from writing a scathing letter, of course, it was my right, but her notes didn't support what I was saying. Then again, she also revealed that said employee has been released? Hmm. Interesting correlation there.
It was a great holiday - better than I expected. We covered 3352 km in 10 days, and spent over 2 days in the vehicle. And all went well. I think we hit a bit of a break in the weather - we missed a blizzard in Banff by a few days, and most days we saw sun. The trees are turning - and there are shades of gold, orange, and red that show through the evergreens. Traffic was not terrible, most people don't travel this time of the year, so we pretty much had the roads to ourselves.
In a nutshell, we went from Coquitlam - Revelstoke - Calgary - Nanton/Fort MacLeod/Okotoks - Calgary - Badlands/Drumheller - Milo (where Ken's family homestead and farm is) - Calgary - Red Deer - Sylvan Lake - Ice Fields Parkway - Revelstoke - home. This trip was equally about the places we saw and the family that we stayed with. Ken has a pretty amazing extended family and they all welcomed us with open arms. I will fill in the gaps with some details over the next few days.
Going to work today sucked. It was really hard to be motivated to go in and put my game face back on. I think that anyone making the transition from play to work is in that position, whether or not it is after a day, a weekend, or a longer stretch of time off. Unless you truly love your job. Work was fairly uneventful, came home and toddled off to Monday Night Football. A bit of a blow out, so home at a decent time. I am still wrapping my head around normal hours, and rocking up to work when I should. Today was all about that - and putting out little fires all over the place. Makes me wonder at times what happens when I am not around?!
The truck is FIXED. Yay. Big banks suck. BOO. Lovely Humungous Bank delivered some bad info to me and will only apologize for inconvenience but not take responsibility for fees incured by yours truly from said bad information. BRUTAL. Gal on phone didn't want to discourage me from writing a scathing letter, of course, it was my right, but her notes didn't support what I was saying. Then again, she also revealed that said employee has been released? Hmm. Interesting correlation there.
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Destination: Flatlands
Another adventure looms on the new morn! We are heading to Alberta tomorrow morning on holidays, a mixture of visiting relatives and the places they are from, and seeing a little bit more of Canada.
First stop - Revelstoke, BC. Nestled between two spectacular federal parks, along the Columbia River. We should rock up late afternoon and the night is ours. After Revelstoke, we will pass through the Rockies, stopping in Lake Louise and who knows where else will tickle our fancy, and then through to Calgary to stay with a cousin. A few days in Calgary, and then down to the family farm in Milo. From Milo, we will check out places with such exotic names and Brooks, Vulcan, and Drumheller. I am really stoked about being able to explore some of the badlands, and maybe spend time in the Provincial Dinosaur Park. Alberta is just so geographically different than BC, I can't wait to see and explore more of it.
I just have issues driving there. No really, I do!! The only time I went I was good for about an hour before the undulating grass on the long, straight stretches of road would lull me close to sleep. You don't realize how different it is driving on the Prairies until you have experienced it. Then you begin to understand why Prairie folk feel claustrophic driving between the mountains and trees out here. Strange, but true.
Feels weird not packing camping gear, it almost feels too simple. Have some books, we are packing lunches for the drive, grab some CDs... and we are good to go!! I will try to post about my adventures over the next week - the unknown factor is pretty exciting. Maybe I will finally finish Stones from the River.. it is a great book but it is taking me FOREVER to plow through it.
AHEM. On another note, Survivor started with a wee twist. Should be an interesting show - the ruins are amazing. Dude, to be able to CAMP in a place like that!!!!
First stop - Revelstoke, BC. Nestled between two spectacular federal parks, along the Columbia River. We should rock up late afternoon and the night is ours. After Revelstoke, we will pass through the Rockies, stopping in Lake Louise and who knows where else will tickle our fancy, and then through to Calgary to stay with a cousin. A few days in Calgary, and then down to the family farm in Milo. From Milo, we will check out places with such exotic names and Brooks, Vulcan, and Drumheller. I am really stoked about being able to explore some of the badlands, and maybe spend time in the Provincial Dinosaur Park. Alberta is just so geographically different than BC, I can't wait to see and explore more of it.
I just have issues driving there. No really, I do!! The only time I went I was good for about an hour before the undulating grass on the long, straight stretches of road would lull me close to sleep. You don't realize how different it is driving on the Prairies until you have experienced it. Then you begin to understand why Prairie folk feel claustrophic driving between the mountains and trees out here. Strange, but true.
Feels weird not packing camping gear, it almost feels too simple. Have some books, we are packing lunches for the drive, grab some CDs... and we are good to go!! I will try to post about my adventures over the next week - the unknown factor is pretty exciting. Maybe I will finally finish Stones from the River.. it is a great book but it is taking me FOREVER to plow through it.
AHEM. On another note, Survivor started with a wee twist. Should be an interesting show - the ruins are amazing. Dude, to be able to CAMP in a place like that!!!!
Bare Tushes
After watching an old school flick last night, I couldn't help but comment that 20 years ago they used to show a lot more skin in movies. Bare tushes and chests were pretty commonplace.
Remember all the high school coming of age movies? Porkys, and Up the Creek, and Caddyshack, Hot Dog, the movie, The Joy of Sex (whose most titillating moment came when the boys were at the drive in lighting their farts), Sixteen Candles or St. Elmo's Fire... They all had some nudity and very little swearing, ok maybe except for Eddie Murphy in RAW. Although the nudity in the past was mostly women, and the odd male bare buns would create a furor of shock because it was the other gender's turn :]
Now we seem to have the reverse. Very little nudity and a whole lot of swearing, sly sexual innuendos, and more violence. Interesting.
Remember all the high school coming of age movies? Porkys, and Up the Creek, and Caddyshack, Hot Dog, the movie, The Joy of Sex (whose most titillating moment came when the boys were at the drive in lighting their farts), Sixteen Candles or St. Elmo's Fire... They all had some nudity and very little swearing, ok maybe except for Eddie Murphy in RAW. Although the nudity in the past was mostly women, and the odd male bare buns would create a furor of shock because it was the other gender's turn :]
Now we seem to have the reverse. Very little nudity and a whole lot of swearing, sly sexual innuendos, and more violence. Interesting.
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Falling together
It seems the pieces are coming back together again. Had dinner with Ken's mom and we ironed out what needed to happen for our upcoming excursion. The three of us leave Friday morning, and then will be home the following weekend for a good break away from dodge.
I am starting to get excited about heading out. We have a hotel rented in Revelstoke for the first night, and hopefully I can get out for a walk along the Columbia River either Friday night or Saturday morning. It is a rustic, small town in the middle of the mountains, and I like it. It appeals, with the frontier meets everyone in BC with ethnic restaurants and old school hotels, and a funeral parlour in the main strip. In the river you can see all sorts of old metal bits, rusting and forgotten, and there are wild flowers and glaciers all around you. This is where the Kokanee Glacier is - yup, might see us a Sasquatch in them parts!
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