And so the update begins

You know what was really sad? I had to go and read my own blog to figure out what I last wrote about, in order to not repeat myself. So sad...

Alright, so I finished my exams on the 13th, and got a couple of my grades in. I got an A- in my German, and a B+ in my English Lit course. I'm still waiting on a grade for the other English course, but in due time it will arrive.

Shortly before the holidays, Liz, Chris, Felicity and Amber threw their 50s Ultra-Lounge martini/cocktail christmas party. It was much much fun to attend, but so many people didn't theme themselves! This was a THEME PARTY! Only a few people brought things for the kitschy gift exchange, and only a few of us bothered to dress up, meaning that we ended up looking slightly ridiculous in all the photos. Chloe came over from Vancouver for the party, and it was great to see her again. I just was completely unable to get drunk at this party. But it was great to get away to Nanaimo before the week of work began. Below are a few pictures from the party.





I had a pretty good Christmas, but I worked A LOT. 7 days in a row, with Boxing day being the last one. I don't think I will work on Christmas Day next year, it was just too hectic. I went to the family house, Liz and Chris came down from Nanaimo, so it was good to hang out with them, albeit briefly. On Boxing Day, we had our usual "Stair Gang Christmas" with the high-school friends at Butchart Gardens. It was the best possible visit this year. We went for drinks in the Dining Room, and a grand time skating, and then wrapped up the evening with our gift exchange. A great time had by all.

A belated Merry Christmas to everyone, and Happy New Year!!

And what a season

I had a great holiday season, as great as good expected under the supreme-amount-of-work circumstances.

But all is well. I had a day off, did very little, and thought all day about the enourmous blog post that I owe everyone, but without actually doing it. Hence, this short post before bed.

The weather outside is frightful, but my bed is so cozy, and I;m off to beddy-bye. More to come in the days to come.

there are days...

..at work when I feel like I am beating my head against a brick wall…

maybe I could transfer

beer is my therapy

Holiday hilarity

I just thought I would post this. I found it hilarious...

Yet another change

I changed the pic to something a little better, in my opinion.

I did actually take this picture, while visiting Lindsay and Ryan in the July. It is taken along the seawall walk, right near English Bay. (Linds, correct me if I am wrong).

Oh the fun is coming!

Well, I wrote my last exam on Tuesday afternoon, and I have absolutely no idea how well I did, but at least it is over. It was my German exam, and so things are a little hard to gauge, but I am reasonably sure I passed by a fair margin.

On Sunday night, I had the UVSS Christmas Party at Felicita's. It was pretty cool, definitely a laid-back affair. I got absolutely wasted on beer though, and that is NOT a good thing to do. But it felt really good to get out and temporarily escape the heavy thoughts about Keenan. On that note, I haven't heard anything further yet, but I am assuming that no news is good news. He should be getting out of the ICU at any point in here.

Now that I have had my last exam, I am feeling like I can really get into the Christmas spirit. I am listening to more christmas music, and am thinking about decorating my room (which consists of one strand of lights, but hey, you gotta start somewhere). I am going over the parents' place on Thursday to put up the tree, and I am really looking forward to that.

But the crown jewel in my weekend is Saturday night. I am off to Nanaimo for a 50s retro ultra-lounge christmas martini cocktail party. I plan to have the best of times, and am counting the days. I work one shift tonight, then off to Nanaimo for the party, which is gonna be great, simply because Chloe is coming! YAY! I haven't seen Chloe since the summer, and I miss her.

I am going to get my laundry out of the dryer and do an insane amount of ironing, but I promise to post pictures of the party as soon as they are ready.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Dave

Oh thank god...

My friend is out of the woods. He got another liver, and is off the respirator. He is fully conscious, and should be out of intensive care in about 2 days.

YAY!!!

I am so happy! I wasn't prepared to deal with the death of a close friend, and am so pleased that he will be well once more.

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!!!!

Thoughts and prayers...

Everyone…

Please think positive thoughts for my friend Keenan. He is in Intensive Care at Vancouver General right now. He has been waiting more than a year for a new liver; the transplant failed and he is undergoing kidney failure. He in now number one in North America on the transplant list.

Please, put your thoughts towards him.

Clean room means less stress...

... or at least less stepping around and walking over things.

Well, one exam down, two to go (one tonight). I cleaned my room today, I’m gonna put up my string of Christmas lights, and get in the spirit. Yay!

And I have a new template for my blog, if you hadn’t noticed already. There is still some tweaking left, but it looks good so far. I took the background picture! (Truthfully, Tara took it. But I was there!).

Anyways, best of the season until the next post!

My favorite month

December is here! To quote a friend, and beat her to the punch (no pun intended):

“A pinch and a punch for the first of the month!”

Dec. 1 is significant. It is the first day of the twelfth month of the year. The month of cold weather, warm drinks and good times with good friends. It is also the season of great food.

Dec. 1 is also the second-to-last-day of classes. That’s right folks. It is the month of exams. Luckily mine are over on Dec. 13. December is also the month of going back to work, and having an income once again.

And one last thing…

CHRISTMAS MUSIC!!!

Time to dust off the favorites, and to buy some new music too!

Happy December everyone!

TBG Christmas PAR-TAY!

So the TBG Christmas Party happened, and it was a blast! Everyone looked great, the dancing was good, and a great time was had by all.

The embarrassing and incriminating photographs have been posted below for your delectation.

Now I am have to go start writing the 1400 word paper due on Friday that I haven’t started writing yet…

I’m soooooo smart…

Early in the party, before too much drinking. This is Katie, who I haven't seen in ages, and her fiance Travis, who has the innate ability to actually fit in at a TBG event, even though he doesn't work there. Good catch, Katie!

It's like he is looking right into your soul...

This was the cutest couple at the party, all thanks to Kate. Couldn't beat us! No way, no how. If you try, I'll hurt you with my ENORMOUS SHOULDERS!

Whatcha' gonna do with all that junk, all that junk up in your trunk?

Pictures of people dancing are always so awkward...

clearly, I know the truth

Drew so crazy

Mera too

This was an attempt at a self pic of Jay, Steph, and I. Can Jay ever take a normal picture?

nope...

Finally, we left the party on the "Safe Ride Home." Wait, let me re-write that: "Safe Ride to the bar so we could keep drinking, go back to Dave's house, drink some more, leave Sarah on his couch, and get home at 3:45am." I don't have any pics from the fabulous breakfast that we all had the next day, but thanks to the roomies for the preparation!

Coming excitement

So excited!

TBG Christmas party tonight!

Lots of fun, good people, good food, good drinks… and lots of DANCING!!!!!

Hehe, I’m getting loaded tonight.

Actually not, ‘cause I am a student and I’m broke.

Oh well, doesn’t mean I can’t have a good time! Pictures will be uploaded tomorrow…

The fabulous life and times...

So an update, eh?

Hmm… Working, school is busy and slowing down at the same time (those of you who are students will understand), my room is clean, my car needs expensive work, and I want to go into a corner and sleep sleep sleep, and then sleep some more.

I am going to Nanaimo again this weekend to take care of Louis the Pug, because Liz and Chris are going to the mainland for a surprise birthday party. My car is going in for a timing belt, new water pump, oil change, and more. This is the sound of $600 dollars disappearing…




Okay, so it doesn’t make a sound. But it should. That is a lot of money!

Speaking of money, I went through my finances back to the beginning of August, and I have spent approx. $900 on dining out and having lunch at school instead of making it myself. That is also a lot of money! With the trip to Europe coming in the spring, I am going to have to crack down and watch my spending. Liz and I will have to quit the gin martini habit, or at least settle for Bombay Sapphire Gin instead of buying Tanqueray No. 10. But it is so hard to go back!

School is humming along, and I have only one paper left to write. Our living room has turned into a yarn repository and knitting factory. Matthew bought a new cell phone. I bought flannel sheets.

Now you know all about the latest life and times of Dave. Oh yeah, the Christmas party for work is coming up next Friday, and I am getting my hair done on Thursday. Gotta look great!

And, in my true obsessive style…

Tag, und viel Gluck! (bye and good luck!)

The weekend, she's a comin!!!

So I got over the car thing. And I have finished the German mid-term that I so dreaded.

Now I have the weekend to look forward to!

I am off to Galey’s Cornfield of Horror tonight with Claire, Cheryl and Crystal, and it should be a great time. They added a new section, called CarnEvil this year, which is so scary that anyone under 13 has to be escorted by an adult.

Lindsay is coming over to the Island today to celebrate her graduation from Camosun College in the spring. I have been invited to a shin-dig at her family’s home following the ceremony, and am thoroughly looking forward to it.

Anyways, it should be a great time. I’m gonna clean this weekend, and carve a pumpkin. I just need some costume ideas.

Anyone?

Virus definitions

STEPHANIE,

Click here to download.

Memories are so poignant

Some of you may recall a post from last year that began with the following:

"To the little f*ckers that broke into my car last night...F*CK YOU!"

Well, let me repeat my sentiments…

To the fuckers that broke into my car today in BROAD FUCKIN’ DAYLIGHT and went through everything, congratulations, you finally got the balls to actually steal my stereo.

Except you know what I have on my desk? The FACEPLATE! That’s right, you morons! I have the faceplate, not you! It wasn’t even worth your fucking time! I’m not a car thief, and even I know that a STEREO DECK IS USELESS WITHOUT THE FACEPLATE!

AMATEURS!!!

But you accomplished your goal of chaos. Oh but wait, you aren’t actually smart enough to think of that as a goal. So no credit is due.

I have to say though, thank you for not breaking my window. At least I don’t have to make an insurance claim.

But I have spent $600 dollars today replacing the stereo and buying an alarm system. This is the third time that my poor car has been broken into since I got it, and I am sick and tired of it. But in any case, I shouldn’t have this problem anymore.

Oh, by the way, you forgot something else while you were in the car: The speakers. Good Christ, I could have done a better job than you.

Let me close with the same words I used on the post from last year:

"If I ever catch you, I'm gonna twist your balls, rip them off, and ram
them down your F*CKIN' THROAT!!!"

And I have finished for the evening.

Good times for all

Well, I have had a great couple of weeks. I did indeed go to Nanaimo, and did exactly what I planned to… nothing. School is going pretty well, I just had two mid-terms last week and they both went alright. I don’t have marks yet, so things may change, but so far, feelin’ pretty good.

Last week I went to go and see Feist at Sugar with Samara, Crystal, and ran into some more people there. The show was running late, but Feist is absolutely amazing live. I haven’t been to many shows, but I really enjoyed myself. And the funny thing is, I had been surfing around iTunes looking for some new music and I stumbled across this artist I had never heard of, called Jason Collett. Well, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that he was one of the opening acts, which was pretty cool.

On Saturday, Lindsay and Ryan were over from the mainland for the Thanksgiving weekend, and so we all got together for a “Get-Drunk-at-Claire’s” night. Claire provided her apartment for the occasion (graciously, I might add) and we all had a great time. I know, Lindsay, I promised to bring you your books, but I forgot. I will send them in the mail.

I went to work for the first time in a couple of weeks yesterday, and it was a great day. I just had to sort of get back into the groove there. Lots of email to read and the like.

Anyways, there are some new picture below, so enjoy!

This is a beautiful tree, just down the street from my house. And Tara is trying to be a tree...

The 'stair gang.' Are we ever going to leave high school behind us?

Fall has... fallen?

It is sooo foggy today! And cold…

But it means that fall has arrived. With fall comes crisp air, beautiful trees, and cozy days spent indoors. The fall is my favourite season, the season of sweater and scarves.

That being said, all of my scarves are in Nanaimo, as I forgot to pack them down with me when I moved. So is my winter coat. It isn’t quite time for that yet, the peacoat is doing just fine, but I best plan ahead. I am off to Nanaimo this weekend to visit Liz and Chris, we’re going to go for a walk by Piper’s Lagoon, relax, watch some classic movies, drink an excellent bottle of wine (courtesy of Matthew, for my birthday) and have a damn good steak too. Oh, and I’ll bring my scarves, coat, and kitchen knives back with me. (Look out Liz, I’m relatively sure I won’t forget this time!!)

I wrote my first vocabulary quiz in German today. It took me 5 minutes. 20 words. That’s what studying 115 words for will do for you! I think that the teacher was a little astonished, but I know that the other half of the class had some early departures as well.

Anyways, I gotta run, Greek and Roman studies is coming up soon, and I should start to drift that way.

Cheers!

ha HA!

J.D. won Rockstar INXS!

Sweet!

I’ve already added INXS to my Artist Alerts in iTunes. The new album will be out soon!

And now, to bed.

Quiet moments between classes

Here I sit, in the lobby of the Human & Social Development Building, waiting for class to begin. Greek and Roman Studies is not one of the most exciting courses, however I just discovered something today that makes it a little more interesting.

As I have mentioned, we have been reading The Iliad by Homer, and I have been finding it to be a bit of a snore, and difficult to get into. Well, on a whim today I went to the Library after my German class, and took out a copy that had not been translated into prose. It is so much easier to read! Call me weird, but trying to read the prose translation is really tough, but the regular translation just seems to make more sense to me. And since this is one of the epic poems, I can get away with using any version of the text that I like.

So anyways, the class is getting a little better. After GRS today, I have more Heart of Darkness to read for English before my next class. At least Heart of Darkness will be over with after today’s class. Yay!

I might be going to Nanaimo this weekend. I’m really looking forward to it, I haven’t seen Liz or Chris in a little while, and it would be nice to get away before midterms roll around (in three weeks!) and I am just plain tired. The Gelateria at work closed on Sunday, and so I have been busy cleaning up and shutting down, and starting to think about next year.

But I gotta go; people are looking at me strangely as I sit here on my laptop. I dunno what the problem is, the keyboard is almost silent! I’m probably just reading too much into it.

Cheers!

Randomness in the morning...

I just downloaded Blogger for Word. It lets you manage your blog and post by just using Word, instead of logging in to blogger all the time. ‘Cause let’s face it, the blogger website isn’t always easy to navigate.

But enough screwing around. I have to go and start reading the book we are studying in English today. Heart of Darkness.

Gag.

Me after too much birthday cake...

This is how I feel some days...

Homer

When most of us think of Homer, we think “D’OH!” or something similar. Well, not in Greek and Roman Studies. We’ve all heard of The Iliad, and the Odyssey, and read simplified excerpts from them, but trying to read the translated text, is bloody painful. Don’t get me wrong, The Iliad is an interesting story, but it is so full of superfluous text. I guess it isn’t really superfluous, as all words carry some form of meaning, I just find that it makes it very difficult to read. I give you an example:

But he could not repay his parents for the care of his rearing, but his life was cut short, brought down by the spear at the hands of great-hearted Aias. As he came through the front line Aias struck him in the chest, by the right nipple, and the bronze spear pushed straight on through his shoulder. He fell to the ground in the dust like a poplar, which grows in the grassy flat of a great water-meadow, smooth-trunked, with branches springing at its very top: then a wainwright fells it with the gleaming iron, to bend its wood into a fellow for a chariot of finest make, and it lies there seasoning along the banks of the river. Such was Anthemion’s son Simoeisios, killed by royal Aias.

Holy cow! It must’ve taken homer a couple of days to write that one paragraph! Maybe I should try and read this book early in the day when I am fresh, instead of late at night, when I am not.

AGH!

Life goes on…

School has begun!

What a crazy week.

The first week of school is always exhausting, I’ve found. It is stressful finding your way, learning the rules, buying books, and other such things. Especially for me, with a new campus and a new school this year. I am still amazed at the sheer size of UVic, and the number of student running around. It’s crazy!

One thing I am not used to is the lecture concept. At Mal-U, we had classrooms with desks or large tables in them. You could spread out, have your notebook AND two texts out to work with. At UVic, there are only those stupid little chairs with an oversized armrest that is trying to pass itself off as a table, that isn’t even large enough for one notebook. There is nothing better than almost spilling 7-Up all over yourself while trying to use your German text and take notes at the same time. Also, it is impossible to get comfy in those chairs. It just doesn’t happen!

I am taking four courses this term. We are only in the second class of German, but so far, it is my favourite. Greek and Roman Studies is a huge class (150 people!) and a lot of reading and note taking. But it’s gonna be an easy course. English 207 is pretty cool, as it is all about popular culture and how it influences us, our decisions, our perceptions, and the like. English 201 is a traditional English course. We are reading a lot of novels, and doing panel discussions of them. But the really good news? In the four courses I am taking, I don’t have a single research paper this term! YAY!

Anyways, I gotta go, clean my room and clear space to study. Oh, and I have to play with my new iPod.

Later!

Further update...

As I said in my message below, I have had a lot going on over the past little while, but I didn’t really feel much like blogging. For me, blogging has taken a back seat to the rest of my life. This blog was initially started as a way to communicate with my friends while I was going to school in Nanaimo. Since I moved back to Victoria, the need for a blog has diminished. I also believe that another contributing factor is that my communication has improved. I live with two great people that have both had a positive effect on my life. I worry less, and I talk more. But in any case, on to the news.

I have been living with Samara and Crystal for almost four months, and really feel like I am at home now and even more so since I painted my room. I am more relaxed than I have been in quite some time. On the work front, I am no longer doing my Systems Specialist job. Instead, I am now supervising in the Dining Room two days a week, and I am still in the Gelateria the other three days. it has been working out pretty well. Being a supervisor definitely has its stresses, but it also has its rewards.

School is starting soon, on September 7. It looms ever closer. Student loans, papers and projects. All are in my near future. I’m sort of excited to go back, but a little apprehensive at the same time.

And as a final thought, what the hell is with gas prices right now? 111.9? That is freaking highway robbery! And it really taking place on a highway.

There, that’s my rant for the day.

Ah, the things I have accomplished

With the help of roommates and my sister, I spent last weekend painting my room. I am so happy with the way that it has turned out. It feels like my space now. The colour before I painted (as evidenced by the photos below) was just not restful. I woke up in the morning to bright orange. I have red sheets on my bed. Nothing went with everything. The new colours are excellent.

But there is a creepy side to the painting of my room. I selected my colours off of the swatches at the paint store, and ordered the paint using the number on the swatch. I never look at the name of the paint, because it never connects to the colour anyways. So I order the paint, and the cashier types the numbers into the computer and passes me my invoice. The colour on my walls is called “Lamb’s Ear.” I think that that information just reinforces my point above. What is the name of my darker plate-rail colour? That’s right, you guessed it…

“Butchart Gardens”

Creepy, eh? Just when I didn’t think that the Gardens could creep into my life any more, they crop up again. I really do like the colour though.

Anyways, speaking of the Gardens, I gotta shower and get ready to go. I’ll try and update again in the next couple of days. I have a lot that has been going on, I just haven’t really felt like blogging lately.

Ciao!

The "before" shot. This was the colour of my room. Emphasis on the "was."

More orange

AH!! The orange!! It is sooooo... orange.

Two coats of primer and a mountain of chaos later...

This is quite possibly the mosy boring photograph ever. Charcoal office chair in white room. I should submit it to the National Gallery in Ottawa.

The spirit of this happy face will dwell forever on the wall above my bed

Note the new window covering...

4 coats of paint later, and my room looks great!

My new desktop background... Dahlia at night

Oh no...

Cometh the funk…

 

FUCK

Fun in the sun

I had a great couple of days off this week. On Monday night Tara, Samara, Crystal and I went to Thetis Lake to swim and have a picnic dinner. Crystal made AMAZING pad thai (sp?). At least, I assume it was Crystal, I was asleep on the couch. We went for a little swim, and I haven’t been swimming in quite some time, so I was a little rusty. Not as comfortable in the water as I would like to be. Oh well, I guess that is all the more reason to do more swimming this summer until I am comfortable once again. After the lake, we all went back to Tara’s new place, where we all rolled around in the bed and had a jolly old time. Tara made us tea.

On Tuesday, Samara and I lounged around all morning, and then went to Beacon Hill Park and laid in the sun for three hours reading the new Harry Potter book, played Frisbee, and just did very little. It was very relaxing, I really enjoyed it.

Anyways, I have posted pictures below of some of our exploits, so you can all identify. I also have pictures if last week’s trip to Vancouver to visit Lindsay and Ryan, which I will put up soon.

Have a great day everyone!

Sexy look numero uno

Sexy look number two

Samara and me lounging in the sun... We went to Beacon Hill Park and laid in the sun for HOURS!!

A beautiful west coast sunset...

The beautiful scenery at Thetis Lake

Samara's impression of a fish. You can't really tell, but she is blowing bubbles...

New car...

So I have been doing a lot of soul searching lately, and I think the time has come to bid my car farewell and buy a new one.

I poked around on the internet a bit, and I think I found the car for me.

Let me know what you think!

Last ditch attempt...

CHLOE!

 

I am coming to the mainland on Monday night. Either email me or call me (if you have the number,) and we’ll hook up!

 

Check your email!

What Halmark doesn't print...

I found this in my email from a few months ago...

Pretty funny stuff!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

What Hallmark doesn't print…

 

So your daughter's a hooker, and it spoiled your day.

Look at the bright side, it's really good pay.

 

My tire was thumping. I thought it was flat. When I looked at the

Tire... I noticed your cat. Sorry!

 

Heard your wife left you, How upset you must be. But don't fret about

it...  She moved in with me. 

 

Looking back over the years that we've been together, I can't help

but wonder…

What the hell was I thinking?

 

Congratulations on your wedding day!

Too bad no one likes your husband.

 

How could two people as beautiful as you ...

Have such an ugly baby?

 

I've always wanted to have someone to hold, someone to love. After

having met you ...

I've changed my mind.

 

I must admit, you brought Religion into my life ...

I never believed in Hell till I met you.

 

As the days go by, I think of how lucky I am...

That you're not here to ruin it for me.

 

Congratulations on your promotion. Before you go ...

would you like to take this knife out of my back? You'll probably need

it again.

 

Someday I hope to get married ...

but not to you.

 

Happy birthday! You look great for your age ...

Almost Lifelike!

 

When we were together, you always said you'd die for me.

Now that we've broken up, I think it's time you kept your promise.

 

We have been friends for a very long time ...

what say we stop?

 

I'm so miserable without you ...

it's almost like you're here.

 

Congratulations on your new bundle of joy.

Did you ever find out who the father was?

 

Your friends and I wanted to do something special for your birthday.

So we're having you put to sleep.

 

Happy Birthday, Uncle Dad!

(Available only in Tennessee, Kentucky & West Virginia)

 

Door step thoughts...

So I raced up to Nanaimo after work today to help my sister paint her new townhouse…

And neither she nor her husband is home right now.

And they knew I was coming.

I’ve been sitting here for almost half an hour now, and people are looking at the freak using his laptop on someone’s doorstep with strange looks.

I might as well check my email, why not?

I went to the parents last night for dinner, and had a pretty good time. Milton was as lovable as ever, and so cute! But good GOD was he gassy! When a 200 pound dog farts, he can clear a room. Well, I’m surprised that the neighbours weren’t complaining. It was hard to breath!

But I watched Mary Poppins last night, a film I haven’t seen in ages. I forgot how good it was! Especially when you look at the special effects, considering it was 1964.

Anyways, I’m gonna try and raise Liz and Chris on their cell phone.

They better have beer when they get here.

 

Happy Canada Day!

Well, it has come and gone again, one more Canada day behind us.

How did I spend it?

I watched the fireworks from the parking lot at Wal-Mart, on my way home from work. Alone.

And then I went home and blogged.

Maybe next year…

 

Long-due update

I have been having crazy weeks lately. My shifts have been mostly evenings (1:30pm – 10pm) so I never feel like doing very much when I get home, for obvious reasons. And in the mornings, I sleep in. So hence very little blogging has been happening.

Anyways, in regards to my latest post, yes I have been accepted at Uvic, and just registered for my courses earlier this week. It is a very long and complicated story, but I will attempt to describe it here.

You all know that I moved back to Victoria after my one year in Nanaimo for financial and sanity reasons, and that I planned to attend Camosun College while here. Well, I found out that Camosun messed up on my registration and my program filled before I registered. So then I thought “Well, I just get into a different program that will contribute to my overall educational goals and bide my time.”

But that didn’t work either.

Since I never graduated from high school (I am missing Math 11) I can’t get into the programs I need to, and the only program I could get into were mostly continuing-ed based and wouldn’t qualify for student loan support.

So I raced up to UVic and put in a late application, and was accepted. I am really looking forward to going there this fall. Both close friends and family have been burned by the insane beurocracy (sp?) at UVic, but I need a school to go to, and the courses I am registered in look pretty neat. Greek and Roman Studies, Philosophy, History of Technology, a couple of English Courses, and a language (I am registered in Italian, but I might switch to German).

We just had a death in the family this past weekend. My Aunt Louisa in Halifax passed away at the grand age of 92. She is quite possibly the sweetest lady I have ever met, always concerned with the comfort of her guests, not afraid to step on toes to make things right, and always ready to have fun at a moments notice. The world needs more people like her. I last saw her in the summer of 2001, but have kept in touch (sporadically, I’m afraid to say) since via letter, phone and taped messages. By her own admission, she was ready to go. May she rest soundly.

Anyways, I have to go clean my room (still not completely unpacked. Chalk that one up to laziness) Lindsay and Chloe, I’m coming to Van the evening of July 11 – 13, I’ll get in touch with you.

In the meantime, enjoy some pics of my doggie, Milton. ‘Aint he cute?!

Milton, Liz and Chris

Who's there?!

Love me!

What's under the table?

Not much!

Watching the sun set...

news, news, NEWS!!!!

It has been ages since I posted, but I have been busy. I'm not going to go into a lot of detail here, other than...

I HAVE BEEN ADMITTED TO UVic!!!!!!!!


AAAHHHH-HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!

I'm so HAPPY!!!

AHHH!!!!!

More and more of my so-called life...

So I have been slow on the blog again. I guess I have the blog blahs. There really isn’t any other reason as to why I haven’t been blogging lately. I just feel like everyone who reads this (thank you, by the way) already know me well enough to know exactly what is going on in my life. But then there are the randoms, and that is part of the joy of blogging.

Oh, and the INSANE BUSINESS!!!!!

So I have been busy, but things are settling down once more. The Gelateria finally opened at work, to much success, and I am already sick of gelato. Not so much sick of gelato itself, but of people being excited by it. It’s freaking gelato people! Judging by some people’s reactions, you’d think it was from outer space. The Italians have been eating it for centuries! “What’s sorbetto?” Use your freaking brain! Here is a step-by-step guide for you:

What does “sorbetto” sound and look like?

Could it be “sorbet?” or even “sherbert” for the uninitiated? Oh, and “limone” is pronounced just like it looks. lee-moan. Not ley-mawn-ay.

Oh well, you can’t win all the time.

It’s really not that bad, it is just the same thing, day in day out, the same flavours, the same comments, you know the drill. Anyone who has worked in retail or hospitality will understand what I am going through. As for the next time I get asked if we take “dollars,” I am going to respond “Sorry ma’am. We only accept beaver pelts here in Canada.” Our money is called the “Canadian Dollar,” and it isn’t British.

Because up here in Canada we are just a bunch of raging colonials anyways.

But on to greener pastures. In my last post I talked about the Corporate Rowing Challenge. Well, we had our big regatta this past Saturday, and we whooped some serious ass! Namely, we are the city champions for defender quads! We beat out KMPG Management Services with a time of 1:19. Not too shabby. And we got the big-ass trophy! It is about 3 feet tall, biggest I’ve ever seen. The other Butchart team didn’t do too badly either, coming in first in the “B” heat. The beauty of having two teams in the the program is that it increases the companies odds; Butchart has taken a championship for three of the last four years. Once I have some pictures I’ll be sure to post them.

I’ve spent the last two days (first days off in two weeks) up in Nanaimo with Liz. Chris gets back from Quebec soon, and Liz is just about going stir crazy up here on her own. We’ve spent that last two days doing pretty much nothing. We rented two movies “Envy” and “Wilbur (Wants to Kill Himself).” They were both very good. “Envy” was so randomly funny, and “Wilbur” was just a very good movie. Today we went to the mall, went to see “Madagascar” and did some shopping. I got new shoes (which I have needed for quite some time now) and we did a bit of window shopping. We also hit HMV so that I could pick up the Coldplay album. My god, it’s amazing. I’m listening to it right now, and really enjoying it. It is much less whiney than their last two albums, although I am also a fan of them too. I also bought the Keane album, and was sorely disappointed. Maybe it will grow on me, I’ll have to give it time.

I started a new book. “Anil’s Ghost” by Michael Ondaatje. A solid read, and some pretty heavy material, but I need a good book to read right now.

 

Anyways, it’s time for me to jet. I need to get to bed so that I can drive to Victoria early tomorrow for work. Have a great week everyone!

 

 

I don't really know why I do these things, but I saw it on Spencer's blog, and decided to do it for myself. The ides is that you copy it onto your blog and re-do the answers (and comments) to suit your own responses. Here goes...

Have you ever: (check all that apply)

(X) smoked a cigarette?
( ) smoked a cigar?
(X) smoked anything else?
(X) made out with a member of the same sex?
( ) crashed a friend's car?
(X) been in love?
(X) been dumped?
(X) shoplifted?
( ) been fired?
( ) been in a fist fight?
(X) had feelings for someone who didn't have them back?
( ) been arrested?
( ) made out with a stranger?
( ) gone on a blind date?
(X) lied to a friend?
( ) had a crush on a teacher?
(X) skipped school?
(X) slept with a co-worker?
(X) saw someone die (not on TV)?
(X) drank till you puked?
( ) been in an abusive relationship?
( ) been attracted to someone that your friends thought was unattractive?
(X) cheated while playing a game?
(X) been lonely?
( ) used a fake ID?
(X) had deja vu?
(X) felt an earthquake?
(X) been robbed? (twice. Fucking Nanaimo...)
(X) robbed someone? (unfortunately, in a weak moment MANY many years ago)
( ) been suspended from school?
(X) been in a car accident?
( ) witnessed a crime?
(X) had deja vu? (gotcha!)
(X) questioned your heart?
(X) been lost? (rarely, but hey, shit happens, right?)
(X) been to the opposite side of the country? (twice)
(X) swam in the ocean?
(X) cried yourself to sleep?
(X) sung karaoke? (ah, Club Grad)
(X) not had enough money for food? (how about right now?)
( ) paid for a meal with only coins?
(X) made prank phone calls?
(X) laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose?
(X) kissed in the rain?
( ) crashed a party?
(X) have traveled more than 5 days with a car full of people?
( ) had a wish come true?
( ) told a complete stranger you loved them? (I've wished to, but alas my questioning heart)
(X) had sex in a park?
(X) had a dream that you married someone? (and been in other people's dreams getting married)
(X) worn the opposite sex's clothes? (just don't ask)
(X) ever felt the presence of a ghost?
(X) worn a really ugly outfit to school? (I was in school in the 80's. Need you ask?)
(X) gone streaking?
(X) been pushed into a pool/lake with all of your clothes on?
(X) pushed someone into a pool/lake with all of their clothes on?
( ) been told you were hot by a complete stranger? (If only)
( ) broken a bone? (nose doesn't count)
( ) caught a fish then ate it?
( ) made porn?
(X) laughed so hard you cried?
( ) cried so hard you laughed?
(X) mooned/flashed someone?
(X) cheated on a test?
(X) gone skinny dipping?
( ) been kicked out of your house?
( ) cheated on a girlfriend?
(X) had casual sex with a close friend?
( ) had sex with someone and later were ashamed to admit it?
(X) felt crushing defeat?
(X) felt thrilling victory?

+++++

There, now you have all learned more about me!

This one's for you, Rachel...

Rachel, you wanted an update? Here you go!

So I’ve been bustin’ my buns lately, getting settled in my new place (I’ve been here almost a month, but I still am not quite unpacked). I have been working a lot lately. I wrapped up hosting in the Dining Room, and have been “promoted” to a supervisor in the Gelateria, which opens on Wednesday. I was lucky enough to meet my first new hires today and give them a quick low-down on what’s going on down there. There is still a LOT to do, in order to make sure we are ready for our opening, and we are doing a “soft-opening” on Tuesday in order to make sure that we get everything together. I think that it will be great, once we get the kinks ironed out. No one has even order garbage cans yet! AH!

I got my swell uniform the other day, and man, is it something! Charcoal and white pinstriped short-sleeved shirts, with charcoal pants/shorts, and a black apron. The apron is very small. And I mean small. Like I should have a change purse clipped to the edge of my tray as I deliver beverages to gross old-men at bowling alleys. That’s right, the apron is cocktail waitress length. Doesn’t protect much from much of anything. But it does look pretty sharp. My only beef? The pants and shorts are pleated. Who makes pleats still? I thought they were extinct! But I owe a great big thank you to Rachel, for hemming this poor mans pants for him. May she have luck in finding appropriate jeans for Nick.

The Corporate Rowing Challenge is coming to an end. That’s right, inactive, beer belly (alright, it’s small enough to hide under a normal t-shirt) has been rowing. This is the third year in a row that I have been doing this. I’m rowing in an un-coxed quad this year, which is a bit of a change from the coxed eight I have done the past few years. We had our time-trials for the regatta on Thursday night. We tied with KPMG with a time of 1:26, not too shabby, if I may say so myself! The big Regatta is coming on June 4, at the Gorge Rowing Center. It’s gonna be a blast! Lindsay is coming, and I am looking forward to it a great deal!

Anyways, I’m gonna wrap this up, I have to get back to the movie I am watching. “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” with Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russel, one of the best films ever!

Cheers everyone!

More from the capital city...

I’ll update soon, I promise!

Why is everything in Europe so much better?

I just had one of LONGEST days at work. It was really only 6 1/4 hours, but it felt like a lifetime.

But what saved my poor tired legs?

These shoes from Denmark. They are quite possibly the best pair of shoes that I own. I have had them for more than a year now, and I still marvel at their comfort.

If you work in a job where you spend a lot of time on your feet, these are the shoes for you!

Good bye!

For those of you who don't know me, witness the emergence of my supreme nerdiness. If you feel unable to handle this nerdiness, leave now.

If you are a Star Trek: Enterprise fan, do not read this post. It contains spoiler information from the series finale. If you've already seen the finale, I am sure you will agree with me.

Now that the formalities are out of the way, I can get started. Last night on UPN, Star Trek: Enterprise came to its end. One of the shortest-lived Star Trek series, it began to show a lot of promise toward the end, after its cancellation was announced. The final episode had the tantalizing title "These are the voyages..." but was an absolute let down. I spent much of the episode trying to figure out what was going on, in what timeline. We are taken back to the Enterprise-D, with Riker and Troi. But NCC-1701-D was destroyed, and has been replaced with the Enterprise-E. And Riker and Troi look a lot different. Older.

The producers put a lot of work into re-building a lot of the sets from ST:TNG, no small feat since its cancellation 11 years ago. We saw Ten-Forward, crew quarters, hallways, and the observation lounge. But they didn't put enough effort in. All of the sets are different. A smaller observation lounge, hallways that are obviously Voyager set re-dressed (with the smaller, narrower corridors and sharp corners), and the wierdest-looking turbolift I have ever seen!

As we learn part way through the episode, the 1701-D portion is set in the midst of Episode 264, when Riker is battling his personal demons regarding the violation of the Treaty of Algernon. He is viewing the last mission of the NX-01 on the holodeck in the hopes that it will help him make the right decision regarding whether or not to violate orders and reveal the Starfleet phasing cloak to Captain Picard.

All of this, and much more was covered in the series finale. It jumped back and forth through time (in 2369, the year that The Pegasus is set in), as well as jumping six years forward in time for the NX-01 sequences, to 10 years after the vessel was launched.

All in all, quite confusing and a let-down. But it wasn't all bad. The final moments of the episode, with all three Enterprise captains reciting "These are the voyages..." as each of three vessles (1701-D, 1701 {no bloody "A", "B", "C" or "D"} and NX-01) does a flyby, with Captain Archer finishing as the NX-01 sails off toward a gorgeous stellar-phenomenon was a stunning sequence, and a nice nod to the previous series.

It was interesting to note that Archer finshed with "To boldly go, where no man has gone before." On TNG, they had to change it from "no man" to "no one" in order to make it more politically correct. Did the writers of this final episode just forget?


As a final note to the producers and developers of Star Trek, DON'T DO ANOTHER PREQUEL! You almost killed the franchise with this current one. Let's see another series, but let's take a step back (or forward?) and continue the timeline. There are so many good stories left!

Anyways, this concludes my highly-nerdy rant about the series finale of Star Trek: Enterprise. All the best to the cast and crew, and perhaps we shall see you again the next Star Trek Movie.

Update

I feel lately that all I ever write about now is my move and all of its difficulties and obstacles, but I do have more happening in my life than just the move.

Last Tuesday, my dad turned 70 years old! So on Saturday, we had a drop-in cake and tea/wine get together, and my mom invited everyone we've ever known. Some I have only heard of in passing conversation, some I have met and then forgotten, and others I was very happy to see again. It was great seeing the people who used to take care of us kids on professional development days when mom and dad where both teaching. They had the best toys!

Mother's Day was a little hectic, but was very nice as well. I worked all day at the Gardens, doing support for their Mother's Day Brunch (which was an absolute success) and then raced back to the house so that I could help make dinner. Liz had it mostly under control once I got there, but dinner took a million years to cook! A 4 pound roast shouldn't take 2.5 hours, and never has before. The scalloped potatoes took 2.5 hours as well! It was like every food and appliance was defying the laws of physics. But dinner was a success, and we wrapped up the evening watching The Simpsons with the parents. They both thought they were pretty funny.

On a related note, Fox has 'uncancelled' The Family Guy, one of the most hilarious shows ever. And the episode on Sunday night was not dissapointing. Good call Fox! I think the world is ready for Family Guy!

After moving, I finally have most of my clothes unpacked, and I am up in Nanaimo right now getting ready to move the last of it down this afternoon in the rental truck. It feels kinda strange to be moving in such a prolonged fashion, but I'll get there eventually. I thought I might have to buy a chest of drawers, but there is one that has been bequeathed to me, so I can save myself a little money there. It just needs sanding and painting at some point in the summer. I'll cross that bridge later.

I am really enjoying living at my new place. Samara and Crystal are both great people, and I am enjoying the positive energy in the house. All I have to do now is finish unpacking and buy a couple of good books, and I'll be set.

They are ripping up the street in front of Liz and Chris' condo up here, and they always start before seven. Have you ever been woken by a chainsaw outside your bedroom window? It ain't pleasant. Speaking of Liz and Chris, they just bought a new townhouse, so no more renting for them! It's good, cause renting is really a waste of money if you can afford to buy. They move at the end of June. I get to help them because Liz is helping me today...

Anyways, now you all know what is going on right now! Lindsay, I haven't forgotten about you, I just have been SUPER busy, as I am sure you understand. I hope you are doing well, and I will try and call you in the next few days.

Cheers!

Sort of there...

So, I have moved most of my stuff to my new place with Samara and Crystal. Still living out of boxes, but I’ll get there eventually. Hopefully this is the last move for a little while. Spending my life last year running between two cities while working and trying to do school wasn’t really my idea of a fun time. It’s actually pretty stressful. Oh, to have a home!

I went to a play last night with Samara, Tara, Crystal, Oona and one of Tara’s friends, Chris. It was really good, called “Stones in His Pockets.” Two actors portray about 50 different characters, with no wardrobe changes and very little by way of set changes. It was great, and I had a blast.

I also went rowing again yesterday with the rest of the crew from the Corporate Challenge. This practice was a LOT better than the Tuesday practice, and if we get our act together, we might just be the city champions again (maybe)!

Anyways, I gotta go clean up my old room at my parents’ place.

The move, it keeps on movin'

So the moving van (a cargo van) was supposed to be $49.95, including 200 kilometers, then $0.25 per kilometer thereafter. I asked the guy “Will the van fit a queen size bed?” His answer was yes. What he didn’t clarify until my sister made the reservation was that it would only do it one piece at a time. Well, I am not making two trips to Victoria in one day! Yikes!

So now I am renting a 15ft. cube van, which is $64.95, including 200 kms, but extra kms are $0.40 each! OUCH! And then there’s gas (about $45 worth), and the fact that we will need to buy insurance for my sister so that she can drive it, as her car insurance won’t transfer over, so there is another $29.95.

And the result is that I will now be moving next week. Oh well.

Darned scheduled paydays!

Friday can’t come soon enough, or maybe Tuesday can’t come soon enough…

:-D_

Moving soon...

After residing at my parent’s house for a few weeks, I am now only days away from moving to my new digs with Samara and Crystal. I am so happy!

But I have a busy week ahead of me. I have to work, a lot, move all of my things from my parents house to Samara’s, go to rowing practice, then hoof it to Nanaimo, pack up my crap there, pack the next morning. My sister is picking up the rental van in Nanaimo at 1pm, then we have to load my stuff in it, and then race down to Samara’s and unload, race to my parent’s house, pick up Liz and Chris’ spare bed, get back to Nanaimo, unload the bed at their condo, return the van, and I get to drive back to Victoria in my own little car that night. I get to unpack, and then I have to be at work for 12pm the next day, then another rowing practice!

AAHHHH!!!!!

But it is all worthwhile…

Sanity is approaching, rapidly.

Have a great week everyone!

What a way to start a beautiful day...

Fighting with the mom. Again. About moving.

I am sick of having this argument with her. I'm moving, that's final, and I don't have to justify my decision or my life to her.

I explained to her that I can't live at the house, but that I couldn't explain all of it without hurting everyone who lives there. My mother's response?

"How North American!"

What the hell does that mean?! I don't want to live in filth! filth filth FILTH!!!!! How the HELL is that "North American" of me?!

I'm going to tell her that next time she brings it up.

Anyways, I do have some good to look forward to today. I'm going to the Irish Times to have a grand send-off for Lindsay, who is off to Vancouver this week.

So I'll just fixate on that.

Laugh your ass off...

Once  upon a time,

in  a land far  away,

a  beautiful, independent,

self-assured  princess

happened  upon a frog  as she sat,

contemplating  ecological issues

on  the  shores of an unpolluted pond

in a verdant meadow near her  castle.

The  frog hopped into the princess' lap

and  said: Elegant Lady,

I  was once a  handsome prince,

until an evil witch cast a spell upon me.

One  kiss from you,  however,

and  I will turn  back

into  the dapper, young prince that I am

and  then, my sweet,  we can marry

and  set up housekeeping in your castle

with  my mother,

where  you can prepare my meals,

clean  my clothes, bear my  children,

and  forever

feel grateful and happy doing so.

That  night,

as  the princess dined sumptuously

on  a repast of lightly  sautéed frog legs

seasoned  in a white  wine

and  onion cream  sauce,

she  chuckled and thought to herself:

 

…I don't f***ing think  so.

 

Media Studies

I just got my research paper back for Media Studies...

I GOT 93%!!!!!!!!

I have NEVER done that well on a research paper!

Obviously, the moral of the story is to write the paper the night before.

Honestly. I slaved over a research paper for 2 weeks in History last term and got 85%.

Yay!

So this is a pic of my friends...but I don't remember when it was taken. How embarassing.

Milton, my guardian from things that go bump in the night (or the middle of the day for that matter.)

Victoria

Well, I moved back to Victoria.

And the hallway has mess in it again.

Meh.

I was having such a happy day!

until I got here...

OMG!!! YAY!!! AHHHH!!!!

One more exam, and then I am done!! No more school until September!!!

AHHH!!!!!!

So happy!!!

English- Good, I’ll miss my instructor.

Media Studies – Thank CHRIST that one is done! All I can say is never, ever again with that instructor. Ever.

Creative Writing – Best course EVER!!

Oh, I’m done. PHEW!!

Off to VICTORIA!!

KISS MY ASS, NANAIMO!!!!

Tired of birds shitting on your car?

I have the solution!

Click here.

New cell phone number

Okay everyone. I am moving back to Victoria on this coming Thursday , April 7. As such, I will be getting a new cell phone number.

If you want the number, please email me and I’ll let you know.

Cheers!

I HATE REALTORS!!!!

Well, not all realtors. I just hate the ones that are showing our condo up here.

 

It’s been for sale for 3 weeks now, and we keep having people through to look at it. If we can’t be here, the realtor selling the place has a key. I don’t really have an issue with them coming through when we aren’t here, but don’t touch my stuff!!

 

We have one of those collapsible drying racks for cloths set up in the hall outside the bathroom, and one of the realtors that was through today tried to move it, and ended up collapsing it, with clothes on it. Well, they didn’t say anything, despite the fact that they knew that I studying in my room! If it was accident, which I’m sure it was, at least have the decency to say “Oh! I’m so sorry; I knocked over your drying rack.”

 

But no, the realtors just left. I didn’t notice until I left my room to lock the front door behind them.

 

And then, there was another realtor that showed it this afternoon while we were all out, and someone either moved or looked at my film script for creative writing. Chris said that maybe they just knocked off the edge of the desk, but they would have to practically hump my desk to do that. It isn’t exactly a piece of furniture you can just brush past…

 

AGH!

 

On a lighter note, I went to the launch party for Portal 2005, Malaspina’s Literary Journal. It was great, all the readers were really good (including my sister) and we got to see the best performance poet. I have never seen performance poetry before, and she was excellent. Her name was Sheri-D Wilson.

 

She had my practically doubled over with laughter. Especially when she told us what her mother said when she called her about eating meat.

 

“Honey, I don’t want to think about how my meat arrives at my place. Because I love animals! I just think of feedlots as finishing school for cattle.”

 

Wow, she was good.

 

Anyways, I gotta go finish working on a 500 word paper for English.

 

Cheers!