::alio!::

postman pete

PuTTY problem temporarily fixed.

Since then, I've been having crazy, yet incredibly logically-progressing dreams, mostly based on fantasy-style crusades. Very odd.

And I went and got another Brazilian yesterday with Cara and we both got Charlotte, and it was SOOOOO much better than it was last time! Yay me!

Back to work now. I was just so overjoyed that I COULD post that I DID post.

energizer

Didn't post before, because I couldn't get into Putty (Stefan . . . ). But here I am now.

Finally finished my second read-through of Harry Potter about half an hour ago. I got sidetracked while reading the sixth, so it took me two weeks to finish. But now I know why certain things happened, because I hadn't had time to forget the details. It's really quite remarkable how well she ties everything in to everything else. And I still couldn't prevent great dolloping tears from rolling down my nose at the end of the sixth. It's just such a desperate situation -- I can't help myself.

Man, this week has been so hectic and busy. I don't think I was quite recovered from my trip before I engaged in too many late nights. Although seeing Billy Idol on Thursday with Pie and Chel was totally worth it. What an energetic performer. In any case, I got home at around four last night and slept in, with one interruption, until noon today. I have no energy left. I've been doing laundry and reading since then.

Speaking of laundry, there's quite the gale going on outside. My clothes dried in half an hour hanging out there . . .

Sorry, random rambling and pointless post. I was just so glad to be able to access Magpie today. I'll stop, promise.

Out.

a dark, dark day in allyland

Not that I'm upset, but check this out.

I'm more confused. If they settled on $5 million this morning, why did they trade him this afternoon? And for Heatley? When Atlanta loves Heatley? I guess, from what I am inferring, that Hossa wasn't happy in Ottawa, although I distinctly recall him saying at one point recently that he really wanted to play here and get a Cup with the Senators.

Anyone want a bunch of outdated Hossa paraphernalia? ;)

What I really want to know is who's the defenseman who went with him? It wouldn't be Redden or Chara, because they're too valuable. It had better not be Philips or Volchenkov, because then I would cry. It won't be Schubert, because he's AHL. So it probably is either Pothier (which would be sad) or deVries (about which I couldn't care less).

Something is still fishy about the whole thing, though . . .

whirlwind tour

Thus ends the whirlwind tour of Nova Scotia. I've taken a whole bunch of pictures, and you'll be able to see them as soon as I can upload again on my flickr account.

THE SYNOPSIS:

The flight was not too good. I forgot that I had a jacknife attached to my keychain while going through security. I no longer have that jacknife. The security guy was really nice about it, though, and was continually amazed at how much my purse could hold, as he pulled item after item out of it.

My parents had driven down at the beginning of the week, to do a tour and take things slower, and my dad was to pick us up at the airport. Andrew and I flew together, but Chris was on an earlier flight, so we said our goodbyes to him and played crazy eight count down for two hours as we waited for our own flight to board. Once we were on the plane, we found out that we were also doing a stopover in Montreal, as they had combined two flights and not told us. An hour and one screaming new-born baby later, we landed at Dorval, where we had to wait another hour before we could take off again. As a result, when we arrived in Halifax, we found that Dad and Chris had been there for two hours already.

It was now midnight, so we toddled off to our beds. Which were on the floor. Well, the boys' were, but mine was an odd sort of fold out chair (extraordinarily uncomfortable) crammed between a desk and a dresser and a closet and the door in the computer room. So at least I could check my email, even though everyone knew I was away and didn't email me. *sigh*

Anyway, up at the crack of dawn the next day to visit some friends' cottage in Rose Bay, near the Ovens. Truly a beautiful spot, and the cottage itself is just one room, no amenities whatsoever, not even insulation, but it's absolutely the classiest thing ever. I got some nice shale from the ocean there, and nearly killed myself climbing a cliff to get it!

We then drove all the way back to Halifax, about two hours, to get ready for the post-wedding-rehearsal-dinner party at my ex-aunt's place, which is at Bouthilier Point (pronounced "boodileer"). It was right on the ocean and it was GORGEOUS. The entire interior was white, even the furniture. It was also cool to be able to meet my cousin's mother and her husband and all their children and stepchildren. We all thought it was very odd that all of us were related to Alex but had never met before. Alex's stepsister was giggling because she had introduced herself to my father earlier as Alex's sister, and my father had replied, of course that he was Alex's uncle. She was looking forward to introducing herself, as a sister, to Alex's father, when he arrived.

It was kind of tricky for us at the party, however, because all the people there were in couples and already knew everyone else, and we were the outsiders. And it's really hard for people to break in on conversations like that, so we were bored after a while, not to mention exhausted from our afternoon of cliff climbing, which followed a horrendous plane ride and a nearly sleepless night. Not to mention the blow up in the car when my father got us lost en route to this party. We got back to the place we were staying at around two, and went straight to bed.

Saturday morning we went for a brief tour around Dartmouth in the car before having tea with my "Aunt" Jean, an old neighbour from our first house in Dartmouth. Luckily this didn't involve much driving, as Dartmouth is a small city.

We headed home to get ready for the wedding and then headed out to Indian Harbour, which is about an hour out of Halifax, and about four seconds from Peggy's Cove. The wedding was at a hotel there, right on the ocean.

The ceremony was beautiful and so simple and classy. Alex looked incredibly nervous when I talked to him beforehand, so I took pictures. Erika's dress was stunning, of course. You can't be Miss Nova Scotia and get married in a sack, I guess. They also got married right on the shore, with the islands and the purple sky behind them. Something out a movie, really.

The reception and dinner were hilarious. Traditional Nova Scotia style, where we all got up and told funny stories about the bride and groom. Erika fell out of her chair at one point, because she had tipped it backwards too far, but it was very funny and no harm was done. There was a dance afterwards, with a live folk band playing traditional maritime music, so there were a good many red faces and stomping feet around. The whole building shook for some songs.

We were soon exhausted, of course, and headed home about one. Andrew and I got up at the crack of dawn this morning and took a walk around our old stomping grounds to get some pictures for posterity. We didn't get to see everything because we really didn't have any time on our own. It was really interesting to see how SMALL everything had become. Our first house there and our second house were only six blocks apart, and the old route to and from my school that seemed to take forever took us ten minutes, there and back, when we did it this morning. Even the houses I thought were so huge are actually quite small, although what trees there are that survived Hurricane Juan are ENORMOUS. I guess it has been fifteen years, after all.

We all trooped over to our neighbour's house who lived across from us at our second house. Janet, the head of that household, had just had a Tom Selleck and Steven Baldwin movie filmed in her house. It plays the part of a criminal's residence, and is in the final film for a total of four minutes.

She had all our old neighbours over for coffee, and that was probably the most fun thing we did, because it was cool to see how the kids had grown up, and, typical to the small town, to see who had hooked up with people we know. One of my neighbours has been seeing this guy I was in primary, grade one, and grade two with, Joel. Weird. It was also amazing to see how small the PEOPLE had become. They were astounded to see how tall I had become, as I didn't break the three-foot height for some time when I was small. The only downer was that my special friend, Christopher, couldn't be there for the event. I saw him briefly once when he was fifteen and going through the sullen and silent adolescent phase, but before that I hadn't seen him since he was four and I was eight and I left the maritimes for BC.

It was such a hectic trip. We went straight from that gathering to the airport, where, thankfully, we weren't rerouted through Montreal (although we had THREE screaming babies on board), and I just got home about an hour ago. It was literally over in a flash. I still haven't assimilated everything I saw, and can't really say anything philosophical about it. I'll need a few days.

It was definitely worth it to see everything and how it had changed, and see all the people I never thought I'd see again, but there was so much driving, and waiting around, and late nights and early mornings that the boys and I were never so glad to get home as we were an hour ago. Of course, Chris had to go back, because he'd picked up the wrong bag at the airport and mine was still there. Unfortunately, the ticket counter was closed when he got there, so hopefully I'll have my bag tomorrow. I guess I'll wear sneakers to work . . .

free shit's good shit

Cool story:

My brother Andrew and I were at Carlingwood today doing some errands, and I decided to get a smoothie from Orange Julius. I had already ordered and was all set to pay when Andrew went, "Wait a minute. Let's get a game card." The cashier, who was surly at best, became more stolidly so, but gave us a game card (for some random promotion) and Andrew scratched it. What did I win? The very smoothie I was about to pay for. How cool is that? We were quite pleased with ourselves.

Watched "Risky Business" last night with Lisa. We had been meaning to rent it for some time, but never got around to it until yesterday. Odd movie. We expected it to be some slapdash coming-of-age teen comedy, but it was more like soft-core porn than anything else. Very odd. Not what we expected at all.

Anyway, Andrew and I are just waiting for Chris to get home from his exam, then we're going out for lunch, and then packing the dogs up to take them to my cousin's for the weekend before we head to the airport. Fun times, folks.

So, behave yourselves this weekend and have lots of fun. I will try to do the same.

Off to New Scotland I go,

Out.

hot wings

Is it just me and the Pie or were those wings last night not so hot when you were trying to digest them?

Busy times ahead. Trying to do all the chores my parents left me and my brothers before we head back to the homeland on Thursday. I'm looking forward to this wedding less and less as it draws near. It started with my grandmother's assertions that she would be attending every social event there was, with her brother (who kind of invited himself to the wedding, with the aid of my grandmother). We don't want to spend time with those folks. In addition, I'm not going to be staying with my old neighbours, but with some friends of my parents whom I don't like, because they spent twenty years cheating on their spouses (whom I did like), and now they've left them for each other. I have issues with that. Cheating is BAD.

Things are NOT busy, however, at work. I have a few odds and ends to clear up (which, of course, I'm procrastinating about), but I've basically been reading Harry Potter since last Monday. I'm on book six right now, and let me tell you, I have Hogwarts on the brain. In fact, on Friday, just as we were going to bed and I was fighting to stay awake, Pie asked me a question and I answered it from a Harry Potter perspective. Luckily he was really sleepy, too, and didn't catch on to what I was saying until I'd realized what I'd said and mentioned it. Even though I've read all these before, I still find myself thinking all the time I'm not reading about what's going to happen next. They truly are addictive material.

money is an issue, mind you

Just got back from the Courthouse. It was BRUTAL. I got on the bus back to the office just as my transfer ran out. It was so busy.

I nearly hit a deer last night coming home from the Pie's. I had crossed Hunt Club and was just about at Meadowlands when I saw it about fifteen feet in front of my car. Which was when it noticed me (how it didn't hear my faulty muffler before then I have no idea) and ran off the road. With the colour of the street lights reflecting on the road, it was completely camoflaged, and I didn't see it until it moved. Weird.

In other news, I'm on book four of my re-read of Harry Potter. This one's my favourite, but I can't remember why.

And finally, I would like to formally announce that I am cooling towards Marian Hossa as of late. I mean, firstly, I haven't seen him play since August of last year, at the World Cup, and secondly, because the Senators gave him a qualifying offer of $2.622 million this year, which is up from what he made last year, but he's decided to file for arbitration and ask for $5 million. Stefan says they'll prolly settle at $3 million. I hate how there's a value put on these people, and their ranking in skill corresponds to their paycheques. They've explained Hossa's actions as part of this ridiculous hierarchy, because Rick Nash, a younger, less skilled, and less experienced player, has just signed a deal for $5 million, and Hossa believes he is worth that or more.

It just seems so GREEDY to me. I mean, how much money do you really need?

frazzled

Andrew came home last night. I'm glad I put my foot down and went to bed at midnight, despite his protests. I had enough trouble getting up this morning.

I'm in serious contemplation of taking the first week of September off from work. I know I need the money, but I also really need a break. Don't get me wrong, this Wayner on vacation thing is nice (although he's set to arrive at any minute), but I need to get away from the office and the Village for a while, just not have to come here at all. Plus, with school starting (even though I only have one class that week), I'd be all frazzled if I had to work and adjust to a new schedule at one time.

Plus it means I get to sleep in every day. I think my body is craving some sleep. I'll need to recover from the last camping trip Pie and I are doing on Labour Day, and I'll also need some peace and quiet after Andrew goes to Michigan.

So I think it's a good idea. Not a holiday, really, but a petit pause.

On a totally unrelated topic, my cousin's wedding is on 20 August, which is less than two weeks away. And I don't have a dress or a pair of shoes to wear. I also have no money. So who wants to come on a cheapie shopping trip with me?

making it

Fun weekend. Started with mini golf and a party and ended with watermelon and my cousins just a few minutes ago. Part of the weekend was spent discovering that my small cadre of friends is trying to revive the use of the word "snap." No thanks to Dave Chappelle.

Saw Tim's sister, Melissa Larkin play last night at Rasputin's. Tiniest and sketchiest venue I've ever seen. Nonetheless, it went well. I took some pictures, and, with permission of Melissa's manager (who is Tim), I have here a little video I took with my crappy digicam. I hope it works. I played a bit with Windows Movie Maker on that one.

But seriously folks, check this chick out. Go to her website and listen to her sing "Castaway." And if you think that was good, you should hear her sing it live. She has one of those voices that gives you goosebumps. I only met her once, but I have a feeling good things are going to happen to that girl. From what I've heard (and my facts could be wrong), she only picked up the guitar after high school, wrote tons and tons of songs without performing them, and then was suddenly discovered and is now on tour. Amazing fairytale, that one.

Check it.

Out.

communiqué

I haven't done anything yet today. I should think about that soon.

I got an email yesterday, from someone who I used to love and trust a long time ago. Circumstances came about where I ceased to love and trust said person, and so I haven't spoken to said person in about four years, and I haven't seen said person in even longer.

Nonetheless I received an email yesterday. True to form, it's totally vague and completely incomprehensible.

I responded, although I probably shouldn't have, but in a way which I hope precludes any further correspondence from said person.

update 4 august 2005, 6:46 PM

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

OTTAWA sent PRUSEK to COLUMBUS!

WHAT were they THINKING?

Now Emery will be number two and he's mightily inconsistent.

PLUS

All we've got for a number one is the 40-year-old and shaky Hasek.

So much for the Stanley Cup, folks. Ottawa couldn't backstop its way through a wet kleenex, let alone to the final.

FECK.

camera fun

Saw Mr. & Mrs. Smith last night, a full two months after it came out in theatres. I highly recommend it, as the action is good and the dialogue and situations are absolutely hilarious.

When I came home from seeing it with Chel, I was all set to upload my camping photos to my Flickr page, but to no avail. So you'll just have to wait. Most of them turned out pretty well, considering my camera is a shaky piece of crap.

Not much else to say today, really. Tonight I'm going over to help the Pie clean the detritus of camping off his car, and to goad him into cleaning his room and organizing his Nielsen files. Tsk, tsk.

More bulletins, yahda yahda yahda . . .

fun with people

Camping brings out the -ness in people.

I'm serious. If you think about it, extreme situations tend to bring out the best and the worst in people, and these can be expressed in -ness words.

Camping was . . . interesting, to be polite about it. I was continually surprised at how some people took to camping like Stefan to the toilet, and I was continually surprised at the complete lack of respect of some other people. If you were there, you know what I mean.

On the plus sides, we had some fun sitting around the fire. And Cara cut my hair. It hurt like a bitch, because she did a razor cut with a pair of scissors, but it looks good. Slightly reminiscent of a Brazilian, actually.

On the negative side, I have eaten so much meat in the past few days that my intestines are protesting mightily. It all ended with a ribfest at my house. Calamity ensued in my tummy. Alas. Well, at least I can justify going veggie all this week.

In the past few days, I've been listening to a lot of techno that I got from Tim's computer. Very interesting stuff. That's where the title bar came from: "When the left track stahts then the FUN. Stahts." Odd.

On a sad note, one of my favourite web comics has closed its doors. Squidi has gotten tired of the flak he's received ever since he had a baby and stopped updating every day. Too bad. I should write to him.

Out.