::alio!::

mtree report

I now know the meaning of the expression DOG TIRED.

Mtree this weekend. I'm not sure I could ever get used to the crowds. They're rude like Torontonians, but there are more of them, because the city is so much more dense. I also could never get used to the whole not-going-out-until-eleven-at-night, staying-out-until-three-thirty, sleeping-in-until-after-noon, and not-starting-my-day-until-four-pee-em thing. But that's just me. Fun times, though. Did a lot of walking around, seeing the city, appreciating the architecture -- and the liquid refreshments. I am quite pleased with myself, though. I never drank too much. I only had one glass of beer and otherwise stuck to wine and hard liquor, so I never felt ill. I also avoided caffeine and greasy food (I mostly ate salad) and so came away from this trip feeling a lot better than I normally do after travelling. Except I have killer shinsplints from wandering the icy streets of Montreal in heels. I slipped at one point and pulled a muscle in my calf. With my Special Kid limp I feel like I belong more in a Fitty Cent video than behind my desk at work.

I haven't even checked my daily checkpoints (websites I visit every day) yet, because I can't get up the energy. I haven't even checked my email, save to reply to a student about five minutes ago. But I know I have a couple from JB, who is safely in NZ. And apparently the pattern for my bridesmaid dress has been chosen. How much does it cost to have a bridesmaid dress made up? Not looking forward to that, as I am rather poor (although barely spent any money -- save on alkeyhaul and food -- this weekend).

Blah. Nonsensical writing. Enough.

teacher student

It's really sad that the only time I ever get to just sit down and DO NOTHING is when I'm at work. Alas. Too bad I can't be more productive while getting paid for it.

Taught my first class of the year today. It seemed to work out well, although I need a mic next time, as I'm teaching in the theatre, and the accoustics are terrible. I also had twice as many students as I'm supposed to, because apparently I'm the default TA, so if anyone's sick, I get the hordes. Yay me. And Karen singled me out in front of the ENTIRE lecture hall to tell everyone that I'm the person to talk to about sports. Didn't do that with anyone else, though. I picked the wrong day to wear a jersey to school and stereotype myself. Although I had them thinking when I told them about my social experiment with body posture, and me trying to make myself look as big as possible. I told them to try some things. They thought it was interesting. I got some laughs out of them. I let them go. It was all good.

*PHEW*

It's been pretty hectic this past week. Trying to get everything sorted out to go to Mtree this weekend. Still not packed, and I don't have time to do it tomorrow, so I'll have to work something out after work. And the game. Ah, the game. Too bad they couldn't play it while we were there. Alas. Mtree in Mtree. I'd like to see that someday.

Anyway, enough nonsense. I have (no)things to do.

Peaches.

drink tennet's!

Crazy busy at the mo, so I'll be brief:

HAPPY RRRROBBIE BERRRRNS DEE!

That is all.

pat quinn the devil

Made a boo-boo at work last night. I was covering my bases, but some other chick lawyer didn't like it. We shall see what happens with it.

Anyway, Patty (McWhiny) Quinn is already saying that Varada's hit on Colaiacovo last night was a dirty hit. Even when it was very obviously an ACCIDENT. You could see it. They both had their heads down, then Varada (luckily) saw Carlo at the last second and tried to get out of the way. Colaiacovo's helmet actually hit Varada's head and cut him. And Colaiacovo, despite that scary business with the doctors and athletic therapists and paramedics, has a concussion, no more. It was a bad fall, but it was nobody's fault.

That's why I hate Quinn so much. He always tries to paint other teams badly, when everyone knows that it is he who has the dirty team. And he never lets stuff go, which makes me believe we'll be hearing about this accident for years to come. As of OCTOBER 2005, he was STILL yammering on about the "dirty hit" Marian Hossa took on Bryan Berard. Neither player even PLAYS for the teams involved anymore, and that was ALSO AN ACCIDENT. Sheesh.

In other news, I totally should have bought a lottery ticket last night. I made four predictions, and all four came true. In the morning, I said that there would be two fights, and it would be Domi and Neil, and then McGratten and Belak. And that's what happened. And then I predicted, during a game, that a defenseman would score the next goal. And Redden did. And, earlier in the day, I predicted a Conservative minority government.

TADA.

summary

Well, THAT weekend was eventful.

Friday night was my last hockey game for two weeks, as I'm going to Montréal this weekend to see Cara and won't be able to play on Friday. I skated pretty well, and had some good chances and one beautiful assist. I'm definitely more comfortable on the skates, and was able to stop myself somewhat with a snowplow every once in a while. And I haven't fallen in forever.

After the game, the Pie and a very stoned Stefan brought over ice cream and cookies and we watched weird television for a bit before going to bed.

Saturday, I MEANT to do homework while the Pie was at an install, but I didn't get there. I brushed and washed the dogs and then sat down to watch television for five minutes, and ended up watching Corinna, Corinna, which is probably the best movie I've seen in a while. I am, after all, a huge Whoopi Goldberg fan. Always have been.

Then I organized myself out of my pyjamas just in time for Cait, Erin, and the Pie to show up, and then we headed out for an early dinner at O'Connor's before the game. The service was awful and the food was cold and gave me a stomach ache, but we did get to wipe our feet on a Leaf jersey on our way in and out. We made it to the game just in time for the anthem, and a moment of silence for the first Sens captain's wife, which the Leaf fans ruined, the obnoxious bastards.

They didn't have much to make noise about after the first 39 seconds, however, with Alfie's first goal leading to six more unanswered, final score 7-0. They kind of shut up after a while. One fan in our row converted by the end, took to wearing a Sens scarf, and cheering for the winning team. There was some trash talk in the bathroom, but it was half-hearted. A very good game, over all. And we figure Sens fans actually equalled or outnumbered Leafs fans in the audience, for once. HAHAHAHAHA.

Headed home from the game in order to head out to Stefan's for JB's unofficial going away party (he's leaving for NZ on THURSDAY). Came home around two and passed out.

Woke up way too early on Sunday and couldn't get back to sleep. Also mildly nauseous (I don't know what it is about beer these days, but no matter how little I have, if I have enough to give me a buzz, I feel queasy the next day). Sat around for a bit and then took the call to go to another unoffical going-away breakfast at Local's for JB. Then Pie and I went to his house to digest before we headed to Crappy Tire with his sister Meghan to pick up some saucers.

Then we went to Mooney's Bay.

There is a very large hill there.

We are too old, and only managed to go up and down it five times before we crapped out, but it was fun. I have plans to go again next week during the workweek, when it's not so crowded. I bailed in a spectacular fashion on one run, and managed to hold on to my saucer. I banged my head pretty hard and lost my hat, but the only thing stiff today is my back, so this is a good thing. I also got snow down my butt, but that's another story.

Crashed last night in exhausted bliss (I've jacked my parents' Swedish sleep memory foam mattress thing while they're gone, and it's heaven), but was constantly woken up by trippy and confusing dreams I wanted no part of, or by my brother, who was so excited (he almost has a job he wants) that he didn't sleep at all last night.

Suffice to say I'm pretty tired today.

But still stoked to see the game tonight. Rematch? Maybe. We shall see.

commentary on clientele

I guess it just takes some ranting on the intarweb to make dreams come true. Today is the second day running that I have not felt like ASS from my damned cold. To be sure, I'm on hard core medication, but it's actually WORKING for once. And I'm still mucous-ing up a storm, and my voice still cops out on occasion (usually when I'm talking to a client on the phone), but 'tis of no great importance.

And that's my story.

Not much going on today. Wayner's at Court on Sherman (who called and complained that he was always always late -- I love her), and Sheri and I keep yelling at each other for our own mistakes. It makes for a lot of swearing and even more giggling. Someday I think she's going to try to kick my ass. I plan to stiff-arm her in the forehead so she can't get near me. Hah. Take that you tiny punk . . .

What else is new . . . ?

The 'rents left this morning for Michigan to see my brother Andrew. Then they're going to Toronto to see my great uncle Andrew. And my boyfriend Andrew will be keeping me company while they're gone so I don't kill my brother -- Chris. Damn. Couldn't keep that one going.

Gar, I don't want to be at work. It just especially sucks on Fridays because when I walk in, I know I was there not 12 hours beforehand. Although last night, Wayner had me organizing this file that's a total mess (although very interesting: husband trying to get kids back from wife who ran off with a religious freak who takes all their money and tells the kids that their toys are evil and so is the entire world -- which is okay, because it's ending soon). It was taking forever, and it was getting close to game time. So I said, Fuck it, and brought the damned thing home with me to organize in front of the television. Great stuff. Too bad the game was lame.

And I just found out today that the reason one of my psycho clients changed her Will last week is because the week before, when she was in here with her husband for some Estate matter (who I know from my MBE days), a love note from his secret lover fell out of his pocket. I'm supposed to find him and get him to change his Will, but she kicked him out and I don't know where he is. Such is life.

What else . . . I've got a fuckton of estate files going right now. People are dropping like flies. Like SIX. That's a lot. Usually I do one probate (what happens to all your accounts and taxes and stuff when you die) every six months. But at Christmas time -- people pop off like you wouldn't believe. It's kind of sad, because in most cases, I created and witnessed their Wills, so I knew them, but I guess I'm so jaded in this business I don't really care anymore.

And they're all LOADED, too (that's why the estates have to be probated). Some chick I've been probating since September is leaving over $400K to charity alone. Why do some old people save up forever, investing and whatnot, and then not spend it, live like paupers, and then die? My grandfather did that, and left my grandmother with a cool $1.5mil. She thought she was going to have to go on welfare until she found that out. And with some of his investments still going, even with her expensive retirement residence, she's up to about $2mil now. Insane. And other old people work hard all their lives and don't manage to save anything, and when they die, they don't even have enough to cover their $7000 funeral expenses, and they're in debt on their credit cards, and their executors can't even pay them off. It's sad how there seems to be no middle ground.

I hope that before I die, I can afford to live comfortably, and still be able to leave my children with that lovely unexpected windfall. I'd like to leave them each at least $100K, if I can. Then they can do with it whatever they want -- or, in legal terms, it will be for their own use absolutely.

But enough of the legal profession.

I would like to announce that everything I'm wearing today smells like coffee. Even my Nalgene smells like coffee. I was downstairs while my dad was roasting his beans (their last cups before their long trek with only pre-made crap upon which to fare, poor things), and I got caught up in the aroma. So now I smell like a beverage I don't even consume. Ah well, at least I don't smell like BEER or summat.

top five

I cannot BEAT this cold! And I'm having one of those feel-like-crap grumpy days where every little annoyance is a huge deal and each small, insignificant frustration has me wanting to cry like the overwrought female that I am.

So, while I wait for the Nyquil to kick in (which, I suspect, it has already), I'm going to take a leaf from Cara's book and list my

TOP FIVE CRUSHES OF ALL TIME

(although they're not really of all time, because, fickle as I am, they change on a monthly basis -- and I'm sure there are others I like more but have totally forgotten -- and, of course, this is not including the current love of my life -- this is more like my list of five a la Friends)

NUMBER FIVE:

Sean Biggerstaff

Ever so slightly younger than me, and, from the looks of one of the above photographs, a LEAFS FAN, this Harry Potter regular had me at "Hello, Harry." Must be the Scottish accent.

NUMBER FOUR:

Ewan McGregor

I have to admit that yet again, the accent is a real bonus. Plus, his roles from junkie to tale teller show he's not to be type-cast, which I respect. And, let's face it, there are very few people inclined towards his sex who would find him UNattractive.

NUMBER THREE:

JK Sampson

This teeny tiny lead singer of my favourite band checked out my chest the last time I saw him and gave my boyfriend an approving nod. Although I probably wouldn't ever sleep with him (he's married, anyway), he's one of my favourite people and I love him to death.

NUMBER TWO:

Zach Braff

This is a wholly new addition to the list, and you have the Pie to blame for that. I used to find this man unattractive, but seeing him in action has made him grow on me, watching things he's directed has made me respect him, and reading his blog has made me want to be friends with him. And he has such good taste in music!

And finally, and I know you all know who it's going to be,

NUMBER ONE:

Marian Hossa

What can I say? I like the funny-looking ones. I have missed him since his move to Atlanta, but he looks like he'll survive. I can't wait to see his next game here. I only hope we don't boo him like Atlanta fans booed Heatley.

What's funny is that even while I was constructing this, I re-thought and edited my choices, and even now I'm not happy with them. I guess I can't be constrained into choosing once and for all.

So forget everything I just said.

Out.

big spender

ARGL-BARGLE.

MONDAYS.

This is shaping up to be a long one, folks. I've now entered the coughing phase of my most recent cold, but could not take Nyquil last night because I had to be alert early in the morning, and thus I did not get a good night's sleep. So I'm eagerly awaiting going to bed tonight and sleeping in tomorrow.

Busy weekend, despite the sickie (again). Went shopping with the Pie on Saturday, on a spur of the moment. He bought four sweaters and two pairs of jeans and three pairs of boxer shorts. I bought three sweaters, two button-up shirts, a velvet blazer, a corduroy skirt, a long-sleeved shirt, and two pairs of jeans, all for under $250. I'm very impressed with these pre-inventory sales. Sunday I got my ethics clearance all ready to go, only to find out last night that I needed to fill out an application form and have that signed by my supervisor, and include seven copies of my memo with the whole thing. So that put me back a day, but it's all good. That's pretty much all I'm going to do when I get home, is go to Carleton and drop it off for signature, then get my supervisor to chuck it through the intraoffice mail to Ethics. Tada.

And Studio Sparks is playing music from Lord of the Rings.

I don't know what to do with that information.

it's only superstition

Happy Friday the 13th, people!

I know that for most people this is a day to be wary, but for me it's always an incredibly lucky one. I used to find a watch on every Friday the 13th for about four years in a row. NEAT!

Holy busy Batman! And so much is going on right now. I'm afraid I've been neglecting my posting duties somewhat, and I'm sorry for those of you who read it and are bored with my inanity. But I'm not to blame!

For those of you who read the last post and were confused, don't worry about it. It wasn't meant for you. For those of you who understood it, things are status quo at the moment. Crypicity strikes again!

What else is going on?

I recently purchased a new stereo and I'm lovin' it. I haven't had one that functioned for over a year now, so I'm officially recalling all the CDs I've lent out, because I can now listen to them again!

In addition, last night I went to the San Jose game. Pity it was such a boring game and they lost, because I got to sit in the Founder's Club Suite. It was pretty sweet. Cushy leather chairs. My feet didn't touch the ground, but if they had, Dominic Hasek's goal would have been at my feet. I took tons of pictures and videos, and I'm going to try to get as much of it up on my Flickr as possible as soon as possible. So sit tight!

Back to work with me . . .

war wounds

I have a lot on my mind recently. Some of it's driving me rather nutty, what with my paranoid OCD tendencies, but it's way in the future and I shouldn't be worrying about it now. Other stuff is just questionable and I can't tell you about it because I'm probably wrong and it will just cause problems.

Could I BE more cryptic?

In other news, I have a bump the size of a toonie on my knee and a huge black bruise as well, from falling on my knee while skating last night. Remind me next time I decide to try stopping to WEAR KNEE PADS. On the plus side, we skated for about an hour and I didn't get cold and my feet didn't hurt at all. My skates must be FINALLY broken in.

I'm at work today, which is rather annoying, but I have evening plans (HOCKEY) for the nights this week, so it makes sense. It just makes things tricky for arranging meetings with my thesis committee. It doesn't help that both of them are rather disorganized. Ah well, I'm sure it will work itself out soon.

Aand . . . that's about it, actually. I'm here all week, folks, feel free to drop me a line. Thank you, you've been great.

brrrrrrusiness

I love how January has just started and already it's BUSY.

I also love how I'm not even done with my old cold before I get another mucous-producing nightmare. I am single-handedly keeping Kleenex in business.

But happy WINTEREENMAS and HOCKEY DAY IN CANADA, folks!

I am celebrating by going tobogganing for the first time since I was about nine. And then of course there will be hockey watching. ENJOY!

um, nope

So I kind of dropped the ball there on writing. I was just too damned sleepy and bummy to do anything much yesterday. I wrote the damned retrospective a few days ago, but I don't like it much. So I'm not going to give you one. Sorry.

Suffice to say that this year has been WAYYYY better than the last, and I intend to make this one even better. Yay me.