Wednesday, December 19
Environment 1...
Score one for the environment.
A few days ago, far removed from my frantic, trivial task of making christmas cards, the nation's government leaders were discussing climate change in Bali.
Most of the world supported tougher measures to lower our greenhouse gas emissions, whereas (surprise, surprise) the US did not. The climatic twist (pun intended) was that Stephen Harper went on record to say that Canada agreed with the US.
"Wtf?" said canadians, roughly 110,00 of them, and signed a petetion to oppose Stephen Harper's 'canadian' opinion. Four days later, Harper changed his position and now we're setting tougher emission targets.
very cool.
A few days ago, far removed from my frantic, trivial task of making christmas cards, the nation's government leaders were discussing climate change in Bali.
Most of the world supported tougher measures to lower our greenhouse gas emissions, whereas (surprise, surprise) the US did not. The climatic twist (pun intended) was that Stephen Harper went on record to say that Canada agreed with the US.
"Wtf?" said canadians, roughly 110,00 of them, and signed a petetion to oppose Stephen Harper's 'canadian' opinion. Four days later, Harper changed his position and now we're setting tougher emission targets.
very cool.
Sunday, December 16
Lost and Found
I've been feeling a little discouraged about photography of late.
You know, the usual, "What's the bother...?" , "To what end...?" , and "Why in the hell...?, blah blah blah.
I had seen these geese a couple days earlier and found the mind's eye content to be amusing.
I'm glad I brought my camera to work on Tuesday.
Fun wins again.
You know, the usual, "What's the bother...?" , "To what end...?" , and "Why in the hell...?, blah blah blah.
I had seen these geese a couple days earlier and found the mind's eye content to be amusing.
I'm glad I brought my camera to work on Tuesday.
Fun wins again.
Friday, December 7
To do...
I am not without projects.
A quick scan of the apartment to take stock (which doesn't take long) finds me the following.
~ photography paraphelalia - photos, cameras, cards and now canvas printing materials
~ knitting supplies- one mitten, half-finished toques, etc
~ crafting items like beads, hemp and candle wax - I vaguely remember attempting this holiday craft. Anyone wanting to take this off my hands?
~ piano, banjo, guitar, bass
~ articles, books, research, words on paper - there's a lot of this.
~ balance board - in pieces.
~ laundry and dishes -not technically a project, but they never disappear....
And this is only those within my line of sight.
Meanwhile, on the big WWW there's no lack in clutter space for me to spew my unfinished projects to sites like this or this or this. I don't even want to talk about that infamous networking site that I can't delete myself from...
So has this blog become another unfinished project?
No time to answer this - have to go sort laundry.
A quick scan of the apartment to take stock (which doesn't take long) finds me the following.
~ photography paraphelalia - photos, cameras, cards and now canvas printing materials
~ knitting supplies- one mitten, half-finished toques, etc
~ crafting items like beads, hemp and candle wax - I vaguely remember attempting this holiday craft. Anyone wanting to take this off my hands?
~ piano, banjo, guitar, bass
~ articles, books, research, words on paper - there's a lot of this.
~ balance board - in pieces.
~ laundry and dishes -not technically a project, but they never disappear....
And this is only those within my line of sight.
Meanwhile, on the big WWW there's no lack in clutter space for me to spew my unfinished projects to sites like this or this or this. I don't even want to talk about that infamous networking site that I can't delete myself from...
So has this blog become another unfinished project?
No time to answer this - have to go sort laundry.
Thursday, May 17
Big Bang Baja 2007
James leaves today.
I leave on Sunday.
And since there won't be much opportunity to post for the next month (and since BJ has been convinced to document his wit in a blog dedicated to the trip), I'll save my stories for later and remain satisifed with being an influence behind BJ's Baja tales.
check out the Baja Blog here.
I leave on Sunday.
And since there won't be much opportunity to post for the next month (and since BJ has been convinced to document his wit in a blog dedicated to the trip), I'll save my stories for later and remain satisifed with being an influence behind BJ's Baja tales.
check out the Baja Blog here.
Tuesday, May 15
Summer 2007
3 months ago I could never have predicted my summer to be what it is.
But here it is.
And what it is, is turning out to be grand.
Firstly I join James on the first month of his second mexican adventure as we attempt to beat the heat, going as far south along the west coast as is VW-vanly possible. I'm looking forward to surf, sun, mexicans, spanish, fires, photography, cacti...pretty much everything except scorpions!
Then I return to BC and fly north to work on a sailboat in Haida Gwaii. Big Tees! Totems! Money...
And then a break before I head back out on the boat. Perhaps a hiking/camping trip with friends?? (hint, hint)
fun, fun!
~
In this photo: Charley loves cuddling as much as James. It's so strange that no one jumped at the opportunity to have such a loving friend for month... hopefully my mom's not scared of werewolves.
But here it is.
And what it is, is turning out to be grand.
Firstly I join James on the first month of his second mexican adventure as we attempt to beat the heat, going as far south along the west coast as is VW-vanly possible. I'm looking forward to surf, sun, mexicans, spanish, fires, photography, cacti...pretty much everything except scorpions!
Then I return to BC and fly north to work on a sailboat in Haida Gwaii. Big Tees! Totems! Money...
And then a break before I head back out on the boat. Perhaps a hiking/camping trip with friends?? (hint, hint)
fun, fun!
~
In this photo: Charley loves cuddling as much as James. It's so strange that no one jumped at the opportunity to have such a loving friend for month... hopefully my mom's not scared of werewolves.
Monday, April 30
Through Wine's Eyes
On Friday I took my camera out for a night at Fuse, a monthly evening event at the Vancouver Art Gallery.
Unfortunately, I also brought a bottle of wine given to me by the last school sailing trip. And I hadn't eaten much.
The end result was me face down and almost asleep, while others celebrated the closing night of Bosmans (a place I wish I knew about sooner...famous photographer's son, a salty old seaman, tough waitresses....I remember none of these things...)
Luckily my camera doesn't have a breathalyzer.
I may have found a niche...
Unfortunately, I also brought a bottle of wine given to me by the last school sailing trip. And I hadn't eaten much.
The end result was me face down and almost asleep, while others celebrated the closing night of Bosmans (a place I wish I knew about sooner...famous photographer's son, a salty old seaman, tough waitresses....I remember none of these things...)
Luckily my camera doesn't have a breathalyzer.
I may have found a niche...
Wednesday, April 18
Tuesday, April 17
Monday, April 16
Monday, March 19
thank god for rick mercer...
...bringing humor and wit to the political absurdity that is sometimes our Canadian government...
Sunday, March 18
Friday, March 16
Addictions
For the next few days, adding up to a total of 40, my friend Miranda is observing Lent and removing 'vices' from her lifestyle (this year it's booze and wheat).
I've been inspired by her resolve in the past but it seems that every year Lent rolls around and, having never observed any real christian tradition as a child, except for the odd Sunday every 3 years when my grandmother would come to town and suddenly I'd be Anglican (I'm not counting christmas and easter of course - they're more like turkey and egg holidays), every year I forget about Lent, missing this chance to participate in a tradition of anti-consumerism. And, unlike other traditions, who are seen as benefits for the economy and so paraded before the consumer for weeks if not months prior to the day, I become aware of this 'holiday' only after it has already started - and I hesitate to be the bandwagon girl who observes Lent for only 31 days.
But why not? If I think about, and I try not to, there are many things in my life that could be considered vices, or even addictions, and could use a break from my life be it 40 or 31 or even 4 days. Some are easy to remove and some are not.
Take for example coffee (lindsay reaches for a sip before continuing)...I would hesitate to say I'm addicted to it and yet those rare days that I choose not to have coffee are few and far between (and usually hazy). Several years ago in university, I decided I needed to stop drinking coffee for at least a year due to a book I read, appropriately named Coffee. The first few weeks of life without coffee I felt the effects of removing an addiction, socially and physically - the massive headaches, the shaking hands, the smell of coffee taunting me, and the questioning I got from people who knew me as a coffee drinker (my mother!). Thankfully however, I loved tea and after several months it became easier to turn down that delicious bean juice. Before I knew it I had gone a year and two months without a cup of java and I was so proud of myself that I decided one cup wouldn’t hurt (oh it was gooood…). And then I decided a mug a week was ok, especially if it was socially responsible coffee. Fast forward to today where I’m sometimes buying coffee from gas stations and (gasp!) Starbucks just because there’s no other alternative. Ah addictions…it’s a slippery slope. (Lindsay takes a anther sip of the sweet nectar of the gods).
Recently I’ve been wondering if I’m also addicted to my computer - email, news, photography, entertainment, music and even now, though I'm 'creative writing', it's creative time spent on a computer. But how do you kick this addiction without dropping off the face of the planet? And although granted soon I will be working on a boat and far removed from any "asdfghjkl;" for days at a time, forcibly placed into computer rehab, undoubtedly as soon as my sea legs reach land, I will seek out an internet cafe to at least make contact with the boy - I'm pretty sure that's against protocol for other rehab programs.
Perhaps I need to limit my computer time and monitor the hours wasted. Perhaps I will read a book called "Computer" and go cold turkey for a year. Needless to say, and however I deal with it, of all my addictions this seems to be that hardest to kick - here comes the shaking hands again.
Tuesday, March 13
Saturday, March 10
Thursday, February 22
I have a date tonight
I'm taking myself, james and my new red dress out on a date. We leave in an hour, and I doubt James will read this post before then, so I can tell you what we're doing - we're going to see Josh Ritter !!!
I'm so excited...
I'm so excited...
Just like a rolling stone
On the move again.
Finished most of my packing yesterday evening and have only a scattering mix of dust and random bits left to deal with. It's been a difficult pack (oh, woe is me) since I've had to think about a) what I might need for the summer, b) what I might want to keep for my next place, and c) what I can fit into Big Jim's small apartment (we're not really 'moving-in' per say but I will be storing some stuff at his place...like my dresser...and my knitting needles...and some books...and I'll most likely be sleeping there when I'm in town...but we're not moving in...)
Leaving the West End and my funky, though small, apartment is a small drag - beach access, great food venues in close proximity, friends who live a stone's throw away, late night stumbles home from the bar, that squirrel who begs for food outside my window, the family of raccoons and magic mushrooms who also reside there, ferns and Buddha welcoming me home, my three large windows, my shower, open-late liquor store, yoga studio, library, and bus stops - all of these things I will miss.
Then there are things I won't miss - like an outrageous rent payment for only 500 sq m, an extra-large-bar-fridge half full with condiments, a fire alarm that went off every time I baked (yes, I baked from time to time...though not too frequently, because of the damn fire alarm), my windows allowing for easy viewing of my rump when I decided I couldn't be bothered to run to the bathroom to change...
Where my next 'home' will be is any one's guess (though this trip to the Kootenay's might help that decision). On the other hand, I'm itching for some warm weather bathing/surfing and I don't think my summer cruising the west coast on a sailboat will be satisfying any urges (oh but the whales I will see). Also thinking about going back to school and studying basket weaving...
Any wagers or bets?
Finished most of my packing yesterday evening and have only a scattering mix of dust and random bits left to deal with. It's been a difficult pack (oh, woe is me) since I've had to think about a) what I might need for the summer, b) what I might want to keep for my next place, and c) what I can fit into Big Jim's small apartment (we're not really 'moving-in' per say but I will be storing some stuff at his place...like my dresser...and my knitting needles...and some books...and I'll most likely be sleeping there when I'm in town...but we're not moving in...)
Leaving the West End and my funky, though small, apartment is a small drag - beach access, great food venues in close proximity, friends who live a stone's throw away, late night stumbles home from the bar, that squirrel who begs for food outside my window, the family of raccoons and magic mushrooms who also reside there, ferns and Buddha welcoming me home, my three large windows, my shower, open-late liquor store, yoga studio, library, and bus stops - all of these things I will miss.
Then there are things I won't miss - like an outrageous rent payment for only 500 sq m, an extra-large-bar-fridge half full with condiments, a fire alarm that went off every time I baked (yes, I baked from time to time...though not too frequently, because of the damn fire alarm), my windows allowing for easy viewing of my rump when I decided I couldn't be bothered to run to the bathroom to change...
Where my next 'home' will be is any one's guess (though this trip to the Kootenay's might help that decision). On the other hand, I'm itching for some warm weather bathing/surfing and I don't think my summer cruising the west coast on a sailboat will be satisfying any urges (oh but the whales I will see). Also thinking about going back to school and studying basket weaving...
Any wagers or bets?
Friday, February 16
Sadie
I met Andee Pelan when we both worked as camping guides for Midnight Sun. I would look forward to when our vans would cross paths in Jasper and we'd convince our clients to go out on the town so that we could drink together. A couple years later I got to know her better when I lived in Port McNeil for a summer and she ran a hostel just a ferry ride away in one of my favourite towns, Alert Bay. I spent many great hours with her and Moo (her fantastic, though smelly, Saint-Bernard-partner-in-life), on the beach, offroading in the van, and being tipsy while dancing along to the local harmonica legend at the Alert Bay music festival.
Now, you may not realize this, but I suck at communication and keeping in contact with friends that move outside my field of vision. Lucky for me, Andee understands this and has still kept me on her list for group email updates. Also lucky for me, and the many cc'd others, she's a fantastic writer who sees humor in most situations, so said group emails are a welcome sight in my inbox.
Recently her life took a different turn and several months ago she gave premature birth to Sadie Sioux (she was just under 4 lbs) .
Andee's explanation of the name selection:
Anyways, the long short rollercosater of a story is that Sadie's now had 5 surgeries already, including the most recent one to stabilize her while she waits for a heart donor. But with me being in BC and them in Ontario, I can do little more than think good thoughts and wish I could do more. Frozen casseroles don't travel by mail very well.
So,
Sadie Sioux, my thoughts are with you.
(see Andee, you did name her well for rhyming!)
Now, you may not realize this, but I suck at communication and keeping in contact with friends that move outside my field of vision. Lucky for me, Andee understands this and has still kept me on her list for group email updates. Also lucky for me, and the many cc'd others, she's a fantastic writer who sees humor in most situations, so said group emails are a welcome sight in my inbox.
Recently her life took a different turn and several months ago she gave premature birth to Sadie Sioux (she was just under 4 lbs) .
Andee's explanation of the name selection:
"As mentioned before, Sadie is my great grandmother's name on my mum's side. Sioux was chosen for a few reasons: 1. both of Geri's great grandmother's were native Canadians... and while we're pretty sure that they were more likely Iroquois and not Sioux indian, Sadie Iroquois just doesn't have the same ring to it. 2. I was born in northern Ontario in Sioux Lookout. 3. After my honorary sister (dubbed bestest friend in Grade 6) Sue Bennett, who often goes by the nickname Siouxsie (after the very-cool-especially-for-the-80's band Siouxsie and the Banshees). 4. It makes for good song rhyming... a lot of words rhyme with Sioux (pronounced Soo, for my ESL friends)... what rhymes with Iroquois?... enema?, blah blah blah? mother-in-law?"
Anyways, the long short rollercosater of a story is that Sadie's now had 5 surgeries already, including the most recent one to stabilize her while she waits for a heart donor. But with me being in BC and them in Ontario, I can do little more than think good thoughts and wish I could do more. Frozen casseroles don't travel by mail very well.
So,
Sadie Sioux, my thoughts are with you.
(see Andee, you did name her well for rhyming!)
Wednesday, February 14
Happy V-day
Valentine's Day is a strange 'holiday'.
You don't get the time off, there's no stat pay, guys usually forget about it until they hear it on the radio that morning, and no one really knows the history of it.
Was it because St. Valentine defied a ban on marriages, performing the ceremony illegally? Did he actually sign love letters from jail signed "from your valentine"? Did those crazy romans and their gods, such as Juno, goddess of women and marriage, have anything to do with it occuring on Feb 14th? (For those of you interested in celebrating roman traditions, tomorrow you get to get to celebrate the hunter of wolves). And how we went from pagan gods and dead martyrs, to chocolate and lace underwear is a bit of a blur.
But even though this historically tragic holiday hasn't yet involved any foresaken love (albeit forsaken sleep - I had to be at the tram by 5:45 this morning for training), it's been a surprisingly nice day: Got to borrow the van so I could come back and take a nap before I work tonight, ate a valentine cookie at 7:30, was given an amusing card and chocolates when I got back (I was a bit shocked I have to say), and am now enjoying a fantastic cup of coffee. My cycisim may be broken yet.
And for the ladies who were pleasantly surprised with a display of lurve, like myself, there is a way you can make it up - SteakandBJ day. At least we know the history of this holiday...
You don't get the time off, there's no stat pay, guys usually forget about it until they hear it on the radio that morning, and no one really knows the history of it.
Was it because St. Valentine defied a ban on marriages, performing the ceremony illegally? Did he actually sign love letters from jail signed "from your valentine"? Did those crazy romans and their gods, such as Juno, goddess of women and marriage, have anything to do with it occuring on Feb 14th? (For those of you interested in celebrating roman traditions, tomorrow you get to get to celebrate the hunter of wolves). And how we went from pagan gods and dead martyrs, to chocolate and lace underwear is a bit of a blur.
But even though this historically tragic holiday hasn't yet involved any foresaken love (albeit forsaken sleep - I had to be at the tram by 5:45 this morning for training), it's been a surprisingly nice day: Got to borrow the van so I could come back and take a nap before I work tonight, ate a valentine cookie at 7:30, was given an amusing card and chocolates when I got back (I was a bit shocked I have to say), and am now enjoying a fantastic cup of coffee. My cycisim may be broken yet.
And for the ladies who were pleasantly surprised with a display of lurve, like myself, there is a way you can make it up - SteakandBJ day. At least we know the history of this holiday...
Tuesday, February 6
Monday, January 29
Goodbye Terc'
Monday mourning (spelling mistake intended), I cleaned out my car for the last time - which wasn't too often since it was just an average car that I never cared about, not like my 1978 green westfalia who had a hippie name and for whom I insisted kristy take photographs of 'us' hugging before I sold her (yes, I know, both hippie and silly)...I digress.
The Terc' (1988 2-door Toyota Tercel - this photo is not my car...) never really made it into too many of my photos. First of all, because it was gray, and second of all, because it looked like a compressed version of a Delorean, minus the doors that spread like wings of course...that would've been cool. (I don't really know cars, but I know Back to the Future). I tried to put some hippie bumperstickers on to give it some life, but even though it was a delight to have a colour spectrum, the stickers seemed to mock me for being hypocritical in my vehicle usage. Luckily that guilt wasn't too overwhelming, and I did manage to clock quite of few km's on it - my daily commutes from Port McNeil to Telegraph Cove while working for DFO, my rainy day commutes to Shaugnessy Golf and Country Club, where I worked as server and took great delight parking next to very expensive cars (don't ask me what type...seriously I don't know cars), and the many trips to Smalltown, BC.
It was a crap car and there were less hugging departure photos, and more arguments with mechanics and calls convincing wreckers to take it, but it was decent car that did me well so I guess it deserves a eulogy. So, cya Terc'. I will remember your trunk that I could open with my finger, and racecar-esc shift stick, but mostly I will miss your home made canvas moon roof.
Single tear.
The Terc' (1988 2-door Toyota Tercel - this photo is not my car...) never really made it into too many of my photos. First of all, because it was gray, and second of all, because it looked like a compressed version of a Delorean, minus the doors that spread like wings of course...that would've been cool. (I don't really know cars, but I know Back to the Future). I tried to put some hippie bumperstickers on to give it some life, but even though it was a delight to have a colour spectrum, the stickers seemed to mock me for being hypocritical in my vehicle usage. Luckily that guilt wasn't too overwhelming, and I did manage to clock quite of few km's on it - my daily commutes from Port McNeil to Telegraph Cove while working for DFO, my rainy day commutes to Shaugnessy Golf and Country Club, where I worked as server and took great delight parking next to very expensive cars (don't ask me what type...seriously I don't know cars), and the many trips to Smalltown, BC.
It was a crap car and there were less hugging departure photos, and more arguments with mechanics and calls convincing wreckers to take it, but it was decent car that did me well so I guess it deserves a eulogy. So, cya Terc'. I will remember your trunk that I could open with my finger, and racecar-esc shift stick, but mostly I will miss your home made canvas moon roof.
Single tear.
Sunday, January 28
Thingsmyboyfriendsangtome.com
me: eveything in moderation eh?
bj: (with guitar) I'd like to moderately moderate you out of my life.
~~~
this post is in response to a funny site my friend eliana found.
bj: (with guitar) I'd like to moderately moderate you out of my life.
~~~
this post is in response to a funny site my friend eliana found.
Friday, January 26
Wednesday, January 17
Perks
As cool as the job sounds, working as a ski patroller has a few drawbacks - I donÂ’t get paid much, the commute is a pain, especially since the Tercel has decided to pout until I cease my procrastination and pay attention to it, I work a lot of evenings which has led to the slow demise of my social life, and sometimes my office is really freaking cold and wet.
Of course, the perks of the job can be awesome.
Of course, the perks of the job can be awesome.
Last weekend my boss and co-worker taught a fantastic entry level avalanche course for the patrol team. This meant that on Sunday, with the sun shining, we hiked/skinned up into the snowshoe park to play around with snow profiles, compression tests and rutschblock tests - not a bad day. The whole experience was great for someone like myself who wants to get out into the backcountry though to be honest, after barely scraping the surface of avalanche knowledge, hearing the stories about avalanche victims, and listening to my instructors say things like "in these conditions you should be safe, however you never know" there was a small voice in my head wondering "why do I want to do this again?".
But, after the day was done and I took the skins off my skiis to begin my descent home, after taking turns in powder and trees, that small voice was inaudiable - all I could hear was " wheeeeee!!!"
This could be an evolutionary flaw, but it sure is fun.
Sunday, January 7
Thursday, January 4
Jockey James
I forgot to mention this New Years Eve activity. Lindsey, James' sister, let us ride her horses Filet and Mignon as a reward for all the hard work we did on the barn. We didn't exactly ride the horses, more like we got towed by his mom and sister. His sister decided to step it up a notch with and we jogged a little - however this disastorous move caused Filet to want to gallop -so she bucked me off then dragged Linds' by the rope before galloping back to the barn. Don't worry, the only thing hurt was my pride.
This is a photo that James wants to photo shop into a horse track or something. It amuses me way more the way it is now.
This is a photo that James wants to photo shop into a horse track or something. It amuses me way more the way it is now.
Wednesday, January 3
Tour D'Ontario
We flew into Toronto on the 24th and Bill Inkster picked us from the airport.
I should have sensed forshadowing of a crazy week when after several stressful minutes of searching for the car (for james and his dad, not me) we found it parked not in an actual stall, but in the driving lane, a big yellow arrow painted underneath.
First stop - Guelph, where James and I spent christmas eve going through all the elementary school assignments he ever completed and got a "Good job!" on. He was a funny writer even back then, though it perhaps wasn't as intentional. Some sidesplitting highlights included his use of the word dispicable (which he apparently got congratulated on one year, so logically used the word throughout the rest of his elementary writing profession), the constant sport theme, such as james' "life timeline" which underlined the beginning of each sports career he began - hockey age 3, soccer age 4, baseball age 5, hockey age 6 (he stepped it up a league by learning how to skate), and his attention to criticism - one teacher asked him to try adjectives, and so, the next story had an average of 2 adjectives per noun ("Under the tremendous tree there were shiny new clean presents"). Turns out he hasn't changed much since that early age.
Christmas Day was spent with his family. Just like any typical canadian family, the morning was spent working on the barn, leftover chile was enjoyed at lunch with 5 dogs and 2 grandparents, one French cousin and a sleepy Italian boyfriend, the afternoon was a combination of beer spilling and lawn mower riding, chirstmas dinner turkey was delicious and laid next to a delicious display of potatoes, stuffing and jello shots, and the evening was spent opening gifts and playing pool.
Boxing Day I was up early and driving to Toronto to drop off Cousin Sylvia and Dopey (Jordano). I then journeyed down the 401 to Stirling, Ontario where I spent the day visiting my dad's parents, Dorothy and Clary and their long time friend Hilda, who were visiting my (Aunt) Nancy, (Uncle) Terry and (dog cousin) Tyler. Stirling is a beautiful place and I wished I could of stayed longer. I'll save you the details, but it's nice to see my family still remains crazy, in both good and bad ways.
The 27th I was on the move again, this time my destination was Stouffville, home to the other side of the family, and a whole new avenue of craziness. I took the backroads to get there and crossed some beautiful Canadian Shield scenery, a good backdrop for my thoughts. However, the combo of backroads and having to literally rip my body from my grandmothers grasp, caused me to be arrive 1/2 hour later than planned, wchich caused my other grandmother to nearly start a mass search for my body. After that drama, tea and conversation went well - which is good becuase I now hear through the geneological grapevine that we had a falling out during my last visit, 3 years agao, because i was too opinionated. Apparently naive as well, since this news was brought to my attention at at 12:02am Jan. 1, 2007. Ah, it's going to be a good year...I digress. It was great to see my aunts/uncles and cousins too and it's nice to know that my 21/20 year old cousins have more direction in life than I do. Then again, I had more direction back then as well.
The 28th I headed back to Guelph (and nearly had a breakdown as I got lost on the 4-0-get-me-the-hell-out-this-city highways...one wrong turn was all it took for me to spend 15 minutes exploring every major city center hghway in Toronto) to begin the journey with James and Lindsey, our destinatio the infamous...Owen Sound.
A brief tour of the town and a quick walk down memory lane later, we were at the liquor store collecting our supplies for the evening...24 beer, a big bottle of Fireball, and our gag gifts - a flask of JD and Labatt Maximum Ice (7% alcohol, 1.18 L). Then over to the Boot n' Blade, a local diner that used to be quaint and made of hockey sticks but has since been upgraded to a more modern, less interesting decor, to meet Dawn, Fred, Cheryl, Tim, Owen and Natalie. A great ab workout, as Tim recollected, with James ' help the stunts that he and James pulled. Less like "Remember the time we went 4x4ing" and more like "Remember the time you ran away after spitting crackers in a voters face, leaving me to deal with it?". Hahaha...
The night was spent outside of Owen Sound, at a house party near Charles Lake on the famous Niagra Escarpement. Both James and I exceeded our expectations and drank most of the beer we brought, shared the fireball with everyone (like I needed those two shots), and ironically got each others gag gift - the Maximum Ice was donated to any brave, willing particpants - not surprising, it caused nothing but trouble - The JD was tucked away thankfully for another night.
Many laughs and documented nonsense from James' boys, Kalle, Dean, Jee Hoon, and Mike.
The next day we dragged our bodies back to the car for some countryside touring before we picked up Lindsey and headed back to Guelph for more barn labour. An uneventful hazy day.
The 30th was spent shopping in a Guelph mall with James, where many items were crossed off of his purchasing list and I was reminded I can't handle much time in malls no matter the township. More barn work and then out for greek food to celebrate Lu's birthday. Aside: When you have leftovers, do you ask the server to package it up, or do you ask for a container and do it for yourself? Hypothetical question of course...
New Years Eve - more barn work, more beer and more pool. One last visit with James' Grandma and Poppy and we were in a van headed back to the airport for one of my more frusteratingly slow airport experiences. 11:54pm we arrived at my parents house in Vancouver in time to count down the last seconds with my sister and her friends and then directly to the well earned bed for some solid zzz's.
Not exactly a relaxing week, but definatley entertaining. I'm glad I broke the bank for the trip.
I should have sensed forshadowing of a crazy week when after several stressful minutes of searching for the car (for james and his dad, not me) we found it parked not in an actual stall, but in the driving lane, a big yellow arrow painted underneath.
First stop - Guelph, where James and I spent christmas eve going through all the elementary school assignments he ever completed and got a "Good job!" on. He was a funny writer even back then, though it perhaps wasn't as intentional. Some sidesplitting highlights included his use of the word dispicable (which he apparently got congratulated on one year, so logically used the word throughout the rest of his elementary writing profession), the constant sport theme, such as james' "life timeline" which underlined the beginning of each sports career he began - hockey age 3, soccer age 4, baseball age 5, hockey age 6 (he stepped it up a league by learning how to skate), and his attention to criticism - one teacher asked him to try adjectives, and so, the next story had an average of 2 adjectives per noun ("Under the tremendous tree there were shiny new clean presents"). Turns out he hasn't changed much since that early age.
Christmas Day was spent with his family. Just like any typical canadian family, the morning was spent working on the barn, leftover chile was enjoyed at lunch with 5 dogs and 2 grandparents, one French cousin and a sleepy Italian boyfriend, the afternoon was a combination of beer spilling and lawn mower riding, chirstmas dinner turkey was delicious and laid next to a delicious display of potatoes, stuffing and jello shots, and the evening was spent opening gifts and playing pool.
Boxing Day I was up early and driving to Toronto to drop off Cousin Sylvia and Dopey (Jordano). I then journeyed down the 401 to Stirling, Ontario where I spent the day visiting my dad's parents, Dorothy and Clary and their long time friend Hilda, who were visiting my (Aunt) Nancy, (Uncle) Terry and (dog cousin) Tyler. Stirling is a beautiful place and I wished I could of stayed longer. I'll save you the details, but it's nice to see my family still remains crazy, in both good and bad ways.
The 27th I was on the move again, this time my destination was Stouffville, home to the other side of the family, and a whole new avenue of craziness. I took the backroads to get there and crossed some beautiful Canadian Shield scenery, a good backdrop for my thoughts. However, the combo of backroads and having to literally rip my body from my grandmothers grasp, caused me to be arrive 1/2 hour later than planned, wchich caused my other grandmother to nearly start a mass search for my body. After that drama, tea and conversation went well - which is good becuase I now hear through the geneological grapevine that we had a falling out during my last visit, 3 years agao, because i was too opinionated. Apparently naive as well, since this news was brought to my attention at at 12:02am Jan. 1, 2007. Ah, it's going to be a good year...I digress. It was great to see my aunts/uncles and cousins too and it's nice to know that my 21/20 year old cousins have more direction in life than I do. Then again, I had more direction back then as well.
The 28th I headed back to Guelph (and nearly had a breakdown as I got lost on the 4-0-get-me-the-hell-out-this-city highways...one wrong turn was all it took for me to spend 15 minutes exploring every major city center hghway in Toronto) to begin the journey with James and Lindsey, our destinatio the infamous...Owen Sound.
A brief tour of the town and a quick walk down memory lane later, we were at the liquor store collecting our supplies for the evening...24 beer, a big bottle of Fireball, and our gag gifts - a flask of JD and Labatt Maximum Ice (7% alcohol, 1.18 L). Then over to the Boot n' Blade, a local diner that used to be quaint and made of hockey sticks but has since been upgraded to a more modern, less interesting decor, to meet Dawn, Fred, Cheryl, Tim, Owen and Natalie. A great ab workout, as Tim recollected, with James ' help the stunts that he and James pulled. Less like "Remember the time we went 4x4ing" and more like "Remember the time you ran away after spitting crackers in a voters face, leaving me to deal with it?". Hahaha...
The night was spent outside of Owen Sound, at a house party near Charles Lake on the famous Niagra Escarpement. Both James and I exceeded our expectations and drank most of the beer we brought, shared the fireball with everyone (like I needed those two shots), and ironically got each others gag gift - the Maximum Ice was donated to any brave, willing particpants - not surprising, it caused nothing but trouble - The JD was tucked away thankfully for another night.
Many laughs and documented nonsense from James' boys, Kalle, Dean, Jee Hoon, and Mike.
The next day we dragged our bodies back to the car for some countryside touring before we picked up Lindsey and headed back to Guelph for more barn labour. An uneventful hazy day.
The 30th was spent shopping in a Guelph mall with James, where many items were crossed off of his purchasing list and I was reminded I can't handle much time in malls no matter the township. More barn work and then out for greek food to celebrate Lu's birthday. Aside: When you have leftovers, do you ask the server to package it up, or do you ask for a container and do it for yourself? Hypothetical question of course...
New Years Eve - more barn work, more beer and more pool. One last visit with James' Grandma and Poppy and we were in a van headed back to the airport for one of my more frusteratingly slow airport experiences. 11:54pm we arrived at my parents house in Vancouver in time to count down the last seconds with my sister and her friends and then directly to the well earned bed for some solid zzz's.
Not exactly a relaxing week, but definatley entertaining. I'm glad I broke the bank for the trip.
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