This is the Burj Dubai in the dark.
Random pictures of erections in the dark.
Gotta love the 'double night' mode on my camera. The building that looks like a giant sail is the Burj Al-Arab.
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Erections in the Dark.
This is the Burj Dubai in the dark.
Random pictures of erections in the dark.
Gotta love the 'double night' mode on my camera. The building that looks like a giant sail is the Burj Al-Arab.
Going around in circles in Bur Dubai
Yesterday we decided to go to the gold souk. Tourist sites encourage you to go there for the cheap gold. Of course we now know it's a bit of a tourist trap, though admittedly the gold is pretty cheap, say compared to Montreal.
The funny part is that we were looking for the gold souk. We had actually studied the map and written alternate ways to find it, should we get lost before crossing the creek. Well you know what they say about the best laid out plans. We drove around looking for the two streets I had marked on my paper, but they were not significant enough streets to be able to find them from the main road we were on and thankfully we turned around just before we got to Sharjah. We asked for directions several times and to be honest I got to think people were just sending us off to a wild goose chase. We eventually found one of the two streets and I suggested we park. At least it was a commercial area, and not residential like most of where we had been circling around. We took the first parking spot we found and didn't have change for parking machine and could not find a place opened to get change. For some reason most of the shops in that area seemed closed between 2 and 5. Of course it was 3 o'clock.
I had studied the map enough to know where to expect the gold souk so we walked and found it, but by the backside. We couldn't even find a door, but we found it's underground parking and entered that way. Of course most of the shops were closed until 5, except for the 1 food place, which interestingly enough actually had veggie burgers on their menu. So we ate, and window shopped for a bit. I did end up getting the one thing I really wanted to get, a new gold chain for my astrological sign pendant, that I've been waering for 20 years.
Overall there was way too much bling. I don't like things that are big or attract attention. But I looked at the different jewelry. Sometimes I find things pretty even though I would NEVER EVER wear it. I did spot a very delicate ring, no more then 2 mm wide with little sapphires and diamonds. I don't care for diamonds especially knowing most are 'blood diamonds', but this ring spoke volumes to me.. so much so my sweetie insisted getting it for me. It was a battle I wasn't going to win. So I've got this really perty ring now on my finger :)
On our way out, we actually left by the front of the building. It made me realize we must have driven past it early in the day. That fact was confirmed by the picture I'd taken of the building when we first drove past it. Of course it didn't say "Gold Souk", it said "Gold Land". How were we supposed to know???
The moral of the story is that it is so incredibly easy to get lost in Dubai traffic and roads.. especially the closer you get to Sharjah. People complain about the poor road signs in Montreal. Obviously they have NEVER been to Dubai.
Oh and we ended up getting a parking ticket. But it was about $50 CAD. Much cheaper then the parking tickets in Montreal [$75 CAD]
The funny part is that we were looking for the gold souk. We had actually studied the map and written alternate ways to find it, should we get lost before crossing the creek. Well you know what they say about the best laid out plans. We drove around looking for the two streets I had marked on my paper, but they were not significant enough streets to be able to find them from the main road we were on and thankfully we turned around just before we got to Sharjah. We asked for directions several times and to be honest I got to think people were just sending us off to a wild goose chase. We eventually found one of the two streets and I suggested we park. At least it was a commercial area, and not residential like most of where we had been circling around. We took the first parking spot we found and didn't have change for parking machine and could not find a place opened to get change. For some reason most of the shops in that area seemed closed between 2 and 5. Of course it was 3 o'clock.
I had studied the map enough to know where to expect the gold souk so we walked and found it, but by the backside. We couldn't even find a door, but we found it's underground parking and entered that way. Of course most of the shops were closed until 5, except for the 1 food place, which interestingly enough actually had veggie burgers on their menu. So we ate, and window shopped for a bit. I did end up getting the one thing I really wanted to get, a new gold chain for my astrological sign pendant, that I've been waering for 20 years.
Overall there was way too much bling. I don't like things that are big or attract attention. But I looked at the different jewelry. Sometimes I find things pretty even though I would NEVER EVER wear it. I did spot a very delicate ring, no more then 2 mm wide with little sapphires and diamonds. I don't care for diamonds especially knowing most are 'blood diamonds', but this ring spoke volumes to me.. so much so my sweetie insisted getting it for me. It was a battle I wasn't going to win. So I've got this really perty ring now on my finger :)
On our way out, we actually left by the front of the building. It made me realize we must have driven past it early in the day. That fact was confirmed by the picture I'd taken of the building when we first drove past it. Of course it didn't say "Gold Souk", it said "Gold Land". How were we supposed to know???
The moral of the story is that it is so incredibly easy to get lost in Dubai traffic and roads.. especially the closer you get to Sharjah. People complain about the poor road signs in Montreal. Obviously they have NEVER been to Dubai.
Oh and we ended up getting a parking ticket. But it was about $50 CAD. Much cheaper then the parking tickets in Montreal [$75 CAD]
Friday, March 02, 2007
Getting Lost in Sharjah....
It seems to be a common joke in the UAE that one gets lost in Sharjah. Well this morning, we took a drive down to Sharjah to pick up one of my sweetie's friends, who had spent the night there. It didn't take long for us to get lost. I figured out we were going in circles when we passed both the post office and one particular mosque serveral times. It was interesting, we started from Dubai, went to Sharjah, back to Dubai and then dropped off the friend in Abu Dhabi. Not just anywhere in Abu Dhabi, but in the furthest suburb just on the edge of the desert. Because it was night by then I did not manage to get any pictures of the desert, but I did manage a few nicely lit up mosques. We ended up the trip back in Dubai of course at a Mc Donalds.
I've included 3 pictures. 1 is the post office in Sharjah, the 2nd is the mosque, and the 3rd is the McDonalds I spotted in Sharjah. McD's looks the same pretty much everywhere in the world don't they?
I've included 3 pictures. 1 is the post office in Sharjah, the 2nd is the mosque, and the 3rd is the McDonalds I spotted in Sharjah. McD's looks the same pretty much everywhere in the world don't they?
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Fireworks
The other night while we were having dinner at Johnny Rockets, there was an impromtu fireworks display. I managed to snap a few photo's. Here are a couple:
Look mommy at all the cranes in the sky!
I'm still not over fact that everywhere we look buildings are mushrooming out of the desert, and the cranes, tons of cranes. I've been reading on what to visit in Dubai so that when my sweetie gets time off next week, we can visit more of Dubai together. I don't think he's explored it all that much. It doesn't help that no map of Dubai is accurate for more then a day or two. Even the roads keep changing. Just getting around is somewhat of a challenge, even for the locals I sense. I especially want to see the Persian Gulf coast. This might prove to be challenging as buildings are now lining the coast, and making it far less accessible.
I've had the pleasure of meeting my sweetie's sister, one of his co-workers and one of his friends. All women of course. I get the sense that they are all checking me out to make sure I'm good to him :) I like that, they are all protective of him, and not in a bad way. They've all been nice to me and made me feel welcome.
I like the way both the locals, the ex-pats working in Dubai and the visitors can blend in together at the Dubai Marina walk. You see everything from the somewhat conservative locals in their long robes [men in long white robes, women in long black robes and head cover], to the scantilly clad tourists. My sweetie wasn't kidding when he said this place is almost like a walking contradiction. I still feel more comfortable dressing somewhat more conservatively then at home, if nothing else not to stick out like a sore thumb. However with my flaming red hair and pasty white skin with freckles, I definitely do not look local, and they are far more tolerant over non-locals.
Today I will get the courage to venture out on my own, to go grab lunch at the Dubai Marina, probably at the Rupee room. It's an Indian restaurant that has been particularly good to me so far. Everything I've tried has been delicious and very friendly to my internal organs. The first time we went, the waiter warned me that the dish was 'spicy'. I found it bland for a spicy dish. The second time, I chose a curry, and got no warning. It was far spicier, which is what I wanted.
I've had the pleasure of meeting my sweetie's sister, one of his co-workers and one of his friends. All women of course. I get the sense that they are all checking me out to make sure I'm good to him :) I like that, they are all protective of him, and not in a bad way. They've all been nice to me and made me feel welcome.
I like the way both the locals, the ex-pats working in Dubai and the visitors can blend in together at the Dubai Marina walk. You see everything from the somewhat conservative locals in their long robes [men in long white robes, women in long black robes and head cover], to the scantilly clad tourists. My sweetie wasn't kidding when he said this place is almost like a walking contradiction. I still feel more comfortable dressing somewhat more conservatively then at home, if nothing else not to stick out like a sore thumb. However with my flaming red hair and pasty white skin with freckles, I definitely do not look local, and they are far more tolerant over non-locals.
Today I will get the courage to venture out on my own, to go grab lunch at the Dubai Marina, probably at the Rupee room. It's an Indian restaurant that has been particularly good to me so far. Everything I've tried has been delicious and very friendly to my internal organs. The first time we went, the waiter warned me that the dish was 'spicy'. I found it bland for a spicy dish. The second time, I chose a curry, and got no warning. It was far spicier, which is what I wanted.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Big Erections
They sure love their big erections in Dubai. Everywhere you look, all you see is these sky-scrapers being built. I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that there are more cranes in Dubai then in any other city in the world.
Here's an example of what I mean. This picture was taken at the Dubai Marina walk.
Or the Burj Dubai still under construction, which claims it will be the tallest building once built.
Just another example.. I took 4 pictures out the window of my sweetie's appartment window, in the Dubai Marina Diamond I building.. which I hoped to paste together as a panoramic view later.
Here's an example of what I mean. This picture was taken at the Dubai Marina walk.
Or the Burj Dubai still under construction, which claims it will be the tallest building once built.
Just another example.. I took 4 pictures out the window of my sweetie's appartment window, in the Dubai Marina Diamond I building.. which I hoped to paste together as a panoramic view later.
Some people get vegetarians, others get Camels.
So I survived my flight fears and made it all the way to Dubai. I stressed out for days, because I only had a 1 hour stop-over at Hearthrow and was afraid I'd miss my connecting flight. I was lucky that the flight to Dubai left a bit late, so though I stressed and ran through Heathrow, I did not miss my flight. In fact I had to wait about 30 minutes... was good, got me to de-stress.
One thing you can say about the Brits is they sure are anally retentive. I had just come out of a flight from Canada, where I was searched before I left, and was not carrying any offensive liquids, had just one carry-on of regulation size, but before I could board my plane to Dubai, I had to rego through the whole security process. Including removing my shoes. Thankfully I didn't carry any water, because we all know how incredibly dangerous water is.
The vegeterian meals on the Air Canada flight left a lot to be desired. The breakfast was a crappy refined flour bun, with jam and margerine, some heavily syruped fruit and a cup of orange juice. The veggie meals on the Emerates flight where so much better. Their breakfast consisted of 2 whole wheat buns, with jam & margerine [yellow too I might add], along with a bowl of fresh fruit [including mango.. Yum], and some apple juice. The other meal was absolutely kick ass. There was a hot main dish which seemed to be some indian veggie dish sitting on a bed of rice and some cooked carrots, that was awesome, and 2 salads. One just of greens, with cucumber and tomato, and one with some greens and lots of chickpeas and beans. This was accompanied by a whole wheat bun and some fresh fruit [with mango again]. Air Canada has a lot to learn about vegan/vegetarian meals. Most vegetarians go to that diet for health reasons. They don't want refined flours and overly sugared meals.
Overall while the service on the Air Canada flight was decent, the service on Emirates airlines was top notch. I also enjoyed fact they have screens in back of every seat, so basically you get your own TV, and they have camera's outside the plane you can watch your plane leave and arrive and they also have a channel that tells you where you are at all times, and the speed plane is going and the altitude. I found that pretty cool. Gives you an idea of what you're looking at when you're looking out the window.
I think my stress levels went down once I spotted my sweetie when I finally made it out of Dubai airport. The corridors seemed endless. I felt nervous, not knowing what to expect. But it was fairly stress free. Once I showed my canadian passport, it got stamped with a 60 days Visa, and all I had to do was pick up my bag, which convieniently just happened to be passing by when I reached the right carousel.
It was so incredibly cute, he was waiting for me with this pink stuffed Camel. He spotted me before I did, by a few seconds.. but it was such a relief. Though we were both a bit shy, fact that I only managed to sleep tops 1 hour in 15 minute segments over the two 6 1/2 hour flights, had me talking his ear off all the way back to his place. I suppose this is better then sitting there quietly and nervously.
One thing you can say about the Brits is they sure are anally retentive. I had just come out of a flight from Canada, where I was searched before I left, and was not carrying any offensive liquids, had just one carry-on of regulation size, but before I could board my plane to Dubai, I had to rego through the whole security process. Including removing my shoes. Thankfully I didn't carry any water, because we all know how incredibly dangerous water is.
The vegeterian meals on the Air Canada flight left a lot to be desired. The breakfast was a crappy refined flour bun, with jam and margerine, some heavily syruped fruit and a cup of orange juice. The veggie meals on the Emerates flight where so much better. Their breakfast consisted of 2 whole wheat buns, with jam & margerine [yellow too I might add], along with a bowl of fresh fruit [including mango.. Yum], and some apple juice. The other meal was absolutely kick ass. There was a hot main dish which seemed to be some indian veggie dish sitting on a bed of rice and some cooked carrots, that was awesome, and 2 salads. One just of greens, with cucumber and tomato, and one with some greens and lots of chickpeas and beans. This was accompanied by a whole wheat bun and some fresh fruit [with mango again]. Air Canada has a lot to learn about vegan/vegetarian meals. Most vegetarians go to that diet for health reasons. They don't want refined flours and overly sugared meals.
Overall while the service on the Air Canada flight was decent, the service on Emirates airlines was top notch. I also enjoyed fact they have screens in back of every seat, so basically you get your own TV, and they have camera's outside the plane you can watch your plane leave and arrive and they also have a channel that tells you where you are at all times, and the speed plane is going and the altitude. I found that pretty cool. Gives you an idea of what you're looking at when you're looking out the window.
I think my stress levels went down once I spotted my sweetie when I finally made it out of Dubai airport. The corridors seemed endless. I felt nervous, not knowing what to expect. But it was fairly stress free. Once I showed my canadian passport, it got stamped with a 60 days Visa, and all I had to do was pick up my bag, which convieniently just happened to be passing by when I reached the right carousel.
It was so incredibly cute, he was waiting for me with this pink stuffed Camel. He spotted me before I did, by a few seconds.. but it was such a relief. Though we were both a bit shy, fact that I only managed to sleep tops 1 hour in 15 minute segments over the two 6 1/2 hour flights, had me talking his ear off all the way back to his place. I suppose this is better then sitting there quietly and nervously.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Camels, llamas, dromadaries, Oh My!
I'm leaving for Dubai today. Going to the airport in less then 1 hour. I'm nervous, and hyper and bouncing off ceilings. I was awake at the crack of dawn [5am] today due to noise but I'm guessing due also to just excitement.
I guess I'll be writing from there, the next 2 weeks..
My sweetie will be waiting for me with his pink Camel at the airport... because of course everyone in the middle east has a camel :P
I guess I'll be writing from there, the next 2 weeks..
My sweetie will be waiting for me with his pink Camel at the airport... because of course everyone in the middle east has a camel :P
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Another Monday night...
Another one liner. Tonight David Caruso said " They won't be secrets for long" before The Who started to scream. I saw the most disgusting picture today. Someone had too much time on theirhands and photoshop and made a nude buff Caruso. *Shudders* Somethings are best left unknown.
Two days before I leave for Dubai. I'm trying not to think about it so I dont' stress myself out. The hardest part is packing. I have such a hard time deciding what to bring and what to wear.
Two days before I leave for Dubai. I'm trying not to think about it so I dont' stress myself out. The hardest part is packing. I have such a hard time deciding what to bring and what to wear.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
I feel like a child again
I went to my doctor yesterday, to see what vaccinations if any I should get before traveling to Dubai. Well I ended up with 3 vaccinations yesterday. One against polio, one called adacel, against diphteria, tetanus and whopping cough, and lastly one against hepatitis A. She also suggested hepetitis B, typhoid and one called dukoral against cholera and travelers diarreah.
I refused one against the flu, I stopped taking the flu shot 7-8 years ago after a bad reaction, and to be honest I have not seen much difference between the years I had the flu shot and those I didnt' for the number of viral infections I catch and that can potentially set off my asthma. I also refused the mumps/measles/rubella one. I've had the mumps and measles already. Rubella, if I was still of child bearing capabilities, I'd have taken it, but since I'm not.. seems a waste. She also suggested the HPV generically but I chose to take that one later on, since I wasn't sure if my insurance would cover it. I called up the hotline for our insurance and they tell me they do to 85% which is great. I will be getting it after my trip... I think I'm getting enough vaccinations before my trip.
This morning, both of the arms that had vaccinations have muscle fatigue and one of the vaccinations gave me a bruise the size of a quarter.
I should get ready for work..
I refused one against the flu, I stopped taking the flu shot 7-8 years ago after a bad reaction, and to be honest I have not seen much difference between the years I had the flu shot and those I didnt' for the number of viral infections I catch and that can potentially set off my asthma. I also refused the mumps/measles/rubella one. I've had the mumps and measles already. Rubella, if I was still of child bearing capabilities, I'd have taken it, but since I'm not.. seems a waste. She also suggested the HPV generically but I chose to take that one later on, since I wasn't sure if my insurance would cover it. I called up the hotline for our insurance and they tell me they do to 85% which is great. I will be getting it after my trip... I think I'm getting enough vaccinations before my trip.
This morning, both of the arms that had vaccinations have muscle fatigue and one of the vaccinations gave me a bruise the size of a quarter.
I should get ready for work..
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
I'm starting to feel the excitement
I'm started to really feel excited over the fact that on February 21st, I'm flying to Dubai. When I booked the flight I was wrought over with panic and fear. I do dislike flying and am somewhat claustrophobic. The idea of flying twice 6 1/2 hour flights is daunting. But at the end of the day, in this case the ends justify the means.
My sweetie was refused a Visa to enter Canada, so he cannot visit me as planned in April. Instead of being completely devastated, I figured if he can't come to me, I can go to him. Besides I've been wanting to meet him in person for about 10 years. [but who's counting?] I had hoped that by now he'd be in Canada much like his ex-wife.
Admittedly Dubai would not have been a destination I would have considered visiting if I didn't have the incentive of having a friend there, but on the other hand, I've only traveled within North America the past 20 years, and before I was 18, I'd been to Europe 3 times. So if nothing else this will be a very different experience. I mean my last 3 flights were to Denver, Colorado, San Francisco, California, and Tampa, Florida.
So I'm totally excited this morning, and on that note, I need to get ready for work...
My sweetie was refused a Visa to enter Canada, so he cannot visit me as planned in April. Instead of being completely devastated, I figured if he can't come to me, I can go to him. Besides I've been wanting to meet him in person for about 10 years. [but who's counting?] I had hoped that by now he'd be in Canada much like his ex-wife.
Admittedly Dubai would not have been a destination I would have considered visiting if I didn't have the incentive of having a friend there, but on the other hand, I've only traveled within North America the past 20 years, and before I was 18, I'd been to Europe 3 times. So if nothing else this will be a very different experience. I mean my last 3 flights were to Denver, Colorado, San Francisco, California, and Tampa, Florida.
So I'm totally excited this morning, and on that note, I need to get ready for work...
Monday, February 12, 2007
It's so a Monday
For some unexplained reason my router hung today and I had to reset and reconfigure. I wasn't particularly swift and it took me forever to remember that the software is buggy and I had to put in MAC addresses manually.
It was a Monday for several other reasons, and I will leave it at that.
It was a Monday for several other reasons, and I will leave it at that.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Ah those blue Eyes
I always have a hard time lecturing my youngest daughter. She has a way with those big blue eyes of hers of wooing anyone. She's got her dad wrapped around her little finger, and it would seem me too at times. She was like "But but I MSNed my sister to turn off my alarm..." But she did it after her sister went to bed..
I still told her, that it wasn't much harder to disarm the alarm then it was to turn it off in the morning, to please, please disarm it. I mean she only sleeps here 4 nights a month.. I shouldn't have to always be woken up by her alarm when she's not here.
******
I'm getting excited. In 11 days I will be in Dubai, in the UAE. That's like half-way across the world.
*****
No More Fucking VAN HALEN!!! Why some groups have to get back together? Lord only knows. I never want to hear poundcake ever again.
I still told her, that it wasn't much harder to disarm the alarm then it was to turn it off in the morning, to please, please disarm it. I mean she only sleeps here 4 nights a month.. I shouldn't have to always be woken up by her alarm when she's not here.
******
I'm getting excited. In 11 days I will be in Dubai, in the UAE. That's like half-way across the world.
*****
No More Fucking VAN HALEN!!! Why some groups have to get back together? Lord only knows. I never want to hear poundcake ever again.
I'm going to Kill her...
My youngest set her alarm clock for Saturday morning 6:00am so she would make her lifeguard job on time. Of course she forgot to turn it off, so at 6:00am Sunday morning, who does it wake up? Mom. She slept at a friends house.
Did it wake up her sister? No. I had to get up at 6:15 to shut off the "BEEP BEEP BEEP" that was making my heart double beat, because it would not have shut itself off ever. I actually didn't turn off the alarm. I unplugged the alarm clock.
I've been doing that for 7 years now. Whenever she forgets her alarm clock, I unplug it. You'd think it would be annoying enough to have to reset the time each time she forgets it, that she would learn to turn it off....
I mean I'm particularly upset this morning cause I've been sick since Tuesday, been trying to get all the sleep I can manage to get rid of this flu/cold whatever it is as soon as possible. I was sleeping peacefully at 6am. I've been angry and annoyed and unable to sleep since 6am. I'm still not well enough to do anything constructive around my place. so sleep would have been good.
She will get a lecture today about turning off her alarm clock. I mean she does it at least once a month. And of course she's NEVER around to turn it off, and it's always set for hours that I never have to get up at, and more often then not, it wakes me up after I've been struggling to fall asleep.
Did it wake up her sister? No. I had to get up at 6:15 to shut off the "BEEP BEEP BEEP" that was making my heart double beat, because it would not have shut itself off ever. I actually didn't turn off the alarm. I unplugged the alarm clock.
I've been doing that for 7 years now. Whenever she forgets her alarm clock, I unplug it. You'd think it would be annoying enough to have to reset the time each time she forgets it, that she would learn to turn it off....
I mean I'm particularly upset this morning cause I've been sick since Tuesday, been trying to get all the sleep I can manage to get rid of this flu/cold whatever it is as soon as possible. I was sleeping peacefully at 6am. I've been angry and annoyed and unable to sleep since 6am. I'm still not well enough to do anything constructive around my place. so sleep would have been good.
She will get a lecture today about turning off her alarm clock. I mean she does it at least once a month. And of course she's NEVER around to turn it off, and it's always set for hours that I never have to get up at, and more often then not, it wakes me up after I've been struggling to fall asleep.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Taco Bell Part II
Debbie wanted to try out Taco Bell after we'd gone on Monday, so we went back on Thursday. We arrived a bit later and the line-up was almost to the door. I cringed expecting the slow service and the clueless zombies from Monday's visit, however we were pleasantly surprised. Both cashes were opened and the cashiers at least seemed alive. One was even well versed enough in vegetarian lifestyle to point out that while the first item Debbie ordered was veggie, the second was not and was that fine? I left there a little bit more impressed then the first time with the service. The Burrito 7 was still as good, and would make me return, probably within the next month.
Heartless Bitch
One of my favorite places to visit on the internet is the Heartless Bitches site. I love the brutal honesty. Over the years reading this site has encouraged me to grow as a woman, and become more independent. I have a much better idea of what a healthy relationship should be, and am prepared to stay alone rather then be in an unhealthy relationship.
The bitchtorial had me giggling. I've been known back in the BBS days to go on similar rants when men would post outlandish penis sizes. I just love her visual comparisons too.
The bitchtorial had me giggling. I've been known back in the BBS days to go on similar rants when men would post outlandish penis sizes. I just love her visual comparisons too.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Wired aux maximum
I am so incredibly wired right now. Been wired since late afternoon. It's the kinda wired where I am talking 1000 words a minute. SomethingthatwouldlooklikethisI'mtalkingsofast.
I've talked on the phone tonight with my buddy in Ottawa, and I've spent the better part of the night, analyzing, overanalyzing, looking, relooking, and making sure this was the plane tickets I wanted to book. In between I remembered I might have had a carry on I bought a couple years back, an air Canada model. Found it and felt compelled to measure to make sure it fit the standards for carry-on luggage on both sides of the pond. I've gotten headaches looking at the various rules and regulations one must follow to fly.
I suspect I'm going to end up being a hungry hypoglycemic. I used to travel with peanut butter sandwiches. I'm sure that's a crime in itself. sigh. So no more flying with peanuts. I can see it the wave of the future.. naked travel. Everything goes outside passenger cabin, everything gets scanned.
so it's getting really late and I;m still obsessing. I might need a doctors note to carry my asthma meds. Sigh.
and I started my day by leaving home at 8:30 AM. It was bumper to bumper on the 40 going between 30-50km from Sources all the way to Decarie. The decarie service road was quicker the then 40 this morning . I made it to the dentist at 9:45 AM . Not only did I get the final cement on my crown, but I also got a teeth cleaning. There was a free hygienist. At least it was worth the trip. I left dentist at 11:00AM was at work at 11:30. Amazing how little time it took to get back
Ok.. need to get sleep...
I've talked on the phone tonight with my buddy in Ottawa, and I've spent the better part of the night, analyzing, overanalyzing, looking, relooking, and making sure this was the plane tickets I wanted to book. In between I remembered I might have had a carry on I bought a couple years back, an air Canada model. Found it and felt compelled to measure to make sure it fit the standards for carry-on luggage on both sides of the pond. I've gotten headaches looking at the various rules and regulations one must follow to fly.
I suspect I'm going to end up being a hungry hypoglycemic. I used to travel with peanut butter sandwiches. I'm sure that's a crime in itself. sigh. So no more flying with peanuts. I can see it the wave of the future.. naked travel. Everything goes outside passenger cabin, everything gets scanned.
so it's getting really late and I;m still obsessing. I might need a doctors note to carry my asthma meds. Sigh.
and I started my day by leaving home at 8:30 AM. It was bumper to bumper on the 40 going between 30-50km from Sources all the way to Decarie. The decarie service road was quicker the then 40 this morning . I made it to the dentist at 9:45 AM . Not only did I get the final cement on my crown, but I also got a teeth cleaning. There was a free hygienist. At least it was worth the trip. I left dentist at 11:00AM was at work at 11:30. Amazing how little time it took to get back
Ok.. need to get sleep...
Monday, February 05, 2007
Quebec's First Taco Bell
I REALLY enjoyed my vegetarian burrito and risolle potatoes with cheese and sour cream at Taco Bell today. However I wasn't sure if the employees in the kitchen were actually alive. I mean I remember how animated they were in the Taco Bell in Plattsburg last time I went. Here I was wondering if they were zombies. This old man in front of us asked twice for sweet & sour sauce before he took off with his food and came back again to ask for sweet & sour sauce, in French, Sauce aigre douce. The kid working at putting little containers of cole slaw into a drawer, asked him to repeat the sauce 3 times. The third time, both my co-worker and the guy next to me also told him "Sweet and sour". Like.. was he deaf? Stupid? One of the female employees gave him his sweet and sour sauce, and about 5 minutes later the kid finally comes back with sweet and sour sauce and saying "Where did he go?" Like he got his sauce and had time to eat his meal by the time you came back. Thankfully we arrived at 11:45, just because the lunch rush. And just as well. When we left the line-up was all the way to the door.
Caruso's line for tonight "Priority #1". He already had the tacky sunglasses on and he was in motion. Was almost a let down.
Caruso's line for tonight "Priority #1". He already had the tacky sunglasses on and he was in motion. Was almost a let down.
Sunday, February 04, 2007
The best laid plans.....
I knew what I was doing today. I was spending time with my sweetie and later my friend was coming over to help me with paperwork. At least that's what I thought this morning. I was mentally prepared and even eager to get rid of the damn paperwork..
but alas.. things did not work as expected with my sweetie, and my friend is too tired to come over. I'm not impressed. I've been feeling like nothing goes my way all week. And then I feel guilty for whining about it.
Ever notice that if already the time zone differences and circumstances make it difficult to spend time together 'live' that everything and then some with happen within that small window of opportunity where you can get to spend time together, making that window infinitely small.
I even managed to burn my micro-waveable pop-corn today. In my microwave. I usually burnt it at work cause I don't know those microwaves, but at home? What's my excuse.
I'll stop kvetching otherwise I will be no better then my daughter's whiny cat :P
but alas.. things did not work as expected with my sweetie, and my friend is too tired to come over. I'm not impressed. I've been feeling like nothing goes my way all week. And then I feel guilty for whining about it.
Ever notice that if already the time zone differences and circumstances make it difficult to spend time together 'live' that everything and then some with happen within that small window of opportunity where you can get to spend time together, making that window infinitely small.
I even managed to burn my micro-waveable pop-corn today. In my microwave. I usually burnt it at work cause I don't know those microwaves, but at home? What's my excuse.
I'll stop kvetching otherwise I will be no better then my daughter's whiny cat :P
Friday, February 02, 2007
Gone daddy gone, gone gone gone....
The bad student was removed from my team. Dunno if he'll survive in the other team. So far so good.. but in essence he's got 2 weeks to prove himself. Dunno if he'll be able to manage that.
I interviewed today a 19year old for a QA position, he's got more skills both technical and people then most I've interviewed for the past year. He seemed to have every skill we could possibly want. I told him he left me speechless, and I'm hard to impress. Now we'll have to see if he's willing to accept the salary we offer him. He can't start with a base salary higher then what my guys make especially those who have been there.. like several years.
We went to Subways for lunch twice this week. I mean I do fine with a vegetarian 6" on whole wheat sandwich. I've got to say that the Subways on des Sources & Pierrefonds blvd is the best Subways in the area. The staff is friendly and their food is fresh. I've not been sick from eating at that Subways. At other Subways it's a hit or miss and the staff at the one at Fairview sucks. The other one on des Sources, it's always so incredibly crowded, and the staff is surly.
Now as I said, I went to the Subways twice this week, but I did not notice that in that same strip mall there was a Taco Bell. It seems in the past month or so the KFC became a KFC/Taco Bell. I drive past the KFC to and from work daily. I've been gripping about that fact since it gives me cravings for eating KFC chicken. Except that I've been a vegetarian for about 13 years now and the only flesh I'll occasionally eat is salmon or shrimp. And by occasionally I mean about once or twice a year. I stopped eating animal flesh because I had a real hard time digesting it. So eating chicken at this point would make me sick. However I still get chicken cravings every couple of weeks when I drive past the KFC. Apparently now I can stop at the taco bell's and get a veggie burrito instead... wonder how often it's the chicken craving that leads me to buy a veggie burrito?
I interviewed today a 19year old for a QA position, he's got more skills both technical and people then most I've interviewed for the past year. He seemed to have every skill we could possibly want. I told him he left me speechless, and I'm hard to impress. Now we'll have to see if he's willing to accept the salary we offer him. He can't start with a base salary higher then what my guys make especially those who have been there.. like several years.
We went to Subways for lunch twice this week. I mean I do fine with a vegetarian 6" on whole wheat sandwich. I've got to say that the Subways on des Sources & Pierrefonds blvd is the best Subways in the area. The staff is friendly and their food is fresh. I've not been sick from eating at that Subways. At other Subways it's a hit or miss and the staff at the one at Fairview sucks. The other one on des Sources, it's always so incredibly crowded, and the staff is surly.
Now as I said, I went to the Subways twice this week, but I did not notice that in that same strip mall there was a Taco Bell. It seems in the past month or so the KFC became a KFC/Taco Bell. I drive past the KFC to and from work daily. I've been gripping about that fact since it gives me cravings for eating KFC chicken. Except that I've been a vegetarian for about 13 years now and the only flesh I'll occasionally eat is salmon or shrimp. And by occasionally I mean about once or twice a year. I stopped eating animal flesh because I had a real hard time digesting it. So eating chicken at this point would make me sick. However I still get chicken cravings every couple of weeks when I drive past the KFC. Apparently now I can stop at the taco bell's and get a veggie burrito instead... wonder how often it's the chicken craving that leads me to buy a veggie burrito?
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
If looks could kill
Boy was I in a mood today. Thankfully between my sweetie and Debbie I was disarmed and rendered relatively harmless.
Which for some reason makes me think about the Hitch-hiker's guide to the galaxy and the entry for earth was "mostly harmless". Who was Douglas Adams kidding, mostly harmless? Humans are not mostly harmless. Many are mostly not harmless. They just look like they are harmless.
A buddy sent me a link to Quebequer proverbs. That was interesting. My favorite is "On ne peut pas tous être beaux et savoir téléphoner." Still has me giggling.
Which is better then being all pissed of. If looks could kill there would have been a lot of dead people.
Which for some reason makes me think about the Hitch-hiker's guide to the galaxy and the entry for earth was "mostly harmless". Who was Douglas Adams kidding, mostly harmless? Humans are not mostly harmless. Many are mostly not harmless. They just look like they are harmless.
A buddy sent me a link to Quebequer proverbs. That was interesting. My favorite is "On ne peut pas tous être beaux et savoir téléphoner." Still has me giggling.
Which is better then being all pissed of. If looks could kill there would have been a lot of dead people.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Another great moment on CSI Miami
Tonight's Caruso moment: The other detective asks him "Think it's a prank?"
Very slowly, Caruso answers "No..... Such.... luck... Frank...." Puts his glasses back on and the music with the who screaming starts. As I read somewhere else, most any line would probably sound great with the Who screaming right after.
Very slowly, Caruso answers "No..... Such.... luck... Frank...." Puts his glasses back on and the music with the who screaming starts. As I read somewhere else, most any line would probably sound great with the Who screaming right after.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Jamais deux sans trois
Yep, you guessed it, another night where I'm watching CSI Miami and David Caruso. The one-liner for this episode, "In other words, our victim called in his own murder". Visualize him one hand on hip, the other holding sunglasses.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Twice in the same week
Tonight another episode of CSI Miami. Another David Caruso moment. Stand above body, hand on hip, "Alex, Miami has a new breed of criminal." Puts on sunglasses...
UGH.
I'm still in a mood. So much work at work so little time. I managed somehow to do all my hours in 4 days. There's still so much work to do.
Hopefully Monday we can get rid of the student who's not working out. I've never seen someone work so hard at pretending to look like he's working. Funny too, two days ago, that student and the student who sits behind him were discussing a new cap he'd picked up at our boutique with logo'd products. My boss came over to see me to ask me something, and apparently they both scurried to their desks and pretended to be heavily involved with work. It cracks me up.
UGH.
I'm still in a mood. So much work at work so little time. I managed somehow to do all my hours in 4 days. There's still so much work to do.
Hopefully Monday we can get rid of the student who's not working out. I've never seen someone work so hard at pretending to look like he's working. Funny too, two days ago, that student and the student who sits behind him were discussing a new cap he'd picked up at our boutique with logo'd products. My boss came over to see me to ask me something, and apparently they both scurried to their desks and pretended to be heavily involved with work. It cracks me up.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Proud Canadian
I'm so proud to be Canadian today. My sweetie was refused a visitor's Visa to visit me in April and May, because he's Lebanese and the situation in Lebanon is too volatile. THey are afraid he won't go back home.
I always thought we Canadians were bleeding heart liberals. That we cared. Wow.. that's really caring.. You can't come, your country is too unstable. And it's not like he's even in Lebanon.
I could go on and on, not going to. This pretty much says it all.
[Hanging my head in shame]
I always thought we Canadians were bleeding heart liberals. That we cared. Wow.. that's really caring.. You can't come, your country is too unstable. And it's not like he's even in Lebanon.
I could go on and on, not going to. This pretty much says it all.
[Hanging my head in shame]
Monday, January 22, 2007
With repeat performances in syndication...
Tonight I'm in a mood where I want to take it out on someone. I'm not going to be the least bit original. I won't be the first or the last to blog about him either....
Since it's Monday night around 10pm, you might even guess: David Caruso.
Again with a stellar performance with the opening of tonight's episode.
"Frank......."
Insert pregnant pause here
"don't move..."
Uhmmm. Frank has got 1 foot on a land mine he just triggered. Frank isn't even going to twitch that foot.
I've never liked David Caruso. Did not like him in NYPD blue. In fact I preferred the show AFTER he left. I watch CSI Miami, because I'm fond of CSI shows in general. But damn, you look at the original CSI and you have well developed characters. You look at Miami and everything revolves around Caruso. He's like a one man team. He slices, he dices, he purees, he juliennes.. he's the Horatio-matic.
Of course it doesn't help that he's incredibly conceited and thinks he's all that and a bag of chips. It seems his acting doesn't get better with age. I mean what? Did he go to the William Shatner school of acting?
Since it's Monday night around 10pm, you might even guess: David Caruso.
Again with a stellar performance with the opening of tonight's episode.
"Frank......."
Insert pregnant pause here
"don't move..."
Uhmmm. Frank has got 1 foot on a land mine he just triggered. Frank isn't even going to twitch that foot.
I've never liked David Caruso. Did not like him in NYPD blue. In fact I preferred the show AFTER he left. I watch CSI Miami, because I'm fond of CSI shows in general. But damn, you look at the original CSI and you have well developed characters. You look at Miami and everything revolves around Caruso. He's like a one man team. He slices, he dices, he purees, he juliennes.. he's the Horatio-matic.
Of course it doesn't help that he's incredibly conceited and thinks he's all that and a bag of chips. It seems his acting doesn't get better with age. I mean what? Did he go to the William Shatner school of acting?
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
It was a crowning moment
Finally the new crowns were put on my teeth. I also got the insurance cheque for it as well. I got pretty much the maximum they would pay which is still less then 50% overall. sigh. But I suppose it's better then no insurance.
I was kinda disappointed. I expected both teeth to be a nice white porcelaine. However the back one is silver. According to the dentist it's over 55% gold. However it looks silver. sigh. I mean most of my back teeth have fillings and look horrible..
I was kinda disappointed. I expected both teeth to be a nice white porcelaine. However the back one is silver. According to the dentist it's over 55% gold. However it looks silver. sigh. I mean most of my back teeth have fillings and look horrible..
Monday, January 15, 2007
Rusty Rims
So I did not have a slow leak in my tire. I didnt' have a flat on my tire either. I know on this car, every other time I get winter tires put on, I seem to have to go back in a couple of weeks to get one redone. Well at least now I know why. One of my rims apparently is so rusty it makes a poor seal hence it goes flat. So I should be buying a new rim in spring when I get my tires changed again.
I'm guessing when I go the first time, usually it's in the rush where everyone and his brother is getting his tires changed for winter, so they do it fast, and usually within a couple of weeks I have one tire that is very flat. When I go back and complain about that tire - they redo it and probably realize it's rusty, scrape some rust, put some sealant compound and then it holds. But at least the nice guy at Mr Lube told me it was rusty. Next time it won't happen with that rim. I kinda wonder if it might be worth just buying 4 new rims in the spring. Car will be 8 years old in June. and it's just hit the 70 000 Kms not to long ago.
I'm happy that my tire is fine. I have to go downtown tomorrow and I would hate having a blowout on the highway. Between the 6 inches of snow that fell today, I"m betting getting downtown will not be fun tomorrow. Sigh.
I'm guessing when I go the first time, usually it's in the rush where everyone and his brother is getting his tires changed for winter, so they do it fast, and usually within a couple of weeks I have one tire that is very flat. When I go back and complain about that tire - they redo it and probably realize it's rusty, scrape some rust, put some sealant compound and then it holds. But at least the nice guy at Mr Lube told me it was rusty. Next time it won't happen with that rim. I kinda wonder if it might be worth just buying 4 new rims in the spring. Car will be 8 years old in June. and it's just hit the 70 000 Kms not to long ago.
I'm happy that my tire is fine. I have to go downtown tomorrow and I would hate having a blowout on the highway. Between the 6 inches of snow that fell today, I"m betting getting downtown will not be fun tomorrow. Sigh.
Headache from Hell....
Of course if I bitched I had a headache to my ex-hubby and one of my ex-bf's, they would say "well it proves you have a head". Wow. I'm so shocked. I had never imagined.... :P
Anyways... I've had this headache from hell since Friday. It starts off mild early in the day and as day progresses it hits you right in the sinuses. To the point where you can't see straight. sigh. I hope it doesn't hit me at 3 or 4 pm again today. Friday was hellish. Nothing I took [tylenol, aspirin] did anything for it.
I've been camping in my room all week-end, cause my youngest daughter has the propensity for listening to stuff REALLY REALLY LOUD!!!!
Let's just say that I'm really enjoying the wireless network. :)
I weighed myself and it seems like I've put back on the weight I lost 2 years ago. Weighed 100 yesterday and 98 today.. Must be all the cheese I've been eating on and off depending on my asthma that day. My sweetie keeps mentioning Pizza and then I crave cheese. However despite putting the weight back, it's gone back on well distributed. It's not all on my tummy. My smallest pair of size 0's are a little tight. That's ok.. was the only pair that fit at some point.. it means all my slightly bigger clothes fits better now :) It beats 90lbs and feeling like I'm going to get blown away by the wind. I've always enjoyed being just around 100lbs. I mean either way I'm underweight for my height but less so at 100 then at 90lbs :)
I think it was all the work I did at Christmas, which means I put on muscle weight.. which is the best :) I think I've finally regained all the muscle I lost back in 2000 when I had the hernia and then the surgery...
Ok.. enough babbling.. really need to get ready for work...
Anyways... I've had this headache from hell since Friday. It starts off mild early in the day and as day progresses it hits you right in the sinuses. To the point where you can't see straight. sigh. I hope it doesn't hit me at 3 or 4 pm again today. Friday was hellish. Nothing I took [tylenol, aspirin] did anything for it.
I've been camping in my room all week-end, cause my youngest daughter has the propensity for listening to stuff REALLY REALLY LOUD!!!!
Let's just say that I'm really enjoying the wireless network. :)
I weighed myself and it seems like I've put back on the weight I lost 2 years ago. Weighed 100 yesterday and 98 today.. Must be all the cheese I've been eating on and off depending on my asthma that day. My sweetie keeps mentioning Pizza and then I crave cheese. However despite putting the weight back, it's gone back on well distributed. It's not all on my tummy. My smallest pair of size 0's are a little tight. That's ok.. was the only pair that fit at some point.. it means all my slightly bigger clothes fits better now :) It beats 90lbs and feeling like I'm going to get blown away by the wind. I've always enjoyed being just around 100lbs. I mean either way I'm underweight for my height but less so at 100 then at 90lbs :)
I think it was all the work I did at Christmas, which means I put on muscle weight.. which is the best :) I think I've finally regained all the muscle I lost back in 2000 when I had the hernia and then the surgery...
Ok.. enough babbling.. really need to get ready for work...
Saturday, January 13, 2007
And overall there was a smell of Fried Onions...
I just stumbled upon a blog that's told me that Robert Anton Wilson died early the morning of 1/11/2007, a mere 7 days before his 75th birthday.
Robert Anton Wilson wrote:
It's one of those weird things. I read "Cosmic Trigger and the final secret of the illuminati" in my late teens and it's had a profound impact. I think I lent my RAW books to a friend who never returned them... Of course the title of this entry is a quote from RAW :)
Dunno RAW kinda falls in the same category as Timothy Leary..... and whenever I think of Timothy Leary I think of this Moody Blues song "Timothy Leary's dead.. No no no no no no no he's outside, looking in...."
RIP RAW.
Robert Anton Wilson wrote:
I love you all and I deeply implore you to keep the lasagna flying. Please pardon my levity, I don’t see how to take death seriously. It seems absurd.
******It's one of those weird things. I read "Cosmic Trigger and the final secret of the illuminati" in my late teens and it's had a profound impact. I think I lent my RAW books to a friend who never returned them... Of course the title of this entry is a quote from RAW :)
Dunno RAW kinda falls in the same category as Timothy Leary..... and whenever I think of Timothy Leary I think of this Moody Blues song "Timothy Leary's dead.. No no no no no no no he's outside, looking in...."
RIP RAW.
Friday, January 12, 2007
Little Mosque on the Prairie
My sweetie sent me this link earlier in the week because we've been making Camel jokes back and forth. I didnt' think much of it at the time, but Wednesday night, when I was channel hopping I stumbled upon it. Had me in stitches. According to yesterday's newspaper 2 million Canadians caught the show for the opening night. Corner Gas, my current favorite Canadian show draws 1.5 million viewers per week, though peaked at 3 million for their 'GasMas' episode.
I'm amazed. I mean I've never really liked a Canadian show before. When I discovered Corner Gas, I was like 'Wow, a funny Canadian show'. I mean 2 funny Canadian shows? I'm amazed. I've never liked one and now there's 2 half hour funny Canadian shows. Nice to get Canadian content :)
I can't tell if it's raining or snowing outside. I'm guessing wet snow.. freezing rain or slush..... SLUSHIES !!!!
Ok.. time to go get ready. Must stop at bank this morning to get money for my cleaning lady.
TGIF babe!
I'm amazed. I mean I've never really liked a Canadian show before. When I discovered Corner Gas, I was like 'Wow, a funny Canadian show'. I mean 2 funny Canadian shows? I'm amazed. I've never liked one and now there's 2 half hour funny Canadian shows. Nice to get Canadian content :)
I can't tell if it's raining or snowing outside. I'm guessing wet snow.. freezing rain or slush..... SLUSHIES !!!!
Ok.. time to go get ready. Must stop at bank this morning to get money for my cleaning lady.
TGIF babe!
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Gloomy
What a gloomy day so far. Can't tell from how dark it still is, what kind of day it's going to be.
Hmm I have no idea where I was going with this now. My sweetie messaged me... and now my brain is in a completely different gear.
On that note, time for daily bathing.
Oh and all my students smell nice this time around, all seemed friendly and eager.. and one was so afraid NOT to correspond he even asked me if he could go to wash-room :) He also thanked me profusely 3 times for having taking him as a student intern. Sweet man. Maybe he was afraid he'd have a harder time getting an internship because he's black.. but I'm equal opportunity. If I like what I see I don't care your color.
Ok.. really off I go.
Hmm I have no idea where I was going with this now. My sweetie messaged me... and now my brain is in a completely different gear.
On that note, time for daily bathing.
Oh and all my students smell nice this time around, all seemed friendly and eager.. and one was so afraid NOT to correspond he even asked me if he could go to wash-room :) He also thanked me profusely 3 times for having taking him as a student intern. Sweet man. Maybe he was afraid he'd have a harder time getting an internship because he's black.. but I'm equal opportunity. If I like what I see I don't care your color.
Ok.. really off I go.
Monday, January 08, 2007
I don't want to work
I want to bang on the drums all day...
It's Monday Morning and I have to go back to work. My last day was the 22nd of December. I don't really count the half day I did on Friday. I wasn't mentally there enough.
My kitchen looks really nice. It's not finished enough for me to take before/after pictures. Still have not taken all the tape down from the ceiling. Also have touch-ups to do. All the doors & frames have to be re-painted white and I have the wallpaper edge I want to put along the ceiling.
I wasn't sure of my color choices when I was first painting... I definitely prefer the dark green, but if I didn't have the pale green where I do, the rooms would be too dark and look too small.
Ok enough procrastination, must go and figure out what I want to waer. I feel so undecisive already today...
I can so tell it's a Monday. I've already stepped in cat puke and walked halfway across the house before realizing it, and I've spilled my tea on my feet and pyjama pants. Hmm also there's that low-air tire I must get taken care of today. Maybe lunch will be a visit at "Mr Lube" they put the tire that slowly lost all the air. Could be a bad install job. It's probably the 3rd or 4th time I get that with these winter tires. Maybe I have a tire with a slow leak?
It's Monday Morning and I have to go back to work. My last day was the 22nd of December. I don't really count the half day I did on Friday. I wasn't mentally there enough.
My kitchen looks really nice. It's not finished enough for me to take before/after pictures. Still have not taken all the tape down from the ceiling. Also have touch-ups to do. All the doors & frames have to be re-painted white and I have the wallpaper edge I want to put along the ceiling.
I wasn't sure of my color choices when I was first painting... I definitely prefer the dark green, but if I didn't have the pale green where I do, the rooms would be too dark and look too small.
Ok enough procrastination, must go and figure out what I want to waer. I feel so undecisive already today...
I can so tell it's a Monday. I've already stepped in cat puke and walked halfway across the house before realizing it, and I've spilled my tea on my feet and pyjama pants. Hmm also there's that low-air tire I must get taken care of today. Maybe lunch will be a visit at "Mr Lube" they put the tire that slowly lost all the air. Could be a bad install job. It's probably the 3rd or 4th time I get that with these winter tires. Maybe I have a tire with a slow leak?
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Who uses soap in bars?
I've realized I don't buy soap bars anymore. In the kitchen it's liquid soap. In my shower it's definitely body washes. I don't have negative reactions to Yves Rocher body washes. I did try their anti-aging products once and had a poor reaction. I stay away from those.
Today I was at the Mall, took a break from the painting. And as I was coming back from Home Sense where I was looking for new oven mitts - mine date from before I married 20 years ago, I smelt the Yves Rocher store. The mix of berry scented body washes just drew me in. They had a new perfume,
Voile d'Ambre, that I liked. Since they had a 50% sale, I splurged and got 1 bottle and the body wash. It reminded me a bit of the Ambergris essential oil I use to wear some 10 years ago, that I can't find anymore.
My favorite Yves Rocher scent is still "Folies des Saisons: Automne" which was discontinued maybe 4 years ago? I still have 3/4 of a bottle. Still love it. But I also like "Ode a l'amour", "Ming Shu, fleur rare" and of course the Bourbon Vanilla. I've been alternating those three for the past year or so now, most days according to my mood. I also occasionally use from the "Plaisirs de la nature" collection, the raspberry, blackberry, and citrus scents during the summer.
It's sad. I have a preferred customer card for Yves Rocher. I think I own only 2 such cards, the other being for La Senza. So I have 5 different body washes to chose from in the morning? When did life become so complicated? I can never make up my mind - like this helps any?
Not that I miss the stale smell of a bar of Ivory that's been soaking in a puddle of water in the soap dish. I wonder how many germs sat in that soap dish festering and becoming part of the soapy mess? The smell of ivory soap that's been soaking all afternoon in the sun is etched in my mind, and associated with otherwise pleasant memories of my mom's best friend's home, both their summer cottage and city home. It's turned me off ivory soap in bars for life. I do still use ivory dish soap, it's the one my hands tolerates the best for those dishes that aren't dishwasher safe
Today I was at the Mall, took a break from the painting. And as I was coming back from Home Sense where I was looking for new oven mitts - mine date from before I married 20 years ago, I smelt the Yves Rocher store. The mix of berry scented body washes just drew me in. They had a new perfume,
Voile d'Ambre, that I liked. Since they had a 50% sale, I splurged and got 1 bottle and the body wash. It reminded me a bit of the Ambergris essential oil I use to wear some 10 years ago, that I can't find anymore. My favorite Yves Rocher scent is still "Folies des Saisons: Automne" which was discontinued maybe 4 years ago? I still have 3/4 of a bottle. Still love it. But I also like "Ode a l'amour", "Ming Shu, fleur rare" and of course the Bourbon Vanilla. I've been alternating those three for the past year or so now, most days according to my mood. I also occasionally use from the "Plaisirs de la nature" collection, the raspberry, blackberry, and citrus scents during the summer.
It's sad. I have a preferred customer card for Yves Rocher. I think I own only 2 such cards, the other being for La Senza. So I have 5 different body washes to chose from in the morning? When did life become so complicated? I can never make up my mind - like this helps any?
Not that I miss the stale smell of a bar of Ivory that's been soaking in a puddle of water in the soap dish. I wonder how many germs sat in that soap dish festering and becoming part of the soapy mess? The smell of ivory soap that's been soaking all afternoon in the sun is etched in my mind, and associated with otherwise pleasant memories of my mom's best friend's home, both their summer cottage and city home. It's turned me off ivory soap in bars for life. I do still use ivory dish soap, it's the one my hands tolerates the best for those dishes that aren't dishwasher safe
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
I'm being watched.
I was washing my paintbrush in the furnace room sink when I had the feeling I was being watched. Pixie was even on top of the counter originally, but by the time I got the camera, he was walking away. I had to go back to washing my brushes before he came back to forage along with Motley. It's hard enough getting one cat to pose for a picture, getting 4 is quite the challenge, but these were almost too easy :)
Cat torture : The Sequel
Here's a picture of Lynx doing his very best "Get ME the heck out of here" and "I'm stuck in a basement with 3 cats I don't know! "
As you can see, they still hate the fact that the door is closed. Despite fact my youngest daughter is downstairs and giving attention to all the cats.
Monday, January 01, 2007
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Tortured cats, the saga continues
See how tortured they look? Look at those big pleading eyes, saying "PLEASE FREE US".
Those blue dots show how many nail holes there were in a very short distance. In fact each nail numbered there, is about 1-2 inches apart. Like were they really THAT afraid that someone was going to steal the baseboard? Also see what I mean about the fact the wall looked like it was used for target practice? This is one kitchen wall. Below is a bathroom wall that looks similar.
Lynx did not escape the Raindeer antlers. Does he not look impressed :P
Saturday, December 30, 2006
I'm torturing my cats....
So because I've been working on my kitchen I've been keeping the cats in the basement. There's 3 rooms down there, several chairs, couches etc. but for some reason my old bitchy 16 year old cat, Motley and my daughters cat, Lynx, must at least several times an hour, stand at the door and mieow like I was torturing them and causing them undue hardship by leaving them downstairs.
I mean there's a cat litter, food, water, toys..[and this is always in the basement...] so.. like WTF? I mean it's like they haven't figured out yet, it's MY house. And if I wanted to, I could confine them to the basement for the rest of their natural lives and no one would consider that a hardship in any shape or form. I mean even when there are people in the basement, fact I'm working in the kitchen they sit and stare and mieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeow.......
I sorta get Lynx. He's new to the house. THe other cats still give him dirty looks...
Earlier today, I noticed Lynx was lying on the 7th step and Motley was also on the 7th step at the other end hissing at him. Like what? The stairs aren't big enough for the both of you? Suck it up! Besides she's been hissing at all the other cats today. Since she's the only female, I know they're all saying "Oh geeze, is she PMSing AGAIN?"
I mean there's a cat litter, food, water, toys..[and this is always in the basement...] so.. like WTF? I mean it's like they haven't figured out yet, it's MY house. And if I wanted to, I could confine them to the basement for the rest of their natural lives and no one would consider that a hardship in any shape or form. I mean even when there are people in the basement, fact I'm working in the kitchen they sit and stare and mieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeow.......
I sorta get Lynx. He's new to the house. THe other cats still give him dirty looks...
Earlier today, I noticed Lynx was lying on the 7th step and Motley was also on the 7th step at the other end hissing at him. Like what? The stairs aren't big enough for the both of you? Suck it up! Besides she's been hissing at all the other cats today. Since she's the only female, I know they're all saying "Oh geeze, is she PMSing AGAIN?"
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Target Practice.
For an eloquent way to hear about my views on the holidays click here. He pretty much sums it.
The last of the wallpaper came down yesterday in the late PM, and early today I've painted the ceiling. Just finished doing the trim.
Eldest walked into the bathroom today and said "What they did use this room for? Target practice?". I'm not the only one who thinks the sheer quantity of holes in the wall is a bit much.
ok. Me bed. I'm so tired, I'm just sitting here staring into space....
The last of the wallpaper came down yesterday in the late PM, and early today I've painted the ceiling. Just finished doing the trim.
Eldest walked into the bathroom today and said "What they did use this room for? Target practice?". I'm not the only one who thinks the sheer quantity of holes in the wall is a bit much.
ok. Me bed. I'm so tired, I'm just sitting here staring into space....
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Boxing day specials
My mom used to call those "Les ventes arraches boutons", the boxing day specials. I always loved the way that sounded. "Button pulling sales!". Well I rarely have the patience for boxing day crowds. So I stayed well away from Fairview shopping center.
I was contemplating going to Home Depot but when I looked at where the nearest ones were, I decided non were near enough, and figured I'd go to Rona warehouse instead. I was going to pick up some paint rollers, sand paper, and look at the curtains. See if I can find some pre-made that would match my new wallpaper borders. I don't really want to make curtains.. but it would be really easy for me to make them myself to replace the old kitchen ones. I guess what I hate the most making curtains, is not sewing them, that's easy. It's taking all the damn measurements. :P
In the end just as I was leaving for Rona l'entrepot at Cote Vertu, eldest daughter happened to come home. So I told her I could easily be convinced to go to Ikea. I love shopping at Ikea. I was impressed with myself. I managed to leave with only $50 worth of stuff, mostly candles [hey 50 white candles for $7.00 who can beat that?], and more candle holders. Also 2 picture frames. Hey they were reduced to almost nothing.. We did go to Rona, I did find my rollers and sandpaper.. Neither store had curtains anything remotely what I was looking for. *sigh*
I've been finding holes under the wallpaper. Apparently the bathroom fixture was changed by the same owners who put the wallpaper, but they never fixed the hole, just covered it with wall paper and were lucky in the 6 + years no one happened to poke it and go right through wallpaper. Also realized tonight that there had been other wallpaper in the kitchen. Really ugly wallpaper. Found out as well, that the kitchen had been painted a bright custard yellow, and also a baby green.
[And apparently custard yellow is hard to read on this background...]
I was contemplating going to Home Depot but when I looked at where the nearest ones were, I decided non were near enough, and figured I'd go to Rona warehouse instead. I was going to pick up some paint rollers, sand paper, and look at the curtains. See if I can find some pre-made that would match my new wallpaper borders. I don't really want to make curtains.. but it would be really easy for me to make them myself to replace the old kitchen ones. I guess what I hate the most making curtains, is not sewing them, that's easy. It's taking all the damn measurements. :P
In the end just as I was leaving for Rona l'entrepot at Cote Vertu, eldest daughter happened to come home. So I told her I could easily be convinced to go to Ikea. I love shopping at Ikea. I was impressed with myself. I managed to leave with only $50 worth of stuff, mostly candles [hey 50 white candles for $7.00 who can beat that?], and more candle holders. Also 2 picture frames. Hey they were reduced to almost nothing.. We did go to Rona, I did find my rollers and sandpaper.. Neither store had curtains anything remotely what I was looking for. *sigh*
I've been finding holes under the wallpaper. Apparently the bathroom fixture was changed by the same owners who put the wallpaper, but they never fixed the hole, just covered it with wall paper and were lucky in the 6 + years no one happened to poke it and go right through wallpaper. Also realized tonight that there had been other wallpaper in the kitchen. Really ugly wallpaper. Found out as well, that the kitchen had been painted a bright custard yellow, and also a baby green.
[And apparently custard yellow is hard to read on this background...]
Monday, December 25, 2006
Latke's and Kitchen fires....
I just made a batch of mashed potato latkes that were out of this world. IMHO they were the best batch of mashed potato latke's I've ever made. However, I guess one day I'll have to make the mashed and the grated kind both together and see which ones are favored. I used to get rave reviews for my pan fried grated potato latke's.
One day I'll have grand-children and they will say their granny makes the best latke's ever :) My grandma, much like myself did not like cooking and she did the least possible. About the only thing that I liked that she actually made from scratch were her donuts. [As an adult I used to make donuts for my grandpa in memory of grandma's] Sadly whole wheat donuts just aren't satisfying. So no more donut making for me. Besides donuts imply deep frying and every time there has been a kitchen fire, it's always been because someone is deep frying. I think I've been traumatized. I rarely ever deep fry anything out of the fear of putting my kitchen on fire. Yet [knocking on wood], I've never had a kitchen fire. So maybe my trauma is a good thing. :)
On that thought, I'm going to go strip some more wallpaper. I'm halfway done the kitchen now.. and I've filled all the holes in the bathroom wall. It's ready for paint...
One day I'll have grand-children and they will say their granny makes the best latke's ever :) My grandma, much like myself did not like cooking and she did the least possible. About the only thing that I liked that she actually made from scratch were her donuts. [As an adult I used to make donuts for my grandpa in memory of grandma's] Sadly whole wheat donuts just aren't satisfying. So no more donut making for me. Besides donuts imply deep frying and every time there has been a kitchen fire, it's always been because someone is deep frying. I think I've been traumatized. I rarely ever deep fry anything out of the fear of putting my kitchen on fire. Yet [knocking on wood], I've never had a kitchen fire. So maybe my trauma is a good thing. :)
On that thought, I'm going to go strip some more wallpaper. I'm halfway done the kitchen now.. and I've filled all the holes in the bathroom wall. It's ready for paint...
Sunday, December 24, 2006
What I got....
My mood today can best be described by this Sublime song :
What I got.
Early in the mornin'
Risin' to the street
Light me up that cigarette and I'll strap shoes on my feet
Got to find a reason
Reason things went wrong
Got to find a reason why my money's all gone
I got a dalmation
I can still get high
I can play the guitar like a motherfuckin' riot
Well life is too short so love the one you got
Cause you might get run over or you might get shot
Never start no static I just get it off my chest
Never had to battle with my bulletproof vest
Take a small example, take a tip from me
Take all of your money, give it up to charity
Life is what I got it's within my reach, and
The sublime style still straight from Long Beach
It all comes back to you, you bound to get what you deserve
Try and test that, you're bound to get served
Love's what I got, don't start a riot
You'll feel it when the dance gets hot
Lovin' is what I got, I said remember that
Lovin' is what I got, now remember that
Lovin' is what I got, I said remember that
Lovin' is what I got, I got, I got, I got
I don't cry when my dog runs away
I don't get angry at the bills I have to pay
I don't get angry when my mom smokes pot
Hits the bottle then goes back to the rock
Fuckin, fightin', it's all the same
Livin' with Louie dog's the only way to stay sane
Let the lovin', let the lovin' come back to me
Cause lovin' is what I got, I said remember that
Lovin' is what I got, And remember that
Lovin' is what I got, I said remember that
Lovin' is what I got, I got, I got I got
Sublime.
What I got.
Early in the mornin'
Risin' to the street
Light me up that cigarette and I'll strap shoes on my feet
Got to find a reason
Reason things went wrong
Got to find a reason why my money's all gone
I got a dalmation
I can still get high
I can play the guitar like a motherfuckin' riot
Well life is too short so love the one you got
Cause you might get run over or you might get shot
Never start no static I just get it off my chest
Never had to battle with my bulletproof vest
Take a small example, take a tip from me
Take all of your money, give it up to charity
Life is what I got it's within my reach, and
The sublime style still straight from Long Beach
It all comes back to you, you bound to get what you deserve
Try and test that, you're bound to get served
Love's what I got, don't start a riot
You'll feel it when the dance gets hot
Lovin' is what I got, I said remember that
Lovin' is what I got, now remember that
Lovin' is what I got, I said remember that
Lovin' is what I got, I got, I got, I got
I don't cry when my dog runs away
I don't get angry at the bills I have to pay
I don't get angry when my mom smokes pot
Hits the bottle then goes back to the rock
Fuckin, fightin', it's all the same
Livin' with Louie dog's the only way to stay sane
Let the lovin', let the lovin' come back to me
Cause lovin' is what I got, I said remember that
Lovin' is what I got, And remember that
Lovin' is what I got, I said remember that
Lovin' is what I got, I got, I got I got
Sublime.
Much ado about nothing
I'm always super moody at this time of the year. Dunno what it is about the time between my birthday and Christmas, but it takes little to set me off and make me pissy. I had a mood swing at my eldest on Monday over very little, and again on Thursday I had a mood swing on my sweetie.
Thankfully my eldest has 19 years of experience with my mood swings, and didn't take it personally, and my sweetie, well he's just very patient... so I don't think he took it personally either.
Sometimes though I'd rather just crawl under a rock and stay there until the mood passes. Sadly I can't do that with work, I can't tell boss "I'm not coming in the next two weeks I'm just too volatile". :P
I did receive this week for my birthday a really nice pendant on a chain from my sweetie. A spiral dragon pentacle. It's really sweet. :) Been wearing it ever since. Makes me feel closer to him.
Pixie and I are going to curl up under a warm blanket and take a nap now :) He's half sitting on me, half asleep purring up a storm.. and it just makes me want to cuddle and sleep :)
Thankfully my eldest has 19 years of experience with my mood swings, and didn't take it personally, and my sweetie, well he's just very patient... so I don't think he took it personally either.
Sometimes though I'd rather just crawl under a rock and stay there until the mood passes. Sadly I can't do that with work, I can't tell boss "I'm not coming in the next two weeks I'm just too volatile". :PI did receive this week for my birthday a really nice pendant on a chain from my sweetie. A spiral dragon pentacle. It's really sweet. :) Been wearing it ever since. Makes me feel closer to him.
Pixie and I are going to curl up under a warm blanket and take a nap now :) He's half sitting on me, half asleep purring up a storm.. and it just makes me want to cuddle and sleep :)
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Basselope Cat :)
Doesn't he look like a basselope? Debbie and I went to the dollar store and they had pet reindeer gizmo's. She encouraged me. Told me Furba
ll wanted to dress up as a reindeer :PWell
surprisingly, though Furball is a 15 lb cat, he was the most receptive to the antlers.. I laughed myself silly ;) 
Motley was reasonably good with the antlers..
It was Pixie who first tried to pass the antlers through his body, don't really have good pictures of him :)
It cracked me up when both the other cats came to check out the basselope cat :)
Monday, December 18, 2006
You've got to be friggen joking
We need another Rocky like we need a hole in the head. Here I thought after #5 that was it.. but no they had to make a #6. No one needs to see an older Stalone working out.. *SIGH*
On that note I'm going back to strip the wall paper from my bathroom now. By the end of the week there should be no wall paper left in kitchen & it's ajoining bathroom
On that note I'm going back to strip the wall paper from my bathroom now. By the end of the week there should be no wall paper left in kitchen & it's ajoining bathroom
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Do you PlayStation 3?
So my eldest and I are standing at Walmart waiting for Debbie and her daughter to be finished shopping for whatever they were shopping for, and my daughter's cell rings. It's her dad. Just as he calls, the intercom goes on inside Walmart to remind shoppers that their interact machines don't work at the moment, and they still have 10 Playstation 3 available for purchase. He overhears that and tells my eldest "Please pick me up a PS3". Leaving me with her purse and purchases she goes off to the Electronics department to see if they still have PS3's. Well it dawns on me this is Walmart, and you must pay at the electronics department to leave it with items. Then I realize I don't even have my cell on me, so I head off to find daughter in the electronics department. Just as I get there, she's trying to call me on her cell. And since they didnt' take interact I had to put the PS3 on my Visa card, since daughter judicially only has a $500 limit on her card. I knew my ex-hubby was good for it. [In fact, I already have a cheque from him to cover my Visa Bill] Men and their toys! In the time I stood back in my spot waiting for Debbie to be finished her shopping, I had 3 different men stop
me to ask how much the PS3 was and if I knew if there was any left. I guess if I was desperate for a date on Friday night, a PS3 would sure make me popular.
Eldest got really nice Doc Marten's this morning. She picked 14-hole black boots with white lace. I hadn't realized they also have a zipper. Youngest went for T-shirts, long sleeved tops, a bag, and a Zippo lighter with a star on it. I got myself a Sublime baby-T. Yes I resisted the call of the Doc Martens. Though these are mighty sweet.
me to ask how much the PS3 was and if I knew if there was any left. I guess if I was desperate for a date on Friday night, a PS3 would sure make me popular.Eldest got really nice Doc Marten's this morning. She picked 14-hole black boots with white lace. I hadn't realized they also have a zipper. Youngest went for T-shirts, long sleeved tops, a bag, and a Zippo lighter with a star on it. I got myself a Sublime baby-T. Yes I resisted the call of the Doc Martens. Though these are mighty sweet.
Sweet
Daughter gave me this painting framed as a birthday present... :)
Going shopping on St Denis street again. This time to buy Christmas presents for daughters... Bringing them to the Doc Marten store and the punk clothes store.. That should wow them enough to say "I want this and that and..." :)
Going shopping on St Denis street again. This time to buy Christmas presents for daughters... Bringing them to the Doc Marten store and the punk clothes store.. That should wow them enough to say "I want this and that and..." :)
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Dyke muff guard?
I've been reading Savage Love, the sex advice column by Dan Savage for several years now. December 13th's column, more so his rant on Mary Cheney and lesbians in general had me floored. Especially this part:
"Would someone in the media please ask them the obvious follow-up question: How the fuck do they propose to stop lesbians from having children? Post two members of the National Guard at the entrance to every lesbian vagina in the country? Forced sterilizations at women's music festivals? Mandatory abortions for every lesbian who does manage to get herself pregnant?"
I can just visualize this woman constantly followed by 2 national guard 24/7. What would they be called Dyke muff guard?
You can find this Savage Love and many others at The Onion AV Club
"Would someone in the media please ask them the obvious follow-up question: How the fuck do they propose to stop lesbians from having children? Post two members of the National Guard at the entrance to every lesbian vagina in the country? Forced sterilizations at women's music festivals? Mandatory abortions for every lesbian who does manage to get herself pregnant?"
I can just visualize this woman constantly followed by 2 national guard 24/7. What would they be called Dyke muff guard?
You can find this Savage Love and many others at The Onion AV Club
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Coronation posponed, subject not amused
I was at the dentist again yesterday morning. For another fitting for 2 teeth that will be getting crowns. My dentist is a perfectionist. If it takes 20 fittings he'll do them, to get an absolutely perfect job. But damn, sitting with head down, and having him use these products with fumes that set off my asthma. Also keeps using cotton to wipe down my teeth.
I have this weird aversion. I cannot touch a starched cotton table cloth, or even just stiff cotton from clothes line. It gives me the same feeling some get from nails on a chalkboard. Having cotton in my mouth gives me same impression. So dentist was privy to some especially interesting facial expressions.
I have another fitting next week. Will it be a crowning moment? Stay tuned and see....
I have this weird aversion. I cannot touch a starched cotton table cloth, or even just stiff cotton from clothes line. It gives me the same feeling some get from nails on a chalkboard. Having cotton in my mouth gives me same impression. So dentist was privy to some especially interesting facial expressions.
I have another fitting next week. Will it be a crowning moment? Stay tuned and see....
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
What wallpaper?
The process has started. I've started removing the wallpaper in my kitchen. I mean no offense to the wallpaper, but after 6 years, I've had enough of it. I'm not crazy about wall paper to begin with, and in all the years I've owned homes, I've never been tempted to completely wall paper a room.
Tonight, I decided I could remove the wallpaper on the kitchen counter back splash area. Someone had covered the ceramic tiles there with wallpaper. I was expecting the tiles to be absolutely hideous. They're not. The tiles are just very boring/bland. The main color of the tile is some shade of off-white. Every 2nd tile has this design with some muted pink and grays. Not particularly kitchen colors.
Dunno if in the new kitchen the tiles will be left as is, or covered with something else. I mean I'm not even sure I like the tiles next to the oak cabinets. But I don't like the kitchen counter either against the oak cabinets. But it's a 40 + year old house. You can tell various owners leaving their mark on this house. Someone liked green. Between the green kitchen, green living room, green roof..
I found removing the wallpaper highly therapeutic. I'm the type of person you give a beverage to in a glass bottle, and get back a bottle completely stripped of it's label. And of course I had to do this after midnight, despite the fact that I wasn't feeling well. Go figure.
Tonight, I decided I could remove the wallpaper on the kitchen counter back splash area. Someone had covered the ceramic tiles there with wallpaper. I was expecting the tiles to be absolutely hideous. They're not. The tiles are just very boring/bland. The main color of the tile is some shade of off-white. Every 2nd tile has this design with some muted pink and grays. Not particularly kitchen colors.
Dunno if in the new kitchen the tiles will be left as is, or covered with something else. I mean I'm not even sure I like the tiles next to the oak cabinets. But I don't like the kitchen counter either against the oak cabinets. But it's a 40 + year old house. You can tell various owners leaving their mark on this house. Someone liked green. Between the green kitchen, green living room, green roof..
I found removing the wallpaper highly therapeutic. I'm the type of person you give a beverage to in a glass bottle, and get back a bottle completely stripped of it's label. And of course I had to do this after midnight, despite the fact that I wasn't feeling well. Go figure.
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Plumbers crack
I was sitting here this morning at the crack of dawn reading some silly stories on the internet. Of course this student has way too much time on his hands... however.. seems like some are making it sound like plumber's crack is new? I seem to remember seeing butt cleavage when I was a teen. Make that 30 years ago. It's not a new phenomenon, though most people in the past didn't go out of their way to make it visible.. I mean the term plumbers crack was already well in use back then. I have nothing against seeing butt cleavage, though admittedly not everyone's is worth seeing.. but I'm an ass watcher.. butt cleavage is like an occupational hazard.
I had to crack up at a comment from someone who said it should only been seen on sexy behinds, however it is usually the larger behinds that end up forming cleavage often unbeknownst to the person displaying it.
This is the blog that started this rant:
Butt cleavage
I can just see it now... Ad campaigns "Say no to CRACK, Butt crack that is..."
I had to crack up at a comment from someone who said it should only been seen on sexy behinds, however it is usually the larger behinds that end up forming cleavage often unbeknownst to the person displaying it.
This is the blog that started this rant:
Butt cleavage
I can just see it now... Ad campaigns "Say no to CRACK, Butt crack that is..."
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Shoes will be my demise
I ended up buying 3 pairs of shoes today. Not that I neededANY pairs of shoes.
The first pair was a pair of black Doc Marten shoes, reduced at $50.00 - half price, and my size, UK 3. I mean they make a great pair of dress shoes, comfy to stand forever... and more appropriate then my 8 hole doc marten army boot ones.
The 2nd pair was some brown & pink Van running shoes. Love Van running shoes. They make them wide enough for my short little wide feet and provide arch support.
The 3rd pair, was sheer luxury, but they were some of the cutest shoes I'd seen in a long long time. I mean how could I resist. Made by tredair, some cute mary jane type shoes, with cat design.
We also stopped at Excalibur, the renaissance shop and picked up a weirdly made pentagram, with a greenish stone in it. It took me forever to decide whether I would take one with a red stone, pink stone or green stone. It's pretty sweet. Made by a Quebec artist called Patricia David with old horseshoes. Kinda neat. Not a metal I can put to touch my skin but over clothes, this unique type of pentagram looks awesome.
Will have to take both girls shopping on St Denis. Eldest wanted new pair of Docs and youngest would have loved the funky 'punk' clothes in the store we went in. Especially the plaid pants and the funky plaid skirts. Heck if they had my size I would have bought a plaid pink/brown skirt and wore them with brown tights and the Vans :) [And I would have looked like a teen!]
Debbie got her 20 hole Doc Marten boots that go all the way up her leg. Of course she will be bitching each time she puts them on and takes them off. Already my 8 hole docs take forever to put on. But admittedly, I knew this guy Jason who had I think 14 hole docs, that he wore, made him look so incredibly sexy.
Yeah I have really bizarre tastes.
St Denis street, here we come
Shopping trip in the AM on St Denis with Debbie.
So why am I not sleeping?
Must be a well kept secret, much like Caramilk's. Sleep is overrated anyhow.
So why am I not sleeping?
Must be a well kept secret, much like Caramilk's. Sleep is overrated anyhow.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
In Memory of December 6th, 1989
December 6th in Montreal always brings mixed feelings. Most of us still remember the Polytechnique massacre. I wrote on December 6 1990 this poem in memory of those who died.... Everyone remembers where they were. I was home with my 2 babies, watching television, while sewing, and my first reaction seeing the late breaking news on TV was "Oh another crazy in the US" until I realized the 'crazy' was in Montreal. Since my hubby then worked for a firm comprised mostly of engineers, we realized we knew people who knew the victims. Including Barbara Daignault, the cousin of our good friend Thiery.
In Memoriam of December 6th, 1989
---------------------------------
You are gone forever but not forgotten
The memory of your tragedy lives on
It is a pity that you were attacked and killed
For just fulfilling your potential
There is a malaise in society
That was created long before you came to be
It will not go away so easily
Perhaps your death will make the problem clearer
There were those who looked on in disbelief
Those who were confused and deeply hurt
How can someone decide the fate of others
Is there no justice for the living?
The work of a madman for sure
But there is a madperson in all of us
Some say that he was just a marginal exception
But how can we learn to trust others again
Perhaps this incident will make people think
Of all the injustices committed towards women
Perhaps the next time she cries injustice
Society will believe she her complaint.
The answer does lie within each one of us
To forgive him who focused his personal anger on women
To help others learn to love and help themselves
And make this world equal for both men and women.
In your memory: Genevieve Bergeron, Helene Colgan, Nathalie Croteau,
Barbara Daigneault, Anne-Marie Edward, Maud Havierncik, Barbara Klucznik-
Widajewicz, Maryse Laganiere, Maryse Leclair, Anne-Marie Lemay,
Sonia Pelletier, Michele Richard, Annie St..Arneault, Annie Turcotte.
In Memoriam of December 6th, 1989
---------------------------------
You are gone forever but not forgotten
The memory of your tragedy lives on
It is a pity that you were attacked and killed
For just fulfilling your potential
There is a malaise in society
That was created long before you came to be
It will not go away so easily
Perhaps your death will make the problem clearer
There were those who looked on in disbelief
Those who were confused and deeply hurt
How can someone decide the fate of others
Is there no justice for the living?
The work of a madman for sure
But there is a madperson in all of us
Some say that he was just a marginal exception
But how can we learn to trust others again
Perhaps this incident will make people think
Of all the injustices committed towards women
Perhaps the next time she cries injustice
Society will believe she her complaint.
The answer does lie within each one of us
To forgive him who focused his personal anger on women
To help others learn to love and help themselves
And make this world equal for both men and women.
In your memory: Genevieve Bergeron, Helene Colgan, Nathalie Croteau,
Barbara Daigneault, Anne-Marie Edward, Maud Havierncik, Barbara Klucznik-
Widajewicz, Maryse Laganiere, Maryse Leclair, Anne-Marie Lemay,
Sonia Pelletier, Michele Richard, Annie St..Arneault, Annie Turcotte.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
They are like gone....
Since an unpleasant incident this afternoon where I thought I lost some important files at work today, I've had this line stuck in my head.. in a repetitive loop..
" If you ever drop your keys into a river of molten lava, let 'em go, because, man, they're gone"
And if you're wondering where it's from? Deep thoughts, by Jack Handy - SNL :)
Luckily my HW guy at work found a PSU for my Old IBM Intellistation beast, and it's back in Business. Might even have found a really awesome bug with it :)
I've got my new laptop and while I'm thrilled with it, I'm finding the keyboard too stiff. I can't believe it. First time ever I find a keyboard stiffer then what I'm used to. I'm sure within a couple of weeks I'll be fine with this keyboard. I mean it's not a bad keyboard.
Of course because I work as a PC tech, I have to have a hard time with the software on my new lappy. MP10 crashed first time it tried running. IE wouldn't load windows update page properly. Now downloading IE7. Bleah! I'd rather use Firefox 2.0.
I'm freezing. I've been cold at work for the past 2 days. Apparently the vents froze opened. So all the cold air is coming in from outside. Was 68F at my desk when I came in this morning. I tend to prefer 72F Then again I've seen it as warm as 90F at my desk too. Despite being all wrapped up in multiple layers I'm freezing. I hope this isn't an ominous sign that I'm about to come down with some nasty virus...
" If you ever drop your keys into a river of molten lava, let 'em go, because, man, they're gone"
And if you're wondering where it's from? Deep thoughts, by Jack Handy - SNL :)
Luckily my HW guy at work found a PSU for my Old IBM Intellistation beast, and it's back in Business. Might even have found a really awesome bug with it :)
I've got my new laptop and while I'm thrilled with it, I'm finding the keyboard too stiff. I can't believe it. First time ever I find a keyboard stiffer then what I'm used to. I'm sure within a couple of weeks I'll be fine with this keyboard. I mean it's not a bad keyboard.
Of course because I work as a PC tech, I have to have a hard time with the software on my new lappy. MP10 crashed first time it tried running. IE wouldn't load windows update page properly. Now downloading IE7. Bleah! I'd rather use Firefox 2.0.
I'm freezing. I've been cold at work for the past 2 days. Apparently the vents froze opened. So all the cold air is coming in from outside. Was 68F at my desk when I came in this morning. I tend to prefer 72F Then again I've seen it as warm as 90F at my desk too. Despite being all wrapped up in multiple layers I'm freezing. I hope this isn't an ominous sign that I'm about to come down with some nasty virus...
Yes! Good morning!
This time it's the real thing.. I got the notice from purolator yesterday when I got home, they tried to deliver the laptop. I was almost fuming earlier yesterday when my HW guy at work, showed me the exact same model of laptop as mine, who hadn't arrived.. Cannot wait to pick it up... :) Have not decided whether I will pick it up before work, at lunch or after work. I'm just too giddy.
In the end my ex-hubby changed my daughter's powersupply. And the PC is now working well. Just as well I felt so guilty :) So diappointed that daughter didn't change her PS herself.. but I'm sure the minute she mentioned about the powersupply to her dad, he offered to do it. I mean I get the feeling he has a hard time with the fact his little girls are both adults already. I've had no choice to get use to it, when they moved out of my place almost 4 years ago.
I did color my hair terracota blonde on sunday night, and moved along on my paperwork with my friends sunday.. Another couple of weeks, and this paperwork nightmare should be over....
What else.. Gotta love the blanket of snow covering everything. Feels like December in Montreal. Ok Gotta move along... even though it's really comfy just lounging around in my 'happy feet' PJ's. La Senza should be proud. I had not bought a full pyjama in years... and they got me to buy 3 happy feet ones. They are so incredibly cute, comfy and sexy. [Yeah who would have thunk it?]
In the end my ex-hubby changed my daughter's powersupply. And the PC is now working well. Just as well I felt so guilty :) So diappointed that daughter didn't change her PS herself.. but I'm sure the minute she mentioned about the powersupply to her dad, he offered to do it. I mean I get the feeling he has a hard time with the fact his little girls are both adults already. I've had no choice to get use to it, when they moved out of my place almost 4 years ago.
I did color my hair terracota blonde on sunday night, and moved along on my paperwork with my friends sunday.. Another couple of weeks, and this paperwork nightmare should be over....
What else.. Gotta love the blanket of snow covering everything. Feels like December in Montreal. Ok Gotta move along... even though it's really comfy just lounging around in my 'happy feet' PJ's. La Senza should be proud. I had not bought a full pyjama in years... and they got me to buy 3 happy feet ones. They are so incredibly cute, comfy and sexy. [Yeah who would have thunk it?]
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Paranoid much cat?
Too funny. I'm sitting here looking for jokes about Canada and being Canadian, and from the corner of my eye I noticed my 15lb cat Furball, get startled. Over nothing. He's on the other part of the couch from me, and there's absolutely nothing on the couch but him. And jumped about 3 feet. Hilarious.
Of course once he realized he freaked out over nothing, he had to pretend like he had meant for the whole thing to happen and walked away chin up... cats be be so highly entertaning.
Of course once he realized he freaked out over nothing, he had to pretend like he had meant for the whole thing to happen and walked away chin up... cats be be so highly entertaning.
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Power failure and fluids experts
So in the end I did not take a nap yesterday. Right when I was going to crawl back into bed my cleaning lady arrived. She talked to me for half an hour after which I was way too wound up to get back to sleep. So I figured maybe this is as good time as any to get a haircut. Last time I had my hair cut was back in February or March of 2005. Got a layered long haircut, which I liked a lot. When I called the hairdresser she was like "Can you be there in 20 minutes"... I was like.. "Yes!!!".
Turns out there was freezing rain in Montreal this Friday. Was not a bad day to take off work. Getting to the hairdresser proved trickier then I expected especially since I was still driving on my almost bald original all-season tires. She gave me a great haircut, looks very similar to the one I got back in 2005. Tomorrow must pick up some hair color. Terra-cotta blonde. Everyone likes that color on me. Suits my skin color the best as shades of red goes.
Got home from the haircut just around noon, and as it turns out my sweetie had also just gotten home, so we chatted for a few hours. Made my day......Considered going out after our chat, but with the weather I decided I was going to enjoy the warmth of my home. Was just as well. Around 3am we lost power due to the freezing rain and 100km winds. Though they claimed it would be back by noon, I know it was back by 3:30pm today.
I figured this morning when I got up, that I may as well go to Mr Lub and get my car serviced. If I was going to be bored, I may as well be bored for something. I had to laugh with the signs at Mr Lub.. I mean do you really want your pals to know you as a "Fluids Expert"????? They were probably wondering why I was waiting quietly and smirking to myself most of the time I was there... I got my winter tires finally put on, so I'm ready for any more snow now... and also got all the fluids changed, and topped. My car is lubbed up ... :)
Came back home around lunchtime and it was still without electricity and it was like 17C in the house. Brrr. I called my eldest, and woke her up.. poor thing. Went to Mr Falafel and picked up what they call a 'vegetarian on pita' and went over to my daughter's where it was somewhat warm, ate my lunch and had a cup of warm tea. It was the tea I was missing most. Warm tea.
Daughter told me I could use her PC. So I get on MSN and send my sweetie a message to tell him I'm powerless, hence not online.. and her PC just shuts itself off. Then plays possum. So I unplugged the power cord from powersupply, let it sit for a bit, then repower everything, and it boots up again... The minute we load MSN, it shuts itself off and plays possum again. We did that 3 times.. I pulled out her system and tehn realized she had dustbunnies the size of Texas on her fans.. So I cleaned those ff.. tried the PC again.. still died each time we load MSN. I figured she had 2 power failures yesterday due to the storm, her power supply is probably marginal... So before driving her to work, we picked up a new power supply. I explained her how to change it, but told her I could come over tomorrow to change it for her. Alternatively if she sees her dad first, he can do it, or heck even her roomate. Though I'm sure she can do it herself. I'm hoping when she gets home from work tonight, she'll want to use her 'good' PC to game, so she will change her own Powersupply tonight.. and I'll be so incredibly proud of her ;)
Speaking of daughters, younger daughter just called asking for a lift home from work... Mom the taxi to the rescue...
Turns out there was freezing rain in Montreal this Friday. Was not a bad day to take off work. Getting to the hairdresser proved trickier then I expected especially since I was still driving on my almost bald original all-season tires. She gave me a great haircut, looks very similar to the one I got back in 2005. Tomorrow must pick up some hair color. Terra-cotta blonde. Everyone likes that color on me. Suits my skin color the best as shades of red goes.
Got home from the haircut just around noon, and as it turns out my sweetie had also just gotten home, so we chatted for a few hours. Made my day......Considered going out after our chat, but with the weather I decided I was going to enjoy the warmth of my home. Was just as well. Around 3am we lost power due to the freezing rain and 100km winds. Though they claimed it would be back by noon, I know it was back by 3:30pm today.
I figured this morning when I got up, that I may as well go to Mr Lub and get my car serviced. If I was going to be bored, I may as well be bored for something. I had to laugh with the signs at Mr Lub.. I mean do you really want your pals to know you as a "Fluids Expert"????? They were probably wondering why I was waiting quietly and smirking to myself most of the time I was there... I got my winter tires finally put on, so I'm ready for any more snow now... and also got all the fluids changed, and topped. My car is lubbed up ... :)
Came back home around lunchtime and it was still without electricity and it was like 17C in the house. Brrr. I called my eldest, and woke her up.. poor thing. Went to Mr Falafel and picked up what they call a 'vegetarian on pita' and went over to my daughter's where it was somewhat warm, ate my lunch and had a cup of warm tea. It was the tea I was missing most. Warm tea.
Daughter told me I could use her PC. So I get on MSN and send my sweetie a message to tell him I'm powerless, hence not online.. and her PC just shuts itself off. Then plays possum. So I unplugged the power cord from powersupply, let it sit for a bit, then repower everything, and it boots up again... The minute we load MSN, it shuts itself off and plays possum again. We did that 3 times.. I pulled out her system and tehn realized she had dustbunnies the size of Texas on her fans.. So I cleaned those ff.. tried the PC again.. still died each time we load MSN. I figured she had 2 power failures yesterday due to the storm, her power supply is probably marginal... So before driving her to work, we picked up a new power supply. I explained her how to change it, but told her I could come over tomorrow to change it for her. Alternatively if she sees her dad first, he can do it, or heck even her roomate. Though I'm sure she can do it herself. I'm hoping when she gets home from work tonight, she'll want to use her 'good' PC to game, so she will change her own Powersupply tonight.. and I'll be so incredibly proud of her ;)
Speaking of daughters, younger daughter just called asking for a lift home from work... Mom the taxi to the rescue...
Friday, December 01, 2006
Will an 8" shaft do?
What a day yesterday was. Not very pleasant day at work. My old favorite beast of a system, an old IBM Intellistation Z-Pro - a Dual Xeon 550 Mhz with a GX chipset, died, just like that. I've had the beast since it was top of the line, and this machine was old faithful. I hope it's just a dead powersupply. I love my old beast. What other system am I going to run 5 SCSI drives on?
We also spent way too much time looking for a nut driver. So I figured I'd take the innitiative and order tools for the department. Except I realized that I don't know the names of most tools. I'm quite profient using tools, and even know the name of some tools in quebequois slang, but not so much in english. Since I have no idea where purchaser will buy tools, I have to be very precise in my description.
So here I was yesterday, asking a male co-worker if a #1 philips with an 8" shaft would do the trick. If it was long enough for what his team wanted? Only in Quebec would I decide I want a 5mm flathead with 8" shaft. Which translates to a 200mm shaft. That doesnt' sound nearly as good does it ?
Also ordering 5mm nut drivers. Some nut always seems to drive them away.
It's snowing wet snow today. Gotta love Montreal Weather. It was 18 C yestereday. Today it is 0 C. Really ought to get my winter tires put on. THey have been travelling with me in my trunk for the past week now. Sadly the place I usually get my tires changed closed down. So Debbie was suggesting I go to "Mr Lube". And I could get to meet Karim, "the fluids expert". Will see later today if I have time, will drive over, get tires changed, also get an oil change and have all my fluids topped off. I mean if they have a "Fluids expert" may as well benefit.
On that note [C flat], I'm going to take a nap. My sweetie isn't around. I thought I'd spend most of the day with him.. but things change.... Nothing is permanent but change.
We also spent way too much time looking for a nut driver. So I figured I'd take the innitiative and order tools for the department. Except I realized that I don't know the names of most tools. I'm quite profient using tools, and even know the name of some tools in quebequois slang, but not so much in english. Since I have no idea where purchaser will buy tools, I have to be very precise in my description.
So here I was yesterday, asking a male co-worker if a #1 philips with an 8" shaft would do the trick. If it was long enough for what his team wanted? Only in Quebec would I decide I want a 5mm flathead with 8" shaft. Which translates to a 200mm shaft. That doesnt' sound nearly as good does it ?
Also ordering 5mm nut drivers. Some nut always seems to drive them away.
It's snowing wet snow today. Gotta love Montreal Weather. It was 18 C yestereday. Today it is 0 C. Really ought to get my winter tires put on. THey have been travelling with me in my trunk for the past week now. Sadly the place I usually get my tires changed closed down. So Debbie was suggesting I go to "Mr Lube". And I could get to meet Karim, "the fluids expert". Will see later today if I have time, will drive over, get tires changed, also get an oil change and have all my fluids topped off. I mean if they have a "Fluids expert" may as well benefit.
On that note [C flat], I'm going to take a nap. My sweetie isn't around. I thought I'd spend most of the day with him.. but things change.... Nothing is permanent but change.
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