Alex started a new job a few weeks ago and along with it came all kinds of stuff, like better benefits and other good things. It also came with crappy hours. So now, we see each other for an hour every day, if we're lucky. We're really like ships in the night now...I'm sound asleep and have been for hours (in theory, when the insomnia isn't visiting) when he gets home and he's only been asleep for two hours when I'm rudely awakened by my alarm to start the day.
For the first few weeks of the new job, I was taking classes two nights of the week, so I didn't notice how much time we weren't spending together, but this week, now that my class is over, Alex's absence is pretty apparent. Evenings are long...I haven't read this many books in such a short period of time in I don't know how long. Parts of the house are spotless because I obsessively clean them, other parts of the house could do with a good scrub because I obsessively ignore them...Classes don't start until September, so I guess I'm going to have to find some other way to keep myself occupied before I go nuts!
Coffee? Ice Cream? Walk? Yoga? Dinner? anyone!?!?!?
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Monday, July 30, 2007
One...two...skip a few...ninety-nine, one hundred...
That's a lot of sheep. So I should be snoozing by now.
But I'm still AWAKE....
The ceiling is still white.
The alarm clock is going to go off sooner than it was four minutes ago, fourteen minutes ago, forty minutes ago, an hour and a half ago, when I last hit the snooze/light button.
Warm milk is gross.
I've reread the same page in my book six or seven times and I couldn't tell you what happened. Or what happened in the last 50 pages or so. I could make something up and chances are it will so bizarre it could be its own book, not related at all to the one I'm actually reading.
I can't be bothered dragging myself down the hallway and taking a warm bath or shower.
When I close my eyes I see moving boxes and computers with viruses and some bad guy stealing all the money out of my bank account. All 43¢ or whatever negligible amount is in there in the minutes before pay day. Not that that has happened or anything, it's just the insomnia taking hold.
I JUST WANT TO SLEEP!!!!
For the past few nights, I've fallen asleep just before Alex has come home from work, only to be jolted awake when I hear the front door open and decide the bad guy now has a key to my house and has come to steal the coffee...he can't have the coffee, I need it to make it to work in the morning!!!!
I know, I know, it's still early for a lot of people, but it's way past my bed time.
Insomnia remedies anyone?
But I'm still AWAKE....
The ceiling is still white.
The alarm clock is going to go off sooner than it was four minutes ago, fourteen minutes ago, forty minutes ago, an hour and a half ago, when I last hit the snooze/light button.
Warm milk is gross.
I've reread the same page in my book six or seven times and I couldn't tell you what happened. Or what happened in the last 50 pages or so. I could make something up and chances are it will so bizarre it could be its own book, not related at all to the one I'm actually reading.
I can't be bothered dragging myself down the hallway and taking a warm bath or shower.
When I close my eyes I see moving boxes and computers with viruses and some bad guy stealing all the money out of my bank account. All 43¢ or whatever negligible amount is in there in the minutes before pay day. Not that that has happened or anything, it's just the insomnia taking hold.
I JUST WANT TO SLEEP!!!!
For the past few nights, I've fallen asleep just before Alex has come home from work, only to be jolted awake when I hear the front door open and decide the bad guy now has a key to my house and has come to steal the coffee...he can't have the coffee, I need it to make it to work in the morning!!!!
I know, I know, it's still early for a lot of people, but it's way past my bed time.
Insomnia remedies anyone?
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Mutter, mutter, mutter
Today has been one of those days...you know, when nothing really goes wrong, but that doesn't mean that it really goes right either.
My computer at work contracted a nasty cold and my well structured list of things-that-must-get-done-before-the-end-of-the-week exploded and spewed crap all over my desk. Well, not really, but I sure didn't get much done without the use of a computer and now have to go get new bank cards etc because it was a program that captures key strokes and I did some online banking this morning.
The computer is at the computer hospital until further notice, which means I will be travelling between home and my boss's office (while he's away for a few weeks). Neither of which are close to my office or the piles of paper that need to be data-entered and then filed. Grrr....that situation will be remedied in the next couple of weeks though, when we finally, after months of maybe-next-month-the-downstairs-people-will-move-out-so-
the-upstairs-next-door-people-can-move-in-and-we-can-move-over-there move to the office directly next to the boss is actually happening.
Aw grumpy...you should go to bed instead of boring the poor people with your complaints...
Looks like the mutter mutter mutter might be a clear indication that I am indeed from another planet...I've even begun talking about myself in the third person...okay, enough of that, I'm going to try to get some sleep now.
My computer at work contracted a nasty cold and my well structured list of things-that-must-get-done-before-the-end-of-the-week exploded and spewed crap all over my desk. Well, not really, but I sure didn't get much done without the use of a computer and now have to go get new bank cards etc because it was a program that captures key strokes and I did some online banking this morning.
The computer is at the computer hospital until further notice, which means I will be travelling between home and my boss's office (while he's away for a few weeks). Neither of which are close to my office or the piles of paper that need to be data-entered and then filed. Grrr....that situation will be remedied in the next couple of weeks though, when we finally, after months of maybe-next-month-the-downstairs-people-will-move-out-so-
the-upstairs-next-door-people-can-move-in-and-we-can-move-over-there move to the office directly next to the boss is actually happening.
Aw grumpy...you should go to bed instead of boring the poor people with your complaints...
Looks like the mutter mutter mutter might be a clear indication that I am indeed from another planet...I've even begun talking about myself in the third person...okay, enough of that, I'm going to try to get some sleep now.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Once Upon a Seven Part Series of Kidlit
NO SPOILERS - I PROMISEI am now on my second read through of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I can't believe how quickly I read it the first time, even with countless distractions yesterday. Now I need to reread it because I am positive I have missed all kinds of important details.
I won't spoil the ending, or the middle, or even the beginning, but I will say I was surprised and not surprised at who died or didn't die. And while I really was unsure how it was going to end, it ended one of the ways I had thought it could end.
Since I finished reading it, I have been checking out some of the "spoilers" that were floating around the internet before Saturday and while some of them are very accurate (especially when the Spoilers had taken the time to read the photographed copy of it) some are totally inaccurate and almost humorous.
Now I'm just waiting patiently for someone else to be finished too so that we can have conversations like:
"Could you believe it when...?"
"Did you think....would happen?"
"I totally knew that was going to happen..."
"Hey, one of my theories was right..."
Until then...NO SPOILERS! I promise!
Back from the "Island of the Secret Love Nun"
Friday, before we went to the VanDusen gardens for the Harry Potter party, I came straight home from work to finish the book I was reading, Island of the Secret Love Nun. I wasn't sure how long it would take me to finish Harry Potter and Love Nun book was good, so I figured I should get to it!I got the book for my birthday from my friend Michelle who works at a book store and was determined to get me to read "something different." The bright pink cover didn't scare me away and it was a very interesting, imaginative book. I love that it was totally off the wall, but made me want to read more and more and more.
So today, before the library goes on strike, I think I will venture out to see if they have any more of Christopher Moore's books. I guess Michelle's plan worked. (Oh, and I needn't have worried about how long Harry Potter would take to read.)
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Who Dies?!
Well, that's still a mystery, cause I haven't finished the book yet. I decided when we got home at 1:00 this morning that I would put off starting the book until morning. I want the book to last forever because it's the last one, but at the same time, I really want to know what happens. Taking a computer break and not looking at any "unsafe sites" is one of my prolong-the-experience tactics.
I should know better. I have loved rereading the first books so much that I am sure that once I have devoured book seven in its entirety I will be content to reread the series over and over and over.
The Harry Potter Party last night was a lot of fun. Lots of people had very cool costumes, lots of kids (and grownups too) were very excited to be there. The rain held off from the time we walked through the entrance to the Gardens until we got back to the rock star parking we found for Stacey's car. The mist from all the rain made the garden eerie in a very good way.
There was much discussion about turning off cell phones and hermiting away until the last page of the book is turned by many people who *never* *ever* turn their phones off and can't imagine being disconnected from the world for long. Facebook, online newspapers, other social networking sites, Yahoo, MSN, and email in general were to be shunned. It's amazing the response to a "kids' book!"
Aleksandra, Shannon and Alex, waiting patiently
"Why am I here?"
"Because, secretly you like Harry Potter and one day you too will succumb and read the books!"
Hogwarts Express
Alex tests out the Goblin Gold
Looks like Voldemort takes many shapes. The lady on the left doesn't look like a Dark Wizard, but she's marking Aleksandra!
Aleksandra, scarred
Shannon is scarred too
Fawkes the Phoenix
Trust Snape
Dumbledore
Whoosh....it's midnight...here come the books!
Shannon and Alex
Alex and Stacey, ready to go home and read the book
I should know better. I have loved rereading the first books so much that I am sure that once I have devoured book seven in its entirety I will be content to reread the series over and over and over.
The Harry Potter Party last night was a lot of fun. Lots of people had very cool costumes, lots of kids (and grownups too) were very excited to be there. The rain held off from the time we walked through the entrance to the Gardens until we got back to the rock star parking we found for Stacey's car. The mist from all the rain made the garden eerie in a very good way.
There was much discussion about turning off cell phones and hermiting away until the last page of the book is turned by many people who *never* *ever* turn their phones off and can't imagine being disconnected from the world for long. Facebook, online newspapers, other social networking sites, Yahoo, MSN, and email in general were to be shunned. It's amazing the response to a "kids' book!"
Aleksandra, Shannon and Alex, waiting patiently
"Why am I here?""Because, secretly you like Harry Potter and one day you too will succumb and read the books!"
Hogwarts Express
Alex tests out the Goblin Gold
Looks like Voldemort takes many shapes. The lady on the left doesn't look like a Dark Wizard, but she's marking Aleksandra!
Aleksandra, scarred
Shannon is scarred too
Fawkes the Phoenix
Trust Snape
Dumbledore
Whoosh....it's midnight...here come the books!
Shannon and Alex
Alex and Stacey, ready to go home and read the bookFriday, July 20, 2007
Countdown to Harry...
Eight hours and counting. I sure hope the rain goes away in time to see lots of little Harrys, Hermiones, and Rons. Sounds like we're going to the party with a Hermione (and a grump too...someone doesn't like rain!).
I'm very excited to get my new book and spend some quality time in an imaginary world, but I'm also sad that this is going to be the last book. And nervous about who she might kill off this time...oh well, I will enjoy the Harry party and then make sure there is a box of kleenex nearby while I read the book, just in case! And I'll be sure to become a hermit until I'm done. There have been all kinds of warnings today to avoid your email and the internet if you want the ending to be a surprise.
No spoilers here...not now anyway. And if there are later, well, I'll make sure they're very clearly marked.
I'm very excited to get my new book and spend some quality time in an imaginary world, but I'm also sad that this is going to be the last book. And nervous about who she might kill off this time...oh well, I will enjoy the Harry party and then make sure there is a box of kleenex nearby while I read the book, just in case! And I'll be sure to become a hermit until I'm done. There have been all kinds of warnings today to avoid your email and the internet if you want the ending to be a surprise.
No spoilers here...not now anyway. And if there are later, well, I'll make sure they're very clearly marked.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Upgraded (Downgraded?) to Restricted
Check it out...
I'm now Restricted
because of these words: poop (3x) bitch (2x) limbs (1x)
apparently hurt, dead, gun, suck and all those other words I checked before mean nothing in the rating...
Now I should do some work...no more procrastinating...even if I excel at it!
I'm now Restricted
because of these words: poop (3x) bitch (2x) limbs (1x)
apparently hurt, dead, gun, suck and all those other words I checked before mean nothing in the rating...
Now I should do some work...no more procrastinating...even if I excel at it!
Does a G-rating make me boring?
Too bad if it does...
My only flagged word is death x1, so obviously this works by scanning the text and not looking at the context and it doesn't dig into archives and I'm not about to check out each page of my blog.
Out of curiosity, I checked out the ratings of some of my daily fixes.
Interesting...not sure how accurate though. The most interesting is that two poops and a bitch are only PG, but two deads and a poop make an R rating (I guess my rating is going up as soon as I hit publish!)
My only flagged word is death x1, so obviously this works by scanning the text and not looking at the context and it doesn't dig into archives and I'm not about to check out each page of my blog.
Out of curiosity, I checked out the ratings of some of my daily fixes.
| F365 | G | No bad words found |
| Heddy Bear | PG | hurt (5x) dead (2x) punch (1x) |
| what's-her-lips | PG | death (6x) gun (2x) suck (1x) |
| dooce | R | dead (2x) poop (1x) |
| Crazy Aunt Purl | PG | poop (2x) bitch (1x) |
| Post Secret | G | suicide (1x) |
| The Globe and Mail | G | drugs (2x) breast (1x) |
| Nanny Shanny's 365 site | G | punch (x1) |
Interesting...not sure how accurate though. The most interesting is that two poops and a bitch are only PG, but two deads and a poop make an R rating (I guess my rating is going up as soon as I hit publish!)
Sunday, July 15, 2007
The Across the Lake Swim, Part Eight
It's that time of year again.
Yesterday morning I got up nice and early to cheer Team Hardcore and Punk on as they once again swam with Ogopogo. This is the first year I didn't participate. I have never actually done the swim (I'm sure we all know how much I LOVE swimming), but every year that I was in town, I was in a spotter boat and last year I dragged Alex along with me.
Kelsey came across the finish line first and I almost missed her. She was easy to identify in her yellow swim cap, black bathing suit, and goggles. It was nice that no one else was dressed the same way.
Rebecca emerged from the water not long after and this time I was paying better attention.
Yay girlies!
Of course, after the swim, swimmers, boaters, and spectators all need some sustenance so off we went to the Bohemian for brunch.
mmm...blueberries
We gathered later for more food...the flames are deceiving - they're not burning anything, just making the bacon good and crispy.
And of course brunch and burgers just weren't enough so we had to go get ice cream...
along with half of Kelowna.
How do you end a good day? The same way you started it of course, in the lake...this time trying to cool off a little bit before bed.
Yesterday morning I got up nice and early to cheer Team Hardcore and Punk on as they once again swam with Ogopogo. This is the first year I didn't participate. I have never actually done the swim (I'm sure we all know how much I LOVE swimming), but every year that I was in town, I was in a spotter boat and last year I dragged Alex along with me.
Kelsey came across the finish line first and I almost missed her. She was easy to identify in her yellow swim cap, black bathing suit, and goggles. It was nice that no one else was dressed the same way.
Rebecca emerged from the water not long after and this time I was paying better attention.
Yay girlies!Of course, after the swim, swimmers, boaters, and spectators all need some sustenance so off we went to the Bohemian for brunch.
mmm...blueberries
We gathered later for more food...the flames are deceiving - they're not burning anything, just making the bacon good and crispy.
And of course brunch and burgers just weren't enough so we had to go get ice cream...
along with half of Kelowna.How do you end a good day? The same way you started it of course, in the lake...this time trying to cool off a little bit before bed.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Eerily quiet...
I've been sitting near an open window now for a while, hoping that a wonderful breeze will miraculously start blowing and cool me off. It's supposed to stay around 20 all night tonight.
While sitting here, trying not to move so that I don't break a sweat, I was thinking there's no noise.
The upstairs neighbours' usual quiet rumble of conversation isn't there. I know they're home, periodically I hear a floor board creak. I can't even begin to imagine how hot it must be UP there...it's stifling down here.
The adorable cuties next door aren't out playing in the yard, not even spraying each other with the garden hose.
The Greeks aren't screaming at each other.
The television dude across the alley isn't watching television.
I guess it's just too hot. Everyone's doing what I'm doing...trying not to move and contemplating yet another ice cold shower.
I can't wait to go back to work...at least our office is by the ocean and there's a bit of a breeze there.
sigh...
While sitting here, trying not to move so that I don't break a sweat, I was thinking there's no noise.
The upstairs neighbours' usual quiet rumble of conversation isn't there. I know they're home, periodically I hear a floor board creak. I can't even begin to imagine how hot it must be UP there...it's stifling down here.
The adorable cuties next door aren't out playing in the yard, not even spraying each other with the garden hose.
The Greeks aren't screaming at each other.
The television dude across the alley isn't watching television.
I guess it's just too hot. Everyone's doing what I'm doing...trying not to move and contemplating yet another ice cold shower.
I can't wait to go back to work...at least our office is by the ocean and there's a bit of a breeze there.
sigh...
Potter Madness
This past weekend I picked up our tickets to the Harry Potter party at the VanDusen gardens.
We're pretty excited, can't you tell!
But not as crazy excited as some. Last night and well into this morning, Alex and I went to see Pirates of the Caribbean. We got there and there was a line up of people...a line up...and the movie has been out for an eternity. So long that it's not even going to be at that theatre anymore.
Turns out the line up was for the die hard Harry Potter fans who had been waiting for hours and would be waiting for hours more, just to see the 12:01 show. I'm just not that into Harry Potter.
And I should have guessed that's why they were there, not just because of the big sign, but because a bunch of them seemed to be dressed as wizards and witches.
We're excited about the movie, but I'm far more excited about the book! NINE MORE SLEEPS!
We're pretty excited, can't you tell!
But not as crazy excited as some. Last night and well into this morning, Alex and I went to see Pirates of the Caribbean. We got there and there was a line up of people...a line up...and the movie has been out for an eternity. So long that it's not even going to be at that theatre anymore.
Turns out the line up was for the die hard Harry Potter fans who had been waiting for hours and would be waiting for hours more, just to see the 12:01 show. I'm just not that into Harry Potter.
And I should have guessed that's why they were there, not just because of the big sign, but because a bunch of them seemed to be dressed as wizards and witches.
We're excited about the movie, but I'm far more excited about the book! NINE MORE SLEEPS!
Monday, July 09, 2007
Our new friend Max
Max came to see us last night.
Alex was taking the garbage out when I heard him yelling for me from outside. All of the blinds were closed against the heat, so I went down to see what the problem was and found Alex and Max having a stare off.
Max came over to see me and showed me his doggy license right away, but being late on Sunday, animal control was closed.
We were worried he was lost, but all of the gates into our yard were closed. Which made us worried to let him out in case someone stole him or he got hit by a car. He was a very trusting dog and he really wanted to be buddies with us. I would have gladly kept him, but I was sure that his owners probably wanted him back.
After a few hours of him pacing the yard and coming up the deck steps and the front steps in an attempt to get us to love him, his family came back. It turns out he was locked in the yard next door, but he figured out how to escape into our yard somehow.
Glad I didn't let him go!
Alex was taking the garbage out when I heard him yelling for me from outside. All of the blinds were closed against the heat, so I went down to see what the problem was and found Alex and Max having a stare off.
Max came over to see me and showed me his doggy license right away, but being late on Sunday, animal control was closed.
We were worried he was lost, but all of the gates into our yard were closed. Which made us worried to let him out in case someone stole him or he got hit by a car. He was a very trusting dog and he really wanted to be buddies with us. I would have gladly kept him, but I was sure that his owners probably wanted him back.
After a few hours of him pacing the yard and coming up the deck steps and the front steps in an attempt to get us to love him, his family came back. It turns out he was locked in the yard next door, but he figured out how to escape into our yard somehow.
Glad I didn't let him go!
Sunday, July 08, 2007
My 81st Birthday Bash
Somehow I went from turning 30 to being 81 because of a picture and comment on Facebook...the party was still great. A bunch of our friends showed up, although it was bit chilly and mosquitoey, so only those who ventured out to the deck where I was sitting got to have their pictures taken (missing people include: Jason, Maria, Warren, JJ, Julia, and Mikey).
Alex sent me away for a loverly massage (thanks!) so he and Stacey could decorate the house.
I came home to the door all decorated and pretty and "30" stuff everywhere in the house.
Just in case you weren't sure which house was ours!
We had to mix our slushy martinis up - apparently it takes two people to do this. These are the best inventions ever - you buy them at Linens 'n' Things of all places, add the al-co-hol and some water and freeze them for a few hours. Instant blender drinks without the mess of the blender!
Shannon mixing frozen martinis
Stacey mixing frozen martinis
Then my lovely cousins arrived and brought with them the evening's entertainment.
Bret-Alise
Kamiah
What party is complete without a BeDazzler? Not this party, obviously. We all had to try BeDazzling something.
Pretty please can I open the BeDazzler?
Not sure what I'm telling Nate and Stacey, but they don't look too impressed. Probably something to do with BeDazzling them?!
Stacey getting the BeDazzler ready to go
Nate says: No, I don't think I need my jeans BeDazzled tonight, thanks. Besides, I don't really think the BeDazzler should be mixed with al-co-hol. It should only be operated below .08.
So I found something else to BeDazzle.
Can I do it? It requires a lot of concentration you know!
See...lots of concentration
You should try it Steve!
Isn't it pretty?
birthday cake!
whoa...it's on fire!
beautiful cake from cupcakes
The girls...they were here early and the last to leave....Heather, Stacey, and Shannon
Heather and Shannon
Thanks for a wonderful day and a great party Alex!
Clean up time...interesting how the cheese plate looks like it's been attacked, the pizza boxes are empty and in the garbage (no you can't see them in this picture), there are a few chips in the bowl, and the watermelon, raw veggies, and broccoli are still abundantly present...hmmm...go figure!
Alex sent me away for a loverly massage (thanks!) so he and Stacey could decorate the house.
I came home to the door all decorated and pretty and "30" stuff everywhere in the house.
Just in case you weren't sure which house was ours!
We had to mix our slushy martinis up - apparently it takes two people to do this. These are the best inventions ever - you buy them at Linens 'n' Things of all places, add the al-co-hol and some water and freeze them for a few hours. Instant blender drinks without the mess of the blender!
Shannon mixing frozen martinis
Stacey mixing frozen martinisThen my lovely cousins arrived and brought with them the evening's entertainment.
Bret-Alise
KamiahWhat party is complete without a BeDazzler? Not this party, obviously. We all had to try BeDazzling something.
Pretty please can I open the BeDazzler?
Not sure what I'm telling Nate and Stacey, but they don't look too impressed. Probably something to do with BeDazzling them?!
Stacey getting the BeDazzler ready to go
Nate says: No, I don't think I need my jeans BeDazzled tonight, thanks. Besides, I don't really think the BeDazzler should be mixed with al-co-hol. It should only be operated below .08.
So I found something else to BeDazzle.
Can I do it? It requires a lot of concentration you know!
See...lots of concentration
You should try it Steve!
Isn't it pretty?
birthday cake!
whoa...it's on fire!
beautiful cake from cupcakes
The girls...they were here early and the last to leave....Heather, Stacey, and Shannon
Heather and Shannon
Thanks for a wonderful day and a great party Alex!
Clean up time...interesting how the cheese plate looks like it's been attacked, the pizza boxes are empty and in the garbage (no you can't see them in this picture), there are a few chips in the bowl, and the watermelon, raw veggies, and broccoli are still abundantly present...hmmm...go figure!
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