I once nearly broke my nose while splitting firewood.
I know, it sounds stupid, but it was even more stupid to:
a) be there.
b) be on the receiving end of the blow.
I didn't break my nose, though, but it bled profusely and I'm pretty sure I dinged up the cartilage a bit. What happened was I was using a splitter on a piece of wood. The splitter gets whacked by a a sledge hammer and wedges down and through the piece of wood, splitting it into smaller, more manageable pieces for my woodstove. Only this time the splitter got stuck part way down. Now I can't remember (duh. got hit in the face by a flying log) exactly what happened next, but I think I leaned the wood against another log and whacked the splitter from the side. Only when I did that, the piece literally exploded and a rather large piece flew up and hit me in the face.
Fortunately, my neighbours missed this little incident, but they've been witness to enough of my accidents that I'm sure when they see me walk outside they pull out their lawnchairs and sit for a spell for cheap entertainment.
Wanna know what I mean?
*I once broke the sideview mirror on my car... with my forehead.
It was the day of my high school reunion and I was preoccupied with the event and was quickly cleaning the lines down the side of my car when... WHAMMO! I ran straight into the mirror. I cracked the mirror, but only scratched up my forehead, making it look like I should still be using Oxyclean to clear up the skin.
*I lost the wheel to my lawnmower... while mowing the lawn.
Sure, it was an old lawnmower, so it's only logical that the wheel would fall off eventually. It was just too bad it happened as I was pushing the mower. Because I kept pushing after the wheel fell off and the dirt started spraying in a 10-foot-high arc across my yard.
*I've accidently set my lawnmower on fire... on 3 seperate occasions.
Let this be a lesson to you. Just because the gas is in the tank, if you flip the lawnmower on its' side to clean out clumped, wet grass, then it's going to leak and get into the engine. And the next time you start it up... yeah, it catches on fire.
*I nearly cut the tip of my right index finger off... while putting together a bathroom cabinet.
Yep, you know the most important tool to use when making a cabinet is a knife. The rubbery-plastic trim was difficult to cut because it moved under the pressure of the knife. So, me being the smart one, I put my finger on the other side of the trim. That knife went through the trim like butter! And my poor finger on the other side? Let's just say the blade was in so deep I actually had to force it back out of my finger.
OK, I'm pretty sure that's everything. There's probably a few more that I've forgotten about, but I think this sums up my skills as a handyman.
Stop laughing.
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Almost Weepy
I've never been a big fan of 'a capella' music, but The Blanks performed 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' Tuesday on one of the episodes of Scrubs. It was based on the rendition of Israel Kamakawiwo'ole who did an amazingly beautiful job of singing the song before he died.
Yeah, I might've heard his music once before he died 10 years ago, but something about the way he sang this one, to me, felt like he knew the afterlife would treat him very well indeed.If you get a chance to hear it, I'm sure you'll agree --and it may pull you out of a funk if you're in it.
I like getting out of funks. And, yeah, it choked me up.
Yeah, I might've heard his music once before he died 10 years ago, but something about the way he sang this one, to me, felt like he knew the afterlife would treat him very well indeed.If you get a chance to hear it, I'm sure you'll agree --and it may pull you out of a funk if you're in it.
I like getting out of funks. And, yeah, it choked me up.
Saturday, January 28, 2006
"When I was a fetus, I loved dill pickle ice cream"
[the post below is transcribed from an article that appeared in the Vancouver Province newspaper on January 22, 2006, written by Dr. Dave Hepburn. I appreciate his approach to the whole abortion issue and thought I'd share it here. Please note: I am not sharing my personal opinion on abortion, nor do I want to hear anyone else's. It's your opinion and matters to you. I DON'T CARE.]
"I recently attended a conference of the Canadian Physicians for Life because... well I'm Canadian, I enjoy Life and I play a Physician on Thursdays between 9 and 11.
I was impressed with the dignity, concern and thoughtfulness that was evident at the conference, at least prior to my arrival.
For some doctors, the issue of abortion is simple. Their response to this ethical dilemma is to send every girl who believes she wants an abortion to the local abortionist and let them work it out. Easy case. Others wrestle with each case individually and set up a counselling process. Others still are uncomfortable being involved in the abortion process for any reason other than the most dire. It is in that latter pool that I have come to swim and possibly drown.
Given the back and forth form assorted lobby groups, it may be difficult to develop an informed opinion on this sensitive issue but, given the unexpectedness with which your opinion may be required, it is important that you form your own opinion, and that it be exactly the same as mine.
Q: Shouldn't, as Morgenthaler says, every child be a wanted child?
A: Every child is wanted. Every pregnancy is not. Thousands of couples spend thousands of dollars to adopt thousands of children from East Yaopingyanski. Doctors constantly receive requests from those who would love the opportunity to raise a child. Every child is wanted... by someone.
Q: What about a woman's right to do with her body as she pleases?
A: It is against the law for a woman to sell her body or do certain things to or with it. But a growing fetus is, in fact, not her body. It has its own distinct DNA, it has its own genomic character. An appendix or a toenail is part of our body but a fetus is a distinct society. My mother like rutabaga and tofu but as a young fetus (don't we all miss those halcyon days) I rejected that stuff being rammed through my belly button and made it known I needed dill pickle ice cream and peanut buster parfaits with ketchup. We were and are different, genomically and gastronomically speaking.
Q: But a fetus is not a fully developed human being.
A: Fetus is from the Latin for "young child." After 12 weeks, nothing new develops in a fetus. It has everything in place; from there it simply matures. Two-year-olds are no less human than the more developed five-year-olds. They are just meaner.
Q: But being pregnant can be an inconvenience that causes stretch marks, and personally I just spent thousand for implants so it isn't a good time for me to...
A: Listen, Q, I remember you before implants, when you were just a little q. You were OK, er... ok. But yes, this is among the many reasons we hear why a woman wants an abortion.
Q: What is a partial birth abortion?
A: I would suggest that if you want to know how you really feel about abortion, go to any website that describes partial birth abortion. If that doesn't put goosebumps on your goosebumps, then nothing in this column will make any difference to you.
As many doctors wrestle with our stewardship to the expectant mother, I can't help but be concerned with the lack of concern for the unborn child that has too often turned an ethical decision into a mere gynecological inconvenience. What's the answer? I don't know --but I suspect it must involve dill pickle ice cream."
99-Minute email message
Got an email from Sex Caffeine today. The first one since September. She wanted an update on how things are going.
And I unloaded with a 99-minute email message.
Serves her right for not sending me a message in 4 months.
Y'know, I'd love to get together with her for coffee and I know that I'd probably just set myself up for a whole new heap o' trouble. But I really miss her. I miss other people from work too, but save for a few days, my time working with SC was my happiest time there.
Think about it. For an entire year, we palled around, talked, and had a whole ton of fun. Then, for a few days, she got really defensive because she was leaving. And once she finally returned, things remained a roller coaster (even when we started working out together). It was high stress for both of us and I was going through Hell at home too.
she was good for me back then. But I have to remember to leave it in the past. That was the whole point when I went to her wedding was to let her know that we've both moved on and for both of us it's for the better.
But it still took me 99 minutes to write that email.
And I unloaded with a 99-minute email message.
Serves her right for not sending me a message in 4 months.
Y'know, I'd love to get together with her for coffee and I know that I'd probably just set myself up for a whole new heap o' trouble. But I really miss her. I miss other people from work too, but save for a few days, my time working with SC was my happiest time there.
Think about it. For an entire year, we palled around, talked, and had a whole ton of fun. Then, for a few days, she got really defensive because she was leaving. And once she finally returned, things remained a roller coaster (even when we started working out together). It was high stress for both of us and I was going through Hell at home too.
she was good for me back then. But I have to remember to leave it in the past. That was the whole point when I went to her wedding was to let her know that we've both moved on and for both of us it's for the better.
But it still took me 99 minutes to write that email.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Teacher Rant
So, our school has thing about doing teacher evaluations just a few weeks after class starts.
Sounds a little stupid, right?
I thought as much until last semester when we had an absolutely horrible Tuesday instructor and we got him fired at an early stage so there was still hope for us to learn something in the class.
I still hate Tuesday classes.
This semester, our Tuesday class is kinda slow. No, not kinda. It's really slow. And I don't necessarily think it's the teacher's fault. The problem is that he has to teach at the pace for the slowest one amongst us.
Still, people complained that class was going too slow on the evaluations. This morning, we got the teacher seeking revenge for all the "wrongs" we put down on those sheets.
Well, I got a little pissed.
Yes, fine. We're complaining about class going slow. Our first project (not a group project!!) has been delayed 3 weeks (in an 11-week semester) because of the slower learners.
Yes, fine. You, Mr. Teacher, can't figure out how they passed their prerequisite class and not know the basics needed for this one (kind of explains why things are going slow, yes?).
Yes, fine. There's people there that should've been kicked from the program a long, long time ago.
But don't bitch at us about it. Talk to the Deans and figure out why they're letting people pass and continue on in the program when basic skills are lacking and/or missing. We're complaining, but we only pay the tuition and take the courses, so our opinion doesn't matter.
There's still a dozen of us in the classroom that feel things are progressing too slowly. There are 3 or 4 who just don't get it.
Let them fall behind.
Let them fail.
We'll all be better off for it.
My doctor told me a while back that this is exactly like going to med school. We're working long, hard hours to achieve our best and it will only be the best people who make it.
If we make mistakes, however, no one dies. But couldn't they bloody well fail and drop out?
Please?
Sounds a little stupid, right?
I thought as much until last semester when we had an absolutely horrible Tuesday instructor and we got him fired at an early stage so there was still hope for us to learn something in the class.
I still hate Tuesday classes.
This semester, our Tuesday class is kinda slow. No, not kinda. It's really slow. And I don't necessarily think it's the teacher's fault. The problem is that he has to teach at the pace for the slowest one amongst us.
Still, people complained that class was going too slow on the evaluations. This morning, we got the teacher seeking revenge for all the "wrongs" we put down on those sheets.
Well, I got a little pissed.
Yes, fine. We're complaining about class going slow. Our first project (not a group project!!) has been delayed 3 weeks (in an 11-week semester) because of the slower learners.
Yes, fine. You, Mr. Teacher, can't figure out how they passed their prerequisite class and not know the basics needed for this one (kind of explains why things are going slow, yes?).
Yes, fine. There's people there that should've been kicked from the program a long, long time ago.
But don't bitch at us about it. Talk to the Deans and figure out why they're letting people pass and continue on in the program when basic skills are lacking and/or missing. We're complaining, but we only pay the tuition and take the courses, so our opinion doesn't matter.
There's still a dozen of us in the classroom that feel things are progressing too slowly. There are 3 or 4 who just don't get it.
Let them fall behind.
Let them fail.
We'll all be better off for it.
My doctor told me a while back that this is exactly like going to med school. We're working long, hard hours to achieve our best and it will only be the best people who make it.
If we make mistakes, however, no one dies. But couldn't they bloody well fail and drop out?
Please?
Go Team... (Just Go)
I realize it's considered an important part of school, but I'm a so sick of group projects!
Way back when I started this blog, I mentioned that there must be some natural law that says there HAS to be some annoying pain-in-the-ass neighbor on every block.
Well, let me add that with every work group, there's gotta be at least one person who sees everyone else working and thinks 'Hey, why do I have to do anything on this?' Or, the even worse person: 'Psssshhh! Good enough. I don't need to see what everyone else is working on right now!"
3 groups going at the moment.
THREE.
In one group, one guy lost all the flow charts and diagrams we'd spent 3 hours putting together. So, when [ahem] the rest of us sat down to put together the good copy, we had to start from scratch.
Then, in my major project group, we had this guy who was begging we change our minds and refocus. Since we're still getting most things organized, we felt it was an okay time to refocus. We did. And 2 days later he drops out of our group. Idiot.
In my third group, we needed to write out a number of "job postings." 5 of us in the group, 2 focused on our 'vision' and 'benefits' and the other 3 tackled the 12 postings. Well, apparently only 2 of us have ever looked at a job description before. This guy writes out the job requirements for a manager:
"must have manager skills."
Seriously.
OK, I've been trying to hold a resolution in 2006 to cut down on the swearing. I don't do that much as it is, but these groups....
These groups....
There are some really fucking stupid people getting in my way!!
Way back when I started this blog, I mentioned that there must be some natural law that says there HAS to be some annoying pain-in-the-ass neighbor on every block.
Well, let me add that with every work group, there's gotta be at least one person who sees everyone else working and thinks 'Hey, why do I have to do anything on this?' Or, the even worse person: 'Psssshhh! Good enough. I don't need to see what everyone else is working on right now!"
3 groups going at the moment.
THREE.
In one group, one guy lost all the flow charts and diagrams we'd spent 3 hours putting together. So, when [ahem] the rest of us sat down to put together the good copy, we had to start from scratch.
Then, in my major project group, we had this guy who was begging we change our minds and refocus. Since we're still getting most things organized, we felt it was an okay time to refocus. We did. And 2 days later he drops out of our group. Idiot.
In my third group, we needed to write out a number of "job postings." 5 of us in the group, 2 focused on our 'vision' and 'benefits' and the other 3 tackled the 12 postings. Well, apparently only 2 of us have ever looked at a job description before. This guy writes out the job requirements for a manager:
"must have manager skills."
Seriously.
OK, I've been trying to hold a resolution in 2006 to cut down on the swearing. I don't do that much as it is, but these groups....
These groups....
There are some really fucking stupid people getting in my way!!
Sunday, January 15, 2006
27 Days Later
28 days of rain. That's the record. Today is day #28.
But to start, here's a good quote I heard today:
Good quote, eh? It's true that the weather was the talk just about everywhere you went. Hey, rain! SO close to the record!! A record from 1953.
Frig. 27 days of rain. And today? Nothing. The official rainfall check was at 10pm.
Nothing.
But the rain just started again, so January 16th is day #1 of another attempt at the record.
This really would've sucked if it were snow.
But to start, here's a good quote I heard today:
"After this much rain, people should be complaining, but we're so close to tying and breaking the record, sunny weather now just makes it all seem like a waste of time."
Good quote, eh? It's true that the weather was the talk just about everywhere you went. Hey, rain! SO close to the record!! A record from 1953.
Frig. 27 days of rain. And today? Nothing. The official rainfall check was at 10pm.
Nothing.
But the rain just started again, so January 16th is day #1 of another attempt at the record.
This really would've sucked if it were snow.
Friday, January 13, 2006
2 down...
...2 to go.
I have 2 more meetings to go and all my church responsibilities are at an end. Phew! Tuesday night was a finance meeting (I'm head of the board of finance) and last night was a different board meeting where I report on the latest finance things. Some are a little peeved that we've had to make cuts for 2006, but we don't have a choice. In fact, for a non-profit group, we should probably cut like crazy to try and balance our budget instead of continuously trying to meet a budget which has proven to be above the amount of donations coming in.
So, last night when they started complaining about the budget cuts, I asked them if I should balance our budget --and cut another $50,000. It got quiet fast.
I have one more meeting on Monday, with the executive board (where I have a letter of complaint about overspending in 2 areas) and finally a meeting on February 4 where the budget is ratified.
And then all my responsibilities go out the window --around the same time someoneelse is giving a speech on the crisis of leadership amongst the congregation. :D
I have 2 more meetings to go and all my church responsibilities are at an end. Phew! Tuesday night was a finance meeting (I'm head of the board of finance) and last night was a different board meeting where I report on the latest finance things. Some are a little peeved that we've had to make cuts for 2006, but we don't have a choice. In fact, for a non-profit group, we should probably cut like crazy to try and balance our budget instead of continuously trying to meet a budget which has proven to be above the amount of donations coming in.
So, last night when they started complaining about the budget cuts, I asked them if I should balance our budget --and cut another $50,000. It got quiet fast.
I have one more meeting on Monday, with the executive board (where I have a letter of complaint about overspending in 2 areas) and finally a meeting on February 4 where the budget is ratified.
And then all my responsibilities go out the window --around the same time someoneelse is giving a speech on the crisis of leadership amongst the congregation. :D
Thirteen
I love Friday the 13th!
I can't say it's always been a great day for me, but even Friday the 13th's where nothing happens are okay by me. Why? Because when things happen for me, they're usually bad.
I know I've been hired for jobs on the 13th, I've also started dating girls on the 13th and more than likely had sex on more than one Friday the 13th.
Today's pretty much a 'nothing' day as I'm back into childcare mode. I even have very little homework as my Wednesday night overnighter took care of most of it already.
And it's Noon and I haven't argued with my kids about anything yet. Sweet!
I'd say I wish there were more Friday the 13ths, but I'm sure they'd start to go to poop on me.
I can't say it's always been a great day for me, but even Friday the 13th's where nothing happens are okay by me. Why? Because when things happen for me, they're usually bad.
I know I've been hired for jobs on the 13th, I've also started dating girls on the 13th and more than likely had sex on more than one Friday the 13th.
Today's pretty much a 'nothing' day as I'm back into childcare mode. I even have very little homework as my Wednesday night overnighter took care of most of it already.
And it's Noon and I haven't argued with my kids about anything yet. Sweet!
I'd say I wish there were more Friday the 13ths, but I'm sure they'd start to go to poop on me.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Some things...
...never change.
Whilst taking a break from work this... morning... (yeah, like an hour ago), I came across a name from my past. Nope, not mentioning his name here, but I'd come across his blog which is a play on his name.
He's currently attending university in Scotland, taking economic history.
If you'd asked me 'lo those many years ago when we were in high school if I could see him getting his Master's in economic history in Scotland, the answer is YES.
Oh good Lord, yes.
Hell, I could've predicted that in elementary school and we only had 1 year together there! It's so him.
But ask him all those years ago if he could see me working in a university athletics department. Ask him if he could see me, today, writing a "journal" in a computer lab at 2 in the morning while 2 guys beside me (seriously) play a hockey game on the computer. While 2 others play a 5th consecutive hour of Unreal Tournament.
And one other guy studies --sort of.
Y'know, with only 8 and-a-half months to go, I'm starting to look at these people and question whether I ever want to work with them in the future. The near future.
One guy? Yes. The others? Never. Never ever ever.
Stupid kids.
Whilst taking a break from work this... morning... (yeah, like an hour ago), I came across a name from my past. Nope, not mentioning his name here, but I'd come across his blog which is a play on his name.
He's currently attending university in Scotland, taking economic history.
If you'd asked me 'lo those many years ago when we were in high school if I could see him getting his Master's in economic history in Scotland, the answer is YES.
Oh good Lord, yes.
Hell, I could've predicted that in elementary school and we only had 1 year together there! It's so him.
But ask him all those years ago if he could see me working in a university athletics department. Ask him if he could see me, today, writing a "journal" in a computer lab at 2 in the morning while 2 guys beside me (seriously) play a hockey game on the computer. While 2 others play a 5th consecutive hour of Unreal Tournament.
And one other guy studies --sort of.
Y'know, with only 8 and-a-half months to go, I'm starting to look at these people and question whether I ever want to work with them in the future. The near future.
One guy? Yes. The others? Never. Never ever ever.
Stupid kids.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
This Guy....
...which is the answer to: "Who has 2 thumbs and is pooped beyond belief?"
It's pretty sad to think that I leave for school tomorrow morning and don't come home until 3 the next afternoon. LONG DAY pretty much sums it up. I have my sleeping bag ready for the car and this time I must also remember:
1 - a change of clothes
2 - a pillow (as my jacket did not make a good substitute)
If last Wednesday's "overnighter" was any indication, I should expect a maximum of 4 hours' sleep tomorrow night. Which means aside from tonight's sleep will give me 5 hours' sleep this week.
Yeah, last night was a bad night. It took me 'til 1 to fall asleep and then my son started crying again and my wife just brought him into our room to sleep. That means in less than an hour, I was out to the living room to sleep on the couch and finally fell asleep just prior to the alarm clock going off at 4:45am.
It's a little early to get going for school, but I got up anyway, headed out the door before 6am. It still took me over 90 minutes to get there....
Oh, and 3 hours to get home this afternoon (I should've had a bite to eat before I left --I had a sandwich for breakfast at 5am and a chicken dinner at 6:30pm), which seriously sucked.
Although the temperature's been quite mild, it's been raining for 23 days in a row. Sure, there's been breaks from the rain, but the breaks consist of showers and your usual downpour....
I'm procrastinating already and it's only week #2...
It's pretty sad to think that I leave for school tomorrow morning and don't come home until 3 the next afternoon. LONG DAY pretty much sums it up. I have my sleeping bag ready for the car and this time I must also remember:
1 - a change of clothes
2 - a pillow (as my jacket did not make a good substitute)
If last Wednesday's "overnighter" was any indication, I should expect a maximum of 4 hours' sleep tomorrow night. Which means aside from tonight's sleep will give me 5 hours' sleep this week.
Yeah, last night was a bad night. It took me 'til 1 to fall asleep and then my son started crying again and my wife just brought him into our room to sleep. That means in less than an hour, I was out to the living room to sleep on the couch and finally fell asleep just prior to the alarm clock going off at 4:45am.
It's a little early to get going for school, but I got up anyway, headed out the door before 6am. It still took me over 90 minutes to get there....
Oh, and 3 hours to get home this afternoon (I should've had a bite to eat before I left --I had a sandwich for breakfast at 5am and a chicken dinner at 6:30pm), which seriously sucked.
Although the temperature's been quite mild, it's been raining for 23 days in a row. Sure, there's been breaks from the rain, but the breaks consist of showers and your usual downpour....
I'm procrastinating already and it's only week #2...
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Stolen Moment
Stealing this from Mad (again).... sorry, sweety. ;)
1. What did you do in 2005 that you’d never done before? Actually put my skills in art to good use
2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? See a previous post. I didn't do too badly. I'll, uh, think up some soon.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? 2 friends had babes in 2005. One girl and one boy. BOTH adorabl.
4. Did anyone close to you die? Not anyone close.... my first boss (at the last place I worked, 7 years before the office From Hell) lost his wife in January, though.
5. What countries did you visit? Well, if the U.S. counts when it's less than 20 miles away, then yes. :D
6. What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005? A career.
7. What date from 2005 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? April 4, 2005 -- The day I went back to school.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Probably making it through half of my diploma program and maintaining a very high GPA while doing it.
9. What was your biggest failure? Not finding the proper balance between homework, making money, and family.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Illness? Yes. Injury? Thankfully, no. I usually crash after a semester's over because I've burned myself out in the final week. Oh wait, does crazy gluing yor fingers together count? I did that like 6 or 7 times...
11. What was the best thing you bought? A new 80GB portable hard-drive for school. Coo-L.
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration? Mine, bleh!! :p
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed? The pinheads one semester behind us. Noisy little losers.
14. Where did most of your money go? Tuition and car payments. Actually, I guess since I'm on a student loan, it was car payments and mortgage.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Seeing Sex Caffeine again.. even if it was at her wedding.
16. What song will always remind you of 2005? Anna's Nalick's 'Breathe.' Probably the best song of 2005 and good suggestion too (just breathe).
17. Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder? Happier, 'cuz I feel like I'm accomplishing something.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of? I actually miss exercising... I felt much better about myself after hefty workout.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of? F-ing around on the computer.
20. How did you spend Christmas? All over --it's become tradition.
21. How [did] you spend New Year’s? Watched 'War of the Worlds' with my wife, then stayed up to raise a glass of wine at midnight (she didn't make it again).
22. Did you fall in love in 2005? Already in love, so I STAYED in love. :D
23. How many one-night stands? None.
24. What was your favorite TV program? Hm. My normal reality shows weren't much fun this time around. Drawn Together was a good surprise. House, Daily Show, Grey's Anatomy, Nip/Tuck, Stacked, and Battlestar Galactica were all quite enjoyable. OH! And how could I forget the Canadian content? Rick Mercer Report & Corner Gas have kept me laughing constantly!
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? I don't know if I hate him, but he's very difficult to tolerate.
26. What was the best book you read? The Pale Horseman by Bernard Cornwell.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery? Anna Nalick or James Blunt.
28. What did you want and get? A Peter Gabriel DVD --cuz I bought it for myself!
29. What was your favorite CD of this year? Hm. Didn't buy one this year.
30. What was your favorite film of this year? Chronicles of Narnia. At home, I'd have to say 'Euro Trip' 'cuz I watched it like 15 times.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? Drew a naked guy --dammit. (I was in class if you must know...)
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? To be working already and no longer have to make my way through school.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005? Extra-deoderant, and carry at all times. Some classes were frickin' hot and I'd perspire something fierce!!
34. What kept you sane? Sleep --when and if I got it.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Jessica Alba --droolicious!!
36. What political issue stirred you the most? Our upcoming federal election (and last year's as well ;) )
37. Whom do you miss? Sex Caffeine.
38. Who was the best new person that you met? H. She's the leather-clad hottie who got me to Sex Caffeine's wedding on time.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005: My work is better when I receive feedback.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
I'm partial to Rhett Miller's 'Our Love' (which i'm sure I used as a post title at some point in 2005):
1. What did you do in 2005 that you’d never done before? Actually put my skills in art to good use
2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? See a previous post. I didn't do too badly. I'll, uh, think up some soon.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? 2 friends had babes in 2005. One girl and one boy. BOTH adorabl.
4. Did anyone close to you die? Not anyone close.... my first boss (at the last place I worked, 7 years before the office From Hell) lost his wife in January, though.
5. What countries did you visit? Well, if the U.S. counts when it's less than 20 miles away, then yes. :D
6. What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005? A career.
7. What date from 2005 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? April 4, 2005 -- The day I went back to school.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Probably making it through half of my diploma program and maintaining a very high GPA while doing it.
9. What was your biggest failure? Not finding the proper balance between homework, making money, and family.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Illness? Yes. Injury? Thankfully, no. I usually crash after a semester's over because I've burned myself out in the final week. Oh wait, does crazy gluing yor fingers together count? I did that like 6 or 7 times...
11. What was the best thing you bought? A new 80GB portable hard-drive for school. Coo-L.
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration? Mine, bleh!! :p
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed? The pinheads one semester behind us. Noisy little losers.
14. Where did most of your money go? Tuition and car payments. Actually, I guess since I'm on a student loan, it was car payments and mortgage.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Seeing Sex Caffeine again.. even if it was at her wedding.
16. What song will always remind you of 2005? Anna's Nalick's 'Breathe.' Probably the best song of 2005 and good suggestion too (just breathe).
17. Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder? Happier, 'cuz I feel like I'm accomplishing something.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of? I actually miss exercising... I felt much better about myself after hefty workout.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of? F-ing around on the computer.
20. How did you spend Christmas? All over --it's become tradition.
21. How [did] you spend New Year’s? Watched 'War of the Worlds' with my wife, then stayed up to raise a glass of wine at midnight (she didn't make it again).
22. Did you fall in love in 2005? Already in love, so I STAYED in love. :D
23. How many one-night stands? None.
24. What was your favorite TV program? Hm. My normal reality shows weren't much fun this time around. Drawn Together was a good surprise. House, Daily Show, Grey's Anatomy, Nip/Tuck, Stacked, and Battlestar Galactica were all quite enjoyable. OH! And how could I forget the Canadian content? Rick Mercer Report & Corner Gas have kept me laughing constantly!
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? I don't know if I hate him, but he's very difficult to tolerate.
26. What was the best book you read? The Pale Horseman by Bernard Cornwell.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery? Anna Nalick or James Blunt.
28. What did you want and get? A Peter Gabriel DVD --cuz I bought it for myself!
29. What was your favorite CD of this year? Hm. Didn't buy one this year.
30. What was your favorite film of this year? Chronicles of Narnia. At home, I'd have to say 'Euro Trip' 'cuz I watched it like 15 times.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? Drew a naked guy --dammit. (I was in class if you must know...)
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? To be working already and no longer have to make my way through school.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005? Extra-deoderant, and carry at all times. Some classes were frickin' hot and I'd perspire something fierce!!
34. What kept you sane? Sleep --when and if I got it.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Jessica Alba --droolicious!!
36. What political issue stirred you the most? Our upcoming federal election (and last year's as well ;) )
37. Whom do you miss? Sex Caffeine.
38. Who was the best new person that you met? H. She's the leather-clad hottie who got me to Sex Caffeine's wedding on time.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005: My work is better when I receive feedback.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
I'm partial to Rhett Miller's 'Our Love' (which i'm sure I used as a post title at some point in 2005):
"She is a living fire she is a reason to live
She is killing me burning only for him
I'll spend my whole life loving her my heart exploding words
Our love surpassed our love so fast
Our love's all wrong our love goes on and on
Our love became our love by name when I wrote it to you in a song"
Our love goes on and on
Saturday, January 07, 2006
This Week
Well, finally started back at school on Tuesday and I was very happy to do so. I tihnk the entire family was officially sick of each other as of Monday. My wife & I had been fighting as I needed *some* time away from the kids and had barely had any time to work on projects for the upcoming semester. My computer's been fritzed since December 30th as well and shuts down after 45 or so minutes, so I didn't get much work done on the computer on Friday or Saturday either. Then, every chance I had for some "time off," she'd get called in to work.
Fine. Yeah, she's the one bringing the money home right now, so I don't have many rights when it comes to complaining about her leaving the house.
As it was, my daughter was invited to a friend's house for the day, which just left me with my son. He's a handful when both kids are around, but he's almost saintly when my daughter's away. And, of course, he gladly had an afternoon nap.
When "nap time" finally came around, I decided to sit down with a good book, grab a hot cup of coffee and enjoy the last Krispy Kreme donut. I'd only managed to snag 2 out of the dozen we'd picked up on Thursday. Gone.
My wife took it to work with her. She didn't bother asking me and felt it better for me to discover it later on. Yeah, we'd bought them on Thursday and I saved one for myself until MONDAY, but apparently that's long enough to no longer share or FREAKING ASK if it's okay to take.
HAD she asked, I would've been fine with it, but my plans for quiet relaxation were torn asunder with the missing donut.
So, Tuesday was a great day to head to campus. I knew my schedule already as I picked it up last week, but my carpool guy didn't know his and neither did several others in our class.
And then Hell officially froze over...
Fine. Yeah, she's the one bringing the money home right now, so I don't have many rights when it comes to complaining about her leaving the house.
As it was, my daughter was invited to a friend's house for the day, which just left me with my son. He's a handful when both kids are around, but he's almost saintly when my daughter's away. And, of course, he gladly had an afternoon nap.
When "nap time" finally came around, I decided to sit down with a good book, grab a hot cup of coffee and enjoy the last Krispy Kreme donut. I'd only managed to snag 2 out of the dozen we'd picked up on Thursday. Gone.
My wife took it to work with her. She didn't bother asking me and felt it better for me to discover it later on. Yeah, we'd bought them on Thursday and I saved one for myself until MONDAY, but apparently that's long enough to no longer share or FREAKING ASK if it's okay to take.
HAD she asked, I would've been fine with it, but my plans for quiet relaxation were torn asunder with the missing donut.
So, Tuesday was a great day to head to campus. I knew my schedule already as I picked it up last week, but my carpool guy didn't know his and neither did several others in our class.
And then Hell officially froze over...
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Resolutions 501
From last year's resolutions:
2 - A basic story I'd been mulling over in my head has evolved something fierce and is now quite a big story. Some of it's been written out, but definitely not all of it. And that's the fun. Right now, I don't know how it's going to end.
3 - My son knows so many words, I'll just take credit for teaching him some of them at some point. He loves 'Madagascar' and is learning how to sing "I like to move it move it." It's extremely cute.
4 - Um, no. This one didn't happen. I'm on the path to a career, though, and enjoying that, so I'll give myself half-marks on this one.
5 - "I've never had a student loan before." Boy, do I ever have one now!!
Apologies for the sudden lack of postings.... can anyone tell I'm back at school?
And, no, I haven't thought of a theme for this year yet...
- Take this talent and use it. I once was awarded an art scholarship and never used it. I've basically put down the art supplies since then and have felt the urge to draw. Again.
- Spend 24 hours on a story. I never did write the 'My 24 hours.' post last year, so I'll have to write about it this year. By April. :-)
- Teach my son his first mega-word. My daughter, when she was 2 years old, told people she wanted to be a hematopathologist when she grew up. She said it a friend of mine -a career counsellor- and he had no idea what that was. Now I have to think up a good one for my son...
- Land a career by my birthday. Nothing wrong with setting dates for these, right? I'm saying career, because I don't want another job. I want a career, a place where I want to be. That's the second most important lesson I learned this past year. The first was 'have faith.'
- Do one thing I've never done before. Be that bungee jumping, climbing, whatever... just to DO something I haven't done means I'll never have to say "I've never..." again.
2 - A basic story I'd been mulling over in my head has evolved something fierce and is now quite a big story. Some of it's been written out, but definitely not all of it. And that's the fun. Right now, I don't know how it's going to end.
3 - My son knows so many words, I'll just take credit for teaching him some of them at some point. He loves 'Madagascar' and is learning how to sing "I like to move it move it." It's extremely cute.
4 - Um, no. This one didn't happen. I'm on the path to a career, though, and enjoying that, so I'll give myself half-marks on this one.
5 - "I've never had a student loan before." Boy, do I ever have one now!!
Apologies for the sudden lack of postings.... can anyone tell I'm back at school?
And, no, I haven't thought of a theme for this year yet...
Sunday, January 01, 2006
A Theme for New Year's
So, this is it. #500. My five hundredth post since I started this blog just over 2 years ago.
Holy crap. It's been a long time and a lot has happened. A lot has stayed the same too. Not going into detail though.
I do, however, have to come up with a new theme for my 2006 posts and I honestly haven't thought of one yet. Oh dear.
Dreama "sort of" guessed correctly on my 2004 theme. Every post started with "My." I stated it was MY YEAR and therefore every post had a title of MY in it. It's actually from the TV show Scrubs, where (nearly) every episode has been titled 'MY [something].' I don't think I had too many the same, although by December 2004, I'd planned on doing one for each episode title. Didn't work out too well :D
So, I stated there was a theme to the post titles in 2005. I know I made one slip-up along the way, but otherwise, I think I got it pretty good.
They're all songs.
Every post title in 2005 is the name of a song, including this one:
'A Theme For New Year's' is by One Dollar Short:
So, you're just gonna have to wait....
Thanks to the numerous readers who have stayed with me on this. I always say my "two regular readers," but I've been told there are others. I know Jules and (I think) W. check in from time-to-time and I'm not sure who else is out there reading this right now.
Whatever. Happy New Year to you all!!
Holy crap. It's been a long time and a lot has happened. A lot has stayed the same too. Not going into detail though.
I do, however, have to come up with a new theme for my 2006 posts and I honestly haven't thought of one yet. Oh dear.
Dreama "sort of" guessed correctly on my 2004 theme. Every post started with "My." I stated it was MY YEAR and therefore every post had a title of MY in it. It's actually from the TV show Scrubs, where (nearly) every episode has been titled 'MY [something].' I don't think I had too many the same, although by December 2004, I'd planned on doing one for each episode title. Didn't work out too well :D
So, I stated there was a theme to the post titles in 2005. I know I made one slip-up along the way, but otherwise, I think I got it pretty good.
They're all songs.
Every post title in 2005 is the name of a song, including this one:
'A Theme For New Year's' is by One Dollar Short:
"Happy New YearSo, what was the big thing I was planning for the 'reveal' of my latest theme? Well, I'd planned on giving each title again as well as who sang the song. Sadly, with sudden computer glitches upon me to "crash" in the new year, I haven't been able to finish it up yet.
Another ceremony of loneliness
You are the object of my thoughts tonight
You are everything that glitters
You reflect the light in so many ways
I kept my favourite pieces of last year
I pressed them in between pages"
So, you're just gonna have to wait....
Thanks to the numerous readers who have stayed with me on this. I always say my "two regular readers," but I've been told there are others. I know Jules and (I think) W. check in from time-to-time and I'm not sure who else is out there reading this right now.
Whatever. Happy New Year to you all!!
Mr. Personality
Hey neat! This actually is quite appropriate!!
Oh and...
[1 post 'til #500!!!!!!! Like how I cheated?]
Your Personality Profile |
 You are dependable, popular, and observant. Deep and thoughtful, you are prone to moodiness. In fact, your emotions tend to influence everything you do. You are unique, creative, and expressive. You don't mind waving your freak flag every once and a while. And lucky for you, most people find your weird ways charming! |
Oh and...
[1 post 'til #500!!!!!!! Like how I cheated?]
Happy New Year
So close to finishing and my computer's acting really weird! I have a few things to say still and hopefully my computer makes it in time!!
[2 posts 'til #500!]
[2 posts 'til #500!]
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)