Dell Holiday Frenzy
As addictions go, through, it's not so bad. :)
November 28, 2006
November 26, 2006
Prison Break fall finale - squeeeeee!!
I wonder how many Prison Break-related hospital admissions there have been? Last week's show was, hands-down, the MOST exciting episode to date; and it ended on such a heart-pounding note! If I don't end up on blood pressure medication by the time this show runs its course, it'll be a miracle.
The biggest reason I watch PB: I am a huge MiSa shipper (Michael/Sara relationship fan). The developments in their relationship over the last few weeks have made me SQUEEEEEEEEE.
Tomorrow night is the fall finale, before the show goes on hiatus until the end of January. I am getting together with my good friend Kenny, who is also a huge PB fan, to watch the finale. I am so excited for the show; but also bummed that I won't see any new shows for two months! FOX's original plan was to take the show on hiatus for FOUR months, like they did last season; so I can at least be grateful that they've rethought that outstanding little bit of programming genius. Thank goodness for bit torrent downloads!
The biggest reason I watch PB: I am a huge MiSa shipper (Michael/Sara relationship fan). The developments in their relationship over the last few weeks have made me SQUEEEEEEEEE.
Tomorrow night is the fall finale, before the show goes on hiatus until the end of January. I am getting together with my good friend Kenny, who is also a huge PB fan, to watch the finale. I am so excited for the show; but also bummed that I won't see any new shows for two months! FOX's original plan was to take the show on hiatus for FOUR months, like they did last season; so I can at least be grateful that they've rethought that outstanding little bit of programming genius. Thank goodness for bit torrent downloads!
November 22, 2006
The cutest things in the world
It's interesting the discoveries you make in parenthood. Every day brings new little lessons; when your kids are babies, you discover what will soothe them and keep them comfy and happy. As they get older, the discoveries are a bit more profound.
I realized yesterday that the sweet little moments outweigh the moments of terrible behaviour when you wonder why on earth you had kids. This isn't, of course, the first time I've thought of this; but every so often it really becomes apparent. The quality of the sweet moments outweigh the bad moments at least 100 to 1.
Yesterday morning I was upstairs getting ready for work, when I heard C. asking to get out of her high chair. I called downstairs to ask J. to get her out. He came over to take off the tray, and said to her, "Pick up your juice, C." and she said, "It miwk, J.!"
Awwwwwww!!! :) Sweet little interactions like that get my day off to such a great start.
I realized yesterday that the sweet little moments outweigh the moments of terrible behaviour when you wonder why on earth you had kids. This isn't, of course, the first time I've thought of this; but every so often it really becomes apparent. The quality of the sweet moments outweigh the bad moments at least 100 to 1.
Yesterday morning I was upstairs getting ready for work, when I heard C. asking to get out of her high chair. I called downstairs to ask J. to get her out. He came over to take off the tray, and said to her, "Pick up your juice, C." and she said, "It miwk, J.!"
Awwwwwww!!! :) Sweet little interactions like that get my day off to such a great start.
15 years
This Friday, November 24th, will mark 15 years since the music world lost one of its pillars:
Miss you, Freddie.
Miss you, Freddie.
November 21, 2006
Paint fumes
Been a while. :)
My office is being painted. Not just my own room; but the entire office. It's not a huge office; about 2,000 sq ft. They started last Monday. As in, a week ago. They're not finished yet and I'm about ready to scream.
They started painting my own office yesterday morning. Two coats on the walls. Looks great. This morning I asked my boss whether they could please just get the trim done so I could move my furniture back towards the walls. Everything is currently shoved into the middle and I can barely even put my feet under my desk, let alone nagivate the office comfortably. Yeah, they painted the trim; but apparently another coat needs to go on, and despite the fact that the trim was dry by 12:30, the second coat still had not gone by the time the guy left for the day at 3:30. My own office space is about 7 feet by 11 feet. 77 sq. ft. Three fucking days?? I could have painted the room with my fucking TONGUE faster than this.
I am so sick of the smell of paint; if I never smell it again it'll be too soon.
My office is being painted. Not just my own room; but the entire office. It's not a huge office; about 2,000 sq ft. They started last Monday. As in, a week ago. They're not finished yet and I'm about ready to scream.
They started painting my own office yesterday morning. Two coats on the walls. Looks great. This morning I asked my boss whether they could please just get the trim done so I could move my furniture back towards the walls. Everything is currently shoved into the middle and I can barely even put my feet under my desk, let alone nagivate the office comfortably. Yeah, they painted the trim; but apparently another coat needs to go on, and despite the fact that the trim was dry by 12:30, the second coat still had not gone by the time the guy left for the day at 3:30. My own office space is about 7 feet by 11 feet. 77 sq. ft. Three fucking days?? I could have painted the room with my fucking TONGUE faster than this.
I am so sick of the smell of paint; if I never smell it again it'll be too soon.
August 19, 2006
No rain...no raaaaaaaaain!!
My good friend Heidi is getting married today. :) It's an outdoor wedding, though; and there is a tent for the food area but not for reception-ing, etc. 40% chance of thunderstorms this aft, 70% chance of showers this evening and 90% chance of showers overnight. :( It hasn't rained in three friggin' weeks! Let's hope that it holds off for today and starts at, say, 2 am or so.
Congratulations, Heidi & Bob!! **smooches**
Congratulations, Heidi & Bob!! **smooches**
August 12, 2006
Wow - this is cool.
I know there's a reason for it - I don't know what it is, but they're incredibly well-rehearsed and it looked pretty seamless to me! Wow!
August 07, 2006
Bwahahahaha
Seems we're not the only ones who think our neighbours are too damn noisy. Someone called the police twice this week when they were having outdoor drink-and-be-assholes sessions in the backyard. I was starting to wonder if perhaps I was just being oversensitive. Saturday night's party included one of their guests vomiting on the lawn - three times. The lawn where children play. Running through someone else's vomit. **sigh** Just too gross for words.
August 04, 2006
The Magnificent Seven
Thanks to Just Jared for this pic of seven of the hottest guys on TV:
Prison Break returns to Fox on Monday, August 21!! Click here for more Season 2 promo pics on Just Jared! :)
Prison Break returns to Fox on Monday, August 21!! Click here for more Season 2 promo pics on Just Jared! :)
August 01, 2006
Sssssssssss......
That's the sound of brains sizzling across Ontario, as the temps spike ever upward. It's 9:37 pm as I am typing; and it is still 30 degrees celsius outside; with the humidex, it feels like 41. It's more or less pitch black outside.
What are you doing to conserve energy as demands reach peak levels? The Ontario government is requesting that people set their air conditioners no lower than 26 degrees, keep blinds closed, and use flourescent bulbs.
I also think it's a good idea to have an minimum temp at which retail stores and offices must keep their indoor environment during times of peak energy usage; stores which do not comply with this would be fined. I am thinking in particular of a Food Basics store in my area which is about 20 degrees indoors - no lie. The energy-sucking refrigeration and freezer units in the store go a long way to keep the temperature down; freezing the customers serves no purpose and only increases the demand on the Ontario power grid.
(Update: my Weather Network.com Weather Eye says we've slipped to a chilly 29 degrees.)
I read an article today (link) that referred to previous records set for Ontario electricity demand; up until the beginning of the new millennium or so, those records were set during extremely cold winters as people turned up the heat. All of the current top twenty peak days, have been set during summer heat waves. What is meeting the demand on those days? Plants operating on nuclear power, hydroelectricity, wind power, and, of all things, coal.
I strongly believe that Ontario has the capability to become, at least, a North American leader in the pursuit of sustainable and renewable forms of energy. Geographically, our province has a hugely diverse landscape spanning from Point Pelee to Hudson Bay, the St. Lawrence & Great Lakes Lowlands to the Canadian Shield - in those vast expanses between, there must be sustainable sources of energy we can harness. We know they are there; the money to develop these must be a priority for Ontarians if we expect to see our descendants live into the 22nd century and beyond.
Katie The Tree Hugger says, Don't be a power hog! :)
What are you doing to conserve energy as demands reach peak levels? The Ontario government is requesting that people set their air conditioners no lower than 26 degrees, keep blinds closed, and use flourescent bulbs.
I also think it's a good idea to have an minimum temp at which retail stores and offices must keep their indoor environment during times of peak energy usage; stores which do not comply with this would be fined. I am thinking in particular of a Food Basics store in my area which is about 20 degrees indoors - no lie. The energy-sucking refrigeration and freezer units in the store go a long way to keep the temperature down; freezing the customers serves no purpose and only increases the demand on the Ontario power grid.
(Update: my Weather Network.com Weather Eye says we've slipped to a chilly 29 degrees.)
I read an article today (link) that referred to previous records set for Ontario electricity demand; up until the beginning of the new millennium or so, those records were set during extremely cold winters as people turned up the heat. All of the current top twenty peak days, have been set during summer heat waves. What is meeting the demand on those days? Plants operating on nuclear power, hydroelectricity, wind power, and, of all things, coal.
I strongly believe that Ontario has the capability to become, at least, a North American leader in the pursuit of sustainable and renewable forms of energy. Geographically, our province has a hugely diverse landscape spanning from Point Pelee to Hudson Bay, the St. Lawrence & Great Lakes Lowlands to the Canadian Shield - in those vast expanses between, there must be sustainable sources of energy we can harness. We know they are there; the money to develop these must be a priority for Ontarians if we expect to see our descendants live into the 22nd century and beyond.
Katie The Tree Hugger says, Don't be a power hog! :)
July 30, 2006
Neighbours who suck a$$
I live in a townhouse. I used to be flanked by neighbours who, to the right, screamed at each other and their kids, constantly; and to the left, had a revolving door/unofficial drop-in centre for teenaged boys who liked to drink and gamble online. Good times for all.
I found myself shaking my head in disbelief at my good luck earlier this spring when both units were vacated within a month of each other. I did so, of course, with the trepidation of not knowing who their successors may be.
On one side, I now have a lovely young couple with a small child, and a dog who, despite being the size of an elephant, has never had an offensive "deposit" left on the lawn for more than a moment before his owners scooped it up and disposed of it. This huge dog also never barks (whines occasionally, being a husky). Could not ask for more friendly and respectful neighbours.
On the other side, we have Hillbilly Heaven. The patriarch of HH is a quiet, middle aged gentleman. He isn't the problem.
His adult son and daughter-in-law, and their 3-year-old, are the problem. They keep their own unit and lawn, tidy and clean enough. Everything looks nice. It's their utter lack of respect for others that sends me to the moon.
Adult son has never worn clothing on his upper body. Like, ever. And lives in a red ball cap, camouflage shorts, and workboots. Daughter-in-law is quiet enough, but I'm guessing she's not overly bright. 3-year-old is disrespectful of others' things, particularly my garden tools which I place neatly on my front step for the next time I'm to use them; and my six-year-old's toys; he has also squirted me in the face with a water gun - twice - while his mother, 20 feet away, said nothing.
They have a friend who visits with two little white dogs; these dogs are prolific in bowel elimination, and it never gets picked up. Fab.
They have parties that last till after midnight. Said parties happen to take place outside our bedroom windows at the back of our house - pop quiz, does excessive alcohol consumption make a group of people (a) quieter or (b) louder? You only get one guess.
This morning the daugher-in-law was sitting on her front step with a friend who lives in another of the townhouse units here who coincidentally also has a 3-year-old, who loves to screech at the top of his lungs incessantly. His pronounciation is really poor, so I guess he makes up for it in volume. But I digress. They were sitting outside having their morning coffee and cigarettes, watching the two boys play. One of the little boys had to pee. Braniac from the other unit tells him to go pee on the tree. So he hangs it out in the middle of the lawn (nowhere near the tree - not that peeing on the tree would have been okay) and lets a stream go, while the two "adults" who were responsible for him laughed their a$$es off. He got some great arc, I'll give him that. Too bad that next time someone walks across that part of the front lawn, they'll be walking through another human being's body waste.
On a related note, I recently discovered the album "Specialist In All Styles" by Orchestra Baobab, a great Senagalese band. The album sounds (to my untrained ear) like Indian or Algerian singing style, with Mexican music. Talk about fusion jazz. :) My personal favourites on the album are Ndongoy Daara and El Son Te Llama.
I've chosen this morning to listen to it. And you know, you really can't get all the nuances of the music unless you've got it at a pretty good volume.
It's sooooo beautiful today. Think I'll go open all my windows.
I found myself shaking my head in disbelief at my good luck earlier this spring when both units were vacated within a month of each other. I did so, of course, with the trepidation of not knowing who their successors may be.
On one side, I now have a lovely young couple with a small child, and a dog who, despite being the size of an elephant, has never had an offensive "deposit" left on the lawn for more than a moment before his owners scooped it up and disposed of it. This huge dog also never barks (whines occasionally, being a husky). Could not ask for more friendly and respectful neighbours.
On the other side, we have Hillbilly Heaven. The patriarch of HH is a quiet, middle aged gentleman. He isn't the problem.
His adult son and daughter-in-law, and their 3-year-old, are the problem. They keep their own unit and lawn, tidy and clean enough. Everything looks nice. It's their utter lack of respect for others that sends me to the moon.
Adult son has never worn clothing on his upper body. Like, ever. And lives in a red ball cap, camouflage shorts, and workboots. Daughter-in-law is quiet enough, but I'm guessing she's not overly bright. 3-year-old is disrespectful of others' things, particularly my garden tools which I place neatly on my front step for the next time I'm to use them; and my six-year-old's toys; he has also squirted me in the face with a water gun - twice - while his mother, 20 feet away, said nothing.
They have a friend who visits with two little white dogs; these dogs are prolific in bowel elimination, and it never gets picked up. Fab.
They have parties that last till after midnight. Said parties happen to take place outside our bedroom windows at the back of our house - pop quiz, does excessive alcohol consumption make a group of people (a) quieter or (b) louder? You only get one guess.
This morning the daugher-in-law was sitting on her front step with a friend who lives in another of the townhouse units here who coincidentally also has a 3-year-old, who loves to screech at the top of his lungs incessantly. His pronounciation is really poor, so I guess he makes up for it in volume. But I digress. They were sitting outside having their morning coffee and cigarettes, watching the two boys play. One of the little boys had to pee. Braniac from the other unit tells him to go pee on the tree. So he hangs it out in the middle of the lawn (nowhere near the tree - not that peeing on the tree would have been okay) and lets a stream go, while the two "adults" who were responsible for him laughed their a$$es off. He got some great arc, I'll give him that. Too bad that next time someone walks across that part of the front lawn, they'll be walking through another human being's body waste.
On a related note, I recently discovered the album "Specialist In All Styles" by Orchestra Baobab, a great Senagalese band. The album sounds (to my untrained ear) like Indian or Algerian singing style, with Mexican music. Talk about fusion jazz. :) My personal favourites on the album are Ndongoy Daara and El Son Te Llama.
I've chosen this morning to listen to it. And you know, you really can't get all the nuances of the music unless you've got it at a pretty good volume.
It's sooooo beautiful today. Think I'll go open all my windows.
July 29, 2006
WHAT is with the heat??
I hate to say it, because I hate wishing my life away, but the heat is killing me, and I am so ready for fall. :( Or at least a cooler summer. This house retains the heat like crazy (in summer at least - in winter, not so much!) so I think we are in desperate need of some new insulation & weather stripping & so forth. Unfortunately, that's not up to us. :(
**sigh**
**sigh**
July 19, 2006
Toddlerspeak
My daughter C. is two. She has a language all her own. It is, in fact, much like English and definitely has all the inflections and sounds reasonably similar - but it takes a finely trained ear to pick up the little nuances of the language.
Here, then, a small C-to-English translation guide:
Melmow: elbow
Beebee seepy: baby sleeping
Beedee: blanket (this one was tough to figure out since it sounds so much like beebee)
Deuce: juice
Up: mouth (this one is my fault, from having said "Open up" so many times and never saying "Open your mouth")
Hoo hoo hock: cuckoo clock
But her all-purpose word, the word that is appropriate in almost any situation, is:
Owie!: stop, don't wash my face, don't try to pick me up, don't try to change my diaper, don't hug me right now, I don't want to kiss you, don't put sunscreen on me, don't make me leave the park, don't try to stop me from doing what I'm doing right now, don't put my hair up, etc.
Here, then, a small C-to-English translation guide:
Melmow: elbow
Beebee seepy: baby sleeping
Beedee: blanket (this one was tough to figure out since it sounds so much like beebee)
Deuce: juice
Up: mouth (this one is my fault, from having said "Open up" so many times and never saying "Open your mouth")
Hoo hoo hock: cuckoo clock
But her all-purpose word, the word that is appropriate in almost any situation, is:
Owie!: stop, don't wash my face, don't try to pick me up, don't try to change my diaper, don't hug me right now, I don't want to kiss you, don't put sunscreen on me, don't make me leave the park, don't try to stop me from doing what I'm doing right now, don't put my hair up, etc.
July 18, 2006
Cute little blog things
| You Are Sensual Sexy |
 You exude a luxiourous sensuality in your everyday life Turning heads everywhere you go, it's all about your sexy attitude. You're naturally hot - gorgeous in both sweats and stilettos. Your biggest problem is that your utra sexy self sometimes scares men away. |
| You Are a Passionate Kisser |
 You are the most likely type to kiss a sexy stranger Your kissing style is unpredictable and free spirited You could kiss anyone at a drop of a hat It's all about where your passion leads you |
| You Go For Brains! |
 You want a guy with a big... brain. And of course it would be nice if he were a total hottie, but you're not counting on it. What's on the inside is what counts for you. (Besides, you can always change the outside later!) |
July 13, 2006
Summertime
I am on holidays. In fact, I'm nearing the end of two whole weeks of unscheduled bliss. During this time we (hubby and I) have redecorated our kitchen. I spent time with my kiddos, went swimming, built sand castles, read (finally got into The DaVinci Code and omgosh, it was so much better than I ever thought it might be; very, very exciting!!) and just generally enjoyed the change of pace. It's been really nice.
Son is at a day camp today. We're expecting super-hot weather over the weekend, which will be great for my garden. Hot and humid makes my climbing plants (morning glories, sweet peas) jump up. Our tomato plant is already almost as tall as my six-year-old. (Yes, that's tomato plant, singular - we do live in the city with a very small backyard, and honestly, we just don't need *that* many tomatoes!)
Next week will be back to work and back to the regular routine; but I still have a few days left and I'm going to enjoy them for all they're worth.
Son is at a day camp today. We're expecting super-hot weather over the weekend, which will be great for my garden. Hot and humid makes my climbing plants (morning glories, sweet peas) jump up. Our tomato plant is already almost as tall as my six-year-old. (Yes, that's tomato plant, singular - we do live in the city with a very small backyard, and honestly, we just don't need *that* many tomatoes!)
Next week will be back to work and back to the regular routine; but I still have a few days left and I'm going to enjoy them for all they're worth.
June 22, 2006
Raindrops, whiskers, et al...continued
These are some more of my favourite things:
Music
I enjoy most kinds of music (exceptions: country, hardcore rap, the heaviest heavy metal, and the truly simpering pop music) , but the stations I listen to most are the rock stations. (As an aside, I also listen to CBC Radio 1 - I am a big fan of Ontario Today and an even bigger fan of Ed Lawrence, the Gardening Guru!) Therefore when a really great dance or pop song comes along - Hey Ya by Outkast, Starry-Eyed Surprise by Paul Oakenfold, Hung Up by Madonna, Shoot to Kill by Oxide & Neutrino - I am usually way behind the curve on picking them up.
I also listen to classical music, and I enjoy the Romantic period the most.
Music
I enjoy most kinds of music (exceptions: country, hardcore rap, the heaviest heavy metal, and the truly simpering pop music) , but the stations I listen to most are the rock stations. (As an aside, I also listen to CBC Radio 1 - I am a big fan of Ontario Today and an even bigger fan of Ed Lawrence, the Gardening Guru!) Therefore when a really great dance or pop song comes along - Hey Ya by Outkast, Starry-Eyed Surprise by Paul Oakenfold, Hung Up by Madonna, Shoot to Kill by Oxide & Neutrino - I am usually way behind the curve on picking them up.
I also listen to classical music, and I enjoy the Romantic period the most.
June 20, 2006
Happy, Happy!
Two things (and I'm two days late on both):
Happy Father's Day to my wonderful husband, and to all the great daddies out there. My hubby is currently a stay-at-home dad who made a radical lifestyle change in order to do what was best for our family. He cooks, cleans, does laundry, and wrangles two active children on a daily basis. Hon, I love you very much and I appreciate everything you do. xoxo
Happy Pride to all my LGBTQ friends! The Pride parade took place in my city this past Sunday and because of prior Father's Day commitments, we weren't able to make it. Next year we will walk in the parade to show our support.
Happy Father's Day to my wonderful husband, and to all the great daddies out there. My hubby is currently a stay-at-home dad who made a radical lifestyle change in order to do what was best for our family. He cooks, cleans, does laundry, and wrangles two active children on a daily basis. Hon, I love you very much and I appreciate everything you do. xoxo
Happy Pride to all my LGBTQ friends! The Pride parade took place in my city this past Sunday and because of prior Father's Day commitments, we weren't able to make it. Next year we will walk in the parade to show our support.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
