Last Post for a while...

I thought I would leave you with a picture of my new style to tide you over! Blogging will resume in September!


P.S. This great haircut just got me ID'd at the liqour store, but I didn't actually have my ID on me; so Duncan, who was drunk after too many Strongbow's consumed in the sun at Kilkenny's, was made to purchase our alcohol. So, as much as I am flattered to be considered young enough to ID (it's been ten years since I was ID'd), there must be some irony somewhere in liquor laws that allow a drunk Duncan (drunk enough to lose all train of thought to follow random dogs upon seeing them) to buy the alcohol while the sober one waits outside the store.

Girl welcomes South to her Blogosphere...

Everyone Applaud and Rejoice. South's Adventures is here!


Also, for a beautiful pictorial essay on China, please visit Mike's Blog, while he reflects on his first year in China.

Only 5 more to go...

My hit counter sits at 2995 visitors. Check it out... if you visit and you are number 3000, let me know! I don't know exactly what that will get you (yet), but even a little bit of fame is exciting is it not?

MARS MADNESS

We need a break, it's (finally) a lovely clear night, and Mars is visiting. So we shall go and entertain it.


UPDATE: 10:55pm: It is gorgeous! If you haven't seen it, talk a walk to admire it! It is the brightest, yellow-orange planet in the eastern sky! Duncan said "it's like you could just reach out and grab it". That about says it all.

My life with a Historian...

To understand what living with a (wonderful, beautiful, sexy, intelligent, amazing) historian means for a girl lost within the throngs of moving chaos, check out DUNCAN'S BLOG for his lovely and enlightening (note the hint of sarcasm) pictorial illustration of our packing. Well, our pre-packing state, admist the sorting of wanted and unwanted stuff. I asked him why he felt it was neccessary to take pictures of everything in absolute disarray when we had every opportunity to take pictures of our home in it's normal state of order and tidiness, but he said it was for historical purposes that he should document our moving in all its glorious and jumbled mess. He said he was the true state people get into when moving. I know I can't argue with that, so I just nod my head and smile prettily. Anything that makes him happy is fine with me...


It is worth some pondering over the portrayal of our lives through the pictures we take - and is it accurate - does any one take pictures of the things they don't want to remember? Or just everyday, mundane things that make up our experience but are overlooked when it comes to the documentry of our lives? I love pictures: they are, among many other important artifacts of my life, proof of my existance (and my enjoyment of) here. I love what I see within pictures, I love what pictures represent to each observer, I love how I can see so much of a common human condition in a shot that someone, sometime, was moved enough to capture on film. I even collect pictures other people have taken - and I am a big fan of how the intro to the film ONE HOUR PHOTO (a freaky website, check it out) describes the overall phenomenon of picture taking... "[Family] pictures depict smiling faces. Births, weddings, holidays, children's birthday parties. People take pictures of the happy moments in their lives. Someone looking through our photo album would conclude that we had led a joyous, leisurely existance, free of tragedy. No one ever takes a picture of something they want to forget..."


Or do they? I think maybe we do.


Anyways, I am soposed to be taking a "break" (today we have finished, incuding cleaning carpets and washing walls, the upstairs of the house) so I should hurry this up. We had lunch out at the Den today with Kim and Kirsten, and I had the most fabulous sandwich (Parmeson coated Avocado, Tomato and Red Onion Sandwhich.) It was DELICIOUS. Also, thanks to Kim, we did a Belief based quiz from Beliefnet, and it appears that we are to be (rolling eyes now) Unitarian Universalists. Hahaha. Also, Secular Humanists and buddhism were high, and they fit well into who I am spiritually. I guess it could be worse... Anyways, here are my results:


1. Unitarian Universalism (100%)
2. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (96%)
3. Liberal Quakers (96%)
4. Secular Humanism (82%)
5. Neo-Pagan (80%)
6. Mahayana Buddhism (76%)
7. New Age (75%)
8. Theravada Buddhism (74%)
9. Taoism (69%)
10. Bahá'í Faith (66%)
11. Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (65%)
12. New Thought (61%)
13. Nontheist (57%)
14. Reform Judaism (56%)
15. Scientology (55%)
16. Orthodox Quaker (53%)
17. Jainism (52%)
18. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (47%)
19. Sikhism (45%)
20. Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (42%)
21. Hinduism (37%)
22. Jehovah's Witness (33%)
23. Orthodox Judaism (30%)
24. Islam (23%)
25. Seventh Day Adventist (22%)
26. Eastern Orthodox (11%)
27. Roman Catholic (11%)

Take the test yourself. Warning: Belief-O-Matic™ assumes no legal liability for the ultimate fate of your soul.

At 0438 hours...

Whose to say whether or not it's time to go to bed, or just stay up for the rest of the night playing Civ III? I mean, isn't it the next day anyways?

And getting close...

To 3000 visitors. Who will it be?

Almost time for moving!

Today, while I packed my stuff in the bedroom into boxes, Duncan took the kids out on an adventure (to rent them some movies so they would stay out of our hair...). After a while, they came back bearing gifts; Raven brought me a chocolate bar, Wesley brought candy and Duncan gave me LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS (I also got Chicago as a gift the other night, right after I had been given Bowling for Columbine. I have been spoiled!).

Right now we are taking a LOTR intermission break - kids are outside making loud outside noises, Duncan is making ground beef into hamburgers which he will BBQ, and I'm, well... I'm blogging, obviously.

The packing is going well. Very well, actually. Yesterday I got the bathroom all cleaned up and ready and today we almost finished the Kitchen. Cathy hung out with us for a while yesterday, and Dan dropped off some boxes to aid in the packing efforts. I started a war against the Mongols, a tiny backwards civilization that has done little but build spearmen in the years since our game began. It's my "peace through superior firepower" strategy (inspired by the americans, ofcourse). It worked on the English and the Celts... now they are mere blots on the history of the world.

Good news is, our internet will be hooked up in Edmonton relatively soon after moving, so I will be back online soon. Just don't expect anything massively indepth or with any real substance until after I am unpacked and everything is settled. Then I can begin to really blog again.

There's no such thing as too much Civ III

I'm not sure which one of us decided that beer and packing go together, but I am happy to announce we have found a great beer... Big Rock's Honey Brown. Yummy. Between packing and among other things today (including our coffee ritual - likely our last in Calgary for a while) we played Civ III. I know, I know, we are sopposed to be packing, but it's soooo much fun, and we can play together (and take turns packing/playing) so it's perfect!

Damn Brits and Celts made me stay up until 2:20 am destroying and assimilating their meger cultures. It's bad enough being alive when nobody wants you...

That's it for me. I am following Duncan upstairs to our bed now. Sleepy time. Sweet Dreams Allie.

I a.m. tired...

As it's officially Sunday, I just missed blogging on Saturday by a few minutes. It was a busy and productive day today - packing, cleaning and other stuff that a couple does when home alone on the weekend - plus we played Civ III for quite some time as well. I'm tired. That's all I have to say, except to mention that the news about Kelowna (and the other forest fires) was shocking, and my heart goes out to the fire victims in BC. This is all getting out of hand. I don't remember a time ever in BC (or Canada) where 30,000 people were evacuated (with another 15,000 on Standby). Given that Kelowna's population is around 90,000, thats more then problematic.

Pray for rain.

Rain without Lightening.

Every new beggining comes from some other begginings end...

I have a quick chance to blog while on my lunch break, before a friend (Lincoln) comes by to say goodbye. However, that leaves me with the problem of what to blog about, and with all sorts of different things floating around in my head (and I surely mean to blog about them all), that is no small feat. The UN Bombing in Iraq; Bush (as always); The "war" in Iraq (and how americans continue to die over there daily but no longer recieve combat pay); Bowling for Columbine (which my glorious boyfriend surprised me with yesterday); the "prisoners/detainees" in Guantánamo Bay (as they approach their second anniversary in captivity still without trials); the capture of "Chemical Ali" (hey didn't they kill him a few months ago?); my annoyingly mild concussion; or even just my last day of work here at the University of Calgary. But I think what I really need to blog about is how my life is changing in these next couple of weeks, and how I have been feeling about those changes.


With my pending move, I have been in a state of nostalgia for this past little while; an odd observance of my world here as I prepare to engage an exciting, new world in Edmonton. In the due process of natural separation, I have already more then detached myself from many mundane aspects of Calgary (my school, my job, the place that I lived in, my hairdresser's, even some of my favourite hang outs) but there really are things that are harder to leave behind (mostly they are the things that aren't really being left behind, I am just adding distance between me and them). Saying goodbye to friends is obviously what is influencing my thought here, but I know that distance is not a true impediment to friendship and I welcome the warm thoughts and well wishes that our friends have graciously expressed, both from near and far.


I must admit, that it was with a tiny twinge of saddness that I came to realize that this summer, as it draws to a close now, will likely be the last summer that I ever stay home with my children. I have, for every summer since they have been born, stayed home with them (working minimally part time, if at all). In these treasured summers I have come to know my children as the individuals they are, gone many places with them and shared many of my own favoured childhood pass times. This year, Wesley turned 10, old enough to babysit and be home alone, and Raven 8. We have had a great summer this year, and I am so proud of how they have grown up.


Mixed in with all of these feelings is a pure, raw excitement. It's full of passion and expectation and a sense of danger with the unknown ahead. I am looking forward to making a home, with Duncan and our family, in Edmonton. Wish us luck!

Boing, Boing, BloG!

So yesterday... hmmm, where to start? See, I own this beautiful, almost new (read hardly ever used) blue and silver Giro bike helmet, that ran me about 100.00 (only the best for me!) a couple of summers ago. And if I had been wearing that helmet yesterday, (cue hysterical laughter) I totally would have wrecked it while executing my glorious three point landing (Shoulder, Knees, Head) while jumping various cement items in the local urban jungle (read mall parking lot). Wow. I left body parts behind with that one. Well, I ride my bike. And if you're not bleeding, you're just not really riding your bike!

And, today... a very full day indeed, one of those exhausting days where you welcome your bed at the end of the night. I travelled, care of Duncan's Dad (who drove me) to Edmonton for a big job interview. I was surprisingly more nervous then I have been in an interview in a while, but it went well. When I arrived home I changed very quickly as we were going out for dinner, and then off to Kim's house for a party. I am always surprised at Kim's party's by people attending (you just never know who is going to show up), subject matter (the potential for anything is there) and the varying level of attention that I get (Yes, it is all about me!). I was actually somewhat flattered by the fascination one of her friends showered my blog with, so I showed her a few different blogs as she wondered at the extent of the blogosphere. I guess, when you stand back from it a bit, it really is an amazing thing.

Its a nice day

I think we will go for a picnic.

Just Horsin' Around!

Todays adventure was brought to you by the letter "H"... "H" for Horseback Riding, a treat from Duncan's Dad (thanx Neil!). So much fun. I loved how quiet it was there in Fish Creek Park, like we were cocooned within a blanket of silence that somehow separated us from the city that was all around us. It was calming, beautiful and peaceful. Happy Trails indeed!

Remember, Smokey The Bear says only YOU can prevent forest fires!

Here's a pic of how our smoke filled skies look tonight - pretty enough, if it weren't for the flagrant unpleasantness of living with the smoke. A wee spat of rain yesterday managed to clear up our air quality a bit - but I hear the forest fires are still burning mostly out of control, and it's been almost a month now. I don't quite remember anything like this.

Packing it all in...

Boxes.

Our house is slowly but surely being reduced to a box store room. There are boxes everywhere. This particular house will never ever again exist for us without our things stacked in boxes. And it won't be until we unpack these boxes that our new house will become our home. The size of each box does not convey that enormous importance carried by its contents... but it is there neverless. Today we have mostly spent drinking coffee, watching movies, playing virtua fighter, and packing boxes. We will likely go for more boxes later when ready for a break. Yay boxes...

Went through the kid's special boxes today - brought back a lot of memories for me, and alot of opportunity to share with Duncan what kind of people my kids were before he met them, or really got to know them. It was hard to pare down their stuff (there was a lot of stuff), but I am pretty sure we are now moving mostly what is really important to them. You know, the mementos that make up somebody's life - like baby books, cards, old school pictures, first teddy, passports and art work. Life times are long these days though, I aim to make one rubbermaid box enough until they are ready to walk out the door. Then I hope to give it to them as a gift (but some of the stuff will be hard to part with, like their baby hats and booties...).

In other news, this moving business is getting very exciting! I am a little nervous about my upcoming job interview, but nervousness is only excitement and anticiaption in disguise.

We aren't in Kansas anymore, Toto

What's wrong outside?

When we woke up this morning, it was 8:30am - but it was still dark outside. Well maybe not dark per se, but this odd twlight type darkness and all the street lights were still on. Its still quite odd out there - and those aren't clouds blocking out the sky, its a big ass blanket of forest fire smoke. We've had to close all the windows cause when I woke up my eyes were all scratchy and my chest has this uncomfortable sensation occurring in it. It's all very eerie indeed.

I think we are going to stay inside until this goes away. We have more than enough to entertain us inside (we are afterall, Canadian) but it may mean that the big Shakespeare in the park outing doesn't happen today (Sorry all, but will keep you posted).

Tee Hee

I am drunk. And we have more alcohol now. Yay!

Long haired creepy people need not apply...

So, it (friendster.com) was referred to in The Onion (making fun of it ofcourse) and then the same day on a blog here in Calgary, so, as Duncan put it, why don't we check it out? Interesting. It turns out to be an internet popularity contest with a twist... you gain network contacts through your own contacts and so far, after 2 or 3 days, my web of people has spiralled to include a mere 5000 people. So far, its been fun, albeit somewhat trendy. I don't think it is a completely serious service but (yes, again agreeing with Duncan, better then Classmates). Ah, how I love the internet community. Let me know if any of you are involved in this scheme!

Anyways, it helped occupy some of my time today as the girls I have been daycaring didn't show up. It's good, it was nice to have an off day, even if Raven was a little sad. Tonight we are entertaining Joel and getting drunk on the patio. Thank god it's friday! Anyways, Duncan just walked in the door home from work, and he has a new game that I bought him (Virtua Fighter 4 Evolutions) so I am going to go play with him! I love playing with Duncan!

Oh yeah, and welcome Deven to the Blogosphere!

Guilty Pleasures?

Looting in Ottawa and Toronto? Pardon me, Canadians looting? Shame on you. Shame on us! We are better than this.

Update: After reading about Lilly's day in her blog I am heartened to hear the stories of ordinary Canadians dealing in positive ways with this crisis. It makes me feel a little better.

The lights aren't on...

New York and Toronto would not be cool places to be in (rush hour with no traffic lights) a major power outtage. Apparently, it maybe into the evening before the power in this part of North America comes back on. I feel for all my blog buddies and readers from the East... Ofcourse, you can't read this... and your phones apparently don't work either, so you will just have to feel the love. Can you feel the love??????

Martian Opposition

It's close encounters of the Martian Kind! I can't wait. Plus, a great Meteor Shower going on right now too. What a treat!

I have created Blog Monsters!

Out of the mouth's of babes... Wesley and Raven.

Come on Joel! Deven! Even my kids can do it!

Those artificial voice systems are becoming progressively more annoying

In the process of having our new utilities switched and/or set up, I unwittingly found myself tangled within Telus's new automated voice mail system. In this lovely experience, a calming electronic female voice (there is a reason why this needs to be calming, but I don't know it yet) informs me that "If I can't help you myself, I will find someone who can". Myself? Since when did an electric voice exist as a self aware entity? And are these others she refers to also self expressing electronic voices? I find the implications of the language being used disconcerting, and wonder briefly if I am the only person it annoys (my standards are sometimes high), but I don't really have any clue yet the extent of what awaits me...

I soon realize that this "system" must be the phone gods definition of a joke. I breifly consider the karma I must have incurred in a past life to have to endure this, but I perservere anyway. The voice asks me questions, and I am soposed to respond with preselected answers. Sounds easy enough, but "she" usually doesn't understand my response (even when I am clearly stating the required response in an elevated tone), which launches "her" into repeating the entire menu (after apologizing ofcourse) again before asking for my response. So I finally get to the point where I can tell "her" that I want my phone disconnected. She doesn't like this option, asking in a (yes small and pathetic) guilt inducing questioning manner "You want your service reconnected, right?" Shit. Damn voice making me feel sorry for it, like I am rejecting "her" personally (Personally? What am am saying???). After I say "NO!" for the umpteenth time, I am informed that "she" now knows who to direct me to (AMEN - this process has now taken 25 minutes of my life that I will never get back again) and I am put on hold. Eventually a recorded message tells me that the expected wait to talk to a service representitive (dare I hope, a real person?) is 20 minutes. Twenty minutes? I don't think so, not even the chance of a real person is worth another 20 minutes of my time. No really, I'll try the internet thanks.

Learn something new every day...

Somewhere in the back of my head I had this long held notion that dragonflies didn't live for very long. I think when I was a child, someone told me dragonflies lived only for a day. That would make every day mating season for a dragon fly (just like me). However, today I learn that Dragonflies are actually the longest living insect, sometimes living even years. And bonus, they are pretty too.

Lots happened today. As if the dog attack (see post below) didn't provide enough excitement for the day, in the afternoon we had Raven's Birthday Party. Her theme for the party was "Princess Party", which saw me doing the hair, make up and nails of each little girl in attendance. It was fun, once they had all sorted out which hair products and lipstick they desired (we had prepurchased all the stuff so they could have their own but you know, girls start to get a little catty at age 8). Raven has a picture on her blog.

Wesley spent the day at a Babysitting Course. My little boy is getting all grown up. He learned first aid and the best way to deal with all sorts of scenarios to get his certification. I am so proud of him. Tomorrow he goes to his home alone course. Time flies, I tell you, time flies.

Dog eat dog world?

Believe it or not, one of the four girls I am babysitting today just got bit by a dog. Serious. The only thing that stopped her from being hurt worse is she was wearing a costume. This dog bit the wrong kid (the daughter of an on duty Calgary Police Officer, who is now out looking for it). This dog, apparently, ran up out of no where and attacked her, then ran off. The neighbours who witnessed it and said the kids weren't even trying to get this dogs attention. It went after them. Now I have a little girl sitting beside me who can't go outside. I have to make sure the door is shut. And no honey, dogs can't jump very high.

Damn dog. Damn dog owners. Why are there people letting their (aggressive) dog run around biting small 5 year old children anyways?

The Cat's Meow

Just found this on a blog I read, and had to share.

Every one should start their day off with a smile! Thanks Kid Jacque!

Also, check out "The Cat Herders". Not everyone can do a job like that...

YAY!!!!

A little bit of hard work, a little bit of determination, a little bit of belief in ourselves and in the world around us - and look! Our place in Edmonton is secured (our perfect place). It has all worked itself out! Well, I worked it out with an email to the head office, but regardless - YAY! Duncan will be so happy! I can't wait to tell him! We rock. Look out world, here we come!

"Whats that smell...? It's the smell of victory, son..."

Somedays, just when you think life's a little harder that day than others, you realize you don't actually have it bad. You realize at least you don't live in a country that america (Yes, I think I am going to start addressing the USA as america, small a intentional) likes to drop napalm on.

Atleast not yet, anyways.

Assuredly this napalm dropping is likely actually the newer, more effective version of hyperbaric weapons that america used in the caves of Afghanistan, but in the end, still nasty. What about that 1980 United Nations convention banning the use of Napalm, you say... well guess who didn't sign the treaty.

Well, apart from some disappointment, today was a productive day. After having breakfast with Deven at Weeds (coffee) Cafe, we went to the dump to rid ourselves of excess appliances and did some shopping (beef prices are great here right now, go figure) in which we also scooped moving boxes! We are just about to enjoy the great steaks Duncan just BBQ'd, with wine, on the porch. It's a lovely evening indeed.

Life is good, hold the napalm.

Somebody left their manners at home...

Reading Warren Kinsella's blog (come on, you all know who he is, and if you don't I ain't gonna tell you) and he has posted this great example of some of that hate email we bloggers get once in a while that is soposed to slap us smart or something (according, ofcourse, to the sender of such drivel) but really just usually proves our point. In this case, this wonderful 60 year old "gentleman" out does himself. I have selected the tastier parts of his email for you:

"... By the way, you little fag... My only crime is that I’m a 60-year-old Canadian with a national memory, a perspective you don’t have because you’re a product of the T&C ideology. God help you. I advise my kids (34; 19; 13) to escape to the United States before you guys close the border forever."

Interesting perspective. What is that "word" he uses... "fag?" Well, I don't think this word means what he thinks it means. According to dictionary.com, the following definitions for fag can be found:

1. A student at a British public school who is required to perform menial tasks for a student in a higher class.
2. A drudge.
3. Fatiguing or tedious work; drudgery.
4. To work to exhaustion; toil (verb).

In middle english, "fag" was a word meant to express "droop" but this usage has become obsolete. Oh yeah, I found another interesting definition at dictionary.com, although I am unsure how it might fit into the conversation, but I will add it anyways...

bigot:

1. A bigot or hypocrite
2. A hypocrite; esp., a superstitious hypocrite.
3. A person who regards his own faith and views in matters of religion as unquestionably right, and any belief or opinion opposed to or differing from them as unreasonable or wicked.
4. A person who is intolerant of opinions which conflict with his own, as in politics or morals.
5. One obstinately and blindly devoted to his own church, party, belief, or opinion.

Oh, and in "unrelated news", Warren Kinsella is married with four children. Congratulations Warren!

Going for a break!

There is only so much sitting in front of a computer one can do, even if you are snuggled up on the love seat with your beau playing Civ III. We need a break. Our eyes need a break. We are going out - Mountain Equiptment Co-op bound we are. And maybe I will get my hair cut, and get treated to chocolate (that's a hint for the man reading over my shoulder). mmMMmmMMm chocolate.

The weather has turned bad, which is ok cause we are driving anyways - but puts a kink in my plans for mountain biking in the mountains. Well there is always tomorrow...

A little more sober now

Raven woke up with a bad dream, and I can't go back to sleep (she's fine - out like a log) so I thought I would blog. The past couple of days have been busy - Thursday with friends and Friday with job and moving preparations. Yesterday I had to write the longest resume I have ever written. It felt odd because for so long I have tried to limit my resume to one page of pertinent details, yet when I was invited to apply to this job they asked for a very detailed long resume. All in all it was an interesting experience.

Both Thursday and Friday mornings Duncan has woken me up to play with him (Civ III that is!) and we have played from the moment I have picked him up from work (since Wednesday night) until we are too tired to go any longer, forsaking most other activities (except there is always time for couples stuff) including all of our new movies. I really like the expansion for Civ III. I really like that I can play with Duncan. It was certainly worth the 30.00 Duncan paid for it, in entertainment value at least.

Friday night we celebrated Grandpa's birthday with a huge dinner. Everyone was there, the food was nice, the wine was beautiful and Grandpa was in a great mood! Afterwards we went to Lauren's house and we played for a while with her lizards (bearded dragons) but had to get the kids home for bed so we left early. W really liked the wine, so we picked up a bottle on the way home and drank it while playing Civ III (hence the drunk post below). I will have to see when I play this morning how being drunk affeted my few hundred years that I played through!

Deven will be here tonight for another all nighter - felt weird not having him here last weekend (he went away/we went away) so it will be good to see him. We thought about giving him a key but now that we are moving I guess he will just have to get a key to our new place! Anyway, I am tired now, so I am going to go crawl back into bed! Yay bed! Yay Weekend!

If you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch!

Maybe one really should't blog when drunk. But thats a big maybe.

Sorry I haven't blogged in a while (I feel minimally guilty) but Duncan and I have this great Civ III game going and thats all we have been doing in front of the computer since it began. It is much fun.

Otherwise life has been busy, but fun. I have taken a million pictures (ok, perhaps that is a slight exageration) and we have been diligently working towards getting our move all in order. But I can't say more cause my guy is drunk and needs to be taken to bed.

Drunking when blogged ain't so bad after all...

I don't always know what day it is...

It's not that I am losing my mind or anything, its just that I don't really have a job (besides parenting) right now so my main activities everyday have been to just enjoy the summer... so the concept of what "day" it is escapes me most of the time...

After a beautiful Alberta steak dinner at Nick's Steak House, we made it back to Calaway Park in time to ride the Roller Coaster before it closed. A fun time was had by all (it was Wesley's first time on a coaster). After that we headed into Kananasksis Country to sit at Barrier Lake while the sun went down. I love how peaceful it is out there, quiet yet full of it's own noises (like chipmunks). Duncan taught the kids to skip rocks on the water, we took some more pictures and then we drove home the long way - along a road that was mostly gravel, but it afforded us a glimpse of a Moose, as well as beaver dams and many cows (on/in the road). Our final stop before home was in Cochrane for ice cream at the Dairy Queen. All in all a very good and enjoyable day. Days like this is what summer is all about.

Now that the kids are sleeping Duncan and I are going to play some Civ III (lost our old game so we are going to start over). I will start considering the beginnings of a photoblog tomorrow, given that I have taken well over 100 pictures in a few short days.

I have the power!

So just now, my friends husband comes to pick up his daughter (she spent the day with us) and he is all totally nice to me and even offers to help us PACK our moving truck, AND drive up to Edmonton to help us UNPACK said moving truck... a very generous offer indeed. So, a little perplexed, I told Duncan how generous he had been while at the door, and Duncan smiled and said "I'm not surprised". To answer my quizzical look, he added "Allie, look down". So I did. I was wet and cold (story to follow) and my breasts were protruding nicely against my tank top. I sighed, Duncan laughed, and said "I'm surprised he didn't offer to MOVE to Edmonton".

Boys. Sigh, again.

So we spent a lovely day with friends at Callaway Park - Duncan, Wes, Raven, Dakota, Myself and Cindy, Jamie and Mackenzie. I love going on rides, and it is a relatively new activity for Duncan and I to do together (just waiting now for West Ed Mall). Sadly, while we were in the line up for the Roller Coaster (we had finally convinced Wes to try the Coaster) a huge storm came up and they closed the ride (believe it or not) right when we were next. They also closed the boat ride, so we spent some time with the smaller rides before the cold rain drove us from the park. Now we are home to dry off, get changed and go out again. The clouds have passed, so after dinner (I believe we are going out for steak) we will drive back to Calaway Park to partake in the Roller Coaster before the night is out.

I am having so much fun with this camera!

We are off to the river now. Maybe this being home during summer vacation isn't so bad after all!

How many of you can't really see my blog page?

I have a very good 19 inch monitor with amazing colour and resolution - and to me my blog page looks fabulous... but I have come to realize that on a lesser machine, at a smaller resolution, it might just look like ass.

I always have my settings on the highest quality, and as such, this page is best viewed at 1280 by 1024 (32 bit colour). I also have the monitor running at 75 hertz (I sit in front of it alot, I don't know how people have it any lower!).

So I am considering changing the background image a wee bit to enable people with smaller screens/lower resolutions to see more of the picture. Anyone with any ideas, let me know! I have a pretty busy day a head of me today (going to callaway park) so it might not get done right away, but feedback is always appreciated.

It's a Civ III expansionist marathon!

Yesterday I bought Duncan the Civ III expansion - it has a multiplayer option where we can both play against each other on the same computer... We are on our second game since beginning late this afternoon and still going strong!

Anyways, must go back to the battle!

I didn't ask to be a Princess... but hey, if the crown fits...

I am such a girl.

First, I love dancing, but its more than that - I love being in my man's strong arms. I love the way his skin is soft against my cheek, the way he smells, the gentle way he sings along, in my ear. I love the way my body fits into his, like it was meant to be. I love dancing.

Second, when we were out shopping yesterday Duncan found me this great nail polish colour... It's fabulous! Sally Hansen's Nail Prisms colour Amber Ruby. It has all sorts of exciting colours in it, fun stuff for summer days. Fit for a Princess!



As you can see, I am making good use of the new digital camera!

Well, it's been a super long weekend (I guess ours did start on Thursday with our trip to Edmonton), and it's not over yet! We are going in search of breakfast before meeting up with friends later.

Guess Who Has A Digital Camera?????????

Yay Digital! Our lovely friend Quynn lent us one of his Digital Cameras... so we have been busy bees taking pictures while learning how to operate our new toy, which has proven very fun. Soon I will consider the potentials of a photoblog of my very own...

Well, the coffee ritual began today, with Quynn joining us at Weeds for coffee. We attempted a bike ride this afternoon but part way into our ride we noted a problem with Duncan's back tire, which we ended up taking it to the shop to get it fixed - so no more bike rides until Tuesday... we came home to get roller blades, but ended up sidetracked and went to the mall instead. Duncan is very excited to try an new expansion that he got, so I need to vacate the computer for him to play. I hope everyone is having a good long weekend!

Evil Airline Loses the Stanley Cup

Sacrilege...
I don't know what to say about this. How can the Stanley Cup, accompanied by two big BodyGuards (whose sole job is to make sure the Cup is safe) get lost?

The Small Pleasures in Life

Sinking into a tub full of hot water to wash off the sweaty grime from our road trip this morning (we are back from Edmonton now) reminds me how wonderful the small pleasures in life actually are. Sometimes I am so caught up in the bigger pleasures and wonderments of my world that I forget the importance of merely relaxing in my bathtub.

Also wonderful was that realization that we still had almost the entire weekend (yay!). What should I do?

Sunny Days are Here Again...

This blog is coming at you from sunny Edmonton, where life is good! We have a place to live, we have a school for kids, we even have afterschool daycare. I have had two interviews today, and a serious inquiry. A very productive day indeed. We also had a quick lunch at Hooters in West Edmonton, a delight Duncan had never had before, and very much enjoyed. I think I might even throw his bday party there! I got spoiled today - I will talk a little bit more about it tomorrow when we are home.

After playing with the dog at the off leash area, and being treated to a wonderful meal of Buffalo at a delightful place called Sawmills, we are now settling down to enjoy the summer evening at Quynns house with Bellini's and episodes of Yes Minister. Does life get better then this? Well, therer could be air conditioning... rolling eyes now...