Archive, January 2008

22 Jan 2008 Buses and death I thought this morning that the only thing I would post today is yet another complaint about the Calgary bus service. This morning was the third time that the same bus driver has sailed blithely past my stop and had to drop me off down the block. Not so bad most of the time, but with an icy wind blowing this morning I did not appreciate it. However, I just heard that Heath Ledger is dead. Now, I don't think the guy was the be all and end all of actors, but he wasn't a disgrace and he was cute. I know that the Batman sequel is coming up, but I think this may be taking "dying for publicity" just a wee bit far. Apparently it was an overdose, so unless they find a note, I don't think I'll believe for sure that it was either accidental or deliberate, but in the end, does it matter? Au revoir! Ciao. Post Script. Of course, on my way home, the driver missed the turn-off from Crowchild to Bow Trail and we had to meander our way up Crowchild, down 17th and through residential neighbourhoods to get back on course. Did I mention that it happened last week too? Sigh. 9:09 - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove

08 Jan 2008 Famine or feast Well, I've gone from boredom to insanity. My co-workers are both gone on either holiday or medical leave and I'm trying to coordinate two busy men's schedules without even having access to one of them! Ah the joys... But in this brief respite, let me give you my thoughts on "I am Legend". I loved all the non-zombie bits of this movie. Watching Will Smith try and deal with his total isolation is just really amazing. However, I have the same problems as I do with every zombie movie: Where are all the bodies? Did the zombies consume every ounce and then lick away all the bloodstains? If they have no social order, how do they have a leader? What's with all the hints that the girl Will took is important to the leader, without any follow-up? I think something was left on the cutting room floor that shouldn't have been. Ditto with his wife and daughter - did that out of control helicopter hit theirs or not? And why was the army using a scan that could register either false positives or false negatives? Scratch that - it's the US Army, it was probably a scan for TB or something. And finally, why on earth didn't he climb into the chimney, throw the grenade and shut the door? Heroic sacrifices are all well and good, but kinda stupid when they aren't necessary. Oops! Gotta call a cab for a visiting scholar... Ciao! 6:42 - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove

04 Jan 2008 What I didn’t get for Christmas. After a fairly successful attempt to avoid succumbing to the lures of ebay, I've gone back again. Legitimately though, I think. Stuart and I are trying out some dietary changes, based loosely on "The Thrive Diet", but most of the recipes require small appliances to prepare. We "borrowed" an old and jury-rigged food processor, but need to get a grinder and a blender. Having time to kill at work, I researched the matter and decided that blender-wise, what we needed was a Waring. However, Waring blenders don't seem to be available in Canada (wine coolers and other necessities yes, but blenders no.) So I turned to my old standby and there it was: $135CAN including shipping, 5 year manufacturers warranty... it was even in black! I can't wait for it to arrive. The other thing that Stuart and I have been waffling over is a new comforter for the bed. Our current blankie is a quilt made by his grandmother (I think) in a duvet cover made by his mom. Now I appreciate the sentimental value, but it's just not quite big enough for two people. Whenever someone rolls over, the other one ends up with a two inch gap letting in what feels like a blast of frigid air. Not good! Years ago, I came across the concept of silk comforters; not covered in silk, the batting itself is silk fiber. Many claims are made regarding it's hypo-allergenic qualities, it's thermo-regulation qualities and it's potential lifespan. When I first encountered them, $400 for a queen size was definitely outside my price range - but once again ebay came through with $110CAN including shipping. Now my only problem is to find a cover that will fit it. Rats - more shopping! Ciao! 4:54 - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove

02 Jan 2008 Web free holiday Sorry kids, but it was a crazy holiday and I'm afraid my blogging paid the price. When it comes to a choice between living my life and blogging about it... living wins! Christmas itself was exhausting but great fun. We had a yummy dinner Christmas Eve at my parents place with my sister and her family. The gift opening started there and then continued at Stuart's parents with his sister in attendance. Then it was time for bed after a long drive and way too much food. My parents came over to Stuart's parents for a turkey Christmas lunch, which had me a bit apprehensive. The original meeting at our going away party had gone ok, but this was a religious time at HIS parents. I waited to see just how outrageously my dad would put his foot in his mouth. I was amazed when he behaved almost meekly and only told one slightly risque joke. Amazing! On Boxing Day, Stuart and I went shopping but it wasn't very successful. Nothing we wanted was particularly on sale and nothing on sale was anything we particularly wanted. The biggest purchase was at Camper's Village, but he'd likely have bought most of it even if it wasn't on sale! Then it was back to my parent's for another day of eating and opening presents. Ella and Miles got so many gifts that by the end of things, even Ella didn't want to open anything else. Wow! I pretty much spent the time between Christmas and New Year's Eve hibernating. Reading, watching movies, going to game night. I could get used to a life of luxury. We spent New Year'es Eve with our friends Kay & Dave at their party, playing Wii and talking to an interesting assortment of people. In previous years, it would have been about how drunk everyone could get, but now they're all getting older and there were several pregnancies, so it was much less rambunctious. Fun though! That reminds me though - Kay & Dave are finally pregnant and without the IVF. David had a surgery on the "boys" back in November and although he hasn't gone back for his follow-up appointment yet, I think we all agree that it was successful. LOL And Gerry got engaged over the holidays! I haven't met or even heard much about the lady, but I hope they'll be happy, happy, happy! That's it folks - have a good 2008. Ciao!