Archive, May 2007

24 May 2007 WCB maybe? I got in to see my doc today and the end result is probably two weeks off work, drugs, physio and *crosses fingers* it'll hopefully be covered by WCB. We'll see. Even if it isn't, I'll have to figure something out. I've strained my trapezius and it's now in spasm almost all the time. The physiotherapist today didn't do anything but heat pads and about 2 minutes of incredibly gentle massage. No work though, because it's 74% computer stuff and it aggravates the injury to no end. Which means sadly, that further details will have to wait, 'cause even typing this is hurting through the drugs. Sorry folks, more later... Ciao! 11:21 - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove 19 May 2007 Mid-weekend update Category: Travel and Places Since most of our weekend trips this summer will involve mountain ranges , you'll have to wait until I survive and return to find out how they went. So, I thought I'd take advantage of the computer and a quiet moment to update you now. I picked Stuart up from work on Friday evening and we went home to do the packing that we didn't do on Thursday. Then it was off for Calgary. As usual, my neck was cranked down and I had a headache, so he started out. I worked in Tiger Balm and had a chance to relax, so when we hit Red Deer, I took over. It's not ideal (Shoulder checking is difficult) but it's do-able. It was grey for most of the drive, but accept for a few sprinkles and wind gusts, not bad driving. The highway patrol was still earning it's paycheck though - we passed three accidents in the "more than fender-bender" category and saw one guy pulled over for speeding. Yeah!!!!! I have to take a look at a map to comfirm this, but I really think that Stuart has a phobia or something about traffic lights. He made me take this route through the city that felt like a huge amount of backtracking, just because he said the speed limits are higher and there are fewer lights. I remain unconvinced that it was any faster... We did make it to Kay and David's though and walking through the door felt a bit weird. They have bought a new (bigger!) house and so are trying to sell the old one. Therefore, all the personal stuff has been packed away. It was never cluttered before, but now it looks downright barren. Plus, we had to turn on ALL the lights before we left so people could view it. Supposedly this is makes the place look more appealing, but if I was viewing a bunch of houses, I think the waste would just piss me off. I'm not gonna sprain a wrist flicking a light switch! Other than that, their lives still seem to be hectic. They are in mid-process attempting an IVF, so Kay has to be at the clinic every day or two for blood work and ultrasounds. As a confirmed "no babies" myself, this all seems a bit much. Adopt for god's sake! I guess it's not like they're taking out a second mortgage to do it, which I think some people do, but still. They also told me that Gerry is currently laid up, having pulled a gastrocs while playing lacrosse. You'd think that as a former footballer, he'd know to warm up better, but given the state of my neck, I suppose I'd better admit that accidents can always happen. That's why they're called accidents. At any rate, we did get to sleep in this morning 'til about 9:30. That's when David got a call that people wanted to view the place at 10:30. They'd already been to the clinic and Dave was at work, so Kay could make the hardwood "gleam", while Stuart and I got up. I'm happy to say we were showered, packed and out the door by 10:15. We met David at Ricky's and had brunch, then Stuart and I went to Mecca. Otherwise known as the Sentry Box, the big gaming store. Which was fine by me, 'cause they have a book section to browse in while Stuart talks FOW. They also have some hilarious bumperstickers, my favorite of which read, "Cthulu for President, Why vote for the lesser evil?" Then we went to Megan and Geoff's to have pizza and visit a bit before they headed out to a wedding. By a strange twist of fate, my Mom is also here - her birthday present to Meg was Jann Arden tickets and babysitting services. So after the family headed out, all three of us collapsed for naps. Stuart and Mom are still out, but I forgot to take more painkillers, so I started to get stiff and cranky. I haven't been sleeping well because of my neck and I was afraid to go back to sleep and engender insomnia tonight on top of it all. Thus, this blog, which has rambled on longer than I had originally intended. I'm stiffening up again, though, so it's time to go and do something else. Updates and song of the week on Monday, if we don't get creamed by a semi- on the way home. Ciao! 18 May 2007 Fun night! Yesterday, Stuart met me at work and we walked over to a sushi place on campus. It was quite tasty and I would have liked to linger over it, but the delivery was a bit slow and we were on a time line. We ate and ran (fortunately not actually running and not far) to Convocation Hall. Of course, I ran into Gilbert there. We always meet at concerts! He's quit working at the Citadel and is looking for contract work. That ought to keep him busy. The first musician up was our old favorite Ayla Brook. He's got a MySpace Music page, check him out. Good guitar, nice melodies and I personally think he has quite a captivating voice. He did a bunch of AA Soundsystem favorites, plus my fav "Sweater Song" and a new one that was really good. Next was a local girl by the name of Amy Seeley. She ripped off enough Tori Amos to be recognizable but not nearly enough to be interesting. Her songs really did all sound the same - same tempo, same sentiments, very similar melodies. I recommend her album if you're an insomniac - Stuart and I were both slouched down in our seats and leaning on each other by the time she was done. But fortunately, she did eventually finish and then... it was time! Danny Michel hit the stage and the mood totally changed. He is such as engaging, interesting performer. Stuart had never seen him before, so it was extra fun, watching him react to the various puns, gags and visual jokes. Combined with the fact that in my opinion Danny really is an outstanding musician, singer and lyricist - I think Stuart was reasonably impressed. He said afterwards that he had been afraid that he wouldn't like Danny's performance and we'd have a point of contention. I don't think that's gonna be a problem. Everything Danny does is my "favorite" but he did Perfect and Beautiful Nothing, so I was thrilled. He also did one that I haven't heard before, about a used hearse that he used to drive. It was great! (Feel free to re-read that like Tony the Tiger.) I'd been watching for Gina through the whole thing, but it wasn't until we were leaving that I ran into her at the back of the hall. She's looking good and seems to be staying mostly out of trouble. She's temping, which can be a pain, but with her health issues is probably a good choice for her. I must try and arrange dinner with her and Cathy sometime soon-ish - maybe while Stuart's off trail running? At any rate, the show ran long enough that we didn't have time to pack for the weekend, but I don't care! Ciao! Currently listening : Hair in My Eyes Like a Highland Steer By Corb Lund Release date: 19 September, 2006 2:53 - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove

16 May 2007 A pound of flesh? Category: Dreams and the Supernatural Yup, another weird dream last night and I have no idea what to make of it... I was back in high school with my best friend Tara. (I met Tara in grade 1 and while we went to different junior highschools, we were still pretty close in high school.) Anyway, in the dream, we were sitting next to the athletic pool (needless to say, my HS didn't have a pool!) I don't remember the details of the discussion at all, but somehow Tara convinced me to let her cut out some of my flesh. So there I was, lying on the tile beside the pool and Tara whips out this little standard issue dissection knife and starts carving. She cut out two pieces, both about 10x5x5cm in size. Both of them perfectly smooth and squared off; a feat I don't know how she managed with that little knife. Not even mentioning that one of them came out high enough that she had to have been hitting ribs and she just cut through everything like butter. For some reason, this whole exercise required me to get up and walk around, so here's me, wandering through the school halls with a hand cupped below each hole. Partly to catch the little bit of blood that was trickling out and partly to hide the holes, 'cause I had no idea how I was going to explain them! Gradually, the amount of blood coming out started to increase and began to get a bit concerned. I went back to the pool, but Tara was gone! However, there were now a whole bunch of people in the pool and the two chunks of me were still sitting against the wall. I picked up one piece and somehow decided that I should be IN the pool when I put it back in. I think maybe I thought that the chlorine would keep it from getting infected? Anyway, there I am, floating in the water, trying not to inhale water from all the waves and sliding this piece of meat back into the hole. I was afraid it would hurt (friction and stuff) but it just slid back in. I went back to the edge of the pool to get the other piece, but it was gone. Great. I started asking people if they had seen it, but no one had. I got out of the pool and went to the change room to ask - eventually, someone suggested that I ask a particular guy. He was your standard issue movie-style information seller, except high school style. He was just starting to explain about the missing piece of me when the alarm went off and I woke up. It's been two hours and I still have this weird feeling like there's a hole in my ribs. Ick. So that's my dream - strange, eh? Ciao! 1:18 - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove

15 May 2007 The events worth blogging never leave you time to type Well, I certainly have a lot to catch up on, but breaking news comes first. I'm at home again, instead of working due to an early morning collision between Stuart's elbow and my ear. Ouch! (And yes, it was an accident - I've already heard all the comments and snide remarks, thank you.) At any rate, I'm glad we haven't rearranged the computers yet, because I'm currently laying on the floor, a pillow under my head and typing one handed. This is only possible because there is still a monitor on the floor. My ear is ok, but it did cause my neck to seize up again. Fortunately, I think the whole thing is healing, because it's easing up a lot faster than last time. So, now that the scene is set, let's jump back several days and I'll catch you up on my birthday excitement. Thursday was actually my birthday and I started it with neck pains and a headache - so rather than exacerbate it, I stayed home and didn't do much. Until the evening, that it, when Stuart took me to the Hardware Grill for dinner. This is your standard, expensive, high class joint that average working slobs like us only go to for special occasions. I have to say that it was calm, elegant, the waiter not snooty and the food outstanding. I had bacon wrapped scallops on a sweet pea tortellini with a tomato garnish to start. Followed by bacon wrapped elk, short ribs, mashed yams and potato gnocchi with baby spinach and garlic. Dessert was white chocolate creme brulee (sp?) and made me wish I'd skipped all the rest. It came out with a single white birthday candle and a chocolate happy birthday sign. Kudos to Stuart though... they didn't sing! We had to drop his car off at the shop, so we did that and had a very pleasant walk home through the dusk. Once at home, I got my birthday present, which really surprised me, 'cause I thought dinner WAS my present. At any rate, I am now the proud and probably annoyingly enthusiatic owner of a sonic screwdriver! And either you get that or it's not worth explaining. Friday morning, Dad drove me over to Stephen's and I got an acupuncture treatment. To describe it more fully, he concurred that I'd strained or torn muscle, put in about 7 or 10 needles, then hooked them up to a current generator. Which isn't painful really, just like having "pins and needles" in a very circumscribed area. It made me laugh though, because the current in my hands made my fingers clamp together like lobster claws. After that, I went to work and tried very hard not to undo the effects of the treatment. Friday night, Stuart and I had dinner at my parents' with my Grandma. Nothing fancy, just roast chicken and veggies, but Mom did get me a cinnamon ice cream cake from Marble Slab. Nice! Everyone followed my request and gave me cash, so I could continue outfitting myself for camping. Contrary to my usual form on weekends, we got up early on Saturday and drove to Stuart's parents'. Stuart and Mike headed out to Blackfoot right away while Angie and I followed behind with the twins. We did find the park and the car without problem, so we loaded the boys in the 4x4 stroller and went for a walk. We had a lovely chat about Mike, Stuart, romance, work, kids, Stuart's parents and I don't remember what else. The only mar was that one of the boys has allergies and he had quite a reaction and got (understandably!) cranky. We had lunch at Stuart's parents' then it was off to WEM to go to the waterpark. That's the last time for me - $30/adult and $6 for a locker? You'd have to spend all day to make it vaguely worthwhile and I'm just not that interested. Not to mention that they keep the water in the kids area so cold that the boys turned blue - literally - and had to be taken to the hot tub to warm up. Mike and Angie stayed at the mall, hoping that the boys would fall asleep if they just walked around for a while. Stuart and I came home to de-chlorinate and get ready for dinner. We met everyone at the Brewster's (not my first choice, but whatever) around 6. David 3 brought pictures of his trip to New York and gave me a "Curtains" playbill and a mug from Serendipity. Thing 1, David and Thing 2 gave me a new, large make-up box that was much appreciated and is already in use. Mike and Angie arrived with the boys, but ended up leaving with their food in boxes, since the kids wouldn't settle down. It didn't really matter, the party broke up after dinner anyway. The Things wouldn't play pool and I didn't want to see a movie that night. They went to Spidey 3 and I took Stuart and David 3 to the Metro for a couple hours of pool. I finally got to sleep in on Sunday and then it was back to Stuart's parents' to play in the park and have lunch before the Henders headed back to Calgary. We had a lazy afternoon at home, then went back east to Delayne's condo in Sherwood Park for dinner. After dinner, we played more pool and Stuart's Dad turned out to be quite a shark. Somehow, a devote religious belief and pool seem like unlikely bedfellows to me, but maybe I'm being pedestrian. At any rate, they gave me a birthday card and some cash, so being too judgemental would be in bad taste. :) All in all, I'd say it was a pretty darn good way to get older. Work on Monday was interesting too, but it will have to wait. I need to shift sides and I don't think I can do this left handed. However, I do owe you the song of the week, so here you go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nr67cGrJx2k Cheesy, but it suits my mood, so you're stuck with it. Ciao! 7:30 - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove

07 May 2007 Another weekend gone Yes, on Friday I did finally get a treatment from my RMT. She beat and bruised me and I could move again. However, I think that somehow or other, I actually managed to tear some muscle right at the base of my skull, because it is still sore, inflammed and giving me a low grade headache. So my range of motion is much improved, but if I push it - OUCH! Why can't healing be instantaneous? On the plus side, Stuart picked me up when I was done and we went to Dadeo's to celebrate our 3 month anniversary. I love Dadeo's and it was great to introduce him to the yummy, yummy Cajun restaurant. We didn't have a late night though, 'cause we had to get up early the next morning... Stuart was moderating at the MayDay Flames of War tourney, so we got up, had breakfast, loaded up the goodies and were at the community hall by 8:30. I stopped for a few odds and ends and was on my way home when my phone rang - Stuart had grabbed the wrong tablecloths and could I go home, get the right ones and bring them over? Sheesh! I spent the rest of the morning doing housework, then headed out after lunch. I went back to Leon's to measure the potential couch, since, although it will fit in the apartment, we're not entirely sure we can get it INTO the apartment. Then I went to Whyte Ave to do some clothes shopping. Ever since I discovered that Stuart was planning on taking me somewhere nice for my birthday, I've been thinking that it was a great excuse to buy a new outfit. However, in weeks of shopping I've had absolutely no luck. There is very little out there right now that I like, and what I do, doesn't fit. Not it a "I'm too big/too little" way, but in a "was this cut for human beings to wear?" sort of way. Sigh. Stuart went for long runs Saturday night and Sunday morning, so I hardly saw anything of him. I did, however, have time to do laundry and organize a nice dinner for Sunday night. We curled up on the crappy couch last night to watch "V for Vendetta" and part of "The Fifth Element" before we gave up and went to sleep. We've had several conversations in passing about money. Neither of us makes a lot and we're trying to be fair about expenditures. I think it'll all work out in the end and certainly I don't think either of us would begrudge the other if there was more of a discrepancy in income. However, it did inspire this week's theme song. (Stuart wanted something more romantic - of course! - but my neck is starting to hurt again and I'm feeling a bit cynical, so this is what you get. Not too mention, it's my blog!) (Ed Note: I don't know why I can't embed video - is there some magic trick I'm missing? Anyway, here's the url for this week's video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JsTOjiahAE ) Ciao! P.S. She's got a myspace page, but she's not listed for listening to options, sheesh! Suzie Vinnick "33 Stars". 4:13 - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove

04 May 2007 Mulligan I want a do-over on this week. It all starts on Monday, when the usual daily back-up of the systems at work apparently doesn't work. This means that when the system hiccups on Tuesday and loses all my work, the IS guys can't retrieve anything and I have to start all over. Since I'd put in about 8 hours of work updating a report from last year... I wasn't happy. In fact, by the time I'd tracked this all down on Wednesday, I was pissed and frustrated and starting about 3pm, I felt the left side of my neck tensing up. Hard. Unable to move head and with a blinding headache hard, at least by about 8. A muscle relaxant got me through the night, but things didn't really improve, just didn't get worse. I called in the morning and booked an afternoon appointment with my RMT that I was really looking forward to. Until she called back to reschedule it because she wasn't able to pay her taxes on-line and she had to go downtown. Grrr... so I sat at work all day with the hot pack on my neck and got the file redone, from scratch. Then I went home and put about half a jar of Tiger balm on my neck and the heating pad again. Which actually helped with things, except that now I'm back at work, back on the computer and fully expecting to not be able to move again by the end of the day. My massage appointment is this afternoon and if she cancels again - I'm finding someone else. This morning, I was in the shower at 7:10 when someone banged on the door. It was the drunk from upstairs, come to complain about all the noise when we're practising the bass. WHAT?!?!? He was still drunk enough to be slurring and I think not even remotely aware of how lucky he was that Stuart didn't injure him. We continued with our regular routine and Stuart left a little early for a dentist appointment. And was back minutes later in a towering fury - someone broke into his car last night; fubaring the lock and stealing the camping gear, including the tent and stove that he just bought for his friend. The twits left his hiking poles, the national park pass and the radio adaptor for my iPod, so it definitely wasn't professionals. Sigh. On the other hand, if things go well for the rest of the day... I'll get my neck straightened out. Today is our 3 month anniversary, so we have a reservation at Dadeo's for dinner. And tomorrow is the big May Day Flames of War Tourney, so hopefully, Stuart will get to have some fun. Here's hoping! Ciao. Currently listening : Songs in A Minor By Alicia Keys Release date: 26 June, 2001 1:51 - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove

02 May 2007 Dreaming 'bout... Rory? Yup, I had the strangest dream last. First of all I should explain that Rory is a close friend of mine, who I met through my ex, Mike. Which means I've known him, oh - 10 years now. We got to know each other really well, when the three of us shared apartment space for 2 years. We hung out again when I moved back to Edmonton from Toronto, but about 10 months later, he moved to Toronto. There's no winning! Anyway, I had a dream that we were looking for an apartment to share as roomies in Toronto. Possibly channeling my previous experience looking for a place there, we weren't having much luck. Then we found a place that I think was on a side street off of Cabbage Town - for $550/month, which just proves that it was a dream. We signed the lease without even looking at the inside of the apartment. I showed up with all my stuff and went inside feeling a bit apprehensive, since I had no idea what I was going to find. It was a large house that had been divided into two apartments, up and down. Going in the front door you were at the base of a set of stairs leading all the way up - our apartment was in rooms off the stairway and you kept climbing to get to the other apartment. Except that there was also a wooden exterior stairway and I think they used that. The first door off the right led to what would be Rory's room and off the back of that was a kitchen space. It had all the accoutrements; fridge, stove, counters, sink, etc. but they were kinda jammed in hodgepodge, so it took a minute for you to look at it and realize that it was a kitchen. The first door off the left of the stairs was a large laundry room, with a door to the exterior stair and a small porch space. My thought was that it was a great place for the litter box, which was the first point in the dream when I realized that there was a cat. I'm still not sure if it was his or mine. Going a little way up the stairs, there was another door off the left which led to my room. I remember it was quite spacious and I was very happy. Going through a door at the back, I discovered another weird but functional kitchen space. I went back down the stairs and realized that my parents were helping me move in. It was about then that the alarm went off and I woke up. I know that I'm missing bits and not capturing the feeling of the dream but this is all I can summon up. In retrospect, I have to wonder: were there bathrooms in this place? Given the odd layout, I think this is another of my "maze" dreams, but maybe a bit simplified. The question is, is this a good sign or not? Ciao! P.S. The "listening to" application is not working, so I'm listening to Wendy McNeill "What's your whiskey, baby?"