Mostly Harmless

No big update today... Dave just started vacation so we're having a "Hooray, Vacation!" Day.

I just got a kick out of this:

http://www.herald.ns.ca/Front/477109.html

I'm getting frustrated with this new contract. It hasn't even begun and there are problems.

On Monday I called the curator of the museum at home (who has nothing to do with the project, but is kindly volunteering her help to the CNSA, and of course, she was the one who got the job for me.) to ask if she had talked to the project coordinator, as I hadn't heard anything from her yet. I haven't even talked to this woman. So that was Monday, and she told me she would call the coordinator right away, and I would hear from either herself(curator) or the co-ordinator that afternoon.

I emailed the curator yesterday to find out why I hadn't heard from either of them yet.

This morning I get a reply, telling me that the coordinator was supposed to call me directly after she was done on the phone with the curator that afternoon. Jerk. She never called, or emailed, or sent a telegram for that matter. Meanwhile, I'm waiting here to find out when I have to go into the city for a meeting with the project heads and when/if I have to make the 8 hour trip home to Antigonish to get the friggin project materials.

Ah, the project materials. There are two problems there. My job is to take 1000+ information sheets on all historic homes in Antigonish and Antigonish County and enter them into an online database. Sounds simple. But Oh Not So!!! First problem: The historic society in the Nish doesn't want the sheets to be mailed, in case anything happens to them, cause you know what a perilous journey those sheets are facing with Purolator. Second problem: They (the historic society) doesn't want the information to leave the museum, in case anyone comes in looking for information on a particular building. Well shit! Not like they couldn't call me and I could have that particular sheet scanned and emailed to them within 10 minutes.

I just hate when I have a job to do and things just get more and more complicated. I shouldn't have to pay $100 to go home on the bus and back to pick up the materials. I also shouldn't have to go by the coordinators schedule for a meeting (she wants to meet, apparently, on January 24th, which just doesn't work for me, cause I'll be going back into the city 2 days later for the weekend.) when it's going to cost me $$$ and interfere with my time.

If I knew that this job was going to become so annoying before it even began, I just wouldn't have agreed to it in the first place.

Thank God I never signed a contract.

Well, now that the crack situation is cleared up...

I'm sitting in front of Ol' Compy just thinking of all the things I should have done this week. The apartment is a mess, I have dishes to do, and laundry, but you know, it just don't feel like it. Heavens Sake, I still haven't unpacked my suitcase that I took home over Christmas break. Worst thing is, I have a terrible habit of putting the saying "Out of sight, out of mind" to work, just putting all the mess away in the spare bedroom and closing the door. Tsk, Tsk on me, but I just can't help it! One of these days I'll REALLY clean up, maybe.

Our fish seem to be holding up in their new home, what with their new "plant" (just a bunch of plastic streamer-like things tied around a glass paper weight) and D n D dice, they have the swankiest fishhouse ever! It just sucks that this town has absolutely no aquarium supplies, so my poor little darlings can't even have a real plant. Stupid Lunenburg.

Anyhow, it's ten to 10am, so I guess I had best go take a shower and clean up a little, meaning hide the mess in the nearest empty, hidden space. Ah, the life of a housewife...

Update Time (and what a special time it is!)

My trip to Halifax rocked my socks. I had a great time, for once being able to divide my time between friends from school and friends from home. Actually, it's strange, because I usually just meld the two groups together and hang out with them all at once, but this way seemed to work better. No one was vying for my attention, so there was no 'Heather look at this' or 'Heather watch what I can do.' (those are just examples, my friends aren't (quite) that juvenile).

I did crack and smoked a couple of cigarettes while there. It's hard when EVERYONE smokes. I only had four, tho, so a pat on the back for me. And I totally stayed away from junk food, even though I saw my most ultimate happy time favorite treat in the store down the street. I Glanced longingly at it, then turn my head in an anguished motion. It was tough, but dang it, I'm tougher!

Anyways, in short, I had a great time in the city. Sometimes, alot of the time, I wish I was living up there. There's just always something to do, and so many interesting places/people... but then I'd be sad with Stinky Dave down here in the Burg and me in the Big City. C'est la vie!

Dave never went for groceries while I was away, so there's not much food in the house. Last night we made this crazy Corn Chip Salad (spinach, kidney beans, tomato, chilli powder, and of course, corn chips) and Portabello Swiss Burgers. Not such a good night for diner. I was sure I'd like the burgers, not so sure about the salad, and it turned out that I didn't like either. So I had a chicken finger burger instead. See all the crazy shit we're eating because SOMEONE didn't go for groceries. So I'm making him take me out for diner tonite, although he doesn't know it yet...

Man, update time turned out to be not so special in the end. Balls to it!

I'm making a trip into Halifax tomorrow to see our friends, sans Dave. Seems he'd like to have an evening to himself, which is totally understandable. The only "alone time" he gets is when he's at work, and then he's surrounded by 40+ co-workers. It must be tough having a girlfriend like me, with the constant blather spurting forth from my mouth, he needs a little quiet for a night.

That last sentence sounds a little filthy, if ya know what I mean.

Oh heavens, it's 10:35am, and I have much to do today, yet I'm sitting here in my nice, soft housecoat, just wasting time. Actually, I have another 10 minutes to kill before I can take of my tooth bleaching strips. Yes, I know, a little bit vain to be whitening my teeth, but there just comes a time in every crazy lady's life that she needs a little bling in her teeth. I've smoked for the past 13 years, so you can just imagine (if you dare) the state my poor chompers are in. Not so bad, actually, but enough that I notice them.

Oh what else to tell the world...

Oooh! I started my New Years diet last Saturday, and so far I have lost 5 pounds... doesn't sound like much, I know, but trust me, when you've been trying to lose weight for the past umpteen years, 5 pounds in a week is reason to celebrate. I've also been without precious, precious cigarettes since December 30th. So far I'm faring well, but we shall see how that goes when I get to the city tomorrow. All of my friends smoke... like chimneys... like burning buildings... but I'm going to put my new-found will power to work and not smoke. Drat.

Lets all keep their fingers crossed for poor little me. I mustn't fuck up!

I woke up this morning at 8:15 with a pounding headache. You know, the kind that feels like someone is squeezing the back of your neck and head in a steady, pulsating rhythm. Soon it travels to the front sides of your head, and behind your eyes, and it's at this point that your sure this is what hell must feel like.

It's now 3:52pm, and it's still there.

After taking countless advil, lying the the dark with a damp cloth on my face, drinking buckets of water and soaking in a lukewarm bath, I'm about ready to freak out.

In other news, Dave called from work today and informed me that:

a) He has an interview tomorrow morning for the new position he applied for. Hooray!

b) The video card we bought from Staples isn't compatible with our computer, and they won't let us return it since it's been over 30 days since we purchased it. Not that NOT LISTING THE NEEDED VIDEO CARD PORT on the product information page makes any difference. Fuck you Staples!

c) His vacation starts Monday.

Thank You oh great Dave's Work for giving him four days notice that he has to take a mandatory three week vacation. And seeing as he just went back to work on Tuesday after a two week vacation, well, what was the point in even going back to work for four days?

Oh don't mind me today, I'm just grumpy due to the brain pain.

I am looking forward to his vacation, and I'm super happy that he has an interview tomorrow (even though the job was kinda sorta completely tailored to him specifically). We're planning on leasing our new car while he's off, and if we get any snow, take a trip to Martock and do a little skiing. Oh, and we'll go see or friends in the city I suppose.

I gots to go lay down for a bit. Must rid myself of this curse-ed headache!

Back in December I had a bit of an outburst with an aquaintance of mine. This person is probably the most selfish and self-centered person I know, and she thinks we are just the best of best friends. Well, one day she just crossed the line with me one too many times, and I just wrote her off. i didn't hear from her for over a month, then BAM! yesterday the phone rang.

So while listening to this one go on and on about here new-found global consciousness due to a trip to a RESORT ISLAND in the Carribean (she ventured off the resort, you see, and saw poverty, real poverty, for the first time) I just got totally enraged. This woman is on the other line of the phone telling me that she never realized that there was poverty such as she saw.

I just wanted to go through the phone and slap her repeatedly.

She told me that since she had been there and seen the poverty first hand, well, she's become more aware and active in helping others. Her exact words "I never used to leave tips, now I tip everyone."

Gag Gag Gag Gag Gag.

Andmost horrid of all, after she went on and on about her week-long experience seeing this poverty (while staying in an all-inclusive resort and being pampered with all this poverty going on outside of the resort) it turns out that she had NO FUCKING IDEA where she was. She didn't even think to look at a world map and say 'Hey! That's where I'm going!'.

All during this "converstaion" (more like a her-talk-a-thon) I was trying to explain things to her, like there are much much worse places in the world, this has been happening for years and years and years, but she wouldn't listen, she just kept talking over me. Finally, I just said 'I have to go' and hung up.

I want this person out of my fucking life. I'm tired of her selfish ways. I'm tired of only hearing about her. I'm just fucking tired of her.

But you know, my most favorite part of the conversation was when she asked me 'So do you see a positive change in me from my experience?' And I said 'Fuck No!'. Maybe after seeing make an honest and hard effort to persue her dreams of helping the impoverished in third-world countries I'll say 'Ok, it's a start'.

I swear if she calls me again any time soon I'm going to lose my mind.

After being in Antigonish for the past two weeks I should have some news, but it was the most quiet and relaxing Christmas that I can remember, and so I don't have much to say.

Trish and Darcy (and a little bit me) made some awesome gingerbread men again this year, including Loco Man, Disco Stu, Sloth from The Goonies, and Richard Simmons. Last year we made all three wise men with the Baby Jesus and other random people. We like making gingerbread men.

On Boxing day we all got together at Mom and Dad's and swilled back a few drinks then headed out to the bar. We had three Choices: Chuggles (where the Trews were playing) Piper's Pub (where an Old-Timey band was playing) and Pat's Place (where the Boy's Next Door were playing). We chose the lesser of three evils and went to dirty old Pat's Place. Honestly I didn't dig any of the three locations, but what can you do? Burn them down I suppose...

Dave and I spent the day in Truro yesterday visiting with his family. I sat and talked to his mom for a couple of hours while Dave and his brother played video games and his dad read a book. Eventually his other brother brough over the baby and we cooed and baby-talked at her for an hour or so. We then had some lunch and took off for Lunenburg. Dave's mom hugged me. It left me confused and slightly frightened. I wasn't sure if it meant she had decided that after three years she accepted me and maybe even liked me, or was it the hug of death? Only time will tell.

You know, sometimes God interferes with your plans, and you're upset because you had a whole fun time planned out, but it turns out that staying in and drinking until 5am was a much better time then if you had gone out to the bar.

Friday night in the city was supposed to be filled with Bars and Bands. We found out late Friday afternoon that Wintersleep was going to be playing at the Attic on Friday night, so the plan was Urban Surf Kings at the Khyber, Wintersleep at the Attic, then off to Reflections for those friends who like to dance.

There was a blizzard Friday night.

We took my friends car to the city on Friday, leaving around 4pm. By the time we hit Truro, the weather was getting a little testy. 45 minutes later on the outskirts of Halifax, traffic was moving at about 50kms/h, and everyone had their 4-way flashers on. It took dave, Darcy and Myself 2 hours to get to the liquor store and back. So we decided that we'd call everyone up and have a night in. You just couldn't go ANYWHERE because of the weather.

We headed back to Lunenburg on Saturday evening, and I couldn't wait to get home. I was soooo sick from the drink. We we're happy, too, that we still had Sunday to spend together. So much for that. I spent the whole day in bed on Sunday. I don't think I've ever been hung over for two whole days. I didn't feel normal again until Monday morning.

So today, Tuesday, is the date of Dave's Christmas party, a free-food-and-all-you-can-drink-o-rama held every year. We're looking very much forward to it as his co workers are super fun folks, but I just don't think I can have more than 2 beer, if that. Tonight will be Dave's night to let loose.

Well, 10:44am... I had best go and run my little errands down street.

I really don't have much to write about today, just wanted to update, as I don't do it on a regular basis.

I've been here in Antigonish for the past week, am heading to Halifax for the night tonight, then home to Lunenburg tomorrow. I'll be back here in a weeks time for 2 more weeks over Christmas. I hate travelling back and forth.

The Urban Surf Kings are playing their Christmas show at the Khyber tonite, so we may make an appearance there. We deffinately have to go to Reflections with the boys, and that's always a good time. Dave's never been to a "gay" bar (I hate that term, but can't think of any other way to say it at the moment) so it should be an interesting experience for him. Thank crimony my boyfriend and various other friends aren't homophobic, or they may just have an anurysm when they see the antics at the bar.

At the moment, I'm waiting for Dad to bring his car home from work so I can take Rielly and Ranger out to the park. It's a beautiful morning, a little cold, but sunny and bright. Just the way I like 'em.

That's it.

Ah, Winter.

That favortie time of the year, with it's frosty air and sparkling snow.

But you know what else it has?

Dog Poop. Lots of it.

In the warmer months you don't notic it so much, it's camouflaged in the grass, dirt, puddles, etc; but when the snow comes, in all of it fluffy, white majesty, all I see is dog poop.

I'm getting into this nice and early, cause it hasn't even snowed here yet, but I'm waiting. And I swear if I see any allowing there dog to defiate in the streets, they're getting a face full of snow. Poopy snow.

Dave and I are heading home tomorrow to Antigonish for baby sitting duty. Rielly Roo, our faithful, foolish Golden Retriever, can't be left with anyone but his family, and I just happen to still be living in the same province, so home we go. I'm really looking forward to it, and so is Dave. We both just need a little "vacation".



Rielly goes Incognito

I'm not much of a drinker, mostly just a social one...

But today I felt like being a little rebellious, so here I am, at 3:41pm, drinking a Moscow Mule.

Despite mmy mid-day drink, I am being productive. I have two loaves of Banana Bread in the oven, and a batch of super good chocolate chip cookies on the way. I want to bring treats to the Stich & Bitch tonite.

I'm totally playing up the Housewife role today.

Mmmm Cookies.

I really don't have much to say today...

I had an awesome time Saturday night at the Girls Night that Dave's co-workers put on. Met lots of great people and drank a little too much.

A few of us made plans that night to have a Stitch & Bitch tonite, so that's where I'm heading at 6pm. Must start working on various knitting projects.

Dave got the 5th of December off, so that means he can come home with me to Antigonish to dog-sit for the weekend. It'll be a nice few days spent together, with a car. Bonus.

It's such a crappy day in Lunenburg today. Seems like there is a tornado passing by outside. So windy, and rainy, and very wet. And to think that yesterday was warm enough to be out in a T-Shirt.

The Staples Delivery Man just called and he'll be here shortly with my new video card and external hard drive, so I had best wrap things up.

Just so blah today, but really, what can you do?

Do you ever feel like kicking yourself because you have this "problem" where you're nice to everyone, even if you don't care too much for them, then one day you get a call from one of these people saying 'I'm coming for a visit' and then you just want to scream and scream because you know that whole evening is now going to be spent listening to this person prattle on and on about themselves and you won't even be able to get a word in edgewise?

That's how I feel right now.

Grover on Ecstasy



You're funny, you're loveable, you're entertaining,
you like to call yourself "Super
Grover!"--You're obviously on ecstasy.
But that's why we love you. Be careful, ok?


Which Sesame Street Muppet's Dark Secret Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Got a call from "Jose" yesterday, and all is good in the world again.

I've been having a very lazy day, what with all the fog and mist outside, I'm feeling rather blah. I have all these little jobs around the house that I should be doing, but no, that's no fun. I could be out running errands, but I don't feel like going outside. There's just oh-so-many things i could be doing right now, but I choose not to do them. No wonder I'm always bored.

It's days like these when I wish I had a pet giraffe.

So confused today.

I had a great weekend in the city. Dave and I had a really nice time at the Inn that we booked on Friday night, and we partied all night on Saturday with friends, but I'm a little bothered about one thing...

Long story short, two of my very best friends have split up after dating for the past five years. They claim it was mutual, but I think that it's not the case for one of them. I think that despite his decision, it wasn't what he wanted at all. To ward off confusion in the following story, lets call the friend-in-question Jose.

Anyway, Saturday night we were all just having a few drinks, not enough to get drunk, but enough to get silly. So we had planned to go to another friends house for a sushi party, but were waiting for Jose to arrive from work. When he got home, he got a call from another friend wanting him to go to the bar, and he agreed to go. Well, turns out he didn't really want to go, so he said 'I'll go to the bar for an hour, then come and meet you guys' and I said 'Meet us at the Sushi party, and if we aren't there, we're back here.' Sounds like a good plan, right?

Wrong.

Dave, Darcy and I went to the Sushi party and stayed for an hour and a few minutes. We were back at Jose's place within an hour and a half. That was 1:30am. At 4:30am, Jose comes home, announces to Darcy and I that we had made it very clear to him that we did not want him at the Sushi party and we have been excruciatingly cruel to him.

Fuck a Duck.

I talked to him, trying to sort this whole mess out, and after a while he decided that it wasn't me who had been so awful, it was all Darcy. Holy Crow. Unfortunately, he's the kind of person that can't let go of something once he feels hurt. Even if the scenario was all in his head, he can't admit that, he needs someone to blame.

So what am I to do about this? he and I have been friends since grade two. We've never, ever been upset or angry with each other before. Like I said, I understand how he feels, but now I'm not so sure that I want to see him again until he's sorted himself out. I don't want to give him the chance to lash out at me again. I'm hurt by his accusations, he's hurt by something that never happened.

I'm tired of dealing with my emotionally-challenged friends. I just want to say 'Hey, grow the fuck up and sort your shit out, assholes.' But all I can do is think it, cause I know it would warp them even more. It's a total lose-lose situation.

Had an awesome time this past weekend! Dave and I went into Halifax for Darcy's birthday on Saturday and we didn't get to sleep until Sunday night.

We were just going to get together with a few friends, have a few drinks and carry on all night, but it turned into a stop-in for anyone and everyone. We got to meet a lot of cool people. However, there was this one girl who turned out to be a total nutcase. I had met her on Saturday night and thought she was pretty nice, maybe a little too chatty (as in never EVER can be quiet) but, all in all, a nice person. Well, on Sunday moring her boyfriend came over after work (8am, he works backshift) and we're all sitting around chatting when all of a sudden the door flies open and this chick starts screaming and crying and going on about how she thought he was dead and all this business. Holy Crap. I wish I could have caught it on camera, it was just so nuts.

Anyway, we calmed her down and within like 5 minutes she was back to normal. I feel bad, but I get the impression that she's one of those people who has to just make a fuss about everything to get attention. But her boyfriend (nice guy, slightly fucked up) is so oblivious to her.... man. Enough about that.

We're heading into the city again this weekend for our anniversary, which will be really nice. We have a room booked at this little place called the Waverly Inn (all antiquey and such) and it has a jacuzzi, so I'm psyched for that. We plan on spending all day Friday together, going to the museums and art galleries, then out to dinner. Dave and I had thought we would spend that evening all alone too, just hanging out, maybe having a drink or two, but we decided to go out with everyone for a few hours. We like being around our crazy friends.

Well, I had best be off to start my day. I'm still recovering from the weekend, and I could so go back to bed right now, but I can't. Must do Laundry!

** Just stole this from who stole it from her friend...

Your Birthdate: March 9

You are a born idealist, with more pet causes than you can count. You prefer be around others, both when working and while relaxing. Generous and giving, you believe you can change the world one person at a time. You're open minded and tolerant. People feel like they can tell you anything. Your strength: Your go-with-the-flow flexibility Your weakness: Your flair for the over dramatic Your power color: Pine green Your power symbol: Circle Your power month: September

I haven't had such an unproductive day in ages...

I seriously did NOTHING all day. I got up at 8, had breakfast with dave, then went back to bed after he left. I got back up at 11, read the news, had a cup of tea, then read my book. Apparently I fell asleep while reading, because the next thing I knew, it was 3:50pm. Since then, I've looked through old photos, had another cup of tea, contemplated eating a bowl of Raisin Bran, and hung up some clothes.

And now, it's 5:35pm and dark dark dark outside. How I loathe daylight savings time. I feel like I should be getting ready for bed, even though I slept all day.

But I did come up with a little project for myself for next week. See, while going through my photos, I realized I have pretty much photo-documented my life since I was about 13. I have pictures of almost everyone I've known; friends, aquaintences, people I don't even know... So I'm going to get to work and scan all of the pictures onto my computer and make a massive online photo album. I was thinking 'Hey, I might not even see or speak to alot of the people in these pictures anymore, but I bet they'd be surprised to come across them all on the internet'. So that's my project. Posting old pictures of old friends online just for shits and giggles.

I'm waiting for all the little goblins to arrive. I love hallowe'en!

We went to a hallowe'en party on Saturday night in Bridgewater at Dave's co-workers place. I was kind of apprehensive about going, since I'm a bit shy when it comes to meeting new people, but I was such a blast! The house was packed, and there were some pretty awesome costumes. Dave and I had planned our costumes, but of course, we left it till the last minute to put them together, and in the end had to abandon our plans. So, Dave (who was supposed to go as Hellboy) went as Fidel Castro, and I (was supposed to be a rubik's cube) went as the Alphabet Pusher from Sesame Street. No one knew who I was, until I got a few drinks into me and started going up to people and saying "pssstt... wanna buy an S?" then I'd open my over-coat and show them my S. And because of our terrible failure at getting our original costumes together, we've already planned for next year.

I'm just waiting now for Dave to get home so we can have dinner and he can help me hand out treats. I'm also planning on watching the movie Ghandi tonite, so that should eat up my evening. I just want to relax tonite, since I spent all day today cleaning the apartment. You go away for two weeks and nothing gets done. Oh wait, I shouldn't say nothing. He was sweet enough to do the dishes! Poor boy, he just likes to play his gamecube and plan his D&D characters.

There's Dave and his little niece (and my niece-by-association) Keira Marley Katharine Lycan. What a cutie! Makes me want one even more, but alas, I'm "not allowed" yet. Oh the Oppression!