Seasons greeting to all

Hi everyone, just wanted to say Merry Christmas to one and all and wish you a safe and happy New Year. I won't be posting for the next little while, but definitely check back in 2007, for I will have much to talk about in the New Year.
Just one gift left to purchase, and then it's strictly wrapping and some packing before I head north for Christmas with the parents. So much to do in so little time. Have to clean the house before we leave, as we're have parties when we return - no time to do it upon our return. Then laundry and packing as we try and figure out what the parents have planned this year around. We never know if it'll be casual or super formal, and they never tell us, must think we're psychic or something. Then, just a quick stop for the final gift, load the car and we'll be on the road.. more or less in that order.
Upon arrival at the parents we unload, eat and then have to rush off for a charity pool tournament a friend of theirs holds every year. After that we bolt back to the house for dinner and then out to meet friends for drinks. On Christmas Eve - day, it's getting the big dinner ready for that night, including picking up all the things my mother's forgotten to get in the weeks leading up. Big dinner that night as well as a movie, a tradition between my sister and I. Opening gifts the next morning a late brunch, a quick nap, a late lunch and then back on the road for home. Unload at home and then crash for the night to be up at six the next morning to go to help my sister out at her store. Yippee? not!!
A retail store in the mall, on Boxing Day - this is my version of the tenth level of Hell. Not quite sure how she talked me into it, but she did and I don't think she's paying me enough for the priviledge (exchange with 'torture'). We repeat this process the next day and then the rest of the time until Jan 2, 2007 is all mine, in which I have eight, yes 8, New Years parties to attend as well as meetings for coffee and lunch. I'll have to come back to work just to relax!!!
Well folks I think that's it... be safe, party hardy and please take a moment to appreciate your families and remember that not everyone in the world is as priviledged or lucky as we are. Some don't even know what Christmas is all about, so stop and remember those less fortunate than you. Merry Christmas to all and to all - good night!

Christmas comes early for some...

It was an early Christmas for me yesterday, I got the big gift from my parents. For years now we've, my sister and I, have dropped hints as to what we really wanted and finally the parents came through for us. Yeah parents! Since money's always been a bit tight, especially since we bought a house and now pay large mortgage payments, we'd always have been sticking a bit away for what we wanted. Now, we don't have to, the parents rule. So, my weekend will consist of rearranging my living/dining room to get enough space, a bit of shopping for the extras I need and then... I'll set up my new toy.
So excited, we're finally up into the 21st century with everyone else. That's right folks.. we finally have a home computer. Or, we will once I unpack the many boxes, figure out the pieces I need, get the desk, hook it up and load all the programming and virus protection in. But yes, I will finally be able to post from home - instead of work which my boss wigs out about, can't blame him really. He pays me to work so technically, I suppose, I should actually do work when I'm here. But now I'll be able to catch up with all my friends on IM from home, when they're all on line in real time, instead of just emailing back and forth and back and forth and.. Well you get the idea. So happy, doing my little dance... Okay, all done. Well I think that's it for today - so I'll say adios and catch y'all on the flip side - Cheers!! Merry Christmas too!

Party, party, party!!

Yes folks, as the title indicates today is Party Day! It is our annual company Christmas party, so I figured I'd get this on here quickly today as I'm not sure what time we'll be closing down the shop so our pressmen can do clean up. We'll be enjoying beverages of the wobbly kind by four-thirty for sure and dinner sometime after that. We'll sit around BS'ing with one another, like we do at work, but with alcohol as a loosener of the tongue, you can find out the most interesting things about people. *grins*
After dinner our boss makes his annual speech, while we all heckle and poke fun at his public speaking skills. There's usually someone who gets a gift of some sort for their 10, 15 0r 20 years of service to the company. We all make them say something while they appear completely uncomfortable, since they haven't quite had enough to drink to want to be up there at the center of attention. Then we'll play some pool, dance, talk, drink some more and eventually all stumble out to our DD's various vehicles for the raucous rides home.
Yep, 'tis the season folks - the partiers are loose, so beware!! Salute!

Sunshine, oh glorious, glowing orb

Yes, it's true (sorry Rylie) we've had sunshine for the last two days, with a projected week worth still to come, and temps getting up to +14 degrees Celsius on Wednesday or Thursday. I love chinooks, they have got to be the greatest things in the world, a natural reprieve from nasty weather. We'll be in the pluses for the next, I think they said, 5 - 8 days, it'll be so nice after the - 29's of the last week. Anything that gives us warmth plus sunshine is all good for me.
So, the weekend, not much exciting happened, went on a crazy cleaning spree, for whatever unknown reason. My place is so bloody clean right now you can eat off pretty much every surface in it without fear of germs or anything else, they all vacated the place when I dug out the industrial strength cleaners. Watched a bit of TV, read 'Dark Side of the Moon' by Sherrilyn Kenyon, finally found it, oye! don't get me started on what a gong-show that was and worked on my story for a bit. Kind of got stuck again and the cleaning of the house also helped clean out my head and the story came back to me. Got to get this thing written, it's been driving me batty for the last six years, and if I finally get it on paper, maybe it'll will finally be at peace.
This week and the weekend look fairly busy, got to get the Christmas shopping out of the way. Plus, on Friday, I have my company Christmas party and then have about.. another ten or so to attend between then and Christmas, that I remember anyway. Could be more, not sure, I'll have to check when I get home.
Well, I think that's it for today, just wanted to give a shout out to my snow-bound friend in B.C. - she won the NaNoWriMo award!!! Kudo's to you Rylie - so very proud of you, keep up the good work and I look forward to seeing your name in print one day real soon. Cheers!

And... another day

Okay folks, not much happening today, pretty slow. Internet crashed a hand-full of times, our special program for organizing and running our jobs went blooey... Let's see, what else? Hm, freezing still, very cold, not quite as bad as yesterday but darn close. Although, on a good note, we'll be seeing slightly warmer temps in the upcoming week, closer to the zero mark anyway. Wrote a little bit more of my story yesterday after posting, not much, kind of hit a lull for the moment. Happens *shrug*. I think that's it... so, for the moment, I'm outta here for today - Cheers!

Freezing in Calgary...

Okay folks, this is going to be one of 'those' weeks, I can tell already. We woke this morning to a balmy -24 Celsius (-11.2 Fahrenheit) with a slight 'breeze' or as we call it wind chill that brought the temp to a lovely -39 C (-38.2 F). The weatherman is trying to tell us that this will last more-or-less all week with only a 5 degree upturn in the next 3 days. It's the type of weather to sit inside, under a blanket, in front of a roaring fire, with a hot beverage (of choice) in your hands.
I spent the very chilly weekend, not nearly as bad as today, sitting indoors writing a story. It's sort of rough right now, but.. didn't really have anything else to do that didn't involve freezing off vital parts of my anatomy. It should be interesting by the time I've got it to a readable stage - I hope. The idea just popped into my head on Friday, while I didn't feel like working, and I jotted down a couple of thoughts. From there.. it's just blossomed.
Well, since I'm supposed to working now, I guess I should for awhile, they pay me to be here so I guess it's only fair. Cheers!

"Dashing through the snow..."

"Frosty the snow man...", "Jingle bells, jingle bells...", "I'll be home for Christmas...", 'tis the season folks. The decorations are going up, the lights are being lit, the gifts are being bought and "Jack Frost is nipping at you nose".
I was driving to work today and checking out the store fronts as we crawled along at an amazing 10 kph. The trees are trimmed and lit, the ads are up promoting all the wonderful things you need to buy for your loved one/friend/other. My co-pilot and I were discussing the commercialization of the season, something that was once just a very religious time, is now all about how much you spend for each person on your list. He/she who has the largest credit card bill is the loser.. uh, I mean 'winner' - yeah...
Since my sister and I just bought our home, a year and a few months ago, we've always been super careful with our spending habits. Christmas is no excuse for us to go ballistic and rack up the debt. We buy for our parents and those closest to us, nothing super expensive, but just something to let them know we love them and are thinking of them. A token of our appreciation - if you will. The family, and friends, all understand where we're coming from. At one time or another they've all been in the same financial crunch. With today's economy and the price of the simplest things, unless you want to go to debtors prison, you have to be more aware of what you're spending and on what.
Now, I could go into my previous rant again, about today's youth and their lack of responsibility, but I won't. You in the back, stop clapping damn it! It wasn't that bad... anyway, not much else kicking around on the brain. So.. catch you on the flip side - Cheers!

Chill to the air...

Well, it's another bitterly cold day here in Calgary, with many more to come from what the hated weatherman has been saying. I have to say, just for the record, I hate being cold. I'm a warm weather type of person, goose-bumps - not my thing.
My boss on the other hand, is the type of guy who must have anti-freeze for blood, he keeps his area of our shop at a crisp -10 degrees at all times of the year. The AC kicks in and provides a lovely draft into our open concept office, freezing out all of us warm blooded folks. We occasionally ask if he's paid the gas bill, never has clued in that we're telling him we've all got frostbite. We walk around were our parkas, scarves and mittens, and he enquires as to whether we are feeling okay or not, assuming that we are ill and not freezing!
Well... I think that's it for today's rant. I'll catch y'all on the flip side - Cheers!

Idle randomness..

I've been sitting here, working off and on, writing little thoughts as they pop into my head and answering the phone. Talk about multi-tasking! I am the champ! Anyway... I've been writing for various projects that I'm involved in, taking order from clients and generally answering random, nonsense questions from people without a clue, when I realized, this is what I do on a daily basis. I come to work with a very clear routine worked out in my head, have to do a) followed by b) to get to c). Simple right, you'd think....
In actuality, I'm lucky if I manage to get a) done, and it's a miracle if I make it all the way to b) let alone c). It's one of those things that, no matter how carefully you plan and schedule, one little wrench in the works and kaboom! it all goes to Hell in a hand basket. I have learned, don't always remember, to never plan anything, to just go with the flow and see what happens. It is the easiest method and causes very few headaches - sometimes.
I am multi-tasker extraordinaire - hear me roar! Well, meow right now actually, my voice is out the window from all the talking I've had to do, non-stop, for the last five hours.... I need a good stiff drink. Only... 2 hours and counting 'til quittin' time, then hasta la vista baby! I'm outta here...

Time just gets away..

It's pretty bad when you go to do something, get distracted, do another couple of things and by the time you remember the original 'something'.. it's been four hours! Now, don't know if this is because my brain is all scrambled with the Christmas rush, printing that is - everyone needs cards to mail out and are just remembering this now, or if I'm distracted more then is typical. Who knows... Now.. what was my point? Oh, yeah! Time. There never seems to be enough of it in a day, never enough days in the week and the weeks just seem to fly by. At one moment it was the middle of summer, I was on vacation and having the time of my life and then *BAM!* it's now 35 days until Christmas. Where does the time go? Really.. I'd like to know.
Just sitting here minding my own business, doing work, like normal, and then we suddenly start getting all these calls to put in Christmas Card orders. Look at the calendar and, by Jove, our customers haven't completely gone off their rockers, time is really running out. Then of course, we'll all make the mad dash to get everything done for Christmas. Decorating, shopping and wrapping, and in a split second amid the shredding of said, carefully and painstakingly, wrapped paper - it's over. Six days later it's a New Year and we start the mad dash all over again.
It's a never ending cycle really, of rush, rush, rush and then.. one day.. it stops. But, we won't go there 'cause that's just plain depressing, and this is the time of year for rejoicing and celebrating. Look there... another twenty minutes have come and gone...

No excuse, I know..

Alright, I forgot to write yesterday.. and the day before, my bad, I've been busy! It's the season, so much to do, so little time to get it done in, and a huge deadline looming in the distance. The Christmas pressure has begun here in Canada, the commercials are hyping all the latest and greatest and telling you what you need to buy for whom, so that you are the very best person in the world. That kind of pressure is why so many Canadians, heck, anybody for that matter, end up with a Credit Card bill in the new year that could equal the yearly budget in some small countries.
The business I'm in (printing-just fyi) it's time for all the companies to print their Christmas cards, all their holiday packages and to make sure they have enough stationary to get them through to the New Year. They don't work two weeks in December, but OMG what if they should run out, so they double or triple their regular orders and expect it now. Not tomorrow but right this instance *rolls eyes*, as if! With a world that is going for faster and better, people don't understand that to actually print something with inks, does not mean you're going to get it when you demand. Everything, especially anything of quality, requires a bit of time. There's a saying in the trade, 'You can have it fast or right, not both', makes sense. Just wish you could get the masses to realize this, it would make life so much easier. Oh, well, you can only do what you can do and to hell with the rest of them.

Monday, again...

Here we are on yet another Monday, yipee! I had a lovely weekend, the weather was actually quite nice considering the time of year. I spent the time indoors, getting a new site written up for a RPG that a friend and I are starting. We've been laying it out, going over the specifics and such and basically figuring the whole mess out. Should be quite exciting once we have it up and running, we just have to get to that point.
Just wanted to give a shout out to my friend Rylie who is busily writing away, or she better be. The deadline for NaNoWriMo is closing in and, from the last I heard, it was all flowing nicely. So kudo's to you doll and keep up the good work.
Well, I think that's it for today... nothing really huge happening, just thought I'd pop in and let you know just how boring today is and such. Cheers!

Iced over stupidity...

I'm at work, looking out an iced over window. We got a huge storm last night, wet snow, then that nice fluffy stuff and woke this morning to sleet. This is not a good combination, makes for lousy driving conditions and makes walking, even a few feet, dangerous. Came out this morning and had to scrape an inch of ice off the car. What really yanks my chain.. people who bloody well can't drive in the stuff. We live in a climate that, six to eight months out of every year, are spent under the white stuff. If you can't drive in it, leave your car at home and take the public transit, that's why it's there.
I was on one of our major roads, Deerfoot trail, which is Highway 2 once north of the city, for those that have been here in Alberta. Anyway... the speed limit is 100 kph, but not a one, not a single vehicle, got over 40. Now, I realize that it's icy, but they sanded and salted, so it was soggy and a little slick. I don't mind driving cautiously when the roads are horrendous, but I do mind the jack-asses who think they are invincible. They are the drivers of the all mighty trucks and SUV's, you know who you are. You are not invincible, most of you don't even know how to drive the bloody things and you are the ones who cause the accidents. Driving like you're at a NASCAR track, switching lanes faster then a hummingbird and more frequently then men think of sex, is insanity! You drive these big vehicles because you figure that you'll be safer in them, that because they have 4 wheel drive all will be fine, it won't if you have no common sense.
You truck and SUV drivers are the ones that the rest of us all hope and pray to find wrapped around a light pole down the road. For we would all drive by, point and laugh, and hope that you had good insurance, for we would wish that your surviving family not be put into financial restraints because of you stupidity. May you get your just desserts and not take any poor, innocent bystander with you.

Calgary weather...

Hello folks, we in Calgary are enjoying our first Chinook of the winter season. It was a very pleasant +15 on Saturday followed on Sunday by an equally enjoyable + 18 on Sunday. For those of you who don't know what a Chinook is, here is the dictionary's explanation:

Chinook (short for Chinook wind) 1. A moist warm wind blowing from the sea in coastal regions of the Pacific Northwest. 2. A warm dry wind that descends from the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains, causing a rapid rise in temperature.

Basically, this translates to four feet of snow in the morning, one foot of slush in the afternoon, if the temperature fluctuates enough. Ooh, here's a better explanation, you go to bed and it's -20 degrees Celsius (or -4 F for those Americans) and you wake up to + 15 (59 F). How's that for weather fluctuations?

Bored, bored, bored, bored...

If you didn't realize from the title alone, I'm bored right now. Been at work for 6 hours and after being completely swamped for 3 of the 6, I'm now trying to figure out how to make paper-clip animals. This is taking paper-clips, unbending them into a smooth line and then form them into various animal shapes. I sort of had a dog happening, but he looked severely wounded so he had to be put down. Such a shame really, he was quiet, house broke and very obedient, oh well.

Been surfing the Net, looking at the depressing weather reports (it's a nasty looking winter coming our way) and playing games. Woo-hoo, so much excitement it's practically making me giddy.

It's closing in on the end of the day, thankfully, so I won't be bored for much longer. I can go home and climb into my fleece jammies, curl up with a cup of hot chocolate and a good book. Hopefully I'll get a chance to write tonight, maybe a nice short tale.

The day after....

Another Hallowe'en has come and past, nothing but stray candy wrappers tumbling aimlessly in the street. Pumpkins are resigned to their places amongst the other garbage. The spider webs are pulled down, the tombstones are packed away and the candy is devoured.
And so it begins, the department stores begin putting up the Christmas trees, all the decorations, the toys for gifts and out come the snowblowers. It is officially winter, the Christmas crunch is on and it is the start of the battle royal for the ultimate in gifts.
The kids make their lists, check them twice before dropping them in the mail to Santa. Or, in today's society, they IM him, everything from IPods, to the latest in video games and DVD's. So very different from when I was growing up, things like Barbie and Cabbage Patch dolls were very popular.
*Sigh*, it's sad to think that I'm getting old... but it does happen to the best of us sooner or later. 'Course I could do without the constant reminders everywhere I turn. Oh well, life goes on....