Lockdown plumbing achievement unlocked!

I've lived in my condo for over 10 years. I had big plans to do so much before moving in, but besides having the balcony enclosure replaced I have not got around to any of it. (A raging case of executive dysfunction doesn't help!)

I'm not young, I live alone, and I have had no previous experience with plumbing or building, but I like to be as independent as possible. As my Dad's only daughter, he's always surprised by my wish to do this stuff myself and that I have my own actual tools.

Now, being here all the time, I'm finding I'm finally more inclined to make this place liveable. I've started with the smallest room, the bathroom.

Since mid-March, I have repaired a leaky toilet tank, installed a bidet attachment, swapped out the shower handles, and fixed a broken flush chain. And now...

No excuse

Yep, I have no excuse. I’ve been lax in my posting. You’d think nothing ever happens to me, wouldn’t you? And yet I’m always busy and always exhausted. It’s my own fault of course, mostly.

So what’s been going on since May? Lessee...

'twas hard.

It was a hard week this week, going back to work after two weeks off. There was a lot to catch up on, and my stuff from the holidays is all still sitting in cases in the living room! Anyway, got back to darts (won my doubles 501), made a new pouch for my stones (the one they came with kinda sucked), tried out my new stones, and I bought a slow cooker and tested it out – mac & cheese, which turned out a bit dry, I think I have to revise the recipe…

Eastery goodness

I have lots of chocolate running through my system. Still. Not a bad thing you know.

Anyway.

My Easter visit with my parents was really good, lots of not doing anything, which is what vacations are really about. Dad got the knitting machine working again and I found instructions online for it, we went bowling (I beat my Dad at one game too - granted, it was a bad game for him...), bought a few cheap DVDs - Undercover Brother, The Astronaut's Wife and Johnny English - oh, and Dad gave me Narnia!


Mum also gave me a ring that she bought a few years ago, it's really beautiful and very shiny.

Yeah, it's all shiny actually.

Kids These Days

So when did I get so old?

I'm visiting my parents this weekend, so I took the Niagara Falls train after work yesterday. Going through Hamilton our car was hit not once, not twice, but THREE times by kids throwing stuff at the train. The second hit shattered one of the windows. Luckily they're double-paned windows with about four inches between the panes, and the glass is safety glass, but come on.

All I could think was I hope they catch those little buggers. Because kids think they can get away with anything. Why? Because that's what we teach them.

In February some kids threw a brick off an overpass for fun - the driver of the car it hit has to undergo reconstructive surgery now, and would have died if her brother hadn't been in the car to take over the wheel when the chunk of concrete came through the window and opened up her face. As far as I know they've never caught the person who did this - and if they do, if the person's a 'young offender', they'll get off with a warning or a slap on the wrist.

We're taught, on a daily basis, that someone else is always to blame for the things we do. Are you overweight? Don't exercise or start eating right, just sue McDonald's. Does your kid start fights? Must be the other kid's fault.

And why are they suddenly smoking? I mean, my parents have an excuse, they didn't know it was bad for them. They can blame the tobacco companies for misleading them. But now? Come on, in Kindergarten they showed us the pix of the healthy lung and the smoker's lung, and that's all it took. (The picture I attached here is, of course, of a smoker's lung - wouldn't that image be enough?) Kids now are growing up knowing you will DIE, your will get emphysema and cancer and all kinds of stuff, and they do it anyway. Then they get sick and want to SUE.

Me, I know there are things that are my own fault. I can complain about McDonald's being full of junk, but I'm the one who goes there, they don't chase me down.

Gah, I feel so old.

Later

My Dad found my old Knit Magic machine in the basement (like the picture, but with no yarn, or tension adjuster). Of course it never worked when I got it (hand-me-down from cousins I think) but I couldn't part with it. And it won't work now of course, it's really stiff. But I want to take it apart and see how it works. Maybe I can fix it, then if I need to do anything in a tube I can just crank the wheel and presto! Maybe I'll feel less old playing with this plastic toy!

I know I can get the equivalent now, relatively cheaply, but it's just that I want to make this one work...

Ice Cream profile

The Cardamom Addict pointed me towards this test. What kind of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream am I?

Apparently, I'm...

CHOCOLATE THERAPY!
I scored 81% SWEET, 74% CHUNKY, and 81% UNIQUE!
chocolate ice cream with chocolate cookies & swirls of chocolate pudding ice cream

Apparently, I ooze sweetness, just like this ice cream flavor. But there's much more to me than that... I tend to view things differently than other people and I like to engage myself in creative, challenging activities. I'm spunky, but not too wild, which is nice. Those who understand me tend to get along with me very well, appreciating all that I have to offer... and I offer a lot :)

The Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Flavor Test written by weered1 on Ok Cupid, home of the 32-Type Dating Test

Later

Oh, and you may be wondering where my knitting has gone to - don't worry, I'm still a maniac, it's just been so busy lately I haven't finished any projects to take pix of. I present evidence of my first real cable project, which is both easier and harder than I imagined. Easier, because once I got the error in the pattern sorted out it's easy enough to follow, and harder because I keep losing track of where I am in it and having to frog back!

Although I have to say I love the technique of slipping the first stitch in the row, the edges look great - I'm going to have to remember that for future projects!

On another note, my favourite discovery of this past weekend: Homestar Runner Podcasts of Strong Bad e-mails and Teen Girl Squad!

To Lunch or Not To Lunch?

I had a meeting over lunch hour on Friday. Lunch meetings suck, did you know that? Really. Not that I don't like having food with a meeting if it's over lunch hour - it's just that, for me, the important part of Lunch Break is the Break part, I like to get away for an hour and not think about work. I can stay super late if I get a break in the middle.

So anyway, I spent lastnight setting up my flickr account (there's a link on the right side of the blog) and semi-populating it. Apparently there's a limit to how many you can upload in any given month so I've only put up a few things really. Also spent some time populating my iPhoto and organizing it - I had NO IDEA I had so many photos on The Metatron™! Took forever - but it was good, I forgot I had lots of those shots.

So today my recent ex-roomie came over for a visit with his boyfriend, I was so happy to see them! I told the girls at work that I'll probably see more of J now that he doesn't live here, and it's already true *grin*.

Went for Dim Sum with a bunch of folks, only two of which I knew, but that was really nice actually, I liked everyone a lot and, even though I didn't eat too much, I liked what we had for the most part, so all good there.

And since I have no self-control, I went up to Futureshop and bought Space: Above And Beyond! Well, that's a lie really - it finally came out in the fall and I've put it off buying it until now, so maybe I am learning some restraint...

Later
I've spent the evening listening to The Ceremony Of Innocence, the interactive CD-ROM of the first three of Nick Bantock's correspondence books. Not actually playing it, mind, as I need Classic to play it, but listening to the individual entries from Griffin and Sabine. I've been going through withdrawl for a while for it actually, I think it might be four or five years since I've gone back to it.

Aaaah, it was wonderful. Really, Paul McGann and Isabella Rossellini are two of my favourite ever people, and I could listen to Paul's voice for eternity (you all know my opinion of the man, right?). But it really makes me realize that I just don't write like I once aspired to.

I once wrote letters that were long and effusive, I had a journal to keep track of who I sent letters to and when, so I wouldn't keep telling them the same things over and over again, and I was known for it. And now? E-mail. And it's never anything exciting either. In my defence I have to say that the last missives I sent off either never arrived at their destinations or were diverted for months before finally finding their homes (which makes me quite upset and frustrated with Canada Post, to be honest).

I'm not sure what I should do about this. *sigh*

A weekend in Kitchener

Yes, I was in Kitchener again this weekend. To be honest it's been a little while so no problem. It was Skinner's birthday so I knitted him a great scarf that ended up looking like a giant tiger, it was fantastic and I now have orders *grin* - spent that evening with his family, eating Trini food and playing crowfoot dominos until wee Aaron decided it was time to go - pretty long time actually!

Got lots of visiting in with other friends too, what with the brunching at Oscar's and the hottubbing at Shawn's. Yes, hottubbing outside in the snow, it was great!

Latest money hemmorage: a new suit and dresspants for work. Boring? Maybe, but I like 'em.

Still no iMac *sob* Meanwhile, attempting to back stuff up off the current tower is becoming excruciating, it keeps crashing on me! Oooh, you know it's bad when your Mac crashes...

Where oh where?

Okay, where the hell is my new mac? On Friday they said they shipped it out, but it hasn't arrived at the local shipper. And day by day my current confuser gets worse and worse...

In other news, lastnight I saw the new version of The Hills Have Eyes - cool! Violence abounds! Gore! Deformities!

Things this movie taught me:

1) Never take shortcuts in the desert
2) Never sleep in the desert with headphones on
3) No matter how dead he looks, don't drop your gun
4) If your big guard dog runs off into the desert, just let him go
5) If the government tells you to vacate a mine, just do it

Oh, and last Friday I went to another stitch & bitch, this time with the Olympic group, lots of drinking and carousing! Really, honest, knitters can be rowdy...

My latest fancy stuff

I've crocheted a new scarf...


and created a new felted tote bag...



since my last post!

Actually the felting was fun - but I didn't knit it myself first, instead I went to a second-hand place and bought an old really itchy thick woolen sweater for $8.10 and demolished that instead - two runs through the wash and it was ready to be cut and stitched! Oh, and my sewing machine definitely couldn't deal with it so I had to hand-stitch it, but that was fun too!

March - isn't it Spring yet?

Since the Olympic closing ceremonies, my knitting speed has decreased but not died. I have made a new scarf, bought SO MUCH YARN and picked up a shrug I had started before the Olympics. So there.

This week was the March Who pub - so also my monthly trip to Sonic Boom. Made out like a bandit again - Skinny Puppy (12" Anthology), Death Cab For Cutie (We Have The Facts & We're Voting Yes), Delgados (Hate), Negativland (No Business), Mono Puff (It's Fun To Steal), and a various collection (John Peel's Festive 15). I'm so glad I only go once a month, I already have too many CDs.

And I need to stop buying so much. My roommate is going to be moving out soon so I'll have to carry the place myself. Which isn't so bad really, I can afford it, but only if I stop spending money so quickly.

So of course I'm going to order a new iMac this week. Well really, it is a need even more than it is a want, so I don't feel badly about it. Just going to feel the sticker shock - it's gonna be over $2000 for the one I'm getting. But if you consider I haven't bought a computer since about 1997, and that I haven't bought a NEW computer EVER, this will be a good thing.

Now I need to stop obsessing over that Nokia phone
that's $700. Especially since I'm actually still happy with my current phone.

Lastnight I went to see Tristram Shandy: A Cock & Bull Story. This was one cool movie - a movie about making a movie of a book that you can't make a movie of. Right there, that's fun.

Yes, it's been a little while

Okay, I'm trying to do this again - I keep crashing, I swear!

So anyway, I've got five squares done for Project Linus (pictures will come soon), but I think one of them doesn't count, as it turned into a diamond (yep, a diamond, so perfect too) so I'm trying to decide if I want to make another one before tomorrow. I'm thinking not, as I have friends coming in, going to the Belle & Sebastian show tonight, AND I'm fighting off a really nasty cold.

This week was interesting. Last weekend I went to Kitchener to visit with my godson (oh, and his parents and friends too *grin*), went for desserts and drinks with a bunch of ladies, Jenn and I went to Voila for a spa day that was soooo good, spent too much money (but for really really good deals) at the Jones New York outlet, got some extra stitching in with Janelle, all good. Work was REALLY BUSY but I'm on top of everything, and got a really good performance review on Friday, yay! Also met a lot of cool people at a Stitch & Bitch on Wednesday that I think is going to be a mostly-regular Wednesday night thing for me. Made a trip to Romni and bought lots of sock yarn (for way too much money) and also picked up the new DVD release of Lynch's DUNE, a Cat Stevens best-of CD and the new Death Cab For Cutie CD. Yes, lots of money spent.

Oh, and I went to see The Matador with Todd this week too - really funny, actually, and Pierce Brosnan actually made my skin crawl a bit, which was quite a feat. Greg Kinnear was adorable too.

And I do need to watch that now, as my roommate is now looking for a new place. No, we didn't have a fight - his boyfriend is coming to stay for a few months (if not permanently) and his bedroom is quite small, they need the space. And to be honest, I'm surprised he managed to live with me for so long (I am a slob, as anyone can attest to). So yes, I need to watch my spending.

But I need a new confuser.

And a new vacuum cleaner.

And also I'm in love with a really expensive cell phone that I really want even though I don't need it.

*sigh*

...Gold, uh, lime medal?

Hey, I'm done!


I got it done tonight by 9:15! I think if I did it again, I'd add another inch to the height - I've got this great big head, you see.

It's on!

Started the hat lastnight! I got to the Duke a bit late, but there was no danger of not finding everyone, they took up almost a whole floor of the place!


Casting on was difficult - drinking and knitting, while fun, is not the most ACCURATE thing to be doing! There was a huge huge crowd at the Duke of York for the opening ceremonies, we were a loud bunch!

Anyway, so far so good, I've started into the beads now, which isn't as difficult as it seemed actually - just annoying to have to keep pushing the beads down the yarn every row or so - I'll get over it though, I think it might turn out really nice...

Olympic eve

Tomorrow evening I will start my Olympic knitting project - the beads are strung, the needles are packed, I'm ready!

In other news, winter is definitely back, we don't have too much snow but it's really really cold out there! I'd better remember some hand cream...

Go Team Canada!

I recently signed up for Team Canada's 2006 Olympic Knitting Team! The rules are that you can't cast on until the opening ceremonies, and you have to have it done by the time the closing ceremonies come along, and it should be a challenge.

It took a while, but I've finally decided on the Odessa Hat from MagKnits - it's swirly, and it has beading, and that's something I've never worked with before, so there's my challenge!. I went to Romni Wools and got the yarn, I still need to buy the beads but I have all week to do that.

Problem is, I can't really do a proper gauge square for this, because they've given the gauge as "26 sts and 33 rows = 4” / 10cm in hat pattern knit circular" - which means it's not just a square, I'd have to do it in the round, and that's just crazy, I won't have the time for it. I knitted up a straight stockinette stitch square and the gauge matches, but of course that's gonna be off. So already I'm set to start it all wrong, by not making sure my gauge is correct.

Also, I will be making at least one 8" square for the Hamilton team, as they are going to be making a blanket for Project Linus. If I can get to it. Um.

(Later)

Well, I got the beads, they're really pretty - the yarn is a really pretty green so I got some pearlescent bluey-greeney beads for it, and also got some casein double-pointed needles for the bottom part of the hat, so I'm all prepared! Well, other than the whole gauge square thing. And the square for Project Linus. Hmm.

Also happened to just run into a friend of mine while out in the beaches getting my extra supplies, that was cool - we chatted and streetcar'd together, it was all good.

(Even later)

So Monster's Ball was on tonight. Um. Well, it was pretty powerful, and actually Billy Bob didn't turn my stomach, which he has a tendency to do, and I think Halle Barry did a great job. But geez, I had a really hard time watching it. In fact, I kept changing the channel and then changing it back, so I saw it in fits and spurts. I do that a lot actually.

Wow, this entry is really long. I'm setting a bad precedent here...

Posts from beyond: 2005

January 2005
Look at that, another new year! Well, I spent the beginning up in Kitchener, went out for an early birthday party with some friends and had great food (yay!). My dentist still likes my teeth, yay for me! I did a proper scrubbing of the aquarium and bought more fish - and promptly lost a bunch to a major die-off - including my pleco! Damn, the tank gets mucky fast now, grr... Got to visit in Kitchener again for a hot tub party (but I didn't go in, oh well) and had a stitch & bitch. Unfortunately, I also got bronchitis so I was sick for a while, on expensive medicines and had an 80-year-old man cough that annoyed my co-workers no end!

Movies:

Lemony Snicket's A Series Of Unfortunate Events - I really liked it, but I don't think I'll have to own it.

Finding Neverland - this movie was just beautiful, and Johnny Depp with a Scottish accent, rowr!

National Treasure - I enjoyed the whole Sean Bean chasing Nicholas Cage thing, and I liked the 'secret lair' thingie, and it was less 'rah rah America's great' than I expected. Fun but not buyable.

DVDs:

Eddie Izzard: Definite Article, Unrepeatable, and Glorious, all birthday presents, all autographed! Woo hoo!

Kids In The Hall season 1

Formula 51

Of Unknown Origin

Wit

Knitting:

rainbow scarf - for me to keep this time

pigtail hat - this is awfully cute, my roommate says I look like a reject from a commune in it

started a jacket that's way too advanced for me

February 2005
Bronchitis finally went away, thankfully. A couple of Bowlies came in for a visit and I ended up out with them every single night, really late, so I was really tired for half the month afterwards. We went to Niagara Falls and Kitchener too, then out to pubs every night, and much imbibing happened *grin* I also met a local Bowlie I hadn't met before so that was really cool. Finally started back to the gym, but I'm easing myself into it. Went out for Panic Night at the end of the month and saw some friends I haven't seen in a long time, that was just great! But sadly, my DVD player passed away (with my Highlander disc still inside it). So research must be done...

Movies:

Constantine - better than I expected actually - the only thing I really didn't like was that stupid gun *grin*

Millions - this was an early screening, it's out March 11, and I recommend it to everyone, so much fun!

CDs:

Frank Zappa: You Are What You Is - I always loved this album, now I have it in a far more portable medium...

Knitting:

finished the baby blanket for my friends in North York

started an illusion scarf that is just sooo cool…

March 2005
I got Eats, Shoots & Leaves, what a fun book! Perfect for a desktop publisher. Oh, and also a VCR/DVD/Recorder! Man, I'm so poor now, but I'm so happy that I got it! Visited with friends in KW and had a pedicure and facial, so decadent, mmm... Also visited with my folks for Easter, that was nice, but I ended up with a nasty flu at some point. Getting very excited about the new Dr Who series!

Movies:

Robots - I didn't have high expectations, but I enjoyed it, lots of laugh-out-loud spots

The Jacket - finally good to see Adrien Brody in a starring role (no, I didn't see that other one)

CDs:

They Might Be Giants: Here Come The ABCs - yay, the alphabet's cool!

Broken Social Scene: You Forgot It In People - most excellent...

Peter Murphy: Unshattered - I'm waiting for it to grow on me, I just got it...

DVDs:

Wonderfalls - the complete series - finally! What is it with Fox that they have to cancel shows when they're too smart?

Millennium, Season 2 - Lance Henrikson has the coolest voice ever.

Shaun Of The Dead - yes, finally bought it. I mean, it's a movie pulled out of my head, I had to have it!

The Incredibles - way fun. And Jason Lee is so cool.

Signs - yes, I admit that I liked this one. So sue me.

Knitting:

still working on that illusion scarf

April 2005
Bowlie's back, yay! And then, another yay, the new series of Dr Who started - fantastic! Christopher Eccleston is fabulous, I really liked him before but now it's love *grin* For the premiere a bunch of us got together to watch it together and we were interviewed for The Hour about it. We said lots of intelligent things but most of it was cut out and then regurgitated later by the interviewer, but at least it was said.

Went up to Kitchener for another visit, which is always good. And guess what? For Staff Appreciation Day I got an iPod Shuffle!

Movies:

Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy - twice!

CDs:

The Postal Service: Give Up - words cannot express how fantastic this album is!

Camera Obscura: Underachievers, Please Try Harder - and I finally own it!

Touch and Go 2004 Sampler

Fueled By Ramen Spring 2005 Sampler

DVDs:

Lone Gunmen complete series

The Rutles 2: Can't Buy Me Lunch

West Wing Season Four

God, The Devil & Bob complete series

Knitting:

finished the illusion scarf - it's got alien faces in it, very cool

also a couple of quick small scarves I gave to friends

and three cozies for my new ipod shuffle, what a geek I am…

May 2005
Ah, Spring - it's time for my annual Weird Shit Happens To Heather spell - last year it was Benign Positional Vertigo, this year it's a Scintillating Scotoma. Fun. So I balanced that out with attending the Massive Thinker's Forum at the AGO - Dr David Suzuki spoke, this is the second time I've seen him, he's so engaging! Went to a small local amateur play, which was cool, and also went to Welland for another visit, and actually WON at the Bingo with my folks! (yes, I play bingo when I visit, but it's about the company so stop) Also went to Kitchener again for Victoria Day (geez, I'm there all the time!) for a housewarming party at my friend's fabulous new pad, I'm so jealous! And possibly the last ever Stolen Wine Social was just wonderful and it was great to be able to actually make it this time! Ended the month with drinks with my coworkers and picking up a Bowlie visitor...

Movies:

Millions - a second time!

CDs:

Interpol: Antics

Beggars Group Winter Sampler 2005

DVDs:

Hellboy

The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou: Criterion Edition

NewsRadio seasons 1 and 2

Knitting:

I made fingerless gloves with lacy gauntlets in rainbow colours! When will I wear them? I have no idea, but now I know how to make a thumbhole! 

Started a new Who-themed illusion scarf, which I will work on on-and-off for a while I think…

June 2005
Bowlie meetup, woo hoo! Met Pah2world, Rebecca, Escobar, Yubo, Quagga, Kevshindig and Emily, and more locals and ones I've met before came out - so in the end there were tons of us! We bombed around town, went out to the beaches, toured the island, saw Hidden Cameras at The Phoenix - excellent show, but the openers (Pony Da Look) were, um, feh - and now I'm contemplating visiting the UK... Back into the swing again, I went to Kitchener for a joint birthday party/baby shower, which was wonderful, and we had the best gelato! And again, off to Welland to visit the folks - and both my brothers showed up too! That's unheard of besides Xmas. And Barry was playing with a couple of cover bands at Sherkston Beach Resort - Solitary Man (Neil Diamond) and AbbaMania - and they were both really entertaining, much to my surprise! (don't get me wrong, Barry is always good, I just wasn't expecting to like the band)... had Pah2world over for the weekend again before he returned to the UK, spent that Saturday drinking and playing Trivial Pursuit *grin*. Pride day was fun as always, got swag which is always good. And the last news of the month: Jenn and Pete had their baby early! Aw...

Movies:

Batman Begins - this was the BEST batman movie ever.

Star Wars Episode 3 - well, sucky dialogue but better story...

CDs:

Cocteau Twins: BBC Sessions

Belle & Sebastian: Push Barman To Open Old Wounds

James Brown: The Payback

Sloan: A Sides Win

Cherry Poppin' Daddies: Zoot Suit Riot

Various: Jump Jive & Wail: The History of Swing!

Hidden Cameras: Mississauga Goddam

Death Cab For Cutie: Transatlanticism

DVDs:

Second Coming - this was a BBC two-part movie, it was really fantastic

Pulp Fiction collector's edition

Royal Tanenbaums: Criterion Edition

French Kiss - I will never apologize for loving this movie.

Waking Life

Red Dwarf seasons 1 and 2 - a present from my houseguest!

The Chronicles Of Riddick: Unrated Director's Cut

Knitting:

just continuing with the illusion scarf, not starting anything new I think

July 2005
So this month I finally got to meet all the babies my friends were having at Christmastime last year - Aidan, Braeden and Kiryn, three couples with three really cute additions! This year's deck party was great - less people, which means I got to actually visit with my guests and clean up as I went, but that doesn't mean it didn't go super late as per usual! Also decided it was time to get my eyes checked again, after that scintillating scotoma thing - turns out that not only was there no physical affect on my eyes, but my prescription is actually getting weaker, so I got new glasses! I completely love them. Also went to visit my folks for the long weekend, which was just great.

Movies:

Hitchhiker's Guide - yes, AGAIN!

Fantastic Four - it was fun, not intelligent but fun, and I liked the casting actually

Charlie & The Chocolate Factory - Simply excellent!

War Of The Worlds - better than I expected actually, given it's a Spielberg/Cruise thing. I expected lots of schmaltz, but Spielberg managed to hold it in until the end and then it was just a little bit, and I was even able to get over what an insane lunatic Tom Cruise has become.

CDs:

William Shatner's Has Been - really, it's quite good, Ben Folds produced it, give it a chance!

DVDs:

Young Sherlock Holmes - I refuse to apologize, I loved this flick

3rd Rock From The Sun season 1 - holy crap, was this ever funny! Watched the whole thing in one weekend!

Knitting:

Knitted a purse with a spiral shell design, it's cute, but I think I need to line it

Started making what the pattern is calling a 'dress' even though it just passes my butt, so I'm calling it a 'tunic' instead *grin*

August 2005
Well, this was interesting month - a surprise wedding! I made the invites and went to a beautiful service and reception for a former co-worker and great friend, finally met her fiance (well, husband now) and he's very sweet so it's okay he's totally stealing her away! *grin* Also my great-niece has turned one, I still have trouble believing it. Also went to Kitchener to visit with my friend's new little baby and everyone else up there, and also visited my folks again for my Dad's birthday, that was cool. And a friend of mine has moved back from the West coast so I got to visit with him as well, that was nice. Oh, and don't forget the CNE! ...well, you can if you like, it wasn't all that huge shakes this year, but I did get a few nice things! Went on a bit of a photo safari too, and I'm also rediscovering the joys of audiobooks - I've started the Harry Potter series, read by Jim Dale, and they are actually quite good.

Movies:

Brothers Grimm - ah, now this is true Gilliam, I enjoyed it

DVDs:

Harry Potter Trilogy - they're good, I enjoyed them a lot so now I have them!

Firefly - damn, this series was excellent. Must have run on Fox, right? It was intelligent, amusing, well written, great cast, great effects, and cancelled after 8 episodes aired.

Little Britain Series 1 - oh man, if you haven't seen this yet you need to, it's so funny!

Do Not Adjust Your Set - a precursor to Monty Python, with Michael Palin, Eric Idle and Terry Jones

At Last The 1948 Show - another MP precursor, with John Cleese and Graham Chapman - "I am a gorilla!"

Knitting:

a little purse for Belinda's purseday!

another scarf using Baby Monkey yarn, sooooo soft…

September 2005
So it's September, I still think of it as the new year, doesn't matter how long I've been out of school. Started it off well with a five day trip to my friend's cottage up at Killarney park, which was really relaxing and cool - I got a wee bit of sunstroke on a daytrip to Little Current, but otherwise okay. When I came back I had to make up for being away of course with some late nights at work. Went to a baby shower for a good friend, more fun that you'd think these things are supposed to be. Went to the Clothing Show, which was mostly disappointing. My niece turned 20, which again is a shocker (her birthday also falls on International Talk Like A Pirate Day, arr!) - I have trouble believing this much time has passed since she crawled on the floor! What else, oh, Bauhaus is coming again! Got my tix for the November show, yay! Oh, and I'm a godmother! Yep, wee little Aaron is my godson! I got to babysit him for a few hours, and did my best not to take it personally when he had a terrible time, poor little guy Oh! And a mate of mine I haven't seen in like 15 years has tracked me down, very cool!

Movies:

Transporter 2 - well, I don't think it was as good as the first one but it still kicked bottom. Jason Statham is a joy to watch - it's great when someone actually knows how to do all the martial arts moves in their movie rather than having a stand-in do it. The firehose scene had me howling!

Serenity - OH MY GOD that was really good, I'll be seeing it again for sure! Remember, Wash is a leaf on the wind...

CDs:

Various: Uncle Yaris knows his tunes. - a giveaway at a show a friend went to

Tegan & Sara: So Jealous (Album Advance) - this is really fun

Kate Bush: Sensual World - to replace my vinyl

Kate Bush: Red Shoes - I really didn't like this when it came out but I'm liking it a lot more now

DVDs:

Millennium Season 3 - the final season!

Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy - yes, finally have it now...

Bridget Jones' Diary

Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason - I refuse to apologize. I like 'em.

Knitting/Crocheting:

Teaching myself crocheting so I've made a couple more iPod shuffle cozies, and I can make granny squares now!

Finishing off that basketweave tunic, which of course is way too wide even though my gauge was right, so I need to do some surgery on it...

Crocheted a baby scarf for Aaron in purple and green and blue and white, so soft…

October 2005
Started the month off right with Dead Can Dance, they played Massey Hall - fantastic! My heart was fluttery for days after the show. The venue's way too expensive, but it really is a great place to see a band, the acoustics are great. Thanksgiving weekend I took a couple of extra days off so I could spend time with everyone - saw Into The Woods in Stratford, and I'm such a sap I wept for the entire first act, I just love it so much! Then I went to my folks' place for some relaxation and visiting. Took a trip into Niagara Falls to the outlet mall and to Frank's Tomato Pie (best food in the Falls), bought some fabulous new shoes I didn't really need, among other things *grin*. Went bowling with my Dad too, and sucked royally. Caught up with some friends I used to work with, that was fun, went to the Needlework Festival (but held myself back, only bought a few things), had a good report from my dentist (so treated myself to a new suit!), saw my doctor and had bloodwork done (from the hand, gah!), helped out with a really big work event... actually, there's been a lot of overtime at work lately, getting tired! My Mother's birthday was this month too, didn't get to see her for it but sent her flowers anyway, she likes that. Oh, a friend of mine hosted us at his house over the Hallowe'en weekend for hottubbing and drinking, and that was really a great time. Oh, and Aaron's baptism! I had godmothery duties, so I got to see my favourite little man again, aaaw...

Movies:

Serenity - yes, again! It's wonderful!

A History Of Violence - this was quite good, very Cronenberg - and William Hurt steals the movie...

DVDs:

Dog Soldiers - this was really cool, much more than you'd expect from the premise - and also had Sean Pertwee in it, and he not only looks EXACTLY like his father, but is also quite a good performer.

Muppet Show first season - that's right, and it's great!

American Gothic, entire series - well it's about TIME!!!

3rd Rock From The Sun: Season 2 - of course

Phil The Alien - I really wanted to see this one in the theatre, but it disappeared too quickly!

X-Files: Fight The Future - it was cheap and I only had it on video

Hilarious House Of Frightenstein, Volume 1 - YES!!! Depending on sales, they'll release more later... Ah, Billy Van...

Knitting/Crocheting:

Made a second stripey scarf for Aaron, it's bumpy and curly and long, and then a granny square scarf for him in bright cotton, this was fun!

Also made a granny square baby blanket for my friend at work who is expecting in November, turned out really nicely.

November 2005
Wow, what a busy month!
My parents' anniversary was this month, Dad apparently got Mum something really nice, good for him. Saw someone I haven't seen in a decade at this month's Who Pub, nice to catch up with her. Stayed really late this month too, had a good time, visited with everyone, and got home stupid late.

I'm thinking about getting a webcam, but being on a mac limits what I can get. iSight is sooo expensive, but really nice, but it won't work for MSN, grr. Of course, MSN on the mac sucks donkey, so I'm not quite sure what to do about this. I've tried aMSN and Mercury as well, and they're okay but I suspect they've done something to my confuser - because Jody replaced my hard drive for me but since installing these I crash EVEN MORE and in really scary ways, like my whole screen turns into an overlaid DOS shell! Damn, macs are so much more stable than PCs so this must be something REALLY SERIOUS!

Went to the Body Worlds exhibit at the Science Centre for a friend's birthday, it was so intensely cool! The lungs were my favourite I think - if that doesn't make you not smoke, nothing will stop you!

Bauhaus came to town! Yes, I saw them, how could I not? It was fantastic! I went by myself, but didn't end up that way - so many friends were also there that I spent the evening in their company, enjoying Peter and the boys. Got a bizarre compliment from a bartender too, which was all good.

A friend of mine is in the hospital - managed to get one visit in with her this month. She's basically bedridden for the next little while as her pregnancy isn't going very well, if I was a praying person I'd be praying for her. Also had dinner with someone I haven't seen in months, so that was really nice.

Bad Wolf One - I participated in the Dr Who Mastermind tournament - I chose Interference Books 1&2 as my subject, and I totally rocked that section, but I got a PERFECT ZERO in the general knowledge section, much to the amusement of everyone! Glad to be of service, folks! That night I went to Savage Garden - YES - for the first time in forever, to celebrate Alana's birthday, and had a grand time.

I've gone to see the doctor again. This hormonal thing is annoying. Enough already.

Kitchener visit again - very nice, went for lunch in St Jacob's, dinner at Jane Bond and a birthday party! Also it looks like I may have a scarf to make for Kathy, if I can ever get the time. My co-worker had her baby, Maia Serena is doing quite well! Oh, and I officially started my Xmas shopping.

Movies:

Harry Potter & The Goblet Of Fire - I enjoyed it, but I felt like they left so much out, now that I've read (well, heard) the books!

CDs:

Franz Ferdinand: You Could Have Had It So Much Better… - a pretty good follow-up

Modest Mouse: Good News For People Who Like Bad News

Tegan & Sara: This Business Of Art - hmm, not as good as So Jealous

This Mortal Coil: Filigree & Shadow - now I have the complete set!

Belle & Sebastian: Dear Catastrophe Waitress

Kate Bush: Never for Ever

Kate Bush: The Dreaming

Kate Bush: Aerial - her first in twelve years! So far so good...

DVDs:

The Machinist

Constantine - I liked everything except the STUPID GUN

Knitting/Crocheting:

Taught one friend to knit and another to crochet while babysitting, and made a really cool fat scarf from Bigga yarn, also started a vegan fox stole *grin*
Also crocheted a party scarf for Tanya for her birthday.
Finished my tardis illusion scarf finally - well really, it was done in the summer, but I needed to finish the ends, etc.

December 2005
Good Who pub this month - but next month's falls on my birthday, yay! The staff holiday party this year was cool, we had it at the Distillery instead of in Yorkville so we all just walked over from my house after drinking and relaxing a bit, and I stayed really late, dancing like a maniac. I've finally gotten over the whole not-being-able-to-dance-to-music-I-don't-actuallly-like thing, I think I'll be happier for it! Then came the Brown's Xmas party, which was just as fabulous as ever, and resulted in getting home VERY late, again *grin* Follow that with our department lunch and this has been a party-atmosphere of a December! But it's been busy at work too.

Xmas came up fast, got to visit with local friends and those in from Seattle and Vancouver, and watched Dr Who Christmas Invasion, which was just so cool! I now have good feelings about David Tennant in the role. Went bowling with Dad and did mostly okay, to my own surprise, although I ached all over after! I spent New Year's Eve up in Kitchener at two different house parties, which were both entertaining in totally different ways!

My hospital-bound friend had her baby! They're both fine, and NOT ALLOWED TO SCARE ME anymore!

Movies:

The Chronicles Of Narnia - looked really good, and more British-looking children there has never been!

King Kong - Dad and I went to see this one, great effects, REALLY long!

CDs:

Abba: Gold - yes, you heard right. Turns out I actually like them.

Dead Can Dance: double live disc from Toronto show - oooooooh!

Xmas cds - The Rat Pack, Plugged In For The Holidays, and the Sunrise collection

Kate Bush: Hounds Of Love - to replace my cassette, finally!

DVDs:

Ren & Stimpy, vol. 1 - Xmas present

Lateline: Complete Series

Creature Comforts first season - considered giving it away, decided to keep it *grin*

Brothers Grimm - Xmas present

Same Guys, Different Dresses - video diary of Kids In The Hall tour

Knitting/Crocheting:

I made two iPod Shuffle cozies for Nancy for Xmas and a wee little purse for a purseday present, and a ribbed scarf for Secret Santa at work.
Finished the Fox Stole, it's so cute!
Also started a beginner cable project, a scarf/hat/mitten combination.

[note: this post rescued from certain death at my old website – transplanted here September 25, 2012]

Posts from beyond: 2004

January 2004

It’s a new year – and I started it by experimenting with food, my first meal of the year was something I don’t think I’d order again but I tried it anyway. So there! Went out for an early birthday dinner with 25 of my friends, that was great! I’ve only made it to the gym once so far, not so good. But I’m trying to bring my lunch in rather than eating concourse crap. I also went to a Who Pub, which was good, but it would have been better if my back hadn’t been sore – sitting on a bar stool for 4 or 5 hours isn’t so good when you’re over 25 ;-)

Movies:
Big Fish – lotsa fun
LOTR: Return Of The King – yes, that’s twice now

DVDs:

A.I. Artificial Intelligence

Minority Report