Thursday, June 30, 2005
Yo, yo
I just received a message from my brother, Phil.
It said, "Yo, yo, check the e-mail bitch."
It was send from pcdilts ((at)) M something T dot edu.
Congrats, again, Phil.
My response, by the way, was "I have 10 days off, I am going to come and visit."
It said, "Yo, yo, check the e-mail bitch."
It was send from pcdilts ((at)) M something T dot edu.
Congrats, again, Phil.
My response, by the way, was "I have 10 days off, I am going to come and visit."
Travel? What travel?
"Andrew! How was your trip?"
One of my housemates asked me that, just a few moments ago. My response, of course, was "what trip?" Yes, folks, I haven't been around the house in awhile, save to sleep and, well, sleep some more. At least one of them thought I was legitimately gone, other comments this week have included "we were going to send out a search party..."
Back to my old habit patterns? Not really. I've been spending a lot of time at work recently, and I've foregone television, which is the usual stage of social gathering here at 64A Ezra. Life is a bit confusing lately - it takes a lot out of me, but I don't get the same "going somewhere" feeling I used to have. I give a lot of credit to my graduation and to my job for this - undergrad is all about "going somewhere else, being somewhere else" and ESQ is all about "why the heck would you want to be anywhere else?"
Still, with next week's cancelled camp, I'm going to have 10 consecutive days off, starting right now. Yes, right now, as I cook my lonely Kraft dinner and head out towards the Barleyworks patio, such begins my vacation. I keep telling myself (and others) that "I'm just going to take a little while to think about (this or that) but in reality I know that it's just a bunch of junk. I know what I want, and I'm stalling. Perhaps that's what I should spend my time with these next few days. Well, I'm stalling all except for one thing, and for that I'm just waiting. Patiently. Extremely patiently. And I will continue to wait.
For now, though, I yearn to paint my life with a bright brush. Perhaps I will just head off to Mexico this week, as I have been joking. A last-minute, complete deal. Why not? I got nearly twice the money back in taxes that I was expecting, and I can do most of my work from elsewhere. Why not?
Ah, who am I kidding. There's a very valid reason why not. It's because there's someone I would take along with me, and she can't come. And that's all I have to say about that.
Off to the patio. If by some odd reason you're reading this tonight, join me there!
One of my housemates asked me that, just a few moments ago. My response, of course, was "what trip?" Yes, folks, I haven't been around the house in awhile, save to sleep and, well, sleep some more. At least one of them thought I was legitimately gone, other comments this week have included "we were going to send out a search party..."
Back to my old habit patterns? Not really. I've been spending a lot of time at work recently, and I've foregone television, which is the usual stage of social gathering here at 64A Ezra. Life is a bit confusing lately - it takes a lot out of me, but I don't get the same "going somewhere" feeling I used to have. I give a lot of credit to my graduation and to my job for this - undergrad is all about "going somewhere else, being somewhere else" and ESQ is all about "why the heck would you want to be anywhere else?"
Still, with next week's cancelled camp, I'm going to have 10 consecutive days off, starting right now. Yes, right now, as I cook my lonely Kraft dinner and head out towards the Barleyworks patio, such begins my vacation. I keep telling myself (and others) that "I'm just going to take a little while to think about (this or that) but in reality I know that it's just a bunch of junk. I know what I want, and I'm stalling. Perhaps that's what I should spend my time with these next few days. Well, I'm stalling all except for one thing, and for that I'm just waiting. Patiently. Extremely patiently. And I will continue to wait.
For now, though, I yearn to paint my life with a bright brush. Perhaps I will just head off to Mexico this week, as I have been joking. A last-minute, complete deal. Why not? I got nearly twice the money back in taxes that I was expecting, and I can do most of my work from elsewhere. Why not?
Ah, who am I kidding. There's a very valid reason why not. It's because there's someone I would take along with me, and she can't come. And that's all I have to say about that.
Off to the patio. If by some odd reason you're reading this tonight, join me there!
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
15 years of service
Today I had the privilege to attend a celebratory lunch for Sherrie Steinberg, the ASU's Office Administrator and all around "Queen." Sherrie has just marked 15 years of service for UW's Faculty of Arts, and rather than take a bonus on her paycheque she opted to take many of her co-workers (though she's the one that does all the work) out for lunch today.
Sherrie is an absolutely fantastic administrator, the kind that provides the fabric that keeps student societies together. We would have been absolutely lost without her, I can't say enough about her. She received a card, a "Queen's crown" charm for her charm bracelet, and of course the privilege to direct what we would all write on our silly purple foam "crown" hats that we all donned in her honour while we ate at one of Waterloo's nicest restaurants. (I got to be "Queen Sherrie's Rogue," while there were a few "Goddesses" and "Queens-in-Training" and of course the required "Latin Lover" (Howie) or "Le Chef" (Matt).
Lunch was at Sole, where I enjoyed the grilled Atlantic salmon and literally the most well-prepared brie I've ever eaten. (If you know me, you know how much I love brie. It was mildly spicy, but on a bed of peach coulis. Fantastic!) Unfortunately I had to leave quickly (a well-shuffled ESQ lunch break) just as they were announcing that peanut-butter-and-chocolate was the cheesecake of the day. Ah, well.
Wasim also noted that he was working on some sort of "Change the World" project that involved bringing together UW groups involved in social justice activities. It appears that I'm being enlisted for advice at some point. :)
Honourary mention:
"Don't forget to remind the waitress to remember the SCD."
"What's the SCD?"
"What, you don't know? It's the Stud Club Discount."
Laughter ensues.
Sherrie is an absolutely fantastic administrator, the kind that provides the fabric that keeps student societies together. We would have been absolutely lost without her, I can't say enough about her. She received a card, a "Queen's crown" charm for her charm bracelet, and of course the privilege to direct what we would all write on our silly purple foam "crown" hats that we all donned in her honour while we ate at one of Waterloo's nicest restaurants. (I got to be "Queen Sherrie's Rogue," while there were a few "Goddesses" and "Queens-in-Training" and of course the required "Latin Lover" (Howie) or "Le Chef" (Matt).
Lunch was at Sole, where I enjoyed the grilled Atlantic salmon and literally the most well-prepared brie I've ever eaten. (If you know me, you know how much I love brie. It was mildly spicy, but on a bed of peach coulis. Fantastic!) Unfortunately I had to leave quickly (a well-shuffled ESQ lunch break) just as they were announcing that peanut-butter-and-chocolate was the cheesecake of the day. Ah, well.
Wasim also noted that he was working on some sort of "Change the World" project that involved bringing together UW groups involved in social justice activities. It appears that I'm being enlisted for advice at some point. :)
Honourary mention:
"Don't forget to remind the waitress to remember the SCD."
"What's the SCD?"
"What, you don't know? It's the Stud Club Discount."
Laughter ensues.
Sunday, June 26, 2005
Easy come, not so easy go
Seriously, as I searched through the Chapters for "Redeeming Love," the irony was *not* lost on me...
Sunday, June 19, 2005
What the...
So here I sit, editing four weeks' worth of web editions for Imprint. Going through the Opinion section, dang there's an extra bit of an article here with a jump from an earlier page, I hate it when that happens this is such a pain ... why can't it all just be one big file ... oh ... hehehe ... it's my own article. Hehehe whoops.
So, there you have it. My day.
OK, so we all know that I have some serious back-editing to do. Yes, my family is now two degrees, one sister and a considerable amount of alcohol richer than it was when I last posted. Soon enough, my precious, soon enough.
Anyways, happy Father's Day, Dad.
So, there you have it. My day.
OK, so we all know that I have some serious back-editing to do. Yes, my family is now two degrees, one sister and a considerable amount of alcohol richer than it was when I last posted. Soon enough, my precious, soon enough.
Anyways, happy Father's Day, Dad.
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Salute
Last night, Amy and I went to try out a new restaurant here in town, Salute. Located on King St. in Uptown Waterloo, the fisrt thing that strikes you about Salute is the deep crimson themes of the interior. Luxurious yet simple, the restaurant's interior layout is deep but narrow, reminiscent of similar establishments conforming to space regulations in Toronto or San Francisco.
The cuisine carries an Italian theme - pasta dishes dominate the menu, mostly ranging from ~$11 - ~$15. There are limited appetizers, salads, one soup, and a number of non-pasta dishes ranging from grilled swordfish to lamb.
We split the bococcini and sun-dried tomato cristini (read: fancy bruschetta) for about $7. It was tasty yet disappointing - the high price only netted three 2-inch squares of bruscetta, barely enough to tempt the palate.
The main courses were thankfully heartier. Amy enjoyed a full plate of a quite tasty vodka/tomato penne, while I succumbed to the call of the signature meal, "Saulte." Salute is a pasta dish whose description runs similar to the following: "garlic, pasta, garlic, peppers, garlic, blackened chicken, garlic, beans. And just a hint of garlic." Indeed, I think they put a whole bulb into my sizeable plate. It was tasty, but my it was hot!
We stayed away from deserts/alcohol, so I'm afraid I can't comment on those.
The service was quite formal, but I tend to prefer those place that give the extra warmth, ensuring that all needs are attended to.
All in all, it was a good meal (thanks of course to some fantastic company), but it didn't quite impress me enough to choose it as the location for the family convocation dinner.
The cuisine carries an Italian theme - pasta dishes dominate the menu, mostly ranging from ~$11 - ~$15. There are limited appetizers, salads, one soup, and a number of non-pasta dishes ranging from grilled swordfish to lamb.
We split the bococcini and sun-dried tomato cristini (read: fancy bruschetta) for about $7. It was tasty yet disappointing - the high price only netted three 2-inch squares of bruscetta, barely enough to tempt the palate.
The main courses were thankfully heartier. Amy enjoyed a full plate of a quite tasty vodka/tomato penne, while I succumbed to the call of the signature meal, "Saulte." Salute is a pasta dish whose description runs similar to the following: "garlic, pasta, garlic, peppers, garlic, blackened chicken, garlic, beans. And just a hint of garlic." Indeed, I think they put a whole bulb into my sizeable plate. It was tasty, but my it was hot!
We stayed away from deserts/alcohol, so I'm afraid I can't comment on those.
The service was quite formal, but I tend to prefer those place that give the extra warmth, ensuring that all needs are attended to.
All in all, it was a good meal (thanks of course to some fantastic company), but it didn't quite impress me enough to choose it as the location for the family convocation dinner.
Monday, June 13, 2005
Bond. James Bond.
Until that day
Until the world falls away
Until you say there'll be no more goodbyes
And I see it in your eyes
Tomorrow never dies.
(The female singer mournfully protests Bond's international-man-of-mystery status, hoping that he'll settle down and just be with her. Oh, Bond girls. How little you seem to know.)
(I listen to a lot of Bond theme music at work. Thanks, Neal.)
Until the world falls away
Until you say there'll be no more goodbyes
And I see it in your eyes
Tomorrow never dies.
(The female singer mournfully protests Bond's international-man-of-mystery status, hoping that he'll settle down and just be with her. Oh, Bond girls. How little you seem to know.)
(I listen to a lot of Bond theme music at work. Thanks, Neal.)
Waterloo, Arizona.
My goodness it is SIMPLY TOO HOT!
Last night, as I sat around in complete darkness watching television (too hot for lights), Tom comes up to note how it's even cooler upstairs than in the basement. I told him to have a shower - he'd had three aleady. So, I suggested that he stick his head in a freezer for a few minutes. Ridiculous? Not if you knew how hot it was in here...
On this note, I'm glad that a) I'm working in a (very) air-conditioned computer lab this summer and b) most especially, that I'm not out on the block tree-planting. Last summer's cool weather, though a curse to some, was the greatest blessing to my planting season. If I were trying to plant in this weather, I would be making NOOO money. Too hot for exercise.
Last night, as I sat around in complete darkness watching television (too hot for lights), Tom comes up to note how it's even cooler upstairs than in the basement. I told him to have a shower - he'd had three aleady. So, I suggested that he stick his head in a freezer for a few minutes. Ridiculous? Not if you knew how hot it was in here...
On this note, I'm glad that a) I'm working in a (very) air-conditioned computer lab this summer and b) most especially, that I'm not out on the block tree-planting. Last summer's cool weather, though a curse to some, was the greatest blessing to my planting season. If I were trying to plant in this weather, I would be making NOOO money. Too hot for exercise.
Sunday, June 12, 2005
Now, that's what I call talent!
Mmmediterranean-style pasta salad, courtesy of the amazingly beautiful and talented Amy. (I get to have this for lunch tomorrow!)
Usher
So, it's a personal blog. I record the crazy things in my life. Shout goes out to Christine for this litle reference.
Saturday, June 11, 2005
Good yoga resource
Amidst the plethora of commercial yoga sites, it can be hard to find decent informational resources about yoga. Here's one that I find to be quite good, however: Ashtanga Yoga.info's complete description of the entire series.
Detailed vinyasas, sanskrit names, proper breathing, drishtis - the descriptive site has it all. Enjoy!
Detailed vinyasas, sanskrit names, proper breathing, drishtis - the descriptive site has it all. Enjoy!
Good morning
I learned something last night. No, it is not that "much beer + much CC = hangover." I already could have pieced that one together, based on previous experience.
What I learned is that when the Bomber has $6.99 pitchers and $6.99 pizzas, one can spend considerable time on the patio getting well satiated with a bunch of friends, but still only drop about fifteen bucks (even when you're picking up a healthier-than-deserved portion of the tab).
Seriously, do the math. That's about $2.50 for a pint or 1/3 of a 12" pizza. You can eat and drink heartily and cheaply. Not a bad deal, thank you once again Bomber.
And the deal runs on Saturdays, too.
Anyways, last night was fun - Davenport, Neal, Dan, Mike and I had a bit of a boys' afternoon on the patio. Beer, chatting about girls, beer, cheering on the live entertainment, some obsessive trapping of bugs, topped off with a very uncoordinated scramble to various locations ... my house to watch some old school Ocean's Eleven ... some went to Barleyworks (I think) ... something about a girl who wanted to go dancing at the REV...
What I learned is that when the Bomber has $6.99 pitchers and $6.99 pizzas, one can spend considerable time on the patio getting well satiated with a bunch of friends, but still only drop about fifteen bucks (even when you're picking up a healthier-than-deserved portion of the tab).
Seriously, do the math. That's about $2.50 for a pint or 1/3 of a 12" pizza. You can eat and drink heartily and cheaply. Not a bad deal, thank you once again Bomber.
And the deal runs on Saturdays, too.
Anyways, last night was fun - Davenport, Neal, Dan, Mike and I had a bit of a boys' afternoon on the patio. Beer, chatting about girls, beer, cheering on the live entertainment, some obsessive trapping of bugs, topped off with a very uncoordinated scramble to various locations ... my house to watch some old school Ocean's Eleven ... some went to Barleyworks (I think) ... something about a girl who wanted to go dancing at the REV...
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
Home is behind the world ahead
Still quite enjoying the laziness and warmth of summer. I would like to say that, because of this, I have successfully avoided any sort of journal-worthy posts. Unfortunately, there are a few things I should note.
Monday was a great night, the ESQ staff barbecue. A nice student house, Heather hosted the whole lot of us 60 or so ESQuires for some great eats. I thoroughly enjoyed myself - some good conversations were had, even if my 'this brain is alcoholic' didn't get eaten so much. There are always leftovers, hehe.
Today I was named as a crew chief for the Hillside festival, working with none other than UW's own Greg Hines. We'll both be on the 'welcome committee' together, what that is I'm not quite sure of yet.
Later this week I'm scheduled to go up camping for the "presidents' weekend" at Dan's cottage. However, I got called in to work at the Green Energy Conference on Sunday, so we'll see how that leaves things. Still, even if things get cancelled, I will be able to enjoy some nice time with Amy all day on Saturday.
Yes, I've quite enjoyed spending a lot of time with Amy lately. Yoga in the park, breaks at work, the occasional time out on the town. It's been quite wonderful to have a kindred spirit to hang out with - never did I think that I'd find somebody who takes life so much like I do, so it's been a real pleasure getting to know her.
Next week comes convocation week, with Shelley Nixon coming to crash at my house on Wednesday, and then the *entire family* comes to town for Phil and my convocations. Kegger, Saturday the 18th, my house, enough said.
Monday was a great night, the ESQ staff barbecue. A nice student house, Heather hosted the whole lot of us 60 or so ESQuires for some great eats. I thoroughly enjoyed myself - some good conversations were had, even if my 'this brain is alcoholic' didn't get eaten so much. There are always leftovers, hehe.
Today I was named as a crew chief for the Hillside festival, working with none other than UW's own Greg Hines. We'll both be on the 'welcome committee' together, what that is I'm not quite sure of yet.
Later this week I'm scheduled to go up camping for the "presidents' weekend" at Dan's cottage. However, I got called in to work at the Green Energy Conference on Sunday, so we'll see how that leaves things. Still, even if things get cancelled, I will be able to enjoy some nice time with Amy all day on Saturday.
Yes, I've quite enjoyed spending a lot of time with Amy lately. Yoga in the park, breaks at work, the occasional time out on the town. It's been quite wonderful to have a kindred spirit to hang out with - never did I think that I'd find somebody who takes life so much like I do, so it's been a real pleasure getting to know her.
Next week comes convocation week, with Shelley Nixon coming to crash at my house on Wednesday, and then the *entire family* comes to town for Phil and my convocations. Kegger, Saturday the 18th, my house, enough said.
Thursday, June 02, 2005
Oh, those summer nights..
Summer days, driftin away,
To uh-oh those summer nights...
(From the funny story of the all-girl car ride home from Brantford yesterday), oh ESQ I am so glad you have not let me down. Wonderful sunny days drifting into great nights. Who could ask for more?
Highlights of the week have to be the introduction of the ULs, an impromptu trip to Brantford today, some Robolab training and what looks to be some sustained sunshine.
Outside of work, there is still plenty of time for reading, gelato, yoga in the park and a few other ventures. I'm still getting used to the 10pm bedtime, but more and more used to the early mornings.
To uh-oh those summer nights...
(From the funny story of the all-girl car ride home from Brantford yesterday), oh ESQ I am so glad you have not let me down. Wonderful sunny days drifting into great nights. Who could ask for more?
Highlights of the week have to be the introduction of the ULs, an impromptu trip to Brantford today, some Robolab training and what looks to be some sustained sunshine.
Outside of work, there is still plenty of time for reading, gelato, yoga in the park and a few other ventures. I'm still getting used to the 10pm bedtime, but more and more used to the early mornings.
