And more on relationships...

"And the Chuks and the Skis don't get along." ~ Darren explains to me some Ukranian dynamics

Just finished watching the Bond movie, Casino Royale, with Dad and enjoying a little bit of computer time at the library. Wow, what a movie. Dad says he's never seen Bond suffer so much before. And the accountant was hot! (O.k. Bond wasn't bad either.) And despite my joking that Dad doesn't need subtitles to enjoy the Bond films, in actuality there was a lot of translating on my part. Very glad other patrons did not throw us out of the theatre.

So Christmas day had a little bit more magic this year. It's about the kids. And since I've become if not adult, no longer a kid in parents' eyes, the day can be kind of dull. But Celina and Kevin gladly came over to our house (since Jack was here), and we had a pretty good afternoon together. They opened my gift to them, a boardgame pack to share, and managed to get interested enough to play. And it was fun. Among Chinese Checkers and chess, they had something call "Timber Tumble" (i.e. generic version of Jenga). More fun to make the whole thing fall over than to build. And I heard some genuine giggles (not so common any more from Celina). Dinner wasn't so bad either. A definite fusion of Chinese and Western tastes. We had a turkey! And gravy and potatoes that completed the basic "traditional Christmas menu". But everything had a bit of the Chinese spin - cooked lettuce instead of salad. Rice. And so, Jack who was quite particular on having cranberry sauce, got creative and used jam. I was "allowed" to have some white wine - despite mom's protestations that I was too young.

Jack's stay ended, and soon the house was back to normal, but there was still some excitement in store. The dealership called and we Dad and I picked up our new car. I guess I should have ended that last sentence with some sort of exclaimation. But I was never terribly excited about it. After visiting dealerships, with many moments of aggrevation discussing the placement of radio anntenae, colours... I had enough. And it caused some crazy (ugly) family dynamics. Now I can sort of laugh about it. And on the plus side we do now have a reliable mode of transportation. Maybe Steph and Anne will reconsider going to Sherwood Park with me driving.

Also on the news front: Darren has a new dance partner! He and Linda have been practicing and will be competing soon. Darren also moved to his new condo :) And so with Christiana's visit back home we all congregated there for some tea (awesome finds from Ottawa), chocolates filled with margaritas (yum), and updates. Christiana, who I always knew would cause a stir, related on how the heads would turn when she and the other interns would go to "The Market". Oh, and the antics at a bachelorette party - which she would only partially disclose. I gave Darren his present: A brand new shoe brush! He said "I feel bad for my old brush." And then we launch into IKEA commericials.

On Christmas Eve...

"Call me Zebulon!" ~ Chris

After leaving work on Friday, headed over to Chris's sport and social club. He was still so sick. Skating didn't happen. But we did have a good time chatting. Ali has returned from a housebuilding expedition in Mexico and shared some stories and photos. More people showed up and before you know it, Chris starts talking about chocolate and French cooking ("Truffles - it's a French delicacy, and that can't be a good thing."), pickup lines and strategies (World Vision Campaign: "You. Me. Africa next week."), and the potentials for Sudafed in ballroom dance ("Sudafed - it makes you healthier"). Finally Nader arrives. And I have to call it a night.

And the next day *blush* Last minute shopping. Remember the people we used to make fun of at the last day of Bissell Centre gift-wrap? Poetic justice again? Still managed to meet up with Rhianne and Chris to make a phone call to Margaret. We talked about Christmas plans and tried to track down Fort Qu'Appelle. Good thing there is internet. Rhianne says the magic words to make sure the government is listening. I'm sure we foiled them though - Margaret's phone was cunningly cutting out.

My last few hours of "family-free" time today was for visits. Arrived on Malcolm's doorstep realising that my initial plan to pose as a caroller in case I was at the wrong house, was probably not the best idea. Good thing he opened the door! The real tree was lovely with ornaments, and there was a trifle in progress (starfruit - who would have thought?). And then I witnessed the complexities of changing and testing an answering machine message, and how that would delay the youngest Roberts's son from emptying the dishwasher. Made Sarah cat purr - nice.

Onward to Jackie's. Good news is he's on the path of healing. He showed me his latest Wii game "Elebits". A ray gun of sorts and lots of little devils and blue blobs posing as electrons. How come it's so much fun to shoot cute things?

Back home - Jack, Angela, and Patrick have arrived from Calgary. And we have a Christmas Eve dinner out with the babes (Celina and Kevin). Between all of us, the stress evened itself out. The kids played with their Tamagotchis (an upgraded version) and picked at their food. I half caught "grown up" conversations that I'm usually not privy to. And managed to go leave feeling not too piggish.

Us "kids", all head over to Theresa's place, and then the excitement begins: Jack teaches us all how to play poker (Texas hold 'em) and Black Jack. I rationalize that at least the little ones are learning how to add. Somehow as the dealer, I manage to go bankrupt. Maybe Jack's system does work...

Tomorrow is Christmas :)

The count down...

Just finished a good batch of power filing. Yes, this is a workout. And yes! Christmas break here I come :) So excited! Oh, but first... to blog :P

Santa came extra early at work. Big box on Lidia's desk. She was so excited. Upon opening I exclaimed: "Wow, an adding machine! What every accountant wants for Christmas." I don't think she understood that I was joking. But it was good, she was still very happy.

Last weekend seems so far away. Was late (again) to Charlotte's bachelorette party. But despite not getting the initial introduction, it wasn't too long before I clued into who (what) BOB, Dewey, and Lily were. And had a good laugh at some of the "toys" that were on the market. Some things have changed since Steph's party (my first introduction), but flashing lights were still a big hit. Unfortunately Char was pretty sick to enjoy it all.

I cut out early to head over to Grace's housewarming / Christmas party. I'm glad I did - I needed the head start. Another cross city trip in which I got quite lost, so that Catherine, who I had invited as a guest, and had left Charlotte's later myself, arrived 30 minutes before me. *shaking head* Yes, I need a navigator. And probably more sleep... and something else to help me be less airheaded. Upon arriving, found out that "munchies" at Grace's party meant "meal" and then dessert on top of that... I'm not sure what to expect for an actual dinner party. The food highlight for me was the grilled zuchini. Yum. Caught up with the dance crowd gossip, officially heard Amber's engagement story, and saw videos of Grace and David doing a walk-off in the streets of Las Vegas and breakdancing moves in the hotel lobby. They were quite drunk. They still looked great. It was HIL-arious!

Next day, couldn't believe I had agreed to wake up (relatively early) to volunteer for the Bissell Centre giftwrap. I was there! But the shoppers were not. I don't think the other volunteer recognised me at first as "old blood" and I was surprised when she pulled out a binder of procedures and time sheets. Woah. When did Circle K get so organised? We chatted, wrapped a couple of presents, and then I headed over to the Winspear.

I have never heard the ProCoro Canada before, and was delighted to see them perform with JUBIOLOSO! Bells of Concordia. Trent Worthington and David Garber are in the choir! Um... o.k. this probably would be more exciting if you loved VOCE as I did. The handbell players were entrancing: Flashes of gold, the sound of bells... I heard the notes, saw the movement, and thought of the inner workings of a music box... how I would watch the rolling reel of pegs strike the chimes to produce a melody. These pieces of course were millions of times more complex, and each person was responsible for so many different notes. I wonder how you would practice a piece on your own? Rushed out at intermission to help sell CDs.

And then after the concert - back to the gift wrap table to find that I completely missed the wrapping rush. More volunteers had shown up to help. I did some planning and made some phone calls. I chatted with this "new blood". I felt kind of old. But was laughing when finishing up a phone call with Chris that they asked: "Was that THE Chris?" Yes, Chris is a Circle K icon.

The rest of this week was a huge effort of trying to work and while being very distracted. Every day since Monday has felt like Friday. I ate my tofu and garlic, searched for the files that my desk must have surely ate, and listened to Lidia and co-workers talk about making pickle soup for Christmas. Anyway - So glad that Christmas break is here. And that Winter Soltice was yesterday. The days will become longer! The sun will return! :D

Not sure when I'll be writing again. So here goes: Happy Holidays!

On Making Gingerbread Houses

Christmas Friday Feast

"I'm perfectly well behaved." ~ Steph

Rem handed Erik and Michael hard coverbooks so that they work on the blueprints. But they were quickly being inspired by some of the "Wonders of World" featured within.

Michael: How about a gingerbread Stonehenge?
Erik: What's the worse that could happen?



Blueprints completed (a castle decided upon) - Rem proceeds with implementation.



The first house is ready for assembling and decorating. Anne's brought the most awesome candy including candy coated chocolate that look like rocks. We go to it.

"Don't you dare eat that door!" ~ Steph

Beth takes charge on some of the design details, adding tiny silver balls to the outline. Malcolm's decided that not only are gummi bears the inhabitants of the house - they are also an integral (structural) part of it. Soon he was conducting grafting experiments...



The pieces of the castle have been baked. Dave and I set out to put it together. The gears in my brain were turning: Hm... wouldn't gummi bears on pikes be a good addition? And in the silver ball candies there was a green one!



We take a break to eat sugar plums. Beth voiced my surprise: I thought they would look more like overgrown California Raisins.

I had to leave before the decorating was done. And Rem's design was just coming into fruitation: A 70's inspired resort (complete with overindulged gummi bears).

I hear there are stories to each of them now. I'll have to get the others to tell them. Pictures of the finished product can be seen at Steph's blog. Here are the pages 1 2 3. Is that a congo line at the resort?

Almost forgot:

"... He learned the proghorn antelope are found nowhere else but the North American prairie. The proghorn is not a "true" antelope, a fact that took so much explaining that Jonas began to daydream about how weird thumbs are, when you really think about them."

~ Todd Babiak, The Garneau Block

I really should have cleaned. But I didn't really expect any one to come. And so, I showed off my crumb encrusted keyboard, dust laden lamp, and massive piles of red files to dear Stephanie, and then to Rem. (Rem did remark that I seem to be diversifying - my piles now also included green and yellow files). They got a couple of treats, and I got them to pose for pictures to add to my growing divider "wall of fame". Their blending skills were so exemplary, my co-workers asked me the next day which department they were from! Thank you so much for visiting!

If that wasn't enough excitement for one day, later that night was Matt's dinner and games party. A different set of dogs greeted me. Found out one of the Sams played accordian. Washed some dishes and missed my special personalized gloves from Steph & Rem's. But was happy to discover some cutlery with lovely lines. Almost passed off a Safeway saskatoon berry and rhubarb pie as my own. ;) Played "The Farm Game" (?) Which was surprisingly like Monopoly, but not. Players sitting on bundles of firewood made it feel slightly more authentic. Smelled Matt's goblet of wine, as he told squirrel jokes. And we all "danced" to the music of TURBO Cranium from the other table. Called it a night before things got too "nutty".

All week I had been eyeing the office mini Christmas Tree and the mound of Secret Santa presents (one labelled with my name). And finally in booked meeting room, amid thunderous ripping of wrapping paper... I took pictures. Boss Michael got a selection of imported beers... I got candle holders fit for a princess. Moments of confusion, one of Tamin's bottles goes missing. Next day, this (right) was found. Those chickens are troublemakers.

Only a week away from holiday break! And gingerbread at Feast tonight!

Viral Marketing... and more stall tactics

Following the popularity of my non-week summarizing post (Oh, Malcolm!)

This is cool, and I'm awful at selling, so I'm going to steal the spchiel right off of Stephanie's blog (though I would consider those "sausage dogs"):

For Sale: Wearable Art
Interested in getting a funky new t-shirt in the mail every three months without every having to enter a mall? How about in supporting a really cool visual artists' collective? Or maybe you just like shirts covered with monsters, beagles, overly-eyed babies and hairy dudes in hats. If so, head on over tohttp://www.latitude53.org/ They're selling the series of 4 shirts for $100 as a fundraiser and will mail them straight to your door. You can see the picture down below.


More next time :)

More fowl play

groan...

"It's you isn't it?" Nikki blows into my office and gives me the eye. Could I be part of PLO (Poultry Liberation Organization)? I think she takes me as innocent (for a change) and goes on to tell me about the blog supposedly set up by all those liberated rubber chickens. I half expect pictures of them with a little leprechaun (and possibly the gnome) to start showing up in the mail. And before you know it, they'll be some where out east drinking beer.

Yes, I did hit my head this weekend. How'd you know?

It was another busy weekend starting off with the TA Christmas Social. We had a special fenced off area in Manulife Place across from Zenari's. Wonderfully delicious Italian food that was great to eat, but made everyone sleepy. And here we had a floor and music! Manoj and I did manage some salsa dancing before the gift exchange. *evil laugh* Many DVDs with cheesy dance related titles, and seemingly endless steals (*sniff* I was so close to walking away with a Chapters gift certificate), Manoj ends the game grabbing the jar of pickled herring (cleverly disguised as a candle). The proprietor requested to see a tango demo. And so in my socks, with Darren, Amanda and Pib, we danced. We camped it up (a rose between the teeth would have been perfect), and mid-song, we executed a very difficult move: the partner switch. Laughs all around. After that, most of us stuck around to chat. I roped a couple more people into "The Funky Sock Exchange". And apparently more people were headed off to Las Vegas (Manoj had just returned from his trip). When they dimmed the lights... and stopped the music... and moved the tables... we got the notion it was time to leave.

Next day, finally took up Chris's invitation to visit the sport and social club. People who were there less than 12 hours ago for Chris's birthday party, were there again to play dodgeball and volleyball. Ah dodgeball... I'm not so good at dodging. It was still a lot of fun. But I have to say, the volleyball court was sure slippery.

And after getting all sweaty from the running around - there was more to the day. Got changed and dolled up, and onward Chris's office party at the Celtic Hall. We were late, and didn't get to meet the royal family. But they were a pretty crazy bunch, and so, I don't think we missed too much. Through some cheesy music numbers they issued challenges to pick the next "Knight of the Brown table". I got try to a "Brown Cow", and this right after talking to Chris about how much we missed Margaret (Margaret, we miss you!)

Who would have guessed that I would know so many people there? Connie and Wilson, I had expected, and were glad to see. But totally did not expect to see Sherman from High School. We reminised, and caught up on all that's been going on in the last 8 years. Eight years. Both of us were feeling old. And I asked the question: Would you go to our 10 year reunion (if we had one)? Like me he had only kept in contact with a few of our group after graduation. What would he hope to gain by going? He said he never thought I would become an accountant.

And then after many photographs (where I may have embarassed Chris by taking pictures of random beautiful people), we go home. Oh, and listen to Sarah Slean in the car - Orphan Music is a great album.

Sunday: get even more seriously behind on Christmas type errands, and go over to Andrew's sister's to work on his and Sherry's wedding invitations. Many rubber stamps. Lots of paper. It was a mini feast for the eyes. (Apparently stamping is like crack.) His sister kept on track and we worked on the invites in a manner that I would think of as elves in a toy making production line. The invites were neopolitan :)

I go to bed thinking - I have no clue how I'm going to be productive at work until Christmas break. And so far I still haven't figured it out. Dang chickens.

Remki, Wii, and a whole lot of chickens

"If you have one Remkes... do you have two Remki?" ~ Rem & Steph

I am a killer. All the those cuttings from Marie have died. Some later than others, but all met the same fate. Poor plants. Despite this, the spirit of holidays is still in the air. The office is all nicely decorated, and Christmas cards have been showing up in the internal mail. Oh, and listening to the Canadian Brass's "A Holiday Tradition" all morning has helped.

Lots of activity since the previous real update. The last dance class of the season went really well. The evaluations read on Monday were brutally honest, but did give me a new strategy: talk more in the first class; talk less in the second class. Wasn't sure how to react to the comment that I was "organic". But I'm sure this means "super-awesome-cool", or some variation on that theme. And I therefore do not need to make any big changes in relation. I'm so lazy.

Friday Feast - now a whole week ago - was a small, tight-knit affair. Steph, Sophie, Anne and I caught up on some of the details, and worked our way through "lumpy" thoughts (the product of long work week). Christmas plans, Christmas decorating... and somewhere along the line the topic of Christmas ornaments in an autoclave. Rem insisted that it was a great night for a bike ride to Matt's housewarming. So, as he chiseled away at the ice on the balcony door, I got to do my dishes. Despite all of our protestations, he did not take the stuck door as "a sign". He laughed at the door (and the notion of luck)... the door laughed back. And then he rode in the car with Tom and I to Matt's.

Matt's place is wonderful. I told him immediately that I wanted to steal it... I guess I have some "conveting" issues, non? The fireplace warmed the living room. The grand tour revealed Lana-sized walk-in closets, a vent hole in the second level floor that looked into the living room, and a partially started "The Garneau Block" by Todd Babiak. Within minutes, Abby stole my heart (sorry, Taiga). I know I'm shallow: her beautiful doggy eyelashes and eyebrows spoke volumes as I looked into her eyes... Or maybe it was time to go. Matt had brought out his troll lawn ornament. Many hand signals to Malcolm to indicate that Rem and I were leaving. He was suffering from allergies, I was sleepy (and was not a loser). We left. In the car we sang "Route 66" and "Isn't It Romantic?", though we had completely different vocal arrangements in our heads. It was good.

Tried to rest for the remainder of the weekend. But among other tasks, had to make a short trip to visit Jackie who had dental surgery (Get well soon!). Our main form of communication was through pen and paper - reminicent of old High School note passing days. His parents, like my parents if we were in reversed situation, plied me food and drink. Which I consumed with guilt since Jackie couldn't eat anything solid. We played a couple of games with his Wii game system. Never before would I have thought that bunnies could be so frightening. I guess that's why they called them "Rabbids".

Made a PowerPoint presentation (sorry, Allison) for the office Christmas party. It was all a lot of fun. Big Boss Bill wrote a skit (to be played by volunteers) set in sub-arctic survival situation at our retreat. That "swine" of a chicken manages to crash the plane (after drinking all the rum), leaves everyone stranded, only to be redeemed with a "Hollywood ending" by rescuing everyone at the end with Santa's sleigh. I'm sure Matt (called in last minute) had no clue what was going on, but he proved to be a good sport: kept himself busy when I ran off to help with some detail, and then making me laugh. Another handful of table confetti in the bag... and then it was homeward bound. Upon leaving the Faculty Club, was immediately confused as to which way to go. Fitting that the crackers at the table had granted me a compass.

More excitement to come this weekend - birthday wishes for Chris and Nicolas :)

A cool quiz... and stalling for time

This is a cool quiz that I picked up from Jaclyn's blog. Won't ask you all to share... but you know I'm curious :P Will use these "powers" for good. And will update soon.