Hot with a Hint of Fuzz

A hot summer day - what better than to head out to the City Hall fountains for a good splash?  Steph and Na indulge and pose for me.  Na provides a second umbrella and that helps to keep us fairly dry (and mildly sun protected). 

After some splashing, stomping, and general goofing off, we walk a couple of blocks to check out the fairly new Reuse Centre.  What a find!  I'm delighted with the $ 2 fee I picked up a copy of Sarah Slean's Night Bugs and a whole lot of magazines.  Will have to visit again (there were plenty of bins of craft and paper supplies that I didn't get to).  Steph reminds me what I really should do next visit is to bring things in...

Next day, Catherine and I go to a movie.  In the one of the few dollar theatres around we see Hot Fuzz.  Boy, was I confused.  There were definitely elements of goofiness, but when Simon Pegg's character is alone with his houseplant and everything just seems quiet and sad, I really thought this was going to be a drama.  I was very wrong.  Soon there was small town intrigue, gun fights, and car chases.  Catherine explains to me afterwards why she found it so funny: It's a spoof on buddy cop movies.  Oh... I think we need to add some buddy cop movies to my pop culture education "Lana to Watch" list. 

A very nice Sunday

When we made it to Fort Edmonton for his work's summer barbeque, Darren and I had to talk. Building the day before wasn't conductive to conversation. And after getting past the strange feeling of only seeing each other now months at a time rather than everday, and hence needing to figure out what the other knows - found out that lots had happened to Darren. Not so much for Lana.

Anyway, it was a fun time at Fort Edmonton, and it was great to run around and take pictures with someone who appreciated all the interesting sights. (Thank you again Darren!)

A ride on the train started it all, and we looked out the windows to see that there was a carnival in town. While wandering around the barbeque site we met up with a black chicken that followed people around like a puppy dog.

We took a look in almost every home and building. I couldn't quite tell if the people were meant to be in character, or simply guides in costume. Some would answer our questions with accents, and relayed a little story of why they were in the building or area. Others explained why certain elements of a scene were significant, and could tell us the history items and trends of the time (one of this type informed me that the wallpaper I was admiring was actually from the 1970s though looked close enough to fit in the house and period). It lacked consistency, but overall very informative.

At one house two ladies did some stitching and taught us visitors the ettiquette of visiting a home. It was advised that a visit shouldn't last more than time it takes to drink cup of tea! The cups were small. The talk was small too.

Then it was off to the Stonemasons lodge (temple). The guide joked that it wasn't all Da Vinci Code stuff (yes, I was taking pictures of the art work). I still don't quite believe that everything is as simple as it seems.

At the drugstore, I bought lemon drops and humbugs (the clerk told me they tasted like butterscotch). We visited the arcade where a man with a false arm sang while demonstrating the player piano. He also showed me the innerworkings of the machine (top left) which played a short movie flipbook style. I wasn't sure if I could ask him about the false arm. No one else on site had such a disability, and I wondered if it was just part of the costume...

Of course we had to visit the photoshop. Most of the photos on the wall were what I expected: team pictures, class photos, and family portraits where most people didn't smile at all. However, these two characters caught my eye:







I wonder about their story.

Eventually the park had to closing and we rode the streetcar back to the gate. Was so tired from all the walking. But the day wasn't over. We met up with Jen "C", and they taught me crib. I was skunked. But that was only in the first game...

Career Alternatives

"I have class." ~ Nick

Jekyll & Hyde Pub. Friday the 13th. "The Spanish Inquisition". I was told I could dress up as a *big announcer voice* LION TAMER. I figured my visor would count... what kind of hat would an accountant turned lion tamer wear anyway? I guess I could have added some flashing lights. Not that it would have mattered. There was plenty of lighting from the windows. And more importantly, there was the much needed air conditioning. Very different from the dark and smoky venue that hosted Jekyll & Hyde the play hm... how many years has it been? Anyway, Jeff was still surprised to see me despite my RSVP. And was concerned about me when an emergency pulled him away.

Jeff: Are you sure you're going to be o.k.? These people are weird.
Lana: That's what they said.

More accurately they said to be his friend is to be weird... Either way, I stayed. It was fun. Rob and Nick tried to explain anarchist theory to me with their food (see right), and others campaign planned for Green Peace (if a polar bear were to be holding a sign at a political golf event... what should the sign say?). Most the the talk was over my head... but I took some notes. And called it an early night. For the next day there was building to be done. And that's what we did.

No broken drill bits this time around, but I was definitely slower (slowest) after a year's break. We still finished in record time. And Jim proved again to be a great boss by treating us to pizza. On top of that he let me keep my earplugs. The dummy strings made them extra special.

Slogging

... in which Lana drags her feet, vents, and reveals she's a grump.

Dad: How do you spell your name?
Me: Um... what's going on?
Dad: Mom and I decided to do a Ping Awn Shu, and we're going to the lawyers.
Me: Oh.

This didn't exactly upset me, but the situation was a surprise. I had not expected my parents to not have a Will. And this is what a Ping Awn Shu was (eventhough the direct translation would be "Safety Papers"). Should I be worried?

I am feeling a bit disappointed. Found out today I didn't get the job I really wanted. I know I'm busy (it feels like a little too much half the time). But an extra part-time position (weekends only) with EPL seemed like such a good idea. Different... interesting... would put me in a library... But their screeners probably picked a note of craze in my coverletter and decided otherwise. Oh, well. I'm sure things are for the better. Having some time left over for sleep is a good idea. Might even make me a nicer, people person. Which right now at work, I am not.

The bosses had thankfully brought in some temporary staff to cover all the absences. I was very happy and excited. But so far this has been an exercise in frustration. I've been spending over half my day away from my desk to train. When I return there are so many messages and emails that I feel buried (eventhough they have no physical form to threaten like my real mail and files do). There's also the constant interruptions.

Everyone goes through this when they're training. I know this. But do their trainees not take notes and then ask the same questions over and over again? This is something that annoyed me so much, that I pointedly asked him to take notes and to refer to them. And I did it nicely. Possibly through clenched teeth. I hope this will solve part of the problem. But then there's the giggling. Is he doing it because he's nervous, or does he finds my exasperation amusing? Hm... *frown*

Was I like this? Lidia managed to endure my questions and still smile. I have escalated her to another level closer to "femme spectaculaire!" I must work on patience. Patience... Patience... PATIENCE.

I'm going home.

Whirlwinds

"You're where?!" ~ Catherine

Feel like I've been loosing my mind again. Was grateful that things didn't turn out badly on Canada Day, and was pleasantly surprised upon review that the first 6 months in the year have not been completely wasted... but then... get completely mixed up on the date of an out of town wedding. It all seemed to have worked out for the best. Being reminded about it only the night before meant I didn't have time to obsess (at least not too much) about what to wear and what to pack. It was almost... liberating. Thanks to Chris for inviting me and indulging on my whim to take a Jasper day trip. It was great. The weather was beautiful. I got to take lots of pictures (yes, including those of random babies - her name is Shayla).


The reception was held in the stables and I almost fed the horses. Their teeth scared me. After cake we headed out for another long drive home. It was nice. Slightly less rushed, more caffeinated. I was introduced to KT Tunstall and Scissor Sisters.

All in all I was in Jasper for 8.5 hours. In between the ceremony and reception I did consider sending postcards and buying souvieners... but even I had to admit that would be a bit silly.

The next day, Malcolm had his "Just Desserts". And we bid him farewell for his trip to Germany. Yes, there was a lot of desserts - and Lana chooses to stick her foot in her mouth (figuratively). I blamed it on being tired. But I should just know better. All that was mostly forgotten I think, when most of the guests had left. Micah was rearranging Malcolm's CDs, Snow Bear attacked me, and we kicked around the big red exercise ball.


Next couple of days included work as usual, until I was called down to the main reception. Peeking through the doorway I wondered what was going on. "BLARG!" I'm sure I squeaked. It was Malcolm and Micah! We chatted over some treats at the Good Earth Bakery (which had replaced the Canadian Bagel and Second Cup downstairs). It was nice to have that extra good-bye.

"Get the big lady!"

~ War cry from the playground elementary kids, referring to yours truly

Had a lot of anxiety going into this Canada Day. Mid-point of the year, and time to do some evaluating. However, was more plagued by a terrible, irrational worry that the day would turn out like last year. But it all slowly diffused as the day wore on.

I joined Celina and Kevin for the Riverdale Canada Day celebrations like last year, and stayed for the barbeque and games. The two of them dragged me onto a saucer swing, where I got to sit while they stood to pump and make the swing go higher and faster. Their laughing was punctuated by high sharp screams. That would be me. Aahhhh! I'm flying through the air, and it's the two of them at the controls! Oh, I'm such a wimp. But a wimp with a camera!

Took a break from the playground to walk around the area, and saw two robins dive and attack a magpie. What's going on? The answer was revealed when the magpie was chased off: a fluffy (baby) bird. Its breast was not yet reddish orange like its parents (I would assume), but rather a spotted light reddish brown. I held my arms out to stop passing cars and it hopped across the street.

One good deed done (I hope it survived), I go back to the playground. And end up in a completely uneven waterfight. Kids of the playground vs. Lana "The Big Lady" (Big?!) I back away as Celina throws a handful of water, and in timed video game perfection the water fountain turns on. I am right under it. My hat flies into the air. I am soaked. What a fun day. I'm not sure if I tired them out first. But we retire early.

Trying not to think about fireworks, I go to sleep. The phone call at 3:54 in the morning still made me jump and expect the worse. But it was just a wrong number. I wake up at a more decent hour feeling lighter. Another hurdle passed.