Happy St. Bick's Day!

"Hmm perhaps I should have picked up some breath mints too..." ~ Cindy


Inspired by "Have a Pickle Day", Cindy's tribute to St. Bick's unfolded today. Thankfully Lana did not dress up as a pickle or do a pickle-making demo, and the pickle-pinata never materialised. Instead, the OGRES settled for a Funky Pickle Pizza lunch, Dianne's homemade Pickle Soup, and 4 varieties of Bick's pickles. The whole thing was a big hit and mostly ran on cost recovery. Again a little silliness can go a long way in improving morale. Sweet Yum Yums made me think of the Mikado, but no one else wanted to sing "Three Little Maids".

Back to normal

"Young people these days are like snakes. They only go out at night." ~ Mom

I'm back at work and it's not as bad as I dreaded. There are too many emails to read, and people to talk to, but the piles are just as I left them: everywhere, and strangely comforting (for they have not grown).

Since coming back, I've been sleeping and sleeping, unpacking and trying to get used to the idea that I'm back. And at the same time, convincing myself the whole trip wasn't just a dream. I flipped through a copy of the Village Voice, picked up before leaving, and realised that there was even more that I could of done while I was New York. They even had a drop-in workshop on piercings (one would practice on fruit). I wonder (a bit in a daze) if I have changed at all.
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On Saturday, Mom and Dad had picked me up from the shuttle drop off in front of Hotel MacDonald. I was shivering and wondering why is it so cold - colder than when I had left. It was close to midnight and I was glad to sink into the back seat, and look out the windo.

Mom: Blah, blah... blah.
Lana: Mm... mm... ?
Mom: Blah, blah... and then your sister got sick... everything will have to be wrapped in plastic bags -
Lana: What?!

It took me a while to realise what Mom was saying: Everyone had gotten quite ill when I was away - though they've since recovered. And, everything I brought back from New York was going to be quarantined. I imagined changing my clothes in garage as all my luggage was wrapped in plastic garbage bags and not be opened for days until we were sure the parasites I potentially carried home from my trip (namely bedbugs, cockroaches, rats), would have died. If I had been serious about it, that's what I would have done. Instead, we carried everything into the house, unpacked my bags into plastic bags which were then tied and left in the kitchen. That was it. I didn't bother poking holes in Mom's methodology. The whole process, while annoying for me, gave her peace of mind. I did wonder though: Why didn't they take these precautions when they came home from China?

Yesterday, went to my first movie night in a long time. Erik, Steph, Rem, and I watched Bend it Like Beckham, and had a great laugh (and for me bits of cry). I got them to try some of the special M&Ms that came all the way from M&M World in New York (which I mistakenly did not declare and got quite a stare from the customs officer when I protested that chocolate isn't food). Before heading out we watched one of the DVD's special features: the director's "how to make aloo gobi". Look forward to a similar dish (with garlic!) at a future Feast.

Steph had donated blood that day (Very good job, Steph!) and I offered to take her and her bicycle home. From this we found that Steph's bike does fit into the car... if we open the window.

Start spreading the news...

It's been a long time since I last practiced the Lana method. Now after being spoiled (a day off work, lunch at Upper Crust paid by a work sponsor, a walk down Whyte with Jeff), I'm at it again - downtown at the library with the computer and internet settling some last minute details.

I'm leaving today! I have all my flight information, and a shuttle from the airport to hotel booked. Last minute packing will be supervised by Angela - who came to Edmonton earlier in the week.

Feeling content and strangely calm. Far from last night's emotional rollercoaster around 11:30 p.m. This was after a pep talk with Catherine and some more packing. I finally had a good look at the new camera. And the massive instruction manual. Figured I would take things one step at a time... but I was in trouble: I couldn't even do the basic attach the neckstrap. I went to the manual, and page three (after the camera diagrams) were "how-tos" for some complicated computer functions. Where were neckstrap-attaching instructions?! This did not bode well. The manufacturers obviously had high user expectations. And this must be a test - if you can't put the neckstrap on without help, this camera is too complicated for you. Fine! I would not accept failure. About 30 minutes later and much fumbling (and possible cursing), the strap was attached - and it was pretty sturdy. I was feeling pretty good about myself. Onward to tackle batteries and setting the time when I noticed in the box a leaflet of "basic instructions" - yes, with a simple "How to attach neck-strap" paragraph. *Lana smacks head*. And so it was concluded: time for bed. The rest can be my on plane reading material.

Less than 8 hours to go!

We interrupt the irregular blog schedule with late breaking news:

My friends are awesome! Rem came by to work today and presented me with a group un-birthday gift! A new camera! Thank you so much guys! Perfect for New York (leaving in just over 48 hours). Promise to document my aventures well.

thankyou thankyou thankyou thankyou thankyou thankyou thankyou thankyou

And now returning to the irregular schedule.

Many things happen, and we drink much tea

Celina: We're going to die!
Lana: Yes.
Celina: ... You mean when we get old, right?

And so the day came when those waterpark tickets were to be used. Chris, thankfully, thankfully agreed to go with me to watch the kids. Though the plan was we would be the boring "grandparents" while they were playing in the water. Ugh, water. Ugh, bathing suit. Main points: 1. Celina and Kevin went on the slides, in the wave pool, etc. and had fun. 2. I managed to keep mostly dry. 3. Chris engaged Kevin in a splashing-water fight (was not able to capture on camera, but both tried to look like the innocent party). Then the time was over, and we could change into real clothes! And be fully dry! It might have been pretty good overall... except I take the wrong turn on the way home and Celina starts asking questions (above).

Next day, headed over to Morgan's after some cleaning and shopping. The occassion? Bali (BAD-li)'s first birthday! Guests came bearing gifts and Bali got many, many treats... including a cow's leg. To top it all off, Morgan made a special shepherd's-pie cake for the guest of honour (with Pup-peroni candle)... and we got mini-Bali cupcakes. Met more of Morgan's friends, who made me laugh so much. Such good looking people. They were on the whole, though very anti-children, which made my early departure to watch a video with Celina and Kevin a

little bit awkward. I didn't tell them that it was for High School Musical II.

Malcolm is back! First order of things - we have tea. We chat, and catch up on what everyone is doing. Mark and Jen are having a baby! Micah is going to Scotland! A bike trip is in the works.

Lana learns: If you spill tea, dumping salt on top of the spill can help; potpourri looks too tasty for its own good; and one hat can fit many. More photos here.

Snapshot

"Coffee isn't a substance, it’s a life-aid." ~ Jeff

Jeff took me out to Haweli's for dinner last night - very tasty Indian food. He's understandable sad, and I'm not quite sure how to cheer him up. I didn't seem to have the same problem though with the baby sitting a couple of tables over (funny faces work!). We head off to the Legislature for a walk. We dream up small (Conservative) conspiracies for all the vehicles parked around and the ocassional lit window. He starts talking to a security guard, and I am amazed by how comfortable he is with this. The cigarettes come out - I start chasing him around the Eternity flame. We head back to the car and I pull out the Gateway Purity Test (can't say Lana isn't prepared). I can still see the snow, the trees against the sky, him as a silhouette framed by the windshield as he went outside for another smoke... and then turning to towards me to make moose antlers. Yesterday, he felt real.

Now more for more planning

Percentage of New York stay with secured accomodations: 62.5 %

I passed! And don't have to write the National this term! Let out a huge breath of relief when I got both pieces of news. All together means I can concentrate on planning for New York. Only 6 more days! Waking up in fits of anxiety, and wondering if I really know what I'm getting myself into. Though, have to admit these feelings / fears are undefined and irrational. While the rational ones (such as finding a place to stay) are not as pressing. Is something broken again? Mom and Dad have accepted along the way that I am going - their early protestation of "There are rats there!" have died down. Now they're worried about crime.

The NDP volunteer wrap up party was at the Coast Edmonton Plaza. Headed over after voting. Didn't see Kiwanis Barry, but did see many, many Bananas. Jeff was MCing. Heather and Patsy keep me company and introduce me to more people. For the most part, eyes were glued to laptop and television screens, waiting for results to post. These people have done so much work. Heather and Patsy leave early with me after Rachel Notley speaks. They ask aloud "Why do we do it?" By morning, the official results: The party lost 2 seats; Voter turnout was also dismal. It is not a happy day.

Phone fix, movie chatter, and more silly considerations

Patrick Stewart, Jay Ingram... and let's throw in Ralph Fiennes

The rest of yesterday didn't quite go according to plan. Instead, productively, I managed to get my number transferred to an old cell phone from one of the nephews. My now "new" phone looks pretty futuristic (navy metallic blue with slide cover). However, I've been spoiled with new (or at least current) technology, and going back to scrolling through lists to find something is tough. Overall though, I'm just glad to have a phone that doesn't fall apart when I try to answer it.

Today, over at Sophie's, while waiting for the rest of the group to get there, I played the available ringtones for her and Eugene's consideration. Every one of them was too annoying, so I switch it vibrate. I notice that they all have really, really cool socks... that happen to match each other's shirts. They notice I happen to be dressed like one the characters from the Royal Tennebaums (*).

Dave arrives and we set off to the theatre to see Persepolis. Chris met us there and bought tickets. We had the theatre pretty much all to ourselves. I laughed. I cried. I marvelled at how well the graphic novel translated onto screen. I laughed even more when latecomers (who probably couldn't get into the Golden Compass) ended up leaving the theatre mid-movie. This is definitely not the Golden Compass.

Afterwards we headed over 4th and Vine for dinner. They were hosting a private showing of The Darjeeling Limited (*), but still managed to squeeze us at a table. The foodies had a ball with the wine and interesting dishes. I was more amused by the conversation that soon came to the preposition (from Sophie) that alcohol makes social situations better. Thus the next "logical" step was to consider conducting an experiment involving online meetings, and then dates with various levels of drinking involved. Though it sounded promising, no one commited. And then we started talking about celebrity crushes...

After work today: VOTE!

* Added to Lana's "Must Watch Some Day" list.

Lana wrote and wrote and wrote

"Who puts exams on a Saturday morning?" ~ Jeff

And then they turned into bugs! My minor loss of concentration and stare at the ceiling proved to be slightly dangerous. I convinced myself this was from stress and lack of sleep, took some deep breaths, stopped shivering, and went back to writing. And then it was done.

And I should be able to relax... but I can't. 1) I'm still bothered by the extreme feeling of de ja vu while I was writing... as though, again I had been there before... perhaps in a dream. But considering the bug hallucination, I don't think I can actually trust my brain. 2) While chatting with someone while leaving the examroom, she says that I don't write the National in 10 days, I'll have to do the course all over again. Oh, dang. Is is this true? I'm too tired to truly panic, but I send off an email for confirmation.

So looking forward to sleep. And maybe meeting up with Jeff after a very long nap. I'll be the one who needs the chicken soup this time.