Another Marvell

What started off as a haircut based on a picture of Milla Jochovich (right), which I then added layers, when styled, turned into… well… Bettie Page hair. If I squinted [in my dreams], I can find a resemblance. Maybe? It’s my minor consolation, for a fringe that I’m regretting just a little.

O.k. I look closer to Betty Cooper (left), but I can take some of the Bettie Page’s pizzazz for future inspiration.

... It will grow out.

Back in Edmonton

"It's between you, the scientist, and a turkey baster." ~ Brad

Clarence does not disappoint. His big 30 party was a blast. A good number of the Edmonton contigent showed up (us plus Dave, Katherine, and Colin), along with a some of Clarence's new Calgary friends. We played some pool, danced a little, and had lots of great food and conversation. There was even a little practical testing of Alcohol (pseudo) Math.

Noel: Sea urchin melts like butter in your mouth, but every second you wait it the more it takes like puke.

Dave: I'd rather cheap out, and just eat the butter

Noel told us of her Hong Kong trip where she ended up in a high end clothes shop. They sat her down and models paraded by in the clothes (_How to Marry a Millionaire_ style). Maria summed it up: "It's like a clothing dim sum."

What followed were some of Rini's scary Emergency Room stories, and then a great deal of silliness:

Brad: No knifing if we're on the air mattress
Dave: I' might be conservative, but I prefer forking.
Clarence: Sporking is the new 69!

I also end up getting a pep-talk from a doll-like girl named Anna. Her advice to me is to truly enjoy being single, go to Vegas with my girlfriends, and wear the outrageous outfits while they still fit my figure. Sounds good!

Then, there was cake! Clarence's special: Tiramisu.

What happened next has to follow this adage: What happens in room 2113, stays in room 2113.

Maria's Non-sequitur: You know who's really hot? Cops in Germany.

Next morning, I finally caught up with Jeff and saw his new place. There were some panda bears (but definitely not the entire collection), and wires in all directions (speakers in every room!). Right now is a rough time for him, but he is really proud of his place.

I join back with the Edmonton contingent for brunch at the River Cafe. I felt underdressed and had doubts about ordering eggs benedict (I'm not a huge fan, but it was their special). Some of the guys slurped back raw oysters as I photographed the restaurant's upscale rustic decor (does this exist?). I started to relax when my hot water with lemon arrived. I enjoyed the bit of sun and breeze, very happy to have a sugar cube in my mouth. And then our orders came. I finished it all, even the last little smidgens of sauce.

Alas, it was then time for us to go home. We took our parting shots (photos) and headed for the highway.

Happy Birthday, Clarence!

Notes from Calgary.

"I bought luggage for chocolate and other stuff..." The other stuff turned out to be even more chocolate, but we weren't about to fault Maria for her choice of souveniers on her European trip.

"It fridge was so nice to have. It filled up quick..." With chocolate of course!

Darren picked me up from work and once we had Maria too, we were Calgary bound. It was nice to catch up on all that was going on. Both of them made me laugh, and it felt good to be going away even if just for the weekend.

Before you know it, we're at Gasoline Alley. We ordered some foods stuffs from A&W, played their placemat games (if you're stuck, a tip: it's Sirloin), all the while getting some really racy text messages (is it really you Clarence?). Back on the road we determine chartreuse may be Darren's best colour.

We arrive in Calgary, meet up with Clarence, Rini, and Brad and settle into Room 2113. And then I had to bail...

D: You jam tart!
Me: What?
M: That's what she said!
D: Must be a generational thing.
Me: Darren, we're the same generation.

Anyway, the whole "bailing" was because I had to get to Angela's at a decent hour and sleep is a good thing.

This morning, slept in (glorious!), and then got a lift downtown to meet up with Nick for lunch. I take him to a hole-in-the-wall Vietnamese sub place; we order (I nod yes to the secret sauce I'd be craving for ages, but close my eyes when they add it [it's either a version of mayo, or plain lard]); and we head out to the park.

What a beautiful day. The sun was shining and there's a hint of breeze. We sit on the grass to eat our lunch, across from a stage where actors and dancers rehearse a musical version of Romeo and Juliet, hip-hop style. We wander downtown a bit and take a bunch of photos. (Maybe one of my shoe photos will end up on Nick's wall?)
Now, only a couple hours to this weekend's main event: Clarence's Birthday Party. Must get ready to be ready. Time to beautify.

Where were you?

Andrea used to say that when the world ends, she'll probably be in the bath. I thought about this when I realised the SUB televisions I saw the day before had been broadcasting not a movie, but a news cast on the events of 9/11.

I thought about it again, yesterday, at the comic store. Catherine and I were sifting comics (there was a huge sale - from an estate?); I was laughing at how cheesy they were and was delighted that Buffy starred in a Got Milk? advert (one I've never seen before)... when the news of Michael Jackson's death reached us.

We asked the store clerk if this was real, or some kind of radio prank. He confirmed that everyone was saying the same thing: MJ is dead.

We went back to the comics.

A visit to the HoHo Dojo

Also _Things to eventually laugh about_

He apologised. I was shocked. I don't think I was the only one.

Our office annual retreat started off with coffee and goodies, and the standard stuff: a presentation from the Big Boss which covered our past acheivements and our upcoming challenges. Then the VP from Information Services steps up and apologises. He was sorry that they had underestimated what our department did and how much work it would be to get this new system in place (the estimate had been for less than year, it took over two). Wow.

After such a grand acknowlegement I thought the day would be done, but instead, it improved even more. Dr. Billy Strean (pHD - professional humour dude) was ready to get us laughing by bringing to us the HoHo Dojo.

And laugh we did. Some of it was forced (stretching and laughing exercises), other bits were real (prompted by silly photos, juggling, and cheesy jokes). He stressed that the body responds positively whether the laughter is forced or is spontaneous, so if even if you don't feel like laughing, going through the motions should still boost immunity, circulation, and get more oxygen into the body. (He also talked about the concept of "Flow" and that we should work with our managers to get to this state in our daily work.)

After our little laugh work out, he shared with us daily goals to "Love Life Laughing, Practice Lightheartedness". They are, briefly (go to the LLLPL link for more detail):

Monday - Marvel; Create a generosity of spirit.
Tuesday - Take new perspectives; Develop flexibility.
Wednesday - Welcome kindness and compassion; Engage, receive, and witness acts of kindness.
Thursday - Thank you; Consider what you are grateful for.
Friday - Forgiveness; Accept how life is.
Weekends - Chocolate (or another favourite food); Saturday - Slow down / Sunday: Fun Day.

The Big Boss let us go for the rest of day, and I am thankful (Thursday!) for that.

Back at the office now, I check email and find that DKPC has written to say he's sorry. I am disappointed and a little sad (he seemed nice, and I had thought over the divorce). More things to thankful for: Him telling me early, and friends who will keep me busy for the next while.

It Wasn't Us!

In my mind there it had been a big red button. Maybe a switch. When they finally decided to turn on the new system (one day late for extra UAT), BAM! The button was hit / the switch was flipped.

Then the entire system went down.

There was half a day of everything being fine, but then nothing was working at all. What a badly timed IBM failure. It had nothing to do with implemenation of the new system at all, but try explaining to the rest of the university.

On the plus side, since we couldn't do any work until a part was replaced somewhere very fair away, a large number of us went to DW's retirement party in the afternoon. I didn't know her well. I'm currently in her old cubicle spot, but she had cleaned and thrown out everything, leaving no trace of personality.

At the party though, she looked very happy. She mentioned plans to go golfing and trips to Arizona... there were some tears during her farewell speech.

The whole event made me a little sad. I feels like it will be forever until I'd be able to retire, and then, would I have touched so many people or made a difference? Maybe PC from Physics will still recall (hm... though she would have already retired by then), "Things went downhill after Lana left," a sentiment she cornered me with at the party. She wanted to know who was going to fix her stuff now. While I was mildly embarrassed, I felt pleased too (though I know I shouldn't).

More fun with tools

We could wait two weeks for someone to come and do it, or not wait at all. The second option included some winking and nudging and a blind eye from one of the HR people - and it was the one we picked.

I flexed my muscles with Lorena and Wendy, used the screwdriver to take apart and reassemble my desk, and now: Ta-dah! Lorena has the office with the window, and I have my cubicle.

My computer is even set up (hence blogging abilities). Now I just need to unpack. Visitors soon welcome.

Across the Universe

Erik endured my Movie Night pick, Across the Universe. (It's a musical [albeit, with music from the Beatles], and I think the public record states he does not like musicals...) And might even liked it a little when Max came on screen, fixing a fan, with a hammer. I didn't understand; he quickly enlightened me by playing this video (warning: video contains a lot of animated violence). Disturbing.

Since we were already on youtube, Michael shared Firekites' "Autumn Story". Now, this one I like.

Back to the movie - I liked it. I thought it was powerful (commentary on the Vietnam War), visually stunning (great dance sequences... oh, and is that what being on drugs is really like?), and fun to predict what songs would appear. The vocal performances were not flawless, but sung by the actual actors which I appreciated. Though, I think I will go back and listen to more Beatles.

The Works

DKPC and I wandered over to the Works when we decided to delay dinner (Tzin was not available due to a special event that night).

Artists had been asked to explore the theme of "Heat" this year, but last year's "Water" still seemed fairly central in Future Imperfect, digital prints curated by Adrien Cho. We entered the big tent (it was possibly even hotter than outside despite being in the shade), to see predictions of the future. It was mostly bleak:

- A cartoonish cast of misfits, in a graffiti style, looked cute, until you look closer. They were desperate and planning a heist on a UN water truck.
- An old (tentacled) man walks a penguin on a leash, in the desert. The penguin holds a toy that looks like a set of fish bones.

There were also dark, foreboding robots and metal structures (cities?), and other prints with humans that might be mutated, and lots of cracked earth... and then one of a lush green clearing where a man and woman slept peacefully, in the background looks like an abandonned city.

Not long after, the muggy heat finally broke - into a rainstorm. We ran for cover and decided on dinner - L'Azia. When I sat down, I savoured the air conditioning (admittedly with my jacket on) and gulped refreshing water. DKPC really, really appreciates food, and that improved on a already tasty meal.

Speaking too Soon

En route to work I received a frantic phone call: Mom thought I had been kidnapped.

This seems vaguely funny (in a disturbing way), but I have trouble laughing it off. Instead, I was curt, and I feel annoyed. To be fair, it would be very shocking and distressing to find your child missing, and certainly it is unusual for me to not be home at 9:18 a.m. on a Sunday morning,

BUT

Would this be the first thought you have when your child is a mostly-functioning adult?

Also, I did tell her I had to work overtime today and would be home for Father's Day dinner. This was yesterday. Was that too early, too far away, and thus too easy to forget?

I'm trying to see this series of events as

a) Positive: She obviously cares for me very much.

b) Neutral: Misunderstandings happen all the time, things are forgotten all the time; she is no longer distressed, therefore no harm done.

But, I'm veering to the negative: She doesn't think I'm a mostly-functioning adult. This is added proof that she doesn't listen to me... I know I'm doubly-reacting, to this and all the times she's told me to do things exactly as I'm doing them (this is terribly annoying and makes me wonder if I'm invisible), and yelling would be completely out of proportion, being this worked up would be out of proportion.

Regardless, right now, I feel like Cathy, who knows what to do (per self-help books and magazine articles), but by the third panel has to admit defeat again because some little thing Mom does or says makes her blow up. And then come the feelings of guilt (I should treat Mom better). UGG.

I'm sure I'll be just like her when I have kids. And my kids will probably react just like me.

... Being at work is, thus, very nice sometimes. I can look at pretty graphs of things I've done, the progress of I've made (even if it's a drop in the bucket mostly, and will probably be forgotten). And even if there is over time work (UAT) on a Sunday, it will be over soon.

Saturday Check-in

Moving has officially started at work. There are files are everywhere. Was great to be able to get away from the chaos by going to Feast.

Rem is away, but Kathy and Neil step up to cook and each of us end up bringing a little something. Steph thus not only survives, but thrives! Especially after several rounds of Scattergories, where Kathy, Neil, Beth, Paul (with an added set of British vocabulary), Cynthia, Clare, Erik nor myself were even close to matching her score.

Will run errands for the rest of today unless I'm called (accounting emergency?). Tonight: a date! Will try to only freak out a little.

Some Works of Angels

Amelie didn't arrive at the library in time. I was sad - this was to be my big return to Erik's Movie Night and I really wanted to see and share one of my favourites. I brought back-up movies to Erik's, but they were not needed: When Michael showed up he gave me a copy of Amelie! Woo! Thank you, Michael! I'm now ready to share the movie whenever I want. Yay!

We watched. It was good as I remembered.

At work, much tension. Tip Tip's Three Angels (or more appropriately, Boss Michael's Three Angels), managed to help eleviate the mood, temporarily with birthday celebrations. Birthday girl Tip Tip was happily surprised, and everyone got cake.

Right: "Farrah", Lorena, and Tip Tip.

And so begat...

"Would the doctor be gibbed?" ~ Malcolm


As usual, should not have worried. Feast was Feast. Some of us ate cherries and spit the pits out the screen door. Some of us ate cake, a special "Accounting Cake" Rem had made for me.


Jenn was there and I caught up with what's been going on with her. Her newest baby "The Better Than Jenn Show" (podcast available here: http://podcast.com/show/162041/) sure sounded like a lot of fun to make. David came to pick her up, and also brought the kids. Maybe this is why it seemed like children were on our minds (o.k., on my mind).


(Right: Zoom! Left: Steph, a little distressed, though it could also be because she's feeling a little sick.)


I joked with Na that it's been so long since we last talked, she must have new job by now. Her answer, "Well, actually..." Well, actually, her whole department was reorganised and she got a new boss and new duties - so yes!

Most of us head out not long after Steph excuses herself to go to bed. I do not complain, since I still had work today. In fact, today's the last day for Enrichment! I just ran my last report, it had no errors. So no more overtime! Tomorrow, I can relax... Hm... as long as all those sick around me (Mom, Sis, Steph) get well soon.

Life by Jason

"How many stories do you have to tell?" ~ Why Are You Doing This? by Jason

There was no music in my head (this was particularly worrisome) as I wrote and wrote until the last minute, eventhough my hand was in pain. Had half reconsidered my joke plan with Catherine: I should make up a language to fill in the work pages - CGA was obligated (apparently) to read and evaluate the entire exam (the seminar coordinator had cited how they had to find an test marker who could read the Chinese draft notes before giving a final mark). Now, should worry no more.


Have eased back into this soft life of not having to study. I feel I can leave the office at lunch (visit the Cameron Library EPL Go), read webcomics (Scary Go Round is simply addictive, and one of the characters seems very familiar), and apply for jobs (part time at the library again...).

Still, most of the post-exam energy has been channelled into more overtime rather than social events... I guess I'm a little scared. Even a little anxious for tomorrow's Feast. It's been so long since I've been around a large group of people - will it feel weird? Will I be weird? Or will it be like Jason's "The Living and Dead", a silent film of a comic book where actions will be the loud things, the most important parts will be captioned, and I won't have to test my voice at all?


Not that I actually wish to deal with zombies, but "The Living and the Dead" is romantic. It gives a good formula to identify and act in case of true love: When the woman you love has turned into a zombie, you don't kill her with the gun, instead you offer up your arm for her to bite and infect... and then when you're both zombies, you share the brains. I think that's do-ble.

O.k. back to work.

T: - 6:34

"STUDY!" Lorena ordered as she took me by the shoulders and led me back to my office. The door was then closed. Not more chatting!


It's tough studying at the office. There are still people coming by with questions. And of course the worst distraction is myself. But I now know I have possibly the best bosses ever: Despite the tight work deadlines, Lorena insisted I take Friday off for studying as well (one day more than I had originally requested), and Boss Michael agreed.

I read about Erik's training for running and wonder about my own routine for preparing to write exams. Will it be enough? This would be my 4th National exam, but it all seems different. The last ones have been morning exams and only 3 hours long. This one is four hours ending at 10:30 p.m. Would I need a nap? I've also been eating well (no sugar crashes) and have healthy (and convienent) snacks for a boost of energy and to save my nails (what's left of them). I've already written one past exam today and reviewed the key. Maybe I'll do one more...

See you on the other side!