Call of the Chicken-Dog

"That's not a word!  That's piss missing an "s"." 

Kevin had been skeptical with the words I played.  But, time after time, the World Book Dictionary backed me up (even the suspicious "more than one pi" and "slang for pizza").  I, in turn, let him look up any words he liked before he tried them on the board (my sneaky attempt to increase his vocabulary). 

It was strange to actually be using World Book (Mom bought me the set over 15 years ago).  Piled on the bed next to him, the dictionary volumes alone, looked improbably large (and he small) in comparison. 

It might seem mean to make him play Scrabble with me.  But after wrapping paper roll duel (he in super-hero disguise [one my hats, Mom's sunglasses], me as a chicken-dog demon), I think it was fair. 

Oh, Pants.

"Oh, Lana. Only you!" Ashley L wasn't at all phased with my (somewhat passive-aggressive) antic / protest to Eric's latest costume request. It wasn't that planned.

I was really happy to get one of the few red costumes, but, as of a couple of weeks ago, Erik wanted us to colour coordinate our "pants" too. After spending what little free time I had combing stores for red underwear that actually had some coverage, I said to heck with it - and bought a pack of boys underwear (which one pair in the pack was red). Which turned out just moot since Eric decided tonight, pants weren't that important, instead, maybe we need to coordinate shoes...



(I don't remember being this frustrated for D&D's Moulin Rouge [my benchmark for all things Formation]. But then again, I was "brainwashed" back then - and it seemed perfectly reasonable to leave the house minutes after a snowstorm to find red fringe...) 

Actual dancing, thankfully, went well. Ken and I met up during the week to practice and the work we put in showed at toinght's rehearsal. Eric added more lifts; the best part: Ken hasn't dropped me (yet).

No Space to Move, No Place to Hide

I tried to make myself as small as possible, barely breathing.  But, eventually, Kevin did find me - hiding behind the water boiler.  The hide of "hide and seek" was no easy feat in Paul's house.  Yes, there were quite a few rooms, but with his (infamous) austere taste, there weren't that many things to actually hide under or behind.  The end effect similar to this Bizarro strip: 

But, competitive as I was, I wasn't going to give up or balk at a little dampness: I laid flat in the bathtub. 

Theresa and Celina are off to China, and so Kevin was hanging out with us for the next little while.  After enduring a rather lacklustre lunch at Aunt Linda's (at least they had a good view), and then a not-really-that long-car-ride (made long with "Are we there yet?"), we were at Paul's for some play.  

Paul gave the clues and acted for an easy Hoopla game (I'm sure we'd beat the clock if the clock worked...)  Kevin proved to be the master at Twister (mostly because Paul plays nice).   And with my "fearless" hiding, I crowned myself "hiding champ". 

Scrabble proved to be a bit harder - Kevin just couldn't sit still (but then with those letters...)

You'd think after such a busy afternoon, Kevin would be tired.  Nope.  Long after we've said goodbye to Paul and off to Aunt Linda's birthday dinner, he was still going.  Despite being something other than Mirama, the food still had the same allergy challenges (this impressive-looking first course had deep friend chip things - unfortunately, they were also drenched in mayo). 

So, he played with Carl's cell phone, and asked me for what seemed like the millionth time what superpower would I want to have - especially if I was on a special ops mission to rescue my friends from an underwater prision guarded by demons.  My choice: Shapeshifting - something to help me avoid the conflict and shield my friends.  His choice?  Super strenght so he'll win every fight. 

He didn't even consider super energy - the ability to tire someone out.  Oh, right.  He has that already.  To sleep!

Presenting Another Scheming Committee Production:

A Surprise

for Steph!

For real!

"You do this and then turn into a colour."

And it was a surprise!  Rem, Clare, and Keith successfully lured her down a side street when a group of (crazy?) people threw some garland across the side of a condo building.  It only took her a few second to realise the garland was a banner, the banner was for her, and that the (crazy?) people were her friends! 

She climbed up (the stairs to the condo building balcony), and dispensed many hugs.  What followed were food, games, presents, and dramatic readings, all to the soundtrack of the 80s. 

Beth: I'm not wearing clothes, I'm...
John: I can't think. 

We played into the night with more friends coming by to celebrate.  When the batteries ran out on the Catchphrase timer, John even employed his engineering skills to hook up an alternative energy source (photo evidence of that and our other antics here). 

With that, it's time to retire the Scheming Committe.  But (!) there's one more small project: Introduce Mom to Paul.  This was a small scheme (not requiring the whole committee), but seemed big... and yesterday, in the guise of getting a little help grocery shopping while Dad was away, the strategem was excuted.  While Mom payed way more attention to the produce than to Paul, I think we're pointed in the right direction.  And now, truly - time for a break.  Committee dissolved (until next time).

Cake Day!

Cake was promised, and cake (chocolate with chocolate icing) was delivered (plus waffles!) for Steph's birthday. 

But it seemed Jonwill was still really hungry.

Steph didn''t seem to remember that I promised her a "diamond", but I delivered too. 

Special guests all the way from BC and the far north (of Edmonton) came to celebrate.

Erik gave me a couple of begrudging smiles, but I think I did end up with a real one. 

Paul was out sick, but is doing much better - Good, because it's a big weekend!  More later.

Gleanings with Mom

Dad left for China on Sunday (a handshake and he was off), and to keep my promise, I made sure to be home last night for dinner.  It was quiet as usual as we ate, but afterwards while cleaning up, we started to talk. 

As usual, Mom is worried.  She's worried that I'm too independent (?!) and stubborn.  She's worried Kevin and Celina will have emotional scars from childhood.  That there are enough of them that they'd likely never to get married or ever to have children.  I know Mom thinks this is horrible, but I don't think that's really everyone's path...

I try to get her to see things from another a perspective: Just think of how many emotional scars (though probably not the severe kind) we all have and we end up being fairly normal, living pretty good lives.  Just look at herself: She's been scared of loud noises (reminders of war time explosions?) and rats/mice (having lived in places where there are a lot of them?), and she still managed to have three children etc. and get by (albeit in a neurotic way). 


I'm not sure if this line of thinking completely comforts her - she's Mom after all.  But then she switches gears - She said she always knew her parents loved her: What's with all this pampering now where parents have to tell and assure their children of that every day? 
 
By this time we're finished cleaning.  She goes to watch some television, while I go into my room to read... well, actually to think about that last point. 
 
From what Mom tells me maternal grandmother and grandfather certainly did love her in their actions if explicitly in words: They made sure she got support to go to school (when most girls didn't get to go and her grandmother actually advised against it), and even after she was married with children, they still came over to help her with her duties (there were family chores [set by my paternal grandmother], and there were government programs that had her working on "projects"), when they had their own to do. 

So then, is this a case of differences in love languages where she and her parents were on the same wavelength, and my sister and her children are not?  Or is it simply that things really are different ("kids these days")?  I don't know.

Music of the Night

I didn't know there would be handbells.  But there they were! 

I'd arrived mid-rehearsal to meet up with Paul for a quick bite before the Festival City Winds concert that night.  All I really knew was that Paul was doing a short tuba solo.  But then, there were bells!  Big and small, all aligned.  And the handbell ringers were dramatically rehearsing The Phantom of the Opera.  My eyes opened wide and shivers ran down my back (who knew bells could have such a plucking sound?). 

The same thing happened during the actual concert - Music of the Night: Music of Film and Broadway - a joint effort between Festival City Winds Advance Band and Jubiloso! Bells of Concordia. I didn't recognise many of the pieces, but it was certainly a fun night (Rain Fantasy had a participation component!). 

I sat sufficiently far enough away so that I wouldn't distract Paul (per Conductor Wendy's instructions), and he did a wonderful solo (Concertante, by Harold Walters).  Definitely a nice cap to a very long day. 

In-House Comp 2010

After a disasterous practice session yesterday, I told Ken, "Don't worry, I won't leave you at the marshalling area."  Ironcially, that's exactly what I did. 

Paul and I stepped out to pick up some lunch.  When we returned to St. John's Cultural Cetnre, the first person I saw, Divinia, told me I had missed my event.  What?!  How did that happen?  We were supposed to compete at 1 p.m.  Ken explained: They moved our event; Instead of being the fourth on the list, they ran our event first at 12:30 p.m. 

I was choked.  The morning had not gone well for myself and Dan, but I had thought Ken and I would do well (or at least have fun out there on the floor).  On top of that, his wife, baby, and some friends had showed up to cheer him on... Thankfully, Ken didn't seem disappointed or upset (about that).  He went back inside to watch the other categories.  Paul and I sat in the men's change room and ate our lunch.

Maybe next year will be my chance for gold.  Or maybe, this is just a sign...

In other news, Andrew and Cara placed second in the Newcomer II category - dazzling with the Swing translated into Jive moves (above).

Also, there is one less couple from the old crew eligible to compete next year (unless In-House starts opening up new categories): Christiana and Ryan won in Gold (above). 

It was nice to Christiana again - in the dressing room she showed me her new lovely new Standard gown, and we chatted briefly.  Not sure when I'll actually get to see her dance in that dress, but hopefully before another year goes by.

The Scheming Committee Presents...

A Surprise for Dr. Beth!

So while everything was going on - including Beth thinking we were planning a party for someone else - we'd actually been scheming for her!

She was all happy (if not completely, completely surprised).  She wore the hat proudly. 

The potluck dinner was followed by some board games, some swing dancing, some cake (that Rem had iced with some appropriate math), and plenty of talking. 

(Right: Beth explains the icing.)

Though we discouraged her, she also helped out with the cleaning up. 

Congratulations, Beth, for officially being free from the chains that was the PhD thesis!

More details and photos here. 

When Viruses Attack

I shouted to Sheng over the cubicle wall when my virus scanner booted up by itself and started issuing warnings, and then ran to his cubicle to fetch him.  He looked at the screen, and started to work.  I wasn't sure what to think and went away to file and do some odds jobs. 

When I got back, about an hour ago, I found my computer gutted.  Sheng gestured over the internal parts, now laying on his desk, and said in the worst case everything on my desktop was lost.  In the best case, he'd be able to use another computer to wipe out the virus, and save my data... He didn't give me predictions on likelihood or when he will know. 

In less than an hour, I'm due to meet with an auditor, and I am both anxious and in a bit of shock. The workstation here in "the Quad" feels foreign, but I think I can manage the short demo that was requested for the documentation of controls (though I'm still nervous).  The analysis I was working on can be replicated, but my personal stuff (I know, I shouldn't save personal stuff here), photos namely, can not. 

Here's my plea to St. Isidore of Seville... or the ether in general - Please make my computer o.k.  Please.

Dancers Gonna Dance, Moochers Gonna Mooch

"This is romantic... this is gay." ~ Ken on the fine line one treads in arm-stylings

"I'm a duck! I'm a duck!"  Ken's interprets my jive arm-styling (the one I call "the chicken wing"), and I laugh.  We've been practising for the In-House competition (Latin) for over a month now* and the big day is coming up in less than 2 weeks.  Yes, I'm nervous, and tired, and a little anxious.  But it's been a lot of fun so far. 

Aside from the occassional American move, Ken's shown me some of the secret places on campus where one could practise dance - quiet landings with just enough room, and far-stretching hallways that don't have too many pillars or too many people.  (Not that the people would necessarily bother me - it's free dance space after all!)

Full of energy and enthusiasm, he flows moves called likwid (?) into a handstand... then he tells me about the tricks he does with fire... Um... yeah... We should probably be doing more dancing.

But, between these all these practises, TA training, and classes, (not to mention the latest workshops with more technique and dizzy spinning in Viennese - where Eric seemed to like me as a man, leading Ashley) I'll be dancing six days/nights this week!

Even tonight, my one night off, I'm supposed to pick up a dance DVD from Ken for study.  It's supposed to have some really inspiring rumba and jive - but I think I'll save it for another night.  Wouldn't want to overload on dance or anything like that. 

* Same with for Standard with (Little) Dan - which makes scheduling and figuring out routines a little more complicated than I'd like. But, stubborn as always, I want to do both!