Good friends are worth more than their weight in gold.
I am still not sure if it was the fact it was too cold to go anywhere, the upcoming Christmas season, or the pot from the basement. But our favourite adage, “It’s always a fun time when you are with a good friend.” rang true last night.
We really didn’t do anything too memorable, but it was a fun time and shared laughing with all of my favourite people.
Sorry, the sappiness will be over soon. It really gave me some excitement for Christmas, as hard as that is to believe.
Here’s to the tobogganing, movie watching, sweater wearing, hot chocolate drinking, cookie eating and even the caroling. I think Christmas might just be good this year after all.
Monday, November 27, 2006
Friday, November 24, 2006
Let's Compare Scars, I'll Tell You Who's Is Worse
A week of emo-ness is a week too long. Sorry.
A story from days of yore, just to round out this odd week.
I was in Grade 7, only a month before my 13th birthday, when I needed to get my tonsils removed. The whole procedure was not as bad as I expected. Except the cold cream of mushroom soup they fed me every morning for breakfast. And the fact that I had to stay in the kids wing and some kid next door cried and screamed all night long. There was a big TV, an unlimited supply of popsicles and two weeks off a school. (I had to miss the track and field gym unit. And didn’t have to run the 1500m…darn) The procedure seemed relatively routine and I recovered quickly.
The summer following my first year of college, I worked at the hospital in the Medical Records Department. (Go with me…it all connects. I promise.) My job was to convert all the hospital charts to a provincial wide numbering system. (It was a relatively boring job, but again there was an unlimited supply of popsicles.)
I, of course, also took this summer to look up all of the hospital records of everyone I knew. There was the chart when my dad had pneumonia, when my brother was born and my emergency room trip when I cut my finger off (maybe that I will tell that story on another random Friday.) And there was the chart from my tonsillectomy. And there in black and white the first sentence on the chart was “Tonsil removal due to abnormally large tonsils.”
Abnormally large?!? If they were just really big, couldn’t my doctor have used another word besides abnormal? Like, extremely, tremendously, enormously, exceptionally, exceedingly. Abnormal just makes them see weird, as if they should be in some museum. Synonyms for abnormal are: unusual, irregular, strange, odd, deformed. Do you see where my self-consciousness about my tonsils comes from? I know I should move on. I had them removed almost 13 years ago, but I still wonder every once and while what was really wrong with my tonsils. And are they in a tonsil museum somewhere?
A story from days of yore, just to round out this odd week.
I was in Grade 7, only a month before my 13th birthday, when I needed to get my tonsils removed. The whole procedure was not as bad as I expected. Except the cold cream of mushroom soup they fed me every morning for breakfast. And the fact that I had to stay in the kids wing and some kid next door cried and screamed all night long. There was a big TV, an unlimited supply of popsicles and two weeks off a school. (I had to miss the track and field gym unit. And didn’t have to run the 1500m…darn) The procedure seemed relatively routine and I recovered quickly.
The summer following my first year of college, I worked at the hospital in the Medical Records Department. (Go with me…it all connects. I promise.) My job was to convert all the hospital charts to a provincial wide numbering system. (It was a relatively boring job, but again there was an unlimited supply of popsicles.)
I, of course, also took this summer to look up all of the hospital records of everyone I knew. There was the chart when my dad had pneumonia, when my brother was born and my emergency room trip when I cut my finger off (maybe that I will tell that story on another random Friday.) And there was the chart from my tonsillectomy. And there in black and white the first sentence on the chart was “Tonsil removal due to abnormally large tonsils.”
Abnormally large?!? If they were just really big, couldn’t my doctor have used another word besides abnormal? Like, extremely, tremendously, enormously, exceptionally, exceedingly. Abnormal just makes them see weird, as if they should be in some museum. Synonyms for abnormal are: unusual, irregular, strange, odd, deformed. Do you see where my self-consciousness about my tonsils comes from? I know I should move on. I had them removed almost 13 years ago, but I still wonder every once and while what was really wrong with my tonsils. And are they in a tonsil museum somewhere?
Monday, November 20, 2006
Saturday, November 18, 2006
The End of An Era
It is today with mild sadness that I must announce my retirement from Preference. While the Preferences I have attended in past years have always been a good time, full of wonderful music, great looking guys and elaborate asking methods, there comes a time in every girl’s life when the banner of retirement must be hung.
I know that without all of the help I have received, Preference would have not been the success that it has been.
First of all, thanks to my dates. Thanks for looking good, being genuinely pleasant (Even if you were dating someone else at the time.), and replying in creative ways. Thanks for saying yes, when you could have said no. It is always fun when you go with a good friend. Without you, Preference wouldn’t have existed.
To my roommates, both past and present, who always gave me ideas about who to ask, and how to ask them. Who helped with so many various tasks, from finishing my hair to commiserating with after the dance. Thanks for all the fun.
Lastly, to my dear mother, partner in crime for most of the drop offs of packages and fashion consultant. Always there with a house to use, or a game to play. Sorry about all the stress and mess.
Subsequent Preferences will come and go will all the tales and drama that are associated with them. Nothing will ever change that surety. The truth about Preference is that it is just a dance. Nothing more. I will always look fondly at the Preferences that I have gone to, and will continue to tell stories about them for years to come. Thanks for all the memories.
I know that without all of the help I have received, Preference would have not been the success that it has been.
First of all, thanks to my dates. Thanks for looking good, being genuinely pleasant (Even if you were dating someone else at the time.), and replying in creative ways. Thanks for saying yes, when you could have said no. It is always fun when you go with a good friend. Without you, Preference wouldn’t have existed.
To my roommates, both past and present, who always gave me ideas about who to ask, and how to ask them. Who helped with so many various tasks, from finishing my hair to commiserating with after the dance. Thanks for all the fun.
Lastly, to my dear mother, partner in crime for most of the drop offs of packages and fashion consultant. Always there with a house to use, or a game to play. Sorry about all the stress and mess.
Subsequent Preferences will come and go will all the tales and drama that are associated with them. Nothing will ever change that surety. The truth about Preference is that it is just a dance. Nothing more. I will always look fondly at the Preferences that I have gone to, and will continue to tell stories about them for years to come. Thanks for all the memories.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
You Wanna Be Stupid, Let's Get Stupid.
Good morning and welcome back from a long weekend that really wasn’t that long enough. My horoscope this morning (I have run out of fortune cookies) said, “Today you will be filled with unexpected happiness and energy.” Not true! It is a good thing that I wore my skull shirt today, based on how I am feeling this morning.
Hear me now, and believe me later, but I hate, HATE practical jokes and pranks. HATE. I do not find anything funny about those dumb hidden camera shows, and just hearing about pranks from people’s missions makes me incredibility stressed out. Recently there has been quite the rash of pranks in our ward. I have been safe, thus far, from all of the mess, but I still have to hear about it and it really does stress me out. Last night our house or I guess I should say someone in our house was pranked. Flick is a lot easier going than I am about it, and actually laughed this morning when she found her car jacked up and put on blocks. Thank goodness it was her and not me.
A couple of years ago, I went out to my car to go to work, and something just didn’t feel right. My car is pretty messy anyways, but that day it seemed a little extra messy. I couldn’t quite put my finger on what was wrong, until I noticed that my new Discman was gone. I was kind of upset that the Discman was gone, I had only had it a couple of weeks, but what I was more upset about was the fact that my James Taylor Greatest Hits CD was inside.
I am sure whoever stole it wasn’t enjoying ‘Sweet Baby James’ or ‘You’ve Got A Friend’. I am pretty sure that they opened up the Discman and said, “What is this?” and probably threw it out the window. The only hope I have is that some hobo picked it up and decided to change their life because of the sweet voice of James Taylor. But do hobos have stereos? I digress.
Had the thieves come to my house, knocked on the door and said, “Denise, we really need a Discman, can you help us out?” I would have given my old Discman. Or at least taken my James Taylor out of my other Discman.
Oh well, I have an iPod now and I have even replaced my James Taylor CD. But please don’t touch my stuff, or at least ask me before you steal anything that is mine.
In other news, I did get a very cheesy, but funny yes to preference this weekend. It should be a good time…”It is always a fun when you go with a good friend.” And I will be glad when all of this preference junk is over.
Oh well, Happy Tuesday that really feels like a Monday. Things are bound to get better. I hope.
Love you. Miss you. I will be here when you get tired of her.
Hear me now, and believe me later, but I hate, HATE practical jokes and pranks. HATE. I do not find anything funny about those dumb hidden camera shows, and just hearing about pranks from people’s missions makes me incredibility stressed out. Recently there has been quite the rash of pranks in our ward. I have been safe, thus far, from all of the mess, but I still have to hear about it and it really does stress me out. Last night our house or I guess I should say someone in our house was pranked. Flick is a lot easier going than I am about it, and actually laughed this morning when she found her car jacked up and put on blocks. Thank goodness it was her and not me.
A couple of years ago, I went out to my car to go to work, and something just didn’t feel right. My car is pretty messy anyways, but that day it seemed a little extra messy. I couldn’t quite put my finger on what was wrong, until I noticed that my new Discman was gone. I was kind of upset that the Discman was gone, I had only had it a couple of weeks, but what I was more upset about was the fact that my James Taylor Greatest Hits CD was inside.
I am sure whoever stole it wasn’t enjoying ‘Sweet Baby James’ or ‘You’ve Got A Friend’. I am pretty sure that they opened up the Discman and said, “What is this?” and probably threw it out the window. The only hope I have is that some hobo picked it up and decided to change their life because of the sweet voice of James Taylor. But do hobos have stereos? I digress.
Had the thieves come to my house, knocked on the door and said, “Denise, we really need a Discman, can you help us out?” I would have given my old Discman. Or at least taken my James Taylor out of my other Discman.
Oh well, I have an iPod now and I have even replaced my James Taylor CD. But please don’t touch my stuff, or at least ask me before you steal anything that is mine.
In other news, I did get a very cheesy, but funny yes to preference this weekend. It should be a good time…”It is always a fun when you go with a good friend.” And I will be glad when all of this preference junk is over.
Oh well, Happy Tuesday that really feels like a Monday. Things are bound to get better. I hope.
Love you. Miss you. I will be here when you get tired of her.
Friday, November 10, 2006
Still Rock and Roll To Me
At the end of March I made a list of my top ten most played songs on my iPod. Now, only 8 months later, look a just how similar, yet different the lists are!
Top Ten
1. I Will—The Beatles--165
(“Will I wait a lonely lifetime? If you want me to, I will.”)
I am just so relieved that it is a Beatles song that is number one on my most played. I can’t claim them as my favourite band, and then have them at the bottom of the list. Who doesn’t love this song? You would have to be dead inside to not love it!
2. Night Drive—Jimmy Eat World--160
("Now’s the time for a good song. Get something to say what I can’t.")
Night Drive! Night Drive! This song has been a part of all of crazy adventures. This song has won all the ladies hearts.
3. The One You Want—The Get Up Kids--154
(“What are you waiting for? It’s said and done.”)
I didn’t even know who the Get Up Kids were 8 months ago, and now they are number three?!? Thanks for the great music suggestion.
4. If Only—Goldfinger--154
(“If I woke up with all of these things would it even change your feelings?”)
Who doesn’t love Goldfinger? Thanks Tony Hawke Skateboarding for introducing them to me!
5. Hey There Delilah—Plain White Ts--125
(“You’re a thousand miles away, but girl, tonight you look so pretty. Yes, you do.”)
A repeat from the last list, and still one of our favourites for everyday.
6. If You Don’t, Don’t—Jimmy Eat World--99
(“Would you mean this please if it happens, cause I need this now more than I ever did.”)
Oh, our heartbreak song. I guess the good part is that we haven’t had much use of the song in a while.
7. That’s All—Michael Bublé--96
(“I can only give you love that last forever.”)
I canvassed Brent and Jen to have this as their first dance. But I guess Brent’s song was just as good.
8. How Long Is Too Long—The Get Up Kids--92
(“I keep spilling every secret without spilling any secrets at all.”)
How long is too long? The question I ask myself everyday.
9. See You—Saves The Day--91
(“You want to know who I really am? Yeah, so do I.”)
One of those great loud songs that I think contributed to my blown speakers and subsequent diminished hearing. Isn’t that one of the reasons we have a car, to listen to loud music?
10. Middle of Nowhere—Hot Hot Heat--88
(“Everybody’s hanging out just like they hung out before.”)
A good old song from the first days of my iPod. One of the first songs I put on. It seems so long ago!
Honourable Mention
Come On Over—Plain White Ts
(“And where I come from, that’s just got to mean something to you.”)
Keep On Thinking—Sloan
(“The reason I don’t want you to stay is the reason even I don’t know.”)
Kill—Jimmy Eat World
(“Please don’t tell me this has been in vain. I need answers for what all the waiting I’ve done means.”)
Out of Reach—The Get Up Kids
(“I’ve got pictures to prove I was there, but you don’t care.”)
Something In The Way She Moves—James Taylor
(“If I’m well, you can tell she’s been with me now.”)
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Confessions of a Legal Assistant
Since I have started working here, I have noticed everyone in the office’s deep love for typewriters. I have always found it a little off. During my fist week of work, one of the ladies came into my office, and said, “Oh, where is your typewriter.” I proceeded to explain that I didn’t need a typewriter because I had a computer. I soon found out why we really needed a typewriter.
If ever there is a form that needs to be filled out, from fax cover sheets and memos to mortgage papers. Instead of filling them out on the computer and printing them off (that is what I would do and everyone of my generation would do) out comes the typewriter. In fact, they use them so much that we are buying more ink for our typewriters than toner for our printer. The best part is there is never really a line up at the printer, because I am usually the only one printing.
Typewriters are so noisy! Click, click, click. DING! Over and over, all day. It is a wonder that anyone of that generation has any hearing left. Imagine if you worked in an office back in the day, and everyone was typing on a typewriter. You would need earplugs.
One day, I got a phone message that was typed up. You know what I am talking about, one of those pink little ‘While You Were Out’ slips. I think that I need to do some computer training with these ladies, or at least, an intervention.
Sometimes, to feel part of the group, I do go to the extra typewriter we have…yup…we use them so much that we have an extra one. And I will type up an address on an envelope or some weird form. It makes me feel all retro.
Hey everyone, welcome to the 21st Century!
If ever there is a form that needs to be filled out, from fax cover sheets and memos to mortgage papers. Instead of filling them out on the computer and printing them off (that is what I would do and everyone of my generation would do) out comes the typewriter. In fact, they use them so much that we are buying more ink for our typewriters than toner for our printer. The best part is there is never really a line up at the printer, because I am usually the only one printing.
Typewriters are so noisy! Click, click, click. DING! Over and over, all day. It is a wonder that anyone of that generation has any hearing left. Imagine if you worked in an office back in the day, and everyone was typing on a typewriter. You would need earplugs.
One day, I got a phone message that was typed up. You know what I am talking about, one of those pink little ‘While You Were Out’ slips. I think that I need to do some computer training with these ladies, or at least, an intervention.
Sometimes, to feel part of the group, I do go to the extra typewriter we have…yup…we use them so much that we have an extra one. And I will type up an address on an envelope or some weird form. It makes me feel all retro.
Hey everyone, welcome to the 21st Century!
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Every Part Of Me Knows This Would Be The Perfect Situation
A Happy Birthday to my brother, Brent! Hooray! The best part is because he is now married, I don’t really have to worry about planning large elaborate parties or buying expensive gifts, because he has a wife to do all of that. Have a good day, and enjoy the frozen pumpkin cheesecake, if that is still the plan.
Today is also Preference Day! At lunch today, I am going to drop off my CD and hope that all goes well. I have been listening to the CD all morning to get myself pumped up. I am quasi sad to give it away. I have spent a long time getting everything together for it.
I guess there really there isn’t much that could go wrong with the drop off, unless they call the bomb squad for an unidentified package on someone’s vehicle, or as the girls pointed out, it gets stolen. Or, I guess, if the car alarm went off. Oh, boo! This is getting more dangerous the more I think about it.
It will be okay. My fortune cookie yesterday said, “Tuesdays and Thursdays stack odds in your favour.” This is hopefully true. So far this week, Tuesday wasn’t overly bad maybe, if I can be so bold, the best day of the week, thus far. But then again my fortune cookie this morning said, “A resort area will be part of your next holiday plans.” Maybe I eat too many fortune cookies and they all cancel each other out?
T- minus thirty minutes to Operation….uhmm….I hadn’t really thought that out. Operation Unload.
Good Luck and God Speed.
Today is also Preference Day! At lunch today, I am going to drop off my CD and hope that all goes well. I have been listening to the CD all morning to get myself pumped up. I am quasi sad to give it away. I have spent a long time getting everything together for it.
I guess there really there isn’t much that could go wrong with the drop off, unless they call the bomb squad for an unidentified package on someone’s vehicle, or as the girls pointed out, it gets stolen. Or, I guess, if the car alarm went off. Oh, boo! This is getting more dangerous the more I think about it.
It will be okay. My fortune cookie yesterday said, “Tuesdays and Thursdays stack odds in your favour.” This is hopefully true. So far this week, Tuesday wasn’t overly bad maybe, if I can be so bold, the best day of the week, thus far. But then again my fortune cookie this morning said, “A resort area will be part of your next holiday plans.” Maybe I eat too many fortune cookies and they all cancel each other out?
T- minus thirty minutes to Operation….uhmm….I hadn’t really thought that out. Operation Unload.
Good Luck and God Speed.
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