Ecrap?

I was suppose to have cancelled my cable tv once the olympics were over. I don't watch very much TV, but I do watch movies and tv off of the internet. I thought I would connect my laptop to my TV so I could watch on a bigger screen. I thought it would be as easy as connecting the two. Turns out it's not. I need a converter and like 3 cables. I couldn't find a converter locally, good thing I love internet shopping! I finally found one on Ebay, or course the seller is in Hong Kong. There is probably a 50% chance that its not a total piece of crap. This is what I bought:

There was a seller in the USA that was selling a very similar one for $50 plus shipping. Too much. This one was $19 including shipping. Fingers crossed....

Also, look to the right. All of the blogs I follow have been added to my links section. Ch-ch-check em out!

New Gadgets!

Ever since Nunavut Newbie tracked me down through her stat counter, I started thinking that I really have fallen behind in blogging gadgets (features). So I did a bit of searching. You don't even want to know the amount of info the new stat counter gives me. It'll probably tell me what colour your socks are. But don't let that deter you from stopping by!

I have also added a facebook and twitter link. Say you see something you like, and want to share it? Well just click on the social networking button you prefer. I'm not on twitter, so if you do tweet about me, I'd probably never know. (Although I would be very flattered!)

My favorite gadget is the new "Followers" section. I'm not totally certain what it does, but I hope that if you become a follower of my blog, it will notify you when I update. Please add yourself and let me know how it works.

My obsession with all things north continues. I find Nunavut blogs really interesting, but I have no interest in moving there. Nunavut Newbie's latest post shows a 12 pack of coke cans for $59! Can you imagine? Although the wages are higher than the rest of Canada, I would blow all of my money online shopping for gluten-free food.

Murphy's Law?

So why is it just when I commit myself to working at a job, the job I had been hoping for starts calling? Better yet, why do they have to call me when I'm sitting in a room with my boss? Awkward! It was so obvious that the phone call was for a job.

Turns out the dream job was only hiring for casual employees and didn't like my availability. No interview. Had my boss not been in the room, I might have tried to argue that I could easily work both jobs. They don't know what kind of workaholic I am. When I got off the phone, I fessed up to having put my resume in a year ago and it was my dream job at the time. I didn't want her to think that I'm actively looking for work (2 weeks into the job). I do plan on re-submitting my resume in a couple weeks. I don't want them to forget about me when they have full-time positions, it's a better paying gig. Guess I'm starting to look pretty good on paper...


What else? Well, this week I have said adieu to the bus (for a while). I'm driving in my new (to me) car. I have to admit I don't like driving in rush hour traffic. Not because of the slow moving traffic, but because there is so much happening. It's so much easier to drive around on empty streets! I also suck really bad at parking. Parallel? Tight spot? Forget it. I did manage to get into my work parking spot on the first try two days in a row! This is an amazing feat considering it's a cramped lot with angle parking that I have to back into. Sooner or later I'll get used to it, right? Sometimes, I'd rather take the bus though.

One of these days I'll upload pictures, stay tuned.

moments of brilliance

I think I need to credit Heidi Fleiss with this particular moment of brilliance. No I'm not planning on being a cracked out hollywood madam. Heidi now owns a high end laundromat.

Although my building has laundry, there are a lot of restrictions. One of the most inconveinient is that I cannot wash blankets or other bulky items. The landlady suggests we use the local laundromat. I did a walk-by and was horrified. Not only did I find the place dirty and gross looking, but the clientelle made me think that I would probably end up coming home with bed bugs. I wouldn't want to wait around in such a place, but I also wouldn't want to leave my belongings there. So my alternative has been to bring dirty laundry with me when I visit people. I'm sure people really like to see me coming. 3 blankets, 2 bathmats and 2 cat beds in tow.

Last night I watched a bit of Celebrity Rehab which showed Heidi Fleiss's laundromat. It was really nice looking with new flashy washers and dryers. This got me thinking. I think that I should open a high-end laundromat with free wi-fi, a barista offering lattes. Or what if while your clothes spun in the dryer, you could get a pedicure? Not only would the grubbies not be interested in these services, but it would make doing laundry more enjoyable. Put in a high-end neighbourhood, I could charge higher prices, in no time I'd be a milionare!

~ betcha this post is going to bring some interesting traffic to my site. Sorry, this blog has nothing to do with madams, brothels, celebrities or rehab. Please move along. okay time for another graveyard shift.....

thanks!

on the go blogging as I test out my sister's new mac laptop. Nice, but I'm not sure if I want to invest in a fancy new laptop yet.

I also wanted to acknowledge all the interest in the last little bit (since I remembered that I had a blog.) The hit meter has gone through the roof lately from zero to four hits! So I thought I would commit to posting more frequently, okay well...maybe. stand by

Not up

Well, I'm sure glad to see that my core readership stayed with me. For a long while I was working 6-7 days a week at two jobs. It didn't leave for much of a life that was worth blogging about. I have changed my schedule around so I fit 6 working days into 5 days. How? Well, I got a promotion!

Of course just as I made the major decision to look for work up north, that's when I got a job that will keep me here for a while. So, no more graveyard shifts for me. Just as well, since it's easy to sleep in the winter when it's so dark and dreary. I think it would have been a whole other challenge to sleep during the mid-day heat of the summer. I know you all got excited about me living a Northern Exposure-esque life. But I haven't given up on that idea. At this point, my plan is to give this job another 6 months or so. It doesn't pay well enough for me to commit to them long term. In that space of time, a new union contract will come in. My hope is the federal government will stop paying Newfie wages and start paying Vancity wages. Unlikely, since it is the stupid Harper government.

Now that I have accepted the job, I'm sure the dream northern job will inevitably be posted.

Up

Sometimes a blogging gal just wants to test the dedication of her reading audience. I mean, can you really call yourself a true fan of my blog if more than a week goes by before you notice this amazing update??? Go ahead and look down at the bottom to see when I posted this. I'll wait.

What have I been doing in the mean time? Good question. Changing jobs, breaking rules, failed real estate endeavours of dilapidated properties, cheering everything Canadian, getting in trouble for breaking rules. Currently I'm waiting patiently for an announcement from my boss as to whether or not I will be working the day shift rather than graveyards. In the meantime, I began to reevaluate if financially, it would be better to move out of the Vancity area. You see, the government has proposed changes for first-time home owners. Gone are the 5% down days, thank you sub-prime lenders. The proposed changes would require first-timers to put down a ridiculous 20%. Given that the average price of a modest house is $500 000, that's a $100 000 down payment. I can't foresee saving that kind of cash.

So I started looking for jobs farther away again. My lease is coming up, so why not? I found a great job that pays a ton in the Northwest Territories. In a very small town of 1200 people. I have spent hours reading blogs to learn more about this town. I wondered if a single, vegetarian, gluten-free girl could make it in such isolation. I thought I might be okay as I am adept at the art of internet shopping. I was all set to apply but then I realized that in a small town, I would be faced everyday with people whose lives I may have changed in dramatic ways. Example, what if I did a house visit and wrote a report stating that a kid should be removed from the house. I would see those parents around town, with only 1 grocery store in town, it would be impossible to avoid. I think in time, I would feel very alone.

So I decided to not apply for this position, but apply for a similar position in a larger town. It would be an amazing experience and good for my career. I have a little dream that I will start a new blog, about my northern adventures. In my mind the experience will be like Northern Exposure. I'm working on the blog title. There are some amazing NWT blogs out there. Right now I'm reading Townie Bastard's blog. A newfie political journalist (who used to write the Clarenville Packet!!!) who moved to Nunavut. (Theresa, insert Micah joke here.) www.towniebastard.blogspot.com It's a little heavy on the Newfie politics, but still really good.

And my other favorite is a written by a musician/bartender and his partner who moved to Nunavut from Ontario. http://jordanandsteph.blogspot.com/ They are still in their early days, and have just discovered that curling is cool. Their biggest tip? Be social, don't hunker down just because it's -45 degrees.

And possibly the best blog I have ever seen http://newnavut.blogspot.com/. She chronicled her journey from the start. Sort of a "how-to" for moving to the arctic. The thing she wishes she packed more of? kitty litter! Who would have thunk? What coat to buy? She's got the answer.

Okay, so maybe you aren't so obsessed with the idea as I am. I have been thinking about doing this for the last 3 years. Believe me, these graveyard shifts give me the opportunity to do a lot of internet reading. But you never know, maybe you'll be hoping on a "First Air" flight to visit me one day. So read up.

update

the next project!

The pumpkin spice hoodie is coming along. Stay tuned for pictures. I discovered I really like sewing! Too bad I need to get more supplies before I can finish it. I've been looking for other projects. Nothing too hard, I think I'm going to make this bag, but with longer handles. Think thai/hippie bag.

The summer that was Part 1

While some super star bloggers attempt to blog 100 posts in 100 days, I'm more of a realist. I'm striving to do one post every hundred days. I'm sure my core readership has long since given up, but here you go. It's an official blog post.

It's been so long, perhaps I have already blogged about Rider Lake. It was a day spent lookng at amazing gardens and super cute alpacas.

Sarah and Ella eating el fresco in the 'wack

bathing in the backyard. She's a splash monster!

Shamrock's year-end baseball tourny in February.

Ella's first birthday party at the spray park. The water was so cold, Ella's little chin was shaking. Luckily, dad was there to warm her up.



cake!

The summer that was part 2

Ella giving her favorite auntie absolute GOLD!

And then there's mom, trying to hog the camera

Driving the firetruck

Then it was time for the family reunion. We rented an RV (highly recommended). Obviously this called for wigs and costumes.

First campsite was near Pemberton. In the morning we went for a hike!

The pictures don't really capture the waterfall. I recommend seeing it for yourself. FYI, the trail to the falls is some sort of hot guy mecca.

And this is where I misplaced my camera. Insert amazing family reunion pictures here.

Suds had google earth'ed th entire trip. He had some amazing side trips. This was one of them. Marble Canyon near Lytton. It was 40 degrees, swimming here was the BEST!

And right about now is when the RV's AC just wasn't cutting it. Man was it ever hot.

This was the hottest rest-stop on the planet. I will never live in Lytton.

Lunch in yaletown. Can't remember where we went, but it was pretty good. Or at least the drinks were good. Here's mom hogging the camera again.

These two are music video rockstars

And then all of a sudden Iwas in Hong Kong

Gotta love the Vancity tourist photo-ops

Driving in the car. Ella was supposed to be going to sleep. Mom is yelling at me to not make eye contact so she'll go to sleep.

Whitney and I did a security gig at the BCCOM Gastown show'n shine. It was a stressful job! Whitney got hit on by a restauranteur and cute bikers assumed we were groupies rather than security. At the end of the day, Whitney and I were dying to get a drink.

The View

And we're back!

Leaving the ghetto is never easy. If it were easy, no one would live there! It all turned out well in the end. Please stay tuned to see pictures of my new place.

Mysteriously, I have full cable. After not having more than 3 channels for so long, I really do notice what a time-waster it is. John and Kate, I only knew about them because of the checkstand magazines. There was a marathon on tonight, so I had to watch a few episodes. I don't know why people find them interesting! It's like a daycare. yawn. I think I'll be glad when the tv company disconnects me. I have things to do!

I feel like I'm at the end of a vacation, and I just want to get back home. How strange, this is my house with all of my stuff, but it doesn't feel like home. yet.

It will all work out in the end

Yoga and Martinis

What better pairing could there be? Shannon and I headed to Whitney's appartment/yoga studio. Nicole and Whitney had completely changed the vibe of the appartment. It was perfect for yoga! With 3 yoga DVDs, we were sure to have a good workout.

Poor Shannon didn't have a yoga mat, she had to make do with a tiger blanket. Here she is doing her best tiger pose.

Whew! Time to eat. Whit served up some delish Vietnamese Salad rolls. We were all so hungry we wolfed them down. Of course there was also wine and cheese!

Next we were off to Chill Winstons to meet Tiffany for martinis and appys. Waiting for the cab, I was a little camera happy (probably because of the wine).

Strike a pose

I wish I'd remembered that I had my camera later in the night. I don't have a single pic from Chill Winston. The next morning I heard that Robert Pattison from Twilight fame was also at Chill Winston that night. But we didn't see him there.

Sushi and Bikes

I met Whitney and Nicole a few weeks ago for sushi. Afterwards they talked me into a bike ride. It was fun, I might just do it again....

I'm having flashbacks to this ride I took with Sarah about 5 years ago...

Moving on

yup that's right. I'm moving. Where? Yet to be determined. But one thing is for sure, there is a vacancy in the ghetto.

A few months ago, water started to pour out of my bathroom fan. I always thought that electricity doesn't mix well with water. I advised the co-op, and was told not to use the fan until it got fixed. Fast forward to today, I see the maintenance lady and ask her about my fan. Has the leak been fixed? She says that she doesn't know, but maybe I should just try turning it on and see what happens! Hmmm. Idiot, it worked all along, it was the water that was the problem. This just solidified in my mind, I made the right decision to move. They won't fix this leaky ghetto co-op any time soon.

I have decided that I would like to live in a concrete tower for a while. I'd like to not know or hear my neighbours. Living in a co-op, you get to know too much about the neighbours. There is so much gossiping and rumours! Looks like I'll be moving at the end of May. Of course, if you would like to offer up your moving services, it would be very much appreciated. I am getting rid of most of my stuff, the move *should* be pretty easy! Glutenous pizza and beer will be supplied!

BBQ'd Cat

She's not the smartest cat sometimes.

Ella Eats Another Remote Control

bubbles

I'm not even sure how this happened. I switched to the concentrated laundry soap, and I guess I must have poured a little too much in. I've seen this in cartoons, but never in real life. I'm glad all I was washing was my running shoes.

Whitney's Birthday

After much indecision, Whitney decided she wanted a low key birthday. An afternoon chick-flick and a simple dinner. We bought our movie tickets and went for a pint at the Irish pub.



We saw New in Town at Tinseltown which probably won't be nominated for any awards, but Harry Connick Jr. supplies ample eye-candy. Then it was time for dinner and champagne, Sarah supplied the Caesar salad:



Yummm. I hadn't tried Sarah's Caesar salad recipe before, it is now my favorite. Why in the world was I using Kraft? Roasted garlic might just be the best thing in the universe!

On the cat walk

what a bad blogger I have been of late! I'll do my best to be better.

So I promised you the tale of this:


It was delivered to my house just after new years. There was so much snow on the ground, that the delivery guys bitched the whole time. But I figured I paid them $50 to deliver the 200 lb item, they could complain all they wanted. At least I had cleared my stairs off with my dust pan. Geesh!

So what is it? Well it's a treadmill! I found it really tough to get in my daily walks when the weather turned nasty. Problem solved! I set aside the whole day to assemble the thing. I read the instructions which said that assembly required two people. Surely not! Idiot that I am, I started to put it together. About an hour into it, all the snow came roaring off the roof onto my stairs. After I cleaned up that mess, I was back to the assembly line. I'm not going to lie, it was really, really hard to assemble. Not because the instructions where vague and badly translated but because it really did require 2 people. One person to hold a piece and another person to attach the piece. There was a couple times I thought I would cry with frustration. But I managed to put it together. After 3 hours of shovelling snow, and about 5 hours of assembling the treadmill, I was too exhausted to even use it!




The part that you walk on folds up when not in use. I thought it would be a bit more movable than it is. I wish it folded the other way, then I could hide it. Yes, the cats will walk on it, but not for very long. They like to use it like a rocket launcher, why walk against the flow, when you could run with it!

note- I was offered the job I mentioned a few posts back. I accepted it even though I don't think I want the job. Stay tuned....

I'm not sure this counts as a blog update...

Having nothing to do today, a rare sunny winter Sunday afternoon in Vancouver. After reading in bed until 11:30, I made brunch and wondered what I could possibly do with the rest of my day. I decided that I was over-due for a blog update and so I packed up my laptop, sunglasses and my Starbucks gift card. I feel a little but like Perez Hilton blogging in a coffee shop listening to Britney Spears trying to drown out the elementary school teachers who are gossiping next to me. I'm even more scared to look over at them. Something tells me that at least one of them taught me a class 20 years ago.

I've been working 6 days a week lately. My days off have been used to clean, cook and grocery shop in preparation for the next 6 day stretch. Whitney says that I'll never meet anyone new with that routine. I have just joined a gluten-free social group, I'm looking forward to eventually meeting the group members. It's comforting to think that there are other food freaks out there. I've only met other celiacs online, ie. not in person. Other than that, I have a job interview in a couple of days for a job I don't think I want. But I'm determined to keep my mind open to the job. I'm not a huge believer in horiscopes, but Georgia Nichols says that 2009 will be a huge year for me (and other tauruses) in terms of jobs. That's just fine with me!

Stay tuned for a blog update explaining this: