Right back into everything

Well, I guess it's official now, I'm right back into everything that I'm used to back here in Alberta. I had 3 hockey games to ref this weekend and I'm back into finishing assignments at the last minute and slacking off otherwise. I'm going to try to get back to writing here more often but through October I'm going to be quite busy. Actually, despite the fact that there will be an insane amount of stuff going on, I'm actually looking forward to most of it. Granted the midterms and assignments (as well as my internship presentation) can't be avoided but the reffing and my trip back to Ottawa have me excited for the next few weeks.

Poker...not until next week

Unfortunately, the plans for poker tomorrow just aren't going to work. I didn't get enough response and I guess I should probably do my assignment that is due on Thursday anyway since I didn't do it tonight. Plus I might end up reffing. Oh well, there's always this weekend or else if I end up going to Jasper we can just start it up on next Wednesday.

So today I realized how much I'm going to actually have to do homework and reading and stuff this semester. October is going to be hell but I guess that's just me trying to get back into school. I managed to pull it off before with more work and even more stuff to keep me busy so I should be able to do it again. It shouldn't even be that bad even with my huge CMPUT 401 group project keeping me busy. Just a little intimidating when you start filling in a planner (yep, I'm actually trying to use one this year) and you don't see more than three days in a row without an assignment or test or something. I know, I know, suck it up...I will.

And on that note, guess I should read a few chapters to catch up tonight before I go to bed.

Reffing season is here again

Well, I reffed my first hockey game today. It's good to be back at it but boy am I out of shape. I wasn't too short of breath but my legs were just killing me. It's also hard to skate when your muscles cramp up on you. Time to go to the gym. Anyway, the game went ok and I'm looking forward to my next one already.

I also played in the Campus Rec Golf tournament yesterday. My team of three came in tied for third with a -10. Pretty impressive but I guess not quite good enough to win. On the first hole I hit a 280 yard drive and then chipped in and got us an eagle! Anyway, it was a good time and I played quite well. I hope to get out again at least once before the end of the season but hopefully it stays warm enough for me to get out a couple of times.

The calm between storms

Well the first week and weekend back at school went off without too much trouble. I managed to get my internship report done and I don't have any other assignments due this week so I have a little relaxation time. With Canada winning the World Cup last night and me having some free time (for now), I'm feeling pretty good.

This weekend I start my reffing and I get to golf in the Campus Rec Texas Scramble tournament. Should be a good weekend.

First week back

Well, the first week back at school is drawing to a close and boy am I burnt out. I really thought that it would calm down a bit once I got moved in and school started but I couldn't have been more wrong. Between my internship report, cleaning the already messy apartment (and still unpacking), volunteering at the university, and trying to find some social time to see friends, I'm as busy as ever.

Orientation was a blast. My group of kids weren't the most energetic but a few of them stuck through to the end and they helped make it lots of fun along with the fact that I had an awesome TF (Team Facilitator) and a great group of OLs (Orientation Leaders) that I was with. I'm also volunteering for Week of Welcome (WOW) and trying to get out to those events. I went to the Sloan concert last night which was pretty cool because it was in a relatively small venue. It's too bad the opening bands weren't that great but Sloan still rocked. I'm going to the football game tonight where hopefully the Eskimos will be able to repeat their performance of the Labour Day game. Too bad it's going to be frickin' freezing but the crowd in College Corner will keep us warm.

I'm off to my one class for the day and then back to the Student's Union building to volunteer some more.

New place and Orientation training

So I've been really busy these past few days. Aside from moving into my new place and trying to finish my internship report, I've been doing Orientation training for the last two days. First, about the new place. It's actually not that bad of an apartment. It's very spacious and the location isn't bad (less than two blocks from West Edmonton Mall). We have a corner basement apartment which means our patio/balcony door leads right out onto the grass outside. This will make it a lot easier to come in and out and means we can have a BBQ *YAY*. I'm still trying to get all my stuff settled and unpacked but I've been so busy with other things that it's been pretty hard.

One of these other things is Orientation training. For those that don't know what the heck I'm talking about, Orientation is the program run at the University of Alberta for first year students to learn about the University. It runs the two days before classes start but the Orientation volunteers (like me) have to go in for two days of training before that. Yes, this means I lose my last long weekend of the summer but it's worth it. We had tons of fun at training this year but I am already burnt out. I know somehow I'll find energy for the next two days (plus the three after that for week of welcome) but hopefully I'll have a good group of kids and I can feed off of that.

Well, I'd better get back to finishing up my internship report (yep, it's still not done) and then get some sleep. It's going to be a long, fun filled day tomorrow.

Back in the Wild Wild West

Well, it's been a crazy 16 months in Ottawa but I'm back in Alberta now. How did it get to be September already? I still remember getting to Ottawa last May...boy does time fly. Some stuff has changed around here but I don't think I'll feel quite at home until after school starts. I'm moving stuff into my new place tonight with Dan. I still actually don't even know the actual address so I'm kind of scared but also kind of excited, aparently it's a nice place but I'll have to post later with my first impressions. Just thought I'd post to say I'm back in E-town and that I'll post again after I get moved in.

The end of one chapter...the beginning of another

Well, today is my last day in Ottawa, I leave early tomorrow morning for Edmonton. I've had a lot of great times here and I've met a lot of great people, some who I'm sure are now friends for life. It's a very bittersweet departure for me. I love my new life here and it's hard to leave, especially leaving some people behind. But at the same time I'm excited to go back home and see all my friends back there and get back to school. Only two more semesters and I'm done so it's kind of exciting that way. It'll also be good to live with Dan again. He and I (who have been best friends since we were born) get along so well together that it's actually easier to live with him than on my own I think, at least it's better anyway. I can't wait to see our new place. Dan's mom aparently said it looks good so it can't be too bad :). Well, for those in Ottawa, this is only see you later, not goodbye. For those in Alberta, I'm coming home, see you there. For those elsewhere, I'll be by your way again sometime in the near future.

Music to check out

Now I'm assuming most of you have heard Yellowcard on Much Music or the radio by now but lately (especially since Warped Tour) I've been on a huge kick listening to them. Ocean Avenue is a great album that I can't seem to get enough of and some of their earlier songs are starting to find their way onto my MP3 player. So check the whole album out, not just the radio songs which, while great songs, aren't the best on the album.

Everybody here is livin'life in fear of fallin' out of line
Tearin' lives apart breakin' lots of hearts just to pass the time
And the eyes get red in the back of your head
This place will make you blind
Put it all behind me and I'll be just fine
-Yellowcard from Back Home

Also, I've been listening to Michael Tolcher again and Something Corporate. Two great softer sounds that seem to mellow me out like a lot of Switchfoot stuff. And then there's always my favorite band, Less Than Jake. Anyway, just thought I'd let everyone know what's firing through the stereo and computer while I'm packing stuff up. Guess it's almost time to pack up the rest of my CDs and I'll have to go on MP3s alone.

When all the things that you've been thinking
has you so confused and so unglued
your head is spinning
well we've all felt the same inside
-Less Than Jake from Is This Thing On?

Packing

I thought I'd take a break from packing to throw out a post. It's really hard to stay on task and pack when the olympics are on. I've been lazing around for half the day watching TV (mostly the olympics) and trying to avoid packing which needs to get done. It's hard to believe all the junk that I've collected in just over a year here. The box of DVDs and CDs is about twice as big as was needed to come here. Good thing Jarett and I are splitting a truck load of stuff or I don't know how I would get half of this stuff home. Well, back to packing.

And I know how it feels to walk out on your own
Maybe someday I will see you again
And you'll look me in my eyes and call me your friend
-Yellowcard from Empty Apartment

Post #50!

Wow, can't believe I've actually posted that much. Especially since I seem to post in spurts. Like in the next week or two don't be surprised if I don't post at all since I'm going to be out of my mind packing stuff to get it moved from Ottawa to Edmonton. Thanks to all the people who actually read this and give me some feedback. I know my life isn't overly exciting but meh, it's my life and it's nice to know some people actually care to read about it. I'll keep posting if you keep reading and if anyone has feedback, even if it's just to tell me how boring this all seems, or ideas on other things I could post let me know. Thanks for reading.

My vacation summary: Part 4

Ok, so it's been quite some time that I've been back so I'd better finish up this summary for those that care...

Sunday we moved across the river to a cousin's cottage where my parents would be staying for the rest of their trip (which is almost over now). This cottage is constantly under renovation but it is a pretty nice place and we're just grateful for someplace free to stay. Sunday evening I got a chance to see my Uncle Cam and Aunt Roxanne along with my little cousin (who is now getting big) Quincy.

Monday just flew by since we just went into Charlottetown and met my Aunt Nancy for lunch as well as met up with Cam, Roxanne, and Quincy again, this time with Quincy's sister Lisa joining the gang this time. Boy have my cousins grown up a bunch since I've seen them last. I guess that's what happens when you're away as long as I was. Monday afternoon we went to Brackley beach for another fun, yet relaxing time at the beach with my cousin Rachel. I forgot how well we seem to get along with so little time getting reaquainted. After a quick supper with Rachel and her boyfriend Brad, my dad and I had to run back to Montague to golf Dundarave while my mom went grocery shopping. Dundarave is definitely not my favorite course but it's still pretty nice and though my game didn't go so well I wouldn't mind trying it again when I have time to prepare for the round. After the round of golf we headed back to Jock and Gwen's and Amy and I had a bonfire on the beach with a few of her friends. Good times and fun with fire.

Tuesday was spent visiting random people and kind of wrapping up the vacation...boy did it just fly by. Tuesday night we went to see one of the plays Nancy was putting on at the Kings Playhouse in Georgetown. This may be the last time "A Nightengale Sang" ever shows so I count myself fortunate to have seen it again. It's a show basically guided by newspaper articles and headlines from World War II and the songs that came from WWII. My older cousins Pam and Christie were in it along with Nancy's roommate and production partner Pam. I forgot how musically talented (at least some of) my family is. Pam and Christie have just amazing voices. So that was kind of the final wrap on my visits. There are a few people that I wish I would have seen but for the most part I got to see who I needed to see and wanted to see and hopefully it won't be so long again before I go "home".

The Winner and New Champion...

I'll post the tail end of my vacation (which no one's probably even interested in anymore) later but right now here's a quick update.

I'm going nuts right now. There aren't enough hours in the day. I have to figure out a way to pack, do my report, and finish up work while trying to see everyone one more time before I leave Ottawa. It's been a blast here and the new life I've created here is hard to leave. Some close friends that I've made here make it very, VERY hard to leave and there will always be good memories. Who knows, I may yet wind up back in O-town after I finish up at the U of A this year.

What else is new? As some that know my regular routine (if you can call it that) might know, it was the end of the pool season last night. We capped it off again with a tree style tournament...and I WON! I basically played the best pool I've ever played and ended up only losing one game out of the 3 best of three matches I played before sweeping Mike (who is a really good player and was playing well) 3-0 in the best of 5 final. Look out to my friends in Alberta, I actually know how to play pool now :)

My vacation summary: Part 3

See, told you it would be soon...

So the first morning we woke up and had breakfast at my uncle and aunt's house. Oh, I forgot to tell the story of their house. It's actually on their old cottage lot and it wasn't built there. They bought it from where it was in Montague and moved it (yep, the whole house) to the cottage lot where they now live. I guess it was quite the spectacle seeing an old house up on a trailer going down the highway. Anyway, they fixed it up really well and built on a little addition and the place looks great. So back to breakfast...mmm, strawberries. After breakfast we went down to the river and since it was high tide we ran back up the bank to the house and grabbed our swimming stuff and went for a dip...THAT'S REFRESHING! So the river is a little cold. At least there wasn't too many jellyfish to watch out for and the seaweed wasn't that bad either. Later that afternoon we went out to Panmure Island beach for a swim and just to play at the beach with my cousin and her two daughters. They've both grown up so much since I saw them last. That day was also my dad's birthday so we went out for supper at Doc Johnson's in Montague and then Amy (my cousin) and I went into town (Charlottetown) with her boyfriend to meet up with her older sister Rachel and her boyfriend. We went out to Dooly's for pool and then East Side Mario's for half price appetizers...mmm. Then it was back to Rachel's for a movie and then back to Montague at 3:00 am. Good thing I got home so early so that I didn't have any problems getting up for golf at Brudenell at 7:00 the next morning .

So my dad and I played Brudenell which in my opinion is the best course on the island and near the top in Canada. It was in such amazing shape and is such a beautiful course that even going +13 on the first 4 holes barely phased me. Luckily I only went +10 on the rest of the course so I managed to salvage it to a normal round out of a really bad start. The rest of the Saturday was spent around the house and visiting with some more relatives until the evening. Saturday night we went out on a relative's fishing boat for a little trip down and then back up the river. It was nice to get out on the water again but unfortunately that's the only time I got out on the water since my uncle's sailboat wasn't in the water yet. Now I think that's a crime against nature (to have a sailboat and not have it in the water) but he is really busy and it will take some time to get it prepared to sail so it's understandable, just unfortunate.

I'll finish up the rest of my vacation story tomorrow hopefully.

My vacation summary: Part 2

So it's been a little bit in coming, and now I've been back for almost a week but now, as promised, here's more about my trip to PEI...

So after meeting up with my parents in the Halifax airport (I'd say Halifax except that the airport is way out of town) and we were confronted with a decision. Do we go to Halifax and see the tallships that were only starting to come in that day or do we go straight to the island? Since it wasn't a nice day at the time and I'd already had a trying morning, we just decided it would be better to head for the ferry. Along the way we stopped at the normal rest stop we always do in Stewiacke to go to the Dairy Queen and get the Digby scallop basket...mmm...fast food scallops. If only the rest of Canadian Dairy Queens and not just those on the East coast had Digby scallops, I might go there more. So we continued to drive north trying to time it right to make the ferry without having to wait long. I guess we took a little longer than we should have at the DQ but we managed to be one of the last 10 cars onto a ferry that arrived only minutes after we got into line to get on. Now some people ask why we would take the ferry when it is just as fast to go around and take the Confederation Bridge (the big stick connecting New Brunswick with PEI) when you're going from Nova Scotia to the East end of the island, but unless you've taken both the ferry and the bridge there you probably wouldn't understand much. For one, it's much nicer to get out and walk around the ferry than sitting in a car, but the main reason for me is just the atmosphere. Getting back to the island by way of the ferry is just a little bit (now forgive the corny feeling here) magical. It just kind of signifies the start of my vacation when I see the red sand shores and the lighthouse coming up.

So the ferry ride was good and I got to visit with my parents some more as well as we saw some seals and a ton of porpoises (which made my mom happy). We stopped at the visitors centre for a map and whatnot and then headed for Montague (my dad's home town on the East end of the island). We got to my uncle and aunt's house in the middle of the afternoon and just spent the rest of the first day visiting and catching up. And for supper...scallop bubbly bake...YUM. In case some of you don't know, scallops are my favorite food. Just so I don't bring it up again, I had scallops some 5 or 6 times while I was back East in various forms and even that wasn't enough. I also ate a lot of strawberries...mmm...almost as good as scallops.

I guess I'll have to continue this in another post later...which will be sooner rather than later unlike this one.

What a weekend

Wow, this weekend just flew by...but boy was it full of stuff. Friday night we went to Ive's house where her dad gave a few of us a lesson in wine tasting. I feel much more cultured now. And those newly aquired methods of wine tasting came in handy on Saturday night when we had a wine and fondue party at France and Ali's apartment. The rest of Saturday, when I wasn't playing soccer, was spent making squares for the dinner. Funny how we crammed like 15 people in their living room but it was a blast. France and Ali always throw a good party. So I crashed there on their couch that night at about 4 in the morning and then got home Sunday around 12:30...oops, too late for soccer practice. So I stayed home and napped/played guitar all afternoon when I really should have been doing my internship report. Then it was time to head out to Wei's for his housewarming BBQ. More good times. Wei and Esther have a nice little townhouse and we packed it with people. My team even won at Cranium (great game). So yeah, fun filled weekend. I'll post more on my vacation later today before I forget all that happened.

My vacation summary: Part 1

Well, I guess I'll take a bit of time and summarize my vacation to PEI. Since this could take a while, I'll probalby do it in a few posts, but then I won't have to repeat the stories to everyone who asks about my trip.

It didn't start off on the best note. I woke up last Thursday morning at some unholy hour (5:00 am) so I could take a cab to the airport for my 7:10 flight. I woke up on time and immediately called and booked a cab to pick me up at 5:30. I had all my stuff packed and I was ready to go by 5:20 so I decided I may as well go downstairs and wait for the cab. After standing and waiting by the elevators for over 10 min I was starting to get worried. My cab was probably waiting downstairs and if the elevators weren't coming after 10 min I wasn't taking the chance that they would come in the next 10...so I took the stairs...with my golf clubs, suitcase (duffle bag for clothes), and my backpack. Down the 16 fligths of stairs to come out of the stairs to the outside just in time to catch my cab before he could drive off. Not the best start but I figured it could only get better...I didn't count on the Air Canada factor.

So I got to the airport in good time and was in line for my ticket by 6:00. Plenty of time right?...wrong. The line up was huge, and Air Canada, in its infinite wisdom, only had 3 ticket "windows" open. So as I stood in line and watched the time go by as other people were pulled out of line so they wouldn't miss their flights. Finally, at about 6:40, they pulled the Halifax flight that I was on out of the line to get checked in (keep in mind they only accept baggage for a flight up to 30 min before the departure time). So at least I got checked in...but then I hadn't been through security yet. As I waited in another huge line I began to worry if I would catch my flight. I finally get to the front of the line with about 5 min before my flight and of course get sent to the metal detector with some guy that doesn't know what "take any items out of your pockets" means. So after watching this guy get scanned several times, each time taking one or two more items out of different (or sometimes the same) pockets, I finally got passed through and ran down the terminal to my gate at the far end. I made the plane only to find that my seat was the one in the back corner of the plane where you can't recline the seat and the armrest is 4 inches or so in from where it should be because the plane starts to curve towards the tail. By the time I got to Halifax I was just happy that the plane didn't crash and that I'd managed to find my mom and dad without any hassle.

Ok, that was the rant and the only bad thing that happened on my vacation so when I post the next part it should be shorter and less bitchy.

Return from the island

Just got back from PEI this morning and man am I ever tired. I've been on the go since 4:00 PEI time. It kind of sucks to fly back from a vacation and have to go straight into work. Luckily I got a ride home from the airport so I didn't have to suffer through a bus ride as well. Anyway, sorry I didn't post while I was gone but I never got close to a computer after the first day so it was kind of hard. I'll post a little report about what I did while on vacation...but for now that will have to wait until later. I'm going to try to stay awake for the last half hour of work and then I'm helping Wei find a BBQ for his new house.

Off to the Island

Ok, this will be fast, mostly because I leave for the airport in 10 minutes. That's right, I'm off to Prince Edward Island for almost a week to visit some relatives (and my parents who are vacationing there as well). It'll be a nice break from work and everything here in Ottawa, though I am missing Tony's 4th birthday (Ive's little brother). Little kid's birthdays are so much fun and we had such a blast last year that I'm sad to say I'm missing it this year. Anyway, I don't know if I'll get time to post from PEI with all the visiting, golfing, and hopefully sleeping that is going on but I'll definitely post when I get back.

I can't believe I forgot this

There is a new Less Than Jake album out! I can't believe I didn't post anything about it. I was just listening to it while packing and I just thought, "these are some awesome songs, wait, I don't think I've told anyone about this". For those of you that don't know who Less Than Jake are, they're only my favorite band. They're an awesome ska/punk band out of Gainsville, Florida and they've been around for quite some time. It's the kind of music that just gets me going no matter what mood I was in. Their new album (B Is For B-Sides) is a collection of b-sides that got cut from their last album. Most of these songs are good enough to even be on Anthem (their last album). Check them out on the web and then go buy an album or two if you like the upbeat music.

"Because is it whatever it takes to get you by? What's the right thing to do in this crazy mixed up life? Sad or sober or stong or with closed eyes. Would you still make all the right decisions? Would you accept someone's forgiveness in this life?

I've read all the books and I still don't have all the answers. And that's fine. Whatever it takes to get you by."
- Less Than Jake from Showbiz? Science? Who Cares?