Monday, May 28, 2007

First Hike of the Season

Finally went hiking this year! Three of us have new packs and decided it was time to break them in and do some training for more serious hikes later in the year. We went up to Lynn Headwaters (near my parents' place) and hiked up to Norvan Falls. About 15km round trip. It was absolutely perfect. The sun couldn't quite break through the clouds, so it wasn't hot at all. Tshirt and pants weather. Only put on my fleece jacket while we had lunch in the shade, sitting next to Norvan creek. Took us about 5 hours, including 3 generous snack breaks. My legs were a bit sore coming back on the gravel road, but not too bad. My pack was about 18 lbs so next time out I'll add maybe 5 more lbs. My sleeping bag for starters, got to figure out how to stuff that thing properly so it fits in the designated spot for it. I also want to buy a camera case that I can attach to the front of my pack. The only suitable pocket for my camera isn't accessible when the pack is on, so I hardly took any pics since I had to take my pack off first.

Spent Saturday night in NV as my complex had a sewer back up in the building across the lot. I wasn't affected at all, but no flushing allowed! It was pretty lucky actually - my parents had picked up my refinished coffee table (it is absolutely amazing! Looks brand new with a gorgeous dark red finish) and drove it out to my place. They were the ones who discovered the note explaining the situation and called me on my cell to tell me not to bother coming home! When I got back Sunday afternoon, all was well. Spent the rest of the day playing with my music on the computer, ripping CDs and trying to sort it all out. I need new music for the car, for those evil rush hour days.

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Random!

Facebook, baby. It's where all the cool internet addicts are these days. Join, so I can tag you in photos more easily!

Why do all my fav shows end on a cliffhanger?! I promise, I'd come back anyway. I love you, TV. And *cries* - Crossing Jordan and Veronica Mars have been canceled. At least I still have a bunch of VM eps sitting on my computer still to be watched.

I tried putting this product called Soft Claws on Fuzzy tonight. They are like nail covers that grow out with his nails and last about 4-8 weeks. They keep his nails from doing any damage and are supposedly very very safe. It's been about 15 minutes and he's managed to remove at least 3. We'll see how it goes. I like my new couch and would prefer to not keep putting double sided sticky tape on it to keep him from scratching. Totally my fault though, I let him claw the 1970s couch to his heart's content, so teaching him that the new one is off limits is quite difficult. He's doing pretty good so far, just despises the sticky tape and avoids it.

And...... I have a date tomorrow. I leave you with that tidbit.

Monday, May 21, 2007

Weekend

Weirdly nice long weekend, considering that I had to work. Friday, after work, I went to my friend's house, where we amused ourselves by watching the guys drink and by baking cookies. Even though her oven sucketh (who has ever heard of an oven that is 350F on the dial, but 400F on the thermometer and the temp goes up when you turn the dial down??), the cookies turned out mostly okay. They looked good, but watching 3 drunk guys devour cookies is no indication of the tastiness. I had to try one for proof. For future reference, always make your cookies with chocolate chips and skor bits.

Working Saturdays would actually be great, if it wasn't Saturday. Super busy, followed by gentle lulls where you can take a relaxed break, followed by super busy. After, Rod and I went out for Thai food.

Sunday was spent at the Vancouver Aquarium with my old roommate, Heather, and her friend Sarah. The aquarium is seriously cool - although my favourite had to be the jellyfish. And the belugas. I could watch both for ages. The jellyfish make better pics though. I loaded them on my facebook account since there were just too many for my geocities account to bother.

I think there should be places where you can order chocolate for delivery.

Oh - and valuable lesson learned. My smoke detector is RIGHT outside the kitchen and it's super sensitive. I was making fajitas and heating the tortillas. I saw no smoke, smelt no smoke and suddenly the alarm was wailing. Open windows, open doors, stick the frying pan on the balcony, stand on chair and wave fresh air. Goodgod, it's loud. It eventually turned off thankfully, but why in the world would it be right out the kitchen door?

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Month long summary

Wow, I've been a lousy poster this past month. I blame facebook. Stupid addiction.

Where to begin? It's only been a whole month....

Ah yes, did you know hell froze over? Yes, that's right. Rod and Fancy have set a wedding date! September 2008! Congrats you two and many hugs! (You know I'm mostly kidding about hell freezing over *g*)

My couch and entertainment cabinet have arrived and are in place! I just need my coffee table back and maybe an area rug to complete my living room. I need to put up my blinds (I intended to do it tonight, but my drill wasn't charged!) and my last few paintings as well.

What else - my parents returned from their month long cruise/trip to Italy with a fantastic souvenir for me. White wine glasses from Murano, Italy. They are hand blown glass, all in one piece, with a smooth goblet and a twisted stem. To me, the top of the stem sort of looks like a dragon claw holding up the goblet.

May 4 was my sister's birthday and we decided to have a birthday weekend. Friday, I had to work, so she went out with my parents to a greek restaurant. Saturday, we had dinner at my parents with cake and presents, followed by a SINGLES pub crawl in Gastown. About 40 people, mostly in their late 20s/30s. Blarneystone, Lion's Pub, Steamworks, and Shine. The first three were more or less pubs, but Shine was a dance bar. I had a blast. I think she did too. She was drinking and dancing anyway :) By the end of the night, there were about 6 of us hanging out together and I actually asked one of the guys for his number. I eventually got up the courage to call him and asked him to do something. He said yes, but we are having some scheduling difficulties. I get the feeling he's "just not that into me", which is fine. Much easier to ask out a guy you've only known for about 4 hours than someone you actually know and like! No feelings to get hurt yet.

*L* I'm going through my pictures trying to figure out what I did this last month.

Last weekend was crazy busy. Friday was my mum's birthday. She went to her mum's for dinner first, which worked for me, as I got to go watch my friend's softball team. I'm kind of a sub, but that was the first game I've been able to go to due to my work schedule and they didn't need me. I got to score keep though. Went to my parents for cake and presents and as soon as my mum mentioned her need for sleep, I went back to my friend's house for the post-softball beers. Saturday was May cooking lesson day and we put together dinner for my mum's bday/mother's day. Seared scallops, salmon or beef wellington, veggies, with apple crisp and strawberry mousse for dessert. Sunday was actual mother's day which meant dinner at my parents' with my grandmothers. Basically, I used a lot of gas money!

Heather's coming out to Vancouver this weekend, so perhaps there will be a story or two coming soon....*L*