Archive for July, 2004
July 31st, 2004 -- Posted in Shopping |
An Ottawa shopping trip is a great way to spend a rainy summer Saturday. We had our biggest ever shopping trip at MEC, and bought:
A 115L dry bag (it’s frickin’ huge!) which replaces one of our backpacks so now we have a dry big backpack, and a not so dry big backpack. I think we can fit everything now.
Pants for Jenn and I - we were using flannel pants or hospital scrubs, and those just aren’t outdoorsy enough
A long sleeved shirt for me (keep me warm on my upcoming solo camping trip - woo hoo!)
A compass (so I don’t get lost, or at least am perceived as even more imcompetent when I do)
A first aid kit (to assist me in my “adventures”)
Headlamp - it’s cute, and bright, and long lasting
Thermarest chair, so at least one of us will be comfortable at the campfire (ah, there are always logs and rocks for the other person aka me)
Fuel cannisters for the gourmet meals we’ll be preparing (like Easy Mac (aka KD), oatmeal, tea, and uh… well, that menu is what we’ve gotta work on over the next 2 weeks)
We wanted to buy a water filter but the one we selected was sold out, so we’ll try to buy it from Peak Experience and if they don’t have it we’ll see if MEC can ship in time, and if not then we’ll have to pop by the Toronto store… and if they don’t have it, well,… I guess we’d settle for another type.
Then we bought pastries at a downtown bakery (I almost bought some pate - you shoulda seen the selection!) and had dinner at a pub. Usually when we go to Ottawa we arrive late, dash around, and head home ASAP, but this time we planned it out a little more and took our time - 12 hrs. It was nice. I wonder if someday I’ll end up working in Ottawa.
July 30th, 2004 -- Posted in Misc |
Another long weekend is upon us. It looks like we might spend a day going to Ottawa and doing a little shopping at MEC for our camping trip. Of course, we will also have to stop in IKEA!! Maybe we can even go to Jack Astor’s! Yummm!
July 27th, 2004 -- Posted in News |
A colleague of mine passed away suddenly today. Gerry. He was always good for a smile, and since he was the caretaker, he was always holding a mop or a broom so I was always saying “I love a man with a broom”. He loved his Guinness. He loved curling. Anyway, the hallways won’t be the same without him. I’m not sure how long he was at our school but he was there when I started in 1999. Life is fragile.
July 27th, 2004 -- Posted in Movies |
I went to see The Notebook today. What a great movie… and chick flick! I haven’t read the book so can’t compare those, but I really loved the story… especially about growing old together.
July 26th, 2004 -- Posted in Shopping |
Well, I bought a new pair of running shoes but I don’t think they work for me… and I think I have used them too much to return them. Argh. Hate that.
July 23rd, 2004 -- Posted in Misc |
So, I have been away this week visiting various friends from camp. I saw Trish, Judy, Ciska, and Krista… all of whom are doing well. I also had a week of LOTS of food. I even managed to get a few Krispy Kremes. So I guess I will be spending the next week eating salad and going to the gym.
July 18th, 2004 -- Posted in Canoe Adventures |
We went camping at Charleston Lake Provincial Park this weekend. We got two evening paddles in and two daytime paddles. We were able to watch a small loon family teach their baby how to catch fish… it was pretty neat. We saw a falcon in it’s nest and a black rat snake! Wasn’t so excited about the snake as it was close to our campsite. They can grow up to 8 feet in length but I think in this part of Ontario they only grow up to about 6 feet. Ick. The lake was clear so we were able to see lots of the underwater life… There were lots of islands, rocks, and lots of fish swimming around too. Anyway, it was a successful canoe weekend. The car camping was a little loud but the perfect canoeing weather made up for it!
July 16th, 2004 -- Posted in News |
Woohoo!! Lance has moved from 6th place to 2nd place overall!! WOOHOO!! I just love this competition. I love the team work, how other teams help each other out, and how people overcome their own personal challenges. I just heard about the 1/4 group rule. Something like if a quarter or more the group doesn’t qualify, they can’t kick them out. So on the harder parts they clump together at the back so no one is eliminated. I didn’t explain that very well… but they point is, they help each other out! I love it!
July 13th, 2004 -- Posted in Addictions |
It has been said maybe once or twice or a hundred times that I can get a little obsessed about things. Well, two weeks ago, our neighbour took our recycling bin instead of their own… they aren’t even the same! Anyway, I have wanted ours back ever since. I was very disappointed last week as they didn’t put their recycling out but was happy to see that last night, they finally put my bin at the curb! So this morning as soon as the recycling was picked up, I made Doug go out for “Operation Recycling Bin”. I am happy to report that our recycling bin, the sturdy one, is back in our garage awaiting more recycling!! WOOHOO!! Now I just have to decorate it this week so there will never be confusion again!
July 12th, 2004 -- Posted in Silliness |
I was so smooth at the gym today… I was on the treadmill running away when my walkman fell! I did my best to not run on it but it sort of smashed into the wall behind me. It still works but I can’t seem to put it together…. but it manages to still run while the lid is partially open. I will have to work on it again later when I have more patience. Everyone saw it… rather embarassing. All except my friend ( who would have laughed hysterically!)… she was across from me but her walkman was on and didn’t see it! An amusing start to my day.
July 8th, 2004 -- Posted in Addictions |
Doug and I have both been watching the Tour de France. I started getting into it last year and love all the different aspects of the race. There is team trials, individual trials, it’s great! Of course I am following Lance …
July 7th, 2004 -- Posted in Misc |
Everyone seems to be having babies lately and while I was searching the registries, I noticed that you can have an any occassion registry… not just babies and weddings. Perhaps I will do that for Christmas this year. Hmm…. something to work on.
July 6th, 2004 -- Posted in News |
I was at my parents house for one night and they have pretty strict rules about parking on the street so it is always a challenge to find somewhere to park. Well, one of their neighbours were away for the weekend and said we could park there anytime they weren’t home… so that’s what I did. No problem. Well, around 10 pm we are sitting in the family room just chatting and I heard a car so I peaked out… Oh.. it’s the police! Two cars! They were facing the house next door but then started to walk to the house where I was parked! It turns out that their alarm was going off and the police had been called in to see what was going on. I’m sure my plates were checked… my Mom explained that it was my car and we were allowed to park there… but still… of all the nights to park there… the night their alarm goes off and the police come. Anyway, they checked all the doors and windows and everything seemed to be okay and they were on their way. Next time I think I might just risk it and park on the street.
July 4th, 2004 -- Posted in Canoe Adventures |
We were out on Buck Lake today when we were going around a small island. Doug pointed out a loon on the island… it was under this little bush and was lying straight out. At first it looked dead but then we saw its head move a little. I’ve never seen a loon out of water and it is passed the time for babies I would think… I guess I will have to do some research to know if they nest at all the rest of the time. Anyone know?
July 2nd, 2004 -- Posted in Shopping |
I made a spontaneous purchase, and in so doing, made a discovery about Kingston. I bought a Tilley. I figured that I’ll be spending alot of time in the outdoors while canoeing, hiking, camping, reading and gardening - and I may as well get the most out of the lifetime warranty while I’m young (and will own it for 50+ years). These hats are phenomenal. Yeah, they’re like 5 times the price of similar hats, but they’re way better, and you get a lifetime of exchanges when they wear out. So cool - and Canadian - as Canadian as hockey, canoeing, and talking about the weather.
And in so doing, we discovered Dover’s Men’s Wear. This is a store which has always carried the impression of being one of those snooty men’s fancy stores (Jenn even said that to Darren, the manager!). I had been in there before but the older salesmen always eyed you as if you were going to walk off with something, and their clothing seemed too fancy and unpractical (and too expensive). The first girl (ah, it’s nice to see a girl in a menswear shop - you can actually trust that your bride will concur with their opinion) was cheerful and funny and easy-going. She then referred us to “the expert” (Darren) and he was similar in a helpful and cheerful but not overbearing way. Now, you should know that all bets were on me to look around and walk out with a brief “well, I’ll think about it” - but something magnetic inspired me to heck with it - just go for it. Part of that was that I really wanted a nice hat, and part was the exceptional sales (the perfect balance). After the purchase he even asked what we thought he could do to improve the image of the store. Amazing!
We whine about bad service enough that it’s our joyful obligation and wish to highlight the good ones out there - and Dover’s Men’s Wear gets that recommendation!
July 1st, 2004 -- Posted in Movies |
We saw a couple of movies this afternoon (it was raining, what else is one to do on a day off like today?) - Pieces of April, and Love Actually. Both we recommend. Love Actually is quite a chick flick, but enough nudity, comedy, and realism to make it guy worthy. Pieces of April also had the realism, and less nudity and comedy, but more emotional intensity - and it’s an IFA movie, featured at various Film Festivals so it’s gotta be good.
I’ve tried to watch Shrek 2 like three times now but everytime I end up with the Spanish version! Drives me crazy. Maybe I’ll just have to rent it.
July 1st, 2004 -- Posted in Books |
I just finished a book by R.M.Paterson called “Dangerous River”. It’s a voyageur (not voyeur) book about canoeing/trapping/camping/surviving on the Tahanni River in the Yukon. It started out pretty factual, but then the stories got hilarious. It made me want to quit work and go camping for the summer somewhere like Algonquin.
My other book is The Singing Wilderness by Olsen. It’s such a beautiful book about life in the wild… seems to really exemplify what I’ve been desiring/feeling lately.
On the bedside table includes “You Remind Me of Me” and … I can’t remember the other one. If they’re good I’ll write reviews then. It’s so nice to have a few good books on the go. For a while there I wasn’t getting any success.
July 1st, 2004 -- Posted in Cooking |
I know it’s not really over, but I’ve used up my $30 worth of strawberries. I froze 6 bags, and today made a strawberry coffee cake, strawberry crisp, and strawberry uhh… well, it’s basically strawberries, blueberries and cantaloupe drizzled with a bit of lemon juice and topped with brown sugar, butter, and walnuts and broiled in the oven …yummy on ice cream. I had my last strawberry sandwiches last night for supper. My carb diet (that is, all carbs) is almost over, and I can soon return to balanced eating (at least until raspberry and blueberry seasons swing in - ah, I just wish I had cherries available via u-pick).
July 1st, 2004 -- Posted in Shopping |
Happy Canada Day!! We’re supposed to get thunderstorms today but hopefully they hold off long enough for me to get my shopping in.
After the final firework last night, I realized that we probably would have had a perfect view from our backyard. Oh well. There are more tonight. It seems that Kingston has four separate celebrations… East, West, North and further North…
