Archive for December, 2004
December 30th, 2004 -- Posted in Christmas |
Christmas was wonderful this year. We went to my parents the day of the big storm. We left here against advice of others and managed to have clear roads and sunny skies all the way to Toronto. We did hit icy roads once in Toronto but it was worth it as Doug got to pick up his new mixer. I’m sure he will go into lots of detail about it, but that was the main reason we ventured out during rain, sleet, and snow. Once we left the kitchen outlet, we were slow and steady on snow covered roads and actually ended up making a u-turn on a hill on Yonge Street as no one was getting up the hill on either side… we managed to find our way to familiar territory and safely make it to my parents. Phew!
Let’s see… some highlights of our holidays. We rented Elf and Doug is convinced now that I am an elf. There are some similar characteristics between Elf and I. Hmm… I definitely agree that one of the four food groups is candy. Oh, we also saw Meet the Fockers. It was funny but not quite what I expected. The humour was different in this movie than the first but funny in it’s own right. We had another family outing and went bowling. My brother has always been champion bowler and proved himself to be so again by beating Doug and I pretty badly. Luckily my Dad saved us from shame and beat my brother in the second game. I won’t tell you my score but I will tell you it was only two digits… both games. Very sad… but it was fun.
Doug and I ate at Lick’s… TWICE! Yummmmm! It is so sad that they never replaced the one here in Kingston. I guess it does make eating there that more special though. I tried the turkey burger and didn’t like it as much. It had a different taste… At least I tried something new though!
On our way home, we stopped at the new Vaughan Milsl mall. It was awesome! I guess the best part was Bass Pro Sports. It is an outdoor store from the States and it is HUGE. It has such great atmosphere as well with a big lodge type entrance and outdoorsy interior as well. They had a little trout stream, a large aquarium, and a shooting range game that reminded me of something you would find at Disney. There was so much outdoor stuff… it is hard to believe that Torontonians would want a store like that but it was packed. They have fishing, boating, boats, motors, hunting (rifles, camo, bows), clothing (Columbia), camping gear, and the list goes on! We spend most of our time in there. The mall has a lot of upper end stores but the atmosphere changes in each section of the mall. Some of it is carpeted, some has hardwood, etc. It was just nice to go somewhere different to poke around. There is supposed to be some Nascar track or something opening soon as well.
December 30th, 2004 -- Posted in General |
It is a sad time in Kingston… the Wal-Mart by our house is moving… and soon. We drove by the new location last night and it is looking closer to opening. At the old Wal-Mart, they have started to block off sections of the store and it is starting to look a little sparce. I have loved having it so close to my house. I would walk over in the evenings just for a stroll. We definitely won’t miss the traffic though. Hopefully something will take it’s place or the whole mall will shut down.
December 30th, 2004 -- Posted in Christmas |
CBC Sports: Belarus shocks U.S. at world juniors
Belarus stunned the hockey world on Wednesday by upsetting the defending champion United States 5-3 at the world junior championship in Grand Forks, N.D.
The victory ranks as one of the most amazing upsets in the history of the world junior championship, as Belarus had previously never won a round-robin game at this tournament.
Belarus’ amazing upset victory, sparked by Andrei Kastsitsyn’s goal and two assists, also broke the Americans’ eight-game winning streak. The U.S. went 6-0 en route to winning the gold at the 2004 championship and won its first two games at this year’s tournament.
December 30th, 2004 -- Posted in Books |
I finished reading Douglas Coupland’s newest book “Eleanor Rigby” earlier this week. It went much too fast, in spite of intentionally only reading 10-20 pages in a sitting. It was one of those books that it’s better to go slow and savour the plethora of literary beauty than to speed through out of gluttony. I’d have to say it was one of his top 2 or 3 books. One of the primary themes was loneliness - and who can’t identify with that?
It was kinda neat how I got the book in the first place. We went to the library before heading down to see Jenn’s parents, and I always check out the “New Books” rack first. I didn’t even know that he had a new book out, and usually I’ve got it on hold as soon as it’s available to be put on hold (weeks or months before it arrives), so it was a huge surprise. Shocking!
… But that’s what family memebers are for. We crave them and need them not because we have so many shared experiences to talk about but because they know precisely which subjects to avoid.
December 29th, 2004 -- Posted in Christmas |
We are back from our holidays safe and sound. Just wanted to let people know we are still alive. I will write more soon!
I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas! We did.
December 29th, 2004 -- Posted in General |
2 thoughts for now:
On Tuesday morning, I woke up at 2:00 after an exciting dream (I don’t know why it was so exciting, my mind was somehow thrilled) and I couldn’t get back to sleep! I had 3 hours of sleep and I was done for the night. I had a 1/2 hour nap at 7:30 watching Frontiers of Construction (I love that show!), but otherwise was up until bedtime that night. I’m becoming an inverted Brock.
There’s nothing like watching the Americans play in the World Junior Hockey Championship to reveal how amazing the Canadian Team is - especially players like Bergeron and McArthur and Perry, and I guess Crosby too. The Americans look like a sub-junior A team, while the Canadians would give many NHL teams a run for their money.
December 22nd, 2004 -- Posted in General |
Just when you think there is nothing new they can do to a church, they start one like this.
December 21st, 2004 -- Posted in General |
.. try this out. Try to keep the drunk guy from toppling over by moving your mouse left and right.
December 21st, 2004 -- Posted in Shopping, Christmas |
Well, this year I haven’t been as organized but I think I am ready for Christmas… now I just need to relax so I can enjoy it! I am going for a massage in a hour… so that will be a good start.
I have a lot of assignments due in January and I had good intentions of starting on those during the holidays but I think I just need to do nothing this holiday. I will let the stress hit in two weeks and start the process all over again! Luckily nothing is due the first week back. Phew!
I was up bright and early this morning and hit all of the stores that are open around 8. My Mom called at 8:30 and assumed I wasn’t out of bed yet (that was yesterday). It was nice to get out while there weren’t any crowds and leave the mall just as the mobs were arriving. I did pop into Wal-Mart mid day and YIKES!
Nothing much to report on but just wanted to let people know I’m still alive! Hopefully everyone is ready for Christmas. It has just started snowing here so hopefully it will be a white Christmas!
December 19th, 2004 -- Posted in General |
We made it to #12 on the 2004 Ethnic Cleansing Awards
December 18th, 2004 -- Posted in Pictures |
[Metafilter] 90 Days, 90 Photographs
December 17th, 2004 -- Posted in Christmas |
Last night the hockey gods wished me happy birthday. It was a great night of hockey - I had had a nap, so I was full of energy. Just before midnight, I stole the puck from a friend and colleague on a breakaway to the net shooting over the goalie’s glove into the top left corner. Then just after midnight I was in front of the goal, turned my back on the goalie to coral the puck, and this time backhanded the puck, again into the top left corner just over his glove. Two pretty goals to make me feel young and vivacious.
Knowing that the hunt is 1/2 the fun of a purchase, Jenn and her parents are allowing me to pick the KitchenAid mixer I want for my birthday, and I think this will be it. It’s more powerful, and cheaper - which means that I can get the accessories sooner.
I also got a great vegetarian cook book (The Moosewood Cookbook) that I’ve been known to lust over, an Asterix and Obelix book, some Ferrero Roche’s and Lindt Lindors, and 2 bottles of wine all from Jenn.
From my parents I got a $5 Tim Horton’s gift certificate.
Tonight for supper we went to Bistro Stefan and had a delicious dinner - steak, chicken, shrimp and a crepe appetizer with wine for me, and a Ceasar salad and French onion soup for Jenn. And in a few minutes we’ll have our brownie cheesecake.
Then it’s off to bed.
December 17th, 2004 -- Posted in Friends, General |
Just wanted to wish Doug a very Happy Birthday!! He chose not to open any presents this morning…. strange boy. We are off to dinner tonight and then will be indulging in a chocolate brownie cheesecake!
December 17th, 2004 -- Posted in School, Shopping, General |
It’s my last day of placement before Christmas holidays! WOOHOO! I only have my evaluation today… and a fun ‘holiday’ assembly. Yippee!
Oh, on a side note, I went to Old Navy last night and they have great sales on right now! I bought dress pants for half price and a great wool cardigan for half price. Yippe! I was debating whether I wanted one of their long down coats for $88.00….. hmm…
December 16th, 2004 -- Posted in School |
I’m looking for a good masters program in a field related to IT and health. It needs to be distance ed because of the distance we are from any good location (ie. Queen’s has no good programs). So, the current leading candidate is the MScIS program at Athabasca University What have you heard of Athabasca? The content seems ideal, the price is right, the admission process is reasonable, but I still have questions about:
whether the school (and this program in particular) will be around for the duration (3-5 years)
whether the online support technologies (ie. chat rooms, teleconferences, course/reference materials) are suitable and comprehensive
the number of students in the program
the reputation of the program (and usability of the degree in the end)
Jenn’s distance ed program was pretty small and new and it turned out pretty good.
December 15th, 2004 -- Posted in Shopping |
There have been some requests for my birthday/Christmas lists, so here’s what I’ve got so far:
KitchenAid mixer (with attachments), and mixer attachments/accessories too
A good food processor Edit: There are enough attachments for the KitchenAid mixer for most food processing tasks, except for simple blending. Thus, the next item:
A good blender - the Vita-Mix Kitchen Blender - Vita Prep seems to be recommended. I’d be looking for an all-purpose grinder, mixer, puree, and for smoothies and milkshakes (crushing ice) too. If I get around to researching (which is dangerous because the more I research the more I want), I’ll post updates on what I decide.
Aquarium & accessories
Garlic press (or the kind that you twist, similar to the cheese kind)
Gift-certificate to Chapters, Canadian Tire, Old Navy, Mountain Equip. Co-op, Lee Valley, Home Depot, etc.
Seeds for fun/funky/unique plants (especially perennials or indoors)
Birkenstocks (size 43 regular) with back strap, maybe navy, synthetic leather is probably pretty good
Mounted deer/moose head (with a nice rack - that is, antlers)
Binoculars have been on my list for a while - I’m not wanting one of the fold-up types, and I don’t want them to be too big or expensive
A home theatre including any or all of the following: upright or bookshelf (not the tiny ones) surround sound speakers + subwoofer and receiver (~ $600), projector (~ $2500). Edit: I did some shopping at Linden Audiotronic, and saw a phenomenal screen (only ~ $4000) to go with the projector, and a highly desireable sound system valued at probably $2500-$4000). I think this will be one of my first major self-purchase toys!
Lumber and/or old barnboard
Leather loveseat/couch at Kingston Clocks (it’s a couple thousand, but it will go so nice with my home theater, and I figure I may as well put it down in case someone loves me 
Automatic plant waterers (XC475, only $7.95 at Lee Valley)
December 19th updates:
Funnel set (Canadian Tire had them for 3 for $3)
Neoprene gloves for canoeing (on sale for $12, Gander Mountain had some for $5)
A mixing bowl set - with a steep concavity, metal is fine but something microwaveable would be great too
A nice pot & pan set +/- non-stick pans
1-2 person camping cookset and/or pot grabber
Pepper grinder (we have one but it doesn’t work, and it was cheap)
Medium sized Henkel knives
GPS
? Food dehydrator (a small one!)
Snorkeling flippers
Compost pails
Gravity Feed Watering Kit
Garden Border Watering Kit and Timer
Do you think I could put this under my worms to keep them warm while they’re in the garage?
Delux Watering Set 25′
Red Pepper Jelly
I’m a little picky, so a nice gesture is to include (or hang onto) the receipt - I will not judge, so don’t worry.
Last year the update occurred on September 25th, so I’m a little ahead of schedule this year (I was just noticing that I did pretty good last year!)
December 14th, 2004 -- Posted in School |
Tell me this isn’t just the coolest idea ever!
www.mrsmitchell.com
This will become the home of all online teaching projects, confidential and secure information for parents, and news of classroom events for Mrs. Mitchell’s class.
We have all kinds of great ideas - a secure login for parents to see their children’s marks and assignments, a calendar of events (ie. pizza day, units like “Medieval Times”), curriculum, an interactive communication tool for parents to correspond with Mrs. Mitchell, a place to develop assignments for computer lab times, homework quizzes/assignments, bonus reading, etc. And it only cost $4.95 per year (Yahoo’s got a sale on). Any other ideas?
December 13th, 2004 -- Posted in General |
If you’re looking for a new job, here’s a list of the The 25 most difficult questions asked in a job inteview. Answer these ahead of time and you’ll feel confidence oozing out your orifices.
December 11th, 2004 -- Posted in News |
Lost Enterprises
Did you all see this? This Mako was hooked in the mouth, only fought slightly for 15 minutes, came up along side of the boat to have a look, long enough for one of the crew to put a rope around its tail !!!
That’s when the s**t hit the fan!!
The Shark took off towing the 42 foot fishing boat backwards through the water at about 7 Knots. Just like in JAWS. The boat was taking on water, the Shark would jump completely out of the water at times.
This went on for an hour before the Shark actually drowned.
He weighed in at 1035 LBS
December 11th, 2004 -- Posted in Misc |
Hospitals covering over LiveStrong bracelets, fearing a deadly mix-up
A hospital chain is taping over patients’ LiveStrong wristbands because they are yellow — the same color as the “do not resuscitate” bands it puts on patients who do not want to be saved if their heart stops.
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