I'm currently working on an article on two of Moncton's biggest Christmas thingamabobs, Turner's Christmas at the Coliseum and the Santa Clause Parade.
The official Santa Clause Parade website says this is the parade's 41st year. But the cached pages from back in 2006 call it the 34th (or in one case, the 34nd).
The official Turner's website has them beat, though. On it's opening page it refers to the event as the 21st, 20th and 18th annual Turner's Christmas at the Coliseum.
That's right folks: the two largest Xmas events in the Maritimes. If the numbers are accurate, that is.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Thursday, October 9, 2008
teeth
Yesterday afternoon, I was feeling a great deal of empathy towards stroke victims. I tried to put on some lipstick, but only half of my mouth would move, and when I tried to blot it, my lips wouldn't do what I wanted them to do.
Take care of your teeth kids, or you too may one day have lipstick troubles.
I had two cavities filled yesterday.
It's funny how deeply teeth are buried in my psyche. Over the years, I've had a lot of dreams wherein my teeth start to loosen and fall out, causing me to panic. According to the dream interpretation dictionary, that symbolizes a feeling of impotence and lack of control.
Whatever. It's freaky.
I can also usually judge how much I like a guy by how much I obsess about his teeth. If I'm not that into him, but am trying to convince myself I should be, his teeth will begin to mesmerize me. An overly large gap or an overlapping tooth has become a deal-breaker on more than one occasion. On the other hand, I've dated guys who had freaky-deaky teeth and been crazy enough about them that I thought the fangs were just a charming quirk.
Which I suppose gets me to my next point. The dentist told me I should get veneers because my teeth are discoloured and I have a chip in my front tooth.
It's weird, because a few years back I would have agreed, but now, I was just insulted by the suggestion. My teeth are part of what makes me me, damnit. I actually happen to think I have very nice teeth, and they also happen to be the teeth I was born with.
And what about my wisdoms? I have been informed that I have an appointment to get them extracted on Oct. 28. The receptionist at the dental clinic handed me my appointment card as I left. Well, guess what? I don't have any interest in getting them extracted. I don't see the wisdom in it. Ha ha.
Love me, love my teeth.
Take care of your teeth kids, or you too may one day have lipstick troubles.
I had two cavities filled yesterday.
It's funny how deeply teeth are buried in my psyche. Over the years, I've had a lot of dreams wherein my teeth start to loosen and fall out, causing me to panic. According to the dream interpretation dictionary, that symbolizes a feeling of impotence and lack of control.
Whatever. It's freaky.
I can also usually judge how much I like a guy by how much I obsess about his teeth. If I'm not that into him, but am trying to convince myself I should be, his teeth will begin to mesmerize me. An overly large gap or an overlapping tooth has become a deal-breaker on more than one occasion. On the other hand, I've dated guys who had freaky-deaky teeth and been crazy enough about them that I thought the fangs were just a charming quirk.
Which I suppose gets me to my next point. The dentist told me I should get veneers because my teeth are discoloured and I have a chip in my front tooth.
It's weird, because a few years back I would have agreed, but now, I was just insulted by the suggestion. My teeth are part of what makes me me, damnit. I actually happen to think I have very nice teeth, and they also happen to be the teeth I was born with.
And what about my wisdoms? I have been informed that I have an appointment to get them extracted on Oct. 28. The receptionist at the dental clinic handed me my appointment card as I left. Well, guess what? I don't have any interest in getting them extracted. I don't see the wisdom in it. Ha ha.
Love me, love my teeth.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
I am so very, very, very, extremely tired right now...
But I said a blog every Sunday, didn't I?
My brain is mush right now, so you'll have to settle for a recap of my week, boring as that may sound/be.
Let's see... I missed two days of work because I flew to Ontario for Ritchie's funeral, so I spent the whole week playing catch up. Instead of working 4-12 at Rogers, I worked 2-12. Add an hour to walk to work every day, and you, in a nut-shell, have what I've been doing lately.
And when not working, I've been on the phone with my employer's competition, Telus, trying to find out why they feel justified in taking $239.85 out of my bank account. For some reason, while they feel justified in taking the money, they don't feel justified in telling me why they did it, because -- get this -- they say I don't have authorization to get that info about my account.
Guess who I plan to spend a great deal of the coming week on the phone with??
I have managed to squeeze some fun in... On Thursday Neen was gracious enough to join me for an after-work rant at Docs, and on Friday Ryan led me down a path that, while fun, I was still regretting when I went to work at the Silvery Moon Saturday night.
I think I'm getting to old for this sh*t.
Oh, and tonight (Sunday) I also worked at the Silvery Moon.
And that is why I am too tired to write an interesting blog entry tonight.
So there.
My brain is mush right now, so you'll have to settle for a recap of my week, boring as that may sound/be.
Let's see... I missed two days of work because I flew to Ontario for Ritchie's funeral, so I spent the whole week playing catch up. Instead of working 4-12 at Rogers, I worked 2-12. Add an hour to walk to work every day, and you, in a nut-shell, have what I've been doing lately.
And when not working, I've been on the phone with my employer's competition, Telus, trying to find out why they feel justified in taking $239.85 out of my bank account. For some reason, while they feel justified in taking the money, they don't feel justified in telling me why they did it, because -- get this -- they say I don't have authorization to get that info about my account.
Guess who I plan to spend a great deal of the coming week on the phone with??
I have managed to squeeze some fun in... On Thursday Neen was gracious enough to join me for an after-work rant at Docs, and on Friday Ryan led me down a path that, while fun, I was still regretting when I went to work at the Silvery Moon Saturday night.
I think I'm getting to old for this sh*t.
Oh, and tonight (Sunday) I also worked at the Silvery Moon.
And that is why I am too tired to write an interesting blog entry tonight.
So there.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
I know... I lied.
Actually, that's not quite true. I did in fact write a blog on Monday, it's just still sitting in my draft box and may remain there for the forseeable future.
Right now, I'm slogging through bills and chores and drudgework and life. I'll be a better blogger soon.
In the meantime, care to pay a bill for me? Or two?
...Or maybe just clean my kitchen?
Right now, I'm slogging through bills and chores and drudgework and life. I'll be a better blogger soon.
In the meantime, care to pay a bill for me? Or two?
...Or maybe just clean my kitchen?
Sunday, September 28, 2008
No, I didn't forget I promised to update my blog every Sunday
And yes, I know it's Sunday. So here's my post explaining that life has been quite complicated this past week.
A much longer posting will come tomorrow. Promise.
A much longer posting will come tomorrow. Promise.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
a promise is a promise...
And I said I would update this blog every Sunday.
So here it is:
I'm tired, and I find the fact that winter is coming very discouraging.
I will try to write something a bit more upbeat sometime this week.
In other news... I find I am not terribly unique:
So here it is:
I'm tired, and I find the fact that winter is coming very discouraging.
I will try to write something a bit more upbeat sometime this week.
In other news... I find I am not terribly unique:
Sunday, September 14, 2008
mysteries
One has to wonder what was going through his parent's minds when they looked at their brand new baby boy and chose a name for him.
"Why, he looks just like a ritual form of Japanese suicide," his mother must have thought as she admired his little fingers and toes.
Why else would she have named her son Harry Carey?
No lie. I lived next door to the man for several months. He gave me a freezer full of moose meat and a fair amount of smoked salmon as well.
This is only one of life's many imponderables that I've been contemplating lately.
I've always had the bad habit of reading the last few pages of my book first. I like to know how things are going to turn out before I start to read. No reason to get attached to a character if they're just going to die or skip out halfway through the action.
I call it a 'bad habit' because that's what other people tell me it is. But secretly, I've always kind of wished I could read ahead in life, too. People always tell me that my way of reading spoils the surprise. I always say that a well written book will delight you no matter how many times you read it or how well you know the plot.
But life is not a book plot. It doesn't have a nicely crafted story arc, and as much as I would like to I can't read ahead.
--I have interviewed people who claim to be able to. But then, if you've read my other blog entries you may remember that one of those people thought I was Australian.
So what is next? That's as much of a mystery as what Harry Carey's mother was thinking, I'm afraid.
"Why, he looks just like a ritual form of Japanese suicide," his mother must have thought as she admired his little fingers and toes.
Why else would she have named her son Harry Carey?
No lie. I lived next door to the man for several months. He gave me a freezer full of moose meat and a fair amount of smoked salmon as well.
This is only one of life's many imponderables that I've been contemplating lately.
I've always had the bad habit of reading the last few pages of my book first. I like to know how things are going to turn out before I start to read. No reason to get attached to a character if they're just going to die or skip out halfway through the action.
I call it a 'bad habit' because that's what other people tell me it is. But secretly, I've always kind of wished I could read ahead in life, too. People always tell me that my way of reading spoils the surprise. I always say that a well written book will delight you no matter how many times you read it or how well you know the plot.
But life is not a book plot. It doesn't have a nicely crafted story arc, and as much as I would like to I can't read ahead.
--I have interviewed people who claim to be able to. But then, if you've read my other blog entries you may remember that one of those people thought I was Australian.
So what is next? That's as much of a mystery as what Harry Carey's mother was thinking, I'm afraid.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
back to school
Training at a call centre has proven to be amazingly like going back to school... and I don't mean high school or college. No, training is remarkably similar to my memories of elementary school. We do lots of group projects and make colourful posters with smelly markers.
We also play role playing games.
Which leads me to the subject matter of this blog.
Today, in class, we were learning about asking the client questions in order to determine what their problem is. In order to demonstrate, our instructor announced that she was going to be a patient, and one of my classmates would be a doctor.
My classmate, Jose, was the doctor.
"Hello," he said to my instructor. "What seems to be the problem?"
"Well, I have a rash," she said.
"How long have you had it?" he asked.
"About a week."
"And have you showered in that time?" he asked.
"Um... Yes."
"And do you have a boyfriend?"
Following the extremely enlightening role playing demo, Jose told us a story about how some cream the doctor gave him for a rash caused him to develop a continuous tent problem.
After that, we learned how to read a customer's bill.
We also play role playing games.
Which leads me to the subject matter of this blog.
Today, in class, we were learning about asking the client questions in order to determine what their problem is. In order to demonstrate, our instructor announced that she was going to be a patient, and one of my classmates would be a doctor.
My classmate, Jose, was the doctor.
"Hello," he said to my instructor. "What seems to be the problem?"
"Well, I have a rash," she said.
"How long have you had it?" he asked.
"About a week."
"And have you showered in that time?" he asked.
"Um... Yes."
"And do you have a boyfriend?"
Following the extremely enlightening role playing demo, Jose told us a story about how some cream the doctor gave him for a rash caused him to develop a continuous tent problem.
After that, we learned how to read a customer's bill.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
A new beginning
The other day I was mowing the lawn when a neighbour from down the street walked by. He paused, and I stopped the mower so that we could have a chat.
Having dispensed with the questions of where I had been for the past year, he complimented me on my new hairdo.
"I did it for the Relay for Life," I informed him.
"Oh," he said. "I thought it was an indication of a lifestyle choice. I love Ellen, you know."
Yes, that's right. I'm back in home sweet home, aka Riverview.
A week after my last post, I was in Digby, Nova Scotia, visiting with Mom and watching fireworks explode over another harbour.
I've taken a job at Rogers for the time-being. The pay is good, as are the benefits. The staff discounts aren't anything to sneeze at either.
In other news, I got an email from the fine gentleman who is currently possession of my second suitcase (I had to leave it in BC due to new Air Canada regulations). He informed me that he had attempted to send said suitcase home to me, but that when he got to the Greyhound station it was closed.
"Why does everything shut down at 5 in this bloody town?" he emailed me. "I even drove out to the dump, only to be greeted by a locked gate."
I am going to give Mr. Q the benefit of the doubt and assume that that final line had nothing to do with my suitcase.
Now I needs must go. I'm waitressing at my home away from home, the Silvery Moon, tonight.
*Also, please note: I will be updating my blog every Sunday for the forseeable future, barring natural disasters and acts of God.*
Having dispensed with the questions of where I had been for the past year, he complimented me on my new hairdo.
"I did it for the Relay for Life," I informed him.
"Oh," he said. "I thought it was an indication of a lifestyle choice. I love Ellen, you know."
Yes, that's right. I'm back in home sweet home, aka Riverview.
A week after my last post, I was in Digby, Nova Scotia, visiting with Mom and watching fireworks explode over another harbour.
I've taken a job at Rogers for the time-being. The pay is good, as are the benefits. The staff discounts aren't anything to sneeze at either.
In other news, I got an email from the fine gentleman who is currently possession of my second suitcase (I had to leave it in BC due to new Air Canada regulations). He informed me that he had attempted to send said suitcase home to me, but that when he got to the Greyhound station it was closed.
"Why does everything shut down at 5 in this bloody town?" he emailed me. "I even drove out to the dump, only to be greeted by a locked gate."
I am going to give Mr. Q the benefit of the doubt and assume that that final line had nothing to do with my suitcase.
Now I needs must go. I'm waitressing at my home away from home, the Silvery Moon, tonight.
*Also, please note: I will be updating my blog every Sunday for the forseeable future, barring natural disasters and acts of God.*
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Welcome to the neighbourhood!
Watched the fireworks from the balcony of a friend of Kim's. Fireworks, you say? And yet no major holiday in sight, you say? I'm in Vancouver now, I say.
Today was a pretty lazy day. Having said that, it was still a lazy day in which things were accomplished. I'm moving into my new place tomorrow, having found it this morning. Now, to find a job.
Kim had a few friends over for supper tonight. Her friend Aaron brought me a black and white photo of a couch in the back alley, on which he had written 'Welcome to the Nighbourhood.' Aaron is leaving the neighbourhood himself, at least temporarily. He jets off to India to do some filming next week.
Kim took me out to Granville Island yesterday. It was pouring rain, but we had a good time checking out the various art studios and the market.
I'm looking forward to exploring the city more in the coming days.
Today was a pretty lazy day. Having said that, it was still a lazy day in which things were accomplished. I'm moving into my new place tomorrow, having found it this morning. Now, to find a job.
Kim had a few friends over for supper tonight. Her friend Aaron brought me a black and white photo of a couch in the back alley, on which he had written 'Welcome to the Nighbourhood.' Aaron is leaving the neighbourhood himself, at least temporarily. He jets off to India to do some filming next week.
Kim took me out to Granville Island yesterday. It was pouring rain, but we had a good time checking out the various art studios and the market.
I'm looking forward to exploring the city more in the coming days.
Friday, July 25, 2008
big city lights
I remember very little from my last visit to Vancouver, except that Mom wouldn't let me let go of her hand.
Today, though, I'm sitting in the grass in my Cousin Kim's back yard in East Vancouver. A extremly ancient and mangy looking cat keeps trying to climb into my lap, and Mom is nowhere in sight.
Shannon asked me yesterday if my blog had been disconnected for some reason... A not so subtle hint that I should update it, I suspect. And Quinn pointed out to me a while back that now that I no longer work for The Interior News I can go back to writing whatever I want in my blog, without censoring it for work/community consumption.
So, yes. I'm back on my blog. And yes, I have left The Interior News and Smithers.
Where to next? That's what I'm in Vancouver deciding right now. I'm contemplating staying here for a while. I have family here, and friends. Plus, I found a job posting yesterday for a circus performer, which seems like it would be a nice change of pace.
Right now I'm just enjoying the fact that it's July, the sun is out, and I don't have to wear a jacket. In fact, I'm getting a tan.
Today, though, I'm sitting in the grass in my Cousin Kim's back yard in East Vancouver. A extremly ancient and mangy looking cat keeps trying to climb into my lap, and Mom is nowhere in sight.
Shannon asked me yesterday if my blog had been disconnected for some reason... A not so subtle hint that I should update it, I suspect. And Quinn pointed out to me a while back that now that I no longer work for The Interior News I can go back to writing whatever I want in my blog, without censoring it for work/community consumption.
So, yes. I'm back on my blog. And yes, I have left The Interior News and Smithers.
Where to next? That's what I'm in Vancouver deciding right now. I'm contemplating staying here for a while. I have family here, and friends. Plus, I found a job posting yesterday for a circus performer, which seems like it would be a nice change of pace.
Right now I'm just enjoying the fact that it's July, the sun is out, and I don't have to wear a jacket. In fact, I'm getting a tan.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
My 100th post!
Carebears are not the same bears they were in my youth, and My Little Ponies now have magnets in their heels. ...I'm not sure I like this new world order.
Sorry it's been so long since I last posted.
Sorry it's been so long since I last posted.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
A post for all the people who say I never post anymore
My new room is a disaster area. I switched rooms in order, in part, to escape the disaster that was my previous room. But then I spilt water on my bed, tripped over my dvd player and had it fly across my room and knocked a plant over, breaking its stem and adding dirt to the water on my bed. Oh, I also bought a bird, whose idea of amusement is throwing seeds out of his cage and onto my desk.
On the plus side, this room is sunnier and the window closes all the way which means it's warmer without costing me an arm and a leg in hydro.
In other news, I have grave concerns about the sunflower seedling I gave Quinn. I may be a poor mother to my plants in that I knock them over and also let my bird eat them, but at least I water them.
And now I must go to bed because tomorrow is coming up fast.
On the plus side, this room is sunnier and the window closes all the way which means it's warmer without costing me an arm and a leg in hydro.
In other news, I have grave concerns about the sunflower seedling I gave Quinn. I may be a poor mother to my plants in that I knock them over and also let my bird eat them, but at least I water them.
And now I must go to bed because tomorrow is coming up fast.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
I met a bunch of my new neighbours this morning.
Quinn had lent me his jeep for the day, but when I went out to start it this morning the battery was dead. This was not actually a surprise. The battery is often dead. And let's face it — it's a friggin cold day out there today.
Anyhow, some nice man named Dave was standing out on his second floor balcony, smoking. He called down and offered to boost the jeep. First, though, we needed to push it out of the parking space so he could access it. Luckily, some girls on the third floor looked out their window and observed our struggles. Alana and Jessica came down and helped us push it out.
Dave then boosted the jeep using his shiny black jeep. I'm guessing HIS jeep cost more than $900 and starts just fine on cold mornings.
...By the way, thanks for lending me the jeep, Quinn. I really didn't want to walk to work this morning. And it's a very nice jeep. Really.
Quinn had lent me his jeep for the day, but when I went out to start it this morning the battery was dead. This was not actually a surprise. The battery is often dead. And let's face it — it's a friggin cold day out there today.
Anyhow, some nice man named Dave was standing out on his second floor balcony, smoking. He called down and offered to boost the jeep. First, though, we needed to push it out of the parking space so he could access it. Luckily, some girls on the third floor looked out their window and observed our struggles. Alana and Jessica came down and helped us push it out.
Dave then boosted the jeep using his shiny black jeep. I'm guessing HIS jeep cost more than $900 and starts just fine on cold mornings.
...By the way, thanks for lending me the jeep, Quinn. I really didn't want to walk to work this morning. And it's a very nice jeep. Really.
Friday, February 1, 2008
I'm filling out a bunch of paperwork, right now. I've been gainfully employed by the same company for three months, now — yeehaw! Anyhow, as such I now qualify for benefits. being employed by Black Press for three months also, of course, means I've been residing in B.C. for three months now, which means I have to switch over my medicare and my drivers lisence. It is all very confusing, and a huge pain in the patooey: for example: all the forms ask me how long I've been in B.C. They then ask, "Is this a permanent move?" How am I supposed to answer that? I've been checking yes, but feeling mildly guilty about it, since permanent, to me, suggests forever, and all I can really guarantee is the upcoming year.
And get this! All you non-B.C. residents will be shocked and horrified by this, I know. I now have to enroll in the B.C. Medical Services Plan. It's mandatory, as a resident of the province. And, I get CHARGED for it. What the hell? Isn't the whole point of being a Canadian that I get free, basic medical coverage? Isn't this why I pay taxes?
In other news, I've found a place of my own to live — an advancement I am very excited about. It's like I'm becoming a real adult or something. ...Or something, likely. Anyhow, I am now the proud renter of a spacious two bedroom apartment. Right now, that apartment's sole piece of furniture is a bed, but I'm sure that'll change. A TV is soon to be added, as well. Of course, I don't have internet, as of yet, so it may be a while before you see me online again.
And get this! All you non-B.C. residents will be shocked and horrified by this, I know. I now have to enroll in the B.C. Medical Services Plan. It's mandatory, as a resident of the province. And, I get CHARGED for it. What the hell? Isn't the whole point of being a Canadian that I get free, basic medical coverage? Isn't this why I pay taxes?
In other news, I've found a place of my own to live — an advancement I am very excited about. It's like I'm becoming a real adult or something. ...Or something, likely. Anyhow, I am now the proud renter of a spacious two bedroom apartment. Right now, that apartment's sole piece of furniture is a bed, but I'm sure that'll change. A TV is soon to be added, as well. Of course, I don't have internet, as of yet, so it may be a while before you see me online again.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
I'm still alive
...just almost completely drained of my urge to write in this blog, due to work-obligated writing, including a column that (I hesitate to admit it) bears the same name as this blog. God, if only I could go back in time and name this thing something other than 'Adventures in Katieland.'
Life's pretty good, all in all. The days are too short, though.
...And now to end this in true journalistic style (as I learned earlier this week):
-30-
Life's pretty good, all in all. The days are too short, though.
...And now to end this in true journalistic style (as I learned earlier this week):
-30-
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