Vegas - take 2

I'm just home from our Vegas trip - we were there for five days, which was at least two day (possibly four) too many!  I went with Jeff and Ryan - the same guys from last year.  I think that I was tired when we left, as things had not really slowed down since Easter, and I had company the weekend before we left on last Sunday.  I had also been doing some birthday celebrating with friends in Victoria who wouldnt' be in Vegas (I didn't want to leave them out!  I know how they love to celebrate me!).  As it turns out, and I think I should have known this, Vegas isn't a really restful spot.  Fun, yes.  Exotic, usually.  But not restful.  All I wanted to do every day was laze around, but it's sort of hard to do that there.  I did spend quite a bit of time at the pool, but there was always loud music playing, which makes it hard to properly relax.  And Jeff and Ryan are great, but sharing a hotel room for five days was also tough.

There were lots of good highlights though!  We had a better idea what we were doing, so were more efficient in our fun finding.  Ryan works for Fairmont (at the Empress) so we left Victoria on Sunday afternoon, and stayed in a really nice room at the Airport Fairmont in Vancouver before our Monday flight.  Since he's an employee, he (and those he's with) gets 50% discount on the room and food and drink. It was really nice to sit in the lounge there, and know that I could actually afford it.

In Vegas, our room was not as nice as last year, though in a preferential location on the strip (further along).  However, Jeff and Ryan really wanted to go to this bar we were at last year, in which it turned out the bartender remembered us (with a little prompting).  So we were walking back to our old hotel all week anyway.  We stayed in Treasure Island, which is known for their nightly "Sirens of TI" show, which is sort of a really cheesy pirate show on boats and with pyrotechnics.  We watched this one night from our window, which was really cool.

We also found (well off the strip) a really neat bar.  They make all sorts of cocktails, mostly whiskey and gin based.  It was super classy, and used to be mob owned.  In fact, it used to be the Venetian, until the Venetian on the strip bought the name.  It had a secret door that looked like a bookshelf, and the whole feel of the place was very 1920's speakeasy.  Because Jeff and Ryan are super friendly, they made instant friends with the bartenders, with very nice results on the bill.  The drinks were really incredible- quite a few were invented in Harry's Bar in Paris, which I'm pretty sure is where Hemmingway used to hang out.

We also discovered that there is (again, off the strip) dollar bowling in Vegas after midnight.  Ryan used to be a bowling team, and Jeff and I were game, so we actually spent quite a bit of time bowling in Vegas.  Sounds a bit weird written down, but we were so tired of the crowds on the strip that it was a nice change!

I'm very glad to be back.  Flying in to Vancouver means waiting for and taking the ferry, which is really time consuming.  I think Patches is glad to see me back as well.  Oh, and I totally did tell my congregation that I was going on a desert retreat.  Most of them knew where I was going, and got the joke.  I hope.

Viva Las Vegas

We made it to Vegas! It was a long trip - we flew out of Vancouver, so had to catch the 7:00 ferry this morning. Got to Vegas about 6:30. The trip was ok, but our luggage wad almost delayed in Edmonton which almost made us miss our flight. In the end we got here though.

We are staying at the Monte Carlo. Jeff and our buddy Ryan made friends with the desk guy, who upgraded us to the top floor. It's prettty nice! We went out and had a quick look around themstrip tonight, but we're pretty tired, so not too much. So far: lots of people, lots of lights, lots of slot machines!

Welaxing Wisit

It was delightful to stay in Kelowna for 10 days. Todd said, upon seeing me when I returned, "You're so TAN!" I brought home fruit / veg from Packers' Co-op / Mom -- food as souvenir = confirmation that I am middle-aged.

Animals were extremely happy to see me. Magda now looks panicked every time I go outside.

We didn't do much. Helped Mom with some chores, so when Jim visits he can focus solely on painting the house instead of being distracted. You're welcome, Jim!

We had lunch at Cedar Creek Winery, ate some good dinners chez Mamacita, slept on the beach, drank beer. Although I am extremely relaxed, I do not wish to go back to work.

Todd is doing well! His blood tests show almost no infection left! He has one more week of IV treatment, then goes on oral antibiotics. One of his kitties isn't well, though -- although she's not in pain, she seems confused and lethargic, so he will have to take her to the vet and see what the situation is -- she's old, and she might have to be put down.

This fall, I hope to:
- get new fridge
- get bathroom renovated (Tim, want to come and tile? I'll make it worth your while....)
- maybe get new kitchen counter? (this might wait)

Trip to Conneticut and New York is booked

We leave on March 12, fly to Hartford, stay a couple of days in New Haven then off to New York, I can't wait. We have hotels booked in both places, a penthouse suite in New Haven a hotel owned by the Baptist church in New York.

Has anyone seen the show Boardwalk Empire? It has Steve Buscemi and is set in Atlantic City during prohibition. I have only seen the the first one, but I am looking forward to seeing the rest of the season.

For some reason this weekend I felt so tired, all I wanted to do is sleep. I missed seeing Grace on Sunday so I was a bit sad about that, but I feel as though I have caught up on my sleep now.

Kay called me on Dad's birthday just to let me know that she and George were thinking about him.

Yesterday was beautiful

today I can hear the wind howling, but the sun is out and the sky is blue, so I am going to pretend it is still beautiful.

If you read the comments on the previous post, you know that I have talked T&G into coming with me to New York and Connecticut, not that it took much talking, they were very receptive. Anyone else want to come along? Week of March 14. It is good to have something to look forward to.
I saw the other Sivaks last week, and Uncle George had to go in for a but of minor surgery. His lower eyelashes are curling in and poking him in the eye. Other than that both are well, and have planned a trip to Phoenix at the end of March, into April.

Another person quit at work, so I guess that means more turmoil there, that is the 3rd in a month. I don't think it will affect me too much, might mean more work. I just generally do what ever they tell me and try not to let it get to me.

I had breakfast with Allison yesterday, and she showed me the stuff she has picked out for the kitchen and storeroom, both great choices, it will look so good in her house. Maybe this will be the year I do some renos here, or maybe not.

It was meant to be.

When Judith and I are in Chicago, this will be on at the Museum of Science and Industry.

Vacation

Since my vacation had been scheduled for August and I will be off anyway because of the surgery, I decided to bump it up, and take it now. So for the next two weeks I am free from work. I don't think I will go away, but maybe I will. I can't decide.
I received a call from the hospital, and I have my pre-op on July 28, they also asked what kind of a room I wanted for my stay, and I have asked for a private. My insurance will pay, and then it should not matter how loud my visitors get, they won't bother the other guests.

Back in Full swing

Our little trip to Edinburgh was quite enjoyable. We spent some time in Glasgow again, before we left on the train. Poor Richard, I was crabby and not easy to shop with. Though I did find some used skirts that I bought at a 2nd hand shop !
We took the train to Edinburgh, it was full of rugby fans. We saw all these guys in kilts in the station, and we had to line up outside 1st, before going on the train, to prevent hooliganism I suspect. There were also some faces painted green.
We easily got to our B&B, it was nice-in an old (what else) house on the bus line. Had another large bathtub-so Richard was quite happy. For people who don't seem any taller than in North America, they all have long bathtubs. We promptly had naps and then out for supper, then back to bed.
The next day we wended our way downtown. Went to the Royal Scottish Museum. Spent 3 hours there and only rushed through 2 floors of it. We went on a tour with a docent, but though we stayed on the tour because we felt kind of bad for him and he did mention/point out some interesting things, he focussed too much on machinary for our liking. Though I am happy for the Scots that someone Scottish (Robert Louis Stevenson's dad in fact) developed how to make a lighthouse, I don't particularly care to know how the lenses work.
We went on the tour of the city under the city, Mary Kings Close. You actually can't take pictures because it is under the courthouse (I think, or at least some government building), but was well worth going. Highly recommend it. Lots of discussion about how the downtrodden lived.
Came back after very early morning again on Monday-got up at 0315.
Tuesday, found out had 2 meetings, went to work Wednesday for 12 hours, then teachign Thurs/Fri, with an interveiw on Friday for the hospital psych consult relief position.
I didn't get out of bathrobe yesterday until 330 pm.
I have been annoyingly waking up at 230 in the morning, which was ok last night as I didn't have to work, but earlier this week, it was quite painful to then drag myself to the hospital for 7 am. Thank heavens I like my job (s).
Nick and Sebastian were challenging for our catsitting neighbours. Nick repeatedly whizzled on the floor, beside the litter box and one or both of them kept barfing up hairballs on the carpet upstairs. I feel the gifts we brought them were not enough.

Back at Home Again

After a wonderful trip to the UK, I am back home in my cosy condo. Mom and I left on the 6:45 flight to London, on the 21st from Glasgow, and got to our hotel in London around 9:00 am. Our room was not ready, so we walked around the neighborhood, and found a place for breakfast. After that we walked over to Buckingham Palace, which was just across Green Park from our hotel. Did not see any royals, but did see the guards, and a ton of tourists. A trip down the street to Trafalgar Square (with frequent stops to rest) and finally back to the hotel, and our room was ready. Del came to meet us around 4:30, and took us out for coffee, just down the street. Then back to the hotel, and Mom treated us to dinner. All in all a very good day. We had a nice visit with Del, it was so great of him to come all the way to London to meet us.

Then Sunday, back out to the airport, to catch the flight to Edmonton. I left Mom, going through another security point, so she could finish her trip by going through Vancouver and finally Kelowna. I think we were both pretty happy to be home, at least I hope she made it!! Back at work on Wednesday, so a couple of days to get over the jet lag.

Pictures above, Mom at Canada House, and Mom and Del

Shopping in Edinburgh

Today we spent much time shopping, albeit mostly separately. While the rest of the badgers went to the castle, Grandma/Mom and I had coffee at Jenners department store. A nice old 5-storey department store with little cafe and lovely little desserts with sugar roses on them. And danish shaped like the Queen's crown. I took a couple of pictures and one of the staff asked me if something was wrong, to which I smiled and nodded, not quite understanding him. He looked concerned, and asked again; this time, I just said, "I like taking pictures of food," and scuttled off.

Geoff bought a belt, Judith bought shoes and a gorgeous jacket (& some other bits), Lisa & Richard bought catsitter gifts, and Mom bought more than anyone, including some presents for some unnamed readers of this blog. I spent a whack of money on a lovely cashmere shawl. Then we bought some beer and came home.

Glasgow tomorrow, and my night staying at the Alexander Thomson Hotel, at least until I have to get up at 3am to get to train station. I want us to go to the Glasgow Necropolis.

Handmade

This is a stuffed kitty doll that I made in a workshop at Latitude yesterday. The show is by Chris Reid (from Saskatchewan) and it's this great mix of very colourful paintings, stuffed kitties and bunnies, and Baba Yaga chicken-leg-house sculptures. I made the kitty out of a sweater that Magda wrecked. I still need to make its eyes.

Things are rolling along. I have one presentation done for school, and two more that will be done by next Saturday. I have my final paper topic for one class, so will start to find material for that paper today. Surprisingly, being busier means that I am more motivated to work at my job; much less ennui than I was experiencing during the summer.

L53 had our AGM this week and I am officially past-president, meaning I don't need to do much for next 12 months. Very few people other than the Board attended the AGM. Either that means that people hate us and what we do (I can think of at least one example of this), or that they think that AGMs are boring, or that we are probably doing fine. Our Board is an excellent group, I think, and I am really happy with them. The freedom I feel is the reason I was actually able to go to L53 and do the workshop...usually I have seen so much of what we do as 'work' that I can't always relax and enjoy it. It's a new era.

I paid the deposit of 100 pounds for our Tobermory rooms. I won't collect just yet; it might be that I could just take this off my room cost at the end of the trip. And I did book my flights! I arrive Nov 11 and leave Nov 20. My flight home is direct, London-Edmonton. But it does leave Glasgow at 6:45am. Maybe I should stay my last night in Glasgow instead.

I think Lisa should go ahead and arrange for houseboat for 7 day trip....

School and What I'd Like to Do On My Summer Vacation

School is going well so far. One class is every 3rd Saturday (8 hrs) and the other is every Wednesday afternoon. Both are interesting -- a qualitative research methods and a multimedia literacies class. Multimedia class more interesting just because we get to do things like watch Dr. Seuss adaptations and talk about them. Lots of work and reading, but I'm trying to get assignments done earlier (presentations, etc.) if I can and that will free up some time later in term. I really like it so far.

I'm also hoping it gives me a bit more motivation for work....I seem to be more likely to even work on boring things if I have more interesting things going on.

I'd really like to go houseboating next summer. Anyone want to also?

An awesome place

Barkerville is awesome. I do not use that word often but that is how to describe it. It seemed like such a long drive from Kamloops (got a bit lost) that I was wondering whether it was going to be worth it, although I knew visiting Will would be. But the whole time was just so great. We stayed at the St. George Hotel a b&b right in Barkerville which was perfect. We got there around 5 p.m. and although it was Will's day off he was there to meet us - him and all the people who work there. He introduced us to many people and they all said "Oh, you're finally here."
The next day was also Will's day off so he spent it with us at Barkerville, seeing things he hasn't had a chance to yet. There are a lot of street actors who play out scenes on the street at various points during the day, plus discourses on various topics. One day certainly isn't long enough to really experience everything, and though we were there two whole days there were a few things we had to miss. But we did everything we could, went to performances in the theatre, shopped, got our picture taken in old-timey clothes, the cemetery tour (a private one just for us), and the Chinese cemetery and most of the shows. And had supper in the two restaurants, the Lung Duck Tong (Chinese food) and the Wake Up Jake. And snack at the bakery.
Yesterday Father Reynard was at work, so we went to church twice, very nice services, and we weren't the only people there. He had morning prayer and evening prayer with a short message at each service, just a good service in that beautiful old church.
Everybody there loves Will, they all kept telling us how great he is. We also went into Wells and saw his apt, very basic accommodation. Also went to the pub (where everyone knows everyone of course) a couple of times. It is a kind of artsy community and being in the middle of nowhere there are people living there who want to get away from civilization. Will said before he feels like he is living in Dog River sometimes and you can sure see that when you are there. People are very nice.
The b&b is good, it is in an old building with a ghost that haunts Room 2. We were in Room 3. Saya, the woman who runs it, invited Will for breakfast while we were there, so that was nice of her. There was tea in the parlor in the evenings or you could sit on the front balcony upstairs and watch the people go by.
Drove and drove to Hinton today, and are sad to be almost finished a good holiday, but it will be good to get home to our own beds.

The New View

Outside the new accommodations - a little room in the old city of Chania. 

Today I went to the beach, got a mild burn, and frolicked in the big waves! The ocean is very warm but still refreshing. 

Sat outside an Orthodox Church today and listened to the male choir singing, and watched old ladies drive up on motorcycles for mass. 

I also figured out how to open a beer bottle on the bathroom cup holder. 

It is a successful vacation. 

Returned; Applied; Tidied

It's good to be home. I super enjoyed Mexico. I felt a little jumpy at times due to not doing much (Shouldn't I be accomplishing something? Appreciate, appreciate, appreciate.). But after I caught up on sleep from late-night flight home, I found that I had all this energy to unpack, putter around, clean up, tidy the house. And I'm not even dismayed by the temperatures and snow here.

My PhD application is in, and my co-supervisors really helped me a lot with it. I feel it's strong! And more importantly, I feel I could do it! I'm nerdily enough excited that I took some books out on parts of my topic so I can do some 'pre-reading.' I think Anne will appreciate this nerdiness.

I am also excited because we are showing a video project at Latitude right now (Judith and Grace, have you seen it? Want to, still?) where male sex trade workers are talking about their grandmothers -- it's about humanizing prostitutes rather than making assumptions of who they are & what led them to that work. We are going to show it in the women's prison! And, the artist is interested in maybe doing a future project with the prison, if we could organize it. So cool!

Montreal in Fall

I'm staying at my friend Annie's post-major-work-event in Ottawa. My friend Luke is here (from undergrad) doing his PhD, and so we've all been walking, eating, drinking, and shopping in 18 degrees. There are lots of leaves still on the trees! Not very much red; more yellow.

I was in Ottawa for a library human resources summit -- it's something that I've worked on (with a committee, of course) for the last 18 months! We were trying to get together a bunch of the library decision-makers to come up with possible strategies to deal with the HR issues we have in front of us (access to library education, prof dev, leadership, etc.) -- and I think it went very very well. Lots and lots of work the last 3 weeks for me, and the 2 days were super intense, as we did some retooling of a few program pieces as we thought we needed to -- so I feel very good and very tired. I got applause for the work I did. Thanks, librarians, for being applauders.

So I've really been trying to catch up on my sleep and try to calm down while I'm here. We went to a comic book store I love and today, Luke & I are going to see an art show on rock music. Eating very well. Delicious microbrew!

Grrrr GRE

Actually, no GRRR. Because I passed the GRE that is a requirement of getting accepted to PhD program at library school! And so from here, I can write my pre-application application. Doing the GRE requires a lot of recall of old math skills in trigonometry and the like, as well as understanding some antiquated vocabulary definitions. I didn't study at all; as long as I passed, mark didn't matter. And I am relieved to say that I passed. Although the pre-application process sounds tiring, I feel energized by the fact that I jumped this hurdle this week.

I'm going off to Jasper this weekend to visit with Sarah. We are staying in the Athabasca Hotel and hanging out in the hot springs. She also likes hiking a lot, so we'll see if I'm up for it.

The Long First Day Back

Although coming back to work after 2 weeks' vacation doesn't suck as much as 1 week, the day does seem long. When do I get to take my nap again?!

Winnipeg Folk Festival was very good times. It was cruddy weather the Friday & Saturday, but although we all left the site early on Friday, I was the sole person of our little team to stay for Saturday, because I wanted to see Calexico. Worth it. Jim White was excellent -- he will be good in Edmonton's festival, I think. Some other highlights: The Acorn, Apostle of Hustle, Forro in the Dark, Basia Bulat.

Kirsten and I took turns driving back and did the trip in one day. Went surprisingly fast. And Isaac was quite good during the 12 hours in car. I've never done one of those long drives with a kid (except when I was one).

Cats are super clingy and chirpy now that I am home. Lettuce and swiss chard coming up on the front step, and tomatoes slowly growing (though not ripening yet). Haven't been to the other garden to see what's what. I imagine I'll have lots of weeds that are flourishing.

I'll be going to the Calgary folk fest, since Kirsten is going & I managed to secure a ticket. This is a Good Music Summer.