Hogmanay .... HAPPY NEW YEARS

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,and never brought to mind ?Should auld acquaintance be forgot,And days o' auld lang syne

CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
And surely ye’ll be your pint-stoup !And surely I’ll be mine !And we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,for auld lang syne.

CHORUS
We twa hae run about the braes,and pou’d the gowans fine ;But we’ve wander’d mony a weary fit,sin’ auld lang syne.

CHORUS
We twa hae paidl’d in the burn,frae morning sun till dine ;But seas between us braid hae roar’dsin’ auld lang syne.

CHORUS
And there’s a hand, my trusty fiere !And gies a hand o’ thine !And we’ll tak a right gude-willie-waught,for auld lang syne.

CHORUS

4-1

We won!

GOLD!!!

YEAH YEAH!!! A Win at the Spengler Cup in Switzerland. Now all we need is a win at the Juniors today and we're good...

3-4 ????

So sadly I have to report that we lost yesterday - to Sweden..... I know, I know, why do we have to lose to Sweden? I happen to remember another loss to Sweden, Olympics style this time, and that was devastating. Hopefully this loss will serve as a wake-up call. Anyways, the next game goes tomorrow against Denmark at 10 am our time.

Not much else to report in my life these days. I worked Friday night and Saturday day. My feet are sore and I was tired. Other than that, I had a night in last night, with Amy, in preparation for the January from Hell - but really I can't complain, I did it to myself.... yuck!

Now, it is Sunday, after noon and I'm still in my Pjs... I should really get going.

Ciao!

Book of the Week

I think we all know how much I love reading a good Bill Bryson book, right? I mean, I actually laughed hysterically in public, by myself, whilst reading Neither Here nor There.... So, I think you'll understand why I've decided to use Bill Bryson's newest entry into the literary world as the Book of the Week.

I've not yet read this one, it is on my every growing list, but I can assure you that it will be good, very good in fact, and very funny.

From the Publishers:

William Shakespeare, the most celebrated poet in the English language, left behind nearly a million words of text, but his biography has long been a thicket of wild supposition arranged around scant facts. With a steady hand and his trademark wit, Bill Bryson sorts through this colorful muddle to reveal the man himself.
Bryson documents the efforts of earlier scholars, from today’s most respected academics to eccentrics like Delia Bacon, an American who developed a firm but unsubstantiated conviction that her namesake, Francis Bacon, was the true author of Shakespeare’s plays. Emulating the style of his famous travelogues, Bryson records episodes in his research, including a visit to a basement room in Washington, D.C., where the world’s largest collection of First Folios is housed.
Bryson celebrates Shakespeare as a writer of unimaginable talent and enormous inventiveness. His Shakespeare is like no one else’s–the beneficiary of  Bryson’s genial nature, his engaging skepticism, and a gift for storytelling unrivalled in our time.

I must leave you all know as it is my fat Friday at work and I am therefore in quite the heinous mood. I guess feeding your office full of fellow co-workers a feast will do that to you.... adieu!

George

Hours of Laughter...

World Juniors - Day 2!

Hot Damn!!! Another WIN!!!! 1-0 Slovakia.......

World Juniors et al, Day 1

Being Boxing day means that today was the first day of several hockey related endeavors. #1 Being the World Juniors, played this year in the Czech Republic and #2, The Macs AAA Hockey Tournament, and #3 the Spengler Cup in Switzerland.

I'm not sure if I am going to catch any local hockey, but I will be sure to cheer on our boys overseas. We started today with a win, of course, in the form of 3-0 against the host nation(Canada vs Czech Republic in World Juniors). Tomorrow we met Slovakia at 8am our time, I think, I should check that out actually. Spengler Cup action was another Canada win (of course), 4-3 against HC Pardubice. The next game in that series goes tomorrow at 12:15 pm against HC Davos

Today also, was the Wedding Shower for my good friends Colleen and Drew - and it was really fun. Rachel and I met up and headed out to wish them well and spent the afternoon laughing and catching up... I should really get out to Montreal again to visit them soon...

I'm not too talkative tonight - I'm still suffering from all that tryptophan - and of course the laughter that erupted from the ridiculous game of Scattergories, oh that Anthony and his switching letters!

K, so that's it for now, I'm going to relax in my new plaid pants and Stanford Hoodie. Night!

Happy Birthday Jesus

So here it is Christmas Eve, and no Jesus Cake to be found. I can't say that I'm not disappointed... Jesus Cake is mighty tasty.

Funny thing though google images has lots of Jesus Cake, so here you go, fresh from google - Ladies and Gentlemen I am pleased to provide for your viewing pleasure... JESUS CAKE!!!


Merry Christmas to one and to all... I wish you a wonderful day spent with your family and friends, and of course to all of you who do not celebrate Christmas I wish you a Happy Hanukkah, Crazy Kwanzaa, or even perhaps a Wonderful Eid Al-Adha (although they may be a few days late)!!

Weekend Update

Nothing too fun to tell for this weekend, mostly I worked... Friday night and Saturday - and wow, it was busy... people were a bit snarky, a bit impatient, that sucked, but whatever. Saturday night I saved lanster from being Bridgett Jones at a party, but in doing so I became Bridgett myself - we had a fun time though. Eleni and Crystal on the other hand had to stiff it out at the office Christmas party in kanaskis. From the stories I heard it was quite the evening, nudity, suggestive comments and the like... I'm not going to lie I am pretty happy I said no to the invite as I was really not into partying with the company that was going...

Sunday was Santa day as I made the rounds and chatted / dropped off presents to friends - which is always fun but I ate waaay too many Christmas goodies.

Now that brings me to my next point - eating too many Christmas goodies... I need to finish up my naval entrance stuff which means I need to do my fitness test, and of course get through basic training. In order to do this I need to be quite fit. I do go to to the gym and do as many sit ups and push ups as possible if I watch TV, but I need something more hardcore to be ready. So I've decided to join a co-worker in the UBC, ultimate body shaping course (aka kickboxing) for 10 weeks from Jan - March. The deal is every day you alternate between toning / resistance training and kickboxing, taking Sunday off. Hopefully all will go well and I'll be fit enough for basic. I am worried though that I won't be able to walk for the entire month of January...

So now I have to work in this new workout into my already packed schedule... I think I've got it figured though:

Mon - Toning
Tues (am) - Kickboxing
Wed (am) - Gym
Wed (pm) - Navy
Thursday (am) - Kickboxing
Thursday (pm) - Job #2
Friday - Toning
Saturday (early am ) - Kickboxing
Saturday (later am) - Job #2

having written it out I am thinking I forgot dancing... so maybe I shall slide that in on Monday nights, or maybe Thursday night and I'll work job #2 on Mondays... ahhh - i don;t know.... I just know that from now until July I will be ridiculously busy and I apologize in advance for being absent.. maybe we can do lunch sometime - call me.

Book of the Week

Yikes, it is almost noon and I am just now posting this - sorry guys...

This week's Book of the Week is "The Know-It-All: One Man's Humble Quest to Become the Smartest Person in the World" By A. J. Jacobs.

Now, I haven't read it yet, however it looks hilarious and quite honestly seems up my alley, although I am in no way even close to being the smartest in the land - granted if I read this book I may be a bit closer to achieving that fame.

The synopsis goes like this:

Part memoir and part education (or lack thereof), The Know-It-All chronicles NPR contributor A.J. Jacobs''s hilarious, enlightening, and seemingly impossible quest to read the Encyclopaedia Britannica from A to Z.
To fill the ever-widening gaps in his Ivy League education, A.J. Jacobs sets for himself the daunting task of reading all thirty-two volumes of the Encyclopaedia Britannica. His wife, Julie, tells him it''s a waste of time, his friends believe he is losing his mind, and his father, a brilliant attorney who had once attempted the same feat and quit somewhere around Borneo, is encouraging but unconvinced.
With self-deprecating wit and a disarming frankness, The Know-It-All recounts the unexpected and comically disruptive effects Operation Encyclopedia has on every part of Jacobs''s life -- from his newly minted marriage to his complicated relationship with his father and the rest of his charmingly eccentric New York family to his day job as an editor at Esquire. Jacobs''s project tests the outer limits of his stamina and forces him to explore the real meaning of intelligence as he endeavors to join Mensa, win a spot on Jeopardy!, and absorb 33,000 pages of learning. On his journey he stumbles upon some of the strangest, funniest, and most profound facts about every topic under the sun, all while battling fatigue, ridicule, and the paralyzing fear that attends his first real-life responsibility -- the impending birth of his first child.
The Know-It-All is an ingenious, mightily entertaining memoir of one man''s intellect, neuroses, and obsessions, and a struggle between the all-consuming quest for factual knowledge and the undeniable gift of hard-won wisdom.

Bizarro

7 Things you might not know about me

It seems as though I've been tagged by K at Inspired by Dooce... so here we go...

First, the rules:
Each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to then report this on their own blog with their 7 things as well as these rules. They then need to tag others and list their names on their blog. They are also asked to leave a comment for each of the tagged, to let them know that they have been tagged and to read the blog.

7 things you may not know about me. Check the end to see if I've tagged you - haha!

1. I really cannot deal with people who have poor table manners...

2. I have serious doubts about the Navy, and I wonder what exactly this will do to my life.

3. I wish I could be much smarter than I pretend to be.

4. Sometimes I feel very very short even though I'm taller than most of my friends and family.

5. I really need to figure out the whole middle east conflict... (see #3)

6. I am ridiculously shy and thus am in no way as social as you might think... I can be rather like a hermit.

7. I detest cilantro

Now time for fun... Megan, Kate and Colleen - you're next!

Things to warm your, well my, heart

During the past week or so I've either seen things, or done things that make me quite happy, and I shall list them for you....

1. Little kids playing hockey on outdoor rinks... who couldn't be happy about that?
2. Ikea at Christmas
3. Tea and cookies with Grandama
4. Meals and visiting with friends and family
5. Fluffy snow
6. Buying Skates
7. Knowing that you have a job after christmas
8. Crossing off things on your to-do / to-buy list
9. Christmas specials on tv
10. Waiting for your SPICE GIRLS Greatest Hits CD / DVD
11. Christmas Concerts / Ballets, I guess we can just say Activities..

SPICE UP YOUR LIFE!

Alright, so here we go. First though I should apologize for the tardiness of this post, but it was such a great show and I'm not sure that I can really undertake to explain just how much fun we had, but I shall try...

So Friday night Lanster picked me up from work, and we arrived at my place about 11:15... Amy was already there, in bed trying to sleep. We of course woke her up, introduced her to Lanster and basically began laughing and that lasted until we left for the airport at 4 am, while a small 1/2 hour break to attempt to sleep (which really didn't happen..) Alright, now it's Saturday morning - Heather graciously woke up to drive us, what a sport she was - and she was even quite cheerful and listened to us blab on and on about whatever it was we were chatting about while we drove to catch the flight. Not to much to report from the airport... security was fine, amazingly, and voila we were on the flight. I slept most of the way, so did Amy, poor Lanster though didn't, but she was a real trooper and toughed it out - all day long Saturday as well...

K, so we arrive in Vegas, get off the flight, collect our baggage, catch a cab to the hotel, try to check in early , find out we can't so we call the other girls' room and make them come down and get us from the lobby... Turns out they just got home and were trying to sleep... they arrived the day previous and had spent a rather interesting night at the LAX nightclub in the Luxor whilst in the company of one Criss Angel, one Pamela Anderson and one Tito Ortiz... Pictures are on Eleni's facebook if you are lucky enough to have access....

Anyways Saturday during the day we basically toured around, had breakfast and then lunch / dinner and got ready for the concert.... now for the concert....

We arrived at 7:30, concert was to start at 8, but didn't until 9 - but in the meantime music was being played over the loudspeakers and a lot of people in the audience were up and dancing. As soon as Soulja Boy came on however, almost the entire audience screamed, jumped up and danced.. it was quite the sight... Then after a while the concert started... and for two whole hours they danced, sang and we danced and sang the whole time as well.. Sometimes we screamed so loudly that you couldn't here the girls.... But, wow, it was quite the show - the choreography, the set, the costumes, the individual performances, the songs, the confetti, the video screens... amazing! You all should youtube the spice girls concert... I've been doing it every day since I got back, just so I can re-live how awesome it was.... I cannot wait until the DVD comes out, to tide me over I've just ordered the Greatest hits CD and bonus DVD of all the music videos from Amazon.. it should arrive on Thursday. Well, that and the fact that I've been blasting the Spice World CD in my car all week and even watched all 10 parts of the Youtube video of Spiceworld posted by ThaRockGoddess.... AHHHH, I love it!!!!

After the concert we were all pretty exhausted not having slept for about 2 days so instead of partying it up, we in fact crashed into bed after saying goodnight and goodbye to our other half and then it was Sunday.

Sunday brought breakfast at the Rainforest Cafe, A good load of shopping at H &M (of course) and Bath and Body Works (mmm) and then more sightseeing... including the fountains at the Bellagio , Luxor, MGM, New York New York (mmmm , pretzels), Paris and Planet Hollywood. After dinner at the Luxor, who buffet seriously sucked this time - ps, do not get excited when you see the Creme Brulee cause it is absolute crap - I was seriously pissed off..... we were off to the Imax show of the journey down the Nile. It was really fun and I remembered how sad I was that we don't really have an Imax anymore. By the end it was 12:30 and we were not in the mood to put our dancing shoes on and party it up so we headed back to the hotel and chilled, chatted and fell asleep after a very long day of walking and shopping.

Monday morning we had breakfast downstairs at the Sherwood Forest Cafe, took a cab to the Wynn, walked through the Venetian, the Mirage, Caesars, the Bellagio, Monte Carlo, New York New York and back to Excalibur to pack and off to the airport we went.

So there we go, 55 hours in Vegas and we were on our way home. Sad to leave, sad to see the end of the concert, but elated that I was in the same room as Posh and the rest of the girls, and happy that I finally got to see them.

Nutcracker

Just thought I might remind everyone that my favourite ballet is on... by two different companies - the Alberta Ballet of course has it's production of the Nutcracker and then there is this one, it is much less expensive and has cute kids performing in it, and the venue is much smaller and more intimate (Vertigo Mystery Theatre)... plus the choreography is a bit different so it looks like fun....

Although the poster has the 2005 dates printed on it, they apply to 2007 as well. So if you want to go with me, let me know and we'll make a date of it..

Book of the Week

I know what you are all thinking... where the heck are the Vegas pics... and my answer to you is that they are coming.. I forgot to bring the camera to work so I could upload and post the pics.. I'll try for the weekend, I promise. But, in the meantime let's all chat about some good books - shall we?

So for this week I think I will go with "A Year in Provence" written by Peter Mayle. I picked it simply because I am remembering the Christmas I spent in France and the laughs that this book brought me while I was there, and even living in Provence to boot! Almost everything that happened to Peter Mayle happened to me - with the exception of purchasing a house / car cause I was a poor student.. but that is besides the point. It was hilarious both when it actually happened and when I read about it in his book. The French have a certain - je ne sais quoi - about them and their way of life that causes mass confusion for the English speaking people who live in their fine country. But to be quite honest, this is a funny funny book, and I have and will continue to recommend it to anyone who loves to read about travel.

PS - When you get to the part about the market and lurid Johnny Halliday T-Shirt.. call me, or read these two posts and I shall explain why that is the funniest thing that I have ever read... oh Johnny, I really do miss you and your crazy silver suits...

From the Publisher: In this witty and warm-hearted account, Peter Mayle tells what it is like to realize a long-cherished dream and actually move into a 200-year-old stone farmhouse in the remote country of the Lubéron with his wife and two large dogs. He endures January''s frosty mistral as it comes howling down the Rhône Valley, discovers the secrets of goat racing through the middle of town, and delights in the glorious regional cuisine. A Year in Provence transports us into all the earthy pleasures of Provençal life and lets us live vicariously at a tempo governed by seasons, not by days.

Au revoir!

Happy Birthday

SNOOP!!!!!

Happy Birthday!!!!

(I sure hope I spelled that correctly... )

Have a Fantastic Day my dear, say Hi to Amir for me!

Book of the Week

I just had to.....


From the Editors:
'I've always been a girls' girl. And I know from experience that making the very best of yourself is something any woman can do. I was never the six-foot-tall pin-up. I've always been the girl-next-door who got lucky. I've come a long way in the last ten years, but this book isn't my attempt to tell you what or what not to do. It's just to share some of what I've learned.'

In That Extra Half an Inch, a tongue-in-cheek reference to her love of high heels, Beckham shares her tips for finding your own style including:


Learning how to dress for special occasions
Shopping for everyday wear and where to look for it
Accessories: defining the looks that work best for you
Helpful hints for the holidays
Making the most of your wardrobe
How to feel confident and look great every time you leave the house

That Extra Half an Inch is a beautiful, nothing-but-the truth, easy-to-use book on fashion, beauty and style. Victoria shares her personal style secrets so whether you're getting ready for work, a night out on the town or even doing the school run, you too can feel confident and look great every time you step out of the front door.

We could all use a bit more style in our lives right?

20 Hours, 30 Minutes

So, my other half of the group has just landed.. and I am barely able to sit still waiting for my turn... Today should be rather long, especially since I have to work again tonight... but in less than 24 hours I shall be there and living it up...

We even asked our boss, a lawyer, if we can have a 6 for 1 deal on annulments... Hey - we're just preparing for the possibility, right?

Ok, I'll sign off for now - Vegas Pictures to follow on Monday....

VIVA LAS VEGAS!

1 Day, 19 Hours, 46 Minutes

Wow, I'm almost there... I need to start thinking what I will wear to this shindig... Maybe I should wear Geri's mini??? or perhaps Posh's LBD (little black dress).... I'll keep you posted.

And now for something to cheer us all up.. today has not been the best.....


Spice Girls - Never Give Up On The Good Times

Whoo!

She used to be a chancer, sparkle in the rain
Told me she needed a friend
If shes going crazy, baby's on the way
Seems like the day never ends

Everybody needs some affection [Ah ah ah]
Never shines [never shines] gotta try [gotta try]
Wherever your going

Chorus
Never give up on the good times, gotta believe in the love you find
[Never give it up, never give it up no oh oh]
Never give up on the good times, livin it up is a state of mind
[never give it up no, never give it up oh oh]

Bossanova baby, heart is never soul
Shouting but he's never heard
Eyes all wide and open, streets are paved with gold
Someone come back on their word

Everybody needs some affection [Ah ah ah]
Never shines [Never shines] gotta try [gotta try]
Wherever your going

Repeat Chorus

Down and dirty city, feeling outta place
Maybe you've ran outta time
Treats her like a lady, smile upon her face
Make up the last of the lines

Everybody needs some affection [Ah ah ah]
Never shines [Never shines] gotta try [gotta try]
Wherever your going

Repeat Chorus

Never give up on the good times, gotta believe in the love you find
[Never give it uuuuuuuuup]
Never give up on the good times, livin it up is a state of mind
[Believe in the love you find]
Hey now look around, pick yourself up off the ground
I said hey now look around pick yourself up off the ground [x3]
I said [Never give up] hey now look around pick yourself up off the ground
I said hey now look around, pick yourself up off the ground

I said [Never give up] hey now look around,
pick yourself up off the ground
I said hey now look around, pick yourself up off the ground
I said [Never give up] hey now look around,
pick yourself up off the ground

I said never give up [x3]

Never give up on the good times, gotta believe in the love you find
[Never give it up, never give it up no oh oh]
Never give up on the good times, livin it up is a state of mind
[never give it up no, never give it up oh oh]
Never give up on the good times, gotta believe in the love you find
[Never give it uuuuuuuuup]
Never give up on the good times livin it up is a state of mind
Never give up on the good times, gotta believe in the love you find
[Never give it up, never give it up no oh oh]
Never give up on the good times, livin it up is a state of mind
[Never give it up no, never give it up oh oh]

1955

Oh, to be a 1955 Housewife....

2 Days, 22 Hours, 2 Minutes

The performance last night was really great...loved the outfits... Posh even sang - and well! Yeah for her!!! Emma looked great, even after just having a baby... I can't wait!

3 Days, 17 Hours, 50 minutes

PS - They perform tonight on the Victoria Secret Fashion Show... Channel 12 for those in Calgary!

A quote

"You can hide things in vocabulary" Dick Liddil (a member of the Jesse James gang)

This may be my most favourite quote...

4 days, 21 Hours, 41 Minutes

Weekend Update

So I finally have my phone back... last night after work I zipped over to my Aunt's house for some chit chat and yummy dinner... I love when people make me dinner, because really - do I want to make a whole dinner for myself? Besides that - I love hanging out with my Aunt and Grandma...

So there we were chatting away... eating a fantastic dinner and suddenly it was 11:30.. yikes!!! Time for bed... so I drove home, got into bed and realised my phone was sitting on the kitchen counter. Not good...

No worries, though I still have email right... this morning I got up, planned my movie date with Megan... got ready and walked down to the theatre... it is very very cold out p.s.

We watched The Assassination of Jesse James. Not bad, a bit depressing, a bit somber, but the Alberta scenery was great and I'm a wee bit embarrassed to admit that I didn't know how he died.... turns out it was a bit crap...... It was great to see Megan again, her life is so much more glamorous than mine and thus I enjoy living vicariously through her. Back to the movie though - it was shot with somewhat of a cold light so I spent the entire movie with my jacket on.. but Brad is looking a bit haggard, and tired.. he needs some R&R or some plastic surgery or something...

Afterwards it was back to running errands, up to Crowfoot Chapters to grab some books for the kids in the Evenstart program and back out to the house for my phone. More dinner (thank you!!) and then back home for a night in...

Oh, I guess I should talk about Friday. It was quite the night - I worked during the day, worked at night, met up with Eleni and Katherine for the Reagle Beagle's monthly theme night / music trivia night. This month's theme - White Trash - and although I was not in costume they sure were. Eleni in a walmart get-up and Katherine as a trucker, it was a sight to behold and I am so glad that I popped by to see it! Bravo girls, you made my night!!!

K, I'm done for today.

Ciao!