Guess what? I am going to Ottawa for Canada Day. I'll be driving down on Friday, spend 3 days and drive back on the Tuesday. I told my mom some time ago I would be doing this, and she said great. Problem is this. Last time I spoke to her, she had made assumptions about how long I was staying, what I would be doing there etc...
Ahem, no way josé! I have plans to do sweet-f@#$k-all and can't wait for it. There is a few things that I'd like to do while I'm there and everything else, well who cares. My mother had made plans to bring me and M to her friends cottage (note: HER friend, NOT mine, I don't want to go) She made plans for us to drive M to TO to her dad (note: He can bloody well come get her in Ottawa if I'm going to drive that far)
All's I want to do is the following:
1) go to an IKEA store once
2) visit my friend Elli and her boyfriend Nick (without the kid or my mom)
3) go see the fireworks and concert on Parliament Hill
4) maybe check out some of the venues for the International Jazz Festival that is going on while I'm there.
In what order I do these things, is not important. Nor is do I care what day I do these things on. I'm going to wait and see how I feel each day and what I happen to feel like doing at that moment. This, unfortunately stresses my mother out to no ends. She is an overbaring, neurotic, control freak. She needs to be the one to dictate absolutely everything, and absolutely everything needs to be planned out in advance...BY HER!!! I can't deal with it. The last email I sent her, I outlined the dates I was going to be there, what I'd like to do while I'm there, including the fact that I did not want to have a big dinner party with all HER friends.
I included the folling disclaimer in my email to her.
Disclaimer: This is important mom, I am looking forward to coming to visit you. I am looking forward to a relaxing few days of wandering the city and enjoying the sites and seeing the fireworks on Canada Day. I'd like to see Elli and Nick on one of those days, perhaps we can see the fireworks together if your not interested in that. There is also the tail end of a jazz festival going on in Ottawa as well, which might be interesting to check out. I do not want to plan anything, and just want to take things as they come and just go with the flow. Please do not make plans for me. I just want to be able to decide on the fly what I'd like to do while I'm there. I know this drives you crazy, but it's the way I prefer to do things. It's my vacation time and I'd like it to be relaxing in a way that is good for me and Morgan to spend some time together with you before I head back to NB.
Oddly, I haven't heard back from her. I think I might have finally sent her over the edge and she's sitting in a little padded room somewhere drooling into her poorly heated frozen dinner and bib.
You Really CAN'T Fix Stupid
Sigh!! It's that time of year again. The university students are out in the real world, taking over the coffee shops and retail stores everywhere. Maybe I'm just getting old, well not THAT old, but my tollerance for stupid has declined considerably. The most amazing thing is this. These kids are probably studying to become doctors, lawyers, scientists, polititions, nuclear physicists, and can't figure out the change for a large, 2 milk, one sugar, out of a toony. Hellooo...It's $0.52
Stupid: I stop at the convenience store to rent a movie. The movie I chose is in the second drawer from the top. The top drawer is broken and actually resting on the second drawer. Stupid #1 leans over and gives a half-assed tug on the second drawer, can't open it. I'm thinking "if you were able to handle all those piercings in your face, you can handle the drawer" (I know, I have an eyebrow ring, hurt like hell) She turns to me and says "I can't open it" and stares blank faced at me and I'm now absolutely stunned. So, I says to her "can you get someone to help you?" she continues to blink in stunned silence for a few seconds before answering "No" So, I didn't get to rent the movie. They lost $5.75 from me and most likely some late fees as well. Guaranteed, if I had to pay with Debit, I'd have bought a few other things, just to make the transaction fee worth while.
Stupid: I stop at the convenience store to rent a movie. The movie I chose is in the second drawer from the top. The top drawer is broken and actually resting on the second drawer. Stupid #1 leans over and gives a half-assed tug on the second drawer, can't open it. I'm thinking "if you were able to handle all those piercings in your face, you can handle the drawer" (I know, I have an eyebrow ring, hurt like hell) She turns to me and says "I can't open it" and stares blank faced at me and I'm now absolutely stunned. So, I says to her "can you get someone to help you?" she continues to blink in stunned silence for a few seconds before answering "No" So, I didn't get to rent the movie. They lost $5.75 from me and most likely some late fees as well. Guaranteed, if I had to pay with Debit, I'd have bought a few other things, just to make the transaction fee worth while.
Idiots Grand Central
I'm going to have to start with a disclaimer before I begin. I appologize to all those "normal" people that find themselves in Walmart on a Sunday afternoon, if I offend them in any way by the following remarks, that are the oppinions expressed by myself and no one else. No wait, if your dumb enough to be in Walmart on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon, then you need to hear this. This applies to me too, I was there, I know !!!
On Sunday (mother's day) I decided to treat myself to a new BBQ. This is exciting for me, as I've never owned my own BBQ. I have a limited amount of cash, so I feel that I can't just go to Canadian Tire and buy the first one I see. My travels eventually bring me to Walmart where I find, not only a BBQ that's affordable but lawn furniture that is also affordable. Yahoo!
I ask a sales person, who is unbelievable hard to find and rude to me because I have apparently stopped her from going somewhere else. I'm pretty annoyed anyways that I am spending a gorgeous Sunday afternoon in dept stores looking for a BBQ and lawn set, so when this lady lets a huge sigh when I stop her (politely I might add) I start to get a little on edge. I ask the lady about the lawn set sitting to my right. She tells me it's not for sale, they only have the demo left. I ask if I can buy the demo, she says no, cuz then they wouldn't have a display anymore for people to see what Walmart has to offer. Anyone see the logic in that??? If you don't have it, why taunt people with it, and why the hell can't I buy the last one?
So, I'm irritable now, I want to leave, I'll buy my BBQ elsewhere. Besides, my parents watched a show on Walmart about how they hire illegals in their factories and pay them below minimum wage, and I can't bring myself to shop there if I don't have to. So, on my way out, I get stuck behind some lady taking her sweet ol time getting down the isle, I'd like to pass her but there's another person coming from the other direction, I' ll have to wait till they pass each other, but wait, a kid (who gave this kid a shopping cart) comes bolting from the side out of NO WHERE and WHAM, it's grid-locked. I'm trying to be patient while they all stare at each other like they are either silently communicating in their own language of blinking, and I can't take it anymore. I say out loud...."For the love of GOD, this is NUTS!!" and back track one isle and two over just to get out. These blank faced people just stare on, like "what was that all about?" and my daughter is howling with laughter cuz she knows how much I hate going in there. I always get bad directions to various departments, there is always crowds that stop to chat in the isles thus effectively halting all thru-traffic, and there is always a screeming kid that is being a total brat somewhere near by and no matter how many dept's you move over, they follow you....
I hate Walmart !
I have since bought a BBQ at the local Co-op for $10 more but it was so worth it. I had someone help me with all the info I needed, they gave me a slip of paper with my receipt and directed me to the loading area where they put it in my car for me. Lovely! Worth every penny.
On Sunday (mother's day) I decided to treat myself to a new BBQ. This is exciting for me, as I've never owned my own BBQ. I have a limited amount of cash, so I feel that I can't just go to Canadian Tire and buy the first one I see. My travels eventually bring me to Walmart where I find, not only a BBQ that's affordable but lawn furniture that is also affordable. Yahoo!
I ask a sales person, who is unbelievable hard to find and rude to me because I have apparently stopped her from going somewhere else. I'm pretty annoyed anyways that I am spending a gorgeous Sunday afternoon in dept stores looking for a BBQ and lawn set, so when this lady lets a huge sigh when I stop her (politely I might add) I start to get a little on edge. I ask the lady about the lawn set sitting to my right. She tells me it's not for sale, they only have the demo left. I ask if I can buy the demo, she says no, cuz then they wouldn't have a display anymore for people to see what Walmart has to offer. Anyone see the logic in that??? If you don't have it, why taunt people with it, and why the hell can't I buy the last one?
So, I'm irritable now, I want to leave, I'll buy my BBQ elsewhere. Besides, my parents watched a show on Walmart about how they hire illegals in their factories and pay them below minimum wage, and I can't bring myself to shop there if I don't have to. So, on my way out, I get stuck behind some lady taking her sweet ol time getting down the isle, I'd like to pass her but there's another person coming from the other direction, I' ll have to wait till they pass each other, but wait, a kid (who gave this kid a shopping cart) comes bolting from the side out of NO WHERE and WHAM, it's grid-locked. I'm trying to be patient while they all stare at each other like they are either silently communicating in their own language of blinking, and I can't take it anymore. I say out loud...."For the love of GOD, this is NUTS!!" and back track one isle and two over just to get out. These blank faced people just stare on, like "what was that all about?" and my daughter is howling with laughter cuz she knows how much I hate going in there. I always get bad directions to various departments, there is always crowds that stop to chat in the isles thus effectively halting all thru-traffic, and there is always a screeming kid that is being a total brat somewhere near by and no matter how many dept's you move over, they follow you....
I hate Walmart !
I have since bought a BBQ at the local Co-op for $10 more but it was so worth it. I had someone help me with all the info I needed, they gave me a slip of paper with my receipt and directed me to the loading area where they put it in my car for me. Lovely! Worth every penny.
Stats Canada
Driving into work today, I was both shocked and horrified at what Stat's Canada had reported on the inflation and sadly, deflation of income in Canada.
The stats I remember are as follows:
Under $20,000 per year - 9% decrease
Over $80,000 per year - 15% increase (ya, you read that right)
$56,000 to the under 80,000 crowd - 2% increase (inflation...is WAY higher than that)
The radio wasn't all too specific about the rest of us lower-middle income earners, but they implied that over the last 20 odd years or so, we've pretty much remained in the same spot. Not advancing with inflation.
In other news: Local blond DUMBASS bashes head on desk while plugging in laptop.
Yup, as I was attempting to get under my desk to plug in the PC this am, I leaned forward and WHAM!!! I bashed my head on my desk. Let out a huge Yelp, fell on my ass holding my head. Considering the volume I yelped at, you'd think at least one person would say, "hey, you ok?" Well no, not a one. Either no one cares, or they've learned to ignore my sounds of pain, cuz I'm a tad accident prone and it's a fairly regular occurance.
My forhead hurts when I furrow my brow.
The stats I remember are as follows:
Under $20,000 per year - 9% decrease
Over $80,000 per year - 15% increase (ya, you read that right)
$56,000 to the under 80,000 crowd - 2% increase (inflation...is WAY higher than that)
The radio wasn't all too specific about the rest of us lower-middle income earners, but they implied that over the last 20 odd years or so, we've pretty much remained in the same spot. Not advancing with inflation.
In other news: Local blond DUMBASS bashes head on desk while plugging in laptop.
Yup, as I was attempting to get under my desk to plug in the PC this am, I leaned forward and WHAM!!! I bashed my head on my desk. Let out a huge Yelp, fell on my ass holding my head. Considering the volume I yelped at, you'd think at least one person would say, "hey, you ok?" Well no, not a one. Either no one cares, or they've learned to ignore my sounds of pain, cuz I'm a tad accident prone and it's a fairly regular occurance.
My forhead hurts when I furrow my brow.
Gasp !!!
Gasp! Sharp intake of breath! Has the world turned inside out? Chris Daughtry was voted off Idol this week. I didn't watch the show, since I was otherwise cheering on the hockey game, but I just heard the horrid news on the radio this am on the way to work. For the love of GOD!!! What's going on?
He was the best one left. On the plus side, he can start his career as a pro sooner instead of having to sing the crap song (always a ballad, barf) that the idols end up having to record as their first song. However, he was the only reason I still watched the show, his singing was phenominal (can't spell that) and made it worth the time to at least surf over the Idol station periodically to see if he was singing and what song he would do that week.
All's I can say, is that there are alot of American's that need to be educated on what makes a good singer/performer/all around great Idol worth cheering for. He seemed like a decent man too. Family guy, wife and kids come first, he's lived a little too. He's not fresh off the farm, and newly separated from his/her mother's arms and apron strings.
Well, on that note, I'm going to get back to working and sulking...
He was the best one left. On the plus side, he can start his career as a pro sooner instead of having to sing the crap song (always a ballad, barf) that the idols end up having to record as their first song. However, he was the only reason I still watched the show, his singing was phenominal (can't spell that) and made it worth the time to at least surf over the Idol station periodically to see if he was singing and what song he would do that week.
All's I can say, is that there are alot of American's that need to be educated on what makes a good singer/performer/all around great Idol worth cheering for. He seemed like a decent man too. Family guy, wife and kids come first, he's lived a little too. He's not fresh off the farm, and newly separated from his/her mother's arms and apron strings.
Well, on that note, I'm going to get back to working and sulking...
The Elusive Bathroom Troll
Who is this Elusive Bathroom Troll. I'm quite sure we've all had a run-in with said troll. To describe the troll is quite difficult, as many have not actually seen it. Thus why it's referred to as "elusive".
You may have come close at times. You would know you have because they frequent most public washrooms. You'd recognize them by the shoes they put on to fool you. If you were to glance under the stall door, looking for a free BR stall, there they are. However, they are not moving, they make no sounds, and do not appear to be getting up any time soon.
I believe they are afraid of other humans and do not want to be found out. They wait for you to flush your own toilet, in hopes that you wont hear them move or make any sounds themselves. They will not leave the stall until you have completely left the bathroom. Every once in a while they will flush their own toilet, but they wont leave, they are still in there in "stealth mode" You might hear them pull on the TP dispenser, but still no movement to leave.
Ordinarily, the bathroom dwellers are fairly easy to ignore and we are able to use the washrooms harmoniously together without ever making contact with each other (This is very much preferred by them) however, occasionally, all the stall are taken and you have to wait to use the toilet. If there is a Bathroom troll in one or more of them, you'll end up waiting for a very long time. Worse yet, is if you find there are more than one troll in the bathroom at the same time, they are competing with each other. Each troll is waiting for the other to make a move or sound before they make their own moves or sounds. It becomes a stalemate. This can be very frustrating for innocent by-standers who are in desperate need of peeing.
You may have come close at times. You would know you have because they frequent most public washrooms. You'd recognize them by the shoes they put on to fool you. If you were to glance under the stall door, looking for a free BR stall, there they are. However, they are not moving, they make no sounds, and do not appear to be getting up any time soon.
I believe they are afraid of other humans and do not want to be found out. They wait for you to flush your own toilet, in hopes that you wont hear them move or make any sounds themselves. They will not leave the stall until you have completely left the bathroom. Every once in a while they will flush their own toilet, but they wont leave, they are still in there in "stealth mode" You might hear them pull on the TP dispenser, but still no movement to leave.
Ordinarily, the bathroom dwellers are fairly easy to ignore and we are able to use the washrooms harmoniously together without ever making contact with each other (This is very much preferred by them) however, occasionally, all the stall are taken and you have to wait to use the toilet. If there is a Bathroom troll in one or more of them, you'll end up waiting for a very long time. Worse yet, is if you find there are more than one troll in the bathroom at the same time, they are competing with each other. Each troll is waiting for the other to make a move or sound before they make their own moves or sounds. It becomes a stalemate. This can be very frustrating for innocent by-standers who are in desperate need of peeing.
Nitty Gritty Willy
I took M and her Friend L to see Willie Nelson and The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band last friday. I have to start by saying, I am NOT a country music fan aside from the odd song that is just on the cusp of being rock or pop music. Last time I took my daughter to a concert, she really came out of her shell and was hootin and hollerin and having a grand ol time, and I was hoping she'd find that again.
Turns out, she doesn't like Willie Nelson and wanted to leave before it was over. He is kinda gettin on in years. He even walks on stage with the old man shuffle. I gotta hand it to him though, for an old guy, he still sounds great, despite the fact that he's country. He's a legend and he's still good at what he does. Unlike Bob Dylan (sorry Bob, gotta diss ya here) who was completely incoherent on stage. Couldn't even tell what song he was doing.
I think overall the concert might have been a bit more exciting for the kids if the crowd was a little more into it. The crowd was so calm. No one stood up. Everyone clapped politely
Turns out, she doesn't like Willie Nelson and wanted to leave before it was over. He is kinda gettin on in years. He even walks on stage with the old man shuffle. I gotta hand it to him though, for an old guy, he still sounds great, despite the fact that he's country. He's a legend and he's still good at what he does. Unlike Bob Dylan (sorry Bob, gotta diss ya here) who was completely incoherent on stage. Couldn't even tell what song he was doing.
I think overall the concert might have been a bit more exciting for the kids if the crowd was a little more into it. The crowd was so calm. No one stood up. Everyone clapped politely
American Idol Trash Talk
I'm realy into Idol this year for some reason. I know it's shallow and bitchy of me to critisize the contestants, especially considering a I couldn't hold a candle to any of them regarding talent. Although, my dad is convinced I'm a musical genius hiding in a closet.. Ahem...sure Dad!
I don't want Katherin to win, not sure why, I think she's not comfortable enough on stage and looks awkward even though she's a favourite to win, do to good looks and good voice, although it's kinda hit or miss depending on the song.
I'd like to see Chris win. He's cute, very nice eyes, has a great voice, and it would be nice to have a winner that's not a "pop" singer. Haven't we had enough? Bring on the rock'n'roll baby !!!!
I can't believe Paris is gone. I liked her. She was spunky and had a great voice. I know that looks are important cuz it's the overall package that wins, but common folks...what's with "goat boy" (copyright "My Thoughts Exactly") He's not cute, and he sings with far too much falsetto. UGH! I find that takes away from the song itself.
I'm glad the blond girl is gone, she was she was pretty and a good singer, but not a great one.
I can't think of who else is left. Obviously not making much of an impression on me. hehehe this is just my two-cents.
I don't want Katherin to win, not sure why, I think she's not comfortable enough on stage and looks awkward even though she's a favourite to win, do to good looks and good voice, although it's kinda hit or miss depending on the song.
I'd like to see Chris win. He's cute, very nice eyes, has a great voice, and it would be nice to have a winner that's not a "pop" singer. Haven't we had enough? Bring on the rock'n'roll baby !!!!
I can't believe Paris is gone. I liked her. She was spunky and had a great voice. I know that looks are important cuz it's the overall package that wins, but common folks...what's with "goat boy" (copyright "My Thoughts Exactly") He's not cute, and he sings with far too much falsetto. UGH! I find that takes away from the song itself.
I'm glad the blond girl is gone, she was she was pretty and a good singer, but not a great one.
I can't think of who else is left. Obviously not making much of an impression on me. hehehe this is just my two-cents.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
