Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Catching Up
I've had lots to blog about lately, but the evidence is hard and fast - no blogs have been written. As such, I will do my best to catch everyone up.
For anyone that has not heard the news - I'm moving in with Laura in September. We found a nice place up at Bathurst & St Clair, with lots of character and charm. The one thing about it that is less than charming however is that it's on the 4th floor, with no elevator. Moving in shall be a raucous good time. The other "downer" about the new place is that it does not have a balcony - no balcony, no BBQ.
This past weekend I hooked up with Ali on Saturday go catch a concert down at the Kool Haus - the headlining band was Brand New, which some of you may know. One of the opening bands plays terribly catchy retro dance songs( think "We don't need a reason, to get out on the dance floor. We can get it on, all night looooonnng" ) Alas, this band didn't play since the singer was sick. Nevertheless, Brand New was smashingly good, and Ali and I both had a marvellous time.
Sunday was the company golf tournament, out in Uxbridge. I must say, for a guy who has held a golf club a sum total of 3 times, I'm actually really quite good. We were broken into teams of 4, with each team having atleast 1 veteran golfer. We played best ball - each team member hits the ball and you all start the next shot from the previous 'best ball'. My ball was used in excess of 1/3 of the time! Yeehaw! My 'drives' - the first, long shot, were on FIRE at the end of the game. Good times, even though we didn't win.
Laura and I are ramping up for our vacation. The bike trip starts Aug 4th, and we'll be spending 2 weeks meandering through Quebec, with a stopover in New Brunswick at my cottage. If anyone has recommended places to see anywhere in Quebec, please do let me know. I'm pleased that I should be able to cash in my Via Preference points for a free round trip to ottawa. Note: a round trip from toronto to kingston costs less than half as many points as a round trip to ottawa. What a sham.
In training for my bike trip I put on a nice round 50km last night, biking out west along the waterfront. Apparently the trail goes all the way to Hamilton, which I'd love to explore...the problem though is that you need to get there *and* back, which is prohibitively far. I did get well out past the airport, most of the way to Oakville before having to turn tail. I stopped in for a Toonie Tuesday combo at a KFC knock-off to top up on the way home : ) Sorta defeats the value of the workout though eh?
Anyways - more to come!
For anyone that has not heard the news - I'm moving in with Laura in September. We found a nice place up at Bathurst & St Clair, with lots of character and charm. The one thing about it that is less than charming however is that it's on the 4th floor, with no elevator. Moving in shall be a raucous good time. The other "downer" about the new place is that it does not have a balcony - no balcony, no BBQ.
This past weekend I hooked up with Ali on Saturday go catch a concert down at the Kool Haus - the headlining band was Brand New, which some of you may know. One of the opening bands plays terribly catchy retro dance songs( think "We don't need a reason, to get out on the dance floor. We can get it on, all night looooonnng" ) Alas, this band didn't play since the singer was sick. Nevertheless, Brand New was smashingly good, and Ali and I both had a marvellous time.
Sunday was the company golf tournament, out in Uxbridge. I must say, for a guy who has held a golf club a sum total of 3 times, I'm actually really quite good. We were broken into teams of 4, with each team having atleast 1 veteran golfer. We played best ball - each team member hits the ball and you all start the next shot from the previous 'best ball'. My ball was used in excess of 1/3 of the time! Yeehaw! My 'drives' - the first, long shot, were on FIRE at the end of the game. Good times, even though we didn't win.
Laura and I are ramping up for our vacation. The bike trip starts Aug 4th, and we'll be spending 2 weeks meandering through Quebec, with a stopover in New Brunswick at my cottage. If anyone has recommended places to see anywhere in Quebec, please do let me know. I'm pleased that I should be able to cash in my Via Preference points for a free round trip to ottawa. Note: a round trip from toronto to kingston costs less than half as many points as a round trip to ottawa. What a sham.
In training for my bike trip I put on a nice round 50km last night, biking out west along the waterfront. Apparently the trail goes all the way to Hamilton, which I'd love to explore...the problem though is that you need to get there *and* back, which is prohibitively far. I did get well out past the airport, most of the way to Oakville before having to turn tail. I stopped in for a Toonie Tuesday combo at a KFC knock-off to top up on the way home : ) Sorta defeats the value of the workout though eh?
Anyways - more to come!
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Movie Madness
I've been on a tear lately - I've watched 5 movies in the past 5 days!!
Thus far I have watched:
- Pirates of the Carribean(the original, from 2003 or whenever). I was pleasantly surprised...thought it was fun! A little surprised it's as huge of a blockbuster success as it is, but good nonetheless.
- The Da Vinci code...I read the book and thought it was decent. The movie however...well frankly, it was absolutely terrible. Probably one of the 25 worst movies I've ever seen. I thought that Bring It On was a MUCH better movie.
- The Date Movie - UNCUT! While this was moderately entertaining, I think I'm too old to really enjoy this kind of movie anymore...especially when there's no nudity. "UNCUT"!?
- Aeon Flux...the trailers for this one looked quite good, very "Matrix"...however it bombed in theaters. To be honest, I thought it was actually really quite well made, really good special effects / scenery and whatnot. Plot was mediocre, but on the whole I'd recommend it if you're into that kind of movie...I'd put it at 7/10.
- V for Vendetta...again, I thought the trailers looked good, but it made less money in its full run than the latest Pirates of the Carribean made in 5 days. This is probably my favourite one so far....quite unique and intriguing. A little violent, but not bad. Definitely not a "date movie", but relevent and well made. I'd give it a 9/10.
In the pipeline I also have Munich, Ong Bak 2 and Chicken Little : )
Thus far I have watched:
- Pirates of the Carribean(the original, from 2003 or whenever). I was pleasantly surprised...thought it was fun! A little surprised it's as huge of a blockbuster success as it is, but good nonetheless.
- The Da Vinci code...I read the book and thought it was decent. The movie however...well frankly, it was absolutely terrible. Probably one of the 25 worst movies I've ever seen. I thought that Bring It On was a MUCH better movie.
- The Date Movie - UNCUT! While this was moderately entertaining, I think I'm too old to really enjoy this kind of movie anymore...especially when there's no nudity. "UNCUT"!?
- Aeon Flux...the trailers for this one looked quite good, very "Matrix"...however it bombed in theaters. To be honest, I thought it was actually really quite well made, really good special effects / scenery and whatnot. Plot was mediocre, but on the whole I'd recommend it if you're into that kind of movie...I'd put it at 7/10.
- V for Vendetta...again, I thought the trailers looked good, but it made less money in its full run than the latest Pirates of the Carribean made in 5 days. This is probably my favourite one so far....quite unique and intriguing. A little violent, but not bad. Definitely not a "date movie", but relevent and well made. I'd give it a 9/10.
In the pipeline I also have Munich, Ong Bak 2 and Chicken Little : )
Monday, July 10, 2006
Going with Grace
A coworker of mine had a death in the family today. Made me realize how fortunate I am to still have my mom & dad, both of whom I've grown to respect immensely over the years. It also made me reflect on how sad I am that I didn't spend more time with my grandparents while they were still around, as they were wonderful people always glad to share smile.
I think friends and family are always taken for granted until it's too late. I keep telling myself I need to cherish my relationships with those around me more closely - but keep coming up short. Just like my life long oath to never eat KFC again...somehow I keep going back on my word.
I can however tell you one thing - a day will come for each of us that will be our last. When that happens, and knock on wood, it'll be a long time from now...But when it DOES, I want to go with grace like this chap, Fred Clark. Bless you Fred, you've put a smile on my face, and a tear in my eye.
I think friends and family are always taken for granted until it's too late. I keep telling myself I need to cherish my relationships with those around me more closely - but keep coming up short. Just like my life long oath to never eat KFC again...somehow I keep going back on my word.
I can however tell you one thing - a day will come for each of us that will be our last. When that happens, and knock on wood, it'll be a long time from now...But when it DOES, I want to go with grace like this chap, Fred Clark. Bless you Fred, you've put a smile on my face, and a tear in my eye.
Friday, July 07, 2006
Happy Birthday Karen!
As many of you will already know, today is Karen's birthday! Surprised that I'd remember? It's not hard you know - 07/07.
I've been friends with Karen since we were knee high to a grasshopper. We went to all the same schools growing up, and Karen was always one name ahead of me on roll-call. She's a fun girl, and a good friend that Karen is. She is even a pro mountain biker, above and beyond her incredible culinary skills. As a bonus, she's a wonderful conversationalist and is always reliable. Karen is the hub that makes my social wheel spin.
Yet, sadly, this is probably only like the 3rd year ever that I've actually remembered Karen's birthday. Goes to show you how good of a friend *I* am. Greg, you've got some learnin' to do.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAREN!
I've been friends with Karen since we were knee high to a grasshopper. We went to all the same schools growing up, and Karen was always one name ahead of me on roll-call. She's a fun girl, and a good friend that Karen is. She is even a pro mountain biker, above and beyond her incredible culinary skills. As a bonus, she's a wonderful conversationalist and is always reliable. Karen is the hub that makes my social wheel spin.
Yet, sadly, this is probably only like the 3rd year ever that I've actually remembered Karen's birthday. Goes to show you how good of a friend *I* am. Greg, you've got some learnin' to do.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAREN!
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Ottawa Was Good
Got back last night from Ottawa - had a smashing good long weekend!
It's always nice going home, seeing all the peeps and getting out and about. I've gotten very used to Toronto, but I still just feel so much more at home in Odots.
Saturday was Canada Day - got to drop in to see Dickie and the boys, as well as max out on a BBQ/pot luck at Karen's place. If I may say so myself, I was quite pleased with my pasta salad. As always, Ariel's cake was fantastical. Bonus: got to see Caroline for the first time in ages and ages.
Sunday was action packed - went biking in Gatineau with laura and karen, then did a picnic and hike with Laura in the afternoon, followed up by a nice swim at Meech Lake. Finished off the night with dinner at Lone Star and a snack at Timmy Hos.
Monday was pretty hectic - squeezed in another quick round of biking, then packed up and picked up Ali for the trip back to TO. Traffic was good most of the way, but there a few accidents that caused some delays. Hope Ali made it back to Guelph at a sane hour.
Anyways, yes...as always, Ottawa == good.
It's always nice going home, seeing all the peeps and getting out and about. I've gotten very used to Toronto, but I still just feel so much more at home in Odots.
Saturday was Canada Day - got to drop in to see Dickie and the boys, as well as max out on a BBQ/pot luck at Karen's place. If I may say so myself, I was quite pleased with my pasta salad. As always, Ariel's cake was fantastical. Bonus: got to see Caroline for the first time in ages and ages.
Sunday was action packed - went biking in Gatineau with laura and karen, then did a picnic and hike with Laura in the afternoon, followed up by a nice swim at Meech Lake. Finished off the night with dinner at Lone Star and a snack at Timmy Hos.
Monday was pretty hectic - squeezed in another quick round of biking, then packed up and picked up Ali for the trip back to TO. Traffic was good most of the way, but there a few accidents that caused some delays. Hope Ali made it back to Guelph at a sane hour.
Anyways, yes...as always, Ottawa == good.
