Photo 365 Challenge!

I'm stoked. I've been meaning to do this every year but just have not.
But now I am.
It's a pretty cool idea. 1 photo a day for 365 days. Totally Random. A great way to look back on those seemingly insignificant details of the year and keep those memories going.

Check this out for more info: Photo 365

So starting tomorrow......*grin*

What Not to Do with Equipment

For Duncan and Noah....hah.

Lust

**Coming Late December 2008**The metro bowling bag makes a stylish comeback with this new camera bag from Acme Made.

Saturday

I'm going to see Bob Dylan on Saturday night. I'm very excited. I thought he was dead by appearantly not. Interesting.

And I get to stay on at work until January 3rd. The full time position (as opposed to my seasonal position) will be posted monday, wish me luck!!!

Other than that, my son is in the terrible 2's. Not sure what to do with him.....I love the little man more than anything but he is really trying my patience. He's gotten very loud. Not sure why. But he no longer wants to talk, he prefers to shout everything.

And the worst part? He gets up at 5 am every morning. ARG! He needs more sleep. I need more sleep. But for some reason his little body decides 5 it is.

It's all so very perplexing. Then again, I'm finding many things perplexing lately. I should eat more fish. I hear it's good for the brain.

Amen to that...

Quote of the Month....

Oh no, lets make that quote of the last 6 months!!

"OH GOD! NOOOO....I JUST SPIT CRACKER INTO MY EYE!!!"

I'm Getting Married.

Meet my new husband. No he is not Gay. I looked it up.

Wedding details to follow. Your all invited.

Suka 4 Her - Nuttin' But Stringz

I REALLY like....

Thunder - Nuttin but stringz

uhhhh....I like.

Take the Quiz here!

You are Elizabeth Bennet of Pride & Prejudice! You are intelligent, witty, and tremendously attractive. You have a good head on your shoulders, and oftentimes find yourself the lone beacon of reason in a sea of ridiculousness. You take great pleasure in many things. You are proficient in nearly all of them, though you will never own it. Lest you seem too perfect, you have a tendency toward prejudgement that serves you very ill indeed.

Jennifer Aniston Leaving the Gym of the Day

This guys blog amuses me. Just had to share this post. His story is so...so...random. But it had me giggling. haha.

Jennifer Aniston Leaving the Gym of the Day

Posted using ShareThis

Uh....yeah. Ok.

US man has eaten 23,000 Big Macs since 1972

FOND DU LAC, Wisconsin - Don Gorske says he has eaten 23,000 of McDonald's Big Mac burgers in 36 years.

The Wisconsin man said he hit the 23,000 milestone last month, continuing a culinary obsession that began May 17, 1972, and is fed by his obsessive-compulsive disorder.

"I enjoy them every day," said Gorske, 54. "I need two to fill me up."

Gorske has kept every burger receipt in a box. He says he was always fascinated with numbers, and watching McDonald's track its number of customers motivated him to track his own consumption.

Despite a diet some would call unhealthy, Gorske says he keeps himself in good shape. He says he's 6-foot-2 (1.89 meters) and weighs 185 pounds (84 kilograms), and walks as many as 16 kilometers a day.

He used to order fries every day in the 1980s but began to cut back in the '90s, now eating them about once a month. He eats two Big Macs, which each have two beef patties, cheese and a special Mac sauce, along with two parfaits a day. Gorske has written a book about his experience.

"Sometimes people call me a freak but it doesn't bother me. I just say respect people as they are," he told The Associated Press. "I just want to make sure people understand I'm not going to change."

He can instantly recall the eight days in which he failed to satisfy his craving. One was in 1988, the day his mother died, to respect a request she made.

"I made a promise to her and I always keep my promises," he said. "I also promised her I wouldn't cut my hair and in 20 years I haven't."

He twice failed to grab a Big Mac because of his job. A prison worker, he said a number of work emergencies kept him on the clock past midnight so he recorded those days as missed days.

Three other times he was traveling and couldn't find a McDonald's. He also went Big Mac-less on the U.S. holiday of Thanksgiving in 2000, and during a 1982 snowstorm that prevented a local McDonald's franchise from opening.

"That's when I started a habit where I kept them in the freezer," he said. He keeps one or two burgers on hand but increases his inventory to four to five during the winter.

Uh....if your mom's deathbed request is that you go one day without a big mac...maybe it's time to start thinking about things...

Dammit...

I bought those mini cinamon buns the other day.
I love cinamon buns.

They have raisins in them. I did not know this.

Shoot.

Skool

Not blogging much lately.

But I'm busy.

Busy learning stuff about me.

Some of it is real unpleasant. And some of it is beautiful. Some of it is only giving rise to more questions and some is giving disapointing answers.

Some is like cobwebs, and some is solid as granite, some scares me and some makes me feel joy. So many things are coming together for me in my head, reasons, explanations, changes that need to be made, things that I should never change....so much. It's interesting. The smallest word or gesture someone makes or idea or opinon a person in my life voices can spark a whole new thought, idea or insight. It's cool.

But the point is, I'm learning, processing, reforming my visions and ideas...my hopes, my expectations, my possible realities.

And you know what? There is so many options. Nothing is ever for sure but nothing is ever really impossible either.

So ya. I'm busy.

I hate times like this. I love times like this.

Interesting/disillusioning, Joyful/Sad, Surprising/Expected, Hidden/Shared.

It's crazy how you go through times in your life where suddenly it's like you've been plunked into the school of self, it's just crazy. But then after you graduate that part of it, you know yourself so much more. Until next time it rolls around. *grin*

rambly introspective post. Just to show I'm alive and well, and in a really intersting, scary, exciting, newish kinda place.

326

It's Gordon Lightfoot Tuesday!!!!

I chose the old guy version.....it's got more character.

Good Stuff....

Wow! What an exciting opportunity!!!!!

Well golly gee whiz wow! Looky here what I received in my email today!!! What a random and great thing huh? Think I should do it?? I mean 30% would be 2.16 MEEELLION DOLLARS! (said in a great Dr. Evil voice). And I mean, heck - look at the salutation! Good ol' Mr. Gbodor and I are already FRIENDS! I didn't know I had friends in Africa! but I do!

FROM MR.GBODOR
AHMEDAUDITING AND ACCOUNTING UNIT.
BANK OF AFRICA.
(BOA)OUAGADOUGOU BURKINA-FASO

Dear Friend,
(TOP SECRET)

I am contacting you in regards to a business transfer of a huge sum of money from a deceased account. Though I know that a transaction of this magnitude will make anyone apprehensive and worried, but I am assuring you that all will be well at the end of the day. We decided to contact you due to the urgency of this transaction.

PROPOSITION; We discovered an abandoned sum of $7.2M (seven million two hundred Thousand United States dollars) in an account that belongs to one of our foreign customers who died along with his entire family. Since his death, none of his next-of-kin or relations has come forward to lay claims to this money as the heir. We cannot release the fund from his account unless someone applies for claim as the next-of-kin to the deceased as indicated in our banking guidelines.

Upon this discovery, we now seek your permission to have you stand as a next of kin to the deceased as all documentations will be carefully worked out by us for the funds $7.2M (seven million two hundred Thousand United States dollars). to be released in your favour as the beneficiary's next of kin.

It may interest you to note that we have secured from the probate an order of madamus to locate any of deceased beneficiaries. Please acknowledge receipt of this message in acceptance of our mutual business endeavour by furnishing me with the following:

1. Your Full Names and Address.
2. Direct Telephone and Fax numbers.

These requirements will enable us file a letter of claim to the appropriate departments for necessary approvals in your favour before the transfer can be made. We shall be compensating you with 30% on final conclusion of this project, while the rest shall be for us. Your share stays with you while the rest shall be for us for investment purposes in your country. If this proposal is acceptable by you, do not take undue advantage of the trust we have bestowed in you, I await your urgent email.

Best Regards,
Mr.Gbodor Ahmed

sheesh....so do you think people actually fall for this stuff? And if so, what is the deal here? Identity theft?

Mock all You Want

I like this band. They are utterly ridiculous in such a sugary, funny way.
I like them. Yes I do. Makes me giggle. hah. And smile. And feel kinda dancey.

This Makes me Puke in my Mouth a Bit

My kid’s cuter than your kid
By Melissa Hank
2008-08-06

Children’s beauty pageants get reality treatment

Kids’ beauty pageants. Three words, a whirlwind of controversy. But also, with stage-parent stereotypes and questionable psychological after-effects abounding, there’s also ripe grounds for a reality show.

Twelve years after the death of pint-sized competitor JonBenét Ramsey and two years after pageant-based movie Little Miss Sunshine, a new documentary series is delving into the world of kiddie baton-twirling, Annie soundtrack-singing and tiny jazz hands.

WEtv has ordered six one-hour episodes of Little Miss Perfect, a documentary reality show from NorthSouth Prods., according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The series centres on Florida families who enter their five- to 11-year-old daughters in a beauty competition.

"There's a real fascination with these beauty pageants," said Steve Cheskin, the senior VP of programming at WE. "In parts of the South, it's taken very seriously, and in other parts of the country they're looked at with near-disbelief."

For its part, Little Miss Perfect will withhold judgement on the proceedings.

"We're taking an approach that's completely neutral," said Charlie DeBevoise, Perfect’s executive producer and a co-owner of NorthSouth.

"I'm inspired by Sundance's Nimrod Nation. I loved the way it showed its subject in a respectful and objective way and let the audience decide how to feel about it."

The subject matter has been mined before: the HBO documentary about child beauty pageants Living Dolls: The Making of a Child Beauty Queen aired in 2001 and won an Emmy.
Little Miss Perfect is scheduled to air sometime in the first quarter.

I hate beauty competitions. Especially for little girls. I cannot even explain how sickening I find it, the wrong wrong WRONG lessons are taught, and talk about "psychological impact"....well I can't say for sure but it can't be good. I'm too hot to really rant right now, but well....this bugs me. Not that they are doing a documentry about it, but just that it even exists anymore to document.

Ewwwwwww

The last few days we have been finding mouse droppings around the airtanker base. So Jeff, my boss/duty officer set some traps. This morning I came in, checked the one trap and found it empty thank goodness.

I forgot about the other one.

I went over to the other Desk to drop off some papers and saw something out of the corner of my eye.

Upon closer inspection I found....yes. A dead mouse in a trap.

Here are my base log notes for the day:

0800: Erin on base
0822: Faxed out grounding times and fire behavior indicies
8030: Completed weather forecast millibar charts - faxed
0833: Checked aircraft U/S forms - T444 still unservicable - replaced by T452
0845: Found mouse dead in trap. I am NOT touching it.
0846: Still not touching it. Hoping not to get hanta virus
0847: Called Jeff (duty officer) - requested he come to base to dispose of mouse. He said no.
0848: Called Jeff again. Told him I'm not touching it. That if he doesn't get rid of it I might die - He said to send him a memo so he can shred it.
0849: Faxed daily fire stats to Av. Mgmt.
0850: Called Holly down from tanker base
0851: Holly won't touch it either. It's a pickle.
0910: Murray on base - requested he get rid of mouse. Murray said no. Reminded him I could die. He said it was nice knowing me.
0930: Feeling a bit faint. Perhaps the hanta is kicking in? Or maybe I'm hungry.
0942: Mouse still in trap. Still dead.
1000: Drew on base for day - requested he dispose of mouse.
1010: Mouse still dead. In trap. Drew searching for gloves.
1015: Mouse disposed of using plastic bags, a pencil and a paperclip.
1020: Feel dirty

As drew pointed out, at least it wasn't a rat. I have come to the conclusion that when it comes to spiders, snakes, bugs and dogs I'm fine. But mice turn me into the girliest girl ever.

How To Leave Your Husband / Wife

It kinda disturbs me....ok, it REALLY disturbs me that I sign on to msn and see articles on how to leave your spouse. Why does committment, love, marriage not have any more meaning than that of a lark these days? It makes me real sad. Why do people jump ship at the slightest sign of trouble? Do people even know how to love anymore? Or the point of it? I dunno.....as I said, makes me sad. I mean, if you are uncertain, if you have doubts, then don't marry the person for goodness sakes! If your not sure you want to commit, DONT!! If you don't know for sure that you love someone, don't tell them you do. Instead people do whatever strikes their fancy at the moment, and then just parachute out when something they never really knew if they wanted didn't work out. What a waste of time for all involved. I believe in Love. I believe in Commitment. I wish the world in general did too.

If I Had Several Million Dollars...

Browsing super expensive stuff today.....indulging in the fantasy of what I would buy if I had millions and millions of dollars....here is just a few of my favourites:

I want THIS HOUSE it's on Heffley Lake...if you click on the link you get more pictures...it's stunning and SO me.

A few things I'd buy to put IN my house.....

The Car I'd be driving...Mazda RX-8

Some of the jewlery I would adorn myself with. (YES I would buy 2 diamond rings....cause they are pretty and sparkley and I talk with my hands so each hand would dazzle the eyes)

And a few of the appliances I'd buy for the above said new house.....

On top of that I'd pay off everyones debts - take a fabulous vacation every year that lasted a few months that Noah could enjoy too, and buy the best camera equipment available....

Now it's time to come back to reality. But it's fun to dream sometimes...

This is Insanity - Another Tasering

OK, maybe this guy was badass and maybe he wasn't. Probably was from the sounds of it. But seriously.....if the {RCMP} ** CORRECTION** Police in General cannot be taught to use tasers correctly, they shouldn't be using them. How much more will they embarrass themselves? I don't think they are supposed to kill people with the darn things are they? But they just can't help themselves....

from MSN News:

Man dies after being Tasered by Winnipeg police

A man died Tuesday after police used a Taser to subdue him, in what is believed to be the first such case in Winnipeg.

Witnesses told CTV Winnipeg the unidentified man, reportedly in his 20s, had been wielding a knife. But police spokesperson Const. Jacqueline Chaput would not confirm that report.
She said the "electronic control device" was used during a police call to a person's home, but would not give specific details.

"Upon attending, officers encountered a male at the rear of a residence," she said. "This resulted in an officer deploying his electronic control device. The male was conveyed to hospital in critical condition and has since succumbed to his injuries."

It's unclear why the man died or why officers were forced to use a Taser. But Chaput said the confrontation was serious enough that more than five police officers were dispatched to the scene.

Witnesses say police and paramedics tried to revive the man before he was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Chaput said the homicide unit is investigating the incident because it involved a police officer.
Police told CTV News Tuesday night they are still trying to determine the identity of the man. Witnesses said they saw police chasing the man, who was wearing jeans and a white T-shirt, and that the man then jumped over a fence.

"The next thing we know is that a witness who lives on the street and whose house is on the back lane where the Tasering occurred heard a loud siren," reported CTV's Murray Oliver in Winnipeg. "She peaked around the corner and saw police trying to revive a man who was prone on the ground."

Several provincial and national probes were launched into Taser use after several high-profile deaths allegedly involving the devices.

A public inquiry into the death of Polish immigrant Robert Dziekanski will take place this fall. Dziekanski had been waiting for several hours at Vancouver International Airport last fall when he became agitated. He died after being shocked with a Taser gun and subdued by four RCMP officers.

Following a scathing report on Taser use by RCMP Public Complaints Commissioner Paul Kennedy, the RCMP pledged to restrict use of the devices and give officers clearer guidelines.
Nova Scotia's government also issued new restrictions earlier this month aimed at ensuring stun devices are used appropriately.
With reports from CTV Winnipeg and files from The Canadian Press

I thought Batman was the Good Guy?

From MSN News...

by Ryan Porter Batman star Christian Bale is arrested in London after his sister and mom accuse him of assault.

The Dark Knight is breaking every record on the books in North America, to the point where even noted Canadian dignitaries like Seamus O'Regan are being turned away from shows at noon (NOON! Has our nation gone mad?). The film's star, Christian Bale, is currently on a whirlwind promotional tour of Europe, where his schedule included four press conferences in one day. So it's not exactly the most under-the-radar time for his mom, 61-year-old retired circus starlet Jenny, and sister, 40-year-old Sharon, to accuse him of assault, but they sure did on Monday. They say he assaulted them in their hotel room at the Dorchester Hotel in London on Sunday night.

Police waited until after the London premiere of The Dark Night before arresting Christian and bringing him in for questioning. "It was a very difficult situation but it would have been wrong to have wrecked the premiere over a complaint which we don't yet know is founded in truth," a police source told the Sun of London. They brought him in for questioning but didn't lay charges and asked him to return in September. He should be good and practiced by then since EVERY reporter in the world will ask him about it, along with "how does it feel to have a hit movie?" Celebrity journalism: the golden age is now.

The 34-year-old's people released this statement: "Christian Bale attended a London Police station today, on a voluntary basis, in order to assist with an allegation that had been made against him to the police by his mother and sister. Mr Bale who denies the allegation, co-operated throughout, gave his account in full of the events in question, and has left the station without any charge being made against him by the Police. At this time, there will be no further comment by Mr Bale." Blah, blah, blah.

Christian is an expert at startling behaviour. For The Machinist, he lost 60 pounds. For Rescue Dawn, he stuck himself with leeches, and hung upside down with an ants' nest tied to him while being spun in circles. For those wondering if he would be capable of the charges, there's this gem of self-analysis: "If everyone really knew what a jerk I am in real life, I wouldn't be so adored in the slightest," he once told E! Online. So, as this story unfolds, we can look forward to that collective disappointment.

Bone Deep Exhaustion

I want to crawl in there, shut out the lights, and sleep for a week. Nothing much else to say. I'm tired.

My Life is Sticky

And I mean this literally. Having a 2 year old makes life sticky and crumby. I clean. Actually it feels like when I'm at home all I DO is clean. And yet, everything is still sticky. My phone is sticky. The fridge door is sticky, my sliding patio doors are sticky. I find sticky stuff everywhere, clean it, and then find more sticky stuff. How does this happen? The little monkey eats at the table, I wash his hands....where does the stick COME from???

And the crumbs. In the couch, under the table, in MY BED!!!! In books, in toys, I even found crumbs in the bathroom. Now as far as I know, Noah does not eat in the bathroom.

GAH! Save me from the goo!!!!! I think I need to hire a cleaner.

Blue October - Into the Ocean

I'm in a song mood lately. Surprise surprise.
Love this song....it's meaningful to me right now, but DUDE! What's with the makeup?? That just looks silly.

Cheesiest Song Ever....but I love it.

No making fun. This song makes me shivery. It's so pretty.

Now THIS would Suck

I sure hope my head doesn't ever explode. It looks almost as unpleasant as the absolutely hideous drop shadow someone applied to this photo.

The Sensitive Side of Duncan

Tonight I was very much in the mood to watch Boogie Nights, which was on the telly.....but Duncan was quite insistent that we spend a few hours watching the above. I had no idea that he was into chick flicks and must say I found the tears hovering in the corners of his eyes quite endearing. His genuine relief at the end when the 2 characters found their way back together was heartwarming to see. I really had no idea that my manly man was so in touch with his feminine side. I think tomorrow night he has lined up "My Best Friend's Wedding" and "Maid in Manhattan" with some ice cream and cookies and a box of tissues. While I'm very excited that he is opening up to me with this whole new part of his personality, I really do want to watch Boogie Nights. But who am I to disappointed him?

oops....

We have managed to cause an "International Incident" with America while trying to deploy aircraft to California to help with the fire fighting efforts (as requested by California).

Apparently we didn't ask them where we should clear customs and chose Bellingham. I guess America likes to be the "decider" in those kind of things. America is annoyed with us.

ooooops.......

Sometimes we all need a little reminding

The Invitation
By Oriah

It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living.
I want to know what you ache for
and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing.

It doesn’t interest me how old you are.
I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool
for love
for your dream
for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn’t interest me what planets are squaring your moon...
I want to know if you have touched the centre of your own sorrow
if you have been opened by life’s betrayals
or have become shrivelled and closed
from fear of further pain.

I want to know if you can sit with pain
mine or your own
without moving to hide it
or fade it
or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy
mine or your own
if you can dance with wildness
and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes
without cautioning us
to be careful
to be realistic
to remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn’t interest me if the story you are telling me is true.
I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself.
If you can bear the accusation of betrayal
and not betray your own soul.
If you can be faithful
and therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see Beauty
even when it is not pretty
every day.
And if you can source your own life from its presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure
yours and mine
and still stand at the edge of the lake
and shout to the silver of the full moon,
“Yes.”

It doesn’t interest me
to know where you live or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up
after the night of grief and despair
weary and bruised to the bone
and do what needs to be done
to feed the children.

It doesn’t interest me who you know
or how you came to be here.
I want to know if you will stand
in the centre of the fire
with me
and not shrink back.

It doesn’t interest me where or what or with whom
you have studied.
I want to know what sustains you
from the inside
when all else falls away.

I want to know if you can be alone with yourself
and if you truly like the company you keep
in the empty moments.

I'm in an Extra Good Mood!

So I thought it was a good day to dig into the vault and pull out some good ol' Ren and Stimpy! *grin*

I get my son back tonight.

I have been working long shifts and haven't had him all week.

So this week I get him for extra time to make up for it.

I can't express how excited I am.

My love for that little boy is unexpresable, immuteable and unending.

You Better be Nice...or I'll Feed you to the Fishes

The "Men" I work with

What Air Attack Officers do on their days off is their business....

Is this Wrong?

Is it bad that I had one of these for lunch??

The Story of the Rev

This letter has been in circulation since the 70's - not sure where it came from, but if you google "The Reverend Elton E. Jones" you'll find it.

Apparently one of my air attack officers, Tom, got mailed this letter back in the late 70's - he then used it to send on to any other guys who he felt needed some levity. Over the years this became Tom's "thing". He is now the Reverend - Doug is the Pope and we have a few others mixed in here. Sacraligious? Probably. But all in good fun.

anyways, here is the letter. Imagine the shock of receiving this in the mail? We have the original copy sent to Tom here, it's freakin' hilarious. So official looking.

Dear Brother Tom,

Perhaps you have heard of my nationwide temperance campaign. Each year for the past decade, I have made a tour of Texas, Florida, and southern Georgia, up through Indiana, Iowa and Illinois - delivering sermons on the evils of drinking. I have been accompanied on this tour by my young friend and assistant, Clyde Lindstrom. Clyde, a man of good family and excellent background, is a pathetic example of a life ruined by excessive indulgence in whiskey and women.

Clyde has always appeared with me at my lectures - sitting on the platform wheezing and staring at the audience through bleary, bloodshot eyes, sweating profusely, picking his nose, wetting his pants, passing gas and making obscene gestures while I pointed him out as an example of what overindulgence can do to a person.

Last fall, Clyde died. A mutual friend, Gene McDougall, has given me your name and I wonder if you would be available to take Clyde's place on this year's spring tour.

Yours in faith,
The Venerable Reverend Elton Jones

Curiouser and Curiouser....

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH
South Thompson
10.24 AM PDT Wednesday 2 July 2008

Severe thunderstorm watch for: South Thompson issued Risk of severe thunderstorms developing late this afternoon.This is an alert to the potential development of severe thunderstorms with large hail and damaging winds.Monitor weather conditions..Listen for updated statements. If threatening weather approaches take immediate safety precautions.The airmass over the interior remains unstable enough for the development of thunderstorms late this afternoon. These storms will be isolated but have the potential for giving brief wind gusts to 90 km/h, downpours of 25 mm in one hour and hail.

This is a shot of the guys HOLDING DOWN THE PLANE yesterday. Oh yeah - the winds were so strong that we ended up having to fill the tanks with water in order to prevent the 802 from lifting off on its own! More of that today?

I Belong to the Church of the Reverend Elton Jones

Erin Day!

Happy Canada Day!

This was my first gifty of the day:

Oh yes. One of my air attack officers sent me a photo of himself for my birthday. I'm thrilled. Cannot believe my luck. ahem....(actually this was quite funny - there is a story behind why he is dressed up as a reverend, and why his nickname is the reverend, it all started back in 1974 at a baptist revival meeting...- but that is a story for another blog post on some boring rainy day.)

I have balloons and cupcakes too.

But in general, I'm having a CRAP day. And am grumpy as hell. Cannot wait to go home. Work is annoying and I have an anxious "something is wrong" feeling since yesterday morning for some reason. It's disconcerting to say the least. Some birthday! Perhaps it's hitting 31...I mean 28...ya 28. 28 (the Erin version of 28) is a little perturbing....ah well. If something is wrong, it will eventually come to light, those things always do. And if it's just me being wimpy about getting a year older, I will just have to get over that won't I?

I am going to pretend that Saturday was the actual Erin Day. Why? Because it rocked. Duncan sent me on a pirate booty hunt, and I felt very smart as I solved all the clues. And therefore found all the booty! I was stunned to receive a lens baby for my camera! I've wanted one for ages and was so excited I couldn't talk for a minute! Then I was cooked a steak and crab dinner, I have never had crab before and found craking the shells quite satisfying. So that will be my 28th birthday this year. Yes. 28. anyone want to argue that? I'll claw your eyes out. *grin*

Well back to fighting fires and counting the hours down till 9 pm.

Au Revoir Les Canards, bonne journée

We've been robbed.
By a rat bastard named PBC.

We have mascots at work. Every tanker base has a few "special items" that we proudly display. One of our more amusing past times is the stealing of said mascots. There are rules. The mascots may only be stolen if you fly in to a base, while on a fire fighting mission. They may only be transported by birddog and if you are caught before your plane takes off, the mascot is forfiet back to it's home base.

Here in YKA we have a stuffed linx head named freddy, a stuffed black bear head named benny, a plaque with little rubber duckies on it given to us by the Quebec ducks and a large ceramic pelican. The bear and pelican we lifted from Prince George. Freddy was stolen last year and it took all our guile and cunning to get him back.

Tonight PBC flew in in Birddog 112 to refuel, and came in for some pizza. He left bestowing hugs and smiles to us all. Looking a little shifty too, but we chalked it up to being a bit fatigued and having taken 5, yes 5 pieces of pizza.

Until holly and I noticed a plug on the wall that we had never seen before. A little perplexing to say the least. We are here for many a long hour, one would think we would notice an oddly placed electrical plug before now (seriously, it's about 6 feet up the wall. Very odd).

Then it occured to us WHY we had never noticed the plug. Because the duck plaque had hung there covering it.

The rat bastard must pay. I hope his pizza gives him the trots.

Let the games begin.

Oh Yeah.....

Bwah! Thanks Anthony - got a kick outta this. Reminds me of some people I know. hahahaha.

Coming Soon....

Why does Erin have such a look on her face? Why was her weekend so fantabulous? Coming soon to a blog near you, the answers to these questions and more!

(**I like waffles heeheehee!!!! - thanks to LM's mom....wow you rock chicca!)

Random

1. Every day they say it will be sunny. And every day it clouds over.

2. My stomach hurts.

3. I had terrible dreams last night involving aliens, blood, and being chased by rabid cows (ok they might have been dogs but I could swear it looked like a cow).

4. I'm tired.

5. I want a vacation.

6. I want to take my camera and explore, I want to find something I've never seen before. But I'm too busy this weekend. I can't.

7. I just finished my last book.

8. My hair needs cutting.

9. I'm hungry but did I mention my stomach hurts?

10. I wish that Eli Mattson Character would put out a CD. Someone sign him already please.

11. I seem to be full of negativity today, I need.....something. Not sure what, but I don't like this dreary feeling. Perhaps pizza, a glass of wine, some tums and a bubble bath will help.

1.5 hours until the little monkey goes to bed and I can spoil myself a bit.

Erin is down and clear, over and out.

What BCFS firefighters do in their off time...

WOW

America's got talent 2008 Eli Mattson Walking in Memphis.
I can't wait until this guy gets signed....I want to buy his CD. I think he is going to go far, his voice makes me shivery. Meet my new imaginary husband....he's gonna be a star.

L - 10

10 minutes to lunch. I'm hungry. Trying to be disgustingly healthy lately so lunch is rather boring but it's better than yesterday.
I forgot my lunch yesterday, that sucked big time.

Guess what?

And finally, exactly 1 week until Erin Day!!!!!!

Question....

What do you do when someone your really close to and love does or is doing something that is so so wrong to you....?

Nothing illegal but something that really bothers you? On one hand it's none of your business, aside from the fact that you know about it, but on the other, it's your business BECAUSE you found out / know about it.

It's a pickle.

Things I Want and Other Interesting Things

What a busy weekend! Actually we have been crazy busy the last few weeks. It's all been fun stuff though so there is no complaining, but I'm sleepy! D is house sitting for his bro and sister in law and I get to help part time. This is a great thing as the house is absolutly amazing. It's around a hundred years old and just chock full of cool stuff. Stunning old architecture, tons of original features.....every room is a plethora of photographic opportunity. Which leads me to the next bit of fun! We are going all crazy photographing all the gorgeous little still lifes that abound in the house, and will be posting them on our house blog - link to come shortly once duncan makes it pretty.

Then, taking an idea from D's past life (or as I call it, B.E. - before Erin - back when all was dark and dreary for him....yes I am just THAT cool *snicker*) we are going to do a photography contest in the basement. Yes. The basement. 6 shots each, 3 from my DSLR and 3 from his point and shoot. We will post all 12 randomly mixed up on the photo blog and hopefully Jfu, Joz or Jon - take your pic, will judge for us. And anyone else who cares to pitch in.

I am fully confident that I will win. But then again so is Duncan.....could be interesting. *grin* I'm very excited about this.

Ok, now because I'm totally mercinary and it IS only 8 days until Erin day! - a list of some of the big-ish things I really want (but that I can pretty much guarentee I WONT get), just for fun. Hahaha.

1. Pentax DA 40mm F2.8 Limited Lens

The SMC PENTAX-DA 40mm F2.8 Limited lens is designed for use with digital cameras. At only 15mm thick it is exceedingly thin. This exclusive "Limited Lens" assures exceptional image quality, with high contrast, high resolution, great sense of depth, and minimal aberrations. Sophisticated and portable it offers a natural perspective close to the naked eye. The SMC PENTAX-DA 40mm F2.8 Limited is an ideal standard lens that performs superbly. Like all PENTAX lenses, this lens is treated with the acclaimed SMC coating for maximum light transmission, sharp definition, and high contrast images.

2. A Lens Baby

I've been dying to play with one of these since a few months ago when I got my hands on one up at sunpeaks.....want want want. Sigh.

3. Any of these pendants from Heartworks on etsy.com
Love Love Love this style. Also love the more rectangular ones. They look wicked on a thin silvery wire instead of chain, choker style. Check it out, it's pretty.

4. A Kit-Cat Clock

I have always wanted one of these. Maybe an Erin day gift to myself? Hmmmmm.....

5. Operettas Viardot [Black] by Fluevog
DROOL

Ok, I'll stop now.....Must go buy a lotto ticket!!!

Over and Out!

British Chicks are Ugly Compared to Swedes???

This one is for my very own, oh so complimentary man, Duncan. Thanks and I love you too sweetie......(*grrrr* in response to his post - maybe he forgot I was british?)

BWAHAHAHAHAHA! *grumble*

What's it Like on Mars Today?

Mars Weather Report

Things I Learn

This weekend was full of interesting little epiphanies for me...just little tiny things, but they add up. That's how ya learn I guess. Plus I like lists, and never make them, which could be part of my whole problem in life....but I digress.

Things I learned this weekend:

1. If you apply sunscreen as soon as you notice you are burning, it's already too late. Ouch.

2. I can get away with 1 night of grace. That is it. And I had to concentrate real hard. And then the next day and for the rest of the weekend, I'm as clumsy as ever and then some. (*side note to this - it's a pretty amazing feeling to meet someone who is as clumsy, if not more so than me!!!!)

3. You never stop learning about people. Makes one wonder how solid opinions and feelings are ever formed when every relationship, be it friendship, family or a partnership, is constantly evolving due to what you learn about each other. It's a crazy, sometimes scary, but ultimately beautiful ride, this life of ours.

4. Sunshine is a wonderful thing. And it's way better when your out in it rather than inside watching it. (I already knew that but it was really brought to my attention the last few days).

5. Getting lost in the woods is really not as difficult as one might think.

6. Sleeping on a mattress and sleeping on the ground are much less than 3 degrees of separation apart sometimes.

7. I still do not like corn.

8. I need to learn to speak my thoughts and feelings more in life instead of keeping it all inside and expecting everything to just magically figure itself out, cause chances are, if I don't, they won't all just work out and then I end up frustrated. This one is going to be a life-long job I think, it's hard but in the end would probably make me a much more relaxed person.

9. I now know what "chickies" are and curiosity has been thoroughly satisfied. For another 10 years.

10. I am, in general, enjoying this part of my life so much, I haven't had so many moments of utter contentment in a long long time. *smile* It feels damn good.

11. My son thinks I'm hilarious when I try to discipline him. I had a sneaking suspicion about this one, but now know for sure. Sigh.

Anyways, thats about it in a nutshell. Now off to contimplate stuff and pretend I'm Amish just for kicks. In a hamock. Cause what's more Amish than a hamock and powerade.

Should vs. Will

I should be working on photos right now....but I think I'll go shopping instead.

Food I do Like

Just so I don't sound like I basically hate food, therefore having some sort of horrible mental illness like foodophobia or hatefooditis. Really, I love food. I love to eat it. Which is perhaps not always a good thing....but anyways, without further ado,

FOOD I LIKE

1. Pie

This is well known. I feel no need to expound on this further.

2. Pizza

Who doesn't like pizza? Pizza is a wonderful thing. All that gooey goodness covered in cheese, which brings me to number 3...

3. CHEESE

I love cheese. Almost as much as I love pie. In fact, maybe more. I could almost, ALMOST, tolerate beets if they were covered in cheese. Not raisins though. Never raisins. I especially love guyryre cheese. Though I cannot spell it. It's tasty on ricecakes.

4. Tomato Basil Rice Cakes

Delicious. Try them, you just might like them. Especially with Cheese.

5. Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese sandwhiches

The ULTIMATE comfort food (plus it has cheese)

6. Bacardi Breezers

Ok, technically not a food. But I like them.

7. Prawns

Especially in garlic butter. And cooked just right so they are nutty and squishy. Mmmmm...squishy prawns. But never deep fried.

8. Strawberries

These have to be the best fruit ever. You cannot go wrong with strawberries, unless your allergic to them, in which case, I pity you.

9. Meat

I like meat in general. It's good. I could never be a vegatarian. Except for liver, I hate liver. It's not a meat it's an organ. I really like beef the best I think. Cows are scary, we should all eat them.

10. Pasta with Alfredo sauce or a good Rose sauce

filling, rich, buttery, CHEESEY goodness on a plate. Another comfort food. Very fattening, but if it's offered, I will eat it up.

11. Cucumbers

A little bit of summer in every bite. Refreshing and tasty.

12. Pineapple

I could eat 2 whole pineapples if it wasn't for the fact that my mouth would blister. Its' good stuff all yellow and juicy. I like it.

13. Yorkshire pudding

Who doesn't like this delightful concoction of water, flour, egg and salt? So simple and yet so delectible. Especially with gravy (made from meat) or cheese sause AND gravy if you want to get all crazy.

14. Bread

BIG fan of bread. Bagels especially with cream cheese. mmmmmm

15. Chinese Food

I love this stuff. Chow mein, dumplings, stirfry, friend rice, chop suey.....I could eat it alot. but then I'd get sick of it and I like it too much to do so. I'd like to say I'm getting better with the chopsticks as Duncan makes me practice whenever we eat it (that and my own stubborn nature) but really, I'm not.

So that is just a sample of Food I Like.

Over and Out

How Do I Be the Bad Guy?

Doesn't he look sweet? Well generally he is, but as we get closer to his second birthday (in around a month) he is getting more and more....unmanageable. Tantrums, stubborn, hitting, bad words (for which I blame his dad...sigh). If he doesn't get his own way he throws a tantrum. He won't listen. Won't come when I call him. He is a happy, sweet little boy, but is testing his limits and is just so darn willful (gee....wonder who he got that from? oops...).

So what do you do? How do you discipline a toddler who really only understands about 60% of what you say? It's a pickle.

The Crack Shack Part 1

I have limited photos as I've been lazy as all heck lately and haven't lightroom'd them.

But so far Mel's house has had the following issues:

1. The whole house is basically sinking/falling down as there isn't enough / proper support beams in the foundation - they are currently building a new beam to go down the centre of the house, I'm concerned about the corners but Mel is sure this will work so I'll have faith.

2. When we took out the ceiling panels in the main livingroom / kitchen area, we found, along with over 300 pounds of sawdust, that the ceiling truss's were cracked right though due to an insufficient pitch on the roof combined with tin roofing and big snowloads in the winter. Those are being reinforced now too.

3. The shut off valve for the water is broken. The city had to come shut the water off so that the bathroom can be gutted.

4. Bathroom: Mold. Lots of Mold. Floors are rotted right through, using the toilet is dicey, walls are rotten, subfloor is rotten. Basically has to be gutted and started fresh.

I received a somewhat ominous email this morning from M - simply stating that she found more issues with the house last night, but she didn't go into detail. I'll put in a few hours saturday morning before the weekend craziness begins. Here's a few photos of last weekend, mainly spent shoveling the above mentioned sawdust. Bleck.

Oh, and Mel - I'm so proud of you. You have guts girl!

Taking out the useless post - check out the rockin' 60's wallpaper we found behind it! Duncan is supervising - see that rather dubious expression on his face? Like he is constantly biting his tongue? Ya that was pretty much how he looked the whole time we were there.....It's all rather overwhelming!

Deb takin' out some shelves. Who knew crowbars were so much fun!

Me, getting ready to dive into sawdust....before mask....

And after mask...I rather like this look, I think it suits me.

Mel and I shoveling sawdust. Oh ya.....building those shoulder muscles....

Kelly smashing out the really fugly fireplace - the house was sinking rather badly underneath this behemoth - it's gone now. To be replaced with a cozy wood burning stove.

So more this weekend, I'm learning lots and have finally stopped shrieking when I pull off some wood or when something lands on my head. It's progress. I'm such a girly girl when it comes to things like that. But I'm sure by the end of the reno's I'll be all tough and stuff. heehee!