I am so stoked, I actually found an awesome fare for Quebec City. I have to go home in October for Juliette's christening and I was surfing the net Monday, dreaming I could actually fly there and not have to pay a kidney or two. I nearly fell out of my chair when I found the fare (I was also waiting for my brother to confirm the date of the said christening, so I couldn't buy the ticket yet.)

Sister-in-law confirmed the date this afternoon, so I jumped on the net. Thank you, Porter! The fare was still available so it is mine, all mine. I save oodles of cash and time. No need to go alll the way to Pearson, I fly from the Toronto island airport. Sweet! The only down side to this is that I will be away for nearly a week since Porter only flies there during the weekend. I will have plenty of time to see my cousin Nat and her husband, a few other relatives and a few friends.

Best of all, it's not Air Canada. Mwahahaha. Fuckers. Not that I'm bitter or anything.

I am having dinner with Isabelle this evening, yay! Over and out.

Happy birthday, psycat90!

I had a nice weekend on the whole. Saturday I actually went on a dinner cruise kind of thingy (all proceeds went to charity). I loved being outside for 4 and a half hours.

Pretty much hated everything else, however. It's official, I'm cantankerous.

The views were spectacular (especially those of the Chinese Lantern Festival. I am debating whether or not to go see them properly in person.

And where was my camera, you may ask. Funny you should ask. I left it at home.

So, I am not only cantankerous, I am also a dumbass.

Sigh.

Co-worker is back at work Wednesday, yay! Everything went smoothly in her absence (of course, I probably jinxed myself by saying so). I thoroughly enjoy delegating work. Mwahahaha.

Off to see Avenue Q in a few weeks.

That's about it. Must get a life stat.

Massive evacuation following big ass blasts at propane facility in Toronto.

I didn't hear a thing this morning, but then again, I don't live anywhere near the affected area. 3 subway stations are closed. The footage is just incredible. Explosion after explosion after explosion.

No major injuries have been reported at this time. Incredible.

Happy birthday, hanue! I hope you have a wonderful day.

Vacation is over. Back to work tomorrow.

Meh.

That is all.

I love not having to work. Too bad that must come to an end. In the meantime, I am enjoying myself.

Briefly :

Saturday - got to my dad's, left almost immediately to go to my brother's. Saw the brand new baby (cute!) and the family, as well as a cousin I hadn't seen in three years, so that was fantastic.

Sunday : erm, nothing much. Watched DVD's with my dad.

Monday : had lunch with my friend Sherry

Tuesday: dinner at my cousin's place (sushi), this is the cousin who was at my place for a week.

Wednesday: afternoon and evening at my brother's place, spent plenty of time playing with the kids.

Thursday: spent some time in the old part of Quebec City, beautiful as always

Friday: am now at my sister's place in Montreal (or rather, the burbs).

The weather has pretty much sucked. Today, however, it's gorgeous. Finally! So I'm here until Monday,

My visit with dad went well, except that he was just plain grumpy for the past day or so. Sheesh.

I don't have the courage to catch up on LiveJournal, so if something extraordinary has happened, just point me to your post.

Two work days to go before my vacation, squee! I simply cannot wait. It'll be nice to get away from the stupid job. I just checked the weather forecast... nothing but rain. Sigh. I predict many games of Scrabble and entertaining the nephews and nieces. It would also be nice to catch up on my sleep but hell, who am I kidding?

Of course, we all know vacation = shopping raid, so I managed to find a few things with the help of a co-worker. It all became a bit surreal at the office when I found myself showing off my clothing to 4 of my co-workers (including the boss). I didn't mean it to happen like that, I was just showing them to one person only but what can I say, she is loud. Heh. It's strange because I never ask to see what my co-workers buy. Also, I am impressed with myself because a) I hate shopping and b) I hate shopping with other people. Yet I managed to buy 3 pairs of capris and 3 tops in the company of a co-worker. How about that. The headquarters' building was sold and we are moving later this year... to a mall! Well, to the offices above the mall (Eaton Centre). I hope I don't end up spending all my paychecks there.

Just received an invitation to a party I don't want to attend. Sigh. Why must life be so complicated? ;-)

And that's about it. I just want this week to end.

ETA: my nephew threw a fit today and told his parents they were bad parents and that he was packing and going to find himself better parents. His mother said, "Perhaps you should hurry, it's nearly dark now", so he said he would leave tomorrow morning. The thing is, his dad did the exact same thing when he was 7 or 8. Packed and left for a little bit, then came home. Hee!

A guy on TV just said that The Dark Knight was better than sex.

Uh huh. Someone needs to leave the Batcave now and then.

SCATTERGORIES...it's harder than it looks! Copy the text below, erase my answers, then use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following. They have to be real places, names, things.. nothing made up! Try to use different answers if the person in front of you had the same 1st initial.. You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl name question.

WHAT IS YOUR NAME? Anne
4 LETTER WORD: Anus
BOY NAME: Angus
GIRL NAME: Alice
OCCUPATION: Anarchist
A COLOUR: Amethyst
SOMETHING YOU WEAR: Armour
BEVERAGE: Absinthe
FOOD: Alligator
SOMETHING FOUND IN A BATHROOM: Accessories
PLACE: Amsterdam
REASON FOR BEING LATE: Acute alliteration attack
SOMETHING YOU SHOUT: Aww fuck!

My guests this morning at 9:30. Waaaah! I'm going to miss them (I am happy to get my bed back, however). I'll be seeing them again in a few weeks when I go home. They are by far the easiest guests I have ever had. They might be coming back in November, hurray!

So now I'm doing laundry and vegging on the couch. I intend to read the afternoon away (with a little luck).

And last, but not least, I finally bought a digital cam. Just a small point and shoot camera, very basic. Hurray!

Poll #1221654 iPhone
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All

Will you be buying an iPhone?

My niece was born this morning at 8:40, weighs 8 lbs, 1 oz, measures 21 inches long (she's almost dainty compared to the other babies). ETA: her name is Juliette.

So it's official, no more nephews or nieces. The final tally is 5. Whew! More than enough to put me in the poorhouse. ;-)

I am expecting my cousin and her husband Sunday for a week-long visit, so I am slowly getting ready for it. Not stressed out however, they are the easiest guests ever. We usually have breakfast together, then they're out and about all day and we meet in the evening for dinner. The best kind of guests. The only thing I will miss is my bed.

My friend Carolyn got free tickets through work to see (get this) Heart, Cheap Trick and Journey. Hee! Talk about a walk down memory lane.

Strange week this week. Have to work today but am off tomorrow. Fortunately I'm not terribly busy at the moment, so I don't mind too much.

My guests left on Friday, I am still missing my little peanut. What a cutie. Sigh. I don't have much time to recover from their visit... my cousin and her husband are arriving Sunday for a week-long visit.

Also planned this week : the birth of my niece on Thursday. Squee!

I spent quite a chunk of the weekend sleeping. I did meet up with Helen and Carolyn on Saturday for a few drinks and burgers on Helen's BBQ. Oh and last night I joined the human race and watched Batman Begins. Stop the presses... I enjoyed it (this from someone who doesn't give a shit about Batman, Spiderman, Superman, etc. as a rule). Christian Bale may have something to do with it, I think...

And because I can't resist anything to do with books...

"The Big Read reckons that the average adult has only read 6 of the top 100 books they've printed."
1) Look at the list and bold those you have read.
2) Italicize those you intend to read.
3) Underline the books you LOVE.
4) Strike out the books you have no intention of ever reading, or were forced to read at school and hated.
5) Reprint this list in your own LJ

( Book meme )

Whew, I have been cleaning like a mad woman all day. Well, not all day, and not quite as vigorously as I would like to pretend. ;-)

My sister and her family are arriving tomorrow. Squee! They are sleeping here tomorrow night and then are off to Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake for a few days. They will be back my way on Thursday I believe Wednesday, and we will be spending the weekend together. Yay! I can't wait to see the munchkin. My nephew told me to wash, since he associates visitors with washing. Heh.

Tonight I'm going out with the gang, hurray! Should be lovely. I hope we can avoid rain.

I am in SUCH a good mood today.

My job just got a little more pleasant. The tool I've had to deal with is leaving (he works for our biggest client). I can't imagine he will be replaced by someone worse. Woohoo! Now I just need to warn a friend about him, since he is going to be working with him.

I think this calls for a visit to the LCBO. ;-)

Squee!

And yesterday, I managed to track down an old high school friend via Facebook (it's finally being useful!). I lost track of her about 10 years ago, so it was nice to reconnect.

And last, but not least, it's Friday! The sun is shining! Yay!

Happy birthday, democritus! I hope you're having a stress-free day.

Nothing much to report around here. Work is so quiet, I am really enjoying it. I got dragged into a boring meeting today, which wasn't as enjoyable. However (and I can't quite believe it myself)... it was very productive and we all left feeling upbeat. I wonder how long that will last?

Last weekend was fun. Saturday night I went over to my neighbour's for a drink... went to bed at 2 a.m. It turned into a girls' night in since Carolyn from the 9th floor came over. No hangover to report Sunday, which was my plan. I met a few friends in the afternoon for food and drinks. Monday night I met listersgirl for dinner.

I have been staying put since then. A girl needs to recover, you know.

I just finished watching Juno. I think I can sum it up in one word: meh.

I might have liked it a little more if I'd seen it at the same time as everybody else, then my expectations wouldn't have been sky high. I did chuckle a few times but overall, I am underwhelmed (and in the minority, as usual).

Lord but I'm a grumpy old woman. :-D

In other news, this has been a pleasant weekend thus far. I had dinner with my friends Carolyn and Helen Friday night, massage yesterday, lots of reading. Looks like it will be more of the same today (sans massage). Life's tough, isn't it?

I'm back from a four-day weekend. Need I say I don't want to be at the office today?

Meh. And to add insult to injury... a dull meeting this morning. It's done and over with, so I live to see another day. ;-)

(Drama queen, much?)

I had a very nice weekend playing with my nephews and nieces (I may need a few days to recover). My newest niece is adorable and simply irresistible. I also saw one of my cousins and his three young daughters. Played a few Scrabble games with my dad and brother. Had a long chat with bro and sis, that was rather therapeutic. All in all, a splendid weekend.

1. I have a four-day weekend coming up. Squee! I'm going to my sister's place, where the rest of the family will be gathered. It's my niece's christening this weekend. I can't wait to see her, and I intend to fight everybody who wants to hold her. Back off, people! ;-)

2. My sister and her family are coming for a visit next month, hurray! I was, however, able to get out of going to Niagara Falls (I know, I know, bad hostess). I will be an attentive hostess for the rest of their stay, though.

3. Work is such a drag lately, even worse than it usually is. I have to admit it, I am bored out of my skull where my job is concerned. I'm also annoyed with having to attend social gatherings (like this one on Wednesday). Meh! I need a break. Or a new job that will allow me to work at home 4 days a week.

4. One of my uncles has a tumour. We should find out today or tomorrow if it's cancerous or not. Shit. Let's just say it's not looking good. Now this is one of my favourite uncles, he was only twenty when I was born, so I saw quite a bit of him growing up. His daughter is two years younger than me so I'm close to her as well. He's the baby of the family and my dad is quite upset. Hell, we're all upset. My conversations with my father are morbid lately, he'll talk about the people he knows who have died recently or are sick. He's been to a few wakes this past week so I guess it's inevitable that he would talk about it. Anyway, let's hope a few days with his adorable kids and grandkids will cheer him up.

5. I have been my usual sloth self lately and it's starting to annoy me. Time to shake things up!

Well how about that. The TTC is on strike. Actually I am somewhat surprised, I didn't check the news before going to bed last night. I kind of understand why the union decided not to give another 48 hours' notice.

Oh well. Looks like I'm not going anywhere today after all.

There is much rejoicing in my cold, black heart. One of my co-workers from the Montréal office is resigning. SQUEE! She is simply unbearable. Even the boss didn't seem too miserable to lose her. Squee Squared!

Happy birthday to the one and only listersgirl! I hope you have a fabulous day. Wine and cake at work, perhaps? (preferably not at the same time)

I'm at the office today (booo!), I had to come in for a meeting with a rep from Sun Life. The company is moving its pension plan to Sun Life, so I had to enrol and sign all kinds of things. Lord, how deadly dull. The good news is that I am doing better than I thought I was.

But! One of my co-workers is about to become a grandmother today (her daughter-in-law is at the "pushing" stage). Squee! So we're all pleased for her. One of my cousins had a baby girl last Friday. My future niece is due July 3rd (planned c-section). My other niece is 2.5 months old now. I am surrounded by babies!

Other than that, quiet, quiet, quiet. I have been in a nasty, nasty mood all week. Fortunately that seems to be changing for the better.

( Clicky clicky )

I really should post more often than once a week, it's just that thing nothing exciting is happening. I had a very mellow weekend, so that was nice. I actually managed to read, which is quite the accomplishment lately. Let's hope that lasts.

My keyboard is annoying me by not cooperating. Some letters don't want to cooperate. Gah.

I had a blast from the past last week in the mailbox, a message from someone I haven't seen since high school. They are organizing yet another bloody reunion, so I will only send her an e-mail once the reunion has taken place. I'm just not in the mood to argue with her (she was very persuasive in high school, I can't imagine that has changed much). And she's in Kingston now!

I had lunch with a friend today for her birthday and I am so stuffed, I don't expect to ever be hungry again. Well all right, that is a slight exaggeration, but still, it sure feels that way at the moment.

I forgot to brag about my new glasses. I've had them since Thursday, approximatively a week early. Squee! I love them. I love that the lens darken outside, so no need for a sun clip. Also love the new contact lenses. So, it's all good and I'm a happy camper. Let us rejoice, that doesn't happen too often. ;-)

I'm seeing Avenue Q in August, squee! (I have just received the confirmation a few minutes ago). Good thing my friends remembered to buy tickets, that detail had kind of slipped my mind. Ooops. Really looking forward to it.

I had a nice weekend. Friday night I had beer and pizza with my neighbours Helen and Michelle (who lives on the other side of Helen; Helen is my next door neighbour). Speaking of Helen, she is moving. Waaah! Well, not for another year. She has just bought a bigger condo out in the sticks. Bah. Maybe I can get her to sell her condo to listersgirl. Saturday I met a friend for a few drinks, and Sunday I spent the day not doing much, trying to read. I can't seem to finish anything I pick up lately, it's starting to get on my nerves. Meh.

And that's about it.

I just splurged on new glasses and new contact lenses. Turns out I couldn't see well because my vision has improved. Huh. (Although I can't see well at the moment because of the eye drops and my pupils are freakishly dilated). Funnily enough, I had seen that particular optometrist before at another location. So, new frames with transition lenses and a year's supply of contact lenses (lenses that automatically adjust their level of tint to changing light conditions outdoors), as well as changing my old lenses (always good to have a back up pair of glasses). And I'm getting every penny back thanks to my insurance and my health spending account. Squee! (otherwise I would have been reasonable). Cute glasses! I can't wait to get them (sometime next week, as I didn't go to a 1-hour place).

4 days until the weekend! Not that I'm counting or anything.

1. Work was crazy today. We had a rush flyer to do, we received the pages this morning and they had to be out by 2 pm. I had to attend a meeting in the middle of that but fortunately the flyer has left the building. Yay. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Also had my appraisal today, it's all good.

2. Three-day weekend on the horizon. Squee! I have nothing planned yet, which is nice. Last weekend was a rather busy one: massage, movie, dinner (Saturday), brunch on Sunday. I will read and recline elegantly on the couch this weekend.

3. Just spent a few hours with Isabelle. She just dropped by unexpectedly after work.

4. I am in a severe reading rut. I just can't seem to finish anything I start. Meh.

5. I am off to bed, I am just too bored.

I made a co-worker cry today. It's not what you think. Last week was a particularly crappy week for her. She had to put one of her pets down and she got hit by a car. I was asking her how she was feeling, if she was sore. Then she started talking about her dogs and how she was getting her pup's ashes today and then the tears came. Eeek! Poor thing.

I am hugely annoyed with a jackass I have to deal with (his company is one of our clients yet they treat us like dirt). I was talking to someone from that company earlier and when she asked me how I was, all I said was "I'm feeling annoyed with one of the guys you work with"... and she knew IMMEDIATELY who I was talking about. That just cracked me up. He's on Facebook. It would be hilarious if I told him "You, sir, are a fucking tool" but it's hardly worth the aggravation that would follow.

Um. Def Leppard is touring with REO Speedwagon and Styx. I can't stop laughing now.

Hee. After Halloween Hangman, meet St. Patrick's Day Hangman. Just as enthusiastic as the original. Music included.

Work is about to go nuts. I did not receive any work from Thursday to Monday inclusively. Today some work came in but that's nothing compared to what is expected. Eeek. Here I was, getting used to my quiet weeks. Oh how I will miss them.

Oh joy, there is a possibility of a TTC strike this spring (although that means I'll be able to stay home and skip the office during the strike, assuming there is a strike). Miss Positivity, that's me. ;-)

I'm going out tonight with one of my neighbours, maybe the other will join us in a night of drunken revelry.

And that's about it. Nothing out of the ordinary as you can see.

I nearly had a heart attack when one of my cow-irkers told me she was on Facebook. Eeeek! Against my better judgement I am adding her to my friends list, if only to play Scrabble. I am clearly a Scrabble Slut^TM.

Last night was our annual general meeting for the condo, where we were to elect a new director. Do you think we met the quorum? Of course not! I am pissed. The sad thing was that condo board said that it was a good turnout, even if we didn't meet the quorum. So, we have to do this again. I find it incredible that people can't even be bothered to show up to an ANNUAL meeting. A couple of hours once a year isn't going to kill you. Why am I so surprised? Apathy rules, after all. Bah.

And don't even get me started on the weather.

I have a sudden urge to travel. One co-worker was in Mexico for two weeks, one is currently in Cuba and another is going to the Dominican Republic at the end of the month. However, I am not in the mood for the beach (however sick I may be of winter and boy, am I sick of it). As a result, I spent some time today trawling web sites, looking for a good deal. I found one that I kind of liked, it only includes airfare, but it would fly me into a city and out of another (with a connecting flight in between). It's an offer that's being pushed by Air France so I would have to fly into Paris (I know, I know, how sad) and then either Prague or Warsaw. Two things that are bothering me are the dates (April 7th to the 18th) and Paris. Now don't get me wrong, I love Paris, I just want to discover something new (although I don't actually have to stay in Paris). Plus saxface isn't in Paris at the moment.

Oh life is so complicated! ;-) What to do, what to do.

Hmmm I was interested in this a few hours ago but now it's more like meh. Back to the drawing board.

Oh great, another storm watch. *screams bloody murder*

Other astounding pictures of this morning's fire. Holy cow.

1. Pick 15 movies you know/like/love.
2. Go to IMDB and find a quote from each movie.
3. Post them here for everyone to guess.
4. Strike it out when someone guesses correctly, and put who guessed it and the movie.
5. NO GOOGLING/using IMDb search functions.

( It took me ages to come up with movies! )

Oh noes. The bloody fire alarm has gone off three times in the past hour or so. Here we go again.

Monday evening's dinner with my old buddy was great. We chatted, had a good meal and a few drinks. We also realized we hadn't seen each other in nearly 15 years. Eeek. I still would have recognized her, though. We did keep in touch throughout the years though, so we knew all about each other's lives.

My sister sends me pictures of Sara regularly (oh the joys of digital cameras, however did we manage without them?) and I got a bit of shock when I realized that she looks a little like my mother on one of the pictures (but not on all). Squee! That just made my day.

Work is bearable. I'm definitely ready for the three-day weekend, though. Woohoo! The weekend isn't looking particularly busy at the moment: drink with my friend Carolyn tomorrow night, massage on Saturday, brunch on Sunday.

My weekend was quiet, quiet, quiet. Just couldn't be bothered to do much. Yesterday's weather didn't make me want to go out at all, so I didn't. I will go out today, though, to meet an old friend for dinner. I haven't seen her in at least ten years, so I am really looking forward to it. Squee!

I have to read Paula Spencer for my book club and I simply loathe it. I can't stand its third person narrative in the present tense, it makes me feel like I'm just following the protagonist around. I hate it. It's quite disjointed. One passage had me puzzled. After wondering what the hell was up with that, I just decided not to care. This book is just not worth it. Sadly I'm only 60 pages in. I hope it improves but I'm not holding my breath. I seem to be the only one who doesn't like it according to Amazon. I've read Doyle before and enjoyed what I read, but this novel is not even remotely interesting. Wish me luck. This book has killed (temporarily, I hope) my love of reading, I can't even be bothered to read anything else. Aaarrgghhhh!!!

My boss just told us we could work from home tomorrow if we wanted to. I think I will do that if tomorrow's forecast is to be trusted. I felt a twinge of guilt when I thought of the co-workers who don't work from home at all but it was just a twinge and it didn't last. *cackles*

I had a nice weekend generally speaking. Didn't do too much since I am trying to kick a cold (fortunately it's not a nasty one). I did go out Saturday night with my neighbour and some of her friends. Meh. We went to a restaurant for Winterlicious. What a rip off! I guess it depends on which restaurant you go to (Helen and Kevin went to the King Edward the previous Sunday and loved it). Anyway, I was underwhelmed (as were the rest of the people).

I'm annoyed with myself. Why didn't I think to buy a ticket to visit my new niece weeks ago? That way I could have taken advantage of Ontario's new holiday. The thought never even crossed my mind. Oh well. There's always Easter.

I'm meeting an old friend next Monday for dinner. Squee! I haven't seen her in ages... at least ten years. Probably more. Eeek! I can't wait to see her again. We have plenty of catching up to do (although we have kept in touch over the years).