A collection of digital wonders and some other stuff
I purchased my roommates Jeep this morning. I’m extremely excited about it and would like to post more but…
Anna-Maria is Flying Back From Montreal Today!
Anna is flying in to Calgary today at around 2:30pm. I am driving up to Calgary to pick her up and will probably go to visit Gary and Tracie tonight as well, perhaps take in that movie about the guy with the “underground” comics. I’m so excited to see her.
Anna put her hands in the cement mold of Marilyn Monroe’s outside Mann’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. I kid you not when I tell you that Anna said, “Oh they’re really hot”. Even after all these years, who wouldn’t expect them to be?
I got up early this morning and headed for Medicine Hat. Mom really wanted me to fix up her computer which, as you can probably guess since I’m posting this from Medicine Hat, is working fine.
I did talk her into buying a new 10/100mbps network card that is noticeably faster than the 10 mbps card they were using previously. I recommend upgrading if you are still using a slow one. The new cards cost about $20 but I they are totally worth it.
So in case you are curious all I really had to do was uninstall the newest version Kazaa, some virus software called bullguard (which by the way was the main problem) and I think something called mynet or mysearch, I’m not exactly sure what it was but I guess you collected points by using it or something and I was like, “No, this is not right”.
So now that’s they are gone the computer is running as smoothly as ever. Perhaps I’ll give Anna-Maria a call or maybe I’ll just chill here for a while watching TV. Either way, I’m planning on staying over night in the Hat and driving back to Lethbridge tomorrow before 3. The survey place has me scheduled to work all night Sunday, and frankly I’m beginning to think about quitting that job. I guess I should just think about how I’m in a tight spot for money what with my impulse trip to Disneyland and all. (So worth it by the way — still no regrets whatsoever!) Speaking of Disneyland, still no word on whether Anna has decided to take the job or not. She is moving however, she’s already packed up her house and the landlord has been showing it to potential tenants.
I could really use some sleep. It’s 1:00AM (Alberta time) but I just can’t wait to let you all know what a great time Anna and I are having down here. I went to Disneyland and California adventures on Friday, Saturday, and again today (Sunday – yesterday technically). I am definitely having the time of my life down here. Anna-Maria made all the cuts and had her final call-back today. She preformed wonderfully. Only about 7 people were offered jobs but she is one of them.
Anyway have a good night, I’m coming back to Canada tomorrow.
Update: She decided not to take the job.
As Gary mentioned we had our family reunion over the weekend. Anna-Maria attached a pair of intricate elf ears on me and a pair of smaller pointy ears on Gary. Below is a picture of me with the ears on. I had a chance to go kayaking down the upper Saint Mary’s River a couple of times with Anna, Corry, Anson, Jackie and Glen. Today I was able to recover a bit just taking it easy working at the pool and not doing too much else. Of course now I am not really prepared for going to Calgary for Jackie’s wedding and we’ll be scrambling to get everything in order tomorrow, especially with my plan for Anna-Maria and I to take part on the Milner float in the parade in Raymond.
Instead of going to Waterton on Sunday, Anna-Maria, Zee, Sophie (Anna’s dog), and I went down to Indian Battle Park. We had a fire and swam in the river. Afterwards we roasted smokies and marshmallows over the fire. It was a really good day – even though it did start to rain. Even when it rained, it wasn’t that cold – for me at least, and then when the rain stopped it got nice and hot out. I also decided that I want to take Anna-Maria kayaking down the river and get out in Coaldale. I just need to find someone to pick us up. Maybe Dad will bring his truck sometime and we can meet-up at the Nolan Bridge outside of Coaldale.
Insurance
I accidentally let the insurance on my car lapse so its been sitting in the garage for the last couple of weeks. I finally got it reinstated but not until I had gone to quite a lot of trouble. I highly recommend that if you move and have insurance from a company in your old city, that you find a new local place because frankly its just not worth the hassle. During the time that I was without my car I relied on Anna to drive me around and when she couldn’t then I was left riding Anna’s bike. (I’m so pathetic I don’t even own a bike). Last Thursday Anna was in Calgary for an audition and so I rode her bike over to the University. I somewhat lost track of time finishing some old assignments that were long overdue and when it was time to come home it was really dark out. I discovered a path that is actually a substantial shortcut from the road but it was REALLY dark. I rode down the hill pretty slowly – not wanting to die and all – and then thought of a really good idea. I would use my little key chain “phaser” light that Jackie gave to me to light the way. Well no sooner than I turned on the light that I saw a weasel zip across the path in front of me. How many weasels do you think had whisked across my path before the light was on? Anyway after all the biking I decided that even with Anna’s gel seat, her bicycle is still not very comfortable to ride for a long time.
Anna’s Sisters
When Anna returned on Friday night she brought along two of her sisters and their little dog. Lana went home yesterday but Pam will be visiting for the next three or so days. During the time that Anna has been spending with her sisters and I guess before she got back I’ve been doing so work around the house. I finally got that old lawn mower working and I also cleaned out the gutters and watered the grass. It turns out that the sprinkler that was left with the house actually doesn’t really work. It just shoots water straight up instead of swivelling back and forth. I’m about to go out and buy a new one.
Donuts
When I got home the other day I was in for a good surprise. My roommate got a new job at Robin’s Donuts and left three-dozen donuts sitting on the table with a note that I could help myself. This pleases me. :)
Jeff Milner Movie Review – The Phone Booth
Anna, her sisters, and I, took in The Phone Booth (Official Site / Preview) on the weekend. First off I have to admit that this movie did keep my attention the whole way through, but it really lacked in any kind of scene change or progression. The tension peaks early on and then holds until the end of the movie. Frankly nothing really happens – at least nothing unpredictable. Actually the most unpredictable part was that the police were so slow to arrive on the scene (if you’ve ever been to Times Square then you know how many police officers there are everywhere) and how poorly they reacted to the situation. It’s like the writers haven’t ever watched Real TV or even Cops and just have no idea how the police service actually works. Anyway I don’t regret seeing it but if I ever see it again – it will be too soon.
Finals
I’m a little embarrassed to admit this, but I missed my Music 1011 final. How did that happen? It’s a combination of factors really. I have been attending Music 1011 at 11:00am on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. I had special permission since I am registered in the 3 o’clock class. Well the 11 o’clock class is supposed to have their test on the 24th but my 3 o’clock class had their test last week and well I got mixed up on which day for which class and if I was supposed to attend the test for the class I was registered or the class that I attended. Anyway I could be in some serious trouble if I am not able to take it on the 24th but I’m just hoping things will work out for me. They usually do.
The presentation of my book was successful as expected. To celebrate, Anna-Maria and I, are ordering pizza and watching Maid in Manhattan on DVD.
It might be too early to say that Maid in Manhattan is just a chick flick not worth watching, but I’ll give Anna-Maria the benefit of the doubt and sit through it with her.
The other night we rented The Count of Monty Cristo. I give it 7 out of 10. For those of you that don’t know, I can be very critical of movies. So a 7 out of 10 is pretty good. Anna gives it a 7 or an 8. Glad to see I’m on the right track, after all she is the dramatic one.
Anna-Maria made the second recipe from her “Poppy” yesterday night. I have the picture of how it turned out and I’d have to say – it was just as good or better than the first recipe. I can’t wait til we make the next one.
What you see in the picture is a pita, covered in smashed avocado, cheese, tomato, fresh garlic, and more cheese. You can find the recipe for the Avocado melt in the section on the right (Just click to expand the menu). Anna-Maria and I decided only to add the recipes after we try them, so there will be more added in the coming weeks. By the way, if you just make the Avocado part, it makes a great dipping sauce along with sour cream and salsa.
Anna-Maria was emailed a bunch of recipes from her “Poppy” back East. She tried one last night that was quite good. We’ll post each recipe as we try them along with suggestions. I figure it was a meal that Mom and Dad would just love. (Beans and Corn and stuff all mixed together). Just wait for the recipe.