Social Butterflies

Partied 4 evenings in a row.

In the past 4 hours I've watched The Day After Tomorrow, studied, and updated my ball hockey stats...that bed is looking absolutely irresistable right now....

...and in another 4 hours I'll be up to hit the books, again!

Your Moment of Zen

What's better than a little humour on a beautiful Friday afternoon? Something tells me that the clip from this 1970's British children's TV show would never slip by today's army of censors:

http://www.rainbow.arch.scriptmania.com/rainbow_tv_episode.html

Currently listening to: AIR - J'ai Dormi Sous l'eau

Manscaping

The City Centre is a realm both mysterious and frightening to me. Though I've lived in Edmonton for 7 years, and near the downtown for about 1.5 years, I've always equated it to the area where I work or an obstacle to be circumvented in the process of getting to where I really want to go. For perhaps the first time ever, I took a few hours the other day to amble about the vast subterranean, ped-wayed metropolis of Commerce Place/City Centre.

My initial suspicions, of it being completely inhabited by bus-taking winos and some breed of Mole People, were almost immediately rejected.

During my travels I decided to get a trim and have a bit of colouring done to my hair, and as I cooked patiently under the dome dryer, picking through the latest Hollywood scandal rag, something interesting actually caught my eye: NYC Garbage. Quite frankly, the idea is totally awesome. I want. I want!

Currently listening to: Zack De La Rocha - We Want It All

Nacho, Nacho Man!

Vending Machine: 0
Homo Sapiens: 1

I've just returned from the lobby of my apartment building, where I was hoping to obtain snacks to appease my post-workout cravings...and something amazing happened! A bag of Doritos was dangling ever so delicately from its distribution row, where I imagine a previous snacker was totally screwed out of their money. It dawned on me that by selecting the Doritos again, I'd obtain 2 bags for the price of 1. Not a bad deal, eh?

But really, one can only eat so many Doritos. I wanted more than just Doritos!

Determined, I prepared to give the machine a jolting shake, though at the slightest disturbance the bag pried itself loose! End result: Doritos and a bag of Miss Vickies for a single Loonie! Carpe diem!

Currently: Watching re-runs of The Daily Show

Oh Curse'd Green Fairy!

Granted, green tea is often a sensible choice when selecting a beverage, and may help with innumerable health-related issues, but 6+ cups in the 5 hours before bedtime is just too much.

I don't have the caffeine jitters - and I'm enjoying a great degree of mental clarity - but I sure as hell would like to fall asleep at a reasonable hour this evening/morning.

Currently: Wishing that I had constructed my Christmas Wishlist at ThinkGeek...

Grand Master Champion of the Universe

Aren't I the walking contradiction. I'm a poor University student who is burdened by the increasing costs of post-secondary education...who just happens to occasionally work on the oil rigs to russle up some much needed cash money to paid for the aforementioned absurd tuition. King Ralph commands policies which both giveth and taketh from my pocketbook. How very cruel indeed.

He did not receive my vote yesterday, and I was pleasantly pleased that the PCs managed to pick up fewer seats this time around. It reminded me, to a certain degree, of our past federal election, where the Liberals maintained power, but after the voting equivalent of a stern talking to. Ralph's still in charge, but his upcoming replacement should be wary. Then again, the political situation in Alberta is much like the continental US, where those hillbillies in the midwest overpower the liberal sensibilities of an entire nation. Yee-haw!

Currently: Installing Pandora Tomorrow

Workers Unite...and be Fired!

Quite the interesting development at good ol' Advanis Field Research. An ex-employee had contacted the postal workers union to solicit the call-centre workers into banding together, and now all sorts of craziness has broken out.

At first everything about the union was hush-hush, relegated to dark alleys and untraceable phone calls, but it didn't take all that long for the souless Corporation to get wind of it. What followed was a flurry of anti-union propaganda posted upon the notice boards, specifically pointing out what a union can't do for you, and what it can take from you. This was quickly countered, in guerilla-like fashion by union recruitment meetings and anonymous pamphlets.

To be honest, I find the entire situation laughable.

What exactly will unionizing the call-centre do, considering it's merely a small component of the much larger Advanis company? Sure, it employs a large number of people, but it also demands a very low level of skill and mental competence. Advanis wouldn't skip a beat if it bussed in "scab" workers to replacing striking ones, so there goes a great deal of the union's bargaining power.

Unbearable working conditions? It's a call-centre, what the hell did you think it would be like!? Be thankful you're not doing sales or on commission. Think you can find another job that permits you to wear spiked, leather clothing and a face-full of piercings, go ahead and find one!

The focus of employees, who choose to work for the company, should be in clawing their way up, to the important positions - not desperately hoping that their already slack job will be supplemented with 5 more minutes of cigarette breaks.

Currently: More pissed at the union reps for calling me every day than anything Advanis has ever imposed upon me.

Soylent Green

Eating healthy is hard work. But if there's one thing that we should all find time for, it's green tea. I absolutely love the stuff, though I often go through long stretches where my intake is virtually nil - and when I finally brew myself up a pot, I ravenously consume it like a junkie in a meth lab. Assuming you're not buying the DDT laced variety, I've been led to believe that it's good for both the mind and body, and after the pyjama party I attended the other evening, my body sure could use some TLC.

It's interesting to me that in the span of a month, I've attended more sleep-over/pyjama parties than I have in, well, over a decade at least. The pyjama party was actually a first for me, and in my opinion, probably the best kind of party to have. It's casual, it's fun, and supremely relaxed. Who wants to get all done-up to go out, when you can simply throw on your flannels and kick-back with a few cold ones? I specially purchased a 3-pack of Hanes v-neck, white, cotton shirts for the occasion, though it's been revealed to me that the low cut is off-puttingly feminine.

With less than 24 hours before I head to the polls for the provincial election, I've finally received a peek of the various parties' platforms. One page in the Edmonton Journal informed me better than weeks of "campaigning" and the Liberal candidate who stopped by our door the other day was kind enough to tell Nicole where we go to cast our ballot. Both the Liberals and NDP had a fair amount of positive solutions, whereas the PCs were non-committal and the Alliance was completely out to lunch. For example, the Alliance proposed free post-secondary tuition to all students who maintained a C average in High School. That's great news for the A-students, who actually meet the entrance requirements, but not so helpful to anyone else...

Alas! More green tea for me!

Currently: Preparing to study for my 2nd last lab quiz. Ha-zah!

Everything to Everyone

While in the midst of re-arranging the apartment, watching NCAA Hockey, eating late-night pizza delivery, and researching my term paper, I've managed to set aside a few minutes to take that Internet Colour Quiz. Well, here's the result:

you are khaki #F0E68C

Your dominant hues are red and green, so you're definately not afraid to get in and stir things up. You have no time for most people's concerns, you'd rather analyze with your head than be held back by some random "gut feeling". Your saturation level is lower than average - You don't stress out over things and don't understand people who do. Finishing projects may sometimes be a challenge, but you schedule time as you see fit and the important things all happen in the end, even if not everyone sees your grand master plan. Your outlook on life is bright. You see good things in situations where others may not be able to, and it frustrates you to see them get down on everything.

the spacefem.com html color quiz

Looks like we're both khaki, Dean.

On another note, since getting a membership to the YMCA last week, I've now gone to the gym more times in that span than nearly 6 years at the University - where access to the facilities was already tacked onto and paid through my tuition fees.

Currently listening to: Green Day - Boulevard of Broken Dreams

Fifty-Mission Cap

Now that was one fine concert, and the whole thing with sitting in a stationary seat wasn't all that strange either. To be absolutely honest, though, our seats were practically perfect - exactly centre with the stage with only one row in front of us, Section 110, Row 13. The Hip had large projection screens on either side of the stage, and the entire backdrop was 4 interlocking screens, displaying images and colours that went along with the music beautifully.

The Hip have always been one of those bands that I enjoyed, but never seemed to pick up their albums...I mean, I only own Phantom Power. It wasn't until the concert last night that it dawned upon me just how many great songs they have, and what a large number of those songs I know. I liken it to CCR, where even if you don't own any of their albums, or can't really recall hearing a myriad of their songs, you'll probably sing along to almost every one of them on the "Best Of" album. What gives the Hip such substance, and recognition, is that many of their songs are timeless, and when they play At The Hundredth Meridian from the early 90's, it sounds just as fresh and lively as Bobcaygeon, which was released nearly a decade later.

So, all in all, it was a memorable Hip performance, not complete concert, as the opening act of Whatisfaceandthatband was, well, bleh. The music rocked, was non-stop, our seats were awesome, and they came out for 3 encores! Most bands today wouldn't have enough decent songs to do such a full set. It was a shame that the concessions (read: beer stands) closed down before the Hip started, and some asshole Dekes were causing a commotion a section over, but those were only minor inconveniences.

I'm glad my sweetie snagged us some tickets!

Currently: Downloading the World of Warcraft open-beta client.

Burning Love

The fun never stops, here at Camp Awesomeness, as Nicole and I prepare to attend the Tragically Hip concert tonight. I've never seen the Hip in concert, ever, so I'm anxious to see what kind of show they put on. I've also never been to a concert where I've had an assigned seat number...the entire premise is foreign to me. To be honest, though, I'm getting too old to thrash around in the mosh pit all night, and security would probably escort me out of the coliseum if I attempted it during New Orleans is Sinking.

It'll also be the first time I've been back to Rexall Place since the Juno Awards, seeing as how there's no Oilers hockey. I imagine I'll be back for a few Roadrunners games, but really, that'll only fulfill my hockey cravings to an insufficient degree.

Currently listening to: Chevelle - Vitamin R

Jackpot!: Addendum

Rocky Mountain House sure is smaller than I'd ever imagined, consisting almost entirely of a dozen hotels, gas stations, and the full spectrum of fast food joints. I assume there might actually be people who live there, thought it's highly likely that they all work in the service industry and perhaps reside in the previously mentioned businesses.

Anyways, as I made my way back in to Edmonton, I made a point of stopping by that enclosed ball hockey rink to have a look see. Apparently it's affiliated with the Scona Community, so there might be people to ask for its usage. There are, much like the rink we played in before, gigantic lights available to light up those dark, winter afternoons. It's not a rink, but a tennis/basketball area, so the size is very agreeable.

I've used copious amounts of hockey tape to shore up my goaltending equipment, so here's to hoping they'll last the winter.

Oh, and on that automotive insurance issue that Gregg was talking about - at least Wawanesa was kind enough to issue you a refund, or some sort of communication. AMA, in it's bureaucratic benevolence, has remained suspiciously mute through this entire modification program. So many ways, to hate AMA.

Currently: Oh so very glad to be home...

Jackpot!

It's almost too good to be true, but I stumbled upon something amazing this afternoon. I was heading home from the University, travelling north-bound from White Avenue on Gateway Boulevard, where a horrendous car accident was blocking traffic before the turn off to head down into the Rivervalley.

The police had set up a detour, which took me close to the New Asian Village, and lo and behold, a beautiful outdoor, enclosed!, ballhockey pad! It looks somewhat like an old tennis court that has been converted for use for the sport we love the most.

Just imagine, no more chasing after errant passes and slap-shots. Insidious plays connected by using the "boards" all around us. I'll make a point of stopping by there tomorrow to determine how we may use the facility, but until then, dare to dream!

Currently: Chowing down on mounds of left-over Hallowe'en candy.

The College Years: 1 Year Later + 18 days

It's almost hard to believe, but exactly 383 days ago I published my first post for this here little blog. On a quiet, late, October night, I nestled down in front of my computer desiring nothing more than to transmit my thoughts through the printed word.

This post was actually started on the exact one year anniversary, but I seem to remember I was too tired to type, opting to hit the sack instead of conjure up some fantastical piece of literary magnificence.

At this time, however, I'm honoured to speak about a far more important one year celebration - the remembrance of the passing on of my Gido. My original post, shortly following his death, can be found here, in the archive. This past Sunday I made my way back down to Two Hills, with most of my family and the rest of the Semeniuk side. We attended a service at the Ukrainian Catholic church, which was slightly foreign to me, as I'm neither Catholic nor comprehend the Ukrainian language. The service, as I imagine most Catholic services to be, was highly ritualized, structured, and honestly, not all that uplifting.

The lunch afterwards, however, more than made up for it. There was enough food there to easily feed a crowd thrice as large, and there was no escaping a whole armada of Babas claiming, "Eat! Eat! You look so thin!" These events are also very strange, in that you stumble across a great deal of people who remember you, yet you have no idea who they are. Old friends of the family, my Pee Wee hockey coach...my old school bus driver from Kindergarten. Heck, you never know who you'll meet! Typically each exchange starts out the same, with the mystery person claiming, "Boy Kris, you sure look a lot like your father! Same haircut, glasses...skinny as a rail!"

I shake hands, smile and nod, and quietly force down another piece of cake.

Currently listening to: Matthew Good - While We Were Hunting Rabbits

Unmitigated Leisure

Certainly not laziness, and far from rampant irresponsibility, I've finally listened to some good advice and made the move to re-prioritize my daily routine.

As we all know, you can't run on all cylinders all the time, which is exactly what I've been doing for the better part of the past 16 months. More specifically, the amount of hours I've been working in the evening, coupled with the hours I've been spending at the University, have left very few hours in the day for pretty much anything else. So you know what, I'm staying home this evening, and I couldn't be happier!

Quite frankly, I've been working my ass off, and it's time to re-charge the ol' mind and body. I've been successful, academically, like I haven't been in years, and it's still something I haven't allowed myself to get comfortable with. Far too often I'll concentrate on the time and money I've invested/wasted on my post-secondary education, or poor decisions I've made in the past, and those negative thoughts will overshadow anything else I'm thinking or doing. That negativity is a big ball of B.S. and I refuse to let past failure define who I am - it's the exception, not the rule.

It may seem like I've veered off the initial point of this post, but it's all quite interconnected. I get down on myself so much for past screw-ups that it dictates how I act in the present and plan for the future, preventing myself from noticing that, Hell, I'm actually doing quite well for myself.

So in lieu of my successes, I'm going to relax, slow down, stop worrying that things won't work out, because whether you're noticing or not, they certainly find a way to.

Currently: Searching online for some lamb recipes...never made lamb before.

Bah!

Well, scratch that...John Kerry has just made his concession speech, and the rest of the world can now look forward to another 4 years of living under the terror of the United States of America.

A composite of the thousands of dead American soldiers from Bush's unjustified war in Iraq, courtesy of MichaelMoore.com

Truly Disturbing

Though all hope is not lost for a Kerry victory, I'm nevertheless wallowing in a state of shock that Bush didn't lose by an absolute landslide. Quite frankly, the American voting public has managed to blow my mind...

CNN, as of 2:13 AM Mountain Time, has Bush at 254 and Kerry at 242. Results are still being tabulated for 4 states: New Mexico, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Ohio.

Currently: experiencing a broad range of emotions from shock to anger to disbelief.