Bah.

It's a little after 3am and believe me, I'm not up coz I wanna be. I have a flight to catch in a few hours. I'd love to write a deeply insightful post for you but my days have gone something like this..

Thursday: drive 2 hours north, stopping at stores and working along the way. Stay at Grandma's for the night.

Friday: wake up with a blinding migraine and hit the road at 7:30am and drive and additional 2.5 hours north and back (coz who doesn't love driving for 5 hours in construction?), work for 6 hours hours in between that time making for one helluva long day. Stay at Grandma's again.

Saturday:Wake at 5:45am (coz apparently old people don't need to sleep) and open fishing season by hitting the lake at 7am. Proceed to catch many bass, none of which are large enough to keep for dinner. This secretly makes me happy but annoys my grandma.

Sunday: drive 2 hours south, back home. Hang out with the parents, go home for a couple of hours and then get back in the car at 7pm and drive 3.5 hours to a town in the eastern end of Ontario. Stay the night.

Monday: drive 3.5 hours back home, working along the way. work doesn't end until about 7pm at which time I stop by my friend's house to see his 6 day old baby boy. hold baby and coo for an hour, then head home. order pizza, go to bed a little after 10pm.

Today: despite alarm being set for 3:45am I am incapable of sleeping until then and get up early. must post instead.

ta da.
Tres exciting, non? *snore*
Hey, I never promised an exciting post at this hour.

Ok, so I am off to New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island until Friday (those would be provinces on the east coast of Canada, for those not in the know). I can hardly wait for the photo op! I'll bring back all kinds of pics to share and no doubt some good stories. Have a good week, folks!

 
I'm feeling quiet these days, have you noticed? It started with my last post in which I mentioned that people I don't want reading this blog are, in fact, doing just that. That realization gave me reason to pause and think about what I say on here. Now I have to choose what I share more carefully, and that makes me kind of sad...

Otherwise, things are good; work? good. home? good. car? good. love? good. All seems right, and I have no real complaints. Perhaps I am a better blogger when I am all angry and disenfranchised with life, no? I spent last weekend moping quite a bit (I needed to throw a pity party because I'm not getting my way on a few matters. lol) but this weekend there shall be no time for moping. I am heading up north to once again combine work with pleasure. Today and tomorrow I will be working while staying at my grandma's, but the rest of the weekend will be spent fishing. As many of you may know, the last weekend in June is always reserved for my grandma as it is the opening of fishing season. She's been waiting all winter for this, and it's a tradition going back over 20 years now. Bring on the fish!!

This Sunday is the Pride Parade in Toronto which I have traditionally gone to for the last... I don't know... 8 years? It's always such a party and so damn much fun, but I'm not sure I'll be going this year. We'll see what time I get back from grandma's. If I do, I will post pictures on my photoblog as always. So... on the road until Sunday, back for a day on Monday and then I catch a plane on Tuesday for New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island on the Canadian east coast for work (training a new employee). Woo hoo!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

 
Know what makes me sad? The fact I will never be able to talk about certain stuff on here. When I first started this blog I had intended to keep it away from people I know "in real life" in order to allow me to be anonymous enough to share all my deep dark secrets, but as happens with blogs, friends and family have come across this blog. Some have confessed to me that they were reading and when I gently asked them not to read it, they stopped. Others read it and despite my asking them to step forward, refuse to admit to it. I accept a lot of the blame for people I know reading it.... I had mentioned I had a blog several times in passing, and people are naturally curious. It doesn't take a whole lot of Googling to find this blog, ya know? So I know I am to blame as well. But it's like a diary.... just because you found it doesn't mean you should read it when you know the other person doesn't want you to.

In an effort to separate the two worlds I had created a separate "friends and family" blog when I went on my trip to Israel last September, which was (and still is) virtually the same as this blog. It's not published on any public Blogger pages or found by Googling, so I am free to be more open about some subjects on there and use my real name. So I talk about work on there more than here (but still don't give too much info for fear of repercussions, coz you never know) but generally have discussed things like my love life more on this blog than with my entire family (and anyone *they* have given the blog to... like my grandma's cleaning lady!! you see my point.) on the other blog.

However, I have noticed recently that someone in the North Bay/Markstay region of Ontario is happily going from one blog to the other when checking up to see if I've posted recently. I know some things about this individual (like the fact that Sympatico is the internet provider) but I can't pinpoint exactly *who* it is. I have some idea, but before I go off like a rocket and blame someone I need to do a little more research. Meanwhile it really chaps my ass that someone is reading boths blogs when I have specifically asked friends and family to grant me my space and privacy. I know, foolish to ask when the blog is so public.

In the end, even if the person confesses to reading my blog it will forever make me realize that there are certain things I will never be able to discuss on here.... and that just sucks. I guess you'll just have to use your fertile imagination about how wonderful my love life is. hahahaha...

Anyway, I was in Montreal all weekend and now I am back out on the road and off for another 5 hour car trip and overnight stay and then 5 hour trek back tomorrow. Ah, life on the road.... must find a way to sneak some play in there amongst the work....

 
So let me see if I've got this straight....

When Israel targets and kills known terrorists it's labelled as an assassination and the world condemns them. Oh, and those known terrorists are called "militants" or "freedom fighters", not terrorists.

When the US Army kills a known terrorist using an airstrike (what Israel also employs to target terrorist leaders) the world heralds them and indeed the entire US and all media praise them for taking another important step in the "War on Terror". Not only is the killing applauded, but the footage of the bombing is posted all over the internet as is the picture of the dead guy.

Can I ask what the difference is?

P.S.
The advisor to the President or Iran, has publicly stated that Jews are filthy. "Historically, there are many accusations against the Jews. For example it was said that they were the source for such deadly disease as the plague and typhus. This is because the Jews are very filthy people. For a time people also said that they poisoned water wells belonging to Christians and thus killed them". And so the lies are perpetuated.....

 

Is it pathetic that I am actually considering buying a tape recorder that I can keep in my car to record things that I want to blog about later? I have a real short memory you see, and lots of amusing things happen while I am on the road, but I always forget them by the time I get to my computer. Plus, with the amount of hours I spend on the road I get lots of time to think about stuff; sometimes deep, sometimes not so much.

My new car is fantastic, I'm sure you're dying to know. In less than a week I put 1200 km (746 miles) on my new car, which pretty much tells you the kind of abuse this poor thing is going to get under my ownership. My ass is also much happier with this new car which has been especially great given the amount of time I spend in the car. Happy butt, happy driver!

So let's see... where have I been this week that has kept me away from blogging? I was on the road again, up north, for a couple of days. A shocker, I know. I did some training sessions up north and got to spend a bit of time with grandma again. Ya gotta like a job that allows me to cast my fishing line in for a bit before heading into work. And again when I come back from dinner before going back to work at night. *grin* I even caught me two fish, oh yes I did! (smallmouth bass, if you're wondering) Fishing season hasn't legally opened yet though, so back in the water they went (which makes me happier than putting them in frying pan anyway, much to the shagrin of my grandma).

So I have been home long enough to do a little laundry, tidy the home a bit, and then tomorrow I fly to Montreal to spend a little quality time among the French. I'm trying to get over my loathing for the French.... so far it's going swimmingly. I might learnt o get along with the French yet!

I gotta say, life is pretty good for me right now.... my blog was so much more interesting when I was angst ridden. My job is great and I'm loving it; things are looking good and I may even be given more responsibility in the near future. I love my new home and my new car and I have a new love in my life. What more could a girl ask for? I have the world by the ass and I am enjoying every minute of it. Of course this all comes with a hint of paranoia as to when "the other shoe will drop" as I am forever in fear that things are going too well in my life and something is bound to go wrong. But for now I am just going to ride this wave....

If I don't get a chance to put up a quick post tomorrow, have a great weekend. If you want to see more pictures that I took while up north head on over to my photoblog; I took some amazing pics, if I do say so myself. Enjoy!

 
My weekend was one filled with a little work and a little play. Somehow I got suckered into working on both Sunday and Saturday, but not for the whole day or anything. Still, I clearly need to learn to say no or I'll never get a weekend off.

As you can see from the picture, I got together this weekend with my childhood girlfriends for dress fittings; one of the girls is getting married in November and I am one of the bridesmaids. The blue outfit you see (go ahead and click the thumbnail for the larger image if you like) is what I will actually be wearing except it will be a red satin, not blue. You'll also notice another friend of mine hiding, half dressed, behind the curtain in the background. hahaha .... we had a good time, even if it did involve me having to get into a dress.





Just for the hell of it I even tried on the pinkest frilliest dress in the shop. I felt like Barbie as I stood in this giant caketopper-like frock. "I feel pretty! Oh-so pretty!". Once again, I thought of ocB when I was wearing it, since she has a special hate in her heart for pink. I made sure my friend took a picture because that's about the most girlie thing I have worn in my *life* and perhaps ever again. Maybe I should print it out and frame it for my mother...

Happy Monday Morning, everyone!

 
Beware, rant ahead....

Let me start by saying that I am, and have always been, a loyal Nokia consumer. I just like their phones, what can I say? When I got a new phone in December I got a Samsung that had all the bells and whistles and shiny colour screen and all that good stuff. I hated it and returned it a few days later and downgraded to a Nokia that I liked better. The guy at the phone store couldn't understand why I would take an 'inferior' phone but it was really quite simple... I don't *need* all those damn bells and whistles, I just need to be able to make a few calls and text people and the Nokia phone was better at it.

Alright, so you get my point; I like Nokia.

Now then, over the years I have been somewhat at odds with using a headset for my cellphones. At least once or twice a day I would get them caught on something and have them yank on my ear (which hurts and sends me from zero to furious in a millisecond and causes me to swear a blue streak) or I got them caught when getting out of the car and inevitably the cord would get ruined. Once the cord is ruined they are pretty much useless because people begin to complain that you cut in and out of the conversation (based on how the cord is positioned at any given moment). Anyway! With my job and very extended time spent on a cellphone (which gets hot the longer you are on it, and who wants that next to her head?) it was clear that I was going to have to give in to using a headset again.

At first I bought one on eBay because I am admittedly cheap. I find it ridiculous that a headset costs $30 especially given the phenomenal rate at which I go through them. I don't know why I bothered to buy one on eBay because past experience has taught me that you get what you pay for and indeed the headset I got just couldn't deliver the volume loud enough for me to hear people on the other end. And so began my hunt for a Nokia headset.

Long story short, I tried every cellphone place around town and could not find one. Everyone was out of stock and had no intention of restocking anytime soon; nobody buys these 'inferior' phones anymore, afterall. *sigh*

Finally I went on the Nokia Canada website and ordered the nicer of the two headsets available for my cellphone. I figured this was an investment in my work and I wanted to get the best damn Nokia product for my little 'inferior' phone. I submitted my credit card info and shipping address and was very happy to see that shipping would be free. With taxes my total was $34.95. Yeeha! I should have the headset in a week or two at the most.

"Thank you again for shopping at store.nokia.ca. We are currently processing your order. Your selection is summarized in the order detail listed below.
You will receive an e-mail notification once your order has been shipped.
If you have questions or comments, you can refer to our customer support.
Please e-mail us at: store.nokia@nokia.com or call us at 1-888-22-NOKIA."

Oddly, shortly after I placed the order I got a call from my credit card company asking if I had just ordered something online from Nokia. I told them that yes I had and that they were authorized to charge my card in the amount of $35. (how does an online order seem fishy but me gallivanting all over Israel and England last year with my credit card doesn't seem strange at all?? Top notch security, Visa!) Anyway, Visa said they were just checking and so I gave them the all clear. I appreciate them keeping an eye on my card even if I find the timing bizarre.

Here ends the happy part of the tale. All that took place on May 3rd. Yesterday I began to wonder just where the hell my headset was as it had been almost a month. I went on the website and found a 1-800 number and called them. The woman was pretty much anti-useful and told me I would have to write Nokia in order to have them track my order. Wtf? Why have a phone number for your consumers? Fine, I'll email them (though look out, coz I'm pissed off now):

"It has been nearly a month and I have still not received my order. I called Nokia and was told to email you because they couldn't help me. As much as I enjoy being bounced around I would just as soon have someone help me out by tracking the order and letting me know where it is. This has been a ridiculous waiting time and I need that headset for work.

order # EC 1651

Please and thank you for any help"

Impressively quickly I got a reply:

"As part of our security process we verify user details from our online orders with those on record with the credit card issuing bank or institution. In your case these details could not be verified and as a result your order was cancelled and a refund issued on May 8th. We receive a high volume of attempted fraudulent transactions and as a result we have to be very black and white in these matters. Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience. Best regards, Store.Nokia.ca"

What??? SAY WHAT?????????? I snapped.

"Wow, thanks for not letting me know and keeping me guessing. You have taken me from being the most loyal of customers to Nokia, to never wanting to deal with you again. I received a phone call from my credit card company about this transaction to which I gave my approval so I can only wonder what went wrong. Once again, it was incredibly poor customer service to not let your customer know that the order had been cancelled; it was my first and last time ordering anything online from Nokia. First impressions count."

And here we are now, with me doing what any good blogger would do..... I'm blogging about it. Partly to get it off my chest and partly to vent my newfound hate towards Nokia. No, not hate.... hurt. I feel betrayed! My years of love have just been spit upon! Show me the love Nokia!! I have stood by you for years! Defended my 'inferior' phone when others laughed at me because I couldn't take pictures or listen to music! I didn't care because I loved you and your phones. And now I am left wondering what the hell went wrong.

Today I start shopping for a new phone and never go back to Nokia. Today I tell you all about it so that you too may turn your back on Nokia. And today I send Mr "Best Regards, Nokia.store.ca" the link to this post in my blog so he may know that I have shared my tale of woe with the world.

 

I got me a new car yesterday! This sexy new Honda Accord is mine all mine...
anyone wanna lay bets as to how long it will take for me to get a speeding ticket?