And Now The Hard Part...

...going to live two or more months without a kitchen sink. Wow, I can't imagine Sharon having any pleasant thoughts associated with that.

So since I should hurry up and finish this kitchen, what's the first thing I'm going to do today? Play basketball! Priorities in the hizzay!

Gassy

Three things involving gas today:

-my kitchen is now hooked up for gas

-baby boy Xavier was gassy

-had a family dinner at a cheap Chinese buffet, which in turn will surely leave me...yeah

I Will Choose To Be Happy

I will choose not to look at the sadness

It's All A Matter Of Waiting

For this kitchen to be done.

Wow, am I already saying this?

(ummm...gotta find cabinets first)

There Was A Hockey Game?

Okay, obviously I knew there was. Who in Canada didn't?

But I was watching short-track speed-skating. Canada just won the silver medal, after Korea (who thought they won gold but was disqualified after a judge reviewed the tape).

I found it funny that the Koreans were waving their flag with such pride, and then they lost. Someone should've took those flags from them, because to me, that would just lead to...awkward!

Does That Car Come In Stained Maple?

So looking around at kitchen cabinets, I liken it to buying a new-used car. Why?

You get to pick the colour.

You get to pick the style.

You get to pay almost the same damn price.

I mean, I knew it was going to be expensive, but it still doesn't make it hurt any less.

Oh, and it'll take two months for it to come in? Yikes

Cranky Old Man Alert

Did a class at a high school today. Damn whippersnappers are so disrespectful. But then I thought it was ironic because I was prolly just as bad as they were.

Gotta do another high school tomorrow morning. Hopefully I'm not as cranky

* * *

I want to visit Vancouver one more time before Beevy leaves. I need money!

Noooo...I Won't Go Back

So after a (semi-)week off, I have to go back to work tomorrow. Nooooooooooo!

It should be a relatively easy day tomorrow (teaching at a high school), but I didn't do nearly as much as I wanted to in the kitchen. Mind you, that's my own lazy-butt fault, but, it's coming along (I think).

Back at it...

Oh (No) Canada

Just had the always entertaining Sanjutha over for dinner. She proclaimed she was a vegetarian, so we had a non-meat dinner. Then she mentioned how much she missed chicken salad. Yeah, I don't see her keeping up with this. I know I sure as heck wouldn't be able to.

So anywho, we watched some olympics afterwards. Canada's "Own The Podium" program has put so much pressure on our athletes. I feel bad for the ones who didn't place on the podium (which, unfortunately, seems like the majority of them...lol). Oh well, this will all be forgotten in just a little bit more than a week

That Tiger Purred

Watching the Tiger Woods press conference, am I wrong to think that instead of him apologizing and all that regret crap, he should've just said "yup...I did that stuff. We're gonna get divorced, but I don't care cause I'm still rich. You can all hate me, but I'm still better than you at golf. So?"

I'm just sayin'

That's Gonna Be Essssspensive

Started sourcing out the "wants" for our kitchen.

Yikes

I Think I Can Get Used To This

This whole not-working thing, that is. So what did I do today?

-woke up, went to the gym to play some ball. (oh, and it's always worth playing ball when you win)

-came home and pretty much plopped myself in front of the couch, both internet-ing and tv-ing

-wasn't I supposed to be doing some renoing? Well, I sort of did. I'm now in the stage of "okay, so I just took down all the walls and am seeing what I'm working with. What the hell am I going to do now?" I better start putting ideas down on paper here

Oprahed

So we went with Arfeli to watch Otello. First time at an opera. Might be the last?

Well, it wasn't so bad. Thank goodness for the closed captioning for the hearing (and comprehending) impaired. The story was about betrayal and whatnot; man, those people were so dramatic back then. The action was a little drawn out (and at that point I realized what a fast-paced society we now live in as opposed to when these opera's were actually made).

I suppose I feel more cultured and enlighted, and yet, there are only two words that I will remember after watching this show: vile slut!

What's next for my adventure into the arts? Ballet? The AGO? Watching the symphony? Go-karting?

I Can't Stop...

...trying to find songs that are in my head. Then when I find it, I'm Trey Songz (happy): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8lcMV6_5NQ

(been looking for that one for a while)

Break! Break! Broke!

I guess this is the point of no return. Started demolishing the kitchen, and of course found all sorts of crap the previous owner had done (why in the hell would you disconnect an air register?). Looks like we'll be living with a mess for a little while.

(Cue sighing and silent outrage from Sharon)

This Is It: That Was It?

So I just watched Michael Jackson's movie. It was okay, I guess.

I do like his music for the most part, but I've always been left wondering what was up with all the crotch grabbing?

Failure To Launch

Catch the opening ceremonies last night? Fail!

* * *

Met up with Carlo and Kalina for brunch today. Fun times...I think we need more "couples friends"

Ninong J!

So I'm gonna be a Godpapa again...to my boy Xavier! Surprised and honoured I was chosen. We saw him today, and holy crap I think in 6 months he's gonna be bigger than me

* * *

Watching the Olympic Opening Ceremonies right now. I would love to be in Vancouver...seems like the place to be. Canada is entering as I speak...awesome.

(I've been walking around the house waving one of my hands in the air while carrying a digital camera in the other, pretending I'm one of those athletes)

(I'm gay)

That Feeling

I'm getting that feeling again as I start to source out everything for the big kitchen reno. You know, that "holy crap there's a lot of decisions to make and once we make those decisions exactly how are we going to pay for it" feelings. Why must we have such expensive tastes?

And this is why we're not having any kids anytime soon

Chicken Cuban Stylez

So my wife made this Cuban chicken, made with a tomato/orange/avocado salsa wrapped in an Indian roti. Holy crap it was good. She's getting way better at cooking now (since the time we moved in). Soon the student will surpass the master? Wait a minute, I was never her master...LOL

* * *

Trained some elder students at an employment action centre today (lots of middle-aged to 55+ year old people who recently lost their jobs at a factory and are looking to retrain or acquire new skills). It always saddens me to hear their stories, especially hearing (and knowing) that it's nearly impossible for them to get work. It's first hand exposure for me to see people being affected by the manufacturing downturn, and dose of reality for how lucky a position I am in in life.

I have a good life (I'd credit to my parents for making the jump to Canada when they did) and days like today make me realize how I take it for granted sometimes. Hope I remember this day/blog post when I do have those days I'm particularly complainy

Hand Up A Butt

So I spent the day with Row doing puppet shows for kids, teaching them about handwashing. All. Day.

It was an easy day, sure, but rather repetitive. And I always think about how great my university education is being applied as I pretend I'm Bert (of Ernie and Bert fame).

The one thing that I always love seeing and hearing are the kids, especially when we blow bubbles (part of the show). They go absolutely ballistic.

Then there was that one Chinese kid that came up to me and randomly told me, "my Mom speaks Chinese" (yup, even little kids think I'm Chinese). Oh, and there was that one Indian girl that looked exactly like how my wife did at 4 years old. I was cracking up.

(Okay, so it wasn't too bad of a day)

I'm Not Living In Your Spotlight...

...but I don't mind shining it on you.

So we had a fun time at Tabico's CD release party last night. Packed house full of Portuguese peeps, great food and great music (especially one of his guest stars, Sarah Pachecho. Hallelujah indeed). Luckily for him, I didn't screw up that badly.

(as you might imagine, this song was playing in my head: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9qtRcHJVI8)

Only sucky part of the night? Getting a parking ticket. And it was issued to us literally 5 minutes before we got to the car. And I was watching "Parking Wars" before we left lamenting how dumb those people are for getting parking tickets. Figures. Good thing I'm a rationalizer: since I didn't pay for my ticket to Tony's show, this is kind of like paying for it. Argh

Kitchenaid? More Like Kitchen-I-Need-Financial-Aid!

So yesterday at lunch, I went to the Maytag store to check out the best price on the appliances we sought out for our kitchen. We were gonna order from Marie's Dad, but decided to check out this one last store.

Sharon told me this trick of getting a good deal by telling the salesperson that I would buy right then and there if they were to give me a good price. Dammit, who knew it would work? Even with the deal, I always feel like maybe I could've gotten a better price, but I'm not a good haggler (I feel like a dofus when I do).

Now, not that I'm complaining too much or anything, but within an hour I went and bought a fridge, range, dishwasher, hood and microwave. You don't want to know how much, but just know that I'm afraid we'll have nice appliances but no money left over for food to actually put in it (especially considering we still have to get a gas hookup, cabinets, sink, countertops, etc. Yikes).

Thus, I really am committed to doing this kitchen reno thing now. Damn, we better not decide to move when everything's said and done...lol

Ode To Tabico

I enjoy my friend Tony "Tabico Jr." Camara. He is seriously one of the most gifted people I know, especially when it comes to music.

He'll be releasing his Portuguese CD tomorrow (he's big time in their community) at a show. He asked me if I could help out; you know, be a back-up singer and all. Well, not really, but he did ask me if I could be a spotlight person.

I went to the first dress rehearsal last night, and let me tell you putting on a show or being an entertainer is hard work. It was quite fun, though, and the show is going to be awesome. I hope I don't screw up...lol

Ode To Kathie

I enjoy my friend Kathie Brown. She is quite an amusing and unique character.

Today she asked me, "has Sharon ever eaten an orange in bed, and then half of it gets lost in the bed, and then an hour later she finds it and eats it?" It sounds a little absurd, but it's quite a normal question for her to ask me

Convert

Growing up, the thought grossed me out. It was so foreign to me, and to have that substance on a medium I absolute adore would be sacrilegious.

Why would anyone do this? Combining two things (that is good on its own) into one does not always work, and I was sure this would lead to disaster.

And then I tried it once; perhaps it was dare I made to myself. Shockingly, I liked it.

I just had it again. And I'm surprised to say that I still like it. I like it a lot.

Catfish Tacos are yum-yum

My Big Fat Greek Buffet

Went there for Kyle's going-away party today for lunch. Very good stuff.

Needless to say, it made me...big and fat.

Can't bode well for my knees, which are now officially killing me. Crap! I hope it's not arthritis or anything

Waiting Game

So found out something I was preparing for is now going to be delayed for a month or two. Great, now it is not only going to weigh on my mind for a longer amount of time, but now I'm going to have to procrastinate even longer.

Doesn't help I had a pretty crappy day at work today. Sometimes I really don't like people. During the day? I don't like some people all the time.

(I better readjust my attitude; this is not boding well for my psyche)