As Always, Thanks Mother

So my Mom sent this e-mail to my brothers and I (for whatever reason. You know old people and e-mail; they have to send every chain letter/God's prayers/wishes will come true if you forward this, etc.):

Unbelievable, but please be aware.

All those who travel a lot, please be very, very careful. Read ahead...

An Indian was detained in Bangkok for stealing a box of cigarettes in a duty-free shop in Bangkok International Airport. He had paid for chocolates and a carton of cigarettes. The cashier put a packet of cigarettes extra into his bag and he thought it was a free pack. He was arrested for shop-lifting and the Thai Police extortion price was 30,000 Baht for his release. He spent two nights in jail and paid 500 Baht for an air-conditioned cell, 200-300 baht for each visitor, and 11,000 baht for his final release. The Police shared the money in front of his eyes. On top of that, he was charged in court and fined 2,000 baht by the magistrate and handcuffed and escorted to his plane. His passport was stamped "Thief". While there, his relatives requested help from the Indian Embassy and was told that they are helpless, many Asians are victimised similarly daily and letters and phone-calls to the Thai authorities are ignored. He shared a cell with a Singaporean the first night who paid 60,000 baht for his release. The second night was a Malaysian national who paid 70,000 baht.

Mind you this was not in a shanty shop in downtown Bangkok but in a duty free shop at the Bangkok Int'l Airport. BE WARNED. The above 100% correct information because Mr.Rajan Khera's customer from India faced exactly the same scenario mentioned above when he was in transit at Bangkok Int'l Airport coming to Taipei.

Someone who went through the same ordeal in Dubai. He bought stuff at the Duty Free upon entering. The girl at Duty Free put a bottle of cologne in his shopping bag (he did not even see it happen). He was arrested for stealing ( this is before he even picked up his luggage ). He sat at the airport jail where he was harassed for the whole day. (NO FOOD, NO WATER for one day and only after he paid a fine (bribe of US 500..). That is all the cash he had in his pocket at the time. They let him go. These are scams that are happening all over the place. Please BE CAREFUL! All of this is pre-planned and the people who work at the airport know who to target.

Unbelievable but apply caution .... the duty free employees intentionally put extra items to scam the passenger..and we thought that our country was the most corrupt....

But what made it particularly funny (at least for me) was that she sent it again, and only to me. You know, because I'm married to an Indian. And if I ever find myself in Thailand because I'm married to an Indian.

I love my Mom, I swear I do

* * *

Soccer season is on again. My feet (and heart) are already dying. Why did I join again?

Rozzing

So for one reason or another, I had a pretty crappy day at work today. All I was looking forward to was going for a walk after dinner with my wife (my new "thing" to do).

What would just be gravy with that? Taking a dog for a walk!

So I called up Trannifer, and she allowed us to take her for a walk. And walk we did...1.5 hrs. later, the dog was panting and the owners were assured we didn't dognap her.

Love, I know you're going to be reading this...I want a dog (after the kitchen is completed, of course)

How About: Stop Eating?

So lately I've been feeling like I've been gaining weight. Of course it doesn't help that I've been eating a lot of junk food.

Seriously gotta start focussing again

* * *

Looks like I'm getting that reno bug again...can't wait to do the kitchen

Now That's A Great Invention

This thing:

Actual picture of me using it. I always like wearing these types of shirts while gardening

So we have this tree that kept on hitting our eaves. As mentioned in previous posts, the tree cutting services were charging something like $150. Luckily our neighbour Ivan had one of these tree pruners. Saved us some moo-lah!

Who Is This Guy?

So we had a fun time at Laura and Andre's wedding in St. Catherines. Long day, but actually worth it. Some things to remember:

-arriving at the Church late thinking we were going to miss the ceremony, only to find out the ceremony has been delayed because...the Groom was in jeans. Apparently the tux company forgot to put the pants inside the bag. Only when the pants arrived did the ceremony start

-having the best lasagna I've ever had (and at a wedding, nonetheless)

-dancing like crazy with the workmates (Sandra, Jenny, Row, Paresh, Kruti, Mikey, Marci and of course the bride and groom)

-Paresh saying (a little too loudly) "Who is this guy?". While the groom was saying his speech. He was a little inebriated

-getting lost driving the girls back to the motel. Like to the point I thought we were going to be attacked by an axe-murderer in the middle of cornfields

Good times! I think I need to sleep...

Ugh

Wha de bloodclot...how did I get this upset stomach all of a sudden. Now I can't sleep and I am having all sorts of sto-ma-chuh-chuh aches.

And we're going to Andre and Laura's wedding in Niagara. Which means I have to force myself to sleep because it's going to be a long night.

What am I, 50?

So There Are Spiders In...OH CRAP

So I was reading an article about how black widow spiders have found their way into the GTA.

Reading the article and looking at the picture, I was concentrating on the computer screen when all of a sudden, I got scared out of my mind for a micro-second due to what I saw out of the corner of my eye.

It was a very small fly.

But still, heart-pounding nonetheless. This is what I get for concentrating too much

Long Day(s Ahead As Well)

Looks like more changes are a happening at work. I have this eerie feeling it's going to be a lot like last year where I'm going to have to pick up the slack, especially with what seems like some team members leaving.

Oh well, nothing stays the same

That Feeling Of "Ahhhhh"

So all day my right eye had been killing me. I had no idea why. I tried flushing it out with water, rubbing it, doing anything I could to stop the irritation.

Went home, took a closer look and it appears that an eyelash got lodged into the soft part/skin of the eyelid. Took out the tweezers and pulled out the foreign object.

Ahhhhhhhhh

2 Walks A Day

So for the past three days, I've walked Roz twice a day. I wonder if I got my own dog I would be doing that. I mean, really, I walked Roz when there was no rain/snow. And can I really invest 1.5 hrs. a day walking? I mean, those 1.5 hrs. could be better spent towards the 4 hrs. I'm on the Internet!

* * *

Went to Ruthie and Kevin's place this afternoon to visit their third child (in four years!). Jeez, I can't even imagine one child...

Twit

So for one reason or another, I joined twitter. Mind you it's not another blog; I have too much to say in 140 characters or less. Rather, I joined it so I could follow other things of interest.

I think.

Or maybe I'm just too Internet-obsessed not to join it. Either way, we'll see how long that lasts

What An Exciting Day!

Walked the dog twice. Tiled around the laundry tub. Roasted a chicken. Cleaned up dog barf. Put up pictures on Facebook. Wow.

Why Can't I Sleep?

What the heck is wrong with me? I've been waking up everyday for the past few weeks at 3:30am or 4:00am. It's good for the dog as I'm up to make sure she eats, but I think there's something going on with me. Frustrating, really.

Also decided that flipping a house is not the way to go right now; I have to do more research into it before I jump into it. Saw the agent of the house I wanted to flip, and he indicated more than a few offers already came in, so in the end I guess it was not meant to be.

Sooner or later...

The Furball Of Energy Is Here

Rozzy's here for the weekend...should be fun.

Conrad also came home from the Philippines after a year. Wowza, time for adjusting again for him

Maybe THIS Is The Sign

I saw a sign. Well, a "For Sale" sign, anyway. No, it's not my house, but a house just down the street is on sale for a cheap price. Why? Well, it's not exactly in the best condition.

Thus, I think this is the moment I've been waiting for: time to Flip!

Oh I wish and only if I had the balls. And by balls I mean money.

Plus, I would have to go at it alone. Man, I need more friends who are into the same things I am

Is It A Sign?

So this morning I was having a discussion with Sharon about moving. I wasn't really being too serious; I just said to her, "hey, why don't we sell our house and move to Port Credit!" (I would love to live near the Lake, even though it smells in the summer, not to mention maybe living in a smaller house).

Anywho, I was at home earlier today than usual, when my doorbell rang. Not expecting anyone, I answered the door and a real estate agent greeted me. She said she has clients that are really motivated to move to my neighbourhood, but there are no houses for sale right now so she is doing door knocking. Is this a sign?

I mean, I absolutely love our house (no one ever forgets their first) and it has everything we need for the future (the space, the neighbours, the amenities, the schools, etc.). And the worst thing to do (as I always thought) would be to sell out to money. As well, who knows if the clients she is representing would be willing to pay the price I would be seeking.

This is crazy talk! Or is it? Hmmmm....

Now What?

You know when you finish work early and then you get home early and it's a really nice day, but you don't know what to do? I'm feeling that right now.

I feel so pressured like I have to be outside or something. Oh the stress!

Pretty Crappy Morning

-woke up at 4:30am, couldn't go back to bed

-contact lens popped out, put solution on it and put it back on my eye. Wondered why my eye was burning/stinging; realized that the solution was not meant to be put on the lens right before you put it on your eye

-went to the gym, realized I didn't bring my shorts. Luckily I had swimming trunks, so I went into the pool. Tried to lane swim; swallowed a lot of water

-got to work, tried reverse parking, scratched up my rim pretty bad against the curb

And it's not even 8:30am yet. Argh

I Loved It, Man

We rented "I Love You, Man" and "17 Again" last night, and they were actually pretty funny. If I could go back to 17 years old, I think my life would be much different. I would've had much more confidence and...wait, no, I think things would've stayed the same.

But anyway, the bromance film was also funny. Bro Montana!

Productivity Is Highly Overrated

Said the lazy guy.

I did get a lot of stuff done yesterday (removed trees, painted trim, put up pictures on FB, hung up frame, replaced batteries in smoke detectors, garden work, etc.) , but I always feel that I should be doing more.

I should tile the laundry tub today. Or...not

If Only I Were A Monkey

That knew how to operate a chainsaw. If only.

So we have a tree on our property where the uppermost branches are brushing up against the roof and windows. We called a tree cutting service for an estimate and found out to cut down four branches would cost us roughly $200 (!). Dammit.

So I got out my ladder and put it up against the tree to see if I would be able to climb it (Heli-Loggers what). And of course, I am not able to, as if I went up, I would not be able to get down. Plus the fact I totally picture myself in the ER after the fact.

My neighbour has offered to cut the branches down as he has a taller ladder and a chainsaw (oh right, I don't have one of those, either). I would take him up on that offer, but he is a rather busy man.

I think I'll just light the tree on fire

Work. Blah.

Try to perk up, why don't you.

Sigh.

End Of An Era

Not to get overly dramatic or anything, but man, it really sucks that my lunch partner/best friend at work is moving to the other office tomorrow. I know she's just as bummed as I am, which I guess makes us a couple of, ummm...bums.

But whateves, (work)life goes on and I'm pretty sure we'll still talk/e-mail each other everyday. Besides, if all goes according to plan, I won't have to work pretty soon anyway...

(unfortunately, this cleverly devised plan involves me winning the lottery)

Rozzymaboo Cometh (Again)

Looks like we'll be temporary dog owners again from Aug. 27-31!

(Coincidentally, looks like Sharon is gonna be stressed again from Aug. 27-31)

First Day Back Is Always Exciting

And then 45 minutes passes and then you realize, "oh, I'm back."

Not that I'm complaining about work or anything. It's always great to hang out with friends again.

Now for the next reno mission: deciding how to replace the fence

Back To It

After two-plus weeks off, it's time. I'm excited about going back to the gym after being a lazy, over-eating bum the past two weeks. I'm not so excited about going back to work, instead wanting to be a lazy, over-eating bum. Oh the conundrums I encounter in life...

ZzzzzCrapIt'sHot

This whole sleep-depravation thing sucks (and coming from a person who sleeps less than the average person, I guess that's saying a lot?).

Although, in this case it's not because of jetlag. It's because it's too frikin' hot in my house. A/C tonight baby

Nice To Vacation But...

...it's so damn great to be home!

Now then, these chores...

* * *

Congrats to Team Beevy! So happy another couple decided to, ummm...well, they'll see

Buonjourno Grazie Bigglietti ErrrrYeah

So this Italy trip has been hectic so far. Day after day we've had jampacked schedules, and the day that we could finally "relax on a beach" (today, that is), what happens? 1. I developed a cold. 2. The beach was crazy hot and rocky (not sandy). 3. I still haven't stopped sweating.

But aside from that, some thoughts thus far:

Venice: lots of stairs + heavy luggage + having no idea where you're going + hardly any sleep the day you arrive + the onslaught of the hot weather = one heck of a first day. But it was nice!

Florence: I can't even remember how many museums/sights we went to. But it was nice! So far, the best meal I had was in Florence with this really, really good white pizza.

Siena/Tuscany: driving was fun, albeit crazy. Europe may be old world and developed, but they certainly haven't developed their streets/street signs. Aside from that, Pisa and all the sight were nice!

Rome: crazy traffic, the place where we finally got sick of Italian foods (we had Indian, Chinese and Halal food here), too many museums/sights to remember. But it was nice!

Amalfi Coast: nice! I think.

Man, it's been such a crazy trip. Sharon and I both came to the conclusion that two weeks is perhaps the most we could go on vacation (even less for me). I think I get homesick too easily. It's certainly a diversion from reality. Oh, and perhaps we hyped up Italy too much in our heads that it didn't have that "wow" factor we thought we would be having. Regardless, it is nice (as you might have guessed me rationalizing).

Oh, and a few other things:

-I got attacked by a goat today, which honestly may have been the highlight of my day today. It was fun!
-I've come to the conclusion that I'm semi-lactose intolerant, which really, really sucks as I absolutely love dairy. It came about because I've finally come to my senses that feeling gassy all the time is not normal. I'll see where I go from here (in terms of just saying "who cares" and going ahead and eating dairy anyway)
-I think I spent a combined 11.5 hrs this trip thinking about how to renovate the kitchen. Can't wait!

Mad Scramble...

...MAD SCRAMBLE!

Gotta lock up the house, finish packing up, getting set, and Italy here we come (airport in 20 minutes)!

Tomorrow!

Just gotta get through this day.

Gotta also get out of this mental funk. Why the hell do I always have some sort of drama in my head?

Preparing

Aside for the trip, I also cleaned out my desk today at work (albeit for different reasons; they are going to replace the carpet and in a few weeks we'll be moving to another floor as well). I started purging my stuff there, and then I had one of my all-too-common bouts of "what am I going to do with my life/career moments." Then again, I'm kind of bummed at work lately cause Kiri is gonna be leaving for the other office. Who am I going to eat lunch with? Eh, whateves, I'll get over it. I gotta stop being such a baby.

* * *

I became a computer geek and bought some parts that would enable me to share my monitor, mouse and (new) keyboard with both the Mac and PC simultaneously. Sure it took a couple of tries, but working on a 19" screen with the macbook is a-okay

Rainreffic

Wow this summer has been crazy. Actually, I don't think I mind it much, as I'm not much one for liking heat waves. But really, the amount of rain and the coolness of the climate makes for one really odd summer.

Mind you, I'll be in sweltering heat come Friday when we're in Italy. So I guess I should enjoy this right now...

Saturday Of Doing Something

Checking off all the things in the list of "to-do's". For example:

-install faucet in basement

-put away camping gear

-cook delicious tacos

-rearrange the furniture in the office

-paint trim

Next thing you know, it's 4:35pm. Wowza.

Going to Arfeli's place pretty soon. Yum, barbeque!

What's Better Than A Nice Patio Set?

A cheap patio set!

House and umbrella not included

Real Canadian Superstore is great, as is the PC brand. I knew it would go on sale; just had to be patient. Regla price $349.99. Jason's price? $99.99!

Now then, just have to, you know, fix up the backyard

Sounds (And Tastes) Fishy

So I made fish tacos today. I've become somewhat fond of them, after years of saying "ewww...I don't think I would like those".

I also made all sorts of guacamole. Always love it when avocados are on sale.

Oh, also went to the walk-in doctor (which, by the way, I absolutely abhor due to the crazy wait time). Looks like I'll be taking steroids for a while (hydrocortisone, that is)

I Think I Want A Nissan Cube

Iced Cube

It'll fit the Great Dane!

Dammit Henna

You are killing my arm here.

Not only did I get a fake tattoo, apparently I am also getting the fake regret about a fake tattoo, except the regret ain't fake

So What Did I Learn Today?

I'm allergic to henna (I think). I haven't broken out in a rash like this since, well...ever.

Maybe my skin is too delicate. Either way, crap, there goes my plans of getting temporarily tattooed up

Bearkilled

So we went camping this past weekend at Killbear, and it was a fun time. The traffic was horrible going to Barrie ("I'm never getting a cottage, even if I could afford one" thoughts circulated in my mind), but then afterwards it cleared up nicely.

Camping with Alex, Kirk and kids was fun (especially since Kirk, who is a chef by trade, cooked us some great food on Saturday night). Camping with the other workmates who I didn't know was going to be there? Maybe not so great. In fact, had I known they would've been there? Most likely I wouldn't have went.

Coming home today we went to Ruthie, Kevin and the kids place (baby overload!). Had goose sausage (maybe if it was prepared better I would've enjoyed it; Kevin even feared he used the wrong spices). Oh, he also brought out his gun he uses for hunting and then we (Sharon included) shot it. And then I realized why guns are so dang violent.

Busy week again this week, then in less than two we'll be in Italy! Crazy!

Why Does Camping Have To Be So Stressful?

So you go camping to "get away from it all" and to "be one with nature". So then, I wonder, why does it have to be so stressful before and after the trip?

I'm talking about packing the car, hoping you don't forget anything, and then when you return you have to clean everything, etc. I didn't even mention the actual drive up there.

One of these days I'm going to have to do some sort of cost/benefit analysis of this whole thing. Then again, it may have something to do with the fact that Sharon isn't home and I have to do most of this all by myself. Yargh

Penny For My Thoughts

Thoughts being not saying "Dammit!"

So Second Cup is having a sale on their smoothies for $1.56. I went for break and got one (oh, and the calories in it is horrendous...looks like my cheap side is winning again). I ran into Kira and told her about it; she said she was going to get one. I gave her a penny so she doesn't get a handful of pennies for change.

Rewind back to the morning: I forgot my wallet at home. What the heck is happening to me? I used to be not a forgetful person. Luckily I had a petty cash slip at work, so my pocket was populated with $45.00.

Fast forward to the evening: stopped by the grocery store to buy a few things. Total came to $4.69. Sure enough, I had $5.68 in my pocket. Crapping fargus! So I got stuck with $0.99 in my pocket.

Of course.

* * *

Is this what it's like being a bachelor and living by myself? Sharon left for Montreal, so now I have cook for myself. Not only that, I have to do a bunch of chores (cutting grass, trimming bushes, washing car, etc.) and other stuff to get ready for camping 2009 at Killbear PP this weekend. On top of that, I'm still kind of tired and continue to go to the gym (I have to though, considering I've been eating like a chump this past week).

I miss my wife, if only for the fact I'm kind of wanting to be lazy. Oh right, and also because I love her.

On the bright side, I made some great tacos for lunch tomorrow. Besides the fact I don't have a choice (although I do: "Mom! I'm coming for dinner!" Oh yeah, I actually did go there for dinner today, but that's because she asked me to come to help her carry a TV. Really! Oh right, back to the point...), I tend to cook foods I wouldn't normally cook when Sharon is here. Hopefully she doesn't realize this and makes me cook more (writing this where she could read it doesn't really help). Man, I got a good thing going here while she's home

It Was The Size Of An Onion Ring

Nothing like descriptive words from Laurie to explain what happens to a woman's body (and her, ummm...stinky parts) during childbirth. What could top that? A hand-drawn picture.

Thank goodness she's not going to show me the videotape (yup, there was a videotape)

"If You Know What I Mean"

So Miami with the boys was fun. I enjoy the time with them homos. Nothing too raunchy, just pure scorching out in the sun, eating too much junk food, and just general lazying around. Oh, and I got a tattoo.

Fake, sure, but still.

And we have threatened Jepot that if he puts the pics up on FB, then goshdangit...

Vakay With The Homos

Goin' with the boys to Miami...I wonder if the trip would be better had I been single. And a manwhore.

As if I would even, you know, talk to a girl...dang I suck!

"What Arvin Wanted To Be When He Grew Up?"

"Architect?"

"A teacher?"

"Gay?"

So we had a couple's night dinner/board game Taboo-a-thon at Arfeli's place last night. Good times. Team Sharson won against Arfeli and Beevy, but then the boys team couldn't beat the girls team. I would like to think it's because one certain member from the boys team (starts with "A" ends with "rvin") was freaking out while he tried to say his clues. You'd think he was at a border crossing or something.

But regardless, it was fun and lead to this awesome display of Taboo-ness from Arfeli:

Nefeli: you use this to cut hair (not real question, but a similar question to it)

Arvin: I don't know

(silence)

* * *

Miami! Have a feeling I'm gonna be exhausted tomorrow

Almost There...

...where? Miami! I'm hoping to go all Horatio Caine when I get there. Right.

Was just thinking...perhaps we have to actually, you know, plan some things to do there. Glad I'm not the best man!

Young Nervous Drivers of BC/Ontario

So BJ and Ives passed by today, and we had the bright idea of teaching BJ how to drive (as Ivy has a standard back home in BC that BJ, well...doesn't drive). Seeing a good time as any, it was a great time for Sharon to learn too.

And the best part? Seeing as how both of them get super nervous when driving, it was doubly awesome when Sharon was learning and...a police officer came to us (we were in the parking lot of a high school). He wanted to see what was happening; and ended up laughing and letting us go. Sharon? Maybe not so much.

You learn best when under pressure, no?

* * *

Apparently I think I'm on vacation mode already. I've been eating all sorts of crap the last few days...better smarten up before Thursday and em-eye-aaaaa comes a knockin'

Someone Build An Ark

So the pool was a bit of a failure. Figured before the neighbours start calling the West Nile Virus team out on me (ironic!), I should empty it.

And empty it I did.

It was like a flood (granted I didn't do the "slow and steady" approach; more like the "horny teenager about to git some" approach)! Either my grass and my neighbours is going to die, or grow like crazy

* * *

Had a great date with wifey this morning: watched Transformers (it was okay) and ate at Souvlaki Hut (it was awesome). It would be awesome if she was a morning person everyday

Frid...eh

Glad it's here. Been so tired lately.

I'll be in Miami on Thursday though...can't wait!

Lechonfest 2009

I would like to think it was a success. Peeps said it was fun and there's still a lot of clean-up left to do (a sign of a good party?).

Some thoughts:

-having BJ slow-turn the pig(s!) for about 5 hours straight really helped. The fact he has the worst farmer's tan ever? Bonus! (Jerk!). I still can't believe that the fire pit actually worked

-disappointed in my limp pool. Sucks...I think I'll be giving it to the Solski's, who have more room for it. Who knew it was so big?

-speaking of the pool, I hope I didn't cause an incident when one of my workmates' kid fell in it. She was close to drowning, but I think it left my workmate pretty shaken

-speaking of workmates, it was nice to have them over at once. Does this mean I never have to invite them over again now that they finally saw our place?

-speaking of their kids, it was like a kid explosion. Chloe, Elizabeth, Victoria, Kush, Leon, Maya, Sheky and of course my baby Trinity were all here. Trinity was really, really sad at first. Why? She said to me, "because you didn't give me a hug hello". Well, then. But it was crazy with all the kids and funny too seeing the reactions of some of my friends who didn't have kids. And no, we're not about to have any kids anytime soon

-leftovers galore. Luckily I have Filipino friends and even more lucky they could give it to their parents to make paksew

-finally, the weather held out. Thank God for that. I hope it wasn't a "balance it out" kind of deal, though, where because I had such good luck here (and I had been fretting about the weather for a week, hoping it would be good) that I'm going to have some bad luck in the near future (food poisoning?)