I ended up sleeping with my iPod on. I slept with the earbuds in my ears. Surprisingly I did manage to fall asleep towards the end of the Snow Patrol album. At some point during the night I woke up listening to some Damien Rice. Since it was only 3:30AM, I went back to sleep. Since the winds had died down at that point, I took the earbuds out.
What is this world coming to? In the past 24 hours, there have been reports of some child deaths or abandonment. The saddest was the case of two little girls in a First Nations community in Saskatchewan. It's huge tragedy for a small community.
Next there is the case of an 8-month old left in a cold stairwell of a shopping plaza near Toronto. From the description given of the child, the poor thing might have been beaten and left to die in the cold. Thankfully, some passersby heard her cries and got help.
There was also the case of 2 kids left in the car seats for over an hour in Calgary. The region is currently suffering from severe cold and windchill. The mother came back to the vehicle after having taken a 3rd child to the doctors. I mean, WTF? Why did she leave the other 2 kids in the car, unattended, in extremely cold weather?
I don't think it's unusual to hear about stuff like this during the winter months. What I find unusual is how many stories just popped up in such a short time span. The weather across the country in recent days has been pretty bad. An ice storm has knocked power out to half of PEI. The weather front that swept through this region brought high winds and plummeting temperatures. We're expecting almost a foot of snow tomorrow. :-p
Is Spring here yet?
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
It's 4:53AM
I think I have a few hangups and anxieties I need to address at some point. One of these is that I have as of late developed a dislike for very windy weather. I have no idea where the anxiety over this kind of weather developed. It's never really bothered me much before. Take yesterday for example. Almost as soon as I have found out that the weather today will involved wind gusts of up to 80 kph, I started to feel anxious. Of course this feeling of anxiety does not help my blood pressure. I had to consciously breathe deeply to try to calm my racing heart. I did a quick check of my BP yesterday before I took a very short nap before going to my cardio workout. I was sitting around 126/80. Not terribly high.
Anyway...
Recently, there's been some drama in the area. One of the guys I know at work who lives in the neighborhood with his wife attempted to take his own life by downing a handful of pills. Now, there's a bit more to this than a suicide attempt. Apparently, things have been building up in recent months (maybe in the past year even). I know that hes been hinting at divorce for a while. Why he hadn't gone through with it, I don't know. I think there are also some factors involved in this whole episode that might have led to this as well. Bottom line, things just came to a head and got ugly late Friday night/early Saturday morning.
Apparently, there had been times when he got pretty violent and punched holes in the walls of the apartment. He even broke an ironing board in half and used a piece of the metal to try to hurt himself. More recently, he killed their pet turtle and said something to his wife to the effect that she was next.
So after he took the pills, his wife called 911. He was taken to the hospital. I think the police stayed with her for a while. The police car was still in front of their building when I went to my cardio class Saturday morning. I spoke to a friend who's friends with the wife and had been in touch with her. The wife will be staying with friends. A restraining order has been issued against the husband. When the husband is discharged from the hospital, he will be charged with domestic assault.
So why am I writing all this? I just want to get it off my chest I guess. I don't think anyone from work knows I have this blog. If they did, they'd think I was a major head case for some of the things I've babbled on about. I guess another reason I wanted to write this is to also point out the fact that the husband is not a big brute. On the contrary. He's about my height and size. He's not a big guy at all. Some might even consider him slight. I guess this is to dis-spell any image that violent men tend to be these big, ugly ape of a man.
A factor that I think is involved in all this is the fact that the husband's family never took to his wife. He's of Ukrainian descent. She's Mexican. His late father mistreated her one time by grabbing both her arms and shaking her. He left bruises on her arms. The husband does not show any backbone. Why didn't he defend his wife? Since his father's death last year, I think his mother may have been harping on him still about his wife. I believe that this is part of what's been building up.
Anyway, it does leave me with some questions as to why he did what he did to end up in this situation...
I think I'll go shower now and get an early start to the day.
It's now 5:13AM.
Anyway...
Recently, there's been some drama in the area. One of the guys I know at work who lives in the neighborhood with his wife attempted to take his own life by downing a handful of pills. Now, there's a bit more to this than a suicide attempt. Apparently, things have been building up in recent months (maybe in the past year even). I know that hes been hinting at divorce for a while. Why he hadn't gone through with it, I don't know. I think there are also some factors involved in this whole episode that might have led to this as well. Bottom line, things just came to a head and got ugly late Friday night/early Saturday morning.
Apparently, there had been times when he got pretty violent and punched holes in the walls of the apartment. He even broke an ironing board in half and used a piece of the metal to try to hurt himself. More recently, he killed their pet turtle and said something to his wife to the effect that she was next.
So after he took the pills, his wife called 911. He was taken to the hospital. I think the police stayed with her for a while. The police car was still in front of their building when I went to my cardio class Saturday morning. I spoke to a friend who's friends with the wife and had been in touch with her. The wife will be staying with friends. A restraining order has been issued against the husband. When the husband is discharged from the hospital, he will be charged with domestic assault.
So why am I writing all this? I just want to get it off my chest I guess. I don't think anyone from work knows I have this blog. If they did, they'd think I was a major head case for some of the things I've babbled on about. I guess another reason I wanted to write this is to also point out the fact that the husband is not a big brute. On the contrary. He's about my height and size. He's not a big guy at all. Some might even consider him slight. I guess this is to dis-spell any image that violent men tend to be these big, ugly ape of a man.
A factor that I think is involved in all this is the fact that the husband's family never took to his wife. He's of Ukrainian descent. She's Mexican. His late father mistreated her one time by grabbing both her arms and shaking her. He left bruises on her arms. The husband does not show any backbone. Why didn't he defend his wife? Since his father's death last year, I think his mother may have been harping on him still about his wife. I believe that this is part of what's been building up.
Anyway, it does leave me with some questions as to why he did what he did to end up in this situation...
I think I'll go shower now and get an early start to the day.
It's now 5:13AM.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Vancouver Blog Wars
Now, some of you know I frequent Matthew Good's website. As a result, you get to know about certain people of that world and that community. One of these people is Duane Storey. He's a rather unassuming fellow, but I find him interesting nonetheless. Interesting enough that I check out his blog from time to time. For a bit more explanation about the Blog Wars, kindly head over to his site (link over on the right there).
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Thursday
Yeah, so I was feeling a bit down last night. I find that I've been getting this way everyone once in a while. It never lasts for more than a day or so. I suspect that I tend to get this way when I start to think about certain things. There's no real logic behind it all. Anyway...
Monday evening, it looks like I've finally sold my condo. It was rather interesting in how it all transpired. Let's see if I can summarize this simply.
Tuesday, I was a bit tired. I was probably still a bit excited over the fact that my place finally sold. In any case, having a cat that wakes you up around 4:45AM does not help either. I will have to either start going to be earlier or try to sleep in more on weekends to catch up. Either way, I think the cloudy days do not help matters much either.
Yesterday was a bit better until I started to feel down in the evening. I had made a crockpot full of chili last night. It was quite tasty. I could have given it a bit more kick if I had remembered to get a small tin of jalapeno peppers. No matter. It was fine the way it was. So now I have lunch and dinner for the next couple of days.
Something that has been getting to me is the fact that I have started to spend a bit more time on Second Life. One thing that I keep reminding myself is to not to let something like SL take over all of my spare time. There are still things that I would like to get done. I have to constantly remind myself that I need to do this or that. So far it hasn't gotten to the point of total addiction or obsession. At least not yet. I hope someone out there who knows me can occasionally keep an eye out. :)
The weekend is quickly approaching. Chinese new year is coming up soon. I'm contemplating making something, but I would definitely need to plan it out a bit. Maybe I'll go to the Hash this Sunday. I haven't gone since the one before New Year's. We'll see.
Monday evening, it looks like I've finally sold my condo. It was rather interesting in how it all transpired. Let's see if I can summarize this simply.
- Visit by prospective buyer A last Wednesday.
- Offer made by buyer A on Friday but with condition of 2nd visit with father.
- Delay in answering offer until after 2nd visit scheduled for Sunday.
- Counter-offer made Sunday soon after 2nd visit.
- Delay in answering counter-offer until buyer A discussed it with parents.
- Counter to counter-offer made Monday mid-day. Will wait until after work to accept counter.
- Hour or so later, call from agent that there is another client interested in property. Very motivied.
- Visit by buyer B. Does the usual tour. Talks with agent. Discussed with wife.
- Offer made by buyer B for more than the counter-offer from buyer A.
- Offer by buyer B accepted. Mortgage approval pending.
Tuesday, I was a bit tired. I was probably still a bit excited over the fact that my place finally sold. In any case, having a cat that wakes you up around 4:45AM does not help either. I will have to either start going to be earlier or try to sleep in more on weekends to catch up. Either way, I think the cloudy days do not help matters much either.
Yesterday was a bit better until I started to feel down in the evening. I had made a crockpot full of chili last night. It was quite tasty. I could have given it a bit more kick if I had remembered to get a small tin of jalapeno peppers. No matter. It was fine the way it was. So now I have lunch and dinner for the next couple of days.
Something that has been getting to me is the fact that I have started to spend a bit more time on Second Life. One thing that I keep reminding myself is to not to let something like SL take over all of my spare time. There are still things that I would like to get done. I have to constantly remind myself that I need to do this or that. So far it hasn't gotten to the point of total addiction or obsession. At least not yet. I hope someone out there who knows me can occasionally keep an eye out. :)
The weekend is quickly approaching. Chinese new year is coming up soon. I'm contemplating making something, but I would definitely need to plan it out a bit. Maybe I'll go to the Hash this Sunday. I haven't gone since the one before New Year's. We'll see.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Some days...
I just feel a bit bummed out. For whatever reason I find myself in a bit of a funk. I guess i'll just head off to bed and sleep it off.
Oooooh! That's purdy!
This is purdy. I'd like one. But I've already got a regular iPod and an iPod nano. Oh well.
Sibel Edwards
Copied from matthewgood.org:
Click here to watch the documentary “Kill The Messenger” about the Sibel Edmonds affair. I highly recommend that you find some time today, or over the next few days, to watch this crucial film. The information provided in it is extremely important, so if you have a blog, or an email list that you use to send group emails to friends, please help spread the link.
More on the documentary here.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Saturday
Well, I was presented with an offer by the client who visited Wednesday evening. However, she wants a second visit with her Dad. My agent, wanting to avoid the same scenario as last weekend (and I don't blame her), suggested that we respond to the offer only after they've had their 2nd visit. So the girl will be visiting again Sunday afternoon with her Dad. I hope it turns out well.
Meanwhile, I started up the outdoor cardio workouts again. Tuesday was the first class. It wasn't too bad. However, a day or two later I started to feel it in my abs. I guess I just haven't been doing any crunches in a while. :-p But all in all it was a good workout.
Wednesday, before the visit that evening, I went for a massage. This was the first time that I have ever had a massage. The clinic that I go to for my annual physical and now my physiotherapy for my elbow has a massage-therapist. I figure, why not? So I made the appointment last week. It wasn't bad at all. I knew there'd be some knots in my back. She found them and really worked on them. Ouch! She warned me that I might feel a little sore the next day or two. I think I might go back for another session in a few weeks.
Today, I didn't do too much. I went to the morning cardio class. It was a good workout. It also showed how out of shape I was after just 2.5 months of not working out. I think my heart rate was hitting 170. I tried to pace myself, that's for sure. I think I was starting to lose some steam towards the end. It felt good though.
On the way home from cardio, I stopped by Future Shop to check out some CDs. I was looking for something in particular, but I really should have known better than to expect FS to carry it. In any case, they had some CDs that were marked 3 fo $25. I found 3 that looked interesting and got those. Afterwards, I went over to Bureau en Gros to get calendar refills for my Dayrunner. Yes. I know. It's almost the end of the month. :-p
Anyway, I'm going to make some miso soup with udon noodles tonight. :-)
Meanwhile, I started up the outdoor cardio workouts again. Tuesday was the first class. It wasn't too bad. However, a day or two later I started to feel it in my abs. I guess I just haven't been doing any crunches in a while. :-p But all in all it was a good workout.
Wednesday, before the visit that evening, I went for a massage. This was the first time that I have ever had a massage. The clinic that I go to for my annual physical and now my physiotherapy for my elbow has a massage-therapist. I figure, why not? So I made the appointment last week. It wasn't bad at all. I knew there'd be some knots in my back. She found them and really worked on them. Ouch! She warned me that I might feel a little sore the next day or two. I think I might go back for another session in a few weeks.
Today, I didn't do too much. I went to the morning cardio class. It was a good workout. It also showed how out of shape I was after just 2.5 months of not working out. I think my heart rate was hitting 170. I tried to pace myself, that's for sure. I think I was starting to lose some steam towards the end. It felt good though.
On the way home from cardio, I stopped by Future Shop to check out some CDs. I was looking for something in particular, but I really should have known better than to expect FS to carry it. In any case, they had some CDs that were marked 3 fo $25. I found 3 that looked interesting and got those. Afterwards, I went over to Bureau en Gros to get calendar refills for my Dayrunner. Yes. I know. It's almost the end of the month. :-p
Anyway, I'm going to make some miso soup with udon noodles tonight. :-)
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Catch up
Okay. This will be my Clif Notes version of the week that was.
Saturday-Sunday: Had a total of 4 visits to the place.
Monday: Quiet
Tuesday: Visit scheduled but client was late.
Wednesday: One visit
Thursday: One Visit
Friday: Offer made by woman who visited Saturday. Counter-offer was made and sent to agent next morning.
Saturday: One visit. The agent tried to get some info out of me about the offer. My counter-offer was countered.
Sunday: Counter to the counter was made and delivered. Buyer requested another visit. After visit, the counter was refused. Why? Because she didn't think her bedroom set would fit. O.o
When she came over to look at the place again she seemed to be fixated on her bedroom set and whether it would fit in either the smaller bedroom or the mezzanine. She had a female relative with her who kept giving her alternatives to doing things. In the end, when my agent called her agent to find out what was happening, she decided not to buy because she didn't think her bedroom set would fit. My agent said that she was not a serious buyer and that she wasted our time with all the negotiations. In her 20 plus years in the real estate business she's never seen this happen.
In any case, I had a visit Tuesday evening and last night. I have another one this evening. The couple from last night seem very interested and might make an appt to come over the weekend with her Dad. I remember they were talking about the possibility of putting up a wall on the mezzanine to make a more closed off bedroom area. Anyway, we'll see!
I have another visit tonight...
Saturday-Sunday: Had a total of 4 visits to the place.
Monday: Quiet
Tuesday: Visit scheduled but client was late.
Wednesday: One visit
Thursday: One Visit
Friday: Offer made by woman who visited Saturday. Counter-offer was made and sent to agent next morning.
Saturday: One visit. The agent tried to get some info out of me about the offer. My counter-offer was countered.
Sunday: Counter to the counter was made and delivered. Buyer requested another visit. After visit, the counter was refused. Why? Because she didn't think her bedroom set would fit. O.o
When she came over to look at the place again she seemed to be fixated on her bedroom set and whether it would fit in either the smaller bedroom or the mezzanine. She had a female relative with her who kept giving her alternatives to doing things. In the end, when my agent called her agent to find out what was happening, she decided not to buy because she didn't think her bedroom set would fit. My agent said that she was not a serious buyer and that she wasted our time with all the negotiations. In her 20 plus years in the real estate business she's never seen this happen.
In any case, I had a visit Tuesday evening and last night. I have another one this evening. The couple from last night seem very interested and might make an appt to come over the weekend with her Dad. I remember they were talking about the possibility of putting up a wall on the mezzanine to make a more closed off bedroom area. Anyway, we'll see!
I have another visit tonight...
Friday, January 11, 2008
Friday, January 04, 2008
Resolutions Redux
I suck at keeping resolutions. :-p
I finally pulled myself away from the glowing monitor at about 11PM last night. I was having a pleasant conversation with someone from the matthewgood.org community. Ultimately, I really did not get too much of anything else done. *sigh*
Let's see if I can get it right tonight this time. :p
I finally pulled myself away from the glowing monitor at about 11PM last night. I was having a pleasant conversation with someone from the matthewgood.org community. Ultimately, I really did not get too much of anything else done. *sigh*
Let's see if I can get it right tonight this time. :p
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Resolutions (con't)
3) I resolve to complete my O'Reilly Online courses. I managed to complete 1 of 4 courses. I am about 78% done with 2nd one. I haven't quite figured out why kinda let it slide. :p
In general, I think I suck at keeping resolutions. Last night, instead of getting away from this damn computer at 8, I stayed on until a bit after 10. Well, okay, so I was busy uploading some holiday pics to Flickr. Still...
:-p
And, it's just friggin' COLD out there today!!!
In general, I think I suck at keeping resolutions. Last night, instead of getting away from this damn computer at 8, I stayed on until a bit after 10. Well, okay, so I was busy uploading some holiday pics to Flickr. Still...
:-p
And, it's just friggin' COLD out there today!!!
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Resolutions
Since some people I know have decided to publish their resolutions for this year, I've given it some further thought as to what resolutions I should make myself. Normally, I don't make resolutions. This time around, I think I need to in order to get some things under control in my life.
1) I will resolve to limit my time in front of the computer at home in the evenings. As I am not planning on taking a course this winter term, there's no real productive need to sit in front of this damn thing from the time I get home until it's time for bed. Yes, folks. This is the sad life I lead some days. Therefore, I have decided that unless I do have something I need to do, I will limit my internet social time to 8PM.
2) I will resolve to read more. I have a number of books I have picked up in the past year and have not gotten around to reading. There are a couple that I have started and have not finished. I used to love to read and I feel that I should get back into reading more. I have a number of books both fiction and non-fiction just waiting to have their spines cracked open.
-- To be continued if I can think of any other resolutions I feel I should make...
1) I will resolve to limit my time in front of the computer at home in the evenings. As I am not planning on taking a course this winter term, there's no real productive need to sit in front of this damn thing from the time I get home until it's time for bed. Yes, folks. This is the sad life I lead some days. Therefore, I have decided that unless I do have something I need to do, I will limit my internet social time to 8PM.
2) I will resolve to read more. I have a number of books I have picked up in the past year and have not gotten around to reading. There are a couple that I have started and have not finished. I used to love to read and I feel that I should get back into reading more. I have a number of books both fiction and non-fiction just waiting to have their spines cracked open.
-- To be continued if I can think of any other resolutions I feel I should make...
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
New Year's Day
Well, after being awoken by a certain feline at 5AM demanding to be fed, I went back to bed and didn't get up again until about 11AM. Ooof! Boy! Did I sleep in this time! I think I might have slept too much. I still feel a bit tired. :p
Another year has come and gone. Now is the start of another year. Some people take this as an opportunity to start fresh. To start anew. At times I just see it as another date on the calendar. I guess New Year's Day is more symbolic than anything.
Today I woke up to the sight of more falling snow. The expected accumulation this time around will be 15-20 cm. Oh yay. Yesterday, I had thought about maybe going to a movie, but I really don't know if I'd want to drive through this. It's not that the theatre is that far, but I'm probably just being a bit lazy about it. That and the fact that I don't like the idea of going to a movie alone. It's rather depressing.
Last night I made this yummy udon noodle stir-fry. It's the first time I used fresh udon noodles for such a dish. I had a few things in the fridge to use in the dish as well as the greens I picked up when I bought the noodles. Yummy. This will be added to my repertoire of dishes.
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