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Check out the places I've visited - idea stolen from Lisa's blog...



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Four for Four

At the beginning of round one I said the Canucks would win in 6. I then went on to offer my predictions for each game: and so far I've been right each time. And no, I'm not typing this after the fact, I do have witnesses to my predictions.

So, I had a feeling the Nucks would win the first, loose the second, and take both games 3 and 4 in the Big D. But this is where I hope I'm wrong: Canucks are going to loose tomorrow evening, and wrap up the series on Saturday night, back in Dallas.

Obviously I hope I'm wrong because, like every other Canucks fan, I want Vancouver to win tomorrow, taking the series on home ice. Of course the Canucks never do anything the easy way, do they.

A Good Mix of Business and Laziness

Well, this weekend was a lot less hectic, and very enjoyable. I was exhausted after work on Friday and was quite content to stay in with Colin and watch the game at home.

I tried my best to sleep in Saturday morning, but Wellington would have none of that. I did some housework and read a lot of my book: The Birth House by Ami McKay. I absolutely love this novel, and I highly recommend it. It reminds me of Fall On Your Knees by Anne Marie MacDonald, another wonderful read.

Saturday evening Colin and I went over to Lisa and Andrew's for Die's good-bye party. Sad thing was we were the last to leave, and were home by 11:30 PM!. I think everyone had a long, exhausting week, and Friday night and Saturday day weren't enough to recover.

Today Colin and I went to the Superstore. I don't think I've ever seen it so busy. It was somewhat stressful trying to get around. Navigating my cart was a real challenge.

Afterwards we went to Ken's (Chris and Lica's son) second birthday party. It's hard going to a two year old's birthday when you are virtually the only guests with no offspring. We stuck around for a bit, and caught up with Dave Stroud and Dustin, the only other kidless guests.

Andrew and Jen came over for dinner and to watch the hockey game. That game was a great finish to the weekend.

A Busy, Busy Weekend...

And it isn't quite over yet. But I am wondering how much can really happen over the next 10 hours, or so.

As of Thursday, at 4:30 PM, my weekend looked like this: Spend Friday hanging out with Chantal; Saturday night with Colin; Easter dinner at my Parents'; Monday night hanging out with Colin...

This is what my weekend turned into: Thalia called me after work on Thursday, so we went out for dinner and rented a movie.

I had a relatively lazy Friday morning, and then spent the afternoon with Chantal. My Friday night was quiet.

Saturday day I ended up on the set of Schism, my brother's movie he's shooting for his final project for his film program at BCIT. It was quite a fun and interesting experience. Saturday night Colin and I hung out, had some dinner, and watched Sideways, for the third time. I love that movie.

Gavin called us Saturday night, inviting us over for Easter Brunch. So Sunday morning we headed over to Jess and Gavin's. enjoyed a tasty Easter breakfast, an Easter egg, then grabbed the basketball and the dog, and walked down to Kits Beach. Unfortunately there no hoops up, so we just sat around, chatted, and enjoyed the Spring view. After that Colin and I rushed home, caught the end of the Canucks game - it was strange watching a game that really had no bearing on anything -, fixed ourselves up, and headed over to my parents for Easter dinner.

This morning I rolled out of bed at 8am to be back on set. I am acting as a stand in today... And that's what I'm doing currently...

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When Life is Putting Me Down... I need to get the hell out of Downtown...

Here I am again with not that much to say. Work has been very busy, very insane; but the good kind of busy and insane that you get a rush from. Other than that, life has generally been quiet.
On Tuesday I went out to dinner with my ex-manager. One of the [very] few good things about PB. Last night Thalia and I went to Kerrisdale for a sushi dinner and then rented Stranger Than Fiction. An enjoyable flick; I recommend it.

Today truly was a good Friday: I had a lazy morning. I woke up several times between 6:30 and 9:30. By 9:30 I realized I wasn't going back to sleep so I lay in bed reading - I finished Shopaholic Ties the Knot. Now I have only three books on the go: Children of Men; The Birth House; and Enemy Women.

I headed downtown around 1PM for lunch, and a mani/pedi with Chantal. We enjoyed one of the first gorgeous days of the year by walking around Yaletown and along the waterfront. I felt a little out of sorts among all the trendy, beautiful people, and was happy to return to the other side of False Creek... whatever that means...

When I got home I was feeling somewhat agitated. And when I feel agitated, I clean. I decided to do the laundry, including washing the duvet and pillow shams; put away clean laundry; do the dishes; and clean the bathroom, including scrubbing the tile grout with bleach and a toothbrush... man I was in a pissy mood...

Hmm...

Well, after a week off for Spring Break it was back to work Monday. To be honest, I have been feeling disoriented this week: I had just got back into work mode, and then came a week holiday. Now, I am not complaining about my week off, but I was just getting into the swing of things, and now I feel like I'm back to square one, and on top of that, I've been super tired this week, so I'm glad tomorrow is Friday.

I finally met my newborn niece - well she's actually nine weeks old now, but is very adorable. And I hadn't seen my nephew since Christmas - I can't believe how much he's changed. He can carry on with a conversation, and was talking a mile a minute last night.

I have found a new addiction: facebook. I keep thinking that it's starting to get old, then I unearth someone (or someone finds me) whom I haven't seen/talked to in ages. And I quite accidentally stumbled across a group for my Polynesian dance group... which is where I am heading now.

Aloha.
Why life is good: Canucks clinched a playoff spot; it hasn't rained in a couple of days; tomorrow is Friday.

The Vancouver Canucks

Throughout the season I have written snippets here and there regarding the Canucks, but I haven't offered an overall opinion on this season, and since it's almost over, it's probably about time.

First, my rant: If there is one thing I cannot stand it's a Canucks fan (myself excluded, of course), let me explain. We must be the whinniest, pessimistic, negative bunch of fans in the entire league. Why do I say that? Well, for starters, the Canucks are the winningest team (in the NHL) since Christmas; Bobby Lou set a new Canuck record, and currently holds the most Goalie wins this season; we are currently first in our division, third in the Western Conference, and fifth overall - winning the President's Trophy could actually happen; yet the fans (and the media, who are worse than the fans) complain. For example, Naslund hasn't been scoring. Who really gives a (rhymes with Canuck) if Naslund hasn't been scoring, everyone else has.

At the beginning of the season we Canucks fans were treading into unfamiliar territory, with half the team dispended and new faces in line-up. We hoped, on an outside chance, we would make the playoffs... short of winning the Stanley Cup I don't think we could have asked for a better season. And I still can't believe we actually have an all-star goalie...

So, it's time (dare I say) to dust off the car flags; mine have some rust or something nasty on them - they have been sitting in the trunk of my car since April 2004...

So quit yer whinning and complaning and get ready for some post-season partying...

Say goodbye to the boo-birds and hello to the Lou-birds...

Spring Break

Now this is something I can get used, Spring Break in the working world. However, I am finding it very hard to just kick back and relax today. I feel guilty, like I'm playing hooky. But, that's not the case. The school is closed, and I have a week off, paid.

I have some things I need to do around the house, so I will try to use my Spring Break to do a Spring Clean. I just picked a copy (book) of How Clean is Your House... I now have Kim and Aggie in my house 24-7, inspiring me to use their tricks for a good, deep clean.

But, I plan to relax too: Sleep in. Watch some daytime TV (not soaps). Go on a much needed, and longed shopping spree.

I didn't really do too much for St. Paddy's Day. Actually, that's not true, I just didn't do a lot of Irish stuff, except wear green (even though the national colour of Ireland is blue, and my in-laws are Orangemen)... March 17th is also Delta Phi Epsilon's Founders' Day.

This year we celebrated 90 years of sisterhood. Every year the Vancouver alumnae association gets together and celebrates with a Founders' Day tea - this year at the Wedgewood. It was scrumptious.

Later that evening Colin and I went to his parents to watch the Canucks shellac the Red Wings, and after went over to the cinema at Richmond Centre to see Premonition; all in all it was a pretty good flick.

Dated

Today, for the first time in my life, I felt dated, even old. This was all thanks to a coversation about Flavor Flav. Let me explain.

After a good workout at Curves, I made the long trek across the street to my tanning salon... shit, just gave away my secret... anyways, while waiting for a bed I was chatting with the receptionist. She couldn't have been much older than 20. In the background, the salon's tv was tuned into The Flavor of Love... the receptionist said I could change the channel if I wanted too. I said I didn't really mind one way or the other.

She then asked me wasn't Flavor Flav in some group a long time ago, and what's up with the clock? Bam! It's like time stood still. For the first time I realized the pop culture I grew up with was becoming unfamiliar territory to those younger than me.

Once I was over the split second shock, I explained to her that Flavor Flav was a part of Public Enemy - again another blank look. And the clock, well that was his thing. Lots of guys, even some girls wore huge, chunky things around their neck backs then. Again, a blank stare.

I don't usually feel old, or mature for that matter, even as I stare down the barrel of the gun to 29. And I live by the age old adage, you are only as old as you feel. But sometimes there are strange reminders out there that you aren't as young as you used to be, no matter how young you look or feel.

WTF?

Why? Why? Why? Why did I wake up this morning to find Vancouver covered in snow? Haven't we been punished enough already with this relentless winter? It's March, time for Spring.

The only positive thing about today's snowfall: my commute was less than ten minutes - it usually takes twenty. I guess all the UBC students decided to stay home today, leaving SW Marine [mostly] to myself.

Back to the Grind

Well after a couple of months off I'm back to work, and back at Crofton. When I graduated 10 years ago, I never really thought I'd go back, especially in a work capacity. But now I find myself working in the Advancement Office as the Events Coordinator, Young Alumnae Relations Officer and Administrative Assistant. Yes, that is my title, believe it or not.

It certainly is interesting returning to CHS, but enough has changed that it doesn't feel too weird. And I don't know if it's because my work situation at Planet Bingo was so horrendous, but working at Crofton is a dream. Granted it's only been two days, but I don't feel like I'm at work. I don't really look at the clock. And everyone is so friendly and welcoming. And I'm having fun.

I hope I have hit the nail on the head with this one.

He's Ba-ack...

...Brent Sopel is once again a Canuck. And Smolinski is along for the ride too...

Every Man's Dream... Swedish Twins

Another one of those "About Me" thingamajiggers

1. FIRST NAME? Siobhan
2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? My dad's cousin
3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? Don't remember, but I know it was recently
4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Yes
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Turkey
6. KIDS? Not yet
7. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Of course
8. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? Yes
9. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Is the Pope Catholic?
10. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes
11. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Maybe
12. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Coco Crispies
13. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Only if I have too
14. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Yes
15. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Casa Gelato's Chocolate Coconut
16. SHOE SIZE? 9
17. RED OR PINK? Blue
18. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? Over-analytical
19. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? Mack
20. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? only if they want too
21. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES YOU ARE WEARING? Black pants, no shoes
22. LAST THING YOU ATE? Pizza
23. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Colin talking to his WOW nerd crew
24. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Pacific Blue
25. FAVORITE SMELL? Suntan lotion/Coconut
26. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Chantal
27. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? Eyes
28. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? I procured this from Lisa's blog... I do like her...
29. FAVORITE DRINK? Caesar
30. FAVORITE SPORT? to watch hockey; to take part in, swimming
31. HAIR COLOR ? Blonde
32. EYE COLOR? Hazel
33. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Yes
34. FAVORITE FOOD? Strawberries, fish and chocolate
35. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDING? Scary Movies
36. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Tora Tora Tora
37. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Lime green and white stripe
38. SUMMER OR winter? Summer
39. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs
40. FAVORITE DESSERT? Chocolate mousse

More about Me...
Age: 28
Country: Canada

Favourites...
Colour: Blue
Flower: Yellow rose
Time of Day: depends on the day
Season: Spring/Summer
Place: Hawaii
Person: Colin

This or That...
Sunshine or moonlight: Sunshine
Beach or forest: Beach
Dog or cat: both
Night in or night out: Night out
Eat in or take away: Eat in

Deeper...
Do you believe in God?: No
Do you feel something missing in your life?: no
Is love your dream?: que?
Does love even exist?: yes
Do you believe in sex before marriage?: yes
Would you wait until marriage for someone special?: No
Describe your ideal partner: Humourous, intelligent
Which song has your favourite lyrics?: Zooropa
If you had only one day left on earth, what's one thing you'd do?: Shit myself
What would your ideal first date be?: sailing...
When was your first kiss?: 1994

In the last week have you...
Met somebody new?: Yes
Prayed?: Sort of
Hugged someone other than a relative?: Yes
Kissed someone other than a relative?: no
Got drunk?: No
Travelled on a train?: No
Held someone's hand?: Yes
Had a nightmare?: Yes
Stayed up past 3am?: no
Lost anything?: my mind?
Finally...
Who would you like to meet?: my nemesis
Where would you like to visit?: New Zealand
What job would you love for a day?: Model
What language would you like to learn?: Polynesian
What gift would you like to receive?: shopping spree
Do you prefer to watch the clouds or stare at the stars?: both
Are we alone?: No

Spring is Springing...

As the last vestiges of a cold, wet, snowy winter seem to be behind us (hopefully), Vancouverites are coming out of hibernation.

I think everyone had the same idea Colin and I had: Today we went to Steveston to walk around; us and the rest of the city that is. It was packed. I don't think I've seen Steveston so busy at this time of year. But it was a mostly sunny, mild day. A good day to shed the winter layers and get some fresh air and exercise.

Hopefully winter is on it's way out and Spring is on the horizon...

Anything But Boring

Once upon a time, about a season ago, maybe even the beginning of this season, a Canucks vs. Wild game meant utter boredom. The Wild were always able to one up us, get those first important goals they needed, and then shut down and play the defensive trap. Yawn.

But times have changed, and so have the teams. Even though Wednesday's game was relatively low scoring (Vancouver with a 3-2 win in OT), it was still damned exciting to watch. Did you ever think that Canucks vs. Wild hockey could be edge of your seat hockey?

In many ways the roles have reversed: Vancouver now has a dynamic defense, tops in the league. And with Gaborik and Demitra, the Wild have a sharp shooting offense. But here's the difference, in my humble opinion: The Wild don't play a fancy-pants offense like the Canucks used too - no show boating here; and the Canucks don't hunker down and play the defensive trap - which means some great hockey between these two rivals.

Oscar: Part II

Since I have seen a handful of movies since my last Oscar entry, I'd thought I'd update you (and myself) on the Oscar nominated movies I've seen since (excluding best picture nominees):

• Blood Diamond (Actor in a leading role - Leonardo DiCaprio; Actor in a supporting role - Djimon Hounsou; Film Editing; Sound Editing; Sound Mixing)
• Jesus Camp (Documentary feature)

Valentine's Day

I have never been one for Valentine's day. Even when I was single, I could really care less about it.

Colin and I usually do something every year, but it's usually just a normal date. Go see a movie, or go out to dinner. I think tonight we'll be watching the hockey game. Hey, we both love the Canucks, and today is a day to celebrate your love...

I have spent the past nine Valentine's (including this year) with Colin. But there are two dates far more important than February 14th when it comes to celebrating our relationship - August 12th and August 1st.

As far as I'm concerned February 14th is just another day, and a good excuse to go on a date.

Double Header

I have now seen all the Oscar nominated (best picture) films. The other day Colin and I caught a matinee showing of Letters from Iwo Jima. I thoroughly enjoyed this film. It was interesting to see what happened on Iwo Jima from the Japanese point of view; plus, it's the companion piece to Flags of our Fathers, which we saw some time ago.

Later that evening I went out with Lisa, Andrew and Die to see Babel - another good film.

It's really hard to choose one to best pic since they are all great films, and all very different. But if I had to pick, either Little Miss Sunshine, or the Departed... But Paul Haggis and Clint Eastwood seem to be on a role with Oscar, so maybe it will be Letters from Iwo Jima.

After seeing the latter film, I thought it would be a good idea to rent Tora Tora Tora. So after a sleepy, cum heart attack hockey game (Vancouver vs. Atlanta), and late-nite all you can eat sushi, Colin and I headed to Rogers to rent Tora Tora Tora. They didn't have it - Rogers only has DVDs now. At least the Marpole store does.

But life if full of strange happenings... Yesterday I was watching some cheesy movie on KVOS, when the Sunday night movie flashed across the bottom... Tora, Tora, Tora. I couldn't believe it.