ROSI Improved?
This year, the format for registration was changed. Instead of the start time for everyone in the same year of school being 6 am (which meant waking up at 5:15 and bumming over at Ray's house last year), the system was set up so that everyone had a different start time at some point in the day. My time, for example, was at 4:00 pm. My ex-roommate, on the other hand was finished by 2 even though we're in the same faculty. At first I was scared that the new system really sucked - friends of mine who were supposed to register at 3 pm were still going at it when I started myself. As you might have expected they were quite vocal about it, here's an exerpt from an ICQ conversation with a certain dorami_luv:
Me: Is it really clogged up?
J1: LIKE A SINK
J1: NOTHING IS GOING THROUGH
Me: *nod* It was bound to happen anyway...
J1: ARGH HOW CAN U BEEE SOOOOO CALM
Me: Because one can only do what they can do. You can't make your data send through the net any faster. etc. How many of your courses are limited anyway?
J1: AHHHHH I DONNO I HAVEN'T LOOKED BUT THEY BETTER HAVE ROOM FOR ME OR THERE WILL BE MUCH TO PAY FOR..... THE PPL DEMAND BURNINATION!!!
Yeah... anyhow I finished by 4:30, after having to making a subject POST change so it was all good. I really hope they fix the system up for next year though... it really doesn't make much sense that I finished so soon (there I admit it!). Don't think I'm not sympathetic to those that were "getting sick of looking at that gay rosi mascot" though. I feel for you. I really do.
Now where's my Warcraft CD?
Tuesday, July 15, 2003
...
I tried to stop.
I have never been so scared in my life as I was today at 8:51 a.m.
Grandparents should keep better watch over their grandchildren. Young boys should be better taught when and when not to cross the road. I was terrified that I had done the unthinkable, especially since the boy wasn't even wearing a bicycle helmet. Somehow though, even the bike was spared from serious damage.
I sincerely wish the best for the six year old boy who rode his bike in front of my car this morning and miraculously escaped with what seems like just a scatch on his leg.
I tried to stop.
I tried to stop.
I have never been so scared in my life as I was today at 8:51 a.m.
Grandparents should keep better watch over their grandchildren. Young boys should be better taught when and when not to cross the road. I was terrified that I had done the unthinkable, especially since the boy wasn't even wearing a bicycle helmet. Somehow though, even the bike was spared from serious damage.
I sincerely wish the best for the six year old boy who rode his bike in front of my car this morning and miraculously escaped with what seems like just a scatch on his leg.
I tried to stop.
Sunday, July 13, 2003
Cottage Country with Courtney Boulder! [complete]
Over the past year, Raymond and I have often wondered about the lifestyles of certain... white skin-coloured people, caucasians if you will. We often think that our families are rather white-washed but does it really compare to the genuine real-deal? This weekend I got to find out first hand.
Day One - Friday July 14
It wasn't easy to get the weekend free... usually I HAVE to work on Saturdays at the Farmer's Market that the BIA runs. Fortunately, my request was granted without much pleading at all (and Courtney wanted me to grovel and beg on my knees... honestly, that girl has no sense of shame). Once I secured permission, I had to secure passage to this white wonderland (not that there's snow...) - all I was told initially was that the only way there was by boat. Eventually it was arranged that I would drive to Courtney's barn in Newmarket (for those new to my ex-dormmate's hobby, she is an equestrian attempting to perfect the art of dressage) where I would leave my car for the weekend and she would drive us the rest of the driven route. I had my initial fears about leaving my car in a place with many animals/creatures/things but Courtney finally convinced me with, "we do it all the time, Fontaine." Thinking about it now, logically speaking I don't know why that statement somehow assured me that my much-loved Pontiac would be fine...
The ride up was rather fun with lots of reminiscing and jokes at the expense of my ex-roommate. I have to admit that Boulder truly lived up to her name when she had to call her mother and ask what the name of the road she was to turn at was called. I don't know how we found our way at all... up in those cottage parts every road is called " island lane" or " resort street". We actually got to the place, called Honey Harbour, just as Courtney's father pulled up in a motorboat.
The ride there was uneventful with the horrid weather and all. As we got close to the final bay where the cottage was, it dawned on me that there would be no way to leave once I got there - I had no idea how to get back with all the weird turns it took to get there. Of course, then it occured to me that it would be silly to have to ever run from a Boulder anyway.
The main cottage cabin itself was lovely. It consisted of a large main reception room complete with kitchen, dining table, and family room (with a great view of the bay to boot), as well as 3 bedrooms, 2 washrooms (one doubling as a laundry room), and a game room (which was actually all the cottage used to consist of before they built the rest of it). First thing I did upon arriving was to hit the sauna, which was seperate from the main cabin outside (photos to follow). This was quite enjoyable as it warmed me up nicely after the chilly ride there. A dive into the lake was strongly advised by Courtney and before you knew it, we were shivering once again... this time though, we were a bit cleaner? (hard to say with all the natural pollutants, sediments, animal urine, microorganisms, etc. in the lake water) At dinner time (the meal consisted of a make-your-own pizza sort of deal - simple but good), I got to meet the rest of the Macneils. I must say... they are just as weird as Courtney said. The biggest thing was probably the amount of bantering that goes on within the family... most of it started about her father once wearing a toothpaste-stained sweater for an important family guest and it went from there to every single attack that each family member could get in on him. Man... I'm actually hoping that not all white families do that - its brutal to be the man of the family. =P
All kidding aside though, although all of them had their quirks (esp. the father) they were great people to talk and to get along with. After Court gave me the tour of the place and I talked a bit more with the family over dessert, it was bedtime. Being that my choices of beds were either with a) a friend I knew well, b) a friend's brother I didn't know, c) a spider-infested room, I just hoped that Courtney could deal with my intermittent snoring...
I didn't sleep all that well with a different bed and all so I woke up at 4 am and snuck around the house, getting to learn the terrain (where the food was, which floor boards creaked so as to avoid them) using only my cell phone as a light. I felt extremely spy-ish. After snagging a bottle of Aberfoyle I returned silently to my room to continue my slumber.
Day Two - Saturday July 15
What a crappy day... it had been raining the entire night and when I woke up the next morning the bay was grey and overcast. Even worst was that I was apparently the last to get up and this somehow gave Courtney the right (in her mind anyway) to wake me up by throwing water on my face. Although the weather was terrible, I was awoken to a fantastic breakfast which spared Boulder for any retribution I might have been planning.
I must say, if anything white people cook quite nice meals. Home-baked breads, home-style thin-crusted pizzas, well grilled meats, nicely tossed salads, etc. And of course you can't forget the desserts... very nice strawberry (with something else that I can't remember) pies, chocolate chip health cookies (which Courtney pigged herself on completely by finishing more than two-thirds of the large box herself), and fruit. And when it comes to foods, one cannot forget Courtney's horrible habit - you know the one - picking off pieces of other people's food to "sample". Over the course of the weekend, bits of waffles (the part with syrup), pizza (the cheesy part), muffins (the top part), bread (the inside soft part), and cookies (any part) were found missing and a rather boulderish individual close to the scene of the crime. *sigh* Somethings don't change, at least not easily. =P
When the rain died off a bit in the afternoon I openly suggested that I wanted to do something. Courtney's father, who was feeling the same itch for action, suggested that a fishing journey. Immediately upon hearing such a proposal, I received warning looks from both Court and her brother Cam. First they tried (for some reason) to talk sense into their father. However soon they just gave up and tried to get me to change MY mind saying that going out in that weather would be "suicide". I was a little worried but then again, this is the kind of stuff that I really get a kick out of (risks/thrills) so I decided to go out anyway.
Admittedly it really wasn't all that good weather and the boat was blown about quite a little but it was a larger boat and we managed. After a lot of failure at trying to trawl anything we decided to give up after spending over an hour out on the lake (we had dinner waiting for us!). On the way back to the cottage though fortune shone on me and I managed to snag my first two catches ever! Both were lightweights but still I did it, two small-mouthed bass reeled in by me. *grin*
Of course dinner that evening was really tasty. The dishes were simple - steak, baked potato, etc. - but it was still extremely satisfying. Mrs. Macneil is a wonderful cook. After dinner there wasn't too much to do. I learned to play Cribbage and won against Cam and then Court and I chatted for a while. I was told that they had never had weather this bad at the cottage this year - I guess its just me, eh? *sigh* Even so the day turned out to be a really relaxing one, which I think I needed more than anything. We wrapped up the day with a game of who wants to be a Millionaire which I completely and totally annihlated both of them at. Yes, that is the truth - I tell no lie. (okay I beat them but no one actually made it to 1M... who really knows so many pointless things anyway? Sleep was great. =)
Day Three - Sunday July 16
I was supposed to get up early (at 5 am) to go salmon fishing with Mr. Macneil... well, I must have been more tired than I thought because I completely overslept. Fortunately, I learned over a very nice breakfast of buns and fruit that he in fact did not go either because of the weather. It seems that at 5 am the forecast did not look good... which was not true at all because the day turned out to be a really really nice sunny breezy day. Such a waste... no salmon for the family back home... a shame I say. A darned shame. *smirk*
So the main activity of the day was water skiing. Now I had not done this in a couple years but I guess you really don't forget too much. I tried to be daring (I tried to cut the boat's wake) but that resulted in my stumbling headfirst into the water. *sigh* I think I'm getting too old these days - my guts/craziness isn't what it used to be. Also I guess I should remember for next time not to use my lower arm muscle to pull the rope close to my body... my arm muscles are going to be sore for weeks. Bleh.
Lunch followed the water activity and this was probably the simplest meal - understandable as we had to pack it all up and leave shortly following said repas. We had... actually I can't remember what we had; I really should have finished this blog sooner... now my memory is really faded. Perhaps Court could refresh it?
There was, however, a moment of excitement this day, suitable as it was my last one in the cottage wonderland. At some point while we were outside Court's mother spotted a snake on the ground in the grassy area. We all cautiously got near the snake, which emitted rattling sounds (rattle snakes are very very poisonous). Upon a close look, it appeared that the snake was not a real rattler but rather one of those that imitated the rattle snake as a defensive mechanism (I can't remember the name of said species). Mr. Macneil was able to broom the snake into a garbage bin and the creature was released somewhere away from the cottage grounds. I have to say that the fact that a rattlesnake bite in cottage is fatal is silly. Isn't there some sort of anti-poison that can be carried around? Normally the wound can be treated if you could be taken to a hospital... blah. So much for medical advances if a snake can still take a person out.
As we departed the cottage, I felt sad. I felt like I never wanted to go back to work; it was so nice to be able to relax like that. I just sat as the wind swept by, as the beauty of the north seemed to blur by me, as the police patrol boat stopped us? Oy. Yeah, apparently, Courtney's father was speeding. As well when they did a check of the boat (number of life jackets for the passengers, signal flare, etc.) we were missing several items. Courtney's father of course did the guy thing and tried to impress the officer with silly non-related things like the fact that everyone in his family but him had taken the boat safety test. As always, Courtney was thoroughly embarrassed. =) Ah...
Court drove me back to her barn for me to get my car of course. It was tons of fun be able to talk to her about all sorts of stuff again like we did in RJ420. The good times will continue hopefully though. I guess her family really is as crazy as she ever said it was, esp. her father. I think to sum up what I learned this weekend I would have to say: Ray, you were right about them white folk. Everything you ever said, just - you were right. =)
Over the past year, Raymond and I have often wondered about the lifestyles of certain... white skin-coloured people, caucasians if you will. We often think that our families are rather white-washed but does it really compare to the genuine real-deal? This weekend I got to find out first hand.
Day One - Friday July 14
It wasn't easy to get the weekend free... usually I HAVE to work on Saturdays at the Farmer's Market that the BIA runs. Fortunately, my request was granted without much pleading at all (and Courtney wanted me to grovel and beg on my knees... honestly, that girl has no sense of shame). Once I secured permission, I had to secure passage to this white wonderland (not that there's snow...) - all I was told initially was that the only way there was by boat. Eventually it was arranged that I would drive to Courtney's barn in Newmarket (for those new to my ex-dormmate's hobby, she is an equestrian attempting to perfect the art of dressage) where I would leave my car for the weekend and she would drive us the rest of the driven route. I had my initial fears about leaving my car in a place with many animals/creatures/things but Courtney finally convinced me with, "we do it all the time, Fontaine." Thinking about it now, logically speaking I don't know why that statement somehow assured me that my much-loved Pontiac would be fine...
The ride up was rather fun with lots of reminiscing and jokes at the expense of my ex-roommate. I have to admit that Boulder truly lived up to her name when she had to call her mother and ask what the name of the road she was to turn at was called. I don't know how we found our way at all... up in those cottage parts every road is called "
The ride there was uneventful with the horrid weather and all. As we got close to the final bay where the cottage was, it dawned on me that there would be no way to leave once I got there - I had no idea how to get back with all the weird turns it took to get there. Of course, then it occured to me that it would be silly to have to ever run from a Boulder anyway.
The main cottage cabin itself was lovely. It consisted of a large main reception room complete with kitchen, dining table, and family room (with a great view of the bay to boot), as well as 3 bedrooms, 2 washrooms (one doubling as a laundry room), and a game room (which was actually all the cottage used to consist of before they built the rest of it). First thing I did upon arriving was to hit the sauna, which was seperate from the main cabin outside (photos to follow). This was quite enjoyable as it warmed me up nicely after the chilly ride there. A dive into the lake was strongly advised by Courtney and before you knew it, we were shivering once again... this time though, we were a bit cleaner? (hard to say with all the natural pollutants, sediments, animal urine, microorganisms, etc. in the lake water) At dinner time (the meal consisted of a make-your-own pizza sort of deal - simple but good), I got to meet the rest of the Macneils. I must say... they are just as weird as Courtney said. The biggest thing was probably the amount of bantering that goes on within the family... most of it started about her father once wearing a toothpaste-stained sweater for an important family guest and it went from there to every single attack that each family member could get in on him. Man... I'm actually hoping that not all white families do that - its brutal to be the man of the family. =P
All kidding aside though, although all of them had their quirks (esp. the father) they were great people to talk and to get along with. After Court gave me the tour of the place and I talked a bit more with the family over dessert, it was bedtime. Being that my choices of beds were either with a) a friend I knew well, b) a friend's brother I didn't know, c) a spider-infested room, I just hoped that Courtney could deal with my intermittent snoring...
I didn't sleep all that well with a different bed and all so I woke up at 4 am and snuck around the house, getting to learn the terrain (where the food was, which floor boards creaked so as to avoid them) using only my cell phone as a light. I felt extremely spy-ish. After snagging a bottle of Aberfoyle I returned silently to my room to continue my slumber.
Day Two - Saturday July 15
What a crappy day... it had been raining the entire night and when I woke up the next morning the bay was grey and overcast. Even worst was that I was apparently the last to get up and this somehow gave Courtney the right (in her mind anyway) to wake me up by throwing water on my face. Although the weather was terrible, I was awoken to a fantastic breakfast which spared Boulder for any retribution I might have been planning.
I must say, if anything white people cook quite nice meals. Home-baked breads, home-style thin-crusted pizzas, well grilled meats, nicely tossed salads, etc. And of course you can't forget the desserts... very nice strawberry (with something else that I can't remember) pies, chocolate chip health cookies (which Courtney pigged herself on completely by finishing more than two-thirds of the large box herself), and fruit. And when it comes to foods, one cannot forget Courtney's horrible habit - you know the one - picking off pieces of other people's food to "sample". Over the course of the weekend, bits of waffles (the part with syrup), pizza (the cheesy part), muffins (the top part), bread (the inside soft part), and cookies (any part) were found missing and a rather boulderish individual close to the scene of the crime. *sigh* Somethings don't change, at least not easily. =P
When the rain died off a bit in the afternoon I openly suggested that I wanted to do something. Courtney's father, who was feeling the same itch for action, suggested that a fishing journey. Immediately upon hearing such a proposal, I received warning looks from both Court and her brother Cam. First they tried (for some reason) to talk sense into their father. However soon they just gave up and tried to get me to change MY mind saying that going out in that weather would be "suicide". I was a little worried but then again, this is the kind of stuff that I really get a kick out of (risks/thrills) so I decided to go out anyway.
Admittedly it really wasn't all that good weather and the boat was blown about quite a little but it was a larger boat and we managed. After a lot of failure at trying to trawl anything we decided to give up after spending over an hour out on the lake (we had dinner waiting for us!). On the way back to the cottage though fortune shone on me and I managed to snag my first two catches ever! Both were lightweights but still I did it, two small-mouthed bass reeled in by me. *grin*
Of course dinner that evening was really tasty. The dishes were simple - steak, baked potato, etc. - but it was still extremely satisfying. Mrs. Macneil is a wonderful cook. After dinner there wasn't too much to do. I learned to play Cribbage and won against Cam and then Court and I chatted for a while. I was told that they had never had weather this bad at the cottage this year - I guess its just me, eh? *sigh* Even so the day turned out to be a really relaxing one, which I think I needed more than anything. We wrapped up the day with a game of who wants to be a Millionaire which I completely and totally annihlated both of them at. Yes, that is the truth - I tell no lie. (okay I beat them but no one actually made it to 1M... who really knows so many pointless things anyway? Sleep was great. =)
Day Three - Sunday July 16
I was supposed to get up early (at 5 am) to go salmon fishing with Mr. Macneil... well, I must have been more tired than I thought because I completely overslept. Fortunately, I learned over a very nice breakfast of buns and fruit that he in fact did not go either because of the weather. It seems that at 5 am the forecast did not look good... which was not true at all because the day turned out to be a really really nice sunny breezy day. Such a waste... no salmon for the family back home... a shame I say. A darned shame. *smirk*
So the main activity of the day was water skiing. Now I had not done this in a couple years but I guess you really don't forget too much. I tried to be daring (I tried to cut the boat's wake) but that resulted in my stumbling headfirst into the water. *sigh* I think I'm getting too old these days - my guts/craziness isn't what it used to be. Also I guess I should remember for next time not to use my lower arm muscle to pull the rope close to my body... my arm muscles are going to be sore for weeks. Bleh.
Lunch followed the water activity and this was probably the simplest meal - understandable as we had to pack it all up and leave shortly following said repas. We had... actually I can't remember what we had; I really should have finished this blog sooner... now my memory is really faded. Perhaps Court could refresh it?
There was, however, a moment of excitement this day, suitable as it was my last one in the cottage wonderland. At some point while we were outside Court's mother spotted a snake on the ground in the grassy area. We all cautiously got near the snake, which emitted rattling sounds (rattle snakes are very very poisonous). Upon a close look, it appeared that the snake was not a real rattler but rather one of those that imitated the rattle snake as a defensive mechanism (I can't remember the name of said species). Mr. Macneil was able to broom the snake into a garbage bin and the creature was released somewhere away from the cottage grounds. I have to say that the fact that a rattlesnake bite in cottage is fatal is silly. Isn't there some sort of anti-poison that can be carried around? Normally the wound can be treated if you could be taken to a hospital... blah. So much for medical advances if a snake can still take a person out.
As we departed the cottage, I felt sad. I felt like I never wanted to go back to work; it was so nice to be able to relax like that. I just sat as the wind swept by, as the beauty of the north seemed to blur by me, as the police patrol boat stopped us? Oy. Yeah, apparently, Courtney's father was speeding. As well when they did a check of the boat (number of life jackets for the passengers, signal flare, etc.) we were missing several items. Courtney's father of course did the guy thing and tried to impress the officer with silly non-related things like the fact that everyone in his family but him had taken the boat safety test. As always, Courtney was thoroughly embarrassed. =) Ah...
Court drove me back to her barn for me to get my car of course. It was tons of fun be able to talk to her about all sorts of stuff again like we did in RJ420. The good times will continue hopefully though. I guess her family really is as crazy as she ever said it was, esp. her father. I think to sum up what I learned this weekend I would have to say: Ray, you were right about them white folk. Everything you ever said, just - you were right. =)
Monday, July 07, 2003
Toronto Festival = hot stuff
On Sunday I went DT to Toronto to enjoy the festivities of the Celebrate Toronto Street Festival with Joyce. It was pretty crazy down there... lots to do and see and hear. We spent most of our time at the Dundas Square at Dundas and Yonge where there were trampoliners (is that the right word?), beach volleyball (which for some strange reason I do enjoy watching), and pretty decent rock bands. It was pretty fun to see the entertainment as well as to doing a little shopping. Shoppers Drug Mart (the main sponsor for the event this year) had sunscreening stations set up at each location
Truth be told, we spent half the time in Toronto inside the Eaton Centre to avoid the heat. I really couldn't take it that day... not only was the weather once again pretty hot and humid (although not nearly as bad as it had been - see previous post) but I was also dead tired from not really getting enough sleep the past couple of days. Still I think it was worth going down to see what Toronto does to celebrate in the summer - obviously it completely blows Markham's festivals away but I don't think we do too bad considering the difference in budget and crowd turnout. A couple things I really enjoyed seeing were a African drum ensemble (for the really cool beats) and an authentic Vietnamese water puppet show (its cool because they actually do puppetry above a pool of water. I wish they had a translator though so that I could understand the story - I thinkTrogdor some dragon ate some little boy or something).
On a side note, yes I know I said I would continue my heat rant in my previous post but the truth is that my mom was bothered enough by the heat that we got an air conditioner installed the very next day. *grins* So basically I have two essential ways to spend my free time most days, go out and sweat to death or sit at home and enjoy the air con - you better believe I park my ass in front of the computer. =)
On a side note, go buy the Cowboy Bebop movie... its so much better on DVD than the 576 mb (or smaller if you're some kind of odd fellow who settles for crap quality CB) file. Plus it has nice extras. =) I don't like how they took away the movie's title "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" though. I shouldn't start ranting here though, I once promised myself I wouldn't stoop to the level of critiquing movies on A Glaring Dream. Anyway, go and buy it. And while you're there get Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne... I really need to do that. Damn the hobos (1, 2, 3) who are already B-Netting it up. Argh!
On Sunday I went DT to Toronto to enjoy the festivities of the Celebrate Toronto Street Festival with Joyce. It was pretty crazy down there... lots to do and see and hear. We spent most of our time at the Dundas Square at Dundas and Yonge where there were trampoliners (is that the right word?), beach volleyball (which for some strange reason I do enjoy watching), and pretty decent rock bands. It was pretty fun to see the entertainment as well as to doing a little shopping. Shoppers Drug Mart (the main sponsor for the event this year) had sunscreening stations set up at each location
Truth be told, we spent half the time in Toronto inside the Eaton Centre to avoid the heat. I really couldn't take it that day... not only was the weather once again pretty hot and humid (although not nearly as bad as it had been - see previous post) but I was also dead tired from not really getting enough sleep the past couple of days. Still I think it was worth going down to see what Toronto does to celebrate in the summer - obviously it completely blows Markham's festivals away but I don't think we do too bad considering the difference in budget and crowd turnout. A couple things I really enjoyed seeing were a African drum ensemble (for the really cool beats) and an authentic Vietnamese water puppet show (its cool because they actually do puppetry above a pool of water. I wish they had a translator though so that I could understand the story - I think
On a side note, yes I know I said I would continue my heat rant in my previous post but the truth is that my mom was bothered enough by the heat that we got an air conditioner installed the very next day. *grins* So basically I have two essential ways to spend my free time most days, go out and sweat to death or sit at home and enjoy the air con - you better believe I park my ass in front of the computer. =)
On a side note, go buy the Cowboy Bebop movie... its so much better on DVD than the 576 mb (or smaller if you're some kind of odd fellow who settles for crap quality CB) file. Plus it has nice extras. =) I don't like how they took away the movie's title "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" though. I shouldn't start ranting here though, I once promised myself I wouldn't stoop to the level of critiquing movies on A Glaring Dream. Anyway, go and buy it. And while you're there get Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne... I really need to do that. Damn the hobos (1, 2, 3) who are already B-Netting it up. Argh!