The BBC Photo Entry . . . Taken in Lima, Peru in 1998.

Incredibly Inconsiderate

I admit it. I have been totally irresponsible in my blog upkeep over the last few days. Not only did I not post the pictures that I promised to, I haven't written since Sunday. I have since finished my four days off and am now back at work. The Valium was a successful combatant for my phobia of dentists and the ensuing 5 hour "nap" I had after was probably the best sleep I have had in months. I get to go back in two weeks. :)

Back at work. Working in dispatch. All of the amazing reasons people call ambulances. And not so amazing reasons. I can't really complain a whole lot though. I was getting a little bored on the PRU . . . One can only sit at the firehall for so long. Definitely not a lot of sitting around doing nothing in dispatch.

It's Trish's birthday tomorrow (HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRISH), she's 29. This makes me happy for a few reasons, mostly though, because she's older than I am. Her last birthday in her 20s. Yikes. And I thought turning 20 was traumatic, that looming "30" is becoming less than appealing to think about.

My mom's back in Japan (hi mom), I got an email from her today talking about her organizing her new apartment. I love thinking of her being there. It really fits for her home. I don't know how else to explain that. Hopefully the new house and job will be as great as the previous. And I'm sure she'll find a nice bike that is just as much fun to ride around on as her old one.

Oh, and Tim, buck up little guy, bones fix themselves and as much as it sucks to have broken one, always remember: piggy-backing while drunk is not usually a great idea, neither is riding your bike (more of a reminder for me really). If it makes you feel any better by the time I was 21 I had broken several bones. You're just slowly catching up to my greatness ;)

A Quiet Sunday Night

At least I'm hoping it will be quiet. My last night shift, ahhhhh, 4 beautious days off ahead of me . . . Too bad about that extra shift I picked up and that dentist appointment. At least I get to take Valium for one of them (I'll let you guess which).

It's been a good tour at work. Back on the PRU - so in other words, I've mostly been hanging out at the Firehall eating. Good food though. And, it's been a week of pictures! I have submitted two pictures this week in photo contests. I will post them on here once I'm at home. Hopefully something will come of it, well, we'll see I guess. Can't hurt though, right? The one I entered into the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society "Capture the Wild" contest (category: Mother Nature Up Close), and the other one in the BBC online contest (category: Solitude). The BBC one is decided by online voting, so if mine gets selected for the voting everyone can expect emails about going to vote for it . . . :)

In other news: Trish and Oliver made it back to Canada alright. I picked them up at the airport today. They managed to get evacuated to Toronto on Friday morning. Turkeys, how many Albertans almost get hit by hurricanes???? Ridiculous I tell you.

Oh, and turtle . . . Being that I do rule the solar system currently, be careful with the thrashings or I will kick space dust in that "watchful eye" of yours.

Hurricanes

Well, just like little Dorothy in the tornado in Kansas had to be brave and hold onto little Toto for dear life, little Trish will be holding onto little Oliver for dear life. Yikes!! I mean what are the chances that they would be in Jamaica during what could prove to be the worst storm in a century???? I told her to go to Disneyland . . . I just about fell over this morning when I heard on the radio that this little Ivan fellow is now a Category 5. Possibly the worst storm to hit the Carribean since Hurricane Janet (now why does that name not suprise me) in 1955, and Trish and Oliver are sitting there like two little white ducks with big brown eyes.

So, if anyone out there in cyberland knows if Trish managed to hop onto a plane and come home before this "little storm" bashes into the Jamaican shores, please let me know . . .

Oh, and on a totally unrelated topic - Sarah McLaughlin rocked last night . . . Now there is a true preformer. :)

FYI - Government of Jamaica homepage:
http://www.jis.gov.jm/

The Beautiful Birthday Girl

Instigators and such

It's almost Amy's birthday weekend. Although she denies on it a regular basis, she is an instigator, she is crafty, and she is definitely not normal. I can get away with saying this about her without fear of reprisal because she is also the most computer illiterate person I know, other than Mike. (No Vexation, not you, the other Mike).

This also means I can put a picture of her on my blog and she'll never even know! hahahahaha!!!

(that was evil laughter btw)

Despite all the chaos

While organizing the weekend getaway to Fernie may have been a little frustrating, the actual experience was great. Not only did the weather cooperate for the best (not too hot, not too rainy), but my first-time riding downhill only - as opposed to the grueling uphill included riding - was a total blast. And other than a few bumps and bruises, everyone managed to come out of the weekend relatively unscathed. We took care of our groggy mornings with Advil and Gatorade, ate like royalty, and hung out in a beautiful log chalet, enjoying both the hot tub and the scenery. I am now trying to figure out a way to live and work in Fernie . . . A difficult goal, however, considering there are no paramedics in Fernie.

It really is amazing how a few days of biking and hanging out in the fresh mountain air can improve your state of mind. Something I really need to do more often. Kind of funny though, since I spent more time in the mountains when I lived in Red Deer than I do now that I'm only 45 minutes away.