The New Floodgates of the Mind

Bah. I got to Joliette Metro today and try to get through but my pass doesn’t work. I go to see the attendant who looks at me and simply states: “that’ll only work from tomorrow”. Smack to the head! It’s still OCTOBER! But I left my October pass at home because I thought today was November 1st! Even though my hair is spiked up and I’m wearning fully ripped jeans, dog tags, dead kennedy and exploited patches, etc etc because we’re allowed to go as we will on Halloween. And, of course, Halloween is the last day in October.

Duh.

So, I start the day by wasting $4.50 for tickets. And I’m coughing which is not a good sign. Bah.

Can I start this day over please?

Turns out Chantale has the flu as well as fighting off some other infections. Probably became suceptible on Saturday while we were up at Quinn’s farm. The cold and the rain didn’t help…

We went to a Bridal Show at the Four Points Sheraton in Dorval last night. Not the first time we’ve been there or to a show by the organizers, so we knew what to expect. It was a lot smaller than any of the ones we went to last year, though, but we had brought her mother along and it was still fun going through the booths.

At the time of the fashion show, we took seats right at the catwalk where the models came onto the stage. Outside of the very loud dj blaring through the speakers right next to me, we had a great view of all the dresses and models. Of course, it seemed that quite often, as the models were heading back towards the steps to get off the stage, they would look right at me and smile as they walked by. No, really, there wasn’t a chance they were look at anyone else. Chantale and her mom, of course, caught all this and had fun poking at the fact that I had models trying to pick me up. Even to the point that one of them would stop right in front of me just to do an extra turn/pirouette. Sheesh I just have a nice smile. And use it. 🙂 Never thought of it as a weapon of any sort!

Sure enough, day 2 has brought with it SO many Project Begats that I could use another employee to handle it all.

In fact, I started writing this Update at 2:38pm. I got a phone call at 2:39pm and then was pulled into a meeting at 3:00pm. From that, I went into another meeting as I needed some answers on certain items right away. It’s now 4:36pm. I should have been 5 minutes from home at this point.

I’m not even sure where Chantale is as she headed out to the clinic due to how sick she’s been feeling. They took her name down and told her there’s a 3 hour wait. That was back at Noon.

So, I have a ton of other work to do and now feel that I will indeed be doing a lot of overtime. Until at least Mid-November. Joy.

Well, I decided that making supper wasn’t good enough for Chantale tonight. I wanted to give her an extra-special treat so I asked her out for supper 🙂 (What? Just cause we’re engaged doesn’t mean I can’t ask her out on a date! 🙂 )

I felt like driving somewhere so she picked me up at Joliette Metro and I drove us to the Vieux Duluth in Pointe Claire 🙂 We had a really nice supper in a very empty restaurant :> Great and very tasty food as always 🙂

We got home 2 hours later and took a nice hot bath together 🙂 Afterwards, well, there was that matter of a summary report that’s due tomorrow. So, after I made us each a cup of tea (Echinacea for her, Apple Cinnamon for me), she worked on her computer while I took care of other business on my laptop.

(at about this point I can picture most guys slapping their heads at all this romantic hoolaballoo 🙂 )

And now, almost 2 hours later, I made us each another cup of tea (again, Echinacea for her, Camomille for me) and she’s finishing up her report while I’m clearing through old emails. Thus, I decided to log back on here and post this little report. I’m still quite amazed at how quickly time flies 🙂

As always, when it comes to the “Inbox Bunnies” there’s nothing like returning to work after being away for a week. It’s almost as if all the work that’s been sitting there suddenly decides to get frisky. And before you know it, Project A begat Sub-Project c, Project B begat Sub-Projects 3 and 12, Project C begat Project Omega, and so on and so on.

{long breath}

Hi. I just basically spent the entire day doing administrative type work. In other words, document updating on the status of all on-going projects (trying to mix-and-match all my notes with the dozens of spawned emails), as well as preparing a new outline/ format and fully-functional and complete agenda for the next meeting. It’s all done, though, so that feels good. That’s about 75% of my work load for today. Another 10% will be on updating some other material as well as laying out a new plan for some specific checks that need to be performed. The other 15% will be contacting a few dozen people to get updates on the stages of the various on-going projects.

Sounds completely insane and almost a nightmare. But you know what? I can honestly say I’m not stressed about it. I have it all under control and it didn’t take me any extraordinary amount of overtime to do it in. Just a few extra hours today. No biggie as I doubt there’ll be any need for more this week. So basically, I can get back into the regular swing of things tomorrow. (famous last words?)

Ok, enough. I’m gonna grab my things and head on home. Chantale’s had herself a rough night of studying for her mid-term today and is probably at home zonked out trying to recover… long enough to write up a summary paper that’s due tomorrow. So, it’s time to go home and get supper started 🙂

Btw, look for a contemplative entry on housework later on this week 🙂

3 more hours to go… and I’m suddenly very sleepy. Could use a coffee but not in the mood to go out to get one. bah.

Hey! I just remembered! We’re all going to Quinn’s Farm tomorrow as part of the Beaver’s Halloween party! Yay! 🙂 And then on Sunday we’re pumpkin carving!! Cool! 🙂

Ok, I’m feeling bouncy again 🙂 I guess if I want to continue staying that way I should close down my work email account and put everything off until Monday when I’m back at my desk 😉

Here’s a little something from one of my favorite Clash songs:

And I’ll never forget the smile on my face
Cause I knew where you would be
And if you’re in the crown tonight
Have a drink on me
But go easy…step lightly…stay free

Boy was I glad when yesterday was over! I left class with the beginnings of a headache and by the time I got home it was full-blown. Headache, stomache-ache, massive fatigue… all I could think of was getting home and having a nice, HOT, bath.

So what happens when I get home? I run my bath, throw in some bubbles for extra relaxation (hey, I enjoy it every now and again! Why is it only women who are allowed to be pampered?). Once the tub was full, I step in. To COLD water!!! AAAAAIEEE!!!!

I sat in that tub feeling miserable. What a lousy afternoon it had turned out to be.

I got out, towelled off, grabbed my gym bag, and drove back to work to use the gym and work off my aggravations. A good, sweaty, hour later, and I’m in the shower with hot water coursing over me. Ahhh… 🙂

At least the night was very relaxing afterwards… Nachos, popcorn, and frosty-cold Coke 🙂

And now, it’s Friday! I get to pick up my munchkins early as class is letting out early! Yay!! I really miss them today and can’t wait to have them run into my arms as they do every time they see me 🙂 I’ll never get used to not having my kids live with me full-time, but I’m very greatful of the time I do get to spend with them…

Had a funny moment last night after VB class. I left the building with the teacher who asked if I was heading to the gym (as we had talked about working out and keeping in shape during one of our breaks when he came across my copy of Men’s Health Magazine). I told him that I couldn’t because I was off to another course. He asked what other course I was in and did a double-take when he heard me say “Theology” 🙂

I realize just how far off Theology is from Programming (in whatever language)and shrugged my shoulders simply saying “I like to have a broad range of subjects in my life”. Heck, I even had to leave class for 2 hours the day before in order to go to my LOMA class! So outside of my day to day work, on a regular basis my brain goes through: Computer Programming, Theology, and Life Insurance. And this doesn’t even include all the stuff I do for a hobby on my own time!

Adding comics, wine, cigars, writing, reading, and so much more to that “time list” sure keeps me busy. But, it does, after all, keep life interesting. 🙂

Greetings and Salivations! 🙂 (I’m eating a juicy apple, what can I say? 🙂 )

Got myself scheduled for a flu shot next month. Yowtch! I haven’t had a needle inserted into me since my Tattoo!! … well, actually, that’s not true. I have gone for blood tests. Oh well. You get the picture 🙂

VB Class is going good today. And there aren’t as many problems at the office as yesterday either. So that’s good 🙂 After all, I can’t pass out again as I have Theology class tonight which makes it a LONG day downtown. I feel like a nut. I actually LIKE taking classes and going to Concordia even though I’m not a full-time student 🙂

(actually, considering the amount of classes I’m taking at and for work, I could almost become a full-time student!!! 🙂 )

You actually have to be working for quite a number of years before you begin to realize how enjoyable school is. Even the homework… 🙂 A crazy thing to say? Perhaps. But true nontheless 🙂

It’s coming! It’s coming! … actually, with the amount of white stuff that fell overnight Sunday, I’d say it’s already here 🙂 Yeah, it snowed Sunday night, very late at night (you see the things you encounter when you forget to go to sleep? :> )

It’s rather chilly this morning. But, it’s also a really nice-looking morning in that it’s not COLD. Just crisp and sunny. It’s the kind of days that remind me of all the times Chantale and I would sit at Starbucks in Chapters (in Pointe Claire) and enjoy a nice cup of coffee or apple cider…

*sigh* … I can almost breathe in the warm vapors now… 🙂

Hello everyone! I’m back at the VB Course this morning. Got in a little early to check mail (voice and E) and figured I’d post a quick hello. It’s a nice thing to be in training and still have access to the mailboxes :>

More later! (let’s hope no headaches today. I also have to skip out on about an hour’s worth in order to go catch my Loma 280 course). Lots of hopping around this week, it seems!

All in all? I’m in a good mood 🙂 Had a good ride in with Chantale this morning even though we didn’t get a chance to grab a cup of coffee together. Ok, let me get a tea or something before class starts so I’ll at least have something to do while listening to the lectures 🙂