INTERNATIONAL WEEK QUIZ
All this week I had some desire to see a few of the presentations at the university on international issue and human rights. Unfortunately, as you may have guessed, I wasfar too busy running from one building to the next for nothing of consequence. In the end, the only event I made out of the week long schedule was the final quiz event. I played for the "Holy Rollers" which was the U of A chaplain team. I was kind of pumped for it, as normally trivia is my strong suit. When I walked up to our table, I saw the rest of my team, and then... my french teacher? Apparently she had volunteered to proctor for the event, and by some strange coincidental twist, she wound up at our table. And that was more than a little awkward. My class is pretty much immersion. The class in conducted completely in French, so up until today, I have never heard her speak English...To be honest, I didn't know how good she would be, as she is just here on an exchange from France. Anyway, it turned out alright, crazy that is. We did well, mostly overcoming the horrible organization, but the end was the worst. Much to my prof's amusement, I wound up finger painting the poster for International Week with Hiebert, as all the chaplains had to leave. How embarrassing.... We didn't remember anything. In the end, we did alright, but lost by a good margin due to the last event. I figure if nothing else, I had a good time, and for once this semester, I understood my French teacher
VANISHINGLY SMALL
My chances for free time this weekend, that is. It's a pity too, since there'salways so much to do, but sadly, I have the first midterm of the semester on Monday, and I have no doubts that it will be quite difficult. After the disappointing previous semester, it's even more important to get this one right. So that will occupy the majority of my time, and I suppose the rest will be spent on work. Due to my busier than normal schedule during the week, I was forced to move my time at the lab to Saturday. Otherwise, it's been a good semester so far in many ways. It's definately flying by, I can't believe it's already February. A little disturbing too, as my summer job search has been a little slow. I have some good potentials, but I haven't made many moves to secure any of them yet. Perhaps I will do that for my Friday night.
GUNS AND PHONES
As so happens when you live in a place for many years, the subject of guns invariably comes up, and when it does, I usually mention some of my fond memories on the subject of shooting skeet or knocking off pop cans. Usually, I mention that I accomplished these feats of heroism with my trust over and under, which nobody quite knew what I was talking about. As this gun will like never see Canada due to ridiculous firearms restrictions, I have put it here in it's full photographic glory. As one can see from the picture, the over is composed of a .222 calibre rifle, and the bottom is a 20 gauge shotgun. The bottom barrel is common enough that I won't explain it. The top is similar to the common .22 that everyone talks about, but it has a much larger charge, and thus a greater velocity. It makes a darn good rabbit gun. I am angrily facing the possibility at this point of having to purchase another cell phone. I have absolutely no desire whatsoever to do this, however, after ripping apart everything, I cannot think of anywhere else the stupid thing would be. It has just completely vanished. Without a trace.
STUNNING PHOTO
Trick or Treat Originally uploaded by khayes. To brighten your week, I have decided to post this picture as proof positive that even an amateur photgrapher can have great effect. While I do not know the subject or the photographer of this photo, for obvious reasons I thought it worthy of posting for your glimpses. I can't get over those eyes, myself. More serious events tomorrow, I suppose.
LATE NIGHT CHATS
Nikhil and Hiebert Originally uploaded by lithiumfrost. One of the upsides to having an apartment is the ability to entertain on a limited basis. I wish to stress limited here, as the folks are getting an oreo and a cup of tea (usually Red Rose) with non-matching mugs. Still, the opportunity for wonderfully inflammatory conversation can't be passed up. And to be honest, the refreshments aren't that bad. It's these kind of perks that one can enjoy towards the beginning of the semester. Classes are beginning well, and I have actually already purchased two textbooks, which is quite the rarity for me. I actually really need to work this semester, and to that end, I am not doing too bad so far. Of course, this is only the first week, so time will tell . But surpringly, just having the textbooks available is a wonderful imducement to peruse through them. Too hard to work up the motivation to go to the library. Never underestimate the power of laziness. Heh.
PRINCIPLES OF ECOLOGY
You know, I really didn't want to take that course. As in, I really really did not want to take that class. The labs look to be a serious PITA, and I am told that at every turn, people said they were only happy to be done with it. I guess I am inclined to call it my penance for a lousy previous semester. When it comes right down to it, I deserve it. And unfortunately, I require the class. So, join with me as I yawn and pine for the end of the semester. In other news, most of the tech community is aware that Apple is selling, as of today, Macs with Intel processors. I never actually thought I would see that day, for a number of reasons, but they're selling now and they look amazing. I really wouldn't mind having one, but I think that will be waiting until I win some kind of lottery.And given that I don't buy lottery tickets, I am guessing that the chances of me winning are very low. I guess I am now off to the campus bookstore to see how much I can get ripped off by the major textbook publishers. This should be great...
FIRST CLASS
I am back up in Edmonton after a bizarre or at least unusual flight back on Northwest Airlines. It went about as well as can be expected, though a little quirky. I doubt the airport security screeners are that used to finding things like Soldering guns and LCD displays packed in people's luggage (which incidentally cost me an extra $25 for overweight luggage). Of course, I almost didn't receive any of that luggage at all. It got lost in Minneapolis, apparently. So I took my first flight on an incredibly loud DC-9 which was uneventful. I had no layover to speak of, hoever, and thus had no time to grab anything more than some vending machine fair. As it turns out, this would not matter. When I boarded the aircraft to Edmonton, we wound up sitting on the concrete for quite a while due to some kind of mechanical problem or other hooey. I was stuc in a middle seat too, since I checked in too late. About fifteen minutes after I boarded the plane, a flight attenadant asked me if I wanted to move up to first class due to " balancing issues" I have never moved so fast in my life. Unfortunately, I am pretty sure this is where I dropped my ID too. Nevertheless, first class was excellent. I actually had a meal, and massive seat and the seat next to me as well. The flight attendants up there really lavish the service on you as well, so before anybody else in the aircraft was served I had a pepsi in a glass cup with a meal. And ever since the cutbacks... well, I haven't had a meal on an airline in years. And actually, it was quite good. I really savored that, and it's a good thing, because after getting grilled by customs (the guy thought I was suspiscious, and having lost my Alberta ID, well, that didn't help matters any), I found out that my luggage never made it. I did, however, receive it the next day. I arrived back bleary eyed and exhausted, and of course, had to unpack, a process I am still nibbling at. I have class of course on Monday which I can't say I am extremely excited about, but who knows? I am making this an incredible start, and I eased up my schedule a little bit too.
CATCHING UP
I am disappointed my little break is coming to an end so fast, though it's far from surprising. I did not have much of a break to begin with, unfortunately. Only two weeks allows very little room for play. I used it as best as I could however. I got to meet up with a lot of family and old friends, so in that light it was successful. I still feel like i have so much to do though. I never even made it to the dentist, and that's a big problem. Dentist visits without insurance are a major problem. I have to put some new tires on the Cadillac tomorrow and see a few people that I haven't yet seen, pack, and it's all over. If I am lucky, I will get a nice bump for a free ticket, but i don't see it happening. I want to take the Lanboy (cheap computer) back up to school with me this year as it's not doing much good sitting here. We'll have to see if I actually succeed at that. I guess it all depends on the check-in attendant's mood. In any case, I need sleep.
ASLAN
It is a funny thing. I am enjoying the time that I am spending in Grand Rapids, but I am mindful of the little time that I have left. I feel like I have accomplished so little, but in truth, it seems that I always feel that way. I fear I need to either change my expectations or become more effective. Neither look to be attainable at the moment... I have been reading through the Chronicles of Narnia which I have to admit was brought on by the movie. I am praying they make another one, as the last one was quite good. I suppose it really depends on how much money they make on this release. The books are a little overbearing in the allegory, but once you are past that, they are quite good, and I remember something new each time i read them. Most definitely worth a read for everyone out there. They are classics, and easy reads at that. I have no idea yet what I am doing for New Year's Eve, but I imagine that something will come up soon. I'd best be off to bed so I can meet the new day with eyes wide open.
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Once again another Christmas has come and gone. And once again, I am left feeling more than a little melancholy. it is hard not to think as the year dies of the impossibly huge number of times I screwed up. Still, I look at it as a happy time of year. It had been ages since I had last seen any family, so it was delightful to seen them all again. And likewise, I haven't been in the US for an entire year, much less Michigan, so I have a ton of people to visit over the coming week and I am truly looking forward to that. I have been busy trying to fix the '79 Cadillac we have here for my touring car. So far, it has gone better than expected. The car is actually running thus far, and tomorrow we put in a plastic rear window. I think this may actually work. My other project has been fixing our hot tub. I have a bad feeling that is not going as well. Earlier in the year an elbow broke and leaked, and then the whole works froze. I thawed everything out, but the collateral damage seems to be worse than initially anticipated. The pipes are spitting out ball bearings and that's never a good sign, and just now the tub was spitting out an error code. Bad news. My grades are probably up now, but I am more than a little nervous to check them. I have a bad feeling that they may not be too hot. This was certainly not one of my better semesters. And anyway, on this internet connection, nearly everything is painful. I don't particularly like wading through the insane PeopleSoft registration system to view something I don't at the moment feel particularly inclined to peek at anyway. Anyway, it's 2:30 AM, and i should probably hit the sack.