AGH!

What a weekend! Whew!

A few weeks ago Wayne and I went and looked at a litter of Bernese Mountain Dog puppies that some friends of mine just whelped.. gorgeous little babies, they were.. and my friend mentioned that the Pet Expo was being held the last weekend of January.

You mention animals and of course I flip out and get excited, so I talk Wayne into it, and he mentions wanting to bring the boys. So the next weekend when heinous bitch ex-wife drops them off, we tell her we'll take them next Saturday to go to the Pet Expo with us.

I don't think. In order for me to take a few weekends off in a row, I had to appease my assistant by working a few in a row so she could build up some relaxation time of, so guess who had to work Saturday?

At about 11 Saturday morning, this all occurs to me, and I call Wayne frantically, just in case he might not have realized it before scatterbrained me. Of course he did, and reassures me he'll call her ASAP to reschedule for tomorrow. Later that night, I close the branch, and he pulls up with both the boys in the backseat. Yeah.. she cancelled her sitter, so we get them all weekend.

I hate to say this, because it makes me sound quite bitter and jaded, but there's a damn good reason I never want children of my own, and that's because sometimes I just really need a break from kids. They're both good boys, but there's only so much of them constantly asking for things and leaving their toys and dirty clothes anywhere, that I can handle.

Thank God I have my show next weekend in Calgary.. 3 straight weekends of the boys might be a bit much for me to handle.

So anyway.. back to the Pet Expo..

Good show, tons of animals, but also shoulder to shoulder people, which was driving me a little nuts. I like to be able to move in any direction I like, and at the speed I'm comfortable with, which is usually, quite fast, and quite frankly, people in wheelchairs just don't move fast enough for my liking. Especially when they stop to look at the SPCA's dogs to be adopted, causing the line of 20+ people behind them to ram each other in their haltage. *sigh*

I'm grouchy.

My mom sent me her dryer for dog grooming on the bus Friday, the girl at the courier depot told her it would be in Edmonton by mid morning Saturday. Neglected to tell Mom, however, that it won't be available for pickup until Monday. Fat lot of good that does vehicle-less me or working Wayne who will probably be busting his butt until 6 or so. Good thing they also keep REGULAR business hours, too! Should be fun trying to get downtown to the depot between 9 & 5 before Wednesday when I MUST groom Summer.

I'm nervous, excited and scared about this weekend. Summer hasn't been eating well at all lately, and will NOT grow her coat. Kind of irks me that she'll grow in her winter coat for part of the spring, blow it ALL in the summer and early fall, and be bald all winter. Dog's got her seasons mixed up.

The good news is that there's no pressure there. She can take Winners Bitch, Best of Winners (beat the males), Best of Breed or Best of Opposite sex and still get the same amount of points.. the bad news is that she needs to win at least 2 days to get her Canadian Championship, and yep.. she looks like hell.

Anyway.. maybe I ought to get back to work.. the company might not think them paying me to blog is as funny as I think it is.

The Boring Life

Cheer up!

I've drawn the conclusion that I am severely and painfully boring.

I just sat here for 5 straight minutes, instead of watching Collateral like I should be in order for me to think of something to write in my blog, but alas... there's nothing new.

My Area Manager came in today to pick up some very questionable files, I found out that my assistant has some lofty ambitions besides just being my assistant, and I brainstormed new marketing ideas to increase my branch numbers. These mainly involved the prospect of me in a short skirt, offering free money to guys working in Muffler Shops...

That was planted by my AM... can you tell he's a young male?

My coworker, Aldo and I went out for a drink last night at the bar next to the branch. I knew I don't do well with Draft, but DEAR LORD.. I felt awful this morning. I got up, had some involuntary shakes, drank half a gallon of OJ, and showered in preparation for work. I'm sure I was a dream today when Aaron came in to pick up those files. Me with the short attention span, and now a hangover. *NEW AND IMPROVED*

I think I spent most of my time staring out the window at people walking by, and giving perfunctory nods to show I was still conscious. I try so hard to impress him.

He thinks I look 'eerily familiar', which kind of scares me. If he's from Calgary, then I do sort of worry about whether or not he might have seen me during my Cowboys days since they are still extremely hazy to me. He didn't look in the least bit familiar, although very much reminded me of a guy I used to date. His name was Sean though. Mayhap Sean changed his name?

Anyway.. I'm boring myself, so I'll sign off.

Maybe I'll think of something interesting to write this weekend. Or not.

John Hughes and I

I'm having a great night now that everyone's asleep.

Wayne went down early, and his boys even earlier, and I'm mad as hell at Alex for copping out on dish duty again, so he sensed that and pulled a disappearing act long before the former 3 were gone to dreamland, so I made a pact that for the rest of my waking hours, it'll just be John Hughes and me.

There's something so nostalgiac, comforting and deeply relaxing about sitting down to a round of those Brat Pack movies of the 80's.

Molly, Anthony Michael, and Matthew.. ;)

I'm relaxed...

Anybody wanna contribute to the state of vegetation and buy me the High School Reunion Box Collection?



C'mon... expedite the madness!

Laments of the Eldest

Who here is the oldest sibling?

I am.

I can't remember my youngest years, although have been reassured that being the oldest grandchild on my mom's side of the family, the oldest granddaughter on my dad's and the first born to my parents, that I was spoiled absolutely rotten. Of course I was.. did they have a choice?

I have a vague memory of being very young after the conception of my younger brother and understanding that although my excitement over having a new sibling was merited, I knew that I would no longer be the 'only' one people had to croon over.

After Trinity was born, I, like all my relatives, fawned over the new baby. I was after all, Big Sister, sworn protector of baby brother. Unfortunately this also meant that if he gave the dog a treasured toy that she swiftly chewed to bits, I also got to play scapegoat and take the blame.

So now here I am, I'm 21 years old, and I've just realized that for the last 9 years of my life I've been sold short for the prodigal son.

I have another brother, too. He just turned 12 and I can understand (or at least appreciate) more about him than I can ever hope to understand about Trinity.

I know most families have a sort of hierarchy, although the parents will 9 times out of 10 deny with their last dying breath that there's EVER a 'favorite'. I know better. It's why I refuse to have kids. I know myself better, so why would I subject multiple beings of my own body to having to put up with the torment of NOT being the favorite?

In any case, it goes much like this in my family:
-My youngest brother, Garhett, is much like my dad. I hate to use the word 'simple', but for the most part they are. They have a goal in life, mainly making money, and would be happy as long as they are able to provide. They enjoy the same sorts of things, enjoy spending time together and are just the same 'type' of people.
-Trinity is, as I've mentioned, the prodigal son. As long as he brings home good marks on his report cards, denoting a promising future, Mom will dote on him as much as possible. He asks, she will provide, or at least attempt to.
-I am, have been, and will likely continue to be the black sheep of the family. I tried hard to meld with both of my parents, taking interest in some of their choice hobbies, trying to be an equally good daughter to both. Unfortunately... I was also a teenage girl. I liked boys (trouble), parties (more trouble) and trying so hard not to fit into a mold (*sigh* the fight for individuality) that I became painfully more and more like every other teenage girl on the face of the planet. Seventeen magazine doesn't tell you that by trying to 'be your own person' you end up looking like everyone else. If I could re-do it, I'd never try. I'd just be.

Anyway, most of the time I don't bemoan that fact.. I sort of relish in being the black sheep. I don't have to live up to anyone's expectations or expect to crush (or at least injure) their feelings and shatter the golden image they have of me. I am free to be me. I love that.

I can't, however, deny the fact that it hurts that in the past few months, as the 'golden child' is handed more and more things in the guise of Grad or Birthday presents, I'm still fighting for a few small things.

It also hurts that things that could have been integral in starting my career of choice were denied to me due to lack of money or interest on the part of my parents. I don't want to sound like I'm whining, but it does seem a little crass that certain things are just handed over to one child for simply asking, while the other stops nothing short selling their soul to get the same thing and only ever recieves a simple 'No'.

I know. Life is unfair. It's the sentiment you all want to give to me right now. It just doesn't cut it.

I also don't want to sound like my parents are horrible or anything, because they're not. They always provided for me what I needed and tried to keep me as happy as was usually possible, and I don't deny I was a difficult teen, but I just really wish the wound would stop being rubbed with salt. It hurts.

So in closing.. to all you middle and youngest children out there who are still upset that your older sibling got to stay up later than you all those nights..

Don't bitch! It may be all we got!

The Shameless Plug Post

Hey now.. I promised I'd never take the cop-out route and just post a drink of the day.. I said nothing about other pointless posts...

If you're as bored as I never am, spy on some people...

Quirky Cori's Quandry (My Big Sis')
Modsuperstar (James')

I promise.. I'll have something of meaning posted later, especially in light of the fact I was just informed I'm a terrible friend who knows nothing about staying in touch with people. :)

Love you Corey!

Reminiscent Slacking

Whoo..

It's been weeks and you'd think I have a lot to catch up on, but in truth, I have had one really big life change and a lot of the same monotony. Thus.. why I haven't felt the need to add anything to my blog (still loving that word!). Somehow (and know that James and I love you in spite of this, sis), adding a drink of the day, just really would feel like copping out!

Have you ever watched late night cartoons? I'm addicted to the Detour on Teletoon (formerly Teletoon Unleashed). They're all these re-runs of adult-ish cartoons, and sometimes after a hard day it feels damn good to just sit with a bowl of cereal (also a late night addiction of mine as of late) and watch them. They require no thought, no brain power, no concentration.

Everytime I watch them, it brings me back to springtime in Jasper. Did I ever mention that? I lived in Jasper for 9 months... I could glorify it for you and tell you it was an amazing experience that changed my life, but I'd likely be stretching the truth. Jasper's great.. for the weekend. I still bemoan the fact that I spent the total of 5 of my total current paycheques in 9 months on drinking alone, but hey, I was 18. I'm forgiven. In any case, the place had it's good points, too. There's just this sense of freedom when you're 18 years old, walking home from a good day's work, at a decent paying job, and it's 11 at night and the mountain air is so crisp and fresh. I'd get home, make some pasta and zonk in front of Teletoon Unleashed for 4 straight hours, usually opting to fall asleep when the old Spiderman episodes came on (don't get me wrong.. I love Spidey, but that old animation that seemed so great when you were a kid, pales in comparison to today's). So now.. it sounds corny and trite, I know, but I feel like I did back then, 3 years ago, whenever I sit down and watch an episode of Undergrads that I know I watched one night in my crappy little apartment in Jasper with the ugly orange shag carpet.

When I first moved out on my own after I got to Edmonton, I rented this room in a shared accommodation type setup in the landlord's basement. We shared the laundry room, bathroom and kitchen, and paid a set amount for rent and utilities. Now in retrospect, I got completely ripped off, but when you're a 'barely above minimum wage' retail bum, you take what you can get. The landlord let me pay him 1/2 a month on the first and then on the fifteenth and I could have my cat, but I went through 3 roommates in my first 2 months, and you always felt a little strange about living in someone's basement, knowing that they could keep an eye on your every move. But we had cable!

Oh yeah.. the blessed gift of cable.. something I KNOW I couldn't have afforded the pleasure of if I'd gone the apartment route! So some nights I'd get home, chill out on my couch and turn on Teletoon.. It's like a comforting old friend.

So sometimes, even when I felt completely out of my element, and sort of depressed about my current situation, all it would take was this glimpse into my past to uplift me.

So.. the big change?

Well.. I got my transfer. *pauses for effect*

I did.

And now?

I'm the manager, too!

It's an utter mess though.. it's going to take 2 straight weeks of pulling suspect files (methinks the former manager made a lot more than her paycheques and monthly bonus, if you know what I'm saying) and auditing everything before things start to sail smoothly. Basically, I'm trial though. My Area Manager, who is a great guy, has given me the position based on the large amount of recommendations he's recieved on my behalf from more than 4 of the 'big guys' at head office, and is now giving me 2 months to prove myself worthy. I'll update that later, though.

2 weeks to go and I have my girl in her next (and hopefully, FINAL) show in Calgary. I'm beyond excited, albeit a bit nervous about the part where she is BALD (FYI.. not in a literal sense, but for anyone doing the whole dog fancy thing, you understand what I mean.. a dog handler's woes) and won't eat! So as I'm cramming tuna and pasta down her throat in hopes that she may gain that elusive 3 pounds (at which point, her weight will be perfection!), while I contemplate the drawbacks of crazee gluing her clumps of fur back on to make it look like she has full show coat, I pray the the God(s?) that she will gain those last points and finally become a Canadian Champion. Then (YAY!) I get to come up with $750 for a stud fee, and $300 for health clearances, so I can get my dog laid. Maybe I should give up smoking.. and eating...

Don't ever deny I'm not a good mom to my dog.. I also half thought about applying at 7/11 to come up with the cash for Summer to meet her dream man faster. Now that's love!

Anyway.. now I'm rambling... although that's not overly surprising considering it's quarter to one in the morning, and most sane people are asleep.


To brighten your life.. I also supplied a drink recipe. I can't vouch for it's taste, as my sole experience with it was sub par to say the least, but it's something that ties in with my current feelings...

This one's for you Cori!

Freddy Fudpucker

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Tequila
• 4 oz Orange juice
• 1/2 oz Galliano

Mixing instructions:

Pour the tequila and orange juice into a highball glass almost filled with ice cubes. Pouring slowly and carefully over the back of a teaspoon, float the Galliano on top of the drink.

Blatantly copied and pasted from The Webtender.

PS. I apologize for the lack of wit in this post. I am losing my touch.