Monday, July 28, 2008
An old friend passed on last week. My parents' Beagle, T (aka Trouble, T the Terrible, That Little Shit, etc.) was ten when he went to his last veterinarian visit.
Those who knew him probably remember a wild, crazy dog with a glimmer of mischievousness in his eyes, but in recent years, T had slowed down considerably. The last few months had been incredibly hard on the poor guy as he fought what turned out to be a form of cancer.
Last night was the first night I'd been able to spend with my parents since T was put to sleep, and we sat around having a couple of glasses of wine while reminiscing about the crazy things that Beagle did in his first few years. From dive-bombing feet to chewing shoes to swiping burgers and bacon off the counters (and running like hell), he sure was unique. I don't expect to ever again meet a dog quite like T.
He will be missed.
Those who knew him probably remember a wild, crazy dog with a glimmer of mischievousness in his eyes, but in recent years, T had slowed down considerably. The last few months had been incredibly hard on the poor guy as he fought what turned out to be a form of cancer.
Last night was the first night I'd been able to spend with my parents since T was put to sleep, and we sat around having a couple of glasses of wine while reminiscing about the crazy things that Beagle did in his first few years. From dive-bombing feet to chewing shoes to swiping burgers and bacon off the counters (and running like hell), he sure was unique. I don't expect to ever again meet a dog quite like T.
He will be missed.
Friday, July 18, 2008
I took a look at the Watchmen trailer, and while it looks pretty slick, I'm still highly skeptical that the graphic novel can be successfully turned into a movie. But seriously, isn't that Smashing Pumpkins tune the one written for Batman & Robin?
It's interesting that there are all kinds of events going on in and around Ajax that most people don't seem to know about. Last night, I walked down to Rotary Park to take in an outside rendition of Romeo & Juliet, which was put on by the Driftwood Theatre Group.
Although I'm not much of a fan of the play, it was well done. The actors played up some of the humour, and they really portrayed the title characters as whiny brats (seems accurate to me). They edited the play down to about two hours, but it didn't look like they cut anything of too great importance.
While there were quite a few people in attendance at the performance, you'd think a free play in the park would attract a lot more. The thing is, I wouldn't have even known it was happening if I hadn't started keeping tabs on the events listing on the Town of Ajax Web site.
Although I'm not much of a fan of the play, it was well done. The actors played up some of the humour, and they really portrayed the title characters as whiny brats (seems accurate to me). They edited the play down to about two hours, but it didn't look like they cut anything of too great importance.
While there were quite a few people in attendance at the performance, you'd think a free play in the park would attract a lot more. The thing is, I wouldn't have even known it was happening if I hadn't started keeping tabs on the events listing on the Town of Ajax Web site.
Monday, July 14, 2008
On the weekend, I visited Logan in Belleville. Eric and I drove there Saturday morning, and I caught a ride back with Logan early on Sunday.
Belleville isn't exactly the most exciting of places, but we got out a bit. We saw two movies (Hellboy II: The Golden Army was a big disappointment, and Hancock was just so-so), had lunch at a place Logan frequents and then got rained on. If not for the rain, we may have slipped down to the waterfront for a festival going on there.
It was good to get away from home, even if it was just for twenty-four hours.
The rest of the weekend was uneventful. I did very little Friday night, but later in the evening I felt like being around people. I walked over to The Wallace Arms for a pint of Guinness and to watch the band play. I only stayed for the one beer. Once the set was over, I polished off the Guinness and wandered back home.
Sunday afternoon and evening was spent in front of the TV. I watched a few movies and a little bit of TV on DVD and on-demand. Nothing exciting.
Belleville isn't exactly the most exciting of places, but we got out a bit. We saw two movies (Hellboy II: The Golden Army was a big disappointment, and Hancock was just so-so), had lunch at a place Logan frequents and then got rained on. If not for the rain, we may have slipped down to the waterfront for a festival going on there.
It was good to get away from home, even if it was just for twenty-four hours.
The rest of the weekend was uneventful. I did very little Friday night, but later in the evening I felt like being around people. I walked over to The Wallace Arms for a pint of Guinness and to watch the band play. I only stayed for the one beer. Once the set was over, I polished off the Guinness and wandered back home.
Sunday afternoon and evening was spent in front of the TV. I watched a few movies and a little bit of TV on DVD and on-demand. Nothing exciting.
Friday, July 11, 2008
I haven't been posting here much lately, but I'm planning on getting back into regular commentary on ... well, whatever it is I comment on.
For now, here's a quick update on what I've been up to:
After getting all the paperwork for the house ownership out of the way on June 24th, I felt the proverbial weight being lifted from my shoulders. I'd spent a month dealing with mortgage stuff and living in a state of chaos. Since that time, I've been cleaning and re-organizing the house, and while I'm far from finished, the place is a lot more in order than it was even just a few weeks ago. I mean, the basement storage room is clean and has a lot of extra space now (Jacquie came and got the rest of her stuff over a week-and-a-half ago).
The storage room has become my brewery storage space. All of my fermenters, carboys, grains, bottles and other tools and necessities have been moved into the storage room, and I'm now getting ready to start brewing again (and I need to make another mead in about two weeks).
The upstairs has been de-catted. It required a hefty cleaning, vacuuming and sterilization. The cat room (now a game room) was filthy and disgusting. I don't think it had been cleaned since we moved in. Yuck. (Mental note: No more cats in the house.)
So I've now been living alone for over a month, and I'm starting to think about dipping my toe back into the dating pool, so to speak. I'm enjoying living on my own, so I'm not going to be in any hurry to attach myself to another long-term relationship, but it would be nice to get out more and meet some new people (something I've got out of the habit of doing over the last few years).
I've even gone so far as to join an online dating site (yeah, yeah, laugh it up, fuzzball). I don't really think I'll be successful in meeting people through online dating sites, but it's something to do. What I really need to do is find a local social group or organization that I'd enjoy participating in (besides Durham Write-On, the writers' circle I used to belong to and have recently re-joined).
Anyway, with the summer under way, I've taken to doing a fair bit of walking. Since the beginning of July, I've walked over thirty kilometres, and I expect I may push towards seventy-five or eighty clicks by the end of the month. At least I'm getting some exercise.
And that's enough of my rambling for now. I'll probably start blogging regularly again next week.
For now, here's a quick update on what I've been up to:
After getting all the paperwork for the house ownership out of the way on June 24th, I felt the proverbial weight being lifted from my shoulders. I'd spent a month dealing with mortgage stuff and living in a state of chaos. Since that time, I've been cleaning and re-organizing the house, and while I'm far from finished, the place is a lot more in order than it was even just a few weeks ago. I mean, the basement storage room is clean and has a lot of extra space now (Jacquie came and got the rest of her stuff over a week-and-a-half ago).
The storage room has become my brewery storage space. All of my fermenters, carboys, grains, bottles and other tools and necessities have been moved into the storage room, and I'm now getting ready to start brewing again (and I need to make another mead in about two weeks).
The upstairs has been de-catted. It required a hefty cleaning, vacuuming and sterilization. The cat room (now a game room) was filthy and disgusting. I don't think it had been cleaned since we moved in. Yuck. (Mental note: No more cats in the house.)
So I've now been living alone for over a month, and I'm starting to think about dipping my toe back into the dating pool, so to speak. I'm enjoying living on my own, so I'm not going to be in any hurry to attach myself to another long-term relationship, but it would be nice to get out more and meet some new people (something I've got out of the habit of doing over the last few years).
I've even gone so far as to join an online dating site (yeah, yeah, laugh it up, fuzzball). I don't really think I'll be successful in meeting people through online dating sites, but it's something to do. What I really need to do is find a local social group or organization that I'd enjoy participating in (besides Durham Write-On, the writers' circle I used to belong to and have recently re-joined).
Anyway, with the summer under way, I've taken to doing a fair bit of walking. Since the beginning of July, I've walked over thirty kilometres, and I expect I may push towards seventy-five or eighty clicks by the end of the month. At least I'm getting some exercise.
And that's enough of my rambling for now. I'll probably start blogging regularly again next week.
Thursday, July 03, 2008
I saw a billboard the other day in Ajax for The Love Guru, but the word "JOKER" had apparently been spraypainted onto it. Part of the viral marketing campaign for The Dark Knight, perhaps?
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Origins has come and gone, and once again I missed it. I'd kick myself for missing out, but it's probably for the best considering what was going on in June. Still, I had a lot of fun in 2006 and made some new friends, so I keep hoping I'll be able to make the trip again at some point (next year, if I'm lucky).
It sounds like the convention continues to shrink, so maybe I should be looking to attending other events (like WBC), but it's hard to ignore how much fun I had two years ago.
It sounds like the convention continues to shrink, so maybe I should be looking to attending other events (like WBC), but it's hard to ignore how much fun I had two years ago.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Happy Canada Day, everyone!
I've been enjoying a four-day long weekend, but today's the last day. Back to work tomorrow.
I've been enjoying a four-day long weekend, but today's the last day. Back to work tomorrow.
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