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We celebrated Ashlyn’s birthday this weekend with the family, Olive Garden style. We were all a little tuckered out after an afternoon of malling. Walking around the mall and navigating all those people is like walking on the sun for me. We had fun though and Ashlyn got to take care of some GARAGE credit she received for her BDay.

Last weekend the girls went to the beach. Usually I am involved in this to some capacity. They used to say “We should go to the beach this weekend” which translates “Dad can you take us to the beach?”. But this time was different. It was more like “Can we take your car to the beach?”. So they did, and it was a weird feeling of damn, they don’t need me to take them to the beach anymore!

Last night I went and saw “Disclosure Day” with Al. It was OK but I was hoping for something a little less ET if that makes sense. It came together at the end but it just took a long time to get there. I wanted to feel like I did after seeing “Fire In The Sky” and there was just too many mystical bits, if that makes sense. I did leave thinking that one day there will be some kind of “Disclosure Day” for the human race, but I am not sure it would look like this.

Oh ya, while we were at the movies the Carolina Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup. If I was at home Shan and I would have watched but I really didn’t care either way. Boring series to watch and I don’t care for either team. No fights. I would much rather see some fights than a bunch of high sticks and guys turning their backs to the boards every 5 mins. thought it was cool that Bussi changed the momentum for Carolina. Happy for Staal and Jarvis. Everyone excited for Ehlers, and I could care less. I guess that’s one way to win a cup. Could have been Marner if the coin flipped the other way. I have more respect for someone like Crosby for staying in Pittsburgh during the hard times than a Marner or Ehlers. I prefer loyalty all day.

Had a really nice weekend. Friday night I went over to Boychuk’s⁽¹⁾ place for a couple drinks thinking I might take in the Dutiume⁽²⁾ social that was to follow. Then I found out it wasn’t at G-Wood. Shireen⁽³⁾ was at Mark’s place when I got there so it was major deja-vu. Nice to catch up though. We watched a bit of grade 11 Spirit Week and then they went to the social and I came home to pick up Shan.

From there we went to “Coyotes” for the Puncher’s birthday. I seemed to know a lot of people there this time so it was good times. I even saw Matt from work who I have been talking about having a beer with for quite some time. He was much more drunk than I so he may not even remember me being there. Once we caught up to the Puncher I noticed she was hardly even drunk and remembered the wedding we went to a few weeks back where on wine cooler got the best of her. Poor little thing prolly only weighs a buck-o-five and can’t handle her booze. So we found Bry and Al and made our way over to perkins for the best meal in Canada.⁽⁴⁾ No better way to top off the night.

Saturday I did my chores while Shan was at work and then Al and I went to the Forks for Frozen Yogurt!⁽⁵⁾ We saw this amazing balloon animal maker guy. This guy was so good that we stood there and watched him rifle off all kinds of cool things from Spider-Man to wacky balloon hats. He was great with the kiddies too and had all these funny interactive tricks. Check out his website here.

Saturday night and and I BBQ’d a couple steaks for dinner and then Shawn⁽⁶⁾ and Lisa came over to play a round of “Chicken Foot”. I have been wanting to hang out with Shawn and Lisa since they have been back but we have both had some crazy schedules. It was a nice relaxing night with good friends and good laughs.

Sunday was a write off. Shan went to work and since all the dishes were done I stayed in my PJ’s all day and watched the “WB Superstar” Marathon on TV. If you are not aware of this program it is a lot like “Canadian/American Idol” except they are looking for the worst singers in America who think they are the bomb. It is quite sad really but I couldn’t help but watch.

(1) – Mark Boychuk (Boych) was a good friend to me in our OG (original Glenwood) days. He did well with the ladies almost to a fault. He used to have one of those motocross style bikes with shocks when we all had the BMX style. He rode the shit out of this thing in the best way possible and I can picture him always bouncing around on that thing. We played G-Wood ball together and it was the ball to me at shortstop and out to him at first base. In Grade 10-11 him and I made the infamous Spirit Week Videos that are still circulating somewhere out there.

(2) – Todd Dutiume was always solid to me growing up. A little bit older, a great athlete, and I looked up to him. Went off to play hockey in Europe, got married, had some kids, and I think he lost his wife to illness or something. I remember reading about it and feeling so bad for him. Bad things really do happen to good people and I hope he is out there slaying it right now. He deserves the best in life in my opinion.

(3) – Shireen Douma was a legend back in the day. Hottest girl in school status and still one of the nicest people you will ever meet. None of this mean girl shit.

(4) – Patty Melt Spicey Fries please.

(5) – It’s not like I was feeding it to him.

(6) – Shawn Buchanan, who I loved hanging out with and haven’t seen in a long time. I remember the Star Wars sheets in his car and hitting him hard in the nards with a slap shot playing street hockey. One of the funniest guys I ever met.

Well the stupid Tampa Bay Lightning are Stanley Cup Champions and the NHL, Gary Bettman, and Hulk Hogan can kiss my ass. The whole game has been killed by the American “product”⁽¹⁾ and the need to force hockey on people overwhelmed by sports entertainment. The offciating was horrendous not only on calls against the Flames but the Lightning as well. It was a joke. If you have any doubts just look for Hulk Hogan in the team picture around the Stanley Cup…nuff said. Hats off to Lecavalier who I thought was awesome out there in every game and Iginla for carrying the Flames not only in the playoffs but all season as well.

Big thanks to Shan who is the best playoff girlfriend ever (reason #2354). She was prepared to watch hockey every night for the past couple months and never once even pretended to change the channel. Sometimes I thought she might be more into it than I was because of how much she was yelling at the TV. There was one game where you could clearly hear one of the TB players yell “DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT FERRENCE, I’LL F**K YOU UP!” This became Shan’s trademark saying everytime the announcer mentioned the name Ferrence. It was hilarious. On nights when she had to work she would call me when Leafs scored. I would pick up the phone and all she would say is “SCORES.” After game seven I called home to see if she saw the final and she was in tears on the phone. I don’t think she really wants me to write about this because she is undercover or something. Girls like this you only hear about. Girls like this you take to Vegas.

Puncher’s birthday this weekend. I think there will be some bowling and bar-ing involved.

(1) – Same thing this year. Carolina wins the cup and I could care less. Didn’t even watch.

It’s nice outside so I am going to make this quick…Thurs night went and watched the flames at Bry’s on his new 53. Nice TV. Bry had chips and dips and whatnots and Ponch brought the beer. Still hungry so we ordered up some chicken for the third period and George and Al went for more beer. Left there with a sore tummy and another month away from my speedo.

Friday night I had hockey and then I went to find Shan at an all night Cancer walk-a-thon she was doing at Red River Ex grounds. It was raining after my game so I figured her team (the Bay) might be getting pretty wet if they were not prepared so I brought another rain jacket and some hip waders. There were lots of people and it was dark and raining so it took some time to find them but they were happy to see me and the extra rain jacket so it was worth the trip. It was nice to see Shan with all her buds, especially Tara.⁽¹⁾ Tara seems like the kind of friend who always has your back. I did one lap and then took off home to do some reading for this for this challenge exam⁽²⁾ I had on Saturday.

After the exam I went and picked up Erin for a little hanging out session. We went out for lunch unch and and then to my parents place to take my mom for some flowers. Mom just got a new planter in the front yard where my dad cut down her tree. I won’t get into that battle but my mom seems excited to get this planter going to liven up the front yard so all the power to her. From there Erin and I came back home to pick up Shan and then we spent the afternoon at the Zoo. Let’s be honest, Winnipeg has the worst Zoo⁽³⁾ ever but you know what to expect when you go there and make the best of it. They’ve been hyping up these white tigers and yesterday they just looked like all the other lumps of fur clumped over in their phoney habitat. But we had fun.

After taking Erin home Shan and I met Mike, Tara, KK, Jordy and Tim for dinner at JD’s. No JD though because as soon as it gets nice he is at the lake and more importantly in his glory. Mike and Tara whipped up an amazing chicken dinner and then we all watched the big game. It was cool seeing how into the game Jordan was. Once again I found myself envious of Mike and his family. Thinking about sitting around watching a game with “the boy”.⁽⁴⁾

It’s chore day today…

(1) – Tara Kaplik has always been a good friend to Shan. The type of friend who is always there to help.

(2) – In 2004 I did the HTML challenge exam at Red River so that I could put it on my resume.

(3) – I am not sure the Zoo is that much better since 2004 but it has seen much renovation. We have also seen dinosaurs and penguins there, and BOO at the Zoo seems to make it back every year. I think it cost $60 per person last year.

(4) – Sometimes Ashlyn and Lexi watch hockey with me. When I first wrote this it was just 5 years from when Lexi was born and I am so thankful to be a girl dad. Ashlyn said she can’t picture me as a boy dad anyway.

Whoa time flies and all of a sudden I am updating my site as much as Timmy G. Just off a really nice weekend.

Friday night Shan took me to the Keg for a nice dinner (reason #1456). Can’t remember the last time a girl said “get dressed we’re going to the Keg…I need some red meat”, and I am not complaining.⁽¹⁾

Saturday I got up early to help Vern move. I ended up waking him up and found out we could not move anything because the people in the other place were still in so we went for breakfast. It was a pretty easy move to the building next-door and we were done in no time. That night I went to the ranch for a BBQ. It was nice for Shan to see everyone and a perfect day to be outdoors. Mike and I played a mean game of lawn darts. Rounded up the night by sitting around the fire in a trance and just plain relaxing. It was nice.

Yesterday I hung out with Erin and then Shan and I met Al and Nat for the end of the Ducks game at Applebees. I am on a 3 day stretch at work and already looking forward to the weekend coming up.

Big congrats to Shan to who picked up a brand new car today! She is the proud new owner of a 2003 Hyundia Accent.⁽²⁾ Black too, my favorite!

(1) – We still do this once a year but the Keg is getting so damn expensive (and I am not even getting the Megger Kegger). We save all our gift cards and make it happen. I like the mushrooms neptune and frizzled (hand gesture) onions.

(2) – This was a good little car that Shan had while I was still driving my Aveo. Loved that car. We traded them both in at the same time to buy the Nissan X-Trail, when we thought we could survive on one car. Nooooope!

Got a new deck installed last night, complete with alarm. Hopefully I don’t have to hear it in the middle of the night and go running outside to catch some punk breaking in again!⁽¹⁾ My grandpa made it through the surgery⁽²⁾ and is out of intensive care and back in his old room. The coming months are going to tough on him and the family. But that’s what family is all about.

Play Westside Riders tonight at 9:30 with stats to follow. I have a good feeling about this one.

(1) – I can’t remember what car this was in but forsure it was an Alpine pull out deck that I got installed at Brian Reimers for way too much money at the time. Wasn’t even faceplate, the whole deck came out.

(2) – Didn’t know it, but I wouldn’t see him again after our last visit.

Thursday night Shan and I were invited to Danelle’s new place for dinner. I didn’t think she would be able to outdo her old place “on the Red” but this place is close to even cooler. The kicker had to be the picture and Ratte, Danelle, and I as soon as you walk in the door. Danelle went out and picked up some steaks and just to show you how she goes out of her way for people, one was even “Tom Size” as she put it. Thanks for a great dinner.

Friday night Shan said it would be OK for me to accompany the Puncher to a wedding for a mutual friend (Desi Clark).⁽¹⁾ She came over for a couple pre-drinks and then Shan drove us to the do. It was great to see the Clark family in action and all done up. Des, Dave, and Ray haven’t changed a bit except they all have babies and whatnot. Saw couple friends from Montana’s and some ol’ G-Wood guys so it was fun right from the get go. Puncher had a little problem handling her booze so we spent a good portion outside “getting some air”, From there we cabbed back to my place and since the night was still young we caught up with Danelle and G at the Assiniboine for Timmy’s big Karaoke Fest. From there Danelle raced us to Perkin’s for the best meal in Canada.⁽²⁾

Saturday I hung out with Grandma while Shan was at work and then I came home and did my chores. Shan made a nice dinner and we watched the game. GO FLAMES GO. We were invited out for Amber’s 30th birthday at Academy Lanes so I picked up Bry and then Al drove us all out for a little bowling. Amber was smoking when we got there so I knew she was already good to go. It was nice to see all her buds and bowl a few with Bry, Al and Shan. Another big Happy Happy to Amber (did I mention she is 30). Sorry we missed the after party.

Today at hockey Gould gave me this picture from the Free Press “One of these guys is doing his own thing…

(1) – I can hardly remember this night, but Shannon also let me sleep over at the Puncher’s house one time after a social at Glenwood because she didn’t want to drive me home. It was just me, Shady Grady, and Puncher.

(2) – Patty melt and spicy fries.

Well I have to work another Saturday and I guess I can’t complain seeing as I have had the last couple off. Yesterday Shan and I met David, Andre, and Anand for lunch at Saffron’s. We were all in the same training class at work⁽¹⁾ and since we all had the same day off we thought it would be nice to visit Anand for lunch who now works at Saffron’s⁽²⁾. As it turns out Anand’s shift got cancelled but he met us there anyway for a few Corona’s and a nice lunch. A pretty classy move I thought with such short notice as I had only called him the night before. After lunch David had some work to do on his new Mustang. Prolly as a result of all the rubber he’s been leaving on the streets these last couple days. We all watched him fishtail out of sight and decided to hop the River Bus for some desert at the Forks. For those that don’t know the River Bus⁽³⁾ runs on the Red River picking g people up at various docking points and delivers them to seven other hot spots on the river. This particular one was off Wellington at Hugo. A spot Anand remembered as “a nice romantic place to smoke some dank”. Anyway it was a nice way to spend the afternoon and Andre agreed “it was worth getting out of bed at 11:30am”

Spending the day with Anand inspired the new section you may have noticed on the site, “Ask Anand”. I first met him at a job interview. We were both applying for at the same time. After the interview we had both got the job and were filling out the paperwork and he explained to me that he knew someone already working in this place and he knew where all the talent was. I thought he was saying that he might know the right people for moving up the corporate ladder but in our first day of “all male” training he was quick to ask “where is all the talent”? In break time I never saw him much but he would always come back into training and explain where all the “talent” was sitting on the production floor. He is thoughtful that way. For the rest of training we would take turns sleeping and I would give Anand a nudge when the trainer came around. If he wasn’t sleeping he was checking his Hotmail or competing with “Sunfire” for the high score in Tetris. We had little pet names for everyone in our class. Once work started we both found it a little tough to adjust. I would come in early to find a good parking spot and get my tools setup. Anand would come in late, park in expecting mothers parking, and go get a coffee. He was good on the phone but called customers “Dude” a lot and even in the notes on their acct. One day in the middle of a tough shift he leans back in his chair and says “Look at how nice it is outside, I’m outta here”. He shuts down his computer, gathers his things and I haven’t seen him there since. At first I couldn’t figure out why I missed the guy so much. Then I realized how much his lack of interest intrigued me. His stories and care-free attitude about the things that stressed me out made me envy him. It wasn’t until he got up and walked right out of there that I wished I had the balls to do the same.

Anyway today at lunch among the usual conversation Anand tells us a story about a guy he knows that makes his own drugs with a can of Rald, some metal mesh screening, hooked up to a car battery. How this came about I don’t even know but we were all killing ourselves laughing about “low-grade Raid”. It was at this point Shan says “this guy needs a section on the org” and I agree.

Reason #1576 that Shan is the best. Last night we are relaxing after dinner when a tele-marketer calls and I answer the phone…”Hullo”.

Tele-marketer: “Hi there, this is blah blah blah from blah blah blah…may I speak to the female head of household please?” This takes a second to register and I hand the phone to Shan.

Shan: “Hullo”

Tele-marketer: “Hi there, this is blah blah blah from blah blah blah…and I was wondering if you would be interested in participating in a quick survey?”

Shan: “Sure”, she is so sweet.

Tele-marketer: “OK great, when you do dishes, do you most often do them by hand, or do you use a dishwasher?”

Shan: “Niether…I don’t do dishes…”

Tele-marketer: “Oh?”

Shan: “The men in my household do the dishes!”…click.

(1) – This was when I worked at Convergys supporting Comcast Internet.

(2) – Saffron’s is a trendy little patio on Corydon just in case you are wondering. Anand went to work there because the “talent” was much better in the summer months than Convergys.

(3) – Here is the link to the water bus schedule. It’s a cool way to get around in the summer.