KeepInToucher

"Renovations"

I put renovations in quotation marks because when I tell my colleagues who have built decks and installed flooring about my renovations they roll their eyes and they don't even try to hide it.

My first project was a light fixture in the kitchen. It was one of those horrible white flourecent box lights. Ew. Lucky for me I decided to install the new halogen light fixture around the exact time my friends Natasha and her now husband and then/still electrician Steve came over to my place. He put it in for me, because he said it would take him five minutes and it would take me five hours. I did have to go next door to meet my new neighbour and borrow some vice grips, but yesterday I bought pliers so there's basically no stopping me. So what if I had to wear my squash goggles and a bandana to keep the dust out of my system while I was talking the leftover plaster off the ceiling.

I also bought a new toilet seat yesterday. I don't want to go into too many details, but let's just say the no wobble technology is helping me get over my almost pathological fear of having a guest wobble onto the floor. I didn't even know there was such a thing as no-wobble technology for a toilet seat, but I think I am glad I have it.

There are all sorts of things I am learning about by being a homeowner.
And I am not talking just property tax and paint chips- I am talking about the feeling of empowerment I get when I install things.

They may not be real renovations- but as soon as I get a power screwdriver, look out!

Karaoke Kraziness

The Gambler was a Sweetchild of Mine living in Beverly Hills, Californication and he has a Holla' Back Girl friend.

If that doesn't make any sense to you, it may be because you didn't have the good fortune of being at my 30th birthday party, in the private Karaoke Room with the special glow in the black light painting of tulips. Those are all songs I "sang" while dancing around in red high heels with my friends, and some of them actually can sing.

I guess it's something that comes with age- understanding your faults and learning to accept your shortcomings. I cannot sing- I think I might actually be tone deaf. I don't dance that well- I may also be rhythmically challenged. But now that I am in my thirties, (and maybe a little before) I don't care, and I only surround myself with people who know my good qualities well enough so they don't care either.

There are some photos of the evening in a photo album on your left. Although I would have liked to be around my family on the day/weekend I welcomed my thirties- I know the people I did spend it with, Cara, Megan, Amber, Rachel and Natalia, are like my Toronto family. They made my night- because they love me no matter how off key I am!

The Big Three Oh

So one day, well today, I turned 30.

And let me tell you, it couldn't have come at a better time.

Don't get me wrong, I loved my twenties- I learned so much and changed even more.

Imagine, 10 years ago I was moving to Saskatchewan and I couldn't imagine a better place to live than Calgary (which I still like, but I have seen a lot of the world since then.)

The best part, so far, about being 30, is having the ability to look back and realize just how lucky I am.

Not only was I lucky enough to be born in North America to parents who can provide for me, in a place where I don't have to worry about dying from starvation or civil war, but I have the good fortune of having a life full of people who love me, who sing happy birthday to my answering machine, and send me thoughtful cards and pretty flowers.

I have an interesting job, an evolving-into-nice condo and an optimistic outlook on life.

Plus I was in the US recently and I was asked for ID, so clearly I don't look my age.

Even if you don't believe in the zodiac, I feel pretty good about the predictions for this year:
"The year ahead could be one of the best years of your life. Expect a miracle."
"A supportive sky will now gently steer you towards something amazing."

Sounds pretty good to me.

Safeco....

If you know me, you know I love baseball.
(And if you don't know me, now you do.)

Up until now, I have only been to the Astrodome ("oh, that's why they call it astro turf,") and the Sky Dome ("oh, this place is really concrete and sort of ugly.)

On the August long weekend, I went to Vancouver, and took a little overnight trip to Seattle.

The trip was fantastic and one of the highlights was going to a game at Safeco.

Now, the Mariners weren't playing so well, and the A's are just okay too this year , but the day was beautiful and the stadium feels like what an old time baseball field should feel like.  Only clean....and with waiters who run around with a number on their back you can text message so if you are so lazy you can't walk ten feet to the bar, they will bring you whatever you need.