As Esks season ticket holders we get pre-sale access to the upcoming U2 concert at the Commonwealth Stadium in June 2010. Earlier today I ordered tickets so Drew and I can finally see them play live. We didn’t get the super expensive 250$ seats – that’s just not in the budget this year – but I think the one’s we got will put a large smile on our faces. It’s not Leonard Cohen but it comes close.

June 2010 is going to be an exciting time for us. First there’s the family gathering in the beginning of the month. That’s followed by the U2 concert. We’re ending off the month with the return of the Can’t Stop the Serenity event to Edmonton. Lots to look forward to.

Too bad I’ll be waving bubye to Drew as he heads back to KAF for 9 months in July…

Speaking of the Esks & Commonwealth, Drew will be renewing and upgrading out season tickets later this week. No more screy nosebleed seats for me. *w00t* And of course our seats will come with tickets to Grey Cup 2010. I’ve never been to a Grey Cup before but I know it’ll be an awesome time. THE biggest CFL football game of the year. No matter which teams are playing it’s going to be a great game.

For years we’ve had season tickets to the opera and it’s one of my favourite entertainment events. Last night Drew and I attended the Edmonton Opera Company’s season opener, Rigoletto. Out seats aren’t as good in Edm as they were in Wpg but they’re not bad. The music was wonderfully performed by the members of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and Tracey Dahl was, as always, brilliant. Robert Breault and Theodore Baerg’s performances were acceptable.

While I’ve come to the conclusion that I’ve yet to be disappointed in Tracey Dahl, the same thing can’t be said for every production I’ve seen her in on stage. Sometimes the productions are awe inspiring. Othertimes they can be pretty “meh“. Mostly that just means that I’d be less likely to see the same opera a second time. Rigoletto falls into the “meh” category for me. This was somewhat unexpected since I adore Verdi’s Aida. Later this season we’ll be seeing another Verdi opera, Otello, and I hope I’ll enjoy it more.

Drew was looking forward to seeing Pirates of Penzance this season but will likely be away when it runs. Guess I’ll need to find myself a date that evening.

Before we left we did buy tickets to the traveling Broadway production of A Chorus Line for next month. Looking forward to spending another evening out. All dressed up with some place to go.

Four months ago a giant hole was dug in front of my garage. Today we filled it with concrete. Thank goodness cause I really didn’t want to leave my truck out all winter. With my luck it would get broken into again.

Instead of the usual signing & pressing coins into the concrete Drew had the puppies put a paw print in it before it completely set. Fenris is getting on in years so it’ll be a nice reminder. Just wish we’d thought of it when pouring the patio & walk earlier this summer.

With the concrete down we can pretty much lay reno 2009 to rest. It was a pretty big series of jobs this year. New furnace & AC unit. Insulation blown into ceiling. Old deck torn down and replaced with concrete patio and a smaller upper balcony. Garage sided and small shed built. And finally, la piece de resistance, concrete parking pad poured on the side and in front of the garage.

We got a lot done this year. I think we’ll take a break before tackling any more “round the house” jobs. One of these days we need to refinish a floor or two and reno the basement bathroom and kitchin. Nothing too pressing. 2011 (or later) sounds good to me.

Time for an annual tradition: communal Thanksgiving dinner. This is where we trott across the alley with a contribution to the meal and gather with our neighbours for a fun evening of food, conversation and play.

The dinner is hosted at a neighbour’s house because they have a large enough kitchen able to fit the masses. Everyone who attends is supposed to bring at least one thing to contrbute to the meal.

Luckily the turkey has been cooked by our host for the past few years. Our contribution this year is wine (1 white, 1 red), mushy taters, carrots, parsnips, corn bread, and cheesecake (x2).

It’s usually an awesome evening. The only downside I can think of is that sometimes we have people drop by for dinner who don’t bother to bring a contribution. These people always seem to eat the most too. And wander home with all the leftovers…

I know I should be more charitable on this of all weekends but it just seems to be rude to me. The point of the communal meal is so that no one person has to do all the cooking for the day and that everyone has a place to go on the holiday.

I know that not everyone cooks but how hard is it to bring a store bought desert, buns, or a bottle of wine with you when you show up? It’s just common courtesy.

Another point of order – being over 30 minutes late for dinner and not calling to indicate you’ll be late is extremely rude. Being a family member of one of the neighbours does not excuse you from being on time (or bringing a contribution). Expecting all the neighbours to gush over your toddler when you’re so late for dinner is also bad form in my eyes.

Wow! I’m apparently very ungreatful this Thanksgiving. I’m well on my way to “crotchety old bat” status this evening.

I can’t speak for anyone else but I went from being an occasional twitter user to a frequent user while attending an education conference last fall. I mostly follow fellow educators (& my fave authors) and the continual sharing of ideas, research links, tips & tricks, etc. From a world wide group of professionals is amazing.

I’ve also found I’m more active in my local community & with charitable organizations through exposure via twitter to locally based users. Things I didn’t know existed because they were not included on local news or in the paper until after the event was over.

Twitter has been used to raise funds and awareness for a number of causes. Twestival worldwide supported the charity ‘Water’. In Sept an additional Twestival will be held to support local charities in sponsoring communities. An offer from one user to make a donation to @kidsneedtoread ended in a small challenge that raised 800$ for the cause. #tweetsgiving & #tweetluck raised thousands to build and equip a school in Tanzania.

The real power (or lack) of twitter is in how each individual chooses to use it. Who they choose to follow. What they choose to write. Who they interact with & how often. Aside from the usual rants about spam, there’s no right or wrong way to use twitter. Nor can I say my chosen manner of use is any more valuable than anyone else’s.

I do think it’s a fabulous and powerful tool; one I enjoy using daily.

Do you tweet? Why or why not?