the screaming pages

We were good little padawan learners today and actually made it out to band practice. It’s been a long time since we darkened the doorways of band and I’m surpised at how well we remembered the fingering and tunes. Perhaps by this time next year we might actually be playing the pipes. In the meantime, I need to master “high road to gaerloch” for the ceilidh in May. Wish me luck!

Before heading to bed last night we were treated to a beautiful light display courtesy of Aurora Borealis. I love the pink and red ones that dance across the sky in summer but the green ones lighting the sky last night were well worth standing on the porch at midnight in my jammies.

I’ve finished my paper but I’m going to wait a day or two before submitting it (it’s not officially due until Tuesday) in the hopes that I might receive feedback on paper @2 in the next day or two. If I do there might be something in the feedback that can help me tweak #3 before I submit it.

Psych paper is due in just over a week so I guess this means I can get a headstart on it.

After I nap. Clocks sprung ahead this morning while I was sleeping. Evil clocks. I’ve lost and hour of my life.

I was listening to the morning show on the ride into work today and they were talking about the worst gifts you could give your wife/girlfriend for v-tines day (or anytime really). Of course someone calls in and mentions a vaccuum cleaner. Me, I got a vaccuum for my first Christmas with Drew and was thrilled wiht it. To me, it was a thoughtful and much needed gift. Then again, I’ve been known to fill Drew’s present boxes with socks and underwear cause he asked for them. It takes all kinds I guess.

Last year on this date I was traveling around Agra with my co-worker Ted. We spent a sleepless night listening to a massive party and woke early in the morning to watch the sun rise over the Taj Mahal. It marked the occassion of what would have been my dad’s 68th birthday in a way I’ll never forget.

This year I’ll be digging out from a snowstorm and frantically writing in an attempt to complete my latest paper before it’s due.

Where were you a year ago today?

Yesterday I woke up a bit achy and with a runny nose and a burning feeling in the back of my throat. No worries I thought. I’ve still got the 10 tonnes of cold meds from my last bought. I took some Tylenol and Benedryl and worked on my history paper. Around 6 we headed out for Burn’s night festivities (yeah, we know it was a day late) and enjoyed a nice roast beef dinner, piping, dancing, and a great band. The night ended early – midnight or so – and we all toddled home.

This morning I woke up feeling like a truck had hit me. Everything aches. When I’m not suffering from a fever I’m shaking through chills. Added to that was the bazillion inches of snow that fell in Edmonton in the early morning and I was not a happy camper. At noon I bundled up and tried to dig out my stairs, walkway and sidewalk. This wonderful city I live in expects all home owners to clear the sidewalks with in 48 hours of the snow fall ending (or is it 72?) or be subject to a fine. I found my stairs and walkway but only made it through half of the sidewalk before I was so frozen that I had to head back inside. It’s still snowing now, so I don’t think I’ll be tackling the rest of the snow before the morning.

Of course, this same city that will fine me for not clearing my sidewalk will aso not plow my street or alley so I can get out of my driveway and drive to work.

I think I’ll be heading back to bed now!