Can You Hear Me Now?

So if breakfast is the piece of coffee cake you bought from the Second Cup yesterday but never had the chance to eat, does that mean you really had cake for breakfast, or does the word “coffee” cancel that out? Hmmm.

Yesterday I spilled a big ‘ol glass of water all over my desk, mostly hitting my keyboard, mouse, and the floor mat. After frantically wiping up what I could and using a straw to blow as much water out of the mouse as possible (I don’t even own a hair dryer anymore) and calling a couple computer-y guys I know that weren’t around (my messages consisted of: “have you ever spilled a big glass of water all over your keyboard and mouse? Not saying I did that or anything, but I’m curious if you have, and what you did about it…?”) After several computer restarts nothing was working properly yet so I figured it needed to dry a bit and I best leave my apartment for that process. I can lose my patience quite easily with my computer. When it’s not doing what I want it to, it is in my best interest to leave the building before it does, by flying out the window.

I took my scooter and went over to the mall to get a few groceries and stop at the Second Cup for my latte and a piece of coffee cake. I hadn’t eaten yet and it looked really good.

Riding home, as I was approaching my building, there were a few people standing out on a balcony on the 3rd floor admiring my scooter. One girl yelled “is that DONNA?” I stopped and looked up as I said “…yeah?”, but I didn’t recognize anyone from that distance (no glasses). She yelled “It’s Nicole!” and we flipped out! I met Nicole years ago through a mutual friend we had, Lisa, and haven’t seen any of that crowd in several years. Lisa married John and since going to their wedding, I think we got together once or twice, before we drifted apart for no real reason I can think of.

Anyway, Nicole was visiting a friend who recently moved into my building. They invited me up. So I went inside, put away my groceries and went upstairs with my coffee, (leaving the cake behind). I walk into a living room that has three guitars hanging from the walls, two in stands on the floor, a keyboard in the corner… a foosball table instead of a kitchen table and a beer fridge beside the couch. Bachelors and musicians living upstairs! Helloooo, neighbours!!

So I met Asad, and later on his room mate Pete. We talked and listened to music and talked and the guys played some songs on their acoustic guitars and we talked and drank. After I finished my coffee I got talked into having a beer and then another and then another. It was just so much fun, it’s been a very long time since I’ve just hung out in someone’s living room listening to music and drinking beer (and only being a few feet from my own door). The guys have a turntable as well, and they said the house rule is that only vinyl can be played at home. CDs are for the car. Very few exceptions to that rule (one exception being a CD Nicole brought with her, and played for us, and I SO NEED TO BUY IT RIGHT NOW). The guys were not familiar with many of the songs on it… they’re… um… young… so I feel it may be my duty to drag out my records from the 80’s and familiarize them with the genius that was Bronski Beat and Erasure.

Catching up with Nicole was fantastic. John and Lisa have a baby due in April! Nicole said she’d let me know when the shower is so I can come and surprise Lisa. Nicole herself is still with Eric, who she started dating during the time I knew her. They bought a house a few years ago. Everyone from that old crowd is married and having kids now, it seems. Even Trevor. It’s funny… back in ‘the day when a bunch of those guys (John, Eric, Trevor and Reese) used to live in this house together, they’d have some great parties. Trevor always seemed to have a different girl with him, and if there wasn’t a girl with him, he was paying a lot of attention to me. One night he actually hit on me and kissed me as I was leaving. Shocked the hell out of me, and a bunch of people saw it from the reflection in the glass stereo cabinet, so it was no secret. Trevor was a hot young stud, and we had NOTHING in common. I just wasn’t interested in someone I couldn’t really talk with, who was obviously a player. Until I had a friend talk me out of that mindset… “come ON Donna, he’s young, he’s hot, and he wants you. Stop being such a goodie two shoes and just go have some fun, what’s wrong with that?! GO GET LAID!” So the next time the guys had a party, I worked up the courage and went with that intention. I was going to pick up Trevor and take him home with me, dammit!

Of course, that night he had a girl with him named Jen. And every time after that, and they are now married. Figures, huh?

I left Asad’s place at about 8:00 because I needed food (still hadn’t eaten, and a soy latte and beer can only do so much) and everyone else had plans for the evening. My plans were pizza and a movie and yakking on the phone with AH until midnight, so that’s what I did. Interesting talk last night… we both agreed that we truly believe there is a reason we’re in each other’s lives (the way we met, the fact we found out our birthdays are the same day a week before it occurred rather than a week after, making it the perfect opening for a date, and that even when I tried to end it The Universe™ threw us back at each other his first day back working with Access… it’s all just too weird, and there has to be a reason). We’re not sure exactly why yet, but we have a few ideas. At least we both agree there is a ’special purpose’ for us having met, and we want to figure it out, so we’re stuck with each other for awhile yet (as friends!)

Now I’m off to join Michelle for swimming and a visit to The Saskatoon Farm. I’ve always wanted to go there, so I’m all excited now. Gift shop and café and pie!!! The perfect day!!

I got up early this morning, showered, dressed and prepared myself for a client that was supposed to be here to discuss the resume he wants done. He called me from Saskatchewan the other day and said he would be in Calgary, and could he make an appointment… well, I was ready to say “hell, NO!” because I am so busy with bookkeeping this time of year I can’t be bothered with anything else, but I figured, why not… resumes don’t take much time and they’re quick money.

While waiting for him, I finished up work for a client I started digging into last night. So now I am done her stuff, and this guy is a couple hours late… I’m thinking I was stood up. No phone call or anything. MEN. Whether it’s business or personal, what makes them think they can treat me that way, huh?? Ohhhh sure, I’ll probably get the apology and excuses later and the “give me another chance” spiel. “I’m just sooooo busy…” Pffffft.

On the positive side, I was up early and dressed, working away, and am ahead of where I thought I would be by now. So that means another coffee and a blog entry.

I received a call from my doctor’s office and I do indeed have gall stones. His nurse Sandy just said to eat a low fat diet and be careful with what I eat, and if I have any more problems to call them. Well… I have been eating “whatever” in the past few weeks, I just cut out the milk in my lattes, and have had no problems. I think most people have stones anyway so I’m not going to worry about it unless I start getting intense pain again. I’m 100% sure it was the milk though, and my naturopath agrees, so I’ll just leave it at that. Not that a low fat diet isn’t a good idea for me anyway. It’s just… you know… chicken wings.

So Kim (Joi) didn’t make it into my blog word cloud in the previous entry. Well honey, you know WHY?? Because you don’t have a BLOG for me to link to any time I mention your name, and you don’t come to Calgary ENOUGH for me to talk about you incessantly. However, Kim was in Calgary this past weekend, and it was sooooooooo great to see her and hang out. She joined the gang at Schanks for Michelle and Lisa’s (see?) birthday party. I had a cold so I wasn’t feeling very alive… I just came for dinner, to give my presents, and grab my goodie bag (they put together goodie bags for us, filled with cookies and candies and it’s the nicest thing ever) and bailed out by 9:00. Kim was staying with me so I gave her my spare keys so she could come over whenever. She stayed out with the girls pretty late, so I was fast asleep when she came in and didn’t hear a peep.

In the morning, I was going to pull out my coffee maker to make a full pot (in my attempts to cut back on coffee myself, I have been using this little one-cup drip thingy and the big coffee maker has been put away). Kim said “I could run to Tim Horton’s and get some”. YEAH! Oh, the things you’re able to do when you have a car and can drive around… for me, if it’s not in the mall next door with the Wal-Mart, I won’t be getting there any time soon. I’m sure y’all take it for granted if you drive, but I tell ya, I really appreciated that Sunday. We went all over the place and it was fabulous.

It started with Kim picking up Timmie’s coffees for us to drink as we got ready for the day. I decided I’d like to take my walker as well as my cane, which was a good call because I definitely needed it. Our first stop was The Bay in Chinook Centre, where Kim just had to run to the MAC counter real quick to grab some powder. I was just going to stay in the car, but I didn’t. I should have. The MAC counter is dangerous. Two lip glosses and an eye shadow later I spent almost $60. Sigh. Damn cute gay salesman who looks good in lip gloss. I blame him.

Then it was off to Hooters for lunch. I’m going to be an official Hooters’ Girl soon if I keep this up… Mel and I already made plans to go back for lunch next week. I just wanted to go somewhere that I could get an order of wings to go, because we were going to visit our friend Damien in the hospital and I knew he’d appreciate being brought wings! It was Kim that suggested Hooters. Blame Kim.

It was a great suggestion though, because they DO have great wings, and I could get 911 hot sauce on the side (I didn’t want to kill the guy by getting the wings tossed in that… he is, after all, in the hospital with colitis… so as much as I know he loves the hottest wings possible, I figured I’d get it on the side for him to use at his discretion). N.B.: I did call the hospital ahead of time to see if he was on any dietary restrictions and they said “no” so we’re cleared of blame for any sickness that may result from our thoughtfulness.

I also bought him a bottle of Hooters Hot Sauce, so he can pour it on his mashed potatoes or whatever other pathetic hospital food he wants to dress up. I will say, Damien was quite pleased!! I’m pretty sure we made his day. We had a nice visit with him and he’s looking really good. He’d already been there a week and wasn’t sure when he’d be released. I just hope he doesn’t need surgery, so let’s all send Damien good vibes, shall we?

Next stop, IKEA. Kim needed to look at kitchen cupboards as she’s doing some work in her house (she’s an interior designer, so she did all that pretty quick!) I walked out without buying anything, even after we stopped in the Swedish grocery part of the store, with all sorts of cookies and chocolates and I was drooling. Empty. Handed. Go me!

Then it was coffee time. In that entire huge shopping extravaganza part of the city where IKEA is, we did not see a coffee shop. So, we headed back my way and went to the Starbuck’s in Chapters. We ordered our fancy beverages and sat in the big comfy chairs. It was getting late and starting to snow, and Kim wanted to be back (she lives near Red Deer) for supper. So we made our last stop, Krispy Kreme. The hot light was on! You know what that means… free glazed doughnuts for everyone!

So, yeah, it was a very full day with a lot of running around and my Handicapped parking pass came in very handy. When I win the lottery, I am buying a car and driver (hell, we all know I’ll hire AH to be my personal driver so I can look at him every day) so I can do that all the time. Go places!!

p.s. Still no call from Resume guy.

Two entries in one day. I KNOW! Too much!

Last night I went to see the Polyjesters. I called AH early on to see if he would be able to give me a ride there and back, since he would be out working anyway, and getting a cab on a Saturday night this time of year would be impossible. He picked me up and looked and smelled soooooo darn good. Argh. He handed me a big cookie wrapped in saran wrap, “here, some of my mom’s baking”. I reciprocated by giving him one of those cheap boxes of chocolate covered almonds you buy for charity, I bought the last few boxes at my doctor’s that morning. You picked a fine year not to bake your infamous shortbread, Donna.

About half way there I noticed his meter wasn’t on and pointed it out. “Oh, darn” he said, like he cared. I told him I was going to pay him, I was not looking for a free ride (at least not in his cab! Bwahahaha!) He said we’d work it out when we got there. Of course, he never mentioned it and I was inside before I remembered I never paid him.

I arrived just in time to catch the last few songs of the Tyler Hornby Quartet and get my hugs from the boys before they went on. I finally gave Matthew the Lindy CD I picked up for him in Toronto and gave Jason a copy of Scott Cooper’s Popfizz, so it was music all around. My friend Jay and his wife were there and Jay immediately picked up a copy of Tyler Hornby’s CD. I would love to see that man’s CD collection. Every time I am out with him he buys everything at the merchandise table. Granted, I usually do too, or it’s stuff I already have, but he makes more money than I do so I know he has more. Hee.

The show was fabulous as usual.

L-R: Aaron, Jason, Sheldon, Matt

Barry (PolyDad) does his Louis Armstrong impression during “What a Wonderful World”

Me with the PolyParents, Carol and Barry, and Sheldon ruining the moment down front.

I feel GOOD. I really, really do! I am really back to normal. It started Sunday afternoon after I got home from swimming. I showered and dressed and everything and just felt energized. Every time I got up from a chair or something I’d look back at the chair and go “hmmm… that was easier!” (’Cause I talk to furniture). I woke up yesterday morning and getting out of bed was easier, walking was better, everything was better, including my mood. The swimming is paying off ten fold!

So I was feeling really good and “bouncy” when my buzzer rang just after 10:00 yesterday morning. Access was taking me to my doctor appointment. I answered and said “I’ll be right out” and I heard an “oooookay” on the other end. As I was putting my coat on I thought, dear God, that sounded like AH. I walked out the door and there he was. My first reaction was “oh, NO WAY!” and then I laughed. Okay I know I said a couple months ago that I’d never mention him in here again, but come on… we haven’t spoken in almost two months and it was his FIRST DAY BACK working with Access. First day since quitting to do other stuff for the summer, and he gets me. For two trips, because he also brought me home. I have never been assigned the same driver to take me both ways before. So, excuse me if I’m a little freaked out by the whole thing.

There’s not much to really say about it though, I’m just happy to see him back with Access because he is their best driver and so good at that job. We didn’t talk about anything personal to do with us, we just laughed about how funny it was that he would get me on his first day back and stuff. (Damn you Universe™, you keep doing this with us and you know I don’t believe in coincidence… am I being tested, or do we still have something to learn from each other, or are we supposed to hook up again, or, maybe, do I THINK TOO MUCH?!?!) He dropped me off at home and I thanked him and said “see ya” and that was about it. I’m glad we got the seeing-each-other-for-the-first-time-since thing out of the way. I saw the old AH yesterday and realized why I liked him in the first place, and now hope that we really can be friends one day. Some day. Maybe. Stop thinking Donna.

And my doctor’s appointment? I am doing the deed… surgery is scheduled for November 30 for my tubal ligation. That’s a LOT faster than I expected, I thought it would take months to get in. Months for me to stress and possibly mourn the fact that I’ll never have a baby, something that years ago I just assumed I would do at some point. I know I’m making the right decision for a lot of reasons, but it’s still weird to think of going through life without having that experience. So I’m glad that the surgery is happening soon and I can get it over with and just be at peace with it. (Believe me, this was well thought out, I’m not jumping into this lightly!)

And then I can get my life sexed up again and not have to worry about birth control. HA!

Ohhh I should mention that I went to a fabulous show on Friday night with Michelle. Jason, Sheldon and Rob from the Polyjesters along with the amazing guitarist Aaron Young (from Sillan & Young and often joins the PJ’s at their gigs) and Rob Young (singer and owner of the Beat Niq, where the show was) performed a tribute to the Beatles. It was a great show… they did some Beatles classics we all know as well as some more obscure stuff. The PolyParents (Barry and Carol) were there too (love love love them). Tickets were FIFTY bucks a pop, but Jason put me plus one on the guest list because he ROCKS. I think they forfeited being paid in exchange for some comps so they could get a few friends in. I am so blessed to be in that category, they are the bestest! Jay and Shell have started a new side project called “Value Village People”, which will include Rob on drums and Aaron on guitar and bass. Jason will play keyboards as well as bass. I don’t think Sheldon will be on ukulele for this (but he can play anything, so no matter), and no Matt on fiddle… it’s going to be very different than the Polyjesters, but still a ton-o-fun. Value Village People?? Jason and Sheldon’s minds?? How can it not be fun??

Wha? What’s that uke doing here? We’re the BEATLES!

Valleau Sandwich #2 (Thanks Emma for fixing my demonic eyes).

The last thing I feel like doing these days is updating my blog (soooo-o-o-o tired) but a couple interesting things have happened lately and I figure I better write about them before I forget, since this is, after all, more or less a record of my life!

On Thursday night I went to see Danny Michel. I have been a fan of Danny’s for a long time, but have missed his live shows in the past and usually heard about them after the fact because I wasn’t on his mailing list. Duh. Anyway, he was at the Liberty Lounge and I rounded up Michelle, Jay and his wife Katrina to meet me there. We were all, it’s fair to say, blown away. Danny took to the stage with just his guitar and no band to back him up. The whole show was like that, just a man and his guitar, his voice and a few gadgets to enhance his performance a bit. I loved it. He was amazing. I love the song “When I Get Out” 300 million times more than I did before, after hearing it live. I love everything about him even more after seeing him live. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s Stampede time again in Calgary, but you wouldn’t know it from where I am, safely behind my computer holed up in my office. I tend to hibernate this time of the year, like most true Calgarians that don’t have visitors in from out of town. I haven’t heard one person say they are going to the grounds this year! I hear the fireworks every night, but I’m far enough away that they won’t wake me up if I’m already asleep. Apparently the mall next door held their Stampede Breakfast this morning, but I didn’t hear a thing… I must sleep like a rock. Either that, or they passed on the marching band this year. Read the rest of this entry »

Well, well, well… where to begin with the events of the past week. Hee! Fun? Oh, yeah, we had fun. Lots of fun.

It all started when AH picked me up to go get Shawna from the airport last Saturday. I had asked him a few days before if he had a friend that we could double date with this week… every time Shawna is here, we see the same group of people, and wouldn’t it be nice to have a night out with a couple guys and do something different?? (No offence to the “regulars”. You know what I mean!) So, yeah, AH mentioned he was free that night and I suggested he call his friend and we all go out.

So Shawna got to meet AH you guys, the first to meet him, hopefully not the last…? After getting Shawna we came back here and threw in my Polyjesters DVD and much to my very pleasant surprise, AH stayed and watched it with us and laughed his ass off. What a way to get in my good books! When AH left he said he’d be back around 7:00 with his friend.

And, so he was. As Shawna and I approached the van, out popped AH’s friend (Billy! His name is Billy! Ahahahaha), and he was cute! Yay! Score. The four of us went to a pub for a couple drinks and to watch some sort of world championship fighting we didn’t know was on, but could not escape (so you may as well enjoy it, right?) AH and I kicked butt betting on who the winners would be. Heh.

Then we came back here and figured we’d throw in a movie, and chose Dumb and Dumber so we wouldn’t have to really concentrate on it and wouldn’t feel bad talking over it. Now, when AH and I first discussed the kinds of movies we liked, I remember telling him I like comedies, romance, action/adventure kind of stuff (I didn’t get into the fact that the types of comedies I like are pretty goofy and usually involve Will Ferrell, Jim Carrey or Adam Sandler; he could face those details another day). He told me he likes romance and mystery; no mention of comedy. I was thinking, well, I guess I won’t be watching Will Ferrell movies with him, which is a sad thought, because that kind of humour is really a big part of who I am!! Whether that is good or bad! Well, AH knew practically every line from Dumb and Dumber and was laughing out loud and knee slapping the whole movie. Yaaaaaaay!! I’ve found a goofball. We are so going to see Bewitched. (OMG I can’t wait for that!!)

On Sunday Shawna and I spent most of the day being giddy about the night before (Yay for cute boys! Hee!) before joining Michelle for dinner at the Santa Fe Grill. Monday… Shawna had a meeting in the morning and then met up with Billy that night. Tuesday… I took Shawna with me to my chiropractor’s and we had lunch at a restaurant near there that makes, in my opinion, about the best pizza in Calgary. That night, Billy and AH came to take us to the movies… I wanted to take AH to see Hitch (I have seen it before and knew he would love it. Which he did! And he didn’t even pull his hand away from mine during all that “loooove” talk ahahahaha) and those two saw Miss Congeniality 2.

So, are we seeing a trend here? Shawna and Billy, Billy, Billy. It was very cool the way those two hit it off so quickly and saw as much of each other as humanly possible during the week, squeezed in between other things we had planned. He called her a lot and it’s pretty obvious “he is into her“, so I guess time will tell if anything continues on after her return to Winnipeg! Go Shawna, go Shawna, go Shawna! Read the rest of this entry »

Last night I met my friend Christine at a pub for dinner and drinks. Her friend Tamara came and met us later on, and it soon became a “girl’s night out” thing. Tamara and I had never met before, so there was lots to gab about with someone new. Around 10:00 we noticed the arrival of My Gay Boyfriend (a local TV personality I absolutely adore, but fear is most likely gay, as much as I hate to admit it). I figured, since I had met him at a bar before, and was interviewed by him on his show once (my combined television appearances add up to a total of Eleven Available Minutes of Fame left for me; I will use them on Oprah) that I would wander by and say hello. Plus, the girls dared me to. He was standing by the bathrooms, so I made my way to the ladies room… he was surrounded by a bunch of GUYS and seemed immersed in conversation, so I figured I’d catch him on my way out of the bathroom. When I came out, he was gone. Waaah! Read the rest of this entry »