Sunday, August 30, 2009

Oh, Those Relaxing Days Of Summer!


About a week and a half ago I finally splurged and purchased myself a laptop computer! I really had nothing to complain about with the desktop (shared), but sometimes I would have to wait til late hours into the morning to make postings for this blog, so now I have the freedom of portability and availability with the new laptop. The theory is that I'll post more often, but as you've seen in the last few weeks that hasn't been the case.

A quick update for my summer is in order:
  • Winnipeg Folk Festival- Went to the opening night to see one of my heroes (circa late 70's), Elvis Costello, who performed in Winnipeg for the first time in since 1978. This was an awesome show and performance (read my post/review) that totally contradicted my belief that a big name concert can not still thrill me. I prefer small-scale shows and can't be bothered shelling out big bucks to see aging classic rockers (Rod Stewart, AC/DC, Aerosmith etc.), but this performance was special. As for the rest of the festival, I didn't stick around, nothing else thrilled me.
  • Winnipeg Fringe Festival- This year I went to 4 performances, but they were for the same show, the Advanced D'n'D: the Next Campaign that featured Jesse and a select group of some of this citie's best improvers. Fun times, if I took the whole week off work I would have gone to all shows.
  • Two weeks at the cabin- A nice stress-free vacation away from computers, TV and work. The water was cold as hell and it would have helped to have scorching sunny days, but it was a hell of lot better than sitting at home on the computer. Went to the drive-in twice and we tried to do big city stuff like, shop (bought 2 pairs of jeans), go to the library (to use the internet) and go to a cafe (Orange Toad) that wasn't a Starbucks or Tim's.
  • Folklorama- The best thing about this summer was we didn't have a pavilion this year! Plans are on-going for next year, but this year I didn't have the rush back to the city to sweat it out 7 days in a row in a high school gym. I did go to a couple of other pavilions because I bought some passes so other planning committee members could sample Folklorama, but for some reason most people passed...this is the last time I try to do something nice! Anyways, it was enjoyable not stressing about Folklorama and I could used to having my summer's this way more often.
  • Work- Where I work summer is the time when the employees take most of their holiday time. I took 2 weeks, my boss has been away almost all of August (her kid's are high level tennis players), C was away for a month, K is off the rest of August and early September and V has been travelling and cottaging it for the whole summer. Only B hasn't taken time in July and August, but he has all of September booked off. By some weird fluke 3 of my co-workers have travelled to the Maritimes...all first timers, it's just strange!

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Oh That House!


Usually I don't like to copy articles from other websites, but I thought this one might be of interest. There aren't too many TV shows I follow regularly, but I can never resist a new (or re-run) episode of House. For the past 5 seasons, Dr. Gregory House (played by Hugh Laurie) has consistantly amused us with his scathing and insensitive comments at the expense of his patients, co-workers and friends. Apart from being a great show, I was drawn in and stayed a fan of the show because of House's bitterness, dismissive comments and brillant delivery only made perfect by Hugh Laurie. The shows that have the most longivity are the ones that are blessed with a good supporting staff and even though House shook up it's cast (new team), it has still remained brilliant.

So in anticipation to the new season, here are the top ten favourite House-isms (as chosen by TVguide.ca):

“The great thing about telling somebody they’re dying is it tends to focus their priorities. You find out what matters to them. What they’re willing to die for. What they’re willing to lie for.” — from “Three Stories”

“Are you comparing me to God? I mean, it’s great, but so you know, I’ve never made a tree.” — from “Role Model”

“A secret club. What’s the secret, they’re all morons?” — from “Cursed”

“Like I said, there’s no ‘I’ in ‘team.’ There’s a ‘me,’ though, if you jumble it up.” — from “DNR”

“Everybody’s great when they’re half-dead.” — from “Eurphoria, Part 1”

“If you talk to God, you’re religious. If God talks to you, you’re psychotic.” — from “House vs. God”

“Dying people lie, too. Wish they’d worked less, been nicer, opened orphanages for kittens. If you really want to do something, you do it. You don’t save it for a sound bite.” — from “Hunting”

“Union rules. I can’t check this guy’s seeping gonorrhea this close to lunch.” — from “Autopsy”

“Go up his rear and get a smear. Which reminds me, kinda feel like a bagel.” — from “Lines in the Sand”

“Half the people I save don’t deserve a second chance.” — from “Living the Dream”

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Back Next Week!

Sorry for the lack of updates, I'm on vacation relaxing in a mystery exotic location. I will be back next week and then I'll share some photos and stories from my adventures. I had a chance to take in a movie at Manitoba's only (last?) outdoor drive-in theatre...More details later!
Now if the sun would cooperate a bit more, it would seem more exotic....!