Gone!

The glasses I broke a while back are now gone. I went snowboarding (first time of the season, it was great!) and left them in the washroom when I changed into my contacts. Also, I had been using up a bunch of old 'dailies' I had, which were a slightly older prescription. However, I am running really low on those so have had to use my new 'monthlies' most days. They are admittedly more comfortable, but once you take them out they go into a container then and get washed - you can't put them back in for 6 hours. I still have no money to get new ones...

Twas the Night Before Christmas

A Visit From St. Nicholas
(1823)
By Clement Clarke Moore
(or maybe Henry Livingston, Jr.)

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! On Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

A Happy Brother At Last

I have known my little brother for his entire life, all 24 years of it. I have watched him date a number of girls who ended up being, for lack of a better word, crazy. He would stay in horrible and destructive relationships becoming more and more miserable. From about mid-high school onwards it is hard to think of a time he was truly happy with all aspects of his life, especially romantically.

It was such a relief a couple of years ago when he started to date his best friend, Aimee. They had met a few years before, in the Army. She was one of his roommates in Edmonton and they really were great friends; hanging out, having fun, and supporting each other. During this time I knew her by her last name, which I gather is how everyone refers to each other in the Canadian Forces. When she and Mike became romantically involved it was a bit of time before my mind switched over to using her first name.

These recent years as Mike and Aimee's relationship grew I watched him move forward with his life filled with hope. Mike has always bested me with growing up, despite being younger - owning property, getting a career, etc. However, with Aimee he seemed even more excited with each new stage of life. They stopped renting and bought a condo together in Edmonton. While Aimee was away 'on tour' they purchased a house, which is still being built. I don't know what either of their plans are for after this first contract with the Army is over, but whenever I hear them talk about it they are excited about the future.

It has been wonderful to see my brother happy. He loves Aimee so much and I totally understand, she is pretty awesome. She puts him in he place. They share a lot of the same interests. They are kind with each other and have fun, even when doing mundane tasks. It is a great relationship.

I am happy to say that last week my brother proposed! Of course Aimee said, "Yes!" So, now I am going to have a sister. I could not be more happy for them and am glad that it is such a great person who will be added to our family.

Congratulations Mike and Aimee
I love you and wish you both the best!

Email Was Hacked

Note: I have a special email that can be used to publish blog posts, so the following got sent to, and posted on, Always Standing when I had to respond to everyone on my contacts list to apologise for my email spamming them. The previous email sent by the spammer also ended up being turned into a post, but I deleted it.

Hello Everyone - I am sorry for the previous email, my email got hacked. I do not think you should visit that 'interesting' site as I'm sure it leads to something...not so good. I have changed my password and hopefully that will be the end of it. (The grammar of the previous email hopefully tipped you off a little, I am a Master of the English now..) Sorry for the annoying stupid emails. Thanks, Chris

----

From: Chris Tine
To: My Whole Contacts List
Sent: Wednesday December 21, 2011
Subject: Re: 1

...I have never thought that sites can be such interesting! http://hosting.nborges.net/friends.group.php?lalucky=76fy4

Why Now?

I can't afford this right now!! Seriously, in the weeks leading up to Christmas two very important, and very expensive, things in my life broke. First my glasses snapped in half right in the middle. Then the mouse for my laptop (the little pad thing) stopped working. I now am using an external mouse but it is a big pain. I taped my glasses together but I can't wear them out like that so have been using my contacts everyday. I don't know when I will get a new computer or new glasses but it won't be until the new year when I actually have some money.

Sim Me

(From Facebook The Sims Social)

This is not exactly what my sim looks like in the game but instead what I would look like as a sim.

In Ottawa

Two and I are on a whirlwind visit to Ottawa. I wanted to do some Christmas shopping here as well as visit as many of my friends and family who live here as possible. I am also hoping to pop to Montreal to see Yen and his new house. I don't know if I can get it all done!

Good Habit, Bad Habit

It is just after 6am right now, as I write this. I went to bed at 10pm last night, after watching Jeopardy with Kristen of course. This is pretty insane for me. I never go to bed that early unless I'm sick or recovering from a string of late nights - not the case this time. I worked 3 opens in a row at Tim Horton's, normally I just do the two weekend days. The store opens at 5am, which means the opener has to get there for 4:30am; I wake up at 4am when I am doing this shift. Now my sleeping pattern has changed to bed early and up early for the first time in my life! I am going to be productive before my office job starts this morning too! I need to do some things for it, my MRP, and TAing. It seems like a good sleep pattern to be in but I doubt it will last.

The Office Dog

I have a new job and started training this week. The office has a resident dog. Since it is still a puppy she only comes in some times but as the puppy grows, she will come more often. Today was the first time I met her. Cutest co-worker ever!!

Me, Puppy, & Some Terrible Photoshopping

Two Too

Two has a Christmas List too!!

-crumpled pieces of paper, bills are good for this
-feathers on a string attached to a stick
-small fake mice
-empty toilet paper rolls
-laser pointer
-treats that make breath smell less like a^^
-old/broken shoe laces
-purple collar

I Would Never

"Going to McDonald's for a salad is like going to a whore for a hug."

Christmas List - 2011

Big Ticket Items
-Ownership papers for The Toy
-Snow tires for The Toy, used is fine
-Point-and-shoot digital camera
-Good warm but stylish winter boots (7)
-Running Shoes (7)
-BlackBerry Torch
-Tablet
-Cordless Drill
-A nice watch
-Good TV speakers

BOOKS!!
-Any!
-Used is great
-Easy book to learn Bridge, basics
-Books on Social Media Marketing

Gift Cards
-Sears
-Smart Set
-Victoria Secret
-Chapters
-Ikea
-Lululemon

Games
-Taboo
-Scatigories
-Boggle
-Apples to Apples
-Just Dance for Wii

Everyday Essentials
-Toothpaste
-Hard alcohol
-Liqueur
-TTC tokens
-Thin black socks (7)
-Athletic white socks (7)
-PJs (M/L)
-Milk chocolate, not with nuts

House & Home
-Extra long twin bed sheets, normal and flannel
-Throw blankets, burgundy/maroon
-Big purple bath towels
-Cheap guest pillows, small and thin so as easy to store
-Nails and such to hang things
-Simple jewellery box, black or dark brown
-Fun ice trays
-Black slotted-turners/spatulas
-Wooden mixing spoons

Useful Things
-Small set of binoculars
-Lens cap for 72mm camera lens
-Small umbrella
-Flashlights of various size
-Humidifier
-Air purifier that can remove pet dander

Electronic-Like Products
-Sims 3 Expansion packs (not Ambitions)
-Wii Remotes (x2)
-AAA and AA batteries

Health & Beauty
-Foaming hand soap
-Lip balm
-Eye shadow primer
-Eye make-up remover
-White nail polish
-Apricot Scrub (Blemish and Blackhead)
-Pretty forehead sweat bands

Random But Specific
-Moleskin 2011 Planner, 12 months, weekly, horizontal, hard cover, large
-Small Address Book, very small and with the alphabet things but then only lines so the addresses can be as long as I like
-Euros, Pounds, and American money, small bills and change would be welcome
-Small Swiss-army-style knife for purse that includes good scissors
-Dove deodorant, ultimate, visibly smooth, nature fresh

Happy Holidays to all!!!

For My Dad

I often wonder about the idea that picking up a penny from the ground is not worth the energy it takes to do so. (This isn't my concept, I'm sure I read it somewhere or that someone mentioned it to me.) I assume this is figured out by the cost of food against the amount of energy needed to bend down, probably done using the slightly faulty unit of 'calories.' Also interesting, and a little easier to conceptualize, is the idea of something not being worth the time taken to do it.

Please note that the following has been taken from an xkcd comic; all credit for the mathematics involved and innovative view of the common concept goes to the author, Randall Munroe. (I'm assuming that the calculations are based on American standards, measurements, and money as of Fall 2011.)

If you spend nine minutes of your time to save a dollar, you're working for less than minimum wage.

And if you drive a typical car more than a mile out of your way for each penny you save on the per-gallon price, it doesn't matter how worthless your time is to you -- the gas to get you there and back costs more than you save.

However, what the above fails to consider is the enjoyment from 'saving.' Therefore there is potential that doing these things is entertainment to some and might actually be worth paying for, despite the apparent illogical aspect of doing so.

I Want An iPad

I am writing this post on Jeska's iPad, which is amazing! I have seen them used but never actually touched or used one myself. It is just like a big iPhone - I just love it. Totally going on my Christmas list, which I promise will be posted soon.