Canada Remembers

To those who chose to serve
To those who suffered
To those who died
To those who fought for our freedoms
To you I say:

Thank you.

Bonfire Night Is Almost Here!

I missed posting for Halloween (gasp!) but I'm just in time for Guy Fawkes' Night or Bonfire Night, as it is known. This day (or night, rather) has been celebrated by Newfoundlanders since time out of mind. Basically, it involves gathering up whatever rubbish or whatnot you can find, putting it in a pile and, when night comes, setting it on fire. And then standing around with your buddies watching it. What can I say? We're easily entertained! LOL

In case you were wondering (and I haven't mentioned it, though I probably have; I'm too lazy to check right now), Bonfire Night arose from a plot by Catholic conspirators to blow up the British Parliament on this date in 1605. Apparently, the British monarchy of the time was treating Catholics pretty shabbily, so some local yokels decided to get back at the monarchy through an act of terrorism. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on what side you rooted for) the plot failed and one conspirator, Guy Fawkes was caught red-handed, in the cellar of Parliament, with 36 barrels of gunpowder. He was subsequently tortured and executed, ending his short career as a demolition expert. On the night of the failed plot, people around Britain lit bonfires to celebrate the safety of the king; hence, the lighting of bonfires on the night of November 5th every year thereafter.

If you wish to learn more about this quaint little custom, you may go to: http://www.bonfirenight.net/gunpowder.php They have a nice bit of info on the subject.

Happy Bonfire Night!

Happy (Belated) Thanksgiving

Oh my gosh! I haven't blogged in AGES!!!! I've been such a lazy blogger. I missed all of September and half of October already! Sheesh. Where does the time go? In my defense, I HAVE been busy at work, although I COULD have made some time to blog...but didn't. Oh well. That's what happens when you like to procrastinate! LOL

Anywhoo, I really enjoyed my Thanksgiving Day (which, for Canadians happens in October, unlike the Americans who insist on having it in November! Go figure.) with my family and an old friend. It was practically perfect...except that my mom forgot to make the dressing! This is the first Thanksgiving she has EVER done that! Of course, the dinner was delicious anyways, but still.... Fortunately, she made dressing the day after (on the actual day of Thanksgiving; she had the first Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday) which totally made up for it. That, and the fact that she made a Partridge berry cheesecake meant her transgressions were all forgiven. Hey, if you could taste her cooking, you'd forgive her too! LOL

In other news, I still haven't gotten around to writing that short story I have sitting in the back of my head. (Did I happen to mention I like to procrastinate?) I really feel I should get to it now, especially since work is no longer as hectic as it was there the summer. I have no excuse now. I MUST get to writing! Perhaps, now that I've actually written a blog post again, my writing juices will start flowing and I will be able to get that story down in digital. There are just so many distractions, though. Facebook games have taken over my spare time. Vampire Wars and Mafia Wars, even Fairyland, call to me when I get on the computer. I guess I'll just have to learn to ignore them (for awhile) and get my lazy arse into writing gear.

In the meantime, Happy Day-after-Thanksgiving to all my Canadian peeps! And Happy Day-after-Columbus Day to all my American peeps! Hope y'all had a wonderful day. :)

Summer, Weddings and Crotchety Ol' Introverts

Whoosh. Hear that? That was the sound of Summer flying by. Can you believe how fast it went? Me either. You'd think I'd be used to it by now, but no.

Speaking of which, I've had two invites to Weddings this past Summer. One I went to; the other I did not. Why? Well, after going to one, I remembered why I don't like going to Weddings: they are boring and exhausting. Sure, it's nice to see my long-lost Aunts, Uncles and Cousins, but it's easier to communicate with 'em one-on-one at their private homes or even over the Internet. Weddings and Wedding receptions are generally too noisy or busy for that. There are just too many people and everybody wants to talk to everybody else. It's chaos, at least to me.

As an Introvert (make that an extreme Introvert), I've never liked crowds. Some people (extroverts) get a major charge out of large gatherings. Not me. I get thoroughly exhausted by them. I don't understand how people can actually LIKE crowds and parties and such. I'd rather be surfing the Internet, writing a story, reading a book, sketching, bird-watching, almost anything else but be part of a crowd. I'm a little too reclusive for some peoples' tastes. Friends and family often urge me to get out more. Why? And go where? To a pub? I don't drink alcohol. To a club? I don't dance, and the music is too loud (yet another reason I don't like receptions). There really aren't that many options for a non-smoker, non-drinker, non-dancer who doesn't like to stay out late.

You read that right. I don't like to stay out late. And I don't like eating late either. Yes, I know I sound like a little ol' granny, which is probably why one of my nicknames is "Nanny." But, hey, it's the way I am and as a 32 year old woman who's been this way all my life, I'm not about to change now. Heck, it'll probably get worse as a I age, so there! :P

With all that in mind, you can see why weddings and receptions tend to be a major turn off for me. In fact, I wouldn't even want to go to my OWN wedding, that is if I ever decided to get married (a big "if," since I don't have a man and am a recluse, outside of work and church). Given the option, I'd rather elope. No Wedding. No reception. Just go to a Justice of the Peace or a Preacher man and get it done.

I feel kind of sorry for my mom, though. She wanted a normal, out-going daughter who liked socializing and who would, one day, have a beautiful wedding with all the trimmings. Oh, and who would pump out a few kids too.

Instead, she ended up with a neurotic and crotchety ol introvert with a baby phobia. Oh well. That's what comes of putting all your eggs in one basket! :P

Busy Busy Busy

The puppy has been very busy lately. Of course, that is not surprising, as Summer is one of my busiest times, but I did get a little jolt when I realized how long it has been since I've posted. Yikes! So I decided to drop a line and let everyone know I am still around...just not as much.

I have a new idea for a story...well, okay, it's not exactly NEW new, as it has been sitting on the back of my brain for a few years, but it has drifted back to my fore brain again, this time with a little more flesh on it...and I hope to get it down in writing soon. I don't know exactly when, but sometime in the near future.

As for my "Great Canadian Novel," I will have to hold off on that until the Winter, probably, when I'm less busy. There is just so much to it, and it has been so long since I've worked on it, that I have to read my notes and spend some quality time with the story before I actually continue the actual writing of it. Stories, like children and puppies, require lots of your time or they won't reach their full potential.

Anyway, hope y'all are having a good Summer! :)

To All My American Peeps On This Special Day

May your day be full of fun and frolic and free of any major mishaps...unless, of course, they are FUNNY mishaps, in which case get out your camcorder and record it for posterity and America's Funniest Home Videos! LOL :P

It's Canada Day Again!

Happy Canada Day to all my fellow Canadians!

Let us take a moment today to reflect on the beauty and diversity of our great land.

Let us ponder the wonders that lie between Bonavista and Vancouver island, between the Arctic circle and the Great Lakes.

Let us appreciate the diverse peoples and cultures that live within our borders.

Let us be thankful for the peace and security that we have, which other places can only wish they had.

And, finally, let us remember the sacrifices our forefathers (as well as our current Peacekeepers) made in order to protect the riches of our beautiful country.

God bless Canada and all Canadians! :)