Blech

Yesterday I had to get a criminal record check for the new job I'm starting at the end of the month. It was a bit of an exercise in frustration. I had filled out the form and was pulling out my ID when the Desk Chick says, "You live out of town? Then I can't help you." Well, no, I don't really, but my permanent address is still out at the farm. I'm a nomad, lady. So I trekked back to my place to get my letter of offer, the only thing I have with my current address on. It took all of 3 minutes, once I got back, for her to do the record check and print it off. Once again I have triumphed over evil, as personified by my amazing capacity for taking little frustrations personally.

So anyways, after I got home from work I decided to change the sheets on my bed, which I've been putting off for about a week. While fussing around with the bedskirt (yes, I know, bedskirts aren't really up my alley, in an I-swore-never-to-have-one, over-my-dead-body sort of way), I noticed some kleenex had fallen down against the wall beside the bed. While I was grabbing it, I figured I'd swipe it on the floor, get an idea of the amount of dust accumulating back there.

Except the dust was green.

Mmm, mold. Caked all along the baseboard and the edge of the floor. I'd been sort of wondering why I've been allergic to something in my apartment lately. I'm really glad I got a dehumidifier a couple days ago. At least the mold was dried up by the time I got to it. So I spent an hour moving furniture and scrubbing mold.

You see why I don't tell stories often? Too much background information. If I actually tell a story, it turns into at least a novelette. Or an 8-part mini-series if you can't extricate yourself in time. This, you see, is why I think I talk too much.

I like pains me

My grandma recently wrote a book about disabilities and her experiences with rearing my aunt who has Down's Syndrome. She very sweetly sent me a copy, so I started reading it. And discovered that she didn't have anyone edit it. At all. For punctuation, or spelling, or sentence structure, or idea flow. Or anything. The material itself is interesting, but I can't get around the horrible Englishtrocities committed in it. I want to bang my head on the table every time I pick the book up. Also, I find her "research" faintly horrifying. I didn't have to do a lot of writing in school and I realize that I only know the bare rudiments of referencing, but even I know that if you're going to quote something, you should probably cite the source. "I remember reading an article once that said," doesn't exactly constitute a reference.

Eesh, I have to stop letting minor details get to me. It's just that they make my soul scream in agony. Please make the screaming stop.

oh right

I forgot, I should post about our Saskatoon trip. I went with Mom, Dad, and Megan to see my little brother's new house and Dustin's new condo. We had a good old time hanging out, visiting with Dustin's parents and older brother, and going on a riverboat tour.

Kerry's house is really nice. It's a good size (3 bedroom), has pretty decent flooring throughout, and is fairly open. He doesn't have a lot of furniture yet, but doesn't really want a lot either. The yard is small and not terribly exciting, but it's good enough for what he wants. He plans to put in a fire pit and move some of the trees around. I'm jealous. I need to get me a house.

Dustin's condo is awesome. Two bedroom apartment style, fireplace and 2nd floor balcony, and everything's been fixed up. The only drawback is the neighbourhood, which is a bit dodgy. It's still better than the area I'm living in though.

Because of Gil

I guess I should post as often as I can, just to be fair to Gil.

I started pottery on Monday, I'm basically where I left off last time. Which is kind of disappointing, even though I should have realized it would be. For some odd reason I was hoping to learn more, or have an amazing breakthrough. Although having done nothing since the last class, I don't know why I was thinking that. Ah well, hopefully I'll get better this time around. Maybe I'll actually be able to make things I want instead of ending up with a surprise each time.

Other than that I haven't been doing much. Sleeping badly really saps my energy and my will to do anything. I went to the gym this week for the first time in years, and somehow managed to not fall over or die of a heart attack. I'm assuming that's a good omen. So the plan is to buy a monthly membership to go gymming and swimming, see if I use it, and maybe get a longer term one if that works out.

stuff

I have to write here more often, even I'm getting annoyed at this lack of posts. I can only tell myself things for so long before wanting to tell the internet. Because I know you all care.

I had an "interview" with my new voice teacher this week. My previous voice teacher, who's a terrific person and who I'll miss greatly, moved to New Brunswick. Since I have a scholarship with the teaching institution here, I was shifted over to the new head of voice. So I sang a song, sang a few scales, and had a chat about what I want to do, what I've done before, and what she does.

I'm really hoping to become more active in the singing community here. And I'd love to do that with as little actual work on my part as possible. Hi, I'm naturally lazy. So I'm really hoping that my new teacher can springboard me into some new areas.

I brought my bike out to the farm today in the hopes that I'll use it more than I have been in the city. I'm not a big fan of taking it out in the area I live. My apartment is cool, but the area is full of low/no income people who have a penchant for stopping the average person and asking for money. I'm sure they're working up to asking me for my bike, or just taking it. If it was a piece of crap bike I wouldn't worry so much (well, I'd worry slightly less, anyways), but I love my bike and I don't want to lose it. I'm approximately as attached to my wallet and keys. I don't really mind renting where I am, but I sure wouldn't want to live here long term.

I'm getting into settle down mode. I want to buy a house, and putter around in a yard and garden, and have more room than just enough to swing the cat. Unfortunately, all of that requires more income than I have at the moment. This lack of life and liberty (the discomfort I get from going outside is pretty much like being caged) is making me really antsy. I'm glad I can get out to the farm a lot right now.

I'd like to apologize

On Father's Day weekend, my cousin Dustin came out to the farm to visit. We hung out and picked weeds (you can tell I'm cool because of the awesome activities I get my guests to partake in) and had a good old time. Since I don't have a computer at my place, I wrote a post for this blog. Turning to Dusty I said, "I've been meaning to add your blog to my site. Since you're sitting right beside me, maybe I'll finally remember."

I'd just like to apologize for my brain's procrastination. Dustin, you've now been added. For your perusing pleasure, please click on his link in the side bar.