Monday, February 28, 2011
Hooliganting: Mexico: Those hot summer nights...and days
Hooliganting: Mexico: Those hot summer nights...and days: "Boarding delays and flights nothwithstanding, once you step off the plane into 28 degree weather, there is nothing like it. The moist air ca..."
Mexico: Those hot summer nights...and days
Boarding delays and flights nothwithstanding, once you step off the plane into 28 degree weather, there is nothing like it. The moist air caresses your skin, and you breathe in a healthful mixture of warm air and taxi fumes. Around you is a gaggle of men, vieing for the priviledge of loading up your luggage and driving off with you down the highway, of course at top speed. The skies were clear and starlit. Nothing like it.
So, we arrive at the hotel: Sandos Caracol Eco Resort and Spa. Checked into the room, and immediately felt like we were back in luxury land. Lots of delicious food and an open bar that will just pour you whatever you wish. The pool is heavenly and the beach.
It has green waves and blue waves, little waves and tall. Ones you can jump over and ones you can dive through....(Just for you mom - I do remember some of the lessons that you taught me).
Anyway- it has been a delight to find Playa del Carmen much the same. The tours have been fantastic. Xel-ha and the dolphin swim was miraculous with the dancing, singing, jumps over our head and swimming with us. We have lounged on the beach and travelled into town to spend our funds in grand style. The sea is clear, the fish are friendly and the air filled with warm wind. This, I could do on a regular basis. But since the internet cafe has a 20 minute limit on the computer. I am going to go and do what I do best....curl up with a book under a canopied bed and listen to the waves roll as my toes dig into the sand.
So, we arrive at the hotel: Sandos Caracol Eco Resort and Spa. Checked into the room, and immediately felt like we were back in luxury land. Lots of delicious food and an open bar that will just pour you whatever you wish. The pool is heavenly and the beach.
It has green waves and blue waves, little waves and tall. Ones you can jump over and ones you can dive through....(Just for you mom - I do remember some of the lessons that you taught me).
Anyway- it has been a delight to find Playa del Carmen much the same. The tours have been fantastic. Xel-ha and the dolphin swim was miraculous with the dancing, singing, jumps over our head and swimming with us. We have lounged on the beach and travelled into town to spend our funds in grand style. The sea is clear, the fish are friendly and the air filled with warm wind. This, I could do on a regular basis. But since the internet cafe has a 20 minute limit on the computer. I am going to go and do what I do best....curl up with a book under a canopied bed and listen to the waves roll as my toes dig into the sand.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Hooliganting: Luggage: With Teeth
Hooliganting: Luggage: With Teeth: "For those of you that don't know, thanks to the wisdom of a very good friend, I discovered this interestingly imaginative author called Terr..."
Luggage: With Teeth
For those of you that don't know, thanks to the wisdom of a very good friend, I discovered this interestingly imaginative author called Terry Pratchett. Sometimes, I have spent a great deal of time wondering how on earth, or discworld, he came up with some of his ideas for the way that people think. One of the concepts that has stuck with me over the years is the thought of "Rincewind" (a wizard) travelling with his suitcase.
Let me describe the suitcase to you. It is brown, rectangular and generally not much to look at. While badly scuffed, it also has personality. This suitcase is impossible to lose as it just follows Rincewind whereever he goes. In addition, if you try to lose it on purpose, it will still show up wherever you go. Good luck trying to get baggage insurance with this one. In addition, it is seemingly bottomless. You can literally pack anything with the kitchen sink and still have room left over to fit yourself. This could be a huge savings in airline tickets. Now, imagine that you get into an altercation somewhere, like customs. This suitcase grows very sharp teeth and will bit. It has legs and will defend you at all costs.
Currently, I am trying to pack for my trip to Mexico. I have a funny feeling that a suitcase of this calibre could be exactly what I am looking for. There would be no worries about over packing, nor extra fees for extra luggage. I wouldn't have to worry about customs as the suitcase would do that for me. After many years, I have to admit that the character of luggage is my favorite....and I want one of my very own. Inventors, get on on that.
http://www.paulkidby.com/tshirts/luggage-1.htm
Let me describe the suitcase to you. It is brown, rectangular and generally not much to look at. While badly scuffed, it also has personality. This suitcase is impossible to lose as it just follows Rincewind whereever he goes. In addition, if you try to lose it on purpose, it will still show up wherever you go. Good luck trying to get baggage insurance with this one. In addition, it is seemingly bottomless. You can literally pack anything with the kitchen sink and still have room left over to fit yourself. This could be a huge savings in airline tickets. Now, imagine that you get into an altercation somewhere, like customs. This suitcase grows very sharp teeth and will bit. It has legs and will defend you at all costs.
Currently, I am trying to pack for my trip to Mexico. I have a funny feeling that a suitcase of this calibre could be exactly what I am looking for. There would be no worries about over packing, nor extra fees for extra luggage. I wouldn't have to worry about customs as the suitcase would do that for me. After many years, I have to admit that the character of luggage is my favorite....and I want one of my very own. Inventors, get on on that.
http://www.paulkidby.com/tshirts/luggage-1.htm
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Hooliganting: Sometimes there are Hooliganting side effects
Hooliganting: Sometimes there are Hooliganting side effects: "Sugar. Crap. Hiss. Spit. Ooefff. Thud. Smack. Slam. Oh heavens, that really was the phone ringing. What? My van light is still on? -30 you s..."
Sometimes there are Hooliganting side effects
Sugar. Crap. Hiss. Spit. Ooefff. Thud. Smack. Slam. Oh heavens, that really was the phone ringing. What? My van light is still on? -30 you say? Roll over...grab jamma bottoms and with tremendous effort - actually open an eye. 6:30 a.m. The alarm clock is insisting that I wake up. I trundle downstairs, outside into the cold....shove a key into the ignition and start the van. It starts, and I am shivering.
Turning, I negotiate my way up the snowdrifted path, into the house, and back up the stairs. Slamming the snooze button, I huddled back into my still warm bed. Is getting the kids to school on time really worth it? The van is still running so I shouldn't go back to sleep. The snooze button gets pummelled four more times before it was finally time to wake the sleeping. To be fair, they were not impressed with the concept of morning either.
Back into my room, I managed to find some semblance of business attire and dragged that out. Got ready for work and then, I proceeded to get the girls ready with breakfast. Then I caught sight of it. Oh yes, the reason that I am groggy, tired and basically not even feeling human.
It lurks on the counter. Really, there shouldn't be such a problem with this innocous thing. Made from trees and ink, the pages are rumpled and the cover bent back. That book. That blasted book. I intended to read just a chapter or two and instead, read the darn thing cover to cover in the evening - or rather early wee hours of the morning. I accidently got sucked into the story and that was the beginning of the end of the book.
The problem really is that can happen with any good book. I can burn dinner, forget appointments, be late getting to bed and late getting up. Books should really come with warning labels attached. It doesn't help that schools are pushing parents to encourage literacy. We are supposed to model reading and encourage reading. This sounds simple but really isn't. In the throes of a good book, do you really think that the children eat properly? Get to bed on time? Get their homework done? No, they don't. They just gleefully go their own way and do as they like. Hence the reason that I don't often sit down during their waking hours to read. But still, last night happened. The wars raged, wizards flew and romance blossomed. I fell asleep to medieval dreams and still. . .
I detest mornings. Speaking of which, I guess I need another book. . .
Turning, I negotiate my way up the snowdrifted path, into the house, and back up the stairs. Slamming the snooze button, I huddled back into my still warm bed. Is getting the kids to school on time really worth it? The van is still running so I shouldn't go back to sleep. The snooze button gets pummelled four more times before it was finally time to wake the sleeping. To be fair, they were not impressed with the concept of morning either.
Back into my room, I managed to find some semblance of business attire and dragged that out. Got ready for work and then, I proceeded to get the girls ready with breakfast. Then I caught sight of it. Oh yes, the reason that I am groggy, tired and basically not even feeling human.
It lurks on the counter. Really, there shouldn't be such a problem with this innocous thing. Made from trees and ink, the pages are rumpled and the cover bent back. That book. That blasted book. I intended to read just a chapter or two and instead, read the darn thing cover to cover in the evening - or rather early wee hours of the morning. I accidently got sucked into the story and that was the beginning of the end of the book.
The problem really is that can happen with any good book. I can burn dinner, forget appointments, be late getting to bed and late getting up. Books should really come with warning labels attached. It doesn't help that schools are pushing parents to encourage literacy. We are supposed to model reading and encourage reading. This sounds simple but really isn't. In the throes of a good book, do you really think that the children eat properly? Get to bed on time? Get their homework done? No, they don't. They just gleefully go their own way and do as they like. Hence the reason that I don't often sit down during their waking hours to read. But still, last night happened. The wars raged, wizards flew and romance blossomed. I fell asleep to medieval dreams and still. . .
I detest mornings. Speaking of which, I guess I need another book. . .
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Hooliganting: Scrapbooking by any other name would be . . .
Hooliganting: Scrapbooking by any other name would be . . .: "Frantic as my day was, I finally remembered that it was scrapbooking night. You may remember from other posts that scrapping night is a week..."
Scrapbooking by any other name would be . . .
Frantic as my day was, I finally remembered that it was scrapbooking night. You may remember from other posts that scrapping night is a weekly event, where my friends and I spend copious amounts of time shredding photographs, paper and gizmos to redefine photographic art. There is therapy in the shredding and therapy in the conversation. It is our time to mellow out, chillax and basically sort out our lives while still being "productive." So, after driving children from hither to yon, I pulled into the drive.
Dinner was a bit harem scarem, but once that was cleared, I hauled out the scrapbooking materials. Tonights subject was dance. So, I sat at the table and created. Black and red to set off the tutus. Barbie dance stuff as that suits the girls. Bling was used as it was dance theatre material. A good two hours was spent clipping and decorating.
However, I glanced over at my compatriots who were also allegedly involved in this scrapbooking event. Looks can be very deceiving. One was logged into her computer working on a college assignment. In between times, there was that phone out as she reprogrammed it and decided to reconfigure the entire thing. As for our partner in scrap, she had her photos out and was trimming them for awhile. In fact, she had just finished lambasting our academic for not ordering photographs and scrapping with us when she too fell off the wagon. Oh yes, she was sitting there texting emails and trying to figure out her phone at the same time. Somehow, this was not understood to be funny as I sat there chuckling away.
Who knew that scrapping night was really all about technical support? For love, for life, for children and for those blasted phones!
Dinner was a bit harem scarem, but once that was cleared, I hauled out the scrapbooking materials. Tonights subject was dance. So, I sat at the table and created. Black and red to set off the tutus. Barbie dance stuff as that suits the girls. Bling was used as it was dance theatre material. A good two hours was spent clipping and decorating.
However, I glanced over at my compatriots who were also allegedly involved in this scrapbooking event. Looks can be very deceiving. One was logged into her computer working on a college assignment. In between times, there was that phone out as she reprogrammed it and decided to reconfigure the entire thing. As for our partner in scrap, she had her photos out and was trimming them for awhile. In fact, she had just finished lambasting our academic for not ordering photographs and scrapping with us when she too fell off the wagon. Oh yes, she was sitting there texting emails and trying to figure out her phone at the same time. Somehow, this was not understood to be funny as I sat there chuckling away.
Who knew that scrapping night was really all about technical support? For love, for life, for children and for those blasted phones!
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Hooliganting: Slip and Slide
Hooliganting: Slip and Slide: "The best fun on a Saturday, the absolute best fun on a slightly snowy, and drifting kind of a Saturday is to pack up a picnic and go. The we..."
Slip and Slide
The best fun on a Saturday, the absolute best fun on a slightly snowy, and drifting kind of a Saturday is to pack up a picnic and go. The weather was cooler than it has been. Wind was dervishly dancing ice flakes across the roads, creating snow snakes. Grey and dismal, it was a perfect day. We bundled up the girls, and went.
Admittedly, the girls were quite the delightful array of rainbow shades. Imagine bright pink snow suits. Orange hats. Pink toques. Green vests over pink suits, and purple scarves and stripy gloves. Wicked sunglasses shaded their eyes and yes, they were styling all right. The good thing about it was they were warm.
Driving out, we headed south to the hill. Week days, we usually make do with the small hills with playgrounds. The round slip and slides, or the turbo long slides provide enough entertainment and are fabulous. However, sometimes you just need that extra thrill. So, today we went to the hill. The hill is Vista Ridge and on it's slippery powdered in slopes are those tube runs. The thrill seekers were chasing speed.
The journey is a bit of a drive. But once there, people pile onto a snow tractor and sled, and trundle down the ski run to the tube park. We raced down and the girls insisted on being the first to choose their tubes. They might be more cautious about other things, but tubing isn't one of them. We got our tickets and sped down on the first run of the day. It was fabulous.
The ice stings color into already rosy cheeks. The tubes spins and cavort as they gathered speed. All you could hear was the highpitched squeals of delight as they cannoned down the run. They were already off the tubes and running up the hill to the carpet lift. By the time we trundled up to the top of the largest run, Uncle was getting off the tractor. More shrieks of delight.
The morning was spent sliding down and sipping hot chocolate on the way up. It was fantastic. Icicles frosted the sunglasses, and toes dangled over the edges of the tubes. Faster and faster they went. Of course, this thrill had to be followed by more treats. I left them on the hill with Uncle on the hill, who promptly spoiled them rotten for the rest of the afternoon.
Finishing with the tube runs, they were treated to McDonalds for lunch, the YMCA for climbing apparatus and then Tim Hortons' for a snack. I am still wondering why I was surprised that they went to bed so well. Ah - uncles are the best in the world and I am grateful. It truly is the best kind of day!
Admittedly, the girls were quite the delightful array of rainbow shades. Imagine bright pink snow suits. Orange hats. Pink toques. Green vests over pink suits, and purple scarves and stripy gloves. Wicked sunglasses shaded their eyes and yes, they were styling all right. The good thing about it was they were warm.
Driving out, we headed south to the hill. Week days, we usually make do with the small hills with playgrounds. The round slip and slides, or the turbo long slides provide enough entertainment and are fabulous. However, sometimes you just need that extra thrill. So, today we went to the hill. The hill is Vista Ridge and on it's slippery powdered in slopes are those tube runs. The thrill seekers were chasing speed.
The journey is a bit of a drive. But once there, people pile onto a snow tractor and sled, and trundle down the ski run to the tube park. We raced down and the girls insisted on being the first to choose their tubes. They might be more cautious about other things, but tubing isn't one of them. We got our tickets and sped down on the first run of the day. It was fabulous.
The ice stings color into already rosy cheeks. The tubes spins and cavort as they gathered speed. All you could hear was the highpitched squeals of delight as they cannoned down the run. They were already off the tubes and running up the hill to the carpet lift. By the time we trundled up to the top of the largest run, Uncle was getting off the tractor. More shrieks of delight.
The morning was spent sliding down and sipping hot chocolate on the way up. It was fantastic. Icicles frosted the sunglasses, and toes dangled over the edges of the tubes. Faster and faster they went. Of course, this thrill had to be followed by more treats. I left them on the hill with Uncle on the hill, who promptly spoiled them rotten for the rest of the afternoon.
Finishing with the tube runs, they were treated to McDonalds for lunch, the YMCA for climbing apparatus and then Tim Hortons' for a snack. I am still wondering why I was surprised that they went to bed so well. Ah - uncles are the best in the world and I am grateful. It truly is the best kind of day!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Hooliganting: Cheap Tuesdays
Hooliganting: Cheap Tuesdays: "Thanks to a friendly reminder, I detoured into the parking lot of that place. You know the one. It has food, cleaning products, clothing, bo..."
Cheap Tuesdays
Thanks to a friendly reminder, I detoured into the parking lot of that place. You know the one. It has food, cleaning products, clothing, books, medications and flowers. I pulled into the nearest parking spot and snagged the nearest cart. I read the sign. Safeway. I'm too tired for this, I think and I nearly drove on.
However, the lure of the first Tuesday of the month discounts and mayhem are too generous to pass up. I even remembered those elusive things called the list, and the airmiles bonus coupons. I am armed and dangerous - albeit more dangerous with the paper (three paper cuts later!). The cart is shoved through the snow and ice and through the double doors.
Fortunately, it isn't as busy as I had expected. I meandered through the vegetables, selecting things around two women arguing over what Endives were. I pondered the meat selections and inevitably chose the ones that had the bonus airmiles attached. Down through the pasta, up through the cereal. Down through the coffee and tea and up through the cleaning supplies. The frozen food section was a stock up zone as was the soups. I can almost get through to next month. So, I skipped the cookies and chips to go eye up the breads.
What you also have to imagine is that I am calculating points and calories on my Ipod as I shop. Being determined to slim down a bit before the Mexican vacation, I am trying to shop smarter. I would also like to not have to think about what I am cooking so the ingrediant list has to be processed. About one third of the way through, that got really irritating so I shifted into bonus airmile mode full tilt.
Then it hit me. Genius. I pulled into the check out and lined up my groceries. There was no line behind me so I grinned at her. I pulled out my airmiles coupons and calmly informed her that I was going to pay her every $100 spent. I could have taken the 15% off but in the grand scheme of things that doesn't work out to much. Airmiles...can add up quickly if you do it right. Tonight I did just that! $100 plus bonus coupons plus 10 x the airmiles once. Then twice. Then a third time. 250 bonus airmiles. Plus, I used my airmiles credit card. People, I think I almost have enough to fly home from just one grocery shop. By the time I was done, the cashier was killing herself laughing and I wasn't much better. I guess no one else thinks like me. The two ladies behind me (the lines do come back) were also laughing. Ah . . .genius. I didn't save much money by shopping up front, but I think I have just managed to figure out a way to save up for a trip somewhere hot and tropical.
Safeway...I am...coming back....bwahahahahaha
However, the lure of the first Tuesday of the month discounts and mayhem are too generous to pass up. I even remembered those elusive things called the list, and the airmiles bonus coupons. I am armed and dangerous - albeit more dangerous with the paper (three paper cuts later!). The cart is shoved through the snow and ice and through the double doors.
Fortunately, it isn't as busy as I had expected. I meandered through the vegetables, selecting things around two women arguing over what Endives were. I pondered the meat selections and inevitably chose the ones that had the bonus airmiles attached. Down through the pasta, up through the cereal. Down through the coffee and tea and up through the cleaning supplies. The frozen food section was a stock up zone as was the soups. I can almost get through to next month. So, I skipped the cookies and chips to go eye up the breads.
What you also have to imagine is that I am calculating points and calories on my Ipod as I shop. Being determined to slim down a bit before the Mexican vacation, I am trying to shop smarter. I would also like to not have to think about what I am cooking so the ingrediant list has to be processed. About one third of the way through, that got really irritating so I shifted into bonus airmile mode full tilt.
Then it hit me. Genius. I pulled into the check out and lined up my groceries. There was no line behind me so I grinned at her. I pulled out my airmiles coupons and calmly informed her that I was going to pay her every $100 spent. I could have taken the 15% off but in the grand scheme of things that doesn't work out to much. Airmiles...can add up quickly if you do it right. Tonight I did just that! $100 plus bonus coupons plus 10 x the airmiles once. Then twice. Then a third time. 250 bonus airmiles. Plus, I used my airmiles credit card. People, I think I almost have enough to fly home from just one grocery shop. By the time I was done, the cashier was killing herself laughing and I wasn't much better. I guess no one else thinks like me. The two ladies behind me (the lines do come back) were also laughing. Ah . . .genius. I didn't save much money by shopping up front, but I think I have just managed to figure out a way to save up for a trip somewhere hot and tropical.
Safeway...I am...coming back....bwahahahahaha
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