Tough news.

I called my older brother today to get some advice on the popcorn machine. He didn't sound too well so I asked him if everything was ok.

He walked into work this morning and found out he'd been laid off. With no warning. For economic reasons, the small company he worked for couldn't afford to keep him employed. That is all understandable, and to some extent, expected. What is not understandable is the very impersonal way he was informed. I don't really want to blog specifics on that. It was just really disappointing for it to have been done the way it was done. He deserved better.

My brother has my nephew to support, and as well they're in the middle of building this big new house. Very tough to have this news today. The upside is that he hadn't been very happy in this job anyway, so this will hopefully lead to something much better for him. He has a degree, experience, and a knack for business like my dad so there are a lot worse positions to be in.

So I am feeling pretty down right now for my brothers; both of them, actually. I filed my younger brother's taxes today, so I have one brother who owes a bunch of money he can't afford to the gov't, and the other brother who lost his job. I love them both and I hate to see them go through hard times. I pray it won't last long for either of them.

Assistance

If someone could help me get the popcorn machine out of my trunk and into my house, either tonight or tomorrow morning, I would appreciate it. I want to get it set up and do some test runs before the party.

[bats eyelashes in girly request for help]

Friday Feast #45

Appetizer
Which keys do you have on your key chain?

Car key
House key
Alarm remote
Car remote
Work key
Other work key
a purple caribiner
Staples Dividends Gold keytag
Waramps keytag
M&M keytag
Lewiscrafter keytag


Soup
What is the most spontaneous thing you've ever done?

I am so not a spontaneous person. I excruciatingly plan things. I'm having a hard time thinking of anything I've done that was spontaneous. One day I decided to drive to Sussex. That is all that's coming to mind.


Salad
Who is the best cook in your family?

My mom. She's an awesome cook, and could easily have a small catering business. If she wasn't crazy.
My grandmother on Dad's side made the best molasses cookies, but that recipe went with her when she passed away in 1989. My grandmother on my mother's side was famous for her baked beans.


Main Course
If you were to write a "how-to" book, what would the title be?

How-to be shit lucky.


Dessert
Name a recent fad you've tried.

Ummm, blogging? :P

So. envious.

New U2 video filmed yesterday in Vancouver. For City of Blinding Lights. Go have a read.

Sound like me?

Take a read over at T-L's blog. I'm a 9:

#9 - THE PERFORMER
9's are natural entertainers They are very caring and generous, giving
away their last dollar to help. With their charm, they have no problem
making friends and nobody is a stranger to them. They have so many
different personalities that people around them have a hard time
understanding them. They are like chameleons, ever changing and blending
in. They have tremendous luck, but also can suffer from extremes in
fortune and mood. To be successful, they need to build a loving
foundation. Famous 9's: Albert Schweitzer, Shirley MacLaine, Harrison
Ford, Jimmy Carter, Elvis Presley.


Uh, yeah, not so good with the giving away money... I was never very good at sharing. Will agree on the multiple personalities though.

The dilemma

If you're not into digging around in comments, I just had this comment regarding today's cute guy meeting update:

Why is it that, when you are single, it seems like every person you meet in whom you have the slightest interest is married?

I thought I'd make this its own post.

The older you get, the more often seems to occur. It's as though if you haven't met someone who is marriage material by the time you're 25-ish, forget it, because the rest of your dating pool is attached or getting married. I thought I had done that, having met my ex at 24, spending 4 years together and figuring I "had it made". Alas, I am now single again, and the dating pool appears to be a wasteland. Especially for someone like me who is often told that any guy would be lucky to have me... but no one is feeling lucky enough to roll the dice on me. Add to that the things I am looking for and I think you see why I am skeptical that I will ever find someone.

Maybe the Jane Austen-esque idea of someone my age being an old maid is not that far-fetched.

My older brother is an exception, not having been married before, he'll be 34 in a couple of months and will be officially engaged soon. I tend to think it is different for a guy though, there are lots of women out there looking to "settle down". Not as many good guys out there who are willing to do the same, who wouldn't refer to it as being "tied down".

This myth about Home Depot being a great place to meet men? Crap! Any men I've ever seen at Home Depot are married. I need a single girl's Home Depot. Any chance that can be a new marketing tool?

Despite my negativity, I continue my quest. When I picture myself in the future, I don't picture myself alone. I won't give up until that vision changes. There has to be someone out there who would find me just as fascinating as I find them. There has to be.

Update

Cute, and a west-sider even. Dorky laugh. Reminiscent of my ex. (Stop sending me people who look like my ex... I am not imagining things, they could pass for cousins)

But alas, married.

Wha?

Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise. Dating. Have been for a few weeks.

In other news, 2 of the 3 BBQ parts I ordered did come in today after all. Now if it will just not rain on Saturday....

Here, have a laugh at my expense

I got a phone call last week from someone wanting to meet with me to sell me something. I have no interest in the product, but agreed to meet with him because he "sounded cute". My meeting is at 2pm, I'll let you know how it goes.

Laugh away :P

Snippets

Maybe this is forever
Forever fades away
Like a rocket ascending into space
Could you not be sad
Could you not break down
After all I won't let go
Until you're safe and sound

There's beauty in release
There's no one left to please

I don't blame you for quitting
I know you really try
If only you could hang on through the night
[You] don't want to be lonely
[You] don't want to be scared
All [your] friends are waiting there
Until you're safe and sound

--Sheryl Crow



When the feelin' is ended
There ain't no use pretendin'
Don't ya worry - it's only love

When your world has been shattered
Ain't nothin' else matters
It ain't over - it's only love
And that's all - ya

When your heart has been broken
Hard words have been spoken
It ain't easy - but it's only love

And if your life ain't worth livin'
And you're ready to give in
Just remember - that it's only love - love

Yeah - You can live without the aggravation
Ya gotta wanna win - ya gotta wanna win
You keep lookin' back in desperation
Over and over and over again

Ya it ain't easy baby
But it's only love - and that's all

--Bryan Adams

Quote bomb!

"Mens room in the tower, what were they thinking?"

"Mail this, sort that, I'll make them all pay"

"Miss Interocitor"

"There's Taurus the Bull, and right under it the constellation feces"

"Doesn't the fact that it's Universal make it International?"

"Any movie with waka-cha-waka in it is ok by me"

"It's the Brach show, starring me, I'm Brach!"

Misconceptions

You seemed to have developed some kind of idea that it was going to be a pile of fun. Now I think you realize it's not all it's cracked up to be. I can't apologize for that. A lot of crap has happened over the past year and I am a changed person because of it. I'm alone now, I don't like being alone and unfortunately that impacts me on a daily basis. I have good days and bad days. I made no promises for this situation, it's just the way the cookie crumbled. If you're disappointed because of that, there's not much I can do about it. It's not all fun and games.

I'm not an easy person to get along with. I wouldn't want to try and get along with me either. But unless you plan on making a large change, you have to accept me for who I am, the good with the bad. That's the way it has to be if you plan on sticking around.

Wine, BBQ, Popcorn and Chocolate

Wine

I finally bought wine glasses this past weekend. So no more drinking Pinot Noir from Pooh glasses... unless of course you like that kind of thing. I don't even drink but see how I look after you people? I tell ya.

I still don't have a corkscrew though. Keep that in mind for this weekend if you bring wine.


BBQ

I ordered new grills for my BBQ which were supposed to be in on Friday.... but they called today and said they're on backorder. So I won't have them in time for the party. We can still BBQ no problem, as the existing grid is older but still quite useable. I'll give it a good start-of-season cleaning and we'll be all set.


Popcorn

I did manage to secure the popcorn machine for this weekend. Now I just have to figure out how to use it. And go to the bulk barn for some popping corn :)


Chocolate

I have to go to Moncton and stay up there for a few days next week. I see a Belgian chocolate stand in my future...

Anything but this!!!

One of my regular comment-posters, John, just commented on his blog that on Friday he heard an "exclusive dance remix" of With Or Without You.

[gasps for air]

How can you mess with The Joshua Tree? Is this supposed to be some kind of "tribute"??? There are certain things people shouldn't be allowed to touch to "improve" or "pay tribute". Psycho (and most other Hitchcock films) is a good example. Cookie Monster's eating habits. The Muppet Show. The Joshua Tree.

[shakes head in absolute disbelief]

Things just keep getting better...

So I found out that they really did receive my money at Revenue Canada. They just wanted more money. Called my brother twice today with this year's and last year's news... he sounds like he sees a freight train about to hit him. I am the bearer of bad news today it seems.

Good+Bad Times

Good Times

Last night was the Absentee Bachelorette Party for Sabina and we had a fantastic time. Jenn came over and we got ready at my place while listening to a very corny medley cd I had, or at least I thought it was corny, but Jenn loved it so it was all good. SkankyLiz was supposed to show up, but after some wardrobe issues involving boots that were too loose, and then no other footwear to go with the miniskirt, I had to switch to pants which took the skank factor down quite a bit. Still had on what I considered a skanky top, but I've discovered my definition of "skanky" may not be accurate compared to everyone else's definition. It's my leftover conservative accounting sense of style to blame for that.

The party consisted of Lisa, Suzy, Mare, Jenn and me. We sat around drinking out of martini glasses, though no one had a classic martini, and I didn't drink anything alcoholic. A very fun time, being the only sober and single girl in the room was quite interesting :) We sat around, listened to music and talked all night, didn't end up going out as we were feeling kind of lazy and we were having fun so why mess with it? Suzy brought the afore-mentioned penis cake, which made an appearance in some very funny pictures. Excellent job on the cake, btw.

We called Sabina around 11pm, she was expecting our call so she wasn't mad. We yelled congratulations and made sure she could hear how much fun we were having. Near the end of the evening I commented on how there was no proof that I was there, since I was taking all the pictures, so I handed Jenn the camera... after she'd had 10 drinks. When you look at the pictures, you can definitely see where the sober shots end and the drunk shots begin :P

It was great to sit around with a bunch of girls and have fun, so Jenn and I are proposing a monthly girls night. We need more of that, it was a blast. Don't forget the suggestion of Suwanna.


Bad Times

As is the norm with me, despite the fact that I don't drink, I usually end up with a sympathy hangover or sympathy feeling like crap. Today I kind of felt like crap. Forced myself up at 10am so I could sleep tonight, and just sat up in bed catching up on some stuff I had taped the last week or two.

Around lunchtime my aunt from Halifax called, she was in town and asked me if I wanted to go out to dinner for my grandfather's birthday, since he'll be away during it later this week. So I agreed to meet up with my dad, stepmom, stepsister, aunt, uncle, grandfather and younger brother for supper later. Dinner went well, it was nice to see family. The best part was when my dad asked my grandfather where they should go on Thursday night for dinner, on his actual birthday, when they'll be in Florida. My grandfather's reponse was "Hooters", which was damn funny and I had quite a laugh at that. I wasn't really expecting that coming from him :)

BBQ'd some hot dogs for lunch and cleaned the house up. Stood outside and stared at the mudpit, again wondering how in hell I am going to be able to turn it into a nice-looking yard. I find this a daunting task, in the way of actually getting it done and the money it's going to take to do it. Not to mention the lawn mowing all summer. I've never mowed a lawn in my life, but like a lot of things, I am going to have to learn. I am just NOT looking forward to it AT ALL. That part of owning a home is not fun for me. I am going to pretend I don't have to deal with it for at least another couple of weeks.

Then came the really shitty part of my day. I decided to delve into my younger brother's taxes. I prepare his return for him every year. Last year I did him a favour and paid his balance owing, and he is paying me back over time. According to the letter sent to him in December, which he had never opened, they never received that payment. I was pretty f***ing pissed. I don't know where the money went, but it left my bank account, and didn't make its way to my brother's statement. In the meantime they've been taking his GST credit and applying it against the balance that I've already paid, ARRRRGGGHHH! If he had opened these letters instead of shoving them in a box, I would have been able to straighten this out last year sometime. Instead, now I have to try and straighten it out during the final week of tax season. There is no worse time to do this. That is what I'll have to try and sort out this week.

I then proceeded to prepare his return for this year. It appears his two jobs last year both thought they were his only job, and thus did not deduct enough tax, resulting in him owing almost 3 times as much as last year. He even approached the payroll department at one of those jobs and asked them to correct the amount of tax taken out so he wouldn't end up owing again... a lot of good that did. I have absolutely no idea how to tell my brother he owes again. So I've been pretty down today considering the fact that I have to be the bearer of bad news in this department. I decided not to tell him tonight at dinner, but I'll have to tell him tomorrow. Oh joy.

Friday Feast #44

Appetizer
Name something that helps you fall asleep.

A fan. I can't sleep without a fan running. If I wake up in the middle of the night and it is not running, I won't be able to go back to sleep. I started that as a kid, even if I was too cold I had to have a fan on to sleep. I broke the habit for a while, but then in the sauna that was my last apartment, we had to have a fan on in order to cool the place down. Now I'm addicted again.


Soup
Who brings out the best in you?

People who make me laugh. I have to have humour around me, it makes me feel better no matter what is going on. I feel like I'm at my best when I'm laughing and enjoying myself and doing something to make those around me laugh as well.


Salad
What do you like to do on a rainy day?

Well, nothing different really, just that if it's summer I don't feel guilty that I'm not outside. Watch movies, or read, basically curl up on the comfy green couch.


Main Course
Complete this sentence: In our home, we never have enough...

Well, first of all, it's MY home, as I'm the one paying the mortgage here, buster! Not sure how to answer this as I am very fortunate to really not be without anything. Who am I to complain? I also work on a system of making sure I don't run out of things, somewhat obsessively - look in my closet in the hallway and you'll see the volume purchases from Costco. Scary!


Dessert
Which shoe do you put on first?

Left. But I had to go over and try them on in order to figure that out.

I know I shouldn't be laughing at this.

I am so going to hell for laughing at this. But I can't help it.

The [mis]use of footnotes

What is up with the use of * to signify a footnote? I just received this mailout about a training course, and it looks like this:

One-Day Seminar - Only $149+GST!

*New Brunswick
Moncton - June 29

*Nova Scotia
Halifax - June 28

Ontario
etc etc etc

I had to dig through the whole brochure to figure out where the footnote was and what it had to do with. Eventually found the footnote, and it had to do with adding HST instead of GST. So why is the * not beside the price, instead of the province? Having the * beside NB led me to believe there was something different about the NB course, or maybe it was enrollment-dependent, or something. Definite misplacement of an * if you ask me.

This is not the first time I've seen stuff like this. If you're going to use a footnote, please do me a favour and make it reasonable to find, i.e., it really should be on the same page, and actually relate to the item it is drawing attention to. ARGH!

MST Night - Update #2

Ok, getting a little closer to MST Night so I had better get something posted on it, right?

MST Night will be April 30th... not sure what time to start. Depends on how late people want to stay up. 6pm or 7pm start time is what I've been debating.

Also debating on showing a total of 2 or 3 episodes, how much does everyone want to watch? Mitchell is being thrown around as an episode to watch... you can never have enough Joe Don Baker.

If anyone needs directions to my place, let me know, as some of you have only been here once or twice.

Due to the large volume of people saying they'll be coming, I can't feed all of you. So bring some snacks if you like. I'll have a few things, and Scott T, cupcakes for you as promised :)