Wedding Bells Have Rung

So it's finally over. The year (and 2 weeks) of planning, the deposits, the interviews with vendors, the research, the stress.... it's all done with! We got married this past Saturday and it went really well.

Sure it rained a bit, but we were able to work with it. And it stopped during the ceremony, so we were still able to do some pictures outdoors and enjoy the outdoor scenery. Having done wedding planning for others, and knowing what goes into planning and executing a wedding, I had enlisted the help of a wedding planner friend of mine, who also was a guest, so she was able to get a volunteer looking for some experience to help us out. Man was I glad they were there! Truly, if you're planning on getting married, even a small ceremony with just 80 guests (that's what we had) do yourself a favour and hire a planner! They're worth the money just for your sanity.

Both Brandon and I were super relaxed on our day. Neither of us had an idea of a "dream wedding", so whatever happened was fine by us. Sure there were components we cared about, but when it came down to things like last minute ceremony change to indoors and rearranging the processional order and a few songs getting bumped... it was all ok by us. The one thing I did care about, were the pictures. Those are the lasting visual memories. And our photographer was terrible! They showed up an hour and a half late, they forgot their flash, the batteries on their cameras died and they didn't have spares, they missed important parts of the wedding, they didn't help pose anyone, didn't take any charge, didn't bring the list of poses/shots we had sent them weeks in advance so had no idea what pictures we wanted... I mean just incredibly awful! My sister in law was very helpful and stepped in to take some pictures- which have turned out great! When I saw the ones she took I cried because I am so grateful we have some wonderful pictures that captured the day in an amazing day!!! So if you need a great photographer- I know one. And if you need a terrible one- I know one of those too!
So I can honestly say, that was the only thing that I was getting panicked about. Oh, and the fact that only half the groomsmen were at the venue half an hour after they all should have been there. But it all worked out and we recovered.

Although we've never been ones for mushy, super sentimental affairs, we both really enjoyed our day. It turned out to be a great party with some amazing friends and family. Some of Brandon's relatives from Newfoundland & Alberta flew in- so it was great to put faces to names. Our bridal party was excellent, helped us out greatly throughout the day and really helped us have a great time. Our good friend, Tyson, was a groomsman and our MC and put together some great games/activities, which was even a surprise to us!

So now that the event is over, I feel like I should all sorts of free time. And yet somehow I don't. Oh well :)

Are You My Mother?

 

Have you ever read this book?  If not, you really should.  If you're not aware, "P.D. Eastman" is a Dr. Seuss protege, so you can expect the typical Seuss-ical style to this book.  If you haven't read it- you should.  But this post if not solely intended to boost Dr. Seuss sales of "Are You My Mother?", so let me continue...

How many of you women out there sometimes feel like you're significant other's mother?  If you're anything like me, and apparently many other women out there (according to a magazine poll), you likely do the following "motherly" type things for your man:

• help him with laundry 
• help clean his room/house
• organize his appointments
• remind him about appointments and when he needs to take time off work
• make meals for him to take to work
• shut off lights, close doors and just generally clean up after he's left a room
• take care of him when he's sick 
• fold and put away clothes
• run errands for him
• organize and keep his official records and documents (banking, ID) safe
• help with banking and saving

I often think/ask, "am I your mother?" to which he usually replies, "no, but you can be my fiance who acts as a mother".  Men want to be mothered, no matter what they outwardly say.  They love to be taken care of, doted on and know that when they mess up there is a woman there to make things right.

Are you my mother?
No, I am not your mother- but you'll treat me as one anyway.

A New Home?

Last weekend Brandon and I went to Niagara Falls with my mother.  We were very lucky to be invited by my mom as a quick getaway from our daily life, expenses paid.  It was definitely a much needed and appreciated break.  Of course, we’ve all been to Niagara Falls before- being such a major Canadian attraction in our home province, but this was the first time Brandon and I went there together. We did the typical midway stuff: 4D moving theatre, Ripley’s Believe it or Not museum, Niagara SkyWheel, mirror maze- where the woman running it thought I was a child!

My mother insisted we go on the SkyWheel- which is basically a large enclosed ferris wheel that overlooks the midway and the falls.  We were happy to do this one attraction she was so sure she wanted to do, even with her fear of heights and ferris wheels in general.  I double checked with her at least twice that it truly was something she wanted to do.  After insisting it was, we bought our ridiculously overpriced tickets and entered the little pod we were to ride around and around in.  The automated voice told us what all the buttons were for and while “he” was talking my mother was Barker babe-ing, ensuring to show us what each button did. 

However, her tune changed as soon as it started moving.  Immediately her face went white and she gripped the seat with a death grip I can only recall seeing as a child when we were in trouble.  The brave woman from before was gone and now replaced by a nearly panicked mother.  This of course, made the ride that much more fun for Brandon and I.  Who knew we’d get a show with the ticket price?  She peeped her eyes open every now and then to take a look at the view, but otherwise her eyes remained pretty tightly squeezed shut.  The funniest part (only because she too was laughing) was that each time we made it to the bottom she thought that was the end of the ride, but we’d go around another time.  Six excruciating go rounds before she was allowed to leave her capsule of terror.  Unfortunately, the photos taken don’t really represent her fear as well as we hoped- but we did get a decent one of us (taken ourselves because my mother was otherwise preoccupied).  Actually, you can see Brandon looking at my mom in this picture- that may be what his smile is about too.

Following that experience, and calming ourselves from laughter, we headed back to the bus which would take us to our car.  The bus we grabbed took us on a roundabout tour of the area picking up and dropping off passengers as we went.  It also drove into MarineLand.  I’m not a fan of places like Marine Land which house wild animals (in this case specifically whales, dolphins and other marine animals) for the sole reason of human entertainment.  Living in cramped quarters, miniscule compared to their wide-open natural ocean habitat, these animals are “trained” to do tricks using sticks, discipline and farmed fish as reward.  None of this is healthy for the animal, but as humans we ignore these things and instead impose our own entertainment purposes above another living animals’ welfare.  I had heard there was a protest happening that weekend, and so as we drove in we saw all the concerned people with their signs trying to convince people not to go into the park.  I'm not sure if the protest was working, but the parking lot did seem rather sparse.  I would have like to have joined them, but we had places to be.  That, and I was stuck on the bus anyway.

When looking at the map Brandon spotted Fort Erie.  Not the place- but the actual fort.  History was calling his name, and admittedly I wasn't super excited about it at first.  But then we started driving through St. Catherine's and into small towns near Fort Erie (the town) and we fell in love.  With a small place called Stevensville.  So small, so cute, so pretty...so inexpensive.  We loved it!  And of course the actual fort is right nearby.  So that made it all the more pleasing for Brandon.  And I have to confess, the fort was quite interesting and pretty.  The tour was really interesting and informative, telling me information about the War of 1812 I never knew before.  That isn't saying much though, I don't know many details about history in general.  I mean, I know the basics: 2 countries are mad at each other and begin fighting, which then escalates to eventually include other countries thus becoming larger (history-making) wars.  But that's about the extent of it.  I took classes like English, Creative Writing, Modern Literature etc.

Anywhoozle, we fell in love with this little town.  So much so, when we saw some houses for sale I employed my savvy MLS skills and checked out prices.  Exactly in our house hunting price range!  It was meant to be!  So, new location plan: we're headed to Stevensville... in a year.  After we save more money for our down payment, that is. We're very excited that we can afford a decent home on some good sized land, perhaps even enough for my dear horse, Sophie.

See you soon, Stevensville!

Open Letter to @Twitter

Dear Twitter,

I recall when you first emerged on the #social networking scene, I was a newly @Facebook dumper.  That's right, I had quit @Facebook.  You had no use to me.  I thought you were just @Facebook status updates in disguise.  I resisted you @Twitter.  But now I've come to say #I'm sorry.  I shouldn't have fought the urge to join your forces and update people within 140 characters or less every few minutes.

I am #happy to say, @Twitter, that I am now a happy member of your fleet.  I frequently broadcast my thoughts to the #world... ok my 40 followers (as long as no one has unfollowed me...#sad), and read all about others' updates to their life, or funny thoughts- oft stolen from other people they follow on @Twitter that don't follow them back so wouldn't know they stole their material.  I know this happens, because sometimes I'm following both of those people.  (you copycats aren't #clever)

So now @Twitter...I'm addicted.  I check you all the time.  At work.  At home.  In the car ("totally my bad, I was sending a tweet").  When I'm peeing.  While I'm walking my dog.  In meetings.  @Twitter you are my bitch lover! (#Wedding Crashers)

While I realize I have completely contorted into what you want me to be, I want you to know I'm still my own person @Twitter.  I still think regular thoughts...additional to the thoughts that I think "this would be good for Twitter".  I still send text messages.  I still take pictures without applying an #Instagram filter and selecting the @Twitter posting option...sometimes, ok not really.

@Twitter, you connect me to people who I would never really talk to.  Mostly because they are famous and they wouldn't know who I am... ok fine!  They still don't know who I am!  But sometimes they #retweet me! OMG!  Someone who makes lots of money, somewhere in the world, that I know, but doesn't know me... retweeted my thought.  @Twitter thank you for allowing this to happen.  Thank you for this ray of sunshine in my life.

@Twitter, here it is in a nut shell: #I love you.  Now listen, before you go getting all excited and stuff- I'm #engaged.  Happily engaged.  And I won't go messing things up just because you've whored yourself out to me.  Nope.  I've got resistance and #will power.  I won't let you further into my life @Twitter.  So sometimes I forget I'm not on @Twitter when I'm writing and I misuse hash tags and @ symbols...so what. Right?

@Twitter- can you feel the love tonight?  You are so beautiful to me!  And all my life, I've prayed for someone like you.  So, have I told you lately- that I love you?  I'll be there for you, when you need somebody.  Because I will always love you.

~@shannonhas86

I'm as Loved as a Halo Mega Bloks Kit!

Can you believe how lucky I am?  Please read this MSN chat for further details...

Brandon says: omg please please watch this
http://www.blogger.com/goog_420970746
Shannon says: I'm watching- that thing is HUGE (that's what she said)

Brandon says: thats #1 on xmas list
Shannon says: can you imagine how long it would take you? your other one took like 5 hours!
find it online for sale
Brandon says: preorders are for august first, from toys r us
Shannon says: how much?

Brandon says: no idea lol

Shannon says: I'm sure like $300!

Brandon says: its not on websites yet, its available for pre order starting August first
Shannon says: an online forum speculates the suggested retail price to be 250 Euros! That's more than $300
Brandon says: I know I know- but its amazing

Shannon says: I didn't know you were this big into Halo haha it is pretty neat- but I imagine it's huge

Brandon says: look at it in front of the guy when the video is on, so awesome

Shannon says: yes yes I watched the video, is this the blog post inspiration?

Brandon says: no, i just thought that it was awesome...like...so awesome...ugh <3

Shannon says: you feel the same way about a Mega Bloks kit as you do me?! 

Brandon says: I cant describe how my much my heart hurts because I now yearn for that set...you should look it as I love you as much as I love Halo.. which is a whole bunch

Shannon says: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Brandon!

Brandon says: I'd choose you if I had to pick obviously but in this reality.. I do not have to pick so I love both

Shannon says: oh...well thanks for the bode of confidence  you're a total loser! 

Brandon says: I'm not- why do you say mean things like that?

Shannon says: because you told me you love me as much as a Halo Mega Bloks kit!!!

Brandon says: just please love me

Shannon says: I do! as much as I love my Macbook Pro!


Now do you know why I'm marrying him?!

That Man Has Funny Hair, Drunk by 2pm & Giant LEGO

Yesterday was a whirlwind day for us.  It really only started out with plans to head down to Fort York downtown, to see if it was an acceptable wedding venue.  (the answer is yes)  That turned into a stopover at the Steamwhistle Brewery for a tour and free beer- a favourite activity of ours.  And continued into a fantastic weekend spent together.  That doesn't happen all that often because Brandon works shift work, and gets mostly weekend shifts, where I have a "typical" 9-5 job Monday through Friday.  So we spent great time together and enjoyed our weekend activities.

It started while riding the subway, sitting, minding our own business, probably discussing something profound and important we hear a little (but loud) voice yell across the aisle, "THAT MAN HAS FUNNY HAIR!", followed by a small finger pointing towards Brandon.

In case you didn't see in our photos from my birthday and engagement party, Brandon has cut his hair into a mohawk of sorts.

This young boy thought it was hilarious that Brandon's hair had chicken-like qualities (ok he didn't say that- but I can only imagine that's what he was thinking from his yet to be educated mind). Naturally, I laughed and so did Brandon, who also spoke to the kid and acknowledged his hair as being funny. His dad told us that the week prior the little boy had seen a man who had a long beard but no moustache. The little boy pointed at that man and said, "that man forgot his moustache!". While hilarious for us, potentially mortifying for his dad, I commend this kid for saying what he thinks! Good for him. Perhaps the pointing could be a problem later in life, but keep up the honesty kid!

Also on the subway, we saw Colin Farrell's Mexican cousin, Cortez Farrelle!  Brandon says he should be in a movie called "Tele-phone Boothe".  I considered taking a photo, but posting pictures of random people on the Internet tends to be frowned upon.

We arrived at Fort York and headed in to see the potential wedding venue.  Quick tip: apparently if you tell places that you're considering their venue as being a place for your wedding, they'll give you free admission.  So not only did we get to check out the venue for our wedding, but also just got to enjoy the grounds.

I made an agreement with Brandon many months ago, that he must allow me to take minimum one picture of the two of us (or at least him) during any outing we go on.  Outings include anytime we have some sort of agenda to leave the home beyond going to family or friends' homes or work.  Brandon regrets this I'm sure, but a deal's a deal.  So this was the first attempt at our together picture:

 

Brandon's photography skills leave something to be desired.  So I tried: 

Doesn't even look like it was a self portrait.  I know how to hide my arm and make it look natural.  Because sadly, I take too many of these pictures.

Walking back from Fort York, we decided to stop in at Steamwhistle Brewery.  This is probably our favourite brewery, though we enjoy visiting all sorts, and have been known to plan small trips just to visit various breweries.  If you've never been, it's usually an interesting tour with free beer.  And who doesn't enjoy free beer?

Brandon tries to ignore the camera

Until you get him drinking

This is Leroy the Steamwhistle kitty

I actually out drank him this time!

We did so much walking when we were downtown, then went out to a friend's birthday later in the evening and walked home.  Our feet felt like cement blocks this morning. 

Somehow today Brandon got another day off, so we made good use of the day.  Slept in, paid a visit to the comic book store to get the new edition of "The Shadow" and the onto Toys R Us.  "Why", you may ask? "You guys don't have kids.  You haven't mentioned any children's parties you're attending. Your niece/nephew isn't due to be born until the end of August."  Oh I'm aware.  We went so Brandon could get a new Mega Blocks kit.  Yup!  Brandon has started collecting Mega Blocks.  And not just any Mega Blocks- Halo Mega Blocks!  He's already got 2 smaller ones that I would consider regular sized.  But this new one he got today is 12" long and 6" wide!  It's a huge vehicle.  It's a UNSC Warthog- Halo 10th Anniversary Collector's Edition.  Exciting, right?!

Brandon has been working on building this item for 3.5 hours already and still isn't done.  My part to helping was organizing the pieces by colour, size and style.

So, its been a wonderful and eventful weekend.  Something we haven't been able to appreciate in quite some time.  Now I must face the dreaded work week... wish me luck.

An Evening Stroll

Almost every night, Brandon and I go out for a walk near our home(s). It’s a really nice chance to get away from the technology distractions and other people and pets, and just take some time for us to chat about the day we each had, any outstanding discussions from earlier or just to merely walk beside each other and be in each other’s company. I completely understand how cheesy this sounds, but I have to tell you, it is incredibly lovely. Though the weather has been quite muggy and hot during the days, the evenings cool down a bit enough to make the walk bearable. It’s amazing how many important things can be discussed and/or solved in an hour’s time when you have no other distractions except each other.

I’ll admit it: I am addicted to my computer and phone. I check Twitter incessantly, I try to manage two blogs, I’m researching various wedding details, and I read a lot of news and blogs online. Plus I’m going to be starting a new writing internship next week, which I am very excited about! (more details later). I lug my laptop around with me whenever I go and my phone is almost always close by. (Funny how it’s called a phone, yet I have less than 25 minutes total used this month on the actual phone. Check my text messages however, and you’ll see I’ve sent 2276 and received 2253. While my data usage isn’t very accurate because I tend to use WiFi. So I use the term, “phone”, loosely) My point is, it’s nice to leave our phones, computers, TVs and video games behind and just spend some nice one-on-one time together.

As we walk, I longingly stare at the houses I love. Brandon tells me I’m “house horny”. I’d agree with that. I want a home I can call my own (well ours) and decorate and renovate and do all the things we want without anyone saying no. If I want to do my laundry naked- I can do that! I don’t have to worry about listening to my music too loud, or dancing around in my underwear. In fact, Brandon would encourage that. His family may not feel the same way.

So, get out and walk with someone you enjoy spending time with. A significant other, a friend, family member, pet, or just yourself. We can get lots of thinking done when the daily distractions of our coveted technology isn’t there to…well, distract you.



I wish we looked half as cool as these people!



Training Success

I just received a text message from him telling me he has been thinking about what Xbox games he wants this coming year and then told me which ones he wants to buy and which ones he would like to ask for as Christmas gifts. He then gave me the exact item he would like, and he explained how I could preorder it and that the payment isn’t due until it comes out in November. Although it’s for a Christmas gift I couldn’t help but feel pride in the fact that he was thinking ahead. And just yesterday he was asking me about pensions and RRSPs and how to retire comfortably. He’s looking for his dream job. We discuss wedding plans, and house buying plans. He thinks about our future- and is (usually) fairly comfortable talking about it.

Who says people can’t be trained? Specifically, who says men can’t be trained. OK, wait, I should alter that wording- Brandon won’t like that. Who says men can’t change? B.S. (Before Shannon), Brandon wasn’t a planner. He didn’t plan for a future of any kind, he didn’t save his money, he didn’t think about what he would do next week or next year- he just really didn’t think ahead.

He did whatever he wanted in the moment and dealt with any repercussions- but there were rarely any, because the world doesn't stop when something doesn't go the way you planned...or didn't plan.

Conversely, I have been a meticulous planner all my life. From a very young age I told my mother I wanted to be either a McDonald’s attendant or a doctor… because “they both help people”. You see? I was planning from a young age, my dream career. Granted, things don’t always go as planned (as I have had to learn with great difficulty), so I have become neither a McDonald’s attendant nor a doctor. But I’m not concerned, I can find other ways to help people. I plan my hours, days, weeks and years ahead of time. I like to know exactly what I am doing and when I am going to do it. Brandon has been able to help me let go of that a bit. That’s not to say I am anywhere near “living by the seat of my pants” or “throwing caution to the wind”, because I am not yet comfortable being so…. Care-free.

I feel as though Brandon and I nicely even each other out. We bring together the crazy, over planner who panics when things don’t go “right”, with the fairly laid back, “let whatever happen, happen” individual. We balance each other well by upping the ante or calming the nerves and reassuring everything will be ok. Granted, Brandon seems to be comforting me more than I him in most cases. The 2 years I’ve been with Brandon have given me a chance to relax a bit and realize there’s no huge rush, and no need to panic when things don’t go quite as I had planned for them to.

So, it appears as though people can be trained, myself included. Or at least begin the training process and become better versions of ourselves. Because let's face it: I'm always going to be the tense, high-energy, over planner to some degree and Brandon will always sit back and save planning for another day. It's who we are- and we're pretty awesome!

Squashing My Love (texts)

I was sitting at my desk, bored, staring out the window and listening to my YouTube playlist, thinking about Brandon and staring at my beautiful ring when The Band Perry’s song “All Your Life” came on. The lyrics sang, “I don’t want the whole world, The sun, the moon and all their light. I just want to be the only girl, You love all your life.” I, wishing I was more romantic than I am, thought “I should text these lyrics to Brandon to show him I’m thinking about him and that I love him”. So I did.

His response was less than favourable.

“Babe I love you… But that’s REALLY corny”

So I respond as maturely as I feel necessary for the situation, “Fine! You’re never getting nice, sweet comments sent to you again! :p so mean! I was feeling all lovey and you squashed it… AND! I put my ring on my pinky! :ppp”

He knows me and doesn’t play into my attention whoring personality, “Guess we’re not engaged anymore” …. :O WHAT?!

“Now you’re breaking the engagement? After you crush my love like that?! You’re incredibly mean”

Keeping his super cool demeanor, “Man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do”

I responded like any blogger/writer would, “I’m blogging this incredulously mean conversation so people know that you make my heart hurt >_< "

He doesn't care.

Update: I put my ring immediately back on my ring finger.

Could be worse, I guess.

Breaking News

I’ve been drafting this blogpost since Friday now, and I can never seem to get all the information included that should be.  Giving it my best shot, here goes.

                                                                  I’M ENGAGED!!!!!! 

Friday June 1, 2012, I came home and friends and family jumped out of various corners and rooms of my mother’s house yelling “SURPRISE” at me.  Admittedly, I saw my friend’s boyfriend first (whom I’ve only met twice before) so I was wondering who this man was in the house, until I saw everyone else.  So yay!  A surprise birthday party planned and executed by Brandon and our mothers.  A great gesture in itself, it was nice to have everyone together and have an eventful birthday. (Something that hasn’t really happened in a few years)  The night progressed and great food was eaten and even better company- catching up with friends and family.  Then it came time for presents. 

I should preface all this by saying, Brandon had been telling me his gift to me was a trip to Vermont in which we would go horseback riding, beer brewery touring and enjoy the drive/trip.  So, I was prepared for no physical gift from him at all.  He had, after all, planned an awesome trip and party for me!

However, when present time came Brandon’s mom rushed to get her camera and said Brandon was going to go first.  “... But I thought he didn’t have a gift for me?”

Brandon stands in front of me, grabs a chip from the table beside him and looked at me and said, “There’s a reason I didn’t bring a gift here today, because I have a question I need to ask you instead” he drops to his knee and says, “Will you marry me?”

My face resembled a sort of scrunched up version of myself, eyes closed to hold back tears and, what I thought, a ferociously nodding head yes.  Apparently, my head nodding wasn’t as obvious as I thought, because people, including Brandon, asked me if I said yes.  Of course I said yes!!  So, I yelled “YES!” just so everyone could hear.  Brandon took the ring out of the box and asked me in his nervous, quiet voice, “which finger do I even put it on?”.  You know, that question made it so special for me, so... “us”.  I didn’t want a ridiculously planned, recited and overly traditional proposal and that made it special for me.  After I showed him what finger to put it on, there was a kiss, clapping and me trying to recover and save face for the cameras.  Little did I know they had already captured all my scrunchy-face moments.

It’s hard for the rest of the gifts to measure up following a proposal, but I got many lovely cards and gifts from the remainder of my friends and family.  Though I spent most of the time staring at my finger with it’s newly appointed bling.

With 2 of my 3 future bridesmaids in attendance, it was so exciting to get to share the moment and remainder of the evening with people I love.

The following day, Brandon and I were scheduled to go to a BBQ, but plans fell through and we ended up staying home and Brandon ultimately ended up working.  (Which is good for the upcoming wedding and house we’ll be saving for).  I have been wanting to get my next tattoo for the last month or so, and the opportunity never presented itself.  Until yesterday.  So, I called up our tattoo artist and asked if he had any available spots- he didn’t but his associate did, so off I went.  I got myself the turtle tattoo I’ve been wanting for years- and I love it!  With the next ones already ruminating, we’ll see if they happen pre or post wedding.

It’s been an eventful and very exciting weekend that I’ll remember forever.  Let the wedding planning games begin!  (Though I’m not so concerned, being a wedding planner and all...)

Enjoying the Long Weekend

This weekend is Victoria Day weekend in Canada, which is a holiday to celebrate Queen Victoria's birthday.  For most Canadians, it's just a long weekend that is usually celebrated with camping, drinking, fireworks and swimming.  It's the weekend most open their cottages and trailers for the season and is the unofficial start to summer for many of us.  Unfortunately, Brandon has to work this weekend- except Monday, so we haven't been able to take advantage of camping or anything away from home this year. 
However, we have managed to get outside for some walks and exploration and been able to enjoy some drinks.  Today, while Brandon was working, I had an opportunity to visit The Big Carrot, an organic food store in Toronto.  Last year, when Brandon lived in that area we found The Big Carrot while walking around the city, and frequented the store each week for our organic fruits & veggies.  Now, living back in with our parents, we aren't responsible for our own groceries.  However, after discussing it (and other green/organic eating habits) we thought it'd be nice to have some organic fruits and vegetables for ourselves.  The cost is really worth it in the end, and that's what so fantastic about The Big Carrot- the prices are reasonable and within a regular food budget.

Realizing I was traveling into the city to head to the organic food store (and how counter "green initiative" that seemed), I tried my best to travel as much as I could via public transit.  While Toronto has a decent transit system, it definitely doesn't span the geographical locations it should (which is always a political debate in the news).  So I was forced to drive a 15 minute drive to our light rail transit system, which took me to the subway.  The Big Carrot is mere minutes from Broadview subway station, so it was a beautiful walk in the lovely summer weather among the classic colonial style homes in the area, which I would love to own.  Homes that I'm sure cost more than all the members of our families' combined annual incomes!  Regardless, it's nice to have dreams, right?
Of course, Toronto and it's people never cease to surprise me.  On my walk, an older gentleman asked me if I wanted company wherever I happened to be going.  I kindly declined.  On my way back, he was still waiting outside his home and asked me where I was headed next, then asked me if my walk was as lovely as I looked.  Perhaps I should have stopped to have a conversation and seen if he'd be willing to sell me his home at 1/10th of the cost it's worth?!

During my travels, I saw two signs that made me happy.  The first on the subway, encouraging passengers to share our small city free newspaper in a light and humourous way:

The second, was at the LRT station which had one garbage and two recycling bags, meaning the city is (hopefully) seeing more opportunities for actually recycling the many items consumers are throwing away.  If only, they would get rid of the plastic bags.

All this discussion prompted me to begin creating and writing my offshoot blog I've been wanting to do for a while now, Eco Econ-scious.  Instead of doing the Eco Econ segment on this blog, I'm taking it onto the new blog, but amplified.  Eco Econ-scious will have tips & tricks on being more environmentally friendly, articles of interest, other blogs and websites relating to anything environmental, organic or just living a better life, and as much as possible all this will be presented with your hard earned dollar in mind.  So, head on over to Eco Econ-scious!  It's still a work in progress, so be patient with me, but be sure to make any suggestions you think would be helpful.

Mac God Answered My Prayer

OK, so maybe not the Mac God.  But I got a new Mac!  Woo hoo!!!  So excited to have my delete, eject and sound keys working...and in record time!  Of course, it's regular amount of time to most, however with the 6 year old Macbook I was using, well let's just say this MacBook Pro is more than an upgrade!

So that's all for now, folks.  I've got a brand new MacBook Pro to play with- so not much time for typing about how wonderful it is, I want to USE it!

Of course, this photo does this sexy machine no justice- it's way sexier in person!

WoW Love Letter

Today at work during lunch, some coworkers and I were discussing the new RPG game coming out today: Diablo 3.  *yawn*  But of course, Brandon is giving it a try and has been enjoying throwing frogs at his enemies so far.  The conversation turned to World of Warcraft and how some people include it in their wedding vows (and even getting married in the game whilst getting married in person).  Rest assured, this will NOT be happening in our lives.  But it did make me think of creative ways I could show Brandon I listen to him when he talks about WoW.  So, naturally, I wrote him a World of Warcraft love letter.

 

My dear Brandon, my handsome Orc lover,

You must not know the love I feel for you, because you say you always love me more.  Let me explain to you just how I love you more...

I would scream from the Tol Barad (Toblerone) Peninsula (hoping for it to echo among the land), forgetting the fact they call it a peninsula and it is not, in fact, a peninsula at all.  I'd climb to the very top of the Westfall Lighthouse if I felt like I could make it in good time.  On my quest to deliver the news of our love to the entire World (of Warcraft, of course), I would take on whole armies of trolls and I would get aggro on anyone who dare threaten our love, and the fact that I, obviously, love you more.  My love for you exceeds level 85 (and any subsequent levels that are opened up upon expansion packs).

Why do I love you more?  Because you are a wonderful, unique, strong, smart, funny man and your strapping body, in all that armour, gets my blood boiling.  You are an epic mount, with magical powers beyond the virtual realm.  You restore my mana with a single kiss.  I hope I take your breath (bar) away, as you do to me.  Your mining skills surpass all those I have met before you, and I hope one day those precious metals you mine for hours on end will become the ring you use to ask for my hand in marriage.  Your 525/525 rating gives me good confidence you'll create something beautiful!  (Now let's work on those cooking skills of yours).  Your daily quests are always done, and are never forgotten... the same can't always be said for the real world, but we can work on that.  Your hard work obtaining clothing and gear astounds me, though your Cape of Cruelty, your Cataclysmic Gladiator's Waistband and Boots of Cruelty, sometimes leave me wondering what it is you do all day in that virtual World of yours.  How is it that you are exalted in many Horde Reputations, but hated in others?  How could anyone hate you?  Perhaps, it's your damage you cause to the Alliance members?  Your Ruthless Gladiator's Insignia of Conquest doesn't just increase your Agility for 20 seconds, but also my heart.

I promise to always love you, and to never do any direct damage to your heart.  I would run any quest you ask of me, gather any skills or gems needed- to prove that I will always love you (more).  All I ask, is that you introduce me to your Guild friends, Verbosa... I mean Brandon!

I would do all these things to prove I love you more and my love keeps growing each and every day.  This is all provided the system isn't down for Patch Day or maintenance- then all I can do is say I LOVE YOU!!!

Love,
Shannon, Shanners, Bananers, Kermin...