Wake Up- Morning Glory!

Though I'm not a huge fan of getting up at 6am everyday for work, I must admit when I arrive to the office around 8:15ish and the place is quiet and there's no other people there- it's kinda nice. It gives me a chance to put on my happy face, get myself organized and of course read my favourite blogs. Often I write my own blog posts during this time too (like this one, for example).

While I wouldn't say I'm either a night owl or a morning glory (as various jobs have led me to be both), I'm really not a fan of the morning chatter. The polite hellos and "how're ya doin'?" are fine, but when I'm starting my day and reading emails, getting my breakfast prepared and just generally trying to pump myself up for yet another day of work... I don't want to chitter chatter about my night. Perhaps this makes me seem like less of a morning glory.

One day, hopefully sooner rather than later, I will be waking up (sans alarm clock), preparing a healthy breakfast and reading, and writing, my daily blog posts out on my beautfiul deck enjoying the weather. And I can enjoy any weather because, you see, my deck will be a covered and enclosed deck. So more of a sun room. I'll be working my dream job, working from home and keeping the house to a level of my own personal satisfaction. *sigh* Doesn't that just sound wonderful? I'm going to my happy place now...

Today I Learned...

...my fiancé is preparing for any sort of emergency.  (Actually it was yesterday and last night, but those details don't matter.)

We all remember this post about his belief in the zombie apocalypse, right? Well, he has decided to make his summer hobby preparing an emergency "grab bag". I'm sure I've completely used the wrong wording and will be chastised for it tonight when I get home for work.

Of course, I have been recruited to help out, which I am happy to do. I have made a request for my survival items to be pink- Brandon says this is not happening and that it's impractical. Whatever- its cute! I want to look into my survival bag (in the event of an emergency) and have some enjoyment. I also requested a book, because, shit, if there is a zombie apocalypse or other crazy potentially life ending emergency, I'm going to need something to do.
What? You don't expect that I will be out hunting, do you? Oh no... In the event that things get all "Walking Dead" around here, I believe it's safe to assume we all revert back to old style gender roles. Brandon hunts, I'll work on some gathering and cooking. 

We will, however, need a third person to be our lookout while we are busy. I think we should start taking applications now, you know, so we're prepared for such an event.
Requirements of this person are:

• we like you enough to keep you in our group, and alive in general
• you must have good eyesight (won't be having you shoot anything/anyone who isn't meant to be shot (do you know what that can do to a group?)
• must be fit enough to run quickly to get away from danger- of course we will accept applications from those in wheelchairs, please just ensure you have an all-terrain chair ready for such event.
• must possess own emergency bag of supplies (as we aren't sharing ours), if you don't have one, don't expect charity from us
• prefer single person- extra people such as significant others or children just get in the way of doing your job
• a good familiarity with the Toronto area- to help us get to stores for looting and safe places for hiding

Please note, this is an unpaid position as we will be struggling to stay alive and won't have spare cash to be throwing around.

Dear Awesome Me, Minus 5 Years

Dear 21-year old Shannon,

Stop everything you are doing right now. It’s all wrong for you, and deep down you know that. Instead do the things YOU love and enjoy the time of being young. You take on too many responsibilities and tie yourself down. That’s ok, you figure it out, but you must make very difficult decisions to get there. You think you’re ready for marriage and kids now, but you aren’t. You will however, be engaged on your 26th birthday- so wait it out- Mr. Right does come along. You’ll even dedicate an entire blog (do you even know what that is?) to him and your time together. While writing this letter to yourself, you may even ponder whether your blog seems “shrine-y”. Pay more attention in History class in high school and university- your now fiancée has a slight obsession with WWII, and even has WWII airplanes tattooed on his body. On that note, don’t get that first tattoo on your back- the others are fine.

You always want to rush your life, and in that sense you are still the same 5 years later. But slow down and enjoy the ride, because time actually flies and you’ll look back one day- 5 years later- and think how much has changed in that time. You didn’t really miss out on anything, though.

Caution! You become a huge wimp in your later years. I don’t know what happened from then until now, but you cry at cheesy chick flicks, cute proposal videos and sometimes just because. Just beware that at some point something with you changes, so don’t expect to be the hard-ass you always have been, forever.

Keep working hard, but save more. Maybe then you wouldn’t have to wait to buy a house and get married. Also, don’t be so quick to leave your retail job. Turns out you actually like shift work more than you thought you do. And you may end up in a desk job you don’t enjoy and get bored at. So, maybe wait it out for that marketing or writing job because that’s what you really want to do. Waiting is ok sometimes.

Enjoy life now, and try not to think too far into the future. You’ll get there. You know you’re at least alive to see it through for the next 5 years. I can’t guarantee anything beyond that- except for each second that passes as I type, those I’m certain you’ll be around for.

Just be awesome, Shannon! We know you can be.
26-year old Shannon.

P.S. start creating the real flux capacitor so we can travel through time for real! You’ve got 5 years- GO!
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This post is submitted as a part of the 20SB 5th Birthday Blog Carnival, sponsored by GlassesUSA.com. Submit your own post here.

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!

Euro Murder Wink

Currently, the Euro Cup seems to be all the rage with sports fans, especially around my office. I am not a soccer fan however, so I really know nothing beyond the fact that there are many European soccer teams all competing for, what I understand to be the Stanley Cup of soccer. My office has been nice enough to those individuals cheering on their teams, to allow employees to wear their jerseys and even watch the games in an empty boardroom. As Brandon and I were talking about this the other day, and discussing how I would have enjoyed had we had the same privileges for the Stanley Cup, Brandon brought back old memories of elementary school days games. More specifically, Murder Wink.

Do you remember this game? Where everyone sat in a large circle and there was one person appointed the "murderer", though I can't remember how they were selected without the other kids knowing who he was.  I seem to remember cheating to try and find out who was being made the "murderer"... but you can't hold me accountable for that.  Everyone cheated at those games, right?  After the murderer was appointed...and now I feel like there was only one detective who was sent out of the room who had to try to figure out who the murderer was.  I'm making this sound much more complicated than it was.  Let's simplify it: one wink murderer, one detective and many victims.  Murderer winks at victims, who keel over and die (in a very 10 year old dramatic way) and detective has 3 guesses.  Now that I have managed to completely convolute the idea of Murder Wink...

Brandon's great suggestion to make soccer a bit more interesting, and perhaps bearable, was to add in the Murder Wink game.  How great would it be if soccer suddenly became a bit more exciting with one player running around winking at other players, as they're falling over on the field. 

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