personal victory in a bike helmet

So, about a year ago I went for a bike ride. I live in a house on the river. I have a fantastic view of the water and I can, whenever I choose, take the canoe we keep for some friends about 200 feet and set it down in the water. Being right next to the river means we are also right next to the bike trails. However, there is this big construction project going on between my house and all the rest of the cool biking trails. So, unless I am content with a 2 minute bike ride, I must detour around the construction. On the fateful day last spring that I went for a ride I decided to try to take a shortcut on the detour coming home which involved me going down a really steep hill (concrete hill that is) with a busy street at the bottom. I am not always the smartest sock in the drawer and I decided to try to ride down the hill. Big mistake. My bike is approximately 12 or 13 years old and the breaks, they don't work so good. So I started going faster, toward speeding traffic, down this hill and I pulled the breaks a little too hard in my nervousness and, well, that was my second mistake. I'll spare you the big fall details (because they are really only good if I can act them out) but it hurt. I think I laid on the cement for about 5 minutes before I forced myself to get up and walk my mangled bike home. Then I laid on the floor of the living room in the fetal position for a couple hours. I think I did some damage in the stomach area or something - I hurt for a couple months. But that is beside the point. The point is, everytime the opportunity arose to ride my bike for the next 5 months, I made some sort of excuse. In the end, I was just too scared to get "back on the horse". So yesterday I decided enough was enough. It was a gorgeous day and I was NOT going to miss a whole nother summer of riding my bike. So I straightened out my poor mangled bike (it doesn't work quite as good as before sadly) and forced myself to ride to my hair appointment. I'm glad I did. This time, I walked my bike down the infamous hill - I may not always make the best decisions but I do try to learn from them.

So yeah, that is my personal victory for the week.

Oh and here is my rant of the day. Printer people are dumb. They don't include the USB cables in the box anymore. So now I have to go out and buy a USB cable before I can use it. Harumpff.

Green Grass

Last night I got to see an old friend from where I grew up. She was a few years older than me in high school so we were never really friends until we worked together at a local gas station/convenience store. But all those 8 hours shifts together with little else to do than chill with each other took their toll and we got to be quite close.

She took a different life path than I did. She has the cutest 2 year old son, got married, lives on a farm with tons of animals, doesn't work outside the home, etc. She is happy, I know she is, but last night she kept saying how "well rounded" I seem and how she wishes she'd done a few more things before she settled down. I am glad that I have gotten the life experiences that I have. There are some pretty cool pictures in my photo albums. But at the same time, I am also a little bit jealous of her life. I am not that ambitious about my career. It's okay and I like some things about it, but it doesn't provide me with a great sense of fulfillment and I do not draw my strength from it. So yeah, it's great that it is going so well and that I just bought a house and that I am somewhat independant and that I'm building equity as everyone keeps saying, but it's not what I really want. Don't get me wrong, I like being able to travel once in awhile and I really am excited about my new house - but I never endevoured to be a career gal and by lack of other options, that is exactly what is happening. Problem is, I don't really know what I do want.

I guess the grass is always greener.

Anyway, I'm off to get my hair cut. I have had some bad haircut experiences in the last year and a half so I have been putting this off. I am trying out a new place and I'm nervous. Here goes.

Return Journey

I went back to working man's land today. It has been almost 4 months since I was there last and I was nervous about going. But it was nice - people seemed glad to see me back and I think I faked a lot of confidence about the particular task they asked me to do. And I got covered in dirt and my nails are dirty so that always makes me feel like I worked hard. So hooray!

Anyways, that's all.

on the lookout for a couch

I forgot about my tax return! I was sitting down to figure out how much money I would have left over after my downpayment on my new house. In my head I had previously had it all planned out so that I'd be able to have some fun money left over to buy furniture. That is something I have never done. My most expensive piece of furniture is my bed which I paid $50 for at a garage sale. Needless to say, I was kind of excited at the thought of getting some new stuff. But when I sat down to actually figure it out I relaized my previous estimate had left out the lawyer fees and that I actually wouldn't have much money left over after all.

My mom is the sweetest person ever and she does my taxes for me. And she told me the other night that I'm actually getting some money back again this year. So furniture shopping is back on! I'm so happy. Which is really weird to me. I'm usually not a shopper-type. Especially for home decor. The only time I really like shopping is when I get to lay down on all the beds at IKEA. That is a good time.

Tomorrow I have to do a project at work that I am very scared about. I don't think I have the expertise to properly complete the project. But I have no choice so a-projecting I will go.

budding movie critic

I have been thinking about a career change for awhile now. Generally cautious about these things, I have decided to try out my potential new vocation here on my blog first. See what kind of feedback I get. I don't actually watch a lot of movies so I will have to pay extra attention to the ones I do so I can crtique them well. Quality over quantity as they say.

Three movies touched my life this week. I would like to give all of them a cookie. (I think that will be my rating system - depending on whether they get a cookie, and what kind, that is how well liked they were by me. For example, one homemade chocolate chip cookie would be the highest possible score on my cookie rating system and would indicate awesomeness. Followed by a ginger snap (excellent movie), oatmeal raison (good movie), peanut butter cookie (okay movie), digestive cookie(probably good to some but rather boring to me), monster cookie (blech) and no cookie at all (horrid movie in my opinion.)

Movie #1: The Sentinel - peanut butter cookie
I'm sure that I would have liked this movie quite a lot. Probably more than most people. It is the kind of suspense-ish movie I enjoy. I also really like Michael Douglas and Keifer Sutherland (remember them respectively in Romancing the Stone and Young Guns? Sigh) Friday was opening night and I decided I was in the mood for a movie. So off to the movies I went. We arrived late due to some technical difficulties (i.e. we didn't leave the house on time) and didn't actually get to see the movie because the line was really long and we would have missed a good chunk of the beginning (even with previews). So my review may not be as good as it could have been. If I had to guess, I think I probably would have given it a ginger snap. But in the interest of fairness and being unbiased I only give it a peanut butter cookie. So there you have it.

Movie #2: Stay - ginger snap
This movie was really scary right off the bat. I needed to hide under the blanket. And Ryan Gosling was excessively hot as usual. It was weird and one of those twistedish movies that you can't really figure out. As per usual (anyone who has ever watched a movie with me will attest to this) I fell asleep part way through. I woke up a couple of times and was still really scared - so it must be been good. I won't spoil the end (partly because I missed it) but I will say that what I saw, I liked. So a ginger snap to Stay!

Movie #3: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe - ginger snap
Ha! Until yesterday, I had no idea this was a Disney movie. Anyway, irrelevant. Yes, the movie was very good. At least the 45 minutes I saw. No, I didn't fall asleep, but I did have to leave early to go for a walk and say goodbye to my visitor who spent the last week at my house. Then I had to go to quiz practice. So my movie review is based on everything up to the kids meeting the beaver. I loved it! I thought the music was awesome and the cinematography*** fantastic! The professor made me laugh and Mr. Tumnas was pretty good looking for not being human. Kind of like those hobbits and elves in Lord of the Rings. I actually have never read The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe and have only seen the old BBC version of the movie (which I hated). So the fact that I was very much spellbound by this one (must have been the cinematography***) means something. I would have liked to watch the rest and as soon as I do, that ginger snap may get upgraded to a chocolate chip cookie. Especially if I can make it through the entire movie without falling asleep.

*** The whole mentioning of cinematography is a joke purely for my sister and roomate.

Things I think are cool

My new iPod. So far, I love it very much.

The Amazing Car-Problem-Solver-Dealer Guy!

Ha! Guess what I did? I was on my way to work yesterday when the engine light came on in my car. I immediately pulled to the side of the road and shut 'er down in fear that something was seriously wrong. It's a new car - lights don't illuminate for no reason right? Well, I just happen to have a houseguest for the week who is quite knowledgeable about cars so I phoned to ask him whether it would be safe to continue driving it to the dealers. The oil level was good and the engine temperature did not appear to rising. Nothing else weird was going on with the exception of the light. He said to drive on. I got to the dealers and explained the situation. I was informed that they were swamped and would not be able to get to anything semi-major until the following day. While the guy is telling me this, he is circling my vehicle and he opens the little door where the gas goes and exclaims "Ah ha! Here is your problem. Your gas cap is loose," and he continues to explain why this has caused my light to go on and describe how to properly close a gas cap. So this last part was probably about the most condescending anyone has ever been to me, but I did leave the gas cap off so perhaps it is deserved. So yeah, ah, I guess I'll, ah, have to watch that in the future.

Anyway, it was a cheap fix and I left my car to get a well deserved oil change that was due anyway. So all's well that end's well. And Shannon is just slightly blushing.

Things I think are cool but slightly explicit

I have been debating whether to put this on my blog or not due to some mature content. But I really do think it is cool. Usually I use yourDictionary when I need to look up the meanining of a word. But recently a friend introduced me to the urban dictionary. I like it because it has very unique definitions for words.

Example definition:
Dictionary - A very large book full of information about how words are spelled, pronounced, used in a sentence etc.

Although originally intended for reading, the dictionary serves many functions: it can be used as...
1.) a stepstool
2.) a flyswatter
3.) a paperweight
4.) a doorstop
5.) firewood
6.) etc. etc. etc.

It also contains definitions for words that I would not expect to be found in other dictionaries.

Example:
Blech - a superior form of blah

But I think my favourite thing is the diversity of definitions for the same word.

Example:
1. Lady - something most men don't treat right

2. Lady - A formal title or an affectionate term for a woman. Synonym for wife. As in Madame, or Signora, or Mistress.

"But soft, what light through yonder window breaks? ...It is my lady, O it is my love!" -Romeo, Romeo and Juliette.

3. Lady - undercover/slang word for cocaine usually used when talking on a cell phone

Anyway, check it out if you like. Please, however, keep in mind that it is rated at least 14A. Despite the rating, I still think the urban dictionary is cool ("cool - the best way to say something is neat-o, awesome, or swell").

Instead of taking out recycling (I found a bunch of spiders in it and was outta there), I present to you my first meme.

1) Who is the last person you high-fived? My roomate has hooked me on this compulsive high fiving for no reason and I actually high fived NewGuy at work. He looked at me like I was an idiot (but he did return the high five). The roomate got it from Maryanne. Thanks guys.
2) If you were drafted into a war, would you survive? Not likely, but maybe.
3) Do you sleep with the TV on? Especially if a movie is on.
4) Have you ever drunk milk straight out of the carton? Ha! Whenever I try I spill all over myself.
5) Have you ever won a spelling bee? Maybe when I was young, I don't remember. I was a good speller back then so it's possible.
6) Have you ever been stung by a bee? A bee, a hornet and a few wasps.
7) How fast can you type? Decently fast thanks to Typing Tutor and Mavis Beacon Typing in junior high. Anybody remember Mavis Beacon? You were driving and as you approached a word you typed it. Any mistakes resulted in a bug smashed on your windshield.
8) Are you afraid of the dark? If I am outside and alone, I really kind of am.
9) What color are your eyes? Green. I have green eyes.
10) Have you ever made out at a drive-in? Nope.
11) When is the last time you chose a bath over a shower? I can't even remember the last time I had a bath. I always shower.
12) Do you knock on wood? No.
13) Do you floss daily? I try. Dental hygeine is very important to me.
14) What happened to question #14? It's too horrible to talk about, but it was awful.
15) Can you hula hoop? Can't everyone? (Note: That means, no.)
16) Are you good at keeping secrets? If they are about other people I think I am. If they are about myself, no.
17) What do you want for Christmas? I suspect it will be something for my new house but not anything knick kanck-ish.
18) Do you know the Muffin Man? Know him? We're involved.
19) Do you talk in your sleep? Not that I know of.
20) Who wrote the book of love? Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, etc.
21) Have you ever flown a kite? Yes! And it has been way too long. My dad used to collect them and we had all sorts of cool ones that could do tricks. I think we will have to take up kite flying agian this summer.
22) Do you wish on your fallen lashes? No.
23) Do you consider yourself successful? According to my personal definition of success, not yet. But I'm working on it.
24) How many people are on your contact list of your cell? It is my work phone so between professional and personal contacts, maybe 50?
25) Have you ever asked for a pony? I don't think so. My friend Sherri and I did save up to buy a horse once though. Sadly, the deal fell through.
26) Plans for tomorrow? Indoor Air Quality assessment in a city 2.5 hours away. Cleaning. Laundry.
27) Can you juggle? I'm an awesome juggler. However I can only do 2 balls at a time.
28) Missing someone now? I am kind of actually.
29) When was the last time you told someone I Love You? About 20 mintues ago I said it to my friend Jess when I hung up the phone.
30) And truly meant it? I did very much mean it.
31) How often do you drink? Constantly at the office - I have a huge water bottle that I make myself drain everyday. Not as much in the evenings at home.
32) How are you feeling today? Really calm and happy and content.
33) What do you say too much? Fair enough
34) Have you ever been suspended or expelled from school? No, detention once though.
35) What are you looking forward to? In the short term: April 14th (Feast) and May 27th (possession date). Lots of things in the long term.
36) Have you ever crawled through a window? Yup. I crawl through all sorts of weird spaces at my job.
37) Have you ever eaten dog food? No, but I watched someone else do it. He said it wasn't as good as cat food.
38) Can you handle the truth? Most of the time.
39) Do you like green eggs and ham? I do not particularly like any colour of eggs or ham.
40) Any cool scars? On my right pointer finger I have a scar in the shape of a T that I love. I also have one on my shin that I got for being hardcore. Okay, well I got it for being a klutz and walking into a pointy branch hidden by the foilage. But I was in a forest where there are no trails. That is kind of hardcore right?

Whew. Meme done.

Best $300 I ever spent

So I kick butt at negotiating for houses apparently. Anyone considering a house should definately invest in a home inspection. It turned up some problems I hadn't anticipated and I negotiated $5000 off the selling price. $300 paid out to get $5000 off? Seems like a pretty good deal to me.

But yes, I am now the official owner of property. Cool. Scary. Grown up.

My real estate agent phoned to make the re-negotiative offer yesterday and said he'd call me to let me know what they said. Well, apparently they countered and he said, "no I think we are pretty happy with what we offered" and didn't even call me. He rocks because I would have probably accepted the counter and instead they called him back again and agreed to the original re-negotiative offer. I never thought buying a house could be this smooth.

Did I invent a word? Re-negotiative? I don't know.

Last evening to celebrate I went and got my favourite take-out and chilled with a friend for a couple hours planning stuff for the house. It was awesome to have someone so excited for me. After that I met a long time good friend from university who was in town. He and his buddy just happened to have an extra ticket to the Metric show and invited me along. It was awesome. I returned home shortly before 3am. It was a very perfect day.

Anyway, I should run and get ready to go to my friend's wedding shower.

Coming soon with be another installment of "Things I think are cool" and my very first meme. I'm not even sure what meme means, but apparently it involves answering a list of questions. I know you are biting your nails in anticipation now.

The house saga continues

So, as I said the inspection turned up some things. In a remarkedly decisive action I have decided on a magic number for which I will buy the house, problems and all. I shall take the afternoon to think on it but I am pretty sure I will make them a new offer. If they decline, then I will walk away and keep looking. I will be sad to pass up that cute little house but I guess I am just not comfortable with all the stuff that needs to be done.

At least now the ball will be in their court.

More on this tomorrow after the closing time is over.

Big fat boo

Boo. The inspection turned up some things. Now what? Walk away, re-negotiate, ask for an extension. I DON'T KNOW!!!!

I shall sleep on it. I still like the house, I just don't want to be stuck with a money pit.

It was all going so smoothly.

new zealand, here i come

I won I won I won I won I won I won I won I won I won! Finally. I have been shopping at Safeway for years and they always hand out those little cards that you rip open to see if you have 3 of anything. Well today, for the first time in my life, I did!!! 25 FREE AIRMILES!!!!

Life just keeps getting better and better.

personal perplexity

I stayed up till 4 am. Why do I do these things? On week nights especially.

Little Shannon has grown up

It took me a year to buy a laptop people. I hummed and ha-ed and checked around and then hummed some more and checked some more. For a year. But, I just bought a house. In 3 days.

Can you believe it?

So, unless the inspection turns anything up, here I go.