I enjoyed a celebration of my birthday last weekend with friends. It was a little more low key than previous parties. I think there were a few elements that were different and just created a different environment. Not a bad time, just a different time.

43 sleeps until we go to Trois Riviere for CAINE. I am really looking forward to going this year. That being said there is a really good friend who can’t make it, and I am disappointed, however I’ll just have to find an excuse to get up to Toronto, or convince him to get his ass to Montreal next year. There are lots of big things going on Camarilla wise. People running for national positions, the OWoD relaunch, and of course our bid for 2012. All keeping us excited and, truly keeping 2012 and TR this year as the hottest topics in awhile.

I find game discussions frustrating sometimes when I have them with my friends. I have friends who, in their own right are very intelligent. They have a good grasp of rules, history etc. However when debating with them, no one can ever be right but them. I find it frustrating because we all complain of some people and how they refuse to hear or compromise with other players, when really everyone is like that including us/them, the only difference is we have more charisma, so it isn’t interpreted as stand offish. They have their own way of thinking and anything that challenges that must be absolutely wrong. I’m not saying I’m right, I’m just saying we all need to open up to what others have to say sometimes, because charisma or not, we are supposed to feel like equals, that is what keeps us humble, that is what keeps us working well together. When that dynamic changes, people get offended, heck people’s feelings get hurt. So overall, I’m not ranting here so much about a problem, but to give a solution that we ALL should be a bit more open minded, and we all should try to take the time to clearly understand others, opposed to shooting down something and asking questions later. We could all learn something from it.

Outside of Camarilla stuff, work has been going well. I’m still crazy busy. My boss came back the end of January and re-assumed his role and I got a promotion.

This made me very happy. Since then I am busier but in a good way. Truly though my job now requires more time management than I have ever been used to, so it is taking some adjustment. There is some odd tension in the office, I know what it’s about, and I do hope it passes.

Great stress relief recently has been the gym. I really enjoy going, I really enjoy the workout, and it’s helping me towards my weight goal. I can’t complain. I do wish I lived in the city so it wouldn’t be such a trip if I just wanted to go to the gym on a Non work day, but otherwise I really like the the AC has to offer. I hope to be good to do some real running this summer. Wish me luck.

This weekend ahead we have Robert’s 2nd Birthday…I’m still debating what to get him for a prezzie. I have some ideas. I can’t believe he’s going to be 2 already… damn I’m feeling old.

~J

February – I turned 31. We had a birthday party for me, where I had a pretty cool “Edward” cake and some really nice prezzies from friends. It was in February that we also saw one of our dear friends Carter off to Japan for go knows how long, and Greg and Robert share their birthday as well. Robert turning the big ONE! We celebrated at Pizza Hut. We also found out in late January  early February that Dale and Juls would be parents, meaning I was going to be an Auntie in 2009! Well auntie to family by choice, not by blood. Either way, equally as cool.

March – In March we ventured to Toronto, by train. It was the longest train ride in the history of man! Jared, Chris, Hil and I had an adventure. Chris marked his territory at every GTA landmark with vomit, due to a bout of food poisoning. We reconnected with some old and dear friends. It was a great time. Chris and I were introduced to Tattoo Black Rum by Jody… and drinking hasn’t been the same since.

April – In April, we went to Halifax for Hil’s birthday and visited with Jared, Vicki and Sylas. It was a great weekend with great friends.

May – Jenn, Tara and I decided on a cross border adventure. We went to Bangor for a shopping weekend. We spent a fair bit of cash, and had some great laughs and great food. It was more amusing how many people we ran into that we knew from home. Ruby Tuesday’s Girls… Ruby Tuesdays… We also can’t forget that Mike and Cole became parents to a handsome little man, Alex!

June – Summer came…and well, I don’t recall one overly eventful thing in June.

July – I’m sure something happened in July too but it isn’t imprinted in my memory at all. Work was crazy busy which made summer fly by!

August – The scoobs went camping in Wickham. We endured the rain on Saturday until we couldn’t take it any longer and then made a night of it at Greg and Chris’s place. We followed it up with one of our famous big breakfasts…somehow Jared managed to get out of cooking it. Hrmmm…

September – Impossible Realities, Bill and Jody visited. It was great to see them and to show them our little corner of the world. We introduced Bill to Suwanna, and Jody and Bill introduced us to sneaky guys who pay the bill for a party of 10! Mark my words we will get you back on that grand a scale at some point guys! Danika Nicole Duffield was born. Dale and Juls became parents to an adorable little girl and I became and Auntie!

October – My great Aunt passed on, and my best friend got married. It was a busy month. Many months leading up to this were spent doing wedding prep. It came, and was beautiful. After making what felt like a million cupcakes, I survived and I think the tier looked great! My boss dropped a bombshell that he was leaving us at the beginning of October. I took on a lot of new responsibilities at my job and introduced a whole new level of stress.

November – We had a November? Dale started working with me, spiced up my days a bit. Started working on things for Christmas and thinking about Trois Riviere in March. Oh and of course Tara, Chris and I went to see New Moon when it came out. How could Chris miss out on Jacob? We also celebrated Dale and Juls birthday in one go with some bowling and a get together.

December – Well here we are. Christmas came and went rather quickly. As we get older, it always happens this way. It’s New Years eve…makes me struggle to remember where I was this day 10 years ago. I can’t quite recall. May this new year be filled with great friends and wonderful memories.

Happy New Year Everyone!

Outside of that, Tara and Steve’s wedding was wonderful. I baked and frosted (with Julie’s help) over 150 Red Velvet Cupcakes. Only a few weeks before that Julie gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Danika Nicole… she is adorable, and I am her Auntie! I am so proud, I now have another little one to spoil! Keep ‘em coming gang!

So everything has just flown by since Bill and Jody visited. It’s one month until Christmas. I can’t believe it. So much has changed this year, and so much as stayed the same. With so many professional changes, I hope to make some changes in my personal life in the coming year. Finding a new place, going for my motorcycle license and perchance even buying my first bike. I’m excited for 2010…

X’s and O’s
~Squigzella

So today, YAY me.

Outside of that I did find my scrapbooking supplies as well which reminds me once again I need to print off new photos and get back to that hobby, which I have always enjoyed but never really had a lot of money to sink into it. I think I am going to take some money out of my next pay and get some photos done and go from there.

Back to the event planner notion. I have some ideas, and a few things I want to be really good at before I venture into the world of special occasion planning. But it’s in my bonnet and growing. Kind of exciting to be creative about something again. Feels like it’s been awhile.

It has also been awhile since I’ve been back at Weight Watchers… I’m bad. I want to lose the weight but my head just isn’t there, I want it to be there. I think I might just suck it up, go back and vow to not quit. I have a goal in mind, I’ve been successful before, I’m not sure why all of the sudden I have self doubt. Just need to get back on the horse. We’ll see if I’m there on Saturday….

Until then, stay frosty.

PS  How many sleeps boys?

Things are coming together for the work move. I still have a few small appliances to pick up. I plan on taking care of that an evening next week. I did get to see the new space yesterday. They were hanging the lights. It looks much larger now that the walls are up, it’s painted and floor is laid. I’ll be interested to see how it all comes together next week. It would be nice if it all went smoothly.

I keep scoping the apartment section of Kijiji. Might help if I had enough money put away for a damage deposit. I gotta do that…

IR in two weeks, mini vacay for me in two weeks.

I can’t wait.

I am taking this maid of honour thing seriously!

This weekend is a bit crazy…well, every weekend up until IR is. But I’ll get though. I have some days off in September to spend with friends, so for that I am thankful.

Off to work… wanted to write more but time got away from me this morning. Have a great Thursday!

*Taken on the way to Toronto in March 2009*

I think I need to ponder on it more, but it’s never too late to do what you want.

More to come…when I’m not at my desk.

I will be back soon with a new layout. A new theme. It’s time.

~Squigzella