Got an ereader already

After doing all my research and deciding to get a Nook Simple Touch, I had assumed that it would be several months before getting one since I wanted to go to a store and handle one in person and that wouldn’t be happening until the next time I was in Detroit. But over the last week it’s become apparent that it would be better to get a device with more Canadian support.

Sarah let me play with her Kobo on the weekend and it was a very nice machine. So, today we went to Chapters and picked up a couple of Kobo Touch ereaders: one for me and Dean to share, and one for my mother-in-law. It’ll work out better if we both have the same one, since I can show her how to do things with mine and she can follow along with hers. Let me just say that I am thrilled that I don’t have to read books on my phone anymore!

I’ve spent the last few days combing the internet for all of the Portuguese romance novels I could find that I thought Mãe would like. Mostly Nora Roberts and Danielle Steel, since that’s what she usually gets from Portugal. We’ll have a chat about that since there’s got to be other authors she’d like.

Tomorrow is going to be really interesting, since I’m not sure what she’s going to think about the whole thing. Aside from the hurdle of learning to use a new piece of technology, going from a dozen or so books to choose from to over 200 might be a problem. But since I don’t know if she’s read books other than those in the house, I grabbed it all so she can pick and choose which ones to keep.


I am tired and it is glorious!

Thanks to no longer being on combination birth control pills, I’ve spent the last 3 weeks with unceasing insomnia because the lack of estrogen caused withdrawal symptoms. Yesterday I got tired around 11pm and even though I stayed up until 1am researching ultrabooks I slept for 6 straight hours and it was amazing. I was so productive today simply because I had the energy to get up and do things. I ran a lot of errands during the day and then spent the evening cleaning out and organizing the craft/computer/tv room.

The best part is I am tired again. Two days in a row! I am cherishing this feeling, since it’s been so scarce of late.

And now, to bed!


I finally caved

My friends are always saying they’re amazed I don’t buy up every new piece of tech at the first opportunity. I try to explain: there’s no point buying it if I’m not going to use it enough to justify the cost. It’s enough for me to know what it is and how it works. I’ve been refusing a smartphone for years on those grounds, and yet I ended up with one anyway.

In December me and Dean (mostly Dean) were researching BlackBerry phones and plans since his sister wanted to pay less for the phones her family had and maybe get new ones. It turned out there were some really nice deals around for Christmas, so we started debating the possibility of getting one for ourselves. Really, it came down to how much we’d use BBM, since that was the only thing that our friends used that our old phones couldn’t do.

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This is why I hate rain

Especially when it’s windy.

In the 15 minutes I was outside waiting for the bus, my pants, socks, and shoes got completely drenched. The rest of me wasn’t much drier, but was slightly protected thanks to my umbrella.

The entire time I was thinking if genies existed, I’d wish for dry clothes, some Wellington boots, and a proper raincoat.


Goodbye, my friend

Gingie the guinea pig

He seemed to have a happy life; got plenty of attention and time to roam outside (and carrots, yummy, delicious carrots). He died doing one of his favourite things: sleeping outside in the shade of the plum tree.

I’m going to miss your quirks little guy, and your funny faces. Rest in peace.


Father’s Day

My sister was supposed to come up here a couple of weekends ago so we could have some hang out time. That didn’t work out, so instead I went down there last weekend and us kids took my dad to a demolition derby in Leamington. Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I saw him that happy. He looked like a kid again. It was totally worth it. Plus afterwards we got him some chicken wings (his favourite) and had some time to just be together. Not the most eventful weekend, but definitely a good one.

No pictures because we were too mesmerized by the car-smashing to take any.


Back to Life

Or at least, life as it’s been for me for the last couple of years. I spend my time at home, mostly: applying for jobs; reading books that get me ruminating on one thing or another; reading about computers and design on the internet; dealing with whatever comes through my inbox; knitting, spinning, or embroidering depending on the project. My days are various combinations of all of these activities.

The preceding three months, however, were a deviation from what has come to be my normal routine. I was hired on contract to be an intern in the IT department of the local library. This meant that my job was to support the IT staff and do whatever needed doing, and hopefully learn something along the way. The work ranged from simple software and hardware upgrades all the way up to a major marketing project. I did end up learning some things here and there about computers, but mostly I made new friends and learned a lot more about my library.


Three Annoyed Cats

Now that the weather is warming up, the cats have started going outside again. I am very happy about this because it means they will run around a lot more than they do in the house. We have a fenced-in yard so they can’t run the streets, but they still come in contact with strays and neighbourhood cats, and whatever other animals venture into the yard.

Because of this contact, all three of my cats have been given flea medication today. This makes them not very pleasant to be around, because they are all glaring at me and wanting attention but not wanting my attention because I’m the mean one that put this nasty stuff on them.

The funny thing is, I don’t like flea medications as a rule. They are still a form a pesticide and I don’t trust them. But, I also don’t believe in needless waste and the medication was here from a few summers ago and still good.

I think we’ll all be much happier next year when none of us have to go through this mess.


Meet Gero, Frog Extraordinaire

picture of frog named Gero

She’s an albino African Clawed Frog that I’ve had for several months now. I named her after the Japanese word for “ribbit” after hearing it in a couple of animes. Her favourite food is krill so far, and she seems to grow a lot after having some. Once she’s fully grown she could be as much as 15cm long.