No, I didn't drop out of existence recently, but have I ever been crappin' busy! I've got ideas for about six posts, but it will be a while before I get around to them. It'll be sometime between
checking email, writing messages, showering, sleeping, working, answering email, returning phone calls, laundry, dishes, grocery shopping and catching up on reading, editing pics, posting photos and basic computery things. Replace the first 'and' in the previous sentence with "writing for fun" and you've got yourself something new to read, weather permitting of course. Who wants to sit around at a computer spewing out excess heat (it runs about 50 degrees Celsius) into a small insulated room when it's one of the few sunny *and* hot days of the year. Granted, the heat wave has been excessively blistering. I'll let you read about it in a much more funny and rant-oriented column by our own beloved Chris Boutet. (This is the second time I've mentioned the guy in one of my posts. It'll be interesting to see what kind of searches bring up his name this time!)
A few tidbits of information before I go run my head around like a chicken with it's head... er, cutting off... something.
Working from 8am to 10:30pm can only be achieved with zen-like perseverance, stamina, and of course, the miracles of modern stimulants.
I'm going to Toronto for 3 days. If anyone wants to give me tips on good things to see in 2 days, places I just *have* to shop or any other useful information, email me or leave a comment.
Sleep is for the weak! I'll never give in!! NEVER!!
Wow! It was a beautifully hot day today! Although I had to spend the majority of it in an air conditioned office, I appreciated it as much as possible. Unfortunately, it's now getting late, and I don't know if I'll be getting to sleep soon. With the torrential rain lately, it's so humid that the air feels very wet. Even if I can't get to sleep, I still love this heat! I think I could get used to this...
I learned how to make miso soup a couple of weeks ago, and it's very simple. I'm blogging it so that I'll never lose the instructions I wrote down, and I'm forcing you all to read it! Hahah!
Boil water with enough hondashi (soup base) to flavour
Add tofu, veggies, etc. while boiling. Cook 'hardest' veggies first
Bring mostly to a boil again
Remove from heat
Mix in miso paste slowly, keeping it from getting chunky, until desired flavour is achieved. Careful not to boil the miso.
That's it! Only a bit harder than boiling water.
Next time on cooking with Steph: the backyard BBQ!
I'm still amazed at how quickly news gets out on the internet. Only a couple of hours after this crazy storm hit Edmonton, The Toronto Star is already carrying a story about it!
I have first hand experience with this puppy, as I was caught walking home from work in the midst of the worst that hit my area. The rain itself wasn't so bad, but with the wind, it quickly became cold. Then the rain *really* started! I ducked into the Safeway, which is about halfway home. It didn't look like the storm was going to be abating any time soon, and I would rather be at home drying off than dripping in the entrance to a grocery store. So I ran out and covered half the remaining distance before seeking shelter in the covered parking lot of an apartment building along the way. The wind picked up, the hail started coming down and I was cold, wet and 3 blocks from home. I waited a bit in the entrance to the building, and decided that it would be better to make a run for it. And run, I did!! In my already drenched jeans, BadAss Jack's t-shirt and soggy sneakers, I ran into the hail! It was almost as brave as something you'd see in Day After Tomorrow!
The hail was only marble-sized, but it had already covered the ground in a layer of white. I was amazed that my shoes had such a strong grip. I ran and laughed at the foolishness of it. I enjoyed the first minute or so, even the first "river" I had to cross. I felt like a character in a video game, dodging hail, running as fast as I can, jumping over giant streams of water. The first intersection I came to presented a bit of a challenge, as it was covered entirely with water, more than a few inches deep at most places. I did the only that a crazed 20-something-year-old running through a storm to get home would do: I took a running jump! And I splashed down in the middle of the deep, swift-flowing water.
I was pelted with hail the entire way home, and the further I ran, the worse things got. I was starting to worry that there would be bigger hail, and that it would be hitting me in the head, knocking me out, and I would end up laying there unconscious while the hail would continue to bore down on me. Sheesh, this overactive imagination can be annoying at times! Anyway, a few more rivers, a few more flooded streets and I was home. I made it, I hope I don't get sick, but for a few minutes there, I was having the time of my life. I only wish I could have recorded it, or taken some pictures of the hail and the inundated streets.
It rained this weekend, so I planned to take my bike to work on Sunday morning instead of rollerblading. Unfortunately when I got out to the garage, I found that my bike was missing! I'm unsure as of yet if it's just been moved and is still somewhere in the garage, but I'm pretty sure it was stolen. The bike itself isn't worth much, but I'm dissapointed about the lock that was on it (and yes, I realize this would be the perfect time/place to lecture me about using the lock, but I assure you, I don't need to hear it). So if anyone sees a blue/greenish Bonelli men's bike with a U-lock attached to the frame, grab the lock for me. I hate having useless keys lying around.
I went back to full time at work today. Man, does time ever drag on when you have to put in a full day's work! But my contract's been extended for another 10 months, which means a few things.
Steady income for the duration
Another long, cold winter in Canada's Great White North
I'm doing work related to my degree, and get to put this experience on my resume
I'm still living in Edmonton
I'll be able to save tons o' cash and pay off the student loan
So obviously, there are pros and cons to the situation, like always.
And in the health department, my blister broke while I was working, and this is the present state. Hopefully it will scab over soon so I can stop worrying about rubbing it on everything, or changing my bandaid and keeping it clean!
I know I'm clumsy enough that there's usually a big bruise or scratch somewhere on my body at any given time. However, this time it's a blister from boiling oil, and it's quite painful. Worse than the pain is the giant bubble of fluid attached to my pinky finger.
**WARNING** This is not suitable viewing if you're squeamish!
I remember some years ago watching a newscast on Canada Day where people were being asked what it meant to be Canadian. The most common answer: Not American.
That said, I hve to comment on the results of the recent election: I'm glad that the Conservatives aren't in power. Being from Alberta, I'm sure I'll get stoned for that remark, but it seems that they just want to sell us out to the US. I would not be happy with that kind of a Canada. In fact, I'm unhappy with how similar we are to Americans in some ways. It bothers me that high school kids can't go on ski trip and that opportunities are dissapearing because of liability and lawsuits. I don't want to be known as the school-yard-bully's closest ally. I mean, who likes Draco Malfoy and his sidekicks?
But today is Candaday, so we should enjoy the hot weather and day off while it is here. Today, we have a reason to party: to celebrate that we are in Canada, one of the best places to live! I feel I'm doing my part to keep it a fun place to be!
