It's been a crazy but well-documented few weeks so here goes ...
On Friday the 19th after work, Sofi and I went to the Freehouse for drinks with Tyler, Zab, and colleagues. It was a good time because I got to visit with my old manager Regan, who I hadn't seen in a few years.
Me, my moustache, and Regan
That Saturday we went to my parents' house to visit and then went to the movies that night. We saw Batman Begins, which is pretty much the coolest super hero movie ever. The best way I can describe the movie is that it makes Spider-man and Spider-man 2 look like the gayest, most effeminate movies ever. Given the quality of those two movies, that is saying a lot. Highly recommended! Wow!
I spent the rest of the weekend working at home, including getting up at an un-Godly hour to put in a fix during one of our change windows. Not fun!
The following Monday, I mailed the last wedding thank-you card and felt a huge sigh of relief. For us, everything involved in the wedding is finally over, nearly five months after the fact! That night, Sofi and I walked to Milky Way to enjoy some of their famous ice cream and then continued our Christian Bale-athon by watching my copy of American Psycho, one of my most favourite movies.
I took time off that Tuesday so Sofi and I could take Nick and Allison on a tour of Depot. We toured the museum, visited the Canteen, and saw the Sergeant Major's parade:
A scene from the Sergeant Major's Parade
That night Sofi and I enjoyed our weekly pickup game of soccer, which is always fun and a hell of a workout. The only bad part of the day was when Steve called me and let me know that they wouldn't be stopping by to visit the next day - no drunken shenanigans for us!
That Wednesday I had a condo association board meeting to attend (I'm the Vice-President) and afterwards Sofi and I went to Tracy Sangster and Sarah Tuff's place for a BBQ. It was good time and I got to catch up with Jennifer Schrenk, who is the same old Jennifer, believe me!
Thursday Sofi and I got our hair cut and then went for supper at my parents' house. We picked up my glasses on the way from the optometrist, so now I am a proud owner of clip-on sunglasses for driving. That night I was up until 3AM or so working late to make sure that I could get away for the weekend!
That Friday it was time for fun in the sun in Kenosee. Work was hell and I worked much later than I hoped to, but I did eventually get away and we hit the road. We drove to the border first to pick up Sofi's work Visa and then rolled into Nick's driveway around 9:30PM. We had a great steak supper and then Nick and I went on a walk to the Moosehead. We had the funny moment of the weekend there, when we walked into the bar at 10:45PM and complained that we missed happy hour - the manager informed us that everyone missed happy hour because we were the first one's there! We downed a drink and then promptly returned to the cabin and hit the sack shortly thereafter.
Saturday we had a great breakfast and then went to Cannington Manor. Sofi, Allison, and I had never been there and it had been a while for Nick, too, so we had a good time exploring. There isn't much to speak of there, but we had a lazy afternoon out in the country and it was a great time.
Nick, Sofi, and Allison at Cannington Manor
A Cannington Manor history lesson
A scene from a typical Cannington Manor bachelor house in the 1890s
During our tour, Hali called and invited us to Redvers for steak night at the local hotel. It was $6.95 for a steak, baked potato, and salad, so you can't go wrong with that! We got to visit with my sister and enjoy good food so the trip was a success. That night after we got back to Kenosee we hit the bar scene for a few hours and then called it a late night.
I wasn't feeling so hot the next morning/afternoon due to excessive alcohol consumption but soon enough my allergies kicked in to make it a double-whammy, so I spent most of the rest of my time there sneezing. We just chilled out around the cabin and soon decided to stay later than planned. We enjoyed some fine pork for supper before calling it a night.
The next morning we got up early and hit the road - another successful weekend at Kenosee! I'd like to thank Nick, his family, and Allison for having us out at the cabin, because we had a great time!
On Monday I was still sick and didn't work much during the day. In fact, after we got into town I went into work for about an hour and then slept for the rest of the day :(
I was feeling better on Tuesday, at least enough to go to work. I left work for a bit around lunchtime to see Nick and Allison off at the airport, which was sad but I guess I will see them again soon - Nick for hunting season and Allison for Christmas. That night we went to my parents' to pick up our musical ride tickets(!) and then did some hardcore grocery shopping.
Wednesday was more work and then that night we cracked open the first of the 24 Season 1 DVDs that Nick lent us, and we've honestly never looked back. It's hard to stop watching that show - we're almost halfway through and it's only been a week! Thursday was more of the same, since that night I got to take it easy since I was taking Friday off; we watched some Big Brother 6 and then more 24.
Friday was the beginning of a 4-day weekend for me! I went for coffee that afternoon with colleagues to discuss my impending ascension to the Executive of the local CIPS chapter, then my manager took me for a beer at the Freehouse before I headed home for supper. That night me and Sofi went over to Brad and Steff's for drinks and I had a good time catching up with everybody.
Saturday was a gorgeous day. Sofi and I went to the park to walk around and check out the Dragon Boat festival:
A Dragon Boat!
On Saturday evening, Mike and Jenn invited us over to their place for supper, and it was fantastic. We had steak, salad, pasta, shrimp, veggies, and above all, good company. After supper we visited and then went to the park to enjoy the free Centennial Tom Cochrane concert, which was a fun time to have with thousands of your closest friends.
Sunday was an even busier day. I got up super early to do some work during the aforementioned change window, and then Sofi and I had breakfast and went to the Brandt Centre to watch the R.C.M.P. Musicial Ride, which was awesome. They even had a S.W.A.T. and canine demonstrations by the Regina Police Service before the performance, which was cool and included the loudest sound I've ever heard in the Americas.
The Musical Ride
After that was over, we went straight to Kyla's folks' house to enjoy a BBQ in honour of her birthday which was earlier in the week. The burgers were amazing and again we were blessed with great company!
Kyla and friends at her birthday BBQ
Sofi and I went home and watched the Riders snap their losing streak and put us in a good mood for the fireworks that night. Right after the game we went to the park and staked out a spot to watch them, and Blair, Kyla, Brad, and Steff joined us to watch. It turned out we picked the best spot in the city to see them, because they were right over top of us and it was hands-down the best fireworks display I've ever seen in my whole life! Kudos to the Centennial organizing team, this whole year has been fantastic and the fireworks were a great way to send the celebrations out with a bang! Happy Birthday, Saskatchewan!
I haven't been up to much today, just laying low since I am home-alone for the next few days :( Sofi left this afternoon for Saskatoon for training for work, so I'm going to be a bachelor for the next few days. Tonight I went to my parents' instead of cooking for myself, so I'm off to a good start :)
Tomorrow is my first day with my new client downtown, which means for the next year or so I get to walk to work! I'll let you know how it turns out, but I'm very optimistic, especially with the price of gas now approximately $2000/L!