A day in the life of...

I'm finally done nights.
I got to go to bed with my wife for the first time in almost a month. We went to bed last night at 10:30. I got up again at 1:00 a.m. to go to the bathroom, and guess what. I was lying in bed fully awake. That's when I heard it.....
Ali rolled around a little, and mumbled something about a purple tongue. I couldn't stop laughing.
I asked her to repeat herself, but I got no response. Just as I figured, she was talking in her sleep.
By this point, I was too awake to stay in bed, so I got up and watched The Silence of the Lambs on Showcase. That's right, a nice quiet feel-good movie to help me relax...
Strangely, I couldn't fall asleep until the sun started coming up. Ali got up, and I quickly rolled over to her side of the bed. Her side just always looks more comfortable.
I finally rose from the dead at 12 noon. We got ready, and headed out to finally buy some groceries. I don't think I can take another grilled cheese sandwich.....
Wal-Mart was packed with the usual carnie type folk, walking around with that clueless look on their face, not watching where they or their kids are going. Ali shot me that look when she was cut off, and I was expecting her to throw down right there. She just bit her tongue, batted her eyes, and kept on walking. I wonder what it is that makes people put on the blinders when they shop.
We got home, and decided to BBQ some chicken tonight. That's it folks, just a regular day here. I never thought I would have missed it so much.

I fought the bugs - and the bugs won (Round 1)

I sat out on our patio today for awhile. I looked around and decided that it could use a little cleaning, so I wiped down the chairs, swept the patio stones, and had a beer.
As I sat there, I noticed a few Silverfish coming out of the cracks. Being the pest control guru of the house, I quickly grabbed the bottle of bug killer and laced the entire patio with the deadly spray.
I sat down again to relish in my victory and enjoy my beer (Sleeman's honey brown in case Reggie was wondering) when it happened.
You know the scene from Arachnophobia when the thousands upon thousands of spider poured out of the woodwork? It was like that, only with Silverfish. I gasped in horror as the little creatures scurried out of EVERY area that I had just sprayed. It's a good thing that I was sitting with my feet up on a chair, because I was under attack. Big ones, little ones, centipedes, ants, you name it.
They were attacking from every angle. There was no way out.
I screamed like a little girl, went back inside, armed myself again, refilled my glass, and went to war.

Don't worry Ali - Chris 1
Insect world 0

Sweet and Sour

I was just thinking that I would like to have a voice recorder attached to Ali and only be able to hear her voice throughout the day. It's funny how she can be talking one second, whining the next, then snapping - all before the sentence is finished.
Point and case a few minutes ago....She asked me if I read her blog in a whiny voice. When I said I will in a minute, she quickly pulled out the Devil's horns and flames shot from her eyes. Her response wasn't blog appropriate, but then it was all over. She put on the pouty face while I was laughing, and all was good again.
Men don't have this ability. We never say anything, until we've had enough. Then it's a big blowout, and we over react to the slightest of things. Our emotions don't change in a matter of seconds. Actually, I take that back. During a football game, I get mad - then happy - then mad - then happy again all in a few minutes of play.

I've been attacked by a ninja!!!!

You might recognize that foot tattoo. It belongs to the resident ninja which I lovingly refer to as my wife.
We were play fighting earlier, and just when I thought I had her down and out, she would kick up her feet, and boot her hands free of my death grip. I blame it on the four hours of rest I had today.
I tell ya, these feet are sneaky. The big toe especially. I found out that it fits perfectly between my 3rd and 4th ribs. OUCH!!!
Tomorrow, I'll have my revenge though, I'm sleeping till noon.
Her super powers won't get to me again.

I always told her to enter the Ultimate Fighting Championships, so she could hone her skills. But then I thought - I'm tired, not crazy. With more training, she'd kill me.
I sure missed being around my ninja the last week or so. It's nice to be back.

A sad fanclub

In Winnipeg, when a person is waiting for trial or a court appearance, they are held in the Remand Centre. It is straight across from the Law courts, and it's a very ugly building, all one beige colour, and with very small slitted windows.
A few months ago, I drove by the Remand Centre. There were two young ladies standing across the street, waving up at the windows, yelling stuff, and throwing gang signs.
I had a good laugh, and honked at these idiots as I drove by.
Well, today they were back. I guess their boyfriends/pimps/fellow gang thugs were arrested once again. The only thing different was that these girls were actually "dressed up" in skirts and flip flops. It is summer weather after all.
I just shake my head when I see these people out there. It's not like they're offering words of encouragement, or saying we'll beat this, they're just giving the ugly building the finger, threatening to meet up with it in a dark alley. The guards inside must have a hay-day. I wouldn't be surprised if they were inside placing bets as to who is going to take their perch across the street and deliver the first one fingered salute....

I don't want to be in that fanclub.

Can we do that again?

Pictured here is one of my all time favorite movies. I started thinking about a few of my favorites, and was kind of hoping that somebody would do a remake of The Warriors. It has a very cool story, and I think that with today's cinematography this could be a very interesting project.
Another movie I'd like to see remade would be The Omega Man. The original starred Charleton Heston, and again, with today's technology, they could make those undead characters just a little more scary. My luck, they'd cast Brad Pitt or Tobey McGuire in the lead, then I'd be pissed.
Of course, there are bad remakes. I think of Solaris starring George Clooney. Probably one of the worst movies ever.
Another ting that gets me, is when they make a sequel to a very successful movie. Most of these are so-so, but there are some stinkers. See Grease 2, or Dumb and Dumberer....
Now, if you'll excuse me, my head is pounding, and I have some quality time to spend with my wifey.

Shift work shortens one's life expectancy

I read an article once, that said shift workers die sooner than the Monday to Friday type.
I know the Circadian rhythm (normal sleep pattern) can get severely messed up when working nights, and I can never get even five hours of full sleep. I find that I'm tired and maybe even a little miserable the next day or so.
I think of the older nurses that I work with, and wonder how much they've actually shortened their lives by working a sometimes thankless job.
One of my patients actually told me that "We're keeping you employed. If I wasn't sick, you wouldn't have a job." True, but I didn't have the heart to tell him that people will be forever falling and breaking hips, smashing cars up, and falling off of ladders while attempting to put up Christmas lights or cleaning gutters. (Yes, those are the most common injuries!)

Which brings me to another point. One of my co-workers was saying that her son's boss took him aside, and told him he was doing a good job, and that he was a true asset to the company. I think of my place of employment, and see that there is rarely any team building or positive support offered to any of us. No, sorry, I take that back. Almost 7000 of us enjoy that awesome leathery "hot dog" that we get every year at our "Staff appreciation BBQ".

As I sit back and watch the Management give themselves a hefty pay raise every year, and wonder why it's necessary for assistants to have assistants, I wonder why they can't just spend a little more on the people below them. You know, the ones that actually DO something and are the people which represent the Hospital....

No matter what they say, I think a "job well done" is appropriate, and those 3 small words are frankly all the appreciation that I need. Keep the hot dogs.

This rant brought to you by Chuck Norris. Kicking ass since 1982.

Monday ramblings by a bored white guy

I finally registered my baseball team today. It looks like it's all finally coming together.

My parents were in the city overnight. It's funny how you live with them for years, and when you finally move out, you can only take them in small doses. I notice how much my mom nit-picks little things about my dad, how much married people bicker. Is this what I'm going to turn into?

I catch myself over-reacting to little things, but I am quick to laugh it off. For the most part.

As we were sitting in the waiting room in the hospital today, I noticed a few magazines that Ali did some freelance for. I was bragging it up to some total strangers, and they seemed impressed as they did that awkward laugh and nod....

One of my biggest pet peeves these days is people driving while talking on their cell phones. What the hell can be that important that these people carry on a full fledged conversation all the way down Portage Avenue?

As I grow up, I get along with my dad more and more. I always had tons of fun with him, but now we are always joking and laughing. It should be noted that my dad and I have the exact same laugh. Many people have tried to copy this laugh, but it's all ours. I look forward to going to lots of football games with him this year, and many more to come. Just don't ask me to move in with him.

My car finally decided to start. Out of the blue, I decided to try popping off the gas cap. To my surprise, my car started after 10 days. We have had similar problems with a few other cars, and I still don't know what an air lock can do to prevent a car from starting...

I am picking up one of Ali's (good) habits. I am rarely watching T.V. during the day now. I'd much rather listen to music, and play air drums to my favorite songs.

My sister has a very expensive drum set, and apparently she and her boyfriend are renting some prime real estate for jam space. I'll finally get to play drums for real.

Ali and I have decided on a few other names for our kids. Now we absolutely MUST have two boys, and two girls. These names are sweeeeeet!!!! And no, we won't tell anyone, so don't bother asking.

It is finally nice enough to wear shorts now. I'm sure glad we went to Mexico in February, because there's nothing that bugs me more than pale legs at the beginning of Spring. Besides cell phones in cars.

Happy Monday folks, now get ready for a wicked drum solo.

That reminds me of a little story. I used to play the "drums" at home by setting up couch cushions, and banging on them with drumsticks that my dad had, or hangers.
And yes, this WAS last week.

My (other) dream job

Today I was down at the Blue Bomber store looking at some of their new items.
I know the Manager, and we often talk about the latest player signings or rumours surrounding the team.
While I was there today, I offered my time during training camp, as I am there everyday when I'm not working anyway. I said if he needed help that I would volunteer my time. He said he doesn't have volunteers, he has employees.
Hmmmm. If he could match my salary, maybe I'll go full time. Wouldn't that be sweet?
I could hang out at the Stadium all day and get paid!!
Maybe Ali wouldn't like that so much.

Just over a month until Training camp boys and girls!

Famous friends and family

I was watching a hockey game with my dad the other day. The San Jose Sharks were playing, and when it showed the coach (Ron Wilson) I told my dad they looked alike and could be brothers.
To my surprise, my dad said they were neighbours here in Winnipeg. That got me to thinking.
Who else does my family know that are famous, or in the public eye?

In his earlier years, my dad dated a girl who's brother ended up playing in the NHL.
A 2nd cousin of mine was a member of Canada's National swim team for many years.
My wife will be a world famous writer of children's books.
And me? Well, I say that I'm the best damn nurse this side of ol' Florence Nightingale herself. Only I'm a guy.

What about you? Are you related to/know any famous people?

Today I turn another page in this thing called life

I turn 29 today. Birthdays used to be a big deal when we were young. First, there were the parties where boys would only invite other boys. As we age, we mix it up, and invite that 1 token girl to the party. Eventually, it's an even mix with guys and girls.
After 20, it seems that we are content just going out to dinner with a few friends, not even really celebrating a birthday, but using it as an excuse to go out and do something.
Nearing 30, I really don't know what to do. As you may know, today is also Tuesday, and nearly all my friends are either working, or far away (Mike!).
We're having friends over for dinner on Thursday, so that's good. Nothing says springtime like sunshine, the smell of BBQ, potato salad, and hockey playoffs in the background....

This almost got me killed

It was a 2 for 1 Sunday lunch. Me, my mother in law, and Ali's cousin all have birthdays in the next few days.
As we were finishing our meal, people started passing me birthday cards. Without hesitating, I began opening the card seen here in the picture. This is when the attack happened...
Just as though a flare had been shot into the night sky, the troops moved in. Ali, her mom, her Grandma, cousin, AND aunt all chimed in unison "Don't open it NOW, it's not your birthday!!"
Call me crazy, but as I looked around the room and noticed everybody eating the chocolate birthday cake and vanilla ice cream, just after they had finished singing "Happy Birthday" I thought I had the chance - nay - privilege of opening my birthday cards. What was I thinking?
Just another one of those great mysteries that one has to wonder about when it comes to his loving "other" family.
At my house growing up, we were never good at surprises. My parents always spilled the secret about a hidden gift, or they would buy us something in July and say Merry Christmas. I know this drives Ali crazy, and I must say I notice it a lot more now than ever.
Just yesterday my mom told us what Ali was getting for her birthday, and what we were getting for our Anniversary in June. Happy Birthday/Anniversary Chris/Ali.

P.S. I love my parents.

Happy Bunny Day

I'm heading to dial up land this weekend, so probably no posting.
Have a good Easter, and don't eat too much Turkey/ham.
I'll see everyone on Monday.

Karma is a bitch....

Remember when I posted a few days ago about it being slow at work? Please hold my stuff while I shoot myself in the foot.
Here's how it went down.....First, it was my turn to drive in our carpool. My car didn't start this morning, so my passenger became the driver.
After that, it was one of the busiest days ever at work. The only bad thing about 10 people going for surgery, is that every one of them have to go for X-rays on the following day. This means 10 people on stretchers, and 10 people back to bed after the X-ray is done. It wouldn't be a bad thing if we had full staffing on our ward, but we never do, and the float staff we have just complain about the amount of work that they have to do.
After a while, I had an "altercation" with a co-worker. She was surfing the Internet, and when somebody asked her to help, she suggested that they find someone else to help. This is when I snapped. I told her that while she was checking her e-mail, the rest of us were working our tails off, and she had to help out on the ward.
So, after that, Ali was supposed to pick me up when I was done work, as my ride had plans and left early. She called me when I was halfway down the hall, and said that she couldn't pick me up because her car had a flat....are you friggin' kidding me?
This meant only one option - public transportation. With me not fully trusting my piece-of-crap car, I put a few bus tickets in my wallet - just in case, and now I'm glad I did.
I finally arrived home, and have only one day off to enjoy before I go back and do it all again.
I'll have to spend it getting a flat tire fixed, and staring under the hood of my lifeless car, pretending that I know what I'm looking at. I wish everything could be resolved by topping up the windshield washer fluid, 'cause then I'd look like a genius.
Things will get better. It will warm up someday, my car will start again, and that fore mentioned co-worker will soon be Michigan's problem.
P.S. Stay away from Michigan.