Care for a drink?

It bugs me when people under the age of 30 drink wine.
To me, wine seems like a sophisticated drink. Most people under that age are not sophisticated.

I hate when people say "We just sat around, drank some good wine, and chilled."
First, how the hell can they know the difference between a good wine and a bad one?
Second, do they think that they're in that "artsy" group that actually hangs out, just to drink wine?

Some of my co-workers drink wine. Never mind the fact that when we have a social gathering, they drink enough wine to kill a horse, and end up puking it all up in the neighbor's yard. Remember, they enjoy a fine Merlot. It doesn't burn the esophagus as much when it's spewing out at 100 miles per hour out of every orifice in your upper body...

Then there's the people that drink wine with pizza. Pizza is made to be had with beer, not wine.
Imagine the messy table with napkins, opened pizza boxes, chicken wings - then a fucking wine glass beside it. That's so wrong.

I've tried different wines. I've had white, red, blush, whatever. It should be made to drink in the house, out of sight from your buddies, and please don't try to bring that shit to my next Superbowl party. I'm not serving chilled pheasant in a glass, escargot, or your grandparents.

Wine is for 30+. Remember that.

A late night conversation

As we were lying in bed last night, I was just about to drift off into a nice deep sleep, when this takes place;

Ali : I feel like watching "Return to Oz"

me : What the hell is that?

Ali : You know, the sequel to Wizard of Oz?

me : Oh, yeah.

-Pause for a second -

me : I wonder if Toto is still alive...

Ali : What?!?

me : You know, the dog....

Ali : That movie was made in, like 1935....

me : So, no? It still could be.

Ali : (Laughs) You're a loser. Good night.

I love bedtime.

Hanging out at the park

This weekend brought the nicest weather we've seen yet. Two full days of nothing but sunshine and warm weather hovering around the 25-27 degree mark!

The family and I spent two separate days at Assiniboine park. It's nice to see so many people out with their pets/kids/friends, hanging out enjoying the weekend.

On that note, we're going to buy Ellery a wading pool for the yard. I might have to buy one big enough for me to fit in it too.

Welcome here, Summer. It's nice to have you here.

SO you think I'll admit this?!?!

One of my guilty pleasures lately is the show "So You Think You Can Dance".
This show features an audition from amateur dancers across America. The list is narrowed down to 20, then they whittle the list down to one winner.

Ali has watched this show from the beginning, and I find myself watching with her more often than not. Plus, the side stories form some dancers are enough to make you want to cry.
You know, the 17 year old girl who had no money growing up, so her dad worked the job in the factory, then washed dishes at night to put her through dance class, just so he could end up getting cancer, and on his death bed, requesting that she enter this competition only to be the dark horse and America's favorite little orphan, then lose in the finals? Yeah. That good.

Plus, this show also demonstrates to me how out of shape I am, and that I never have a chance of being as physically gifted as these young kids.

I mean, I'm so great, there's nobody smarter/more handsome/awesome than me. I'm the best at everything that I do. ;)

Today marks the dawn of a new era. This will begin a new tradition of me and Ellery (and hopefully more kids) attending Blue Bomber training camp and home games.

I've got our matching jerseys laid out ready to go. It has been a long, painful off season.

Get ready to join the Blue Revolution. Ellery and I are on board. Are you?

I'm Frankenstein!!!

I'm addicted to surgery. ;)
Yesterday, I went in to have a chronic ingrown toenail removed.
It wasn't the entire nail, but just a wedge on the medial (outside) edge.

I thought the Doctor would be able to do it in the safe confines of his clinic, but it was actually considered a day surgery.

Working in a hospital, I get used to all kinds of different smells. However, once I walked into the operating room, an overwhelming stench of Formaldehyde filled the air. It was actually the chemical called Phenol, which they use to cauterize the nail bed after the nail is removed, and the smell quickly took me back to high school science class, dissecting the frogs and piglets....

I found myself getting nervous. As I lay on the table, the nurse asked if I was worried. My high blood pressure was a dead give away. I felt calm, but I guess my body didn't know what to expect.
I found that I was actually less nervous about my back surgery years ago. I guess that it was the point of me being awake while somebody sliced away at my body that bothered me.

This all helped me re-enforce the importance of keeping my patients as calm and reassured as possible before their surgeries. I think it is easy for nurses to forget that these people have worries and concerns about their upcoming procedures.

After the initial small sting of the freezing, the nail was lopped off, and I was on my merry way. Now I have a week off with Ellery, and rookie training camp starts tomorrow!

I should plan surgery every year at this time.