If I were in Alberta I’d say it was a chinook but I have no fucking idea what it’s called here in the motherland of BC. Whatever it’s name, it’s deliciously fabulous! It’s been about 7 million degrees below zero forever so this unexpected warm breeze coming from the left** is amazing. Kamloops is notorious for it’s relentless wind. Sometimes it feels like it never fucking ends. It cuts into you right down to your marrow and laughs merrily as you struggle to keep the scarf over your nose and cheeks as they freeze into death grey blocks of solid flesh. Tonight’s warm breeze is like an ice cold beer under a blazing sun or a dirty wink by a hot nerd in the subway.

Bring it on baby. I’m ready.

**I know, I’m sure that said breeze is coming from an actual direction, however I cannot tell you which it is. Drop me in any city in the world and I will find my way easily to the nearest hostel or bar or train station. In Athens where, much to the disdain of most tourists, every map is different by a street or two I still managed to find my hostel, get drunk, and find the port to the nirvana that is the Greek Islands. However, in my own city– right in my own fucking back yard– I cannot tell you which direction South is. Or North. Or it’s other buddies. I am “directionally challenged” to say the least. I use up, down, left, and right. Frustrating as hell for most but it seems to work for me.

ps- I am currently drinking an icy cold Keith’s India Pale Ale (one of several) so perhaps the warm breeze is simply wishful thinking?

Whatever.

Sooooo….. apparently the 2010 Olympics are on budget. I would like to know whose budget it is that they’re speaking of. Let us keep in mind that security cost (estimated to be in the millions) are not included in the a fore mentioned budget. Maybe they had the “public” budget and then the “secret let’s not tell them how bad they’re gonna get screwed” budget. Or….. maybe they had just smoked a big bowl before releasing this info?

On budget my ass. On crack is more like it.

Maggi & Naysa make two temporary new friends.

Well, it’s official. I am 39 years old (yeah yeah, shut the hell up, you’ll get there soon enough!) I’m sitting here with a glass of wine as Steve cooks us fresh Atlantic lobster for dinner like the good Nova Scotian that he is. And outside- my own personal birthday light show…. if the big day has to end, I can’t think of a better way for it to happen than this…..

I have been too busy being pukey and shivery and achy to post. Please feel free to talk amongst yourself while feeling extremely sorry for my pathetic state here in fluville.

While you’re at it, feel bad for Steve. He’s the one dealing with it.

Doesn't it look like Harper's sitting at the kiddie table?

Well, the little vacation that Harper forced when he realized that we think he’s a jackass prorogued government is over. Back to work gang! I assume everyone is waiting with baited breath for the budget on Tuesday because it will give us a clear indication as to how hard his hand was slapped when he ran from the confidence vote like a 5 year old throwing a tantrum at Toy’s R Us.

The chances of a coalition now are slim to none but when the possibility reared it’s ugly head and stood poised to snap Harper in half between those teeth sharpened with righteous indignation, I think he was actually surprised that Canadians weren’t going to stand for his “I am the King” routine. Has he learned his lesson? I seriously doubt it. I honestly think that he figures he should damn well be able to run the country as though it were his majority government while conveniently forgetting that less than half of us voted for him. I think the only thing that will really change is that he will be forced to become a better actor because I certainly don’t believe he’s interested in all of the hand holding and team work he’s being made to be a part of. I think we’re about to witness some serious passive aggressive behavior. Personally, I’m anxious to see how Ignatieff and Harper respond to one another as Harper has the “supreme ruler” complex thing going on while Ignatieff is brand new in the party leader job and looking to set his reputation as a solid one. He doesn’t strike me as a guy how will allow himself to be pushed around, but we’ll see.

Call me crazy but even if the budget is accepted tomorrow, I’m expecting fireworks, and not the kind that come with beers on the beach.

Amid handfuls of cake, piles of bright paper and boxes that were deemed more exciting than their contents, baby Gray celebrated his 1st birthday. He is a crazy busy little boy and I could just eat him whole. Not in A dingo ate my baby kind of way, I mean in the he’s so fucking delicious kind of way………

Okay, you’re right. It still sounds creepy.

So, after the little man slipped into his post birthday sugar coma, we adults went out for a wee drink in early celebration of my birthday as Gray and I very nearly share the same one. Besides a whopping bag full of all manner of goodies including an ungodly amount of stationary and notebooks–which I might add, I have always been freakishly addicted to–I received the BEST GIFT EVER which was an official request to be the little man’s God Mother. Though, as none of us are religious, we may have to change my title to “Chick who gets legal custody of Gray should anything ever happen to his parents.” Yeah, a little wordy, I know. I’ll work on it.

I have to say, despite my 30 year friendship with Suz and my love for her husband, I was totally floored and completely taken by surprise. When choosing the person who will be charged with raising your child if the worst were to happen, people seem prone to picking stable family types rather than someone whose favorite saying is “I’d like to punch him/her in the throat” or that randomly moves cities/provinces/countries/continents because “Hey! I’ve never lived there!”

From the moment I discovered that she was pregnant, I knew that her kid(s) would be a huge part of my life. Being the God Mother to this one (and his future sibling) means that my often questionable influence is now legally sanctioned and even if they come to their senses before the papers are signed, they put it in my birthday card, therefore providing me with indisputable written proof. Besides being in awe of their trust and love, I am also extremely grateful that I am not a “competitive” gift giver because seriously, I don’t know of any store that would sell something to beat “If we get hit by a bus you can have our kid.”