Packing requires "Planning"

Today is to be spent packing... we all know how much I like packing. I don't know what exactly it is about the packing that dislike so fiercely. Maybe it's not knowing exactly where to start, or the prospect of having all my stuff put away out of sight? I'm currently telling myself I don't have to start doing anything cuz I don't have any boxes to put stuff into. *rolls eyes at self* Yeah, I know it's ridiculous

Right now I'm doing what I call "Stage 1" of how I pack... it's called "Planning"... It consists of me sitting on my butt, watching tv and looking around my room deciding where to start with the whole process. Here is the current "plan"

1. Do dishes. Pack up dishes and extra food
   
2. Go have shower. Pack up shower stuff.
3. Get dressed. Pack dirty laundry into garbage bag. This includes my bed
   
4. Clean out car. Make room for stuff. Decide if I need more boxes.
5. Pack clean clothes. Folding is not neccessary.
6. Pack desk stuff. Work stuff that doesn't fit into my backpack (I think this is how it got here in the first place) into the nooks and crannies.
7. Take down pictures and decorations from the walls. Yeah, this should have probably come first. But I like my room to look like a room as long as possible.
8. Get Dragon's stuff organized.
   
9. Put stuff into the car.
10. Done?

Lets see if I can stick to that plan/

Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow.

Today is my last day at the Henry's in Ottawa... I've got another day and a bit here in the city, but it's my last day of working. From the sounds of it I get some delicious icecream cake (whoot!)... Lets just hope my sales day goes well. Tonight I get some delicious sea food at Red Lobster with my aunt and uncle as well as Meg and Wylie. Whoot!

Today is a much better day than yesterday already... I was suffering from a case of what I'm sure was food poisoning. Ick. Felt pretty much like death all day yesterday, but after a bit of food and a good night's sleep I'm feeling SO much better. Thank god!

Tomorrow I'm going to "pack" my car. I hate packing. It's never been one of my favorite things to do. Mostly it will consist of throwing all my stuff into my car in what I'm going to pretend is an "orderly" fashion... I'm pretty sure everything will fit, I've taken some stuff home the last couple times I went back to visit. Tomorrow will also consist of going to the blood donor clinic to give my blood away and spending time with whomever I can round up.

Friday I'm going to take family pictures of Meg, Wylie and Chris and then get in my car and drive home... not sure whats going on Friday night quite yet... settling into my house back home and then probably meeting up with friends. I'll have all day Sat to myself and then I believe Matt's coming to visit for the remainder of the weekend. Not sure what we'll do, but whatever...

Okay, gotta get ready for that last day at work...

The Joys of 24

I love the show 24... however, after 6 seasons I think I've got the pattern pretty much figured out...

• Jack gets called out of hiding/work/whatever to help CTU with some major crisis, be it nuclear bombs, toxic nerve gas, etc.
• Something happens and Jack says "trust me" and goes in alone
• A character from a previous season is brought back
• A recurring character dies
• Someone in the Whitehouse is corrupt
• Someone wants the president OUT, and will go to all lengths to do so
• Halfway through the day, a larger, more complicated plot is unveiled
• Theres a leak in CTU
• Someone gets tortured because they won't release information
  

I think someone should make a drinking game to go along with 24...Nevermind, someone already has:

The 24 Drinking Game

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Originally found at
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/vine/showthread.php?t=309038

One Drink

• Jack kills somebody.
• Somebody summarizes what's been going on in the past couple hours.
• Something bad happens to Kim.
• There's a split screen.
• Palmer has a speech about how he won't trash his morals, you know, the usual bullshit.
• Jack defies orders.
• A CTU employee looks at another CTU employee suspiciously.
• Somebody mentions the amount of time it will take for something to be accomplished (i.e., "The Delta squad won't be there for another twenty minutes").

Drink twice whenever

• A CTU employee other than Jack kills somebody.
• Some annoying authority figure shows up (Chappelle, Alberta Green, etc.).
• There is an obvious lapse in continuity (i.e., Kim says that Gael is a mole and in the next scene we see him on the run).
• Somebody mentions Terri (Season One doesn't count).
• Somebody is revealed to be a mole/traitor, or an important object turns out to be a decoy/red herring.
• Somebody other than Jack defies orders.
• A main character dies.

Drink three times whenever

• A supporting character from a previous season shows up (Nina, Mandy, Sherry, Kate, etc.)
• CTU goes into lockdown.

Finish the drink whenever

• The main villain changes (example - Gaines to Drazen).
• The final minute does not include a surprise/cliffhanger.

And another version:

The “24″ Drinking Game

Every time…
Jack says “You have got to trust me”, take 1 shot
– if the emphasis is on “got”, i.e. “You have GOT to trust me”, take an extra shot
Jack doesn’t have time to explain, take 1 shot
Jack doesn’t have time for this, take 1 shot
Jack says “You’ve got to do it”, take 1 shot
– if this is followed by “and you’ve got to do it now,” take 2 more
Anyone points out something that is “against regulations”, take 1 shot
Anyone has got to understand what is at stake here, take 1 shot
Anyone gets tortured, take 1 shot
– if they aren’t a terrorist or criminal, take another shot
a perimeter is set up, take 1 shot
– if the perimeter is supposed to be held until someone arrives, take another shot
– if the agents manning the perimeter are redeployed, take yet another shot
Jack takes a civilian hostage, take 1 shot
Jack steals a car, take 1 shot
Jack blows his own cover, take 1 shot
Jack dies, take 1 shot
– if he’s resuscitated, take another shot

*Special technical section* Every time…
Satellite coordinates are requested, take 1 shot
– if they can’t get the coordinates, take another
there’s a problem with the database, take 1 shot
a file is in the wrong format, take 1 shot
something needs to be rerouted, take 1 shot
someone uses another person’s computer, take 1 shot

*squeals with delight!*

It's a little too soon to be excited, but guess who's been asked for an interview with (name removed)! That's right, THIS GIRL!!!

I randomly applied online with them the other day and got a reply back this morning asking me to come in for an interview.

Not sure when it'll be, as I'm here in Ottawa until the end of the month... but everyone, keep your fingers crossed for me!

**Update**
I was refreshing my memory about the job at (name removed)... and came across this info:

Benefits: discounts of up to 75 percent on flights, tours, cruises, hotel rooms and car rentals. Wait, there's more! Once a year, we'll send you somewhere in the world, on a "familiarization" trip. (name removed) will pay for most or all of this trip. You gotta know a place before you can sell it, right?

Q. What do you mean by discounted or free travel?
A. How does Australia or New Zealand at $150 for two weeks, including accommodations and most meals, sound? How about Thailand and Malaysia for 12 days with accommodations for $300? These are examples of trips meant to familiarize you with destinations we sell, and they are exclusive to our consultants. There are also deals that you can use on your holiday time-like Hawaii for $100 or Hong Kong from $100.


How is this not the coolest opportunity I've had!? This could be the start of something awesome in my life. A new page, a rebirth in terms of what I'm going to do with my existence.

Whoot!

Adventure Seeker

Today was really fun... dangerous, potentially, but really fun.

SC and I went ziplining in Quebec. Thats right, I voluntarily hooked myself up to a cable strung 1400 feet across a lake and 120 feet in the air. And it was SO much fun!

We went to this place called La Fleche Adventures where they have an aerial park and caves. We didn't go through the caves, but we did do all 4 courses in the aerial park. The courses consisted of basically obstacle courses in the air... planks, rope bridges, tight ropes; all suspended between trees a minimum of about 30 feet above the ground. Some of the obstacles were ziplines from tree to tree which were really fun to go across. My least favorite was probably the stirrups, and my favourite was the long zipline across the lake.

The whole thing wasn't very expensive, about $40 for 3 hours of the aerial park. I didn't think it would be a good idea to take my camera, but upon doing the course realized I probably could have. Though, I found some pictures online from some other guy, so if you wanna check out HIS trip then check out the course

Why I'm Leaving Ottawa

I'm getting annoyed by people constantly asking me to stay in Ottawa and all that. I mean, I get that they like me, want my company and stuff like that. But me going home is not about them. It's about me.

Me moving TO Ottawa was about me. It's ALWAYS about me, has no one noticed this yet?

My plan to come up here was just another example of Alanna running away from her life, or attempting another beginning somewhere else, or just not dealing with stuff first hand. It's what I always do. Why do you think I went to Australia anyway, even AFTER Dave said that he couldn't go? I never deal with my problems, I just walk away from them and expect them to fix themselves.

They don't. I've always known this. But I'm working on all that. I've BEEN working on that. Kinda. I have to admit, I've got another running away backup-plan... But don't I always?

I always kinda thought of Ottawa as being something of a sanctuary... it's like, my happy place. And I'd toyed with the idea of coming back up here and how I would be happy here. And I'm sure I would... but I have unfinished business back home, and I miss my friends back home, and I can save money back home. This stint in Ottawa was always about being a trial. A chance to see if this was what I was missing. And maybe some of it was, but I never really had intentions to stay here forever.

I just wish people understood why I can't stay here. Not this time. I know some people get it, and thats why they haven't been bugging me to stay. I'm sure the people who keep telling me to stay think they are doing something good, showing me that they enjoy my company, like having me around etc... and I appreciate that. But anyone who truly knows me will know that I gotta do what I gotta do.

I have no idea what will happen this fall. It's going to be a transition time for me. It's going to be rocky. But thats what I've been hanging on for. My life could change dramatically or maybe it wont, I have no real idea. But I won't find out being here in Ottawa. It's something I have to go home for. I know the people here will still be here when I return, be it for a visit or whatever. And I know that if they are my friends they will be my support through whatever I need, even if I'm not physically in the same location.

So, everyone, please stop pestering me to stay in Ottawa. I know you mean well. But if you want what's best for me, let me do my thing. You know I'm going to anyway.

Post Secret Dot Com

Tidbits

I know, I promised to talk about my weekend at the cottage...and I've been lazy... a few updates on whats been going on these last few days...

The Cottage:
Basically it was awesome. It was relaxing, entertaining and great to see family again. I took my new waterproof housing along with me and made lots of videos and pictures with it underwater and jumping off the rocks. Ate my weight in food, played with my little nephew (who started to walk the day before his bday) and took a billion pictures.

PICTURES!!!

VIDEOS!!!
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Next Trip Planned!
I've spent the last couple of days figuring out when Meg and I will be able to go out to Calgary to visit Camille. I checked the price of flights for Westjet and found that some were on sale so we decided not to wait and get our tix now... Ended up getting a sweet deal and both of us can fly and it will only cost $470 each. Which isn't too bad at all! I don't know why, but I think it's just as expensive to fly to Vancouver as it is to Calgary... who knows. Oh well! Another province to check off my list! I've got the week off in Oct, so now I can just start counting down the days!! Also, I'll finally get to see Erin, my E-Twin that I have been internet friends with for almost 3 years now! It's going to be craziness!

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Interview!?!
I got an email tonight, apparently passiveaggressivenotes.com will possibly be interviewed by a radio station or tv station and I was asked if I would be one of the people they interview. I guess our silly kitchen notes were entertaining enough to be considered!

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Almost Over :(
My time in Ottawa is almost over, if you can imagine that! 4 months has just flown by so fast! I keep getting pressure from people here to stay and though I don't think I would be UNhappy here, I just know that it's not the right time. I came up here to figure some shit out, and I know that really I have to go home to get it completely figured out. Thats not to say I won't be back here again, just not right now. Need to save my money for all my trips coming up... and if my mom and dad will have me live at home with them, feeding me and letting me soak in my bathtub, I really can't complain!

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Terrible TV.
I can't believe I'm still talking about this! I fell asleep watching this absolutely ridiculous show on MTV last night... it was called the "X Effect" or something and it was so over the top I couldn't believe it.
To quote MTV's site: "If you were reunited with your former love, would you close the door on the past or re-kindle the flame? This is just the question that MTV's new show The X Effect asks. We invite two exes and their current significant others to a romantic resort for what both couples thing will be a weekend of romance, heartbreak and revelations. Once we get there, however, only the exes are invited to stay, while the new partners are sent home. Or so it seems. What the exes don't know is that their new loves will be spying on their every move.

As the exes revisit the past "in private," feelings resurface and relationships are put to the test. The significant others find out how their partners really feel--and learn that sometimes the truth hurts.

In the end the exes must face off with their rivals, own up to their actions and choose between old love and new. Are they still caught up in the past--or are they just over it? Find out on The X Effect."

I think what made me watch this show is basically the relevence to my own life it kinda had... I found myself thinking about what will happen come the fall... and how I want everything to pan out...however, the show was basically emotional suicide and is like asking someone to poke at your heart with a rusty nail... which isn't really what I'm wanting

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I think thats about all I can think of for now.... I'll post more soon!

Too tired for a real entry... this will have to do for now.

I just got home from the cottage and I haven't quite got the ambition to write all about our family celebrations... but I will tomorrow, promise

Until then, here are some amusing things that I found and thought were pretty hilarious or interesting:

What Would Happen If You Bought 25 Bottles of NyQuil?

North American and European Look-A-Likes

The 8 Strangest Communities on the Web

I like icecream, but this is gross

Morbid Facination

I've just spent the last 10 minutes staring out the front window of our store at the giant man that occupies the bus stop seat on the other side of the street.

He's huge. I'm talking morbidly obese. Almost at the stage where he doesn't leave the house because he can't. I watched a show on TLC about these kinda people. It was thoroughly interesting. What I can't figure out is how a person gets that huge. Is it genetics? Is it depression? Overeating? Poor food choices in general?

He's filling his face with fries from the chip wagon that parks around the corner from the store. It's a train wreck to watch... horrifying yet impossible to pull away from. The way he eats, it's mesmerizing...

We have a series of "regulars" outside our store... all with "appropriate" nicknames like Gutman (pretty self explanatory...) Jabba (the man I just was describing) and Emaciated Horseface (this twig of a chick that walks around in thrift store skimpy clothing)... not to mention the stream of literal crackheads that occupy the bench around the corner from the store (right in front of the chip wagon).


I'm pretty sure I'm going to hell for saying all the things I have....

Christmas In July

Sometimes being dumb pays off. Or maybe it's not really dumb, just completely unobservant.

Almost 2 years ago I got a credit card through the store in which I work. I used it to buy my camera and a bunch of stuff since. I've been paying it off since I returned from Australia but never really looked at the balance on the bill. I hate bills or paper statements of things so I never really check them. I just put money onto the account and continue on from there.

Fast forward to recently. I've been making a list of things that I want but can't afford because they aren't really things that I "need". On the list: backup harddrive (500gb for like, less than $150 here at our store... thank you discount!), a waterproof housing for my point and shoot camera, a 50mm lens for my camera (so I can get those sweet blurred out shots and shoot in low light) and the new version of the lens I have on my camera now, but with image stabilization. The only other thing on the list is a MacBookPro computer, but since I already HAVE a laptop and have no REAL reason to switch, I've mostly abandoned that idea.

The other day I decided to check my balance on my store credit card.. and it said I had quite a lot of credit available to me... more than I had anicipated. So, when I was home over the weekend I looked at my statement and realized that I had overpaid the card by almost $900. Yeah. Thats how brilliant I am.

But, now I can afford all those things (except the computer) that are on my wish list. It's not like I'm spending money I don't have, because technically I've already spent it.

It's Christmas in July (though I guess it's now Aug) for Alanna... and she's going home tomorrow with all kinds of goodies. Whoot!