Lou in Canada

What better way to start the year but with a visit from a far-away, fabulous friend!

Lisa Lou came to Toronto last Thursday to this Wednesday with her boyfriend Alasdair. A short visit but good none-the-less.

I went down to Toronto first thing Saturday morning (well after locking my keys in the car and waiting for my brother-in-law to come with his slim jim, but that’s a whole different story)…the drive down was complete shit, snowed almost all the way so you can bet the stupid drivers were plentiful.

After checking into the hotel I went to the pub where Lou and Alasdair were eating breakfast. We then went down to Nathan Philips Square to meet up with Al and Hart for some ice skating…well soft ice and severely dull skates made for some pretty bad skating, at least that’s what we are going with. Then we went to Timmies and decided to go to the ROM.

Then it was finally time for a well deserved drink, Lou and I were already complaining of dry throats….so we went to a place Hart knew, and after one drink went over to another pub for dinner and to watch the Leafs play, and lose VERY badly. There we met up with some others as well. Chrissy then suggested we go to this place called “The Dance Cave”, but then she and Heather didn’t come in because the line-up was too long….whatever, we ended up having a pretty great night.

This was followed by breakfast at Fran’s the next morning. Lou and Alasdair had a hockey game to go to and I went and met up with Bobbi and Brian for a bit. Later that evening Lou, Alasdair and I went to Just Desserts for dinner and a great martini.

Monday morning I drove down to Niagara with them. We first made a brief drive-by of Brock U. and then stopped off at the German Deli for Fanta and Eucalyptus candies. Then we took a stroll through Niagara-on-the-Lake before continuing on to Niagara Falls. Had lunch at TGI Friday’s before walking down and around the Falls. Unfortunately the Canadian side was pretty misty, but we saw some pretty fantastic rainbows and went through the tunnels at Journey Behind the Falls. Heading back up Clifton Hill we went into a haunted house and acted like complete wimps screaming at everything. Before leaving Niagara we drove back down to see the Falls with the lights on.

Finally it was then time for East Side Mario’s. Mmmm daiquiris!!

I then dropped them off at their hotel, I had checked out that morning, and then headed back home. Got in at about 1:30am and headed to work first thing in the morning.

Right at 5pm I headed back to Toronto for a final dinner with Lou, Alasdair, Al, Hart and Rob. We went to the Green Mango (at least I think that’s what the place was called)…anyways, I quite enjoyed the Thai food. It was then back to Just Desserts for a final drink.

It all came to a close too fast, but it was great to see Lou again, and to meet Alasdair and see that Lou and made a great choice and to know that she will be well looked after and taken care of in Scotland.

I can’t wait for the next visit!! Though it won’t be even be close to soon enough!

Here are a few photos of the weekend:

Skating at the Square:

Lou at play at The ROM:

Out at "The Dance Cave", including this for Bobbi because she likes this picture for some reason:

Lou's funky hat (1 of 3) that she tried on while souvenir shopping on Clifton Hill:

Our Souvenir Photo from "Journey Behind the Falls"

My Visit to Eszter

Today I went to Eszter with my Mom, Betty, Betty's sister-in-law and niece. My Mom and Betty have been going to her at the start of every year for the past 12 years.

I'd been once before with Bobbi, two years ago before leaving for Japan.

Today I had my cards and runes done...here are some highlights of her reading(my additional comments are in CAPS):

Nails:
- I will get another job, a raise or more hours
- the money will be good this year
- I will be making some major purchases (HOPING THIS IS AN APARTMENT AND FURNISHINGS!!)
- I could be packing
- I haven't been getting enough rest or sleep (LOL NO SHIT, HARD WITH A PUPPY)

Runes:
- I will be getting a gift of money, an inheritance or something that I will liquidate
- I've been feeling very bored, there's not enough excitement in my life (TELL ME ABOUT IT, LIVING IN MUSKOKA IS QUITE THE CHANGE AFTER A YEAR+ ABROAD - I AM GETTING VERY RESTLESS)
- there will be a lot of change in my place of work
- I will be making a journey by land
- there is a lot of surprise in store for me this year
- someone is pregnant with a baby girl - she said this was not me
- I haven't been able to make a decision, perhaps about moving (WON'T DO THIS UNTIL MY JOB IS PERMANENT)
- there will be a new beginning for me in July
- I will find a loving mate between now and September who is my equal
- I will be making two significant trips

Cards:
- there has been negative energy or annoyance surrounding me, but it is now gone
- I will buy a trip or a cruise, or possibly win it
- I will purchase a gift for a cemetery
- after either 5 days, weeks or in May, after a series of good fortune I will witness a misfortune, could be someone dying
- I have the desire for a better job or career, could be going for an interview
- I will sign a document relating to another job
- She sees the lose of a relationship or lover
- I will get a letter from the government or a lawyer, which isn't necessarily a bad thing
- a young male around me is thinking of engagement
- I will be attending a celebration
- there is a nice spirit of an older man looking out for me
- I have company coming for overnight, though she made it clear the visitor was not male (IF KEDIST COMES TO CANADA TO VISIT THIS YEAR, IT WILL BE THE BEST YEAR YET!!)
- someone from the past is thinking of me
- my wish is granted (asked me to think of a clear wish - but she told me not to tell anyone what it was)
- I am going on a trip which will be a very happy occasion
- I have an enemy who is jealous of me and speaking badly about me
- a relative or friend will get married by September
- My grandfather or Dad will need to see a specialist, quite serious, surgery involved, cancer or a heart problem, though she doesn't think it is my Dad
- I will run into 1 or 2 old flames
- I am sick of people who cheat, or sick of the God of Love treating me unfairly in the past

I then had the chance to ask some questions:

Question 1 - Will I move out this year?
Answer - It is uncertain.

Question 2 - Will I be able to keep the job I have not permanently?
Answer - 100% Yes

Her Summary - This is a year of change for me. Scorpio's are ruled by Mars and Pluto and 2006 numerologically is represented by the number 8, which is one of my numbers. In doing my cards, "my" card - the one representing me - always appeared in the 8th position and was always surrounded by cards of good fortune. So this year I will see many changes all of which are positive.

She was quite excited that all three times she did my cards, "I" appeared in the 8th position. She said it is quite rare that she is able to answer questions in 100% certainty.

I'm not saying I'm convinced of this, because I actually have the feeling that my job is coming to an end, but like all things, I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

Just so you don't think I'm basing my life on what Eszter told me, I know that it is mostly entertainment, but Eszter is usually spot on about some things. I hope it will be as good of a year as she promises!

My New Addition

Well the year of the dog started with, well, getting a puppy!!



I picked up my new addition on Tuesday, January 3rd! She was JUST over 5 weeks when I picked her up...she'll celebrate her 6 week birthday this Saturday.

She's an adorable spaniel/beagle mix, but to me she looks entirely spaniel, I don't yet see any beagle in her.

Her name is Asili (courtesy Kedist who told me it means sweets in swahili) and she's very clever, happy and energetic. My cats aren't too sure what to make of her just yet. Neko is slowly starting to play with her but the other two remain at a safe distance.

Her first night at home she didn't sleep a whole lot, so needless to say I was pretty tired the next day at work, but now she's started sleeping through most of the night and I don't have to get up with her until 5 or 6am....so that's pretty decent!

This weekend I'm going to get her a collar and leash and we are going to head down to the boardwalk for a wee walk...she's already been there once. Since most of our snow has melted and its been quite mild (well at least for January) may as well take advantage of it.

The holidays were nice, had some time to rest up after the Christmas rush at work, and am now ready to head into all the 2006 events. My contract was extended until May 31st, so needless to say I'm happy about that!

Happy New Year!!