Michael's Domain |
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Tuesday, February 24, 2004
The end of another busy day at work. This was likely my last time impersonating President Abraham Lincoln. I never thought that working in a university library (although ours is a joint-use facility) would require me to be involved in public library type programs. It's been kind of fun talking to the kids about Lincoln and the Civil War. But talking to over 240 kids over a period of ten days has gotten tiring. There was an article in the local paper about the Lincoln Exhibit. Not a very detaild piece and the nameless staff member in the article is me! Darcy checked out a book about Lincoln. Excellent reading so far. Other news is that Darcy recorded a song that two of her other musician friends mixed in a home studio. It sounds great and like a Delerium song. They want to record an album as one guy has connections to the music industry. Maybe I can play some dumbek drum rhythms although I'm not very good. Work is still busy as collection development is taking precedent. Our book budget may be drastically reduced effective July 1. I haven't written in my diary in over a month. I guess blogging is quicker to do. Darcy and I are enjoying the yoga classes. Hopefully it will have some long term physical and mental benefits. I continue to practice a bit on my drum and feel a bit more confident about remembering the different rhythm names. I need to practice playing different ones together back to back and more quickly. I registered for the FLA and ALA Conferences. Can't believe that Feb. is coming to an end! March will fly by as I'll be in Edmonton and, upon returning home, driving with Darcy to Daytona Beach for the FLA Conference. Unfortunately Darcy works over the Easter break so this will be our mini Easter vacation. That's all for now... Thursday, February 19, 2004
I'm listening to the Oilers/Avalanche game from last night and we just scored to make it 3-0! Maybe this will brighten up my day. I'm suffering from a cold and thus am grumpy that I can't work out. I was able to sleep in this morning as I work a late shift today and again tomorrow. I'm starting to work extra hours and bank them for my trip home in March. Grandma Shires's death on Feb. 9 was a blow to everyone but not unexpected. She had no quality of life for over ten years and her death was hopefully a release from her mental prison. The death of two grandparents within the past eight months has made me obviously reflect on life and death. It's strange how if someone lives to a ripe old age how few people remember them and the fate of their worldly possessions. Much of Grandpa's stuff was given away and thrown out while Grandma had virtually nothing. But she has stipulated in her will about her four grandsons receiving an inheritance. I would like to spend the money on restoring Aunt Grace's Chevelle. Since I'm agnostic I don't have strong feelings on where people go when they die. Is there heaven, hell, reincarnation or simply nothingness? All we can do is apply our earthly comprehensions of religion to the after life. Anyway I will be back in Edmonton from March 14 to the 22. Craig and Malini will be there so we can have a family reunion - the first in almost four years! Unfortunately Darcy doesn't have time off to fly up. Weather has been comfortably cool the last few days with night temps around 10 celcius. Work is busy as usual. I need to take the car in to replace the a brake light, rotate tires and wheel alignment. I've not had it in the garage since June. My ears are much better since the doctor gave me a steroid cream. I've reached the time limit for taking it and must now see how my ears react. I must go back to the doctor for a followup and finally get my echocardiogram results from last summer. Final news is that the university is changing HMOs again so I must look at the paperwork. What a fiasco! No wonder healthcare in the U.S. is crap. Rates go up for the same bare minimal coverage - just like car insurance. But living in South Florida is a factor too. Better get back to work now... Friday, February 06, 2004
TGIF and Payday! Although I'm not as elated as I should. I'm dreading having to shave my moustache off tonight in light of portraying Lincoln a few times for the Library's Lincoln Exhibit. I'm going to look like a goof ball with that silly half beard. I suppose I have a passing resemblance to him but not up close. My boss sewed a Lincoln type costume for me to wear. I saw the doctor about my ear (for the upteenth time). It seems I have eczema and not much can be done. I never had this problem and the horrid climate here is the likely culprit. Darcy's horrible allergies is also due to the weird air down here. She is off to Tampa for a half day conference there tomorrow. My friend Dante will be staying at my place for a week while his ex girlfriend moves out of his place. My dumbek drum class is fun and is becoming a bit more complex with meshing several sections. Darcy's monthly student belly dance party is this Sunday. As usual I seem to have little energy and am finding it difficult to work out but I seems to do it. We had much rain last night - strange for this time of year. Big news is the new movie called Miracle about the USA 1980 gold medal winning team. I don't recall watching it despite being old enough to remember it. So I don't have any interest in seeing this movie. I guess I don't like movies that appear to showcase American bragging rights. I suppose I need to email my next chess move to Darcy's Dad and then head home and watch the movie Slapshot . |
