tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53986742011-06-22T10:36:45.188-04:00Stuff about me!Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.comBlogger861100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1143762258917344102006-03-30T17:28:00.000-05:002006-03-30T18:44:18.960-05:00

It's my last day of work at Nova Southeastern University! It's a very surreal feeling. I feel numb from the fact that I'm leaving and that my work and life routine is ending here. I had a very nice going away party this afternoon at work. It had a Middle Eastern theme including food, music and a nice power point presentation. People gave me some nice momemtos and it was touching. I'm also

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1140567669764210102006-02-21T19:08:00.000-05:002006-02-21T19:21:09.773-05:00

We're moving to Abu Dhabi! I officially accepted the job offer today and my head is still spinning. Darcy and I have so much to do here in Florida and in Edmonton that I'm not quite sure where to start. But it's exciting and a year and a half of finding the right job has finally paid off! At the moment I'm trying to get quotes for renting a truck. We won't have that much stuff. Ryder

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1140135275428736202006-02-16T18:19:00.000-05:002006-02-16T19:24:56.590-05:00

I forgot to mention last time that Darcy and I watched a couple of good movies. It's a big event because we seldom do! One was Catch Me if You Can . A good movie with lots of action but not all violence and sex and many Hollywood movies. It's *inspired* by the true story of a man (Frank Abagnail) who had quite an imagination and was a great story teller. This story discusses how the movie

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1139359296904860752006-02-07T18:43:00.000-05:002006-02-07T19:41:36.953-05:00

Sorry for the delay in posting. I've been meaning to do it for a while but work and eBay betting have taken precedent! My Jan. 19 to 24 trip to Abu Dhabi was an enlightening experience! Luckily I packed lightly (two carry-on bags) so I didn't have to worry about losing luggage. There were three layovers each way so it made for long trips (48 hours roundtrip). My stay in Abu Dhabi was barely

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1136504955550527222006-01-05T18:51:00.000-05:002006-01-05T18:51:28.763-05:00

Happy belated 2006!We went to a friend's house for the celebration and had fun. There was a ton to eat and drink but Darcy cooked a yummy cheese fondu so I wasn't too hungry that night. I agreed to be the designated driver so I didn't drink too much. We were both in bed by 2:00 am. Earlier on Dec. 31 we attended the King Tut exhibit in Fort Lauderdale. An excellent exhibit and it was well

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1135381477717659382005-12-23T18:31:00.000-05:002005-12-23T18:44:37.730-05:00

It's Friday and I'm ready to head home for a relaxing three day break. Sounds like Darcy spent a lot of money at the grocery store so we should eat well during the short holidays! Unfortunately Darcy works tomorrow so we will only have Sunday and Monday off. It won't feel like Christmas being stuck here but we'll make the most of it. I will make Sin Fizzes and my Mom's cinnamon and sugar

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1134519648644451002005-12-13T19:05:00.000-05:002005-12-13T19:23:59.750-05:00

Well I officially have an on-site job interview at the Petroleum Institute in Abu Dhabi. It's set for the week of January 21, 2006 so I have some time to prepare. Quite exciting but I'm also nervous! On Sunday I went with Darcy and friends to see a well known local bellydancer named Ansuya perform. She is one of the original Bellydance Superstarsand she performed an electrifying 20 minute

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1134087546103269382005-12-08T18:22:00.000-05:002005-12-08T19:19:06.150-05:00

Just an update with the job search. University of Calgary emailed me a few days ago stating that I did not make the cut for an interview. I'm disappointed but not completely distraught. But I honestly thought that I was a strong candidate. The position was for a Humanities & Social Sciences Liasion Librarian. Preferred a degree majoring in History, which I have and it did not specify x

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1133285951981795072005-11-29T11:18:00.000-05:002005-11-29T12:39:12.036-05:00

Another month has elapsed and despite the monotony of my life there is some interesting news to share. About a month after applying to the Petroleum Institute I got an email from them asking if I was still interested in the position of Information Services Librarian. I replied saying that I was and was soon told that I would have an informal telephone interview with their search committee. The

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1130798011005705092005-10-31T17:33:00.000-05:002005-10-31T17:33:31.010-05:00

This is my office... 

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1130797773841091472005-10-31T17:32:00.000-05:002005-10-31T17:29:33.853-05:00

I'm back at work after having last week off due to the destruction caused by Hurricane Wilma. All I can say is that it was a disquieting feeling to be in the middle of a powerful hurricane. We were about as prepared as we could be on Sunday Oct. 23. I had filled my car with gas, had ample ice in the freezer (saved from Hurricane Katrina) and food in the fridge. We also cleaned the apartment

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1126887636558018932005-09-16T12:44:00.000-04:002005-09-16T12:42:15.436-04:00

I'm long overdue for posting an entry. Even though I've been back almost a month from our Edmonton trip I never found time to write. Go to our newlywed blog for comments on our fantastic wedding and honeymoon! It was difficult to get motivated to work upon our return home. Within ten days Hurricane Katrina his south Florida and, despite only being a category 1 storm, it packed a wallop! A few

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1121816568962937212005-07-19T19:45:00.000-04:002005-07-19T19:42:48.970-04:00

Believe it or not I've been finishing reading some books lately. One was called The Middle East: a brief history of the last 2,000 years. Darcy had bought it for me last Christmas! It was very interesting but I'm such a slow reader and reading usually puts me to sleep at the end of a long work day. Then I read The Flanders Panel. It was a murder mystery that revolved around a 500 year old

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1120926899516030312005-07-09T12:38:00.000-04:002005-07-09T12:34:59.523-04:00

We've had an early start to the 2005 hurricane season. Hurricane Dennis is slamming the Florida Keys right now. It formed very quickly from being a tropical wave barely a week ago to being a category four storm yesterday! Plus it's also the most powerful storm to form this early in recent memory. The wind bands began picking up yesterday and it is a strange phenomenon. The sky began greying

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1120087169424823652005-06-29T19:22:00.000-04:002005-06-29T19:19:29.430-04:00

I should probably call in sick tomorrow but will see how I feel. I haven't felt well since June 15. I suffered with a horrible sore throat and saw a doctor on June 22. He found nothing wrong and even took a strep throat swab. He prescribed me 875 mg amoxocillin pills and to take two a day. That's a tremondous amount of anitbiotics to take considering I didn't have a bacterial infection - I

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1118964225108693182005-06-16T19:26:00.000-04:002005-06-16T19:23:45.113-04:00

I forgot to mention last time that I set a new record for doing chinups in one day - 148! I did a half decent workout Tuesday compared to what I normally do now. I guess I wanted to let off some steam after my video conference interview. I'm glad I was able to take that day off! I relaxed after the workout and began reading Dave Thomas's SCTV : Behind the Scenes book. It's very

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1118854495365917032005-06-15T12:58:00.000-04:002005-06-15T12:54:55.370-04:00

Another hectic thirty days have passed since my last posting. Anyway the big news, besides wedding stuff, is my job interview yesterday (June 14). It was the Higher Colleges of Technology in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. I had set up my online profile May 1 and got a phone call at 1:00 am on May 31 from a staffer at the HCT. Darcy's mother had just flown in a few hours earlier so we were still

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1116345789060211712005-05-17T00:06:00.000-04:002005-05-17T12:03:09.096-04:00

My car is in the shop again (although it's been over four months). The last time was when my old mechanic needed to replace the shocks. They were under warranty and had been replaced the previous November. Max (my volvo) has been running great since then but its 3,000 mile oil change was coming up and I suspected he had a few oil and coolant leaks. As well I discovered that the air

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1115163562848250152005-05-03T19:39:00.000-04:002005-05-03T19:39:22.846-04:00

My friend Dante and me at the library's Christmas party in 2002. He returned home to Toronto to bigger and better things. I'll miss him but I have an open invitation to visit! 

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1115163337154235582005-05-03T19:35:00.000-04:002005-05-03T19:35:37.153-04:00

Craig, Malini and I west of Boulder (March, 2005). 

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1114898367186755832005-05-03T19:15:00.000-04:002005-05-03T19:11:20.116-04:00

Here I am again after almost a month passing between blog entries. Guess I get too wrapped up in work and the daily grind. Big news is that Darcy and I decided a couple of weeks ago to leave the U.S. in the summer of 2006. So she will not apply for the green card and instead renew her TN-1 work visa for one more year. We can do this when we return to Florida after our honeymoon on August 15. By

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1112314878445736942005-03-31T19:17:00.000-05:002005-03-31T19:21:18.446-05:00

Our last night together in Denver at Joe's Crabshack. We had worked out hard at the gym that afternoon and had a few stiff drinks before dinner. Yummy crab for dinner!

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1112314181779385112005-03-31T19:09:00.000-05:002005-03-31T19:09:41.780-05:00

Maini and I enjoying a game of Connect Four... 

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1112057157979220422005-03-28T19:43:00.000-05:002005-03-29T11:00:55.813-05:00

I'm back in hot and disgustingly humid Broward County after spending nine relaxing days in Denver. Actually my brother and sister-in-law live in the charming city of Westminster. We took a day trip to Estes Park and spent the rest of the time relaxing in their wonderful new condo. They moved in last fall and have decorated it with exotic looking artwork from India. Their three cats liven up the

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1112054968575415892005-03-28T19:09:00.000-05:002005-03-28T19:09:28.576-05:00

My brother Craig and I in the Rockies... 

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1110326071082859242005-03-08T18:59:00.000-05:002005-03-08T18:54:31.086-05:00

Yikes - it's been an entire month since I last wrote! I hate neglecting blogging but, unfortunately, work has consumed much of my free time. I'm trying to edit my manuscript article for the peer reviewed library journal Reference and User Services Quarterly. It's been quite an academic exercise and has shown my glaring weakness in writing and conducting research. I'm sure the editors and

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1107823805015463772005-02-07T19:52:00.000-05:002005-02-07T19:52:23.330-05:00

Yikes - an entire month has gone since since my last entry! The big move on Saturday, Jan. 29 went fairly smoothly. Our new apartment leasing office messed up our move-in date. For some reason they though we were moving in Feb. 1 even though we had signed our lease! So our apartment was not going to be ready until 5 pm that day. That was not good and Darcy negotiated to have the time moved to 2

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1105057307625669092005-01-06T19:25:00.000-05:002005-01-06T19:21:47.626-05:00

I'm back safe and sound in muggy South Florida. Christmas vacation was therapeutic as I ate and drank a lot. I felt a bit guilty doing it but I probably needed it! The weather was refreshingly cool and invigorating. Went for a few walks outside and the wind was cold a couple of times. Once on Christmas Day and then in St. Albert. I went with Mom out there and walked along Sturgeon River and

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1103671724305242732004-12-21T18:10:00.000-05:002004-12-21T18:28:44.306-05:00

I'm frantically rushing to get my office organized before I leave tonight. The library closes at 7 pm but will likely stay a bit later. Trying to back up my computer but it's taking too long -something isn't right. Just tried putting in a different zip disk. We'll be in Edmonton in almost 24 hours - hard to believe. I printed out our Edmonton Itinerary and hopefully we can accomplish a few

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1103156779260865012004-12-15T19:28:00.000-05:002004-12-15T19:26:19.260-05:00

I've been trying not to succumb to a cold despite other people at work being sick. I've felt run down and tired but I think much of it is from the crap that occurs at work. I didn't feel like going to yoga class last night but did and felt much better afterwards! But I can tell that I don't have much strength and have held back from lifting weights. Although I have managed to do my hundred

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1102553007451379582004-12-08T19:45:00.000-05:002004-12-08T19:43:27.450-05:00

I'm ready to head home after another hectic day at work. Our group met today and submitted a list of twenty journals to cancel. As Bush would say, "It's hard - it's hard work!" He repeated that line over and over again during the first Presidential debate in October. Anyway, I'm not sure what the amount saved is yet but it would be around $3,000. Only $50,000 to go with 10 weeks remaining!

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1102032225055656382004-12-02T19:02:00.000-05:002004-12-02T19:03:45.056-05:00

Well, December 1 was a significant day as I notified my landlord that I would not be renewing my lease. I had been renewing my seven month lease for a couple of years because I was not sure how long my past roommates were going to stay. Darcy's and my decision to live together, combined with my lease renewal notice. My fourth roommate, Ceejay, was understanding about it. So I will move out

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1100827593204736992004-11-18T20:30:00.000-05:002004-11-22T09:52:42.046-05:00

I should be at home now since I need to wake up at 4:15 am tomorrow morning. It's time for my monthly leadership institute excursion to Tampa. Southwest stupidly cancelled its 7 am flight so my options are either take the 6 am flight and arrive two hours early or depart Ft. Lauderdale at 8 am and get there an hour late! Can't believe that Christmas is in 5 weeks - don't feel much in the spirit

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1100826311601680902004-11-18T20:05:00.000-05:002004-11-18T20:05:11.600-05:00

Bailey and me December 2003. 

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1100826200775843002004-11-18T20:03:00.000-05:002004-11-18T20:03:20.776-05:00

More henna - isn't it neat?! 

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1100825941158877312004-11-18T19:59:00.000-05:002004-11-18T20:02:46.890-05:00

Henna that Darcy recently painted for me.

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1100217575767577692004-11-11T19:05:00.000-05:002004-11-11T19:06:12.876-05:00

Just finished my second day of work after returning from Key West. Our trip there was very nice and the weather was beautiful. A slight breeze and the temperature hovered around 27 celcius. It was our fourth trip down (our other trips were: Memorial Day Weekend 2001, Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend 2002, and Thanksgiving 2002. We stayed at our usual place, the Key West Youth Hostel. The price is

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1099533139677397142004-11-03T20:56:00.000-05:002004-11-03T20:52:19.676-05:00

Well the dust has settled and Bush was elected in his own right. I'm not too surprised but am shocked by his relatively big win in Florida. I guess not all the newly registered voters were Democrats! Nader was not a factor in the election but it's frustrating to think what the hell this country will look like in four years from now. Bush has destroyed world opinion of the U.S. and galvanized

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1099437121789488732004-11-02T18:16:00.000-05:002004-11-02T18:12:01.790-05:00

Well, it's a big day today politically with Election Day! The nation, and a few other countries, will hold its breath as the votes are counted (maybe). I voted early last Wednesday in the hope of avoiding long lines and problems with the electronic voting machines. I ended up having to wait over two hours in line! It felt like voting in a Third World Country but it was worth the wait.

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1098313326570687182004-10-20T18:51:00.000-04:002004-10-20T19:02:06.570-04:00

On Monday night Darcy did some mendhi on my left hand. It's geometric in design that is indicative of North African culture. East Indians tend to use more fluid and organic shapes. I showed my hand to an East Indian co-worker and she was pleasantly surprised to see the artwork! She has few East Indian men have henna so a Caucasian man must have shocked her. There's a book called Arabesque

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1098227350069841142004-10-19T19:09:00.000-04:002004-10-19T19:09:10.070-04:00

Bailey and my Dad. This was taken about a year ago. Bailey was put to sleep this morning due to old age. He was fourteen but had a long life and will be missed... 

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1097016631227766762004-10-07T19:20:00.000-04:002004-10-07T19:18:44.686-04:00

I Forgot to mention that my friend Dante and I saw the movie Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow a couple of weeks ago. The story was a bit thin but the effects were quite good. Apparently it was the first movie to have no sets - all actors were filmed behind a blue screen and the CGI added later. The lighting seemed a bit strange as the people's faces seemed blurred at times and washed out. I

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1096586028813353682004-09-30T18:51:00.000-04:002004-09-30T19:13:48.813-04:00

Last weekend was interesting as Hurricane Jeanne blew through Florida. Ironically it hit land only a few miles from Ivan three weeks earlier. The weather quickly deteriorated throughout Saturday from when I did my chinups in the morning to that night. I watched the county press conferences about the impending storm at noon and that's when it reality set in. I packed some things and drove to

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1095890322524556942004-09-23T19:02:00.000-04:002004-09-23T18:59:12.120-04:00

It seems I start every posting talking about work and this ocassion is no exception. I wish it didn't seem to rule my life so much! I've spent about five hours the last two days with colleagues butchering our standing orders list. We've cut many titles that are either out of scope or tremendously expensive. The frustrating thing is cutting $30,000 in a few weeks (don't ask why the insane deadline

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1094538563099482692004-09-07T01:36:00.000-04:002004-09-07T02:36:32.563-04:00

I should be sleeping at this hour but I figured this is a good time to post an entry. I will be swamped with work once I return to work and won't have time left for blogging. Hurricane Frances missed Broward County by about 60 miles so we were lucky (again). There was no major flooding where I live, power was knocked out for three quarters of a day and top wind was only 60 mph. I felt better

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1094189364600068042004-09-03T01:59:00.000-04:002004-09-03T01:29:24.600-04:00

I'm sitting in Darcy's aunt's and uncle's comfy apartment in downtown Ottawa. I just got caught up on my Yahoo emails as I hadn't checked them in days due to all my travelling. I left for Spokane on August 24 and had a hellish flight that was ten hours late arriving in Spokane. To make a long story short the delays were due to human errors and weather. I left Fort Lauderdale at 9:00 pm EST

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1092956525768639282004-08-19T18:28:00.000-04:002004-08-19T19:02:05.770-04:00

It's the end of another work day and I'm waiting for my frozen lasagna to heat up. Tonight is my dumbek drum class and at the moment I don't feel like going. But I'm sure once I get there I will feel better. I've been stressing out over my article that was approved for publication in the RUSA Quarterly journal. I started the small survey with a colleague, who has since left, over two years

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1090537141354576852004-07-22T18:33:00.000-04:002004-07-22T18:59:01.353-04:00

I throughly enjoyed my visit with my brother and sister-in-law.  It was the first time we had to really enjoy ourselves without one of us working.  We've either had short, hurried visits back home in Edmonton over Christmas and my trip up in March.  I was busy editing my article and they both worked during my Denver visit last November.  We drove to Key West, Miami Beach, Naples, and spent time

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1088721561310119412004-07-01T18:08:00.000-04:002004-07-01T18:39:21.310-04:00

Another day at the office is over and I'm listening to Darcy's Breathe song as I wind down. Yesterday (June 30) was a significant day in my life. Ten years ago my family moved out of our St. Alberta house. It was the end of our family *unit* as Dad moved in with Heather, my brother and my mother moved in together while I moved into the Theta Chi fraternity house. It took two days for us to

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1086909064246693232004-06-10T19:10:00.000-04:002004-06-10T19:11:04.246-04:00

Just finished having my dinner (left overs from when I cooked dinner on Sunday). I can eat the same left overs for about five days straight before I start getting sick of them. Anyway I need to continue my ranting of the NHL. Yes, the better team (talent wise) won the cup fair and square but it will not help the league in attracting let alone retaining its fan base. I heard that the Tampa

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1086736149729732282004-06-08T18:29:00.000-04:002004-06-08T19:09:09.730-04:00

Well, I'm obviously disappointed with Tampa Bay winning the Stanley Cup. I haven't felt as much contempt for professional hockey in America since 1996 when Team USA defeated Canada in the Canada (oops I mean World) Cup. Just one of several examples of how the the U.S. has Americanized professional hockey. Yes, I am biased of course with being born and raised in Canada but I have my reasons.

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1086132185196353202004-06-01T18:41:00.000-04:002004-06-01T19:23:05.196-04:00

I've got some big news to liven up the monotony of my blogs. Darcy and I are engaged! I proposed to her at around 11 am on Sunday, May 30. We had just finished doing some Iyengar yoga outside. I suggested we walk over to a bench that overlooked Florida Bay. I wasn't too nervous and I haven't felt the entire impact yet. Same thing for Darcy too I suppose. But we're both excited about our

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1085699824764514792004-05-27T19:06:00.000-04:002004-05-27T19:17:04.763-04:00

I just had dinner in my office and am ready for our Everglades trip. Darcy and I need to get away from the rat race of Broward County! Hopefully not too many people will be in the remote resort of Flamingo. My car hasn't stalled since the mechanic extended the ignition switch and fuel pump relay wires inside. Once the car stalls and one of the wire's lights goes off then that theoretically

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1083711841825857272004-05-04T18:31:00.000-04:002004-05-04T19:09:44.840-04:00

It's the end of my first day at work for the week (Tuesday). I worked last Sat. so I had Monday (yesterday) off. I was wiped out yesterday so after I did my laundry (three loads) I collapsed on the couch, which I seldom do, and watched Fantastic Voyage. A very enjoyable escapist movie to watch and the thirty-eight year old special fx have held up well. Afterwards Robin Crusoe on Mars came on

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1082675116638832452004-04-22T19:05:00.000-04:002004-04-22T19:09:18.310-04:00

As usual I'm staying a bit late after work. I'm trying to finish off the T call numbers for the reference assessment project. It's actually fun but very detailed as many books must be evaluated to remain in reference, made circ, withdraw and/or see if a newer edition exists and order it. I'm overseeing the project and others have given me the results from their areas. We had our dept. meeting

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1081040348851890242004-04-03T19:59:00.000-05:002004-04-03T20:02:44.716-05:00

Yikes! Almost a month since my last entry. I suppose one reason is that I flew home to Edmonton (March 14 to 22). A really nice visit despite the fact that my Grandmother Shires had died the previous month. The flights were horribly long but uneventful. It was nice to visit with my brother back home as we hadn't done it in almost four years. Arguably one of the highlights of my trip was

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1078529616543846192004-03-05T18:33:00.000-05:002004-03-05T18:36:34.436-05:00

Well, it's almost the end of my week. I work tomorrow (Saturday), have Sunday off to enjoy Darcy's bellydancing, and then back to work Monday. I leave a week tomorrow for home and a much needed rest. Very hectic at work as I'm coordinating the reference collection assessment project. I'm close to finishing going through the Gs but it is a small section. That still leaves the Qs and Ts. I

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1077667550331074182004-02-24T19:05:00.000-05:002004-02-24T19:08:35.390-05:00

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

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1077213114450259482004-02-19T12:51:00.000-05:002004-02-19T12:54:31.996-05:00

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

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1076111961267085452004-02-06T18:59:00.000-05:002004-02-06T19:01:41.700-05:00

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

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1075507012389405032004-01-30T18:56:00.000-05:002004-01-30T18:59:03.606-05:00

TGIF!! I'm listening to 630 CHED right now and the weather has warmed up to minus 25 from minus 45. It's been cool here lately (around 10 celcius at night). My apartment hasn't been much above 70 farenheit for a week! I finished the Messier book - quite good. Hopefully Darcy and I will be able to see Mark play here on March 13! I many other books to read such as Souvenir of Canada. I didn't

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1073438069809100782004-01-06T20:14:00.000-05:002004-01-06T20:19:22.030-05:00

Happy New Year 2004! Hope that this year will be healthy and prosperous for Darcy and I. I'm on hold waiting to talk to John Short on his sportstalk show. I've listened to him for years. Ijust got off the phone and had a quick five minute conversation with him. So I will now listen to him rather than Bryan Hall. Anyway Darcy and I had a wonderful time in cold, snowy, Christmasy Edmonton

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1071632269787807782003-12-16T22:37:00.000-05:002003-12-16T22:39:02.140-05:00

Well - I stayed home from work two days last week and I think I nipped the sickness in the bud. I spent last Wed. recuperating and sorting through old photos and throwing out many duplicates. The next day I relaxed and wrapped presents and cooked dinner. Suddenly about 6 pm I heard a loud bang that sounded like a gun shot. I ran to the dining room window and scanned the parking lot and heard

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1070498823564989362003-12-03T19:47:00.000-05:002003-12-03T19:50:11.343-05:00

Welcome to December! Today was a typical busy day at work. I'm just about ready to submit my article to the journal's editor to be proofread. Publishing it will be a big relief as it's taken up too much of my time over the past year and a half. Today was my library's first time doing chat reference through Florida's Ask A Librarian. I was the first librarian at work to do it solo. We did

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1069085222037944352003-11-17T11:07:00.000-05:002003-11-17T11:09:29.796-05:00

Yikes - it's been over a month and a half since my last entry! As usual work is largely to blame for this. Since I don't own a computer (and will continue for a while) I must do my personal computer after work hours. Since I stay a bit late every day to finish up work things, I'm pretty burned out to do emailing or blogging. I have today off and am at Darcy's library. I worked there my

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1065047891616485272003-10-01T18:38:00.000-04:002003-10-01T18:41:32.193-04:00

Welcome to October! Darcy and I went to Dania Beach last Saturday and enjoyed the water. It was nice not to have to worry about sea lice, sewage from cruise ships, man of wars, or riptides. Florida beaches leave a lot to be desired - believe me. I'll take the Oregon Coast any day of the year! Today the library hosted the second annual faculty reception. Nice idea in theory but many Nova

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1063754501486238172003-09-16T19:21:00.000-04:002003-09-16T19:21:41.670-04:00

God - it's been over a month since I last wrote! Where has the time gone? Well, Darcy and I hosted a party in early September that was fun. We flew up to Saskatoon for Darcy's interview at the U of Saskatchewan. It was my first trip to Saskatchewan and I enjoyed it. The city reminded me of a much smaller Edmonton - more laid back. Darcy's interview seemed pretty tough (see her blog for

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1060730154906105282003-08-12T19:15:00.000-04:002003-08-12T19:46:40.733-04:00

I'm listening to 630 CHED now and there seems to be a tornado heading towards Edmonton. There have been sightings of one west of the city. Scary stuff - I remember the Tornado that hit in 1987. Anyway, I forgot to post my Grandfather's obituary. I finally read his book/binder The Giant Made House Calls. It has extrordinary detail about his father's and grandfather's lives. Also some

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1059778353553844562003-08-01T18:52:00.000-04:002003-08-01T18:53:33.423-04:00

Well, I haven't had time or energy to post in over two weeks. Much has happened in my personal life. I guess I need to continue where I left off from my last posting. Anyway after returning home from Toronto on June 26 I discovered more mold and wet smells in my apartment. Now this had happened a few weeks earlier that caused me to move out of my room so that it could be repainted and get new

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-1058143796132765722003-07-13T20:49:00.000-04:002003-07-13T20:50:20.053-04:00

God - it's been close to a month since I last posted a blog! It's been a hectic time. The trip to Toronto was great as we walked around downtown. Our hostel was in a great location and very close to the Hockey Hall of Fame! It is quite the shrine and was well worth the $12.00 cover charge. I spent three hours there and could have stayed longer. It felt good to be back in Canada even though

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-958074682003-06-18T19:03:00.000-04:002003-06-18T19:07:29.000-04:00

The end of another hectic day at work. I'm now on three new committees - wonderful! I volunteered to be on the subject guide committee at our reference dept. meeting last week. I guess one problem with us reference librarians is that we can pay too much attention to detail and analyze every single thing. This can include how to design a webpage that is intutitive for a student to easily

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-956084592003-06-12T19:21:00.000-04:002003-06-12T19:31:12.000-04:00

I just got an email saying that the Library of Congress will not be attending the 2003 ALA/CLA conference in Toronto. Bastards! I understand the concern some people have about the Toronto SARS scare. But the thing, in my view has been overblown and is not like it is in Asia. I believe the L of C decision was political in nature - likely due to anti Canadian sentiment in Washington, D.C. I

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-953745652003-06-06T11:54:00.000-04:002003-06-06T12:00:27.000-04:00

This is my final entry from my journal. I suppose if it was really boring then you wouldn't be reading this entry! Or maybe you stuck it out and actually read the whole thing. At any rate my next literary project is to transcribe my Thailand trip journal. But that will take a while! MY 2000 ADVENTURE (continued) June 23 – 10:20 pm I’m sitting on the top bunk at the supposed posh hostel at

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-953744372003-06-06T11:51:00.000-04:002003-06-06T11:51:56.660-04:00

MY 2000 ADVENTURE (continued) June 16 – 5:00 pm I sent an email to Mom and Rick. Here is an edited version: Thanks for all the messages. My feet are aching right now! I must have walked 10 miles today. I left the hostel at about 11:00 am and walked to downtown and to the Imperial War Museum. Many things to see there. I spent 3.5 hours looking but could have easily spent the whole day.

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-953740712003-06-06T11:42:00.000-04:002003-06-06T11:42:42.783-04:00

MY 2000 ADVENTURE (continued) June 12 – 10:15 am We had a good dinner of schnitzel last night. Then I had a leisurely stroll partially up the hill behind the hostel with Shane. We came across a watch tower of sorts and from the top could see some of the valley. It was very green and peaceful there. The hostel and campground were nice with decent bathroom facilities. However, the dorm rooms

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-953739342003-06-06T11:39:00.000-04:002003-06-06T11:39:06.800-04:00

MY 2000 ADVENTURE (continued) June 1 – 1:40 pm Welcome to June! We’re just leaving a town called Acatari. It’s a typical small, rural Romanian town with at least one church and many red shingled houses. The road is very bumpy so I’ll have to stop writing… June 1 – 6:50 pm We’re setting up camp just outside of the city called Cluj Napoca. It seems to be an industrial city with not many

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-953736422003-06-06T11:31:00.000-04:002003-06-06T11:31:49.670-04:00

MY 2000 ADVENTURE (continued) May 21 – 7:00 pm I just had a refreshing swim in the Mediterranean Sea! There are clean bathrooms too and a fantastic view of the clean, blue water of the bay from our campsite. It could probably pass for a Greek/Italian/French Riviera coast. I forgot to mention that the two pottery pieces that I bought in Urgup. One is a replica of a red 14th to 17th century

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-953734592003-06-06T11:27:00.000-04:002003-06-06T11:27:33.946-04:00

MY 2000 ADVENTURE (continued) May 15 – 11:00 am We’re currently parked at the Syria/Lebanon border. There are many border guards that seems to be typical (based upon this trip) of Arabic bureaucratic inefficiency! We arrived in Damascus late last night (7 pm) and by the time we pitched our tents and ate it was 9 pm. Everyone thought that we were staying in a hotel and when the truck turned

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-953733212003-06-06T11:23:00.000-04:002003-06-06T11:23:29.863-04:00

MY 2000 ADVENTURE (continued) May 4 – 5:45 pm We’ve arrived at Edfu Island where there is a banana plantation nearby. We’ll camp here tonight and arrive at Luxor tomorrow around noon. Right now our two Egyptian crew members (Shary and Kumin sp?) are listening to interesting but slightly monotonous local music. It seems to be chanting with a techno/dance beat. Forgot to mention the two near

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-953719222003-06-06T10:47:00.000-04:002003-06-06T10:48:21.000-04:00

MY 2000 ADVENTURE (continued) April 27 – 6:30 pm Didn’t do a hell of a lot today. Since I’ve heard that Dahab is better for diving, etc., I refrained from paying for it here at Hurghada. Very good breakfast then tried, to no avail, to find the public beach. In hindsight it was probably the area with garbage littering the beach. Not impressive considering it’s not free! After much walking I

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-953707752003-06-06T10:19:00.000-04:002003-06-06T10:44:26.000-04:00

MY ADVENTURE (continued) April 21 – 1:50 am I’m sitting in my small hotel room near downtown Cairo. I made it! My first observation of the city was the dull looking yellow lights from my airplane window. The lights were different from the seemingly brighter twinkling lights in North America. Once I deplaned I immediately noticed an armoured car parked on the airport tarmac. Had good

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-953704682003-06-06T10:12:00.000-04:002003-06-06T10:13:15.000-04:00

I've finished editing my travel journal but since it is so long I can't upload it to my blog. So it will unfortunately have to be uploaded in several segments. This is not a literary masterpiece but simply how I saw things and recorded them the best I could. Please excuse all typos and grammatical errors - there are likely several! My writing style is likley rather pendantic. I tended to be

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-952601432003-06-03T20:07:00.000-04:002003-06-03T20:22:45.000-04:00

(html> I've been busy editing my 2000 travel journal. I will end up publishing it in my blog in it's entirety very soon! It will be quite long however but I think that it will be easier to read as one document. Well, all the rain we had last week caused my apartment's a/c hose to break and flood a few units including mine. I came home late last Wednesday and noticed my bedroom light was one.

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-950102642003-05-28T19:08:00.000-04:002003-05-28T19:37:50.000-04:00

It's Wednesday night and I'm done work for the day. I'm listening to my hometown radio station 630 CHED. I like talk radio and my radio station broadcasts my Edmonton Oilers hockey games and Edmonton Eskimo CFL football games. I just realized that I haven't provided my website address. It's called Michael's Domain. Anyway Enterprise's The Expanse season finale was last week and I wasn't too

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-946379332003-05-20T11:48:00.000-04:002003-05-20T12:12:30.000-04:00

Saturday was busy as my co-worker was sick so I told her to go home. But that meant that I was by myself for five hours! I'm back at work Today early as I'd thought I'd have some time to play on the web. But as usual I've got tons of work emails to sift through, and my mailbox was full of stuff. I'll try and ignore that and focus on my blogging! Darcy gave me The Dilbert Principle to read.

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398674.post-944995362003-05-17T10:54:00.000-04:002003-05-17T11:49:18.000-04:00

This is my first every blog posting. My girlfriend, Darcy has been blogging for a few months so I finally decided to try it out. I am at work right now but not working at my job (I'm a librarian). I usually come in early for my shift or stay after work to surf as I don't own a computer. I'm html coding by hand, it's been a while, so hopefully there won't be too many mistakes in my entries.

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01393548083268816321noreply@blogger.com0