Just got home from the bar. Graduated today with my Bachelor of Business Admin. Yay! Finally over. I'm heading to Vancouver for a week of training with my company tomorrow so I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to write until next week. Have a good week everyone!

Just thought I would share this link with everyone. http://tjsplace.blogspot.com I am totally addicted to this blog. I check to see if it's been updated at least once a day. The subject matter is facinating, the writer is a modern day Dickens, it's just all around awesome.

Sitting here listening to Holly Cole. Just got back from coffee with a friend. Processing a lot of thoughts right now.

Ended up spending the day in Vernon again today. Totally wasn't planned but that's the way it ended up. Seems that I left my phone in my Dad's car last night. Total 'D'oh' moment. So I had to drive to Vernon to get the friggin phone. Turned out ok though because I also had to pick up a suitcase for my trip next week. As I was in Vernon anyway I had lunch with my Mother and we actually had a nice time. She seems to be much calmer lately.

I got yet another wedding invitation today. I knew this one was coming but standing there holding onto the invitation I felt rather despondent. Of course the invitation was for me and guest. Don't know what I'm going to do about that. My Sister may come with me because the wedding is in Wetaskawin and I also have another to go to in Edmonton the day after. We'll see, maybe I'll just hire an escort! Wow that would be fun. The looks would almost make it worth while.

I'm not sure that I am enjoying this phase of my life. What's with all the friggin weddings?

I have been thinking about faith again lately. I have decided that the tenents of the Christian faith actually do make sense to me. It's still the church that just screws with me. Can't think of anything more to write.

Mood: Lonely
Music: Holly Cole - Temptations

Hmmm, what to write. Well I just got back from a day trip to Vancouver. Had lunch with Marcie and a really good visit. Of course she made a huge deal out of how thin I am now. Public Service Announcement - I AM NOT AN ANOREXIC! No matter what my Sister tells you! So after lunch went to the hospital to pick Dad back up and found out that he had to stay and get another blood test, but he had to eat first. So we went to Earls and had a light snack. He had the blood drawn and we started on the way home.

I found out today that I can sing all of the words to a disturbing amount of Cher songs. Dad had The Greatest Hits in the car and I put one of the CD's in. Of the first seven songs I sang word for word all but two. At the top of my lungs of course. Dad LOVED it! Such fun. We stopped at Boston Pizza's for supper where I drank six glasses of water. I had to pee by the time we hit Hope. Dad was irritated. I told him that he should be used to this after traveling with Mom for so many years.

Now I'm tired and going to bed. Nothing really to accomplish tomorrow.

Oh, this weekend looks to have all the makings of a very fun weekend. Marcie and Frank are coming down from Vancouver and I grad on Saturday. Then about 40 of us are going out for dinner. After that I believe we will be clubbing. I was going to be going on a wine tour down to Oliver on Friday but one of the guys that was coming with found out that he had to work so I don't know if it's going to happen or not. :( We'll see.

I believe that I'm on the verge of crashing. I am going to get a refill on my prescriptions.

Tomorrow I leave for Van with my Dad. He has an appointment at VGH to run some follow-up tests, from when he was sick last year, and asked if I wanted to go with him. Seeing as I have nothing better to do and saw an opportunity to have lunch with my amazing friend Marcie I jumped at the chance. Leaving at 7 tomorrow morning ugh!

Grrrrr!

OH MY GOD! I just found a link to what is sure to be one of the most controversial movies in Christian circles in years! Check it out and start the prayer chain!

http://www.savedmovie.com/

What do you do when your stuck at a party that you don't really want to be at? How do you start a conversation with people that you don't know? How do you find the commonalities and find things that are mutually interesting to talk about? Why are some social gatherings so difficult to have fun at?

Usually when I'm at a party that I don't want to be at I leave. I was just at such a party and I was the first to leave. This party was just dull. Unfortunately as soon as everyone got there they all broke off into their usual little groups and proceeded to chat with each other. I resisted the urge to do this and tried to chat with a few different people before I went over and joined my group. I find that at many gatherings of Christians I don't know what to do with myself. Everyone is sitting around talking about nothing... of course I'm not delusional enough to think that non-Christians don't do this as well but why do Christians seem to do nothing so well. It's interesting because they aren't even enjoying themselves most of the time. You can see it on their faces.

I think that one of the hardest things about these gatherings is definitely trying to find the commonality to chat about. I consider myself well read and knowledgeable about things going on in the world but trying to find others that are seems to be an increasingly difficult chore. Most conversations tend to start with either myself or someone asking me "so what do you do?" Of course I know they don't care what I do and what the hell am I supposed to say when they tell me that they are a 28 year old out of work teacher that lives at home with their parents. Commonalities... I'm sure they're there but that really kills a conversation. So where do your parents live? You must save a lot of money living with your parents! I love your jeans! I don't know what to say to these people. Ahhhh the anguish of hanging out with people my own age.

As for why some social gatherings are so tough to have fun at... That's easy. Most people (myself included) are very insecure and don't want to show themselves for who they really are, lest they are rejected. Until they learn to drop their walls or at least develop an interesting alter-ego they are not going to have much fun in these social situations. If anyone has any suggestions as to which alter-ego I should adopt please feel free to let me know!

Oh just an update on the weather. It clouded over a few hours before the BBQ and started to rain. Maybe it was an omen.

In reality I am grateful that I was invited in the first place. I just wish it would have been more interesting.

Mood: despairing
Music: None

Last night was nice. After church a few friends came over and we watched an old Val Kilmer movie 'Top Spot'. The show was incredibly rediculous but funny all the same. I was so tired that by 11:30 I was willing them to all go home and happily they did by 12. I collapsed in bed and was woken up at 3 by my room mate and his extremely inebriated Aunt. They happily yelled at each other for a little while before going to bed themselves. Then at 8:30 this morning I was awakened again by the Aunt who was still totally gooned (room mates words, not mine) before she left for her house. I fell back asleep and didn't wake until 12:15.

Of course upon waking I turned on my phone and there was a message from work. Wanted to know if I would come in and work in the shoe department for a couple of hours. Regretfully had to turn that one down.

The weather today is back to it's incredible nature of a few days ago. After the past three days of solid rain I'm happy to see sunny and blue. I've been invited to a 70's themed BBQ for tonight. Don't know what they hell I'm going to find that's from the 70's but we'll see.

Just got home from work. It was a really busy day but I unfortunately I don't have any stories to tell. Not a thing interesting happened.

Past couple of days have been interesting. I met with the manager of my next store yesterday. It went very well and I'm looking forward to working with him.

Oh I count myself an official Kelowna person now. Yesterday I caught myself complaining about the bridge. It took me about 40 mins to get from Downtown to the Westside yesterday. Coming back took almost 50 mins. So much fun. How exciting that the Provincial Government is going to build us a new bride soon.

Oh it was brought to my attention that only registered users were able to comment on posts. I have changed that so now everyone is able to comment.

Tonight I'm feeling very worn down again. Could be the late nights this whole week. I am going to go to church, reluctantly albeit, and then I am planning on stopping and getting a movie on my way home. If anyone wants to join me just let me know :) Have a great night!

Mood: Unsettled
Music: Nothing just the TV droning on about a stupid Hockey Game that room-mate seems to enjoy! :(

Today I shopped. Spent a lot of money on clothes that I probably don't need, but I like them. That is all I accomplished today. Sad actually.

Almost forgot. I found the Starbucks Card. It had slid down between the door and the seat of my car. So relieved.

I spent the day in Vernon today. I got to wash my Parents house. Most people tend to paint the house and every number of years either repaint the house themselves or hire someone to do it for them. However my parents would rather that I take a bucket, brush, and hose and wash the house at least twice a year. Doing all the windows at the same time. So much fun, actually the job is not all that big of a deal as they have vinyl siding and the weather here today was glorious. I actually didn't mind the job at all. I think it also helped that I chose to go up and do the job on a day when my Mother was at work.

After I got my work there done my Dad took my Mother and I out for supper. Yay Pasta Tuesday at Boston Pizza.

Hooked up with my sister after that and went to see Troy. I have to say I was fairly disappointed with this movie. It really had all of the potential to be a great movie. Unfortunately I think they went a little overboard with the computer animation and they totally screwed with the story! The actors were all really quite good. I believe that Eric Bana was possibly the best actor in the show with Orlando Bloom coming in a close second. The star of the show Brad Pitt was good.

Music: Diana Krall - The Girl In The Other Room
Mood: Happy

You know I think I should have started drinking years ago.

Update on the Newfie bastard from work. He came in again today looking to get those damned pants shipped to him. I finally crumbled and went to see what we could do about it. Turns out that we will do it but it would cost him $6. When I told him that it would cost him $6 he told me that he no longer wanted them. What a cheap old jerk. I now understand why he didn't want to buy the pair we had and get them altered. He didn't want to pay the alteration fee. Thank heavens he left town today. I hope I don't see him again for a long time... if ever.

Well I finally got some news from the company about my training. Turns out they had sent me another letter which has never materialized at my door. Whatever. I talked to a lady in head office today and she informed me that the first week of work will be downtown Vancouver at one of the company's flagship stores. They will be putting me up in a hotel and giving me a $40 per day per diem for food. Makes all those summers living off of a $25 per day food allowance while on the road look positively frugal. Now my only real problem is that I have to go out and buy some clothes that will be suitable for this week. The first day is supposed to be business attire, which begs the question should I go and buy another suit. My grad suit is a little bit small now...

In other news I went to my Pastors Birthday party tonight. Being the crap disturber that I try to be I decided that I would give him a birthday present that would confuse the hell out of him. After work I ran over to Chapter's and bought a copy of The Picture of Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde (honestly this is one of my absolute favourite books). Knowing Charles (the Pastor) I was absolutely sure that he wouldn't have even heard of it let alone have read it. I was correct. I sincerely hope that he actually reads it. I would love to hear his thoughts on it.

Because one of the last times we talked he mentioned that he would rather do something terrible to himself than read a fictional book I also bought him a Starbucks card. Of course the card, which I put into the front cover of the book, disappeared sometime during the night which is really rather upsetting to me because it's like I just lost some money. Harrumph.

Tomorrow I am planning on going home to Vernon to clean the windows at my parents house. I chose to go tomorrow because my Mother is working and won't be around to hover over me the whole time I'm working. I'm planning on going to see Troy with my sister later in the evening.

Music: Sarah McLaughlin - Surfacing
Mood: Not sure

Feeling slightly embarrassed at the moment. Just talked to Janet and she told me that Jesse and I were very busy last night. Apparently we were dirty dancing most of last night at the club. Feeling very foolish now.

Music: None
Mood: embarrassed

Bunch of stuff to update about. First off the old fool from Cornerbrook came back into work yesterday trying to find another clerk that would actually be dumb enough to take the time to order him his pants and mail them to him. I again encouraged him to take the size we had and get them hemmed. Again the idea was shot down because it made the pants look funny. Hopefully that'll be the end of that little saga.

Yesterday passed with a blur. After work I went home, changed, then went to the Church. A friend of mine from there is in charge of hospitality (basically meeting and greeting people at the door) and had literally been harassing me for months to come out and give her a hand. So before church started I stood at the front door and greeted people, "Hi, how are you? Welcome here!" It's a good thing that I was still in work mode and was extremely chipper and happy.

Very shortly after church ended I left, called J and JD and asked about what was up. J had told me yesterday that she was going out last night and I could come if I wanted to. To be honest I had been excited about going out all day and could not wait. I went picked J up then we went to JD's house where J helped hooch her up (don't ask) so that we could go out. As I live downtown I dropped the girls off at a pub then ripped home to park the car for the evening. Then I was ready to go.

Evening started at the Pub where we were right in the middle of a Stag party. As I was sitting with two chicks who were slightly hammered by this time the boys from the Stag kept wandering over and 'visiting' with us. One introduced himself as Al but we soon found out that his name was Steve. We liked Al better anyway. Al was having such a good time that somehow he managed to fall completely over backwards. While sitting in a chair. One minute Al was there... the next he wasn't, because he was laying on the floor. Highly entertaining.

The rest of the night involved the club and a random assortment of other friends. The strange thing about last night was that I had a really good time. I can be honest when I say that this was the first time I've ever actually had fun in a club.

I have decided that instead of using initials in place of people's names I will begin to use pseudonyms. Henceforth:

J = Janet
JD = Jesse

Hope everyone is having a fantastic day. It's sunny and warm here. All signs indicate a beautiful day ahead.

Music: None
Mood: Optimistic

So much for going to bed early tonight. I'm semi-toasted from a couple of glasses of wine. Had a nice time though with about the last person I would have expected.

G'night!

Sometimes I wish for a simpler life. One where everything is cut and dried. Makes sense. Isn't confusing. But then I think about it and wonder if a simpler life is actually possible. Knowing myself and the way that I am I know that I would find some way of turning a perfectly simple life into a mindless pursuit of material gain. Here's my confession. I like stuff. Stuff excites me. I don't completely know why, I know that most of it is just that... stuff, serving no useful purpose.

Yesterday I was invited over to some new friends house for dinner. I had volunteered to bring over dessert (a black forest cake) and had decided that I should take a bottle of wine with me as well. As I walked down the sidewalk to the liquor store one of the homeless dudes sitting in front of a store a few places down from the liquor store asked me for change. I arrogantly strode by him not even acknowledging his existence. Upon arriving at the liquor store I realized that it was closed and verbally vented my frustration. Hearing me grumble the aforementioned homeless man looked up in surprise and said "What it's closed!?" I looked at him and told him that yes it was. He then asked me if there was another liquor store nearby to which I replied "yep, only a few blocks down the street" and I proceeded to give him directions. He thanked me and smiled and waved, picked up his stuff and headed off in the direction of the store. As I climbed into my car and cranked the stereo I thought to myself that I am a total bastard. I was more than happy to give the guy directions and chat with him pointing him in the direction of his doom but when he was asking me for money I wouldn't even look at him. I felt like scum.

The customers were so strange at work today that we were all wondering if it was a full moon! Oddly enough the full moon was last week or something yet all the crazies came out today. One man wanted me to ship a pair of pants to Corner Brook, Newfoundland for him because they were his favorite type of pants. Well I tried to explain to him that we didn't have the size that he wanted (36X30) in store and that finding him the pants would involve a huge amount of work calling around to other stores, getting them shipped to us, then we would in turn have to mail them to him in Newfoundland. Don't they have pants in Newfoundland? Of course we did have a pair of 36X32 in stock, the exact colour and everything that he wanted but you know "Hemming makes them look strange!" Eventually he wandered away and hopefully will not be in again before he leaves for Newfoundland on Monday. Oh I didn't mention that this was a RUSH order!!!

Then we had another guy come in that I had put an order in for a week ago. He had ordered a specific jacket that was to come from Vancouver as we didn't have the size or color that he wanted. We no word of a lie here I put the order in, told him that it would be about a week for it to arrive and that we would call him. He came in almost everyday for the past week all bent out of shape that it hadn't arrived yet. You know your really testing a Retail Clerks patience when they have specifically told you a week but you don't believe them. So I finally got his bloody jacket today and then he tells me that he wants the sale price from last week. Fine. But he also wants it on this other IDENTICAL jacket in beige that he decided he liked as well. I don't understand liking a jacket so much that you have to have the same one in two different colours! Maybe I'm crazy... yes that must be it...

The final straw was this old lady that came in looking for a shirt for her husband. She squeaked when she walked she was so cheap. I directed her and hubby to the area where we keep all of our cheap shirts. She proceeded to take out all of the pins and unfold just about every shirt in the area! I just happily (sarcasm) followed her around re-folding and pinning all of the shirts. Thank God she actually did buy a couple in the end or I don't know what I would have done...!

I have just enabled the comments section on my Blog. Please feel free to use it.

I now have so much cologne it's almost indecent. I finally went to exchange a bottle of Chanel I got for Christmas this year for a new scent. I ended up choosing YSL M7 after checking to make sure it wasn't going to try and kill me like the Chanel was trying! While there I was given a 90ml bottle of Hugo Boss - Boss for some work that I had done for the company. I was also loaded up with a number of testers. Bringing my bounty home I have just counted the number of bottles in my collection and found that I have 7 bottles of high end cologne and two testers, not including the three testers that I am going to give to a friend this afternoon because... well it's not like I need them.

Some people are incredible. At work today this black lady (I only point out that she was black because it pertains to the story) was returning a pair of shorts that she claimed she had bought last week. BS is all I have to say to her claim. These shorts were so old I hadn't even seen the style in the store. She had tried to pull off all of the clearance stickers so that we wouldn't know that she bout them for like $12 instead of the $39.99 the original sticker price showed. Oh I didn't mention that she didn't bring in a receipt so as far as we know she could have picked them up off the shelf on her way to the counter to demand a refund. Anyways I told her that we would give her the last sales price of the shorts, which I guessed was about $19.99. Well she didn't seem to like this and told me that she was sick of our company and our Racist policies! To be honest this was the most exciting thing that has happened to me all week and I was very excited about it. I gravely, but happily told her that I would certainly be very happy to call a manager over for her to settle the issue as I didn't think that insulting our staff's integrity was acceptable. She looked surprised and then refused my offer. For some reason she didn't want to talk to a manager she just wanted to buy the other clothes that she had with her and leave. I was so tempted to call security and a manager and have her thrown out of the store it was incredible. Stupid cow! I think that she believed that if she hinted that she would make allegations of racism we would back down and just give her anything she wanted. Unbelievable!

The worst part of the entire situation was the poor girl who was waiting on this cow was almost in tears at the end of the exchange because she was so upset at being accused of racism. If felt so bad for her that my fury just skyrocketed! Once I hit management my policy is always going to be staff first, customers second. I believe that if you treat your people right and stand by them they in turn are going to treat your customers right which will cause them to continue returning to your store.

To cap off the story as I was looking at the aforementioned customer I noticed that she was wearing some unusual earrings. These earrings boldly spelled out JESUS in big gold block letters across both of her ears... I wonder what Jesus thought about false accusations... Oh right he wasn't big on them. Just another God Damned hypocrite! Nice going church.

I read an interesting chapter in Blue Like Jazz, this book that my church small group is reading, that was about Grace today. I have to say that the timing was pretty good for me. Basically the author wrote about how he was once a legalist, which I have been, and that it was one of the hardest things for him to come out of. Understanding that God's grace is free and available for all is a concept that I have been grappling with for years. I am so full of pride that I don't want anyone, least of all God to give me anything for free. I can do it and get it through my own hard work. Damned if I'm going to be in someone's debt for anything that I have or accomplish. These are the thoughts that have caused me much anguish over the years. I know that I am most comfortable being a legalist and that my very nature works the best while following legalistic principles. Coming to an understanding of Grace is going to be a long an tough process that I can only be lead through. I don't believe that there is ever going to be a way for me to work towards this understanding. I hope this post makes sense because I'm writing very off the top.

I just got back from seeing 'Kill Bill II' which was brilliant. It is totally different than Volume I, which was terrific, so I am completely satisfied with how these movies turned out.

Mood: Content
Music: Classical Yo-Yo

Nothing to write to night. I went for a 10km walk today. Had absoletely nothing better to do. Need to find a hobby.

Mother's Day was exactly how I pictured it would be. My Mother wanted me to come up to Vernon so I could go to church with the family this morning. I don't really understand why this is a big deal for her other than it could be some whacked out pride thing she's got going on. It's sort of as if she's showing off to the rest of the church that her whole family is there with her and isn't she special. She knows I despise going to her church so I'm pretty sure that she makes such a big deal out of me going there because she gets something out of it that I don't get. Anyways after that we went home, had lunch stared at each other, sister and I watched TV, Mom had a nap, Dad disappeared, I thought about how I had turned down a shift at work for this, we had supper, we argued about the Government's Paternity Leave laws, I left. I'm home now and have seen quite enough of my Mother for a good long time. Not that I don't love her.

Last night I was told about a situation in a church I am associated with that I can only classify as sexual abuse. The situation involves two youth leaders and a 16 year old. There is a major problem for me though as I cannot betray the trust of the person who told me about the situation, and I would rather not reveal where I attained the information from. On the other hand I am worried about the destruction, that is highly likely to happen, in the lives of those involved. Terrible situation.

Went for coffee with a new acquaintance last night. I just recently met this guy and he has been very helpful in helping me to understand myself a little better. Our conversation was very informative. I am seriously considering making a few changes in my life that won't make me all that popular in certain religious circles most importantly mine. Lately though as you may know I haven't been all that concerned about religious circles. Must find what's right for me.

Here's a fucked up story from work today...

I was wandering around helping people in men's today when I approached a lady and asked her if she needed a hand. She looked and me and told me that yes she did need a hand as she was shopping for a very special person. She was looking for some high quality polo shirts so I happily helped her select one. After we had selected one she stopped, looked directly at me and said I just have to tell you how we met it's the most beautiful story. She told me that she had just got back from her high school reunion in Los Angeles, because her father was American and her mother was Quebecois (I really don't know what this little tid-bit had to do with anything but it's there for you anyway). At the reunion she had met the most amazing, beautiful man whom she had had no idea even existed in high school because she had been a cheer leader and blah, blah, blah... She continued on with her story and told me how everything between the two just flowed and that she had found her soul mate. She was so happy. Now the only obstacle they had to overcome before their lives could come together was that they needed to tell their spouses that it was over. They had both become more like room-mates than lovers with their spouses so it was time to end it.

Let me tell you I was fighting to keep a bemused smile on my face. I really wanted to slap her, tell her she was a stupid whore that she was likely in the middle of destroying the lives of those around her that she loved, and push her out of the store. Instead of doing these things I smiled, realized a perfect sales opportunity and sold her three of the most expensive shirts that we carried! I was slightly surprised that when I asked her what his favourite colour was she said she really didn't know... I thought they were soul mates!

I'm now feeling somewhat sorry for selling her those shirts as it has been pointed out to me that her husband was likely footing the bill for the shirts. Why do people seem to be doing this sort of thing so often these days. Perhaps it has something to do with the lack of a moral grounding the boomer generation seems to exhibit.

I fear that I too may be headed on this path. Today at small group I hashed out a few things with my group leader who also is one of the Pastors at my church. As luck would have it we were the only ones that showed up for the group this week. We discussed the fact that I completely believe in God and that he directs our lives and has a plan for all of us. What I can't seem to grasp is the significance of Christ dyeing on the cross. I just don't seem to care.

I was told that it seems as though I need to place myself in spiritually windy places in order for my faith to grow. At this moment I don't understand how placing myself into positions that are difficult and painful will ultimately help me. As far as I'm concerned every time I go into a church I'm in one of the most difficult and painful places I could possibly enter. All those false plastic people in one place. So nice to your face and always preaching the good news that God and everyone there loves you so much... but then not acting on it. Maybe it's me?

Fuck! I'm not feeling emotionally stable. I could happily go out, get a bottle of wine and drink myself stupid tonight. It won't ease the pain though so there's no point. That and it's not the best way to deal with this.

Americans are just silly. I just heard on 'The Current', the morning radio show on CBC, that many American men are posting on the internet trying to find Canadian brides in order to "escape" the political environment in the States. Go figure!

Sorry about last nights post. It had the depth of a Britney Spears single. I just got back from having Martinis with friends. Quite enjoyed myself as I haven't gone for Martinis for quite a long time. I really need to continue branching out and hanging out with people I haven't hung out with before.

Today work was so busy. I was the only person on for both Men's and Kid's. Very difficult. I forgot to post this last night but I had some guy come in and ask me to press his new pants as he was late for work. I told him that I don't press pants. He said that they had done it for him last week! I was in shock that he would need this service twice in as many weeks. So finally one of the ladies took pity on him and went to press his pants. Would you believe the bastard started getting mad and swearing because it was taking her so long! I told him that because she was doing him a favour and this was not part of her job he should be thankful and that he had better damned well thank her for doing it. He made me so mad I couldn't even think straight to tell him off!

Tomorrow I am meeting for my small group from church. I know it's not going to be a great because I have to confess to them that I haven't bothered to even pick up my Bible again for another week... which would mean I haven't read the thing for about 5 or 6 months. And last week I had made the commitment to read at least once this week. Hmmm, still have time tonight now that I think about it. Gotta go.

Crossroads are an interesting place to stand. Many decisions in life have the power to dramatically alter the course of your life's path. One day you think you have life all planned out and your going places the next day your trying to claw your way back to a place where things make sense. Gasping for a taste of 'reality'. Of course reality is somewhat dependent upon your perspective of reality and what that is for you. All through life you bob along thinking that your an orange. A nice smooth perfectly round orange. Your happy being an orange... or so you think. Then one day you happen upon a mirror and the mirror clearly shows you that your a banana! What the hell? How did I become a banana? People who know you start to say things like 'I always thought you were a banana but was never really sure!' Now your worried if the people that are important to you will understand that you really are a banana and are quite happy being one. Reality... weird.

Well I just got back from Girls Night. The company's cosmetics night which I was asked to volunteer for as they needed more cashiers. I was placed at the most enviable counter of the evening MAC where I processed a few thousand dollars in teeny, tiny containers of funky colours. Actually had an excellent time and quite enjoyed myself. Aside from that I worked a 6 hour shift in Mens wear this afternoon have been called in for two more shifts this week, they tried to call me in Monday as well but I wasn't available, which means I'll have almost worked a full week again. Three weeks in a row of working everyday. Not bad when I was told to expect to work only two shifts a week.

Well time to read a book I think. I just started Barney's Version by Mordechia Richler and it's hysterical. Full of one liners and quips. Thoroughly enjoyable.

Right... I'm back. Sorry about the interruption to my last post. Realized that I rather wanted to watch a movie and then realized that I was late to go and pick up my Grandma for our mini-vacation.

Back to the previous entry. So I left the stag party pondering why it was that a 'Christian' would choose to get really drunk two nights before his wedding when I'm quite sure he has done that sort of thing very few times before. Is this his last ditch attempt to do everything that he wanted to before he got married? If so I must admit I'm rather sad that that's the only other thing he wanted to do before tying the knot.

So I made my way from the Stag back downtown with the intention of going home. Got slightly sidetracked for a few minutes when J called and told me to come down to the pub for a while. Got there just soon enough to have my friend JD attack me and tell me that I was coming to the bar with her. We settled on her getting a ride with me to the bar and then me sneaking away while she was molesting a bouncer. Came home went to sleep.

Work up early Friday morning and went to work. Got home from work and decided that I really wanted to drive me car again so I got in and drove to Penticton just for something to do. I know lame but I enjoyed it.

Saturday morning I again got up early and ran over to the church to help out with a car wash. I vacuumed cars for a while and met a really cute girl. Then I went home. At home I basically wasted a little time before I headed out to the aforementioned grooms wedding. Luckily he was in much better shape than the last time that I had seen him and the wedding was beautiful if not hot (28dg) and boring. I soon ditched the wedding and raced home to get ready for the event of the evening The Okanagan Spring Wine Festival Consumer Tasting! Wheeeeeeee! Unfortunately I had a little too much fun and got extremely drunk. Fortunately one of my friends ended up baby-sitting myself and his girlfriend, who had teamed up to taste wine from all 35 wineries, and the evening ended well.

By all accounts I was a total embarrassment and my darling sister was kind enough to record parts of the 4 phone calls that I made to her. Feeling rather sheepish the next morning when I started getting calls back from friends whom I had left messages for that night. Apparently one of the more entertaining points in the evening that I am fortunate to have come out of unscathed was when I was standing across the street from Kelowna's homeless mission screaming about how much I hated homeless people! Oh lord.

Sunday I woke up quite happily without a hangover (which I have been fortunate enough to never have experienced) and sort of cruised around the apartment doing nothing. I finally settled to watch 'Love Actually', which my room-mate had rented the night before. Ok movie. Then I quickly gathered a few things up for a very impromptu road trip to Nakusp to visit the hotsprings. Let me tell you that trip which involves a very windy single lane highway through the Monashee mountain range was a fabulous test of the Focuses abilities. The car passed with flying colours! Loving the car even more now.

Trip was very good and Grandma and I had a good time together. I do have to admit thought that it takes a lot of patients to be able to successfully travel with ones Grandmother.

I have been noticing lately that I haven't been writing a lot about anything that I'm actually feeling. Many of / most of my entries seem to be a description of my day to day activities. I am going to try to be more introspective from this point on.

I have been told a number of times lately that I have been changing. I have to admit that I have actually been working at making this change happen. By not caring as much about what others think I do believe that I will be happier in the end. So in this vein of thinking I take back any apologies I may have made previously about drinking. I quite enjoyed getting drunk the other night and will quite possibly relive the experience again. Really don't know why I didn't do this before. Who knows what I'll do next...

Good afternoon. Last night was the end of a very busy week. When my room mate showed up Friday night I had to apologise for the state of the apartment. I have been doing nothing here except sleeping for the past week (oh, everything got worked out with my room mate. The rent will go up $50 but nothing else will change).

On Thursday I worked my first shift in men's wear. Turns out that selling clothing to men is like shooting fish in a barrel. It's incredible how easy it is to move them from looking at a $12 shirt over to a $68 shirt with a pair of pants to match! Maybe I just have a gift.

After work I went to a Stag party for a friend from my church. On my way I stopped and bought a bottle of wine, as the meal was going to consist entirely of meat, but I was hesitent when bringing it into the condo they had rented because I wasn't sure what kind of party it was going to be. I found out as soon as I walked into the kitchen and saw a multitude of hard liqour bottles arrayed. As I was planning on driving home that night because of things I had to do in the morning I drank very little and instead concentrated on making sure that everyone else had a full glass at all times. The groom threw up a number of times before I left.

Oops have to run.