Misc Bits And Bobs

I've been quiet on the blog front for a bit -- busy with vistors, work, and other stuff. Thus, I shall do one of those convenient point-form posts to catch you all up on what's going down in my life:

• I'm heading down East with the boys for a couple weeks to visit family. If anyone down there wishes to see me, phone my folks and leave a message. I'm doing it pretty low-key, so don't be offended if I don't get in touch -- I want to boys to have lots of unstructured time to just enjoy the outdoors, fresh air and all the space.
• I still love my job. I think I love it more every shift I work. It's fun. I get to talk to people who are excited about the things I find exciting. I get to see lots of expectant and new mums and dads, and there is nothing better than getting to hold a baby. I'm not the maternal type, but new baby smell is addictive.
• My little brother and Dad showed up just before Canada Day to visit. I new M was coming, but my Dad was a surprise. They came up on their motorbikes and the boys were thrilled! Dad left Canada Day, so missed our annual Brew-n-Q, but M stayed for almost two weeks. The boys were in video game heaven. There was lots of male bonding going on between Uncle and nephews in front of the television. He's heading back to Australia this fall, so it was great to have him here and hang out for a bit. I like him so much more now that were adults, but I don't get to see him nearly as often as I'd like.
• I've broken the 150 book mark already in my "Books Read in 2009" list. I've also discovered a new-to-me m/m author that I really enjoy: Alex Beecroft. Will have to check out more of her stuff.
• I finally outlasted the ONFC in re: to an accounting issue that's been dogging our buying club for over a year. I'm super-stoked that they've admitted I'm right. Being right is awesome. I feel vindicated. Plus? I feel awesome. :D
• H leaves for Edmonton on Saturday. She'll be gone for a couple years and I'm going to miss her. This sucks a bit and I wish we'd had more chances to do stuff while she's been living here in town. Hopefully, though, she'll be back in a few years and we can pick up where we left off. I'm pretty eager to use this as an opportunity to encourage the boys to use email and letter writing as a way to maintain contact. Good practice for their writing skills.
• My laptop now sort of works. There doesn't appear to be any file loss (yay!!), but the o/s (OpenSolaris) is a bit gimpy. It won't do Youtube or Blip.fm without weird sound issues, and certain websites don't work right. I'm not sure if we're going to stick with that o/s or not, but I'm trying to be open to change. Being open to change isn't something I do easily. ;)
• I studiously avoided anything Torchwood related so as not to encounter any spoilers. Then, while reading about the ratings (which will determine the viability of the series and whether the BBC produces more episodes), I countered the *worst* spoiler ever. My dismay over this spoiler is only exacerbated byt the fact that I don't know the lead-up to it or whether or not it is resolved in an acceptable manner. I don't dare try to find out for fear of encountering still more spoilers and, thus, must wait until I return from vacation and my pre-ordered DVDs are here. Big suck.
• That said, the radio plays were great and the third one -- Dead Line -- actually made me cry.
• And, finally, tonight H and I are having our last "big hurrah" by going to see our mutually adored Canadian country rock god, Jim Cuddy. Life doesn't get much better than that -- no, it doesn't! :D