Falling on my arse has always been a hobby of mine, so skating is the next logical step in my cycle of self-abuse. I love this weather! :)

# posted by Buggs @ 10:47 am ::

Smooooch!!!

# posted by Buggs @ 6:04 pm ::

So I started my new job at Grandma Emily's Granola yesterday, and it wasn't at all what I expected... Okay, so I was starting to get sick, and was feeling fevery and weird, but it was really hard work! I spent most of the day baking granola bars in a huge industrial oven, pounding them in trays with a big squashy thing, and checking bars off a conveyer belt (I was having major I Love Lucy Chocolate Factory episode flashbacks!). I was feeling crappy, and by the end of the day I just wanted to die. Nothing makes you want to get a job in an orchestra like cleaning an industrial oven... yuck.

In the job's defence, though, the boss and the other workers there are super-nice, and I'm sure it won't be that bad when I'm feeling fit and healthy. At any rate, it's only 3 days a week, the pay is okay and it's really flexible. So I'll stick with it for a while and see what happens, I guess. I just need to kick this damn cold thing and I'll be fine. :)

I'm really missing everyone at home, though. Hugs to Karene for her big move, Cara for the new mega-job, Cath for her WW success, Moi for her new life direction, and Cat for her world travels! You girls are so inspiring and I miss you tons. :)

# posted by Buggs @ 1:05 am ::

This is for Hanna Marie - just 'cause it makes her laugh! :)

(It's the avatar of the ubiquitous ::DC:: from Swingtalk Australia)

# posted by Buggs @ 12:35 am ::

It's been hammering down for the past few days, and this is what it looks like on Ian's street right now. J'adore la neige!!

# posted by Buggs @ 4:44 pm ::

Lost - 2 valuable items in Montreal area. If found, email brassmonkey@freezingmyballsoff.com

Oh my god, it's freezing!!! Today in Montreal it's -20 celcius with the wind chill factor... bloody ridiculous!! Today the Shub and I are going to Canadian Tire to buy a couple of toboggan mats and hit the snow!! Over the past couple of days it's been snowing like a bugger and really cold, so it should make for great 'bogganing action!! Sweet!

# posted by Buggs @ 1:27 pm ::

After my charmed flights over here (a fabulous blur of upgrades, luxury lounges, lots of legroom, decent sleep and good company... no, really!!) I was picked up at the airport by Ian, along with Sarah and Christien.

The next few days were spent with Ian (and as a result aren't really G rated!! lol), so I'll skip to the next bit... :D

Since I arrived I've caught up with friends, been to a swing dance houseparty, played in the inaugural fortnightly Texas Hold'em (poker) game with my brass playing buddies, and spent a lot of quality time with Ian. Awww...

I've been job searching, which can be a really disheartening as an anglophone - it's pretty much no french = no job, which bites. I've applied for a job at a little homemade granola bar business, and I'll be hearing about that in the next couple of days, so you never know!

Haven't been out swing dancing yet, except at the housewarming the other night... will definitely make it out to Cats Corner on Friday night, and I'm hopefully starting Competition and Performance class at Studio 88 Swing (the Swinging Airforce's school) soon. Yeah, I'm always full of good intentions! :D

I'm getting serious about learning French, too. I bought a copy of 'Harry Potter et l'ecole de sorcier' and am very very slowly getting though it. I've started trying to practice my french in everyday life, but I still really suck at it. I've decided to get a tutor (hi Cath!) once a week and see if that helps me at all.

# posted by Buggs @ 2:12 pm ::

This sucks. The bastards couldn't come to an agreement over 7 million dollars?? It's ridiculous! So that's it - no hockey season for the first time since 1919, all over bloody greed and pigheadedness. I'm only in Canada for one year, and there's no NHL hockey at all. They're going to lose all their fans. This could be the end of the NHL forever... BASTARDS!! GRRRRRRR!!!!!

Okay, I'm done. :D

# posted by Buggs @ 2:06 pm ::

This is the gorgeous view of Montreal from Ian's apartment balcony... the snow's just started to melt, but it's still nice and chilly. Can't wait for more snow!! Yaaay!

# posted by Buggs @ 10:55 pm ::

Aw, who am I kidding - I still loved it. I'm a sucker for a classical chinese costume/martial arts combo. Makes me pine to go back to China one day...

# posted by Buggs @ 6:03 pm ::

Last Friday my brother Mark and I got matching tattoos - Mark on his shoulder, and me on my back (right under my other one). We picked up on a whim and got the chinese symbol for the Rat (our nickname for each other since, well, ever has been Ratty or Rattus).

# posted by Buggs @ 3:57 pm ::

Hanna Marie gets squealy on one of the Rundle Mall (Adelaide) bronze pigs during our last trip to town. The photo with me sitting on the pig is definitely best left unseen... :D

# posted by Buggs @ 4:28 pm ::

I've been spending heaps of time with Hanna over the past week, which has been great, but it's made it so much harder to say goodbye. Today we went into town, had lunch, shopped, and went to the movies (saw Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events which was fantastic, by the way!). It was such a lovely day...

We had the family farewell dinner tonight at the Mandarin House with the fam, after which I finally had to face my tearful goodbyes with Hanna. Oh man, it breaks my heart every time. It's always such a drama - sobbing, clinging, pants wetting... and that's just me! :p I'm still all red-nosed and raccoony now.

I love that kid. I feel bloody awful.

# posted by Buggs @ 6:16 am ::