Happy Hump Day!

The job continues to go well -- if two days can be a real gauge, that is. Like Monday, I didn't need to take a nap yesterday either, so that was a continued good sign of my abilility to cope in the real world after so many months away : )

Today I head back for day #3, while my guy copes with the reality that he's hit a new decade. His 40th is today and, despite the fact that we celebrated on the weekend, it's still a big day. Unfortunately, he's got rehearsal for his chorus tonight, while I've got a soccer game. At the very least, I'll find a way to get a card to him.

And that's it for Wednesday. Happy Hump Day, everyone!

Vegas: part 5

Part 1 here

Part 2 here

Part 3 here

Part 4 here

Up early on Monday morning, the plan was to drop off my guy at the airport for his flight home, following which I'd hang out with my friends Ladybug and Monkey Boy. I didn't have to fly out until Tuesday afternoon, and was looking forward to gettin' in some fun time with those two fun folks.

I dropped off my guy at 7AM, and drove around for a while as I killed time until it was late enough to call Ladybug and Monkey Boy and head to their place. But then I received a text that sent me right back to the airport:

Oh God. Not sure how or when I'll be getting home. Been in line 40 ins, flt to Phoenix is cancelled, and AC to YVR just left. More updates to follow...

As you can guess, I hightailed it back to the airport to wait with him. I surprised him just as he was walking away from the check-in counter, and heard the bad news and the good news.

The Bad: his flight had, indeed, been cancelled.

The Good: he was rebooked on the same flight home as me the next day!

To make the rest of the story short -- as I know this has dragged on for far too long -- we had an extra day and a half in Vegas, hanging out with Ladybug and Monkey Boy and their adorable puppy Aussie. It was awesome, everyone clicked fantastically well, I decided that I need a puppy like Aussie, and my guy and I simply bathed in the splendor of our bonus day in Vegas.

My guy and I returned home tired, happy, and even more in synch than before. The best trip to Vegas EVER!

The end.

The Return

I was with a fantastic company for 11-1/2 years, but left 3-1/2 years ago to pursue my dream of living in Sydney, Australia. My departure was bittersweet -- I was sad to leave my "home" of so many years, but stoked/excited/scared to follow a long-held dream. I didn't burn any bridges upon leaving, a fact that has served me well in this tale of everything coming full-circle.

My first day back at the company -- a company that shall remain nameless -- was today. And it was awesome! I'm in a totally different job than the myriad of positions I previously held, and I think I'm gonna like it. I feel like I can take ownership of my area, and my familiarity with the company has already served me well on Day #1.

To be honest, after seven months of sleep-ins and afternoon naps, I was quite worried that this old body would rebel after lunch and demand some head-on-desk time to cope with my new lack-of-Oprah reality. Happily, I was wrong, and I ploughed through the day with grace, aplomb, and complete alertness.

Plus, the fact that I was welcomed with hugs and kind words from plenty of friendly, familiar faces kept me flyin' high all day long! It's awfully nice to feel wanted : )

Respite

Rest assured, I'll finish off Vegas: part 5 shortly. But it's been a very busy weekend and Monday.

Saturday morning, I met my guy's sister and brother-in-law. Saturday afternoon, I met the rest of my guy's entire family. Saturday night, we had a party to celebrate my guy's 40th birthday. It was all wicked, and meeting the family went well. In fact, his family kinda reminds me of ours - not exactly the same, but I saw some similarities.

Sunday, I had brunch with my guy and his entire family. Then it was off to the ball field, where my team finally won a game! I played like one of the Bad News Bears, but we managed to squeak out a win by a mere run. Phew! The winless streak is over and we're well on our way to a winning streak -- hopefully!

Today, I start my new job. Yippee for me!

Stay tuned for Vegas: part 5, coming soon.

Vegas: part 4

Part 1 here

Part 2 here

Part 3 here

We took it easy Sunday morning, then made our way to the Caesar's Palace pool for a quick visit with our friends. After making plans with them to meet them "after they saw Celine that night" we trotted off to Treasure Island to see Mystere with Ladybug.

The show was absolutely fantastic -- a real tribute to the older-style circus shows that thrill and excite you from start to finish. I remember Tower Girl telling me that Mystere was her favourite show, and I think I may have to agree. Don't get me wrong, because I absolutely love "O" and La Nouba and my old show Quidam and certainly Love from the night before. But Mystere was bright, colourful, simple, and joyous. Check it out when you go to Vegas!!

Laydbug joined us for a bite to eat, then my guy and I headed to the car to do a quick change and clean up. For what? He didn't know, but I managed to spin some kind of tale about "having reservations somewhere...." He bought that reluctantly, although was a bit ticked that I, apparently, had another surprise up my sleeve after having said I was all done with them.

Walking through the Caesar's lobby, we walked right by the line-ups to get into the Colosseum for Celine, and about 20 metres from the hordes, I handed a ticket to my guy and told him he were joining the masses to see the chanteuse. While he was pretty much blown away, he somehow managed to come to his senses and join me in line. It took us quite a while to negotiate the line and make our way into the theatre -- there was more security than an airport -- but we eventually headed all the way up to the verrrrrry last row of the theatre. It was far from the stage, but we had a great view -- and my binoculars, which I had surreptitiously kept hidden from him so as to not give anything away.

The show was fantastic, and substantially different from the last time I saw it with Suzie in October 2003. We were spellbound for 90 minutes, and left the theatre with tingles going up and down our spine. We never ended up meeting our friends at the theatre, but looked forward to comparing stories when we had a chance.

We went to bed in our luxury room off the Strip, and made plans to take my guy to the airport early the next morning. I was going to stay until Tuesday afternoon while my guy jetted home Monday morning, but there was one more surprise in store for both of us!

Part 5 to come

Vegas: part 3

Part 1 here

Part 2 here

Our friends had tickets to see Celine on Sunday night and my guy, of course, didn't know that we did as well. So when he announced at the pool that he knew all about my surprises and that he was "so stoked about seeing the show tomorow," one of our friends quickly volunteered that they were going to the show as well.

Meanwhile, I was gripped with panic and trying my best to steer the conversation away from this topic with a few thinly-veiled attempts at distraction. In the end, we avoided disaster and my guy didn't find out that we would be seeing Celine the next night. Our friends got with the program and avoided discussion of the topic. And I started breathing again -- long enough to sneak out and pick up our tickets from the Caesar's Palace Box Office.

So are you following all of this? To recap, I had arranged tickets to see Love on Saturday night. My guy now knew this. I had also arranged tickets to see Mystere Sunday at 4:30PM. My guy also knew this. And I had purchased tickets to see Celine Sunday night -- which my guy definitely didn't know. OK, we're all on the same page here.

My guy and I lounged around the Caesar's pool a bit longer, then grabbed a bite to eat and toodled off to see Love at the Mirage. And I can tell you: the show did not disappoint!!! Having seen many updates during the creative process (via regular bulletins to all circus employees), I was worried that it was going to be a bit cheesy, and a bit too gimmicky with the entire concept built around the music of the Beatles. Boy, was I wrong!

We loved the show! It was original, but familiar for its circus elements. With seating in the round, it was a different experience than many of the other circus shows, and the entire 90 minutes was captivating. Not expecting a whole heckuva lot going in, I was very happily blown away!

To cap off Saturday night, we headed to the hottest new nightclub in town for their gay night. We met our friends there -- all of whom were by-now tight-lipped in order to avoid spilling the beans about Celine the next night -- and had a boogy and some cocktails.

We went to sleep tired and with big smiles on our faces - him expecting one show the next day, and me knowing that I'd surprise the heck out of him with a second show he would be extremely happy to see.

Part 4 here

Vegas: part 2

Part 1 here

Saturday dawned bright, beautiful, and hot. We wandered around the Village for a while, then made plans to meet Ladybug and Monkey Boy for a couple of drinks and some chow. Jumping onto our rental car, we headed to the Strip and checked out a couple of shopping options, then met these fun folks and laughed and visited and thoroughly enjoyed each others' company for a couple of hours.

The first of my surprises was let out of the bag when Ladybug accidentally let on that she and I and my guy were going to see Mystere the next day. No big deal, because I had planned on letting my guy in on one of the secrets that day anyway. I was happy that my awesome friend Ladybug let her new friend -- my guy -- know that we'd get to see an amazing show while Monkey Boy, unfortunately, worked.

So he was stoked about finding out about Mystere the next day. But I wasn't done with the day's surprises : )

My guy and I started to walk down the Strip to Caesar's Palace and I wondered how I was going to spring my next surprise. So I made a lame excuse ("Oh, look! The Mirage! I think that's the only hotel I haven't gone inside. Can we just take a quick look?"), marched into the Mirage, then made a bee-line to the Box Office. While my guy looked on and wondered what I was up to, I picked up the free tickets that Lucky had arranged for us to see Love!

So my guy was very surprised to find out we'd be going to a second show -- this one that very evening -- and we continued on our way to Caesar's. There we met our friends and enjoyed a couple of cocktails poolside while soaking up the sun. I told my guy a little white lie that all of my surprises were out in the open -- that I had arranged Mystere and Love and that those two shows were the big surprises for the weekend. So when we were chatting with the friends poolside, my guy mentioned that he know all about the surprises and that he was "so stoked about seeing the show tomorow."

And that's when one of our friends nearly let the really big cat out of the bag!

Part 3 here

Vegas: part 1

Well, the trip was simply stellar! Oh boy, where do I begin?!

In the cab on the way to the airport on Friday afternoon, I received an e-mail on my handy dandy Blackberry Pearl. Would I be available for a phone call on Tuesday morning to discuss some good news?! Uh, ya I am!!

Also in the cab, we exchanged cards to mark our three-month anniversary. It still seems crazy that we've been going out for only three months, because it seems so much longer. Things have gone so well this past little while that it just seems like we've been dating forever, which is a tribute to how well-matched we are.

But anyway, back to our story......

So before we even got to the airport, we had exchanged anniversary cards and I had learned that I had a new job. The weekend was definitely off to the most amazing start! And then it just kept getting better and better. We ran into two friends at the airport -- friends who I knew were on our flight, but who my guy didn't know were on our flight. Well, he didn't know until one of them accidentally let it slip in an e-mail a couple of days before. Still, it was great to be able to travel with them.

We had a good, uneventful flight. Got to Vegas around 10:15PM and my guy realized he had left his jacket and house keys at the Vancouver airport. But fear not! One of our friends is a Super Elite Aeroplan member, and has access to a concierge service for these types of high flyers. A quick call to the private concierge number with details, and the ball was rolling for the recovery of the jacket and keys. Phew!!

On to our fantastic accommodations. Organized by my guy, we were lucky enough to get three comp nights in a lakeview room. Sure, it was 17 miles off the strip and we needed a rental car. But it was worth it to be in a nice, luxurious, serene setting. We even had champagne chilling upon arrival -- the same guy who comped us our room took my request for champagne and went even one step further. Yup, he organized it free of charge!

Free accommodation, free chilled champagne, an exchange of cards for our three-month anniversary. Pretty good start to the weekend!!

Part 2 here

The interview

The interview went well. I spoke to three different people and didn't have any really hardball questions thrown at me. I didn't have to bullshit at all, and felt very genuine and honest with my interviewers.

I wrote thank you cards and brought them up to Reception to be distributed today. And it's a good thing, because they're gathering this afternoon to make a decision and change someone's life. Lord knows I love a quick decision-making process, and the fact that I could know as early as 4PM could be the perfect start to a fantastic weekend! Then again, it might not be until Tuesday. Either way, I feel confident and happy with my performance. And that's the important thing except that getting the job is the real goal here.

Now bring on Vegas, baby! Mama needs a new pair of red suede pumps! And with the Canadian dollar at a 30-year high (91+ cents USD!), now is the time to find 'em!

IDAHO

I have a funny shirt that I bought for a whopping $5 in Philadelphia. It has a map of the state of Idaho, with the caption:

Idaho? No, U da ho!

It's a funny shirt, but not representative of the IDAHO of which I've recently become aware.

IDAHO is International Day Against Homophobia, and has been celebrated every May 17th since 2003. I only became aware of it today, so I'm (somewhat belatedly) doing my part to raise awareness and try to eradicate homophobia.

• Remember how you complained to your spouse about declining property values when that dyke couple moved in next door?
• How about the snide comment you made to your cubicle-mate when you found out the guy who works in Accounting is a fag?
• What were you really thinking when your niece came out as a lesbian?
• Did you think we couldn't see your disgust as you sneered at the Pride Parade on the 6:00 news, with all those drag queens in full over-the-top regalia?
• Have you ever considered why the simple comment "That's so gay" refers to something stupid or undesirable? And how about the feeling of degradation at being associated with something stupid or undesirable for someone who actually is gay?

If none of these reflect who you are, then bravo! On the other hand, if some of these ring true.....if they hit a little too close to home.....if you didn't realize they were hurtful.....then you may have some work to do.

Nobody's perfect -- and I'm far from it, that's for absolute certain!! In fact, the gay community can be just as bitchy and backstabbing as anyone else towards their own. But, for all of us, being aware of our behaviour might be one way to recognize that we can change it.

I love people for who they are. But sometimes, I don't like what they say. Sometimes I don't feel comfortable with what they do. And sometimes I'm made to feel less of a person because of it.

Please take a few minutes to think. IDAHO is today, and today can be the first day during which we can all start to form new, and less hurtful, habits.

Thank you for your time.

Full report to come!

We lost our soccer game 2-1 tonight. I had a couple of good scoring chances, but didn't get the ball between the uprights.

Our record now stands at two wins and two losses, but both losses have been very competitive games, so we're still in this competition, folks!! With a bye next week, I have some time to (hopefully) heal a strained right groin that's been giving me mucho trouble. Hmmmm, my slo-pitch team doesn't play this Sunday either, meaning that I have a 10 day stretch with neither a soccer nor slo-pitch game. If that doesn't give that little fella a chance to heal, I'm not sure what will!!

Y'all know I'm takin' my guy to Vegas this weekend, right?! Uh, no, it's not to get married, you crazy freaks! Just to have plenty of fun with a whole bunch of surprises that he doesn't know about yet : )

You'll get a full report of the festivities upon my return!!

Early and beautiful

The other day, I woke up far too early for someone who's not working. On that beautiful morning, I looked out my window and saw a procession of cruise ships (well, two cruise ships) heading to the cruise ship terminal downtown. Here's the first one lumbering majestically around Stanley Park and towards its destination:

We're having beautiful weather here on the Best Coast -- er, the West Coast. It's supposed to turn kinda ugly for the upcoming long weekend, but that doesn't matter at all.

Why, you ask??

Have I mentioned that I'm heading to Vegas?? Ya, baby!!

My follow-up date with Jann

As expected, Jann was fantastic again last night. Her voice was as clear as a bell, while her humour had all of us rolling in the aisles. The gal has wit that absolutely slays!

And instead of gushing even more about how great she was, both Friday night and last night, I'll simply attach this video of Good Mother, the song with which she always ends her performances. This is the original video for the song, and I remember watching it for the very first time way back in 1995. And crying. It's that beautiful of a video and song.

Enjoy. She's brilliant.

Good Mother. From the CD Living Under June, released 1995.

Slo-pitch: game #3

OK, despite the fact that we're now winless in three slo-pitch games, there was controversy. We knew we could win, so were a bit disappointed to see that they had recruited a ringer to play with them. It definitely changed the complexion of the game, and we lost a close one.

Personally, my defensive play has never been better. I snagged some tough line drives and was rock solid at 1st base. My hitting, on the other hand, wasn't up to snuff. I went 1-for-3 at bat, and need to hit the batting cage at some point to get some practice time in.

Still, it was a close game and I'm happy with the solid fielding I did today. And that, my friends, is what you call progress!!

Two dates in four days

Last night, I was privileged enough to attend a fantastic and very private intimate performance by one of my favourite artists in the whole entire world, the talented Jann Arden.

I went as a guest of my guy, who was invited by a friend of his, a gentleman well-known for throwing fabulous parties in celebration of his birthday. The only problem was that when he originally hosted the party -- back in March -- Jann had to cancel at the last minute on account of a very unexpected illness that required hospitalization and provided a bit of concern for all her fans.

Jann was eventually able to reschedule with our party host and, in the midst of her relentless tour schedule, sacrificed the sole day off that she and her crew would have enjoyed during the stretch from May 6th to 15th. All of this in order to live up to her responsibility and perform for our host, and us. In fact, Jann revealed to us last night that March's gig was the only time she's ever cancelled a performance in 30 years as an artist. Truly a professional!

And last night? Well, she was amazing, as always. After my guy was lucky enough to be one of seven friends invited backstage to a meet-n-greet with Jann, he and I situated ourselves front and centre (naturally, as we're both huge fans!!) for her performance. Let me assure you that we were pinching ourselves at our good fortune -- standing a mere seven or eight feet from our heroine. And I tell ya: her much-publicized weight loss has left her looking svelte and trim, healthy and even more beautiful than ever! I mean, we all loved her before, just because she made no apologies for who she is/was. And now, she's healthier and looking absolutely fantastic!

She sang a substantial set of about a dozen songs, but the real gem was, as always, her between-songs banter. Anyone who has ever had the privilege of being entertained by Jann knows that she's equal parts songwriter, singer, and stand-up comedian. Love. Her. Sense. Of. Humour. Absolutely hilarious!

OK, I'm gushing now, aren't I? Well, that's the kind of evening it was -- a mere 100 people or so in attendance, a small and intimate venue, plenty of booze and appetizers, and entertainment by the best in the biz. I'm still all giddy like a schoolgirl just thinking of it!!

Oh, and did I mention that we're also seeing her in concert on Monday night as well? I had purchased those tickets long before I was ever invited to last night's intimate and interactive performance and, instead of feeling like Monday may be a let-down after such a fantastic performance last night, I look forward to my second date with Jann in four days. I'm all aquiver with excitement!!

Soccer: game #3

We played our third soccer game on Wednesday evening. After winning our first two games of the season, we faced the fearsome Orange team. Tough, fast, and young, these guys really surprised us by totally dominating the play in the first few minutes of the game. We were back on our heels initially, but then managed to recover somewhat to craft some good scoring chances before halftime -- including a couple of good rushes compliments of yours truly.

The game was tied 1-1 at halftime, and the second half was even tighter. They scored 2 more goals to go ahead 3-1, but the play was actually slicker, faster, and more frenzied. We had a few more good scoring chances and then it finally happened -- I scored my first goal of the season!!

So we had drawn closer to trail by only one goal, 3-2. The last few minutes featured a couple more frantic scoring chances, but they weren't converted and we lost. Still, our team played well, we keep improving, and -- oh ya, did I mention?? -- I finally scored my first goal of the season. At least there's that!

Top of the Rankings

Sure, there are some rankings we're proud of. For instance, Vancouver has often finished in the top 3 in studies that determine the best cities in the world in which to live.

According to Mercer Consulting, Vancouver is the #3 city in the world for quality of life in both 2006 and 2007, both times behind the dynamic Swiss duo of Geneva and Zurich. I haven't been to Geneva, but totally loved Zurich, by the way. Just for a point of reference....

Alterntively, if you prefer to believe the Economist Intelligence Unit, Vancouver is at the top of the list -- ahead of Geneva, Vienna in Austria, and beautiful Melbourne, Australia. Ahhh, Melbourne. Love it love it love it! And Lucky is there right now! Just. A. Bit. Jealous.

I keep saying this is the best place in the world to live, and these rankings support that belief. But add another top ranking to the list and some of the luster comes off our perennial gold rankings statuette.

On tonight's newshour, I was not all that surprised to hear that Vancouver has the highest gas prices in North America. Ugh. Hovering around $1.27 per litre, it's ugly -- ain't probably ain't gettin' better anytime soon. Apparently, we're getting gouged -- not shit, Sherlock!! -- and the actual price of gas that the petroleum companies should be charging us is right around $1.00 per litre. Sure it's still high (sigh, I remember the Summer of 2003, when I nearly gagged at the thought of going above 80 cents per litre!), but is a bit more palatable.

Oh, I suppose it could be worse. I don't drive my car much, for which I am thankful. So hearing a reporter on the newshour saying the following made me dirty my diaper thank my lucky stars:

"Let's look at a typical scenario here. If you spend $100 a week in gas -- and I know that doesn't sound like much; you probably spend considerably more -- you'd save $22 a week if gas prices were where they should be -- around $1.00 a litre -- instead of up at $1.27."

Oh my dog! $100 a week in gas, or more?!?! Since moving home last October, I've spent, on average, $50 per month in gas. That includes a few trips to Whistler and the odd trip to Burnaby to visit my Aunt, a few airport trips, the occasional trip to volleyball, and not much else. And here I was the other day cursing the fact that it cost me $61 to fill my tank. At least I won't have to fill up for another month or so!

Thank goodness I ain't no daily commuter. But, personal desires aside, I sure wish Vancouver wasn't at the top of the rankings list when it comes to the highest gas prices in North America. For once, we're happy to be way down the list!

Rosier

But today I don't.

I love my life, and things look even rosier after this meeting.

Fingers crossed!

Tomorrow

Tomorrow, I'm meeting someone for coffee to discuss a job that, apparently, I'd be perfect for. My little angel Ms. Header is the one who first brought this to my attention just a few short days ago, and the excitement has now spread to the point where the person who currently occupies the job is convinced that I'm the one to replace her.

And she even said to me on the phone, "I'd be happy to have coffee and convince you that you're perfect for the job!"

Well, shiver me timbers. I'm interested in hearing more!!

Hips don't lie

0-2. That's our record so far in slo-pitch league play. *

Last night we lost another close one, this time to our sister team. We played a bit of a sloppy game, didn't get the bats as crackin' as we needed, and just didn't put it together. I had three fielding errors, went 2-for-3 at bat, scored a run, and had a spectacular double play put-away. I caught a flyball, and then tagged out the baserunner who had led off 1st base and couldn't get back in time. My first-ever double play!!

I'm pissed off about my fielding errors, but that's a simple lack of experience working against me. I need to remember that I had some other great catches to get runners out at 1st, and that (as my coach says) I'm still on the learning curve. But I also really need to work on my batting. It's atrocious! I mean, I got on base twice, but each time with these dribbly little hits that are more akin to a Tykes T-ball game. I'm a big fella, so how come my hitting ain't up to snuff? Aside from the fact that I haven't been at-bat any more than a combined total of 9 times between our one practice game and two league games, I think it's cuz I need to get my hips turning into my swinging motion.

After all, hips don't lie! But mine ain't saying anything at all : (

* My soccer team won on Wednesday by a score of 4-2, so we're 2-0 for the season. I suppose that, combining my slo-pitch team's record and my soccer team's record, it all evens out at 2 wins and 2 losses. I suppose I can live with that : )

Oh ya, just don't ask me about the Canucks game last night. This season is officially over!

The slide

In the post about my first slo-pitch league game, I mentioned that I had two slides and sustained nasty scrapes on my elbow and shin. Well, here's the photographic evidence to prove it, courtesy of Muffin's camera.

First, Muffin somehow managed to capture this gem highlighting my lightning-fast baserunning. I'm not sure how she could even capture me at all, given my blazing speed, but she's a master photographer!

I think this pic was actually taken just before I made my first-ever slide. I mean, I'd never even tried sliding before in practice, but somehow was cocky enough to give it a try it in a game. Slightly risky : ) But in actuality, I don't think it was even a conscious thought process and, instead, I just knew I had to slide. Truth be told, I had to slide in this case because I made a fatal error in hesitating before leaving 1st base. I realized I had to slide to actually have any chance of being called safe at 2nd. But alas, I was called out and my slide was for nought -- but it prepared me for my next attempt at glory.....

At our first practice, my captain had warned us that he never slides unless the game depends on it and/or it's the playoffs. Still, I guess my first attempt at sliding had shown my captain (my good friend Sindee, by the way) that I had some idea of what I was doing -- although how, I'm not exactly sure. Anyway, a couple of innings after my first slide, I was again on base (did I mention I went 3-for-3 at bat?!) and then eventually hightailing it towards 3rd. Sindee was in the coaching position just beside 3rd base yelling at me to.....

"Get low!!!
Get lowwwww!!!
Sl-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-de!!!!!"

I slid, I evaded the tag, I was called safe, and I drew blood. Wicked!! And the results:

Now you'll have to trust me: it looks waaaaaay worse in real life than in that picture. Seriously! The scrape on my elbow is ugly and scabbed up and realllly delightful to look at -- not. Still, I wear my injuries as a badge of honour! And the scabbiness is terribly butch important to the healing process.

While we lost that game 15-13, the weather was perfect and it was a great first game of the season. We've got our second game tonight, weather permitting -- which isn't a given at this point. It's against our sister team -- the same team we played in our practice game last week. We didn't really worry too much about the score that time, but I think it'll be top of mind tonight.

Go Blue team!!

Gloom

OK, things are looking a bit gloomy after last night's Canucks game. After blowing a 2-0 lead, and being a hair away from tying the series at two games apiece, our heroes lost in overtime. It ain't lookin' so good, trailing three games to one now. Still, those pesky cowboys trailed the first-round series 3-1 and managed to come back to force Game 7.

Fingers crossed that we take the next three and eke out the series!!

And now, despite the gloom surrounding the Canucks, and the gloom that hangs over our fair city today, I thought it would be appropriate to brighten things up with some pics of the gorgeous sunset I witnessed from my balcony the other night.

Read 'em and weep, kids! While I live in a freakin' expensive city (at $1.25/litre, it cost me a jaw-dropping $61 to fill my gas tank yesterday!!!!), if I get to see sunsets like this every night once in a while -- can you blame me?!

Of course, these pictures don't even do it justice. You'll just have to imagine that it looked a thousand times better!

Everyone deserves a Cookie!

I wish I could give everyone a bit of Cookie today. It's her birthday, you see. And she's 25 27 29 30 years old!

Nevahmind the fact that she's happy to be out of her 20's, it simply reminds me that I am a mere 10 years older than her -- instead of having the entire decade of the 30's in between us.

Happy Birthday, Cookie! Miss ya lots and love ya even more!

Happy Birthday Cookie!

Happy Birthday Cookie!

Happy Birthday Cookie!

Happy Birthday Cookie!

Happy Birthday Cookie!

Happy Birthday Cookie!

Happy Birthday Cookie!