Well, happy Thursday everybody! Not to rub it in, but the new shift rocks for me. I only have to work 2 days and then I have 2 off, then I work one and have 2 off (well the last part is for the month of July). But even after that, I still only have to work 2 days in a row before I get a day off. So that means more time to work on my site and post to my blog. (and do housework and laundry and errands...)

I haven't been swimming yet but went and had a look at the pool today. They just did repairs and repainted the inside so it looks really good. I think maybe that will be my summer exercise plan. With no one in it, it looked like it would be good for swimming a few laps. I'm not sure how it will work if there's a lot of kids in it... I haven't seen many in it since it opened, so here's hoping...

Well, Tim had a party last weekend and didn't invite me. That's okay, I can take exclusion and rejection. lol I stand corrected, he did, but not until I complained that I didn't get invited. I was told that it seems that I was going to be invited, but wasn't because "I would have just found a polite way to say no thank you". Probably true, but the invite would still have been nice. No hard feelings though. I had to work anyway. Bye the way, my wildlife sitings have gone up one. I saw a raccoon poke his head out between two garbage bags on my way home that night. I think he was worried that I was going to kick him out of the garbage, but after much reassurance that I was only passing through on my way home, he seemed relieved and continued his search for whatever raccoons search for in the garbage.

Went to Harris Park on Saturday night with Marco to see Spirit of the West. and yes, they did "Home for a Rest". It was really nice sitting on the grass at an outdoor concert. There were a lot of people there and a lot of people up dancing. Spirit of the West is from BC, but in listening to their music and the celtic influence, you would think they're from the east coast. A lot of the stuff sounds almost like jigs and it reminded me of my father and the way he used to like to polka. I know that polka and jigs are not the same thing, but if you listen to the music, you can imagine how you could polka to it. You would have to be dancing with someone like my dad though who liked to polka fast. My mom hated dancing with him, but I loved it. It's exhilarating when you are moving so quickly, and you are being led by someone who knows how to dance. There is nothing better than dancing with someone who can lead properly. My dad used to be able to steer me all over the dance floor just by exerting very little pressure with his hand on my back. It's hard to explain, but if you have ever danced with someone and totally let them lead, you understand.

I guess it's a time for memories of people. I was reading Kristine's blog about cottages and lakes and times past and also Liz's camping adventures. It reminded me of when I used to camp with my parents up at Lion's Head near Tobermory. I was only about 14 or 15 but they were some of the best times ever. I loved the water and the beauty of the night sky with all the stars and my dad. My wonderful father who had so many faults, but so many more good qualities. He loved the outdoors, I don't know whether it was because he was on the DEW line and got used to the serenity or if it was just in his blood. If it was in the blood, then I know one of the things that I inherited from him. I remember we would be sitting around a campfire at night (after I returned, or before I went to a party at the beach) and he would hear a plane go over. He used to tell my mother what kind of plane it was and where it was probably heading. My mother would say "oh?" and be suitably impressed. I, on the other hand would tease him and say "how do you know that? You can't even see it." to which he would then, for the millionth time, tell me how he was trained to be able to tell these things in the air force. It would then launch into an hour long story and I would either go to the party, or go to bed. Either way, my mother could probably recite the story by heart. lol. Maybe he was right, who am I to say? But he was my dad and I loved him with all my heart. Funny how so many summer things remind me of him. I still like to camp, but it just never seems the same. Probably because I'm the one who has to do all the work now! I think a cottage would be a great idea. Sleeping on the ground just doesn't have the appeal that it used to.

Tonight I am going to play Texas Hold'em with Mr. J Cassidy and friends. (who thinks I'm an easy mark and don't know how to play poker I might add) Look out boys, you are in for a little surprise. I was taught by seasoned pros. I may not win all the time - no one really does, no matter what they tell you- but I'm no amateur. I can certainly hold my own against the likes of you.

So now, I need to go do some much needed housework, and Squishy the fishy needs his tank cleaned. It's starting to look like the aquarium in Finding Nemo.

Before I go, quiz for the week: http://piratemonkeysinc.com/quiz.htm
(I'm Albus Dumbledore)
I'll post tomorrow and tell you how I fared in poker but for now, I really should be doing something more productive.....