Thursday, December 26, 2002

Merry Christmas to All!!

Why is it that every time I return home from somewhere I have to get a big fat "FUCK YOU" the minute I get home? Without naming names, I am going to tell a little story, and you all can comment on who was right and who was wrong in my little comment box. Perhaps I was wrong.. but we shall see. Once that is completed, I will recap my wonderful Christmas Story for you all, as to not leave a bad taste in your mouth.

A few days before I left for my Christmas in Whistler, a friend called me up asking what was going on. Of course, I wanted to see the said friend, and said "Sure, come on over!" A few hours after the said friend arrived at my house (knowing full well that I was to leave for Whistler in but a few days) they looked at me and asked if I had a losange. I asked why, and they said "oh, I have the flu!" in a nice chipper voice. Of course, I replied with "your fucking kidding me right? I have to leave for Whistler in a few days!" Oh no, they weren't kidding and as the night progressed, so did their illness, as they lay next to me in my bed. Of cousre, I dropped all the vitamen C a girl can drop, and a multivitamen to top it off, making sure I got all the precautions. Due to the fact that said friend snores, and Kat moans in her sleep.. and I couldn't get visions of sickness out of my head, I moved from my bed to the couch downstairs, where I had a horrible nights sleep.

Fast forward with me now, to the day I am to leave. Bear in mind that when the said friend told me she was sick I was livid. I was not kidding when I said "what the fuck are you doing here" and I was not kidding when I said "thanks" in my fuck you bitch sorta tone. I thought it to be completely disrespectful to me to come infect me with their illness. It is now the day I am to leave and I am sick. I have a head cold, sore throat and my nose is stuffy. I am miserable. I fire off an email to said friend, politely asking them not to do that again as I felt it was disrespectful and inconsiderate of them, not only to me, but to my family (my grandmother lives in our basement and has Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.. she has a very weak immune system and what we can get rid of in a few days, takes her weeks). I asked them not to do that again, and to please let me know if they are under-the-weather so that I can make the choice of whether or not it would be a good idea... and educated decision.

Said friend then replies with nasty name calling, saying my asking this of her is cruel, that I am nothing and that they are ashamed to be my friend. Following up with not only a FUCK YOU but a bitch. I would post the email I sent, but I think it would be going to far.. In fact, I would post all the emails but I don't think I will do that, out of respect for the person.

The people I have showed all emails to thought that said friend was reacting immaturely, as well as being quite nasty. Said friend has a history of being nasty at certain times, only this time, I can not see us remaining friends. This time, it is really over. Let me reiterate a few points. 1.) I did not name call, rather expressed my feelings in a clear and consise manner, email me if you would like a copy of the sent email. 2.) They had full knowledge of my plans, and must have had knowledge of their illness due to the blatant "I have the flu HE HE!" comment made while standing at the end of my futon 3.) I actually thought I had been hard on them at one point, even appologized for it being perhaps a little harsh, only to look back on the email realizing I was most respectful and was only asking for courtesy from said friend.

Of course this is what I came home to after the most wonderful Christmas a girl could ask for!

We arrived at Whistler at 5:30 on Christmas Eve and were checking into our room for 6:00. Our room was a loft at Crystal Lodge which had a little kitchen, 1.5 bathrooms, a fireplace, a hide-a-bed, and two twin beds in the loft. Chad and I were to share the two twins (with a bathroom off of it.. no tub) and Mom and Dad were going to take the hide-a-bed. The view from the room was awesome (we were on the top floor) and you could look down at all the people walking in the village, hear all sorts of accents and languages, and just take in Whistler. It was truly beautiful. Of couse, we were trapped in this little room all together, which was surprisingly fun, we had 1 chair, 4 stools, and the hide-a-bed. FOr the most part, there were three people on the hide-a-bed and 1 in the chair. The family decided to go out to eat, and we locked Izzy in the bathroom so she wouldn't do any territorial markings. She had diareha (sp?) earlier on and we didn't want to worry about that either. We went to Loghorns in the village, where we all had some good pub food and 2 pitchers of beer and the shittiest service EVER! I still wasn't feeling very well, but managed to bury all my discomfort, determined not to let it ruin my day. We walked around the village as it snowed heavily, laying down the largest flakes I have ever seen, at least 1 inch in length! After dinner, we returned to our loft, where we settled down to more beer, a nice fire, and "It's a Wonderful Life? and a nice present left in the bathroom by Izzy... more diareha.
Chad and I went for another walk with Izzy after this, before returning home to bed.

Early Christmas morning my Mom woke up and started cooking us bacon and eggs. We woke up to fresh coffee, with Carolyns as creamer, bacon, eggs and toast - and by 9:00 we had our lift tickets. Dad came with me to get my rentals, and by 9:30 I had my front boot strapped in, as Chad and I took Fitzsimmons up Whistler for the first snow of the season.

Let me say this clearly.

NEVER, in my LIFE have I EVER been in SOO MUCH POWDER!

In most spots on the mountain there were 2 full feet of powder to board through, I was actually up to my chest in some spots. This amount of powder made it more of a workout, but just as fun, in fact, when one bails in the powder, it is actually a very fun experience. Of course, I wanted to kill the odd skier and even snowboarder who failed to mention which side they were going to pass me on.. nevertheless it was a nice day had by all. Chad and I had lunch with Mom and Dad at Tex’s (in the lobby of our hotel) which was good, but not great. Over priced for what you got, but nevertheless, we enjoyed our lunch. We managed to get up Blackcomb for the last load up, boarded down and took the Gondola home. We had some time between the end of the snowboarding day (3:00) and our reservations for dinner, so I decided to hit the Jacuzzi (omg, after a day of boarding, first time in a year, there is NOTHING like a fucking jacuzzi). Met some really some neat people from all over the world in the jacuzzi, and then returned back to the loft to get ready for dinner.

We had Christmas dinner at Carumba’s (a little restaurant in the village) which had very good food and drinks - probably the best cesear I have had next to Daddy’s. I also had White Sangria, which was very very tasty. The best calamari I’ve ever had was also served. We all enjoyed our dinner and Chad even got cheesecake for desert.. Mom, Dad and I opting to have a ?special coffee? Overall, Christmas dinner was fun, with fabulous service, tasty food, and a great atmostphere. We truly enjoyed eachother, and the environment.

Once home, we had fires, movies, and sleep... only to wake at 8 am for our final day in Whistler.

By far, the BEST conditions I have EVER had the pleasure of boarding in. The snow was powdery but packed, the runs were clear and soft.. the sun shinning at times, and no foggy goggles. The people were relatively courteous (Chad only had to push over one guy) and we stuck together all day, unlike yesterday. Chad and I really enjoyed this, as we had never really done anything like this together. He was awesome all day... the highlight being when I bailed and he was behind me. Of course, he had to avoid killing me, so he bombed into the snowbank, looking up at me with a snowcovered face screaming ?This is all your fault FUCKER!? of couse, this lead me to tears of laughter and we continued down the mountain. We had lunch, and then went back up the mountain for by far the best run of the day. Overall, the best day of snowboarding I have ever had.

After getting kicked out of the hotel room, Mom and Dad waiting in the lobby for us, until we returned home at 1:00 or so. We did a little boxing day shopping and I picked up a nice pair of jeans from the levis store at a great price. The drive home was relatively uneventful but totally enjoyable.

It was the best Christmas ever, snowboarding, a little room with the 4 of us packed in like sardines, and alot of good laughs and good conversation. I will never, ever forget it.

I hope all your Christmas’ were as wonderful, may you all have a safe and prosperous new year...

For now.. my sore, aching muscles... need to relax.

Thursday, December 19, 2002

Some People Fly... Some People Sit In Dentist Chairs for 2 Hours

Both D and Jen were on planes in the sky, around the same time today. D went back to NY for the Christmas period, Jen to Florida, where she will board a Princess cruise ship, only to spend Christmas in Barbados (Some people really suck). I on the other hand, spend the better part of today in the dentist chair getting drilled on. You never really understand how important your teeth are, until you have teeth like mine.. soft, and prone to cavaties.

I am now in a fair amount of pain but wanted to take the time to say a few things that have been on my mind lately. It all begins with the power of the person. Each of you out there (myself included) have the power to make or break the spirits of the people around you. Everything you say, and do, directly affects other people. No man is an island, we all are connected (some believe by six degrees) in one way or another. Christmas is the time for giving and for love. Remember that without Christ, there is no Christmas. Each of us has the ability to show someone that this world can be kind, and warm hearted. Smile, Laugh, Feel and above all, Love.

I am not preaching, I just have observed some pretty cold-hearted behaviour lately, and felt the need to remind people what Christmas is.

Keep your family close, and Merry Christmas to all :)

Some People Fly... Some People Sit In Dentist Chairs for 2 Hours

Both D and Jen were on planes in the sky, around the same time today. D went back to NY for the Christmas period, Jen to Florida, where she will board a Princess cruise ship, only to spend Christmas in Barbados (Some people really suck). I on the other hand, spend the better part of today in the dentist chair getting drilled on. You never really understand how important your teeth are, until you have teeth like mine.. soft, and prone to cavaties.

I am now in a fair amount of pain but wanted to take the time to say a few things that have been on my mind lately. It all begins with the power of the person. Each of you out there (myself included) have the power to make or break the spirits of the people around you. Everything you say, and do, directly affects other people. No man is an island, we all are connected (some believe by six degrees) in one way or another. Christmas is the time for giving and for love. Remember that without Christ, there is no Christmas. Each of us has the ability to show someone that this world can be kind, and warm hearted. Smile, Laugh, Feel and above all, Love.

I am not preaching, I just have observed some pretty cold-hearted behaviour lately, and felt the need to remind people what Christmas is.

Keep your family close, and Merry Christmas to all :)

Wednesday, December 18, 2002

The Final Final - And Other Miscellaneous Thoughts For The Day

Well, here goes... the math final. I am scared, and yet, not scared. I figure I should know this stuff and not make the same mistakes twice. Once this test is done, I am done for the semester and can go along my merry way as I once did.

The fish are doing well, although Rufus is still quarentined with his Melafix. Fish are stressful and addictive all at once. i find them to be peaceful and the sound of the water trickling from the filter is ever so nice to sleep to... for me. D on the other hand has issues with it, and I end up covering the top of the tank with a thick towel as a muffler. If anyone out there has fish, and is reading this... you should check out Petfish its a great place for info and to talk to other people who have the same hobby. The message board is great for quick answers to all your little questions and the people who hang out there are knowledgable and helpful.

I am soo excited about Whistler. And as I sit and wait, I realize it will be 6 days til I'm hitting the slopes. I did Blackcomb all last year, but this year, Whistler has my name on it. Side by side mountains with different terains is a beautiful thing.

Anyway, I am off to my final... I will update you if I actually get my C in this class (dear God, please, let it be... I worked my butt off on this class, other classes suffered due to this..)

Hope all is well in your world, and Merry Christmas - or whatever it is that you celebrate!

-Tara

Tuesday, December 17, 2002

Delightful

Well, yesterday was my birthday and tomorrow is my final exam in math, of which I should be studying for right now but something is holding me back.. oh yeah, right, its called "lack of motivation" and "procrastination" and perhaps even a little of that even "D" word...

Anyway, sorry its been so fuckin long. Sorry I just said fuckin without any good reason. I have been having serious fish issues lately. Poor Rufus got his ass kicked by the evil gourami (which, btw, got taken back today and replaced with 3 fancy guppies). On top of that, my crayfish/lobster is getting too big for his britches and the ghost cats, aka, The Clairs, have taken over his rock. Nevertheless, here I am, writing to you all about it.

I may not be back for a while - I have spent the last 12 days or so with Darren and have to prepare for Whistler - oh yeah, I'm going to Whistler for Christmas.. Jen's going to Barbados.. so HAHA to all you suckers stuck in family dinners that remind you of world war III.

Tuesday, December 03, 2002

It's Been A While...

End of semester always gets the best of me and my ability to write. I have also been spending alot of time getting the new aquarium set up (presently, Fusco the Electric Blue Lobster, Rufus the Red Betta, N*Sync the 5 Tetras, and Clair the Ghost Catfish are doing quite well) and learning how and when they like to be fed. I find it amusing how Rufus insists on playing with Clair (if he can find her) and if that doesn't work, he must bother Fusco. Tank politics, believe it or not, are far more interesting than most television shows.

I will try to write something when I am in Seattle this week. I need to see D. for a while, and since I have the time off, I am looking forward to it. Spending any amount of time with him would be great.

For now, I must study my Psychology. I will not have much time to do so tomorrow as I have a dentist appointment. I hope all is well in your world.

It's Been A While...

End of semester always gets the best of me and my ability to write. I have also been spending alot of time getting the new aquarium set up (presently, Fusco the Electric Blue Lobster, Rufus the Red Betta, N*Sync the 5 Tetras, and Clair the Ghost Catfish are doing quite well) and learning how and when they like to be fed. I find it amusing how Rufus insists on playing with Clair (if he can find her) and if that doesn't work, he must bother Fusco. Tank politics, believe it or not, are far more interesting than most television shows.

I will try to write something when I am in Seattle this week. I need to see D. for a while, and since I have the time off, I am looking forward to it. Spending any amount of time with him would be great.

For now, I must study my Psychology. I will not have much time to do so tomorrow as I have a dentist appointment. I hope all is well in your world.