Thru my View

SO! I've been saying I'd be putting new pics on for like what... the last year?!?!  Uhm...ya.. so, I finally got my arse in gear... pics are added....  none really of "the house"... but, well, use your imagination... see the house in the background... ahhaahahah

 

Other news....   I suppose I'm turning heads @ work again...  they've decided to pack me up & ship me off to Yellowknife for two weeks in January...  I'll be teaching the newest group of Business Reps... so that should be fun...  I might get a free "quickie trip" to see my mum & dad out of it too...  I'll likely have to fly via Vancouver.. which technically, doesn't make sense... FLY ALL THE WAY DOWN SOUTH... SWITCH PLANES, FLY ALL THE WAY BACK UP NORTH... DUH??? hahah.

 

Anyhooooo...  gotta get up @ 5AM to hit the gym...so it's bed-time for moi.

 

Luv Bran

http://www.myspace.com/flourpackinbran

Who'd have thought the Yukon would be cold???  Haha.. ya..

 

Well, we've been hit with some rather nasty weather, a bit earlier than normal..  Last week we shivered at -20... and over the weekend,

we downright froze @ -40...  by Sunday, we hunkered inside the safety of the warm house as outside, it was -51 with the windchill.

No thanks! I'll stay in....

 

I guess my car was likely feeling the same way, as she decided not to start Sunday afternoon... frozen stiff she was.  Monday morning, I thought ahead & called a cab 1 & 1/2 hrs earlier than when we had to work...  they still showed up late!!!!  Go figure: I wonder: how many people had to order cabs that morning!?!?!?

 

Monday evening, we attempted to jump start her and let her charge up for 45 mins with the help of our lovely neighbor.. but she still didn't want to do anything..  she was frozen solid...    I called to Klondyke Motors (GM) and they were able to schedule me in, but not until December 5th!!! So, I'm stuck without a car for a week!?!?!?!? I don't think so...

 

Thankgoodness, I found someone else (a husband of a woman I work with) who was willing to have everything towed to his shop tomorrow AM & work on the car...  I've been told he has better prices, and does amazing work.. so yay! I'm a happy camper....other than the weather of course... and well, having to pay for my car once she's fixed.. but theres honestly worst things in this world which could be happening, so I'll spend this time to count my blessings, rather than curse my car. :)

 

Christmas is right around the corner...  THAT's scary... hahaha..  I found out recently that I'm addicted to EBAY.... that's ALSO scary.... but fun nonetheless...   But, we bought the house this year, and well, we're poor now.. so Xmas is going to be a wee bit--nonexistent shall I say??? ....other than for family..  So, everyone else out there, I love you.. but no presents, sorry.

 

Well... back to work. hahahahahahaha

Hopefully, I'll get some pics of the new place on here sometime soon.... have some pics from when the parents were up... and when Max's friend Jordan was up... and during his visit, pics of halloween.. hahaahaha, stupid halloween.... oh dear.. so, maybe I'll play this weekend & get those added finally..  would be nice, I've been promising pics of the house for the last year!!!

 

Well, toodles, stay warm.

<3 Bran

SO: If you've been reading the previous blogs.... you'll note we had a pretty shitty weekend, well folks, IT NEVER FUCKING ENDS!!!!!

 

The car window being smashed, iPods & CD's stolen..... Bongo's vet visit turned surgery....  and then: Saturday evening, while walking the dog, Max goes and shatters his ankle!!!!!!!!!

 

I really hope that bad luck comes in three's like the good luck is supposed to...  cuz man, I just can't take it anymore!!!!  If this continues, I'll be checking myself into a comfy rubber room!!!!!! 

 

.... and back to work....

 

<3 Bran

So: Thursday begins with the sounds of my alarm clock blaring to say, "HEY! GET UP NOW!!!"  So, I reluctantly roll my arse out of bed, splash some water on my face to wake up.. and go downstairs to get ready for my morning jaunt with Bongo...  The two of us go on an adventure, trying to peer our way thru the greenbelt @ 7am... at this time of year, btw, it's still pitch black out..  but we manage.. and we make it to our paved path on Hamilton Blvd, and begin the long walk up and around Falcon Drive.  This is the walk the two of us enjoy on a daily basis.  My morning hour of zen, spent with my puppy.  Well, this morning in particular, we left out the front entrance to avoid the many constuction workers who are busy building the duplexes accross the way..  Our return home landed us coming up the back route, between the unfinished houses, and to our car park area... well, low and behold, the ground infront of us was sparkly and magical looking.. I halted Bongo on his leash as I came to realize, NO.  This isn't a magical fairy land, with the ground covered in sparkly dust...  The sparkling is a result of my rear passenger car window being smashed to pieces!!!  I stood there in shock for, hmm.. I'd say it felt like an hour, but was likely more around the one minute mark...  my jaw on the ground, no doubt.  My fucking car was broken into!!! MY FUCKING CAR WAS BROKEN INTO, RIGHT INFRONT OF MY FUCKING HOUSE!!!!!!  WTF?!?!?!

SO: I pick up the pooch, and make my way to the house... fearing he'd step on some sharp shards if I didn't.. I made it inside, jaw dragging too..  I called for Max.  He came around the corner, and once he saw my expression, his own turned confused.  I said, "Uhm... our car was broken into..."  At first, I swear, he thought I was shitting him.  With a smile, he said, "What?"  I took a breath, and repeated, "Our car was broken into..."  His smile soon faded to a look of pure annoyance.  The time was now 7:50 AM, we made our way outside.  There was glass everywhere; ten feet around the car, the ground was littered with shards of glass, glass which used to protect one from wind, and go up and down at the convenient touch of a button.  It was no longer a convenience.  Upon peering into the backseat of the car, we realized we were missing an iPod and a few CD's.  "I guess I should call the cops, eh?" I said to him as he shook his head at the mess.  "Ya...  I guess."  What a fabulous start to my day.

 

I went inside, grabbed the phone, lighter, and a couple of much needed cigarrettes.  I phoned the police while looking at the mess.  They took my information, and advised they'd be up to investigate shortly.  In the meantime, Max made a call to work to explain he'd be a bit late due to the unexpected surprise. 

While outside, a few construction workers came over to see what was going on.  We received a few kind words of concern & encouragement.  The RCMP officer finally arrived.  He got out of his truck, and flipped open his RCMP issued notepad and began to take down the obvious details of the situation.  He asked if anything was missing.  We told him about the iPod, headphones & CD's which were M.I.A.  He went on to explain that the "punks" these days carry around little pieces of porcelain.  These pieces of porcelain are then hurled at car windows to offer an gapping hole where the window used to be, a lovely mess, and basically the portal in which they reach in and "help themselves" to whatever it is that caught their weasley little eyes.

The kind RCMP Officer then explained, as he handed me his business card with the case file number written on it, that we should contact our insurance company about the window.  He also advised that we could probably claim our missing items through our house insurance.  "At this point," he said, "there's really not much we can do.  We basically take a report incase the insurance company wants it.  Otherwise, if you two hear anything at all, give us a call."  And with that, he left.  It was back to us, staring at the mess of glass which decorated our parking spot.  The tears started to roll, and I just couldn't do a thing to stop them.

 

Enter the insurance company:  Back inside, I was searching through all my papers to finally get on the phone with the insurance agent to see what we could do about our car.  "The glass deductible," the consoling woman explained, "is $250.  The contents of the vehicle can be claimed via your house insurance, in which case the deductible would be $500 for everything, and the lower deductible would be waived." 

"What the hell does that mean?" I asked.   "Well, basically you'll need to provide receipts or copies of receipts to cover the contents, pay $500, and we'll take care of the rest." She educated me.

"The iPod was a gift," I explained, "from some family members who live in Kamloops.  It wasn't even purchased in the same town that we live in..."

"That's unfortunate.." she empathized.  I could tell she's heard this story many times.

She transfered me to the glass claims department after saying her many appologies.  I spoke with a man this time.  He went on to explain that the cost of the window would be only slightly more than the deductible, therefore, it would likely be within our best interests to simply pay for the window, and not bother doing the claim via our insurance.  Great, this means we're out around $500.  I fucking hate thieves.  The rest of the morning consisted of me thinking that this couldn't have happened.  I took Max to work, around an hour or so late.  I rushed home to get myself ready for work.  I had nothing left in me.  All my tears were spent, (so I thought) and my energy was now drained.  I showered, dressed, and went to work. 

 

Work was another feat in itself.  Amongst the other many employees, here I am, working away at my daily job, whilst the others around me amuse themselves with online poker games and Mah-jong tile games.  Brandyn, trying to climb the corporate ladder, has four separate projects on the go.  Have I turned the heads of those "higher up"?  Yes..  has it actually gotten me anywhere?  Fuck no.  Why do I do it? 

 

The rest of my day is spent trying to forget my morning, while masking my voice with a fake smile while speaking to customers about their billing inquiries, internet questions, and common complaints.  The day drags on.  And on, and on.  Finally, 7PM arrives, and I am free.  Max makes an executive decision:  "Let's not cook.  We've both had a shitty day.  Let's grab a couple burgers as a treat, go home, watch a movie and go to bed."  His words to me were like the next hit of heroin to an addict.  I sank in my seat, tried to smile, but all I could muster was a quivering lip.  This was all the acknowledgement he needed.  Supper was collected, and we began our somewhat breezy, drive home.

 

We get home, unload our bags, change into our comfies, and sit down to feast on our heartattacks in buns.  But wait.  What is this?  My burger seems to be a hockey puck disguised with a nice layer of spicy barbeque sauce, a wilted piece of lettuce and a poor excuse for a slice of tomatoe.  That was the last straw for me.  Number one:  I ordered a cheese burger, I expected it to be juicy... or at the very least, edible.  Number two: I can't eat anything spicy, unless I want to make a visit to the hospital for an emergency shot of antihistamine in the arm with a lovely breath of ventalen on the side.  Allergies are a bitch.

 

I gave up.  I didn't need to eat, that was fine.  Just let me be, and I'll be fine.

 

Bongo was continuously fussing over his hind paw, which was thought the previous trip to the vet cured, but unfortunetly not.  When he finally let me get a look, it appeared he had some sort of strange bump... almost as though his knuckle bone had pierced his skin.  It looked painful.  It looked infected. 

 

We finally retired to bed.  I couldn't sleep.  Everytime I felt remotely close to dreamland, I'd hear noises outside of my house.  I found myself obsessing over whether or not the "punks" would return to smash yet another window.  I can't remember when I finally fell asleep, it was late, no doubt.

 

The next morning began early, with a trip to the vet.  Bongo had a foxtail burrowed into his skin.  They had to admit him to surgery.  He was there all day.  The bill was $250.  The new vet was amazing.  Clean, friendly, knowledgeble.  Needless to say, I'm taking the new bill and the old bill, to the old, dirty, unhelpful vet to demand my $90 back.  He mis-diagnosed my dog's injury, saying simply, "There's nothing wrong with your dog.  But here's some antibiotics incase."  Thanks buddy.  He's suffered for the last month, and now I have another bill.  I'd like my money back please.  Probably not likely, but dammit, I'm going to try.

 

That's it for now.  I have a turkey in the oven, and I can't wait to eat supper.  It's been  a long couple days... yesterday was the worst... today got better.  I imagine we can only go up from here.

 

:) Brandyn                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

AHHH!! So many things I should be talking about.. BUT: I don't have the means, or time at this current moment....  

 

A quick blurb to say, the grounds around the house is finally coming around, we actually have grass now!!! It's puzzled in rectangular pieces, and well, a wonderful multimix of many shades of greens... and...yellows...hmm...???

 BUT: it's finally coming along... :)  Again, no pics.. hahaahah we've been here how long??? YA.... and.. well, no excuses.. I'm just lazy I suppose. hahahaah

I suppose sitting @ a computer all day long really takes the excitement of coming home to do the same thing.. so, I usually don't... infact, today is the first time in how long???  ......I can't even think of the last time...

 

Well, the man & pup are waiting...  time to go "knit"... haahah girlz, you know what I'm talkin' about...

 

Love ya!
B  :)

Once again, it's been tooooo long!!!!

 

So much is going on!!!  Well...  maybe not. hahahahaha

The house is great, ya I know.. still no pics!  Will come in time.

 

People everywhere are having BABIES.... except me. hahahahahahaha SUCKAS! j/k.

 

Went to Dawson last weekend... HAD A BLAST... holy poo, I had such a blast that I wasn't able to make it out of bed on Saturday morning... not sure if it was the supper I ate before, or all the gin I digested....possibly a lil' from column A, and a lil from column B???  Anyhoooo went for my friends mums wedding...  amazingly enough, on the HOTTEST FREAKIN DAY EVER.... imagine, Dawson City, +30 degrees IN THE FUCKING SHADE!  Ahhh.. I died atleast 5 times...   was going back & forth between water, rum, water, wine, water, beer, water, alcohol... hahaha drunk & sober, drunk & sober, drunk & sober..  my GOODNESS.  Quite the trip...     Went to Gerties @ 11:30 PM or so to catch the midnight can-can dancers.... thought it would be a T&A show, but sadly enough, it wasn't....   so, I & the girls hunkered down @ a $5 min bet blackjack table... and tho I think the girlz lost their money, I doubled mine...  I knew it was time to leave, or I'd lose it all!!!!!!

We made our way to "The Pit".....which is a miner's bar that oh-so-many people warned me about...  but guess what?? IT WAS SO MUCH FUN!!!  There were people of ALL ages... live entertainment, and quite the interesting floor plan.... well, maybe the plan itself wasn't interesting, but I found myself re-arranging my chair many-a-times throughout the evening... only to realize.. IT WASN'T MY DRUNKENESS!!! THE FLOOR IS REALLY SLANTED!!!! hahahahahaha   (THATS A FIRST EH????)  So yea, I had an excuse....   What a crazy place full of character & characters....   We even took over these guys table... one whom was named Stephen... he was from New Orleans, quite the gentleman, and funny enough, could have been a twin to: Mikey - From American Chopper!!!  Funny enough, he even made his way up to the Yukon on a motorcycle... holy fuck, I can't even MAKE this shit up!!!!! hahahahah good times.  he was funny...

 

The band recognized (thanks to Crystal I'm sure..) that it was my first ADVENTURE to the Pit... and I'll tell ya, it won't be the last!!!!  Here I thought buying rounds for folks would break my bank, but it didn't!!!!  Drinks were actually CHEAPER in Dawson, errrr...atleast the pit, then anywhere I've found in Whitehorse!!!  I bought one round of shots, errr...drinks...errr, well, a round of alcohol I'll say, for what....7 or 8 people.. and it only cost me $25!!!!  So...either we had a drunk waitress, or a dumb waitresss....or... well, I don't know what...  hahahahaha

Maybe I was just too drunk to notice...ya..that's more likely.  I was pretty "staggered" by the time we made our way out of that bar....

...and let me tell YOU something... haha...  you don't know the meaning of "Ugly Lights" until you've experienced them being turned on in a bar like The Pit. hahahahahahahaahahahahahhahaahhaha that's sooo mean....... yet, accurate!

 

Anyhooooooooooo    it was a blast... and had I not fuct my car on the way home, we'd be returning for another visit tomorrow....   :(  I even have a long weekend!!! But I think I shot my tranny... the big bad beast hasn't been feeling too well....  I guess I shouldn't have driven her so hard to/from Dawson.. hehe...  I'm pretty sure it only took me what..... four hours to drive home??? hahahahahahaha pretty bad when normally it takes anywhere from 5-6---depending on who's driving...  

 

I really forgot how beautiful Dawson was...  such amazing greenery... beautiful old buildings... and you can feel this amazing aura of history.. almost as if you're back in the days of the klondike....ready to jump in the river to start panning for gold.....  The people I met were fun, interesting.. and well, quite original --all in their own ways..  It was neat to be "on vacation" not far from home...  and the drive I must say is awe-inspiring.. 

 

But the major kudos goes to Crystal...  she did an absolutely INCCREDIBLE job arranging & organizing her mums wedding...   from the food, to the setup, to the special edition bottled wine, champagne, beer & coolers...  the wedding was a complete success...  no one could have asked for a more perfect day, or a more beautiful setting......  my hats off to you girl, you pulled it off & made it look so effortless!!!  

 

All in all, the trip/wedding/Dawson experience was again, amazing...  to anyone who has never been, GO!  You won't regret it!!! Dawson is one of those towns where one could honestly "Find themselves".....  as cliche as that might sound....

...Plus it's just really pretty to look at. :)

 

Ciao for now.....  It's Friday evening... I'm almost done work.... I'll be going home to rest my weary eyes... watch a movie & go to bed...

 

*Dreamin' of more Dawson adventures*....

 

Luv Bran :)