Well, it's taken a whole year of fostering - but it looks like we may finally have found a home for the black rabbit. One of A.'s clients recently lost one of her bunnies, who was part of a bonded pair. She'd like to get a new companion for her remaining rabbit, and A. has been telling her about the little black bunny we've been looking after since last summer. She's decided to try introducing the two of them, to see if they will get on; A. will take the black bun into the clinic tomorrow, and hand her over. If all goes well, then this lady will adopt her.
I will be sorry to see the black rabbit go - she's so beautiful, and has a really nice temperament. But she deserves a permanent home, and a companion (which she does not have at the moment - we've tried putting her with Timmy and Fawn, but Fawn is such an aggressive little monster that there have been endless fights between them). So I'm spending some time communing with the black rabbit tonight as - with any luck - she'll be leaving us for a nice new home tomorrow.
28 July 2008
26 July 2008
X-Files Movie
Went along to the cinema to see the new X-Files movie, I Want to Believe, last night. Maybe I'm too sentimental, but I enjoyed it well enough. The storyline had a fair few holes, mind, and sitting there in between a vet and a medical doctor, I heard periodic snorts of disbelief from time to time. Then again, plenty of classic X-Files episodes have involved wacked-out medical freakery (Eugene Tooms, anyone?), so suspension of disbelief is definitely required.
Given that I never expected this film would see the light of day, I was happy enough with it. I'm not sure how well it will do at the box office, though - X-Philes will obviously check it out, but beyond that, I'm not sure how broad its appeal will be. As for myself, I was just content to wallow in a little nostalgia for a few hours.
Given that I never expected this film would see the light of day, I was happy enough with it. I'm not sure how well it will do at the box office, though - X-Philes will obviously check it out, but beyond that, I'm not sure how broad its appeal will be. As for myself, I was just content to wallow in a little nostalgia for a few hours.
22 July 2008
Up the Duff
Well good Lord, I appear to have fallen pregnant. :-)
I've been spreading the news amongst family and friends for a few days now. But this afternoon I broke the news to the boss at work - so now I guess I can make it public knowledge.
As of today, I am 13 weeks and two days along. Since I'm all old and stuff, I've had two ultrasounds already, one of which was last week. We watched the screen in amazement as the sprog (which is only about 3 inches in size at the moment) bounced away merrily, hiccuping and waving its miniscule arms and legs. For me, it all started to become real at that point.
The next few months are gonna be a ride, that's for sure. But we are very excited, especially as it's taken A. and I rather longer to get to this point than we thought it would. In the coming months, I will doubtless morph into Dull Preggo Lady and will fill this blog with all sorts of ruminations and weird stories. Hee hee...stay tuned.
I've been spreading the news amongst family and friends for a few days now. But this afternoon I broke the news to the boss at work - so now I guess I can make it public knowledge.
As of today, I am 13 weeks and two days along. Since I'm all old and stuff, I've had two ultrasounds already, one of which was last week. We watched the screen in amazement as the sprog (which is only about 3 inches in size at the moment) bounced away merrily, hiccuping and waving its miniscule arms and legs. For me, it all started to become real at that point.
The next few months are gonna be a ride, that's for sure. But we are very excited, especially as it's taken A. and I rather longer to get to this point than we thought it would. In the coming months, I will doubtless morph into Dull Preggo Lady and will fill this blog with all sorts of ruminations and weird stories. Hee hee...stay tuned.
20 July 2008
Stars
Just in from seeing a show by Stars, who were back in Halifax tonight after several years. They were actually here to close out a two-day festival, Summersonic, being held on Citadel Hill. Last time I saw them play was in January 2005, at the Marquee Club here in town. I bought festival tickets for today, but in the end decided only to see Stars. Part of the reason for that was the weather - in true Halifax form, it started raining just as we began getting ready to go out (argh). Otherwise, I might have gone down early to check out Wintersleep, who played just before Stars and are not bad. (Ironically, the only other time I've seen them play was when they opened that Marquee show for Stars over three years ago).
Anyway, I sucked it up, put on my rain gear, and we headed out to the show. We got there just a couple minutes before the band hit the stage and it being a festival, they only played for about an hour and a quarter. Which was fine by me, as it was a great set and we didn't get too soaked in the process. The band seemed in fine form (Torquil acting like a pretentious prat, as usual), and the setlist was great. Interestingly, they mentioned that they'd been asked to open for Paul McCartney at his bigass free show in Quebec City tonight - but bless 'em, they turned it down to headline in Halifax instead.
If there was anybody there tonight older than A. and I, I didn't see them. I always feel ancient at these sort of events - all the more so because I find myself clucking at the teenagers running around in miniskirts, tanktops and flipflops, teeth chattering from the cold and rain. Oh, and I had to keep moving around to avoid the dope-smokers - second-hand inhalation is about the last thing I need right now. ;-)
Anyway, I sucked it up, put on my rain gear, and we headed out to the show. We got there just a couple minutes before the band hit the stage and it being a festival, they only played for about an hour and a quarter. Which was fine by me, as it was a great set and we didn't get too soaked in the process. The band seemed in fine form (Torquil acting like a pretentious prat, as usual), and the setlist was great. Interestingly, they mentioned that they'd been asked to open for Paul McCartney at his bigass free show in Quebec City tonight - but bless 'em, they turned it down to headline in Halifax instead.
If there was anybody there tonight older than A. and I, I didn't see them. I always feel ancient at these sort of events - all the more so because I find myself clucking at the teenagers running around in miniskirts, tanktops and flipflops, teeth chattering from the cold and rain. Oh, and I had to keep moving around to avoid the dope-smokers - second-hand inhalation is about the last thing I need right now. ;-)
Reading and the Internet
Interesting piece on The Sunday Edition this morning. Maryanne Wolf, a researcher on child development, reading and language, was talking about the impact of the Internet on our reading abilities. With so many of us getting our information from the web now, Wolf argues that this is encouraging us to read on a much more shallow and superficial level than before. She's particularly concerned about the impact this may have on kids who, in the Google age, may end up never acquiring the skills inherent in deep, analytical reading - and may impair optimal brain functioning as a result.
My friend C. recently told me about Wolf's latest book on the subject, Proust and the Squid: the Story and Science of the Reading Brain. I should probably pick that up.
My friend C. recently told me about Wolf's latest book on the subject, Proust and the Squid: the Story and Science of the Reading Brain. I should probably pick that up.
14 July 2008
Wonderful New Garden
Did I ever come home to a surprise last week. While I was in Asia, A. singlehandedly finished most of the landscaping work and re-laid a new lawn, out in the garden.
About a week before I left, we had a truckload of topsoil (about 14 cubic metres' worth) dumped in our driveway. By the time I got back, it had all disappeared, save for a small pile. A. used it mostly to even out and raise the overall level of our existing lawn, which was in a pretty poor state and full of moss and weeds. Once the surface was limed and the new topsoil spread out, he then re-seeded - remarkably, this was done just two weeks ago! After plenty of daily watering, the new grass sprouted after just four days, and it had its first mow over the weekend. It's growing far more quickly than I would have imagined.
Here are some of the results:
Where the two sections of brick pathway intersect in the above picture, there used to be a large hedge. A. dug most of that up and replanted it up the slope, in the first terraced level visible (the next step up is the new, flat level of our driveway, which used to slope down to just behind the original position of the hedge). The result is that we have gained a bit more lawn on this side of the garden, as well as a nice wide new flowerbed which gets a lot of sunshine.
A couple other views:
In the picture below, you can see more of the work A. did with the grey stone landscaping bricks (which just need their capstones fitted before they are finished).
I think it all looks great - a huge improvement over what we inherited when we bought this property. I'm really happy with it.
About a week before I left, we had a truckload of topsoil (about 14 cubic metres' worth) dumped in our driveway. By the time I got back, it had all disappeared, save for a small pile. A. used it mostly to even out and raise the overall level of our existing lawn, which was in a pretty poor state and full of moss and weeds. Once the surface was limed and the new topsoil spread out, he then re-seeded - remarkably, this was done just two weeks ago! After plenty of daily watering, the new grass sprouted after just four days, and it had its first mow over the weekend. It's growing far more quickly than I would have imagined.
Here are some of the results:
Where the two sections of brick pathway intersect in the above picture, there used to be a large hedge. A. dug most of that up and replanted it up the slope, in the first terraced level visible (the next step up is the new, flat level of our driveway, which used to slope down to just behind the original position of the hedge). The result is that we have gained a bit more lawn on this side of the garden, as well as a nice wide new flowerbed which gets a lot of sunshine.
A couple other views:
In the picture below, you can see more of the work A. did with the grey stone landscaping bricks (which just need their capstones fitted before they are finished).
I think it all looks great - a huge improvement over what we inherited when we bought this property. I'm really happy with it.
07 July 2008
Sayonara
Wow - what a great couple of days I've had here in Tokyo. Just what the doctor ordered. I've packed in a fair bit, but have had lots of relaxation time too. Spent Saturday night prowling the streets of East Shinjuku and the Golden Gai. On Sunday morning, I strolled in the beautiful forest and gardens of Meiji-Jingu, before visiting the impressive Shinto shrine there (and got to watch two wedding processions to boot!). Early evening was given over to shopping and strolling around more of the huge department stores surrounding Shinjuku Station. And today, another mix of old and new. This morning I visited the Buddhist temple of Senso-ji; this evening, I headed south to explore the massive Roppongi Hills, a sprawling complex of shopping malls, restaurants, residences, cinemas, parks and gardens, a stadium, and art galleries. Perhaps the best thing there, however, is the tower onsite - from the roof of which there is an incredible 360-degree view to be had over the entire city. I went up at twilight, and it was super.
Tomorrow morning I'll be packing up, then heading for the airport around noon. My flight is not until 5.00 pm, but I want to bag a bulkhead seat if I can, and take advantage of last-minute shopping opportunities at Narita Airport. The flight to Toronto takes 12-odd hours, so hopefully I can access laptop power on board in order to work on my travelblog, and maybe sort through my photos too.
This has been a wonderful trip, but I'm ready to go home. :-)
Tomorrow morning I'll be packing up, then heading for the airport around noon. My flight is not until 5.00 pm, but I want to bag a bulkhead seat if I can, and take advantage of last-minute shopping opportunities at Narita Airport. The flight to Toronto takes 12-odd hours, so hopefully I can access laptop power on board in order to work on my travelblog, and maybe sort through my photos too.
This has been a wonderful trip, but I'm ready to go home. :-)
05 July 2008
In Tokyo
After two quite tiring final days of work in Hanoi, I was very happy to arrive last night in Tokyo. Getting from the airport to my accommodation was a snap - this city is a model of efficiency and organisation. I'm staying in a very comfortable and well-equipped studio flat at the Oakwood Shinjuku Apartments, which are every bit as excellent as the reviews on TripAdvisor suggest. This morning, I spent quite a bit of time checking out the various gadgets and controls with which this place is equipped - the neatest of which are all in the bathroom. Getting myself cleaned up this morning took a bit of time, since I had to decode the instructions for the bathtub and shower first!
I've been taking it very easy today - not only because I'm in need of a rest after seven days of work and constant socialising, but also because I've had some, um, gastrointestinal upsets for the past couple of days. Since I want to take full advantage of the range of amazing food available here, I'm hoping I'll be better by tomorrow. As it stands, I went to the local grocery store this morning and bought some bland things to eat for today (bananas, bread for toast, yogurt). But even going for groceries was a bit of an adventure, as you might imagine. I always enjoy going to grocery stores in foreign countries, and here in Japan the offerings are even more unusual than those in the West.
Went out for a stroll for a few hours this afternoon. Shinjuku is a bustling, major neighbourhood in Tokyo, and just a half-mile from my apartment there are three major bus, metro and railway lines. In addition, there's a vast array of shops, including several huge department stores. I went into one this afternoon called Odakyu, which has about 15 floors and sells just about everything you can possibly imagine. Obviously, there is a massive selection of cutting-edge electronics here, the likes of which I've never seen. I spent some time checking out mobile phones, most of which do just about everything short of sing and dance. I saw some very neat ones that include both cameras and digital TVs! And not that expensive, either. I'd love to get one, but have absolutely no idea if they would work in Canada. I contented myself with buying some bejewelled decals like these to jazz up my phone at home, like pretty much all Japanese girls seem to do. If I can't have a cool Japanese phone, at least I can give my existing mobile some Japanese-style bling.
In the basement of Odakyu (as is apparently the case with all the major department stores here) there is a supermarket and large food court. The range of foodstuffs on offer was amazing - the seafood department alone was probably more diverse than any I've ever seen in my life! I also saw some examples of the odd Japanese predilection for premium fruit and veg. You can buy ordinary produce here, of course, at prices that are similar to what we would pay in North America. But certain posh shops have departments devoted to the highest-quality varieties of fruit and vegetables, which are picked at their peak and meant to be consumed immediately, to taste them at their finest. I saw boxes of grapes for $30, a tray of six peaches for about $45, and a glossy, basketball-sized watermelon for about $95! Unreal!
It's still pretty hot here, though not as bad as Vietnam - today's temperatures were in the low 30s. The next few days are meant to be a little cooler, though, with a chance of rain. I'm taking some time to do email and blogging now, and will probably go out again in an hour or two, once the sun has set and the temperature has dropped a bit. Just east of here is an area which is apparently quite well-known for its nightlife, so I think a stroll is in order. Normally, as a lone woman traveller, I wouldn't go out at night in a strange city by myself, but the streets here are packed until well past midnight, so I feel quite safe.
More updates to come...
I've been taking it very easy today - not only because I'm in need of a rest after seven days of work and constant socialising, but also because I've had some, um, gastrointestinal upsets for the past couple of days. Since I want to take full advantage of the range of amazing food available here, I'm hoping I'll be better by tomorrow. As it stands, I went to the local grocery store this morning and bought some bland things to eat for today (bananas, bread for toast, yogurt). But even going for groceries was a bit of an adventure, as you might imagine. I always enjoy going to grocery stores in foreign countries, and here in Japan the offerings are even more unusual than those in the West.
Went out for a stroll for a few hours this afternoon. Shinjuku is a bustling, major neighbourhood in Tokyo, and just a half-mile from my apartment there are three major bus, metro and railway lines. In addition, there's a vast array of shops, including several huge department stores. I went into one this afternoon called Odakyu, which has about 15 floors and sells just about everything you can possibly imagine. Obviously, there is a massive selection of cutting-edge electronics here, the likes of which I've never seen. I spent some time checking out mobile phones, most of which do just about everything short of sing and dance. I saw some very neat ones that include both cameras and digital TVs! And not that expensive, either. I'd love to get one, but have absolutely no idea if they would work in Canada. I contented myself with buying some bejewelled decals like these to jazz up my phone at home, like pretty much all Japanese girls seem to do. If I can't have a cool Japanese phone, at least I can give my existing mobile some Japanese-style bling.
In the basement of Odakyu (as is apparently the case with all the major department stores here) there is a supermarket and large food court. The range of foodstuffs on offer was amazing - the seafood department alone was probably more diverse than any I've ever seen in my life! I also saw some examples of the odd Japanese predilection for premium fruit and veg. You can buy ordinary produce here, of course, at prices that are similar to what we would pay in North America. But certain posh shops have departments devoted to the highest-quality varieties of fruit and vegetables, which are picked at their peak and meant to be consumed immediately, to taste them at their finest. I saw boxes of grapes for $30, a tray of six peaches for about $45, and a glossy, basketball-sized watermelon for about $95! Unreal!
It's still pretty hot here, though not as bad as Vietnam - today's temperatures were in the low 30s. The next few days are meant to be a little cooler, though, with a chance of rain. I'm taking some time to do email and blogging now, and will probably go out again in an hour or two, once the sun has set and the temperature has dropped a bit. Just east of here is an area which is apparently quite well-known for its nightlife, so I think a stroll is in order. Normally, as a lone woman traveller, I wouldn't go out at night in a strange city by myself, but the streets here are packed until well past midnight, so I feel quite safe.
More updates to come...
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