Talk about up and down...

My last few weeks have had some extreme swings between good and bad. It's been a while since I've last posted and not from a lack of stuff to talk about but more from a lack of time to post it but definitely not from a lack of lacking the will to do it. Only posting once in February would be a crime too.

UP - Panorama ski trip. My youngest bro, Peter, organized his grad ski trip over reading week. My parents were in Costa Rica but my other brothers were able to make it down. I guess you could say we were unofficial chaperones but it's been a while since I've snowboarded with all my brothers. Great group of kids and not too many problems. Just some dumb girls who resort to violence when a boy doesn't like the girl they tell him he should. Peter, great job. I've never been on a group trip that went that smoothly. Also the snow was awesome. I love the Tayton Bowl.

DOWN - Jeff tried skiing while we were there and has decided that he will probably switch to skis for the next season. What a homo. Also lost all of my DVD's on the bus there...seems like ironic justice for the movie companies.

UP - Noel! She was in Calgary on Saturday to enjoy a nice, relaxing recovery day with me. Took her for sushi (haven't had that in a year) and tried my best to embarrass the waiter with overheard comments. Played hockey with the Golddiggers that night. Jeff was back for his first game in a month plus Noel AND my parents were in attendance. Dad even came out on the bench to coach and gave the team some good motivational speeches. Jeff got the first goal of the game (amazing effort, skated through their team and undressed the goalie) so I had to show him up infront of my girlfriend with a two goal performance (but Jeff did hit the post on another shot which Ryan deposited giving Jeff the assist). We won and with one more win on Thursday we'll lock up first place for the season.

DOWN - Drove to Stavely Sunday for Peter's second playoff game in a best-of-three series with Drumheller. Intense game, went to over time, Nanton's net was dislodged, other guys scored, goal was counted, game over. Bitter loss but I think Pete and the boys can pull out the game three win on Friday.

WAY DOWN - Drove to work (with Nevin's parking pass) Monday since I had hockey at noon. Got all the way downtown and realized I'd forgotten the pass at home. So...late for work. Left for hockey at 11:30 and was just out of the parkade when I noticed the Volvo felt a bit weird. Pulled over in a Mac's parking lot and, yes, back tire totally flat. In my nice business clothes I started jacking the car and removed the bolts. Gave the tire a tug and...what the hell...it's not coming off. A couple calls to Dad and the Volvo dealership. Apparently Volvo's have a problem with their wheels rusting and "welding" themselves to the hub. I tried putting the bolts back in half way and driving back and forth a few times but that didn't work. Banging, kicking and ramming the tire with the spare accomplished nothing except giving a few onlookers some entertainment. Couldn't leave the car in the parking lot so I had to drive it half a block to a parkade, put in the $17.50 to park until 5:00, and walk back to work since the hockey game was already over. If I could have punched something/someone I would have. Later Dad came up to help me get the tire off and take it pack to Nanton. We jacked the car and the wheel almost fell off. I'd only put the bolts back in finger tight for the half a block drive and I guess that must have been enough to knock it loose. S#*T!! The car is at home, not driving it until Thursday to get everything fixed (windshield, tire, shocks).

UP - Yesterday turned things around. Great morning at work. Lunch with Luke. Ryan Smyth was traded to the NY Islanders (not good...actually a real kick in the nuts...but I got over it). Went to the gym to work off some tension and found out that I was entitled to a free gym bag for referring someone else to join at the YMCA. I don't know who you are but thank you. Worked out until I could barely walk downstairs and went home. There Dan and I made perogies and bacon (very healthy) and watched the Oilers retire Mark Messier's jersey. Thinking I could just relax for the rest of the evening when Victor called needed an emergency spare for his volleyball team. Fine...I'll play. Didn't think I'd be much help but it ended up being the best game I've played since leaving the U of A. Everything was clicking. Passes, hits, serves...and my digs...I'm going to have to step it up for my Monday night league with Scott now.


The last super highlight of the day is that I may have found my first video camera. The Sony DCR-SR300. I'm so excited about it and sure that I'll buy it that I won't write much about it now since I'll definitely be posting about it later.

Should be able to add some pictures later. Sorry it's so long but that's what happens when I take three weeks off of posting. Most of my readers will like the long distraction from work anyway.

Rig 5E...

Still on the rig. It's been two weeks today and I'd have to say I'm ready to go home. There have been a few setbacks in the last 48 hours that have pushed my departure time to at least noon tomorrow. I was hoping to be on my way to Edmonton now but what can you do. I told my boss I'd give the well some positive vibes...he said "how about try some engineering"...touche.

The thing is at this point in the well there isn't much we can do. We're following the program and there's just some things we can't control. Guys in the field with 30 years experience are kind of baffled by what's been happening so I'm not so discouraged that I don't know. Actually, I think this has been a very good experience. If it had been a perfectly smooth well, what can I say when the next one goes wrong..."Um, I don't know? I've never seen it before." Already there's 5 or 6 common (and a few uncommon) problems that I've now experienced and can help find a solution to in the future. Sure it's messed up my weekend plans pretty good, but I can deal with that for now. I'm young, new to the business, it's time to...well...put in my time.

I am going to miss the food. It's just like being at grandma's house except for some reason I have even less will power. I've been doing push ups like crazy the last couple days in a desparate attempt to keep some of my fitness. Next week, gym every day! So, to some of you, see you Saturday night...maybe...hopefully...(sigh).