Drink up me hearties for it has been a great year!
In honor of my blog's birthday today, I would like to take this opportunity to give thanks to the inspiration that started it all.....
Well, it all started with a mouse anyways. I clearly remember walking into Fantasyland..... "Morgo, we should start a blog." Ok. You really didn't have to twist my rubber arm for that one. I had been thinking about starting a blog for a long while before anything really happened. I think I was talking to Doug one night while at Peter's post-Thai food. I think we were talking about my ridiculous and disastrous 4th year clinical, and the stories that came out of there were entertaining to many. Months later because I'm a procrastinator, PRi and I finally gave in.
Ah, the memories of that day. I think we broke out the Pirates' LIFE and pillaged, plundered, and swashbuckled our way around the board until we remembered we were going to start our blog. And so it was done.
How ironic that exactly one year later we'd be pillaging, plundering, and swashbuckling our way to Pirates 3. There have been so many memories in that year. Most of them good. Some of them not. But PRi and I have shared them nonetheless.
Happy Birthday MorPRi! Now where's my rum???
I didn't go to Chicago to see Oprah.
I am in love with spontaneous trips. No doubt you've already figured that out. There are a great many vacations I have planned in the back of my mind labeled "someday" such as my Disney cruise, Mediterranean cruise, excursions to Europe, and such. But in the mean time, there is no better holiday from life than taking a holiday. Especially when your holiday means visiting good friends.
PRi, John, and I are back in Edmonton after a fantastic jaunt to see Jo and Eric. Spontaneously I booked this trip (though it has been in the "someday" pile since Jo and Eric left....), and I am so glad I was able to go, even for a short visit. Chicago is a beautiful city, and although we didn't see most of the dodgier places, even downtown was clean...and gorgeous. But I didn't go for the sights. I didn't even go for the food (mmmm...Portillos, Potbelly's, Lou Malnatis', TGIFriday's, Benihana's, etc...). I went for friends. Because I have never been to Chicago, I was given the task of deciding what to do or where to go, and I'm a terrible decision maker. But in the end, all that really mattered was the time I spent with the people I care about. It didn't matter if we were in a cab with a lost cabbie, circling the mall parking lot, talking like Ferbies, at a backyard bonfire (ohhhh....), listening to Balafon, driving on LSD, on top of the world, shark watching, or lownjing on a love sac. The most important thing was the time we shared together. Thanks Jo and Eric for putting up with us....and chauffeuring us around, and playing "tour guide".
While walking through the phenomenal campus of Northwestern, John asked me how I was doing. "I'm at peace with the world". That's the first answer that popped into my head. That's the first answer in my heart. Being far away from most of the stress in my life, and enjoying the company I was with was doing wonders for my mind and soul. If I could stop time, this would have been one of those moments. There are others of course.....but those are long stories....
The unfortunate part of any vacation is saying goodbye. I don't like goodbyes. Eric asked me why we waited so long to all see each other again. I don't know. But let's not wait so long next time.
Dental plan!....Lisa needs braces!
I figured out that I have this irrational fear of going to the dentist. Well, I suppose no one really likes going to the dentist, so I know I'm not alone. It's been years since I last went; not at all a pleasant experience from what I remember. But I've had this toothache for the past two days, and I am succumbing to the fact that I will have to visit my friendly neighbourhood dentist.
I tried what I could to get rid of this toothache. Hoping that it was some lost piece of food that got stuck, I bought some floss to fish it out. No luck. I've brushed my teeth about a hundred times, and the amount of Listerine I've used would get me into AA. Something cold to numb the pain? Nope. Ambesol or Orajel? Nope. I can't even tell if it's a cavity, dammit!
So I made a few phone calls, and got referred to an office in Sherwood Park. As soon as I booked my appointment, I'm sure my blood pressure went through the roof. I started thinking of ways to get out of it, including trying to convince myself that because I work nights tomorrow, an afternoon appointment would be interrupting much needed sleep time.
But then that perpetual and annoying throbbing continues.....
Thank God I have dental benefits.
