who's soonger??

Tuesday, March 4

Well ... the week in Toronto a couple weeks back was memorable. It was quite a weekend -- lots of eating and spending time with friends. Fri night -- got in and went to Hooters for a late snack (we had wings!). Saturday -- Pat went to the talk in the morning. Then we all (Mike, Pat and I) went to Movenpick Yorkville to meet up with Maxine, Marianne & her sis, Sabrina for lunch. Lunch was good. It was rainy when we got there ... then turned to snow while we were shopping in Yorkville.

After walking around (didn't buy anything), I called up Farah and we went to 'ssauga to visit her. Driving there was no big deal. Farah's med school (white) friend, Sonja, was over visiting. We went over to Farah's nice apartment ... FJ & I dropped Sonja off at the GO station (she has an exam on Monday -- they have exams at Mac???). We came back from the station and watched a little TV before going out for supper. Ate at this Italian restaurant near her place. Food was good. Left 'ssauga at 10. Didn't get back to the hotel until 11:15 (only took us 1/2 hr to get there ... 1.25 hrs to come home!) Driving was BRUTAL! Good thing my car handled well in the snow.

Sunday ... we slept in. Left the hotel at 11:15. Went to KJY for lunch. It was tasty! Then drove home... stopped in Cambridge for pit stop ... had to go back 'cause Pat LOST his cell phone. Good thing we were only 20 km away ... somebody turned it into the McD's staff and he picked it up. (He got me mad earlier in the drive and this didn't help, either) Drive back was OK -- roads were clear, less a couple patches besides farms -- blowing snow... Got home at 6-ish.

Since then, I've tried to schedule a regular amount of work but also didn't want to burn myself out (I keep telling myself to pace things...) Anyway, it's been good working on and off. Got some good news the other day: my cousin, Ai Ris, is getting married this Oct 2003! That means I may be going over to Singapore once again ... my other cousin, Mervyn, is also getting married in the fall ... does that mean I'll have to stick around for both weddings?! I may have to take a side-trip to somewhere in Southeast Asia while waiting for the latter wedding... such a difficult life I lead!

Wednesday, March 5

The night after the storm that wasn't ... it was forecast that there would be in excess of 10-20 cm on the ground by noon today. Seems as if that's NOT going to be the case this time (they were right a couple weekends ago...) I'm glad -- even though I'll be home all day (have the day off, yea!) I'm supposed to meet up with a college friend tonight. He's stationed in Detroit for the week (he's a consultant) and he's coming over hang out and catch up over the past few years.

What else is going on with me ... I'm headed up to London with Mike this weekend. Just a day trip -- catch up with Imran and be outta town for the day. How could I not resist checking out the various car dealerships in the area while in London? A trip to Suburu and Infiniti are in order ...

Back from London, ON

Sunday, March 9

I had the weekend off ... so what did I do? My friend Mike and I went up to London, Ontario for the day. Why? We had the day off and wanted to get out of Windsor ... so why not London? Plus, we haven't seen our high school pal, Imran, finishing up his PhD. It was pretty good Saturday. Left Windsor at 9. Mike picked me up and we drove straight to London (2 hrs). We stopped at a motorcycle shop (Mike loves looking at bikes) then picked up Imran at his apartment. We went to a Chinese buffet place for lunch. Food was marginal, at best.

A little driving around town to various hobby shops, pawn shops, and a quick stopover to Maisonville mall was the highlight of the afternoon. We went to Jack Astor's for dinner. Waited 45 minutes for a table (we got there at 5:15!!) Food was what you'd expect. Service was not bad.

Knowning that bad weather was approaching, Mike and I thought it was for the better to leave right after dinner. It was about 8pm so we thought we should be getting back home (rain changed to snow).

The drive back was at times, quite trecherous. There was some significant ice patches. There was 2 incidences in the eastbound lanes where trucks jack- knifed. We were going no more than 50 km/h. But by the time we were outside Windsor, roads were totally dry and there were salt trucks out. We sailed home and got back in relative decent time.

Today, I was such a lazy slob! Went out for dim sum (lunch) and even supper (New Kirin Eatery). All afternoon, I was on the computer online chatting with friends and surfing at the same time. A friend of mine in Toronto was going through a mini-personal crisis so I tried to manage via MSN messenger (I should have called, huh?)

The week ahead: lots of work. Work 12 days straight at various places in town. I'm covering for those pharmacists with kids (March Break). They always ask the single guy to cover for them! Fine with me ... I have a plane ticket to Singapore to save up for (Oct 2003, baby!)

Wednesday, March 12

It was mixed Tuesday for me. Work was quite slow at Shoppers so I was excused an hour early. It did have its animated moments but nothing out of the ordinary. But some questions I did field were utterly strange. Do people have a serious problem? Do they not have any common sense anymore? Or do they think they need a pharmacist for free medical information? Whatever ... I'll just answer stupid questions with a straight answer. Can't be smart-alecky for no good reason! (I did get a crank call from punks on March Break with nothing better to do than call a pharmacy...)

In the evening, I went over to a coworker's house for supper (BBQ shrimp!) It was a modest home but very comfortable. I brought over a recommended Ontario red wine -- it complemented dinner very nicely (whew!) Also helped my friend out with her Palm Pilot woes. It was a good evening of nice wine, bitching about the workplace and laughs.

Earlier in the day, I did get a phone call from my far away friend working in Tobermory. She had just returned from Hawaiian holiday. She was in transit and wanted to see me. It's been ages since we last hung out. (We see each other maybe 1-2 times a year?) She's doing great but in a crossroads with her job and her relationship. (What else is new?!) Seems as if these issues always pop up every so often ... such a shame. My life is so simple in comparison!

Happy first day of spring!

Friday, March 21

Wow ... it's been a while since the last entry. You have to realize, I just completed a 12-day work marathon ... it hurt me! But ... at the end of the day, the deposited cheques will definitely help me pay for some of the bills I'll be paying say ... next month! (tax time!)

What did I learn in the past 12 days? It was character building, galore. Some days, it was just plain working 'til the end of the shift. Feet were sore (and stinky due to the compression stockings I wear on longer days). But a little wiser and aware. I can churn out scripts if I have to ... a good skill when there are a lot of people waiting in front. (I don't pay attention to them, I worry about reading handwriting and dispensing the right thing the first and only time!)

What's on tap for me on my 2 days off? I'm going to relax ... started watching the original Japanese movie that inspired 'the Ring' ... better known as "Ringu". So far, it's pretty freaky -- interesting theme. But I don't scare easily. Also doing some 'net surfing... (what else is new?) Will go see a friend of mine in London -- always nice to meet up with long lost friends -- just a day trip out of Windsor. My friend Mike will come along -- more car / bike shopping is in order...

Wednesday, March 26

Time is speeding unbelieveably fast. I can't believe my folks will be going on a 1-month long cruise in a couple of weeks. That means I'll be fending for myself very shortly. This could be a great opportunity -- I can start 'eating right' and trying out new things. Or maybe I'll just go over to my friend's house and eat there once in a while ... (who am I kidding here???)

Might as well tell you about my weekend. I travelled up to London with Mike. Went up to visit our high school pal finishing up his PhD. Good times catching up -- did a little shopping and ate out at a place called "TJ Baxter's". Tried out one of London's coffee houses, Williams -- nice atmosphere coupled with interesting conversation. A very productive night.

Monday meant the start of a new work week. Thought it would be a rather busy shift (1-9) but luckily it turned out to be a steady (but not ridiculous) evening. The pharmacy manager told me of a student applying for a job at the pharmacy -- I might be 'interested' in her. Uh-oh ... getting set up by the boss ... that could mean trouble! Tuesday was more of the same -- steady work but nothing out of the ordinary. Either things are slowing down or I'm getting a lot more efficient with retail pharmacy. Who knows?!

Today, I was over at the pharmacy I frequent in the east end. I do enjoy taking my car on the expressway when there's no inclimate weather. Just cruising along and driving on the (somewhat) open road ... nice. Working there is enjoyable when the staff of one works so hard. Life can't be much easier than that! It was simple 9-4 shift ... not much happening, really. There were a few moments of panic but nothing we couldn't handle.

Tomorrow -- a day off. What will the day bring? Who knows? I'll probably do a little shopping (I've run out of Orangina!) and maybe the odd knick-knack. All this free time on my hands ... proud to say I've swam 2 days in a row. I may make it three. Have to do a little sorting of my receipts for income tax purposes -- should schedule some time with my accountant next week!