Flaming First Thread

[Mr Wallstreet]

Congratulations of the new cellphone! It will simultaneously make your life easier and vastly more difficult. Whenever you need to make an urgent call or contact someone immediately, you just whip out your handy-handy cellphone!

Unfortunately, the number of people who will now call you just say "Whats up" and really have nothing of substance to say will dramatically increase also. Have fun!

[The French Biscuit]

Congratulations of the new cellphone! It will simultaneously make your life easier and vastly more difficult. Whenever you need to make an urgent call or contact someone immediately, you just whip out your handy-handy cellphone!


Thank you, I mostly bought it for work related purposes. I need to be more reachable for my future clients. Can't sluff them off when they're paying me.


Unfortunately, the number of people who will now call you just say "Whats up" and really have nothing of substance to say will dramatically increase also. Have fun!

Aww, there's always a downside. :e2bummed: ;)

Update:
Movin' back to Saskatchewan on Wednesday. Dad's supposed to get here Tuesday-ish, so I can pack and clean Tuesday afternoon and get the place inspected the next day. Here's hoping I get most of my security deposit back.
Also, went to the BC Wildlife Park yesterday (finally! I've been wanting to go since I heard about it last year but I just never had the time) and it was pretty fun. Can't explain why they had a monkey exhibit amidst all the North American animals, but hey, I don't run the joint. And monkey's are cute.
I'll start a photography thread in the Cafe and put up some photos later.

[The French Biscuit]

On the farm

So, I've been back on the 'ol homestead for a few weeks and it's been fairly enjoyable.

Except for that week were it snowed over a foot. NOT KIDDING! SEE!? (http://www.wunderground.com/wximage/viewsingleimage.html?mode=singleimage&orig_handle=&orig_number=&handle=CanadianNinja&number=259&album_id=87#slideanchor):soapbox:

Good thing the snow's gone now.

I'm the new big sister of Slider, the little lamb my folks rescued from certain death over the winter. I play with my beloved Pomeranians everyday, which is tres awesome and I generally get a fair amount of time to do nothing of any great importance.

Idle has been my search for work. Mostly because my Gmail is partially down and I'm kinda waiting for it to fix itself (not a great plan, but I take what I can get). Still have to get my cell number changed and update my portfolio site for the whole "getting a career" thing.

I did see a sorta job offer from the guy I worked with on the Kamloops Exploration Group website but it was a web job back in Kamloops and I'm kinda keen on Saskatchewan right now.

Back to the flatlands,
Cue the sig!

[Fasheem]

That snow is freaking ridiculous.

I love being unemployed, but not so much if I'm living with my parents. It pretty much ruins it. The constant NAGGING. I'd rather go to fucking work!

[Mr Wallstreet]

On the farm


Idle has been my search for work.



I have never heard someone state their laziness and unemployment status so artistically. I had to pass off several laughs, as though they were coughs so as not to arouse suspicion.

:D

[The French Biscuit]

That snow is freaking ridiculous.

I love being unemployed, but not so much if I'm living with my parents. It pretty much ruins it. The constant NAGGING. I'd rather go to fucking work!

I know! URGH!

My 'rents are a little less heavy on the nagging, but mostly because since I'm here I do chores and stuff around the place. So if I leave, they have one less person to contribute to the place. :D

[The French Biscuit]

I have never heard someone state their laziness and unemployment status so artistically. I had to pass off several laughs, as though they were coughs so as not to arouse suspicion.

:D

Well, I am a graphic designer. I even take naps that could be framed for posterity. :)

[The French Biscuit]

Papers please

Grad is on Friday back in the Loop, followed by photos and shindiggery. Should be good, though I imagine the ceremony itself will be pretty boring (as will the long-ass drive to get back to B.C.)

Cool thing is we're staying over in Edmonton with an old friend of my mom's. They haven't seen each other since they were teenagers so it should be an especially fun trip for my mom, and a chance for me to get embarassing childhood stories about her. :D

Friday is therefore the day when I am officially a Graphic Designer and so my slack-assery with regards to looking for work will have to come to an end, sadly.

I have picked up a project from a friend of my parents already, so I'm not a total deadbeat (more like 98.5% deadbeat). :coolgleam: I'm designing a trade fair banner for the Co-operative Development. Fairly benign, but at least it's something else to add to the 'ol portfolio.

And now, dancing!
:chewie:

[CountD]

how is the job market for that in your locale?

and If I forget or I'm not around..congratulations on graduating.

[Fasheem]

Congratulations!

Good luck finding work in Saskatchewan. The job market was garbage last I checked, but there is supposed to be a "boom" coming. So far the boom has only resulted in inflated housing prices but I'm sure there is an actual job boom coming. Right. :dead:

[Mr Wallstreet]

http://www.wondercliparts.com/graduation/graphics/graduation_graphics_02.gif

Major kudos on slaying the beast aka graduating from college and becoming a full fledged Graphic Designer.

Regale with your tale of graduation!

While searching for graduation pics, I was surprised (but really I shouldn't have been) to see how easily innocent searches for the word "graduation" eventually lead to nude photos of bg busty women wearing graduation gowns while fornicating and fellatiating.

[MGM]

Wait, what? Congrats!



And where are those pictures, Wallstreet? :mad:

[The French Biscuit]

how is the job market for that in your locale?

and If I forget or I'm not around..congratulations on graduating.

So far, it appears to be pretty good if your focused on web design. Which I'm not so bummer there.

The best way to find work is to just e-mail a design firm and ask if their looking, rather than looking for an ad in the paper. Right now I'm waiting on word from someone who knows someone in a design firm in Saskatoon, to see what's going on on the inside

Thanks D! :D

[The French Biscuit]

Congratulations!

Good luck finding work in Saskatchewan. The job market was garbage last I checked, but there is supposed to be a "boom" coming. So far the boom has only resulted in inflated housing prices but I'm sure there is an actual job boom coming. Right. :dead:

Thank you! :D

The beauty of Graphic Design is if all else fails, I can go freelance. I've got a little bit of experience doing client work and I know about freelancing thanks to some presentations we had in class last term.

I'd much rather work for a company of course, because then you have a more steady, reliable salary.

Yeah, this "boom" so far hasn't done much for anyone I know, but we'll see.

[The French Biscuit]

http://www.wondercliparts.com/graduation/graphics/graduation_graphics_02.gif

Major kudos on slaying the beast aka graduating from college and becoming a full fledged Graphic Designer.

Regale with your tale of graduation!

While searching for graduation pics, I was surprised (but really I shouldn't have been) to see how easily innocent searches for the word "graduation" eventually lead to nude photos of bg busty women wearing graduation gowns while fornicating and fellatiating.

Thanks very much Wally! :D

The actual grad ceremony was a bit of a wash. Our class was one of the first in line so we sat up front just out of reach of the canopy that was over the graduats. Which meant we spent a couple hours sitting in the hot hot sun in big heavy black gowns.

Not fun.

The after-grad BBQ that our one and only remaining male classmate put on was most excellent. We played beer pong mostly, which I discovered I am bad at whether I'm drunk or sober. :-X Didn't get around to Obstacle Botchi, but that probably spared me a bit o' embarrasement. :D

It was good to see my friends again, and I miss them all. Unfortunately, three of them couldn't make it either because A) they went all the way back to China, and that's a long way to come back for just one day B) no real excuse, just being a pain I guess (just one of the three falls under B)


How "eventually" is "eventually"? Page 5 or page 50 of Google images?
I question the innocence of this search. ;)

[The French Biscuit]

Wait, what? Congrats!



And where are those pictures, Wallstreet? :mad:

Thanks M! :D

Oy! No smut in the thread unless I put it here.

Thems the rules! :)

[The French Biscuit]

Tea and Biscuits

So far the job quest has been held back by A) already working on a project and B) my Grandma's upcoming 90th come-and-go tea party this Saturday.

Being the helpy-helper that I am, I've been dutifully cleaning the house and doing a bit of landscaping around the yard. Today I will have the joy of taking the weed-wacker out for a spin around the jungle that is most of the backyard. Wee! :D

The tea party itself should be fun. My mom and I ran around town the day before yesterday and got a bunch of dainty trays ordered and other necessary party things.

The banner project is going alright. My Gmail account is on the fritz ( AGAIN!) so I'm going to have to try re-sending some stuff today and asking around to see who can print these things in town.


P.S. Also got side-tracked by a painting project in my room, which looks pretty good. I'll have to get some pictures up eventually.

[Fasheem]

I'm beginning to suspect gmail of sucking fat hairy balls.

[The French Biscuit]

I'm beginning to suspect gmail of sucking fat hairy balls.

As am I. :P At least it loaded today, that's a plus. I'm seriously thinking of going back to hotmail.

Word on the Project: Delayed. Still waiting to hear from someone in the Co-Op about the banner drafts. She may be held up because she's trying to getan opinion from someone else as well, who apparently is hard to reach. Fingers crossed that we get some movement on this on Monday.

Word on the Come and Go Tea: Success. Everybody had a great time and we had plenty of food and drinks for everyone. Pity you guys don't live closer to me or you all could have come! :D

[The French Biscuit]

Don't run with scissors unless you are a trained professional

I really, really need to get my hair cut.

Really.

And by making a post about it, it will encourage me to actually phone up some small-town hair place and get 'er done.

Also, must finish updating portfolio site and laying out resume. That's the extra fun part of graphic design. Your resume not only has to read well, it has to look good too.

Just say no to Times New Roman.

[CountD]

http://i41.tinypic.com/2h49u1y.gif

[Python]

Don't run with scissors unless you are a trained professional

I really, really need to get my hair cut.

Really.

And by making a post about it, it will encourage me to actually phone up some small-town hair place and get 'er done.


Did you go super-short again? Huh? Didja didja didja? :)

[The French Biscuit]

Did you go super-short again? Huh? Didja didja didja? :)

I did! It's grown out a bit now, but it's still pretty short. Will post pics when I get some that I like. :D

[The French Biscuit]

Selling myself

I had my first pseudo-interview today. I say "pseudo" because a) it's fun to say and b) because it wasn't an "official" interview. My cousin works at a place in downtown Yorkton that recently lost one of their graphic designers and was going to start looking for a new one. Before they'd even posted the job, my cousin got me in to see the boss this morning (at a little after 8:30am) and I did a quick run down of my skills and experience.

Props for family. :D

The boss was up-front about the fact that they had offered the job to a designer in Brandon Manitoba (who works for the company that runs the Yorkton office), but she would of course have to move out to Yorkton. If she doesn't want to move out here, then that leaves the door open for me.

Now, I just got a message and e-mail from another job I applied for almost a week ago in Canora (50 minutes away from Yorkton if any of y'all are wondering). Interview for that is tomorrow at a more sane hour (11 am).

I had given up on the Canora guys because it has been nearly a week since I applied, but I guess these things tend to come in packs. :monocle:

Not sure which one I'm really pulling for at the moment. Ideally it would be the Yorkton one because it's only about a half-hour commute, whereas Canora is nearly an hour (according to Google anyway). In Yorkton, I'd be with my cousin, which would be cool because we've kinda gotten distant over the years (my bad on that front). Canora is a little more of a blank-slate, which could be good too.

At the end of the day, I just want a steady job. So here's hoping I get at least that.

If anyone has any advice for walking into an interview when you've already got a potential job on the horizon, I'm all ears.

P.S. Those banners I mentioned a while back are all done and I have been paid in full for getting them done. :coolgleam:

[ChimeraCreative]

Sounds like pure awesomeness keeps rolling the Biscuit's way. ^_^ I'm so gosh darn proud that a couple of us BXers have the gumption to get real jobs. ^_^

How's it feel to be home again in general? I've been in Tilbury for a little less than a week now and I'm at the exact level of annoyance I figured I'd be (a moderate level 4, subject to change if an asshole mows his lawn at 7AM).

[The French Biscuit]

Sounds like pure awesomeness keeps rolling the Biscuit's way. ^_^ I'm so gosh darn proud that a couple of us BXers have the gumption to get real jobs. ^_^

I know! It's great, I've been throwing my stuff around for about two months and this is the first time I've gotten some good results. Thanks so much! :D

Now, the Canora job (at the Canora Courier) is well, mine if I want it. They've been kind enough (ridiculously kind in fact) to wait until tomorrow afternoon when the Yorkton job will get back to me. The Canora guy got phoned me within an hour after the interview and basically handed me the position, pending on what I hear from Yorkton.

I talked to the Yorkton gall today, again (right after the Canora interview in fact), and we had a proper sit-down interview and really got to talking about what the job is and where the company wants to go. I'm even more psyched to work for them now, because the company (Quick Print) is really just starting out and there is a lot of room for creative ideas and growth. The Canora Courier would be just newspaper layouts and ads, so not a wide variety of things, but it would be fairly steady work.

I also found out from my cousin after the very good interview today, that Jan (Quick Print boss-lady) felt I was over qualified. :monocle: Hopefully she doesn't think that anymore and she realizes I can do basic stuff like forms, as well as the fun stuff like business cards and posters without getting bored out of my head.

Tomorrow afternoon, the hammer falls and I'll hear back from Quick Print. Either way, I'll have a job somewhere so it's a fairly win-win situation for me.


How's it feel to be home again in general? I've been in Tilbury for a little less than a week now and I'm at the exact level of annoyance I figured I'd be (a moderate level 4, subject to change if an asshole mows his lawn at 7AM).

It's been pretty good. My little bro has a month off right now, so it's been nice to have the whole family together again. Plus, now that I've got some job prospects on the horizon, I'll be able to reconnect with old friends that I've lost touch with. I've already gotten an invite from one in Regina and another who is right here in Yorkton. :D

It'll be great to have friends in the same area again. I have been missing all my old Design buds back in BC, so it'll be nice to have a close circle of friends again.

Family-related annoyance ebbs and flows. Some days I think I could really use a place of my own far far away, and other days I really enjoy being here again. It's all good at the end of the day. :D

*flings a Flaming Croissant of DOOM! at the offending lawnmower* Some people have no consideration for those around them. :-P

[Mr Wallstreet]

Selling myself

If anyone has any advice for walking into an interview when you've already got a potential job on the horizon, I'm all ears.



Advice is a day late as per my usual but I would recommend going to the second interview and seeing what the other job opportunity has to offer. If there is no rush to give and answer to either job, take some quiet time, and reflect on each position from the day-to-day tasks to the co-workers, immediate supervisor, work environment, work culture, commute, daily workload, salary, benefits, commute opportunity for advancement etc.

Both jobs will have benefits and drawbacks but it'll be up to you to weigh each pro and con to see which side the pros add up to most and which will make you happiest.

This may sound like very generic cut-and-dried advice, but in my experience its always to better to separate out the good from the not so good and compare them separately as well as side-by-side. And even after all this, it'll still be difficult to accurately quantify where you'll be happiest and in that instance, you'll need to rely on your gut.

Best of luck on your decision!

And congrats on the job offers.

[Python]

^
That is good advice.

The only thing I would be concerned about the Yorkton position is whether or not the business will succeed. If it does, you're golden and your efforts would be a big reason for that success. If not, you're out of a job, but you can always get another.

[The French Biscuit]

Advice is a day late as per my usual but I would recommend going to the second interview and seeing what the other job opportunity has to offer. If there is no rush to give and answer to either job, take some quiet time, and reflect on each position from the day-to-day tasks to the co-workers, immediate supervisor, work environment, work culture, commute, daily workload, salary, benefits, commute opportunity for advancement etc.

Both jobs will have benefits and drawbacks but it'll be up to you to weigh each pro and con to see which side the pros add up to most and which will make you happiest.

This may sound like very generic cut-and-dried advice, but in my experience its always to better to separate out the good from the not so good and compare them separately as well as side-by-side. And even after all this, it'll still be difficult to accurately quantify where you'll be happiest and in that instance, you'll need to rely on your gut.

Best of luck on your decision!

And congrats on the job offers.

You advice, though tardy, is always appreciated and taken to heart Wally. Thank you. :D

I had a bit of time betwixt offers to mull things over, and I decided on the Yorkton job at Quick Print. So I have been their graphic designer since Monday and so far it has been going quite well.

The commute, the lack of variety and the lack of friends at Canora Courier ultimately made me drop it. It would have been just running type into columns and designing newspaper ads all the time, plus a 40 minute drive just to get to the place.

Quick Print has a wider variety of clients/jobs (ex. I've helped print flyers, business cards and forms in the last 4 days alone) so it's more interesting to work there. I've also learned more about the print world and it's inner workings, which is great for my career. The commute is much shorter (i.e. less of my cheque spent on fuel) and my cousin works in there too so It's cool to already know one person.

Thanks again Wally! :D

[The French Biscuit]

^
That is good advice.

The only thing I would be concerned about the Yorkton position is whether or not the business will succeed. If it does, you're golden and your efforts would be a big reason for that success. If not, you're out of a job, but you can always get another.

True, but I think they're going to do quite well. They have the materials (printers, etc.) to do it, we just need to work a bit on how we present ourselves.

And by "we" I mean mostly me. I've been set the task of designing their upcoming newsletter, the interior artwork and layout of the shop and marketing materials.

Wish me luck. :chewie:

[The French Biscuit]

Designer by Day...

Dastardly Slaker by Night. That pretty much describes the last few weeks. I go to work, which is pretty awesome, and come home and don't get around to much extra design work.

The last few weeks have been a real eye opener for what the "Real World" is like in the design field. Usually, we're under the gun and have to get things out fast. I have had the pleasure of doing more creative things than setting business cards 10-up.

Design Triumphs
Banner for ABLE BBQ
I Candy business cards
Quick Print newsletter
Banners for Sunrise Health Region

O.K. it's a short list, but everybody starts somewhere. Most of what I do is just printing files that come in, or making forms for local businesses.

I've got this nagging idea in my head that it'd be a cool publicity gimmick to do an Design show at the art gallery with both my own and my partner in design Ken's old (or slightly newer) work.

Comraderie around the office is quite good. There are only a pair of people I try to avoid, and one of them works downstairs so I hardly ever see him anyway. The other is only annoying some of the time, and again, she works up front (away from me).

So far, so good. :D

[The French Biscuit]

Today I achieve Nerdvana

I supped up my parents computer today by doing the following;

Vaccumed all the cobwebs out of the inside. (seriously)
Doubled their RAM.
Fixed Norton so it doesn't pester them with a backup reminder every freakin day.
Fixed a door on their computer desk so it actually closes.

And after all that, I thought I'd have to re-set up my wireless network because it hasn't been letting me log on for days. I tried it today and lo, it likes me again. I'm as confused as I am happy. :D

Now if only someone would fix Facebook. :e2bummed:

[wolf_2099]

Today I achieve Nerdvana



Now if only someone would fix Facebook. :e2bummed:

I'd say you could fix it by deleting it, but you can't even do that anymore.

[The French Biscuit]

I'd say you could fix it by deleting it, but you can't even do that anymore.

Facebook is the real Skynet.

[Stocky Boy]

Facebook has Mafia Wars and since I've just discovered it and it passes the time at work, I'm loving the Facebook.

[ChimeraCreative]

Facebook is the real Skynet.

:willy_nilly::willy_nilly::willy_nilly:

[XIII]

Facebook has Mafia Wars and since I've just discovered it and it passes the time at work, I'm loving the Facebook.

Do you ever work?

[wolf_2099]

Do you ever work?

Didn't you hear? Stocky is dating his boss now!

[The French Biscuit]

Facebook has Mafia Wars and since I've just discovered it and it passes the time at work, I'm loving the Facebook.

Mafia Wars is weird, I have apparently "helped" people without actually doing anything (least as far as I know, since I've logged in maybe twice.)

What's your actual "job" again? ;)

[Stocky Boy]

Well, I turn up at work and play Mafia Wars. My official hours are 09:30 to 17:30. I tend to get in around 08:10 though. I work five days a week with 25 days paid holiday and I get paid a salary each month.

Sometimes it's hard to get on with playing Mafia Wars because people don't send round energy packs like they should. Plus other people bug me about sales data and stuff. :D

When you have friends who are also using Mafia Wars and you fight other people for experience points, you bring your 'crew' with you. So, every now and again, when I fight someone, I get informed that Don Biscy helped me. The stronger your friends are the bigger the help. If the person I attacked had money on them, it's split between us.

I think you'll find you'll have time to play this at work when you're fully settled in. :D

Everything going great?

[The French Biscuit]

Well, I turn up at work and play Mafia Wars. My official hours are 09:30 to 17:30. I tend to get in around 08:10 though. I work five days a week with 25 days paid holiday and I get paid a salary each month.

Sometimes it's hard to get on with playing Mafia Wars because people don't send round energy packs like they should. Plus other people bug me about sales data and stuff. :D

When you have friends who are also using Mafia Wars and you fight other people for experience points, you bring your 'crew' with you. So, every now and again, when I fight someone, I get informed that Don Biscy helped me. The stronger your friends are the bigger the help. If the person I attacked had money on them, it's split between us.

I think you'll find you'll have time to play this at work when you're fully settled in. :D

Everything going great?

You are a gem, Stockwell. :D L! Don Biscy is always at your service. :coolgleam:

Everything is still pretty great. There are only a couple of flies in the ointment. They are;

Press Guy and Accountant.

I think it's cooler to call them by their titles cause it sounds more villainous this way.

More on them next time.

[The French Biscuit]

I Can Has Kitty?

I can, I can!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v13/The_Ninja/Luna.jpg

This is Luna, our new cat. Somebody dumped this adorable little cat off at my cousin's farm, but since she's allergic she gave her to us. :D Huzzah for me, shame on whoever dropped her off.

[Stocky Boy]

What type is that? Fur looks nice and fluffy. Face looks a little peeved.

[XIII]

It looks evil, like all cats do. Obviously, he has plans to take over the world.

[The French Biscuit]

Stocky: Not sure. She's definitely a cat though, that much is certain.

XIII: :D

Kitty has since moved to my cousins' farm, seeing as we have two cats in the house already, and they only have one. She's happier over there I think, she lords it over their cat with queen-like grace. :D

[ChimeraCreative]

Man, I am so banned from getting anymore pets. >.<
However! Mom found an injured rabbit in the front yard and picked it up. It's a domesticated critter some a-hole released outside. He's got a gimpy foot, but he's all mine now. ^_^

And because this thread isn't about me... HIYA BISCUIT! ^_^ Cold enough for you? I thought we were going to get an Indian summer but it just keeps getting colder out here.

And by the by, if I was to take a trip across Canada what kinda things would I wanna see out by where you are? ^_^

[The French Biscuit]

When did work become my life?

Yeah, it kind of has. Last week we had a fun night at the Business After Hours thing. Good thing I went or it would have been up to my cousin to man the table all by herself most of the night. We were joined by our Boss and the Accountant, who is now the Boss's "new best friend".

We gagged at this. Often.

The actual evening was pretty good. I was disapponted because I spent a lot of time coming up with samples, extra flyers for people to take with them, a banner, and cute "thanks for coming to our table" cards. I handed out maybe 10 cards, I printed and folded about 100. Ditto for the flyers and hardly anyone was around to see the rest of the stuff. :-P

The banner was a bit of a fiasco as well. I made it too short for the pole that came with the base, so I could only pull out about 95% of the banner. Which was fine actually, it still looked good, but Press Guy decided to "help".

By "help" I mean, shove a crappy looking, tape-wrapped stick up the top of the pole to make it longer so I could pull out the rest of the banner.

It looked ridiculous and crappy. :finger: I was fuming in my little Biscuity head, but I learned a valuable lesson. If I say it (whatever it may be) looks good, I must must not let anyone else touch it. Ever!

This weekend kinda sucked. I was sick on Saturday, so I spent today playing catch-up on the stuff I wanted to get done for Monday. I carved two jack-o-lanterns and made some halloween origami for the office. Jacks look good, the origami is a different matter.

Biscuit, AWAY!

[The French Biscuit]

Man, I am so banned from getting anymore pets. >.<
However! Mom found an injured rabbit in the front yard and picked it up. It's a domesticated critter some a-hole released outside. He's got a gimpy foot, but he's all mine now. ^_^

And because this thread isn't about me... HIYA BISCUIT! ^_^ Cold enough for you? I thought we were going to get an Indian summer but it just keeps getting colder out here.

And by the by, if I was to take a trip across Canada what kinda things would I wanna see out by where you are? ^_^

Wee bunny! :D Our neighbours have bunnies, and they're so cute! :D

Yes, it is plenty cold enough for me. I get teased at work for coming in with my woolies on. :e2bummed:

What kind of things would you want to see? How about ME! :D Seriously, there's not much else, except Saskatoon which is my favourite city. It's got some nice stores and a cute art gallery.

[ChimeraCreative]

Last year my brother went coast to coast and he says he'd like to do it again next year. Adam's hoping to see more of the country too, so I'm thinking road trip. You're in the Saskatoon area, aren't ya? ^_^

[wolf_2099]

Last year my brother went coast to coast and he says he'd like to do it again next year. Adam's hoping to see more of the country too, so I'm thinking road trip. You're in the Saskatoon area, aren't ya? ^_^


What about me?

[ChimeraCreative]

Well, shucks, Cam, I didn't know you cared. ^_^ Correct me if I'm wrong but you're not in Saskatchewan, you're in Alberta, right?

[wolf_2099]

I know! But coast to coast, and I'm just next door.

Bring Biscie with you!

[wolf_2099]

And I'm in Calgary, which sadly, might be the most interesting city in the Prairies.

[The French Biscuit]

Last year my brother went coast to coast and he says he'd like to do it again next year. Adam's hoping to see more of the country too, so I'm thinking road trip. You're in the Saskatoon area, aren't ya? ^_^

Nope, I'm just outside of Yorkton. It's about 3.5 hours south of Saskatoon.

[The French Biscuit]

Bring Biscie with you!

Cow-town would be a hoot. I've only ever driven through it, never stayed long enough to visit.

It would be a most epic BX Meet-up, says I.

[wolf_2099]

Cow-town would be a hoot. I've only ever driven through it, never stayed long enough to visit.

It would be a most epic BX Meet-up, says I.

If anyone remembers if, since the number one thing to do in Calgary is drink, it seems, and I don't really do that anymore.

[The French Biscuit]

Well, we'll drink and you can be our chaperone. :D

[wolf_2099]

Well, we'll drink and you can be our chaperone. :D

Deal, I will bring the camera.

[The French Biscuit]

Faboo! Also;

I love this guy

I was perusing my favourite webcomic, www.leasticoulddo.com, and came upon this post by one of the creators Ryan Sohmer who recently opened a comic book shop called the 4th Wall in Montreal. Enjoy:

"A few minutes ago, a group of four 17 year olds walked into The 4th Wall for the sole purpose of making fun of comic books, graphic novels and the people who like them. For the majority of their visit, I managed to refrain from punching any of them in the head or opening my mouth…up until this moment:

Girl 1: So, like, was this always your dream? To open up a little comic book shop for dorks?
Me: Actually, no. My dream was to become an astronaut, but that was cut short when NASA discovered my secret.
Girl 1: Your secret?
Me: Yeah, turns out I love kicking ignorant teens who condescend to others. In the throat.
Girl 1: What?
Me: You want to come in the back room for a sec?
Girl 2: We should probably get going.

I think I’ve got a grasp on this customer service thing."

Props to you Mr. Sohmer. Props indeed.

[wolf_2099]

Wait wait wait...
NEW COMIC STORE IN MONTREAL!?!?!?!

[wolf_2099]

I checked.

Pointe Claire is not Montreal.

[wolf_2099]

It is however quite close. near my parents golf course.

I will go investigate next time I am home.

[The French Biscuit]

I checked.

Pointe Claire is not Montreal.

But someday the urban sprawl of Montreal will make it part of Montreal.

[wolf_2099]

But someday the urban sprawl of Montreal will make it part of Montreal.

It's a town that is attached the Montreal, like the suburbs, but techinically it's own township. Montreal is weird like that.

[The French Biscuit]

Ride that Bull

I discovered a new and exciting fact last night;

Biscuit + Indoor Rodeo = Huge Asthma Attack

Ye-friggin-haw.

However, I stuck it out and got to see some bull riding. I think I've got some photos of some epic rider fails (or epic bull wins, depends who's side you're on) that I'll share once I'm done feeling like shite.

[The French Biscuit]

That Stick is on FIRE!

The Olympic Torch came through town, which is about the biggest thing that has ever happened in my hometown. Least as far as I can remember.

It was friggin cold though, and as a result my camera seized up a bit. So a lot of my photos are not fabulous. I've attached the two that turned out the best.

No protestors that I could see, but that might have been due to the weather. I couldn't feel my feet after the whole thing was over (which didn't take long by the by).

Made a couple of friends while waiting. They had followed the torch from when it entered town and had jumped ahead to catch it at the cauldron lighting.

Souvenirs from the event: Photos, 1 Official Torch Relay Coke bottle and a Olympic flag.

All in all good times, but would have liked it better if it was the Summer Olympics.

P.S. Fun fact: If you have a big enough camera, with a tripod, people will think you work for a newspaper.

[Stocky Boy]

Was the Oympic torch intending to go through your town? :D

How cold was it where you are?

[The French Biscuit]

Was the Oympic torch intending to go through your town? :D

How cold was it where you are?

Amazingly, yes. :monocle:

It was about -28C/-18.4F (a bit colder with the windchill). I pitied the torch bearers who were expected to run around in that weather.

[wolf_2099]

Pah, it's canada. That was a warm balmy day.

[Stocky Boy]

It was -6C last week in London and that was cold enough.

[The French Biscuit]

Sissy. ;P

[The French Biscuit]

I just got a drunk message from one of my co-workers on Facebook. Thankefully it's not on my wall, so he's not that drunk.

:e2drunk:

Is this a sign I should really, really step up the looking for work thing? Oh yes.

[The French Biscuit]

In Other News...

Moved to a basement apartment in Moosomin Saskatchewan and started my new job at the World Spectator three weeks ago. So far, both have been working out well for me.

Apartment is quite spacious for just little ol me (see Facebook album) and it's very quiet. Had an issue with it being very cold down here, but have solved it by leaving the dehumidifier on all day while I'm at work.

The town is small (about 2500 residents) and that has revealed some issues. Shops close earlier than I'm used to, and nothing is open on Sunday except the churches. Still, Moosomin is right on the Trans-Canada highway so I can easily drive to the bigger cities like Brandon and Regina. Brandon's closer, and all of its delightful big box stores (sorry little mom and pop shops) are just off the highway.

Job has so far been o.k. It's early days still, but it's over 9000 times better than the Quick Print. There's more genuine comraderie, less drama and the job is nothing that is beyond my skills.

Socializing with my fellow employees has been really fun. Went for a walk around town with one of my fellow graphic designers on my first night, we had a "Girls Night" at one of the reporter's apartment later in that same week week, then the following week we went over to Brandon to take in a live show (a singer that the other reporter had previously interviewed).

For a shut-in like myself, this is a whole lot more socializing than I think I've ever done in that amount of time.

Overall, I am far less stressed and depressed. I still don't think this is by any means the place I'll be forever, but I hope it'll keep its luster for at least a of couple years.

Side note: I have introduced them to the word "Huzzah!" which was previously not in their vocabulary. I believe it is slowly catching on. :D

[jedispyder]

Yeah for corrupting small towns, one person at a time! Glad the new place is working out so well for you, sometimes I think a complete change like that would work well for me, too. I would hate to have to be in a small town like that where everything closes early, especially since I'm used to being up all night and having the freedom of going to the grocery store at 3am if I want to.

[The French Biscuit]

Yeah for corrupting small towns, one person at a time! Glad the new place is working out so well for you, sometimes I think a complete change like that would work well for me, too. I would hate to have to be in a small town like that where everything closes early, especially since I'm used to being up all night and having the freedom of going to the grocery store at 3am if I want to.

Thanks very much. I take the word "Huzzah!" everywhere with me. :)

Small town living is not for everyone, that is for sure. This biscuit is a day-timer, so stuff being closed early isn't all that bad. I am slowly learning to cope and find ways around the inconveniences. I will overcome! :coolgleam:

[ChimeraCreative]

I can't believe you found a place smaller than Tilbury. Wow, I feel like the Big Time now. ^_^ You must at least have a Tim Horton's in the not-so-distant distance. It'd be open all night if you need out.

I'm downright curious to see how you feel about the place when autumn and winter creep up on us. Not that I want you to be more stressed or depressed, gawd no, but winter in a small town can be so... irritating.

[The French Biscuit]

I can't believe you found a place smaller than Tilbury. Wow, I feel like the Big Time now. ^_^ You must at least have a Tim Horton's in the not-so-distant distance. It'd be open all night if you need out.


Yeah, Tilbury has about twice as many people as Moosomin. Alas, there's no Timys in town and I'm not sure where the closest one is. :e2bummed:


I'm downright curious to see how you feel about the place when autumn and winter creep up on us. Not that I want you to be more stressed or depressed, gawd no, but winter in a small town can be so... irritating.

As am I. By then I'll probably be out of this apartment and into someplace else. Options are either buy a house (though they are ridiculously high right now) or just keep renting somewhere. I still haven't found out what the rent is on this place (I don't know cause my boss is footing the bill until end of October).

Care to elaborate on the irritating? Just so I'm prepared.:coolgleam:

P.S. This house looks cute for a dome (http://www.realtor.ca/propertyDetails.aspx?propertyId=9564895&PidKey=1890684969)

[wolf_2099]

[FONT="Franklin Gothic Medium"][SIZE="3"] so I can easily drive to the bigger cities like Brandon and Regina.


Bwahahahah... ahahahaha.... hahaha.... ahahahahah... ha... ha... ha.

Oh sorry, did I interrupt?

Bwahah.

Ha.


I'm happy you're enjoying it Biscie.
I hear awesome, awesome things about buying comics in Sask.

On a curious note. Is the cost of living very high out there? Rent and stuff?

[ChimeraCreative]

Winter Irritation in Small Towns

Firstly, there's cabin fever. Having no where to go and nothing to do will drive a person mad. When getting your mail is a big social event (and a slog through snow) you're in trouble. Then comes eating too much out of boredom. And if you make an effort to go out and do something the place/store might be closed early because of snow/suspected snow, that's a big pain in the ass.

Snow removal varies from good to shit in small towns depending on how on the ball the farmers/community/town are on any particular day.

If we get an ice storm and the hydro gets knocked out we don't get ours restored as fast as bigger communities. Maybe that's just my county though, always hating the Tilbillies. ^_^

And never get snowed in with relatives you can't stand. It's like The Shining on super fast forward.

[The French Biscuit]

Winter Irritation in Small Towns
Snow removal varies from good to shit in small towns depending on how on the ball the farmers/community/town are on any particular day.


Yipes. That's what made me give up on a cabin I was thinking of getting. It's out in the boonies and I was worried about my little car making it in the snow.

[The French Biscuit]

Basement Living for the Young Professional Pastry

Well, we went from stinkin' hot to freakin' wet within a few days here in the South. We got a lot of rain today and from the looks of the forecast, it'll continue into tomorrow. Fortunately, I haven't had any water infiltrate into the basement so that's a relief.

Work is going really well. There is only one sna-foo and that is J (name has been changed just cause I'm that paranoid). J has been there for two years and in that time has established his own system to doing things. Any straying from this system results in a hissy-fit of toddler like proportions. However, if we leave J to his own megalomaniacle devices he's happy as a clam. It's a great system. Naturally, while using the system we still keep our fingers firmly crossed that he will find some irresistible job in his native Ontario and we can bid him a fond farewell. My real bosses seem quite happy with me and work is picking up now that they're back.

I made a friend at my second-last photo shoot. I went to photograph kindergartners and this one little boy (Brock) really liked the camera. So, being a nice photographer, I let him take pictures. It actually worked out really well for me. The kids were more relaxed, I was more relaxed (though I kept a death-grip on the strap of the very expensive camera) and the pictures I took once I got the camera back were very warmly received by my bosses. :-)

House hunting has been ongoing. Another one just came on the market on Windover Ave. You can check it out on this website. (http://www.zoocasa.com/en/real_estate/1041294-1106-Windover-AVENUE-Moosomin) It looks like a bit of a hovel, but if it's structurally sound all of that can be fixed. Whoever thought that wallpaper in the kitchen looked good should be drug out into the street and beaten with a roll of the stuff.

The basement apartment is still quite nice. My landlady is rarely home at the same time I am, so keeping my computer turned down hasn't been an issue. I'm going to have to leave her a sticky note asking about rent, because our schedules never seem to coincide. If I can't find any place else when my three months are up, it would just be more convenient if I could stay in the basement. With the dehumidifier running all day, what used to be a really cold hole in the ground is now a delightful living space. Albeit, with ugly carpet in the living room/office. My computer is still living happily on the coffee table, and I've secured a side table for my printer and future scanner. My old scanner bit the dust after seven years of faithful service. :e2bummed:

Living by myself is the best. Things like not having to share a bathroom or your computer are great benefits. It's so quiet and peaceful. :) Only drawback has been having to always cook for myself. Fortunately, I'm not a pickey eater. ;)

Only other drawback was the bugs, but after a thorough clean a couple weeks ago I have successfully de-bugged the place. The weather has been getting cooler too, so there should be fewer and fewer stragglers as time goes on.

[The French Biscuit]

I hear awesome, awesome things about buying comics in Sask.


It is really good, if you can find a comic book shop. There isn't one in this town, and there wasn't one in my hometown. Saskatoon was the best place for comic shopping for me anyway, never tried Regina.


On a curious note. Is the cost of living very high out there? Rent and stuff?

Pretty good, you can still find decent places in the bigger cities for around $500 (sometimes that includes utilities). Utilities were always pretty reasonable when I was paying them. Living with the folks for a while has leasened my knowledge on this subject.

[The French Biscuit]

OVER 9000!

Well, not really.

I have over 500 pictures to go through and edit for my distant relations. I took pictures at the ... I'm not sure what's the best thing to call it. It was an "two-weeks-after-the-wedding-party" held for those who could not make the wedding proper.

It may be under a thousand, but it feels like over 9000.

And getting distracted by NYCC pics on Facebook isn't helping. :(

[The French Biscuit]

These are the days...

I wish I could light people on fire with my mind. :-P

[MGM]

:chewie:?

[The French Biscuit]

Our office jerk was bugging me a lot that day, tomorrow will probably be equally "I wish I could start you on fire-erific".

Good news is, my house has both power and now water! It took awhile to get the water turned on seeing as the switch to the town supply was under a pile of snow. Official move in date is next week. :)

[XIII]

Super awesome!!!

[MGM]

Indeed it is!

[The French Biscuit]

It has been. Nothing beats having your own place.
I don't have to hear people walking around in the apartment above or beside me (or both, that was a fun time).
I don't have to keep quiet to keep from disturbing other people cause, guess what? My nearest neighbour is across the street!
Even with utilities included, I'm paying less than if I'd stayed in the basement apartment so financially this was the best option.

The place still looks like I'm living in poverty. I just moved all my old furniture from my parents' place in, so there's nothing for living room or dining room furniture as of yet. But I have my good ol' desk so at least my computer is comfortable.

And I have Hope! One of my Poms from the farm is living with me (semi-illegally since I haven't gone to the town office to get her a license. I can't help it if it's only open one day a week.). She also has more furniture for her than I have for me. My priorities are clearly in order.

Bought an old washer and dryer from my former landlady, but have yet to get them into the house. I can't use my itty-bitty Taurus to haul a washer and dryer, and the cover she has on her truck bed is frozen on so we can't use her truck. So I have to beg for one of the company vehicles. Hopefully after a failed attempt last weekend (my landlady was out-of-town) this weekend will proove more fruitful.

Which would be awesome seeing as I'm running out of clothes. :sweatdrop:

[The French Biscuit]

Alas, poor Taurus...

My car may be on her last legs. :(

I took her to the Ford in town to investigate a mysterious brownish leak coming from underneath the front of the car. The prognosis was not good. There are in fact three things leaking under there and all of them are expensive.

So I have two options:

1) Put another little over $1,000 into it to fix it

2) See about getting a new or slightly-used vehicle

Ford has a Recycle Your Ride promotion where you get money towards another vehicle if you retire your old one. The guy at the shop said my car should qualify because of the year (1997) and kms (over 200,000), but I'd have to talk to a sales guy to get the facts and figures.

My initial reaction is to try for a different vehicle, preferably an SUV or a small truck. Cars just don't do well in winter, especially in semi-rural settings like Fleming and roads aren't that great in Moosomin either. The Taurus is 14 years old already, so it's not like stuff like this isn't going to stop happening. In fact, it would likely only get worse as more important parts start to break down.

I would least have a reprieve for a while with a newer vehicle, since they all start going to rust anyway. And if I can swing even a smallish-SUV it would make it much easier to get stuff for the house, like furniture, rugs, all that stuff, without having to rely on delivery services or the company cars.

It would be a little sad to put the old girl down, I've had the car since high school and it has been nice not to have a car payment every month or two weeks. It still runs, at least for the mean time but the decision will have to be made soon.

Any thoughts or opinions on the matter would be appreciated.

[wolf_2099]

I just had this problem, I went the new car route.
My girlfriend did this by buying another junker, and also fixing up junkers.

If you can afford the car payments, just get a new (or slightly used) vehicle, it saves a ton of headaches in the long run.

[MGM]

A $1000 fix for a 14 year old car just isn't worth it. Very likely it's the first of several repairs that all cost hundreds of dollars.

[XIII]

Ditch the Taurus and invest the money you would have paid for repairs into a new car!

[The French Biscuit]

I have taken everyones advice and I'm in the process of getting a new truck. With winter driving on sometimes questionable roads, and my need to haul furniture, a truck is more suited to my lifestyle now.

I went through my home town's Ford instead of the one in Moosomin because my neighbour told me a very scary story about her dealings with them while we were on our way to see Tangled (which is a fun movie by the way). And we sold a dog to the sales guy at our hometown Ford, so my dad knows the guy and we can finaggle.

Small towns are fun sometimes.

I'm pre-approved for financing, so this Saturday I'll head on over to the dealership. I'll also get some money off by using their Recycle your Ride promotion (turn in your old ford and get money off a new one).

It's a 2011 Ford Ranger (see here (http://www.ford.ca/app/fo/en/trucks/ranger.do#)). The one I'll be looking at is blue.

[XIII]

BIG car!!

[The French Biscuit]

Not that big actually. It's a little taller than me (like most things are) and not much longer than the old Taurus.
It's been great to have it though. No more trail of fluids, no more getting stuck in snow drifts or my driveway, it's great. I finally got the washer and dryern that I bought from my old landlady into the house, with the help of my dad, younger brother and the new truck. Huzzah for trucks!
The maintenance deal that Ford has on (pay up front and your basic maintenance costs are covered for the first 5 years) did eat up my small decorating budget which has been a bit of a downer. Just means I have to live with hand-me-down furniture and the pre-existing paint colours for awhile longer.

[The French Biscuit]

I found my old glasses* and my old action figures today. This may be one of the best days in my life.

*I lost my other ones back around Christmas and have been sans-perfect sight since

[wolf_2099]

I found my old glasses* and my old action figures today. This may be one of the best days in my life.

*I lost my other ones back around Christmas and have been sans-perfect sight since

What action figures!?

[The French Biscuit]

I've got Goliath, Brooklyn and Lexington from Gargoyles, two Wolverines, three Piccolos, Cpt. Jean-Luc Picard, Commander Will Riker, Counselor Diana Troy, ensign Wesley Crusher and two Lietenant Worfs. Oh, and a godzilla from the newer movie not the old one.

It's the Star Trek ones that make me feel like a super geek. :-X

[The French Biscuit]

That'll learn ya

So I teach now...sorta...sometimes.

I taught an, I'm not kidding, "Introduction to the Internet, E-mail and Facebook" course back in November and have since been assigned a few more courses to teach. I had TWO whole students to teach and I must say, it was quite enjoyable. Mostly because teaching the internet was a freakin' snap. :batman: I also showed them around their snazzy new laptops which both my students had recently purchased. It's good to see the older generation (both of em were into their grandparent years) picking up the shiny fun tools of the youth.

Alas, I was to teach the course again this Monday and Wendnesday but nobody enrolled. *sad face*.

BUT the Introduction to SLR photography, and Intro to Photoshop Elements 9 are still a go.

To the best of my knowledge my Introduction to Design is still on the schedule. Now, if I can just get the course book finished. I'm actually coming up with that course myself, all the other ones had a outline already prepared by someone else (someone probably far better at making these course thingies).

It would be a heck of a lot easier to get the thing written if I wasn't in the middle of reading the Game of Thrones series. :sweatdrop: