My plans for this very special day
Happy Canada Day, everyone! 
For Canada Day this year, I'm being a recluse. This was predetermined when I managed to get the day off. I think this is the first year since 2000 that I've had July 1st off work. For those of you who don't know, Canada Day is the busiest day of the year for operator services. Busier even than New Year's (Eve). For most of those years, I was working the graveyard shift, which was even busier because (a)no one goes to bed on Canada Day before at least several hours into the morning, unless they're elderly or already catatonic, and (b) understaffed as the night shift usually is, on Canada Day at least two operators just don't show up for it (this also has something to do with how they schedule holidays for some of the depts in Operator Services, but in any case, it significantly affects already-astronomical call volumes).
I can't stand the crazy crowds and the free-for-all that happens every year in downtown Edmonton, with the fireworks and festivities. I mean, it's fireworks, people. Wait a month and you'll get them every night for a week straight at K-Days (or whatever they're calling it now). And, for some reason, every year the Canada Day fireworks draw the hugest crowds. Also, after the playoffs, it wouldn't surprise me if they decided to close off the traffic on Whyte Ave for the evening too (I can't remember if they did last year or not).
It's a case of overstimulation, I think. This year, since I don't have to deal with crazy-work and I'd just as soon not deal with crazy masses of sweaty people, I've resolved to spend my day in the most unexciting (and thus restful) way possible. Watching movies and listening to music, by myself, in the comfort of my apartment. I went out for a slurpee and a burger at Charles Smart earlier-- the extent of my socialization. I may order chinese, but I'll have to do it soon if I don't want to have to wait more than an hour for it to get delivered.
It's also my last day of vacation, as I'm back at work tomorrow night.
This afternoon I watched Delicatessen. Excellent movie. Jeunet and Caro never cease to amaze me (which is a tall order now, after Amelie and The City of Lost Children). They are masters of the odd and the strange, but more than that, they know how to make it funny and relatable. Human, even. In a lot of ways, I would say they're better at this task than Tim Burton, whom most of you know I already have a tremendous amount of respect for. It is bizarre, though. For anyone who isn't a big fan of the weird, this movie probably isn't for you.
Some guy came knocking at my door earlier. I opened the door and he just walked right in, talking a mile a minute, reading off a work order he had on a clipboard. He was halfway down the hall by the time I realized he was a Shaw installer here to install cable and internet. For my new neighbours upstairs. For some reason, he had my unit number. He was very apologetic. Even after I told him I already had TelusTV. ;)
And now for some szechuan and more movies. Ahh, this is the life.
For Canada Day this year, I'm being a recluse. This was predetermined when I managed to get the day off. I think this is the first year since 2000 that I've had July 1st off work. For those of you who don't know, Canada Day is the busiest day of the year for operator services. Busier even than New Year's (Eve). For most of those years, I was working the graveyard shift, which was even busier because (a)no one goes to bed on Canada Day before at least several hours into the morning, unless they're elderly or already catatonic, and (b) understaffed as the night shift usually is, on Canada Day at least two operators just don't show up for it (this also has something to do with how they schedule holidays for some of the depts in Operator Services, but in any case, it significantly affects already-astronomical call volumes).
I can't stand the crazy crowds and the free-for-all that happens every year in downtown Edmonton, with the fireworks and festivities. I mean, it's fireworks, people. Wait a month and you'll get them every night for a week straight at K-Days (or whatever they're calling it now). And, for some reason, every year the Canada Day fireworks draw the hugest crowds. Also, after the playoffs, it wouldn't surprise me if they decided to close off the traffic on Whyte Ave for the evening too (I can't remember if they did last year or not).
It's a case of overstimulation, I think. This year, since I don't have to deal with crazy-work and I'd just as soon not deal with crazy masses of sweaty people, I've resolved to spend my day in the most unexciting (and thus restful) way possible. Watching movies and listening to music, by myself, in the comfort of my apartment. I went out for a slurpee and a burger at Charles Smart earlier-- the extent of my socialization. I may order chinese, but I'll have to do it soon if I don't want to have to wait more than an hour for it to get delivered.
It's also my last day of vacation, as I'm back at work tomorrow night.
This afternoon I watched Delicatessen. Excellent movie. Jeunet and Caro never cease to amaze me (which is a tall order now, after Amelie and The City of Lost Children). They are masters of the odd and the strange, but more than that, they know how to make it funny and relatable. Human, even. In a lot of ways, I would say they're better at this task than Tim Burton, whom most of you know I already have a tremendous amount of respect for. It is bizarre, though. For anyone who isn't a big fan of the weird, this movie probably isn't for you.
Some guy came knocking at my door earlier. I opened the door and he just walked right in, talking a mile a minute, reading off a work order he had on a clipboard. He was halfway down the hall by the time I realized he was a Shaw installer here to install cable and internet. For my new neighbours upstairs. For some reason, he had my unit number. He was very apologetic. Even after I told him I already had TelusTV. ;)
And now for some szechuan and more movies. Ahh, this is the life.