striving for happiness...

hope everyone has a great halloween and you all eat tons of chocolate....that is what i will be doing! ha ha ha (evil laugh)

It was a good ol' fashioned pumpkin carving party last nite at Jeaninne and DJ's place. The first official party at their brand spanking new place and wow...it was a shaker! :) We carved pumpkins (hence the name), and watched House of Wax (new one)....it was pretty gross and gory!! yuck, eg. the finger....ahhhhhhhhhh!! My only advice from this weekend, don't do a Spongebob pumpkin because it is too time consuming or as Jeaninne said, I was grumpy! :) well here are some pictures for you all of us enjoying the festivities.....Thanks to Nikki for the pics!

found this guy online today. It really makes me fear for the future of the human race when I read about people like him...bicep implants???

ok ok ok ok ...I'm posting already!

I'm so glad it's friday - this seemed like a nice little fast week that just flew by. I guess when you're busy doing stuff every night it will go by like *that!*
Got free passes to see 'The Family Stone' last night - I actually really enjoyed it. Not really the hilarious romantic comedy I was expecting. More like a (and I hate when people use this term-) dramedy. It was definitely different. And as much as I'm in girl-love with Sarah Jessica Parker (or as Sal refers to her: horse-face), I wasn't really crazy about her. And I can't believe I'm going to admit it, but I cried THREE times!!!! I am definitely a suck now!

Our neighbour came over last night and showed us his halloween costume...he's going as a raver, and it looks so funny. He's got the huge flared pants, the plastic beaded bracelets, a pacifier, tight t-shirt and plastic visor. It's really funny, and made me even more glad that I never got into that scene. So tonight is Fright Nights - did you know it's outside? Not only am I going to pee my pants from fear, it's going to freeze onto my jeans! If you guys want to come out after the pumpkin party, just call my cell phone. We're heading down around 9pm or so.

So that's all for me, for today. Have a great weekend -
~casey

ok...I'm totally cool with watching scary movies and being alone in the dark. In fact, I enjoy being scared in movies and that kind of thing. But I'm not so sure I'm going to be able to go to Fright Nights and come out of it ok. Just going to the website freaked me out a little bit - now that's embarassing!

Nice to see you on the bus yesterday, Jeaninne! Did we scare you? how's the job going? call me on my cell phone this afternoon if you're free!

so I'm reading the newspaper yesterday and I came across this article about these two 13 year old girls in California who are white supremacists and are recording their second album (their band name is Prussian Blue). They're songs are about making sure good white babies are born, as well as a song in dedication to one of Hitler's right-hand men! One song is actually called 'Aryan Man Awake!' I couldn't believe it - and their mom is upset that people are criticizing her children. She said her girls just want to sing about their German heritage and Vikings. The thing that gets me the most is that obviously these girls are not writing their own songs about the Resistance. Take a look at their website if you don't believe it. I was pretty much in shock.

Speaking of the whole white supremacy thing...Rosa Parks died a few days ago. Remember, she was the lady that didn't move to the back of the bus when a white man wanted to sit down in her spot. The very beginning of the Civil Rights movement started that day. It seems to me as though our society has begun to digress back into the mindset of the 50s and 60s again when it comes to feelings towards other races, no matter what colour your skin it!.

...but then again maybe it's just me.
Happy hump day!
~casey

...try this website.

I was on it for hours!!!

ok everyone...this one's going to be short as I'm busy printing.

J9, I can't go to your pumpkin carving par-tay, as I've already made plans with a couple of girls from work - we're going to the Fright Night on friday! But I can't wait to come over and see your place - maybe I'll invite myself over for a coffee some ice cream out of your homemade ice cream maker. I've heard it's fantastic!!!

Keep your chin up everyone - it's almost the middle of the week, tomorrow being hump day and everything...

~casey

great ideas for halloween guys...i am trying to convince jeaninne to have a good ol' fashioned horror movie playing while we carve our good ol' fashioned pumpkins (cue spooky music)...i don't think she is buying it, but while we are on the subject...

what is or was the scariest movie you've ever seen?

mine i would have to say was lost boys...i know it is a dorky movie (and i am not scared of it now) but i saw it when i was 12 and it made an impression on me. i kept on having visions of vampires flying towards my window (shudder) it is kind of weird, since i have seen a lot of scary movies since then.....oooo except for the only one i haven't dared to see: the shining...(cue scary music again)

on a side note, christine i think you would appreciate lost boys b/c it has corey haim and corey feldman!

As Tracey has already mentioned, the new Harry Potter movie is being released in less than a month now - very very exciting!!

What movie are you looking forward to seeing before the end of the year?

For me, I think 'The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe' is going to be pretty cool!

If it was up to me (and I'm pretty sure someday it will be...) I would ban people from working on Mondays. It's never a good day, I'm always tired and in need of coffee, so I get sick later in the day from a caffeine overload. But that's just me...

Had a pretty good and relaxing weekend - did nothing friday night except went for supper and bought stuff from Ikea I didn't really need! I also finally had the 99 cent pasta from there, and it wasn't too bad. It was so hard buying the cheap pasta because everything else looked so good. My favourites are the Swedish meatballs, but I had to try the pasta! Then last night we went out with the family for Indian. My advice - don't go to an Indian restaurant on buffet night if it's your first time trying it. Too many dishes means too many flavour overloads which means too much spice! All I could think of was Ben Stiller in the movie 'Along Came Polly', minus the sweating, dripping, and bowel movements! It was pretty good, but I have to laugh everytime you go to those authentic buffets because they've always got a nice little plain macaroni salad and some kind of standard dessert - last night was carrot cake!

Sunday I spent the day with mom doing crafty stuff - what did I learn from craft day, you ask??
1. Craft day frequently turns Casey B. into a super-bitch sorry mom!!
2. Craft time should span no more than 3 hours at a time on any given day Double-sorry!
3. Crafts should not be expected to be completed in one day and therefore should not result in said super-bitch I love you!!

So that was my weekend. Hope yours was just as eventful and contained only harmony and good vibes!!
have a good one...
~casey

i am soo excited! :) Guess why?

...especially for Tracey.

At Accuradio.com they have an internet radio station that plays only Broadway music!!! Just wanted to pass that on.

I personally listen to the 'Listening Post'...
~casey

I posted a new link on the right - you've got to check it out! These two girls take bad photos of celebs and make fun of them, and they also take shots at those who may be a bit more badly dressed. It's sooo funny!

Here it is: http://luckycrackers.blogspot.com

ok -
I know I've been a bit obsessive about my bands lately, so now you have to join in:

~what song or artist are you playing over and over again right now?

Me? It's the song 'Come Pick Me Up' by Ryan Adams specifically. But I'm really into all of his music right now. Hear a sample of the song here; click on the headphones beside the one by Ryan Adams.

ok, I know I said I love thursdays, but I think I'm in love with friday's a little more! or maybe that's just because I'm all alone up here today - not that it's any more stressful with Dennis here...nevermind. Hmmm...plans for the weekend...I think tonight is going to be nice and relaxing as sal has some stuff to read and I'm going to work on some stuff around our place. maybe rent a movie or too...then tomorrow I'm back at Save-on for a few hours - so we got these new tills there which are all touch screen and very high-tech. But believe me - they are going to cause way more trouble than is worth...all I know is that I'm happy I'm just in floral and not on the front end anymore. I dislike customers enough as it is now!

I've got an idea for Hallowe'en - I want to go see a scary movie in the theatres and scare myself so bad I scream! There's that new movie with Ewan McGregor (*sigh*) and Ryan Gosling (*double-sigh*) called Stay I'm not sure if it's supposed to be good or not, but I do want to see a scary movie! It's either that or try to get away with going trick-or-treating and I think I would get yelled at too much if I did that! So that is the plan. If you want to watch a really creepy movie that's on video, check out The St. Francisville Experiment. It got pretty bad reviews, but it's the only movie that has ever made me scream out loud out of fear.

Ok, anyway, have a good weekend everyone. See you next week!
~casey

things I love about thursdays:

1. It means there's only one more day until the weekend
2. It's the day after America's Next Top Model is on so I get all the gossip and can look at all of the new photos
3. Our volunteer, Albert, usually comes in and he's always good for some stories living in Glenora with his young lawyer neighbours and his new dog
4. CSI is on...and who doesn't love Grissom and his little bow-legged walk?!?
5. It's turkey day at the little sandwich place I like.
6. You can start to plan what you're doing for the weekend because it's the start of the three-day forecast.
7. It's just my favourite day of the week!

p.s. I really love today's Art quote of the day:

In life, as in art, the beautiful moves in curves.
-Edward Bulwer-Lytton

did you even notice it's there at the right?

what's your favourite sappy romantic film?

tracey, besides the Notebook?

...it's really been a long time since I've written on here, and I apologize. hope everyone's having a good week so far! Me? It's alright - it's pretty slow at work right now, orders-wise, but I try to keep busy doing other stuff, like going to Tim Horton's, reading some magazines, screwing up some negatives...you know, the usual! It's actually nice and quiet around here with everyone at conferences and meetings. Really nice and quiet!

glad to see you've finally arrived, Christine! It hasn't been the best week with me not posting on here, but what can you do! I just want everyone to know that I'm going to be throwing a baby shower for Katie Holmes and it's going to be a 'Scientology' themed party. I was just thrilled when I found out she was pregnant! I mean, how can you get any luckier? A career that's going nowhere, a crazy husband-to-be! Wow...

I watched the Notebook last night, and I'm pretty sure it's my favourite romantic movie EVER!! It's probably the third or fourth time I've seen it and I still cried. And not just one little tear falling down, I was crying! It's so happy-sad!!! I want to move to North Carolina and find Noah and the house...*sigh*

So that's all for now...hope you have a nice hump day.

oh man, hump day.

~casey

Orlando Bloom.....what a hottie!!! Saw Elizabethtown on Friday. Good movie...for more than one reason (sigh). AHHHHH....I got home at 1:30am...and because I was a little wired, I watched Supernatural on tv. That show is just sooo freaky!! I will NEVER say bloody mary three time in a mirror!!!! It is too scary on what could happen!!

I then slept in till 7:45am, yeah that is right, slept in, because I was suppose to be at jeaninne's parent's house at 8 to pack. SOOO I then had the brillant idea that since I was running late, I should meet them at her new house! SUPRISE, I got lost...so I went to her parent's house at 9....whatever...

Got home, and instead of doing schoolwork, I am ashamed to say that I fell asleep for two hours. Pathetic, but I ordered panago pizza for supper so all is good in the world. I was talking to Case, about going to her house and vegging but instead I chose to veg at home....so, alas, that is why I am writing on here!

Have a Happy Weekend!

I just don't think I can ever say enough about fridays. Really, after a week of work it is the best feeling in the world knowing you've got two full days off to do nothing. or something...whatever you're doing. This week I feel like I've done nothing but go go go. between save-on and painting and moving our furniture it's been pretty hectic. now, I just get to relax (a bit).

'Open Water' wasn't actually as bad as I thought it was going to be. besides the shitty acting it was ok. I know there was one part where I had my shirt pulled up to my nose because I was so nervous! Sal and I watched Fever Pitch last friday and I really liked that movie - it was cute and funny. I ran across some guy's website today and he's watching and reviewing one movie a day until January 1st. It doesn't really sound like much at first, but that's two hours out of your life each day. And I thought I had too much time on my hands!

Tracey, I'm very excited for you. Can't wait to hear about how much you're going to love December 31st now after your trip. No more sitting around and bitching about how much you hate it. Besides, that whole hating New Years was getting a bit old and dull :)

So that's all for now...having the parents and Megs over for dinner sunday night so you know what that means: Sal the cleaning Nazi is going to be out in full force starting at about 5pm today. Did I say it was going to be a relaxing weekend? Maybe next week....

~casey

Hey All,

You guys, it is time to celebrate!!!! I am officially done exams for a week!!! YEAH!!!!....I have to write a paper in that time and study for a midterm....but who cares....no midterms next week!!! Hip Hip Horray for me! :)

Glad you had a fantabulous thanksgiving....I did too, as I filled up on pumpkin pie and apple crisp....oh yeah and turkey too...turkey always makes me sooo sleepy!!! (sigh)

I managed to see Open Water this weekend...that's right, Casey, her rocking mom, and I saw the greatest movie in the world!! EXCELLENT, FOUR STARS!!! ha ha...I now want to see Aliens of the Deep, but I think I am on my own for that one, as Casey has no interest!!!

Also I have decided I am leaving on New Years Eve...that is right I am leaving the country!! Stupid New Years...ugh!
(okay I think I am a little exclamation crazy rite now ~I better go)

SEE YA LATER!

...because we haven't had one in a while...

-what is your favourite dish of Thanksgiving supper (besides turkey?)
mine is my mom's stuffing and the yams...oh baby!
oh, and I love mom's bland runny gravy - really! Thanksgiving isn't the same without it! :)

and all of you that just read here and don't comment, you are more than welcome to answer - I know you're out there!!

I can't believe it's already wednesday! I LOVE short weeks at work! It's been a relatively slow week at work so far - lots of printing to do, which means a lot of dancing around in the dark listening to my music while I work! New band/singer of the week: Ryan Adams (and no, still not the guy who did "Summer of '69") He's more of a rock/country sort of guy - really fantastic stuff!

I'm feeling like I'm setting myself up for a bit of a disaster today - I'm doing an order for a man who wants 16x20" prints done from a 35mm negative. That means a really big photo from a really small negative, which means a really fuzzy and grainy photo. I'll explain in more detail if you really want me to - but nothing is going to be started until after coffee!

Hope you all had a great long Thanksgiving weekend - talk to you later!
~Casey

p.s. the excitement of my week: I got a work email address.....in the witty words of Napolean Dynamite: yesssss.....

PARTY PARTY PARTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

finally, it's friday!

I don't know the last time I've looked forward to a long weekend as much as I am for this one. Can't wait for sweet sweet turkey and mom's broccoli casserole. Picture me salivating this very moment...I'm taking the afternoon off today at the encouragment of my boss for having come in last night to do photos. so I'm going to go buy myself a new winter jacket as a reward for snagging the new job. can't wait, as it's feeling more and more unlike fall and more like winter outside these days!

trace, I love reminiscing about old music I love. I haven't listened to Dave Matthews in a long time, but I know what you're saying about the instrumental bits. It was pretty cool at the last concert i was at, as they would open a song with about 10 minutes of just music. My favourite is 'Two Step'.

so that's all for me - wish me luck, as I'm going to be making a pie tomorrow and it always makes me a little nervous.
good luck studying, Tracey.
have a good weekend everyone...
~casey

Hey Guys!!

Well I have now officially done two exams for the year. I have one test and another midterm next week!! That is right boys and girls, I have officially emerged myself once again into school! But enough about that as it is boring....Let's talk about Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes....just kidding, I am still grossed out by the thought that they are pregnant. There goes my theory that he is sterile!

After Case has talked about Arcade Fire, it got me thinking of all my old fav bands. I still am a die-hard Jack Johnson fan...the ultimate I think, but I am starting to listen to good ol' Dave Matthews again.....ahhhhh so good!!! I just love the instrumental parts of there songs....It's so nice!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Okay so this is a really boring blog and I absolutely apologize for it! :)

Hope you all have a fantabulous Thanks-giving...and eat lots of pumpkin pie!! YUM!!!

hey everyone!
ok I'm done raving about that band - on to bigger and brighter things...ummm...I'm taking pictures tonight?!? there's an event going on here at the Archives and I've got to stick around and be the 'official photgrapher!' wow - exciting.

nothing is really new since yesterday, I guess. Glad that hockey is back, and I wish I would have gotten tickets to the game last night, as I heard it was pretty incredible. and to top it off, the Oilers won! Who would have guessed? I was at Save-On and was amazed to see how many flowers come in before the Thanksgiving weekend. This is probably the busiest week of the year for the store! I was pooped after last night, but not enough so I couldn't stay up to watch 'Lost'! SO good!!!

so that's about it for me today...as a parting gift, enjoy this photo, entitled: 'Why help took so long to get to New Orleans'.

have a good one!

so as you probably know, I'm not much of a cusser (heehee), but that concert last night was f**cking amazing (ignore this, mother!) But seriously - one of the best shows I've been to! so much energy, and a fantastic vibe! too bad it was in crappy Red's, though! I won't forget last night anytime soon, that's for sure! check out the Arcade Fire website here. It's a pretty hot website just to look at and explore!

so that is the latest of exciting happenings in my life right now. I want to drive down to Calgary tonight and see them again, but I've got to work at Save-On. Somebody has to groom the plants! so have a good one...see you soon!

~casey

I'm sooo excited about tonight...Sal and I are going to see the Arcade Fire live in concert - the only downfall?? It's at Red's and it's an all ages show. Stupid kids...work is going good - making some negatives today and am about to go down for a coffee break! Sal and I have also been going to the gym a lot lately which is good, but I think we're going to have to start going in the mornings so we'll be able to go every day! Ah, Tracey, remember the days we went "working out"?!? (and I use the term working out very loosely?) showering in our bathing suits...ah, the life we used to lead...so that's about all that has happened since, oh, last night.

go HERE, down towards the bottom of the page to hear clips from the Arcade Fire's latest cd. My favourites are 'Neighbourhood #1', 'Crown of Love', and 'Rebellion'.
I'm so excited!

~casey

right...so as probably all of you know now, my contract was renewed here at the Archives, which is really exciting but also made for a pretty bittersweet weekend. Sadly Katie isn't here anymore as only one of us got to stay on. so it's sad and feels kind of crappy being here at her expense! But I do still have a full-time job! great!

had a good weekend - was going to go out celebrating friday night, but I fell asleep on our couch and missed out on some major boozing, which was most likely for the best! spent the day at mom's on saturday relaxing and doing a little bit of sewing, then celebrated DJ's 30th birthday! oh, what? he's not 30 yet? hmmm....my mistake!! watched Lords of Dogtown which I enjoyed much more than I thought I was going to. it was pretty funny...then after a not-so-fitful night of five hours of sleep, I was up to go to the Run for the Cure for breast cancer. I felt really good after doing it - makes you feel pretty wonderful knowing that you have contributed to a pretty worthwhile cause like that one. It was pretty emotional at the beginning, though! a bunch of people had lists of names of the people they are running for, as well as some even had pictures of people who had passed away. it made me feel pretty fortunate that I haven't known anyone who has died of breast cancer - just running for a cure!

so that was my weekend, and I'm back at the office now trucking away. there's a big re-naming event here as the reading room is being re-named in honour of the previous Director so Casey has got to take some photos - kind of like being a press photographer, except most of the public showing up are going to be little old ladies, and the staff! so I'll talk to you later...have a wonderful monday!

~casey