striving for happiness...

I've just begun to realize the devastation that has been going on down in Louisiana - I haven't been paying too much attention to the news and how much the hurrican had devastated the area, particularly New Orleans! Some of the photos are just heart breaking and make me want to cry for all of them! At the same time, I'm not really sure how I'm feeling about the photojournalists and the media who are reporting on this stuff. On MSNBC at this site, if you go to see the slideshow, there is one photograph in there that shows a dead body floating in the water! It's terrible enough seeing those poor (and literally poor!) people clinging to their rooftops and being airlifted by helicopters - I don't need to see a dead body purely for shock value! That disturbs me!

Now here's my question: are the hurricanes just going to get worse and worse as time goes on? Or is this just going to be one of those flukey awful ones that hits once every thirty years? The news was saying that the last really devastating one was Hurricane Camille back in 1969! Who knows? All I know is that right now, I would rather take the shitty summer we've had over anything that might be happening down south!

And to all of those people who are going to be suing CN Rail now in Wabamun because their little summer cottages - no, not even their cottages! The LAKE has been tainted...get a little perspective! People down south have lost everything. You've lost a second property - at least you still have one! CN didn't force the derailment and it didn't happen on purpose. You should feel thankful that it wasn't worse than it could have been. Now stop complaining and start helping with the cleanup!

ok...I think that's all for today. feel free to comment and banter back.
have a nice hump day!
~casey

so I've been thinking more and more about what songs I can put on my ipod for a road trip - I've even gone online and looked at other people's playlists...I just can't find anything! so Tracey, I need to see what you've got! So I finally finished 'Secret Life of Bees' - I fully believe that everyone should read this...at least every woman out there. Now I'm onto another book by the Japanese author Haruki Murakami called 'Sputnik Sweetheart'. I think you guys would like this guy too! I think I want to be a writer now. Maybe take some courses if this job doesn't pan out!

I think that's about it for now. I've added a few more links to the sidebar for you to check out if you've got a bit of time. I still check 'postsecret.com' religiously, as does jeaninne!

have a good tuesday!
~cb

here's a few pictures from yesterday...I can barely remember what sun feels like...*sigh*

today's quotes are courtesy of the famous author Goethe:

A person can stand almost anything except a succession of ordinary days.

For a man to achieve all that is demanded of him he must regard himself as greater than he is.

- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

I don't know about the rest of you that floated down the river yesterday, but I am completely exhausted! but holy smokes was it ever fun!! I only burned a little bit on my shoulders and my knees, so I think it was relatively successful! maybe again next year?? or we could spice it up and go to Salmon Arm next time! I felt like a jerk driving home last night as I slept pretty much the entire way! sal didn't mind, though, as he had a sleep at Loy's place before supper was ready!

When reading the newspaper and watching the news on t.v., I find myself more and more grateful to be living in Edmonton for the following reasons:

1. It has recently been decreed that Alberta has the most "comfortable" climate in Canada, between nice summer days and sunny days in winter!
2. Never will we have to worry about a hurricane tearing through our area, unlike those poor people in the south who need to brace themselves each summer!
3. Although our gang population seems to be on the rise, at least we don't have areas like they do in L.A. and New York (think...Compton...the Bronx...Hell's Kitchen!
4. How many terrorist attacks have we had in the past five years? (Despite the fact that Canada has been named on a terrorist hit list, I'm going to guess that Edmonton will be spared!)
5. I'll take Edmonton over most of Manitoba anyday!

so that's just a general list for now...feel free to comment and write your reasons!
Have a nice day...I'll try and write more later if I can get up the energy...

~cb

p.s. hopefully everyone had a good trip and didn't run out of gas?!? jeaninne, can't wait to hear the songs you were practising!

I think it's going to be a good day today - I have to be careful what I say on here now, as there is a guy from work who has weaseled his way into knowing about my blog - just kidding, Tom!!!!!

But seriously - it's going to be a half day today and I'm going to be spending the afternoon with mom and Megan - I'm going to have to do something really nice for mom as I already woke her up at 9:30 this morning! Had a fun but busy night last night - went to Dan's birthday party and saw a good chunk of that large family Christine is part of now. Man, there are a lot of kids in that family. Then went to a little house party after that to celebrate Sarah's next adventure in New Zealand! So exciting! We're getting some more furniture as she's giving us her dresser and I'm also getting her bike - it even has a basket on the front!

So I'm looking forward to this weekend - I'm going to take leggings at least to wear on the raft! I have to keep my body warm somehow and seeing as how I'm banned from wearing sweats...we'll see!

Have a good one!
Casey

the work week, that is! This is going to be one busy weekend! We're going to Calgary saturday to hang out with Loy and then it's rafting on the river!

I really don't have much to say today, which is surprising! We're going to go take some pictures of the Archives building which will be extrememly stimulating! Sarah, who worked here until yesterday is gone now as she's moving to New Zealand for 6 months - it's going to suck now with only one more young person working here...oh, sigh, the life of a lowly photo technician!

oh, by the way, if Tracey sends you an email called 'Piano Stripper', DO NOT OPEN IT! It is foul and yucky and no man should have a penis that large! Maybe it was just a hot dog or something!

Have a good thursday...ciao!
~cb

what do you honestly think of the new colours? should I go back to the old one? the sidebar is a bit screwed up, which I'm trying to fix.

~cb

I'm starting work a bit late today so I can get on here and write so I don't get yelled at anymore with bold letters!! Got to work today and got some fantastic news: AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL STARTS AGAIN IN LESS THAN A MONTH!!!! I'm so excited already, but there's not really any girls I'm crazy about! Check out the UPN website here to see all the new models! Keep September 21 open for the 2-hour premiere!

I've realized that with books, I don't care how predictable they will be, or how predictable the next ones will be! For example, a guy I work with likes Harry Potter, but doesn't like how predictable they are. Maybe I'm just naive or dumb when it comes to predictability, but I'd rather not know then keep guessing and ruin it for myself. Take that, Tom!!!

I got a very surprising phone call from a girl I used to be best friends with in Calgary when I was about 8 years old - it was really nice talking to her! She's actually going to be in Edmonton this weekend, which is crappy as we're going to be in Calgary! I really really hope it's going to be nice - I don't want to be on the raft in sweat pants and a hoodie!

Now with all that said, I should get going! It's almost coffee time and I haven't even started work - ahhh, the life of a 'blogger' can get so stressful and demanding!

Have a good day!
~cb

ok I know it's late, but I've been busy!

I'm a bit of a lazy-bum when it's my week in the darkroom at work cause I don't get to the computer as often. Plus, a memo was sent out saying that people need to stop gambling online so I've definitely got to stop doing that!!

Besides that, not a heck of a lot is new...just work, going to the gym, and some more work! Oh, I am reading a fantastic book right now called 'The Secret Life of Bees' which is just getting better and better!

So that's it for now - don't be disappointed it's so short, but there's not much going on lately!

Talk soon,
~cb

I think the perfect way to start off a Monday morning is to have a 2 and a half hour long staff meeting, especially when you're not even considered staff. Oh yeah! But then my day was made better when I got back and checked out the new Harry Potter trailer, courtesy of Tracey. Check it out here and go down to 'International Trailer'. Katie and I liked it because it shows more stuff from the film, but the 'teaser' trailer has more pizazz!

Had a really nice weekend with the family - it was nice seeing my aunt and cousin again, and I know mom had a really good time! Megan is back in town, still a bit shaken up from the accident - she didn't even take pictures of it! She did get a lot of pictures of the misty ocean and the sea lions.

So besides all that, nothing is really going on. I'm still upset about Draco Malfoy being my alter-ego! I'm going to have to take the quiz again to see if I can change the results. Also, I have realized that anyone just checking out my blog will think I'm one of those people who have dedicated their lives and websites to one thing; such as Harry Potter. To those of you that think that: I'm only a fan of the books and movies and anything new that comes out about them! Hmmphh...

I guess that's about it for now - Sal and I are on the prowl for cheap houses, as our building seems to be attracting vagrants on a weekly basis now. Also, if anyone knows about good paying jobs that are available, let me know as it's looking more and more like I'm going to be full-time-jobless at the end of September! But I'm not getting down about it, and I'm still keeping my pointy chin up!

~cb

so this might be my last posting for a couple of days, as I'm taking the afternoon off today, and all of tomorrow to spend it with my family that's in town!

after being at save-on last night, I think I've decided that being a part of the wedding flower industry would just be too stressful! what if they send spider mums instead of regular mums? what if they're white instead of ivory? what if every single bride that walks in is like the one that we're dealing with right now? I hope I never become a bridezilla! maybe I'll just go with silk flower to go with my pantsuit!
I found a link to the flowers and colour combo that I really like: man, I love Martha Stewart. It's the second picture, under 'Adorned with Leaves'. I just love them! Even Sal has agreed!

so that's about it for me today...hope you all have a nice thursday in the misty city we call Edmonton!
take care,
~cb

I don't think I've ever been as affected by the weather as I am this week! I feel so freaking sluggish and lazy! Maybe I'm just not over being back from beautiful B.C. yet(where it is still really hot!) Sal and I are getting more and more ideas for the wedding lately, although he's nervous about having it in August next year based on what it's like this year!

This weekend we're going out saturday night if anyone is interested - I'll keep you posted with details on here as it gets closer! I'm reading a really really good book right now, called 'The Secret Life of Bees' - check it out if you can!

so I've been finding some entertaining sites lately that you should check out:
Interested in some silly facts? Check this site out!

Holy shit: this is the most messed up and visually and mentally disturbing sites I've seen in a while!

Just in case you decide to start a singing career, check this out first!

Jeaninne, this one is for you!

Enjoy!
~casey

p.s. Say hi to your mom tonight, Tracey!

I apologize for my lack of diligence lately in getting these postings up! Obviously some of you really count on me for your daily entertainment, and can't live without me! Man, it's really nice to be needed! Had a relatively uneventful weekend - worked a bit, played a bit, drank a lot! Went out for some drinks saturday at a little club, and drank a lot of gin! I know I wasn't half as drunk as the guy who was singing and dancing with the coat rack! He was hilarious!!!!!

My aunt and cousin are in town this week for a quilting extravaganza with mom - Loy even took the entire week off from work - talk about diehards!
I must say, there aren't many people I know still that haven't read Harry Potter, although I think Tracey was affected the most - she even cried before she was half done! Don't worry Trace, you're not the only one!

So I'm pretty sure it's going to be a relatively low-key week, especially at work - not much going on with Archival studies! Take care and I'll talk tomorrow!
~cb

...for a friday morning! Have a good weekend everyone - especially you, Megan and Jeaninne. Drive safely!

~cb


Top Ten Things That Sound Dirty In Law

10. Have you looked through her briefs?
9. He is one hard judge!
8. Counsellor, let's do it in chambers.
7. His attorney withdrew at the last minute
6. Is it a penal offence?
5. Better leave the handcuffs on.
4. For $200 an hour, she better be good!
3. Can you get him to drop his suit?
2. The judge gave her the stiffest one he could.
1. Think you can get me off?

I've added another topic on the side of this site - it's called 'funny links' and the first one I've added is hilarious!
~cb

hey again -

I've changed this a bit and now you don't have to log in or create a username to post a comment!

-cb

So as I'm sure you all know already, I'm a part of the Run for the Cure this year to support the cure for breast cancer! I hope to get as much support as possible from everyone, so save some money and then give it to me...heehee just kidding.
You can check out their website here: CIBC Run for the Cure

Thanks everyone!
~cb

so I'm going to make up not posting anything today by adding some pictures from our trip ~ enjoy!



I'm sure you'll all appreciate this reference to previous sleeping conditions! Mel thought she was pretty freaking funny by putting this up (and I'm sure Julie had no part in it!)


This is us (Melanie and me) outside a woman's house, and the entire basement is a button collection! She bought the business off of some man in Montreal and now she sells and trades and collects buttons! She just sold one for $300 american - ONE BUTTON! It was pretty cool!


One of my infamous self-timers - at least we got everyone in it! (From left to right is Julie, Melanie, Dave, and us!) We had to crouch a bit as the camera was perched on a low-rider truck!


Back home, Sal and I had to use up all of our peaches, so I made my very first peach pie - or as it turned out, peachy soup with some soggy crust-stuff! The second one was much better!

if you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?

I think I'd head to Fiji with sal so he could finally see it!

It's so hard to admit to yourself that vacation days are over and it's time to get back into the real world! sigh...but at least I like my job!

It's been pretty uneventful around the Becker apartment building (I'm referring to sal and I as Becker ever since I signed a guest book as Casey and Sal Becker!!!) I've been trying to use up all of my beautiful peaches before they go bad so tonight I'm making one more peach pie and will try not to make it all runny and soupy! Then it's off to the gym...

Megan is off to Vancouver this friday - her and ryan are planning on driving straight there and won't arrive until probably 1 or 2 in the morning! You can call her and tell her she's crazy please and try and convince her not to - it's so dangerous!

So that's about it for now...next time you talk to Christine, ask her the real reason why her brother calls her Splatter Pants and tell her that it's really bad to hold it when you have to pee, and that going in the bushes isn't all bad (I'll explain later - and I don't have to worry about her seeing this cause she never reads it! hahahahahhahahahaha!)

~cb

this was inspired by my vacation:

what is your favourite fruit, especially summer fruits?

mine are apricots and blueberries!

hey everyone!
so sal and I have returned home safely after a really really fantastic vacation! salmon arm was fabulous, and don't be surprised if a move eventually comes out of all of this! I burned my poor little body floating down the river one day, and I also got the cutest shoes for gardening (when I have a garden one day!) all in all it was a great trip and we had a great visit!

glad to hear you had a good night last night, tracey! you'll have to tell me all about the show...and everyone else - let me know how your week was! I think that's it for now...if anyone wants a fresh peach straight off the orchard trees, let me know! i can probably hook you up!

talk to you soon!
~cb

oh, what a beautiful day it's going to be! I think the high is going to be about 34 degrees, so we're going to go float down the river on some tubes, then relax on the beach, and then go get some car parts for sal's truck from a place called "Wally's Private Parts!" it should be a good day!

yesterday we spent the afternoon going to thrift stores, craft stores, flea markets, and antique stores! I spent WAY too much money, but it was so much fun! sal was even more excited because he was able to take the top off his truck so we were able to drive around convertible style allll afternoon! it was wonderful!

so we're not exactly sure what we're doing for the rest of the week now...sal wants to head out to vancouver for a day or too to visit his family, but I'd rather stay here til friday or so and then take our time getting home! we're having SUCH a blast with our cousins - I don't think any of you have met Julie, who is Loy's sister, but she's such a cutie! she just quit her job yesterday which was dramatic, so she's got a new job at the cheese farm out here which she's really excited about. now she can eat all the gouda her little heart desires!

so I'm thinking of you all while I'm here - wishing we could all float down the shuswap river together, trying to tip the other one over! it would be fantastic! maybe we can plan a road trip for next year, since we've never really all done that together yet! keep in mind....meanwhile, hope you're all having a good time, and we'll see you soon!
~cb

see everyone?!? I'm still around and still able to keep you occupied while I'm vacationing! I think the thing I love most about visiting family is that you don't ever have to feel like you have to always be doing something! today I woke up at 9am (no, I can't sleep in anymore!) and it's already 12:30pm and we still haven't done a thing! Oh, Sal was fixing stuff on his truck and I cleaned the waffle maker, but that's it!!! it's fantastic!

today we're going to a place called Margaret Falls - it's only going to be 26 degrees and a bit cloudy, so I won't have to worry about a sunburn! I missed a spot yesterday when applying it, so I've got a nice red spot on the top of my shoulder - I look like such a goof! Then later on we're going to float down the river on inner tubes and just relax! Jeaninne I thought of you when my cousin told me about that because that's essentially what you want to do in Calgary!

And yes, we did go for pie last night, and I made the mistake of getting chocolate cream pie, which my Uncle Jack informed me was pretty much just pudding mixed with whipping cream! None of us were really happy with our desserts except for Sal, who went for the smart choice of your standard pumpkin pie! Tonight we're going back to give it a second chance...I'm thinking maybe cherry or apple....ooohhhh yeahhhh! I'll be thinking of all of you!

So I guess that's it for now - we're all trying to keep cool in this hot, hot house. The nicest place to rest is outside on the deck - maybe I'll go read while everyone else is getting ready! I'm on about chapter 10 of Harry Potter - I tried to read as much as I could on the way here, but then I started feeling bad for Sal, as he drove the entire way! For this trip we decided to try one of those books on tape, and it's actually much better and more interesting then I thought it would be. We'll probably stick with that for trips from now on!

Anyway, take care everyone, and I'll try to keep you updated with my many goings-on!
~cb