it's my birthday and i'll blog if i want to...

to recognize my 29th birthday, i have launched a new website devoted to the coming of age and entering into the next decade. it's called 30 is the new black.

i have considered that most of my friends are turning 30 in 2007, have already been 30 several times now, or will be turning 30 eventually. we haven't done anything BIG to recognize this achievement so, in true tami fashion, i propose as follows:

a 30th birthday celebration to honour all of us: friends, family, acquaintances, and randoms who want to recognize their 30 birthday in a alcohol fueled, adventure filled event with drunk and debaucherous overtones.

put aside $25-$50 a paycheck starting in january (there's a new years resolution for you). you can get a 4 day, 3 night, 4 star strip hotel and air trip now from toronto for $450CDN a person.

to be held in las vegas, nevada in the second 1/2 of 2007. think about it. we could party in bars along side pantyless celebrities. how cool is THAT?

the website is expected to be a forum to discuss and plan this event so please check and contribute often.

remember, it's not just for my 30th birthday, it's for ALL OF YOUR 30th birthdays too.

so there you have it... my birthday wish. i'm going to go blow out the candles on my cake now, all 29 of them. get the fire extinguisher ready!

i would like to introduce you to...

my new camera!

purchased new in the states for HALF of what it costs here. seriously. HALF. i know the U.S. has more purchasing power than us but half? that's incredible. i'll be getting it around christmas time and look forward to using it. and no, i don't feel guilty about this purchase at all because:

a) the camera is paid for in its entirety due to me selling useless crap on ebay,
b) my old camera is a piece of shit and should be punted into a lake,
c) HALF the price of what i could get it for here. HALF. it's a BARGAIN, and
c) i deserve it.

a nasty stomach virus is going around my office. i have cloroxed my keyboard, mouse, phone, desk, and santized my hands like 10 times. i hope i can avoid the nastiness.

speaking of nasty, there is a box of brandy filled chocolates in our lunchroom at work. at the best of times, liquor filled chocolates taste like ass. obviously, they were donated by some bitter client who was regifting but c'mon! bring on the turtles and the after 8s!

camera poll results...

so where should i get my new camera from?

answer 1: ship camera to friends in USA, have said friends re-ship camera to me or bring me camera at xmas time and pray the damn thing doesn't break.

result: 62.5%

answer 2: have camera shipped from the USA to Canada and pay the freakin taxes, duties, brokerage, bend over fees, (still cheaper than buying it here) and pray that the camera doesn't break.

result: 12.5%

answer 3: pay the extra $220, buy the damn thing in canada, and be miffed that the americans get such better deals than us but at least have canadian warranty piece of mind.

result: 25%

summary: the overwhelming response is a big fuck you to canadian customs and the lack of canadian purchasing power to have the same things as the USA at a comparable cost. love it.

biting the bullet, buying snow tires...

tuesday night was the inaugural meeting of the new council. we have a new mayor, and one who is very progressive. while i expect the new year to be especially busy because of this, it renews my enthusiasm for my job.

after the formalities, i was introduced to the firefighters that were running the (open) bar. let's summarize that:
a) firefighters
b) open bar

i think it's safe to assume that it was a good night.

in more financially draining news, i'm buying snowtires. they go on the car tonight. it's a setback but i think my life is worth it. a co-worker whose spouse works for a dealership scored me tires and rims at his costs so i am saving dough but still, i'm trying not to throw down huge wads of cash on anything right now. especially since whatever i decide to do come spring, will require money and a lot of it. i will be posting a new poll soon, one seeking advice on that front. stay tuned...

catch up...

on monday, i attended a forum on bill 130 at the toronto board of trade. i thought it would be more of an educational forum to learn what bill 130 meant to municipalities and other economic development practitioners. however, the format was far more political than i anticipated. i was sitting at a table with linda jeffrey, MPP, her parliamentary assistant, and three commissioners from municipal affairs and housing. the session was much more of a "this is what the mcguinty government is doing" rather than "this is what bill 130 means to you" like i was expecting. regardless, i appreciated what sandra pupatello, MPP spoke to and like i always do at these things, was re-invigorated about my job and its possibilities.

the best thing about this event was that dena was there. when i was still in OAC, apprehensive about leaving home, and contemplating what to do with the rest of my life (hmmmmm...sounds familiar), i went to the university of waterloo march break high school open house and dena was my tour guide. when i chose to do my undergrad at waterloo, dena was my frosh leader, and ever since has been a dear friend and mentor. always enthusiastic, always engergetic, and always focused - dena is very much a person i wish i was more like. every time we get together to "catch up", i always leave feeling like i am a smarter and better person for knowing her.

in financial news, my quest to purge my home of all things unneccessary has seen me list an absurd amount of items on ebay. as of today, i have officially made enough money to pay for my new camera in its entirety! yea me! marko has graciously offered to bring the camera with him when he visits his family this christmas so it should be in my grubby little hands by january. i need to keep devoiding my home of all things crap so that when i move into a tiny place, by myself, and with only 1 salary:
a) i can fit,
b) there will be room for chloe, and
c) i can spend my efforts on hobbies and activities that i really enjoy rather than being buried under a mountainous pile of crap that i can not or will not use during the rest of my life.

in the "holy crap it's already december 6" file, i must immediately send out christmas cards, notification that the wedding will not be held in two weeks in the bahamas cards, and start shopping before the malls get so insanely packed with everyone and everything annoying that i go in there throwing punches just to find that sweater or book or random thing that i should have picked up last month when i saw it in the first place.

my birthday is in 9 days. i'll be 29 holy fuck years old. 2007 will be the big 3-0. there will be a seperate announcement (and probably multiple posts) about that one. if you are feeling wealthy and want to get me a gift, i'd love a 50" samsung plasma tv, laser eye surgery, and a vacation to somewhere warm and indulgent. kidding. well 1/2 kidding. when i finally get my ass around to planning a proper birthday celebration, i'd just be impressed if people showed up to drink and dance with me. location to be determined but due to previous exploits, i hope it will be new territory not previously tainted with the likes of my boys.

why i love my boss...

i got an email from my boss proposing a date for our departmental christmas party. this is the email:

"It’s that time of year again when we must gather to break bread, give thanks, and pretend to enjoy each other’s company. Just kidding about the pretend thing – you ladies are a delight and Mark is growing on me. Please let me know if lunch suits you on this day. I’m thinking beer, bacon wrapped sausages, and a hot tub for five."

responses ranged from "what about a keg, tequila body shots, and a stripper from the VI?" to "i'm always up for a good time" and "let's have it here."

if we're not all written up by HR at the end of the day, it will be a miracle.