Recent Reflections

When I first started seriously writing in my blog I thought this could be a good way to let people know what I am up to. After about a month it appears that this is a good way to let Lindsay and Nate know what I am up to. Ah well.
So Steve and Jessica's wedding was very nice. I think outdoor weddings are the best, and the weather was perfect. Nate did a good summation of the event, so check his blog for details.
It is interesting the swing I've been on. A few weeks ago when I left Mentor I was incredibly blessed and felt like I was important to people and they actually liked having me around. Since then I have gone totally the opposite way and have felt disconnected and sad. Part of it is working in a new place where I don't know anyone and I can't really talk to people much. But the other part is the continual struggle I have in myself. The thing I dislike most about myself is that I often feel I can't talk to people. It's not that I don't want to talk, I just feel like I have a mental block and I don't know what to say. I have in me this desire to be well liked by people and want people to enjoy talking to me. But when it comes to actually talking I just don't know what to say. This usually comes off with other people thinking I am shy or snobby. The latter is the worst part because it makes it even more difficult to talk to people.
I know I keep a shell around myself and don't let people in. I have been trying to get past that and have had some success, but it is still a difficulty. And I don't know why it is there. I look around at other people and envy the closeness they have with friends. It is difficult for me to have that closeness even with family.
Well I'm not sure why I am saying all this on the internet. I guess I just need to get it out. Hey look it's Corey and Wendy! Bunz is showing his true feelings for weddings.


*Have you ever used blogger's spellcheck? Apparently Nate should be NATO and Jessica should be cheesecake. Done and done.

Wedding Question

It appears the August wedding season is upon us and I just have one question:
Where's the kilts? I was told there would be kilts. I am gravely disappointed.

*Not disappointed that I don't get to see men in kilts because that doesn't do anything for me but just that it seems like a unique wedding idea.

Failure of the Library

I am a great fan of Libraries. I love books and love places where I am surrounded by them. In bookstores I feel like I could never afford all those books so I can't enjoy it. But in libraries it's just books and I can take any one I want. However, I have had an experience to shake my faith. I was looking for the 4th book in the current series of books I am reading, "The Death Gate Cycle." However, in the entire Calgary Public Library system not a single copy of this book was available. I spent almost the entire weekend looking through used bookstores with no luck. Finally on Monday evening when I had almost totally despaired of any hope I found a copy at "Fair's Fair" used bookstore. It was the happiest day of my life.* Hopefully the library will not fail me again.

*May not have been the happiest day of my life.

Reflections

Marigold Spinoza is pretty cool. So yesterday was my last day at Mentor Engineering. I worked there for three years and I must say that I enjoyed it. I am actually pretty sad to go. I really like the people I work with. I have become friends with many of them and will miss being able to see them daily. One of my failings is that when it takes some effort to keep in touch with people I usually don't put in the effort and so I lose touch. I must try more.
I wonder many times whether I am doing the right thing in leaving Mentor and going to Headplay. I am excited about it and think it is a great opportunity, but what if I don't find the things there that I enjoy at Mentor? Like being able to wear flip-flops to work and really liking the people I work with. *sigh* Well if I didn't go I'd never find out. At least I am leaving on really good terms. I could probably even go back if things didn't work out at all.
Quitting my job was one of the most interesting episodes of my life (not interesting as in exciting but in analyzing emotions and seeing peoples reactions). It seems a bit immodest but I know I was pretty important at Mentor. I had 3.5 weeks to complete or transition all of the projects I was working on. In the end I couldn't get it all finished. I feel bad for my manager who has to take over much of what I was working on. I know he will get through it but it won't be a fun time.
The most interesting part was all the feedback I got from people. I was extremely blessed by all the comments and notes on goodbye cards. It was somewhat of a shock to realize that people think highly of me. I often don't know what to do with that as I usually just see my weaknesses. I also got the impression that people would genuinely miss me. Part of my self-image is that I often think people wouldn't notice if I wasn't there. It seemed pretty clear that I would be missed.
So I have the long weekend and then I start on Tuesday. I'm feeling pretty nervous about starting. I feel confident that I will do well, but I think it will be a tough few months learning new things and trying to contribute to a hard-working company.
Well this is a fairly long post. If you made it all the way through I congratulate you! Here is your reward. It follows the Ramer theme of pictures with cute kids.

Yikes

So I've been crazy busy lately trying to finish up at my current job, before starting my new one next week. The stress is building. My problem is that I just can't not care about the all my projects and making sure that the correct information is passed on properly.
Once things settle down a little I will do some updates including pictures and possibly some new sidebar items.

Movies Worth Watching

Kristin and I went to the new M. Night Shyamalan movie, Lady in the Water. I wasn't expecting too much. None of his later movies had been as good as The Sixth Sense (though Signs came close) so I didn't think this one would be. Well, we have a new winner. This was one of the best movies I have seen in a long time.
Now I'm not sure you will agree with me. As I was leaving thinking what a great movie it was, the people behind starting saying how it was the worst movie they had ever seen. I'm guessing that it is a movie you will either love or hate. I loved it, so I recommend you go see it.

Updates

Inspired by other Blogs I am adding a section on the current books I am reading. I will often be in the middle of one book and start reading other, depending on how interesting the book is.
Right now I am re-reading some books I enjoyed a lot as a teenager. I am mildly surprised that I still enjoy them, though I think for different reasons than before.

Competition!

This morning I woke up with a song in my head.

Com-fort to sleep, my baby-kin
My peaches and cream, my baby-kin
If you don't sleep, my baby-kin
I poke out for you, your eyes, like this!

10 points to the first person to guess where it's from.
If you're a brother of mine you are automatically disqualified. Unfair advantage.

A note about comments

So I had set up to moderate comments but then forgot to moderate them so peoples comments didn't come through. I apologize profusely. I have decided not to moderate. If I get weirdos with scary comments maybe I will again....
Thanks for the comments though! I feel fulfilled!

New Job

So I have officially accepted a new job with a company called Headplay. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to talk about what they do publicly like this so you'll have to talk to me to get the details. The job involves embedded software development, like I do now, but it will be on a different product. I start there on August 7th.
In the meantime I am going crazy trying to finish off everything I am currently working on. I'm gonna be fairly stressed out for the next few months...but hopefully it will be worth it.

Godzilla!

CBC has been playing old Japanese Godzilla movies. They are pretty funny. Some great lines like "Even if you are half human half robot, I still love you Katsuma!"

Canada Day!

Another tradition this past weekend. Canada in Rosemary, AB. Rosemary is a small village of about 360 people, but on Canada Day the population triples. It's always a good time. Also they put on a pretty amazing fireworks display. It seems they must spend their entire budget on the fireworks. If you want a good Canada Day, I recommend Rosemary.

Calaway Park

So this past weekend Kristin and I went to Calaway Park. We're not big into amusement parks but we had some free coupons and Kristin's little brother and sisters were going to be there too.
Aside: I am never quite sure how to write entries. Do I assume the reader does not know me or my family members and need to give details on each person I refer to, or do I assume the reader knows me and such details are unnecessary. I suppose if you are reading this you do know me so I will go with the latter assumption. If you want to know details you could always leave a comment.
So anyway we had a fun time at Calaway Park. It's always fun to be with someone experiencing something for the first time; even more so when they are young children. I'm not into rides, especially spinny ones that just make me sick, so it was nice to only have to go on kid-type rides.
I also have found that I have not experienced a lot of standard amusement park activities. This weekend was the first time I rode a roller coaster (quite fun actually) and the first time I had ever eaten cotton candy (I think I'm addicted). Kristin thinks I was a deprived child.

A new beginning

So it's been a while but I am going to try and make a new effort to keep my blog somewhat updated. I'm not much of a writer and not well motivated but here goes nothing...
So this past weekend was the Brooks Rodeo. It's not terribly exciting but there is a parade and a pancake breakfast. We usually go; it's tradition.
Another tradition of the weekend is roller-blading from Duchess to Brooks (15 km) before the pancake breakfast. My brothers have done it 4 years in a row now and I came along this time. It was good fun.

License Plate Game

In Alberta (and most other provinces in Canada) standard vehicle license plates are made up of six characters: three letters followed by three numbers. The point of the License Plate Game is to find all the numbers from 000 to 999, in order. While not the most exciting game in the world, it's one that can be played for most of your life.
For no real reason, I will chronicle my playing of this game. The last plate that I have found is noted on the side panel. Keep checking for updates! I know you're in suspense!

First Post

My Blog will most likely be as interesting as I am.