Another Week In Boxes

Well not much new here. Kylie has cut a couple more teeth. Her two upper fangs have come in and her two front teeth are coming in as well. I guess she'll have to want something else for Christmas this year (*rim shot*). I took them to Chuck-e-Cheese's last night. Man does that pizza suck. I was a bit pizza'd out yesterday. For work, we went on our annual outing. This year was to this place in CT called Nomad's which is like Chuck-e-Cheese's for big kids. I should have requested to go on Friday. Since the majority of my employees have an average tenure of 10+ years, there's abit of an age gap there. Friday's group had a few younger guys which would have made Laser Tag a little less like shooting fish in a barrel. Same with the rock wall. I haven't ever been on one of those things but it was pretty cool. Surprisingly, I was able to easily scale the intermediate and advanced walls a couple times each. Not surprisingly, I was the only one. haha. Oh well it was good times and nice to get out of the office.
The condo is coming together more and more. But still not settled in yet. I managed to get the doors on my cabinets. It's a little weird having to open a cabinet to get a beer glass now, but you can't win 'em all. My mom did a kick-ass job on the girls' room. Her and Cioci Cynthina put the wall border up in there and also hung the curtains in my room. Things are close to being "settled" I guess. I need to put the furniture together in the girls room. Also need to hang some shelves in my room for my cable box. The home theater isn't set up yet neither which is crap... I bought these brackets online, but the speakers are a little top heavy. So.. I need to come up with a way to space them from the wall. Maybe this weekend I'll do that. Once that's done, there's a million little projects but that's the bulk of the big stuff. I'll need to paint the hallways and hang my screen doors (with some help ahem) and still the get sink in my downstairs bathroom set up but that's all minor stuff. The bedrooms, kitchen, living/dining room and upstairs bathroom were the important ones and they're almost done. woohoo..

Which brings me to the next thing... I definitely do not intend to have a housewarming of any sort. The big reasons are time, money, lack of parking AND... there's no way I can fit everyone (or even a fraction of everyone) I'd invite in the place at once. Which would result in me doing like a full week of housewarmings and that just wouldn't work. But, everyone is welcome to come down whenever I'm around to either check it out, or hang out for a while or whatever... Usually later in the evening is best. Saturdays I'm usually free after 6 so that's really the best time. And please, please, please don't feel obliged to give me housewarming gifts (I mean it). I have, for the most part, most everything I need. For those of you that insist... Home Depot gift cards would help me further fix up the joint, but I'd rather the company than gifts of any sort.

This weekend coming up is a bit of change... Usually I see Kylie for a little Friday, when I'm picking up Natalie for her sleep over. But I won't be seeing either of them tonight. Instead, I have them all day tomorrow as Julie has family obligations. So tonight, after a little work around the condo, I'll probably head over to Thirsty Minds for some coffee or belgium ales. Then Sunday I got thrown some extra hours at the Apple Store which is always good since Sunday means time and a half.

That's about it. Not a whole lot of excitement.

He's Dead Jim

Tough couple weeks it looks like.. Alexender Courage died on May 15. He is the composer responsible for the original Star Trek theme. The "fanfare" to the theme has appeared in every production since.

Also dead is Joseph Pevney who directed "City on the Edge of Forever" as well as"The Trouble with Tribbles".

And finally, not related to Star Trek but still important nontheless... Harvey Corman died yesterday. He was in everything from the Carol Burnett show to many of Mel Brooks' films. His best performance was of course in Blazing Saddles where he played Heddy Lamar (That's HEDLEY!).

Wedding Bellz...

No not mine... Done with that..


The moving and renovations continue... This weekend I managed to get some of my home theater set up. My rear speakers are all that's left. I bought these brackets to mount them to the wall but I need to put a spacer between the wall and the bracket as the speakers need to be mounted forward just a little. It's a little problem but was quite the hang up. I also picked up the girls' bunkbeds. It'll just be a twin bed for Natalie for now but when Kylie is older, they'll get set up as bunks.
Then Saturday I had the pleasure of renting my equipment to John Gora for a wedding in Ludlow. What a friggin' night. It actually started off when I had to pick up a certain nameless accordion player at the airport. Having not seen him for the past 3 years, it was great that the first words out of his mouth were "hey check this out, I took at the Cleveland Airport!" It was a picture of a sign that said "Cleveland Shines". Must be their new baseball team or something. haha. My how little things change. Well we got to the hall where they had this HUGE appetizer spread. After we set up, I jetted for a while to be with the girls. Kylie is growing up so fast. And Natalie seems to be slowly but surely getting out of those terrible two's (though she's 4 and a half). Kylie's also sprouting a couple more teeth. Well after I dropped them off in Palmer, back to Ludlow I went. It was quite the party. I missed the meal, but quality time with the girls more than made up for that. When I got there, they were bringing out deserts. Later on they brought out the buffet. Oh.. and two of my favorite words.. "Open Bar". And it was all top shelf. It was a night of Chivas and Opa-Opa. Gora played mostly his disco polo stuff. Very few polkas. I got up and jammed a little. In between trying to mingle with people who had no idea who I was... Which was probably for the best. It's unfortunate I had to break down and load equipment. The whole night was pretty out of control... It was also pretty funny to listen to some of the old Versatones pissing stories. Why those guys were obsessed with that, I dunno.
I worked from 12-5 at the store Sunday and Monday. Sunday night I did some clean up and worked a little on the theater system. Ended up watching Cheech and Chong with someone later on the evening on Sunday. Monday night, Matt helped try to get the rear speakers set up but no luck until I get some wood to create some space between the wall and the brackets. Then him, me and my dad went to see Indiana Jones. I'd seen 3 movies in the theaters in the past 3 years. 1 of which was with Natalie. I've seen the same movie twice in the last 4 days. That'll be it for a little while.
Now I look at the clock and imagine what awaits me in the office tomorrow morning. I tell ya.. it's like running a day care. But it pays the bills... has tons of opportunity and free cable...

And We're Baaaaaack!

2 and a half years later, Canadiamania is back...

Now that I'm once again enjoying the single life, I've had a literal shitload of requests for Canadiamania to rear its ugly head once again. I have decided to skip over Canadiamania II and continue with the original. Pretty much bypassing the last 3 years.

So I'm single once again. Much to my chagrin... things didn't work out. I'll be nice about the whole matter, but well, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree... or the other apple for that matter. I'm not a quitter but when faced with a no-one scenario, it was what had to be done and we move on.

I've got the girls 4 times during the week. And.. I've got a nice little condo in South Hadley. The apartment in St-Laurent makes this place look like a dive, but, that's the way the cards were dealt. It was a foreclosure that I got a great deal on and between some of my friends, and mainly my parents... its coming together..

So... on to the debauchery. Well, I ran into Eldred at the Apple Store the other day. We will be making our triumphant return to the 5A soon. I've been hanging out with my pal Heidi, we'll leave it at that. And... last night I went to see Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of The Crystal Skull with Heather and Tricia. Prior to that we hit up this Coffee bar in town that happens to sell wine and Chimay... How fuckin' cool is that?

If you want to see some pictures... http://web.mac.com/john.daigle

Well that's it for now. Time to get back to watching Blue Velvet with Putnam. Then John Gora is playing some wedding in Ludlow tomorrow and I'm renting my equipment to him so I gotta get ready for that... Best part is, I can eat and hang at the reception... Keep checking back for more...

And... I'm Done!

Well everyone, I guess this is it for Canadia Mania. All my stuff is back in Massachusetts. In fact, I'm not even writing from my apartment. I'm doing this update from work as I have no internet access. I kind of feel like I'm back in the stone age. No chair to sit in, no TV and no internet. How the hell did people live?

So I'm here until Wednesday and that's it. I've got a light, 3 pairs of dumbbells, a couple dishes, some mementos, bathroom items (shower curtain, toothbrush, etc) and 15 bottles of Samuel Adams. I wish there was a way to polish them off. Taking them back across the border isn't too tough, it's just one more thing to carry and I hope the change in temperature doesn't skunk them. Otherwise it would be a true waste.

This company really has its head up its ass. Tons of opportunity but due to poor execution, they're not where they could be. I moved up here just about a year ago. Was promised this, that and the other and that after I left in 2 years, things would be great, I could move back down, etc etc. Well, that wasn't reality. Reality was that I never had the budget to do what I proposed. Despite that, we made due, regardless of the bullshit that had to be dealt with as a result. Then we get this new SVP promising everything under the sun to my boss, so they cut my contract a year early, and all kinds of shit is messed up.

One recent development is that we have a new president for all of North America who told my boss last week it doesn't make sense to move service from Canada to the US. It's cheaper and easier in Canada. Well that makes me feel a little better since that was part of my basis for recommending the move last year. But now things are once again on hold. Either way, I'm done in Canada. It still falls under me, but I'll manage it from the US until they either migrate it totally or find another sucker to deal with it.

Canada has too many bosses, not enough workers. Everyone wants something done, noone knows how to do it. In the past month as I've been slowly sunsetting things, everyone is beginning to realize that they need to learn fast cuz I'm not going to be their crutch anymore. But on the US side, there are a lot of operational issues that also need dealing with. Essentially, this is turning into an oil/water relationship and I'm stuck in the middle. My interim boss in the US is just never available. And when things go wrong, he pushes it to me to be fixed. Fine, it gets fixed, but I look like the asshole. The only problem is, I can't really complain to my boss in Canada about it cuz, he'll go to his boss, who goes to the SVP in Maynard, who comes to my interim boss and guess what.. I get shit on. It's really fun.

The problem is, and I'm not sure they realize it yet or not, is that both teams are kind of screwed without me. Canada won't have a connection in the US to get things done, and the US won't be able to fully support Canada without me. So Friday I should be getting my relocation bonus. Once I have it, and see what the stipulations for me are in regards to it, I'll see what happens.

Ultimately, I'd like to get it, stick it out in Maynard through the holidays then find something closer to home. But if they do what they did last year and make me sign on for a year, then that could be a problem. If I leave voluntarily, I have to repay the bonus. If I get laid off or terminated involuntarily, I don't. The problem is, I don't know what the deal is just yet. If I have to sign on for a year, I might be better to let this shit continue so they think I'm a poor performer. I'd hate to leave on a bad note after putting in 2 years, but if I have to do it just so things work out, well, I will.

So I have a meeting with my Canadian boss tomorrow to discuss what's going on with the migration as well as my own personal concerns and recommendations. We'll see what happens.

Either way, that's it for Canadia Mania. I'm all moved in with Julie in Thorndike and plan on being there for a while. Feel free to check back now and then. Maybe I'll decide to start up a new blog, though Thorndike-Mania just doesn't have the ring. Plus I won't have as much time to dedicate to it. But then again, you never know. So check back and see what's up.

Annnnnd.... I'm done.

Back in Kanuckistan

Well, things are falling more and more into place back in Thorndike. And on that note... I'm back here in Canada. 3 days... Tying up some loose ends, etc etc. My apartment is empty as hell. I forgot how uncomfortable my hard wood floors are. 2 more days of sleeping on them to look forward to.

I might pick up a DVD or something. There's nothing for me to do.. I spent my last dime getting my shit back to MA last weekend. The company is supposed to reimburse me. But well, I trust them about as far as I can throw them. If they throw me some cash like last year, they'll have done good in my book. If not, well, I'd expect no less. It might be better that they didn't so I'm not stuck there for an extra year, but, we'll see what my options are once they are finally presented to me.

I brought a case of Sam up for the move last weekend. Alas, only 4 of them went. Which means I have 20 beers to drink before I'm outta here... Not a problem. It's my little project tonight.

This weekend looks like I'll end up at the Big E Saturday and on Sunday... Meeting at the Polish Hall. Woohoo! Speaking of... I got a random call from Mookie tonight. Apparently Ed Kosla gave him my card telling him I was looking for a place back in MA. I had that coversation with Ed like 2 months ago. Good to know things in G-ville are moving along at such a fast pace. Either way, I'm all set.

Geese, Moving and The Maestro's Men

As you can tell, I've been updating this less and less as time goes by and I gradually move myself back the States. Things have been hectic. I've been down here living/visiting for about a week and a half. I have a few more trips up and back to Canada and that's it.

Last week, while on the way back to Thorndike from Chicopee, I had a quite unpleasant experience. I was driving along on the Mass Pike, minding my own business when all of a sudden I was hit by about 10 pounds of flying irony. A Canada Goose flew into my driver's side mirror. Busted the mirror and probably its neck. Stupid bird. Cost me almonst $200 for a new mirror too. That was thrilling let me tell you.

Then Friday was moving day. I'm still going to be spending a little time in Canada, but needed to get my stuff back here. So my parents and Putnam took a trip up to bring everything back. Wasn't as hard as moving things up there but it was still exhausting. So now all my stuff is at Julie's place and is being assimilated. I'm hoping today to get the HDTV going. It would be nice to have that set up. Computer desk still needs setting up as well as a few other items but for the most part, it's coming together. She is, however, going to have to get rid of all her dishes and pots and pans so I can store my glassware. Of course, we won't be able to cook or eat as a result, but what's important is that I can enjoy a tasty beverage in any glass I may choose at any given time.

Yesterday was probably one of the highlights of my musical career (or lack thereof). I had the honor and priviledge of playing with the Maestros Men in Port Washington, NY. Excellent job. It's amazing to play with such a group of talent, be laid back with no pressure or attitudes and still sound great. I could do that all the time. Oh yeah, I made some money too, but for once, it didn't really matter. Hopefully I'll get called on again soon. One of the better jobs I've played in a long time!

That's all. Sooner or later this blog is gonna be closed down for good. It's been winding down, but, once I'm back, there's not really a need to be updating it. Plus Thorndikia Mania doesn't sound quite right.

2 Weeks Later...

What a slacker I am huh? With all the travel and packing I've been doing as of late it's been hard to keep up. So what's new? Well not a whole hell of a lot...

Still haven't got much of a clue about when I'll officially be living fulltime in the US. Looks like I'm gonna be made a job offer for a Customer Advocate role in the next week. That's good. Not really the position I want, but I could care less at this point. I'm ready to just be done and over with this "we'll know soon" bullshit. So granted the money is decent for that role, that's where I'm headed it would seem. I also interviewed for a Manager's position last week within the company too. Only problem is, if I take the Advocate role, I might not be able to take the Manager's job if its offered to me. But if I pass on the advocate job and don't get the manager's job, then I'm totally screwed. Corporate life is great.

My place is pretty much stripped down to nothing. I've got most of everything packed. The parents and hopefully a couple buddies will be coming up Sept 24 and 25 to help me move the majority of my stuff back. That should leave me with the essentials here. Stuff I can take back in 1 trip, my last trip.

Oh yeah, I've also been picking up some gigs as of late. It's nice to play again. Last weekend I played in Ware with Mark VI. This weekend I might have a job with the Sound-A-Bouts in Dracut and next week I'm working with The Maestro's Men on Long Island. I'm a bit rusty but oh well, it'll come back to me. It'll be fun to play and I can use the money.

So that's a quick update for everyone still reading this blasted thing. I've gotta go hop in the shower and get ready for work now.