Being out of school with its cycles and associated relocation, I now find it more difficult to keep track of time and events. Before, it was last term, or back in second year. Now I use phrases like the other day, a while ago, or more commonly I don't recall that.
This year marks the second that I've worked for the entire year which consequently makes me a pretty good friend in the sight of the government. During the first year of labour, I learned some pretty important lessons. Some of them even had something to do with electrical design. But one of the things that I learned late in 2005 was about the importance of physical mental health days. I took one half day off during that entire year due to illness and it turned out to be the best idea since Archimedes said, I'm tired of kicking around the lab. I think I'll go take a bath. No more than two hours passed after my arrival at home before the rain started falling in Biblical proportions. The city was completely flooded and I think every sewer in the municipality backed up into the parking lot at my work. Dozens of coworkers' cars were completely written off. But on the flip side, it provided some pretty good photo ops. Anyone for a band-new (slightly soggy) Mercedes?
I thought the canoe on top of the car was a nice touch.
Anyway, given the great fortune I had from missing just one half day of work in 2005 clearly indicated that many more days off in 2006 would be an even better idea. And it certainly was.
This past June/July, I took three weeks off to enjoy a bit of sun and loads of tomfoolery in Europe. In particular, Italy and Great Britain.
Venice was beautiful if a bit polluted. It was also the home of the most expensive water closets of which I've ever heard.
There was so much in Florence and Rome that a single day couldn't even scrape the surface.
If Italian Espressos were not my speed, the English had copious amounts of coffee to offer, with Starbucks on just about every street corner. English destinations included London, Oxford, Windsor, and York. Windsor castle was so opulent, but after having seen the Vatican the week before, I found it to be... ostentatious. While the Vatican is immensely richer than the queen, their wealth is displayed more in art and history. Windsor was more gold and finery. Nice even still.
To me, the north was the most worthwhile place I visited in my whole three weeks. I would certainly return to Scotland, given half a chance. Ah, the Royal City. 
Oh, the Highlands.
Mmm, the haggis??
The beginning of Winter now welcomes for me the opportunity to take up skating on a regular basis again. In January, a friend decided that I needed to get some skates and learn to use them. And I took to it a little more enthusiastically than expected. In fact, she now claims that I'm too good! In any case, summer has its perks, but there's nothing like skating on the Rideau in February... I really hope weather will permit it this year!
Probably the most important thing that's been going on this year has come in the way of a musical feast. I was involved in the choir at church, joined a new chamber group, worked on several TV audio recordings, and joined the cast for this year's Christmas musical. My first time in the cast, and unless I learn how to act, probably my last. The show is running this weekend, so by January 1, I should have it all down.
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