Golf, Costco, and School

Well, here I am on the cusp of yet another return to Edmonton for university. This time, however, it will be a little different. I only have one semester left, and it is my practicum semester. This means that I will only be in Edmonchuck for about six weeks before I head back home to teach for another nine weeks. In a way, I will really miss going to university, but at the same time, I am very eager to just get everything done. I'm ready to start my life!

Yesterday, a few friends and I played 18 holes at Grovedale Golf Course. I had a great time, and although the round took WAY longer than it should have, I think everyone had fun. On the front nine, I shot a 43, which was a personal best. However, it kind of fell apart on the back, on which I shot a 53. Oh well.

Last Sunday was my last day at Costco. I never thought I'd say this, but I'll really miss the place. The people I worked with are what really made Costco memorable. A few, I will likely not see again. But, there are of course a few who I believe will become life-long friends. At least, I hope so. On my last day, a bunch of the front end staff got together and gave me a huge homemade card, signed by everyone I worked with. It really meant alot to me, and I will always remember fondly the time I spent with those people. Thanks, Kayla!


Movies

After our golf game, a few of us went to see the Mark Wahlberg movie Invincible. I really enjoyed it. The film is about the NFL career of Philidelphia Eagles' Vince Papale, who made the team after attending open tryouts following a series of humiliating defeats for the team. Saying that I enjoyed the film is actually saying alot, as sport movies have never really been my thing. The film was very well-written, quite well-acted, and the characters displayed a real depth of genuine emotion. In my personal opinion, the real highlight of the film was Greg Kinnear's portrayal of Coach Dick Vermeil. Not only is Kinnear a top-notch actor, he is a dead ringer for Vermeil, judging by film from the real life career of Papale at the end of the film. Also a highlight of the film was Elizabeth Banks as Janet, Papale's love interest, and current real-life wife. She's cute, talented, and the character was a source of comic relief as a die-hard New York Giants fan in the stronghold of the Philidelphia Eagles.

Shiny Happy People Holding Hands...

Wow, what is it with weddings? This last weekend, I drove my trusty little Dodge Neon and three excited girls to a wedding in Westlock, Alberta. The wedding was of a college friend, Candi Dyky, and her new husband, Rod Beauchamp. It was an exciting affair (of course), and I have to say, no expense was spared. I literally felt guilty at the amount of money that must have been spent putting the wedding together. I think Candi's parents must have been sent to the poor house with the apparent cost of the entire shindig. But, of course, a great time was had by all, and Candi looked absolutely beautiful (as any and every bride does). The week before this opulent affair, another good friend of mine, Nikki (this time from high school), was married to her fiance, and a few of my friends will be attending Jolene Senkow's wedding in Calgary in a few weeks. It seems as though everyone I know is getting married (or, at least, going to a wedding). Now, one would think that the fact that I have not had a relationship in the the last two years that lasted longer than a Mento would be troubling to me, but in actuality, it's not. I know that someday, I'll find that special someone, yadda yadda yadda... moving on!

Oh, and on a completely unrelated matter, my good friend Serge has asked his girlfrind Andrea to marry him. She, of course, said yes, and they'll be getting married next July in Prince Edward Island. So, congratulations are in order to the both of them; have fun planning the wedding, guys! (Although, it's pretty safe to say that Serge won't have much of a hand in the planning...)

Folks, I know it's been awhile since my last posting, and I'd like to apologize. I know that most of you sit at home on the edge of your seats waiting with baited breath to read what I have to say about the goings-on in my life, or what I think about everything from middle east politics to what I thought was funny about a particular movie. Wait, where's everyone going? Aw...


Books

Well, I'm sorry to say, it's taking quite awhile to get through Friedman's The World is Flat. Not because it's boring; on the contrary. It is quite interesting, and I look forward to picking it up again. No, the reason it is sitting in the back seat of my car unread is because I made the mistake of picking up Stephen King's The Gunslinger. For those of you unfamiliar with the book, The Gunslinger is the first volume of seven in King's The Dark Tower series. These books represent King's attempt to create a fantasy series in the vein of Tolkein or C.S. Lewis. Stephen King, however, takes the idea in a different direction. The stories take place in a strange, yet somewhat familiar alternate reality. However, the stories make brief sojourns into our world, and the crossing of paths of people from both worlds makes for a very compelling and fun read. I am currently blasting my way through these books; currently, I am halfway through book three, The Waste Lands. The books in the Dark Tower series are, in order:

I: The Gunslinger;
II: The Drawing of the Three;
III: The Waste Lands;
IV: Wizard and Glass;
V: Wolves of the Calla;
VI: Song of Susannah;
& VII: The Dark Tower.

I urge anyone who wants to stay up late at night reading to pick up book one today. I am recommending these books from an unbiased perspective; I honestly can't think of another Stephen King book I have ever read before. I don't even think I ever finished The Shining, so my recommendation doesn't come from a fanboyish Stephen King fetish, but from the pure enjoyment of reading a great story.


Well, that's all I can think of to say tonight. I'm going to get some sleep (but not before reading a little bit more of The Waste Lands). Good night all!