Oops... Where Did November Go?

I just looked back and noticed that I didn't make a single post last month. That's the first time I've missed a month since I started this blog in 2004. So, a little catchup then?

Last week I participated in the Home Hardware Bonspiel. It's a regional bonspiel that that 13 area clubs all host games. In the 3 games I played in I went to the Galt Curling Club, Plattsville Curling Club and the KW Granite Club. It was fun to get to see the other clubs and meet some new people.

At the beginning of the month, I went to visit Joe in Halifax. I got a tour of his office, we went on the Keith's Brewery tour and did a bunch of gaming. Good times. Bonus: I found out how awfully convenient flying out of the Hamilton Airport is. No lines, no crowds and close parking. I put a couple pics up on the Facebook, if you're interested.

So Long Demon Drop

I read this past week that the Demon Drop will be leaving Cedar Point after this year and moving to a park in California. Like so many rides at Cedar Point, I have good memories of this one. Back when I first went to Cedar Point, it was still relatively new and had quite the reputation (don't go on it after lunch... you'll throw up!). I always wondered how much money they made from the spare change falling out of people's pockets at the bottom.

While the Demon Drop doesn't have a large footprint, I hope that moving it will be part of making room for a new coaster sometime in the near future.

Matt vs 100

So, best story ever tonight...

I've mentioned playing 1 vs 100 before. After a run this summer, they took a break before Season 2 starts. Well, it looks like they're almost ready, because this weekend was a preview of Season 2 just for Canadians (I assume it was limited to Canada to keep numbers down while they tested stuff out). I won't go into how it's played, but you can read the description at Wikipedia. Since it was just a preview, no actual prizes were at stake... it was just for fun.

Anyway, to get to the point, after the second round of the night tonight and being in the mob for those 2 rounds, I was selected to actually be the "One". Keep in mind that I had never been selected to be the One or in the Mob all last season (mostly because the games are on Fridays and Saturday evening... and in the summer, I had things to do and played the Live game rarely) so it was quite the exciting moment when the screen came up that said I had been selected as the One. Now, I'll admit that my chances of being in the mob or the One were much much better than usual, seeing how there was only just over 1000 players due to it being only in Canada and the short notice given... usually, from what I saw, the full version leveled out at 40,000 players last season.

Anyway, to get more to the point... I outlasted the mob and won! I can barely remember some of the questions... it's kind of a blur now. There was one about who the prime minister was during WWI and there was one that asked what the provincial bird of Saskatchewan was (I had to use a help on this one). I can't remember the others... my memory has faded. I don't know if I was the only one to outlast the mob tonight since I had to go offline for a bit during the middle... but from what I saw, I was.

I kinda feel for the Ones during the regular season... after I had won, I got a whole slew of messages and friend requests. Now, times that by 400, and the notifications wouldn't stop for days, I think.

Anyway, when the season starts up for real, I'll let you know. Hopefully I can get some people over to play with me. Or, even better, get yourself a 360 and join me online.

Seriously

Why is it that every time you just want to browse in Futureshop you can't not be harassed by sales people, but if you're actually there to buy something there's not a salesperson in sight?

Home Is Where The Heart Is... So Your Real Home's In You Chest

Wow, it's been over a year since I bought a house (and subsequently unbought it). I didn't realize it had been that long. So, thirteen months since then and well... not much has really changed. Am I still hunting for a house?

Well, yes and no.

On the one hand, the apartment I'm in right now just isn't really cutting it. With my office setup and other stuff, I'm struggling to find enough room around here. Also, there's the fact that once in a while, my neighbours are really loud, and I can hear them clear as day... which makes me hesitant to do things that make noise myself, since other people would probably be able to hear me too. Thirdly, I dream of the day I have my own laundry facilities. So, I'd love to get out of here.

On the other hand... I don't know how much the unbuying of house last year unnerved me to the whole process, but I've been a mountain of indecision since then. Basically, it boils down to this... the houses that are in my price range aren't what I'm looking for (which is to say I wouldn't be completely happy with) and the ones that I am looking for are out of my price range (and quite frankly, way too spacious for just me). Now, technically I could raise my price range (as the bank would let me do that), but then almost every cent would be going to a mortgage and bills (and how would I buy things like the new surround sound system I just got last week?) and I'm not prepared to go that route.

Other options include a condo, but the whole noise thing in my building has really made me wary of sharing walls anymore. Alternatively, I could move into another larger apartment, but then I'd have to sign a new year-long lease, and I'd have to give up my utilities-included sweetness that I enjoy now. Plus, my building is really nice as apartment buildings go, so a new apartment is definitely not the way to go either.

Gotta Find The Kind With Tiny Nubs...

I was able to sneak in one more round of golf on Saturday. Went down to Dundee Golf Club and while it's a really nice course, it was really SLOW. The entire course was backed up the whole time. The marshals are really inept there, unless we're supposed to wait 10 mintues to tee off every hole. Anyways...

But the most exciting thing that happened was the head of my 4 iron flying off while taking a tee shot. Let me tell you, that's a weird feeling. Fortunately, the head went straight forward and not to the side. On the bright side, I now have a cool metal stick.

So I'm now down a 4-iron (broken head), 7-iron (broken handle), and pitching wedge (umm... I forgot it somewhere). Time for new clubs? The expense would probably be worth the 3 times I go out golfing each summer.

Matt Versus the Small-Nosed Sunglasses Designers

So, once again, I find myself looking for a new pair of sunglasses after my current ones broke. What I really need is to get a case to carry them in, but unless I start buying more expensive glasses, I'm not really inclined to bother. But that's not the point here. The point is that I figure that nearly 90% of sunglasses have nose pads that are completely inadequate for people with wide bridges, like me. I find this in regular glasses too. It severely limits the selection of styles available. Maybe I should start looking at more expensive models, but if I've learned anything about designer stuff... they'll probably be even smaller.

Camping in Algonquin

This past weekend I was up in Algonquin Park on a canoe/camping trip. This time we entered in through the east side of the park and stayed on St Andrews Lake. Here are some pictures.

A Non-Work Post

So, I looked at my blog today and saw that the last post I made was a soliciatation for work. I hate putting those things up... it's like my work life intruding into my personal life. So, what better way to get rid of it than to make a new post?

So, what to write about? I notice the last time I mentioned Weight Watchers was back in March when I wrote how I had gained 10 pounds since getting off the program. Well, to bring you up to date on that... add another 10 pounds. The first 10 wasn't so bad, but the second 10... well, things just aren't fitting again. So, starting yesterday, I'm making a conscience effort to eat within my point target without having to go to an actual meeting. Yesterday was a success, but today the hunger pains (and when I say "pains" I mean "minor discomfort") are out in full force. My goal is to see if I can get to the end of the week staying on the program... and then we'll see from there.

Need Some Extra Cash? Want To Survey?

Hey everyone,

We're doing travel surveys on Highway 26 up in and around Collingwood for the next couple weeks here at work. As usual, we're tight on staff (tight as in we're short). So anyone who want to spend a few (around 6 or 7) hours doing some short travel survey/interviews and make $15/hour doing so, let me know and I'll get you in touch with the appropriate people. Gord, I think, can vouch to how easy and straightforward the interviewing is. There are, however, a couple catches... First, we need people for the morning shifts (5:30am start on weekdays, 8:00am start on Sundays). Second, you'd be responsible to getting yourself to the sites, so it'd be a bit of a drive. The surveys will run on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays for 2 weeks and then just Sundays after that. If it sounds like something you'd like to do, like I said, let me know.

Before Friday.