It seems like time is going by pretty quickly lately. Already its the second week of July and the end of another week.

I am looking forward to a fun weekend. Izzy arrives today - she's moving from Vancouver and staying with me until she gets settled. Chris' birthday and his accompanying bbq is Saturday (we’ll wait and see how Izzy’s feeling and if she wants to go) and Sunday? hmm, there was something for Sunday. Oh, and next Tuesday a bunch of us are getting together to go see Fahrenheit 9/11 – Vimal, Yvette, Dean, maybe Mahsa.

Abs are hurting this morning too. Been going more consistently (read as two days in a row) to the gym with Dean to run. Still staying at 25 minutes running but am slowing increasing the speed. Feels better going.

Anyhow, I must depart. I’ve got just enough time now to find a shirt to go with my jeans and to make a smoothie before I have to leave for work. Have a good day!

I wanted to start this post by saying "when my brother and i were younger," but let's face facts here, in reality it was only a couple of years back and we were not that much younger.

Alas, Geoff and i created a game to pass the time. It was a simple game but it did have certain facets to be considered. It was the "if you got tickets to see __(insert band name here)__ given to you for free would you go?"

ex/ Geoff: Celine Dion?
       Melda: No.

     Melda: Beck?
     Geoff: Yes.

     Geoff: Korn?
     Melda: Hmm, but No.

See, there are factors to take into account and a few ground rules to be followed. Like with Korn, I think that could be interesting but I don't know if i would like or feel comfortable in the crowd at their show. And it should be mentioned that these tickets (which you are receiving for FREE) cannot be sold or given to someone else. It would be you and one other person that would go to the show.

I thought about sharing this game with you since I gave up seeing a band that I could've seen for free just this past Friday night at Edgefest. As it turns out, Mallory and I would not see Good Charlotte... even for free.

Who would you not go see if you were given tickets for free?

I had planned to, but didn't make it to the fireworks on Canada Day. That morning i had to see a friend off at the train station (you are missed ER) and on the way home (to take some advil and sleep) I managed to come across a book store I’d never seen before – and proceeded to buy a few art books that I am very happy with.

Friday was the most hectic, but involved some great company. I worked early and met Mallory later as we headed to Edgefest. I had won free tickets off the radio and was pretty excited to be seeing British band Jet, but Mallory was there purely for Billy Talent – who actually had one of the best sets of the night. We left early to avoid both the crowds and Good Charlotte. Other bands on the guest list included: Finger Eleven, The Salads, Jersey, Alexisonfire, and Something Corporate.

Yesterday was a mad dash out to H&M with Mallory in the morning, then more rest, and then off to Moe’s wedding in the evening.

Today I’m not so sure about yet. Sleeping in was a priority. Goal achieved. Now that i'm awake, I know that I need to get some groceries, I’m considering going to the gym, and I would kinda like to see the Greece vs Portugal game. There is no point waiting for the replay tonight to watch because all the honking and flag waving in the streets here will have given it away long before 8pm. I am also considering going to see Fahrenheit 9/11.
We’ll see.

As Edith-Rose pointed out to me today - July 1st will be my one month anniversary in my new apartment downtown. HOORAY! Since I have moved I have been living the life of convenience - there is a convenience store, pool, sauna, gym, etc. in my building. i didn't even have to leave my building to vote! My work, grocery store, gym, etc. is only 4-5 blocks. And its nice to be able to walk everywhere too.

So what am i doing with all my free time now that i have been freed from my commute? Listening to more music and radio, watching dvds, writing more (here, and otherwise), exercising, catching up and meeting with friends, going to concerts, reading, eating better, playing soccer, taking bubble baths (Satsuma Bath Bubbles from Body Shop is highly recommended), and sleeping in. Dreamy.

... I'd wish I'd written it myself.

I wish that you would keep me with you and lay next to me, pretending to be cold.
                                     - B.McK.

Dean (a cool guy who I sit beside at work) is always asking me if i am going over to the gym after work. I'm not always. He tsk tsks and shakes his head in an attempt to make me go more. So, today, I went to the gym with him after work. And.... it turns out that I don't need a personal trainer after all!! I just need to always go to the gym with Dean!

The best part was that I ran on the treadmill for 25 minutes. HOORAY! This may not seem like a big deal for most. I mean, I could run forever playing soccer, but on a treadmill - I don't think so. And since I have been playing soccer the last few Sundays (developing a gathering for like minded individuals with Syed) I have found myself a little too quickly out of breath for my liking. Dean really challenged me to set a pace that I could handle and even upped the ante for the last 5 minutes. It was great. Now I am excited to go back and see how I can pick up the pace and increase my endurance to run longer.

Anyhow, a good day at the gym to challenge me physically and then a long talk with Brenhan when I got home to challenge me mentally. Man, I am sooo ready for bed. But just wanted to make a note here first.

ps – today at work was like “the day after.” It was mentioned a couple of times that in the intro bars to Mysterious Ways that I sent “this one out to all our Canadian troops overseas?” I really gotta learn when to pack it in.

I learned a few things tonight that i didn't know before.

• There is a bar not far from work called Spirits
• They have karaoke for staff and friends of BMO on specific Tuesday nights (like tonight)
• They have a special on during UEFA Cup (Euro 2004) games - if you order a pitcher of Carlsberg then they give you a UEFA 2004 Tournament glass for free
• After sharing several pitchers of Carlsberg i will agree to sing karaoke to tunes such as New Orleans is Sinking (Tragically Hip), I Think We're Alone Now (Tiffany) and Mysterious Ways (U2)

Who knew?!

A bit of a grey day today here as I get up, but even than can't get me down because tonight is the night I go to see Katie Melua. Call off the search indeed. She's here.

I was also impressed because even tho I only have to walk a few blocks to work now, there seems to be everything i need en route. I went to a ticketmaster outlet and picked up my ticket while on the way to work yesterday morning.

Well, I must get ready for work. I swtiched my shift to go to the show and I have to work a bit earlier.

Review of the show, and the Mod Club, tonight or tomorrow morning.