As this year comes to a close it is only natural to look back with reflection. When I look back at 2002, I realize this has been a truly great year for me. I have reached a stage in my life where I truly do feel happy, not that I wasn't happy before but this stage involves an overall well-being state of mind. I have lost much of the self-pitying I used to do and instead understand that I am truly lucky and happy. Another stage of my growing process has been completed and I wonder if I will move onto another stage of growth in 2003 or will I just stay at this plateau for awhile before moving on. I would like to stay at this plateau for the time being because I am finding it very relaxing and invigorating.
In an hour and a half I board a train to Toronto while will lead me to a bus to Hamilton where I will be spending New Years with a very intresting mix of people from different areas of my life. I find it intresting when I look back on my most recent New Years celebrations, for the past four years I have spent each New Years with a totally different group of people. Only Kristy has been with me for more than one ringing in of the new year, and that's odd because I don't really see too much of Kristy during the year.
I love Auld Lang Syne, I hope they play it at the bar tonight!

Today is a day of things working out for Adam. When I woke up I was lucky engough to find the 2nd part of the series finale of Voyager on. I watched the first part when I first came home for Christmas but had no idea when/if they would be airing the second part. Then I happened upon Aaron on MSN at the exact time I needed him. Thirdly, the episode of Alias that I so carelessly missed mid-December happened to be the one being repeated tonight. I was a lucky boy today. Tonight should be the trip to the casino.

Last night I went into town to rent a DVD from the new Blockbuster. Blockbuster is so totally unlike Video 99, my place of employment for 2 years. I am really glad that I worked in a small video store as opposed to a large corporate one like Blockbuster. I selected Unfaithful (as predetermined with the family) and proceeded to the counter where the dog show began. I went to the middle of 3 clerks. It was a young gentleman still in high school, "Chuck." I did not recognize him. He asks me if I have a membership and I say, "yes my parents do but I don't have a card." Then he types things into the computer and asks if it's under Patrica. I nod. I am now confused because he didn’t ask for my phone number or last name and I don’t know who he is. While trying to process this, the teller on the left starts talking to me about school, as she is an old acquaintance. When I tell her I am in psychology, the clerk on the right (who is on the phone and serving a customer at the same time) chimes in on the conversation as well “Oh, psychology – that must take a long time?!” I look back to Chuck who hands me my receipt and I go flying out of there wondering if I took some drugs before entering. Turns out Chuck is the brother of someone I went to high school with and the neighbor of our good family friends so I guess that’s how he recognized me as a Doyle. I was hoping it could have been my van living days that made me a celebrity in little Uxbridge. That would be exciting.

I think I have reached the point in my life where I don't care what people think about me. (Well, not people I know. I still care about a strangers opinion)

Carter Update: He has shown no signs of chcoloate toxicity. We brought him to Kingston and he was fed much more people food (not good) I think his favourite was the butter tart.

Yesterday was the annual "dreaded" family get together. Each year on Boxing Day we get together with my dad's side of the family. We see this side of the family not very often and I have actually missed out on the past 3 major events, one wedding I was living in my Survivor Van, one wedding I was in BC, and one big birthday I was not sure where I was. This side of the family is an interesting bunch, for the most part everyone keeps to their immediate portion of the family, and no one really talks too much to each other unless it involves Crokinole. Well, this year I branched out and made more of an effort to talk to my kin, and ended up enjoying myself more so than ever before. In previous years I worried too much about what people thought about me but this year I didn't care. Whatever, if they think I am an idiot, then so be it. If they think I am intelligent, then so be it. Cause really they don't know much about me as is. So, I'd rather take some initiative and let them get to know me rather than imagine what their perception of me is when they know nothing. Thank-you Captain Morgan!
I also now have 3 relatives that I am supposed to stay with when I visit Andréa, Jess & Mel in Ottawa for reading week. Even though I was planning on staying with the girls, maybe I'll at least spend one night at one of the relatives.

Have you ever had to call Poison Control? Get this, we called the National Poison Control FOR ANIMALS! Yes, our lovely golden retreiver (who usually gives me awful allergies), Carter, ate some chocolate Christmas goodies. For those unaware, chocolate is deadly for dogs. After a quick education on chocolate toxicity in dogs, we realized we needed to induce vomitting. Well sticking your fingers down a dog's throat ain't too easy. We got the number for the Animal Poison Control and called immediately, only to find out there would be a $45 USD charge for a phone consultation. Using the powers that be, my mom got info for free. But get this: if your animal ingests a "recognized" poison, such as Lysol cleaners, so long as they are "recognized", they pay the consultation charge for you....I guess so you don't later sue them. We ended up doing some math calculations and determined Carter didn't eat engough chocolate to be overly worried. The toxicity level is based on dog's weight, amount and TYPE of chocolate eaten. Turns out milk chocolate is the LEAST deadliest. It's been 5 hours and no symptoms yet, that is a good sign. Updates to follow later.
Headed off to Kingston for Boxing Day, hopefully returning on the 27th, but could be as late as the 28th. No internet in Kingston is worse than dial-up in Uxbridge.

It is a White Christmas in Uxbridge. Very peaceful and enjoyable, much unlike being woken up at 7:45am (although it was to open presents). It was enjoyable this year to just create a large wishlist as it allowed those getting gifts for me a wide variety to choose from, and it also meant I would still be surprised as I knew I wouldn't get everything on the list. The surprise is what items will I actually get? I did get my DVD player as it was my main item. I fear though I may become a DVD snob, only the limited or colelctor editions will be good engough for me! All I want to do is watch Moulin Rouge over and over again but I don't think that is an appropriate way to spend Christmas Day.
Tomorrow we travel down to Kingston to see the other grandparents and the aunts/uncles/cousins. This is about the one time a year we see the whole entourage, usually it's just the grandparents. We are all living in fear currently as my mom was knocked completely out all day yesterday with some flu, something like "Whitegate Flu", I dunno the name but it must be extreme because we didn't see my mom at all yesterday and Christmas Eve is her favourite day of the year, more so than Christmas itself. We now all fear one of us will contract it too. Does not look like fun, espically for this kid who's an extremely big baby while sick.
Come what may....

Well it is almost time to head home for the holidays. I am awaiting the arrival of my dad to bring me back to (s)uxbridge. Two weeks! Wow, that is a long time. But my goal this year is to fill with many adventures. Currently none are planned as of yet. New Years may be a trip to Embassy in Hamilton, which would definately be fun if there was a good group together. New Years is often hyped to be way too much so I find low key activites are always enjoyable. That's not to say the Embassy is low-key though.
Last night was the dons major Capture the Flag game. Such a fun game, no major injuries this year. I did rip open a nice flap of skin on my thumb however. Yes, I am trying to get pity from you. What else has been happening in my life? Not a heck of a lot, one would think that once exams were done and I was stuck here for a few days that I would accomplish "stuff." But, alas, I did nothing.
OHHHHHHHH- the Amazing Race 3 finale was t-riffic. I throughly enjoyed this season 500 times greater than any past season and the finale was a great ending to it all. Even though I really didn't care which team won, I was still so attached to them as we've been following them around the world and seen them at their highs and their lows. These are real people folks! Let's hear it for Reality TV!!! Oh, Survivor 5, boring as hell so I have no comments on porn star Brian winning.

Tonight I was priveleged engough to go see the premiere of Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. I won special passes from a residence contest as well I got the boxed triology of the books and the offical movie poster. Please note I have not read the books but did see the first movie. It was enjoyabe, shorter than the first and it felt as though it had a more concrete ending which I did not think it would at all. I don't know though that Cate Blanchett should get such a high billing in the movie if she only does one scene. Although one scene is all it took for Judi Dench to win an oscar.
It is an intresting expierence having not read the books, I get a different enjoyment out of the movie than those who know ever aspect of the middle earth. They all knew exactly what would happen whereas I was clueless, I thought once a character was dead they would stay dead.

YES! I am done! I just dropped off that damn paper. My topic switched around so much that I am just so sick of it. But no more worries. I just keep reminding myself the worse I can ever do is leave that course with a 72%, not shabby at all. I am definately not one of the elite however. I can live with that. No I just have Sociology 101 on Thursday but I have still not decided if I'm going to devote any time to it.

Sad: That it's 4:21am and I am still up.
Depressing: That I stayed up this late and I am still not done my research proposal.
Makes me want to cry: That I am only going to get a few hours of sleep tonight.
Silver lining: If I get a 50 on this proposal, I will still get a 72 in the course!!!
Oh yeah, I am just going to hand this proposal in a day late. I am too embarassed of it now to hand it in. I no longer belive in my hypothesis. My experiment has changed so many times now I don't even know what I'm doing. I hope Prof Ennis marks my essay, I have a feeling he might be more understanding of my logic.
The deal I am making with myself is that even though I am handing it in late, I am not allowed to stay up until 4:21 am tomorrow night.

Ok, for the most part exams are over for the term. I just have SOC 101 and I don't really count that one. I just have a 20 page paper to write in a twenty four hour time period which will also include the don's term end dinner. I may have to skip out on the free wine this year.
I puttered away my shift at work tonight. Once closed up, I am going to sneak over to Aaron's for our last sleepover for awhile as he leaves for Ancaster tomorrow morning at 9am. We're going to try and share a single bed once again but realize it might fail and one of us could end up on the couch.
Oh yeah, I should blog about dinner with the Cowans. We went to The Raintree Cafe as per Aaron's borthday request. The food was enjoyable despite the small selection. But it is a CAFE, hence more emphasis on smaller menu with many sandwich or wrap options. Eeek, I am delaying talking about the parents though. There just really isn't alot to say. I think I left a good impression, I was myself. I wasn't chatty as I would have liked to been (i.e. I didn't iniate too much original conversation) but did make sure I gave more than 2 word responses to questions.
Why did I choose to work at REV as opposed to CLT? Meera apparently closed up shop at midnight yet I am stuck here until 2am! Thankfully I can spend my time blogging, oh and posting to my online journal.

That was a crappy ER episode. Like hole-y crappy. They tried to make it all Memento-like but a medical show is far too confusing to go in backwards AND thier clips/scenes were far too short that you got utterly lost! I hate Luca anyways - but enjoy the medical student Leslie Bibb. Too bad Popular was cancelled, that was a good show and she was better in it!

So tonight is the first offical meeting of Aaron's parents. John and Diane Cowan are coming to Waterloo for Aaron's birthday. The four of us are going to go for dinner, although we don't know wear quite yet. I am just going to be myself and relax. There is really no need to be worried, I'll just have a bottle of wine beforehand.

Disgusting. That is the state of affairs inside the libraries during exams. People go and stake out their area and set up camp there for the rest of the day. Really, like 12-14 hours in the same place (and with no MSN), that is not my cup of tea. I wonder how much is actually learnt with that extra amount of effort. I think if I studied that much my marks would not be hugely different, like a couple of percent points, not worth the effort if you ask me - and by reading my blog you did.

For whatever reason MSN has decided I should not be able to sign in to messenger when I'm at work. It is making me study! RRRRRRR!

So already I became somewhat of a hyprocrite. Upon returning from the Red Lobster Thursday night, I promptly checked my answering machine BEFORE watching Survivor. How can I not learn?
Oh my goodness though, dinner at Red Lobster was such a gluttony fest! I had the Ultimate Feast which consisted of lobster tail, crab legs, 2 kinds of shrimp, and fries. I didn't particularily enjoy my first taste of lobster but did enjoy the crab. Then as if we didn't eat angough for dinner, we headed to Krispy Kreme donuts for dessert. That place was ridiculous. First of all, they have queing lines outside under a tent with portable heaters. I could never imagine waiting that long in line to get fat. Luckily it wasn't that busy so we walked right in and there before us was the infamous Donut Machine. You watched as thousands of donuts moved along in a vat of hot grease, then they went through a solid wall of icing, from which they were placed onto a tray and brought out to be served FREE to customers as they waited in line. Ridic! This treat on Thursday night was curtoesy of my don boss as we helped out on You @ Waterloo Day.
More gluttony occured last night when our boss took out our Quad for dinner. We had some wine and crackers at my place first before going to Yukiko's. We all got appetizers, a main course and dessert. Fatty McTub-o-lards we were. I love term-end combined with Christmas season, so much free food. Tomorrow is brunch with all V1 dons at Tutor House #3, Tuesday night is dinner with Aaron and his parents, next Sunday is the don's Christmas banquet.

I am NEVER (and you can quote me on this) going to check my answering machine messages or make any type of cummunication with anyone upon returning home from a James Bond movie before I watch a taped episode of one of my favourite reality tv shows. Fghghdfdfjklcxvnm.iower;nxc, MASHING!

Deck the halls with boughs of holly. Fa la la la la la la la la. While "working" today I was in charge of decorating a giant (perhaps 20-25 foot) tree. The ladder we had was not quite tall enough for me to string lights around BUT luckily, there was a very shady ledge I crawled up on to. From this ledge I used a combination of a lassoing techinque and a pool cue to get the lights around the very top. I also made a 4 pointed star out of a coat hanger and wrapped lights around it. The best part was that for some reason I decided to wear my "I LOVE COWBOYS" t-shirt. What a great shirt to be wearing as I stood on a ledge right in the middle of the cafeteria (during dinner time) while I lassoed a christmass tree with lights!

I hate Aaron and Dave for their damn Imprint column crap. I heard so much about it yesterday from them that I freakn' dreamt about it all last night. Side note: for those who don't know me well I am very heavy on dreams and I usually really enjoy them. Anyhoo, my dream involved me also applying for column status. There were 20 of us who applied, and the Imprint staff narrowed us down to 4 using a point system. Somehow I was ranked 6th but still managed to make it into the final four. Aaron and Julian Ichim were also in the elite. Then it came down to a vote from the rejected appliers. They all hated me because I shouldn't have even been in the final 4 so I got zero votes. Julian ended up winning. HA HA HA. Dumb post but just wanted to show how much your waking life does affect dreamland.

Yes I know it would be wise to wear a toque on cold days like today...HOWEVER I have yet to find a decent toque that looks normal on my big fat head. I have made several shopping attempts all of which resulted in me coming home empty handed, er, well at least with no toque in hand.
DavidCarey and I are both busy bees right now in the computer lab finishing our final stats assignment. It's some good times. After this next class it's back on track as far as doing readings for finals. I have prepared a master scehdule that outlines exactly what I need to read each day as well as my extra-curricular activites that must be attended. It's going to be a busy Christmas season. I am very much looking forward to the evening of the 16th when I will be stress free for this term!

CONGRATULATIONS NIC!!! Nothin' but Nog is now offically over. I would have loved to join in on this festive event but alas I can't stomach the nog period.

Spontaneous fun was had last night. Yesterday I had lunch with Dave and Joel at the Pita Pit and we talked about how it would be fun if we could get to Ancaster and surprise Aaron, who had gone home for the weekend. Upon departing from lunch we tried our hardest to get a car so we could get to Ancaster. Well, as luck would have it Dave managed to catch a bus to Guelph and borrow his parents car. Now of course we didn't warn Aaron we were coming so we couldn't get exact directions to his house. Mapquest provided us with the general area and we were lucky engough to make all the right turns. We were also fortunate engough to see Aaron through the front room window of his house. I say fortunate because the houses weren't numbered (or in any specific numerical order at least).
We bounded on Aaron's window and let us just say he was definately surprised. Inside we went, and dun dun dun, Adam got to meet Aaron's parents ahead of schedule. I didn't really talk to them for any brief amount of time but hopefully I laid a good foundation as I will be dining with them when they come to town for Aaron's birthday. We (minus the parents) went to Embassy - a new place for me. It was definately very intresting. Much larger and not as homely as Ren.
We decided to spend the night at Aarons, which meant that he and I had to share a twin matress and Joel and Dave had to share another twin matress on the floor beside us. Aaron and I both had THE WORSE sleep possible. The room became an instant sauna with four people sleeping in it and no ventilation. I don't think I've ever looked at a ceiling for so long before - well okay maybe once.