Pete’s Musings

Just wanted to wish all the friends and family who visit the blog a happy holiday season and a joy-filled new year! Looks like we’re going to have a quiet and restful Christmas here - watch a bunch of movies, play some board games. Just take it easy and relax as bunch as we can. My ebay sale was pretty successful, didn’t make quite enough to buy all the gifts I wanted too, but at least everyone will have a few little things to open on Christmas morning. My Mom came through with some clothes for the kids also … going to wrap those up to keep the kids busy. lol. It’s fun opening presents even if it’s just a shirt inside!

Went to visit my Mom yesterday and had an amazing meal at the “Trois Canards” restaurant in Lac Brome, Quebec (aka Knowlton). Filet minion with pepper sauce and a great assortment of veggies on the side. Was delicious. Had a nice time just chatting and hanging out with mom … felt good to get out into the outside world too. Make me feel a bit better mentally … and filled up my tummy to boot. Hopefully be able to do another similar outing with some old friends from McGill between xmas and new years. They are coming into town to visit their folks and we’re going to try and go out for supper or something. Should be fun, it’s kinda becoming a yearly tradition. Hope we can keep it going, it’s nice to hear the news from everyone.

Today I’m down with a cold. Felt it coming on yesterday, and it’s in full force today. Runny nose, headache, muscles ache. the whole deal. Let’s hope it passes quickly! cheerio!

Got back home on Friday from our trip to Lake Huron, Ontario. Had a good time visiting with family and hanging out at the cottage and on the beach. We had a crew of 7 kids and 5 adults there … many of whom i haven’t seen for 8 -10 years. Kids that were once babies, are now 10 and 12 years old! Was nice to see a second generation of cousins get along so well, even though they barely new each other. Here’s a picture of the family (minus myself - someone had to take the picture!) Read More »

Really bored here of late. I have a few things to do … taxes, resume fixing, even some new video games to play. Don’t even feel like looking at them though. Need to get out and do something … was planning on a movie this weekend, but there’s nothing worthy of watching at the theatres as far as I can tell. What’s a out of University, single guy to do in the big city without being able to drink, eat tasty food, or shop? lol. Not much, that’s what! I should give my sole remaining buddy in the area a call and do something, but I have the feeling I would just bum him out too. :/ Read More »

I know, I know … I keep telling everyone how I’m an atheist and don’t believe in all that dogma and silly tradition … but I make an exception for Christmas. Why? The presents, the food, and the family get-togethers … those are all good things, just sadly wrapped up in some stupid Christian myth. hehe. And Wow, big time this year! Every year we say we aren’t going to go nuts over Christmas .. no presents for kids, nothing. And every year someone caves in. LoL. This year my sister Karen really went above and beyond the call of the Xmas spirit! She got all kinds of stuff for everyone, especially my Mom (took her clothes shopping at Pennington’s and got her a whole wardrobe! plus a bunch of nice gifts) We all made out pretty well on xmas morning … I even got some unexpected presents! Read More »

Got a few more test done this week and visited my liver specialist today to go over it all. Looking good! Everything is progressing in the right direction still and doctor says I’m stable enough to make it through the holidays without having to follow things quite so closely. Which is good, because I’m kinda getting sick of tests … they are exhausting. Just yesterday I had an xray and an ECG. Day before was blood and urine work. Today I travelled to Montreal to visit the doctor. Last week was worse with more doctors visits an tests. It’s been taking all my energy and effort just to get these things done! Will be nice to be able to take some time to just relax, visit with family, and work on some other less thought-provoking tasks for a while. Read More »

Geez, when I thought about doing a blog I expected it to be more regular! oh well, such is life.

So the holidays are approaching and I’m bracing for the worst. This will most likely be by first holiday season without any family or friends around … and yes, it sucks. I just renewed by job for another 3 months and am waiting for my paperwork to go through so that I can re-validate my visa (please don’t call INS on me!). Job was supposed to end December 31st, and now I’ll be staying on until March 31st. Should have talked with my boss about the job termination earlier I guess … but the truth is that I really didn’t want to work at this place any more! It’s been a little over 2 years as a Post Doc at Northwestern … and I feel as though I’ve got so little accomplished. A result of a poorly-defined project and a research group which is dysfunctional to say the least. These 2 things combined to kill any and all motivation that I could gather. Read More »

Yup, this day marks another years end on this planet. My 32nd. Wow, writing it out like hat makes me feel old! Truth is, I feel much like I did in my early twenties, except that I can’t drink as much and I complain more. A trend that is sure to continue. lol. Nothing too special planned for the day, I’ll probably bake myself a cake - chocolate with cream cheese icing. I’m a bit unsure about that mixture, but I’m sure it will taste fine since it’s loaded with sugar! Oh, that reminds me, must get my coffee before I get into this. Judging by the length of my last post, I’m going to need it! Read More »