Another Christmas has come and gone. All of the anticipation and excitement leading up to that one day, and sadly it’s over before you know it.
I consider Christmas to be all about the kids. I wasn’t always like this, but now that I’m older it’s far more exciting to see the magic in their eyes than to wonder what’s in that carefully wrapped box addressed to me. I still enjoy sitting down and watching all of the Christmas specials (I made sure to watch National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, A Christmas Story, Garfield’s Christmas Special, and Merry Christmas Charlie Brown) but it’s not quite the same without one or more of the kids sitting there with me. I’ve always been a nostalgic sort, but Christmas is one time that I can not sit there and wish I was young again and just enjoy the “atmosphere”. It was also nice because everyone was here this Christmas; last year it was just Lisa, Nikkole, and I.
I think the kids got just about everything they wanted. Austen got more tools than he knows what to do with and has decided to separate them into garage tools and basement tools. Matthew got Wrath of the Lich King, an Action Replay for his Nintendo DS (it’s like the old Game Genie for the NES), the big WoW miniature starter set, and a bunch of other stuff he really wanted. Nikkole got her pink Nintendo DS with a game (actually two!). Santa also brought them new sleds since the ones we had got thrown out during our move as they were in really rough condition.
Lisa got a brand new pair of super comfy slippers and a new book. Included with the book was a printout of a web page from Sears.ca showing a stand-up mixer. Sadly, when I ordered it Sears was out of stock (despite their website saying otherwise) so it had to get delivered. Estimated date; January 12, 2010. Fortunately I received a phone call yesterday and it’s in so I will go pick it up today. She was so excited about it… I had hinted about getting something from Sears, but made sure I steered her away from the mixer idea completely.
I believe I was really lucky this year, as I received a brand new red metal tool chest from Lisa. I’ve wanted one for quite some time but they are just so expensive, or so I thought. I also got a veritable slew of new books; The Infernal City, the second and third omnibus’ of Gotrek and Felix, The Ghost King, and Dog River Confidential. I’m seven pages away from finishing The Infernal City and will move on to the second omnibus soon.
I can’t wait for next Christmas. 
~MikeR.
Posted on 29 December '09 by mike, under Books, Family. 2 Comments.
… Teacher let the monkeys out!
Another school year is over, and the children are allowed to run free. Here’s hoping that this summer will be far better weather-wise than last.
Nikkole and I went to Ryerson Elementary School last week for their “Steppin’ Up” program, that allows the children to spend the day in their class for next year; this lets them meet their classmates and new teacher. We had a great time, and Nikkole became fast friends with at least one other girl from her class. She’s moving into the Grade 2/3 split too, which isn’t too surprising given how amazing her report card was (she even went so far as to say she wishes she could go to school every day of the week). Matthew had his Grade 6 graduation last week as well. Each of the kids were allowed to make a small speech when accepting their pin and scroll, and a great deal made jokes about the bus crash. I’m very proud to say that Matt’s a straight A student, so here’s hoping it continues on into Junior High School. Austen is glad to be done for the year, and has enrolled at Acadia Junior High for his last Junior High year. This was supposed to be his last, as John Gunn Middle School only goes to Grade 8, then High School begins at 9. I hope that things go well for him with going into a new school; I know it can be a time of anxiety, particularly since the current students there have had 2 years to evolve into groups.
I just checked Amazon.ca for the status of my Fallout 3 Game Guide. Status: Delivered! I’m sorry Gotrek, but you may have to wait a bit before I continue my adventures with you. I may be very tired tomorrow, and I hope the flashlight under the covers doesn’t bug Lisa too much tonight. 
I’d like to post a bit about Land of the Dead and my experiences with it thus far. I’ll do that later however, since I’m at work and would rather get my thoughts on it together a bit better, and talk with Lisa to incorporate her thoughts as well.
~MikeR.
Posted on 29 June '09 by mike, under Books, Fallout, Family, School. 2 Comments.
I ordered Gotrek & Felix: The First Omnibus from Amazon at the beginning of the month, and just got notification that it’s been shipped; hopefully I’ll have it by Friday.
I finished Nagash the Sorceror some time ago, and due to lack of personal spending funds have been “forced” into reading old books that I’ve already read. I’ve since consumed both The Jewel of Turmish and The City of Splendors in the Forgotten Realms The Cities series (for the third time each I believe), so it was time for me to get something new. Not that I didn’t thoroughly enjoy each, but I think I’ve read most of my Forgotten Realms novels twice at least. Since my interest in WAR currently lies in Baelgur, my Dwarf Slayer, I thought Gotrek & Felix would be a good choice. If it’s mentally absorbed as readily as my FR novels, I’ll certainly be purchasing the Second and Third Omnibus’ (Omnibi?) in the near future.
I also placed an order for both the Fallout 3: Prima Official Game Guide and the Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year: Prima Official Game Guide. I saw them while at Chapters this weekend, but didn’t buy them because of the price. Lisa convinced me to consider getting them though, and since the price on Amazon was considerably less (and free shipping to boot!) I went for it. I realize any information in these guides is readily available on the Internet at the Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages and FalloutWiki, there’s something to be said about sitting down on the couch or in bed with a book and devouring the information within. A laptop just doesn’t provide the same experience, which is also probably why I don’t bother reading much news on the Internet either (barring Slashdot, but I read that for the comments).
~MikeR.
