glowing_dragon | Entries tagged with aunties

The kids called me at 6:45 to scream-sing a song about (as far as I can tell) licking bums or nicking bums, and asked me inappropriate questions about whether I'd like to see Jon peeing. No, thank you! Then Ayler asked if I would eat a whole pie (which Hiero said they were having for dessert) because of my "big stomach" - mmm, no, I'm not on MY 600-POUND LIFE! Harmony said that was their father's influence - yeah, I can TELL! I said hi to Beckett, who didn't really say anything. but that's okay. It was pretty brief because they just wanted to sing a song, which is fine. Life is as usual over there, I see! I joked that when social distancing is over, I'd buy a pie to throw at their dad just for all these "jokes."

From Reddit on April 23, 2019: No, PickWhatCar, deliberately leaving things for you to step on is NOT something you should laugh about. It's time to have a SERIOUS TALK with your boyfriend! What if you'd tripped over it and hurt yourself?!

From Reddit on May 14, 2019: No, "I'm blocking you" is not a silly game which should make you giggle. What if you have mobility issues like I do? I don't think you should LIKE being blocked on your way out of a room! For me, the blocking game would NOT be fun. You know I have shit to do and you're getting in my way for fun? Nope, you stay where you are. Besides, you deleted your Reddit account and I still have both of mine, so I WIN!

Current Mood: quixotic
Current Location: home
Current Music: Live, "Heaven"
Crossposts: https://glowing-dragon.livejournal.com/4027213.html

After I had it out with Kate because of her offensive fruitcake denseness (she did NOT apologize properly for calling me a LEAF!), Ayler called me at 4:50 (with Jon sending me a Facebook message just before - which I didn't read till later), to ask what I did today, so I said I had watched a bunch of videos. He parroted, "don't watch too many videos a day" - little does he know that this is what EVERYONE is doing during this time! I can deal with HIS talking about the same thing and I don't mind if he says wrong stuff because I expect less out of him since he's a child. He struggled to remember what they had for lunch - but came up with PIZZA! Yup, I miss pizza! Ayler says he isn't a reading master yet, but does do quizzes because they want to test him. He has 4000 stars, but wants to have 8000 on his reading program - GOALS!

I was on speaker phone, so I heard plenty of Harmony getting Hiero to understand whatever he was reading. Beckett said "Auntie" and pressed a button that left me listening to nothing for about a minute. He obviously understands that I'm not there and certainly recognizes my voice. When Ayler got back on the line, he explained what happened and wondered if I cared about it. I said it didn't matter and I wasn't mad at all. Jon told him to ask me when the last time was that I'd taken a shower - WHATEVER! I looked up the world record for someone not taking a shower: Ah, some Iranian who hasn't taken one for SIXTY YEARS! We set up the next talk time for Saturday afternoon when Jon's done teaching. I guess he teaches at home, so I don't know how that works out - they do need the money, of course. Ayler let me go at 5:05 so he could build a new train track - that's fine! I also didn't know Darryl was autistic, but he seems to cope well, and HE'S my friend so it doesn't matter!

LOL tombstone?!

Current Mood: dorky
Current Location: home
Current Music: Bon Jovi, "Breathe"
Crossposts: https://glowing-dragon.livejournal.com/4025682.html

I called Ayler at 4:15 or so since I noticed he called me earlier. He picked up within ten seconds because he "didn't want to have it ring even though we were playing with trains." He also told me that he and Hiero have "birthday parties" for their stuffed animals every morning - which I knew about - and send the bad ones to "hell" while singing "the Ha-Ha song," which makes fun of the fact that they're now alone. They went out on scooters today, might have burritos for dinner later, and told me a lot about their toy train tracks setup. XL / A / B / C / D, behind the couch, under the couch, and over the mat too! Sounds pretty interesting. I told Ayler to just listen to his parents and the news for coronavirus updates.

Ayler wanted to know what I did today, what I might have for dinner, and whether I'd remember what I ate when we set up the next phone call for Tuesday afternoon sometime. Probably I will - Saturday is Dumpling Night now and for the foreseeable future! We talked about his puzzles, soap, Hiero not wanting to talk to me today, Beckett saying "hello" (any other word apparently means he doesn't want to talk on the phone) and "Auntie," Ayler's "connections" making sure we talked on the phone for at least 35 minutes, and how he doesn't call me every day because he's not sure if I will pick up or not. We did set up the next talk time for Tuesday afternoon sometime. I even briefly talked to Harmony, who had to go because Beckett was crying since Hiero took away his blanket again.

A red fire-breathing dragon 5D Diamond Painting!

From Julie M. and Etsy: Kiefer the lifesize green forest dragon!

Easily Distracted By Dragons!

Current Mood: enthralled
Current Location: home
Current Music: the Melvins, "Queen"
Crossposts: https://glowing-dragon.livejournal.com/4020937.html

Ayler and Hiero surprisingly called me at 10:20 AM, which is how I discovered that my phone was still on from last night, but that was a good thing in this case! This time, I was prepared with the light on AND my reading glasses very nearby! They wanted to call since we only talked for a very short time yesterday - I said that was nice and thanked them! We discussed a 300-piece Thomas Ravensburger puzzle, Hiero building something, Ayler playing a long piano piece for me, Ayler thinking that Beckett misses me (he probably doesn't understand why I can't come and play), Beckett saying "Goo Mah / Auntie / Yeah" into the phone, and Ayler wanting to play piano a lot. He doesn't want to disturb the downstairs neighbors, so I reminded him about the soft pedal. When they asked me what I ate for breakfast, I lied and said "oatmeal and a granola bar" as I hadn't eaten yet. Turns out they "also" had oatmeal, haha! Good choice!

I reminded Ayler to protect Beckett when he goes on the couch by either blocking him or holding his hands. He said that they play with the red and yellow stuffed dragon, asked me if I knew what "Didibug" and "Didibop" were (interesting - LADYBUG!), and said that they go outside instead of going to church. Hiero wanted Beckett to repeat "John Horgan / Kennedy Stewart / Justin Trudeau" for me, but no dice! Beckett just said my name into the phone, which is good. Harmony asked how I was doing, so I told her about Pathways closing because of the coronavirus pandemic. I also asked about her parents, who are both being cautious. Told her that Dad had texted me asking about my food situation - I was like "NO, DON'T COME HERE!" Harmony said that Mom was more upset about missing the sales than the special senior hour for grocery shopping, of course! That was interesting and good to talk to them.

Mathias Jakshitz and Theressa Jakshitz have a tombstone?!

Current Mood: loved
Current Location: home
Current Music: Hootie and the Blowfish, "Space"
Crossposts: https://glowing-dragon.livejournal.com/4010176.html

Ayler called me briefly at 6, but I had to scramble to get my reading glasses in order to read the Caller ID, so I missed it. When I called them back immediately afterwards, the phone was busy! I checked my text messages instead, in hopes of getting ones from yesterday. There was one from Barry saying that the Pathways office was no longer open, so sorry, but he couldn't help me with my shopping trip on Wednesday, but hopes I am well and keeping cautiously safe. No direct contact is allowed, as I thought... not sure how he would work from home with that job, but if my sister can do it with writing RCMP reports...

Then Dad asked about my food situation - I said it was fine, as they should NOT show up here under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES! Eric Ho said that he wouldn't come by for a while, as per my wishes, and has constantly-changing shifts at work. They haven't closed down the art gallery yet?! He says that the NHL might have a 24-team playoff format. Interesting! I'd never heard THAT! He's right that we have lots more time now to watch stuff on Youtube!

I finally called the kids back twenty minutes later, and Hiero said they'd called me "many times" today - three times, according to his brother! Then Ayler said that they'd had pork for dinner to gain weight to help them, asked me why I wanted to call every few days, said that his dad could make banana bread for me (maybe when this is over), and asked what I did today. (watching Youtube videos, I told him) Hiero asked if I was still sleeping when they called me at 9:15 AM - YES! Then he said that they called a lot of people today: their grandparents, Myles, Holly, Peter, Evander, Everett, and even Jeremy! Ayler said that Jeremy had more connections than I did - I guess so. He hung up on me, so I called him back to see what was up, and to make sure he knew that the playgrounds were closed - "they are, right?" Definitely! We ended with a BYE!

Ima Hogg?!

Ima Hogg's tombstone!

From Shiwa's Discord server and Nerfnow Comics: Treasure! Here's a treasure chest around the corner: TOILET PAPER to protect against the coronavirus hoarders!

Current Mood: determined
Current Location: home
Current Music: Hootie and the Blowfish, "Innocence"
Crossposts: https://glowing-dragon.livejournal.com/4009379.html

It's MARIO DAY today! After COFFEE TIME, I went out at 3:10 on a 401 to help with the kids. Surprisingly, I just managed to get the 3 despite the elevator buttons not responding to my commands. I got to the house at 4:10 despite an electric scooter not knowing how to maneuver smoothly on the bus (I had to move), but those things can be unwieldy! Thank GOODNESS it stayed on the bus AFTER 16th, so I wasn't delayed any more! Once I got in, Beckett wanted to play with me, but my washing hands coincided with his diaper change. After that, we played with blocks / magnets / balls ("boh-boh!") / Play-Doh. He ALMOST licked the Play-Doh lids, looking at me to see how I'd react. I said that was gross and not to do it. He said "come up / yeah / block / ma-net / open! close! / lid / pease / light / purple / Auntie" a lot. Later, he almost fell down, but I was there to catch him and put him on the couch, where we sat together and "talked" about the "funny" blanket and the happy / sad eggs.

When Ayler told me to guess what time he went to bed last night, I actually got the right time: 10 PM! Apparently, there was a choir concert last night at St. James (Jon's old orchestra hangout space), WITH a rehearsal before AND a mass choral recital afterwards, so nobody could leave early even if they wanted to! I realized that they had scheduled it for the day after Daylight Savings, which is NOT GOOD! Hiero spent his time making Superman signals and wanting Popsicle sticks and special paper. He also was less than polite when he laughed at people. Apparently, roasted broccoli is not his thing!

Beckett wanted me to look out the window at the alley because of the lights - good choice! Hiero wanted me to play a game, but I wasn't up for that. There was a felt book with multiple felt pieces, and Beckett identified an X for Tic-Tac-Toe correctly some of the time. He also knew what the moon was, so he's getting smarter! I told him what a flower was when he identified it as a boh-boh (hahaha), and he picked it up from me. When I took my phone out to take photos that were CLEARLY of the food and NOT THE KIDS, Beckett said "gung-gung"... hahaha, I thought he associated the phone with Uncle Joe last week!

Ayler said that their trip is after Tuesday next week, so I said that I know that they get to listen to TICKET TO RIDE on the ride over. "How do you know?" was easily answered since I saw Jon's Facebook status earlier about borrowing someone's copy. Hiero told us about MINECRAFT, but Harmony wondered where he learned about that. The school computers offer that as an option for ALL the kids, apparently, so Harmony says she'll talk to the teacher about that. I did not volunteer that there was Preschool MINECRAFT - she'd be horrified! I left at 7:30 and surprisingly got home at 8:35, despite the stroller at 16th! If you can't be ready when the bus stops, then don't be surprised if a passenger gets on before you maneuver your stuff off the bus! I know it's safer to wait till the bus stops, but come on now - be aware and at least make your way toward the door!

From Janet on LJ, aka Ghost_Light: Your birth month is your muppet. Ernie, Elmo, Big Bird, Abby, Slimey, Oscar the Grouch, Bert, Snuffleupagus, Rosita, the Count, Cookie Monster, and Grover!

Chili, beans, and cheese!

Red Jello and mango pudding made by Jon!

Current Mood: relieved
Current Location: home
Current Music: Alice in Chains, "Confusion"
Crossposts: https://glowing-dragon.livejournal.com/4005101.html

It's NATIONAL GRAMMAR DAY today... MY FAVORITE! Aimee Vanderkarr tried adding one of my alteregos - DENIED!

I had a dream where the London Drugs was being changed into a Shoppers Drug Mart, complete with fences blocking off our access. Beckett came up to me and said, "Beckett comes here every day to eat junk food because it's good, Auntie." (WAY too complicated a sentence for him in his 21-month-old life!) London Drugs also had a great deal on Camelbak water bottles like Fraser's with dinosaurs, advertised as "a good way to get all your water - with a zipper bag for your bottle!" Cordia wanted some Halloween or Christmas Cheetos and shortbread snacks, but we confused her when she went to go through the maze of all the blue milk crates - she went RIGHT PAST all the Santa packs! WTF, subconscious?!

From CYANIDE AND HAPPINESS: A BEAR hug vs. a BARE hug! NO NAKED MEN!

From CYANIDE AND HAPPINESS: The grammar sheriff is in town!

From CYANIDE AND HAPPINESS: Spelling Nazis are ever vigilant, even when it comes to your suicide notes!

Current Mood: okay
Current Location: home
Current Music: the Cure, "Numb"
Crossposts: https://glowing-dragon.livejournal.com/4002324.html

After COFFEE TIME, I went out at 2:40 on a 401 which JUST waited for me to help with the kids. Six minutes according to the new Translink website is not enough time to be comfortable - ten is way better! I got to the house at 4, managing to have a text conversation with Term about Jimbo leaving our Superfriends server and all the VioletNym (Faith) / Michelle drama and jealousy in V4F. While I was killing time at Tim Horton's with a cheese tea biscuit because I'd JUST missed the 3 bus, I quickly messaged Jimbo to ask why he would leave Superfriends. I got the answer when I got on wifi at Marine Drive at the station on the way home, as I thought.

Apparently, he thinks it's too toxic and we bitch all the time. (Darryl thought it was his fault when I told the server later!) So if we're not supposed to bitch on V4F about that server because we'll get modded, and we can't bitch on Sober Server because it's ALL about positivity, then where else can we complain?! Geez! Most places which are ALL POSITIVE ALL THE TIME are not realistic! I did leave Sober Server when I got home since it's dead anyway - even Violet Hour / Kevin had left! Lots of splintering of the big group for sure - even the secret V4F chat is deleted because Tony threw a bitchfit since Violet Hour's friends joined to troll him about things!

When I got to the house at 4, Harmony let me in, where I saw Uncle Joe. Beckett came up and answered his question about who I was: Yes, I am Auntie! He wanted to show me his light blue "God is love" rolling pin while I was washing my hands! I washed my hands some more after he sneezed on me, for sure. Then he said "DIDIBUG" - I clearly had no idea what a DEE DEE BUG is, so he walked over and showed me. Turns out it's his word for LADYBUG, which is on the orange alphabet board AND a soft ball for throwing! Makes sense for a baby pronunciation, I guess!

Talked about the news and a possible coronavirus quarantine / emergency kits (the kids had questions!), reading BATMAN / THE ADVENTURES OF DOG MAN to Ayler and Hiero (which Harmony thanked me for later), my gigantic bowl of congee and shredded pork (yok song) plus some choy, Beckett licking the Play-Doh lids ("that's gross, Beckett - YUCK!" Then he repeated, "Gross!") / the toy train ("Go!") while wanting to spin ("PIN!") the intersections from the wooden train set. Also discussed OPEN for the Play-Doh lids and boxes, BEI-TEI (snot / runny nose), COME UP for his wanting to sit on the little white chair like a big boy (Hiero questioned that - but I'm RIGHT HERE in case something happens!), going on a trip for Spring Break, going to Portland in the summertime, and Penny coming later than scheduled because of traffic.

Beckett was very curious and said "Penny!" a bunch of times, even walking to the door to say hi. He even got into the cards they were using later, but I figured that was okay as I used my normal voice to get him out of there - there isn't much space in that apartment! He said "MINE!" - so I corrected him. Much better than Ayler yelling at him! He noticed Penny's earrings, so called them BOH-BOH and wanted to touch them. I read a word book to him, found the apples in the Bible storybook, and generally kept him occupied most of the time. We ate dinner together since I wouldn't eat at 4:15! Left at 7:35 and got home at 9:05 on a 407, telling Harmony that I'd text Jon tomorrow when my pedicure was done even if he'll be at the park if the weather is actually nice.

Random stuff from Mom and Dad: a bag of No Name ketchup chips which expires on May 1 of 2020, and Paldo Gomtang instant noodles which expired on October 20, 2019... I threw the noodles out when I discovered the expiry date! EW!

Schwing tombstone?! PARTY ON, WAYNE!

No Name ketchup chips!

Current Mood: mischievous
Current Location: home
Current Music: Bon Jovi, "Joey"
Crossposts: https://glowing-dragon.livejournal.com/4002198.html

Today is Mardi Gras 2020! I had some New England Clam Chowder today for National Clam Chowder Day. After COFFEE TIME, I went out at 2:45 on a 401 to help with the kids, but I just missed both buses - UGH! Got to the house, where the kids seemed to be better. Beckett walked around calling for AUNTIE - haha, so cute! He wanted me to OPEN the Play-Doh containers, wanted me to get the balls (BOH-BOH) from under the couch (I made him say "pease"), and then LICKED the Play-Doh lids while looking at me to see how I'd react. He thought it was funny, but I said it was GROSS! Ayler and Hiero wanted to sniff buttcracks - that's not great, but better than Hiero insisting that his hitting my leg was funny and that I thought it was funny too! Never mind "hit your butt!" in Cantonese...

I'm just glad I had time with Beckett, of course! Ayler is encouraging Beckett's words by making him say what certain things are; Beckett just wanted "book" and "apple" (the Bible stories book with the Garden of Eden), and said "eat-eat" and "Poo-poo" and "bye-bye" at certain times. I'm not leaving every time I go to the couch, but I told him BYE-BYE anyway. Not sure what he expects me to do about poo, OR his wanting to eat at 5 PM, but I'm glad he tells me and can communicate. His pronunciation of MAGNET seems to have suffered in the last two weeks, but that's okay.

Harmony had to "remind" me not to take photos of the kids - DOES A STICKY RICE PHOTO LOOK LIKE A PICTURE OF HIERO TO YOU?! One of these weeks, I'm going to lose it. Unlike her, I let Beckett wander the house now as opposed to a few months ago. He can climb on the couch, but I do get him down from there just in case. I wouldn't want anything to happen to him! Ayler told me that I was bald - oh, that's rude for sure!

Ayler says his friends wrote him a letter, and one of the lines was about poop - of course. I should have taken a look at it, but I had already used my reading glasses to read some Ninjago Lego comic to Hiero for a bit, who asked what the BOOM! was on my phone. Just Jeff crashing his Sky Runner into the Threed graveyard on EARTHBOUND, hahaha! I took a list of Penny's list of "good words" on the wall after Ayler said he hated Hiero's crayons or something. It's okay to hate things, but they do need to learn to be kind for sure... it's a process! The Canucks played the Canadiens today at 4, and won 4-3 in overtime! Got home at 8:40 on a 407 - thank goodness the driver actually waited for more than a minute at the Brighouse bus stop!

Random stuff from Mom and Dad: Vifon beef instant noodles x2 with some Czech, (Instantna Rezancova Polievka or Instantni Nudlova Polevka s Prichuti Hovezi), two 40g bags of Old Dutch Salt and Vinegar chips which expired yesterday (so still very fine for eating), and 175g of Cherubin [NOT A TYPO!] hard candy hearts / 120g of Cherubin [NOT A TYPO!] marshmallow hearts from Dollarama for Valentine's Day 2020.

From Julie M. and DR. PHIL: Andromada Deberry?! BAD SPELLING OF ANDROMEDA!

Vifon beef instant noodles with some Czech! Instantna Rezancova Polievka or Instantni Nudlova Polevka s Prichuti Hovezi.

Old Dutch Salt and Vinegar chips!

Not a typo: 120g of Cherubin marshmallow hearts from Dollarama for Valentine's Day 2020!

Not a typo: 175g of Cherubin hard candy hearts from Dollarama for Valentine's Day 2020!

Banana leaf-wrapped sticky rice or joong! I wonder what color it is...

Savory white joong or sticky rice!

They have sweet purple joong or sticky rice now?!

Okay, Google, I'm not a time-traveler here, so there is no way I last visited the Pure Nail Bar website on December 2, 2020. I use month-day-year Date Format as it's less confusing, so the date should be February 12, 2020! I had to fix it by going into my Google settings and choosing the USA as my region... *rolleyes*

Current Mood: indescribable
Current Location: home
Current Music: AC/DC, "You Shook Me All Night Long"
Crossposts: https://glowing-dragon.livejournal.com/3999862.html

After COFFEE TIME, I went out at 11:40 on a 414 to help with the kids, but first went to Dublin Crossing Pub. Noticed the Canada Line was slightly slower on the tracks, but that's fine since it snowed yesterday and had pretty much melted today. I had to go in early to help by staying with a sick Hiero at home while Jon and Beckett did school pickup. I had an ahi tuna bowl at Dublin Crossing and bought a mocha Starbucks / on-sale pomegranate Canada Dry ginger ale at Shoppers, which had a sign saying that the store was sold out of Asian face masks and hand sanitizer! Luckily, I built in extra time to wait for the 3 bus - thank goodness it wasn't late, but it did have an alarm delay and other things going on with the passengers... I FINALLY got to the house at 2:10! After some Jello and other food, Jon and Beckett left the house to go pick Ayler up from school. Hiero and I read some CHARLIE BROWN storybook, and I let him have a little bit of my ginger ale.

When everyone else got home, I switched from reading on the couch (and exposure to germs) to playing on the mat with Beckett. He had learned HELP, POO, AYA (for Ayler), MAGNET, OPEN, MONKEY, DRAGON, HELLO (to make the coin purses inside-out), and JOW for JELLO... and also picked up OKAY from me tonight. At 4, Ayler asked when I was leaving - gee, thanks! Jon let him know what people would think when he asked him that, and clarified to me that he was just curious about time. (of course!) Turns out Jon had a few music students; Beckett was interested in the silver things on Kayla's guitar (so tried re-tuning it) AND her green guitar pick on the black piano bench, thought everyone calling to come over was Jon's student Dean, and was generally curious. Later, we had bean soup and French onion soup with bread for dinner. Ayler asked about apostrophes, a gratitude list (the "big Jello" item was pretty funny!), what "philosophy" meant, and wondered who would win his eating competition.

Hiero seemed pretty out of it for sure, lying down on the couch when he wasn't fighting with Ayler. He wanted ANOTHER day off school tomorrow despite his snow day yesterday from his mom. I just talked to Beckett about the toy balls, tested whether he knew what things were, and didn't mind if he wanted to play with the "boh-boh" on my shirt OR socks. He showed me a stack of dry noodles and said "Noo-noo!" (his word for "noodles") For my own amusement, I asked him if he would eat them all. He said "okay" - not that he ever would or could right now! He still likes to look out the window to see some lights across the street, which is cute. Jon left and came back later to teach yet another student, and I finally left at 8, having probably just missed a 3 bus, and got home at 9:35 on a 407. Lots of people wearing Asian face masks today!

From Julie: A female lion-human hybrid!

Even the Mona Lisa is protecting herself from the coronavirus by using an Asian face mask!

Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl at Dublin Crossing pub: Sushi grade marinated ahi tuna, dynamite slaw, avocado, edamame, mango salsa, pickled onion, cilantro, and sesame seeds served on a bed of coconut jasmine rice and topped with crispy wontons!

Canada Dry pomegranate ginger ale!

French onion soup!

Bean soup with Play-Doh!

Current Mood: curious
Current Location: home
Current Music: Black Crowes, "Remedy"
Crossposts: https://glowing-dragon.livejournal.com/3991864.html

I discovered that Andre had unfriended / blocked me on Facebook - WHAT THE HECK?! Eric picked me up at 8:50 AM so I could use church as a vehicle to get to the Osborne Gym at UBC for Hiero's 6th birthday party. It helps that his hockey is all the way out at UBC, too... and it turned out that his hockey building is practically right next to the Robert Osborne building! He said that the LUFIA music sounded like something crazy was going on at my place - HAHAHA! I packed the Creature Chumpers toy (but forgot the birthday card), a bottled water, my Doge bag, and the other Starbucks Cold Brew before putting my boots on just in case of slush. Made my bag heavier, but it was okay. Eric and I listened to the radio for a bit until some guy came on who just monologues at you all the time - not his thing, and not mine either!

When we got to church, there was still plenty of parking across the street. As I thought, the car door went CLONK into a slush accumulation. Luckily, Eric could pull forward a bit so I could go into the nearby parking lot and then cross the street after getting on the clear sidewalk. I waited around outside the sanctuary, saying hey to Joe. When we were allowed to go inside, I said hi to Geoffrey and Sheena, and was respectful of the service. Hiero was there with Jon (who was preaching today), so I asked him if he wanted his birthday gift now or later... of course he chose now, before the Children's Sunday School.

I realized I'd forgotten the birthday card, but I can always give it to him later. He seemed out of it for some reason, but I wouldn't find out why till much later. Then he was trying to get Jon's attention, but he was busy talking to Pastor Dan. When I got back from the handicapped restroom (seeing empty water jugs inside and hoping a grandma didn't have to use it), Hiero had gotten Jon's attention, who told him to say thank you. I said that he already had (when I prompted him), so of course he didn't have to say it again! I did see Uncle Eric and Auntie Brenda at different times, and an uncle said hi to me as well.

Jon had an engaging sermon on Mark and seeds, at least. Even Julie S. agreed with me later on! I said hi to Sam, Auntie Cathy, Auntie Catherine (hug), Auntie Esther (hug), Cordia's mom, Helen C., Joe T., Ivan, Lesley, Dylan / Deb / Declan / Elysse (who thinks it's crazy that Hiero will be her age by next week AND who was eating sugar cubes), Cordia / Amasiah / Julie S. / Denise (who sent a photo of me to Steph) / Julie M., Auntie Susan x2 (Karen Grace's mom and Vivian's mom), Darren L., Martin T., Acer, and others. I could hear Acer swearing in the fellowship hall while talking about DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS, but whatever.

Soon enough, it was just a little group of me, Eric, Cordia, Amasiah, their friend Jeremy, and Acer since everyone else was staying for the Larry and Bella Mori missionary lunch before Missions Fest later in the month. Once we were shushed by Auntie Ada (Benedict's mom) since the Cantonese service was going on, we moved to the stairs, where I noticed a few minutes later that we were blocking the way, so we stood around a little outside the sanctuary in the "hall" until the bench cleared up. We still had to watch our volume, though!

Jeremy insisted he wasn't a weeb just because he went to Japan with some guys - including Acer's cousin - and had to translate for the group, Cordia said she's accepted who she is, and said that Amasiah was morbid like me - SWEET! We talked about the Japan trip, Japanese people KNOWING when you're "foreign" to them even if you're Asian and fluent in the language, Sharon's health woes in the Osoyoos (being literally stuck at home), 80 cents for a medium bottle of milk tea in Japan, the Mori kids Timothy and Tiffany, Molly, people following others on Instagram, pressuring Amasiah to buy some Pokemon figurine on Amazon since she didn't in Hong Kong, my trip, the snow and slush, anime / manga, otaku people, Discord, and lunch plans. Eric and I went upstairs to see if we could get some extra $2 sandwiches (Benedict had five pink tickets from his mom!), but he decided not to bother or distract anyone in the rooms, which I noticed are now labelled. They even upgraded the water cooler from a huge jug to a black self-cleaning one!

A few minutes later at 1:25, Eric asked if I was cool with going to Broadway / Cambie instead. Sure, why not? We could get fast food burgers, so we went to A and W where he kindly paid for my Mama Burger and we shared his fries before going to Pacific Spirit Park and a parking garage on UBC campus. He pressed the crosswalk button for me in the rainy weather, and showed me which building to go into. I went into the Robert Osborne building, connected to the Wi-Fi, and looked for a specific gym on the Evite to no avail, so I had to text Harmony about it. "No, gym" is not really a great answer to "should I meet you on the second floor?" when there are at least three gyms and lots of lockers in the entire place... as I told Steph, I wonder how many "where is this place specifically?" calls and texts they got before the birthday party.

Jon and Harmony were actually early with the kids, probably because they had to sign a waiver and were nominally hosting 15 kids and their parents. I showed Beckett the balls that he had dropped in my bag, but he seemed too out of it even for just waking up. He did look at them with widened eyes, but said nothing. After I met Hiero's friends Emmett and Huxley (what a name!), I heard that Hiero had puked on the gymnastics equipment when Harmony was explaining what had happened in Chinese to her parents! IRRESPONSIBLE AND GROSS! WHY WOULD YOU SUBJECT KIDS TO THAT?! Even Ayler was complaining of feeling sick at the end of everything later! While I was there, Chinese Eric replied to my text about the All-Star Game, saying he'd get back to me later. Why don't you figure it out first, man? I'm not like my ex Mike who wants an almost-instant response! Uncle Joe and Auntie Wing ended up driving me home after the refreshments since Costco closes early on Sundays, so I got home at 6:25. AWESOME!

Random stuff from Mom and Dad, who definitely wanted the tiny tote bag back if Mom dug through my bag for it: Cao Is Starvingbase Chongqing instant noodles, Paldo Jjajangmen Chajang instant noodles, Country Life pure soap, a random floral soap circle, Princess Cruises Lotus Spa shower gel x2, a shoe brush, a Bath Aquatics h2O+ bath bar, and Ontrue roasted seaweed x2 in green tea flavor! It's MINE after I put it in my bag - come on now, WAIT FOR ME TO GET BACK FROM THE WASHROOM AND THEN ASK PERMISSION! Even Beckett has more respect than that! When he dropped his balls in my bag, he just stood by the bag and didn't go through it... I'm sure he doesn't have the words to ask about the balls, but that doesn't matter!

The Tiger Tiger Sukiyaki noodles did come with a lot of packets in the bowl with the handy lid, all crammed inside!

( Gummies, water jugs, hot water advisories, and party food! )

Current Mood: worried
Current Location: home
Current Music: Free, "Lady"
Crossposts: https://glowing-dragon.livejournal.com/3985757.html

After COFFEE TIME, I went out at 2:40 on a 401 to help with the kids, but decided to stop by the post office first to mail stuff to Steph and Joan for $4.38 only! It was sort of quick, no thanks to someone wanting to check out her post office box while mailing stuff! I got to the house at about 4, and settled in to play with Beckett, who walked to the door to say hi, and also walked to the washroom to see what I was doing. He's picked up "please" and has a new Summertime word board book, which he plopped into my lap to "read." (he's working on "ladybug" and calls every animal a "doggy" - cute!) When I took his turtle and frog blanket away from him to adjust it a little, he said "mine" and snatched it back. Okay, then! I found his cool blue sunglasses, and he wanted me to put them on him a few times, so I did. He also moved an emotion egg ("dan-dan") around on the freezer door handle, which he found amusing - better than throwing balls into the dishwasher! (and he smiled BIG for the Vitamin D tablets - and loved chocolates!)

Ayler told me about the TAB key and how the SHIFT key meant that you had to stretch your pinky ALL the way - yup, you're right! He also called Beckett "my baby," haha! Hiero "shot" me with a Duplo "gun" which he could turn into a "sword," and they both encouraged Beckett to go to the printer and print something out! Later, I found Beckett's family baby book - he pointed at the page with Myles on it, and called everyone "Cou-fu," hahaha! He pointed at Steph and said "auntie" - he was also pointing at me from the table and saying AUNTIE, too! Hiero asked what I'd do if he called me "Auntie Blah Blah," so I said that I'd ignore him because that was disrespectful. They were making paper "birthday cakes." He also wanted me to read "Weird but True," but I was busy with Beckett, who'd gone to the far windowsill to roll some balls he'd left there. Harmony asked if he was okay - sure, he didn't kill himself on the curtain! We talked about pastors at church when I brought up Pastor Dan leaving.

When Beckett went under the piano bench to sit under the piano, he practiced the word "happy" - that's a good word to know, for sure! We had duck with hair, avocado, beans, hibiscus juice, bok choy, and soup for dinner. They'd had hot chocolate earlier, and Beckett made a couple of big messes with that AND the juice! Uh-oh is right! Random blobs of food even got on my socks (from the Cheerios that Beckett was giving me from his mouth), so Harmony gave me Jon's socks to wear home. I taught him the word "zoom" in reference to a small toy truck that was lying around. He likes spinning the wooden "intersection" from the train tracks, and is less amused by the baby pop-up toy now. When I spread the blankie on my lap, he lay down on it and sucked his fingers. Guess he likes the blankie!

I left earlier than I might, and Beckett knows BYE-BYE and said it a lot to me! Finally got home at 8:35, no thanks to idiots holding open the door at Bridgeport so some guy could get his HUGE bag of stuff in (making someone else move), OR a bike at the Brighouse elevator, OR what turned out to be the 407 driver blocking my direct path to the bus door because he HAD to talk to his colleague about his "twin." I was so annoyed that I said "EXCUSE ME!" Some people need to catch the bus, you know! Contrary to what I usually do, I didn't even thank him on my way out of the bus! The Canucks played Tampa Bay today at 4, and LOST 9-2?!

From Julie: CREATIVE CURSING?! A mix and match profanity generator!

Beckett's molecule balls, shells, emotion eggs, soccer ball, and baby pop-up toy!

16 Carnaby peppermint candy canes!

Duck with hair, bok choy, beef, and other things in a soup!

Baked beans and avocado!

This entry was originally posted at https://glowing-dragon.dreamwidth.org/6313160.html. It doesn't matter to me if you comment here or there.

Current Mood: creative
Current Location: home
Current Music: the Melvins, "Black Betty"
Crossposts: https://glowing-dragon.livejournal.com/3981418.html

After COFFEE TIME, I went out at 2:50 on a 401 to help with the kids. I would have taken the earlier 401, but someone took FIVE MINUTES to maneuver a wheelchair into that bus! I don't expect people to be extremely fast when it comes to that, but I always appreciate the actual wheelchair users who are fast and efficient movers when they see others are waiting! (she was... not, and held up everyone else) There went any extra time I had to buy lotion and dish soap at Shoppers! At Marine Drive, I actually managed to get a 3 within a few minutes, which was amazing! No incessant talker today, thank goodness. Finally got to the apartment at about 4:10 in the rain, and Beckett was sitting on the mat and waiting for me - so cute! I gave the kids some Mars bars and Coffin Crisp plus a Christmas card later on. Hiero confused a CARD for a CAR, asking me where the Christmas CAR was, hahaha! Harmony set him straight, though. (my phone had randomly saved photos of Beckett eating out of a pot earlier, hahaha)

Ayler and Hiero did origami / cut-out snowflake crafts at the table after one too many "no scissors on the ground" directives that got ignored, so Beckett and I spent our time rolling balls to each other / being distracted by "boh-boh" (the bling on my white sweater AND the pom-pom on my Santa hat, which he batted around at times) / "reading" books while sitting on my lap (he picked up "yummy" from me!) / his giving me his blocks and balls and emotion eggs / his saying "yeah" to my simple questions of whether HE would get the balls instead of me (but he didn't) / his knowing where my fuzzy purple winter coat was with all the big buttons. Harmony said that balls were his very favorite thing in the whole wide world, which I can believe! (LOTS OF ALLITERATION!) She'd taken him across the street since there was a Christmas tree with lots of ornaments, and he'd loved seeing all the "boh-boh!" He also wanted to look out the window, but was stymied by the Venetian blind being down, and thus blocking his view. His other window was blocked off by chairs and couches, but he managed to throw balls in that restricted area, which I of course got out for him.

We had pork and mushroom jong (sticky rice) with garlic, cherry tomatoes, gai lan, and water for dinner. Beckett actually ate more than usual, but Harmony thought that was down to the sticky rice, some of which did fall in his bib, but luckily did not smear or smudge on my Heat Holders socks! Ayler told me that he had a Christmas concert next week, and a winter party because his class had received a lot of points to go towards one. NICE! I asked if he was going to have ornaments, but he says no because it's not Christmas. That made sense, I told him. After they learned about butterflies and cocoons and the chrysalis, Ayler wanted to hug me! I said that he could hug me, paused, and added "only if you want to." He did! That was amazing!

Ayler and Hiero didn't like it when Beckett climbed on them, but he's so light! While Harmony was out of the room for a bit, Ayler told me that he gets screen time at school (as does Hiero), and his mom doesn't like it. I had to laugh, since I could see this coming years ago! When I left the apartment at 7:50 (so late!), Harmony said that Beckett had called me "Attie," and he called me that again while pointing to me. HE KNOWS WHO I AM AND WHAT MY NAME IS - SO CUTE!Hiero told me seriously that his school friend knows Punjabi and she wanted to teach him some language skills - good for them! Harmony wanted to know if I could come on Friday the 13th, so I said yes. As it turned out, I hope fervently that I used up ALL my "bad luck" tonight - I kept on missing trains and buses galore! EVERY SINGLE ONE! I got home at 10, which is pretty fucking late!

From Reddit: For the first time since January 10th, 2006 (which was also a Tuesday), the Vancouver Canucks will finally host the Toronto Maple Leafs at 7 PM PST. The Canucks played Toronto tonight at 7, and lost 4-1. UGH!

Random stuff from the family: Novelty HOT FLASHES socks from Hatley, Ontrue roasted seaweed in Wasabi flavor, a pink "XXL" Xi Fu Fen pajama set (more like Small), a light brown Rice Balls (actual brand name) sweater with purple stars from Korea, and a 52mL tube of Colgate MaxFresh Knock Out toothpaste.

From Julie: When you're washing the dishes and the water hits a spoon! WATER IN YOUR FACE AND ON YOUR CLOTHES!

Snowflake art on the bedroom door!

Hiero insisted on having a green heart on the bathroom door! No double-sided arrow, however!

Ontrue seasoned and roasted seaweed in Wasabi flavor! Thanks, Mom and Dad!

Red bling shirt for Christmastime!

White bling sweater for Christmastime!

SANTA HAT TIME!

Thanks for the Hatley socks for my non-existent HOT FLASHES, Jon and Harmony...

A Rice Balls brown sweater made in Korea... thanks for the Engrish, Mom and Dad!

Current Mood: loved
Current Location: home
Current Music: Rolling Stones, "Slave"
Crossposts: https://glowing-dragon.livejournal.com/3974761.html

After COFFEE TIME, I went out at 3:15 (first refilling my yearly prescription at the pharmacy next door) on a 401 (JUST IN TIME) to help with the kids. I had to leave room for a suitcase and also remember to get to the house after 4:35 because of a water shutoff till 4. Lovely! I killed time at the Save-On nearby, and when Harmony said they were fine at 4:35, I said I'd be there soon, but made a necessary pit stop at Kwong Chow first. That meant I washed my hands twice within ten minutes, but whatever. The replacement black carry-on suitcase looked okay, and I later found out that ALL the zippers were fine and that it was way easier to handle and maneuver! When I got there just after 5, Beckett wanted to see me and say hi in his own way - so cute! Harmony said that Jon was doing his West Vancouver holiday gig, which is totally worth it, but means a little extra work on everyone else's part. Ayler wanted to know why, haha. My nephews are smart and curious kids!

Hiero wanted to show me his "enchanted airplane," Ayler wanted to show me some piano techniques and quiz me on piano (and quizzing me on math at dinner), and Beckett just wanted to show me all his balls and have this cute confused look when the balls wouldn't go through the holes in that wooden toy. He did go over to the far windowsill (almost obscured by the curtain) and play with the toy molecule rod and balls there while looking at the lights across the street. (and did it with the near window, too - spouting gibberish as usual) I found another emotion egg later and gave it to him. He wanted to go after the pom-pom on my Santa hat (Harmony thought that was funny), explore my bling shirt, and gently touched the keloid scar on my neck later out of curiosity. (I told him that this wasn't a "ball-ball") He climbed on top of Ayler, who didn't like that, and then climbed on top of Hiero, who was a bit more acquiescent. When he threw the balls around and pointed at them, I asked him if he wanted me to go get them. After a pause, he said "yeah," so I said okay. Hiero wasn't sure if he knows what that means, but he did say "wow" tonight for the first time!

Beckett also has discovered the apartment door, and sometimes crawls to it for whatever reason. I picked him up and got him out of there, of course. He wanted to sit on my lap and "read" the 100 Words baby book, which I of course let him do because he's much lighter than his brothers and my legs don't complain! I did have a toe cramp much later, but it was okay within a few minutes of agony. We had beef tendon and beef brisket with broad white noodles and vegetables for dinner - even with cereal, Beckett didn't eat much. Harmony crammed some Rice Krispies into his mouth later a few times when he was preoccupied with me and the toys, otherwise he'll be way too hungry tomorrow morning! She bought some stuff on the Black Friday sales, and I told the kids about the KFC 50% Bowls and Buckets deal yesterday when Harmony was gone temporarily. Hiero asked if I wanted to buy it - not after I heard the website was pretty broken! Ayler asked me what a website was, so I asked him if he remembers Kids Physio. His face brightened at that: YES! I told him that a lot of stores and businesses and people had websites on the Internet these days. He seemed to accept this explanation. I didn't mind if Harmony gave Beckett some shortbread at all.

I left at 7:30 and was thankfully able to catch the 3 Marine Drive bus earlier instead of later, and got home at 8:40 on a 407 in time to catch the last five minutes of the second period. The Canucks played Ottawa tonight at 7, and won 5-2 on the Alex Burrows Ring of Honor evening! Fantenberg and MacEwen got their first goals! I also managed to pack everything into that suitcase without anything breaking or being overstuffed... SUCCESS!

Random stuff from Mom and Dad: Cozy Christmas socks and a green PEANUTS water bottle!

Dinner tonight: beef tendon, veggies, and noodles!

From Julie: Christmas is so much harder when you get older. It's like, "What do you want this year?" I don't know... maybe a sense of purpose, some financial security, could use more sleep, a bottle of wine, and maybe some new bras. I had to use MS Paint to edit in an Oxford comma LIKE IT SHOULD BE!

The Famous Grouse whiskey shortbread!

Cozy Christmas socks for me, Steph, and Lisa! Pig coin purse for Steph! FUZZY SOCKS!

Western Family condensed cream of mushroom soup!

Green PEANUTS water bottle for me!

Current Mood: loved
Current Location: home
Current Music: Rolling Stones, "Walking The Dog"
Crossposts: https://glowing-dragon.livejournal.com/3971938.html

After COFFEE TIME, I went out at 3:05 on a 401 to help with the kids. I stopped by Kam Do Bakery briefly to get a sandwich-like bun, and finally came away with a ham and cheese bun for $2. Despite the train just coming into Brighouse station right when I got to the crosswalk, I just missed it because the traffic light refused to change for half a minute - UGH! I did have time to wait in the lineup at Tim Horton's for a $1.25 Double Chocolate doughnut for National Doughnut Day today, and had enough time to take a photo of that and the bun before I ate the doughnut prior to leaving the store and taking the 3. Once I got to Harmony's, I buzzed into the building, but got no answer, even from that cranky guy of last week. After TEXTING HER without a reply, I sighed and tried buzzing AGAIN - THIS TIME, I FINALLY got a response!

Slightly irritated, I took the elevator up to find that Penny was the likely reason for my delay, and I waited while she finished talking to Harmony before leaving the apartment. Beckett was definitely awake, and seemed interested in the small buttons on Grandma's purple wintry warm Alia coat, so I told him what they were. He also liked the black fuzz! Beckett still likes looking out the window, but he pointed at something outside (maybe the street lights) and spouted random gibberish at me, to which I responded as if it were understandable. He's picked up the word "yeah" and said that a number of times. I didn't care if he wanted to poke his fingers in the holes at the bottom of the baby pop-up toy and "new" light-up toy from Holly! When he wanted to walk, I supported him by holding his hands up high, like I had with Ayler and Hiero. He threw blocks at me when he wasn't attempting to fit them in the holes in the lid ("Na na na NA NAAAAAAA!" when he wanted me to take off the circular lid so he could see where they landed), tried clawing my eyes out (no glasses protection this time!), and pulled off my light winter hat - I made him look at me while I told him NO THROWING!

He seemed slightly interested in the bling on my shiny red bling sweater, and burrowed himself in an embarrassing position on the mat. Hiero wanted me to "fight" him with his long paper lightsabers, but I had to keep an eye on Beckett. We had mesquite smoky bean soup with bacon and kale, grapes, and some cheese that the older kids helped to grate. Beckett scrunched up his face and grinned at us - SO CUTE! When he didn't want to eat anymore, he started to throw food at us - I even got a bonus Cheerio in my soup! (none of his Rice Krispies!) Harmony said that he's different with Jon, who does pretty much the same thing that she does to try getting him to eat. At least I finished before he ate any yogurt; yikes! Ayler and Hiero talked about taking ALL the grapes before I could have any, ding-dongs, what happened if the principal was away (they don't have a vice-principal at that school?!), the "Jingle bells - Batman smells - Robin laid an egg" song, my Coffin Crisp fun-size bars with skeletons and spiders, calcium / iron / vitamins / sugar, my going to Ontario by myself, FOUGHT being the past tense of "fight," math quizzes being verboten at dinner (even though 16 + 6 is simple), and new therapy.

Once Beckett had been put down to sleep, I read more pig and elephant stories (yay for my different voices!) / AMELIA BEDELIA / Invisible Boy stories to Ayler and Hiero. I reminded Hiero to do something, and Ayler pushed him towards the bathroom, which made Hiero upset and crying. Geez! Harmony let me go at 7:35 and said that she hoped the transit strike didn't affect me too much, I just managed to get a 3 to Marine Drive Station (which STILL stopped for two minutes at 41st!), some lady was standing RIGHT in my way in front of a seat on the Brighouse train I DID get, and I got home at 8:35 on a 407. I updated Mike via text, although I bet he didn't have much time to read. The Canucks played St. Louis tonight at 7, and lost 2-1 in overtime despite a big goal from our rookie Quinn Hughes...

From Julie: Me whenever I meet someone who can match my dark sense of humor and sarcasm... "You're full of hate and loathing and I love it."

Double Chocolate doughnut for National Doughnut Day today, plus a ham and cheese bun from Kam Do Bakery for a late National Sandwich Day on November 3. This slightly ruined my appetite for an early dinner at 5:30, but whatever.

Watermelon tea towel in the bathroom at my brother's place.

This unscented lotion is for EVERYONE, Mike!

Current Mood: amused
Current Location: home
Current Music: New Order, "Thieves Like Us"
Crossposts: https://glowing-dragon.livejournal.com/3957362.html

The 401 did not show up at the bus stop when I left at 3:30, so I was stuck waiting 20 minutes for the 407 and two 401 buses which all came at the same time. I still managed to get to the house at 5, despite a text message from Harmony way earlier asking if I could be there at 3:45, which I didn't even get till I left the house. Technically late before I even thought of making my way outside... hahaha! Good thing the 3 Downtown pulled up when I'd made my way to the bus stop, and there were NO further delays on my way over! I had to stop into Kwong Chow to pee, which I wouldn't have had to do if the 401 had showed up when it was supposed to!

When I'd made my way quietly into the living room, Hiero greeted me with "Look at my balls, Auntie!" HAHAHA! Thank goodness he meant his yellow origami balls which he'd made and displayed on the table! He showed me some more cardboard buses and Mark III Skytrains plus a cow "headband" which he'd picked up at the PNE this year. Ayler was hiding Beckett's toy balls among some books, then was concentrating on his connect-the-dots book for a while. We had bean soup, frozen grapes, pork chops, and blueberries for dinner while discussing Christon's wedding. Apparently, someone stole Jon's extra four boxes of leftovers! WHAT?! Some auntie had stolen a Bible from Jon and Harmony's wedding centrepieces - WHAT?! She gave it back once she realized it was real, but STILL!

Later, Beckett played the piano with his feet as I held him in my lap for better mobility... that was funny and cute! Yes, he climbed on me and laughed when I put the soccer ball on my head, less so with the baby pop-up toy. Ayler didn't get to sleep till 10:30 last night, but it had been the first day of school today, so anxiety and questions were normal. Hiero took quite a while to eat dinner, while Beckett seemed happy to flip pages of various books on the mat. Later, Beckett climbed on Ayler's back, and Ayler said that he knew Beckett would pull his hair. Close enough - he instead was gumming his hair and chewing on it! I guess he really is teething from last week into this week.

Since someone had a tantrum, I left at 8 on the dot. Next week should be fine. I actually got on a 3 Marine Drive that was NOT annoying and did NOT stop anywhere random for a while! There was a girl who wanted to let the bus driver know that she'd be getting off with her stroller, but if I could barely hear her above the traffic and bus noise while seated across from her, I'm surprised that the bus driver could! I'm glad that I have NG lungpower and strength! Since the bus didn't stop anywhere, I was able to get a Brighouse train pulling into the Marine Drive station. I still had to wait a while at Brighouse Station, but I got home at 9:30 on a 407 - PHEW! Harmony had mentioned that Mom had emailed us about my birthday dinner. I'll think about that tomorrow, since I'm much more interested in chilling and relaxing at home for the rest of my night, haha!

Hiero thought I should be a cow with this Mobile Dairy Classroom thing that he picked up from the PNE!

From Jim Can't Swim: Anjie Galsworthy?! BAD SPELLING OF ANGIE!

Current Mood: quixotic
Current Location: home
Current Music: Veruca Salt, "Bodies"
Crossposts: https://glowing-dragon.livejournal.com/3933686.html

I finally called Chimo's Housing Connect this morning at 9:15. Nancy is on sick leave, but I got an appointment with their housing manager Sue next Tuesday at 11:30 AM. After DOUBLE COFFEE TIME AND SHOWER TIME, I went out at 3:10 on a 401 to help with the kids again. Jon messaged me at 1:45 to wonder if I'd received Harma's text message, but I had not. Yeah, I know she's sick. She wanted me to come earlier, so I just called her instead. Sure, I could come by at 4-ish depending on "delays" and transit time... and it ended up being 4:30 because I just missed another 401 when I was on my way out!

Since Ayler and Hiero wanted to do puzzles in their cramped room, I let them while I hung out and read a book on the couch with Beckett's screams as accompaniment. Eventually, he fell asleep and the boys came out to do Summer Reading. Hiero wanted to sit on my lap while Ayler and I alternated pages. "Can you read upside down, Hiero?" "I can't even read right-side up." Good point! They did tell me about busing to VBS Later, Beckett did come out and wanted to toss everything around as per usual. They gave away the hard blue ball and hard red ball (his favorites!) plus some other stuff because he'd made a dent in the floor, hurt Ayler by indiscriminately tossing things, and had the potential to break a window... YIKES!

Like yesterday, Harmony thanked me for playing so nicely with the baby. We had penne, rutabaga, ratatouille, and honeydew for dinner. Ayler and Hiero did origami tricks with the Summer Reading logs, and Ayler told me about staccato and STORMS OF SATURN, while wanting to know what I felt about his practice runs of OUR DETECTIVE AGENCY. They kept getting better, which was what he wanted! Beckett wanted to play the piano too, so I supported him while he tried playing the high keys, but of course he isn't tall enough yet, so I sat on the piano bench with him in my lap instead.

Later, I made him laugh by playing with the Little Tikes popping toy (yellow and purple) - I pressed on the purple part and it pooped out within a few seconds. He "helped" me by putting his finger on it, haha. As long as it amused him for a bit! He looked up at me and wanted me to repeat that over and over, which is fine. Once Ayler and Hiero finally got to bed at 8:05, I could leave the house - I got home at 9:30 thanks to having to wait a while for the 407. I wish they'd gone to bed ten minutes earlier! Since I figured it wouldn't take forever and I might not miss a train, I held the elevator for a lady with crutches at Marine Drive. Her toes had splayed out - yikes! LUCKILY, I didn't miss the Brighouse train!

Bit fucking extreme: Shoplifters will be prostituted! No exceptions!

Current Mood: loved
Current Location: home
Current Music: Korn, "Pretty"
Crossposts: https://glowing-dragon.livejournal.com/3926009.html

Mom picked me up at 5 so we could go to Tsim Chai for dinner before the VOS (Vancouver Oratorio Society) choir concert that Dad was doing at Fraserview. BEEF TENDON NOODLES! She had discovered the pocket dial from my phone to Pothead Mike and complained that it had cost her one extra dollar, then wanted to use MY phone to call Steph. She ended up using her own phone, HA HA! I had to explain the concept of a pocket dial to her... and of course vent to Steph while Mom was in my bathroom, ha ha ha. Mom even complained that I didn't have Jon and Steph in my phone or WhatsApp contacts - I don't use WhatsApp at all, but I could for video calls at some point, I guess.

Later, Mom said that "my brother's wife's sister" (just say "Auntie Kwai") is going to be living with them for a couple of months since she lost her low-cost housing in the move from BC to Ontario, and she can't get used to life over there. She also told me redundant stuff about Maria Tam who just died from lung cancer, some missionary friend Winnie who will be staying with them (from July 12) for a week or so after they get back from Toronto on July 4, and how Harmony supposedly wants me to help with the kids when they're away from June 18 for the Oratorio Society concerts with some Hong Kong chorus. Well, I'll wait till Harmony actually says something to me about it first before I commit.

The conductor of the Oratorio Society is named Kemuel, and the associate conductor is named Neville?! One of the youth singers is named Jermyn Wong?! The overall concert was all right, I suppose. Lots of Psalms, lots of music - I saw Auntie Catherine around the washroom when I went. When I looked at the program, I saw Libby's name, so I had to tell Vania about it on Facebook. Mom suspiciously wondered why I was online, and asked if my mobile data was off - yes, of course. I did not help her get online during a lull or the intermission, ha ha ha. I got home at 10:15 or so, which is fine.

Random stuff from Mom and Dad: A white JESSICA winter jacket, Lipton chicken noodle soup which expires in March 2020, a thin orange fish-themed 2012 tote bag, a Zanyah Eco Spa Treatment "Your Reinvigoration" body cream pouch, a Zanyah Eco Spa "Your Tenderness" body cream pouch, a random Home Depot plastic bag, a random white bra, a thin black DKNY shirt, a thin dark blue-green summer scarf, a thin blue Baleno fall coat, and a random pair of greying white and blue thin socks.

A random pair of white and grey thin socks, a pink clothes hanger, a Chong Lee Market plastic bag, a Wing-on Incorporated paper bag, Nosh and Co. shortbread cookies which expire in December, a thin purple Ardene shawl with holes in it despite the price tag still being attached, a random pair of thin purple socks, a small pair of thin black panties, a thin frilly Van Heusen pale blue shirt with roses on it, one black fuzzy mitten, and one dark blue fuzzy mitten.

Nosh and Co. premium artisanal shortbread cookies!

Nosh and Co. Munch Madness cheddar and sour cream chips!

Nosh and Co. Munch Madness lightly salted chips!

From CRIME WATCH DAILY: Danish Minhas?! A Danish is a PASTRY!

Current Mood: accomplished
Current Location: home
Current Music: Revolting Cocks, "Beers / Steers / Queers"
Crossposts: https://glowing-dragon.livejournal.com/3905847.html

After COFFEE TIME and getting some free NRG Detox Iaso tea samples from Shane in today's mail (yay for bubble-wrap envelopes!), I went out at 2 on a 414 to see Rachel at the Caring Place. We called Shaw and I managed to get my bill lowered by about $50 per month for two years in a row! I'll also get a new cable box and some other things next Wednesday when the technician comes by in the late morning or early afternoon. I killed time by taking advantage of the wi-fi there, in Richmond Centre, and outside Waves Coffee. Texted Paulo, talked to James about food, sent Mike a quick Hangouts message, and generally kept in touch with people. Someone in the V4F Discord server mentioned coffee, so I decided to check the London Drugs website to see whether the tall canisters were on sale - SCORE! I bought a NESCAFÉ instant coffee canister (October 1, 2018) for $10.99 instead of $14.99, plus NEW Late July bacon habanero tortilla chips.

Later, I met Frances for dinner at Pho Han after walking from Richmond Centre to Lansdowne and then taking the 410. Well, she offered to pick me up somewhere near Aberdeen Station around 6 since the restaurant is in one of those little plazas on Capstan Way. It was definitely out of the way, that's for sure! We talked about VCEFC people, my mom calling me for something which turned out to be an "invite" to one of Dad's VOS opera choir concerts tomorrow evening (I never check WhatsApp and she might as well just TELL ME WHAT IT IS ON THE PHONE), Ellen, Facebook, my malfunctioning microwave, her mother and dementia, my spicy pork blood soup, her spring rolls and grilled chicken, her paying for the meal (wow!) and dropping me off later, her brothers, and autism. I guess Mom will pick me up at 5 tomorrow from the courtyard with another bag or two of random stuff before we go for wonton mein or something.

It was good, but I am still glad to be home. I should have gotten her to stand around while I looked at microwaves in London Drugs since I have more than $150 cash in my wallet, but that's probably not what she had in mind when she said "grocery shopping." I just emailed white Eric to see if he can do it and then recycle the old one - then maybe I can give the Danby Designers 700-watt one to Paulo if and when that ends up happening.

Alprentice Von Slatten?!

From Julie: Cardi B has a daughter named KULTURE?! Bad spelling of Culture, not that this is a good name if spelled correctly...

NEW Late July bacon habanero tortilla chips!

Current Mood: nervous
Current Location: home
Current Music: Foo Fighters, "Congregation"
Crossposts: https://glowing-dragon.livejournal.com/3905082.html

After COFFEE TIME, I had to leave at 4 so I could go to Douglas Park at 22nd and Heather for Ayler and Beckett's family birthday party. Of course I had Ayler's birthday card, Beckett's birthday card, Ayler's Spiderman / Spider-Man Funko Pop toy, Beckett's Zookie Slappy stuffed puppy toy, the Kinder mini-eggs, Lindt Gold milk chocolate Easter bunny, and the milk chocolate Hershey's Kisses for the kids! I also had to take my own utensils in a big Ziploc bag, plus a blanket to sit on (that mat from London Drugs will do), but whatever.

Four kinds of sushi (California Roll included), homemade Rice Krispie Squares, jackfruit, beer, juice, gyoza, plenty of edamame beans which are NOT for babies, Asian-style fried chicken, and homemade chocolate birthday cake with sprinkles! Beckett tried crawling and Naomi tried keeping up with Ayler, Hiero, Evander, and Everett, but didn't get too far. I said hi to Mom (who's using a cane now), Dad, Auntie Wing and Uncle Joe (who drove me home), Ayler (who liked all the chocolate and other gifts from me), Peter, Holly, Evander (who gave me some buttercups), Everett, Naomi (who can say a few words), Myles, and Brittney. Mom said that she and Dad are going to Toronto, then getting back on July 4, so they can pay for half my new glasses when they recover from jet lag. I got home at 7:55 (after making polite conversation with Harmony's parents) and let out a sigh of relief upon exiting the car. INTROVERT TIME AHOY!

Random stuff from Mom and Dad: a thin white short-sleeved zippered jacket, a thin white short-sleeved zippered jacket with black dots, a white Liz Sport sweater with black dots (but I can't even get my head through the neck...), a medium blue London Fog zippered fall jacket with normal sleeves, and (in a sticky plastic produce bag) Admiral flaked light tuna x2 / Indomie Mi Goreng instant noodles x2 / a random silver nail clipper.

Pothead Mike accidentally sent this picture to me on Hangouts when he was trying to send me some fundraiser cream cheese / strawberry and cream cheese / raspberry / green apple braided pastries. Jesus with a gun and some wine: "It's Sunday! Bitch better have my money!" HAHAHAHA!

Admiral flaked light tuna in water!

Current Mood: recumbent
Current Location: home
Current Music: KMFDM, "Hello"
Crossposts: https://glowing-dragon.livejournal.com/3901231.html

After COFFEE TIME, Eric picked me up for church in the morning. We talked about DARK SOULS, my eye surgery and insurance, how it was somewhat his fault for the sewer updates and construction zone around my place because his company was involved, drivers and turn signals, Elysse thinking my dad was dead because I now have his old phone, and sleeping in last week. We sat together in church service, I returned Deb's Ziploc tub to her / returned Mom's jars to her, and said hi to Frances M. / Sophie / Auntie Cathy / Ayler / Hiero / Andrew L.

I got a lunch and ride offer from Deb if I was fine with going to Canadian Tire beforehand (sure, why not?), and had to chat briefly with Uncle Reuben as he saw me. He asked about Dad and - speak of the devil (which I DID say out loud in church, hahaha) - Dad did pass by in purple choir robes a minute later! Ivan did joke that I should make it three weeks in a row for church attendance next week, but I think I'm good to go for now. Dylan, Deb, Declan, Elysse, and I bumped into Mom in the church elevator, where she thanked them for "looking after" me. *rolleyes* Like I can't do that myself?! Sheesh!

After looking at ALL the games / windshield wiper fluid / shovels / lawn mowers at Canadian Tire (and saying hi to Joe T. who was also there), it was time for a Pho lunch at Basil Garden (where I attempted to pay for my own meal - we talked about Farrah Fawcett / SMALL SACRIFICES and Diane Downs / SALVATION / Extreme's MORE THAN WORDS / whining / iPad time / tendon / brisket / steak / tripe / Pho noodles / rice) and Hiero's glow-in-the-dark bowling party at Grandview Lanes! While I was at the bowling alley, I successfully signed up for Shaw Open wi-fi because I'd written down my stuff at home when I could more easily access it via desktop. I also met a kid named Louie's mom (Hiero's classmate), saw kids named SPARKLE and KALAN in another group, and tried to stay out of the way, but it was pretty cramped.

Ayler asked me whether my body was cold because of the Dairy Queen ice cream cake (not yet), and added that the cake was the yummiest cake that he's ever had - NICE! Said hi to baby Beckett when he was awake, admired the glow-in-the-dark effect, watched Elysse when she looked at the frosted window, and told Hiero that I could read to him the next time I came over because my eye surgery was done for now. He seemed to like that idea, as well as the hot dogs and Lays chips and veggie platter. I got a sane ride home with Deb and Dylan, thank goodness. We talked about tonight's lunar eclipse, Jawbreaker candy, and I SPY before they dropped me off at 4:50. The Canucks played Detroit at 1 today, and won 3-2.

Random stuff from Mom and Dad: Liberté Canada strawberry Greek yogurt x4 which expires on January 22 (so I'll eat it all tomorrow night after it's chilled in the fridge), Excel Hotel Tokyu coffee powder x1, random Chinese green tea x8, Daiwa Royal Hotels green tea x1, Nikko Hotels International Roasted Japanese Tea x2, Nikko Hotels International green tea x2, random Chinese tea x4, Kantafe Creamy Powder x1, Kantafe sugar packet x2, Kantafe Instant Coffee x1, random Chinese roasted tea x1, Ronnefeldt 隆納菲 Lemon Sky flavored fruit infusion tea, Sencha green tea x1, and random Chinese coffee powder x1.

Speed limit 69! Just kidding... 35! What a road sign, hehehe!

Current Mood: recumbent
Current Location: home
Current Music: MOJO In the Morning, "Jesus At The Wings Game"
Crossposts: https://glowing-dragon.livejournal.com/3857478.html

The day started early because we all went to church - a poppyseed bagel for breakfast suited me fine. No more MINECRAFT or HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON from last night, that's for sure! It was cold and foggy this morning, but least it wasn't snowy or rainy! I snuck into the church sanctuary and sat in the very last row when we got to VCEFC via the underground parking lot. Auntie Catherine saw me on my way in because she was one of the ushers, so had to hug me hello. I talked to Pastor Dan, Sharon, Emily L., Ivan W., Billy, Stella, Elenor's sister Janet, Helen C., Benedict, and others about my eye cataract surgery recovery progress while I grabbed a spare mug from the kitchen for some coffee.

Later, we went to Swiss Chalet for Elysse's fifth birthday: reading, making mistakes, being angry, chocolate milk, quarter of a rotisserie chicken and garlic shrimp / popcorn shrimp, water, embarrassing (blowjob) positions, Dylan's church meetings, Swiss Chalet coupons, chicken tenders, fries, yummy dipping sauce, what nephews were, Costco / IKEA / Toys R Us at Lansdowne, and dropping Dylan off at church. After about half an hour at home, everyone went to a crowded Costco / IKEA / Toys R Us. No, the shopping carts weren't jungle gyms, Declan! Dylan's parents returned some stuff and we talked about safety, surgery, Deb's patients, astigmatism, DanActive yogurt, fruit, budgeting, calling people by their real names, whining, and Elysse's new HATCHIMAL for $70 at Lansdowne.

The Canucks played the Panthers at 4 today, and won 5-1. Dylan's dad made lamb steak, gai lan, and ribs for Elysse's birthday dinner, and we had chocolate cupcakes with raspberry frosting and HELLO KITTY decorations as dessert. When I thanked him for it, Declan asked why I called his grandpa "Uncle." Well, he looks like he's the same age as my dad's friends and definitely NOT my peer, so there you go! Apparently, Dylan's mom found the icing too sweet, so she gave hers to me instead. Elysse wanted to lie down on her stool to eat the long spaghetti noodles, but that's NOT A GOOD IDEA! Dylan got home in time for his parents to make the drive back to Langley, but I was upstairs on mobile trying to be as unobtrusive as possible.

Lucas, Kumatora, Duster, and Boney make it to the Highway rest area in Chapter 5 of MOTHER 3. They stop by the restrooms. This guy tells them, "I heard there's a ramen shop in this area that's so good it always has a huge line in front of it."

Lucas, Kumatora, Duster, and Boney make it to the Highway rest area in Chapter 5 of MOTHER 3. They stop by the restrooms. This guy tells them, "Or at least that's the rumor, anyway."

Lucas, Kumatora, Duster, and Boney make it to the Highway rest area in Chapter 5. They stop by the restrooms. This guy tells them, "This line HAS to be the one!"

From Pete: The Impeccable Pig in Austin, Texas!

Current Mood: lazy
Current Location: Timberwood Village
Current Music: Butthole Surfers, "Strawberry"
Crossposts: https://glowing-dragon.livejournal.com/3854718.html

I went out at 9:30 on a 401 to meet Mom and Dad at Main and 15th at TXL Insurance, Uncle William Ng's company. (10:30 AM?!) After we had lunch at Kwong Chow and finally took care of the insurance, I did some shopping at the Broadway London Drugs. Bought 400 Mead index cards, store brand all-purpose cleaner, a three-inch Avery binder for my important documents (a definite upgrade!), a red $2 MARTEX washcloth, a GUM toothbrush, and two dark blue $2 GOODY toothbrush covers. Got home at 1:40 to a Purolator notice (ugh), a phone call from Dr. Wise's office, and some other mail, so I had to deal with all of that.

I got a BUDDY THE ELF Christmas card / Tazo Tea x3 (passion herbal tea, vanilla caramel chai, and green ginger tea) / magnetic Fool Moon treasures crow bookmark from Angie H. (auralily) and a Ringo the dog Christmas card from Kitty (bornwitch / dutch_kitty) in the mail. Then after calling Dr. Wise's office back, I GOT MY SURGERY TIME! 11:45 at Mount St. Joseph's isn't TERRIBLE! After letting Barry know about the surgery date and then fielding an inconvenient phone call from Mom (I was going to go out before it got dark!), I trekked near YVR on Jericho Road to get to the Purolator via YVR Airport Canada Line, placing myself nearer the airport than I'd intended today, as I told Corey when I got back. Are You Shitting Me?: 1,004 Facts That Will Scare the Crap Out of You (Cary McNeal)

A Christmas 2018 gift from Steph and Lisa: ARE YOU SHITTING ME?! 1004 Facts That Will Scare The Crap Out Of You!

Salsa is temporarily free from Fassad during the Happy Box delivery in MOTHER 3, and does a trick for Betsy in the Yado Inn, with Jackie and Bob in the background. "Received AN Nut Bread!" BAD GRAMMAR!

Salsa stops by Bronson's house while the Happy Box delivery is on in MOTHER 3. "This is a hammer used to pound red-hot iron into different shapes."

Salsa stops by Bronson's house while the Happy Box delivery is on in MOTHER 3. "This is an oven for turning iron red-hot."

Current Mood: exhausted
Current Location: home
Current Music: Mark Knofler, "Amanda"
Crossposts: https://glowing-dragon.livejournal.com/3852259.html

After COFFEE TIME, I perforce met Mom and Dad at Wireless Wave at 4 to meet Walter W. and spend money. I did get some Loaded Potato Skins Ruffles chips at Shoppers for New Year's beforehand! Ended up getting a cellphone, paired Bluetooth headphones, and more stuff. Mom talked AT me, which is normal, but even invited Walter to dinner at Neptune. Maybe to set us up, who knows? Luckily, he said NO since he had family commitments. Thank goodness they drove me home at 7:10, saying that Henry is now allergic to eggs and Lisa is going to Saskatchewan Depot for training from mid-January to mid-May. I confirmed this with Steph later, of course. Mom HAD to use my washroom - fine, whatever. She wondered about the security guard - yeah, that's normal now.

Cruise / missionary trip stuff from Mom, Dad, and Auntie Elsie from church (who thinks the sweaters are "too girly" for her now that she's in her 70s) inside a Ketchikan, Alaska bag: Tabasco sauce packets x3, Bigelow Tea herbal Cozy Chamomile tea packets x3, Bigelow Cinnamon Apple herbal tea packets x1, Bigelow Mint Medley tea packets x2, Bigelow English Breakfast black tea packets x3, Bigelow Raspberry Royale black tea packets x2, Bigelow Darjeeling black tea packets x1, Bigelow Earl Grey tea packets x1 (all inside a Ziploc bag), a red Holland American MS Veendam baseball cap, a light green thin sweater, an orange Ralph Lauren Sport zippered sweater vest, a red Vollmar Made in Italy sweater with grey snowflakes, a white sweater with a gold lion and wide black stripes (not a good idea!), three new pairs of dark fall / winter socks, a thin red sweater with grey wide stripes (also not a good idea!), and a muted pink sweater with grey / black stripes.

Lucas, Kumatora, Duster, and Boney are on the MOTHER 3 Highway in Chapter 7 of MOTHER 3. This sign reads, "Caution! Chimera crossing!" Look! There's even a Reconstructed Lion nearby! Gotta love the alliteration!

Lucas, Kumatora, Duster, and Boney are on the MOTHER 3 Highway in Chapter 7 of MOTHER 3. This sign reads, "Preserve our beautiful scenery! Please refrain from posting signs." HAHAHA!

Current Mood: exhausted
Current Location: home
Current Music: U2, "Always"
Crossposts: https://glowing-dragon.livejournal.com/3850241.html

Guestbook Entry 2018!

December 27, 2018 (Thurs.)

Eric H. (lddude): "Here now for the POST-Christmas hangout with Leslie... it has been a while since I was here. (one year and eleven days) Haha. Hope I can come over more often and enjoy Leslie's company... Happy Holidays! :)"

After COFFEE TIME and SHOWER TIME, Chinese Eric called me at 4 to say he was on his way, so I of course had the keys and the parking pass / parking permit ready! He came over at 5:30 with Stanley Park Noble Pilsner beer from a work party (which he can't have because of his lupus, so he gave the bottle to me) and Safeway store brand Compliments barbecue / Extra Barbecue chips. We talked about the Bassili's Best shepherd's pie, which I actually convinced him to make earlier than 8 PM since it would take 50-60 minutes to cook in the oven! He also had FOUR bottles of water - WOW, SO THIRSTY! I also convinced him to leave the tray for the shepherd's pie while cooking it, even though he was worried about eating the plastic material afterwards. Needless to say, that did NOT happen! At least we found my Alcan tinfoil behind my toaster oven!

Discussed hockey news, Connor McDavid's jersey number corresponding to his birth year of 1997, Dragon Ball bubble tea, Loui Eriksson's six-year contract from Canada Day 2016 to Canada Day 2022, all his Halloween and Christmas candy in a big Ziploc bag, taking the chips (meh at best) home for Auntie and Erica to try, Steph / Lisa / Fraser / Henry, Jon / Harmony / Ayler / Hiero / Beckett, and Christmas stuff. Also talked about Gritty the Flyers mascot, my low-tech blue guestbook, MONSTERS INSIDE ME, the Clintons and Michelle Obama hitting town, water bottles vs. bottled water at work (bottled water is more inconspicuous when slipped into a suit pocket), and Desmond being in Australia according to Nathan. The Canucks played the Oilers at 6 tonight, and won 4-2. Eric left at 8:50 after doing the dishes and watching some GOOD highlights. At least I convinced him to do the dishes, but I should have soaked the dumpling pot before he came over!

5.1% Stanley Park Noble Pilsner beer, thanks to Chinese Eric! We brew our Noble Pilsner with two row Pilsen malt and a distinctive blend of noble hops. This European-style lager has a delicate Pilsner aroma and delivers a soft, crisp taste and refreshing finish. Enjoy!!

Safeway store brand Compliments ridged Extra Barbecue chips!

Safeway store brand Compliments barbecue chips!

PUMPKIN PIE!

Current Mood: good
Current Location: home
Current Music: Mark Knofler, "Nintendo"
Crossposts: https://glowing-dragon.livejournal.com/3849521.html

After a flurry of emails last night and my COFFEE TIME this morning, Dad called me at 10:35 AM to say that he'd made an appointment for 2 tomorrow with Uncle Stanley's lady associate at Kingsway and Slocan. ("as you know, Uncle Stanley isn't feeling well..." Nope, I did not know that!) He and Mom will take me out to lunch beforehand, so they want to pick me up at 12. Fine, I guess! At least I don't have to bus all the way there! Not that I had to bus to Auntie Anita's Royal Bank location when Steph and I set up the plan originally in 2009! Thank goodness I have whiskey at home for later, hahaha.

From Reddit on September 21, 2018: Learning disabilities do exist. Discrimination against the disabled also does exist. I don't think an insistence on correct spelling is ableist, Frothulhu… also, you are "non-binary" according to your subreddit flair, so you need to PICK A GENDER AND STICK WITH IT! Much easier for everyone else!

Current Mood: okay
Current Location: home
Current Music: Dead Kennedys, "Halloween"
Crossposts: https://glowing-dragon.livejournal.com/3827744.html

IT IS MY BIRTHDAY. BOW DOWN TO THE FIRE DRAGON!

Since Auntie Catherine wanted to change our lunch at Pepper Lunch (which I have always wanted to try - Japanese Teppanyaki cuisine!) from Saturday the 15th to today at 11 because she has a doctor appointment in Richmond anyhow, I was semi-amenable to that prospect. I left at 10:45, but had to wait a while because she was at least 15 minutes late. I thought she'd be coming from Brighouse Station, but nope - she had driven instead! The manager seemed very friendly and personable, and helped me cook my raw rare Angus beef steak, green beans, bean sprouts, and carrots in the sizzling iron pan (which came with rice): I even got free miso soup and a free mango mochi for dessert since it was my birthday! Auntie Catherine and I talked about Frances and her baptism (ha ha ha), Auntie Emily / Ellen / Andrew / Brian, prayer for the meal (I guess...), hugs hello AND goodbye, Steph, and the Translink website being largely good for trip planning. (North Van to No. 2 and Francis? Sure, why not...)

I left at 4:20 for Oakridge Station (just managing to catch the 407) to meet Mom and Dad, who were really late. We went to Nando's on West 41st, and talked about garlic bread / spiciness level for the chicken / roasted peppers / Ayler wanting to puncture the napkins with his fork / Ayler almost stabbing me with his fork / cleaning / tips / Patsy Hui (Aaron and Denise Hui's mom) being related to Uncle Stanley and Auntie Vonnie / all the buses going by / real estate. I finally got home at 7:35 on a 407. PHEW!

Mom, to Jon: "How much money did you raise last night?" Jon and I heard, "How much money did you WASTE last night?" Mom also called a wristwatch a WRISTBAND, but it's kinda similar-ish...

Random stuff from Mom and Dad: A Colgate toothbrush, 95 mL of Colgate Cavity Protection toothpaste which expires in April 2020, a Joe Fresh wristwatch already set to the correct time, a broken Cadbury Fruit and Nut dark chocolate bar (not that it matters), nine Halloween puffy skull stickers, a religious Gratitude Journal with a tree on the cover, and a Michaels ruled journal with an L on it.

A Michaels spiral notebook with speech bubbles on it plus a bonus pen, a set of Paper Mate Ink Joy Candy Pop! ballpoint pens (orange / red / black / purple / green / light blue / pink / dark blue), and a birthday card ("YOU ARE... the [green] apple of my eye") with $20 in a red lucky envelope... all in a Vitamin World plastic bag protected by a Sunmore Ginseng paper bag with handles!

Angus beef steak with carrots, bean sprouts, and green beans at Pepper Lunch!

A set of eight Paper Mate Ink Joy Candy Pop! ballpoint pens (orange / red / black / purple / green / light blue / pink / dark blue) which now seem to write curves better than when I banned them from my apartment in March 2013!

Cadbury Fruit and Nut dark chocolate bar!

Current Mood: drained
Current Location: home
Current Music: Blink 182, "Wasting Time"
Crossposts: https://glowing-dragon.livejournal.com/3814034.html

After COFFEE TIME, Eric M. picked me up at 5 so we could go to Golden Spring Restaurant (near the old VCEFC church site) for Beckett's baby banquet. Unfortunately, I forgot his birthday Lindt Excellence dark chocolate bars (Madagascar / Pink Peppercorn) and birthday card on the way out the door, despite leaving a note for myself. I guess I'll have to give it to him at the Felico's dinner like he wanted. UGH! At least he can give me a ride to that one! We talked about his first hockey practice today, his first game on Wednesday, there being a good reason why Steph / Lisa / Fraser / Henry weren't here this weekend, Highway 99, Steveston, and more.

We had seafood soup, sweet and sour pork, chicken, fish, yee mein, red bean soup, jellyfish, Chinese cold cuts, seafood soup, tea, and more for dinner - I got to take leftovers home, too! Dad thought he had to remind me to say hi to Mom, Uncle Richard, Auntie Gloria, Pastor Fulton, Auntie Teresa, Auntie May, Uncle Anthony, Uncle Andre and his wife Anna, Uncle Joe, Auntie Wing Yee, Auntie Vivian (who said that she missed me and wondered where I'd been "hiding"), Uncle Eric, Auntie Brenda, and their other friends. No, I just wanted to get settled first! I did say hi to Holly, Peter, Evander, and Everett when they got there, of course.

When Auntie Catherine got there, we caught up a little later - she remembered my birthday in September as "a special time," and wanted us to get together. She said that Frances is getting baptized next week - ha ha ha, good luck with that! (from what Ellen tells me...) I'm probably not going to go for THAT service, but did personally tell Jon that I would be willing to go to Beckett's baby baptism service if VCEFC ever got around to organizing one. Auntie Catherine also would be willing to meet me in RICHMOND (!) on Saturday the 15th, and maybe invite a friend my age. Okay, then! As long as it's not about religion AGAIN...

I taught Ayler about Talk Like A Pirate Day since he was wearing a pirate T-shirt. He asked what people did for that, and how he could celebrate; he eventually figured that he could wear his shirt and say "Arr, matey!" like I suggested. Good ideas! He did ask about my skin scars, but I told him that it was my choice to make boundaries about my body, just like him. Later, he refused to ask my reasonable question about how Grade 1 was so far; then he didn't want me to see the time on Eric's watch, so he covered it up. Okay, then. I did say hi to Hiero, but Harmony was wearing Beckett all evening, probably to prevent people from taking photos.

Nathan, Jeremy, Randal, Caleb, Rebecca, Jon, Harmony, Eric, and I talked about Batman / Quentin Tarantino / Twitch streams / my new glasses and upcoming eye surgery / my Felico's celebration (Jeremy and Nathan say they'll confirm later) / Danielle travelling these days / FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL / learning to ride bikes from Ron and Veronica / CRAZY RICH ASIANS / JOY LUCK CLUB / Kendrick Lamar / some guy named Danny Miller / addiction issues / rappers / the weird Asian shows on the TV, which Harmony did NOT feel the need to ask the staff to turn off / counting the courses. We saw Alan and Tracy with their kid Noah, so waved at them on their way out of the restaurant. I wished Myles a happy early birthday while saying hi to him, Brittney, and Naomi. Then Eric had to wait a few more minutes while I said bye to everyone that I knew... oh well.

Eric dropped me off at 8:40, which is still pretty good. Time to relax now! Oh wait, Mom wants Jon to choose the location of my birthday dinner AGAIN - yeah, I'm not putting up with that this year. Let ME pick the damn restaurant, although at least the Oakridge area on a Monday afternoon is better than Commercial Drive with Sunday bus schedules! Not saying I'll never go to Commercial Drive, but NOT at the behest of another person ON MY ACTUAL BIRTHDAY! No, I'm not feeling guilty about that. She tried calling me twice, but I was NOT in the mood for yet more social interaction. That's the true introvert nature!

Random stuff from Mom and Dad: $20 cash (making up for yesterday's pizza plus a little more), an old one-litre Proctor-Silex water boiler (half the size of my current one), a pair of white socks, a pair of pink-and-white candy toe socks, and 200 sheets of Hilroy lined paper.

Chinese jellyfish with chili!

Current Mood: full
Current Location: home
Current Music: Dishwalla, "Home"
Crossposts: https://glowing-dragon.livejournal.com/3810717.html

I called Chrystal at work at 1:10 yesterday to remind her about last night, being honest about how July 12 (next Thursday) was actually just a consultation and not an actual surgery. "SHE BAMBOOZLED ME! NO!" Hahaha! While power-walking through the building and down the stairs, I saw Mr. Creep on his way up the stairs! UGH! I just managed to get to the C94 bus stop from Brighouse library before the shuttle bus got there! Then I had to wait ten minutes for the next Canada Line train at Brighouse, but managed to see Chrystal at the Broadway London Drugs. We went to Chipotle and talked about baby Beckett (my newest nephew!), my upcoming cataract consultation on Burrard, Emily's new baby Benjamin (Chrystal's newest nephew!), my therapy, my messy steak burrito in a bowl, my walking in on someone in the public washroom because SHE forgot to lock the door, my computer upgrade, her parents sharing a smartphone, my parents being millennial phone zombies in senior citizens' bodies, smartphones, the rain then, and more.

After that, she went to No Frills to meet her dad while I went back to London Drugs to look for gum tubs. I couldn't find them on my own, so had to ask the employees for help. The Dentyne gum was on $2.99 sale this week, so I grabbed a Dentyne Ice Avalanche 60-piece tub, hoping that THIS one wouldn't be soft. (I tested it later at the Canada Line station, and it thankfully was FINE! I lost the Excel gum lottery TWICE IN A ROW!) I also got an on-sale bag of Brookside blackberry and honey chocolates as a thank-you for Eric today if his fix worked. If it didn't, the chocolate was still in my preferred form of bites instead of tablets! Haha! I got home at 9:55 in the pouring rain because I had JUST missed the 401 / 407 buses at Brighouse, forcing me to wait an additional half an hour. After writing some notes to myself, I went to bed at 11.

I got up at 6 AM, decided to get some more rest, and got up for good at 10:45. Then I noticed that Eric had called at 10:25, so I called him back. He'd been out and wanted to see if he could fix my monitor, but he guessed he could go out again. In the 15 minutes available to me, I brushed my teeth / washed my face / took my multivitamin / took my Kraft Dinner White Cheddar macaroni and cheese plus Brookside chocolates out for Macaroni Day and Chocolate Day today / took Eric's Brookside Chocolates out / tidied up my computer desk area. Eric arrived at 11 with an extra BENQ monitor that used to be his dad Ron's, and was able to plug in my current monitor while cleaning it with Windex!

He looked up Electronics Return-It centres, and found that the Blundell one should be open on Saturdays, so took out my two old hard drives and old monitor, and accepted my chocolate as a thank-you while never guessing the CREEP that I saw at the library yesterday. Eric did say that he thought it was the circuits or something from the monitor itself. After a while, I went to Brighouse library on the C94 at 3:20 in order to hopefully get the Facebook status tagging backlog done using their IP address. IT WORKED BEFORE CLOSING TIME AT 5! I was in time for the 4:45 C94 on the way back to Brighouse Station, and was finally home at 5 on a 407.

Edit at 7:30! I finally got Mom on the phone to see if they had a floor lamp while I remembered BEFORE lunch on Monday. She said "of course," and at least clarified what I meant. Yes, one that is on the living room floor, NOT one for the bedroom! (which I wouldn't even call a floor lamp, but anyway...) At least now I can be picked up at 11:30 in the courtyard instead of having to leave 45 minutes early because of bus schedules! She said stuff about a used vacuum cleaner which still works for $10 at the thrift shop, a toaster, my pre-surgery consultation (which I told her FOUR TIMES that I had rescheduled for July 26 - their moving date), Auntie Wing Yee and Uncle Joe moving in with Holly / Peter / Evander / Everett in Steveston, Jon and Harmony maybe needing help on Thursday because the lards will get their Burnaby keys then, and eye care.

Chipotle steak burrito!

60-piece Dentyne Ice Avalanche gum!

From Julie: Travers Mackel?! Reminds me of Kim Traverse from elementary school...

Current Mood: accomplished
Current Location: home
Current Music: Nazareth, "Holiday"
Crossposts: https://glowing-dragon.livejournal.com/3788353.html

Forbes Thor Kiddo?!

From Julie: Jaiyce?!

From Julie: Delaunte?! It reminds her of Del Monte fruit, which I can definitely see! Reminds me of Del Amitri!

From Crime Chronicles: Pebbles Rodriguez is a survivor of Tony Alamo Christian Ministries?! Like Fred and Wilma Flintstone's daughter Pebbles?!

Current Mood: amused
Current Location: home
Current Music: Creed, "One"
Crossposts: https://glowing-dragon.livejournal.com/3786974.html

I'm an aunt again, to Nephew #5, Beckett! I also FINALLY got a call from Rachel at The Caring Place (at 5:15) to say that I could have a spot for counselling (from my intake interview with Jocelyn in January 2017), so we set up ongoing appointments for Fridays at 2:30. WOO!

Babucarr Fatty?!

From Julie: Ay'Ren?! What was wrong with Aydin or Aaron?!

From Julie: Sir Romeo?! I can see Romeo if you're Italian or love romance, but SIR ROMEO?! Oh, he's the baby daddy...

From Julie: Sir Royal?! Wow. Not just Sir and not just Royal, but both at once?!

Current Mood: jubilant
Current Location: home
Current Music: Rage Against The Machine, "Darkness"
Crossposts: https://glowing-dragon.livejournal.com/3776443.html

Jon said that they don't need me today, which is fine. Frees up an extra day! Went out at 12:15 on a 407 to London Drugs, where I bought one on-sale towel and four more $2 washcloths (because I hadn't started my laundry yet from the last time I bought them last week), some on-sale Ferrero Rocher chocolate for Harmony's birthday (I'm sure she'll eat them before May!), some Uncle Lee's green tea for Jimmy (who says he got my birthday card today), a black and gold cosmetics bag (had to downsize my usual wallet?!), and a bubble-wrap envelope. I had a Chinglish discussion with four older ladies at the bus stop about whether my reusable bags were "ho" (good) and how much they were. One of the aunties told me, "Aiya! Mai ho do yeh!" Hahaha, nope! It just looks like I bought a lot of stuff because I took a small reusable bag out with me, and put all my purchases into the big reusable bag that I bought at London Drugs! The oldest one told me in English that she liked the color of my red hat, so there's that! I got home at 1:10 and beat most of the rain (which is what I was hoping for), then did a load of laundry.

From Julie M. and JUDGE JUDY: Destany Arnold?! The misspelling of Destiny is bad enough, but ZANDORE sounds like a FINAL FANTASY character...

Current Mood: relaxed
Current Location: home
Current Music: White Stripes, "The Doorbell"
Crossposts: https://glowing-dragon.livejournal.com/3740314.html

The Canucks played Edmonton at 7 tonight, and lost 5-2. Time for echinacea, zinc, garlic, Neo-Citran, Vitamin C, and lots of soup! SICK AGAIN!

From Not Always Related: Zo Butterworth?!

From Laid-Back Corner: Kristan Clifton?! That should be spelled as KRISTEN or KRISTIN.

From Laid-Back Corner: Dalene Shaw?! That should be spelled as DARLENE.

From Laid-Back Corner: Natosha Richardson?! That should be spelled as NATASHA!

From Not Always Right: Baccar Wozat?!

Current Mood: sick
Current Location: home
Current Music: Matthew Good Band, "Prime Time Deliverance"
Crossposts: https://glowing-dragon.livejournal.com/3734379.html

I went to the pharmacy next door at 11:30 for MORE DRUGS to be picked up tomorrow! After (MORE) COFFEE TIME, I left at 2:55 to make it to Jon's at 3:30. I saw Grace Tang before I stopped by Kam Do Bakery to buy a shredded pork bun. When I got to the house, Hiero just stared out the window at me until Jon opened the door, and I saw that his student was already there. Ayler and Harmony were sleeping in the back room because they were sick, and I soon found out why Hiero had just stared at me - he was coughing and sniffly, too! Both kids had stayed home from school today, and maybe tomorrow too. I'd read some email about cardigans from Mom an hour before I got to the house, and Jon managed to find the bag before he got back to teaching. I didn't expect Hiero to show a lot of excitement over his new Mega Blocks and cupcake birthday card with a ton of stickers, but he managed to muster up some level of acknowledgement, which is fine by me. "When can I open it?" "I guess when your mom and dad say you can." "STICKERS!" "Yeah, just don't put them all over the floor in five minutes like you did the other day." (that was still on the floor...)

I just did a lot of reading out loud to Hiero from a bunch of different books, and didn't mind doing two rounds of dishes. Ayler smiled at me when he emerged from the back room, which I returned. He said he was feeling dopey, which is understandable. I said that sweet things weren't the best for you when you were sick, but he had a bit of vegan ice cream with his bread pudding (as I'd had - plus, I had borscht with sausage) and pozole. When Jon and Harmony were out of the room, I said that I'd wanted chocolate from my fridge the last time I was sick, but didn't feel like eating it at all. I left the house after 7:40, noting that Ayler was actually staying up a little, but he would probably go back to bed soon afterward. Got home at 8:55 on a 407, which is fine by me.

From Julie M. and Grammarly: "I love how the Internet has improved people's grammar far more than any English teacher has. If you write YOUR instead of YOU'RE in English class, all you get is a red mark. Mess up on the Internet, and may God have mercy on your soul." - Unknown

From Rotten Ecards: It's too bad your sarcastic comment was completely ruined by your inability to use correct grammar.

Every time someone types "to funny," I immediately picture them, fist in the air, going on a quest to find funny.

Current Mood: busy
Current Location: home
Current Music: Children of Bodom, "Lake Bodom"
Crossposts: https://glowing-dragon.livejournal.com/3733582.html

Harmony emailed the family about Hiero's birthday party later this month on the 21st at noon - at least I know where Pizzeria Barbarella IS, and it doesn't conflict with the hockey game later that evening or anything!

From Oddee: Reading this obituary, I don't want to know that Chan Holcombe's dad circumcised him with a pocketknife!

From Lancer on Youtube: Salsa the monkey is delivering Happy Boxes for Fassad in MOTHER 3. He goes to Mayor Pusher's house and meets Mayor Pusher and his wife Elmore. This is an oil painting titled "Mt. Oriander in Summer."

From Aunty Acid: Who names their kid CELEM?! Emerald is a cool name, though!

Current Mood: quixotic
Current Location: home
Current Music: Alexis on Fire, "Side Walk When She Walks"
Crossposts: https://glowing-dragon.livejournal.com/3728592.html

Today's agenda: THE NHL 100TH ANNIVERSARY WINTER CLASSIC! Eric Ho came over early at 1:30 so I could give him the parking pass / parking permit. While he was busy with that, I hid most of my bottled water in my room - didn't stop him from drinking three of them! I was going to buy more bottled water on Wednesday anyhow, but WOW. Then I could FINALLY give Eric his 37 index cards in a Ziploc bag, Cadbury's dark milk chocolate bar, Terry's Chocolate Orange, Ragusa Noir chocolate bar, big Jersey Milk chocolate bar, birthday card, and Christmas card... he definitely thanked me for all of that. He offered to get me food since he was going back home for dinner, but we ended up "sharing" a can of Vegetable Beef Chunky Soup instead at 4:50, meaning I had to wash two bowls and spoons instead of one when he decided that he'd be too full for dinner at home. *rolleyes*

We talked about Nathan and Ciel, trying the Italian Tomato again, serial killers, his children's cough medicine (the pharmacy ran out of other cough medicine since everyone's sick now), remote-controlled stuff, electric cars, gasoline, Steph, Lisa, Carey Price, TMZ, annoying Christmas commercials, Google Home, SURVIVOR, the Hollywood sex scandals, the 1917 Montreal Canadiens / Ottawa Senators, and the negative temperatures at the outdoor game. Also discussed goalies not being allowed to crouch to make saves back in 1917, people swearing, the parking pass patrol, my hockey fan friends, Jon, Harmony, all my nephews, Robert Pickton, Discord, Jimmy, Daniel Alfredsson and the Hall of Fame, venting, SkipTheDishes, Brent Burns, the Vegas Golden Knights winning 2-1 over the Penguins (Fleury's revenge!), THE BATTLE OF THE SEXES movie, and Roberto Luongo / Cory Schneider / Eddie Lack. Eric left during the second intermission at 5:55 to rest before dinner, but I managed to offload all the leftover snacks on him. No, I don't feel like eating crumbs from a bag! Eat them yourself, dude! I also found out that he neglected to retract a pen - UGH!

Helixia Prospan children's cough medicine: An expectorant with ivy leaf extract; relieves cough, loosens mucus and phlegm, 200 mL of syrup, a frog, and tastes like honey for children ages 1 to 11! Sucrose-free, gluten-free, dye-free, and alcohol-free!

Shark's fin soup!

Current Mood: good
Current Location: home
Current Music: Metallica, "Jump Into The Fire"
Crossposts: https://glowing-dragon.livejournal.com/3719710.html

COFFEE TIME! Jon messaged me yesterday (while I was talking to Helen Y. and Tommy about forgiveness and Jimmy being a turd because of his new Pittsburgh girlfriend Jessica) to say that he'd given me the wrong time for today, so wanted me to come over an hour earlier. Sure, I guess so. Eric M. also emailed me this morning to say that he has to be at Jeremy's at 3 for Saturday food prep, so he'll be here at 2:30 or so. Sounds okay to me - thank goodness I have a book to pass the time, or I can help too! I had Jon's Elmer Chocolates assortment of caramels / fudges / cremes / truffles when I left at 2:10 to attempt to cash Lena's US cheque (SO MUCH LINEUP and can't access it for a while because of my brand-new US money account!) / buy a BBQ pork bun at Kam Do Bakery (no lineup!) / mail Corey's birthday card and Deanna's Christmas card and birthday card at the Shoppers Drug Mart post office (no lineup!) / get to Jon's new place by 3:30-ish. Turns out I managed to find the house (without numbers on the front!) two minutes before his guitar students did, so that was fine - I just had to navigate the logjam of stuff by the door! Ayler was eating cheese and an orange while Jon requested me to help with dishes; sure, why not? Hiero just "played monkey bars" and hid under the table... not very effective, buddy! No, Ayler could not eat all the chocolates for dinner like he'd been hoping! However, he did sit in my lap unbidden to play with the toys. Of course I let him do that without comment!

Later, we played with some science toy discovery kit and 200-piece solar system puzzle, and the kids seemed to be cooperating reasonably well, even if Ayler had been upset earlier because of something else. We had vegetarian shepherd's pie, pomegranate, tea, orange juice, and some salad rolls with peanut sauce for an "early" dinner. Jon was surprised that I hadn't eaten a proper lunch, but when I'd had dumplings already in the morning, a bakery item was fine for me to eat on the train. We talked about Chinese Eric / white Eric / Jeremy, "body acids" (enzymes), it being okay to say no if you don't like something (MY WISDOM!), no school tomorrow (Pro-D days!), words that start with K, a birthday party on Saturday for Ayler's friend, a "mermaid" move at gymnastics (which somehow evolved from church and holding onto bars - very interesting and confusing!), drawing kangaroos / (crappy) stars / "sad people in jail" (what?!) / very simple line snowflakes / letters on a memo pad, a bag of clothes which Mom and Dad gave me, and watching out for a step outside. (Jon later said I could avoid it by taking the laneway out and turning right) The Canucks played the Predators at 5 today, I saw a stream on Jon's laptop when it was 3-2, and I got home at 7:45 (just managing to catch all three buses since I took the 401 and train!) to discover that we'd won 5-3, and Daniel Sedin had finally scored his 1000th point in the NHL! Too bad that Derek Dorsett's career is over now, though.

Random stuff from Mom and Dad: a green Italy Fiorucci shirt, a red / white / black striped Ingmee1 shirt, an aqua Reitman's sleep shirt, a multicolored Alia shirt, a beige and white thin Alia sweater, a flowery "size XXXL" shirt (yeah right...), a lavender Jockey shirt, a dark magenta thin jacket, and a flowery Angel de Kanga T-shirt.

1000 Points for Daniel Sedin! Second player in franchise history to score that milestone number!

In Quelb Village, the FINAL FANTASY V SPOOF party encounters Bashful Wolf. "Gosh. Some old guy keeps diving into the well. Someday, I will too."

In Quelb Village, the FINAL FANTASY V SPOOF party encounters Bashful Wolf. "I don't know if I'll be able to get out, though."

In Quelb Village, the FINAL FANTASY V SPOOF party encounters this wizard after he gets out of the well. "Thanks, guys. This wolf over here keeps sneezing at me and sending me flying into the well!"

In Quelb Village, the FINAL FANTASY V SPOOF party encounters Sneezy Wolf. "People should learn not to stand in front of me if they don't wanna go flying!"

Current Mood: okay
Current Location: home
Current Music: Radiohead, "High and Dry"
Crossposts: https://glowing-dragon.livejournal.com/3711821.html

I went shopping at 3:55 today after COFFEE TIME: I was planning to get a sandwich, discount Halloween chocolate, and some sensitive toothpaste. Instead, I got this stuff at Shoppers Drug Mart: nut-free Cadbury Festive Friends cookies for Fraser, a discounted Halloween 24-pack of Wunderbar / Caramilk / Mr. Big / Crispy Crunch mini chocolate bars from Cadbury, an egg salad sandwich from Gourmet and Go, on-sale Lay's chips x2 (BLT and ketchup), a Gourmet and Go falafel wrap, on-sale Lipton Cup-A-Soup x4 (tomato soup with croutons), and on-sale Arm and Hammer sensitive toothpaste. While I was there, I went to the post office to buy a bubble-wrap envelope (NO TRACKING NUMBER OR BOX!) and then mail Lena's Lindt gingerbread chocolate truffles and bonus Hanukkah card to Colorado. Then I finally got home at 5 on a 407 - not bad!

From Julie M. and Pinterest: I hate when the credit card reader at the checkout asks if the amount is okay. No... it's not. I want all this crap for a dollar!

( Soup, falafel, cookies, chocolates, and chips! )

Current Mood: jealous
Current Location: home
Current Music: Rolling Stones, "Ruby Tuesday"
Crossposts: https://glowing-dragon.livejournal.com/3694964.html

After MORE COFFEE TIME, I left for Jon and Harmony's at 2. I stopped by the Kam Do Bakery to get a BBQ pork bun to eat on the train, then got to the house at 2:45 or so, right on time. I was delayed a couple of minutes by some neighbor lady with a dog who recognized me from Mom's Facebook photos. I didn't really mind talking to her, though. At least the door was open, probably because it was pretty hot outside! When Jon asked, I requested some water. The kids were eating some snacks when I got there: Hiero offered me his peach pit (no thanks!) and Ayler told me that they didn't have any more BBQ pork buns. That's fine, as I'd just eaten one! Then came the usual questions about how long ago and what time I'd eaten it, along with Ayler reciting all the Canada Line stations up to Olympic Village. He's getting smart!

While Jon's music student Justin was over, the kids were pretty loud, but made "gas stations" out of bristle blocks ("Gas gas gas!"), offered me grapes from their plate (sure!), made long trains, and put some tiny playing cards in numerical order. Apparently, they got them from the hospital ("not blood draws - a vaccine!") a couple weeks ago. At least they're not being taught how to gamble yet! Ayler also wanted me to stay for dinner, so I said I'd think about it. Hiero pointed out some holes in my socks - I swear I just bought them, but who knows? I'll just have to get some more later! Ayler asked me whether Jon would have two more music students; I had no idea! Hiero wanted me to read a book about 100 vehicles to him - sure, why not? It's better than fighting with your brother over toy trains and train tracks!

When Justin left, they "gave" him some train tracks, which he of course put back when they weren't looking. Easy to do! When the kids weren't there, I put back the noisy xylophone and the hammer to go with it, but Ayler was okay with catching the balls with his hand. Jon noticed and thanked me, then a woman came over for a piano lesson. Harmony got home and also invited me to stay for dinner, which was ratatouille / zucchini / corn on the cob. Harmony got home and also invited me to stay for dinner, which was ratatouille / zucchini / corn on the cob. She said that she was thinking about taking the kids to the Family Centre, the park, and then to physio on Wednesday, so my coming over around 12:30 would be good. No time for anything but mushroom soup, then!

Ayler said that we could eat the zucchini seeds, and I offered an apologetic "sorry" to Jon and that other student when Hiero squealed at seeing the corn on the cob. "Corn excitement over here!" Then Ayler said that I could stay for "the ice cream" - cute! Ayler thought that Randal would come over - who knows? He did, though. Hiero told me that Uncle Randal was there, so I asked how he knew. Apparently, he heard Randal's voice. Randal was indeed over for music lessons, and he said hi to me. To be polite, I offered him a frosty Hello back. Whatever, I don't care what the kids think. Then Ayler wondered if he'd eaten yet and whether he'd eat later. I said he might eat later if he hadn't already. Ayler asked why he was reading, so I said that he was probably doing it because he liked reading just like me. That's fine for me, but that's all I'm willing to concede.

Harmony brought out one Easter egg each for the kids (which she'd apparently forgotten about for some time), and Ayler asked why I wasn't having any. I had some chocolate at home already, I told him. Harmony said that I could go after dinner, which was fine by me. I actually had to put down my dinner bowl because Ayler requested a hug before I left, which is totally fine. Ayler also wanted me to stay overnight, so I asked him where I'd sleep. "Share Daddy's pillow!" was the answer I got. I told Harmony that she might want to explain why I could NOT sleep in the same bed as Jon, then left after saying bye to everyone except Randal. If the kids notice and say something, whatever. At 7:15, I was home on a 407, and fielded an email from ERIC HO saying that he'd even had to work on his birthday last week! Poor guy! He wants to catch a Lions game, but I looked at the schedule and the only near ones are in September! Not doable if he wants to hang out as August winds down!

From Julie S. and BFUK: I have 20 unread books at home, but I really, really need to buy this one. That's the story of a book lover!

From the r/hockey Discord server: Nick Bonino has an Italian background, so he's enjoying some homecooked spaghetti right out of the Stanley Cup!

Current Mood: full
Current Location: home
Current Music: Alanis Morissette, "Numb"
Crossposts: http://glowing-dragon.livejournal.com/3658909.html

Steph called me at noon to catch up. She'd tried calling me last week to say that she'd received the card I'd mailed for baby Henry, but I'd been sleeping! She said that Cecilia and Angela Mok had visited her and baby Henry, and so did Sandy's family. Thank goodness they didn't go with Michael for the baby's middle name (after Lisa's dad Mike), but went with Mike's middle name instead. Fraser apparently loves the animal book I got him, wanting Lisa to read it to him multiple times a day EVERY DAY (much to her chagrin), and is now recognizing and naming a lot of those animals by himself. He also likes baby Henry, wanting to kiss him a lot, which is good! Steph says that Hiero is "very naughty" when it comes to Mom, and apparently, he hit her the other day. Go, Hiero!

Apparently, Mom wants Steph to intervene in Ryan and Morgan's cancelled wedding - that's not her business, and she probably wouldn't want to, anyway! Fraser was at daycare right then (which is more interesting than being at home with just Steph and the baby), and Henry was making funny noises when he was waking up from a nap. I said hi to him and told him that I was his aunt, which apparently got no reaction, but that's okay since he's a baby. I also told Steph that Ayler now knows the word "vagina," and that our parents were indeed horrified when he said that at lunch! I can imagine him asking me whether I have one - oh dear. Imagine if he busts that word out at kindergarten when he starts school! Steph says that she and Lisa are thinking of coming here in November around Remembrance Day weekend, and that Lisa just transplanted her job over when they moved - good stuff!

From Janina: I found the G-spot in a parking garage, guys!

From Julie S. and Snapchat: A chili and rice BOWEL?! Fresh LAME juice?! Fresh LAME soda?!

Current Mood: productive
Current Location: home
Current Music: Big Sugar, "All Hell For A Basement"
Crossposts: http://glowing-dragon.livejournal.com/3648298.html

After MORE COFFEE TIME, I went out at 5 (just getting the 401) to see Ayler and Hiero for a while for Ayler's fifth birthday as I'd planned with Harmony yesterday, who said it was sweet of me. I had Hiero's peace sign / ice cream / cupcake / doughnut / SESAME STREET / cats with sunglasses stickers and Ayler's emoji / stars / glow-in-the-dark MARVEL Heroes stickers, dinosaur birthday card, Slinky toy, and pre-historic dinosaur toys. Uncle Joe and Auntie Wing Yee were at the house as advertised, and asked if I was staying for an early and simple dinner of rice / broccoli / meat / water. Sure, why not? Ayler asked "why" questions a lot (like "why did Auntie make that face?" Because I had to sneeze!), and he apparently understands the concept of a square root already if you phrase it correctly! Both Harmony and I do not do math, so he'll have to figure it out some other way! Then he asked, "Why did Grandpa say DIE?" and some other things!

At least both boys seemed to love the Slinky (which is higher than them when stretched out), and took a couple of dinosaur toys to the Jacob's Well concert later on. (which I declined to attend) Hiero wanted me to lift him up from his eating chair after he was done eating a tiny mandarin orange for dinner, so I did that. He gave me a few stickers on my jeans, and Ayler talked a lot about the tunnels and ramps at Marine Drive. Hey, I know those because I went past there on the Skytrain to see everyone! At least I managed to get home at 7:20 on a 407, then talked to Lena on FB chat about special snowflakes and pronouns and edgy disrespect from a "friend"!

From Discord: This made me laugh yesterday. No, "Nephew #2" is NOT what I call my crappy nephew! Hahaha!

Mom in a kimono!

This menu in Toledo, Spain, is from Reddit: Beans, peas, artichokes, and spinach attacked with ham! ENGRISH!

( Attacking food with other foods! )

Current Mood: loved
Current Location: home
Current Music: Soul Asylum, "Ode"
Crossposts: http://glowing-dragon.livejournal.com/3615958.html

I tried calling Chinese Eric because I thought he'd called me in the morning, but I guess not! Also heard COPYRIGHT on the radio for the first time in a LONG time, then learned that GOB is from Langley - I didn't know that for some reason! Then he called me while I was in the middle of making spicy beef noodles, which is always okay. *grin* I updated him on most of the stuff which I'd already said in the email, and got away with using the words "dumb fuck" to describe someone, haha. He agreed that I should block Randal after hearing what had happened. Like he and others have said: if the dumb fuck had been nicer, I'd have respected his wishes! I assumed Eric doesn't really care about the notifications; I asked, and he didn't say anything, so this is good. Talked about the advances in technology these days - texting at the dinner table for teens ("gotta update my Facebook status!") is normal, we guess. If you text and drive at the same time, you could cause an accident and kill yourself and others! He also gave me the new cellphone number: only eight digits off!

I figured the cooler weather would be better for his health - not as much heat! - but he still has to bring a jacket to guard against sudden chills. Makes sense to me! Of course, we still think and wish it to be summer, but it is getting colder! I told him that it was cold when we went to see the baby the other day, too. He asked about my weekend plans (his consist of going to visit his grandma), so I told him about the Christon / Jeremy birthday dinner. Yes, he remembered that I'd told him about it already (which is fine), and wanted me to wish them a happy birthday for him. OF COURSE! Seemed he and his mom had just gotten in from grocery shopping, and she noticed my call - Auntie is nice, for sure. Eric asked if I'd had lunch yet: almost! His dad needs to do some work, so has to do a different kind of shopping with him later in the afternoon; that's how it should be, as long as he's not too exhausted later. Told him about how most of the cold medicine stuff was on sale at the store, so of course he reminded me to stock up: already done yesterday, and not in the EXTREME COUPONING sort of way, either! (hahaha) Since his mom was calling him to lunch, I said I'd talk to him next week for sure! Yes, it was nice talking to each other, as usual. :D

Current Mood: giddy
Current Location: home
Current Music: GWAR, "Love Surgery"
Crossposts: http://glowing-dragon.livejournal.com/2729729.html

MONTHLY BUBBLE TEA TALLY, SEPTEMBER 2012 (1)

mango @ Copa Café (Saturday, Sept. 8) [free, thanks to Uncle Michael and Aunt Leslie!]

Before I called Chinese Eric tonight, I decided to see if I could get my YM working for Trillian. Apparently, my password was wrong, which is bullshit. I perforce reset it after Googling instructions, and it seems to be working. At least, I'm not disconnected after only half a second. This works, even though I never really use the service for anything these days. You never know what randomness may come forth, though! :P

When I called at 9:15, I got the fax machine screech right after Eric answered. He decided to call me back, which works for both our poor sets of ears! We discussed Grandma, Chinese New Year, the Mid-Autumn Festival tomorrow, the "older brother / sister ... UNCLE / AUNTIE" stages of life, mooncake, engrossing reading on the INTERESTING psychology differences between an only child and one with siblings (Nate would know more!), siblings' / classmates' personalities being different, our weeks, Portland, and the beer allowance. Conversed about YOU CAN'T DO THAT ON TELEVISION (Bart the cook was weirdly creepy, he says!) / green slime ingredients, YTV, SAVED BY THE BELL, SQUARE ONE, Halloween / Trick-or-Treating / things like Kids Night being safer (the Awana crew makes it fun for the kids!), the Copa Café, Scientology, Tom Cruise and finding a new wife, Thanksgiving dinner, weird news, the BC Lions not quite coming back from a 19-1 deficit against the Saskatchewan Roughriders (final score - while talking to me to kill time - was 27-20), dating not being easy, Dylan, BS being a "small group," the evolution of cellphones, and more.

He told me to tell white Eric "thank you for making me look up the word which I was supposed to use last time!" Apparently - and I never noticed this - he was going to say "bashful," but added "-ful" to the end of "brash," thinking it would be okay. I'm sure he's learned his lesson, but I know that adjectives and similar words can confuse him, so it's all good! Of course, I will pass on the message! I complained about everything changing their online interface lately (blogging sites like Blogger!), and he says that he has to guide his mom through Hotmail changes every six months or so! I'm not surprised that it happens, especially since MY mom complains that the Facebook "share" button is gone from her iPhone... I'm more inclined to believe Steph, who says it isn't. We know Mom might be losing it, after all. Eric and I ended this conversation at about 10:40, saying that it was nice to talk to the other - SEE? This is what I needed!

Current Mood: content
Current Location: home
Current Music: GWAR, "Time for Death"
Crossposts: http://glowing-dragon.livejournal.com/2727696.html

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glowing_dragon

May 2020

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Page Summary

Deliberately leaving things around to trip on?! / Blocking people for fun?! NO!
LOL tombstone?! / Pizza, Kate being offensively dense, AUNTIE, stars on reading
Red fire-breathing dragon, Kiefer forest dragon, easily distracted by dragons
Mathias Jakshitz and Theressa Jakshitz?! / Oatmeal, pork, Auntie, puzzles!
Ima Hogg tombstone?! / Nerfnow Comics: A treasure chest of toilet paper!
Chili, blocks, broccoli, and mango pudding / SESAME STREET muppet generator
Cordia, bear hugs vs. bare hugs, a grammar sheriff, ever-vigilant Spelling Nazis
Schwing tombstone?! PARTY ON! / Superfriends isn't toxic! / DIDIBUG! / LICKING!
Mardi Gras 2020! / Andromada Deberry?! / Purple sticky rice! / Czech noodles!
Female lion-human hybrid, Mona Lisa coronavirus mask, ahi tuna, noodle stack
VCEFC! / Hiero's 6th birthday party: UBC Gymnastics! / Mango cheesecake! / Puke!
Zoom! Blankets! Mine! Ladybug! Please! / Beckett's balls! / CREATIVE CURSING?!
ATTIE! A HUG! YUMMY! Snowflakes! Hot flashes! / Santa! / Water hitting a spoon!
Balls! Understanding! Piano! Magic tricks! / Getting older at Christmas!
Gibberish! YEAH! Blocks and the window! / Humor, sarcasm, hate, and loathing!
COW! / Climbing, bean soup, catch, and more folding! / Anjie Galsworthy?!
Popping toys and laughter! / Books and blocks / Shoplifters will be prostituted!
Danish Minhas?! THAT'S A FOOD ITEM! / Chanda Turner?! BAD SPELLING OF SHANDA!
Frances! / Alprentice Von Slatten?! / Cardi B named her daughter Kulture?!
Double birthday party at Douglas Park! / Bitch better have my money! Jesus!
Glow-in-the-dark bowling! No thanks on my behalf, MOM! Speed limit being 69!
This restroom on the Highway HAS to be a ramen shop! / The Impeccable Pig!
Salsa received AN Nut Bread?! / Bronson, hammers, and red-hot ovens!
PHONE! / Caution! Chimera crossing! / Please refrain from posting Highway signs!
Chinese Eric, Compliments chips, Stanley Park Pilsner! / Guestbook 2018 Entry!
An insistence on correct spelling is NOT ableist, you crazy person!
Pepper Lunch with Auntie Catherine! / Nando's Chicken as a birthday dinner!
Beckett's baby banquet at Golden Spring Restaurant!
Hanging out with Chrystal pre-consultation! / Eric helping! / Travers Mackel?!
Forbes Thor Kiddo?! / Jaiyce?! / Delaunte?! / Pebbles Rodriguez?!
Babucarr Fatty?! / Ay'Ren?! Not Aaron?! / Sir Romeo is Sir Royal's father?!
Destany Arnold?! Zandore?! / Chinglish discussions! / Smaller wallets?!
Zo Butterworth, Kristan Clifton, Dalene Shaw, Natosha Richardson, Baccar Wozat
Messing up grammar online / Sarcastic comments ruined / Typing TO FUNNY quest!
Circumcision obituary / Mt. Oriander in Summer / Emerald Pellot and Celem?!
A Winter Classic hangout with Eric Ho! / Shark's fin soup! / NO LEFTOVERS PEN!
Bashful Wolf, Sneezy Wolf, the Wizard getting sneezed into the Quelb well
Credit card reader amount, BLT Lays chips, tomato soup croutons, Festive Friends
20 unread books, Nick Bonino and spaghetti, ratatouille, zucchini, and gas!
G-spot in the parking lot, a chili and rice BOWEL, fresh lame juice and soda
Ayler is FIVE! WOW! / Tunnels and square roots! / Vegetables attacked with ham!
Notifications, technological advances, cooler weather, and different shopping
Psychology, Scientologists, failed comebacks, resetting passwords

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