Since I am really trying to be more positive these days, let's start with something GOOD. 2009 was the year I finally graduated from university. God knows this achievement has been a long time coming! And what a degree it is too! A Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering - Cooperative Program. Sure, having a Master's by now would be nice, but FRICK it's good to be done with school for now! Even if there are loads of hot girls on campus always .Staying with the good, in August I took my dog Cosmo to the mountains. He had a pretty great time. As much as me? Probably. I think that my love of the mountains - and Jasper in particular - had somewhat of an influence on what my new PUPPY was going to be calledt him home for the first time a few months later. Jasper. Oiii, puppies are so. much. trouble. AND SO WORTH IT!!!!!
Alright, time to jump ship. 2009 saw some pretty shitty things too. For example, for people that value the value of making an honest earning, then a dismal economy would might be a sad, sad continuity - especially if you are trying to work your way up the pay scale. Especially if you are trying to cling to your existing job for dear life! Lucky for me, I - I nothing. Life sucks. Maybe the economy will look better in 2010. I mean 2011.
I saw some tough stuff go on next door with my neighbor through all of 2009. Tough times all 'round. It was really pretty sad to watch. It's hard to even write about. It's real fucking life, that's what it is. Even though it's the kind of stuff that shouldn't exist at all. Nuff said.
2009 saw yet another year of dismal failure of the world to act on more critical issues regarding the environment, war, and extreme poverty. World leaders, national leaders, provincial leaders, and city leaders complacently stood by to watch things remain the way they are with no real steps toward the necessary change. Civil disobedience is getting to a point where these "leaders" will soon have to pay attention to the sadness & devastation that their inaction has caused or else they will have to pay through their teeth. When might this happen? My guess? 10 years, tops. I should be sure to include the Industrial Powers in this too, as many of them say that they strive to be accountable in all of their extraction and processing of the planet's resources for consumer consumption. And we all know that these guys could do better too.
One of my highlights from 2009 was getting to my very first Edmonton Folk Music Festival. It was an incredible experience. The person who I got to hang out with all weekend was pretty effing amazing too. So hooray for me. In addition to this great weekend, I saw Death By Stereo and Strung Out TWICE, Propagandhi TWICE, Justin Rutledge, Melissa McLelland, & Great Lake Swimmers at McDougall United, and last but not least: Matthew Barber at Haven Social Club! A solid concert year.
I also traveled a bit in the early part of the year. Rather, I pirateered. Well, that's the word I use for ocean-liner patrons who crash random tropical islands, trample the shit out of it, leave a buck or 2 behind for the locals who so desperately depend on this form of tourism so they can simply get by, perhaps pay for the power to air conditioner or put their kids into school... Anyways, of Dominican Republic, UKVI, Barbados, Antigua, and St. Lucia, I think I like Antigua the best. But if I was to go back to do water/sanitation work as an engineer, I wouldn't really care one bit where I got to go. As long as I was there!
The Oilers finished in in 11th place in the Western conference (with an even worse showing the following year). The Eskimos? 9W and 9L and went out first round of the playoffs. Ohhh, local sports teams...Can't hate ya even if you make it as hard as possible for us to! Is it the latitude? The tarsand emissions getting to you? What gives, boys?!?! You are not only embarassing yourselves, but also the fans who have stuck by you (and continue to do so) through times like these.
My grandma didn't have the easiest year, what with being in hospital on 3 seperate occasions, weeks at a time with poor health. At one time, a team of doctors were even telling the family that if they operate then things still don't look promising. Since being discharged, she has celebrated her 90th birthday with a large gathering of friends and family and then after that: a 91st birthday this past November. Healthcare is just insane. What I have learned from my experience in dealing with Healthcare is you better damned well take care of your OWN health as best as you damn well can! And that includes being pro-active and conscious of every decision you make (blog #90 on the way)
So be fit and have fun. 2009 was the first year I did not get to the mountains to go skiing since I learned how to ski when I was ~6. Very regrettable, especially when you otherwise try and have fun by buying Oilers mini-packs where the money could have been spent on much much better things that are fun and beneficial to your health. Then again. Funds were running thin.
In July my Mom and I were in France. That was a pretty amazing trip. First trip to Europe and all in all a very memorable time. It was certainly more fun than searching for jobs in a non-existant job market OR cutting boxes. It was also a pretty amazing year for my Mom cuz in December, she one a car in the Caritas Hospital Lottery! Little did either of us know how much we would be depending on the service Caritas provides only 9 months later.
So yes indeed, 2009 was a much better year than a person should really even hope for. Anything better than having a year like this should be considered a true blessing. Having your health is a large factor towards having some happiness, not to mention being able to see Propagandhi. And when the disappointment in your local sports team even makes it onto this list, you know that things couldn't be all that bad after all.
Ch. 77
