Many of you know that I take the bus to work everyday.  It’s about a two hour trip door to door… each way.  I’ve been doing this now for 5 years.  Longer than that, really, but before then my trip was only about 15 minutes.  It was five years ago – September 2004 – that I went back to college and I’ve been there ever since.

When I first started on the bus, I was super productive!  I don’t know if it was OMG-must-get-work-done-exams-AAAARRRHHH adrenaline, but I think I got more done between the hours of 6-8am and 4-6pm on the bus than I did the whole rest of the day.  Not to mention getting up an hour early in the morning to get work done before I left.  Once, when I had this huge campus-wide student survey to tabulate for Student Association, I even set up a little workstation each time on the bus: laptop, pile of surveys, pen to make notes, enter all the answers, put the survey at the bottom of the pile before starting the next one.  This was all in my lap only taking up one seat.

One day I’m a college graduate – YAY ME! – and still taking the bus at the same time, to the same place… no homework, no classes, no exams to stress me out, just a nice, relaxing job.  Productivity then started going down hill.  Totally weird.  I read a lot when I first started my job – I was always wide awake, reading tons of books on the bus.  Then I got back into writing fan fic and I would often read or write in a note with a pen (typing and posting in the evening when I got home).

Then I only wrote a few times a week, not being able to keep my eyes open the rest of the time.

Then I wrote a few times a month.  I sure as hell didn’t read anything, though that was my own stubbornness – if I’m awake I’m going to do something productive, gosh darnit! and if I can’t be productive, I may as well sleep!

Now… and for the last year or so, that stat of ‘accomplishing something’ is even lower AND I’m not getting anything done in the mornings, getting up just in the knick of time to catch the bus (then promptly dozing off).  I sleep from the time I get on the bus until the time I get to my destination (somehow waking up just in time for my stop – only three times in 5 years have I missed or almost my stop).  Obviously nothing gets done, other than sleep.  It’s kinda pissing me off, actually. Sometimes (like today) I’ll stare out the window, conscious enough to have my eyes open and THINK about writing, but not actually conscious enough to get out the notebook and start scribbling away.  The last couple of weeks, I have been able to stave off sleep just long enough to actually (for the first time ever) keep up with some blogs thanks to a Google Reader app for my iPhone… but that only takes about 15 minutes.

What’s changed in those three years?  (Other than getting three years older of course)  Bed time is pushed back only about half an hour.  Meals and all that jazz is about the same.  I’m still just about as busy, but it’s fun stuff and not school work/brain work.  I don’t hike as often.  That’s about the only major change.  Could going for a hike once a week again really increase my productivity?  I keep wanting to but “oh, I want to finish this project first”  I just have SO much I want to do, it’s like a viscous circle.  Having that four hours on the bus would be super helpful – that could be my writing time!

Sigh.

Are you listening, body?! Get a grip and smarten up!

——-

Listening to: Windows Weekly 145

23 August – 3 September 2007

Greenland

They say Iceland is green and Greenland is nothing but ice.  The parts of each country I visited, however, were both green AND had ice, and both equally beautiful.

I went, in 2007, with my friend Kim.  It was her idea, actually.  One morning, out of the blue, she IM’d me and asked if I was interested in going to Iceland.  “Hellz yes!” was my answer (well, not in those exact words of course).  Within a couple of weeks the trip was brooked.  Greenland was my idea.  I couldn’t imagine being so close and NOT going.  Then came the long wait and the anticipation leading up to the trip.  Finally, though, August 23^rd arrived and we were on our way.

I worked that day, so after going to bed late the night before (last minute preparations) I was up just after 0500 to make sure everything was set and ready to go.  It had been quite a while since I’d travelled.  I love to travel, but for the few years before this trip, money and circumstance had made it impossible.  The previous year, my last year of college, I had gone to two conferences and they definitely brought the itch back, even though they were only in Ottawa and Toronto.  Kim picked me up from work and after some last minute packing for her and shopping for both of us, her son was taking us to the airport. (more…)

I’ve just finished the last assignment for my second course with BCIT. I think I’ll be taking a break from that for a while when this one if finished. It’s not a lot of work, or very hard, at least not so far. Unfortunately I live in Canada and not, like, Sweden or something, so education = $$$$$ I’m still paying off trips and other things from 2008 and still seriously considering going to Star Wars Celebration 5, especially as there’s currently a seat sale to Orlando right now. Really, I suppose the trip should go (and maybe it still will) but every time I see or hear anything about Star Wars, I get all giddy about going. Well, okay, maybe not GIDDY exactly, but you get the picture… right?

And why did school get tossed? Well, I might do some courses here and there (hey, it’s always good for the taxes!) but I don’t think I’ll go ‘full steam ahead’ like I had planned. I was taking a web design course. Well, I have plans to ever be a designer of any kind as a day job. I’d just like to do it as a hobby, or on the side gig, or AT my day job. So I’m not sure I can continue to do the formal courses, at least as often… at least right now. I just need to TAKE THE INITIATIVE and buy books and red the web (instead of just adding links to Delicious and forgetting about them) and learn on my own. Cheaper and all that.

But wait, I tried that once before.

Hopefully I can schedule my ‘free time’ better in the future. You know, to cross stitch, learn and experiment with design and photography, travel, hike, update this site, write, work, deal with the house, communicate with the outside world… sleep. And that’s not including all the other things I want to do but actually ARE already on the backburner.

Yeah, I know. I REALLY need to cut something out. I’ve gotten better with Twitter. I no longer feel the need to read every tweet from every one of the 880 people I follow… though I still feel like I’m missing something. I just have really diverse interests and LOVE to learn and LOVE to be productive.

Anyone else feel the same way? Have you cut out something you REALLY love to do?

January…

In January I officially became “Aurora Lee”.

Well, on the internet anyway.  I got the nickname “Aurora” last year from a fellow RPer – well, was given to my character by her character, but it sort of stuck with me.  Not to mention that it is a much nicer name than my previous online handle, though I still use that old handle on fan boards.  When I looked at using the name in a more official capacity, I found that “Aurora” is more popular than I thought so I added the Lee.  In January 2009 I officially adopted Aurora Lee as my ‘personal’ handle and purchased aurora-lee.ca! With the new domain name came a new host (www.netfirms.ca) and, well, a ‘host’ of new tools to play with.  WordPress, Joomla and more.  I integrated many of these tools on my new site to experiment and learn new things.  It’s still a work in progress and when I get some time I’ll be streamlining it. (more…)

So… what’s going on with me lately?  Too much!!

First, let’s talk about the fun stuff. I’ve posted a new progress photo for my Fairy Idyll cross stitch piece.  That will probably be last progress of any sort until December

I’m still taking part in my (free) Social Media and Open Education course – which this week was really interesting and dealt with Digital Storytelling, check out my last post for more information on that – and my Web design course (the homework for which I should be doing right now instead of writing this!).  I was suppose to do a Photography course through the Photographic Society of America, but the textbook I’ve only been able to find on Ebay.  I have just purchased it, though I’m still deciding if I just want to work through the book on my own, or take the course.  I’ll probably take a look at the book in November or December (more than likely December!) and figure it out.  (worried about the portrait unit – don’t really like taking pics of other people so I want to see what the exercises are before I commit)

On Tuesday I start volunteering weekly with Junior Achievement’s Company Program.  I was a volunteer advisor two years ago, but skipped last year, as I was too busy.  Somehow I decided that this year I was LESS busy?  Not sure what I was thinking when I agreed to that! lol Anyway, it’s a great program!  Hopefully we have a great year! (more…)

Well, those of you that folow me on Twitter or facebook may know that I’ve been wrestling with some decisions this week.  Namely:  Do I go back to school or not… I’ve been going back and forth but right now I’m thinking… no.  I might take a few courses or woskhops here and there and funding allows but at this time I’m not going back to take an actual program.  I was looking at Web Design and Database Management courses.  Well, I don’t actually want to do that as an actual job, just have those skills that I can use in my current job, so I’ve decided to put that aside for now.  Of course I may change my mind in the future!

(more…)

May 2008

Wednesday, May 21

I woke at 0550 and got ready for the day.  It was raining out so I had to get a garbage bag for my laptop.  Took the normal two hour bus ride to work and worked my normal five and a half hour day.  Around 1415 I finally gathered my things and heading downtown where I met mum at a coffee shop.  I dropped my stuff with her and did some last minute shopping for a few things that I needed then met back with her for a cup of tea before we headed into Halifax. That was a another two hour bus ride.

When we got there I checked up into the Westin and we took our bags up and sorted ourselves out.  I tried to go over and deal with my train tickets for an upcoming trip but it was closed. We had a drink at the bar and then took a cab to the Metro Centre to see Bob Dylan in concert.  It was good athough I only recognized one song – Like a Rolling Stone. lol Never would have gone to see it normally but I figured seeing as I would be in the city anyway, why not?

After the concert we headed to the movie theatre.  We got a drink at Tim Hortons and wandered around for a bit until the movie started.  We were going to see the Midnight showing of Indiana Jones.  That was a good movie… except for the aliens.  That was a bit weird! lol

Thursday, May 22

After that we got another cab back to the hotel.  I, once again, sorted myself out and then left mum to go to sleep while I went to the lobby to wait for the town car that would take me to the airport.  Left at 0300 but it wasn’t quite as productive a night at the airport as I expected as security didn’t open until 0430. Finaly got through security and after a few delays along the way finally arrived in Los Angeles.  Met up with Gidget at a Starbucks in LAX and we got a shuttle to the hotel.

I checked in and Gidget and I alternated between the lobby and going up to my room with a friend of hers while they waited for their roomie so they could check in, but I was getting really tired so eventually kicked them out and took a nap.  I was suppose to meet people in the  lobby to go into the city and get a tattoo, but by that time I felt like CRAP and decided my bed was more interesting than getting inked.  Especially with the schedule we still had for the next couple of days.  I woke up for the Moonlight marathon but only stayed for about half an hour – meeting people and seeing a bit of an episode – before heading back to bed.

Friday, May 23

THANKFULLY I felt much better Friday morning!  In the lobby we all met up and I found my friends and we headed out for the Warner Bros. set tour.  I was lucky enough to be in a great tour group.  Our guide (Freddie) was a Moonlight fan so it made the tour a lot smoother and got a lot of Moonlight info.  We saw all the major sites on the lot from Moonlight as well as other shows.  We just missed some ER taping.  BUT Freddie took us to the Moonlight sets – we saw Beth’s apartment and Mick’s.  Other groups saw his office, but we didn’t have time for that (spent too much time in his apartment!)  Josef’s office set was already dismantled.   Freddie was great – even let us touch stuff and sit on the furntire!  That leather chair is sooooo comfy!  I picked up a few crystals from the fireplace and thought about taking them but didn’t.  *sigh* I wish I had!  I even stood on Jason Dohring and Alex O’Loughlins parking spaces.   (Although there was also a dumpster on the spaces now.)

After the tour, I was suppose to meet some people and go out to the desert, but my group ended a bit late and I missed the departure.   At first I was really ticked because the only other thing that was going on was a “Save Moonlight” rally at the WB offices which I REALLY wasn’t interested in!  I did that with my friends – in the pouring rain I might add – for an hour or so before we left.  We did get a few nice comments from people who had worked on the show – just like we had from people when we were on set.

After that my friends and I went in search of food and – after a BIG search – found an In and Out burger.  Very neat and tasted good too!  We drove to downtown LA and saw (just the from the car window) the Disney Concert Hall.  I’d love to go back there one day and really look around it and take some pictures.  We got out at Pershing Square and walked around that area for a bit.  After that we headed to Santa Monica to walk along the pier for a bit.  That was really cool!  It was Memorial Day Weekend and there were crosses all along the beach and lots of other Memorial Day stuff.

Then we had to head back to the hotel for the Meet and Greet.  Moonlight writers Kira Snyder and Harry Werksman were in attendance.  I hung around and listened to them talk for a bit, but then it was time to get ready for the club.  Several of us had booked a limo to and table at The Shore on Hermosa Beach.  That was a great time!

Saturday, May 24

The actual convention was about the least interesting and most boring part of the entire weekend.  There were a bunch of fan art type panels that were poorly put together and a history of vampires in literature.  That was actually pretty neat.  Those all went over Saturday and Sunday.  Saturday night we had a banquet and chairty auction.  I won a blood vial prop from the show.  I had been given one as well.

Sunday, May 25

After all the convention stuff was over with, I checked out of the hotel and we headed to Universal City where we explored the shops and sights before we met at the Hard Rock Cafe with all the others from the convention for supper and drinks.  Had my first Hurricane and now I’m addicted! lol After supper my friends and I went back downtown and to Santa Monica again to look at and photograph the sites at night before they took me to the airport to wait for  my flight.  Los Angeles – Atlanta – Boston – Halifax.

It was a great time and I’d love to go back one day, even if just for another long weekend to take in some of the touristy sites I didn’t get to see this time.  Add it to the list!!

For pictures from my trip, check out this little video I put together.  (caution: explicit lyrics)

Moonlight in Los Angeles

While searching through all those writing links, I came across a few challenge sites and this morning wrote a couple of short pieces for them.  “Tradgedy” a Drabble, and “Listen Up Because This is Important”… not a drabble, but still pretty short.  I submitted stuff to a couple of other sites, but nothing new.

Both of these are actually open to view by guests for now.  When I reply to these sites’ challenges next week these ones will get hidden back for registered users only.

I’ve also started participating in “6 words” and “one sentence” sites, but those are so short I’ll just add stuff when I have a bunch to post.

Finally, I just posted a video of pics I took while I was in Grand Centre, Alberta last summer.  A proper account of my trip will come… some day. lol
Grand Centre Video

Enjoy!

5 – 13 August 2002

OTHER LINKS: Canada; Nova Scotia

5 AUGUST 2002

This was the first day of our vacation. We picked up a rental car in town and drove to Yarmouth, NS. We drove around the town, had something to eat, but mainly stayed in the hotel. (Raining heavily).

6 AUGUST 2002
LINKS: Yarmouth; Historical Gardens.

After checking out of the hotel, we drove to the ferry terminal where we picked up my uncle and his family who had traveled in on the Scotia Prince lines from Portland, Maine. From here, we drove to Annapolis Royal. We visited the historical site of Ft. Anne and looked around town. After lunch at the pub in town we headed home. Ft. Anne was very interesting, right on the Annapolis River; and the area had been controlled by Mi’kmaq Indians, Acadians, French & English throughout its lifetime. Queen Victoria’s father built the main building. The actual fort will soon celebrate it’s 400th anniversary. Not very old by ‘old world’ standards, but pretty old for over here! Also in town is the Historical Gardens, an okay historical example of gardens and plants but not close to the nicest I’ve seen.

7 AUGUST 2002
LINKS: Peggy’s Cove; Sou’Wester Resturant & Gift Shop, Peggy’s Cove; Nova Scotia’s South Shore; Mahone Bay; Lunenburg

This was a long day. Our first stop was Peggy’s Cove, a very picturesque cove and lighthouse near Halifax, and one of the province’s most visited tourist attractions. From there we drove to Mahone Bay to quickly look around that interesting town. Our last stop was Lunenburg. This town is the ‘home base’ for Canada’s most famous ship the “Bluenose II” a replica of the famous Bluenose (which can be seen on the ten cent pieces of our money) that was a racing “tall” ship. Of course, it was in another port this day! We did some walking around. We visited the site of St. John’s Anglican Church, built in 1753. This beautiful church was destroyed by fire last October, and they are now trying to rebuild it using as much material as could be salvaged from the fire.

Another interesting building in the town is the Lunenburg Academy which is a regular, public elementary school. After looking at this building, we went back to the waterfront to have supper before traveling back home.

8 AUGUST 2002
LINKS:  Upper Clements Park.

We spent half of this day at Upper Clements Park near Annapolis Royal. This park has a nice Wildlife Park, which has many (mostly) North American animals. The main park is made of up rides, which are mostly geared toward younger teenagers and children. There is a wooden roller coaster, a flume, two mini golf courses and a few water-based rides (bumper boats, pedal boats etc.) as well and a train and other kiddie rides. Most of the buildings are replicas of interesting or historical buildings that could once be found in Nova Scotia. There are a few restaurants, many arts & crafts type shops, and at art Gallery. The rest of the day was spent relaxing.

9 AUGUST 2002

We all drove to North Sydney in Cape Breton where we would be staying for a few days. We checked into the hotel, then drove to the town of Sydney to explore for the evening. We had supper, then watched an outdoor concert with many bands, including Great Big Sea. After taking a walk along the boardwalk we returned to the hotel.

10 AUGUST 2002
LINKS: Cape Breton Island; Baddeck; Bluenose II; Parks Canada (Alexander Graham Bell Museum).

Today we drove the Cabot Trail, one of the most scenic drives in Canada. Our first stop was Baddeck where we were finally able to see the Bluenose II, and were able to walk around it. We also visited the Alexander Graham Bell Museum. Mr. Bell spent the last 37 years of his life in this area, living and experimenting. The museum was very informative, and did not solely discuss the telephone, but his many other experiments, inventions and accomplishments, including teaching. We continued to drive around the trail, through the National Park (which costs $8.00 to enter) making many stops to admire and photograph the wonderful scenery. We did stop in Margaree Harbour to look at its TWO lighthouses and have lunch. We also made a stop at Cabot’s Landing to read the markers and look at the scenery. We even saw a seal in the distance!! We wanted to spend more time and make more stops, but my uncle’s family weren’t very interested.

11 AUGUST 2002

After checking out of the hotel, we drove to Halifax to spent another couple of nights. While we were in town, a Busker Festival was going on. That was kind of interesting, although we didn’t have a lot of time to watch them. We walked around the waterfront a bit before going to O’Carrolls to eat supper and go back to the hotel.

12 AUGUST 2002
LINKS: Halifax; Maritime Museum of the Atlantic; Casino Nova Scotia.

We got up and went shopping around the Historic Properties and the waterfront. We just had time to visit the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic before we had to take my uncle’s family to the airport. This was a very interesting museum, much better than I expected it to be, they had a lot of information on the various war vessels that were built or docked here. There was quite a bit about the Halifax Explosion that occurred in the first part of the 1900’s. There was also quit a bit about the Titanic, and many other shipwrecks (there are many in Nova Scotia’s waters). Most of the bodies recovered from the Titanic were brought to Halifax and hundreds are buried there.

After returning from the airport, we changed and went to the Casino where we had dinner and played some slot machines before returning the hotel.

13 AUGUST 2002

Checked out of the hotel and returned home.

July 14 – 16 & August 18 – September 2

OTHER LINKS: The Netherlands; Schipol Airport

14 JULY
LINKS: Anne Frank’s House

We left home for Amsterdam in the morning. When we arrived at our hotel near Schipol Airport, we checked in and had a break before starting to sightsee. We took a bus to the airport, and a train into Amsterdam (this is how we got there and back each day). We got around town for these few days by trams. Once in the city, we made our way to Anne Frank’s House, admiring the distinct architecture on the way. This was very intersting. We toured the building, and were able to touch anything we wanted to. There was not much furniture – the Nazi’s took everything and the museum curators have opted to keep the rooms this way, which I think is a very good idea. There are bullet holes in the walls and many of Anne’s celebrity pictures are still on the wall. There is a museum part as you make your way out of the building where you can see Otto’s Map of Normandy and Anne’s Diary. There is also an interactive exhibition relating to discrimination and other powerful issues. From here we went to the Hard Rock Cafe for supper and then back to the hotel.

15 JULY
LINKS: Rembrandt House; Van Gogh Museum

We first walked through the city, including the Red Light District, Which I’m sure is much more intersting at night, which unfortunately we didn’t have time to do. There is even a Cannibis College! Our first major stop was Rembrandt’s house. It was quite intersting to see this painter’s house, and even see how paint was mixed ‘back in the day’. From there we continued our walk to the Dam platz where the palace and a nice war memorial are located, stopped at a few markets along the way. Here we had a drink and did some shopping. We walked through the park behind the Rijksmuseum, which is very nice, where we had drinks and a rest. From here we made our way back to the train station and home. We were going to go to the Van Gogh museum, but because it was mainly an art Gallery, as opposed to an actual museum, and his three main works weren’t in there, we decided not to, especially as it was so expensive.

16 JULY
LINKS: Hindeloopen

We checked out of the hotel and traveled north to the fishing village of Hindeloopen. This town is famous for it’s tole painting. We came here, because my mum is very much into the art, especially this style and ones similar to it. We did some shopping and looked around the town before having a drink and getting in the car to head back to Germany.

AUGUST
LINKS: Museum of the Dutch Resistance

We had an unexpected two week vacation in Amsterdam on our way back to Canada, while one of us was in the hospital. While we were there, we spent a lot of time in the hotel, relaxing and waiting, and at the hospital. We also walked around town quite often (including the Red Light District at night!), went out for drinks and suppers and movies, and spent more time at places that we wanted to go back to from before. We did one new thing: visit the Dutch Resistance Museum (very much worth a detour!). This is a very informative museum. There is part of reproduction town from war times, information on the Dutch resistance fighters, life in Holland during the war and much more. When we were there, there was a temporary exhibit about a dutch jazz duo that were playing during the war times. My favorite part of the museum was the interactive part where you go to all the different stations that a ‘displaced’ dutch person had to go through when returning after the war.