Baby Beck

Yesterday I got to meet my new nephew. My friends Mike and Angie welcomed baby Beck Everett into the world three weeks early at the end of October. This was the first time I got to meet him.

And hold him.

I so can't wait to watch him grow. We can watch Roughrider and Oilers games together (you've even got the gear buddy)!

Best of all I love to see his mommy and daddy so happy (great work Mike and Angie ~ he's perfect).

Love you Beck!
Auntie Andrea

Another birthday weekend!

This past weekend saw me back down in Calgary to celebrate another favourite girl's birthday. Happy birthday Paisley (the number will always remain secret)!! I'm so happy to count you as a friend, you're an amazing listener, fantastic adventurer and true kindred spirit. May this upcoming year bring you much change but for the better!

I remember...

what Remembrance Day is all about. I remember my grandparents who grew up in the middle of the two terrible wars. I remember how it felt to stand on the edge of the de-militarized zone that splits North and South Korea. Remembrance Day still reminds us all of how things were not always so easy. On the morning of November 11, the prairie sunrise reminded me of all the freedom we enjoy thanks to those who served and still do. Thank you to the brave men and women who serve our country.

The coffee break of the new age

This post is inspired by my readings this week in my master's program and a thoughtful conversation I had last night with @matt_bisson. This week we had to digest the theory of Marshall McLuhan - of "the medium is the message" fame.

Our class has talked a lot about electronic media and how it's changed our society. Last night Matthew and I started talking about how more and more people are taking time during their work day to surf Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. He mentioned that studies were showing people need that time to disconnect from work, let the mind roam free and then they can return to the task at hand refreshed and ready to go.

What Matthew was saying makes sense to me, and it also made me think of YouTube'ing becoming the new coffee break for the new generation. Instead of taking 15 minutes away from the desk to go for a coffee with co-workers, are we now switching the rules by surfing the Net instead?

I'll leave you all with this - my MACT classmate @CarolynFreed did a YouTube mash-up for our readings this week. I find it hilarious! I would definitely take time out of my work day to watch this.

What a season

Last night I was able to watch the Saskatchewan Roughriders cap off their season in Edmonton. We haven't had the best season ~ finishing with a disappointing 5 wins and 13 losses. This coming from a team that has made the playoffs every year for nearly 10 years. No matter, I've stuck by them all season long and last night I wasn't disappointed.

Many thanks to my Twitter friend @rbfleming for giving me a ticket to last night's game. It was a chilly -6 Celsius at kick-off and I was wearing enough layers to make me feel like the abominable snowman. While we had already lost out of the playoffs the Riders played the game last night like they were still in contention ~ making the Eskimos work hard for the win. When it was all said and done Edmonton walked away with 23 points, we walked away with 20.

Thank you boys for a great run this season, and while some "fans" may have been disappointed I never was. Enjoy the off-season you've all worked so hard. I look forward to seeing you play again in 2012!