top5s online

September's genre for book club was school stories. I actually had a hard time finding a book: I didn't want to read about teenager romance or vampires or wizards (already read those). But yay for goodreads - I found a gooder! September 2015: Set in a School The Big Splash By Jack D. Ferraiolo 2008 288 pages Vinny Biggs and his syndicate has control of Franklin Middle School. You know, the usual stuff, forged hall passes, contraband candy. If you cross him, or he doesn't like you, then you get put in "the outs" - a group of outcast kids who once had water guns sprayed on them so it looks like they peed themselves. You try coming back to the cafeteria after the entire school has laughed at you. Vinny needs a favour from Matt - the local school detective, but that favour turns into another job after one of Vinny's top guns gets soaked. Who sprayed Nikki? Matt is on the case, with the help of the local newspaper editor and friends to solve the mystery. This book ...

I don't really like graphic novels. There. I said it. Sometimes I read them because I want to feel cool, but I still don't really "get" them. I guess I just prefer novels. Recently I came across a top 10 list somewhere and, as per usual, thought maybe I'd try getting into graphic novels again. Maybe I'd change my opinion. (Spoiler: I didn't) Lost at Sea By Bryan Lee O'Malley 2005 160 pages I sort of liked O'Malley's Seconds and Scott Pilgrim, especially the art, I do like his art. So I sort of liked this book. Raleigh is on a weird road trip with acquaintances. She's an introvert. They're not. Mostly she lives in her head, which is useful for finding out why they're in the car in the first place. She's sad. Broken hearted. At one point she decides a cat stole her soul so they all try look for the cat. And then it ends. I think love is stupid and I can't relate to angsty young adults. So the point of this book was lost on me....

There are few volunteer gigs I like better than selling 50/50s in our big arena. Last year, I signed up to be a volunteer for the Northlands crew so I could sell 50/50s for the Canadian Finals Rodeo each November. As part of the crew, I get notices for volunteer opportunities throughout the year, which unfortunately due to timing and other commitments I could never participate in. But, I figured I ought to make a special effort for K-Days  in July - Edmonton's annual fair and exhibition, and Northlands biggest event. There were a number of opportunities to choose from, but I chose 3 shifts of Gate Welcome Ambassador, one at each of the 3 gates, although on one of my shifts either I got confused or the person who sent me out got confused and I ended up at the wrong gate but oh well, no harm no foul. As for all big events, I had to attend an orientation night. I got my updated volunteer ID, and a free bus ticket in case I couldn't ride my bike. It was very nice of them to offer f...

Oh Interstellar. What a pleasant venue. What a lovely festival. It was another great weekend of music at the year's Interstellar Rodeo ! It's so easy to attend this festival. The line up is low stress. There's chairs and shade/rain cover. The food is fantastic and the lines aren't very long. And even though the bathrooms could get messy at times, there were indoor bathrooms with plumbing! It's hard to not want to go to this festival, and that's not even considering the music! Of course the best part was hanging out with my music people. It really was a lovely 3 days of chatting in the line up, in the stands, over a meal, and on breaks as we walked around the lake at Hawrelak Park. My people are awesome - they shared their food, cleaned gum off my bum after I sat on some and didn't even laugh when I dropped my knitting and it rolled down the aisle! Spotted this little dude on a walk around the lake. Isn't he cute! But the music! The lineup was good this y...

Oh Edmonton Folk Music Festival . Where the side stage music is epic and the main stage is crap. But the view. Always love the view. Seriously. Apparently they're trying to appeal to "a younger demographic" and I noticed it more than ever this year. The main stage act were all women who sounded the same, and showy hipster bands. Where is the folk? Where were the men? Where were the actual generation transcending big names?And why do they bring fantastic world bands from half way across the world to throw them on a side stage or plug them in during lunch when no one is listening? I swear I'm losing patience with this festival. Yeah, I know they're not trying to appeal to me. And I know they don't care about my opinion/money because they'll sell out anyways. And yeah I know I'll keep going as long as I get tickets because there's those 3 bands out of 80 that I must see. Dammit. But the view... But it was worth it to see the few bands I love and to sp...

There's Grand Slam of Curling games on tv this week so it must be curling season time!! My Team Tuesday is all registered for the upcoming season, and I've let a colleague know I can spare for their work league if needed. And, my mom and I just booked flights today for the Continental Cup in Las Vegas in January! So suffice to say I'm looking forward to the upcoming season. The only downside is that for the first time in 5yrs I don't have a volunteer gig set up for a major curling event, which is sad. There are two events (Canada Cup and Scotties) about 5hrs away from home but I'm not sure I'll get to them. I will be working the U18 in town again (I think), and am waiting to hear about ifI'm accepted as a volunteer to the Winter Youth Olympics in Norway, but other than that it's possible my #curlingvolunteering era is coming to an end. But back to the teams... This year there were a ton of team shake ups! Here's my list of some of the biggies, but ...