9 posts tagged “family”

I had Friday off because I worked Labour Day Monday... actually, I may as well start with Wednesday since that seems to be when my birthday celebrations started.

Beatles: RB came out Wednesday, and Kathie had the entire week off for vacation (she booked it off a long time ago figuring we'd both have the week off, but A] I ran out of vacation time and B] I couldn't get it off anyway cause a coworker already booked that week off) so she said she'd pick it up.

So Kathie arrives at my place and brings in the big box and I ask how much it came to, and she hands me a birthday card which basically says her, Wayne & Steven chipped in to get me the set for my birthday.
I was like, "it's too much money!"
Kathie goes, "it was only $160" which I knew was way cheaper than it should have been, it's supposed to be $250
and I look again at the box and I'm like, "... you got the wrong one"
!!

There's 2 box sets for Beatles: RB... the Special Value Edition and the Limited Edition. "Special Value" is really not a deal - it's drums, guitar and mic, yes, but they're all Rock Band 1 instruments - wired guitar, wired drums, the ones I already had. Basically they're trying to get rid of RB1 instruments because they're never going to sell on their own. And they try to hide that fact because nowhere on the box does it show what instruments or say what instruments:
Special Value Edition box art

Whereas the Limited Edition has the Beatles instruments - basically RB2 (wireless) drums but with a slight decorative change, a Beatles (wireless) bass guitar, and a mic.
Limited Edition

So here it is, 5pm on day of release, were we going to find the Limited Edition set anywhere? I called Futureshop and only 2 stores in the lower mainland had any copies left. So we put one on hold at Scott Rd in Surrey and Kathie and Wayne went to pick it up.

They get back, we put the instruments together and start rocking out. It's just the 3 of us and none of us are singers so it's me on drums, Kathie & Wayne on guitar & bass. We already have a Beatles: RB day arranged for Friday, so this is just to play it on day of release.

As we all know and agree on, The Beatles are awesome. Rock Band is awesome. Put the 2 together and you got double awesomeness.

I think there's only 2 real changes between Beatles and regular Rock Band - for the drums, activating star power is much more ... in line with the game play, it's just an extra green note instead of an entirely separate drum fill section. The other change is that you can have up to 3 singers, and they incorporated harmonies, so you can get "double fabs" and "triple fabs" if, when harmonies are available, all vocal parts hit 100% for that section. As I said though, we didn't do any singing on Wednesday.
But we did do a lot of playing, finished the game. There's 45 songs I think in the game, so we finished in about 4 hrs, but we did take a break for food and to show each other a few other arcade games.
Kathie & Wayne left around 11pm.

Sam & Nikki knew I was getting Beatles the day of release but they opted to wait to play on Thursday instead of us all juggling instruments and singing on Wednesday because really only Nikki is willing to sing. Think we started playing around 8pm.
We had probably played 1/3rd of the game before I decided I wanted to try and sing backup. I discovered it was quite fun and cool, so kept singing backup on songs I knew, since I was still drumming and couldn't watch the lyrics.
Of course we had to beat the full game that night as well, for Sam's achievements (there's an achievement for beating the game within a 24 hour period).
Sam & Nikki left around 1am I think.

Friday I had off and we planned to get the Beatles: RB going around 1:30pm. I invited Kathie, Wayne, Kevin and Blair. Blair's a singer, so we knew we had a main singer.
Blair ended up having to work that day, so he didn't show up till around 7pm, and he also brought his girlfriend Adriana. So we then had 6 people, which meant we could fulfill every possible position - drums, guitar, bass, lead singer and 2 ppl for the harmonies. Pretty damn cool.
Kevin had to leave and so did Adriana, so around 9pm we were down to 4 ppl again.

Since of course Blair needed the full game achievements, and we took breaks for food and showing off other games, it was quite late when we finished the game for Blair. But we were all willing to play more (Wayne had discovered a love for singing Beatles), so we were working on getting more achievements. We played until like 3am, it was crazy.

This one achievement we were SO CLOSE to getting... 1,000,000 points on one song. It took us a good while just to find a song that it was feasible to get such a score - Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Our first attempt we got 957,000 points - so freakin close! Our 2nd attempt we got around 890,000 - worse! So we tried upping the difficulty on a couple positions, and scored horribly. So we switched around instruments. Then we switched around singers. Then more switching. Then more trying different difficulties... finally we decided what our best shot was, and again we got to 957,000 points..! We must've played that song like 8 or 9 times (in a row) and we never got more than on our first attempt! And I totally blame myself cause I pretty much never improved... I was always getting 97% and always messing up in the exact same spots, it was so frustrating. I was the one that called it quits because I was so annoyed with myself.
We figure fatigue had something to do with it as well, so. Hopefully another day.

Kathie slept over as we were going to spend Saturday together anyway. Saturday I got a haircut (probably 2 weeks overdue!), we had breakfast, then picked up Steven in Surrey, Mark (Kathie's new boyfriend) in Langley, then headed to Castle Fun Park in Abbotsford for some mini golf. It wasn't until we got there that Kathie and I realized we had been there before, lol. Musta been 2 or 3 years ago with Trevor and Erin. Pretty funny.

We did the outdoor mini golf course - there were spiders in their webs everywhere, it was disgusting. One time my ball went off course and I was helping Steven retrieve it and I almost freaked out cause of all the spiders so close to me. But we did see a bunny rabbit twice and a beaver in the little creek. Unfortunately it was getting dark and the beaver was pretty far away and basically not moving, so neither the pictures nor video turned out of the beaver. =P But I did get a pic of the bunny.

So that game, Kathie & I tied for first. I got a hole in one and Mark got a hole in one on separate holes. Mark also hit Kathie with his ball once, that was pretty funny. He whacked it, it bounced off a wall and hit her in the leg.

There were also flying bugs everywhere =P it was nice to get inside. We checked out the arcade section (it's basically the equivalent of Scandia in Kelowna), played a couple games, and wanted to try their mini two lane 5-pin bowling, but it wasn't working =P We tried our hands at pool though... of which we all suck, but Mark was best. It was Mark & Kathie vs Steven and I. Mark & Kathie won.

We then played a 2nd game of mini golf, cept an indoor course this time. I got a hole in one and I swear to god got ripped off on 2 or 3 more hole-in-ones. Mark got a hole in one as well... he might even have gotten 2. In the end, Mark won over me by 1 stroke. Doh!

From there we went to Denny's in Langley so I could get my free birthday meal. Denny's is the best choice for a free birthday meal since they don't do the lame Happy Birthday singing to you. We all found it weird though that they don't do caesar salad. What restaurant can't make caesar salad?? But they're also the only restaurant I know with refillable hot chocolate, so that's bonus points.

Then we dropped Steven off in Surrey, parted ways with Mark, and I slept over at Kathie's cause we had plans for Sunday.

Sunday Kathie had a work event - a picnic barbecue thing. It started at 11, but of course we didn't show up till almost noon. Mark was with us as well. So there's all these people I obviously don't know, and Kathie barely knows anyone herself because like no one from her branch (she works at a bank) were there. There were supposed to be games, but nothing was happening yet, not even food. There was a clown for the kids, he was making balloon animals. We went and walked along the river for a bit and when we got back food was ready, so we made our burgers and found some shade to eat in. The clown was now doing tricks for the kids. Basically most everyone was crowded around the clown... and thank goodness, cause I really don't know what else people would have done, seems no one knew anyone, there was barely any interaction at all. They were probably all like us - just there for the free food, lol. So we left at 1:30pm cause they still hadn't started any games, and the clown was wrapping up his act and I really didn't want to use an outhouse.

From there we went to the movie theatre and saw 9 which is a new animated movie that I hadn't even heard about. But it was the only movie playing at 2pm that we were willing to see and Kathie was interested in it. It had good animation and good voice acting... but IMO the story was weak and full of holes and wasn't very compelling. I don't know why it's rated so high and I will probably never watch it again. In other words, only rent it if you must.

We parted ways with Mark after the movie... he's a nice guy and all, and I'm happy my sister's happy with him, but I wasn't sad to see him go because I didn't plan on spending 2 days with my sister's boyfriend if you know what I mean. That's the stupid thing about new relationships - the couple's always joined at the hip.

Then it was some much needed grocery shopping, some True Blood and Canada's Next Top Model, then Kathie left around 10pm.
I can't believe Linsay didn't win Canada's Next Top Model. They picked the damn typical blonde model that no one's going to notice or be able to pick out in a crowd. Lame.
And True Blood is f'in whack man. Like totally whack. They better get some normalcy in Season 3.

So that was my super busy 3 day weekend. Super busy. Basically any computer time was spent on Farmville. And I didn't bring my charger to Kathie's, so my phone was dead all of Sunday.

Oh and my parents forgot my birthday, so that was awesome. I got a regular text on my birthday, no mention of my birthday at all. Then Sunday I got another text apologizing for forgetting my birthday, and Mom left me a voicemail (since my phone was dead).

But it's all good. I don't like to advertise my birthday cause I'm getting toooooooo damn old now. Although I'll probably still get carded 99% of the time, just because they don't know how old I am doesn't mean I don't know how old I am. =P Cept for those times I forget and have to think for a few seconds. haha

Bottom line, Beatles: RB is the shiznit. Probably my best birthday present evar. Now I have to preorder Halo 3: ODST because that's what I thought I was getting for my birthday!

Summer is finally here! What are your plans?

Thursday afternoon is the work retreat which should be pretty cool. We return Saturday.

By then Rikki & Kristy should be in town for their visit. I took Monday & Tuesday off, and Wednesday is a stat holiday (Canada Day).

Those are the only things happening so far... I am really not a planner in any sense of the word.

This past long weekend I had Sunday, Monday, Tuesday off so as soon as I got home from work on Saturday 2 of my brothers picked me up and we headed to Mom's for a few days.

I don't visit my parents place very often as they live in the boonies so usually we meet somewhere like my sister's. Last time I'd seen Mom was Christmas when she came down to the coast, but I can't remember the last time I saw my Dad (he usually stays home to take care of the pets).

Anyways, so yeah, boonies, north of Kamloops... and I know they have no internet... so I was counting on my crackberry to keep me connected via chat, email and texting. What do you know, about 25 minutes out of Kamloops there's absolutely no signal.

We saw 4 deer on the way to Mom's though - a group of 3 near the road and then 1 that was JUST off the road, like barely outside the painted line. That was a little worrisome, hopefully he kept away from traffic.

We reached Mom's around 11pm. I asked how they got cell reception and they said they're on Telus. Well, my brother and I are on Rogers and apparently totally screwed.

There was a bunch of family there we weren't really expecting - an uncle and his family (wife and 2 kids) plus another cousin. So, fairly crowded in my parents 2 bedroom wee little house, but I'd never met my uncle's family before and I enjoyed their company a lot, so cramped space was a small price to pay. I thought it was funny though that I was there 3 nights and each night slept in a different spot.

Sunday I went with Mom and aunt-in-law to a small town about 20 minutes away to do a bit of grocery shopping and checkout any garage sales that were happening. They had told me previously that I should get cell reception there... and, of course, I forgot my cell phone at the house because I had set it aside to charge it. Doh!

There were only 2 garage sales... at one I found a little plastic rack kind of thing that had "CLK" etched on it. I picked it up and showed it to Mom, "hey Mom, look, my initials" and one of the ladies selling the stuff overheard and she said, "those are my initials! if they're your initials too, you can have it for free" I said thanks and she asked what my name was, and she replied that hers was Carolyn Linda K. She said she used it for remotes as you always have so many of those. I said I'd probably use it as a mail holder.

At the second garage sale some NES games were on sale for 25 cents each... one was Dragon Warrior which is an awesome game so I picked it up, then figured may as well get all 3 since they're so cheap. (I don't actually have a NES myself but have a friend that does, so I was planning on giving them to him... but I forgot them at Mom's =P)

Saw 2 more deer on the drive back to Mom's.

Most of my weekend was playing Wii or watching movies. We played some Yahtzee as well. Steven mostly watched TV, read and played his DS. Wayne spent a lot of time outdoors with the other boys, shooting (targets, not animals), hanging out at the river, or enjoying the fire pit in the backyard. He really likes campfire hot dogs.

Monday around noon my uncle's family left. In the afternoon we headed to town to pick up a DQ ice cream cake for Dad's birthday... and I forgot my phone again! Steven said, "I think it's psychological now, you want to be off the grid" ha.

Tuesday we left around 2pm. On the highway this bald eagle came swooping down right in front of the car in front of us, to grab a squirrel on the side of the road. It was so close, very cool.

So it was just quality relaxing time at the 'rents... though I had to get 3 spiders killed as they were disturbing me.

It was weird seeing a bunch of knickknacks, art and decorations that I remember from childhood... and seeing all the old pictures Mom has around. I guess going back "home" will always be kindof surreal.

It was also nice to get home and sleep in my own bed however. Will miss the good home-cooked food though! Very appreciative for the bannock Mom made for us to take home.

Not that this would ever happen, but let's say you somehow landed yourself in jail. Who would you phone with your one call?

Kathie

"It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air." ~W.T. Ellis
How are you celebrating Christmas this year?

Spent it with 2 of my brothers and our Mom at Steven's place. Mom cooked an as-usual-awesome turkey dinner, I had two FULL helpings so I was entirely stuffed. We basically just hung out all day, watching tv, taking turns on the computer, playing dice games (Mom kicked my ass most of the time... hard for me to swallow losing to anyone, however I think I mostly contained myself against Mom, lol), and during dinner we watched Lord of the Rings.

I also enjoyed being able to spend time with Calvin & Hobbes (my cats, who are now technically Steven's cats as they've lived with him for 3 years).

'Twas the night before Christmas... How are you spending this Christmas Eve? Do you have any Christmas Eve traditions you're excited about?

Well I meant to spend it with Mom, Steven and Wayne, who were all at Steven's, however when I went to hop on the skytrain I discovered it was not running at all! And the roads were too bad to risk Wayne coming to pick me up as it's super hilly where I live, so I ended up playing videogames at home all night.

My family opens presents at midnight on Christmas Eve, basically as soon as it's technically Christmas. It's kinda sad to look back on Christmases from a few years ago and realize how lucky we were to be able to get all of us together in one place and exchange gifts.

What are you most looking forward to this week? What are you least looking forward to?

I'm least looking forward to tomorrow, lol, cause I work at 7am which means I have to get up at 5:30am... basically in 6 hours from now. Plus, it's FREEZING outside, tomorrow will be -15 with the windchill. effin hell.

Mom arrives Saturday so that's what I'm looking forward to.

What is the nicest thing someone has ever done for you?
Submitted by tammy

I had a friend drive me 4 hours on Christmas Eve to see my family then immediately return home so she could spend the holidays with her family and then she picked me up on Boxing Day. 16 hours of her own time spent just to do something nice for me. I hope I will always remember it.

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