The Forgettable 2021

Every year since I started this blog, I've made at least one post... until last year. And I didn't even realize it until today. The entirety of 2021 went by without a post. To be fair, it doesn't seem like much happens anymore... just one long ride on the pandemic express where there are no stops. We looked like we were getting out of it in the late summer / early autumn, but then Omicron happened. Is this Covid's last burn, or are we destined to see waves over and over again. Who knows?

But back to my utter failure to keep this personal and public journal updated at least once over the past year. Looking back through my photos, I suppose I did a few things over the year.

I went for a winter walk in the Pinery with the Walters.

I got my bathroom renovated.

Took a virtual Learn to Paint class.

Got my first vaccine shot.

Made a video with my niece.

Visited the AGO with the Greens.

Helped install the ice at the Granite Club.

Saw a Blue Jays game from a box.

Met the Graces' new kittens.

Visited a local trail for the first time.

So, I suppose a few things did happen... but keep in mind that was over the entire year. Here's hoping that the pandemic is over soon... or at least we learn how to live with it.

Gardenology 101: Lawncare

With the nice weather, and it still being early in the year, I thought that I might get ahead in the game and tend to the needs of the plant life that surrounds my house.  In particular, the grass.  Now my lawn isn't the greatest, many weeds and what seems to be creeping kind of mossy plant throughout.  I've raked some of it up and pulled as many of the dandelions as I felt like, but it's left my lawn a little bare in patches.

I figured that while the time of year is still right, I would buy some of that easy grow grass seed that they sell. I've tried it before and it came in a plastic dispensing container, so I figured I'd get a bag as a refill and save by buying in bulk.  I went to the store; it was $40.

My lawn is fine as it is.

Things I Don't Need To Buy: A New Roof

With all the rain that's been happening this week, I'm sure glad that I had my roof replaced back in October instead of waiting until spring, like I had originally intended. Especially since I've been seeing my neighbour giving his roof and windows suspicious glances today.

Thanks, past self! I owe you one.

So I Had A Visit From A Neighbour

So, there I was, watching tv, playing video games or on the computer downstairs when I thought I heard the very faint doorbell for my side door. Now it was later in the evening, maybe 8pm or so,and since I don't get unannounced visitors... ever, I was baffled as to who it could have been. To skip ahead in the story a bit, it turns out it was someone from down the street who was out for a walk and they just wanted to know who treated my asphalt driveway. No big deal.

Now let's go back to right after I heard the doorbell ring a couple times and the subsequent knock (they were persistent). Never before had I hoped so much that there was a pair of pants ready to wear sitting in my laundry room.

That Garage Aroma

Remember the time I complained that my garage smelled like an ashtray? Well as of this weekend, the smell is back, unfortunately. I'm going to have to get some air fresheners again.

On a totally unrelated note: I hosted a poker game in my garage on Sunday. Only Dan, Amanda and myself, so I'm pretty sure it didn't count.

Update: Mutant Plant Cut Down To Size

So, it turns out that the giant stalk is part of the rhubarb plant after all.  Upon advice from people who use terms like "gone to seed", I have cut the flowering stem off.

Giant Mutant Plants (tm) still have a long way to go for world domination if they can't defend themselves from scissors.

Creepy Giant Plants

I'm trying to figure out exactly what's going on in my garden.  I don't know what's been planted and what's a weed.  There's a patch of rhubarb in the corner of one garden behind a house... no big deal.  But today I notice this GIANT stalk shooting out of the middle of it.  It must be growing fast because the last time I looked there a few days ago, there was no such stalk.

So, I'm just throwing this out there: What the crap is this?  Is it a normal part of a rhubarb plant or (more likely) an alien lifeform looking to conquer us via our most unsuspecting living organisms... plants.

That and I find creepy giant plants to be creepy as hell.

Calling All Botanists

Anyone have any idea what these plants are (the three stalks with the pointy leaves)?

They're popping up everywhere in my yards. I'm just not sure if they're friend or foe.

My Garage Smells Like An Ashtray

Since moving in, I noticed that my garage smells a little off. I chalked it up to it being a garage and how it had probably stored things that wouldn't matter if they smelled. I couldn't put my finger on exactly what smell it was. However, the inside of my car is starting to pick up on the smell, and now when I get into it when out somewhere, I can distinctly smell cigarettes.

This is unfortunate, since I definitely plan to keep my car in the garage. However, I have to get rid of the smell. Problem is that there's no one source of the smell... it's probably just seeped into the walls over long periods of exposure.

Does anyone know how to get rid of a smell like this? All I can think of is to leave the window and doors open as much as possible, but I can't do that all the time as it's an invitation to steal my stuff.

So Long Apartment

I haven't seen my apartment this empty since I moved into it.

Yesterday I handed in my keys at the apartment and there's no looking back. Now I have to go through all these boxes and find my stuff again. It took me 2 days to find my new prescription sunglasses. Really, who boxes things in the Xbox box?

Painting Opinions Solicited

So, I've decided that one of the things I'm going to do first with my new house is to paint the basement room. This room will function as my main TV room... a pseudo home theatre room. Right now, it's painted yellow and the walls have a few scuff marks. Here's how it looks now...

My thought is that a home theatre should have a darker colour, both because it'll reflect less light from the TV and because a darker room will seem cozier. Using an online room painter, here's my first go at what direction I should take...

Any opinions or suggestions on what to do here?

I Bought A House. No, Seriously This Time.

Some of you may have heard, some maybe not as I haven't made an official online announcement yet (until now), but I finally bought a house. For real this time. I wanted to avoid the situation from last time and waited until I had the keys in my hands before getting all announcy on everyone.

I got the keys on Monday.

It's in the Forest Hills area of Kitchener, near Fisher-Hallman & Hwy 7/8. I'll be avoiding a privacy faux-pas by not giving the exact address on le blog here, but I'll be sending out a mass email announcing the new address and phone number situation. Moving day looks to be May 28th as I have the apartment until the end of the month, so I'm just going to take my time with it. Oh, and I have moving favours that I can totally call in now... for real this time. Thou art truly forewarned now.

Home Is Where The Heart Is... So Your Real Home's In You Chest

Wow, it's been over a year since I bought a house (and subsequently unbought it). I didn't realize it had been that long. So, thirteen months since then and well... not much has really changed. Am I still hunting for a house?

Well, yes and no.

On the one hand, the apartment I'm in right now just isn't really cutting it. With my office setup and other stuff, I'm struggling to find enough room around here. Also, there's the fact that once in a while, my neighbours are really loud, and I can hear them clear as day... which makes me hesitant to do things that make noise myself, since other people would probably be able to hear me too. Thirdly, I dream of the day I have my own laundry facilities. So, I'd love to get out of here.

On the other hand... I don't know how much the unbuying of house last year unnerved me to the whole process, but I've been a mountain of indecision since then. Basically, it boils down to this... the houses that are in my price range aren't what I'm looking for (which is to say I wouldn't be completely happy with) and the ones that I am looking for are out of my price range (and quite frankly, way too spacious for just me). Now, technically I could raise my price range (as the bank would let me do that), but then almost every cent would be going to a mortgage and bills (and how would I buy things like the new surround sound system I just got last week?) and I'm not prepared to go that route.

Other options include a condo, but the whole noise thing in my building has really made me wary of sharing walls anymore. Alternatively, I could move into another larger apartment, but then I'd have to sign a new year-long lease, and I'd have to give up my utilities-included sweetness that I enjoy now. Plus, my building is really nice as apartment buildings go, so a new apartment is definitely not the way to go either.

I Unbought A House

So, after the inspection on Tuesday and having a real long second look at the place, I decided to withdraw my offer on that house I said I bought last week.

The search continues...

I Bought A House

Well, it's all but official, but good enough that I can announce it... I bought a house tonight.

It's a nice 3 bedroom detached house in Kitchener near Victoria and Belmont. I'll miss living in Waterloo and I'll have to get used to slumming it in Kitchener, but I think I'll get over it.

The move will happen in December, and I got a lot of moving favours to call in. Don't say you weren't warned.