The Voice Of Reason

Three days. Three long days.
Some years ago we at work adopted a framework for delivering IT services to the rest of the corporation. It's called ITIL. We didn't implement much of it but are pushing more towards it these days. It's all processes and "best practices" and all the other buzzwords you don't want to know. More buzzwords and acronyms than you *ever* want to know. We had a course and had to write an exam.

Now, we've all had to upgrade to a newer version of it. Those of us that had certification in the old version had to sit through a three day course. Those that had been certified in the current version will only need a one day refresher. It's probably the worst course I've ever had to sit through in that they bombard you with information and definitions and a few examples, but mostly you absorb what you can, memorize what you can and hope for the best on the exam. Two and a half days to plow through 300 pages of the manual, less than that really because there are exercises and two practice exams so you might as well say it's only two days of "learning".

The exam is multiple choice but the wording can be very tricky. The practice exams are supposed to be old retired exams. They weren't too bad. I did ok on those. If they truly were exams in the past,  I think they were retired because they were too easy. The actual exam was worse. However, I apparently passed. We've got preliminary emails with a pass/fail. We will later get the actual results and an e-certificate which sucks. For the amount of money it probably costs them to put this on, you'd think they'd insist on proper certificates printed on proper certificate paper. Why should I spend my money to have it printed on nice paper? Anyway I don't care what my actual score was (you have to have 65% or 26 out of 40 questions to pass). With any luck they won't change the versions again before I retire!

Still no actual wedding date because there isn't a venue booked yet. I have a feeling we could do it on a Sunday rather than a Saturday which is ok because it's not an evening dinner/dance thing anyway. I'm going to meet someone at one of the local hotels on Saturday to chat and see their facilities. That's the first one. I've sent a couple other emails out and nobody's got back to me. I don't understand why they would be so offhanded about potential business. I sent the emails a week ago using the contact information on the websites. If that's incorrect, then they've very likely missed out a lot of business.

25 Sleeps until the Queen concert in Montreal!!! Can i just say how excited i am? (!!!!) They are my all time favourite. My only regret is never seeing them when Freddie was alive but Adam Lambert does a very good job. But i know Brian May's guitar is going to burst my heart right out of my chest. as much as I loved Freddie, it was always Brian's playing and sound that lifted me. We're going to be on the floor near the stage, well... the stage is going to have a ramp or catwalk out away from it and that's what we're going to be near. There are seats but I expect we'll be on our feet for most of it and it's going to be 3 hours, no opening band, no intermission. At least I'll have a chair to sit in if my legs or back get too tired. I'm going with a coworker and another friend and the coworker saw them in London two summers ago. She said it was the same then, long show, no intermission, no opening act. I'm so stoked!

Queen is doing a short North American tour in June-July and they're playing in Montreal and Toronto! Now, ok, Freddie's dead and nobody can really fill his shoes. The last person they took on board, Paul Rogers, did not impress me though the CD they recorded of original work with him was good. I saw some early video footage of him on stage with them and he seemed to be dressed like Freddie and trying to emulate him in style when he was singing. It really put me off and although I did get the cd, i would never have considered seeing them live.

Last year, hmmm might have been the year before actually, Queen (or at least, Brian May and Roger Taylor, because John Deacon has retired from the band) did some gigs in London with Adam Lambert who is a former winner or participant of American Idol. He's made a fairly successful career for himself and is quite popular. One of my coworkers is an uber-fan and went to two of the three concerts in London. I saw some Youtube video of it and I have to say, Adam did a very good job. He did his own thing, and though did come across as flamboyant, he's apparently like that anyway and it seemed to be his own way with a nod to Freddie as well. He seems in awe of the legends that he's standing on stage with (and well he should be!) but he seems to fit in nicely.

So anyway, turns out they're doing this tour with Adam and I'm going to do my very best to snag a ticket to the Montreal show. My friend at work will be going and possibly her husband and another person at work in another department, also possibly. She's planning to drive up to Montreal so I said I'd go as well and contribute to the costs and the driving. We can share the hotel but if her husband is going, I may just get my own room as I don't really know him all that well and I'd be more comfortable on my own or sharing with the other woman even though I don't know her at all. Then on the weekend, I was talking to one of my old friends from school who was looking for a concert buddy. She has tickets to George Thorougood in May and I said i might go. I have seen him before but it's usually a good one. Queen came up and she's very interested. I think she's going to try to get her own ticket even if we don't end up sitting together. We can share a hotel room for sure, and with my coworker or the other gal if it's all girls together. I think she'll fly up. I will still go with my coworker because I promised and that was the whole idea, a road trip. My coworker was thinking of staying on in Montreal. She thought about trying to get a ticket to see Katy Perry who's playing there the next night. I don't mind KP but i don't think I want to spend the money on a concert. I thought I'd probably just come back myself on the train or fly and if my other friend is going, we could fly back together.

Anyway, it's all up in the air. The tickets go on sale Friday though early tickets can be got today I think, if you have American Express but we'll see how the week plays out. By the weekend I should know who's got what and who's going. Other plans can be made from there. I might actually get to see Queen!!! My all time favourite band!! It's definitely a bucket list band for me and even if Freddie isn't there, I think it will be a great show.

And tick off another one of those "try something new" items. I wish I had been able to see Queen back in the day but I never could, and then it was too late once Freddie died.

Really looking forward to Cheap Trick tonight. Only drawback is that it's standing room only so there won't be seats at all, I don't think. Ah never mind. It's going to be a blast! I did get earplugs. Mellencamp wasn't overly loud but this gig is in a room, albeit a large room but not a stadium large or small. I kind of think the sound will be louder and they're not a quiet band :) It's not a case of "if it's too loud, you're too old", it's a case of protecting my hearing. I'll judge and see if the plugs are needed. It just takes the edge off. I guess that's how you know you *are* getting old, though, thinking about things like that. Graham fully admits if he took better care back in the days when he was on stage in a metal band, he wouldn't be wearing a hearing aid now but you don't think of those things when you're in your 20s and anyway, it wasn't very "Rawk" to be wearing earplugs while performing. ;) I bet people wouldn't think twice about it now but then earplugs are small and nearly invisible if you get the clear silicone ones that i've seen.

Weather has been really nice this week. Warm, a little breeze, low humidity. And naturally i'm spending my days in the office in the AC. I really should go out into the park at lunch to get a bit of sun and vitamin D. I just get into such a routine. I may do that today, maybe even treat myself to chips from the chip truck. The Grand Parade in front of City Hall is a nice place to sit. There are lots of benches and there's a wall along one side. You can also sit around the war memorial and, i think, there's a little platform around the flagpole. At least there always used to be. There's always the grass but i don't get on the ground because it's hard to get up these days. I like sitting on the wall, personally. There's a historic old church at the other end of it, St. Paul's. Been here since the city was founded in 1749. It's quite nice inside, always open during the day for tourists to go have a look and they have a guide sometimes if you get there at the right times. Here's a couple of photos, one looking down the Parade square to the church and one inside the church.



Tall Ships is next weekend and i have Friday off so i think i'll do my tour of the waterfront then. It'll be busy but even worse on the weekend. I will miss the parade of sail this year as i have some minor day surgery on Monday, the day of the sailing. I never get tired of watching them sail but as i will miss it, this year i shall pray for rain ;)) I did buy a $5.00 pass to go on board the docked ships this time. I thought it might make some opportunities for photos. I may also go up to the Citadel because they're doing a free shuttle up there from the waterfront and the theme of the festival is the War of 1812 and there will be various military costumed things going on related to that. If i even get myself out of bed early enough i may go over early-ish in the morning before the worst of the crowds but not the crack of dawn like my cousin plans to do.

There are sailing cruises as well on one of the sailboats. That's something that's nice to do as well if the weather is good. We did that through work last time but it turned out to be so foggy you could hardly see shore. It's neat to see the ships from the water side but better if you can actually see them though the photos *were* interesting...see?

It's gig week for me! Tonight is John (Cougar) Mellencamp at the Dartmouth Sportsplex, that's a smaller venue. I think it only holds about 2000 max as opposed to the 10K that the Metro Center holds. They sold out quickly and put a second night on tomorrow. I suppose they couldn't book the Metro Centre as it's just finishing the Tattoo and if tonight isn't the last night, they'll be breaking it all down today. No time to set it up for a concert tonight. Looking forward to it although the opening act, the Canadian band The Cowboy Junkies are not a group i am keen on. Opening acts aren't usually on long though. My cousin and I are going to this one.

Thursday, 5 of us are going to see Cheap Trick at the Casino and i'm *really* looking forward to that. I have always liked them and didn't go when they were here years ago. It's a standing room only gig in the Schooner Room of the casino so i hope our group gets their collective ass together to get there earlyish so we can get close to the front. It's important for photo taking! I really must get some earplugs. it's not a big stadium type venue and they're a fairly loud band i think. Should be prudent and save my ears from further punishment. Don't think there's an opener for this, the casino doesn't usually have them i think nor does the concerts usually go very late. They want you to go down and gamble some after!

We went to a gig tonight, Black Label Society supported by 2cents, Clutch and Children of Bodom. I actually enjoyed most of it though didn't care for Children of Bodom. Apparently they are not Black Metal but it just sounded like a wall of muddy sound to me. BLS was absolutely awesome. Zak Wilde is utterly masterful on the guitar and the sound was great, it all worked together and yes, loud but it all worked. We had been standing since almost 7:30 and by nearly 11 my feet were giving out, i was getting a bit warm and feeling icky because i was hungry, hadn't eaten since lunch. There were hundreds and hundreds of people there, standing, moving, pinging off you like a pinball machine and that was closing in on me too. We didn't stay to the end of BLS and i wish i could have managed it because i was really enjoying them. I need to see if any of my photos is useable. Might post a link tomorrow if they are.

We went to Roberts for fast food and i am now considering soaking my feet. Geez.

I hear the Chilean miners are finally being rescued. That is really a miracle that they have been able to survive 68 days underground. I hope they get them all up safely.

Wow, i haven't posted all week! I guess LJ really is sliding downhill and i do miss reading what everyone's doing. Facebook isn't the same really. I tried Dreamwidth but nobody was using that at the time either so i haven't bothered with it.

Really, though, there hasn't been a lot to write about anyway, not without whinging at least :) I just seem to have one ache or pain after another. I pulled a muscle in my neck while stretching in the shower the other morning, this just as my twisted ankle is nearly better and the infection (sty) in my eye was nearly gone. Also, during that heat wave, my hands got all puffy, as they do, and my ring finger knuckle got really sore and swollen. I didn't think i would be able to get my engagement ring off but i did manage it and am wearing it on my right had for the moment. The left ring finger is still a bit puffy and knuckle still a tad tender but i *can* get the ring back on. The ring always was a slight bit snug getting on and off though i could always twist it round while on my finger. It's made a dent though and the rest of that part of the finger seems a bit fleshier or puffy and i wonder if the ring has always been a little too small. I'm kind of thinking i might get it resized a little bit but i'll wait a little until the swelling in that knuckle goes away completely. It's still enough that it's a push to get the ring over it.

Was thinking of going to the air show this weekend but there's a 60% chance of showers. I don't know whether i should take the chance or not. If the cloud cover is too low they won't have the planes in the sky even if it doesn't rain. Sunday might be better so i might hold off until then. I haven't been to the airshow in a lot of years. boy the price sure has gone up!

I'm getting a Costco membership too. I don't go a lot but i might go more often and it will be more convenient to have one of my own rather than go with Mom all the time. They used to let a guest pay for their own merchandise as long as the card holder was with them but now they insist that the card holder do the paying so i have to make sure to send the money to Mom right when i get home. Plus they are doing an aeroplan signup bonus now if you join up. I don't think they give you points on your purchases normally though there is a current promotion where you will get the points if you shop online.

Getting on good with the new trainer. she does some different things but is easy to get along with.

The musical Spamalot is coming to the Metro Centre for three performances. A group of my friends is planning to go though not sure if we'll all be sitting together. I've definitely got a ticket sitting with one woman so i won't have to sit on my own. Unfortunately it's the day Graham goes back home so he won't be able to come with us. Any other time, he'd be traveling with Air Canada and leaving at midnight. We could have gone to the afternoon performance but this time he's flying to Toronto, changing airlines and then from toronto direct to Manchester which is better for him not having to wait around in Heathrow half the morning after the overnight flight. I'm almost tempted to do that myself if it goes smoothly for him though i'm loathe to give up all the lovely aeroplan points i get from the flights overseas. Using Air Canada and then the Thomas Cook charter via Canadian-affair.com works out to the same price as flying it all via Air Canada who are expensive even with seat sales. Since he's not bothered about air miles, it works for him.

I have the rental car booked for his visit and one booked for one day in Toronto when we're going to Niagara Falls and Niagara on the Lake. The only thing left is tickets to the Bezercus gig that features Black Label Society and Children of Bodum. He reckons i might even like BLS! I don't mind. I'll go anyway.

Travel snippet:
Dateline Glasgow
Rattler and i had driven all afternoon to Glasgow. We stayed at the Premier Lodge which is a block or so down from the west end of Sauchiehall Street overlooking the motorway. We got single rooms en suite for £35 which was pretty good. No breakfast included but there was a little take away caff across from it so we usually grabbed coffee and a snack there in the morning.

There was no parking though because their car park was under renovation so R. had to take the car a few blocks away to a car park that only charged 7 quid for a few days worth of parking because we were staying at the hotel. Good deal :) When he returned he told me about this gig that was on that night at a venue on Sauchiehall street called the Garage, rock type band a bit loud but he thought i would probably like it. Want to give it a go? Yeah ok. why not.

We went for a really great Chinese meal first at a restaurant called Bleu Ginger. Excellent meal! Over to the venue. They wouldn't let me keep my camera in my purse which worried me but they did give me a ticket for it, promised to put it in their safe and promised responsibility if anything happened to it. Ok... i guess.... Into the venue, beers in hand. The band was 3 Colours Red. I'm sure many of you know them but of course i had never heard of them. Yes they were loud but not painfully so and i really enjoyed them. really! I think there were only one or two songs i wasn't keen on but there were a couple that i really liked. The camera was returned to me safe and sound and we left at closing. It was a Sunday night so it wasn't open that late and we went back to the hotel bar for a nightcap or three.

So....Rattler says.... how did you like your first punk band? WOT???? Now i should backtrack here and state categorically that i generally dislike punk music, at least any i've heard for the most part, the Ramones aside. Just a bit too aggressive for me even though i do like a hard rock sound. Anyway i didn't believe him. Oh yes they're a punk band. Well you never told me they were! If i had, you wouldn't have wanted to go or wouldn't have liked it on principle would you? Erm... well... probably not lolol He figured there was a 50/50 chance i'd like them as he does generally know what i do like and what i don't and he was spot on for this one. I justified it by saying, ok, they were really more "middle of the road punk" then... ..... i didn't think anyone's eyes could roll that much LOLOL!

However we scoured Glasgow for a cd and couldn't find it anywhere. They apparently have had distribution problems so he promised if i couldn't find it in London he'd make me a copy of his. London was a washout obviously so i'll have to get on to him.