Life of Shanks

This past week at work has been rather interesting. We had a Murder Mystery @ the ESO- complete with cops, dectectives, suspects, and a lady in red. I of course didn't murder anyone.. but that didn't stop the cops from frisking me for weapons.



Unfortunately- the "murderer" for the evening was our music director Bill Eddins- who they claim killed in jealousy. Of course.... blame the brown guy.

I know its been awhile since I've written. Here's the update.
Got my Mac. LOVING IT. Spending way too many hours playing around on it.

Almost got a puppy... I fell in love but she was quite expensive and I didn't think a dog was a good impulse purchase. But here's a photo of ms. cuteness herself...



And I cut my hair. Cut a lot off. I haven't had it this short in over 6 years. But change is good.



Besides a very drugged up trip to the dentist which put me at home for 1 week and on antibiotics... all is well in Shankel-land.

PC BE GONE! Thats right Kids. I finally did it. I purchased an apple laptop online this past weekend. Spent way too much money and am now patiently waiting for it to arrive by fed ex. Last I checked it was in Shanghai. I keep telling my self that it won't get here any quicker- the more times I check the online tracking system. Yet- I still check.

I never actually got the fillings done. I still felt the drill and they maxed out on the amount of freezing they could give me. So next time I get to take sleeping pills. Sweet.

3 fillings- $350 *
2 hours in the chair- $200*
5 shots of freezing stuff-$80*
Hitting my dentist in her head when I still felt the drill? Priceless


* estimated costs of procedures. I have no clue what these things actually cost. I'm totally guessing here.

So- I witnessed something rather disturbing a few days ago. I was walking across a crosswalk through a rather busy intersection in downtown Edmonton and I hear the sound of a rather incessant bus horn. I turned around as did the 10 other people walking across the street with me- just in time to see a girl- probably no more the 15 years old get catapulted by the number 140 bus. Surprisingly enough the girl got up right away- I’m sure she was in shock- because it did look like the bus hit her rather hard. And it was totally her fault. She ran into the middle of an intersection into oncoming traffic. Are you daft child? Suicide moment?I think not. Considering her 2 teenage boy pals were right behind her.
Seriously- how can you not see bus? They are big and blue. And in this snow-covered world- they kinda stand out.
The kids actually tried to run away- but they didn’t get very far because the bus driver got out and started giving them a nice lecture in the middle of the street. Ahh.. daytime drama. So entertaining.
I didn’t stick around to find out what happened. I think I was still a bit in shock from seeing someone being hit by a bus.

Hellluuuu… and happy new year to ya’ll! I’ve been delinquent in writing- ( definitely not a new year’s resolution). I was sick with a mother sinus infection over the holidays and away most of the time so now that I’m back, I feel like I can get into the groove again! To be honest- Christmas wasn't so great due fully to the fact that all I wanted to do was sleep and I couldn’t taste, smell or enjoy the loveliness of the season- but it was nice to have a whole week off and not work for a bit. It was also great to spend some time with my Bro’s family who came up for the festivities. This past weekend- my bestest girls and I celebrated Christmas together in Calgary at Anna’s new place. Going on 5 years now that we’ve done this Christmas exchange. Myla wasn’t there in body, but we definately was there in spirit. A nice time of card playing, shopping, fondu, movies and chilling ( and of course opening presents) . It was a fabulous short little getaway. Now its back to reality and the start of what I hope is going to be a very adventursome year!

I sit at my desk at 7:30pm on Dec. 22nd- feeling quite bitter that I have to work this evening…. AND tomorrow evening. Mainly because- well- let’s be honest here… I’m TIRED!!!
Even though its going to be a fabulous show ( Handel’s Messiah) … there comes a point when you just want to NOT be at your workplace. I’ve arrived at that point.
I’ve also been stricken with a throat infection. Lovely I know. Doctor says it’s not contagious. But I feel miserable just the same. And I have to sing tomorrow. Awesome.
I just want to go home and put on my Christmas tree lights and lay on my red sofa. Is that too much to ask? The little work fairies dancing around my head say yes.

Yes- it's been a few weeks since my last post. I was doing so well too.. .truth is- I feel like I haven't had a moment to breath! Between early mornings and late nights at work, concerts I have to be at, Christmas parties you have to make an appearance at and rehearsals- I've been going a bit crazy! I finally had an afternoon and evening to myself this past weekend- and let me tell you, my sofa has never felt so good.
I have found time to get all my Christmas shopping done- did that a few weeks ago and I'm so happy I don't have to brave the malls during this final week of madness. Well- the final countdown is here... 1 week until Christmas! Even more imporant.... only 5 more days until I can leave the Winspear Centre for 10 whole days! YAHOOOOOOO!The best Christmas present for me right now is time off.... ( and of course an Apple Macbook.... hint hint)

…. Or maybe its- Tis’ the season to be overly busy, stressed out, broke, and hyper with sugar overloads.
Ahh… December. The month of snowfalls, chestnuts roasting on an open fire, sugarplums, way too many Christmas parties and the one time of year I can listen to Christmas music and get away with it ( as long as I ignore the rolling eyes around me) The one party I would and could not miss this year is Lindsay’s annual Christmas soiree. I think this is going on 4 or 5 years now? Not too sure on the exact number- but every year is always a memorable one. Visiting with old friends- meeting new ones, lots of food, presents.. you name it.

The one event that brings out the creative side of all involved is the Graham Cracker House making contest. There’s not actually a prize- just boasting rights for a full year of whose is REALLY the best house. Of course the norm is the gingerbread house- which I believe is a lot stronger then the graham cracker. Graham crackers crumble, crack and snap way too easily. But I think that adds to the adventure of the structure making contest. A few years ago- I attempted to make the CN tower with my fearless partner J. R. Ferrer- but I gave up about 20 minutes into the process. This year J. R and I partnered up again and I stuck by and made The House of Shanks- or Shanks House of Love… or FerrShankel Estates. Whatever you want to call it - - J.R. and I did a bang up job. Though- there were 2 other teams that also stood out in the process. All being very different structures- I’ll let you be the judge of who has done the best job.. ( #3... #3... #3) let the voting begin

#1- Tim's House. He has a slight unfair disadvantage since he's a full time artist. A little overboard on the brick detailing- don't ya think? I think if Tim had had time- he would have made a life size one.

#2- Darin and Candace's take on the Golden Gate Bridge. More like- London Bridge is falling down- Oooohhhhh!!!!!! ( Joking.... Darin did do a little planning ahead on this one) the stuff that looks like snakes is supposed to be water

#3- and finally the sturdiest of the houses... look at the fine brickmanship ( which are actually dice) It's all about the details people. We're thinking this could be the template for an olympic village or something...

It's -35 with the wind chill… in Antarctica that may feel warm, but in Edmonton- that’s just dumb. I know all us Albertans/Canadians are supposed to have thick skin and be able to stand the cold. I say thats crazy talk. No one should have to be subjected to these temperatures. I envy all those in warmer climates ....and those heading to warmer climates this week- ya'll know who you are... in love of your native Canada-please have a moment of silence for all those in Alberta/BC that have to bare the stupid amounts of snow and frigid temperatures.

Andrew, Marc and I. Just a group of young professionals.

DJ Shanks in the house...

Me and Christy strikin' a pose

ooh... forgot to mention we raised over $16,000 for the Waldrons and The Seed of Hope at this concert! If anyone would like to add to that number you can go to www.theseedofhope.org for info on how to donate! I'm aiming for six figures next time.

Me singing "When Your Life Was Low" a jazzy song, with a jazzy saxophone player

Nathan rockin on the Guitar and Heather singing her heart out on “World on Fire”

So I’m sure I’ve said this before- but a big perk of my job is all the free things that come with it. Clothes, shoes, cds, make up, dvds, concert tickets, theatre tickets, opera tickets, basketball tickets and oilers tickets. I know. I’m a lucky girl… I’ll try not to rub it in.

So last night one of the ESO’s sponsors- Telus- graciously invited some of my office to be their guests in the Telus box at Rexall place for the Oilers vs Nashville game.

So me andManju headed off to Rexall- after about 20 minutes stuck in traffic outside of the building we finally got parked, and after running thru half of the stadium trying to find the suite cuz the USHERS HAD NO CLUE WHAT THEY WERE DOING…. ( sigh) we settled into a nice comfy little box complete with private bathroom, tables, comfy chairs, chicken wings, 7-layer dip, Hot Dogs and all you can drink. Like Manju said- it was a little taste of heaven….

…Until of course the Oilers lost. Big time. I mean- they haven’t lost a game at home yet this season- and of course when we go- they have to lose. BOO. One of the Nashville player's Aunt and Uncle were sitting right in front of us. Of course it took all my willpower not to “accidentally” spill my diet coke in her mile-high hair- I was hoping it would maybe stop her high pitched cheering for the visiting team. I did contain myself however- and I did manage to have a fantastic time in spite of the loss. I was hoping those Tenesse-ites ( not Texans as Zaak pointed out. [thanks ] ) might freeze and not be able to play well.

Shucks.

So… ok. Let’s just be honest here. I’m not a runner. Never have been. - sprinter yes. But more then a couple hundred meters at a time- um no. I do the jog for 5, walk for 10 thing- quite often… and yes there has been some days when I’ve been overly ambitious- and seriously regretted it afterwards. Maybe yesterday was one of those days.

I woke up yesterday morning to sunshine. Now- if you’d been in Edmonton the past few weeks- you know we haven’t really seen the sun in awhile with all the rain and dreariness that has descended upon the metropolis. So when I saw the sun… I knew a nice long walk was in order. But once I saw that nice long stretch in the river valley… for some reason. I just started running. I felt like Forrest Gump… for about 3k- it was fabulous.

Today. I don’t feel so fabulous. I can barely walk. Seriously. I CAN BARELY WALK.
I am feeling muscles today that I haven’t felt in awhile. My co-workers are laughing at me and my haggard appearance.

Was it the Gemini in me that made me run? – The alter ego that I’m supposedly supposed to have but have never seen? I don’t know. I really don’t know. But I do fondly remember happier days- When my muscles weren’t screaming like Alice Cooper.
I feel like if I move one more muscle. I may just fall over.

Today, the sun is still shining bright. Wanna go for a walk anyone? I'm sure I can borrow a wheelchair for you to push me in.