Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

Just a quick post today to wish the wife Happy Birthday...

Presents have been opened, we're having a little dinner at the house and relaxing together for the next few days including finally buying our couch so that we don't have to lounge around on the futon anymore.

The best present she got came from work - today starts seven days off in a row... and with the ski hill opening this weekend, maybe she'll have to dust off the ol' snowboard and get in a couple runs.

That's it for today though - Happy 26th Baby!

P.S. Sorry about yesterday - when you're as hungover as I was, thinking is far too taxing a task...

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Come Back Tomorrow...

Listen - I ain't doin' shit today...

It's my birthday - my champagne birthday at that - so I'm taking the night off to play some poker, hang out with the sleepy little dog and watch some Grey's while Sarah is at work.

I'll be back tomorrow with a new soundtrack song for the One Year Anniversary post.

Until then - have a drink for me!

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For anyone who is wondering - turning 30 is no different than turning 29... it's just another day folks.

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10 Things I Learned This Week

Week #1 in the new digs has been hectic, entertaining and a little nerve rattling at times. It has also been educational and here, as always, is what I learned.

1. A Bar is a Bar is a Bar

Filled out all my Kelsey's paperwork Wednesday and dove in head first working a training shift Thursday. Low and behold, pouring beer is the same in British Columbia as it is in Ontario. Who'da thunk it? Right now, the place is a ghost town, but I'm getting hours and that's the key for right now. The people will come... hopefully.

2. Making Sushi is Easier Than You Think

So we learned last night and let me tell you, it was delicious. An old friend of Sarah's and his girlfriend gave us the tutorial and helped us down the loads of rolls that amounted from four of us spreading rice on nori for the better part of an hour. Now, our rolls didn't look quite as nice as the ones you'd pay to have made for you at your local sushi bar, but this was our first time. Like everything else, the first time is kinda dicey and you get better with every try.

3. Stuff Everywhere

The truck arrived yesterday afternoon with all our goods and now there is stuff everywhere in our condo. That's not such a bad thing, except that, well, where the hell do we put this crap? With the landlord's gear still sitting around here for another week or so, it's kind of hard to fully establish our setup with bedrooms full of furniture and cupboards full of leftover food. Good thing we never eat at the dining room table - it's now become the storage center.

4. Still...

This place is really starting to get that home feeling. The kitchen is full of our stuff, the dog has finally realized that this is his house and not just some place we're shacking up for a week and we're all ready to get started on the office once the bunk beds go. We've got the new desk, some artwork for the walls and a whiteboard so we can continue to pretend that we're an organized couple that adheres to schedules.

5. UFC 90: Letdown

Not only did I have a horrible night predicting the fights - I think I managed three winners on the whole card - but to have the Anderson Silva / Patrick Cote fight end the way it did was an utter disappointment. Cote became the first man to make it to the third round with "The Spider," only to blow out his knee advancing on Silva to open the round. One thing everyone needs to take away from last night though is that Thiago Alves is legit! He hammered Josh Koscheck from start to finish.

6. No Word of a Lie...

There are deer everywhere. I know I've mentioned it over and over and Sarah has started to think I'm a total nutcase because I'm so fascinated by these stupid creatures, but they're literally everywhere and it still amazes me. They don't even flinch when you approach them. In fact, they turn and face you, sizing up whether they want to take you on or not. I need to get over it and I know it, but for one more week, I'm still awestruck by Bambi's peeps roaming my neighbourhood.

7. Smoke Free

10 days, no darts. That's the longest stretch in some time and I actually haven't had a single moment where I've thought, "You know, I wish I had a smoke right about now." Not one. How awesome is that? Now I just have to get back to the exercise portion of things and we'll see if I can't shed this spare tire that resides around my midsection.

8. The Big 3-0 Doesn't Bother Me

I was asked last night if I'm nervous or scared about turning 30 on Thursday and I thought I would share my answer with you here. I've got the girl of my dreams, a career aspiration that I'm passionate about, another job that I actually enjoy that keeps some money coming in, a great dog and a killer place. I actually love the way my life is right now and hitting some supposed aging milestone couldn't change that.

9. Back at the Virtual Felt

Since we're not quite at the point of setting up the office - stupid bunkbeds - I've taken to wasting time back at PokerStars on Sarah's computer. Cool fact: she installed it herself because the future Mrs. Kyte likes her some poker too! Seriously, I got me the best woman in the world - we spent the afternoon unpacking watching football and the WSOP.

10. We're Watching 13 Going on 30

Honestly, I love Jen Garner; she's cute, she's fun, she's usually entertaining. This thing? Horrible. Might actually crack my Top 10 for Worst Movies Ever. Cute little premise, but I mean really... horrible. This is me returning the favour for an afternoon of football and poker.

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Honey, I Know What I Want for My Birthday

One month from today, I turn 30.

On our drive to Brampton this AM to help Sarah's Aunt and Uncle move - a move that was craptacular, part due to my strained neck muscles that are limiting my range of motion and part due to nothing really being packed - she asked me what I wanted for my birthday.

Generally, I'm not really great at answering this question, because since I was about 12, there hasn't been anything that I really wanted that I thought I had any legitimate chance at getting. Not that she wouldn't buy me something I wanted, just we're moving and that's going to cost some serious coin so I doubt she'll be interested in dropping a couple Robert Bordens on a 360 and Rockband for the new condo...

But I might stand a chance with these.

My man Marc Ecko - fashion designer, baseball brander, mogul extraordinaire - has released a new line of gear featuring... wait for it... wait for it...

STAR WARS!

We're talking Storm Trooper helmet t-shirts that look killer, a red Warrior hoodie, The Gold Bikini tee and my new wishlist topper - a Boba Fett hoodie! The damn thing looks like Boba Fett's gear, right down to the knicks and dings in the armour.

It's either that or the Storm Trooper "Send in the Troops" hoodie.

Or better yet, this can be what Garry gets me and Sarah can still get me, I mean us, a 360 and Rockband.

What? She could play it too...

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The Rundown: Excitement Mounts

Pictured is the Grand Bahia Principe Cayacao in Samana, Dominican Republic.

That's where I'll be getting married next April. Exact dates aren't set in stone yet, but the resort is and I couldn't be more excited. Sarah and I have been eying this place for six months and to know now that we're definitely getting to have our wedding there is awesome.

Obviously, tying the knot and gettin' hitched is the most exciting thing on the schedule, but that is still nine months off and there are a lot of things I'm looking forward to between now and then, wedding related and otherwise.

Here they are in Today's Better-Late-Than-Never Rundown...

Five Most Anticipated Events

5. Engagement Party - August 16th
I have some reservations and apprehension about this thing, but ultimately, it's a chance for me to see a bunch of people that I haven't gotten to spend much time with over the last two years. It'll be Sarah's first real chance to meet some of the people that are really important in my life and for both our families to interact together, which, in spite of any hang-ups I may have with things, is something to look forward to.

4. Next Stop - TBA
As I mentioned in the last installment of 10 Things, we're in the process of figuring out where we'll be setting up shop next and this is something that I truly am looking forward to. I've moved so much in my life that it doesn't phase me anymore and I only see the fun and enjoyable parts, like finding a killer apartment, buying new things for the space and decorating. Yeah, I said decorating... I like it... sue me!

3. Vancouver - September 2008
Looking forward to this one for a number of reasons. We were supposed to go over last Christmas until someone had to have their appendix removed and then Bambi happened, so now that we've got tickets booked, I'm starting to get excited again. I've never been to BC and I can't wait to just see how beautiful it is, but I'm also looking forward to meeting Sarah's Girls, spending some QT with her mom and getting a chance to spend more time with her brother Tim.

2. Champagne Birthday - October 30, 2008
The Big Three Oh doesn't phase me at all - you're only as old as you feel and I feel like I'm about 21 most days, so piss on all the worrying and nonsense. I'd like to have one hell of a party for this one, Spencer Style though. No out all night boozefest like the younger years; I want my closest friend at my house / apartment, great food, better beverages and just lots of laughs and entertainment. Feel free to contact Sarah to make this happen...

1. Our First Christmas Together - December 25, 2008
Yes, we've been together for two actual Christmases thus far, but neither has really been together in the complete sense of the word. For that matter, they weren't really Christmas-y either. Sarah was home in VanCity for the first one and last year I was at work after we spent all of Christmas Eve travelling home post-Bambi. While I know Sarah may have to work, I also know that I most likely won't and that means I make sure we have a great Christmas together, wherever we are.

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