GAH A WEEK

Its been a whole week since my last post. I swear I have good reason for not keeping as on top of it as I usually am. I've been sick with the cold/cough thing thats going around Ottawa. As a result, I have almost nothing new to say as I've been sitting in my apt. being anti social for fear of infecting the music dept further. SO, apart from going to my very few classes, and watching a TONNE of TV and movies, I havent anything to say.

Though, last night was interesting. Of course take the word interesting with a grain of salt as its coming from a guy who has been held up in his apt. for a day or two. Interesting to me has become a strong gust of wind! My internet died last night, and after an hour on the phone with Bell, they decided it would need tending to by a tech. So they sent one out this morning, and he fixed it. See. Not all that interesting. But when you have no motivation to do anything but watch movies online, having no internet sucks! Oh, she's back now and running better than ever!

I think i'm going to make spaghetti sauce tonight to have for the week.

I have an obscene amount of reading to do for wednesday, but in all reality it will only take a few hours, and because I have so little class, I'm likely to not even look at it till tomorrow. Its still taking a lot to get used to grad school scheduling. I have work to do no doubt, but none of it is ever practical, and I have a whole week do to it each time because all my classes are once a week-ers. I still keep thinking the shit will hit the fan in the coming days, but it never does. I guess I'm still in my undergrad mentality of having way more plates spinning at a given time, and waiting for them all to fall. Again, I worry about speaking prematurely, but I remember even in the first week of first year, being VERY stressed and even looking at that in second year I thought it was funny that I was stressed for that small amount of work. Maybe I've become desensitized to stress and workloads. Who knows. Time will tell.

I like my tuesday nights because I get to sit backstage while Dr. Woods does her non music lecture and plays sweet chant music and I can just read and do work. I like that me just being backstage reading counts as 3 of my 10 hours a week as a TA.

Anyway, I'm feeling a bit better today, so I hope I have better stories for you all by the next post!!

Hope youre all well!!!

XOXOXOXO Jacob

FIGS!

Hello campers,

Yesterday was the best day ever. Possibly the best day that there ever was. Maybe not, but it was great. Megan and I went to the market yesterday morning, and got so many great things. Multicoloured carrot, peppers, fruit etc. But the mission for the day was to find fresh figs. I've never had one, and I have been CRAVING one to try for EVER. So that was our goal. We came across the Byward Fruit Market, and wouldnt ya know? FIGS! And not just one stupid kind, no no. FOUR KINDS OF FRESH FIGS! It was great. I got a basket of black missions, and a couple green ones to try. So then we went in search of this coffee shop megan knew of to sit and eat figs. On the way there we came across the second huge find of the day. The French Baker. Oh Dear Lord. My life is done. This place is amazing. I want you all to google macarons. NOT MACAROONS, macarons. They had these there. I've never had one, but I've been trying to find a place that makes them for a year, but of course theres nowhere in wolfville or even halifax that males them. Anyway, It was great.

So then (as we were close) we dropped by Ed Ross and Jims place. It was my first time there, and let me tell you. Swankay! I like it. Not my type of area, but the house is great. So we hung out there while Ross sold a car to a man that he introduced us to.

That night, Alyssa Tina Megan and I went to this pub right around the corner from megans place for dinner. They have 50% off Sundays! We had legit full meals for like 8 bucks! So going there every sunday! Then we drove like 15 minutes outside town to get DQ. There are zero in the downtown city. Weird eh! Anyway, good night all round.

Today was a work day. I had a bunch of goals, and I got to a solid 3/4 of them. Go me! The library was stupid though. They are still renovating, and every 20 minutes they would drill holes or something dumb and distract everyone. NOT COOL LIBRARY, PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO DO WORK! Anyway, I just came home to do work instead. No biggie. So naturally I made a tart. A Tart Tatin to be specific. I made it with fresh quebecios apples, and my figs. It turned out sooooo good! Very proud of that one.

So now, I'm just about to go to bed. This time I'll leave you all with another quote. The last one was AA Milne. This one is the drunk french girl who passed under my window a few minutes ago.

"french french french french french, I was Oh my GOD! french french french I have to take a SHIT! french french I HAVE TO TAKE A SHIT RIGHT, OUI! Oh my GOD. french french french." - all in a VERY thick accent.

I had no idea what she was saying in french, cus where I do ok with sober french, drunk french is its own thing! But I'm guessing the french bit was alone the same vein as the english.

Miss you all, and have a good day tomorrow!

XOXOXO

Best Bar in Ottawa

Hello all,
I'll work in reverse chronological order again as its been a few days! Last night Ed, Megan, Tina, Alyssa and I went to a couple bars. First on the list was Pub 101, which was fine, but a bit loud and kind of expensive. I'm really not used to playing covers in bars! It had three floors. The bottom floor was a pub, but it was really cold down there cus the doors were open. So up a level we went to the same vibe, but warmer floor. Above us was a dance club vibe, but there were all of 4 people up there....so we stayed where we were! After 101, Tina took us to this place on Rideau. BEST BAR EVER! I dont remember the name but on the side of the bar there is a big sign that says restarauntainment! Heres the bar in a nutshell. Arcade games, bowling, fun decor, and beer. UMMMM HELLO! It was a friggin hoot. Also, sidenote. Alyssa Michaud is an amazing DDR player. Like...she went to nationals...We had a table of guys betting on her, and even on an easier setting, each of the other four of us (tina, megan ed and I) taking one arrow each couldnt come close to remotely beating her. WHOA! It was a fun night. Then we ended up at the Metro again. For some reason, bar nights end in going to the grocery store. Its interesting, but always convenient.

We went out last night to celebrate our first official week of Grad studies being over. We've made it this far, we cant fail now right???? RIGHT???

Yesterday was also my first DimSum experience. My cousin, her husband and I went to the place in Chinatown. It was soooo cool. Very authentic if youre into that sort of thing. It was cheap, and good, and different and just fun. To those who have never dimsummed (which I am aware is not a word), GO. So good! Next sunday, we are going to go to Upper canada villiage. I am so very excited. As I've said before and I will most likely say again, period costumes, history and fresh bread are what I live for.

Today I think I will need to spend a good chunk of my time in the library. I'm in that phase where I know I have a lot to do research wise, and I know what I need my end results to be, but theres a missing link between what I know I need to be looking at and how to get the information to start to get to the point where I can look at the final topics... I guess this is what a research degree is all about huh! Wish me luck!

So here I leave you. All the best to you all! And I'll leave you with a completely unrelated quote to anything. I just really love it and thought you might all enjoy it too. Its comforting. And its from winnie the pooh, so it has to be great!

"Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. "Pooh?" he whispered. 
"Yes, Piglet?" 
"Nothing," said Piglet, taking Pooh's hand. "I just wanted to be sure of you." - A.A Milne


Jacob

March 2008

Hello Campers,

The last few days have been decently uneventful. Yesterday I did laundry. That will be happening as little as I possibly can get away with! WHOA! This is the first thing here that I'm not a fan of in regards to my living situation and school and such. Laundry is only 5 blocks away, but when you have 3 weeks worth, and a book or two to read while youre there...WHOA I say again! It took me a while to find too as it was my first trip, so that may have added to the shoulder pain. Also, I was unaware that there was no change machine, and that it only took quarters. The very nice eastern european lady who runs it took pity on me though as it was my first time, and opened up a dryer and got me out a bunch of quarters in exchange for my toonies. She was sweet. We will make good laundry time friends. We already talked about a chicken recipe that involves brown sugar and chilis! Sunday after laundry I took a stroll down Rideau St, just to see what was going on. Nothing really. Stores. Homeless people. A pizza place that was very very clean, but from the outside look disgusting! That was my monday.

Today was boring. Because I only take two courses (and I'm used to like 7-8 a few of which have practicums attatched and then bands on top), I'm a little bored at the moment. I'm sure it wont last long, becuase everyone keeps telling me that thesis work will get me very busy, and coursework gets to be a lot. I may regret saying all this though, but, I cant imagine! Seriously. Like Thesis yes. But I dont even take the course to prepare my topic defence till next semester. Until then I'm in what is basically an undergrad class, as theres only 4 of us in grad school and the rest are mainly third years. I think I can manage that. And the other one, is a class to prepare you for preparing your thesis proposal...Thats it. How much work can that possibly bring. PLUS, I met with my proff that I'm TAing for this semester, and the only thing she wants me to do is sit in the class tuesday nights incase something tech related goes wrong, and then hold office hours once a week, where I can sit and do what little work I have to do. I only have to do 30% of the grading because theres two other TA's for the class, AND...AND...its a survery class of all music history and theory (so, just a bare skim), for NON MUSIC MAJORS! Even she said, what little grading you will have to do, you will be able to do in about 2 hours. And they only had in assignments every three weeks or so...Sorry for the rant, but this is nuts! But again...now that I've said it my life will blow up with work!

In other news. I met my landlord finally. He is a very nice old italian man. He is going to come take the door out of my living room soon, and fix the burners on my stove as only two of them work. Thats my life in a nutshell. Nothing too exciting. Booked my flights for october though. I'm coming home the 22nd and heading back the 1st. Lots of nice Acadia time in my future. YAY!

Love you all, and wish you the best.

Jacob

Je vais à l'Université d'Ottawa, et je dois apprendre le français et l'allemand en mars l'année prochaine. Souhaitez-moi bonne chance.

OK...Strap yourselves in. This is going to be a long one...and theres a lot of pictures too. I'm going to go in reverse chronological order. Tonight, as I sit here, there is a MASSIVE concert happening at Tabaret hall, which is about half a block from my place. Its outside...and it is LOUD. And there are HUNDREDS of frosh running around drunk and silly. It may be a late night. However, I did just get back from what may be the coolest, most hip meeting of people ever. The MA musicology and theory dinner party. The coolest of the cool. All the current MA people met at one of our proffs condos (which was BEAUTIFUL. . . I want her life.) for a potluck dinner party. The only conversations all night were thesis topics, medievalists, Analysis, those damned performers, and other such cool topics. I'm sure you are all jealous. After a nice night, I walked Alyssa back up to her apt about 5 block from mine because she lives next to a hipster bar, and its a bit sketch haha. 

Last night was also quite eventful. Tina, Megan and I went down to the market and found a nice irish bar to sit at. It. was. packed. The summer nights are still warm here, so people are still flooding the market. We sat outside and people watched for a while and then the most amazing thing happened. Among the hoards of people came a pipe and drum band. At 11. On a friday night in the market in Ottawa. Let me tell you all, If I could have stood up, saluted and flown a NS flag, I would have. It was amazing. They played all the hits. Scotland the brave, Amazing Grace, youh name it. Such a good night. After that, we wnt to Zacks 24 hour diner. Such a cool little place. Awesome cheap after bar food, nice wait staff and a fun environment. AND THEN, after that, we stopped in at the Metro on the way home to get yoghurt for the morning. 24 grocery? SO CONVENIENT! 

Yesterday morning we had our first and only real "grad class" that all the music grads have to be in. Its an introduction to musical research and its taught by my thesis advisor, who I love. So thats a cool class. Its nice to finally know who is who and what everyone is doing. And now since we've had our super cool MA dinner party, I really know who the cool kids are to sit by in class. After that class was the school of music BBQ, which was actually a mild bust as 99% of the crowd were the undergrads who all knew each other. There were only a few of us grad students there. BUT we did end up going to lunch with a few grad students that were new to all of us. We went to the Horn of Africa, which is an Ethiopian place not to far from the school. We met a very interesting man named Bogdan who is from Romania! He is doing his second masters in composition and theory, but when he is not here, he teaches renaissance counterpoint at the University of Romania. You meet allllll kinds! Cool story though eh! 

Actually, as i'm finishing up this monster post, the music seems to have stopped. Maybe the concert is over? I hope. I hope they arent just setting up the next act. That would be awful. 

Well, good night and all the best to you all. I miss everyone dearly! 

Love, Jacob

We wanted yoghurt and soymilk at 12 30. What of it!? Its a 24 hour grocery, whatevs. 

Nostalgia for a period I wasnt alive in

Pouty Lips

Tina Alexander is amazing...so is Zacks 24 hour 50's diner

Megans sexy times in Ottawa

Bogdan and Alyssa at the Horn of Africa

Megans Veggie Version

Grad students go to Africa...SO GOOD !

Ditto

The frosh outside my window that I refered to a few days ago. Good god I dont miss it. 

When you get off the Elevator to the music lib section

The GRAD floor. If you dont have a degree already...GET OUT! 

Row 1 of the referance section of the Lib...and Tina...DROOOLLLL...not at Tina though...

Row 2. Awesome

Turandot, antimusicology and friends :)

Yesterday was my very first day of class! I was as excited as excited could be. My first class was a class called "in search of musical understanding". It was interesting. Without harping on it too much, it was a musicology class...that bashed musicologists. It made me feel weird inside. I was caught between intrigued and offended. I'm not sure how it will all play out yet, but it was...interesting. Yesterday wasnt too eventful. At the end of the day though, I was feeling a weird mix of unsurity (pretty sure thats not a word...) and a bit fallen. I think there was just SO much build up to my first class, and to leave it not being inspired and full of musical though left me feeling strange about it.

Today however, was VERY eventful and wonderful. I started my day by wandering to the Rideau to get an umbrella...to stand under. I love the rideau because EVERYTHING you ever need is there. And its so close I can SEE it from my window. Awesome. So I got an umbrella. Then, this afternoon, I had my first clarinet lesson. It was great. She is VERY nice, and kind and you can see it in her that she just likes to teach to see the result. I've lucked out with her. We had a great lesson, and I really feel I will be getting a lot from her, and that she will make me love my instrument again. So that was good. After my lesson, I had skype time with Nicole and steph AND Meggy Morrisey. It was a good afternoon.

Tonight though, tops the bill! As you may have read the other day, we all got free tickets to Turandot with Opera Lyra at the NAC. So megan, Alyssa and I got all dressed up and went over. Perfect night to see it. The place was practically empty. Like...that place is HUGE, and there were less than 200 people there. So cool. We sat up in the second balcony and had an amazing view of the pit (The NAC orchestra!!!) and the stage. It. was. beautiful. So beautifully staged, and the singing was lovely. Nessun Dorma would make a jaded heart cry. And Lui...WHOA SHE WAS GOOD. Very great night all round. We met up with Ed, Jim and Ross who had watched it from the floor below. As good a view as we had, its vertigo-y up there. They may have had a good plan on that one. It was nice to see the boys. Its been a while.

Tomorrow though, we all have our first actual grad student class together. Like, all the music grad students in one room. Awesome ! THIS I am excited for. I love those kinds of classes. And its called "an introduction to musical research". Sounds good to me! We have a plan to get everyone to go out after for lunch, then we have a school of music BBQ tomorrow supper time, and then hopefully some sort of social event for the grad students. That would be nice.

I'm sure I will let you all know how it goes though! Stay tuned!

Nighty Night all XOXO

Jacob

Being a grad student is awesome

Today, I discovered the perks of being a grad student at a large school. They may not give me an office, and the grad lounge may be small and smelly, but here are a few things that made my life (today at least) amazing.

It all started when I met up with Alyssa, Tina and Megan for the Grad BBQ. Free food = perk one. After a little grub, we went to the music office to do some things. We left there with free tickets to see the dress rehearsal of Opera Lyra's Turandot at the National Arts Centre on thursday night. We are going to get fancy and go! How awesome is that! Perk two! Next we went upstairs to the score library because Tina needed the Merry widow score. We found out when she signed it out, that grad students get semester loans. As in, I can get any book or score out and keep it for a semester....A SEMESTER PEOPLE!!!! How awesome is THAT! Perk three.

We then ventured to the referance library. That makes the SECOND music library. So we head over, and wander around the main library for a while. First of all there is a second cup in the library for all your caffein needs. Also, (get ready for perk four...) we found out that because we are grad students, we dont have to buy photocopy cards. There is a chip on our student ID that means we just stick that in the machine and it photocopies. Now we still have to pay. Its not free...BUT, its one less card to carry. While wandering up to the referance library on fourth, we decided to go to sixth first. Sixth floor is just for grad students! How sweet is that! None of those pesky little undergrads running around! I kidd haha. But the whole library was just renovated, and is VERY nice. Its quite modern looking, with big leather chairs and fireplaces everywhere. The lights turn on by sensor, so its pretty neat to walk down a dark row and have the lights just turn on for you! I took pictures of the library that I will put up later. It is very nice.

So we finally make it to the music part of fourth, and I get my first look at what I'm working with for the next two years. Its pretty good. Not SUPER good, but pretty good. Its about 3-4x's what acadias referance section was, so I'm good with that. Overall, very happy with the library. And it seems very accomodating. I know that sounds like a weird thing to say of a library, but its something you look for! To feel welcome and able to find help when you need it? Wicked!

After that, Meg and I ventured to the Metro for some groceries, and I spent the rest of my day watching Wall-e. Very nice. Mid Wall-e, a group of probably...oh...150? 200? frosh went by my window chanting (I took pictures of that too). They were all in camo overalls and COVERED in some sort of goop. Looked like oatmeal. They were all tied together with a rope too, and the only words I could make out in the chant we're "...yeah, fuck yeah!"...so thats cool. Right now, theres a huge thunder storm happening. I LOVE a good storm though, so this is awesome.

Tomorrow is my first class! Its called "in search of musical understanding". I am VERY excited to go and see what its about. People keep saying its a kind of philosophy of music through the musicology of performing class. I dig that. I'm pumped. It'll be nice to finally meet everyone, and actually go to a class. I've been here so friggin long waiting for school to start that I've kind of lost that buzz. I'm sure I'll get it as I walk in tomorrow though.

I'm sure i'll write about my first day after it happens tomorrow! And, i'm sure you'll all be waiting with bated breath. Wish me luck!

Jacob

BBQ, family and skype

Hello all. Its been a nice few days here in Ottawa. Last night I went out to the National Defence Military base where my cousin Erika lives with her husband Dennis. We had a solid 5 hour chat, and a great BBQ meal. It was a very nice relazing night. The base is a cool place. Its very odd. When you arrive at the gates, there are Military Police and a checkpoint you have to go through. Once inside there are literally hundreds of identical connected condo type houses. She told me my first few times out there, they would come pick me up and take me because I would have no idea where to go. God was she right ! I would have been out there for days trying to find her place. Its nice though, and fairly big once you get inside. Its very strange looking out the back window into another row of identical buildings though. Its kind of surreal out there, but you feel very very safe. If theres ever shit going down, thats where I'm headed. I dont know Erika and Dennis well, as Erika's side of the family has only lived near mine once, and for about 5 years. We really have only seen each other at the occasional christmas dinner, or funeral or wedding. I think though, this will be our time to get to know each other. We are making plans to head up to upper canada villiage in a few weeks. I guess its a working town from the 1880's. Milking cows, grinding wheat, cast iron on the hearth type of deal. I'm excited. As steph pointed out it will have my two favorite things in life. History and costumes. So true.

Today was another relaxing day. I spent my morning skyping with my darling Nicole in London. She is doing well for those of you who know her. We started talking about possible trip plans for me to go over during my feb. break. Tara, nicole, ally, jacob euro fun time! I'm sure I'll keep you all updated on my plans haha. I then went to the market and wandered around for a while. I went to my favorite french boulangerie. Great sourdough! ....and an eclair... Picked up some strawberries and some multicoloured carrots. If I havent said it enough, I'll say it again. I love the market.

This afternoon was occupied with an Ally skype date. Also a very good time. She has such an amazing life in Paris. I'm very jealous. BUT hopefully i'll get to go over and see it for myself! It was beautiful to talk to her today. We havent had a whole lot of talk time lately, and it was good to catch up. Skype is the best invention ever. What would my social life be without it at this point.

After Ally time, was Steph time followed by Teri time. All great. Steph and I have decided that our social lives are entirely computer based at the moment. Thats not sad at all! Sarcasm! Its no real life friendship, but it will have to do for a while for certain people. At least we're at a point where I can see the person I'm talking to, even if they're not really there. Face to face is much better than a phone call, even if the faces are on a screen.

I'm getting very excited for classes to start. I've been here long enough without anything to do now. I'm not there yet, but I'm going to start going shackwacky if I dont have things to occupy myself with soon. Though I did confirm my first clarinet lesson tonight. Thats not till thursday, but I'll let you all know how it goes. I'm very hopeful about this teacher. She seems very nice, knowledgeable, but understanding of the situation I'm coming from and what I want to do in terms of clarinet this year.

Talk soon to you all, and I'm very happy to hear that Earl wasnt too bad. I hope you are all as content and happy as I am, and if you're not... I hope you will be soon!

Jacob

Hey everyone. Pictures are finally here !! I wont write too much, cus this is going to look long enough as it is! So you all know, because I'm sure you care deeply, I finally am fully carded. Student ID, bus pass, everything. The student ID wasnt a bad process but the Upass took forever get. Maybe 50 mins in line, then 30 waiting for the card to be made. The guy who was making mine didnt speak great english, and I had zero warning that he was taking a picture. All I got was "ok picture 3.2.1 click" Efficient fine, but my picture looks hilarious. Imagine, those old USSR communist posters of people looking off into the distance and with a kind of glazed look on their face. The eyes say nothing, and they just look happy to be in a country where the leader supplies all their grain...yeah...thats my picture. It really is a good laugh.  Good weather news though! Although its supposed to storm and rain (though nothing like what NS is about to get), by tonight its supposed to be down to about 20 degrees finally. YAY! I may actually sleep tonight. Excitement! 

Best wishes, and good luck the hurricaners. 

Jacob

Creepy stairs in the darker light setting

My creepy stairs

Looking in from the front door

A place for coats and such

Bedroom from door

Part of bedroom

Black Canvas obelisk that holds my linens

Bathroom with amazing clawfoot tub!

Looking in from the door

From the Door looking in

Looking from the far side of the living room

My KlikKlak futon couch thing

Food nook

Kitchen 

Looking down from the kitchen toward the door

Big day!

Today I spent my day doing school things. Getting cards, meeting proffs, signing up for a locker etc etc. I started my day by going to Tabaret hall (less than a block from my place) to get my student ID card and bus pass. I waited in a bit of a line, went through all the rigamarole, and finally got to the picture taking stage, only to be told that I couldnt finish untill I had met with my advisor and fully registered for courses. So I left. That was a pain, but I'll go back tomorrow. Early, so its done! So, having more free time than I though at that moment I came home. As I was walking up the stairs there was a woman knocking on my door. I said hello! Turns out she was my upstairs neighbor comeing to say hello! Her name is Jody, and she is just starting a masters in Theatre direction! SO COOL! Its nice to know that we both agree that we like a bit o' quite, and that were not planning on having big ragers here. She has an incredibly interesting back story that includes teaching drama in Tanzania for 4 years! Again, SO COOL! So that was nice. She came in, and we chatted for about an hour. It was very nice. I think i've said nice enough for one post. I'll try not to say it again haha.

After Jody time, I headed to Perez (the music building) to finally meet my thesis advisor and get key cards and sign forms and of course figure out registration so I could friggin get my ID! BOO. Anyway, everyone I encountered today was SUPER friendly...I was close to saying the N word, but see how I stopped myself. The guy who set up the TAships was very funny and great. I think I will really like him. First semester I am one of 4 TA's working for a theory for non music majors course. Simple going! So thats cool. I got a locker down in the scariest locker room I've ever seen in my life. Its in the basement. You need to swipe in the room. Theres like...ONE... light for the whole room. I feel like at any moment I will be stabbed to death. But its a place to keep stuff! Also I wandered around the whole building and found the grad lounge and such. A very small room for about 40 people. Maybe the size of the Denton student lounge....not amazing, but it'll be a great meeting place.

After that I met with Dr. Moore, my thesis advisor. We are going to get along very well. He seems very very helpful and kind, and he is already pumped about my research topics and is talking grants and papers and travel and all kinds of neato stuff. I get the feeling that I am very lucky to have him as an advisor. The meeting made me feel much much much more secure about this whole adventure I'm on. He is very personable. He asked where I was living, how I find the city, if i've met people yet, blah blah. Very wicked guy.

Then tonight, Megan Johnson arranged a nice meeting of two of the other new grad students here. A vocalist (Tina) and one of my musicology people who is also studying with Dr. Moore (Alyssa)! Very great people. We have plans to meet up and do things and so on and so forth. We spend a solid two and a half hours chatting at the second cup! Woo. Friends!

So now I'm home, not posting pictures like I said I would. Sorry. But you'll all just have to deal with it. you'll like them all the more when they finally do go up!

Best wishes to all,

Love Jacob

small town livin'

Today, I saw every person I know in Ottawa save two. It was weird. My doorbell rang 4 times. It was weird! I'll go in chronological order.

1. Bev Soifer. Bev came over and we talked for about an hour, then we went to the Rideau center and had lunch and talked for two hours, then we came back to my place and talked for an hour before going to the metro for some groceries and more talking! We had two years to catch up on and it was lovely! I forgot how similar we are! It was great to wander around with someone who knows the area well. She showed me where all the sketchy spots are, and where the good places are. It was nice. We tried to spend as much time inside the Rideau as possible, as its still VERY hot here. Hopefully the rains tomorrow will break it a bit. Also, through Bev I learned the proper way to pronounce the Rideau. REE-doh, not Ri-Doh as I was saying. Apparently that will make me sound like a i'm from away. Wouldnt want that! Bev is also taking me to a burlesque show her friend is putting on Saturday night! Should be fun!

2. Ross and Ed, stopped by to grab the last little bit of his stuff. That was nice.

3. A man rang my doorbell and told me he is running for city council! Good for him! He's young and he seemed very nice. He told me that the guy who is in there now has been there for 30 years! He's got his work cut out for him. He asked me what I thought of Ottawa and if I felt safe. I told him I like it here, but I just moved in. He said, "oh, youre from Toronto?" and I said. "no. Nova Scotia!"  he said "OH wow! What are you doing in Ottawa?" I said "A masters of Musicology" and he said "on what instrument?" and I said " no instrument...its a history degree!" and he said "oh good, well thanks for your time." It was a lovely chat.

4. Jim, was apparently walking by when his phone (and thus internet) died, so he came up to use my computer to find out where ross and ed were. They were at home.

5. As I was cleaning, eating sushi and playing my records on my nicely set up record player entertainment center, I heard someone yelling " Jacob, Jacob!" outside. So I went to my window, and to my surprise, it was Megan Johnson and Gill Proudfoot! The last two people I know here who I hadnt seen! So they came up and we talked for about an hour and a half. It was lovely. Megan and I hadnt had a chance at all yet to talk about school and what not, so it was good! Gill told me all about her very madmen-esqu life working for a firm that does something with clients that I dont quite understand! I may not have any idea what she was talking about, but it really was interesting!

So now, I'm just sitting and having a bowl of Haagen das cus it was on sale at the metro. Tomorrow will also be a big day as I'm finally meeting with my advisor, getting student Id's and bus passes, and getting access to rooms and such. Also, I think tomorrow night Megan and I are going to have a coffee date with some people she stalked down who are coming to U of O for grad stuff too. She's crafty.

I know I said pictures today, but I didnt have time to take them. I was so busy today! Tomorrow. Its starting to look very nice in here. Audrey went up on the wall. Thats how I know its starting to shape up.  Outside my window there is a crazy man telling some poor soul stopped at the lights about how he found Jesus and how he was never a christian before. Good for him.

All the best to everyone back home! Good luck starting school soon. Teacher, student or otherwise!

Jacob