{"@attributes":{"version":"2.0"},"channel":{"title":"Nell","link":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/","description":"Nell - LiveJournal.com","lastBuildDate":"Sun, 13 Jun 2010 18:29:31 GMT","generator":"LiveJournal \/ LiveJournal.com","copyright":"NOINDEX","image":{"url":"https:\/\/l-userpic.livejournal.com\/15573222\/823345","title":"Nell","link":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/","width":"96","height":"96"},"item":[{"guid":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/97075.html","pubDate":"Sun, 13 Jun 2010 18:29:31 GMT","author":"poconell","link":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/97075.html","description":"Watch this amazing little video! <br \/><br \/><br \/><lj-embed id=\"12\" \/><p><a href=\"http:\/\/vimeo.com\/8461831\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Skateboardanimation<\/a> from <a href=\"http:\/\/vimeo.com\/singer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Tilles Singer<\/a> on <a href=\"http:\/\/vimeo.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Vimeo<\/a>.<\/p><br \/><br \/>This even rivals the Post-it notes!","comments":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/97075.html?view=comments#comments"},{"guid":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/96961.html","pubDate":"Tue, 01 Jun 2010 14:34:31 GMT","title":"Dude, that's so sad!!!","author":"poconell","link":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/96961.html","description":"This is for the LOST fans.<br \/><br \/>For the past couple of weeks as lost was coming to an end, I'd been following Jorge Garcia's blog. (The actors have been feeling a sense of loss too, especially since they were all about to be unemployed.)<br \/><br \/><br \/>He and his partner <a href=\"http:\/\/hallejujahtothehoot.blogspot.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Beth<\/a> were already feeling sad about leaving Hawaii, and then <a href=\"http:\/\/dispatchesfromtheisland.blogspot.com\/2010\/05\/nunu-greatest.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">this<\/a> happens as they were just heading to the airport! They really loved that little dog.<br \/><br \/>Boo! Hiss!!","comments":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/96961.html?view=comments#comments"},{"guid":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/95505.html","pubDate":"Mon, 13 Jul 2009 04:18:24 GMT","author":"poconell","link":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/95505.html","description":"Well, I was just searching to see if any of the Osmonds had made a statement about Michael Jackson (they have), and I found this! My two favorite guys when I was 10!!<br \/><br \/><lj-embed id=\"11\" \/>","comments":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/95505.html?view=comments#comments"},{"guid":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/94441.html","pubDate":"Sat, 11 Apr 2009 06:05:00 GMT","title":"Well, well! Look who's here!","author":"poconell","link":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/94441.html","description":"I'm very much enjoying this four-day weekend. Back in my shift working days, four days off was a regular occurrence, so I likely would have been working this weekend and making mega-bucks. Instead, I took a long bike ride with my daughter, while my boys spent the day snowboarding on Mt. Seymour. I love life in Vancouver! <br \/><br \/>In case you're wondering, I think Billy Bob Thornton is a shithead.<br \/><br \/><lj-embed id=\"9\" \/><br \/><br \/>I can understand him not wanting to be questioned about his film career (that's not fair to his band-mates) but Jian Ghomeshi did <i>not<\/i>! He included the fact in his introduction. And let's be honest, it's a good band, but they would not have gotten that gig with Willie Nelson if he wasn't who he is. Then, he says he's calling a truce, and refuses to sing! What a prick!<br \/><br \/>That night he claimed the \"mashed potatoes\" comment was meant not for his audience, but the interviewer, whose name he does not know. Well Fuckface, WE know! Moxy Fr\u00fcvous sold out more appearances, played more venues and sold more albums that you ever will in this country, especially now that you've pissed people off! He was booed and heckled last night at Massey Hall (which has great acoustics, it must have sounded great!) for dissing their homeboy. And now, they've canceled the rest of their Canadian shows (apparently because of the flu).<br \/><br \/>Smart move,  alienating yourself from the Canadian music market. Lesser bands than yours have made millions off it. Jerk.<br \/><br \/>Edit: There's <a href=\"http:\/\/www.swampland.com\/posts\/view\/title:in_defense_of_billy_bob_thornton_when_context_isnt_truly_context\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">more<\/a>,  <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thestar.com\/entertainment\/article\/616601\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">and<a href=\"http:\/\/celebedge.ca\/contentpostingcp3column?newsitemid=0815024019&amp;feedname=cp-entertainment&amp;show=false&amp;number=8&amp;showbyline=false&amp;subtitle=&amp;detect=&amp;abc=abc&amp;date=false\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">more, <\/a>and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.theglobeandmail.com\/servlet\/story\/RTGAM.20090410.wanelson10\/BNStory\/Entertainment\/?page=rss&amp;id=RTGAM.20090410.wanelson10\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"><i>more!<\/i><\/a><br \/><br \/>Yeesh! People are going ape over this. And he still defends his actions! Listen to the rest of the world, buddy.<\/a>","comments":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/94441.html?view=comments#comments"},{"guid":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/94096.html","pubDate":"Sun, 01 Feb 2009 00:44:46 GMT","title":"Is there anything this man can't do?","author":"poconell","link":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/94096.html","description":"Just the mere mention of his name, and all that is <a href=\"http:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/canada\/ottawa\/story\/2008\/12\/09\/transit-strike.html?ref=rss\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">wrong<\/a> is made <a href=\"http:\/\/cnews.canoe.ca\/CNEWS\/Politics\/2009\/01\/30\/8208436-cp.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">right<\/a>. 51 flipping <i>days<\/i> of it! <br \/><br \/>Like the article says, \"Is peace in the Middle East next?\" or will he leap a tall building in a single bound?","comments":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/94096.html?view=comments#comments"},{"guid":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/93836.html","pubDate":"Fri, 23 Jan 2009 22:46:04 GMT","title":"If you're anti-choice, skip this post!","author":"poconell","link":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/93836.html","description":"He really does make good on his promises!<br \/><br \/>Day three in office, and the Global Gag Rule (A.K.A <a href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Mexico_City_Policy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">\"The Mexico City Policy\"<\/a>) is <a href=\"http:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2009\/POLITICS\/01\/23\/obama.abortion\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">gone!<\/a><br \/><br \/>I was holding my breath, hoping it wouldn't be left forgotten, or on a list of things for him to get to later. He didn't wait. He can see the danger and risk in this policy, and the damage it has caused to women and families. <br \/><br \/>I love that man! <br \/><br \/>I was going to filter this, but I won't be silenced either. I'm a health care professional, and this is what I do.","comments":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/93836.html?view=comments#comments"},{"guid":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/93253.html","pubDate":"Thu, 25 Dec 2008 19:26:48 GMT","title":"Once more with feeling!","author":"poconell","link":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/93253.html","description":"<a href=\"http:\/\/smg.photobucket.com\/albums\/1103\/poconell\/?action=view&amp;current=merryChristmas2.png\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"><img src=\"https:\/\/img.photobucket.com\/albums\/1103\/poconell\/merryChristmas2.png\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Photobucket\" fetchpriority=\"high\"><\/a><br \/><br \/><br \/>All the best for the season, LJ friends!","comments":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/93253.html?view=comments#comments"},{"guid":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/92813.html","pubDate":"Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:45:47 GMT","title":"Time to remember.","author":"poconell","link":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/92813.html","description":"On my day off, I'm going to clean my house, walk the dog, organize some closets and take advantage of the extra time at home. I will not, however take for granted the freedom that allows me to do that. In half an hour, I will sit down with my kids and be silent for two minutes.<br \/><br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.greatwar.co.uk\/poems\/inflanders.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">In Flanders Fields<\/a> may be the poem most associated with Nov. 11, but I always think of this one.<br \/><br \/><br \/> Tender Comrade by Billy Bragg<br \/><br \/>What will you do when the war is over, tender comrade<br \/>When we lay down our weary guns<br \/>When we return home to our wives and families<br \/>And look into the eyes of our sons<br \/>What will you say of the bond we had, tender comrade<br \/>Will you say that we were brave<br \/>As the shells fell all around us<br \/>Or that we wept and cried for our mothers<br \/>And cursed our fathers<br \/>For forgetting that all men are brothers<br \/>Will you say that we were heroes<br \/>Or that fear of dying among strangers<br \/>Tore our innocence and false shame away<br \/>And from that moment on deep in my heart I knew<br \/>That I would only give my life for love<br \/>Brothers in arms in each other arms<br \/>Was the only time that I was not afraid<br \/>What will you do when the war is over, tender comrade<br \/>When we cast off these khaki clothes<br \/>And go our separate ways<br \/>What will you say of the bond we had<br \/>Tender comrade<br \/><br \/><br \/>I've loved Billy Bragg for more than 25 years now. He has a horrible voice, and his guitar playing was <i>really<\/i> bad back then, but he can still move me with his words.","comments":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/92813.html?view=comments#comments"},{"guid":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/92220.html","pubDate":"Wed, 05 Nov 2008 06:48:42 GMT","title":"Update before bed.","author":"poconell","link":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/92220.html","description":"I wanted to say congratulations to everyone on my friends list, regardless of how you voted. You <i>voted<\/i>! I'm hoping this trend will extend up to our nation. We have always been a progressive country in our political views, and I don't want to see that lost. Your president could very well inspire the world.<br \/><br \/>I'll sleep well tonight. It's been a while since I've been such a proud neighbour.<br \/><br \/>And <a href=\"http:\/\/www.palinaspresident.us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">look<\/a>. She's <i>gone<\/i>!!","comments":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/92220.html?view=comments#comments"},{"guid":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/91768.html","pubDate":"Wed, 22 Oct 2008 02:05:17 GMT","title":"Writer's Block: Cryptozoology","author":"poconell","link":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/91768.html","description":"<lj-template name=\"qotd\"><br \/><br \/>Ogopogo!!! Look at this footage!<br \/><br \/><lj-embed id=\"5\" \/><br \/><br \/>Could be a hoax, but there doesn't seem to be anyone in the water around it.","comments":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/91768.html?view=comments#comments","category":["mythical creatures","cryptozoology","imaginary creatures","writer's block"]},{"guid":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/91470.html","pubDate":"Sat, 18 Oct 2008 20:17:49 GMT","title":"Good music, good food, expensive times.","author":"poconell","link":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/91470.html","description":"Hello LJ land,<br \/><br \/>I had a lovely night out with some ladies for a friends birthday. We saw <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sarabmusic.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Sarah Bareilles<\/a> at the Vogue, then went out for dinner and drinks.<br \/><br \/>She was absolutely wonderful, charming and funny, and her warm-up group Raining Jane was delightful! The tickets were the best bargain of the night at $38 for the back row. She even called the back row up to fill the empty seats in the front, which is just such a cool thing for a performer to do. It was a great concert!<br \/><br \/>When did going out become so darned <i>expensive<\/i>!!?? <br \/><br \/><br \/>Glass of red wine (maybe five ounces) at the theatre:      $6.50<br \/>Glass of red at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.subeez.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Subeez<\/a>:                $7.00<br \/>Grilled salmon with basmati rice and veggies:      $19.00 (That's actually not bad for B.C. wild salmon)<br \/>Some kind of peachy martini:                              $8.50<br \/>(OK, two of them)                                         $8.50<br \/>Parking                                                   $12.00<br \/>Parking <i>ticket<\/i> (because we were 20 minutes late!)         $38.00<br \/><br \/>I can understand why some young women will only date a guy with money. They couldn't go out otherwise! <br \/><br \/>Of course, it was a pleasure to be out and about in the trendy entertainment area of Vancouver, with the glitzty people and the hip music. My little sub-urb is a developed farming community, and the only thing you hear at night is braying donkeys. I suppose getting away from that <i>is<\/i> priceless.","comments":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/91470.html?view=comments#comments"},{"guid":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/90720.html","pubDate":"Sun, 05 Oct 2008 22:54:26 GMT","title":"Peeps in...","author":"poconell","link":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/90720.html","description":"Hellooo....??<br \/><br \/>As some of you may have noticed, I've been seen again in these parts. I've missed you guys!<br \/><br \/>I've been trying to avoid spending too much time following your election, when we are in the midst of our own up here, but let's be honest, ours isn't <i>near<\/i> as exciting as yours!<br \/><br \/>Nevertheless, I watched the debates (both in English and French), listened to the platforms, and cast my vote early on Friday. <br \/><br \/>I haven't been completely displeased with the Conservatives in Parliament this term. The Tories are not my preference, but being a minority government, they can't do excessive damage. Steven Harper is hoping for a majority this time around, but polls have now pegged his support at 34% (down from 41% earlier on). Lets hope this trend continues on to Oct. 14. <br \/><br \/>One big concern with Canadians is Steven Harper's plan for a $45 million cut to cultural funding and coming up with his own funding program. There are those in Quebec (like folk singer Michel Rivard of Beau Dommage) who worry about the English-speaking far right having a say in their cultural programs.<br \/><br \/>Watch this:<br \/><br \/><lj-embed id=\"4\" \/><br \/><br \/>Canadians can make funny videos at election time too, eh?<br \/><br \/>There's an extended version <a href=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=q3zBPnIYavI&amp;feature=related\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">here<\/a> that's even funnier!<br \/><br \/>That's it, my vote's in. I can join the fun now!","comments":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/90720.html?view=comments#comments"},{"guid":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/90335.html","pubDate":"Wed, 02 Jan 2008 07:36:41 GMT","title":"Ring-a-ding-ding!!!!","author":"poconell","link":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/90335.html","description":"I always have mixed emotions when the holidays come to a close. <br \/><br \/>I've got the house tidied up, and all the gifts put away, but I'm keeping the tree and the decorations up for a few more days. I'm not ready to let go yet.<br \/><br \/>A big Thank-You to all of you for the wonderful cards! They give me a big smile every time I walk by them.<br \/><br \/>The New Years Eve Party last night was a great time. Matthew's hockey coach, who also happens to be a good friend and neighbour had about 15 families over. What a hoot playing street hockey at midnight (parents against the kids). We lost, only because the young'uns wore us out. <br \/><br \/>In the typical holiday fashion, <i>I'm<\/i> reading all of the books I got for my kids this year, while they play the new X-Box. The Dark Is Rising and the new <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bathroomreader.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Uncle John's Bathroom Reader.<\/a> Good trivia for the tub, with all the new bath stuff Santa put in my stocking. <br \/><br \/>Happy New Year one and all!!!","comments":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/90335.html?view=comments#comments"},{"guid":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/88911.html","pubDate":"Sun, 09 Sep 2007 15:03:39 GMT","author":"poconell","link":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/88911.html","description":"Hi everyone!<br \/><br \/>I only have time for a quick post to thank everyone for the birthday wishes. It's always a good feeling to check the friends list on your birthday!<br \/><br \/>Life has been busy with camping, traveling, visitors, and now my life is all consumed with soccer, hockey, football <i>and<\/i> cheer-leading! (I'll post some photos. She's just to die for!)<br \/><br \/>Friday was a full day with no kids. It was strange actually, but I got used to it very quickly!<br \/><br \/>My husband even knew about Dan Radcliffe in the leather vest. I must go look!","comments":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/88911.html?view=comments#comments"},{"guid":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/88460.html","pubDate":"Sun, 22 Jul 2007 03:15:19 GMT","title":"I'm in!","author":"poconell","link":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/88460.html","description":"Between picking Matthew up from camp, cleaning up after sleep-overs, running the dog, and hiding from kids, I've only managed to get 100 pages in today, and hopefully another 100 tonight, but it doesn't matter. I'm just soooo happy to be spending time in this universe with these characters again!","comments":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/88460.html?view=comments#comments"},{"guid":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/88280.html","pubDate":"Sat, 21 Jul 2007 14:40:04 GMT","title":"It's time...","author":"poconell","link":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/88280.html","description":"Finally, it is 6:00 a.m. on the West Coast, and I can walk down to the grocery store and get my book. <br \/><br \/>I've been feeling like many of you this week. Excited and curious, yet anxious about all of this coming to an end. This has been a big chapter in my life, in which I've met a lot of interesting people, made some good friends, had some fabulous discussions and some great laughs. I don't feel like it's over, but it can't really be the same after all the answers are out in the open.<br \/><br \/>Six years ago, I was my maternity leave, a week past my due date and was told to take it easy, lest I wanted to be delivering a baby on the hiking trails behind the house. (Hmmph!) I barely even knew how to use the internet, but I stumbled across Mugglenet while searching for some information about Harry Potter. (I had read the books only six months before that.) From there I found Fictionalley, where I met most of you, and started on an extraordinary journey. The fun, the wank, the friendships, the stories, have made this a unique and enlightening time in my life. It's been great!<br \/><br \/>I know it's not over by a long shot, but I've been kind of clinging on to this time of uncertainty. I could have picked up the book at midnight last night on the way home from the film (The boys wanted to see Transformers instead. Harry Potter is now all <i>my<\/i> obsession. They've moved on.) but I wasn't ready to let go and let the \"end\" begin. I'm ready now. And I need to buy eggs too. <br \/><br \/>When all of you have finished (and I know many of you have already) I'm curious to know how you found your way here to the HP fandom. Had you been part of an online fandom before? When did this start for you, and how do you think things will change now?<br \/><br \/>I'll be back for your answers in a day or so. :P","comments":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/88280.html?view=comments#comments"},{"guid":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/87910.html","pubDate":"Sat, 02 Jun 2007 23:16:24 GMT","author":"poconell","link":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/87910.html","description":"Regarding <a href=\"http:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/87583.html?mode=reply\" target=\"_blank\">this<\/a>. Good reviews <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ugo.com\/ugo\/html\/article\/?id=17358&amp;sectionId=2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">here<\/a>, in case any of you are still undecided.<br \/><br \/>I'm still dazzled over it. It was such a great show!<br \/><br \/>This weekend I will be doing damage clean up from the disaster that happened on my front lawn last weekend. The neighbour decided to let his 14 yr. old son back his car out of the driveway so he could wash his truck. His kid hit the gas instead of the brake, panicked, and froze with his foot floored on the gas. The car sped across the cul-de-sac right across my driveway (where Ellen plays hopscotch), launched itself airbourne as it hit my retaining wall, continued through my hedges, and spun around, coming to a stop as it crashed into my maple tree. Meanwhile, the father is chasing after the car, as gets RUN OVER as it spins around. <br \/><br \/>Mike was at lacrosse with Ellen, and (thank God!) I was out. If I had been home, the boys would have been on the drive way playing hockey. If Ellen had been out there, she surely would have been killed.<br \/><br \/>So, I'm driving home, and I see emergency vehicles (fire truck, ambulance, police) all stopped at my house, and a crowd of paramedics gathered around my neighbour on my front lawn. And a CAR on my lawn, crashed in to my maple tree! <br \/><br \/>Thankfully, the dad is ok. A few fractured ribs and some bruising. Oh, and an injury to his scalp, as the car wheel ripped his toupee off. Did you know those things were glued on? We had to leave it lying in the grass until the RCMP came to investigate. Poor dude.","comments":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/87910.html?view=comments#comments"},{"guid":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/87583.html","pubDate":"Sat, 02 Jun 2007 06:53:55 GMT","title":"Magic, magic, magic!!","author":"poconell","link":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/87583.html","description":"Hello all! I've missed you a lot! <br \/><br \/>Life is busy, as always. I see we got some wank to play with again. Cool. (Or not.)<br \/><br \/>I want everyone to know, that the kick-off for the Police tour here in Vancouver was <i>awesome!<\/i> The guys gave a great show, with all the energy and charisma I saw them with in 1981. Stewart is a bit grey on top, Sting is a bit bald, Andy is a little chunky, but they gave us a fabulous concert! (Three of them, actually.) The crowd was great too, which always makes a concert better. Sting was all emotional at the end, and got teary-eyed, then Stewart hugged him! They were so well received here, and gave three very successful shows. You could tell they really loved playing here. <br \/><br \/>If the Police are coming to your town, GET TICKETS!!! We managed to get $108 tickets for $150, which isn't bad, but we should have been there Monday, when $400 tickets were going for the same price. The scalper told us that some American \"tour companies\" (ha!) had bought up a load of tickets hoping to make some money off them, but then they added another show. Whatever. I was determined to get in!<br \/><br \/>It was a little more than my girlfriend wanted to pay, and she really couldn't afford it, so I helped her get a ticket. I couldn't just leave her outside to regret missing this for the rest of her life. Because she would have!<br \/><br \/>One of the kindergarten moms sent me this video, saying she thought I would get a kick out of it. I'm not really a Star Trek fan, so how would she know? (Even though she was right!)<br \/><br \/><br \/><lj-embed id=\"1\" \/><br \/><br \/>Hee!","comments":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/87583.html?view=comments#comments"},{"guid":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/87504.html","pubDate":"Mon, 30 Apr 2007 05:55:29 GMT","author":"poconell","link":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/87504.html","description":"<a href=\"http:\/\/sports.sympatico.msn.cbc.ca\/TopStories\/ContentPosting.aspx?feedname=CBC-SPORTS-V2&amp;showbyline=True&amp;newsitemid=ana-van-game-three\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Oi.<\/a><br \/><br \/>All over the lower mainland, every restaurant has duck on the menu. Roast duck, broiled duck, curried, Peking, even duck barbecued with a Kokanee beer up the ass.<br \/><br \/>That seems to be the only duck we've been able to cook. These Ducks are tough, and we're getting fried.","comments":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/87504.html?view=comments#comments"},{"guid":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/86510.html","pubDate":"Mon, 25 Dec 2006 07:59:02 GMT","title":"Happy Holidays!","author":"poconell","link":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/86510.html","description":"Dear friends list,<br \/><br \/>I've missed you guys! I hope all of you are enjoying the season. Thanks so much to those of you who sent greetings this year, you really helped me get in to the spirit early!<br \/><br \/>The kids are tucked in, the house is glowing with little white lights, and the dog is WTF-ing all over the place (he really wanted to pause at that tree when I brought it in!).<br \/><br \/>The food always seems to be the best part of the season. Christmas time is the only time I'll indulge in my favorite treats without guilt. I love Almond Roca, my holiday trifle, and Gorgonzola on ritz crackers. Mmmmm!!!<br \/><br \/>So, what's your favourite holiday treat that you look forward to all year? Did you get enough? Will you be having more? Please tell!","comments":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/86510.html?view=comments#comments"},{"guid":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/85607.html","pubDate":"Sat, 04 Nov 2006 08:21:43 GMT","author":"poconell","link":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/85607.html","description":"Greetings all!<br \/><br \/>I'm still alive, still visiting, and still keeping you all in my thoughts. It seems that whenever I have something interesting to post about, I have no time, and when I do, it's no longer all that interesting.<br \/><br \/>So, I'll dump it all on you.<br \/><br \/>Everything was going well with Jack the first month of school. His teacher said in her interm report that she was very impressed with the improvements in his penmanship, writing and comprehension. She showed me his journal entries, and it's almost like they were written by a different kid! The Orton-Gillingham tutoring has really helped him, and I let him know how proud I was of him. Unfortunately, by the end of October he had fallen so far behind in math, we had to spend two weeks catching up. He had been telling me he had no homework, and unfortunately I was so busy with football, hockey, music, and work that I just trusted him without checking his planner or looking on the teacher's website. OUCH! It was awful! The sad thing is, he was able to do each worksheet and assignment in less than half an hour, he just didn't want to do it. We've still got some catching up to do this weekend, and they'll be no sleepovers or play dates until this is done. I'm not his favorite person right now. He's not mine either.<br \/><br \/>Halloween was a great time and a welcome relief from all the stress around here. The boys went out on their own in a group, and Ellen and I went with some of her kindergarten friends. Good times! This neighbourhood is rockin' on Halloween! One house was giving out coffee with shots of Bailey's for a trick. Ellen and her friends recited a pumpkin finger game, and we all got one. Must thank the teacher for that!<br \/><br \/>I managed to get a permanent two day a week position at the woman's clinic this month. It's going to be perfect, because I'll easily be able to pick up extra shifts if need be, but I don't have to commit to any more than that! <br \/><br \/>Oscar turned one on October 30. He's big. A bear! <br \/><br \/>I've managed to keep up with the running for three months now with no injuries! As you can see by the nifty little counter in my <a href=\"http:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/profile\" target=\"_blank\">profile<\/a> (nabbed from a nice person on <span  class=\"ljuser  i-ljuser  i-ljuser-type-C     \"  data-ljuser=\"we_can_do_this\" lj:user=\"we_can_do_this\" ><a href=\"https:\/\/we-can-do-this.livejournal.com\/profile\/\"  target=\"_self\"  class=\"i-ljuser-profile\" ><img  class=\"i-ljuser-userhead\"  src=\"https:\/\/l-stat.livejournal.net\/img\/community.png?v=556&v=916.1\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/we-can-do-this.livejournal.com\/\" class=\"i-ljuser-username\"   target=\"_self\"   ><b>we_can_do_this<\/b><\/a><\/span>) I am <i>finally<\/i> starting to see some results! Nothing huge, I realize, but at least I'm going in the right direction!<br \/><br \/>I do hope to comment on all of your journals soon. So many things are going on with all of you, and I hope you know how important you all are to me! <br \/><br \/>I was flipping through the phone list on my cell, and I still haven't deleted all the numbers of those I met up with at Lumos. I can't delete them; they bring a smile to my face!<br \/><br \/>This meme almost had me running fast in the opposite direction, but I surprised myself!  <br \/><br \/><div style=\"width:320px;border:1px solid gray;padding:6px;font:normal 12px sans-serif;color:black;background-color:white\"><b style=\"color: black; font-size: 20px; display: block; margin-bottom: 8px;\">You paid attention during 91% of high school!<\/b> <div style=\"width:200px;background:white;border:1px solid black;text-align:left\"><div style=\"width:91%;background:red;font-size:8px;line-height:8px\"> <\/div><\/div><p style=\"margin: 10px; border: none; background: white; color: black;\">85-100%  You must be an autodidact, because American high schools don't get scores that high!  Good show, old chap!<br><br><b><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gotoquiz.com\/do_you_deserve_your_high_school_diploma\" style=\"color: blue;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Do you deserve your high school diploma?<\/a><br><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gotoquiz.com\/\" style=\"color: blue;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Create a Quiz<\/a><\/b><\/p><\/div><br \/><br \/>I think I understand Cubism, but definitely not Pi. I sure as Hell never got 91% in <i>anything<\/i> in high school. Food Science, maybe.","comments":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/85607.html?view=comments#comments"},{"guid":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/84702.html","pubDate":"Mon, 04 Sep 2006 06:59:53 GMT","author":"poconell","link":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/84702.html","description":"<a href=\"http:\/\/www.smh.com.au\/news\/national\/steve-irwin-killed-by-stingray\/2006\/09\/04\/1157222051512.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">No!!<\/a> Not Steve Irwin!! :-(<br \/><br \/>My boys loved watching him, as much as he loved what he was doing. Their love of nature and knowledge of animals was first inspired by the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.krattbrothers.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Kratt brothers<\/a>, but it stayed alive because of Steve. <br \/><br \/>My heart goes out to Terri and their kids. What a loss for all of us.","comments":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/84702.html?view=comments#comments"},{"guid":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/84278.html","pubDate":"Fri, 25 Aug 2006 06:20:08 GMT","title":"What block of ice are these people from?","author":"poconell","link":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/84278.html","description":"I'm with all of you, who will dearly miss the lovely planet Pluto as it is demoted to a dwarf planet. <br \/><br \/>This even screws up my favorite mnemonic. <br \/><br \/>\"<b>M<\/b>y <b>v<\/b>ery <b>e<\/b>xcellent <b>m<\/b>other <b>j<\/b>ust <b>s<\/b>erved <b>u<\/b>s <b>n<\/b>ine <b>p<\/b>izzas.\" will now become \"<b>M<\/b>y <b>v<\/b>ery <b>e<\/b>xcellent <b>m<\/b>other <b>j<\/b>ust <b>s<\/b>erved <b>u<\/b>s <b>n<\/b>othing!\". Great.<br \/><br \/>All of you have been posting madly, and I can't keep up! I will be popping in on your journals in the next few days!<br \/><br \/>The kids and I went to the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.pne.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">PNE<\/a> today, for the official sign-off of summer. School opens up again in two weeks. (Whah!!! I want to spend more time with them!) Where did the summer go?<br \/><br \/>Cute Conversation in the car:<br \/><br \/>Radio: Don't miss Black Eyed Peas live at the Pacific Coliseum on Friday, October 6th with very special guest Rihanna and <i>Swollen Members<\/i>. <br \/>Me: That's a stupid name for a band!<br \/>Jack: Why?<br \/>Me: Do you know what that means? It means an erection!<br \/>Jack: No, it doesn't!<br \/>Me: YES! If you have a swollen member, that means you have an erection!<br \/>Jack: So. It's good to have an erection.<br \/><br \/>I'm not taking that any further.","comments":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/84278.html?view=comments#comments"},{"guid":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/83752.html","pubDate":"Tue, 22 Aug 2006 05:18:19 GMT","author":"poconell","link":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/83752.html","description":"Big Birthday shout-out to <span  class=\"ljuser  i-ljuser  i-ljuser-deleted  i-ljuser-type-P     \"  data-ljuser=\"connielaine\" lj:user=\"connielaine\" ><a href=\"https:\/\/connielaine.livejournal.com\/profile\/\"  target=\"_self\"  class=\"i-ljuser-profile\" ><img  class=\"i-ljuser-userhead\"  src=\"https:\/\/l-stat.livejournal.net\/img\/userinfo_v8.png?v=17080&v=916.1\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/connielaine.livejournal.com\/\" class=\"i-ljuser-username\"   target=\"_self\"   ><b>connielaine<\/b><\/a><\/span>!!<br \/><br \/><center><img src=\"https:\/\/img.photobucket.com\/albums\/1103\/poconell\/ch-h01.gif\" fetchpriority=\"high\"><img src=\"https:\/\/img.photobucket.com\/albums\/1103\/poconell\/ch-a01.gif\" loading=\"lazy\"><img src=\"https:\/\/img.photobucket.com\/albums\/1103\/poconell\/ch-p01.gif\" loading=\"lazy\"><img src=\"https:\/\/img.photobucket.com\/albums\/1103\/poconell\/ch-p01.gif\" loading=\"lazy\"><img src=\"https:\/\/img.photobucket.com\/albums\/1103\/poconell\/ch-y01.gif\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/center><br \/><br \/><center><img src=\"https:\/\/img.photobucket.com\/albums\/1103\/poconell\/ch-b01.gif\" loading=\"lazy\"><img src=\"https:\/\/img.photobucket.com\/albums\/1103\/poconell\/ch-i01.gif\" loading=\"lazy\"><img src=\"https:\/\/img.photobucket.com\/albums\/1103\/poconell\/ch-r01.gif\" loading=\"lazy\"><img src=\"https:\/\/img.photobucket.com\/albums\/1103\/poconell\/ch-t01.gif\" loading=\"lazy\"><img src=\"https:\/\/img.photobucket.com\/albums\/1103\/poconell\/ch-h01.gif\" loading=\"lazy\"><img src=\"https:\/\/img.photobucket.com\/albums\/1103\/poconell\/ch-d01.gif\" loading=\"lazy\"><img src=\"https:\/\/img.photobucket.com\/albums\/1103\/poconell\/ch-a01.gif\" loading=\"lazy\"><img src=\"https:\/\/img.photobucket.com\/albums\/1103\/poconell\/ch-y01.gif\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/center><br \/><br \/><center><img src=\"https:\/\/img.photobucket.com\/albums\/1103\/poconell\/cake2-b.gif\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/center>","comments":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/83752.html?view=comments#comments"},{"guid":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/83476.html","pubDate":"Tue, 22 Aug 2006 04:19:22 GMT","title":"Back on track!","author":"poconell","link":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/83476.html","description":"I went for  a run again this morning! New shoes with extra support <i>plus<\/i> a gel sports insert, and it felt OK. Let's hope this lasts.<br \/><br \/>I feel very happy about this, because I really over did it this weekend. One of the neighbours from down the street came up with a brilliant idea of a Block Party. It was great! We had the BBQ's and coolers out there, the music going, and people of all ages and walks of life. The pot-luck was fabulous too. Very trendy and flavourful fare (<span  class=\"ljuser  i-ljuser  i-ljuser-type-P     \"  data-ljuser=\"irinaauthor\" lj:user=\"irinaauthor\" ><a href=\"https:\/\/irinaauthor.livejournal.com\/profile\/\"  target=\"_self\"  class=\"i-ljuser-profile\" ><img  class=\"i-ljuser-userhead\"  src=\"https:\/\/l-stat.livejournal.net\/img\/userinfo_v8.png?v=17080&v=916.1\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/irinaauthor.livejournal.com\/\" class=\"i-ljuser-username\"   target=\"_self\"   ><b>irinaauthor<\/b><\/a><\/span>, you would have been impressed!) with roasted veggies, warm salads, curried shrimp etc., but the cutest thing was a little old granny hobbling down the street with a bowl of her <a href=\"http:\/\/salad.allrecipes.com\/az\/AmbrosiaFruitSalad.asp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">ambrosia salad!<\/a> It had coloured mini marshmallows! All the kids went wild over it, especially since it counted as salad, not dessert.<br \/><br \/>It was great to actually take time to talk to the neighbours and find out more about them. One lady down the street does independent colour and interior design consultation, so I'll be calling her! We'll be doing this every year before school starts.<br \/><br \/>I started my own version of Weight Watchers Monday morning. It's not bad.<br \/><br \/>Cheers to all!","comments":"https:\/\/poconell.livejournal.com\/83476.html?view=comments#comments"}]}}