Getting Wheels

So because of the new job and the intense driving around I will be buying a car.

Am I excited about this? Yes and no.

I like to drive, the bus is slow and cold, but I like my money.

But unfortunately the decision was made for me, so last night Dad and I went to a few dealerships, drove a 2007 Ford Focus XZ5 (very nice), and I'm going out again Friday night...maybe Annie will come with???

When I get the beast, I'll let you know. And no, Maggie can't drive it.

I'm Getting Wheels

Alright, so because of a clarical snafu, I need a car for my new job.

It was supposed to be put in the job ad, but it wasn't. So imagine my surprise when I was told I couldn't use a company car (because of the grant specifics).

So, as I have to roam around Western Ontario I will be going to dealerships tomorrow with my Dad.

I don't know what's more painful, having to dole out the cash for a car, or having to deal with my Dad's high standards when it comes to purchasing a car.

Here's how it goes:

Me: I just want some wheels that won't break down.

Dad: What do you want?

Me: The cheapest thing that won't break down.

Dad: But what is it that you want in a car?

Me: Cheapness.

Dad: This is your escape! You're wheels! You have to think about what you want!

Me: I know what I want. To not spend a lot of money.

Dad: What do you want?

Me: Cheap. Wheels.

End Scene.

First Week Of Being A Grown Up

Alright, so last week was my first week at Western Area Youth Services as the Project Coordinator of RISE (Reducing Incidents of Sexual Exploitation) for Youth.

I have my own office, business cards and a whole lot to do.

My main job will be public education about sexual exploitation of youth...what that you ask?

Well, I'll tell you.

Sexual exploitation is when anyone trades anything with anyone under the age of 18 for any type of sexual favour.

Some people unwittingly call this youth or child prostitution. By law this is child abuse, so it should be treated as such, so don't call it prostitution. It's abuse and against the law.

You may think that this only happens in developing nations like Thailand, but the reality is it's happening more and more in Canada.

From experience I can say that this is a silent epidemic in Canada, London is running rampant with exploited young people. Sometimes their street kids, but there are just as many kids trading stuff for sex in the suburbs as downtown.

With this phase of the project I will be responsible for ten different counties...yes count 'em up:

Essex
Chatham-Kent
Lambton
Middlesex
Elgin
Oxford
Perth
Huron
Grey
Bruce

Yes, from Windsor to Owen Sound, I'm on the case to help exploited kids everywhere.

We've even got ourselves a MySpace page, check it out:

www.myspace.com/riseforyouth

Ants In Your Pants

Feet Still Hurting Me

Here we are at the creepiest building in Montreal, The Insectarium.

This was by far the weirdest and coolest exhibit there, those are ants walking across the branch...!

Le Stade

Can you tell my feet hurt?

Dad and I went to the Insectarium and Botanical Gardens on our last day in Montreal.

My feet felt as though they were going to fall off.

Then he asks me to climb on a frozen metal bench and pose for about 16 pictures.

This was the nearest I could get to a smile.

Sorry Sisters

When I was in Montreal I learned quite a bit.

I learned that the big sales happen the end of January, beginning of February...

And I'm talking big sales, 50% to 70% off.

Too bad it's totally lost on me.

First Week Down

Alright, so after a relaxing week in Montreal (a.k.a. the coldest place on Earth) it was time to get down to the business of having a real job.

When I was in Montreal I tootled around, got to know the Metro system, went to the Insectarium, Botanical Gardens, ate bagels, did some shopping, walked up and down St. Denis Street, explored Vieux Montreal, ate crepes, got locked out of Cathedrale de Notre Dame (could they tell that I don't go to church anymore?), got chillblains every night, ate smoked meat, walked around underground, spoke French, slept in, and went to the Biodome.

All in all a pretty good week with my Dad.

Above you will see a picture I took at the Rainforest portion of the Biodome of two monkeys grooming each other. I call them Annie and Maggie. I think it's fitting.

At the end of the week I decided that I could live in Montreal, but not in the Winter months.

"And some places you been before are so great that you don't ever mind going back. Some places you been before you don't ever want to go back, you know, like Montreal in the Winter."

~M. Freeman

Blog's Back Up

Alright, so after my Dad messed up my browser I couldn't access my blog, but rest assured he fixed the problem and we're back up and running.