Welcome a new Parker and listen to some juice harp

Hello everyone. First off, I'd like you to all welcome Maury's new baby into the world. Just say it outloud. He can hear. Parker Landon Ross entered the world at 1:15 pm last Wednesday, the 10th, at 8lbs 11oz and 20.75". I'm unbelievably honored to have him named after me. :) His mom, Tarrah, made it through like a champ and is doing well, so I hear.

Otherwise, things are the same here. Imagine that! I've been reading a book about the city of Mumbai, India called, Maximum City. I've been reading alot of philosophy both for my philosophy class and for my thesis. Exciting stuff. I'm going to a friend's art show tonight. Thomas and Suzy's for dinner Sunday. Same ol' same ol'.

The one thing different lately is that I've been playing my harmonica all over town. I'm finally getting over my fear of playing in front of people. For those just coming in on the story, I picked up the harmonica in June and have taught myself to make music. Here's what I sound like these days...



Ok, that's it for now. I'll write again next time I come up for some sunlight! Until then...

Happy Thanksgiving, eh?

Well this past weekend was thanksgiving up here in hockey land. I went home with Katy to Toronto and stayed with her family for a few days. Her brother, Kevin, was away at college for the first time and they were glad to have him home for the holiday. We had a nice turkey dinner Saturday at her parents' house and then went to have dinner with her mom's family Sunday (the British side). We had a great time. No one wanted to mess with cooking so they ordered Chinese take-out. We ate until we were stuffed... then they gave me another plate. They have it in their minds that I don't eat enough. I dunno. We drank and played music on the stereo and danced and sang until late into the night. It really was a fun time. Then we drove home late Sunday night and it is now Monday morning and I'm sitting in grad school crits all day. Fun stuff. Ok, better get back to paying attention.
Until next time...

Catching up...

Hi everyone... but mostly Mary K. I was thinking about you last night as I made tea using the kettle you sent me. Then Mom emailed and mentioned you so I figured I should hop on and jot a note. Didn't realize it had been so long since I posted. Time flies. To skip over the vitals, Katy and I wrapped our vacation up at the beginning of September and came back to Ottawa in time for school to start, yet again. Got settled in and have been doing school full time for a month or so now.

School has started fast and furious. I have gotten alot of work done and am really pleased with my work ethic so far. We'll see if I can keep it up. Tuesday I have my first review. I should be writing my abstract now but am doing this instead. (Ah! Sweet distractions!) I have picked my site for my project and done some preliminary work. Soon I will begin on the actual building. I have really enjoyed my teaching assistant job so far. The kids all get alot out of me, it seems. They ask alot of questions and invite me to their desks to see what they're doing. I enjoy having such a receptive audience. It's really validating sometimes. I'm helping in 3rd year studio. They have been building a project we call "Dinner is Served," where they design a pavillion to seat 8 and serve a meal out next to the river on campus. It's the first time they are let loose as students to design anything and the first time they get to build. It's a great project. Tomorrow night is their presentation. I'll be amongst a couple dozen people that go out to have dinner with one of the pavilions.
I look forward to it.

This weekend is Canadian Thanksgiving. Yeah, I know... Thanksgiving before Halloween, how's that work? So I'm finishing my work for Tuesday by tonight and we're going to visit Katy's parents in Toronto for Thanksgiving. I get TURKEY this weekend! I don't have a camera on hand to show you a picture, but you can imagine I am one happy boy. I get to see her family again... I like them... they like me. It's good times.

Um... what else...? Nothing, I guess. Anyway, just wanted to let you all know I'm alive. Sorry for being so irregular. You know how it gets sometimes. Thank you to all the regulars who stick with me through the droughts. Happy Canadian Thanksgiving, everyone!