Open mic at Hooley's

So I finally got the guts up to get on a stage and play. Katy went with me to a local bar called Hooley's. I walked up to the guy playing on stage and asked if I could join then played a bit by myself. I loved having a mic in my hand... it makes the harmonica a totally new instrument. Anyway, Katy was kind enough to record my debut. So without further ado:

So end the festivities...

This is possibly the best picture we've taken together. (Margie took it)
(and yes... architecture's assigned academic color is pink)

Hi everyone
How are things? Well, I have a piece of paper in my hand now that says I'm cool. I haven't found a job yet but I do have this nifty piece of paper. They didn't even throw in a frame. Couldn't ya throw in a frame for 35 G's? I've had family in town for my convocation this past week. It has been absolutely wonderful. Dad came into town last Monday and Mom got into town Tuesday. It was a little tough having to take time from one to see the other but both parents were understanding and we all had a blast. My mom and Corey met Katy's Mom, Dad and Nanna Wednesday night over a wonderful dinner. It couldn't have gone better and they couldn't have gotten along more. Thursday everyone saw everyone at the ceremony and then My dad and Margie met her family over dinner. Again... couldn't have gotten along more. Then Dad left on Friday and I spent all weekend with Mom. We toured around a bit but mostly sat around and chatted. Both Mom and Katy left Ottawa today, Mom for San Diego and Katy for Vancouver. Yep, she's in Vancouver looking for an apartment. This is becoming very real. She's there with her mother for a week. I think they'll come home with the gold sooner rather than later. Katy's spent alot of time looking at apartments online and lining up appointments for when she got there. I'm excited to see what she finds. And now that both my mother and my girlfriend have left my house on the same day, I find myself on the one hand very bored and lonely, but on the other, very busy catching up with all that I missed for a week. It's raining. I suppose I should get used to this. I'm getting back into some more woodwork for Marco. I have to clean a few rooms out at school and convert them to offices. I have to build two display spaces at school. I am redesigning a kitchen for the B&B my mom stayed in. I have to finish removing my things from studio. I have to find a job. I have to get my work permit paperwork straight. I have to clean my apartment. It was a busy day and I haven't even begun to clean yet. Maybe later. For now, nachos.

cheers

Katy's Dad, Kass, her Mom, Ailsa, and her Nanna, Nanna.

Dad has an amazing camera... and he's getting pretty good with it.

It is possible....

By TANALEE SMITH, Associated Press Writer

SYDNEY, Australia - Australian troops have ended combat operations in Iraq, a Defense Department official said Saturday.

The Australian flag was lowered in a ceremony Sunday with the 550 troops at a base in the southern Iraq city of Talil. The official spoke on condition of anonymity as required by the Defense Department.

The move fulfills a campaign promise of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who was elected last November, to bring the troops home by the middle of this year.

Something random from a few months ago...

Hi all,

Haven't written most of you in quite some time because I've been in my underground lair grinding out a thesis for so long. Well, it is done. I now have a Master's degree in Architecture. I finished strong standing in front of the most difficult defense committee I could have possibly chosen. (I'm a sucker for punishment) They beat me up pretty good but I had responses to all their questions and, in the end, came out on top. I am really proud of my work and I'm proud of what I produced. now I have to try to reintegrate back into the daytime world of normal people. It's almost as hard as reintegrating after the Army. Well, ok, not quite.


So now I'm riding out the Summer in Ottawa working a couple of odd jobs just to make some cash and I'm off to Vancouver with Katy in late July or early August. We're really excited about the move but we're not sure how we're getting there, yet. Minor details, right? All is good here in Ottawa. The weather has been spectacular following the worst winter Ottawa has seen in a long time. I can't tell you how beautiful sunshine is after having a couple of meters of snow on the ground for a few months. We've been getting alot of use out of the barbecue in the courtyard and we've planted flowers and herbs in the garden that's outside our ground-level window. We got new screens this weekend so we can finally open our windows! It's been a long time since I've had open windows. The cats always got out before. I guess that's about it. Let's see... thesis done... odd jobs... Summer... sunshine... Vancouver... yep, that basically covers it. Hope you are all well. I owe a bunch of you phone calls and am trying to get caught up on those, too. Maybe I'll hear back from you all in the meantime. Have a wonderful day, everyone.

Michael

The time has come...

Time to go defend my thesis. Here goes everything!