And Life Goes On.

Tonight is the second night I have spent in our new home. It is much more spacious than anything I have lived in for years. Currently I am sitting down at the kitchen table, surrounded by things that need a place and enjoying a beer. I am completely for a loss on how things will progress from here, I can only imagine life will get worse before it gets better. I am still unemployed and our small EI claim for my wife's maternity leave doesn't even really cover the rent. Worse still I know that the loss of Eoin will only get more painful as things settle down.

The weekend was filled with relatives coming out to visit. Nothing brings family together like the reminder of our own mortality. For our part we avoided everyone and spent the time unpacking belongings. This house that isn't yet a home, has already become the most comfortable thing I can remember in over a year. I don't even know if the utilities are in our name yet, and the internet I am currently using is actually being borrowed from a neighbour. (I can only hope they left their access open under a utilitarian principle, one for which I am grateful.) So slowly over the coming weeks, we will continue to make this place our home, one small task at a time.

Tomorrow will be another task altogether however. At some time this weekend Eoin's remains were cremated. So at 10AM, we will be retrieving the urn that now contains the ashes of my sons bones. In a small way it will be a bit of closure to a long painful tale. I still don't know how I will react to receiving them. Hopefully it will be less painful then identifying the remains had been, even though that was a bit of closure in itself. I like to think that because most of this last year has been so paiful and difficult, that things will only start to get better. I hope it isn't too naive of me to believe that.

I wish I could share some of my future plans at the moment. Because every plan so far has gone up in smoke, I am currently left in a wait and see situation. The economy has tanked and with it so have most of the job opportunities. About a week ago I had a job interview for a technician position, however I am currently beginning to think that even that opportunity might be closed to me now. Sadly it was for the job repairing military equipment that I had mentioned once or twice before. It wasn't even a position that interested me all that much, but now I would probably jump at the chance.

Well, I might as well end this post here, I am sure it is probably depressing even for me. Hope everyone else is doing alright these days.

The Hunt.

June is fast approaching and I have spent the last month and a bit looking for work. Last Friday was the first time I have heard back from anyone and it just so happens I had two calls in one day. I had a meet and greet today that could possibly lead to a job with the city. Overall I don't think it went as well as it could have. I am always lacking for questions and my interpersonal skills are pretty low with people I hardly know. I don't think I give a bad vibe or anything but there were definitely a few moments of awkward silence. It probably doesn't help that I messed up the first scheduled meet and greet by going to the wrong location and then having to call the guy to let him know I was half way across town. I don't think I exactly inspired confidence in that situation.

Fortunately I also have an interview with another company on the 22nd. It is for repairing military optics; something I have a fair bit of confidence with. It isn't exactly the job I would choose first, but I am sure it will pay decent. Either way, the lack of response I have had has been very surprising. I know that we are supposedly in an economic downturn, but I figured I would have already had at least one interview. The employment hunt has always been something of dread for me and at this point in my life I should be in a much more stable position.

So you say you need to waste some time.

Well that Hungarian game designer known as Gameinabottle has released the prequel to Gemcraft. For a cheesy tower game, it is hours of fun. The new game is similar to the first, but leveling up is a little different and there are a few new treats, like traps that you activate with gems. As well the game seems a little more difficult than part one, and I have found myself stuck on a few levels. Then again I have been trying to play the game with my laptop touch pad.

Anyway, hope you guys can get the same enjoyment out of it that I do. Thanks for the game Gameinabottle.

Cinco de Mayo

Cited as the day of the French Military's unlikely defeat at the hands of the Mexican Military in 1862, at the Battle of Puebla. With 4500 Mexican soldiers defending against 6000 French troops, the battle ended with the loss of 450 French and about 80 Mexicans. Not exactly Dros Delnoch, besides which, when has a French defeat ever been unlikely.

Sorry Mexico, not a great reason to party. Regardless, tequila sucks and Mexican beer for the most part, is only slightly better than Mexican water. If you could just get rid of the swine flu, dirty streets, corrupt policia, junk peddlers and sleazy hotel managers... well you would be left with margaritas, burritos (sans guacamole) and drunk 18-20 year old Americans.

I know I am being too harsh. It is just that the few times I had been to Mexico, I was very underwhelmed. I am sure if you could get away from the tourist traps. Away from where every greedy merchant and other gang affiliated hoodlum is trying to take advantage of you. Well, it would most likely be a nice place to visit. Even still, the next time I plan to catch some southern sun, I think I will plan on taking a trip to Cuba. At least then you can generally avoid the American tourists.