Word
Military Duty and Duty Free Shopping
I didn't knew that duty was an ambigious term, but that's what's been happening to me for the past months that I haven't been active...

I've just been busy. Even with schools done and all, I'm still looking for a full time job, while mingling with my part time job in the army. I've been taking random taskings left right and centre, haven't been this busy with the army for a long time.

I also took a weekend vacation to the US again. I've had a lot of fun...

Armé
Assisstant Range Safety Officer
My first tasking that started all of this was being part of the firing range staff for the brigade competition for two weekend days (9th and 23rd of May) up north to a base called CFB Borden. Theyre both a day and a half days pay, because the brigade wanted to give an extra bonus in for helping out since its something outside the unit (or so they say...).

The first weekend (9th of May) we had to arrive at the base on Friday night, so the extra half days pay is pretty much worked for. I was the designated driver up there, so that night my buddies wanted to hit the bar and clubs. We went to this one club called "Queens" which (quote, unquote) my buddies said theyre full of "College and University graduate girls." Men...

We all ended up dancing, or rather me trying to dance considering I was the only one sober there (my duty of bringing these fools back to base alive is priority, so no alcohol tolerance for me). I got extremely bored and agoraphobic, so I avoided the dance floor most of the time, but I know at the end of the night (which was around 3am they wanted to head back) many were complaining that they wanted more time... to get numbers whom theyre not gonna see because we're far away out of our main city.

I also can't believe they each spent around $60 on alcohol alone that night. I had fun taking care of my roommate from choking on his own vomit that night.

The second weekend (23rd of May) wasn't as eventful as the previous. We headed there on Saturday 12pm this time instead of Friday, just to do fuck all until 5pm when theyre actually shooting. Also, one of us had to head back home to attend to his civilian job (hes an entry-level police officer), so I took the responsibility to drive him back home (because our officer and the second in command were the only one besides me that has a military driver's license, but those two were needed to run the range) and come back. A nice three hour drive, didn't make it back by around 8:30pm, just in time when the range was done, and picked the guys up. We never ended up leaving base because they wanted us to carry supplies for them, so the end of the night we got back at around past midnight. Since midnight counts as next day, there's the other half days pay we worked for... how did the brigade knew this was gonna happen?

Since I missed dinner, I get to claim it for its full entitlement, same with lunch.

Captains of the Industry
This tasking was a 4 day tasking from the 11th to the 14th of May. It was a public relations event, inviting high end company managers (bank companies, clothing companies, car companies, you name it) to the brigade headquarters (it was only an armoury, not a huge base) to participate in a few things soldiers do in overseas - wear loaded tactical vests, carry weighted back packs (called "Small Packs" strangely), and carry our standard issued (fully loaded and assessorized) rifles. It was a really cool event, though sorting things out was a bitch of a time. Not to mention we all had to hide away from the high ranking officers - General rank levels we'd like better to avoid. We are in the brigade headquarters after all...

The first day was set up and prepare for the event, all bitch work. Second day was the start of the event for the senior presidents and CEOs. Some of us were split into different timings, myself and one other were tasked to be vehicle ushers and security with the Military Police for a few hours. After that, we all hid until lunch and afternoon until we had to tear down and set up for next day - the Junior presidents group (which there were more then three times the amount then the seniors and CEO group). Pretty much a repeat, except it was a full tear down. Fourth day was another day of tear down and clean up, so another day of work (and pay!).

There were a lot of nice cars at the event though...

Change of Command Parade
This next tasking I had was a full day, being ceremonial guard for our brigade change of command, switching from one Colonel to another. This event was on the 28th of May, the day before I headed to the U.S. again.

I originally volunteered to go as General Duties - just work party setting up chairs and tables. A week later (before the actual parade), the Ops NCO had a change of plans and made us the ceremonial guards, since we owned our Distinctive Environment Uniforms (our regimental kilt and formal dress clothings). Thanks... I signed up to look pretty and get yelled at to stand still and not move...

Remind me not to take another change of command parade again... whether they say GDs or not.

Sorrel Day Parade
This parade recently on the 7th of June was another regiment's commemoration of a victory they won at the Battle of Mount Sorrel (part of the Allied battle for Ypres). Other regiments are tasked on providing GD staff to set up their dinner tables and chairs and such for their lunch and dinner. Its a pretty interesting parade and all the food provided for friends and families.

I got to serve pop corn to the kids (in uniform too!), haha. Im now qualified basic pop-corn maker.

Dangerous Goods
This isn't a tasking, but a course part of the driving qualifications for those who must follow strict guidelines on transporting Dangerous Goods. Its a two day course (8th and 9th of June), one day lecture the other day test. Pretty much death by powerpoint the whole day and a two hour test with another hour and half waiting.

The point of having this course, is to be permitted to transport cargo that is dangerous by nature (ie. Ball rounds and live grenades). I've been trying to get this course for years, because I wanted to become an Administration NCO possibly anytime in the future.

Now, who'd trusts an asian driver with a cargo full of grenades in the back of the trunk?


Short Vacation
A Walk Through the Park
In the middle of my military fiasco, I took a weekend vacation heading to the U.S. once again. Same place as I headed last time, Ohio state, but a different school for a different anime convention. I only attended for one day, but met with up a select number of online friends there. Wasn't the most fun, but more chaos and stress when people loses cell phones and has to look for it (not mine).

I stayed at Katelynn's place for the weekend, two days and three nights. Her bulldog's puppies were in, so I got to help with the puppy duties a few times while I was there. For my sleeping accomodations, I was given priviledges to sleep in their motor home, quite comfy actually. Though first night they were afraid that I'd overheat, so they didn't turn on the heating system... only finding out I was freezing at night instead next morning.

First day, Saturday, we were at the con for just the morning and mid afternoon. The rest of the day we went grocery shopping with them to get stuff for dinner. I was quite... baffled about their shopping habits. They wanted to get dessert, suggested cheesecake. I picked up a pack, and looked at the price. It was $6.99, but they said it was too small, so they went somewhere else in the store (god knows why there's two seperate isles for cheesecakes, lol) and found a larger cheesecake... for $12.99. Mind you... Im quite picky on price... but they just picked it up, complimented that it is the right size, and put it in the cart... I guess pricetags aren't an issue for them.

Next day, Sunday, we spend the rest of our afternoon taking me to places - the stables where their horses are, Fort Meigs, and then we walked along this old flour mill. It was a nice wonderful day actually. Been awhile since I've been close to a horse before. Too bad I couldn't ride one - Kate didn't manage to procure a waiver form for me beforehand. It's alright, maybe next time.

On the following Monday, I went to Anthony Wayne High School, to say hi to a few of my friends before I headed back to Canada where I belong. It was slightly chaotic because everyone was crowded trying to clean out their lockers. Is this really what high school looked like since I left a few years ago...? anyways, I wasn't allowed to stay when I was at their office asking for permission. The lease I wanted to do is put the school on a lockdown. Ahh well, nothing I can do, so I headed back home.

Duty Free Shopping
When I arrived at Ambassador Bridge, I decided to visit the "Duty Free" shop. It was nothing more than a tax-free commodity store such as jewellry, candies, high price clothing and accessories, tobacco (cigerettes and cigars), and lots and lots of alcohol. I bought myself a nice large 1.14L of Bacardi Gold Rum at a nice price of $14 even (something that big would cost around $26 here in Canada).

The Duty Free limits for visitors returning to Canada is different depending on how long you've stayed in the U.S. for. $50 can be claimed for over 24 hours but under 48 hours, duty and tax free (no alcohol or tobacco exemption). For more than 48 hours but up to 7 days, personal excemptions can be claimed up to $400 including the tobacco limit (theres a list, but I don't smoke) and/or a bottle (1.14L or 40 Ounces) of liqour. Over 7 days is $750 exemption and the tobacco and alcohol limit. Only one bottle of liquor per person, so if there is 4 people crossing in one car, there can be four bottles that can be brought over through the border.

Now if I knew about this rule two and a half months ago...


Back to Work
Job Hunt
Well, I'm still looking for a full time job, but so far I've applied for 4 places already, still looking for more. So many job postings requires "5 years experiences," "trade certification" "#1 person in the world" hmm...

Oh well, we'll see how it'll go.

Regiment Moving Out
Stand Down is coming soon next week. This weekend, however before that, there's a party for my regiment moving out of Fort York (lease issues and such, so the regiment needs to move out). They've been there for 75 years (how coincidental... because the regiment was originally called the 75th Battalion, Mississauga Horse Regiment).

I'm gonna be so bored after stand down...


Currently working on...

Art Trade(s):
None currently

Projects:
~Webcam - 50% (Sketch Complete)
~Ottomana Redesign - re-contemplating
~Leslie Redesign - re-contemplating