Holey Socks! Monday is my usual laundry day, and while I was sorting the socks, I realized that a large number of John's socks suddenly have small to alarmingly large holes in the heel! The rule is that any hole bigger than a mothbite warrants immediate expulsion from active circulation (translation: a clean sock is then used to dust, or a dirty sock is tossed out). Well, since I'd just cleaned all these socks, he's allowed to wear them once more before they get pitched. So to make sure these socks go to their final resting place, I took a sharpie and labelled ALL the soon-to-be-trashed socks with "HOLEY SOCK." It is on each foot, and when he wears these socks, the large, bold print is staring at everyone.

When he came home, I showed him what I had done, and how many socks I had labelled (about 6 pairs!!). I asked how come all these holes suddenly showed up and in the same place?? His answer: "I'm a big boy." I'm thinking, "you're not *that* heavy, but even still...I would think more weight is placed on the ball of the foot, and not on the heel...?"

And sure enough, last night after my shower, I went to dump my clothes in the hamper, and lying on the FLOOR next to the hamper (but NOT in the garbage) was yesterday's "HOLEY SOCKS". I immediately said "NO" and John knew exactly what I was talking about without even looking (he was watching hockey). He was like, "no???" with the whimper of a child wanting to keep a stray dog. NO!!

At the end of the day, Zet wins. There is one less pair of HOLEY SOCKS taking up space in the sock drawer and eliciting looks of scorn from sock-nazis like me.

Things to think about:

I'm in the midst of trying to buy a laptop. Picking which one to buy isn't so much of a problem as trying to figure out whether to buy an extended warranty. And for how long. And whether different plans offer global service. That would be key. Now if only a 3-year warranty didn't cost a whoppin' $300.

I'm also trying to figure conversion rates. The stronger the Canadian dollar gets...well, the less and less my JET salary is getting! It'd be nice if the dollar stays strong through the next few months, enough for me to convert a whack of cash to start up over there....and then tanks next summer when I close out my Japanese accounts and come home.

If I had an invisible hand (I can't believe I said that), I'd make interest rates come down soon. I just checked in on my student loans, and my loans are being dinged at 8.25%! I can probably get another 6 months of interest-relief, but that'll be it for me! Now to figure out whether I need to give someone power of attorney over my loans in case something crazy happens while I'm gone...

In other, more happy news, I handed in my resignation letter on Saturday, and was promptly told to re-write it. They'd like me to take a "one-year leave of absence" instead, so that I can come back to my job when I get back to Canada. Sounds great to me! Saves me the effort of having to job-hunt! Now if only I could get more hours or another job on the side, I could perhaps actually afford to live independently. Or at least put a significant dent in those loans.

And, as with most Canadians at this time of year, I've been bitten by the hockey bug. Bad. I've realized that the greatest part not being a student anymore is that studying for finals and writing term papers doesn't interfere with watching games! (yes, I said that in the correct order). Ottawa Senators were able to close out their series in 5, beating the Cup champions on HOME ice! Rev up the Red!

One of my second favourite teams, the Oilers, finished their series in 6, also at home, and pulled off a big upset of the President's cup winners. Excellent, Smithers! They did it in true Oilers fashion...full of grit and making a fantastic comeback by scoring FOUR goals in the third!! I heart Oilers.

My other second-favourite team, well...they're still playing the 'Canes, and sadly, they played like crap the other night. I hope they get it together tonight and that Koivu's eye heals in a fast hurry, or else the Habs are done for! Montreal's gotta force game 7! Allez-y!

Although... A small part of me would feel sad if they advance to the second round, because then Ottawa would have to be the ones to oust them from further cup contention. GO SENS GO!!!