My brother just sent me this link. Republik is reopening in 2 weeksish…

Republik resurrected Iconic rock club returning 10 years later
Mike Bell, Calgary HeraldPublished:
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
The Republik is dead. Long live the Republik.

This month, the doors will open once again on a Calgary alternative rock institution that has lain dormant for the better part of a decade — the Republik Nightklub, which will be one of three new venues in the old Victoria’s restaurant block, at 306 17th Ave. S.W. True, it may be in a different location from either its first home orthe venue that shut down in 2000 and currently houses Tequila, but ownersare hoping to recreate the spirit of the seminal ’90s nightclub by revivingits name.
“It’s definitely important to me that we stick to whole philosophy ofwhat it was,” says Victor Choy, who opened the original Republik (516 9thAve. S.W.) in June 1987, before moving it to its longtime 219 17th Ave. S.W. location two years later. That philosophy was providing an alternative to the Top 40 dance bars in Calgary, and to create a venue for up-and-coming local and touringbands. Along with the defunct Westward Club as well as the Night Gallery, the Republik helped indie rock not only survive, but thrive in aconservative city.

Saw Joe last night. Dirty hippie is an understatement although he’s awfully clean. Maybe by dirty he just means mind. Taught Emmy to say hippie Joe which is crazy funny. Seems like he’s doing well and all had a great trip to CR.

Emma is sick today so I stayed home with her. She had a big poop and when I took off her diaper to change her, she pinched her nose and said “peeyu”! Just like mom and dad I guess. She’s a total snot/drool factory. I swear she’s a laundry making machine. Not only has she made a mess of about five different outfits but she goobered up my bed, her own bed and even sneezed into her doll’s hair! She even said gross to the last one! I swear that laundry detergent companies should be encouraging people to have more kids, they’re like money making machines for them!

The weekend was completely frantic with two work Christmas parties, a tree decorating at Laura and Michael’s and I even worked on Saturday. I’m not sure when/if we’ll ever be ready for Christmas! At least I got the cards off today…

Under the category of Ebay — I love it!!! I’ve bought a ton of clothes for Emma off there recently–little Christmas dress with a matching coat, velvet pants and turtle neck, jeans, sweaters, long sleeve tops, overalls, etc. All of it has started arriving here and it’s all awesome! Even better than I expected!!! My best buy has been velvet pants and turtle neck from the Gap at the cost of 0.01 ( and 9.50 shipping). Great, great deals to be had there everyone!!! It’s such a nice surprise to receive in the mail everyday. Also great for finding those impossible to find things — like Scooby Doo toys and movies for my nephew who is currently loving Scooby.

As I type this, Emma is standing on my lap obscuring my view of the screen. Signing off for now due to major distractions. Be sure that the rest of what I was going to say was utterly brilliant! Wish me luck in Christmas preparedness as I do for you.

Welcome home to Laura and Joe who arrived back on Wednesday evening from Costa Rica. They landed to full on winter with highs around minus 15 celcius and snow. Joe sent out a really cute email asking whoever picked him up to bring a pair of socks as he only had one sock in his possession. I guess one warm foot is better than none! He also asked for blankets, parka, etc. Can’t imagine what a shock to your system this would be after being in paradise for 3 months. We haven’t seen either of them yet but are looking to a visit in the upcoming future. We heard last night that Laura even tried surfing while there. When in Rome I guess… Sounds like a ton of fun! I will report on just how much of a dirty hippie Joey has become in my next entry.

This is too funny, and something I’ve done!

blamestorming
(verb) : Sitting around in a group, discussing why a deadline was missed or a project failed, and who was responsible.
Submitted by: Anonymous on May. 15, 2007 16:34
(verb) : Gathering around in a group to discuss why a deadline was missed or a project failed and who is to blame or responsible.
All the managers were locked up in a meeting for the all day blamestorming about the lost contract.
Submitted by: munthu from Arizona on Mar. 12, 2007 16:16
(other) : A meeting held in order to come up with a name of a person to assign guilt to a certain incident.

I also like this one:
w00t (interjection) : an interjection expressing joy (it could be after a triumph, or for no reason at all); similar in use to the word “yay”
w00t! I won the contest!

Check out the list of words vying to win the Word of the Year at http://m-w.com/info/07words.htm

I just saw this interview with this very cool lady who sold everything she owned and travelled the world on her motorbike. She is turning 60 next year and has wrote a book about her mainly solo travels into nearly every where you can think of! Her pictures are absolutely amazing! She has one book out now and is releasing a second next year. Definitely check out this link! http://www.untamedspirit.net/

In no way am I promoting this idea for either of our moms or crazy fun Aunts (you know who you are!).

Emma is starting to learn her manners. She often says please and thank-you now. She even says Excuse me when she sneezes, burps and farts. The excuse me is always followed by a giggle though… And when you try to prompt her to say please by saying to her “What do you say?” when she’s reaching for something, she usually just says NOW! Perhaps she will require a little more manners training before hanging out with the queen.

She is very into climbing, jumping and generally exploring her world in new ways. She will often walk around backwards saying “Beep, beep, beep” like a truck in reverse…absolutely hysterical. She has even recently started jumping on couches and beds. The last time we got together with my brother’s kids, all three of the mid sized ones (Emma, Maya and Gabriel) were jumping on the couch together! The other day she was bouncing on the couch and I said Emma, what are you doing??? She said Maya and Dabu (which means Gabriel somehow to all three or them!).

She is definitely understanding more and more what we say. I was talking to Mark about getting together with my Mom yesterday and Emma started saying Nana nana nana nana nana. Somehow she understood who I meant! The girl is just sooo smart. Learning new words everyday. Cuter every day. Christmas should be an absolute blast this year! She really seems to like the idea of Santa. She’ll be seeing an actual santa up close this weekend at our Christmas party. We’ll see if she becomes one of those kids who suddenly thinks Santa might be a serial killer when he gets a little too close. I’ll keep you posted….