So yesterday I went with a friend because she wanted to take photos of me. We went to Cora's for lunch, and I was super late because the bus schedule changed, and I have the old schedule, and the buses I was waiting for no longer exist in that time frame. I stood waiting for an hour. It was great. We took photos around the town square, and a little museum that neither of us knew existed, on a corner where there was a bench, and in a graveyard. Now we were very respectful while in the graveyard. She asked me to bring my violin along, so I did. I set the case on the grass, not on a tombstone, and I did not lean on any either, there were gates, and what not so I used those. As we were taking photos a group of people showed up, we had noticed garbage, and such on the ground, and even graffiti on a grave, we both wished we had a bag to put the garbage in. Along comes this group of people to hang out in a graveyard with food, and what not, fine, but not really cause they were sitting on top of a flat tombstone, and I know they were going to leave their garbage behind. We moved to the other side of the graveyard, took a few more photos, and then left. I am severely disgusted by people like that, no respect what-so-ever.
As I was leaving for lessons my roommate who also just bought a camera took a few photos of me as I was leaving for my violin lessons that night.
The day also involved several people asking me for directions, to the university which I don't really know how to get to, and a Liqour Store. I am really bad at giving directions, and taking directions though, so I hope everyone found the place that they were looking for.
Violin lessons felt very fast, and that makes me a little sad. I have learned the theme of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star though. I am going to work very hard. I love this instrument.
I should probably mention after finishing my Foundation Visual Arts last year I decided to go into Textile Design. I enjoy the classes a lot so far. There is an Photoshop, and Illustrator class though Photoshop isn't too hard, it is going to be Illustrator that is hard. A class about colours, and patterns. A class that is divided into sections: Weaving, Machine Knitting, and Dye Methods, and that will continue next semester too, and involve more fun stuff. I am in Weaving, and then Machine Knitting, and then Dye Methods. Setting up the loom was pretty crazy, and I messed up several times but it was pretty awesome. I also had to pick a drawing elective so I picked Watercolour.
My poor Wacom Bamboo Fun Pen no longer works so I inquired on how much a new pen would be, and it is the same price as a new tablet so I replaced it with the Bamboo Splash which is in the newest set of the Bamboo Family. It works a lot faster than my old one. My Bamboo Fun had a good life, and it probably would have been better if I didn't drop it on the floor so much. My Bamboo Fun was white which I was excited for at the time because I still had my little white net-book, but I am glad to have a black tablet now, and even the work space is a little bigger.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Monday, September 10, 2012
The Violin and Lessons
Ever since I was a child I have loved music.
In elementary school I was required to play the Recorder, and did that until middle school, and I loved it. I played the ukulele for a short time as well in middle school. When I entered high school I tried to play the trumpet, and the clarinet, both horrible decisions, and a failure.
I had been singing since I was in grade 2 with the choir, and joined my church choir when I was around 13. Later in high school after going through two or three music teachers I learned piano, and the basic theory I should have known (all be it 8 years in 2 weeks, and it was awesome).
I have actually been out of connection with anything taught for at least a year or two.
In recent my inspiration has been Lindsey Stirling (check out her YouTube here). I have also always loved the violin. I purchased mine second hand, as a birthday/college program graduation & GPA goal met present. I have waited all summer for lessons, and started last night. I am doing good so far, and it sounds like notes coming from my violin not screeching kittens. I slammed my right hand pinkie in between my lock, and something on the locker so holding the bow tonight was a little difficult. I am going to have to get used to the placement, and I am taking the more rewarding, and harder route of learning the fingerboard placement, so it I isn't marked. I am also going to have to get used to holding it better as well.
I am super excited to learn, and I am just getting started.
In elementary school I was required to play the Recorder, and did that until middle school, and I loved it. I played the ukulele for a short time as well in middle school. When I entered high school I tried to play the trumpet, and the clarinet, both horrible decisions, and a failure.
I had been singing since I was in grade 2 with the choir, and joined my church choir when I was around 13. Later in high school after going through two or three music teachers I learned piano, and the basic theory I should have known (all be it 8 years in 2 weeks, and it was awesome).
I have actually been out of connection with anything taught for at least a year or two.
In recent my inspiration has been Lindsey Stirling (check out her YouTube here). I have also always loved the violin. I purchased mine second hand, as a birthday/college program graduation & GPA goal met present. I have waited all summer for lessons, and started last night. I am doing good so far, and it sounds like notes coming from my violin not screeching kittens. I slammed my right hand pinkie in between my lock, and something on the locker so holding the bow tonight was a little difficult. I am going to have to get used to the placement, and I am taking the more rewarding, and harder route of learning the fingerboard placement, so it I isn't marked. I am also going to have to get used to holding it better as well.
I am super excited to learn, and I am just getting started.
I still have to name my violin, but this is me, and my baby.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Acadian Bus Lines Closure as of November 30th, 2012 [Updated]
The buses have been running since the middle of May after a six month Lock Out/Work Stoppage. As a reminder they threatened to go on strike, and in return the company locked the employees out. Months of negotiations went horribly wrong due to the negligence of both sides until a new Vice President stepped in, and the lock out ended.
A few days ago this notice appeared on the Acadian website upon entering it. Highlighted along the top is a closure date of November 30th. They company is in debt, more so then they would probably like to admit to the public. As of the work stoppage they lost out on Christmas, Easter, March Break, and the End of the School year regulars they would have received. Since they have returned their service the company has had to cut several routes, as well as schedules due to lack of employees. This is going to affect all of the Maritimes this time, including Nova Scotia which was lucky enough to have a different union during the lock out, and received raises unlike New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. Around 120 employees will be losing their jobs as of the closure. Acadian Bus Lines Shutting Operations by November - Prince Edward Island - CBC News is a shorter article which entails most of the information from the notice on the site.
As the lock out occurred several companies tried to step in but the government would not allow it. Acadian was still around technically, and paying the government. With Acadian leaving completely there is more of a chance that a new company will step in. Trius a tour bus company is already planning to attempt that as noted in this article: Trius Bus Company Plans to Fill Void Left by Acadian - New Brunswick - CBC News.
N.S. Government, Union Open to talks with Acadian Lines - Prince Edward Island - CBC News This last article entails the fact that Acadian might have been able to stay afloat if the government would allow them to change some of the routes that are existing. There are times when there are only two, or three customers on the bus, and personally I have been in that situation before.
This announcement is the beginning of a lot of turmoil. Personally I am upset because that is how I get home for Christmas, and once again this year I will be fighting to get home. Now once again not to mention all the other students who depend upon a bus system. The VIA Rail does not go to every single city in Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick, and not to mention there no longer is a train to the Capital of New Brunswick, and there hasn't been for at least 20 years. Hopefully another bus system can step in, and everything will be okay.
--{UPDATE}--
There has been news of VIA Rail helping out a new bus company if we get another one in the Maritimes because VIA Rail has not been doing well financially either lately.
A few days ago this notice appeared on the Acadian website upon entering it. Highlighted along the top is a closure date of November 30th. They company is in debt, more so then they would probably like to admit to the public. As of the work stoppage they lost out on Christmas, Easter, March Break, and the End of the School year regulars they would have received. Since they have returned their service the company has had to cut several routes, as well as schedules due to lack of employees. This is going to affect all of the Maritimes this time, including Nova Scotia which was lucky enough to have a different union during the lock out, and received raises unlike New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. Around 120 employees will be losing their jobs as of the closure. Acadian Bus Lines Shutting Operations by November - Prince Edward Island - CBC News is a shorter article which entails most of the information from the notice on the site.
As the lock out occurred several companies tried to step in but the government would not allow it. Acadian was still around technically, and paying the government. With Acadian leaving completely there is more of a chance that a new company will step in. Trius a tour bus company is already planning to attempt that as noted in this article: Trius Bus Company Plans to Fill Void Left by Acadian - New Brunswick - CBC News.
N.S. Government, Union Open to talks with Acadian Lines - Prince Edward Island - CBC News This last article entails the fact that Acadian might have been able to stay afloat if the government would allow them to change some of the routes that are existing. There are times when there are only two, or three customers on the bus, and personally I have been in that situation before.
This announcement is the beginning of a lot of turmoil. Personally I am upset because that is how I get home for Christmas, and once again this year I will be fighting to get home. Now once again not to mention all the other students who depend upon a bus system. The VIA Rail does not go to every single city in Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick, and not to mention there no longer is a train to the Capital of New Brunswick, and there hasn't been for at least 20 years. Hopefully another bus system can step in, and everything will be okay.
--{UPDATE}--
There has been news of VIA Rail helping out a new bus company if we get another one in the Maritimes because VIA Rail has not been doing well financially either lately.
Friday, May 25, 2012
Acadian Bus Lines May Be Back But the Service is Still Awful
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| Taken at the Terminal in Moncton, New Brunswick by me. |
The buses were packed since it was a long weekend due to Victoria Day. On my way from Fredericton we were half-an-hour ahead of schedule which is unheard of, there is a first for everything. I had no problem with this at all because usually the bus is about an hour late coming out of Quebec.
I was travelling back on the last day, and this is where the nightmare begin. We arrived in Moncton to transfer like we always do. They loaded the bus around 5:30, and myself, and about 10 others learned the bus was full. We were promised that another bus was coming. We waited until 7 o'clock to find out there was no other bus, and the other bus that was full left about an hour-and-a-half late from Moncton. We were all stranded in Moncton overnight. I got lucky because I have several friends, and my Aunt who live in Moncton. I felt bad for the others, everyone was freaking out, and crying, and I do not blame them.
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| The ticket I received. Photo taken by me. |
I am tired of this company, and all the problems they have been giving me for the last four, or so years. It is time they get it together, or just get out of the province. You would think the company would be trying to keep their customers happy after no service for six months but that would never happen. Acadian is suppose to be more stress free than asking a stranger on Kijiji, and it is still about the same. I do not want to travel for a while, and even if I have to I really do not want to take the buses. The only solution is to learn how to drive, and purchase a car.
They now have a promotion on until the end of the month for 50% off adult round trip tickets. They are going to have to do a lot more to bring back some of their customers I can imagine because people are creative, and can find other ways to travel other than the bus company that left us all stranded for six months.
I have sent them another email to the customer service side of the business, and I doubt i will hear anything back because I never heard anything back from the other five emails they sent in the past. Acadian is really good at frustrating their customers.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
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