whats on my mind this week

1) A caper is a vegetable. The other day Devin and I were watching Top Chef and someone referred to a caper as a vegetable. And I turned to Devin and said "a caper is a vegetable?" and he said "yes, what did you think it was?" And I guess I had never really thought about it before. Because really - what else could a caper be?

2) The other day I was in the campus photocopy place and a young man (20 or so) asked for thirty colour copies of his resume. And I wanted to tell him that there was no earthly reason to have a resume that was in colour. And that, in fact, it made him look unprofessional. However, as it was clearly none of my business I said nothing.

3) I know that a lot of people are disappointed with how Canada is doing in the Olympics. And I know that I am sad that Canada has so far won no medals. And I read that countries like the US and Russia manage to convert international success into medals 60% of the time, and Canada is only able to do so 30% of the time. But at least as far as the pool is concerned, I am super proud of all the Canadian athletes. What more can you ask from your athletes than personal bests and national records.

4) However, the Olympics have preempted Coronation Street which does not make me happy :)

when a relationship is like an ill-fated moon landing starring Tom Hanks

I think this is a super interesting description of how to make a relationship work.

"It's about taking what you have, and, instead of trying to change it, finding a happy way to live with it. The movie image that just flashed into my head is in "Apollo 13," when the earthbound scientists stand at a table full of stuff representing everything the astronauts have available to them in the capsule. Their job is to rig something from those materials alone.

Being part of a couple is the same way--you both bring certain things to the relationship, and that's what you have to work with. Either you can rig something with it or you can't."

-Carolyn Hax

Sage Advice

Today Miss Manners offers advice on a problem that I think we've all had.

How do you handle those awkward moments when you are sitting in a hot tub with your naked neighbour? Now you can find out!

existential crisis I

Washington, DC: Is there such a thing as a mid-twenties crisis?

Carolyn Hax: I hope there's such a thing, because mine was doozy. Here's my theory: Being post-school and pre-settled these days means you can be anything, do anything your imagination and abilities allow. It's a great gift--if you don't happen to be the one dealing with it. Otherwise, it bites. When you have limitless choices, suddenly nothing you have or do is good enough, because you know, in the back of your mind, there's something out there that's better. My advice: Take a deep breath, be honest about what you really want, and chase after it hard. Even failure is rewarding if you're truly reaching for something. If you have no CLUE what to reach for, join the club. It helped me just to make sure I was always moving forward, even if I wasn't sure about the direction. You can also start a process of elimination, trying whatever new things appeal to you to see if they're right for you. Life's a big chemistry experiment; go out there and start blowing things up. (Not literally please.)

I myself have often wondered about the etiquette in this type of situation

"DEAR ABBY: Please help me. My lover and I have been disagreeing lately and are considering couples counseling. However, he keeps insisting that we see the marriage counselor he and his wife are currently seeing.

I want to make this relationship work, but I think it's inappropriate to receive counseling from the same one that they are currently seeing. What do you think? -- NEEDS THERAPY IN TEXAS"

I'm glad to see that she is able to correctly identify what about this whole situation is inappropriate.

Come Christmas 2007...

I can't decide if I think this is a good thing, a bad thing, or a simply ridiculous thing.

"For an excellent guide to becoming a better conversationalist and a more attractive person, order "How to Be Popular." Send a business-size, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $6 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby Popularity Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Postage is included.)"